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Exodus 28:8 — Word Study

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WLCוְחֵ֤שֶׁב אֲפֻדָּתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלָ֔יו כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ מִמֶּ֣נּוּ יִהְיֶ֑ה זָהָ֗ב תְּכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מָשְׁזָֽר׃

BSAAnd the skillfully woven waistbandchêsheb [beautifully worked, intricate, girdle, sash] ofʻal the ephodʼêphuddâh [a special priestly garment] must behâyâh of one piecemin of the same workmanshipmaʻăseh [deed, craftsmanship] with goldzâhâb [a valuable metal] with bluetᵉkêleth [a blue-violet dye] purpleʼargâmân [a deep rich color] and scarlet yarntôwlâʻ [shani, a bright red color] and with finely spunshâzar [twined, twisted] linenshêsh [a fine white fabric]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 28
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 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 (ma.she.Zar) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 28:8quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes the intricate design and materials of the ephod's waistband, emphasizing its craftsmanship.
Who is speakingGod, giving instructions to Moses regarding the priestly garments.
Where we areIn the instructions for the construction of the priestly garments, specifically the ephod.
The hard wordחֵ֫שֶׁב
Take awayThe ephod's waistband is a significant part of the priestly attire, made with care and specific materials.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbהָיָה 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 — Exodus 28:8

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 — Instructions for the Priestly Garmentsgenerated

7It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
8And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
9Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
10six of their names on one stone and the remaining six on the other, in the order of their birth.

Exodus 28:8 is part of the detailed instructions given to Moses on how to create the garments for the priests, particularly the high priest. The ephod is a significant garment, symbolizing the priest's role and responsibilities. The craftsmanship involved reflects the importance of the priestly office and the reverence required in their attire, as seen throughout the surrounding verses in Exodus 28:7 and Exodus 28:9.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 28:27–28Make two additional gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on its front, near its seam just above its woven waistband.
2Exodus 29:5Take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastplate. Fasten the ephod on him with its woven waistband.
3Exodus 39:20–21They made two additional gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on its front, near the seam just above its woven waistband.
4Leviticus 8:7He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him.
5Isaiah 11:5Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חֵ֫שֶׁב, che.shevgenerated

The word חֵ֫שֶׁב (chesheb) refers to an intricately woven girdle or sash, emphasizing the skilled craftsmanship required in its creation. This term is derived from a root meaning to interlace, indicating a deep connection to artistry and design in the context of the ephod.

In this verse, it highlights the importance of the waistband as a part of the ephod, which is a special garment worn by priests. The emphasis on its craftsmanship suggests that the details of the priestly garments were not mere aesthetics but held significant meaning in the context of worship and service.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which has the skillfully woven waistband.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִהְיֶ֑ה (yihyeh, it will be) governs the entire sentence, indicating what the waistband must be like. The structure includes a noun phrase for the waistband, a prepositional phrase describing its characteristics, and a list of materials that are part of its composition.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the waistband first, followed by its qualities and materials, which reflects the importance of each element in the construction of the priestly garments.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word for waistband is rendered as ἔσται (estai), indicating a future state of being. This choice suggests a focus on the expected outcome of the craftsmanship rather than the process itself.

The Greek term used here emphasizes the ongoing significance of the ephod and its garments in the priestly duties, aligning with the original Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 28:8 describes the waistband of the ephod, which must be skillfully woven from one piece, using gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and fine linen. This emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship in the priestly garments.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the ephod's waistband?

The waistband symbolizes the intricate craftsmanship and the importance of the priestly garments in religious service, reflecting the care and detail required in their creation.

What materials are used in the ephod's waistband?

The waistband is made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, all of which are significant materials in biblical texts, often associated with wealth and divine service.

Why is the craftsmanship of the ephod emphasized?

The emphasis on craftsmanship highlights the importance of the priest's role and the reverence required in their attire, which was meant to reflect their service to God.

How does this verse connect to the overall theme of the priestly garments?

This verse connects to the overall theme by detailing the specific requirements for the ephod, showcasing the care and detail that must go into the garments worn by those serving in the temple.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can I learn about the importance of craftsmanship and detail in my own work or service?
  2. How does the use of specific materials in the ephod's waistband reflect the values of the community at that time?
  3. In what ways can I apply the principles of careful design and intention in my daily life?
  4. How does understanding the significance of the ephod enhance my appreciation for the role of the priests in biblical times?

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

The early Church Fathers also reflect on the significance of the ephod and its materials, arguing from this verse to illustrate the virtues expected of the priesthood.

Gregory the DialogistThe Book of Pastoral Rule, Part 2, Chapter 3 c. 540–604
Which ephod is also rightly ordered to be made of gold, blue, purple, twice dyed scarlet, and fine twined linen, that it may be shewn by how great diversity of virtues the priest ought to be distinguished.
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 28 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 28:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it,.... Which was worn along with it, and went out from it like two thongs, as Jarchi says, which girt the ephod close to the back and breast: shall

Read John Gill on Exodus 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. Ephod.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The girdle of the ephod was for the closer fastening and girding of it. Which is upon it: this is added to distinguish it from the other girdle, , which was to gird all the garments, and was tied in a lower place. Of the same; either, 1. Of the same piece; or rather, 2. Of the same kind of materials and workmanship, as the following words explain it.

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) The curious girdle.—The word khésheb, which is thus translated, means properly “device,” “ornamental work,” and has not in itself the sense of “belt” or “girdle.” Still, there is no reason to doubt that the khêsheb of the ephod was in fact a girdle, as Josephus calls it (Ant. Jud., iii. 7, §4), though named from the peculiar skill displayed in its patterning. Josephus says it was “a girdle dyed of many hues, with gold interwoven in it.”Shall be of the same.—Not sewn on, but woven continuously with the front or back piece.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 28 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. The curious girdle of the ephod] The word חשב chesheb, rendered here curious girdle, signifies merely a kind of diaper, or embroidered work; (See Clarke on Exodus 26:1;) and it is widely different from אבנט abnet, which is properly translated girdle, Exodus 28:4. The meaning therefore of the text, according to some, is this, that the two pieces, Exodus 28:7, which connected the parts of the ephod at the shoulders where the onyx stones were set, should be of the same texture with the ephod itself, i.e., of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, embroidered together. But others suppose that some kind of a girdle is meant, different from the abnet, Exodus 28:39, being…

Read AdamClarke on Exodus 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. And the artistically woven band (or simply, And the band: see below) of its attachment, which is upon it, shall be, &c.] ‘Artistically woven band’ is in the Heb. one word, ḥ ?ηsheb, cognate apparently with ḥ ?τshηb, ‘designer,’ v. 6. As however the entire ephod was to be of the same material, and the ḥ ?ηsheb was indeed to be of the same piece with it, it is not apparent why the term should be applied to this particular part of the entire fabric: hence many suppose ḥ ?ηsheb to be derived by metathesis from ḥ ?ηbesh (from ḥ ?βbash, to bind on), and to mean simply band (cf. kιsheb, and kιbesh, both = ‘lamb’). Whichever etymology be adopted, the general sense remains the same: the band, as…

Read Cambridge on Exodus 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8. The curious girdle — By means of which the two pieces of the ephod were to be fastened about the body. These were of the same material as the rest. Comp. Exodus 28:6.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 28 →

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

And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The artistically woven waistband of the ephod that is on it is to be like it, of one piece with the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the skilfully woven band, which is upon it, wherewith to gird it on, shall be like the work thereof and of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the cunningly woven band, which is upon it, to gird it on withal, shall be like the work thereof and of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to its work; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the embroydred garde of the same Ephod, which shalbe vpon him, shall be of the selfe same worke and stuffe, euen of golde, blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine twined linen.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to its work of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet and twined byssus.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And the girdle of his ephod which [is] on him, according to its work, is of the same, of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the girdle of his ephod which [is] on him, according to its work, is of the same, of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the belt for girding, which is upon it, shall be of the same make, out of the same piece with itself; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet yarn, and twisted linen.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Its finely-woven waistband must be like the ephod; it must be made of one piece with the ephod, made of fine twined linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The very workmanship also and all the variety of the work shall be of gold, and violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine twisted linen.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The waistband of the ephod is to be one piece made in the same way, using gold thread, with blue, purple, and crimson thread, and with finely-woven linen.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the beautifully worked band, which goes on it, is to be of the same work and the same material, of gold and blue and purple and red and twisted linen-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.

וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseחֵ֤שֶׁבthe.girdlenoun phraseאֲפֻדָּתits.ephodוֹ֙hisrelpאֲשֶׁ֣רwhichclauseprepositional phrase · predicateעָלָ֔י[willוbe].on.itprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְּ[willnoun phraseמַעֲשֵׂ֖be]הוּlike.its.workmanshipprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִמֶּ֣fromנּוּitverbיִהְיֶ֑הit.will.benoun phrase · objectזָהָ֗בgoldתְּכֵ֧לֶתviolet.stuffוְandאַרְגָּמָ֛ןpurpleוְandnoun phraseתוֹלַ֥עַתscarlet.stuffשָׁנִ֖יof.scarletוְandnoun phraseשֵׁ֥שׁfine.linenמָשְׁזָֽרtwisted

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


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

The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees word for word with the Masoretic Text in this verse, affirming the consistency of the instruction regarding the ephod's waistband. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a fragment with partial restoration, indicating some agreement but also showing editorial input.

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

וְחֵ֤שֶׁב אֲפֻדָּתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלָ֔יו כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ מִמֶּ֣נּוּ יִהְיֶ֑ה זָהָ֗ב תְּכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מָשְׁזָֽר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְחֵ֤שֶׁבκαὶאֲפֻדָּתוֹ֙ἐπωμίδωνעָלָ֔יוαὐτῷכְּמַעֲשֵׂ֖הוּποίησινמִמֶּ֣נּוּαὐτοῦיִהְיֶ֑הἔσταιזָהָ֗בξρυσίουתְּכֵ֧לֶתὑακίνθουוְאַרְגָּמָ֛ןπορφύραςוְתוֹלַ֥עַתκοκκίνουשָׁנִ֖יδιανενησμένουוְשֵׁ֥שׁβύσσουמָשְׁזָֽר׃κεκλωσμένης

13 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

וחשׁב אפדתו אשׁר עליו כמעשׂהו ממנו יהיה זהב תכלת וארגמן ותולעת שׁני ושׁשׁ משׁזר

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q22a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

אשר עלי׳ו [כמעש׳הו] [ממ׳נו] [יהיה] [זהב] [תכלת] [וארגמן] [ותולעת] שני ושש משזר

12 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Exodus 28:8חֵ֫שֶׁבand [the] gand [the] girdlחֵ֫שֶׁבאֲפֻדָּהephod itsephod itsאֲפֻדָּהאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרעַל[will be] o[will be] on itעַלמַעֲשֶׂה[will be] l[will be] like מַעֲשֶׂהמִן־from itfrom itמִן־הָיָהit will beit will beהָיָהזָהָבgoldgoldזָהָבתְּכֵ֫לֶתviolet stufviolet stuffתְּכֵ֫לֶתאַרְגָּמָןand purpleand purpleאַרְגָּמָןתּוֹלָעand scarletand scarlet stuתּוֹלָעשָׁנִיscarletscarletשָׁנִישֵׁשׁand fine liand fine linenשֵׁשׁשָׁזַרtwistedtwistedשָׁזַרחָשַׁבto devise:to devise: counחָשַׁבעָשָׂהto maketo makeעָשָׂהלוּעto blurtto blurtלוּעאֵפוֹדephodephodאֵפוֹדעַלheightheightעַלמֵןstringstringמֵןהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאשְׁחֵ֫לֶתonychaonychaשְׁחֵ֫לֶתמֶ֫שִׁיsilksilkמֶ֫שִׁישַׁ֫יִשׁalabasteralabasterשַׁ֫יִשׁשָׁנִיscarletscarletשָׁנִיאַרְגָּמָןpurplepurpleאַרְגָּמָןשֵׁשׁalabasteralabasterשֵׁשׁשָׁזַרto twistto twistשָׁזַרתּוֹלָעwormwormתּוֹלָעאָפַדto girdto girdאָפַדזָחַחto removeto removeזָחַחחֵ֫שֶׁבartworkartworkחֵ֫שֶׁב
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 Exodus 28:8

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.

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
וְחֵ֤שֶׁבve.Che.shev and [the] girdle of H2805 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for a decorative belt or strap, often used to describe the intricate design of the ephod, a priestly garment, in Exodus.
Amplified meaning
beautifully worked, intricate, girdle, sash
Tyndale gloss
artwork
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֵ֫שֶׁב (chesheb) refers to an ingenious work, specifically the name of the girdle or band of the ephod, which is described as a cunningly woven band. It is derived from a root meaning to interlace, indicating a connection to craftsmanship in its construction.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵ֫שֶׁב n.m. ingenious work, name of the girdle or band of the ephod (cunningly woven band, RV)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2805 חֵ֫שֶׁב ingenious work, name of the girdle or band of the ephod (cunningly woven band, RV)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2805 chesheb khay'-sheb

from 2803; a belt or strap (as being interlaced):--curious

girdle.

see HEBREW for 02803

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫שֶׁב (che.shev) — artwork.

1) girdle, band, ingenious work

1a) ingenious work-the name of the girdle or band of the ephod

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
אֲפֻדָּתוֹ֙'a.fu.da.To ephod its H642 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A special garment worn by priests, including the high priest, made of valuable materials like gold, blue, and purple, and decorated with gems, as described in the book of Exodus.
Amplified meaning
a special priestly garment
Tyndale gloss
ephod
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲפֻדָּה (ephuddah) refers to an ephod, a type of garment worn by priests, particularly the high priest, which is elaborately made with precious materials. It can also denote a metallic covering for idols. The term is feminine and relates to the concept of girding or plating.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲפֻדָּה n.f. ephod

of high priest’s ephod

of sheathing of idol-images

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H642 אֲפֻדָּה ephod . of high priest’s ephod

. of sheathing of idol-images

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

642 'ephuddah ay-food-daw'

feminine of 646; a girding on (of the ephod); hence,

generally, a plating (of metal):--ephod, ornament.

see HEBREW for 0646

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲפֻדָּה (e.phud.dah) — ephod.

1) ephod

1a) priestly garment, shoulder-cape or mantle, outer garment

1a1) worn by an ordinary priest and made of white stuff

1a2) worn by the high priest-more costly, woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads provided with shoulder-pieces and a breast piece of like material, ornamented with gems and gold

1b) a metallic covering for idols, a plating over

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sher which 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
HTr — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
עָלָ֔יו'a.Lav [will be] on it H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֖הוּke.ma.'a.Se.hu [will be] like workmanship its H4639 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
236× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Amplified meaning
deed, craftsmanship
Tyndale gloss
deed: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'

from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;

abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,

a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,

business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,

occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,

((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.

see HEBREW for 06213

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.

: work/product

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.

: custom/manner

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
מִמֶּ֣נּוּmi.Me.nu from it H4480 Preposition · suffix
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 | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
יִהְיֶ֑הyih.Yeh it will be H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

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

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

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

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

Come into being, become

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

sq. prep.

become

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

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

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

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

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

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

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

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

. sq. prep.

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

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

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

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

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

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

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

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

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

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

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

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

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

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

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

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

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

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TESTAMENT.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ THE MENTAL FACULTY

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

See BLESSINGS, CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE

See CHOICE

See CONTINGENCY

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

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
זָהָ֗בza.Hav gold H2091 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
389× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Amplified meaning
a valuable metal
Tyndale gloss
gold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָהָב 385 n.m. gold

= gold-ore, gold in raw state

gold as wealth

gold as spoil of war

gold as merchandise

gold as costly gift

gold as material

gold described by its source

gold defined by var. adj. and pts.

as measure of weight and value

= golden oil, from colour

often named with

the chief vbs. used

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2091 זָהָב gold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2091 zahab zaw-hawb'

from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,

something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--

gold(-en), fair weather.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.

1) gold

1a) as precious metal

1b) as a measure of weight

1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)

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

gold (zahabh; chrusos):

1. Terms:

No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).

Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;

Gold

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).

(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, “ore of gold or silver” as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
תְּכֵ֧לֶתte.Khe.let violet stuff H8504 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes the color blue or violet, obtained from a specific type of mussel, used to dye fabrics in Exodus 28. It is a distinct color in the biblical spectrum.
Amplified meaning
a blue-violet dye
Tyndale gloss
blue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תְּכֵ֫לֶת (tekhelet) refers to a violet color, specifically associated with violet thread and fabric. The term may also encompass a broader spectrum, including blue hues. It is linked to the cerulean mussel, which produces the dye used for this color. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to both violet and blue.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תְּכֵ֫לֶת 48 n.f. violet, i.e. violet thread and stuff

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8504 תְּכֵ֫לֶת violet, i.e. violet thread and stuff

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8504 tkeleth tek-ay'-leth

probably for 7827; the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color

(violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith:--blue.

see HEBREW for 07827

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תְּכֵ֫לֶת (te.khe.let) — blue.

1) violet, violet stuff

1a) violet thread

1b) violet stuff or fabric

2) (TWOT) blue (covering spectrum from brilliant red through deep purple)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

stuf (keli; skeuos): "Material" for any purpose (Eze 12:3,4,7); or "supplies" in a more general sense (Ex 36:7, Hebrew mela'-khah; compare the King James Version, the English Revised Version 1Sa 10:22; 25:13; 30:24 (the American Standard Revised Version substitutes "baggage")); frequently, "household possessions" (Ge 31:37; 45:20; Ex 22:7; Jos 7:11; Ne 13:8; /RAPC Jdt 16:19; the King James Version Judith 15:11 (skeuasmata, the Revised Version (British and American) "furniture"); the King James Version

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ןve.'ar.ga.Man and purple H713 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for purple, describing the color or dyed fabric, is used in the Bible to describe royal garments, like those worn by King Solomon. In Exodus 28:5, it is used to describe the priestly robes. The color symbolized wealth and power.
Amplified meaning
a deep rich color
Tyndale gloss
purple
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַרְגָּמָן (argaman) refers to the color purple or the dyed material itself, specifically purple thread and cloth. The entries indicate that it encompasses shades of purple and red-purple, with a focus on its use in textiles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַרְגָּמָן n.[m.] purple, red-purple, i.e. purple thread & cloth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H713 אַרְגָּמָן purple

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

713 'argaman ar-gaw-mawn'

of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed

stuff):--purple.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַרְגָּמָן (ar.ga.man) — purple.

purple, red-purple

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pur'-p'-l ('argaman; Chaldaic 'argewan (2Ch 2:7); compare Arabic 'urjuwan, and Persian 'arghawan; porphura, porphureos Septuagint and New Testament)):

Purple dye was manufactured by the Phoenicians from a marine mollusk, Murex trunculus. The shell was broken in order to give access to a small gland which was removed and crushed. The crushed gland gives a milky fluid that becomes red or purple on exposure to the air. Piles of these broken shells still remain on the coast at Sidon and Tyre. The purple gland is found in various species of Murex and also of Purpura.

Purple cloth was used in the furnishings of the tabernacle (Ex 25:4, etc.) and of Solomon's temple (2Ch 2:14; 3:14); in the palanquin of Solomon (

--SEE Rich Apparel, DRESS

Scarlet, SCARLET

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
וְתוֹלַ֥עַתve.to.La.'at and scarlet stuff of H8438 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for worm or maggot, this term is also used to describe a deep red or crimson color. It's associated with a specific type of worm that produces a vibrant dye. In the Bible, it's used to describe the color of cloth or other materials.
Amplified meaning
shani, a bright red color
Tyndale gloss
worm
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תּוֹלָע (towla') refers to a worm, specifically the crimson-grub from which scarlet dye is made. It can also denote scarlet stuff or crimson color derived from this worm. The feminine forms תּוֹלֵעָה (towle'ah) and תּוֹלַ֫עַת (tolai'ath) also mean worm. The entries indicate a connection between the worm and the dye used in textiles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תּוֹלָע n.[m.] worm, scarlet stuff

base

תּוֹלֵעָה, תּוֹלַ֫עַת 40 n.f. worm

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8438a תּוֹלָע worm, scarlet stuff H8438b תּוֹלֵעָה, תּוֹלַ֫עַת worm

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8438 towla` to-law'

and (feminine) towleoah {to-lay-aw'}; or towla ath

{to-lah'-ath}; or tolaiath {to-lah'-ath}; from 3216; a maggot

(as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of 8144) the

crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color

from it, and cloths dyed therewith:--crimson, scarlet, worm.

see HEBREW for 03216

see HEBREW for 08144

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תּוֹלָע (to.la) — worm.

1) worm, scarlet stuff, crimson

1a) worm-the female 'coccus ilicis'

1b) scarlet stuff, crimson, scarlet

1b1) the dye made from the dried body of the female of the worm "coccus ilicis"

Also means: to.le.ah (תּוֹלֵעָה "worm" H8438B)

תּוֹלֵעָה (to.le.ah) — worm.

1) worm, maggot

1a) worm, grub

1b) the worm "coccus ilicis"

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
שָׁנִ֖יsha.Ni scarlet H8144 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes the deep red color of the coccus ilicis insect, used to dye fabric scarlet or crimson, like the scarlet thread in Joshua 2:18. It symbolizes wealth and importance.
Tyndale gloss
scarlet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁנִי (shaniy) refers to the color scarlet or crimson, derived from the insect coccus ilicis, which produces a dye. The entries indicate it can refer both to the insect itself and to the fabric dyed with its coloring matter.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁנִי 42 n.[m.] scarlet (prop. coccus ilicis, which attaches itself to leaves and twigs of quercus coccifera; the dried body of female yields colouring matter)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8144 שָׁנִי scarlet (prop. coccus ilicis, which attaches itself to leaves and twigs of quercus coccifera; the dried body of female yields colouring matter)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8144 shaniy shaw-nee'

of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its

color, also stuff dyed with it:--crimson, scarlet (thread).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁנִי (sha.ni) — scarlet.

1) scarlet, crimson

1a) properly, the insect 'coccus ilicis', the dried body of the female yielding colouring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to colour it scarlet or crimson

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

skar'-let.

See COLORS; DYEING.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Scarlet

This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians.

This colour was early known (Gen. 38:28). It was one of the colours of the ephod (Ex. 28:6), the girdle (8), and the breastplate (15) of the high priest. It is also mentioned in various other connections (Josh. 2:18; 2 Sam. 1:24; Lam. 4:5; Nahum 2:3). A scarlet robe was in mockery placed on our Lord (Matt. 27:28;

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[COLORS]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A color much prized by the ancients, Ex 25:4 26:1,31,36. It is assigned as a merit of Saul, that he clothed the daughters of Israel in scarlet, 2Sa 1:24. So the diligent and virtuous woman is said to clothe her household in scarlet, Pr 31:21. The depth and strength of the color are alluded to in Isa 1:18; and it is used as a symbol of profligacy in Re 17:3,4. This color was obtained from the Coccus Ilicis of Linnaeus, a small insect found on the leaves of a species of oak, the Quercus Cocciferus, in Spain and the countries on the eastern part of the Mediterranean, which was used by the ancients for dyeing a beautiful…

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
וְשֵׁ֥שׁve.Shesh and fine linen H8336 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to fine white linen or marble, often used to describe the luxurious clothing and buildings of ancient times, like the Temple in Jerusalem.
Amplified meaning
a fine white fabric
Tyndale gloss
alabaster
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁשׁ (shesh) refers to fine materials, primarily white linen or byssus, often associated with Egyptian textiles. It can also denote alabaster or similar stones like marble, indicating a range of meanings related to both fabric and stone. The entries suggest a connection to bleached or fine materials, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁשׁ n.m. id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ]; material of pavement

base

שֵׁשׁ n.m. byssus, fine Egyptian linen

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8336a שֵׁשׁ id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ] H8336b שֵׁשׁ byssus, fine Egyptian linen

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8336 shesh shaysh

or (for alliteration with 4897) shshiy {shesh-ee'}; for 7893;

bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble:--X

blue, fine ((twined)) linen, marble, silk.

see HEBREW for 04897

see HEBREW for 07893

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — alabaster.

alabaster, similar stone, marble, material of pavement

שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — linen.

something bleached white, byssus, linen, fine linen

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or cloth made of flax.

1. History:

Ancient Egypt was noted for its fine linen (Ge 41:42; Isa 19:9). From it a large export trade was carried on with surrounding nations, including the Hebrews, who early learned the art of spinning from the Egyptians (Ex 35:25) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (Pr 7:16; Eze 27:7). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Linen

(1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes “flax,” of which linen is made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., “linen cloth”, Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11.

Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in Palestine (Josh. 2:6; Hos. 2:9). Various articles were made of it: garments (2 Sam. 6:14), girdles (Jer. 13:1), ropes and thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (

As is well known, is made of the fine fibers of flax, and was much used by the ancients. Four different words in Hebrew are translated in our Bible, "Linen," "fine linen," and "silk:" PISHTAH, Jud 15:14 Eze 44:17,18; BAD, worn by the priests, Ex 28:42 39:28, and by king David, etc., 2Sa 6:14; SHESH, worn by Joseph when governor of Egypt, Ge 41:42, and by the virtuous woman in Pr 31:22, (see SILK;) and BUTZ, of which the veil of the temple and David’s outer mantle were made,

and [the] girdle of ephod its which [will be] on it [will be] like workmanship its from it it will be gold violet stuff and purple and scarlet stuff of scarlet and fine linen twisted
מָשְׁזָֽר׃ma.she.Zar twisted H7806 Verb · Hophal · participle (passive) masculine singular
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to twist, like twisting a thread or straw. It's used to describe the act of twining or turning something. In the Bible, it's translated as 'twine'.
Amplified meaning
twined, twisted
Tyndale gloss
to twist
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁזַר (shazar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to twist or be twisted, specifically in the Hoph. form. The entries indicate it primarily refers to the action of twisting, such as twisting a thread of straw.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁזַר] 21 vb. Hoph. be twisted

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7806 [שָׁזַר] Hoph. be twisted

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7806 shazar shaw-zar'

a primitive root; to twist (a thread of straw):--twine.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁזַר (sha.zar) — to twist.

1) to twist, be twisted

1a) (Hophal)

1a1) to be twisted

1a2) twisted (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hophal-Inf-c — Verb · Hophal · participle (passive) masculine singular
HVHsmsa
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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