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Psalms 119:131 — Word Study

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WLCפִּֽי־ פָ֭עַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָה כִּ֖י לְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃

BSAI openpâʻar [wide, as in a big yawn] my mouthpeh and pantshâʼaph [with eagerness, like a dog waiting to be fed] longingyâʼab [to long for, with strong emotional response] for Your commandmentsmitsvâh [laws, divine instructions, teachings]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 131 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 (ya.'A.ve.ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:131quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's commandments, illustrated by the imagery of opening the mouth wide and panting.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, speaking personally about his desire for divine instruction.
Where we areThis verse is part of a meditation on the beauty and importance of God's word.
The hard wordפָּעַר
Take awayThe psalmist's eagerness for God's commandments is palpable.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbפָּעַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 119:131

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 — Longing for God's Commandmentsgenerated

130The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
131I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.
132Turn to me and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name.
133Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.

Psalm 119:131 expresses a heartfelt yearning for God's commandments, emphasizing the psalmist’s desire for divine guidance. This verse is nestled within a larger meditation on the significance of God's word, where the psalmist reflects on how God's teachings illuminate and guide life. The verses surrounding it, such as Psalm 119:130 and Psalm 119:132, further illustrate this theme of seeking understanding and mercy from God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 119:20My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times.
2Psalm 42:1As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
3Isaiah 26:8–9Yes, we wait for You, O LORD; we walk in the path of Your judgments. Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.
41 Peter 2:2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
5Psalm 119:40–162How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness.

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


The Key Word פָּעַר, Fa.'ar.tigenerated

The verb פָּעַר (*pa'ar*) means to open wide, particularly in reference to the mouth. It suggests a physical act of gaping or yawning, reflecting an eager anticipation. The parsing indicates it is a perfect tense verb, showing a completed action — the psalmist has already opened his mouth wide.

This word captures a sense of urgency and desire, as the psalmist is not merely opening his mouth but doing so with an intense longing for God's commandments. The imagery evokes a vivid picture of eagerness, akin to a dog waiting for food.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the core meaning of the verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is פָּעַרְתִּי, I opened wide, which governs the actions that follow. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject and two verb phrases that express the psalmist's actions: panting and longing.

The order emphasizes the psalmist's eagerness, with the opening of the mouth leading directly into the expression of longing for God's commandments.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates פָּעַר as ἤνοιχα, which means 'I opened'. This choice aligns with the literal meaning but does not carry the same imagery of eagerness found in the Hebrew.

The Greek word for 'pant' is πνεῦμα, which can imply breath or spirit, suggesting a deeper emotional connection to the longing expressed in the Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:131 shows the psalmist opening his mouth wide and panting, expressing a strong desire for God's commandments. This verse emphasizes how much the psalmist yearns for divine guidance and instruction.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'opening my mouth'?

The psalmist is using the imagery of opening his mouth wide to express eagerness and anticipation for God's commandments.

Why does the psalmist pant in this verse?

Panting symbolizes a deep longing and desire, similar to how one might eagerly await something essential, like food.

What are God's commandments?

God's commandments refer to the laws and teachings provided in Scripture that guide moral and ethical behavior.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding verses?

This verse fits within a broader context of seeking understanding and guidance from God's word, as seen in the verses before and after it.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I express my longing for God's guidance in my life?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper desire for God's commandments like the psalmist?
  3. What practices can help me open my heart and mind to God's teachings?
  4. How do I respond when I feel a strong desire for spiritual nourishment?

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

Early church commentary reflects on the psalmist's expression of longing for God's commandments, illustrating the spiritual significance of this verse.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 119 354–430
This is confessed by this little one; "I opened my mouth," he says, "and drew in the spirit: for I longed for Your commandments" [Psalms 119:131].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:131 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I opened my mouth, and panted,.... As a person out of breath does, through walking or running; he stops and pants, and opens his mouth, to draw in air to his relief: or as hungry and thirsty persons

Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments - (Psalms 119:20.) Compare Job 29:23; Psalms 42:1.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 131. I thirst after thy precepts, and pursue them eagerly, as it were with open mouth, ready and greedy to receive them. It is a metaphor from one that makes great haste after another, whereby he is forced to pant and to open his mouth for air to refresh himself.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 119:131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.Ver. 131. I opened my mouth and panted] Heb. and sooped in the air, as one that laboureth for life. Oh the sighs and the groans that I incessantly breathed forth out of zeal to thy law! Oh the strong affections kindled on the hearth of my heart! for, I longed for thy commandments] The Septuagint renders it by επιποθεω, which signifieth a most vehement desire, impatient of delays. As one that runneth himself out of breath. Sitio propter legem sicut dracones propter pluviam, Job 29:1-25

Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 131. I opened my mouth, and panted] A metaphor taken from an animal exhausted in the chase. He runs, open-mouthed, to take in the cooling air; the heart beating high, and the muscular force nearly expended through fatigue. The psalmist sought for salvation, as he would run from a ferocious beast for his life. Nothing can show his earnestness in a stronger point of view.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

131. I opened wide my mouth for the food of this illuminating informing instruction (Job 29:23; Psalms 81:10), and panted in my eagerness to receive it.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I opened my mouth and panted - All this is the language of deep emotion.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

ô, Pe.129-136. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me—A sense of his own peril leads the writer to a still deeper, intenser longing for perfected holiness within himself.

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commands.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for thy commandments.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I opened wide my mouth, and panted; for I longed for thy commandments.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I opened my mouth and panted, because I loued thy commandements.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I opened my mouth wide and panted; for I longed for thy commandments.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

My mouth I have opened, yea, I pant, For, for Thy commands I have longed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I have opened my mouth, indeed, I pant, || For I have longed for Your commands.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

I opened my mouth, and panted for breath; because for thy commandments did I long.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I open my mouth and pant, for I long for your commandments.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

With keen desire I long for what you have to say.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

My mouth was open wide, waiting with great desire for your teachings.

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.

clausenoun phrase · objectפִּֽmouthיmyverbפָ֭עַרְתִּיI.opened.wideוָandclauseverb phrase · verbאֶשְׁאָ֑פָIהpantedכִּ֖י(dm)clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְfornoun phraseמִצְוֺתֶ֣יcommandmentsךָyourverbיָאָֽבְתִּיI.longed

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 on the core wording of the verse, with all six Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment contains five words from the verse, indicating consistency in the text.

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

פִּֽי־ פָ֭עַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָה כִּ֖י לְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
פִּֽי־μουפָ֭עַרְתִּיἤνοιχαוָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָהπνεῦμαכִּ֖יὅτιלְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָσουיָאָֽבְתִּי׃ἐπεπόθουν

6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

פ׳י פערתי ואשאפה למצוותי׳כה תאבתי

5 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.

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 119:131פֶּהmouth mymouth myפֶּהפָּעַרI opened wiI opened wideפָּעַרשָׁאַףand I panteand I panted !שָׁאַףכִּיforforכִּימִצְוָהfor commandfor commandmentמִצְוָהיָאַבI longedI longedיָאַבפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחפֶּהliplipפֶּהיַעַןbecausebecauseיַעַןרוּחַspiritspiritרוּחַיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹק
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 119:131

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.

mouth my I opened wide and I panted ! for for commandments your I longed
פִּֽי־pi- mouth my H6310 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
mouth my I opened wide and I panted ! for for commandments your I longed
פָ֭עַרְתִּיFa.'ar.ti I opened wide H6473 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to open wide, like a big yawn, and is used in the Bible to describe something opening up, like a mouth or a gap. It appears in the King James Version as 'gape' or 'open wide'.
Amplified meaning
wide, as in a big yawn
Tyndale gloss
to open
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּעַר (pa`ar) is a primitive root meaning to open wide, particularly in reference to the mouth. It conveys the idea of gaping or yawning, both literally and figuratively. The entries consistently emphasize this notion of opening wide without any noted disagreements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּעַר] vb. open wide (the mouth)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6473 [פָּעַר] open wide (the mouth)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6473 pa`ar paw-ar'

a primitive root; to yawn, i.e. open wide (literally or

figuratively):--gape, open (wide).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּעַר (pa.ar) — to open.

1) to open wide, gape

1a) (Qal) to gape

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
mouth my I opened wide and I panted ! for for commandments your I longed
וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָהva.'esh.'A.fah and I panted ! H7602 Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffix
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To crush or trample something, also to desire or hasten eagerly, as seen in Psalm 7:2. It implies a strong emotional response, like anger or intense longing. This word is used to describe God's judgment in Isaiah 13:3.
Amplified meaning
with eagerness, like a dog waiting to be fed
Tyndale gloss
to long for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁאַף (sha'aph) is a Hebrew verb with two primary meanings: to gasp or pant, often in a context of longing or desire, and to crush or trample. The word conveys both a sense of eager inhalation and a physical act of crushing. It appears in various forms, indicating both emotional and physical intensity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁאַף vb. gasp, pant, pant after, long for

base

[שָׁאַף] vb. crush, trample on

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7602a שָׁאַף gasp, pant, pant after, long for H7602b שָׁאַף crush, trample on

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7602 sha'aph shaw-af'

a primitive root; to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover;

by implication, to be angry; also to hasten:--desire

(earnestly), devour, haste, pant, snuff up, swallow up.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁאַף (sha.aph) — to long for.

1) to gasp, pant, pant after, long for, breathe heavily

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to gasp, pant after, snuff up

1a2) to gasp or pant (with desire), pant after, be eager for

1a3) to thirst for one's blood (from actions of animals) (fig)

שָׁאַף (sha.aph) — to crush.

1) to crush, trample, trample upon

1a) (Qal) to trample upon, crush

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffix
Hc/Vqw1cs/Sh
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
mouth my I opened wide and I panted ! for for commandments your I longed
כִּ֖יki 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
mouth my I opened wide and I panted ! for for commandments your I longed
לְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָle.mitz.vo.Tei.kha for commandments your H4687 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
182× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Amplified meaning
laws, divine instructions, teachings
Tyndale gloss
commandment
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4687 מִצְוָה commandment

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'

from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,

the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,

precept.

see HEBREW for 06680

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.

1) commandment

1a) commandment (of man)

1b) the commandment (of God)

1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncfpc/Sp2ms
mouth my I opened wide and I panted ! for for commandments your I longed
יָאָֽבְתִּי׃ya.'A.ve.ti I longed H2968 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To long or desire something deeply, as seen in the Bible where people yearn for God's presence. This word is used to express a strong emotional connection. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
to long for, with strong emotional response
Tyndale gloss
to long
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָאַב (ya'ab) is a primitive root meaning to long or desire. It covers the action of yearning or having a strong wish for something. The term is noted in Psalm 119:131 and is identified as a late Aramaism.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָאַב] vb. long, desire—Qal ψ 119:131, late Aramaism.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2968 יָאַב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2968 ya'ab yaw-ab'

a primitive root; to desire:--long.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָאַב (ya.av) — to long.

(Qal) to long, long for, desire

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
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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