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Psalms 119:56 — Word Study

Depth

WLCזֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃

BSAThiszôʼth [what I have always done, my practice] is my practicehâyâh forkîy [because, since] I obeynâtsar [keep, watch over, guard] Your preceptspiqqûwd [commands, statutes, divine principles]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 56 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.Tza.re.ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:56quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses a commitment to obey God's commands as a lifelong practice.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on his dedication to God's precepts.
Where we areIn a meditation on the importance of God's law and personal obedience.
The hard wordפִּקּוּד
Take awayObedience to divine principles is a lifelong practice.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectזֹאת verbהָיָה 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 119:56

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 Commitment to God's Lawgenerated

55In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law.
56This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.
57The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
58I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.

Psalm 119:56 reflects the psalmist's deep commitment to God's commands. He emphasizes that his practice of obedience is not a fleeting action but a consistent part of his life. This verse sits within a larger meditation on the beauty and importance of God's law, as seen in the surrounding verses that express the psalmist's devotion and desire to follow God's ways.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 119:165Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing can make them stumble.
2Psalm 18:18–22They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD was my support.
31 John 3:19–24And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word פִּקּוּד, piqqudgenerated

The word פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or commandment from God, emphasizing its role as a divine instruction. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint, indicating that these are not arbitrary rules but specific mandates given by God.

In this verse, the use of פִּקּוּד highlights the importance of adhering to God's statutes as a foundational aspect of the psalmist's life, reflecting a commitment to live according to divine principles.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the verse is נָצָֽרְתִּי, I have observed, which governs the structure. It is preceded by a subject זֹ֥את (this) and followed by a prepositional phrase לִּ֑י (to me) and a clause explaining the reason for the action.

The word order emphasizes the psalmist's declaration of his practice, with the finite verb concluding the thought and linking it back to his obedience to God's commands.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates פִּקּוּד as ἐντολὰς (entolas), meaning 'commands.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but broadens the implication to include all divine instructions.

The Greek word αὕτη (hautē) for זֹ֥את emphasizes the specific nature of the psalmist's declaration, indicating a clear and direct reference.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:56 expresses the psalmist's commitment to obeying God's commands as a consistent practice in his life. He emphasizes that this obedience is not just a one-time act but a continual part of his relationship with God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'this is my practice'?

The psalmist is stating that his ongoing commitment to obey God's commands is a regular part of his life.

Why is obedience to God's precepts important?

Obedience to God's precepts is essential for living a life that aligns with His will and purpose.

How can I apply this verse in my life?

You can reflect on your own practices and consider how you can make obedience to God's commands a consistent part of your daily life.

What are God's precepts?

God's precepts are His commands and guidelines for living, which are meant to guide believers in their actions and decisions.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I make obedience to God's commands a regular practice in my life?
  2. What specific precepts of God do I find most challenging to follow?
  3. How can reflecting on God's commands help me grow in my faith?
  4. What steps can I take to ensure I am consistently observing God's precepts?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:56 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

This I had, because I kept thy precepts. Either the comfort he had from the word, the pleasure and delight he had in it, being his songs in his pilgrimage, Psalms 119:50; see Psalms 119:165; or this

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

This I had, because I kept thy precepts. This I had, because I kept thy precepts - "this" good I have had as my reward (namely, that thy statutes are "my songs in my pilgrimage," and that "I remember

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

This I had, this comfortable and profitable remembrance and contemplation of thy name and statutes, of which he spoke ,55, because I kept thy precepts; which if I had wilfully and wickedly broken, the remembrance of these things would have been sad and frightful to me, as now it is comfortable, because I kept them.

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

Psalms 119:56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.Ver. 56. This I had] This comfort, or this remembrance, or this ability to keep thy law. Because I keep thy precepts] A strange reason, I kept it because I kept it; but every new act of obedience fitteth for a following act, Romans 6:19. As in sin, so in grace, Mark 4:24, acts increase habits, and facilitate the work.

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

(56) This I had, because . . .—Literally, This was to me, &c, i.e., this consoling recollection of the mercies of God, of His covenant grace, was to him, happened, or came to him, in consequence of his habitual obedience. Virtue is indeed then most its own reward, in times of quiet reflection, like the night, when to the guilty come remorse and apprehension, but to the good man “calm thoughts regular as infant’s breath.”

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

Verse 56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.] Though thou didst leave us under the power of our enemies, yet thou hast not left us without the consolations of thy Spirit. ANALYSIS OF LETTER ZAIN. - Seventh Division In this part the psalmist - I. Prays. II. Shows his trust in God, notwithstanding his discouragements. III. Commends the word of God, by showing what blessed effects it had produced in him. I. 1. He prays: "Remember;" accomplish and perfect thy promise. God's promises are made to prayer and faith; if men do not exert these, God will not fulfil the others. 2. "Made to thy servant:" The promises are made to the obedient. It is in vain to desire God to remember his promises…

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

56. Either, This I have had, all this comfort and steadfastness and joy in the midst of the trials and sorrows of life have been mine, because I have kept thy precepts: or, This I have had, that I have kept thy precepts;—whatever advantages others may have had which I have not enjoyed, this supreme privilege has been mine, the keeping of Thy precepts. If this is the meaning, it strikes the keynote of the next stanza.

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

This I had, because I kept thy precepts - literally, “This was to me;” that is, This has happened to me; this has occurred.

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

This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

This is my way, that I keep your precepts. HETH

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.

NETBNew English Translation2006

This has been my practice, for I observe your precepts.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts. ח HHETH.

RVARevised Version, American1894

This I have had, because I kept thy precepts.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

This I had because I kept thy precepts.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

This I have had, because I have observed thy precepts.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

This hath been to me, That Thy precepts I have kept!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

This has been to me, || That I have kept Your precepts!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

This came to pass unto me, because I had kept thy precepts.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

This has been my practice because I have observed your instructions.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For this is how I live my life—by following your principles. Heth

BBEBible in Basic English1949

This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart. CHETH

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.

clausesubjectזֹ֥אתthisverbהָֽיְתָהit.has.belongedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִּ֑toיmeכִּ֖י(cmp)clausenoun phrase · objectפִקֻּדֶ֣יpreceptsךָyourverbנָצָֽרְתִּיI.have.observed

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, "זֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃" which translates to "This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all six words correspond, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Q10) contain a partially restored text with some words intact, indicating that it aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, though it shows evidence of restoration and some supplied words by an editor. Overall, the core message remains consistent across these witnesses, affirming the practice of obedience to God's precepts.

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

זֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
זֹ֥אתαὕτηהָֽיְתָה־ἐγενήθηלִּ֑יμοιכִּ֖יὅτιפִקֻּדֶ֣יךָσουנָצָֽרְתִּי׃ἐχεζήτησα

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 — 1Q10a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[זאת] [היתה] [ל׳י] כי פקדי׳ך [נצרתי]

1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 119:56זֶהthisthisזֶההָיָהit has beloit has belongedהָיָהנִיto meto meנִיכִּיthatthatכִּיפִּקּוּדprecepts yoprecepts yourפִּקּוּדנָצַרI have obseI have observedנָצַרפָּקַדto reckon:to reckon: listפָּקַדשֶׂהשֶׂההָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאתּוֹרָהinstructioinstructionתּוֹרָהשִׁירsongsongשִׁיריָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעשִׂיחַto museto museשִׂיחַנָצַרto watchto watchנָצַראֱמֶתtruth: faitruth: faithfulאֱמֶתבִּיןto understto understandבִּין
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 119:56

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.

this it has belonged to me that precepts your I have observed
זֹ֥אתzot this H2063 Particle
604× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
what I have always done, my practice
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2063 zo'th zothe'

irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--

hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,

so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),

thus.

see HEBREW for 02089

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֹאת (zot) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Particle
HTm
this it has belonged to me that precepts your I have observed
הָֽיְתָה־ha.ye.tah- it has belonged H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
this it has belonged to me that precepts your I have observed
לִּ֑יLi to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
this it has belonged to me that precepts your I have observed
כִּ֖יki that 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'.
Amplified meaning
because, 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
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
this it has belonged to me that precepts your I have observed
פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָfi.ku.Dei.cha precepts your H6490 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a precept or commandment from God, like a law or statute. It appears in the Bible as a mandate or instruction, and is translated in the KJV as commandment, precept, or statute, emphasizing its importance as a divine instruction.
Amplified meaning
commands, statutes, divine principles
Tyndale gloss
precept
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or mandate, specifically one that is appointed by God. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint and is used in a plural form to collectively denote commandments or statutes within the Law.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פִּקּוּד] 24 n.m. precept

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6490 [פִּקּוּד] precept

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6490 piqquwd pik-kood'

or piqqud {pik-kood'}; from 6485; properly, appointed, i.e. a

mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the

Law):--commandment, precept, statute.

see HEBREW for 06485

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פִּקּוּד (piq.qud) — precept.

precept, statute

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
this it has belonged to me that precepts your I have observed
נָצָֽרְתִּי׃na.Tza.re.ti I have observed H5341 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to watch or guard something, like the Israelites watching over the Passover in Exodus 12:42 or God watching over his people in Psalm 121:4.
Amplified meaning
keep, watch over, guard
Tyndale gloss
to watch
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal

Watch, guard, keep

Guard from dangers, preserve

Guard with fidelity, keep, observe

Guard, keep secret

Keep close, blockaded

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep

. Guard from dangers, preserve

. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe

. Guard, keep secret

. Keep close, blockaded

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5341 natsar naw-tsar'

a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,

maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--

besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,

preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.

1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to watch, guard, keep

1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers

1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity

1a4) to guard, keep secret

1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded

1a6) watchman (participle)

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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