Isaiah 28:10 — Word Study
WLCכִּ֣י צַ֤ו לָצָו֙ צַ֣ו לָצָ֔ו קַ֥ו לָקָ֖ו קַ֣ו לָקָ֑ו זְעֵ֥יר שָׁ֖ם זְעֵ֥יר שָֽׁם׃
BSAFor [they hear]kîy Ordertsav [precept, command] on ordertsav ordertsav on ordertsav lineqav [cord, rule] on lineqav lineqav on lineqav a littlezᵉʻêyr [small in quantity] hereshâm a littlezᵉʻêyr thereshâm [in that place]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּ֣י | for | Particle |
| צַ֤ו | command | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לָצָו֙ | to [the] command | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| צַ֣ו | command | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לָצָ֔ו | to [the] command | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| קַ֥ו | line | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לָקָ֖ו | to [the] line | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| קַ֣ו | line | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לָקָ֑ו | to [the] line | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| זְעֵ֥יר | a little | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| שָׁ֖ם | there | Adverb |
| זְעֵ֥יר | a little | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| שָֽׁם׃ | there | Adverb |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” |
| KJV | For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: |
| ASV | For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. |
| YLT | For rule [is] on rule, rule on rule, line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there, |
| WEB | For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little. |
| BBE | For it is one rule after another; one line after another; here a little, there a little. |
The translations agree here, consistently rendering the commands and lines in a similar manner.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by a series of prepositional phrases, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the commands.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectצַו
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 28:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Unresponsive Peoplegenerated
Isaiah 28:10 reflects God's frustration with a people who are unable to grasp His teachings, despite the clarity and repetition in the commands given to them. The passage serves as a critique of their spiritual state, emphasizing the disconnect between divine instruction and human understanding.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 28:13 | Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured. |
| 2 | Isaiah 5:4 | What more could I have done for My vineyard than I already did for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit? |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 6:1–6 | These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 36:15–16 | Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 9:29–30 | You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they stiffened their necks and would not obey. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צַו, tzavgenerated
The noun צַו (tzav) means 'command' or 'ordinance', derived from a root that implies authority. It is often used in contexts where God provides instructions to His people, indicating a formal directive that is expected to be followed.
In this verse, the repetition of צַו emphasizes the structured nature of God's commands, suggesting that the instructions are clear and systematic, yet the audience remains unresponsive.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of a series of clauses, with the finite verb implied in the repeated commands. The structure emphasizes the methodical nature of the instruction with phrases that build upon each other.
The use of parallelism in the phrases צַו and קַו creates a rhythmic quality, reinforcing the message through repetition and structure.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צַו as θλῖψιν, which suggests a broader interpretation of the command as something that brings pressure or affliction. This choice indicates a nuanced understanding of the command's implications.
This translation may reflect an interpretative approach that sees the commands not just as directives but as burdens that the people are unwilling to bear.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 28:10 shows how God communicates His commands in a repetitive manner, emphasizing the clarity of His message. However, the people are unable to understand or respond to these teachings, highlighting their spiritual blindness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The repetition emphasizes the structured nature of God's commands and the methodical way knowledge is imparted, though it highlights the people's failure to comprehend.
This phrase illustrates the systematic approach God uses in His teachings, indicating that His instructions are clear and meant to be followed.
This phrase suggests that understanding is built incrementally, yet the people fail to grasp even the small portions of knowledge given to them.
This verse reflects the broader theme of Isaiah, where God expresses frustration over the people's inability to listen and respond to His guidance, despite the clarity of His instructions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I struggle to understand or apply God's commands in my own life?
- How can I be more receptive to the teachings I encounter, both in scripture and in daily life?
- What steps can I take to ensure that I am not like the unresponsive audience described in this verse?
- How does the repetitive structure of this verse challenge me to think about the way I communicate important messages?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Father Jerome comments on this verse, reflecting on the nature of God's commands and the people's understanding.
Who will teach knowledge, and who will make understanding? Weaned from milk, pulled from the breasts: command, re-command; command, re-command; wait, re-wait; wait, re-wait; a little here, a little there.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 28 →
“My conscience is at rest, and I know that it is not from any fault of mine that I am suffering; moreover affliction in this world is a ground for expecting a reward hereafter.” When the enemy was more than usually forward and ventured to…Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 28 →
We read in the book of Job how, while the first messenger of evil was yet speaking, there came also another; and in the same book it is written,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 28 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 28:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept,.... Signifying, that they must be dealt with as children were, when first instructed in the rudiments of a language, first had one rule given
Read John Gill on Isaiah 28 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIn that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, -The prophet now turns to Judah, a gracious promise to the remnant
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 28 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePrecept must be upon precept; they must be taught, like little children, slowly, and by leisure; the same things being oft repeated, because of their great dulness. Line upon line; one line of the book after another, as children are taught to read.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 28 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 28:10 For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:Ver. 10. For precept must be upon precept.] Children are of weak understanding and of short memories, and, Hebraei dicunt hisce verbis infantilitatem signifieari, they must also have short words and sentences prescribed unto them (such as are kau and flau) and inculcated upon them, that something at least may stick. So must most of our hearers, or little good will be done. Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Heb., ‘ Thou shalt whet, or repeat them by often going over the same thing,’ as the knife goeth over the whetstone till it be sharp.…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 28 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. For precept must be upon precept] The original is remarkably abrupt and sententious. The hemistichs are these: - לצו צו לצו צו כי latsav tsav latsav tsav ki לקו קו לקו קו lakav kav lakav kav שם זעיר שם זעיר sham zeeir sham zeeir For, - Command to command, command to command. Line to line, line to line. A little there, a little there. Kimchi says צו tsav, precept, is used here for מצוה mitsvah, command, and is used in no other place for it but here. צו tsav signifies a little precept, such as is suited to the capacity of a child; see Isaiah 28:9. קו kav signifies the line that a mason stretches out to build a layer of stones by. After one layer or course is placed, he raises the…
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 28 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. The topers proceed to mock, in stammering drunken tones, the excited utterance and the wearisome iterations of the prophet’s teaching. Translate with R.V. (marg.) For it is precept upon precept … rule upon rule … here a little, there a little. The Hebr. is a series of monosyllables (ηav lβ-ηβv ηav lβ-ηβv qav lβ-qβv qav lβ-qβv z‘κr shβm z‘κr shβm); the sense is not quite certain, but the tones sufficiently represent at once the disgust of the speakers with the restless persistency of their monitor and their own inability to express themselves distinctly.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 28 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFor precept must be upon precept - This is probably designed to ridicule the concise and sententious manner of the prophets, and especially the fact that they dwelt much upon the same elementary truths of religion.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 28 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible9, 10. These verses appear to imply an interruption on the part of those against whom the prophet is inveighing.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 28 →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
For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”
For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little.
For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”
Indeed, they will hear meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there.
Tyndale line
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.
For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
For precept must be vpon precept, precept vpon precept, line vnto line, line vnto line, there a litle, and there a litle.
Strictly literal
For [it is] precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. ...
For rule [is] on rule, rule on rule, line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there,
For rule on rule, rule on rule, || Line on line, line on line, || A little here, a little there,
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
For it is command upon command, command upon command; rule upon rule, rule upon rule; here a little, there a little.
From the Latin
For command, command again; command, command again; expect, expect again; expect, expect again: a little there, a little there.
Simplified
He tells us this blah and that blah, blah upon blah, and again blah and blah, and even more blah and blah! It's a bit here and a bit there.”
For it is one rule after another; one line after another; here a little, there a little.
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 and the Dead Sea Scrolls agree closely, with the former presenting the verse as a direct command structure. The Septuagint, while not matching word-for-word, captures the essence of the commands, indicating a consistent understanding across traditions.
כִּ֣י צַ֤ו לָצָו֙ צַ֣ו לָצָ֔ו קַ֥ו לָקָ֖ו קַ֣ו לָקָ֑ו זְעֵ֥יר שָׁ֖ם זְעֵ֥יר שָֽׁם׃
7 of the 13 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.
כי צי לצי צי לצי קו לקו קו לקו זעיר שמ זעיר שמ
13 words on the leather.
כיא [צו] [לצו] [צו] [לצו] [קו] [לקו] [קו] [לקו] [זעיר] [שם] [זעיר] שם
nothing on the leather here — 2 partly restored, 11 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 28:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
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)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
צַו (tsav) generally refers to a command or ordinance. It is derived from a root meaning to command and can imply an injunction or precept. The term appears in contexts that may include mockery, as noted in some interpretations, suggesting its use can vary in tone and intent.
צַו appar. n.[m.] dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
base
H6673 צַו dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
6673 tsav tsav
or tsav {tsawv}; from 6680; an injunction:--commandment,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
צַו (tsav) — command.
1) command, ordinance, oracle (meaning uncertain)
1a) used in mocking mimicry of Isaiah's words and thus not a true divine command
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
צַו (tsav) generally refers to a command or ordinance. It is derived from a root meaning to command and can imply an injunction or precept. The term appears in contexts that may include mockery, as noted in some interpretations, suggesting its use can vary in tone and intent.
צַו appar. n.[m.] dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
base
H6673 צַו dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
6673 tsav tsav
or tsav {tsawv}; from 6680; an injunction:--commandment,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
צַו (tsav) — command.
1) command, ordinance, oracle (meaning uncertain)
1a) used in mocking mimicry of Isaiah's words and thus not a true divine command
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
צַו (tsav) generally refers to a command or ordinance. It is derived from a root meaning to command and can imply an injunction or precept. The term appears in contexts that may include mockery, as noted in some interpretations, suggesting its use can vary in tone and intent.
צַו appar. n.[m.] dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
base
H6673 צַו dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
6673 tsav tsav
or tsav {tsawv}; from 6680; an injunction:--commandment,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
צַו (tsav) — command.
1) command, ordinance, oracle (meaning uncertain)
1a) used in mocking mimicry of Isaiah's words and thus not a true divine command
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
צַו (tsav) generally refers to a command or ordinance. It is derived from a root meaning to command and can imply an injunction or precept. The term appears in contexts that may include mockery, as noted in some interpretations, suggesting its use can vary in tone and intent.
צַו appar. n.[m.] dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
base
H6673 צַו dub. word;—usu. command, ordinance
6673 tsav tsav
or tsav {tsawv}; from 6680; an injunction:--commandment,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
צַו (tsav) — command.
1) command, ordinance, oracle (meaning uncertain)
1a) used in mocking mimicry of Isaiah's words and thus not a true divine command
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
קַו (qav) primarily means 'line' or 'cord', often used for measuring. It may also refer to a musical string or a rule. The term has an onomatopoeic aspect noted in the context of Isaiah, suggesting a playful or nonsensical mimicry. There is some ambiguity regarding its figurative uses, but the core meanings revolve around measurement and connection.
קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. senseless
base
קַו n.m. line
base
H6957a קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. nonsense H6957b קַו line
6957 qav kav
or qav {kawv}; from 6960 (compare 6961); a cord (as
connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule;
also a rim, a musical string or accord:--line. Compare 6978.
see HEBREW for 06960
see HEBREW for 06961
see HEBREW for 06978
קַו (qav) — cord.
1) line, measuring-line
2) (BDB) onomatapoetic mimicry of Isaiah's words, perhaps senseless
קַו (qav) — line.
1) cord, line, measuring-line
1a) cord
1b) measuring-line
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and…
קַו (qav) primarily means 'line' or 'cord', often used for measuring. It may also refer to a musical string or a rule. The term has an onomatopoeic aspect noted in the context of Isaiah, suggesting a playful or nonsensical mimicry. There is some ambiguity regarding its figurative uses, but the core meanings revolve around measurement and connection.
קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. senseless
base
קַו n.m. line
base
H6957a קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. nonsense H6957b קַו line
6957 qav kav
or qav {kawv}; from 6960 (compare 6961); a cord (as
connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule;
also a rim, a musical string or accord:--line. Compare 6978.
see HEBREW for 06960
see HEBREW for 06961
see HEBREW for 06978
קַו (qav) — cord.
1) line, measuring-line
2) (BDB) onomatapoetic mimicry of Isaiah's words, perhaps senseless
קַו (qav) — line.
1) cord, line, measuring-line
1a) cord
1b) measuring-line
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and…
קַו (qav) primarily means 'line' or 'cord', often used for measuring. It may also refer to a musical string or a rule. The term has an onomatopoeic aspect noted in the context of Isaiah, suggesting a playful or nonsensical mimicry. There is some ambiguity regarding its figurative uses, but the core meanings revolve around measurement and connection.
קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. senseless
base
קַו n.m. line
base
H6957a קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. nonsense H6957b קַו line
6957 qav kav
or qav {kawv}; from 6960 (compare 6961); a cord (as
connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule;
also a rim, a musical string or accord:--line. Compare 6978.
see HEBREW for 06960
see HEBREW for 06961
see HEBREW for 06978
קַו (qav) — cord.
1) line, measuring-line
2) (BDB) onomatapoetic mimicry of Isaiah's words, perhaps senseless
קַו (qav) — line.
1) cord, line, measuring-line
1a) cord
1b) measuring-line
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and…
קַו (qav) primarily means 'line' or 'cord', often used for measuring. It may also refer to a musical string or a rule. The term has an onomatopoeic aspect noted in the context of Isaiah, suggesting a playful or nonsensical mimicry. There is some ambiguity regarding its figurative uses, but the core meanings revolve around measurement and connection.
קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. senseless
base
קַו n.m. line
base
H6957a קַו mimicry of Isaiah's words, perh. nonsense H6957b קַו line
6957 qav kav
or qav {kawv}; from 6960 (compare 6961); a cord (as
connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule;
also a rim, a musical string or accord:--line. Compare 6978.
see HEBREW for 06960
see HEBREW for 06961
see HEBREW for 06978
קַו (qav) — cord.
1) line, measuring-line
2) (BDB) onomatapoetic mimicry of Isaiah's words, perhaps senseless
קַו (qav) — line.
1) cord, line, measuring-line
1a) cord
1b) measuring-line
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and…
זְעֵיר (ze`eyr) means 'little' and is a diminutive form indicating smallness in quantity or time. It is derived from an unused root related to the concept of dwindling. The word has an Aramaic equivalent, זְעֵיר (ze.er), also meaning 'little'.
זְעֵיר n.[m.] a little (diminutive form)
of quantity, amount (of instruction)
of time
base
H2191 זְעֵיר a little (diminutive form) . of quantity, amount (of instruction)
. of time
2191 ze`eyr zeh-ayr'
from an unused root (akin (by permutation) to 6819), meaning
to dwindle; small:--little.
see HEBREW for 06819
זְעֵיר (ze.er) — little.
1) a little
1a) of quantity
1b) of time
Aramaic equivalent: ze.er (זְעֵיר "little" H2192)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.
שָׁם adv. there, thither
base
H8033 שָׁם there, thither
8033 sham shawm
a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or
thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +
thither, + whither.
see HEBREW for 0834
שָׁם (sham) — there.
1) there, thither
1a) there
1b) thither (after verbs of motion)
1c) from there, thence
1d) then (as an adverb of time)
Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
This name means there, thither
Adv — AdverbHD
זְעֵיר (ze`eyr) means 'little' and is a diminutive form indicating smallness in quantity or time. It is derived from an unused root related to the concept of dwindling. The word has an Aramaic equivalent, זְעֵיר (ze.er), also meaning 'little'.
זְעֵיר n.[m.] a little (diminutive form)
of quantity, amount (of instruction)
of time
base
H2191 זְעֵיר a little (diminutive form) . of quantity, amount (of instruction)
. of time
2191 ze`eyr zeh-ayr'
from an unused root (akin (by permutation) to 6819), meaning
to dwindle; small:--little.
see HEBREW for 06819
זְעֵיר (ze.er) — little.
1) a little
1a) of quantity
1b) of time
Aramaic equivalent: ze.er (זְעֵיר "little" H2192)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.
שָׁם adv. there, thither
base
H8033 שָׁם there, thither
8033 sham shawm
a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or
thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +
thither, + whither.
see HEBREW for 0834
שָׁם (sham) — there.
1) there, thither
1a) there
1b) thither (after verbs of motion)
1c) from there, thence
1d) then (as an adverb of time)
Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
This name means there, thither
Adv — AdverbHD