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Genesis 12:6 — Word Study

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WLCוַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר אַבְרָם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ עַ֚ד מְק֣וֹם שְׁכֶ֔ם עַ֖ד אֵל֣וֹן מוֹרֶ֑ה וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י אָ֥ז בָּאָֽרֶץ׃

BSAAbramʼAbrâm [the father of faith] traveledʻâbar through the landʼerets [country, territory] as far asʻad the sitemâqôwm [place, location] of the Oakʼêlôwn [terebinth, strong tree] of MorehMôwreh [a hill where spiritual guidance was sought] at ShechemShᵉkem [a city in Palestine, a place of meeting] And at that timeʼâz [then, in the past] the CanaanitesKᵉnaʻanîy [the original inhabitants, merchants and traders] were in the landʼerets [earth, region, territory]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 12
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 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 (ba.'A.retz) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 12:6quick helps
In a sentenceAbram traveled through the land toward Shechem, where the Canaanites were living.
Who is speakingThe narrator describes Abram's journey.
Where we areAbram's travels in the land of Canaan.
The hard wordעָבַר
Take awayAbram's journey marks the beginning of God's promise to his descendants.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאַבְרָם verbעָבַר 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 — Genesis 12:6

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 — Abram's Journey Through Canaangenerated

5And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
6Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land.
7Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring. ” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
8From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 12:6 describes Abram's journey through the land of Canaan, highlighting his movement toward Shechem, a significant location in biblical history. This passage sets the stage for God's promises to Abram regarding his descendants and the land they would inherit, as seen in the following verses. Abram's travels reflect his obedience and faith in God's guidance, marking a pivotal moment in the narrative of the patriarchs.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Hebrews 11:9By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
2Genesis 33:18After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city.
3Genesis 34:2When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force.
4Genesis 35:4So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.
5Joshua 20:7So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

ShechemJohn 4:5
SycharActs 7:16

The Key Word עָבַר, vai.ya.'a.Vorgenerated

The verb עָבַר (abar) means 'to pass' and conveys the idea of crossing over or moving through a space. It indicates Abram's active journey through the land, emphasizing his role as a traveler in pursuit of God's promises.

This verb is in the sequential imperfect form, which suggests ongoing action. Abram is depicted as continually moving through the land, reinforcing the theme of exploration and divine guidance in his life.


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 of the verse is וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר, and he passed, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the location of his travel, בָּאָ֔רֶץ in the land, and a noun phrase specifying the destination, מְק֣וֹם שְׁכֶ֔ם the site of Shechem.

The structure emphasizes Abram's journey, with the prepositional phrases providing context and detail about his movement through the land.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates עָבַר as διώδευσεν, which also means 'to pass through'. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on Abram's journey.

The use of διώδευσεν suggests a continuity in the narrative, emphasizing the act of traversing the land as part of God's unfolding plan.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 12:6 tells us that Abram traveled through the land of Canaan, reaching the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. At that time, the Canaanites were living in the land, indicating that Abram was among the original inhabitants as he journeyed.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Abram traveled through the land?

Abram's journey signifies his obedience to God's call and his exploration of the land that would later be promised to his descendants.

Why is Shechem significant?

Shechem is a key location in the biblical narrative, representing a place of meeting and divine revelation, as well as a pivotal point in Abram's journey.

What does the presence of the Canaanites indicate?

The presence of the Canaanites shows that Abram was entering a land inhabited by others, highlighting the challenges and realities he faced as he followed God's direction.

How does this passage connect to God's promises?

This passage sets the stage for God's promises to Abram regarding his descendants and the land they would inherit, which unfolds throughout the rest of the narrative.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What steps can I take to follow God's guidance in my own life, like Abram did?
  2. How can I recognize the significance of places in my spiritual journey?
  3. In what ways do I encounter challenges similar to those Abram faced in Canaan?
  4. How can I trust in God's promises as I navigate through my own life?

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

The early church father Bede comments on Abram's journey, noting the significance of his travels through the land and the presence of the Canaanites.

BedeCommentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) c. 673–735
And when they had come to it, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 12 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 12:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And Abram passed through the land,.... Entering the northern part of it, as appears by his going southward, Genesis 12:9 he went on unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh; the place

Read John Gill on Genesis 12 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. The place of Sichem - or Shechem, a pastoral valley then unoccupied (cf.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 12 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Sichem; Heb. Sechem, a place afterwards so called in the mountains of Ephraim, , and here so called by anticipation. The Canaanite is properly so called; that cursed, cruel, impious, and idolatrous nation: see . This is added as an aggravation of Abram’ s faith and obedience, that he durst and did profess the true religion in the midst of such a people, which could not be without great danger both of his estate and life. Was then in the land, as a settled inhabitant to continue there for a long time; whereas now in Moses’ s time he was forthwith to be expelled out of it.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 12 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land.Ver. 6,7. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And the Lord appeared to Abram.] The sight of those wicked Canaanites might discourage him, and unsettle his faith. But then the sight of God relieved him (he is the first man that God is said to appear to); and the promise, "Unto thy seed will I give this land," could not but put spirits into him, and make his good old heart to dance a lively dance in his bosom. When the poor soul even sinks sometimes at the sight of these Canaanites (corruptions), and despairs almost of a conquest, God lets in a beam of…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 12 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) The place of Sichern.—Heb., Shechem. This word signifies “shoulder,” and was the name of the ridge uniting Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, the summits of which are about two miles apart. As the name is thus taken from the natural conformation of the ground, it may be very ancient. The modern name of the place is Nablous, a contraction of Flavia Neapolis, a title given it in honour of Vespasian. Mr. Conder ( Tent Work in Palestine, 1:61) describes the valley as an oasis of remarkable beauty and luxuriance, but set, like Damascus, in a desert, and girt around by strong and barren mountains. The plain of Moreh.—Heb., the oak of Moreh, It was here that Jacob buried the strange gods brought by his…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 12 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 6. The plain of Moreh.] אלון elon should be translated oak, not plain; the Septuagint translate τηνδρυντηνυψηλην, the lofty oak; and it is likely the place was remarkable for a grove of those trees, or for one of a stupendous height and bulk. The Canaanite was then in the land.] This is thought to be an interpolation, because it is supposed that these words must have been written after the Canaanites were expelled from the land by the Israelites under Joshua; but this by no means follows. All that Moses states is simply that, at the time in which Abram passed through Sichem, the land was inhabited by the descendants of Canaan, which was a perfectly possible case, and involves neither…

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 12 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. the place of Shechem] The word “place” is here probably used in the special sense of “sacred place” or “shrine,” as also possibly in Genesis 22:4, Genesis 28:11; Genesis 28:16; Joshua 5:15; Jeremiah 7:12. It does not mean the “site” of what was afterwards known as Shechem. Shechem (modern Nablus), one of the most ancient and important towns in the central hill country of Palestine, at the foot of Mt Gerizim, in a fair and fertile valley on the road leading northward from Bethel. For other passages in which Shechem plays an important part, cf. 34; Judges 1:9; 1 Kings 12:25. On the meaning of Shechem=a “shoulder” or “ridge,” see note on Genesis 48:22. unto the oak of Moreh] Better, as…

Read Cambridge on Genesis 12 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

6. Passed through the land — Descending, probably, by way of Damascus — as we find afterwards that the steward of his house is a native of that city — thence southward and along the valley of the

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 12 →

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

Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Abram traveled through the land as far as the oak tree of Moreh at Shechem. (At that time the Canaanites were in the land.)

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Abram passed through the land to the place of Sichem, to the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

So Abram passed through the land vnto the place of Shechem, and vnto the plaine of Moreh (and the Canaanite was then in ye land)

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Abram passeth over into the land, unto the place Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh; and the Canaanite [is] then in the land.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Abram passes over into the land, to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh; and the Canaanite [is] then in the land.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the plain of Moreh; and the Canaanite was then in the land.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Abram passed through the land as far as Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites lived in the land.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Abram passed through the country into the place of Sichem, as far as the noble vale: now the Chanaanite was at that time in the land.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Abram traveled on through the land as far as a place called Shechem, stopping at the oak tree of Moreh. At that time the land was occupied by Canaanites.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And Abram went through the land till he came to Shechem, to the holy tree of Moreh. At that time, the Canaanites were still living in the land.

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.

וַandclauseverbיַּעֲבֹ֤רhe.passedsubjectאַבְרָם֙Abramprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּinnoun phrasetheאָ֔רֶץlandprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֚דtonoun phraseמְק֣וֹםthe.placeשְׁכֶ֔םof.Shechemprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֖דtonoun phraseאֵל֣וֹןthe.great.treeמוֹרֶ֑הof.Morehוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectהַֽtheכְּנַעֲנִ֖יCanaanite[s]adverbialאָ֥זthenprepositional phrase · predicateבָּ[was].innoun phrasetheאָֽרֶץland

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 Samaritan Pentateuch agree closely, with the only difference being the spelling of מוֹרֶ֑ה as מורא in the Samaritan text. This indicates a minor variation in the preservation of the name without altering the meaning of the passage.

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

וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר אַבְרָם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ עַ֚ד מְק֣וֹם שְׁכֶ֔ם עַ֖ד אֵל֣וֹן מוֹרֶ֑ה וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י אָ֥ז בָּאָֽרֶץ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּעֲבֹ֤רδιώδευσενאַבְרָם֙αβραμבָּאָ֔רֶץγῆνעַ֚דἕωςמְק֣וֹםτόπουשְׁכֶ֔םσυξεμעַ֖דἐπὶוְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יξαναναῖοιאָ֥זτότεבָּאָֽרֶץ׃γῆν

10 of the 12 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויעבר אברם בארץ עד מקום שׁכם עד אלון מורא והכנעני אז בארץ

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: מורא (Moreh)

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.

Genesis 12:6עָבַרand he passand he passedעָבַראַבְרָםAbramAbramאַבְרָםאֶ֫רֶץin the landin the landאֶ֫רֶץעַדtotoעַדמָקוֹם[the] place[the] place ofמָקוֹםשְׁכֶםShechemShechemשְׁכֶםעַדtotoעַדאֵלוֹן[the] great[the] great treאֵלוֹןמוֹרֶהMorehMorehמוֹרֶהכְּנַעֲנִיand the Canand the Canaaniכְּנַעֲנִיאָזthenthenאָזאֶ֫רֶץ[was] in th[was] in the laאֶ֫רֶץאֲבִירָםAbiramAbiramאֲבִירָםעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדלֵב(Leb)-kama(Leb)-kamaiלֵבאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשְׁכֶםshouldershoulderשְׁכֶםמוֹרֶהrain/teachrain/teacherמוֹרֶהכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶביַרְדֵןJordanJordanיַרְדֵןחָלַץto rescueto rescueחָלַץשָׂרַיSaraiSaraiשָׂרַינָחוֹרNahorNahorנָחוֹרבָּחַרto chooseto chooseבָּחַרשָׁחַטto slaughtto slaughterשָׁחַטחֲמוֹרHamorHamorחֲמוֹרמִלּוֹאמִלּוֹא
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 Genesis 12:6

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.

and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
וַיַּעֲבֹ֤רvai.ya.'a.Vor and he passed H5674 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
556× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Tyndale gloss
to pass
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָבַר (abar) is a versatile verb meaning to pass over, through, or by, and it encompasses a range of actions including crossing, traversing, and alienating. It can also imply causing something to pass or be transferred, as well as emotional states like anger in its Hithpael form. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, though they do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָבַר 648 vb. pass over, through, by, pass on

Qal

pass over

Pass beyond

Pass through, traverse

pass along by

pass by

sweep by, of scourge

be past, over, of time

pass along (from hand to hand)

Pass on, go on

Pass away

Niph. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded

Pi.

his bull impregnateth

cause one to cross river

cause something to pass over

make over to

devote children to (לְ) heathen god

pass along (from hand to hand)

cause to pass through

let pass through

cause to pass by

let pass by

cause arrow to pass beyond

cause to pass under rod, for counting

cause to pass away, take away

Hiph.

cause to pass over, bring over

he made to pass across with chains of gold

base

[עָבַר] vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5674a עָבַר pass over, through, by, pass on .. pass over

. Pass beyond

. Pass through, traverse

. . pass along by

. pass by

. sweep by, of scourge

. be past, over, of time

. pass along (from hand to hand)

. Pass on, go on

. Pass away

. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded

. . his bull impregnateth . cause one to cross river

. cause something to pass over

. make over to

. devote children to (לְ) heathen god

. pass along (from hand to hand)

. . cause to pass through

. let pass through

. . cause to pass by

. let pass by

. cause arrow to pass beyond

. cause to pass under rod, for counting

. cause to pass away, take away

. . cause to pass over, bring over

. he made to pass across with chains of gold

H5674b עָבַר vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5674 `abar aw-bar'

a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any

transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,

intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

copulation):--alienate, alter, X at all, beyond, bring (over,

through), carry over, (over-)come (on, over), conduct (over),

convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail,

gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way,

in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle,

overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over)

pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over,

through), (cause to, make) + proclaim(-amation), perish,

provoke to anger, put away, rage, + raiser of taxes, remove,

send over, set apart, + shave, cause to (make) sound, X

speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away), (make to)

transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be

wrath.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָבַר (a.var) — to pass.

1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over

1a2) to pass beyond

1a3) to pass through, traverse

1a3a) passers-through (participle)

1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant)

1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by

1a4a) passer-by (participle)

1a4b) to be past, be over

1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance

1a6) to pass away

1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory)

1a6b) to vanish

1a6c) to perish, cease to exist

1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree)

1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands

1b) (Niphal) to be crossed

1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross

1d) (Hiphil)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
אַבְרָם֙'av.Ram Abram H87 Noun proper masculine
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Abram was the original name of Abraham, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Terah, brother of Nahor and Haran, and husband of Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah, as told in Genesis 11:26--17:5.
Amplified meaning
the father of faith
Tyndale gloss
Abram
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַבְרָם (Avram) means 'exalted father' and refers to the original name of Abraham. The entries indicate that Abram is a significant figure from the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned in Genesis 11:26, and he is the son of Terah and the husband of Sarah, among others. He is also the father of several notable sons, including Isaac and Ishmael.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַבְרָם n.pr.m. (id., Thes al. exalted father) Abram = אַבְרָהָם Abraham

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H87 אַבְרָם Abram = אַבְרָהָם Abraham

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

87 'Abram ab-rawm'

contracted from 48; high father; Abram, the original name of

Abraham:--Abram.

see HEBREW for 048

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַבְרָם (av.ram) — Abram.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26;

son of: Terah (H8646);

brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989);

father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x

Another name of av.ra.ham (אַבְרָהָם "Abraham" H0085)

§ Abram = "exalted father"

original name of Abraham

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a'-bram. See ABRAHAM.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Abram

Exalted father. (see ABRAHAM.)

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a high father), the earlier name of Abraham.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

High father, afterwards named Abraham.

and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
בָּאָ֔רֶץba.'A.retz in the land H776 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
country, territory
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

((1) 'erets;

(2) 'adhamah;

(3) sadheh,

"a piece of land";

(4) ge, "earth";

(5) agros, "field";

(6) chora, "region";

(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;

(8) xeros, "dry land";

(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):

'Erets occurs hundreds of times and is used in much the same way as 'adhamah, which also occurs often: e.g. "land of Egypt," 'erets mitsrayim (Ge 13:10), and 'adhmath mitsrayim (Ge 47:20). The other words occur less often, and are used in the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9

→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23

→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8

→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18

and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
עַ֚ד'ad to H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
מְק֣וֹםme.Kom [the] place of H4725 Noun common · masculine singular construct
401× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Amplified meaning
place, location
Tyndale gloss
place
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָקוֹם (maqom) means 'place' and encompasses a variety of contexts, including a standing place, station, or post. It can refer to human abodes, localities, regions, and even figurative conditions of body or mind. The term is derived from a root meaning 'standing' and is used broadly in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָקוֹם, מָקֹם 399 n.m. standing-place, place

standing-place

station, where soldiers are placed

post, office

place where a thing belongs

esp.

place of human abode

of י׳’s abode

place

in gen. place, locality, spot

space, room

space, distance, between

region, quarter, direction

peculiar uses

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4725 מָקוֹם, מָקֹם standing-place, place . . standing-place

. station, where soldiers are placed

. post, office

. . place where a thing belongs

. esp. . place of human abode

. of י׳’s abode

. place

. in gen. place, locality, spot

. . space, room

. space, distance, between

. region, quarter, direction

. peculiar uses

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4725 maqowm maw-kome'

or maqom {maw-kome'}; also (feminine) mqowmah {mek-o-mah'};

or mqomah {mek-o-mah'}; from 6965; properly, a standing, i.e.

a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);

also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or

mind):--country, X home, X open, place, room, space, X

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 06965

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָקוֹם (ma.qom) — place.

1) standing place, place

1a) standing place, station, post, office

1b) place, place of human abode

1c) city, land, region

1d) place, locality, spot

1e) space, room, distance

1f) region, quarter, direction

1g) give place to, instead of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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…

and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
שְׁכֶ֔םshe.Khem Shechem H7927 Noun proper
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Shechem refers to a city in Palestine and a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 33:19. He was the son of Hamor, a Hivite chieftain. The city was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
Amplified meaning
a city in Palestine, a place of meeting
Tyndale gloss
Shechem
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁכֶם (shekhem) refers to both a city in northern Palestine and a man, the son of Hamor, mentioned in the context of the Patriarchs. The name is associated with meanings like 'back' or 'shoulder.' The city is located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, significant in biblical narratives.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁכֶם n.pr.loc. 49 et m. 14

district in N. Palestine

n.pr.m. ‘son’ of Hamor

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7927 שְׁכֶם . district in N. Palestine

. ‘son’ of Hamor

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7927 Shkem shek-em'

the same as 7926; ridge; Shekem, a place in

Palestine:--Shechem.

see HEBREW for 07926

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁכֶם (she.khem) — Shechem.

Shechem = "back" or "shoulder"

a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria

Also named: Suchem (Συχέμ "Shechem" G4966)

שְׁכֶם (she.khem) — Shechem.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19;

son of: Hamor (H2544)

§ Shechem = "back" or "shoulder"

1) son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival

2) a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

she'-kem (shekhem, "shoulder"; Suchem, he Sikima, ta Sikima, etc.; the King James Version gives "Sichem" in Ge 12:6; and "Sychem" in Ac 7:16):

1. Historical:

This place is first mentioned in connection with Abraham's journey from Haran. At the oak of Moreh in the vicinity he reared his first altar to the Lord in Palestine (Ge 12:6 f). It was doubtless by this oak that Jacob, on his return from Paddan-aram, buried "the strange (the American Standard Revised Version "foreign") gods" (Ge 35:4). Hither he had come after his meeting with Esau (Ge 33:18). Eusebius, in Onomasticon, here identifies Shechem with Shalem; but see…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Shechem

Shoulder. (1.) The son of Hamor the Hivite (Gen. 33:19; 34).

(2.) A descendant of Manasseh (Num. 26:31; Josh. 17:2).

(3.) A city in Samaria (Gen. 33:18), called also Sichem (12:6), Sychem (Acts 7:16). It stood in the narrow sheltered valley between Ebal on the north and Gerizim on the south, these mountains at their base being only some 500 yards apart. Here Abraham pitched his tent and built his first altar in the Promised Land, and received the first divine promise (Gen. 12:6, 7). Here also Jacob “bought a parcel of a field at the hands of the children of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(back or shoulder). An important city in central Palestine, in the valley between mounts Ebal and Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles southeast of Samaria. Its present name, Nablus , is a corruption of Neapolis, which succeeded the more ancient Shechem, and received its new name from Vespasian. On coins still extant it is called Flavia Neapolis. The situation of the town is one of surpassing beauty. It lies in a sheltered valley, protected by Gerizim on the south and Ebal on the north. The feet of these mountains, where they rise from the town, are not more than five hundred yards apart. The bottom of the valley is about 1800 feet above the level of the sea, and the top of Gerizim 800 feet higher still. The sit of the present city, which was also that of the Hebrew city, occurs exactly on the water-summit; and streams issuing from the numerous springs there flow down the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A Canaanite prince, at the town of the same name, who abducted Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and was soon afterwards treacherously slain, with many of his people, by Simeon and Levi, Ge 34:1-31.

2. A city of central Canaan, between the mountains Gerizim and Ebal, thirty-four miles north of Jerusalem; called also Sychar and Sychem, Ac 7:16. It is first mentioned in the history of Abraham, who here erected his first altar in Canaan, and took possession of the country in the name of Jehovah, Ge 12:6 33:18,19 35:4. Jacob bought a field in its neighborhood, which by way of overplus, he gave to his son Joseph, who was buried here, Ge 48:22

and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
עַ֖ד'ad to H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
אֵל֣וֹן'e.Lon [the] great tree of H436 Noun common · masculine singular construct
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a strong tree, like an oak or a terebinth. It is also the name of a place in the Bible, often translated as a plain. It appears in stories about Abraham and others.
Amplified meaning
terebinth, strong tree
Tyndale gloss
terebinth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵלוֹן (elown) refers to a terebinth tree or a strong tree, often associated with divination. The term can also denote a plain. It is derived from a root meaning 'oak' or 'strong tree.' The entries consistently highlight its connection to large trees, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵלוֹן n.[f.] terebinth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H436 אֵלוֹן terebinth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

436 'elown ay-lone'

prolonged from 352; an oak or other strong tree:--plain.

See also 356.

see HEBREW for 0352

see HEBREW for 0356

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵלוֹן (e.lon) — (Diviners') Oak.

This name means tree, great tree, terebinth

Combined with a.nan (עָנַן "Diviners'" H6049)

אֵלוֹן (e.lon) — terebinth.

1) tree, great tree, terebinth

2) plain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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…

and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
מוֹרֶ֑הmo.Reh Moreh H4176 Noun proper
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Moreh was a Canaanite and also the name of a hill where Gideon fought the Midianites. The hill was likely named after the person Moreh, who may have been a teacher or leader.
Amplified meaning
a hill where spiritual guidance was sought
Tyndale gloss
Moreh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוֹרֶה (mo-reh) means 'teacher' and is associated with a Canaanite named Moreh. It also refers to a hill, specifically the oak tree at Shechem where Abram stopped and the hill in the valley of Jezreel related to Gideon's attack on the Midianites. The entries consistently identify its meanings without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוֹרֶה n.m. teacher

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4176 מוֹרֶה teacher

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4176 Mowreh mo-reh'

or Moreh {mo-reh'}; the same as 4175; Moreh, a Canaanite;

also a hill (perhaps named from him):--Moreh.

see HEBREW for 04175

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוֹרֶה (mo.reh) — Moreh.

§ Moreh = "teacher"

the oak tree at Shechem where Abram stopped when he first entered Canaan; close to the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim

מוֹרֶה (mo.reh) — Moreh.

§ Moreh = "teacher"

the hill in the valley of Jezreel at which the Midianites were camped when Gideon attacked them

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Moreh

An archer, teacher; fruitful. (1.) A Canaanite probably who inhabited the district south of Shechem, between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, and gave his name to the “plain” there (Gen. 12:6). Here at this “plain,” or rather (R.V.) “oak,” of Moreh, Abraham built his first altar in the land of Palestine; and here the Lord appeared unto him. He afterwards left this plain and moved southward, and pitched his tent between Bethel on the west and Hai on the east (Gen. 12:7, 8).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(teacher). The plain or plains (or, as it should rather be rendered, the oak or oaks) of Moreh. The oak of Moreh was the first recorded halting-place of Abram after his entrance into the land of Canaan. (Genesis 12:6) It was at the "place of Shechem," ch. (Genesis 12:6) close to the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim. (11:30) The hill of Moreh, at the foot of which the Midianites and Amalekites were encamped before Gideon’s attack upon them. (Judges 7:1) It lay in the valley of Jezreel, rather on the north side of the valley, and north also of the eminence on which Gideon’s little band of heroes was clustered. These conditions are most accurately fulfilled if we assume Jebel ed-Duhy , the "Little Hermon" of the modern travellers…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

stretching

Nave's Topical Bible

1. A plain near Shechem and Gilgal Ge 12:6; De 11:30

2. A hill on the plain of Jezreel where the Midianites encamped Jud 7:1,12

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יve.ha.ke.na.'a.Ni and the Canaanite[s] H3669 Conjunction · particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A Canaanitess was a woman from the land of Canaan, known for being merchants and traders. The term is used in the Bible to describe a woman who was a mother of one of the tribe of Benjamin, as seen in Genesis and other books.
Amplified meaning
the original inhabitants, merchants and traders
Tyndale gloss
Canaanitess
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּנַעֲנִי (ken-ah-an-ee) refers to a Canaanite, an inhabitant of Canaan, and also denotes a merchant or trader. It is derived from the root word for Canaan, which can imply a connection to trade, as Canaanites were known for their mercantile activities. The term can also describe a woman from Canaan, first mentioned in Genesis 46:10.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּנַעֲנִי adj. et nom.gent.

base

כְּנַעֲנִי n.m. trader, merchant

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3669a כְּנַעֲנִי adj. et nom. gent. H3669b כְּנַעֲנִי trader, merchant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3669 Kna`aniy ken-ah-an-ee'

patrial from 3667; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by

implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their

neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile

caravans):--Canaanite, merchant, trafficker.

see HEBREW for 03667

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּנַעֲנִי (ke.na.a.ni) — Canaanite.

Group of ke.na.an (כְּנַ֫עַן "Canaan" H3667A)

§ Canaanite, of Cana "zealous"

adj

descendant or inhabitant of Canaan

כְּנַעֲנִי (ke.na.a.ni) — merchant.

a merchant, trader

Group of ke.na.an (כְּנַ֫עַן "merchant" H3667B)

כְּנַעֲנִי (ke.na.a.ni) — Canaanitess.

Describing a woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.46.10;

mother of: Shaul (H7586H)

§ a merchant, trader

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Art | Ngmsa — Conjunction · particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
HC/Td/Ngmsa
and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
אָ֥ז'az then H227 Adverb
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a past time or place, often used to describe something that happened earlier. It can also be used as a conjunction to show a cause-and-effect relationship. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
then, in the past
Tyndale gloss
then
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָז (az) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then,' used for both temporal and logical expressions. It can refer to past events or indicate a condition for future actions. The related form מֵאָז (me.az) means 'from that time' or 'since.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָז adv. at that time, then whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).

strictly temporal

expressing logical sequence strictly

base

מֵאָז lit. from that time

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H227a אָז at that time, then H227b מֵאָז, once

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

227 'az awz

a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a

conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now,

of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָז (az) — then.

1) then, at that time

1a) temporal expressions

1a1) then (past)

1a2) then, if...then (future)

1a3) earlier

1b) logical expressions

1b1) in that case

1b2) that (being so)

מֵאָז (me.az) — the past.

1) in time past, of old

2)from time of, since

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
and he passed Abram in the land to [the] place of Shechem to [the] great tree of Moreh and the Canaanite[s] then [was] in the land
בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ba.'A.retz [was] in the land H776 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
earth, region, territory
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

((1) 'erets;

(2) 'adhamah;

(3) sadheh,

"a piece of land";

(4) ge, "earth";

(5) agros, "field";

(6) chora, "region";

(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;

(8) xeros, "dry land";

(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):

'Erets occurs hundreds of times and is used in much the same way as 'adhamah, which also occurs often: e.g. "land of Egypt," 'erets mitsrayim (Ge 13:10), and 'adhmath mitsrayim (Ge 47:20). The other words occur less often, and are used in the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9

→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23

→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8

→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18

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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