Psalms 119:101 — Word Study
WLCמִכָּל־ אֹ֣רַח רָ֭ע כָּלִ֣אתִי רַגְלָ֑י לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃
BSAI have keptkâlâʼ■ [refrained, restrained] my feetregel [steps, path] from everykôl [all, each] evilraʻ [bad, wicked] pathʼôrach [way, journey] thatmaʻan I may keepshâmar▸ [obey, observe] Your worddâbâr [thy, command, promise]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִכָּל־ | from every | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| אֹ֣רַח | path | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| רָ֭ע | evil | Adj |
| כָּלִ֣אתִי | I have restrained | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| רַגְלָ֑י | feet my | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| לְ֝מַ֗עַן | so that | Particle |
| אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר | I may keep | Verb, Qal, jussive first person common singular |
| דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃ | word your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word. |
| KJV | I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. |
| ASV | I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word. |
| YLT | From every evil path I restrained my feet, So that I keep Thy word. |
| WEB | I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. |
| BBE | I have kept back my feet from all evil ways, so that I might be true to your word. |
Where they part company is כָּלִ֣אתִי — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by a purpose clause, indicating the relationship between the actions taken and the goal of keeping God's word.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכָּלָא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:101
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 — Meditation on God's Wordgenerated
Psalm 119:101 is part of a larger reflection on the psalmist's relationship with God's commandments. The verses surrounding it emphasize the importance of discernment and obedience, illustrating a life dedicated to following God's ways. This passage highlights the psalmist's commitment to avoiding paths that lead to evil, demonstrating a desire to align their actions with God's will.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:59–60 | I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. |
| 2 | Psalm 18:23 | And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity. |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:15 | my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. |
| 4 | Isaiah 53:6 | We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. |
| 5 | Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כָּלִ֣אתִי, ka.Li.tigenerated
The verb כָּלָא (kala') means to restrain or withhold. It is in the perfect tense, first person singular, indicating a completed action by the psalmist. This shows a conscious effort to avoid evil paths, emphasizing personal responsibility in one's spiritual journey.
The choice of this verb suggests a deliberate and ongoing commitment to resist temptation. It reflects the psalmist's understanding that avoiding evil is essential for maintaining a faithful relationship with God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main clauses, with the finite verbs כָּלִ֣אתִי (I have restrained) and אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר (I may keep) as the focal points. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's actions in relation to God's word.
The first clause establishes the action taken to avoid evil, while the second clause expresses the purpose of that action, creating a clear connection between restraint and obedience.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, כָּלִ֣אתִי is rendered as ἐκώλυσα (ekōlusa), which means 'I hindered' or 'I prevented.' This choice suggests a proactive approach to avoiding evil paths, aligning with the psalmist's intention to actively guard against temptation.
The translation reflects a similar understanding of the need for vigilance in one's spiritual walk, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in following God's commands.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:101 shows the psalmist's commitment to avoid every evil path to ensure they can keep God's word. This reflects a deep desire to align their actions with God's commands, emphasizing the importance of making conscious choices in life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means to consciously avoid actions or choices that lead to wrongdoing, ensuring that one's life aligns with God's will.
The verse connects the act of avoiding evil with the purpose of being able to obey and observe God's commands.
Refraining from evil paths is essential for maintaining a faithful relationship with God and living according to His guidance.
We learn the importance of making intentional choices to resist temptation and stay true to our spiritual commitments.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some specific paths or choices in my life that I need to avoid to stay true to God's word?
- How can I actively work to keep my feet from evil paths in my daily life?
- What does it mean for me to keep God's word, and how can I do that more effectively?
- In what ways can I encourage others to also refrain from evil paths and follow God's guidance?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers, such as Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss the relationship between the Body of Christ and obedience to God's commands.
But what comes next, does not seem to apply to the Head, but to the Body: "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your words" [Psalms 119:101].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:101 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI have refrained my feet from every evil way,.... Of error or immorality, forbidden and condemned by the word of God; every way that is evil in itself, or leads to evil, and in which evil men walk;
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 101. Evil way; or, way of evil; which either is evil, or leads to it; sin, and the temptations or occasions of sin. That, I might keep thy word; I did this not for any carnal reasons, as some men abstain from divers sins for their credit or advantage, but out of pure respect to thy word.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.Ver. 101. I have refrained my feet, &c.] I have clapped up my unruly affections close prisoners, and hampered them; abandoning every error in judgment and enormity in practice. That I might keep thy word] Which I shall never do but by self-denial and mortification.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 101. I have refrained my feet] By avoiding all sin, the spirit of wisdom still continues to rest upon me.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges101. The meaning may be either, that he has studiously avoided all places of temptation in order that he might observe the law, or, that the self-restraint which has marked his conduct has sprung from no lower aim than the desire to obey God.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI have refrained my feet from every evil way - I have walked in the path which thy law marks out. I have avoided the way of wickedness, and have not yielded to the seductions of a sinful life.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleî, Mem.97-104. Thy law… is my meditation—A view is now given of the practical wisdom given by the word. A childlike mind, illuminated by the pure truth, sees of itself an error.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →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
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.
I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.
I stay away from the evil path, so that I might keep your instructions.
Tyndale line
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might observe thy word.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I haue refrained my feete from euery euil way, that I might keepe thy word.
Strictly literal
I have refrained my feet from every evil path, that I might keep thy word.
From every evil path I restrained my feet, So that I keep Thy word.
I restrained my feet from every evil path, || So that I keep Your word.
From every evil path have I withholden my feet, in order that I might observe thy word.
I have kept my feet back from every evil path so that I might observe your word.
Simplified
I avoid any course of action that leads to evil, because I want to remain faithful to your word.
I have kept back my feet from all evil ways, so that I might be true to your word.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with all eight words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show one word on the leather and seven supplied by an editor, indicating a level of preservation despite some textual restoration.
מִכָּל־ אֹ֣רַח רָ֭ע כָּלִ֣אתִי רַגְלָ֑י לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃
8 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.
[מכל] [ארח] [רע] [כלאתי] [רגל׳י] [למען] [אשמר] דבר׳ך
1 word on the leather — 7 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:101
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.
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
אֹ֫רַח (orach) means 'way' or 'path,' and can refer to both literal and figurative routes in life, including one's manner of living or character. It also denotes a traveler or wayfarer. The word is derived from a root meaning a well-trodden road, and it encompasses various aspects of life’s journey.
אֹ֫רַח n.m. way, path
lit.
fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life
fig. way, of mode of living, or character
by meton. traveller, wayfarer
base
H734 אֹ֫רַח way, path . lit.
. fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life
. fig. way, of mode of living, or character
. by meton. traveller, wayfarer
734 'orach o'-rakh
from 732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively);
also a caravan:--manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,
(by-, high-)way.
see HEBREW for 0732
אֹ֫רַח (o.rach) — way.
1) way, path
1a) path, road
1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.)
1c) way of living (fig.)
1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton)
Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
רַע (ra) is a Hebrew word meaning bad or evil, encompassing a range of negative qualities such as distress, misery, and ethical wrongdoing. It can describe unpleasantness, harm, or low value, and is used in various contexts, including emotional states and moral judgments. The entries also note its comparative form, indicating worse than or worst. The word has feminine forms, such as רָעָה (ra.ah), which similarly convey concepts of evil and distress.
רַע 228 adj. bad, evil
bad, disagreeable, malignant
bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
evil, displeasing
bad of its kind
bad, , i.e. of low value
מִן comp., worse than
sad, unhappy
devise evil (hurtful) device
bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
ethically bad, evil, wicked
base
רַע 126 n.m. evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
evil, distress, adversity
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
רָעָה 310 n.f. evil, misery, distress, injury
evil, misery, distress
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
H7451a רַע bad, evil . bad, disagreeable, malignant
. bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
. evil, displeasing
. bad of its kind
. bad, , i.e. of low value
. + מִן comp., worse than
. sad, unhappy
. devise evil (hurtful) device
. bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
. ethically bad, evil, wicked
H7451b רַע evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity . evil, distress, adversity
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
H7451c רָעָה evil, misery, distress, injury . evil, misery, distress
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
7451 ra` rah
from 7489; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral):--
adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure),
distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X
great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured),
+ mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, + not
please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex,
wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.
(Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
see HEBREW for 07489
רַע (ra) — bad: harmful.
: harmful
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc)
1e) bad (of value)
1f) worse than, worst (comparison)
1g) sad, unhappy
1h) evil (hurtful)
1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)
1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically)
1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts
1j2) deeds, actions
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
1) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
1a) evil, distress, adversity
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רָעָה (ra.ah) — distress: harm.
: harm
1) evil, misery, distress, injury
1a) evil, misery, distress
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
: evil
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
Adj — AdjHAamsa
ev'-'-l, e'-vil ra`; poneros, @kakos, @kakon:
In the Bible it is represented as moral and physical. We choose to discuss the subject under these heads. Many of the evils that come upon men have not been intended by those who suffer for them. Disease, individual and national calamity, drought, scarcity of food, may not always be charged to the account of intentional wrong. Many times the innocent suffer with, and even for, the guilty. In such cases, only physical evil is apparent. Even when the suffering has been occasioned by sin or dereliction of duty, whether the wrong is active or passive, many, perhaps the majority of those who are injured, are not accountable in any way for the ills which come upon them. Neither is God the author of moral evil. "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man" (Jas 1:13).
→ APPEARANCE OF, TO BE AVOIDED Ro 14:1-23; 1Co 8:7-13; 10:28-33; 1Th 4:11,12; 5:22
→ INSTANCES OF
Paul, in refusing to eat what had been offered to idols 1Co 8:13
In supporting himself 1Co 9:7-23
The Hebrew word כָּלָא (*kala'*) is a primitive root meaning to shut up, restrain, or withhold. It encompasses actions such as prohibiting or finishing something. The word appears in various forms and contexts in the Old Testament, including instances of restraint and withholding, as seen in verses like Genesis 23:6 and Psalm 119:101.
[כָּלָא] vb. shut up, restrain, withhold (NH id.; Aram. כְּלָא, Syriac; Eth. Ethiopic restrain, hinder; As. kâlû, id.; Ar. Arabic protect Qor 21:43 cf. Ba ZMG 1887, 605 Anm. 4)—
Qal Pf. 3 ms. sf. כְּלָאוֹ Je 32:3; 3 fs. כָּֽלְאָה Hg 1:10; 2 fs. sf. כְּלִתִ֫נִי I S 25:33; 1 s. כָּלִאתִי ψ 119:101; 3 pl. כָּֽלְאוּ Hg 1:10, כָּלוּ I S 6:10; Impf. 3 ms. יִכְלֶה Gn 23:6; 2 ms. תִכְלָא ψ 40:12; 2 fs. תִּכְלָ֑אִי Is 43:6; 1 s. אֶכְלָא ψ 40:10; Imv. sf. כְּלָאֵֽם Nu 11:28; Inf. cstr. לִכְלוֹא Ec 8:8; Pt.…
Read the full entry →H3607 כָּלָא shut up, restrain, withhold
3607 kala' kaw-law'
a primitive root; to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or
word (prohibit):--finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain,
restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold.
כָּלָא (ka.la) — to restrain.
1) to restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, refrain, forbid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to shut up
1a2) to restrain
1a3) to withhold
1b) (Niphal) to be restrained
1c) (Piel) to finish
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.
רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot
foot
three times (feet, paces)
base
H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot
. three times (feet, paces)
7272 regel reh'-gel
from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a
step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X
according as, X after, X coming, X follow,
((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X
journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.
see HEBREW for 07270
רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.
1) foot
1a) foot, leg
1b) of God (anthropomorphic)
1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table
1d) according to the pace of (with prep)
1e) three times (feet, paces)
Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp1bs
מַ֫עַן (ma`an) is a preposition and conjunction meaning 'for the sake of' or 'on account of.' It conveys purpose or intent, indicating a motive or aim, and is used adverbially. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heed' or 'purpose' and appears in contexts that express reasons or intentions.
[מַ֫עַן] subst. purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן 271 prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that
base
H4616 מַ֫עַן prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that
4616 ma`an mah'-an
from 6030; properly, heed, i.e. purpose; used only
adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim),
teleologically, in order that:--because of, to the end
(intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), + lest, that, to.
see HEBREW for 06030
מַ֫עַן (ma.an) — because.
1) purpose, intent prep
1a) for the sake of
1b) in view of, on account of
1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj
1d) to the end that
Prep — ParticleHTc
so (co', although the Hebrew might be pointed cewe'; Assyrian Sib'u; Septuagint Segor, Soa; Manetho, Seuechos; Latin Sevechus; Herodotus (ii. 137 ff), Sabakon): In all probability the "Sabaeo" of Herodotus, the Shabaka, who founded the Ethiopian dynasty, the XXVth of Egyptian kings. His date is given as 715-707 BC (Flinders Petrie, History of Egypt, III, 281 ff), but we may suppose that before his accession to the throne he was entitled to be designated king, as being actually regent. To this So, Hoshea, king of Israel, made an appeal for assistance to enable him to throw off the yoke of the Assyrian Shalmaneser IV (2Ki 17:3). But Hoshea's submission to So brought him no advantage, for Shalmaneser came up throughout all the land and laid siege to Samaria. Not long after the fall of Samaria, So ventured upon an eastern campaign, and…
So
(Nubian, Sabako), an Ethiopian king who brought Egypt under his sway. He was bribed by Hoshea to help him against the Assyrian monarch Shalmaneser (2 Kings 17:4). This was a return to the policy that had been successful in the reign of Jeroboam I.
"So, king of Egypt," is once mentioned in the Bible -- (2 Kings 17:4) So has been identified by different writers with the first and second kings of the Ethiopian twenty-fifth dynasty, called by Manetho, Sabakon (Shebek) and Sebichos (Shebetek).
King of Egypt, made an alliance with Hoshea king of Israel, and promised him assistance; but was unable to prevent Shalmaneser king of Assyria from taking Samaria and subverting the kingdom, B. C. 721, 2Ki 17:4. See PHARAOH.
So is believed to have been the Servetus or Sabaco II of secular history, the second king of the Ethiopian or twenty-fifth dynasty, and the predecessor of Trihakah. A singular fact has been brought to light by the recent explorations at Nineveh, corroborating the Scripture record the more forcibly, because unexpected and direct. The Bible shows that Egypt and Assyria, though remote, were often in conflict during the height of the Assyrian ruins power, and that So was at war with Shalmaneser. After war comes the treaty of peace; and as the Bible prepares us to suppose such treaties were made, the Assyrian ruins…
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · jussive first person common singularHVqj1cs
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms