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Ezekiel 43:9 — Word Study

Depth

WLCעַתָּ֞ה יְרַחֲק֧וּ אֶת־ זְנוּתָ֛ם וּפִגְרֵ֥י מַלְכֵיהֶ֖ם מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֥י בְתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃ ס

BSANowʻattâh [at this time, from this moment on] let them removerâchaq [put away, go far from] far from Memin their prostitutionzᵉnûwth [idolatrous, spiritual, unfaithfulness, whoredom] and the funeral offeringspeger [memorial, honoring, carcasses, dead bodies] for their kingsmelek [royal person, rulers] and I will dwellshâkan [live, stay, reside] among themtâvek [in the midst, surrounded by] foreverʻôwlâm [always, eternally, to the age]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 43
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (le.'o.Lam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 43:9quick helps
In a sentenceGod calls for the removal of idolatry and the dead offerings of kings to restore His presence among His people.
Who is speakingGod, through the prophet Ezekiel, addressing the people of Israel.
Where we areIn a prophetic message about the temple and God's desire for purity among His people.
The hard wordזְנוּתָ֛ם
Take awayGod's presence is contingent on the removal of unfaithfulness and idolatry.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbרָחַק 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 43:9

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 — God's Call for Puritygenerated

8When they placed their threshold next to My threshold and their doorposts beside My doorposts, with only a wall between Me and them, they defiled My holy name by the abominations they committed. Therefore I have consumed them in My anger.
9Now let them remove far from Me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will dwell among them forever.
10As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, so that they may be ashamed of their iniquities. Let them measure the plan,
11and if they are ashamed of all they have done, then make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement and its exits and entrances—its whole design along with all its statutes, forms, and laws. Write it down in their sight, so that they may keep its complete design and all its statutes and may carry them out.

Ezekiel 43:9 emphasizes God's demand for the removal of idolatrous practices and the offerings associated with kings, highlighting the need for spiritual purity. This call is part of a larger message where God expresses His desire to dwell among His people, contingent upon their obedience and repentance. The surrounding verses illustrate the seriousness of their prior actions that had defiled His name and the restoration process needed for His presence to return.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ezekiel 18:30–31Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
2Hosea 2:2Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.
3Colossians 3:5–9Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
4Ezekiel 43:7and He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place for the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the Israelites forever. The house of Israel will never again defile My holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and by the funeral offerings for their kings at their deaths.
5Ezekiel 37:23They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or detestable images, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word זְנוּתָ֛ם, ze.nu.Tamgenerated

The word זְנוּת (znuwth) refers to unfaithfulness or fornication, often in a spiritual context, indicating idolatry or betrayal of covenant. It is derived from a root meaning to commit adultery, encompassing both literal and metaphorical senses of infidelity.

In this verse, it signifies the spiritual unfaithfulness of the people towards God, illustrating the seriousness of their idolatrous practices that must be removed for God to restore His presence among them.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the meaning of זְנוּתָ֛ם, with all versions using terms related to 'prostitution' or 'fornication.' This reflects a consistent understanding of the spiritual unfaithfulness being addressed.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb שָׁכַנְתִּ֥י, and I will dwell, governs the sentence, with two phrases preceding it: an imperative phrase calling for the removal of unfaithfulness and a prepositional phrase indicating the location of God's dwelling. The structure emphasizes the conditional relationship between the people's actions and God's presence.

The sentence begins with an adverbial clause עַתָּ֞ה, now, indicating immediacy and urgency, setting the tone for God's command.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew זְנוּתָ֛ם is rendered as πορνείαν (porneian), which also means 'fornication' or 'prostitution.' This choice highlights the interpretation of the term in a spiritual sense, focusing on the unfaithfulness to God.

This translation choice aligns with the Hebrew context, emphasizing the seriousness of idolatry as a form of spiritual infidelity.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 43:9 shows God asking the people to remove their unfaithfulness and the dead offerings for their kings so that He can dwell among them forever. This verse underscores the importance of spiritual purity and God's desire to be in a close relationship with His people.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does God mean by 'prostitution' in this verse?

In this context, 'prostitution' refers to the spiritual unfaithfulness of the people towards God, particularly through idolatry and false worship.

Why does God emphasize removing funeral offerings?

The funeral offerings for kings symbolize a form of idolatry and distraction from true worship, which God calls to be removed to restore His presence among His people.

What does it mean for God to dwell among His people?

God dwelling among His people signifies His presence, protection, and relationship with them, which is contingent upon their faithfulness and purity.

How can this verse apply to us today?

This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for spiritual unfaithfulness and to seek a pure relationship with God, ensuring that we remove anything that hinders our connection with Him.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some forms of spiritual unfaithfulness that I need to address in my life?
  2. How can I ensure that my worship is pure and focused on God alone?
  3. In what ways can I invite God's presence into my daily life?
  4. What steps can I take to remove distractions that keep me from a close relationship with God?

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

Jerome comments on the significance of God's eternal dwelling among His people, contrasting it with temporary presences.

JeromeCOMMENTARY ON Ezekiel 13:43.1-9 c. 347–420
He did not dwell for a short time as in the synagogue, but forever, as is shown in the church of Christ.
Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 43 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 43:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Now let them put away their whoredom,.... Idolatry, superstition, and will worship, with which the corrupt church of Rome abounds; and whatever appearance thereof is in the reformed churches: and the

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 43 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever. Now let them put away ... the carcasses of their kings.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 43 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

This verse is either prophetic or perceptive, it doth direct the Jew what he should in duty do under this temple, and foretell what the people of God will do under the gospel. Put away; cast away, as impure and loathsome things should be cast away. Their whoredom, & c.: see . Far from me, my temple and worship. I will dwell in the midst of them, as their light, protection, and glory. The promises which are made in these cases enjoin us duty: men may sin away God’ s presence and blessings. Cast away all sin, that God cast not you away. For ever: see .

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 43 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 43:9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.Ver. 9. Now let them put away their whoredom.] So shall all be well between us. See Jeremiah 3:1 Isaiah 1:18. Piscator; Ictus sapiat. Some read it, Now they will put away, &c.; and so they did, after the captivity, but will not be yet drawn to worship the true God aright. The Lord persuade their hearts thereto. Fiat, Fiat! Do it, Do it! And the carcases.] See on Ezekiel 43:7. And I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.] This is the same with that in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you to the end of the world."

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 43 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Now let them.—This is not an imperative, but a simple future, as in Ezekiel 43:7. The house of Israel will now put away their abominations, and God will dwell in their midst for ever. Carcases = idols, as in Ezekiel 43:7.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 43 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Now let them put away their whoredom] Their idolatry. And the carcasses of their kings] It appears that God was displeased with their bringing their kings so near his temple. David was buried in the city of David, which was on Mount Zion, near to the temple; and so were almost all the kings of Judah; but God requires that the place of his temple and its vicinity shall be kept unpolluted; and when they put away all kinds of defilement, then will he dwell among them.

Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 43 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–12. The glory of Jehovah enters the house by the E. gate. The sound of his chariot was as the sound of many waters, and his glory lightened the earth (Ezekiel 43:1-4). The prophet hears one speaking to him from the house and saying that the defilements to which the house had been exposed through idolatries and the burial of kings near it shall henceforth cease (Ezekiel 43:6-9). The prophet is commanded to make known the fashion and ordinances of the house to the people (Ezekiel 43:10-12).

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 43 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

6-9. The prophet is here addressed by one speaking from within, while “the man” or “a man” — probably the man with the measuring reed (Ezekiel 40:3) — stood by his side.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 43 →

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

Now let them remove far from Me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will dwell among them forever.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Now let them put away their prostitution, and the dead bodies of their kings far from me. Then I will dwell among them forever.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Now let them remove far from Me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will dwell among them forever.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Now they must put away their spiritual prostitution and the pillars of their kings far from me, and then I will live among them forever.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Now let them put away their whoredom, and the dead bodies of their kings, far from me; and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Now let them put away their lewd deeds, and the carcasses of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Now therefore let them put away their fornication, and the carkeises of their Kings farre from me, and I will dwell among them for euer.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Now let them put away their fornication, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Now do they put far off their whoredom, And the carcases of their kings — from Me, And I have dwelt in their midst to the age.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Now they put their whoredom far off, || And the carcasses of their kings—from Me, || And I have dwelt in their midst for all time.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Now will they have to put away their lewdness, and the carcasses of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Now let them remove their faithlessness and the corpses of their kings from before me, and I will live in their midst forever.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Now therefore let them put away their fornications, and the carcasses of their kings far from me: and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Now if they get rid of their prostitution and their pagan honoring of their dead kings, and I will live with them forever.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Now let them put their loose ways and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will be among them for ever.

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.

clauseadverbialעַתָּ֞הnowverbיְרַחֲק֧וּlet.them.put.far.awaynoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phrasenoun phraseזְנוּתָ֛prostitutionםtheirוּandnoun phraseפִגְרֵ֥יthe.corpsesnoun phraseמַלְכֵיtheir.kingsהֶ֖םtheirprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִמֶּ֑fromנִּיmeוְandclauseverbשָׁכַנְתִּ֥יI.will.dwellprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְamongnoun phraseתוֹכָ֖midstםthemprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְforeverעוֹלָֽםof.perpetuity

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for Ezekiel 43:9. However, the Septuagint presents the text with different word order and articles, reflecting its unique translation approach while maintaining the core message.

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

עַתָּ֞ה יְרַחֲק֧וּ אֶת־ זְנוּתָ֛ם וּפִגְרֵ֥י מַלְכֵיהֶ֖ם מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֥י בְתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עַתָּ֞הνῦνיְרַחֲק֧וּἀπωσάσθωσανזְנוּתָ֛םπορνείανוּפִגְרֵ֥יκαὶמִמֶּ֑נִּיἐμοῦוְשָׁכַנְתִּ֥יκατασκηνώσωבְתוֹכָ֖םαὐτῶνלְעוֹלָֽם׃ סαἰῶνα

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

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


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

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

Ezekiel 43:9עַתָּ֫הnownowעַתָּ֫הרָחַקlet them pulet them put faרָחַקאֵתthe object the object markאֵתזְנוּתprostitutioprostitution thזְנוּתפֶּ֫גֶרand [the] cand [the] corpsפֶּ֫גֶרמֶ֫לֶךְkings theirkings theirמֶ֫לֶךְמִן־from mefrom meמִן־שָׁכַןand I will and I will dwelשָׁכַןתָּ֫וֶךְin midst ofin midst of theתָּ֫וֶךְעוֹלָםfor everfor everעוֹלָםעֵתtimetimeעֵתאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתזָנָהto fornicato fornicateזָנָהפָּגַרto faintto faintפָּגַרמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְעָלַםto concealto concealעָלַםמֵןstringstringמֵןסִכְלוּתfollyfollyסִכְלוּתשָׁכַםto riseto riseשָׁכַםנָאpleasepleaseנָאאֲנַ֫חְנוּweweאֲנַ֫חְנוּעָ֫וֶלinjusticeinjusticeעָ֫וֶלמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁחָנֵףto polluteto polluteחָנֵףפֶּ֫גֶרcorpsecorpseפֶּ֫גֶרזְנוּתfornicatiofornicationזְנוּתשָׁלַךְto throwto throwשָׁלַךְנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר
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 43:9

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.

now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
עַתָּ֞ה'a.Tah now H6258 Adverb
433× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
at this time, from this moment on
Tyndale gloss
now
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַתָּ֫ה (attah) is an adverb of time meaning 'now.' It can also function as a conjunction or expletive, indicating immediacy or a current moment. The word is derived from a related term, עַת (att), and is used in various contexts to denote the present time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַתָּ֫ה 435, עָ֑֫תָּה, adv. of time, now

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6258 עַתָּ֫ה, עָ֑֫תָּה of time, now

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6258 `attah at-taw'

from 6256; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or

expletive:--henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.

see HEBREW for 06256

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — now.

1) now

1a) now

1b) in phrases

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
יְרַחֲק֧וּye.ra.cha.Ku let them put far away H7368 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To remove or go far away, as in Genesis 21:16 where Hagar is sent away by Abraham. It means to create distance or separate oneself from something or someone.
Amplified meaning
put away, go far from
Tyndale gloss
to remove
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רָחַק (rachaq) is a primitive root meaning to be or become far or distant. It encompasses various forms, including intransitive meanings like receding and transitive meanings such as removing or sending away. The entries indicate uses in different stems, including Qal (to be distant), Piel (to send far away), and Hiphil (to cause to be distant).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָחַק vb. be, or become, far, distant

Qal be far, distant

Pi. send far away

Hiph.

dir. caus. make, or exhibit, distance, be gone for

indir. caus. remove, put far away

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7368 רָחַק be, or become, far, distant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7368 rachaq raw-khak'

a primitive root; to widen (in any direction), i.e.

(intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or

figuratively, of place or relation):--(a-, be, cast, drive,

get, go, keep (self), put, remove, be too, (wander), withdraw)

far (away, off), loose, X refrain, very, (be) a good way

(off).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָחַק (ra.chaq) — to remove.

v

1) to be or become far, be or become distant, be removed, go far away

1a) (Qal) to be far, be distant

1b) (Piel) to send far away, extend

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make or exhibit distance, be gone far

1c2) to remove, put far away

2) (Niphal) loose

v inf (as adv)

3) at a distance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Juss-3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVpi3mp
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
זְנוּתָ֛םze.nu.Tam prostitution their H2184 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to unfaithfulness, whether it's cheating on a spouse or worshiping idols. It's often translated as 'adultery' or 'whoredom' in the KJV. This concept is discussed in books like Hosea and Ezekiel.
Amplified meaning
idolatrous, spiritual, unfaithfulness, whoredom
Tyndale gloss
fornication
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זְנוּת (znuwth) refers to fornication and can also imply infidelity or idolatry. It is derived from the root word that means to commit adultery. The term encompasses sexual immorality and is used in various contexts, including religious and metaphorical senses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זְנוּת n.f.abstr. fornication

sexual

international

religious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2184 זְנוּת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2184 znuwth zen-ooth'

from 2181; adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity,

idolatry:--whoredom.

see HEBREW for 02181

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זְנוּת (ze.nut) — fornication.

fornication, harlotry

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3mp
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
וּפִגְרֵ֥יu.fig.Rei and [the] corpses of H6297 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A dead body, either human or animal, as seen in the story of the death of Saul in 1 Samuel 31:8-13. It can also refer to an idol or image that is lifeless and useless.
Amplified meaning
memorial, honoring, carcasses, dead bodies
Tyndale gloss
corpse
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּ֫גֶר (peger) means 'corpse' or 'carcass' and can refer to the dead body of either a human or an animal. It can also figuratively denote an idolatrous image. The word is derived from a related root, H6296, which is not detailed in the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫גֶר n.m. corpse, carcass

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6297 פֶּ֫גֶר corpse, carcass

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6297 peger peh'gher

from 6296; a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast;

figuratively, an idolatrous image:--carcase, corpse, dead

body.

see HEBREW for 06296

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫גֶר (pe.ger) — corpse.

1) corpse, carcass, monument, stela

1a) corpse (of man)

1b) carcass (of animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
HC/Ncmpc
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…

now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
מַלְכֵיהֶ֖םmal.khei.Hem kings their H4428 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Amplified meaning
royal person, rulers
Tyndale gloss
King's
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4428 melek meh'-lek

from 4427; a king:--king, royal.

see HEBREW for 04427

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

1) king

Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)

הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.

'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.

Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3mp
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
מִמֶּ֑נִּיmi.Me.ni from me H4480 Preposition · suffix
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against

. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

. of position, off, on the side of, on

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through

. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

. with a temporal force, since, after

. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)

{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;

hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as

follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason

of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,

since, X then, through, X whether, with.

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than

1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of

1b) out of

1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)

1b2) (of material from which something is made)

1b3) (of source or origin)

1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)

1d) from, since, after (of time)

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or

1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)

1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)

conj

2) that

Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֥יve.sha.khan.Ti and I will dwell H7931 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect first person common singular
129× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to live or stay in a place, like when God dwells among his people. It appears in books like Exodus and Psalms, describing God's presence. It's about making a home or resting place.
Amplified meaning
live, stay, reside
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁכַן (shakan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to settle down, abide, or dwell. It encompasses various forms of residing, both literally and figuratively, and includes nuances of establishing or causing to dwell. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express actions related to dwelling and establishing habitation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁכַן, שָׁכֵ֑ן 129 vb. settle down, abide, dwell

Qal

settle down to abide

abide, dwell

Pi.

make settle down, establish

make to dwell

Hiph.

lay

cause birds to settle

cause to dwell

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7931 שָׁכַן, שָׁכֵ֑ן settle down, abide, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7931 shakan shaw-kan'

a primitive root (apparently akin (by transmission) to 7901

through the idea of lodging; compare 5531, 7925); to reside or

permanently stay (literally or figuratively):--abide,

continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation,

inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up).

see HEBREW for 05531

see HEBREW for 07925

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁכַן (sha.khan) — to dwell.

1) to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to settle down to abide

1a2) to abide, dwell, reside

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make settle down, establish

1b2) to make or cause to dwell

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to lay, place, set, establish, settle, fix

1c2) to cause to dwell or abide

Aramaic equivalent: she.khan (שְׁכֵן "to dwell" H7932)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect first person common singular
Hc/Vqq1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dwel:

(1) In the Old Testament "dwell" is a translation of 9 words, of which by far the most frequent is yashabh, "to sit down," translated "dwell" over 400 times (Ge 4:20; Jos 20:4; 1Ch 17:1,4,5, etc.); also very frequently "sit," and sometimes "abide," "inhabit," "remain." Another word often rendered "dwell" is shakhan or shakhen ("to settle down"), from which is derived the rabbinic word shekhinah (literally, "that which dwells"), the light on the mercy-seat which symbolized the Divine presence (Ex 25:8, etc.). In order to avoid appearing to localize the Divine Being, wherever God is said to "dwell" in a place, the Targum renders that He "causes His Shekinah to dwell"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dwell

Tents were in primitive times the common dwellings of men. Houses were afterwards built, the walls of which were frequently of mud (Job 24:16; Matt. 6:19, 20) or of sun-dried bricks.

God “dwells in light” (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:7), in heaven (Ps. 123:1), in his church (Ps. 9:11; 1 John 4:12). Christ dwelt on earth in the days of his humiliation (John 1:14). He now dwells in the hearts of his people (Eph.…

now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
בְתוֹכָ֖םve.to.Kham in midst of them H8432 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
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
in the midst, surrounded by
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 | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp
now let them put far away the object marker prostitution their and [the] corpses of kings their from me and I will dwell in midst of them for ever
לְעוֹלָֽם׃ סle.'o.Lam for ever H5769 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
438× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Amplified meaning
always, eternally, to the age
Tyndale gloss
forever: antiquity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5769 `owlam o-lawm'

or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the

vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),

i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),

ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,

(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)

old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world

(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.

see HEBREW for 05956

see HEBREW for 05331

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.

: enduring/eternal

1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world

1a) ancient time, long time (of past)

1b) (of future)

1b1) for ever, always

1b2) continuous existence, perpetual

1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.

This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.

: any_time

1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world

1a) ancient time, long time (of past)

1b) (of future)

1b1) for ever, always

1b2) continuous existence, perpetual

1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.

: old/ancient

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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