Menu

Hosea 11:7 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְעַמִּ֥י תְלוּאִ֖ים לִמְשֽׁוּבָתִ֑י וְאֶל־ עַל֙ יִקְרָאֻ֔הוּ יַ֖חַד לֹ֥א יְרוֹמֵם׃

BSAMy peopleʻam [the nation of Israel, a tribe] are benttâlâʼ on turning from Memᵉshûwbâh [to backsliding, faithlessness] Though they callqârâʼ [cry out, invoke] toʼêl the Most Highʻal [the supreme God, on high] He will by no meanslôʼ [not at all, under no circumstances] exalt themrûwm [lift up, honor]

Word
Listen & take awayHosea 11
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ye.ro.mem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Hosea 11:7quick helps
In a sentenceGod expresses His sorrow over Israel's unfaithfulness and their futile calls to Him.
Who is speakingGod, addressing His people, Israel.
Where we areIn the context of God's lament over Israel's turning away from Him.
The hard wordתְלוּאִ֖ים
Take awayDespite their cries, God will not lift them up.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbתָּלָא 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 — Hosea 11:7

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — God's Lament over Israelgenerated

6A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.
7My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.
8How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
9I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath.

Hosea 11:7 reveals God's heartache as He observes His people, Israel, turning away from Him. Despite their calls to the Most High, God declares that He will not exalt them, highlighting their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their actions. This passage reflects the ongoing theme in Hosea of God's desire for His people to return to Him, contrasted with their persistent backsliding.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Hosea 4:16For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?
2Hosea 14:4I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them.
3Psalm 78:57–58They turned back and were faithless like their fathers, twisted like a faulty bow.
4Proverbs 14:14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
5Jeremiah 3:6–8Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word תְלוּאִ֖ים, te.lu.'Imgenerated

The word תְלוּאִ֖ים (te.lu.'Im) is a passive participle derived from the root meaning to hang. It conveys a sense of being suspended or uncertain, reflecting Israel's wavering faith and inclination to backslide. The participial form indicates that this is a state of being rather than a single action, emphasizing the ongoing nature of their doubt and hesitation.

In this verse, it serves to illustrate the condition of God's people, who are metaphorically 'hung up' in their faithlessness, caught between calling on God and their inclination to turn away from Him.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִקְרָאֻ֔הוּ (yik.ra.'U.hu), meaning 'they call on Him', governs the sentence, with several phrases attached: a noun phrase as the subject, a prepositional phrase indicating direction, and another clause describing the action of calling. The structure emphasizes that despite their calls, the main action is God's response.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject וְעַמִּ֥י (ve.'a.Mi), 'My people', indicating that the lament is directed specifically at them, highlighting their condition and God's disappointment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תְלוּאִ֖ים as ἐπικρεμάμενος, which means 'hanging' or 'suspended'. This choice reflects a similar sense of uncertainty but may also suggest a more active state of being caught in doubt, emphasizing the emotional weight of Israel's situation.

This translation choice shows a narrowing in the interpretation, focusing on the precariousness of their faith rather than simply describing their backsliding.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Hosea 11:7 shows God lamenting over His people, Israel, who are turning away from Him. Even though they call out to Him, God states that He will not lift them up, highlighting their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their actions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God's people are 'bent on turning'?

It means that they are persistently choosing to turn away from God, showing a pattern of unfaithfulness.

Why does God say He will not exalt them?

God's refusal to exalt them reflects the consequences of their backsliding and unfaithfulness.

What does it mean to call on the Most High?

To call on the Most High means to invoke God, seeking His help or intervention.

How does this verse reflect God's relationship with Israel?

This verse illustrates the tension between God's desire for His people and their persistent unfaithfulness, highlighting the emotional struggle in their relationship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see myself turning away from God, similar to Israel?
  2. How can I ensure that my calls to God are sincere and not just empty words?
  3. What steps can I take to strengthen my faith and avoid backsliding?
  4. How does understanding God's lament over Israel affect my view of His love and justice?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Hosea 11:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And my people are bent to backsliding from me,.... There is a propensity in thorn to it, through prevailing corruption in them; they are inclined unto it, the bias of their minds is that way; they

Read John Gill on Hosea 11 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

Read Robert Jamieson on Hosea 11 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

My people; yet God owneth them for his, he had not cast them quite off; or since they call themselves his, he is willing to encourage them by owning all in them that looks toward him. Are bent to backsliding from me; or continue in suspense, doubtful and unresolved what to do, or rather inclined most to an aversion from me: though the Lord’ s prophets have persuaded them earnestly to return by repentance, yet they continue unresolved what is best to be done, whether to adhere to their idol gods, to make sure of Egyptian aids, or-to turn to God, and east off the other; this they most dislike, and continue as it were tacked and fastened to their rebellion, as the French version. Though they…

Read Matthew Poole on Hosea 11 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Hosea 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].Ver. 7. My people are bent to backsliding from me] They have a principle of apostasy in them, as those Galatians had of whom the apostle, "I marvel that you are so soon removed unto another gospel," Galatians 1:6, and as those old apostates in the wilderness, who, as soon as Moses’ back was turned almost, cried out to Aaron, Make us golden gods. This people was before accused to be acted by a spirit of fornication, a certain violent impetus, a strong inclination to whoredom, and to be apt to backslide with a perpetual backsliding: all their recidivations and…

Read John Trapp on Hosea 11 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) No imagery is used, as of unfaithful wife, recalcitrant heifer, or furnace-piling baker, but homely literal commonplace. The people were called by sufficient means to the highest worship, but they were bent on the lowest.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Hosea 11 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. Though they called them to the Most High] Newcome is better: "And though they call on him together because of the yoke, he will not raise it. He shall receive no refreshment." See the metaphor, Hosea 11:4.

Read AdamClarke on Hosea 11 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. And my people, &c.] This verse gives the ground of the judgment; ‘and’ = ‘for’, ‘in fact.’ The reference to ‘backsliding’ (lit. turning, or turning about) should be taken in connexion with Hosea 14:4. though they called, &c.] Rather, and if they are called (lit., if they, viz. the prophets, call him) upwards, not one striveth to rise. There is a complete moral apathy. A phraseological point of contact with Hosea 7:16.

Read Cambridge on Hosea 11 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And My people are bent to backsliding from Me - Literally, “are hung to it!” as we say, “a man’s whole being “hangs” on a thing.” A thing “hung to” or “on” another, sways to and fro within certain

Read Albert Barnes on Hosea 11 →

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

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

NETBNew English Translation2006

My people are obsessed with turning away from me; they call to Baal, but he will never exalt them!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him .

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And my people are bent to rebellion against me: though they called them to the most hie, yet none at all would exalt him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth [him].

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And My people are hanging in suspense about My returning, || And to the Most High they call, || Together they do not exalt.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For my people are only bent on backsliding from me; and though upward they call them, they altogether will not elevate themselves.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

My people are determined to turn away from me. Though they call to the Most High, no one will help them.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

My people are hanging on to their apostasy from me. They call him “god on high” but he will not raise them up at all.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

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.

וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectעַמִּ֥peopleיmyverbתְלוּאִ֖ים[are].hung.upprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtonoun phraseמְשֽׁוּבָתִ֑apostasyיmyוְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoעַל֙a.heightverbיִקְרָאֻ֔theyobjectהוּcall.on.himclauseadverbialיַ֖חַדtogetheradverbialלֹ֥אnotverbיְרוֹמֵםhe.will.exalt.[them]

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with the Dead Sea Scrolls providing a version that is largely restored, indicating that the core message has remained consistent across these texts.

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

וְעַמִּ֥י תְלוּאִ֖ים לִמְשֽׁוּבָתִ֑י וְאֶל־ עַל֙ יִקְרָאֻ֔הוּ יַ֖חַד לֹ֥א יְרוֹמֵם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְעַמִּ֥יαὐτοῦתְלוּאִ֖יםἐπικρεμάμενοςלִמְשֽׁוּבָתִ֑יαὐτοῦוְאֶל־θεὸςעַל֙ἐπὶיִקְרָאֻ֔הוּαὐτοῦיַ֖חַדθυμωθήσεταιלֹ֥אοὐיְרוֹמֵם׃ὑψώσῃ

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

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q82a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ועמ׳י] [תלואים] [למשובת׳י] [ואל] [על] [יקרא׳הו] [יחד] [לוא] [ירומ׳ם]

nothing on the leather here — 9 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Hosea 11:7עַםand people and people myעַםתָּלָא[is] hung u[is] hung upתָּלָאמְשׁוּבָהto apostasyto apostasy myמְשׁוּבָהאֶלand toand toאֶלעַלa heighta heightעַלקָרָאthey call othey call on hiקָרָאיַ֫חַדtogethertogetherיַ֫חַדלֹאnotnotלֹארוּםhe will exahe will exalt [רוּםעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםשׁוּבto return:to return: retuשׁוּבעָלָהto ascend:to ascend: riseעָלָהיָחַדbe joinedbe joinedיָחַדקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאבֵּיתBeth-sheanBeth-sheanבֵּיתרָבַבto multiplto multiplyרָבַברָפָאto healto healרָפָאפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הקָרָאto call: cto call: call tקָרָאאֶלto(wards)to(wards)אֶלצוֹםfastfastצוֹםשֵׁםnamenameשֵׁםיָעַדto appointto appointיָעַדרוּןto overcomto overcomeרוּןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹד
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 Hosea 11:7

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 people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
וְעַמִּ֥יve.'a.Mi and people my H5971 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
1,873× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Amplified meaning
the nation of Israel, a tribe
Tyndale gloss
Amaw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people

a people, nation

= smaller units

= common people

people in gen., persons

phrases

base

[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5971 `am am

from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a

tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or

attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,

people.

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַם (am) — people.

: people/nation

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — kinsman.

kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Ammi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — People's (Gate).

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.

Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Amaw.

This name means nation, people

עַם (am) — people: soldiers.

: soldiers/army

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — people: creatures.

: creatures

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
תְלוּאִ֖יםte.lu.'Im [is] hung up H8511 Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine plural
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to hang or suspend something, and it can also mean being uncertain or hesitant. It is used in the Bible to describe being in doubt or undecided. In the book of Psalms, it describes a person who is bent or hanging in doubt.
Tyndale gloss
to hang
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּלָא (tala') primarily means to hang. It can also imply a sense of uncertainty or mental dependence, suggesting a figurative meaning of being suspended or hesitant. The entries indicate a focus on the physical act of hanging as well as the emotional or mental aspects of clinging or depending on something.

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8511 תָּלָא hang

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8511 tala' taw-law'

a primitive root; to suspend; figuratively (through

hesitation) to be uncertain; by implication (of mental

dependence) to habituate:--be bent, hang (in doubt).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּלָא (ta.la) — to hang.

(Qal) to hang, hang to, cling to

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine plural
HVqsmpa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
לִמְשֽׁוּבָתִ֑יlim.shu.va.Ti to apostasy my H4878 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes turning away from God, or faithlessness. It is used to convey the idea of apostasy or backsliding. In the Bible, it is often used to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
Amplified meaning
to backsliding, faithlessness
Tyndale gloss
faithlessness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְשׁוּבָה (mshuwbah) refers to concepts of turning back or apostasy, indicating a turning away from faithfulness. It is derived from the root meaning to turn back. The entries consistently highlight its association with backsliding and faithlessness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מְשׁוּבָה], מְשֻׁבָה n.f. turning back, apostasy

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4878 מְשׁוּבָה, מְשֻׁבָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4878 mshuwbah mesh-oo-baw'

or mshubah {mesh-oo-baw'}; from 7725;

apostasy:--backsliding, turning away.

see HEBREW for 07725

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְשׁוּבָה (me.shu.vah) — faithlessness.

turning away, turning back, apostasy, backsliding

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
וְאֶל־ve.'el- and to H413 Conjunction · preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
עַל֙'al a height H5920 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to something high up, like a great height or even God Himself. It can also mean something is above or high up, like in Psalm 92:8 where God is the most High.
Amplified meaning
the supreme God, on high
Tyndale gloss
height
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַל (al) primarily means 'height' and can refer to the Most High, specifically God. It serves as a preposition meaning 'upon' or 'above,' indicating elevation, addition, or proximity. The word is built from the root meaning 'to rise' and has a broad range of uses, including idiomatic expressions and various grammatical functions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Of the ground or basis, on which a thing is done

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5920 עַל, עָ֑ל I. subst. height

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5920 `al al

from 5927; properly, the top; specifically, the highest (i.e.

God); also (adverb) aloft, to Jehovah:--above, high, most

High.

see HEBREW for 05927

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — Most High.

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

עַל (al) — height.

subst

1) height

adv

2) above, upwards, on high

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
יִקְרָאֻ֔הוּyik.ra.'U.hu they call on him H7121 Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Amplified meaning
cry out, invoke
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

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

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

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

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

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

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

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

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1a3) to proclaim

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

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

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

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

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

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

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

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

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1a3) to proclaim

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVqi3mp/Sp3ms
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
יַ֖חַדYa.chad together H3162 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Tyndale gloss
unitedness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יַ֫חַד (yachad) refers to the concept of unitedness or being together. It can function as a noun meaning 'unitedness' and as an adverb meaning 'together.' The word is built from a root that emphasizes unity and is used in various contexts in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַ֫חַד 45 n.[m.] unitedness

as subst.

elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together

base

יָחְדָּו 92 adv. together

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3162a יַ֫חַד unitedness . as subst.

. elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together

H3162b יָחְדָּו adv. together

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3162 yachad yakh'-ad

from 3161; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly:--alike,

at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-)together, withal.

see HEBREW for 03161

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַ֫חַד (ya.chad) — unitedness.

1) union, unitedness

יָחְדָּו (yach.dav) — together.

adv

together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
not at all, under no circumstances
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and people my [is] hung up to apostasy my and to a height they call on him together not he will exalt [them]
יְרוֹמֵם׃ye.ro.mem he will exalt [them] H7311 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
190× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Amplified meaning
lift up, honor
Tyndale gloss
to exalt
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּם (ruwm) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be high or exalted, covering a range of actions such as rising, lifting, and promoting. It can refer to physical elevation, like raising an ark or setting up a throne, as well as figurative exaltation, particularly in relation to God. The word also has a related form, רָמַם (ramam), which means to be wormy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רוּם vb. be high, exalted, rise

Qal

be high, lit. rock (in fig.)

esp. of י׳

be raised, uplifted

be lifted, rise, of ark

Pō‛lēl

raise, rear, children

cause tree to grow

lift up

exalt, extol, acc. י׳

Pō‛lal be lift up

Hiph.

raise, rear, c. acc., hand

raise poor

lift up voice

(take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone

set up, erect, stone

set on high, throne

lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.

lift up and take away, remove

lift off and present, contribute, offer

Hoph. be taken off from; be abolished

Hithpō‛l. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself

base

[רָמַם] vb. denom. be wormy;—Ex 16:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7311a רוּם be high, exalted, rise .. . be high, lit. rock (in fig.)

. esp. of י׳

. be raised, uplifted

. be lifted, rise, of ark

.. . raise, rear, children

. cause tree to grow

. lift up

. exalt, extol, acc. י׳

.be lift up

. . . . raise, rear, c. acc., hand

. raise poor

. lift up voice

. (take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone

. set up, erect, stone

. set on high, throne

. lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.

. lift up and take away, remove

. lift off and present, contribute, offer

. be taken off from; be abolished

. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself

H7311b רָמַם vb. denom. be wormy

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7311 ruwm room

a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in

various applications, literally or figuratively):--bring up,

exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be,

lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up,

levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, (X a-)loud, mount up, offer

(up), + presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up,

tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּם (rum) — to exalt.

1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be high, be set on high

1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted

1a3) to be lifted, rise

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up

1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt

1b3) to exalt, extol

1c) (Polal) to be lifted up

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high

1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove

1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute

1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished

1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself

Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)

רָמַם (ra.mam) — be rotten.

(Qal) to be rotten, be wormy

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-o-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate