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Genesis 29:14 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ לָבָ֔ן אַ֛ךְ עַצְמִ֥י וּבְשָׂרִ֖י אָ֑תָּה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב עִמּ֖וֹ חֹ֥דֶשׁ יָמִֽים׃

BSAThen LabanLâbân declaredʼâmar You areʼattâh [truly, surely] indeedʼak my own fleshbâsâr [bone and, my relative, my kin] and bloodʻetsem After Jacob had stayedyâshab [lived, dwelled] with himʻim [together, in his company] a monthchôdesh [a lunar cycle, thirty days]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 29
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 14 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 (ya.Mim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 29:14quick helps
In a sentenceLaban acknowledges Jacob as his own relative.
Who is speakingLaban, addressing Jacob.
Where we areThe context of Jacob's arrival and settling with Laban.
The hard wordעַצְמִ֥י
Take awayThe bond of kinship is emphasized.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectלָבָן verbאָמַר 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 29:14

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 — Jacob's Arrival at Laban'sgenerated

13When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened.
14Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,
15Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”
16Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.

Genesis 29:14 describes the moment when Jacob arrives at Laban's home after fleeing from Esau. Laban, recognizing Jacob as family, expresses his joy and kinship. This moment sets the stage for their future interactions, which will be significant in the unfolding narrative of Jacob's life.


Cross References


The Key Word עַצְמִ֥י, 'atz.Migenerated

The word עַצְמִי ('atz.Mi) translates to 'bone' and signifies the essence or substance of a person. It is a feminine singular construct form, indicating a close relationship, as in the phrase 'bone of my bone.'

In this context, Laban uses it to affirm Jacob's identity as family, emphasizing the deep connection between them. The choice of this word highlights the importance of kinship in their cultural setting.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses flesh and blood to convey the relationship, a phrase echoed in the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (vai.Yo.mer), meaning 'and he said,' governs the sentence, with Laban as the subject. The structure emphasizes Laban's declaration about Jacob's identity.

The sentence includes a prepositional phrase indicating the relationship, followed by the adverbial clause describing the duration of Jacob's stay, which adds context to Laban's statement.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb וַיֹּ֤אמֶר is rendered as εἶπεν (eipen), indicating a straightforward translation of 'he said.' This choice maintains the directness of Laban's speech.

The use of σὺ (sy) for 'you' emphasizes the personal address, similar to the Hebrew, reinforcing the familial bond expressed in the original text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 29:14 shows Laban welcoming Jacob, saying he is his own flesh and blood. After Jacob had lived with Laban for a month, this moment highlights the importance of family ties and the beginning of their relationship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Laban mean when he says Jacob is his flesh and blood?

Laban is expressing that Jacob is family, indicating a close kinship that is important in their culture.

Why does Jacob stay with Laban for a month?

Jacob stays with Laban to find refuge after fleeing from Esau, and this period allows them to build their relationship.

What is the significance of the phrase 'flesh and blood'?

This phrase emphasizes the deep familial bond and connection that Laban feels towards Jacob, highlighting their kinship.

How does this passage set the stage for future events?

Laban's acceptance of Jacob establishes the foundation for their future interactions, which will be pivotal in Jacob's story.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I understand the importance of family and kinship in my own life?
  2. In what ways can I build relationships that reflect the bond Laban expresses with Jacob?
  3. What does it mean to me to be part of a family, and how does that shape my identity?
  4. How can I support and welcome others into my life as Laban did with Jacob?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 29:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And Laban said to him, surely thou [art] my bone and my flesh,.... Nearly allied in blood, being his sister's son: and he abode with him the space of a month; or "a month of days" (m), a full month

Read John Gill on Genesis 29 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. He abode ... a month.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 29 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He armed his trained servants, whom he had disciplined and instructed both in religion and in the military art too, both which were necessary to make them good soldiers, that they might both fight with skill and courage, and also rely upon God, and engage his assistance; which was now especially necessary, when so small a party were to engage against so numerous an army. Dan is commonly thought to be a town then called Leshem, , or Laish, , and afterwards Dan; see ,29; so it is an anticipation. But it may be doubted whether this was a city; or if it were, whether it were not another town called by the same name, which was frequent in those parts. And some think this is not a town, but the…

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 29 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 29:14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou [art] my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.Ver. 14. Surely thou art my bone, &c.] Good words cost nothing; and the veriest countrymen are commonly freer of them than of real courtesies. Pertinax the emperor was surnamed Cρηστολογος, quid blandus esset, magis quam benignus . But that of Nero was abominable, who, the very day before he killed his mother, most lovingly embraced her, kissed her eyes and hands, and, accompanying her when she departed, used these sweet words: All happiness attend you, my good mother; for in you I live, and by you I reign. "As a potsherd covered with silver dross, so are burning lips and…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 29 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) The space of a month.—Heb., a month of days, that is, a full month.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 29 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 14. My bone and my flesh.] One of my nearest relatives.

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 29 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. my bone and my flesh] See note on Genesis 2:23, and cf. Genesis 37:27. Laban readily acknowledges the relationship which Jacob claims. the space of a month] Lit. “a month of days.” See on Genesis 24:55, “a few days.”

Read Cambridge on Genesis 29 →

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

Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

NETBNew English Translation2006

Then Laban said to him, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” So Jacob stayed with him for a month.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh: and he abode with him the space of a month.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To whome Laban sayd, Well, thou art my bone and my flesh. and he abode with him the space of a moneth.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Laban said to him, Thou art indeed my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him a month's time.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and Laban saith to him, 'Only my bone and my flesh [art] thou;' and he dwelleth with him a month of days.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and Laban says to him, “You [are] surely my bone and my flesh”; and he dwells with him a month of days.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Laban said to him, “You are indeed my bone and my flesh.” Then Jacob stayed with him for about one month.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Laban told him, “No question about it—you're my own flesh and blood!” Jacob stayed with Laban for a month.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And Laban said to him, Truly, you are my bone and my flesh. And he kept Jacob with him for the space of a month.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּ֤אמֶרhe.saidprepositional phrase · prepositionalלtoוֹ֙himsubjectלָבָ֔ןLabanclauseadverbialאַ֛ךְsurelynoun phrase · predicatenoun phraseעַצְמִ֥boneי[are].myוּandnoun phraseבְשָׂרִ֖fleshיmysubjectאָ֑תָּהyouוַandclauseverbיֵּ֥שֶׁבhe.remainedprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִמּ֖withוֹhimnoun phrase · adverbialחֹ֥דֶשׁa.monthיָמִֽיםof.days

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch, both agreeing word for word with the Hebrew. This consistency across texts underscores the reliability of this passage.

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

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ לָבָ֔ן אַ֛ךְ עַצְמִ֥י וּבְשָׂרִ֖י אָ֑תָּה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב עִמּ֖וֹ חֹ֥דֶשׁ יָמִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרεἶπενלוֹ֙αὐτῷלָבָ֔ןλαβανעַצְמִ֥יμουוּבְשָׂרִ֖יμουאָ֑תָּהσύוַיֵּ֥שֶׁבἦνעִמּ֖וֹαὐτοῦחֹ֥דֶשׁμῆναיָמִֽים׃ἡμερῶν

10 of the 11 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

ויאמר לו לבן אך עצמי ובשׂרי אתה וישׁב עמו חדשׁ ימים

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

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 29:14אָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַרוֹto himto himוֹלָבָןLabanLabanלָבָןאַךְsurelysurelyאַךְעֶ֫צֶם[are] bone [are] bone myעֶ֫צֶםבָּשָׂרand flesh mand flesh myבָּשָׂראַתָּ֫הyouyouאַתָּ֫היָשַׁבand he remaand he remainedיָשַׁבעִםwith himwith himעִםחֹ֫דֶשׁa month ofa month ofחֹ֫דֶשׁיוֹםdaysdaysיוֹםעָצֹםbe vastbe vastעָצֹםבָּשַׂרto bear tito bear tidingsבָּשַׂרעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםחָדַשׁto renewto renewחָדַשׁלָבָןwhitewhiteלָבָןאָכֵןsurelysurelyאָכֵןשְׁבִיעִיseventhseventhשְׁבִיעִיכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהאֲרַמִּיArameanArameanאֲרַמִּייַעֲקֹבJacobJacobיַעֲקֹבמַחְסוֹרneedneedמַחְסוֹרהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶלבָּשָׂרfleshfleshבָּשָׂרעוֹרskinskinעוֹרעֶ֫צֶםboneboneעֶ֫צֶםיָרַשׁto possessto possess: posיָרַשׁבֶּ֫טַחsecuritysecurityבֶּ֫טַח
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 29:14

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 said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.mer and he said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
לוֹ֙lo to him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
לָבָ֔ןla.Van Laban H3837 Noun proper masculine
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to Laban, a person in the Bible, or a place in the desert where the Israelites camped.
Tyndale gloss
Laban
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לָבָן (la.van) refers to Laban, a figure from the Patriarchal narratives, specifically the son of Bethuel and brother of Rebekah, who is the father-in-law of Jacob. The term also denotes a location associated with the Israelites' desert journey. The name Laban means 'white' and appears in contexts relating to both a person and a geographical site.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָבָן 54 n.pr.m. son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father-in-law of Jacob

base

לָבָן n.pr.loc. connected with desert-journey of Israelites Dt 1:1

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3837a לָבָן son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father-in-law of Jacob H3837b לָבָן connected with desert-journey of Israelites

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3837 Laban law-bawn'

the same as 3836; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the

Desert:--Laban.

see HEBREW for 03836

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָבָן (la.van) — Laban.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29;

son of: Bethuel (H1328A);

brother of: Rebekah (H7259);

father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812)

§ Laban = "white"

son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel

לָבָן (la.van) — Laban.

§ Laban = "white"

a wilderness encampment of the Israelites

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

la'-ban: The person named Laban, labhan; (Laban, possibly connected with the root meaning "to be white," from which in Hebrew the adjective meaning "white" has just this form) is first introduced to the reader of Genesis in the story of the wooing of Rebekah (Genesis 24). He belonged to that branch of the family of Terah that was derived from Abraham's brother Nahor and his niece Milcah. The genealogy of this branch is traced in Ge 22:20-24; but, true to its purpose and the place it occupies in the book, this genealogy brings the family down to Rebekah, and there stops without mentioning Laban. Accordingly, when Rebekah is introduced in the narrative of Genesis 24, she is referred to (24:15,24) in a way that recalls to the reader the genealogy already given; but when her brother Laban is introduced (24:29), he is related to his…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Laban

White. (1.) The son of Bethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. He lived at Haran in Mesopotamia. His sister Rebekah was Isaac’s wife (Gen. 24). Jacob, one of the sons of this marriage, fled to the house of Laban, whose daughters Leah and Rachel (ch. 29) he eventually married. (See JACOB.)

(2.) A city in the Arabian desert in the route of the Israelites (Deut. 1:1), probably identical with Libnah (Num. 33:20).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(white). Son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel. (B.C. about 1860-1740.) The elder branch of the family remained at Haran, Mesopotamia, when Abraham removed to the land of Canaan, and it is there that we first meet with Laban, as taking the leading part in the betrothal of his sister Rebekah to her cousin Isaac. (Genesis 24:10,29-60; 27:43; 29:5) The next time Laban appears in the sacred narrative it is as the host of his nephew Jacob at Haran. (Genesis 29:13,14) [JACOB] Jacob married Rachel and Leah, daughters of Laban, and remained with him 20 years, B.C. 1760-1740. But Laban’s dishonest and overreaching practice toward his nephew shows from what source Jacob inherited his tendency to sharp dealing. Nothing is said of Laban after Jacob left him. One…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A rich herdsman of Mesopotamia, son of Bethuel, and grandson of Mahor, Abraham’s brother, Ge 24:28-31. His character is shown in the gladness with which he gave his sister Rebekah in marriage to the only son of his rich uncle, Abraham, Ge 24:30,50; and in his deceitful and exacting treatment of Jacob his nephew and son-inlaw, against which Jacob defended himself by cunning as well as fidelity. When the prosperity of the one family and the jealousy of the other rendered peace impossible, Jacob, at the command of God, secretly departed, to go to Canaan. Laban pursued him; but being warned by God to do him no harm, returned home after making a treaty of peace. He seems to have known and worshipped God, Ge 24:50 30:27 31:53; but…

and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
אַ֛ךְ'akh surely H389 Adverb
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Tyndale gloss
surely
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַךְ (ak) is an adverb meaning 'surely' or 'indeed,' often used to emphasize what follows. It can also carry a restrictive sense, translating to 'only' or 'but.' The entries indicate its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H389 אַךְ 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

389 'ak ak

akin to 403; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by

limitation) only:--also, in any wise, at least, but,

certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only,

save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet

(but).

see HEBREW for 0403

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַךְ (akh) — surely.

1) indeed, surely (emphatic)

2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
עַצְמִ֥י'atz.Mi [are] bone my H6106 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
126× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word refers to a bone or the body, and can also mean the substance or essence of something. It is used in many parts of the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and Psalms, to describe the physical body.
Tyndale gloss
bone
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶ֫צֶם (etsem) primarily means 'bone' but extends to concepts of substance and self. It can refer to the physical body, limbs, or essence. The word is derived from a root related to strength, indicating a connection between physicality and identity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫צֶם 125 n.f. bone, substance, self

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6106 עֶ֫צֶם bone, substance, self

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6106 `etsem eh'tsem

from 6105; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body;

figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame:--body,

bone, X life, (self-)same, strength, X very.

see HEBREW for 06105

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone.

: bone/limb

1) bone, essence, substance

1a) bone

1a1) body, limbs, members, external body

1b) bone (of animal)

1c) substance, self

עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: same.

: same/very

1) bone, essence, substance

1a) bone

1a1) body, limbs, members, external body

1b) bone (of animal)

1c) substance, self

עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: body.

: body

1) bone, essence, substance

1a) bone

1a1) body, limbs, members, external body

1b) bone (of animal)

1c) substance, self

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
וּבְשָׂרִ֖יu.ve.sa.Ri and flesh my H1320 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
270× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
bone and, my relative, my kin
Tyndale gloss
flesh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּשָׂר (basar) means 'flesh' and encompasses various meanings, including the physical body, kinship, and a euphemism for male genitalia. It can refer to humans, animals, and all living things, highlighting the frailty of man in relation to God. The entries consistently emphasize its bodily and relational aspects.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּשָׂר 266 n.m. flesh

of the body

flesh for the body itself

male organ of generation (euphemism)

flesh for kindred, blood-relations

man over against God as frail or erring

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1320 בָּשָׂר flesh . of the body

. flesh for the body itself

. male organ of generation (euphemism)

. flesh for kindred, blood-relations

. man over against God as frail or erring

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1320 basar baw-sawr'

from 1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body,

person; also (by euphem.) the pudenda of a man:--body, (fat,

lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-)kind, + nakedness, self, skin.

see HEBREW for 01319

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּשָׂר (ba.sar) — flesh.

1) flesh

1a) of the body

1a1) of humans

1a2) of animals

1b) the body itself

1c) male organ of generation (euphemism)

1d) kindred, blood-relations

1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God)

1f) all living things

1g) animals

1h) mankind

Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
אָ֑תָּה'A.tah you H859 Pronoun
1,094× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Amplified meaning
truly, surely
Tyndale gloss
you(m.s.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou

base

אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)

base

אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)

base

אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)

base

אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

859 'attah at-taw'

or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine

(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem

{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah

{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun

of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and

you:--thee, thou, ye, you.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).

you (second pers. sing. masc.)

אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).

you (second pers. sing. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).

you (second pers. sing. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).

you (second pers. pl. masc.)

Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)

אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).

you (second pers. pl. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבvai.Ye.shev and he remained H3427 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
lived, dwelled
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
עִמּ֖וֹi.Mo with him H5973 Preposition · suffix
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Amplified meaning
together, in his company
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
חֹ֥דֶשׁCho.desh a month of H2320 Noun common · masculine singular construct
285× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Amplified meaning
a lunar cycle, thirty days
Tyndale gloss
month
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֹ֫דֶשׁ (chodesh) refers to the concept of newness, specifically the new moon and the month. It denotes both the lunar month and the first day of that month. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to timekeeping in the Hebrew calendar.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֹ֫דֶשׁ 282 n.m. (newness), new moon, month

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2320 חֹ֫דֶשׁ (newness), new moon, month

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2320 chodesh kho'-desh

from 2318; the new moon; by implication, a

month:--month(-ly), new moon.

see HEBREW for 02318

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֹ֫דֶשׁ (cho.desh) — month.

: month

1) the new moon, month, monthly

1a) the first day of the month

1b) the lunar month

חֹ֫דֶשׁ (cho.desh) — month: new moon.

: new_moon

1) the new moon, month, monthly

1a) the first day of the month

1b) the lunar month

Also means: cho.desh (חֹ֫דֶשׁ ": month" H2320)

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

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and he said to him Laban surely [are] bone my and flesh my you and he remained with him a month of days
יָמִֽים׃ya.Mim days H3117 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
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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