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Psalms 137:9 — Word Study

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WLCאַשְׁרֵ֤י׀ שֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓ז וְנִפֵּ֬ץ אֶֽת־ עֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְ אֶל־ הַסָּֽלַע׃

BSABlessed isʼesher [truly happy, fortunate] he who seizesʼâchaz [takes hold of, grasps] your infantsʻôwlêl [little ones, young children] and dashesnâphats [shatters, scatters] themʼêth againstʼêl [toward, on] the rocksçelaʻ [craggy cliffs, solid stones]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 137
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ha.Sa.la') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 137:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares a blessing on the one who seizes Babylon's infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on the fate of Babylon.
Where we areThis verse concludes a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and expresses a desire for justice against Babylon.
The hard wordנִפֵּ֬ץ
Take awayThe verse expresses a stark desire for retribution.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָפַץ The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Psalms 137:9

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 Babylongenerated

6May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
7Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!”
8O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.
9Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

Psalms 137:9 is part of a lament expressing the sorrow of the Israelites in exile, particularly focusing on the destruction of Jerusalem and the desire for justice against Babylon. The preceding verses reflect deep grief and longing for Jerusalem, highlighting the emotional weight of the context.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 13:16Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.
2Hosea 10:14the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.
3Hosea 13:16Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.

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


The Key Word אַשְׁרֵ֤י, 'ash.Reigenerated

The word אַשְׁרֵי ('ashrei) is a noun that conveys the idea of happiness or blessedness. It is often used to express joy and is derived from a root that emphasizes the state of being blessed. In this context, it introduces the sentiment of the verse, marking the subject of the blessing.

This word appears in a masculine plural form, suggesting a communal aspect of the blessing. The lexicons consistently affirm its meaning related to happiness and blessing, underscoring the psalmist's tone of retribution.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the rendering of אַשְׁרֵי as 'blessed' or 'happy', capturing the essence of the psalmist's declaration.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is יֹּאחֵ֓ז, he will seize, which governs the actions described in the verse. The structure is straightforward, with the subject being the one who seizes and the actions that follow.

The verse is built around a series of actions: seizing the infants and smashing them against the rocks, emphasizing the brutal imagery of retribution.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word אַשְׁרֵי is rendered as μακάριος, which also conveys a sense of blessedness. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emotional weight of the blessing.

The Greek translation captures the severity of the actions described, reflecting the psalmist's desire for justice against Babylon.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 137:9 speaks about a blessing on the one who seizes Babylon's infants and dashes them against the rocks. This verse expresses a deep desire for justice and retribution against those who destroyed Jerusalem.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'blessed is he who seizes your infants'?

The psalmist expresses a wish for retribution against Babylon, indicating that those who enact justice will be blessed.

Why is there such violent imagery in this verse?

The imagery reflects the intense emotions of the Israelites during their exile, longing for justice against their oppressors.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Psalms 137?

This verse encapsulates the pain and desire for justice that permeates the psalm, highlighting the contrast between the sorrow of exile and the hope for retribution.

What can we learn from the psalmist's expression of desire for justice?

The psalmist's plea reflects the deep human longing for justice and vindication in the face of suffering and oppression.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What emotions do you feel when reflecting on the desire for justice expressed in this verse?
  2. How can we understand the balance between justice and mercy in our own lives?
  3. In what ways can we support those who seek justice in our communities?
  4. How does this verse challenge your understanding of blessedness?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early commentary on this verse reflects on the theme of justice and retribution, as seen in Augustine's exposition.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 137 354–430
"Happy shall he be that repays you, as you have served us." What repayment means he? Herewith the Psalm closes, "Happy, that takes and dashes your little ones against the rock" [Psalms…
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 137 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 137:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Happy [shall he be] that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Read John Gill on Psalms 137 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones - (Isaiah 13:16; Kin. 8:12.) Prideaux, 'Connection' B.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 137 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

As thou didst use our little ones. So this was but a just retaliation foretold here, as also .

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 137 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 137:9 Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.Ver. 9. That taketh and dasheth thy little ones] So at the destruction of Troy (Horat. l. iv. Od. 6). Sed palam captis gravis (heu nefas, heu) Nescios fari pueros, Achivis Ureret flammis, etiam latentes Matris in alvo.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 137 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Little ones.—Literally, sucklings.Stones.—Better, cliff or rock.For this feature of barbarous cruelty with which ancient war was cursed see 2 Kings 8:12; Isaiah 13:16; Hosea 10:14, &c; and comp. Homer, Iliad, xxii. 63: “My bleeding infants dashed against the floor.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 137 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Happy - that taketh and dasheth thy little ones] That is, So oppressive hast thou been to all under thy domination, as to become universally hated and detested; so that those who may have the last hand in thy destruction, and the total extermination of thy inhabitants, shall be reputed happy - shall be celebrated and extolled as those who have rid the world of a curse so grievous. These prophetic declarations contain no excitement to any person or persons to commit acts of cruelty and barbarity; but are simply declarative of what would take place in the order of the retributive providence and justice of God, and the general opinion that should in consequence be expressed on the…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 137 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. The barbarous customs of Oriental warfare spared neither women nor children in a war of extermination. Cp. Isaiah 13:16; Hosea 10:14; Hosea 13:16; Nahum 3:10; 2 Kings 8:12; Hom. Il. xxii. 63. The stern law of retaliation demanded that Babylon should be treated as she had treated Jerusalem. Cp. Isaiah 47:1-9; Jeremiah 51:24; Jeremiah 51:56. the stones] The rock or crag.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 137 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Happy shall he be that taketh ... - Margin, as in Hebrew, rock.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 137 →

The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

NETBNew English Translation2006

How blessed will be the one who grabs your babies and smashes them on a rock!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Happy shall he be , that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Blessed shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Happy he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

O the happiness of him who doth seize, And hath dashed thy sucklings on the rock!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

O the blessedness of him who seizes, and has dashed your sucklings on the rock!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Happy he, that seizeth and dasheth thy babes against the rock.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

May the person be blessed, whoever takes and dashes your little ones against a rock.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Happy is the one who grabs your children and smashes them against the rocks!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.

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.

clausepredicateאַשְׁרֵ֤יhow.blessed!noun phrase · subjectrelpשֶׁ[isclauseclauseverbיֹּאחֵ֓זthe.one].who.he.will.seizeוְandclauseverbנִפֵּ֬ץhe.will.smashnoun phrase · objectאֶֽת(et)noun phraseעֹ֝לָלַ֗יִchildrenךְyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtonoun phraseהַtheסָּֽלַעrock

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with six of the seven words matching. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment provides partial support, confirming some of the key elements of the verse.

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

אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀ שֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓ז וְנִפֵּ֬ץ אֶֽת־ עֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְ אֶל־ הַסָּֽלַע׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀μακάριοςשֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓זκρατήσειוְנִפֵּ֬ץἐδαφιεῖעֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְσουאֶל־πρὸςהַסָּֽלַע׃πέτραν

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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q5a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ונפץ את עוללי׳ך אל הסלע

5 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.

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


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

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

Psalms 137:9אֶ֫שֶׁרhow blessedhow blessed!אֶ֫שֶׁראָחַז[is one] wh[is one] who heאָחַזנָפַץand he willand he will smaנָפַץאֵתthe object the object markאֵתעוֹלֵלchildren yochildren yourעוֹלֵלאֶלtotoאֶלסֶ֫לַעthe rockthe rockסֶ֫לַעאָשַׁרto blessto blessאָשַׁראוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתעוּלto nurseto nurseעוּלגֶּ֫בֶרgreat mangreat manגֶּ֫בֶררַ֫עַדtremblingtremblingרַ֫עַדצִירenvoyenvoyצִיררָכַבto rideto rideרָכַבמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁרָטַשׁto dash into dash in piecרָטַשׁיָנַקto suckleto suckleיָנַקפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הצְחִיחַbarebareצְחִיחַסָעִיףcleftcleftסָעִיף
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 137:9

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.

how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀'ash.Rei how blessed! H835 Noun common · masculine plural construct
45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means happiness or blessedness, often used to express how happy someone is. It appears in the Bible as an interjection, similar to 'how happy!' In the KJV, it is translated as 'blessed' or 'happy'.
Amplified meaning
truly happy, fortunate
Tyndale gloss
blessed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫שֶׁר (esher) refers to happiness or blessedness, often used as an interjection to express joy. It is derived from a related root and appears primarily in a masculine plural form. The entries consistently highlight its meaning related to happiness and blessing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] n.[m.] happiness, blessedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H835 [אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] happiness, blessedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

835 'esher eh'-sher

from 833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as

interjection, how happy!:--blessed, happy.

see HEBREW for 0833

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫שֶׁר (e.sher) — blessed.

1) happiness, blessedness

1a) often used as interjection

1b) blessed are

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bles'-ed (barukh): Where God is referred to, this word has the sense of "praise," as in 1Sa 25:32, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel." But where man is in mind it is used in the sense of "happy" or "favored," and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps 1:1); "Blessed art thou among women" (Lu 1:42); "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3).

See BEATITUDES.

how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
שֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓זshei.yo.Chez [is one] who he will seize H270 Particle · verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular
68× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word means to grasp or take hold of something, often holding it in possession. It can also mean to be caught or settled. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, including in the books of Exodus and Psalms.
Amplified meaning
takes hold of, grasps
Tyndale gloss
to grasp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָחַז (achaz) means to grasp, take hold of, or seize. It has various forms, including Qal (to grasp), Niphal (to be caught), Piel (to enclose), and Hophal (to be fastened). The entries highlight its use in contexts of possession and holding, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָחַז 68 vb. grasp, take hold of, take possession

Qal grasp, take hold of

Niph. be caught

Pi. enclose, overlay

Hoph. fastened

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H270 אָחַז grasp, take hold of, take possession .grasp, take hold of

. be caught

. enclose, overlay

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

270 'achaz aw-khaz'

a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of

holding in possession):--+ be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay,

take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get,

have or take) possess(-ion).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָחַז (a.chaz) — to grasp.

1) grasp, take hold, seize, take possession

1a) (Qal) to grasp, take hold of

1b) (Niphal) to be caught, grasped, be settled

1c) (Piel) to enclose, overlay

1d) (Hophal) fastened

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Particle · verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular
HTr/Vqi3ms
how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
וְנִפֵּ֬ץve.ni.Petz and he will smash H5310 Verb · Piel · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to scatter or disperse, and it's used when people or things are broken apart. It appears in books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where God scatters His people as punishment, but also promises to gather them back.
Amplified meaning
shatters, scatters
Tyndale gloss
to shatter
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַץ (naphats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to shatter or disperse. It encompasses actions such as breaking into pieces, scattering, and pulverizing. The word appears in various forms, including Qal (to shatter), Piel (to dash to pieces), and Pual (to pulverize). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָפַץ] vb. shatter

Qal and a shattering (= and shattered) the jars

Pi. dash to pieces

Pu. like chalk-stones pulverized.

base

נָפַץ vb. disperse, be scattered

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5310a נָפַץ shatter H5310b נָפַץ disperse, be scattered

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5310 naphats naw-fats'

a primitive root; to dash to pieces, or scatter:--be beaten

in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause

to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַץ (na.phats) — to shatter.

1) to shatter, break, dash, beat in pieces

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to shatter

1a2) shattering (infinitive)

1b) (Piel) to dash to pieces

1c) (Pual) to pulverise

נָפַץ (na.phats) — to disperse.

1) be scattered

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be scattered

1a2) dispersed (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vpq3ms
how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
אֶֽת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
עֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְ'o.la.La.yikh children your H5768 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a young child or infant, often describing a baby or toddler. It is used in the Bible to describe the early stages of life.
Amplified meaning
little ones, young children
Tyndale gloss
infant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹלֵל (owlel) refers to a child or infant, emphasizing youth and vulnerability. It is derived from a root meaning to suckle, indicating a very young child or babe. The term is consistently used across lexicons to denote a young child, with no significant disagreement among sources.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹלֵל, עוֹלָל n.m. child

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5768 עוֹלֵל, עוֹלָל child

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5768 `owlel o-lale'

or lolal {o-lawl'}; from 5763; a suckling:--babe, (young)

child, infant, little one.

see HEBREW for 05763

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹלֵל (o.lel) — infant.

child, boy

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2fs
how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Amplified meaning
toward, on
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
how blessed! [is one] who he will seize and he will smash the object marker children your to the rock
הַסָּֽלַע׃ha.Sa.la' the rock H5553 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a craggy rock or cliff, a strong and secure place, like the rock of salvation in Psalm 71:3.
Amplified meaning
craggy cliffs, solid stones
Tyndale gloss
crag
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סֶ֫לַע (cela`) refers to a crag or cliff, indicating a strong, rocky formation. It can denote both a literal rock and a figurative stronghold, suggesting security and loftiness. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to rugged terrain and fortification, with no significant disagreements noted among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סֶ֫לַע 61 n.m. crag, cliff

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5553 סֶ֫לַע crag, cliff

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5553 cela` seh'-lah

from an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock,

literally or figuratively (a fortress):--(ragged) rock,

stone(-ny), strong hold.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סֶ֫לַע (se.la) — rock.

The Rock

Sela (H5554)

סֶ֫לַע (se.la) — crag.

1) crag, cliff, rock

1a) crag, cliff

1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rok ((1) cela`; (2) tsur (3) challamish, "flint"; compare Arabic khalanbus, "flint"; (4) kephim (Job 30:6; Jer 4:29); compare Kephas, "Cephas" = Petros, "Peter" (Joh 1:42 the King James Version and the Revised Version margin); (5) petra):

1. Names:

Tsur and cela` are the words most often found, and there is no well-defined distinction between them. They are frequently coupled together in the parallelism which is characteristic of the Hebrew writers: e.g.

"Be thou to me a strong rock (tsur),

A house of defense to save me.

For thou art my rock (tsela) and my fortress"

(Ps 31:2,3).

"He clave rocks (tsur) in the wilderness,

And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Rock

(Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3; Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2,3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated “mountain.” It ought to be translated “rock,” as in Hab. 1:12 in the Revised Version. The “rock” from which the stone is cut there signifies the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Struck by Moses for water De 8:15; Ps 78:15,16,20

→ Houses in Jer 49:16; Ob 1:3; Mt 7:24,25

→ Oil from Job 29:6; De 32:13

→ A name of God De 32:4

→ FIGURATIVE 2Sa 22:32,47; 23:3; Ps 18:2; 31:2; 40:2; Isa 17:10; 32:2; Mt 16:18;

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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