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Leviticus 13:36 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְרָאָ֙הוּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖תֶק בָּע֑וֹר לֹֽא־ יְבַקֵּ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן לַשֵּׂעָ֥ר הַצָּהֹ֖ב טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃

BSAthe priestkôhên [the spiritual leader, mediator] is to examine himrâʼâh [inspect, investigate] and ifhinnêh the scaly outbreaknetheq [scab, skin eruption] has spreadpâsâh [increased, grown] on the skinʻôwr [human skin, outer covering] the priestkôhên need notlôʼ look forbâqar [seek, search] yellowtsâhôb [golden, shining] hairsêʻâr the personhûwʼ [individual, human being] is uncleanṭâmêʼ [spiritually impure, defiled]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 36 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 (Hu') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 13:36quick helps
In a sentenceThe priest examines the skin condition and determines if the person is unclean without needing to check for yellow hair.
Who is speakingThe priest, acting as the spiritual leader and mediator.
Where we areThis verse is part of the laws regarding skin diseases in Leviticus.
The hard wordנֶתֶק
Take awayThe priest's examination is crucial for determining the person's spiritual status.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them › clause subjectהוּא verbפָּשָׂה 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 — Leviticus 13:36

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 — Laws Concerning Skin Diseasesgenerated

35If, however, the scaly outbreak spreads further on the skin after his cleansing,
36the priest is to examine him, and if the scaly outbreak has spread on the skin, the priest need not look for yellow hair; the person is unclean.
37If, however, in his sight the scaly outbreak is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, then it has healed. He is clean, and the priest is to pronounce him clean.
38When a man or a woman has white spots on the skin,

Leviticus 13:36 describes the priest's role in examining skin diseases, specifically focusing on the scaly outbreak and its implications for the individual's cleanliness. This examination is part of the broader regulations concerning purity and health in the Israelite community, emphasizing the importance of the priest's discernment in maintaining spiritual and communal health.


Cross References


The Key Word נֶתֶק, ha.Ne.tekgenerated

The word נֶתֶק (ne.teq) refers to a scab or skin eruption, particularly one associated with leprosy. It is derived from a root meaning 'to tear off,' indicating a condition that raises concerns about purity.

In this verse, it highlights the specific skin condition the priest must evaluate. The priest's discernment regarding the נֶתֶק is crucial for determining the individual's status of cleanliness.


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 governing the verse is רָאָ֙הוּ (he will see it), which leads to a series of clauses. The structure includes the subject, the action of examination, and the conditions under which the priest acts.

The word order emphasizes the priest's examination as the main action, with the conditions of the scaly outbreak and the determination of uncleanliness following.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נֶתֶק as θραῦσμα, which means 'a breaking' or 'a fracture.' This choice suggests a broader interpretation of the skin condition, possibly indicating a more severe implication than simply a scab.

This translation choice reflects the Greek translators' understanding of the condition as not just a surface issue but one that may have deeper implications for the individual's health and purity.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 13:36 explains that the priest must examine a person with a scaly outbreak on their skin. If the outbreak has spread, the priest does not need to check for yellow hair, and the person is considered unclean.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for a person to be unclean?

Being unclean in this context refers to a spiritual state that prevents a person from participating in certain religious activities or community life, often due to a perceived impurity.

Why does the priest not need to look for yellow hair?

The presence of yellow hair is not necessary for determining the person's unclean status if the scaly outbreak has already spread, indicating a more severe condition.

What role does the priest play in this examination?

The priest acts as a mediator between God and the people, responsible for assessing purity and making decisions based on the laws given in the Torah.

How does this verse relate to other purity laws in Leviticus?

This verse is part of a larger set of laws concerning skin diseases and purity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual cleanliness within the community.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can we learn about the importance of community health and purity from this verse?
  2. How does the role of the priest in this examination reflect God's care for His people?
  3. In what ways can we apply the principles of discernment and examination in our own lives?
  4. What does this passage teach us about the relationship between physical conditions and spiritual states?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 13:36 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Then the priest shall look on him,.... Again, and which is no less than the fourth time; for notwithstanding his being pronounced clean, he was still subject to the inspection of the priest, if any

Read John Gill on Leviticus 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard; a dry scall , [ neteq (H5424); Septuagint, thrausma], when the leprosy was distinguished by being in sight deeper than the skin, and the

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He need not search for the hair, or any other sign, the spreading or running of it being a sure sign of leprosy, without any other evidence.

Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(35, 36) But if the scall spread.—If, after the scall had remained stationary for a fortnight, and the patient had been pronounced clean, he is brought again because the scall had spread after the lapse of the two quarantines, he is to be forthwith pronounced unclean, whether it was accompanied by yellow hair or not.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Leprosy in the hair of the head or face (29–37) The treatment is similar to that in the preceding cases, but two periods of confinement are prescribed, and the hair is to be shaven after the first seven days.

Read Cambridge on Leviticus 13 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

36. Not seek for yellow hair — The rapid spread is a sufficient token of the leprosy, without the other symptom.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 13 →

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 priest is to examine him, and if the scaly outbreak has spread on the skin, the priest need not look for yellow hair; the person is unclean.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

then the priest shall examine him; and behold, if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest shall not look for the yellow hair; he is unclean.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

the priest is to examine him, and if the scaly outbreak has spread on the skin, the priest need not look for yellow hair; the person is unclean.

NETBNew English Translation2006

then the priest is to examine it, and if the scall has spread on the skin the priest is not to search further for reddish yellow hair. The person is unclean.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

then the priest shall look on him; and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for the yellow hair; he is unclean.

RVARevised Version, American1894

then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for the yellow hair; he is unclean.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Then the priest shall look on him: and behold, if the scall is spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then the Priest shall looke on it: and if the blacke spot grow in the skin, the Priest shall not seeke for the yelowe heare: for he is vncleane.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and the priest shall look on him, and behold, the scall hath spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair: he is unclean.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and the priest hath seen him, and lo, the scall hath spread in the skin, the priest seeketh not for the shining hair, he is unclean;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and the priest has seen him, and behold, the scale has spread in the skin, the priest does not seek for the shining hair—he is unclean;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then shall the priest see him; and, behold, if the scall have spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for the yellow hair; he is unclean.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

then the priest must examine him again. If the disease has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to seek for yellow hair. The person is unclean.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He shall seek no more whether the hair be turned yellow, because he is evidently unclean.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

the priest must inspect them, and if the scabby infection has indeed spread on the skin, the priest doesn't need to check for pale hair; the person is unclean.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then the priest is to see him: and if the mark is increased, the priest, without looking for the yellow hair, will say that he is unclean.

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.

וְandclauseverbרָאָ֨heobjectהוּ֙will.see.itnoun phrase · subjectהַtheכֹּהֵ֔ןpriestוְandclauseclauseהִנֵּ֛הthere!clauseverbפָּשָׂ֥הit.has.spreadnoun phrase · subjectהַtheנֶּ֖תֶקscallprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּinnoun phrasetheע֑וֹרskinclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיְבַקֵּ֧רhe.will.seeknoun phrase · subjectהַtheכֹּהֵ֛ןpriestprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַfornoun phrasethenoun phraseשֵּׂעָ֥רhairadjective phraseהַ(the)צָּהֹ֖בyellowclausepredicateטָמֵ֥א[is].uncleansubjectהֽוּאhe

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with the Samaritan Pentateuch differing only by using ראה (to see) instead of רָאָה. This minor variation does not change the meaning of the verse.

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

וְרָאָ֙הוּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖תֶק בָּע֑וֹר לֹֽא־ יְבַקֵּ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן לַשֵּׂעָ֥ר הַצָּהֹ֖ב טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְרָאָ֙הוּ֙ὄψεταιהַכֹּהֵ֔ןἱερεὺςוְהִנֵּ֛הἰδοὺפָּשָׂ֥הδιακέξυταιהַנֶּ֖תֶקθραῦσμαבָּע֑וֹרδέρματιלֹֽא־οὐκיְבַקֵּ֧רἐπισκέψεταιהַכֹּהֵ֛ןἱερεὺςלַשֵּׂעָ֥רτριξὸςהַצָּהֹ֖בχανθῆςטָמֵ֥אἀκάθαρτόςהֽוּא׃ἐστιν

13 of the 13 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

וראה הכהן והנה פשׂה הנתק בעור לא יבקר הכהן לשׂער הצהב טמא הוא

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: ראה (see)

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.

Leviticus 13:36רָאָהand he willand he will seeרָאָהכֹּהֵןthe priestthe priestכֹּהֵןהִנֵּהand there!and there!הִנֵּהפָּשָׂהit has spreit has spreadפָּשָׂהנֶ֫תֶקthe scallthe scallנֶ֫תֶקעוֹרin the skinin the skinעוֹרלֹאnotnotלֹאבָּקַרhe will seehe will seekבָּקַרכֹּהֵןthe priestthe priestכֹּהֵןשֵׂעָרfor the haifor the hairשֵׂעָרצָהֹבyellowyellowצָהֹבטָמֵא[is] unclea[is] uncleanטָמֵאהוּאheheהוּאכָּהַןto ministeto ministerכָּהַןנָתַקto tearto tearנָתַקעוּרעוּרשָׂעַרto shudderto shudderשָׂעַרצָהֵבto gleamto gleamצָהֵבטָמֵאto defileto defileטָמֵאהֵןlook!look!הֵןאֶלְעָזָרEleazarEleazarאֶלְעָזָרצָדוֹקZadokZadokצָדוֹקשֵׂעָרhairhairשֵׂעָרעֳנִיafflictionafflictionעֳנִינָבַטto lookto lookנָבַטנֶ֫גַעplagueplagueנֶ֫גַעחֲלוֹםdreamdreamחֲלוֹםעוֹרskinskinעוֹרפָּשָׂהto spreadto spreadפָּשָׂהאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםתַּ֫חַשׁleatherleatherתַּ֫חַשׁ
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 Leviticus 13:36

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 he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
וְרָאָ֙הוּ֙ve.ra.'A.hu and he will see it H7200 Verb qal sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
1,300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Amplified meaning
inspect, investigate
Tyndale gloss
Provider
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָאָה 1315 vb. see

Qal 1141

see, subj.

see, c. acc. rei

see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design

see, so as to learn to know

abs. see, have (power of) vision

see = perceive

look at, see, by direct volition

of mental observation

c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

see, c. acc. rei

Niph.

appear

be seen

be visible

Pu. appar. his bones are not detected

Hithp. recipr. look at each other

Hiph.

cause one to see something, shew

cause to experience something

cause to look intently at, to behold

Hoph.

be caused to see, be shewn

be exhibited to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.

. see, c. acc. rei

. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design

. see, so as to learn to know

. abs. see, have (power of) vision

. see = perceive

. look at, see, by direct volition

. of mental observation

. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

. see, c. acc. rei

. . appear

. be seen

. be visible

. appar. his bones are not detected

. recipr. look at each other

. . . cause one to see something, shew

. cause to experience something

. cause to look intently at, to behold

. . be caused to see, be shewn

. be exhibited to

H7200b רְאוּת look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7200 ra'ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in

numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,

intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,

behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have

experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look

(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,

upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,

regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one

another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X

surely, X think, view, visions.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.

: see/show

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out

1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish

1a6) to look at, gaze at

1a7) to provide, choose

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to appear, present oneself

1b2) to be seen

1b3) to be visible

1c) (Pual) to be seen

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to see, show

1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be caused to see, be shown

1e2) to be exhibited to

1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.

: examine/consider

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
Hc/Vqq3ms/Sp3ms
and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןha.ko.Hen the priest H3548 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
750× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Amplified meaning
the spiritual leader, mediator
Tyndale gloss
priest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3548 כֹּהֵן priest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3548 kohen ko-hane'

active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a

priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a

layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal

officer.

see HEBREW for 03547

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.

1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler

1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)

1b) pagan priests

1c) priests of Jehovah

1d) Levitical priests

1e) Zadokite priests

1f) Aaronic priests

1g) the high priest

Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus:

I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE

1. Implies Divine Choice

2. Implies Representation

3. Implies Offering Sacrifice

4. Implies Intercession

II. THE TWO GREAT PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MELCHIZEDEK AND AARON

III. PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTER

1. A Strictly Religious Order

2. Priestism Denied

3. The High Priest's Qualifications

4. Symbolism of Aaron's Rod

IV. CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS (EXODUS 29; LEVITICUS 8)

1. Symbolism of Consecration

2. Type and Archetype

LITERATURE

A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God. In the New Testament the term is applied to priests of the Gentiles…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Priest

The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices.

At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5).

The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things pertaining unto God." He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

One who officiated in the public worship of God, especially in making expiation for sin, being "ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." In the Old Testament, the priesthood was not annexed to a certain family till after the promulgation of the law by Moses. Before that time, the firstborn of each family, the fathers, the princes, the kings, were priests in their own cities and in their own houses. Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job, Abimelech and Laban, Isaac and Jacob offered personally their own sacrifices. In the solemnity of the covenant made by the Lord with his people, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses performed the office of mediator, and young men were chosen from among Israel to perform the office of priests, Ex 24:5. But after the Lord had chosen the tribe of Levi to…

and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
וְהִנֵּ֛הve.hi.Neh and there! H2009 Conjunction · particle
843× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
behold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2009 hinneh hin-nay'

prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.

see HEBREW for 02005

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.

behold, lo, see, if

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tj
and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
פָּשָׂ֥הpa.Sah it has spread H6581 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
22× 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 to spread something out, like arms or wings. It is used to describe God's care and protection in Psalm 61:4. This verb is about making something wider or broader.
Amplified meaning
increased, grown
Tyndale gloss
to spread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּשָׂה (pasah) is a primitive root meaning 'to spread.' The entries indicate that it is used intransitively, focusing on the action of spreading without specifying an object. The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon notes it as a verb, while Strong's and the Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon confirm the same meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּשָׂה 21 vb. spread, intrans.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6581 פָּשָׂה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6581 pasah paw-saw'

a primitive root; to spread:--spread.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּשָׂה (pa.sah) — to spread.

(Qal) to spread

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
הַנֶּ֖תֶקha.Ne.tek the scall H5424 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a scab or skin eruption, like those associated with leprosy, as seen in Leviticus 13:2. It describes a dry scall on the skin. In the Bible, it is used to describe a symptom of leprosy.
Amplified meaning
scab, skin eruption
Tyndale gloss
scab
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֶ֫תֶק (netheq) refers to a scab or skin eruption, particularly one that may raise concerns about leprosy. It is derived from a root meaning 'to tear off.' The term is used in contexts related to skin conditions, especially on the head or beard.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫תֶק n.m. scab, an eruption of skin, on head or in beard, causing suspicion of leprosy (lit. a tearing off)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5424 נֶ֫תֶק

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5424 netheq neh'-thek

from 5423; scurf:--(dry) scall.

see HEBREW for 05423

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫תֶק (ne.teq) — scab.

scab, skin eruption, scall (of leprosy)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

skol (netheq; thrausma): This only occurs in Leviticus 13 and 14 where it is used 14 times to describe bald or scaly patches of eruption on the skin. Such patches are generally the result of the action of parasitic organisms. The common form known now as scalled head is produced by a microscopic plant, Achorion schoenleinii. In Old and Middle English, scall was used for scabbiness of the head (Chaucer and Spenser). See also Skeat, Concise Etymol. Dict. of English Language.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ A form of leprosy Le 13:30

→ See LEPROSY

and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
בָּע֑וֹרba.'or in the skin H5785 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
99× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Amplified meaning
human skin, outer covering
Tyndale gloss
skin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹר (owr) means skin or hide, specifically referring to the skin of humans and the hides of animals. It is derived from a root that implies nakedness. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, with 55 occurrences related to human skin and 44 to animal hides.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹר 99 n.m. skin

of men (55 t.)

hide of animals (44 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5785 עוֹר skin . of men (55 t.)

. hide of men (44 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5785 `owr ore

from 5783; skin (as naked); by implication, hide,

leather:--hide, leather, skin.

see HEBREW for 05783

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹר (or) — skin.

1) skin, hide

1a) skin (of men)

1b) hide (of animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(`or, geledh, "human skin" (Job 16:15), basar, "flesh," in the sense of "nakedness" (Ps 102:5 the King James Version); derma):

Literal:

The word `or designates the skin of both men and animals, the latter both raw and in tanned condition: "Yahweh God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins (`or), and clothed them" (Ge 3:21); "She put the skins (`or) of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck" (Ge 27:16); "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" (Jer 13:23). The Hebrew geledh is found in the sense of human skin: "I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Clothes of Ge 3:21

→ For covering the tabernacle Ex 25:5; Nu 4:8-14

→ Diseases of Le 13:38,39; De 28:27; Job 7:5

→ See BOILS

→ See LEPROSY

and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
יְבַקֵּ֧רye.va.Ker he will seek H1239 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To enquire or investigate, like a farmer breaking new ground, as in seeking wisdom or guidance from God, as seen in Psalm 119:148.
Amplified meaning
seek, search
Tyndale gloss
to enquire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּקַר (baqar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to inquire or seek. It is derived from a primitive root that suggests breaking forth or inspecting. The entries indicate that it is primarily used in the Piel form, which emphasizes seeking or considering something carefully. There is an Aramaic equivalent, בְּקַר (beqar), also meaning to inquire.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּקַר] vb. inquire, seek—only Pi.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1239 בָּקַר inquire, seek

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1239 baqar baw-kar

a primitive root; properly, to plough, or (generally) break

forth, i.e. (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for,

consider:--(make) inquire (-ry), (make) search, seek out.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּקַר (ba.qar) — to enquire.

1) to seek, enquire, consider

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to seek, look for

1a2) to consider, reflect

Aramaic equivalent: be.qar (בְּקַר "to enquire" H1240)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןha.ko.Hen the priest H3548 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
750× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Tyndale gloss
priest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3548 כֹּהֵן priest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3548 kohen ko-hane'

active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a

priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a

layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal

officer.

see HEBREW for 03547

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.

1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler

1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)

1b) pagan priests

1c) priests of Jehovah

1d) Levitical priests

1e) Zadokite priests

1f) Aaronic priests

1g) the high priest

Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus:

I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE

1. Implies Divine Choice

2. Implies Representation

3. Implies Offering Sacrifice

4. Implies Intercession

II. THE TWO GREAT PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MELCHIZEDEK AND AARON

III. PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTER

1. A Strictly Religious Order

2. Priestism Denied

3. The High Priest's Qualifications

4. Symbolism of Aaron's Rod

IV. CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS (EXODUS 29; LEVITICUS 8)

1. Symbolism of Consecration

2. Type and Archetype

LITERATURE

A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God. In the New Testament the term is applied to priests of the Gentiles…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Priest

The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices.

At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5).

The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things pertaining unto God." He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

One who officiated in the public worship of God, especially in making expiation for sin, being "ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." In the Old Testament, the priesthood was not annexed to a certain family till after the promulgation of the law by Moses. Before that time, the firstborn of each family, the fathers, the princes, the kings, were priests in their own cities and in their own houses. Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job, Abimelech and Laban, Isaac and Jacob offered personally their own sacrifices. In the solemnity of the covenant made by the Lord with his people, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses performed the office of mediator, and young men were chosen from among Israel to perform the office of priests, Ex 24:5. But after the Lord had chosen the tribe of Levi to…

and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
לַשֵּׂעָ֥רla.se.'Ar for the hair H8181 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to hair on people or animals, like in Leviticus 13:30 where it talks about hair loss. It can also describe a hairy garment.
Tyndale gloss
hair
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׂעָר (se'ar) means 'hair' and can refer to the hair of both animals and humans, as well as hair used in garments. It is derived from the root meaning 'to dishevel' or 'toss,' suggesting a rough or bristly quality. The term is referenced in Isaiah 7:20.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׂעָר 27 n.m. hair

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8181 שֵׂעָר hair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8181 se`ar say-awr'

or sa.ar (Isaiah 7:20) {sah'-ar}; from 8175 in the sense of

dishevelling; hair (as if tossed or bristling):--hair(-y), X

rough.

see HEBREW for 08175

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׂעָר (se.ar) — hair.

1) hair

1a) hair (of animals, man)

1b) hair (of garment made of hair)

Aramaic equivalent: se.ar (שְׂעַר "hair" H8177)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

har (se`ar, sa`ar, Aramaic se`ar, and their derivatives; thrix, gen. case trichos, kome):

1. Hair Fashions:

Hair was worn in different fashions by the Orientals of Biblical times, and not always in the same way among the same people in different epochs. We know this clearly from Egyptian literature and monuments, as well as from the writings of Greek authors (especially Herodotus), that the dwellers on the Nile had their heads shaved in early youth, leaving but a side lock until maturity was attained, when this mark of childhood was taken away. Priests and warriors kept their heads closely shaved; nothing but the exigencies of arduous warfare were allowed to interfere with this custom. On the other hand, the Hebrew people, like their Babylonian neighbors (Herod. i.195), affected long and well-cared-for, bushy curls of hair as emblems of manly beauty. Proofs thereof are not infrequent in…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hair

(1.) The Egyptians let the hair of their head and beard grow only when they were in mourning, shaving it off at other times. “So particular were they on this point that to have neglected it was a subject of reproach and ridicule; and whenever they intended to convey the idea of a man of low condition, or a slovenly person, the artists represented him with a beard.” Joseph shaved himself before going in to Pharoah (Gen. 41:14). The women of Egypt wore their hair long and plaited. Wigs were worn by priests and laymen to cover the shaven skull, and false beards were common. The great masses of hair seen in the portraits and statues of kings and priests are thus altogether artificial.

(2.) A precisely opposite practice, as regards men, prevailed among the Assyrians. In Assyrian sculptures the hair always appears long, and combed…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The Hebrews were fully alive to the importance of the hair as an element of personal beauty. Long hair was admired in the case of young men. (2 Samuel 14:26) In times of affliction the hair was altogether cut off. (Isaiah 3:17,24; 15:2; Jeremiah 7:29) Tearing the hair (Ezra 9:3) and letting it go dishevelled were similar tokens of grief. The usual and favorite color of the hair was black, (Solomon 5:11) as is indicated in the comparisons in (Solomon 1:5; 4:1) a similar hue is probably intended by the purple of (Solomon 7:6) Pure white hair was deemed characteristic of the divine Majesty. (Daniel 7:9; Revelation 1:14) The…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The Jewish men, except Nazarites, Nu 6:5,9, and cases like that of Absalom, 2Sa 14:26, cut their hair moderately short, 1Co 11:14, and applied fragrant ointments to it, Ex 30:30-33 Ps 23:5 Ec 9:8. In mourning they wholly neglected it, or shaved it close, or plucked it out by handfuls, Jer 7:29. Women prized a fine head of hair, and plaited, perfumed, and decked it in many ways, Isa 3:18,24 1Co 11:15, so much…

and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
הַצָּהֹ֖בha.tza.Ho yellow H6669 Particle
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yellow refers to something golden in color, often used to describe hair or other objects that have a bright, shining hue. This word is used to describe something that is vibrant and noticeable.
Amplified meaning
golden, shining
Tyndale gloss
yellow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָהֹב (tsahob) means 'yellow' or 'gleaming,' particularly in reference to hair. It is derived from a root that suggests a golden color. The entries consistently describe this word as relating to a bright yellow hue.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צָהֹב adj. gleaming, yellow (of hair);—

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6669 צָהֹב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6669 tsahob tsaw-obe'

from 6668; golden in color:--yellow.

see HEBREW for 06668

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָהֹב (tsa.hov) — yellow.

gleaming, yellow (of hair)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Aamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

yel'-o.

See COLORS.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
טָמֵ֥אta.Me' [is] unclean H2931 Adj
88× 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 to be unclean in a spiritual sense, often due to sin or impurity, as seen in Leviticus. It can refer to people, places, or things. The concept is key to understanding biblical purity laws.
Amplified meaning
spiritually impure, defiled
Tyndale gloss
unclean
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָמֵא (tame') means 'unclean' and is derived from a root that conveys a sense of defilement or pollution, particularly in a religious context. It covers ethical, religious, and ritual impurity, and can refer to both people and places.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָמֵא adj. unclean

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2931 טָמֵא unclean

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2931 tame' taw-may'

from 2930; foul in a relig. sense:--defiled, + infamous,

polluted(-tion), unclean.

see HEBREW for 02930

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָמֵא (ta.me) — unclean.

1) unclean, impure

1a) ethically and religiously

1b) ritually

1c) of places

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CLEAN.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Ceremonially speaking)

Creatures designated as such Le 11; De 14

→ See UNCLEANNESS

and he will see it the priest and there! it has spread the scall in the skin not he will seek the priest for the hair yellow [is] unclean he
הֽוּא׃Hu' he H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Amplified meaning
individual, human being
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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