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Ezekiel 27:11 — Word Study

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WLCבְּנֵ֧י אַרְוַ֣ד וְחֵילֵ֗ךְ עַל־ חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ סָבִ֔יב וְגַ֨מָּדִ֔ים בְּמִגְדְּלוֹתַ֖יִךְ הָי֑וּ שִׁלְטֵיהֶ֞ם תִּלּ֤וּ עַל־ חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ סָבִ֔יב הֵ֖מָּה כָּלְל֥וּ יָפְיֵֽךְ׃

BSAMenbên of ArvadʼArvad [a city near Sidon, I shall break loose] and Helechchayil [strength, might, or power] mannedʻal your wallschôwmâh [a barrier of protection] all aroundçâbîyb [encompassing, surrounding] and the [men] of Gammadgammâd [brave warriors, grasping their weapons] werehâyâh in your towersmigdâl [elevated structures, watchtowers] They hungtâlâh [to suspend, display] their shieldssheleṭ [protective devices] aroundçâbîyb your wallschôwmâh [barriers of defense] theyhêm perfectedkâlal [to complete, make whole] your beautyyŏphîy [something pleasing, attractive]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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 (ya.fe.Yekh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 27:11quick helps
In a sentenceEzekiel describes the warriors who fortified a city, highlighting their roles and contributions to its splendor.
Who is speakingEzekiel, delivering a message about the city and its defenders.
Where we areA detailed account of the city’s defenses, focusing on the contributions of specific groups.
The hard wordכָּלְל֥וּ
Take awayThe contributions of the warriors enhanced the city’s beauty and protection.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectגַּמָּדִים verbהָיָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 17 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 27:11

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 Description of Tyre's Defensesgenerated

10Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.
11Men of Arvad and Helech manned your walls all around, and the men of Gammad were in your towers. They hung their shields around your walls; they perfected your beauty.
12Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares.
13Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise.

Ezekiel 27:11 presents a vivid image of the city of Tyre, detailing how various groups contributed to its defenses. The men of Arvad and Helech manned the walls, while the Gammadites occupied the towers. Their efforts in hanging shields around the walls symbolized both protection and the enhancement of the city's beauty. This passage emphasizes the collaborative effort of these warriors in maintaining the city's grandeur.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ezekiel 27:3–4Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word כָּלְל֥וּ, ka.Lugenerated

The verb כָּלַל (kalal) means 'to perfect' or 'to complete.' It implies making something whole or flawless. In this context, it describes how the warriors contributed to the overall beauty of the city, emphasizing their role in enhancing its appeal.

The parsing as a perfect third person common plural indicates that the action has been completed by the subjects, the warriors. This completion reflects the culmination of their efforts in beautifying the city.


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 הָי֑וּ (they were) governs the clause, indicating the state of the subjects, the Gammadites and the other warriors. The structure includes prepositional phrases that describe their locations and actions in relation to the city walls.

The sentence is structured with a clear subject-verb-object format, where the subjects are the warriors, the verb describes their existence and actions, and the objects detail what they hung and perfected.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates כָּלְל֥וּ as ἐτελείωσάν, which conveys a sense of completion or fulfillment. This choice emphasizes the finality of the warriors' contributions to the city's beauty, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.

The translation choice reflects a consistent understanding of the warriors' role in enhancing the city's splendor, indicating a successful rendering of the original Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 27:11 describes how the men of Arvad and Helech defended the city walls, while the Gammadites occupied the towers. They hung their shields around the walls, which completed the city's beauty. This shows how the warriors contributed to both the protection and the attractiveness of the city.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the warriors 'perfected' the city's beauty?

It means that their efforts in defense and display enhanced the overall attractiveness of the city, making it more impressive.

Who were the Gammadites?

The Gammadites were a group of brave warriors mentioned in Ezekiel, known for their valor and role in defending the city.

Why is the mention of shields significant?

Shields symbolize protection and strength; their display around the walls emphasizes the city's defenses and the pride of its warriors.

What can we learn from the collaboration of different groups in this verse?

The collaboration highlights the importance of unity and teamwork in achieving a common goal, such as the defense and beautification of a city.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I see teamwork enhancing beauty or strength in my community?
  2. In what ways can I contribute to the protection and beauty of my surroundings?
  3. What symbols of strength do I display in my life, similar to the shields in this verse?
  4. How can I appreciate the contributions of others in my community, just as the warriors are acknowledged here?

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

Jerome comments on this verse, noting the contributions of the warriors to the city's defenses and beauty.

JeromeVerse 11. c. 347–420
The sons of Aradius with their army (or their own) were on your walls all around. But also the Pygmies who were in your towers hung their quivers (or your quivers) on your walls in a circle, they completed your beauty.
Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 27 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 27:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The men of Arvad, with thine army were upon thy walls round about,.... Placed there for the defence of the city, to watch against an enemy, lest it should be surprised; here they were upon the patrol

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 27 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Arvad: see . With thine army; mixed with other hired soldiers, made up these military forces. Upon thy walls round about; kept guard upon the walls. The Gammadims; some say pigmies or dwarfs, because the Hebrew word is a cubit; but the whole story of such cubit-men is fabulous. Others think it is men bold and courageous, and the word of Syriac origin and sense, and so fitly expressing the temper of Syrian or Syrophoenician soldiers. Or else, the men who name from Gammade, a town of Phoenicia. Or possibly, such as came from Aneon, another town of Phoenice; and this town had its name from its situation on a piece of land that resembles the cubit, Greek, Agkwv, and in the Hebrew, down In thy…

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 27 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad with thine army [were] upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.Ver. 11. And the Gammadims.] These were not pigmies, as the Vulgate rendereth it; nor Medes, as Symmachus; nor Cappadocians, as the Chaldee paraphrast; but Syrians of a city called Gamalla, whereof see Pliny. Nat. Hist., lib. ii. cap. 91.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) The Gammadims were in thy towers.—No people of this name is known, and it is extremely unlikely that the responsible posts upon the watch-towers would have been entrusted to foreigners. The word occurs only here, and is probably not a proper name, but should be translated brave men.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 27 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 11. The Gammadims were in thy towers] Some think these were a people of Phoenicia; others, that tutelar images are meant; others, that the word expresses strong men, who acted as guards. The Vulgate reads Pygmaei, the pygmies, who were fabled to be a little people of a cubit in height, from גמד gomed. a cubit; and are are told that this little people were celebrated for their wars with the cranes; but nothing of this kind can enter into this description. Probably a people inhabiting the promontories of Phoenicia are here intended; and their hanging their shields upon the walls is a proof that soldiers are meant, and persons of skill and prowess too.

Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. with thine army] It is scarcely possible to render: men of Arvad, they were thine army. Some proper name seems required: the men of Arvad and of … Cornill conjectures Hethlon (Ezekiel 47:15, Ezekiel 48:1), others, Cilicia. the Gammadims] A proper name is certainly to be expected, but no place, Gammad, is known. Some have suggested “they of Gomer,” but an adj. is not formed from Gomer; Corn., Zemarites, Genesis 10:18. Others take the word as an appellative: brave warriors.

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 27 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

11. Arvad — See Ezekiel 27:8. The Gammadim — R.V., margin, “valorous men.” No land or city of Gammad is known.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 27 →

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

Men of Arvad and Helech manned your walls all around, and the men of Gammad were in your towers. They hung their shields around your walls; they perfected your beauty.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, and valiant men were in your towers. They hung their shields on your walls all around. They have perfected your beauty.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Men of Arvad and Helech manned your walls all around, and the men of Gammad were in your towers. They hung their shields around your walls; they perfected your beauty.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The Arvadites joined your army on your walls all around, and the Gammadites were in your towers. They hung their quivers on your walls all around; they perfected your beauty.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and valorous men were in thy towers; they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have perfected thy beauty.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadim were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have perfected thy beauty.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The men of Arvad with thy army were upon thy walls on all sides, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hung their shields upon thy walls on every side; they have made thy beauty perfect.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The men of Aruad with thine armie were vpon thy walles round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towres: they hanged their shields vpon thy walles round about: they haue made thy beautie perfite.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The children of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadim were on thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they made thy beauty perfect.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The sons of Arvad, and thy force, [Are] on thy walls round about, And short swordsmen in thy towers have been, Their shields they have hung up on thy walls round about, They — they have perfected thy beauty.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The sons of Arvad, and your force, || [Are] on your walls all around, || And short swordsmen have been in your towers, || They have hung up their shields on your walls all around, || They have perfected your beauty.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The men of Arvad with thy army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadim were in thy towers: their quivers they hung upon thy walls round about; these made perfect thy beauty.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The men of Arvad and Helek in your army were on your walls surrounding you, and the people of Gammad were in your towers. They hung up their shields on your walls all around you! They completed your beauty.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The men of Arad were with thy army upon thy walls round about: the Pygmeans also that were in thy towers, hung up their quivers on thy walls round about: they perfected thy beauty.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Men of Arvad and Helech defended all your city walls, while those from Gammad protected your towers. They hung their shields all around your walls. They made you so successful.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The men of Arvad in your army were on your walls, and were watchmen in your towers, hanging up their arms on your walls round about; they made you completely beautiful.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectבְּנֵ֧יthe.peoplenoun phraseאַרְוַ֣דof.Arvadוְandחֵילֵ֗ךְHelechprepositional phrase · predicateעַל[were].onnoun phrasenoun phraseחוֹמוֹתַ֨יִwallsךְ֙yourסָבִ֔יבall.aroundוְand.[the]clausesubjectגַ֨מָּדִ֔יםGammaditesprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseמִגְדְּלוֹתַ֖יִtowersךְyourverbהָי֑וּthey.wereclausenoun phrase · objectשִׁלְטֵיshieldsהֶ֞םtheirverbתִּלּ֤וּthey.hung.upprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonnoun phrasenoun phraseחוֹמוֹתַ֨יִwallsךְ֙yourסָבִ֔יבall.aroundclausesubjectהֵ֖מָּהtheyverbכָּלְל֥וּthey.perfectednoun phrase · objectיָפְיֵֽbeautyךְyour

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 largely agree on the content of this verse, with a word-for-word correspondence in 15 out of 17 words. This indicates a strong consistency in how the verse has been transmitted through these traditions.

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

בְּנֵ֧י אַרְוַ֣ד וְחֵילֵ֗ךְ עַל־ חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ סָבִ֔יב וְגַ֨מָּדִ֔ים בְּמִגְדְּלוֹתַ֖יִךְ הָי֑וּ שִׁלְטֵיהֶ֞ם תִּלּ֤וּ עַל־ חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ סָבִ֔יב הֵ֖מָּה כָּלְל֥וּ יָפְיֵֽךְ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בְּנֵ֧יυἱοὶאַרְוַ֣דαραδίωνוְחֵילֵ֗ךְκαὶעַל־ἐπὶחוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙σουוְגַ֨מָּדִ֔יםφύλακεςבְּמִגְדְּלוֹתַ֖יִךְσουהָי֑וּἦσανתִּלּ֤וּἐκρέμασανעַל־ἐπὶחוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙σουסָבִ֔יבκύκλῳהֵ֖מָּהοὗτοιכָּלְל֥וּἐτελείωσάνיָפְיֵֽךְ׃σου

15 of the 17 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 27:11בֵּן[the] peopl[the] people ofבֵּןאַרְוָדArvadArvadאַרְוָדחַ֫יִלand Helechand Helechחַ֫יִלעַל[were] on[were] onעַלחוֹמָהwalls yourwalls yourחוֹמָהסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבגַּמָּדִיםand [the] Gand [the] Gammaגַּמָּדִיםמִגְדָּלin towers yin towers yourמִגְדָּלהָיָהthey werethey wereהָיָהשֶׁ֫לֶטshields theshields theirשֶׁ֫לֶטתָּלָהthey hung uthey hung upתָּלָהעַלononעַלחוֹמָהwalls yourwalls yourחוֹמָהסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבהֵ֫מָּהtheytheyהֵ֫מָּהכָּלַלthey perfecthey perfectedכָּלַליֳפִיbeauty yourbeauty yourיֳפִיסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהרוּדto roamto roamרוּדחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלעַלheightheightעַלגָּדַלto magnifyto magnifyגָּדַלשָׁלַטto domineeto domineerשָׁלַטהֲלַךְto goto goהֲלַךְיָפָהbe beautifbe beautifulיָפָהגֹּ֫מֶדshort cubishort cubitגֹּ֫מֶדהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאמִגְדָּלtowertowerמִגְדָּלאֵילָםarchesarchesאֵילָםחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןרְאוּבֵןReubenReubenרְאוּבֵן
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 27:11

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.

[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
בְּנֵ֧יbe.Nei [the] people of H1121 Noun common · masculine plural construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

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

n. relat. of age

base

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

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

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

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

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

. n. relat. of age

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

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

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

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

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

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

§ Beno = "his son"

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

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

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

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

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

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

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

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

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

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
אַרְוַ֣ד'ar.Vad Arvad H719 Noun proper
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Arvad was an island city near Sidon in Palestine, mentioned in the Bible. Its name means I shall break loose. The city was an important location in ancient times.
Amplified meaning
a city near Sidon, I shall break loose
Tyndale gloss
Arvad
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַרְוָד (Arvad) refers to an island-city located near Sidon in ancient Phoenicia. The name is thought to mean 'a refuge for the roving' or 'I shall break loose.' It is mentioned in relation to Sidon and is situated north of Tripolis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַרְוָד n.pr.loc. city of Phenicia on an island near main land, northward fr. Tripolis, mentioned with Sidon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H719 אַרְוָד

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

719 'Arvad ar-vad'

probably from 7300; a refuge for the roving; Arvad, an

island-city of Palestine:--Arvad.

see HEBREW for 07300

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַרְוַד (ar.vad) — Arvad.

§ Arvad = "I shall break loose"

a city-island near Sidon

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

Arvad

Wandering, (Ezek. 27:8), a small island and city on the coast of Syria, mentioned as furnishing mariners and soldiers for Tyre. The inhabitants were called Arvadites. The name is written Aruada or Arada in the Tell-el-Amarna tablets.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(wandering) (Ezekiel 27:8,11) The island of Ruad , which lies off Tortosa (Tartus), two or three miles from the Phoenician coast. In agreement with this is the mention of "the Arvadite, in (Genesis 10:18) and 1Chr 1:16 As a son of Canaan, with Zidon, Hamath an other northern localities.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A Phoenician city, on a small rocky island at the mouth of the river Eleutherus, twenty-two miles north of Tripolis. It is now called Ruad, and is but a ruin. The Arvadites also occupied the adjacent coast. They were descendants of Canaan, Ge 10:18; 1Ch 1:16; and were noted mariners, Eze 27:8,11.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ An island near Zidon Eze 27:8,11

[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
וְחֵילֵ֗ךְve.chei.Lekh and Helech H2428 Conjunction · noun proper
246× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Amplified meaning
strength, might, or power
Tyndale gloss
Helech
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חַ֫יִל (*chayil*) encompasses meanings related to strength, efficiency, wealth, and army. It is derived from a root meaning force and can refer to physical might, moral virtue, or resources. The entries consistently highlight its application to soldiers and military forces, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַ֫יִל 244 n.m. strength, efficiency, wealth, army

strength, usu. physical

ability, efficiency, often involving moral worth

wealth

force, army

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2428 חַ֫יִל strength, efficiency, wealth, army

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2428 chayil khah'-yil

from 2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other

resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:--able,

activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great)

forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong,

substance, train, (+)valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war,

worthy(-ily).

see HEBREW for 02342

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: soldiers.

: soldiers/army

1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

1a) strength

1b) ability, efficiency

1c) wealth

1d) force, army

חֵילֵךְ (che.lek) — Helech.

§ Helech = "your army"

a place near Arvad and Gammad

חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength.

: strong

1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

1a) strength

1b) ability, efficiency

1c) wealth

1d) force, army, soldiers/army

חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: rich.

: rich/wealth

1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

1a) strength

1b) ability, efficiency

1c) wealth

1d) force, army

חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: worthy.

: worthy

1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

1a) strength

1b) ability, efficiency

1c) wealth

1d) force, army

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper
HC/Npl
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
עַל־'al- [were] on H5921 Preposition
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)

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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 — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙cho.mo.Ta.yikh walls your H2346 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
133× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Amplified meaning
a barrier of protection
Tyndale gloss
wall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חוֹמָה (chowmah) refers to a wall, typically understood as a protective barrier. It is derived from a root meaning to join, and is often used to describe city walls or the walls of buildings. The term can also be applied figuratively, such as in reference to the waters of the Red Sea.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חוֹמָה 133 n.f. wall (as protection)

usu. term for wall of city

wall of a building

fig. of waters of Red Sea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2346 חוֹמָה wall (as protection)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2346 chowmah kho-maw'

feminine active participle of an unused root apparently

meaning to join; a wall of protection:--wall, walled.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חוֹמָה (cho.mah) — wall.

wall

חוֹמָה (cho.mah) — (Broad) Wall.

wall

Combined with ra.chav (רָחָב "Broad" H7342)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2fs
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
סָבִ֔יבsa.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
encompassing, 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
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
וְגַ֨מָּדִ֔יםve.Ga.ma.Dim and [the] Gammadites H1575 Conjunction · noun proper
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Gammadim were a group of brave warriors, known for grasping their weapons. They are mentioned in the book of Ezekiel as a fierce and powerful people. The KJV translates their name as Gammadims.
Amplified meaning
brave warriors, grasping their weapons
Tyndale gloss
Gamaddim
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּמָּדִים (gammadim) refers to a group of warriors or brave men, specifically mentioned in Ezekiel 27:11. The term is derived from a root that implies grasping weapons, indicating their role as fighters. The entries consistently emphasize their valor and warrior status.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּמָּדִים n.pr.gent. Ez 27:11; valorous men

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1575 גַּמָּדִים, גַּמָּד

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1575 gammad gam-mawd'

from the same as 1574; a warrior (as grasping

weapons):--Gammadims.

see HEBREW for 01574

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּמָּדִים (gam.mad) — Gamaddim.

Gamaddim

This name means brave men, warriors

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper
HC/Npl
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
בְּמִגְדְּלוֹתַ֖יִךְbe.mig.de.lo.Ta.yikh in towers your H4026 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
48× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Migdal means tower, referring to a tall structure or elevated stage. It can also symbolize a bed of flowers in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
elevated structures, watchtowers
Tyndale gloss
tower
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִגְדָּל (migdal) primarily means 'tower,' indicating a structure that is tall or elevated. It can also refer to an elevated stage or pulpit and, in a figurative sense, to a raised bed of flowers. The word is derived from a root meaning height, and its usage spans various contexts in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִגְדָּל n.m. tower

tower

elevated stage, pulpit of wood

raised bed

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4026 מִגְדָּל tower . tower

. elevated stage, pulpit of wood

. raised bed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4026 migdal mig-dawl'

also (in plural) feminine migdalah {mig-daw- law'}; from

1431; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a

rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers:--castle,

flower, tower. Compare the names following.

see HEBREW for 01431

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — (Hananel) Tower.

Combined with cha.nan.el (חֲנַנְאֵל " of Hananel" H2606)

This name means tower

מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — Tower (of the Hundred).

Combined with me.ah (מֵאָה "hundred" H3968)

This name means tower

מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — Tower (Of the Ovens).

This name means tower, elevated stage

מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — tower.

1) tower

1a) tower

1b) elevated stage, pulpit

1c) raised bed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncfpc/Sp2fs
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
הָי֑וּha.Yu they were H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

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

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

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

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

Come into being, become

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

sq. prep.

become

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

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

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

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

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

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

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

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

. sq. prep.

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

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

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

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

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

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

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

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

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

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

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

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

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

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

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

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

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

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
שִׁלְטֵיהֶ֞םshil.tei.Hem shields their H7982 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a shield, which is a protective device used to defend oneself. It's likely named for its ability to control or protect the person holding it. The KJV translates it simply as 'shield'.
Amplified meaning
protective devices
Tyndale gloss
shield
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שֶׁ֫לֶט (*shelet*) is likely derived from a root meaning to control or protect, suggesting its primary meaning is 'shield.' The entries consistently refer to it as a shield, though the Brown-Driver-Briggs entry includes a question mark, indicating uncertainty about its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שֶׁ֫לֶט] n.m. shield(?)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7982 שֶׁ֫לֶט shield(?)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7982 shelet sheh'-let

from 7980; probably a shield (as controlling, i.e. protecting

the person):--shield.

see HEBREW for 07980

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫לֶט (she.let) — shield.

shield

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3mp
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
תִּלּ֤וּti.Lu they hung up H8518 Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hang something or someone is what this Hebrew word means, often used to describe punishment or display. It can also mean to hang an object, like a curtain or a sign. The word is used in Exodus and Numbers.
Amplified meaning
to suspend, display
Tyndale gloss
to hang
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּלָה (talah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to hang. It encompasses various usages, including hanging objects, putting someone to death by hanging, and displaying items. The entries indicate its forms in different stems, such as Qal (to hang), Niphal (to be hanged), and Piel (to hang up for display).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּלָה vb. hang

Qal hang

Niph. princes have been hung up by their hands

Pi. hang up for display

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8518 תָּלָה hang

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8518 talah taw-law'

a primitive root; to suspend (especially to gibbet):--hang

(up).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּלָה (ta.lah) — to hang.

1) to hang

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hang

1a1a) to hang up (any object)

1a1b) to put to death by hanging

1b) (Niphal) to be hanged

1c) (Piel) to hang, hang up (for display)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3cp — Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
HVpp3cp
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
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
HR — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙cho.mo.Ta.yikh walls your H2346 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
133× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Amplified meaning
barriers of defense
Tyndale gloss
wall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חוֹמָה (chowmah) refers to a wall, typically understood as a protective barrier. It is derived from a root meaning to join, and is often used to describe city walls or the walls of buildings. The term can also be applied figuratively, such as in reference to the waters of the Red Sea.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חוֹמָה 133 n.f. wall (as protection)

usu. term for wall of city

wall of a building

fig. of waters of Red Sea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2346 חוֹמָה wall (as protection)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2346 chowmah kho-maw'

feminine active participle of an unused root apparently

meaning to join; a wall of protection:--wall, walled.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חוֹמָה (cho.mah) — wall.

wall

חוֹמָה (cho.mah) — (Broad) Wall.

wall

Combined with ra.chav (רָחָב "Broad" H7342)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2fs
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
סָבִ֔יבsa.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.
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
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
הֵ֖מָּהHe.mah they H1992 Pronoun
553× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
they(masc.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1992 hem haym

or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from

1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)

many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,

their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.

see HEBREW for 01981

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).

they, these, the same, who

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3mp
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
כָּלְל֥וּka.Lu they perfected H3634 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To perfect means to complete or make something whole, as seen in the Bible's use of this word to describe God's work. It is about making something complete and perfect.
Amplified meaning
to complete, make whole
Tyndale gloss
to perfect
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּלַל (kalal) is a primitive root meaning to complete or perfect. The entries indicate it covers the idea of making something whole or flawless, primarily used in the Qal form. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּלַל vb. complete, perfect

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3634 כָּלַל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3634 kalal kaw-lal'

a primitive root; to complete:--(make) perfect.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּלַל (ka.lal) — to perfect.

1) to complete, perfect, make complete, make perfect

1a) (Qal) to perfect

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
[the] people of Arvad and Helech [were] on walls your all around and [the] Gammadites in towers your they were shields their they hung up on walls your all around they they perfected beauty your
יָפְיֵֽךְ׃ya.fe.Yekh beauty your H3308 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means beauty, describing something pleasing and attractive. In Psalm 27:4, it describes the beauty of God's presence. The word is used to convey a sense of wonder and awe.
Amplified meaning
something pleasing, attractive
Tyndale gloss
beauty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יֳפִי (yophiy) means 'beauty' and is derived from the root word represented by Strong's H3302. The entries consistently define it as a noun referring to beauty, without any significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יֳפִי] n.m. beauty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3308 [יֳפִי] beauty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3308 yophiy yof-ee'

from 3302; beauty:--beauty.

see HEBREW for 03302

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֳפִי (yo.phi) — beauty.

beauty

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2fs
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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