Proverbs 30:16 — Word Study
WLCשְׁאוֹל֮ וְעֹ֪צֶ֫ר רָ֥חַם אֶ֭רֶץ לֹא־ שָׂ֣בְעָה מַּ֑יִם וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ לֹא־ אָ֥מְרָה הֽוֹן׃
BSASheolshᵉʼôwl [the underworld, grave] the barrenʻôtser [unproductive, unrestrained] wombracham [compassionate, tender love] landʼerets [earth, territory] neverlôʼ satisfiedsâbaʻ■ [filled, content] with watermayim [refreshment, source of life] and fireʼêsh [refining presence, divine anger] that neverlôʼ saysʼâmar■ [speaks, commands] Enoughhôwn [sufficiency, wealth]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שְׁאוֹל֮ | Sheol | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| וְעֹ֪צֶ֫ר | and barrenness of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| רָ֥חַם | a womb | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֶ֭רֶץ | land | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לֹא־ | [which] not | Particle |
| שָׂ֣בְעָה | it is satisfied | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| מַּ֑יִם | water | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ | and fire | Conjunction, noun common both singular absolute |
| לֹא־ | [which] not | Particle |
| אָ֥מְרָה | it says | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| הֽוֹן׃ | enough | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’ |
| KJV | The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. |
| ASV | Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough. |
| YLT | Sheol, and a restrained womb, Earth — it [is] not satisfied [with] water, And fire — it hath not said, 'Sufficiency,' |
| WEB | Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’ |
| BBE | The underworld, and the woman without a child; the earth which never has enough water, and the fire which never says, Enough. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of the phrases following Sheol.
The verse consists of a main clause listing four insatiable entities, emphasizing their shared quality of never being satisfied.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׂבֵעַ
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 30:16
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 Insatiable Thingsgenerated
Proverbs 30:16 presents a list of four entities that are never satisfied, illustrating the concept of insatiability in life. This verse follows a discussion about the leech's daughters, which further emphasizes the theme of endless desire. The imagery used here serves to highlight the futility of certain pursuits and the nature of human longing, as seen in the broader context of Proverbs.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 27:20 | Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. |
| 2 | Habakkuk 2:5 | and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שְׁאוֹל, she.'Olgenerated
The word שְׁאוֹל (she'ol) refers to the underworld or grave, a place where the dead reside. It encompasses ideas of punishment and degradation, often associated with a lack of praise for God. The term is used throughout the Old Testament and signifies a state of no return.
In this verse, Sheol represents an insatiable condition, paralleling the other entities that are described as never satisfied. Its inclusion underscores the depth of longing and the finality of death.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the rendering of שְׁאוֹל as 'Sheol' or 'the grave', with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all maintaining this terminology.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb אָ֥מְרָה, it says, governs the entire verse, leading into a series of noun phrases that describe the four insatiable entities. This structure emphasizes the list format, drawing attention to each element's insatiability.
The Hebrew word order places the elements in a way that highlights their qualities, with the use of conjunctions to link them together, creating a rhythmic flow that enhances the poetic nature of the verse.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שְׁאוֹל as ᾅδης, which conveys a similar sense of the underworld but may carry different connotations regarding the afterlife compared to the Hebrew.
This choice indicates a slight widening of meaning, as the Greek term encompasses a broader understanding of the realm of the dead, which may reflect Hellenistic beliefs about the afterlife.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 30:16 lists four things that are never satisfied: Sheol, the barren womb, land that is never filled with water, and fire that never says 'enough'. These images illustrate the idea of insatiability in life and the unending desires that can plague humanity.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Sheol represents the underworld or grave, symbolizing a state of finality and insatiability.
The barren womb symbolizes unfulfilled potential and desire, paralleling the other entities that are never satisfied.
This imagery reflects the idea of unquenchable thirst and need, emphasizing the futility of certain desires.
Fire represents a consuming force that never feels satisfied, symbolizing destructive desires that can never be fully quenched.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some desires in my life that seem unquenchable, like those described in this verse?
- How can I find contentment in areas where I feel a constant need for more?
- In what ways do these images of insatiability resonate with my own experiences?
- How can understanding these concepts help me navigate my own desires and aspirations?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 30:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe grave,.... Which is the first of the four daughters, or insatiable things, which resemble the horse leech: the grave is the house appointed for all living; it stands ready for them, it is open to
Read John Gill on Proverbs 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: Four insatiable things follow the four detestable offences.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe barren womb; for as the Israelitish women did generally and vehemently desire many children, for divers reasons elsewhere mentioned; so those who were barren amongst them were most eager in those desires, as we see in Rachel, , and as in all other cases persons most prize and thirst after those good things which they want. The earth; which when it is dry thirsts for rain, and in a little time sucks up great quantities of water, and gapes for more. The fire; which continually burns as long as there is any combustible matter left for it.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough.Ver. 16. The grave.] Which in Hebrew hath its name of craving. It is a sarcophagus, feeds on flesh, and it as little appears as once in Pharaoh’ s lean kine; or as in those that having a flux, take in much, but are neither fuller nor fatter. The word here used may be rendered hell, called by the Latins Infernus ab inferendo, from the devil’ s continual carrying in souls to that place of torment. And the barren womb.] Barren women are most desirous of children, which yet are certain cares, but uncertain comforts. How impatient was Rachel! how importunate was…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) The grave.—See above, on Proverbs 15:11, where it is translated “hell.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. the grave] Sheol or Hades. See Proverbs 27:20.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 30 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible16. The grave, etc. — These four things are given as examples of insatiableness. The learner is left to apply them for himself, as for instance, to the miser, the drunkard, the glutton, the debauchee.
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
Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’
Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
the grave, the barren womb, land that is not satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough!”
Tyndale line
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough.
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that saith not, Enough.
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
The graue, and the barren wombe, the earth that cannot be satisfied with water, and the fire that sayeth not, It is ynough.
Strictly literal
— Sheol, and the barren womb; the earth which is not filled with water, and the fire which saith not, It is enough.
Sheol, and a restrained womb, Earth — it [is] not satisfied [with] water, And fire — it hath not said, 'Sufficiency,'
Sheol, and a restrained womb, || Earth—it [is] not satisfied [with] water, || And fire—it has not said, “Sufficiency,”
The nether world; and a barren womb; the earth which is not satisfied with water; and the fire which never saith, Enough.
Sheol; the barren womb; land that is never satisfied with water; and the fire that never says, “Enough!”
From the Latin
Hell, and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which is not satisfied with water: and the fire never saith: It is enough.
Simplified
The grave, the womb that doesn't become pregnant, the earth thirsty for water, and the fire that never says, “Enough!”
The underworld, and the woman without a child; the earth which never has enough water, and the fire which never says, Enough.
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 show agreement on eight of the eleven words in this verse. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the essential elements remain consistent with the Hebrew text.
שְׁאוֹל֮ וְעֹ֪צֶ֫ר רָ֥חַם אֶ֭רֶץ לֹא־ שָׂ֣בְעָה מַּ֑יִם וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ לֹא־ אָ֥מְרָה הֽוֹן׃
8 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
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 30:16
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.
שְׁאוֹל (sh'owl) refers to the underworld or the realm of the dead in Hebrew. It encompasses concepts such as hell, the grave, and a pit, often associated with punishment for the wicked and a place from which the righteous are not abandoned. The term implies a location of extreme degradation and is noted for its lack of praise for God.
שְׁאוֹל, שְׁאֹל n.f. Shᵉ’ōl, underworld (√ dub.; i.e. place of inquiry)
base
H7585 שְׁאוֹל, שְׁאֹל Shᵉ’ōl, underworld (√ dub.; i.e. place of inquiry)
7585 sh'owl sheh-ole'
or shol {sheh-ole'}; from 7592; Hades or the world of the
dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories
and inmates:--grave, hell, pit.
see HEBREW for 07592
שְׁאוֹל (she.ol) — hell: Sheol.
Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit
1a) the underworld
1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead
1b1) place of no return
1b2) without praise of God
1b3) wicked sent there for punishment
1b4) righteous not abandoned to it
1b5) of the place of exile (fig)
1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
N-proper — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
she'-ol (she'ol):
1. The Name
2. The Abode of the Dead
(1) Not a State of Unconsciousness
(2) Not Removed from God's Jurisdiction
(3) Relation to Immortality
3. Post-canonical Period
1. The Name:
Sheol
(Heb., “the all-demanding world” = Gr. Hades, “the unknown region”), the invisible world of departed souls. (See HELL.)
→ See HELL (Hades)
עֹ֫צֶר (otser) refers to concepts of restraint and coercion, including meanings related to closure and oppression. It can also denote barrenness, particularly of the womb. The word is built from the root associated with closure (H6113).
עֹ֫צֶר n.[m.] restraint, coercion
base
H6115 עֹ֫צֶר restraint, coercion
6115 `otser o'-tser
from 6113; closure; also constraint:--X barren, oppression,
X prison.
see HEBREW for 06113
עֹ֫צֶר (o.tser) — coercion.
1) restraint, coercion
1a) restraint, coercion
1b) barrenness (of womb)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
רַחַם (racham) primarily means 'womb' and is associated with the idea of nurturing. It also refers to 'compassion' in its plural form, רַחֲמִים (rachamim), indicating a deep, tender love or mercy. The word is built from a root that conveys a sense of cherishing, often linked to the maternal aspect of compassion.
רֶ֫חֶם, רַ֫חַם n.m. womb
base
רַחֲמִים n.m. abs. pl. intens. compassion
base
H7356a רֶ֫חֶם, רַ֫חַם womb H7356b רַחֲמִים abs. pl. intens. compassion
7356 racham rakh'-am
from 7355; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb
(as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden:--
bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender)
mercy, pity, womb.
see HEBREW for 07355
רַחַם (ra.cham) — womb.
womb
Another spelling of re.chem (רֶ֫חֶם "womb" H7358)
רַחֲמִים (ra.cha.mim) — compassion.
compassion
Aramaic equivalent: re.chem (רַחֲמִין "compassion" H7359)
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
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
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
((1) 'erets;
(2) 'adhamah;
(3) sadheh,
"a piece of land";
(4) ge, "earth";
(5) agros, "field";
(6) chora, "region";
(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;
(8) xeros, "dry land";
(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):
→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9
→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23
→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8
→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
שָׂבֵעַ (saba`) means to be sated or satisfied, particularly in relation to food. It can also imply having one's desires fulfilled or being surfeited with excess. The verb has various forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which cover meanings from simply being full to enriching or satisfying others. The entries indicate a focus on both literal and figurative senses of satisfaction.
[שָׂבֵעַ], שָׂבַע 96 vb. be sated, satisfied, surfeited
Qal 79
be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
have in excess, be surfeited with
Niph. Pt. sated
Pi. satisfy
Hiph.
satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
c. acc. of food pers., י׳ subj.
י׳ subj.
י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
enrich
sate, glut (with the undesired)
base
H7646 שָׂבֵעַ, שָׂבַע be sated, satisfied, surfeited .. be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
. more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
. have in excess, be surfeited with
. Pt. sated
. satisfy
. . . satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
. c. acc. of food + pers., י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
. enrich
. sate, glut (with the undesired)
7646 saba` saw-bah'
or sabeay {saw-bay'-ah}; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill
to satisfaction (literally or figuratively):--have enough,
fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty
of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.
שָׂבֵעַ (sa.va) — to satisfy.
1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be sated (with food)
1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied)
1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with
1a3a) to be weary of (fig)
1b) (Piel) to satisfy
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to satisfy
1c2) to enrich
1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):
(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.
(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.
(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…
See CISTERN and WELLS.
In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare
→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5
→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9
→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11
→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20
→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5
→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22
אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire
fire, of conflagration
of supernatural fire
fire for cooking, roasting, parching
esp. of altar fire
fig. of Yahweh's anger
in various combinations
base
H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration
. of supernatural fire
. fire for cooking, roasting, parching
. esp. of altar fire
. fig. of Yahweh's anger
. in various combinations
784 'esh aysh
a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--
burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.
1) fire
1a) fire, flames
1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)
1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)
1d) altar-fire
1e) God's anger (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common both singular absoluteHC/Ncbsa
fir ('esh; pur):
These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…
Fire
(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).
Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…
In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
הוֹן (hown) refers to wealth, riches, or substance, and can also imply sufficiency or enough. It is primarily found in poetic contexts, particularly in Wisdom Literature like Proverbs. The term is derived from a related root that conveys the idea of wealth and value.
הוֹן n.m. wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)
base
H1952 הוֹן wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)
1952 hown hone
from the same as 1951 in the sense of 202; wealth; by
implication, enough:--enough, + for nought, riches, substance,
wealth.
see HEBREW for 01951
see HEBREW for 0202
הוֹן (hon) — substance.
1) wealth, riches, substance
1a) wealth
1b) price, high value
interj
2) enough!, sufficiency
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa