Psalms 120:4 — Word Study
WLCחִצֵּ֣י גִבּ֣וֹר שְׁנוּנִ֑ים עִ֝֗ם גַּחֲלֵ֥י רְתָמִֽים׃
BSASharpshânan [piercing, pointed] arrows [will come]chêts [of the mighty, like those used by archers] from the warriorgibbôwr [a strong or mighty man, a champion] withʻim burning coalsgechel [hot, fiery, glowing embers, like those from a broom tree] of the broom treerethem [a type of desert plant, also known as the Spanish broom]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חִצֵּ֣י | arrows of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| גִבּ֣וֹר | a warrior | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| שְׁנוּנִ֑ים | sharpened | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine plural |
| עִ֝֗ם | with | Preposition |
| גַּחֲלֵ֥י | burning coals of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| רְתָמִֽים׃ | broom plants | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! |
| KJV | Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. |
| ASV | Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper. |
| YLT | Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with broom-coals. |
| WEB | Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. |
| BBE | Sharp arrows of the strong, and burning fire. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of חִצֵּי — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with a prepositional phrase providing additional detail about the arrows.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁנַן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 120:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Lament Over Deceitful Speechgenerated
Psalm 120:4 expresses the psalmist's distress in a world filled with deceitful tongues. The sharp arrows and burning coals symbolize the judgment and consequences that come from a mighty warrior, reflecting the psalmist's plea for deliverance from such treachery. This lament is part of a broader context where the psalmist grapples with the challenges of living among those who do not seek peace, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 57:4 | My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. |
| 2 | Psalm 59:7 | See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?” |
| 3 | Proverbs 11:9–12 | With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. |
| 4 | Proverbs 16:27 | A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. |
| 5 | Proverbs 18:8–21 | The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חִצֵּי, chi.Tzeigenerated
The word חֵץ (chets) means 'arrow' and is derived from a root meaning 'to pierce.' It is often used in poetic contexts to convey the idea of something sharp and penetrating, like an arrow shot from a bow. In this verse, it emphasizes the potency and danger of the warrior's weapons.
The plural form חִצֵּי indicates multiple arrows, suggesting an overwhelming force. The imagery of arrows in this context serves as a metaphor for the swift and decisive judgment that the warrior will bring against deceitful speech.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses sharp arrows and burning coals to convey the intensity of the warrior's attack.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is centered around the finite verb יָבוֹא, will come, which governs the description of what will come from the warrior: sharp arrows and burning coals. The structure emphasizes the impending action of the warrior, highlighting the urgency of the psalmist's situation.
The noun phrases חִצֵּי גִבּוֹר and גַּחֲלֵי רְתָמִֽים serve as the subjects of the action, with prepositional phrases providing additional detail about their nature, enhancing the vivid imagery of the verse.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חִצֵּי as βέλη (belē), meaning 'arrows' or 'darts.' This choice maintains the imagery of piercing weapons while possibly broadening the understanding to include various forms of projectiles.
The translation of גַּחֲלֵי as ἄνθραχιν (anthrachin) indicates a focus on the burning quality, aligning with the idea of hot coals, which serves to emphasize the destructive potential of the warrior's arsenal.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 120:4 describes how sharp arrows and burning coals will come from a mighty warrior. This imagery reflects the psalmist's distress over living among deceitful people and the judgment that awaits them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The sharp arrows symbolize the swift and decisive judgment that comes from a mighty warrior, representing the consequences of deceitful speech.
The warrior likely represents a figure of strength and power, possibly symbolizing God or a military leader who will enact judgment.
Burning coals represent intense heat and purification, suggesting that the judgment will be both severe and cleansing.
This verse is part of a lament where the psalmist expresses distress over living among deceitful people, highlighting the need for divine intervention and justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced deceit in my own life, and how can I seek justice?
- How can the imagery of arrows and coals help me understand the seriousness of my words and actions?
- What does it mean to me that a mighty warrior will bring judgment against deceit?
- How can I cultivate a spirit of peace in a world filled with deceitful speech?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 120:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Some think these words describe lying lips, and a false tongue; which are like arrows, sharp ones, sent out from a bow drawn with a mighty hand,
Read John Gill on Psalms 120 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. The "sharp arrows of the mighty" are those that are "sharp in the heart of the King's enemies" (Psalms 45:5).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 120 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSo this verse contains an answer to the question Psalms 120 3, and declares the slanderer’ s recompence; which is the wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in Scripture, and particularly in this book, is oft compared to at. rows, as ,14, &c, and here to arrows of the mighty, i.e. shot by the hands of a strong man; and to coals, , and here to coals of juniper, which being kindled burn very fiercely, and retain their heat for a long time. And the psalmist may possibly express it in these words, to show, the suitableness of the punishment to the sin; as thy tongue shoots arrows, (for so calumnies are called, 64:3) and kindles coals, so thou shalt bring God’ s arrows and coals kindled by…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 120 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 120:4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.Ver. 4. Sharp arrows of the mighty] Arrows sharp, and shot with force. A false tongue is likened to a sharp razor, Psalms 52:4; to a sharp sword, Psalms 57:5; to sharp arrows, Proverbs 20:18; here it hath sharp for sharp: as God loveth to retaliate; and he is the giant, or mighty one here, that shooteth these sharpest shafts, that inflicteth most exquisite punishments on such; as once on Dives, whose tongue smoked for it, quia lingua plus peccaverat, as saith a Father, because he had so offended with the tongue. With coals of juniper] Which being a fat kind of wood, of gummy or salty matter, maketh a very scorching fire, and…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 120 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Sharp.—Better, sharpened, whetted, as if for a purpose. Juniper.—Properly, broom. Hebrew, rothem, a plant identical with the Arabian retem and Algerian retama. (See 1 Kings 19:4-5.) Doctor Tristram mentions the employment of this bush for fuel. “It is ruthlessly uprooted by the Arabs, wherever it is tolerably abundant, for the manufacture of charcoal, which is considered of the finest quality, and fetches a higher price at Cairo than any other kind. Several travellers have mentioned their meeting with Bedouins employed in conveying retem charcoal to the Egyptian markets” (Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 360; see also Bible Educator, iv. 194). Burckhardt and Robinson also both noticed this…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 120 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. Sharp arrows] The Chaldee has, "The strong, sharp arrows are like lightning from above, with coals of juniper kindled in hell beneath." On the juniper, See Clarke on Job 30:4, where this passage is explained. Fiery arrows, or arrows wrapped about with inflamed combustibles, were formerly used in sieges to set the places on fire. See Clarke on Ephesians 6:16.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 120 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2–4. The earnestness of the prayer and the severity of the condemnation point to a person or a party, fomenting feud and strife in the community by calumny and false accusations, and resolutely refusing all attempts to promote harmony.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 120 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSharp arrows of the mighty - This is an answer to the question in Psalms 120:3. The consequence - the effect - of such a use of the tongue must be like sharp and piercing arrows, or like intensely burning coals.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 120 →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
Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!
Here’s how! With the sharp arrows of warriors, with arrowheads forged over the hot coals.
Tyndale line
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
It is as the sharpe arrowes of a mightie man, and as the coales of iuniper.
Strictly literal
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with burning coals of broom-wood.
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with broom-coals.
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with coals of broom trees.
Sharpened arrows of the mighty, with coals of the broom-bush.
He will punish you with the arrows of a warrior sharpened over burning coals of the broom tree.
From the Latin
Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.
Simplified
With the sharp arrows of a warrior and burning coals made from a broom tree.
Sharp arrows of the strong, and burning fire.
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 (MT) of Psalms 120:4 reads, "חִצֵּ֣י גִבּ֣וֹר שְׁנוּנִ֑ים עִ֝֗ם גַּחֲלֵ֥י רְתָמִֽים׃", which translates to "Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!" The Septuagint (LXX) has a similar structure, with 4 of the 6 words matching the MT, indicating a general agreement in the imagery and meaning, though the specific wording and arrangement differ. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, so the MT and LXX remain the primary witnesses for this text.
חִצֵּ֣י גִבּ֣וֹר שְׁנוּנִ֑ים עִ֝֗ם גַּחֲלֵ֥י רְתָמִֽים׃
4 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.
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 120:4
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.
חֵץ (chets) means 'arrow,' primarily found in poetic and prophetic contexts. It is derived from a root meaning 'to pierce' and can imply a wound or refer to a thunderbolt in a figurative sense. The word also encompasses related terms like 'dart' and 'shaft,' indicating its use in various forms of weaponry.
חֵץ n.m. arrow, mostly poet. and proph.
base
H2671 חֵץ arrow, mostly poet. and proph.
2671 chets khayts
from 2686; properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by
implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; (by
interchange for 6086) the shaft of a spear:--+ archer, arrow,
dart, shaft, staff, wound.
see HEBREW for 02686
see HEBREW for 06086
חֵץ (chets) — arrow.
arrow
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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…
גִּבּוֹר (gibbor) means strong or mighty, and can refer to a powerful person, such as a warrior or chief. It is built from a root that implies strength and valor, covering meanings related to strength and bravery. The entries consistently emphasize its use to describe a strong man or mighty figure.
גִּבּוֹר 159 adj. strong, mighty
base
H1368 גִּבּוֹר strong, mighty
1368 gibbowr ghib-bore'
or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same
as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:--
champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one),
strong (man), valiant man.
see HEBREW for 01397
גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) — mighty man.
adj
1) strong, mighty
n m
2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
שָׁנַן (shanan) primarily means to sharpen or whet. It can also refer to teaching incisively or being pierced, particularly in a figurative sense. The word appears in various forms, including Qal for sharpening and Piel for teaching. Notably, it is associated with a piercing feeling in the kidneys.
[שָׁנַן] vb. whet, sharpen
Qal whet, sharpen
Pi. teach the words incisively
Hithpō‛. in my kidneys I was pierced
base
H8150 [שָׁנַן] whet, sharpen .whet, sharpen
. teach the words incisively
. in my kidneys I was pierced
8150 shanan shaw-nan'
a primitive root; to point (transitive or intransitive);
intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate:--prick,
sharp(-en), teach diligently, whet.
שָׁנַן (sha.nan) — to sharpen.
1) to sharpen, whet
1a) (Qal) to whet, sharpen
1b) (Piel) to sharpen, teach (incisively)
1c)(Hithpolel) to be pierced
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine pluralHVqsmpa
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
גַּחֶ֫לֶת (gechel) refers to coal, specifically burning coal or hot coals. It is derived from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle. The entries consistently define it as an ember or coal, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
גַּחֶ֫לֶת n.f. coal
base
H1513 גַּחֶ֫לֶת coal
1513 gechel geh'-khel
or (feminine) gacheleth {gah-kheh'-leth}; from an unused root
meaning to glow or kindle; an ember:--(burning) coal.
גַּחֶ֫לֶת (ge.chel) — coal.
coal, burning coal, coals of fire, hot coals
N-cp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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…
רֹ֫תֶם (rethem) refers to a type of broom plant, specifically the Spanish broom, characterized by its pole-like stems. The entries consistently identify it as a shrub or plant without significant disagreement among lexicons.
רֹ֫תֶם n.m. a kind of broom-shrub, broom-plant, retem
base
H7574 רֹ֫תֶם, רֶתֶם
7574 rethem reh'-them
or rothem {ro'-them}; from 7573; the Spanish broom (from its
pole-like stems):--juniper (tree).
see HEBREW for 07573
רֹ֫תֶם (re.tem) — broom.
1) broom-plant, retem
1a) a kind of broom plant
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
→ See BOTANY