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Exodus 38:23 — Word Study

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WLCוְאִתּ֗וֹ אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב בֶּן־ אֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְ לְמַטֵּה־ דָ֖ן חָרָ֣שׁ וְחֹשֵׁ֑ב וְרֹקֵ֗ם בַּתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ וּבָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן וּבְתוֹלַ֥עַת הַשָּׁנִ֖י וּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ ס

BSAWith him [was]ʼêth OholiabʼOhŏlîyʼâb [son of skill] sonbên of AhisamachʼĂchîyçâmâk of the tribemaṭṭeh [family group] of DanDân an engraverchârâsh [skilled craftsman] designerchâshab [planner, thinker] and embroidererrâqam [weaver, needleworker] in bluetᵉkêleth [violet, heavenly color] purpleʼargâmân [royal, rich color] and scarlet yarntôwlâʻ [deep red, crimson] and fine linenshêsh [luxurious, high-quality]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 38
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 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 (u.va.Shesh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 38:23quick helps
In a sentenceOholiab, a skilled craftsman from the tribe of Dan, worked alongside Bezalel on the tabernacle.
Who is speakingThe narrator of Exodus, detailing the craftsmen involved in the tabernacle's construction.
Where we areIn the context of the construction of the tabernacle, highlighting the artisans involved.
The hard wordחָרָשׁ
Take awayCraftsmanship was essential for the tabernacle's creation, showcasing divine skill and artistry.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them › clause The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Exodus 38:23

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

Context — The Craftsmen of the Tabernaclegenerated

22Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything that the LORD had commanded Moses.
23With him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, designer, and embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.
24All the gold from the wave offering used for the work on the sanctuary totaled 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
25The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel—

Exodus 38:23 describes the skilled artisans involved in constructing the tabernacle, emphasizing their roles and the materials they worked with. Oholiab, along with Bezalel, was instrumental in bringing the divine instructions for the tabernacle to life, demonstrating the importance of craftsmanship in worship and community.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 35:34And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.
2Exodus 35:34And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

AholiabExodus 35:34
a cunningExodus 35:34

The Key Word אָהֳלִיאָב, 'o.ho.li.'Avgenerated

The name אָהֳלִיאָב (Oholiab) means 'father's tent', indicating a familial connection to craftsmanship and skill. He is noted as a key figure in the construction of the tabernacle, working closely with Bezalel.

As a proper noun, Oholiab is identified as a male artisan, specifically an engraver and designer, showing his significant role in the artistic expression of the tabernacle's design.


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 main verb is רֹקֵם (rokem), and he was a worker in colors, which governs the sentence. The structure includes several noun phrases detailing Oholiab's lineage and skills, which are presented in a straightforward manner.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on Oholiab's identity and skills, with the prepositional phrases indicating his tribe and the materials he worked with, enhancing the description of his role.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חָרָשׁ as ἠρξιτεκτόνησεν, indicating a skilled craftsman or architect. This choice shows a broader interpretation of Oholiab's role, suggesting he was not only an engraver but also a master builder.

This translation aligns with the emphasis on craftsmanship in the Greek tradition, highlighting the importance of skilled work in the construction of sacred spaces.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 38:23 introduces Oholiab, who was a skilled craftsman from the tribe of Dan. He worked alongside Bezalel on the tabernacle, serving as an engraver, designer, and embroiderer. This verse highlights the importance of craftsmanship in the construction of sacred spaces.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Oholiab's name mean?

Oholiab means 'father's tent', indicating a familial connection and possibly a heritage of craftsmanship.

What skills did Oholiab possess?

Oholiab was an engraver, designer, and embroiderer, skilled in working with various materials to create beautiful and intricate designs for the tabernacle.

Why is craftsmanship important in the context of the tabernacle?

Craftsmanship is essential as it reflects the divine instructions given for the tabernacle's construction, showcasing the beauty and holiness of worship.

How does Oholiab's role compare to Bezalel's?

While Bezalel is often highlighted as the chief craftsman, Oholiab serves as his key assistant, indicating a collaborative effort in the tabernacle's creation.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does Oholiab's craftsmanship teach us about the importance of skill in our work?
  2. How can we apply the principles of collaboration seen between Oholiab and Bezalel in our own projects?
  3. In what ways can creativity and artistry enhance our worship and community activities?
  4. How does understanding the roles of artisans like Oholiab deepen our appreciation for the tabernacle's significance?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 38:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan,.... Of him see Exodus 31:6 an engraver; of precious stones, as those in the ephod and breastplate: and a cunning workman; in devising

Read John Gill on Exodus 38 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen. And with him was Aholiab.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 38 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) Aholiab . . . an engraver.—This is a mistranslation. Khârâsh means a worker in any material whatsoever. It should be rendered artificer, as it is in 1 Chronicles 29:5; 2 Chronicles 34:11. A cunning workman.—Literally, a deviser; but the root is used especially of the devising of textile fabrics. (See Exodus 26:1; Exodus 26:31; Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:15; Exodus 36:8; Exodus 36:35; Exodus 39:3, &c.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 38 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. a craftsman, and a pattern-weaver, &c.] as Exodus 35:35.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 38 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

THE ALTAR OF BURNT , Exodus 38:1-7. See notes on Exodus 27:1-7. THE LAVER, Exodus 38:8. See notes on Exodus 30:17-21. THE COURT OF THE , Exodus 38:9-20. See notes on Exodus 27:9-19.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 38 →

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

With him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, designer, and embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

With him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, designer, and embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.

NETBNew English Translation2006

and with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an artisan, a designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And with him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skilful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in fine linen.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And with him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And with him Aholiab sonne of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, a cunning workeman and an embroiderer and a worker of needle work in blew silke, and in purple, and in skarlet, and in fine linen.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and with him Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and artificer, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in byssus.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and with him [is] Aholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and designer, and embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in linen.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and with him [is] Aholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and designer and embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in linen.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And with him was Aholiab the son of Achissamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skilful weaver, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet yarn, and in linen thread.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan, worked with Bezalel as an engraver, as a skillful workman, and as an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and in fine linen.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Having for his companion Ooliab the son of Achisamech of the tribe of Dan: who also was an excellent artificer in wood, and worker in tapestry and embroidery in violet, purple, scarlet, and fine linen.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He was assisted by Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, from the tribe of Dan, an engraver, designer, and embroiderer using blue, purple, and crimson thread and finely-woven linen.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And with him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; a designer and a trained workman, expert in needlework of blue and purple and red and the best linen.

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.

וְand.[was]clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאִתּ֗withוֹhimnoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseאָהֳלִיאָ֞בOholiabnoun phraseבֶּןthe.sonאֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְof.Ahisamachprepositional phraseלְofnoun phraseמַטֵּהthe.tribeדָ֖ןof.Dannoun phrase · predicateחָרָ֣שׁan.engraverוְandחֹשֵׁ֑בa.skillful.workerוְandnoun phraseclauseverbרֹקֵ֗םa.worker.in.colorsprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבַּinnoun phrasethe.violetתְּכֵ֨לֶת֙stuffוּandprepositional phraseבָֽinnoun phrasetheאַרְגָּמָ֔ןpurpleוּandprepositional phraseבְinnoun phraseתוֹלַ֥עַתthe.scarlet.stuffnoun phraseהַofשָּׁנִ֖יthe.scarletוּandprepositional phraseבַinnoun phrasethe.fineשֵּֽׁשׁlinen

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree word for word in this verse, confirming the consistency of the text across these traditions.

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

וְאִתּ֗וֹ אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב בֶּן־ אֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְ לְמַטֵּה־ דָ֖ן חָרָ֣שׁ וְחֹשֵׁ֑ב וְרֹקֵ֗ם בַּתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ וּבָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן וּבְתוֹלַ֥עַת הַשָּׁנִ֖י וּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִתּ֗וֹκαὶאָהֳלִיאָ֞בελιαβאֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְαξισαμακלְמַטֵּה־φυλῆςדָ֖ןδανחָרָ֣שׁἠρξιτεκτόνησενוְחֹשֵׁ֑בὑφαντὰוְרֹקֵ֗םκαὶהַשָּׁנִ֖יτῷוּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ סκαὶ

10 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

ואתו אהליאב בן אחיסמך למטה דן חרשׁ וחשׁב ורקם בתכלת ובארגמן ובתולעת השׁני ובשׁשׁ

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

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


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

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

Exodus 38:23אֵתand [was] wand [was] with אֵתאָהֳלִיאָבOholiabOholiabאָהֳלִיאָבבֵּן[the] son o[the] son ofבֵּןאֲחִיסָמָךְAhisamachAhisamachאֲחִיסָמָךְמַטֶּהof [the] trof [the] tribe מַטֶּהדָּןDanDanדָּןחָרָשׁan engraveran engraverחָרָשׁחָשַׁבand a skilland a skillful חָשַׁברָקַםand a workeand a worker inרָקַםתְּכֵ֫לֶתin the violin the violet sתְּכֵ֫לֶתאַרְגָּמָןand in the and in the purpאַרְגָּמָןתּוֹלָעand in [theand in [the] scתּוֹלָעשָׁנִיthe scarletthe scarletשָׁנִישֵׁשׁand in the and in the fineשֵׁשׁאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהאֹ֫הֶלtenttentאֹ֫הֶלבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהאָחbrother: mbrother: male-sאָחנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהדִּיןto judgeto judgeדִּיןחָרַשׁto plow/plto plow/plotחָרַשׁלוּעto blurtto blurtלוּעשְׁחֵ֫לֶתonychaonychaשְׁחֵ֫לֶתמֶ֫שִׁיsilksilkמֶ֫שִׁישַׁ֫יִשׁalabasteralabasterשַׁ֫יִשׁשָׁזַרto twistto twistשָׁזַראַרְגָּמָןpurplepurpleאַרְגָּמָןשָׁנִיscarletscarletשָׁנִיתּוֹלָעwormwormתּוֹלָערִיבto contendto contendרִיבבְּרִיתcovenantcovenantבְּרִיתאֲחִיסָמָךְAhisamachAhisamachאֲחִיסָמָךְ
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 38:23

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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
וְאִתּ֗וֹve.'i.To and [was] with him H854 Conjunction · preposition · suffix
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · suffix
HC/Rd/Sp3ms
and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב'o.ho.li.'Av Oholiab H171 Noun proper masculine
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Oholiab was an Israelite who helped build the tabernacle, working with Bezaleel. His name means 'Father's tent' and he is first mentioned in Exodus 31:6.
Amplified meaning
son of skill
Tyndale gloss
Oholiab
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָהֳלִיאָב (Oholiy'ab) means 'father's tent' and refers to a man mentioned in the context of the construction of the tabernacle. He is noted as the chief assistant to Bezalel and is first mentioned in Exodus 31:6. The name is derived from components meaning 'tent' (H168) and 'father' (H1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָהֳלִיאָב n.pr.m. Ohŏliab (Father’s tent) chief assistant of Bezalel in construction of tabernacle

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H171 אָהֳלִיאָב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

171 'Oholiy'ab o''-hol-e-awb'

from 168 and 1; tent of (his) father; Oholiab, an

Israelite:--Aholiab.

see HEBREW for 0168

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אׇהֳלִיאָב (o.ho.li.av) — Oholiab.

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.31.6;

son of: Ahisamach (H0294)

§ Aholiab = "Father's tent"

chief assistant of Bezaleel in construction of the tabernacle

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

o-ho'-li-ab ('oholi'abh, "father's tent"; the King James Version Aholiab): A Danite artificer, who assisted Bezalel in the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture (Ex 31:6; 35:34; 36:1 f; 38:23).

and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
בֶּן־ben- [the] son of H1121 Noun common · masculine singular construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
אֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְ'a.chi.sa.Makh Ahisamach H294 Noun proper masculine
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Ahisamach was an Israelite who lived during the time of the Exodus and Wilderness. He was the father of Oholiab, a skilled workman on the tabernacle, and is first mentioned in Exodus 31:6.
Tyndale gloss
Ahisamach
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲחִיסָמָךְ (Achiycamak) means 'my brother is support' and refers to a man mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically as the father of Oholiab, a craftsman for the tabernacle. The name is derived from the roots for 'brother' and 'support.' He is first noted in Exodus 31:6.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲחִיסָמָךְ n.pr.m. (my brother has supported) father of Oholiab, a workman on tabern.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H294 אֲחִיסָמָךְ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

294 'Achiycamak akh-ee-saw-mawk'

from 251 and 5564; brother of support; Achisamak, an

Israelite:--Ahisamach.

see HEBREW for 0251

see HEBREW for 05564

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲחִיסָמָךְ (a.chi.sa.makh) — Ahisamach.

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.31.6;

father of: Oholiab (H0171)

§ Ahisamach = "my brother is support (has supported)"

a Danite, father of Aholiab, a workman on the tabernacle

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-his'-a-mak ('achicamakh, "my brother supports"): A man of the tribe of Dan, father of Oholiab, who was the assistant of Bezalel in the building of the tent of meeting and preparing its furniture (Ex 31:6; 35:34; 38:23).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(brother of help), a Danite, father of Aholiab one of the architects of the tabernacle. (Exodus 31:6; 35:34; 38:23) (B.C. 1490)

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

brother of strength

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Father of Aholiab Ex 31:6; 35:34; 38:23

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
לְמַטֵּה־le.ma.teh- of [the] tribe of H4294 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
252× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Amplified meaning
family group
Tyndale gloss
tribe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַטֶּה (mat-teh) refers to a staff, rod, or branch, and can also denote a tribe. It is derived from a root meaning to extend, and its uses include both literal and figurative meanings, such as a support or a means of correction. The lexicons consistently highlight its association with leadership and community.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַטֶּה 251 n.m.

staff, rod, shaft

branch

tribe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4294 מַטֶּה . staff, rod, shaft

. branch

. tribe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4294 matteh mat-teh'

or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; from 5186; a branch (as

extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for

chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre),

throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a

support of life, e.g. bread):--rod, staff, tribe.

see HEBREW for 05186

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: rod.

: rod/staff

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe.

: tribe

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: arrow.

: arrow

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: stick.

: stick

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: supply.

: supply

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
דָ֖ןdan Dan H1835 Noun proper
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Dan was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Dan was known for its skills in warfare and is mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
Dan
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּן (Dan) means 'judge' and refers to the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah. It encompasses the tribe descended from him and a city located in northern Israel, significant as a landmark in Palestine. The entries consistently highlight these aspects without notable disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּן n.pr.m. (judge)

son of Jacob and Bilhah

the tribe of Dan

a city on northern frontier of Israel at one of the sources of the Jordan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1835 דָּן judge . son of Jacob and Bilhah

. the tribe of Dan

. a city on northern frontier of Israel at one of the sources of the Jordan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1835 Dan dawn

from 1777; judge; Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the

tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place

in Palestine colonized by them:--Dan.

see HEBREW for 01777

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּן (dan) — Dan.

§ Dan = "a judge"

1) the territory of the tribe of Dan 2) a city in Dan, the most northern landmark of Palestine

דָּן (dan) — Dan.

A man of the tribe of Dan living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.6;

son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A);

brother of: Naphtali (H5321);

half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);

father of: Hushim (H2366B)

§ Dan = "a judge"

1) the 5th son of Jacob, the 1st of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid

2) the tribe descended from Dan, the son of Jacob

3) a city in Dan, the most northern landmark of Palestine

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dan

A judge. (1.) The fifth son of Jacob. His mother was Bilhah, Rachel’s maid (Gen. 30:6, “God hath judged me”, Heb. dananni). The blessing pronounced on him by his father was, “Dan shall judge his people” (49:16), probably in allusion to the judgeship of Samson, who was of the tribe of Dan.

The tribe of Dan had their place in the march through the wilderness on the north side of the tabernacle (Num. 2:25, 31; 10:25). It was the last of the tribes to receive a portion in the Land of Promise. Its position and extent are described in Josh. 19:40-48.

The territory of Dan extended from the west of that of Ephraim and Benjamin to the sea. It was a small territory, but was very fertile. It included in it, among others, the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a judge). The fifth son of Jacob, and the first of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. (Genesis 30:6) (B.C. after 1753.) The origin of the name is given in the exclamation of Rachel. The records of Dan are unusually meagre. Only one son is attributed to him, (Genesis 46:23) but his tribe was, with the exception of Judah, the most numerous of all. In the division of the promised land Dan was the last of the tribes to receive his portion, which was the smallest of the twelve. (Joshua 19:48) But notwithstanding its smallness it had eminent natural advantages. On the north and east it was completely embraced by its two brother tribes Ephraim and Benjamin, while on the southeast and south it joined Judah, and was thus surrounded by the three…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A judge,

1. A son of Jacob by Bilhah, Ge 30:3 35:25. The tribe of Dan was second only to that of Judah in numbers before entering Canaan, Nu 1:39 26:43. A portion was assigned to Dan, extending southeast from the seacoast near Joppa. It bordered on the land of the Philistines, with whom the tribe of Dan had much to do, Jud 13:1-16:31. Their territory was fertile, but small, and the natives were powerful. A part of the tribe therefore sought and conquered another home, Jos 19:1-51 Jud 18:1-31

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

judgment; he that judges

and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
חָרָ֣שׁcha.Rash an engraver H2796 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A chârâsh was a skilled craftsman or artisan, able to work with various materials like wood or metal. This term is used in the Bible to describe carpenters, engravers, and other skilled workers.
Amplified meaning
skilled craftsman
Tyndale gloss
artificer
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָרָשׁ (charash) refers to a craftsman or artificer, encompassing roles such as engraver, carpenter, and worker in various materials. The word is derived from a root meaning to fabricate or work skillfully. It can also figuratively describe someone skilled in destruction, like warriors. The entries consistently highlight its connection to craftsmanship without notable disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָרָשׁ n.m. graver, artificer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2796 חָרָשׁ graver, artificer

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2796 charash khaw-rawsh'

from 2790; a fabricator or any material:--artificer, (+)

carpenter, craftsman, engraver, maker, + mason, skilful, (+)

smith, worker, workman, such as wrought.

see HEBREW for 02790

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָרָשׁ, חֲרָשִׁים (cha.rash) — artificer.

1) craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer

1a) graver, artificer

1b) skilful to destroy (warriors) (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Engraver

Heb. harash (Ex. 35:35; 38:23) means properly an artificer in wood, stone, or metal. The chief business of the engraver was cutting names or devices on rings and seals and signets (Ex. 28:11, 21, 36; Gen. 38:18).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

His chief business was cutting names or devices on rings and seals; the only notices of engraving are in connection with the high priest’s dress --the two onyx stones, the twelve jewels and the mitre-plate having inscriptions on them. (Exodus 28:11,21,36)

and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
וְחֹשֵׁ֑בve.cho.Shev and a skillful worker H2803 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
124× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Amplified meaning
planner, thinker
Tyndale gloss
to devise: count
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָשַׁב (chashab) is a primitive root meaning to think, account, or devise. It encompasses a range of actions including planning, valuing, and inventing, both for humans and in relation to God. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, each reflecting different nuances of thought and consideration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָשַׁב vb. think, account

Qal

of man:

think, account

devise, plan, mean

charge, impute

esteem, value, regard

invent ingenious and artistic things

of God:

think

devise, plan, mean

inpute, reckon

esteem, value, regard

invent ingenious and artistic things

Niph.

be accounted, thought, esteemed

be computed, reckoned

be imputed to any one

Pi.

think upon, consider, be mindful of

think to do, devise, plan

count, reckon, the years since a sale of land

Hithp. among the nations it shall not reckon itself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2803 חָשַׁב think, account .. of man: . think, account

. devise, plan, mean

. charge, impute

. esteem, value, regard

. invent ingenious and artistic things

. of God: . think

. devise, plan, mean

. inpute, reckon

. esteem, value, regard

. invent ingenious and artistic things

. . be accounted, thought, esteemed

. be computed, reckoned

. be imputed to any one

. . think upon, consider, be mindful of

. think to do, devise, plan

. count, reckon, the years since a sale of land

. among the nations it shall not reckon itself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2803 chashab khaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e.

(literally) to weave or (gen.) to fabricate; figuratively, to

plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from

the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute:--(make)

account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work,

workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine,

impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made),

regard, think.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: design.

: design/skillful

1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to think, account

1a2) to plan, devise, mean

1a3) to charge, impute, reckon

1a4) to esteem, value, regard

1a5) to invent

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed

1b2) to be computed, be reckoned

1b3) to be imputed

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of

1c2) to think to do, devise, plan

1c3) to count, reckon

1d) (Hithpael) to be considered

חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: count.

: count/regard_as

1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to think, account

1a2) to plan, devise, mean

1a3) to charge, impute, reckon

1a4) to esteem, value, regard

1a5) to invent

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed

1b2) to be computed, be reckoned

1b3) to be imputed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vqrmsa
and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
וְרֹקֵ֗םve.ro.Kem and a worker in colors H7551 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for weaving or embroidering, often used to describe intricate or colorful designs. In Exodus 35:35, it refers to the skilled work of embroiderers making priestly garments. The KJV translates it as 'embroiderer' or 'needlework'.
Amplified meaning
weaver, needleworker
Tyndale gloss
to weave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָקַם (raqam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to variegate or mix colors, often associated with embroidery and skilled weaving. It can refer to a person who works with colors (variegator) or describe something that has been skillfully wrought. The entries emphasize its connection to fabric and artistry.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָקַם] vb. variegate

Qal as subst. variegator, worker (weaver) in colours

Pu. I was skillfully wrought

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7551 [רָקַם] variegate

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7551 raqam raw-kam'

a primitive root; to variegate color, i.e. embroider; by

implication, to fabricate:--embroiderer, needlework,

curiously work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָקַם (ra.qam) — to weave.

1) to variegate, mix colours

1a) (Qal) variegator (worker in colours) (participle)

1b) (Pual) to be skilfully wrought or woven

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

The terms relative to color, occurring in the Bible, may be arranged in two classes, the first including those applied to the description of natural objects, the second those artificial mixtures which were employed in dyeing or painting. The purple and the blue were derived from a small shellfish found in the Mediterranean, and were very costly, and hence they were the royal colors. Red , both scarlet and crimson, was derived from an insect resembling the cochineal. The natural colors noticed in the Bible are white, black, red, yellow and green. The only fundamental color of which the Hebrews appear to have had a clear conception was red ; and even this is not very often noticed.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Symbolical uses of

→ BLACK: A SYMBOL OF AFFLICTION AND CALAMITY Job 3:5; 10:20-22; 30:26; Ps 107:10,11; 143:3; Isa 5:30; 8:22; 9:19; 24:11; 50:3; Joe 2:6,10; 3:14,15; Am 5:8; Na 2:10; Zep 1:14,15; Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:13; Re 16:10

and [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
בַּתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ba.te.Khe.let in the violet stuff H8504 Preposition · 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
violet, heavenly color
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
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
וּבָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ןu.va.'ar.ga.Man and in the purple H713 Conjunction · preposition · 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
royal, 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 | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Rd/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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
וּבְתוֹלַ֥עַתu.ve.to.La.'at and in [the] scarlet stuff of H8438 Conjunction · preposition · 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
deep red, crimson
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 | Prep | N-fs — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/R/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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
הַשָּׁנִ֖יha.sha.Ni the scarlet H8144 Particle · 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
HTd/Ncmsa — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
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 [was] with him Oholiab [the] son of Ahisamach of [the] tribe of Dan an engraver and a skillful worker and a worker in colors in the violet stuff and in the purple and in [the] scarlet stuff of the scarlet and in the fine linen
וּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ סu.va.Shesh and in the fine linen H8336 Conjunction · preposition · 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
luxurious, high-quality
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 | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Rd/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,

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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