Psalms 129:7 — Word Study
WLCשֶׁלֹּ֤א מִלֵּ֖א כַפּ֥וֹ קוֹצֵ֗ר וְחִצְנ֥וֹ מְעַמֵּֽר׃
BSAunablelôʼ [completely lacking, without the ability] ◂to fillmâlêʼ■ [to make full, to satisfy] the handskaph [palms, the inner part of the hand] of the reaperqâtsar [harvester, cutter of grain] or the armschêtsen△ [neither, nor, bosom, chest area] of the binder of sheavesʻâmar [one who gathers, ties together, bundles of grain, harvested crops]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שֶׁלֹּ֤א | that not | Particle, particle |
| מִלֵּ֖א | he has filled | Verb, Piel, perfect third person masculine singular |
| כַפּ֥וֹ | hand his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| קוֹצֵ֗ר | a reaper | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| וְחִצְנ֥וֹ | and bosom his | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מְעַמֵּֽר׃ | [one who] binds sheaves | Verb, Piel, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves. |
| KJV | Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. |
| ASV | Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom: |
| YLT | That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves. |
| WEB | with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom. |
| BBE | He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems. |
The translations agree on the key terms and concepts in this verse.
The main clause presents the inability, while the subsequent phrases specify the objects affected by this inability.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectקָצַר
verbמָלֵא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 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 129:7
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 — The Lament of the Oppressedgenerated
Psalm 129:7 reflects on the futility experienced by those who oppose Zion, emphasizing that they will not be able to contribute to the harvest. This verse follows a series of metaphors that illustrate the shame and emptiness of those who stand against God's people, as seen in the preceding verses. The psalmist uses agricultural imagery to convey a deeper spiritual truth about divine justice and the consequences of opposition.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 126:6 | He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. |
| 2 | Isaiah 17:10–11 | For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and failed to remember the Rock of your refuge. Therefore, though you cultivate delightful plots and set out cuttings from exotic vines— |
| 3 | Hosea 8:7 | For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up. |
| 4 | Galatians 6:8 | The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מְעַמֵּֽר, me'aMergenerated
The word מְעַמֵּֽר (me'aMer) is a participle form of the verb meaning 'to bind' or 'to gather sheaves.' It highlights the action of someone who collects or ties together harvested crops. This term is specifically used in the context of agricultural practices, indicating a role of labor and productivity.
In this verse, it underscores the inability of the oppressors to gather anything of value, contrasting their actions with the fruitful labor of the righteous. The use of the participle indicates ongoing action, emphasizing that the binders of sheaves are actively engaged in their work, yet are met with futility.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations of this verse generally agree, rendering the core idea that the harvesters are unable to gather anything.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is governed by a main clause introduced by the negation שֶׁלֹּ֤א, she.Lo', meaning 'unable' or 'not able.' This sets the tone for the entire statement, indicating a lack of fulfillment.
Following this negation, there are two noun phrases that serve as objects: כַפּ֥וֹ, kha.Po, 'his hands,' and וְחִצְנ֥וֹ, ve.chitz.No, 'his bosom.' The verb מִלֵּ֖א, mi.Le', 'to fill,' connects these phrases, illustrating the emptiness experienced by the harvesters.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word שֶׁלֹּ֤א is translated as οὐκ, ouk, which also conveys negation. This choice maintains the sense of inability present in the Hebrew.
The Greek word ἐπλήρωσεν, eplērosen, is used for מִלֵּ֖א, indicating a similar concept of filling, but the translation may carry nuances specific to the Greek context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 129:7 describes how those who oppose Zion will not be able to gather anything from the harvest. The imagery of empty hands and arms illustrates their futility and lack of productivity. This verse emphasizes the consequences of standing against God's people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that those who oppose Zion will not have any success or productivity in their efforts, symbolized by the inability to fill the hands of the reaper or the arms of the binder.
Agricultural imagery emphasizes the themes of productivity and blessing, contrasting the fruitful labor of the righteous with the emptiness of the wicked.
The reaper and binder represent those who gather the harvest, symbolizing success and abundance. Their inability to fill their hands signifies the futility of those who oppose God's people.
This verse encapsulates the theme of divine justice, illustrating that those who stand against Zion will ultimately face shame and emptiness, while the righteous will be blessed.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel unproductive or lacking, similar to the imagery in this verse?
- How can I ensure that my actions align with God's purposes, leading to fruitful outcomes?
- What does this verse teach me about the consequences of opposing God's people?
- How can I encourage others who may feel like they are in a place of emptiness or futility?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, noting the futility of the harvesters who cannot fill their sheaves from those who oppose Zion.
The reapers will come, but they fill not their sheaves from these. For the reapers will come, and will gather the wheat into the barn, and will bind the tares together, and cast them into the fire.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 129 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 129:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWherewith the mower filleth not his hand,.... Such grass never rises high enough to be mowed, nor is of that account to have such pains taken with it; nor the quantity so large as to fill a mower's
Read John Gill on Psalms 129 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 129 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 129:7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.Ver. 7. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand] As holding it not worth gathering in. Wicked men are useless creatures; as Stratonicus, in Athenaeus, saith, that the hill Haemus was for eight months in the year very cold, and for the other four it was winter.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 129 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–8. The enemies of Zion shall be destroyed before their malicious schemes are matured.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 129 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWherewith the mower filleth not his hand - It cannot be gathered and laid up for the use of cattle, as grass can that grows in the field. It is valueless for any such purpose; or, is utterly worthless.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 129 →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
unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.
unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
which cannot fill the reaper’s hand, or the lap of the one who gathers the grain!
Tyndale line
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom:
Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
With which the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom.
Whereof the mower filleth not his hand, neither the glainer his lap:
Strictly literal
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;
That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.
That has not filled the hand of a reaper, || And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor his arm he that bindeth sheaves.
that cannot fill the reaper's hand or the chest of the one who binds bundles of grain together.
From the Latin
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
Simplified
There's not enough even for a reaper to hold, not enough even for the binder to bind.
He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.
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 states that the reaper's hands and the binder's arms are unable to be filled. The Septuagint closely matches this meaning, though its word order and articles differ due to its translation style. The Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q5) contain a partially restored text that aligns with the Masoretic Text's meaning but includes some supplied words by an editor, indicating a similar understanding of the verse's intent.
שֶׁלֹּ֤א מִלֵּ֖א כַפּ֥וֹ קוֹצֵ֗ר וְחִצְנ֥וֹ מְעַמֵּֽר׃
5 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.
[שלוא] [מלא] [כפ׳ו] קוצר וחוצנ׳ו מעמר
2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 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 129:7
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.
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Rel | Part — Particle · particleHTr/Tn
מָלֵא (male') means 'to fill' or 'be full,' with applications ranging from literal filling to figurative uses like accomplishing or completing something. It appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances such as being satisfied or confirming. Notably, it can also refer to massing against someone.
מָלֵא 249 vb. be full, fill
Qal 99
be full, usu. c. acc. material
trans. fill
Niph.
be filled
be accomplished, ended
Pi.
fill
special uses are:
fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day
Pu. filled
Hithp. mass themselves against me
base
H4390 מָלֵא be full, fill .. be full, usu. c. acc. material
. trans. fill
. . be filled
. be accomplished, ended
. . fill
. special uses are:
. fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day
. filled
. mass themselves against me
4390 male' maw-lay'
or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or
(intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally
and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at
an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X
draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow,
fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume,
replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have
wholly.
מָלֵא (ma.le) — to fill.
1) to fill, be full
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be full
1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle)
1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended
1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied
1b2) to be accomplished, be ended
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to fill
1c2) to satisfy
1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete
1c4) to confirm
1d) (Pual) to be filled
1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against
Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singularHVpp3ms
כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.
כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
base
H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
3709 kaph kaf
from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an
animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,
the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);
figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,
(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
see HEBREW for 03721
כַּף (kaph) — palm.
: palm/hand
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.
: sole/paw
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.
: dish/socket
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms
קָצֵר (qatsar) is a Hebrew word that primarily means 'to be short' or 'to reap.' It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of curtailing or harvesting, applicable in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate that it can express feelings of impatience or grief, as well as the act of harvesting crops.
[קָצֵר], I. קָצַר vb. be short
Qal be short
Pi. shorten
Hiph. id.
base
[קָצַר] vb. reap, harvest
H7114a קָצֵר, קָצַר be short H7114b קָצַר reap, harvest
7114 qatsar kaw-tsar'
a primitive root; to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or
intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest
(grass or grain):--X at all, cut down, much discouraged,
grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax)
short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex.
קָצֵר (qa.tser) — be short.
1) to be short, be impatient, be vexed, be grieved
1a) (Qal) to be short
1b) (Piel) to shorten
1c) (Hiphil) to shorten
קָצַר (qa.tsar) — to reap.
1) to reap, harvest
1a) (Qal) to reap, harvest
1b) (Hiphil) to reap, harvest
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
חֵ֫צֶן (chetsen) refers to the bosom, specifically the bosom of a garment. It is derived from an unused root meaning to hold firmly. The term appears in Psalm 129:7.
[חֵ֫צֶן] n.m. bosom of a garment—ψ 129:7
ref
H2683 חֵ֫צֶן
2683 chetsen khay'-tsen
from an unused root meaning to hold firmly; the bosom (as
comprised between the arms):--bosom.
חֵ֫צֶן (che.tsen) — bosom.
bosom, bosom of a garment
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word עִמֵּר (*im.mer*) is derived from the root עָמַר (*a.mar*), which means to bind sheaves or to deal tyrannically. It covers two main meanings: to gather grain and to manipulate or treat someone oppressively. The word appears in Psalm 129:7, where it relates to the act of binding sheaves.
[עִמֵּר] vb. Pi. denom. bind sheaves;—ψ 129:7
ref
[עָמַר] vb. Hithp. deal tyrannically
base
H6014a עִמֵּר vb. Pi. denom. bind sheaves H6014b עָמַר Hithp. deal tyrannically
6014 `amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, apparently to heap; figuratively,
to chastise (as if piling blows); specifically (as
denominative from 6016) to gather grain:--bind sheaves, make
merchandise of.
see HEBREW for 06016
עִמֵּר (im.mer) — to bind.
1) to bind sheaves
1a) (Piel) to gather
עָמַר (a.mar) — to tyranise.
1) to manipulate, deal tyrannically with
1a) (Hithpael) to treat as a slave
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singularHVprmsa