Proverbs 30:14 — Word Study
WLCדּ֤וֹר׀ חֲרָב֣וֹת שִׁנָּיו֮ וּֽמַאֲכָל֪וֹת מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥יו לֶאֱכֹ֣ל עֲנִיִּ֣ים מֵאֶ֑רֶץ וְ֝אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים מֵאָדָֽם׃ פ
BSAthere is a generationdôwr [a period of time, a group of people] whose teethshên [sharp and cutting] are swordschereb [cutting instruments] and whose jawsmᵉthallᵉʻâh [powerful and devouring] are knivesmaʼăkeleth [like sharp knives] devouringʼâkal [to eat, consume] the oppressedʻânîy [aniyim, afflicted and humble] from the earthʼerets [the land, the material world] and the needyʼebyôwn [poor and weak] from [among] menʼâdâm [humanity, the people of Adam]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דּ֤וֹר׀ | a generation | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חֲרָב֣וֹת | [are] swords | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| שִׁנָּיו֮ | teeth its | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| וּֽמַאֲכָל֪וֹת | and [are] knives | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥יו | jaw bones its | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| לֶאֱכֹ֣ל | to devour | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| עֲנִיִּ֣ים | afflicted [people] | Adj |
| מֵאֶ֑רֶץ | from [the] earth | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְ֝אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים | and needy [people] | Conjunction |
| מֵאָדָֽם׃ פ | from humankind | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men. |
| KJV | There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. |
| ASV | There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. |
| YLT | A generation — swords [are] their teeth, And knives — their jaw-teeth, To consume the poor from earth, And the needy from [among] men. |
| WEB | There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men. |
| BBE | There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, their strong teeth like knives, for the destruction of the poor from the earth, and of those who are in need from among men. |
Translations agree on the imagery and meaning of the verse, emphasizing the predatory nature of the generation described.
The structure of the verse includes a main clause identifying the generation, followed by descriptive phrases that detail their characteristics and actions.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & 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 — Proverbs 30:14
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 — Observations on Generationsgenerated
Proverbs 30:14 describes a generation that is aggressive and harmful, using vivid imagery of teeth and jaws as weapons. This generation is depicted as devouring the oppressed and needy, highlighting their predatory nature. The surrounding verses further elaborate on the characteristics of different groups, emphasizing the moral and ethical decay present in society.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:18 | Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. |
| 2 | Job 29:17 | I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. |
| 3 | Psalm 3:7 | Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. |
| 4 | Psalm 52:2 | Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. |
| 5 | Psalm 57:4 | My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 24 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דּוֹר, Dorgenerated
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (Dor) refers to a generation or a group of people living during a specific period. It emphasizes the collective nature of people who share similar characteristics or behaviors. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, suggesting a specific group rather than individuals.
This term is often used in the Bible to reflect on the transitory nature of life and the characteristics of a particular age. It can denote both the temporal aspect of a generation and the social dynamics at play within that group.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of this verse, conveying the idea of a generation characterized by destructive behavior towards the vulnerable.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb לֶאֱכֹ֣ל, to devour, governs the structure of the verse, with two noun phrases and several clauses detailing the characteristics of this generation. The imagery is vivid, using sharp instruments to convey the violent nature of their actions.
The sentence structure emphasizes the actions of this generation, with the main clause focusing on their predatory behavior and the subordinate clauses providing specific details about their destructive nature.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the word μαξαίρας to translate חֶרֶב, indicating a focus on the cutting and destructive nature of the weapons described. This choice emphasizes the violent imagery present in the original Hebrew.
The Greek term suggests a broader interpretation of the destructive nature of this generation, aligning with the overall theme of aggression and harm towards the vulnerable.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 30:14 describes a generation that is dangerous and harmful, using sharp teeth and jaws as metaphors for their predatory behavior. They are depicted as devouring the oppressed and needy, highlighting their cruelty and lack of compassion.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This imagery suggests that the generation is aggressive and harmful, using their power to attack and consume the vulnerable.
The oppressed and needy refer to those who are vulnerable and marginalized in society, often suffering from injustice and exploitation.
This verse fits within a larger context of Proverbs that reflects on various types of people and their behaviors, often contrasting the righteous with the wicked.
It serves as a warning about the dangers of societal decay and the importance of compassion and justice for the vulnerable.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see similar behaviors in my own generation?
- How can I actively support and protect the vulnerable in my community?
- What characteristics should define a righteous generation?
- How can I cultivate compassion and justice in my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, interpreting it as a description of a generation that persecutes the Church of Christ, using the imagery of weapons to illustrate their aggression.
A generation that has swords for teeth, etc. Concerning this the Psalmist, Sons of men, their teeth are weapons and arrows, and other things (Psalm LVI). These are the persecutors of the Church of Christ.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 30:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[There is] a generation whose teeth [are as] swords,.... As sharp as swords; like such the beasts of prey have; cruel, barbarous, and inhuman creatures; see Psalms 57:4; and their jaw teeth as
Read John Gill on Proverbs 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThere is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleExtortioners, and cruel oppressors, who grind the faces of the poor.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 30:14 [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.Ver. 14. There is a generation whose teeth, &c.] These are sycophants and greedy gripers, of whom before, often, in this book. In the year 1235, there were spread through England certain Roman usurers, called Caursini, quasi capientis ursi, devouring bears, quoth Paris, who had entangled the king, nobles, and all that had to do with them. These were called the "Pope’ s merchants." Speed.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. The fourth, The greedy, cruel, and oppressive, and, especially, oppressive to the poor.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 30 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible11-14. The four classes here mentioned Agur assumes will at once be disapproved. To describe them is enough. They need no formal condemnation. Generation — Race, class. Doth not bless — Does not respect or speak well of.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 30 →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
there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.
there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords and whose molars are like knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among the human race.
Tyndale line
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw-teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swordes, and their chawes as kniues to eate vp the afflicted out of the earth, and the poore from among men.
Strictly literal
— a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw-teeth knives, to devour the afflicted from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.
A generation — swords [are] their teeth, And knives — their jaw-teeth, To consume the poor from earth, And the needy from [among] men.
A generation—their teeth [are] swords, || And their jaw-teeth [are] knives, || To consume the poor from earth, || And the needy from [among] men.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and whose string teeth are as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
There is a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jawbones are like knives, so they may devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity.
From the Latin
A generation, that for teeth hath swords, and grindeth with their jaw teeth, to devour the needy from off the earth, and the poor from among men.
Simplified
There are some who have teeth like swords, incisors like knives, ready to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from society.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, their strong teeth like knives, for the destruction of the poor from the earth, and of those who are in need from among men.
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 and the Septuagint generally agree on the content of this verse, with the Septuagint maintaining a similar structure and meaning, though the word order differs.
דּ֤וֹר׀ חֲרָב֣וֹת שִׁנָּיו֮ וּֽמַאֲכָל֪וֹת מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥יו לֶאֱכֹ֣ל עֲנִיִּ֣ים מֵאֶ֑רֶץ וְ֝אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים מֵאָדָֽם׃ פ
7 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.
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 Proverbs 30:14
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.
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (dor) encompasses meanings related to a period or generation, often emphasizing the transitory nature of life. It can refer to a specific age, a class of people living at a certain time, or a dwelling place. The entries suggest a focus on both the temporal and spatial aspects of existence.
דּוֹר, דֹּר n.m. period, generation, dwelling
period, age, generation, mostly poet.
of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
dwelling-place, habitation
base
H1755 דּוֹר, דֹּר period, generation, dwelling . period, age, generation, mostly poet.
. of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
. generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
. dwelling-place, habitation
1755 dowr dore
or (shortened) dor {dore}; from 1752; properly, a revolution
of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling:--age, X
evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity.
see HEBREW for 01752
דּוֹר (dor) — generation.
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
1a) period, age, generation (period of time)
1b) generation (those living during a period)
1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
1d) dwelling-place, habitation
Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
jen-er-a'-shun (Latin generatio, from genero, "beget"):
(1) The translation
(a) of dor, "circle," "generation," hence, "age," "period," "cycle": "many generations" (De 32:7);
(b) the people of any particular period or those born about the same time: "Righteous before me in this generation" (Ge 7:1); "four generations" (Job 42:16);
Generation
Gen. 2:4, “These are the generations,” means the “history.” 5:1, “The book of the generations,” means a family register, or history of Adam. 37:2, “The generations of Jacob” = the history of Jacob and his descendants. 7:1, “In this generation” = in this age. Ps. 49:19, “The generation of his fathers” = the dwelling of his fathers, i.e., the grave. Ps. 73:15, “The generation of thy children” = the contemporary race. Isa. 53:8, “Who shall declare his generation?” = His manner of life who shall declare? or rather = His race, posterity, shall be so numerous that no one shall be able to declare it.
In the long-lived patriarchal age a generation seems to have been computed at 100 years, (Genesis 15:16) comp. Genesis15:13 and Eccl 12:40 But subsequently the reckoning was the same which has been adopted by modern civilized nations, viz. from thirty to forty years (Job 42:16) (Generation is also used to signify the men of an age or time, as contemporaries, (Genesis 6:9; Isaiah 53:8) posterity , especially in legal formulae, (Leviticus 3:17) etc.; fathers, or ancestors. (Psalms 49:19)
Besides the common acceptation of this word, as signifying race, descent, lineage, it is used for the history and genealogy of a person, as in Ge 5:1, "the book of the generations of Adam," that is, the history of Adam’s creation and of his posterity. So in Ge 2:4, "The generations of the heavens and of the earth," that is, their genealogy, so to speak, the history of the creation of heaven and earth; also in Mt 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the history of his descent and life. "The present generation" comprises all those who are now alive; "This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled," some now living shall witness the…
חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.
חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)
base
H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)
2719 chereb kheh'-reb
from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its
destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp
implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
see HEBREW for 02717
חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.
1) sword, knife
1a) sword
1b) knife
1c) tools for cutting stone
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
The Hebrew word שֵׁן (shen) primarily means 'tooth' and can also refer to 'ivory.' It is derived from the root associated with sharpness, and it can figuratively denote a cliff or crag. The entries highlight various contexts, including its use in legal terms (lex talionis) and as a material in commerce.
שֵׁן n.f. tooth, ivory
base
H8127 שֵׁן tooth, ivory
8127 shen shane
from 8150; a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for 8143) ivory;
figuratively, a cliff:--crag, X forefront, ivory, X sharp,
tooth.
see HEBREW for 08150
see HEBREW for 08143
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth.
: tooth
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: ivory.
: ivory
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: crag.
: crag
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: prong.
: prong
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp3ms
מַאֲכֶ֫לֶת (ma'akeleth) means 'knife' and refers to a cutting instrument used for dividing or making small. It is derived from the root word for 'to eat' and is specifically noted in the context of utensils. The entries consistently define it as a knife without significant disagreement.
מַאֲכֶ֫לֶת n.f. knife (as cutting instrum., or instrument for dividing, making small)
base
H3979 מַאֲכֶ֫לֶת knife
3979 ma'akeleth mah-ak-eh'-leth
from 398; something to eat with,- i.e. a knife:--knife.
see HEBREW for 0398
מַאֲכֶ֫לֶת (ma.a.khe.let) — knife.
knife
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Ncfpa
מְתַלְּעוֹת (mthall`ah) refers to teeth, specifically in the context of jaws or fangs. It is derived from a root meaning 'to bite' and encompasses various types of teeth. The entries consistently identify it as a plural noun related to dental structures.
מְתַלְּעוֹת n.f.pl. teeth
base
H4973 מְתַלְּעוֹת, מְתַלְּעָה
4973 mthall`ah meth-al-leh-aw'
contr. from 3216; properly, a biter, i.e. a tooth:--cheek
(jaw) tooth, jaw.
see HEBREW for 03216
מְתַלְּעוֹת (me.tal.l.ah) — jaw.
teeth, fangs, incisors
Also means: mal.ta.ah (מַלְתָּעָה "tooth" H4459)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp3ms
אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.
אָכַל 806 vb. eat
Qal
eat, human subject
of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
fig. of fire, devour, consume
of sword, devour, slay
in genl., devour, consume, destroy
fig. of oppression, devour the poor
Niph.
be eaten by man
be devoured by fire, consumed
be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
Pu. be consumed
Hiph.
cause to eat, feed with
cause to devoure, obj. sword
base
H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject
. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
. fig. of fire, devour, consume
. of sword, devour, slay
. in genl., devour, consume, destroy
. fig. of oppression, devour the poor
. . be eaten by man
. be devoured by fire, consumed
. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
. be consumed
. . cause to eat, feed with
. cause to devoure, obj. sword
398 'akal aw-kal'
a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at
all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),
feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)
meat, X quite.
אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.
1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to eat (human subject)
1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)
1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)
1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)
1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)
1a6) to devour (of oppression)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be eaten (by men)
1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)
1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to cause to eat, feed with
1c2) to cause to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to feed
1d2) to cause to eat
1e) (Piel)
1e1) consume
Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
עָנִי (aniy) describes a state of being poor, afflicted, or humble. It is built from the root meaning to be depressed in mind or circumstances. The entries indicate it covers a range of meanings including needy, lowly, and wretched. There is a noted disagreement regarding its relationship to another word, עָנָה (anah), with some lexicons viewing one as subjective and the other as objective.
עָנִי adj. poor, afflicted, humble
base
H6041 עָנִי poor, afflicted, humble
6041 `aniy aw-nee'
from 6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically
the same as 6035, although the margin constantly disputes
this, making 6035 subjective and 6041 objective):--afflicted,
humble, lowly, needy, poor.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06035
see HEBREW for 06035
see HEBREW for 06041
עָנִי (a.ni) — afflicted.
1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched
1a) poor, needy
1b) poor and weak
1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched
1d) humble, lowly
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2
The Hebrew word אֶבְיוֹן (*ebyown*) means needy or poor, derived from a root indicating want. It describes individuals who are destitute, oppressed, or in need of help, particularly from God. This term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, often referring to the lowest social class and the importance of caring for such individuals.
אֶבְיוֹן adj. in want, needy, poor,—so, alw. abs., Dt 15:4 + 40 t.; אֶבְיֹנְךָ Ex 23:6 Dt 15:11; אֶבְיוֹנִים Am 4:1 + 14 t.; אֶבְיוֹנֵי (אֶבְיֹנֵי) Ex 23:11 Is 29:19; אֶבְיוֹנֶיהָ ψ 132:15—(Hex. only JED; mostly poet., 23 t. ψ) needy, chiefly poor (in material things); as adj. Dt 15:7, 7, 9; 24:14 ψ 109:16 (both ∥ עָנִי); elsewhere subst.; ψ 49:3 (∥ עָשִׁיר); Dt 15:4, 11; subj. to oppression & abuse Am 2:6…
Read the full entry →H34 אֶבְיוֹן in want, needy, poor
34 'ebyown eb-yone'
from 14, in the sense of want (especially in feeling);
destitute:--beggar, needy, poor (man).
see HEBREW for 014
אֶבְיוֹן (ev.yon) — needy.
1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person
2) subject to oppression and abuse
3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God
4) general reference to lowest class
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;
married to Eve (H2332);
father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;
Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)
man, human being
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa