Menu

Deuteronomy 13:9 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּ֤י הָרֹג֙ תַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּ יָֽדְךָ֛ תִּֽהְיֶה־ בּ֥וֹ בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖ה לַהֲמִית֑וֹ וְיַ֥ד כָּל־ הָעָ֖ם בָּאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃

BSAnotlôʼ be willingʼâbâh notlôʼ to hearshâmaʻ to(wards)ʼêl notlôʼ to pitychûwç eyeʻayin uponʻal notlôʼ to sparechâmal notlôʼ to coverkâçâh uponʻal

Word
Listen & take awayDeuteronomy 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (ba.'a.cha.ro.Nah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Deuteronomy 13:9quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse commands the death penalty for a person leading others away from God.
Who is speakingMoses, conveying God's law to the Israelites.
Where we areThe laws concerning idolatry and false prophets in Deuteronomy.
The hard wordהָרֹג֙
Take awayThe community must act decisively against those who lead others astray.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָבָה 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 — Deuteronomy 13:9

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 — Laws Against Idolatrygenerated

8you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him.
9Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.
10Stone him to death for trying to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
11Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.

Deuteronomy 13:9 gives clear instructions on how to deal with a person who entices others to worship false gods. This command emphasizes the seriousness of idolatry in Israelite society and the need for immediate action to protect the community's faith. The surrounding verses outline the consequences for such actions and the importance of maintaining fidelity to God, reflecting a broader theme in the Torah regarding the sanctity of worship and obedience.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 17:2–7If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant
2Matthew 10:37Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
3Luke 14:26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
4Deuteronomy 17:7The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.
5John 8:7When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word הָרֹג֙, ha.Roggenerated

The verb הָרַג (harag) means 'to kill' and indicates a decisive act of execution. It is used in contexts that imply intent and authority, particularly in judicial settings. The form here is an infinitive absolute, emphasizing the certainty and necessity of the action.

This command is not merely a suggestion; it is a directive that underscores the gravity of leading others away from God. The use of this verb in the context of communal responsibility highlights the collective obligation to uphold the covenant with God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the directive to kill, with variations in phrasing.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse is governed by the main verb הָרֹג֙, to kill, which is followed by a series of phrases indicating who must act and how. The sentence emphasizes the imperative nature of the command, with a clear order of actions.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject's responsibility, beginning with the individual ('your hand') before addressing the community ('the hands of all the people'). This structure reinforces the personal accountability of the first actor in the execution.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הָרֹג֙ with συνθελήσεις, indicating a similar meaning of killing but with a focus on the act as a legal resolution. This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the command, aligning with the Greek understanding of justice.

This translation choice suggests a nuanced understanding of the action, possibly indicating a legal procedure rather than a singular violent act.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Deuteronomy 13:9 instructs that if someone tries to lead others away from God, they must be killed. The command emphasizes that the first action must come from the person who discovered the wrongdoing, followed by the community's involvement. This reflects the seriousness with which Israel was to treat idolatry.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why is the death penalty commanded for someone leading others to worship false gods?

This command underscores the seriousness of idolatry in Israelite society, emphasizing the need to protect the community's faith and maintain fidelity to God.

What does it mean that 'your hand must be the first'?

This indicates personal responsibility for the action, highlighting that the individual who witnesses the wrongdoing must take the initiative in enforcing the law.

How does this verse relate to the overall laws in Deuteronomy?

This verse is part of a broader legal framework that addresses idolatry and its consequences, reflecting the covenantal relationship between God and Israel.

What is the role of the community in this command?

The community is called to participate in the execution after the initial act, indicating a collective responsibility to uphold God's laws.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are the implications of personal responsibility in enforcing community standards of faith?
  2. How can we apply the seriousness of idolatry in our lives today?
  3. What steps can a community take to protect its values and beliefs?
  4. In what ways does this command reflect the nature of justice in ancient Israel?

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

Early commentators reference this verse to discuss the seriousness of leading others into sin and the community's responsibility to uphold justice.

Pacian of BarcelonaLETTER 3.17 c. 310–391
Do you see then that this was not said about penitents but about those who not only themselves persevere in wickedness but also do not cease to put obstacles in our way? It is these very ones, however dear they may be,
Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 13 →
Richard Challoner 1691–1781
Presently put him to death: Not by killing him by private authority, but by informing the magistrate, and proceeding by order of justice.
Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 13 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 13:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But thou shalt surely kill him,.... Not privately and secretly, when and where he entices, nor the enticed himself by his own authority, but after being examined, judged, and condemned by the civil

Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Thou shalt surely kill him; not privately, which pretence would have opened the door to innumerable murders, but by procuring his death by the sentence of the magistrate; and thou shalt cast the first stone at him, as the witness was to do. See .

Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Deuteronomy 13:9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.Ver. 9. Kill him,] i.e., Deliver him up to the magistrate to be killed; for he bears not the sword in vain, like St Paul in a glass window, or George on a signpost.

Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death.—A law tending to prevent false accusation. Where the witness is obliged to carry out himself, or to aid in carrying out, the sentence he demands, secret accusation is impossible; and it is far less easy to pervert the law in order to prosecute a private quarrel.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6–11 (7–12 in Heb.). Against Israelites, who entice to Strange Gods A subtler source of seduction to idolatry may be found in one’s own kith and kin: one of the many proofs of D’s sympathy with, and understanding of, the influences of family life. Deuteronomy 13:6. If thy brother, the son of thy mother] With Sam. and LXX, after brother add the son of thy father or; so that both full brother and half-brother are included. or thy son, or thy daughter] Completing the blood relations (very significantly and characteristically father and mother are not mentioned as possible sources of temptation) only after whom we come to— or the wife of thy bosom] Deuteronomy 28:54; Deuteronomy 28:56, cp.…

Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 13 →

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

Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

but you shall surely kill him. Your hand shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Instead, you must kill him without fail! Your own hand must be the first to strike him, and then the hands of the whole community.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

but thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

RVARevised Version, American1894

but thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But thou shalt euen kill him: thine hand shall be first vpon him to put him to death, and then the handes of all the people.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

but thou shalt in any case kill him: thy hand shall be the first against him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'But thou dost surely kill him; thy hand is on him, in the first place, to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

But you surely kill him; your hand is on him in the first place to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(13:10) But thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be the first upon him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Instead, you will surely kill him; your hand will be the first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But thou shalt presently put him to death. It Let thy hand be first upon him, and afterwards the hands of all the people.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

No, you absolutely must kill them! You start killing them, and then have everyone else help.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But put him to death without question; let your hand be the first stretched out against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

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.

כִּ֤י(dm)clauseclauseadverbialהָרֹג֙certainly.(kill)verbתַּֽהַרְגֶ֔youobjectנּוּwill.kill.himclauseclausenoun phrase · subjectיָֽדְhandךָ֛yourverbתִּֽהְיֶהit.will.beprepositional phrase · prepositionalבּ֥onוֹhimprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָatnoun phrasetheרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖הfirstprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtoclauseverbהֲמִית֑putobjectוֹhim.to.deathוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectיַ֥דthe.handnoun phraseכָּלof.allnoun phraseהָtheעָ֖םpeopleprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּatnoun phrasetheאַחֲרֹנָֽהlast

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


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

The Masoretic Text is preserved in the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch, with the latter agreeing word for word with the MT here. This consistency across witnesses underscores the importance of the command in ancient Israelite law.

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

כִּ֤י הָרֹג֙ תַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּ יָֽדְךָ֛ תִּֽהְיֶה־ בּ֥וֹ בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖ה לַהֲמִית֑וֹ וְיַ֥ד כָּל־ הָעָ֖ם בָּאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּ֤יοὐהָרֹג֙συνθελήσειςתַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּαὐτῷיָֽדְךָ֛οὐκתִּֽהְיֶה־εἰσακούσῃבּ֥וֹαὐτοῦבָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖הοὐלַהֲמִית֑וֹσουוְיַ֥דαὐτῷהָעָ֖םἐπιποθήσειςבָּאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃οὐ

11 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

לא תאבה אליו ולא תשׁמע אליו ולא תחוס עינך עליו ולא תחמל ולא תכסה עליו

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

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.

Deuteronomy 13:9כִּיforforכִּיהָרַגcertainlycertainlyהָרַגהָרַגyou will kiyou will kill hהָרַגיָדhand yourhand yourיָדהָיָהit will beit will beהָיָהוֹon himon himוֹרִאשׁוֹןat the firsat the firstרִאשׁוֹןמוּתto put to dto put to deathמוּתיָדand [the] hand [the] hand יָדכֹּלallallכֹּלעַםthe peoplethe peopleעַםאַחֲרוֹןat the lastat the lastאַחֲרוֹןכַּףpalmpalmכַּףרִאשָׁהbeginningbeginningרִאשָׁהכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםאָחַרto delayto delayאָחַרהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאבָּחוּרyouthyouthבָּחוּרחֶ֫רֶבswordswordחֶ֫רֶבחָזָקstrongstrongחָזָקנָצַלto rescueto rescueנָצַליָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעאַחֲרוֹןlastlastאַחֲרוֹןלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַרָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהרִאשׁוֹןfirstfirstרִאשׁוֹן
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 Deuteronomy 13:9

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.

for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
כִּ֤יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
הָרֹג֙ha.Rog certainly H2026 Verb · Qal · infinitive absolute
167× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Tyndale gloss
to kill
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָרַג (harag) is a Hebrew verb meaning to kill or slay, often implying ruthless violence. It encompasses a range of meanings including murder, destruction, and being killed. The entries indicate its use in various contexts, such as wholesale slaughter in battle or divine judgment. The verb appears in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Pual, indicating various nuances of killing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָרַג vb. kill, slay

Qal

kill, slay, implying ruthless violence

hence of wholesale slaughter after battle

of God’s slaying in judgment

rarely of judicial killing by men (at God’s command)

of killing beasts

of killing by beasts

quite general

destroy, ruin

Niph.

shall priest and prophet be slain in the sanctuary?

pass. of Qal 1 b

Pu. be slain

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2026 הָרַג kill, slay

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2026 harag haw-rag'

a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent:--destroy, out

of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter),

slay(-er), X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָרַג (ha.rag) — to kill.

1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to kill, slay

1a2) to destroy, ruin

1b) (Niphal) to be killed

1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqaa — Verb · Qal · infinitive absolute
HVqaa
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
תַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּta.har.Ge.nu you will kill him H2026 Verb qal imperfect second person masculine singular · suffix
167× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Tyndale gloss
to kill
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָרַג (harag) is a Hebrew verb meaning to kill or slay, often implying ruthless violence. It encompasses a range of meanings including murder, destruction, and being killed. The entries indicate its use in various contexts, such as wholesale slaughter in battle or divine judgment. The verb appears in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Pual, indicating various nuances of killing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָרַג vb. kill, slay

Qal

kill, slay, implying ruthless violence

hence of wholesale slaughter after battle

of God’s slaying in judgment

rarely of judicial killing by men (at God’s command)

of killing beasts

of killing by beasts

quite general

destroy, ruin

Niph.

shall priest and prophet be slain in the sanctuary?

pass. of Qal 1 b

Pu. be slain

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2026 הָרַג kill, slay

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2026 harag haw-rag'

a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent:--destroy, out

of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter),

slay(-er), X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָרַג (ha.rag) — to kill.

1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to kill, slay

1a2) to destroy, ruin

1b) (Niphal) to be killed

1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi2ms/Sp3ms — Verb qal imperfect second person masculine singular · suffix
HVqi2ms/Sp3ms
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
יָֽדְךָ֛ya.de.Kha hand your H3027 Noun common both singular construct · suffix
1,619× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Tyndale gloss
hand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָד 1604 n.f. hand

hand

Fig. = strength, power

Fig. = side

יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—

sign, monument

part, fractional part or share

time, repetition

axle-trees

stays, supports for laver

tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

a (beckoning) hand

יַד with prep.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3027 יָד hand . hand

. Fig. = strength, power

. Fig. = side

. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument

. part, fractional part or share

. time, repetition

. axle-trees

. stays, supports for laver

. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

. a (beckoning) hand

. יַד with prep.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3027 yad yawd

a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,

means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed

one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of

applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate

and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,

at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,

(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +

creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,

force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,

labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,

ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,

power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,

draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by

them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,

+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָד (yad) — hand.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: power.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcbsc/Sp2ms — Noun common both singular construct · suffix
HNcbsc/Sp2ms
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
תִּֽהְיֶה־tih.yeh- it will be H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TESTAMENT.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ THE MENTAL FACULTY

Freedom of, recognized by God Ge 4:6-10; De 5:29; 1Ki 20:42; Isa 1:18-20; 43:26; Jer 36:3,7; Joh 7:17

See BLESSINGS, CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE

See CHOICE

See CONTINGENCY

→ OF GOD, THE SUPREME RULE OF DUTY Mt 6:10; 12:50; 26:39,42; Mr 3:35; 14:36; Lu 11:2; 22:42; Joh 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40; Ac…

for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
בּ֥וֹbo on him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖הva.ri.sho.Nah at the first H7223 Preposition
182× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.
Tyndale gloss
first
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רִאשׁוֹן (*ri'shown*) means 'first' and can refer to something that is primary, former, or chief. It encompasses meanings related to time, rank, and location, indicating ancestors or previous things. The entries consistently emphasize its use as an adjective and adverb, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רִאשׁוֹן 182 adj. former, first, chief

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7223 רִאשׁוֹן former, first, chief

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7223 ri'shown ree-shone'

or riishon {ree-shone'}; from 7221; first, in place, time or

rank (as adjective or noun):--ancestor, (that were)

before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father)

(-most), former (thing), of old time, past.

see HEBREW for 07221

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first.

: first

adj

1) first, primary, former

1a) former (of time)

1a1) ancestors

1a2) former things

1b) foremost (of location)

1c) first (in time)

1d) first, chief (in degree)

adv

2) first, before, formerly, at first

רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: previous.

: previous

adj

1) first, primary, former

1a) former (of time)

1a1) ancestors

1a2) former things

1b) foremost (of location)

1c) first (in time)

1d) first, chief (in degree)

adv

2) first, before, formerly, at first

רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: chief.

: chief

adj

1) first, primary, former

1a) former (of time)

1a1) ancestors

1a2) former things

1b) foremost (of location)

1c) first (in time)

1d) first, chief (in degree)

adv

2) first, before, formerly, at first

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Aofsa — Preposition
HRd/Aofsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

furst ('echadh, ri'shon; proton, to proton, protos):

Of these words, which are those most frequently used for "first," ri'shon is from rosh, "the head, and is used for the highest, chief, etc.; also of time, the beginning, e.g. Ge 8:13, in the first month"; in Isa 44:6; 48:12, it is used of Yahweh as Eternal and solely Supreme--the First and the Last (compare Isa 41:4). Special usages are in connection with "firstborn," "first- fruit," etc.; proton is used of that which is first in order; but also of that which is first or chief in importance, etc. (Mt 6:33; Jas 3:17). In

for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
לַהֲמִית֑וֹla.ha.mi.To to put to death him H4191 Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
840× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Vhcc/Sp3ms — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vhcc/Sp3ms
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
וְיַ֥דve.Yad and [the] hand of H3027 Conjunction · noun common both singular construct
1,619× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Tyndale gloss
hand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָד 1604 n.f. hand

hand

Fig. = strength, power

Fig. = side

יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—

sign, monument

part, fractional part or share

time, repetition

axle-trees

stays, supports for laver

tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

a (beckoning) hand

יַד with prep.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3027 יָד hand . hand

. Fig. = strength, power

. Fig. = side

. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument

. part, fractional part or share

. time, repetition

. axle-trees

. stays, supports for laver

. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

. a (beckoning) hand

. יַד with prep.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3027 yad yawd

a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,

means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed

one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of

applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate

and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,

at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,

(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +

creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,

force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,

labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,

ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,

power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,

draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by

them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,

+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָד (yad) — hand.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: power.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncbsc — Conjunction · noun common both singular construct
HC/Ncbsc
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…

for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
כָּל־kol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

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

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

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

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

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

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

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

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
הָעָ֖םha.'Am the people H5971 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,873× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Tyndale gloss
Amaw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people

a people, nation

= smaller units

= common people

people in gen., persons

phrases

base

[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5971 `am am

from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a

tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or

attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,

people.

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַם (am) — people.

: people/nation

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — kinsman.

kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Ammi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — People's (Gate).

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.

Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Amaw.

This name means nation, people

עַם (am) — people: soldiers.

: soldiers/army

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — people: creatures.

: creatures

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

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

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

for certainly you will kill him hand your it will be on him at the first to put to death him and [the] hand of all the people at the last
51× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means last or western, and can refer to something that is behind or following something else. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are late or last in time or location.
Tyndale gloss
last
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַחֲרוֹן (*acharown*) means 'last' or 'coming after.' It can refer to both spatial and temporal contexts, indicating something that is behind or subsequent. The entries highlight its use in describing location (e.g., western) and time (e.g., latter). There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַחֲרוֹן 61 f. אַחֲרוֹנָה, pl. אַחֲרֹנִים (also אַחֲרוֹנִים), adj. from אַחַר, coming after or behind

of place, behind, hindermost

of time, latter or last

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H314 אַחֲרוֹן f. אַחֲרוֹנָה, pl. אַחֲרֹנִים (also אַחֲרוֹנִים), coming after or behind

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

314 'acharown akh-ar-one'

or (shortened) ;acharon {akh-ar-one'}; from 309; hinder;

generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east)

western:--after (-ward), to come, following,

hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward,

ut(ter)most.

see HEBREW for 0309

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַחֲרוֹן (a.cha.ron) — last.

1) behind, following, subsequent, western

1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location)

1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Aafsa — Preposition
HRd/Aafsa
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate