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Psalms 32:9 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאַל־ תִּֽהְי֤וּ׀ כְּס֥וּס כְּפֶרֶד֮ אֵ֤ין הָ֫בִ֥ין בְּמֶֽתֶג־ וָרֶ֣סֶן עֶדְי֣וֹ לִבְל֑וֹם בַּ֝֗ל קְרֹ֣ב אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

BSADo notʼal [in no way, never] behâyâh like the horseçûwç [a swallow, or a chariot horse] or mulepered [the offspring of a horse and a donkey] [which] have noʼayin [absence of] understandingbîyn [discernment, mental grasp] they must be controlledbâlam [held in, restrained] with bitmetheg [a device to curb] and bridlereçen [a restraint, like a halter] [to make] thembal comeqârab [approach, draw near] to youʼêl [towards you, in your direction]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 32
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('e.Lei.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 32:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist advises against being like horses or mules, which lack understanding and must be controlled.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, speaking to the audience.
Where we areThis verse is part of a reflection on guidance and understanding.
The hard wordבִּין
Take awayThe importance of understanding in following guidance.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Poole, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause subjectבִּין verbהָיָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 13 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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

Deep Study — Psalms 32:9

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Importance of Understandinggenerated

8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
9Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
10Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
11Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Psalm 32:9 contrasts the wise with the unwise, using the horse and mule as examples of those who lack discernment. The psalmist emphasizes the need for understanding and the consequences of being unrestrained, which leads to sorrow, as noted in the surrounding verses. This reflects a broader theme in the Psalms of seeking wisdom and guidance from God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
2Jeremiah 31:18I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.
3James 3:3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4James 4:7–10Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
5Job 35:11who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word בִּין, ha.Vingenerated

The Hebrew word בִּין (biyn) means to understand or discern. It involves mental separation and insight, enabling one to grasp concepts and make informed decisions. In this verse, it highlights the lack of understanding in horses and mules, emphasizing the need for discernment in one's actions.

The verb is in the Hiphil stem, which often indicates a causative action. Here, it suggests that understanding is something that can be imparted or developed, contrasting the instinctual behavior of animals with the rationality expected of humans.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is governed by the verb תִּֽהְי֤וּ, you be, which expresses a prohibition. It is followed by a comparison using two prepositional phrases: כְּס֥וּס and כְּפֶרֶד, like a horse and like a mule, respectively.

The structure emphasizes the lack of understanding with the phrase אֵ֤ין, [which] there not, indicating the absence of discernment in these animals, leading to the necessity of control.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בִּין as σύνεσις, which means 'understanding' or 'insight'. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the mental grasp of concepts, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also broadening the scope to include a more general sense of comprehension.

The consistent use of ἵππος for סוּס and ἡμίονος for פֶּרֶד shows a direct correspondence in the translation of these animals, maintaining the metaphorical intent of the original text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 32:9 warns against being like horses or mules, which do not understand and need to be controlled. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of understanding and discernment in our actions, contrasting the instinctual behavior of animals with the rationality expected of humans.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to have understanding?

Understanding involves the ability to discern and make informed decisions, rather than acting instinctively like animals.

Why does the psalmist compare humans to horses and mules?

The comparison highlights the lack of understanding in these animals, suggesting that humans should strive for greater discernment.

How can I develop understanding in my life?

Developing understanding can involve seeking wisdom through study, reflection, and guidance from others.

What are the consequences of lacking understanding?

Lacking understanding can lead to poor decisions and actions that may have negative consequences, similar to how untrained animals behave.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to seek greater understanding?
  2. How can I avoid acting impulsively like a horse or mule?
  3. What steps can I take to cultivate discernment in my daily decisions?
  4. How can I encourage others to seek understanding rather than acting on instinct?

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

Early commentators reference this verse to illustrate the need for understanding and the dangers of acting without discernment. Quotations from Ephrem the Syrian and Ambrose of Milan highlight these themes.

Ephrem the SyrianHOMILY ON OUR LORD 5:1 c. 306–373
The one who was God pursued the nations who pursued gods that were not gods at all. And [using] words like bridles, he turned them away from many gods [and brought them] to one.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 32 →
Ambrose of MilanThe Six Days of Creation, Book 6, Chapter 3, 10 c. 339–397
Why do you dishonor yourself by indulging in physical allurements, while serving your belly and its passions? Why do you take away the understanding that the Creator has given you? Why do you compare yourself to animals,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 32 →
Ambrose of MilanLetter 37, To Simplician, 41 c. 339–397
Fools then are not free, for it is said to them, Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding, whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle lest they fall upon thee.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 32 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 32:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding,.... The design of this exhortation is to direct men how to behave under the instructions given; not as brutes, which have no

Read John Gill on Psalms 32 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule; be not such brutish and sottish creatures as I have been, not having reason or grace to govern yourselves, nor hearkening to the counsels and admonitions of others. Lest they come near unto thee; lest they should come too near to thee, so as to bite or kick thee. But neither is this the common practice of horses or mules, of which he seems to speak; nor is this the proper use of a bit or bridle, to keep them from so doing; but rather to bring them nearer to the rider for his use, and to keep them under his conduct and power, from whom they are otherwise apt to run away. The words therefore are and may be otherwise rendered, because they do not or will…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 32 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.Ver. 9. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule] David having, according to the title Maschil, promised to teach, useth this preface to bespeak attention. Be not uncounsellable, irreclaimable, such as Basil (Ad Evag. Epist. 10) complaineth of, qui neque quid sit verum sciunt, neque sustinent discere, who neither knew, nor would be taught, what was true, and fit to be practised. Of the rhinoceros some write, that slain he may be, caught he cannot be. Others, that he is animal animo indomito, a most untameable creature; for if he be…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 32 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Whose mouth.—Here the text has evidently suffered, and the exact meaning is lost. There are also verbal difficulties. The word translated “mouth” elsewhere (except Psalms 103:5, where see Note) means “ornament,” and the literal rendering of the text as it stands is, with bit and bridle his ornament to hold, not approaching to thee. This may mean that the animal is harnessed, either “that it may not approach,” or “because without harness it will not approach.” In either case the general application is the same. Horses and mules can only be rendered obedient by restraints that are unworthy of a rational creature. The LXX. and Vulg. have “jaws” instead of “mouth,” and Ewald follows them…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 32 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Be ye not as the horse or as the mule] They will only act by force and constraint; be not like them; give a willing service to your Maker. "They have no understanding;" you have a rational soul, made to be guided and influenced by reason. The service of your God is a reasonable service; act, therefore, as a rational being. The horse and the mule are turned with difficulty; they must be constrained with bit and bridle. Do not be like them; do not oblige your Maker to have continual recourse to afflictions, trials, and severe dispensations of providence, to keep you in the way, or to recover you after you have gone out of it.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 32 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9, 10. A warning addressed to all not to resist God’s will, and neglect instruction. Be not like horse like mule with no understanding, With trappings of bit and bridle must they be curbed: Else will they not come near unto thee. The Heb. is obscure and possibly corrupt in some points; but the general sense is clear. Brute animals without reason must be controlled and compelled by force to learn to submit to man’s will. If man will not draw near to God and obey Him of his own free will, he lowers himself to the level of a brute, and must expect to be treated accordingly and disciplined by judgment (Isaiah 26:9-11). For the thought that man who will not listen to God’s teaching ‘becomes…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 32 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Be ye not as the horse - The horse as it is by nature - wild, ungoverned, unwilling to be caught and made obedient.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 32 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9. Bit and bridle—That is, by harsh and forcible means. A different class is here addressed, and the language and figures are correspondent.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 32 →

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

Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Do not be like an unintelligent horse or mule, which will not obey you unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; Whose trappings must be bit and bridle to hold them in, Else they will not come near unto thee.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose trappings must be bit and bridle to hold them in, else they will not come near unto thee.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near to thee.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Be ye not like an horse, or like a mule, which vnderstand not: whose mouthes thou doest binde with bit and bridle, least they come neere thee.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Be ye not as a horse, as a mule, which have no understanding: whose trappings must be bit and bridle, for restraint, or they will not come unto thee.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Be ye not as a horse — as a mule, Without understanding, With bridle and bit, its ornaments, to curb, Not to come near unto thee.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Do not be as a horse—as a mule, || Without understanding, || With bridle and bit, its ornaments, to curb, || Not to come near to you.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Be ye not like the horse, or like the mule, who hath no understanding; who must be held in with bit and bridle, his ornament, lest he come near unto thee.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Do not be like a horse or like a mule, which have no understanding; it is only with bridle and bit to control them that they will go where you want them to.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For he spoke and they were made: he commanded and they were created.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You mustn't be like a horse or a mule that doesn't know which way to go without a bit or a bridle. Otherwise they can't be controlled.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Do not be like the horse or the ass, without sense; ...

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.

clauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתִּֽהְי֤וּbeprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseכְּlikeס֥וּסa.horseprepositional phraseכְּlikenoun phraseפֶרֶד֮a.muleclausepredicateאֵ֤ין[which].there.[is].notsubjectהָ֫בִ֥יןunderstandingclauseprepositional phrase · predicateבְּwithnoun phraseמֶֽתֶגbridleוָandרֶ֣סֶןhalternoun phrase · subjectעֶדְי֣trapping[s]וֹitsprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtoclauseverbבְל֑וֹםrestrainclauseadverbialבַּ֝֗לnotverbקְרֹ֣בto.draw.nearprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֵלֶֽיtoךָyou

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 in the wording of this verse, with all 13 words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this text across different traditions.

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

אַל־ תִּֽהְי֤וּ׀ כְּס֥וּס כְּפֶרֶד֮ אֵ֤ין הָ֫בִ֥ין בְּמֶֽתֶג־ וָרֶ֣סֶן עֶדְי֣וֹ לִבְל֑וֹם בַּ֝֗ל קְרֹ֣ב אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַל־μὴתִּֽהְי֤וּ׀γίνεσθεכְּס֥וּסἵπποςכְּפֶרֶד֮ἡμίονοςאֵ֤יןοὐκהָ֫בִ֥יןσύνεσιςבְּמֶֽתֶג־ξαλινῷוָרֶ֣סֶןκημῷעֶדְי֣וֹσιαγόναςלִבְל֑וֹםἄγχαιבַּ֝֗לμὴקְרֹ֣בἐγγιζόντωνאֵלֶֽיךָ׃σέ

13 of the 13 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 32:9אַלmay notmay notאַלהָיָהyou beyou beהָיָהסוּסlike a horslike a horseסוּספֶּ֫רֶדlike a mulelike a muleפֶּ֫רֶדאַ֫יִן[which] the[which] there nאַ֫יִןבִּין[is] unders[is] understandבִּיןמֶ֫תֶגwith bridlewith bridleמֶ֫תֶגרֶ֫סֶןand halterand halterרֶ֫סֶןעֲדִיtrapping[s]trapping[s] itsעֲדִיבָּלַםto restrainto restrainבָּלַםבַּלnotnotבַּלקָרֵבto draw neato draw nearקָרֵבאֶלto youto youאֶלעָדָהto advanceto advanceעָדָהפָּרַדto separatto separateפָּרַדבָּלָהto become to become oldבָּלָהלֹאnotnotלֹאהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאפָּרָשׁhorsehorseפָּרָשׁאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאפֶּ֫רֶדmulemuleפֶּ֫רֶדמֶרְכָּבָהchariotchariotמֶרְכָּבָהנֶ֫שֶׁקweaponweaponנֶ֫שֶׁקבֹּ֫שֶׂםspicespiceבֹּ֫שֶׂםכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםחָחhookhookחָחשָׂפָהlipslipsשָׂפָה
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 32:9

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
in no way, never
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
תִּֽהְי֤וּ׀tih.Yu you be H1961 Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine plural
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-2mp — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine plural
HVqj2mp
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
כְּס֥וּסke.Sus like a horse H5483 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
140× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Amplified meaning
a swallow, or a chariot horse
Tyndale gloss
swallow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סוּס (sus) refers to both a 'swallow' and a 'horse,' derived from a root meaning to skip or leap. The word captures the swift nature of both the bird and the animal, often associated with chariot horses in the context of the Old Testament. There is a note in the entries about a comparison with another Hebrew word, but no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סוּס n.[m.] swallow or swift

base

סוּס 138 n.m. horse

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5483a סוּס swallow or swift H5483b סוּס horse

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5483 cuwc soos

or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly,

for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid

flight):--crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compare 6571.

see HEBREW for 06571

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סוּס (sus) — swallow.

swallow, swift

סוּס (sus) — Horse (Gate).

This name means horse

סוּס (sus) — horse.

1) horse

1a) chariot horses

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

hors:

1. Names:

The common names are (1) cuc, and

(2) hippos.

(3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isa 28:28; Eze 27:14; Joe 2:4 the Revised Version, margin); also in 2Sa 16, where the "horsemen" of English Versions of the Bible is ba`ale ha-parashim, "owners of horses"; compare Arabic faris, "horseman," and faras, "horse".

(4) The feminine form cucah, occurs in So 1:9, and is rendered as follows: Septuagint he hippos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) equitatum; the King James Version "company of horses," the Revised Version (British and American) "steed." It is not clear why English Versions of the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Horse

Always referred to in the Bible in connection with warlike operations, except Isa. 28:28. The war-horse is described Job 39:19-25. For a long period after their settlement in Canaan the Israelites made no use of horses, according to the prohibition, Deut. 17:16. David was the first to form a force of cavalry (2 Sam. 8:4). But Solomon, from his connection with Egypt, greatly multiplied their number (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26, 29). After this, horses were freely used in Israel (1 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 3:7; 9:21, 33…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The most striking feature in the biblical notices of the horse is the exclusive application of it to warlike operations; in no instance is that useful animal employed for the purposes of ordinary locomotion or agriculture, if we except (Isaiah 28:28) The animated description of the horse in (Job 39:19-25) applies solely to the war-horse. The Hebrews in the patriarchal age, as a pastoral race, did not stand in need of the services Of the horse, and for a long period after their settlement in Canaan they dispensed with it, partly in consequence of the hilly nature of the country, which only admitted of the use of chariots in certain localities, (Judges 1:19) and partly in consequence to the prohibition in (17:16) which would be held to apply at all periods. David first established…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Description of

Great strength Job 39:19-25

Swifter than eagles Jer 4:13

Snorting and neighing of Isa 5:28; Jer 8:16

A vain thing for safety Ps 33:17; Pr 21:31

→ Used by the Egyptians in war Ex 14:9; 15:19

→ Used by the Israelites 1Ki 22:4

→ Used for cavalry 2Ki 18:23; Jer 47:3; 51:21

may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
כְּפֶרֶד֮ke.fe.Red like a mule H6505 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A mule, the offspring of a horse and a donkey, mentioned in Leviticus as an unclean animal. In 2 Samuel, David's messengers rode mules to meet the king of Ammon. Mules were used for transportation and labor.
Amplified meaning
the offspring of a horse and a donkey
Tyndale gloss
mule
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּ֫רֶד (pered) refers to a mule, derived from the root word for a solitary creature. The entries consistently identify it as a noun without significant variation in meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫רֶד n.m. mule

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6505 פֶּ֫רֶד mule

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6505 pered peh'-red

from 6504; a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits):--mule.

see HEBREW for 06504

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫רֶד (pe.red) — mule.

mule

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

mul (peredh (1Ki 10:25; 18:5; Ezr 2:66; Isa 66:20; Zec 14:15), the feminine pirdah (1Ki 1:33,38,44), rekhesh, "swift steeds," the King James Version "mules" (Es 8:10,14), 'achashteranim, "used in the king's service," the King James Version "camels," the Revised Version margin "mules" (Es 8:10,14), yemim, "hot springs," the King James Version "mules" (Ge 36:24); hemionos, "half-ass," "mule" (1 Esdras 5:43; Judith 15:11)): Mules are mentioned as riding animals…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Mule

(Heb. pered), so called from the quick step of the animal or its power of carrying loads. It is not probable that the Hebrews bred mules, as this was strictly forbidden in the law (Lev. 19:19), although their use was not forbidden. We find them in common use even by kings and nobles (2 Sam. 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33; 2 Kings 5:17; Ps. 32:9). They are not mentioned, however, till the time of David, for the word rendered “mules” (R.V. correctly, “hot springs”) in Gen. 36:24 (yemim) properly denotes the warm springs of Callirhoe, on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. In…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

a hybrid animal, the offspring of a horse and an ass. "The mule is smaller than the horse, and is a remarkably hardy, patient, obstinate, sure-footed animal, living, ordinarily, twice as long as a horse." --McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia. It was forbidden to the Israelites to breed mules, but sometimes they imported them. It would appear that only kings and great men rode on mules. We do not read of mules at all in the New Testament; perhaps therefore they had ceased to be imported.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A mixed animal, the offspring of a horse and an ass. A mule is smaller than a horse, and has long ears, though not so long as those of an ass. It is a remarkably hardy, patient, obstinate, surefooted animal, lives twice as long as a horse, and is much more easily and cheaply fed. Mules are much used in Spain and South America, for transporting goods across the mountains. So also in the Alps, they are used by travelers among the mountains, where a horse would hardly be able to pass with safety. There is no probability that the Jews bred mules, because it was forbidden to couple creatures of different species, Le 19:19. But they were not forbidden to obtain them from abroad and use them, 1Ki 10:25 Eze 27:14. Thus we may…

may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
אֵ֤ין'ein [which] there not H369 Noun common · masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Amplified meaning
absence of
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
הָ֫בִ֥יןha.Vin [is] understanding H995 Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct common
170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Amplified meaning
discernment, mental grasp
Tyndale gloss
to understand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּין vb. discern

Qal

perceive

understand, know (with mind)

observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

have discernment, insight, understanding

Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

Po. he attentively considereth him

Hiph.

understand

give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

give understanding, make understand, teach

Hithp.

shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

get understanding, understand

shew oneself to have understanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H995 בִּין discern .. perceive

. understand, know (with mind)

. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

. have discernment, insight, understanding

. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

. he attentively considereth him

. . understand

. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

. give understanding, make understand, teach

. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

. get understanding, understand

. shew oneself to have understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

995 biyn bene

a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),

i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,

diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,

have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be

prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,

make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)

wise(-ly, man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּין (bin) — to understand.

1) to discern, understand, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to perceive, discern

1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)

1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider

1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding

1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to understand

1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach

1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently

1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct

2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct common
HVhcc
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
בְּמֶֽתֶג־be.me.teg- with bridle H4964 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
4× 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 a bridle or bit, like the one used to control horses in 2 Kings 19:28. It refers to a device used to guide or restrain an animal. The word is used in the story of the prophet Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
a device to curb
Tyndale gloss
bridle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֶ֫תֶג (metheg) means 'bridle' and is derived from an unused root meaning to curb. It refers literally to a bridle for animals and can also figuratively imply control or authority. The entries consistently emphasize these meanings without notable disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫תֶג n.m. bridle

lit. bridle, for animals

fig. = control, authority

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4964 מֶ֫תֶג bridle

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4964 metheg meh-theg

from an unused root meaning to curb; a bit:--bit, bridle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫תֶג (me.teg) — bridle.

1) bridle

1a) bridle (for animals)

1b) control, authority (fig.)

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

bri'-d'-l.

See BIT AND BRIDLE.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bridle

Three Hebrew words are thus rendered in the Authorized Version. (1.) Heb. mahsom’ signifies a muzzle or halter or bridle, by which the rider governs his horse (Ps.39:1).

(2.) Me’theg, rendered also “bit” in Ps. 32:9, which is its proper meaning. Found in 2 Kings 19:28, where the restraints of God’s providence are metaphorically styled his “bridle” and “hook.” God’s placing a “bridle in the jaws of the people” (Isa. 30:28; 37:29) signifies his preventing the Assyrians from carrying out their purpose against Jerusalem.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ps 32:9; Pr 26:3; Re 14:20

→ FIGURATIVE 2Ki 19:28; Ps 39:1; Jas 1:26

See BIT

Thompson Chain Reference topics
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
וָרֶ֣סֶןva.Re.sen and halter H7448 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A bridle is a restraint, like a halter on an animal. In the Bible, it can also mean the jaw, like the powerful jaw of a crocodile. It's about control and restraint.
Amplified meaning
a restraint, like a halter
Tyndale gloss
bridle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֶ֫סֶן (recen) refers to a halter or bridle, something that restrains, as well as the jaw, particularly in the context of a crocodile. The word is built from an unused root meaning to curb. It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, but no specific verses are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֶ֫סֶן n.m.

halter

jaw

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7448 רֶ֫סֶן . halter

. jaw

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7448 recen reh'-sen

from an unused root meaning to curb; a halter (as

restraining); by implication, the jaw:--bridle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֶ֫סֶן (re.sen) — bridle.

1) something that restrains, halter, jaw

1a) halter

1a1) of restraint thrown off (fig)

1b) jaw (of crocodile)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
עֶדְי֣וֹed.Yo trapping[s] its H5716 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to ornaments or fine clothing, and can also describe the trappings of horses. It is used in books like Esther and Ezekiel to describe luxurious items. The word is about beautiful or impressive things.
Tyndale gloss
ornament
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֲדִי (adiy) refers to ornaments or trappings, particularly those used for decoration or adornment. It is derived from a root meaning 'trappings' and can refer to general finery or specifically to a headstall for horses. The term emphasizes items that enhance appearance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֲדִי n.[m.]coll. ornaments (with which one is decked)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5716 עֲדִי ornaments (with which one is decked)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5716 `adiy ad-ee'

from 5710 in the sense of trappings; finery; generally an

outfit; specifically, a headstall:--X excellent, mouth,

ornament.

see HEBREW for 05710

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֲדִי (a.di) — ornament.

1) ornaments

1a) ornaments

1b) trappings (of horses)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
לִבְל֑וֹםliv.Lom to restrain H1102 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hold in or muzzle, this verb means to curb or restrain something, often used to describe controlling an animal. It is about limiting or holding back something or someone.
Amplified meaning
held in, restrained
Tyndale gloss
to hold in
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּלַם (balam) is a primitive root meaning to muzzle or hold in. It covers the idea of curbing or restraining, as noted in the Qal form. The only specific reference provided is in Psalm 32:9.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּלַם] vb. curb, hold in—Qal ψ 32:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1102 בָּלַם

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1102 balam baw-lam'

a primitive root; to muzzle:--be held in.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּלַם (ba.lam) — to hold in.

(Qal) to curb, hold in, restrain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
בַּ֝֗לBal not H1077 Particle
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּל (bal) is an adverb meaning 'not' or 'none.' It conveys a sense of negation, indicating absence or failure. The word is derived from a root that implies nothingness and can also be used in contexts like 'lest' or 'neither.' The entries consistently emphasize its function as a negation in various forms.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּל 69 adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1077 בַּל not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1077 bal bal

from 1086; properly, a failure; by implication nothing;

usually (adverb) not at all; also lest:--lest, neither, no,

none (that...), not (any), nothing.

see HEBREW for 01086

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּל (bal) — not.

not, hardly, else

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
קְרֹ֣בke.Ro to draw near H7126 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
280× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.
Amplified meaning
approach, draw near
Tyndale gloss
to present: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָרַב (qarab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to approach or come near, with various nuances including bringing or presenting something. It encompasses different forms such as Qal (to approach), Niphal (to be brought near), and Hiphil (to bring near). The term is often associated with offerings or dedications to God, particularly in the context of the book of Ezekiel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָרֵב], קָרַב 279 vb. come near, approach

Qal 93 approach

Niph. he shall be brought unto God

Pi. cause to approach, bring near

Hiph.

177

bring near, bring, present

of time

as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7126 קָרֵב, קָרַב come near, approach .approach

. he shall be brought unto God

. cause to approach, bring near

. . . bring near, bring, present

. of time

. as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7126 qarab kaw-rab'

a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for

whatever purpose:--(cause to) approach, (cause to) bring

(forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw

near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer,

present, produce, make ready, stand, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: come.

: come/approach

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: bring.

: bring/offer

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-a — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
may not you be like a horse like a mule [which] there not [is] understanding with bridle and halter trapping[s] its to restrain not to draw near to you
אֵלֶֽיךָ׃'e.Lei.kha to you H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Amplified meaning
towards you, in your direction
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

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

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

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

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

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

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

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

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

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

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

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

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

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

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

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

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

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

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

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

5) in addition to, to

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

7) according to (rule or standard)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp2ms
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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