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Genesis 17:6 — Word Study

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WLCוְהִפְרֵתִ֤י אֹֽתְךָ֙ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָ לְגוֹיִ֑ם וּמְלָכִ֖ים מִמְּךָ֥ יֵצֵֽאוּ׃

BSAI will make you exceedinglymᵉʼôd [very] fruitfulpârâh [producing many descendants] I will makenâthan nations [of you]gôwy [Gentile groups, large groups of people] and kingsmelek [royal rulers, monarchs] will descendyâtsâʼ [come out, proceed] from youmin

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 17
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 (ye.Tze.'u) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 17:6quick helps
In a sentenceGod promises Abraham that he will be very fruitful, leading to nations and kings arising from him.
Who is speakingGod is speaking to Abraham, affirming his future significance.
Where we areThis verse is part of God's covenant with Abraham, establishing his role in the future.
The hard wordהִפְרֵתִ֤י
Take awayGod's promise emphasizes abundance and legacy.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectמֶלֶךְ verbפָּרָה 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 17:6

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 — God's Covenant with Abrahamgenerated

5No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
6I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.
7I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
8And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 17:6 is part of God's covenant with Abraham, where He promises to make him exceedingly fruitful. This promise not only indicates personal blessing but also the establishment of nations and kings from his lineage, highlighting the significance of Abraham in biblical history. This covenant is foundational for understanding the development of God's people and His plan for humanity.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 17:4–20“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
2Genesis 35:11And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
3Genesis 17:16And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”
4Genesis 36:31–43These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites:
5Ezra 4:20And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word הִפְרֵתִ֤י, ve.hif.re.Tigenerated

The verb פָּרָה (parah) means to be fruitful or to produce. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts, emphasizing growth and increase. The Hiphil form here indicates that God will actively cause Abraham to be fruitful, suggesting divine intervention in this process.

This promise reflects God's intention to bless Abraham abundantly, resulting in a legacy that includes nations and kings. The use of this verb underscores the transformative power of God's word, as He brings about fruitfulness in Abraham's life.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the essence of God's promise to make Abraham fruitful, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all conveying the same core message.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb הִפְרֵתִ֤י (I will make fruitful) governs the sentence, with multiple phrases providing details about the promise. The structure emphasizes the sequential nature of God's declarations.

The sentence flows from God's promise of fruitfulness to the resulting nations and kings, illustrating a clear cause-and-effect relationship in the covenant.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הִפְרֵתִ֤י as αὐχανῶ, which means 'to be fruitful' and carries a similar connotation of abundance. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of God's promise across the Hebrew and Greek texts.

The choice of words in the Septuagint maintains the emphasis on fruitfulness and divine blessing, aligning with the Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 17:6 shows God's promise to Abraham that he will be very fruitful, resulting in nations and kings coming from him. This establishes Abraham's important role in God's plan and highlights the blessings that will flow from his lineage.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for Abraham to be made exceedingly fruitful?

It means that God will bless Abraham with many descendants, leading to the formation of nations and kings.

Why is the promise of nations and kings significant?

This promise establishes Abraham as a key figure in God's plan for humanity, indicating the importance of his lineage in biblical history.

How does this promise relate to God's covenant with Abraham?

This promise is part of the covenant, which signifies God's commitment to Abraham and his descendants, ensuring their place in His divine plan.

What can we learn from God's promise to Abraham?

We learn about God's ability to bring about abundance and legacy through individuals, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How does God's promise to Abraham encourage you in your own life?
  2. What does it mean to you that God can create a legacy through one person?
  3. In what ways can you see God's fruitfulness in your own life or community?
  4. How can you apply the principle of being fruitful in your daily actions?

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

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, often discussing the implications of God's promises to Abraham for the broader narrative of salvation.

Ambrose of MilanOn Abraham c. 339–397
Hence, the Stoic philosophers drew their doctrine as if from a source, saying that all things belong to the wise. For the East and the West, the North and the South are parts of the universe. The whole world is enclosed in them.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 17 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 17:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful,.... In children, for he had not only a son by Sarai, from whom sprung a numerous offspring, but he had six sons by Keturah, who became the heads of large

Read John Gill on Genesis 17 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. Kings shall come out of thee - (cf. Micah 5:2.)

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 17 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

So did the kings of Israel and Judah, of Edom, of the Saracens, and the Messias, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 17 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 17:6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.Ver. 6. I will make thee exceeding fruitful.] Heb., Foecundabo te valde valde :and as oft as thou thinkest upon thy new name, thou shalt remember my promise, and rest assured of my performance. See how God, of his grace, condescends unto us, and accommodates us.

Read John Trapp on Genesis 17 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. kings shall come out of thee] Cf. Genesis 17:16 and Genesis 35:11 (P). The promise contains a reference to the Israelite monarchy. This is recognized as overruled by God (cf. 1 Samuel 11, 12) to be the means of the people’s blessing and expansion. Cf. Numbers 24:14; Numbers 24:17-19. With the “kings” of Israel, compare the “princes” of “Ishmael” (Genesis 17:20) and “the dukes of Edom” (Genesis 36:40).

Read Cambridge on Genesis 17 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

6. Exceeding fruitful… nations… kings — A threefold promise, enhanced in the two following verses by the mention of “an everlasting covenant” and “an everlasting possession.” Mark the gradation.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 17 →

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

I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I will make you extremely fruitful. I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And I will make thee exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of thee; and kings shall proceed from thee.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Also I will make thee exceeding fruitfull, and will make nations of thee: yea, Kings shall proceede of thee.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And I will make thee exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and I have made thee exceeding fruitful, and made thee become nations, and kings go out from thee.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and I have made you exceedingly fruitful, and made you become nations, and kings go out from you.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And I will make thee exceedingly fruitful, and I will cause thee to become nations; and kings shall come out of thee.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And I will make thee increase, exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I will make sure you have a large number of descendants. They will become many nations, and some of their kings will also come from your line.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I will make you very fertile, so that nations will come from you and kings will be your offspring.

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.

וְandclauseverbהִפְרֵתִ֤יI.will.make.fruitfulnoun phrase · objectאֹֽתְךָ֙youprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּwithadverb phraseמְאֹ֣דmuchnessמְאֹ֔דmuchnessוּandclauseverbנְתַתִּ֖יIobjectךָwill.make.youprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְintoגוֹיִ֑םnationsוּandclausesubjectמְלָכִ֖יםkingsprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִמְּfromךָ֥youverbיֵצֵֽאוּthey.will.come.out

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with 9 of 9 words matched in meaning. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly with the word הַפְרִיתִי (be fertile), indicating a variation in the expression of the promise but not in its essence.

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

וְהִפְרֵתִ֤י אֹֽתְךָ֙ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָ לְגוֹיִ֑ם וּמְלָכִ֖ים מִמְּךָ֥ יֵצֵֽאוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְהִפְרֵתִ֤יαὐχανῶאֹֽתְךָ֙σεבִּמְאֹ֣דσφόδραמְאֹ֔דσφόδραוּנְתַתִּ֖יךָσεלְגוֹיִ֑םἔθνηוּמְלָכִ֖יםβασιλεῖςמִמְּךָ֥σοῦיֵצֵֽאוּ׃ἐχελεύσονται

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

והפריתי אתך במאד מאד ונתתיך לגוים ומלכים ממך יצאו

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: הפריתי (be fertile)

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 17:6פָּרָהand I will and I will makeפָּרָהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתמְאֹדwith muchnewith muchnessמְאֹדמְאֹדmuchnessmuchnessמְאֹדנָתַןand I will and I will makeנָתַןגּוֹיinto nationinto nationsגּוֹימֶ֫לֶךְand kingsand kingsמֶ֫לֶךְמִן־from youfrom youמִן־יָצָאthey will cthey will come יָצָאאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתאוּדfirebrandfirebrandאוּדמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהמֵןstringstringמֵןרָבָהto multiplto multiplyרָבָהכָּבֵדheavyheavyכָּבֵדשָׁרַץto swarmto swarmשָׁרַץמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁנַחֲלָהinheritancinheritanceנַחֲלָהזֶ֫רַעseedseedזֶ֫רַעעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםמַמְלָכָהkingdomkingdomמַמְלָכָהנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּראַשּׁוּרAsshurAsshurאַשּׁוּררָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקיָתַרto remainto remainיָתַרקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָא
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 17:6

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 I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
וְהִפְרֵתִ֤יve.hif.re.Ti and I will make fruitful H6509 Verb · Hiphil · sequential perfect first person common singular
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be fruitful or produce something, like a tree bearing fruit. It is used in a literal sense, but also figuratively, like in Genesis where God tells humans to be fruitful and multiply. It emphasizes growth and increase.
Amplified meaning
producing many descendants
Tyndale gloss
be fruitful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּרָה (parah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bear fruit or be fruitful, applicable to both literal and figurative contexts. It can describe the act of producing fruit, as well as the process of making something fruitful. The verb appears in different forms, including Qal and Hiphil, indicating both the action of bearing fruit and causing fruitfulness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּרָה] vb. bear fruit, be fruitful

Qal

of men and animals

of vine

Hiph.

cause to bear fruit

make fruitful

shew fruitfulness, bear fruit

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6509 פָּרָה bear fruit, be fruitful

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6509 parah paw-raw'

a primitive root; to bear fruit (literally or

figuratively):--bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be,

make) fruitful, grow, increase.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּרָה (pa.rah) — be fruitful.

1) to bear fruit, be fruitful, branch off

1a) (Qal) to bear fruit, be fruitful

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to bear fruit

1b2) to make fruitful

1b3) to show fruitfulness, bear fruit

Also means: pa.ra (פָּרָא "be fruitful" H6500)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · sequential perfect first person common singular
Hc/Vhq1cs
and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
אֹֽתְךָ֙'o.te.Kha the object marker you H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

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

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

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

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

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

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo/Sp2ms — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
בִּמְאֹ֣דbim.'Od with muchness H3966 Preposition
300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Amplified meaning
very
Tyndale gloss
much
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

force, might

in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might

. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3966 m`od meh-ode'

from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or

without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,

speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,

especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X

louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)

sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

see HEBREW for 0181

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְאֹד (me.od) — much.

adv

1) exceedingly, much

subst

2) might, force, abundance

n m

3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

3a) force, might

3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)

3b1) exceedingly

3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly

3b3) with muchness, muchness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adv — Preposition
HR/Acmsa
and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
מְאֹ֔דme.'Od muchness H3966
300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Tyndale gloss
much
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

force, might

in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might

. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3966 m`od meh-ode'

from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or

without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,

speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,

especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X

louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)

sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

see HEBREW for 0181

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְאֹד (me.od) — much.

adv

1) exceedingly, much

subst

2) might, force, abundance

n m

3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

3a) force, might

3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)

3b1) exceedingly

3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly

3b3) with muchness, muchness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmsa
HAcmsa
and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָu.ne.ta.Ti.kha and I will make you H5414 Verb qal sequential perfect first person common singular · suffix
2,011× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Tyndale gloss
to give: give
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set

Qal 1917

give

Put, set

Make, constitute

Niph.

82be given

Be put, set

Hoph.

be given, bestowed

= be given to one for wife

be put upon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give

. Put, set

. Make, constitute

. . be given

. Be put, set

. . . be given, bestowed

. = be given to one for wife

. be put upon

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5414 nathan naw-than'

a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of

application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,

assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,

hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +

cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X

without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),

grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),

(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,

occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X

pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send

(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,

strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,

turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)

God, yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.

: give/deliver/send/produce

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend

1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate

1a3) to make, constitute

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned

1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up

1c2) to be put upon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.

: put/set/apppoint

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff — Verb qal sequential perfect first person common singular · suffix
Hc/Vqq1cs/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
לְגוֹיִ֑םle.go.Yim into nations H1471 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentile groups, large groups of people
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
וּמְלָכִ֖יםu.me.la.Khim and kings H4428 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absolute
2,526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Amplified meaning
royal rulers, monarchs
Tyndale gloss
King's
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4428 melek meh'-lek

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

see HEBREW for 04427

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

1) king

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

הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.

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

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

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

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

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

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

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.

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

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absolute
HC/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Israel warned against seeking

1Sa 8:9-18

- Sin of Israel in seeking

1Sa 12:17-20

- Israel in seeking, rejected God as their king

1Sa 8:7; 10:19

- Israel asked for, that they might be like the nations

1Sa 8:5,19,20

- First given to Israel in anger

Ho 13:11

- God reserved to himself the choice of

De 17:14,15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12

- When first established in Israel, not hereditary

De 17:20; 1Sa 13:13,14; 15:28,29

and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
מִמְּךָ֥mime.Kha from you H4480 Preposition · suffix
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

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

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

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

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

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

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

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

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

. with a temporal force, since, after

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

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

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

1b) out of

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

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

1b3) (of source or origin)

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

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

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

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

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

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

conj

2) that

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

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp2ms
and I will make fruitful the object marker you with muchness muchness and I will make you into nations and kings from you they will come out
יֵצֵֽאוּ׃ye.Tze.'u they will come out H3318 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
1,067× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
come out, proceed
Tyndale gloss
to come out: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָצָא (yatsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with various applications including departure, escape, and emergence. It can refer to both animate and inanimate subjects and emphasizes the idea of origin or source. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating actions like leading out or being brought forth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצָא 1068 vb. go or come out

Qal

go or come out or forth

from (מִן) a place

go forth from (the presence of) a person

in technical senses

of flight, involving escape

depart

of inanimate things

with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source

of children as going forth from loins (of father)

go forth to a place

go forward, proceed to or toward something

come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result

of combinations

Hiph.

cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.

bring out animals

inanimate obj.

fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)

Hoph. be brought forth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3318 יָצָא go or come out .. go or come out or forth . from (מִן) a place

. go forth from (the presence of) a person

. in technical senses

. of flight, involving escape

. depart

. of inanimate things

. with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source

. of children as going forth from loins (of father)

. . go forth to a place

. go forward, proceed to or toward something

. come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result

. of combinations

. . cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

. fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.

. bring out animals

. inanimate obj.

. fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)

. be brought forth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3318 yatsa' yaw-tsaw'

a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great

variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct

and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X

begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come

(abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned,

depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,

fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence,

out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out),

going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out,

lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X

scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring

out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any

time, X to (and fro), utter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: come.

: come/go_out/escape

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: send.

: send/take_out/release

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
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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