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Isaiah 48:4 — Word Study

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WLCמִדַּעְתִּ֕י כִּ֥י קָשֶׁ֖ה אָ֑תָּה וְגִ֤יד בַּרְזֶל֙ עָרְפֶּ֔ךָ וּמִצְחֲךָ֖ נְחוּשָֽׁה׃

BSAthatkîy youʼattâh are stubbornqâsheh [obstinate, severe] your neckʻôreph [back of the neck, a turning point] is ironbarzel [strong, unyielding] and your foreheadmêtsach [the prominent part of the face] [is] bronzenᵉchûwshâh [copper, hardened like metal]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 48
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ne.chu.Shah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 48:4quick helps
In a sentenceGod expresses His awareness of Israel's stubbornness, comparing their neck to iron and their forehead to bronze.
Who is speakingThe Lord is speaking directly to Israel, highlighting their obstinacy.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger declaration about God's foreknowledge and Israel's resistance.
The hard wordקָשֶׁה
Take awayGod knows the true nature of His people, despite their unyielding hearts.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאַתָּה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

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

Deep Study — Isaiah 48:4

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — God's Knowledge of Israel's Stubbornnessgenerated

3I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
4For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.
5Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so that you could not claim, ‘My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’
6You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.

Isaiah 48:4 reveals God's intimate knowledge of Israel's character, particularly their obstinacy. He contrasts their stubbornness with the strength of iron and bronze, emphasizing their hardened hearts. This verse is situated in a passage where God asserts His sovereignty and foreknowledge, reminding Israel of their failures to heed His warnings, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 46:12Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:
2Psalm 78:8Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
3Zechariah 7:11–12But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
4Jeremiah 5:3O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.
5Ezekiel 3:4–7Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak My words to them.

The Key Word יָדַע, yada`generated

The verb יָדַע (yada`) means 'to know' and encompasses a range of meanings from perception to recognition. In this context, it indicates God's deep understanding of Israel's nature, specifically their stubbornness.

The parsing shows that it is a preposition combined with a verb in the infinitive construct, indicating that the knowledge expressed is both personal and experiential. God knows Israel not just in an abstract sense but through His direct experience with them.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of יָדַע, rendering it as 'knew' in all versions listed.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is יָדַע, knew, which governs the entire clause. The structure follows a straightforward order, with the subject 'I' followed by the predicate describing Israel's stubbornness.

The sentence emphasizes God's knowledge, with the description of Israel's neck and forehead serving as metaphors for their unyielding nature.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָדַע as γινώσκω (ginōskō), which also means 'to know.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly different nuance in the Greek context, emphasizing relational knowledge.

The use of γινώσκω suggests a deeper understanding, reinforcing the idea of God's awareness of Israel's character.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 48:4 shows God saying that He knows Israel is stubborn, comparing their neck to iron and their forehead to bronze. This highlights their unyielding nature and resistance to His guidance.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does God mean by saying Israel is stubborn?

God is pointing out that Israel is resistant to His commands and guidance, likening their obstinacy to strong metals.

Why does God compare Israel's neck to iron?

The comparison suggests that Israel's stubbornness is unyielding and strong, much like iron, which is difficult to bend or break.

What is the significance of the forehead being compared to bronze?

The forehead represents the prominent part of the face, indicating that Israel's obstinacy is not hidden but evident in their actions.

How does this verse reflect God's relationship with Israel?

It shows God's intimate knowledge of His people and their failings, emphasizing His awareness of their character and the consequences of their stubbornness.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I demonstrate stubbornness in my own life, resisting guidance or correction?
  2. How can I cultivate a heart that is open to God's leading rather than one that is hard like iron?
  3. What are some examples in my life where I have recognized God's knowledge of my character?
  4. How can I better respond to God's warnings and teachings to avoid the pitfalls of stubbornness?

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

Early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss the nature of Israel's obstinacy and God's mercy, highlighting the tension between divine knowledge and human resistance.

Eusebius of CaesareaCOMMENTARY ON Isaiah 2:33 c. 260–340
These words would not be of any help to you if you had not been already warned. Nevertheless, dwelling in my loving-kindness, I still bear witness and distinguish you from those assembled in Babylon and the Chaldeans about to attack you.
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 48 →
Gregory of NazianzusON HIS FATHER’S SILENCE, ORATION 16:11-12 c. 329–390
Perchance he will say to me, who am not reformed even by blows, “I know that you are obstinate and your neck is an iron sinew, the heedless is heedless, and the lawless person acts lawlessly,
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 48 →
JeromeCOMMENTARY ON Isaiah 13:15 c. 347–420
Not, therefore, on account of your merit but through my mercy I have calmed my fury, lest you come near to death. For the sake of my name I will rein you in so that like a donkey you are made to follow behind the reins of a horse.
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 48 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 48:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Because I knew that thou art obstinate,.... Or "hard" (a), hard hearted, an obdurate and rebellious people, contradicting and gainsaying: and thy neck is as an iron sinew; stiffnecked, inflexible,

Read John Gill on Isaiah 48 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; Because I knew that thou (art) obstinate - Hebrew, hard, (Deuteronomy 9:27; Ezekiel 3:7, margin.) And thy

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 48 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Because I knew: therefore I gave thee the more and clearer demonstrations of my Divine nature and providence, because I knew thou wast an unbelieving and perverse nation, that would not easily nor willingly be convinced. Thy neck is an iron sinew, which will not bow down to receive my yoke, nor to obey my commands. It is a metaphor taken from untamed and stubborn cattle; of which see also . The sense is, I considered that thou wast unteachable and incorrigible. Thy brow brass; thou wast impudent, and therefore wouldst boldly pretend that thou didst forsake me, for want of full conviction of my Divine authority, and of thy duty; therefore I determined that I would leave thee without excuse.

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 48 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 48:4 Because I knew that thou [art] obstinate, and thy neck [is] an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;Ver. 4. Because I knew that thou art obstinate.] Heb., Hard, obdurate; therefore do I so inculcate these things, if by any means I may mollify thee. Hypocrites are harder to be wrought upon than other sinners. And thy neck is an iron sinew.] Thou art utterly averse from, yea, adverse to any good; no more bended thereunto than if the body had for every sinew a plate of iron. And thy brow brass.] Sinews of iron argue a natural impotence, and somewhat more; but brows of brass impudence in evil; quando pudet non esse impudentes, when men are shameless in sin, setting it "upon the cliff of…

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 48 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Because I knew that thou art obstinate . . .—The point is that Jehovah foresees not only the conquests of Cyrus, but the obduracy of His own people. In Egypt (Jeremiah 44) and in Babylon, as of old, they were still a stiff-necked people, inclined (Isaiah 48:5), to ascribe their deliverance to another god, and to worship that god in the form of a graven image.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 48 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. Cf. Ezekiel 3:7-9. thy neck is an iron sinew] Cf. for the idea Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 9:6; Deuteronomy 9:13.

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 48 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Because I knew that thou art obstinate - I made these frequent predictions, and fulfilled them in this striking manner, because I knew that as a people, you were prone to unbelief, and in order that

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 48 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

3-5. I have declared — Or, have announced. Former things — Former events, before they came to pass; or, as some suppose, “and they have come to pass” Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 44:7-8.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 48 →

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

For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I did this because I know how stubborn you are. Your neck muscles are like iron and your forehead like bronze.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

RVARevised Version, American1894

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Because I knewe, that thou art obstinate, and thy necke is an yron sinew, and thy brow brasse,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass,

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

From my knowing that thou art obstinate, And a sinew of iron thy neck, And thy forehead brass,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

From My knowing that you are obstinate, || And your neck—a sinew of iron, || And your forehead—bronze,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, that like an iron sinew is thy neck, and thy brow of copper;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Because I knew that you were obstinate, your neck muscles tight as iron, and your forehead like bronze,

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For I knew that thou art stubborn, and thy neck is as an iron sinew, and thy forehead as brass.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I know how stubborn you are, with necks as unbending as iron and foreheads as hard as bronze.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Because I saw that your heart was hard, and that your neck was an iron cord, and your brow brass;

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִbecauseclauseverbדַּעְתִּ֕knewsubjectיIclause · objectכִּ֥י(dm).thatclauseclausepredicateקָשֶׁ֖ה[were].stubbornsubjectאָ֑תָּהyouוְand.[was]clausenoun phrase · predicateגִ֤ידa.tendonבַּרְזֶל֙of.ironnoun phrase · subjectעָרְפֶּ֔neckךָyourוּandclausenoun phrase · subjectמִצְחֲforeheadךָ֖yourpredicateנְחוּשָֽׁה[was].bronze

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 Septuagint agree closely in their wording, with the Septuagint providing a direct correspondence to the Hebrew. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of this verse across different manuscripts.

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

מִדַּעְתִּ֕י כִּ֥י קָשֶׁ֖ה אָ֑תָּה וְגִ֤יד בַּרְזֶל֙ עָרְפֶּ֔ךָ וּמִצְחֲךָ֖ נְחוּשָֽׁה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מִדַּעְתִּ֕יγινώσκωכִּ֥יὅτιקָשֶׁ֖הσκληρὸςאָ֑תָּהεἶוְגִ֤ידνεῦρονבַּרְזֶל֙σιδηροῦνעָרְפֶּ֔ךָσουוּמִצְחֲךָ֖σουנְחוּשָֽׁה׃ξαλκοῦν

9 of the 9 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

מאשר ידעת׳י כיא קשה אתה וגיד ברזל עורפ׳ך  ה ומצח׳כה נחושה

10 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 48:4יָדַעfor knew Ifor knew Iיָדַעכִּיthatthatכִּיקָשֶׁה[were] stub[were] stubbornקָשֶׁהאַתָּ֫הyouyouאַתָּ֫הגִּידand [was] aand [was] a sinגִּידבַּרְזֶלironironבַּרְזֶלעֹ֫רֶףneck yourneck yourעֹ֫רֶףמֵ֫צַחand foreheaand forehead yoמֵ֫צַחנְחוּשָׁה[was] bronz[was] bronzeנְחוּשָׁהקָשָׁהto hardento hardenקָשָׁהגּוּדto raidto raidגּוּדעָרַףto break tto break the neעָרַףברזותBirzaithBirzaithברזותנָחוּשׁbronzebronzeנָחוּשׁנָחָשׁNahashNahashנָחָשׁאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעֹ֫רֶףneckneckעֹ֫רֶףחָזָקstrongstrongחָזָקיָרַשׁto possessto possess: posיָרַשׁנָשֶׁהa vein (ora vein (or nervנָשֶׁהבָּשָׂרfleshfleshבָּשָׂרנְחוּשָׁהbronzebronzeנְחוּשָׁהנְחֹ֫שֶׁתbronzebronzeנְחֹ֫שֶׁתקָשֶׁהseveresevereקָשֶׁהטָבַעto sinkto sinkטָבַע
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 48:4

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

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

for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
מִדַּעְתִּ֕יmi.da'.Ti for knew I H3045 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Vqcc/Sp1bs — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vqcc/Sp1bs
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
כִּ֥יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
קָשֶׁ֖הka.Sheh [were] stubborn H7186 Adj
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something or someone as severe or cruel, like the harsh treatment of the Israelites by their enemies in Judges.
Amplified meaning
obstinate, severe
Tyndale gloss
severe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָשֶׁה (qasheh) means hard or severe, with applications ranging from physical hardness to emotional severity. It can describe someone as obstinate or cruel, and it is used in contexts like difficult situations or intense emotions. The entries indicate a range of meanings including rigorous and stiff-necked, but do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָשֶׁה adj. hard, severe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7186 קָשֶׁה hard, severe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7186 qasheh kaw-sheh'

from 7185; severe (in various applications):--churlish,

cruel, grievous, hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, + impudent,

obstinate, prevailed, rough(-ly), sore, sorrowful,

stiff((necked)), stubborn, + in trouble.

see HEBREW for 07185

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָשֶׁה (qa.sheh) — severe.

1) hard, cruel, severe, obstinate

1a) hard, difficult

1b) severe

1c) fierce, intense, vehement

1d) stubborn, stiff of neck, stiff-necked

1e) rigorous (of battle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
אָ֑תָּה'A.tah you H859 Pronoun
1,094× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Tyndale gloss
you(m.s.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou

base

אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)

base

אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)

base

אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)

base

אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

859 'attah at-taw'

or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine

(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem

{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah

{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun

of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and

you:--thee, thou, ye, you.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).

you (second pers. sing. masc.)

אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).

you (second pers. sing. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).

you (second pers. sing. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).

you (second pers. pl. masc.)

Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)

אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).

you (second pers. pl. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
וְגִ֤ידve.Gid and [was] a sinew of H1517 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a sinew or tendon, which connects muscles to bones. In the Bible, it is used to describe the physical body, such as in Job 40:17, where it refers to a strong tendon. The word symbolizes strength and connection.
Tyndale gloss
sinew
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּיד (gid) refers to a sinew or tendon, suggesting a connection to strength and support in the body. The word is built from the root associated with compressing or binding, indicating its physical function. The entries consistently define it as sinew without significant variation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּיד n.m. sinew

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1517 גִּיד sinew

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1517 giyd gheed

probably from 1464; a thong (as compressing); by analogy, a

tendon:--sinew.

see HEBREW for 01464

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּיד (gid) — sinew.

sinew

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmsc — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
בַּרְזֶל֙bar.Zel iron H1270 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
76× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Iron refers to a strong metal used for tools and furniture, symbolizing strength or harshness, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of iron implements.
Amplified meaning
strong, unyielding
Tyndale gloss
iron
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּרְזֶל (barzel) means 'iron' and can refer to iron ore or iron implements like tools and utensils. It also carries figurative meanings related to harshness, strength, or oppression. The word may be derived from a root associated with cutting. There is an Aramaic equivalent, פַּרְזֶל (parzel), also meaning 'iron'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּרְזֶל n.m. iron

iron, lit.

tool of iron

iron in fig. of unwatered earth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1270 בַּרְזֶל iron

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1270 barzel bar-zel'

perhaps from the root of 1269; iron (as cutting); by

extension, an iron implement:--(ax) head, iron.

see HEBREW for 01269

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּרְזֶל (bar.zel) — iron.

1) iron

1a) iron

1a1) iron ore

1a2) as material of furniture, utensils, implements

2) tool of iron

3) harshness, strength, oppression (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: par.zel (פַּרְזֶל "iron" H6523)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Iron

Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen. 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut. 27:5; 19:5; Josh. 17:16, 18; 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1 Chr.…

is mentioned with brass as the earliest of known metals. (Genesis 4:22) The natural wealth in iron of the soil of Canaan is indicated by describing it as a land whose stones are iron." (8:9) (Recent explorations have shown that iron ore is abundant in the northern part of Palestine. --ED.) The book of Job contains passages which indicate that iron was a metal well known. Sheet-iron was used for cooking utensils. (Ezekiel 4:3) cf. Levi 7:9 That it was plentiful in the time of David appears from (1 Chronicles 22:3) The market of Tyre was supplied with bright or polished iron by the merchants of by Dan and Javan. (Ezekiel 27:19) The Chalybes of the Pontus were celebrated as…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Was early known and wrought, Ge 4:22. Moses often alludes to it. He compares the bondage in Egypt to a furnace for smelting iron, and speaks of the iron ore of Canaan, De 3:11 4:20 8:9. Many different articles and tools were anciently made of it. Immense quantities were provided for the building of the temple, 1Ch 29:2,7. "Iron" is used to illustrated slavery, strength, obstinacy, fortitude, affliction, etc., De 28:48 Job 40:18 Isa 48:4 Jer 1:18 Eze 22:18,20…

Nave's Topical Bible

1. First recorded use of Ge 4:22

Ore of De 8:9; Job 28:2

Melted Eze 22:20

Used in the temple 1Ch 22:3; 29:2,7

Articles made of

Ax 2Ki 6:6; 2Ch 18:10; Ec 10:10; Isa 10:34

Bedstead De 3:11

Breastplate Re 9:9

for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
עָרְפֶּ֔ךָ'a.re.Pe.kha neck your H6203 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The neck or back of the neck represents a turning point, like the back of a fleeing enemy or a stubborn person with a stiff neck.
Amplified meaning
back of the neck, a turning point
Tyndale gloss
neck
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹ֫רֶף (oreph) refers to the back of the neck, and can also denote the back generally, both literally and figuratively. It is associated with concepts like obstinacy and apostasy. The word is derived from a related term, עָרַף (araf), and is mentioned in contexts describing a stiff neck or a fleeing foe.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹ֫רֶף n.m. back of neck, neck

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6203 עֹ֫רֶף back of neck, neck

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6203 `oreph o-ref'

from 6202; the nape or back of the neck (as declining);

hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative):--

back ((stiff-)neck((-ed).

see HEBREW for 06202

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹ֫רֶף (o.reph) — neck.

1) neck, back of the neck, back

1a) back of the neck

1a1) of fleeing foe

1a2) of apostasy (fig.)

1b) stiff of neck, obstinate (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
וּמִצְחֲךָ֖u.mitz.cha.Kha and forehead your H4696 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for forehead, referring to the open and prominent part of the face. In the Bible, it is used to describe the forehead of humans, like in Ezekiel 3:8-9. It represents the front of a person.
Amplified meaning
the prominent part of the face
Tyndale gloss
forehead
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֵ֫צַח (metsach) refers to the brow or forehead, derived from a root meaning to be clear or conspicuous. The term emphasizes the prominence of the forehead, and it is noted in various lexicons as simply denoting this facial feature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֵ֫צַח n.m. brow, forehead

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4696 מֵ֫צַח brow, forehead

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4696 metsach may'-tsakh

from an unused root meaning to be clear, i.e. conspicuous;

the forehead (as open and prominent):--brow, forehead, +

impudent.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֵ֫צַח (me.tsach) — forehead.

brow, forehead

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
for knew I that [were] stubborn you and [was] a sinew of iron neck your and forehead your [was] bronze
נְחוּשָֽׁה׃ne.chu.Shah [was] bronze H5154 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for copper or bronze, a metal made from melting copper ore, is used in the Bible to describe items like the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:9. It is also translated as brass or steel in some versions. This metal was highly valued in ancient times.
Amplified meaning
copper, hardened like metal
Tyndale gloss
bronze
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נְחוּשָׁה (nchuwshah) refers to copper or bronze, indicating materials used in ancient metallurgy. It is a feminine form derived from the root word for copper, and it encompasses both pure copper and bronze, which is an alloy. The term appears in contexts related to metalworking and materials in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְחוּשָׁה and נְחֻשָׁה n.f. copper, bronze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5154 נְחוּשָׁה and נְחֻשָׁה copper, bronze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5154 nchuwshah nekh-oo-shaw'

or nchushah {nekh-oo-shaw'}; feminine of 5153;

copper:--brass, steel. Compare 5176.

see HEBREW for 05153

see HEBREW for 05176

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְחוּשָׁה (ne.chu.shah) — bronze.

1) copper, bronze

1a) copper (made from melting copper ore)

1b) bronze (made from copper and alloy)

Aramaic equivalent: ne.chash (נְחָשׁ "bronze" H5174)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
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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