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Hosea 14:8 — Word Study

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WLCאֶפְרַ֕יִם מַה־ לִּ֥י ע֖וֹד לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים אֲנִ֧י עָנִ֣יתִי וַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּ אֲנִי֙ כִּבְר֣וֹשׁ רַֽעֲנָ֔ן מִמֶּ֖נִּי פֶּרְיְךָ֥ נִמְצָֽא׃

BSAto returnshûwb to dwellyâshab shadowtsêl to livechâyâh graindâgân to sproutpârach vinegephen memorialzêker wineyayin LebanonLᵉbânôwn

Word
Listen & take awayHosea 14
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 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 (nim.Tza') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Hosea 14:8quick helps
In a sentenceGod expresses His disassociation with idols and reassures Ephraim of His protective care.
Who is speakingThe Lord, addressing Ephraim directly.
Where we areIn a poetic declaration emphasizing God's relationship with His people.
The hard wordע֖וֹד
Take awayGod is the source of life and fruitfulness.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיָשַׁב verbפָּרַח 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 14:8

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 Promise to Ephraimgenerated

6His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.
7They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me.
9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hosea 14:8 is part of a passage where God reassures the northern kingdom of Israel, represented by Ephraim, of His care and the futility of their idolatry. The surrounding verses describe the blessings of returning to God and the prosperity that follows. This reflects a broader theme in Hosea of God's steadfast love and the call to repentance.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Hosea 14:2–3Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.
2Job 34:32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
3Acts 19:18–20Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds.
41 Thessalonians 1:9For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
51 Peter 1:14–16As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

The Key Word אֶפְרַ֕יִם, 'ef.Ra.yimgenerated

The name אֶפְרַ֕יִם ('efrayim) refers to Ephraim, a son of Joseph and the tribe that descended from him. It signifies 'double fruit' and carries historical and geographical significance within Israel.

Ephraim represents both the individual and the collective identity of the northern kingdom, highlighting their unique role in Israel's narrative. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, emphasizing its importance in the context of God's covenant with His people.


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 verse consists of several clauses, with the main action centered around the finite verb עָנִ֣יתִי, I will answer. This verb is followed by a series of phrases that elaborate on God's actions and attributes.

The structure emphasizes God's commitment to respond and care for Ephraim, contrasting His relationship with idols. The order of the Hebrew words highlights the direct address to Ephraim and the subsequent declaration of God's nature.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֶפְרַ֕יִם as ἐπιστρέψουσιν, indicating a focus on the theme of return. This choice shows a broader interpretation of the text, emphasizing the need for repentance and turning back to God.

The translation of ע֖וֹד as αὐτοῦ suggests a different nuance, potentially shifting the emphasis from the idols to the relationship with God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Hosea 14:8 shows God speaking to Ephraim, asking what He has to do with idols. He promises to answer and watch over Ephraim, comparing Himself to a flourishing cypress tree, indicating that all their fruitfulness comes from Him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does God mean by saying He has nothing to do with idols?

God is expressing His disapproval of idolatry and emphasizing that He alone is the source of life and sustenance.

What does the comparison to a cypress tree signify?

The cypress tree symbolizes strength and longevity, indicating that God provides enduring support and prosperity.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Hosea?

This verse encapsulates Hosea's call for repentance and the promise of restoration for those who turn back to God, highlighting His love and faithfulness.

What does it mean that Ephraim's fruit comes from God?

It signifies that all good things, including prosperity and spiritual fruitfulness, originate from a relationship with God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What idols might I be holding onto in my life that distract me from my relationship with God?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision and care, like the flourishing cypress?
  3. In what ways have I experienced God's faithfulness in my life?
  4. How can I share the message of God's love and restoration with others who may feel distant from Him?

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

John Cassian references this verse to discuss the attainment of virtue through divine grace, emphasizing the need for reliance on God's guidance.

John CassianCONFERENCE 3:13.1 c. 360–435
Holy people have never testified that they attained by their effort the right path to travel on as they made their way to the increase and perfection of virtue.
Early Church Fathers on Hosea 14 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Hosea 14:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Ephraim [shall say], what have I to do any more with idols?.... This is to be understood, not of apostate Ephraim, as in the times of the prophet, who was so wedded and glued to the idols, that there

Read John Gill on Hosea 14 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols?

Read Robert Jamieson on Hosea 14 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ephraim; not the whole body of Ephraim, but converted Ephraim, those who, ,2, were sensible of sin, confessed it, and sued for pardon. What have I to do any more with idols? i.e. I have no more to do with them, nor ever will; they have been, first my sin, and next my sorrows, and my sorrows have been multiplied by hasting after other gods; I will no more do so: and with detestation against idols doth Ephraim speak, as the question implieth. I have heard him, and observed him: some refer these words to Ephraim, owning what he had found and observed in God; what grace and mercy in pardon, deliverance from miseries, and comfortable revival of his state. Others refer it to God, and make it a…

Read Matthew Poole on Hosea 14 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Hosea 14:8 Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard [him], and observed him: I [am] like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.Ver. 8. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do, &c.] Heb. Ephraim, what have I to do, &c. This some make to be the speech of God to Ephraim; as if Ephraim here were the vocative case and God were brought in abhorring the notion of parting stakes with idols, of sharing his glory with another. But because this God never did (for what communion hath light with darkness, Christ with Belial?) and because the Chaldee Paraphrast, and from him the best interpreters, supply "shall say," I take this latter to be the better translation.…

Read John Trapp on Hosea 14 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) It would be better to adopt the slightly different reading indicated by the rendering of the LXX., and translate, As for Ephraim, what has he to do with, &c. Here again, as in Hosea 13:15, the Hebrew for “thy fruit” contains a play on the name Ephraim. I (says Jehovah) am to thee an evergreen tree of life and protection, and from me is thy fruit found.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Hosea 14 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. What have I to do any more with idols?] The conversion of Ephraim is now as complete as it was sincere. God hears and observes this. I am like a green fir tree.] Perhaps these words should be joined to the preceding, as Newcome has done, and be a part of God's speech to Ephraim. "I have heard him; and I have seen him as a flourishing fir tree." He is become strong and vigorous; and from his present appearance of healthiness, his future increase and prosperity may be safely anticipated. From me is thy fruit found.] All thy goodness springs from the principle of grace which I have planted in thy soul; for as the earth cannot bring forth fruit without the blessing of God, sending the…

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CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. Ephraim (shall say), What have I to do any more with idols] So the Targum and the Syriac. The objection is that the ellipsis is unique, and hence Archbishop Seeker proposed to follow the Septuagint (reading lo for li), and render, Ephraim—what hath he to do, &c. Prof. Robertson Smith is dissatisfied with this, but his objection simply is that the third member of the verse is unsuitable in the mouth of Jehovah, the evergreen tree being ‘in Semitic symbolism the image of receptivity, of divinely nourished life, not of quickening power’ (The Prophets of Israel, p. 411). But why should the whole verse be given to the same speaker, especially if we reject the idea that the prefixed Ephraim…

Read Cambridge on Hosea 14 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ephraim shall say, what have I to do anymore with idols? - So Isaiah fortells, “The idols He shall utterly abolish” Isaiah 2:18.

Read Albert Barnes on Hosea 14 →

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

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green cypress tree; from me your fruit is found.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

O Ephraim, I do not want to have anything to do with idols anymore! I will answer him and care for him. I am like a luxuriant cypress tree; your fruitfulness comes from me!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir-tree; from me is thy fruit found.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir tree; from me is thy fruit found.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Ephraim shall say , What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him , and observed him: I am like a green fir-tree. From me is thy fruit found.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They that dwel vnder his shadow, shall returne: they shall reuiue as the corne, and florish as the vine: the sent thereof shalbe as the wine of Lebanon.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? (I answer [him], and I will observe him.) I am like a green fir-tree. — From me is thy fruit found.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

O Ephraim, what to Me any more with idols? I — I afflicted, and I cause him to sing: 'I [am] as a green fir-tree,' From Me is thy fruit found.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

O Ephraim, what have I anymore to do with idols? I have answered, and I look after him: I [am] as a green fir-tree, || Your fruit is found from Me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(14:9) Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will observe him; I will be [to him] like a green fir-tree; through me is thy fruit found.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a cypress whose leaves are always green; from me comes your fruit.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

They shall be converted that sit under his shadow: they shall live upon wheat, and they shall blossom as a vine: his memorial shall be as the wine of Libanus.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Ephraim, how much more do I have to warn you about idols? I have answered and now I am watching. I am like a tree that is evergreen; your fruit is found in me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

As for Ephraim, what has he to do with false gods any longer? I have given an answer and I will keep watch over him; I am like a branching fir-tree, from me comes your fruit.

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.

clauseclauseאֶפְרַ֕יִםO.Ephraimclausesubjectמַהwhat?prepositional phrase · predicateלִּ֥toיmeadverbialע֖וֹדagainprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָֽtonoun phrase(the)עֲצַבִּ֑יםidolsclausesubjectאֲנִ֧יIverbעָנִ֣יתִיI.will.answerוַandclauseverbאֲשׁוּרֶ֗Iobjectנּוּwill.watch.over.itclausesubjectאֲנִי֙Iprepositional phrase · predicateכִּ[am].likenoun phraseבְר֣וֹשׁa.cypress.treeרַֽעֲנָ֔ןluxuriantclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִמֶּ֖fromנִּיmenoun phrase · subjectפֶּרְיְfruitךָ֥yourverbנִמְצָֽאit.is.found

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 share a significant degree of agreement, with 9 of the 14 words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, indicating a unique interpretation while maintaining the core message.

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

אֶפְרַ֕יִם מַה־ לִּ֥י ע֖וֹד לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים אֲנִ֧י עָנִ֣יתִי וַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּ אֲנִי֙ כִּבְר֣וֹשׁ רַֽעֲנָ֔ן מִמֶּ֖נִּי פֶּרְיְךָ֥ נִמְצָֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֶפְרַ֕יִםἐπιστρέψουσινע֖וֹדαὐτοῦלָֽעֲצַבִּ֑יםσίτῳאֲנִ֧יκαὶעָנִ֣יתִיἐχανθήσειוַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּἄμπελοςאֲנִי֙αὐτοῦכִּבְר֣וֹשׁοἶνοςרַֽעֲנָ֔ןλιβάνου

9 of the 14 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 14:8אֶפְרַ֫יִםO EphraimO Ephraimאֶפְרַ֫יִםמָהwhat?what?מָהנִיto meto meנִיעוֹדagainagainעוֹדעָצָבto idolsto idolsעָצָבאֲנִיIIאֲנִיעוּןI will answI will answerעוּןשׁוּרand I will and I will watcשׁוּראֲנִיIIאֲנִיבְּרוֹשׁ[am] like a[am] like a cypבְּרוֹשׁרָעַןluxuriantluxuriantרָעַןמִן־from mefrom meמִן־פְּרִיfruit yourfruit yourפְּרִימָצָאit is foundit is foundמָצָאאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יעוּדto upholdto upholdעוּדעָצַבto hurtto hurtעָצַבעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהפָּרָהbe fruitfube fruitfulפָּרָהאֶפְרָ֫תָהEphrathEphrathאֶפְרָ֫תָהשׁוּרto travelto travelשׁוּרמֵןstringstringמֵןנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעמְנַשֶּׁהMosesMosesמְנַשֶּׁההַרmountain: mountain: mountהַרכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַליָסַףto addto addיָסַףאֶ֫פֶסendendאֶ֫פֶסבָּשַׂרto bear tito bear tidingsבָּשַׂרחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַת
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 14:8

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.

O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
אֶפְרַ֕יִם'ef.Ra.yim O Ephraim H669 Noun proper masculine
180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
Ephraim
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶפְרַ֫יִם (Ephrayim) refers to Ephraim, a son of Joseph and Asenath, and the tribe descended from him. The term signifies 'double fruit' and encompasses various meanings, including a geographical region, a chief gate of Jerusalem, and a reference to the northern kingdom. Notably, it appears in Genesis 41:52.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶפְרַ֫יִם n.pr.m. Ephraim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H669 אֶפְרַ֫יִם Ephraim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

669 'Ephrayim ef-rah'-yim

dual of masculine form of 672; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son

of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its

territory:--Ephraim, Ephraimites.

see HEBREW for 0672

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) — Ephraim.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.52;

son of: Joseph (H3130) and Asenath (H0621);

brother of: Manasseh (H4519);

father of: Shuthelah (H7803), Becher (H1071H), Tahan (H8465), Ezer (H5827), Elead (H0496) and Beriah (H1283H); also called Ephrathite (NIV: Ephraimite) at 1Sa.1.1; Ephron (Qere, KJV: Ephrain) at 2Ch.13.19;

§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"

1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh

2) the tribe, Ephraim

3) the mountain country of Ephraim

4) sometimes used name for the northern kingdom (Hosea or Isaiah)

5) a city near Baal-hazor

6) a chief gate of Jerusalem

אֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) — Ephraim (Gate).

§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"

a chief gate of Jerusalem

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpm — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ephraim

Double fruitfulness (“for God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction”). The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt (Gen. 41:52; 46:20). The first incident recorded regarding him is his being placed, along with his brother Manasseh, before their grandfather, Jacob, that he might bless them (48:10; comp. 27:1). The intention of Joseph was that the right hand of the aged patriarch should be placed on the head of the elder of the two; but Jacob set Ephraim the younger before his brother, “guiding his hands wittingly.” Before Joseph’s death, Ephraim’s family had reached the third generation (Gen. 50:23).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

a city "in the district near the wilderness" to which our Lord retired with his disciples when threatened with violence by the priests. (John 11:54)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt, Ge 41:52. Although the youngest, he yet had the chief blessing of his grandfather Jacob, and the tribe was always more distinguished than that of Manasseh, Ge 48:8-20 Nu 2:18-21. The portion of Ephraim was large and central, and embraced some of the most fertile land in all Canaan. It extended from the Mediterranean across to the Jordan, north of the portions of Dan and Benjamin and included Shiloh, Shechem, etc. A range of mountainous country, which runs through it, is called "the mountains of Ephraim," or "mount Ephraim." This extends also farther south into the portion of Judah, and is there called "the mountains of Judah." Samaria, the capital of the ten tribes, being in Ephraim…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

fruitful; increasing

O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
מַה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPi — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
לִּ֥יli to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
ע֖וֹדod again H5750
490× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Tyndale gloss
still
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹד (owd) primarily denotes a sense of iteration or continuance, functioning mostly as an adverb meaning 'still,' 'yet,' or 'again.' It can also imply addition or repetition, as in 'more' or 'besides.' The word appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing persistence or continuation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹד and (14 t.) עֹד subst. a going round, continuance, but used mostly as adv. acc. still, yet, again, besides

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5750 עוֹד and (14 t.) עֹד subst. a going round, continuance, but used mostly as adv. acc. still, yet, again, besides

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5750 `owd ode

or rod {ode}; from 5749; properly, iteration or continuance;

used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again,

repeatedly, still, more:--again, X all life long, at all,

besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer,

(any) more(-over), X once, since, (be) still, when, (good,

the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet

(within).

see HEBREW for 05749

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹד (od) — still.

subst

1) a going round, continuance

adv

2) still, yet, again, besides

2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence)

2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition)

2c) again

2d) still, moreover, besides

Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmsa
HAcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-gen': Advb. denoting repetition; in New Testament, generally for palin, "back," "once more." Occasionally, it has the force of a connective, synonymous with "moreover," as in Ro 15:10 ff; 1Co 3:20, etc. The expression "born again" of the King James Version, Joh 3:3,7; 1Pe 1:23, translating the Greek "anothen" and "ana" in composition, becomes in the Revised Version (British and American) "anew," i.e. "over again." As these particles mean "from above" and "up," their use as indicating repetition is sometimes disputed, but without further foundation than that "again" does not exhaust the meaning.

O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑יםla.'a.tza.Bim to idols H6091 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to describe an idolatrous image, like the golden calf in Exodus 32. It emphasizes the physical object of worship, rather than the false god itself.
Tyndale gloss
idol
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָצָב (atsab) means 'idol' or 'image' and is derived from the root word for 'to carve' or 'to fashion.' The entries consistently define it as an idolatrous image, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָצָב] n.[m.] idol

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6091 [עָצָב] idol

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6091 `atsab aw-tsawb'

from 6087; an (idolatrous) image:--idol, image.

see HEBREW for 06087

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָצָב (a.tsav) — idol.

idol, image

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HRd/Ncmpa
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
אֲנִ֧י'a.Ni I H589 Pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp1bs — Pronoun
HPp1bs
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
עָנִ֣יתִי'a.Ni.ti I will answer H6030 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
332× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּן] vb. dwell

base

עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond

Qal

answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

money meets all demands

specif. respond as a witness, testify

less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

Niph.

make answer

be answered

Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

base

עָנָה vb. sing

Qal sing, utter tunefully

Pi. sing sweetly of it

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

. money meets all demands

. . specif. respond as a witness, testify

. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

. . make answer

. be answered

. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

H6030c עָנָה sing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6030 `anah aw-naw'

a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,

i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to

begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,

announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),

(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,

hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing

(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.

See also 1042, 1043.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 01042

see HEBREW for 01043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּן (un) — to dwell.

(Qal) to dwell

עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.

1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to answer, respond to

1a2) to testify, respond as a witness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to make answer

1b2) to be answered, receive answer

Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)

עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.

(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

an'-ser: In our English Bible the word "answer" does not always mean a simple reply to a question.

1. In the Old Testament:

Six different words are translated by answer.

(1) It is frequently used where no question has been asked and in such cases it means a word, a statement.

(2) It also means a response (Job 21:34; 34:36).

(3) It often means a declaration or proclamation from God where no question has been asked. See the many passages that read: "The Lord answered and said."

(4) The other words translated "answer" or "answered" in the Old Testament are unimportant shadings and variations.

2. In the New Testament:

The words translated "answer" are not so varied.

(1) It sometimes means an apology, a defense (1Pe 3:15; Ac 24:10,25).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Besides the common use of this word in the sense of to reply, it is very often used in the bible, following the Hebrew and Greek idioms, in the sense of to speak; meaning simply that one begins or resumes his discourse, Zec 3:4; 6:4; Mt 11:25; 12:38; Lu 7:40. It also means, to sing in choruses or responses, 1Sa 18:7; and to give account of one’s self in judgment, Ge 30:33; Job 9:3.

O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
וַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּva.'a.shu.Re.nu and I will watch over it H7789 Conjunction · verb qal first person common singular · suffix
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To see or observe something, like a spy watching from a distance, as in the story of Moses sending scouts to Canaan. It can also mean to care for or regard someone, showing concern for their well-being. This word is used in many biblical stories.
Tyndale gloss
to see
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוּר (shuwr) is a primitive root meaning to see or observe. It encompasses a range of actions from simply seeing and regarding to more active forms like spying or lying in wait. The entries suggest a dual focus on both positive observation and negative lurking. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שׁוּר] vb. behold, regard

behold

regard with watchful care

watch stealthily, lie in wait

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7789 שׁוּר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7789 shuwr shoor

a primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of

going round for inspection); to spy out, i.e. (generally)

survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for:--behold,

lay wait, look, observe, perceive, regard, see.

see HEBREW for 07788

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּר (shur) — to see.

1) to see, behold, observe, regard

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to behold, observe

1a2) to regard

1a3) to watch, watch (stealthily), lie in wait

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Vqu1cs/Sp3ms — Conjunction · verb qal first person common singular · suffix
HC/Vqu1cs/Sp3ms
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
אֲנִי֙'a.Ni I H589 Pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp1bs — Pronoun
HPp1bs
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
כִּבְר֣וֹשׁkiv.Ro.osh [am] like a cypress tree H1265 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cypress tree or a type of evergreen is what this word refers to, also used to make objects like lances or musical instruments, as seen in the KJV translation 'fir tree'.
Tyndale gloss
cypress
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּרוֹשׁ (ber-osh) refers to a type of tree, specifically a cypress or fir, and is associated with nobility and stateliness. The entries suggest it may also refer to materials used in construction, particularly for the temple. There is some uncertainty regarding its derivation, and it may also relate to a lance or musical instrument made from the wood.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּרוֹשׁ n.m. cypress or fir

(lit.) a noble tree

sim. of luxuriance, stateliness

as material (always pl.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1265 בְּרוֹשׁ cypress or fir

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1265 browsh ber-osh'

of uncertain derivation; a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance

or a musical instrument (as made of that wood):--fir (tree).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּרוֹשׁ (be.rosh) — cypress.

1) cypress, fir, juniper, pine

1a) a noble tree (lit.)

1b) of stateliness (fig.)

1c) material for temple

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tre.

See BOTANY.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of life Ge 2:9; 3:22,24; Re 22:14

→ Of knowledge Ge 2:9,17; 3:3-6,11,12,17

→ FIGURATIVE Ps 1:3; Jer 17:8

→ SYMBOLICAL Da 4:10-12

O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
רַֽעֲנָ֔ןra.'a.Nan luxuriant H7488
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something as luxuriant or fresh, like a new and growing plant. It is used to describe a prosperous or thriving condition.
Tyndale gloss
be fresh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רָעַן (*ra`an*) is a verb meaning to be or grow luxuriant, fresh, or green, while רַעֲנָן (*ra`anan*) is an adjective describing something as luxuriant or fresh. It is derived from an unused root meaning to be green and can also imply prosperity. The verb appears in Job 15:32.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָעַן] vb. only Pa‛lel be or grow luxuriant, fresh, green;—Jb 15:32

ref

רַעֲנָן adj. luxuriant, fresh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7488a רָעַן only Pa‛lal be or grow luxuriant, fresh, green H7488b רַעֲנָן luxuriant, fresh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7488 ra`anan rah-an-awn'

from an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy,

new; figuratively, prosperous:--green, flourishing.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָעַן (ra.an) — be fresh.

v

(Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green

רַעֲנָן (ra.a.nan) — luxuriant.

adj

luxuriant, fresh

Aramaic equivalent: ra.a.nan (רַעֲנַן "luxuriant" H7487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAamsa
HAamsa
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
מִמֶּ֖נִּיmi.Me.ni from me H4480 Preposition · suffix
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

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

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

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

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

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

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

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

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

. with a temporal force, since, after

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

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

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

1b) out of

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

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

1b3) (of source or origin)

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

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

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

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

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

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

conj

2) that

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

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
פֶּרְיְךָ֥per.ye.Kha fruit your H6529 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means the fruit that comes from the ground or from our actions. It is used in many books, including Genesis and Isaiah, to describe the results of our labor or the consequences of our choices.
Tyndale gloss
fruit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פְּרִי (priy) means 'fruit' and encompasses various meanings, including the literal fruit of the ground, offspring or children, and figurative fruit representing the consequences of actions. It is derived from a root that emphasizes the concept of produce or reward.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פְּרִי 119 n.m. fruit

fruit of the ground, of produce in gen.

= offspring, fruit of womb

fig. of fruit of actions, i.e. their consequences

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6529 פְּרִי fruit . fruit of the ground, of produce in gen.

. = offspring, fruit of womb

. fig. of fruit of actions, i.e. their consequences

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6529 priy per-ee'

from 6509; fruit (literally or figuratively):--bough,

((first-)) fruit((-ful)), reward.

see HEBREW for 06509

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פְּרִי (pe.ri) — fruit.

1) fruit

1a) fruit, produce (of the ground)

1b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb)

1c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
O Ephraim what? to me again to idols I I will answer and I will watch over it I [am] like a cypress tree luxuriant from me fruit your it is found
נִמְצָֽא׃nim.Tza' it is found H4672 Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
455× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to find
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find

Qal

find

find out

= come upon, light upon

noteworthy phrases

Niph. pass. of Qal, be found

Hiph.

cause to find, attain

cause to light upon, come upon, come

cause to encounter

present unto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4672 מָצָא attain to, find

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'

a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or

exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;

figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,

befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to

hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,

out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,

light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,

ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.

1) to find, attain to

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to find

1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)

1a1b) to find (what is lost)

1a1c) to meet, encounter

1a1d) to find (a condition)

1a1e) to learn, devise

1a2) to find out

1a2a) to find out

1a2b) to detect

1a2c) to guess

1a3) to come upon, light upon

1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with

1a3b) to hit

1a3c) to befall

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be found

1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered

1b1b) to appear, be recognised

1b1c) to be discovered, be detected

1b1d) to be gained, be secured

1b2) to be, be found

1b2a) to be found in

1b2b) to be in the possession of

1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be

1b2d) to be left (after war)

1b2e) to be present

1b2f) to prove to be

1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to find, attain

1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come

1c3) to cause to encounter

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVNp3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVNp3ms
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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