Menu

Numbers 35:20 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְאִם־ בְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּ אֽוֹ־ הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ עָלָ֛יו בִּצְדִיָּ֖ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃

BSALikewise, ifʼim anyone maliciouslysinʼâh [with hatred, maliciously] pushes anotherHâdaph [thrusts, drives away] orʼôw intentionallytsᵉdîyâh [with ill design] throws an objectshâlak [hurls, casts] at himʻal [upon him, against him] and kills himmûwth [causes his death, results in his dying]

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 35
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 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 (vai.ya.Mot) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 35:20quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse outlines the consequences for someone who acts with malice, either by pushing another or throwing an object at him.
Who is speakingThe speaker is the lawgiver, conveying legal principles regarding violence.
Where we areThis verse is part of a legal framework concerning murder and manslaughter.
The hard wordבְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה
Take awayMalicious intent leads to severe consequences.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them › clause verbשָׁלַךְ 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 35:20

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 — Laws Concerning Unintentional Killinggenerated

19The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him.
20Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him,
21or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.
22But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally,

Numbers 35:20 is part of a section that addresses the laws regarding murder and manslaughter, emphasizing the distinction between intentional and unintentional acts. The surrounding verses highlight the seriousness of malicious actions and the consequences that follow, illustrating the importance of intent in the application of justice.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 4:5–8but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
22 Samuel 3:27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
32 Samuel 13:22–28And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar.
42 Samuel 20:10Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
51 Kings 2:5–6Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

The Key Word בְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה, be.sin.'Ahgenerated

The word שִׂנְאָה (sin'ah) means hatred and is derived from the root meaning to hate. It encompasses a strong aversion or hostility towards someone or something, applicable in both human and divine contexts.

In this verse, it signifies the malicious intent behind the action of pushing or throwing, indicating that such actions are not merely accidents but are driven by a deliberate desire to harm.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase in hatred.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in this verse is יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּ (he will push him), which governs the actions described. The structure includes clauses that detail the conditions under which these actions occur, emphasizing the relationship between intent and consequence.

The verse is constructed with a conditional clause introduced by וְאִם־ (and if), followed by the actions of pushing and throwing, culminating in the outcome of death.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה as ἔξθραν, indicating a focus on the aspect of hatred. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly different nuance in the Greek context.

The Greek word used for הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ is ἐπιρρίψῃ, which emphasizes the act of throwing, paralleling the Hebrew meaning while potentially expanding the interpretation of intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 35:20 explains that if someone intentionally pushes or throws something at another person out of hatred and causes that person's death, there are serious consequences. This verse emphasizes the importance of intent in acts of violence.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to act with hatred?

Acting with hatred means to have a deliberate intent to harm someone, which is a serious offense according to the law.

How does this verse distinguish between intentional and unintentional actions?

This verse specifically addresses actions taken with malice, highlighting that intent plays a crucial role in determining guilt.

What are the consequences for someone who acts maliciously?

The consequences include being held accountable for murder, as the law requires the avenger of blood to execute justice.

How does this law reflect on the value of human life?

This law underscores the seriousness of taking a life and the need for justice to be served when malice is involved.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I guard against acting out of hatred in my own life?
  2. How can understanding the intent behind actions help in resolving conflicts?
  3. What steps can be taken to promote peace and prevent violence in our communities?
  4. How does this verse challenge me to reflect on my own intentions and actions towards others?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 35:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But if he thrust him of hatred,.... Or, "and if" (r), since the Scripture is still speaking of such that shall die for murder, though in another instance, without having the privilege of a city of

Read John Gill on Numbers 35 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 35 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) But if he thrust him . . . —Better, And if . . .That he die.—Better, that he died. So in Numbers 35:21-23.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Numbers 35 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20. thrust him] i.e. pushed him, in such a way as to cause his death; e.g. over a cliff, or off the roof of a house.

Read Cambridge on Numbers 35 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

THE , Numbers 35:16-21. 16-21. If any person has struck another with an instrument of iron, as an axe or hammer, or with a stone, literally, a stone of the hand, that is, large enough to fill the

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 35 →

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

Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled something at him while lying in wait, so that he died,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him,

NETBNew English Translation2006

“But if he strikes him out of hatred or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died,

RVARevised Version, American1894

And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But if he shall thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying in wait, that he die.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But if hee thrust him of hate, or hurle at him by laying of wait, that he die,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And if he thrust at him out of hatred, or hurl at him intentionally, so that he die,

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And if in hatred he thrust him through, or hath cast [anything] at him by lying in wait, and he dieth;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And if he pushes him in hatred, or has cast [anything] at him by lying in wait, and he dies,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And if he push against him out of hatred, or he have hurled at him [any thing] by lying in wait, that he die;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

If he strikes another in hatred or throws something at him, while hiding to ambush him, so that the victim dies,

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

If through hatred any one push a man, or fling any thing at him with ill design:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Similarly, if anyone hates someone and knocks them down or deliberately throws something at them, and they're killed;

BBEBible in Basic English1949

If in his hate he put a sword through him, or waiting secretly for him sent a spear or stone at him, causing his death;

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.

וְandclauseאִםifclauseclauseclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinשִׂנְאָ֖הhatredverbיֶהְדָּפֶ֑heobjectנּוּwill.push.himאֽוֹorclauseverbהִשְׁלִ֥יךְhe.threwprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלָ֛יonוhimprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּwithצְדִיָּ֖הlying.in.waitוַandclauseverbיָּמֹֽתhe.died

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 eight words in a word-for-word correspondence. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by one word, using יחדיפנו (push) instead of the Masoretic יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּ. The Dead Sea Scrolls show a similar structure but include some restored words, indicating minor variations.

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

וְאִם־ בְּשִׂנְאָ֖ה יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּ אֽוֹ־ הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ עָלָ֛יו בִּצְדִיָּ֖ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִם־ἐὰνבְּשִׂנְאָ֖הἔξθρανיֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּαὐτὸνאֽוֹ־καὶהִשְׁלִ֥יךְἐπιρρίψῃעָלָ֛יוαὐτὸνבִּצְדִיָּ֖הἐνέδρουוַיָּמֹֽת׃ἀποθάνῃ

8 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 בשׂנאה יחדיפנו או השׁליך עליו בצדיה וימת

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: יחדיפנו (push)

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

[ואם] [בשנאה] [יהדפ׳נו] [או] השליך [עלי׳ו] [כלי] [וימות] בצדיה

1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 7 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 35:20אִםand ifand ifאִםשִׂנְאָהin hatredin hatredשִׂנְאָההָדַףhe will pushe will push hiהָדַףאוֹororאוֹשָׁלַךְhe threwhe threwשָׁלַךְעַלon himon himעַלצְדִיָּהwith lying with lying in wצְדִיָּהמוּתand he diedand he diedמוּתשָׂנֵאto hateto hateשָׂנֵאצָדָהto ambushto ambushצָדָהאַוָּהdesiredesireאַוָּהעַלheightheightעַלחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁאַהֲבָהloveloveאַהֲבָהקִנְאָהjealousyjealousyקִנְאָהשָׁלַךְto throwto throwשָׁלַךְאוֹororאוֹשְׁתִיwarpwarpשְׁתִיעֵ֫רֶבracial-mixracial-mixעֵ֫רֶבנְבֵלָהcarcasscarcassנְבֵלָהבּוֹרpitpitבּוֹרכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּארָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַר
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 35:20

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.

and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
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.
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 in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
בְּשִׂנְאָ֖הbe.sin.'Ah in hatred H8135 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to hate or have hatred towards someone or something. It can describe the hatred people have towards God or towards each other, and it appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
with hatred, maliciously
Tyndale gloss
hating
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׂנְאָה (sin'ah) refers to the concepts of hating and hatred. It encompasses the idea of intense dislike, applicable to both human and divine contexts. The word is derived from a root meaning to hate, and its usage is noted in various instances throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׂנְאָה n.f. hating, hatred

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8135 שִׂנְאָה hating, hatred

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8135 sin'ah sin-aw'

from 8130; hate:--+ exceedingly, hate(-ful, - red).

see HEBREW for 08130

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׂנְאָה (sin.ah) — hating.

1) hating, hatred, hate

1a) hatred

1a1) of man, God

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hatred

Among the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). Altogether different is the meaning of the word in Deut. 21:15; Matt. 6:24; Luke 14:26; Rom. 9:13, where it denotes only a less degree of love.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Against iniquity, justified Ps 97:10; 101:3; 119:104,128,163; 139:21,22

→ Of God Ps 5:5; 45:7; Mal 2:16

→ SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Le 19:17; Ps 25:19; 35:19; Pr 10:12,18; 15:17; 26:24-26; Mt 5:43,44; 6:15; 10:22; Joh 15:18,19,23-25; 17:14; Ga 5:19,20; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; 1Jo 2:9,11; 3:10,13-15; 4:20

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Forbidden

Le 19:17; Col 3:8

- Is murder

1Jo 3:15

- A work of the flesh

Ga 5:20

- Often cloaked by deceit

Pr 10:18; 26:26

- Leads to deceit

Pr 26:24,25

- Stirs up strife

Pr 10:12

- Embitters life

Pr 15:17

- INCONSISTENT WITH

. The knowledge of God

1Jo 2:9,11

. The love of God

1Jo 4:20

. Liars prone to

Pr 26:28

- THE WICKED EXHIBIT

. Towards God

Ro 1:30

. Towards saints

and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
יֶהְדָּפֶ֑נּוּyeh.da.Fe.nu he will push him H1920 Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To thrust means to push away or down, as seen in the Bible when driving out or expelling someone, like in the book of Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
thrusts, drives away
Tyndale gloss
to thrust
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָדַף (Hadaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to thrust, push, or drive away. It encompasses actions like casting out or expelling, and can also imply deposing someone. The entries consistently highlight its use in the context of physical force or removal.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[הָדַף] vb. thrust, push, drive

Qal

thrust, push

thrust out, drive out

= depose

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1920 [הָדַף] thrust, push, drive

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1920 Hadaph haw-daf'

a prim root; to push away or down:--cast away (out), drive,

expel, thrust (away).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָדַף (ha.daph) — to thrust.

1) to thrust, push, drive, cast away, cast out, expel, thrust away

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to thrust, push

1a2) to drive out, thrust out

1a3) to depose

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HVqi3ms/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
אֽוֹ־'ov- or H176 Conjunction
321× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Tyndale gloss
or
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אוֹ (*'ow*) primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'or,' often indicating a preference or choice between options. It can also introduce examples, express conditions, or imply alternatives. Additionally, it is associated with the noun meaning 'desire' in Proverbs 31:4. The entries reflect a range of uses, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹ 320 conj. or

sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

if perchance

once, with the juss. = except

base

[אֵו] n.m. אוֹ, Kt Pr 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי q.v.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H176 אוֹ or . sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

. introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

. if perchance

. once, with the juss. = except

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

176 'ow o

presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av

{av}; short for 185; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4);

hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:--also, and,

either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

see HEBREW for 0185

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹ (o) — or.

1) or, rather

1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred

1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle

1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or

1d) if perchance

1e) except, or else

2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

אוֹ (o) — desire.

desire

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Conjunction
HC
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
הִשְׁלִ֥יךְhish.Likh he threw H7993 Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
125× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.
Amplified meaning
hurls, casts
Tyndale gloss
to throw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁלַךְ (shalak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw, cast, or fling. It can be used literally or figuratively, covering actions like throwing away or casting lots. The Hiphil form indicates an active throwing, while the Hophal form suggests being thrown or cast. The entries collectively emphasize various nuances of throwing and casting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁלַךְ] 125 vb. Hiph. 112 throw, fling, cast

Hoph.

be thrown, cast

be cast forth, out

be cast down

metaph., be cast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7993 שָׁלַךְ Hiph. throw, fling, cast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7993 shalak shaw-lak

a primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or

figuratively):--adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off,

out), hurl, pluck, throw.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) — to throw.

1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down

1a2) to cast (lots) (fig)

1b) (Hophal)

1b1) to be thrown, be cast

1b2) to be cast forth or out

1b3) to be cast down

1b4) to be cast (metaph)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
HVhp3ms
and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
עָלָ֛יו'a.Lav on him H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
upon him, against him
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
בִּצְדִיָּ֖הbitz.di.Yah with lying in wait H6660 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to lie in wait or ambush, often with a sense of design or planning. It is used in the Bible to describe situations where someone is setting a trap for others. It appears in passages like Psalm 10:9.
Amplified meaning
with ill design
Tyndale gloss
ambush
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צְדִיָּה (tsdiyah) refers to the concept of ambush or lying in wait. It is derived from the root word for design and is associated with the idea of being in a hidden position to surprise or attack. The entries consistently emphasize this meaning without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צְדִיָּה n.f. lying-in-wait

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6660 צְדִיָּה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6660 tsdiyah tsed-ee-yaw'

from 6658; design (compare 6656):--lying in wait.

see HEBREW for 06658

see HEBREW for 06656

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צְדִיָּה (tse.diy.yah) — ambush.

lying in wait, ambushing

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wat:

1. The Substantive:

The word is used in the Old Testament both as a substantive add as a verb. In the New Testament it appears as a verb only. 'erebh, ma'arabh, mean a concealed hiding-place for purposes of sudden attack, an ambuscade.

(1) "Lie in wait": "Abimelech rose up .... from lying in wait" (Jud 9:35 the King James Version); "When they .... abide in the covert to lie in wait" (Job 38:40).

(2) "Lay wait": "They compassed him in, and laid wait for him" (Jud 16:2).

2. The Verb:

(1) sharath, "to serve," "to minister," to act in the capacity of servant or attendant: "These waited on the king" (2Ch 17:19). Used especially in this sense with regard to the ceremonial service…

and if in hatred he will push him or he threw on him with lying in wait and he died
וַיָּמֹֽת׃vai.ya.Mot and he died H4191 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
840× 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 to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Amplified meaning
causes his death, results in his dying
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate