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Isaiah 34:15 — Word Study

Depth

WLCשָׁ֣מָּה קִנְּנָ֤ה קִפּוֹז֙ וַתְּמַלֵּ֔ט וּבָקְעָ֖ה וְדָגְרָ֣ה בְצִלָּ֑הּ אַךְ־ שָׁ֛ם נִקְבְּצ֥וּ דַיּ֖וֹת אִשָּׁ֥ה רְעוּתָֽהּ׃

BSAThereshâm [in that desolate place, thither] the owl willqippôwz [great owl, arrow snake] make her nestqânan she will laymâlaṭ [and bring forth young] and hatch her eggsbâqaʻ and gatherdâgar her brood under her shadowtsêl [young ones, chicks, shade, protection] Evenʼak thereshâm [in that same location] the birds of preydayâh [vultures, kites, hawks] will gatherqâbats eachʼishshâh with its materᵉʻûwth [companion, female neighbor]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 34
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 15 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 (re.'u.Tah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 34:15quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes a desolate place where an owl makes her nest and birds of prey gather.
Who is speakingThe prophet Isaiah, conveying a vision of desolation.
Where we areIn a prophetic description of a wasteland, emphasizing the abandonment of the land.
The hard wordקִפּוֹז
Take awayEven in desolation, life continues as creatures find their place.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectקִפּוֹז verbקִנֵּן The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 13 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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

Deep Study — Isaiah 34:15

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 Desolation of Edomgenerated

14The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose.
15There the owl will make her nest; she will lay and hatch her eggs and gather her brood under her shadow. Even there the birds of prey will gather, each with its mate.
16Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.
17He has allotted their portion; His hand has distributed it by measure. They will possess it forever; they will dwell in it from generation to generation.

Isaiah 34:15 portrays a stark image of a desolate land where various creatures, including the owl and birds of prey, find their homes. This chapter emphasizes the judgment upon Edom, illustrating how life persists even in forsaken places, as seen through the nesting of the owl and the gathering of the kites. The surrounding verses further develop this theme of desolation and abandonment, highlighting the stark contrast between life and the barren landscape.


Cross References


The Key Word קִפּוֹז, ki.pOzgenerated

The verb קִנֵּן (ki.ne.Nah) means to make a nest, derived from a root that emphasizes the act of building or occupying a space. This word captures the essence of a creature establishing a home, reflecting care and protection for its young.

In this verse, the owl, referred to as קִפּוֹז (ki.pOz), is depicted as making her nest, which signifies a place of safety and nurturing. The usage of this verb emphasizes the instinctual behavior of birds in their natural habitat, even amidst desolation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb קִנְּנָ֤ה (ki.ne.Nah) governs the verse, indicating the action of the owl. The structure is straightforward, with a series of clauses describing the actions of the owl and the gathering of the birds of prey.

The sentence flows from the owl making her nest to the subsequent actions of laying eggs and gathering her brood, culminating in the gathering of the kites. This sequential structure emphasizes the continuity of life in a desolate environment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates קִנְּנָ֤ה as ἐνόσσευσεν, which conveys the idea of nesting but may imply a broader sense of habitation. This choice reflects a slight expansion of the original Hebrew meaning, suggesting a more general act of settling.

The use of ἐξῖνος for קִפּוֹז indicates a specific interpretation of the owl, potentially narrowing its identification compared to the Hebrew text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 34:15 describes a desolate area where the owl makes her nest and lays her eggs, gathering her young under her shadow. It also mentions that birds of prey will gather in that same place, each with its mate. This imagery highlights the persistence of life even in abandoned lands.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the owl represent in this verse?

The owl symbolizes survival and adaptation in a desolate environment, illustrating how life continues even in abandoned places.

Why is the gathering of birds of prey significant?

The gathering of birds of prey signifies the harsh realities of survival in a wasteland, where even predators find their place.

What does the imagery of nesting convey?

The imagery of nesting conveys themes of protection and nurturing, emphasizing the instinctual behaviors of creatures to care for their young.

How does this verse connect to the broader themes in Isaiah 34?

This verse connects to the broader themes of desolation and judgment, illustrating the stark contrast between life and the barrenness of the land.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see resilience in difficult circumstances, similar to the owl in this verse?
  2. How can I find comfort in the idea of protection and care, as represented by the owl gathering her brood?
  3. What does this imagery teach me about the persistence of life in seemingly desolate situations?
  4. How can I apply the themes of survival and nurturing in my own life and relationships?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Gregory the Dialogist references this verse to illustrate the concept of insincerity in the soul, using the owl as a metaphor for duplicity.

Gregory the DialogistThe Book of Pastoral Rule, Part 3 c. 540–604
Hence it is rightly said through the prophet, under the similitude of Judah, to the soul that sins and excuses itself, "There the urchin had her nest." For by the name of urchin is denoted the duplicity of a mind that is insincere,
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 34 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 34:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

There shall the great owl make her nest,.... Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, say that "kippoz" here is the same with "kippod", rendered "bittern" in Isaiah 34:11 but Aben Ezra takes them to be two

Read John Gill on Isaiah 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The great owl; whether this or what other creature is meant by this Hebrew word, the learned reader may find largely discoursed in my Latin Synopsis upon this place; for others, it may suffice to know, what all agree in, that, whether it be a bird or a serpent, it is a creature that lives in desert places. Make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow, as fearing no disturbance from any men.

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 34:15 There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.Ver. 15. There shall the great owl make her nest.] Heb., Kippoz. The Hebrews themselves agree not what creatures these are here mentioned, so far are they fallen from the knowledge of the Scripture. Their tale about Lilits, once Adam’ s first wife, but now a screech owl or an evil spirit, is not worthy the mentioning.

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 34 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) The great owl . . .—Better, the arrow snake.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 15. The great owl] קפוז kippoz, the ακοντιας, or darter, a serpent so called because of its suddenly leaping up or darting on its prey. Probably the mongoz or ichneumon may be intended. The vultures] דיות daiyoth, the black vultures. My old MS. Bible renders these names curiously: And ageyn cumen schul devylis: the beste, party of an asse, and party of a mam: and the wodwose, the tother schal crien to the tother. There schal byn lamya, that is, thrisse, or a beste, havynge the body liic a woman, and hors feet. Ther hadde dichis, the yrchoun, and nurshide out littil chittis. There ben gadred kiitis, the top to the top. What language! Every one with her mate.] A MS. adds אל el after אשה…

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. the great owl] the arrowsnake as in R.V. gather under her shadow] The expression is almost meaningless, when applied to a very small snake. Duhm, by a clever emendation, reads “shall lay and hatch and heap up her eggs” (bκηehβ for bμηillβh).

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

There shall the great owl - (קפוז qı̂pôz). Gesenius supposes that this is the arrow-snake, so called from its darting or springing, in the manner of the rattle-snake - from an obsolete root to draw oneself together, to contract.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 34 →

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

There the owl will make her nest; she will lay and hatch her eggs and gather her brood under her shadow. Even there the birds of prey will gather, each with its mate.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The arrow snake will make her nest there, and lay, hatch, and gather under her shade. Yes, the kites will be gathered there, every one with her mate.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

There the owl will make her nest; she will lay and hatch her eggs and gather her brood under her shadow. Even there the birds of prey will gather, each with its mate.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Owls will make nests and lay eggs there; they will hatch them and protect them. Yes, hawks will gather there, each with its mate.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

There shall the dart-snake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shade; yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with her mate.

RVARevised Version, American1894

There shall the arrowsnake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with her mate.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

There shall the owle make her nest, and laye, and hatche, and gather them vnder her shadowe: there shall the vultures also bee gathered, euery one with her make.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

There shall the arrow-snake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow; there also shall the vultures be gathered one with another.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

There made her nest hath the bittern, Yea, she layeth, and hath hatched, And hath gathered under her shadow, Only there gathered have been vultures, Each with its companion.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The owl has made her nest there, || Indeed, she lays, and has hatched, || And has gathered under her shadow, || Surely vultures have been gathered there, || Each with its companion.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

There shall nestle the arrow-snake, and lay eggs, and hatch, and gather its young under its shadow: only vultures shall assemble there, every one with her mate.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Owls will make nests, lay and hatch their eggs, hatch and protect their young. Yes, there hawks will gather, each one with its mate.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

There hath the ericius had its hole, and brought up its young ones, and hath dug round about, and cherished them in the shadow thereof: thither are the kites gathered together one to another.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

There the owl will build its nest, lay and hatch its eggs, and raise its chicks in the shade of its wings. It has become a roost for birds of prey, each one with its mate.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The arrowsnake will make her hole and put her eggs there, and get her young together under her shade: there the hawks will come together by twos.

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.

clauseadverb phrase · adverbialשָׁ֣מָּthereה(to)verbקִנְּנָ֤הit.will.make.a.nestsubjectקִפּוֹז֙arrow.snake[s]וַandclauseverbתְּמַלֵּ֔טit.laid.eggsוּandclauseverbבָקְעָ֖הit.will.hatchוְandclauseverbדָגְרָ֣הit.will.gather.a.broodprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseצִלָּ֑shadowהּitsclauseadverb phrase · adverbialאַךְsurelyשָׁ֛םthereverbנִקְבְּצ֥וּthey.will.be.gatheredsubjectדַיּ֖וֹתred.kitesadverbialאִשָּׁ֥הeachnoun phrase · adverbialרְעוּתָֽcompanionהּits

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 34:15 describes the owl making her nest and gathering her brood, which is consistent with the Dead Sea Scrolls (1Qisaa) that closely match the MT in wording and meaning. The Septuagint (LXX) has a different structure and does not provide a direct translation, as only 7 out of 13 words correspond to the MT, indicating a significant variation in phrasing. The Samaritan Pentateuch is not available for this verse, so its witness is absent. Overall, the MT and the Dead Sea Scrolls align closely, while the Septuagint diverges in its presentation.

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

שָׁ֣מָּה קִנְּנָ֤ה קִפּוֹז֙ וַתְּמַלֵּ֔ט וּבָקְעָ֖ה וְדָגְרָ֣ה בְצִלָּ֑הּ אַךְ־ שָׁ֛ם נִקְבְּצ֥וּ דַיּ֖וֹת אִשָּׁ֥ה רְעוּתָֽהּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שָׁ֣מָּהἐκεῖקִנְּנָ֤הἐνόσσευσενקִפּוֹז֙ἐξῖνοςוַתְּמַלֵּ֔טἔσωσενוּבָקְעָ֖הγῆשָׁ֛םἐκεῖדַיּ֖וֹתἔλαφοι

7 of the 13 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

שמ׳ה קננה קופד ותמלט ובקעה ודגרה בצל׳ה אכ אכ שמ׳ה נקבצו דוות אשה רעות׳ה

14 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 34:15שָׁםtherethereשָׁםקִנֵּןit will makit will make a קִנֵּןקִפּוֹזowl[s]owl[s]קִפּוֹזמָלַטand it laidand it laid eggמָלַטבָּקַעand it willand it will hatבָּקַעדָּגַרand it willand it will gatדָּגַרצֵלin shadow iin shadow itsצֵלאַךְsurelysurelyאַךְשָׁםtherethereשָׁםקָבַץthey will bthey will be gaקָבַץדַּיָּהblack kitesblack kitesדַּיָּהאִשָּׁהeacheachאִשָּׁהרְעוּתcompanion icompanion itsרְעוּתאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרקֵןnestnestקֵןצָלַלto shadeto shadeצָלַלדָּאָהto flyto flyדָּאָהבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדHouse of SHouse of Shepheבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדאָכֵןsurelysurelyאָכֵןאִישׁmanmanאִישׁאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁנָדַחto banishto banishנָדַחגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּרשָׁםtherethereשָׁםנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסהָרָהpregnantpregnantהָרָהצוּרrockrockצוּרחֹ֫רֶבdroughtdroughtחֹ֫רֶבחָסָהto seek reto seek refugeחָסָהמַחְסוֹרneedneedמַחְסוֹרהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶל
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 34:15

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.

there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
שָׁ֣מָּהSha.mah there H8033 Adverb · suffix
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Amplified meaning
in that desolate place, thither
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv | Suff — Adverb · suffix
HD/Sd
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
קִנְּנָ֤הki.ne.Nah it will make a nest H7077 Verb · Piel · perfect third person feminine singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to build or occupy a nest, like a bird making its home. It appears in the Bible as a description of God's care for his people. The KJV translates it as make a nest.
Tyndale gloss
to make a nest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קִנֵּן (qinan) is a verb meaning to make a nest, derived as a denominative from another root. It covers the action of building or occupying a nest, with a figurative usage found in the phrase about being nested in cedars. The entries consistently focus on this nesting concept without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קִנֵּן] vb. denom. Pi. make a nest, nest

Pu. (thou) who art nested in the cedars (fig.).

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7077 קִנֵּן vb. denom. Pi. make a nest, nest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7077 qanan kaw-nan'

a primitive root; to erect; but used only as denominative

from 7064; to nestle, i.e. build or occupy as a nest:--

make...nest.

see HEBREW for 07064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קִנֵּן (qa.nan) — to make a nest.

1) to make a nest

1a) (Piel) to make a nest

1b) (Pual) to be nested

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3fs — Verb · Piel · perfect third person feminine singular
HVpp3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(qen; neossia, nossia; in the New Testament kataskenosis; Latin nidus): A receptacle prepared by a bird for receiving its eggs and young. Nests differ with species. Eagles use a large heap of coarse sticks and twigs on the cleft of a mountain (Job 39:27 ff; Jer 49:16; Ob 1:4); hawks prefer trees; vultures, hollow trees or the earth; ravens, big trees; doves and pigeons, trees or rocky crevices (Jer 48:28); hoopoes, hollow trees; swallows, mud nests under a roof, on cliffs or deserted temples; owls, hollow trees, dark places in ruins or sand burrows (on the qippoz of Isa 34:15 see OWL); cranes, storks and herons, either…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Bird's, in a rock Nu 24:21

→ Birds stir De 32:11

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
קִפּוֹז֙ki.pOz owl[s] H7091 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The arrow snake is a fast and agile snake, possibly related to the owl, due to its swift movements. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is described as darting forward.
Amplified meaning
great owl, arrow snake
Tyndale gloss
arrow snake
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קִפּוֹז (qippowz) refers to an 'arrow-snake' or 'owl,' with its meaning considered uncertain. It is derived from a root that suggests a motion of contracting or springing forward. The term appears in Isaiah 34:15.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קִפּוֹז n.f. arrow-snake;—Is 34:15

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7091 קִפּוֹז arrow-snake

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7091 qippowz kip-poze'

from an unused root meaning to contract, i.e. spring forward;

an arrow-snake (as darting on its prey):--great owl.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קִפּוֹז (qip.poz) — arrow snake.

1) arrow snake, owl

1a) meaning uncertain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
וַתְּמַלֵּ֔טva.te.ma.Let and it laid eggs H4422 Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
95× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Amplified meaning
and bring forth young
Tyndale gloss
to escape
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָלַט (malat) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning to escape or slip away. It encompasses various nuances such as delivering, saving, and even giving birth in specific contexts. The entries indicate that it can refer to both physical escape and the act of laying eggs. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מָלַט] vb. slip away (not in Qal)

Niph.

slip away

escape

pass. be delivered

Pi.

lay (eggs)

let escape

deliver

Hiph.

give birth to a male child

deliver

Hithp.

slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)

escape

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4422 מָלַט slip away . . slip away

. escape

. pass. be delivered

. . lay (eggs)

. let escape

. deliver

. . give birth to a male child

. deliver

. . slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)

. escape

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4422 malat maw-lat'

a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by

implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively,

to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit

sparks:--deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone,

let go, preserve, save, X speedily, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָלַט (ma.lat) — to escape.

1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered

1a)(Niphal)

1a1) to slip away

1a2) to escape

1a3) to be delivered

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs)

1b2) to let escape

1b3) to deliver, save (life)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to give birth to

1c2) to deliver

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape

1d2) to escape

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vpw3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
וּבָקְעָ֖הu.va.ke.'Ah and it will hatch H1234 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
51× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to break or open something, like a door or a wall, and is used in the Bible to describe God breaking through to help his people, as seen in Psalm 107:16.
Tyndale gloss
to break up/open
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּקַע (baqa`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cleave or break open. It encompasses a range of actions, including splitting, tearing, and breaking through, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as being cleft or bursting open. The entries highlight its use in contexts like breaking into or through something, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּקַע vb. cleave, break open or through

Qal

cleave, cleave open

break through or into

Niph.

be cleft, rent open

be broken into

Pi. cleave, cut to pieces, or rend open

Pu. be ripped open

Hiph. break into

Hoph. the city was broken into

Hithp. burst (themselves) open, of wine-skins; cleave asunder, of valleys

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1234 בָּקַע cleave, break open or through

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1234 baqa` baw-kah'

a primitive root; to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip

or open:--make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces,

through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out,

divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up, tear, win.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּקַע (ba.qa) — to break up/open.

1) to split, cleave, break open, divide, break through, rip up, break up, tear

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cleave, cleave open

1a2) to break through, break into

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be cleft, be rent open, be split open

1b2) to be broken into

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cleave, cut to pieces, rend open

1c2) to break through, break down

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be ripped open, be torn open

1d2) to be rent

1d3) to be broken into

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to break into

1e2) to break through

1f) (Hophal) to be broken into

1g) (Hithpael) to burst (themselves) open, cleave asunder

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqq3fs
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
וְדָגְרָ֣הve.da.ge.Rah and it will gather a brood H1716 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gather or sit on eggs like a mother bird, showing care and protection. This word appears in the Bible to describe God's gentle care for his people. It's about being gathered together in a safe place.
Tyndale gloss
to gather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּגַר (dagar) is a primitive root meaning to gather together, specifically in the context of brooding over eggs or young. The entries emphasize its use in the sense of gathering or sitting, particularly as a mother bird does with her chicks.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָּגַר] vb. gather together as a brood

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1716 [דָּגַר] gather together as a brood

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1716 dagar daw-gar'

a primitive root, to brood over eggs or young:--gather, sit.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּגַר (da.gar) — to gather.

(Qal) to gather together as a brood

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqq3fs
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
בְצִלָּ֑הּve.tzi.Lah in shadow its H6738 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A shadow refers to a dark area, often providing shade or protection, like the shadow of a tree in Isaiah 4:6. It can also symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as mentioned in Psalm 102:11.
Amplified meaning
young ones, chicks, shade, protection
Tyndale gloss
shadow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֵל (tsel) means 'shadow' or 'shade,' encompassing both literal and figurative uses. It can refer to a physical shadow, as well as a protective shade or a symbol of life's transience. The word is derived from a root meaning to shade, and it is related to another term, צֵלֶל (tselel), which also means 'shadow.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6738 צֵל shadow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6738 tsel tsale

from 6751; shade, whether literal or figurative:--defence,

shade(-ow).

see HEBREW for 06751

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֵל (tsel) — shadow.

1) shadow, shade

1a) shadow (on dial)

1b) shadow, shade (as protection)

1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life)

Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
אַךְ־'akh- surely H389 Adverb
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Tyndale gloss
surely
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַךְ (ak) is an adverb meaning 'surely' or 'indeed,' often used to emphasize what follows. It can also carry a restrictive sense, translating to 'only' or 'but.' The entries indicate its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H389 אַךְ 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

389 'ak ak

akin to 403; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by

limitation) only:--also, in any wise, at least, but,

certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only,

save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet

(but).

see HEBREW for 0403

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַךְ (akh) — surely.

1) indeed, surely (emphatic)

2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
שָׁ֛םsham there H8033 Adverb
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Amplified meaning
in that same location
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
נִקְבְּצ֥וּnik.be.Tzu they will be gathered H6908 Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common plural
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Tyndale gloss
to gather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָבַץ (qabats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gather or collect. It encompasses various forms, including assembling, being gathered, and taking away. The entries indicate its use in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect nuances in meaning and action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָבַץ 127 vb. gather, collect

Qal gather, collect

Niph.

intrans. assemble, gather

pass. be gathered

Pi. 51 gather together

Pu. of land

Hithp. gather together (intrans.), be gathered together

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6908 קָבַץ gather, collect

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6908 qabats kaw-bats'

a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect:--assemble

(selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up),

heap, resort, X surely, take up.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָבַץ (qa.vats) — to gather.

1) to gather, assemble

1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to assemble, gather

1b2) to be gathered

1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away

1d) (Pual) to be gathered together

1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common plural
HVNp3cp
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
דַיּ֖וֹתdai.Yot black kites H1772 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a type of bird of prey, like a hawk or falcon, known for its swift flight and sharp vision. It appears in the Bible as a symbol of God's power and swiftness, including in Job 28:7 and Isaiah 46:11. The hawk is a strong and fierce bird.
Amplified meaning
vultures, kites, hawks
Tyndale gloss
hawk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דַּיָּה (dayah) refers to a bird of prey, specifically a hawk or possibly a kite. The term is linked to the idea of frequenting ruins, as noted in Isaiah 34:15. It is derived from a root meaning to fly rapidly, which connects it to the notion of a vulture.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דַּיָּה] n.f. id. [דָּאָה]—frequenting ruins Is 34:15

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1772 [דַּיָּה] id. [דָּאָה]—frequenting ruins

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1772 dayah dah-yaw'

intensive from 1675; a falcon (from its rapid

flight):--vulture.

see HEBREW for 01675

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דַּיָּה (day.yah) — hawk.

a bird of prey (perhaps the kite)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
אִשָּׁ֥ה'i.Shah each H802 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
781× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Tyndale gloss
woman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female

woman

Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

Female of animals

With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman

. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

. Female of animals

. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

802 'ishshah ish-shaw'

feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym

{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as

582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,

one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.

see HEBREW for 0376

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0582

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.

: woman

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.

: wife/widow

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.

: another

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
there it will make a nest owl[s] and it laid eggs and it will hatch and it will gather a brood in shadow its surely there they will be gathered black kites each companion its
רְעוּתָֽהּ׃re.'u.Tah companion its H7468 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a female companion or neighbor, often used to describe a woman who is an associate or friend. In the Bible, it is used to describe a close relationship. It appears in various KJV translations as 'another' or 'mate'.
Amplified meaning
companion, female neighbor
Tyndale gloss
neighbor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רְעוּת (r`uwth) refers to a female associate or companion, often translated as 'neighbor woman' or 'mate.' It is derived from related roots indicating companionship and proximity. The entries highlight its usage in contexts involving female relationships, but do not specify particular verses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רְעוּת n.f. fellow (-woman)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7468 רְעוּת fellow (-woman)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7468 r`uwth reh-ooth'

from 7462 in the sense of 7453; a female associate; generally

an additional one:--+ another, mate, neighbour.

see HEBREW for 07462

see HEBREW for 07453

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רְעוּת (re.ut) — neighbor.

female companion, mate, neighbour woman

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3fs
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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