Psalms 12:6 — Word Study
WLCאִֽמֲר֣וֹת יְהוָה֮ אֲמָר֪וֹת טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת כֶּ֣סֶף צָ֭רוּף בַּעֲלִ֣יל לָאָ֑רֶץ מְ֝זֻקָּ֗ק שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם׃
BSAof the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אִֽמֲר֣וֹת | [the] words of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| יְהוָה֮ | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| אֲמָר֪וֹת | [are] words | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת | pure | |
| כֶּ֣סֶף | silver | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| צָ֭רוּף | refined | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| בַּעֲלִ֣יל | in a crucible | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לָאָ֑רֶץ | of the earth | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| מְ֝זֻקָּ֗ק | purified | Verb, Pual, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם׃ | sevenfold | Noun common, feminine dual absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold. |
| KJV | The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. |
| ASV | The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times. |
| YLT | Sayings of Jehovah [are] pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold. |
| WEB | Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. |
| BBE | The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times. |
Where they part company is טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause followed by two comparative phrases that illustrate the purity of God's words.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאֶבְיוֹן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 10 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 12:6
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 Purity of God's Wordsgenerated
Psalm 12:6 emphasizes the perfection and reliability of the words spoken by the LORD. This verse is situated in a psalm that contrasts the faithful words of God with the deceitful words of the wicked, highlighting the assurance that believers can find in God's promises. The surrounding verses discuss God's protection over the righteous and the plight of the wicked, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and truth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:30 | As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. |
| 2 | Psalm 19:8 | The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. |
| 3 | Psalm 119:140 | Your promise is completely pure; therefore Your servant loves it. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 22:31 | As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. |
| 5 | Proverbs 30:5 | Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אִֽמֲר֣וֹת, 'i.ma.Rotgenerated
The word אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance or speech, often associated with divine commands or promises. It is a feminine noun in the construct state, indicating a relationship with the subject, which in this case is the LORD's words. This term carries a connotation of authority and can imply a warning or judgment.
The parsing as a noun common, feminine plural construct suggests that these words are not just any words, but specifically the words of God, which are characterized by their perfection and purity, as emphasized in this verse.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse centers around the finite verb צָ֭רוּף, refined, which governs the description of God's words. The structure includes a subject noun phrase, a predicate noun phrase, and several comparative phrases that illustrate the quality of the words.
The word order emphasizes the attributes of God's words by placing the comparisons of silver and gold after the declaration of their perfection, highlighting their value and purity.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word for אִמְרָה is rendered as ἀπὸ, which suggests a source or origin. This choice indicates a focus on the divine origin of the words, emphasizing their authority.
The Greek term used for טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת reflects the same idea of purity, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while potentially broadening the understanding of the purification process.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 12:6 tells us that the words of the LORD are perfect and trustworthy, much like silver and gold that have been refined and purified. This verse highlights the reliability of God's promises and the assurance that they are free from error.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's words are perfect and without error, providing a reliable foundation for faith and life.
Silver and gold are valuable and undergo refining processes to remove impurities, just as God's words are pure and trustworthy.
The term 'sevenfold' suggests completeness and perfection, indicating that God's words are thoroughly purified.
We can trust in the reliability of God's promises and seek to align our lives with His perfect words.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to trust in the perfection of God's words?
- How can I ensure that my words reflect the purity and truth found in God's teachings?
- What does it mean for me to be refined like silver or gold in my spiritual journey?
- How can I encourage others to trust in the flawless words of the LORD?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the purity and authority of God's words, contrasting them with human words.
Although they may be beautiful, the words of those who stand apart from Christ are not pure but interspersed with innumerable lies;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 12 →
In the same manner silver is purified by fire after it is drawn through the flame two or three times, nor is that enough, but again and again being purged thoroughly by the furnace, never will it have any false or foreign material,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 12 →
When Israel had left Egypt, God forbade the people to even touch the mountain where he was giving the Law, because they were far from being “on fire” for the Lord. He did, however, call the blessed Moses to that mountain.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 12 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 12:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe words of the Lord [are] pure words,.... This observation the psalmist makes in reference to what is just now said in Psalms 12:5:, and in opposition to the words of wicked men in Psalms 12:2;
Read John Gill on Psalms 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. The words of the Lord - His promise in Psalms 12:5.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePure; or, sincere; without the least mixture of vanity or falsehood; and therefore shall infallibly be fulfilled. This he seems to add to answer an objection which might arise in some men’ s minds concerning what was last said. You tell us, The, Lord saith, I will set him in safety, &c.; but saying and doing are two things. They are so indeed in men, who oft speak rashly what they cannot perform, and deceitfully what they never intend: but all God’ s words are pure from all manner of dross; from all folly, or fraud, or uncertainty; he is holy and true in all his doctrines, threatenings, predictions, and promises. Tried in a furnace of earth, i.e. made of such earth or clay as was proper for…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 12:6 The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.Ver. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words] Free from all insincerity or falsehood; and not like those of Saul’ s flatterers, vile and vicious. All God’ s promises are infallible, and such as a man may write upon, as they say. They are yea and Amen, 2 Corinthians 1:20, that is, truth and assurance. God hath hitherto kept promise with nights and days, that they shall one succeed another, Jeremiah 33:20; Jeremiah 33:25, therefore much more will he keep promise with his people. As silver tried in a furnace] In a sublimatory or crucible. The Greeks call it δοκιμιον, St Peter’ s…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) As silver.—This solemn promise of Jehovah may be relied on, for His words are not like those of deceitful men—alloyed with self and falsehood—but are pure as silver seven times smelted. In a furnace.—Either a “workshop” or a “crucible,” according as derived. Of earth.—These words are difficult; they must mean either in earth, referring to the ashes in which the smelted silver falls, or as to earth, i.e., as to the alloy, or as we say, purified of the alloy. But erets is never else used for the material, earth, and Hitzig’s emendation, rats = bar, or piece (Psalms 68:30), “melted into a bar from the crucible,” is almost convincing in its simplicity and aptness.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 12 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. The words of the Lord are pure words] None of his promises shall fall to the ground; the salvation which he has promised shall be communicated. Silver tried in a furnace of earth] A reference to the purification of silver by the cupel. This is a sort of instrument used in the purification of silver. It may be formed out of a strong iron ring or hoop, adjusted in width and depth to the quantum of silver to be purified, and rammed full of well pulverized calcined bone. The metal to be purified must be mingled with lead, and laid on the cupel, and exposed to a strong heat in an air furnace. The impurities of the metal will be partly absorbed, and partly thrown off in fume. The metal…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. A general truth with direct application to the promise of the preceding verse. In Jehovah’s words there is no dross of flattery or insincerity or falsehood. Unlike the words of men, they are wholly to be relied on. as silver tried] Omit as. Silver is a natural emblem of purity and preciousness. The metaphor underlies the language of Psa 18:30, Psalms 119:140, Proverbs 30:5. in a furnace of earth] The precise meaning is doubtful. Either (1) in a furnace on the earth (R.V.), i.e. a furnace built on the ground, the point of which is not obvious: or (2) silver refined in a furnace (flowing down) to the earth may be meant to picture the bright stream of pure metal flowing from the furnace…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 12 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe words of the Lord - In contrast with the words of the persons referred to in Psalms 12:2-4. Their words were vanity, flattery, and falsehood; and no reliance could be placed on them.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 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
The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable. They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground, where it is thoroughly refined.
Tyndale line
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.
The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, purified seven times.
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
The wordes of the Lord are pure wordes, as the siluer, tried in a fornace of earth, fined seuen folde.
Strictly literal
The words of Jehovah are pure words, silver tried in the furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Sayings of Jehovah [are] pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold.
Sayings of YHWH [are] pure sayings—Silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined sevenfold.
(12:7) The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver refined in the crucible of earth, purified seven times.
The words of Yahweh are pure words, like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
From the Latin
But I have trusted in thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea I will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.
Simplified
What the Lord says is trustworthy, as pure as silver refined seven times in a furnace.
The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns closely with the Septuagint, with 9 of the 10 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, with several words partly restored or supplied by an editor, but the core message about the purity of God's words remains consistent.
אִֽמֲר֣וֹת יְהוָה֮ אֲמָר֪וֹת טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת כֶּ֣סֶף צָ֭רוּף בַּעֲלִ֣יל לָאָ֑רֶץ מְ֝זֻקָּ֗ק שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם׃
9 of the 10 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.
[משוד] [עניים] [מאנקת] [אביונים] [עתה] אקום יואמר יהוה [אל] צדיקים אשית [בישע] [יפיח] [ל׳ו]
2 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 9 supplied entire by an editor.
משד עניים מאנקת אביונים [עתה] [אקום] [יאמר] [יהוה] אשית בישע יפיח ל׳ו
7 words 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.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 12:6
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.
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
HNcfpc — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
HNcfpa — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.
טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure
base
H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure
2889 tahowr taw-hore'
or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,
chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,
pure(-ness).
see HEBREW for 02891
טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.
1) pure, clean
1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)
1b) pure (physically)
1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
HAafpa — HAafpa
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) refers to silver and money, derived from a root meaning 'to be pale.' It encompasses various aspects of silver, including its use as a metal, ornament, and a measure of wealth or value. The term appears in contexts related to payment and price, indicating its significance in transactions.
כֶּ֫סֶף 402 n.m. silver, money
= silver ore, raw silver
silver as bright, shining
silver, as wealth
silver as spoil of war
silver as merchandise
silver as costly gift
silver as material
silver as measure of weight and value
among vbs. and phr.
base
H3701 כֶּ֫סֶף silver, money
3701 keceph keh'-sef
from 3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication,
money:--money, price, silver(-ling).
see HEBREW for 03700
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: money.
: money/payment/silver
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: price.
: price
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
sil'-ver (keceph; argurion, arguros): Silver was known in the earliest historic times. Specimens of early Egyptian and Babylonian silver work testify to the skill of the ancient silversmiths. In Palestine, silver objects have been found antedating the occupation of the land by the Hebrews. This metal was used for making all kinds of ornamental objects. In the mound of Gezer were found bowls, vases, ladles, hairpins, rings and bracelets of silver. The rings and settings for scarabs or seals were commonly of this metal. The first mention of silver in the Bible is in Ge 13:2, where it says that Abraham was rich in cattle, in silver and gold. At that time it was commonly used in exchange in the form of bars or other shapes. Coins of that metal were of a much later date (Ge 20:16…
Silver
Used for a great variety of purposes, as may be judged from the frequent references to it in Scripture. It first appears in commerce in Gen. 13:2; 23:15, 16. It was largely employed for making vessels for the sanctuary in the wilderness (Ex. 26:19; 27:17; Num. 7:13, 19; 10:2). There is no record of its having been found in Syria or Palestine. It was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, from Spain and India and other countries probably.
In very early times silver was used for ornaments, (Genesis 24:53) and for vessels of various kinds. Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver or overlaid with it, (Exodus 20:23; Hosea 13:2); Habb 2:19 Bar. 6:39, and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus. (Acts 19:24) But its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the Old Testament we find "silver" used for money, like the French argent . Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia, (2 Chronicles 9:14) and from Tarshish, (2 Chronicles 9:21) which supplied the markets…
One of the precious metals and the one most commonly used as coin among all nations. It is first mentioned in Scripture in the history of Abraham, Ge 13:2 20:16 23:16, and was used in constricting the tabernacle, Ex 26:19,32, and afterwards the temple, 1Ch 29:4. In employing it as a medium of trade, the ancient Hebrews weighed it out, instead of having coins. In the times of the New Testament there were coins. See SHEKEL, and MONEY.
צָרַף (tsaraph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to smelt, refine, or test. It encompasses the processes of fusing metals and proving their purity, with forms indicating both the act of refining and the role of a refiner or goldsmith. The word appears in various contexts, including both literal and figurative uses of purification.
צָרַף vb. smelt, refine, test
Qal
smelt, refine
test
test (and prove true)
as n. smelter, refiner
Niph. many shall be refined
Pi. as n. a refiner
base
H6884 צָרַף smelt, refine, test
6884 tsaraph tsaw-raf'
a primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or
figuratively):--cast, (re-)fine(-er), founder, goldsmith,
melt, pure, purge away, try.
צָרַף (tsa.raph) — to refine.
1) to smelt, refine, test
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to smelt, refine
1a2) to test
1a3) to test (and prove true)
1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be refined
1c) (Piel) to be a refiner
1c1) refiner (participle)
HVqsmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
עֲלִיל appar. n.[m.], only ψ 12:7, usu. furnace, crucible, but wholly dub.
ref
H5948 עֲלִיל
5948 `aliyl al-eel'
from 5953 in the sense of completing; probably a crucible (as
working over the metal):--furnace.
see HEBREW for 05953
עֲלִיל (a.lil) — furnace.
furnace, crucible
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
HRd/Ncfsa — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2
זָקַק (zaqaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to refine or purify. It encompasses actions like straining, distilling, and clarifying, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as purging or refining. The entries suggest its use in contexts related to purification, including a figurative sense of refining the sons of Levi.
[זָקַק] vb. refine, purify
Qal Impf. 3 mpl.
Pi. fig., of purifying sons of Levi
Pu. refined
base
H2212 [זָקַק] refine, purify
2212 zaqaq zaw-kak'
a primitive root; to strain, (figuratively) extract,
clarify:--fine, pour down, purge, purify, refine.
זָקַק (za.qaq) — to refine.
1) to purify, distil, strain, refine
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to purify, distil, strain
1a2) to refine
1b) (Piel) to purge, refine
1c) (Pual) to refine, purify
HVPsmsa — Verb · Pual · participle (passive) masculine singularHVPsmsa
שִׁבְעָתַיִם (shib`athayim) means 'seven-fold' or 'seven times.' It is a dual form derived from the root for 'seven' and is used adverbially to indicate a multiplicative aspect, such as 'seven times as much.' The entries consistently highlight this meaning without significant disagreement.
שִׁבְעָתַיִם n.f.du. seven-fold, seven times
base
H7659 שִׁבְעָתַיִם seven-fold, seven times
7659 shib`athayim shib-aw-thah'-yim
dual (adverbially) of 7651; seven- times:--seven(-fold,
times).
see HEBREW for 07651
שִׁבְעָתַיִם (shiv.a.ta.yim) — sevenfold.
1) sevenfold, seven times
1a) sevenfold, seven times as much
1b) seven times
HNcfda — Noun common · feminine dual absoluteHNcfda