Proverbs 8:22 — Word Study
WLCיְֽהוָ֗ה קָ֭נָנִי רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכּ֑וֹ קֶ֖דֶם מִפְעָלָ֣יו מֵאָֽז׃
BSA◂The LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] created meqânâh■ [possessed, acquired] as His firstrêʼshîyth [beginning, initial] coursederek [work, deed] beforeqedem [prior to, in front of] His worksmiphʻâl [deeds, actions] of oldʼâz [from the past, long ago]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְֽהוָ֗ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| קָ֭נָנִי | he created me | Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| רֵאשִׁ֣ית | [the] beginning of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| דַּרְכּ֑וֹ | way his | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| קֶ֖דֶם | [the] beginning of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מִפְעָלָ֣יו | works his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מֵאָֽז׃ | from then | Preposition, adverb |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. |
| KJV | The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. |
| ASV | Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. |
| YLT | Jehovah possessed me — the beginning of His way, Before His works since then. |
| WEB | “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. |
| BBE | The Lord made me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past. |
The translations agree on the essence of the verse, emphasizing the LORD's act of creating wisdom as His first work.
The sentence is structured around a main verb with a clear subject and object, followed by phrases that provide context about the timing and significance of the creation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
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 8:22
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 Role of Wisdom in Creationgenerated
Proverbs 8:22 presents wisdom as a creation of the LORD, highlighting its significance as the first of His works before all others. This verse emphasizes the foundational role of wisdom in the order of creation, suggesting that wisdom is integral to understanding God's actions and intentions. The surrounding verses further elaborate on wisdom's attributes and its relationship with humanity, illustrating how it bestows blessings and guidance.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 3:19 | The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. |
| 2 | John 1:1–2 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
| 3 | Colossians 1:17 | He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — קָ֭נָנִי, Ka.na.nigenerated
The verb קָנָה (*qanah*) is a perfect form indicating a completed action, meaning 'to acquire' or 'to create.' It emphasizes God's ownership and the intentional act of creation, suggesting that wisdom is not merely a concept but a deliberate act of God.
This word carries implications of value and possession, indicating that wisdom is a precious creation of the LORD. The parsing as a third person masculine singular verb with a suffix indicates that wisdom is both created and personally associated with God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the word is rendered as created, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb קָ֭נָנִי, he created me, governs the entire verse, with several noun phrases and prepositional phrases providing additional context. The structure highlights the relationship between the subject, the action, and the object.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the LORD as the subject, followed by the action of creation and the object, wisdom, establishing a clear hierarchy in the sentence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word for קָ֭נָנִי is rendered as με, which translates to 'me.' This choice reflects a direct connection to the subject of creation, maintaining the focus on wisdom as a created entity.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text, though it does not convey the full nuance of creation implied in the original Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 8:22 tells us that the LORD created wisdom as His first work before all other actions. This verse emphasizes the importance of wisdom in understanding God's creation and His relationship with the world.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that wisdom is a deliberate act of God, establishing its importance in creation and its role in guiding humanity.
This verse connects with other passages that highlight the significance of wisdom, such as Proverbs 3:19 and Colossians 1:17, where wisdom is seen as integral to God's creative order.
Describing wisdom as the first work emphasizes its foundational role in creation, suggesting that understanding and following wisdom is essential for a righteous life.
We can seek wisdom through study, reflection, and prayer, aiming to align our actions with God's principles as revealed in scripture.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I seek wisdom in my daily life?
- How does understanding wisdom as a creation of God change my perspective on decision-making?
- What are some examples of wisdom in action that I can observe in my community?
- How can I encourage others to value wisdom as described in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of wisdom and its relationship to God, as seen in the quotations from Justin Martyr, Athenagoras of Athens, and Tertullian.
And it is written in the book of Wisdom: "If I should tell you daily events, I would be mindful to enumerate them from the beginning. The Lord created me the beginning of His ways for His works.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 8 →
[The Son] is the first offspring of the Father. I do not mean that he was created, for, since God is eternal mind, he had his Word within himself from the beginning, being eternally wise.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 8 →
This power and disposition of the divine intelligence is set forth also in the Scriptures under the name of sophia, “wisdom,” for what can be better entitled to the name of wisdom than the reason or the Word of God? Listen therefore to…Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 8 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 8:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way,.... Not "created me", as the Targum and the Septuagint version; which version Arius following gave birth to his pernicious doctrine; who from hence
Read John Gill on Proverbs 8 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. "Possessed me" [ qaanaaniy (H7069)].
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 8 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePossessed me, as his Son by eternal generation, who was from eternity with him, as is said, ; and in him, as he also was in me, . In the beginning; yea, and before the beginning, as it is largely expressed in the following verses. Of his way; either, 1. Of his counsels or decrees. Or rather, 2. Of his works of creation, as it follows.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 8 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.Ver. 22. The Lord possessed me.] Not created me, as the Arians out of the Septuagint pressed it, to prove Christ a creature. Before his works of old.] Heb., Ante opera sua, ante tunc; id est, priusquam quis dicere potest tunc; before there was any either now or then; before all time, therefore from all eternity. For whatsoever was before the world and time, that was created with the world, must needs be eternal. εκτησεεκτισε.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 8 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(22) The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way.—The Hebrew word translated” possessed” in this passage (qβnah) seems originally to have signified to” set up” or “establish,” and is applied (1) to the “forming” of the heavens (Genesis 14:19) and the “begetting” of a son, (Deuteronomy 32:6); next it signifies (2) to “acquire” (Genesis 4:1), (3) to “purchase” (Genesis 25:10), and (4) to “own,” as in Isaiah 1:3. From the fact that “set up” and “brought forth” are used just after as synonyms to it, it is most likely that (1) is the proper meaning of the word here, and that the sense of the passage is that Wisdom was “formed” or “begotten” before the Creation, comp. Psalms 104:24. This…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 8 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 22. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way] Wisdom is not acquired by the Divine Being; man, and even angels, learn it by slow and progressive degrees; but in God it is as eternally inherent as any other essential attribute of his nature. The Targum makes this wisdom a creature, by thus translating the passage: אלהא בראני בריש בריתיה Elaha barani bereish biriteiah, "God created me in the beginning of his creatures." The Syriac is the same. This is as absurd and heretical as some modern glosses on the same passage.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 8 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges22. possessed] So also R.V. text: marg., “or, formed.” ἔκτισεν, LXX.; ἐκτήσατο, Aquila; possedit, Vulg. This word has been a battleground of controversy since the days of the Arian heresy. But it is well to remember that, all theological questions apart, it is impossible to understand the word, whatever rendering of it we adopt, as indicating that Wisdom ever had a beginning, or was ever properly speaking created. Wisdom is inseparable from any worthy conception of Him who is “the only wise God” (1 Timothy 1:17), and therefore is like Him “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalms 90:1). The Heb. word seems properly to mean, to acquire, and so to possess, (comparavit, emit, acquisivit…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 8 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleA verse which has played an important part in the history of Christian dogma.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 8 →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
The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.
“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.
The Lord created me as the beginning of his works, before his deeds of long ago.
Tyndale line
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way: I was before his workes of olde.
Strictly literal
Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Jehovah possessed me — the beginning of His way, Before His works since then.
YHWH possessed me—the beginning of His way, || Before His works since then.
The Lord created me as the beginning of his way, the first of his works from the commencement,
Yahweh created me at the beginning, the first of his deeds then.
From the Latin
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning.
Simplified
The Lord created me first of all; I was made before anything else.
The Lord made me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past.
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 largely agree on the wording of this verse, with six out of seven words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but its translation reflects the same essential meaning as the Hebrew.
יְֽהוָ֗ה קָ֭נָנִי רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכּ֑וֹ קֶ֖דֶם מִפְעָלָ֣יו מֵאָֽז׃
6 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 8:22
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.
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word קָנָה (*qanah*) primarily means to get, acquire, or buy. It can also imply creating or procuring something, often in a poetic context. The entries indicate various usages, including God acquiring His people and Eve acquiring knowledge. There is an Aramaic equivalent, קְנָא (*qe.na*), which also means 'to buy.'
קָנָה 84 vb. get, acquire
Qal 81
get, acquire (all poet.)
elsewhere buy
Niph. be bought
Hiph. caused (one) to purchase me, i.e. made me a bondman
base
H7069 קָנָה get, acquire .. get, acquire (all poet.)
. elsewhere buy
. be bought
. caused (one) to purchase me, i.e. made me a bondman
7069 qanah kaw-naw'
a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to
procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by
implication to own:--attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle,
get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover,
redeem, X surely, X verily.
קָנָה (qa.nah) — to buy.
1) to get, acquire, create, buy, possess
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to get, acquire, obtain
1a1a) of God originating, creating, redeeming His people
1a1a1) possessor
1a1b) of Eve acquiring
1a1c) of acquiring knowledge, wisdom
1a2) to buy
1b) (Niphal) to be bought
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to possess
Aramaic equivalent: qe.na (קְנָא "to buy" H7066)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqp3ms/Sp1bs
רֵאשִׁית (re'shiyth) means 'beginning' or 'chief.' It is derived from a root meaning 'first' and covers concepts like the first in time, order, or rank, including firstfruits. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to primacy and importance.
רֵאשִׁית n.f. beginning, chief
beginning
first
first, chief
base
H7225 רֵאשִׁית beginning, chief . . beginning
. first
. first, chief
7225 re'shiyth ray-sheeth'
from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or
rank (specifically, a firstfruit):--beginning, chief(-est),
first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
see HEBREW for 07218
רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: beginning.
: beginning
1) first, beginning, best, chief
1a) beginning
1b) first
1c) chief
1d) choice part
Also means: re.shit (רֵאשִׁית ": best" H7225H)
רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: best.
: best
1) first, beginning, best, chief
1a) beginning
1b) first
1c) chief
1d) choice part
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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…
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
N-cs | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixHNcbsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime
loc.
front
East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward
temp., ancient time, aforetime:
הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.
בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days
מִקּ׳ from of old
ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old
beginning
base
[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.
base
H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front
. East
. temp. ancient time, aforetime
H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.
6924 qedem keh'-dem
or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place
(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time
(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,
eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,
part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,
past. Compare 6926.
see HEBREW for 06923
see HEBREW for 06926
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.
This name means east, antiquity, front
קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.
adv
eastward, to or toward the East
Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.
: east
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.
: old/ancient
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.
: forward
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
מִפְעָל (miph'al) is a masculine noun meaning 'work' or 'thing made,' while מִפְעָלָה (miph'alāh) is a feminine noun meaning 'deed.' Both terms relate to actions or creations attributed to God. They appear in contexts such as Proverbs 8:22 and Psalms 46:9, 66:5.
[מִפְעָל] n.[m.] work, thing made (by י׳);—pl. sf. מִפְעָלָיו Pr 8:22.
done
[מִפְעָלָה] n.[f.] deed (of י׳);—pl. cstr. מִפְעֲלוֹת י׳ ψ 46:9, מ׳ אֱלֹהִים 66:5.
done
H4659a [מִפְעָל] n.[m.] work, thing made (by י׳);—pl. sf. מִפְעָלָיו Pr 8:22. H4659b [מִפְעָלָה] n.[f.] deed (of י׳);—pl. cstr. מִפְעֲלוֹת י׳ ψ 46:9, מ׳ אֱלֹהִים 66:5.
4659 miph`al mif-awl'
or (feminine) miph.alah {mif-aw-law'}; from 6466; a
performance:--work.
see HEBREW for 06466
מִפְעָל (miph.al) — work.
work, thing made
מִפְעָלָה (miph.a.lah) — deed.
deed
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
אָז (az) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then,' used for both temporal and logical expressions. It can refer to past events or indicate a condition for future actions. The related form מֵאָז (me.az) means 'from that time' or 'since.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts without significant disagreement.
אָז adv. at that time, then whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).
strictly temporal
expressing logical sequence strictly
base
מֵאָז lit. from that time
base
H227a אָז at that time, then H227b מֵאָז, once
227 'az awz
a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a
conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now,
of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.
אָז (az) — then.
1) then, at that time
1a) temporal expressions
1a1) then (past)
1a2) then, if...then (future)
1a3) earlier
1b) logical expressions
1b1) in that case
1b2) that (being so)
מֵאָז (me.az) — the past.
1) in time past, of old
2)from time of, since
Prep | Adv — Preposition · adverbHR/D