Exodus 21:8 — Word Study
WLCאִם־ רָעָ֞ה בְּעֵינֵ֧י אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ אֲשֶׁר־ ל֥וֹ יְעָדָ֖הּ וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּ לְעַ֥ם נָכְרִ֛י לֹא־ יִמְשֹׁ֥ל לְמָכְרָ֖הּ בְּבִגְדוֹ־ בָֽהּ׃
BSAIfʼim she is displeasingraʻ [not pleasing, displeasing to the point of rejection] in the eyesʻayin [the seat of discernment, the window to the soul] of her masterʼâdôwn [lord, one with authority over her] whoʼăsher had designated her for himselfyâʻad■ [appointed, chosen] he must allow her to be redeemedpâdâh [bought back, set free from bondage] He has nolôʼ rightmâshal▸ [power, authority] to sell hermâkar to foreignersʻam [a strange nation, people outside her own] since he has broken faithbâgad [acted deceitfully]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אִם־ | if | Particle |
| רָעָ֞ה | she is bad | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| בְּעֵינֵ֧י | in [the] eyes of | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct |
| אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ | master her | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אֲשֶׁר־ | who | Particle |
| ל֥וֹ | for himself | Preposition, suffix |
| יְעָדָ֖הּ | he designated her | Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּ | and he will let be ransomed her | Verb hiphil sequential perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| לְעַ֥ם | to a people | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נָכְרִ֛י | foreign | |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| יִמְשֹׁ֥ל | he will have dominion | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לְמָכְרָ֖הּ | to sell her | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
| בְּבִגְדוֹ־ | because has dealt treacherously he | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
| בָֽהּ׃ | with her | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. |
| KJV | If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. |
| ASV | If she please not her master, who hath espoused her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a foreign people he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. |
| YLT | if evil in the eyes of her lord, so that he hath not betrothed her, then he hath let her be ransomed; to a strange people he hath not power to sell her, in his dealing treacherously with her. |
| WEB | If she doesn’t please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. |
| BBE | If she is not pleasing to her master who has taken her for himself, let a payment be made for her so that she may go free; her master has no power to get a price for her and send her to a strange land, because he has been false to her. |
Where they part company is רָעָ֞ה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a conditional statement, with multiple clauses detailing the master's obligations and the consequences of his actions.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרעע
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 — Exodus 21:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Laws Concerning Servantsgenerated
Exodus 21:8 addresses the rights of a master over a female servant who is found displeasing. The law stipulates that if the master has designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed and cannot sell her to foreigners, as this would be a betrayal of trust. This reflects the broader context of servitude laws in the ancient Near East, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and the right to freedom.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 28:8 | And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, |
| 2 | Judges 14:3 | But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 8:6 | But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 18:8 | And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 20:7 | Has any man become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man marry her.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רָעָ֞ה, ra.'Ahgenerated
The verb רָעָ֞ה (ra'ah) means to be bad or displeasing. It can refer to moral wickedness or to something that is broken or shattered. In this context, it indicates the master's negative perception of the servant, which triggers the legal obligations outlined in the verse.
This usage highlights the relational aspect of servitude, where the master's feelings directly impact the servant's rights. The verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action, which emphasizes the master's judgment of the servant's worthiness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of a main clause introduced by the conditional אִם (if), followed by a series of phrases detailing the conditions under which the master must act. The structure emphasizes the conditional nature of the law, where the master's judgment determines the subsequent legal obligations.
The finite verb יְעָדָ֖הּ (he designated her) anchors the sentence, with the subsequent phrases elaborating on the implications of that designation and the master's responsibilities.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רָעָ֞ה as κακὴ (bad), which aligns with the notion of moral failure or displeasure. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of the servant's condition, emphasizing ethical considerations.
The Greek word ἐὰν (if) corresponds to the Hebrew אִם, maintaining the conditional structure of the original text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 21:8 explains that if a female servant is found displeasing to her master, he must allow her to be redeemed and cannot sell her to foreigners. This law highlights the importance of fairness and the rights of servants in ancient Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It refers to the master's judgment that the servant is not meeting his expectations or standards, which can trigger legal rights concerning her treatment.
It means that the servant has the right to be bought back and set free from her servitude, emphasizing her dignity and worth.
Selling her to foreigners would be seen as a betrayal of the trust placed in him, as he has a responsibility to treat her fairly.
It means that the master has broken faith with the servant, failing to uphold the moral and legal obligations of their relationship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do modern views on servitude compare to the principles outlined in this verse?
- What responsibilities do leaders have toward those under their authority?
- In what ways can we ensure fairness and justice in our relationships?
- How can we apply the principles of redemption and fairness in our own lives?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 21:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIf she please not her master,.... "Be evil in the eyes of her master" (p); and he has no liking of her, and love to her, not being agreeable in her person, temper, or conduct, so that he does not
Read John Gill on Exodus 21 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIf she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 21 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWho hath betrothed her to himself, for a concubine or secondary wife. Not that masters did always take maid-servants upon these terms, as some conceive; but that some did so, and of them this place speaks. Though here is a differing reading; and as the margin hath lo the pronoun, signifying to him, so the text hath lo the adverb, signifying not; and so the text may be translated thus, so that he doth not betroth her, to wit, to himself, or to his son, as he gave her hopes he intended. Either reading or sense is proper and probable. Then shall he let her be redeemed, either by herself or friends, or any other person that will redeem her. Quest. How could he part with her, and sell her, when…
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 21 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsExodus 21:8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.Ver. 8. He hath dealt deceitfully with her.] By not answering her expectation. This God tolerated for the hardness of their hearts, but approved not.
Read John Trapp on Exodus 21 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) Who hath betrothed her to himself.—The reading is to be preferred which gives the opposite sense—“who hath not betrothed her;” and the meaning is, “If the man, after purchasing the woman to be his wife, finds that he does not like her, and refuses to go through the ceremony of betrothal”— Then shall he let her be redeemed.—Heb., then let him cause her to be redeemed: i.e., let him provide some one to take his place, and carry out his contract, only taking care that the substitute be a Hebrew, and not one of “a strange nation,” since her father did not intend to have her wed a foreigner.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 21 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. First special case under the general law of v. 7: if a woman, bought with the intention of being made her master’s concubine, does not please her master, he must let her be redeemed, and he has no power to sell her into foreign slavery. who hath designated (2 Samuel 20:5; Jeremiah 47:7) her for himself] viz. at the time when he bought her: ‘for himself’ is shewn by its position in the Heb. to be emphatic; it is opposed to ‘for his son’ in v. 9, The marg. (ìà for ìå) may be disregarded, if only because yâ‘ad does not mean to ‘espouse’: to ‘designate’ a woman for any one may indeed be equivalent to ‘to espouse,’ but that does not justify ‘designate,’ used absolutely, being rendered…
Read Cambridge on Exodus 21 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible8. Please not her master — Hebrews, if she be evil in the eyes of her master. If he discover some defect in her, or find her less attractive and useful to him than he had expected.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 21 →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
If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her.
If she doesn’t please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her.
If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her.
If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to a foreign nation, because he has dealt deceitfully with her.
Tyndale line
If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
If she please not her master, who hath espoused her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a foreign people he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
If she please not her master, who hath espoused her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange people he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
If she shall not please her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her to a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
If shee please not her master, who hath betrothed her to him selfe, then shall hee cause to buy her: hee shall haue no power to sell her to a strange people, seeing he despised her.
Strictly literal
If she is unacceptable in the eyes of her master, who had taken her for himself, then shall he let her be ransomed: to sell her unto a foreign people he hath no power, after having dealt unfaithfully with her.
if evil in the eyes of her lord, so that he hath not betrothed her, then he hath let her be ransomed; to a strange people he hath not power to sell her, in his dealing treacherously with her.
if [it is] evil in the eyes of her lord, so that he has not betrothed her, then he has let her be ransomed; he has no power to sell her to a strange people, in his dealing treacherously with her.
If she please not her master, to whom he hath assigned her, then shall he aid her to be redeemed: unto a strange nation he shall have no power to sell her, seeing he hath dealt faithlessly with her.
If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he must let her be bought back. He has no right to sell her to a foreign people. He has no such right, since he has treated her deceitfully.
From the Latin
If she displease the eyes of her master to whom she was delivered, he shall let her go: but he shall have no power to sell her to a foreign nation, if he despise her.
Simplified
If the man who chose her for himself is not pleased with her, he must let her be bought back. He is not permitted to sell her to foreigners, since he has been unfair to her.
If she is not pleasing to her master who has taken her for himself, let a payment be made for her so that she may go free; her master has no power to get a price for her and send her to a strange land, because he has been false to her.
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 (MT) presents the verse as stating that if a woman is displeasing to her master, he must allow her to be redeemed and cannot sell her to foreigners. The Septuagint (LXX) does not provide a complete text for comparison but matches 11 out of 15 words with the MT, indicating some level of agreement. The Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) differs from the MT in three words: it uses היא (she) instead of the MT's form, employs העידה (designate) rather than the MT's term, and has ל (to) instead of the MT's phrasing. These differences suggest variations in the understanding of the text's meaning and implications regarding the woman's status and rights.
אִם־ רָעָ֞ה בְּעֵינֵ֧י אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ אֲשֶׁר־ ל֥וֹ יְעָדָ֖הּ וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּ לְעַ֥ם נָכְרִ֛י לֹא־ יִמְשֹׁ֥ל לְמָכְרָ֖הּ בְּבִגְדוֹ־ בָֽהּ׃
11 of the 15 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.
אם רעה היא בעיני אדניה אשׁר לא העידה והפדה לעם נכרי לא ימשׁל למכרה בבגדו בה
3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: היא (she), העידה (designate), ל (to)
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 Exodus 21:8
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.
אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.
אִם conj.
hypoth. part. if
Interrog. part.
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
H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if
. Interrog. part.
H518b 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
518 'im eem
a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;
interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh
that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,
doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +
more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,
+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,
none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,
whereas, whether, while, + yet.
אִם (im) — if.
: if/whether_or/though
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
אִם (im) — if: surely no.
: surely_no
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: surely yes.
: surely_yes
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: until.
: until/except
Conj — ParticleHTc
רָעַע (ra`a`) is a Hebrew verb with meanings related to being evil or breaking. It encompasses a range of concepts from moral wickedness to physical shattering. The entries indicate that it can refer to causing harm or injury, as well as being displeasing or sad. There is a notable distinction in the lexicons regarding its use in ethical contexts versus physical breaking.
[רָעַע] 98 vb. denom. be evil, bad
Qal
be displeasing
be sad
be injurious, evil
be evil, wicked, ethically
Niph. suffer hurt
Hiph. 70
do an injury, hurt
do evil, wickedly
base
[רָעַע] vb. break
Qal
trans. can one break iron, iron out of the north ?
intrans. break = be broken
Hithpō‛. the earth is broken asunder
base
H7489a רָעַע vb. denom. be evil, bad H7489b רָעַע break
7489 ra`a` raw-ah'
a primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking
to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing,
i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally):--afflict,
associate selves (by mistake for 7462), break (down, in
pieces), + displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat,
man), show self friendly (by mistake for 7462), do harm, (do)
hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, X indeed, do mischief, punish,
still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse.
see HEBREW for 07462
see HEBREW for 07462
רָעַע (ra.a) — be evil.
1) to be bad, be evil
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to be displeasing
1a2) to be sad
1a3) to be injurious, be evil
1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to do an injury or hurt
1b2) to do evil or wickedly
1b3) mischief (participle)
רָעַע (ra.a) — to shatter.
1) to break, shatter
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to break
1a2) broken (participle)
1a3) to be broken
1b) (Hithpolel) to be broken, be broken in pieces, be broken asunder
HVqp3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
Prep | N-cd — Preposition · noun common feminine dual constructHR/Ncfdc
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 אָדוֹן (*'adown*) means 'lord' and is derived from a root meaning to rule. It covers a range of meanings, referring to both human and divine authority, including terms like master, king, and superintendent. Variations exist for divine references, such as אֲדֹנָי (*Adonai*), distinguishing God from human lords.
אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)
base
H113 אָדוֹן lord
113 'adown aw-done'
or (shortened) adon {aw-done'}; from an unused root (meaning
to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine):--
lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with
"Adoni-".
אָדוֹן (a.don) — lord.
1) firm, strong, lord, master
1a) lord, master
1a1) reference to men
1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs
1a1b) master
1a1c) king
1a2) reference to God
1a2a) the Lord God
1a2b) Lord of the whole earth
1b) lords, kings
1b1) reference to men
1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria
1b1b) master
1b1c) husband
1b1d) prophet
1b1e) governor
1b1f) prince
1b1g) king
1b2) reference to God
1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh")
1c) my lord, my master
1c1) reference to men
1c1a) master
1c1b) husband
1c1c) prophet
1c1d) prince
1c1e) king
1c1f) father
1c1g) Moses
1c1h) priest
1c1i) theophanic angel
1c1j) captain
1c1k) general recognition of superiority
1c2) reference to God
1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God
1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3fs
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.
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
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
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.
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
Rel — ParticleHTr
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
יָעַד (ya`ad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to appoint or fix upon, often in the context of time or place. It encompasses meanings such as to gather or assemble by appointment, to meet, and to designate someone for a role, including betrothal. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including reflexive and causative uses, but do not present significant disagreement among sources.
יָעַד vb. appoint
Qal appoint, a time; place; a rod; assign or designate as concubine
Niph.
reflexive, meet at an appointed place
meet by appointment
gather, assemble by appointment
Po‛ēl Pf.
Hiph. Impf. who will make me meet him at the appointed place (of judgment)
Hoph. Pt. be set, placed before
base
H3259 יָעַד appoint .appoint, a time; place; a rod; assign or designate as concubine
. . reflexive, meet at an appointed place
. meet by appointment
. gather, assemble by appointment
.Pf.
. Impf. who will make me meet him at the appointed place (of judgment)
. Pt. be set, placed before
3259 ya`ad yaw-ad'
a primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment);
by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to
trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to
engage (for marriage): -agree,(maxke an) appoint(-ment,a
time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together),
meet (together), set (a time).
יָעַד (ya.ad) — to appoint.
1) to fix, appoint, assemble, meet, set, betroth
1a)(Qal) to appoint, assign, designate
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to meet
1b2) to meet by appointment
1b3) to gather, assemble by appointment
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet
1d) (Hophal) to be set, be placed before, be fixed
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqp3ms/Sp3fs
פָּדָה (padah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to ransom or redeem. It encompasses actions like delivering or rescuing, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being ransomed or allowing someone to be ransomed. The entries highlight its use in contexts of release and preservation, but do not specify any particular verses.
פָּדָה vb. ransom
Qal ransom
Niph. she hath not been at all ransomed (from bondage)
Hiph. he shall let her be ransomed.
base
H6299 פָּדָה ransom
6299 padah paw-daw'
a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release,
preserve:--X at all, deliver, X by any means, ransom, (that
are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, X surely.
פָּדָה (pa.dah) — to ransom.
1) to ransom, redeem, rescue, deliver
1a) (Qal) to ransom
1b) (Niphal) to be ransomed
1c) (Hiphil) to allow one to be ransomed
1d) (Hophal) redeemed
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vhq3ms/Sp3fs
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
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…
נָכְרִי (nokriy) means foreign or alien, covering a range of meanings from a foreign person to something unfamiliar or strange. It can also refer specifically to a foreign woman or harlot. The word is built from a root that suggests strangeness in various contexts.
נָכְרִי adj. foreign, alien
base
H5237 נָכְרִי foreign, alien
5237 nokriy nok-ree'
from 5235 (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and
applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different,
wonderful):--alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r,
woman).
see HEBREW for 05235
נׇכְרִי (nokh.ri) — foreign.
1) foreign, alien
1a) foreign
1b) foreigner (subst)
1c) foreign woman, harlot
1d) unknown, unfamiliar (fig.)
HAamsa — HAamsa
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
מָשַׁל (mashal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rule or have dominion. It can refer to human authority, the dominion of heavenly bodies, or God's sovereignty. The word has a Qal form indicating direct rule and a Hiphil form that implies causing someone to rule or exercising dominion.
מָשַׁל vb. rule, have dominion, reign
Qal
human subj., rule, have dominion over
of heavenly bodies
of God
Hiph. cause to rule; exercise dominion
base
H4910 מָשַׁל rule, have dominion, reign .. human subj., rule, have dominion over
. of heavenly bodies
. of God
. cause to rule; exercise dominion
4910 mashal maw-shal'
a primitive root; to rule:--(have, make to have) dominion,
governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have)
rule(-ing, -r), have power.
מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to rule.
1) to rule, have dominion, reign
1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to rule
1b2) to exercise dominion
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
do-min'-yun: In Eph 1:21; Col 1:16 the word so translated (kuriotes) appears to denote a rank or order of angels. The same word is probably to be so interpreted in Jude 1:8 (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "dominion"), and in 2Pe 2:10 (the King James Version "government," the Revised Version (British and American) "dominion"). See ANGEL.
→ OF MAN
See MAN, DOMINION OF
מָכַר (makar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to sell.' It encompasses various forms, including selling merchandise, giving a daughter in marriage, or even selling oneself into slavery. The word appears in different grammatical forms, such as Qal (to sell), Niphal (to be sold), and Hithpael (to sell oneself). It reflects both literal and figurative senses of selling.
מָכַר vb. sell
Qal sell
Niph. be sold
Hithp. sell oneself as slave
base
H4376 מָכַר sell
4376 makar maw-kar'
a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a
daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to
surrender):--X at all, sell (away, -er, self).
מָכַר (ma.khar) — to sell.
1) to sell
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sell
1a2) seller (participle)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be sold
1b2) to sell oneself
1b3) to be given over to death
1c) (Hithpael) to sell oneself
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp3fs
בָּגַד (bagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to act treacherously or deceitfully. It is derived from a root that suggests covering or acting covertly, and it encompasses actions such as offending or being unfaithful. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, highlighting themes of betrayal and unfaithfulness.
[בָּגַד] vb. act or deal treacherously
base
H898 בָּגַד act or deal treacherously
898 bagad baw-gad'
a primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to
act covertly; by implication, to pillage:--deal deceitfully
(treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or),
(depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly,
man), X very.
בָּגַד (ba.gad) — to act treacherously.
1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously
1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp3ms
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.
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HRd/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3fs
