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Ezekiel 19:8 — Word Study

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WLCוַיִּתְּנ֨וּ עָלָ֥יו גּוֹיִ֛ם סָבִ֖יב מִמְּדִינ֑וֹת וַֽיִּפְרְשׂ֥וּ עָלָ֛יו רִשְׁתָּ֖ם בְּשַׁחְתָּ֥ם נִתְפָּֽשׂ׃

BSAThen the nationsgôwy [Gentile countries, surrounding peoples] set outnâthan against himʻal from the provincesmᵉdîynâh [regions, districts] on every sideçâbîyb [around, surrounding] They spreadpâras their netresheth [trap, snare] over himʻal he was trappedtâphas [caught, seized] in their pitshachath [grave, destruction]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 19
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (nit.Pas) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 19:8quick helps
In a sentenceThe nations surrounded him, setting traps and catching him in their pit.
Who is speakingThe prophet Ezekiel, recounting the fate of a fallen figure.
Where we areIn a lament over the downfall of a once-mighty leader.
The hard wordנִתְפָּשׂ
Take awayThe imagery of entrapment shows the totality of his defeat.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָתַן 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 19:8

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

Context — The Lament for the Fallen Leadergenerated

7He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring.
8Then the nations set out against him from the provinces on every side. They spread their net over him; he was trapped in their pit.
9With hooks they caged him and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into captivity so that his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.
10Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters.

Ezekiel 19:8 describes how the nations conspired against a once-great leader, surrounding him and setting traps that led to his downfall. This passage reflects the themes of betrayal and loss, as the surrounding nations, described as גּוֹיִ֛ם (goyim), represent those who sought to exploit the leader's vulnerability. The lamentation continues in the following verses, illustrating the complete devastation of his legacy.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Kings 24:1–6During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
2Ezekiel 19:4When the nations heard of him, he was trapped in their pit. With hooks they led him away to the land of Egypt.
3Ezekiel 12:13But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.
4Ezekiel 17:20I will spread My net over him and catch him in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there for the treason he committed against Me.
5Lamentations 4:20The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

the nations2 Kings 24:1–6

The Key Word נִתְפָּשׂ, nit.Pasgenerated

The verb תָּפַשׂ (taphas) means to seize or capture. It is in the Niphal form here, indicating a passive action where the subject is caught or taken hold of, emphasizing the helplessness of the leader in this situation.

This word carries a sense of being trapped, not just physically but also in a metaphorical sense, as the leader's power and influence are stripped away, leaving him vulnerable to the actions of others.


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 וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ, and they set, governs the sentence, with two clauses following: one describing the action of spreading the net and the other indicating the result of being trapped. The structure highlights the sequential actions of the nations against the leader.

The use of prepositional phrases, such as עָלָ֥יו (on him) and בְּשַׁחְתָּ֥ם (in their pit), detail the context and consequences of the actions taken against the leader, emphasizing his entrapment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ as ἔδωκαν (they gave), which suggests an interpretation of the nations actively delivering their trap, rather than merely setting it. This choice may indicate a more intentional action on the part of the nations.

The translation of נִתְפָּשׂ is rendered as συνελήμφθη (was seized), reinforcing the idea of a decisive capture, aligning with the original Hebrew's implication of being caught.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 19:8 describes how the nations surrounded a fallen leader, setting traps and ultimately catching him in their pit. This imagery conveys the totality of his defeat and the betrayal he faced from those around him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the nations set out against him?

This indicates a coordinated effort by the surrounding nations to attack and undermine the leader, showing the collective opposition he faced.

What is the significance of the net mentioned in this verse?

The net symbolizes the traps and schemes devised by the nations to ensnare the leader, reflecting the idea of betrayal and entrapment.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Ezekiel?

This verse illustrates the consequences of failure and the vulnerability of leaders, which is a recurring theme in Ezekiel's prophecies.

What can we learn from the imagery of being trapped in a pit?

The pit represents destruction and downfall, serving as a warning about the dangers of pride and the inevitability of judgment.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I respond when I see others being betrayed or trapped in difficult situations?
  2. In what ways can I ensure that I am not complicit in the schemes of others against those who are vulnerable?
  3. What lessons can I take from this passage about the nature of power and its fragility?
  4. How can I support those who are facing challenges similar to the leader in this verse?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 19:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Then the nations set against him,.... Or, "gave against him" (y); that is, their voice, as Kimchi; they called to one another, to gather together against him; they gave their counsel against him;

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. Then the nations set against him - the Chaldeans, Syrians, Moab, and Ammon (2 Kings 24:2).

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The nations which were feudatory to Nebuchadnezzar, and were bound to assist him in his wars. Set against him; by order of the king of Babylon gathered together to hunt this lion, to make war on this revolting king. On every side; surrounded him that he might not escape. The provinces which belonged to the Babylonish kingdom, and were governed by presidents, or petty kings, vassals to Nebuchadnezzar. Spread their net over him; soon got him into their toils, as huntsmen get a lion, or other wild beast, into their net. He was taken in their pit: see .

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 19:8 Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.Ver. 8. Then the nations set against him on every side.] Nebuchadnezzar, with the neighbour nations his auxiliaries. They spread their net over him.] As they did also over the two last kings, though not here specified, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, because they chose rather to run the hazard of ruin by rebellion, than to continue safely with slavery. He was taken in their pit.] See Ezekiel 19:4, an ordinary way of taking lions, as Pliny telleth us. Leones maxime foveis capiuntur.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 19 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) The nations.—As in Ezekiel 19:4, for one nation: in that case Egypt, in this Babylon. The plural is naturally used, as several nations were concerned in the whole history, of which single particulars only are here mentioned.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 19 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. The nations set against him] The Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites, and the king of Babylon - king of many nations. He was taken] The city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar; and Jehoiakim was taken prisoner, and sent in chains to Babylon.

Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5–8. Jehoiachin carried captive to Babylon The second young lion is Jehoiachin. The intermediate prince Jehoiakim could not be included in an elegy, because he died in peace. It is the princes of Israel whom foreign nations captured that are lamented. What is touched upon is more the humiliation and sorrow of Israel, the mother lioness, in her young lions being captured, than the fate of the two persons. The elegy is a national one, cf. on Ezekiel 19:1. 5. And she saw that she had waited—her hope was lost; And she took another of her whelps—she made him a young lion. 6. And he walked among the lions—he grew a young lion, And he learned to catch the prey—he devoured men. 7. And he broke down…

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 19 →

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

Then the nations set out against him from the provinces on every side. They spread their net over him; he was trapped in their pit.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Then the nations attacked him on every side from the provinces. They spread their net over him. He was taken in their pit.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then the nations set out against him from the provinces on every side. They spread their net over him; he was trapped in their pit.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The nations – the surrounding regions – attacked him. They threw their net over him; he was caught in their pit.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces; and they spread their net over him; he was taken in their pit.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces: and they spread their net over him; he was taken in their pit.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then the nations set against him on euery side of the countreys, and laide their nets for him: so he was taken in their pit.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him; he was taken in their pit.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And set against it do nations Round about from the provinces. And they spread out for it their net, In their pit it hath been caught.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And surrounding nations set against him from the provinces. And they spread out their net for him, || He has been caught in their pit.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then set themselves the nations against him on every side from the provinces; and they spread over him their net: in their pit was he caught.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

But the nations came against him from the surrounding provinces; they spread their nets over him. He was caught in their trap.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And the nations Game together against him on every side out of the provinces, and they spread their net over him, in their wounds he was taken.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Then the people of the countries all around attacked him. They threw their net over him; he was caught in their trap.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then the nations came against him from the kingdoms round about: their net was stretched over him and he was taken in the hole they had made.

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּתְּנ֨וּthey.setprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלָ֥יonוitnoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseגּוֹיִ֛םnationsסָבִ֖יבall.aroundprepositional phraseמִfromמְּדִינ֑וֹתprovincesוַֽandclauseverbיִּפְרְשׂ֥וּthey.spread.outprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלָ֛יoverוitnoun phrase · objectרִשְׁתָּ֖netםtheirclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseשַׁחְתָּ֥pitםtheirverbנִתְפָּֽשׂit.was.caught

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint are largely in agreement, with 9 of the 10 words matching. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the meaning remains consistent, reflecting the shared understanding of the leader's downfall.

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

וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ עָלָ֥יו גּוֹיִ֛ם סָבִ֖יב מִמְּדִינ֑וֹת וַֽיִּפְרְשׂ֥וּ עָלָ֛יו רִשְׁתָּ֖ם בְּשַׁחְתָּ֥ם נִתְפָּֽשׂ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּתְּנ֨וּἔδωκανעָלָ֥יוαὐτὸνגּוֹיִ֛םἔθνηמִמְּדִינ֑וֹתκυκλόθενוַֽיִּפְרְשׂ֥וּἐχεπέτασανעָלָ֛יוαὐτὸνרִשְׁתָּ֖םαὐτῶνבְּשַׁחְתָּ֥םαὐτῶνנִתְפָּֽשׂ׃συνελήμφθη

9 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Ezekiel 19:8נָתַןand they seand they setנָתַןעַלon iton itעַלגּוֹיnationsnationsגּוֹיסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבמְדִינָהfrom provinfrom provincesמְדִינָהפָּרַשׂand they spand they spreadפָּרַשׂעַלover itover itעַלרֶ֫שֶׁתnet theirnet theirרֶ֫שֶׁתשַׁ֫חַתin pit theiin pit theirשַׁ֫חַתתָּפַשׂit was caugit was caughtתָּפַשׂעַלheightheightעַלסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבדִּיןto judgeto judgeדִּיןיָרַשׁto possessto possess: posיָרַשׁשׁוּחַto sinkto sinkשׁוּחַגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּארֶ֫שֶׁתnetnetרֶ֫שֶׁתנַחֲלָהinheritancinheritanceנַחֲלָהזֶ֫רַעseedseedזֶ֫רַעעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםמַמְלָכָהkingdomkingdomמַמְלָכָהאֵילָםarchesarchesאֵילָםחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןכְּתָבwritingwritingכְּתָבסוּךְto fenceto fenceסוּךְפָּרַשׂto spreadto spreadפָּרַשׂ
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 19:8

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

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

and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
וַיִּתְּנ֨וּvai.yi.te.Nu and they set H5414 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
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.
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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Few words in the English language have such a rich variety of meaning and are used in so rich a variety of idiomatic expression as the word "set." A glance at any of the great dictionaries will convince anyone of the truth of this statement. The Standard Dictionary devotes three and a half columns to the word. In its primary meaning it there denotes 22 distinct things, in its secondary meaning 17 more, while 18 distinct phrases are given in which it is used, in some cases again in a variety of meanings. It is indeed a word calculated to drive a foreigner to despair. Some 70 Hebrew and about 30 Greek words in the original tongues of the Holy Scriptures have been rendered by the word "set," in the King James Version and also in the Revised Version (British and American). A careful comparative study of the original and of translations in other tongues will at once indicate that a lack of…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
עָלָ֥יו'a.Lav on it H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

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

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

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

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

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
גּוֹיִ֛םgo.Yim nations H1471 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentile countries, surrounding peoples
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
סָבִ֖יבsa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Amplified meaning
around, surrounding
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
מִמְּדִינ֑וֹתmi.me.di.Not from provinces H4082 Preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
53× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means a province or district, referring to a region or jurisdiction, like a judgeship or area ruled by a judge.
Amplified meaning
regions, districts
Tyndale gloss
province
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְדִינָה (mdiynah) refers to a province or district, often in the context of governance or jurisdiction. It is derived from a root meaning 'judgeship' and encompasses regions ruled by judges or officials. The term appears in discussions of various empires, including those of Ahab, Babylon, and Persia.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְדִינָה m.f. province

districts of realm of Ahab

of the Babylonian empire

of the Persian empire

provinces in general

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4082 מְדִינָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4082 mdiynah med-ee-naw'

from 1777; properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by

implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a

region:--(X every) province.

see HEBREW for 01777

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְדִינָה (me.di.nah) — province.

1) province, district

1a) district

1b) province

Aramaic equivalent: me.di.nah (מְדִינָה "province" H4083)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
HR/Ncfpa
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
וַֽיִּפְרְשׂ֥וּvai.yif.re.Su and they spread out H6566 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to spread or break something apart, like scattering or stretching out. It is used to describe physical and figurative actions in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
to spread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּרַשׂ (paras) is a Hebrew verb meaning to spread out or scatter. It encompasses actions like breaking apart, dispersing, and stretching forth. The word appears in various forms, including Qal (to spread), Niphal (to be scattered), and Piel (to scatter). The entries collectively highlight its use in contexts of spreading or scattering, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּרַשׂ vb. spread out, spread

Qal

spread out

spread

Niph. they shall be scattered

Pi.

spread out

= scatter

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6566 פָּרַשׂ spread out, spread

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6566 paras paw-ras'

a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.:--break,

chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth,

selves, out), stretch (forth, out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּרַשׂ (pa.ra.s) — to spread.

1) to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to spread out, display

1a2) to spread over

1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be spread out

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to spread out

1c1) to scatter

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
עָלָ֛יו'a.Lav over it H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

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

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

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

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

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
רִשְׁתָּ֖םrish.Tam net their H7568 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A net used for catching animals, but also a symbol of judgment or a trap. In the book of Ecclesiastes, it describes a net that can snare people. The tabernacle even had a network of bronze for its altar.
Amplified meaning
trap, snare
Tyndale gloss
net
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֶ֫שֶׁת (resheth) means 'net' and is derived from a root meaning to catch animals. It encompasses various types of nets, including those for judgment and traps for people. The term is specifically noted for its use as a brazen network for the altar in the tabernacle.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֶ֫שֶׁת n.f. net

net

brazen network for altar of tabern.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7568 רֶ֫שֶׁת net . net

. brazen network for altar of tabern.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7568 resheth reh'-sheth

from 3423; a net (as catching animals):--net(- work).

see HEBREW for 03423

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֶ֫שֶׁת (re.shet) — net.

1) net

1a) net

1a1) for catching

1a2) of judgment (fig)

1a3) of leaders leading people to sin

1a4) as a trap for man

1b) network (brazen-for altar of tabernacle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3mp
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
בְּשַׁחְתָּ֥םbe.shach.Tam in pit their H7845 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This noun refers to a pit or grave, and it is often used figuratively to describe destruction or corruption, as seen in Proverbs and other books.
Amplified meaning
grave, destruction
Tyndale gloss
pit: grave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שַׁ֫חַת (shachath) means 'pit' and is derived from a root that suggests destruction or corruption. It covers a range of meanings including a physical pit, grave, and figuratively, hell or destruction. The entries note its use in contexts related to traps and Sheol, the grave.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁ֫חַת n.f. pit

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7845 שַׁ֫חַת pit

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7845 shachath shakh'-ath

from 7743; a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively,

destruction:--corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit.

see HEBREW for 07743

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁ֫חַת (sha.chat) — Pit: hell.

Pit, of hell

Another name of she.ol (שְׁאוֹל "Sheol" H7585)

This name means pit, grave

שַׁ֫חַת (sha.chat) — pit: grave.

1) pit, destruction, grave

1a) pit (for catching lions)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp
and they set on it nations all around from provinces and they spread out over it net their in pit their it was caught
נִתְפָּֽשׂ׃nit.Pas it was caught H8610 Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To capture or seize something, like in 1 Kings 13:4, where a prophet grabs the king's altar. It means to take hold of or grasp something firmly.
Amplified meaning
caught, seized
Tyndale gloss
to capture
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּפַשׂ (taphas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lay hold of or seize. It encompasses actions like capturing, wielding, and handling, with nuances in different forms such as being seized or caught. The entries suggest a range of physical and figurative uses, including the idea of manipulation or unwarranted use.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּפַשׂ vb. lay hold of, wield

Qal

lay hold of, seize

grasp in order to wield, wield, use skilfully

Niph. be seized, arrested, caught

Pi. a lizard thou mayest grasp with the hands

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8610 תָּפַשׂ lay hold of, wield

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8610 taphas taw-fas'

a primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to

capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use

unwarrantably:--catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over),

stop, X surely, surprise, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּפַשׂ (ta.pha.s) — to capture.

1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch

1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully

1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured

1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVNp3ms
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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