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Psalms 18:31 — Word Study

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WLCכִּ֤י מִ֣י אֱ֭לוֹהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וּמִ֥י צ֝֗וּר זוּלָתִ֥י אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃

BSAthe LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 18
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 31 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 ('e.lo.Hei.nu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 18:31quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist asks rhetorical questions to emphasize the uniqueness of God.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on God's unmatched nature.
Where we areIn a poetic declaration of God's supremacy and protection.
The hard wordצ֝֗וּר
Take awayGod stands alone as the ultimate protector.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectתָּמִים 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 18:31

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 Supremacy of Godgenerated

30As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
31For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?
32It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear.
33He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights.

Psalms 18:31 emphasizes the uniqueness of God as the only true deity and protector. The psalmist contrasts God with any other so-called gods, affirming the Lord's unmatched strength and reliability. This declaration fits within a larger context of praise for God's perfect ways and the safety He provides to those who trust in Him, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 86:8O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours.
2Deuteronomy 32:31–39For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede.
31 Samuel 2:2There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.
42 Samuel 22:32For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?
5Isaiah 45:5–21I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me,

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?Psalm 86:8 Deuteronomy 32:31–39 1 Samuel 2:2 2 Samuel 22:32 Isaiah 45:5–21

The Key Word אֱ֭לוֹהַּ, 'E.lo.ahgenerated

The term אֱלֹהַּ ('E.lo.ah) is a singular noun for God, derived from a root meaning 'to be strong.' It signifies the one true God and can also refer to false gods. In this verse, it underscores the psalmist's assertion of God's supremacy over any other deity.

The parsing indicates that it is a masculine singular noun, emphasizing the singularity and uniqueness of God in contrast to any other 'gods' or deities. This reinforces the idea that there is no other god besides the Lord.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses God for אֱלֹהַּ and the LORD for יְהוָ֑ה.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is introduced by the finite verb מִ֣י (who?), which governs the two rhetorical questions that follow. The structure emphasizes the exclusivity of God by contrasting Him with any other potential deity.

The first question asks about God in relation to the LORD, while the second focuses on the metaphor of God as a Rock, both reinforcing the theme of God's unmatched nature.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses the Greek word θεός to translate אֱלֹהַּ, indicating a direct equivalence to the concept of God. This choice highlights the understanding of God as the supreme being in both Hebrew and Greek contexts.

The Greek term πεπυρωμένα for צ֝֗וּר suggests a protective aspect, aligning with the Hebrew meaning of God as a refuge.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 18:31 asks who God is besides the LORD and emphasizes that He is the only true Rock. The psalmist highlights God's unique strength and protection, making it clear that there is no other deity like Him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God is the Rock?

Referring to God as the Rock signifies His strength, stability, and protection for those who trust in Him.

Why does the psalmist ask rhetorical questions?

The rhetorical questions emphasize God's uniqueness and the futility of comparing Him to any other deity.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?

This verse fits within a larger theme of praising God's perfect ways and His role as a protector, as seen in the verses before and after.

What is the significance of using both 'God' and 'LORD'?

Using both terms highlights the distinction between the supreme deity and the covenant relationship God has with His people.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced God's protection in my life?
  2. How can I deepen my understanding of God's uniqueness compared to other beliefs?
  3. What does it mean for me to consider God as my Rock?
  4. How can I share the truth of God's supremacy with others?

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

Augustine of Hippo cites this verse in his exposition, highlighting the uniqueness of God as the one we serve.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 18 354–430
"For who is God, but the Lord?" [Psalms 18:31] whom we serve. "And who God, but our God?" And who is God,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:31 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For who [is] God save the Lord?.... Or Jehovah: there is but one God, and Jehovah is he; there is none besides him, nor any like him: there are many that are called gods, nominal deities, who are not

Read John Gill on Psalms 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Here follows the fourth section of the psalm.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

It must needs be as I have said, because our Lord is the only God, and therefore there is none, neither God nor creature, that can hinder him from accomplishing his own word and work, or from defending those that trust him: he is unchangeable and invincible. Or this is an amplification, As God is what I have now described him to be, so he only is such, and there is no other God or Rock in which they may safely trust.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 18:31 For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God?Ver. 31. For who is God save the Lord?] Fictitios Deos et vanas spes prosternit, saith Vatablus. Here he striketh down to the ground all false gods and all vain hopes. Contemno minutulos istos Deos mode Iovem mihi propitium habeam, said a heathen. David might much better say, I care not for those petty deities, so I may have Jehovah to favour me.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Comp. Deuteronomy 32:31, where we see that “rock” was a common term among the tribes of Canaan for their divinities. Notice some trifling variations in Samuel.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 31. For who is God save the Lord?] "For who is Eloah, except Jehovah?" None is worthy of adoration but the self-existent, eternal, infinitely perfect, and all-merciful Being. Or who is a rock] A fountain emitting continual supplies of grace and goodness.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

31–34. The unique character of Jehovah, to whom alone David owes all that he is. Observe how he recognises that the advantages of physical strength and energy, important qualifications in times when the king was himself the leader of the people in battle, were gifts of God; yet that it was not these which saved him and made him victorious, but Jehovah’s care and help (Psalms 18:35 ff.). Cp. 1 Samuel 17:34-36.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 18 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For who is God save the Lord? - Who is God except Yahweh? The idea is, that no other being has evinced the power, the wisdom, and the goodness which properly belong to the true God; or, that the

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →

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

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For who is God, except Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

NETBNew English Translation2006

Indeed, who is God besides the Lord? Who is a protector besides our God?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For who is God, save Jehovah? And who is a rock, besides our God,

RVARevised Version, American1894

For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, beside our God?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For who is God besides the Lord? and who is mightie saue our God?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For who is God save Jehovah? and who is a rock if not our God?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For who [is] God besides Jehovah? And who [is] a rock save our God?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For who [is] God besides YHWH? And who [is] a rock except our God?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(18:32) For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock beside our God?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For who is God except Yahweh? Who is a rock except our God?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For who is God except the Lord? Who is the rock, except our God?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For who is God but the Lord? or who is a Rock but our God?

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.

כִּ֤י(dm)clausepredicateמִ֣יwho?subjectאֱ֭לוֹהַּ[is].Godprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseמִ(from)בַּלְעֲדֵ֣יexceptיְהוָ֑הYahwehוּandclausepredicateמִ֥יwho?subjectצ֝֗וּר[is].a.rockprepositional phrase · prepositionalזוּלָתִ֥exceptnoun phraseיexceptnoun phraseאֱלֹהֵֽיGodנוּour

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


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

The Masoretic Text presents the verse as: 'For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?' The Septuagint largely agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching 8 of the 9 words, although it presents them in a different order and structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a fragmentary text that does not directly correspond to this verse and includes different content, indicating a variation in the tradition. Overall, while the Septuagint aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, the Dead Sea Scrolls diverge significantly.

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

כִּ֤י מִ֣י אֱ֭לוֹהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וּמִ֥י צ֝֗וּר זוּלָתִ֥י אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּ֤ימִ֣יθεόςאֱ֭לוֹהַּἄμωμοςמִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣יαὐτοῦוּמִ֥יπεπυρωμέναצ֝֗וּרὑπερασπιστήςזוּלָתִ֥יἐστινאֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃πάντων

8 of the 9 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 — 5/6hev1ba copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

האל תמים דרכ׳ו אמרת יהוה צרופה מגן הוא לכל החסים [ב׳ו]

7 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.

Psalms 18:31כִּיforforכִּימִיwho?who?מִיאֱלֹהַּ[is] God[is] GodאֱלֹהַּבִּלְעֲדֵיexceptexceptבִּלְעֲדֵייהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהמִיand who?and who?מִיצוּר[is] a rock[is] a rockצוּרזוּלָהexceptexceptזוּלָהאֱלֹהִיםGod ourGod ourאֱלֹהִיםמָהwhat?what?מָהאֵלgodgodאֵלבַּלnotnotבַּלהָיָהto beto beהָיָהצוּרto confineto confineצוּרזוּלto lavish/to lavish/despiזוּלאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹיָעַדto appointto appointיָעַדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעשַׁדַּיAlmightyAlmightyשַׁדַּירֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַצוּרrockrockצוּרמִיwho?who?מִינְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאעֹרֵבOrebOrebעֹרֵבבִּלְעֲדֵיbesidebesideבִּלְעֲדֵי
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 18:31

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.

for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
כִּ֤יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
מִ֣יmi who? H4310 Pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPi — Pronoun
HPi
for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
אֱ֭לוֹהַּ'E.lo.ah [is] God H433 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Eloah refers to God or a deity, and is used to describe the one true God or false gods. It is often translated as God in the KJV, and is related to the word Elohim, which also refers to God.
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֱלֹהַּ (*'elowahh*) refers to a deity or the Deity, translating to 'God' or 'god.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to be strong' and can also denote a false god. The term appears in various contexts, including ancient poetry and references to heathen gods.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהַּ 67; elsewhere אֱלוֹהַּ n.m. god, God

a heathen god, late usage

God, used in ancient poems

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H433 אֱלֹהַּ; elsewhere אֱלוֹהַּ god, God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

433 'elowahh el-o'-ah; rarely (shortened) >eloahh {el-o'-ah

probably prolonged (emphat.) from 410; a deity or the

Deity:--God, god. See 430.

see HEBREW for 0410

see HEBREW for 0430

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהַּ (e.lo.ah) — god.

1) God

2) false god

Aramaic equivalent: e.lah (אֱלָהּ "god" H0426)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
מִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣יmi.bal.'a.Dei except H1107 Preposition
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means except or without, like in a phrase saying something is not included. The Bible uses it to show exclusion or exception, like in a rule or a law that does not apply to everyone.
Tyndale gloss
beside
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּלְעֲדֵי (bil'adey) is a Hebrew word meaning 'not unto,' 'apart from,' 'except,' or 'without.' It is constructed from two roots, one related to 'not' and the other to 'till.' The word is used in contexts indicating exclusion or absence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּלְעֲדֵי prop. not unto, hence apart from, except, without

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1107 בִּלְעֲדֵי prop. not unto, hence apart from, except, without

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1107 bil`adey bil-ad-ay'

or balmadey {bal-ad-ay'}; constructive plural from 1077 and

5703, not till, i.e. (as preposition or adverb) except,

without, besides:--beside, not (in), save, without.

see HEBREW for 01077

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּלְעֲדֵי (bil.a.de) — beside.

apart from, except, without, besides

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Acbsc — Preposition
HR/Acbsc
for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
יְהוָ֑הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, The covenant Name of God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
וּמִ֥יu.Mi and who? H4310 Conjunction · pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Pi — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pi
for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
צ֝֗וּרTzur [is] a rock H6697 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A rock or boulder, often used to describe God as a refuge, like in Psalm 18:2.
Tyndale gloss
rock
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צוּר (tsur) means rock or cliff, often referring to a sharp rock or boulder. It can also signify a refuge or an edge, and is used in various contexts, including references to God as a rock. The word is built from the root associated with strong, compressed formations, and it appears in different forms, such as in the phrase 'rock of God.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צוּר n.m. rock, cliff

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6697 צוּר rock, cliff

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6697 tsuwr tsoor

or tsur {tsoor}; from 6696; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock,

as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a

refuge; also an edge (as precipitous):--edge, X (mighty) God

(one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong. See also

1049.

see HEBREW for 06696

see HEBREW for 01049

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צוּר (tsur) — Rocks (of Goats).

Combined with ya.el (יָעֵל "Wildgoats'" H3277)

This name means rock, cliff

צוּר (tsur) — rock.

1) rock, cliff

1a) rocky wall, cliff

1b) rock (with flat surface)

1c) block of stone, boulder

1d) rock (specific)

1e) rock (of God)

1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei

1g) Rock

Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
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;

for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
זוּלָתִ֥יzu.la.Ti except H2108 Noun common · feminine singular construct
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means exception or removal, like scattering something away, and is used in phrases like except or besides. The KJV translates it as beside, but, only, or save. It is often used to make exceptions in biblical commands.
Tyndale gloss
exception
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זוּלָה (zuwlah) refers to a concept of removal or exception. It is primarily used as a preposition or conjunction meaning 'except' or 'beside.' The word is derived from a root that suggests scattering, and its usage is limited in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[זוּלָה] n.[f.] prop. removal, only found in st. c. as prep. and conj. except, only save that

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2108 [זוּלָה] prop. removal, only found in st. c. as prep. and conj. except, only save that

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2108 zuwlah zoo-law'

from 2107; probably scattering, i.e. removal; used

adverbially, except:--beside, but, only, save.

see HEBREW for 02107

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זוּלָה (zu.lah) — exception.

1) a removal, a putting away

prep

2) except, besides, with the exception of, with removal of

conj

3) except that

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
for who? [is] God except Yahweh and who? [is] a rock except God our
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃'e.lo.Hei.nu God our H430 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc/Sp1bp — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bp
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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