Ezra 5:15 — Word Study
WLCוַאֲמַר־ לֵ֓הּ׀ אֵ֚ל מָֽאנַיָּ֔א שֵׂ֚א אֵֽזֶל־ אֲחֵ֣ת הִמּ֔וֹ בְּהֵיכְלָ֖א דִּ֣י בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם וּבֵ֥ית אֱלָהָ֖א יִתְבְּנֵ֥א עַל־ אַתְרֵֽהּ׃ ס
BSAand instructedʼămar■ Takenᵉsâʼ articlesmâʼn putnᵉchath themhimmôw in the templehêykal [place of worship, sanctuary] in JerusalemYᵉrûwshâlêm [the city of peace, teaching of peace] and let the housebayith [dwelling place, sanctuary] of Godʼĕlâhh [the one true God, Elohim] be rebuiltbᵉnâʼ [constructed, restored] onʻal its original siteʼăthar [former, location, position]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַאֲמַר־ | and he said | Conjunction, verb qal perfect third person masculine singular |
| לֵ֓הּ׀ | to him | Preposition, suffix |
| אֵ֚ל | these | Particle |
| מָֽאנַיָּ֔א | vessels the | Noun common masculine plural determined, particle |
| שֵׂ֚א | take! | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| אֵֽזֶל־ | go! | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| אֲחֵ֣ת | deposit! | Verb infinitive, absolute second person masculine singular |
| הִמּ֔וֹ | them | Pronoun |
| בְּהֵיכְלָ֖א | in temple the | Preposition, noun common both singular determined, particle |
| דִּ֣י | which | Conjunction |
| בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם | [is] in Jerusalem | Preposition, noun proper |
| וּבֵ֥ית | and [the] house of | Conjunction, noun common both singular construct |
| אֱלָהָ֖א | God | Noun common both singular determined, particle |
| יִתְבְּנֵ֥א | let it be built | Verb third, person masculine singular |
| עַל־ | on | Preposition |
| אַתְרֵֽהּ׃ ס | place its | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and instructed, ‘Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.’ |
| KJV | And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. |
| ASV | and he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place. |
| YLT | and said to him, These vessels lift up, go, put them down in the temple that [is] in Jerusalem, and the house of God is builded on its place. |
| WEB | He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in its place.’ |
| BBE | And he said to him, Go, take these vessels, and put them in the Temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be put up again in its place. |
Where they part company is אֲמַר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence contains a main clause followed by two imperative phrases, emphasizing the commands given.


3 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbנְשָׂא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 16 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezra 5:15
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 — Instructions for the Temple Restorationgenerated
Ezra 5:15 records the directive to restore the temple in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of the sacred articles that were to be placed there. This instruction follows the historical context of the Jewish return from exile and the need to re-establish their worship practices. The rebuilding of the temple signifies not just a physical restoration but also a spiritual renewal for the people of Israel, as seen in related passages like Ezra 1:2 and Ezra 3:3.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 1:2 | “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. |
| 2 | Ezra 3:3 | They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land. |
| 3 | Ezra 6:3 | In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲמַר, va.'a.mar-generated
The verb אֲמַר (amar) is a common Hebrew word meaning 'to say' or 'to speak.' It is often used to convey commands or declarations, highlighting its role in communication. In this context, it serves as the initiating action for the instructions given regarding the temple.
This word appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, indicating its significance in conveying divine commands and human speech. The parsing as a perfect verb in the third person masculine singular indicates a completed action, reinforcing the authority of the speaker.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֲמַר (amar) governs the entire verse, indicating the action of speaking or instructing. Following this verb are several phrases that detail the instructions given: a series of commands to take and place the articles, leading to the rebuilding of the temple.
The structure emphasizes the imperative nature of the commands, with the verbs שֵׂא (se'), אֵֽזֶל (azel), and יִתְבְּנֵ֥א (yit.be.Ne') directing the actions to be taken regarding the temple.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֲמַר as εἶπεν (eipen), which also means 'he said.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew, maintaining the imperative tone of the instruction.
The Greek word οἴκῳ (oikō) for 'temple' is used in the LXX, indicating a similar understanding of the sacred space as in the Hebrew, though the Greek context may carry different connotations.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezra 5:15 contains an instruction to take the sacred articles and place them in the temple in Jerusalem. This command emphasizes the importance of restoring the house of God on its original site, reflecting the community's desire to re-establish their worship after returning from exile.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The articles refer to the sacred utensils used in temple worship, which were essential for the proper functioning of the temple and the rituals performed there.
Restoring the temple signifies the re-establishment of the community's relationship with God and the revival of their worship practices after the exile.
Rebuilding on the original site emphasizes the continuity of worship and the importance of the location as a place where God's presence dwells.
This verse highlights the transition from exile to restoration, marking a pivotal moment in the Jewish community's efforts to reclaim their identity and religious practices.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the restoration of the temple mean for the Jewish community after exile?
- How can we understand the importance of sacred spaces in our own lives?
- In what ways can we actively participate in restoring our communities?
- How does this instruction reflect the nature of God's presence among His people?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezra 5:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezra 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzra 5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that [is] in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.Ver. 15. Take these vessels, go, carry them] Go thyself in person, and see that all things be well carried there. This pleased Zerubbabel well; it confined him to live in that element where he would live; as if one should be confined to paradise.
Read John Trapp on Ezra 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Take these vessels, go, carry them . . . and let the house of God . . .—The three imperatives in this verse, without a copula, followed by a fourth, vividly express the feeling of the suppliants in the remembrance of the decree: thus we have another note of historical truth.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezra 5 →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
and instructed, ‘Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.’
He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in its place.’
and instructed, ‘Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.’
He said to him, “Take these vessels and go deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt in its proper location.”
Tyndale line
And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
and he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place.
and he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place.
And said to him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
And he sayde vnto him, Take these vessels and goe thy way, and put them in the Temple that is in Ierusalem, and let the house of God be buylt in his place.
Strictly literal
And he said to him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is at Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
and said to him, These vessels lift up, go, put them down in the temple that [is] in Jerusalem, and the house of God is builded on its place.
and said to him, Lift up these vessels, go, put them down in the temple that [is] in Jerusalem, and the house of God is built on its place.
And he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple which is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built on its site.
He said to him, “Take these objects. Go and put them in the temple in Jerusalem. Let the house of God be rebuilt there.”
From the Latin
And said to him: Take these vessels, and go, and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
Simplified
telling him, Take these items and place them in the Temple in Jerusalem. Rebuild God's Temple on its original site.
And he said to him, Go, take these vessels, and put them in the Temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be put up again in its place.
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 and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with a close correspondence in the translation of key terms. However, the Septuagint's word order and specific articles reflect a different syntactical structure.
וַאֲמַר־ לֵ֓הּ׀ אֵ֚ל מָֽאנַיָּ֔א שֵׂ֚א אֵֽזֶל־ אֲחֵ֣ת הִמּ֔וֹ בְּהֵיכְלָ֖א דִּ֣י בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם וּבֵ֥ית אֱלָהָ֖א יִתְבְּנֵ֥א עַל־ אַתְרֵֽהּ׃ ס
11 of the 16 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 Ezra 5:15
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.
אֲמַר (amar) means to say, tell, command, or speak. It is used in various contexts to express communication or declaration. The word is related to the Aramaic form and is linked to another Hebrew root, אָמַר (H0559). The entries consistently emphasize its verbal nature without significant disagreement.
אֲמַר 71 vb. say, tell, command
base
H560 אֲמַר say, tell, command
560 'amar am-ar'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 559:--command, declare, say,
speak, tell.
see HEBREW for 0559
אֲמַר (a.mar) — to say.
(P'al) to say, to speak, to command, to tell, to relate
Aramaic of a.mar (אָמַר "to say" H0559)
Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Conjunction · verb qal perfect third person masculine singularAC/Vqp3ms
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
AR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixAR/Sp3fs
אֵל demonstr.pron.pl. these, Ezr 5:15 Qr
ref
H412 אֵל
412 'el ale
(Aramaic) corresponding to 411:--these.
see HEBREW for 0411
אֵל (el) — these.
these
Aramaic of "these" (el אֵל H0411)
ATm — ParticleATm
מָאן (ma'n) refers to a vessel or utensil, derived from a root related to an enclosure. The term is noted in Aramaic and is associated with the concept of containment. It is primarily used to denote objects that serve as containers.
[מָאן] n.m. vessel, utensil
base
H3984 מָאן
3984 ma'n mawn
(Aramaic) probably from a root corresponding to 579 in the
sense of an inclosure by sides; a utensil:--vessel.
see HEBREW for 0579
מָאן (man) — utensil.
vessel, utensil
Adj | Art — Noun common masculine plural determined · particleANcmpd/Ta
נְשָׂא (nsa') primarily means to lift, take, or carry. It can also refer to making an insurrection or rising, particularly in the Ithpael form. The word has connections to the Aramaic form corresponding to another root, נָשָׂא (nasa'), which is noted in Strong's entries.
נְשָׂא vb. lift, take, carry
Pe. carry away
Hithpa. make a rising, an insurrection
base
H5376 נְשָׂא
5376 nsa' nes-aw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5375:--carry away, make
insurrection, take.
see HEBREW for 05375
נְשָׂא (ne.sa) — to lift.
1) to lift, bear, take, carry
1a) (P'al) to take
1b) (Ithpael) to make a rising, make an insurrection
Adj — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularAVqv2ms
tak: Most of the very numerous examples of this word are still in good use and only a few call for special attention. "To take" in the sense of "capture" is still common, but when a person or living animal is in point, modern English usually adds "prisoner" or "captive." English Versions of the Bible not infrequently has this addition (Ge 14:14, etc.), but more commonly "take" is used without it (Jos 10:39; Job 5:13; Sirach 23:21; Joh 7:30, etc.). An occasional obscurity is thus caused, as in Ge 27:3, "take me venison" for "hunt venison for me." "To take advice" (2Ch…
אֲזַל (azal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to go' or 'to depart.' It is noted in various lexicons as a term for movement, specifically in the P'al form, indicating a simple action of going or going off.
אֲזַל vb. go, go off
base
H236 אֲזַל
236 'azal az-al'
(Aramaic) the same as 235; to depart:--go (up).
see HEBREW for 0235
אֲזַל (a.zal) — to go.
1) to go, to go off
1a) (P'al) to go, go off
AVqv2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularAVqv2ms
(halakh, yalakh, bo', yatsa'; ago, hupago, anabaino, erchomi, aperchomai, poreuomai): "Go" ("went," etc.) occurs very frequently in the English Bible, and is the translation of a great many different Hebrew and Greek terms. As the word implies movement of all kinds, physical and mental, it has naturally many applications.
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament halakh and yalakh are among the commonest words, meaning "to go" in its original sense of "to walk," but also in the most varied senses, according to the verbal conjugations, etc., the preposition attached, and the words in connection with which the terms stand; halakh and yalakh are often used figuratively (translated "to walk," etc.) for to live, to pursue a way of life, e.g. "to walk ever in his ways" (De 19:9; compare
נְחַת (nchath) is a verb meaning to descend. It can refer to descending in a general sense, or in a causative form, to deposit or lay up something. The entries indicate its use in various forms, such as being deposited or cast down, but do not provide specific Old Testament references.
[נְחֵת] vb. descend
Pe.
Haph. (were) deposited.
Hoph. be deposed
base
H5182 נְחַת
5182 nchath nekh-ath'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5181; to descend; causatively, to
bring away, deposit, depose:--carry, come down, depose, lay
up, place.
see HEBREW for 05181
נְחֵת (ne.chat) — to descend.
1) to descend
1a) (P'al) to descend
1b) (Aphel) to deposit
1c) (Hophal) to be deposed, be cast down
Adj — Verb infinitive · absolute second person masculine singularAVav2ms
de-poz'-it (paratheke, 1Ti 6:20; 2Ti 1:12,14 the Revised Version, margin, paraphrased in both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) into "that which is committed" (see COMMEND)): The noun was used in the classical Greek, just as its English equivalents, for "that which is placed with another for safe keeping," a charge committed to another's hands, consisting often of money or property; compare Ex 22:7; Le 6:2. This practice was common in days when there were no banks.
(1) In 1Ti 6:20; also 2Ti 1:14, the reference is to a deposit which God…
הִמּוֹ (himmow) is an Aramaic word meaning 'they' or 'them.' It is used as a pronoun for the third person plural, appearing in the books of Ezra and Daniel. The entries indicate that it can function as both a subject and an object in a sentence.
הִמּוֹ 9 (Ezr), הִמּוֹן 3 (Dn) pron.3pl. they, them
base
H1994 הִמּוֹ, הִמּוֹן
1994 himmow him-mo'
(Aramaic) or (prolonged) himmown (Aramaic) {him- mone'};
corresponding to 1992; they:--X are, them, those.
see HEBREW for 01992
הִמּוֹ (him.mo) — they.
1) they, them
1a) they (subject)
1b) them (object)
Adj — PronounAPp3mp
הֵיכַל (heykal) refers to a palace or temple, encompassing both sacred spaces like the temple in Jerusalem and secular ones. The term is used in various contexts, including pagan temples. The entries consistently highlight its dual meaning without significant disagreement.
[הֵיכַל] n.m. palace, temple
base
H1965 הֵיכַל
1965 heykal hay-kal'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1964:--palace, temple.
see HEBREW for 01964
הֵיכַל (he.khal) — temple.
: temple
1) palace, temple
1a) palace
1b) temple (in Jerusalem)
1c) temple (pagan)
הֵיכַל (he.khal) — temple: palace.
: palace
1) palace, temple
1a) palace
1b) temple (in Jerusalem)
1c) temple (pagan)
Adj | N-ms | Art — Preposition · noun common both singular determined · particleAR/Ncbsd/Ta
tem'-p'l (hekhal, "palace"; sometimes, as in 1Ki 6:3,5, etc.; Eze 41:1,15 ff, used for "the holy place" only; bayith, "house," thus always in the Revised Version (British and American); hieron, naos):
A. STRUCTURE AND HISTORY
I. SOLOMON'S TEMPLE
I. INTRODUCTORY
1. David's Project
2. Plans and Preparations
3. Character of the Building
4. Site of the Temple
5. Phoenician Assistance
II. THE TEMPLE BUILDING
1. In General
2. Dimensions, Divisions and Adornments
3. The Side-Chambers
4. The Porch and Pillars
III. COURTS, GATES ANY ROYAL BUILDINGS
1. The Inner Court
(1) Walls
(2) Gates
2. The Great Court
3. The Royal Buildings
IV. FURNITURE OF THE TEMPLE
1. The Sanctuary
(1) The "Debhir"
(2) The "Hekhal"
2. The Court (Inner)
(1) The Altar
(2) The Molten (Bronze) Sea
(3) The Layers and Their Bases
Temple
First used of the tabernacle, which is called “the temple of the Lord” (1 Sam. 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ’s human body (John 2:19, 21). Believers are called “the temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16, 17). The Church is designated “an holy temple in the Lord” (Eph. 2:21). Heaven is also called a temple (Rev. 7:5). We read also of the heathen “temple of the great goddess Diana” (Acts 19:27).
There is perhaps no building of the ancient world which has excited so much attention since the time of its destruction as the temple which Solomon built by Herod. Its spoils were considered worthy of forming the principal illustration of one of the most beautiful of Roman triumphal arches, and Justinian’s highest architectural ambition was that he might surpass it. Throughout the middle ages it influenced to a considerable degree the forms of Christian churches, and its peculiarities were the watchwords and rallying-points of all associations of builders. When the French expedition to Egypt, int he first years of this century, had made the world familiar with the wonderful architectural remains of that country, every one jumped to the conclusion that Solomon’s temple must have been designed after an Egyptian model. The discoveries in Assyria by Botta and Layard have within the last…
A building hallowed by the special presence of God, and consecrated to his worship. The distinctive idea of a temple, contrasted with all other buildings, is that it is the dwelling-place of a deity; and every heathen temple had its idol, but the true and living God dwelt "between the cherubim" in the Holy of Holies at Jerusalem. Hence, figuratively applied, a temple denotes the church of Christ, 2Th 2:4 Re 3:12; heaven, Ps 11:4 Re 7:15; and the soul of the believer, in which the Holy Spirit dwells, 1Co 3:16,17 6:19 2Co 6:16.
דִּי (diy) is an Aramaic word meaning 'that,' functioning as a relative conjunction and a preposition in various contexts. It can indicate relationships such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'because,' and is used in adverbial phrases. The entries highlight its role in connecting clauses and marking possession.
דִּי part. of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of gen. and conj. that, because
base
H1768 דִּי
1768 diy dee
(Aramaic) apparently for 1668; that, used as relative
conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial
phrases; also as preposition of:--X as, but, for(-asmuch +), +
now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, + what
(-soever), when, which, whom, whose.
see HEBREW for 01668
דִּי (di) — that.
part of relation
1) who, which, that
mark of genitive
2) that of, which belongs to, that
conj
3) that, because
AC — ConjunctionAC
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם (Yruwshalem) refers to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and a significant city in Palestine. It is noted as meaning 'teaching of peace' and is derived from an Aramaic form. The entries consistently identify it as a proper noun and a location.
יְרוּשְׁלֵם 25 n.pr.loc. Jerusalem
base
H3390 יְרוּשְׁלֵם, יְרוּשָׁלֵם
3390 Yruwshalem yer-oo-shaw-lame'
(Chald)
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.lem) — Jerusalem.
Aramaic of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
§ Jerusalem = "teaching of peace"
the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Adj | N-proper — Preposition · noun properAR/Npl
je-roo'-sa-lem:
I. THE NAME
1. In Cuneiform
2. In Hebrew
3. In Greek and Latin
4. The Meaning of Jerusalem
5. Other Names
II. GEOLOGY, CLIMATE AND SPRINGS
1. Geology
2. Climate and Rainfall
3. The Natural Springs
III. THE NATURAL SITE
1. The Mountains Around
2. The Valleys
3. The Hills
IV. GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF JERUSALEM
1. Description of Josephus
2. Summary of the Names of the Five Hills
3. The Akra
4. The Lower City
5. City of David and Zion
V. EXCAVATIONS AND ANTIQUITIES
1. Robinson
2. Wilson, and the Palestine Exploration Fund (1865)
3. Warren and Conder
4. Maudslay
5. Schick
6. Clermont-Ganneau
7. Bliss and Dickie
8. Jerusalem Archaeological Societies
VI. THE CITY'S WALLS AND GATES
1. The Existing Walls
2. Wilson's Theory
3. The Existing Gates
4. Buried Remains of Earlier Walls
5. The Great Dam of the Tyropoeon
6. Ruins of Ancient Gates
7. Josephus' Description of the Walls
8. First Wall
9. Second Wall
10. Third Wall
Jerusalem
Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the “city of God,” the “holy city;” by the modern Arabs el-Khuds, meaning “the holy;” once “the city of Judah” (2 Chr. 25:28). This name is in the original in the dual form, and means “possession of peace,” or “foundation of peace.” The dual form probably refers to the two mountains on which it was built, viz., Zion and Moriah; or, as some suppose, to the two parts of the city, the “upper” and the “lower city.” Jerusalem is a “mountain city enthroned on a mountain fastness” (comp. Ps. 68:15, 16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1, 2; 122:3). It stands on the edge of one of the highest table-lands in Palestine, and is surrounded on the south-eastern, the southern, and the western sides by deep and precipitous ravines.
(the habitation of peace), Jerusalem stands in latitude 31 degrees 46’ 35" north and longitude 35 degrees 18’ 30" east of Greenwich. It is 32 miles distant from the sea and 18 from the Jordan, 20 from Hebron and 36 from Samaria. "In several respects," says Dean Stanley, "its situation is singular among the cities of Palestine. Its elevation is remarkable; occasioned not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of Judea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of one of the highest table-lands of the country. Hebron indeed is higher still by some hundred feet, and from the south, accordingly (even from Bethlehem), the approach to Jerusalem is by a slight descent. But from any other side the ascent is perpetual; and to the traveller approaching the city from the east or west it must always have presented the appearance beyond any other capital…
The chief city of the Holy Land, and to the Christian the most illustrious in the world. It is situated in 31 degrees 46’43" N. lat., and 35 degrees 13’ E. long. on elevated ground south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles from the Mediterranean, and about twenty-four from the Jordan. Its site was early hallowed by God’s trial of Abraham’s faith, Ge 22:1-24 2Ch 3:1. It was on the border of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, mostly within the limits of the former, but reckoned as belonging to the latter, because conquered by it, Jos 15:8 18:16,28 Jud 1:18. The most ancient name of the city was Salem, Ge…
בַּ֫יִת (bayith) means 'house' and can refer to both a physical dwelling and a metaphorical house, such as the house of God. It is derived from a related Aramaic term and is used frequently in the Old Testament.
[בַּ֫יִת] 44 n.m. house
base
H1005 בַּ֫יִת
1005 bayith bah-yith
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1004:--house.
see HEBREW for 01004
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house.
1) house (of men)
2) house (of God)
Adj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common both singular constructAC/Ncbsc
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…
אֱלָהּ (elah) refers to a deity, encompassing both the concept of God in a general sense and specifically the God of Israel. It can also denote heathen deities. The word is rooted in Aramaic, corresponding to another term for God.
אֱלָהּ 94 n.m. god, God
base
H426 אֱלָהּ
426 'elahh el-aw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 433; God:--God, god.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלָהּ (e.lah) — god.
1) god, God
1a) god, heathen deity
1b) God (of Israel)
Adj | Art — Noun common both singular determined · particleANcbsd/Ta
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…
בְּנָה (bna') means 'to build' and has forms indicating both active and passive constructions, such as 'to build' and 'to be built.' The entries suggest a straightforward application in contexts related to construction or creation.
[בְּנָה, בְּנָא] vb. build
Pe. build
Hithpe. be built
base
H1124 בְּנָה, בְּנָא
1124 bna' ben-aw'
(Aramaic) or bnah (Aramaic) {ben-aw'}; corresponding to 1129;
to build:--build, make.
see HEBREW for 01129
בְּנָה (be.nah) — to build.
1) to build
1a) (P'al) to build
1b) (Ithp'il) to be built
Adj — Verb third · person masculine singularAVui3ms
עַל (al) is a preposition meaning 'upon,' 'over,' or 'against.' It covers a range of uses, including direction, comparison, and causation. The entries indicate it can express relationships concerning location, purpose, or authority. There is a note that it corresponds to the Aramaic term related to another Hebrew word, עַל (H5921), but no significant disagreement among lexicons is noted.
עַל prep. upon, over, on account of, above, to, against
base
H5922 עַל
5922 `al al
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5921:--about, against,
concerning, for, (there-)fore, from, in, X more, of, (there-,
up-)on, (in-)to, + why with.
see HEBREW for 05921
עַל (al) — since.
1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against
1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of
1b) over (with verbs of ruling)
1c) above, beyond (in comparison)
1d) to, against (of direction)
Adj — PrepositionAR
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
אֲתַר (athar) primarily means 'place' and can also function adverbially to indicate 'after.' It is derived from a root related to another Hebrew word. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to location.
אֲתַר n.m. place
base
H870 אֲתַר
870 'athar ath-ar'
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of 871; a place;
(adverb) after:--after, place.
see HEBREW for 0871
אֲתַר (a.tar) — place.
track, place
Adj | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixANcbsc/Sp3fs
