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Psalms 119:51 — Word Study

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WLCזֵ֭דִים הֱלִיצֻ֣נִי עַד־ מְאֹ֑ד מִ֝תּֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃

BSAThe arrogantzêd [proud, arrogant] utterlyʻad [greatly] deride melûwts but I do notlôʼ turnnâṭâh [swerve, decline] from Your lawtôwrâh [instruction, law]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 51 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 (na.Ti.ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:51quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist describes the derision he faces from the arrogant while affirming his commitment to God's law.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing his feelings in the face of mockery.
Where we areIn a section of Psalm 119 focused on the psalmist's relationship with God's law amid adversity.
The hard wordזֵ֭דִים
Take awayDespite the scorn of the proud, the psalmist remains steadfast.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectזֵד 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 119:51

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

Context — The Struggles of the Faithfulgenerated

50This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.
51The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.
52I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD, and in them I find comfort.
53Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.

Psalm 119:51 reflects the psalmist's experience of mockery from arrogant individuals who scorn his adherence to God's law. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the comfort and strength found in God's promises, as seen in the surrounding verses. The psalmist contrasts the derision he faces with his unwavering commitment to God's instructions, highlighting the tension between the proud and the faithful.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 119:21–69You rebuke the arrogant— the cursed who stray from Your commandments.
2Psalm 123:3–4Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt.
3Jeremiah 20:7You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
4Luke 16:14–15The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
5Luke 23:35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word זֵ֭דִים, Ze.dimgenerated

The word זֵד (zed) describes individuals characterized by arrogance or pride. It is used to denote those who defy God's laws and act presumptuously. This term appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts that emphasize moral failure or disdain for divine instruction.

The use of זֵד here underscores the psalmist's experience of being derided by those who are self-important. The term not only identifies the arrogant but also sets the tone for the conflict between the faithful and those who scorn them.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses arrogant to translate זֵ֭דִים. The KJV and ASV, however, choose proud, reflecting a different nuance of the same Hebrew term.

Where translations differ is in the rendering of זֵ֭דִיםarrogant (BSB, NETB) versus proud (ASV, KJV). Each choice highlights a different aspect of the same quality, with the BSB emphasizing the disdainful attitude of the individuals.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause of the verse is governed by the verb הֱלִיצֻ֣נִי, they have mocked me, which is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the extent of the mockery עַד־ מְאֹ֑ד, up to much, and concludes with the statement of the psalmist's resolve not to turn from God's law.

The structure emphasizes the contrast between the actions of the arrogant and the psalmist's steadfastness. The positioning of the verb at the beginning highlights the mockery as the primary action, while the concluding phrase underlines the psalmist's commitment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, זֵדִים is rendered as ὑπερήφανοι (hyperēphanoi), which translates to 'haughty' or 'overly proud.' This choice conveys a similar meaning but emphasizes the excessive nature of their arrogance.

The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew term while also reflecting the translators' understanding of the character of the arrogant individuals.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:51 shows the psalmist feeling mocked by arrogant people but remaining committed to God's law. Despite their scorn, he does not waver in his dedication to following God's instructions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the arrogant deride the psalmist?

It indicates that the proud individuals mock and scorn him for his faithfulness to God's law, reflecting a common theme of conflict between the faithful and the arrogant.

How does the psalmist respond to the mockery?

The psalmist asserts that he does not turn away from God's law, demonstrating his steadfastness in the face of ridicule.

What is the significance of the law in this verse?

The law represents God's guidance and moral code, which the psalmist values above the scorn of the arrogant.

How can this verse apply to my life today?

It encourages individuals to remain committed to their beliefs and values, even when faced with criticism or mockery from others.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I feel mocked or scorned for my beliefs?
  2. How can I strengthen my commitment to God's law in the face of adversity?
  3. What examples can I find in scripture of individuals who faced mockery but remained faithful?
  4. How does understanding the nature of the arrogant help me respond to their scorn?

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

The verse is referenced by early church fathers, who discuss the psalmist's steadfastness in the face of mockery from the proud.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 119 354–430
The next verse is, "The proud dealt exceeding wickedly: yet have I not shrinked from Your law" [Psalms 119:51].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:51 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The proud have had me greatly in derision,.... Profane sinners, proud and haughty scorners, that make a jest of religion, and scoff at everything serious and good: these derided the psalmist for his

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

The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

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

Greatly in derision, for my godliness and trust in thy word, as the following words imply.

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

Psalms 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.Ver. 51. The proud have had me greatly in derision] Scoffing proceedeth from pride, Proverbs 3:34, with 1 Peter 5:5. Yet have I not, &c.] They cannot flout me out of my zeal.

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

Verse 51. The proud have had me] We have been treated, not only with oppressive cruelty, but also with contempt, because we still professed to trust in thee, the living God, who because of our transgressions hadst been greatly displeased with us; yet we have not declined from thy law.

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

51. have had me greatly in derision] Lit. have scorned me exceedingly. The ‘proud’ men of whom the Psalmist speaks belonged to the class of ‘scorners,’ the freethinkers who make what is good and holy the object of their ridicule. Cp. Proverbs 21:24; and note on Psalms 1:1. Though they ridicule him, he does not swerve from his adherence to God’s law.

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

The proud have had me greatly in derision - Those of rank; those in high life: perhaps, as we should say, the frivolous and fashionable world.

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

æ, Zain.49-56. The word… upon which thou hast caused me to hope—In a time of derision and apostasy the psalmist finds strength and delight in the word. Times of persecution and contempt are always times of apostasy.

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

The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me. Yet I do not turn aside from your law.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yet have I not swerved from thy law.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not swerved from thy law.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet I have not declined from thy law.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The proude haue had me exceedingly in derision: yet haue I not declined from thy Lawe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The proud have derided me beyond measure: I have not declined from thy law.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The proud have utterly scorned me, From Thy law I have not turned aside.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The proud have utterly scorned me, || I have not turned aside from Your law.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The presumptuous have held me too greatly in derision: yet have I not departed away from thy law.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The proud have scoffed at me, yet I have not turned away from your law.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Arrogant people mock me terribly, but I don't give up on your teachings.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.

Word by word, the decisions they made

זֵ֭דִיםZe.dim arrogant [people] H2086 2 different renderings
proudASV DBY KJV LSV NWB RVA ULB YLT
arrogantBSB FBV MSB NETB WEB

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.

clausesubjectזֵ֭דִיםarrogant.[people]verbהֱלִיצֻ֣theyobjectנִיhave.mocked.meprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַדup.toמְאֹ֑דmuchnessclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִ֝fromnoun phraseתּֽוֹרָתְlawךָ֗youradverbialלֹ֣אnotverbנָטִֽיתִיI.have.turned.aside

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 wording of this verse, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This consistency suggests a strong preservation of the original text across these traditions.

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

זֵ֭דִים הֱלִיצֻ֣נִי עַד־ מְאֹ֑ד מִ֝תּֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
זֵ֭דִיםὑπερήφανοιהֱלִיצֻ֣נִיπαρηνόμουνעַד־ἕωςמְאֹ֑דσφόδραמִ֝תּֽוֹרָתְךָ֗σουלֹ֣אοὐκנָטִֽיתִי׃ἐχέκλινα

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 119:51זֵדarrogant [parrogant [peoplזֵדלִיץthey have mthey have mockeלִיץעַדup toup toעַדמְאֹדmuchnessmuchnessמְאֹדתּוֹרָהfrom law yofrom law yourתּוֹרָהלֹאnotnotלֹאנָטָהI have turnI have turned aנָטָהזִידto boilto boilזִידיָרָאto shootto shootיָרָאעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדאוּדfirebrandfirebrandאוּדלִיץto mockto mockלִיץשֶׁ֫קֶרdeceptiondeceptionשֶׁ֫קֶרפֶּ֫תִיsimplesimpleפֶּ֫תִיזֵדarrogantarrogantזֵדמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶבכָּבֵדheavyheavyכָּבֵדרָבָהto multiplto multiplyרָבָהסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶרכָּתַבto writeto writeכָּתַביָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדחָזָקstrongstrongחָזָקזְרוֹעַarmarmזְרוֹעַ
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 119:51

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.

arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
זֵ֭דִיםZe.dim arrogant [people] H2086 Adj
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is arrogant or proud, like the presumptuous ones in the Bible. It is used to describe those who defy God's laws. The KJV translates it as presumptuous or proud.
Amplified meaning
proud, arrogant
Tyndale gloss
arrogant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֵד (zed) refers to a quality of arrogance or insolence, describing someone who is presumptuous or proud. The term can function as both an adjective and a noun, indicating arrogant individuals collectively. It is derived from a root meaning to be arrogant, and its usage is consistent across various lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֵד adj. insolent, presumptious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2086 זֵד insolent, presumptious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2086 zed zade'

from 2102; arrogant:--presumptuous, proud.

see HEBREW for 02102

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֵד (zed) — arrogant.

1) arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous

1a) the arrogant ones (as n coll pl)

1b) presumptuous (as adj)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
הֱלִיצֻ֣נִיhe.li.Tzu.ni they have mocked me H3887 Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffix
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to mock or scorn someone, often by making fun of them or talking down to them. It can also refer to interpreting languages or acting as an ambassador. In some cases, it describes a person who is arrogant or boastful.
Tyndale gloss
to mock
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לִיץ (luwts) means to scorn or mock, with various forms indicating actions like deriding or acting as a scorner. It can also refer to interpreting language or serving as an ambassador. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, including boasting and showing arrogance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[לִיץ] vb. scorn

Qal scorn

Hiph.

deride

Pt. interpreter

Po‛lel scorners

Hithp. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3887 [לִיץ] scorn .scorn

. . deride

. Pt. interpreter

.scorners

. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3887 luwts loots

a primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff;

hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to

interpret, or (generally) intercede:--ambassador, have in

derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful),

teacher.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לִיץ (luts) — to mock.

1) to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to boast

1a2) to scorn

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to mock, deride

1b2) to interpret (language)

1b2a) interpreter (participle)

1b2b) ambassador (fig.)

1c) (Hithpalpel) to be inflated, scoff, act as a scorner, show oneself a mocker

Also means: la.tsats (לָצַץ "to scorn" H3945)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVhp3cp/Sp1bs
arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
עַד־'ad- up to H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Amplified meaning
greatly
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
מְאֹ֑דme.'Od muchness H3966
300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Tyndale gloss
much
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

force, might

in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might

. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3966 m`od meh-ode'

from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or

without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,

speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,

especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X

louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)

sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

see HEBREW for 0181

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְאֹד (me.od) — much.

adv

1) exceedingly, much

subst

2) might, force, abundance

n m

3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

3a) force, might

3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)

3b1) exceedingly

3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly

3b3) with muchness, muchness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmsa
HAcmsa
arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
מִ֝תּֽוֹרָתְךָ֗mi.to.ra.te.kha from law your H8451 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
219× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.
Amplified meaning
instruction, law
Tyndale gloss
instruction
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law

instruction

law (prop. direction)

custom, manner

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction

. law (prop. direction)

. custom, manner

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8451 towrah to-raw'

or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,

especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.

see HEBREW for 03384

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.

1) law, direction, instruction

1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)

1a1) body of prophetic teaching

1a2) instruction in Messianic age

1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction

1a4) body of legal directives

1b) law

1b1) law of the burnt offering

1b2) of special law, codes of law

1c) custom, manner

1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
arrogant [people] they have mocked me up to muchness from law your not I have turned aside
נָטִֽיתִי׃na.Ti.ti I have turned aside H5186 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common 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
swerve, decline
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-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-sid': "Distinct from others," "privately," such is the sense of the word in 2Ki 4:4; Mr 7:33. Also "to withdraw" (Lu 9:10 the King James Version; Ac 23:19: hupochoreo, also anachoreo). One is said to have turned aside when he departs from the path of rectitude (Ps 14:3; Sirach 2:7; 1Ti 1:6). In a figurative sense it is used to express the thought of putting aside, to renounce, every hindrance or impediment to a consecrated earnest Christian life (Heb 12:1: apotithemi).

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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