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Numbers 27:9 — Word Study

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WLCוְאִם־ אֵ֥ין ל֖וֹ בַּ֑ת וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם אֶת־ נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְאֶחָיו׃

BSAIfʼim [in the event that, whether or not] he has noʼayin [lacking, without] daughterbath [female child, woman] givenâthan [assign, bestow upon] his inheritancenachălâh [property, heritage, legacy] to his brothersʼâch [unto, for the benefit of, male siblings, relatives, kin]

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (le.'e.chav) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 27:9quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse outlines the inheritance rights of a man who has no daughter.
Who is speakingGod, through Moses, giving laws to the Israelites.
Where we areIn a section detailing inheritance laws for the Israelites.
The hard wordנַחֲלָת֖וֹ
Take awayThe law ensures that inheritance is passed to the closest male relatives.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them › clause subjectבַּת verbנָתַן 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 27:9

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

Context — Inheritance Laws in Israelgenerated

8Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
9If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.
10If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11And if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the next of kin from his clan, that he may take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites, as the LORD has commanded Moses.’”

Numbers 27:9 is part of a broader discussion on inheritance laws, specifically addressing what should happen if a man dies without a daughter. The instructions provided aim to ensure that his property is passed on to his male relatives, thereby preserving family lineage and property rights within the community.


Cross References


The Key Word נַחֲלָת֖וֹ, na.cha.la.Togenerated

The word נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to inheritance and encompasses concepts of property, legacy, and heritage. It indicates something passed down, such as land or possessions, and is crucial in understanding familial relationships and the distribution of wealth in biblical times.

This noun is in the feminine singular construct form, indicating a specific inheritance belonging to a male individual, which emphasizes the importance of lineage and familial ties in the context of property rights.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as well as in the KJV and ASV, all of which agree on the term inheritance for נַחֲלָת֖וֹ.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם, and you will give, which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes a conditional clause introduced by וְאִם־ (and if), indicating the circumstances under which the action will take place.

The sentence flows from the condition of having no daughter to the action of giving the inheritance to the brothers, highlighting the logical sequence of inheritance rights.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נַחֲלָת֖וֹ as κληρονομίαν (klēronomian), which means 'inheritance' and aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the concept of property transfer.

This choice of word in the Greek reflects a consistent understanding of inheritance as a significant aspect of familial and social structure.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 27:9 states that if a man does not have a daughter, his inheritance should be given to his brothers. This law ensures that property and family legacy are passed on to male relatives, maintaining the family's status and wealth.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What happens if a man has no children?

If a man dies without children, his inheritance is passed to his brothers, as stated in this verse.

Why is inheritance important in this context?

Inheritance is crucial for maintaining family lineage and property rights within the Israelite community.

Are there other rules about inheritance in the Bible?

Yes, there are several laws regarding inheritance in the Torah, including provisions for daughters and other relatives.

How does this law reflect the culture of ancient Israel?

This law reflects a patriarchal society where property and lineage were passed through male descendants, ensuring the continuity of family heritage.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How does the concept of inheritance affect family relationships today?
  2. What can we learn from the way property rights are handled in biblical law?
  3. In what ways do modern inheritance laws differ from those in ancient Israel?
  4. How can understanding these laws help us appreciate the cultural context of the Bible?

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 27:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And if he have no daughter,.... Dies without any issue: then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren; and the children descending from them; that is, if his father was dead; otherwise, if he

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

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–11. A law on the inheritance of property. The Hebrews always adhered firmly to the principle that landed property must not be alienated from the tribe or family to which it belonged. In early days, inheritance by daughters was not contemplated. If a man died without children, his widow might be married to his brother in order to bear sons who should inherit the property (Deuteronomy 25:5-10; cf. Matthew 22:24). Or if a man wished to sell land, his next-of-kin had the first right of purchase (Jeremiah 32:8). And the same principle underlies the law of the Jubile (Leviticus 25:10; Leviticus 25:31). The present law is also based upon the principle, but marks a new departure in the privileges…

Read Cambridge on Numbers 27 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8-11. A statute of judgment — A statute or law, determining order in the succession of heirs to landed estates where there were no sons; namely, daughters, father’s brothers, paternal uncles, next of kin on the father’s side.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 27 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.

NETBNew English Translation2006

and if he has no daughter, then you are to give his inheritance to his brothers;

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And if he shall have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance to his brethren.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And if he haue no daughter, ye shall giue his inheritance vnto his brethren.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And if he have no daughter, ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and if he have no daughter, then ye have given his inheritance to his brethren;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and if he has no daughter, then you have given his inheritance to his brothers;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And if he have no daughter, then shall ye give his inheritance unto his brothers.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

If he has no daughter, then you must give his inheritance to his brothers.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

If he have no daughter, his brethren shall succeed him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If he doesn't have a daughter, give his property to his brothers.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And if he has no daughter, then give his heritage to his brothers.

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.

וְandclauseclauseאִםifclausepredicateאֵ֥יןthere.[will.belong].notprepositional phrase · prepositionalל֖toוֹhimsubjectבַּ֑תa.daughterוּandclauseverbנְתַתֶּ֥םyou.will.givenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseנַחֲלָת֖inheritanceוֹhisprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseאֶחָיbrothersוhis

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "וְאִם־ אֵ֥ין ל֖וֹ בַּ֑ת וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם אֶת־ נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְאֶחָיו׃" which translates to, "If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers." The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with the Masoretic Text word for word, confirming the same meaning. The Septuagint matches 6 of the 8 words from the Masoretic Text but presents them in a different order and structure, so it does not provide a direct agreement. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that include 6 words matching the Masoretic Text, but two words are supplied by an editor, indicating some textual variation. Overall, the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Masoretic Text align perfectly, while the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls show some differences in wording and completeness.

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

וְאִם־ אֵ֥ין ל֖וֹ בַּ֑ת וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם אֶת־ נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְאֶחָיו׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִם־ἐὰνאֵ֥יןμὴל֖וֹαὐτῷוּנְתַתֶּ֥םδώσετεנַחֲלָת֖וֹκληρονομίανלְאֶחָיו׃αὐτοῦ

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

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ואם אין לו בת ונתתם את נחלתו לאחיו

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q27a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ואם] [אין] [ל׳ו] [בת] [ונתתם] [את] [נחלת׳ו] [לאחי׳ו]

nothing on the leather here — 8 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — Xhev/se2a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ואם] אין ל׳ו בת ונתתם את [נחלת׳ו] לאחי׳ו

6 words on the leather — 2 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.

Numbers 27:9אִםand ifand ifאִםאַ֫יִןnotnotאַ֫יִןוֹ[belongs] t[belongs] to hiוֹבַּתa daughtera daughterבַּתנָתַןand you wiland you will giנָתַןאֵתthe object the object markאֵתנַחֲלָהinheritanceinheritance hisנַחֲלָהאָחto brothersto brothers hisאָחבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתנָחַלto inheritto inheritנָחַלאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןאָבfatherfatherאָבחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹצִיּוֹןZionZionצִיּוֹןאֵםmothermotherאֵםנַחֲלָהinheritancinheritanceנַחֲלָהזֶ֫רַעseedseedזֶ֫רַעמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁחֵ֫לֶקportionportionחֵ֫לֶקמַטֶּהtribetribeמַטֶּהעֵשָׂו(Mount) Es(Mount) EsauעֵשָׂויוֹסֵףJosephJosephיוֹסֵף
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 27:9

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

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

and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
וְאִם־ve.'im- and if H518 Conjunction · particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Amplified meaning
in the event that, whether or not
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

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

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

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

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

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

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Conj — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
אֵ֥ין'ein not H369 Noun common · masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Amplified meaning
lacking, without
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
ל֖וֹlo [belongs] to him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
בַּ֑תBat a daughter H1323 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
588× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Amplified meaning
female child, woman
Tyndale gloss
Bath (Shua)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּת (bat) means 'daughter' and encompasses a range of meanings including female child, young women, and even personifications of cities or inhabitants. It can also refer to villages in certain contexts. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and is used in various figurative senses, such as 'branch' or 'apple of the eye.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּת 587 n.f. daughter

daughter, female child

young women, women

with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

pl. = villages, after name of city

in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

ostrich

fig.

of vine = branch

as n. relat.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1323 בַּת daughter . daughter, female child

. young women, women

. with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

. pl. = villages, after name of city

. in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

. ostrich

. fig.

. of vine = branch

. as n. relat.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1323 bath bath

from 1129 (as feminine of 1121); a daughter (used in the same

wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and

figuratively):--apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter,

X first, X old, + owl, town, village.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01121

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּת (bat) — daughter.

: daughter

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

Also means: bat (בַּת ": village" H1323H)

בַּת (bat) — daughter: village.

: village

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

בַּת (bat) — Bath (Shua).

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2;

daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063);

mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

do'-ter (bath; thugater): Used in Scriptures in several more or less distinct senses:

(a) for daughter in the ordinary, literal sense (Ge 46:25; Ex 1:16);

(b) daughter-in-law (Ru 2:2);

(c) grand-daughter or other female descendant (Ex 21; Lu 1:5; 13:16);

(d) the women of a country, or of a place, taken collectively (Lu 23:28), of a particular religion (Mal 2:11);

(e) all the population of a place, taken collectively, especially in Prophets and poetic books (Ps 9:14; Isa…

Daughter

This word, besides its natural and proper sense, is used to designate, (1.) A niece or any female descendant (Gen. 20:12; 24:48; 28:6). (2.) Women as natives of a place, or as professing the religion of a place; as, “the daughters of Zion” (Isa. 3:16), “daughters of the Philistines” (2 Sam. 1:20). (3.) Small towns and villages lying around a city are its “daughters,” as related to the metropolis or mother city. Tyre is in this sense called the daughter of Sidon (Isa. 23:12). (4.) The people of Jerusalem are spoken of as “the daughters of Zion” (Isa. 37:22). (5.) The daughters of a tree are its boughs (

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The word is used in Scripture not only for daughter, but for granddaughter or other female descendant. (Genesis 24:48) It is used of the female inhabitants of a place or country, (Genesis 6:2; Luke 23:28) and of cities in general, (Isaiah 10:32; 23:12) but more specifically of dependent towns or hamlets, while to the principal city the correlative "mother" is applied. (Numbers 21:25) "Daughters of music," i.e. singing birds, (Ecclesiastes 12:4) refers to the power of making and enjoying music.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Forbidden to be wife of her mother's husband Le 20:14

→ Sold in concubinage Ex 21:7-10

→ Given in marriage by parents Jud 1:12,13; 1Sa 17:25; 18:20,21

→ Property rights of Nu 27:1-11; 36; Jos 17:3-6; Ru 4:3

→ Used also for granddaughter Ge 36:2

and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
וּנְתַתֶּ֥םu.ne.ta.Tem and you will give H5414 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine plural
2,011× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Amplified meaning
assign, bestow upon
Tyndale gloss
to give: give
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set

Qal 1917

give

Put, set

Make, constitute

Niph.

82be given

Be put, set

Hoph.

be given, bestowed

= be given to one for wife

be put upon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give

. Put, set

. Make, constitute

. . be given

. Be put, set

. . . be given, bestowed

. = be given to one for wife

. be put upon

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5414 nathan naw-than'

a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of

application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,

assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,

hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +

cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X

without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),

grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),

(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,

occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X

pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send

(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,

strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,

turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)

God, yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.

: give/deliver/send/produce

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend

1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate

1a3) to make, constitute

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned

1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up

1c2) to be put upon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.

: put/set/apppoint

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-2mp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine plural
Hc/Vqq2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(nathan, yahabh, sum; didomi): "Give" is a very common word in the Old Testament. It is most frequently the translation of nathan, "to give" (Ge 1:29; 3:6; Ex 2:9; De 18,20, etc., over 800 instances); nathan is also translated "to give up" (De 23:14; Isa 43:6; Ho 11:8); of yahabh, "to give" (Ge 30:1; 1Ch 16:28 the King James Version). In Ps 55:22 we have the perfect with suffix, "Cast thy burden upon Yahweh," margin "what he hath given thee"; elsewhere it is…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
נַחֲלָת֖וֹna.cha.la.To inheritance his H5159 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
222× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Amplified meaning
property, heritage, legacy
Tyndale gloss
inheritance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to concepts of possession and inheritance, encompassing property, shares, and heritage. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is used in the context of estates and heirlooms. The entries consistently highlight its relation to ownership and inheritance without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַחֲלָה 224 n.f. possession, property, inheritance

property

portion, share

inheritance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5159 נַחֲלָה possession, property, inheritance . property

. portion, share

. inheritance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5159 nachalah nakh-al-aw'

from 5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something

inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an

heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or

portion:--heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession.

Compare 5158.

see HEBREW for 05157

see HEBREW for 05158

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַחֲלָה (na.cha.lah) — inheritance.

1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage

1a) property

1b) portion, share

1c) inheritance, portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

and if not [belongs] to him a daughter and you will give the object marker inheritance his to brothers his
לְאֶחָיו׃le.'e.chav to brothers his H251 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
630× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Amplified meaning
unto, for the benefit of, male siblings, relatives, kin
Tyndale gloss
brother: male-sibling
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָח 630 n.m. brother

brother, born of same mother (& father)

indef. = relative

fig. of resemblance

in phr. one … another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H251 אָח brother

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

251 'ach awkh

a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of

literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance

(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.

Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.

: male-sibling

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.

: male-relative

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.

: compatriot

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

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

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

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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