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Psalms 109:25 — Word Study

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WLCוַאֲנִ֤י׀ הָיִ֣יתִי חֶרְפָּ֣ה לָהֶ֑ם יִ֝רְא֗וּנִי יְנִיע֥וּן רֹאשָֽׁם׃

BSAIʼănîy [the psalmist, David] amhâyâh an object of scorncherpâh [reproach, shame, or disgrace] when they see merâʼâh [look upon, gaze at] they shakenûwaʻ [move back and forth, tremble] their headsrôʼsh [in contempt, disdain, or disgust]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 109
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 (ro.Sham) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 109:25quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses his shame and scorn from his accusers and their contemptuous reaction.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, identified as David, speaks of his personal experience.
Where we areThis verse is part of a lament where David calls for help amid his suffering.
The hard wordחֶרְפָּה
Take awayDavid feels shame and scorn from those who wrongfully accuse him.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֲנִי verbהָיָה 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 109:25

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 Lament of Davidgenerated

24My knees are weak from fasting, and my body grows lean and gaunt.
25I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.
26Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion.
27Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, O LORD, have done it.

Psalm 109:25 is part of a lament where David expresses his feelings of shame and scorn from his accusers. He describes how they react to him with contempt, shaking their heads in disdain. This verse reflects David's deep emotional pain and his plea for divine intervention, as seen in the surrounding verses where he calls upon God for help.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 31:11–13Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street.
2Psalm 35:15–16But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.
3Psalm 69:9–12because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
4Romans 15:3For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”
5Hebrews 12:2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חֶרְפָּה, cher.Pahgenerated

The word חֶרְפָּה (cherpah) is a feminine noun meaning reproach or shame. It conveys a sense of disgrace and is often used in contexts of scorn or humiliation. The root of the word relates to scorn or rebuke, highlighting the emotional weight it carries in the psalmist's lament.

In this verse, it emphasizes David's experience of being viewed with contempt by his accusers, illustrating his feelings of vulnerability and the social stigma he faces.


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 finite verb in this verse is הָיִ֣יתִי, I have become, which governs the overall meaning. The structure follows a subject-verb-object format, with the subject being אֲנִי (I) and the object being חֶרְפָּה (reproach).

The clauses are straightforward, with the main idea being David's transformation into an object of scorn, followed by the reaction of his accusers.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew חֶרְפָּה is rendered as ὄνειδος, which also means reproach. This choice maintains the sense of shame and scorn that David expresses.

The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the emotional weight of the term, aligning with the Hebrew's connotation of disgrace.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 109:25 shows David feeling like an object of scorn to his accusers, who shake their heads when they see him. This verse captures his deep sense of shame and the contempt he faces from those who wrongfully accuse him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be an object of scorn?

Being an object of scorn means being looked down upon or ridiculed by others, often resulting in feelings of shame and humiliation.

Why does David feel this way?

David feels this way because he is being wrongfully accused, leading to public disgrace and contempt from those around him.

What does shaking their heads signify?

Shaking their heads signifies disdain and contempt, often indicating that the accusers view David with scorn.

How does this verse relate to David's overall message?

This verse relates to David's overall message of seeking help from God amid his suffering and feelings of shame.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I respond when I feel scorned or ridiculed by others?
  2. In what ways can I seek God's help during times of shame or disgrace?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the nature of accusations and scorn?
  4. How can I support others who are facing similar feelings of shame or contempt?

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

Early commentators like Augustine of Hippo have referenced this verse to discuss themes of divine mercy and human suffering.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 109 354–430
"Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to Your mercy" [Psalms 109:25].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 109 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 109:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I became also a reproach unto them,.... Or they reproached him; not only in life, traducing his conversation, blaspheming his miracles, calling him a Samaritan, saying he had a devil, and charging

Read John Gill on Psalms 109 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 109 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Instead of that pity which either religion or humanity should have taught them to a man in extreme misery, they loaded me with reproaches and scorns. Shaked their heads; a gesture of contempt and derision; of which see .

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 109 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 109:25 I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads.Ver. 25. I became also a reproach] In respect to my leanness. They shaked their heads] This is threatened as a curse, Deuteronomy 28:15-68, but may befall the best, as it did our Saviour, Psalms 22:7 Matthew 27:39

Read John Trapp on Psalms 109 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 25. When they looked upon me they soaked their heads.] Thus was David treated by Shimei, 2 Samuel 16:5-6, and our blessed Lord by the Jews, Matthew 27:39.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 109 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. And I—I am become a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head, a gesture of contempt and abhorrence, as though I were the object of the wrath of God. Cp. Psalms 22:7; Psalms 69:10-12; Lamentations 2:15; Job 16:4.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 109 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I became also a reproach unto them - They reproached or reviled me as a bad man. Compare the notes at Psalms 22:6.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 109 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

25. Shaked their heads—Wagged their heads as a token of scorn and insult. See Psalms 22:7; Psalms 44:14; Lamentations 2:15; 2 Kings 19:21

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 109 →

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

I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I am disdained by them. When they see me, they shake their heads.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I am become also a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I am become also a reproach unto them: when they see me, they shake their head.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I became also a reproach to them: when they looked upon me they shook their heads.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I became also a rebuke vnto them: they that looked vpon me, shaked their heads.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And I am become a reproach unto them; [when] they look upon me they shake their heads.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And I — I have been a reproach to them, They see me, they shake their head.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And I have been a reproach to them, || They see me, they shake their head.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And I am become a reproach unto them: when they see me, they shake their head.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I am disdained by my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

People ridicule me—they look at me and shake their heads!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

As for me, they make sport of me; shaking their heads when they see me.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclausesubjectאֲנִ֤יIverbהָיִ֣יתִיI.have.becomeobjectחֶרְפָּ֣הa.reproachprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָtoהֶ֑םthemclauseverbיִ֝רְא֗וּtheyobjectנִיsee.meclauseverb phrase · verbיְנִיע֥וּtheyןshakenoun phrase · objectרֹאשָֽׁheadםtheir

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "וַאֲנִ֤י׀ הָיִ֣יתִי חֶרְפָּ֣ה לָהֶ֑ם יִ֝רְא֗וּנִי יְנִיע֥וּן רֹאשָֽׁם׃" which translates to, "I am an object of scorn to them; when they see me, they shake their heads." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all seven words correspond word-for-word, though the order and articles differ. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q88 and 11Q5) also align closely with the Masoretic Text, though they contain some words that are either partly restored or supplied by an editor, indicating minor textual variations but maintaining the overall message.

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

וַאֲנִ֤י׀ הָיִ֣יתִי חֶרְפָּ֣ה לָהֶ֑ם יִ֝רְא֗וּנִי יְנִיע֥וּן רֹאשָֽׁם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַאֲנִ֤י׀ἐγὼהָיִ֣יתִיἐγενήθηνחֶרְפָּ֣הὄνειδοςלָהֶ֑םαὐτοῖςיִ֝רְא֗וּנִיμεיְנִיע֥וּןἐσάλευσανרֹאשָֽׁם׃αὐτῶν

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

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

[ואני] [הייתי] חרפה [ל׳הם] [יראו׳ני] יניעו׳ן רוש׳ם

2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.

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

[ואני] [הייתי] [חרפה] ל׳הם יראו׳ני [יניעו׳ן] [ראש׳ם]

2 words on the leather — 5 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 109:25אֲנִיand Iand IאֲנִיהָיָהI have becoI have becomeהָיָהחֶרְפָּהa reproacha reproachחֶרְפָּההֶםto themto themהֶםרָאָהthey see methey see meרָאָהנוּעַthey shake they shake !נוּעַרֹאשׁhead theirhead theirרֹאשׁאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יחָרַףto tauntto tauntחָרַףהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעכְּלִמָּהshameshameכְּלִמָּהקְלָלָהcursecurseקְלָלָהעֳנִיafflictionafflictionעֳנִינָבַטto lookto lookנָבַטשִׁכֹּרdrunkendrunkenשִׁכֹּרנוּדto wanderto wanderנוּדעֲטָרָהcrowncrownעֲטָרָהנָשִׂיאleaderleaderנָשִׂיא
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 109:25

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 I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
וַאֲנִ֤י׀va.'a.Ni and I H589 Conjunction · pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Amplified meaning
the psalmist, David
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pp1bs
and I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
הָיִ֣יתִיha.Yi.ti I have become H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-kum':

(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.

(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.

and I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
חֶרְפָּ֣הcher.Pah a reproach H2781 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Cherpah means reproach or shame, often used to describe scorn or disgrace. In the Bible, it is used to express strong feelings of shame or humiliation.
Amplified meaning
reproach, shame, or disgrace
Tyndale gloss
reproach
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶרְפָּה (cherpah) means reproach or taunt, often associated with shame or disgrace. It can refer to the condition of being reproached or the object of reproach itself. The word is derived from חָרַף (charaf), which relates to scorn or rebuke.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶרְפָּה n.f. reproach

taunt of enemy

reproach which rests upon one, condition of shame, disgrace

a reproach, the object of reproach, the person or thing reproached

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2781 חֶרְפָּה reproach . taunt of enemy

. reproach which rests upon one, condition of shame, disgrace

. a reproach, the object of reproach, the person or thing reproached

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2781 cherpah kher-paw'

from 2778; contumely, disgrace, the pudenda:--rebuke,

reproach(-fully), shame.

see HEBREW for 02778

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶרְפָּה (cher.pah) — reproach.

1) reproach, scorn

1a) taunt, scorn (upon enemy)

1b) reproach (resting upon condition of shame, disgrace)

1c) a reproach (an object)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
לָהֶ֑םla.Hem to them H9038 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶם (hem) — them.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
and I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
יִ֝רְא֗וּנִיyir.'U.ni they see me H7200 Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
1,300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Amplified meaning
look upon, gaze at
Tyndale gloss
Provider
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָאָה 1315 vb. see

Qal 1141

see, subj.

see, c. acc. rei

see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design

see, so as to learn to know

abs. see, have (power of) vision

see = perceive

look at, see, by direct volition

of mental observation

c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

see, c. acc. rei

Niph.

appear

be seen

be visible

Pu. appar. his bones are not detected

Hithp. recipr. look at each other

Hiph.

cause one to see something, shew

cause to experience something

cause to look intently at, to behold

Hoph.

be caused to see, be shewn

be exhibited to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.

. see, c. acc. rei

. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design

. see, so as to learn to know

. abs. see, have (power of) vision

. see = perceive

. look at, see, by direct volition

. of mental observation

. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

. see, c. acc. rei

. . appear

. be seen

. be visible

. appar. his bones are not detected

. recipr. look at each other

. . . cause one to see something, shew

. cause to experience something

. cause to look intently at, to behold

. . be caused to see, be shewn

. be exhibited to

H7200b רְאוּת look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7200 ra'ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in

numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,

intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,

behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have

experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look

(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,

upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,

regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one

another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X

surely, X think, view, visions.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.

: see/show

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out

1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish

1a6) to look at, gaze at

1a7) to provide, choose

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to appear, present oneself

1b2) to be seen

1b3) to be visible

1c) (Pual) to be seen

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to see, show

1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be caused to see, be shown

1e2) to be exhibited to

1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.

: examine/consider

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVqi3mp/Sp1bs
and I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
יְנִיע֥וּןye.ni.'Un they shake ! H5128 Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
40× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To shake means to move back and forth, like trembling with fear, as described in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to be unstable or to wander, like the Israelites in the wilderness.
Amplified meaning
move back and forth, tremble
Tyndale gloss
to shake
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נוּעַ (nuwa`) is a primitive root meaning to shake or waver, encompassing a wide range of actions such as quivering, trembling, and moving. It can describe both literal and figurative movements, including being tossed about or causing someone to wander. The entries highlight its various applications, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נוּעַ vb. quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter

Qal

wave

totter, go tottering

Niph. be tossed about

Hiph.

toss about

shake, cause to totter

(shake), disturb

cause to wander

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5128 נוּעַ quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5128 nuwa` noo'-ah

a primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of

applications, literally and figuratively (as

subjoined):--continually, fugitive, X make, to (go) up and

down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel,

remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be

vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נוּעַ (nu.a) — to shake.

1) to quiver, totter, shake, reel, stagger, wander, move, sift, make move, wave, waver, tremble

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to wave, quiver, vibrate, swing, stagger, tremble, be unstable

1a2) to totter, go tottering

1a2a) vagabond (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to be tossed about or around

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to toss about

1c2) to shake, cause to totter

1c3) to shake, disturb

1c4) to cause to wander

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVhi3mp/Sn
and I I have become a reproach to them they see me they shake ! head their
רֹאשָֽׁם׃ro.Sham head their H7218 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
600× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Amplified meaning
in contempt, disdain, or disgust
Tyndale gloss
head
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) means 'head' and encompasses various meanings related to position and rank. It can refer to the head of a person or animal, the top of a mountain, or a chief in various contexts, such as a city or nation. The word also signifies beginnings and sums, appearing in phrases related to enumeration. Additionally, it serves as a proper noun for 'Rosh,' a title for a chief or prince.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֹאשׁ 599 n.m.

(c. 230 t.) head, of human being

head, of animals

top (88 t.)

height, of stars

head = chief (man)

= chief (city)

chief nation

= chief (place, position)

= chief priest

= head of a family

head = front, leader's place

of time, beginning, of night watch

of things, river-heads

chief, choicest, best, of spices

head = division of army, company, band

= sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate

other phr.

base

רֹאשׁ n.pr.gent. Rôsh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7218a רֹאשׁ . . (c. 230 t.) head, of human being

. head, of animals

. . top (88 t.)

. height, of stars

. . head = chief (man)

. = chief (city)

. chief nation

. = chief (place, position)

. = chief priest

. = head of a family

. . head = front, leader's place

. of time, beginning, of night watch

. of things, river-heads

. chief, choicest, best, of spices

. head = division of army, company, band

. = sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate

. other phr.

H7218b רֹאשׁ n. pr. gent. Rôsh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7218 ro'sh roshe

from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as

most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many

applications, of place, time, rank, itc.):--band, beginning,

captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company,

end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head,

height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor,

principal, ruler, sum, top.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head.

: head

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

1b) top, tip (of mountain)

1c) height (of stars)

1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

1e) head, front, beginning

1f) chief, choicest, best

1g) head, division, company, band

1h) sum

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — prince.

Rosh, a tite for a chief or prince

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: leader.

: leader

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

1b) top, tip (of mountain)

1c) height (of stars)

1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

1e) head, front, beginning

1f) chief, choicest, best

1g) head, division, company, band

1h) sum

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: top.

: top/best

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3mp
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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