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Genesis 3:10 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת־ קֹלְךָ֥ שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בַּגָּ֑ן וָאִירָ֛א כִּֽי־ עֵירֹ֥ם אָנֹ֖כִי וָאֵחָבֵֽא׃

BSAI heardshâmaʻ [with attention and obedience] Your voiceqôwl [sound or speaking] in the gardengan [an enclosed area, paradise] he repliedʼâmar and I was afraidyârêʼ [stood in awe, feared] becausekîy Iʼânôkîy [was] nakedʻêyrôm [without clothes, exposed] so I hid myselfchâbâʼ [withdrew, concealed, my whole being]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 3
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (va.'e.cha.Ve') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 3:10quick helps
In a sentenceAdam acknowledges hearing God's voice in the garden, which causes him to feel fear due to his nakedness.
Who is speakingAdam, responding to God after eating from the forbidden tree.
Where we areIn the aftermath of the first sin, as God questions Adam about his actions.
The hard wordעֵירֹם
Take awayFear and shame lead Adam to hide from God.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאָנֹכִי 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 3:10

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 — The Fall of Mangenerated

9But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
10“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
11“Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
12And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Genesis 3:10 shows Adam's response to God after he disobeyed by eating from the tree of knowledge. He hears God's voice and feels afraid, realizing his nakedness and choosing to hide. This moment marks a significant turning point in human history, where the relationship between humanity and God is altered due to sin. Adam's fear and shame reflect the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the following verses where God questions him further about his actions.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 2:25And the man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.
2Exodus 3:6Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
3Job 23:15Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.
4Psalm 119:120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
5Isaiah 33:14The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עֵירֹם, 'ei.Romgenerated

The word עֵירֹם ('eirom) is an adjective meaning 'naked' or 'nakedness.' It describes a state of being without clothing, indicating vulnerability and exposure. This word emphasizes Adam's shame and fear after realizing his nakedness before God, which is a central theme in the narrative of the Fall.

It appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often linked to themes of innocence and shame. The parsing indicates it is used here as a predicate adjective, describing Adam's condition at the moment he hears God's voice.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word naked.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (vai.Yo.mer), meaning 'and he said,' governs the entire sentence. It introduces Adam's response to God, followed by clauses that detail what he heard, his emotional state, and his subsequent action.

The structure shows a sequence of actions and states: Adam hears God's voice, feels fear due to his nakedness, and then hides. The clauses are tightly connected, illustrating the cause-and-effect relationship of Adam's fear leading to his hiding.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיֹּ֕אמֶר as εἶπεν, which also means 'he said.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of Adam's speech.

The Greek word γυμνός corresponds to עֵירֹם, meaning 'naked.' This translation captures the essence of Adam's vulnerability and shame in the narrative.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 3:10 records Adam's response to God after eating from the forbidden tree. He hears God's voice in the garden and feels afraid because he is naked, leading him to hide. This reaction illustrates the shame and fear that result from disobedience.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Adam mean when he says he was afraid?

Adam's fear reflects his awareness of his nakedness and shame after disobeying God's command, indicating a change in his relationship with God.

Why did Adam hide from God?

Adam hid because he felt exposed and ashamed of his nakedness, a direct consequence of his disobedience.

What significance does the garden hold in this passage?

The garden represents a place of intimacy and communion with God, which is now marred by sin and fear.

How does this verse relate to the theme of sin in Genesis?

This verse illustrates the immediate consequences of sin, including fear, shame, and the desire to hide from God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I respond to my own mistakes and failures in my relationship with God?
  2. What does it mean to be vulnerable before God, and how can I embrace that vulnerability?
  3. In what ways do I try to hide from God when I feel ashamed?
  4. How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's voice in my life?

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

Early commentators reflect on Adam's response to God, highlighting themes of confession, shame, and the consequences of sin.

Ephrem the SyrianCOMMENTARY ON Genesis 2.27.1-2 c. 306–373
Instead of confessing what he had done, which would have helped him, he related what had been done to him, which did not help him at all.… Adam again failed to confess his folly and blamed the woman.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 3 →
Ephrem the SyrianCOMMENTARY ON Genesis 2.23.2 c. 306–373
If Adam and Eve had sought to repent after they had transgressed the commandment, even though they would not have regained that which they had possessed before their transgression of the commandment,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 3 →
John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON Genesis 17.22 c. 347–407
You see, since he was not unaware of the truth when he asked them but rather knew, and knew very well, he shows consideration for their limitations so as to demonstrate his own loving kindness,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 3 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 3:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden,.... The voice of thy Word, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan: this was not the true cause of his hiding himself; he had heard his voice in the

Read John Gill on Genesis 3 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 3 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He confesseth his nakedness, which was evident, but saith nothing of his sin; which, if possible, he would have hid: see . And is grieved for the shameful effects of his sin, but not yet sincerely penitent for his sin. I hid myself, out of reverence to thy glorious majesty.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 3 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.Ver. 10. I heard thy voice.] So he had done before his fall, and feared not. "Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?" Excellently St Austin, Adversarius est nobis, quamdiu sumus et ipsi nobis: Quamdiu tu tibi inimicus es, inimicum habebis sermonem Dei . Yea, but I was naked, and therefore hid myself. This also was non causa pro causa . There was another pad in the straw, which he studiously conceals, viz., the conscience of his sin. Hic vero non factum suum, sed Dei factum in semetipso reprehendit saith Rupertus. He blames not himself, but God, for making him…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 3 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. I was afraid, because I was naked] See the immediate consequences of sin. 1. SHAME, because of the ingratitude marked in the rebellion, and because that in aiming to be like God they were now sunk into a state of the greatest wretchedness. 2. FEAR, because they saw they had been deceived by Satan, and were exposed to that death and punishment from which he had promised them an exemption. How worthy is it of remark that this cause continues to produce the very same effects! Shame and fear were the first fruits of sin, and fruits which it has invariably produced, from the first transgression to the present time.

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. heard … afraid … hid] The man has not courage to tell the whole truth. Fear suppresses that part of the truth which love should have avowed. To hide from God’s presence is the instinct of guilt; it is the converse of “to seek His face.”

Read Cambridge on Genesis 3 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

10. I was afraid, because I was naked — Adam’s self-defence was a self-betrayal. Fear, consequent upon a sense of guilt, distracts the reason, demoralizes the judgment, and exposes the transgressor to certain condemnation.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 3 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

The man replied, “I heard you moving about in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden: and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Who saide, I heard thy voyce in the garden, and was afraide: because I was naked, therefore I hid my selfe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I feared, because I am naked; and I hid myself.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and he saith, 'Thy sound I have heard in the garden, and I am afraid, for I am naked, and I hide myself.'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And he says, “I have heard Your sound in the garden, and I am afraid, for I am naked, and I hide myself.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he said, Thy voice I heard in the garden; and I was afraid, because I am naked; and I hid myself.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The man said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. So I hid myself.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he said: I heard thy voice in paradise; and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

“I heard you walking in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid,” he replied.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And he said, Hearing your voice in the garden I was full of fear, because I was without clothing: and I kept myself from your eyes.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּ֕אמֶרhe.saidclausenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseקֹלְsoundךָ֥yourverbשָׁמַ֖עְתִּיI.heardprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּinnoun phrasetheגָּ֑ןgardenוָandclauseverbאִירָ֛אI.was.afraidכִּֽי(dm)clausepredicateעֵירֹ֥ם[was].nakedsubjectאָנֹ֖כִיIוָandclauseverbאֵחָבֵֽאI.hid.myself

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in content, with the Samaritan Pentateuch differing on two words: קֹלְךָ (sound) and עָרוּם (naked). The differences highlight variations in the understanding of Adam's condition and the nature of God's voice.

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

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת־ קֹלְךָ֥ שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בַּגָּ֑ן וָאִירָ֛א כִּֽי־ עֵירֹ֥ם אָנֹ֖כִי וָאֵחָבֵֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרεἶπενקֹלְךָ֥σουשָׁמַ֖עְתִּיἤκουσαבַּגָּ֑ןἐνוָאִירָ֛אἐφοβήθηνכִּֽי־ὅτιעֵירֹ֥םγυμνόςאָנֹ֖כִיεἰμιוָאֵחָבֵֽא׃ἐκρύβην

9 of the 10 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 את קולך שׁמעתי בגן ואירא כי ערום אנכי ואחבא

2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: קולך (sound), ערום (naked)

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 3:10אָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַראֵתthe object the object markאֵתקוֹלsound yoursound yourקוֹלשָׁמַעI heardI heardשָׁמַעגַּןin the gardin the gardenגַּןיָרֵאand I was aand I was afraiיָרֵאכִּיforforכִּיעֵירֹם[was] naked[was] nakedעֵירֹםאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יחָבָאand I hid mand I hid myselחָבָאאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתגָּנַןto defendto defendגָּנַןעָרֹםbe shrewdbe shrewdעָרֹםחָבַבto loveto loveחָבַבכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁתְּרוּעָהshoutshoutתְּרוּעָהשֹׁפָרtrumpettrumpetשֹׁפָרקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבעֵ֫דֶןEdenEdenעֵ֫דֶןבֹּ֫שֶׂםspicespiceבֹּ֫שֶׂםחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתאַלnotnotאַליָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעֶרְיָהnakednessnakednessעֶרְיָהרָעֵבhungryhungryרָעֵב
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 3:10

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 the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרvai.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 the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

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

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

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

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

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

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
קֹלְךָ֥ko.le.Cha sound your H6963 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
506× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Amplified meaning
sound or speaking
Tyndale gloss
voice: sound
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קוֹל 506 n.m. sound, voice

base

קֹל n.[m.] lightness, frivolity;—Je 3:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6963 qowl kole

or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a

voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),

fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,

proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +

yell.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קוֹל (qol) — voice.

: voice/shout/loud

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קֹל (qol) — frivolity.

lightness, frivolity

קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.

: sound/noise

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.

: thunder

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.

: message/proclaim

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].

: [sound_of](THING)

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.

: listen

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּיsha.Ma'.ti I heard H8085 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
with attention and obedience
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
בַּגָּ֑ןba.Gan in the garden H1588 Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The word for garden refers to an enclosed area, like the Garden of Eden. It can also symbolize a bride or a place for plants.
Amplified meaning
an enclosed area, paradise
Tyndale gloss
garden
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּן (gan) means 'garden' or 'enclosure' and can refer to a physical garden or, figuratively, to a bride. It is derived from a root meaning to fence in. The term is used in various contexts, including the Garden of Eden and specific locations like Beth-haggan.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּן n.m. & f. enclosure, garden

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1588 גַּן enclosure, garden

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1588 gan gan

from 1598; a garden (as fenced):--garden.

see HEBREW for 01598

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּן (gan) — Garden (of Uzza).

This name means garden, enclosure

גַּן (gan) — (Beth)-haggan.

Combined with ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת "Beth" H1004H)

גַּן (gan) — garden.

1) garden, enclosure

1a) enclosed garden

1a1) (fig. of a bride)

1b) garden (of plants)

1c) Garden of Eden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
HRd/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gar'-d'-n (gan, gannah, ginnah; kepos): The Arabic jannah (diminutive, jannainah), like the Hebrew gannah, literally, "a covered or hidden place," denotes in the mind of the dweller in the East something more than the ordinary garden. Gardens in Biblical times, such as are frequently referred to in Semitic literature, were usually walled enclosures, as the name indicates (La 2:6 the American Revised Version, margin), in which there were paths winding in and out among shade and fruit trees, canals of running water, fountains, sweet-smelling herbs, aromatic blossoms and convenient arbors in which to sit and enjoy the effect. These gardens are mentioned in Ge 2 and Ge 3; 13:10; So 4:12-16; Ec 2:5,6;

Gardens in the East, as the Hebrew word indicates, are enclosures on the outskirts of towns, planted with various trees and shrubs. From the allusions in the Bible we learn that they were surrounded by hedges of thorn, (Isaiah 5:5) or walls of stone. (Proverbs 24:31) For further protection lodges, (Isaiah 1:8; Lamentations 2:6) or watchtowers, (Mark 12:1) were built in them, in which sat the keeper, (Job 27:18) to drive away the wild beasts and robbers, as is the case to this day. The gardens of the Hebrews were planted with flowers and aromatic shrubs, (Solomon 6:2; 4:16) besides olives, fig trees, nuts or walnuts, (Solomon 6:12) pomegranates, and others for domestic use.…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Eden

See EDEN

→ Of Gethsemane

→ See GETHSEMANE

and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
וָאִירָ֛אva.'i.Ra' and I was afraid H3372 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singular
315× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Amplified meaning
stood in awe, feared
Tyndale gloss
to fear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרֵא vb. fear

Qal

fear, be afraid

stand in awe of

fear, reverence, honour

Niph.

be fearful, dreadful

cause astonishment and awe

inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe

Piel. make afraid, terrify

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid

. stand in awe of

. fear, reverence, honour

. . be fearful, dreadful

. cause astonishment and awe

. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe

. make afraid, terrify

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3372 yare' yaw-ray'

a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to

frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)

fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,

terrible (act, -ness, thing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.

: frightening(DANGER)

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed

1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.

: awesome(god)

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed

1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singular
Hc/Vqw1cs
and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
עֵירֹ֥ם'ei.Rom [was] naked H5903 Adj
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means naked or nudity, describing a state of being without clothes. It appears in various Bible translations, including the KJV, as naked or nakedness.
Amplified meaning
without clothes, exposed
Tyndale gloss
naked
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵירֹם, transliterated as eyrom, is an adjective and noun meaning 'naked' and 'nakedness.' It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of nudity. The entries consistently define the term without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵירֹם, עֵרֹם adj. and n. [m.] 1. naked; 2. nakedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5903 עֵירֹם, עֵרֹם adj. and n. [m.] 1. naked; 2. nakedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5903 `eyrom ay-rome'

or merom {ay-rome'}; from 6191; nudity:--naked(- ness).

see HEBREW for 06191

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵירֹם (e.rom) — naked.

adj

1) naked

n m

2) nakedness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Naked

This word denotes (1) absolute nakedness (Gen. 2:25; Job 1:21; Eccl. 5:15; Micah 1:8; Amos 2:16); (2) being poorly clad (Isa. 58:7; James 2:15). It denotes also (3) the state of one who has laid aside his loose outer garment (Lat. nudus), and appears clothed only in a long tunic or under robe worn next the skin (1 Sam. 19:24; Isa. 47:3; comp. Mark…

In the Bible, often means no more than "not fully dressed." So in Joh 21:7, Peter is said to have been "naked," that is, he had laid off his outer garment, and had on only his inner garment or tunic. See GARMENT. So probably in Isa 20:2 Mic 1:8 Ac 19:16. Sometimes poorness and insufficiency of clothing are meant, as in Jas 2:15. So in Isa 58:7 2Co 11:27. A nation is said to be "naked," when stripped of its defenses, wealth, etc., Ge 42:9

and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
אָנֹ֖כִי'a.No.khi I H595 Pronoun
359× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָֽנֹכִ֫י (*anokiy*) is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is a variant spelling of אֲנִי (*ani*), which also means 'I.' The entries confirm its use as a personal pronoun without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H595 אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

595 'anokiy aw-no-kee'

sometimes {aw-no'-kee}; a primitive pro.; I:--I, me, X

which.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָֽנֹכִ֫י (a.no.khi) — I.

I (first pers. sing.)

Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bs
and he said the object marker sound your I heard in the garden and I was afraid for [was] naked I and I hid myself
וָאֵחָבֵֽא׃va.'e.cha.Ve' and I hid myself H2244 Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect first person common singular
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hide means to secrete or withdraw, often for safety or protection. In the Bible, this word is used to describe hiding oneself or being forced into hiding. It appears in various forms, including to hide oneself or to be hidden by someone else.
Amplified meaning
withdrew, concealed, my whole being
Tyndale gloss
to hide
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבָא (chaba') is a Hebrew verb meaning to withdraw or hide. It has various forms, including Niph'al (to hide oneself), Pual (to be forced into hiding), and Hiph'il (to hide something). The entries suggest a range of meanings from simply hiding to drawing together or thickening, indicating a nuanced use of the term in different contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבָא] vb. withdraw, hide (not in Qal)

Niph. hide oneself

Pu. have been hidden

Hiph. hide, trans.

Hoph. be hidden

Hithp.

draw back, hide oneself

draw together, thicken, harden

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2244 חָבָא withdraw, hide

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2244 chaba' khaw-baw'

a primitive root (compare 2245); to secrete:--X held, hide

(self), do secretly.

see HEBREW for 02245

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבָא (cha.va) — to hide.

1) to withdraw, hide

1a) (Niphal) to hide oneself

1b) (Pual) to be forced into hiding

1c) (Hiphil) to hide

1d) (Hophal) to be hidden

1e) (Hithpael)

1e1) to hide oneself, draw back

1e2) to draw together, thicken, harden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect first person common singular
Hc/VNw1cs
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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