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Ecclesiastes 4:9 — Word Study

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WLCטוֹבִ֥ים הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם מִן־ הָאֶחָ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יֵשׁ־ לָהֶ֛ם שָׂכָ֥ר ט֖וֹב בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃

BSATwoshᵉnayim [a pair, double] are betterṭôwb [more advantageous, pleasant] thanmin oneʼechâd [alone, single] becauseʼăsher they haveyêsh a goodṭôwb [pleasant, beneficial] returnsâkâr [reward, wages] for their laborʻâmâl [work, trouble, toil]

Word
Listen & take awayEcclesiastes 4
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ba.'a.ma.Lam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ecclesiastes 4:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse highlights the advantages of companionship over solitude.
Who is speakingThe author of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on the value of relationships.
Where we areIn a passage discussing the futility of solitary labor.
The hard wordטוֹבִ֥ים
Take awayCollaborating yields greater rewards than working alone.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause 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 — Ecclesiastes 4:9

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Value of Companionshipgenerated

8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
10For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!
11Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:9 emphasizes the importance of companionship, stating that two individuals working together are more effective than one alone. This verse is part of a broader reflection on the futility of solitary existence, contrasting the loneliness of a single person with the benefits of partnership, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 2:18The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”
2Exodus 4:14–16Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
3Numbers 11:14I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me.
4Proverbs 27:17As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
5Haggai 1:14So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word טוֹבִ֥ים, to.Vimgenerated

The word טוֹב (tov) is an adjective meaning good or pleasant. It encompasses a range of meanings, from agreeable sensations to ethical goodness. In this verse, it describes the advantageous nature of having a companion, highlighting the benefits of shared labor.

The parsing as an adjective indicates that it describes the state of being better when two are involved, reinforcing the idea that companionship leads to a more fulfilling and beneficial experience.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree that two are better than one, emphasizing the benefits of companionship.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is governed by the finite verb טוֹבִ֥ים, are better, which establishes the comparative nature of the statement. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject and a prepositional phrase that elaborates on the benefits of companionship.

The syntax indicates a straightforward comparison, with the emphasis on the positive outcome of having two individuals working together.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates טוֹבִ֥ים as ἀγαθοί (agathoi), which carries a similar meaning of goodness or virtue. This choice reflects the translators' focus on the moral and beneficial aspects of companionship.

The word choice in the Septuagint aligns closely with the Hebrew, maintaining the emphasis on the positive implications of working together.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ecclesiastes 4:9 states that two people working together are better than one, as they can achieve more and support each other. This verse is part of a larger discussion about the importance of companionship in life.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that two are better than one?

This phrase highlights the benefits of collaboration and support in achieving goals, suggesting that working together leads to greater success.

Why is companionship emphasized in this verse?

Companionship is emphasized because it provides emotional and practical support, making tasks easier and more rewarding.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?

This verse is part of a broader reflection on the futility of solitary living, contrasting the loneliness of individuals with the advantages of partnership.

What are some examples of companionship in the Bible?

Examples include the relationships between David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, and the disciples of Jesus, all highlighting the importance of support and collaboration.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I see the benefits of working with others?
  2. How can I cultivate deeper relationships that enhance my efforts?
  3. What are some challenges I face in collaborating with others, and how can I overcome them?
  4. How does this verse inspire me to seek out companionship in my endeavors?

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

The verse has been referenced by early commentators, including Jerome, who highlights the value of companionship in labor and support.

JeromeCommentary on Ecclesiastes c. 347–420
"Two are better than one, for they get a greater return for their labour. For should they fall, one can raise the other; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and there is no one to raise him! Also,
Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 4 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 4:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Two [are] better than one,.... The wise man takes occasion, from the solitariness Of the covetous man before described, to show in this and some following verses the preferableness and advantages of

Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 4 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Two (are) better than one. Two-opposed to "one" (Ecclesiastes 4:8).

Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 4 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Two, who live together in any kind of society, and join their powers together in any enterprises; which he opposeth to that humour of the covetous man, who desired to live alone, as was now said. A good reward for their labour; both have great benefit by such combinations and conjunctions of their counsels and abilities, whereby they do exceedingly support, and encourage, and strengthen one another, and effect many things which neither of them alone could do.

Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 4 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.Ver. 9. Two are better than one.] Friendly society is far beyond that wretched "aloneness" of the covetous wretch; he "joins house to house and land to land, that he may live alone in the midst of the earth." “ Quin sine rivali, seque et sua solus amato.” - Horat. Let him enjoy his moping solitariness, if he can. "It is not good for man to be alone," saith God; and he that loves to be alone is either a beast or a god, saith the philosopher Man is ζωονπολιτικον, a sociable creature - he is "nature’ s good fellow," and holds this for a rule, Optimum solarium sodalitium. There is great comfort in good…

Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 4 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Two are better than one] Married life is infinitely to be preferred to this kind of life, for the very reasons alleged below, and which require no explanation.

Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 4 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. Two are better than one] The strain of moralising which follows indicates at least the revived capacity for a better feeling. As the Debater had turned from the restless strivings of the seeker after wealth to the simple enjoyment of the labouring man or even the sensuous pleasure of the indolent, so now he turns from the isolation of the avaricious to the blessings of companionship. Here at least, in that which carries a man out of himself, there is a real good, a point scored as “gain.” Here also, over and above his own experience the Seeker may have been helped by the current thought of his Greek teachers, the κοινάτὰφίλων of the proverb, or the lines of Homer, Σύντεδύʼ ? ἐρχομένω…

Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 4 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9. Better than one — That is, happier. If the avaricious man would ally himself to a friend, his enjoyment would be increased.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ecclesiastes 4 →

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

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labor.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Two are better than one; because they will have a good reward for their toil.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Two people work better than one; together they can earn a good pay for their labor.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Two are better than one, for they can help each other in their work.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work.

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.

clauseclausepredicateטוֹבִ֥ים[are].goodnoun phrase · subjectהַ(the).twoשְּׁנַ֖יִם[people]prepositional phrase · prepositionalמִןmore.thannoun phraseהָ(the)אֶחָ֑דoneclauserelpאֲשֶׁ֧רthatclausepredicateיֵשׁthere.[is]prepositional phrase · prepositionalלָforהֶ֛םthemnoun phrase · subjectשָׂכָ֥רa.rewardט֖וֹבgoodprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּfornoun phraseעֲמָלָֽtoilםtheir

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all ten words matched. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the original message regarding the value of companionship.

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

טוֹבִ֥ים הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם מִן־ הָאֶחָ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יֵשׁ־ לָהֶ֛ם שָׂכָ֥ר ט֖וֹב בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
טוֹבִ֥יםἀγαθοιהַשְּׁנַ֖יִםδύοמִן־ὑπερהָאֶחָ֑דἕναאֲשֶׁ֧רοἷςיֵשׁ־ἔστινלָהֶ֛םαὐτοῖςשָׂכָ֥רμισθοςט֖וֹבἀγαθοςבַּעֲמָלָֽם׃αὐτῶν

10 of the 10 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.

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.

Ecclesiastes 4:9טוֹב[are] good[are] goodטוֹבשְׁנַ֫יִםtwo [peopletwo [people]שְׁנַ֫יִםמִן־more thanmore thanמִן־אֶחָדoneoneאֶחָדאֲשֶׁרthatthatאֲשֶׁריֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁהֶםfor themfor themהֶםשָׂכָר[is] a rewa[is] a rewardשָׂכָרטוֹבgoodgoodטוֹבעָמָלfor toil thfor toil theirעָמָלטוֹבbe pleasinbe pleasingטוֹבעָמַלto toilto toilעָמַלחָדַדto go eithto go either waחָדַדסָכַרto hireto hireסָכַרשֵׁנִיsecondsecondשֵׁנִימֵןstringstringמֵןהָיָהto beto beהָיָהיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרמַרְאֶהappearanceappearanceמַרְאֶהאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂררָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקיָתַרto remainto remainיָתַרכֶּ֫בֶשׂlamblambכֶּ֫בֶשׂצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהשָׂכָרwageswagesשָׂכָרפְּעֻלָּהwageswagesפְּעֻלָּה
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 Ecclesiastes 4:9

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

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

[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
טוֹבִ֥יםto.Vim [are] good H2896 Adj
538× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Amplified meaning
more advantageous, pleasant
Tyndale gloss
pleasant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good

pleasant, agreeable to the senses

pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

good, excellent, of its kind

good, rich, valuable in estimation

good, appropriate, becoming

c. מִן compar. = better

of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

good, kind, benign

good (ethical), right

base

טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

good = benefit

moral good

base

טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

bounty, good

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses

. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

. good, excellent, of its kind

. good, rich, valuable in estimation

. good, appropriate, becoming

. c. מִן compar. =better

. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

. good, kind, benign

. good (ethical), right

H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2896 towb tobe

from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used

likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,

the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a

good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or

women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,

bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,

fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),

graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,

merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,

prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well

((-favoured)).

see HEBREW for 02895

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.

adj

1) good, pleasant, agreeable

1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)

1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)

1c) good, excellent (of its kind)

1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation

1e) good, appropriate, becoming

1f) better (comparative)

1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)

1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)

1i) good, kind, benign

1j) good, right (ethical)

Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)

טוֹב (tov) — good.

1) a good thing, benefit, welfare

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) good, benefit

1d) moral good

טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.

1) welfare, benefit, good things

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) bounty

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
הַשְּׁנַ֖יִםha.she.Na.yim two [people] H8147 Particle
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Amplified meaning
a pair, double
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Acbda
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
מִן־min- more than H4480 Preposition
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against

. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

. of position, off, on the side of, on

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through

. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

. with a temporal force, since, after

. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)

{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;

hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as

follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason

of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,

since, X then, through, X whether, with.

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than

1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of

1b) out of

1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)

1b2) (of material from which something is made)

1b3) (of source or origin)

1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)

1d) from, since, after (of time)

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or

1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)

1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)

conj

2) that

Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
הָאֶחָ֑דha.'e.Chad one H259 Particle
971× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Amplified meaning
alone, single
Tyndale gloss
one
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one

one

= each, every

= a certain

= indef. art.

only, & (fem.) once

one … another, one … the other

as ordinal first

in combin.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H259 אֶחָד one . one

. = each, every

. = a certain

. = indef. art.

. only, & (fem.) once

. one … another, one … the other

. as ordinal first

. in combin.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

259 'echad ekh-awd'

a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an

ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,

any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +

eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,

other, some, together,

see HEBREW for 0258

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.

1) one (number)

1a) one (number)

1b) each, every

1c) a certain

1d) an (indefinite article)

1e) only, once, once for all

1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one

1g) first

1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Acfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wun.

See NUMBER.

[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
אֲשֶׁ֧ר'a.Sher that H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
יֵשׁ־yesh- there H3426 Part
140× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יֵשׁ (yesh) refers to being, substance, or existence. It is used to assert existence, functioning as a copula for the verb 'to be' in various forms. The word can mean 'there is' or 'there are,' and its Aramaic equivalent is אִיתַי (itay).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יֵשׁ 137 subst. being, substance, existence

substance

elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3426 יֵשׁ subst. being, substance, existence . substance

. elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3426 yesh yaysh

perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist;

entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive

verb (1961); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to

be, as may suit the connection):--(there) are, (he, it, shall,

there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had,

hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is,

substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt,

wouldest.

see HEBREW for 01961

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֵשׁ (yesh) — there.

1) being, existence, substance, there is or are

1a) substance

1b) existence

1c) there is or are

Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Part
HAcbsa
[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
לָהֶ֛םla.Hem for them H9038 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶם (hem) — them.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
שָׂכָ֥רsa.Khar [is] a reward H7939 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Payment for work or services, like the wages paid to the laborers in Matthew 20:8. This word encompasses various forms of compensation, including salary, fare, or maintenance. It is about receiving payment for something.
Amplified meaning
reward, wages
Tyndale gloss
wages
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂכָר (sakar) refers to hire or wages, encompassing payment for work, rewards for faithfulness, and even fare for travel. It is derived from a root meaning 'to hire' and includes concepts of compensation and worth. The term appears in contexts related to employment and remuneration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂכָר n.m. hire, wages

wages, of a servant

= reward, for work done, faithfulness, etc.

passage-money, fare

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7939 שָׂכָר hire, wages

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7939 sakar saw-kawr'

from 7936; payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare,

maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit:--hire,

price, reward(-ed), wages, worth.

see HEBREW for 07936

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂכָר (sa.khar) — wages.

1) hire, wages

1a) wages

1b) reward, pay

1c) fare, fee, passage-money

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

re-word': In modern English (except when influenced by the Biblical forms) a "reward" is something given in recognition of a good act. In English Versions of the Bible, however, "reward" is used quite generally for anything given, and the term covers the recompense of evil (Ps 91:8), wages (1Ti 5:18 the King James Version), bribes (Mic 7:3), and gifts (Jer 40:5 the King James Version). The Revised Version (British and American) has specialized the meaning in a number of cases (Ps 94:2; Eze 16:34; Jer 40:5, etc.)…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ A MOTIVE TO FAITHFULNESS Ex 20:6,12; Le 25:18,19; 26:3-45; De 4:40; 6:3,18; 11:13-16,18-21,26-29; 15:9-11; 22:7; 24:19; 25:15; 27:12-26; Jos 8:33; Isa 1:16-20; 3:10; 40:10,11; Jer 17:24-26; 22:3,4; Mt 10:32; 16:24-27; 20:1-16; 25:34-46; Mr 10:21; 13:13; Lu 6:22,23,35; 12:8; Ac 26:18; Ro 2:10;

[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
ט֖וֹבTov good H2896 Adj
538× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Amplified meaning
pleasant, beneficial
Tyndale gloss
pleasant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good

pleasant, agreeable to the senses

pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

good, excellent, of its kind

good, rich, valuable in estimation

good, appropriate, becoming

c. מִן compar. = better

of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

good, kind, benign

good (ethical), right

base

טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

good = benefit

moral good

base

טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

bounty, good

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses

. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

. good, excellent, of its kind

. good, rich, valuable in estimation

. good, appropriate, becoming

. c. מִן compar. =better

. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

. good, kind, benign

. good (ethical), right

H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2896 towb tobe

from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used

likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,

the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a

good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or

women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,

bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,

fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),

graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,

merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,

prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well

((-favoured)).

see HEBREW for 02895

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.

adj

1) good, pleasant, agreeable

1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)

1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)

1c) good, excellent (of its kind)

1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation

1e) good, appropriate, becoming

1f) better (comparative)

1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)

1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)

1i) good, kind, benign

1j) good, right (ethical)

Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)

טוֹב (tov) — good.

1) a good thing, benefit, welfare

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) good, benefit

1d) moral good

טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.

1) welfare, benefit, good things

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) bounty

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

[are] good two [people] more than one that there for them [is] a reward good for toil their
בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃ba.'a.ma.Lam for toil their H5999 Preposition · noun common both singular construct · suffix
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to trouble or hard work that causes worry or pain, whether physical or mental, like the struggles of the Israelites in the book of Exodus.
Amplified meaning
work, trouble, toil
Tyndale gloss
trouble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָמָל (amal) refers to trouble, labor, or toil. It encompasses a range of meanings including physical and mental effort, as well as sorrow and mischief. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of wearing effort and can imply grievance or wickedness. It appears in contexts related to suffering and toil.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָמָל n.m. f. trouble, labor, toil

trouble (∥ sorrow): one’s own suffering

trouble, mischief, as done to others

toil, labour (late in Heb.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5999 עָמָל trouble, labor, toil

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5999 `amal aw-mawl'

from 5998; toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of

body or mind:--grievance(-vousness), iniquity, labour,

mischief, miserable(-sery), pain(-ful), perverseness, sorrow,

toil, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness.

see HEBREW for 05998

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמָל (a.mal) — trouble.

1) toil, trouble, labour

1a) trouble

1b) trouble, mischief

1c) toil, labour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs | Suff — Preposition · noun common both singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncbsc/Sp3mp
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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