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Psalms 107:25 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּ֗אמֶר וַֽ֭יַּעֲמֵד ר֣וּחַ סְעָרָ֑ה וַתְּרוֹמֵ֥ם גַּלָּֽיו׃

BSAFor He spokeʼâmar [commanded, spoke with authority] and raisedʻâmad [appointed, brought forth] a tempestçaʻar [stormy wind, whirlwind] that liftedrûwm [exalted, stirred up] the waves [of the sea]gal [heaps, billows, the deep, the ocean]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 107
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 25 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 (ga.Lav) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 107:25quick helps
In a sentenceGod commanded a storm, which stirred the sea's waves.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on God's power over nature.
Where we areA poetic description of God's sovereignty in the midst of chaos.
The hard wordסְעָרָה
Take awayGod's word brings forth powerful natural events.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָמַר 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 107:25

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 — God's Power Over Naturegenerated

24They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.
25For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.
26They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.
27They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.

Psalm 107:25 reflects on God's authority as He commands the elements. This verse illustrates His power to raise a tempest, demonstrating that even nature responds to His voice. The surrounding verses recount the experiences of those who witnessed His mighty acts, emphasizing the theme of divine intervention in times of distress.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 135:7He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.
2Psalm 148:8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,
3Jonah 1:4Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.
4Psalm 93:3The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves.
5Matthew 8:24Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אָמַר, vai.Yo.mergenerated

The verb אָמַר (amar) means 'to say' or 'to speak', encompassing a wide range of uses such as commanding or promising. In this verse, it highlights God's authoritative command over creation, showing that His words have the power to enact change.

The parsing indicates it is a sequential imperfect verb in the third person masculine singular, emphasizing that God actively spoke, initiating the events that followed. This reinforces the idea that His words are not mere statements but commands that bring forth reality.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains three main clauses, with the finite verbs אָמַר, עָמַד, and רוּם governing the actions described. The structure emphasizes the sequence of God's commands and their immediate effects on nature.

The word order places emphasis on God's actions, with the verbs leading the sentence, indicating His active role in the events described.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אָמַר as εἶπεν, which also means 'to say' or 'to speak'. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on God's authoritative speech.

For סְעָרָה, the translators used καταιγίδος, which specifically denotes a storm, suggesting a focus on the tumultuous nature of the event, similar to the original Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 107:25 describes how God spoke and caused a storm that stirred the sea's waves. This verse highlights God's power over nature, showing that even the elements respond to His command.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God 'spoke' to raise a tempest?

It signifies God's authority and power; His words can command nature itself, illustrating His sovereignty.

How does this verse relate to other biblical accounts of storms?

Similar themes of God's control over storms appear in passages like Jonah 1:4 and Matthew 8:24, where His voice calms the chaos.

What is the significance of the waves being 'lifted'?

It illustrates the dramatic effect of God's command, showing how His authority can elevate or stir the natural world.

Why is the imagery of a tempest used here?

The tempest symbolizes chaos and danger, emphasizing God's power to intervene and bring order out of turmoil.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How have I seen God's authority in my own life during chaotic times?
  2. In what ways can I trust God's word to bring peace in my struggles?
  3. What does it mean for me to recognize God's power over nature and my circumstances?
  4. How can I respond to God's commands in my daily life?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 107:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,.... Winds are not raised by men, nor by devils, nor by angels, but by the Lord himself; who has created them, holds them in his fist, brings them out

Read John Gill on Psalms 107 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind - He speaks the word, and instantly the stormy wind arises (Psalms 105:31).

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 107 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The winds and storms come not by chance, but by the disposition of Divine Providence.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 107 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.Ver. 25. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, &c.] Of this Seneca, though a heathen, could say, Inter caetera providentiae divinae opera hoc quoque dignum est admiratione, &c., Among other works of the Divine providence this is admirable, that the winds lie upon the sea for the furtherance of navigation, &c.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 107 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) He commandeth.—Literally, He speaks. The Almighty fiat, as in Genesis 1.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 107 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 25. For he commandeth] And what less than the command of God can raise up such winds as seem to heave old Ocean from his bed?

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 107 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. For he commandeth &c.] For he spake, and raised &c. Cp. Psalms 105:31; Psalms 105:34; Genesis 1:3 &c. The P.B.V., For at his word the stormy wind ariseth follows the LXX (Vulg.) and Jer. in presuming a different vocalisation of the Heb. consonants, which may possibly be right.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 107 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For he commandeth - Hebrew, “he says;” that is, He speaks the word, and it is done. The mere expression of his will raises up the storm, and throws the sea into commotion.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 107 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He gave the order for a windstorm, and it stirred up the waves of the sea.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up its waves.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For he commaundeth and raiseth the stormie winde, and it lifteth vp the waues thereof.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For he speaketh, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And He saith, and appointeth a tempest, And it lifteth up its billows,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And He commands, and appoints a storm, || And it lifts up its billows,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For he spoke, and he raised the stormy wind, which lifteth up its waves.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For he commanded and aroused the windstorm that stirs up the seas.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He only had to speak to cause a stormy wind that stirred up towering waves,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For at his word comes up the storm-wind, lifting high the waves.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּ֗אמֶרhe.spokeוַֽ֭andclauseverbיַּעֲמֵדhe.appointednoun phrase · objectר֣וּחַa.windסְעָרָ֑הof.a.stormוַandclauseverbתְּרוֹמֵ֥םit.lifted.upnoun phrase · objectגַּלָּֽיwavesוits

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, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some editorial restoration, but the core message remains consistent with the MT and LXX.

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

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר וַֽ֭יַּעֲמֵד ר֣וּחַ סְעָרָ֑ה וַתְּרוֹמֵ֥ם גַּלָּֽיו׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרεἶπενוַֽ֭יַּעֲמֵדἔστηר֣וּחַπνεῦμαסְעָרָ֑הκαταιγίδοςוַתְּרוֹמֵ֥םὑψώθηגַּלָּֽיו׃κύματα

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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q88a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ויאמר] [ויעמד] רוח [סערה] [ותרומם] גלים

2 words on the leather — 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.

Psalms 107:25אָמַרand he spokand he spokeאָמַרעָמַדand he appoand he appointeעָמַדרוּחַa wind ofa wind ofרוּחַסַ֫עַרa storma stormסַ֫עַררוּםand it liftand it lifted uרוּםגַּלwaves itswaves itsגַּלרִיחַto smellto smellרִיחַסָעַרto rageto rageסָעַרגָּלַלto rollto rollגָּלַלכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהאֵ֫צֶלbesidebesideאֵ֫צֶלעָנָןcloudcloudעָנָןנְשָׁמָהbreathbreathנְשָׁמָהקָדִיםeasteastקָדִיםסוּפָהwhirlwindwhirlwindסוּפָהאֵלִיָּהElijahElijahאֵלִיָּהתְּרוּמָהcontributicontributionתְּרוּמָהקֶ֫רֶןhornhornקֶ֫רֶןהָמָהto roarto roarהָמָהבָּצַרto gather/to gather/restrבָּצַר
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 107:25

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.

and he spoke and he appointed a wind of a storm and it lifted up waves its
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.mer and he spoke H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Amplified meaning
commanded, spoke with authority
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

spok (1Ki 7:33).

See SEA, THE MOLTEN.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he spoke and he appointed a wind of a storm and it lifted up waves its
וַֽ֭יַּעֲמֵדVai.ya.'a.med and he appointed H5975 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
521× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Amplified meaning
appointed, brought forth
Tyndale gloss
to stand: stand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָמַד (amad) means to stand and encompasses a variety of related actions such as remaining, enduring, and taking a stand. It can refer to both literal and figurative stances, including presenting oneself or being appointed. The word appears in various contexts, including standing still, ceasing movement, and even serving. There are different forms of the verb, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, each with specific nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָמַד 620 take one's stand, stand

Qal 435

take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude

stand forth

take a stand against, in opposition to

present oneself before

attend upon, be(come) servant of

stand afar

stand (silent)

stand (appealingly)

stand, subj. רֶגֶל

stand, of water

stand still, stop, cease moving

= be inactive

= be attentive

stop, cease doing a thing

tarry, delay

remain

continue, abide

endure

be steadfast

persist

make a stand, hold one's ground

stand upright

arise, appear, come on the scene

stand forth, appear = come into being

rise up as foe

rare usages

Hiph.

83station, set

cause to stand firm

cause to stand up, set up, erect

present one before king

appoint

other meanings

Hoph. be presented

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5975 עָמַד take one's stand, stand .. . take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude

. stand forth

. take a stand against, in opposition to

. present oneself before

. attend upon, be(come) servant of

. stand afar

. stand (silent)

. stand (appealingly)

. stand, subj. רֶגֶל

. stand, of water

. . stand still, stop, cease moving

. = be inactive

. = be attentive

. stop, cease doing a thing

. . tarry, delay

. remain

. continue, abide

. endure

. be steadfast

. persist

. make a stand, hold one's ground

. stand upright

. . arise, appear, come on the scene

. stand forth, appear = come into being

. rise up as foe

. rare usages

. . station, set

. cause to stand firm

. cause to stand up, set up, erect

. present one before king

. appoint

. other meanings

. be presented

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5975 `amad aw-mad'

a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and

figurative, intransitive and transitive):--abide (behind),

appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed,

endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be)

present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth,

over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-)stand (by,

fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמַד (a.mad) — to stand: stand.

: stand/stop/establish

1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of

1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease

1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast

1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground

1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright

1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against

1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to station, set

1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain

1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect

1b4) to present (one) before (king)

1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vhw3ms
and he spoke and he appointed a wind of a storm and it lifted up waves its
ר֣וּחַRu.ach a wind of H7307 Noun common · feminine singular construct
378× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Tyndale gloss
spirit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit

breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)

wind (117 t.)

spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)

spirit of the living, breathing being

spirit as seat of emotion

occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts

rarely of the will

רוּחַ esp. of moral character

spirit of God (94 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)

. wind (117 t.)

. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)

. spirit of the living, breathing being

. spirit as seat of emotion

. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts

. rarely of the will

. רוּחַ esp. of moral character

. spirit of God (94 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7307 ruwach roo'-akh

from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or

even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,

unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by

resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including

its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X

cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),

tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).

see HEBREW for 07306

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.

: spirit

1) wind, breath, mind, spirit

1a) breath

1b) wind

1b1) of heaven

1b2) quarter (of wind), side

1b3) breath of air

1b4) air, gas

1b5) vain, empty thing

1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)

1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour

1c2) courage

1c3) temper, anger

1c4) impatience, patience

1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)

1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse

1c7) prophetic spirit

1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)

1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being

1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)

1e1) desire

1e2) sorrow, trouble

1f) spirit

1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts

1f2) rarely of the will

1f3) as seat especially of moral character

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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…

and he spoke and he appointed a wind of a storm and it lifted up waves its
סְעָרָ֑הse.'a.Rah a storm H5591 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a strong storm or hurricane, like a whirlwind. It appears in the Bible to describe powerful natural events. The KJV translates it as storm or tempest.
Amplified meaning
stormy wind, whirlwind
Tyndale gloss
tempest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סַ֫עַר (sa'ar) refers to a tempest or storm, while סְעָרָה (se'arah) is a feminine form that also means tempest or storm-wind. The entries indicate that both forms are related and cover similar meanings, including hurricane and whirlwind.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סַ֫עַר n.m. tempest

base

סְעָרָה n.f. tempest, storm-wind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5591a סַ֫עַר tempest H5591b סְעָרָה tempest, storm-wind

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5591 ca`ar sah'-ar

or (feminine) ctarah {seh-aw-raw'}; from 5590; a

hurricane:--storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind.

see HEBREW for 05590

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סַ֫עַר (sa.ar) — tempest.

tempest

Another spelling of se.a.rah (סְעָרָה "tempest" H5591B)

סְעָרָה (se.a.rah) — tempest.

tempest, storm, whirlwind

Also means: sa.ar (סַ֫עַר "tempest" H5591A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and he spoke and he appointed a wind of a storm and it lifted up waves its
וַתְּרוֹמֵ֥םva.te.ro.Mem and it lifted up H7311 Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
190× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Amplified meaning
exalted, stirred up
Tyndale gloss
to exalt
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּם (ruwm) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be high or exalted, covering a range of actions such as rising, lifting, and promoting. It can refer to physical elevation, like raising an ark or setting up a throne, as well as figurative exaltation, particularly in relation to God. The word also has a related form, רָמַם (ramam), which means to be wormy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רוּם vb. be high, exalted, rise

Qal

be high, lit. rock (in fig.)

esp. of י׳

be raised, uplifted

be lifted, rise, of ark

Pō‛lēl

raise, rear, children

cause tree to grow

lift up

exalt, extol, acc. י׳

Pō‛lal be lift up

Hiph.

raise, rear, c. acc., hand

raise poor

lift up voice

(take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone

set up, erect, stone

set on high, throne

lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.

lift up and take away, remove

lift off and present, contribute, offer

Hoph. be taken off from; be abolished

Hithpō‛l. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself

base

[רָמַם] vb. denom. be wormy;—Ex 16:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7311a רוּם be high, exalted, rise .. . be high, lit. rock (in fig.)

. esp. of י׳

. be raised, uplifted

. be lifted, rise, of ark

.. . raise, rear, children

. cause tree to grow

. lift up

. exalt, extol, acc. י׳

.be lift up

. . . . raise, rear, c. acc., hand

. raise poor

. lift up voice

. (take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone

. set up, erect, stone

. set on high, throne

. lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.

. lift up and take away, remove

. lift off and present, contribute, offer

. be taken off from; be abolished

. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself

H7311b רָמַם vb. denom. be wormy

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7311 ruwm room

a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in

various applications, literally or figuratively):--bring up,

exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be,

lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up,

levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, (X a-)loud, mount up, offer

(up), + presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up,

tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּם (rum) — to exalt.

1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be high, be set on high

1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted

1a3) to be lifted, rise

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up

1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt

1b3) to exalt, extol

1c) (Polal) to be lifted up

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high

1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove

1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute

1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished

1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself

Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)

רָמַם (ra.mam) — be rotten.

(Qal) to be rotten, be wormy

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-o-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vpw3fs
and he spoke and he appointed a wind of a storm and it lifted up waves its
גַּלָּֽיו׃ga.Lav waves its H1530 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A gal is a heap of stones, a spring of water, or a wave, used in various contexts like ratifying a covenant or describing God's chastisement.
Amplified meaning
heaps, billows, the deep, the ocean
Tyndale gloss
heap
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּל (gal) refers to a heap or pile, often of stones or dung, and can also denote waves or billows, particularly in a poetic context. It is derived from a root meaning something rolled and can signify a spring of water. The word is used in various contexts, including the ratification of covenants and metaphorically to describe the chastisement of Jehovah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּל n.m. heap, wave, billow

heap of stones

waves (rollers) poet.

spring

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1530 גַּל heap, wave, billow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1530 gal gal

from 1556; something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung

(plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural

waves):--billow, heap, spring, wave.

see HEBREW for 01556

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּל (gal) — heap.

: heap/pile

1) heap, spring, wave, billow

1a) heap (of stones)

1a1) over dead body

1a2) alone

1a3) used in ratifying a covenant

1b) waves (fig. of chastisement of Jehovah)

1c) spring

Also means: gal (גַּל ": wave" H1530H)

גַּל (gal) — heap: wave.

: wave

1) heap, spring, wave, billow

1a) heap (of stones)

1a1) over dead body

1a2) alone

1a3) used in ratifying a covenant

1b) waves (fig. of chastisement of Jehovah)

1c) spring

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
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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