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Job 24:5 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהֵ֤ן פְּרָאִ֨ים׀ בַּֽמִּדְבָּ֗ר יָצְא֣וּ בְּ֭פָעֳלָם מְשַׁחֲרֵ֣י לַטָּ֑רֶף עֲרָבָ֥ה ל֥וֹ לֶ֝֗חֶם לַנְּעָרִֽים׃

BSAIndeedhên [like] wild donkeyspereʼ [untamed, onagers, strong and fierce animals] in the desertmidbâr [a barren, desolate wilderness] the poor goyâtsâʼ [those in need, impoverished] to workpôʻal [their daily labor, task] foragingshâchar [searching diligently, seeking early] for foodṭereph [bread, sustenance] the wastelandʻărâbâh [a desert, barren land] is foodlechem [nourishment, provision] for their childrennaʻar [young ones, youth]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 24
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 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.ne.'a.Rim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 24:5quick helps
In a sentenceJob compares the plight of the poor to wild donkeys, emphasizing their struggle for survival in harsh conditions.
Who is speakingJob, reflecting on the injustices faced by the impoverished.
Where we areIn a passage describing the harsh realities of life for the poor.
The hard wordפְּרָאִ֨ים
Take awayThe poor must work hard to provide for their children in a desolate environment.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectעֲרָבָה verbיָצָא 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 24:5

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

Context — The Struggles of the Poorgenerated

4They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.
5Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go to work foraging for food; the wasteland is food for their children.
6They gather fodder in the fields and glean the vineyards of the wicked.
7Without clothing, they spend the night naked; they have no covering against the cold.

Job 24:5 illustrates the desperate conditions that the poor endure, likening them to wild donkeys in the wilderness as they search for sustenance. This imagery highlights their lack of resources and the relentless nature of their daily labor. The surrounding verses further depict the injustices they face, emphasizing the societal neglect of their plight.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 39:5–7Who set the wild donkey free? Who released the swift donkey from the harness?
2Jeremiah 2:24a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of her desire. Who can restrain her passion? All who seek her need not weary themselves; in mating season they will find her.
3Hosea 8:9For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.
4Job 24:14When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief.
5Proverbs 4:16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word פְּרָאִ֨ים, pe.ra.'Imgenerated

The term פֶּרֶא (pere') refers to a wild donkey or onager, an animal known for its strength and untamed spirit. This word symbolizes freedom and the harshness of the wilderness, reflecting the struggles of the poor who are forced to fend for themselves in a hostile environment.

In this context, the wild donkeys represent the poor who must navigate a barren landscape to find food for their children. The choice of this imagery underscores the theme of survival against the odds, as the poor are depicted as resilient yet vulnerable.


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 verse consists of one main clause with several phrases elaborating on the subjects involved. The finite verb יָצְא֣וּ (they go forth) governs the entire structure, indicating action taken by the poor.

The sentence begins with a simile, comparing the poor to wild donkeys, which sets the tone for the rest of the verse. The arrangement emphasizes the conditions under which the poor labor, highlighting their desperate search for food.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word פְּרָאִ֨ים is rendered as ὄνοι (onoi), which also means 'donkeys.' This choice maintains the imagery of wildness and strength, aligning with the Hebrew context.

The translation of עֲרָבָ֥ה as ἀγρῷ (agrō), meaning 'in the field,' broadens the context from a specific desert to a general wilderness, suggesting a more expansive view of the poor's environment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 24:5 compares the poor to wild donkeys in the desert, illustrating their struggle to find food for their children. They work hard in a barren land, highlighting the difficulties they face in providing for their families.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to compare the poor to wild donkeys?

This comparison highlights the freedom and strength of wild donkeys, paralleling the resilience of the poor as they navigate harsh conditions to survive.

Why does Job use such vivid imagery?

Job's use of imagery emphasizes the dire circumstances of the poor, drawing attention to their plight and the societal neglect they experience.

What does the wasteland symbolize in this verse?

The wasteland symbolizes the harsh environment in which the poor must work, representing both physical and social desolation.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?

The verse fits within a broader discussion of injustice, illustrating the struggles of the poor and the indifference of society towards their suffering.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see parallels between the struggles of the poor in this verse and those in my community?
  2. How can I better understand the challenges faced by those who are marginalized?
  3. What actions can I take to support those in need, following the example of the poor in this passage?
  4. How does this imagery impact my view of poverty and the responsibility of society?

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

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, drawing lessons about the nature of human suffering and the social responsibilities towards the poor.

John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON Job 24:1-8 c. 347–407
“And they have departed,” he says, “like asses in the field,” that is, they have scorned everybody and have mocked everyone. However, nobody commits any injustice against them and does not ill-treat them.
Early Church Fathers on Job 24 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XVI c. 540–604
Others as wild asses in the desert go forth to their work. Watching for a prey, they provide bread for their children. For the 'onager' is a wild ass;
Early Church Fathers on Job 24 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 24:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Behold, [as] wild asses in the desert,.... The word "as" is a supplement, and may be omitted, and the words be interpreted literally of wild asses, as they are by Sephorno, whose proper place is in

Read John Gill on Job 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity. Some - the wicked.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

As wild asses; which are wild, and lawless, and unteachable, and fierce, and greedy of prey, or food, which they snatch out of the goods or labours of the husbandman; in all which they are fit emblems of these men. Or, these wild men; for so this word signifies, , as elsewhere wild asses. The particle as is not in the Hebrew. In the desert, which is the proper habitation of wild asses, . If this be understood of the wild men, he placeth them in the desert and wilderness, either because they by their spoils and violences have destroyed or driven away the people, as is intimated, , and thereby turned populous places into deserts; or because such places as have but few houses and inhabitants…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 24:5 Behold, [as] wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness [yieldeth] food for them [and] for [their] children.Ver. 5. Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work] These barbarous and brutish oppressors, skilful to destroy, do live in this world as the wild ass doth in the wilderness, roving and rambling up and down for booty, Onagri inter feras sunt efferatissimi, neque unquam mansuescunt (Merc.), whereunto early in the morning they prepare and harness themselves, as if this were their trade and occupation whereby they must needs get their living. Hic labor, hoc opus, vel artificium eorum est, saith Lavater.…

Read John Trapp on Job 24 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. Rising betimes for a prey] The general sense here seems plain enough. There are some who live a lawless roaming life: make a predatory life their employment; for this purpose, frequent the wilderness, where they seize on and appropriate whatsoever they find, and by this method they and their families are supported. Mr. Good says: "The sense has never yet been understood by any commentator;" and hence he proposes a different division of the words, placing ערבה arabah, the desert or wilderness, in the first hemistich, thus: - "Rising early for the pillage of the wilderness; The bread of themselves and of their children." Others think that the words are spoken solely of the poor under…

Read AdamClarke on Job 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5–8. Job now directs his attention to a particular class of outcasts, giving a pathetic description of their flight from the abodes of men and their herding together like wild asses in the wilderness; their destitution, and the miseries they endure from cold and want, having only the rocks and caves to cover them, and only the roots and garbage of the desert to sustain them. The class of miserables here referred to are, no doubt, as Ewald first pointed out, the aboriginal races of the regions east of the Jordan, whose land and homes had been seized by more powerful tribes, and who had fled from the bitter oppressions to which they were subjected by their conquerors. Another detailed…

Read Cambridge on Job 24 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold, as wild asses in the desert - In regard to the wild ass, see the notes at Job 6:5.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 24 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

Second strophe — Dispossessed of their homes, the poor are driven forth like wild animals into the desert, destitute, Job 24:5-8.5.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 24 →

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

Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go to work foraging for food; the wasteland is food for their children.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go out to their work, seeking diligently for food. The wilderness yields them bread for their children.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go to work foraging for food; the wasteland is food for their children.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Like wild donkeys in the desert they go out to their labor, seeking diligently for food; the wasteland provides food for them and for their children.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness yieldeth them bread for their children.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Behold, as wild asses in the desert they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for meat; the wilderness yieldeth them food for their children.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Behold, as wild asses in the desert, they go forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Behold, others as wilde asses in the wildernesse, goe forth to their businesse, and rise early for a praye: the wildernesse giueth him and his children foode.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Lo, [as] wild asses in the desert, they go forth to their work, seeking early for the prey: the wilderness [yieldeth] them food for [their] children.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Lo, wild asses in a wilderness, They have gone out about their work, Seeking early for prey, A mixture for himself — food for young ones.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Behold, wild donkeys in a wilderness, || They have gone out about their work, || Seeking early for prey, || A mixture for himself—food for young ones.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Behold, as wild asses in the wilderness go they forth to their work, rising betimes after [their] prey: the desert yieldeth food for them and for their young men.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

See, these poor people go out to their work like wild donkeys in the wilderness, looking carefully for food; perhaps the Arabah will provide them food for their children.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Others like wild asses in the desert go forth to their work: by watching for a prey they get bread for their children.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor have to scavenge for their food, looking for anything to feed their children in the wasteland.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Like asses in the waste land they go out to their work, looking for food with care; from the waste land they get bread for their children.

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.

clauseclauseהֵ֤ןthere!clausenoun phrase · predicateפְּרָאִ֨יםwild.donkeysprepositional phraseבַּֽinnoun phrasetheמִּדְבָּ֗רwildernessclauseverbיָצְא֣וּthey.go.forthprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּ֭innoun phraseפָעֳלָworkםtheirnoun phrase · subjectclauseverbמְשַׁחֲרֵ֣יseeking.eagerlyprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַfornoun phrase(the)טָּ֑רֶףfoodclausesubjectעֲרָבָ֥הa.desert.plainprepositional phrase · prepositionalל֥forוֹhimobjectלֶ֝֗חֶםfoodprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַfornoun phrasetheנְּעָרִֽיםchildren

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 in their wording, with 8 of the 11 Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This indicates a consistent understanding of the verse's imagery and themes across these ancient texts.

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

הֵ֤ן פְּרָאִ֨ים׀ בַּֽמִּדְבָּ֗ר יָצְא֣וּ בְּ֭פָעֳלָם מְשַׁחֲרֵ֣י לַטָּ֑רֶף עֲרָבָ֥ה ל֥וֹ לֶ֝֗חֶם לַנְּעָרִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
פְּרָאִ֨ים׀ὄνοιבַּֽמִּדְבָּ֗רἀγρῷיָצְא֣וּἐχελθόντεςבְּ֭פָעֳלָםἑαυτῶνעֲרָבָ֥הἡδύνθηל֥וֹαὐτῷלֶ֝֗חֶםἄρτοςלַנְּעָרִֽים׃νεωτέρους

8 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 24:5הֵןthere!there!הֵןפֶּ֫רֶאwild donkeywild donkeysפֶּ֫רֶאמִדְבָּרin the wildin the wilderneמִדְבָּריָצָאthey go forthey go forthיָצָאפֹּ֫עַלin work thein work theirפֹּ֫עַלשָׁחַרseekingseekingשָׁחַרטֶ֫רֶףfor foodfor foodטֶ֫רֶףעֲרָבָהa desert pla desert plainעֲרָבָהוֹto itto itוֹלֶ֫חֶםfoodfoodלֶ֫חֶםנַ֫עַרfor the chifor the childreנַ֫עַרטָרַףto tearto tearטָרַףפָּרָהbe fruitfube fruitfulפָּרָהדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלעָרַבto grow dato grow darkעָרַבלָחַםto fightto fightלָחַםנָעַרto shaketo shakeנָעַריָפֶהbeautifulbeautifulיָפֶהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהמִדְבָּרmouthmouthמִדְבָּראָדָםthe man (Athe man (Adam)אָדָםצִןZinZinצִןסִינַיSinaiSinaiסִינַיקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלזַךְpurepureזַךְשָׁלֵםto completto completeשָׁלֵםאָהֵבto love: lto love: loverאָהֵב
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 24:5

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.

there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
הֵ֤ןhen there! H2005 Particle
316× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Tyndale gloss
look!
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵן (hen) is a demonstrative adverb or interjection meaning 'lo!' or 'behold!'. It is primarily used to draw attention to a fact that prompts action or leads to a conclusion. The word can also express surprise and is less common than its counterpart הִנֵּה (hinneh). Additionally, it can function hypothetically as 'if'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵן 100 demonstr.adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2005 הֵן demonstr. adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2005 hen hane

a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise)

if:--behold, if, lo, though.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵן (hen) — look!.

interj

1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part

2) if

Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
פְּרָאִ֨ים׀pe.ra.'Im wild donkeys H6501 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a wild donkey or onager, a strong and fierce animal. It is used in the Bible to describe the wilderness and the animals that live there. The wild donkey is a symbol of freedom and untamed nature.
Amplified meaning
untamed, onagers, strong and fierce animals
Tyndale gloss
wild donkey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּ֫רֶא (pere') refers to a wild ass or wild donkey. It is derived from a root meaning to run wild, indicating its untamed nature. This term appears in the context of the Old Testament, specifically noted in Jeremiah 2:24.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫רֶא n.m. wild ass

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6501 פֶּ֫רֶא wild ass

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6501 pere' peh'-reh

or pereh (Jeremiah 2:24) {peh'-reh}; from 6500 in the

secondary sense of running wild; the onager:--wild (ass).

see HEBREW for 06500

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫רֶא (pe.re) — wild donkey.

wild ass

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
בַּֽמִּדְבָּ֗רba.mid.Bar in the wilderness H4057 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
271× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Amplified meaning
a barren, desolate wilderness
Tyndale gloss
mouth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִדְבָּר (midbar) primarily means 'mouth' in the sense of an organ of speech, but it also refers to 'wilderness' or 'desert.' The word is derived from a root meaning to drive, suggesting open fields for pasturing cattle. It encompasses various forms of uninhabited land and is notably used in contexts related to the wilderness, such as the Wilderness of Sinai.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מִדְבָּר] n.m. mouth, as organ of speech, Ct 4:3

ref

מִדְבָר 270 n.m. wilderness

tracts of land, used for the pasturage of flocks and herds

uninhabited land

large tracts of such land bearing various names, in certain districts of which there might be towns and cities

fig.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4057a מִדְבָּר mouth, as organ of speech H4057b מִדְבָר wilderness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4057 midbar mid-bawr'

from 1696 in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open

field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert;

also speech (including its organs):--desert, south, speech,

wilderness.

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִדְבָּר (mid.bar) — mouth.

1) mouth

1a) mouth (as organ of speech)

מִדְבָּר (mid.bar) — wilderness.

1) wilderness

1a) pasture

1b) uninhabited land, wilderness

1c) large tracts of wilderness (around cities)

1d) wilderness (fig.)

מִדְבָּר (mid.bar) — Wilderness (of Sinai).

This name means wilderness, uninhabited land

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wil'-der-nes.

See DESERT; JUDAEA, WILDERNESS OF; WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wilderness

(1.) Heb. midhbar, denoting not a barren desert but a district or region suitable for pasturing sheep and cattle (Ps. 65:12; Isa. 42:11; Jer. 23:10; Joel 1:19; 2:22); an uncultivated place. This word is used of the wilderness of Beersheba (Gen. 21:14), on the southern border of Palestine; the wilderness of the Red Sea (Ex. 13:18); of Shur (15:22), a portion of the Sinaitic peninsula; of Sin (17:1), Sinai (Lev. 7:38), Moab (Deut. 2:8), Judah (

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See DESERT.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Wandering of the Israelites in, see ISRAEL

→ Typical of the sinner' s state De 32:10

→ Jesus' temptation in Mt 4:1; Mr 1:12,13; Lu 4:1

→ See DESERT

there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
יָצְא֣וּya.tze.'U they go forth H3318 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
1,067× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
those in need, impoverished
Tyndale gloss
to come out: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָצָא (yatsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with various applications including departure, escape, and emergence. It can refer to both animate and inanimate subjects and emphasizes the idea of origin or source. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating actions like leading out or being brought forth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצָא 1068 vb. go or come out

Qal

go or come out or forth

from (מִן) a place

go forth from (the presence of) a person

in technical senses

of flight, involving escape

depart

of inanimate things

with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source

of children as going forth from loins (of father)

go forth to a place

go forward, proceed to or toward something

come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result

of combinations

Hiph.

cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.

bring out animals

inanimate obj.

fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)

Hoph. be brought forth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3318 יָצָא go or come out .. go or come out or forth . from (מִן) a place

. go forth from (the presence of) a person

. in technical senses

. of flight, involving escape

. depart

. of inanimate things

. with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source

. of children as going forth from loins (of father)

. . go forth to a place

. go forward, proceed to or toward something

. come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result

. of combinations

. . cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

. fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.

. bring out animals

. inanimate obj.

. fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)

. be brought forth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3318 yatsa' yaw-tsaw'

a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great

variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct

and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X

begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come

(abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned,

depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,

fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence,

out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out),

going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out,

lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X

scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring

out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any

time, X to (and fro), utter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: come.

: come/go_out/escape

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: send.

: send/take_out/release

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement

(1) forward,

(2) out of,

(3) beyond a certain boundary.

In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…

there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
בְּ֭פָעֳלָםBe.fo.'o.lom in work their H6467 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A work or deed is what this word refers to, describing something that has been done or made. It can also mean wages or the result of an action.
Amplified meaning
their daily labor, task
Tyndale gloss
work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֹּ֫עַל (po'al) refers to an act or work, encompassing meanings like deed, thing done, and wages of work. It is noted as poetic and late in usage. The word is built from the root associated with action, and it can also imply acquisition, particularly of treasures.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֹּ֫עַל 37 n.m. doing, deed, work (poet. and late)

deed, thing done

work, thing made

wages of work

acquisition of treasures

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6467 פֹּ֫עַל doing, deed, work (poet. and late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6467 po`al po'-al

from 6466; an act or work (concretely):--act, deed, do,

getting, maker, work.

see HEBREW for 06466

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֹּ֫עַל (po.al) — work.

1) work, deed, doing

1a) deed, thing done

1b) work, thing made

1c) wages of work

1d) acquisition (of treasure)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp
there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
מְשַׁחֲרֵ֣יme.sha.cha.Rei seeking H7836 Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine plural common
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to seek or search for something early and earnestly, like in Psalm 63:1 where David seeks God diligently. It can also mean to rise early, as in Proverbs 8:17 where wisdom is found by those who seek it early. The word appears about 15 times in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
searching diligently, seeking early
Tyndale gloss
to seek
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁחַר (shachar) is a verb meaning to seek or look for something diligently, particularly in the morning or early. It is derived from a primitive root that implies earnestness and searching with care. The entries indicate its use in the Qal and Piel forms, with a reference to Proverbs 11:27.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁחַר] vb. denom. look early, diligently for

Qal Pr 11:27, elsewhere

Pi. seeks him early (with) discipline

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7836 שָׁחַר vb. denom. look early, diligently for

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7836 shachar shaw-khar'

a primitive root; properly, to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be

(up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness);

by extension, to search for (with painstaking):--(do

something) betimes, enquire early, rise (seek) betimes, seek

diligently) early, in the morning).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁחַר (sha.char) — to seek.

1) to seek, seek early or earnestly, look early or diligently for

1a) (Qal) to look for diligently, seek

1b) (Piel) to seek, seek early

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVprmpc
there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
לַטָּ֑רֶףla.Ta.ref for food H2964 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to something that has been torn apart, like prey or food. In Genesis 49:27 and Isaiah 18:6, it describes the spoils of war or the leftovers of a predator's meal.
Amplified meaning
bread, sustenance
Tyndale gloss
prey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טֶ֫רֶף (teref) refers to something that is torn, such as prey or food, and can also mean a leaf. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of fragments. The entries consistently highlight its meanings related to prey and food, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טֶ֫רֶף n.m. prey, food; leaf

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2964 טֶ֫רֶף prey, food; leaf

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2964 tereph teh'-ref

from 2963; something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh

leaf, prey, food:--leaf, meat, prey, spoil.

see HEBREW for 02963

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טֶ֫רֶף (te.reph) — prey.

1) prey, food, leaf

1a) prey

1b) food

1c) leaf

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

food:

I. VEGETABLE FOODS

1. Primitive Habits

2. Cereals

3. Leguminous Plants

4. Food of Trees

II. ANIMAL FOOD

LITERATURE

In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.

I. Vegetable Foods.

1. Primitive Habits:

Orientals in general are vegetarians, rather than flesh eaters. There is some reason to believe that primitive man was a vegetarian (see Ge 2:16; 3:2,6). It would seem, indeed, from a comparison of Ge 1:29 f…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Food

Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…

The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.

there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
עֲרָבָ֥ה'a.ra.Vah a desert plain H6160 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Amplified meaning
a desert, barren land
Tyndale gloss
plain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֲרָבָה (arabah) refers to a desert plain or steppe, often associated with the generally sterile valley of the Jordan and its extension to the Red Sea. It encompasses meanings like wilderness and champaign. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific locations like the Brook of Arabah and the Plains of Moab.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֲרָבָה 61 n.f. desert-plain, steppe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6160 עֲרָבָה desert-plain, steppe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6160 `arabah ar-aw-baw'

from 6150 (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially

(with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of

the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea:--Arabah,

champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See

also 1026.

see HEBREW for 06150

see HEBREW for 01026

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — Arabah.

§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness

עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Brook of) the Arabah.

Combined with na.chal (נַ֫חַל "Brook" H5158K)

§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness

עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — Plains (of Moab).

Combined with mo.av (מוֹאָב " of Moab" H4124I)

§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness

עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Beth)-arabah.

desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness

Another spelling of bet ha.a.ra.vah (בֵּית הָֽעֲרָבָה "Beth-arabah" H1026)

עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Sea of) the Arabah.

Another name of me.lach (מֶ֫לַח "Salt( Sea)" H4417G)

עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — plain.

§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness

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

plan

(1) kikkar, "circle" "talent," or "round loaf";

(2) mishor, from yashar, "to be level"; compare Arabic maisur, "that which is easy";

(3) biqah; compare Arabic baq`at, "a plot of ground" or "a wet meadow";

(4) `arabhah;

(5) shephelah;

(6) topos pedinos (Lu 6:17);

(7) 'elon; compare elah, and 'allon "oak" (Ge 35:4,8, etc.); also 'elah, "Elah" (1Sa 17:2);

(8) 'abhel):

See NATURAL FEATURES.

(1) Kikkar, when meaning "plain" usually refers to the alluvial plain about Jericho near the north end of the Dead Sea: "Plain (the Revised Version margin "circle") of the Jordan" (Ge 13:10,11; 1Ki 7:46;

Plain

(1.) Heb. ‘abel (Judg. 11:33), a “grassy plain” or “meadow.” Instead of “plains of the vineyards,” as in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version has “Abel-cheramim” (q.v.), comp. Judg. 11:22; 2 Chr. 16:4.

(2.) Heb. ‘elon (Gen. 12:6; 13:18; 14:13; 18:1; Deut. 11:30; Judg. 9:6), more correctly “oak,” as in the Revised Version; margin, “terebinth.”

(3.) Heb. bik’ah (Gen. 11:2; Neh. 6:2;

there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
ל֥וֹlo to it H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
לֶ֝֗חֶםLe.chem food 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
nourishment, provision
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

food:

I. VEGETABLE FOODS

1. Primitive Habits

2. Cereals

3. Leguminous Plants

4. Food of Trees

II. ANIMAL FOOD

LITERATURE

In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.

I. Vegetable Foods.

1. Primitive Habits:

Orientals in general are vegetarians, rather than flesh eaters. There is some reason to believe that primitive man was a vegetarian (see Ge 2:16; 3:2,6). It would seem, indeed, from a comparison of Ge 1:29 f…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Food

Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…

The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.

there! wild donkeys in the wilderness they go forth in work their seeking for food a desert plain to it food for the children
לַנְּעָרִֽים׃la.ne.'a.Rim for the children H5288 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
239× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word means a young person, either a boy or a girl, from infancy to adolescence. It is used to describe the servants and attendants who worked for kings and other important people in the Old Testament, like King David's servants.
Amplified meaning
young ones, youth
Tyndale gloss
youth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַ֫עַר (na`ar) generally refers to a boy, lad, or youth, covering ages from infancy to adolescence. It can also imply a servant or retainer and, in some contexts, may refer to a girl of similar age. The term appears in various forms across different lexicons, with Brown-Driver-Briggs noting its usage as a shaking or scattering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַ֫עַר 239 n.m. 1. boy, lad, youth. 2. retainer (not in P)

boy, lad, youth (c. 133 t.)

servant, retainer (c. 105 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5288a נַ֫עַר usu. interpr. as a shaking, scattering H5288b נַ֫עַר, נַ֫עַר . boy, lad, youth

. retainer

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5288 na`ar nah'-ar

from 5287; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of

infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by

interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age):--babe,

boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young

(man).

see HEBREW for 05287

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַ֫עַר (na.ar) — youth.

1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer

1a) boy, lad, youth

1b) servant, retainer

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HRd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

The blessing of offspring, but especially of the male sex, is highly valued among all eastern nations, while a the absence is regarded as one of the severest punishments. (Genesis 16:2; 7:14; 1 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 6:23; 2 Kings 4:14; Isaiah 47:9; Jeremiah 20:15; Psalms 127:3,5) As soon as the child was born it was washed in a bath, rubbed with salt and wrapped in swaddling clothes. (Ezekiel 16:4; Job 38:9; Luke…

A numerous offspring was regarded as a signal blessing, Ps 127:3-5, and childless wives sought various means to escape the reproach of barrenness, which was deprecated in the blessing given to a newly married couple, Ru 4:11. The pangs of childbirth, in their suddenness and sharpness, are often alluded to in Scripture. The apostle Paul speaks of them as fruits and evidences of the fall; but assures those who abide in faith, that, amid all the suffering that reminds them that woman was first in the transgression, Ge 3:16, they may yet look trustfully to God for acceptance and salvation, 1Ti 2:15.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ In answer to prayer

To Abraham Ge 15:2-5; with 21:1,2

Isaac Ge 25:21

Leah Ge 30:17-22

Rachel Ge 30:22-24

Hannah 1Sa 1:9-20

Zacharias Lu 1:13

→ Treatment of, at birth Eze 16:4-6; Lu 2:7,12

→ Circumcision of

→ See CIRCUMCISION

→ Dedicated to God in infancy

Samson Jud 13:5,7

Samuel 1Sa 1:24-28

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Christ was an example to

Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27

- Are a gift from God

Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3

- Are capable of glorifying God

Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16

- SHOULD BE

. Brought to Christ

Mr 10:13-16

. Brought early to the house of God

1Sa 1:24

. Instructed in the ways of God

De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6

. Judiciously trained

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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