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Lamentations 3:24 — Word Study

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WLCחֶלְקִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אָמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֔י עַל־ כֵּ֖ן אוֹחִ֥יל לֽוֹ׃ ס

BSAThe LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is my portionchêleq [inheritance, all I need] saysʼâmar my soulnephesh [my inner being, living essence] thereforeʻal [so, in this confidence] I will hopeyâchal [wait, trust]

Word
Listen & take awayLamentations 3
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 24 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
Lamentations 3:24quick helps
In a sentenceThe speaker expresses confidence in the Lord as their portion, leading to hope.
Who is speakingThe speaker is the soul, indicating a personal and inner reflection.
Where we areThis verse is part of a meditation on God's faithfulness and goodness.
The hard wordחֶלְקִ֤י
Take awayThe Lord is the speaker's inheritance, which inspires hope.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיהוה 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 — Lamentations 3:24

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 — Hope in the Lord's Faithfulnessgenerated

23They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
24“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
25The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
26It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:24 expresses a deep trust in God, affirming that He is the speaker's portion. This verse follows a reflection on God's unchanging faithfulness, emphasizing the speaker's reliance on the Lord. The surrounding verses highlight the goodness of the Lord to those who wait for Him, reinforcing the theme of hope amidst adversity.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 16:5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
2Psalm 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
3Psalm 119:57The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
4Psalm 142:5I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
5Jeremiah 10:16The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name.

The Key Word חֶלְקִ֤י, chel.Kigenerated

The word חֵ֫לֶק (*cheleq*) refers to a portion or share, often associated with inheritance. In this context, it signifies that the Lord is the speaker's essential resource and sustenance.

This noun is in the construct state, indicating a close relationship with the suffix that personalizes it as 'my portion.' The parsing as a masculine singular noun emphasizes its singular importance in the speaker's life.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree that the Lord is described as the speaker's portion.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb אָמְרָ֣ה, it has said, governs the structure of the verse, with the subject יְהוָה֙ and the object נַפְשִׁ֔י clearly defined. The conjunction עַל־ introduces a causal relationship to the speaker's hope.

The sentence structure emphasizes the connection between the speaker's declaration and their subsequent action of hoping in the Lord.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Lamentations 3:24 states that the Lord is the speaker's portion, which brings hope. This verse highlights the personal relationship between the speaker and God, emphasizing trust in His goodness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the Lord is my portion?

It signifies that the Lord is the speaker's source of sustenance and inheritance, providing everything necessary for life.

How does this verse express hope?

The speaker's declaration of the Lord as their portion leads to a confident expectation of His goodness and faithfulness.

Why is the soul mentioned in this verse?

The soul represents the speaker's inner being, emphasizing a deep, personal connection to God and the hope found in Him.

What does it mean to hope in the Lord?

Hoping in the Lord involves trusting in His character and promises, waiting patiently for His intervention and support.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced the Lord as my portion in my life?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper hope in God during challenging times?
  3. What does it mean for me to declare the Lord as my portion?
  4. How can I encourage others to find their portion in the Lord?

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

Aquinas reflects on this verse, emphasizing the experience of divine mercy and the steadfast love of the Lord.

Thomas Aquinas 1225–1274
Presently the experience of divine mercy is exposed. First, to the recognition of divine mercy itself; "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end." That is, not punishing, as if unmerciful.
Early Church Fathers on Lamentations 3 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Lamentations 3:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The Lord [is] my portion, saith my soul,.... The prophet, or the church, whom he represents, rises and increases in the exercise of faith; from considering the mercies, compassions, and faithfulness

Read John Gill on Lamentations 3 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Read Robert Jamieson on Lamentations 3 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

God is the portion of his people, and they have chosen him as their portion; he hath declared himself to them as such, and they have accepted him as such. This gives them ground both for patience under his providences, and also of expectation of good from him in their lowest and meanest state.

Read Matthew Poole on Lamentations 3 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Lamentations 3:24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.Ver. 24. The Lord is my portion.] And that is enough for me, should I never have more. That which giveth content in any portion is (1.) The favour and presence of God; (2.) That it is from the hand of a Father; (3.) That it comes to us in the covenant of grace; (4.) That it is the purchase of Christ’ s blood; (5.) That it is an answer of prayers, and a blessing from above on honest endeavours, &c. Vide autem, pie Lector, saith an expositor: See here, good reader, how this prophetic lamentation beginneth to be a guide to godliness. For it doth not, after the manner of silly women, throw out empty words…

Read John Trapp on Lamentations 3 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) The Lord.—An inversion of the sentence gives a closer and more emphatic rendering: My portion is Jehovah. The phrase is a reminiscence from Psalms 16:5; Psalms 73:26; Psalms 142:5; Psalms 119:57, the thought resting primarily on Numbers 18:20.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Lamentations 3 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 24. The Lord is my portion] See Clarke on Psalms 119:57.

Read AdamClarke on Lamentations 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

24. The Lord is my portion] a frequent expression in the Psalms (Psalms 16:5, Psalms 73:26, Psalms 119:57, Psalms 142:5).

Read Cambridge on Lamentations 3 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Lord is my portion - “My portion is Yahweh,” see Numbers 18:20; Psalms 16:5 ff.

Read Albert Barnes on Lamentations 3 →

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 LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul. “Therefore I will hope in him.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

“My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The Lord is my portion, sayth my soule: therefore wil I hope in him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

My portion [is] Jehovah, hath my soul said, Therefore I hope for Him.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

My portion [is] YHWH, my soul has said, || Therefore I hope for Him.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I wait for him.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

“Yahweh is my inheritance,” I said, therefore I will hope in him.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Heth. The Lord is my portion, said my soul: therefore will I wait for him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

“The Lord is all I need,” I tell myself, “so I will put my hope in him.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I said to myself, The Lord is my heritage; and because of this I will have hope in him.

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.

clausenoun phrase · predicateחֶלְקִ֤portionי[is].mysubjectיְהוָה֙Yahwehclauseverbאָמְרָ֣הit.has.saidnoun phrase · subjectנַפְשִׁ֔selfיmyconjunction phraseprepositional phraseעַלthereforeכֵּ֖ןclauseverbאוֹחִ֥ילI.will.waitprepositional phrase · prepositionalלֽforוֹhim

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


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

חֶלְקִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אָמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֔י עַל־ כֵּ֖ן אוֹחִ֥יל לֽוֹ׃ ס is preserved in the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint aligns closely with the Hebrew, with 7 of the 8 words matching, indicating a strong textual agreement.

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

חֶלְקִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אָמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֔י עַל־ כֵּ֖ן אוֹחִ֥יל לֽוֹ׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
חֶלְקִ֤י’’יְהוָה֙’’אָמְרָ֣ה’’נַפְשִׁ֔י’’כֵּ֖ן’’אוֹחִ֥יל’’לֽוֹ׃ ס’’

7 of the 8 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.

Lamentations 3:24חֵ֫לֶק[is] portio[is] portion myחֵ֫לֶקיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהאָמַרit has saidit has saidאָמַרנֶ֫פֶשׁself myself myנֶ֫פֶשׁעַלthere-there-עַלכֵּן-fore-foreכֵּןיָחַלI will waitI will waitיָחַלוֹfor himfor himוֹחָלַקto divideto divideחָלַקהָיָהto beto beהָיָהנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁכּוּןto establito establish: pכּוּןעַלheightheightעַלכֹּהthusthusכֹּהנַחֲלָהinheritancinheritanceנַחֲלָהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַיכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאאָדוֹןLordLordאָדוֹןהָמָהto roarto roarהָמָהקָוָהto awaitto awaitקָוָה
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 Lamentations 3:24

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.

[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
חֶלְקִ֤יchel.Ki [is] portion my H2506 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Smoothness can refer to flattering words, but also to an inheritance or a portion of something. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing the smooth tongue of a deceiver.
Amplified meaning
inheritance, all I need
Tyndale gloss
portion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֵ֫לֶק (*cheleq*) has two main meanings: it can refer to a portion or share, often in the context of land or inheritance, and it can denote smoothness or seductiveness, particularly in speech. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including as a divine award. Notably, it appears in Proverbs 7:21 in relation to speech.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵ֫לֶק n.m. portion, tract, territory

portion, share

portion, tract, of land

hence portion, i.e. (acquired) possession

chosen portion, habitual mode of life

portion, award, from God

base

חֵ֫לֶק n.[m.] smoothness, seductiveness of speech, only sg. cstr. Pr 7:21

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2506a חֵ֫לֶק portion, tract, territory H2506b חֵ֫לֶק smoothness, seductiveness of speech

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2506 cheleq khay'lek

from 2505; properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an

allotment:--flattery, inheritance, part, X partake, portion.

see HEBREW for 02505

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫לֶק (che.leq) — portion.

1) portion, share, part, territory

1a) portion, share

1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land)

1c) one's portion, one's possession

1d) (chosen) portion

1e) portion, award (from God)

Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)

חֵ֫לֶק (che.leq) — smoothness.

smoothness, seductiveness, flattery

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
יְהוָה֙Yah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, The covenant Name of God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
אָמְרָ֣ה'a.me.Rah it has said H559 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
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
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
נַפְשִׁ֔יnaf.Shi self my H5315 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
my inner being, living essence
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
עַל־'al- there- 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.
Amplified meaning
so, in this confidence
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)

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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)

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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

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
כֵּ֖ןken -fore H3651 Adverb
771× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
right
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest

right

veritable, true

pl. concr. honest (men)

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

כֵּן adv. so

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3651 ken kane

from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as

adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)

rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and

relation; often with other particles):--+ after that

(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be

(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like

(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,

straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,

thus, true, well, X you.

see HEBREW for 03559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֵּן (ken) — right.

adv

adj

1) right, just, honest, true, veritable

1a) right, just, honest

1b) correct

1c) true, veritable

[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.

adv

forasmuch as, since

כֵּן (ken) — so.

adv

1) so, therefore, thus

1a) thus, so

1b) just so

1c) therefore

1d) so...as (paired with adv)

1e) then

1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)

1g) (with prep)

1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)

1g2) hitherto

1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)

1g4) afterwards

1g5) in such case

Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
אוֹחִ֥יל'o.Chil I will wait H3176 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To wait or be patient is the meaning of this verb, used to describe hoping or trusting in something, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
wait, trust
Tyndale gloss
to wait: wait
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָחַל (yachal) is a Hebrew verb that means to wait, with implications of hope and patience. It has various forms: in the Niphal it means to wait, while in the Piel and Hiphil it conveys waiting for or hoping for something. The entries indicate a range of meanings related to expectation and trust.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָחַל] vb. Niph. wait; Pi. await

Niph. wait

Pi.

wait, tarry for

wait for = hope for

Hiph. wait, tarry

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3176 יָחַל Niph. wait; Pi. await

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3176 yachal yaw-chal'

a primitive root; to wait; by implication, to be patient,

hope:--(cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry,

trust, wait.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָחַל (ya.chal) — to wait: wait.

: wait[for_time]

1) to wait, hope, expect

1a) (Niphal) to wait

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wait, await, tarry

1b2) to wait for, hope for

1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for

Also means: ya.chal (יָחַל ": hope" H3176H)

יָחַל (ya.chal) — to wait: hope.

: hope/trust

1) to wait, hope, expect

1a) (Niphal) to wait

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wait, await, tarry

1b2) to wait for, hope for

1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singular
HVhi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wat:

1. The Substantive:

The word is used in the Old Testament both as a substantive add as a verb. In the New Testament it appears as a verb only. 'erebh, ma'arabh, mean a concealed hiding-place for purposes of sudden attack, an ambuscade.

(1) "Lie in wait": "Abimelech rose up .... from lying in wait" (Jud 9:35 the King James Version); "When they .... abide in the covert to lie in wait" (Job 38:40).

(2) "Lay wait": "They compassed him in, and laid wait for him" (Jud 16:2).

2. The Verb:

(1) sharath, "to serve," "to minister," to act in the capacity of servant or attendant: "These waited on the king" (2Ch 17:19). Used especially in this sense with regard to the ceremonial service…

[is] portion my Yahweh it has said self my there- -fore I will wait for him
לֽוֹ׃ סlo for him 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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