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Numbers 24:22 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּ֥י אִם־ יִהְיֶ֖ה לְבָ֣עֵֽר קָ֑יִן עַד־ מָ֖ה אַשּׁ֥וּר תִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּ׃

BSAYetkîy KainQayin [the Kenite, a tribe related to Cain] will behâyâh destroyedbâʻar [wasted, burned down] whenʻad AsshurʼAshshûwr [the ancestor of the Assyrians] takes you captiveshâbâh [as a prisoner of war, into exile]

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 24
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 22 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 (tish.Be.ka) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 24:22quick helps
In a sentenceBalaam prophesies the destruction of Kain when Asshur takes him captive.
Who is speakingBalaam, delivering an oracle concerning the Kenites.
Where we areThis verse is part of a series of oracles concerning various nations.
The hard wordלְבָעֵֽר
Take awayDestruction is foretold for Kain, linked to captivity by Asshur.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectקַיִן verbהָיָה 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 — Numbers 24:22

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 Oraclesgenerated

21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
22Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

Numbers 24:22 occurs within Balaam's prophetic declarations, where he addresses the fate of various nations, specifically the Kenites. This oracle highlights the impending destruction of Kain, a tribe associated with Cain, indicating a significant judgment tied to their future under Assyrian dominance. The context emphasizes the themes of divine sovereignty and the consequences of actions among the nations surrounding Israel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 10:11From that land he went forth into Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah,
2Ezra 4:2they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.”
3Psalm 83:8Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah
4Hosea 14:3Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.”

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

until Asshur shall carry thee away captiveGenesis 10:11 Ezra 4:2 Psalm 83:8 Hosea 14:3

The Key Word לְבָעֵֽר, le.Va.'ergenerated

The Hebrew word לְבָעֵֽר (le.Va.'er) is a piel infinitive construct of the root בָּעַר (ba'ar), which means to burn or consume. In this context, it conveys the idea of being destroyed or burned down, suggesting a total annihilation rather than a mere defeat.

The verb form indicates an action that will occur, emphasizing the certainty of Kain's destruction when Asshur takes them captive. This word choice reflects the intensity of the impending judgment, underscoring the gravity of the situation for the Kenites.


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 יִהְיֶ֖ה (it will become), which governs the entire clause. The structure of the verse is built around this verb, indicating what will happen to Kain as a result of Asshur's actions.

The sentence features a conjunction phrase that introduces the condition of Kain's destruction, followed by a series of clauses that elaborate on the circumstances surrounding this event, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew לְבָעֵֽר is rendered as βεωρ, which suggests a focus on the consuming aspect of destruction. This choice reflects a narrower interpretation, emphasizing the act of burning rather than the broader concept of being destroyed.

The translation choices in the Septuagint indicate an interpretive approach that aligns with the themes of judgment and destruction found in the original Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 24:22 tells us that Kain, a tribe related to Cain, will face destruction when Asshur takes them captive. This prophecy emphasizes the fate of the Kenites in the context of Balaam's oracles, highlighting the consequences of their actions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the prophecy about Kain mean?

The prophecy indicates that Kain, a tribe associated with Cain, will be destroyed as a consequence of Asshur's actions, reflecting the judgment that will come upon them.

Who is Asshur?

Asshur is the ancestor of the Assyrians, and in this context, represents the power that will bring destruction upon the Kenites.

What is the significance of Balaam's oracles?

Balaam's oracles serve to reveal God's sovereignty over the nations and the consequences of their actions, particularly in relation to Israel.

How does this verse relate to the overall narrative?

This verse highlights the theme of judgment against nations that oppose Israel, fitting into the broader narrative of Balaam's prophecies and God's plans for His people.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this prophecy teach us about the consequences of actions among nations?
  2. How can we understand the relationship between divine judgment and human choices in this context?
  3. In what ways do the themes of destruction and captivity resonate in our understanding of justice?
  4. How can we apply the lessons from Balaam's oracles to our own lives and communities?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 24:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted,.... Though they were so strongly fortified, and closely immured and surrounded with rocks and mountains, yet they should gradually waste away, as they were

Read John Gill on Numbers 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Kenite, Heb. Kain, i.e. the Kenite; so called, either by a transposition of letters, which is very usual in the Hebrew tongue; or from the name of some eminent place where they lived, or person from whom they were descended, though now the memory of them be utterly lost, as it hath fared with innumerable other places and persons famous in their generations mentioned in ancient heathen writers. Shall be wasted, i.e. shall be by degrees diminished and wasted by the incursions of divers enemies, till at last the Assyrian comes to complete the work, and carries them into captivity. For the Kenites lived partly among the ten tribes, , compared with , and partly with the two tribes, 4:16,17, and…

Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Numbers 24:22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.Ver. 22. Until Ashur.] Who, together with the Jews, carried captive all the neighbouring nations.

Read John Trapp on Numbers 24 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21-22) And he looked on the Kenites . . . —According to the ordinary interpretation of these verses the continuous destruction of the Kenites is foretold until the Israelites should be taken captive by the Assyrians. The Kenites are included amongst the tribes whose country Abraham’s descendants were to possess (Genesis 15:19). A portion of this tribe, however (for there is no evidence that the Canaanitish and the Midianitish Kenites had a different origin), joined the Israelites, and settled on the southern border of Judah (Judges 1:16). If the Authorised Version of these verses be adopted, it is reasonable to conclude that the Kenites to whom Balaam’s prophecy referred must have been…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Numbers 24 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 22. Until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.] The Assyrians and Babylonians who carried away captive the ten tribes, 2Kg 17:6, and the Jews into Babylon, 2Kg 25:1; 2Kg 25:11, probably carried away the Kenites also. Indeed this seems pretty evident, as we find some Kenites mentioned among the Jews after their return from the Babylonish captivity, 1 Chronicles 2:55.

Read AdamClarke on Numbers 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

22. Until Asshur &c.] The Heb. can only be translated as in R.V. marg., ‘How long? Asshur shall &c.’ The words for ‘how long’ (‘ad mâh) may be a corruption of the name of some place in the east; ‘unto—shall Asshur carry thee captive.’ Asshur or Ashur is the true form of the name Assyria; cf. Numbers 24:24; Genesis 10:22; Hosea 14:3; Isaiah 10:5 (R.V. marg.).

Read Cambridge on Numbers 24 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Render, For Kain shall surely not be destroyed (literally “be for destruction”) until Asshur, etc.

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, Until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, Until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Nevertheless, the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asher shall carry thee away captive.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Neuerthelesse, the Kenite shalbe spoyled vntill Asshur cary thee away captiue.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

But the Kenite shall be consumed, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

But the Kenite is for a burning; Till when doth Asshur keep thee captive?'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

But the Kenite is for a burning; Until when does Asshur keep you captive?”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted: whither will Asshur carry thee away captive?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire when Assyria carries you away captive.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And thou be chosen of the stock of Cin, how long shalt thou be able to continue? For Assur shall take thee captive.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But Kain will be burned down when Assyria conquers you.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But still the Kenites will be wasted, till Asshur takes you away prisoner.

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.

clauseconjunction phraseכִּ֥י(dm)אִם(if)clauseverbיִהְיֶ֖הit.will.becomeprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ(into)clauseverbבָ֣עֵֽרconsumingsubjectקָ֑יִן[the].Kenite[s]clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַדuntilמָ֖הwhen?subjectאַשּׁ֥וּרAsshurverbתִּשְׁבֶּֽwillobjectךָּit.take.you.captive

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 largely agree on the wording of this verse, with the Septuagint maintaining a similar structure. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch introduces two differences: it uses the word מ (from) and תושׁבך (return), indicating a slightly different nuance in the prophecy.

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

כִּ֥י אִם־ יִהְיֶ֖ה לְבָ֣עֵֽר קָ֑יִן עַד־ מָ֖ה אַשּׁ֥וּר תִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּ֥יκαὶאִם־ἐὰνיִהְיֶ֖הγένηταιלְבָ֣עֵֽרβεωρקָ֑יִןνεοσσιὰמָ֖הπανουργίαςאַשּׁ֥וּרἀσσύριοίתִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּ׃σε

8 of the 9 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

כי אם יהיה לבער קין עד מאשׁור תושׁבך

2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: מ (from), תושׁבך (return)

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.

Numbers 24:22כִּיthatthatכִּיאִםexceptexceptאִםהָיָהit will becit will becomeהָיָהבָּעַרconsumingconsumingבָּעַרקַ֫יִן[the] Kenit[the] Kenite[s]קַ֫יִןעַדuntiluntilעַדמָהwhen?when?מָהאַשּׁוּרAsshurAsshurאַשּׁוּרשָׁבָהwill it takwill it take caשָׁבָהבַּ֫עַרstupidstupidבַּ֫עַראָשַׁרto blessto blessאָשַׁרהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאקַ֫יִןspearspearקַ֫יִןקָנָהto buyto buyקָנָהעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁלֶהָבָהflameflameלֶהָבָהכָּבָהto quenchto quenchכָּבָההֶ֫בֶלAbelAbelהֶ֫בֶלשִׁבְעָתַיִםsevenfoldsevenfoldשִׁבְעָתַיִםמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶבכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלתִּגְלַתתִּגְלַת
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 Numbers 24:22

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.

that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
כִּ֥יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
אִם־'im- except H518 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.
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
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
יִהְיֶ֖הyih.Yeh it will become H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-kum':

(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.

(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.

that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
לְבָ֣עֵֽרle.Va.'er consuming H1197 Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Amplified meaning
wasted, burned down
Tyndale gloss
to burn: burn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word בָּעַר (ba'ar) has two primary meanings: to burn or consume, and to be brutish or stupid. It encompasses actions related to fire, such as kindling and burning, as well as figurative uses like consuming guilt. Additionally, it can denote a state of dullness or lack of receptiveness. The lexicons provide various nuances, particularly in how the burning aspect can relate to wrath or destruction.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּעַר] vb. burn, consume

Qal burn

Pi.

kindle

burn

fig. consume, utterly remove

Pu. burn (i.e. be supplied with fire), of fire-jar

Hiph.

kindle

burn up

base

[בָּעַר] vb. denom. be brutish

Qal be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive

Niph. brutish, stupid

Pi. feed, graze

Hiph. cause to be grazed over

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1197a [בָּעַר] burn, consume .burn

. . kindle

. burn

. fig. consume, utterly remove

. burn (i.e. be supplied with fire), of fire-jar

. . kindle

. burn up

H1197b [בָּעַר] vb. denom. be brutish .be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive

. brutish, stupid

. feed, graze

. cause to be grazed over

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1197 ba`ar baw-ar'

a primitive root; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by

eating); also (as denominative from 1198) to be(-come)

brutish:--be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to)

eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set ((on fire)), waste.

see HEBREW for 01198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּעַר (ba.ar) — to burn: burn.

: burn/ignite

1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning

1a2) to burn, be burning

1a3) to burn, consume

1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to kindle, burn

1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to kindle

1c2) to burn up

1c3) to consume (destroy)

1d) (Pual) to burn

בָּעַר (ba.ar) — be brutish.

v denom

1) to be stupid, brutish, barbarous

1a) (Qal) to be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive

1b) (Niphal) to be stupid, dull-hearted

1c) (Piel) to feed, graze

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to be grazed over

בָּעַר (ba.ar) — to burn: destroy.

: destroy

1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning

1a2) to burn, be burning

1a3) to burn, consume

1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to kindle, burn

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
HR/Vpcc
that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
קָ֑יִןKa.yin [the] Kenite[s] H7014 Noun proper masculine
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Cain was the first child of Adam and Eve, and the first murderer, as told in Genesis. The name also refers to a place and a tribe in Palestine. The word is about a person and a place.
Amplified meaning
the Kenite, a tribe related to Cain
Tyndale gloss
Kenite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קַ֫יִן (Qayin) refers to both Cain, the eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer, and a tribe associated with Moses' father-in-law, the Kenites. The word encompasses a personal name, a geographical location in southern Judah, and a tribal identity, with connections to the meanings of 'possession' and 'smiths'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קַ֫יִן n.pr.

gent. tribe of Moses’ father-in-law

loc. in S. Judah

base

קַ֫יִן n.pr.m. Cain, eldest son of Adam and Eve

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7014a קַ֫יִן . gent. tribe of Moses’ father-in-law

. loc. in S. Judah

H7014b קַ֫יִן Cain, eldest son of Adam and Eve

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7014 Qayin kah'-yin

the same as 7013 (with a play upon the affinity to 7069);

Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in

Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe:--Cain, Kenite(-s).

see HEBREW for 07013

see HEBREW for 07069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קַ֫יִן (qa.yin) — Kain.

§ Kenite = "smiths"

n pr gent

the tribe from which the father-in-law of Moses was a member and which lived in the area between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai

קַ֫יִן (qa.yin) — Cain.

A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.1;

son of: Adam (H0121) and Eve (H2332);

brother of: Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352);

father of: Enoch (H2585)

Also named: Kain (Κάϊν "Cain" G2535)

§ Cain = "possession"

eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother

קַ֫יִן (qa.yin) — Kenite.

Ancestors of Heber (H2268H) or Hobab (H2246), first mentioned at Gen.15.19

Group of qe.ni (קֵינִי "Kenite" H7017)

§ Cain = "possession"

eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
עַד־'ad- until H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
מָ֖הmah when? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPi — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
אַשּׁ֥וּר'a.Shur Asshur H804 Noun proper
151× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Asshur was the second son of Shem and the ancestor of the Assyrians, mentioned in Genesis 10:22. The name Asshur means 'a step'.
Amplified meaning
the ancestor of the Assyrians
Tyndale gloss
Asshur
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַשּׁוּר (Ashshuwr) refers to Assyria, the ancient empire and its people, as well as Asshur, the second son of Shem. The term encompasses the region, the nation, and the descendants of Asshur. It is linked to the notion of success and is first mentioned in Genesis 10:22.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַשּׁוּר n.pr.gent. & terr. Asshur, Assyria

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H804 אַשּׁוּר Asshur, Assyria

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

804 'Ashshuwr ash-shoor'

or iAshshur {ash-shoor'}; apparently from 833 (in the sense

of successful); Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his

descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e. Assyria),

its region and its empire:--Asshur, Assur, Assyria,

Assyrians. See 838.

see HEBREW for 0833

see HEBREW for 0838

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַשּׁוּר (ash.shur) — Assyria.

§ Asshur or Assyria = "a step"

the nation, Assyria

the land, Assyria or Asshur

אַשּׁוּר (ash.shur) — Asshur.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.22;

son of: Shem (H8035);

brother of: Elam (H5867C), Arpachshad (H0775), Lud (H3865) and Aram (H0758)

§ Asshur or Assyria = "a step"

1) the second son of Shem, eponymous ancestor of the Assyrians

2) the people of Assyria

3) the nation, Assyria

4) the land, Assyria or Asshur

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Asshur

Second son of Shem (Gen. 10:22; 1 Chr. 1:17). He went from the land of Shinar and built Nineveh, etc. (Gen. 10:11,12). He probably gave his name to Assyria, which is the usual translation of the word, although the form Asshur is sometimes retained (Num. 24:22, 24; Ezek. 27:23, etc.). In Gen. 2:14 “Assyria” ought to be “Asshur,” which was the original capital of Assyria, a city represented by the mounds of Kalah Sherghat, on the west bank of the Tigris. This city was founded by Bel-kap-kapu about B.C. 1700. At a later date the capital was shifted to Ninua, or…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

second son of Shem, (Genesis 10:22) also the Hebrew form for Assyria. [ASSYRIA, ASSHUR]

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Son of Shem, and ancestor of the Assyrians Ge 10:11,22; 1Ch 1:17; Eze 32:22

→ See ASSYRIA

that except it will become consuming [the] Kenite[s] until when? Asshur will it take captive you
תִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּ׃tish.Be.ka will it take captive you H7617 Verb qal imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to take someone captive, like a prisoner of war. It involves transporting people away from their homes, often as a result of conflict or battle. The Bible uses it to describe the experiences of the Israelites.
Amplified meaning
as a prisoner of war, into exile
Tyndale gloss
to take captive
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁבָה (shabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to take captive.' It has a range of uses, including to transport someone into captivity or to lead them away. The word appears in both the Qal and Niphal stems, indicating active and passive forms of taking or being taken captive.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁבָה 47 vb. take captive

Qal take captive

Niph. be taken captive

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7617 שָׁבָה take captive

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7617 shabah shaw-baw'

a primitive root; to transport into captivity:--(bring

away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away, take) captive(-s),

drive (take) away.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁבָה (sha.vah) — to take captive.

1) to take captive

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to take captive

1a2) captive (participle)

1a3) to lead captive

1b) (Niphal) to be taken captive

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
HVqi3fs/Sp2ms
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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