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Numbers 5:28 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְאִם־ לֹ֤א נִטְמְאָה֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּטְהֹרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְנִקְּתָ֖ה וְנִזְרְעָ֥ה זָֽרַע׃

BSABut ifʼim the womanʼishshâh [has not been unfaithful, is innocent] has notlôʼ defiled herselfṭâmêʼ [made herself foul, contaminated] and is cleanṭâhôwr [pure, ceremonially clean] shehûwʼ will be unaffectednâqâh [free, cleared] and able to conceivezâraʻ [have offspring, bear seed] childrenzeraʻ [seed, descendants]

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 28 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 (Za.ra') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 5:28quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse outlines the conditions under which a woman is considered pure and able to conceive.
Who is speakingThe text describes a scenario involving a woman and her purity.
Where we areThis verse is part of the law regarding jealousy and marital fidelity.
The hard wordנִטְמְאָה֙
Take awayPurity is essential for conception according to the law.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectהִיא verbטָמֵא 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 5:28

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 Law of Jealousygenerated

27When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people.
28But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.
29This is the law of jealousy when a wife goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband’s authority,
30or when a feeling of jealousy comes over a husband and he suspects his wife. He is to have the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest is to apply to her this entire law.

Numbers 5:28 is part of the ritual concerning a wife suspected of infidelity. The law outlines the consequences of her actions and the conditions under which she remains pure and able to conceive. This context emphasizes the importance of fidelity and the implications of purity in marital relations, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations and the procedures to determine a woman's status.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 5:19And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse.
2Micah 7:7–10But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
32 Corinthians 4:17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.
41 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
5Psalm 113:9He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

and shallPsalm 113:9

The Key Word נִטְמְאָה֙, nit.me.'Ahgenerated

The verb נִטְמְאָה (nit.me.'Ah) is in the Niphal stem, indicating a passive action where the subject becomes unclean. This form is used to describe a state of moral or ceremonial impurity, emphasizing the seriousness of defilement.

This word is derived from the root טָמֵא (tame'), which covers a range of meanings related to being unclean. In this verse, it specifically refers to the act of making oneself unclean, which is critical for understanding the conditions of purity in the law.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses defiled and clean, which aligns with the KJV and ASV, maintaining the original meanings of the Hebrew terms.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The sentence structure is built around the main clause, with the finite verb נִטְמְאָה֙ (she has made herself unclean) at its center. The conditional phrase וְאִם־ (but if) introduces the conditions that follow.

The word order places emphasis on the conditions of the woman’s purity, leading to the conclusion about her ability to conceive, which is articulated through sequential verbs in the latter part of the verse.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נִטְמְאָה֙ as μιανθῇ, which suggests a focus on moral contamination. This choice highlights the translators' understanding of purity in a broader ethical context.

This rendering indicates a narrower interpretation of the Hebrew term, emphasizing the moral implications of the woman's actions rather than just the ceremonial aspects.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 5:28 explains that if a woman has not made herself unclean, she is considered pure and will be able to conceive children. This verse is part of the law regarding marital fidelity and the consequences of infidelity.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for the woman to be unclean?

Being unclean refers to a state of moral or ceremonial impurity, which can affect her ability to participate in certain religious or social activities.

Why is the woman's purity important in this context?

The woman's purity is crucial because it determines her status in the eyes of the law and her ability to conceive, which is tied to the family's lineage and blessings.

How does this law reflect on marital fidelity?

This law underscores the importance of fidelity within marriage, indicating that a woman's actions have serious implications for her relationship and family.

What are the consequences if the woman is found to be unclean?

If the woman is found to be unclean, it would lead to severe consequences, including social ostracism and spiritual repercussions as outlined in the law.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this verse teach about the importance of purity in relationships?
  2. How can we apply the principles of fidelity and trust in our own lives?
  3. In what ways does understanding the context of this law enhance our view of marital relationships?
  4. How can we support those who may be struggling with issues of trust and fidelity?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 5:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean,.... If she is not guilty of adultery, but pure from that sin: then she shall be free; from the effects of the bitter water; they shall have no such

Read John Gill on Numbers 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

She shall be free, to wit, from these bitter curses and miseries. Shall conceive seed, i.e. shall bring forth children, as the Jews say, in case of her innocency, infallibly she did, yea, though she was barren before; or shall be as capable of bearing children as other women.

Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

28. she shall be free] she shall be acquitted; proved innocent.

Read Cambridge on Numbers 5 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

28. Then she shall be free — Exempt from the curse. This required no miracle. See the Introduction.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 5 →

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

But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

If the woman isn’t defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive offspring.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she will be free of ill effects and will be able to bear children.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And if the woman is not defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But if the woman bee not defiled, but bee cleane, she shalbe free and shall conceiue and beare.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

But if the woman have not been defiled, and be clean, then she shall be clear, and shall conceive seed.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And if the woman hath not been defiled, and is clean, then she hath been acquitted, and hath been sown [with] seed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And if the woman has not been defiled, and is clean, then she has been acquitted, and has been sown [with] seed.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And if the woman have not been defiled, but be clean: then shall she remain unharmed, and she shall conceive seed.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

But if the woman is not defiled and if she is clean, then she must be free. She will be able to conceive children.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But if she be not defiled, she shall not be hurt, and shall bear children.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But if the woman has not made herself unclean by being unfaithful and is clean, she will not experience this punishment and she will still be able to have children.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But if she is clean she will be free and will have offspring.

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.

וְandclauseclauseאִםifclauseclauseadverbialלֹ֤אnotverbנִטְמְאָה֙she.has.made.herself.uncleannoun phrase · subjectהָֽtheאִשָּׁ֔הwomanוּand.[is]clausepredicateטְהֹרָ֖הpuresubjectהִ֑ואsheוְandclauseclauseverbנִקְּתָ֖הshe.will.be.freeוְandclauseverbנִזְרְעָ֥הshe.will.be.impregnatedsubjectזָֽרַעseed

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with the Samaritan Pentateuch differing only in one word: it uses הִיא instead of the Masoretic הָאִשָּׁה. This shows a minor variation in the understanding of the subject.

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

וְאִם־ לֹ֤א נִטְמְאָה֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּטְהֹרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְנִקְּתָ֖ה וְנִזְרְעָ֥ה זָֽרַע׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִם־ἐὰνלֹ֤אμὴנִטְמְאָה֙μιανθῇהָֽאִשָּׁ֔הγυνὴוּטְהֹרָ֖הκαθαρὰהִ֑ואוְנִקְּתָ֖הκαὶוְנִזְרְעָ֥הἐκσπερματιεῖזָֽרַע׃σπέρμα

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ואם לא נטמאה האשׁה וטהרה היא ונקתה ונזרעה זרע

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: היא (she)

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 5:28אִםand ifand ifאִםלֹאnotnotלֹאטָמֵאshe has madshe has made heטָמֵאאִשָּׁהthe womanthe womanאִשָּׁהטָהוֹרand [is] puand [is] pureטָהוֹרהוּאshesheהוּאנָקָהand she wiland she will beנָקָהזָרַעand she wiland she will beזָרַעזֶ֫רַעseedseedזֶ֫רַעזָרַעto sowto sowזָרַעטָהֵרbe purebe pureטָהֵראִישׁmanmanאִישׁאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶברָחַץto wash: wto wash: washרָחַץטַףchildchildטַףנָכְרִיforeignforeignנָכְרִיצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהמְנוֹרָהlampstandlampstandמְנוֹרָהטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgresstransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעכִּלְאַיִםmixturemixtureכִּלְאַיִם
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 5:28

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

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

and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
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 not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
לֹ֤אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
נִטְמְאָה֙nit.me.'Ah she has made herself unclean H2930 Verb · Niphal · perfect third person feminine singular
162× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Amplified meaning
made herself foul, contaminated
Tyndale gloss
to defile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָמֵא (tame') is a Hebrew root meaning to be or become unclean, covering various contexts such as sexual, religious, and ceremonial impurity. The noun form, טָמְאָה (tam'ah), refers to uncleanness itself. The entries indicate that the word can be used reflexively to mean defiling oneself.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָמֵא vb. be or become unclean

Qal be or become unclean

Niph. defile oneself, be defiled

Pi. defile

Pu. myself is not polluted

Hithp.—reflexive, defile oneself

Hothp. after that she has been defiled

base

טָמְאָה n.f. uncleanness Mi 2:10

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2930a טָמֵא be or become unclean .be or become unclean

. defile oneself, be defiled

. defile

. myself is not pulluted

.—reflexive, defile oneself

. after that she has been defiled

H2930b טָמְאָה uncleanness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2930 tame' taw-may'

a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or

moral sense (contaminated):--defile (self), pollute (self), be

(make, make self, pronounce) unclean, X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָמֵא (ta.me) — to defile.

1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure

1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean

1a1) sexually

1a2) religiously

1a3) ceremonially

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled

1b1a) sexually

1b1b) by idolatry

1b1c) ceremonially

1b2) to be regarded as unclean

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to defile

1c1a) sexually

1c1b) religiously

1c1c) ceremonially

1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially)

1c3) to profane (God's name)

1d) (Pual) to be defiled

1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean

1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled

טָמְאָה (tam.ah) — uncleanness.

uncleanness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVNp3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CLEAN.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Ceremonially speaking)

Creatures designated as such Le 11; De 14

→ See UNCLEANNESS

and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הha.'i.Shah the woman H802 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
781× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Amplified meaning
has not been unfaithful, is innocent
Tyndale gloss
woman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female

woman

Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

Female of animals

With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman

. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

. Female of animals

. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

802 'ishshah ish-shaw'

feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym

{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as

582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,

one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.

see HEBREW for 0376

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0582

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.

: woman

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.

: wife/widow

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.

: another

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

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

woom'-an ('ishshah, "a woman" (feminine of 'ish, "a man"]; gune, "a woman" "wife"):

I. IN THE CREATIVE PLAN

II. IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES

1. Prominence of Women

2. Social Equality

3. Marriage Laws

4. Inheritance

5. Domestic Duties

6. Dress and Ornaments

7. Religious Devotion and Service

(1) in Idolatry and False Religion

(2) in Spiritual Religion

III. INTER-TESTAMENTAL ERA

IV. IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES

1. Mary and Elisabeth

2. Jesus and Women

3. In the Early Church

4. Official Service

5. Widows

6. Deaconesses

IV. LATER TIMES

1. Changes in Character and Condition

2. Notable Examples of Christian Womanhood

3. Woman in the 20th Century

The generic term "man" includes woman. In the narrative of the creation (Ge 1:26,27) Adam is a collective term for mankind. It may signify human being, male or female, or humanity entire. "God said, Let us make man .... and let them"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Woman

Was “taken out of man” (Gen. 2:23), and therefore the man has the preeminence. “The head of the woman is the man;” but yet honour is to be shown to the wife, “as unto the weaker vessel” (1 Cor. 11:3, 8, 9; 1 Pet. 3:7). Several women are mentioned in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4, 5), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36, 37), and the daughters of Philip the evangelist…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Is spoken of in Scripture as the beloved and honored companion and helpmeet, not the servant, of man, Ge 2:23,24, created as the necessary completion of man, Ge 3:16 1Co 11:3,8,9 14:34,35 1Ti 2:11-14, yet specially qualified for that sphere, and as necessary in it as man in his. Man and woman are indeed essentially one, the natural qualities of each so responding to those of the other as to lay the foundation of the most tender and abiding unity. The Bible thus raised the Jewish woman high above the woman of heathenism; and the Old Testament contains some of the finest portraitures of female character. But still greater is the contrast between the women of heathenism and…

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Origin and cause of the name

Ge 2:23

- ORIGINALLY MADE

. By God in his own image

Ge 1:27

. From one of Adam's ribs

Ge 2:21,22

. For man

1Co 11:9

. To be an helpmeet for man

Ge 2:18,20

. Subordinate to man

1Co 11:3

. To be the glory of man

1Co 11:7

- Deceived by Satan

Ge 3:1-6; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14

- Led man to disobey God

and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
וּטְהֹרָ֖הu.te.ho.Rah and [is] pure H2889 Conjunction
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Amplified meaning
pure, ceremonially clean
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aafsa
and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
הִ֑ואhi' she H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
וְנִקְּתָ֖הve.ni.ke.Tah and she will be free H5352 Verb · Niphal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
44× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be or make clean, either physically or morally, as seen in the book of Psalms where David asks God to cleanse him. This word is also used to describe being free from guilt or punishment. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
free, cleared
Tyndale gloss
to clear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָקָה (naqah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be clean or free from guilt, and it can also imply being empty or desolate. The entries indicate that it encompasses a range of meanings, including acquitting someone of guilt, being exempt from punishment, and being purged or cleaned out. The lexicons suggest various nuances, but they consistently focus on themes of innocence and cleanliness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָקָה] vb. be empty(?), clean

Qal Inf. Abs.

Niph.

be cleaned out

be clean, free from guilt, innocent

be free, exempt from punishment

free, exempt from obligation

Pi.

hold innocent, acquit

leave unpunished

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5352 נָקָה be empty(?), clean .Inf. Abs.

. . be cleaned out

. be clean, free from guilt, innocent

. be free, exempt from punishment

. free, exempt from obligation

. . hold innocent, acquit

. leave unpunished

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5352 naqah naw-kaw'

a primitive root; to be (or make) clean (literally or

figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be

bare, i.e. extirpated:--acquit X at all, X altogether, be

blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be

free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, X by no means,

be quit, be (leave) unpunished, X utterly, X wholly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָקָה (na.qah) — to clear.

1) to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off

1a) (Qal) to be empty, be clean, be pure

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be cleaned out, be purged out

1b2) to be clean, be free from guilt, be innocent

1b3) to be free, be exempt from punishment

1b4) to be free, be exempt from obligation

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to hold innocent, acquit

1c2) to leave unpunished

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-3fs — Verb · Niphal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
Hc/VNq3fs
and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
וְנִזְרְעָ֥הve.niz.re.'Ah and she will be impregnated H2232 Verb · Niphal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To sow or plant seed is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also has figurative uses like spreading ideas or producing spiritual fruit. It appears in various forms, such as conceiving or yielding seed, and is used in biblical passages like Genesis and Psalm 107.
Amplified meaning
have offspring, bear seed
Tyndale gloss
to sow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָרַע (zara`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sow or scatter seed. It covers various aspects of planting and yielding, including the figurative sense of producing or conceiving. The root can denote actions in different forms, such as being sown or becoming pregnant. The entries indicate a range of uses, from agricultural to reproductive contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָרַע vb. sow, scatter seed

Qal

lit. sow

of shrub and tree producing, yielding seed

fig.

Niph. be sown, fructified

be sown

be fructified, made pregnant

Pu. of princes and judges under fig. of trees

Hiph.

produce seed

of a woman, = bear a child

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2232 זָרַע sow, scatter seed .. lit. sow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2232 zara` zaw-rah'

a primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate,

plant, fructify:--bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er),

yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָרַע (za.ra) — to sow.

1) to sow, scatter seed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sow

1a2) producing, yielding seed

1b)(Niphal)

1b1) to be sown

1b2) to become pregnant, be made pregnant

1c) (Pual) to be sown

1d) (Hiphil) to produce seed, yield seed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-3fs — Verb · Niphal · sequential perfect third person feminine singular
Hc/VNq3fs
and if not she has made herself unclean the woman and [is] pure she and she will be free and she will be impregnated seed
זָֽרַע׃Za.ra' seed H2233 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
229× 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 seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Amplified meaning
seed, descendants
Tyndale gloss
seed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶ֫רַע (zera`) means seed, sowing, or offspring. It can refer to literal seed, such as in agriculture, or figuratively to descendants and moral qualities of individuals or communities. The term encompasses concepts like sowing time and can denote a practitioner of righteousness. There is a consistent emphasis on both physical and moral implications of the word.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶ֫רַע n.m. sowing, seed, offspring

lit.:

a sowing

sowing as regularly recurring at its season

seed

seed = semen virile

seed = offspring

seed as marked by moral quality = persons (or community) of such a quality

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2233 זֶ֫רַע sowing, seed, offspring . lit.: . a sowing

. sowing as regularly recurring at its season

. seed

. seed = semen virile

. seed = offspring

. seed as marked by moral quality = persons (or community) of such a quality

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2233 zera` zeh'-rah

from 2232; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time,

posterity:--X carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-

time.

see HEBREW for 02232

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶ֫רַע (ze.ra) — seed.

: seed/sowing

1) seed, sowing, offspring

1a) a sowing

1b) seed

1c) semen virile

1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children

1e) of moral quality

1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.)

1f) sowing time (by meton)

זֶ֫רַע (ze.ra) — seed: children.

: children/descendants

1) seed, sowing, offspring

1a) a sowing

1b) seed

1c) semen virile

1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children

1e) of moral quality

1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.)

1f) sowing time (by meton)

זֶ֫רַע (ze.ra) — seed: semen.

: semen

1) seed, sowing, offspring

1a) a sowing

1b) seed

1c) semen virile

1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children

1e) of moral quality

1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.)

1f) sowing time (by meton)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sed (Old Testament always for zera`, Aramaic (Da 2:43) zera`, except in Joe 1:17 for perudhoth (plural, the Revised Version (British and American) "seeds," the King James Version "seed"), and Le 19:19 (the King James Version "mingled seed") and De 22:9 (the King James Version "divers seeds") for kil'ayim, literally, "two kinds," the Revised Version (British and American) "two kinds of seed." Invariably in Greek Apocrypha and usually in the New Testament for sperma, but Mr 4:26,27; Lu 8:5,11; 2Co 9:10 for sporos, and…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Ge 1:11; often used figuratively in Scripture, Da 9:1 1Pe 1:23 1Jo 3:9. There was an injunction in the Mosaic Law against sowing a field with mingled seed of diverse kinds, Le 19:19. The "precious seed" is often committed to the ground with many fears; but the harvest, at least in spiritual things, shall be a season of joy, Ps 126:5,6.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Every herb, tree, and grass, yields its own Ge 1:11,12,29

→ Each kind has its own body 1Co 15:38

→ Not to be mingled in sowing Le 19:19; De 22:9

→ Parables concerning Mt 13; Lu 8

→ Illustrative Ec 11:6; Ho 10:12; 2Co 9:6; Ga 6:7,8

→ Sowing of, type of burial of the body 1Co 15:36-38

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Every herb, tree and grass yields its own

Ge 1:11,12,29

- Each kind of, has its own body

1Co 15:38

- SOWING OF

. Time for, called seed time

Ge 8:22

. Necessary to its productiveness

Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:36

. Required constant diligence

Ec 11:4,6

. Often attended with great waste

Mt 13:4,5,7

. Often attended with danger

Ps 126:5,6

- Yearly return of time of sowing, secured by covenant

Ge 8:21,22

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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