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Psalms 118:11 — Word Study

Depth

WLCסַבּ֥וּנִי גַם־ סְבָב֑וּנִי בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֲמִילַֽם׃

BSAThey surrounded meçâbab [compassed me about, completely encircled] on every sideçâbab but in the nameshêm [identity, honor, and character] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the self-existent God] I cut them offmûwl [destroy, circumcise, or remove them]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 118
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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.Lam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 118:11quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist describes being surrounded by enemies but confidently declares victory in the name of the LORD.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a personal experience of deliverance.
Where we areIn a context of distress, the psalmist recounts a moment of divine intervention.
The hard wordאֲמִילַֽם
Take awayThe psalmist emphasizes reliance on God's name for deliverance.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & 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 118:11

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 — The Declaration of Trust in Godgenerated

10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
12They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
13I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.

Psalm 118:11 recounts the psalmist's experience of being surrounded by enemies on all sides. Despite this dire situation, the psalmist confidently asserts that he will cut them off in the name of the LORD, demonstrating faith in God's protection and power. This verse is part of a larger theme in the psalm, where the psalmist celebrates God's steadfast love and deliverance, as also seen in Psalm 118:10 and Psalm 118:12.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 22:12–16Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
2Psalm 88:17All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.
31 Samuel 23:26Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.
41 Chronicles 19:10When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.Psalm 22:12–16 Psalm 88:17 1 Samuel 23:26 1 Chronicles 19:10

The Key Word סַבּ֥וּנִי, sa.Bu.nigenerated

The verb סַבַּב (savav) means 'to turn' or 'to surround'. It indicates the act of encircling or encompassing, which can be both a literal and figurative action. In this verse, it emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the psalmist's enemies, who have completely surrounded him.

The parsing indicates that this is a third person plural verb in the perfect tense, suggesting a completed action. The use of this verb highlights the intensity of the situation, as the enemies have effectively encircled the psalmist.


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 is structured around two main clauses: the first describes the action of being surrounded, while the second presents the psalmist's response in the name of the LORD. The verb סַבּ֥וּ serves as the main action, with the second clause providing the psalmist's declaration of victory.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the surrounding action before introducing the LORD's name, underscoring the contrast between the psalmist's peril and his faith in divine intervention.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates סַבּ֥וּנִי as κυκλώσαντες, which conveys a similar meaning of encircling or surrounding. This choice reflects a consistent interpretation of the Hebrew text in the Greek tradition.

The use of ὀνόματι for בְּשֵׁם emphasizes the significance of invoking God's name, aligning with the Hebrew understanding of divine authority and protection.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 118:11 describes how the psalmist feels surrounded by enemies on every side. However, he confidently states that he will cut them off in the name of the LORD, showing his trust in God's power to deliver him from danger.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to cut them off in the name of the LORD?

Cutting them off in the name of the LORD signifies a declaration of victory and reliance on God's authority to defeat enemies.

Why does the psalmist mention being surrounded?

The mention of being surrounded emphasizes the severity of the psalmist's situation and highlights the miraculous nature of his deliverance.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Psalm 118?

This verse encapsulates the theme of trust in God amidst adversity, which is a central message throughout Psalm 118, as the psalmist repeatedly affirms God's steadfast love and protection.

What is the significance of invoking God's name?

Invoking God's name signifies calling upon His identity, honor, and character, which provides assurance of His presence and power in times of trouble.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I felt surrounded by challenges, and how can I apply the psalmist's confidence in God's name?
  2. How can I remind myself of God's past deliverances when facing current difficulties?
  3. What does it mean for me to rely on God's name in my daily life?
  4. How can I encourage others who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances?

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

Early Church Fathers reference this verse to illustrate reliance on divine help in times of distress, as seen in the writings of Pachomius the Great and Augustine of Hippo.

Pachomius the GreatINSTRUCTIONS 9 c. 292–348
When a thought oppresses you, do not be downhearted but put up with it in courage, saying, “They swarmed around me closer and closer, but I drove them back in the name of the Lord.” Divine help will arrive at your side immediately,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 118 354–430
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about,.... Which is repeated not only for the confirmation of, it, but to denote the frequency and fury of their attacks, and their obstinate

Read John Gill on Psalms 118 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. -At the beginning (Psalms 118:5) and at the close of this division (Psalms 118:13-14) the salvation already received is described.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 118 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They compassed me about; the repetition implies their frequency and fervency in this action, and their confidence of success.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 118:11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.Ver. 11. They compassed me about; yea, &c.] They thought to make sure work of me indeed; as Saul and his men, when they hemmed him in at Maon, 1 Samuel 23:26; as the Church’ s enemies, when they had gotten her as a bird into the snare of the fowler, Psalms 124:7; as when the adversaries said, "They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them," Nehemiah 4:11. But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them] Enervabo, excidam. The word signifieth, Non otioso nec dormienti contingere victorias, sed certanti et praelianti, that he foiled not…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) But in the name . . .—Or, more emphatically, It is in Jehovah’s name that, &c

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 118 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10–14. It was in the strength of Jehovah that Israel was enabled to repel the persistent attacks of its enemies.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about ... - The sentiment and the language of the previous verse are here repeated, as if to give force to what he had said, or to deepen the impression.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 118 →

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

They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

They encompassed me; yes, they encompassed me: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They haue compassed mee, yea, they haue compassed mee: but in the Name of the Lord I shall destroy them.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

They encompassed me, yea, encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

They have compassed me about, Yea, they have compassed me about, In the name of Jehovah I surely cut them off.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

They have surrounded me, || Indeed, they have surrounded me, || In the Name of YHWH I surely cut them off.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

They encompassed me about: yea, they compassed about, but in the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me; in Yahweh's name I cut them off.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They completely surrounded me, but even so I defeated them with the help of the Lord.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

They are round me, yes, they are all about me; but in the name of the Lord I will have them cut down.

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.

clauseverbסַבּ֥וּtheyobjectנִיsurrounded.meגַםalsoclauseverbסְבָב֑וּtheyobjectנִיsurrounded.meclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseשֵׁ֥םthe.nameיְ֝הוָ֗הof.Yahwehadverbialכִּ֣י(dm)verbאֲמִילַֽIobjectםfended.them.off

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


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

The Masoretic Text of Psalms 118:11 reads, "סַבּ֥וּנִי גַם־ סְבָב֑וּנִי בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֲמִילַֽם׃" which translates to, "They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation here, has a word-by-word correspondence that matches 5 of the 7 words in the Hebrew text, indicating a general agreement in meaning, though the specific wording and structure differ. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, so the primary witness remains the Masoretic Text with its agreement with the Septuagint's core meaning.

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

סַבּ֥וּנִי גַם־ סְבָב֑וּנִי בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֲמִילַֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
סַבּ֥וּנִיκυκλώσαντεςסְבָב֑וּנִיμεבְּשֵׁ֥םὀνόματιיְ֝הוָ֗הκυρίουאֲמִילַֽם׃αὐτούς

5 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.

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 118:11סָבַבthey surrouthey surroundedסָבַבגַּםalsoalsoגַּםסָבַבthey surrouthey surroundedסָבַבשֵׁםin [the] nain [the] name oשֵׁםיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהכִּיforforכִּימוּלI fended ofI fended off thמוּלשׂוּםto set: mato set: makeשׂוּםהָיָהto beto beהָיָהדָּלdoordoorדָּלתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםקָרָאto call: cto call: call tקָרָאיָדָהto give thto give thanksיָדָהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעָרְלָהforeskinforeskinעָרְלָהזָכָרmalemaleזָכָר
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 118:11

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.

they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
סַבּ֥וּנִיsa.Bu.ni they surrounded me H5437 Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Amplified meaning
compassed me about, completely encircled
Tyndale gloss
to turn: turn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word סָבַב (savav) means to turn or go around, encompassing a range of actions such as surrounding, marching, and changing direction. It is built from a primitive root and has various applications, both literal and figurative, including transforming or enclosing. The entries detail its uses in different verbal forms, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבַב vb. turn about, go around, surround

Qal

turn, intrans.

march, or walk, around

go partly round, circle, skirt

make a round, or circuit, go about to

surround, encompass

Niph.

turn oneself against, close round upon

turn round (from a direct course)

esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

pass. be turned over to, into the power of

Pi. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

Po‛.

encompass (with protection)

come about, assemble round

march or go about

enclose, envelop

Hiph.

turn (trans.), cause to turn

bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

turn into, of changing name

= bring round, of changing name

cause to go around

surround with (acc.) wall

perh. also encompass (as foe)

Hoph.

be turned, of cart wheel

surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5437 סָבַב turn about, go around, surround .. turn, intrans.

. . march, or walk, around

. go partly round, circle, skirt

. make a round, or circuit, go about to

. surround, encompass

. . . turn oneself against, close round upon

. turn round (from a direct course)

. esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

. pass. be turned over to, into the power of

. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

. . encompass (with protection)

. come about, assemble round

. march or go about

. enclose, envelop

. . . turn (trans.), cause to turn

. bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

. turn into, of changing name

. = bring round, of changing name

. . cause to go around

. surround with (acc.) wall

. perh. also encompass (as foe)

. . be turned, of cart wheel

. surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5437 cabab saw-bab'

a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in

various applications, literally and figuratively (as

follows):--bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, X whirl, X

round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset

(about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to

come about, X circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round),

drive, environ, X on every side, beset (close, come, compass,

go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit

down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: turn.

: turn/bring_around

1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change

1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round

1b2) to be turned over to

1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform

1d) (Poel)

1d1) to encompass, surround

1d2) to come about, assemble round

1d3) to march, go about

1d4) to enclose, envelop

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round

1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass

1f) (Hophal)

1f1) to be turned

1f2) to be surrounded

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: surround.

: surround/go_round

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVqp3cp/Sp1bs
they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
גַם־gam- also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
סְבָב֑וּנִיse.va.Vu.ni they surrounded me H5437 Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Tyndale gloss
to turn: turn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word סָבַב (savav) means to turn or go around, encompassing a range of actions such as surrounding, marching, and changing direction. It is built from a primitive root and has various applications, both literal and figurative, including transforming or enclosing. The entries detail its uses in different verbal forms, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבַב vb. turn about, go around, surround

Qal

turn, intrans.

march, or walk, around

go partly round, circle, skirt

make a round, or circuit, go about to

surround, encompass

Niph.

turn oneself against, close round upon

turn round (from a direct course)

esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

pass. be turned over to, into the power of

Pi. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

Po‛.

encompass (with protection)

come about, assemble round

march or go about

enclose, envelop

Hiph.

turn (trans.), cause to turn

bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

turn into, of changing name

= bring round, of changing name

cause to go around

surround with (acc.) wall

perh. also encompass (as foe)

Hoph.

be turned, of cart wheel

surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5437 סָבַב turn about, go around, surround .. turn, intrans.

. . march, or walk, around

. go partly round, circle, skirt

. make a round, or circuit, go about to

. surround, encompass

. . . turn oneself against, close round upon

. turn round (from a direct course)

. esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

. pass. be turned over to, into the power of

. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

. . encompass (with protection)

. come about, assemble round

. march or go about

. enclose, envelop

. . . turn (trans.), cause to turn

. bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

. turn into, of changing name

. = bring round, of changing name

. . cause to go around

. surround with (acc.) wall

. perh. also encompass (as foe)

. . be turned, of cart wheel

. surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5437 cabab saw-bab'

a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in

various applications, literally and figuratively (as

follows):--bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, X whirl, X

round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset

(about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to

come about, X circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round),

drive, environ, X on every side, beset (close, come, compass,

go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit

down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: turn.

: turn/bring_around

1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change

1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round

1b2) to be turned over to

1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform

1d) (Poel)

1d1) to encompass, surround

1d2) to come about, assemble round

1d3) to march, go about

1d4) to enclose, envelop

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round

1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass

1f) (Hophal)

1f1) to be turned

1f2) to be surrounded

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: surround.

: surround/go_round

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVqp3cp/Sp1bs
they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
בְּשֵׁ֥םbe.Shem in [the] name of H8034 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
864× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Amplified meaning
identity, honor, and character
Tyndale gloss
name
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)

of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it

usu. of pers.

= reputation

esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons

name, as designation of God

of false gods, use forbidden

= memorial, monument

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8034 shem shame

a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea

of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an

appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by

implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,

(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

see HEBREW for 07760

see HEBREW for 08064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁם (shem) — name.

1) name

1a) name

1b) reputation, fame, glory

1c) the Name (as designation of God)

1d) memorial, monument

Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
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…

they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
יְ֝הוָ֗הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the self-existent God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
כִּ֣יki 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
they surrounded me also they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
אֲמִילַֽם׃'a.mi.Lam I fended off them H4135 Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffix
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Circumcision is the literal meaning of this word, but it can also imply destruction or cutting off. In Genesis 17:10, God commands Abraham to circumcise all males as a sign of covenant. It represents a physical and spiritual separation.
Amplified meaning
destroy, circumcise, or remove them
Tyndale gloss
to circumcise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּל (muwl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to circumcise, with various forms indicating different grammatical aspects, such as being circumcised or causing circumcision. It also carries connotations of cutting off or destruction. The entries note its use in contexts like Joshua 5:2 and Genesis 17:11, where it specifically refers to the act of circumcision.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מוּל] vb. circumcise

Qal circumcise

Niph. be circumcised

Hiph. in the name of י׳, yea I will make them to be circumcised

Hithp. be cut off, of arrows, i.e. made blunt.

base

[מָלַל] vb. circumcise

Qal Jos 5:2.

Niph. Gn 17:11

Hithpo. be cut off: ψ 58:8.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4135a מוּל circumcise H4135b מָלַל circumcise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4135 muwl mool

a primitive root; to cut short, i.e. curtail (specifically

the prepuce, i.e. to circumcise); by implication, to blunt;

figuratively, to destroy:--circumcise(-ing), selves), cut

down (in pieces), destroy, X must needs.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּל (mul) — to circumcise.

1) to circumcise, let oneself be circumcised, cut, be cut off

1a) (Qal) to circumcise

1b) (Niphal) to be circumcised, circumcise oneself

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to be circumcised

1c1) of destruction (fig.)

1d) (Hithpolel) to be cut off

1e) (Polel) cut down

מָלַל (ma.lal) — to circumcise.

1) to circumcise

1a) (Qal)

1b) (Niphal)

2) (Hithpolel) to be cut off

Also means: mul (מוּל "to circumcise" H4135A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffix
HVhi1cs/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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