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Job 27:6 — Word Study

Depth

WLCבְּצִדְקָתִ֣י הֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּי וְלֹ֣א אַרְפֶּ֑הָ לֹֽא־ יֶחֱרַ֥ף לְ֝בָבִ֗י מִיָּמָֽי׃

BSAI will cling tochâzaq my righteousnesstsᵉdâqâh [my justification, moral integrity] and neverlôʼ let gorâphâh [not slacken, abandon] As long as I liveyôwm [throughout my days] my consciencelêbâb [heart, inner self] will notlôʼ accuse mechâraph [reproach, condemn]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 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 (mi.ya.Mai) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 27:6quick helps
In a sentenceJob asserts his commitment to righteousness, stating that he will not abandon it or allow his conscience to accuse him.
Who is speakingJob, expressing his determination in the face of suffering.
Where we areIn a dialogue about integrity and righteousness amidst trials.
The hard wordצְדָקָה
Take awayJob's steadfastness in righteousness is unyielding.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbחָזַק 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 27:6

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 Defense of His Integritygenerated

5I will never say that you are right; I will maintain my integrity until I die.
6I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.
7May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust.
8For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

Job 27:6 shows Job's unwavering commitment to his righteousness despite the accusations he faces. He emphasizes that as long as he lives, he will maintain his integrity and not allow his conscience to condemn him. This reflects Job's deep sense of justice and moral uprightness, which he believes should not be compromised even in the midst of suffering. His declaration serves as a powerful testament to the importance of personal integrity and righteousness in one's life.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 2:3Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”
2Psalm 18:20–23The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
3Proverbs 4:13Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
4Acts 24:16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
52 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word צְדָקָה, be.tzid.ka.Tigenerated

The word צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, truthfulness, and ethical rightness. It is often used to describe God's attributes or the standards for human behavior, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.

In this verse, Job claims ownership of his righteousness with the possessive suffix, indicating a personal commitment to uphold moral integrity. This reflects his understanding of righteousness as not just an abstract concept but as a lived reality that shapes his actions and decisions.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the rendering of Job's commitment to righteousness.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb הֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּי (hechezakti, I have kept hold) governs the main clause, with two phrases following it: one indicating negation and the other expressing Job's commitment to righteousness. The structure emphasizes Job's strong resolve in the face of adversity.

The sentence is built around Job's assertion of integrity, with the main verb leading and the subsequent phrases elaborating on his determination not to let go of his righteousness or allow his heart to accuse him.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word צְדָקָה is rendered as δικαιοσύνῃ (dikaiosynē), which also means 'righteousness' but carries connotations of justice and moral order. This choice reflects a similar understanding of righteousness as a fundamental principle of ethical conduct.

The translation choice in the LXX indicates a consistent interpretation of Job's assertion of integrity, emphasizing the moral implications of righteousness in both the Hebrew and Greek contexts.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 27:6 reveals Job's determination to hold onto his righteousness and not let it go. He expresses that throughout his life, his conscience will not accuse him. This highlights the importance of maintaining personal integrity and moral uprightness, even in difficult circumstances.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'my righteousness'?

Job refers to his moral integrity and just behavior, which he believes should not be compromised despite his suffering.

Why does Job emphasize his conscience?

Job emphasizes his conscience to assert that he has not done wrong and that he is confident in his moral standing.

How does Job's declaration reflect his character?

Job's declaration shows his strong commitment to righteousness and integrity, illustrating his character as someone who values moral principles.

What can we learn from Job's stance on righteousness?

We can learn the importance of holding onto our principles and integrity, even when faced with challenges or accusations.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to hold firmly to my integrity, like Job?
  2. How can I ensure that my conscience remains clear in my actions and decisions?
  3. What steps can I take to strengthen my commitment to righteousness?
  4. How do I respond when my integrity is challenged by others?

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

The early commentary from Gregory the Dialogist argues from this verse about the importance of maintaining one's righteousness and integrity.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XVIII c. 540–604
My righteousness, which I began to hold fast, I will not abandon. For neither doth mine heart reproach me in all my life. For 'his righteousness' that he had 'begun with,' he would 'abandon,' if he went out of the way into the praising of…
Early Church Fathers on Job 27 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 27:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go,.... Meaning not his personal righteousness, or the righteousness of his works, as his justifying righteousness before God, and for acceptance

Read John Gill on Job 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 27 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I hold fast, Heb. I have held fast, i.e., I have not only begun well, but continued in well-doing; which is a plain evidence that I am no hypocrite. Or, the past tense is put for the future, as is usual, I will hold fast, declaratively, as before, I will maintain it, that howsoever you calumniate me, I am a righteous person. My heart, i.e. my conscience, as the heart is oft used, as 25:31 ,21. Shall not reproach me; either, 1. With betraying my own cause and innocency, and speaking what I know to be false, to wit, that I am a hypocrite. Or, 2. For my former impiety or hypocrisy, wherewith you charge me. So long as I live, Heb. from, or for, or concerning my days, i.e. the time of my life…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 27 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I live.Ver. 6. My righteousness I hold fast] As with tooth and nail, yea, though it be to the loss of my teeth, Mordicus tenebo, as it befell that valiant Sir Thomas Challoner, who served, when he was young, under Charles V, in the expedition of Algiers, where, being shipwrecked, after be had swam till his strength and his arms failed him, at the length, catching hold of a cable with his teeth, he escaped, not without the loss of some of his teeth. And will not let it go] sc. Upon your persuasions or suspicions, so long as the bird in my bosom continueth singing. My heart shall not…

Read John Trapp on Job 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) My heart shall not reproach me.—Or, doth not reproach me for any of my days.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 27 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 6. My righteousness I hold fast] I stand firmly on this ground; I have endeavoured to live an upright life, and my afflictions are not the consequence of my sins. My heart shall not reproach me] I shall take care so to live that I shall have a conscience void of offense before God and man. "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God;" 1 John 3:21. This seems to be Job's meaning.

Read AdamClarke on Job 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. The second clause of Job 27:6 reads, My heart reproacheth not one of my days, or, my heart reproaches (me) not since I was alive, i. e. during all my life. Of course the words have reference to the kind of charges laid against Job by his friends (e.g. ch. Job 22:6-9), and not to the sinfulness of nature common to all men, ch. Job 14:2. The “heart” in Heb. is the conscience or consciousness. Luther expresses the meaning vigorously when he translates: “My conscience bites me not in respect of my whole life.” Comp. the whole of ch. 31, which is but an expansion of these words.

Read Cambridge on Job 27 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

My righteousness I hold fast - I hold on to the consciousness of integrity and uprightness. I cannot, will not, part with that.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 27 →

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

I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach me so long as I live.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

RVARevised Version, American1894

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I will keepe my righteousnesse, and wil not forsake it: mine heart shall not reprooue me of my dayes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart reproacheth [me] not one of my days.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

On my righteousness I have laid hold, And I do not let it go, My heart doth not reproach me while I live.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

On my righteousness I have laid hold, || And I do not let it go, || My heart does not reproach me while I live.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

I have laid fast hold on my righteousness, and I will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me [for my conduct] during all my life.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I hold fast to my righteousness and will not let it go; my thoughts will not reproach me so long as I live.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

My justification, which I have begun to hold, I will not forsake: for my heart doth not reprehend me in all my life.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I'm convinced I'm right and will never give up believing this; my conscience will not condemn me as long as I live.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I will keep it safe, and will not let it go: my heart has nothing to say against any part of my life.

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


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

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

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּonnoun phraseצִדְקָתִ֣righteousnessיmyverbהֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּיI.have.kept.holdוְandclauseadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbאַרְפֶּ֑Iobjectהָwill.let.it.goclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיֶחֱרַ֥ףit.reproachesnoun phrase · subjectלְ֝בָבִ֗heartיmyprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִanynoun phraseיָּמָֽofיmy.days

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 for Job 27:6, with seven of the eight words matched. This shows a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across different traditions.

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

בְּצִדְקָתִ֣י הֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּי וְלֹ֣א אַרְפֶּ֑הָ לֹֽא־ יֶחֱרַ֥ף לְ֝בָבִ֗י מִיָּמָֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בְּצִדְקָתִ֣יδικαιοσύνῃהֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּיπροσέξωνוְלֹ֣אμὴאַרְפֶּ֑הָπροῶμαιלֹֽא־οὐיֶחֱרַ֥ףσύνοιδαלְ֝בָבִ֗יἐμαυτῷ

7 of the 8 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 27:6צְדָקָהon righteouon righteousnesצְדָקָהחָזַקI have keptI have kept holחָזַקלֹאand notand notלֹארָפָהI will let I will let go iרָפָהלֹאnotnotלֹאחָרַףit reproachit reproachesחָרַףלֵבָבheart myheart myלֵבָביוֹםany of daysany of days myיוֹםצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקחֹ֫רֶףautumnautumnחֹ֫רֶףלבבto encourato encourageלבברָפָאto healto healרָפָאיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדמִשְׁפָּטjustice: jjustice: judgemמִשְׁפָּטצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקבֶ֫דֶקbreachbreachבֶ֫דֶקאָמֵץto strengtto strengthenאָמֵץעָזַבForsakenForsakenעָזַבחָזַקto strengtto strengthen: חָזַקגָּדַףto blaspheto blasphemeגָּדַףמַעֲרָכָהrankrankמַעֲרָכָהשָׁלֵםcompletecompleteשָׁלֵםדָּרַשׁto seekto seekדָּרַשׁשְׁבִיעִיseventhseventhשְׁבִיעִישַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּת
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 27:6

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.

on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
בְּצִדְקָתִ֣יbe.tzid.ka.Ti on righteousness my H6666 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
157× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Amplified meaning
my justification, moral integrity
Tyndale gloss
righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, truthfulness, and ethical rightness. It can refer to God's attribute of sovereignty, righteousness in governance, and even justification or salvation. The term also implies righteous acts and has an Aramaic equivalent, צִדְקָה (tsid.qah).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צְדָקָה 157 n.f. righteousness

righteousness, in government

God's attribute as sovereign

righteousness, in a case or cause

righteousness = truthfulness

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.

pl. righteous acts

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6666 צְדָקָה righteousness . righteousness, in government

. God's attribute as sovereign

. righteousness, in a case or cause

. righteousness = truthfulness

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.

. pl. righteous acts

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6666 tsdaqah tsed-aw-kaw'

from 6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude),

objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively

(prosperity):--justice, moderately, right(-eous)

(act, -ly, -ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צְדָקָה (tse.da.qah) — righteousness.

1) justice, righteousness

1a) righteousness (in government)

1a1) of judge, ruler, king

1a2) of law

1a3) of Davidic king Messiah

1b) righteousness (of God's attribute)

1c) righteousness (in a case or cause)

1d) righteousness, truthfulness

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation

1f1) of God

1f2) prosperity (of people)

1g) righteous acts

Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
הֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּיHe.che.zak.ti I have kept hold H2388 Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
291× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to strengthen: strengthen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. It encompasses a range of meanings including to support, encourage, and make firm, as well as to seize or hold fast. The word can be used in various forms, such as to strengthen oneself or to display strength. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָזַק 291 vb. be or grow firm, strong, strengthen

Qal

intrans. be or grow strong

transit. only strengthened him not

Pi.

make strong (physically)

strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage

make strong = bold, encourage

make firm

make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden

Hiph.

make strong, strengthen

make firm, the kingdom

display strength

make severe, of battle

support

= repair

prevail

esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp

Hithp.

strengthen oneself

put forth strength, use one's strength

withstand

hold strongly with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2388 חָזַק be or grow firm, strong, strengthen .. intrans. be or grow strong

. transit. only strengthened him not

. . make strong (physically)

. strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage

. make strong = bold, encourage

. make firm

. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden

. . . make strong, strengthen

. make firm, the kingdom

. display strength

. make severe, of battle

. support

. = repair

. prevail

. esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp

. . strengthen oneself

. put forth strength, use one's strength

. withstand

. hold strongly with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2388 chazaq khaw-zak'

a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong

(figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help,

repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:--aid,

amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant,

constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly),

encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make

hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play

the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered,

repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be

stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold),

be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָזַק (cha.zaq) — to strengthen: strengthen.

: strengthen/support/encourage

1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be strong, grow strong

1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon

1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure

1a1c) to press, be urgent

1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)

1a1e) to be severe, be grievous

1a2) to strengthen

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make strong

1b2) to restore to strength, give strength

1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage

1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage

1b5) to make firm

1b6) to make rigid, make hard

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make strong, strengthen

1c2) to make firm

1c3) to display strength

1c4) to make severe

1c5) to support

1c6) to repair

1c7) to prevail, prevail upon

1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support

1c9) to hold, contain

1d) (Hithpael)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
HVhp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hold: In the American Standard Revised Version frequently "stronghold" (Jud 9:49; 1Sa 22:4; 24:22; 2Sa 5:17; 23:14; 1Ch 11:16; 12:16). See FORTIFICATION. In Re 18:2 for the King James Version "cage" (phulake) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes, as in first clause, "hold," and in the margin "prison."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hold

A fortress, the name given to David’s lurking-places (1 Sam. 22:4, 5; 24:22).

on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
וְלֹ֣אve.Lo' and not H3808 Conjunction · 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
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
אַרְפֶּ֑הָ'ar.Pe.ha I will let go it H7503 Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffix
46× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to slacken or relax, and is used in many contexts, such as feeling disheartened or abandoning something. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in Psalms and Proverbs. The word can also mean to let go or be idle.
Amplified meaning
not slacken, abandon
Tyndale gloss
to slacken
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָפָה (raphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to slacken or relax. It encompasses a range of actions including sinking down, abating, and withdrawing. The word can be used in various forms, such as causing something to drop or refraining from action. It appears in different contexts, indicating both literal and figurative meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָפָה vb. sink, relax

Qal

sink down

sink, drop

sink, relax, abate

relax, withdraw

Niph. idle

Pi. causat.: let wings drop

Hiph. causat.

let drop

let go

refrain

Hithp. hast shewn thyself slack

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7503 רָפָה sink, relax .. sink down

. sink, drop

. sink, relax, abate

. relax, withdraw

. idle

. causat.: let wings drop

. causat. . let drop

. let go

. refrain

. hast shewn thyself slack

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7503 raphah raw-faw'

a primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literal

or figurative):--abate, cease, consume, draw (toward

evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle,

leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be

slothful, (be) weak(-en). See 7495.

see HEBREW for 07495

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָפָה (ra.phah) — to slacken.

1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sink down

1a2) to sink, drop

1a3) to sink, relax, abate

1a4) to relax, withdraw

1b) (Niphal) idle (participle)

1c) (Piel) to let drop

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake

1d2) to let go

1d3) to refrain, let alone

1d4) to be quiet

1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffix
HVhi1cs/Sp3fs
on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
לֹֽא־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
on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
יֶחֱרַ֥ףye.che.Raf it reproaches H2778 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'châraph' means to acquire or expose something, and can also mean to betroth or defame someone. It is translated as 'betroth', 'blaspheme', or 'reproach' in the KJV Bible.
Amplified meaning
reproach, condemn
Tyndale gloss
to taunt
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָרַף (charaph) has a range of meanings including to reproach, taunt, and defame, as well as to remain in harvest time and to acquire. It is built from a primitive root and can be used in various forms, such as Qal and Piel. Notably, it appears in Isaiah 18:6 and Leviticus 19:20.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָרַף] vb. reproach

Qal

Piel. reproach,—prop. say sharp things against,—taunt

base

[חָרַף] vb. denom. remain in harvest time—only Qal Is 18:6

ref

[חָרַף] vb. acquire—only Niph. Lv 19:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2778a [חָרַף] reproach H2778b חָרַף vb. denom. remain in harvest time H2778c חָרַף acquire

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2778 charaph. khaw-raf'

a primitive root; to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to

expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a

surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e. defame;

denominative (from 2779) to spend the winter:--betroth,

blaspheme, defy, jeopard, rail, reproach, upbraid.

see HEBREW for 02779

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָרַף (cha.raph) — to taunt.

1) to reproach, taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, upbraid

1a) (Qal) to reproach

1b) (Piel) to reproach, defy, taunt

חָרַף (cha.raph) — to winter.

(Qal) to winter, spend harvest time, remain in harvest time

חָרַף (cha.raph) — to acquire.

(Niphal) to acquire, be betrothed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
לְ֝בָבִ֗יle.va.Vi heart my H3824 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
252× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Amplified meaning
heart, inner self
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the seas

usu. of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific ref. to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

spec. ref. to moral character

= the man himself

spec. as seat of appetites

spec. of seat of the emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas

. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific ref. to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. spec. ref. to moral character

. = the man himself

. spec. as seat of appetites

. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions

. seat of courage

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3824 lebab lay-bawb'

from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also

like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,

courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X

unawares, understanding.

see HEBREW for 03823

see HEBREW for 03820

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
on righteousness my I have kept hold and not I will let go it not it reproaches heart my any of days my
מִיָּמָֽי׃mi.ya.Mai any of days my H3117 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
throughout my days
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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