Numbers 3:20 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוּבְנֵ֧י מְרָרִ֛י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם מַחְלִ֣י וּמוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֛ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַלֵּוִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם׃

BSAAnd the sonsbên [descendants, male offspring] of MerariMᵉrârîy [a Levite, head of a family] by their clansmishpâchâh [families, tribes] were MahliMachlîy [meaning sick] and MushiMûwshîy [a Levite, son of Merari] Theseʼêl-leh [specific ones] werehêm the clansmishpâchâh [families, tribes] of the LevitesLêvîyîy [descendants of Levi] according to their familiesʼâb [house of their fathers, ancestral lines]

Word

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The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..

Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('a.vo.Tam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.

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Numbers 3:20quick helps

In a sentenceThe verse lists the clans of Merari, naming Mahli and Mushi as their sons.

Who is speakingThe narrator, detailing the genealogy of the Levites.

Where we areThis verse is part of the genealogical records in the Book of Numbers.

The hard wordמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם

Take awayThe clans of the Levites are identified by their family names.

Greek	English	Parsing
וּבְנֵ֧י	and [the] sons of	Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct
מְרָרִ֛י	Merari	Noun proper masculine
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם	to clans their	Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix
מַחְלִ֣י	Mahli	Noun proper masculine
וּמוּשִׁ֑י	and Mushi	Conjunction, noun proper masculine
אֵ֥לֶּה	these	Particle
הֵ֛ם	they	Pronoun
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת	[were] [the] clans of	Noun common, feminine plural construct
הַלֵּוִ֖י	the Levites	Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
לְבֵ֥ית	to [the] house of	Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct
אֲבֹתָֽם׃	ancestors their	Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix

Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.

3 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectהֵם 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 3:20

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 — The Clans of the Levitesgenerated

19The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

20And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.

21From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

22The number of all the males a month old or more was 7,500.

Numbers 3:20 describes the lineage of Merari, one of Levi's sons, and lists his descendants, Mahli and Mushi. This verse is part of a larger section that details the families and roles of the Levites, emphasizing their importance in the Israelite community. The genealogical records serve to establish the heritage and responsibilities of the Levites in the service of God.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 3:33	From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.
2	Exodus 6:19	The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their records.
3	1 Chronicles 6:19–29	The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers:
4	1 Chronicles 15:6	from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives;
5	1 Chronicles 23:21–23	The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.Numbers 3:33 Exodus 6:19 1 Chronicles 6:19–29 1 Chronicles 15:6 1 Chronicles 23:21–23 1 Chronicles 24:27–30 1 Chronicles 25:3

Nave’s Topical Bible — the subjects this verse is filed under

MidianitesDefeated by the Israelites under Phineas, five of their kings killed, the women taken captive, cities burned, And rich spoil takenCensusThe numbering of IsraelLevitesEnrollment of, at Mount SinaiLevitesThe MeraritesLevitesGershonites and their dutiesCampOf the Israelites around the tabernacleGershonSon of Levi

The Key Word — מְרָרִ֛י, me.ra.Rigenerated

The word בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'descendant' and can refer to a wide range of familial relationships, including grandsons and tribes. It underscores the importance of lineage and inheritance within the Israelite culture, particularly in the context of the Levitical families.

As a common noun in the plural form, it emphasizes the collective identity of the descendants of Merari. This word is foundational in establishing the family structure and roles within the community.

How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, and all translations agree on the identification of Mahli and Mushi as the sons of Merari.

Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause features the subject הֵ֛ם (hem), meaning 'they,' which refers to the clans of Merari. The structure includes a noun phrase identifying the clans and a prepositional phrase indicating their familial connections.

The sentence is organized to emphasize the lineage and roles of the Levites, with the names of Mahli and Mushi positioned prominently as the descendants of Merari.

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses the word υἱοὶ (huioi) to translate בֵּן, indicating a straightforward rendering of 'sons.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew understanding of lineage and family.

The consistency between the Hebrew and the Greek suggests a shared emphasis on familial connections and the significance of genealogy in both texts.

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 3:20 lists the sons of Merari, named Mahli and Mushi. This verse is part of a genealogy that shows the families of the Levites, emphasizing their roles and connections within Israel.

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Who were Mahli and Mushi?

Mahli and Mushi were the sons of Merari, a Levite, and their names are part of the genealogical records of the Levites.

What is the significance of the Levites?

The Levites were set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle, playing a crucial role in Israel's spiritual life.

Why is genealogy important in the Bible?

Genealogy establishes lineage, inheritance, and the fulfillment of God's promises through specific families, particularly in the context of the Israelites.

How does this verse connect to the overall narrative of Numbers?

This verse contributes to the organization and structure of the Israelite community, detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Levites as part of God's covenant people.

Reflection Questionsgenerated

What can we learn about the importance of family and heritage from this verse?
How does understanding the roles of the Levites enhance our appreciation of their service in the tabernacle?
In what ways do genealogies in the Bible help us understand God's promises?
How can we apply the principle of honoring our family lineage in our own lives?

Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 3:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the sons, of Merari, by their families,.... The third son of Levi; Mahli and Mushi; the same as in Exodus 6:19; from whom were denominated the families of the Mahlites and Mushites, who, as the

Read John Gill on Numbers 3 →

Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 3 →

CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14–20. Summary of the Levitical families.

Read Cambridge on Numbers 3 →

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

And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The sons of Merari by their families were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their clans.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi: these are the families of the Levites, according to the house of their fathers.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the sonnes of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Leui, according to the houses of their fathers.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the sons of Merari according to their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the sons of Merari by their families [are] Mahli and Mushi; these are the families of the Levites, by the house of their fathers.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi; these are the families of the Levites, by the house of their fathers.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the sons of Merari after their families: Machli, and Mushi; these are the families of the Levites according to their family divisions.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The clans coming from Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, listed clan by clan.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The sons of Merari: Moholi and Musi.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Merari's sons by family were Mahli and Mushi. These were the families of the Levites, according to their father's line.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites in the order of their fathers' houses.

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.

וּandclausenoun phrase · subjectבְנֵ֧יthe.sonsמְרָרִ֛יof.Merariprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖clansםtheirnoun phrase · predicateמַחְלִ֣י[were].Mahliוּandמוּשִׁ֑יMushiclauseclauseאֵ֥לֶּהtheseclausesubjectהֵ֛םtheynoun phrase · predicateמִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת[were].the.clansnoun phraseהַofלֵּוִ֖יthe.Levitesprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseבֵ֥יתthe.housenoun phraseאֲבֹתָֽtheir.ancestorsםtheir

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

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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all 11 words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in three words, using variations for 'clan' and 'father,' but maintains the overall structure and meaning of the verse.

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

וּבְנֵ֧י מְרָרִ֛י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם מַחְלִ֣י וּמוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֛ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַלֵּוִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word

וּבְנֵ֧יυἱοὶמְרָרִ֛יμεραριלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םαὐτῶνמַחְלִ֣יμοολιוּמוּשִׁ֑יμουσιאֵ֥לֶּהοὗτοίהֵ֛םεἰσινמִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תδῆμοιהַלֵּוִ֖יλευιτῶνלְבֵ֥יתοἴκουςאֲבֹתָֽם׃αὐτῶν

11 of the 11 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

ובני מררי למשׁפחותם מחלי ומושׁי אלה הם משׁפחות הלוי לבית אבותם

3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: משׁפחותם (clan), משׁפחות (clan), אבותם (father)

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.

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 3:20

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.

וּבְנֵ֧י and [the] sons of מְרָרִ֛י Merari לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם to clans their מַחְלִ֣י Mahli וּמוּשִׁ֑י and Mushi אֵ֥לֶּה these הֵ֛ם they מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת [were] [the] clans of הַלֵּוִ֖י the Levites לְבֵ֥ית to [the] house of אֲבֹתָֽם׃ ancestors their

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

וּבְנֵ֧יu.ve.Nei and [the] sons of H1121 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct ¶

4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Amplified meaning

descendants, male offspring

Tyndale gloss

son: child

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
HC/Ncmpc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant

Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

אַהֲרֹןAaron×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×עַמּוֹןAmmon×מְנַשֶּׁהMoses×בִּנְיָמִין(Gate of) Benjamin×רְאוּבֵןReuben×גָּדGad×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

מְרָרִ֛יme.ra.Ri Merari H4847 Noun proper masculine ¶

36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

Merari was a man in the Bible, the third son of Levi and head of a family of Levites. His name means 'bitter' and he's mentioned in Genesis as an ancestor of the tribe of Levi.

Amplified meaning

a Levite, head of a family

Tyndale gloss

Merari

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְרָרִי (Merari) refers to a son of Levi and the head of a prominent Levitical family. The name is derived from a root meaning 'bitter.' Merari is mentioned in the context of the Israelite tribes, specifically in Genesis 46:11, and is noted as the brother of Gershon and Kohath, and the father of Mahli and Mushi.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְרָרִי n.pr.m. a son of Levi, and head of a chief Levit. family

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4847 מְרָרִי a son of Levi, and head of a chief Levit. family

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4847 Mrariy mer-aw-ree'

from 4843; bitter; Merari, an Israelite:--Merari. See also

4848.

see HEBREW for 04843

see HEBREW for 04848

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְרָרִי (me.ra.ri) — Merari.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;

son of: Levi (H3878);

brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115);

father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269)

Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848)

§ Merari = "bitter"

the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

me-ra'-ri (merari, "bitter"; Mararei):

(1) The 3rd son of Levi, his brothers, Gershon and Kohath, being always mentioned together with him (Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16). He was among those 70 who went down to Egypt with Jacob (Ge 46:8,11; compare 46:26 and Ex 1:5).

(2) The family of Merari, descendants of above, and always (with one exception, for which see MERARITES) spoken of as "sons of Merari" in numerous references, such as 1Ch 6:1,16,19,29, which only repeat without additional information the references to be found in the body of this article. We early find them divided into two families, the Mahli and Mushi (

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Merari

Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16). He became the head of one of the great divisions of the Levites (Ex. 6:19). (See MERARITES.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The youngest of Levi’s three sons, born in Canaan, and head of a family of the Levites, Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16; Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:1. In the journey through the wilderness they were charged with the framework of the tabernacle, to carry from one place of encampment to another, and there set it up, Nu 4:29-33; 7:8. Twelve cities were assigned to them beyond Jordan, Jos 21:7,34-40.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

bitter; to provoke

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

בֵּןson: child×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×קְהָתKohath×מִן־from×גֵּרְשׁוֹןGershon×לֵוִיLevi×מַחְלִיMahli×מוּשִׁיMushi×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םle.mish.pe.cho.Tam to clans their H4940 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix ¶

303× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.

Amplified meaning

families, tribes

Tyndale gloss

family

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a clan or family, encompassing a circle of relatives and extending to tribes or peoples. It can also denote a class of persons, species of animals, or kinds of things. The entries highlight its various uses, including guilds and aristocrats, but do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan

clan

= guild

= species, kind

pl. = aristocrats

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan

. = guild

. = species, kind

. pl. = aristocrats

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'

from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;

figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or

sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,

kind(-red).

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 08198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.

1) clan, family

1a) clan

1a1) family

1a2) tribe

1a3) people, nation

1b) guild

1c) species, kind

1d) aristocrats

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×בֵּןson: child×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×אָבfather×מַטֶּהtribe×פָּקַדto reckon: list×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×בַּדalone: pole×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

מַחְלִ֣יmach.Li Mahli H4249 Noun proper masculine ¶

12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

Mahli was an Israelite, son of Mushi and grandson of Levi. His name also means sick, and he is mentioned in the Bible as a member of the tribe of Levi. He was the father of Shemer.

Amplified meaning

meaning sick

Tyndale gloss

Mahli

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַחְלִי (Machliy) refers to two individuals from the tribe of Levi, specifically the son of Merari and the son of Mushi. The name means 'sick' and is linked to the family of the Mahlites. He is first mentioned in Exodus 6:19 and in 1 Chronicles 6:47, highlighting his lineage and descendants.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַחְלִי n.pr.m.

Levite, son of Merari

son of Mushi, grandson of Merari

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4249 מַחְלִי . Levite, son of Merari

. son of Mushi, grandson of Merari

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4249 Machliy makh-lee'

from 2470; sick; Machli, the name of two Israelites:--Mahli.

see HEBREW for 02470

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַחְלִי (mach.li) — Mahli.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.19;

son of: Merari (H4847);

brother of: Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269);

father of: Libni (H3845H), Eleazar (H0499J) and Kish (H7027H)

Also named: mach.li (מַחְלִי "Mahlite" H4250)

§ Mahli = "sick"

1) son of Merari and grandson of Levi; progenitor of the family of the Mahlites

2) son of Mushi, grandson of Merari, and great grandson of Levi

מַחְלִי (mach.li) — Mahli.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.47;

son of: Mushi (H4187);

brother of: Eder (H5740A) and Jerimoth (H3406K);

father of: Shemer (H8106)

§ Mahli = "sick"

1) son of Merari and grandson of Levi; progenitor of the family of the Mahlites

2) son of Mushi, grandson of Merari, and great grandson of Levi

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ma'-li (machli, "a sick or weak one"'):

(1) A son of Merari (Ex 6:19, the King James Version Mahali; Nu 3:20), grandson of Levi and founder of the Levitical family of MAHLITES (which see).

(2) A son of Mushi, Mahli's brother, bears the same name (1Ch 6:47; 23:23; 24:30). Compare Ezr 8:18 and 1 Esdras 8:47.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(sick). Son of Merari, the son of Levi and ancestor of the family of the Mahlites. (Numbers 3:20; 1 Chronicles 6:19,29; 24:26) Bon of Mushi and grandson of Merari. (1 Chronicles 6:47; 23:23; 24:30)

Nave's Topical Bible

1. Son of Merari Ex 6:19; 1Ch 6:19; Ezr 8:18

2. Son of Mushi 1Ch 6:47; 23:23; 24:30

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

בֵּןson: child×מוּשִׁיMushi×מְרָרִיMerari×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×עֵ֫דֶרEder×יְרֵימוֹתJeremoth×אֶלְעָזָרEleazar×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

וּמוּשִׁ֑יu.mu.Shi and Mushi H4187 Conjunction · noun proper masculine ¶

8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

Mushi was a Levite living in Egypt and the Wilderness, son of Merari and father of Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. He is first mentioned in Exodus 6:19. His name means yielding. Mushi was a descendant of Levi and part of the tribe of Levi.

Amplified meaning

a Levite, son of Merari

Tyndale gloss

Mushi

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּשִׁי (Muwshiy) refers to a Levite, specifically the son of Merari. The name is associated with the meaning 'sensitive' and is linked to the broader Levitical lineage, being a descendant of Levi. Mushi is mentioned in Exodus 6:19 and is noted as the brother of Mahli and Jaaziah, as well as the father of Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּשִׁי, מֻשִׁי n.pr.m. a Levite, son of Merari

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4187 מוּשִׁי, מֻשִׁי a Levite, son of Merari

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4187 Muwshiy moo-shee'

or Mushshiy {mush-shee'}; from 4184; sensitive; Mushi, a

Levite:--Mushi.

see HEBREW for 04184

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּשִׁי (mu.shi) — Mushi.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.19;

son of: Merari (H4847);

brother of: Mahli (H4249) and Jaaziah (H3269);

father of: Mahli (H4249H), Eder (H5740A) and Jerimoth (H3406K)

Also named: mu.shi (מוּשִׁי "Mushite" H4188)

§ Mushi = "yielding"

son of Merari, grandson of Kohath, and great grandson of Levi

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculine
HC/Npm

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mu'-shi (mushi): Son of Merari (Ex 6:19; Nu 3:20; 1Ch 6:19 (Hebrew 4); 23:21; 24:26). There is found also the patronymic "Mushites" (Nu 3:33; 26:58).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Mushi

Receding, the second of the two sons of Merari (Ex. 6:19; Num. 3:20). His sons were called Mushites (Num. 3:33; 26:58).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(yielding), the son of Merari the son of Kohath. (Exodus 6:19; Numbers 3:20; 1 Chronicles 6:19,47; 23:21,23; 24:26,30)

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

he that touches, that withdraws or takes away

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

בֵּןson: child×מַחְלִיMahli×מְרָרִיMerari×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×עֵ֫דֶרEder×יְרֵימוֹתJeremoth×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

אֵ֥לֶּה'E.leh these H428 Particle ¶

746× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.

Amplified meaning

specific ones

Tyndale gloss

these

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these

in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

428 'el-leh ale'-leh

prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one

sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,

thus, which, who(-m).

see HEBREW for 0411

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.

1) these

1a) used before antecedent

1b) used following antecedent

Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Pron — Particle
HTm

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

דָּבָרChronicles×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×אַלּוּףtame×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×חֹקstatute: decree×תּוֹעֵבַהabomination×מִדָּה`great stature`×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

הֵ֛םhem they H1992 Pronoun ¶

553× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.

Tyndale gloss

they(masc.)

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1992 hem haym

or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from

1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)

many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,

their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.

see HEBREW for 01981

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).

they, these, the same, who

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Pron — Pronoun
HPp3mp

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

גַּםalso×כָּתַבto write×סֵ֫פֶרscroll: document×הֵ֫מָּהthey(masc.)×נָבָאto prophesy×טָמֵאunclean×מְרִיrebellion×יַ֫חַדunitedness×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תmish.pe.Chot [were] [the] clans of H4940 Noun common · feminine plural construct ¶

303× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.

Amplified meaning

families, tribes

Tyndale gloss

family

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan

clan

= guild

= species, kind

pl. = aristocrats

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan

. = guild

. = species, kind

. pl. = aristocrats

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'

from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;

figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or

sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,

kind(-red).

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 08198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.

1) clan, family

1a) clan

1a1) family

1a2) tribe

1a3) people, nation

1b) guild

1c) species, kind

1d) aristocrats

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant

Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×בֵּןson: child×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×אָבfather×מַטֶּהtribe×פָּקַדto reckon: list×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×בַּדalone: pole×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

הַלֵּוִ֖יha.le.Vi the Levites H3881 Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute ¶

291× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.

Amplified meaning

descendants of Levi

Tyndale gloss

Levi

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֵוִי (Leviy) refers to a Levite, a member of the tribe of Levi, which is the third son of Jacob and Leah. This term encompasses the descendants of Levi, who were set apart for religious duties. The word is linked to the Hebrew root for 'joining,' reflecting the tribe's special role in service to God. It first appears in Genesis 29:34.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵוִי 291 adj.gent. Levite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3881 לֵוִי Levite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3881 Leviyiy lay-vee-ee'

or Leviy {lay-vee'}; patronymically from 3878; a Levite or

descendant of Levi:--Leviite.

see HEBREW for 03878

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵוִי (le.viy.yi) — Levi.

Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34;

son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);

brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);

half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);

father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115)

Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878)

§ Levite, of Levi "joined to"

1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah

1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ngmsa

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

le'-vits.

See PRIESTS AND LEVITES.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(descendants of Levi). Sometimes the name extends to the whole tribe, the priests included, (Exodus 6:25; Leviticus 25:32; Numbers 35:2; Joshua 21:3,41) etc; sometimes only to those members of the tribe who were not priests, and as distinguished from them. Sometimes again it is added as an epithet of the smaller portion of the tribe, and we read of "the priests the Levites." (Joshua 3:3; Ezekiel 44:15) The history of the tribe and of the functions attached to its several orders is essential to any right apprehension of the history of Israel as a people. It will fall…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

All the descendants of Levi may be comprised under this name, Ex 6:16,25 Jos 3:3, (see LEVI;) but chiefly those who were employed in the lower services in the temple, by which they were distinguished from the priests, who were of the race of Levi by Aaron, and were employed in higher offices, Nu 3:6-10 18:2-7. God chose the Levites for the service of his tabernacle and temple, instead of the firstborn of all Israel, to whom such duties naturally belonged, and who were already sacred to God in memory of the great deliverance in Egypt. Ex 13:1-22 Nu 3:12,13,39-51. In the wilderness, the Levites took charge of the tabernacle…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (The descendants of Levi)

→ Set apart as ministers of religion Nu 1:47-54; 3:6-16; 16:9; 26:57-62; De 10:8; 1Ch 15:2

→ Substituted in the place of the firstborn children Nu 3:12,41-45; 8:14,16-18; 18:6

→ Religious zeal of Ex 32:26-28; De 33:9,10; Mal 2:4,5

→ Consecration of Nu 8:6-21

→ Sedition among, led by Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, on account of jealousy toward Moses and Aaron Nu 16; with 4:19,20

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

כֹּהֵןpriest×עֲבֹדָהservice×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×שַׂרruler×לֵוִיLevi×קָדַשׁto consecrate: consecate×אַהֲרֹןAaron×אֲרוֹןark×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

לְבֵ֥יתle.Veit to [the] house of H1004 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct ¶

2,049× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Tyndale gloss

place

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between

base

בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house

house

place

receptacle

of house as containing a family

household, family (592 t.)

house, including household affairs

lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards

מִבַּיִת

adv. on the inside

prep. within

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1004 bayith bah'-yith

probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest

variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,

daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as

would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),

inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,

temple, web, + within(-out).

see HEBREW for 01129

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּית (bet) — place.

place, origin, between

בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.

: home/temple/building

1) house

1a) house, dwelling habitation

1b) shelter or abode of animals

1c) human bodies (fig.)

1d) of Sheol

1e) of abode of light and darkness

1f) of land of Ephraim

2) place

3) receptacle

4) home, house as containing a family

5) household, family

5a) those belonging to the same household

5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body

6) household affairs

7) inwards (metaph.)

8) (TWOT) temple

adv

9) on the inside

prep

10) within

בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).

This name is used for a house, habitation

Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)

בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).

This name is used for a house, habitation

Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)

בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).

This name is used for a house, habitation

Read the full entry →

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

HR/Ncmsc — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant

Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

בָּנָהto build×אוֹצָרtreasure×חָצֵרcourt×פֶּ֫תַחentrance×

“and [the] sons of Merari to clans their Mahli and Mushi these they [were] [the] clans of the Levites to [the] house of ancestors their”

אֲבֹתָֽם׃'a.vo.Tam ancestors their H1 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix ¶

1,213× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.

Amplified meaning

house of their fathers, ancestral lines

Tyndale gloss

father

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָב 1101 n.m. father

father of individual

of God as father of his people

head of household, family or clan

ancestor

originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

fig. of producer, generator

fig. of benevolence & protection

term of respect & honor

specif., ruler, chief (late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1 אָב father . father of individual

. of God as father of his people

. head of household, family or clan

. ancestor

. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

. fig. of producer, generator

. fig. of benevolence & protection

. term of respect & honor

. specif., ruler, chief (late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1 'ab awb

a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or

figurative and remote application):--chief,

(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names

in "Abi-".

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָב (av) — father.

1) father of an individual

2) of God as father of his people

3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan

4) ancestor

4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person

4b) of people

5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

6) of producer, generator (fig.)

7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)

8) term of respect and honour

9) ruler or chief (spec.)

Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)

אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;

Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)

אָב (av) — father of.

The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;

son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);

Read the full entry →

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-mp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp3mp

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

רֹאשׁhead×אֵםmother×קָבַרto bury×שָׁכַבto lie down: lay down×שָׁבַעto swear×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×אַבְרָםAbraham×מַטֶּהtribe×

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.

Numbers 3:20 — Word Study

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Deep Study — Numbers 3:20

Context — The Clans of the Levitesgenerated

Cross References

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Nave’s Topical Bible — the subjects this verse is filed under

The Key Word — מְרָרִ֛י, me.ra.Rigenerated

How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Sentence Structuregenerated

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Reflection Questionsgenerated

Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse

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

Modern formal

Tyndale line

Strictly literal

From the Latin

Simplified

The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

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

The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

Lexicons — every word in Numbers 3:20