Menu

Ezekiel 32:21 — Word Study

Depth

WLCיְדַבְּרוּ־ ל֞וֹ אֵלֵ֧י גִבּוֹרִ֛ים מִתּ֥וֹךְ שְׁא֖וֹל אֶת־ עֹֽזְרָ֑יו יָֽרְד֛וּ שָׁכְב֥וּ הָעֲרֵלִ֖ים חַלְלֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃

BSAMightygibbôwr [strong, powerful] will speakdâbar [communicate, declare] from the midsttâvek [center, heart] of Sheolshᵉʼôwl [the underworld, grave, place of no return] about [Egypt]ʼêth and her alliesʻâzar [helpers, assistants] They have come downyârad [descended, fallen] and lieshâkab [rest, sleep] with the uncircumcisedʻârêl [those without God's covenant, heathen, those still having their foreskin] with those slainchâlâl [killed, pierced] by the swordchereb [cutting instrument, weapon]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 32
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 21 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 (Cha.rev) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 32:21quick helps
In a sentenceMighty chiefs from Sheol declare about Egypt and her allies.
Who is speakingMighty chiefs, described as powerful leaders.
Where we areIn Sheol, the realm of the dead.
The hard wordגִבּוֹרִ֛ים
Take awayThe dead acknowledge their fate.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbדָבַר 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 32:21

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

20They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes.
21Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’
22Assyria is there with her whole company; her graves are all around her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword.
23Her graves are set in the depths of the Pit, and her company is all around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword— those who once spread terror in the land of the living.

Ezekiel 32:21 describes the mighty chiefs in Sheol speaking about Egypt and her allies, indicating their fall and defeat. This passage is part of a larger prophecy where God declares judgment against nations, emphasizing the fate of those who oppose Him. The context reveals the seriousness of their situation as they lie with the uncircumcised, highlighting their status in death.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ezekiel 32:27They do not lie down with the fallen warriors of old, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads, whose shields rested on their bones, although the terror of the mighty was once in the land of the living.
2Isaiah 1:31The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.
3Isaiah 14:9–10Sheol 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.
4Luke 16:23–24In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.
5Ezekiel 32:19–24Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be placed with the uncircumcised!

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


The Key Word גִבּוֹרִ֛ים, gi.bo.Rimgenerated

The word גִבּוֹר (gibbor) describes a strong or mighty individual, often a warrior or champion. It is a noun in the masculine plural form, indicating a group of powerful figures. This word is frequently used in contexts that emphasize strength and valor, such as in battles or leadership roles.

In this verse, the chiefs are depicted as mighty ones, emphasizing their power even in the realm of the dead. The term carries connotations of their former strength and authority, now rendered powerless in Sheol.


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 mighty chiefs, which is echoed in the KJV and ASV.

Where they part company is גִבּוֹרִ֛יםstrong (ASV, KJV) versus powerful (FBV). The translations agree on the portrayal of these figures as mighty leaders.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יְדַבְּרוּ (they will speak) governs the main clause, with several phrases providing additional information about the speakers and their context. The structure emphasizes the action of speaking from Sheol, indicating a significant proclamation from the dead.

The sentence unfolds with a subject (the mighty chiefs), a prepositional phrase indicating their location (from the midst of Sheol), and further details about their message concerning Egypt and her allies.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְדַבְּרוּ as σοι, indicating a direct address in the Greek, which may suggest a more personal engagement with the audience. This choice emphasizes the communication aspect of the chiefs' speech.

The Greek word γίγαντες for גִבּוֹרִ֛ים suggests a broader interpretation of might, potentially indicating not just strength but also a formidable presence.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 32:21 shows mighty chiefs in Sheol speaking about Egypt and her allies, saying they have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, those slain by the sword. This verse highlights the fate of the dead and their acknowledgment of their circumstances.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for the chiefs to speak from Sheol?

It signifies that even in death, these mighty leaders acknowledge their fate and the consequences of their actions.

Why are the uncircumcised mentioned?

The uncircumcised represent those outside of God's covenant, emphasizing the separation between the faithful and those who have rejected God's ways.

What is the significance of the sword in this context?

The sword symbolizes death and violence, indicating that these leaders have fallen in battle and are now in Sheol.

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

It reflects God's judgment against nations, highlighting the consequences of rebellion against Him and the fate that awaits those who oppose His will.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the acknowledgment of the mighty chiefs in Sheol teach us about the consequences of our actions?
  2. How can we understand the significance of being 'uncircumcised' in our own lives today?
  3. In what ways do we see the themes of death and judgment reflected in our world?
  4. How can we apply the lessons from this passage about leadership and responsibility in our own lives?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 32:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him,.... The strongest of them, such who have excelled others in strength and courage, famous for military exploits, who have been generals of armies, great

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 32 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 32 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The prophet seems in this verse to introduce the next speakers in this parley, and bringing them in, gives their character. The strong; the powerful, the valiant, whose natural strength of body was great, and their courage greater, those that were strongest. Among the mighty; for feats they did, by which it appeared they might compared with others, pass for giants, mighty warriors. conquerors, and riders. Shall speak to him, the king of Egypt. Hell; or rather, the grave, where they lie without strength, as dead mortals, though while they lived they bore themselves as if gods and immortal. Them that help him; either these great ones shall speak to Hophra’ s helpers, or else these his…

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 32 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.Ver. 21. The strong among the mighty.] Who might have seen many fair summers, had they not been cut off by Pharaoh’ s sword. Shall speak to him out of the midst of hell.] What they say to him, see Isaiah 14:10, where we have the like personification in poetry.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 32 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) Speak to him.—The pronoun oscillates between the masculine and the feminine, because the thought is partly of the king and partly of the kingdom. The pronoun is determined by whichever is for the moment uppermost in the prophet’s mind. On Hell, see Note on Ezekiel 31:16-17. It occurs also at Ezekiel 32:27.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 32 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 21. Out of the midst of hell] שאול sheol, the catacombs, the place of burial. There is something here similar to Isaiah 14:9, where the descent of the king of Babylon to the state of the dead is described.

Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 32 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

21. The Pharaoh and his multitude are supposed here to have descended into Sheòl, and the “mighty ones” already there address them (Isaiah 14:8; Isaiah 14:10) or speak of them. The strong among the mighty] lit. the strong of the mighty, where “strong” is not a class among the mighty, but identical with them—the strong mighty ones (gen. of appos.). In LXX. “strong” is wanting as in Ezekiel 32:27. The word “strong” is that rendered mighty one of the nations, Ezekiel 31:11. It is probably entirely different (though the same in spelling) from the word God, Ezekiel 28:2, and from the phrase “mighty God,” Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 10:21. speak to him] Or, of him. The words that follow seem spoken in…

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 32 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The uncircumcised - throughout this dirge is equivalent to pagan viewed as impure (Ezekiel 31:18 note).

Read Albert Barnes on Ezekiel 32 →

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

Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The strong among the mighty will speak to him out of the middle of Sheol with those who help him. They have gone down. The uncircumcised lie still, slain by the sword.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’

NETBNew English Translation2006

The bravest of the warriors will speak to him from the midst of Sheol along with his allies, saying: ‘The uncircumcised have come down; they lie still, killed by the sword.’

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of Sheol with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of the grave with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The most mighty and strong shall speake to him out of the mids of hell with them that helpe her: they are gone downe and sleepe with the vncircumcised that be slaine by the sworde.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The strong among the mighty, with them that helped him, shall speak to him out of the midst of Sheol: they are gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Speak to him do the gods of the mighty out of the midst of sheol, With his helpers — they have gone down, They have lain with the uncircumcised, The pierced of the sword.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The gods of the mighty speak to him out of the midst of Sheol, || With his helpers—they have gone down, || They have lain with the uncircumcised, || The pierced of the sword.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then will speak of him the strongest among the mighty out of the midst of the nether world with those that once helped him, They are gone down, there lie the uncircumcised,—slain by the sword.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The strongest of the warriors in Sheol will declare about Egypt and her allies, 'They have come down here! They will lie with the uncircumcised, with those who were killed by the sword.'

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The most mighty among the strong ones shall speak to him from the midst of hell, they that went down with his helpers, and slept uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Powerful chiefs will speak from Sheol about Egypt and its allies: ‘They have come down here and lie with the heathen, with those killed by the sword.’

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The strong among the great ones will say to him from the underworld, Are you more beautiful than any? go down, you and your helpers, and take your rest among those without circumcision, and those who have been put to the sword.

Word by word, the decisions they made

גִבּוֹרִ֛יםgi.bo.Rim [the] mighty [ones] H1368 2 different renderings
strongASV BBE DBY DRA GNV KJV NWB RVA WEB
powerfulFBV
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.

clauseverbיְדַבְּרוּthey.will.speakprepositional phrase · prepositionalל֞toוֹhimnoun phrase · subjectאֵלֵ֧י[the].leadersגִבּוֹרִ֛יםof.[the].mighty.[ones]prepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phraseתּ֥וֹךְthe.midstשְׁא֖וֹלof.Sheolprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶתwithnoun phraseעֹֽזְרָ֑יhelpersוhisclauseclauseverbיָֽרְד֛וּthey.have.come.downclauseverbשָׁכְב֥וּthey.have.lain.downnoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseהָthe.uncircumcisedעֲרֵלִ֖ים[men]noun phraseחַלְלֵיslainחָֽרֶבof.a.sword

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 agree on the core content of the verse, though the Septuagint's word order and phrasing differ. The primary message about the mighty chiefs speaking from Sheol remains consistent across both texts.

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

יְדַבְּרוּ־ ל֞וֹ אֵלֵ֧י גִבּוֹרִ֛ים מִתּ֥וֹךְ שְׁא֖וֹל אֶת־ עֹֽזְרָ֑יו יָֽרְד֛וּ שָׁכְב֥וּ הָעֲרֵלִ֖ים חַלְלֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
ל֞וֹσοιאֵלֵ֧יοἱגִבּוֹרִ֛יםγίγαντεςמִתּ֥וֹךְβάθειשְׁא֖וֹלβόθρουיָֽרְד֛וּκατάβηθιהָעֲרֵלִ֖יםἀπεριτμήτωνחַלְלֵי־τραυματιῶνחָֽרֶב׃μαξαίρας

9 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 32:21דָבַרthey will sthey will speakדָבַרוֹto himto himוֹאַ֫יִל[the] leade[the] leaders oאַ֫יִלגִּבּוֹר[the] might[the] mighty [oגִּבּוֹרתָּ֫וֶךְfrom [the] from [the] midsתָּ֫וֶךְשְׁאוֹלSheolSheolשְׁאוֹלאֵתwithwithאֵתעָזַרhelpers hishelpers hisעָזַריָרַדthey have cthey have come יָרַדשָׁכַבthey have lthey have lain שָׁכַבעָרֵלthe uncircuthe uncircumcisעָרֵלחָלָל[those] sla[those] slain oחָלָלחֶ֫רֶבa sworda swordחֶ֫רֶבשָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַלאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהחָלַלto boreto boreחָלַלחָרֵבto dryto dryחָרֵבאוּלstrengthstrengthאוּלגֶּ֫בֶרgreat mangreat manגֶּ֫בֶרעָרַלbe uncircube uncircumciseעָרַלמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןעַתּוּדgoatgoatעַתּוּדכֶּ֫בֶשׂlamblambכֶּ֫בֶשׂחַ֫יִלHelechHelechחַ֫יִלמִלְחָמָהbattlebattleמִלְחָמָהגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּרגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּריָגוֹןsorrowsorrowיָגוֹןשֵׂיבָהgreyheadedgreyheadedשֵׂיבָהרִיבto contendto contendרִיב
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 32:21

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.

they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
יְדַבְּרוּ־ye.da.be.ru- they will speak H1696 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Amplified meaning
communicate, declare
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVpi3mp
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
ל֞וֹlo to him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
אֵלֵ֧י'e.Lei [the] leaders of H352 Noun common · masculine plural construct
187× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Tyndale gloss
ram
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִל (ayil) encompasses several meanings, including 'ram,' 'projecting pillar or pilaster,' 'leader or chief,' and 'terebinth.' It is derived from a root meaning strength, suggesting a connection to might and support. The term appears in various contexts, reflecting its diverse applications in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִל 156 n.m. ram (as leader of flock)

base

אַ֫יִל n.[m.] projecting pillar or pilaster

base

[אַ֫יִל ?] n.m. leader, chief

base

[אַ֫יִל ?] n.m. terebinth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H352a אַ֫יִל ram H352b אַ֫יִל projecting pillar or pilaster H352c אַ֫יִל leader, chief H352d אַ֫יִל terebinth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

352 'ayil ah'-yil

from the same as 193; properly, strength; hence, anything

strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from

his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or

other strong tree:--mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram,

tree.

see HEBREW for 0193

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — ram.

1) ram

1a) ram (as food)

1b) ram (as sacrifice)

1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — pillar.

pillar, door post, jambs, pilaster

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — leader.

strong man, leader, chief

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — terebinth.

mighty tree, terebinth

Aramaic equivalent: i.lan (אִילָן "tree" H0363)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — 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…

they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
גִבּוֹרִ֛יםgi.bo.Rim [the] mighty [ones] H1368 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
159× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Amplified meaning
strong, powerful
Tyndale gloss
mighty man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּבּוֹר (gibbor) means strong or mighty, and can refer to a powerful person, such as a warrior or chief. It is built from a root that implies strength and valor, covering meanings related to strength and bravery. The entries consistently emphasize its use to describe a strong man or mighty figure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּבּוֹר 159 adj. strong, mighty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1368 גִּבּוֹר strong, mighty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1368 gibbowr ghib-bore'

or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same

as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:--

champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one),

strong (man), valiant man.

see HEBREW for 01397

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) — mighty man.

adj

1) strong, mighty

n m

2) strong man, brave man, mighty man

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
מִתּ֥וֹךְmi.Tokh from [the] midst of 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.
Amplified meaning
center, heart
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
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…

they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
שְׁא֖וֹלshe.'ol Sheol H7585 Noun common · both singular absolute
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 — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

she'-ol (she'ol):

1. The Name

2. The Abode of the Dead

(1) Not a State of Unconsciousness

(2) Not Removed from God's Jurisdiction

(3) Relation to Immortality

3. Post-canonical Period

1. The Name:

This word is often translated in the King James Version "grave" (e.g. Ge 37:35; 1Sa 2:6; Job 7:9; 14:13; Ps 6:5; 49:14; Isa 14:11, etc.) or "hell" (e.g. De 32:22; Ps 9:17; 18:5; Isa 14:9; Am 9:2, etc.); in 3 places by "pit"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sheol

(Heb., “the all-demanding world” = Gr. Hades, “the unknown region”), the invisible world of departed souls. (See HELL.)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ See HELL (Hades)

they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
אֶת־'et- with H854 Preposition
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 — Preposition
HR
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
עֹֽזְרָ֑יו'o.ze.Rav helpers his H5826 Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
81× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To help or aid is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to describe God's protection or assistance. It is used in the Psalms to express trust in God's help and in the book of Exodus to describe God's aid to the Israelites.
Amplified meaning
helpers, assistants
Tyndale gloss
to help
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to help or succour. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of surrounding or protecting. The entries indicate its use in various forms: Qal (to help), Niphal (to be helped), and Hiphil (to help). The word captures the essence of providing support or aid.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָזַר] 82 vb. help, succour

Qal help

Niph. I am helped

Hiph. v. Qal.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5826 [עָזַר] help, succour

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5826 `azar aw-zar'

a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help,

succour.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָזַר (a.zar) — to help.

1) to help, succour, support

1a) (Qal) to help

1b) (Niphal) to be helped

1c) (Hiphil) to help

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal | Suff — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
HVqrmpc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
יָֽרְד֛וּya.re.Du they have come 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.
Amplified meaning
descended, fallen
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
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
שָׁכְב֥וּsha.khe.Vu they have lain down H7901 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
212× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Amplified meaning
rest, sleep
Tyndale gloss
to lie down: lay down
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁכַב (shakab) is a primitive root meaning 'to lie down.' It covers a range of meanings including resting, lodging, engaging in sexual relations, and lying down in death. The word appears in various forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of lying down. Notably, it can also figuratively mean to relax.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁכַב 212 vb. lie down

Qal

lie down

= lodge (for night)

of sexual relations, lie with

lie down in death

esp. in phr. lie down with his fathers

fig. = relax

Niph. Pu. = be lain with (sexually; subj. women), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph. Pu. q.v.

Hiph. lay

Hoph. laid

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7901 שָׁכַב lie down .. lie down

. = lodge (for night)

. of sexual relations, lie with

. . lie down in death

. esp. in phr. lie down with his fathers

. fig. = relax

. Pu. = be lain with (sexually; subj. women), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph. Pu. q.v.

. lay

. laid

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7901 shakab shaw-kab'

a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection,

decease or any other purpose):--X at all, cast down,

((lover-))lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to

sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: lay down.

: lay_down/lie_with

1) to lie down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on

1a2) to lodge

1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)

1a4) to lie down (in death)

1a5) to rest, relax (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)

1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)

1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down

1e) (Hophal) to be laid

שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: sleep.

: sleep/rest

1) to lie down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on

1a2) to lodge

1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)

1a4) to lie down (in death)

1a5) to rest, relax (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)

1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)

1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down

1e) (Hophal) to be laid

שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: have sex.

: have_sex

1) to lie down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on

1a2) to lodge

1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)

1a4) to lie down (in death)

1a5) to rest, relax (fig)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
הָעֲרֵלִ֖יםha.'a.re.Lim the uncircumcised [men] H6189 Particle
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes someone who is uncircumcised, meaning they still have their foreskin. It is used to distinguish between Jews and non-Jews, as seen in Acts 7.
Amplified meaning
those without God's covenant, heathen, those still having their foreskin
Tyndale gloss
uncircumcised
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָרֵל (arel) means 'uncircumcised' or 'having foreskin.' It is derived from a root that implies being exposed or projecting, specifically referring to the prepuce. The term is used technically in contexts related to circumcision.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָרֵל 35 adj. having foreskin, i.e. uncircumcised

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6189 עָרֵל having foreskin, i.e. uncircumcised

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6189 `arel aw-rale'

rom 6188; properly, exposed, i.e. projecting loose (as to the

prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e. still

having the prepuce uncurtailed):--uncircumcised (person).

see HEBREW for 06188

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָרֵל (a.rel) — uncircumcised.

uncircumcised, having foreskin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Aampa
they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
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…

they will speak to him [the] leaders of [the] mighty [ones] from [the] midst of Sheol with helpers his they have come down they have lain down the uncircumcised [men] [those] slain of a sword
חָֽרֶב׃Cha.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, weapon
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

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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate