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Leviticus 27:31 — Word Study

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WLCוְאִם־ גָּאֹ֥ל יִגְאַ֛ל אִ֖ישׁ מִמַּֽעַשְׂר֑וֹ חֲמִשִׁית֖וֹ יֹסֵ֥ף עָלָֽיו׃

BSAIfʼim [under certain conditions, or whether] a manʼîysh [male person, individual] wishesgâʼal to redeemgâʼal [to buy back, to restore] part of his tithemaʻăsêr [a tenth part] he must addyâçaph [increase, do again] a fifthchămîyshîy [one-fifth, the fifth part] to its valueʻal [worth, estimated price]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 31 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 ('a.Lav) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 27:31quick helps
In a sentenceA man can redeem part of his tithe by adding a fifth to its value.
Who is speakingThe speaker is addressing the Israelites regarding their tithes.
Where we areThis instruction is part of the laws concerning tithes and offerings.
The hard wordגָּאֹ֥ל, ga'al
Take awayRedemption involves a cost; restoration requires an increase.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectאִישׁ verbגָּאַל 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 27:31

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 Tithes and Offeringsgenerated

30Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
31If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.
32Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD.
33He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’”

Leviticus 27:31 is part of a broader set of laws concerning the treatment of tithes. It outlines the procedure for redeeming a portion of one’s tithe, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the value of what is dedicated to the LORD. This reflects the seriousness of financial stewardship and the sacredness of offerings in the Israelite community.


Cross References


The Key Word גָּאֹ֥ל, ga.'Olgenerated

The Hebrew word גָּאֹ֥ל (ga'al) is an infinitive absolute form of the verb meaning 'to redeem.' It conveys the concept of buying back or restoring something that belongs to someone, often in the context of family or property. This word highlights the act of redemption, which is a significant theme in the biblical narrative.

In this verse, it indicates the action a man takes when he wishes to reclaim part of his tithe, underscoring the kinsman-redeemer role in Israelite society. The use of this term suggests a deeper relational obligation to restore what is lost or to ensure the rightful ownership of property.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.' The KJV and ASV use similar wording, maintaining the essential meaning.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִגְאַ֛ל, he will redeem, governs the main clause, with a conditional phrase introduced by וְאִם־, if, leading into the action of redemption. The structure indicates a clear cause-and-effect relationship: if a man wishes to redeem, then he must add a fifth.

The sentence flows logically, presenting the condition first, followed by the action required. This structure emphasizes the importance of the condition before the action of redemption can take place.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew גָּאֹ֥ל is rendered as λυτρῶται, which also means 'to redeem.' This translation maintains the core meaning of the Hebrew word but may suggest a broader interpretation of redemption beyond familial obligations.

The choice of λυτρῶται indicates a focus on the act of liberation, which aligns with themes of deliverance found throughout the Old Testament.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 27:31 explains that if a man wants to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. This means that when someone wants to buy back what they have given, they need to increase its worth by a fifth, showing the seriousness of offerings to God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to redeem part of a tithe?

To redeem part of a tithe means to buy back a portion of what has been dedicated to God, ensuring that its value is increased by a fifth.

Why is there a requirement to add a fifth?

The requirement to add a fifth emphasizes the seriousness of the commitment to God and ensures that the value of what is redeemed reflects its worth.

How does this verse relate to the concept of redemption in the Bible?

This verse illustrates the principle of redemption, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, highlighting the importance of restoring what is lost and the obligations that come with it.

What is a tithe?

A tithe is a tenth part of one’s income or produce that is given to support the work of God and the needs of the community.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this verse teach about the value of our commitments to God?
  2. How can understanding the concept of redemption impact our view of giving?
  3. In what ways can we ensure that our offerings reflect their true worth?
  4. How does this instruction relate to our responsibilities in our community today?

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 27:31 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And if a man, will redeem [ought] of his tithes,.... Of his own, and not his neighbour's, as Jarchi observes; for if he redeemed the tithes of his neighbour, but did not add a fifth part, which he

Read John Gill on Leviticus 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. All the tithe of the land.

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) And if a man will at all redeem.—Better And if a man wishes to redeem. (See Leviticus 27:13; Leviticus 27:19) Though a man may not vow tithes, being already the Lord’s, yet if he wishes he may redeem them by adding one-fifth to the actual value of them. According to the authorities during the second Temple, anyone was allowed to redeem the tithes due from another person by paying the exact value for them, without the addition of the fifth part. The tithes could then be eaten in any place, but the redemption money had to be taken to Jerusalem, where it was spent in sociable feasts, to which the Levite, the stranger, and the poor were invited.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

30–33. Laws concerning tithes A distinction is here made between the tithe on the yield of the land or of fruit trees, and that on animals. The former according to this passage may be redeemed on payment of 1 1/5th of the estimation. In Numbers 18:21-24 there is no such permission given. See McNeile (C.B.) there for comparison of the two passages. The tithe on cattle here imposed is, as he points out, a fresh demand, found nowhere else in O.T. except 2 Chronicles 31:6.

Read Cambridge on Leviticus 27 →

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

If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

If a man redeems anything of his tithe, he shall add a fifth part to it.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.

NETBNew English Translation2006

If a man redeems part of his tithe, however, he must add one fifth to it.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And if a man will at all redeem aught of his tithes, he shall add to it the fifth part of it.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But if a man will redeeme any of his tithe, he shall adde the fift part thereto.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And if any one will at all redeem of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth thereof.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And if a man really redeem [any] of his tithe, its fifth he addeth to it.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And if a man really redeems [any] of his tithe, he adds its fifth to it.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And if a man will redeem any part of his tithe, its fifth part shall he add thereto.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And if any man will redeem his tithes, he shall add the fifth part of them.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you want to buy back some of your tithe, you must add on one-fifth to its value.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And if a man has a desire to get back any of the tenth part which he has given, let him give a fifth more.

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.

וְandclauseclauseאִםifclauseadverbialגָּאֹ֥לindeed.(redeem)verbיִגְאַ֛לhe.will.redeemsubjectאִ֖ישׁanyoneprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִanynoun phraseמַּֽעַשְׂר֑ofוֹhis.titheclausenoun phrase · objectחֲמִשִׁית֖itsוֹfifthverbיֹסֵ֥ףlet.him.addprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלָֽיtoוit

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with all words matched in meaning. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, using the term חמישׁתו for 'fifth part,' but the overall instruction remains consistent across these texts.

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

וְאִם־ גָּאֹ֥ל יִגְאַ֛ל אִ֖ישׁ מִמַּֽעַשְׂר֑וֹ חֲמִשִׁית֖וֹ יֹסֵ֥ף עָלָֽיו׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִם־ἐὰνגָּאֹ֥לλυτρῶταιיִגְאַ֛לλύτρῳאִ֖ישׁἄνθρωποςמִמַּֽעַשְׂר֑וֹαὐτοῦחֲמִשִׁית֖וֹἐπίπεμπτονיֹסֵ֥ףπροσθήσειעָלָֽיו׃αὐτό

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ואם גאל יגאל אישׁ ממעשׂרו חמישׁתו יסף עליו

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: חמישׁתו (fifth part)

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 27:31אִםandandאִםגָּאַלcertainly [certainly [if]גָּאַלגָּאַלhe will redhe will redeemגָּאַלאִישׁanyoneanyoneאִישׁמַעֲשֵׂרany of tithany of tithe hiמַעֲשֵׂרחֲמִישִׁיfifth itsfifth itsחֲמִישִׁייָסַףlet him addlet him addיָסַףעַלto itto itעַלעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂרחָמֵשׁfivefiveחָמֵשׁאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהעַלheightheightעַלרָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַיִצְהָרoiloilיִצְהָרצוֹםfastfastצוֹםעֵ֫רֶךְvaluationvaluationעֵ֫רֶךְחֲמִישִׁיfifthfifthחֲמִישִׁיעֹלyokeyokeעֹלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּא
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 27:31

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 certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
וְאִם־ve.'im- and H518 Conjunction · particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Amplified meaning
under certain conditions, or whether
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b 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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Conj — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
גָּאֹ֥לga.'Ol certainly [if] H1350 Verb · Qal · infinitive absolute
104× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means redemption, describing the act of a kinsman buying back a relative's property or marrying their widow, as seen in the story of Boaz in Ruth.
Tyndale gloss
to redeem: redeem
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּאַל (ga'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to redeem, often in the context of acting as a kinsman-redeemer. It encompasses various forms of redemption, including buying back property, marrying a relative's widow, and delivering individuals or Israel from bondage or exile. The related noun גְּאוּלַי (geulai) signifies the concept of redemption itself.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּאַל vb. redeem, act as kinsman

Qal

act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin

redeem, by payment of value assessed

redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship

Niph

refl. redeem oneself

pass. be redeemed

base

גְּאוּלַי Is 63:4, n. abstr. redemption

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1350a גָּאַל redeem, act as kinsman .. act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin

. redeem, by payment of value assessed

. redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship

.. refl. redeem oneself

. pass. be redeemed

H1350b גְּאוּלַי n. abstr. redemption

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1350 ga'al gaw-al'

a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of

kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back

a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.):--X in any wise,

X at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near,

next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּאַל (ga.al) — to redeem: redeem.

: redeem

1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer

1a1a) by marrying brother's widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery, to redeem land, to exact vengeance

1a2) to redeem (by payment)

1a3) to redeem (with God as subject)

1a3a) individuals from death

1a3b) Israel from Egyptian bondage

1a3c) Israel from exile

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to redeem oneself

1b2) to be redeemed

גְּאוּלַי (ge.u.lay) — redemption.

redemption

גָּאַל (ga.al) — to redeem: avenge.

: avenge

1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Ptc — Verb · Qal · infinitive absolute
HVqaa
and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
יִגְאַ֛לyig.'Al he will redeem H1350 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
104× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means redemption, describing the act of a kinsman buying back a relative's property or marrying their widow, as seen in the story of Boaz in Ruth.
Amplified meaning
to buy back, to restore
Tyndale gloss
to redeem: redeem
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּאַל (ga'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to redeem, often in the context of acting as a kinsman-redeemer. It encompasses various forms of redemption, including buying back property, marrying a relative's widow, and delivering individuals or Israel from bondage or exile. The related noun גְּאוּלַי (geulai) signifies the concept of redemption itself.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּאַל vb. redeem, act as kinsman

Qal

act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin

redeem, by payment of value assessed

redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship

Niph

refl. redeem oneself

pass. be redeemed

base

גְּאוּלַי Is 63:4, n. abstr. redemption

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1350a גָּאַל redeem, act as kinsman .. act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin

. redeem, by payment of value assessed

. redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship

.. refl. redeem oneself

. pass. be redeemed

H1350b גְּאוּלַי n. abstr. redemption

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1350 ga'al gaw-al'

a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of

kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back

a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.):--X in any wise,

X at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near,

next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּאַל (ga.al) — to redeem: redeem.

: redeem

1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer

1a1a) by marrying brother's widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery, to redeem land, to exact vengeance

1a2) to redeem (by payment)

1a3) to redeem (with God as subject)

1a3a) individuals from death

1a3b) Israel from Egyptian bondage

1a3c) Israel from exile

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to redeem oneself

1b2) to be redeemed

גְּאוּלַי (ge.u.lay) — redemption.

redemption

גָּאַל (ga.al) — to redeem: avenge.

: avenge

1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
אִ֖ישׁ'ish anyone H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
male person, individual
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
מִמַּֽעַשְׂר֑וֹmi.ma.'as.Ro any of tithe his H4643 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Maaser means a tithe, or a tenth part, often referring to a payment of a tenth of one's income. It is mentioned in the Bible as a way to support the Levites and the poor.
Amplified meaning
a tenth part
Tyndale gloss
tithe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲשֵׂר (ma`aser) refers to a tenth part or tithe, specifically the practice of giving a tenth of one's produce or income. It is derived from the root meaning 'to give a tenth' and is used in various contexts related to offerings. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as a tithe without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַעֲשֵׂר tenth part, tithe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4643 מַעֲשֵׂר tenth part, tithe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4643 ma`aser mah-as-ayr'

or maasar {mah-as-ar'}; and (in plural) feminine maasrah

{mah-as-raw'}; from 6240; a tenth; especially a tithe:--

tenth (part), tithe(-ing).

see HEBREW for 06240

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲשֵׂר (ma.a.ser) — tithe.

1) tithe, tenth part

1a) tenth part

1b) tithe, payment of a tenth part

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
חֲמִשִׁית֖וֹcha.mi.shi.To fifth its H2549 Suffix
45× 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 fifth, referring to something in the fifth position. It appears in Exodus 20:12, where honoring parents is the fifth commandment. This word is used to show order and sequence.
Amplified meaning
one-fifth, the fifth part
Tyndale gloss
fifth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲמִישִׁי (chamiyshiy) means 'fifth' and serves as an ordinal number indicating the position of five. It can also refer to a fifth part. The word is derived from a root associated with the number five, as noted in various lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲמִישִׁי m., חֲמִישִׁית f.adj.num.ordin. fifth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2549 חֲמִישִׁי, חֲמִישִׁית fifth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2549 chamiyshiy kham-ee-shee'

or chamishshiy {kham-ish-shee'}; ord. from 2568; fifth; also

a fifth:--fifth (part).

see HEBREW for 02568

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲמִישִׁי (cha.mi.shi) — fifth.

ordinal number, 5th

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Suffix
HAofsc/Sp3ms
and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
יֹסֵ֥ףyo.Sef let him add H3254 Verb · Hiphil · jussive third person masculine singular
212× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.
Amplified meaning
increase, do again
Tyndale gloss
to add
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָסַף (yacaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to add or increase. It can denote actions like joining oneself to something or continuing to do a task. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, with nuances of doing something again or augmenting an amount.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָסַף 214 vb. add

Qal add

Niph.

join (intr.), join oneself to

be joined, added to

Hiph.

add

sq. inf. add to do = do again or more

sq. Impf.

sq. Impf. asynd.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3254 יָסַף add . add

. . join (intr.), join oneself to

. be joined, added to

. . add

. . sq. inf. add to do = do again or more

. sq. Impf.

. sq. Impf. asynd.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3254 yacaph yaw-saf'

a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to

continue to do a thing):--add, X again, X any more, X cease, X

come more, + conceive again, continue, exceed, X further, X

gather together, get more, give more-over, X henceforth,

increase (more and more), join, X longer (bring, do, make,

much, put), X (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed

(further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, X yet, yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add: again.

: again/continue/more[instances]

1) to add, increase, do again

1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to join, join oneself to

1b2) to be joined, be added to

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to add, increase

1c2) to do more, do again

יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add.

: add/more[amount]

1) to add, increase, do again

1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to join, join oneself to

1b2) to be joined, be added to

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to add, increase

1c2) to do more, do again

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · jussive third person masculine singular
HVhj3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(1) epidiatassomai, "to add to," "to arrange in addition": Found only in Ga 3:15, which may thus be paraphrased: "To take a familiar illustration: even a man's will, when ratified, no third party may annul or supplement" (Dummelow, in the place cited.).

(2) epitithemi, "to put upon," "If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues" (Re 22:18). The book is not to be falsified by addition or excision (see BOOK) by the interpolation of unauthorized doctrines or the neglect of essential ones (compare De 4:2; 12:32).

See also IMPART; SUPPLY.

M. O. Evans

and certainly [if] he will redeem anyone any of tithe his fifth its let him add to it
עָלָֽיו׃'a.Lav to 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.
Amplified meaning
worth, estimated price
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
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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