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Genesis 26:25 — Word Study

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WLCוַיִּ֧בֶן שָׁ֣ם מִזְבֵּ֗חַ וַיִּקְרָא֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֔ה וַיֶּט־ שָׁ֖ם אָהֳל֑וֹ וַיִּכְרוּ־ שָׁ֥ם עַבְדֵי־ יִצְחָ֖ק בְּאֵֽר׃

BSASo [Isaac] builtbânâh [the son of Abraham, a man of faith, constructed, established] an altarmizbêach [a place of sacrifice] thereshâm and calledqârâʼ [invoked, preached] on the nameshêm [the character, reputation] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the self-existent God] and he pitchednâṭâh [stretched out, spread] his tentʼôhel [a temporary dwelling] thereshâm [His]Yitschâq servantsʻebed [those who served him, his attendants] also dugkârâh [excavated, pierced] a wellbᵉʼêr [a source of water] thereshâm

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 26
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 25 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 (be.'Er) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 26:25quick helps
In a sentenceIsaac built an altar, called on the name of the LORD, pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well.
Who is speakingThe narrative focuses on Isaac, the son of Abraham.
Where we areThis verse describes events that took place in Gerar.
The hard wordמִזְבֵּחַ
Take awayIsaac establishes a place of worship and provision in a foreign land.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbבָּנָה 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 26:25

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 — Isaac in Gerargenerated

24and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
25So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there. His servants also dug a well there.
26Later, Abimelech came to Isaac from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army.
27“Why have you come to me?” Isaac asked them. “You hated me and sent me away.”

Genesis 26:25 recounts how Isaac, after receiving reassurance from the LORD, built an altar to worship God. This act signifies his faith and commitment to God amidst challenges in a foreign land. The subsequent actions of pitching a tent and digging a well further illustrate Isaac's establishment in the land and his reliance on God for sustenance and shelter.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 8:20Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.
2Genesis 12:7Then 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.
3Genesis 13:18So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
4Genesis 22:9When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.
5Genesis 33:20There he set up an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

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


The Key Word מִזְבֵּחַ, miz.Be.achgenerated

The Hebrew word מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) means 'altar' and is derived from a root that signifies slaying or killing, indicating its sacrificial use. Altars were central to worship in ancient Israel, serving as places where offerings were made to God.

In this verse, the altar represents a physical space for worship and a commitment to God, highlighting Isaac's faith and his role as a patriarch in the lineage of Israel.


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 finite verbs govern the main actions in the verse: וַיִּ֧בֶן (he built), וַיִּקְרָא֙ (he called), וַיֶּט־ (he pitched), and וַיִּכְרוּ־ (they dug). Each action is sequentially linked, illustrating the establishment of worship and habitation.

The structure emphasizes Isaac's proactive role in setting up both a place for worship and a living space, with each action building upon the last.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses θυσιαστήριον for מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), which specifically denotes an altar for sacrifices. This choice highlights the sacrificial aspect of worship in the Greek context, aligning with the Hebrew understanding.

The translation reflects continuity in the concept of worship across both Hebrew and Greek traditions, emphasizing the importance of altars in religious practice.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 26:25 tells us that Isaac built an altar to worship God, called on the name of the LORD, pitched his tent for living, and his servants dug a well for water. This shows Isaac's faith and his efforts to establish himself in the land.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Isaac built an altar?

Building an altar signifies Isaac's commitment to worship God and acknowledge His presence in his life.

Why did Isaac call on the name of the LORD?

Calling on the name of the LORD reflects Isaac's reliance on God for guidance and support in a foreign land.

What is the significance of pitching a tent?

Pitching a tent indicates Isaac's establishment in the land, providing a temporary dwelling while he lived there.

Why did Isaac's servants dig a well?

Digging a well was essential for providing water, which was crucial for survival in the arid environment of Gerar.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I establish places of worship in my own life, like Isaac did?
  2. What does it mean to call on the name of the LORD in my daily life?
  3. In what ways can I rely on God for provision and support?
  4. How do I see God's presence in the places where I live and work?

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

Origen of Alexandria comments on Isaac's actions, drawing parallels between his altar and the significance of worship in both the Old and New Testaments.

Origen of AlexandriaHOMILIES ON Genesis 14.2 c. 185–253
Isaac builds indeed an altar even now in the law and pitches his tent, but in the Gospels he does not pitch a tent but builds a house and establishes a foundation.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 26 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 26:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And he builded an altar there,.... At Beersheba, where his father Abraham had planted a grove before, and very probably had built an altar also, though it might not be now standing, Genesis 21:33;

Read John Gill on Genesis 26 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 26 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 26:25 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’ s servants digged a well.Ver. 25. And called upon the name of the Lord.] That had made room for him; and now, by his presence and promise, comforted him. Let the streams of God’ s bounty lead us, as the watercourse doth, either to the spring upward, or downward to the main ocean, to the source and fountain whence they flow. Let God taste of the fruit of his own planting. Otherwise, it is no better than the refreshing of him that standeth by a good fire, "and crieth, Aha, I am warm". We are no better than brute beasts, if, contenting ourselves with a natural use of…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 26 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23-25) He went up from thence to Beer-sheba.—This was a very serious act on Isaac’s part He leaves the solitudes where he had found a refuge from the enmity of the Philistines, and returns to a place scarcely five leagues distant from their city. Should the old rancour revive, it may now take the form of actual war. And next, he does not go back to the well Lahai-Roi, where he had so long resided, but to Beer-sheba, his father’s favourite home. It was a claim on his part to the rights and inheritance of Abraham, and the claim was admitted. The same night Jehovah appears to him, bids him put away his fears, and renews to him the promises which were his by the right of his birth. My servant…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 26 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 25. Builded an altar there] That he might have a place for God's worship, as well as a place for himself and family to dwell in. And called upon the name of the Lord] And invoked in the name of Jehovah. See Clarke on Genesis 12:8; "Genesis 13:15".

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 26 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. builded … there] As Abraham had done, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:18. called … Lord] See notes on Genesis 4:26, Genesis 21:33. digged a well] According to Genesis 21:30 a well had already been digged by Abraham. The word in the Hebrew is not the same as that used in Genesis 26:22; see Genesis 50:5.

Read Cambridge on Genesis 26 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

25. Altar… tent… well — Mark the order; first the altar, God’s worship before all else; next his tent, and then the well.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 26 →

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

So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there. His servants also dug a well there.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He built an altar there, and called on Yahweh’s name, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there. His servants also dug a well there.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the Lord. He pitched his tent there, and his servants dug a well.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of Jehovah, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And he built an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then he builte an altar there, and called vpon the Name of the Lord, and there spred his tent: where also Izhaks seruauntes digged a well.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he built an altar there, and called upon the name of Jehovah. And he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and he buildeth there an altar, and preacheth in the name of Jehovah, and stretcheth out there his tent, and there Isaac's servants dig a well.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and he builds there an altar, and preaches in the Name of YHWH, and stretches out there his tent, and there Isaac’s servants dig a well.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he built there an altar, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched there his tent: and the servants of Isaac dug there a well.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of Yahweh. There he pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he built there an altar: and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent: and commanded his servants to dig a well.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Isaac built an altar and worshiped the Lord. He also set up his tent, and his servants dug a well there.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then he made an altar there, and gave worship to the name of the Lord, and he put up his tents there, and there his servants made a water-hole.

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּ֧בֶןhe.builtadverbialשָׁ֣םthereobjectמִזְבֵּ֗חַan.altarוַandclauseverbיִּקְרָא֙he.calledprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּonnoun phraseשֵׁ֣םthe.nameיְהוָ֔הof.Yahwehוַandclauseverbיֶּטhe.pitchedadverbialשָׁ֖םtherenoun phrase · objectאָהֳל֑tentוֹhisוַandclauseverbיִּכְרוּthey.dugadverbialשָׁ֥םtherenoun phrase · subjectעַבְדֵיthe.servantsיִצְחָ֖קof.Isaacobjectבְּאֵֽרa.well

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


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

The Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and Samaritan Pentateuch all agree on the wording of this verse, indicating a strong textual consistency. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some editorial restoration but align closely with the Masoretic Text.

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

וַיִּ֧בֶן שָׁ֣ם מִזְבֵּ֗חַ וַיִּקְרָא֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֔ה וַיֶּט־ שָׁ֖ם אָהֳל֑וֹ וַיִּכְרוּ־ שָׁ֥ם עַבְדֵי־ יִצְחָ֖ק בְּאֵֽר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּ֧בֶןᾠκοδόμησενשָׁ֣םἐκεῖמִזְבֵּ֗חַθυσιαστήριονוַיִּקְרָא֙ἐπεκαλέσατοבְּשֵׁ֣םὄνομαיְהוָ֔הκυρίουוַיֶּט־ἔπηχενשָׁ֖םἐκεῖאָהֳל֑וֹαὐτοῦוַיִּכְרוּ־ὤρυχανשָׁ֥םἐκεῖעַבְדֵי־παῖδεςיִצְחָ֖קισαακבְּאֵֽר׃φρέαρ

14 of the 14 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

ויבן שׁם מזבח ויקרא בשׁם יהוה ויט שׁם אהלו ויכרו שׁם עבדי יצחק באר

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q12a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ויבן] [שם] [מזבח] [ויקרא] [בשם] יהוה ויטי [שם] [אהל׳ו] [ויכרו] [שם] [עבדי] [יצחק] [באר]

2 words on the leather — 12 supplied entire by an editor.

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 26:25בָּנָהand he builand he builtבָּנָהשָׁםtherethereשָׁםמִזְבֵּחַan altaran altarמִזְבֵּחַקָרָאand he calland he calledקָרָאשֵׁםon [the] naon [the] name oשֵׁםיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהנָטָהand he pitcand he pitchedנָטָהשָׁםtherethereשָׁםאֹ֫הֶלtent histent hisאֹ֫הֶלכוּרand they duand they dugכוּרשָׁםtherethereשָׁםעֶ֫בֶד[the] serva[the] servants עֶ֫בֶדיִצְחָקIsaacIsaacיִצְחָקבְּאֵרa wella wellבְּאֵראֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרזָבַחto sacrifito sacrificeזָבַחשׂוּםto set: mato set: makeשׂוּםהָיָהto beto beהָיָהאָהַלto shineto shineאָהַלעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדצָחַקto laughto laughצָחַקבארto make plto make plainבארקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאנָדַחto banishto banishנָדַחגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּרחוֹמָהwallwallחוֹמָהמִזְבֵּחַaltaraltarמִזְבֵּחַקָטַרto offer: to offer: burnקָטַרעֹלָהburnt offeburnt offeringעֹלָהצוֹםfastfastצוֹםשֵׁםnamenameשֵׁםקָרָאto call: cto call: call tקָרָא
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 26:25

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 built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
וַיִּ֧בֶןvai.Yi.ven and he built H1129 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
376× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
the son of Abraham, a man of faith, constructed, established
Tyndale gloss
to build
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as rebuilding, establishing, and making permanent. It can refer to physical construction, like building a house or family, as well as metaphorical uses, such as the establishment of restored exiles. The entries indicate that it can also imply being built up, particularly in the context of a childless wife becoming a mother.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּנָה 373 vb. build

Qal build

Niph.

be built

be rebuilt

(fig.) of restored exiles, = established

established, made permanent

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1129 בָּנָה build .build

.. . be built

. be rebuilt

. . (fig.) of restored exiles, = established

. established, made permanent

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1129 banah baw-naw'

a primitive root; to build (literally and

figuratively):--(begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make,

repair, set (up), X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּנָה (ba.nah) — to build.

1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to build, rebuild

1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be built

1b2) to be rebuilt

1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.)

1b4) established (made permanent)

1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)

Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
שָׁ֣םsham there H8033 Adverb
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
מִזְבֵּ֗חַmiz.Be.ach an altar H4196 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
401× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Amplified meaning
a place of sacrifice
Tyndale gloss
altar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) means 'altar' in Hebrew. It is derived from the root word meaning to slay or kill, indicating its use in sacrificial contexts. The term is consistently used throughout the Old Testament to refer to places of sacrifice and worship.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִזְבֵּחַ 401 n.m. altar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ altar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4196 mizbeach miz-bay'-akh

from 2076; an altar:--altar.

see HEBREW for 02076

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִזְבֵּחַ (miz.be.ach) — altar.

altar

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-ter (mizbeach, literally, "place of slaughter or sacrifice," from zabhach, which is found in both senses; bomos, (only in Ac 17:23), thusiasterion):

I. CLASSIFICATION OF HEBREW ALTARS

Importance of the Distinction

II. LAY ALTARS

1. Pre-Mosaic

2. In the Mosaic Age

3. Dangers of the Custom

4. The Mosaic Provisions

III. HORNED ALTARS OF BURNT OFFERING

1. The Tabernacle Altar

2. The Altar of Jos 22

3. The Altar till Solomon

4. The Horned Altar in Use

5. The Temple of Solomon

6. The Altar of Ahaz

7. Ezekiel

8. The Post-exilic Altar

9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars

10. The Horns

IV. ALTARS OF INCENSE

V. RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS 1. A Gezer Altar

2. The Taanach Altar of Incense

LITERATURE

A. CRITICAL

I. Classification of Hebrew Altars.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Altar

(Heb. mizbe’ah, from a word meaning “to slay”), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (Gen. 22:9; Ezek. 6:3; 2 Kings 23:12; 16:4; 23:8; Acts 14:13). The word is used in Heb. 13:10 for the sacrifice offered upon it—the sacrifice Christ offered.

Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, “To the unknown God” (Acts 17:23), or rather “to an [i.e., some]…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The first altar of which we have any account is that built by Noah when he left the ark. (Genesis 8:20) In the early times altars were usually built in certain spots hallowed by religious associations, e.g., where God appeared. (Genesis 12:7; 13:18; 26:25; 35:1) Though generally erected for the offering of sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have been only memorials. (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 17:15,16) Altars were most probably originally made of earth. The law of Moses allowed them to be made of either earth or unhewn stones. (Exodus 20:24,25) I. The Altar of Burnt Offering . It differed in construction at…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A table-like structure, on which sacrifices and incense were offered, built of various materials, usually of stone, but sometimes of brass, etc. It is evident that sacrifices were offered long before the flood; but the first mention of an altar in Scripture is when Noah left the ark. Mention is made of altars reared by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The latter was commanded to build an altar of earth, Ex 20:24. If stone was employed, it must be rough and unhewn, probably lest the practice of sculpture should lead them to violate the second commandment. It was not to be furnished with steps, De 27:2-6.

The altars in the Jewish tabernacle, and in the temple at Jerusalem, were the following: 1. The altar of burnt offerings. 2. The altar of incense. 3. The table of showbread, for…

and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
וַיִּקְרָא֙vai.yik.Ra' and he called H7121 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Amplified meaning
invoked, preached
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

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 built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
בְּשֵׁ֣םbe.Shem on [the] name of H8034 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
864× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Amplified meaning
the character, reputation
Tyndale gloss
name
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)

of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it

usu. of pers.

= reputation

esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons

name, as designation of God

of false gods, use forbidden

= memorial, monument

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8034 shem shame

a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea

of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an

appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by

implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,

(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

see HEBREW for 07760

see HEBREW for 08064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁם (shem) — name.

1) name

1a) name

1b) reputation, fame, glory

1c) the Name (as designation of God)

1d) memorial, monument

Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
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 built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
יְהוָ֔הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the self-existent God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
וַיֶּט־vai.yet- and he pitched H5186 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
214× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Amplified meaning
stretched out, spread
Tyndale gloss
to stretch
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָטָה (natah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stretch out, spread out, or extend. It encompasses a wide range of actions, including bending, inclining, and pitching a tent. The word can also imply moral deflection or turning aside. The entries suggest various applications, from physical actions to metaphorical uses, but do not indicate significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָטָה 215 vb. stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

Qal

stretch out, extend, hand, rod

stretch line and plummet

= offer

Spread out, i.e. pitch, tent

Bend, turn, incline

Niph. be stretched out

Hiph.

rarely stretch out, hand

rarely spread out cloth on rock

usu. turn, incline

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5186 נָטָה stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend .. . stretch out, extend, hand, rod

. stretch line and plummet

. = offer

. Spread out, i.e. pitch, tent

. Bend, turn, incline

. be stretched out

. . rarely stretch out, hand

. rarely spread out cloth on rock

. usu. turn, incline

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5186 natah naw-taw'

a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication,

to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great

variety of application (as follows):--+ afternoon, apply, bow

(down, - ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down,

be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched,

overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread

(out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away),

wrest, cause to yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָטָה (na.tah) — to stretch.

1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer

1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent)

1a3) to bend, turn, incline

1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down

1a3b) to bend, bow

1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.)

1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to stretch out

1c2) to spread out

1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
שָׁ֖םsham there H8033 Adverb
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
אָהֳל֑וֹ'o.ho.Lo tent his H168 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
345× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Amplified meaning
a temporary dwelling
Tyndale gloss
tent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹ֫הֶל (*ohel*) means 'tent' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be conspicuous.' It encompasses various meanings, including a nomad's tent, a dwelling or home, and specifically refers to the sacred tent used for worship, known as the tabernacle. The entries consistently highlight its association with transience and habitation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫הֶל 343 n.m. tent

tent of nomad

dwelling, habitation

the sacred tent used in worship of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H168 אֹ֫הֶל tent

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

168 'ohel o'-hel

from 166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a

distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle,

tent.

see HEBREW for 0166

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent.

: tent

1) tent

1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience

1b) dwelling, home, habitation

1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)

Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)

אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent: home.

: home

1) tent

1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience

1b) dwelling, home, habitation

1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
וַיִּכְרוּ־vai.yikh.ru- and they dug H3738 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to dig or pierce, and is used in various contexts, including excavating the earth or plotting against someone, as seen in the stories of Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
excavated, pierced
Tyndale gloss
to dig
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כוּר (khur) and כָּרָה (ka.rah) are Hebrew roots primarily meaning to dig or excavate. They can also imply figurative actions like plotting. The entries note that כוּר appears in Psalm 22:17, while כָּרָה can refer to digging graves or pits, with a figurative sense related to judgment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כוּר] vb. mng. dub., perh. bore, or dig, or hew—only Qal ψ 22:17

ref

כָּרָה vb. dig

Qal dig a grave; a well; a pit

Niph. until the pit be digged of the wicked, fig. of judgment.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3738a כוּר mng. dub., perh. bore, or dig, or hew H3738b כָּרָה dig

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3738 karah kaw-raw'

a primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot;

generally, to bore or open:--dig, X make (a banquet), open.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כוּר (khur) — to dig.

1) to dig, excavate, dig through, cut

1a) (Qal) to dig

כָּרָה (ka.rah) — to pierce.

1) to pierce, excavate, dig through

1a) (Qal) to dig

1b) (Niphal) to be dug

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
שָׁ֥םsham there H8033 Adverb
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
עַבְדֵי־'av.dei- [the] servants of H5650 Noun common · masculine plural construct
801× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Amplified meaning
those who served him, his attendants
Tyndale gloss
servant/slave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant

slave, servant of household

Subjects, of chief

Servants, worshippers of God

Servant of י׳, in a special sense

Israel as a people is servant of י׳

In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household

. Subjects, of chief

. Servants, worshippers of God

. Servant of י׳, in a special sense

. Israel as a people is servant of י׳

. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5650 `ebed eh'-bed

from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,

(man-)servant.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.

1) slave, servant

1a) slave, servant, man-servant

1b) subjects

1c) servants, worshippers (of God)

1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)

1e) servant (of Israel)

1f) servant (as form of address between equals)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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 built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
יִצְחָ֖קyitz.Chak Isaac H3327 Noun proper masculine
108× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, means 'he laughs' and is the father of Esau and Israel. He is first mentioned in Genesis 17:19. Isaac is a key figure in the Bible, playing a role in the patriarchal stories.
Tyndale gloss
Isaac
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יִצְחָק (Yitschaq) refers to Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, whose name means 'he laughs.' The entries indicate that he is a significant figure in the Old Testament, mentioned first in Genesis 17:19, and is the father of Jacob and Esau. The word is built from the root associated with laughter or mockery.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יִצְחָק 108, יִשְׂחָק 4 n.pr.m. Isaac, son of Abr. and Sarah (he laugheth)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3327 יִצְחָק, יִשְׂחָק Isaac, son of Abr. and Sarah (he laugheth)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3327 Yitschaq yits-khawk'

from 6711; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son

of Abraham:--Isaac. Compare 3446.

see HEBREW for 06711

see HEBREW for 03446

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יִצְחָק (yits.chaq) — Isaac.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.17.19;

son of: Abraham (H0085) and Sarah (H8283);

half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); married to Rebekah (H7259);

father of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478)

§ Isaac = "he laughs"

son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau

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

i'-zak:oIT- (CS:HebrewIT+`iruIT-/CS): Eldest son of Caleb (1Ch 4:15); probably to be read Ir, the syllable "-u" being the conjunction "and" belonging to the following word.

I. NAME

1. Root, Forms, Analogues

2. Implication

II. FAMILY AND KINDRED

1. Birth and Place in the Family

2. Relation to the Religious Birthright

3. Significance of Marriage

III. STORY OF LIFE

1. Previous to Marriage

2. Subsequent to Marriage

IV. BIBLICAL REFERENCES

1. In the Old Testament

2. In the New Testament

V. VIEWS OTHER THAN THE HISTORICAL

I. Name.

1. Root, Forms and Analogues:

This name has the double spelling, yitschaq, and yitschaq (Isaak), corresponding to the two forms in which appears the root meaning "to laugh"--a root that runs through nearly all the Semitic languages. In Hebrew both tsachaq and sachaq have their cognate nouns, and signify, in the simple stem, "to…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Isaac

Laughter. (1) Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes (Amos 7:9, 16).

(2.) The only son of Abraham by Sarah. He was the longest lived of the three patriarchs (Gen. 21:1-3). He was circumcised when eight days old (4-7); and when he was probably two years old a great feast was held in connection with his being weaned.

The next memorable event in his life is that connected with the command of God given to Abraham to offer him up as a sacrifice on a mountain in the land of Moriah (Gen. 22). (See ABRAHAM.) When he was forty years of age Rebekah was chosen for his wife (Gen. 24). After the death and burial of his father he took up his residence at Beer-lahai-roi (25:7-11), where his two sons, Esau and Jacob, were born (21-26), the former of whom seems to have been his favourite son…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(laughter), the son whom Sara bore to Abraham, in the hundredth year of his age, at Gerar. (B.C. 1897.) In his infancy he became the object of Ishmael’s jealousy; and in his youth the victim, in intention, of Abraham’s great sacrificial act of faith. When forty years old he married Rebekah his cousin, by whom, when he was sixty, he had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Driven by famine to Gerar, he acquired great wealth by his flocks but was repeatedly dispossessed by the Philistines of the wells which he sunk at convenient stations. After the deceit by which Jacob acquired his father’s blessing Isaac sent his son to seek a wife in Padan-aram; and all that we know of him during the last forty-three years of his life in that he saw that GOD, with a large and prosperous family, return to him at Hebron. (Genesis 36:27) before he died there, at…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Laughter, Ge 17:17 18:12 21:6, one of the patriarchal ancestors of the Hebrew nation and of Christ, son of Abraham and Sarah, B. C. 1896-1705. His history is related in Ge 21:1-34 24:1-28:22 35:27-29. He is memorable for the circumstances attending his birth, as a child of prophecy and promise, in the old age of his parents. Even in childhood he was the object of dislike to his brother Ishmael, son of the bondwoman; and in this, a type of all children of the promise, Ga 4:29. Trained in the fear of God to early manhood, he showed a noble trust and obedience in his conduct during that remarkable trail of faith which established Abraham as the "father of the faithful;" and in his meek submission to all the will of God…

and he built there an altar and he called on [the] name of Yahweh and he pitched there tent his and they dug there [the] servants of Isaac a well
בְּאֵֽר׃be.'Er a well H875 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A well or pit, like a water source, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a spring, and is often translated as a well or pit in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
a source of water
Tyndale gloss
well
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּאֵר (be'er) refers to a well or pit, often created by digging. It can denote a spring as well. The term appears in Genesis 26:21 and is also used as a proper noun for a location in the desert, situated north of Eleutheropolis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּאֵר n.f. Gn 26:21 well, pit

a well, often as made by digging

pit

as n.pr.loc.

a station of Isr. in desert

8 miles north of Eleutheropolis

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H875 בְּאֵר well, pit

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

875 'er be-ayr'

from 874; a pit; especially a well:--pit, well.

see HEBREW for 0874

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּאֵר (be.er) — well.

well, pit, spring

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(1) (be'er; compare Arabic bi'r, "well" or "cistern"; usually artificial: "And Isaac's servants digged (dug) in the valley, and found there a well of springing (margin "living") water" (Ge 26:19); some times covered: "Jacob .... rolled the stone from the well's mouth" (Ge 29:10). Be'er may also be a pit: "The vale of Siddim was full of slime pits" (Ge 14:10); "the pit of destruction" (Ps 55:23).

(2) (bor), usually "pit": "Let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits" (Ge 37:20); may be "well": "drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem" (2Sa 23:16).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Well

(Heb. beer), to be distinguished from a fountain (Heb. ‘ain). A “beer” was a deep shaft, bored far under the rocky surface by the art of man, which contained water which percolated through the strata in its sides. Such wells were those of Jacob and Beersheba, etc. (see Gen. 21:19, 25, 30, 31; 24:11; 26:15, 18-25, 32, etc.). In the Pentateuch this word beer, so rendered, occurs twenty-five times.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Wells in Palestine are usually excavated from the solid limestone rock, sometimes with steps to descend into them. (Genesis 24:16) The brims are furnished with a curb or low wall of stone, bearing marks of high antiquity in the furrows worn by the ropes used in drawing water. It was on a curb of this sort that our Lord sat when he conversed with the woman of Samaria, (John 4:6) and it was this, the usual stone cover, which the woman placed on the mouth of the well at Bahurim, (2 Samuel 17:19) where the Authorized Version weakens the sense by omitting the article. The usual methods for raising water are the following: The rope and bucket, or waterskin. (Genesis 24:14-20;

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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