Isaiah 22:16 — Word Study
WLCמַה־ לְּךָ֥ פֹה֙ וּמִ֣י לְךָ֣ פֹ֔ה כִּֽי־ חָצַ֧בְתָּ לְּךָ֛ פֹּ֖ה קָ֑בֶר חֹצְבִ֤י מָרוֹם֙ קִבְר֔וֹ חֹקְקִ֥י בַסֶּ֖לַע מִשְׁכָּ֥ן לֽוֹ׃
BSAWhatmâh [for what purpose, to what end] doing herepôh [in this place, at this location] and whomîy [what person, what authority] [authorized] youpôh to carve outchâtsab■ [to hew, to cut] a tombqeber [sepulchre, grave] herepôh [in this spot, at this site] to chiselchâtsab [to grave, to engrave] your tombqeber [resting place, sepulchre] in the heightmârôwm [on high, in a lofty place] and cutchâqaq [to hew, to excavate] your resting placemishkân [dwelling, tabernacle] in the rockçelaʻ [crag, cliff]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַה־ | what? | Pronoun |
| לְּךָ֥ | [belongs] to you | Preposition, suffix |
| פֹה֙ | here | Adverb |
| וּמִ֣י | and who? | Conjunction, pronoun |
| לְךָ֣ | [belongs] to you | Preposition, suffix |
| פֹ֔ה | here | Adverb |
| כִּֽי־ | that | Particle |
| חָצַ֧בְתָּ | you have dug out | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| לְּךָ֛ | for yourself | Preposition, suffix |
| פֹּ֖ה | here | Adverb |
| קָ֑בֶר | a tomb | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חֹצְבִ֤י | digging out | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular common |
| מָרוֹם֙ | high place | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| קִבְר֔וֹ | tomb his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| חֹקְקִ֥י | cutting | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular common |
| בַסֶּ֖לַע | in the rock | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| מִשְׁכָּ֥ן | a dwelling | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לֽוֹ׃ | for himself | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | What are you doing here, and who authorized you to carve out a tomb for yourself here—to chisel your tomb in the height and cut your resting place in the rock? |
| KJV | What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? |
| ASV | What doest thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre? hewing him out a sepulchre on high, graving a habitation for himself in the rock! |
| YLT | What — to thee here? And who — to thee here? That thou hast hewn out to thee here — a sepulchre? Hewing on high his sepulchre, Graving in a rock a dwelling for himself. |
| WEB | ‘What are you doing here? Who has you here, that you have dug out a tomb here?’ Cutting himself out a tomb on high, chiseling a habitation for himself in the rock!” |
| BBE | Who are you, and by what right have you made for yourself a resting-place here? |
There are no significant differences in how translations render the key terms in this verse.
The main clause is followed by a series of questions that interrogate Shebna's actions, emphasizing the Lord's authority.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמָה
verbחָצַב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Isaiah 22:16
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 Prophecy Against Shebnagenerated
Isaiah 22:16 reveals the Lord's challenge to Shebna, who has taken it upon himself to establish a grand tomb. This act is seen as a sign of pride and self-importance, as he seeks to secure a place of honor among the dead. The surrounding verses provide context for this rebuke, emphasizing the consequences of such arrogance and the Lord's authority over life and death.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 52:5 | And now what have I here? declares the LORD. For My people have been taken without cause; those who rule them taunt, declares the LORD, and My name is blasphemed continually all day long. |
| 2 | Micah 2:10 | Arise and depart, for this is not your place of rest, because its defilement brings destruction— a grievous destruction! |
| 3 | Isaiah 14:18 | All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 18:18 | During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 16:14 | And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָצַבְתָּ, cha.Tzav.tagenerated
The verb חָצַב (cha.Tzav) means to hew or cut out, often used in the context of quarrying stone or carving out tombs. It is a perfect form, indicating a completed action, specifically in the second person masculine singular, addressing Shebna directly.
This choice of verb emphasizes the physical act of carving out a tomb, which is not merely a practical task but also a statement of Shebna's aspirations and status. The use of the second person highlights the personal nature of the rebuke.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of חָצַבְתָּ, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all rendering it as variations of 'you have dug out' or 'you have hewn'.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains multiple clauses, with the main verb חָצַבְתָּ (you have dug out) at its center. The structure includes questions about Shebna's actions and authority, emphasizing the Lord's inquiry into his motives.
The arrangement of the clauses reflects a direct challenge to Shebna, with the interrogative phrases foregrounding the Lord's disapproval.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἐλατόμησας to translate חָצַבְתָּ, indicating a similar meaning of cutting or hewing. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew, maintaining the focus on the act of carving out.
This translation choice suggests a continuity in the understanding of Shebna's actions across both Hebrew and Greek texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 22:16 questions Shebna about his authority to carve out a tomb for himself in a high place. This inquiry reveals the Lord's disapproval of Shebna's pride and the significance of his actions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Lord is questioning Shebna's motives and authority in making grand preparations for his burial, indicating that such actions are inappropriate.
Carving a tomb signifies a desire for honor and legacy, which in Shebna's case reflects arrogance and self-importance that the Lord rebukes.
Shebna's actions serve as a warning against pride and the pursuit of personal glory at the expense of humility and obedience to God.
This verse fits into a larger narrative of judgment against leaders who fail to recognize their dependence on God, highlighting the consequences of misplaced priorities.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways might I be seeking recognition or honor in my own life?
- How can I ensure my actions align with humility and service rather than pride?
- What does this verse teach about the importance of authority and accountability?
- How can I apply the lessons from Shebna's story to my own leadership or influence?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 22:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhat hast thou here?.... In the king's house, or in Jerusalem; what business hast thou here? thou art unworthy of such an office, nor shalt thou long continue in it; what inheritance hast thou here?
Read John Gill on Isaiah 22 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhat hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? What hast thou here, and whom?
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 22 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhat hast thou here? or, What dost thou here? what right hast thou to this place and office? Whom; either, 1. What friends, in whom thou canst confide? Thou hast so ill managed thyself and thy affairs, that thou art universally hated. Or, 2. What kindred or relations? For the Jews say he was a stranger by birth; which is the more probable, because his pedigree is not mentioned in any of those places of Scripture where he is named. Hewed thee out a sepulchre, as great and ambitious men used to do. Here; not in thine own country, the proper place for such a monument; but in Jerusalem, which should not be defiled nor disparaged with it. On high; in a high and eminent place, as . An habitation…
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 22 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 22:16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, [and] that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?Ver. 16. What hast thou here?] What inheritance, possession? And whom hast thou here?] sc., Of thy stock and kindred? Art not thou a foreigner, a new man, an upstart mushroom? Why, then, dost thou cut thee out such a costly and stately sepulchre in Jerusalem, as if you were of the royal family, or as if you were sure to die here in thy nest? Will it not prove a true κενοταφιον, as the Greeks call it? Some conceive that for the safeguard of his tomb, and other trinkets, Shebna was one…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 22 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) What hast thou here? . . .—The prophet’s indignation is roused by Shebna’s last act of arrogance. He had no “sepulchre of his fathers” to deck with fresh stateliness, and, like the kings and great ones of the earth (the kings of Sidon, the Pharaohs of Egypt, the kings of Assyria), had built one for himself, hollowed out of the wells (probably on one of the hills of Jerusalem), to be his own everlasting “habitation,” his domus œterna. So in Ecclesiastes 12:5, the grave is the “long home” of man. Rock-hewn sepulchres of this type are found on the slopes of all the hills in the neighbourhood of the holy city.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 22 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. A sepulchre on high - in a rock] It has been observed before, on Isaiah 13:1, that persons of high rank in Judea, and in most parts of the east, were generally buried in large sepulchral vaults, hewn out in the rock for the use of themselves and their families. The vanity of Shebna is set forth by his being so studious and careful to have his sepulchre on high - in a lofty vault; and that probably in a high situation, that it might be more conspicuous. Hezekiah was buried, למעלה lemalah, εναναβασει Sept.: in the chiefest, says our translation; rather, in the highest part of the sepulchres of the sons of David, to do him the more honour, 2 Chronicles 32:33. There are some monuments…
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 22 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. We may imagine the meeting between Isaiah and the vizier to have taken place at the sepulchre which the latter, after the Eastern fashion, was having prepared in his lifetime. By this act the novus homo asserted his equality with the aristocracy of Jerusalem, a piece of presumption which evidently kindles the ire of the prophet. What hast thou (to do) here? and whom (as kindred or descendants) hast thou here?] i.e. “Thou neither hast the rights of a citizen, nor canst claim to be the founder of a family.” Shebna’s grave was simply the monument of his own vulgar and ostentatious vanity. that thou hast hewed … here] (see below)—in so conspicuous a position. That Shebna actually placed his…
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 22 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhat hast thou here? - This verse contains a severe repoof of the pride and ostentation of Shebna, and of his expectation that he would be buried where be had built his own tomb.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 22 →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
What are you doing here, and who authorized you to carve out a tomb for yourself here—to chisel your tomb in the height and cut your resting place in the rock?
‘What are you doing here? Who has you here, that you have dug out a tomb here?’ Cutting himself out a tomb on high, chiseling a habitation for himself in the rock!”
What are you doing here, and who authorized you to carve out a tomb for yourself here—to chisel your tomb in the height and cut your resting place in the rock?
‘What right do you have to be here? What relatives do you have buried here? Why do you chisel out a tomb for yourself here? He chisels out his burial site in an elevated place, he carves out his tomb on a cliff.
Tyndale line
What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?
What doest thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre? hewing him out a sepulchre on high, graving a habitation for himself in the rock!
What doest thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre? hewing him out a sepulchre on high, graving an habitation for himself in the rock!
What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulcher here, as he that heweth him out a sepulcher on high, and that graveth a habitation for himself in a rock?
What haste thou to doe here? and whome hast thou here? that thou shouldest here hewe thee out a sepulchre, as he that heweth out his sepulchre in an hie place, or that graueth an habitation for him selfe in a rocke?
Strictly literal
What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewn thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth out his sepulchre on high, cutting out in the rock a habitation for himself?
What — to thee here? And who — to thee here? That thou hast hewn out to thee here — a sepulchre? Hewing on high his sepulchre, Graving in a rock a dwelling for himself.
What are you [doing] here? And who has [allowed] you here? That you have hewn out a tomb for yourself here? Hewing his tomb on high, || Carving a dwelling for himself in a rock.
What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewn out for thyself here a sepulchre, [the man] that hath hewn out on high his sepulchre, that holloweth out in the rock a habitation for himself?
'What are you doing here and who gave you permission to cut out a tomb for yourself, hewing out a grave on the heights and carving out a resting place in the rock?'”
From the Latin
What dost thou here, or as if thou wert somebody here? for thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, thou hast hewed out a monument carefully in a high place, a dwelling for thyself in a rock.
Simplified
‘What are you doing here? Who do you think you are, cutting out a tomb for yourself high up on a hill, carving out for yourself a place to rest?
Who are you, and by what right have you made for yourself a resting-place here?
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint and several Dead Sea Scrolls, which agree on the essential wording and meaning of the verse. Variations in the scrolls involve minor restorations, but the core message remains consistent.
מַה־ לְּךָ֥ פֹה֙ וּמִ֣י לְךָ֣ פֹ֔ה כִּֽי־ חָצַ֧בְתָּ לְּךָ֛ פֹּ֖ה קָ֑בֶר חֹצְבִ֤י מָרוֹם֙ קִבְר֔וֹ חֹקְקִ֥י בַסֶּ֖לַע מִשְׁכָּ֥ן לֽוֹ׃
15 of the 18 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.
מה ל׳ך פה ומי ל׳ך פה כי חצבתה ל׳כה פה קבר חצבי מרום קבר׳ו חוקקי בסלע משכן ל׳ו
18 words on the leather.
[מה] [ל׳ך] [פה] [ומי] ל׳ך פה כי חצבת ל׳ך פה קבר [חצבי] [מרום] [קבר׳ו] [חקקי] [בסלע] [משכן] [ל׳ו]
7 words on the leather — 11 supplied entire by an editor.
מה [ל׳ך] [פה] [ומי] [ל׳ך] [פה] [כי] [חצבת] [ל׳ך] [פה] [קבר] חצבי [מרום] קבר׳ו חקקי בסלע משכן ל׳ו
6 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 11 supplied entire by an editor.
[מה] ל׳כ פה ומי ל׳כ פה כי חצבת ל׳כ פה קבר חצבי [מרום] [קבר׳ו] חקקי בסלע משכן ל׳ו
12 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 3 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.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 22:16
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.
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.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
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.
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
Part — PronounHPi
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
פֹּה (poh) means 'here' or 'hither' in Hebrew. It is derived from a primitive particle indicating location. The word is used to denote a specific place, as seen in Job 38:11. Various lexicons confirm its meaning, with no significant disagreement among them.
פֹּה 58, and פּוֹ, also פֹּא, adv.loc. here, hither
base
H6311 פֹּה, and פּוֹ, also פֹּא here, hither
6311 poh po
or po6 (Job 38:11) {po}; or pow {po}; probably from a
primitive inseparable particle "p" (of demonstrative force)
and 1931; this place (French ici), i.e. here or hence:--here,
hither, the one (other, this, that) side.
see HEBREW for 0po6
see HEBREW for 01931
פֹּה (poh) — here.
1) here, from here, hither
1a) here
1b) hither
Adv — AdverbHD
her, in composition:
מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.
מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons
מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied
in the gen. whose
in an indirect qu.
מִי ב׳ who among … ?
strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.
various rhetorical uses whose
מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it
once, following a verb, any one
base
H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied
. in the gen. whose
. in an indirect qu.
. מִי ב׳ who among … ?
. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.
. various rhetorical uses whose
. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it
. once, following a verb, any one
4310 miy me
an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also
(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction
with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!
what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.
see HEBREW for 04100
מִי (mi) — who?.
who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Conj | Part — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pi
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
פֹּה (poh) means 'here' or 'hither' in Hebrew. It is derived from a primitive particle indicating location. The word is used to denote a specific place, as seen in Job 38:11. Various lexicons confirm its meaning, with no significant disagreement among them.
פֹּה 58, and פּוֹ, also פֹּא, adv.loc. here, hither
base
H6311 פֹּה, and פּוֹ, also פֹּא here, hither
6311 poh po
or po6 (Job 38:11) {po}; or pow {po}; probably from a
primitive inseparable particle "p" (of demonstrative force)
and 1931; this place (French ici), i.e. here or hence:--here,
hither, the one (other, this, that) side.
see HEBREW for 0po6
see HEBREW for 01931
פֹּה (poh) — here.
1) here, from here, hither
1a) here
1b) hither
Adv — AdverbHD
her, in composition:
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
HTc — ParticleHTc
The Hebrew word חָצַב (chatsab) means to hew, cut, or carve materials like wood and stone. It encompasses various actions such as digging, dividing, and engraving. The word appears in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of cutting and shaping. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[חָצַב] חָצֵב vb. hew, hew out, cleave
Qal
hew out, (dig)
hew stone
appar. hew wood
metaph. hew in pieces
Niph. be cut, hewn, graven (words on rock)
Pu. fig., hewn out of rock
Hiph. hew in pieces
base
H2672 [חָצַב] חָצֵב hew, hew out, cleave
2672 chatsab khaw-tsab'
or chatseb {khaw-tsabe'}; a primitive root ; to cut or carve
(wood), stone or other material); by implication, to hew,
split, square, quarry, engrave:--cut, dig, divide, grave, hew
(out, -er), made, mason.
חָצַב (cha.tsav) — to hew.
1) to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hew out, dig
1a2) to hew
1a2a) stone
1a2b) wood
1a3) to hew in pieces (metaph.)
1a4) to divide, cleave
1b) (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved
1c) (Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces
1d) (Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from
V-Qal-Perf-2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
פֹּה (poh) means 'here' or 'hither' in Hebrew. It is derived from a primitive particle indicating location. The word is used to denote a specific place, as seen in Job 38:11. Various lexicons confirm its meaning, with no significant disagreement among them.
פֹּה 58, and פּוֹ, also פֹּא, adv.loc. here, hither
base
H6311 פֹּה, and פּוֹ, also פֹּא here, hither
6311 poh po
or po6 (Job 38:11) {po}; or pow {po}; probably from a
primitive inseparable particle "p" (of demonstrative force)
and 1931; this place (French ici), i.e. here or hence:--here,
hither, the one (other, this, that) side.
see HEBREW for 0po6
see HEBREW for 01931
פֹּה (poh) — here.
1) here, from here, hither
1a) here
1b) hither
Adv — AdverbHD
her, in composition:
קֶ֫בֶר (qeber) refers to a grave or sepulchre, indicating a burial place. It is derived from the root word for 'to bury' and is used in contexts related to tombs. The entries consistently define it as a place of interment without notable disagreement.
קֶ֫בֶר 67 n.m. grave, sepulchre
base
H6913 קֶ֫בֶר grave, sepulchre
6913 qeber, keh'-ber
or (feminine) qibrah {kib-raw'}; from 6912; a
sepulchre:--burying place, grave, sepulchre.
see HEBREW for 06912
קֶ֫בֶר (qe.ver) — grave.
grave, sepulchre, tomb
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
toom.
See BURIAL.
From the burial of Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, (Genesis 23:19) to the funeral rites prepared for Dorcas, (Acts 9:37) there is no mention of any sarcophagus, or even coffin, in any Jewish burial. Still less were the rites of the Jews like those of the Pelasgi or Etruscans. They were marked with the same simplicity that characterized all their religious observances. This simplicity of rite led to what may be called the distinguishing characteristic of Jewish sepulchres --the deep loculus --which, so far as is now known, is universal in all purely Jewish rock-cut tombs, but hardly known elsewhere. Its form will be understood by referring to the following diagram, representing the forms of Jewish sepulture. In the apartment marked A there are twelve such loculi about two feet in…
See SEPULCHRE.
→ See BURIAL
The Hebrew word חָצַב (chatsab) means to hew, cut, or carve materials like wood and stone. It encompasses various actions such as digging, dividing, and engraving. The word appears in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of cutting and shaping. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[חָצַב] חָצֵב vb. hew, hew out, cleave
Qal
hew out, (dig)
hew stone
appar. hew wood
metaph. hew in pieces
Niph. be cut, hewn, graven (words on rock)
Pu. fig., hewn out of rock
Hiph. hew in pieces
base
H2672 [חָצַב] חָצֵב hew, hew out, cleave
2672 chatsab khaw-tsab'
or chatseb {khaw-tsabe'}; a primitive root ; to cut or carve
(wood), stone or other material); by implication, to hew,
split, square, quarry, engrave:--cut, dig, divide, grave, hew
(out, -er), made, mason.
חָצַב (cha.tsav) — to hew.
1) to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hew out, dig
1a2) to hew
1a2a) stone
1a2b) wood
1a3) to hew in pieces (metaph.)
1a4) to divide, cleave
1b) (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved
1c) (Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces
1d) (Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular commonHVqrmsc
מָרוֹם (marowm) means 'height' and encompasses both concrete and abstract uses, referring to elevated places, elevation, and even pride. It can describe physical heights or be used figuratively for dignity and nobility. The word is poetically used in the Old Testament, with its root linked to the concept of altitude.
מָרוֹם n.m. height (poet.)
height, elevation (concr.), elevated place
alone = height of heaven
adv. fig., = proudly
fig. of nobles
base
H4791 מָרוֹם height (poet.)
4791 marowm maw-rome'
from 7311; altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place),
abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially
(aloft):--(far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on)
high (one, place), loftily, upward.
see HEBREW for 07311
מָרוֹם (ma.rom) — height.
1) height
1a) height, elevation, elevated place
1a1) in a high place (adv)
1b) height
1c) proudly (adv)
1d) of nobles (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
1. General:
(1) "High place" is the normal translation of bamah, a word that means simply "elevation" (Jer 26:18; Eze 36:2, etc.; compare the use in Job 9:8 of the waves of the sea. For the plural as a proper noun see BAMOTH). In the King James Version of Eze 16:24,25,31,39, "high places" is the translation of ramah (the Revised Version (British and American) "lofty places"), a common word (see RAMAH) of exactly the same meaning, indistinguishable from bamah in 16:16. In three of these verses of Eze (16:24,31,39) ramah is paralleled by gabh, which again has precisely the same sense ("eminent place" in the King James Version, the English Revised Version), and the "vaulted…
High place
An eminence, natural or artificial, where worship by sacrifice or offerings was made (1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:29). The first altar after the Flood was built on a mountain (Gen. 8:20). Abraham also built an altar on a mountain (12:7, 8). It was on a mountain in Gilead that Laban and Jacob offered sacrifices (31:54). After the Israelites entered the Promised Land they were strictly enjoined to overthrow the high places of the Canaanites (Ex. 34:13; Deut. 7:5; 12:2, 3), and they were forbidden to worship the Lord on high places (Deut. 12:11-14), and were…
קֶ֫בֶר (qeber) refers to a grave or sepulchre, indicating a burial place. It is derived from the root word for 'to bury' and is used in contexts related to tombs. The entries consistently define it as a place of interment without notable disagreement.
קֶ֫בֶר 67 n.m. grave, sepulchre
base
H6913 קֶ֫בֶר grave, sepulchre
6913 qeber, keh'-ber
or (feminine) qibrah {kib-raw'}; from 6912; a
sepulchre:--burying place, grave, sepulchre.
see HEBREW for 06912
קֶ֫בֶר (qe.ver) — grave.
grave, sepulchre, tomb
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
חָקַק (chaqaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cut in, engrave, or inscribe. It encompasses the actions of marking out or tracing, particularly in the context of laws or decrees. The word can also imply a sense of authority, as in a lawgiver or commander. Notably, it is linked to the act of enacting laws, suggesting a foundational role in governance.
[חָקַק] vb. cut in, inscribe, decree
Qal
cut in
cut in or on, upon, engrave, inscribe
trace, mark out
of a law, engrave, inscribe
Po‛el inscribe (as a law), enact (poet.)
prescriber of laws, hence (as sovereign authority in a warlike clan) commander
commander’s staff
Pu. that which is decreed
Hoph. inscribed
base
H2710 [חָקַק] cut in, inscribe, decree .. cut in
. cut in or on, upon, engrave, inscribe
. trace, mark out
. of a law, engrave, inscribe
.inscribe (as a law), enact (poet.) . prescriber of laws, hence (as sovereign authority in a warlike clan) commander
. commander’s staff
. that which is decreed
. inscribed
2710 chaqaq khaw-kak'
a primitive root; properly, to hack, i.e. engrave (Judges
5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws
being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or
(gen.) prescribe:--appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver,
note, pourtray, print, set.
חָקַק (cha.qaq) — to decree.
1) to cut out, decree, inscribe, set, engrave, portray, govern
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut in
1a2) to cut in or on, cut upon, engrave, inscribe
1a3) to trace, mark out
1a4) to engrave, inscribe (of a law)
1b) (Poel)
1b1) to inscribe, enact, decree
1b2) one who decrees, lawgiver (participle)
1c) (Pual) something decreed, the law (participle)
1d) (Hophal) to be inscribed
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular commonHVqrmsc
Cutting
The flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice, a part of idol-worship (Deut. 14:1; 1 Kings 18:28). The Israelites were commanded not to imitate this practice (Lev. 19:28; 21:5; Deut. 14:1). The tearing of the flesh from grief and anguish of spirit in mourning for the dead was regarded as a mark of affection (Jer. 16:6; 41:5; 48:37).
Allusions are made in Revelation (13:16; 17:5; 19:20) to the practice of printing marks on the body, to indicate allegiance to a deity. We find also references to it, through in a different direction, by Paul (Gal. 6; 7) and by Ezekiel (9:4). (See HAIR.)
סֶ֫לַע (cela`) refers to a crag or cliff, indicating a strong, rocky formation. It can denote both a literal rock and a figurative stronghold, suggesting security and loftiness. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to rugged terrain and fortification, with no significant disagreements noted among the lexicons.
סֶ֫לַע 61 n.m. crag, cliff
base
H5553 סֶ֫לַע crag, cliff
5553 cela` seh'-lah
from an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock,
literally or figuratively (a fortress):--(ragged) rock,
stone(-ny), strong hold.
סֶ֫לַע (se.la) — rock.
The Rock
Sela (H5554)
סֶ֫לַע (se.la) — crag.
1) crag, cliff, rock
1a) crag, cliff
1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
rok ((1) cela`; (2) tsur (3) challamish, "flint"; compare Arabic khalanbus, "flint"; (4) kephim (Job 30:6; Jer 4:29); compare Kephas, "Cephas" = Petros, "Peter" (Joh 1:42 the King James Version and the Revised Version margin); (5) petra):
1. Names:
Tsur and cela` are the words most often found, and there is no well-defined distinction between them. They are frequently coupled together in the parallelism which is characteristic of the Hebrew writers: e.g.
"Be thou to me a strong rock (tsur),
A house of defense to save me.
For thou art my rock (tsela) and my fortress"
(Ps 31:2,3).
"He clave rocks (tsur) in the wilderness,
And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.
Rock
(Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3; Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2,3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated “mountain.” It ought to be translated “rock,” as in Hab. 1:12 in the Revised Version. The “rock” from which the stone is cut there signifies the…
מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) means 'dwelling-place' or 'tabernacle.' It is derived from a root meaning to dwell and can refer to various types of residences, including the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. The term encompasses both literal and figurative meanings, such as a grave or the Temple.
מִשְׁכָּן 139 n.m. dwelling-place, ‘tabernacle’
base
H4908 מִשְׁכָּן dwelling-place, ‘tabernacle’
4908 mishkan mish-kawn'
from 7931; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair
of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple);
specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden
walls):--dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle,
tent.
see HEBREW for 07931
מִשְׁכָּן (mish.kan) — tabernacle.
1) dwelling place, tabernacle
1a) dwelling-place
1b) dwellings
Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
