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Psalms 108:4 — Word Study

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WLCכִּֽי־ גָד֣וֹל מֵֽעַל־ שָׁמַ֣יִם חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְֽעַד־ שְׁחָקִ֥ים אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃

BSAto give thanksyâdâh Amawʻam The LordYᵉhôvâh to singzâmar notbal peoplelᵉʼôm

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 108
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 ('a.mi.Te.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 108:4quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist praises God for His immense loving devotion and unwavering faithfulness.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing gratitude and admiration for God's character.
Where we areThis verse is part of a psalm celebrating God's greatness and faithfulness.
The hard wordחַסְדֶּךָ
Take awayGod's love and faithfulness are vast and beyond human comprehension.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Barnes & more — read them › clause 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 108:4

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 Psalm of Praisegenerated

3I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.
4For Your loving devotion extends beyond the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.
6Respond and save us with Your right hand, that Your beloved may be delivered.

Psalm 108:4 expresses the psalmist's acknowledgment of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, which surpasses the heavens and reaches the clouds. This verse is part of a larger psalm that calls for praise among the nations and emphasizes God's glory over all the earth. The psalmist seeks to exalt God and highlight His attributes, linking His loving devotion to His faithfulness.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 36:5Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.
2Psalm 85:10Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.
3Psalm 89:2–5For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”
4Psalm 103:11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
5Isaiah 55:9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חַסְדֶּךָ, chas.De.khagenerated

The word חֶסֶד (chesed) signifies a deep, covenantal loyalty and kindness. It is often associated with God's mercy and faithfulness toward His people. The parsing indicates that it is a noun in the singular construct form, showing possession — in this case, God's loving kindness towards humanity.

This word conveys not just kindness, but a steadfast love that is reliable and enduring, reflecting God's character. It is used frequently in the context of God's relationship with His people, emphasizing His commitment and compassion.


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 main finite verb is גָד֣וֹל, is great, which governs the attributes of God's love and faithfulness. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating the extent of God's loving devotion and another prepositional phrase describing the reach of His faithfulness.

The word order emphasizes the greatness of God's attributes by placing them at the forefront, followed by their expansive reach, which enhances the overall message of God's omnipresence and reliability.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the translators used ἐχομολογήσομαί to render the Hebrew חַסְדֶּךָ, indicating a focus on acknowledgment and praise. This choice highlights the relational aspect of God's lovingkindness, suggesting that it is not just an attribute but also a reason for worship.

The translation reflects a slightly different emphasis, as the Greek word implies a public declaration of God's attributes rather than a mere description.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 108:4 tells us that God's loving devotion is greater than the heavens, and His faithfulness reaches to the clouds. This verse emphasizes the vastness of God's love and reliability, inviting praise and recognition of His character.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God's loving devotion is greater than the heavens?

It signifies that God's love is immeasurable and transcends all creation, emphasizing His infinite kindness and mercy.

How does faithfulness relate to God's character?

God's faithfulness reflects His unchanging nature and reliability, assuring us that He keeps His promises.

Why is the imagery of clouds used here?

Clouds symbolize the heights and expansiveness of God's faithfulness, illustrating that it is beyond human reach and understanding.

How can we respond to God's loving devotion?

We can respond by praising Him, acknowledging His kindness in our lives, and striving to reflect that same love and faithfulness to others.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced God's loving devotion in my life?
  2. How can I demonstrate faithfulness in my relationships with others?
  3. What does it mean for me to acknowledge God's greatness among the nations?
  4. How can I encourage others to recognize and praise God's attributes?

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

Cyril of Jerusalem references this verse in his teachings, highlighting the nature of God's power and presence in the world.

Cyril of JerusalemCatechetical Lecture 8:2 c. 313–386
Of the Greeks, some have said that God is the soul of the world; others that his power does not extend to earth but only to heaven.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 108 →

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 108:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For thy mercy is great above the heavens,..... It is in Psalms 57:10, "thy mercy is great unto the heavens". [See comments on Psalms 57:10].

Read John Gill on Psalms 108 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. For thy mercy is great above the heavens - Hebrew, 'from above the heavens' [ mee`al (H5921)].

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 108 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. For thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And thy truth (reacheth) unto the skies. This verse gives the reason for the praises which he purposes to offer. Once more God’s lovingkindness and truth had been attested by the deliverance of Israel from exile. Cp. Psalms 98:3. The change of ‘unto the heavens’ into ‘above the heavens’ is a loss to the sense, making the second line an anticlimax.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 108 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For thy mercy ... - This is taken from Psalms 57:10. The only change is in the expression “above the heavens,” instead of “unto the heavens.” The sense is essentially the same.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 108 →

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

For Your loving devotion extends beyond the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For Your loving devotion extends beyond the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For your loyal love extends beyond the sky, and your faithfulness reaches the clouds.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; And thy truth reacheth unto the skies.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth reacheth unto the skies.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth to the clouds.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For thy mercy is great aboue the heauens, and thy trueth vnto the clouds.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For thy loving-kindness is great above the heavens, and thy truth is unto the clouds.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For great above the heavens [is] Thy kindness, And unto the clouds Thy truth.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For Your kindness [is] great above the heavens, || And Your truth to the clouds.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(108:5) For great above the heavens is thy kindness, and thy truth reacheth even unto the skies.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For your covenant faithfulness is great above the heavens; and your trustworthiness reaches to the skies.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Instead of making me a return of love, they detracted me: but I gave myself to prayer.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For your trustworthy love reaches higher than the heavens, your faithfulness is higher than the clouds.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For your mercy is higher than the heavens: and your unchanging faith than the clouds.

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.

כִּֽי(dm)clausepredicateגָד֣וֹל[is].greatprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseמֵֽ(from)עַלaboveשָׁמַ֣יִם[the].heavensnoun phrase · subjectחַסְדֶּ֑loyaltyךָyour.covenantוְֽandclauseprepositional phrase · predicateעַדtoשְׁחָקִ֥ים[the].cloudsnoun phrase · subjectאֲמִתֶּֽfaithfulnessךָyour

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text reads כִּֽי־ גָד֣וֹל מֵֽעַל־ שָׁמַ֣יִם חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְֽעַד־ שְׁחָקִ֥ים אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃, while the Septuagint matches 7 of the 8 words. This agreement shows consistency in the core message, though the Septuagint's structure may differ.

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

כִּֽי־ גָד֣וֹל מֵֽעַל־ שָׁמַ֣יִם חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְֽעַד־ שְׁחָקִ֥ים אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּֽי־ἐχομολογήσομαίגָד֣וֹלσοιמֵֽעַל־λαοῖςשָׁמַ֣יִםκύριεחַסְדֶּ֑ךָψαλῶוְֽעַד־ἐνשְׁחָקִ֥יםἔθνεσιν

7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 108:4כִּיforforכִּיגָּדוֹל[is] great[is] greatגָּדוֹלעַלaboveaboveעַלשָׁמַי[the] heave[the] heavensשָׁמַיחֶ֫סֶדcovenant locovenant loyaltחֶ֫סֶדעַדand [is] toand [is] toעַדשַׁ֫חַק[the] cloud[the] cloudsשַׁ֫חַקאֱמֶתfaithfulnesfaithfulness yoאֱמֶתגָּדַלto magnifyto magnifyגָּדַלחָסַדbe kindbe kindחָסַדשָׁחַקto beatto beatשָׁחַקאָמַןbe faithfube faithfulאָמַןעַלheightheightעַלעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעקָטָןsmallsmallקָטָןמְאֹדmuchmuchמְאֹדכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאעוֹףbirdbirdעוֹףכּוֹכָבstarstarכּוֹכָבאֱמֶתtruth: faitruth: faithfulאֱמֶתרֶ֫חֶםwombwombרֶ֫חֶםמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶברָעַףto dripto dripרָעַף
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 108:4

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.

for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
גָד֣וֹלga.Dol [is] great H1419
526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Tyndale gloss
Great (Sea)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּדוֹל (gadol) means 'great' and covers a wide range of meanings, including large in size, number, intensity, sound, age, and importance. It can also refer to notable individuals or even God. Additionally, it appears as a proper noun in reference to a person named in Nehemiah 11:14. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּדוֹל 622 adj. great

in magnitude and extent

in number

in intensity

in sound, loud

in age

in importance

in phrases

cstr.

as subst. concr. do great things

† as subst. neut. greatness of arm

base

הַגְּדוֹלִים n.pr.m. father of Zabdiel Ne 11:14 (RV & so most; but 𝔊 RVm al. the great).

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1419a גָּדוֹל great . in magnitude and extent

. in number

. in intensity

. in sound, loud

. in age

. in importance

. in phrases

. cstr.

. as subst. concr. do great things

. † as subst. neut. greatness of arm

H1419b הַגְּדוֹלִים father of Zabdiel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1419 gadowl gaw-dole'

or (shortened) gadol {gaw-dole'}; from 1431; great (in any

sense); hence, older; also insolent:--+ aloud, elder(-est), +

exceeding(-ly), + far, (man of) great (man, matter,

thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble,

proud thing, X sore, (X ) very.

see HEBREW for 01431

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: large.

adj

1) great

1a) large (in magnitude and extent)

1b) in number

1c) in intensity

1d) loud (in sound)

1e) older (in age)

1f) in importance

1f1) important things

1f2) great, distinguished (of men)

1f3) God Himself (of God)

subst

1g) great things

1h) haughty things

1i) greatness

Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K)

§ Haggedolim = "the great one"

(CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Haggedolim.

A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.11.14

§ Haggedolim = "the great one"

(CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Great (Sea).

adj

great

Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: old.

adj

1) great

1a) large (in magnitude and extent)

1b) in number

1c) in intensity

1d) loud (in sound)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAamsa
HAamsa
for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
מֵֽעַל־me.'al- above H5921 Preposition · preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

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

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

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

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

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/R — Preposition · preposition
HR/R
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
שָׁמַ֣יִםsha.Ma.yim [the] heavens H8064 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
421× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Tyndale gloss
heaven
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
חַסְדֶּ֑ךָchas.De.kha covenant loyalty your H2617 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
247× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Tyndale gloss
kindness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness

of man:

kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits

kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy

(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety

lovely appearance

of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.

base

חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits

. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy

. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety

. lovely appearance

. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.

H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2617 checed kheh'-sed

from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:

rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,

good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful

(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.

see HEBREW for 02616

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.

goodness, kindness, faithfulness

חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.

a reproach, shame

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
וְֽעַד־ve.'ad- and [is] to H5704 Conjunction · preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/R — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
שְׁחָקִ֥יםshe.cha.Kim [the] clouds H7834 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This noun refers to a cloud or a thin vapor in the sky, as in Psalm 36:5 where God's faithfulness reaches to the clouds. It can also mean the firmament or heaven, like in Genesis 1:20 where birds fly across the sky. The word appears about 20 times in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
cloud
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁ֫חַק (shachaq) refers to fine dust or a thin cloud. It is derived from a root meaning to beat small, and its range includes both physical dust and vaporous clouds, extending to concepts of the firmament or sky. The entries consistently emphasize its qualities of fineness and thinness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁ֫חַק n.m. dust, cloud (as fine, thin)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7834 שַׁ֫חַק dust, cloud (as fine, thin)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7834 shachaq shakh'-ak

from 7833; a powder (as beaten small): by analogy, a thin

vapor; by extension, the firmament:--cloud, small dust,

heaven, sky.

see HEBREW for 07833

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁ֫חַק (sha.chaq) — cloud.

1) dust, cloud

1a) fine dust

1b) (thin) cloud

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the summer season of Palestine, were an unlooked-for phenomenon, 1Sa 12:17,18, and rising from off the Mediterranean, betokened rain, 1Ki 18:44 Lu 12:54. Clouds are the symbol of armies and multitudes, probably by their grand and majestic movements, Isa 60:8 Jer 4:13 Heb 12:1. They betokened the presence of Jehovah, as on mount Sinai,

Ex 19:9 24:12-18; in the temple, Ex 40:34 1Ki 8:10; in the cloudy…

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Formed from the sea

1Ki 18:44; Am 9:6

- Are garment of the sea

Job 38:9

- GOD

. Established

Pr 8:28

. Balanced in the air

Job 37:16

. Disposed in order

Job 37:15

. Brings over the earth

Ge 9:14

. Binds up

Job 26:8

. Spreads out

Job 26:9

. Scatters

Job 37:11

- Power and wisdom of God exhibited in forming

for [is] great above [the] heavens covenant loyalty your and [is] to [the] clouds faithfulness your
אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃'a.mi.Te.kha faithfulness your H571 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means truth, faithfulness, or stability, and is often used to describe God's character and promises. In Psalm 100:5, it says God's truth endures forever, and in Proverbs 12:17, it emphasizes the importance of truthful speech.
Tyndale gloss
truth: faithful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱמֶת (emeth) encompasses concepts of firmness, faithfulness, and truth. It signifies reliability and stability, often in the context of ethical or religious knowledge. The word can also function as an adverb meaning 'in truth' or 'truly.' There is a consistent emphasis on its meanings related to certainty and trustworthiness across the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱמֶת n.f. firmness, faithfulness

reliability, sureness

stability, continuance

faithfulness, reliableness

truth

adv. in truth, truly

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H571 אֱמֶת firmness, faithfulness . reliability, sureness

. stability, continuance

. faithfulness, reliableness

. truth

. adv. in truth, truly

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

571 'emeth eh'-meth

contracted from 539; stability; (figuratively) certainty,

truth, trustworthiness:--assured(-ly), establishment,

faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.

see HEBREW for 0539

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: faithful.

: faithful

1) firmness, faithfulness, truth

1a) sureness, reliability

1b) stability, continuance

1c) faithfulness, reliableness

1d) truth

1d1) as spoken

1d2) of testimony and judgment

1d3) of divine instruction

1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge

1d5) true doctrine

adv

2) in truth, truly

אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: true.

: true

1) firmness, faithfulness, truth

1a) sureness, reliability

1b) stability, continuance

1c) faithfulness, reliableness

1d) truth

1d1) as spoken

1d2) of testimony and judgment

1d3) of divine instruction

1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge

1d5) true doctrine

adv

2) in truth, truly

אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: certain.

: certain/fixed

1) firmness, faithfulness, truth

1a) sureness, reliability

1b) stability, continuance

1c) faithfulness, reliableness

1d) truth

1d1) as spoken

1d2) of testimony and judgment

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp2ms
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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