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Isaiah 19:7 — Word Study

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WLCעָר֥וֹת עַל־ יְא֖וֹר עַל־ פִּ֣י יְא֑וֹר וְכֹל֙ מִזְרַ֣ע יְא֔וֹר יִיבַ֥שׁ נִדַּ֖ף וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃

BSAThe bulrushesʻârâh [paper reeds, aquatic plants] byʻal the Nileyᵉʼôr [stream, river] byʻal the mouthpeh [lip, edge] of the riveryᵉʼôr and allkôl [everything] the fields sownmizrâʻ [sown lands, cultivated areas, planted, cultivated] along the Nileyᵉʼôr will witheryâbêsh [dry up, become barren] blow awaynâdaph [be driven away, dispersed] and be no [more]ʼayin [nothing, nonexistent]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 19
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 (ve.'ei.Ne.nu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 19:7quick helps
In a sentenceIsaiah describes the desolation of the Nile region, where the bulrushes and fields will wither and cease to exist.
Where we areThis verse is part of a prophecy concerning Egypt's judgment and the resulting ecological devastation.
The hard wordיָבֵשׁ
Take awayThe natural landscape will be utterly transformed, leading to loss and emptiness.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָבֵשׁ The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

2 of 12 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.

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 — Isaiah 19:7

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 — The Judgment on Egyptgenerated

6The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither.
7The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more.
8Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the waters will pine away.
9The workers in flax will be dismayed, and the weavers of fine linen will turn pale.

Isaiah 19:7 depicts the dire consequences of judgment upon Egypt, highlighting the withering of bulrushes and fields along the Nile. This passage emphasizes the impact of divine judgment on the land and its resources, illustrating a broader theme of desolation throughout the chapter, as seen in the preceding and following verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 32:20Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.
2Jeremiah 14:4The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.
3Ezekiel 19:13Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.
4Joel 1:17–18The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods; the storehouses are in ruins; the granaries are broken down, for the grain has withered away.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יָבֵשׁ, yi.Vashgenerated

The verb יָבֵשׁ (*yabesh*) is a Qal imperfect form, indicating an action that will take place in the future. It conveys the idea of something becoming dry or withering, particularly in reference to plants or crops that lack water.

This term is often used in the context of drought or barrenness, reflecting a loss of vitality and life. In this verse, it underscores the severity of the ecological crisis resulting from judgment, as the lush landscape of Egypt is transformed into a barren wasteland.


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 main action of the verse is governed by two finite verbs: יִיבַשׁ (*it will be dry*) and נִדַּף (*it will be driven about*). These verbs describe the fate of the bulrushes and fields.

The structure emphasizes the sequential consequences of judgment, with the subject being the bulrushes and fields, and the prepositional phrases detailing their location along the Nile.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְאֹר as ποταμοῦ (*river*), which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but broadens the context to include any river, not just the Nile. This choice reflects the translators' intent to convey the significance of water sources in general.

The verb יָבֵשׁ is rendered as χηρανθήσεται (*will be dried up*), which captures the essence of the Hebrew while emphasizing the action of drying as a future event.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 19:7 describes how the bulrushes and fields along the Nile will wither and disappear. This reflects the judgment on Egypt, showing how nature will suffer as a result of divine decree.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the bulrushes will wither?

It signifies the devastation of the natural landscape due to judgment, indicating a loss of life and fertility in the region.

Why is the Nile significant in this verse?

The Nile is a crucial water source for Egypt, and its mention highlights the severity of the judgment, as the very lifeblood of the land will be affected.

What does 'not be' imply in this context?

It emphasizes total desolation, indicating that not only will the bulrushes wither, but there will be nothing left in their place.

How does this verse relate to other prophecies about Egypt?

It reflects a common theme in prophetic literature where judgment leads to ecological and societal collapse, as seen in other passages like Jeremiah 14:4.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the withering of the bulrushes symbolize in my life?
  2. How can I recognize the areas in my life that may be suffering due to neglect or lack of nourishment?
  3. In what ways can I seek restoration in those areas that feel barren or lifeless?
  4. How does understanding the consequences of judgment help me appreciate the importance of spiritual vitality?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 19:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks,.... Not at the fountain or origin of the Nile and its streams, but by the sides thereof; on the banks of which grew a reed or rush, called

Read John Gill on Isaiah 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The paper reeds; which by a needle, or other fit instrument, were divided into thin and broad leaves, which being dried and fitted, were used at that time for writing, as our paper is; and consequently was a very good commodity. Sown by the brooks; and much more what was sown in more dry and unfruitful places.

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 19:7 The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].Ver. 7. The paper reeds by the brooks,] i.e., By the streams of Nile; for where this river arriveth not, is nothing but a whitish sand, bearing no grass but two little weeds called suhit and gazul, which, burnt to ashes, maketh the finest crystal glasses. And everything sown by the brooks.] As far as Nile overflows is a black mould, so fruitful as they do but throw in the seed and have four rich harvests in less than four months.

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 19 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) The paper reeds by the brooks.—Better, the meadows by the Nile. And so in the other clauses, the Hebrew word for “brooks” being used specifically for that river. For “shall wither and be driven away,” read, shall dry up and vanish. The valley of the Nile is to become as parched and barren as the desert on either side of it.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks] Usually rendered as in R.V., “The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile.” The word for “meadows,” which does not occur again, is supposed to mean literally “bare place,” hardly a suitable designation! A safer translation would be, Bare places are on the Nile, on the (very) brink of the Nile. The LXX. has an entirely different text, which might suggest: “Bare is all verdure on the brink of the Nile.” every thing sown] A unique term. Perhaps “seed-field,” but note the verb “driven away” which follows. “Seed-field of the Nile” might mean the alluvial deposit produced by the inundation, which is the source of Egypt’s…

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 19 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The paper reeds - (ערות ‛ârôt). This is not the word which occurs in Isaiah 18:2, and which, it is supposed, means there the papyrus (see the note on that place).

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 19 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

6, 7. Shall turn the rivers — Many famines have occurred in Egypt owing to failure of the rains in the south. The river becomes low and stagnant and putrid.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 19 →

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

The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all the sown fields of the Nile, will become dry, be driven away, and be no more.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more.

NETBNew English Translation2006

along with the plants by the mouth of the river. All the cultivated land near the river will turn to dust and be blown away.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all the sown fields of the Nile, shall become dry, be driven away, and be no more.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all that is sown by the Nile, shall become dry, be driven away, and be no more.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The paper-reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more .

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The grasse in the riuer, and at the head of the riuers, and all that groweth by the riuer, shall wither, and be driuen away, and be no more.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The meadows by the Nile, on the banks of the Nile, and everything sown by the Nile, shall be dried up, be driven away, and be no [more].

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Exposed things by the brook, by the edge of the brook, And every sown thing of the brook, hath withered, It hath been driven away, and is not.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Exposed things by the brook, by the edge of the brook, || And every sown thing of the brook, has withered, || It has been driven away, and is not.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The well-rooted plants by the stream, by the mouth of the stream, and every thing sown by the stream, shall dry up, be scattered [by the wind,] and be no more.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The reeds along the Nile, at the mouth of the Nile, and every sown field beside the Nile will become parched, will be driven away, and will be no more.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The channel of the river shall be laid bare from its fountain, and every thing sown by the water shall be dried up, it shall wither away, and shall be no more.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The vegetation along the banks of the Nile, and all the plants in the cultivated land along the Nile, will dry up and be blown away. Everything will be gone.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The grass-lands by the Nile, and everything planted by the Nile, will become dry, or taken away by the wind, and will come to an end.

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.

clauseclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phrasenoun phraseעָר֥וֹתbare.placesprepositional phraseעַל[will.be].atיְא֖וֹרthe.Riverprepositional phraseעַלatnoun phraseפִּ֣יthe.mouthיְא֑וֹרof.the.Riverוְandnoun phraseכֹל֙allnoun phraseמִזְרַ֣עthe.sown.landיְא֔וֹרof.the.Riververbיִיבַ֥שׁit.will.be.dryclauseverbנִדַּ֖ףit.will.be.driven.aboutוְandclausepredicateאֵינֶֽit.[will]subjectנּוּnot.[be]

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


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

The Masoretic Text closely aligns with the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the 1Qisaa and 1Q8 fragments, which contain significant portions of the verse. However, some words in the 4Q56 fragment are partly restored, indicating textual damage.

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

עָר֥וֹת עַל־ יְא֖וֹר עַל־ פִּ֣י יְא֑וֹר וְכֹל֙ מִזְרַ֣ע יְא֔וֹר יִיבַ֥שׁ נִדַּ֖ף וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עַל־τὸפִּ֣יκύκλῳיְא֑וֹרποταμοῦוְכֹל֙πᾶνיְא֔וֹרποταμοῦיִיבַ֥שׁχηρανθήσεται

6 of the 12 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 — 1Qisaaa copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ערות על יאור על פי יאור וכול מזרע יאור יבש ונדף ואין ב׳ו

13 words on the leather.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q56a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ערות על יאר על פי יאר [וכל] [מזרע] [יאור] ייבש נדף ואינ׳נו

7 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Q8a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

יאר על פי יאר וכל [מזרע] [יאר] [ייבש] [נדף] [ואינ׳נו]

10 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 partly restored, 5 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.

Isaiah 19:7עָרָהreedsreedsעָרָהעַלatatעַליְאֹר[the] River[the] Riverיְאֹרעַלatatעַלפֶּה[the] mouth[the] mouth ofפֶּהיְאֹר[the] River[the] Riverיְאֹרכֹּלand alland allכֹּלמִזְרָע[the] sown [the] sown landמִזְרָעיְאֹר[the] River[the] Riverיְאֹריָבֵשׁit will be it will be dryיָבֵשׁנָדַףit will be it will be drivנָדַףאַ֫יִןand there nand there not [אַ֫יִןעָרָהto uncoverto uncoverעָרָהעַלheightheightעַלפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלזָרַעto sowto sowזָרַעאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןדָּגָהfishfishדָּגָהכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהחָרֵבto dryto dryחָרֵבקַשׁstubblestubbleקַשׁכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹ
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 Isaiah 19:7

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.

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
עָר֥וֹתa.Rot reeds H6169 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The word for bulrush refers to a type of plant that grows in the water, and is also translated as 'paper reed'. It appears in Isaiah 58:5 and Job 8:11. This plant was often used for making paper or other products.
Amplified meaning
paper reeds, aquatic plants
Tyndale gloss
bulrush
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָרָה (*arah*) refers to a 'bare place' or 'bulrush.' It is a feminine noun derived from a related root, indicating a level or naked plot of land. The only specific verse reference provided is Isaiah 19:7.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָרָה] n.f. bare place;—pl. Is 19:7

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6169 [עָרָה] bare place

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6169 `arah aw-raw'

feminine from 6168; a naked (i.e. level) plot:--paper reed.

see HEBREW for 06168

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָרָה (a.rah) — bulrush.

bare place

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics
reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
עַל־'al- at H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

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)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . 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)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, 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

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
יְא֖וֹרye.'or [the] River H2975 Noun proper
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Amplified meaning
stream, river
Tyndale gloss
stream
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְאֹר (ye'or) refers to a stream or canal, specifically associated with the Nile River in Egypt. It encompasses various watercourses, including collateral canals and trenches, and can also denote rivers in general. The term is of Egyptian origin and highlights the significance of the Nile as a primary water source.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְאֹר, יְאוֹר n.m. stream of the Nile, stream, canal

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2975 יְאֹר, יְאוֹר stream of the Nile, stream, canal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2975 y`or yeh-ore'

of Egyptian origin; a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft;

specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including

its collateral trenches; also the Tigris, as the main river of

Assyria:--brook, flood, river, stream.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְאֹר (ye.or) — Nile.

This name means river, stream, canal

Also named: shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Nile" H7883H)

יְאֹר (ye.or) — stream.

1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal

1a) stream, river (Nile)

1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals

1c) watercourses

1d) shafts (mining)

1e) river (in general)

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

riv'-er:

(1) The usual word is nahar (Aramaic nehar (Ezr 4:10, etc.)), used of the rivers of Eden (Ge 2:10-14), often of the Euphrates (Ge 15:18, etc.), of Abana and Pharpar (2Ki 5:12), the river of Gozan (2Ki 17:6), the river Chebar (Eze 1:1), the rivers (canals?) of Babylon (Ps 137:1), the rivers of Ethiopia (Isa 18:1; Ze 3:10). Compare nahr, the common Arabic word for "river."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

River

(1.) Heb. ‘aphik, properly the channel or ravine that holds water (2 Sam. 22:16), translated “brook,” “river,” “stream,” but not necessarily a perennial stream (Ezek. 6:3; 31:12; 32:6; 34:13).

(2.) Heb. nahal, in winter a “torrent,” in summer a “wady” or valley (Gen. 32:23; Deut. 2:24; 3:16; Isa. 30:28; Lam. 2:18; Ezek. 47:9).

These winter torrents sometimes come down with great suddenness and with desolating force. A distinguished traveller thus describes his experience in this matter…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the sense in which we employ the word viz. for a perennial stream of considerable size, a river is a much rarer object in the East than in the West. With the exception of the Jordan and the Litany, the streams of the holy land are either entirely dried up in the summer months converted into hot lanes of glaring stones, or else reduced to very small streamlets, deeply sunk in a narrow bed, and concealed from view by a dense growth of shrubs. The perennial river is called nahar by the Hebrews. With the definite article, "the river," it signifies invariably the Euphrates. (Genesis 31:21; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 24:6; 2 Samuel 10:16) etc. It is never applied to the fleeting…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This word answers in our Bible to various Hebrew terms, of which the principal are the following:

1. Yeor, an Egyptian word signifying river. It is always applied to the Nile and its various canals, except in Job 28:10 Da 12:5,6,7 2. Nahar, applied, like our word river, to constantly flowing streams, such as the Euphrates. In our version this word is sometimes rendered "flood," Jos 24:2,3, etc.

3. Nahal, a torrent-bed, or valley through which water flows in the rainy season only, Nu 34:5, etc; frequently rendered "brook," Nu 13:28 Job 6:15, etc. Such streams are to the…

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
עַל־'al- at H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

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)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . 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)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, 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

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
פִּ֣יpi [the] mouth of H6310 Noun common · masculine singular construct
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
lip, edge
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
יְא֑וֹרye.'or [the] River H2975 Noun proper
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Tyndale gloss
stream
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְאֹר (ye'or) refers to a stream or canal, specifically associated with the Nile River in Egypt. It encompasses various watercourses, including collateral canals and trenches, and can also denote rivers in general. The term is of Egyptian origin and highlights the significance of the Nile as a primary water source.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְאֹר, יְאוֹר n.m. stream of the Nile, stream, canal

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2975 יְאֹר, יְאוֹר stream of the Nile, stream, canal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2975 y`or yeh-ore'

of Egyptian origin; a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft;

specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including

its collateral trenches; also the Tigris, as the main river of

Assyria:--brook, flood, river, stream.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְאֹר (ye.or) — Nile.

This name means river, stream, canal

Also named: shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Nile" H7883H)

יְאֹר (ye.or) — stream.

1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal

1a) stream, river (Nile)

1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals

1c) watercourses

1d) shafts (mining)

1e) river (in general)

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

riv'-er:

(1) The usual word is nahar (Aramaic nehar (Ezr 4:10, etc.)), used of the rivers of Eden (Ge 2:10-14), often of the Euphrates (Ge 15:18, etc.), of Abana and Pharpar (2Ki 5:12), the river of Gozan (2Ki 17:6), the river Chebar (Eze 1:1), the rivers (canals?) of Babylon (Ps 137:1), the rivers of Ethiopia (Isa 18:1; Ze 3:10). Compare nahr, the common Arabic word for "river."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

River

(1.) Heb. ‘aphik, properly the channel or ravine that holds water (2 Sam. 22:16), translated “brook,” “river,” “stream,” but not necessarily a perennial stream (Ezek. 6:3; 31:12; 32:6; 34:13).

(2.) Heb. nahal, in winter a “torrent,” in summer a “wady” or valley (Gen. 32:23; Deut. 2:24; 3:16; Isa. 30:28; Lam. 2:18; Ezek. 47:9).

These winter torrents sometimes come down with great suddenness and with desolating force. A distinguished traveller thus describes his experience in this matter…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the sense in which we employ the word viz. for a perennial stream of considerable size, a river is a much rarer object in the East than in the West. With the exception of the Jordan and the Litany, the streams of the holy land are either entirely dried up in the summer months converted into hot lanes of glaring stones, or else reduced to very small streamlets, deeply sunk in a narrow bed, and concealed from view by a dense growth of shrubs. The perennial river is called nahar by the Hebrews. With the definite article, "the river," it signifies invariably the Euphrates. (Genesis 31:21; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 24:6; 2 Samuel 10:16) etc. It is never applied to the fleeting…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This word answers in our Bible to various Hebrew terms, of which the principal are the following:

1. Yeor, an Egyptian word signifying river. It is always applied to the Nile and its various canals, except in Job 28:10 Da 12:5,6,7 2. Nahar, applied, like our word river, to constantly flowing streams, such as the Euphrates. In our version this word is sometimes rendered "flood," Jos 24:2,3, etc.

3. Nahal, a torrent-bed, or valley through which water flows in the rainy season only, Nu 34:5, etc; frequently rendered "brook," Nu 13:28 Job 6:15, etc. Such streams are to the…

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
וְכֹל֙ve.Khol and all H3605 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
everything
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
מִזְרַ֣עmiz.Ra' [the] sown land of H4218 Noun common · masculine singular construct
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a field where seeds are planted, like a garden or farm. It appears in the Bible as a place of sowing and growth. In the KJV, it is translated as 'thing sown'.
Amplified meaning
sown lands, cultivated areas, planted, cultivated
Tyndale gloss
sowing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִזְרָע (mizra`) refers to a place of sowing or seed-land, indicating a field where seeds are planted. It is derived from the root word for sowing, and is used in the context of agriculture. The only Old Testament reference noted is Isaiah 19:7.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מִזְרָע] n.[m.] place of sowing, seed-land, only cstr. Is 19:7

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4218 [מִזְרָע] place of sowing, seed-land

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4218 mizra` miz-raw'

from 2232; a planted field:--thing sown.

see HEBREW for 02232

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִזְרָע (miz.ra) — sowing.

seed-land, place of sowing

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
יְא֔וֹרye.'or [the] River H2975 Noun proper
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Tyndale gloss
stream
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְאֹר (ye'or) refers to a stream or canal, specifically associated with the Nile River in Egypt. It encompasses various watercourses, including collateral canals and trenches, and can also denote rivers in general. The term is of Egyptian origin and highlights the significance of the Nile as a primary water source.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְאֹר, יְאוֹר n.m. stream of the Nile, stream, canal

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2975 יְאֹר, יְאוֹר stream of the Nile, stream, canal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2975 y`or yeh-ore'

of Egyptian origin; a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft;

specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including

its collateral trenches; also the Tigris, as the main river of

Assyria:--brook, flood, river, stream.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְאֹר (ye.or) — Nile.

This name means river, stream, canal

Also named: shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Nile" H7883H)

יְאֹר (ye.or) — stream.

1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal

1a) stream, river (Nile)

1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals

1c) watercourses

1d) shafts (mining)

1e) river (in general)

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

riv'-er:

(1) The usual word is nahar (Aramaic nehar (Ezr 4:10, etc.)), used of the rivers of Eden (Ge 2:10-14), often of the Euphrates (Ge 15:18, etc.), of Abana and Pharpar (2Ki 5:12), the river of Gozan (2Ki 17:6), the river Chebar (Eze 1:1), the rivers (canals?) of Babylon (Ps 137:1), the rivers of Ethiopia (Isa 18:1; Ze 3:10). Compare nahr, the common Arabic word for "river."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

River

(1.) Heb. ‘aphik, properly the channel or ravine that holds water (2 Sam. 22:16), translated “brook,” “river,” “stream,” but not necessarily a perennial stream (Ezek. 6:3; 31:12; 32:6; 34:13).

(2.) Heb. nahal, in winter a “torrent,” in summer a “wady” or valley (Gen. 32:23; Deut. 2:24; 3:16; Isa. 30:28; Lam. 2:18; Ezek. 47:9).

These winter torrents sometimes come down with great suddenness and with desolating force. A distinguished traveller thus describes his experience in this matter…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the sense in which we employ the word viz. for a perennial stream of considerable size, a river is a much rarer object in the East than in the West. With the exception of the Jordan and the Litany, the streams of the holy land are either entirely dried up in the summer months converted into hot lanes of glaring stones, or else reduced to very small streamlets, deeply sunk in a narrow bed, and concealed from view by a dense growth of shrubs. The perennial river is called nahar by the Hebrews. With the definite article, "the river," it signifies invariably the Euphrates. (Genesis 31:21; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 24:6; 2 Samuel 10:16) etc. It is never applied to the fleeting…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This word answers in our Bible to various Hebrew terms, of which the principal are the following:

1. Yeor, an Egyptian word signifying river. It is always applied to the Nile and its various canals, except in Job 28:10 Da 12:5,6,7 2. Nahar, applied, like our word river, to constantly flowing streams, such as the Euphrates. In our version this word is sometimes rendered "flood," Jos 24:2,3, etc.

3. Nahal, a torrent-bed, or valley through which water flows in the rainy season only, Nu 34:5, etc; frequently rendered "brook," Nu 13:28 Job 6:15, etc. Such streams are to the…

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
יִיבַ֥שׁyi.Vash it will be dry H3001 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
59× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to wither or dry up, like a plant without water. It can also mean to be ashamed or disappointed. The Bible uses it to describe things that have lost their freshness or vitality.
Amplified meaning
dry up, become barren
Tyndale gloss
to wither
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָבֵשׁ (yabesh) primarily means to be dry or to wither. It can refer to something that is dried up or lacking moisture, as well as the act of drying something out. The word has different forms, including Qal (to be dry), Piel (to make dry), and Hiphil (to dry up). It conveys a sense of desiccation or loss of vitality.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָבֵשׁ vb. be dry, dried up, withered

Qal

be dry, dried up without moisture

be dried up

Pi. make dry, dry up

Hiph. dry up, make dry

dry up water

make dry, wither

exhibit dryness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3001 יָבֵשׁ be dry, dried up, withered

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3001 yabesh yaw-bashe'

a primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed;

also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as

herbage):--be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up),

(do) shame(-fully), X utterly, wither (away).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָבֵשׁ (ya.vesh) — to wither.

1) to make dry, wither, be dry, become dry, be dried up, be withered

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be dry, be dried up, be without moisture

1a2) to be dried up

1b) (Piel) to make dry, dry up

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to dry up, make dry

1c1a) to dry up (water)

1c1b) to make dry, wither

1c1c) to exhibit dryness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
נִדַּ֖ףni.Daf it will be driven about H5086 Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To drive or disperse is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe people or animals being forced to move. It's like being pushed or shoved, as seen in some biblical events.
Amplified meaning
be driven away, dispersed
Tyndale gloss
to drive
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָדַף (nadaph) is a primitive root meaning to drive or disperse. It covers actions like driving away or being driven about, with forms in both the Qal and Niphal stems. The word suggests a sense of movement or force, as seen in its glosses from various lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָדַף] vb. drive, drive asunder

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5086 [נָדַף] drive, drive asunder

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5086 nadaph naw-daf'

a primitive root; to shove asunder, i.e. disperse:--drive

(away, to and fro), thrust down, shaken, tossed to and fro.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָדַף (na.daph) — to drive.

1) to drive, drive away, drive asunder

1a) (Qal) to drive about

1b)(Niphal) to be driven, be driven about

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVNp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-bout': The use of this word as a preposition, in the sense of "around," is confined to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, generally an adverb, for Greek hos or "hosei." The Revised Version (British and American) adopts it in several idiomatic translations of mello, referring to what is about to be, i.e. on the point of occurring, or immediately impending, amending the King James Version, in Ac 5:35; 27:2; Re 12:4, etc.

reeds at [the] River at [the] mouth of [the] River and all [the] sown land of [the] River it will be dry it will be driven about and there not [will be] it
וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃ve.'ei.Ne.nu and there not [will be] it H369 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Amplified meaning
nothing, nonexistent
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
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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