Micah 7:17 — Word Study
WLCיְלַחֲכ֤וּ עָפָר֙ כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י אֶ֔רֶץ יִרְגְּז֖וּ מִמִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם אֶל־ יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ יִפְחָ֔דוּ וְיִֽרְא֖וּ מִמֶּֽךָּ׃
BSAThey will licklâchak▸ [like a reptile, as a sign of humiliation] the dustʻâphâr [dry earth] like a snakenâchâsh like reptiles slitheringzâchal [creeping things, worms, crawling, creeping] on the groundʼerets [the land, the earth] They will come tremblingrâgaz▸ from their strongholdsmiçgereth in the presence ofʼêl [before, in the sight] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the supreme God] our Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the one true God] they will tremblepâchad▸ [shake, be afraid] in fearyârêʼ▸ [dread, reverence] of Youmin [in Your presence, before You]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְלַחֲכ֤וּ | they will lick up | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| עָפָר֙ | dust | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ | like snake | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י | like [things which] crawl of | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| אֶ֔רֶץ | [the] earth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| יִרְגְּז֖וּ | they will quake | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מִמִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם | from strongholds their | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| יְהוָ֤ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ | God our | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יִפְחָ֔דוּ | they will be in dread | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| וְיִֽרְא֖וּ | and they may be afraid | Conjunction, verb qal third person masculine plural |
| מִמֶּֽךָּ׃ | from you | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will crawl from their holes in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You. |
| KJV | They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. |
| ASV | They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee. |
| YLT | They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth, They tremble from their enclosures, Of Jehovah our God they are afraid, Yea, they are afraid of Thee. |
| WEB | They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling things of the earth, they will come trembling out of their dens. They will come with fear to Yahweh our God, and will be afraid because of you. |
| BBE | They will take dust as their food like a snake, like the things which go flat on the earth; they will come shaking with fear out of their secret places: they will come with fear to the Lord our God, full of fear because of you. |
Where they part company is עָפָר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with a main action followed by comparisons and additional details about the nations' response.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbלָחַךְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Micah 7:17
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 Judgment of the Nationsgenerated
Micah 7:17 describes the reaction of the nations when confronted by God. They will demonstrate their humiliation by licking dust like snakes, a vivid image of submission and fear. This verse emphasizes the power of God and the inevitable recognition of His authority by all nations, which is echoed in the surrounding verses that speak of God's justice and mercy.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 3:14–15 | So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly will you go, and dust you will eat, all the days of your life. |
| 2 | Psalm 72:9 | May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. |
| 3 | Isaiah 49:23 | Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 60:14 | The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. |
| 5 | Isaiah 65:25 | The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the food of the serpent will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,” says the LORD. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 20 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְלַחֲכ֤וּ, ye.la.cha.Khugenerated
The verb לָחַךְ (lachak) means 'to lick' and is used here in the Piel form, indicating a more intense action. The imagery of licking dust suggests a posture of humiliation and submission, often associated with animals. This act signifies the nations' acknowledgment of their lowly state before God.
In the context of this verse, the act of licking dust serves as a metaphor for the nations' defeat and their fear of the Lord. It conveys a strong sense of degradation, as they are compared to snakes and creeping things, emphasizing their vulnerability and the overwhelming power of God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses lick for יְלַחֲכ֤וּ, and this is consistent across the KJV and ASV as well.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is יְלַחֲכ֤וּ, they will lick, which governs the clause describing the action. The structure includes several prepositional phrases that add detail about what they will lick and where they will crawl.
The sentence begins with the action of licking dust, followed by comparisons to snakes and reptiles, which emphasizes the humiliation of the nations. The latter part of the verse describes their trembling and fear in the presence of God, creating a clear picture of their submission.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְלַחֲכ֤וּ as λείχουσιν, which carries a similar meaning of licking but may lack the specific connotation of humiliation found in the Hebrew. This choice reflects a more straightforward description of the action.
The term used for dust, ξοῦν, aligns closely with the Hebrew עָפָר, indicating a consistent understanding of the imagery across both texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Micah 7:17 describes how the nations will show their humiliation by licking dust like snakes. They will crawl out from their hiding places in fear of the Lord, trembling before Him. This verse illustrates the power of God and the inevitable recognition of His authority by all.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Licking dust symbolizes humiliation and submission, indicating that the nations recognize their lowly state before God.
The comparison to snakes emphasizes their vulnerability and the degrading nature of their defeat before the Lord.
Trembling in fear signifies a deep reverence and acknowledgment of God's supreme power and authority over all creation.
This verse fits within a larger context of God's judgment and mercy, highlighting the contrast between the nations' shame and God's ultimate justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I recognize God's authority in my life?
- How can I demonstrate humility before God in my actions?
- What does it mean to me to fear the Lord, and how does that shape my relationship with Him?
- How can I support others in understanding the power and authority of God?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Micah 7:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey shall lick the dust like a serpent,.... Whose food is the dust of the earth, according to the curse pronounced on it, Genesis 3:14; and which is either its, natural food it chooses to live on,
Read John Gill on Micah 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.
Read Robert Jamieson on Micah 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey, the proud and cruel enemies of Israel, the Babylonians, shall lick the dust; in the most submissive, servile manner testify their subjection, promise to serve and honour the Jews released out of captivity: it is an expression which alludes to the servile manner of those Eastern complimenters, , and was fulfilled in the days after the return. when the kings of Persia favoured the Jews, and (as the manner of courtiers is) in compliance with their kings the grandees forwarded the prosperity of the Jews, as may easily be conjectured from the 6th and 7th chapters of Ezra. Like a serpent; condemned to eat the dust and perpetually to crawl on the dust; it seems to intimate. the perpetuity of…
Read Matthew Poole on Micah 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsMicah 7:17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.Ver. 17. They shall lick the dust like a serpent] That is, be reduced not only to extreme hunger and penury, but to utmost vility and baseness of condition, so as to lick the very dust. And whereas it is added, like a serpent, he puts them in mind of that old malediction, Gen. iii., and gives them to know, that as, like that old serpent, they have lifted themselves up against God, so will God cast them down again to the condition of serpents, and abase them to the very dust. See Psalms 22:29; Psalms 72:9…
Read John Trapp on Micah 7 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) They shall lick the dust like a serpent.—The doom of the determined enemies of the Lord and His people recalls that of Satan, the great enemy, as personified by the serpent. “Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life” (Genesis 3:14).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Micah 7 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. they shall move out of their holes] Rather, ‘they shall come trembling out of their fastnesses’ (same word as in Psalms 18:46, where A. V. ‘close places’). like worms] Lit., ‘like creepers’ (or rather, trailers). The same term occurs in Deuteronomy 32:24. they shall be afraid of] Rather, ‘they shall turn with shuddering towards.’
Read Cambridge on Micah 7 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey shall lick the dust like a (the) serpent - To lick the dust, by itself, pictures the extreme humility of persons who east themselves down to the very earth (as in Psalms 72:9; Isaiah 49:23).
Read Albert Barnes on Micah 7 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE, Micah 7:14-17.In Micah 7:14 occurs another change in speakers. The people, through the prophet, pray for the fulfillment of the promise of restoration. Feed… with thy rod — See on Micah 5:4.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Micah 7 →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
They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will crawl from their holes in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.
They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling things of the earth, they will come trembling out of their dens. They will come with fear to Yahweh our God, and will be afraid because of you.
They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.
They will lick the dust like a snake, like serpents crawling on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds to the Lord our God; they will be terrified of you.
Tyndale line
They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.
They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.
They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places: they shall come with fear unto the LORD our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.
They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.
They shall licke the dust like a serpent: they shall mooue out of their holes like wormes: they shalbe afraide of the Lord our God, and shall feare because of thee.
Strictly literal
They shall lick dust like the serpent; like crawling things of the earth, they shall come trembling forth from their close places. They shall turn with fear to Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.
They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth, They tremble from their enclosures, Of Jehovah our God they are afraid, Yea, they are afraid of Thee.
They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth, || They tremble from their enclosures, || They are afraid of our God YHWH, || Indeed, they are afraid of You.
They shall lick the dust like the serpent; like those that crawl on the earth, shall they come forth trembling out of their close places: unto the Lord our God shall they hasten in dread, and shall be afraid of thee.
They will lick the dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the earth. They will come out of their dens with fear; they will come with fear to you, Yahweh our God, and they will be afraid because of you.
From the Latin
They shall lick the dust like serpents, as the creeping things of the earth, they shall be disturbed in their houses: they shall dread the Lord our God, and shall fear thee.
Simplified
They will lick the dust like snakes; they will be like the creepy-crawlies of the earth. They will come trembling from their fortresses to meet the Lord our God, fearful and afraid before him.
They will take dust as their food like a snake, like the things which go flat on the earth; they will come shaking with fear out of their secret places: they will come with fear to the Lord our God, full of fear because of you.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) presents Micah 7:17 with the phrase indicating that they will lick the dust like a snake and tremble in fear of the Lord. The Septuagint (LXX) matches 12 of the 13 words from the MT, indicating a strong agreement, although the specific wording and order differ due to translation choices. The Dead Sea Scrolls (Mur88) also reflect a similar sentiment but contain several words that are partly restored and supplied by an editor, which suggests some textual variations, particularly in the phrases for 'like a snake' and 'from their holes.' Overall, the core message remains consistent across these witnesses, emphasizing the fear and trembling in the presence of God.
יְלַחֲכ֤וּ עָפָר֙ כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י אֶ֔רֶץ יִרְגְּז֖וּ מִמִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם אֶל־ יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ יִפְחָ֔דוּ וְיִֽרְא֖וּ מִמֶּֽךָּ׃
12 of the 13 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ילחכו עפר [כנחש] [כזחלי] [ארץ] [ירגזו] [ממסגרתי׳הם] [אל] [יהוה] אלהי׳נו יפחדו וייראו ממ׳ך
3 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 7 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.
Lexicons — every word in Micah 7:17
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.
לָחַךְ (lachak) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to lick.' It appears in both the Qal and Piel forms, with usages including an ox licking up grass and a reference to fire licking up water in a trench. The term also conveys a sense of humiliation when used in the context of licking dust.
[לָחַךְ] vb. lick
Qal of ox licking up grass.
Pi. lick up, fire fr. heaven the water in trench; of Isr. consuming produce of land; lick the dust, sign of humiliation
base
H3897 [לָחַךְ] lick
3897 lachak law-khak'
a primitive root; to lick:--lick (up).
לָחַךְ (la.chakh) — to lick.
1) to lick, lick up
1a) (Qal) to lick up
1b) (Piel) to lick up
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVpi3mp
עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.
עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust
base
H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust
6083 `aphar aw-fawr'
from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,
mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
see HEBREW for 06080
עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.
1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish
1a) dry or loose earth
1b) debris
1c) mortar
1d) ore
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
dust (`aphar; koniortos, chous): Small particles of earth. The word has several figurative and symbolic meanings:
(1) Dust being the material out of which God is said to have formed man (Ge 2:7), it became a symbol of man's frailty (Ps 103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust"; compare Ge 18:27; Job 4:19, etc.), and of his mortality (Ge 3:19, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"; compare Job 34:15; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20…
Dust
Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of “powder and dust” (Deut. 28:24).
To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Josh. 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa. 47:1). “Dust” is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). “To shake off the dust from one’s feet” against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matt. 10:14; Acts 13:51). To “lick the dust” is a sign of…
[MOURNING]
Jos 7:6. Dust or ashes put upon the head was a sign of mourning; sitting in the dust, a sign of affliction, La 3:29 Isa 47:1. "Dust" is also put for the grave, Ge 3:19 Job 7:21. It signifies a multitude, Ge 13:16, and a low and mean condition, 1Sa 2:8. We have two remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Scripture, and they seem to illustrate a practice common in Asia: those who demanded justice against a criminal were accustomed to throw dust upon him, signifying that he deserved to be cast into the grave.…
The Hebrew word נָחָשׁ (*nachash*) means 'serpent' or 'snake.' It can refer to a literal snake, a bronze image of a serpent, or even a mythological fleeing serpent. The word is derived from a root meaning to hiss, which relates to the sound snakes make.
נָחָשׁ n.m. serpent
serpent
bronze image of serpent
mythol. fleeing serpent
base
H5175 נָחָשׁ serpent
5175 nachash naw-khawsh'
from 5172; a snake (from its hiss):--serpent.
see HEBREW for 05172
נָחָשׁ (na.chash) — serpent.
1) serpent, snake
1a) serpent
1b) image (of serpent)
1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
זָחַל (zachal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to crawl or shrink back, with implications of fear. It appears primarily in the context of crawling or creeping, and also conveys the sense of being afraid. The only Old Testament reference noted is in Job 32:6, where it relates to fear.
ref
H2119a זָחַל shrink back, crawl away H2119b זָחַל fear, be afraid
2119 zachal zaw-khal'
a primitive root; to crawl; by implication, to fear:--be
afraid, serpent, worm.
זָחַל (za.chal) — to crawl.
1) to shrink back, crawl away
1a) (Qal) crawling, creeping (participle) (meton)
זָחַל (za.chal) — to fear.
to fear, be afraid
Aramaic equivalent: de.chal (דְּחַל "to fear" H1763)
Prep | V-Qal — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHR/Vqrmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2
רָגַז (ragaz) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tremble or quake, often in response to strong emotions like anger or fear. It can describe both a state of agitation and the act of causing agitation in others. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal, Hiphil, and Hithpael, covering a range of emotional responses.
רָגַז vb. be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed
Qal quake
Hiph. cause to quake, disquiet, enrage
Hithp. excite oneself
base
H7264 רָגַז be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed .quake
. cause to quake, disquiet, enrage
. excite oneself
7264 ragaz raw-gaz'
a primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion,
especially anger or fear):--be afraid, stand in awe,
disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake,
tremble, trouble, be wroth.
רָגַז (ra.gaz) — to tremble.
1) tremble, quake, rage, quiver, be agitated, be excited, be perturbed
1a)(Qal) to quake, be disquieted, be excited, be perturbed
1b) (Hiphil) to cause to quake, disquiet, enrage, disturb
1c) (Hithpael) to excite oneself
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת (misgereth) refers to a border or rim, as well as a fastness or stronghold. It is derived from the root meaning to enclose, indicating something that serves as a margin or boundary. The term appears in contexts related to borders and strongholds, highlighting its use in describing enclosed spaces.
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת n.f. 1. border, rim. 2. fastness
base
H4526 מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת 1. border, rim. 2. fastness
4526 micgereth mis-gheh'-reth
from 5462; something enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region,
of a panel); concretely, a stronghold:--border, close place,
hole.
see HEBREW for 05462
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת (mis.ge.ret) — perimeter.
1) border, fastness, rim
1a) border, rim
1b) fastness
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
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.'
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
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
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
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)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bp
פָּחַד (pachad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to dread or fear. It encompasses being startled or filled with awe, with various forms indicating different intensities of dread. The root conveys a sense of alarm and reverence, appearing in contexts that evoke both fear and respect.
פָּחַד vb. dread, be in dread, in awe
Qal
be in dread
be in awe
Pi. be in great dread
Hiph. filled my bones with dread
base
H6342 פָּחַד dread, be in dread, in awe
6342 pachad paw-kkad'
a primitive root; to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence,
to fear in general:--be afraid, stand in awe, (be in) fear,
make to shake.
פָּחַד (pa.chad) — to dread.
1) to fear, tremble, revere, dread, be in awe or dread
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be in dread
1a2) to be in awe
1b) (Piel) to be in great dread
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to dread
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.
יָרֵא vb. fear
Qal
fear, be afraid
stand in awe of
fear, reverence, honour
Niph.
be fearful, dreadful
cause astonishment and awe
inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
Piel. make afraid, terrify
base
H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid
. stand in awe of
. fear, reverence, honour
. . be fearful, dreadful
. cause astonishment and awe
. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
. make afraid, terrify
3372 yare' yaw-ray'
a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to
frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)
fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,
terrible (act, -ness, thing).
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.
: frightening(DANGER)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.
: awesome(god)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Conjunction · verb qal third person masculine pluralHC/Vqu3mp
The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.
מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal
from, against
מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
of position, off, on the side of, on
Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
Partitively
Of time—
as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
towards, to
(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
In comparisons, beyond, above
מן is prefixed to an infin.:
with causal force, from, on account of, through
after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
with a temporal force, since, after
Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
In compounds:
base
H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against
. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
. of position, off, on the side of, on
. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
. Partitively
. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
. towards, to
. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
. In comparisons, beyond, above
. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through
. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
. with a temporal force, since, after
. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
4480 min min
or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)
{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;
hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as
follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason
of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,
since, X then, through, X whether, with.
see HEBREW for 04482
מִן־ (min) — from.
prep
1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than
1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of
1b) out of
1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)
1b2) (of material from which something is made)
1b3) (of source or origin)
1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)
1d) from, since, after (of time)
1e) than, more than (in comparison)
1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or
1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)
1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)
conj
2) that
Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
מֵן (men) — portion.
n.m.
portion
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
