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Leviticus 20:25 — Word Study

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WLCוְהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞ם בֵּֽין־ הַבְּהֵמָ֤ה הַטְּהֹרָה֙ לַטְּמֵאָ֔ה וּבֵין־ הָע֥וֹף הַטָּמֵ֖א לַטָּהֹ֑ר וְלֹֽא־ תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּ אֶת־ נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜ם בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה וּבָע֗וֹף וּבְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּרְמֹ֣שׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־ הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי לָכֶ֖ם לְטַמֵּֽא׃

BSAYou are therefore to distinguishbâdal [make a separation, set apart] betweenbêyn cleanṭâhôwr [pure, ceremonially acceptable] and uncleanṭâmêʼ [impure, defiled] animalsbᵉhêmâh [beasts, quadruped mammals] andbêyn birdsʻôwph [fowl, winged creatures] Do notlôʼ become contaminatedshâqats [defiled, made unclean] by any animalbᵉhêmâh [beast, living creature] or birdʻôwph [fowl, winged creature] or by anythingkôl thatʼăsher crawlsrâmas [moves, creeps] on the groundʼădâmâh [earth, land] I have set theseʼăsher apartbâdal [separated, designated] as uncleanṭâmêʼ [impure, unacceptable]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 20
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 25 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 (le.ta.Me') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 20:25quick helps
In a sentenceGod instructs Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds.
Who is speakingThe Lord, giving commandments to the Israelites.
Where we areIn the context of laws regarding purity and holiness.
The hard wordטָמֵא
Take awayThe distinction between clean and unclean is vital for maintaining holiness.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbבָּדַל 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 20:25

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 on Clean and Unclean Animalsgenerated

24But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples.
25You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.
26You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.
27A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist must surely be put to death. They shall be stoned; their blood is upon them.’”

Leviticus 20:25 provides instructions for the Israelites on how to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. This distinction is part of the larger framework of laws that define holiness and purity for the people of Israel, emphasizing their unique identity as God's chosen people. The surrounding verses reinforce the importance of these laws in maintaining a holy community, as seen in Leviticus 20:24 and Leviticus 20:26.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Leviticus 11:1–47The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, telling them,
2Deuteronomy 14:3–21You must not eat any detestable thing.
3Acts 10:11–15He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
4Ephesians 5:7–11Therefore do not be partakers with them.
5Leviticus 11:43Do not defile yourselves by any crawling creature; do not become unclean or defiled by them.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

abominableLeviticus 11:43

The Key Word בָּדַל, ve.hiv.dal.Temgenerated

The verb בָּדַל (badal) means to separate or distinguish. It is used in various contexts to indicate making distinctions, such as between clean and unclean or holy and profane. The Hiphil form here indicates that the subject (the Israelites) is to actively engage in the process of separation.

This word is foundational in the context of purity laws, as it shows the intentional act of setting apart what is clean from what is unclean. The emphasis on separation is critical for the Israelites' identity and their relationship with God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term distinguish.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb הִבְדַּלְתֶּם (hiv.dal.tem) governs the entire verse, indicating the command to separate. It is followed by a series of phrases that detail what to distinguish and the consequences of failing to do so.

The structure emphasizes the imperative nature of the command, with the main action of separating leading into the specifics of clean and unclean, and concluding with the consequences of contamination.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בָּדַל as ἀφοριεῖτε (aphoriete), which also means to separate or distinguish. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the act of making distinctions, aligning with the Hebrew intent.

This translation indicates a consistent understanding of the need for separation in the context of purity laws, reinforcing the importance of maintaining holiness.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 20:25 instructs the Israelites to make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and birds. They are warned not to become contaminated by these creatures, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity in their lives.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be clean or unclean?

Clean refers to animals that are acceptable for consumption and worship, while unclean refers to those that are not, often due to spiritual or ceremonial reasons.

Why is the distinction between clean and unclean important?

This distinction is crucial for maintaining holiness among the Israelites, as it reflects their unique identity and relationship with God.

How does this verse relate to modern practices?

While dietary laws may not apply to all today, the principles of purity and holiness remain relevant in various religious contexts.

What are some examples of clean and unclean animals?

Examples of clean animals include cows and sheep, while unclean animals include pigs and certain birds, as specified in Leviticus 11.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I apply the principle of separation in my own life?
  2. What does it mean to maintain purity in my daily actions?
  3. In what ways can I help others understand the importance of these distinctions?
  4. How does understanding these laws enhance my appreciation for God's holiness?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 20:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean,.... The ten clean ones, as Aben Ezra observes, and all the rest that are unclean, according to the law before given, Leviticus

Read John Gill on Leviticus 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

i.e. As things which by my sentence I have made unclean, and which you must avoid as such.

Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Leviticus 20:25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.Ver. 25. Between clean beasts.] How much more then shall you abstain from those unlawful copulations, whereby men put off all manhood, degenerate into dogs?

Read John Trapp on Leviticus 20 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) Ye shall therefore put difference.—Better, Ye shall therefore separate. It is the same word which is used at the end of the preceding verse, and which is rendered “separate” in the Authorised Version. It is important that the word should be translated by the same expression, since it not only shows the intimate connection between the two verses, but brings out more forcibly the reason for the exhortation in the verse before us. Because the Lord has separated or distinguished the Israelites from all nations, and is about to give them the promised land, therefore the Israelites are to separate or to distinguish between the clean and unclean animals, as ordained in Leviticus 11. By…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 25. Between clean beasts and unclean] See the notes on Leviticus 11:1-47.

Read AdamClarke on Leviticus 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. The injunction that careful discrimination must be employed in the matter of clean and unclean food must, as Wellh. (Composition d. Hex. etc., p. 158, Berlin, 1889) and others point out, in its original context have been accompanied by detailed directions such as now are found in ch. 11. Leviticus 20:25-26 in their present form are to be compared with Leviticus 11:43-45. See note there.

Read Cambridge on Leviticus 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

25. Clean beasts — This law may be considered both as a sanitary regulation and also a barrier between Israel and all idolatrous nations. See Leviticus 11:2-8, notes.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 20 →

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

You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“‘You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean. You shall not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Therefore you must distinguish between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the clean, and you must not make yourselves detestable by means of an animal or bird or anything that creeps on the ground – creatures I have distinguished for you as unclean.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Ye shall therefore make a distinction between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by bird, or by anything wherewith the ground teemeth, which I have separated from you as unclean.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Ye shall therefore separate between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any thing wherewith the ground teemeth, which I have separated from you as unclean.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Ye shall therefore distinguish between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast or by fowl, or by any manner of living animal that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Therefore shall ye put difference betweene cleane beastes and vncleane, and betweene vncleane foules and cleane: neither shall ye defile your selues with beastes and foules, nor with any creeping thing, that ye ground bringeth forth, which I haue separated from you as vncleane.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And ye shall make a separation between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean, and ye shall not make yourselves an abomination by beast, or by fowl, or by anything that creepeth on the ground which I have separated for you, declaring [it] as unclean.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And ye have made separation between the pure beasts and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the pure, and ye do not make yourselves abominable by beast or by fowl, or by anything which creepeth [on] the ground which I have separated to you for unclean;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And you have made separation between the pure beasts and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the pure, and you do not make yourselves abominable by beast or by bird, or by anything which creeps [on] the ground which I have separated to you for unclean.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Ye shall therefore make a difference between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean; and ye shall not make your souls abominable by the beast, or by the fowl, or by any manner of thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You must therefore distinguish between the clean animals and the unclean, and between the unclean birds and the clean. You must not defile yourselves with unclean animals or birds or with any creature that crawls along the ground, which I have separated as unclean from you.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Therefore do you also separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the clean fowl from the unclean: defile not your souls with beasts, or birds, or any things that move on the earth, and which I have shewn you to be unclean.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

So make sure you observe the difference between clean and unclean animals and birds. Don't make yourselves unclean because of any animal or bird, or by anything that runs along the ground. I have made the difference clear: they are unclean for you.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

So then, make division between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the clean bird and the unclean: do not make yourselves disgusting by any beast or bird or anything which goes flat on the earth, which has been marked by me as unclean for you.

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.

וְandclauseclauseverbהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞םyou.will.separateprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבֵּֽיןbetweennoun phraseהַthenoun phraseבְּהֵמָ֤הanimal[s]adjective phraseהַ(the)טְּהֹרָה֙pureprepositional phraseלַandnoun phrase(the)טְּמֵאָ֔הuncleanוּandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבֵיןbetweennoun phraseהָthenoun phraseע֥וֹףbird[s]adjective phraseהַ(the)טָּמֵ֖אuncleanprepositional phraseלַandnoun phrase(the)טָּהֹ֑רpureוְandclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbתְשַׁקְּצ֨וּyou.will.make.detestablenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיselvesכֶ֜םyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseprepositional phraseבַּbynoun phrase(the)בְּהֵמָ֣הanimal[s]וּandprepositional phraseבָbynoun phrase(the)ע֗וֹףbird[s]וּandprepositional phraseבְbynoun phraseכֹל֙allrelpאֲשֶׁ֣רthatclauseverbתִּרְמֹ֣שׂit.creepsnoun phrase · adverbialהָֽtheאֲדָמָ֔הgroundrelpאֲשֶׁרwhichclauseverbהִבְדַּ֥לְתִּיI.have.separatedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָforכֶ֖םyouprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoclauseverbטַמֵּֽאdeclare.unclean

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 Samaritan Pentateuch agree on the essential wording of the verse, though the Samaritan version uses different terms for 'clean' and 'unclean'. The Septuagint matches closely in meaning but presents the words in a different order.

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

וְהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞ם בֵּֽין־ הַבְּהֵמָ֤ה הַטְּהֹרָה֙ לַטְּמֵאָ֔ה וּבֵין־ הָע֥וֹף הַטָּמֵ֖א לַטָּהֹ֑ר וְלֹֽא־ תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּ אֶת־ נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜ם בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה וּבָע֗וֹף וּבְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּרְמֹ֣שׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־ הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי לָכֶ֖ם לְטַמֵּֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞םἀφοριεῖτεבֵּֽין־μέσονהַבְּהֵמָ֤הκτηνῶνהַטְּהֹרָה֙καθαρῶνוּבֵין־μέσονהָע֥וֹףπετεινῶνהַטָּמֵ֖אκαθαρῶνלַטָּהֹ֑רἀκαθάρτωνוְלֹֽא־οὐתְשַׁקְּצ֨וּβδελύχετεנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜םὑμῶνבַּבְּהֵמָ֣הκτήνεσινוּבָע֗וֹףἐνוּבְכֹל֙πᾶσινאֲשֶׁ֣רτοῖςתִּרְמֹ֣שׂἑρπετοῖςהָֽאֲדָמָ֔הγῆςאֲשֶׁר־לָכֶ֖םὑμῖνלְטַמֵּֽא׃ἀκαθαρσίᾳ

20 of the 23 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

והבדלתם בין הבהמה הטהרה לטמאה ובין העוף הטמא לטהור ולא תשׁקצו את נפשׁתיכם בבהמה ובעוף ובכל אשׁר תרמשׂ האדמה אשׁר הבדלתי לכם לטמאה

2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: טהור (pure), טמאה (uncleanness)

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 20:25בָּדַלand you wiland you will seבָּדַלבַּ֫יִןbetweenbetweenבַּ֫יִןבְּהֵמָהthe animal[the animal[s]בְּהֵמָהטָהוֹרpurepureטָהוֹרטָמֵאand uncleanand uncleanטָמֵאבַּ֫יִןand betweenand betweenבַּ֫יִןעוֹףthe bird[s]the bird[s]עוֹףטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאטָהוֹרand pureand pureטָהוֹרלֹאand notand notלֹאשִׁקֵּץyou will mayou will make dשִׁקֵּץאֵתthe object the object markאֵתנֶ֫פֶשׁselves yourselves yourנֶ֫פֶשׁבְּהֵמָהby animal[sby animal[s]בְּהֵמָהעוֹףand by birdand by bird[s]עוֹףכֹּלand by alland by allכֹּלאֲשֶׁרthatthatאֲשֶׁררָמַשׂit creepsit creepsרָמַשׂאֲדָמָהthe groundthe groundאֲדָמָהאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרבָּדַלI have sepaI have separateבָּדַלכֶםfor youfor youכֶםטָמֵאto declare to declare unclטָמֵאבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןטָהֵרbe purebe pureטָהֵרטָמֵאto defileto defileטָמֵאעוּףto flyto flyעוּףאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםעוֹףbirdbirdעוֹףבַּ֫יִןbetweenbetweenבַּ֫יִןקֹ֫דֶשׁHoly PlaceHoly Placeקֹ֫דֶשׁבָּדַלto separatto separateבָּדַלאָדָםthe man (Athe man (Adam)אָדָםצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהמְנוֹרָהlampstandlampstandמְנוֹרָהנְבֵלָהcarcasscarcassנְבֵלָהטָהוֹרpurepureטָהוֹרבְּהֵמָהanimalanimalבְּהֵמָה
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 20:25

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 you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
וְהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞םve.hiv.dal.Tem and you will separate H914 Verb · Hiphil · sequential perfect second person masculine plural
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to separate or divide, and is used in various contexts, including to set apart or make a distinction. It is translated as divide, separate, or difference in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
make a separation, set apart
Tyndale gloss
to separate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּדַל (badal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to divide or separate. It encompasses various senses, including making distinctions between clean and unclean or holy and profane. The word can also imply setting apart or severing, with reflexive forms indicating self-separation. The entries consistently highlight its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּדַל] vb. be divided, separate

Hiph. divide, separate

divide, separate, subj. God

separate, set apart

make a distinction between clean and unclean, holy and profane

divide into parts

Niph.

(reflex. of Hiph. 2)

pass. be separated

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H914 בָּדַל be divided, separate . divide, separate . divide, separate, subj. God

. separate, set apart

. make a distinction between clean and unclean, holy and profane

. divide into parts

. . (reflex. of Hiph. 2)

. pass. be separated

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

914 badal baw-dal'

a primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or

figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.):--

(make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate

(self, -ation), sever (out), X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּדַל (ba.dal) — to separate.

1) to divide, separate

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to divide, separate, sever

1a2) to separate, set apart

1a3) to make a distinction, difference

1a4) to divide into parts

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to separate oneself from (reflexive of 1a2)

1b2) to withdraw from

1b3) to separate oneself unto

1b4) to be separated

1b5) to be excluded

1b6) to be set apart

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential perfect second person masculine plural
Hc/Vhq2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sep'-a-rat: The translation of a number of Hebrew and Greek words, badhal (Le 20:24, etc.), and aphorizo (Mt 25:32, etc.), being the most common. "To separate" and "to consecrate" were originally not distinguished (e.g. Nu 6:2 margin), and probably the majority of the uses of "separate" in English Versions of the Bible connote "to set apart for God." But precisely the same term that is used in this sense may also denote the exact opposite (e.g. the use of nazar in Eze 14:7 and Zec 7:3).

See HOLINESS; NAZIRITE; SAINTS.

and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
בֵּֽין־bein- between H996 Prep
407× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Tyndale gloss
between
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between

always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between

Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between

. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

996 beyn bane

(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,

the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a

distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before

each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,

either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +

from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.

see HEBREW for 0995

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.

: between

between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.

: among

between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Prep
HAcmsc
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
הַבְּהֵמָ֤הha.be.he.Mah the animal[s] H929 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
190× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Amplified meaning
beasts, quadruped mammals
Tyndale gloss
animal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּהֵמָה (bhemah) refers to a beast or animal, typically denoting domesticated livestock or cattle, and occasionally wild beasts. It is derived from a root that suggests being mute, implying a 'dumb beast.' The term encompasses all living creatures other than humans, with a specific mention of large quadrupeds.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּהֵמָה 187 n.f. beast, animal, cattle

of living creatures other than man

opp. also to wild beasts

rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H929 בְּהֵמָה beast, animal, cattle . of living creatures other than man

. opp. also to wild beasts

. rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

929 bhemah be-hay-maw'

from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly,

a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often

collective):--beast, cattle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּהֵמָה (be.he.mah) — animal.

1) beast, cattle, animal

1a) beasts (coll of all animals)

1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals)

1c) wild beasts

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
הַטְּהֹרָה֙ha.te.ho.Rah pure H2889 Particle
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Amplified meaning
pure, ceremonially acceptable
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Aafsa
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
לַטְּמֵאָ֔הla.te.me.'Ah and unclean H2931 Preposition
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
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
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HRd/Aafsa
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 you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
וּבֵין־u.vein- and between H996 Conjunction
407× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Tyndale gloss
between
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between

always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between

Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between

. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

996 beyn bane

(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,

the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a

distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before

each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,

either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +

from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.

see HEBREW for 0995

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.

: between

between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.

: among

between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep — Conjunction
HC/Acmsc
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
הָע֥וֹףha.'of the bird[s] H5775 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
71× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Amplified meaning
fowl, winged creatures
Tyndale gloss
bird
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹף (owph) refers to flying creatures, including birds and insects. It is derived from the root meaning to cover with wings, emphasizing the aspect of flight. The term encompasses various types of fowl and winged insects, and it is noted in the Aramaic as well. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹף 70 n.m. coll. flying creatures, fowls, insects

fowl, birds

winged insects

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5775 עוֹף flying creatures, fowls, insects . fowl, birds

. winged insects

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5775 `owph ofe

from 5774; a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as

covering with wings), often collectively:--bird, that flieth,

flying, fowl.

see HEBREW for 05774

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹף (oph) — bird.

1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds

1a) fowl, birds

1b) winged insects

Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
הַטָּמֵ֖אha.ta.Me' unclean H2931 Particle
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.
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
HTd/Aamsa — Particle
HTd/Aamsa
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 you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
לַטָּהֹ֑רla.ta.Hor and pure H2889 Preposition
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Aamsa — Preposition
HRd/Aamsa
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
וְלֹֽא־ve.lo'- and not H3808 Conjunction · 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
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּte.sha.ke.Tzu you will make detestable H8262 Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine plural
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To detest or loathe something is the meaning of this word, as seen in Psalm 119:163 where the writer hates falsehood. It involves strong feelings of dislike or disgust.
Amplified meaning
defiled, made unclean
Tyndale gloss
to detest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׁקֵּץ (shaqats) is a verb meaning to detest or make detestable. It is derived from a primitive root that conveys the idea of being filthy or loathsome. The word covers meanings related to abomination and pollution, emphasizing a strong aversion. It appears in contexts where something is considered utterly abhorrent.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שִׁקֵּץ] vb. Pi. denom. detest, make detestable

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8262 שִׁקֵּץ vb. Pi. denom. detest, make detestable

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8262 shaqats shaw-kats'

a primitive root; to be filthy, i.e. (intensively) to loathe,

pollute:--abhor, make abominable, have in abomination,

detest, X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁקֵּץ (sha.qats) — to detest.

1) (Piel) to detest, make abominable, count filthy, make detestable

1a) to detest

1b) to make detestable

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine plural
HVpi2mp
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜םnaf.sho.tei.Khem selves your H5315 Noun common feminine plural 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.
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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfpc/Sp2mp — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2mp
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
בַּבְּהֵמָ֣הba.be.he.Mah by animal[s] H929 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
190× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Amplified meaning
beast, living creature
Tyndale gloss
animal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּהֵמָה (bhemah) refers to a beast or animal, typically denoting domesticated livestock or cattle, and occasionally wild beasts. It is derived from a root that suggests being mute, implying a 'dumb beast.' The term encompasses all living creatures other than humans, with a specific mention of large quadrupeds.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּהֵמָה 187 n.f. beast, animal, cattle

of living creatures other than man

opp. also to wild beasts

rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H929 בְּהֵמָה beast, animal, cattle . of living creatures other than man

. opp. also to wild beasts

. rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

929 bhemah be-hay-maw'

from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly,

a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often

collective):--beast, cattle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּהֵמָה (be.he.mah) — animal.

1) beast, cattle, animal

1a) beasts (coll of all animals)

1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals)

1c) wild beasts

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
וּבָע֗וֹףu.va.'of and by bird[s] H5775 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
71× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Amplified meaning
fowl, winged creature
Tyndale gloss
bird
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹף (owph) refers to flying creatures, including birds and insects. It is derived from the root meaning to cover with wings, emphasizing the aspect of flight. The term encompasses various types of fowl and winged insects, and it is noted in the Aramaic as well. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹף 70 n.m. coll. flying creatures, fowls, insects

fowl, birds

winged insects

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5775 עוֹף flying creatures, fowls, insects . fowl, birds

. winged insects

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5775 `owph ofe

from 5774; a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as

covering with wings), often collectively:--bird, that flieth,

flying, fowl.

see HEBREW for 05774

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹף (oph) — bird.

1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds

1a) fowl, birds

1b) winged insects

Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Rd/Ncmsa
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
וּבְכֹל֙u.ve.Khol and by all H3605 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/R/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sher that H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

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

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

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

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

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

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

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

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

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
תִּרְמֹ֣שׂtir.Mos it creeps H7430 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to creep or move lightly, often used to describe the movement of animals. It appears in the Bible to describe the action of creeping things, such as insects or reptiles. In KJV translations, it is rendered as 'creep' or 'move'.
Amplified meaning
moves, creeps
Tyndale gloss
to creep
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָמַשׂ (ramas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to creep or move lightly. It encompasses actions like crawling or gliding, particularly in reference to animals. The entries indicate its use in various contexts, including both land and water creatures. Brown-Driver-Briggs notes a specific application to trample, while other sources emphasize its general movement connotations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָמַשׂ vb. creep, move lightly, move about (chiefly P)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7430 רָמַשׂ trample

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7430 ramas raw-mas'

a primitive root; properly, to glide swiftly, i.e. to crawl

or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm:--creep, move.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָמַשׂ (ra.ma.s) — to creep.

1) to creep, move lightly, move about, walk on all fours

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to creep, teem (of all creeping things)

1a2) to creep (of animals)

1a3) to move lightly, glide about (of water animals)

1a4) to move about (of all land animals generally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔הha.'a.da.Mah the ground H127 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
225× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Amplified meaning
earth, land
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲדָמָה (adamah) refers to ground or land, encompassing meanings such as tilled soil, a specific plot of land, and the earth's visible surface. It can denote territory or the whole inhabited earth, and it is also the name of a city in Naphtali. The word is derived from a root meaning 'red,' likely referring to the color of soil.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲדָמָה 224 n.f. ground, land (as tilled)

ground (as tilled, yielding sustenance)

piece of ground, landed property

earth as material substance

ground as earth's visible surface

land, territory, country

whole earth, inhabited earth

n. pr. loc. city in Naphtali

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H127 אֲדָמָה ground, land . ground (as tilled, yielding sustenance)

. piece of ground, landed property

. earth as material substance

. ground as earth's visible surface

. land, territory, country

. whole earth, inhabited earth

. n. pr. loc. city in Naphtali

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

127 'adamah ad-aw-maw'

from 119; soil (from its general redness):--country, earth,

ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land.

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲדָמָה (a.da.mah) — land: soil.

: soil

1) ground, land

1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance)

1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land

1c) earth substance (for building or constructing)

1d) ground as earth's visible surface

1e) land, territory, country

1f) whole inhabited earth

1g) city in Naphtali

אֲדָמָה (a.da.mah) — land: country.

: country

1) ground, land

1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance)

1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land

1c) earth substance (for building or constructing)

1d) ground as earth's visible surface

1e) land, territory, country

1f) whole inhabited earth

1g) city in Naphtali

אֲדָמָה (a.da.mah) — land: planet.

: planet

1) ground, land

1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance)

1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land

1c) earth substance (for building or constructing)

1d) ground as earth's visible surface

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Man made from Ge 2:7; 3:19,23; Job 4:19; 33:6

→ Animals made from Ge 2:19

→ Vegetables come from Ge 2:9

→ Cursed Ge 3:17; 5:29

and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher- which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

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

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

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

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

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

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

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

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

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּיhiv.Dal.ti I have separated H914 Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to separate or divide, and is used in various contexts, including to set apart or make a distinction. It is translated as divide, separate, or difference in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
separated, designated
Tyndale gloss
to separate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּדַל (badal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to divide or separate. It encompasses various senses, including making distinctions between clean and unclean or holy and profane. The word can also imply setting apart or severing, with reflexive forms indicating self-separation. The entries consistently highlight its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּדַל] vb. be divided, separate

Hiph. divide, separate

divide, separate, subj. God

separate, set apart

make a distinction between clean and unclean, holy and profane

divide into parts

Niph.

(reflex. of Hiph. 2)

pass. be separated

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H914 בָּדַל be divided, separate . divide, separate . divide, separate, subj. God

. separate, set apart

. make a distinction between clean and unclean, holy and profane

. divide into parts

. . (reflex. of Hiph. 2)

. pass. be separated

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

914 badal baw-dal'

a primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or

figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.):--

(make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate

(self, -ation), sever (out), X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּדַל (ba.dal) — to separate.

1) to divide, separate

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to divide, separate, sever

1a2) to separate, set apart

1a3) to make a distinction, difference

1a4) to divide into parts

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to separate oneself from (reflexive of 1a2)

1b2) to withdraw from

1b3) to separate oneself unto

1b4) to be separated

1b5) to be excluded

1b6) to be set apart

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
HVhp1cs
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
לָכֶ֖םla.Khem for you H9036 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֶם (khem) — you.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine plural

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp2mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp2mp
and you will separate between the animal[s] pure and unclean and between the bird[s] unclean and pure and not you will make detestable the object marker selves your by animal[s] and by bird[s] and by all that it creeps the ground which I have separated for you to declare unclean
לְטַמֵּֽא׃le.ta.Me' to declare unclean H2930 Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
162× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Amplified meaning
impure, unacceptable
Tyndale gloss
to defile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָמֵא (tame') is a Hebrew root meaning to be or become unclean, covering various contexts such as sexual, religious, and ceremonial impurity. The noun form, טָמְאָה (tam'ah), refers to uncleanness itself. The entries indicate that the word can be used reflexively to mean defiling oneself.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָמֵא vb. be or become unclean

Qal be or become unclean

Niph. defile oneself, be defiled

Pi. defile

Pu. myself is not polluted

Hithp.—reflexive, defile oneself

Hothp. after that she has been defiled

base

טָמְאָה n.f. uncleanness Mi 2:10

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2930a טָמֵא be or become unclean .be or become unclean

. defile oneself, be defiled

. defile

. myself is not pulluted

.—reflexive, defile oneself

. after that she has been defiled

H2930b טָמְאָה uncleanness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2930 tame' taw-may'

a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or

moral sense (contaminated):--defile (self), pollute (self), be

(make, make self, pronounce) unclean, X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָמֵא (ta.me) — to defile.

1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure

1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean

1a1) sexually

1a2) religiously

1a3) ceremonially

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled

1b1a) sexually

1b1b) by idolatry

1b1c) ceremonially

1b2) to be regarded as unclean

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to defile

1c1a) sexually

1c1b) religiously

1c1c) ceremonially

1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially)

1c3) to profane (God's name)

1d) (Pual) to be defiled

1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean

1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled

טָמְאָה (tam.ah) — uncleanness.

uncleanness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
HR/Vpcc
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

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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