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Job 38:3 — Word Study

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WLCאֱזָר־ נָ֣א כְגֶ֣בֶר חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃

BSANownâʼ braceʼâzar [prepare, gird] yourselfchâlâts like a mangeber [strong individual] I will question youshâʼal [demand, ask] and you shall inform Meyâdaʻ [answer, declare unto, as your Lord, in reverence]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 38
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (ve.ho.di.'E.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 38:3quick helps
In a sentenceGod commands Job to prepare himself for questioning, emphasizing the need for strength and readiness.
Who is speakingGod, addressing Job directly.
Where we areIn a series of divine questions aimed at revealing Job's limited understanding.
The hard wordאֱזָר־
Take awayJob is called to gather his strength and respond to God's inquiries.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָזַר 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 38:3

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 — God Questions Jobgenerated

2“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?
3Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.
4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
5Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?

Job 38:3 is part of God's response to Job, who has been lamenting his suffering and questioning God's justice. Here, God challenges Job to brace himself like a strong man, indicating that He will pose questions that require Job's full attention and strength to answer. This sets the stage for a series of profound inquiries about creation and divine wisdom, emphasizing Job's human limitations in contrast to God's omnipotence.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 40:7“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.
2Exodus 12:11This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
31 Kings 18:46And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
4Jeremiah 1:17Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.
51 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֱזָר־, 'e.zor-generated

The verb אָזַר (azar) means to gird or prepare oneself, often associated with physical readiness for action or battle. The imperative form here calls Job to take on a posture of strength, akin to a warrior ready for combat. This term emphasizes the need for mental and physical fortitude in the face of divine questioning.

In this context, the command to gird up suggests that Job must be ready to engage seriously with God's inquiries, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the expectation that Job will respond thoughtfully.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb אֱזָר (azar), gird up, governs the entire verse, with the phrase כְגֶ֣בֶר (khe.ge.ver), like a man, describing how Job is to prepare. The structure emphasizes the imperative nature of God's command, calling for immediate action.

The sentence is straightforward, with a clear command followed by the promise of questioning. The use of the particle נָ֣א (na') adds a tone of urgency and politeness, inviting Job to engage earnestly.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֱזָר as ζῶσαι (zōsai), which also means to gird or prepare. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew imperative, maintaining the emphasis on readiness.

The use of ἀνὴρ (anēr) for כְגֶ֣בֶר reinforces the idea of a strong individual, aligning with the Hebrew's emphasis on strength and valor.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 38:3 shows God telling Job to prepare himself like a strong man for questioning. God is about to ask Job important questions that will challenge his understanding and perspective on divine wisdom and creation.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to 'gird up'?

To 'gird up' means to prepare oneself for action, often by securing one's clothing or armor, indicating readiness for a challenge or task.

Why does God ask Job questions?

God's questions are meant to highlight Job's limited understanding and to demonstrate God's sovereignty and wisdom in creation.

What is the significance of God addressing Job as a 'man'?

By calling Job to brace himself like a man, God emphasizes the need for strength and maturity in facing the profound truths He is about to reveal.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of the Book of Job?

This verse is pivotal in the Book of Job, as it marks the beginning of God's response to Job's suffering, shifting the focus from Job's complaints to God's ultimate authority and wisdom.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does it mean for me to prepare myself like a man in my own life challenges?
  2. How can I better understand God's questions and His ways in my life?
  3. In what areas do I need to strengthen my resolve to face difficult truths?
  4. How does recognizing my limitations help me in my relationship with God?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on this verse to illustrate God's call to Job for strength and understanding, emphasizing the importance of readiness in faith.

John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON Job 38:3 c. 347–407
Since Job was overwhelmed by his dejection, God encourages him with his words, so that he may pay attention to what is said now, and he introduces his speech in the form of questions, which is the best means to convince.
Early Church Fathers on Job 38 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXVIII c. 540–604
Gird up thy loins as a man. Holy Scripture is wont to call those persons 'men,' who follow, doubtless, the ways of the Lord with firm and steady steps. Whence it is said by the Psalmist, Do manfully, and let your heart be strengthened.
Early Church Fathers on Job 38 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 38:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Gird up now thy loins like a man,.... Like a man of valour that girds on his harness for battle: Job is bid to prepare for the controversy the Lord was entering into with him; and bring forth his

Read John Gill on Job 38 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 38 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Gird up now thy loins; as warriors then did for the battle. Prepare thyself for the combat with me, which thou hast oft desired. I accept of thy challenge, , and elsewhere. I will demand of thee; or, I will ask thee questions; which he doth in the following verses.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 38 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.Ver. 3. Gird up now thy loins like a man] As men did use to do when they went to fight, 1 Kings 20:11. Stand to thy ward, and see to thyself; for I mean to assail thee and to try thy manhood. Plato hath observed, that the best fencers are the worst soldiers. Many can brave it beforehand, as that Thrasonical Gaal did, Judges 9:29, who yet cannot look their enemy in the face with blood in their cheeks. For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me] I will be thy opponent, since thou hast challenged me into the schools, as it were, and given me my choice, and prove thee with hard questions; whereunto if…

Read John Trapp on Job 38 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. Gird up now thy loins] I will not confound thee with my terrors; dismiss all fearful apprehensions from thy mind; now act like a man, כגבר kegeber, like a hero: stand and vindicate thyself. For I will demand of thee - I will ask thee a series of questions more easy of solution than those which thou hast affected to discuss already; and then thou shalt have the opportunity of answering for thyself. The most impressive and convincing manner of arguing is allowed to be that by interrogation, which the Almighty here adopts. The best orations delivered by the ancients were formed after this manner. That celebrated oration of Cicero against Catiline, which is allowed to be his…

Read AdamClarke on Job 38 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. for I will demand] Rather, and I will. Jehovah now invites Job to prepare for that contention with Him which he had so often desired, Job 9:35, Job 13:10 seq.; and as Job had said, “Then call thou and I will answer, or let me speak and answer thou me” (ch. Job 13:22), Jehovah, as becomes Him, chooses the former half of the alternative, it may be that when He has “called” Job will be less ready than he thought to “answer” (ch. Job 40:3-5).

Read Cambridge on Job 38 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Gird up now thy loins like a man - To gird up the loins, is a phrase which has allusion to the mode of dress in ancient times.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 38 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

3. Gird up now thy loins — See note, Job 12:20. Job, who controverts the purposes of the Most High, from the nature of the case assumes an equal or co-extensive knowledge with Deity — an assumption

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 38 →

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

Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Girde vp nowe thy loynes like a man: I will demande of thee and declare thou vnto me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Gird up now thy loins like a man; and I will demand of thee, and inform thou me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Gird, I pray thee, as a man, thy loins, And I ask thee, and cause thou Me to know.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Now gird your loins as a man, || And I ask you, and you cause Me to know.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Do but gird up like a mighty man thy loins: and I will ask thee, and do thou inform me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Now gird up your loins like a man for I will ask you questions, and you must answer me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and answer thou me.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Prepare yourself, be strong, for I am going to question you, and you must answer me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Get your strength together like a man of war; I will put questions to you, and you will give me the answers.

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.

clauseverbאֱזָרgird.upadverbialנָ֣אpleaseprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְlikeגֶ֣בֶרa.mannoun phrase · objectחֲלָצֶ֑יloinsךָyourוְ֝andclauseclauseverbאֶשְׁאָלְIobjectךָ֗will.ask.youוְandclauseverbהוֹדִיעֵֽmakeobjectנִיknown.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 reads אֱזָר־ נָ֣א כְגֶ֣בֶר חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃, while the Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a strong alignment between the two texts, though the word order differs.

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

אֱזָר־ נָ֣א כְגֶ֣בֶר חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֱזָר־ζῶσαιכְגֶ֣בֶרἀνὴρחֲלָצֶ֑יךָσουוְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗σεוְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃μοι

5 of the 6 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 38:3אָזַרgird upgird upאָזַרנָאpleasepleaseנָאגֶּ֫בֶרlike a manlike a manגֶּ֫בֶרחָלָץloins yourloins yourחָלָץשָׁאַלand I will and I will ask שָׁאַליָדַעand make knand make known יָדַעגָּבַרto prevailto prevailגָּבַרחָלַץto rescueto rescueחָלַץחָלָץloinloinחָלָץחֵןfavorfavorחֵןעַתָּ֫הnownowעַתָּ֫הסָכַןbe usefulbe usefulסָכַןאֵזוֹרgirdlegirdleאֵזוֹראָזַרto girdto girdאָזַרשְׁאֵלָהpetitionpetitionשְׁאֵלָהאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּין
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 38:3

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.

gird up please like a man loins your and I will ask you and make known to me
אֱזָר־'e.zor- gird up H247 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gird means to wear a belt or surround something, like God surrounding his people with strength. It appears in various forms in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
prepare, gird
Tyndale gloss
to gird
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gird, encompass, or equip. It has various forms, including Qal (to gird), Niphal (to be girded), and Piel (to hold close). The word conveys a sense of preparation and strength, often used in contexts related to readiness for action or war.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָזַר] vb. gird, encompass, equip

Qal gird, gird on

Niph. girded with might

Pi. gird

Hithp. gird oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H247 [אָזַר] gird, encompass, equip

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

247 'azar aw-zar'

a primitive root; to belt:--bind (compass) about, gird (up,

with).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָזַר (a.zar) — to gird.

1) gird, encompass, equip, clothe

1a) (Qal) to gird, gird on (metaphorical of strength)

1b) (Niphal) be girded

1c)(Piel) hold close, clasp

1d) (Hiphpael) gird oneself (for war)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVqv2ms
gird up please like a man loins your and I will ask you and make known to me
נָ֣אna' please H4994 Particle
404× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Tyndale gloss
please
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4994 na' naw

a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may

usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly

to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,

occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)

thee (you), go to, now, oh.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָא (na) — please.

1) I (we) pray, now, please

1a) used in entreaty or exhortation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
gird up please like a man loins your and I will ask you and make known to me
כְגֶ֣בֶרkhe.Ge.ver like a man H1397 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for a great man or warrior, emphasizing strength or ability to fight, used to describe a person of valor. It is translated as 'man' or 'mighty' in the KJV. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of strong leaders.
Amplified meaning
strong individual
Tyndale gloss
great man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גֶּ֫בֶר (geber) refers to a man, particularly one who is strong or valiant, often distinguished from women and children. The term is used primarily in poetic contexts and emphasizes the qualities of strength and warrior-like attributes. It is derived from a root meaning to be strong, and lexicons highlight its use in describing a mighty or capable individual.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גֶּ֫בֶר 66 n.m. man;—man as strong, disting. fr. women, children, and non-combatants whom he is to defend, chiefly poetic

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1397 גֶּ֫בֶר man;—man as strong, disting. fr. women, children, and non-combatants whom he is to defend, chiefly poetic

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1397 geber gheh'-ber

from 1396; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a

person simply:--every one, man, X mighty.

see HEBREW for 01396

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּבֶר (ga.ver) — great man.

man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight)

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

See ANTHROPOLOGY.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Man

(1.) Heb. ‘Adam, used as the proper name of the first man. The name is derived from a word meaning “to be red,” and thus the first man was called Adam because he was formed from the red earth. It is also the generic name of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:2; 8:21; Deut. 8:3). Its equivalents are the Latin homo and the Greek anthropos (Matt. 5:13, 16). It denotes also man in opposition to woman (Gen. 3:12; Matt. 19:10).

(2.) Heb. ‘ish, like the Latin vir and Greek aner, denotes properly a man in opposition to a woman (1 Sam. 17:33;

→ CREATED Ge 1:26,27; 2:7; 5:1,2; De 4:32; Job 4:17; 10:2,3,8,9; 31:15; 33:4; 35:10; Ps 8:5; 100:3; 119:73; 138:8; 139:14; Ec 7:29; Isa 17:7; 42:5; 43:7; 45:12; 64:8; Jer 27:5; Zec 12:1; Mal 2:10; Mr 10:6; Heb 2:7

See CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, below

gird up please like a man loins your and I will ask you and make known to me
חֲלָצֶ֑יךָcha.la.Tzei.kha loins your H2504 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'loins' refers to the seat of vigor and strength, like in Genesis where it describes a woman's travail. It represents the source of power and energy.
Tyndale gloss
loin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָלָץ (chalats) refers to the loins, specifically in the dual form, indicating a focus on this area as the seat of strength, virility, and pain, particularly in the context of childbirth. The term is associated with physical vigor and is noted for its use in describing the loins as girded.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָלָץ] n.[f.] only dual, loins

as seat of virility

as girded

as seat of pains, like a woman in travail

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2504 [חָלָץ] only dual, loins

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2504 chalats khaw-lawts'

from 2502 (in the sense of strength); only in the dual; the

loins (as the seat of vigor):--loins, reins.

see HEBREW for 02502

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלָץ (cha.lats) — loin.

1) loins

1a) as seat of virility

1b) as girded

1c) as seat of pain (woman's travail)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp2ms
gird up please like a man loins your and I will ask you and make known to me
וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ve.'esh.'al.kha and I will ask you H7592 Conjunction · verb qal first person common singular · suffix
171× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Amplified meaning
demand, ask
Tyndale gloss
to ask
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁאַל (sha'al) means to ask or inquire, often in the context of requesting a favor or borrowing. It covers a range of uses, including seeking counsel, consulting deities, and even begging. The verb can appear in different forms, such as asking for oneself or granting requests. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, שְׁאֵל (she.el), meaning 'to ask'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁאַל 170 vb. ask, inquire

Qal

ask, ask for

specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow

in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

inquire of

inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.

in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

Niph. ask for oneself

Pi.

inquire carefully

beg, practise beggary

Hiph. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7592 שָׁאַל ask, inquire .. . ask, ask for

. specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow

. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

. . inquire of

. inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.

. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

. ask for oneself

. . inquire carefully

. beg, practise beggary

. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7592 sha'al shaw-al'

or shael {shaw-ale'}; a primitive root; to inquire; by

implication, to request; by extension, to demand:--ask

(counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand,

desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend,

pray, request, require, + salute, X straitly, X surely, wish.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁאַל (sha.al) — to ask.

1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to ask, ask for

1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow

1a3) to enquire, enquire of

1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle)

1a5) to seek

1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully

1c2) to beg, practise beggary

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to be given on request

1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to

Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Conjunction · verb qal first person common singular · suffix
HC/Vqu1cs/Sp2ms
gird up please like a man loins your and I will ask you and make known to me
וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ve.ho.di.'E.ni and make known to me H3045 Conjunction · verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
answer, declare unto, as your Lord, in reverence
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HC/Vhv2ms/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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