Numbers 24:20 — Word Study
WLCוַיַּרְא֙ אֶת־ עֲמָלֵ֔ק וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר רֵאשִׁ֤ית גּוֹיִם֙ עֲמָלֵ֔ק וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹ עֲדֵ֥י אֹבֵֽד׃
BSAThen Balaam sawrâʼâh▸ [looked upon, gazed at] AmalekʻĂmâlêq [a descendant of Esau, enemy of Israel] and lifted upnâsâʼ▸ [raised, proclaimed] an oraclemâshâl [proverb, prophetic utterance] sayingʼâmar▸ AmalekʻĂmâlêq was firstrêʼshîyth [is considered, chief, primary] among the nationsgôwy [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples] but his endʼachărîyth [latter part, final destiny] [is] destructionʼôbêd [shall be, perishing, ruin, being completely undone]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּרְא֙ | and he saw | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| עֲמָלֵ֔ק | Amalek | Noun proper |
| וַיִּשָּׂ֥א | and he lifted up | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מְשָׁל֖וֹ | oracle his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַיֹּאמַ֑ר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| רֵאשִׁ֤ית | [was the] first of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| גּוֹיִם֙ | [the] nations | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| עֲמָלֵ֔ק | Amalek | Noun proper |
| וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹ | and end its | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| עֲדֵ֥י | [will be] to | Preposition |
| אֹבֵֽד׃ | destruction | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.” |
| KJV | ¶ And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. |
| ASV | And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction. |
| YLT | And he seeth Amalek, and taketh up his simile, and saith: 'A beginning of the Goyim [is] Amalek; And his latter end — for ever he perisheth.' |
| WEB | He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall come to destruction.” |
| BBE | Then, turning his eyes to Amalek, he went on with his story and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his part will be destruction for ever. |
Where they part company is in stylistic choices, but the essential meaning remains consistent across translations.
The structure is straightforward, with a main clause followed by a declaration, indicating Balaam's prophetic role.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעֲמָלֵק
verbרָאָה
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 — Numbers 24:20
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 — Balaam's Oracle Concerning Amalekgenerated
Numbers 24:20 presents Balaam's prophetic declaration about Amalek, a significant enemy of Israel. This oracle is part of a series of prophecies Balaam delivers regarding various nations. The mention of Amalek highlights the tension between Israel and this tribe, emphasizing their historical enmity as seen throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in Exodus 17:8-16.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 17:8–16 | After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. |
| 2 | Judges 6:3 | Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 14:48 | He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 15:3–8 | Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 27:8–9 | Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֲמָלֵק, 'a.ma.Lekgenerated
The verb רָאָה (ra'ah) means 'to see' and encompasses a range of visual actions, from literal sight to figurative understanding. In this context, it indicates Balaam's perception of Amalek, which is significant as it sets the stage for the ensuing oracle.
The use of עֲמָלֵק (Amalek) identifies a specific group known for their opposition to Israel. The phrase indicates not only their identity but also their role in the larger narrative of Israel's history.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is וַיַּרְא֙ (and he saw), which governs the sentence. It is followed by the object עֲמָלֵ֔ק (Amalek), and then the action of lifting up an oracle, which introduces the prophetic statement.
The structure emphasizes Balaam's observation first, leading directly into his declaration about Amalek, which is crucial for understanding the prophetic context.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עֲמָלֵק as αμαληκ, maintaining the identity of the tribe. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, indicating the continuity of the narrative across translations.
The Greek verb ἰδὼν captures the act of seeing, paralleling the Hebrew verb רָאָה, which underscores Balaam's prophetic vision.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 24:20 tells us that Balaam saw Amalek and declared that Amalek, though first among the nations, would ultimately face destruction. This highlights the ongoing conflict between Amalek and Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Balaam's oracle states that Amalek was first among the nations but will face destruction, highlighting their significant yet doomed position.
Amalek is significant as a persistent enemy of Israel, representing opposition to God's chosen people throughout the Old Testament.
The word 'destruction' implies a complete ruin or end, indicating that Amalek's fate is sealed and emphasizes the consequences of their enmity towards Israel.
This verse connects to other texts, such as Exodus 17:8-16, where Amalek's hostility towards Israel is first encountered.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from Balaam's oracle about the fate of those who oppose God's people?
- How does understanding Amalek's role in the narrative help us grasp the broader themes of conflict in the Bible?
- In what ways does this passage challenge us to consider our own actions towards others?
- How can we apply the lessons from Amalek's fate in our lives today?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Ambrose of Milan references this verse to discuss the fate of Amalek, emphasizing the theme of destruction in his commentary.
In the book also, which is titled On Numbers, Scripture says: 'The beginning of the nations is Amalek, and his seed shall perish' (Num. XXIV, 20).Early Church Fathers on Numbers 24 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 24:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd when he looked on Amalek,.... The country of Amalek, which lay to the south of the land of Canaan, Numbers 13:29 and which Balaam had a view of from the mountain of Peor, where he now was: and he
Read John Gill on Numbers 24 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. Amalek was the first of the nations.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 24 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe looked from the top of Pisgah, which was exceeding high, and gave him the prospect of parts of all these kingdoms. The first, Heb. the first-fruits; so called either, 1. Because they were the first of all the neighbouring nations which were embodied together in one government. Or, 2. Because they were the most powerful and eminent of them, as is implied above, , the best things in each kind being oft signified by the name of first-fruits. Or, 3. Because he was the first who fought against Israel, and was vanquished by them, in that famous battle Exodus 17, which victory was an earnest and first-fruits of that large harvest of victories which the Israelites should in due time get over all…
Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 24 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsNumbers 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.Ver. 20. First of the nations.] Or, Principal See Numbers 24:7.
Read John Trapp on Numbers 24 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(20) And when he looked on Amalek . . . —From the. mountain of Peor, on which Balaam then stood, he had a view of the country of the Amalekites, which lay to the south of the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:29; Genesis 36:12). Amalek was the first of the nations.—The ancestor of the Amalekites was Eliphaz, the son of Esau (Genesis 36:12). It has been supposed that the Amalekites separated themselves at a very early period from the rest of the Edomites. The word reshith, which is here rendered “first,” may denote priority in rank, but more frequently denotes priority in time. The corresponding word in the second clause of the verse, aharith (latter end), may be thought to denote that the…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Numbers 24 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 20. Amalek was the first of the nations] The most ancient and most powerful of all the nations or states then within the view of Balaam; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever, or his posterity אחריתו acharitho, shall be destroyed, or shall utterly fail. This oracle began to be fulfilled by Saul, 1 Samuel 15:7-8, who overthrew the Amalekites, and took their king, Agag, prisoner. Afterwards they were nearly destroyed by David, 1 Samuel 27:8, and they were finally exterminated by the sons of Simeon in the days of Hezekiah, 1 Chronicles 4:41-43; since that time they have ceased to exist as a people, and now no vestige of them remains on the face of the earth; so completely…
Read AdamClarke on Numbers 24 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20. The utterance on Amalek. And he saw Amalek] The country of the Amalekites and that of the Kenites (Numbers 24:21) might be just visible from the Moabite hills, lying far to the south and south-west. the first of the nations] i.e. the choicest; Heb. rê’shîth. Cf. Numbers 18:12. There is no historical evidence that the Amalekites ever occupied a high position among the nations (see on Numbers 24:7).
Read Cambridge on Numbers 24 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhen he looked - i. e., in spirit, as he saw the Star Numbers 24:17. Amalek was the first of the nations - Rather, is pre-eminent among the neighboring nations: compare the same expression in Amos 6:1.
Read Albert Barnes on Numbers 24 →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
Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall come to destruction.”
Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish.”
Tyndale line
¶ And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction.
And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction.
And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be that he shall perish for ever.
And when he looked on Amalek, he vttered his parable, and sayd, Amalek was the first of the nations: but his latter ende shall come to destruction.
Strictly literal
And he saw Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek is the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be for destruction.
And he seeth Amalek, and taketh up his simile, and saith: 'A beginning of the Goyim [is] Amalek; And his latter end — for ever he perisheth.'
And he sees Amalek, and takes up his allegory, and says: “Amalek [is] first [among] nations, || But his latter end—destruction forever.”
And he looked on Amalek, and he took up his parable, and said, The first of nations is Amalek; but his latter end shall be destruction for ever.
Then Balaam looked at Amalek and began his prophecy. He said, “Amalek was once the greatest of nations, but his final end will be destruction.”
From the Latin
And when he saw Amalec, he took up his parable, and said: Amalec the beginning of nations, whose latter ends shall be destroyed.
Simplified
Balaam turned his attention to the Amalekites and gave this declaration about them, saying, “Amalek was first among the nations, but they will end up being destroyed.”
Then, turning his eyes to Amalek, he went on with his story and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his part will be destruction for ever.
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 and the Septuagint align closely, with 10 out of 12 words matching. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in two words: it uses עד (until) and יאבד (perish), indicating a slight variation in the expression of Amalek's fate.
וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת־ עֲמָלֵ֔ק וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר רֵאשִׁ֤ית גּוֹיִם֙ עֲמָלֵ֔ק וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹ עֲדֵ֥י אֹבֵֽד׃
10 of the 12 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.
וירא את עמלק וישׂא משׁלו ויאמר ראשׁית גוים עמלק ואחריתו עד יאבד
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: עד (unto), יאבד (perish)
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 Numbers 24:20
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.
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
so.
See TOOLS.
Egyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws "under" or "in" which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word "cut" in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise.
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).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
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
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)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word עֲמָלֵק (*Amalek*) refers to a descendant of Esau and his descendants, who are associated with a tribe in southern Canaan. The name is interpreted as meaning 'dweller in a valley.' Amalek is first mentioned in Genesis 36:12, where he is identified as the son of Eliphaz and Timnah.
עֲמָלֵק 39 n.pr.gent. Amalek
base
H6002 עֲמָלֵק Amalek
6002 `Amaleq am-aw-lake'
probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau;
also his posterity and their country:--Amalek.
עֲמָלֵק (a.ma.leq) — Amalek.
Amalek = "dweller in a valley"
people in southern Canaan
2) descendants of Amalek
Also named: a.ma.le.qi (עֲמָלֵקִי "Amalekite" H6003)
עֲמָלֵק (a.ma.leq) — Amalek.
A man of the Edomites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.12;
son of: Eliphaz (H0464) and Timna (H8555);
brother of: Teman (H8487), Omar (H0201), Zepho (H6825), Gatam (H1609), Kenaz (H7073) and Korah (H7141H)
§ Amalek = "dweller in a valley"
1) son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah, grandson of Esau, and progenitor of a tribe of people in southern Canaan
2) descendants of Amalek
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
am'-a-lek (`amaleq): The son, by his concubine Timna, of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau. He was one of the chiefs (the King James Version dukes) of Edom (Ge 36:12,16). See AMALEKITE.
Amalek
Dweller in a valley, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12; 1 Chr. 1:36); the chief of an Idumean tribe (Gen. 36:16). His mother was a Horite, a tribe whose territory the descendants of Esau had seized.
(dweller in a valley), a son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah grandson of Esau, and chieftain ("duke," Authorized Version) of Edom. (Genesis 36:12,16; 1 Chronicles 1:36) (B.C. about 1700.)
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.
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
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
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
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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
מָשָׁל (mashal) refers to a proverb or parable, often characterized by parallelism and typically found in Hebrew Wisdom literature. It encompasses various forms such as aphorisms, bywords, and ethical maxims. The word is derived from a root suggesting superiority in mental action, indicating its metaphorical nature.
מָשָׁל n.m. proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)
base
H4912 מָשָׁל proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)
4912 mashal maw-shawl'
apparently from 4910 in some original sense of superiority in
mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of
metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem,
discourse):--byword, like, parable, proverb.
see HEBREW for 04910
מָשָׁל (ma.shal) — proverb.
1) proverb, parable
1a) proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism
1b) byword
1c) similitude, parable
1d) poem
1e) sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
רֵאשִׁית (re'shiyth) means 'beginning' or 'chief.' It is derived from a root meaning 'first' and covers concepts like the first in time, order, or rank, including firstfruits. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to primacy and importance.
רֵאשִׁית n.f. beginning, chief
beginning
first
first, chief
base
H7225 רֵאשִׁית beginning, chief . . beginning
. first
. first, chief
7225 re'shiyth ray-sheeth'
from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or
rank (specifically, a firstfruit):--beginning, chief(-est),
first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
see HEBREW for 07218
רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: beginning.
: beginning
1) first, beginning, best, chief
1a) beginning
1b) first
1c) chief
1d) choice part
Also means: re.shit (רֵאשִׁית ": best" H7225H)
רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: best.
: best
1) first, beginning, best, chief
1a) beginning
1b) first
1c) chief
1d) choice part
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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…
גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.
גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people
base
גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
base
H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
1471 gowy go'-ee
rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same
root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;
hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a
flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
see HEBREW for 01465
גּוֹי (goy) — nation.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.
People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1
§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
1c) Goyim? = "nations"
Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.
Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
na'-shunz.
See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.
The Hebrew word עֲמָלֵק (*Amalek*) refers to a descendant of Esau and his descendants, who are associated with a tribe in southern Canaan. The name is interpreted as meaning 'dweller in a valley.' Amalek is first mentioned in Genesis 36:12, where he is identified as the son of Eliphaz and Timnah.
עֲמָלֵק 39 n.pr.gent. Amalek
base
H6002 עֲמָלֵק Amalek
6002 `Amaleq am-aw-lake'
probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau;
also his posterity and their country:--Amalek.
עֲמָלֵק (a.ma.leq) — Amalek.
Amalek = "dweller in a valley"
people in southern Canaan
2) descendants of Amalek
Also named: a.ma.le.qi (עֲמָלֵקִי "Amalekite" H6003)
עֲמָלֵק (a.ma.leq) — Amalek.
A man of the Edomites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.12;
son of: Eliphaz (H0464) and Timna (H8555);
brother of: Teman (H8487), Omar (H0201), Zepho (H6825), Gatam (H1609), Kenaz (H7073) and Korah (H7141H)
§ Amalek = "dweller in a valley"
1) son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah, grandson of Esau, and progenitor of a tribe of people in southern Canaan
2) descendants of Amalek
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
am'-a-lek (`amaleq): The son, by his concubine Timna, of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau. He was one of the chiefs (the King James Version dukes) of Edom (Ge 36:12,16). See AMALEKITE.
Amalek
Dweller in a valley, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12; 1 Chr. 1:36); the chief of an Idumean tribe (Gen. 36:16). His mother was a Horite, a tribe whose territory the descendants of Esau had seized.
(dweller in a valley), a son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah grandson of Esau, and chieftain ("duke," Authorized Version) of Edom. (Genesis 36:12,16; 1 Chronicles 1:36) (B.C. about 1700.)
אַחֲרִית (achariyth) means 'end' or 'after-part' and encompasses concepts like the future, posterity, and remnants. It can refer to the last time or the latter part of events, often with prophetic implications. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be behind' and is noted in various contexts, including discussions of time and lineage.
אַחֲרִית 61 n.f. after-part, end
base
H319 אַחֲרִית after-part, end
319 'achariyth akh-ar-eeth'
from 310; the last or end, hence, the future; also
posterity:--(last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most,
length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.
see HEBREW for 0310
אַחֲרִית (a.cha.rit) — end.
1) after part, end
1a) end, issue, event
1b) latter time (prophetic for future time)
1c) posterity
1d) last, hindermost
Aramaic equivalent: a.cha.rit (אַחֲרִית "latter" H0320)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while
prep.
of space
Of time
Of degree
conj.
until
While
Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus
of space
Of time
Of degree
base
H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
. conj. . until
. While
. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
5704 `ad ad
properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or
conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,
or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,
while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,
at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),
(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,
till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.
see HEBREW for 05703
עַד (ad) — till.
prep
1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as
1a) of space
1a1) as far as, up to, even to
1b) in combination
1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)
1c) of time
1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end
1d) of degree
1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like
conj
2) until, while, to the point that, so that even
Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
HR — PrepositionHR
אֹבֵד (obed) refers to destruction or a state of being wretched. It is derived from a participle form and can denote both a concrete and abstract sense of perishing. The term appears in contexts such as Numbers 24:20, where it conveys a sense of ruin.
אֹבֵד n.[m.] destruction, עֲדֵי א׳ Nu 24:20, 24 (JE; on form with abstract sense v. Ba NB 149).
done
H8 אֹבֵד destruction
8 'obed o-bade'
active of participle of 6; (concrete) wretched or (abstract)
destructin:--perish.
see HEBREW for 06
אֹבֵד (o.ved) — destruction.
destruction
N-ms — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
de-struk'-shun: In the King James Version this word translates over 30 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 4 words in the New Testament. Of these the most interesting, as having a technical sense, is 'abhaddon (from verb 'abhadh, "to be lost," "to perish"). It is found 6 times in the Wisdom Literature, and nowhere else in the Old Testament; compare Re 9:11. See ABADDON.
Destruction
In Job 26:6, 28:22 (Heb. abaddon) is sheol, the realm of the dead.