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Deuteronomy 32:1 — Word Study

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WLCהַאֲזִ֥ינוּ הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָה וְתִשְׁמַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ אִמְרֵי־ פִֽי׃

BSAGive earʼâzan [listen, pay attention] O heavensshâmayim [the visible universe, the abode of God] and I will speakdâbar [communicate, declare] hearshâmaʻ [listen, obey] O earthʼerets [the land, the material world] the wordsʼêmer [sayings, utterances] of my mouthpeh [lips, voice]

Word
Listen & take awayDeuteronomy 32
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the 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 (Fi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Deuteronomy 32:1quick helps
In a sentenceMoses calls upon the heavens and the earth to listen as he speaks the words of God.
Who is speakingMoses, addressing both the heavens and the earth.
Where we areThis verse opens a significant song of witness and teaching.
The hard wordהַאֲזִ֥ינוּ
Take awayThe call to listen emphasizes the importance of God's message.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָזַן 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 32:1

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 Song of Mosesgenerated

1Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
2Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
3For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God!
4He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

Deuteronomy 32:1 introduces a poetic declaration where Moses calls upon the heavens and the earth to witness his words. This song serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the people's obligations. The subsequent verses elaborate on God's greatness and the consequences of Israel's actions, reinforcing the covenant relationship established in earlier chapters.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 4:26I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed.
2Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,
3Deuteronomy 31:28Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
4Psalm 49:1Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
5Isaiah 1:2Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.Deuteronomy 4:26 Deuteronomy 30:19 Deuteronomy 31:28 Psalm 49:1 Isaiah 1:2 Jeremiah 2:12 Jeremiah 6:19 Jeremiah 22:29

The Key Word הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ, ha.'a.Zi.nugenerated

The word הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ (ha'azinu) is a Hiphil imperative form of the verb אָזַן (azan), meaning to listen or hear. It conveys not just the act of hearing but also the expectation of obedience and attention, as seen in contexts like 1 Kings 3:9.

This call to listen is directed toward both the heavens and the earth, indicating that the message is of universal significance. The imperative form suggests urgency and importance, compelling the audience to pay attention to the words that follow.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the phrase is rendered as Give ear, which aligns with the KJV and ASV, both of which maintain the imperative call to listen.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of three main clauses, with the finite verbs הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ (give ear), וַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָה (and I will speak), and וְתִשְׁמַ֥ע (and hear) governing the structure. The call to the heavens and earth serves as the subject of the imperative verbs, creating a direct appeal.

This structure emphasizes the importance of the message by placing the imperative verbs at the forefront, drawing attention to the command for the audience to listen.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ as πρόσεξε (prosexe), which also means 'give ear' or 'pay attention.' This choice reflects a direct call for attentiveness, similar to the Hebrew.

The use of πρόσεξε highlights the significance of the message being conveyed, aligning with the Hebrew imperative to listen.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Deuteronomy 32:1 invites the heavens and the earth to listen as Moses declares the words of God. This verse opens a song that emphasizes God's greatness and the responsibilities of His people, setting the stage for the teachings that follow.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of calling the heavens and the earth to listen?

Moses calls upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses to emphasize the importance of the message he is about to deliver.

How does this verse relate to the covenant between God and Israel?

This verse highlights the accountability of Israel to God's words, reinforcing the covenant relationship established throughout the Torah.

What does it mean for the earth to hear the words of Moses?

The earth's hearing symbolizes the material world’s role in witnessing the covenant and the consequences of Israel's actions.

Why is it important for Moses to speak these words?

Moses' declaration serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the need for the people to adhere to His teachings.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I be more attentive to the teachings of God in my life?
  2. How does understanding the context of this verse deepen my appreciation for God's message?
  3. What responsibilities do I have as a witness to God's words?
  4. How can I apply the lessons from this song of Moses to my daily life?

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

An early commentary interprets this verse as addressing both the clergy and the people, emphasizing the rational nature of creation's response.

PateriusEXPOSITION OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT, Deuteronomy 19 6th–7th c.
By heavens he means the order of the clergy and by earth the people subject to them. For “Listen, O heavens, and I shall speak” was addressed not to insensible but to rational creation.
Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 32 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 32:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 32 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Give ear, O ye heavens ... hear, O earth.

Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 32 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

CHAPTER 32 The Divine song, in which God’ s power, mercy to his people, and vengeance on his enemies exalted, their ingratitude is rebuked, . God’ s wrath and future judgments, . Yet the idolatrous nations to be destroyed, and they at last to be enlarged, . He exhorts them to set their hearts on these words for their good, . God sendeth him up to Mount Nebo, there to see the promised land and die, . O ye heavens, and, O earth: either, 1. Angels and men; or, 2. You lifeless and senseless creatures, heaven and earth, which he calls upon partly to accuse the stupidity of Israel, that were more dull of hearing than these; and partly as witnesses of the truth of his sayings, and the justice of…

Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 32 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Deuteronomy 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.Ver. 1. Give ear, O ye heavens,] q.d., Such is this people’ s stupidity and obstinacy, that I may as soon gain audience of these inanimate creatures as of them. See Isaiah 1:2 Joshua 24:27 Jeremiah 22:29. We may cry till we are hoarse; speak till we spit forth our lungs, and to no more purpose than Bede did, when he preached to a heap of stones. Holy Melancthon, being himself newly converted, thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the gospel. But after he had been a preacher a while, it is said he complained, that "old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon."

Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 32 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

XXXII.(1) Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.—Comp. the opening of Isa 1:2, which is almost identical, excepting that the two words for “hearing” are transposed.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 32 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

CHAPTER XXXII The prophetical and historical song of Moses, showing forth the nature of God's doctrine, 1-3. The character of God, 4. The corruption of the people, 5, 6. They are called to remember God's kindness, 7, and his dealings with them during their travels in the wilderness, 8-14. Their ingratitude and iniquity, 15-18. They are threatened with his judgments, 19-28. A pathetic lamentation over them because of their sins, 29-35. Gracious purposes in their behalf, mixed with reproaches for their manifold idolatries, and threatenings against his enemies, 36-42. A promise of salvation to the Gentiles, 43. Moses, having finished the song, warmly exhorts the people to obedience, 44-47. God…

Read AdamClarke on Deuteronomy 32 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–3. The Exordium 1Give ear, O Heavens, let me speak, And let Earth hear the words of my mouth. 2May my message drop as the rain, My speech distil as the dew, Like mists on the grass, And like showers on the herb. 3For the name of the Lord I proclaim, To our God give the greatness!

Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 32 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Song of Moses If Deuteronomy 32:1-3 be regarded as the introduction, and Deuteronomy 32:43 as the conclusion, the main contents of the song may be grouped under three heads, namely, (1) Deuteronomy

Read Albert Barnes on Deuteronomy 32 →

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

Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak. Let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Hearken, ye heauens, and I will speake: and let the earth heare the words of my mouth.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth!

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'Give ear, O heavens, and I speak; And thou dost hear, O earth, sayings of my mouth!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

“Give ear, O heavens, and I speak; And you hear, O earth, sayings of my mouth!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Give ear, you heavens, and let me speak. Let the earth listen to the words of my mouth.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak, let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Heaven, listen as I speak; Earth, hear what I'm saying.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Give ear, O heavens, to my voice; let the earth take note of the words of my mouth:

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.

clauseclauseverbהַאֲזִ֥ינוּgive.earclausenoun phraseהַOשָּׁמַ֖יִםheavensוַandclauseverbאֲדַבֵּ֑רָהlet.me.speakוְandclauseverbתִשְׁמַ֥עlet.it.hearnoun phrase · subjectהָtheאָ֖רֶץearthnoun phrase · objectאִמְרֵיthe.wordsnoun phraseפִֽmy.mouthיmy

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 corroborated by the Septuagint, which matches all words in the verse. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by one word, using פיי (piy) instead of פִֽי (pi), but the overall meaning remains consistent. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the Masoretic Text, with partial restoration indicating some text loss.

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

הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָה וְתִשְׁמַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ אִמְרֵי־ פִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּπρόσεξεהַשָּׁמַ֖יִםοὐρανέוַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָהλαλήσωוְתִשְׁמַ֥עἀκουέτωהָאָ֖רֶץγῆאִמְרֵי־ῥήματαפִֽי׃μου

7 of the 7 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

האזינו השׁמים ואדברה ותשׁמע הארץ אמרי פיי

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: פיי (mouth)

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q29a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[האזינו] ואדבר ותשמע הארץ אמרי [פ׳י]

6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 2 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.

Deuteronomy 32:1אָזַןgive eargive earאָזַןשָׁמַיO heavensO heavensשָׁמַידָבַרso let me sso let me speakדָבַרשָׁמַעand it may and it may hearשָׁמַעאֶ֫רֶץthe earththe earthאֶ֫רֶץאֹמֶר[the] words[the] words ofאֹמֶרפֶּהmouth mymouth myפֶּהאֹ֫זֶןearearאֹ֫זֶןאָמַרto sayto sayאָמַרפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבתְּפִלָּהprayerprayerתְּפִלָּהעוֹףbirdbirdעוֹףכּוֹכָבstarstarכּוֹכָבמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםצָפַןto treasurto treasureצָפַןאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַח
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 32:1

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.

give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּha.'a.Zi.nu give ear H238 Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine plural
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Amplified meaning
listen, pay attention
Tyndale gloss
to listen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

hear, perceive by the ear

of God, listening (with favour) to prayer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

238 'azan aw-zan'

a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a

denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),

i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,

hear(-ken). See 239.

see HEBREW for 0241

see HEBREW for 0239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.

1) to hear, listen

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to hear, listen, give ear

1a2) to be obedient, harken

1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine plural
HVhv2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):

(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ear

Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Blood put upon, in consecration of priest Ex 29:20; Le 8:23

→ In cleansing lepers Le 14:14,25

→ Anointed with oil in purifications Le 14:17,28

→ Bored as a sign of servitude Ex 21:5,6; Ps 40:6

→ See DEAFNESS

→ FIGURATIVE

Anthropomorphic uses of Ps 17:6; 39:12; 77:1; 80:1; 84:8

For more extended anthropomorphic uses, consult a concordance

give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִםha.sha.Ma.yim O heavens H8064 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
421× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Amplified meaning
the visible universe, the abode of God
Tyndale gloss
heaven
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky

visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are

phrases

as abode of God

Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind

הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are

. phrases

. . as abode of God

. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind

. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim

dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused

root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps

alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well

as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies

revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.

1) heaven, heavens, sky

1a) visible heavens, sky

1a1) as abode of the stars

1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc

1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)

Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).

See HEAVENLY.

give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
וַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָהva.'a.da.Be.rah so let me speak H1696 Conjunction · verb piel infinitive construct first person common singular
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Amplified meaning
communicate, declare
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-1cs — Conjunction · verb piel infinitive construct first person common singular
HC/Vpc1cs
give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
וְתִשְׁמַ֥עve.tish.Ma' and it may hear H8085 Conjunction · verb qal third person feminine singular
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
listen, obey
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-Juss-3fs — Conjunction · verb qal third person feminine singular
HC/Vqu3fs
give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
הָאָ֖רֶץha.'A.retz the earth H776 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
the land, the material world
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):

In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.

'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Earth

(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.

(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.

Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2

give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
אִמְרֵי־'im.rei- [the] words of H561 Noun common · masculine plural construct
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a word or speech, like a promise or command from God. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's conversations with people.
Amplified meaning
sayings, utterances
Tyndale gloss
word
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹמֶר (*'omer*) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, often used in a poetic or exalted context. It is derived from the root meaning 'to say' and encompasses meanings like saying, promise, and command. The entries collectively emphasize its use in elevated language.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹמֶר n.m. utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H561 אֹמֶר utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

561 'emer ay'-mer

from 559; something said:--answer, X appointed unto him,

saying, speech, word.

see HEBREW for 0559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵמֶר (e.mer) — word.

utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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…

give ear O heavens so let me speak and it may hear the earth [the] words of mouth my
פִֽי׃Fi mouth my H6310 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
lips, voice
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
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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