Psalms 121:7 — Word Study
WLCיְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ מִכָּל־ רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־ נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
BSA◂The LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] will guard youshâmar▸ [keep, protect, watch over] from allkôl [against, free from, every kind of, everything] evilraʻ [bad, moral or natural harm] He will preserveshâmar▸ [keep, watch over, protect] your soulnephesh [living being, essence of a person]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְֽהוָ֗ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ | he will protect you | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| מִכָּל־ | from all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| רָ֑ע | harm | Adj |
| יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר | he will protect | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ | life your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. |
| KJV | The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. |
| ASV | Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul. |
| YLT | Jehovah preserveth thee from all evil, He doth preserve thy soul. |
| WEB | Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. |
| BBE | The Lord will keep you safe from all evil; he will take care of your soul. |
Where they part company is רָ֑ע — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure consists of two main clauses, emphasizing both God's protective action and His commitment to preserving the soul.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
verbשָׁמַר
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 121:7
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 — God's Promise of Protectiongenerated
Psalms 121:7 expresses a deep assurance of God's protection from evil, affirming that He watches over our souls. This verse is situated within a series of declarations about the Lord's role as a keeper and protector, emphasizing His faithfulness in safeguarding His people. The surrounding verses highlight God's vigilance and care, reinforcing the theme of divine protection throughout the psalm.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 91:9–10 | Because you have made the LORD your dwelling— my refuge, the Most High— |
| 2 | Job 5:19–27 | He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven. |
| 3 | Proverbs 12:21 | No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. |
| 4 | Matthew 6:13 | And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ |
| 5 | Romans 8:28–35 | And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְֽהוָ֗ה, Yah.wehgenerated
The name יְהוָ֗ה (Yahweh) is the proper name for God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as 'the Lord'. It signifies God's self-existence and eternal nature, closely associated with His covenant relationship with Israel. The parsing indicates that it is a proper noun, emphasizing its unique status as the name of the God of Israel.
In this verse, יְהוָ֗ה serves as the subject, affirming that it is God who will guard and protect. This name carries profound significance in the Jewish faith, representing the personal and covenantal aspect of God's relationship with His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word guard to convey God's protective role.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, with the first clause centered on the subject יְֽהוָ֗ה (Yahweh) and the verb יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ (He will guard you), followed by a prepositional phrase indicating what He guards you from.
The structure emphasizes God's active role in providing protection, with the second clause reiterating His commitment to preserving the soul, thus framing the overall assurance of safety.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, יְֽהוָ֗ה is rendered as κύριος (kurios), meaning 'Lord'. This translation maintains the divine authority and protective nature of God, consistent with the Hebrew text.
The choice of φυλάξει (phylaxei) for the verb 'to guard' suggests a strong emphasis on protection, aligning with the Hebrew root meaning of vigilance and care.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 121:7 assures us that God, referred to as יְֽהוָ֗ה (Yahweh), will guard us from all evil and preserve our souls. This verse highlights God's protective nature and His commitment to watching over us, ensuring our safety and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God provides protection from any form of harm or danger, whether moral or natural, ensuring your safety.
God preserves your soul by safeguarding your essence and life, maintaining your spiritual well-being.
Yes, this verse emphasizes God's faithfulness in protecting you, regardless of the challenges you face.
Trust in His promises and maintain a relationship with Him, as He is committed to guarding those who seek Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's protection more fully?
- How can I remind myself of God's promises during difficult times?
- What does it mean to me personally that God preserves my soul?
- How can I share the assurance of God's protection with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to illustrate God's protective nature. Here are quotations from Augustine of Hippo, who reflects on the assurance found in this psalm.
"For the Lord shall preserve you from all evil" [Psalms 121:7].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 121 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 121:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThee Lord shall preserve them from all evil,.... The Word of the Lord, as the Targum.
Read John Gill on Psalms 121 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 121 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.Ver. 7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil] Whether of sin or of punishment; from the hurt if not from the smart thereof. He shall preserve thy soul] Which is oft untouched when the body is in durance. A sick servant of Christ being asked how he did, answered, My body is sick, my soul is well.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 121 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7-8) Instead of preserve, read keep, the persistent dwelling on this one word making one of the chief beauties of this hymn.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 121 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil] Spiritual and corporeal, natural and moral. He shall preserve thy soul.] Take care of thy life, and take care of thy soul.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 121 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–8. The comforting thought that Jehovah is the guardian of Israel is developed and appropriated to each individual Israelite. Psalms 121:5; Psalms 121:7 may have been sung by one singer or group of singers, and Psalms 121:6; Psalms 121:8 as a response by another singer or group of singers: or perhaps Psalms 121:5-6 by one, and Psalms 121:7-8 by another.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 121 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe Lord shall preserve thee from all evil - This is an advance of the thought. The psalmist had in the previous verses specified some particular evils from which he says God would keep those who put their trust in him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 121 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7. He shall preserve thy soul—There is a rising in the sense here from preserve… from all evil, in the first member.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 121 →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 LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life.
Tyndale line
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul.
The LORD shall keep thee from all evil; he shall keep thy soul.
The LORD will preserve thee from all evil: he will preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserue thee from all euil: he shall keepe thy soule.
Strictly literal
Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; he will keep thy soul.
Jehovah preserveth thee from all evil, He doth preserve thy soul.
YHWH preserves you from all evil, || He preserves your soul.
The Lord will guard thee against all evil: he will guard thy soul.
Yahweh will protect you from all harm, and he will protect your life.
From the Latin
Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers.
Simplified
The Lord will protect you from all kinds of evil; he will keep you safe and sound.
The Lord will keep you safe from all evil; he will take care of your soul.
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 is supported by the Septuagint, which matches six of the seven words. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the Masoretic Text, although they exhibit some restoration in their text, indicating a high degree of consistency in this verse.
יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ מִכָּל־ רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־ נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
יהוה ישומר׳כה מכול [רע] ישמור את נפש׳כה
3 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 1 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 121:7
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.
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
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp2ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
רַע (ra) is a Hebrew word meaning bad or evil, encompassing a range of negative qualities such as distress, misery, and ethical wrongdoing. It can describe unpleasantness, harm, or low value, and is used in various contexts, including emotional states and moral judgments. The entries also note its comparative form, indicating worse than or worst. The word has feminine forms, such as רָעָה (ra.ah), which similarly convey concepts of evil and distress.
רַע 228 adj. bad, evil
bad, disagreeable, malignant
bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
evil, displeasing
bad of its kind
bad, , i.e. of low value
מִן comp., worse than
sad, unhappy
devise evil (hurtful) device
bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
ethically bad, evil, wicked
base
רַע 126 n.m. evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
evil, distress, adversity
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
רָעָה 310 n.f. evil, misery, distress, injury
evil, misery, distress
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
H7451a רַע bad, evil . bad, disagreeable, malignant
. bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
. evil, displeasing
. bad of its kind
. bad, , i.e. of low value
. + מִן comp., worse than
. sad, unhappy
. devise evil (hurtful) device
. bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
. ethically bad, evil, wicked
H7451b רַע evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity . evil, distress, adversity
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
H7451c רָעָה evil, misery, distress, injury . evil, misery, distress
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
7451 ra` rah
from 7489; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral):--
adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure),
distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X
great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured),
+ mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, + not
please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex,
wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.
(Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
see HEBREW for 07489
רַע (ra) — bad: harmful.
: harmful
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc)
1e) bad (of value)
1f) worse than, worst (comparison)
1g) sad, unhappy
1h) evil (hurtful)
1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)
1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically)
1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts
1j2) deeds, actions
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
1) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
1a) evil, distress, adversity
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רָעָה (ra.ah) — distress: harm.
: harm
1) evil, misery, distress, injury
1a) evil, misery, distress
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
: evil
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms