Isaiah 40:12 — Word Study
WLCמִֽי־ מָדַ֨ד בְּשָׁעֳל֜וֹ מַ֗יִם וְשָׁמַ֙יִם֙ בַּזֶּ֣רֶת תִּכֵּ֔ן וְכָ֥ל בַּשָּׁלִ֖שׁ עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשָׁקַ֤ל בַּפֶּ֙לֶס֙ הָרִ֔ים וּגְבָע֖וֹת בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃
BSAWhomîy [the One] has measuredmâdad■ [meted out, calculated] ◂the watersmayim [the oceans, the deep] in the hollow of his handshôʻal [palm, hand] or marked offtâkan■ [measured, spanned] ◂the heavensshâmayim [the sky, the universe] with the span of his hand?zereth [distance from thumb to little finger] Who has heldkûwl■ [sustained, comprehended] the dustʻâphâr [dry earth, clay] of the earthʼerets [the land, the ground] in a basketshâlîysh [a measure, a container] or weighedshâqal [measured, calculated] the mountainshar [hills, peaks] on a scalepeleç [balances] and the hillsgibʻâh [small mountains, high places] with a balancemôʼzên [scales, a weighing device]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִֽי־ | who? | Pronoun |
| מָדַ֨ד | has he measured | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| בְּשָׁעֳל֜וֹ | in [the] hollow of hand his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מַ֗יִם | [the] waters | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וְשָׁמַ֙יִם֙ | and [the] heavens | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| בַּזֶּ֣רֶת | with span | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| תִּכֵּ֔ן | has he marked off? | Verb, Piel, perfect third person masculine singular |
| וְכָ֥ל | and has he contained? | Conjunction, verb qal perfect third person masculine singular |
| בַּשָּׁלִ֖שׁ | in third of a measure | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עֲפַ֣ר | [the] dust of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הָאָ֑רֶץ | the earth | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְשָׁקַ֤ל | and has he weighed? | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| בַּפֶּ֙לֶס֙ | with balance | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| הָרִ֔ים | mountains | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וּגְבָע֖וֹת | and hills | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃ | with scales | Preposition, noun common masculine dual absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance? |
| KJV | ¶ Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? |
| ASV | Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? |
| YLT | Who hath measured in the hollow of his hand the waters? And the heavens by a span hath meted out, And comprehended in a measure the dust of the earth, And hath weighed in scales the mountains, And the hills in a balance? |
| WEB | Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? |
| BBE | In the hollow of whose hand have the waters been measured? and who is able to take the heavens in his stretched-out fingers? who has got together the dust of the earth in a measure? who has taken the weight of the mountains, or put the hills into the scales? |
The translations agree in conveying the meaning of God's measurement and authority.
The verse consists of multiple rhetorical questions, each structured to highlight God's measurement of creation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמִי
verbמָדַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 40:12
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 Greatness of Godgenerated
Isaiah 40:12 presents a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the incomparable power and wisdom of God. The prophet Isaiah invites the reader to consider the vastness of creation and God's authority over it. This section is part of a larger discourse that reassures God's people of His sovereignty and care, contrasting human limitations with divine omnipotence.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 48:13 | Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together. |
| 2 | Job 11:7–9 | Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 3 | Job 38:4–11 | Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. |
| 4 | Psalm 102:25–26 | In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. |
| 5 | Psalm 104:2–3 | He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מָדַד, ma.Dadgenerated
The verb מָדַד (ma.Dad) means 'to measure' and signifies the act of assessing dimensions or quantities. It is used in contexts that involve both physical measurements, such as length and distance, and metaphorical assessments, such as evaluating worth or significance.
In this verse, it emphasizes God's capability to measure the vast waters and heavens, which underscores His omnipotence. The parsing as a perfect third person masculine singular indicates that this action has been completed, reinforcing the idea of God's ultimate control over creation.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree here on the meaning of the Hebrew words, particularly with measured for מָדַד and held for כָ֥ל.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb מָדַד (has he measured) governs the main clause, with several prepositional phrases and objects detailing what is being measured. The structure employs a series of rhetorical questions, creating a rhythm that emphasizes God's greatness.
The Hebrew word order places the interrogative pronoun מִי (who?) at the beginning, drawing immediate attention to the inquiry about God's actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מָדַד as ἐμέτρησεν (has he measured), which carries a similar meaning but may imply a more active sense of measuring.
This choice reflects the translators' understanding of God's relationship with creation, emphasizing His active role in sustaining and measuring the world.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 40:12 asks who can measure the waters, heavens, dust, mountains, and hills, highlighting God's supreme power over all creation. This verse uses rhetorical questions to emphasize that only God possesses the ability to measure and weigh the vastness of the universe.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The verse illustrates that God's power is unmatched, as He can measure the vastness of the waters and heavens effortlessly.
Rhetorical questions emphasize the greatness of God and provoke thought about His unmatched authority in creation.
Measuring the dust signifies God's intimate knowledge and control over even the smallest elements of creation.
This verse fits into a larger theme in Isaiah 40 that reassures God's people of His sovereignty and care, contrasting human limitations with divine omnipotence.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to recognize God's authority and power?
- How can I apply the understanding of God's measurement of creation to my daily challenges?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's control over the vastness of my circumstances?
- How can I share the message of God's greatness with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, often reflecting on God's power and majesty as seen in creation.
[Christ] … is of no reputation in the world but of illustrious fame in heaven, being betrayed by those who are ignorant [of his perfections] to those who know him not, being accounted as a drop from a cask.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 40 →
Let the great sea praise the hands of the Son that measured it, and was astonished.… Blessed be his noble act!Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 40 →
The words “I AM THAT I AM” were clearly an adequate indication of God’s infinity. But, in addition, we needed to apprehend the operation of his majesty and power.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 40 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 40:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWho hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?.... The following account of the power, wisdom, and all sufficiency of God, and which is to be understood of Christ, is to show that he is
Read John Gill on Isaiah 40 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWho hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 40 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWho hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand? i.e. who can measure them? for indicative verbs in the Hebrew language are oft taken potentially. Who can do this and the following things but God! And this discourse of God’ s infinite power and wisdom is here conveniently added, to give them the greater assurance that God was able, as he had declared himself willing, to do these great and wonderful things which he had promised; and that neither men nor false gods were able to hinder him in it. God is here compared to a mighty giant, supposed to be so big that he can take up and hold all the waters of the sea and rivers of the whole world in one hand, and span the heavens, and then…
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 40 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 40:12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?Ver. 12. Who hath measured the waters.] Who but God alone. Totus est in hoc libro, ut confirmet nos in fide. God made heaven, earth, and sea, in number, weight, and measure, as an architect; therefore he wanteth neither power nor wisdom to work in and for his people. And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure.] In a tierce, or in "three fingers"; for he spoke before of the "hollow" and "span of God’ s hand."
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 40 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) Who hath measured . . .?—Another section opens, expanding the thought of the eternal majesty of Jehovah, as contrasted with the vanity of the idols, or “no-gods,” of the heathen. The whole passage in form and thought supplies once more a parallelism with Job 38:4; Job 38:25; Job 38:37. The whole image is divinely anthropomorphic. The Creator is the great Work-master (Wis 13:1) of the universe, ordering all things, like a human artificer, by number and weight and measure. The mountains of the earth are as dust in the scales of the Infinite.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 40 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12–14. The argument for the infinitude of God opens with a series of rhetorical questions, not needing to be answered, but intended to raise the thoughts of despondent Israelites to the contemplation of the true nature of the God they worshipped. For a different purpose, namely, to humble the pride of human reason, the Almighty Himself addresses a similar series of interrogations to Job (Isaiah 38:4 ff.).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 40 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWho hath measured - The object in this and the following verses to Isaiah 40:26, is to show the greatness, power, and majesty of God, by strong contrast with his creatures, and more especially with idols.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 40 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible12-14. In the presence and hearing of the Jewish people, the prophet asks, Who hath measured… meted… comprehended — The verbs are in the past tense, and the last is better rendered as here written
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 40 →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
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?
Who has measured out the waters in the hollow of his hand, or carefully measured the sky, or carefully weighed the soil of the earth, or weighed the mountains in a balance, or the hills on scales?
Tyndale line
¶ Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and measured heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who hath measured the waters in his fist? and counted heauen with the spanne, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure? and weighed ye mountaines in a weight, and the hilles in a balance?
Strictly literal
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out the heavens with [his] span, and grasped the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in scales?
Who hath measured in the hollow of his hand the waters? And the heavens by a span hath meted out, And comprehended in a measure the dust of the earth, And hath weighed in scales the mountains, And the hills in a balance?
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, || And has meted out the heavens by a span, || And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, || And has weighed the mountains in scales, || And the hills in a balance?
Who hath measured in the hollow of his hand the waters, and meted out the heavens with the span, and comprised in a measure the dust of the earth, and weighed in the scale-beam the mountains, and the hills in balances?
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, measured the sky with the span of his hand, held the dust of the earth in a basket, weighed the mountains in scales, or the hills in a balance?
From the Latin
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and weighed the heavens with his palm? who hath poised with three fingers the bulk of the earth, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Simplified
Who has measured the waters he holds in the palm of his hand? Who has marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has worked out the amount of dust of the earth? Who has weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?
In the hollow of whose hand have the waters been measured? and who is able to take the heavens in his stretched-out fingers? who has got together the dust of the earth in a measure? who has taken the weight of the mountains, or put the hills into the scales?
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls agree closely in wording, with minor variations in spelling. Both emphasize God's measurement of creation, demonstrating a consistent theological theme across ancient texts.
מִֽי־ מָדַ֨ד בְּשָׁעֳל֜וֹ מַ֗יִם וְשָׁמַ֙יִם֙ בַּזֶּ֣רֶת תִּכֵּ֔ן וְכָ֥ל בַּשָּׁלִ֖שׁ עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשָׁקַ֤ל בַּפֶּ֙לֶס֙ הָרִ֔ים וּגְבָע֖וֹת בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃
11 of the 16 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.
מיא מדד בשועל׳ו מי ים ושמים בזרת׳ו תכן וכל בשליש עפר הארץ ושקל בפלס הרים וגבעות במוזנים
17 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.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 40:12
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.
מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.
מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons
מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied
in the gen. whose
in an indirect qu.
מִי ב׳ who among … ?
strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.
various rhetorical uses whose
מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it
once, following a verb, any one
base
H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied
. in the gen. whose
. in an indirect qu.
. מִי ב׳ who among … ?
. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.
. various rhetorical uses whose
. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it
. once, following a verb, any one
4310 miy me
an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also
(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction
with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!
what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.
see HEBREW for 04100
מִי (mi) — who?.
who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Part — PronounHPi
מָדַד (madad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to measure or stretch. It encompasses various forms, including measuring length or distance, extending, and being measured. The word appears in different contexts, such as dry measures and figurative uses related to waters and requital. Notably, it can also refer to the act of extending oneself, as seen in its usage in the Old Testament.
מָדַד 53 vb. measure
Qal
measure of length, distance
of dry measure
fig. of measuring waters; of requital
Niph. be measured
Pi.
extend, continue (= make extent or continuation)
measure, measure off
Po. measured
Hithpo. measured (= extended, stretched) himself upon the boy
base
H4058 מָדַד measure .. measure of length, distance
. of dry measure
. fig. of measuring waters; of requital
. be measured
. . extend, continue (= make extent or continuation)
. measure, measure off
. measured
. measured (= extended, stretched) himself upon the boy
4058 madad maw-dad'
a primitive root: properly, to stretch; by implication, to
measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be
extended:--measure, mete, stretch self.
מָדַד (ma.dad) — to measure.
1) to measure, stretch
1a) (Qal) to measure
1b) (Niphal) to be measured
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to extend, continue
1c2) to measure, measure off
1d) (Po) measured
1e) (Hithpolel) to extend oneself, stretch oneself
Also means: mid.dad (מָדַד "to extend" H4059)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
שֹׁ֫עַל (sho`al) refers to a hollow hand or a handful, derived from a root meaning to hollow out. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to the palm and the concept of a handful.
[שֹׁ֫עַל] n.[m.] hollow hand, handful
base
H8168 [שֹׁ֫עַל] hollow hand, handful
8168 sho`al sho'-al
from an unused root meaning to hollow out; the palm; by
extension, a handful:--handful, hollow of the hand.
שֹׁ֫עַל (sho.al) — handful.
1) hollow hand, hollow of hand, handful
1a) hollow hand, hollow of hand
1b) handful
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
wo'-terz (mayim, plural of may, "water"; in the New Testament hudor, "water"; kindunois potamon (2Co 11:26), the King James Version "perils of waters," is in the Revised Version (British and American) "perils of rivers"): In the New Testament there is frequent reference to the water of baptism. Pilate washes his hands with water to signify his guiltlessness. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman of the living water. The Lamb shall guide the redeemed unto fountains of waters of life.
The uses of mayim are well classified in BDB, especially the figurative references, as follows: a symbol of distress, "when thou passest through the waters" (Isa 43:2); of force, "like the breach of waters" (2Sa 5:20); of that which is overwhelming, "a…
The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Ncmpa
hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).
See HEAVENLY.
זֶ֫רֶת (zereth) refers to a span, which is a unit of measure approximately equivalent to half a cubit, or the distance between the thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand. The word is derived from the root meaning to spread fingers, and it appears in contexts related to measurement.
זֶ֫רֶת n.f. span
base
H2239 זֶ֫רֶת span
2239 zereth zeh'-reth
from 2219; the spread of the fingers, i.e. a span:--span.
see HEBREW for 02219
זֶ֫רֶת (ze.ret) — span.
1) span
1a) a unit of measure, approx half-cubit, or the distance from the thumb to the little finger on an outstretched hand
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
תָּכַן (takan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to regulate, measure, or estimate. It encompasses actions like weighing, balancing, and adjusting to standards. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to estimate), Niphal (to be estimated), and Piel (to mete out). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[תָּכַן] vb. regulate, measure, estimate
Qal estimate
Niph.
by him are actions estimated.
be adjusted to the standard, i.e. right, equitable
Pi. mete out
Pu. the silver which was measured out.
base
H8505 [תָּכַן] regulate, measure, estimate
8505 takan taw-kan'
a primitive root; to balance, i.e. measure out (by weight or
dimension); figuratively, arrange, equalize, through the idea
of levelling (ment. estimate, test):--bear up, direct, be
((un-))equal, mete, ponder, tell, weigh.
תָּכַן (ta.khan) — to measure.
1) to regulate, measure, estimate, ponder, balance, make even, level, weigh, be equal, be weighed out, test, prove
1a) (Qal) estimate (participle)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be estimated
1b2) to be made even or right, be adjusted to the standard
1c) (Piel) to weigh out, mete out
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be weighed out, be measured out
1d2) measured out (participle)
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singularHVpp3ms
The Hebrew word כּוּל (kuwl) is a primitive root meaning to sustain or contain. It covers a range of meanings including to measure, hold, nourish, and endure. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Qal, Pilpel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of sustaining and containing.
[כּוּל] vb. comprehend, contain
Qal who hath comprehended the dust of the earth in a shalish-measure
Pilp. sustain, maintain, contain
Polp. were supplied with food
Hiph. contain, hold, hold in, endure
base
H3557 [כּוּל] comprehend, contain .sustain, maintain, contain
. were supplied with food
. contain, hold, hold in, endure
3557 kuwl kool
a primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure;
figuratively, to maintain (in various senses):--(be able to,
can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing,
guide, hold(-ing in), nourish(-er), be present, make
provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals).
כּוּל (kul) — to sustain.
1) to seize, contain, measure
1a)(Qal) to measure, calculate
1b) (Pilpel) to sustain, maintain, contain
1b1) to sustain, support, nourish
1b2) to contain, hold in, restrain
1b3) to support, endure
1c) (Polpal) to be supplied
1d) (Hilpil) to contain, hold, hold in, endure
1d1) to contain
1d2) to sustain, endure
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Conjunction · verb qal perfect third person masculine singularHC/Vqp3ms
שָׁלִישׁ (shaliysh) refers to a third part or measure, possibly linked to an ephah. It can denote a musical instrument, likely a triangle or three-stringed lute, and also signifies an officer or captain. The word appears in contexts suggesting both quantity and rank, with references in 1 Chronicles and 2 Samuel.
שָׁלִ(י)שׁ n.[m.] third (part, i.e. of ephah? dub.), name of a measure
base
[שָׁלִישׁ] n.[m.] a (three-stringed? three-barred? three-cornered?) mus. instr., perhaps a sistrum, or ‘triangle’, 1 S 18:6
ref
שָׁלִישׁ n.m. adjutant or officer
base
H7991a שָׁלִ(י)שׁ third (part, i.e. of ephah? dub.), name of a measure H7991b שָׁלִישׁ a (three-stringed? three-barred? three-cornered?) mus. instr., perhaps a sistrum H7991c שָׁלִישׁ adjutant or officer
7991 shaliysh shaw-leesh'
or shalowsh ( 1 Chron. 11:11; 12:18) {shaw- loshe'}; or
shalosh (2 Sam. 23:13) {shaw-loshe'}; from 7969; a triple,
i.e. (as a musical instrument) a triangle (or perhaps rather
three-stringed lute); also (as an indefinite, great quantity)
a three-fold measure (perhaps a treble ephah); also (as an
officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e. the
highest):--captain, instrument of musick, (great) lord,
(great) measure, prince, three (from the margin).
see HEBREW for 07969
שָׁלִישׁ (sha.lish) — third.
1) third part
1a) name of a measure
שָׁלִישׁ (sha.lish) — triangle.
1) a musical instrument
1a) maybe three-stringed, triangular shape, or three-barred
1b) perhaps a sistrum or triangle
שָׁלִישׁ (sha.lish) — officer.
shield carrier, adjutant, officer, captain
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
Measure
Several words are so rendered in the Authorized Version. (1.) Those which are indefinite. (a) Hok, Isa. 5:14, elsewhere “statute.” (b) Mad, Job 11:9; Jer. 13:25, elsewhere “garment.” (c) Middah, the word most frequently thus translated, Ex. 26:2, 8, etc. (d) Mesurah, Lev. 19:35; 1 Chr. 23:29. (e) Mishpat, Jer. 30:11, elsewhere “judgment.” (f) Mithkoneth and token, Ezek. 45:11. (g) In New Testament metron, the usual Greek word thus rendered (
See SHEKELS, TALENT, BATH, or Ephah, EPHAH, etc.
עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.
עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust
base
H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust
6083 `aphar aw-fawr'
from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,
mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
see HEBREW for 06080
עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.
1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish
1a) dry or loose earth
1b) debris
1c) mortar
1d) ore
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2
The Hebrew word שָׁקַל (*shaqal*) means 'to weigh' and encompasses various usages such as weighing out a price or being weighed. It is a primitive root that can also imply the act of paying or spending. The entries highlight its application in trade and figuratively in contexts of grief.
שָׁקַל vb. weigh
Qal
weigh
weigh out a price
Niph. be weighed
base
H8254 שָׁקַל weigh
8254 shaqal shaw-kal'
a primitive root; to suspend or poise (especially in
trade):--pay, receive(-r), spend, X throughly, weigh.
שָׁקַל (sha.qal) — to weigh.
1) to weigh, weigh out, pay out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to weigh
1a2) to weigh out (a price)
1a3) of grief (fig)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be weighed
1b2) to be weighed out
Aramaic equivalent: te.qal (תְּקַל "to weigh" H8625A)
Conj | V-Qal-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
פֶּ֫לֶס (pelec) refers to a balance or scale, used for weighing. It is derived from a related term and is consistently defined across the entries as a tool for measuring weight.
פֶּ֫לֶס n.[m.] balance, scale
base
H6425 פֶּ֫לֶס balance, scale
6425 pelec peh'-les
from 6424; a balance:--scales, weight.
see HEBREW for 06424
פֶּ֫לֶס (pe.les) — balance.
balance, scale
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
Balance
Occurs in Lev. 19:36 and Isa. 46:6, as the rendering of the Hebrew kanch’, which properly means “a reed” or “a cane,” then a rod or beam of a balance. This same word is translated “measuring reed” in Ezek. 40:3,5; 42:16-18. There is another Hebrew word, mozena’yim, i.e., “two poisers”, also so rendered (Dan. 5:27). The balances as represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments resemble those now in use. A “pair of balances” is a symbol of justice and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Ps. 62:9; Prov. 11:1). The…
הַר (har) means 'mountain' or 'hill,' and can refer to a range of hills or hill-country. It is derived from a root that suggests elevation and can be used figuratively. The entries consistently highlight its geographical connotations without significant disagreement.
הַר 568 n.m. mountain, hill, hill-country
mountain, hill
hill-country, mountain-region
base
H2022 הַר mountain, hill, hill-country
2022 har har
a shortened form of 2042; a mountain or range of hills
(sometimes used figuratively):--hill (country), mount(-ain), X
promotion.
see HEBREW for 02042
הַר (har) — mountain: mount.
: mount/hill
hill, mountain, hill country, mount
הַר (har) — mountain: hill country.
: hill_country
hill, mountain, hill country, mount
A sub-meaning of har (הַר ": mount" H2022)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Are among the most sublime and impressive of the Creator’s works on earth, and from the noblest and most enduring monuments of great events. Most of the mountains of Scripture thus stand as witnesses for God—every view of their lofty summits, and every recurrence to them in thought reminding us of the sacred facts and truths connected with them. Thus Mount Ararat is a standing memorial of the deluge of man’s sin, God’s justice, and God’s mercy. Mount Sinai asserts the terrors of the divine law. Mount Carmel summons us, like the prophet Elijah of old, not to "halt between two opinions;" but if Jehovah is God, to love and serve him. The mount of the Transfiguration still shines with the glory of the truths there taught, and Mounts Ebal and Gerizim still echo the curses and the blessings once so solemnly pronounced from them. So Mount Hor, Nebo, Lebanon, and Gilboa have been signalized by…
- The elevated parts of the earth
Ge 7:19,20
- GOD
. Formed
. Set fast
. Gives strength to
. Weighs, in a balance
. Waters, from his chambers
גִּבְעָה (gib'ah) means 'hill' and refers to a small elevation of land. It can denote a place of worship or be used in place names, often associated with illicit worship. The word is feminine and is derived from a related term for a hillock. It appears in various contexts, including poetic uses.
גִּבְעָה n.f. hill
base
H1389 גִּבְעָה hill
1389 gib`ah ghib-aw'
feminine from the same as 1387; a hillock:--hill, little
hill.
see HEBREW for 01387
גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeath-(elohim).
Gibeath - a place or worship
This name means hill
1a) hill
גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeath-(haaraloth).
This name means hill
Another name of gil.gal (גִּלְגָּל "Gilgal" H1537G)
גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — hill.
1) hill
1a) hill (lower than a mountain)
1b) as a place of illicit worship
1c) poetic for mountain
1d) used in place names
גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeat.
This name means hill
Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Ncfpa
From the Hebrew Gibeah, meaning a curved round hill. But our translators have also employed the same English word for the very different term har , which has a much more extended sense than gibeah , meaning a whole district. For instance, in (Exodus 24:4) the "hill" is the same which is elsewhere in the same chapter, vs. (Exodus 24:12,13,18) etc., and book consistently and accurately rendered "mount" and "mountain." The "country of the hills," in (1:7; Joshua 9:1; 10:40; 11:16) is the elevated district of Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim, which is correctly called "the mountain" in the earliest descriptions of Palestine, (Numbers 13:29) and in many subsequent passages.
מֹאזֵן (mo'zen) refers to balances or scales, specifically in the dual form, indicating a pair. The term is linked to the root word for 'to weigh' and has an Aramaic equivalent. Its usage is consistent across the entries, focusing on the concept of weighing or measuring.
[מאזן] n.[m.]du. balances, scales
base
H3976 [מאזן] balances, scales
3976 mo'zen mo-zane'
from 239; (only in the dual) a pair of scales: -balances.
see HEBREW for 0239
מֹאזֵן (mo.zen) — balance.
scales, balances
Aramaic equivalent: mo.zen (מֹאזֵנְיָא "scale" H3977)
Prep | N-md — Preposition · noun common masculine dual absoluteHR/Ncmda
skalz
(1) qasqeseth "fish-scales";
(2) meghinnah, maghen, "scales of the crocodile";
(3) lepis, with verb lepizo "scale away" (Tobit 3:17; 11:13)):
(1) The first Hebrew word qasqeseth means the imbricated scales of fish, which together with the dorsal fin were a distinguishing mark of all fish allowed as food to the Israelite (Le 11:9 ff; De 14:9 f). In the figurative sense the word is used of a coat of mail (1Sa 17:5,38).