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Psalms 101:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלֹֽא־ אָשִׁ֨ית׀ לְנֶ֥גֶד עֵינַ֗י דְּֽבַר־ בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל עֲשֹֽׂה־ סֵטִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי לֹ֖א יִדְבַּ֣ק בִּֽי׃

BSAI willlôʼ setshîyth [not allow to be present] nodâbâr worthless thingbᵉlîyaʻal [wicked, evil, or ungodly, Belial, something of no value] beforeneged my eyesʻayin [my gaze, my attention] I hatesânêʼ [feel intense dislike, despise] the workʻâsâh [deeds, actions] it shall notlôʼ clingdâbaq [cleave, stick]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 101
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (Bi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 101:3quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares his commitment to avoid evil and expresses his hatred for wicked actions.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on personal integrity and moral choices.
Where we areA declaration of intent regarding moral conduct within the context of living a blameless life.
The hard wordבְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל
Take awayThe psalmist firmly rejects anything worthless or evil, ensuring it does not influence him.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשִׁית 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 — Psalms 101:3

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 — A Commitment to Righteousnessgenerated

2I will ponder the way that is blameless— when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.
3I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
4A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.
5Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.

Psalms 101:3 expresses the psalmist's resolve to reject anything worthless or wicked in his life. This verse is part of a larger declaration of his intention to live with integrity and avoid the influence of evil, as seen in the surrounding verses. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral purity and distancing himself from those who engage in wrongdoing.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 18:20–23The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
2Psalm 26:4–5I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.
3Psalm 39:1I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”
4Psalm 119:37–113Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
5Exodus 20:17You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

The Key Word בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל, be.Li.Ya.'algenerated

The term בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (bliya'al) refers to worthlessness or wickedness, often associated with destruction. It describes actions or individuals that are devoid of value and lead to moral corruption. The parsing indicates it is a noun, singular and masculine, emphasizing its role as a subject of disdain in the psalmist's declaration.

This word appears in contexts highlighting moral depravity, suggesting a strong rejection of anything that does not align with righteousness. The psalmist's choice of this term underscores his commitment to a life free from ungodly influences.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, we examine the verse as rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses worthless to translate בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb אָשִׁ֨ית, I will set, governs the sentence, with several phrases detailing what the psalmist will not allow. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's intention and the negation of evil influences.

The sentence is composed of a main clause followed by a series of noun phrases and prepositional phrases that clarify his stance against wickedness, creating a strong declaration of moral integrity.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל as παράνομον, which conveys a sense of lawlessness or being outside the bounds of acceptable behavior. This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the term, linking it to actions that defy moral law.

This translation choice indicates that the Greek translators understood the term not just as worthless, but as fundamentally opposed to righteousness, aligning with the psalmist's intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 101:3 expresses the psalmist's determination to avoid anything worthless or evil. He declares his hatred for the actions of those who turn away from righteousness, ensuring that such things do not influence him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'worthless'?

The term refers to actions or influences that are morally corrupt and devoid of value, which the psalmist rejects.

Why does the psalmist express hatred for the work of those who fall away?

The psalmist's hatred signifies a strong moral stance against actions that deviate from righteousness, reflecting his commitment to integrity.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Psalm 101?

This verse is part of a broader commitment to live a blameless life, emphasizing the importance of avoiding evil influences and maintaining moral purity.

What can we learn from the psalmist's declaration?

We learn the importance of being intentional about what we allow into our lives and the need to reject influences that are contrary to our values.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some 'worthless' things in my life that I need to remove?
  2. How can I actively pursue integrity in my daily actions?
  3. In what ways do I see the influence of those who 'fall away' in my environment?
  4. How can I cultivate a mindset that aligns with the psalmist's commitment to reject evil?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the psalmist's rejection of wickedness and the importance of moral integrity.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 101 354–430
"I set no wicked thing before my eyes" [Psalms 101:3]....I did love no wicked thing.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 101 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 101:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes, Either the eyes of the body, which are the inlets of lust and are easily caught with objects that inflame the heart, and should be turned aside from

Read John Gill on Psalms 101 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - literally, 'no thing of Belial' (Psalms 41:1-13, note).

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 101 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Before mine eyes, to wit, to look upon it with deliberation and design, or with desire and delight, as this phrase here and elsewhere implies. If any ungodly or unjust thing shall be suggested to me, whatsoever specious pretences it may be covered with, as reason of state or worldly advantage, I will cast it out of my mind and thoughts, it, horrency; so far will I be from putting it in execution. That turn aside from God, and from his laws. It shall cleave to me, to wit, such work, or the contagion of such examples. I will neither imitate nor endure such works, nor such workers.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 101 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me. Ver. 3. I will set no wicked thing (Heb. thing of Belial) before mine eyes] That is, in my thoughts, saith Kimchi; for the thinking faculty is in the forepart of the brain, as are also the eyes. I will not gaze upon forbidden objects, nor venture upon a temptation to or an occasion of sin. I will also be wise and wary in the choice of my servants and under officers. Theodosius’ s court was virtutum officina, non vitiorum sentina, saith Pareus. And Archbishop Cranmer’ s house was schola vel palaestra pietatis et literarum, saith Tremellius. See above on the title of…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 101 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) I will set no. . . . . —Mark the wisdom of the resolve in a despotic monarch, who has only to speak to effect whatever he has looked on with desire. Wicked thing.—Thing (or, word) of Belial. (See Note on Psalms 41:8.) I hate the work of them that turn aside.—Or, I hate the doing of false things, according as we take the word in the concrete or abstract. It shall not cleave to me.—Such conduct shall not be mine.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 101 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes] I will undertake no unjust wars; will enter into no sinful alliances; will not oppress my subjects by excessive taxation, to support extravagance in my court. I will not look favourably on things or words of Belial. What is good for nothing or evil in its operation, what is wicked in its principle, and what would lead me away from righteousness and truth, I will never set before my eyes. Them that turn aside] I shall particularly abominate the conduct of those who apostatize from the true religion, and those who deny its Divine authority, and who live without having their conduct governed by its influence, such shall never he put in a…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 101 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. I will set no base thing before mine eyes (R.V.), as an aim to be accomplished, or an example to be imitated. Lit. matter of belial, i.e. worthlessness. Cp. Deuteronomy 15:9. the work of them that turn aside] Or, more probably, the practice of depravities. it shall not cleave to me] “If it seized on him unawares, he would shake it off as an accursed thing; Deuteronomy 13:17” (Kay).

Read Cambridge on Psalms 101 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - That is, I will propose no wicked thing to be done; I will have no such object in view; I will employ no one to do that which is wrong.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 101 →

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

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I will not even consider doing what is dishonest. I hate doing evil; I will have no part of it.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave unto me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I wil set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the worke of them that fall away: it shall not cleaue vnto me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I will set no thing of Belial before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I set not before mine eyes a worthless thing, The work of those turning aside I have hated, It adhereth not to me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I do not set a worthless thing before my eyes, || I have hated the work of those turning aside, || It does not adhere to me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

I will not set before my eyes a godless thing; to commit a departure [from righteousness] do I hate; it shall not cleave to me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I will not put wrongdoing before my eyes; I hate worthless evil; it will not cling to me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I will not look at anything evil. I hate doing wrong—I won't have anything to do with it.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I will not put any evil thing before my eyes; I am against all turning to one side; I will not have it near me.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbאָשִׁ֨יתI.will.setprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseלְtoנֶ֥גֶדbeforenoun phraseעֵינַ֗eyesיmynoun phrase · objectדְּֽבַרa.thingבְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַלof.worthlessnessclausenoun phrase · objectclauseverbעֲשֹֽׂה[the].doingobjectסֵטִ֥יםof.swerving.deedsverbשָׂנֵ֑אתִיI.hateclauseadverbialלֹ֖אnotverbיִדְבַּ֣קit.will.clingprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּֽtoיme

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 closely in their wording, with the Septuagint providing a direct translation that matches the Hebrew. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, show some restoration in their text, indicating partial preservation but aligning with the overall message of rejecting wickedness.

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

לֹֽא־ אָשִׁ֨ית׀ לְנֶ֥גֶד עֵינַ֗י דְּֽבַר־ בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל עֲשֹֽׂה־ סֵטִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי לֹ֖א יִדְבַּ֣ק בִּֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹֽא־οὐאָשִׁ֨ית׀προεθέμηνלְנֶ֥גֶדπρὸעֵינַ֗יμουדְּֽבַר־πρᾶγμαבְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַלπαράνομονעֲשֹֽׂה־ποιοῦνταςסֵטִ֥יםπαραβάσειςשָׂנֵ֑אתִיἐμίσησαלֹ֖אοὐκיִדְבַּ֣קἐκολλήθηבִּֽי׃μοι

12 of the 12 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q5a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[לוא] [אשית] [לנגד] עינ׳י דבר בליעל עשה [סטים] [שנאתי] [לוא] [ידבק] ב׳י

3 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.

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.

Psalms 101:3לֹאnotnotלֹאשִׁיתI will setI will setשִׁיתנֶ֫גֶדto beforeto beforeנֶ֫גֶדעַ֫יִןeyes myeyes myעַ֫יִןדָּבָרa thing ofa thing ofדָּבָרבְּלִיַּ֫עַלworthlessneworthlessnessבְּלִיַּ֫עַלעָשָׂה[the] doing[the] doing ofעָשָׂהשֵׂטswerving deswerving deedsשֵׂטשָׂנֵאI hateI hateשָׂנֵאלֹאnotnotלֹאדָּבַקit will cliit will clingדָּבַקנִיto meto meנִינָגַדto tellto tellנָגַדדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרבְּלִיwithoutwithoutבְּלִישׂוּטשׂוּטיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדעֵ֫דֶרflockflockעֵ֫דֶרחֹ֫שֶׁךְdarknessdarknessחֹ֫שֶׁךְבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַלחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁריֶ֫תֶרremainderremainderיֶ֫תֶרסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶרעוּדto upholdto upholdעוּדנֶ֫גֶדbeforebeforeנֶ֫גֶדמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהתּוֹעֵבַהabominatioabominationתּוֹעֵבַהאָהֵבto love: lto love: loverאָהֵב
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 Psalms 101:3

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.

not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
אָשִׁ֨ית׀'a.Shit I will set H7896 Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
83× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to place or set something, and it's used in many different ways, like appointing someone to a job or setting your mind to do something. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to lay hands on someone or make something happen.
Amplified meaning
not allow to be present
Tyndale gloss
to set: make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שִׁית (shiyth) is a primitive root meaning to put or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, laying, and constituting. It can also imply taking a stand or being imposed upon. The entries consistently emphasize its versatility in contexts of action and intention.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׁית vb. put, set

Qal

put, lay

set, station

set one's mind to, give heed, attention

set, fix

constitute, make one something

internally trans., = take one's stand

Hoph. if a ransom be imposed

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7896 שִׁית put, set .. put, lay

. . set, station

. set one's mind to, give heed, attention

. set, fix

. constitute, make one something

. internally trans., = take one's stand

. if a ransom be imposed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7896 shiyth sheeth

a primitive root; to place (in a very wide

application):--apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay

(up), let alone, X look, make, mark, put (on), + regard, set,

shew, be stayed, X take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: make.

: make/establish

1) to put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)

1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to

1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform

1a4) to take one's stand

1a5) to lay waste

1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: put.

: put/bring

1) to put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)

1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to

1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform

1a4) to take one's stand

1a5) to lay waste

1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: appoint.

: appoint

1) to put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)

1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to

1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform

1a4) to take one's stand

1a5) to lay waste

1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: accuse.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
HVqi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Few words in the English language have such a rich variety of meaning and are used in so rich a variety of idiomatic expression as the word "set." A glance at any of the great dictionaries will convince anyone of the truth of this statement. The Standard Dictionary devotes three and a half columns to the word. In its primary meaning it there denotes 22 distinct things, in its secondary meaning 17 more, while 18 distinct phrases are given in which it is used, in some cases again in a variety of meanings. It is indeed a word calculated to drive a foreigner to despair. Some 70 Hebrew and about 30 Greek words in the original tongues of the Holy Scriptures have been rendered by the word "set," in the King James Version and also in the Revised Version (British and American). A careful comparative study of the original and of translations in other tongues will at once indicate that a lack of…

not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
לְנֶ֥גֶדle.Ne.ged to before H5048 Preposition
151× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5048 neged neh'-ghed

from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a

counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with

preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,

X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,

sight, X to view.

see HEBREW for 05046

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.

subst

1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of

adv

2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of

3) in front of oneself, straightforward

4) before your face, in your view or purpose

with prep

5) what is in front of, corresponding to

6) in front of, before

7) in the sight or presence of

8) parallel to

9) over, for

10) in front, opposite

11) at a distance

prep

12) from the front of, away from

13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from

14) from before, in front of

15) as far as the front of

Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Prep — Preposition
HR/Acmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).

not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
עֵינַ֗י'ei.Nai eyes my H5869 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
my gaze, my attention
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp1bs
not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
דְּֽבַר־de.var- a thing of H1697 Noun common · masculine singular construct
1,442× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Tyndale gloss
Chronicles
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word

sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

sg. a word, words

sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

. sg. a word, words

. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1697 dabar daw-baw'

from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or

thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X

any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,

cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X

commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +

dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +

eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,

+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,

message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +

please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,

question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,

sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),

somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,

X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,

what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבָר (da.var) — word.

: word/speech/command

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.

: speaking

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.

: thing/matter

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.

: promised/duty

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.

: deed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַלbe.Li.Ya.'al worthlessness H1100 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Belial refers to something or someone worthless or wicked, often translated as evil or ungodly. It describes people or actions that are good for nothing and lead to destruction.
Amplified meaning
wicked, evil, or ungodly, Belial, something of no value
Tyndale gloss
Belial: worthless
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (bliya`al) refers to worthlessness or wickedness, often associated with destruction. It is derived from roots meaning 'without profit' and can describe ungodly individuals. The term appears in contexts related to moral depravity and is linked to concepts of ruin. Some sources emphasize its use as a name, similar to 'Satan'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל 27 n.[m.] worthlessness

abstr.

concr. elliptical

ruin, destruction

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1100 בְּלִיַּ֫עַל worthlessness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1100 bliya`al bel-e-yah'-al

from 1097 and 3276; without profit, worthlessness; by

extension, destruction, wickedness (often in connection with

376, 802, 1121, etc.):--Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men),

wicked.

see HEBREW for 01097

see HEBREW for 03276

see HEBREW for 0376

see HEBREW for 0802

see HEBREW for 01121

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) — Belial.

A name like sa.tan (שָׂטָן "Satan" H7854)

This name means worthless, base, wicked

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) — Belial: destruction.

: destruction

1) worthlessness

1a) worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow

1b) wicked

1c) ruin, destruction (construct)

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) — Belial: worthless.

: worthless

1) worthlessness

1a) worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow

1b) wicked

1c) ruin, destruction (construct)

Also means: be.liy.ya.al (בְּלִיַּ֫עַל ": destruction" H1100H)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
עֲשֹֽׂה־'a.soh- [the] doing of H6213 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Amplified meaning
deeds, actions
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-a — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
סֵטִ֥יםse.Tim swerving deeds H7846 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to rebel or turn away from what is right, often referring to sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of those who turned against God in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
rebellion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׂט (set) refers to a departure from the right path, often associated with sin or rebellion. It encompasses meanings like swerver and revolter, indicating actions that deviate from what is considered correct. The word is built from the root related to turning aside, and it highlights themes of rebellion in moral or ethical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שֵׂט, סֵט] n.[m.] swerver, revolter (?), deeds that swerve (fr. the right?)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7846 שֵׂט, סֵט

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7846 set sayte

or cet {sayt}; from 7750; a departure from right, i.e.

sin:--revolter, that turn aside.

see HEBREW for 07750

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׂט (set) — rebellion.

swerver, revolter, rebel, deeds that swerve

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
שָׂנֵ֑אתִיsa.Ne.ti I hate H8130 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
146× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hate means to feel intense dislike or hostility, as seen in the actions of enemies or foes in the Bible. It can also describe God's hatred of sin.
Amplified meaning
feel intense dislike, despise
Tyndale gloss
to hate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate

Qal 128 hate

Niph. is hated

Pi. enemy

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8130 שָׂנֵא hate

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8130 sane' saw-nay'

a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)

hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.

1) to hate, be hateful

1a) (Qal) to hate

1a1) of man

1a2) of God

1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)

1b) (Niphal) to be hated

1c) (Piel) hater (participle)

1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom

Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Often denotes in Scripture only a less degree of love, Ge 29:30,31 De 21:15 Pr 13:24 Mal 1:2,3 Lu 14:26 Ro 9:13. God has a just and perfect abhorrence of sin and sinners, Ps 5:5. But hatred in general is a malevolent passion, Ga 5:20, and no one who is not perfect in love, can hate without sin.

not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
לֹ֖אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
יִדְבַּ֣קyid.Bak it will cling H1692 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cleave means to cling or stick to something, like pursuing something closely. It's used in the Bible to describe following God or others.
Amplified meaning
cleave, stick
Tyndale gloss
to cleave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּבַק, transliterated as dabaq, is a Hebrew verb meaning to cling or cleave. It encompasses a range of actions such as adhering closely, pursuing, and being joined together. The word appears in various forms, including Qal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of the action. Notably, it can describe both physical and metaphorical closeness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבַק, דָּבֵק vb. cling, cleave, keep close

Qal

cling, cleave to

cling, cleave to

Pu. of crocodile’s scales, they are joined together

Hiph.

cause to cling or cleave to

pursue closely

overtake

Hoph. and my tongue is made to cleave (to) my gums

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1692 דָּבַק, דָּבֵק cling, cleave, keep close

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1692 dabaq daw-bak'

a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere;

figuratively, to catch by pursuit:--abide fast, cleave (fast

together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together),

keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבַק (da.vaq) — to cleave.

1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cling, cleave to

1a2) to stay with

1b) (Pual) to be joined together

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to cleave to

1c2) to pursue closely

1c3) to overtake

1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave

Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
not I will set to before eyes my a thing of worthlessness [the] doing of swerving deeds I hate not it will cling to me
בִּֽי׃Bi to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
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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