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Jeremiah 6:20 — Word Study

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WLCלָמָּה־ זֶּ֨ה לִ֤י לְבוֹנָה֙ מִשְּׁבָ֣א תָב֔וֹא וְקָנֶ֥ה הַטּ֖וֹב מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מֶרְחָ֑ק עֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ לֹ֣א לְרָצ֔וֹן וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖ם לֹא־ עָ֥רְבוּ לִֽי׃ ס

BSAWhat usemâh [to what purpose, of what benefit] is frankincenselᵉbôwnâh [a white resin, fragrant incense] from ShebaShᵉbâʼ [a region in southern Arabia] or sweetṭôwb caneqâneh [calamus, a fragrant spice] from a distantmerchâq [far away, remote] landʼerets Your burnt offeringsʻôlâh [sacrifices, acts of worship] are not acceptablelôʼ [pleasing, favorable] your sacrificeszebach [offerings, gifts to God] do notlôʼ pleaseʻârêb [are not agreeable, do not delight]

Word
Listen & take awayJeremiah 6
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 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 (Li) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Jeremiah 6:20quick helps
In a sentenceGod questions the value of external rituals when the heart is not in them.
Who is speakingThe LORD, addressing the people through Jeremiah.
Where we areA declaration of God's discontent with empty worship.
The hard wordלֹא, lo'
Take awayRituals without sincerity are meaningless.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectזֶה verbבּוֹא 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 6:20

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

Context — God's Displeasure with Empty Worshipgenerated

19Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.
20What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”
21Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”
22This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth.

Jeremiah 6:20 expresses God's frustration with the people's offerings, indicating that mere rituals do not suffice if their hearts are not aligned with Him. This verse is part of a larger passage where God warns of impending disaster due to the people's disobedience and lack of genuine worship. The surrounding verses highlight the contrast between the rituals performed and the absence of true devotion, as seen in Jeremiah 6:19 and Jeremiah 6:21.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 40:6Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.
2Psalm 50:7–13“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.
3Psalm 66:3Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You.
4Isaiah 1:11“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
5Isaiah 66:3Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word לְבוֹנָה, le.vo.Nahgenerated

The word לְבוֹנָה (le.vo.Nah) refers to frankincense, a fragrant resin used in religious ceremonies, particularly for incense. Its use signifies a desire to worship God, but in this context, it is questioned due to the lack of sincerity behind the offerings.

This noun is in the feminine singular form, indicating a specific type of offering. The context suggests that while frankincense is traditionally valued in worship, it becomes meaningless without true devotion and intention.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the term frankincense is consistently used, as it is in the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse features a series of clauses, with the main clause questioning the value of offerings: לָמָּה־ (Why?). This is followed by a list of offerings that are deemed unacceptable, structured to emphasize the disconnect between ritual and genuine worship.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the offerings being questioned, leading to a clear contrast between what is brought and God's response to it.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates לְבוֹנָה as λίβανον (libanon), maintaining the reference to frankincense. This choice reflects the continuity of the ritual's significance in both texts.

The word λίβανον carries similar connotations of fragrance and ceremonial use, suggesting that the translators recognized the importance of the offering while still conveying God's displeasure.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Jeremiah 6:20 shows God questioning the value of frankincense from Sheba and sweet cane from a distant land, stating that the burnt offerings and sacrifices are not acceptable to Him. This emphasizes that rituals without true devotion do not please God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does God mean by questioning the frankincense from Sheba?

God is expressing that the offerings, though valuable, are meaningless if not accompanied by true worship and sincerity.

Why are the burnt offerings and sacrifices not accepted?

These offerings are rejected because they do not reflect a genuine relationship with God; the people's hearts are not in their worship.

What can we learn from this verse about worship?

True worship requires sincerity and alignment of the heart with God's will, rather than mere ritualistic practices.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Jeremiah?

This verse illustrates the recurring theme in Jeremiah of God's desire for authentic worship over empty rituals, highlighting the need for a true covenant relationship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I ensure my worship is sincere and not just ritualistic?
  2. How can I reflect on the intentions behind my actions to align them with God's will?
  3. What are some rituals in my life that may need reevaluation for their sincerity?
  4. How can I cultivate a deeper relationship with God that transcends mere external practices?

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

Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to illustrate the importance of genuine worship over mere ritual, arguing from Jeremiah's message.

IrenaeusAGAINST HERESIES 4:17.2 c. 130–202
Since God is merciful, he did not cut them off from good counsel. After he had said by Jeremiah, “Why do you bring me incense from Sheba and cinnamon from a far country? Your whole burnt offerings and sacrifices are not acceptable to me.”…
Early Church Fathers on Jeremiah 6 →
Athanasius of AlexandriaFESTAL LETTERS 19:2 c. 296–373
Actions not done lawfully and piously are not of advantage, though they may be reputed to be so, but they rather argue hypocrisy in those who venture on them.
Early Church Fathers on Jeremiah 6 →
JeromeVerse 20 c. 347–420
Why do you bring me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not accepted, and your sacrifices do not please me.
Early Church Fathers on Jeremiah 6 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 6:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba,.... In Persia or Arabia, from whence incense was brought, and perhaps the best; see Isaiah 60:6, and yet the offering of this was of no esteem

Read John Gill on Jeremiah 6 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Read Robert Jamieson on Jeremiah 6 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To what purpose? an interrogation of expostulation and contempt, wherein God by the prophet meets with their hypocrisy, who pleased themselves with their outward oblations and sacrifices, and thought God would be pleased with them too; but he tells them plainly they are to no purpose; as he speaks particularly in the close of the verse, ,22 Eze 20:39. Incense from Sheba: that this was the product of Sheba, a country in Arabia Felix, to which country frankincense was peculiar, See Poole "". The sweet cane, or, cane, i.e. good, or the best cane; the article h hath the force of a superlative, for cane that is good; the Hebrews have no degrees of comparison; the same that is mentioned as an…

Read Matthew Poole on Jeremiah 6 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings [are] not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.Ver. 20. To what purpose cometh there to me incense?] Cui bono, so long as it smelleth of the foul hand that offereth it, so long as you think to bribe me with it? See Isaiah 1:14. From Sheba.] Whence the Greeks seem to have their word σεβειν, to worship; and the Arabians call God - the adequate object of divine worship - Sabim, and a mystery, Saba. And the sweet cane.] Heb., Cane the good. The Septuagint render it cinnamon; and the Vulgate, calamus; of which see Pliny, lib. xii. cap. 22. From a far country.]…

Read John Trapp on Jeremiah 6 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Incense from Sheba.—The land that had a proverbial fame both for gold and frankincense (Isaiah 60:6; Ezekiel 27:22), the thus Sabæum of Virg., Æn. i. 416, 417. So Milton, Par. Lost, 4— “Sabæan odours from the spicy shores Of Araby the blest.” So the Queen of Sheba brought spices and gold (1 Kings 10:10). The sweet cane.—Literally, the good cane, or, as in Exodus 30:23, sweet calamus (comp. Isaiah 43:24; Son 4:14), numbered among the ingredients of the Temple incense. The LXX. renders it by “cinnamon.” It came from the “far country” of India The whole passage is a reproduction of the thought of Isa 1:11-13.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 6 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 20. Incense frown Sheba] Sheba was in Arabia, famous for the best incense. It was situated towards the southern extremity of the peninsula of Arabia; and was, in respect of Judea, a far country. And the sweet cane from a far country] The calamus aromaticus, which, when dried and pulverized, yields a very fine aromatic smell; see on Isaiah 43:24. This was employed in making the holy anointing oil. See Exodus 30:23.

Read AdamClarke on Jeremiah 6 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20. For the uselessness of ceremonial without obedience, cp. Isaiah 1:11; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21 ff.; Micah 6:6; Psalms 50:13 f. frankincense from Sheba] Cp. Isaiah 60:6, and “Centumque Sabaeo Ture calent arae” (Aen. I. 416–7). The word occurs only in the later portions of O.T., viz. Jeremiah 17:26, Jeremiah 41:5 (in Jeremiah 7:9 and Jeremiah 44:21 the word is different); Exodus 30:34; Leviticus 2:1 and six times besides; Numbers 5:15 (all P), Isaiah 43:23; Isaiah 60:6; Isaiah 66:3; 1 Chronicles 9:29; Ca. Jeremiah 3:6, Jeremiah 4:6; Jeremiah 4:14. cane] mg. calamus (Exodus 30:23; Ezekiel 27:19; Ca. Jeremiah 4:14). It was used as an ingredient in the making of incense, and probably the “far…

Read Cambridge on Jeremiah 6 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The sweet cane - The same as the scented cane of Exo 30:23 (see the note).

Read Albert Barnes on Jeremiah 6 →

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

What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

I take no delight when they offer up to me frankincense that comes from Sheba or sweet-smelling cane imported from a faraway land. I cannot accept the burnt offerings they bring me. I get no pleasure from the sacrifices they offer to me.’

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To what purpose bringest thou mee incense from Sheba, and sweete calamus from a farre countrey? Your burnt offerings are not pleasant, nor your sacrifices sweete vnto me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

To what purpose should there come to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing unto me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Why [is] this to Me? frankincense from Sheba cometh, And the sweet cane from a land afar off, Your burnt-offerings [are] not for acceptance, And your sacrifices have not been sweet to Me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Why [is] this to Me? Frankincense comes from Sheba, || And the sweet cane from a far-off land, || Your burnt-offerings [are] not for acceptance, || And your sacrifices have not been sweet to Me.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

To what purpose serveth me the frankincense which cometh from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far-off country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not agreeable unto me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

“What does this frankincense going up from Sheba mean to me? Or these sweet smells from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable to me, nor are your sacrifices.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

To what purpose do you bring me frankincense from Saba, and the sweet smelling cane from a far country? your holocausts are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

What's the point of offering me frankincense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a faraway land? I don't accept your burnt offerings; I'm not pleased with your sacrifices.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

To what purpose does sweet perfume come to me from Sheba, and spices from a far country? your burned offerings give me no pleasure, your offerings of beasts are not pleasing to me.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseprepositional phrase · predicateלָofמָּהwhy?subjectזֶּ֨הthisprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִ֤toיmeclauseclausesubjectלְבוֹנָה֙frankincenseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִ[which].fromשְּׁבָ֣אShebaverbתָב֔וֹאit.comesוְand.[the]clausenoun phrase · subjectקָנֶ֥הcaneadjective phraseהַ(the)טּ֖וֹבgoodprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfromnoun phraseאֶ֣רֶץa.landמֶרְחָ֑קof.distanceclausenoun phrase · subjectעֹלֽוֹתֵיofferingsכֶם֙your.burntadverbialלֹ֣אnotprepositional phrase · predicateלְ[are].forרָצ֔וֹןacceptanceוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectזִבְחֵיsacrificesכֶ֖םyouradverbialלֹאnotverbעָ֥רְבוּthey.are.pleasingprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִֽtoיme

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 largely agree, with 14 of the 17 words matching in their respective translations. This indicates a consistent understanding of the verse across these ancient texts.

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

לָמָּה־ זֶּ֨ה לִ֤י לְבוֹנָה֙ מִשְּׁבָ֣א תָב֔וֹא וְקָנֶ֥ה הַטּ֖וֹב מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מֶרְחָ֑ק עֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ לֹ֣א לְרָצ֔וֹן וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖ם לֹא־ עָ֥רְבוּ לִֽי׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לָמָּה־τίלִ֤יμοιלְבוֹנָה֙λίβανονמִשְּׁבָ֣אσαβαתָב֔וֹאφέρετεוְקָנֶ֥הκιννάμωμονמֵאֶ֣רֶץγῆςמֶרְחָ֑קμακρόθενעֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ὑμῶνלְרָצ֔וֹןδεκτάוְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖םὑμῶνלֹא־οὐξעָ֥רְבוּἥδυνάνלִֽי׃ סμοι

14 of the 17 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.

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 6:20מָהwhy?why?מָהזֶהthisthisזֶהנִיto meto meנִילְבֹנָהfrankincensfrankincenseלְבֹנָהשְׁבָא[which] fro[which] from Shשְׁבָאבּוֹאit comesit comesבּוֹאקָנֶהand [the] cand [the] caneקָנֶהטוֹבgoodgoodטוֹבאֶ֫רֶץfrom a landfrom a land ofאֶ֫רֶץמֶרְחָקdistancedistanceמֶרְחָקעֹלָהburnt offerburnt offeringsעֹלָהלֹאnotnotלֹארָצוֹן[are] for a[are] for accepרָצוֹןזֶ֫בַחand sacrifiand sacrifices זֶ֫בַחלֹאnotnotלֹאעָרֵבthey are plthey are pleasiעָרֵבנִיto meto meנִיזָבַחto sacrifito sacrificeזָבַחלָבָןwhitewhiteלָבָןקָנָהto buyto buyקָנָהטוֹבbe pleasinbe pleasingטוֹברָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקרָצָהto acceptto acceptרָצָהזֶהthisthisזֶהזֹהthisthisזֹהעָלָהto ascend:to ascend: riseעָלָהעָ֫וֶלinjusticeinjusticeעָ֫וֶלעָרַבto pledgeto pledgeעָרַבשֶׁ֫לֶםpeace offepeace offeringשֶׁ֫לֶםיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלאַיwhere?where?אַיהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶל
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 6:20

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.

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לָמָּה־la.mah- why? H4100 Preposition · 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.
Amplified meaning
to what purpose, of what benefit
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
Prep | Part — Preposition · pronoun
HR/Pi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
זֶּ֨הzeh this H2088 Particle
1,180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2088 zeh zeh

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this

or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the

one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,

such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on

that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,

2098.

see HEBREW for 02063

see HEBREW for 02090

see HEBREW for 02097

see HEBREW for 02098

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶה (zeh) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTm — Particle
HTm
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לִ֤יli to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp1bs
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לְבוֹנָה֙le.vo.Nah frankincense H3828 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Frankincense is a white resin used for incense, often burned in ceremonies and rituals. It was used in the holy incense, as seen in Exodus 30. The KJV translates it as frankincense.
Amplified meaning
a white resin, fragrant incense
Tyndale gloss
frankincense
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְבֹנָה (lebownah) refers to frankincense, a fragrant resin known for its white color. It is used both ceremonially and personally, particularly in the preparation of holy incense. The term is derived from another Hebrew word related to whiteness, indicating its appearance or the color of its smoke.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְבֹנָה, לְבוֹנָה n.f. frankincense

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3828 לְבֹנָה, לְבוֹנָה frankincense

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3828 lbownah leb-o-naw'

or lbonah {leb-o-naw'}; from 3836; frankincense (from its

whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke): -(frank-)incense.

see HEBREW for 03836

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְבֹנָה (le.vo.nah) — frankincense.

1) frankincense

1a) a white resin burned as fragrant incense

1a1) ceremonially

1a2) personally

1a3) used in compounding the holy incense

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

frants'-in-sens (lebhonah, from root meaning "whiteness," referring to the milky color of the fresh juice: Ex 30:34; Le 2:1 f,15 f; 5:11; 6:15; 24:7; Nu 5:15; 1Ch 9:29; Ne 13:5,9; So 3:6; 4:6,14; Isa 43:23; 60:6; 66:3; Jer 6:20; 17:26; 41:5; translated in the last six references "incense" in the King James Version, but correctly in the Revised Version (British and American); libanos: Mt 2:11;

Frankincense

(Heb. lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., “white”), an odorous resin imported from Arabia (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Cant. 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Ex. 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Lev. 2:1, 16; 6:15; 24:7). When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (Mal. 1:11; Cant. 1:3) and an emblem of prayer (Ps.…

a vegetable resin, brittle, glittering, and of a bitter taste, used for the purpose of sacrificial fumigation. (Exodus 30:34-36) It was called frank because of the freeness with which, when burned, it gives forth its odor. It burns for a long time, with a steady flame. It is obtained by successive incisions in the bark of a tree called Arbor thuris . The first incision yields the purest and whitest resin, while the product of the after incisions is spotted with yellow, and loses its whiteness altogether as it becomes old. The Hebrews imported their frankincense from Arabia, (Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20) and more particularly from Saba; but it is remarkable that at present the Arabian libanum or olibanum is a very inferior kind, and that the finest frankincense imported into Turkey…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See INCENSE.

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
מִשְּׁבָ֣אmi.she.Va' [which] from Sheba H7614 Preposition · noun proper
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sheba was a region in southern Arabia, also the name of a man who was an ancestor of a tribe. The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon, as told in 1 Kings 10. The region of Sheba was known for its wealth and trade.
Amplified meaning
a region in southern Arabia
Tyndale gloss
Sheba
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâ) refers to Sheba, a name associated with several early figures and a region in southern Arabia. It is linked to multiple descendants of patriarchs, including sons of Joktan and Raamah, and is noted for its meaning of 'seven' or 'an oath.' The entries indicate that Sheba can refer to both individuals and a nation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁבָא n.pr.gent. et terr. Shᵉbâ, in SW. Arabia

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7614 שְׁבָא Shᵉbâ, in SW. Arabia

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7614 Shba' sheb-aw'

of foreign origin; Sheba, the name of three early progenitors

of tribes and of an Ethiopian district:--Sheba, Sabeans.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁבָא (she.va) — Sheba.

A man of the Cushites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.7;

son of: Raamah (H7484);

brother of: Dedan (H1719B); also called Sabean at Job.1.15; 3x

§ Sheba = "seven" or "an oath"

1) son of Joktan and a descendant of Seth

2) son of Raamah, grandson of Cush, and a descendant of Ham

3) son of Jokshan, the son of Abraham by Keturah

4) a nation in southern Arabia

שְׁבָא (she.va) — Sheba.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.28;

son of: Joktan (H3355);

brother of: Almodad (H0486), Sheleph (H8026), Hazarmaveth (H2700), Jerah (H3392), Hadoram (H1913A), Uzal (H0187), Diklah (H1853), Obal (H5745), Abimael (H0039), Ophir (H0211), Havilah (H2341I) and Jobab (H3103)

§ Sheba = "seven" or "an oath"

1) son of Joktan and a descendant of Seth

2) son of Raamah, grandson of Cush, and a descendant of Ham

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sheba

An oath, seven. (1.) Heb. shebha, the son of Raamah (Gen. 10:7), whose descendants settled with those of Dedan on the Persian Gulf.

(2.) Heb. id. A son of Joktan (Gen. 10:28), probably the founder of the Sabeans.

(3.) Heb. id. A son of Jokshan, who was a son of Abraham by Keturah (Gen. 25:3).

(4.) Heb. id. A kingdom in Arabia Felix. Sheba, in fact, was Saba in Southern Arabia, the Sabaeans of classical geography, who carried on the trade in spices with the other peoples of the ancient world. They were Semites, speaking one of the two main dialects of Himyaritic or South Arabic. Sheba had become a monarchy before the days of Solomon. Its queen brought him gold, spices, and precious stones (

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Raamah, Ge 10:7. His posterity is supposed to have settled near the head of the Persian Gulf. See CUSH and RAAMAH.

2. Son of Joktan, of the race of Shem, Ge 10:28. See SABEANS 2.

3. Son of Jokshan, and grandson of Abraham by Keturah, Ge 25:3. He is supposed to have settled in Arabia Deserta.

4. A turbulent Benjamite, who after the death of Absalom made a fruitless effort to excite a rebellion in Israel against David. Being pursued, and besieged in Abel-beth-maachah, near the southern part of Lebanon, he was beheaded by the people of the city, 2Sa 20:1-26.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

captivity; old man; repose; oath

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
תָב֔וֹאta.Vo' it comes H935 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
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
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
וְקָנֶ֥הve.ka.Neh and [the] cane H7070 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes a branch or reed, and is used to represent measurement, strength, or support. In the Bible, it is used to describe objects like the rod of a steelyard or the branches of a lampstand.
Amplified meaning
calamus, a fragrant spice
Tyndale gloss
branch
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָנֶה (*qaneh*) refers to a stalk or reed, often associated with plants like calamus. It has various derived meanings, including measuring-rod and unit of measure (6 cubits), as well as applications in scales and lampstands. The word is built from a root that implies an erect structure, covering a range of uses from botanical to functional.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָנֶה 62 n.m. stalk, reed

stalk of grain

water-plant, reed

calamus, aromatic reed

derived meanings:

measuring-rod

unit of measure, reed (of 6 cubits)

beam of scales, for scales themselves

shaft of lamp-stand

branches thereof

shoulder-joint

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7070 קָנֶה stalk, reed . stalk of grain

. water-plant, reed

. calamus, aromatic reed

. derived meanings: . measuring-rod

. unit of measure, reed (of 6 cubits)

. beam of scales, for scales themselves

. shaft of lamp-stand

. branches thereof

. shoulder-joint

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7070 qaneh kaw-neh'

from 7069; a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod

(especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of

the arm), beam (of a steelyard):--balance, bone, branch,

calamus, cane, reed, X spearman, stalk.

see HEBREW for 07069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָנֶה (qa.neh) — branch.

: branch

1) reed, stalk, bone, balances

1a) stalk

1b) water-plant, reed

1c) calamus (aromatic reed)

1d) derived meanings

1d1) measuring-rod

1d2) reed (as unit of measure-6 cubits)

1d3) beam (of scales-for scales themselves)

1d4) shaft (of lampstand)

1d5) branches (of lampstand)

1d6) shoulder-joint

קָנֶה (qa.neh) — branch: stem.

: stem/reed

1) reed, stalk, bone, balances

1a) stalk

1b) water-plant, reed

1c) calamus (aromatic reed)

1d) derived meanings

1d1) measuring-rod

1d2) reed (as unit of measure-6 cubits)

1d3) beam (of scales-for scales themselves)

1d4) shaft (of lampstand)

1d5) branches (of lampstand)

1d6) shoulder-joint

קָנֶה (qa.neh) — branch: measuring rod.

: measuring_rod

1) reed, stalk, bone, balances

1a) stalk

1b) water-plant, reed

1c) calamus (aromatic reed)

1d) derived meanings

1d1) measuring-rod

1d2) reed (as unit of measure-6 cubits)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kan.

See REED.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cane

A tall sedgy plant with a hollow stem, growing in moist places. In Isa. 43:24; Jer. 6:20, the Hebrew word kaneh is thus rendered, giving its name to the plant. It is rendered “reed” in 1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isa. 19:6; 35:7. In Ps. 68:30 the expression “company of spearmen” is in the margin and the Revised Version “beasts of the reeds,” referring probably to the crocodile or the hippopotamus as a symbol of Egypt. In 2 Kings 18:21; Isa. 36:6;

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[REED]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Or CALAMUS, SWEET, So 4:14, an aromatic reed mentioned among the drugs of which the sacred perfumes were compounded, Ex 30:23. The true odoriferous calamus or grass came from India; and the prophets speak of it as a foreign commodity of great value, Isa 43:24 Jer 6:20 Eze 27:19.

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
הַטּ֖וֹבha.Tov good H2896 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
538× 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 good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Tyndale gloss
pleasant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good

pleasant, agreeable to the senses

pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

good, excellent, of its kind

good, rich, valuable in estimation

good, appropriate, becoming

c. מִן compar. = better

of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

good, kind, benign

good (ethical), right

base

טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

good = benefit

moral good

base

טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

bounty, good

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses

. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

. good, excellent, of its kind

. good, rich, valuable in estimation

. good, appropriate, becoming

. c. מִן compar. =better

. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

. good, kind, benign

. good (ethical), right

H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2896 towb tobe

from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used

likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,

the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a

good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or

women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,

bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,

fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),

graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,

merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,

prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well

((-favoured)).

see HEBREW for 02895

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.

adj

1) good, pleasant, agreeable

1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)

1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)

1c) good, excellent (of its kind)

1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation

1e) good, appropriate, becoming

1f) better (comparative)

1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)

1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)

1i) good, kind, benign

1j) good, right (ethical)

Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)

טוֹב (tov) — good.

1) a good thing, benefit, welfare

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) good, benefit

1d) moral good

טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.

1) welfare, benefit, good things

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) bounty

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
מֵאֶ֣רֶץme.'E.retz from a land of H776 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HR/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
מֶרְחָ֑קmer.Chak distance H4801 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
18× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Merchaq means a distant place or far country, often used to describe a location that is far away. It can also imply a sense of remoteness or separation. This word is used in the Bible to describe geographical distance.
Amplified meaning
far away, remote
Tyndale gloss
distance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֶרְחָק (merchaq) refers to a distant place or distance, often implying remoteness. It can be used adverbially to describe something that is far off. The word is derived from a root meaning to be distant, and it appears in contexts relating to physical distance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶרְחָק n.m. distant place, distance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4801 מֶרְחָק distant place, distance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4801 merchaq mer-khawk'

: from 7368; remoteness, i.e. (concretely) a distant place;

often (adverbially) from afar:--(a-, dwell in, very) far

(country, off). See also 1023.

see HEBREW for 07368

see HEBREW for 01023

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶרְחָק (mer.chaq) — distance.

distant place, distance, far country

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
עֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙o.lo.tei.Khem burnt offerings your H5930 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
287× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
sacrifices, acts of worship
Tyndale gloss
burnt offering
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹלָה (olah) refers to both a whole burnt-offering and an ascent or stairway. It is derived from a feminine active participle of the root meaning to go up. The term is used in contexts related to sacrifices, particularly in the Old Testament, where it signifies offerings that ascend in smoke. The entries consistently highlight its dual meaning without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹלָה 286 n.f. whole burnt-offering

base

[עֹלָה] n.f. ascent, stairway, Ez 40:26 Kt

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5930a עֹלָה whole burnt-offering H5930b עֹלָה ascent, stairway

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5930 `olah o-law'

or mowlah {o-law'}; feminine active participle of 5927; a

step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a

holocaust (as going up in smoke):--ascent, burnt offering

(sacrifice), go up to. See also 5766.

see HEBREW for 05927

see HEBREW for 05766

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹלָה (o.lah) — burnt offering.

whole burnt offering

Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)

עֹלָה (o.lah) — ascent.

ascent, stairway, steps

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2mp
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
pleasing, favorable
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לְרָצ֔וֹןle.ra.Tzon [are] for acceptance H7522 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to acceptance or delight, often used to describe God's pleasure or favor. It appears in Psalms and Isaiah, highlighting God's goodwill towards us. This word is about taking pleasure in something.
Tyndale gloss
acceptance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָצוֹן (ratsown) refers to concepts of goodwill, favor, acceptance, and will. It encompasses ideas of delight, desire, and pleasure, particularly in the context of personal relationships and sacrifices. The word is derived from a root meaning to delight, and it captures both voluntary will and the notion of being acceptable.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָצוֹן n.[m.] goodwill, favour, acceptance, will

goodwill, favour

acceptance, of persons, offering sacrifice

will, desire, pleasure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7522 רָצוֹן goodwill, favour, acceptance, will . goodwill, favour

. acceptance, of persons, offering sacrifice

. will, desire, pleasure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7522 ratsown raw-tsone'

or ratson {raw-tsone'}; from 7521; delight (especially as

shown):--(be) acceptable(-ance, -ed), delight, desire,

favour, (good) pleasure, (own, self, voluntary) will,

as...(what) would.

see HEBREW for 07521

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָצוֹן (ra.tson) — acceptance.

1) pleasure, delight, favour, goodwill, acceptance, will

1a) goodwill, favour

1b) acceptance

1c) will, desire, pleasure, self-will

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ak-sep'-tans: A rendering of the Hebrew retson, "delight," found only in Isa 60:7. It pictures God's delight in His redeemed people in the Messianic era, when their gifts, in joyful and profuse abundance, "shall come up with acceptance on mine altar." With "accepted" and other kindred words it implies redeeming grace as the basis of Divine favor. It is the "living, holy sacrifice" that is "acceptable to God" (Ro 12:1; compare Titus 3:4-6).

why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖םve.ziv.chei.Khem and sacrifices your H2077 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
162× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.
Amplified meaning
offerings, gifts to God
Tyndale gloss
sacrifice
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶ֫בַח (zebach) means 'sacrifice' and is derived from a root meaning 'to slaughter.' It encompasses various types of sacrifices, including those for feasts, covenant sacrifices, and thank offerings. The term appears in contexts related to both the God of Israel and other deities, indicating its broad use in ritual practices.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶ֫בַח 162 n.m. sacrifice

general name for all sacrifices eaten at feasts

of the God of Israel

of other deities

there are several kinds which are gradually distinguished

the covenant sacrifice, between Jacob and Laban

the passover

annual sacrifice

thank offering

in ritual of H & P

the slaughter of hostile nations

the verb used

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2077 זֶ֫בַח sacrifice

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2077 zebach zeh'-bakh

from 2076; properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an

animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the

act):--offer(- ing), sacrifice.

see HEBREW for 02076

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶ֫בַח (ze.vach) — sacrifice.

1) sacrifice

1a) sacrifices of righteousness

1b) sacrifices of strife

1c) sacrifices to dead things

1d) the covenant sacrifice

1e) the passover

1f) annual sacrifice

1g) thank offering

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HC/Ncmpc/Sp2mp
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
עָ֥רְבוּ'A.re.vu they are pleasing H6149 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be pleasing or agreeable, like a sweet taste. It is used to describe something that brings joy or satisfaction. In the Bible, it is used to talk about taking pleasure in something.
Amplified meaning
are not agreeable, do not delight
Tyndale gloss
to please
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָרֵב (areb) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be sweet or pleasant. It conveys the idea of being agreeable or taking pleasure in something. The entries consistently emphasize its pleasant qualities, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָרַב] vb. be sweet, pleasant

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6149 [עָרֵב] be sweet, pleasant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6149 `areb aw-rabe'

a primitive root (identical with 6148 through the idea of

close association); to be agreeable:--be pleasant(-ing), take

pleasure in, be sweet.

see HEBREW for 06148

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָרַב (a.rev) — to please.

1) (Qal) to be pleasant, be sweet, be pleasing

1a) (TWOT) sweet, pleasant

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? this to me frankincense [which] from Sheba it comes and [the] cane good from a land of distance burnt offerings your not [are] for acceptance and sacrifices your not they are pleasing to me
לִֽי׃ סLi to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp1bs
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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