Ezekiel 34:5 — Word Study
WLCוַתְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה מִבְּלִ֣י רֹעֶ֑ה וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה לְאָכְלָ֛ה לְכָל־ חַיַּ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וַתְּפוּצֶֽינָה׃
BSAThey were scatteredpûwts▸ [without a guide, dispersed] for lack ofbᵉlîy a shepherdrâʻâh [a caregiver, a leader] and when they were scatteredpûwts▸ [dispersed, wandered] they becamehâyâh▸ foodʼoklâh [sustenance, prey] for allkôl [every kind of] the wildsâdeh beastschay [ferocious animals, predators]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַתְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה | and they have been scattered | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine plural |
| מִבְּלִ֣י | because not | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| רֹעֶ֑ה | a shepherd | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה | and they have become | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine plural |
| לְאָכְלָ֛ה | food | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| לְכָל־ | for every | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| חַיַּ֥ת | animal of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה | the field | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וַתְּפוּצֶֽינָה׃ | and they have been scattered | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. |
| KJV | And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. |
| ASV | And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. |
| YLT | And they are scattered from want of a shepherd, And are for food to every beast of the field, Yea, they are scattered. |
| WEB | They were scattered, because there was no shepherd. They became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. |
| BBE | And they were wandering in every direction because there was no keeper: and they became food for all the beasts of the field. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the scattering of the flock due to the lack of a shepherd.
The sentence structure consists of a main clause followed by a reason and a consequence, illustrating the relationship between the absence of leadership and the vulnerability of the flock.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectרָעָה
verbפּוּץ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 34:5
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 Shepherds of Israelgenerated
Ezekiel 34:5 reveals the dire situation of the people of Israel, who are likened to a flock scattered without guidance. This scattering leads to their vulnerability, as they become prey for wild beasts. The surrounding verses emphasize the neglect of the shepherds, who failed to care for the weak and lost, leading to the people's suffering and disarray. This passage serves as a critique of leadership and the consequences of failing to protect and nurture those in one's care.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 34:6 | My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’ |
| 2 | Ezekiel 33:21–28 | In the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, “The city has been taken!” |
| 3 | 1 Kings 22:17 | So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 18:16 | So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 23:2 | Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פּוּץ, va.te.fu.Tzei.nahgenerated
The verb פּוּץ (puwts) means to scatter or disperse. It conveys the idea of breaking apart, either physically or figuratively, and is applicable to groups of people or things. The parsing indicates that it is in the sequential imperfect tense, third person feminine plural, suggesting that the action has ongoing implications for the flock.
This word captures the essence of the flock's plight: they are not just scattered but are left vulnerable and exposed. The absence of a shepherd leads to their disarray, highlighting the importance of leadership in maintaining the safety and unity of the community.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.' The KJV and ASV agree with this wording.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in the verse is תְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה, they have been scattered, which governs the entire sentence. Following this, there is a prepositional phrase indicating the reason for the scattering, מִבְּלִ֣י רֹעֶ֑ה, for lack of a shepherd, and a second clause that describes the consequence of this scattering: וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה לְאָכְלָ֛ה, they became food.
The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship: the lack of a shepherd leads to scattering, which in turn results in the flock becoming prey. This illustrates the interconnectedness of leadership and the well-being of the community.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates פּוּץ as διεσπάρη, which also means 'to scatter.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the action of scattering in a similar context.
The use of ποιμένας for 'shepherd' in the LXX aligns with the Hebrew, reinforcing the idea of leadership and care that is absent in the situation described.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 34:5 describes how the people of Israel were scattered because they lacked a shepherd. This scattering made them vulnerable, as they became food for wild beasts. The surrounding verses highlight the failures of the shepherds who did not care for the weak or seek out the lost.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that the people were left without guidance or protection, making them vulnerable to dangers.
The shepherd symbolizes leaders or caregivers who are responsible for the well-being of their community.
Being scattered leads to vulnerability, as the flock becomes prey for wild beasts, reflecting the dangers of neglect.
It serves as a warning to leaders about the importance of caring for those they lead and the consequences of failing to do so.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can leaders today ensure they are caring for those they lead?
- How does the concept of being scattered apply to communities in our world today?
- What are some practical steps we can take to support those who feel lost or vulnerable?
- How can we learn from the failures of the shepherds mentioned in this passage?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Pachomius the Great references this verse to encourage spiritual struggle and redemption during Passover, highlighting its significance in the context of care and guidance.
Let us struggle, my beloved, during these six days of the Passover, for they are given to us each year for the redemption of our souls,Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 34 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 34:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd they were scattered because there is no shepherd,.... No good one; there were shepherds, but they were idol shepherds, good for nothing, and it was all one as if there were none: so, in Christ's
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey, my neglected sheep, were scattered, by the inroads and invasions of their enemies, that broke in like devouring beasts. No shepherd; no vigilant, faithful, good shepherd that loved the flock, and of love studied its welfare. Became meat; were made a prey of, and devoured by Syrians, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, &c., all their neighbours might the devour them. The beasts, signify men, troops of robbers, and spoilers. When they were scattered; as sheep scattered are easily devoured by every hungry wolf or fox.
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 34:5 And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.Ver. 5. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd.] None but an idol shepherd, a foolish shepherd; and the sheep, being a foolish creature, even to a proverb, and apt to wander into harm’ s way, will never return to the fold, if not fetched back, but stick in the thorns, or die in a ditch, or run into the wolf’ s mouth. προβατωνηθος; and προβατιουβιονζην.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 34 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) They were scattered, because. . . .—The calamities of the people are attributed to the fault of the rulers, not because the people themselves were free from sin—the contrary has already been abundantly asserted in this book—but because the people’s sins were largely due to the evil example, the idolatries, the oppressions, and the disobedience of their rulers.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. And they were scattered] There was no discipline kept up; and the flock, the Church, became disorganized, and separated from each other, both in affection and fellowship. And the consequence was, the grievous wolves, false and worldly interested teachers, seized on and made a prey of them. Of the communion of saints such shepherds know nothing, farther than that it makes a part of the common creed.
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. The allegory is simple enough. Owing to the evil and selfish government of the rulers the people became the prey of all the nations round about them. The figure of the flock indicates, however, the affection of Jehovah for his people and his compassion over their sufferings.
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 34 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible1-10. The shepherds of the people, instead of feeding the flock, were feeding upon the flock, eating the fat (LXX., milk), and living in ease and luxury, while “my sheep” (Ezekiel 34:5, LXX.) were
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 34 →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
They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.
They were scattered, because there was no shepherd. They became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered.
They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.
They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast.
Tyndale line
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became food to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
And they were scattered without a shepherde: and when they were dispersed, they were deuoured of all the beastes of the fielde.
Strictly literal
And they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
And they are scattered from want of a shepherd, And are for food to every beast of the field, Yea, they are scattered.
And they are scattered from want of a shepherd, || And are for food to every beast of the field, || Indeed, they are scattered.
And they were scattered for want of a shepherd; and they became food unto all the beasts of the field, and they were scattered.
Then they were scattered without a shepherd, and they became food for all the living beasts in the fields, after they were scattered.
From the Latin
And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became the prey of all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
Simplified
They were scattered because they didn't have a shepherd. When they scattered they were preyed on by all the wild animals for food.
And they were wandering in every direction because there was no keeper: and they became food for all the beasts of the field.
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: וַתְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה מִבְּלִ֣י רֹעֶ֑ה וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה לְאָכְלָ֛ה לְכָל־ חַיַּ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וַתְּפוּצֶֽינָה׃. The Septuagint matches 7 of the 9 words in this verse, indicating a close alignment between the two texts.
וַתְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה מִבְּלִ֣י רֹעֶ֑ה וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה לְאָכְלָ֛ה לְכָל־ חַיַּ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וַתְּפוּצֶֽינָה׃
7 of the 9 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.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 34:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word פּוּץ (puwts) primarily means to scatter or disperse, applicable to both people and armies. It can also convey the idea of flowing or overflowing. The noun form מֵפִיץ (mephits) refers to a scatterer. Additionally, it has connotations of breaking or shattering, as seen in related forms.
[פּוּץ] vb. be dispersed, scattered
Qal be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
Niph.
be scattered, of army
be spread abroad, of peoples
Hiph.
trans. scatter
intrans. scatter
base
מֵפִיץ n.m. scatterer, disperser
base
פּוּץ vb. flow, overflow
base
[פָּצַץ] vb. break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush)
Pō‛. a hammer which shatters rock.
Pilp. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
base
H6327a פּוּץ be dispersed, scattered .be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
. . be scattered, of army
. be spread abroad, of peoples
. . trans. scatter
. intrans. scatter
H6327b מֵפִיץ scatterer, disperser H6327c פּוּץ flow, overflow H6327d [פָּצַץ] break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush) . a hammer which shatters rock.
. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
6327 puwts poots
a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or
figuratively (especially to disperse):--break (dash, shake)
in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive,
retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad.
פּוּץ (puts) — to scatter.
1) to scatter, be dispersed, be scattered
1a) (Qal) to be dispersed, be scattered
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be scattered
1b2) to be spread abroad
1c) (Hiphil) to scatter
1d) Hithpael) scatter
מֵפִיץ (me.phits) — scatterer.
n.m.
scatterer
פּוּץ (puts) — to flow.
(Qal) to flow, overflow
פָּצַץ (pa.tsats) — to shatter.
1) to break
1a) (Polel) to shatter
1b) (Pilpel) to dash to pieces
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine pluralHc/Vqw3fp
בְּלִי (bli) refers to a state of wearing out or destruction, and serves as an adverb of negation meaning 'without' or 'not.' It is derived from the root meaning failure and can indicate absence or lack in various contexts.
בְּלִי subst. wearing out, hence
fig. destruction
defect, failure, hence adv. of negation
base
H1097 בְּלִי subst. wearing out, hence . fig. destruction
. defect, failure, hence adv. of negation
1097 bliy bel-ee'
from 1086; properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction;
usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as
long as, etc.:--corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where
no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without.
see HEBREW for 01086
בְּלִי (be.li) — without.
subst
1) wearing out
adv of negation
2) without, no, not
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
The Hebrew word רָעָה (*ra'ah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to tend or pasture a flock. It covers a range of meanings including to graze, rule, associate with, and befriend. The term appears in contexts related to shepherding and companionship, with a specific mention of the 'binding-house of shepherds' in 2 Kings 10:12.
בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים perh. n.pr.loc. (binding-house of the shepherds) 2 K 10:12
base
רָעָה 167 vb. pasture, tend, graze
Qal
trans.
intrans.
Niph. poss.
Hiph. v.
base
[רָעָה] vb. prob. associate with
Qal cherish faithfulness
Hithp. do not make companionship with a bad-tempered man
base
[רָעָה] vb. denom. Pi. be a special friend;—Ju 14:20
ref
H7462a בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים binding-house of shepherds H7462b רָעָה pasture, tend, graze H7462c רָעָה prob. associate with H7462d רָעָה vb. denom. Pi. be a special friend
7462 ra`ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it;
intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);
generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a
friend):--X break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat
up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with,
herdman, keep (sheep)(-er), pastor, + shearing house,
shepherd, wander, waste.
בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים (bet-e.qed ha.ro.im) — House of Shepherds.
Ra'ah = "pasturing"
perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"
רָעָה (ra.ah) — to pasture.
1) to pasture, tend, graze, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to tend, pasture
1a1a) to shepherd
1a1b) of ruler, teacher (fig)
1a1c) of people as flock (fig)
1a1d) shepherd, herdsman (subst)
1a2) to feed, graze
1a2a) of cows, sheep etc (literal)
1a2b) of idolater, Israel as flock (fig)
1b) (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess
Also means: ro.i (רֹעִי "to shepherd" H7473)
רָעָה (ra.ah) — to accompany.
1) to associate with, be a friend of (meaning probable)
1a) (Qal) to associate with
1b) (Hithpael) to be companions
רָעָה (ra.ah) — to befriend.
(Piel) to be a special friend
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
shep'-erd (ro`eh, ro`i; poimen, "a feeder"): The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself (Ge 4:4; 30:40; compare Eze 34:12), but more often he delegates the work to his children (Ge 29:9; 1Sa 16:19; 17:15) or relatives (Ge 31:6). In such cases the sheep have good care because the keepers have a personal interest in the well-being of the animals, but when they are attended by a hireling (1Sa 17:20) the flocks may be neglected or abused (Isa 56:10,11; Eze…
Shepherd
A word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word “pastor” is used instead (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Ps. 23:1; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; 44:28; Jer. 25:34, 35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11, 14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4).
In a nomadic state of society every man, from the sheikh down to the slave, is more or less a shepherd. The progenitors of the Jews in the patriarchal age were nomads, and their history is rich in scenes of pastoral life. The occupation of tending the flocks was undertaken,not only by the sons of wealthy chiefs, (Genesis 30:29) ff.; Genesis37:12 ff., but even by their daughters. (Genesis 29:6,8; Exodus 2:10) The Egyptian captivity did march to implant a love of settled abode, and consequently we find the tribes which still retained a taste for shepherd life selecting their own quarters apart from their brethren in the transjordanic district. (
Or PASTOR.
Abel was a keeper of sheep, Ge 4:2, as were the greater number of the ancient patriarchs. When men began to multiply, and to follow different employments, Jabal son of Lamech was acknowledged as father, that is, founder of shepherd and nomads, Ge 4:20. A large part of the wealth of ancient patriarchs consisted in flocks and herds, the care of which was shared by their sons, daughters, and servants. Rachel the bride of Jacob was a shepherdess, Ge 29:6; his sons, the fathers of the tribes of Israel were shepherds, and so was David their king, Ps 78:70-72. The employment is highly honored in the Bible, Lu 2:8-20. In…
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine pluralHc/Vqw3fp
be-kum':
(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.
(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.
אָכְלָה (okhlah) refers to food or eating, with a focus on consumption. It can denote devouring by wild beasts or figuratively represent ravaged people, as well as consuming in fire. The term is feminine and is derived from a related word, אֹכֶל (okhel), which also pertains to food.
אָכְלָה 17 n.f. food, eating
esp. in phr.
devouring, by wild beasts, only fig. of ravaged people
consuming, in fire
base
H402 אָכְלָה food, eating . esp. in phr.
. devouring, by wild beasts, only fig. of ravaged people
. consuming, in fire
402 'oklah ok-law'
feminine of 401; food:--consume, devour, eat, food, meat.
see HEBREW for 0401
אׇכְלָה (okh.lah) — food.
1) food
1a) food, eating
1b) object of devouring, consuming
1b1) by wild beasts (figurative)
1b2) in fire
1b3) of judgment (figurative)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
food:
I. VEGETABLE FOODS
1. Primitive Habits
2. Cereals
3. Leguminous Plants
4. Food of Trees
II. ANIMAL FOOD
LITERATURE
In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.
Food
Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…
The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…
In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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.
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…
שָׂדַי (saday) and שָׂדֶה (sadeh) both refer to a field or land, encompassing cultivated areas, open fields, and regions opposed to mountains or seas. The terms can denote specific portions of ground and are associated with wildlife habitats. They derive from a root meaning to spread out, indicating flat, expansive areas.
שָׂדַי n.m. field, land
cultivated field
home of wild beasts
plain, opp. mt.
land, opp. sea
base
שָׂדֶה 819 n.m. id. [u.ak.ab]
(ordinary contr. form)open field, country
definite portion of ground, field, land
land, opp. sea
base
H7704a שָׂדַי field, land . cultivated field
. home of wild beasts
. plain, opp. mt.
. land, opp. sea
H7704b שָׂדֶה id. [7704a] . open field, country
. definite portion of ground, field, land
. land, opp. sea
7704 sadeh saw-deh'
or saday {saw-dah'-ee}; from an unused root meaning to spread
out; a field (as flat):--country, field, ground, land, soil,
X wild.
שָׂדַי (sa.day) — Sirion.
This name means field, land, plain
Another spelling of cher.mon (חֶרְמוֹן "(Mount )Hermon" H2768)
שָׂדֶה (sa.deh) — land: soil.
: soil
1) field, land
1a) open field, country
1b) definite portion of ground, field, land
1c) land (opposed to sea)
שָׂדֶה (sa.deh) — land: country.
: country/field
1) field, land
1a) open field, country
1b) definite portion of ground, field, land
1c) land (opposed to sea)
שָׂדֶה (sa.deh) — Field (of the Launderer).
Combined with ka.vas (כָּבַס "Washer's" H3526)
This name means field, land
שָׂדֶה (sa.deh) — land: wildlife.
: wild(animals/plants)
1) field, land
1a) open field, country
1b) definite portion of ground, field, land
1c) land (opposed to sea)
שָׂדַי (sa.day) — field.
1) field, land
1a) cultivated field
1b) of home of wild beasts
1c) plain (opposed to mountain)
1d) land (opposed to sea)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
feld.
See AGRICULTURE.
Field
(Heb. sadeh), a cultivated field, but unenclosed. It is applied to any cultivated ground or pasture (Gen. 29:2; 31:4; 34:7), or tillage (Gen. 37:7; 47:24). It is also applied to woodland (Ps. 132:6) or mountain top (Judg. 9:32, 36; 2 Sam. 1:21). It denotes sometimes a cultivated region as opposed to the wilderness (Gen. 33:19; 36:35). Unwalled villages or scattered houses are spoken of as “in the fields” (Deut. 28:3, 16; Lev. 25:31;
The Hebrew sadeh is applied to any cultivated ground, and in some instances in marked opposition to the neighboring wilderness. On the other hand the sadeh is frequently contrasted with what is enclosed, whether a vineyard, a garden or a walled town. In many passages the term implies what is remote from a house, (Genesis 4:8; 24:63; 22:25) or settled habitation, as in the case of Esau. (Genesis 25:27) The separate plots of ground were marked off by stones, which might easily be removed, (19:14; 27:17) cf. Job 24:2; Prov 22:28; 23:10 The absence of fences rendered the fields liable to damage from straying cattle, (Exodus…
The Hebrew word פּוּץ (puwts) primarily means to scatter or disperse, applicable to both people and armies. It can also convey the idea of flowing or overflowing. The noun form מֵפִיץ (mephits) refers to a scatterer. Additionally, it has connotations of breaking or shattering, as seen in related forms.
[פּוּץ] vb. be dispersed, scattered
Qal be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
Niph.
be scattered, of army
be spread abroad, of peoples
Hiph.
trans. scatter
intrans. scatter
base
מֵפִיץ n.m. scatterer, disperser
base
פּוּץ vb. flow, overflow
base
[פָּצַץ] vb. break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush)
Pō‛. a hammer which shatters rock.
Pilp. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
base
H6327a פּוּץ be dispersed, scattered .be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
. . be scattered, of army
. be spread abroad, of peoples
. . trans. scatter
. intrans. scatter
H6327b מֵפִיץ scatterer, disperser H6327c פּוּץ flow, overflow H6327d [פָּצַץ] break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush) . a hammer which shatters rock.
. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
6327 puwts poots
a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or
figuratively (especially to disperse):--break (dash, shake)
in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive,
retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad.
פּוּץ (puts) — to scatter.
1) to scatter, be dispersed, be scattered
1a) (Qal) to be dispersed, be scattered
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be scattered
1b2) to be spread abroad
1c) (Hiphil) to scatter
1d) Hithpael) scatter
מֵפִיץ (me.phits) — scatterer.
n.m.
scatterer
פּוּץ (puts) — to flow.
(Qal) to flow, overflow
פָּצַץ (pa.tsats) — to shatter.
1) to break
1a) (Polel) to shatter
1b) (Pilpel) to dash to pieces
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine pluralHc/Vqw3fp
