Isaiah 59:3 — Word Study
WLCכִּ֤י כַפֵּיכֶם֙ נְגֹאֲל֣וּ בַדָּ֔ם וְאֶצְבְּעוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בֶּֽעָוֹ֑ן שִׂפְתֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ דִּבְּרוּ־ שֶׁ֔קֶר לְשׁוֹנְכֶ֖ם עַוְלָ֥ה תֶהְגֶּֽה׃
BSAForkîy your handskaph [defiled, stained] are stainedgâʼal■ with blooddâm [the liquid of life] and your fingersʼetsbaʻ [used for grasping, holding] with iniquityʻâvôn [moral evil, sin] your lipssâphâh [edge of the mouth, language] have spokendâbar■ liessheqer [deception, falsehood] and your tonguelâshôwn [instrument of speech] muttershâgâh▸ [whispers, ponders] ◂injusticeʻevel [unrighteousness, wickedness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּ֤י | for | Particle |
| כַפֵּיכֶם֙ | hands your | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| נְגֹאֲל֣וּ | they are defiled | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person common plural |
| בַדָּ֔ם | with blood | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְאֶצְבְּעוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם | and fingers your | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| בֶּֽעָוֹ֑ן | with iniquity | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| שִׂפְתֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ | lips your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| דִּבְּרוּ־ | they have spoken | Verb, Piel, perfect third person common plural |
| שֶׁ֔קֶר | falsehood | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְשׁוֹנְכֶ֖ם | tongue your | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| עַוְלָ֥ה | injustice | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| תֶהְגֶּֽה׃ | it mutters | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. |
| KJV | For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. |
| ASV | For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness. |
| YLT | For your hands have been polluted with blood, And your fingers with iniquity, Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue perverseness doth mutter. |
| WEB | For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue mutters wickedness. |
| BBE | For your hands are unclean with blood, and your fingers with sin; your lips have said false things, and your tongue gives out deceit. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, with slight variations in wording.
The structure is built around a main clause with several subordinate phrases detailing the specific moral failings.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbגָּאַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 59:3
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 Indictment of Singenerated
Isaiah 59:3 is part of a passage where God addresses the people's iniquities and the barriers they have created between themselves and Him. The preceding verse highlights how their sins have hidden God's face from them, while this verse details the specific ways their actions are defiled. This sets the stage for the following verses, which continue the theme of injustice and moral corruption among the people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 1:15–21 | When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 2:30–34 | “I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.” |
| 3 | Jeremiah 22:17 | “But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.” |
| 4 | Ezekiel 7:23 | Forge the chain, for the land is full of crimes of bloodshed, and the city is full of violence. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 9:9 | He replied, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of perversity. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.’ |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 17 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְגֹאֲל֣וּ, ne.go.'a.Lugenerated
The verb גָּאַל (ga'al), meaning 'to defile', is in the Niphal form, indicating a passive action. It conveys the idea that the hands are not merely stained but have become unclean due to their actions, emphasizing the seriousness of their moral state.
This word is used to describe the act of making something impure, highlighting the consequences of their sinful behavior. The choice of this verb underscores the depth of their corruption, as it implies a transformation from purity to defilement.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in this verse is נְגֹאֲל֣וּ, they are defiled, which governs the description of the subjects: hands, fingers, lips, and tongue. The structure emphasizes the cumulative nature of their sinfulness, with each part of the body representing a different aspect of their moral failings.
The sentence is built around this central verb, with a series of noun phrases detailing what is defiled and how, creating a rhythm that highlights the extent of their corruption.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb נְגֹאֲל֣וּ is rendered as μεμολυμμέναι, which carries a similar meaning of being polluted. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the moral implications of their actions.
The translation choice indicates a focus on the state of being made unclean, aligning with the Hebrew's emphasis on defilement and the consequences of sin.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 59:3 shows that the people’s hands, fingers, lips, and tongues are all defiled by their sinful actions. This verse highlights how their moral failings have created a separation from God, as their iniquities have hidden His face from them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This refers to the people's involvement in violence or wrongdoing, symbolizing guilt and moral corruption.
The fingers symbolize actions taken, indicating that their deeds are tainted by moral evil.
This highlights the dishonesty and deceit prevalent among the people, further illustrating their separation from God.
The tongue represents communication, and muttering injustice implies a quiet, perhaps habitual, acceptance of wrongdoing rather than a vocal outcry for justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the effects of sin in my own life?
- How can I ensure that my words and actions align with God's standards of righteousness?
- What steps can I take to address any areas of moral failure in my life?
- How can I advocate for justice in my community, reflecting God's character?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Jerome references this verse to highlight the moral failings of the people, emphasizing the pollution of their hands and the falsehood of their speech.
For your hands are polluted with blood, and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wickedness.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 59 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 59:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity,.... From a general charge, the prophet proceeds to a particular enumeration of sins they were guilty of; and idolatry not being
Read John Gill on Isaiah 59 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 59 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYour hands are defiled with blood: here the prophet comes from a more general to a more particular charge against them; by blood we are to understand either murders and bloodshed properly so called; or ways of injustice, extortion, oppression, and cruelties, whereby men are deprived of a livelihood; hence hating our brother is called murder, , and the inhabitants of Jerusalem called murderers. See how the prophet phraseth their oppression, . Your fingers: this is not added to protract the discourse, but to aggravate their sin: q.d. Not only your hands, but your fingers; you are not free from the least part of injustice. Your lips have spoken lies; not only properly so called, but perjuries…
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 59 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.Ver. 3. For your hands are defiled with blood.] The prophet well knew that these perverse Jews would stand upon their justification, and put God to his proofs, as their posterity also did, catalogum ergo bene longum texit; therefore he here brings in a long bead roll of their sins, wherein their hands, lips, heart, feet, &c., were found guilty of high offence. See Isaiah 1:15. Your lips have spoken lies.] Those very "lips" of yours that have uttered prayers, have muttered lies. See James 3:10. And your tongue hath muttered perverseness.] How…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 59 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) Your hands are defiled with blood.—The accusation of the “grand indictment” of Isaiah 1:15 is reproduced verbatim.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 59 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. Your tongue - "And your tongue"] An ancient MS., and the Septuagint and Vulgate, add the conjunction.
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 59 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. your hands are defiled with blood] Cf. ch. Isaiah 1:15. hath uttered] Better muttereth (as R.V.).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 59 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFor your hands are defiled with blood - The prophet proceeds here more particularly to specify the sins of which they were guilty; and in order to show the extent and depth of their depravity, he
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 59 →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
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue mutters wickedness.
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.
For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with sin; your lips speak lies, your tongue utters malicious words.
Tyndale line
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath uttered perverseness.
For your handes are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquitie: your lips haue spoken lies and your tongue hath murmured iniquitie.
Strictly literal
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips speak lies, your tongue muttereth unrighteousness:
For your hands have been polluted with blood, And your fingers with iniquity, Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue perverseness doth mutter.
For your hands have been defiled with blood, || And your fingers with iniquity, || Your lips have spoken falsehood, || Your tongue mutters perverseness.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken falsehood, your tongue uttereth deception.
For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with sin. Your lips speak lies and your tongue speaks maliciously.
From the Latin
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue uttereth iniquity.
Simplified
Your hands are covered in blood and your fingers tainted with guilt, your lips speak lies and your mouth whispers evil things.
For your hands are unclean with blood, and your fingers with sin; your lips have said false things, and your tongue gives out deceit.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with 12 of the 12 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, confirming the wording and structure of the verse. However, one fragment from the Dead Sea Scrolls contains only part of the verse, indicating some loss.
כִּ֤י כַפֵּיכֶם֙ נְגֹאֲל֣וּ בַדָּ֔ם וְאֶצְבְּעוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בֶּֽעָוֹ֑ן שִׂפְתֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ דִּבְּרוּ־ שֶׁ֔קֶר לְשׁוֹנְכֶ֖ם עַוְלָ֥ה תֶהְגֶּֽה׃
12 of the 12 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.
כי כפי׳כם נגאלו בדם ואצבעתי׳כם בעון שפתותי׳כם דברו שקר לשונ׳כם עולה תהגה
12 words on the leather.
כיא כפי׳כםה נגאלו בדם ואצבעותי׳כמה בעוון לשונ׳כמה עולה תהגה
9 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 59:3
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.
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.'
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
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
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.
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)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.
כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
base
H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
3709 kaph kaf
from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an
animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,
the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);
figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,
(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
see HEBREW for 03721
כַּף (kaph) — palm.
: palm/hand
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.
: sole/paw
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.
: dish/socket
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp2mp
גָּאַל (ga'al) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning to defile or pollute. It encompasses various forms, including being defiled, desecrating, and staining. The entries suggest a connection to the idea of freeing or repudiating, as seen in its relation to another root. Specific uses include removal from the priesthood and personal defilement.
[גָּאַל] vb. defile, late
Niph. be defiled
Pi. pollute, desecrate
Pu. and they were desecrated out of the priesthood
Hiph. I have polluted, i.e. stained, all my raiment.
Hithp. defile himself
base
H1351 גָּאַל defile, late . be defiled
. pollute, desecrate
. and they were desecrated out of the priesthood
. I have polluted, i.e. stained, all my raiment.
. defile himself
1351 ga'al gaw-al'
a primitive root, (rather identified with 1350, through the
idea of freeing, i.e. repudiating); to soil or (figuratively)
desecrate:--defile, pollute, stain.
see HEBREW for 01350
גָּאַל (ga.al) — to defile.
1) to defile, pollute, desecrate
1a) (Niphal) to be defiled, be polluted
1b) (Piel) to pollute, desecrate
1c)(Pual) to be desecrated (of removal from priesthood)
1d) (Hiphil) to pollute, stain
1e) (Hithpael) to defile oneself
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common pluralHVNp3cp
דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.
דָּם 300 n.m. blood
blood of man or animal
usually blood become visible
blood used with religious significance
fig. of wine
base
H1818 דָּם blood
1818 dam dawm
from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed
causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of
the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed
(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +
innocent.
see HEBREW for 01826
see HEBREW for 0119
דָּם (dam) — blood.
1) blood
1a) of wine (fig.)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
blud (dam, probably from 'adham "to be red"; haima): Used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in either animal or vegetable, as the blood of man or the juice of the grape (Le 17:11, et al.); in the New Testament for the blood of an animal, the atoning blood of Christ, and in both Old Testament and New Testament in a figurative sense for bloodshed or murder (Ge 37:26; Ho 4:2; Re 16:6).
1. Primitive Ideas:
Although the real function of the blood in the human system was not fully known until the fact of its circulation was established by William Harvey in 1615, nevertheless from the earliest times a singular mystery has been attached to it by all peoples. Blood…
Blood
(1.) As food, prohibited in Gen. 9:4, where the use of animal food is first allowed. Comp. Deut. 12:23; Lev. 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14. The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:29). It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam. 14:32-34).
(2.) The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled seven times on the altar; that of the passover on the…
To blood is ascribed in Scripture the mysterious sacredness which belongs to life, and God reserved it to himself when allowing man the dominion over and the use of the lower animals for food. Thus reserved, it acquires a double power: (1) that of sacrificial atonement; and (2) that of becoming a curse when wantonly shed, unless duly expiated. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26; 17:11-13)
The life of all animals was regarded as especially in the blood, which was a sacred and essential part of the sacrifices offered to God, Heb 9:22. It was solemnly sprinkled upon the altar and the mercy seat, "for it is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul," Le 17:1-16 the life of the victim for the life of the sinner. It was therefore most sacredly associated with the blood of the Lamb of God which "cleanseth us from all sin," Eph 1:7 1Jo 1:7. Hence the strict prohibition renewed in Ac 15:29. In direct opposition to this are the heathen customs of drinking the blood of animals and even of men- of eating raw flesh, with the blood, and even fresh cut from the living…
אֶצְבַּע (etsba) means 'finger' and can also refer to a 'toe.' It derives from a root meaning to grasp. The entries consistently emphasize its use in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, with no significant disagreements noted among the lexicons.
אֶצְבַּע 31 n.f. finger
base
H676 אֶצְבַּע finger
676 'etsba` ets-bah'
from the same as 6648 (in the sense of grasping); something
to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe:--finger,
toe.
see HEBREW for 06648
אֶצְבַּע (ets.ba) — finger.
finger, toe
Aramaic equivalent: ets.ba (אֶצְבַּע "digit" H0677)
Conj | N-fp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncfpc/Sp2mp
עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.
עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
base
H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
5771 `avon aw-vone'
or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from
5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,
mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.
see HEBREW for 07
see HEBREW for 05753
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.
: crime
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.
: guilt
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.
: punishment
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
in-ik'-wi-ti (`awon; anomia): In the Old Testament of the 11 words translated "iniquity," by far the most common and important is `awon (about 215 times). Etymologically, it is customary to explain it as meaning literally "crookedness," "perverseness," i.e. evil regarded as that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion (from `iwwah, "to bend," "make crooked," "pervert"). Driver, however (following Lagarde), maintains that two roots, distinct in Arabic, have been confused in Hebrew, one equals "to bend," "pervert" (as above), and the other equals "to err," "go astray"; that `awon is derived from the latter, and consequently expresses the idea of error, deviation from the right path, rather than that of perversion (Driver, Notes on Sam, 135 note) Whichever etymology is adopted, in actual usage it has three meanings which almost imperceptibly pass into each other:
(1) iniquity,
The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
8193 saphah saw-faw'
or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from
5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by
analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,
bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,
prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
see HEBREW for 05595
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 05490
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.
: lips/mouth
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.
: words/language
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.
: edge/border/opening
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.
: shore/bank(of_sea/river)
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2mp
דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.
[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)
Qal speak
Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk
Pi. speak
Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for
Hithp. speaking this word
Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues
base
H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)
1696 dabar daw-bar'
a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used
figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive
sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,
declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,
say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,
use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.
: speak/tell/command
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.
: subdue
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.
: promise/declare
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
V-Piel-Perf-3cp — Verb · Piel · perfect third person common pluralHVpp3cp
שֶׁ֫קֶר (sheqer) refers to deception, falsehood, and disappointment. It encompasses various forms of deceit, including fraud and wrongful testimony. The word is built from the root associated with untruths and can imply sham or lying. It is used in contexts involving false prophets and general dishonesty.
שֶׁ֫קֶר 113 n.m. deception, disappointment, falsehood
deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one
deceit, fraud, wrong
injurious falsehood, in testimony
falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets
lie, falsehood, in gen.
base
H8267 שֶׁ֫קֶר deception, disappointment, falsehood . deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one
. deceit, fraud, wrong
. injurious falsehood, in testimony
. falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets
. lie, falsehood, in gen.
8267 sheqer sheh'-ker
from 8266; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often
adverbial):--without a cause, deceit(-ful),
false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain
(thing), wrongfully.
see HEBREW for 08266
שֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) — deception.
1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood
1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one)
1b) deceit, fraud, wrong
1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb)
1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony)
1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely
1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets)
1e) lie, falsehood (in general)
1e1) false tongue
1f) in vain
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
fols'-hood.
See LYING.
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 20:16; 23:1; Le 6:2-7; 19:11,12,16; Job 13:4; 21:34; 27:4; 31:5,6,33; 36:4; Ps 5:6,9; 10:7; 12:2,3; 28:3; 31:18; 34:13; 36:3; 50:19,20; 52:2-5; 55:21,23; 58:3; 59:12; 62:4; 63:11; 101:5,7; 109:2; 116:11; 119:29,69,163; 120:2-4; 144:8,11; Pr 2:12-15; 3:3; 6:12,13,17-19; 10:9,10,18,31; 11:9; 12:17,19,20,22; 13:5; 14:5,8,25; 17:4,7; 19:5,9,22,28; 20:17; 21:6; 26:18,19,24-26,28; 27:14; Ec 5:6; Isa 28:15; 32:7; 57:11; 59:3,4,12,13; 63:8;
The Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן (*lashon*) primarily means 'tongue,' referring to both the organ of speech in humans and animals. It can also denote 'language' and has figurative uses, such as a 'tongue-shaped' wedge or bay. The entries highlight its literal and metaphorical applications, but do not present any significant disagreements among the lexicons.
לָשׁוֹן n.m. and (more oft.) f. tongue
tongue of men
= language
tongue of animals
tongue of fire
= (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold
= (tongue-shaped) bay of sea
base
H3956 לָשׁוֹן tongue . tongue of men
. = language
. tongue of animals
. tongue of fire
. = (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold
. = (tongue-shaped) bay of sea
3956 lashown law-shone'
or lashon {law-shone'}; also (in plural) feminine lshonah
{lesh-o-naw'}; from 3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used
literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech),
and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of
water):--+ babbler,bay, + evil speaker, language, talker,
tongue, wedge.
see HEBREW for 03960
לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue.
: tongue/words
1) tongue
1a) tongue (of men)
1a1) tongue (literal)
1a2) tongue (organ of speech)
1b) language
1c) tongue (of animals)
1d) tongue (of fire)
1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: language.
: language
1) tongue
1a) tongue (of men)
1a1) tongue (literal)
1a2) tongue (organ of speech)
1b) language
1c) tongue (of animals)
1d) tongue (of fire)
1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: bar.
: bar/projection/bay
1) tongue
1a) tongue (of men)
1a1) tongue (literal)
1a2) tongue (organ of speech)
1b) language
1c) tongue (of animals)
1d) tongue (of fire)
1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
N-cs | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixHNcbsc/Sp2mp
The Hebrew word עָ֫וֶל (*evel*) and its variant עַוְלָה (*avlah*) both denote concepts of injustice and unrighteousness. They encompass moral evil, including violent deeds and wrongful speech. The entries highlight their usage as nouns, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
עָ֫וֶל n.m. injustice, unrighteousness
base
עַוְלָה n.f. injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
base
H5766a עָ֫וֶל injustice, unrighteousness H5766b עַוְלָה injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
5766 `evel eh'-vel
or lavel {aw'-vel}; and (feminine) lavlah {av-law'}; or owlah
{o-law'}; or .olah {o-law'}; from 5765; (moral)
evil:--iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly),
unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).
see HEBREW for 05765
עָ֫וֶל (e.vel) — injustice.
injustice, unrighteousness
Another spelling of av.lah (עַוְלָה "injustice" H5766B)
עַוְלָה (av.lah) — injustice.
1) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
1a) violent deeds of injustice
1b) injustice (of speech)
1c) injustice (generally)
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
The Hebrew word הָגָה (hagah) encompasses a range of meanings related to vocal expressions, including to moan, growl, and utter. It can imply both inarticulate sounds and more deliberate actions like meditation and devising thoughts. The entries suggest uses in various contexts, including distress and magical mutterings, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
הָגָה vb. moan, growl, utter, speak, muse (only poet.)
Qal
of inarticulate sounds
growl, of lion growling over prey
groan, moan, in distress (like dove)
utter
of inarticulate sounds
(soliloquize) meditate, muse
imagine, devise
Po. a conceiving and an uttering, out of the heart, lying words
Hiph. those that make chirpings and mutterings, of necromancers and wizards
base
H1897 הָגָה moan, growl, utter, speak, muse (only poet.) .. of inarticulate sounds . growl, of lion growling over prey
. groan, moan, in distress (like dove)
. utter
. of inarticulate sounds . (soliloquize) meditate, muse
. imagine, devise
. a conceiving and an uttering, out of the heart, lying words
. those that make chirpings and mutterings, of necromancers and wizards
1897 hagah daw-gaw'
a primitive root (compare 1901); to murmur (in pleasure or
anger); by implication, to ponder:--imagine, meditate, mourn,
mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
see HEBREW for 01901
הָגָה (ha.gah) — to mutter.
1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to roar, growl, groan
1a2) to utter, speak
1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine
1b) (Poal) to utter
1c) (Hiphil) to mutter
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs