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Psalms 119:36 — Word Study

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WLCהַט־ לִ֭בִּי אֶל־ עֵדְוֹתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־ בָּֽצַע׃

BSATurnnâṭâh [incline, stretch] my heartlêb [feelings, will, and intellect] toʼêl Your testimoniesʻêdûwth [witness, instructions, and laws] and notʼal [to the contrary] toʼêl covetous gainbetsaʻ [unjust, selfish, unlawful profit, dishonest acquisition]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 36 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 (Ba.tza') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:36quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist asks God to direct his heart towards His teachings rather than towards selfish gain.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a personal plea to God.
Where we areThe context is a prayer for guidance and alignment with God's will.
The hard wordבֶּצַע
Take awayThe psalmist desires a heart aligned with God's laws over the pursuit of dishonest profit.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָטָה 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 119:36

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — A Prayer for Guidancegenerated

35Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
36Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
38Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.

Psalm 119:36 is part of a larger meditation on the importance of God's laws and the need for divine assistance in adhering to them. The psalmist expresses a desire for his heart to be directed towards God's testimonies, reflecting a deep yearning for spiritual alignment. This prayer follows a series of requests for guidance and strength to follow God's commandments, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
2Psalm 141:4Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity; let me not feast on their delicacies.
31 Kings 8:58May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers.
4Jeremiah 32:39I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
5Ezekiel 11:19–20And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,

The Key Word נָטָה, hat-generated

The verb נָטָה (natah) means to stretch out or incline, indicating a desire for direction or adjustment. It is a Hiphil imperative, which reflects a request for action from God, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on divine intervention to align his heart with God's will.

This word can imply both physical movement and moral deflection, suggesting that the psalmist seeks not just a change in direction but a transformation of his inner being towards righteousness, away from selfish desires.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the core request of the psalmist to turn his heart towards God's testimonies.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is הַט־, turn, which governs the entire request. The structure includes a noun phrase לִ֭בִּי (my heart) as the subject, followed by a prepositional phrase indicating direction אֶל־ עֵדְוֹתֶ֗יךָ (to Your testimonies) and concludes with a contrasting phrase וְאַ֣ל אֶל־ בָּֽצַע׃ (and not to covetous gain).

The order emphasizes the psalmist's primary desire to turn his heart towards God's teachings, while clearly stating the rejection of selfish gain, highlighting the moral choice being made.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נָטָה as κλῖνον (klinon), which means to incline or lean. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the need for divine assistance in aligning one's heart.

The LXX also uses πλεονεχίαν (pleonechian) for בֶּצַע, indicating a focus on the greedy aspect of gain, which aligns with the Hebrew's connotation of unjust profit.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:36 is a prayer asking God to help the psalmist focus his heart on God's laws instead of being drawn to dishonest gain. This reflects a desire for spiritual integrity and alignment with God's will, emphasizing the importance of following His teachings.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to turn my heart to God's testimonies?

It means to seek alignment with God's teachings and laws, prioritizing them over personal desires or material gain.

Why is the psalmist concerned about covetous gain?

Covetous gain represents a temptation that leads away from God's path, and the psalmist desires to avoid such distractions.

How can I apply this verse in my life?

You can reflect on your priorities and seek to align your desires with God's teachings, asking for His guidance to resist temptations.

What does this verse teach about the nature of the heart?

It highlights that the heart can be inclined towards either good or selfish desires, and it is important to seek God's help in directing it towards righteousness.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's guidance to turn my heart towards His ways?
  2. How can I guard my heart against the temptation of covetous gain?
  3. What practices can help me focus more on God's testimonies in my daily life?
  4. How can I encourage others to seek alignment with God's teachings as well?

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

The early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss the importance of aligning one's heart with God's teachings and avoiding the temptations of materialism.

Cyril of JerusalemMYSTAGOGICAL LECTURES 1:6 c. 313–386
Next you say, “and all his pomp.” The pomp of the devil is the craze for the theater, the horse races in the circus, the wildbeast hunts and all such emptiness, from which the saint prays to God to be delivered in the words,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Ambrose of MilanOn the Duties of the Clergy 2.6.26 c. 339–397
Therefore, as I am about to speak of what is useful, I will take up those words of the prophet: “Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to covetousness,” that the sound of the word useful may not rouse in us the desire for money.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Ambrose of MilanFLIGHT FROM THE WORLD 1:4 c. 339–397
Therefore David, who had experienced those very glances that are dangerous for a man, aptly says that the one is blessed whose every hope is in the name of God.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:36 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,.... To read the word of God, to hear it opened and explained, to observe and keep the things contained in it; to which there is a disinclination in men

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

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Love to God and love to gain cannot dwell together in the same heart.

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

Unto thy testimonies; to the love and practice of them. Not to covetousness; not to the inordinate love and desire of riches: which particular lust he mentions, partly, be cause this lust is most spreading and universal, and there is scarce any man who doth not desire riches either for the love of riches, or upon pretence of necessity, or for the service of pride or luxury, or some other lust; partly, because, this lust is most opposite to God’ s testimonies, and doth most commonly hinder men from receiving God’ s word, and from profiting by it; see and partly, because this lust is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil, , and is most mischievous in princes and governors, such as…

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

Psalms 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.Ver. 36. Incline my heart] Through the exercises of thy word, and the working of thy Spirit. And not to covetousness] Which draweth away the heart from all God’ s testimonies, and is the root of all evil, 1 Timothy 6:10. Some think it is put here for all other vices. The Chaldee hath it, and not to mammon, that mammon of iniquity, as Christ calleth it, the next odious name to the devil. Now, to good God inclineth man’ s heart efficiently (say the schools), but to evil, deficiently, sc. by withdrawing his grace; for he is a free agent, and not bound to any. David prayeth God to supersede him from this wickedness…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(36) Covetousness.—Literally, rapine, prey. In Psalms 30:9 simply, “gain.”

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

Verse 36. Not to covetousness.] Let me have no inordinate love for gain of any kind, nor for any thing that may grieve thy Spirit, or induce me to seek my happiness here below.

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

36. covetousness] Or, unjust gain. With this and the following verse cp. Isaiah 33:15.

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

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies - Cause my heart to be inclined to them, or to be disposed to keep them. This, too, is a recognition of dependence, and a prayer for guidance.

Read Albert Barnes 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

Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Give me a desire for your rules, rather than for wealth gained unjustly.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Incline mine heart vnto thy testimonies, and not to couetousnesse.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to gain.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, And not unto dishonest gain.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, || And not to dishonest gain.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to desire for gain.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Direct my heart toward your covenant decrees and away from unrighteous gain.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Help me to concentrate on what you say rather than on making a profit.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire.

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.

clauseclauseverbהַטinclinenoun phrase · objectלִ֭בִּheartיmyprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtonoun phraseעֵדְוֺתֶ֗יtestimoniesךָyourוְandclauseadverbialאַ֣לnotprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoבָּֽצַעunjust.gain

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads, "הַט־ לִ֭בִּי אֶל־ עֵדְוֹתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־ בָּֽצַע׃" which translates to, "Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the overall meaning and the key terms used, as all seven words correspond directly in a word-by-word translation, although the order and structure may differ. There are no significant differences noted in the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, indicating a strong consistency across these ancient witnesses regarding this text.

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

הַט־ לִ֭בִּי אֶל־ עֵדְוֹתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־ בָּֽצַע׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הַט־κλῖνονלִ֭בִּיμουאֶל־εἰςעֵדְוֹתֶ֗יךָσουוְאַ֣לμὴאֶל־εἰςבָּֽצַע׃πλεονεχίαν

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

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 119:36נָטָהinclineinclineנָטָהלֵבheart myheart myלֵבאֶלtotoאֶלעֵדוּתtestimoniestestimonies youעֵדוּתאַלand may notand may not [itאַלאֶלtotoאֶלבֶ֫צַעunjust gainunjust gainבֶ֫צַעבָּצַעto cut offto cut offבָּצַעלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָבעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדלֹאnotnotלֹאפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫החָזָקstrongstrongחָזָקזְרוֹעַarmarmזְרוֹעַחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםכַּפֹּרֶתmercy seatmercy seatכַּפֹּרֶתלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאשָׂנֵאto hateto hateשָׂנֵא
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 119:36

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.

incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
הַט־hat- incline H5186 Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singular
214× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Amplified meaning
incline, stretch
Tyndale gloss
to stretch
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָטָה (natah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stretch out, spread out, or extend. It encompasses a wide range of actions, including bending, inclining, and pitching a tent. The word can also imply moral deflection or turning aside. The entries suggest various applications, from physical actions to metaphorical uses, but do not indicate significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָטָה 215 vb. stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

Qal

stretch out, extend, hand, rod

stretch line and plummet

= offer

Spread out, i.e. pitch, tent

Bend, turn, incline

Niph. be stretched out

Hiph.

rarely stretch out, hand

rarely spread out cloth on rock

usu. turn, incline

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5186 נָטָה stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend .. . stretch out, extend, hand, rod

. stretch line and plummet

. = offer

. Spread out, i.e. pitch, tent

. Bend, turn, incline

. be stretched out

. . rarely stretch out, hand

. rarely spread out cloth on rock

. usu. turn, incline

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5186 natah naw-taw'

a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication,

to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great

variety of application (as follows):--+ afternoon, apply, bow

(down, - ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down,

be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched,

overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread

(out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away),

wrest, cause to yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָטָה (na.tah) — to stretch.

1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer

1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent)

1a3) to bend, turn, incline

1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down

1a3b) to bend, bow

1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.)

1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to stretch out

1c2) to spread out

1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singular
HVhv2ms
incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
לִ֭בִּיLi.bi heart my H3820 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
595× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Amplified meaning
feelings, will, and intellect
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the sea

elsewhere of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific reference to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

[various]

for the man himself

as seat of appetites

as seat of emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea

. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific reference to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. [various]

. for the man himself

. as seat of appetites

. as seat of emotions and passions

. seat of courage

H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3820 leb labe

a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very

widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,

consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),

(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X

heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X

themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,

wisdom.

see HEBREW for 03824

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵב (lev) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

לֵב (lev) — Leb.

§ Leb- = "heart of"

(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
עֵדְוֹתֶ֗יךָ'e.de.vo.Tei.kha testimonies your H5715 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a testimony or witness, often referring to God's laws or instructions. It is used in several books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe God's guidance. The word emphasizes the importance of following God's laws.
Amplified meaning
witness, instructions, and laws
Tyndale gloss
testimony
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵדוּת (eduwth) is a feminine noun meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' It is derived from the root word עֵד (ed), which also relates to the concept of testimony. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in legal and religious settings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵדוּת 19 and עֵדֻת 27 n.f. testimony

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5715 עֵדוּת, עֵדֻת testimony

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5715 `eduwth ay-dooth'

feminine of 5707; testimony:--testimony, witness.

see HEBREW for 05707

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵדוּת (e.dut) — testimony.

testimony

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2ms
incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
וְאַ֣לve.'Al and may not [it incline] H408 Conjunction · particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
to the contrary
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
incline heart my to testimonies your and may not [it incline] to unjust gain
בָּֽצַע׃Ba.tza' unjust gain H1215 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes unjust gain or profit, often acquired through violence or dishonest means, as referred to in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
unjust, selfish, unlawful profit, dishonest acquisition
Tyndale gloss
unjust-gain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֶ֫צַע (betsah) refers to gain that is typically acquired through violence or unjust means. The term encompasses notions of profit and covetousness, often implying dishonesty in the acquisition of wealth. It is derived from a root that suggests plunder, indicating a focus on unethical or violent means of obtaining gain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֶ֫צַע n.m. gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1215 בֶ֫צַע gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1215 betsa` beh'-tsah

from 1214; plunder; by extension, gain (usually

unjust):--covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit.

see HEBREW for 01214

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֶּ֫צַע (be.tsa) — unjust-gain.

profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gan: In the Old Testament the translation of three Hebrew substantives, betsa`, "unjust gain," "any gain" (Jud 5:19; Job 22:3; Pr 1:19; 15:27; Isa 33:15; 56:11; Eze 22:13,17; Mic 4:13); mechir, "price" for which a thing is sold (Da 11:39, the only place where the Hebrew word is translated "gain" in the King James Version, though it occurs in other places translated "price"); tebhu'ah, "produce," "profits," "fruit" (Pr 3:14). It is the translation of one Hebrew…

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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