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Isaiah 56:10 — Word Study

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WLCצֹפָ֞יו עִוְרִ֤ים כֻּלָּם֙ לֹ֣א יָדָ֔עוּ כֻּלָּם֙ כְּלָבִ֣ים אִלְּמִ֔ים לֹ֥א יוּכְל֖וּ לִנְבֹּ֑חַ הֹזִים֙ שֹֽׁכְבִ֔ים אֹהֲבֵ֖י לָנֽוּם׃

BSA[Israel’s] watchmentsâphâh [guardians, spiritual sentinels] are blindʻivvêr [spiritually unaware, unable to see] they are allkôl [completely, without exception] obliviousyâdaʻ [lacking knowledge, ignorant] they are allkôl [every one of them] muteʼillêm dogskeleb [incapable of warning, silent] they cannotlôʼ barknâbach [sound an alarm, warn] they are dreamershâzâh [given to idle fancy, sleeping] lying aroundshâkab [resting, inactive] lovingʼâhab [having a strong affection for] to slumbernûwm [be in a state of torpor, dormant]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 56
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (la.Num) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 56:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes Israel's watchmen as spiritually blind and inactive, failing to fulfill their role.
Who is speakingThe prophet Isaiah, addressing the state of Israel's leaders.
Where we areIn a passage condemning the leaders for their negligence and lack of awareness.
The hard wordצֹפָ֞יו
Take awayThe leaders are depicted as unfit, unable to protect or guide the people.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָדַע The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

2 of 15 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.

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

Deep Study — Isaiah 56:10

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 Watchmen of Israelgenerated

9Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.
10Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.
11Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:
12“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”

Isaiah 56:10 critiques the watchmen of Israel, highlighting their blindness and inability to act. This passage serves as a warning about the responsibilities of leaders to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings. The metaphor of watchmen emphasizes the expectation that they should protect and guide the people, as seen in other prophetic texts like Ezekiel 3:17.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 52:8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, together they shout for joy. For every eye will see when the LORD returns to Zion.
2Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
3Isaiah 29:10For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.
4Jeremiah 14:13–14“Ah, Lord GOD!” I replied, “Look, the prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”
5Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

The Key Word צֹפָ֞יו, tza.fiugenerated

The word צָפָה (tsaphah) means to watch or observe, often implying a forward-leaning gaze to see into the distance. It indicates a role of vigilance and responsibility, particularly for leaders who must guard against dangers.

In this verse, the watchmen are described as blind, which signifies not only a lack of physical sight but also a profound spiritual unawareness. This dual meaning underscores their failure to fulfill their duties.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered consistently across translations, with all versions agreeing on the depiction of the watchmen as blind and unable to fulfill their roles.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse is built around a series of clauses that describe the watchmen's failures. The main clause identifies them as blind, followed by a series of participial phrases detailing their inactivity and inability to warn.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the characteristics of the watchmen, with each descriptor building upon the previous one to paint a comprehensive picture of their negligence.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates צֹפָ֞יו as ἴδετε, which means 'see' or 'behold.' This choice suggests an invitation to recognize the condition of the watchmen, emphasizing their failure to see the truth.

This rendering highlights the expectation that the watchmen should be aware and alert, aligning with the original Hebrew meaning of vigilance.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 56:10 describes the watchmen of Israel as blind and inactive. They are unable to warn the people or fulfill their roles as guardians. This verse serves as a critique of leadership, highlighting the importance of awareness and vigilance.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the watchmen are blind?

It means they are spiritually unaware and unable to see the dangers facing the people, failing to fulfill their responsibilities.

Why are they described as mute dogs?

This metaphor indicates their inability to warn or alert the people to danger, highlighting their ineffectiveness as leaders.

What does it mean to love slumber?

It suggests a preference for inactivity and complacency, indicating a lack of urgency or concern for their duties.

How does this verse relate to other prophetic texts?

It aligns with themes found in other prophetic writings that critique leaders for their negligence and call for vigilance and responsibility.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I be more vigilant in my responsibilities?
  2. How can I ensure that I am not spiritually blind to the needs of those around me?
  3. What actions can I take to alert others when I see danger or need?
  4. How does this passage challenge my understanding of leadership and accountability?

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

Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the responsibilities of leaders and the consequences of spiritual blindness, highlighting the need for vigilance among those in authority.

Basil of CaesareaLETTER 210:6 c. 330–379
In souls, pure and cleansed from all defilement, the prophetic gift shines clear. In a foul mirror you cannot see what the reflection is,
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 56 →
JeromeVerses 10-12. c. 347–420
His spies, blind all, knew nothing: mute dogs unable to bark, seeing vain things, sleeping, and loving dreams. And the most shameless dogs knew not satisfaction: the shepherds themselves ignored understanding: all turned aside unto their…
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 56 →
John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON Genesis 12:10 c. 347–407
Hence even sacred Scripture, with these sorts of disturbing passions in mind, in many places applies the names of brutes and of wild beasts to those gifted with reason;
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 56 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 56:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

His watchmen are blind,.... A sad character of watchmen; who, of all men, ought to have good sight, to see who is coming, to discover an enemy, to discern approaching danger, and so be capable of giving notice thereof.

Read John Gill on Isaiah 56 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. His watchmen - Israel's spiritual leaders (Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 3:17).

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 56 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

His; Israel’ s, as is evident from the following verses; the pronoun relative being put without and instead of the antecedent; of which I have given divers instances before. Watchmen; priests and prophets, or other teachers, who are commonly called watchmen, as 33:2 . He mentions only the teachers, because ignorance was most shameful in them; but hereby he supposeth the gross ignorance of the people, who neither pretended nor desired to be wiser than their teachers. They are all ignorant of God’ s will and word, and of their own and the people’ s duty, and of the true Messiah. They are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; they are also slothful and negligent in instructing the people, and do…

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 56 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 56:10 His watchmen [are] blind: they are all ignorant, they [are] all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.Ver. 10. His watchmen are blind; they are all ignorant.] Invehit in Pseudepiscopos, such as were, and are still in part, the popish clergy; those of the ninth age especially, and not much better a little before Luther stickled: blind leaders of the blind, lamentably ignorant, as the Bishop of Dunkeld, in Scotland, for instance, who professed that he knew neither the New Testament nor the Old. So Bishop Albert, reading the Bible, and being asked by a nobleman what book it was he read; I know not, said he, what book it is, but all that I read in it…

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 56 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) His watchmen are blind.—These are the guides of the people, and specially the self-styled prophets, who are “blind” to the signs of the times, who are “dumb,” and give no warning to the people of the real dangers that threaten them, who prophesy for the rewards of divination (Numbers 22:7 :1 Samuel 9:7; Nehemiah 6:12), who are conspicuous for their luxury and intemperance. Given the men who are described in Isaiah 5:22; Isaiah 28:7-8; Isaiah 30:10, and the circumstances of Manasseh’s reign, no other result could be expected. Sleeping.—The prophet, with a scornful irony, substitutes hozîm (“dreamers”) for khozîm (“seers”). The “lying down” contrasts their indolent and easy life with the…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 56 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. His watchmen are blind] Kimchi observes, "The flock is intrusted to the care of these watchmen. The wild beasts come; these dogs bark not; and the wild beasts devour the flock. Thus they do not profit the flock. Yea, they injure it; for the owner trusts in them, that they will watch and be faithful; but they are not. These are the false teachers and careless shepherds." Dumb dogs, they cannot bark] See Clarke on Isaiah 62:6. Sleeping - "Dreamers"] הזים hozim, ενυπνιαζομενοι, Septuagint. This seems to be the best authority for the meaning of this word, which occurs only in this place: but it is to be observed, that eleven MSS. of Kennicott's and De Rossi's, and four editions, have…

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 56 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. Isaiah 56:9 to Isaiah 57:21. A Protest against the Unworthy Shepherds of God’s Flock, and the arrogant Heathenism by which it is threatened; followed by a Message of Consolation to True IsraelitesThis sombre and impassioned discourse is composed of three parts: i. ch. Isaiah 56:9 to Isaiah 57:2.—The defenceless condition of the community, due to the incompetence of its spiritual leaders. (1) All the wild beasts of the field and the forest are invited to come and devour the unprotected flock (Isaiah 56:9). (2) For its rulers neglect their duty; they are inefficient as dumb dogs, they are slothful, greedy and sensual (Isaiah 56:10-12). (3) In consequence of their incapacity the righteous…

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 56 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

His watchmen - The prophet proceeds to specify the sins which had thus induced God to send the desolating armies of foreign nations.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 56 →

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

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

NETBNew English Translation2006

All their watchmen are blind, they are unaware. All of them are like mute dogs, unable to bark. They pant, lie down, and love to snooze.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

RVARevised Version, American1894

His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Their watchmen are all blinde: they haue no knowledge: they are all dumme dogs: they can not barke: they lie and sleepe and delite in sleeping.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

His watchmen are all of them blind, they are without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs that cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Blind [are] his watchmen — all of them, They have not known, All of them [are] dumb dogs, they are not able to bark, Dozing, lying down, loving to slumber.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

His watchmen [are] blind—all of them, || They have not known, || All of them [are] mute dogs, they are not able to bark, || Dozing, lying down, loving to slumber.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

His watchmen are all of them blind, they know nothing; they all are dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreamers, lying down, loving to slumber.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

All their watchmen are blind, they do not understand. They are all silent dogs who cannot bark. They dream, and lying down they love to sleep.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

His watchmen are all blind, they are all ignorant: dumb dogs not able to bark, seeing vain things, sleeping and loving dreams.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For all the watchmen are blind. None of them know what's going on. They're all silent—they can't bark. They spend their time lying down, dreaming, loving to sleep.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dogs without tongues, unable to make a sound; stretched out dreaming, loving sleep.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectצֹפָ֞יwatchmenוitspredicateעִוְרִ֤ים[are].blindclausenoun phrase · subjectכֻּלָּof.themם֙alladverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיָדָ֔עוּthey.knowclausenoun phrase · subjectכֻּלָּof.themם֙allnoun phrase · predicatenoun phraseכְּלָבִ֣ים[are].dogsאִלְּמִ֔יםdumbclauseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbיוּכְל֖וּthey.are.ableprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtoclauseverbנְבֹּ֑חַbarkclauseverbהֹזִים֙[they.are].dreamingclauseverbשֹֽׁכְבִ֔ים[they.are].lying.downclauseverbאֹהֲבֵ֖י[they.are].lovingprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ(of).toclauseverbנֽוּםslumber

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 largely agree in their wording, with minor variations in the scrolls. Both emphasize the watchmen's blindness and inability to act, maintaining the integrity of the original message.

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

צֹפָ֞יו עִוְרִ֤ים כֻּלָּם֙ לֹ֣א יָדָ֔עוּ כֻּלָּם֙ כְּלָבִ֣ים אִלְּמִ֔ים לֹ֥א יוּכְל֖וּ לִנְבֹּ֑חַ הֹזִים֙ שֹֽׁכְבִ֔ים אֹהֲבֵ֖י לָנֽוּם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
צֹפָ֞יוἴδετεכֻּלָּם֙πάντεςלֹ֣אοὐκיָדָ֔עוּἔγνωσανכֻּלָּם֙πάντεςכְּלָבִ֣יםκύνεςאִלְּמִ֔יםἐνεοίלֹ֥אοὐיוּכְל֖וּδυνήσονταιלִנְבֹּ֑חַὑλακτεῖνהֹזִים֙ἐνυπνιαζόμενοιשֹֽׁכְבִ֔יםκοίτηνאֹהֲבֵ֖יφιλοῦντεςלָנֽוּם׃νυστάχαι

14 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

צופי׳ו עורים כול׳ם לוא ידעו כול׳ם כלבים אלמים לוא יוכלו לנבוח המה חוזים שוכבים אוהבים לנואם

16 words on the leather.

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

צפ [עורים] כל׳ם לא ידעו כל׳ם כלבים אלמים לא יכלו לנבח הזים שכבים אהב לנום

10 words on the leather — 4 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Isaiah 56:10צָפָהwatchmen itwatchmen itsצָפָהעִוֵּר[are] blind[are] blindעִוֵּרכֹּלall of themall of themכֹּללֹאnotnotלֹאיָדַעthey knowthey knowיָדַעכֹּלall of themall of themכֹּלכֶּ֫לֶב[are] dogs[are] dogsכֶּ֫לֶבאִלֵּםdumbdumbאִלֵּםלֹאnotnotלֹאיָכֹלthey are abthey are ableיָכֹלנָבַחto barkto barkנָבַחהָזָה[they] drea[they] dreamהָזָהשָׁכַב[they] lie [they] lie downשָׁכַבאָהֵב[they] love[they] loveאָהֵבנוּםto slumberto slumberנוּםכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלעָוַרto blindto blindעָוַראָלַםbe dumbbe dumbאָלַםחָזָהto seeto seeחָזָהחֵרֵשׁdeafdeafחֵרֵשׁעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדמִגְדָּלtowertowerמִגְדָּלנָגַדto tellto tellנָגַדפִּסֵּחַlamelameפִּסֵּחַאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןלָקַקto lickto lickלָקַקאִיזֶבֶלJezebelJezebelאִיזֶבֶלפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחפָּתָהto open wito open wideפָּתָה
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 56:10

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.

watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
צֹפָ֞יוtza.fiu watchmen its H6822 Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tsaphah means to watch or observe, often by leaning forward to see into the distance. It can also mean to wait or keep watch, like a guard.
Amplified meaning
guardians, spiritual sentinels
Tyndale gloss
to watch
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָפָה (tsaphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look out, spy, or keep watch. It is built from a primitive root implying leaning forward to observe or await. The word covers a range of meanings including to behold, espy, and watch closely. In the Old Testament, it can also refer to a watchman.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָפָה] 37 vb. look out or about, spy, keep watch

Qal 28 keep watch; elsewh. as subst. watchman

Pi. watch (closely); pt. as n. = watchman

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6822 צָפָה look out or about, spy, keep watch

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6822 tsaphah tsaw-faw'

a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer

into the distance; by implication, to observe, await:--

behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the)

watch(-man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָפָה (tsa.phah) — to watch.

1) to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch

1a)(Qal) to keep watch, spy

1b) (Piel) to watch, watch closely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
HVqrmpc/Sp3ms
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
עִוְרִ֤ים'iv.Rim [are] blind H5787 Adj
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is blind, either physically or unable to see spiritually. In the Bible, it is used in Matthew 9:27 to describe the two blind men who followed Jesus. The word is also used in Romans 2:19 to describe spiritual blindness.
Amplified meaning
spiritually unaware, unable to see
Tyndale gloss
blind
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִוֵּר (ivver) means 'blind,' and can refer to physical blindness or be used figuratively. The word is derived from a more basic form, עָוָר (avvar), and is noted in various lexicons as describing both individuals and groups who are blind.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִוֵּר adj. blind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5787 עִוֵּר blind

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5787 `ivver iv-vare'

intensive from 5786; blind (literally or

figuratively):--blind (men, people).

see HEBREW for 05786

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִוֵּר (iv.ver) — blind.

1) blind

1a) blind (physically)

1b) blind (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Blind

Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings…

→ Cruelty to, forbidden Le 19:14; De 27:18

→ The taunting Jebusites, hated by David 2Sa 5:8

→ See BLINDNESS

watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
כֻּלָּם֙ku.Lam all of them H3605 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
completely, without exception
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
יָדָ֔עוּya.Da.'u they know H3045 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
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.
Amplified meaning
lacking knowledge, ignorant
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
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
כֻּלָּם֙ku.Lam all of them H3605 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every one of them
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
כְּלָבִ֣יםke.la.Vim [are] dogs H3611 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means dog, but it can also refer to someone who is despised or considered lowly. It is sometimes used to describe a male prostitute in a pagan context. The word appears in various books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Amplified meaning
incapable of warning, silent
Tyndale gloss
dog
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כֶּ֫לֶב (*keleb*) means 'dog' and can refer to the animal literally or figuratively in contexts of contempt or abasement. It also denotes male cult prostitutes in a euphemistic sense. The term appears in various Old Testament verses, often associated with negative connotations, such as in 1 Samuel 17:43 and 2 Samuel 9:8.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֶּ֫לֶב n.m. I S 24:15 dog (NH id.; Ph. כלב; Aram. כֶּ֫לְבָּא, Syriac; Ar. Arabic; Eth. Ethiopic As. kalbu DI HWB 328)—abs. כ׳ Ju 7:5 + 16 t., כָּ֑לֶב ψ 59:7, 15; pl. כְּלָבִים 1 K 14:11 + 12 t.; cstr. כַּלְבֵי Jb 30:1; sf. כְּלָבֶיךָ ψ 68:24;—dog:

lit. 1 K 14:11 16:4 21:19, 19, 23, 24 22:38 2 K 9:10, 36 (all of fierce, hungry dogs, devouring dead bodies and licking blood); cf. Je 15:3 and (לְשׁוֹן כְּלָבֶיךָ) ψ 68:24; eating torn flesh, Ex 22:30 (E), כַּלְבֵי צֹאנִי = my sheep-dogs, only Jb 30:1 (in both these with implied inferiority); dog-sacrifice was a heathen rite Read the full entry →

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3611 כֶּ֫לֶב dog

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3611 keleb keh'-leb

from an unused root means. to yelp, or else to attack; a dog;

hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute:--dog.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֶּ֫לֶב (ke.lev) — dog.

1) dog

1a) dog (literal)

1b) contempt or abasement (fig.)

1c) of pagan sacrifice

1d) of male cult prostitute (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Were held in great contempt by the Jews, but were worshipped, as well as cats, by the Egyptians. Among the Jews, to compare a person to a dog was the most degrading expression possible, 1Sa 17:43 24:14 2Sa 9:8. The state of dogs among the Jews was the same that now prevails in the East, where, having no owners, they run about the streets in troops, and are fed by charity or caprice, or live on such offal as they can pick up. As they are often on the point of starvation, they devour corpses, and in the night even attack living men, Ps 59:6,14,15 1Ki 14:11. In various places in Scripture the epithet "dogs" is given to certain classes of men, as expressing their insolent…

Thompson Chain Reference topics

(1) Animals. See

(2) A term of Reproach

Mt 7:6; 15:26; Php 3:2; Re 22:15

watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
אִלְּמִ֔ים'i.le.Mim dumb H483 Adj
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is mute or unable to speak, often translated as dumb. In the Bible, it is used to describe people who are unable to communicate verbally, like the man healed by Jesus.
Tyndale gloss
mute
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִלֵּם (illem) means 'dumb' or 'unable to speak.' It is derived from a root that indicates speechlessness. The entries consistently describe it as mute or silent, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִלֵּם adj. dumb, unable to speak

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H483 אִלֵּם dumb, unable to speak

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

483 'illem il-lame'

from 481; speechless:--dumb (man).

see HEBREW for 0481

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִלֵּם (il.lem) — mute.

mute, silent, dumb, unable to speak

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dum (alam, 'illem, literally, "tied in the tongue"; kophos): Used either as expressing the physical condition of speechlessness, generally associated with deafness, or figuratively as meaning the silence produced by the weight of God's judgments (Ps 39:2-9; Da 10:15) or the oppression of external calamity (Ps 38:13). As an adjective it is used to characterize inefficient teachers destitute of spirituality ("dumb dogs," Isa 56:10). The speechlessness of Saul's companions (Ac 9:7) was due to fright; that of the man without the wedding garment was because he had no excuse to give (

Dumb

From natural infirmity (Ex. 4:11); not knowing what to say (Prov. 31:8); unwillingness to speak (Ps. 39:9; Lev. 10:3). Christ repeatedly restored the dumb (Matt. 9:32, 33; Luke 11:14; Matt. 12:22) to the use of speech.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
יוּכְל֖וּyu.khe.Lu they are able H3201 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
194× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
be able
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָכֹל (yakol) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to be able' or 'to have power.' It encompasses a range of abilities, including physical, moral, and constitutional strength, as well as the capacity to endure or prevail. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָכֹל, יָכוֹל 193 vb. be able, have power, prevail, endure

Qal

be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority

prevail

abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3201 יָכֹל, יָכוֹל be able, have power, prevail, endure .. be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority

. prevail

. abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3201 yakol yaw-kole'

or (fuller) yakowl {yaw-kole'}; a primitive root; to be able,

literally (can, could) or morally (may, might):--be able, any

at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure,

might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָכֹל (ya.khol) — be able.

1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach

1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor

1a3) to have ability, have strength

Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a'-b'-l: The Greek dunamai, "to have power," may refer either to inherent strength, or to the absence of in external obstacles, or to what may be allowable or permitted. The Greek ischuo, as in Lu 13:24; Joh 21:6, refers always to the first of the above meanings. The use of the word as an adjective the King James Version of 2Co 3:6, is misleading, and has been properly changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into "sufficient as ministers," i.e. "hath fitted us to be ministers."

watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
לִנְבֹּ֑חַlin.Bo.ach to bark H5024 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to bark like a dog. It is used to describe the sound a dog makes. In the Bible, it is used to describe the noise made by dogs.
Amplified meaning
sound an alarm, warn
Tyndale gloss
to bark
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבַח (nabach) is a primitive root meaning to bark, specifically referring to the sound made by dogs. The entries confirm its usage in the Qal form, with a notable reference in Isaiah 56:10.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבַח] vb. bark (of dogs);—Qal only Is 56:10

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5024 נָבַח bark (of dogs)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5024 nabach naw-bakh'

a primitive root; to bark (as a dog):--bark.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבַח (na.vach) — to bark.

(Qal) to bark

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
הֹזִים֙ho.Zim [they] dream H1957 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'to dream' is used to describe sleeping or raving, first appearing in the Bible to describe prophetic dreams and visions.
Amplified meaning
given to idle fancy, sleeping
Tyndale gloss
to dream
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָזָה (hazah) is a primitive root meaning to dream, rave, or sleep. The entries indicate that it covers the act of dreaming and related states, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[הָזָה] vb. dream, rave

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1957 הָזָה dream, rave

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1957 hazah haw-zaw'

a primitive root (compare 2372); to dream:--sleep.

see HEBREW for 02372

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָזָה (ha.zah) — to dream.

(Qal) to dream, sleep, rave

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVqrmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dream

God has frequently made use of dreams in communicating his will to men. The most remarkable instances of this are recorded in the history of Jacob (Gen. 28:12; 31:10), Laban (31:24), Joseph (37:9-11), Gideon (Judg. 7), and Solomon (1 Kings 3:5). Other significant dreams are also recorded, such as those of Abimelech (Gen. 20:3-7), Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker (40:5), Pharaoh (41:1-8), the Midianites (Judg. 7:13), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1; 4:10, 18), the wise men from the east (Matt. 2:12), and Pilate’s wife (27:19).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The orientals, and in particular the Jews, greatly regarded dreams, and applied for their interpretation to those who undertook to explain them. We see the antiquity of this custom in the history of Pharaoh’s butler and baker, Ge 40:1-23; and Pharaoh himself and Nebuchadnezzar are also instances. God expressly forbade his people to observe dreams, and to consult explainers of them. He condemned to death all who pretended to have prophetic dreams, even though what they foretold came to pass, if they had any tendency to promote idolatry, De 13:1-3. But they were not forbidden, when they thought they had a significant dream, to address the prophets of the Lord, or the high priest in his ephod, to have it explained. The Lord frequently made known his will in dreams, and enabled…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Evanescent Job 20:8

→ Vanity of Ec 5:3,7

→ INSTANCES OF

Of Abimelech,, concerning Sarah Ge 20:3

Of Jacob, concerning the ladder Ge 28:12

The ring-straked cattle Ge 31:10-13

Concerning his going down into Egypt Ge 46:2

Of Laban, concerning Jacob Ge 31:24

Of Joseph, concerning the sheaves Ge 37:5-10

Of Midianite concerning the cake of barley Jud 7:13

watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
שֹֽׁכְבִ֔יםsho.khe.Vim [they] lie down H7901 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
212× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Amplified meaning
resting, inactive
Tyndale gloss
to lie down: lay down
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁכַב (shakab) is a primitive root meaning 'to lie down.' It covers a range of meanings including resting, lodging, engaging in sexual relations, and lying down in death. The word appears in various forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of lying down. Notably, it can also figuratively mean to relax.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁכַב 212 vb. lie down

Qal

lie down

= lodge (for night)

of sexual relations, lie with

lie down in death

esp. in phr. lie down with his fathers

fig. = relax

Niph. Pu. = be lain with (sexually; subj. women), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph. Pu. q.v.

Hiph. lay

Hoph. laid

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7901 שָׁכַב lie down .. lie down

. = lodge (for night)

. of sexual relations, lie with

. . lie down in death

. esp. in phr. lie down with his fathers

. fig. = relax

. Pu. = be lain with (sexually; subj. women), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph. Pu. q.v.

. lay

. laid

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7901 shakab shaw-kab'

a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection,

decease or any other purpose):--X at all, cast down,

((lover-))lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to

sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: lay down.

: lay_down/lie_with

1) to lie down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on

1a2) to lodge

1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)

1a4) to lie down (in death)

1a5) to rest, relax (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)

1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)

1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down

1e) (Hophal) to be laid

שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: sleep.

: sleep/rest

1) to lie down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on

1a2) to lodge

1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)

1a4) to lie down (in death)

1a5) to rest, relax (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)

1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)

1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down

1e) (Hophal) to be laid

שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: have sex.

: have_sex

1) to lie down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on

1a2) to lodge

1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)

1a4) to lie down (in death)

1a5) to rest, relax (fig)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVqrmpa
watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
אֹהֲבֵ֖י'o.ha.Vei [they] love H157 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
211× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Amplified meaning
having a strong affection for
Tyndale gloss
to love: lover
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָהֵב 216 vb. love

Qal

human love to human object

less oft. of appetite

love to God

esp. Pt.

of divine love

Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable

Pi.

friends

lovers

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H157 אָהֵב love

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

157 'ahab aw-hab'

or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for

(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,

friend.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.

: lover

1) to love

1a) (Qal)

1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual

1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

1a3) human love for or to God

1a4) act of being a friend

1a4a) lover (participle)

1a4b) friend (participle)

1a5) God's love toward man

1a5a) to individual men

1a5b) to people Israel

1a5c) to righteousness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) lovely (participle)

1b2) loveable (participle)

1c) (Piel)

1c1) friends

1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)

2) to like

Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)

אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.

: friend

1) to love

1a) (Qal)

1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual

1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

1a3) human love for or to God

1a4) act of being a friend

1a4a) lover (participle)

1a4b) friend (participle)

1a5) God's love toward man

1a5a) to individual men

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVqrmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

luv ('ahebh, 'ahabhah, noun; phileo, agapao, verb; agape, noun): Love to both God and man is fundamental to true religion, whether as expressed in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Jesus Himself declared that all the law and the prophets hang upon love (Mt 22:40; Mr 12:28-34). Paul, in his matchless ode on love (1Co 13), makes it the greatest of the graces of the Christian life--greater than speaking with tongues, or the gift of prophecy, or the possession of a faith of superior excellence; for without love all these gifts and graces, desirable and useful as they are in themselves, are as nothing, certainly of no permanent value in the sight of God. Not that either Jesus or Paul underestimates the faith from which all the graces proceed, for this grace is recognized as…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Love

This word seems to require explanation only in the case of its use by our Lord in his interview with “Simon, the son of Jonas,” after his resurrection (John 21:16, 17). When our Lord says, “Lovest thou me?” he uses the Greek word agapas; and when Simon answers, he uses the Greek word philo, i.e., “I love.” This is the usage in the first and second questions put by our Lord; but in the third our Lord uses Simon’s word. The distinction between these two Greek words is thus fitly described by Trench:, ”Agapan has more of judgment and deliberate choice; philein has more of attachment and peculiar personal affection. Thus the ‘Lovest thou’ (Gr. agapas) on the lips of the Lord seems to Peter at this moment too cold a word, as though his Lord were keeping him at a distance, or at least not inviting him to draw near, as in the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

GOD IS LOVE; AND HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM, 1Jo 4:16. Love is a chief attribute of Jehovah, the length and breadth and height and depth of which are beyond comprehension, for they are infinite, Eph 3:18,19. Between the three Persons of the Godhead, love is unutterable full, perfect, and blissful; towards holy angels and Christians, God’s love is an infinite fatherly complacency and affection; towards sinners, it is immeasurable compassion. It is shown in all his works and ways, and dictated his holy law, but is most signally displayed in the gospel, Joh 3:16. "Herein is love."

Holy love in man would make the whole heart and soul supremely delight in and obey God, and cordially and practically love all beings according to their character-the good…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ OF CHILDREN FOR PARENTS

See CHILDREN

→ OF GOD, LOVE OF

→ OF MAN FOR GOD Ex 20:6; De 5:10; 6:5; 7:9; 10:12; 11:1,13,22; 13:3; 30:6,16,20; Jos 22:5; 23:11; Ps 18:1; 31:23; 37:4; 45:10,11; 63:5,6; 69:35,36; 73:25,26; 91:14; 97:10; 116:1; 145:20; Pr 8:17; 23:26; Isa 56:6,7; Jer 2:2,3; Mt 22:37,38; Mr 12:29,30,32,33; Lu 11:42;

watchmen its [are] blind all of them not they know all of them [are] dogs dumb not they are able to bark [they] dream [they] lie down [they] love to slumber
לָנֽוּם׃la.Num to slumber H5123 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to fall into a light sleep or doze, often due to drowsiness. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who is sleepy or resting. The KJV translates it as sleep or slumber.
Amplified meaning
be in a state of torpor, dormant
Tyndale gloss
to slumber
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נוּם (nuwm) is a primitive root meaning to slumber or be drowsy. The entries indicate that it encompasses the concepts of sleep and drowsiness, particularly in the Qal form. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נוּם vb. be drowsy, slumber

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5123 נוּם be drowsy, slumber

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5123 nuwm noom

a primitive root; to slumber (from drowsiness):--sleep,

slumber.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נוּם (num) — to slumber.

1) to be drowsy, slumber, sleep

1a) (Qal) to slumber, be drowsy

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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