Numbers 32:36 — Word Study
WLCוְאֶת־ בֵּ֥ית נִמְרָ֖ה וְאֶת־ בֵּ֣ית הָרָ֑ן עָרֵ֥י מִבְצָ֖ר וְגִדְרֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃
BSABeth-nimrahBêyth Nimrâh [house of the leopard] and Beth-haranBêyth hâ-Rân [house of their mount] as fortifiedmibtsâr [strongly defended, walled] citiesʻîyr and they built foldsgᵉdêrâh [enclosures, sheepfolds] for their flockstsôʼn [sheep, herds]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| בֵּ֥ית | Beth | Noun proper |
| נִמְרָ֖ה | Nimrah | Noun proper |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| בֵּ֣ית | Beth | Noun proper |
| הָרָ֑ן | Haran | Noun proper |
| עָרֵ֥י | cities of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| מִבְצָ֖ר | fortification | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְגִדְרֹ֥ת | and folds of | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct |
| צֹֽאן׃ | sheep | Noun common, both singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks. |
| KJV | And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities: and folds for sheep. |
| ASV | and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran: fortified cities, and folds for sheep. |
| YLT | and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-Haran, cities of defence, and sheepfolds. |
| WEB | Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep. |
| BBE | And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran: walled towns and shut-in places for sheep. |
Where they part company is with the word מִבְצָר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause that describes the cities and a subordinate clause detailing the action of building folds.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 32:36
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 Settlement of the Reubenitesgenerated
Numbers 32:36 describes how the Reubenites established fortified cities and built enclosures for their flocks in the land east of the Jordan. This act of fortification indicates their intention to secure their new territory and manage their livestock effectively, reflecting their commitment to settling in this region.
Cross References
The Key Word — מִבְצָר, miv.Tzargenerated
The word מִבְצָר (mivtsar) means 'fortification' and refers to a strong, defended place, such as a castle or fortified city. It suggests a location designed for protection and safety, indicating the Reubenites' desire to create secure settlements.
This noun is in the masculine singular form, emphasizing a specific type of stronghold. The use of this term highlights the importance of security in their new land, as they built cities that could withstand potential threats.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the finite verb בָּנוּ, they built, which leads into two noun phrases: the first identifies the fortified cities, and the second describes the folds for their flocks. The structure emphasizes the actions taken by the Reubenites in establishing their presence.
The Hebrew word order places the fortified cities first, highlighting their significance in the settlement strategy. The following phrase about the folds for flocks supports the idea of agricultural and pastoral planning.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִבְצָר with the Greek word for stronghold, indicating a similar understanding of the need for fortified places. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the concept of security.
The LXX's use of ἐπαύλεις for גְּדֵרָה suggests a broader interpretation of enclosures, focusing on the idea of a dwelling place for livestock.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 32:36 tells us that the Reubenites built fortified cities named Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran, and they also constructed folds for their flocks. This shows their commitment to establishing a secure and productive settlement.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Building fortified cities indicates that the Reubenites were taking steps to protect themselves and their resources from potential threats.
Folds are mentioned to highlight the Reubenites' focus on livestock management, ensuring their flocks had safe enclosures.
The names reflect the geographical and cultural context of the Reubenites, with Beth-nimrah meaning 'house of the leopard' and Beth-haran meaning 'house of their mount.'
This verse illustrates the process of settling the Promised Land and the practical measures taken by the tribes to establish their presence and ensure their survival.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What steps can I take to ensure my own 'fortifications' in life, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual?
- How do I manage my resources, like the Reubenites managed their flocks?
- In what ways can I contribute to the security and well-being of my community?
- What significance do the names of places hold in my understanding of history and identity?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 32:36 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities,.... The first of these is the same with Nimrah, Numbers 32:3, and the other is the same with Betharam, Joshua 13:27, it is called in the Jerusalem Talmud
Read John Gill on Numbers 32 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep. Beth-nimrah - now Nimrin.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 32 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges34–38. Many of these towns have been identified with some probability. But the list represents a tradition very different from that in Joshua 13:15-28 , and must be ultimately derived from an earlier source, though in its present form it was probably written by a priestly writer. In Joshua 13:15-28 Reuben occupies the position which is ordinarily represented on modern maps, on the south of Gad, the dividing line between them running east from about the northern point of the Dead Sea. But in the present passage Reuben’s position is not so independent. Five of the six towns assigned to them in Numbers 32:37-38 are situated in a district about midway between the Jabbok and the Arnon, and lie…
Read Cambridge on Numbers 32 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible36. Beth-nimrah — See Nimrah, Numbers 32:3, note.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 32 →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
Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks.
Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep.
Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks.
Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities, and constructed pens for their flocks.
Tyndale line
And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities: and folds for sheep.
and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran: fortified cities, and folds for sheep.
and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran: fenced cities, and folds for sheep.
And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fortified cities: and folds for sheep.
And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, defenced cities: also sheepe foldes.
Strictly literal
and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-haran, strong cities, and sheepfolds.
and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-Haran, cities of defence, and sheepfolds.
and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-Haran, cities of defense, and sheepfolds.
And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fortified cities, and folds for flocks,
Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities with pens for sheep.
From the Latin
And Bethnemra, and Betharan, fenced cities, and folds for their cattle.
Simplified
Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified towns, and they built stone walls for their flocks.
And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran: walled towns and shut-in places for sheep.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which differs by one word, using גדרות instead of גְּדֵרָה. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the MT, although some words were restored by editors.
וְאֶת־ בֵּ֥ית נִמְרָ֖ה וְאֶת־ בֵּ֣ית הָרָ֑ן עָרֵ֥י מִבְצָ֖ר וְגִדְרֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃
6 of the 10 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.
ואת בית נמרה ואת בית הרן ערי מבצר וגדרות צאן
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: גדרות (heap of stones)
[ואת] [בית] [נמרה] [ואת] בית הרן ערי מבצר וגדרת צאן
5 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
[ואת] [בית] [נמרה] [ואת] [בית] [הרן] [ערי] [מבצר] [וגדרות] [צואן]
nothing on the leather here — 10 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 32:36
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.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
בֵּית נִמְרָה n.pr.loc. E. of Jordan, in Gad (place of leopard)
base
H1039 בֵּית נִמְרָה E. of Jordan, in Gad (place of leopard)
1039 Beyth Nimrah bayth nim-raw'
from 1004 and the feminine of 5246; house of (the) leopard;
Beth-Nimrah, a place east of the Jordan:--Beth-Nimrah. Compare
5247.
see HEBREW for 01004
see HEBREW for 05246
see HEBREW for 05247
בֵּית נִמְרָה (bet nim.rah) — Beth-nimrah.
Beth-Nimrah = "house of the leopard"
a place east of the Jordan in Gad
Also named: nim.rah (נִמְרָה "Nimrah" H5247)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
Beth
Occurs frequently as the appellation for a house, or dwelling-place, in such compounds as the words immediately following:
the most general word for a house or habitation. It has the special meaning of a temple or house of worship Beth is more frequently employed in compound names of places than any other word.
House, forms a part of many compounds names of places, and sometimes means the place or dwelling; and at others the temple. This word becomes Beit in modern Arabic.
בֵּית נִמְרָה n.pr.loc. E. of Jordan, in Gad (place of leopard)
base
H1039 בֵּית נִמְרָה E. of Jordan, in Gad (place of leopard)
1039 Beyth Nimrah bayth nim-raw'
from 1004 and the feminine of 5246; house of (the) leopard;
Beth-Nimrah, a place east of the Jordan:--Beth-Nimrah. Compare
5247.
see HEBREW for 01004
see HEBREW for 05246
see HEBREW for 05247
בֵּית נִמְרָה (bet nim.rah) — Beth-nimrah.
Beth-Nimrah = "house of the leopard"
a place east of the Jordan in Gad
Also named: nim.rah (נִמְרָה "Nimrah" H5247)
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
Nimrah
Pure, a city on the east of Jordan (Num. 32:3); probably the same as Beth-nimrah (Josh. 13:27). It has been identified with the Nahr Nimrin, at one of the fords of Jordan, not far from Jericho.
(limpid, pure), a place mentioned by this name in (Numbers 32:3) only. If it is the same as BETU-NIMRAH, ver. 36, it belonged to the tribe of Gad. It was ten miles north of the Dead Sea and three miles east of the Jordan, in the hill of Nimrim.
Nimrim, leopard; bitterness; rebellion
→ A city in the territory of the tribe of Gad Nu 32:3
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
H1028 בֵּית הָרָם in Gad = בֵּית הָרָן
1028 Beyth ha-Ran bayth haw-rawn'
probably for 1027; Beth-ha-Ram, a place East of the
Jordan:--Beth-haran.
see HEBREW for 01027
בֵּית הָרָן (bet ha.ran) — Beth-haran.
Beth-haran = "house of their mount: house of the joyful shouter"
a place in Gad, possibly "Beth Harran", one hour east of Jordan, opposite Jericho
Another name of bet ha.ram (בֵּית הָרָם "Beth-haram" H1027)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
Beth
Occurs frequently as the appellation for a house, or dwelling-place, in such compounds as the words immediately following:
the most general word for a house or habitation. It has the special meaning of a temple or house of worship Beth is more frequently employed in compound names of places than any other word.
House, forms a part of many compounds names of places, and sometimes means the place or dwelling; and at others the temple. This word becomes Beit in modern Arabic.
H1028 בֵּית הָרָם in Gad = בֵּית הָרָן
1028 Beyth ha-Ran bayth haw-rawn'
probably for 1027; Beth-ha-Ram, a place East of the
Jordan:--Beth-haran.
see HEBREW for 01027
בֵּית הָרָן (bet ha.ran) — Beth-haran.
Beth-haran = "house of their mount: house of the joyful shouter"
a place in Gad, possibly "Beth Harran", one hour east of Jordan, opposite Jericho
Another name of bet ha.ram (בֵּית הָרָם "Beth-haram" H1027)
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
Haran
(1.) Heb. haran; i.e., “mountaineer.” The eldest son of Terah, brother of Abraham and Nahor, and father of Lot, Milcah, and Iscah. He died before his father (Gen. 11:27), in Ur of the Chaldees.
(2.) Heb. haran, i.e., “parched;” or probably from the Accadian charana, meaning “a road.” A celebrated city of Western Asia, now Harran, where Abram remained, after he left Ur of the Chaldees, till his father Terah died (Gen. 11:31, 32), when he continued his journey into the land of Canaan. It is called “Charran” in the LXX. and in Acts 7:2. It is called the “city of Nahor” (Gen. 24:10), and Jacob resided here with Laban (30:43). It stood on the river Belik, an affluent of…
(a mountaineer). The third son of Terah, and therefore youngest brother of Abram. (Genesis 11:26) (B.C. 1926.) Three children are ascribed to him --Lot, vs. (Genesis 11:27,31) and two daughters, viz., Milcah, who married her uncle Nahor, ver. (Genesis 11:29) and Iscah. ver. (Genesis 11:29) Haran was born in Ur of the Chaldees, and he died there while his father was still living. ver. (Genesis 11:28) A Gershonite Levite in the time of David, one of the family of Shimei. (1 Chronicles 23:9) A son of the great Caleb by his concubine Ephah. (
1. The eldest son of Terah, brother of Abraham, and father of Lot, Milcah, and Iscah. He died before his father Terah, Ge 11:26- 31.
2. An ancient city called in the New Testament Charran, in the northwest part of Mesopotamia. Here, after leaving Ur, Abraham dwelt till is father Terah died; and to this old homestead Isaac sent for a wife, and Jacob fled from the wrath of Esau, Ge 11:31,32; 12:5; 24:1-67; 27:43; 28:10; 29:4. Haran was ravaged by the Assyrians in the time of Hezekiah, 2Ki 19:12; Isa 37:12. Here also Crassus the Roman general was defeated and killed by the Parthiuated on a branch of the Euphrates, in 36 degrees 52’ north latitude, and 39 degrees 5’ east…
mountainous country
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word מִבְצָר (mibtsar) means 'fortification' and can refer to a castle or fortified city. It is derived from a root meaning to 'fence' or 'fortify.' The entries indicate its use in contexts related to strongholds and defense, including a reference in Daniel 11:15.
מִבְצָר n.m. fortification
base
H4013 מִבְצָר fortification
4013 mibtsar mib-tsawr'
also (in plural) feminine (Dan. 11:l5) mibtsarah
{mib-tsaw-raw'}; from 1219; a fortification, castle, or
fortified city; figuratively, a defender:--(de-, most)
fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).
see HEBREW for 0l5
see HEBREW for 01219
מִבְצָר (miv.tsar) — fortification.
fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
גְּדֵרָה (gderah) means 'wall' or 'hedge,' and can also refer specifically to a sheepfold. It is a feminine form of the related word for enclosure, גְּדֶרֶת (ghederet). The entries indicate its use in contexts related to barriers or enclosures, particularly for flocks.
גְּדֵרָה, גְּדֶ֫רֶת n.f. wall
base
H1448 גְּדֵרָה, גְּדֶ֫רֶת wall
1448 gderah ghed-ay-raw'
feminine of 1447; enclosure (especially for
flocks):--(sheep-) cote (fold) hedge, wall.
see HEBREW for 01447
גְּדֵרָה (ge.de.rah) — wall.
1) wall, hedge
2) sheepfold (construct with 'sheep')
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural constructHC/Ncfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צֹאן (tso'n) refers to small cattle, specifically sheep and goats, and is used to denote a flock or flocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a multitude. The term appears in contexts such as Psalm 144:13, where it emphasizes the collective nature of these animals.
צֹאן 273 n.coll.f. small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
base
H6629 צֹאן small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
6629 tso'n tsone
or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root
meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or
goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock
(+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
צֹאן (tson) — flock.
1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats)
1b) of multitude (simile)
1c) of multitude (metaphor)
צֹאן (tson) — Sheep (Gate).
This name means sheep and goats
Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
shep:
1. Names:
The usual Hebrew word is tso'n, which is often translated "flock," e.g. "Abel .... brought of the firstlings of his flock" (Ge 4:4); "butter of the herd, and milk of the flock" (De 32:14). The King James Version and the English Revised Version have "milk of sheep." Compare Arabic da'n. The Greek word is probaton. For other names, see notes under CATTLE; EWE; LAMB; RAM.
2. Zoology:
The origin of domestic sheep is unknown. There are 11 wild species, the majority of which are found in Asia, and it is conceivable that they may have spread from the highlands of Central Asia to the other portions of their habitat. In North America is found the "bighorn," which is very closely related to a Kamschatkan species. One species, the urial or sha, is found in India. The Barbary…
Sheep
Are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God’s care over his people (Ps. 23:1, 2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa. 40:11; 53:6; John 10:1-5, 7-16).
“The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs.…
Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering,as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were…
Of the Syrian sheep, according to Dr. Russell, there are two varieties; the one called Bedaween sheep, which differ in no respect from the larger kinds of sheep among us, except that their tails are somewhat longer and thicker; the others are those often mentioned by travellers on account of their extraordinary tails; and this species is by far the most numerous. The tail of one of these animals is very broad and large, terminating in a small appendage that turns back upon it. It is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately, but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and also often used instead of butter. A common sheep of this sort, without the head, feet, skin, and entrails, weighs from sixty to eighty pounds, of which the tail itself is usually ten or fifteen pounds, and when the animal is fattened, twice or thrice that weight, and very…