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Job 29:12 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּֽי־ אֲ֭מַלֵּט עָנִ֣י מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ וְ֝יָת֗וֹם וְֽלֹא־ עֹזֵ֥ר לֽוֹ׃

BSAbecausekîy I rescuedmâlaṭ [delivered, saved] the poorʻânîy [afflicted, humble] who cried outshâvaʻ [shouted for help, called for freedom] and the fatherlessyâthôwm [orphan, child without a father] who had nolôʼ [none, not any] helperʻâzar [one to aid, assist, or support]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 29
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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 (lo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 29:12quick helps
In a sentenceJob speaks of his past actions in helping the needy and the fatherless.
Who is speakingJob, reflecting on his former life and deeds.
Where we areThis verse is part of Job's defense of his integrity and righteousness.
The hard wordאֲ֭מַלֵּט
Take awayJob's commitment to aiding the vulnerable is clear.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectעָזַר verbמָלַט 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 29:12

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 Righteousnessgenerated

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.
14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.

Job 29:12 is part of Job's monologue where he recounts his past life, emphasizing his role as a protector of the vulnerable, particularly the poor and fatherless. This verse highlights his righteous actions and the respect he garnered from his community, as he reflects on a time when he was seen as a benefactor and a source of hope for those in need.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 22:5–9Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?
2Nehemiah 5:2–13Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.”
3Psalm 72:12For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.
4Psalm 82:2–4“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
5Proverbs 21:13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֲ֭מַלֵּט, 'A.ma.letgenerated

The verb מָלַט (malat) means to rescue or deliver, often from danger. It is in the Piel stem, indicating an active engagement in the act of rescuing. In this context, Job asserts that he actively intervened to save those who were suffering.

This form of the verb suggests a personal involvement in the act of delivering, emphasizing Job's role as a compassionate figure who responds to cries for help. The word conveys a sense of urgency and commitment to aiding those in distress.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.' The KJV and ASV agree with this wording, using 'delivered' and 'rescued' interchangeably.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb אֲ֭מַלֵּט (malat), meaning 'I rescued,' governs the sentence, with two noun phrases as objects: 'the poor' and 'the fatherless.' The structure emphasizes Job's actions as the focal point of the verse.

The sentence is structured to highlight the subjects of Job's rescue efforts, with the poor and fatherless receiving direct attention. This arrangement underscores Job's compassion and active role in helping those in need.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb מָלַט is translated as διέσωσα (diesōsa), which also means 'I saved' or 'I delivered.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence in meaning, emphasizing Job's role in providing safety and support.

The use of διέσωσα indicates a similar understanding of Job's actions, aligning with the Hebrew intent to convey a strong sense of deliverance and protection for the vulnerable.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 29:12 describes how Job helped those in need, specifically the poor and the fatherless. He recalls his actions of rescuing those who cried out for help, emphasizing his role as a protector and supporter of the vulnerable in his community.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'the poor who cried out'?

Job refers to those who are afflicted and in desperate need, highlighting his compassion for the marginalized.

Why does Job mention the fatherless?

The fatherless represent those who are particularly vulnerable and without protection, emphasizing Job's role in providing care and support.

How does this verse reflect Job's character?

This verse illustrates Job's integrity and commitment to justice, showing that he actively sought to help those who could not help themselves.

What can we learn from Job's actions?

Job's example encourages us to be aware of the needs of the vulnerable in our communities and to take action to support them.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I actively help those in need in my community?
  2. How can I be more aware of the struggles faced by the vulnerable around me?
  3. What actions can I take to support those who feel helpless or alone?
  4. How does Job's example inspire me to respond to the needs of others?

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

Early commentators like Gregory the Dialogist refer to Job's actions in this verse to illustrate his righteousness and compassion for the needy.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XIX c. 540–604
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I comforted the widow's heart.
Early Church Fathers on Job 29 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 29:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Because I delivered the poor that cried,.... This honour and esteem he had not because of his grandeur and riches, because of his worldly wealth and substance, but because of the goodness of his

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

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

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

I delivered from his potent oppressor. They did not honour me for my great wealth or power, but for my impartial justice and pity to the afflicted, and courage in maintaining their cause and right against their mighty adversaries. None to help him; none that would own or help them, partly because they were poor, and unable to recompense them for it; and partly because their enemies were great, and likely to crush both them and their helpers; which made Job’ s virtue more glorious.

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

Job 29:12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and [him that had] none to help him.Ver. 12. Because I delivered the poor that cried] Here are set forth the true causes of that great respect that was generally given Job; he was a good justicer, such as Jethro describeth, Exodus 18:21. He hated, much more than did Mithridates, such as maliciously persecuted virtue forsaken of fortune. And as James V of Scotland was called the poor man’ s king, so might Job well have been; for no sooner could a poor body cry to him for help but he relieved him, and rescued him out of the hands of his oppressor (Cassiodor.). Theodoric of old, and Gustavus, king of Swedes, of late, are…

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

Verse 12. Because I delivered the poor that cried] This appears to be intended as a refutation of the charges produced by Eliphaz, Job 22:5-10, to confute which Job appeals to facts, and to public testimony.

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

12. and him that had none to help him] Perhaps, the fatherless, that had none to help him, only two classes being referred to, the “poor” and the “fatherless.”

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

Because I delivered the poor that cried - This is spoken of himself as a magistrate or judge - for the whole description relates to that.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 29 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. A most courteous reply to the cruel calumnies of Eliphaz, Job 22:6-9.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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

because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.

NETBNew English Translation2006

for I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the orphan who had no one to assist him;

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Because I delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless also, that had none to help him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For I deliuered the poore that cryed, and the fatherlesse, and him that had none to helpe him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For I delivered the afflicted that cried, and the fatherless who had no helper.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For I deliver the afflicted who is crying, And the fatherless who hath no helper.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For I deliver the afflicted who is crying, || And the fatherless who has no helper.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, yea, that had none to help him.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

because I rescued the one who was poor when he cried out, and the one who had no father when he had no one to help him.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless that had no helper.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.

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.

כִּֽי(dm)clauseverbאֲ֭מַלֵּטI.rescuednoun phrase · objectnoun phraseעָנִ֣י[the].afflictedמְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ[who].cried.for.helpוְ֝and.[the]יָת֗וֹםfatherlessוְֽandclauseadverbialלֹא[the.one.whom].notsubjectעֹזֵ֥רa.helperprepositional phrase · predicateלֽ[belonged].toוֹhim

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads כִּֽי־ אֲ֭מַלֵּט עָנִ֣י מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ וְ֝יָת֗וֹם וְֽלֹא־ עֹזֵ֥ר לֽוֹ׃, and the Septuagint matches five of the eight words. This agreement shows a strong consistency in the core message of the verse, though the exact wording and structure differ.

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

כִּֽי־ אֲ֭מַלֵּט עָנִ֣י מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ וְ֝יָת֗וֹם וְֽלֹא־ עֹזֵ֥ר לֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֲ֭מַלֵּטδιέσωσαעָנִ֣יπτωξὸνוְ֝יָת֗וֹםὀρφανῷוְֽלֹא־οὐκעֹזֵ֥רβοηθός

5 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 29:12כִּיthatthatכִּימָלַטI rescuedI rescuedמָלַטעָנִי[the] affli[the] afflictedעָנִישָׁוַע[who] cried[who] cried forשָׁוַעיָתוֹםand [the] fand [the] fatheיָתוֹםלֹאand [the onand [the one whלֹאעָזַרa helpera helperעָזַרוֹ[belonged] [belonged] to hוֹעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַענוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסחָטַףto catchto catchחָטַףאֶבְיוֹןneedyneedyאֶבְיוֹןזָעַקto cry outto cry outזָעַקעָנִיafflictedafflictedעָנִיאַלְמָנָהwidowwidowאַלְמָנָהגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדכָּשַׁלto stumbleto stumbleכָּשַׁל
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 29:12

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.

that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
כִּֽי־ki- that 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'.
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
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
אֲ֭מַלֵּט'A.ma.let I rescued H4422 Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singular
95× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Amplified meaning
delivered, saved
Tyndale gloss
to escape
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָלַט (malat) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning to escape or slip away. It encompasses various nuances such as delivering, saving, and even giving birth in specific contexts. The entries indicate that it can refer to both physical escape and the act of laying eggs. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מָלַט] vb. slip away (not in Qal)

Niph.

slip away

escape

pass. be delivered

Pi.

lay (eggs)

let escape

deliver

Hiph.

give birth to a male child

deliver

Hithp.

slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)

escape

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4422 מָלַט slip away . . slip away

. escape

. pass. be delivered

. . lay (eggs)

. let escape

. deliver

. . give birth to a male child

. deliver

. . slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)

. escape

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4422 malat maw-lat'

a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by

implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively,

to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit

sparks:--deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone,

let go, preserve, save, X speedily, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָלַט (ma.lat) — to escape.

1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered

1a)(Niphal)

1a1) to slip away

1a2) to escape

1a3) to be delivered

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs)

1b2) to let escape

1b3) to deliver, save (life)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to give birth to

1c2) to deliver

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape

1d2) to escape

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singular
HVpi1cs
that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
עָנִ֣י'a.Ni [the] afflicted H6041 Adj
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Amplified meaning
afflicted, humble
Tyndale gloss
afflicted
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָנִי (aniy) describes a state of being poor, afflicted, or humble. It is built from the root meaning to be depressed in mind or circumstances. The entries indicate it covers a range of meanings including needy, lowly, and wretched. There is a noted disagreement regarding its relationship to another word, עָנָה (anah), with some lexicons viewing one as subjective and the other as objective.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָנִי adj. poor, afflicted, humble

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6041 עָנִי poor, afflicted, humble

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6041 `aniy aw-nee'

from 6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically

the same as 6035, although the margin constantly disputes

this, making 6035 subjective and 6041 objective):--afflicted,

humble, lowly, needy, poor.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06035

see HEBREW for 06035

see HEBREW for 06041

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָנִי (a.ni) — afflicted.

1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched

1a) poor, needy

1b) poor and weak

1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched

1d) humble, lowly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible
that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַme.sha.Ve.a' [who] cried for help H7768 Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singular
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cry out in the original Hebrew means to shout for help or freedom from trouble. This verb is used to describe calling out for assistance in times of need.
Amplified meaning
shouted for help, called for freedom
Tyndale gloss
to cry
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁוַע (shava`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cry out, particularly for help. It is a primitive root that conveys the idea of calling for freedom from trouble, used in a causative and reflexive sense. The entries consistently indicate its use in the Piel form to express a loud cry or shout.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁוַע] vb. Pi. cry out for help

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7768 שָׁוַע pi. cry out for help

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7768 shava` shaw-vah'

a primitive root; properly, to be free; but used only

causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom

from some trouble):--cry (aloud, out), shout.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁוַע (sha.va) — to cry.

(Piel) to cry out (for help), shout

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singular
HVprmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

With the sense of that which brings aid, support, or deliverance, "help" (noun and vb.) represents a large variety of words in Hebrew and Greek (noun 7, verb 16). A principal Hebrew word is `azar, "to help," with the corresponding nouns `ezer, `ezrah; a chief Greek word is boetheo (Mt 15:25; Mr 9:22,24, etc.). True help is to be sought for in Yahweh, in whom, in the Old Testament, the believer is constantly exhorted to trust, with the renouncing of all other confidences (Ps 20:2; 33:20; 42:5; 46:1; 115:9,10,11; 121:2; Isa 41:10,13,14, etc.). In Ro 8:26 it is said, "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity," the verb here…

that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
וְ֝יָת֗וֹםve.ya.Tom and [the] fatherless H3490 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Amplified meaning
orphan, child without a father
Tyndale gloss
orphan
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָתוֹם (yathowm) means 'orphan' and is derived from a root that suggests loneliness or bereavement. The term specifically refers to a fatherless child or a bereaved person. All entries consistently define it in this way, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָתוֹם n.[m.] orphan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3490 יָתוֹם orphan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3490 yathowm yaw-thome'

from an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved

person:--fatherless (child), orphan.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָתוֹם (ya.tom) — orphan.

an orphan, fatherless

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

fa'-ther-les (yathom; orphanos): The fatherless are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, generally in association with the widow and the stranger, as typical instances of the unprotected and necessitous, who are, specially subject to oppression, and also to God's special protection. Great philanthropic regard is bestowed on this class throughout. In early legislation there is a special clause to guard them against affliction (Ex 22:22-24). They have a still more prominent place in the Deuteronomic legislation, which gives instructions that a charitable fund be formed out of the tithe, once every three years, for the relief of the destitute (De 14:28,29; 26:12-14), and that gleanings be left in the cornfield, the olive garden, and the vineyard for the benefit of this class…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ See ORPHAN

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Find mercy in God

Ho 14:3

- GOD WILL

. Be a father of

Ps 68:5

. Be a helper of

Ps 10:14

. Hear the cry of

Ex 22:23

. Execute the judgment of

De 10:18; Ps 10:18

. Punish those who oppress

Ex 22:24; Isa 10:1-3; Mal 3:5

. Punish those who judge not

Jer 5:28,29

- Visit in affliction

Jas 1:27

that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
וְֽלֹא־ve.lo'- and [the one whom] 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.
Amplified meaning
none, not any
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
that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
עֹזֵ֥ר'o.Zer a helper H5826 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
81× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To help or aid is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to describe God's protection or assistance. It is used in the Psalms to express trust in God's help and in the book of Exodus to describe God's aid to the Israelites.
Amplified meaning
one to aid, assist, or support
Tyndale gloss
to help
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to help or succour. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of surrounding or protecting. The entries indicate its use in various forms: Qal (to help), Niphal (to be helped), and Hiphil (to help). The word captures the essence of providing support or aid.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָזַר] 82 vb. help, succour

Qal help

Niph. I am helped

Hiph. v. Qal.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5826 [עָזַר] help, succour

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5826 `azar aw-zar'

a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help,

succour.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָזַר (a.zar) — to help.

1) to help, succour, support

1a) (Qal) to help

1b) (Niphal) to be helped

1c) (Hiphil) to help

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
that I rescued [the] afflicted [who] cried for help and [the] fatherless and [the one whom] not a helper [belonged] to him
לֽוֹ׃lo [belonged] to him 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
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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