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Isaiah 29:4 — Word Study

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WLCוְשָׁפַלְתְּ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי וּמֵֽעָפָ֖ר תִּשַּׁ֣ח אִמְרָתֵ֑ךְ וְֽ֠הָיָה כְּא֤וֹב מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙ קוֹלֵ֔ךְ וּמֵעָפָ֖ר אִמְרָתֵ֥ךְ תְּצַפְצֵֽף׃

BSAYou will be brought lowshâphêl [humbled, abased] you will speakdâbar from the groundʼerets [out of the earth, from a lowly position] and out of the dustʻâphâr [dry earth, clay] your wordsʼimrâh will be muffledshâchach [low, whispering] Your voiceqôwl will behâyâh like a spiritʼôwb [medium, one who contacts the dead] from the groundʼerets [land, earth] your speechʼimrâh will whispertsâphaph [chirp, make a soft sound] out of the dustʻâphâr [dry earth]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 29
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 (te.tzaf.Tzef) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 29:4quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes a state of humiliation and lowliness, where the voice and words are diminished and muffled.
Who is speakingThe speaker addresses someone experiencing a fall from dignity, emphasizing their low position.
Where we areThis passage is part of a prophecy concerning the fate of Jerusalem and its people.
The hard wordשָׁפַל
Take awayThe imagery conveys a sense of being brought low, both physically and spiritually.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁפֵל The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Isaiah 29:4

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 Jerusalemgenerated

3I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you with towers and set up siege works against you.
4You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust.
5But your many foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant,
6you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.

Isaiah 29:4 depicts a scene where the people of Jerusalem are brought low, speaking from the ground and having their words muffled by dust. This reflects their loss of status and the consequences of their actions, as they face judgment. The surrounding verses illustrate the siege and the impending divine intervention that will follow.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 2:11–21The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
2Isaiah 3:8For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.
3Isaiah 51:23I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”
4Psalm 44:25For our soul has sunk to the dust; our bodies cling to the earth.
5Lamentations 1:9Her uncleanness stains her skirts; she did not consider her end. Her downfall was astounding; there was no one to comfort her. Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

whisperIsaiah 8:19

The Key Word שָׁפַל, shaphelgenerated

The verb שָׁפַל (shaphel) means to be or become low or abased. It indicates a lowering of status, both in a physical sense and a figurative humbling. This word appears in contexts of humiliation, emphasizing the act of being brought down from a higher state.

The parsing as a sequential perfect second person feminine singular suggests that the action is directed at a specific individual, indicating a personal experience of humiliation. This aligns with the broader themes of judgment and consequence found throughout the book of Isaiah.


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 multiple clauses, with the finite verbs שָׁפַלְתְּ֙, תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי, תִּשַּׁ֣ח, הָיָה, and תְּצַפְצֵֽף governing the structure. Each clause builds on the theme of lowliness, with prepositional phrases indicating the source of speech and voice.

The word order emphasizes the progression from being brought low to the resulting speech and voice, illustrating a clear connection between the state of humiliation and the manner of communication.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שָׁפַל as ταπεινωθήσονται, meaning 'they will be humbled.' This choice reflects a consistent interpretation of the Hebrew's emphasis on humiliation and lowliness.

The use of φωνοῦντες for קוֹלֵךְ indicates a focus on the act of speaking, aligning with the Hebrew's intention to convey the diminished state of the voice.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 29:4 describes a situation where someone is brought low and speaks from the ground, with their words muffled by dust. This imagery shows a loss of dignity and the consequences of their actions. The verse emphasizes the lowly state of their voice and speech, likening it to that of a necromancer, which conveys a sense of despair and hopelessness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be brought low in this verse?

Being brought low refers to a state of humiliation or loss of dignity, where one's status is significantly diminished.

How does the imagery of dust contribute to the meaning?

Dust symbolizes lowliness and insignificance, reinforcing the idea that the speaker's words and voice are diminished and lacking power.

What is the significance of comparing the voice to a necromancer?

The comparison to a necromancer suggests a connection to the supernatural and the idea of communicating with the dead, highlighting the desperation of the situation.

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

This verse reflects the themes of judgment and the consequences of turning away from God, which are prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced moments of humility or being brought low in my own life?
  2. How can I recognize the importance of my words and the manner in which I communicate, especially in difficult situations?
  3. What does it mean to me to have my voice compared to that of a necromancer?
  4. How does understanding the context of this verse help me grasp the broader message of Isaiah?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 29:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And thou shalt be brought down,.... To the ground, and laid level with it, even the city of Jerusalem, as it was by the Romans; and as it was predicted by Christ it would, Lu 19:44 though some

Read John Gill on Isaiah 29 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 29 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Thy speech shall be low out of the dust; thou who now speakest so loftily and scornfully against the Lord’ s prophets and others, shalt be humbled and confounded, and afraid and ashamed to speak aloud, and shalt in a submissive manner, and with a low voice, beg the favour of thine enemies. Thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground; who, that they might possess the people with a kind of reverence and horror, used to speak and deliver their answers with a low voice, either out of their bellies, or from some dark cave under the ground.

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 29 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 29:4 And thou shalt be brought down, [and] shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.Ver. 4. And thou, shalt be brought down.] From those lofty pinnacles of self-exaltation whereunto thy pride hath perched thee. And speak out of the ground.] Humillime et submissime, thou shalt speak supplication, with a low voice (as broken men), who wast wont to face the heavens, and speak in spite of God and men, speak big words, bubbles of words. See Jeremiah 46:22. And thy voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit.] Cuius vox est…

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 29 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Shalt speak out of the ground.—The words paint the panic of the besieged, the words pointing probably to Sennacherib’s invasion. They spoke in whispers, like the voice of the spectres which men heard in the secret chambers of the soothsayers. The war-cry of the brave was changed into the feeble tones of those that “peep and mutter.” (See Note on Isaiah 8:19.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 29 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 4. And thy speech shall be low out of the dust - "And from out of the dust thou shalt utter a feeble speech"] That the souls of the dead uttered a feeble stridulous sound, very different from the natural human voice, was a popular notion among the heathens as well as among the Jews. This appears from several passages of their poets; Homer, Virgil, Horace. The pretenders to the art of necromancy, who were chiefly women, had an art of speaking with a feigned voice, so as to deceive those who applied to them, by making them believe that it was the voice of the ghost. They had a way of uttering sounds, as if they were formed, not by the organs of speech, but deep in the chest, or in the…

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 29 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

ch. Isaiah 29:1-14. The announcement of Jehovah’s wonderful purpose regarding Jerusalem, and its reception on the part of the peopleUnder the second “Woe” (Isaiah 29:1) are grouped two oracles, which may have been originally independent; or they may be intimately connected, the second describing the effect of the first on the minds of Isaiah’s hearers. i. Isaiah 29:1-8. The impending humiliation and deliverance of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, apostrophised by the mystic name of “Ariel,” is at present gay and careless and secure, the festal calendar follows its accustomed course, and this state of things may endure for a short time longer (1). But already in vision the prophet sees her beset by…

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 29 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And shalt speak out of the ground - (see the note at Isaiah 8:19). The sense here is, that Jerusalem, that had been accustomed to pride itself on its strength I would be greatly humbled and subdued.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 29 →

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

You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

You will be brought down, and will speak out of the ground. Your speech will mumble out of the dust. Your voice will be as of one who has a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and your speech will whisper out of the dust.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust.

NETBNew English Translation2006

You will fall; while lying on the ground you will speak; from the dust where you lie, your words will be heard. Your voice will sound like a spirit speaking from the underworld; from the dust you will chirp as if muttering an incantation.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust; and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust; and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

So shalt thou be humbled, and shalt speake out of the ground, and thy speach shalbe as out of the dust: thy voyce also shall be out of the ground like him that hath a spirite of diuination, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And thou shalt be brought low, thou shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall come low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And thou hast been low, From the earth thou speakest, And from the dust makest thy saying low, And thy voice hath been from the earth, As one having a familiar spirit, And from the dust thy saying whisperest,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And you have been low, || You speak from the earth, || And make your saying low from the dust, || And your voice has been from the earth, || As one having a familiar spirit, || And your saying whispers from the dust,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And brought down low, shalt thou speak [as though] out of the earth, and out of the dust shall come forth thy speech; and like one of a familiar spirit out of the earth shall be thy voice, and out of the dust shalt thou whisper forth thy speech.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You will be brought down and will speak from the ground; your speech will be low from the dust. Your voice will sound like a spirit that speaks from the ground, and out of the dust your speech will whisper.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou shalt be brought down, thou shalt speak out of the earth, and thy speech shall be heard out of the ground: and thy voice shall be from the earth like that of the python, and out of the ground thy speech shall mutter.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You will be brought down, you will speak from where you're lying on the ground, mumbling in the dust. Your words will come like a ghost from the grave; your voice will be a whisper from the dust.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And you will be made low, and your voice will come out of the earth, and your words will be low out of the dust; and your voice will come out of the earth like that of a spirit, making bird-like noises out of the dust.

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.

וְandclauseverbשָׁפַלְתְּ֙you.will.become.lowclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfrom.[the]אֶ֣רֶץgroundverbתְּדַבֵּ֔רִיyou.will.speakוּandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵֽfrom.[the]עָפָ֖רdustverbתִּשַּׁ֣חit.will.be.humblednoun phrase · subjectאִמְרָתֵ֑utteranceךְyourוְֽ֠andclauseverbהָיָהit.will.beprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְּlikeא֤וֹבa.necromancerprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfrom.[the]אֶ֨רֶץ֙groundnoun phrase · subjectקוֹלֵ֔voiceךְyourוּandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfrom.[the]עָפָ֖רdustnoun phrase · subjectאִמְרָתֵ֥utteranceךְyourverbתְּצַפְצֵֽףit.will.whisper

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


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

The Masoretic Text (MT) of Isaiah 29:4 reads: "וְשָׁפַלְתְּ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי וּמֵֽעָפָ֖ר תִּשַּׁ֣ח אִמְרָתֵ֑ךְ וְֽ֠הָיָה כְּא֤וֹב מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙ קוֹלֵ֔ךְ וּמֵעָפָ֖ר אִמְרָתֵ֥ךְ תְּצַפְצֵֽף׃" The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Qisaa) largely agree with the MT, presenting a similar text with minor variations in spelling. The Septuagint (LXX) has a word-by-word correspondence with the MT, but its specific wording and structure differ, indicating a translation rather than a direct match. The other Dead Sea Scrolls fragments (1Q8 and 4Q64) contain portions of the verse but also show some differences, particularly in the number of words preserved and some editorial restorations. Overall, the MT is the most complete and consistent witness, while the other texts offer valuable insights into variations and textual history.

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

וְשָׁפַלְתְּ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי וּמֵֽעָפָ֖ר תִּשַּׁ֣ח אִמְרָתֵ֑ךְ וְֽ֠הָיָה כְּא֤וֹב מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙ קוֹלֵ֔ךְ וּמֵעָפָ֖ר אִמְרָתֵ֥ךְ תְּצַפְצֵֽף׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְשָׁפַלְתְּ֙ταπεινωθήσονταιוּמֵֽעָפָ֖רκαὶאִמְרָתֵ֑ךְσουוְֽ֠הָיָהἔσταιכְּא֤וֹבφωνοῦντεςמֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙γῆςקוֹלֵ֔ךְσουוּמֵעָפָ֖רκαὶאִמְרָתֵ֥ךְσουתְּצַפְצֵֽף׃ἀσθενήσει

10 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.

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

ושפלת מארץ תדברי ומעפר תשח אמרת׳ך והיה כאוב מארץ קול׳ך ומעפר אמרת׳ך תצפצפ

13 words on the leather.

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

[ושפלת] [מארץ] [תדברי] [ומעפר] [תשח] [אמרת׳ך] [והיה] כאוב מארץ [קול׳ך] [תצפצף]

11 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 9 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q64a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ושפלת [מארץ] [תדברי] אמרת׳ך תצפצף

5 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 partly restored, 2 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 29:4שָׁפֵלand you wiland you will beשָׁפֵלאֶ֫רֶץfrom [the] from [the] grouאֶ֫רֶץדָבַרyou will spyou will speakדָבַרעָפָרand from [tand from [the] עָפָרשָׁחַחit will be it will be humbשָׁחַחאִמְרָהutterance yutterance yourאִמְרָההָיָהand it willand it will beהָיָהאוֹבlike a necrlike a necromanאוֹבאֶ֫רֶץfrom [the] from [the] grouאֶ֫רֶץקוֹלvoice yourvoice yourקוֹלעָפָרand from [tand from [the] עָפָראִמְרָהutterance yutterance yourאִמְרָהצָפַףit will whiit will whisperצָפַףעָפַרto throwto throwעָפַראֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאאָבfatherfatherאָבכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםאֵ֫פֶרashesashesאֵ֫פֶרצָרַףto refineto refineצָרַףאָזַןto listento listenאָזַןשָׁחַחto bowto bowשָׁחַחגַּאֲוָהprideprideגַּאֲוָהמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןגַּבְהוּתhaughtineshaughtinessגַּבְהוּתשָׁפֵלto abaseto abaseשָׁפֵליִדְּעֹנִיspiritistspiritistיִדְּעֹנִינָחַשׁto divineto divineנָחַשׁתְּרוּעָהshoutshoutתְּרוּעָה
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 29:4

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
וְשָׁפַלְתְּ֙ve.sha.falT and you will become low H8213 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person feminine singular
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To humble or abase oneself, to lower one's expectations or pride. In the Bible, it can mean to bring someone or something down, like in Proverbs 29:23, where a person's pride is humbled.
Amplified meaning
humbled, abased
Tyndale gloss
to abase
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁפֵל (shaphel) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become low or abased. It can refer to both a physical lowering and a figurative humbling, with usages in different forms indicating actions like laying low or humbling oneself. The entries emphasize its application in contexts of humiliation and lowering one's status.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁפֵל vb. be or become low, be abased

Qal

all Is: become (be brought, laid) low

to be lowly of spirit

of sound

Hiph.

usu. fig., lay low

hum. subj. set one in a lower place

as helping vb.: make low, sit down = take low seat

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8213 שָׁפֵל be or become low, be abased

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8213 shaphel shaw-fale'

a primitive root; to depress or sink (expec. figuratively, to

humiliate, intransitive or transitive):--abase, bring (cast,

put) down, debase, humble (self), be (bring, lay, make, put)

low(-er).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁפֵל (sha.phel) — to abase.

1) to be or become low, sink, be humbled, be abased

1a) (Qal) to be or become low

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lay or bring low, humiliate

1b2) to set in a lower place, show abasement

1b3) to make low, sit down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-2fs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person feminine singular
Hc/Vqq2fs
and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
מֵאֶ֣רֶץme.'E.retz from [the] ground H776 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
out of the earth, from a lowly position
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Man made from Ge 2:7; 3:19,23; Job 4:19; 33:6

→ Animals made from Ge 2:19

→ Vegetables come from Ge 2:9

→ Cursed Ge 3:17; 5:29

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
תְּדַבֵּ֔רִיte.da.Be.ri you will speak H1696 Verb · Piel · imperfect second person feminine singular
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-2fs — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person feminine singular
HVpi2fs
and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
וּמֵֽעָפָ֖רu.me.'a.Far and from [the] dust H6083 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
110× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
dry earth, clay
Tyndale gloss
dust
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6083 `aphar aw-fawr'

from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,

mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.

see HEBREW for 06080

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.

1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish

1a) dry or loose earth

1b) debris

1c) mortar

1d) ore

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/R/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dust (`aphar; koniortos, chous): Small particles of earth. The word has several figurative and symbolic meanings:

(1) Dust being the material out of which God is said to have formed man (Ge 2:7), it became a symbol of man's frailty (Ps 103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust"; compare Ge 18:27; Job 4:19, etc.), and of his mortality (Ge 3:19, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"; compare Job 34:15; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dust

Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of “powder and dust” (Deut. 28:24).

To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Josh. 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa. 47:1). “Dust” is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). “To shake off the dust from one’s feet” against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matt. 10:14; Acts 13:51). To “lick the dust” is a sign of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[MOURNING]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Jos 7:6. Dust or ashes put upon the head was a sign of mourning; sitting in the dust, a sign of affliction, La 3:29 Isa 47:1. "Dust" is also put for the grave, Ge 3:19 Job 7:21. It signifies a multitude, Ge 13:16, and a low and mean condition, 1Sa 2:8. We have two remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Scripture, and they seem to illustrate a practice common in Asia: those who demanded justice against a criminal were accustomed to throw dust upon him, signifying that he deserved to be cast into the grave.…

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
תִּשַּׁ֣חti.Shach it will be humbled H7817 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person feminine singular
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To bow down means to sink or depress oneself, often in humility or worship, as seen in the story of King David in 1 Samuel. It can also mean to crouch or be prostrated, like an animal in a lair, and is used to describe a range of emotions and postures.
Amplified meaning
low, whispering
Tyndale gloss
to bow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁחַח (shachach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bow or be bowed down. It encompasses actions such as prostrating oneself in homage, crouching like a wild beast, or experiencing despair. The word can be used reflexively or causatively, indicating both the act of bowing and the state of being humbled or cast down.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁחַח] vb. bow, be bowed down, crouch

Qal

be bowed down, prostrated, humbled

bow in homage

bow, of mourner

crouch, of wild beast in lair

Niph. be prostrated, humbled

Hiph. prostrate, lay low, city, walls, etc.

Hithpō‛. be cast down, despairing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7817 שָׁחַח bow, be bowed down, crouch .. be bowed down, prostrated, humbled

. bow in homage

. bow, of mourner

. crouch, of wild beast in lair

. be prostrated, humbled

. prostrate, lay low, city, walls, etc.

. be cast down, despairing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7817 shachach shaw-khakh'

a primitive root; to sink or depress (reflexive or

causative):--bend, bow (down), bring (cast) down, couch,

humble self, be (bring) low, stoop.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁחַח (sha.chach) — to bow.

1) to bow, crouch, bow down, be bowed down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be bowed down, be prostrated, be humbled

1a2) to bow (in homage)

1a3) to bow (of mourner)

1a4) to crouch (of wild beast in lair)

1b) (Niphal) to be prostrated, be humbled, be reduced, be weakened, proceed humbly, be bowed down

1c) (Hiphil) to prostrate, lay low, bow down

1d) (Hithpolel) to be cast down, be despairing

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVNi3fs
and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
אִמְרָתֵ֑ךְ'im.ra.Tekh utterance your H565 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a threat or warning, often from God. It appears in the context of judgement or punishment. The KJV translates it as commandment, speech, or word.
Tyndale gloss
word
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אִמְרָה] n.f. utternace, speech, word

base

[אֶמְרָה] n.f. id. [a.ea.ac] La 2:17.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

565 'imrah im-raw'

or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the

same:--commandment, speech, word.

see HEBREW for 0561

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.

1) utterance, speech, word

1a) word of God (command and promise)

אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.

threat (of judgement from God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp2fs
and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
וְֽ֠הָיָהVe.ha.yah and it will be H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqq3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TESTAMENT.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ THE MENTAL FACULTY

Freedom of, recognized by God Ge 4:6-10; De 5:29; 1Ki 20:42; Isa 1:18-20; 43:26; Jer 36:3,7; Joh 7:17

See BLESSINGS, CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE

See CHOICE

See CONTINGENCY

→ OF GOD, THE SUPREME RULE OF DUTY Mt 6:10; 12:50; 26:39,42; Mr 3:35; 14:36; Lu 11:2; 22:42; Joh 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40; Ac…

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
כְּא֤וֹבke.'ov like a necromancer H178 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
17× 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 a medium or a person who tries to contact the dead, often using a hollow object like a water skin to make it seem like a spirit is speaking. This practice is forbidden in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
medium, one who contacts the dead
Tyndale gloss
medium
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אוֹב (owb) refers to a skin-bottle and is also associated with necromancy and spirits of the dead. The term is built from the idea of a hollow sound, linking it to both a physical object and a practice involving communication with the dead. The entries highlight its meanings as a water skin, a necromancer, and a familiar spirit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹב n.m. skin-bottle, necromancer, etc.

skin-bottle

necromancer

ghost

necromancy

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H178 אוֹב skin-bottle, necromancer, etc. . skin-bottle

. necromancer

. ghost

. necromancy

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

178 'owb obe

from the same as 1 (apparently through the idea of prattling

a father's name); properly, a mumble, i.e. a water skin (from

its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from

a jar):--bottle, familiar spirit.

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹב (ov) — medium.

1) water skin bottle

2) necromancer

1b) necromancer, one who evokes the dead

1c) ghost, spirit of a dead one

1d) practice of necromancy

3) one that has a familiar spirit

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Necromancer

(Deut. 15:11), i.e., “one who interrogates the dead,” as the word literally means, with the view of discovering the secrets of futurity (comp. 1 Sam. 28:7). (See DIVINATION.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

One who pretended to discover unknown and future events by summoning and interrogating the dead, De 18:10,11, a crime punishable by stoning to death, Le 20:27. See SORCERER. No good reason can be given for believing that such pretended communications with departed spirits are less offensive to God now than in the time of Moses.

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙me.'E.retz from [the] ground H776 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
land, earth
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Man made from Ge 2:7; 3:19,23; Job 4:19; 33:6

→ Animals made from Ge 2:19

→ Vegetables come from Ge 2:9

→ Cursed Ge 3:17; 5:29

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
קוֹלֵ֔ךְko.Lekh voice your H6963 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
506× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Tyndale gloss
voice: sound
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קוֹל 506 n.m. sound, voice

base

קֹל n.[m.] lightness, frivolity;—Je 3:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6963 qowl kole

or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a

voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),

fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,

proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +

yell.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קוֹל (qol) — voice.

: voice/shout/loud

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קֹל (qol) — frivolity.

lightness, frivolity

קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.

: sound/noise

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.

: thunder

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.

: message/proclaim

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].

: [sound_of](THING)

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.

: listen

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2fs
and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
וּמֵעָפָ֖רu.me.'a.Far and from [the] dust H6083 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
110× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
dry earth
Tyndale gloss
dust
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6083 `aphar aw-fawr'

from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,

mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.

see HEBREW for 06080

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.

1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish

1a) dry or loose earth

1b) debris

1c) mortar

1d) ore

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/R/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dust (`aphar; koniortos, chous): Small particles of earth. The word has several figurative and symbolic meanings:

(1) Dust being the material out of which God is said to have formed man (Ge 2:7), it became a symbol of man's frailty (Ps 103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust"; compare Ge 18:27; Job 4:19, etc.), and of his mortality (Ge 3:19, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"; compare Job 34:15; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dust

Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of “powder and dust” (Deut. 28:24).

To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Josh. 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa. 47:1). “Dust” is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). “To shake off the dust from one’s feet” against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matt. 10:14; Acts 13:51). To “lick the dust” is a sign of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[MOURNING]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Jos 7:6. Dust or ashes put upon the head was a sign of mourning; sitting in the dust, a sign of affliction, La 3:29 Isa 47:1. "Dust" is also put for the grave, Ge 3:19 Job 7:21. It signifies a multitude, Ge 13:16, and a low and mean condition, 1Sa 2:8. We have two remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Scripture, and they seem to illustrate a practice common in Asia: those who demanded justice against a criminal were accustomed to throw dust upon him, signifying that he deserved to be cast into the grave.…

and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
אִמְרָתֵ֥ךְ'im.ra.Tekh utterance your H565 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a threat or warning, often from God. It appears in the context of judgement or punishment. The KJV translates it as commandment, speech, or word.
Tyndale gloss
word
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אִמְרָה] n.f. utternace, speech, word

base

[אֶמְרָה] n.f. id. [a.ea.ac] La 2:17.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

565 'imrah im-raw'

or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the

same:--commandment, speech, word.

see HEBREW for 0561

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.

1) utterance, speech, word

1a) word of God (command and promise)

אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.

threat (of judgement from God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp2fs
and you will become low from [the] ground you will speak and from [the] dust it will be humbled utterance your and it will be like a necromancer from [the] ground voice your and from [the] dust utterance your it will whisper
תְּצַפְצֵֽף׃te.tzaf.Tzef it will whisper H6850 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person feminine singular
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To whisper or chirp, this word describes the soft sounds of birds or even ghosts. In the Bible, it is used to describe the gentle noises of nature and the supernatural.
Amplified meaning
chirp, make a soft sound
Tyndale gloss
to whisper
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָפַף (tsaphaph) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to chirp or peep, often associated with birds. It can also refer to whispering, and in some contexts, it is linked to ghosts. The entries consistently highlight its use in the Pilpel form, indicating a repetitive or intensified action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָפַף] vb. Pilp. chirp, peep

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6850 [צָפַף] Pilp. chirp, peep

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6850 tsaphaph tsaw-faf'

a primitive root; to coo or chirp (as a bird):--chatter,

peep, whisper.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָפַף (tsa.phaph) — to whisper.

1) (Pilpel) to chirp, peep

1a) of birds

1b) of ghosts

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-l-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVpi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See BUSYBODY

→ See SLANDER

→ See TALEBEARER

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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