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Isaiah 30:28 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְרוּח֞וֹ כְּנַ֤חַל שׁוֹטֵף֙ עַד־ צַוָּ֣אר יֶֽחֱצֶ֔ה לַהֲנָפָ֥ה גוֹיִ֖ם בְּנָ֣פַת שָׁ֑וְא וְרֶ֣סֶן מַתְעֶ֔ה עַ֖ל לְחָיֵ֥י עַמִּֽים׃

BSAHis breathrûwach [like a rushing flood, an overflowing stream] is like a rushingshâṭaph torrentnachal [a powerful, overflowing brook] that riseschâtsâh toʻad the necktsavvâʼr [the midst of the neck, a point of vulnerability] He comes to siftnûwph [separate, divide] the nationsgôwy [Gentiles, large groups of people] in a sievenâphâh [a tool for separating, a device for destruction] of destructionshâvᵉʼ [vanity, emptiness] He bridlesreçen [puts a restraint on, guides] the jawslᵉchîy [the cheek, the mouth] of the peoplesʻam [nations, groups of people] to lead them astraytâʻâh [to cause them to err, to wander]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 30
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 28 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 ('a.Mim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 30:28quick helps
In a sentenceGod's breath is depicted as a powerful torrent that serves to judge and lead nations astray.
Who is speakingThe prophet Isaiah, conveying God's message.
Where we areIn a prophetic declaration about God's judgment against the nations.
The hard wordשׁוֹטֵף
Take awayGod's judgment is both powerful and precise.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁטַף 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 30:28

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 — A Prophecy of Judgmentgenerated

27Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire.
28His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.
29You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.
30And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones.

Isaiah 30:28 describes God's fierce judgment, likening His breath to a torrent that rises to the neck, symbolizing imminent danger. This imagery conveys the seriousness of God's intent to sift the nations, using a sieve of destruction. The passage emphasizes God's authority over all peoples and highlights the consequences of leading them astray, setting the stage for a call to repentance and awareness of divine judgment.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 11:4but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
2Psalm 18:15The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
3Luke 22:31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
42 Thessalonians 2:8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
5Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The Key Word רוּחַ, ve.ru.Chogenerated

The word רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses the breath of life and can signify a person's mind and emotions, as seen in Ezekiel. In this context, it illustrates the overwhelming power of God's presence, akin to a rushing torrent that signifies both life and judgment.

The parsing indicates that it is a noun in the construct state, which often denotes possession. Here, it emphasizes that the breath belongs to God, highlighting His authority and the impact of His will on the nations.


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 finite verb יֶֽחֱצֶ֔ה governs the main clause, indicating the action of God's breath reaching a critical point. The structure reveals a complex relationship between the subject and the descriptive phrases that follow.

The sentence employs multiple prepositional phrases that elaborate on the nature of God's breath and its effects on the nations, illustrating the depth of the judgment being pronounced.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates רוּחַ as αὐτοῦ, indicating a direct reference to God's breath. This choice emphasizes the personal nature of God's judgment and presence.

The translation of שׁוֹטֵף as σῦρον suggests a broader interpretation of overflowing, aligning with the idea of a powerful force that cannot be contained.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 30:28 describes God's breath as a powerful torrent that rises to the neck, symbolizing His judgment. He comes to sift the nations using a sieve of destruction, controlling the peoples to lead them astray.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God's breath is like a rushing torrent?

It signifies the overwhelming power and authority of God in executing judgment.

How does God sift the nations?

God separates and judges the nations, determining their fate based on their actions.

What is the significance of the sieve mentioned in this verse?

The sieve represents a tool for judgment, highlighting the separation of the righteous from the wicked.

Why does God bridle the jaws of the peoples?

This imagery indicates God's control over the nations, guiding them away from error and leading them astray.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see God's judgment reflected in the world today?
  2. How can I ensure that I am not led astray by the influences around me?
  3. What does it mean for me to recognize God's authority in my life?
  4. How can I respond to God's call for repentance and awareness of His judgment?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 30:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And his breath as an overflowing stream,.... Which comes with great swiftness and force, bearing all before it, breathing out nothing but the fire of divine wrath, before which there is no standing;

Read John Gill on Isaiah 30 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

His breath; either, 1. The breath of his nostrils, as it is called, ; or the blast of the breath of his nostrils, as ; in both which places it is mentioned as a sign and effect of God’ s anger, and the cause of the destruction of those against whom it is directed. And the expression seems to be borrowed from hence, that men discover their anger by a strong and vehement breathing through their nostrils. Or, 2. The breath of his lips or mouth, to which the destruction of God’ s enemies is elsewhere ascribed, as , which may be the same thing with his lips and tongue in the foregoing verse, or may design strong blast coming out of his mouth; for God is frequently said to destroy wicked men by…

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 30 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 30:28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and [there shall be] a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing [them] to err.Ver. 28. And his breath as an overflowing stream.] God can blow men to destruction, for they are but dust heaps; yea, his breath, as an irresistible torrent, beareth all before it. The prophet had compared God’ s fierce wrath to a raging fire; now he further compareth it here, 1. To a flood; 2. To a fan; 3. To a bridle. To sift the nations with a sieve of vanity,] i.e., Ad perdendas gentes in nihilum, as the Vulgate here hath it, To destroy the nations, and to bring them to…

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 30 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(28) His breath, as an overflowing stream.—Water supplies its symbolism, as well as fire. The wrath of the judge sweeps onward like an autumn torrent, threatening to engulf all that stand in its way. To sift the nations with the sieve of vanity.—Better, the winnowing fan of nothingness. Sifting is, as elsewhere, the symbol of judgment (so Osiris appears in Egyptian monuments armed with a flail, as the judge of the dead; Cheyne), and the “fan” in this case is one which threatens to annihilate the guilty. A bridle in the jaws of the people.—The words find a parallel in Isaiah 37:29. The enemies of Jehovah should find themselves under a constraining power, leading them on against their will to…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 30 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 28. To sift the nations with a sieve of vanity - "To toss the nations with the van of perdition"] The word להנפה lahanaphah is in its form very irregular. Kimchi says it is for להניף lehaniph. Houbigant supposes it to be a mistake, and shows the cause of it; the joining it to the ה he, which should begin the following word. The true reading is להניף הגוים lehaniph haggoyim, "to sift the nations." The Vulgate seems to be the only one of the ancient interpreters who has explained rightly the sense; but he has dropped the image: ad perdendas gentes in nihilum, "to reduce the nations to nothing." Kimchi's explanation is to the following effect: " נפה naphah is a van with which they winnow…

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 30 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

28. Render with R.V. and his breath is as an overflowing stream that reacheth (lit. “divideth”) even unto the neck, &c. (cf. ch. Isaiah 8:8). to sift (lit. “swing”) [the] nations with the sieve of vanity (or “ruin”)] i.e. to sift them until they are annihilated. and there shall be a bridle … err] Better: and (he shall be) a bridle that causeth to err, in the jaws of peoples; i.e. Jehovah by His providence, turns the Assyrians aside from their purpose, and frustrates their enterprise.

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 30 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And his breath - The word רוח rûach properly means “wind,” air in motion; then a breathing, an exhalation, a breath; then the soul, spirit, etc.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 30 →

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

His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction. A bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

NETBNew English Translation2006

His battle cry overwhelms like a flooding river that reaches one’s neck. He shakes the nations in a sieve that isolates the chaff; he puts a bit into the mouth of the nations and leads them to destruction.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and his breath is as an overflowing stream, that reacheth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction: and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and his breath is as an overflowing stream, that reacheth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And his spirit is as a riuer that ouerfloweth vp to the necke: it deuideth asunder, to fanne the nations with the fanne of vanitie, and there shall be a bridle to cause them to erre in the chawes of the people.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and his breath as an overflowing torrent, which reacheth even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and [to put] a bridle into the jaws of the peoples, that causeth them to go astray.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And His breath [is] as an overflowing stream, Unto the neck it divideth, To sift nations with a sieve of vanity, And a bridle causing to err, [Is] on the jaws of the peoples.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And His breath [is] as an overflowing stream, || It divides to the neck, || To sift nations with a sieve of vanity, || And a bridle causing to err, || [Is] on the jaws of the peoples.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And his breath, like an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to toss the nations with the van of falsehood: and [to place] a deceiving bridle on the jaws of the people.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

His breath is like an overflowing torrent that reaches up to the middle of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction. His breath is a bridle in the jaws of the peoples to cause them to wander away.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

His breath as a torrent overflowing even to the midst of the neck, to destroy the nations unto nothing, and the bridle of error that was in the jaws of the people.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

His breath rushes out like a flood that comes up to the neck. He shakes the nations in a sieve that destroys them; he puts bridles in the mouths of the different peoples to lead them away.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And his breath is as an overflowing stream, coming up even to the neck, shaking the nations for their destruction, like the shaking of grain in a basket: and he will put a cord in the mouths of the people, turning them out of their way.

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.

וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectרוּח֞breathוֹhisprepositional phrase · predicateכְּ[is].likenoun phraseנַ֤חַלa.torrentשׁוֹטֵף֙overflowingclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַדtoצַוָּ֣אר[the].neckverbיֶֽחֱצֶ֔הit.reachesprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַfornoun phraseהֲנָפָ֥הshakingגוֹיִ֖םnationsprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseנָ֣פַתa.sieveשָׁ֑וְאof.worthlessnessוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectרֶ֣סֶןa.halterמַתְעֶ֔ה[which].misleadsprepositional phrase · predicateעַ֖לonnoun phraseלְחָיֵ֥י[the].jawsעַמִּֽיםof.peoples

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 both preserving the imagery of God's breath as a torrent and the subsequent judgment on the nations. The Septuagint matches 11 of the 15 words, indicating a strong alignment in the core message.

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

וְרוּח֞וֹ כְּנַ֤חַל שׁוֹטֵף֙ עַד־ צַוָּ֣אר יֶֽחֱצֶ֔ה לַהֲנָפָ֥ה גוֹיִ֖ם בְּנָ֣פַת שָׁ֑וְא וְרֶ֣סֶן מַתְעֶ֔ה עַ֖ל לְחָיֵ֥י עַמִּֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְרוּח֞וֹαὐτοῦכְּנַ֤חַלὡςשׁוֹטֵף֙σῦρονעַד־ἕωςגוֹיִ֖םἔθνηבְּנָ֣פַתπλανήσειשָׁ֑וְאματαίᾳוְרֶ֣סֶןκαὶעַ֖לκατὰלְחָיֵ֥יπρόσωπονעַמִּֽים׃αὐτῶν

11 of the 15 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

ורוח׳ו כנחל שוטפ עד צואר וחצה לנפ׳ה גואים בנפת שוא ורסן מתעה על לוחיי עמים

15 words on the leather.

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 30:28רוּחַand breath and breath hisרוּחַנַ֫חַל[is] like a[is] like a torנַ֫חַלשָׁטַףoverflowingoverflowingשָׁטַףעַדtotoעַדצַוָּאר[the] neck[the] neckצַוָּארחָצָהit reachesit reachesחָצָהנוּףfor shakingfor shakingנוּףגּוֹיnationsnationsגּוֹינָפָהin a sieve in a sieve ofנָפָהשָׁוְאworthlessneworthlessnessשָׁוְארֶ֫סֶןand a halteand a halterרֶ֫סֶןתָּעָה[which] lea[which] leads aתָּעָהעַל[is] on[is] onעַללְחִי[the] jaws [the] jaws ofלְחִיעַםpeoplespeoplesעַםרִיחַto smellto smellרִיחַנָחַלto inheritto inheritנָחַלצוּרto confineto confineצוּרנוּףto sprinklto sprinkleנוּףעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדזֵדarrogantarrogantזֵדגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהשׁוֹאravageravageשׁוֹאעַלheightheightעַלנְשָׁמָהbreathbreathנְשָׁמָהקָדִיםeasteastקָדִיםקִדְרוֹןKidronKidronקִדְרוֹןאָרְנוֹןArnonArnonאָרְנוֹןגֶּ֫שֶׁםrainrainגֶּ֫שֶׁםנַ֫חַלBrookBrookנַ֫חַלמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶב
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 30:28

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 breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
וְרוּח֞וֹve.ru.Cho and breath his H7307 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
378× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Amplified meaning
like a rushing flood, an overflowing stream
Tyndale gloss
spirit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit

breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)

wind (117 t.)

spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)

spirit of the living, breathing being

spirit as seat of emotion

occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts

rarely of the will

רוּחַ esp. of moral character

spirit of God (94 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)

. wind (117 t.)

. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)

. spirit of the living, breathing being

. spirit as seat of emotion

. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts

. rarely of the will

. רוּחַ esp. of moral character

. spirit of God (94 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7307 ruwach roo'-akh

from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or

even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,

unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by

resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including

its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X

cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),

tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).

see HEBREW for 07306

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.

: spirit

1) wind, breath, mind, spirit

1a) breath

1b) wind

1b1) of heaven

1b2) quarter (of wind), side

1b3) breath of air

1b4) air, gas

1b5) vain, empty thing

1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)

1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour

1c2) courage

1c3) temper, anger

1c4) impatience, patience

1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)

1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse

1c7) prophetic spirit

1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)

1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being

1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)

1e1) desire

1e2) sorrow, trouble

1f) spirit

1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts

1f2) rarely of the will

1f3) as seat especially of moral character

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-cs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
כְּנַ֤חַלke.Na.chal [is] like a torrent H5158 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Amplified meaning
a powerful, overflowing brook
Tyndale gloss
Brook
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַ֫חַל (*nachal*) primarily refers to a torrent or stream, often associated with a valley or wadi where water flows, particularly in winter. It can also denote a shaft of a mine. Additionally, the term may relate to palm trees in certain contexts. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, including references in Psalms and Ezekiel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַ֫חַל n.m. torrent, torrent-valley, wady

base

[נַ֫חַל] n.[m.] perh. palm-tree;—only pl. abs., Nu 24:6

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5158a נַ֫חַל torrent, torrent-valley, wady H5158b נַ֫חַל perh. palm-tree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5158 nachal nakh'-al

or (feminine) nachlah (Psalm 124:4) {nakh'-law}; or nachalah

(Ezekiel 47:19; 48:28) {nakh-al-aw'}; from 5157 in its

original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by

implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a

shaft (of a mine):--brook, flood, river, stream, valley.

see HEBREW for 05157

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — torrent: river.

: river/bed

1) torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley

1a) torrent

1b) torrent-valley, wadi (as stream bed)

1c) shaft (of mine)

Also means: na.chal (נַ֫חַל ": valley" H5158N)

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — palm-tree.

palm-tree

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.

§ palm-tree

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Eshcol) Valley.

Combined with esh.kol (אֶשְׁכֹּל " of Eshcol" H0812H)

§ palm-tree

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Shittim) Valley.

Combined with shit.tim (שִׁטִּים " of Shittim" H7851H)

§ palm-tree

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Sorek) Valley.

Combined with s.vo.req (שֹׂרֵק " of Sorek" H7796)

§ palm-tree

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.

§ palm-tree

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.

palm-tree

Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.

palm-tree

Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
שׁוֹטֵף֙sho.Tef overflowing H7857 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to overflow or gush, often used to describe a strong flow of water. It can also imply cleansing or conquering, as seen in various Old Testament passages, including Psalm 69. The word is used to describe powerful natural events.
Tyndale gloss
to overflow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁטַף (shataph) is a primitive root meaning to overflow or wash off. It encompasses actions such as gushing, inundating, and cleansing, with various forms indicating different nuances like being swept away or rinsed out. The entries consistently highlight its connection to flowing and washing, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁטַף vb. overflow, rinse or wash off

Qal

overflow

flow, run

lit., rinse or wash off

Niph. be rinsed out, off

Pu. it shall be scoured and rinsed.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7857 שָׁטַף overflow, rinse or wash off

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7857 shataph shaw-taf'

a primitive root; to gush; by implication, to inundate,

cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer:--drown,

(over-)flow(- whelm, rinse, run, rush, (throughly) wash

(away).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁטַף (sha.taph) — to overflow.

1) to wash, rinse, overflow, engulf, rinse or wash off

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to overflow

1a2) to flow, run

1a3) to rinse or wash off

1b) (Niphal) to be swept away, be rinsed out

1c) (Pual) to be rinsed, be scoured and rinsed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
עַד־'ad- to H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
צַוָּ֣ארtza.Var [the] neck H6677 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This term describes a necklace or ornament worn around the neck, signifying beauty and status, as in Ezekiel 23:25. It represents the adornment of God's people.
Amplified meaning
the midst of the neck, a point of vulnerability
Tyndale gloss
neck
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צַוָּאר (*tsavvar*) primarily means 'neck' or 'back of the neck,' and can refer to both humans and animals. It is related to the word צַוָּרוֹן (*tsavvaron*), which means 'necklace,' as noted in Song of Solomon 4:9. The term is derived from a root meaning 'binding,' suggesting a connection to burdens carried on the neck.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צַוָּאר n.m. neck, back of neck

base

[צַוָּרוֹן] n.[m.]pl. necklace;—sf. Ct 4:9.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6677a צַוָּאר neck, back of neck H6677b צַוָּרוֹן n. [m.] pl. necklace

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6677 tsavva'r tsav-vawr'

or tsavvar (Nehemiah 3:5) {tsav-vawr'}; or tsavvaron (Song of

Solomon 4:9) {tsav-vaw-rone'}; or (feminine) tsavva.rah (Micah

2:3) {tsav-vaw-raw'}; intensively from 6696 in the sense of

binding; the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are

bound):--neck.

see HEBREW for 06696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צַוָּאר (tsav.var) — neck.

1) neck, back of neck

1a) neck, back of neck (of man)

1b) neck (of animals)

Aramaic equivalent: tsav.var (צַוַּאר "neck" H6676)

צַוָּרוֹן (tsav.va.ron) — necklace.

necklace

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

nek (tsawwar, tsawwa'r, tsawwaron, tsawwa'rah, Aramaic tsawwar (Da 5:7,16,29), `oreph, miphreqeth (1Sa 4:18); nostos, "back" (Baruch 2:33); occasionally the words garon (Isa 3:16; Eze 16:11), and gargeroth, plural of gargarah, literally, "throat" (Pr 1:9; 3:3,12; 6:21), are translated "neck"): The neck is compared with a tower for beauty (So 4:4; 7:4) and is decorated with necklaces and chains (Pr 1:9; 3:3,12; 6:21, Hebrew gargeroth; Eze 16:11, Hebrew garon…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Neck

Used sometimes figuratively. To “lay down the neck” (Rom. 16:4) is to hazard one’s life. Threatenings of coming judgments are represented by the prophets by their laying bands upon the people’s necks (Deut. 28:48; Isa. 10:27; Jer. 27:2). Conquerors put their feet on the necks of their enemies as a sign of their subjection (Josh. 10:24; 2 Sam. 22:41).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The phrases to "harden the neck," Pr 29:1, and to be "stiff- necked," like a headstrong brute, illustrate the willful obstinacy of sinners against the instructions and commands of God. The tyrants of ancient days sometimes put their feet on the prostrate necks of princes, in token of their subjugation, trampling them in the dust. Their mischief sometimes returned upon their own heads, Jos 10:24; Ps 18:40.

and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
יֶֽחֱצֶ֔הye.che.Tzeh it reaches H2673 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To divide means to cut or split something in two, like the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus. This word can also mean to live half of one's life, as seen in the story of Isaac.
Tyndale gloss
to divide
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָצָה (chatsah) means to divide or cut in two. It can refer to halving something or being divided, with usages in both the Qal and Niphal forms. The entries indicate that it can also imply living out half of one's life, though specific verse references are not provided.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָצָה vb. divide

Qal

divide

shall not halve their days, i.e. enjoy even half of the normal number

Niph. be divided

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2673 חָצָה divide

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2673 chatsah khaw-tsaw'

a primitive root (compare 2086)); to cut or split in two; to

halve:--divide, X live out half, reach to the midst,

participle

see HEBREW for 02086

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָצָה (cha.tsah) — to divide.

1) to divide, cut in two, cut short, live half (of one's life)

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to divide

1a2) to half, cut in two

1b) (Niphal) to be divided

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
לַהֲנָפָ֥הla.ha.na.Fah for shaking H5130 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To wave means to move something back and forth, like waving a hand or an offering to God, as described in the book of Leviticus. It can also mean to sprinkle or shake something, like sprinkling water for purification.
Amplified meaning
separate, divide
Tyndale gloss
to sprinkle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נוּף (nuwph) is a Hebrew verb that encompasses a range of actions including to sprinkle, wave, and move to and fro. It can refer to various movements such as shaking a hand or waving an offering, often in a ritual context. The term has applications in both everyday actions and religious rites, particularly those involving offerings to God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נוּף] vb. move to and fro, wave, besprinkle

Qal I have besprinkled my couch with myrrh

Po‛lel he brandisheth his hand toward the mt.

Hiph.

wield, move to and fro in using it

Shake or wave the hand

swing to and fro, as a signal

Oft. term. techn. in P (H), of rite in which originally the priest lifted his share of offering and waved it, i.e. moved it toward altar and back, in token of its presentation to God and its return by him to priest

Shed abroad

Hoph. be waved

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5130a נוּף besprinkle H5130b נוּף move to and fro, wave, besprinkle .I have besprinkled my couch with myrrh

.he brandisheth his hand toward the mt.

. . wield, move to and fro in using it

. Shake or wave the hand

. swing to and fro, as a signal

. Oft. term. techn. in P (H), of rite in which originally the priest lifted his share of offering and waved it, i.e. moved it toward altar and back, in token of its presentation to God and its return by him to priest

. Shed abroad

. be waved

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5130 nuwph noof

a primitive root; to quiver (i.e. vibrate up and down, or

rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications

(including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinadoing,

sawing, waving, etc.):--lift up, move, offer, perfume, send,

shake, sift, strike, wave.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נוּף (nuph) — to sprinkle.

1) to sprinkle

1a) (Qal) to besprinkle, sprinkle

נוּף (nuph) — to wave.

1) to move to and fro, wave

1a) (Qal) to move

1b) (Polel) to wave, brandish (in threat)

1c) (Hiphil) to swing, wield, wave

1c1) to wield

1c2) to wave or shake (the hand)

1c2a) to wave (hand)

1c2b) to shake or brandish against

1c2c) to swing to and fro

1c3) to wave (an offering), offer

1c4) to shed abroad

1d) (Hophal) to be waved

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
גוֹיִ֖םgo.Yim nations H1471 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentiles, large groups of people
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
בְּנָ֣פַתbe.Na.fat in a sieve of H5299 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for height or a lofty place, also referring to a sieve. It appears in various KJV translations, including border, coast, and region. In the Bible, it describes a high location or a tool for separating particles.
Amplified meaning
a tool for separating, a device for destruction
Tyndale gloss
sieve
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפָה (naphah) refers to both a 'sieve' or winnowing tool and a 'height' or lofty place. The word is derived from a root meaning 'lifting.' It appears in the context of a sieve in Isaiah 30:28, while its use as 'height' is noted only in construct form.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָפָה] n.f. sieve or other winnowing implement;—only cstr. Is 30:28

ref

[נָפָה] n.f. height;—only cstr. in combin.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5299a [נָפָה] sieve or other winnowing implement H5299b נָפָה height;—only cstr. in combin.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5299 naphah naw-faw'

from 5130 in the sense of lifting; a height; also a

sieve:--border, coast, region, sieve.

see HEBREW for 05130

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפָה (na.phah) — sieve.

sieve, winnowing implement

נָפָה (na.phah) — height.

a lofty place, height

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HR/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
שָׁ֑וְאShav' worthlessness H7723 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
53× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Amplified meaning
vanity, emptiness
Tyndale gloss
vanity: false
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁוְא (*shav*) means emptiness or vanity. It conveys ideas of falsehood, worthlessness, and deception, both in a literal sense and in terms of moral or spiritual emptiness. The lexicons highlight its use in describing empty speech or conduct that is devoid of value.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁוְא n.[m.] emptiness, vanity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7723 שָׁוְא emptiness, vanity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7723 shav' shawv

or shav {shav}; from the same as 7722 in the sense of

desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally

(especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false,

subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also

adverbially, in vain):--false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.

see HEBREW for 07722

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁוְא (shav) — vanity: false.

: false

1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood

1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity

1b) emptiness of speech, lying

1c) worthlessness (of conduct)

Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)

שָׁוְא (shav) — vanity: vain.

: vain/empty/worthless

1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood

1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity

1b) emptiness of speech, lying

1c) worthlessness (of conduct)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
וְרֶ֣סֶןve.Re.sen and a halter H7448 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A bridle is a restraint, like a halter on an animal. In the Bible, it can also mean the jaw, like the powerful jaw of a crocodile. It's about control and restraint.
Amplified meaning
puts a restraint on, guides
Tyndale gloss
bridle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֶ֫סֶן (recen) refers to a halter or bridle, something that restrains, as well as the jaw, particularly in the context of a crocodile. The word is built from an unused root meaning to curb. It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, but no specific verses are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֶ֫סֶן n.m.

halter

jaw

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7448 רֶ֫סֶן . halter

. jaw

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7448 recen reh'-sen

from an unused root meaning to curb; a halter (as

restraining); by implication, the jaw:--bridle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֶ֫סֶן (re.sen) — bridle.

1) something that restrains, halter, jaw

1a) halter

1a1) of restraint thrown off (fig)

1b) jaw (of crocodile)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
מַתְעֶ֔הmat.'Eh [which] leads astray H8582 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to go astray or wander, and can be used physically or morally. It can also mean to cause someone to err or stumble.
Amplified meaning
to cause them to err, to wander
Tyndale gloss
to go astray
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּעָה (ta`ah) is a Hebrew verb that means to wander or go astray, both physically and ethically. It can refer to being led astray, as in a moral sense, or to the effects of intoxication. The word has various forms, including Qal (to err), Niphal (to be made to wander), and Hiphil (to cause to wander).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּעָה vb. err

Qal

physically wander about

of intoxication

ethically

Niph.

be made to wander about, as a drunkard

ethically: be led astray

Hiph.

physically cause to wander about

of intoxication

mentally and morally, cause to err, mislead

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8582 תָּעָה err .. physically wander about

. of intoxication

. ethically

. . be made to wander about, as a drunkard

. ethically: be led astray

. . physically cause to wander about

. of intoxication

. mentally and morally, cause to err, mislead

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8582 ta`ah taw-aw'

a primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally

or figuratively); also causative of both:--(cause to) go

astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant,

seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the

way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּעָה (ta.ah) — to go astray.

1) to err, wander, go astray, stagger

1a) (Qal) to err

1a1) to wander about (physically)

1a2) of intoxication

1a3) of sin (ethically)

1a4) wandering (of the mind)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made to wander about, be made to stagger (drunkard)

1b2) to be led astray (ethically)

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to wander

1c1) to cause to wander about (physically)

1c2) to cause to wander (of intoxication)

1c3) to cause to err, mislead (mentally and morally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-stra' (ta`ah, "to wander," "to err"; planaomai, "to go astray," each carrying the idea of being lost): With one exception (Ex 23:4 "his ass going astray") used metaphorically of moral wandering, going astray in paths of error and sin, like "sheep going astray" (1Pe 2:25 the King James Version; Isa 53:6; Ps 119:176).

This wandering may be due

(1) to inherent evil (Ps 58:3);

(2) to false shepherds (Jer 50:6); contrast the beautiful and classic passage, Mt 18:12,13, the Son of man (verse 12) seeketh that which is…

and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
עַ֖ל'al [is] on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
לְחָיֵ֥יle.cha.Yei [the] jaws of H3895 Noun common · masculine dual construct
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the jaw or cheek, often referring to the jawbone of an animal. It appears in the story of Samson, who used a donkey's jawbone to defeat 1000 men. The word is also used to describe the jawbone of animals in general.
Amplified meaning
the cheek, the mouth
Tyndale gloss
jaw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְחִי (lechi) refers to the jaw or cheek, derived from a root meaning to be soft, highlighting its fleshy nature. It encompasses both the jawbone of animals and the cheek of humans. The entries also note its connection to the name Lehi, which shares the same root.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְחִי n.m. jaw, cheek

jaw, jawbone, of animal

cheek, of man

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3895 לְחִי jaw, cheek

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3895 lchiy lekh-ee'

from an unused root meaning to be soft; the cheek (from its

fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone:--cheek (bone), jaw (bone).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְחִי (le.chi) — Lehi.

This name means jaw, cheek

Another name of le.chi (לֶחִי "Lehi" H3896)

לְחִי (le.chi) — jaw.

1) jaw, cheek

1a) jaw, jawbone (of animal)

1b) cheek (of man)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp — Noun common · masculine dual construct
HNcmdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

and breath his [is] like a torrent overflowing to [the] neck it reaches for shaking nations in a sieve of worthlessness and a halter [which] leads astray [is] on [the] jaws of peoples
עַמִּֽים׃'a.Mim peoples H5971 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
1,873× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Amplified meaning
nations, groups of people
Tyndale gloss
Amaw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people

a people, nation

= smaller units

= common people

people in gen., persons

phrases

base

[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5971 `am am

from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a

tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or

attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,

people.

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַם (am) — people.

: people/nation

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — kinsman.

kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Ammi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — People's (Gate).

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.

Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Amaw.

This name means nation, people

עַם (am) — people: soldiers.

: soldiers/army

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — people: creatures.

: creatures

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
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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