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Proverbs 7:15 — Word Study

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WLCעַל־ כֵּ֭ן יָצָ֣אתִי לִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָ לְשַׁחֵ֥ר פָּ֝נֶ֗יךָ וָאֶמְצָאֶֽךָּ׃

BSASoʻal [thus, in this manner] I came outyâtsâʼ [to emerge, to go forth] I sought youshâchar [to seek diligently, to search early, to find your face, to see your presence] and I have found youmâtsâʼ [discovered, attained, in your presence, before your face]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 7
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 15 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 (va.'em.tza.'E.ka) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 7:15quick helps
In a sentenceThe speaker expresses their intention to meet someone, having actively sought them out and successfully found them.
Who is speakingThe speaker is a person who has made preparations and now approaches another.
Where we areThis verse is part of a narrative that involves personal interaction and intention.
The hard wordשַׁחֵ֥ר, shachar
Take awayThe speaker's actions demonstrate a proactive pursuit of connection.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָצָא 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 — Proverbs 7:15

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 Pursuit of Connectiongenerated

14“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
15So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.
16I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:15 depicts a scenario where the speaker has made preparations to meet someone significant. This moment reflects a deeper narrative of pursuit and intention, emphasizing the importance of seeking and finding in relationships. The surrounding verses provide context about the speaker's motivations and actions leading up to this encounter.


Cross References


The Key Word יָצָ֣אתִי, ya.Tza.tigenerated

The verb יָצָא (yatsa') means to go out or come out, indicating an action of emergence or departure. It is a perfect form, suggesting a completed action in the first person singular, which emphasizes the speaker's personal involvement in the act of coming forth.

This word conveys the idea of actively stepping out with purpose, which is crucial in the context of seeking someone. It reflects not just a physical movement but also a metaphorical journey towards connection.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of multiple clauses, with the main action centered around the finite verb יָצָא, I have come out. This verb sets the stage for the subsequent actions of seeking and finding, creating a clear sequence of pursuit.

The structure indicates a progression: first, the speaker emerges, then they meet, and finally, they express the success of their search. This flow highlights the intentionality behind each action.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָצָא as ἐχῆλθον, which carries a similar meaning of coming out or emerging. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the action in both Hebrew and Greek.

The translation choice shows a direct correspondence in the action described, maintaining the emphasis on the speaker's proactive movement towards the other person.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 7:15 shows a speaker who has come out to meet someone they have been looking for. They express the effort made in seeking this person and the joy of finding them. This interaction highlights the importance of connection and pursuit in relationships.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to seek someone in this context?

To seek someone here implies a deliberate effort to find and connect with them, suggesting a strong desire for relationship.

Why is the act of coming out significant?

Coming out signifies taking initiative and making a personal effort to engage with another person, which is essential in building connections.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding verses?

The surrounding verses provide context for the speaker's motivations, showing that this encounter is part of a larger narrative about preparation and intention.

What can we learn from the speaker's actions?

The speaker's actions illustrate the importance of actively pursuing relationships and being intentional in seeking out others.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I actively seek connections with others in my life?
  2. How can I demonstrate intentionality in my relationships?
  3. What steps can I take to prepare for meaningful encounters with those I care about?
  4. How does the act of seeking relate to my understanding of community and belonging?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 7:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Therefore came I forth to meet thee,.... Having so much good cheer at home, and none to eat of it with her; and having so fond and affectionate a regard to this young man, as she pretended; he being

Read John Gill on Proverbs 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Diligently to seek thy face; as not being able to take any pleasure in my feast without thy company. I have found thee, by a happy providence of God complying with my desires.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.Ver. 15. Therefore came I forth.] As having much good cheer at home, as at all peace offerings they had. Gluttony is the gallery that lustfulness walks through. Diligently to seek thy face.] Or, Thy person, not thy purse; thee, not thine do I seek. Quis credit? who belives that? And I have found thee.] By a providence, no doubt; God must have a hand in it, or else it is marvel. "God hath given me my hire," said Leah; "because I have given my maid to my husband." See 1 Samuel 23:7 Zechariah 11:5. Sine cerere et libero friget Venus.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 7 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

15. Came I… to meet thee — She either knew who he was, or pretended to do so. She counted herself happy in finding the very man she was seeking!

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 7 →

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

So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.

NETBNew English Translation2006

That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Therefore came I forth to meete thee, that I might seeke thy face: and I haue found thee.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

therefore came I forth to meet thee, to seek earnestly thy face, and I have found thee.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Therefore I have come forth to meet thee, To seek earnestly thy face, and I find thee.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Therefore I have come forth to meet you, || To earnestly seek your face, and I find you.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Therefore am I come forth to meet thee, to seek thy presence diligently, and I have found thee.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

so came I out to meet you, to eagerly seek your face, and I have found you.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found thee.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

That's why I came out to meet you. I was looking for you and now I've found you!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

So I came out in the hope of meeting you, looking for you with care, and now I have you.

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.

conjunction phraseprepositional phraseעַלthereforeכֵּ֭ןsoclauseclauseverbיָצָ֣אתִיI.have.come.outprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtoclauseverbקְרָאתֶ֑meetobjectךָyouclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoclauseverbשַׁחֵ֥רseek.eagerlynoun phrase · objectפָּ֝נֶ֗יfaceךָyourוָandclauseverbאֶמְצָאֶֽIobjectךָּhave.found.you

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 agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This alignment indicates a strong consistency in the preservation of the text across these traditions.

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

עַל־ כֵּ֭ן יָצָ֣אתִי לִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָ לְשַׁחֵ֥ר פָּ֝נֶ֗יךָ וָאֶמְצָאֶֽךָּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עַל־ἕνεκαכֵּ֭ןτούτουיָצָ֣אתִיἐχῆλθονלִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָσοιלְשַׁחֵ֥רποθοῦσαפָּ֝נֶ֗יךָσὸνוָאֶמְצָאֶֽךָּ׃σε

7 of the 7 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.

Proverbs 7:15עַלthere-there-עַלכֵּן-fore-foreכֵּןיָצָאI have comeI have come outיָצָאקָרָאto meet youto meet youקָרָאשָׁחַרto seekto seekשָׁחַרפָּנֶהface yourface yourפָּנֶהמָצָאand I have and I have founמָצָאכּוּןto establito establish: pכּוּןפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהעַלheightheightעַלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאכֹּהthusthusכֹּהאָדוֹןLordLordאָדוֹןקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלרוּץto run: ruto run: runרוּץעָרַךְto arrangeto arrangeעָרַךְאָהֵבto love: lto love: loverאָהֵבאֵלgodgodאֵלסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסחֵןfavorfavorחֵןבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁ
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 Proverbs 7:15

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.

there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
עַל־'al- there- H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
thus, in this manner
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

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

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

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

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

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
כֵּ֭ןken -fore H3651 Adverb
771× 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 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
right
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest

right

veritable, true

pl. concr. honest (men)

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

כֵּן adv. so

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3651 ken kane

from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as

adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)

rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and

relation; often with other particles):--+ after that

(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be

(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like

(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,

straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,

thus, true, well, X you.

see HEBREW for 03559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֵּן (ken) — right.

adv

adj

1) right, just, honest, true, veritable

1a) right, just, honest

1b) correct

1c) true, veritable

[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.

adv

forasmuch as, since

כֵּן (ken) — so.

adv

1) so, therefore, thus

1a) thus, so

1b) just so

1c) therefore

1d) so...as (paired with adv)

1e) then

1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)

1g) (with prep)

1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)

1g2) hitherto

1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)

1g4) afterwards

1g5) in such case

Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
יָצָ֣אתִיya.Tza.ti I have come out H3318 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
1,067× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
to emerge, to go forth
Tyndale gloss
to come out: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָצָא (yatsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with various applications including departure, escape, and emergence. It can refer to both animate and inanimate subjects and emphasizes the idea of origin or source. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating actions like leading out or being brought forth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצָא 1068 vb. go or come out

Qal

go or come out or forth

from (מִן) a place

go forth from (the presence of) a person

in technical senses

of flight, involving escape

depart

of inanimate things

with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source

of children as going forth from loins (of father)

go forth to a place

go forward, proceed to or toward something

come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result

of combinations

Hiph.

cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.

bring out animals

inanimate obj.

fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)

Hoph. be brought forth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3318 יָצָא go or come out .. go or come out or forth . from (מִן) a place

. go forth from (the presence of) a person

. in technical senses

. of flight, involving escape

. depart

. of inanimate things

. with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source

. of children as going forth from loins (of father)

. . go forth to a place

. go forward, proceed to or toward something

. come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result

. of combinations

. . cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

. fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.

. bring out animals

. inanimate obj.

. fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)

. be brought forth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3318 yatsa' yaw-tsaw'

a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great

variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct

and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X

begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come

(abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned,

depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,

fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence,

out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out),

going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out,

lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X

scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring

out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any

time, X to (and fro), utter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: come.

: come/go_out/escape

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: send.

: send/take_out/release

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
לִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָlik.ra.Te.cha to meet you H7122 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
139× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to encounter or meet someone, either by chance or on purpose. It can describe a friendly meeting or a hostile one. In Exodus, the Israelites encountered God on Mount Sinai.
Tyndale gloss
to encounter: meet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (*qara'*) is a primitive root meaning to encounter or meet, often unexpectedly. It encompasses various nuances, including to befall or happen by chance. The verb appears in different forms: Qal (to meet), Niphal (to meet unexpectedly), and Hiphil (to cause to meet). Brown-Driver-Briggs notes its use in a figurative sense as well.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָרָא] 137 vb. encounter, befall

Qal 131

meet, encounter

fig. befall

Niph. meet unexpectedly

Hiph. thou didst cause all this evil to befall them

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7122 קָרָא encounter, befall

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7122 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a

hostile manner:--befall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon),

fall out, happen, meet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: meet.

: meet

1) to encounter, befall, meet

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to meet, encounter

1a2) to befall (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: toward.

: toward/(come)against

1) to encounter, befall, meet

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to meet, encounter

1a2) to befall (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: chanced.

: happen[unexpectedly]

1) to encounter, befall, meet

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to meet, encounter

1a2) to befall (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Vqcc/Sp2ms — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vqcc/Sp2ms
there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
לְשַׁחֵ֥רle.sha.Cher to seek H7836 Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to seek or search for something early and earnestly, like in Psalm 63:1 where David seeks God diligently. It can also mean to rise early, as in Proverbs 8:17 where wisdom is found by those who seek it early. The word appears about 15 times in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
to seek diligently, to search early, to find your face, to see your presence
Tyndale gloss
to seek
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁחַר (shachar) is a verb meaning to seek or look for something diligently, particularly in the morning or early. It is derived from a primitive root that implies earnestness and searching with care. The entries indicate its use in the Qal and Piel forms, with a reference to Proverbs 11:27.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁחַר] vb. denom. look early, diligently for

Qal Pr 11:27, elsewhere

Pi. seeks him early (with) discipline

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7836 שָׁחַר vb. denom. look early, diligently for

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7836 shachar shaw-khar'

a primitive root; properly, to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be

(up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness);

by extension, to search for (with painstaking):--(do

something) betimes, enquire early, rise (seek) betimes, seek

diligently) early, in the morning).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁחַר (sha.char) — to seek.

1) to seek, seek early or earnestly, look early or diligently for

1a) (Qal) to look for diligently, seek

1b) (Piel) to seek, seek early

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
HR/Vpcc
there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
פָּ֝נֶ֗יךָpa.Nei.kha face your H6440 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
there- -fore I have come out to meet you to seek face your and I have found you
וָאֶמְצָאֶֽךָּ׃va.'em.tza.'E.ka and I have found you H4672 Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffix
455× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
discovered, attained, in your presence, before your face
Tyndale gloss
to find
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find

Qal

find

find out

= come upon, light upon

noteworthy phrases

Niph. pass. of Qal, be found

Hiph.

cause to find, attain

cause to light upon, come upon, come

cause to encounter

present unto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4672 מָצָא attain to, find

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'

a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or

exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;

figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,

befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to

hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,

out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,

light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,

ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.

1) to find, attain to

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to find

1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)

1a1b) to find (what is lost)

1a1c) to meet, encounter

1a1d) to find (a condition)

1a1e) to learn, devise

1a2) to find out

1a2a) to find out

1a2b) to detect

1a2c) to guess

1a3) to come upon, light upon

1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with

1a3b) to hit

1a3c) to befall

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be found

1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered

1b1b) to appear, be recognised

1b1c) to be discovered, be detected

1b1d) to be gained, be secured

1b2) to be, be found

1b2a) to be found in

1b2b) to be in the possession of

1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be

1b2d) to be left (after war)

1b2e) to be present

1b2f) to prove to be

1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to find, attain

1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come

1c3) to cause to encounter

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffix
Hc/Vqw1cs/Sp2ms
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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