Deuteronomy 32:4 — Word Study
WLCהַצּוּר֙ תָּמִ֣ים פָּעֳל֔וֹ כִּ֥י כָל־ דְּרָכָ֖יו מִשְׁפָּ֑ט אֵ֤ל אֱמוּנָה֙ וְאֵ֣ין עָ֔וֶל צַדִּ֥יק וְיָשָׁ֖ר הֽוּא׃
BSA[He is] the Rocktsûwr [a refuge, strong and unshakeable] His workpôʻal [everything He does, perfect and complete] is perfecttâmîym allkôl His waysderek [paths, methods, and decisions] are justmishpâṭ [right, fair, and righteous] A Godʼêl [Elohim, the supreme One] of faithfulnessʼĕmûwnâh [steadfastness, loyalty, and trustworthiness] withoutʼayin [completely free from] injusticeʻevel [wrong, unrighteousness, or evil] righteoustsaddîyq [just, morally upright] and uprightyâshâr [straight, just, and fair] [is] Hehûwʼ
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַצּוּר֙ | the rock | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| תָּמִ֣ים | [is] perfect | Adj |
| פָּעֳל֔וֹ | work his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּ֥י | for | Particle |
| כָל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| דְּרָכָ֖יו | ways his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מִשְׁפָּ֑ט | [are] justice | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֵ֤ל | a God of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אֱמוּנָה֙ | faithfulness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְאֵ֣ין | and there not | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| עָ֔וֶל | [is] injustice | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| צַדִּ֥יק | [is] righteous | Adj |
| וְיָשָׁ֖ר | and upright | Conjunction |
| הֽוּא׃ | he | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He. |
| KJV | He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. |
| ASV | The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he. |
| YLT | The Rock! — perfect [is] His work, For all His ways [are] just; God of stedfastness, and without iniquity: Righteous and upright [is] He. |
| WEB | The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he. |
| BBE | He is the Rock, complete is his work; for all his ways are righteousness: a God without evil who keeps faith, true and upright is he. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of phrases, but the core message remains consistent across versions.
The structure of the verse emphasizes God's attributes through a series of affirmations, building a comprehensive picture of His character.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעָוֶל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 32:4
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
Deuteronomy 32:4 presents a powerful declaration of God's character through the metaphor of a rock. Moses sings this song to the Israelites, reminding them of God's faithfulness and justice. This passage emphasizes that God is a refuge and His actions are always right and fair, contrasting with the unfaithfulness of His people, as seen in the following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 32:18–30 | You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:2 | There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 22:2–3 | He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 23:3 | The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, |
| 5 | Psalm 18:2–31 | The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 48 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַצּוּר֙, ha.Tzurgenerated
The word צוּר (tsur) means rock or cliff, often used to describe God as a refuge. It conveys strength and stability, suggesting that God is a solid foundation for His people, much like a rock provides safety and shelter in times of trouble.
In this verse, הַצּוּר emphasizes God's unshakeable nature, assuring the Israelites that they can rely on Him completely. The context of the song highlights His protective qualities and the perfection of His actions.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the key terms in this verse, consistently portraying God as the Rock and emphasizing His perfect work and just ways.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains several clauses that build upon the character of God. The main clause is centered on the subject הוּא (Hu'), which refers to God, and it is followed by predicates that describe His attributes: תָּמִ֣ים (ta.Mim), מִשְׁפָּ֑ט (mish.Pat), and אֵ֣ין (ve.'Ein).
The structure emphasizes God's nature through a series of affirmations, highlighting His perfection, justice, and the absence of injustice.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַצּוּר֙ as θεός (Theos), indicating a divine interpretation of the term as not just a rock but as God Himself. This choice underscores the theological significance of God's strength and reliability.
The translation choices reflect a broader understanding of God's character, aligning with the attributes presented in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 32:4 describes God as the Rock, highlighting His perfect work and just ways. This verse emphasizes God's faithfulness and integrity, assuring His people of His unwavering support and righteousness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Describing God as the Rock signifies His strength, stability, and reliability as a refuge for His people.
God's work is described as perfect, meaning it is complete and without flaw, reflecting His integrity and capability.
Justice in this context refers to God's fair and righteous nature, ensuring that He acts in accordance with what is right.
This means that God is completely free from wrongdoing or moral evil, emphasizing His purity and righteousness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I find refuge in God as my Rock during difficult times?
- How can I reflect God's perfect nature in my own actions and decisions?
- What does it mean for me to walk in God's just ways in my daily life?
- How can I cultivate faithfulness in my relationships, mirroring God's steadfastness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss God's faithfulness and righteousness, illustrating how these attributes are foundational to understanding His character.
But he who is on the white horse is called “faithful,” not so much because he trusts as because he is trustworthy, that is, he is worthy of being trusted. According to Moses, the Lord is faithful and true.Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 32 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 32:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[He is] the rock,.... That is, Jehovah is the rock, whose name Moses proposed to publish; and our God, to whom the heavens and the earth are called upon to ascribe greatness, even Christ the rock of
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 32 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. He is the Rock - a word expressive of power and stability.
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 32 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe rock, or, a rock, as for the stability and everlastingness of his nature, and invincibleness of his power, so also for his fixedness and immutability in his counsels and promises and ways; so that if there shall be a sad change in your affairs from a high and prosperous to a calamitous and deplorable condition, as there will be, remember that this proceeds from yourselves, and from the change of your ways and carriages towards God, and not from God, in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of change, . His work is perfect; all his works and actions are unblamable, as being perfect, wise, and righteous, as it follows. All his ways are judgment; all his administrations in the world…
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 32 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 32:4 [He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he.Ver. 4. He is the rock.] A firm and everlasting refuge, a "Rock of Ages." One age passeth away, and another, and a third, &c., but the rock remains. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower"; "munition of rocks"; rocks so deep, no pioneer can undermine them; so thick, no cannon can pierce them; so high, no ladder can scale them.
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 32 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) He is the rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.—No such combination of all the words for uprightness, sincerity, equity, and reliability is to be found elsewhere in all Scripture. This is the character of the Rock. This name of God ( Tzur) is one of the characteristics of the song. The word occurs first in Exodus 17, where the Rock in Horeb was smitten; “and that Rock was Christ.” From that time we find that the very names of the leaders in Israel embody this confession. Elizur, my God is a Rock; Zurishaddai, the Almighty is my Rock; and Pedahzur, redeemed by the Rock (Numbers 1:5-6; Numbers 1:10), are…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 32 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. He is the Rock] The word צור tsur is rendered Creator by some eminent critics; and [Arabic] khalyk is the reading in the Arabic Version. Rab. Moses ben Maimon, in his valuable work, Moreh Nebochim, observes that the word צור tsur, which is ordinarily translated rock, signifies origin, fountain, first cause, c., and in this way it should be translated here: "He is the first principle, his work is perfect." As he is the cause of all things, he must be infinitely perfect and consequently all his works must be perfect in their respective kinds. As is the cause, so must the effect be. Some think the word rock gives a very good sense: for, as in those lands, rocks were the ordinary…
Read AdamClarke on Deuteronomy 32 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4–6. God’s Faithfulness, Israel’s Folly 4The Rock—outright is His working! Yea, all of His ways are Law, The God of troth, without treason, Righteous and upright is He. 5His sons have dealt corruptly with Him … (?), A twisted and crooked generation! 6The Lord do ye thus requite, O foolish folk and unwise? Is He not thy sire who begat thee, He ’tis that made and hath framed thee.
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 32 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect — The Rock, perfect his work. In the Hebrew the position of the word translated Rock makes it very emphatic. The figure is a favourite one in Hebrew poetry.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
As for the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, he is fair and upright.
Tyndale line
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.
The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are judgment: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity: just and right is he.
Perfect is the worke of the mighty God: for all his wayes are iudgement. God is true, and without wickednesse: iust, and righteous is he.
Strictly literal
[He is] the Rock, his work is perfect, For all his ways are righteousness; A God of faithfulness without deceit, Just and right is he.
The Rock! — perfect [is] His work, For all His ways [are] just; God of stedfastness, and without iniquity: Righteous and upright [is] He.
The Rock—His work [is] perfect, || For all His ways [are] just; God of steadfastness, and without iniquity; Righteous and upright [is] He.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: the God of truth and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his paths are just. He is the faithful God, without iniquity. He is just and upright.
From the Latin
The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments: God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.
Simplified
He is the Rock. Everything he does is perfect, for all his ways are right. He is the trustworthy God who is never unjust; he is fair and honest.
He is the Rock, complete is his work; for all his ways are righteousness: a God without evil who keeps faith, true and upright is he.
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.
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 supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Septuagint matches the Hebrew closely, confirming the consistency of the message across these ancient texts.
הַצּוּר֙ תָּמִ֣ים פָּעֳל֔וֹ כִּ֥י כָל־ דְּרָכָ֖יו מִשְׁפָּ֑ט אֵ֤ל אֱמוּנָה֙ וְאֵ֣ין עָ֔וֶל צַדִּ֥יק וְיָשָׁ֖ר הֽוּא׃
14 of the 14 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.
הצור תמים פעלו כי כל דרכיו משׁפט אל אמונה ואין עול צדיק וישׁר הוא
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.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 32:4
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.
צוּר (tsur) means rock or cliff, often referring to a sharp rock or boulder. It can also signify a refuge or an edge, and is used in various contexts, including references to God as a rock. The word is built from the root associated with strong, compressed formations, and it appears in different forms, such as in the phrase 'rock of God.'
צוּר n.m. rock, cliff
base
H6697 צוּר rock, cliff
6697 tsuwr tsoor
or tsur {tsoor}; from 6696; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock,
as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a
refuge; also an edge (as precipitous):--edge, X (mighty) God
(one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong. See also
1049.
see HEBREW for 06696
see HEBREW for 01049
צוּר (tsur) — Rocks (of Goats).
Combined with ya.el (יָעֵל "Wildgoats'" H3277)
This name means rock, cliff
צוּר (tsur) — rock.
1) rock, cliff
1a) rocky wall, cliff
1b) rock (with flat surface)
1c) block of stone, boulder
1d) rock (specific)
1e) rock (of God)
1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei
1g) Rock
Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
rok ((1) cela`; (2) tsur (3) challamish, "flint"; compare Arabic khalanbus, "flint"; (4) kephim (Job 30:6; Jer 4:29); compare Kephas, "Cephas" = Petros, "Peter" (Joh 1:42 the King James Version and the Revised Version margin); (5) petra):
1. Names:
Tsur and cela` are the words most often found, and there is no well-defined distinction between them. They are frequently coupled together in the parallelism which is characteristic of the Hebrew writers: e.g.
"Be thou to me a strong rock (tsur),
A house of defense to save me.
For thou art my rock (tsela) and my fortress"
(Ps 31:2,3).
"He clave rocks (tsur) in the wilderness,
And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.
Rock
(Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3; Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2,3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated “mountain.” It ought to be translated “rock,” as in Hab. 1:12 in the Revised Version. The “rock” from which the stone is cut there signifies the…
The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) means complete, sound, or whole. It encompasses notions of integrity, truth, and being unblemished or innocent. The word can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to what is entire or in accord with truth. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of being entire or perfect.
תָּמִים 91 adj. complete, sound
complete, whole, entire
whole, sound, healthful
complete, entire, of time
sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact
base
H8549 תָּמִים complete, sound . complete, whole, entire
. whole, sound, healthful
. complete, entire, of time
. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
. as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact
8549 tamiym taw-meem'
from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also
(as noun) integrity, truth:--without blemish, complete, full,
perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled,
upright(-ly), whole.
see HEBREW for 08552
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished.
: unblemished/perfect
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: blameless.
: blameless
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: complete.
: complete
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
Adj — AdjHAamsa
פֹּ֫עַל (po'al) refers to an act or work, encompassing meanings like deed, thing done, and wages of work. It is noted as poetic and late in usage. The word is built from the root associated with action, and it can also imply acquisition, particularly of treasures.
פֹּ֫עַל 37 n.m. doing, deed, work (poet. and late)
deed, thing done
work, thing made
wages of work
acquisition of treasures
base
H6467 פֹּ֫עַל doing, deed, work (poet. and late)
6467 po`al po'-al
from 6466; an act or work (concretely):--act, deed, do,
getting, maker, work.
see HEBREW for 06466
פֹּ֫עַל (po.al) — work.
1) work, deed, doing
1a) deed, thing done
1b) work, thing made
1c) wages of work
1d) acquisition (of treasure)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
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.'
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
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
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.
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)
HTc — ParticleHTc
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…
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.
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
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)
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
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)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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).
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.
מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment
judgment
justice, right, rectitude
ordinance
decision
one's (legal) right, privilege, due
proper, fitting, measure
custom, manner
what manner of
plan
base
H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment
. justice, right, rectitude
. ordinance
. decision
. one's (legal) right, privilege, due
. . proper, fitting, measure
. custom, manner
. what manner of
. plan
4941 mishpat mish-pawt'
from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)
pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree
(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or
collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the
crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a
participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or
even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,
custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,
fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),
(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,
ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
see HEBREW for 08199
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)
1c) ordinance
1d) decision (in law)
1e) right, privilege, due (legal)
1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
jus'-tis (tsedhaqah; tsedheq; dikaiosune): The original Hebrew and Greek words are the same as those rendered "righteousness." This is the common rendering, and in about half the cases where we have "just" and "justice" in the King James Version, the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "righteous" and "righteousness." It must be constantly borne in mind that the two ideas are essentially the same.
See RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1. Human Justice:
Justice had primarily to do with conduct in relation to others, especially with regard to the rights of others. It is applied to business, where just weights and measures are demanded (Le 19:35,36; De 25:13-16; Am 8:5; Pr 11:1; 16:11…
Justice
Is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate case.
A principle of righteousness and equity, controlling our conduct, and securing a due regard to all the rights of others-their persons, property, character, and interests. It has to do, not with pecuniary transactions alone, but with all our intercourse with society. It forms a chief element of the character approved in God’s word; and a truly just man has but to "love mercy, and walk humbly with God," to fulfil all righteousness. Justice in magistrates, rulers, and judges, must be fearless and impartial, and all its decisions such as will bear revision before the court of heaven, De 1:16,17 2Sa 23:3 2Ch 19:6-10. Judgement is peculiarly the prerogative of God, and every earthly tribunal lies under the shadow of the "great white…
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 23:1-3,6-8; Le 19:13-15; De 16:18-20; 25:1-4; Ezr 7:26; Ps 72:1,2; 82:2-4; Pr 17:15,26; 18:5,17; 20:8; 22:27; 24:23; 28:21; 29:26; Ec 3:16,17; 5:8; 7:7; Isa 1:17; 56:1; 59:14,15; Jer 22:1-4; La 3:35,36; Am 5:7,11,12;
The Hebrew word אֵל (*'el*) primarily means 'god' and conveys the idea of might or strength. It can refer to the one true God of Israel, as well as to other deities, angels, and mighty men. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including nature and power, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵל n.m. god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might
applied to men of might and rank
angels
gods of the nations
Ēl
as characterizing mighty things in nature
God, the one only and true God of Israel
אֵל strength, power
base
H410 אֵל god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might . applied to men of might and rank
. angels
. gods of the nations
. Ēl
. as characterizing mighty things in nature
. God, the one only and true God of Israel
. אֵל strength, power
410 'el ale
shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;
especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God
(god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong.
Compare names in "-el."
see HEBREW for 0352
אֵל (el) — God.
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֵל (el) — El (Berith).
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)
אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)
אֵל (el) — El (Most High).
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Combined with "Most High" (el.yon עֶלְיוֹן H5945B)
אֵל (el) — god.
: god
1) god, god-like one, mighty one
1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes
1b) angels
1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations)
1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah
2) mighty things in nature
3) strength, power
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה (*emuwnah*) is built from the root of H529, indicating concepts of firmness and steadfastness. It encompasses meanings such as fidelity, trust, and stability. The entries consistently highlight its moral implications, particularly in relation to faithfulness.
אֱמוּנָה n.f. firmness, steadfastness, fidelity
lit. firmness, steadiness
steadfastness
faithfulness, trust
base
H530 אֱמוּנָה firmness, steadfastness, fidelity . lit. firmness, steadiness
. steadfastness
. faithfulness, trust
530 'emuwnah em-oo-naw'); or (shortened) >emunah {em-oo-naw'
feminine of 529; literally firmness; figuratively security;
morally fidelity:--faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set
office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
see HEBREW for 0529
אֱמוּנָה (e.mu.nah) — faithfulness.
firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
An infinite attribute of Jehovah; adapted to make perfect both the confidence of those who believe his word and rely on his promises, and the despair of those who doubt his word and defy his threatenings, De 28:26 Nu 23:19 Ps 89:33-34 Heb 10:23.
→ EXHORTATION TO Ps 12:1; 31:23; Pr 20:6; 28:20; Mt 10:22; 24:45-47; 25:14-23; Lu 12:42-44; 16:10-12; 19:12-27; 1Co 4:2; Re 2:10
See OBEDIENCE, EXHORTATION TO
See PERSEVERANCE
See MINISTERS, FAITHFUL
See REPROOF, FAITHFULNESS IN
→ INSTANCES OF
Abraham Ga 3:9
Moses Heb 3:5
David 2Sa 22:22-25
Elijah 1Ki 19:10,14
אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.
אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought
to nothing, as nothing
cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
in circumst. clauses
with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
with prefixes
base
H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing
. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
. in circumst. clauses
. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
. with prefixes
369 'ayin ah'-yin
as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not
exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative
particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,
in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,
thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),
well-nigh, without. Compare 370.
see HEBREW for 0370
אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.
1) nothing, not, nought n
1a) nothing, nought neg
1b) not
1c) to have not (of possession) adv
1d) without w/prep
1e) for lack of
Conj | Part — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
The Hebrew word עָ֫וֶל (*evel*) and its variant עַוְלָה (*avlah*) both denote concepts of injustice and unrighteousness. They encompass moral evil, including violent deeds and wrongful speech. The entries highlight their usage as nouns, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
עָ֫וֶל n.m. injustice, unrighteousness
base
עַוְלָה n.f. injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
base
H5766a עָ֫וֶל injustice, unrighteousness H5766b עַוְלָה injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
5766 `evel eh'-vel
or lavel {aw'-vel}; and (feminine) lavlah {av-law'}; or owlah
{o-law'}; or .olah {o-law'}; from 5765; (moral)
evil:--iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly),
unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).
see HEBREW for 05765
עָ֫וֶל (e.vel) — injustice.
injustice, unrighteousness
Another spelling of av.lah (עַוְלָה "injustice" H5766B)
עַוְלָה (av.lah) — injustice.
1) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
1a) violent deeds of injustice
1b) injustice (of speech)
1c) injustice (generally)
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
Adj — AdjHAamsa
יָשָׁר (yashar) means straight or upright, covering a range of meanings from physical straightness to moral correctness. It can refer to something that is pleasing, just, or fitting, as well as the concept of uprightness itself. The term is also associated with a figure named Jashar, mentioned in Joshua 10:13.
יָשָׁר adj. straight, right
straight, level
right, pleasing
straightforward, just, upright
abstr., uprightness
base
H3477 יָשָׁר straight, right . straight, level
. right, pleasing
. straightforward, just, upright
. abstr., uprightness
3477 yashar yaw-shawr'
from 3474; straight (literally or figuratively):--convenient,
equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous),
straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).
see HEBREW for 03474
יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.
1) straight, upright, correct, right
1a) straight, level
1b) right, pleasing, correct
1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper
1d) uprightness, righteous, upright
1e) that which is upright (subst)
Also means: ya.shar (יָשָׁר "upright" H3477I)
יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — Jashar.
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.10.13
יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.
1) straight, upright, correct, right
1a) straight, level
1b) right, pleasing, correct
1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper
1d) uprightness, righteous, upright
1e) that which is upright (subst)
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsa
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
Pron — PronounHPp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
