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Joel 1:6 — Word Study

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WLCכִּֽי־ גוֹי֙ עָלָ֣ה עַל־ אַרְצִ֔י עָצ֖וּם וְאֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֑ר שִׁנָּיו֙ שִׁנֵּ֣י אַרְיֵ֔ה וּֽמְתַלְּע֥וֹת לָבִ֖יא לֽוֹ׃

BSAForkîy a nationgôwy [Gentile, non-Hebrew people] has invadedʻâlâh My landʼerets [country, territory] powerfulʻâtsûwm [mighty, strong] and withoutʼayin numbermiçpâr [countless, innumerable] its teethshên [are] the teethshên of a lionʼărîy and its fangs [are the fangs]mᵉthallᵉʻâh [jaw, tooth] of a lionesslâbîyʼ [fierce, powerful]

Word
Listen & take awayJoel 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (lo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Joel 1:6quick helps
In a sentenceA powerful nation has invaded the land, described with the ferocity of lions.
Who is speakingThe Lord, lamenting the devastation of His land.
Where we areA warning of impending destruction, set against a backdrop of national calamity.
The hard wordעָצ֖וּם
Take awayThe invasion is characterized by overwhelming strength and ferocity.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectגּוֹי verbעָלָה 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 — Joel 1:6

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 — A Call to Wakefulnessgenerated

5Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth.
6For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and its fangs are the fangs of a lioness.
7It has laid waste My grapevine and splintered My fig tree. It has stripped off the bark and thrown it away; the branches have turned white.
8Wail like a virgin dressed in sackcloth, grieving for the husband of her youth.

Joel 1:6 describes a dire situation where a mighty nation invades the land of the Lord, symbolizing a significant threat. The verses surrounding this one express sorrow and urgency, as the people are called to wake up and mourn over the destruction that has come upon them. This imagery of invasion and devastation serves as a warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of their actions and their relationship with God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Joel 2:2–11a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.
2Proverbs 30:25–27The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
3Psalm 107:34and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.
4Isaiah 8:8It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!
5Isaiah 32:13and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers— even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry.

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


The Key Word עָצ֖וּם, 'a.Tzumgenerated

The adjective עָצ֖וּם (atsuwm) means mighty or powerful. It conveys a sense of strength and abundance, often used to describe a formidable force. In this verse, it characterizes the invading nation, emphasizing their overwhelming power and the threat they pose.

This word appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often linked to God's might or the strength of armies. Its use here highlights the seriousness of the invasion, suggesting that the nation is not only numerous but also exceptionally strong.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the rendering of עָצ֖וּם as mighty, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all using this term to describe the invading nation.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb עָלָ֣ה, it has come up, governs the main clause, indicating the action of the invasion. The structure includes a subject, a predicate describing the nature of the invasion, and a series of noun phrases that elaborate on the characteristics of the invaders.

The sentence emphasizes the might of the invading nation and the ferocity of its teeth and fangs, which are likened to those of lions. This structure serves to create a vivid image of the threat posed to the land.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word עָצ֖וּם is rendered as ἰσχυρὸν, which also conveys the idea of strength and power. This choice aligns with the original Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on the might of the invading force.

The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the threat posed by the nation, preserving the intensity of the original text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Joel 1:6 tells us that a powerful nation has invaded the Lord's land, described as having the teeth and fangs of lions. This verse highlights the danger and destruction that the people face, calling them to recognize the severity of their situation.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the invasion symbolize in this verse?

The invasion symbolizes a significant threat to the land and the people, representing the consequences of their actions and their relationship with God.

Why is the nation described as powerful and without number?

The description emphasizes the overwhelming strength and multitude of the invading force, highlighting the severity of the threat they pose.

What is the significance of comparing the invaders' teeth to those of lions?

The comparison to lions conveys ferocity and danger, suggesting that the invaders are not only numerous but also fierce and destructive.

How does this verse fit into the larger context of the book of Joel?

This verse serves as a warning to the people of Israel about the impending destruction and calls them to wake up and mourn, setting the stage for the themes of judgment and repentance that follow.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I recognize the threats to my spiritual life, similar to the invasion described in this verse?
  2. How can I be more aware of the consequences of my actions and their impact on my relationship with God?
  3. What steps can I take to prepare myself spiritually in the face of challenges or adversities?
  4. How does understanding the ferocity of the invaders help me comprehend the seriousness of sin and its effects?

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

Early interpretations of this verse highlight the seriousness of the invasion and its implications for the people. Quotations from Jerome and John Chrysostom reflect on the themes of strength and repentance.

JeromeVerse 6,7. c. 347–420
For a strong and innumerable nation will ascend over my land: its teeth, like lion's teeth, and its molars, like lion cubs.
Early Church Fathers on Joel 1 →
John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF Matthew 4:17 c. 347–407
How shall we be enabled to mortify those inordinate affections that mar our soul? Only by the precious blood of Christ, if it is received with full assurance, for this will have power to extinguish every disease;
Early Church Fathers on Joel 1 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Joel 1:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For a nation is come up upon my land,.... A nation of locusts, so called from their great numbers, and coming from foreign parts; just as the ants are called a "people", and the conies a "folk",

Read John Gill on Joel 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

Read Robert Jamieson on Joel 1 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

This verse countenanceth their conjecture who take the locusts and vermin to be emblematical in part as well as literal; for it seems not very suitable to call their teeth teeth of a lion. For a nation; an innumerable multitude of locusts and caterpillars, called a nation here, as Solomon calls the conies and the ants, ,26. A prognostic of a very numerous and mighty nation, that ere long will invade Judah. Is come up, or suddenly will come, upon my land; upon Canaan, which God calls his land; or more particularly the two tribes, Judea strictly taken. Strong; mighty in power and undaunted in courage, if you refer it to the Assyrians or Babylonians; if to those vermin, they are, though each…

Read Matthew Poole on Joel 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Joe 1:6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth [are] the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.Ver. 6. For a nation is come up upon my land] A nation, sc. of vermin, by swarms, as Joe 2:9, called afterwards an army, Joe 2:11, and a people, Joe 2:2. See the like Proverbs 30:25-26. "Is come," that is, shortly shall come, "upon my land," this glorious and goodly land, as it is called, Daniel 11:16. Tarnovius makes this by a mimesis to be the drunkard’ s lamentation. "A nation is come up," &c. Strong and without number] Yea, therefore strong, because without number; insuperable, because innumerable. Feeble they are, and yet…

Read John Trapp on Joel 1 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) A nation.—It was not uncommon with Hebrew writers to apply the name people or folk to animals, as, “The ants are a people not strong;” “The conies are but a feeble folk” (Proverbs 30:25-26); but the word used by Joel is different from that in the Proverbs. He selected a word indicative of foreign nations, suggestive of attack, including both the irrational invader and the foreign conqueror. The surpassing strength of the nation is indicated by the extraordinary power of the locust’s teeth, compared to that of the lion’s jaws. The same comparison is made by St. John (Revelation 9:8): “Their teeth (the locusts) were as the teeth of lions.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Joel 1 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 6. A nation is come up upon my land] That real locusts are intended there can be little doubt; but it is thought that this may be a double prophecy, and that the destruction by the Chaldeans may also be intended, and that the four kinds of locusts mentioned above may mean the four several attacks made on Judea by them. The first in the last year of Nabonassar, (father of Nebuchadnezzar,) which was the third of Jehoiakim; the second when Jehoiakim was taken prisoner in the eleventh year of his reign; the third in the ninth year of Zedekiah; and the fourth, three years after, when Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Others say that they mean four powers which have been enemies of…

Read AdamClarke on Joel 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5–12. All classes are to unite in lamenting this calamity, which has not only (1) deprived them of some of their most valued luxuries, Joe 1:5-7, but also (2) interrupted the public worship of God, Joe 1:8-10, and (3) even left them destitute of the means of subsistence, Joe 1:11-12. Awake, ye drunkards] viz. from the sleep of intoxication (Genesis 9:24; Proverbs 23:35), which the ruin of the vintage will soon render impossible. howl] in wild and desperate grief: so Joe 1:11; Joe 1:13. Comp. on Amos 8:3. because of the sweet wine] Heb. ‘âsîs: see on Amos 9:13. from your mouth] where it is a source to you of gratification.

Read Cambridge on Joel 1 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For a nation is come up upon my land - He calls this scourge of God a “nation,” giving them the title most used in Holy Scripture, of pagan nations.

Read Albert Barnes on Joel 1 →

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

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

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and its fangs are the fangs of a lioness.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For a nation has come up on my land, strong, and without number. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a lioness.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and its fangs are the fangs of a lioness.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For a nation has invaded our land. There are so many of them they are too numerous to count. Their teeth are like those of a lion; they tear apart their prey like a lioness.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number; his teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the jaw-teeth of a lioness.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number; his teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the jaw teeth of a great lion.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Yea, a nation commeth vpon my lande, mightie, and without nomber, whose teeth are like the teeth of a lyon, and he hath the iawes of a great lyon.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong and without number: his teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a lioness.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For a nation hath come up on my land, Strong, and there is no number, Its teeth [are] the teeth of a lion, And it hath the jaw-teeth of a lioness.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For a nation has come up on My land, || Strong, and there is no number, || Its teeth [are] the teeth of a lion, || And it has the jaw-teeth of a lioness.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For a nation is come up over my land, strong, and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it hath the cutting-teeth of the lioness.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For a nation has come up upon my land, strong and without number. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the teeth of a lioness.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong and without number: his teeth are like the teeth of a lion: and his cheek teeth as of a lion’s whelp.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

A nation has invaded my land: powerful and too many to count. Their teeth are like lion's teeth, their fangs like those of a lioness.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For a nation has come up over my land, strong and without number; his teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the back teeth of a great lion.

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


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

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

כִּֽי(dm)clausesubjectגוֹי֙a.nationverbעָלָ֣הit.has.come.upprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonnoun phraseאַרְצִ֔landיmyclauseclausepredicateעָצ֖וּם[it.is].mightyוְandclausepredicateאֵ֣יןthere.[is].notsubjectמִסְפָּ֑רnumberclausenoun phrase · subjectשִׁנָּיteethו֙itsnoun phrase · predicateשִׁנֵּ֣י[are.the].teethאַרְיֵ֔הof.a.lionוּֽandclausenoun phrase · subjectמְתַלְּע֥וֹתthe.fangsלָבִ֖יאof.a.lionprepositional phrase · predicateלֽ[belong].toוֹit

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 their wording for Joel 1:6. The Septuagint matches 13 of the 14 words, indicating a strong correspondence between the two texts.

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

כִּֽי־ גוֹי֙ עָלָ֣ה עַל־ אַרְצִ֔י עָצ֖וּם וְאֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֑ר שִׁנָּיו֙ שִׁנֵּ֣י אַרְיֵ֔ה וּֽמְתַלְּע֥וֹת לָבִ֖יא לֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּֽי־ὅτιגוֹי֙ἔθνοςעָלָ֣הἀνέβηעַל־ἐπὶאַרְצִ֔יμουעָצ֖וּםἰσξυρὸνוְאֵ֣יןκαὶמִסְפָּ֑רἀναρίθμητονשִׁנָּיו֙αὐτοῦשִׁנֵּ֣יὀδόντεςאַרְיֵ֔הλέοντοςוּֽמְתַלְּע֥וֹתκαὶלָבִ֖יאσκύμνου

13 of the 14 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.

Joel 1:6כִּיforforכִּיגּוֹיa nationa nationגּוֹיעָלָהit has comeit has come upעָלָהעַלononעַלאֶ֫רֶץland myland myאֶ֫רֶץעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםאַ֫יִןand there nand there notאַ֫יִןמִסְפָּר[is] number[is] numberמִסְפָּרשֵׁןteeth itsteeth itsשֵׁןשֵׁן[are the] t[are the] teethשֵׁןאֲרִיa liona lionאֲרִימְתַלְּעוֹתand [the] fand [the] fangsמְתַלְּעוֹתלְבִיa lionessa lionessלְבִיוֹ[belong] to[belong] to itוֹשָׁנַןto sharpento sharpenשָׁנַןסָפַרto recountto recountסָפַראָרָהto pluckto pluckאָרָהלוּעto blurtto blurtלוּעאֲרִיlionlionאֲרִיגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהעַלheightheightעַלעָצֹםbe vastbe vastעָצֹםאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןמְתַלְּעוֹתjawjawמְתַלְּעוֹתחָרַקto grindto grindחָרַקיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםמַמְלָכָהkingdomkingdomמַמְלָכָהעֹלָהburnt offeburnt offeringעֹלָהיְאֹרstreamstreamיְאֹרכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּא
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 Joel 1:6

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
גוֹי֙goy a nation H1471 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentile, non-Hebrew people
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Sins of Isa 30:1,2

→ Chastised Isa 14:26,27; Jer 5:29; 18:6-10; 25:12-33; Eze 2:3-5; 39:23,24; Da 7:9-12; 9:3-16; Ho 7:12; Joe 1:1-20; Am 9:9; Zep 3:6,8

→ Perish Ps 9:17; Isa 60:12

for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
עָלָ֣ה'a.Lah it has come up H5927 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
890× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Tyndale gloss
to ascend: rise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָלָה (alah) means 'to ascend' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including going up, climbing, and rising in various contexts such as personal, natural, and spiritual. It can refer to actions involving people, animals, vegetation, and even thoughts, and includes nuances of being exalted or offering sacrifices. The word is built from a primitive root and appears in various grammatical forms, indicating different aspects of ascent or elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָלָה 890 vb. go up, ascend, climb

Qal

of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

go up, in personal relations

of animals, go or come up

of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

of natural phenom., go up, rise

of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

of thoughts

come up before God, arrogance

go up, extend, of boundary

excel

Niph.

be brought up

be taken up

pass., be taken up, away

reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

reflex.: take oneself away

be exalted, of God

Hiph.

bring up persons

in personal relations

bring up animals

cause to ascend

mentally

offer a present; bring up tithe to

exalt

cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

Hoph.

be carried away

be taken up into, inserted in

be offered

Hithp. lift oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5927 עָלָה go up, ascend, climb .. of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

. go up, in personal relations

. of animals, go or come up

. of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

. of natural phenom., go up, rise

. of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

. of thoughts

. come up before God, arrogance

. go up, extend, of boundary

. excel

. . . be brought up

. be taken up

. . pass., be taken up, away

. reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

. reflex.: take oneself away

. be exalted, of God

. . bring up persons

. in personal relations

. bring up animals

. cause to ascend

. mentally

. offer a present; bring up tithe to

. exalt

. cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

. . be carried away

. be taken up into, inserted in

. be offered

. lift oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5927 `alah aw-law'

a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or

actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary

and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow):--arise

(up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up),

bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb

(up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart,

exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up);

grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light,

(make) up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect,

prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise

(up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring

(up), stir up, take away (up), work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָלָה (a.lah) — to ascend: rise.

: rise/go

1) to go up, ascend, climb

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go up, ascend

1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat

1a3) to go up, come up (of animals)

1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation)

1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon)

1a6) to come up (before God)

1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary)

1a8) to excel, be superior to

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away

1b2) to take oneself away

1b3) to be exalted

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up

1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away

1c3) to bring up, draw up, train

1c4) to cause to ascend

1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally)

1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts)

1c7) to exalt

1c8) to cause to ascend, offer

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be carried away, be led up

1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in

1d3) to be offered

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
אַרְצִ֔י'ar.Tzi land my H776 Noun common both singular construct · suffix
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
country, territory
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffix
HNcbsc/Sp1fs
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
עָצ֖וּם'a.Tzum mighty H6099 Adj
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means mighty or powerful, often describing something as strong or numerous. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power and strength.
Amplified meaning
mighty, strong
Tyndale gloss
mighty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָצוּם (atsuwm) is an adjective meaning mighty or numerous. It conveys strength and power, often in the context of numbers. The word is derived from a root meaning to be powerful, and it appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing might and abundance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָצוּם 31 adj. mighty, numerous

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6099 עָצוּם mighty, numerous

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6099 `atsuwm aw-tsoom'

or matsum {aw-tsoom'}; passive participle of 6105; powerful

(specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous:--+ feeble,

great, mighty, must, strong.

see HEBREW for 06105

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָצוּם (a.tsum) — mighty.

1) mighty, vast, numerous

1a) mighty, strong (in number)

1b) numerous, countless

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
וְאֵ֣יןve.'Ein and there not H369 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
מִסְפָּ֑רmis.Par [is] number H4557 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Amplified meaning
countless, innumerable
Tyndale gloss
number
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִסְפָּר (mispar) means 'number' or 'tale.' It can refer to definite or indefinite quantities, ranging from large to small. The word also encompasses concepts of narration and recounting. The entries consistently highlight its numerical and narrative aspects without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִסְפָּר 133 n.m. number, tale

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4557 מִסְפָּר number, tale

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4557 micpar mis-pawr'

from 5608; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite

(large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly)

narration:--+ abundance, account, X all, X few, (in-)finite,

(certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, + time.

see HEBREW for 05608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִסְפָּר (mis.par) — number.

1) number, tale

1a) number

1a1) number

1a2) innumerable (with negative)

1a3) few, numerable (alone)

1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep)

1b) recounting, relation

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

num'-ber:

I. NUMBER AND ARITHMETIC

II. NOTATION OF NUMBERS

1. By Words

2. By Signs

3. By Letters

III. NUMBERS IN OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY

IV. ROUND NUMBERS

V. SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS

1. Seven and Its Multiples

(1) Ritual Use of Seven

(2) Historical Use of Seven

(3) Didactic or Literary Use of Seven

(4) Apocalyptic Use of Seven

2. The Number Three

3. The Number Four

4. The Number Ten

5. The Number Twelve

6. Other Significant Numbers

VI. GEMATRIA

LITERATURE

I. Number and Arithmetic.

The system of counting followed by the Hebrews and the Semites generally was the decimal system, which seems to have been suggested by the use of the ten fingers. Hebrew had separate words only for the first nine units and for ten and its multiples. Of the sexagesimal system, which seems to have been introduced into Babylonia by the Sumerians and which, through its development there, has influenced the measurement of time and space in the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Like most Oriental nations, it is probable that the Hebrews in their written calculations made use of the letters of the alphabet. That they did so in post-Babylonian times we have conclusive evidence in the Maccabaean coins; and it is highly probable that this was the ease also in earlier times. But though, on the one hand, it is certain that in all existing MSS of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament the numerical expressions are written at length, yet, on the other, the variations in the several versions between themselves and from the Hebrew text, added to the evident inconsistencies in numerical statement between certain passages of that text itself seems to prove that some shorter mode of writing was originally in vogue, liable to be misunderstood, and in fact misunderstood by copyists and translators. These variations appear to have proceeded from the alphabetic method of writing…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Isa 65:11. See GAD 3.

for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
שִׁנָּיו֙shi.Nav teeth its H8127 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for tooth can also mean ivory or a sharp cliff. It is used in the Bible to describe the teeth of humans and animals, as well as sharp rocks, and is often translated as tooth or ivory.
Tyndale gloss
tooth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שֵׁן (shen) primarily means 'tooth' and can also refer to 'ivory.' It is derived from the root associated with sharpness, and it can figuratively denote a cliff or crag. The entries highlight various contexts, including its use in legal terms (lex talionis) and as a material in commerce.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁן n.f. tooth, ivory

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8127 שֵׁן tooth, ivory

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8127 shen shane

from 8150; a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for 8143) ivory;

figuratively, a cliff:--crag, X forefront, ivory, X sharp,

tooth.

see HEBREW for 08150

see HEBREW for 08143

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth.

: tooth

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: ivory.

: ivory

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: crag.

: crag

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: prong.

: prong

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp3ms
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
שִׁנֵּ֣יshi.Nei [are the] teeth of H8127 Noun common · feminine dual construct
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for tooth can also mean ivory or a sharp cliff. It is used in the Bible to describe the teeth of humans and animals, as well as sharp rocks, and is often translated as tooth or ivory.
Tyndale gloss
tooth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שֵׁן (shen) primarily means 'tooth' and can also refer to 'ivory.' It is derived from the root associated with sharpness, and it can figuratively denote a cliff or crag. The entries highlight various contexts, including its use in legal terms (lex talionis) and as a material in commerce.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁן n.f. tooth, ivory

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8127 שֵׁן tooth, ivory

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8127 shen shane

from 8150; a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for 8143) ivory;

figuratively, a cliff:--crag, X forefront, ivory, X sharp,

tooth.

see HEBREW for 08150

see HEBREW for 08143

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth.

: tooth

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: ivory.

: ivory

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: crag.

: crag

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: prong.

: prong

1) tooth, ivory

1a) tooth

1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast

1b) tooth, tine (of fork)

1c) ivory

1c1) as material

1c2) of commerce

1d) sharp pointed rock

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cd — Noun common · feminine dual construct
HNcfdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
אַרְיֵ֔ה'ar.Yeh a lion H738 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
80× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Tyndale gloss
lion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲרִי (ariy) and אַרְיֵה (aryeh) both mean 'lion' in Hebrew, referring to the animal itself or images of it. The word is derived from a root associated with violence. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲרִי n.m. lion

base

אַרְיֵה n.m. lion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H738a אֲרִי lion H738b אַרְיֵה lion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

738 'ariy ar-ee'

or (prolonged) earyeh {ar-yay'}; from 717 (in the sense of

violence); a lion:--(young) lion, + pierce (from the margin).

see HEBREW for 0717

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲרִי (a.ri) — lion.

1) lion

1a) pictures or images of lions

אַרְיֵה (ar.yeh) — lion.

1) lion

1a) pictures or images of lions

Aramaic equivalent: ar.yeh (אַרְיֵה "lion" H0744)

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

li'-un:

(1) Occurring most often in the Old Testament is 'aryeh, plural 'ardyoth. Another form, 'ari, plural 'arayim, is found less often.

1. Names:

Compare 'ari'el, "Ariel" (Ezr 8:16; Isa 29:1,2,7); char'el, "upper altar," and 'ari'el, "altar hearth" (Eze 43:15); 'aryeh, "Arieh" (2Ki 15:25); 'ar'eli, "Areli" and "Arelites" (Ge 46:16; Nu 26:17).

(2) kephir, "young lion," often translated "lion" (Ps 35:17; Pr 19:12; 23:1, etc.).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

"The most powerful, daring and impressive of all carnivorous animals, the most magnificent in aspect and awful in voice." At present lions do not exist in Palestine; but they must in ancient times have been numerous. The lion of Palestine was in all probability the Asiatic variety, described by Aristotle and Pliny as distinguished by its short and curly mane, and by being shorter and rounder in shape, like the sculptured lion found at Arban. It was less daring than the longer named species, but when driven by hunger it not only ventured to attack the flocks in the desert in presence of the shepherd, (1 Samuel 17:34; Isaiah 31:4) but laid waste towns and villages, (2 Kings 17:25,26; Proverbs 22:13; 26:13) and devoured men.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The well-known and noble king of beasts, frequently spoken of in Scripture. He often exceeds eight feet in length and four feet in height; and his majestic and dauntless aspect, his prodigious strength and agility, and his peculiar roar, make him the terror of the forests. Lions were common in Palestine, (See JORDAN,) and the Hebrews had seven different names for them, to distinguish the different ages, etc. Five of these occur together in Job 4:10,11. See also Na 2:11,12. The psalmist alludes to the stealthy creeping of the lion till he can spring upon his prey, when he says of the crafty wicked man, "He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; .... he croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones." The Bible reader will remember the exploits of…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ King of beasts Mic 5:8

→ Fierceness of Job 4:10; 28:8; Ps 7:2; Pr 22:13; Jer 2:15; 49:19; 50:44; Ho 13:8

→ The roaring of Ps 22:13; Pr 20:2

→ Strength of Pr 30:30; Isa 38:13; Joe 1:6

for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
וּֽמְתַלְּע֥וֹתu.me.ta.le.'ot and [the] fangs of H4973 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means 'jaw' or 'tooth', referring to the mouth or teeth, like in the book of Job when describing a lion's powerful jaws.
Amplified meaning
jaw, tooth
Tyndale gloss
jaw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְתַלְּעוֹת (mthall`ah) refers to teeth, specifically in the context of jaws or fangs. It is derived from a root meaning 'to bite' and encompasses various types of teeth. The entries consistently identify it as a plural noun related to dental structures.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְתַלְּעוֹת n.f.pl. teeth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4973 מְתַלְּעוֹת, מְתַלְּעָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4973 mthall`ah meth-al-leh-aw'

contr. from 3216; properly, a biter, i.e. a tooth:--cheek

(jaw) tooth, jaw.

see HEBREW for 03216

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְתַלְּעוֹת (me.tal.l.ah) — jaw.

teeth, fangs, incisors

Also means: mal.ta.ah (מַלְתָּעָה "tooth" H4459)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
HC/Ncfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
לָבִ֖יאla.Vi' a lioness H3833 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for lion, this term refers to a fierce lioness. It's used in the Bible to describe powerful animals, like the ones in the stories of Daniel and David. The word is about strength and power.
Amplified meaning
fierce, powerful
Tyndale gloss
lion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְבִי (labiy') refers to a lion, while לְבִיָּא (leviyah) denotes a lioness. The entries indicate that לָבִיא (lavi') can also mean lion, with possible feminine forms. The word is associated with the idea of roaring, and it appears in contexts like Ezekiel 19:2.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[לְבִי] n.[m.,f.] lion

base

לְבִיָּא n.f. lioness;—Ez 19:2 fig. of mother of Isr.

ref

לָבִיא n. [m.] lion, poss. also [f.] lioness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3833a לְבִי lion H3833b לְבִיָּא lioness H3833c לָבִיא n. [m.] lion, poss. also [f.] lioness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3833 labiy' law-bee'

or (Ezek. 19:2) lbiyao {leb-ee-yaw'}; irreg. masculine plural

lbaviym {leb-aw-eem'}; irreg. feminine plural lbaeowth

{leb-aw-oth'}; from an unused root men. to roar; a lion

(properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;

compare 738)):--(great, old, stout) lion, lioness, young

(lion).

see HEBREW for 0738

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְבִי (le.vi) — lion.

lion

לְבִיָּא (le.viy.ya) — lioness.

lioness

Another spelling of la.vi (לָבִיא "lion" H3833C)

לָבִיא (la.vi) — lion.

lion

Also means: le.viy.ya (לְבִיָּא "lioness" H3833B)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
for a nation it has come up on land my mighty and there not [is] number teeth its [are the] teeth of a lion and [the] fangs of a lioness [belong] to it
לֽוֹ׃lo [belong] to it H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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