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Job 22:7 — Word Study

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WLCלֹא־ מַ֭יִם עָיֵ֣ף תַּשְׁקֶ֑ה וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗ב תִּֽמְנַֽע־ לָֽחֶם׃

BSAYou gaveshâqâh [refused to provide] nolôʼ watermayim [to drink, a source of refreshment] to the wearyʻâyêph [faint, exhausted] and withheldmânaʻ [kept back, denied] foodlechem [bread, nourishment] from the famishedrâʻêb [hungry, those in need]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 22
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (La.chem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 22:7quick helps
In a sentenceJob is accused of failing to provide for those in need.
Who is speakingEliphaz, one of Job's friends, is addressing Job.
Where we areJob's friends are arguing that Job's suffering must be due to his own wrongdoing.
The hard wordתִּֽמְנַֽע־
Take awayThe accusation is that Job has neglected the needy.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁקָה 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 — Job 22:7

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 Friends Accuse Himgenerated

6For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing.
7You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,
8while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it.
9You sent widows away empty-handed, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.

Job 22:7 is part of a larger discourse where Eliphaz the Temanite accuses Job of wrongdoing. He claims that Job has failed to help those in need, suggesting that Job's current suffering is a direct consequence of his actions. This accusation forms part of a series of arguments from Job's friends who believe that suffering is always a result of sin.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 31:17if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless—
2Deuteronomy 15:7–11If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
3Psalm 112:9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
4Proverbs 11:24–25One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
5Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

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


The Key Word תִּֽמְנַֽע־, tim.na'-generated

The verb מָנַע (mana) means to withhold or keep back. It is used here in the second person masculine singular, indicating that Eliphaz is directly addressing Job and accusing him of withholding help from others.

This verb emphasizes the act of denial, suggesting that Job has not only failed to provide but has actively chosen to withhold assistance from those who are suffering, namely the weary and the hungry.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of this verse centers around two main verbs: תַּשְׁקֶ֑ה (you have given to drink) and תִּֽמְנַֽע־ (you have withheld). These verbs govern the objects that follow, indicating the actions taken against the weary and the hungry.

The word order emphasizes the negative actions attributed to Job, as Eliphaz lists the lack of provision for those in need, highlighting the severity of the accusation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תִּֽמְנַֽע־ with ἐστέρησας, which means 'you deprived.' This choice suggests a strong emphasis on the act of taking away or denying something essential.

This translation aligns with the accusatory tone of Eliphaz's speech, reinforcing the claim that Job has not only failed to provide but has actively deprived others of necessary sustenance.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 22:7 shows Eliphaz accusing Job of failing to help those in need. He claims Job did not provide water for the weary or food for the hungry, suggesting that Job's suffering is a result of his neglect.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of withholding water and food in this verse?

Withholding water and food symbolizes a lack of compassion and care for those in need, highlighting the moral responsibility to help the vulnerable.

How does this accusation relate to Job's character?

Eliphaz's accusation suggests that Job's suffering is due to his failure to act justly, contrasting with Job's earlier claims of integrity and righteousness.

What can we learn about the importance of helping others from this verse?

This verse emphasizes the ethical obligation to provide for those who are weary and hungry, reflecting broader biblical themes of compassion and justice.

How do Job's friends interpret his suffering?

Job's friends, including Eliphaz, interpret his suffering as evidence of sin, believing that God punishes wrongdoing with hardship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I be more attentive to the needs of those around me?
  2. How do I respond when I see someone in need, and what can I learn from Job's situation?
  3. What does this verse teach about the consequences of neglecting the vulnerable?
  4. How can I ensure that I am not withholding help from those who are struggling?

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

Early commentators have discussed this verse in relation to Job's character and the moral implications of his actions. Quotations from Origen and Olympiodorus are provided here.

Origen of AlexandriaFRAGMENTS ON Job 16.22-23 c. 185–253
All these things are accusations, and certainly very reproachful ones. But they are not true with regard to Job and are unjustly pronounced against him. These things happen in times of hardship.
Early Church Fathers on Job 22 →
Olympiodorus of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON Job 22:7 6th c.
A criminal act not only causes harm but also denies any benefit. Therefore, notice to what point our benevolence must be extended.
Early Church Fathers on Job 22 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 22:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink,.... To a weary thirsty traveller, to whom in those hot countries cold water was very refreshing, and which in desert places was not to be had in

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

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. Hospitality to the weary traveler is regarded in the East as a primary duty (Isaiah 21:14).

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

Surely thou hast been so hard-hearted as to deny a cup of cold water to those that needed and desired it. Water was ofttimes scarce and precious in those hot countries, and was appropriated to particular persons, without whose leave other persons might not take it. To the weary, i.e. to him who by reason of hard labour or travel is weary and thirsty. So this word is used . From the hungry, to whom it was due by God’ s law, , which also was known to Job by the light of nature. Hereby he intimates the greatness of this sin of uncharitableness, by ranking it with heinous crimes; whereas Job (as he thought) esteemed it but a small fault, if any.

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

Job 22:7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.Ver. 7. Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink] But hast slain him with thirst, when thou mightest have saved him with a cup of cold water. Qui non, cum potest, servat, occidit: Who when able did not serve, and died. Not to do good (when it is in the power of a man’ s hand) is to do evil; and not to save a life is to destroy it, Mark 3:4. Not robbing only, but not relieving the beggar, was the rich man’ s ruin, Luke 16:24, who, for a cup of cold water, duly given, might have had heaven, Matthew 10:42. But what meant Eliphaz to charge innocent and munificent Job with such a…

Read John Trapp on Job 22 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. Thou hast not given water] It was esteemed a great virtue in the East to furnish thirsty travellers with water; especially in the deserts, where scarcely a stream was to be found, and where wells were very rare. Some of the Indian devotees are accustomed to stand with a girbah or skin full of water, on the public roads, to give drink to weary travellers who are parched with thirst.

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

7. Compare Job’s answer, ch. Job 31:16-17.

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

Thou hast not given water to the weary - That is, thou hast withheld the rites of hospitality - one of the most grievous offences which could be charged on an Arabian; compare the notes at Isaiah 21:14.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 22 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7. Not given water — That which we do not do is made at the last day quite as much a test of character as what we do. Matthew 25:42-43. The Egyptian Book of the Dead represents a soul before Osiris as saying.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 22 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

You haven’t given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,

NETBNew English Translation2006

You gave the weary no water to drink and from the hungry you withheld food.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withheld bread from the hungry.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To such as were wearie, thou hast not giuen water to drinke, and hast withdrawen bread from the hungrie.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Thou hast not given water to the fainting to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Thou causest not the weary to drink water, And from the hungry thou withholdest bread.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

You do not cause the weary to drink water, || And you withhold bread from the hungry.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and from the hungry thou hast withholden bread.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You have not given water to weary people to drink; you have withheld bread from hungry people

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou hast not given water to the weary, thou hast withdrawn bread from the hungry.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You refused water to the thirsty; you denied food to the hungry.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹאnotsecond objectמַ֭יִםwaterobjectעָיֵ֣ף[the].wearyverbתַּשְׁקֶ֑הyou.have.given.to.drinkוּ֝andclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfrom.[the]רָעֵ֗בhungryverbתִּֽמְנַֽעyou.have.withheldobjectלָֽחֶםbread

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of Job 22:7, with all seven words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the text across these traditions.

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

לֹא־ מַ֭יִם עָיֵ֣ף תַּשְׁקֶ֑ה וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗ב תִּֽמְנַֽע־ לָֽחֶם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹא־οὐδὲמַ֭יִםὕδωρעָיֵ֣ףδιψῶνταςתַּשְׁקֶ֑הἐπότισαςוּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗בπεινώντωνתִּֽמְנַֽע־ἐστέρησαςלָֽחֶם׃ψωμόν

7 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 22:7לֹאnotnotלֹאמַיwaterwaterמַיעָיֵף[the] weary[the] wearyעָיֵףשָׁקָהyou have giyou have given שָׁקָהרָעֵבand from [tand from [the] רָעֵבמָנַעyou have wiyou have withheמָנַעלֶ֫חֶםbreadbreadלֶ֫חֶםעִיףbe faintbe faintעִיףרָעֵבbe hungrybe hungryרָעֵבלָחַםto fightto fightלָחַםשָׁכַרbe drunkbe drunkשָׁכַרשָׁתָהto drinkto drinkשָׁתָהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדרָחַץto wash: wto wash: washרָחַץרָעֵבhungryhungryרָעֵבנֶ֫פֶשׁsoulsoulנֶ֫פֶשׁרֹאשׁpoisonpoisonרֹאשׁגָּמָלcamelcamelגָּמָלצָמֵאthirstythirstyצָמֵאעֵירֹםnakednakedעֵירֹםכָּבֵדto honor: to honor: honouכָּבֵדרֶ֫גֶלfootfootרֶ֫גֶלפַּתmorselmorselפַּתשָׂבֵעַto satisfyto satisfyשָׂבֵעַ
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 22:7

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 water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
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
not water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
מַ֭יִםMa.yim water H4325 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
581× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
to drink, a source of refreshment
Tyndale gloss
Water (Gate)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4325 mayim mah'-yim

dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+

piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַי (ma.yim) — water.

1) water, waters

1a) water

1b) water of the feet, urine

1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)

מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).

This name means water, refreshment

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):

(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.

(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.

(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CISTERN and WELLS.

In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5

→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9

→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11

→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20

→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5

→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22

→ Libation of 1Sa 7:6

→ Irrigation with

See IRRIGATION

→ Miraculously supplied

To the Israelites Ex 17:1,6; Nu 20:11

To Samson Jud 15:19

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- One of the elements of the world

Ge 1:2

- GOD ORIGINALLY

. Created the firmament to divide

Ge 1:6,7

. Collected into one place

Ge 1:9

. Created fowls and fishes, &c from

Ge 1:20,21

- Necessary to vegetation

Ge 2:5,6; Job 14:9; Isa 1:30

- Some plants particularly require

Job 8:11

- Necessary to the comfort and happiness of man

Isa 41:17; Zec 9:11

- COLLECTED IN

. Springs

not water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
עָיֵ֣ף'a.Yef [the] weary H5889 Adj
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means feeling faint or exhausted, like being very thirsty or weary. It is used to describe someone who is drained of energy. This word appears in descriptions of people who are struggling.
Amplified meaning
faint, exhausted
Tyndale gloss
faint
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָיֵף (ayeph) is an adjective meaning faint or weary. It is derived from the root word corresponding to H5888 and conveys a sense of exhaustion or languor. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to fatigue.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָיֵף adj. faint, weary

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5889 עָיֵף faint, weary

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5889 `ayeph aw-yafe'

from 5888; languid:--faint, thirsty, weary.

see HEBREW for 05888

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָיֵף (a.yeph) — faint.

faint, exhausted, weary

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
not water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
תַּשְׁקֶ֑הtash.Keh you have given to drink H8248 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singular
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to give water or a drink to someone or something, often used in stories like Genesis and Exodus. It describes providing sustenance and care, like God giving water to the Israelites in the desert.
Amplified meaning
refused to provide
Tyndale gloss
to water: watering
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁקָה (sha.qah) is a primitive root meaning to cause to drink or to water. It covers the act of giving drink to both animals and plants, as well as the concept of irrigation. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Hiphil, Pual, and Niphal, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁקָה] vb. Hiph. cause to drink water, give to drink

Hiph. water, irrigate, ground

water, give drink to

Pu. the marrow of his bones is watered, (refreshed, invigorated).

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8248 שָׁקָה Hiph. cause to drink water, give to drink

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8248 shaqah shaw-kaw'

a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or

furnish a potion to:--cause to (give, give to, let, make to)

drink, drown, moisten, water. See 7937, 8354.

see HEBREW for 07937

see HEBREW for 08354

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁקָה (sha.qah) — to water: watering.

: watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS)

1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to water, irrigate

1a2) to water, give drink to

1b) (Pual) to be watered

1c) (Niphal) variant

שָׁקָה (sha.qah) — to water: drink.

: drink(PEOPLE)

1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to water, irrigate

1a2) to water, give drink to

1b) (Pual) to be watered

1c) (Niphal) variant

שָׁקָה (sha.qah) — to water: cupbearer.

: cupbearer

1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to water, irrigate

1a2) to water, give drink to

1b) (Pual) to be watered

1c) (Niphal) variant

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVhi2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See FOOD; DRINK, STRONG.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Drink

The drinks of the Hebrews were water, wine, “strong drink,” and vinegar. Their drinking vessels were the cup, goblet or “basin,” the “cruse” or pitcher, and the saucer.

To drink water by measure (Ezek. 4:11), and to buy water to drink (Lam. 5:4), denote great scarcity. To drink blood means to be satiated with slaughter.

The Jews carefully strained their drinks through a sieve, through fear of violating the law of Lev. 11:20, 23, 41, 42. (See Matt. 23:24. “Strain at” should be “strain out.”)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ INTOXICATING

See ABSTINENCE, TOTAL

→ See DRUNKARD

→ See DRUNKENNESS

→ See WINE

not water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗בu.me.ra.'Ev and from [the] hungry H7457 Conjunction · preposition
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A person who is hungry is described by this Hebrew word, which appears in books like Deuteronomy and Amos. Hunger can be a physical or emotional state, and the Bible addresses both aspects.
Amplified meaning
hungry, those in need
Tyndale gloss
hungry
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָעֵב (ra'ev) means 'hungry' and can describe varying intensities of hunger. It can also refer to a 'hungry man' as a noun or imply failing strength in a figurative sense. The word is derived from רָעַב (ra'ab), which is linked to the concept of hunger.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָעֵב adj. hungry

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7457 רָעֵב hungry

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7457 ra`eb raw-abe'

from 7456; hungry (more or less intensely):--hunger bitten,

hungry.

see HEBREW for 07456

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָעֵב (ra.ev) — hungry.

1) hungry

1a) hungry

1b) hungry man (subst)

1c) of failing strength (fig)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | Adj — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R/Aamsa
not water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
תִּֽמְנַֽע־tim.na'- you have withheld H4513 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To withhold means to hold something back or keep it from someone. In the Bible, this word is used to describe God withholding something from people, or people withholding things from each other.
Amplified meaning
kept back, denied
Tyndale gloss
to withhold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָנַע (mana) is a Hebrew verb meaning to withhold or hold back. It can refer to denying or restraining something, either positively or negatively. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal (to withhold) and Niphal (to be withheld). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָנַע vb. withhold, hold back

Qal withhold

Niph. be withholden

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4513 מָנַע withhold, hold back

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4513 mana` maw-nah'

a primitive root; to debar (negatively or positively) from

benefit or injury:--deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain,

withhold.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָנַע (ma.na) — to withhold.

1) to withhold, hold back, keep back, refrain, deny, keep restrain, hinder

1a) (Qal) to withhold

1b) (Niphal) to be withheld

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVqi2ms
not water [the] weary you have given to drink and from [the] hungry you have withheld bread
לָֽחֶם׃La.chem bread H3899 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
298× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Amplified meaning
bread, nourishment
Tyndale gloss
food
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֶ֫חֶם (lechem) means bread or food, encompassing items like grain and provisions for both humans and animals. It is derived from a related root and is used in various contexts, particularly in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its primary association with bread, though they also acknowledge its broader meaning as food.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֶ֫חֶם 296 n.m. and (rarely) f. bread, food

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3899 לֶ֫חֶם bread, food

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3899 lechem lekh'-em

from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or

grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit,

loaf, meat, victuals. See also 1036.

see HEBREW for 03898

see HEBREW for 01036

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food.

: food(eating)

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: bread.

: bread/loaf

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: allowance.

: allowance

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

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

bred (lechem; artos):

I. DIETARY PREEMINENCE

II. MATERIALS

1. Barley

2. Wheat

3. Three Kinds of Flour

III. BREAD-MAKING

1. Grinding

2. Kneading

3. Baking

(1) Hot Stones

(2) Baking Pans

4. Ovens

(1) The Bowl-Oven

(2) The Jar-Oven

(3) The Pit-Oven

5. Forms of Baked Bread

6. Work for Women

IV. SANCTITY AND SYMBOLISM OF BREAD

1. Sanctity

2. Symbolism

LITERATURE

The art of bread-making is very ancient. It was even known to the Egyptians at a very early day (Wilkinson, Ancient Egyptians), to the Hebrews of the Exodus (Nowack, Lehrbuch der hebr. Archaologie) and, of course, to the Greeks and Romans of a later day. Bread played a large part in the vocabulary and in the life of the ancient Hebrews.

I. Dietary Preeminence.

(1) In the East bread is primary, other articles of food merely accessory; while in the West meat and other things chiefly constitute the meal, and bread is merely secondary. Accordingly "bread" in…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bread

Among the Jews was generally made of wheat (Ex. 29:2; Judg. 6:19), though also sometimes of other grains (Gen. 14:18; Judg. 7:13). Parched grain was sometimes used for food without any other preparation (Ruth 2:14).

Bread was prepared by kneading in wooden bowls or “kneading troughs” (Gen. 18:6; Ex. 12:34; Jer. 7:18). The dough was mixed with leaven and made into thin cakes, round or oval, and then baked. The bread eaten at the Passover was always…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The preparation of bread as an article of food dates from a very early period. (Genesis 18:6) The corn or grain employed was of various sorts. The best bread was made of wheat, but "barley" and spelt were also used. (John 6:9,13; Isaiah 28:25) The process of making bread was as follows: the flour was first mixed with water or milk; it was then kneaded with the hands (in Egypt with the feet also) in a small wooden bowl or "kneading-trough" until it became dough. (Exodus 12:34,39; 2 Samuel 13:3; Jeremiah 7:18) When the kneading was completed, leaven was generally added [LEAVEN]; but when the time for preparation was short…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A word which in Scripture is often put for food in general, Ge 3:19 18:5 28:20 Ex 2:20 Le 11:3. Manna is called bread from heaven, Ex 16:4. Bread, in the proper and literal sense, usually means cakes made of wheaten flour; barely being used chiefly by the poor and for feeding horses. The wheat was ground daily, in small stone mills; the flour was made into dough in a wooden trough, and subsequently leavened, Ex 12:34 Ho 7:4. It was then made into cakes, and baked.

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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