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Job 34:12 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאַף־ אָמְנָ֗ם אֵ֥ל לֹֽא־ יַרְשִׁ֑יעַ וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י לֹֽא־ יְעַוֵּ֥ת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

BSAIndeedʼaph it is trueʼomnâm [certainly, surely] that Godʼêl [Elohim, the supreme Ruler] does notlôʼ act wickedlyrâshaʻ [do evil, act wrongly] and the AlmightyShadday [Shadday, all-powerful] does notlôʼ pervertʻâvath [twist, distort] justicemishpâṭ [righteous judgment]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 34
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 (mish.Pat) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 34:12quick helps
In a sentenceJob asserts that God is just and does not act wickedly.
Who is speakingJob, in a discourse about God's nature.
Where we areJob is responding to his friends' accusations about God's justice.
The hard wordיַרְשִׁ֑יעַ
Take awayGod's justice is unwavering and cannot be corrupted.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֵל verbרָשַׁע 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 34:12

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 Defense of God's Justicegenerated

11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

Job 34:12 emphasizes God's unwavering justice, asserting that He does not act wickedly and does not pervert justice. This statement comes in the context of Job defending his integrity and God's character against the accusations of his friends, who suggest that suffering is a result of wrongdoing. Job insists on God's righteousness, which aligns with the broader themes of justice found throughout the book of Job.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 11:7For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.
2Psalm 145:17The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
3Habakkuk 1:12–13Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, You have established them for correction.
4Job 8:3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?

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

pervertJob 8:3

The Key Word אֵל, 'elgenerated

The Hebrew word אֵל ('el) primarily means 'God' and conveys the idea of might or strength. It can refer to the one true God of Israel, as well as to other deities, angels, and mighty men. This word is significant in this verse as it underscores the authority and power of God, reinforcing the assertion of His justice.

The parsing as a noun indicates that it is used in a singular absolute form, emphasizing God's unique position as the supreme ruler. The context of this verse highlights God's character, asserting that He is not only powerful but also just.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has does not act wickedly and does not pervert justice, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of this verse is straightforward, with a series of clauses connected by conjunctions. The main subject is אֵ֥ל ('el), followed by a negation and two verbs that describe God's actions. This arrangement emphasizes the certainty of God's justice.

The finite verbs יַרְשִׁ֑יעַ and יְעַוֵּ֥ת are both in the imperfect tense, indicating ongoing actions that God does not engage in, reinforcing the theme of His unchanging nature.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אֵל is rendered as παντοκράτωρ, which means 'Almighty' and emphasizes God's supreme power. This choice aligns with the Hebrew understanding of God's might.

The Greek translation captures the essence of God's justice but may reflect a broader interpretation of His authority, which can differ from the Hebrew text's focus on His specific actions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 34:12 tells us that God does not act wickedly and does not twist justice. This verse emphasizes God's perfect nature and His commitment to righteousness, reinforcing the idea that He is just and fair in all His ways.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God does not act wickedly?

It means that God is inherently good and just, and He does not engage in wrongdoing or evil.

How does this verse relate to the theme of justice in Job?

This verse reinforces Job's argument that despite his suffering, God remains just and does not pervert justice.

Why is it important to affirm God's character in this way?

Affirming God's character as just is crucial for understanding the nature of suffering and the moral order of the universe.

How can we apply the truth of God's justice in our lives?

We can trust that God is just in our own circumstances and seek to reflect His justice in our actions towards others.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see God's justice at work in the world around me?
  2. How can I trust in God's justice during times of personal suffering or hardship?
  3. What does it mean for me to reflect God's character of justice in my daily life?
  4. How can I encourage others to understand and trust in God's justice?

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

Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, arguing from it to emphasize God's righteousness and justice in His dealings with humanity.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXIV c. 540–604
For truly God will not condemn without cause, nor will the Almighty subvert judgment. The Lord said to the devil, Thou hast moved Me against him to afflict him without cause.
Early Church Fathers on Job 34 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 34:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly,.... This truth is repeated and affirmed in the strongest manner; or "will not condemn", as the Vulgate Latin version, and so the Targum, that is, he will not

Read John Gill on Job 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. (Job 8:3.) In opposition to Job (Job 34:5). Will not - cannot.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

As Job hath wickedly affirmed. For the phrase, See Poole "".

Read Matthew Poole on Job 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 34:12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.Ver. 12. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly] This must be laid down for a certain truth, and is, therefore, so reiterated. Job had said as much to this purpose as Elihu could do; but then he had seemingly dashed all again with his inconsiderate complaints and murmurings. This Elihu could not bear, but again and again celebrateth the righteousness of God; and when he hath said his utmost, seemeth to say, as Cicero once did of Crassus and Antony, the Roman orators, That if any man think he had said too much in commendation of them, he must needs be such a one as either knew them not or was not able to…

Read John Trapp on Job 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10–19. This charge of injustice Elihu rebuts, first, on the general ground of its impiety: God cannot be thought of as acting in the way Job asserted—He rewardeth every man according to his works (Job 34:10-12); and second, he then resolves the general idea into two distinct thoughts, Job 34:13-15, and Job 34:16-19.

Read Cambridge on Job 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly - So important does Elihu hold this principle to be, that he repeats it, and dwells upon it.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 34 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. Surely — The word is radically the amen, verily, of the New Testament. In no stronger language could he lay down the proposition he is about to illustrate — God cannot do wrong.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 34 →

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

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

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And certainely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almightie peruert iudgement.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Yea, surely, God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Yea, truly, God doth not do wickedly, And the Mighty doth not pervert judgment.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Indeed, truly, God does not do wickedly, || And the Mighty does not pervert judgment.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Yea, surely God will not condemn unjustly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Indeed, God does nothing wicked, nor does the Almighty ever pervert justice.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Truly, God does not do evil, and the Ruler of all is not a false judge.

Word by word, the decisions they made

אָמְנָ֗ם'a.me.Nam truly H551 2 different renderings
surelyDBY ILT KJV NWB WEB
trulyBBE LSV YLT

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.

clauseאַףalsoclauseאָמְנָ֗םtrulyclauseclausesubjectאֵ֥לGodadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיַרְשִׁ֑יעַhe.acts.wickedlyוְ֝and.[the]clausesubjectשַׁדַּ֗יAlmightyadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיְעַוֵּ֥תhe.pervertsobjectמִשְׁפָּֽטjustice

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 meaning, with seven out of nine words matched. The Septuagint's phrasing may differ, but it conveys the same core message about God's justice and integrity.

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

אַף־ אָמְנָ֗ם אֵ֥ל לֹֽא־ יַרְשִׁ֑יעַ וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י לֹֽא־ יְעַוֵּ֥ת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַף־οἴῃאָמְנָ֗םδὲלֹֽא־ἄτοπαיַרְשִׁ֑יעַποιήσεινוְ֝שַׁדַּ֗יπαντοκράτωρיְעַוֵּ֥תταράχειמִשְׁפָּֽט׃κρίσιν

7 of the 9 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 34:12אַףalsoalsoאַףאָמְנָםtrulytrulyאָמְנָםאֵלGodGodאֵללֹאnotnotלֹארָשַׁעhe acts wiche acts wickedlרָשַׁעשַׁדַּיand [the] Aand [the] Almigשַׁדַּילֹאnotnotלֹאעָוַתhe pervertshe pervertsעָוַתמִשְׁפָּטjusticejusticeמִשְׁפָּטאֹ֫מֶןfaithfulnefaithfulnessאֹ֫מֶןאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשָׁדַדto ruinto ruinשָׁדַדשָׁפַטto judgeto judgeשָׁפַטשַׁדַּיAlmightyAlmightyשַׁדַּייָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדבַּלnotnotבַּלחָרֵבto dryto dryחָרֵבאַףalsoalsoאַףקַנָּאjealousjealousקַנָּאעָוָהto twistto twistעָוָהצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקעָוַתto pervertto pervertעָוַתאֵלgodgodאֵלתָּקַןbe straighbe straightתָּקַןחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹק
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 34:12

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.

also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
אַף־'af- also H637 Particle
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַף (aph) is a conjunction that indicates addition, often implying something greater. It can mean 'also,' 'yea,' or 'though,' and is used to connect ideas in a sentence. The entries highlight its use as both an adverb and conjunction, with a focus on its additive nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H637 אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

637 'aph af

a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or

conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though:--also, +

although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, + how much less

(more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַף (aph) — also.

conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater)

1) also, yea, though, so much the more

adv

2) furthermore, indeed

Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Particle
HTj
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
אָמְנָ֗ם'a.me.Nam truly H551 Adverb
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means truly or surely, used to emphasize the truth of something. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, such as in Genesis and Deuteronomy. It confirms the authenticity of a statement.
Amplified meaning
certainly, surely
Tyndale gloss
truly
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמְנָם (omnam) is an adverb meaning 'verily' or 'truly,' used to affirm statements with certainty. It is derived from the root word for 'truth' and conveys a sense of assurance or emphasis in assertions. The entries consistently highlight its use in affirmations, but there are no notable disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמְנָם adv. (= אֻמְנָם) verily, truly, in asseverations

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H551 אָמְנָם verily, truly, in asseverations

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

551 'omnam om-nawm'

adverb from 544; verily:--indeed, no doubt, surely, (it is,

of a) true(-ly, -th).

see HEBREW for 0544

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אׇמְנָם (om.nam) — truly.

verily, truly, surely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
אֵ֥ל'el God H410 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
241× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Amplified meaning
Elohim, the supreme Ruler
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵל (*'el*) primarily means 'god' and conveys the idea of might or strength. It can refer to the one true God of Israel, as well as to other deities, angels, and mighty men. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including nature and power, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵל n.m. god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might

applied to men of might and rank

angels

gods of the nations

Ēl

as characterizing mighty things in nature

God, the one only and true God of Israel

אֵל strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H410 אֵל god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might . applied to men of might and rank

. angels

. gods of the nations

. Ēl

. as characterizing mighty things in nature

. God, the one only and true God of Israel

. אֵל strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

410 'el ale

shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;

especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God

(god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong.

Compare names in "-el."

see HEBREW for 0352

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵל (el) — God.

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֵל (el) — El (Berith).

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)

אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)

אֵל (el) — El (Most High).

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "Most High" (el.yon עֶלְיוֹן H5945B)

אֵל (el) — god.

: god

1) god, god-like one, mighty one

1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes

1b) angels

1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations)

1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah

2) mighty things in nature

3) strength, power

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
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
also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
יַרְשִׁ֑יעַyar.Shi.a' he acts wickedly H7561 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Being wicked or acting wrongly is what this Hebrew word describes. In Psalm 37:7, the Bible warns against being wicked and instead encourages trusting in God.
Amplified meaning
do evil, act wrongly
Tyndale gloss
be wicked
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָשַׁע (rasha`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be wicked or to act wickedly. It covers various aspects of wrongdoing, including being guilty and condemning others in both civil and ethical contexts. The entries indicate a distinction between its basic meaning of wickedness and its implications of guilt and condemnation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָשַׁע] vb. denom. be wicked, act wickedly

Qal

be wicked, act wickedly

be guilty

Hiph.

condemn as guilty, in civil relations

condemn as guilty, in ethical and religious relations

act wickedly, in ethics and religious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7561 רָשַׁע vb. denom. be wicked, act wickedly .. be wicked, act wickedly

. be guilty

. . condemn as guilty, in civil relations

. condemn as guilty, in ethical and religious relations

. act wickedly, in ethics and religious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7561 rasha` raw-shah'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong;

by implication, to disturb, violate:--condemn, make trouble,

vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked(-ly, -ness).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָשַׁע (ra.sah) — be wicked.

1) to be wicked, act wickedly

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be wicked, act wickedly

1a2) to be guilty, be condemned

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to condemn as guilty (in civil relations)

1b2) to condemn as guilty (in ethical or religious relations)

1b3) to act wickedly (in ethics and religion)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗יve.sha.Dai and [the] Almighty H7706 Conjunction · noun proper
48× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Shadday means Almighty, referring to God's great power. It is another name for the Lord, emphasizing His strength and might. This name is used in the Bible to describe God's power and authority.
Amplified meaning
Shadday, all-powerful
Tyndale gloss
Almighty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁדַּי (Shadday) is a Hebrew word meaning 'Almighty' and is often used to refer to God. It is derived from a root that suggests self-sufficiency. The entries indicate that this term emphasizes God's power and might, and it is recognized as another name for the LORD (יהוה).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁדַּי 48 n.m.dei (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7706 שַׁדַּי (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7706 Shadday shad-dah'-ee

from 7703; the Almighty:--Almighty.

see HEBREW for 07703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁדַּי (shad.day) — Almighty.

Shaddai, the Almighty (God)

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

This name means almighty, most powerful

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper
HC/Npt
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol-mit'-i:

(1) (shaddai (Ge 17:1)): Found in the Old Testament forty-eight times, most of these in the Book of Job; it occurs either alone or in combination with 'el, "God"). The root meaning is uncertain.

(2) (pantokrator), the exclusive translation of this Greek word in the New Testament, found principally in Re (nine times), once besides (2Co 6:18). Its occurrence in the Apocrypha is frequent. See GOD, NAMES OF.

also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
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
also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
יְעַוֵּ֥תye.'a.Vet he perverts H5791 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to pervert or twist something, and it is used to describe bending or making something crooked. It can also mean to falsify or subvert something, and it is used in the book of Proverbs to describe turning away from what is right.
Amplified meaning
twist, distort
Tyndale gloss
to pervert
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָוַת (*avath*) is a primitive root meaning to wrest or make crooked. It covers actions like perverting, falsifying, and subverting, often in contexts related to justice or morality. The entries indicate various forms, including making something crooked or bending oneself.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָוַת] vb. be bent, crooked

Pi.

make crooked = falsify scales; pervert justice

bend, make crooked

Pu. what is bent

Hithp. and the strong men bend themselves.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5791 עָוַת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5791 `avath aw-vath'

a primitive root; to wrest:--bow self, (make) crooked.,

falsifying, overthrow, deal perversely, pervert, subvert, turn

upside down.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָוַת (a.vat) — to pervert.

1) to be bent, be crooked, bend, make crooked, pervert

1a)(Piel)

1a1) to make crooked, falsify, pervert, subvert

1a2) to bend, make crooked

1b) (Pual) thing bent (participle)

1c) (Hithpael) to bend oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
also truly God not he acts wickedly and [the] Almighty not he perverts justice
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃mish.Pat justice H4941 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
422× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
righteous judgment
Tyndale gloss
justice: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment

judgment

justice, right, rectitude

ordinance

decision

one's (legal) right, privilege, due

proper, fitting, measure

custom, manner

what manner of

plan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment

. justice, right, rectitude

. ordinance

. decision

. one's (legal) right, privilege, due

. . proper, fitting, measure

. custom, manner

. what manner of

. plan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4941 mishpat mish-pawt'

from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)

pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree

(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or

collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the

crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a

participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or

even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,

custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,

fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),

(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,

ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.

see HEBREW for 08199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)

1c) ordinance

1d) decision (in law)

1e) right, privilege, due (legal)

1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jus'-tis (tsedhaqah; tsedheq; dikaiosune): The original Hebrew and Greek words are the same as those rendered "righteousness." This is the common rendering, and in about half the cases where we have "just" and "justice" in the King James Version, the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "righteous" and "righteousness." It must be constantly borne in mind that the two ideas are essentially the same.

See RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Human Justice:

Justice had primarily to do with conduct in relation to others, especially with regard to the rights of others. It is applied to business, where just weights and measures are demanded (Le 19:35,36; De 25:13-16; Am 8:5; Pr 11:1; 16:11…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Justice

Is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate case.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A principle of righteousness and equity, controlling our conduct, and securing a due regard to all the rights of others-their persons, property, character, and interests. It has to do, not with pecuniary transactions alone, but with all our intercourse with society. It forms a chief element of the character approved in God’s word; and a truly just man has but to "love mercy, and walk humbly with God," to fulfil all righteousness. Justice in magistrates, rulers, and judges, must be fearless and impartial, and all its decisions such as will bear revision before the court of heaven, De 1:16,17 2Sa 23:3 2Ch 19:6-10. Judgement is peculiarly the prerogative of God, and every earthly tribunal lies under the shadow of the "great white…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ex 23:1-3,6-8; Le 19:13-15; De 16:18-20; 25:1-4; Ezr 7:26; Ps 72:1,2; 82:2-4; Pr 17:15,26; 18:5,17; 20:8; 22:27; 24:23; 28:21; 29:26; Ec 3:16,17; 5:8; 7:7; Isa 1:17; 56:1; 59:14,15; Jer 22:1-4; La 3:35,36; Am 5:7,11,12;

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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