Lamentations 2:12 — Word Study
WLCלְאִמֹּתָם֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ אַיֵּ֖ה דָּגָ֣ן וָיָ֑יִן בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם כֶּֽחָלָל֙ בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת עִ֔יר בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ נַפְשָׁ֔ם אֶל־ חֵ֖יק אִמֹּתָֽם׃ ס
BSAThey cry outʼâmar▸ to their mothersʼêm [female parents, caregivers] Whereʼayêh [in what location] is the graindâgân [food, wheat] and wineyayin [fermented drink, intoxicating beverage] as they faintʻâṭaph [become weak, feel exhausted] like the woundedchâlâl [slain, hurt] in the streetsrᵉchôb [public areas, plazas] of the cityʻîyr [town, urban area] as their livesnephesh [souls, living beings] fade awayshâphak [are poured out, spilled] inʼêl the armschêyq [bosom, chest area] of their mothersʼêm [maternal figures, nurturers]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְאִמֹּתָם֙ | to mothers their | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| יֹֽאמְר֔וּ | they say | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| אַיֵּ֖ה | where? | Particle |
| דָּגָ֣ן | [are] grain | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וָיָ֑יִן | and wine | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם | when faint away they | Preposition, verb hithpael infinitive construct common, suffix |
| כֶּֽחָלָל֙ | like [one] fatally wounded | Preposition |
| בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת | in [the] open places of | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct |
| עִ֔יר | a city | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ | when pours itself out | Preposition, verb hithpael infinitive construct common |
| נַפְשָׁ֔ם | life their | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| חֵ֖יק | [the] bosom of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אִמֹּתָֽם׃ ס | mothers their | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers. |
| KJV | They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom. |
| ASV | They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? When they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, When their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom. |
| YLT | To their mothers they say, 'Where [are] corn and wine?' In their becoming feeble as a pierced one In the broad places of the city, In their soul pouring itself out into the bosom of their mothers. |
| WEB | They ask their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” when they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom. |
| BBE | They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? when they are falling like the wounded in the open squares of the town, when their life is drained out on their mother's breast. |
Where they part company is דָּגָן — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by an interrogative clause and two simile clauses, illustrating the children's plight and emotional state.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Lamentations 2:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Lament of the Peoplegenerated
Lamentations 2:12 captures a poignant moment as children cry out to their mothers in desperation, asking for sustenance in a time of great suffering. This verse reflects the broader themes of loss and mourning found throughout Lamentations, as the city faces devastation and despair. The imagery evokes the helplessness of the innocent amidst the turmoil of their surroundings, drawing a stark picture of the consequences of calamity.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 30:24 | I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and place My sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, who will groan before him like a mortally wounded man. |
| 2 | Isaiah 53:12 | Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵם, emgenerated
The word אֵם (em) means 'mother' and signifies a female parent or maternal figure. It can also represent the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family, and is often used figuratively to describe nurturing relationships.
In this verse, the use of אֵם underscores the bond between mothers and their children, highlighting the children's plea for care and sustenance during a time of crisis. The parsing indicates it is in the construct form, showing a possessive relationship, as the children call out to their mothers.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יֹֽאמְר֔וּ, they say, governs the structure of the verse, with a direct object clause following it that includes a question about food. The sentence flows from the children's call to their mothers to their condition in the streets.
The word order places emphasis on the children's plea, as they express their needs in a time of desperation. The use of prepositional phrases adds detail about their location and state, enhancing the emotional weight of the scene.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אֵם is rendered as αὐτῶν (autōn), which indicates possession but does not directly translate the maternal aspect. This choice may reflect a broader understanding of familial relationships in Greek culture.
The Greek word for דָּגָן is σῖτος (sitos), which specifically refers to grain, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning and emphasizing the agricultural context of the plea.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Lamentations 2:12 shows children crying out to their mothers, asking where the grain and wine are as they faint in the streets. This verse illustrates their suffering and desperation in a time of great loss, highlighting the bond between mothers and their children.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The children are expressing their basic needs for food and drink, which symbolizes their vulnerability and the dire situation they face in the city.
This relationship highlights the nurturing role of mothers and the deep sense of loss and helplessness felt by the children during a time of crisis.
The streets represent a public space where the suffering of the community is visible, emphasizing the widespread impact of the calamity on all aspects of life.
It reflects the themes of grief, loss, and the consequences of destruction, portraying the emotional turmoil of the people affected by the devastation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I see the needs of those around me, and how can I respond as a caregiver?
- In what ways do I experience feelings of helplessness in my own life, and how do I cope with them?
- What can I learn from the bond between mothers and children in times of crisis?
- How can I support those who are suffering in my community, similar to the mothers in this verse?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Lamentations 2:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey say to their mothers, where [is] corn and wine?.... Not the sucklings who could not speak, nor were used to corn and wine, but the children more grown; both are before spoken of, but these are
Read John Gill on Lamentations 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.
Read Robert Jamieson on Lamentations 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe little children, ignorant of the cause of the failure of their usual food, called to their mothers for it as formerly, being ready to faint and die, as men mortally wounded, for want of spirits and blood, use to faint, and died in their mothers’ arms; for so I had rather interpret the phrase poured out their souls, than (as some) understand by souls the desires of their souls, for he is speaking of sucklings as well as more grown children: the phrase is capable of both senses.
Read Matthew Poole on Lamentations 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsLamentations 2:12 They say to their mothers, Where [is] corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom.Ver. 12. They say to their mothers.] Lege et luge. Gather and mourne. “ Tu quibus ista leges incertum est, Lector, ocellis: Ipse quidem siccis scribere vix potui. ” As oft as I read the Lamentations of Jeremiah, saith Gregory Nazianzen, my voice faileth me, and I am overwhelmed with tears. The misery of that poor people cometh under my view, as it were, and my heart is therewith very much affected and afflicted. Where is corn and wine.] Frumentum dicunt, non panem. They say grain not bread. Grain they…
Read John Trapp on Lamentations 2 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) They say . . .—The words seem to paint what was actually passing before the writer’s eye, but may be the vivid present which represents the past. The children cried for food, and their mothers had none to give them. They were like wounded men at their last gasp, and breathed out their life as they clung in their despair to their mothers’ breasts.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Lamentations 2 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. When their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.] When, in endeavouring to draw nourishment from the breasts of their exhausted mothers, they breathed their last in their bosoms! How dreadfully afflicting was this!
Read AdamClarke on Lamentations 2 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. corn and wine] Omit “and wine,” not only from the nature of the case, and for the sake of correct metre, but because the Heb. word is not that elsewhere used in combination with “corn.” their soul is poured out, etc.] They swoon as the unhappy mother clasps them in her arms.
Read Cambridge on Lamentations 2 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey say - Or, “They keep saying:” it was an oft-repeated cry, even while expiring upon their mother’s bosom.
Read Albert Barnes on Lamentations 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
They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.
They ask their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” when they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom.
They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.
Children say to their mothers, “Where are food and drink?” They faint like a wounded warrior in the city squares. They die slowly in their mothers’ arms.
Tyndale line
They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom.
They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? When they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, When their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom.
They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom.
They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.
They haue sayd to their mothers, Where is bread and drinke? when they swooned as the wounded in the streetes of the citie, and whe they gaue vp the ghost in their mothers bosome.
Strictly literal
They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city; when they pour out their soul into their mothers' bosom.
To their mothers they say, 'Where [are] corn and wine?' In their becoming feeble as a pierced one In the broad places of the city, In their soul pouring itself out into the bosom of their mothers.
To their mothers they say, || “Where [are] grain and wine?” In their becoming feeble as a pierced one || In the broad places of the city, || In their soul pouring itself out into the bosom of their mothers.
To their mothers they say, Where is corn and wine? when they faint away like the deadly wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out on the bosom of their mother.
They say to their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” as they faint like a wounded man in the streets of the city, their lives are poured out on the bosom of their mothers.
From the Latin
Lamed. They said to their mothers: Where is corn and wine? when they fainted away as the wounded in the streets of the city: when they breathed out their souls in the bosoms of their mothers.
Simplified
They cry out to their mothers, “We need food and drink!” fainting in the city streets as if they're wounded, their lives fading away in their mothers' arms.
They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? when they are falling like the wounded in the open squares of the town, when their life is drained out on their mother's breast.
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Lamentations 2:12 presents the cry of children to their mothers regarding the absence of grain and wine, depicting their faintness in the streets and the fading of their lives in their mothers' arms. The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the overall message and content, matching all 14 words in a word-by-word correspondence, although it may differ in word order and articles due to its translation style. There are no significant differences between these witnesses in this verse.
לְאִמֹּתָם֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ אַיֵּ֖ה דָּגָ֣ן וָיָ֑יִן בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם כֶּֽחָלָל֙ בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת עִ֔יר בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ נַפְשָׁ֔ם אֶל־ חֵ֖יק אִמֹּתָֽם׃ ס
14 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.
Lexicons — every word in Lamentations 2:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אֵם (em) means 'mother' and can refer to a human mother, an animal's dam, or even a figurative sense, such as Deborah's nurturing role for her people. It also conveys the idea of a point of departure or division. This word is built from a primitive root and encompasses both literal and figurative meanings.
אֵם 221 n.f. mother
lit. (human) mother
fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
of animals, dam
= point of departure or division
base
H517 אֵם mother . lit. (human) mother
. fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
. of animals, dam
. = point of departure or division
517 'em ame
a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a
wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like 1):--dam,
mother, X parting.
see HEBREW for 01
אֵם (em) — mother.
1) mother
1a) of humans
1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)
1c) of animals
2) point of departure or division
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp
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.
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
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
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.
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)
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
The Hebrew word אַיֵּה (*'ayeh*) means "where?" and is used as an interrogative adverb. It can refer to the location of persons or things and may also be used rhetorically. The word is derived from a prolonged form of another root, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage in specific verses.
אַיֵּה 46 interr.adv. Where?
base
H346 אַיֵּה Where?
346 'ayeh ah-yay'
prolonged from 335; where?:--where.
see HEBREW for 0335
אַיֵּה (ay.yeh) — where?.
1) where?
1a) of persons, things
1b) rhetorical
Part — ParticleHTi
דָּגָן (dagan) refers to grain or corn, specifically cereals like wheat. It is derived from a root meaning 'increase.' The entries consistently emphasize its agricultural context, relating to the produce of the land.
דָּגָן n.m. corn, grain (of cereals)
base
H1715 דָּגָן corn, grain (of cereals)
1715 dagan daw-gawn'
from 1711; properly, increase, i.e. grain:--corn ((floor)),
wheat.
see HEBREW for 01711
דָּגָן (da.gan) — grain.
wheat, cereal, grain, corn
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gran.
See AGRICULTURE; GARNER.
Grain
Used, in Amos 9:9, of a small stone or kernel; in Matt. 13:31, of an individual seed of mustard; in John 12:24, 1 Cor. 15:37, of wheat. The Hebrews sowed only wheat, barley, and spelt; rye and oats are not mentioned in Scripture.
See CORN.
יַ֫יִן (yayin) means 'wine' and is associated with fermentation and intoxication. It appears in various contexts, including banqueting. The word is derived from an unused root that suggests the idea of effervescence.
יַ֫יִן 141 n.m. wine
base
H3196 יַ֫יִן wine
3196 yayin yah'-yin
from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as
fermented); by implication, intoxication:--banqueting, wine,
wine(-bibber).
יַ֫יִן (ya.yin) — wine.
wine
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
Wine
The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning “to boil up,” “to be in a ferment.” Others derive it from a root meaning “to tread out,” and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos_, and the Latin _vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word, there are several others which are thus rendered.
(1.) Ashishah (2 Sam. 6:19; 1 Chr. 16:3; Cant. 2:5; Hos. 3:1), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed grapes, or, as in the Revised Version, a cake of raisins.
(2.) ‘Asis, “sweet wine,” or “new wine,” the product of the same year (Cant. 8:2;
The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. [VINE] The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate. (Solomon 8:2) In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets, (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian paintings, and was carried to the wine-press. It was then placed in the upper one of the two vats or receptacles of which the winepress was formed, and was subjected to the process of "treading," which has prevailed in all ages in Oriental…
The vine being natural to the soil of Canaan and its vicinity, wine was much used as a beverage, especially at festivals, Es 1:7 5:6 Da 5:1-4 Joh 2:3. As one of the staple products of the Holy Land, it was employed for drink-offerings in the temple service, Ex 20:26 Nu 15:4-10; it was included among the "first-fruits," De 18:4, and was used in the celebration of the Passover, and subsequently of the Lord’s supper, Mt 26:27-29. Together with corn and oil it denoted all temporal supplies,
The Hebrew word עָטַף (*ataph*) is a primitive root meaning to shroud or clothe, with a range of meanings including to turn aside, envelop oneself, and to be feeble or faint. It appears in various forms, such as Qal, Niph, Hiph, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of turning aside or showing weakness. The word is notably referenced in Job 23:9.
[עָטַף] vb. be feeble, faint
Qal lit. be feeble
Niph. when infants faint
Hiph. when the flock shewed feebleness
Hithp. faint, faint away
base
H5848a עָטַף turn aside H5848b עָטַף envelop oneself (Aramaism) H5848c עָטַף be feeble, faint
5848 `ataph aw-taf'
a primitive root; to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive
or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish:--
cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed,
swoon.
עָטַף (a.taph) — to turn aside.
1) to turn aside
1a) (Qal) to turn aside, turn (in order to cover)
עָטַף (a.taph) — to envelope.
1) to envelop oneself
1a) (Qal) to envelop oneself, cover
עָטַף (a.taph) — to enfeeble.
1) to be feeble, be faint, grow weak
1a) (Qal) to be feeble, be faint
1b) (Niphal) to faint
1c) (Hiphil) to show feebleness
1d) (Hithpael) to faint, faint away
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vtcc/Sp3mp
חָלָל (chalal) primarily means 'pierced' or 'slain,' often in a context of fatal wounding. It can also refer to something that is 'profaned' or 'defiled.' The word is built from the root associated with piercing and carries both literal and figurative meanings related to death and pollution.
חָלָל 90 n.m. pierced
pierced, fatally wounded
slain
base
חָלָל adj. profaned
base
H2491a חָלָל pierced H2491b חָלָל profaned
2491 chalal khaw-lawl'
from 2490; pierced (especially to death); figuratively,
polluted:--kill, profane, slain (man), X slew, (deadly)
wounded.
see HEBREW for 02490
חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: killed.
: killed
1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced
1a) pierced, fatally wounded
1b) slain
Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
חָלָל (cha.lal) — profaned.
adj
1) (CLBL) profaned
1a) defiled, profaned (by divorce)
חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: wounded.
: wounded
1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced
1a) pierced, fatally wounded
1b) slain
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
רְחוֹב (re.chov) refers to a broad open place or plaza, often translated as street. It is derived from the root meaning width and encompasses areas like avenues or public spaces. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to open areas, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
רְחוֹב n.f. broad open place, plaza
base
H7339 רְחוֹב broad open place, plaza
7339 rchob rekh-obe'
or rchowb {rekh-obe'}; from 7337; a width, i.e. (concretely)
avenue or area:--broad place (way), street. See also 1050.
see HEBREW for 07337
see HEBREW for 01050
רְחוֹב (re.chov) — street/plaza.
broad or open place or plaza
Prep | N-fp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural constructHR/Ncfpc
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.
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 Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
sit'-i (`ir, qiryah; polis):
I. THE CANAANITE CITY
1. Origin
2. Extent
3. Villages
4. Sites
5. External Appearance
6. General
II. THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION
1. Tower or Stronghold
2. High Place
3. Broad Place
4. Streets
5. General Characteristics
III. STORE CITIES
IV. LEVITICAL CITIES
LITERATURE
I. The Canaanite City.
1. Origin:
The development of the Canaanite city has been traced by Macalister in his report on the excavation at Gezer (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1904, 108 ff). It originated on the slopes of a bare rocky spur, in which the Neolithic Troglodytes quarried their habitations out of the solid rock, the stones therefrom being used to form a casing to the earthen ramparts, with which the site was afterwards surrounded and which served as a protection against the intrusion of enemies. Later Semitic intruders occupied the site, stone houses were built, and high stone defense…
City
The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen. 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (10:12, 19; 11:3, 9; 36:31-39). The earliest description of a city is that of Sodom (19:1-22). Damascus is said to be the oldest existing city in the world. Before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt (Num. 13:22). The Israelites in Egypt were employed in building the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses (Ex. 1:11); but it does not seem that they had any cities of their own in Goshen (Gen.…
The towns and cities of Palestine were commonly built on heights, for better security against robbers or invaders. These heights, surrounded by walls, sometimes formed the entire city. In other cases, the citadel alone crowned the hill, around and at the base of which the town was built; and in time of danger the surrounding population all took refuge in the fortified place. Larger towns and cities were often not only defended by strong outer walls, with towers and gates, but by a citadel or castle within these limits-a last resort when the rest of the city was taken, Jud 9:46,51. The "fenced cities" of the Jews, De 3:5, were of various sizes and degrees of strength; some being surrounded by high and thick stone walls, and others by feebler ramparts, often of clay or sun-dried…
שָׁפַךְ (shaphak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pour out or spill. It encompasses a range of actions, including pouring liquids, shedding blood, and even expressing emotions like anger. The word can also imply figurative uses, such as expending life or resources. Various forms of the verb exist, indicating different nuances, such as being poured out or pouring oneself out.
שָׁפַךְ 113 vb. pour out, pour
Qal
lit.
fig.
Niph. be poured out
Pu. be poured out
Hithp. my soul pours itself out upon me
base
H8210 שָׁפַךְ pour out, pour
8210 shaphak shaw-fak'
a primitive root; to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid
metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively)
to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensively,
to sprawl out:--cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der,
out), slip.
שָׁפַךְ (sha.phakh) — to pour: pour.
: pour
1) to pour, pour out, spill
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour, pour out
1a2) to shed (blood)
1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed
1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to be poured out
1d2) to pour out oneself
שָׁפַךְ (sha.phakh) — to pour: kill.
: kill/shed(blood/life)
1) to pour, pour out, spill
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour, pour out
1a2) to shed (blood)
1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed
1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to be poured out
1d2) to pour out oneself
שָׁפַךְ (sha.phakh) — to pour: build siege mound.
: build_siege_mound
1) to pour, pour out, spill
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour, pour out
1a2) to shed (blood)
1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed
1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct commonHR/Vtcc
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3mp
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.
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
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
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).
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)
Prep — PrepositionHR
חֵיק (cheq) means 'bosom' and can refer to the literal or figurative sense of being enclosed, such as in the body or in garments. It encompasses meanings like embrace, lap, and secret, indicating a sense of intimacy or closeness. The entries suggest a range of uses, including physical and metaphorical contexts.
חֵיק, חֵק n.[m.] bosom
of fold of garment, at breast
carry in bosom
bosom as part of body
base
H2436 חֵיק, חֵק bosom
2436 cheyq khake
or cheq {khake}; and chowq {khoke}; from an unused root,
apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or
figuratively):--bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: embrace.
: embrace/chest
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: garment.
: garment
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: lap.
: lap/base
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: secret.
: secret
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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 Hebrew word אֵם (em) means 'mother' and can refer to a human mother, an animal's dam, or even a figurative sense, such as Deborah's nurturing role for her people. It also conveys the idea of a point of departure or division. This word is built from a primitive root and encompasses both literal and figurative meanings.
אֵם 221 n.f. mother
lit. (human) mother
fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
of animals, dam
= point of departure or division
base
H517 אֵם mother . lit. (human) mother
. fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
. of animals, dam
. = point of departure or division
517 'em ame
a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a
wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like 1):--dam,
mother, X parting.
see HEBREW for 01
אֵם (em) — mother.
1) mother
1a) of humans
1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)
1c) of animals
2) point of departure or division
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp3mp