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Job 17:2 — Word Study

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WLCאִם־ לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם תָּלַ֥ן עֵינִֽי׃

BSASurelyʼim [without a doubt, certainly] mockershâthôl [those who scorn, deride] surround meʻimmâd and my eyesʻayin must gazelûwn at their rebellionmârâh [dwell upon, continue in, provocation, bitter laughter]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 17
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 ('ei.Ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 17:2quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses his despair as he feels surrounded by mockers and must witness their defiance.
Who is speakingJob, in a moment of deep anguish.
Where we areIn Job's dialogue about his suffering and the scorn he faces.
The hard wordהֲתֻלִים
Take awayJob's eyes are forced to confront the mockery and rebellion around him.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהֲתֻלִים verbלין The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 7 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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

Deep Study — Job 17:2

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 — Job's Lamentgenerated

1“My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me.
2Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion.
3Give me, I pray, the pledge You demand. Who else will be my guarantor?
4You have closed their minds to understanding; therefore You will not exalt them.

Job 17:2 captures Job's emotional state as he laments his suffering and the mockery he faces from those around him. In this passage, he expresses the pain of being surrounded by scornful individuals while feeling the weight of their rebellion against him. Job's situation reflects a broader theme of suffering and the quest for understanding amid adversity, as seen throughout the book of Job.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 12:4I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.
2Job 13:9Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man?
3Job 16:20My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God.
4Job 21:3Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.
5Psalm 35:14–16I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

provocation1 Samuel 1:6–7

The Key Word הֲתֻלִים, Ha.tu.limgenerated

The word הֲתֻלִים (Ha.tu.lim) refers to mockeries or derision, specifically describing those who scorn or ridicule others. This noun is in the masculine plural form, indicating multiple mockers surrounding Job.

Its usage here emphasizes the emotional and social isolation Job feels as he grapples with his suffering. The lexicons highlight its connection to scorn and derision, underscoring the painful reality of being mocked in times of distress.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of הֲתֻלִים as 'mockers', with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all conveying this idea.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse is governed by the main clause, which centers on the subject הֲתֻלִים (mockers) and the verb תָּלַ֥ן (may it dwell). The verse presents Job's observation of mockers and his emotional response to their rebellion.

The syntax indicates a clear relationship between the mockers surrounding Job and his gaze upon their actions, illustrating the depth of his suffering and the impact of their scorn.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates the Hebrew word הֲתֻלִים with λίσσομαι, which conveys a sense of scorn or mockery. This choice reflects a consistent interpretation of the term as it pertains to derision.

The Greek rendering emphasizes the emotional weight of Job's experience, aligning with the Hebrew's connotation of mockery.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 17:2 shows Job feeling surrounded by mockers, and he must look at their rebellion. This reflects his deep sorrow and the pain of being scorned during his suffering.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'mockers'?

Job refers to those who ridicule and scorn him during his time of suffering, highlighting the emotional pain of being surrounded by such individuals.

How does Job's situation relate to the theme of suffering?

Job's lament illustrates the struggle of facing mockery and scorn while enduring personal suffering, a central theme throughout the book of Job.

What is the significance of Job's gaze upon their rebellion?

Job's gaze signifies his awareness of the scorn directed at him, emphasizing the emotional burden he carries as he confronts their defiance.

How does this verse connect to other passages in Job?

This verse connects to Job's ongoing dialogue about suffering and the challenges he faces, as seen in other passages where he expresses his pain and seeks understanding.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I respond to mockery or scorn in my own life?
  2. What can I learn from Job's experience of suffering and mockery?
  3. In what ways can I support those who are facing ridicule or scorn?
  4. How does this verse challenge my understanding of suffering and resilience?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 17:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

[Are there] not mockers with me?.... Meaning not irreligious persons, such as make a mock at sin, a jest of religion, a laugh at good men, sneer at the doctrines and ordinances of God, and scoff at

Read John Gill on Job 17 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 17 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Do not my friends, instead of comforting, mock and abuse me, as if I had made use of religion only as a cloak to my wickedness? Heb. If there be not mockers with me, understand, let God do so or so to me. It is a form of an oath, which is defectively expressed, after the manner of the Hebrews. Assuredly I am in the midst of cruel mockers, which is a sore aggravation of my affliction. Thus he returns to what he had said , and intimates the necessity and justice of his following appeal, which otherwise might be thought too bold. Mine eye; either, 1. The eyes of my body. Do they not continue to provoke me to my face? Or rather, 2. The eye of my mind. Their provoking scoffs and reproaches do…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 17 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 17:2 [Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?Ver. 2. Are there no mockers with me?] Heb. If there be not mockers with me, q.d. despeream, let me be punished, or let me be blamed for wishing to argue it out with God; so some Jewish doctors sense it. Job had before complained about his friends’ jeering and girding at him, Job 16:20. To be mocked in misery is no small aggravation. See what is threatened, Proverbs 1:26. The proverb is, Oculus, fides, et fama non patiuntur iocos, There is no jesting with a man’ s eye, faith, and fame. Junius rendereth the text thus, Forasmuch as there are no mockings with me, I mean honestly, and deal plainly, and…

Read John Trapp on Job 17 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Mine eye continue in their provocation?—“It sees, and can see nothing else; has nothing else to look upon “: a bitter reproach against his friends.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 17 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. Are there not mockers with me?] This has been variously translated. The VULGATE: "I have not sinned, and yet my eye dwells upon afflictions." SEPTUAGINT: "I conjure you, labouring under afflictions, what evil have I done? Yet strangers have robbed me of my substance." Mr. GOOD: "But are not revilers before me? Alas, mine eye penetrateth their rebukes." CALMET thinks the Hebrew might be translated thus: "If I have not been united in friendship with the wicked, why are my eyes in bitterness?" COVERDALE translates both verses thus: My breth fayleth, my dayes are shortened, I am harde at deathes dore. I have disceaved no man, yet must myne eye continue in hevynesse. Mr. HEATH "Were it…

Read AdamClarke on Job 17 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. Are there not mockers with me] lit. mockery. The interrogative form is possible, but more likely the verse is a strong asseveration, uttered in a tone of indignant impatience. The connexion indicates that the reference is to the illusory hopes and promises of restoration in this life which the friends held out to Job. He complains that he is beset with such mockeries. This seems also the meaning of the “provocation” on which his eye has to dwell, though in this their offensive exhortations to repentance may also be included. This provocation of theirs his friends were always inflicting upon him, troublesome comforters as they were (Job 16:2). The true state of things Job knows very well…

Read Cambridge on Job 17 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? - Margin “lodge.” This is the meaning of the Hebrew word used here - נלן tālan.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 17 →

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

Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Surely mockery is with me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Surely there are mockers with me, and mine eye abideth in their provocation.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Are there not mockers with me? and doth not my eye continue in their provocation?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

There are none but mockers with mee, and mine eye continueth in their bitternesse.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Are there not mockers around me? and doth [not] mine eye abide in their provocation?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

If not — mockeries [are] with me. And in their provocations mine eye lodgeth.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

If not—mockeries [are] with me. And my eye lodges in their provocations.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Yet truly those that mock are with me, and on their offendings must my eye rest.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Surely there are mockers with me; my eye must always see their provocation.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Mockers surround me. I see how bitterly they ridicule me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.

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.

clauseאִם(if)?clauseadverbialלֹ֣אnotsubjectהֲ֭תֻלִיםmockeri(es)prepositional phrase · predicateעִמָּדִ֑[are].withיmeוּ֝andclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְonclauseverbהַמְּרוֹתָ֗rebellingsubjectםtheirverbתָּלַ֥ןit.dwellsnoun phrase · subjectעֵינִֽeyeיmy

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 show agreement in the overall message of the verse, though the Septuagint's word order and articles differ. The Hebrew text clearly conveys Job's confrontation with mockers, while the Greek translation maintains the essence of this sentiment.

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

אִם־ לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם תָּלַ֥ן עֵינִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אִם־καὶלֹ֣אοὐהֲ֭תֻלִיםλίσσομαιעִמָּדִ֑יκάμνων

4 of the 7 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.

Job 17:2אִם??אִםלֹאnotnotלֹאהֲתֻלִֿיםmockeriesmockeriesהֲתֻלִֿיםעִם[are] with [are] with meעִםמָרָהand on rebeand on rebellinמָרָהלוּןmay it dwelmay it dwellלוּןעַ֫יִןeye myeye myעַ֫יִןהָתַלto mockto mockהָתַלעִםwithwithעִםחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדרִיבto contendto contendרִיבחֶ֫סֶדkindnesskindnessחֶ֫סֶדסָרַרto rebelto rebelסָרַרפֶּהliplipפֶּהלַ֫יְלָהnightnightלַ֫יְלָהעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁר
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 Job 17:2

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.

? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
אִם־'im- ? H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Amplified meaning
without a doubt, certainly
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
הֲ֭תֻלִיםHa.tu.lim mockeries H2049 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means mockery or derision, describing someone who is being scorned or ridiculed, as seen in the KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
those who scorn, deride
Tyndale gloss
mockery
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֲתֻלִֿים (hathol) refers to mockery or a mocker, derived from a related term. It appears in the plural form and is specifically noted in Job 17:2. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to derision.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֲתֻלִֿים n.[m.]pl. mockery:—Jb 17:2

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2049 הֲתֻלִֿים, הָתֹל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2049 hathol haw-thole'

from 2048 (only in plural collectively); a derision:--mocker.

see HEBREW for 02048

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֲתֻלִֿים (ha.tol) — mockery.

mockery, mocker

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
עִמָּדִ֑י'i.ma.Di [are] with me H5978 Preposition · suffix
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means 'with me', showing accompaniment, like in Psalm 23:4 where David says God is with him even in difficult times.
Tyndale gloss
with me
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עִם (*im*) means 'with' and is used to indicate companionship, aid, or joint actions. It can also imply opposition in contexts of contest or combat. The entries suggest a range of meanings, including proximity, possession, and metaphorical uses, such as 'in spite of.' There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5978 עִם with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5978 `immad im-mawd'

prol. for 5973; along with:--against, by, from, + me, +

mine, of, + that I take, unto, upon, with(-in.)

see HEBREW for 05973

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִמָּדִי (im.mad) — with me.

with

A grammatical form of im (עִם "with" H5973A)

§ 1) with

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗םu.ve.ha.me.ro.Tam and on rebelling they H4784 Conjunction · preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rebel means to resist or disobey authority, often in a stubborn or defiant way. In the Bible, it's used to describe people's disobedience towards God or their parents.
Amplified meaning
dwell upon, continue in, provocation, bitter laughter
Tyndale gloss
to rebel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָרָה (marah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be contentious or rebellious. It encompasses actions of disobedience, particularly towards authority figures like parents or God. The entries indicate that it can also imply causing bitterness or provoking resistance. The word appears in various forms, such as Qal and Hiphil, which denote different aspects of rebellion and disobedience.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָרָה vb. be contentious, refractory, rebellious

Qal be disobedient, rebellious

Hiph. shew disobedience, rebelliousness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4784 מָרָה be contentious, refractory, rebellious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4784 marah maw-raw'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bitter (or

unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively,

to provoke):--bitter, change, be disobedient, disobey,

grievously, provocation, provoke(-ing), (be) rebel

(against, -lious).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָרָה (ma.rah) — to rebel.

1) to be contentious, be rebellious, be refractory, be disobedient towards, be rebellious against

1a) (Qal) to be disobedient, be rebellious

1a1) towards father

1a2) towards God

1b) (Hiphil) to show rebelliousness, show disobedience, disobey

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
HC/R/Vhcc/Sp3mp
? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
תָּלַ֥ןta.Lan may it dwell H3885 Verb · Qal · jussive third person feminine singular
84× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To grumble or complain, this word describes a negative attitude of discontent or murmuring. It is used in the Bible to describe people who are unhappy or stubborn.
Tyndale gloss
to lodge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לוּן (luwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lodge or pass the night, and it can also imply abiding or remaining. It has a negative connotation when referring to murmuring or complaining. The word can be used in various forms, including Qal, Hiphil, and Hithpalpel, indicating different nuances of lodging and grumbling.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לוּן, לִין vb. lodge, pass the night, fig. abide

Qal

lodge, pass the night

fig. abide, remain

Hiph. cause to rest, lodge

Hithpalp. dwell, abide, of eagle

base

[לוּן] vb. murmur

Niph. murmur against

Hiph. murmur; cause to murmur

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3885a לוּן, לִין lodge, pass the night, fig. abide H3885b לוּן murmur

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3885 luwn loon

or liyn {leen}; a primitive root; to stop (usually over

night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad

sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to

complain):--abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure,

grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night,

in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all

night, that night).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לוּן (lun) — to lodge.

1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lodge, pass the night

1a2) to abide, remain (fig.)

1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest, lodge

1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide

לוּן (lun) — to grumble.

1) to grumble, complain, murmur

1a) (Niphal) to grumble, murmur

1b) (Hiphil) to complain, cause to grumble

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · jussive third person feminine singular
HVqj3fs
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.…

? not mockeries [are] with me and on rebelling they may it dwell eye my
עֵינִֽי׃'ei.Ni eye my H5869 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/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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