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Jeremiah 22:23 — Word Study

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WLCיֹשַׁבְתְּ֙ בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּ בָּֽאֲרָזִ֑ים מַה־ נֵּחַנְתְּ֙ בְּבֹא־ לָ֣ךְ חֲבָלִ֔ים חִ֖יל כַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃

BSAO inhabitantyâshab [dweller, resident] of LebanonLᵉbânôwn [a mountain range in Israel] nestledqânan [making your nest, dwelling] in the cedarsʼerez [strong and durable trees] howmâh when pangs of anguishchebel [intense pains, cords, agony, intense pain] comebôwʼ agonychîyl [intense pain, sorrow] like a woman in laboryâlad [a female, a mother, childbirth, travail]

Word
Listen & take awayJeremiah 22
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 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 (kai.yo.le.Dah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Jeremiah 22:23quick helps
In a sentenceJeremiah addresses the inhabitant of Lebanon, warning of impending anguish.
Who is speakingThe prophet Jeremiah, speaking to the people of Lebanon.
Where we areThis verse is part of a warning about the consequences of wickedness.
The hard wordיֹשַׁבְתְּ
Take awayThe imagery of labor pains illustrates the intensity of the coming distress.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָשַׁב The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

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

Deep Study — Jeremiah 22:23

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 — A Warning to the Inhabitant of Lebanongenerated

22The wind will drive away all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness.
23O inhabitant of Lebanon, nestled in the cedars, how you will groan when pangs of anguish come upon you, agony like a woman in labor.”
24“As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off.
25In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread, who want to take your life—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 22:23 addresses the resident of Lebanon, describing the anguish that will come upon her, likening it to the pains of childbirth. This warning fits within a broader context of judgment against the people for their wickedness, as seen in the surrounding verses. The imagery evokes a sense of urgency and impending doom, highlighting the consequences of their actions.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Jeremiah 22:6For this is what the LORD says concerning the house of the king of Judah: “You are like Gilead to Me, like the summit of Lebanon; but I will surely turn you into a desert, like cities that are uninhabited.
2Zechariah 11:1–2Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars!
3Jeremiah 21:13Behold, I am against you who dwell above the valley, atop the rocky plateau— declares the LORD— you who say, “Who can come against us? Who can enter our dwellings?”
4Jeremiah 48:28Abandon the towns and settle among the rocks, O dwellers of Moab! Be like a dove that nests at the mouth of a cave.
5Jeremiah 49:16The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

The Key Word יֹשַׁבְתְּ, yo.shav.tigenerated

The verb יָשַׁב (yashab) means to dwell or sit. It indicates a state of residence, suggesting a deep connection to the land and its surroundings. The parsing as a participle in the feminine singular indicates that it refers specifically to a female inhabitant, emphasizing her role within the community.

In this context, the use of יֹשַׁבְתְּ underscores the idea of permanence and stability, contrasting with the impending turmoil that will disrupt her dwelling. The connection to the land of Lebanon, known for its strength and beauty, adds depth to the sense of loss that will accompany the coming judgment.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses O inhabitant to address the subject directly.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb נֵּחַנְתְּ (ne.chanT) governs the sentence, with several phrases providing context. The verse follows a structure where the subject is first identified, followed by descriptive phrases that elaborate on her state and the impending situation.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject, the inhabitant of Lebanon, highlighting her experience of distress. The participial phrases describe her dwelling and the nature of the anguish she will face, creating a vivid picture of her situation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יֹשַׁבְתְּ as κατοικοῦσα (katoikousa), which emphasizes the act of dwelling or residing. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly different nuance in Greek, focusing on the permanence of her residence.

The translation of חִיל as ὠδῖνας (ōdinas) reflects the pain of childbirth, maintaining the connection to the intense suffering described in the Hebrew text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Jeremiah 22:23 warns the resident of Lebanon about the anguish that will come upon her, comparing it to the pains of childbirth. This verse emphasizes the distress that will follow the judgment for wickedness, illustrating the severity of the situation.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Jeremiah mean by 'anguish like a woman in labor'?

This phrase conveys the intensity and pain of the coming judgment, comparing it to the severe discomfort experienced during childbirth, which is a common metaphor for extreme distress.

Why is Lebanon mentioned specifically?

Lebanon is highlighted due to its significance as a strong and beautiful region, making the impending anguish more poignant as it contrasts with its current state of peace and stability.

What is the significance of the imagery used in this verse?

The imagery of labor pains serves to illustrate the severity of the distress that will befall the inhabitants, emphasizing the emotional and physical turmoil they will experience as a result of their actions.

How does this verse connect to the surrounding context?

This verse fits within a broader warning of judgment against the people for their wickedness, highlighting the consequences of their actions and the urgency of the message.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the imagery of childbirth tell us about the nature of the anguish described?
  2. How can understanding the context of this verse help us grasp its meaning more fully?
  3. In what ways do we see similar themes of judgment and distress in other parts of the Bible?
  4. How does this warning resonate with our understanding of consequences for actions in our own lives?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 22:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

O inhabitant of Lebanon,.... Jerusalem is meant, and the inhabitants of it, so called, because they lived near Lebanon, or in that land in which Lebanon was; or rather because they dwelt in houses

Read John Gill on Jeremiah 22 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

Read Robert Jamieson on Jeremiah 22 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Jerusalem, which is called an inhabitant of Lebanon, either because their houses were built of wood cut down out of the forest of Lebanon, or because they lived in as great plenty and delight as if they lived in Lebanon, or because they thought the mountain of Lebanon was a certain refuge to them. They are said to make their nest in the cedars, either because their houses were built of the cedars of Lebanon, or because of the security they promised themselves from that forest and mountain, so full of and famous for cedars. What favour wilt thou find when my judgments shall come upon thee, as suddenly and as smartly as the pains of a woman in travail come upon her! a similitude often made…

Read Matthew Poole on Jeremiah 22 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Jeremiah 22:23 O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!Ver. 23. O inhabitant of Lebanon.] Heb., O inhabitress - that is, O Jerusalem, who hast perched thyseff aloft, and pridest thyself in thy strength and stateliness. How gracious shalt thou be!] i.e., How ridiculous, when thy lofty and stately rooms wherein thou art roosted shall be to thee but as groaning rooms to women in travail.

Read John Trapp on Jeremiah 22 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) O, inhabitant of Lebanon.—The phrase develops the thought of Jer 22:6. The king, in his cedar-palace, is as one who has made Lebanon his home, literally and figuratively (see Note on Jeremiah 22:7), and is as an eagle nestling in the cedar. How gracious shalt thou be . . .!—Better, how wilt thou sigh! or, how wilt thou groan! as connected with the pangs of travail. No pomp or majesty could save the royal house from the inevitable doom.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 22 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 23. How gracious shalt thou be] A strong irony.

Read AdamClarke on Jeremiah 22 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. “Judah has been as confident of safety as a bird that had fixed its nest far away from men in the cedars on the heights of Lebanon.” Pe. inhabitant] For mg. inhabitress see on Jeremiah 21:13. how greatly to be pitied] The mg. how wilt thou groan is probably the right reading (so LXX, Syr. and Targ. The MT. is a not unnatural corruption arising from a transposition of two consonants).

Read Cambridge on Jeremiah 22 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Lebanon is the usual metaphor for anything splendid. and is here put for Jerusalem, but with special reference to the kings whose pride it was to dwell in palaces roofed with cedar Jeremiah 22:14.

Read Albert Barnes on Jeremiah 22 →

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

O inhabitant of Lebanon, nestled in the cedars, how you will groan when pangs of anguish come upon you, agony like a woman in labor.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Inhabitant of Lebanon, who makes your nest in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied you will be when pangs come on you, the pain as of a woman in travail!

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

O inhabitant of Lebanon, nestled in the cedars, how you will groan when pangs of anguish come upon you, agony like a woman in labor.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

You may feel as secure as a bird nesting in the cedars of Lebanon. But oh how you will groan when the pains of judgment come on you. They will be like those of a woman giving birth to a baby.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

RVARevised Version, American1894

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

NWBWebster's Bible1833

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Thou that dwellest in Lebanon, and makest thy nest in the cedars, howe beautiful shalt thou be when sorowes come vpon thee, as the sorowe of a woman in trauaile?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Thou inhabitress of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how pitiful shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, pain as of a woman in travail!

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

O dweller in Lebanon, making a nest among cedars, How gracious hast thou been when pangs come to thee, Pain — as of a travailing woman.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

O dweller in Lebanon, making a nest among cedars, || How gracious have you been when pangs come to you, || Pain—as of a travailing woman.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

O inhabitress of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how full of grace wilt thou be !!when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You who live in 'Lebanon,' who is nestled in cedar buildings, how you will be pitied when the labor pains come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou that sittest in Libanus, and makest thy nest in the cedars, how hast thou mourned when sorrows came upon thee, as the pains of a woman in labour?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You who live in “Lebanon” in your cedar nest, how much you're going to groan when agonizing pains hit you like a woman in labor.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

O you who are living in Lebanon, making your living-place in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied will you be when pains come on you, as on a woman in childbirth!

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.

clauseclausenoun phrasenoun phraseclauseverbיֹשַׁבְתְּ֙O.[you.who].dwellprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּinnoun phrase(the)לְּבָנ֔וֹןLebanonnoun phraseclauseverbמְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּO.[you.who.are].nestedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּֽamongnoun phrasetheאֲרָזִ֑יםcedarsclauseadverbialמַהhow!verbנֵּחַנְתְּ֙you.will.groanprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּwhenclauseverbבֹאwill.comeprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֣toךְyounoun phrase · subjectחֲבָלִ֔יםlabor-painsnoun phraseחִ֖ילanguishprepositional phraseכַּlike.(the)noun phrase[womanיֹּלֵדָֽהwho].gives.birth

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text reads: "יֹשַׁבְתְּ֙ בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּ בָּֽאֲרָזִ֑ים מַה־ נֵּחַנְתְּ֙ בְּבֹא־ לָ֣ךְ חֲבָלִ֔ים חִ֖יל כַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃" The Septuagint closely matches the Masoretic Text, with 9 out of 11 words corresponding closely in meaning, though it presents them in a different order and structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q72) contain fragments that include some words from the verse, but they are partly restored and supplemented by an editor, making it difficult to fully compare with the Masoretic Text. Overall, the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text agree in the main ideas, while the Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial support, with some words missing or restored. This indicates a strong textual tradition for this verse across different sources, despite some variations in wording and completeness.

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

יֹשַׁבְתְּ֙ בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּ בָּֽאֲרָזִ֑ים מַה־ נֵּחַנְתְּ֙ בְּבֹא־ לָ֣ךְ חֲבָלִ֔ים חִ֖יל כַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יֹשַׁבְתְּ֙κατοικοῦσαבַּלְּבָנ֔וֹןἐνמְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּἐννοσσεύουσαבָּֽאֲרָזִ֑יםκέδροιςנֵּחַנְתְּ֙καταστενάχειςבְּבֹא־ἐλθεῖνלָ֣ךְσοιחֲבָלִ֔יםὠδῖναςכַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃τικτούσης

9 of the 11 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 — 4Q72a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ישבתי] [בלבנון] מקננתי בארזים מה [נחנת] [בבא] [ל׳ך] [חבלים] [חיל] [כילדה]

2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 8 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.

Jeremiah 22:23יָשַׁבO [you who]O [you who] dweיָשַׁבלְבָנוֹןin Lebanonin Lebanonלְבָנוֹןקִנֵּן[who is] ne[who is] nestedקִנֵּןאֶ֫רֶזamong the camong the cedarאֶ֫רֶזמָהhow!how!מָהאָנַחyou will gryou will groanאָנַחבּוֹאwhen will cwhen will comeבּוֹאךְto youto youךְחֶ֫בֶלlabor-painslabor-painsחֶ֫בֶלחִילanguishanguishחִיליָלַדlike [womanlike [woman] giיָלַדלְבַבheartheartלְבַבקֵןnestnestקֵןאָרוּזreinforcedreinforcedאָרוּזחָבַלto pledgeto pledgeחָבַלחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלבֶּ֫טַחsecuritysecurityבֶּ֫טַחכְּנַעֲנִיCanaanitesCanaanitessכְּנַעֲנִיבַ֫עַלבַ֫עַלחוֹחַthistlethistleחוֹחַשָׁםtherethereשָׁםבְּרוֹשׁcypresscypressבְּרוֹשׁלְבָנוֹן(Valley of(Valley of) Lebלְבָנוֹןכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלמְרִירוּתbitternessbitternessמְרִירוּתשִׁבָּרוֹןbreakingbreakingשִׁבָּרוֹןשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁאַרְגֹּבArgobArgobאַרְגֹּב
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 Jeremiah 22:23

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.

O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
יֹשַׁבְתְּ֙yo.shav.ti O [you who] dwell H3427 Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine singular
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
dweller, resident
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine singular
HVqrfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dwel:

(1) In the Old Testament "dwell" is a translation of 9 words, of which by far the most frequent is yashabh, "to sit down," translated "dwell" over 400 times (Ge 4:20; Jos 20:4; 1Ch 17:1,4,5, etc.); also very frequently "sit," and sometimes "abide," "inhabit," "remain." Another word often rendered "dwell" is shakhan or shakhen ("to settle down"), from which is derived the rabbinic word shekhinah (literally, "that which dwells"), the light on the mercy-seat which symbolized the Divine presence (Ex 25:8, etc.). In order to avoid appearing to localize the Divine Being, wherever God is said to "dwell" in a place, the Targum renders that He "causes His Shekinah to dwell"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dwell

Tents were in primitive times the common dwellings of men. Houses were afterwards built, the walls of which were frequently of mud (Job 24:16; Matt. 6:19, 20) or of sun-dried bricks.

God “dwells in light” (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:7), in heaven (Ps. 123:1), in his church (Ps. 9:11; 1 John 4:12). Christ dwelt on earth in the days of his humiliation (John 1:14). He now dwells in the hearts of his people (Eph.…

O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹןba.le.va.Non in Lebanon H3844 Preposition · noun proper
71× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Lebanon is a mountain range in Israel, named for its white snow or limestone peaks, often mentioned in Psalms and other books.
Amplified meaning
a mountain range in Israel
Tyndale gloss
(Valley of) Lebanon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְבָנוֹן (le.van.on) refers to Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine known for its whiteness, likely due to its snow-capped peaks. The term is derived from a root meaning 'white' and is associated with various geographical features, including valleys and houses in the region. It appears in contexts describing the northern border of Israel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְבָנוֹן 71 n.pr.mont. Lebanon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3844 לְבָנוֹן Lebanon

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3844 Lbanown leb-aw-nohn'

from 3825; (the) white mountain (from its snow); Lebanon, a

mountain range in Palestine:--Lebanon.

see HEBREW for 03825

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְבָנוֹן (le.va.non) — Lebanon.

§ Lebanon = "whiteness"

a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

לְבָנוֹן (le.va.non) — (Mount) Lebanon.

§ Lebanon = "whiteness"

a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

לְבָנוֹן (le.va.non) — (Valley of) Lebanon.

Combined with biq.ah (בִּקְעָה " Valley" H1237I)

§ Lebanon = "whiteness"

a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

לְבָנוֹן (le.va.non) — (House of the Forest of) Lebanon.

Combined with ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת "House" H1004K)

§ Lebanon = "whiteness"

a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HRd/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

leb'-a-non (lebanon; Septuagint Libanos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) Libanus):

1. Name:

Derived from the root labhen, "to be white," probably from the snow which covers its summits the greater part of the year. "White mountains" are found in almost every country. The light color of the upper limestone may, however, form a sufficient reason for the name. In prose the article is usually connected with the name. In poetry it is more often without the article. In the Septuagint, however, the article is generally present both in prose and poetry.

2. General Description:

The Lebanon range proper borders the east coast of the Mediterranean, for a distance of 100 miles, running North-Northeast and South-Southwest from the mouth of the Litany river, the classic Leontes (which enters the sea a little North of Tyre), to the mouth of the Eleuthurus (Nahr el-Kebir), a few miles North of…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Lebanon

White, “the white mountain of Syria,” is the loftiest and most celebrated mountain range in Syria. It is a branch running southward from the Caucasus, and at its lower end forking into two parallel ranges, the eastern or Anti-Lebanon, and the western or Lebanon proper. They enclose a long valley (Josh. 11:17) of from 5 to 8 miles in width, called by Roman writers Coele-Syria, now called el-Buka’a, “the valley,” a prolongation of the valley of the Jordan.

Lebanon proper, Jebel es-Sharki, commences at its southern extremity in the gorge of the Leontes, the ancient Litany, and extends north-east, parallel to the Mediterranean coast, as far as the river Eleutherus, at the plain of Emesa, “the entering of Hamath” (Num. 34:8;

a mountain range in the north of Palestine. The name Lebanon signifies white, and was applied either on account of snow which, during a great part of the year, cover its whole summit, or on account of the white color of its limestone cliffs and peaks. It is the "white mountain" --the Mont Blane of Palestine. Lebanon is represented in Scripture as lying upon the northern border of the land of Israel. (1:7; 11:24; Joshua 1:4) Two distinct ranges bear this name. They run in parallel lines from southwest to northeast for about 90 geographical miles, enclosing between them a long, fertile valley from five to eight miles wide, anciently called Coele-Syria . The western range is the "Libanus" of the old geographers and the Lebanon of Scripture. The eastern range was called "Anti-Libanus" by geographers, and "Lebanon toward the sunrising" by…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

White, a long chain of mountains on the north of Palestine, so named from the whitish limestone of which they are composed and in part perhaps from their snowy whiteness in winter. It consists of two main ridges running northeast and southwest, nearly parallel with each other and with the coast of the Mediterranean. See view in SIDON. The western ridge was called Libanus by the Greeks, and the eastern AntiLibanus. Between them lies a long valley called Coele-Syria, that is, Hollow Syria, and the "valley of Lebanon," Jos 11:17, at present Bukkah. It opens towards the north, but is exceedingly narrow towards the south, where the river Litany, anciently Orontes, issues form the valley and flows west to the sea, north of Tyre. The western ridge is generally higher than the eastern, and several of its peaks are thought to be towards…

O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּme.ku.nan.ti [who is] nested H7077 Verb · Pual · participle (passive) feminine singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to build or occupy a nest, like a bird making its home. It appears in the Bible as a description of God's care for his people. The KJV translates it as make a nest.
Amplified meaning
making your nest, dwelling
Tyndale gloss
to make a nest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7077 qanan kaw-nan'

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

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

make...nest.

see HEBREW for 07064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קִנֵּן (qa.nan) — to make a nest.

1) to make a nest

1a) (Piel) to make a nest

1b) (Pual) to be nested

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Inf-c — Verb · Pual · participle (passive) feminine singular
HVPsfsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
בָּֽאֲרָזִ֑יםba.'a.ra.Zim among the cedars H730 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cedar tree, known for its strength and durability, like the cedar wood used to build Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 5-6. The cedar tree was highly valued in ancient times for its timber and wood.
Amplified meaning
strong and durable trees
Tyndale gloss
cedar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶ֫רֶז (*erez*) means 'cedar' and refers to the cedar tree, its timber, and its use in building and purification. It is derived from a root indicating the tenacity of its roots. The entries consistently highlight its significance in construction and ritual practices.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶז n.m. cedar

cedar-tree

cedar-timber, cedar-wood for building

cedar-wood used in purification

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H730 אֶ֫רֶז cedar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

730 'erez eh-rez'

from 729; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its

roots):--cedar (tree).

see HEBREW for 0729

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶז (e.rez) — cedar.

1) cedar

1a) cedar tree

1b) cedar timber, cedar wood (in building)

1c) cedar wood (in purifications)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HRd/Ncmpa
O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
מַה־mah- how! H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Represents various Hebrew and Greek words, interrogative, interjectional and relative. Its different uses refer to

(1) the manner or way, e.g. Ge 44:34, "How shall I go up to my father?" ('ekh); Mt 6:28, "how they grow" (pos); 1Co 15:35, "How are the dead raised?";

(2) degree, extent, frequently, "how great" (Da 4:3, mah; Mr 5:19, hosos, "how much"); "how many" (Mt 27:13, posos); "how much" (Ac 9:13, hosos); "how much more" (Mt 7:11, posos;

O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
נֵּחַנְתְּ֙ne.chanT you will groan H584 Verb · Niphal · perfect second person feminine singular
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To sigh means to groan or mourn in pain or grief, like an animal moaning, and is used to express deep emotional distress in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
to sigh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָנַח (anach) is a Hebrew verb that primarily appears in the Niphal form, meaning to sigh or groan, often in contexts of pain or grief. It can also refer to the moaning of cattle. The entries consistently emphasize its emotional and physical connotations without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָנַח] vb. only Niph. sigh, groan

sigh, in token of grief

in physical distress

groan of cattle

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H584 אָנַח only Niph. sigh, groan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

584 'anach aw-nakh'

a primitive root; to sigh:--groan, mourn, sigh.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָנַח (a.nach) — to sigh.

1) (Niphal) sigh, groan (in pain or grief), gasp

1a) moan (of cattle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVNp2fs — Verb · Niphal · perfect second person feminine singular
HVNp2fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gron (na'aq, 'anaq; stenazo, embrimaomai): The English word, noun and verb, is an attempt to imitate the vocal sound which is expressive of severe pain or distress, physical or mental. It is cognate with the Scottish dialect word girn, and with grin in its original obsolete sense, as used in the Anglican Prayer-book version of Ps 59:6,14, "grin like a dog and go about the city"; here "grin" is a translation of hamah, and means the sound of the nightly howling of the pariah dogs in Jerusalem and other oriental cities. It is used in the Old Testament:

(1) To denote the expression accompanying physical suffering, as in the case of the Israelites in Egypt oppressed by Pharaoh's taskmasters (Ex 2:24; 6:5), or in Palestine under the yoke of the Canaanites (

O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
בְּבֹא־be.vo'- when will come H935 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kum: The translation of many Hebrew and Greek words. In the phrase "The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him" (Jud 14:6,19; 15:14; 1Sa 10:10; 11:6; 16:13), the word is tsaleah; Jud 14:6; 15:14 "came mightily," which is the uniform translation of the Revised Version (British and American) (compare Jud 13:25 "to move," i.e. to disturb or stir up). In Jud 6:34; 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20, it is labhesh, "to clothe"; the Revised Version, margin "The Spirit .... clothed itself with Gideon" and .... "with Zechariah,"…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
לָ֣ךְlakh to you H9032 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

ךְ (kh) — you.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person feminine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp2fs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp2fs
O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
חֲבָלִ֔יםcha.va.Lim labor-pains H2256 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Amplified meaning
intense pains, cords, agony, intense pain
Tyndale gloss
cord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֶ֫בֶל (*chevel*) encompasses meanings related to a cord or rope, territory, and pain or pangs. It can refer to a measuring line, a company or band, and even destruction. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical objects like cords to abstract concepts like sorrow. Notably, it is associated with both physical and emotional contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫בֶל n.m. f. cord, territory, band

cord, rope

measuring-cord, line

measured portion, lot, part, region

band, company of prophets

base

חֵ֫בֶל n.m. pain, pang

pains of travail

of other than birth-pangs

base

חֹבְלִים n.[m.]pl. union (lit. binders) name of Zec.’s second symbolic staff

base

חֶ֫בֶל n.m. destruction—Mi 2:10

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2256a חֶ֫בֶל cord, territory, band H2256b חֵ֫בֶל pain, pang H2256c חֹבְלִים union H2256d חֶ֫בֶל destruction

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2256 chebel kheh'-bel

or chebel {khay'-bel}; from 2254; a rope (as twisted),

especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or

inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords);

figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe

(especially of parturition); also ruin:--band, coast, company,

cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion,

region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling.

see HEBREW for 02254

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫בֶל (che.vel) — Mahalab.

This name means a cord, territory, region

Another name of ach.lav (אַחְלָב "Ahlab" H0303)

חֵ֫בֶל (che.vel) — pain.

1) pain, sorrow, travail, pang

1a) pains of travail

1b) pains, pangs, sorrows

חֹבְלִים (chov.lim) — union.

union

חֶ֫בֶל (che.vel) — destruction.

destruction

חֶ֫בֶל (che.vel) — cord.

1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company

1a) a rope, cord

1b) a measuring-cord or line

1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region

1d) a band or company

§ destruction

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
חִ֖ילchil anguish H2427 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means agony or intense pain, like the kind experienced in childbirth. It's used to describe strong emotions, such as sorrow or anguish. In the Bible, it appears in Isaiah 66:7-9.
Amplified meaning
intense pain, sorrow
Tyndale gloss
agony
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חִיל (chiyl) denotes a state of writhing or anguish, often associated with pain and sorrow, particularly in the context of childbirth. Its feminine form, חִילָה (chiylah), also means agony. Both forms emphasize emotional and physical distress.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חִיל n.m. a writhing, anguish

base

חִילָה n.f. anguish, Jb 6:10.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2427a חִיל a writhing, anguish H2427b חִילָה anguish

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2427 chiyl kheel

and (feminine) chiylah {khee-law'}; from 2342; a throe

(expectant of childbirth):--pain, pang, sorrow.

see HEBREW for 02342

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חִיל (chil) — agony.

1) pain, agony, sorrow, a writhing, anguish

1a) writhing (of fear)

1b) anguish

Also means: chi.lah (חִילָה "agony" H2427B)

חִילָה (chi.lah) — agony.

1) pain, agony, sorrow, a writhing, anguish

1a) writhing (of fear)

1b) anguish

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

an'-gwish: Extreme distress of body, mind or spirit; excruciating pain or suffering of soul, e.g. excessive grief, remorse, despair. Chiefly expressed in Old Testament, by four derivatives of tsuq, "straitened," "pressed," and tsar, and two derivatives signifying "straitness," "narrowness," hence distress; also shabhats, "giddiness," "confusion of mind"; hul "to twist" with pain, "writhe." So in the New Testament, thlipsis, "a pressing together," hence affliction, tribulation, stenochoria, "narrowness of place," hence extreme affliction; sunoche, "a holding together," hence distress. The fundamental idea in these various terms is pressure--being straitened, compressed into a narrow place, or pain through physical or mental torture. Used of the physical agony of child-birth (Jer 4:31; 6:24; 49:24; 50:43;

O [you who] dwell in Lebanon [who is] nested among the cedars how! you will groan when will come to you labor-pains anguish like [woman] giving birth
כַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃kai.yo.le.Dah like [woman] giving birth H3205 Preposition · verb qal participle (active) feminine singular
496× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
a female, a mother, childbirth, travail
Tyndale gloss
to beget
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget

Qal

bear, bring forth

less often beget

of both parents

Niph. be born

Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

Pu. be born

Hiph.

beget (a father a child)

bear

Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday

Hithp. declared their pedigree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth

. less often beget

. of both parents

. be born

. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

. be born

. . beget (a father a child)

. bear

. day of one's being born = birthday

. declared their pedigree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3205 yalad yaw-lad'

a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;

medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show

lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring

forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be

delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,

labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be

the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.

1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bear, bring forth

1a1a) of child birth

1a1b) of distress (simile)

1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)

1a2) to beget

1b) (Niphal) to be born

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cause or help to bring forth

1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife

1c3) midwife (participle)

1d) (Pual) to be born

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to beget (a child)

1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)

1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)

1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) feminine singular
HRd/Vqrfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

burth (genesis):

(1) It was said by the angel beforehand of John the Baptist, "Many shall rejoice at his birth"; and when he was born Elisabeth said, "Thus hath the Lord done unto me .... to take away my reproach among men" (Lu 1:14,25). Among the ancient Hebrews barrenness was a "reproach" and the birth of a child, of a son especially, an occasion for rejoicing.

(2) This, no doubt, was due in part to the Messianic hope inspired and sustained by prophecy (see Ge 3:15, where it was foretold that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head; and subsequent prophecies too numerous to mention). Cases in point worth studying are found in Ge 4:1, where Eve rejoices over the birth of her firstborn and cries, "I have gotten a…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Birth

As soon as a child was born it was washed, and rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4), and then swathed with bandages (Job 38:9; Luke 2:7, 12). A Hebrew mother remained forty days in seclusion after the birth of a son, and after the birth of a daughter double that number of days. At the close of that period she entered into the tabernacle or temple and offered up a sacrifice of purification (Lev. 12:1-8; Luke 2:22). A son was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, being thereby consecrated to God (Gen. 17:10-12; comp.

→ Giving, ordained to be in sorrow Ge 3:16

→ See ABORTION

→ See CHILDREN

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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