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Psalms 29:4 — Word Study

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WLCקוֹל־ יְהוָ֥ה בַּכֹּ֑חַ ק֥וֹל יְ֝הוָ֗ה בֶּהָדָֽר׃

BSAThe voiceqôwl [sound, utterance] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] [is] powerfulkôach [full of strength, might] the voiceqôwl [sound, utterance] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [is] majestichâdâr [full of glory, beauty, having noble sound]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 29
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 (be.ha.Dar) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 29:4quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse declares the powerful and majestic nature of the voice of the LORD.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on the attributes of God.
Where we areThis verse is part of a psalm celebrating God's might and glory.
The hard wordכֹּחַ
Take awayGod's voice embodies strength and beauty.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause 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 29:4

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 Power and Majesty of God's Voicegenerated

3The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

Psalm 29:4 is part of a larger psalm that describes the power of the LORD's voice, which is heard over the waters and has the ability to break cedars. The psalmist emphasizes the might and majesty of God, contrasting His strength with the fragility of creation, as seen in verses 3 and 5. This psalm serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and glory in nature.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 33:9For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
2Job 26:11–14The foundations of heaven quake, astounded at His rebuke.
3Jeremiah 51:15–16The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
4Luke 4:36All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
5Luke 8:25“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word כֹּחַ, ba.Ko.achgenerated

The word כֹּחַ (koach) refers to strength or power. It can describe the might of God, as well as human and animal strength. The parsing indicates it is a noun in the masculine singular form, suggesting a specific and focused concept of power.

In this verse, כֹּחַ emphasizes the powerful nature of the LORD's voice, indicating that it is not just a sound but one that carries immense strength and authority.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree that the voice of the LORD is described as powerful and majestic.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse revolves around two main clauses, both centered on the finite verb 'is.' The first clause highlights the power of the LORD's voice, while the second emphasizes its majestic quality.

This parallel structure reinforces the attributes of God's voice, creating a rhythmic balance that enhances the overall impact of the verse.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word קוֹל is rendered as φωνὴ (phōnē), which also means 'voice' or 'sound.' This choice maintains the emphasis on the auditory aspect of God's presence.

The translation of כֹּחַ is represented by ἰσξύι (ischy), which conveys strength, aligning with the original Hebrew's focus on power.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 29:4 tells us that the voice of the LORD is both powerful and majestic. This verse highlights God's strength and beauty, reminding us of His authority over creation.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the voice of the LORD is powerful?

It means that God's voice carries authority and strength, capable of affecting the world around us.

How is the voice of the LORD majestic?

The majesty of the LORD's voice reflects His glory and beauty, emphasizing His divine nature and presence.

In what contexts is the voice of the LORD mentioned in the Bible?

The voice of the LORD is often mentioned in contexts of creation, judgment, and revelation, demonstrating His power and authority.

How can we experience the power of God's voice today?

We can experience the power of God's voice through Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, which guide and strengthen us.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced the power of God's voice in my life?
  2. How can I recognize the majesty of God's presence in the world around me?
  3. What does it mean for me to listen to the voice of the LORD?
  4. How can I share the strength and beauty of God's voice with others?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on the significance of God's voice in this verse, emphasizing its power and impact on believers.

Basil of CaesareaHOMILIES ON THE Psalms 13:4 (Psalms 29) c. 330–379
The voice of the Lord is not in the weak and dissolute soul but in that which vigorously and powerfully achieves the good.… Magnificence is virtue extraordinarily great.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 29 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 29 354–430
"The Voice of the Lord is in power" [Psalms 29:4]. The Voice of the Lord now in them themselves, making them powerful.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 29 →
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 29:5 c. 393–460
From this he prophesies the power imparted to the apostles.… The narrative of the Acts also teaches us things in harmony with this: we learn from there how at his ascension Christ the Lord addressed his holy disciples in the words,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 29 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 29:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The voice of the Lord [is] powerful,.... Or "with power" (a); as thunder, in the effect of it, shows; and so is the Gospel, when it comes, not in word only, but is attended with the power of God to

Read John Gill on Psalms 29 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 29 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Is an evident proof of God’ s glorious majesty.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 29 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 29:4 The voice of the LORD [is] powerful; the voice of the LORD [is] full of majesty.Ver. 4. The voice of the Lord is powerful] So that it shaketh heaven and earth, Hebrews 12:26. Cogitent ergo principes quantum infra Deum subsidant, &c. (Validum est et vehemens tonitru. Vat. Beza). Let those that think themselves some great business consider God’ s infinite power, putting forth itself in thunders and tempests, and they will soon be crest fallen. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty] Heb. in majesty; it is magnificent and immutable, though some fools have attempted to imitate it (as a certain king of Egypt, and Caligula, the emperor), by certain engines and devices.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 29 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Powerful; full of majesty.—Better literally, as in LXX. and Vulg., in might, in majesty.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 29 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 4. Is powerful] There is no agent in universal nature so powerful as the electric fluid. It destroys life, tears castles and towers to pieces, rends the strongest oaks, and cleaves the most solid rocks: universal animate nature is awed and terrified by it. To several of these effects the psalmist here refers; and for the illustration of the whole I must refer to the above notes on Job. Full of majesty.] No sound in nature is so tremendous and majestic as that of thunder; it is the most fit to represent the voice of God.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 29 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. is powerful … is full of majesty] Lit. is with power … is with majesty.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 29 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The voice of the Lord is powerful - Margin, as in Hebrew: “in power.” That is, is mighty; or, has strength.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 29 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

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

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The Lord’s shout is powerful, the Lord’s shout is majestic.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The voice of Jehovah is powerful; The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The voyce of the Lord is mightie: the voyce of the Lord is glorious.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The voice of Jehovah is powerful; the voice of Jehovah is full of majesty.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The voice of Jehovah [is] with power, The voice of Jehovah [is] with majesty,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The voice of YHWH [is] with power, || The voice of YHWH [is] with majesty,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The voice of the Lord [resoundeth] with power; the voice of the Lord [resoundeth] with majesty.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The voice of Yahweh is powerful; the voice of Yahweh is majestic.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou hast brought forth, O Lord, my soul from hell: thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The Lord's voice is powerful; the Lord's voice is majestic;

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The voice of the Lord is full of power; the voice of the Lord has a noble sound.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectקוֹלthe.voiceיְהוָ֥הof.Yahwehprepositional phrase · predicateבַּ[is].withnoun phrase(the)כֹּ֑חַstrengthclausenoun phrase · subjectק֥וֹלthe.voiceיְ֝הוָ֗הof.Yahwehprepositional phrase · predicateבֶּ[is].withnoun phrase(the)הָדָֽרmajesty

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 on the wording of this verse, with all six words in the Hebrew matched in the Greek translation. This consistency underscores the shared understanding of the power and majesty of the LORD's voice.

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

קוֹל־ יְהוָ֥ה בַּכֹּ֑חַ ק֥וֹל יְ֝הוָ֗ה בֶּהָדָֽר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
קוֹל־φωνὴיְהוָ֥הκυρίουבַּכֹּ֑חַἰσξύιק֥וֹלφωνὴיְ֝הוָ֗הκυρίουבֶּהָדָֽר׃μεγαλοπρεπείᾳ

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.

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 29:4קוֹל[the] voice[the] voice ofקוֹליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהכֹּחַ[is] with s[is] with strenכֹּחַקוֹל[the] voice[the] voice ofקוֹליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוההָדָר[is] with m[is] with majesהָדָרהָיָהto beto beהָיָההָדַרto honorto honorהָדַרתְּרוּעָהshoutshoutתְּרוּעָהשֹׁפָרtrumpettrumpetשֹׁפָרנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאעָצַרto restraito restrainעָצַרזְרוֹעַarmarmזְרוֹעַהוֹדsplendorsplendorהוֹדגָּאוֹןprideprideגָּאוֹן
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 29:4

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] voice of Yahweh [is] with strength [the] voice of Yahweh [is] with majesty
קוֹל־kol- [the] voice of H6963 Noun common · masculine singular construct
506× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Amplified meaning
sound, utterance
Tyndale gloss
voice: sound
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קוֹל 506 n.m. sound, voice

base

קֹל n.[m.] lightness, frivolity;—Je 3:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6963 qowl kole

or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a

voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),

fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,

proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +

yell.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קוֹל (qol) — voice.

: voice/shout/loud

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קֹל (qol) — frivolity.

lightness, frivolity

קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.

: sound/noise

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.

: thunder

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.

: message/proclaim

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].

: [sound_of](THING)

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.

: listen

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

[the] voice of Yahweh [is] with strength [the] voice of Yahweh [is] with majesty
יְהוָ֥הYah.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
[the] voice of Yahweh [is] with strength [the] voice of Yahweh [is] with majesty
בַּכֹּ֑חַba.Ko.ach [is] with strength H3581 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
126× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Amplified meaning
full of strength, might
Tyndale gloss
reptile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon

ref

כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3581 koach ko'-akh

or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning

to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)

or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its

hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,

fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.

1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean

1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.

1) strength, power, might

1a) human strength

1b) strength (of angels)

1c) power (of God)

1d) strength (of animals)

1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29

[the] voice of Yahweh [is] with strength [the] voice of Yahweh [is] with majesty
ק֥וֹלKol [the] voice of H6963 Noun common · masculine singular construct
506× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Amplified meaning
sound, utterance
Tyndale gloss
voice: sound
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קוֹל 506 n.m. sound, voice

base

קֹל n.[m.] lightness, frivolity;—Je 3:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6963 qowl kole

or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a

voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),

fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,

proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +

yell.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קוֹל (qol) — voice.

: voice/shout/loud

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קֹל (qol) — frivolity.

lightness, frivolity

קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.

: sound/noise

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.

: thunder

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.

: message/proclaim

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].

: [sound_of](THING)

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.

: listen

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

[the] voice of Yahweh [is] with strength [the] voice of Yahweh [is] with majesty
יְ֝הוָ֗הYah.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.
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
[the] voice of Yahweh [is] with strength [the] voice of Yahweh [is] with majesty
בֶּהָדָֽר׃be.ha.Dar [is] with majesty H1926 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word means glory, beauty, or majesty, and is used to describe God's splendor and excellence. It appears in descriptions of God's power and glory in the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
full of glory, beauty, having noble sound
Tyndale gloss
glory
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָדָר (hadar) refers to concepts of ornament, splendour, and honour, primarily in a poetic context. It is derived from a root meaning magnificence and encompasses beauty, glory, and majesty. The term captures a range of meanings related to excellence and goodliness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָדָר n.m. ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1926 הָדָר ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1926 hadar haw-dawr'

from 1921; magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor:--beauty,

comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour,

majesty.

see HEBREW for 01921

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָדָר (ha.dar) — glory.

1) ornament, splendour, honour

1a) ornament

1b) splendour, majesty

1c) honour, glory

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Name of God Heb 1:3; 8:1

→ See GOD

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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