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Job 29:11 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּ֤י אֹ֣זֶן שָׁ֭מְעָה וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי וְעַ֥יִן רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה וַתְּעִידֵֽנִי׃

BSAForkîy [because of my actions, since they heard] thoseʼôzen who heard meshâmaʻ [with their ears, and listened] called me blessedʼâshar [happy, truly fortunate] and those whoʻayin saw merâʼâh [with their eyes, and observed] commended meʻûwd [gave witness to me, testified on my behalf]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 29
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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 (va.te.'i.De.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 29:11quick helps
In a sentenceJob reflects on the respect and admiration he received from those who listened to and observed him.
Who is speakingJob, recalling his past reputation and the acknowledgment from others.
Where we areIn a reflective moment, Job recounts the respect he garnered from his community.
The hard wordוַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי
Take awayJob's actions led others to recognize and affirm his character.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֹזֶן verbשָׁמַע 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 29:11

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 Reflection on His Reputationgenerated

10The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.
11For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me,
12because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.
13The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.

Job 29:11 captures Job's memories of a time when he was held in high regard by those around him. He recalls how people who listened to him and observed his actions spoke highly of him, reflecting the respect he commanded in his community. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job laments his current state, contrasting it with his past honor, as seen in verses 10 and 12.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 31:20if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,
2Proverbs 29:2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3Luke 4:22All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.
4Luke 11:27As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי, va.te.'a.she.Re.nigenerated

The verb אָשַׁר (ashar) means to bless or make happy. In this context, it conveys the idea that Job was recognized as blessed by those who heard him speak. The form used here is a piel verb, indicating an action that is intensive or intentional.

This construction emphasizes that Job's character and actions were not only acknowledged but also celebrated by others, highlighting the communal aspect of his reputation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the core meaning of the verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two main clauses, each with a subject and a verb: the first clause is governed by אֹ֣זֶן ('o.zen) and שָׁ֭מְעָה (sham.'ah), while the second clause is governed by עַ֥יִן (ve.'A.yin) and רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה (ra.'a.Tah).

This structure highlights Job's dual acknowledgment: first, from those who listened to him and second, from those who observed him, creating a parallelism that emphasizes the depth of his reputation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֹ֣זֶן as οὖς (ous) and עַ֥יִן as ὀφθαλμὸς (ophthalmos), both of which mean 'ear' and 'eye' respectively. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew, maintaining the focus on the senses involved in perceiving Job's character.

The Greek translation reflects the same emphasis on the act of hearing and seeing, reinforcing the communal validation Job experienced.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 29:11 reflects on how those who listened to him called him blessed and those who saw him commended him. This verse highlights the respect he received from his community, contrasting with his current state.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that those who heard Job called him blessed?

It means that Job was recognized for his wisdom and character, leading others to view him as fortunate and worthy of respect.

Why is the act of seeing mentioned alongside hearing?

Seeing and hearing together emphasize the comprehensive acknowledgment of Job's character by his community, indicating that both his words and actions were commendable.

How does this verse relate to Job's overall message?

This verse serves as a contrast to Job's current suffering, highlighting the respect he once had and the loss he feels in his present circumstances.

What can we learn from Job's experience in this verse?

We can learn about the importance of reputation and how our actions and words can impact how others perceive us.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I seek to earn the respect of those around me?
  2. How do I respond when others commend me for my actions?
  3. What does it mean to be considered 'blessed' in my community?
  4. How can I reflect on my past experiences to motivate my present actions?

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

Gregory the Dialogist cites this verse to discuss Job's reputation, noting how both the ear and eye affirm his character.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XIX c. 540–604
The ear hearing me, blessed me; and the eye seeing, gave witness to me. [HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION] Whereas blessed Job avouches himself to be 'blessed by those that heard him,' and to 'have witness given to him by those that saw him,'…
Early Church Fathers on Job 29 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 29:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me,.... The ear of the common people assembled together to hear causes tried, and how they would go; when they heard Job give his opinion in court, or the

Read John Gill on Job 29 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Blessed - extrolled my virtues (Proverbs 31:28).

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 29 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

It blessed me, i.e. pronounced me to be a man blessed of God with eminent gifts and graces; or heartily prayed for God’ s blessing upon me, because of that wisdom and integrity which they saw in all my actions, and of the satisfaction which I gave to all, and the relief which I gave to the oppressed, by my righteous and equitable decrees in all causes which were brought before me. When the eye saw me, it gave witness to me; when my appearance gave them occasion to speak of me, they gave testimony to my pious, and just, and blameless conversation. So far was I from being, or being thought to be, guilty of those crimes wherewith you charge me; of which see .

Read Matthew Poole on Job 29 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 29:11 When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me; and when the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me:Ver. 11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me] That is, it praised me, and praised God for me, as for a common blessing; so weighty were my words, and so just my sentence, not unlike that of the Areopagites, in Athens, which was so upright, that none could ever say that he was unjustly condemned by them; but both parties, as well those that were cast as they that cast them, were alike contented, Hττωμενοιστεργουσιομοιωςτοιςκεκρατηκασι. And when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me] Job (though he neither sought it, nor was puffed up with it) had that Pulchrum monstrari, et dicier…

Read John Trapp on Job 29 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) When the ear heard me, then it blessed me.—This is a direct negative to the charges of Eliphaz in Job 22:6, &c. He has felt them too deeply to pass them by in total silence.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 29 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 11. When the ear heard me] This and the six following verses present us with a fine exhibition of a man full of benevolence and charity, acting up to the highest dictates of those principles, and rendering the miserable of all descriptions happy, by the constant exercise of his unconfined philanthropy.

Read AdamClarke on Job 29 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11–17. The ground of this universal reverence—Job’s benevolent care of the poor and his strict justice to their cause.

Read Cambridge on Job 29 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

When the ear heard me. - A personification for “they who heard me speak, blessed me.” That is, they commended or praised me. And when the eye saw me - All who saw me.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 29 →

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

For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me, and when the eye saw me, it commended me,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me,

NETBNew English Translation2006

“As soon as the ear heard these things, it blessed me, and when the eye saw them, it bore witness to me,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:

RVARevised Version, American1894

For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

When the ear heard me , then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me , it gave witness to me:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And when the eare heard me, it blessed me: and when the eye sawe me, it gaue witnesse to me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me, and when the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For the ear heard, and declareth me happy, And the eye hath seen, and testifieth [to] me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For the ear heard, and declares me blessed, || And the eye has seen, and testifies [to] me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For the ear that heard me called me happy; and the eye that saw me bore witness for me;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For after their ears heard me, they would then bless me; after their eyes saw me, they would then give witness to me and approve of me

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The ear that heard me blessed me, and the eye that saw me gave witness to me:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;

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


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

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

כִּ֤י(dm)clauseclausesubjectאֹ֣זֶןan.earverbשָׁ֭מְעָהit.heardוַֽandclauseverbתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑itobjectנִיcalled.me.blessedוְandclauseclausesubjectעַ֥יִןan.eyeverbרָ֝אֲתָ֗הit.sawוַandclauseverbתְּעִידֵֽitobjectנִיbore.witness.to.me

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording, with all seven words matched. This shows a consistent transmission of the verse across these texts.

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

כִּ֤י אֹ֣זֶן שָׁ֭מְעָה וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי וְעַ֥יִן רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה וַתְּעִידֵֽנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּ֤יὅτιאֹ֣זֶןοὖςשָׁ֭מְעָהἤκουσενוַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִיμεוְעַ֥יִןὀφθαλμὸςרָ֝אֲתָ֗הἰδώνוַתְּעִידֵֽנִי׃με

7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Job 29:11כִּיforforכִּיאֹ֫זֶןan earan earאֹ֫זֶןשָׁמַעit heardit heardשָׁמַעאָשַׁרand it calland it called bאָשַׁרעַ֫יִןand an eyeand an eyeעַ֫יִןרָאָהit sawit sawרָאָהעוּדand it boreand it bore witעוּדאָזַןto listento listenאָזַןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעתְּנוּךְlobelobeתְּנוּךְנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבתָּעָהto go astrto go astrayתָּעָההָלַלto shineto shineהָלַלחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרעֳנִיafflictionafflictionעֳנִינָבַטto lookto lookנָבַטבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַל
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 29:11

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.

for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
כִּ֤יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Amplified meaning
because of my actions, since they heard
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
אֹ֣זֶן'O.zen an ear H241 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
187× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Tyndale gloss
ear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹ֫זֶן (*ozen*) means 'ear' and is derived from a root that suggests broadness. It refers to the physical ear as well as the organ of hearing, and can also imply the act of revealing or receiving divine revelation. The term appears in contexts such as Exodus 29:20.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫זֶן 188 n.f. Ex 29:20 ear

ear, as part of body

especially as organ of hearing

open ears of, reveal to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H241 אֹ֫זֶן ear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

241 'ozen o'-zen

from 238; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form

in man):--+ advertise, audience, + displease, ear, hearing, +

show.

see HEBREW for 0238

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear.

: ear

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: hearing.

: hearing

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: to ears.

: to[ears_of](PERSON)

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

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

er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):

(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ear

Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Blood put upon, in consecration of priest Ex 29:20; Le 8:23

→ In cleansing lepers Le 14:14,25

→ Anointed with oil in purifications Le 14:17,28

→ Bored as a sign of servitude Ex 21:5,6; Ps 40:6

→ See DEAFNESS

→ FIGURATIVE

Anthropomorphic uses of Ps 17:6; 39:12; 77:1; 80:1; 84:8

For more extended anthropomorphic uses, consult a concordance

for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
שָׁ֭מְעָהSham.'ah it heard H8085 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
with their ears, and listened
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִיva.te.'a.she.Re.ni and it called blessed me H833 Verb piel sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To bless means to make someone happy or content. In the Bible, it can also mean to guide or lead someone in the right direction, like in the book of Psalms.
Amplified meaning
happy, truly fortunate
Tyndale gloss
to bless
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָשַׁר (ashar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to go straight or advance, with a range of meanings including to lead, bless, or make happy. It is used in various forms, such as Qal (to go straight), Piel (to lead on), and Pual (to be made happy). The entries emphasize its figurative sense of progress and righteousness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָשַׁר] vb. go straight, go on, advance

Qal go straight on in the way of understanding

Pi.

intensive go straight on, advance

causative lead on

set right, righten

pronounce happy, call blessed

Pu.

be led on

be made happy, blessed

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H833 אָשַׁר go straight, go on, advance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

833 'ashar aw-shar'

or rasher {aw-share'}; a primitive root; to be straight (used

in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy);

figuratively, to go forward, be honest, proper:--(call, be)

bless(-ed, happy), go, guide, lead, relieve.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָשַׁר (a.shar) — to bless.

1) to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress

1a)(Qal) to go straight on, make progress

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to go straight on, advance

1b2) to lead on (causative)

1b3) to set right, righten

1b4) to pronounce happy, call blessed

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be advanced, be led on

1c2) to be made happy, be blessed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff — Verb piel sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
Hc/Vpw3fs/Sp1bs
for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
וְעַ֥יִןve.'A.yin and an eye H5869 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

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

base

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

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

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

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

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

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

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

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

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

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

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

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

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

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

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

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

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

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

i (`ayin; ophthalmos):

(1) The physical organ of sight, "the lamp of the body" (Mt 6:22), one of the chief channels of information for man. A cruel custom therefore sanctioned among heathen nations the putting out of the eyes of an enemy or a rival, because thus his power was most effectually shattered (Jud 16:21; 2Ki 25:7; Jer 39:7). Such blinding or putting out of the "right eye" was also considered a deep humiliation, as it robbed the victim of his beauty, and made him unfit to take his part in war (1Sa 11:2; Zec 11:17).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Eye

(Heb. ‘ain, meaning “flowing”), applied (1) to a fountain, frequently; (2) to colour (Num. 11:7; R.V., “appearance,” marg. “eye”); (3) the face (Ex. 10:5, 15; Num. 22:5, 11), in Num. 14:14, “face to face” (R.V. marg., “eye to eye”). “Between the eyes”, i.e., the forehead (Ex. 13:9, 16).

The expression (Prov. 23:31), “when it giveth his colour in the cup,” is literally, “when it giveth out [or showeth] its eye.” The beads or bubbles of wine are thus spoken of. “To set the eyes” on any one is to view him with favour (

(The practice of painting the eyelids to make the eyes look large, lustrous and languishing is often alluded to in the Old Testament, and still extensively prevails among the women of the East, and especially among the Mohammedans. Jezebel, in (2 Kings 9:30) is said to have prepared for her meeting with Jehu by painting her face, or, as it reads in the margin, "put her eyes in paint." See also (Ezekiel 23:40) A small probe of wood, ivory or silver is wet with rose-water and dipped in an impalpable black powder, and is then drawn between the lids of the eye nearly closed, and leaves a narrow black border, which is though a great ornament. --ED.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The same Hebrew word means both eye and fountain. Besides its common use, to denote the organ of sight, it is often used figuratively in the Bible. Most of these passages, however, require no explanation. The custom of sealing up the eyes of criminals, still practiced in the East, is thought to be alluded to in Isa 6:10 44:18. The expression, "As the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters," Ps 123:2, is elucidated by a knowledge of the fact that many eastern servants are taught to stand always upon the watch, and are in general directed by a nod, a wink, or some slight motion of the fingers imperceptible to strangers. Many Scripture phrases intimate the soul-like nature of the eye, quickly and truly expressing the thoughts of the heart: such as "the bountiful eye"…

for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
רָ֝אֲתָ֗הra.'a.Tah it saw H7200 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
1,300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Amplified meaning
with their eyes, and observed
Tyndale gloss
Provider
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָאָה 1315 vb. see

Qal 1141

see, subj.

see, c. acc. rei

see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design

see, so as to learn to know

abs. see, have (power of) vision

see = perceive

look at, see, by direct volition

of mental observation

c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

see, c. acc. rei

Niph.

appear

be seen

be visible

Pu. appar. his bones are not detected

Hithp. recipr. look at each other

Hiph.

cause one to see something, shew

cause to experience something

cause to look intently at, to behold

Hoph.

be caused to see, be shewn

be exhibited to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.

. see, c. acc. rei

. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design

. see, so as to learn to know

. abs. see, have (power of) vision

. see = perceive

. look at, see, by direct volition

. of mental observation

. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

. see, c. acc. rei

. . appear

. be seen

. be visible

. appar. his bones are not detected

. recipr. look at each other

. . . cause one to see something, shew

. cause to experience something

. cause to look intently at, to behold

. . be caused to see, be shewn

. be exhibited to

H7200b רְאוּת look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7200 ra'ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in

numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,

intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,

behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have

experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look

(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,

upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,

regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one

another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X

surely, X think, view, visions.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.

: see/show

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out

1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish

1a6) to look at, gaze at

1a7) to provide, choose

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to appear, present oneself

1b2) to be seen

1b3) to be visible

1c) (Pual) to be seen

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to see, show

1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be caused to see, be shown

1e2) to be exhibited to

1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.

: examine/consider

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

so.

See TOOLS.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Egyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws "under" or "in" which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word "cut" in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used as an instrument of torture 2Sa 12:31; Heb 11:37

→ Used for cutting stone 1Ki 7:9

→ FIGURATIVE Isa 10:15

for an ear it heard and it called blessed me and an eye it saw and it bore witness to me
וַתְּעִידֵֽנִי׃va.te.'i.De.ni and it bore witness to me H5749 Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
44× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To testify means to repeat or affirm something, like a witness in court. In the Bible, it appears in Deuteronomy 4:26 and Isaiah 44:26. It involves speaking up or warning others.
Amplified meaning
gave witness to me, testified on my behalf
Tyndale gloss
to uphold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוּד (uwd) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to return, repeat, or do again. It also encompasses the idea of bearing witness or testifying, often with a sense of solemnity or urgency. The word can imply surrounding or restoring, and its various forms indicate actions like admonishing or warning. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּד] vb. prob. return, go about, repeat, do again

Pi. surround

Pōl‛ēl, restore, relieve

Hithpōl. be restored

base

עוּד vb. denom. bear witness

Qal Impf. < Hiph.

Hiph.

testify, bear witness

cause to testify, take as witness

protest, affirm solemnly, wanr

Hoph. and protest be entered

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5749a עוּד prob. return, go about, repeat, do again H5749b עוּד vb. denom. bear witness .Impf. < Hiph.

. . testify, bear witness

. cause to testify, take as witness

. protest, affirm solemnly, wanr

. and protest be entered

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5749 `uwd ood

a primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to

protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to

encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication):--admonish,

charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record,

relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, give warning,

(bear, call to, give, take to) witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּד (ud) — to uphold.

1) to return, repeat, go about, do again

1a) (Piel) to surround, go round and round

1b) (Pilel) to restore, relieve

1c) (Hithpalel) to be restored

עוּד (ud) — to testify.

1) to bear witness

1a) (Qal) to bear witness, say again and again

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to testify, bear witness

1b2) to cause to testify, take or call as witness, invoke

1b3) to protest, affirm solemnly, warn, exhort or enjoin solemnly, admonish, charge

1c) (Hophal) to protest, give warning

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
Hc/Vhw3fs/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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