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Ezekiel 31:17 — Word Study

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WLCגַּם־ הֵ֗ם אִתּ֛וֹ יָרְד֥וּ שְׁא֖וֹלָה אֶל־ חַלְלֵי־ חָ֑רֶב וּזְרֹע֛וֹ יָשְׁב֥וּ בְצִלּ֖וֹ בְּת֥וֹךְ גּוֹיִֽם׃

BSATheyhêm toogam [also, even] descendedyârad with itʼêth to Sheolshᵉʼôwl [the underworld, grave, place of no return] toʼêl those slainchâlâl [killed, pierced] by the swordchereb [cutting instrument] As its allieszᵉrôwaʻ [arm, helpers, supporters] they had livedyâshab in its shadetsêl [shadow, protection] amongtâvek the nationsgôwy [Gentiles, heathen, non-Hebrew peoples]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 31
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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 (go.Yim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 31:17quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes how certain allies also descended to Sheol alongside the fallen, emphasizing their connection and shared fate.
Who is speakingThe Lord GOD, conveying a message about the fate of nations and their allies.
Where we areThis verse is part of a prophecy concerning the downfall of Egypt and its leaders.
The hard wordשְׁאֹולָה
Take awayThe allies of the fallen share in their demise, highlighting the inevitability of death.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָרַד 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 31:17

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 Prophecy Against Egyptgenerated

15This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the day it was brought down to Sheol, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it; I held back its rivers; its abundant waters were restrained. I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it.
16I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below.
17They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations.
18Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’”

Ezekiel 31:17 is part of a larger prophecy where God speaks about the fate of Egypt and its allies after their downfall. The surrounding verses detail the mourning and fear that accompany this event, emphasizing the consequences of their actions and alliances. This context illustrates the broader theme of judgment against nations that oppose God's will, as seen in other passages like Ezekiel 32:20-30 and Isaiah 14:9.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ezekiel 32:20–30They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes.
2Psalm 9:17The wicked will return to Sheol— all the nations who forget God.
3Isaiah 14:9Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you— all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones.
4Ezekiel 30:6–8For this is what the LORD says: The allies of Egypt will fall, and her proud strength will collapse. From Migdol to Syene they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Lord GOD.
5Nehemiah 3:17–18Next to him, the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani, and next to him, Hashabiah, ruler of a half-district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word גַּם, gam-generated

The Hebrew word גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It connects ideas and can introduce a climax or contrast, often used in contexts requiring clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

In this verse, it emphasizes that not only did the fallen descend to Sheol, but their allies did as well, underscoring the shared fate of both groups.


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. The BSB has slain, and so do the KJV and ASV, maintaining the sense of fatality associated with חַלל.

Where translations differ is with חַללkilled (FBV, NETB, ULB) versus pierced (LSV, YLT), showing a slight variation in interpretation of the nature of death.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs governing the verse are יָרְד֥וּ (they went down) and יָשְׁב֥וּ (they dwelt), with several phrases hanging off them, including prepositional and noun phrases that provide context and detail.

The structure emphasizes the actions of descending and dwelling, illustrating the relationship between the allies and the fallen, as well as their shared experience in Sheol.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָרְד֥וּ as κατέβησαν (they went down), which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the act of descending.

For יָשְׁב֥וּ, the LXX uses κατοικοῦντες (they dwelt), indicating a similar understanding of the allies' existence in the same realm as the fallen.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 31:17 tells us that the allies of the fallen also went down to Sheol, the place of the dead, sharing in the fate of those slain by the sword. They had lived in the shade of the fallen among the nations, indicating their close connection and shared destiny.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that they descended to Sheol?

Descending to Sheol signifies death and the finality of life, where both the fallen and their allies experience the same fate.

Why is the shade mentioned?

The shade symbolizes protection and alliance, indicating that the allies lived under the influence or power of the fallen before their demise.

What is the significance of the nations mentioned?

The nations represent non-Hebrew peoples, highlighting the broader implications of the prophecy and the interconnectedness of nations in their fates.

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

This verse illustrates the theme of judgment against nations that oppose God, emphasizing that all, regardless of their status, face the consequences of their actions.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this verse teach about the consequences of alliances and relationships?
  2. How can we understand the concept of Sheol in relation to life and death?
  3. In what ways do we see the themes of judgment and fate reflected in our world today?
  4. How can we apply the lessons from this verse about shared fates in our own relationships?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 31:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

They also went down to hell with him,.... To the grave with him; many of his nobles, princes, generals, soldiers, and subjects: unto them that be slain with the sword; to be buried and lie with them

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 31 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 31 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They also; either his neighbour kings and princes, or those that were his own subjects, but rich and mighty. Went down into hell; were broken and perished with him, and went to those God had slain for their pride and wickedness. They that were his arm; his loyal and faithful subjects and friends abroad, who having been protected by him, remembered it, and adhered to him to support him; but all fell, are extinct, and gone down to the pit, where are many proud, but o pride; where all know themselves dust and ashes, and God glorious, holy, and just.

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 31 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 31:17 They also went down into hell with him unto [them that be] slain with the sword; and [they that were] his arm, [that] dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.Ver. 17. They also went down into hell with him.] It was wont to be said that hell was paved with kings’ crests and shavelings’ bald pates. Henry VIII was told on his deathbed that he was now going to the place of kings. See Isaiah 30:33. What a coil kept this Esarhaddon in his time, as being superstitibus terror, praemortuis laeitia, complicibus exitium, sui ipsius ruina! Oecolamp.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 31 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. They also went down into hell with him] Into remediless destruction.

Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 31 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. They also … into hell] These also are gone down into Sheòl, ref. being to the “trees of Eden,” Ezekiel 31:16. were his arm, that dwelt] and his arm, that dwelt. His “arm” is his helpers (Ezekiel 17:9). The construction is difficult (read probably cons. plur. of part. for “that dwelt;” om. of rel. improbable); cf. Ezekiel 32:15. LXX. points “his seed” for “his arm,” but that “seed” could mean underwood (Corn.) has no probability.

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 31 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

17. They that were his arm — See note Ezekiel 30:21.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 31 →

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

They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They also went down into Sheol with him to those who are slain by the sword; yes, those who were his arm, who lived under his shadow in the middle of the nations.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Those who lived in its shade, its allies among the nations, also went down with it to Sheol, to those killed by the sword.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They also went down into Sheol with him unto them that are slain by the sword; yea, they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the nations.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain by the sword; yea, they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the nations.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

They also went down into the grave with him to them that are slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shade in the midst of the heathen.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They also went downe to hell with him vnto them that be slaine with the sworde, and his arme, and they that dwelt vnder his shadowe in the middes of the heathen.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

They also went down into Sheol with him unto them that were slain with the sword, and [that were] his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the nations.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Also they with him have gone down to sheol, Unto the pierced of the sword, And — his arm — they dwelt in his shade in the midst of nations.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Those with him have also gone down to Sheol, || To the pierced of the sword, || And—his arm—they dwelt in his shade in the midst of nations.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

They also went down with it into the tomb unto those that were slain with the sword, and its helpers that had dwelt under its shade in the midst of the nations.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For they also went down with it to Sheol, to the ones who had been killed by the sword. These were its strong arm, those nations who had lived in its shade.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For they also shall go down with him to hell to them that are slain by the sword: and the arm of every one shall sit down under his shadow in the midst of the nations.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They also went down with it into Sheol, to those who had been killed by the sword. They had been part of its army living in its shade among the nations.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And they will go down with him to the underworld, to those who have been put to the sword; even those who were his helpers, living under his shade among the nations

Word by word, the decisions they made

חַלְלֵי־cha.lei- [those] slain of H2491 2 different renderings
killedFBV NETB ULB
piercedLSV YLT

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.

clauseclausenoun phrase · subjectגַּםalsoהֵ֗םtheyprepositional phrase · prepositionalאִתּ֛withוֹitverbיָרְד֥וּthey.went.downnoun phrase · prepositionalשְׁא֖וֹלָSheolהtoprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtonoun phraseחַלְלֵי[those].slainחָ֑רֶבof.a.swordוּandclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseזְרֹע֛armוֹitsclauseverbיָשְׁב֥וּ[which].they.dweltprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseצִלּ֖shadeוֹitsprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּamongnoun phraseת֥וֹךְmidstגּוֹיִֽם[the].nations

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations." The Septuagint largely agrees with this text, matching 11 of the 13 words in a word-by-word correspondence, although it presents the phrase with its own word order and articles. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls are not mentioned here, indicating that they may not provide additional differing readings for this verse.

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

גַּם־ הֵ֗ם אִתּ֛וֹ יָרְד֥וּ שְׁא֖וֹלָה אֶל־ חַלְלֵי־ חָ֑רֶב וּזְרֹע֛וֹ יָשְׁב֥וּ בְצִלּ֖וֹ בְּת֥וֹךְ גּוֹיִֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
גַּם־καὶהֵ֗םαὐτοὶאִתּ֛וֹκατέβησανשְׁא֖וֹלָהᾅδουאֶל־ἐνחַלְלֵי־τραυματίαιςחָ֑רֶבμαξαίραςוּזְרֹע֛וֹαὐτοῦיָשְׁב֥וּκατοικοῦντεςבְצִלּ֖וֹαὐτοῦבְּת֥וֹךְμέσῳ

11 of the 13 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 31:17גַּםalsoalsoגַּםהֵ֫מָּהtheytheyהֵ֫מָּהאֵתwith itwith itאֵתיָרַדthey went dthey went downיָרַדשְׁאוֹלSheol towarSheol towardsשְׁאוֹלאֶלtotoאֶלחָלָל[those] sla[those] slain oחָלָלחֶ֫רֶבa sworda swordחֶ֫רֶבזְרוֹעַand arm itsand arm itsזְרוֹעַיָשַׁב[which] the[which] they dwיָשַׁבצֵלin shade itin shade itsצֵלתָּ֫וֶךְin amongin amongתָּ֫וֶךְגּוֹי[the] natio[the] nationsגּוֹיהֲלַךְto goto goהֲלַךְאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהשָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַלחָלַלto boreto boreחָלַלחָרֵבto dryto dryחָרֵבזָרַעto sowto sowזָרַעצָלַלto shadeto shadeצָלַלגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםמְרִיrebellionrebellionמְרִיסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶררִיבto contendto contendרִיבבְּרִיתcovenantcovenantבְּרִיתשְׁאוֹלhell: Sheohell: Sheolשְׁאוֹלבּוֹרpitpitבּוֹריָגוֹןsorrowsorrowיָגוֹןשֵׂיבָהgreyheadedgreyheadedשֵׂיבָה
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 31:17

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.

also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
גַּם־gam- also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Amplified meaning
also, even
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
הֵ֗םHem 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
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
אִתּ֛וֹ'i.To with it H854 Preposition · suffix
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Of localities

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

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

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

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

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

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

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
יָרְד֥וּya.re.Du they went down H3381 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
381× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Tyndale gloss
to go down
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to come or go down, covering various contexts such as descending from mountains, going to battle, or sinking in water. It can also refer to divine manifestations descending or being prostrated. The word has different forms including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, which indicate various nuances of bringing down or being brought down.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרַד 380 vb. come or go down, descend

Qal 306

come or go down

go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

from Jerusalem

from altar

go down

= sink, in water

go down to She’ôl

fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

= be prostrated

of divine manifestations: descend

of inanimate things

Hiph.

cause to come or go down

bring down

send down rain = cause to flow down

= lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

bring down to She’ôl

take down (from cart)

let down

Hoph.

be brought down

be taken down

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3381 יָרַד come or go down, descend .. . come or go down

. go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

. go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

. go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

. from Jerusalem

. from altar

. go down

. = sink, in water

. go down to She’ôl

. fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

. = be prostrated

. of divine manifestations: descend

. of inanimate things

. . cause to come or go down . bring down

. send down rain = cause to flow down

. = lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

. bring down to She’ôl

. take down (from cart)

. let down

. . be brought down

. be taken down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3381 yarad yaw-rad'

a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or

conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary,

the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to

bring down (in all the above applications); -X abundantly,

bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down,

fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X

indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to,

let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרַד (ya.rad) — to go down.

1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come down

1a2) to sink

1a3) to be prostrated

1a4) to come down (of revelation)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to bring down

1b2) to send down

1b3) to take down

1b4) to lay prostrate

1b5) to let down

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought down

1c2) to be taken down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
שְׁא֖וֹלָהshe.'o.lah Sheol towards H7585 Noun common both singular absolute · suffix
66× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
the underworld, grave, place of no return
Tyndale gloss
hell: Sheol
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁאוֹל (sh'owl) refers to the underworld or the realm of the dead in Hebrew. It encompasses concepts such as hell, the grave, and a pit, often associated with punishment for the wicked and a place from which the righteous are not abandoned. The term implies a location of extreme degradation and is noted for its lack of praise for God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁאוֹל, שְׁאֹל n.f. Shᵉ’ōl, underworld (√ dub.; i.e. place of inquiry)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7585 שְׁאוֹל, שְׁאֹל Shᵉ’ōl, underworld (√ dub.; i.e. place of inquiry)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7585 sh'owl sheh-ole'

or shol {sheh-ole'}; from 7592; Hades or the world of the

dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories

and inmates:--grave, hell, pit.

see HEBREW for 07592

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁאוֹל (she.ol) — hell: Sheol.

Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit

1a) the underworld

1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead

1b1) place of no return

1b2) without praise of God

1b3) wicked sent there for punishment

1b4) righteous not abandoned to it

1b5) of the place of exile (fig)

1b6) of extreme degradation in sin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper | Suff — Noun common both singular absolute · suffix
HNcbsa/Sd
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
חַלְלֵי־cha.lei- [those] slain of H2491 Adj
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Amplified meaning
killed, pierced
Tyndale gloss
slain: killed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָלָל (chalal) primarily means 'pierced' or 'slain,' often in a context of fatal wounding. It can also refer to something that is 'profaned' or 'defiled.' The word is built from the root associated with piercing and carries both literal and figurative meanings related to death and pollution.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָלָל 90 n.m. pierced

pierced, fatally wounded

slain

base

חָלָל adj. profaned

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2491a חָלָל pierced H2491b חָלָל profaned

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2491 chalal khaw-lawl'

from 2490; pierced (especially to death); figuratively,

polluted:--kill, profane, slain (man), X slew, (deadly)

wounded.

see HEBREW for 02490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: killed.

: killed

1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced

1a) pierced, fatally wounded

1b) slain

Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)

חָלָל (cha.lal) — profaned.

adj

1) (CLBL) profaned

1a) defiled, profaned (by divorce)

חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: wounded.

: wounded

1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced

1a) pierced, fatally wounded

1b) slain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampc
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…

also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
חָ֑רֶבCha.rev a sword H2719 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
413× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Amplified meaning
cutting instrument
Tyndale gloss
sword
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2719 chereb kheh'-reb

from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its

destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp

implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.

see HEBREW for 02717

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.

1) sword, knife

1a) sword

1b) knife

1c) tools for cutting stone

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

sord.

See ARMOR, III, 5.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sword

Of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex. 32:27; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1 Chr. 21:27; Ps. 149:6: Prov. 5:4; Ezek. 16:40; 21:3-5).

It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deut. 32:25; Ps. 7:12; 78:62), and of a slanderous tongue (Ps. 57:4; 64:3; Prov. 12:18). The word of God is likened also to a…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[ARMS, ARMOR]

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used by

Gideon Jud 7:20

Goliath 1Sa 21:9

Peter Mt 26:51; Joh 18:10

→ David' s army equipped with 1Ch 21:5

→ To be beaten into plowshares Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3

→ Made of plowshares Joe 3:10

→ Two-edged Heb 4:12; Re 1:16; 2:12

→ FIGURATIVE

Of war Ge 27:40

also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
וּזְרֹע֛וֹu.ze.ro.'O and arm its H2220 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
91× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for arm refers to the arm as stretched out, symbolizing strength, force, or power, as seen in the KJV translations of arm, mighty, and strength.
Amplified meaning
arm, helpers, supporters
Tyndale gloss
arm
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זְרוֹעַ (z'roa) refers to an arm or shoulder, often symbolizing strength. It can denote the physical arm, the shoulder of a sacrificed animal, or military and political forces. The word is derived from a root meaning to stretch out, indicating both physical and metaphorical strength.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זְרוֹעַ, זְרֹעַ n.f. and (rare) m. arm, shoulder, strength

arm

arm, as symbol of strength

Pl. forces, political and military

Shoulder of animal sacrificed, belonging to priest

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2220 זְרוֹעַ, זְרֹעַ arm, shoulder, strength . arm

. arm, as symbol of strength

. Pl. forces, political and military

. Shoulder of animal sacrificed, belonging to priest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2220 zrowa` zer-o'-ah

or (shortened) zroao {zer-o'-ah}; and (feminine) zrowpah

{zer-o-aw'}; or zrowah {zer-o-aw'}; from 2232; the arm (as

stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively,

force:--arm, + help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.

see HEBREW for 02232

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זְרוֹעַ (ze.ro.a) — arm.

1) arm, forearm, shoulder, strength

1a) arm

1b) arm (as symbol of strength)

1c) forces (political and military)

1d) shoulder (of animal sacrificed)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-cs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
יָשְׁב֥וּya.she.Vu [which] they dwelt H3427 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
בְצִלּ֖וֹve.tzi.Lo in shade its H6738 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A shadow refers to a dark area, often providing shade or protection, like the shadow of a tree in Isaiah 4:6. It can also symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as mentioned in Psalm 102:11.
Amplified meaning
shadow, protection
Tyndale gloss
shadow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֵל (tsel) means 'shadow' or 'shade,' encompassing both literal and figurative uses. It can refer to a physical shadow, as well as a protective shade or a symbol of life's transience. The word is derived from a root meaning to shade, and it is related to another term, צֵלֶל (tselel), which also means 'shadow.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6738 צֵל shadow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6738 tsel tsale

from 6751; shade, whether literal or figurative:--defence,

shade(-ow).

see HEBREW for 06751

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֵל (tsel) — shadow.

1) shadow, shade

1a) shadow (on dial)

1b) shadow, shade (as protection)

1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life)

Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
בְּת֥וֹךְbe.Tokh in among H8432 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
418× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Tyndale gloss
midst
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּ֫וֶךְ (tavek) means 'midst' or 'middle,' indicating a central position or location. It can also imply being 'among' or 'between' things, particularly in contexts involving separation or division. The term appears in various forms, such as 'into' or 'through,' especially after verbs of motion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּ֫וֶךְ 416 subst. midst

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8432 תָּ֫וֶךְ subst. midst

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8432 tavek taw'-vek

from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by

implication) the centre:--among(-st), X between, half, X

(there- ,where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among),

X out (of), X through, X with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּ֫וֶךְ (ta.vekh) — midst.

1) midst, middle

1a) midst, middle

1b) into, through (after verbs of motion)

1c) among (of a number of persons)

1d) between (of things arranged by twos)

1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

AMONG',

AMONGST', preposition [Gr. See Mingle.]

1. In a general or primitive sense, mixed or mingled with; as tares among wheat.

2. Conjoined or associated with, or making part of the number.

Blessed art thou among women. Luke 1:1.

3. Of the number; as, there is not one among a thousand, possessing the like qualities.

{ A‐mong″ , A‐mongst″ , } prep. [OE. amongist, amonges, amonge, among, AS. onmang, ongemang, gemang, in a crowd or mixture. For the ending -st see Amidst. See Mingle.] 1. Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.

They heard,

And from his presence hid themselves among

The thickest trees.

Milton.

2. Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.

Blessed art thou among women.

Luke i. 28.

3. Expressing a relation of dispersion, distribution, etc.; also, a relation of reciprocal action.

What news among the merchants?

Shak.

also they with it they went down Sheol towards to [those] slain of a sword and arm its [which] they dwelt in shade its in among [the] nations
גּוֹיִֽם׃go.Yim [the] 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
Gentiles, heathen, non-Hebrew 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.

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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