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Ezekiel 18:16 — Word Study

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WLCוְאִישׁ֙ לֹ֣א הוֹנָ֔ה חֲבֹל֙ לֹ֣א חָבָ֔ל וּגְזֵלָ֖ה לֹ֣א גָזָ֑ל לַחְמוֹ֙ לְרָעֵ֣ב נָתָ֔ן וְעֵר֖וֹם כִּסָּה־ בָֽגֶד׃

BSAHe does notlôʼ [not oppress or wrong] oppressyânâh anotherʼîysh or retainchâbal [security for a debt] a pledgechăbôl or commitgâzal [take by force] robberygᵉzêlâh He givesnâthan [provides, shares] his breadlechem [food, sustenance] to the hungryrâʻêb [those in need, famished] and coverskâçâh [clothes, provides garments for] the nakedʻêyrôm [without clothing, impoverished] with clothingbeged [a garment, outer covering]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 18
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 16 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 (Va.ged) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 18:16quick helps
In a sentenceEzekiel describes the righteous man who does not exploit others and actively helps those in need.
Who is speakingEzekiel, conveying God's standards for righteousness.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger discourse on individual responsibility and moral conduct.
The hard wordהוֹנָ֔ה
Take awayThe righteous person acts justly, providing for the needy and protecting the vulnerable.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָנָה 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 — Ezekiel 18:16

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 Righteous Man's Conductgenerated

15He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
16He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
17He withholds his hand from harming the poor and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live.
18As for his father, he will die for his own iniquity, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people.

Ezekiel 18:16 outlines the characteristics of a righteous man, emphasizing his refusal to oppress others and his commitment to helping those in need. This passage is part of a broader teaching on personal accountability, where Ezekiel contrasts the behavior of the righteous with that of the wicked. The emphasis is on moral integrity and social justice, reflecting God's expectations for His people.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 22:7You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,
2Job 31:19if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak,
3Proverbs 22:9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
4Proverbs 25:21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
5Proverbs 31:20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word הוֹנָ֔ה, ho.Nahgenerated

The verb יָנָה (yanah), meaning 'to oppress', is in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative action. This form suggests that the subject actively causes harm or injustice to another person.

The use of this verb in the context of oppression highlights the moral obligation to treat others justly. It conveys a strong sense of wrongdoing, aligning with the broader themes of justice and righteousness found throughout the prophetic literature.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase does not oppress.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb הוֹנָ֔ה, he has oppressed, governs the main clause. The structure follows a pattern where the actions of the righteous man are listed in a series of negations, emphasizing what he does not do, followed by what he actively does.

The clauses are interconnected, with each action contributing to the overall portrayal of the man's character. The use of conjunctions and negations creates a rhythm that underscores the moral teachings of the text.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הוֹנָ֔ה as κατεδυνάστευσεν, which carries a similar meaning of oppression but may imply a stronger sense of domination. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the severity of the action.

The other terms in the verse also show consistency with the Hebrew, indicating a faithful rendering of the original message while adapting to the Greek linguistic context.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 18:16 teaches that a righteous person does not take advantage of others or commit acts of theft. Instead, he shares his food with the hungry and provides clothing for those who are naked, highlighting the importance of compassion and justice.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to not oppress another?

It means to treat others fairly and justly, avoiding any form of exploitation or harm.

Why is giving to the hungry important?

Providing for the hungry reflects compassion and a commitment to helping those in need, which is a key aspect of righteous living.

What does covering the naked signify?

Covering the naked symbolizes providing for those who are vulnerable and in need, ensuring their dignity and well-being.

How does this verse relate to social justice?

This verse emphasizes the importance of social justice by calling for actions that protect and uplift the marginalized in society.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I actively help those in need in my community?
  2. How do I ensure that I treat others fairly and justly in my daily interactions?
  3. What steps can I take to advocate for those who are vulnerable or oppressed?
  4. How does this passage challenge me to reflect on my own actions and attitudes toward others?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 18:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Neither hath oppressed any,.... [See comments on Ezekiel 18:7]. hath not withholden the pledge; or, hath not pledged the pledge (h). The meaning is, not that he had not given one, but had not taken one.

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, Now, lo, if he begot a son, that seeth all his father's sins ... and doeth not such like.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

These two verses are explained already in the same words: see ,7.

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 18:16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, [but] hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, Ver. 16. See on Ezekiel 18:7.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

16. withholden the pledge] taken aught to pledge, as R.V.

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 18 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

16. Withholden the pledge — Rather, taken in pledge. (Compare Ezekiel 18:7.)

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 18 →

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

He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

hasn’t wronged any, hasn’t taken anything to pledge, hasn’t taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

NETBNew English Translation2006

does not oppress anyone or keep what has been given in pledge, does not commit robbery, gives his food to the hungry, and clothes the naked,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

neither hath wronged any, hath not taken aught to pledge, neither hath taken by robbery, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

RVARevised Version, American1894

neither hath wronged any, hath not taken aught to pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withheld the pledge, neither hath stripped by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Neither hath oppressed any, nor hath withholden the pledge, neither hath spoyled by violence, but hath giuen his bread to the hungry, and hath couered the naked with a garment,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and hath not oppressed any, nor withholden the pledge, neither hath exercised robbery; he hath given his bread to the hungry, and covered the naked with a garment;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A man — he hath not oppressed, A pledge he hath not bound, And plunder he hath not taken away, His bread to the hungry he hath given, And the naked he covered with a garment,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

He has not oppressed a man, || He has not bound a pledge, || And he has not taken away plunder, || He has given his bread to the hungry, || And he covered the naked with a garment,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he over-reacheth no man, a pledge he withholdeth not, and of a robbery he is never guilty, his bread he giveth to the hungry, and the naked he covereth with a garment;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

That son does not oppress anyone, or seize a pledge, or take stolen things, but instead gives his food to the hungry and covers up the naked with clothes.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And hath not grieved any man, nor withholden the pledge, nor taken away with violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and covered the naked with a garment:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He doesn't exploit anyone. He doesn't demand security for a loan. He doesn't rob others. He feeds the hungry and clothes the naked.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Or done wrong to any, or taken anything from one in his debt, or taken goods by force, but has given food to him who was in need of it, and clothing to him who was without it;

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.

וְandclauseobjectאִישׁ֙anyoneadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbהוֹנָ֔הhe.has.oppressedclauseobjectחֲבֹל֙a.pledgeadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbחָבָ֔לhe.has.taken.as.pledgeוּandclauseobjectגְזֵלָ֖הrobberyadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbגָזָ֑לhe.has.robbedclausenoun phrase · objectלַחְמfoodוֹ֙hisprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְto.[the]רָעֵ֣בhungryverbנָתָ֔ןhe.has.givenוְand.[the]clauseobjectעֵר֖וֹםnakedverbכִּסָּהhe.has.coveredadverbialבָֽגֶדclothing

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches 14 of the 15 words in this verse, indicating a strong agreement in the translation and meaning. The slight variation in word order does not alter the essential message of the text.

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

וְאִישׁ֙ לֹ֣א הוֹנָ֔ה חֲבֹל֙ לֹ֣א חָבָ֔ל וּגְזֵלָ֖ה לֹ֣א גָזָ֑ל לַחְמוֹ֙ לְרָעֵ֣ב נָתָ֔ן וְעֵר֖וֹם כִּסָּה־ בָֽגֶד׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִישׁ֙ἄνθρωπονלֹ֣אοὐהוֹנָ֔הκατεδυνάστευσενחֲבֹל֙ἐνεξυρασμὸνלֹ֣אοὐκחָבָ֔לἐνεξύρασενוּגְזֵלָ֖הἅρπαγμαלֹ֣אοὐξגָזָ֑לἥρπασενלַחְמוֹ֙αὐτοῦלְרָעֵ֣בπεινῶντιנָתָ֔ןἔδωκενוְעֵר֖וֹםγυμνὸνכִּסָּה־περιέβαλεν

14 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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.

Ezekiel 18:16אִישׁand anyoneand anyoneאִישׁלֹאnotnotלֹאיָנָהhe has opprhe has oppresseיָנָהחֲבֹלa pledgea pledgeחֲבֹללֹאnotnotלֹאחָבַלhe has takehe has taken asחָבַלגְּזֵלָהand robberyand robberyגְּזֵלָהלֹאnotnotלֹאגָּזַלhe has robbhe has robbedגָּזַללֶ֫חֶםfood hisfood hisלֶ֫חֶםרָעֵבto [the] huto [the] hungryרָעֵבנָתַןhe has givehe has givenנָתַןעֵירֹםand [the] nand [the] nakedעֵירֹםכָּסָהhe has covehe has coveredכָּסָהבֶּ֫גֶדclothingclothingבֶּ֫גֶדחָבַלto pledgeto pledgeחָבַללָחַםto fightto fightלָחַםרָעֵבbe hungrybe hungryרָעֵבעָרֹםbe shrewdbe shrewdעָרֹםבָּגַדto act treto act treacherבָּגַדאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהגָּזֵלrobberyrobberyגָּזֵלכָּשָׂהbe satedbe satedכָּשָׂהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדחֲבֹלpledgepledgeחֲבֹלגְּזֵלָהviolenceviolenceגְּזֵלָהרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַאֲחֻזָּהpossessionpossessionאֲחֻזָּהיָנָהto oppressto oppressיָנָהיָתוֹםorphanorphanיָתוֹםגָּזַלto plunderto plunderגָּזַל
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 Ezekiel 18:16

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 anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
וְאִישׁ֙ve.'Ish and anyone H376 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
not oppress or wrong
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
הוֹנָ֔הho.Nah he has oppressed H3238 Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To oppress or treat someone violently, often implying a sense of injustice or wrongdoing, as found in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
to oppress
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָנָה (yanah) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of oppression and maltreatment. It can mean to suppress or treat violently, with its roots suggesting actions like vexing or doing wrong. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of oppression and maltreatment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָנָה] vb. suppress (?), oppress, maltreat

Qal suppress (?)

Hiph. oppress, maltreat

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3238 [יָנָה] suppress (?), oppress, maltreat

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3238 yanah yaw-naw'

a primitive root; to rage or be violent: by implication, to

suppress, to maltreat:--destroy, (thrust out by)

oppress(-ing, -ion, -or), proud, vex, do violence.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָנָה (ya.nah) — to oppress.

1) to oppress, suppress, treat violently, maltreat, vex, do wrong

1a) (Qal) to oppress, suppress

1b) (Hiphil) to treat violently, maltreat

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
HVhp3ms
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
חֲבֹל֙cha.Vol a pledge H2258 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A pledge or security given for a debt, like a guarantee. In the Bible, it appears in books like Exodus and Job. It means something given as a promise to pay.
Tyndale gloss
pledge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲבֹל (chabol) and its feminine form חֲבֹלָה (chabolah) both mean 'pledge' or 'pawn' in the context of security for debt. The entries indicate that these words are closely related, with chabolah being a feminine variant of chabol. The term appears in contexts such as Ezekiel 18:7.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲבֹל n.[m.] pledge (as binding)

base

[חֲבֹלָה] n.f. id. [h.af.ad]—Ez 18:7.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2258a חֲבֹל pledge (as binding) H2258b חֲבֹלָה id. [2258a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2258 chabol khab-ole'

or (feminine) chabolah {khab-o-law'}; from 2254; a pawn (as

security for debt):--pledge.

see HEBREW for 02254

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲבֹל (cha.vol) — pledge.

pledge

Also means: cha.vo.lah (חֲבֹלָה "pledge" H2258B)

חֲבֹלָה (cha.vo.lah) — pledge.

pledge

Another spelling of cha.vol (חֲבֹל "pledge" H2258A)

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

plej (verbs chabhal (10 times), `arabh (2Ki 18:23 equals Isa 36:8); nouns chahal (Eze 18:12,16; 33:15), chabcholah (Eze 18:7), `arubbah), (1Sa 17:18), erabhon (Ge 38:17,18,20); also abhoT (De 24:10-13) and (the Revised Version (British and American) only) abhTiT (Hab 2:6)): All these words have about the same meaning.

(1) The "pledge" is, as in modern English, security given for future payment (Ge…

The Jewish law protected the poor who were obliged to give security for a loan or the fulfillment of a contract. If a man pawned his robe, the usual covering of the cool nights, it must be returned on the same day, Ex 22:26-27. The creditor could not enter a house and take what he pleased; and the millstone being a necessary of life, could not be taken, De 24:6,10,11. Compare Job 22:6 24:3,7. Idolaters sometimes disregarded these prohibitions, Am 2:6-8. See LOANS. Pledges are necessary from the vicious, who cannot be trusted, Pr 20:16.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
חָבָ֔לcha.Val he has taken as pledge H2254 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be in labor or to twist in pain, like a woman giving birth. It can also mean to corrupt or destroy something. In the KJV, it is translated in various ways, including 'travail' or 'corrupt'.
Amplified meaning
security for a debt
Tyndale gloss
to pledge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבַל (chabal) is a Hebrew root meaning to bind or pledge, often in the context of taking a pledge. It also conveys the ideas of destruction or corruption, as well as the physical act of writhing or travailing, particularly in childbirth. The lexicons note its use in various forms, including to spoil or be ruined, but do not indicate significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבַל] vb. bind, pledge

Qal

bind

bind by taking a pledge of

Niph. Impf. becometh pledged to it

Pi. writhe, twist, hence travail

base

חָבַל vb. act (ruinously) corruptly

Qal act corruptly against

Niph. Impf. shall be ruined

Pi. ruin, destroy

Pu. be ruined, broken

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2254a חָבַל bind, pledge .. bind

. bind by taking a pledge of

. Impf. becometh pledged to it

H2254b חָבַל act (ruinously) corruptly .act corruptly against

. Impf. shall be ruined

. ruin, destroy

. be ruined, broken

H2254c חָבַל bind, pledge . writhe, twist, hence travail

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2254 chabal khaw-bal'

a primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind;

specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy;

also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition):--X at all,

band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay

&Š to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, X very, withhold.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבַל (cha.val) — to pledge.

1) to bind

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bind

2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge

2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge

2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged

חָבַל (cha.val) — to destroy.

1) to destroy, spoil, deal corruptly, offend

1a) (Qal) to spoil, corrupt, offend

1b) (Niphal) to be ruined

1c) (Piel) to destroy, ruin

1d) (Pual) to be ruined, be broken

Aramaic equivalent: cha.val (חֲבַל "to destroy" H2255)

חָבַל (cha.val) — be in labour.

1) to bring forth, travail

1a) (Piel) to writhe, twist, travail

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

plej (verbs chabhal (10 times), `arabh (2Ki 18:23 equals Isa 36:8); nouns chahal (Eze 18:12,16; 33:15), chabcholah (Eze 18:7), `arubbah), (1Sa 17:18), erabhon (Ge 38:17,18,20); also abhoT (De 24:10-13) and (the Revised Version (British and American) only) abhTiT (Hab 2:6)): All these words have about the same meaning.

(1) The "pledge" is, as in modern English, security given for future payment (Ge…

The Jewish law protected the poor who were obliged to give security for a loan or the fulfillment of a contract. If a man pawned his robe, the usual covering of the cool nights, it must be returned on the same day, Ex 22:26-27. The creditor could not enter a house and take what he pleased; and the millstone being a necessary of life, could not be taken, De 24:6,10,11. Compare Job 22:6 24:3,7. Idolaters sometimes disregarded these prohibitions, Am 2:6-8. See LOANS. Pledges are necessary from the vicious, who cannot be trusted, Pr 20:16.

and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
וּגְזֵלָ֖הu.ge.ze.Lah and robbery H1500 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means robbery or plunder, referring to taking something violently. It is used to describe spoil or violence in the Bible. The KJV translates it as spoil or violence.
Tyndale gloss
violence
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גְּזֵלָה (gzelah) refers to plunder, spoil, and violence, indicating the act of robbing or taking something by force. It is a feminine form of a related word, גְּזֵל (gzeil), and is used in contexts involving robbery or violent seizure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גְּזֵלָה n.f. plunder, spoil

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1500 גְּזֵלָה plunder, spoil

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1500 gzelah ghez-ay-law'

feminine of 1498 and mean the same: -that (he had robbed)

(which he took violently away), spoil, violence.

see HEBREW for 01498

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גְּזֵלָה (ge.ze.lah) — violence.

plunder, spoil, robbery

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
HC/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Robbery

Practised by the Ishmaelites (Gen. 16:12), the Chaldeans and Sabeans (Job 1:15, 17), and the men of Shechem (Judg. 9:25. See also 1 Sam. 27:6-10; 30; Hos. 4:2; 6:9). Robbers infested Judea in our Lord’s time (Luke 10:30; John 18:40; Acts 5:36, 37; 21:38; 2 Cor. 11:26). The words of the Authorized Version, “counted it not robbery to be equal,” etc. (

Robbery has ever been one of the principal employments of the nomad tribes of the East. From the time of Ishmael to the present day the Bedouin has been a "wild man," and a robber by trade. (Genesis 16:12) The Mosaic law on the subject of theft is contained in (Exodus 2:2) There seems no reason to suppose that the law underwent any alteration in Solomon’s time. Man-stealing was punishable with death. (Exodus 21:16; 24:7) Invasion of right in land was strictly forbidden. (27:17; Isaiah 5:8; Micah 2:2)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Forbidden Le 19:13; Isa 61:8

→ Punished with death Eze 18:10,13

→ Forgiven Eze 33:15

→ INSTANCES OF Jud 9:25; Lu 10:30

See ROBBERS

See THEFT

Thompson Chain Reference topics

--SEE Theft Forbidden, STEALING

Dishonesty, BUSINESS LIFE

& BUSINESS LIFE

and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
גָזָ֑לga.Zal he has robbed H1497 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to take something by force, like plundering or robbing, and is used in stories like David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. It can also mean to strip or flay something, and is often associated with violence.
Amplified meaning
take by force
Tyndale gloss
to plunder
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּזַל (gazal) is a Hebrew verb that means to tear away, seize, or rob. It is built from a primitive root and covers actions like plundering or taking away by force. The verb appears in both the Qal and Niphal forms, indicating direct action and a passive state of being robbed, respectively.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּזַל vb. tear away, seize, rob

Qal tear away, rob

Niph. subj. sleep

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1497 גָּזַל tear away, seize, rob

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1497 gazal gaw-zal'

a primitive root; to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip

or rob:--catch, consume, exercise (robbery), pluck (off), rob,

spoil, take away (by force, violence), tear.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּזַל (ga.zal) — to plunder.

1) to tear away, seize, plunder, tear off, pull off, rob, take away by force

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tear away, rob

1a2) to seize, plunder (with acc cognate)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be robbed

1b2) to be taken away

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
לַחְמוֹ֙lach.Mo food his H3899 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
298× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Amplified meaning
food, sustenance
Tyndale gloss
food
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֶ֫חֶם (lechem) means bread or food, encompassing items like grain and provisions for both humans and animals. It is derived from a related root and is used in various contexts, particularly in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its primary association with bread, though they also acknowledge its broader meaning as food.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֶ֫חֶם 296 n.m. and (rarely) f. bread, food

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3899 לֶ֫חֶם bread, food

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3899 lechem lekh'-em

from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or

grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit,

loaf, meat, victuals. See also 1036.

see HEBREW for 03898

see HEBREW for 01036

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food.

: food(eating)

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: bread.

: bread/loaf

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: allowance.

: allowance

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
לְרָעֵ֣בle.ra.'Ev to [the] hungry H7457 Preposition
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A person who is hungry is described by this Hebrew word, which appears in books like Deuteronomy and Amos. Hunger can be a physical or emotional state, and the Bible addresses both aspects.
Amplified meaning
those in need, famished
Tyndale gloss
hungry
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָעֵב (ra'ev) means 'hungry' and can describe varying intensities of hunger. It can also refer to a 'hungry man' as a noun or imply failing strength in a figurative sense. The word is derived from רָעַב (ra'ab), which is linked to the concept of hunger.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָעֵב adj. hungry

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7457 רָעֵב hungry

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7457 ra`eb raw-abe'

from 7456; hungry (more or less intensely):--hunger bitten,

hungry.

see HEBREW for 07456

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָעֵב (ra.ev) — hungry.

1) hungry

1a) hungry

1b) hungry man (subst)

1c) of failing strength (fig)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HR/Aamsa
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
נָתָ֔ןna.Tan he has given H5414 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
2,011× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Amplified meaning
provides, shares
Tyndale gloss
to give: give
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set

Qal 1917

give

Put, set

Make, constitute

Niph.

82be given

Be put, set

Hoph.

be given, bestowed

= be given to one for wife

be put upon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give

. Put, set

. Make, constitute

. . be given

. Be put, set

. . . be given, bestowed

. = be given to one for wife

. be put upon

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5414 nathan naw-than'

a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of

application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,

assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,

hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +

cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X

without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),

grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),

(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,

occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X

pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send

(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,

strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,

turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)

God, yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.

: give/deliver/send/produce

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend

1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate

1a3) to make, constitute

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned

1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up

1c2) to be put upon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.

: put/set/apppoint

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
וְעֵר֖וֹםve.'e.Rom and [the] naked H5903 Conjunction
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means naked or nudity, describing a state of being without clothes. It appears in various Bible translations, including the KJV, as naked or nakedness.
Amplified meaning
without clothing, impoverished
Tyndale gloss
naked
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵירֹם, transliterated as eyrom, is an adjective and noun meaning 'naked' and 'nakedness.' It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of nudity. The entries consistently define the term without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵירֹם, עֵרֹם adj. and n. [m.] 1. naked; 2. nakedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5903 עֵירֹם, עֵרֹם adj. and n. [m.] 1. naked; 2. nakedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5903 `eyrom ay-rome'

or merom {ay-rome'}; from 6191; nudity:--naked(- ness).

see HEBREW for 06191

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵירֹם (e.rom) — naked.

adj

1) naked

n m

2) nakedness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Naked

This word denotes (1) absolute nakedness (Gen. 2:25; Job 1:21; Eccl. 5:15; Micah 1:8; Amos 2:16); (2) being poorly clad (Isa. 58:7; James 2:15). It denotes also (3) the state of one who has laid aside his loose outer garment (Lat. nudus), and appears clothed only in a long tunic or under robe worn next the skin (1 Sam. 19:24; Isa. 47:3; comp. Mark…

In the Bible, often means no more than "not fully dressed." So in Joh 21:7, Peter is said to have been "naked," that is, he had laid off his outer garment, and had on only his inner garment or tunic. See GARMENT. So probably in Isa 20:2 Mic 1:8 Ac 19:16. Sometimes poorness and insufficiency of clothing are meant, as in Jas 2:15. So in Isa 58:7 2Co 11:27. A nation is said to be "naked," when stripped of its defenses, wealth, etc., Ge 42:9

and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
כִּסָּה־ki.sah- he has covered H3680 Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
152× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cover something means to fill up hollows or hide something from view, as seen in many biblical stories. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, such as to cover oneself with clothing or to conceal something for protection. It can also mean to overwhelm or spread over something.
Amplified meaning
clothes, provides garments for
Tyndale gloss
to cover
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כָּסָה (*kacah*) primarily means to cover or conceal. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to clothe, hide, or overwhelm. The entries describe various forms of the verb, such as being covered or covering oneself, and its use in contexts like protection or sin. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כָּסָה] vb. cover

Qal

conceal

pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)

Niph. covered

Pi.

cover, clothe

cover, conceal blood

cover (with covering of protection)

cover, spread over

cover, overwhelm

cover over

Pual.

be covered

be clothed

Hithp. cover, clothe oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3680 כָּסָה cover .. conceal

. pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)

. covered

. . cover, clothe

. cover, conceal blood

. cover (with covering of protection)

. cover, spread over

. cover, overwhelm

. cover over

. . be covered

. be clothed

. cover, clothe oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3680 kacah kaw-saw'

a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows;

by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad

self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide,

overwhelm. Compare 3780.

see HEBREW for 03780

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּסָה (ka.sah) — to cover.

1) to cover, conceal, hide

1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to be covered

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cover, clothe

1c2) to cover, conceal

1c3) to cover (for protection)

1c4) to cover over, spread over

1c5) to cover, overwhelm

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be covered

1d2) to be clothed

1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
HVpp3ms
and anyone not he has oppressed a pledge not he has taken as pledge and robbery not he has robbed food his to [the] hungry he has given and [the] naked he has covered clothing
בָֽגֶד׃Va.ged clothing H899 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
217× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.
Amplified meaning
a garment, outer covering
Tyndale gloss
treachery
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֶּ֫גֶד (beged) has meanings related to both clothing and treachery. It can refer to a garment or covering, as well as deceit or betrayal. The word is built from a root that suggests a duality in its usage, appearing in contexts that range from apparel to treacherous actions, notably in Isaiah 24:16 and Jeremiah 12:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֶּ֫גֶד n.[m.] treachery Is 24:16 Je 12:1.

done

בֶּ֫גֶד n.m. garment, covering

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H899a בֶּ֫גֶד treachery H899b בֶּ֫גֶד garment, covering

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

899 beged behg'-ed

from 898; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or

pillage:--apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag,

raiment, robe, X very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.

see HEBREW for 0898

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֶּ֫גֶד (be.ged) — treachery.

treachery, deceit

בֶּ֫גֶד (be.ged) — garment.

(CLBL) garment, clothing (used indiscriminately)

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

[DRESS]

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of the Israelites, did not become old De 8:4; 29:5; Ne 9:21

→ See DRESS

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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