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Leviticus 22:9 — Word Study

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WLCוְשָׁמְר֣וּ אֶת־ מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗י וְלֹֽא־ יִשְׂא֤וּ עָלָיו֙ חֵ֔טְא וּמֵ֥תוּ ב֖וֹ כִּ֣י יְחַלְּלֻ֑הוּ אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה מְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃

BSA[The priests] must keepshâmar [who are set apart] My chargemishmereth [ordinance, divine instruction] lestlôʼ they bearnâsâʼ the guiltchêṭᵉʼ [sin, offense] and diemûwth [physically or spiritually] becausekîy they profane itchâlal [desecrate, treat as common] Iʼănîy am the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the sovereign God] who sanctifies themqâdash [sets apart, consecrates]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 22
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (me.ka.de.Sham) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 22:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe priests are instructed to keep their duties to avoid guilt and death from profaning the sacred.
Who is speakingThe LORD, giving commands to the priests.
Where we areThis verse is part of the laws concerning the priesthood in the book of Leviticus.
The hard wordמִשְׁמַרְתִּי, mishmar.Ti
Take awayThe priests must uphold their sacred responsibilities to avoid serious consequences.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֲנִי verbשָׁמַר 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 22:9

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Duties of the Priestsgenerated

8He must not eat anything found dead or torn by wild animals, which would make him unclean. I am the LORD.
9The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
10No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it.
11But if a priest buys a slave with his own money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food.

Leviticus 22:9 outlines the responsibilities of priests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their sacred duties. This instruction is crucial to ensure they do not incur guilt or face death due to their actions. The surrounding verses further elaborate on the holiness required of the priests and the consequences of failing to uphold these standards, reflecting God’s expectations for His chosen servants.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Leviticus 10:1–2Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command.
2Leviticus 16:2And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
3Exodus 28:43Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.
4Numbers 18:22–32No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שָׁמַר, ve.sha.me.Rugenerated

The verb שָׁמַר (*shamar*) means to keep, guard, or observe. It is derived from a root that encompasses a variety of actions, including protecting and attending to obligations. In this context, it emphasizes the priests' role in safeguarding their duties and the sanctity of their service.

The parsing indicates this is a sequential perfect third person common plural verb, meaning the priests are to continuously keep their charge. This highlights an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time action, underscoring the seriousness of their role in maintaining holiness.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, where the BSB uses keep for שָׁמְר֣וּ, while the KJV and ASV also use keep, maintaining the same meaning.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is שָׁמְר֣וּ, they will keep, which governs the entire verse. It is followed by a noun phrase indicating what they are to keep, a conditional clause introducing the consequences of failing to do so, and a concluding clause that identifies the speaker.

The structure emphasizes the priests' responsibilities, with the conditional clause ('lest they bear the guilt and die') highlighting the serious repercussions of neglecting their duties.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שָׁמַר as φυλάχονται, which conveys the idea of guarding or keeping. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may also imply a broader sense of protection over the sacred duties.

This translation reflects an understanding of the priests' role not just as a task but as a protective function over the holy matters entrusted to them.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 22:9 instructs the priests to keep their duties carefully to avoid guilt and death from profaning the sacred. This verse emphasizes the importance of their role and the consequences of failing to uphold their responsibilities.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for the priests to keep their charge?

It means that the priests are to diligently observe and fulfill their sacred responsibilities to God.

What are the consequences if the priests do not keep their charge?

If they fail to keep their charge, they risk bearing guilt and facing death, indicating the seriousness of their duties.

Why is the concept of sanctification important for the priests?

Sanctification signifies being set apart for holy service, which is crucial for the priests as they represent God to the people.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Leviticus?

This verse underscores the holiness required of the priests and the importance of maintaining purity and obedience in their service to God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I ensure that I am fulfilling my responsibilities faithfully?
  2. What are some examples of how neglecting duties can lead to negative consequences?
  3. How can understanding the sanctity of my role in my community influence my actions?
  4. What steps can I take to better guard the responsibilities entrusted to me?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 22:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance,.... The observance of my word, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, of his word of command; either respecting the not eating of such creatures that died

Read John Gill on Leviticus 22 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 22 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Mine ordinance; either this ordinance here treated of concerning abstaining from holy things when they are unclean; or more generally, that great ordinance whereby I have made them the guardians of holy places and things, to keep them from all defilement by themselves or others. Heb. my watch, i.e. the watch or guard which I have commanded them to keep. Lest they bear sin, i.e. incur guilt and punishment. For it, i.e. for the neglect or violation of it. If they profane it, i.e. their charge, or God’ s ordinance about it.

Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 22 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Leviticus 22:9 They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.Ver. 9. And die therefore.] It is no dallying with God. Either do it we must, or die for it.

Read John Trapp on Leviticus 22 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9. Lest they bear sin — That is, the punishment of sin. See Leviticus 10:17; Numbers 9:13, notes, in the Levitical law, the boundary between ceremonial and moral impurity is very narrow. Acts 21:25.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 22 →

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 priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“‘They shall therefore follow my commandment, lest they bear sin for it and die in it, if they profane it. I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They must keep my charge so that they do not incur sin on account of it and therefore die because they profane it. I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth them.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it: I am the LORD which sanctify them.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

They shall therefore keep my ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Let them keepe therefore mine ordinance, least they beare their sinne for it, and die for it, if they defile it: I the Lord sanctifie them.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And they shall keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die by it, if they profane it: I am Jehovah who do hallow them.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And they have kept My charge, and bear no sin for it, that they have died for it when they pollute it; I [am] Jehovah sanctifying them.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And they have kept My charge, and bear no sin for it, that they have died for it when they defile it; I [am] YHWH sanctifying them.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And they shall keep my charge, that they may not bear sin through it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I am the Lord who sanctify them.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The priests must follow my instructions, or they will be guilty of sin and could die for profaning me. I am Yahweh who makes them holy.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Let them keep my precepts, that they may not fall into sin, and die in the sanctuary, when they shall have defiled it. I am the Lord who sanctify them.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The priests must do as I demand, so that they don't become guilty and die because they have not done so, treating my requirements with contempt. I am the Lord who makes them holy.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

So then, let them keep what I have put into their care, for fear that sin may come on them because of it, so causing their death because they have made it common: I am the Lord, who make them holy.

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.

וְandclauseverbשָׁמְר֣וּthey.will.keepnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseמִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗dutyיmyוְandclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיִשְׂא֤וּthey.will.bearprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלָיonו֙itobjectחֵ֔טְאsinוּandclauseverbמֵ֥תוּthey.will.dieprepositional phrase · prepositionalב֖byוֹitכִּ֣י(dm)clauseverbיְחַלְּלֻ֑theyobjectהוּwill.profane.itclausesubjectאֲנִ֥יInoun phrase · predicateיְהוָ֖ה[am].Yahwehnoun phraseמְקַדְּשָֽׁ[who].setsםthem.apart.as.holy

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration but align with the essential meaning of the Masoretic Text.

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

וְשָׁמְר֣וּ אֶת־ מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗י וְלֹֽא־ יִשְׂא֤וּ עָלָיו֙ חֵ֔טְא וּמֵ֥תוּ ב֖וֹ כִּ֣י יְחַלְּלֻ֑הוּ אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה מְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְשָׁמְר֣וּφυλάχονταιמִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗יμουוְלֹֽא־μὴיִשְׂא֤וּλάβωσινעָלָיו֙αὐτὰחֵ֔טְאἁμαρτίανוּמֵ֥תוּἀποθάνωσινב֖וֹαὐτάכִּ֣יἐὰνיְחַלְּלֻ֑הוּαὐτάאֲנִ֥יἐγὼיְהוָ֖הκύριοςמְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃ἁγιάζων

13 of the 14 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ושׁמרו את משׁמרתי ולא ישׂאו עליו חטא ומתו בו כי יחללהו אני יהוה מקדשׁם

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q24a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ושמרו] [את] משמרת׳י [ולא] [ישאו] [עלי׳ו] חטא ומתו ב׳ו כי יחלל׳הו אני יהוה מקדש׳ם

6 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.

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 22:9שָׁמַרand they wiand they will kשָׁמַראֵתthe object the object markאֵתמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתduty myduty myמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתלֹאand notand notלֹאנָשָׂאthey will bthey will bearנָשָׂאעַלon iton itעַלחֵטְאsinsinחֵטְאמוּתand they wiand they will dמוּתוֹby itby itוֹכִּיforforכִּיחָלַלthey will pthey will profaחָלַלאֲנִיIIאֲנִייהוה[am] Yahweh[am] Yahwehיהוהקָדַשׁ[who] sets [who] sets aparקָדַשׁאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתחָטָאto sinto sinחָטָאאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יהָיָהto beto beהָיָהמִשְׁמָרcustodycustodyמִשְׁמָראֵבfruitfruitאֵבאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדעַלheightheightעַלחָלִילflutefluteחָלִילחָלָהbe weak: wbe weak: weakחָלָהיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעשַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּתנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתchargechargeמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתמִצְוָהcommandmencommandmentמִצְוָהמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁשָׁמַרto keep: oto keep: obeyשָׁמַריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹל
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 22:9

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
וְשָׁמְר֣וּve.sha.me.Ru and they will keep H8104 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Amplified meaning
who are set apart
Tyndale gloss
to keep: obey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve

Qal 425

keep, have charge of

keep, guard, captives

hence, watch for, wait for

watch, observe

keep, retain, of storing up (food)

keep within bounds, restrain

observe, celebrate

keep sabbath

of other obligations

observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

sts. י׳ subj.

keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

Niph.

36be on one's guard

keep oneself, refrain, abstain

be kept, guarded

Pi. those paying regard to false vanities

Hithp. I kept myself from

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of

. keep, guard, captives

. hence, watch for, wait for

. watch, observe

. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)

. keep within bounds, restrain

. . observe, celebrate

. keep sabbath

. of other obligations

. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

. sts. י׳ subj.

. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

. . be on one's guard

. keep oneself, refrain, abstain

. be kept, guarded

. those paying regard to false vanities

. I kept myself from

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8104 shamar shaw-mar'

a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),

i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,

be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,

look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save

(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.

: obey/observe

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

1a3) to watch for, wait for

1a4) to watch, observe

1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

1a8) to keep, preserve, protect

1a9) to keep, reserve

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

1b3) to be kept, be guarded

1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed

1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.

: guard

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
Hc/Vqq3cp
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
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 they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗יmish.mar.Ti duty my H4931 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Amplified meaning
ordinance, divine instruction
Tyndale gloss
charge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mishmereth) refers to a guard or watch, encompassing the concepts of duty, function, and preservation. It can denote a specific role, such as a sentry or an office, and implies the act of keeping or safeguarding. The term appears in contexts related to obligation and service, highlighting its multifaceted use in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת 78 n.f. guard, watch, also charge, function

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4931 מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת guard, watch, also charge, function

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4931 mishmereth mish-mer'-reth

fem. of 4929; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concr.) the

sentry, the post; obj. preservation, or (concr.) safe; fig.

observance, i.e. (abstr.) duty or (obj.) a usage or

party:--charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace,

safeguard, ward, watch.

see HEBREW for 04929

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mish.me.ret) — charge.

1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch

1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement

1b) keeping, preserving

1c) charge, injunction

1d) office, function (ceremonial)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
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 they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
יִשְׂא֤וּyis.'U they will bear H5375 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
656× 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 lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Tyndale gloss
to lift: raise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take

Qal

lift, lift up

Bear, carry

Take, take away

Niph.

be lifted up

refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

be borne, carried

be taken away, carried off

Pi.

lift up = exalt

fig. = desire, long

carry, bear continuously

take, take away

Hithp. lift oneself up

Hiph.

cause one to bear iniquity

appar. cause to bring, have brought

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up

. Bear, carry

. Take, take away

. . be lifted up

. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

. be borne, carried

. be taken away, carried off

. . lift up = exalt

. fig. = desire, long

. carry, bear continuously

. take, take away

. lift oneself up

. . cause one to bear iniquity

. appar. cause to bring, have brought

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5375 nasa' naw-saw'

or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to

lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and

figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,

arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring

(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,

exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,

give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,

lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,

pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,

stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.

see HEBREW for 04

see HEBREW for 06

see HEBREW for 07

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.

: raise/take_up

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up

1b3) to be borne, be carried

1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist

1c2) to desire, long (fig.)

1c3) to carry, bear continuously

1c4) to take, take away

1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)

1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.

: look/lift(eyes)

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bar (dobh; compare Arabic dubb): In 1Sa 17:34-37, David tells Saul how as a shepherd boy he had overcome a lion and a bear. In 2Ki 2:24 it is related that two she bears came out of the wood and tore forty-two of the children who had been mocking Elisha. All the other references to bears are figurative; compare 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; 28:15; Isa 11:7; 59:11; La 3:10; Da 7:5; Ho 13:8; Am 5:19;

Bear

A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). Their habits are referred to in Isa. 59:11; Prov. 28:15; Lam. 3:10. The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8). In Daniel’s vision of the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 17:8) The Syrian bear, Ursus syriacus, which is without doubt the animal mentioned in the Bible, is still found on the higher mountains of Palestine. During the summer months these bears keep to the snowy parts of Lebanon, but descend in winter to the villages and Gardens. It is probable also that at this period in former days they extended their visits to other parts of Palestine.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

That bears were common in Palestine appears from several passages in the Old Testament, 1Sa 17:34,36,37; 2Sa 17:8; 2Ki 2:24. The species known in Syria resembles the common brown bear; it is sill met in the recesses of Lebanon. To a sullen and ferocious disposition, the bear joins immense strength, considerable sagacity, and the power of climbing trees. Her ferocity, especially when her young are injured, is proverbial. See 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; Isa 11:7; Ho 13:8.

and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
עָלָיו֙'a.Lav on it H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
חֵ֔טְאChet' sin H2399 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sin refers to a crime or its punishment, including guilt and offense. It is the result of missing the mark or going wrong, and can have serious consequences.
Amplified meaning
sin, offense
Tyndale gloss
sin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֵטְא (chet) refers to sin, encompassing the concepts of guilt associated with sin and the punishment that follows. It is derived from a root meaning 'to miss' or 'to err.' The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, highlighting both the act of sinning and its consequences.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵטְא n.m. sin

sin

guilt of sin

punishment for sin

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2399 חֵטְא sin . sin

. guilt of sin

. punishment for sin

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2399 chet' khate

from 2398; a crime or its penalty:--fault, X grievously,

offence, (punishment of) sin.

see HEBREW for 02398

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵטְא (chet) — sin.

1) sin

1a) sin

1b) guilt for sin

1c) punishment for sin

Aramaic equivalent: cha.ti (חֲטָי "sin" H2408)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sin

Is “any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God” (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is “not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment, and calls down the righteous wrath of God. Hence sin carries with it two inalienable characters, (1) ill-desert, guilt (reatus); and (2) pollution (macula).”, Hodge’s…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

a city of Egypt, mentioned only by Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 30:15,16) The name is Hebrew, or at least Semitic, perhaps signifying clay . It is identified in the Vulgate with Pelusium, "the clayey or muddy" town. Its antiquity may perhaps be inferred from the mention of "the wilderness of Sin" in the journeys of the Israelites. (Exodus 16:1; Numbers 33:11) Ezekiel speaks of Sin as "Sin the strongholds of Egypt." (Ezekiel 30:15) This place was held by Egypt from that time until the period of the Romans. Herodotus relates that Sennacherib advanced against Pelusium, and that near Pelusium Cambyses defeated Psammenitus. In like manner the decisive battle in which Ochus defeated the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Any thought, word, desire, action, or omission of action, contrary to the law of God, or defective when compared with it.

The origin of sin is a subject which baffles all investigation; and our inquiries are much better directed when we seek through Christ a release from its penalty and power, for ourselves and the world. Its entrance into the world, and infection of the whole human race, its nature, forms, and effects, and its fatal possession of every unregenerate soul, are fully described in the Bible, Ge 6:5 Ps 51:5 Mt 15:19 Ro 5:12 Jas 1:14,15.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

bush

and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
וּמֵ֥תוּu.Me.tu and they will die H4191 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
840× 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 die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Amplified meaning
physically or spiritually
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
Hc/Vqq3cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(muth, gawa`; apothnesko, teleutao): "To die," etc., is of very frequent occurrence, and in the Old Testament is generally the translation of muth, meaning perhaps originally, "to be stretched out" or "prostrate." "To die," should be the consequence of eating the forbidden fruit (Ge 2:17; compare Ge 20:7; 2Ki 1:4,6). "Die" is commonly used of natural death (Ge 5:8; 25:8). It is used also of violent death (Ge 26:9,11; Ex 21:20); punitive (Ex 19:12; 21:12,14; 28:43; Nu…

and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
ב֖וֹvo by it H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
כִּ֣יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
יְחַלְּלֻ֑הוּye.cha.le.Lu.hu they will profane it H2490 Verb piel imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Amplified meaning
desecrate, treat as common
Tyndale gloss
to bore
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָלַל (*chalal*) is built from a primitive root meaning to bore or pierce, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to wound, to play the flute, and to profane or defile. It can refer to both physical actions, like piercing, and moral or ritual violations, such as polluting oneself or breaking a covenant. The lexicons note various grammatical forms and uses, but do not indicate significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָלַל vb. bore, pierce

Qal my heart is pierced (wounded) within me

Pi. in the hand of the ones wounding thee

Pu. pierced by the sword

Po‛el his hand pierced the fleeing serpent

Po‛al pierced, wounded because of our transgressions

base

[חלל] vb. denom. play the pipe, pipe

Qal as well the singers as the pipe-players

Polel dancers

Pi. and the people piped with pipes

base

[חָלַל] vb. pollute, defile, profane

Niph.

reflex. pollute, defile oneself

Pass., be polluted, defiled

Pi.

defile, pollute

violate the honour of, dishonour

violate  a covenant

treat a vineyard as common

Pu. my great name which is profaned among the nations

Hiph.

I will not let my holy name be profaned any more.

he shall not violate his word

begin

Hoph. then it was begun (= men began) to call on the name of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2490a חָלַל bore, pierce H2490b חלל vb. denom. play the pipe, pipe H2490c חָלַל pollute, defile, profane

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2490 chalal khaw-lal'

a primitive root (compare 2470); properly, to bore, i.e. (by

implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane

(a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

(as if by an "opening wedge"); denom. (from 2485) to play (the

flute):--begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat

(as common things), X first, X gather the grape thereof, X

take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast

as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain,

wound.

see HEBREW for 02470

see HEBREW for 02485

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלַל (cha.lal) — to bore.

1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore

1a) (Qal) to pierce

1b) (Pual) to be slain

1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce

1d) (Poal) to be wounded

חָלַל (cha.lal) — to play flute.

(Piel) to play the flute or pipe

חָלַל (cha.lal) — to profane/begin: begin.

: begin

1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself

1a1a) ritually

1a1b) sexually

1a2) to be polluted, be defiled

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to profane, make common, defile, pollute

1b2) to violate the honour of, dishonour

1b3) to violate (a covenant)

1b4) to treat as common

1c) (Pual) to be profaned (of name of God)

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to let be profaned

1d2) to begin

1e) (Hophal) to be begun

חָלַל (cha.lal) — to profane/begin: profane.

: profane

1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin

1a) (Niphal)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb piel imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVpi3mp/Sp3ms
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
אֲנִ֥י'a.Ni I H589 Pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bs
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
יְהוָ֖הYah.weh [am] Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the sovereign God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

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

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

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

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

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

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

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

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

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they will keep the object marker duty my and not they will bear on it sin and they will die by it for they will profane it I [am] Yahweh [who] sets apart as holy them
מְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃me.ka.de.Sham [who] sets apart as holy them H6942 Verb piel participle (active) masculine singular common · suffix
171× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.
Amplified meaning
sets apart, consecrates
Tyndale gloss
to consecrate: consecate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָדַשׁ (qadash) is a verb meaning to consecrate or set apart as sacred. It encompasses various actions such as being hallowed, treated as sacred, or dedicated, and can refer to both people and things. The entries detail its use in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating a range of meanings from purification to separation from the unclean.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָדַשׁ vb. denom. be set apart, consecrated

Qal

be set apart, consecrated, hallowed

be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use, or forfeited to sancturay

consecrated, tabooed (supr.)

Niph.

shew oneself sacred, majestic

be honored or treated as sacred

be consecrated, dedicated

Pi.

set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

observe as holy, keep sacred

honor as sacred, hallow

consecrate by purification

Pu. consecrated, dedicated

Hiph.

set apart, consecrate

regard or treat, as sacred, hallowed

consecrate by purification

Hithp.

keep oneself apart from unclean things

of God, cause himself to be hallowed

be observed as holy

consecrate oneself by purification, of priests and Levites

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6942 קָדַשׁ vb. denom. be set apart, consecrated .. be set apart, consecrated, hallowed

. be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use, or forfeited to sancturay

. consecrated, tabooed (supr.)

. . shew oneself sacred, majestic

. be honored or treated as sacred

. be consecrated, dedicated

. . set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

. observe as holy, keep sacred

. honor as sacred, hallow

. consecrate by purification

. consecrated, dedicated

. . set apart, consecrate

. regard or treat, as sacred, hallowed

. consecrate by purification

. . keep oneself apart from unclean things

. of God, cause himself to be hallowed

. be observed as holy

. consecrate oneself by purification, of priests and Levites

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6942 qadash kaw-dash'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or

observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):--appoint, bid,

consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er,

place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one,

self), X wholly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָדַשׁ (qa.dash) — to consecrate: consecate.

: consecate/sanctify

1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated

1a2) to be hallowed

1a3) consecrated, tabooed

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic

1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred

1b3) to be holy

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred

1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow

1c4) to consecrate

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be consecrated

1d2) consecrated, dedicated

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate

1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow

1e3) to consecrate

1f) (Hithpael)

1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate

1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God)

1f3) to be observed as holy

1f4) to consecrate oneself

קָדַשׁ (qa.dash) — to consecrate: dedicate.

: dedicate

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel | Suff — Verb piel participle (active) masculine singular common · suffix
HVprmsc/Sp3mp
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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