Menu

Job 9:28 — Word Study

Depth

WLCיָגֹ֥רְתִּי כָל־ עַצְּבֹתָ֑י יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי כִּי־ לֹ֥א תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃

BSAI would still dreadyâgôr [be afraid of, have fear of] allkôl [every, each] my sufferingsʻatstsebeth [pains, sorrows, injuries] I knowyâdaʻ [am aware, have understood] thatkîy You will notlôʼ [God, the Judge, cannot, do not] acquit menâqâh [clear, justify, hold innocent, declare me guiltless, find me not guilty]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 28 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 (te.na.Ke.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 9:28quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses his ongoing dread of suffering and his belief that God will not clear him of guilt.
Who is speakingJob, reflecting on his own pain and relationship with God.
Where we areIn the midst of Job's lament about his suffering and perceived injustice.
The hard wordיָגֹ֥רְתִּי
Take awayJob's fear and acknowledgment of his guilt remain central to his experience.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָגֹר 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 9:28

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 Lamentgenerated

27If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’
28I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.
29Since I am already found guilty, why should I labor in vain?
30If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

Job 9:28 captures Job's deep sense of dread regarding his suffering and his belief that he cannot escape God's judgment. He feels overwhelmed by his circumstances and expresses a profound awareness of his guilt, which he believes precludes any hope of acquittal. This reflects the broader themes of suffering and divine justice found throughout the book of Job, where Job grapples with the nature of his afflictions and the perceived silence of God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 21:6When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror.
2Psalm 88:15–16From my youth I was afflicted and near death. I have borne Your terrors; I am in despair.
3Psalm 119:120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
4Job 9:2–20“Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God?
5Job 14:16For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יָגֹר, ya.Go.re.tigenerated

The verb יָגֹר (ya.Gor) is a perfect form in the Qal stem, indicating a completed action in the first person singular. It conveys a strong sense of fear or dread, particularly in the context of divine power and judgment. Job's use of this word emphasizes his emotional state, as he feels the weight of his sufferings and the reality of his guilt.

This word appears in contexts where individuals experience awe or terror in the presence of God. In this verse, Job's dread is not just a fleeting emotion but a profound recognition of his situation before God, highlighting the seriousness of his plight.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations of this verse are consistent in conveying Job's dread of his sufferings.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main finite verb in this verse is יָגֹ֥רְתִּי, I dread, which governs the entire sentence. Job expresses his dread of his sufferings and follows with a clause that states his knowledge of God's judgment. The structure emphasizes Job's emotional response first, followed by his awareness of the consequences of that dread.

The sentence is built around Job's personal reflections, with the clauses arranged to show his feelings of fear and his understanding of his relationship with God. The order underscores the weight of Job's emotional turmoil as he grapples with his suffering.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb יָגֹר is rendered as σείομαι, which suggests a sense of being shaken or disturbed. This choice indicates a widening of meaning, as it captures not only fear but also a sense of instability in Job's emotional state.

This translation reflects the translators' understanding of Job's plight, emphasizing the turmoil he experiences in light of his suffering and divine judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 9:28 reveals Job's ongoing fear of his sufferings and his belief that God will not clear him of guilt. He feels overwhelmed by his circumstances and recognizes his own guilt, which adds to his sense of dread.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'dread all my sufferings'?

Job is expressing his deep fear and anxiety about the pain and suffering he is experiencing, feeling that it is overwhelming and inescapable.

Why does Job believe God will not acquit him?

Job feels guilty and believes that his past actions have led to his current suffering, leading him to think that God will not clear him of guilt.

How does Job's understanding of God affect his feelings?

Job's understanding of God as a judge contributes to his fear and dread, as he feels that he cannot escape the consequences of his actions.

What can we learn from Job's expression of fear?

Job's expression of fear highlights the human experience of suffering and the struggle to understand one's relationship with God in times of distress.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can confront my own fears and anxieties in the light of my faith?
  2. How does understanding God's nature as a judge influence my view of my own actions?
  3. In what ways can I find comfort in my suffering, similar to how Job expresses his struggles?
  4. How can I support others who are experiencing dread or fear in their lives?

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

Early commentators, such as Gregory the Dialogist, reference this verse to discuss Job's fear of judgment and the implications of his actions.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book IX c. 540–604
I was afraid of all my works, knowing that Thou wouldest not spare me, when guilty of transgression. What were the works that blessed Job practised, the text of this sacred history makes plain.
Early Church Fathers on Job 9 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 9:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I am afraid of all my sorrows,.... That they would return upon him, and surround him, and overwhelm him, so that he should not be able to stand up against them, or under them; that they would

Read John Gill on Job 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

My sorrows; or, my pains and griefs. I find all such endeavours vain; for if my griefs be suspended for a little time, yet my fears continue. I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent; I plainly perceive that my changing my note is to no purpose; for thou, O God, wilt not clear my innocency, by removing those afflictions which make them judge me guilty of some peat crime. Words proceeding from great impatience and despair of relief.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 9:28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.Ver. 28. I am afraid of all my sorrows] That come thronging thick about me, and terrify me; they will surely be doubled and trebled upon me; hence my sorrow is incurable; if I should resolve never so much against it, I should break my resolution, and fall to fresh complaints, Psalms 39:1; Psalms 39:3. Hic vides, saith Lavater. Here we may see how little is to be ascribed to man’ s freewill in the things of God, since it is not in our power to comfort and cheer up ourselves under afflictions, though we would never so fain. I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent] But wilt hold me guilty, and accordingly…

Read John Trapp on Job 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 28. I am afraid of all my sorrows] Coverdale translates, after the Vulgate, Then am I afrayed of all my workes. Even were I to cease from complaining, I fear lest not one of my works, however well intentioned, would stand thy scrutiny, or meet with thy approbation. Thou wilt not hold me innocent.] Coverdale, after the Vulgate, For I knowe thou favourest not an evil doer; but this is not the sense of the original: Thou wilt not acquit me so as to take away my afflictions from me.

Read AdamClarke on Job 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

28. As Job’s afflictions were the proof of his guilt in the estimation of God, “to hold him innocent” means to remove his afflictions, as the first clause suggests.

Read Cambridge on Job 9 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I am afraid of all my sorrows - My fears return. I dread the continuance of my griefs, and cannot close my eye to them.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 9 →

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

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

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I am afraid of all my sorrows. I know that you will not hold me innocent.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I dread all my sufferings, for I know that you do not hold me blameless.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then I am afrayd of all my sorowes, knowing that thou wilt not iudge me innocent.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I am afraid of all my sorrows; I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I have been afraid of all my griefs, I have known that Thou dost not acquit me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I have been afraid of all my griefs, || I have known that You do not acquit me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

O then would I be in dread of all my pains; I know that thou wilt not declare me innocent.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I would be afraid of all my sorrows because I know that you will not consider me innocent.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

I feared all my works, knowing that thou didst not spare the offender.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I would still be terrified at all my suffering because you, God, will not say I'm innocent.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I go in fear of all my pains; I am certain that I will not be free from sin in your eyes.

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.

clauseverbיָגֹ֥רְתִּיI.am.afraid.ofnoun phrase · objectכָלallnoun phraseעַצְּבֹתָ֑painsיmyclauseverbיָ֝דַ֗עְתִּיI.knowclause · objectכִּי(dm).thatclauseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbתְנַקֵּֽyouobjectנִיwill.acquit.me

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven words matched between the two texts. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of Job's expression of dread and his acknowledgment of guilt.

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

יָגֹ֥רְתִּי כָל־ עַצְּבֹתָ֑י יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי כִּי־ לֹ֥א תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יָגֹ֥רְתִּיσείομαιכָל־πᾶσινעַצְּבֹתָ֑יμέλεσινיָ֝דַ֗עְתִּיοἶδαכִּי־γὰρלֹ֥אοὐκתְנַקֵּֽנִי׃με

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

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


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

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

Job 9:28יָגֹרI dreadI dreadיָגֹרכֹּלallallכֹּלעַצֶּ֫בֶתpains mypains myעַצֶּ֫בֶתיָדַעI knowI knowיָדַעכִּיthatthatכִּילֹאnotnotלֹאנָקָהyou will acyou will acquitנָקָהכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלעָצַבto hurtto hurtעָצַבפָּנֶהfacefaceפָּנֶהאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהלֵבheartheartלֵבאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgresstransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁע
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 9:28

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.

I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
יָגֹ֥רְתִּיya.Go.re.ti I dread H3025 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to feel fear or dread, like when someone is afraid of God's power. It appears in the Bible when people are in awe of God. The KJV translates it as 'be afraid' or 'fear'.
Amplified meaning
be afraid of, have fear of
Tyndale gloss
to fear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָגֹר (yagor) is a primitive root meaning to fear or be afraid. It is used in the Qal stem to express feelings of dread or fear. The entries consistently emphasize its core meaning without significant variation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָגֹר] vb. be afraid, fear

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3025 [יָגֹר] be afraid, fear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3025 yagor yaw-gore'

a primitive root; to fear:--be afraid, fear.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָגֹר (ya.gor) — to fear.

(Qal) to fear, dread, be afraid

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
כָל־khol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every, each
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
עַצְּבֹתָ֑י'a.tze.vo.Tai pains my H6094 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to pain, injury, or sorrow, like the wound of a broken heart in Psalm 34:18. It can also mean a physical wound, like the ones suffered by Job in Job 2:7.
Amplified meaning
pains, sorrows, injuries
Tyndale gloss
injury
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַצֶּ֫בֶת (ats.tse.vet) refers to concepts of pain, injury, or sorrow. It is derived from a root meaning to wound. The entries consistently highlight its association with physical and emotional distress, but do not provide specific Old Testament references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עַצֶּ֫בֶת] n.f. hurt, injury, pain

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6094 עַצֶּ֫בֶת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6094 `atstsebeth ats-tseh'-beth

from 6087; a idol; also, a pain or wound:--sorrow, wound.

see HEBREW for 06087

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַצֶּ֫בֶת (ats.tse.vet) — injury.

pain, hurt, injury, sorrow, wound

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּיya.Da'.ti I know H3045 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
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
am aware, have understood
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
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
כִּי־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
I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
לֹ֥אlo' 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.
Amplified meaning
God, the Judge, cannot, do not
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
I dread all pains my I know that not you will acquit me
תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃te.na.Ke.ni you will acquit me H5352 Verb piel imperfect second person masculine singular · suffix
44× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be or make clean, either physically or morally, as seen in the book of Psalms where David asks God to cleanse him. This word is also used to describe being free from guilt or punishment. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
clear, justify, hold innocent, declare me guiltless, find me not guilty
Tyndale gloss
to clear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָקָה (naqah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be clean or free from guilt, and it can also imply being empty or desolate. The entries indicate that it encompasses a range of meanings, including acquitting someone of guilt, being exempt from punishment, and being purged or cleaned out. The lexicons suggest various nuances, but they consistently focus on themes of innocence and cleanliness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָקָה] vb. be empty(?), clean

Qal Inf. Abs.

Niph.

be cleaned out

be clean, free from guilt, innocent

be free, exempt from punishment

free, exempt from obligation

Pi.

hold innocent, acquit

leave unpunished

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5352 נָקָה be empty(?), clean .Inf. Abs.

. . be cleaned out

. be clean, free from guilt, innocent

. be free, exempt from punishment

. free, exempt from obligation

. . hold innocent, acquit

. leave unpunished

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5352 naqah naw-kaw'

a primitive root; to be (or make) clean (literally or

figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be

bare, i.e. extirpated:--acquit X at all, X altogether, be

blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be

free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, X by no means,

be quit, be (leave) unpunished, X utterly, X wholly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָקָה (na.qah) — to clear.

1) to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off

1a) (Qal) to be empty, be clean, be pure

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be cleaned out, be purged out

1b2) to be clean, be free from guilt, be innocent

1b3) to be free, be exempt from punishment

1b4) to be free, be exempt from obligation

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to hold innocent, acquit

1c2) to leave unpunished

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms | Suff — Verb piel imperfect second person masculine singular · suffix
HVpi2ms/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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate