Psalms 147:16 — Word Study
WLCהַנֹּתֵ֣ן שֶׁ֣לֶג כַּצָּ֑מֶר כְּ֝פ֗וֹר כָּאֵ֥פֶר יְפַזֵּֽר׃
BSAHe spreadsnâthan [gives, sends out] the snowsheleg [like white wool] like wooltsemer He scatterspâzar▸ [disperses, throws] ◂the frostkᵉphôwr [hoar-frost, ice-drops] like ashesʼêpher [dust, worthless things]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַנֹּתֵ֣ן | the [one who] gives | Particle, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| שֶׁ֣לֶג | snow | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כַּצָּ֑מֶר | like wool | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כְּ֝פ֗וֹר | frost | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כָּאֵ֥פֶר | like ash[es] | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יְפַזֵּֽר׃ | he scatters | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; |
| KJV | He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. |
| ASV | He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. |
| YLT | Who is giving snow like wool, Hoar-frost as ashes He scattereth. |
| WEB | He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. |
| BBE | He gives snow like wool; he sends out ice-drops like dust. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the Hebrew word כְּפוֹר.
Two main clauses describe God's actions, each followed by a simile that enhances the imagery.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּזַר
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 147:16
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 Sovereignty Over Creationgenerated
Psalm 147:16 is part of a passage that extols God’s power and care for His creation. The verses preceding and following this one illustrate how God commands the elements, showcasing His authority and the beauty of the natural world. This psalm invites reflection on the majesty of God as the creator and sustainer of all things, including the snow and frost that He controls.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 148:8 | lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, |
| 2 | Job 37:6 | For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the gentle rain, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’ |
| 3 | Isaiah 55:10 | For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, |
| 4 | Job 37:9–10 | The tempest comes from its chamber, and the cold from the driving north winds. |
| 5 | Job 38:29 | From whose womb does the ice emerge? Who gives birth to the frost from heaven, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַנֹּתֵ֣ן, ha.no.Tengenerated
The word נָתַן (natan) is a verb meaning 'to give' and is used here in the participle form, indicating an ongoing action. It conveys the idea of God actively giving or sending out the snow, emphasizing His role as the provider and sustainer of creation.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where God is depicted as giving blessings or commands. Its use here highlights the divine authority behind the natural phenomena of snow and frost.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the phrase הַנֹּתֵ֣ן as He spreads and He scatters for the actions of giving and dispersing snow and frost.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is הַנֹּתֵ֣ן, He gives, which governs the two objects: שֶׁ֣לֶג, the snow, and כְּ֝פ֗וֹר, the frost. The structure emphasizes God's active role in distributing these elements.
The Hebrew word order places the subject first, which highlights God's authority in the actions described, followed by the objects that illustrate His creative power.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַנֹּתֵ֣ן as διδόντος, meaning 'the one giving.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing God's active role in creation.
For שֶׁ֣לֶג, the Greek word ξιόνα is used, which also means 'snow.' This shows a consistent understanding of the imagery across both languages.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 147:16 describes how God spreads snow like wool and scatters frost like ashes. This imagery highlights God's power over nature and His ability to control the elements, showcasing His majesty as Creator.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This imagery suggests that God gives snow in a gentle and abundant manner, similar to how wool is soft and comforting.
Frost is often light and delicate, much like ashes, which can symbolize something that has lost its substance or value.
The verse illustrates God's sovereignty over nature, demonstrating that He commands the elements and uses them according to His will.
The imagery of snow and frost conveys beauty and purity, reflecting God's creative power and the wonder of His creation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do the natural elements around me reflect God's creativity and power?
- In what ways can I recognize God's hand in the changing seasons?
- What does the comparison of snow to wool teach me about God's provision?
- How can I apply the understanding of God's sovereignty in my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo reflects on this verse, discussing the burdens of earthly life and the hope found in God's swift Word.
We then are burdened by the sluggishness of this cold body, and the bonds of this earthly and corruptible life; have we no hope of receiving "the Word," which "runs even unto swiftness"? Or has abandoned us,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 147 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 147:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe giveth snow like wool,.... For colour as white as wool; so the Targum and Kimchi: and for the manner of its falling, lightly and gently as a lock of wool; which for its thinness and fineness it also resembles.
Read John Gill on Psalms 147 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 147 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSnow like wool; not only in colour, and shape, and softness, but also in use, keeping the fruits of the earth warm. Hoar-frost like ashes; in colour and smallness of parts, as also in its burning quality.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 147 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 147:16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.Ver. 16. He giveth snow like wool] For whiteness, lightness, plenty, softness, warmth; for snow, though it be very cold, yet by keeping in the vapours and exhalations of the earth, it causeth an inward warmth to it, and so maketh it very fruitful, say philosophers, Vellera nivis (Virg. Georg.). In which respects the Rabbis say that one day of snow doth more good than five of rain. He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes] When blown about by the wind. It heateth also and drieth (as ashes) the cold and moist earth, nippeth the buds of trees, &c. Unde pruina dicitur a perurenda, saith Sextus Pompeius, Cinis monet…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 147 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Like wool.—Both in whiteness and fleecy texture. “The snow falls in large flakes, equal in size to a walnut, and has more resemblance to locks of wool than it has in our country” (Niven, Biblical Antiq., p. 21). “A spice quam densum tacitarum vellus aquarum Defluat. MART., Ep. iv. 3.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 147 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. He giveth snow like wool] Falling down in large flakes; and in this state nothing in nature has a nearer resemblance to fine white wool. Scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.] Spreading it over the whole face of nature.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 147 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. “Snow must always have been rare in Central and Southern Palestine,” and “frost is very rare at Jerusalem.” Tristram, Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 28. They would therefore be more striking phenomena than they are to us; and it has been plausibly suggested that the Psalm was composed in or after an exceptionally severe winter.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 147 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe giveth snow like wool - He covers the earth with snow, so that it seems to have a clothing of wool.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 147 →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
He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;
He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;
He sends the snow that is white like wool; he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.
Tyndale line
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
He giueth snowe like wooll, and scattereth the hoare frost like ashes.
Strictly literal
He giveth snow like wool, scattereth the hoar frost like ashes;
Who is giving snow like wool, Hoar-frost as ashes He scattereth.
Who is giving snow like wool, || He scatters hoarfrost as ashes.
He who dispenseth snow like wool; who streweth about the hoarfrost like ashes;
He makes the snow like wool, he scatters the frost like ashes.
Simplified
He sends snow as white as wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
He gives snow like wool; he sends out ice-drops like dust.
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 and the Septuagint agree closely in the wording of this verse, with all six Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some editorial restoration but align with the Masoretic Text in meaning.
הַנֹּתֵ֣ן שֶׁ֣לֶג כַּצָּ֑מֶר כְּ֝פ֗וֹר כָּאֵ֥פֶר יְפַזֵּֽר׃
6 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.
הנתן שלג [כצמר] [כפור] [כאפר] [יפזר]
2 words on the leather — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 147:16
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.
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
Art | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHTd/Vqrmsa
שֶׁ֫לֶג (sheleg) means 'snow' and is derived from the root word for whiteness. It is consistently defined across entries as snow, with a reference to its Aramaic equivalent, תְּלַג (te.lag). The term appears in contexts related to snow in the Old Testament.
שֶׁ֫לֶג n.m. snow
base
H7950 שֶׁ֫לֶג snow
7950 sheleg sheh'-leg
from 7949; snow (probably from its whiteness):--snow(-y).
see HEBREW for 07949
שֶׁ֫לֶג (she.leg) — snow.
snow
Aramaic equivalent: te.lag (תְּלַג "snow" H8517)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
sno (shelegh, telagh (Da 7:9); chion):
(1) Snow is not uncommon in the winter in Jerusalem, but it never reaches any depth and in many winters it is not seen at all. It usually disappears, for the most part, as soon as the sun appears, though it may "hide itself" for a time in the gorge cut by a stream (Job 6:16). On lower levels than Jerusalem there is never sufficient to cover the ground, though often there are some flakes seen in the air. Even at sea-level there is occasionally a sufficient fall of hail to cover the ground. A very exceptional snowfall is related in 1 Macc 13:22 at Adora (near Hebron). It was heavy enough to prevent the movement of troops.
Snow
Common in Palestine in winter (Ps. 147:16). The snow on the tops of the Lebanon range is almost always within view throughout the whole year. The word is frequently used figuratively by the sacred writers (Job 24:19; Ps. 51:7; 68:14; Isa. 1:18). It is mentioned only once in the historical books (2 Sam. 23:20). It was “carried to Tyre, Sidon, and Damascus as a luxury, and labourers sweltering in the hot harvest-fields used it for the purpose of cooling the water which they drank (Prov. 25:13; Jer. 18:14).…
This historical books of the Bible contain only two notices of snow actually falling -- (2 Samuel 23:20) 1Macc 13:22; but the allusions in the poetical books are so numerous that there can be no doubt as to its being an ordinary occurrence in the winter months. (Psalms 147:16; 148:8) The snow lies deep in the ravines of the highest ridge of Lebanon until the summer is far advanced and indeed never wholly disappears; the summit of Hermon also perpetually glistens with frozen snow. From these sources probably the Jews obtained their supplies of ice for the purpose of cooling their beverages in summer. (Proverbs 25:13) The liability to snow must of course vary considerably in a country of such varying altitude as Palestine. At…
Is often alluded to in Scripture, for its whiteness, Ex 4:6; Nu 12:10; 2Ki 5:27; Ps 51:7; Isa 1:18, and for its cleansing qualities, Job 9:30. The expression in Pr 25:13, "as the cold of snow in the time of harvest," alludes to its use in preparing cool drinks for the reapers; while on the other hand, in Pr 26:1, "snow in summer," that is, a fall of snow, being unseasonable and unnatural, is compared to honors inappropriately lavished on a fool. Snow from…
צֶ֫מֶר (tsemer) means 'wool' and is likely derived from a root meaning to be shaggy. It covers the literal sense of wool and can also refer to whiteness metaphorically. The term appears in contexts related to garments. There is an Aramaic equivalent, עֲמַר (amar), which also means 'wool.'
צֶ֫מֶר n.m. wool
base
H6785 צֶ֫מֶר wool
6785 tsemer tseh'-mer
from an unused root probably meaning to be shaggy;
wool:--wool(-len).
צֶ֫מֶר (tse.mer) — wool.
1) wool
1a) wool
1b) whiteness (metaph.)
1c) wool (in garments)
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (עֲמַר "wool" H6015)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
wool (tsemer; erion): Wool and flax were the fibers most used by the ancient weavers. Wool was used principally for the outside garments (Le 13:48 ff; Pr 31:13; Eze 34:3; Ho 2:5,9). Syrian wool is found on the world's markets today, but it is not rated as first quality, partly because it is so contaminated with thorns, straw and other foreign matter which become entangled with the wool while the sheep are wandering over the barren, rocky mountain sides in search of food. Extensive pastures are almost unknown.
Two kinds of wool are sold:
(1) That obtained by shearing. This is removed from the animal as far as possible in one piece or fleece usually without previous washing.…
Wool
One of the first material used for making woven cloth (Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; 19:19). The first-fruit of wool was to be offered to the priests (Deut. 18:4). The law prohibiting the wearing of a garment “of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together” (Deut. 22:11) may, like some other laws of a similar character, have been intended to express symbolically the separateness and simplicity of God’s covenant people. The wool of Damascus, famous for its whiteness, was of great repute in the Tyrian market (Ezek. 27:18).
was an article of the highest value among the Jews, as the staple material for the manufacture of clothing. (Leviticus 13:47; 22:11; Job 31:20; Proverbs 31:13; Ezekiel 34:3; Hosea 2:5) The importance of wool is incidentally shown by the notice that Mesha’s tribute was paid in a certain number of rams "with the wool." (2 Kings 3:1) The wool of Damascus was highly prized in the mart of Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:18)
כְּפוֹר (kefor) refers to both a 'bowl' and 'hoar frost.' It is derived from a root meaning 'cover,' suggesting a connection to items that hold or contain. The term appears in contexts related to temple vessels and natural phenomena, specifically frost as a covering on the ground.
כְּפוֹר n.m. bowl of gold or silver, used in the temple (late)
base
כְּפוֹר n.m. hoar frost
base
H3713a כְּפוֹר bowl H3713b כְּפוֹר hoar frost
3713 kphowr kef-ore'
from 3722; properly, a cover, i.e. (by implication) a tankard
(or covered goblet); also white frost (as covering the
ground):--bason, hoar(-y) frost.
see HEBREW for 03722
כְּפוֹר (ke.phor) — bowl.
bowl, basin
כְּפוֹר (ke.phor) — frost.
hoar frost, frost
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
frost (kephor, "hoar-frost," Ex 16:14; Job 38:29; chanamal, perhaps "the aphis," Ps 78:47; qerach, "cold," Ge 31:40; Job 37:10 the King James Version; Jer 36:30):
1. Formation:
A temperature of freezing or lower is called frost. Dew forms when the temperature is decreased; and if below freezing, the dew takes the form of a white film or covering over rocks and leaves. This white covering is called hoar-frost. Like dew it is the result of condensation of the moisture of the air on objects which radiate their heat quickly. In order that condensation may take place…
Frost
(Heb. kerah, from its smoothness) Job 37:10 (R.V., “ice”); Gen. 31:40; Jer. 36:30; rendered “ice” in Job 6:16, 38:29; and “crystal” in Ezek. 1:22. “At the present day frost is entirely unknown in the lower portions of the valley of the Jordan, but slight frosts are sometimes felt on the sea-coast and near Lebanon.” Throughout Western Asia cold frosty nights are frequently succeeded by warm days.
“Hoar frost” (Heb. kephor, so called from its covering the ground) is mentioned in Ex. 16:14; Job…
The Hebrew word אֵ֫פֶר (*epher*) means 'ashes' and is derived from an unused root meaning to bestrew. It primarily refers to ashes, but can also imply worthlessness in a figurative sense. The entries suggest a connection to the light and flying nature of ashes.
אֵ֫פֶר n.[m.] ashes (as light, flying?)
base
H665 אֵ֫פֶר ashes (as light, flying?)
665 'epher ay'-fer
from an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes:--ashes.
אֵ֫פֶר (e.pher) — ashes.
1) ashes
2) (CLBL) worthlessness (fig.)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
פָּזַר (pazar) means to scatter or disperse, whether in a context of enmity or generosity. It has various forms, including Qal (to scatter), Niphal (to be scattered), Piel (to scatter), and Pual (to be scattered). The word is used in contexts like Israel being compared to scattered sheep and bones being scattered.
[פָּזַר] vb. scatter
Qal a scattered sheep is Israel (i.e. driven off, isolated).
Niph. our bones are scattered
Pi. scatter
Pu. scattered
base
H6340 [פָּזַר] scatter
6340 pazar paw-zar'
a primitive root; to scatter, whether in enmity or
bounty:--disperse, scatter (abroad).
פָּזַר (pa.zar) — to scatter.
1) to scatter, disperse
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to scatter
1a2) scattered (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be scattered
1c) (Piel) to scatter
1d) (Pual) to be scattered
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms