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Joshua 2:17 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלֶ֖יהָ הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים נְקִיִּ֣ם אֲנַ֔חְנוּ מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥ךְ הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃

BSAsaidʼâmar to herʼêl Weʼănachnûw [as individuals, a group] will not be boundnâqîy [held responsible, guiltless] by thiszeh [specific] oathshᵉbûwʻâh [promise, vow] you made us swearshâbaʻ [to pledge, take an oath]

Word
Listen & take awayJoshua 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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 (hish.ba'.Ta.nu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Joshua 2:17quick helps
In a sentenceThe men, the spies, assure Rahab they will not be held accountable for the oath she made them swear.
Who is speakingThe men, referring to themselves as a group, address Rahab.
Where we areIn the context of a promise made during a covert operation.
The hard wordנְקִיִּ֣ם
Take awayThey clarify their position regarding the oath.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֲנַחְנוּ verbאָמַר 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 — Joshua 2:17

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 — The Spies' Assurance to Rahabgenerated

16“Go to the hill country,” she said, “so that your pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there for three days until they have returned; then go on your way.”
17The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear
18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house.
19If anyone goes out the door of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads.

Joshua 2:17 presents a crucial moment where the Israelite spies reassure Rahab about the implications of the oath she made. This interaction highlights themes of trust and responsibility in the unfolding narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. The spies' commitment to not be bound by the oath unless certain conditions are met reflects their strategic approach to the situation, as they navigate the complexities of their mission.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Joshua 2:20And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
2Genesis 24:3–8and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,
3Exodus 20:7You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
4Leviticus 19:11–12You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.
5Numbers 30:2If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.Joshua 2:20 Genesis 24:3–8 Exodus 20:7 Leviticus 19:11–12 Numbers 30:2 2 Samuel 21:1–2

The Key Word נְקִיִּ֣ם, ne.ki.Yimgenerated

The word נְקִיִּ֣ם (nekiyim) is an adjective meaning innocent or guiltless. It emphasizes moral purity and freedom from blame, suggesting that the men are asserting their integrity in the context of the oath.

This term is used to convey that they will not be held responsible for the oath made by Rahab unless specific conditions are fulfilled. It underscores their intention to remain free from any obligation that may arise from her promise.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the meaning of the key terms in this verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יֹּאמְר֥וּ (vai.yo.me.Ru), meaning 'and they said,' governs the entire sentence, with a direct object following it. The structure emphasizes the action of speaking.

The sentence is organized to present the subjects, the men, followed by their assertion of being free from the oath, which is clarified by the conditions that must be met.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates the verb יֹּאמְר֥וּ as εἶπαν, indicating a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew. This choice maintains the directness of the statement.

The Greek word for נְקִיִּ֣ם is ἀθῷοί, which carries a similar meaning of being guiltless or innocent, aligning closely with the Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Joshua 2:17 records the spies telling Rahab that they will not be held responsible for the oath she made them swear. They clarify that they will only be bound by it if she meets certain conditions, emphasizing their commitment to integrity.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the men will not be bound by the oath?

It means that the spies are asserting they will not take responsibility for the oath unless specific conditions are met.

Why is the term 'innocent' important in this context?

The term emphasizes the spies' desire to remain free from any obligations that might arise from Rahab's promise.

How does this interaction reflect the theme of trust?

This exchange highlights the importance of mutual trust between Rahab and the spies as they navigate their precarious situation.

What conditions must be met for the oath to be binding?

The spies specify that Rahab must tie a scarlet cord in her window and gather her family into her house.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this verse teach about the importance of clear communication in agreements?
  2. How can we apply the concept of being 'innocent' or 'guiltless' in our own commitments?
  3. In what ways does trust play a role in your relationships?
  4. What steps can you take to ensure that your promises are honored?

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

Early commentary on this verse includes insights from Origen of Alexandria, who reflects on the implications of the command given to Rahab regarding those in her house.

Origen of AlexandriaHOMILIES ON Joshua 3.5 c. 185–253
Also this commandment is given to the person who was once a prostitute: “All,” it says, “who will be found in your house will be saved.
Early Church Fathers on Joshua 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Joshua 2:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the men said unto her,.... Some think that this discourse, which passed between the spies and her, was while in the house before she let them down, or otherwise they would have been in danger of

Read John Gill on Joshua 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The men said, or, had said; namely, before she let them down; it being very improbable, either that she would dismiss them before the condition was expressed and agreed; or that she would discourse with them, or they with her, about such secret and weighty things after they were let down, when others might overhear them; or that she should begin her discourse in her chamber, and not finish it till they were gone out of her house. Object. They spoke this after they were let down; for it follows, , this-thread which thou didst let us down by. Answ. Those words may be thus rendered, which thou dost let us down by, i.e. art about to do it; it being frequent for the pretertense to be used of a…

Read Matthew Poole on Joshua 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Joshua 2:17 And the men said unto her, We [will be] blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.Ver. 17. We will be blameless of this thine oath,] q.d, Great haste though we have, yet will we clear up the terms whereunto we have sworn, to prevent the danger or rebut the suspicion of perjury. An oath is not to be taken but with a great deal of caution and circumspection, not in jest, but in judgment, not rashly and unadvisedly, as those that swear in heat and choler, when they should with fear, discerning the nature of an oath, the necessity, the conditions and circumstances.

Read John Trapp on Joshua 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. We will be blameless] Or, “We are blameless.” We must supply “unless you do what we shall now say unto you.” Comp. Genesis 24:41, “Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.” Wyclif renders it “we schulen be giltles of this oath.”

Read Cambridge on Joshua 2 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

17. We will be blameless of this thine oath — That is, released from the oath which we have taken, provided you do not fulfil the following conditions.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Joshua 2 →

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

The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The men said to her, “We will be guiltless of this your oath which you’ve made us to swear.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear

NETBNew English Translation2006

The men said to her, “We are not bound by this oath you made us swear unless the following conditions are met:

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the men said to her, We will be blameless of this thy oath which thou hast made us swear.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the men said vnto her, We will be blamelesse of this thine othe, which thou hast made vs sweare.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the men said to her, We will be quit of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the men say unto her, 'We are acquitted of this thine oath which thou hast caused us to swear:

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the men say to her, “We are acquitted of this, your oath, which you have caused us to swear:

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thy oath which thou hast caused us to swear.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The men said to her, “We will be not be bound to the promises of the oath you made us swear to, if you do not do this.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And they said to her: We shall be blameless of this oath, which thou hast made us swear:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The men had told her, “We will be freed from the promise you made us swear,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the men said to her, We will only be responsible for this oath which you have made us take,

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּאמְר֥וּthey.saidprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֵלֶ֖יtoהָhernoun phrase · subjectהָtheאֲנָשִׁ֑יםmenclausepredicateנְקִיִּ֣ם[will.be].freesubjectאֲנַ֔חְנוּweprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phrasenoun phrasenoun phraseשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥oathךְyouradjective phraseהַ(the)זֶּ֖הthisrelpאֲשֶׁ֥רwhichclauseverbהִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽyouobjectנוּmade.us.swear

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 show agreement in the overall message of the verse, with the Septuagint matching seven of the nine Hebrew words directly, indicating a close translation despite differences in word order.

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

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלֶ֖יהָ הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים נְקִיִּ֣ם אֲנַ֔חְנוּ מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥ךְ הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּאמְר֥וּεἶπανאֵלֶ֖יהָἄνδρεςהָאֲנָשִׁ֑יםαὐτήνנְקִיִּ֣םἀθῷοίאֲנַ֔חְנוּἐσμενמִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥ךְσουהַזֶּ֖הτούτῳ

7 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Joshua 2:17אָמַרand they saand they saidאָמַראֶלto herto herאֶלאֱנוֹשׁthe menthe menאֱנוֹשׁנָקִי[will be] f[will be] freeנָקִיאֲנַ֫חְנוּweweאֲנַ֫חְנוּשְׁבוּעָהfrom oath yfrom oath yourשְׁבוּעָהזֶהthisthisזֶהאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרשָׁבַעyou made swyou made swear שָׁבַעאָנַשׁbe incurabbe incurableאָנַשׁאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫ישֶׁ֫בַעsevensevenשֶׁ֫בַענָקָהto clearto clearנָקָהאֵבfruitfruitאֵבשָׁבַעto swearto swearשָׁבַעזֶהthisthisזֶהזֹהthisthisזֹהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַלעַיAiAiעַישָׁפַךְto pour: pto pour: pourשָׁפַךְדָּםbloodbloodדָּםאֵיךְhow?how?אֵיךְפֹּהherehereפֹּה
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 Joshua 2:17

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.

and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
וַיֹּאמְר֥וּvai.yo.me.Ru and they said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
אֵלֶ֖יהָ'e.Lei.ha to her H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3fs
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
הָאֲנָשִׁ֑יםha.'a.na.Shim the men H582 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
566× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
human
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.

of individ.

coll. men

man, mankind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

582 'enowsh en-oshe'

from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the

more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or

collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,

chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,

husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some

( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often

unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in

apposition with another word . Compare 376.

see HEBREW for 0605

see HEBREW for 0120

see HEBREW for 0376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.

1) man, mortal man, person, mankind

1a) of an individual

1b) men (collective)

1c) man, mankind

Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Ncmpa — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
נְקִיִּ֣םne.ki.Yim [will be] free H5355 Adj
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Innocent or guiltless, this word is used to describe someone who is morally clean or free from blame, such as Noah in Genesis 6:9. It emphasizes a person's integrity and moral purity.
Amplified meaning
held responsible, guiltless
Tyndale gloss
innocent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָקִי (naqiy) is an adjective meaning clean, free from, or exempt. It also conveys innocence, being blameless or guiltless. The word has variations, including נָקִיא (naqiyi), which also means innocent. It appears in contexts related to purity and freedom from obligations or guilt.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָקִי adj. clean, free from, exempt

base

נָקִיא adj. innocent

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5355a נָקִי clean, free from, exempt H5355b נָקִיא innocent

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5355 naqiy naw-kee'

or naqiyi (Joel 4 : 19; Jonah 1 : 14), {naw-kee'}; from 5352;

innocent:--blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free,

guiltless, innocent, quit.

see HEBREW for 04

see HEBREW for 019

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 014

see HEBREW for 05352

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָקִי (na.qi) — innocent.

1) clean, free from, exempt, clear, innocent

1a) free from guilt, clean, innocent

1b) free from punishment

1c) free or exempt from obligations

Also means: na.qi (נָקִיא "innocent" H5355B)

נָקִיא (na.qi) — innocent.

innocent

Another spelling of na.qi (נָקִי "innocent" H5355A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ'a.Nach.nu we H587 Pronoun
120× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Amplified meaning
as individuals, a group
Tyndale gloss
we
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנַ֫חְנוּ (anachnuw) is the first-person plural pronoun meaning 'we' or 'ourselves.' It is used for emphasis and is derived from another Hebrew word, אֲנִי (ani), meaning 'I.' The entries consistently define it as a pronoun without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנַ֫חְנוּ, אֲנָ֑חְנוּ pron. 1pl. comm. we

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H587 אֲנַ֫חְנוּ, אֲנָ֑חְנוּ we

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

587 'anachnuw an-akh'-noo

apparently from 595; we:--ourselves, us, we.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנַ֫חְנוּ (a.nach.nu) — we.

we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bp
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥ךְmi.she.vu.'a.Tekh from oath your H7621 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means an oath or curse, like a promise or vow. In the Bible, it appears in Numbers 5:21 and Deuteronomy 29:12, referring to God's oath. The KJV translates it as 'oath' or 'curse'.
Amplified meaning
promise, vow
Tyndale gloss
oath
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁבוּעָה (shbuw`ah) refers to an oath or a curse, derived from the root meaning to swear. It encompasses the concept of something sworn, including the attesting of innocence and specifically an oath of Jehovah. The entries consistently highlight its dual meaning without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁבוּעָה, שְׁבֻעָה n.f. oath, curse

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7621 שְׁבוּעָה, שְׁבֻעָה oath, curse

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7621 shbuw`ah sheb-oo-aw'

feminine passive participle of 7650; properly, something

sworn, i.e. an oath:--curse, oath, X sworn.

see HEBREW for 07650

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁבוּעָה (she.vu.ah) — oath.

1) oath, curse

1a) oath

1a1) attesting of innocence

1a2) curse

1b) oath (of Jehovah)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2fs
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
הַזֶּ֖הha.Zeh this H2088 Particle · particle
1,180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Amplified meaning
specific
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2088 zeh zeh

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this

or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the

one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,

such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on

that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,

2098.

see HEBREW for 02063

see HEBREW for 02090

see HEBREW for 02097

see HEBREW for 02098

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶה (zeh) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Pron — Particle · particle
HTd/Tm
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTr — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they said to her the men [will be] free we from oath your this which you made swear us
הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃hish.ba'.Ta.nu you made swear us H7650 Verb hiphil perfect second person masculine singular · suffix
186× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.
Amplified meaning
to pledge, take an oath
Tyndale gloss
to swear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁבַע (shaba`) primarily means to swear or take an oath, possibly derived from the idea of binding oneself by seven things. It can also mean to adjure or to cause someone to take an oath. The word appears in various forms, including participles and different verb stems, indicating actions related to swearing and oaths.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁבַע] 186 vb. swear (prob. so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things)

Qal Pt. pass. those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths

Niph.;—swear, take an oath

Hiph.

cause take an oath, subj. always man

adjure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7650 שָׁבַע swear (prob. so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things) .Pt. pass. those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths

.;—swear, take an oath

. . cause take an oath, subj. always man

. adjure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7650 shaba` shaw-bah'

a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a

denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by

repeating a declaration seven times):--adjure, charge (by an

oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for 7646),

take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.

see HEBREW for 07651

see HEBREW for 07646

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁבַע (sha.va) — to swear.

1) to swear, adjure

1a) (Qal) sworn (participle)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to swear, take an oath

1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself)

1b3) to curse

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to take an oath

1c2) to adjure

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-2fs | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect second person masculine singular · suffix
HVhp2ms/Sp1bp
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

US, pronoun objective case of we.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.

Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.

Us, pron. oblique case of we

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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