Psalms 102:25 — Word Study
WLCלְ֭פָנִים הָאָ֣רֶץ יָסַ֑דְתָּ וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֶ֣יךָ שָׁמָֽיִם׃
BSAto sayʼâmar godʼêl notʼal to ascendʻâlâh halfchêtsîy dayyôwm generationdôwr generationdôwr yearshâneh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְ֭פָנִים | before | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| הָאָ֣רֶץ | the earth | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| יָסַ֑דְתָּ | you founded | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה | and [were] [the] work of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| יָדֶ֣יךָ | hands your | Noun common both dual construct, suffix |
| שָׁמָֽיִם׃ | [the] heavens | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. |
| KJV | Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. |
| ASV | Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands. |
| YLT | Beforetime the earth Thou didst found, And the work of Thy hands [are] the heavens. |
| WEB | Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. |
| BBE | In the past you put the earth on its base, and the heavens are the work of your hands. |
The translations agree on the foundational act of creation as described in this verse.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a conjunction and a predicate, clearly presenting God's creative actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
verbעָלָה
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 — Psalms 102:25
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 Reflection on God's Creationgenerated
Psalms 102:25 reflects on God's creative power, emphasizing that He laid the foundations of the earth and that the heavens are His handiwork. This verse is part of a larger meditation on God's eternal nature and His sovereignty over creation, contrasting the permanence of God with the transitory nature of the world.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 1:1 | In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. |
| 2 | Genesis 2:1 | Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. |
| 3 | Exodus 20:11 | For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. |
| 4 | Job 38:4–7 | Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. |
| 5 | Proverbs 8:23–36 | From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָסַדְתָּ, ya.Sad.tagenerated
The verb יָסַד (*yasad*) means to establish or found, indicating a strong sense of laying a foundation. This word is used in both literal and figurative contexts, suggesting the act of creating something solid and enduring.
In this verse, it emphasizes God's role in the creation of the earth, portraying Him as the ultimate architect of the universe. The perfect tense indicates a completed action, affirming that God has definitively established the earth.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree in conveying that God laid the foundations of the earth, using similar phrases across versions.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יָסַדְתָּ, you founded, governs the entire sentence, with a prepositional phrase indicating the object of the action: the foundations of the earth. The structure emphasizes God's active role in creation.
The phrase וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה serves as a conjunction linking the two clauses, indicating that the heavens are also part of God's creative work, further highlighting His authority over both earth and sky.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָסַדְתָּ as ἀναγάγῃς, which suggests a similar meaning of establishing or bringing forth. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of God's creative action.
The Greek term emphasizes the act of creation, aligning closely with the Hebrew sense of founding and establishing.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 102:25 states that God laid the foundations of the earth and that the heavens are the work of His hands. This verse highlights God's role as the creator, emphasizing His authority over all creation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God is the creator and originator of the earth, establishing it firmly as part of His creation.
The verse contrasts God's eternal existence with the temporary nature of creation, highlighting that while the earth may perish, God remains unchanged.
This phrase emphasizes God's direct involvement and authority in creation, suggesting that the heavens are a testament to His power and craftsmanship.
It parallels other biblical creation narratives, such as in Genesis 1:1, affirming God's role as the creator of all that exists.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's creative power in the world around me?
- How can I reflect on the permanence of God in contrast to the temporary nature of creation?
- What does it mean for me to recognize God as the foundation of my life?
- How can I appreciate the work of God's hands in my daily experiences?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers reference this verse to discuss God's creation, emphasizing His eternal nature and the permanence of His works.
But it is not thus that the prophets and the apostles have told us that the world was made by God merely appearing and approaching matter.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 102 →
In like manner David says, “The heavens, the works of your hands, shall themselves perish. For even as a garment shall he change them,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 102 →
Therefore the Image of the unalterable God must be unchangeable; for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” And David in the psalm says of him, “You, Lord, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 102 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 102:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOf old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth,.... The lower part of the creation, the Lord's footstool, called the earth beneath: this has its foundation; though what it is cannot be well said,
Read John Gill on Psalms 102 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThis shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 102 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe eternity of God looks both backward and forward, it is both without beginning and without end. The former is affirmed and illustrated ,26,27, the latter is clearly implied in this verse. Thou hadst a being before the creation of the world, when there was nothing but eternity, but the earth and heavens had a beginning given them by thy almighty power.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 102 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands.Ver. 25. Of old thou hast laid the foundation, &c.] Here is a clear proof of Christ’ s eternity, Hebrews 1:10, because he was before the creation of the world, and shall continue after the consummation thereof, Psalms 102:26-27. So the saints a parte post. 1 John 2:17, "The world passeth away, and the lusts thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
Read John Trapp on Psalms 102 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 25. Of old hast thou laid the foundation] None taught of God ever imagined the world to have been eternal. Of old, לפנים lephanim, before there were any faces or appearances, thou didst lay the foundations of the earth. It was created by thee; it did not grow by accretion or aggregation from a pre-existent nucleus. There was nothing; and thou didst produce being - substance or matter. Out of that created matter thou didst make the earth and the heavens.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 102 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23–28. From the contemplation of the glorious future the Psalmist returns to the present, and takes up the thought of Psa 102:11.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 102 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOf old - See this passage fully explained in the notes at Hebrews 1:10-12. In the beginning; at the first. The phrase used here means literally “to the face;” then, “before” in the order of time.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 102 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible25. Of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth—What is here affirmed of God, is, in the New Testament, quoted and affirmed of Christ.Hebrews 1:10. This is repeatedly done. Compare Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 2:23.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 102 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
In earlier times you established the earth; the skies are your handiwork.
Tyndale line
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Thou hast aforetime layde the foundation of the earth, and the heauens are the worke of thine hands.
Strictly literal
Of old hast thou founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands:
Beforetime the earth Thou didst found, And the work of Thy hands [are] the heavens.
You founded the earth before time, || And the heavens [are] the work of Your hands.
(102:26) In olden times didst thou lay the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
In ancient times you set the earth in place; the heavens are the work of your hands.
Simplified
Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
In the past you put the earth on its base, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
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 agree closely in this verse, with all six words matched in the Hebrew and Greek. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial support, with some words restored by editors, indicating a strong consistency in the core message of God's creative power.
לְ֭פָנִים הָאָ֣רֶץ יָסַ֑דְתָּ וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֶ֣יךָ שָׁמָֽיִם׃
6 of the 6 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.
אמר אל׳י אל תעל׳ני בחצי ימ׳י בדור דרים שנתי׳ך
8 words on the leather — 1 partly restored.
[אמר] [אל׳י] [אל] תעל׳ני בחצי ימ׳י בדור דורים [שנותי׳ך]
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 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.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 102:25
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word 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.
[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
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
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)
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…
HR/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHR/Ncmpa
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).
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
HTd/Ncfsa — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2
יָסַד (yacad) means to establish or found, with nuances of fixing and laying a foundation. It can refer to both literal and figurative settings, such as appointing or consulting. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to found), Niphal (to be founded), and Piel (to establish). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
יָסַד vb. establish, found, fix
Qal found, establish
Niph.
fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave
be founded
Pi.
found
establish
Pu. be founded, be laid, of a foundation
Hoph. be founded
base
H3245 יָסַד establish, found, fix
3245 yacad yaw-sad'
a primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively);
intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e.
settle, consult:--appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the,
lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, X sure.
יָסַד (ya.sad) — to found.
1) to found, fix, establish, lay foundation
1a) (Qal) to found, establish, begin
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave
1b2) to be founded
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to found
1c2) to establish, appoint, ordain
1d) (Pual) to be founded, be laid
1e) (Hophal) to be founded
HVqp2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
HC/Ncmsc — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
יָד 1604 n.f. hand
hand
Fig. = strength, power
Fig. = side
יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—
sign, monument
part, fractional part or share
time, repetition
axle-trees
stays, supports for laver
tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
a (beckoning) hand
יַד with prep.
base
H3027 יָד hand . hand
. Fig. = strength, power
. Fig. = side
. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument
. part, fractional part or share
. time, repetition
. axle-trees
. stays, supports for laver
. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
. a (beckoning) hand
. יַד with prep.
3027 yad yawd
a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,
means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed
one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of
applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate
and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,
at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,
(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +
creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,
force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,
labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,
ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,
power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,
draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by
them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,
+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,
יָד (yad) — hand.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: power.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
HNcbdc/Sp2ms — Noun common both dual construct · suffixHNcbdc/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).
See HEAVENLY.