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Psalms 33:15 — Word Study

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WLCהַיֹּצֵ֣ר יַ֣חַד לִבָּ֑ם הַ֝מֵּבִ֗ין אֶל־ כָּל־ מַעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃

BSAHe shapesyâtsar [forms, creates] the heartslêb [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] of eachyachad [individually, one by one] He considersbîyn [carefully, attentively, understands, discerns, examines] allkôl [every single one, everything] their worksmaʻăseh [deeds, actions, accomplishments, a deed, something done]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 33
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 15 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 (ma.'a.sei.Hem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 33:15quick helps
In a sentenceGod shapes the hearts of each person and understands all their actions.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on God's omniscience and creativity.
Where we areIn a psalm celebrating God's sovereignty and care for humanity.
The hard wordיָצַר
Take awayGod personally shapes each heart and knows every deed.
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 33:15

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

Context — God's Sovereignty and Caregenerated

14From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth.
15He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.
16No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
17A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.

Psalms 33:15 reflects on God's intimate involvement in the creation and understanding of humanity. The psalmist emphasizes that God shapes each person's heart and knows all their deeds, highlighting His omniscience and care. This verse is part of a broader message in the psalm that celebrates God's sovereignty over the earth and His attentive nature towards His creation.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 22:2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
2Proverbs 27:19As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
3Ecclesiastes 7:29Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”
4Isaiah 64:8But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
5Acts 17:26From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יָצַר, hai.yo.Tzergenerated

The verb יָצַר (yatsar) means to form or shape, often in the context of creation. It suggests a deliberate and careful act, much like a potter molding clay. This word appears in Genesis 2:7, where God forms man from the dust, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is depicted as a potter shaping His people.

In this verse, it emphasizes God's active role in shaping the hearts of individuals, indicating that He is intimately involved in their emotional and intellectual lives. The participle form indicates ongoing action, suggesting that God continually shapes and influences hearts.


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 verb יָצַר, shapes, governs the sentence, with two phrases following it: a noun phrase describing what is shaped, and a clause detailing what God considers. The structure emphasizes God's active role in shaping hearts and understanding deeds.

The word order places the action of shaping first, highlighting its importance. The subsequent phrases elaborate on the subjects of God's attention, reinforcing His intimate involvement with humanity.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָצַר with πλάσας, which means 'to mold' or 'to shape.' This choice aligns with the idea of God as a craftsman, emphasizing His creative power in forming hearts.

The use of συνιεὶς for understanding in the LXX suggests a nuanced interpretation, focusing on God's discernment of human actions, reinforcing His omniscience.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 33:15 tells us that God shapes the hearts of each person and understands all their actions. This verse emphasizes God's personal involvement in our lives, highlighting His care and knowledge of our deeds.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God shapes our hearts?

It means that God is actively involved in forming our emotions, will, and intellect, guiding us in our thoughts and feelings.

How does God understand our works?

God discerns and examines all our actions, knowing our intentions and the outcomes of what we do.

What is the significance of God shaping each heart individually?

It highlights God's personal relationship with each person, showing that He cares for us on an individual level.

How can we reflect God's understanding in our own lives?

By being attentive and understanding towards others, recognizing their feelings and actions just as God does.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced God's shaping influence in my heart?
  2. How can I be more aware of the actions I take and their impact on others?
  3. What does it mean for me to understand others as God understands me?
  4. How can I foster a sense of unity with those around me, reflecting the togetherness described in this verse?

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

The early Church Fathers often reflected on this verse to emphasize God's intimate knowledge of humanity. Their quotations highlight the significance of God's creative and understanding nature.

Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF John 13:168 c. 185–253
When we fail to remember the one who formed each one of us in the womb, and formed all our hearts individually and understands all our works, we do not perceive that God is a helper of those who are lowly and inferior,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
Evagrius PonticusON THOUGHTS 37 345–399
The demons do not know our hearts, as some people think, for the Lord alone is “knower of hearts,” “who knows the mind of human beings” and “who alone fashioned their hearts.” Rather,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON REPENTANCE AND ALMSGIVING 4:3.17 c. 347–407
Only [God] can cure our hearts, he who alone created our hearts and perceives all our deeds. He alone has the power to enter into our conscience, touch our thoughts and comfort our soul.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 33:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He fashioneth their hearts alike,.... The Lord is the former and fashioner of the heart, spirit, or soul of man, even of all hearts and spirits; whence he is called the Father of spirits, Hebrews

Read John Gill on Psalms 33 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. He fashioneth their hearts ... The heart is 'the workshop of thought' (Hengstenberg).

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 33 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Fashioneth, or fashioned, or made, or formeth. For this may relate either, 1. To the work of creation. So he proves what he said ,14, that God beheld all men, because he made them; yea, even their hearts, the most secret piece of them. Or, 2. To the works of his providence. Having said that God sees and observes all men, he now adds that he rules and governs them; yea, even their hearts, which are most masterless and unmanageable, and yet he frameth and disposeth and inclineth them, this way or that, according to the counsel of his will: see . Alike; or, equally, one as well as another; whether they be Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, princes or peasants; all are alike subject to his…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 33 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 33:15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.Ver. 15. He fashioneth their hearts alike] i.e. One’ s as well as another’ s. Unum pariter ac aliud (Kimchi). The Arabic hath it, Format sigillatim, he fashioneth them severally one after another; and not all souls together, as the Origenists and some Jewish doctors held. He considereth all their works] Their hearts are not hid from him (since he made them, as is said before), much less their works. These God considereth, and therefore men had need consider them, and turn their feet to his testimonies, Psalms 119:59.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 33 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) He fashioneth.—Better, “Moulding their hearts for all, Observing all their deeds.” The Hebrew word rendered “fashion” is that used of a potter moulding clay.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 33 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 15. He fashioneth their hearts alike] He forms their hearts in unity; he has formed them alike; they are all the works of his hands: and he has formed them with the same powers, faculties, passions, c. body and spirit having the same essential properties in every human being.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 33 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. Even he who formeth the hearts of them all, Who considereth all their works. He Who created man must know man’s heart (Psalms 94:9). As God ‘formed’ man originally (Genesis 2:7-8), so He continues to ‘form the hearts’ of individuals and of races (Zechariah 12:1). All are in some sense subservient to His plan and purpose.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 33 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He fashioneth their hearts alike - That is, one as well as another; or, one as really as another.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 33 →

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

He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

he who fashions all of their hearts; and he considers all of their works.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He is the one who forms every human heart, and takes note of all their actions.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their works.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, that considereth all their works.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He facioneth their hearts euery one, and vnderstandeth all their workes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He who fashioneth the hearts of them all, who considereth all their works.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Who is forming their hearts together, Who is attending unto all their works.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Who is forming their hearts together, || Who is attending to all their works.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

He fashioneth their hearts altogether; he hath regard to all their works.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He who shapes the hearts of them all observes all their deeds.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He created their minds, so he knows everything they do.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He makes all their hearts; their works are clear to him.

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 · predicateהַthe.[onenoun phraseclauseverbיֹּצֵ֣רwho].formsadverbialיַ֣חַדtogethernoun phrase · objectלִבָּ֑heartםtheirclausenoun phrase · predicateהַ֝the.[onenoun phraseclauseverbמֵּבִ֗יןwho].attendsprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtonoun phraseכָּלallnoun phraseמַעֲשֵׂיdeedsהֶֽםtheir

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with six of the seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, with seven words supplied by an editor, but they also confirm the core message of God's shaping and understanding.

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

הַיֹּצֵ֣ר יַ֣חַד לִבָּ֑ם הַ֝מֵּבִ֗ין אֶל־ כָּל־ מַעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הַיֹּצֵ֣רπλάσαςלִבָּ֑םκαρδίαςהַ֝מֵּבִ֗יןσυνιεὶςאֶל־εἰςכָּל־πάνταמַעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃ἔργα

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q98a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[היוצר] [יחד] [לב׳ם] [המבין] [אל] [כול] [מעשי׳הם]

nothing on the leather here — 7 supplied entire by an editor.

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


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

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

Psalms 33:15יָצַרthe [one whthe [one who] fיָצַריַ֫חַדtogethertogetherיַ֫חַדלֵבheart theirheart theirלֵבבִּיןthe [one whthe [one who] aבִּיןאֶלtotoאֶלכֹּלallallכֹּלמַעֲשֶׂהdeeds theirdeeds theirמַעֲשֶׂהיָחַדbe joinedbe joinedיָחַדכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלעָשָׂהto maketo makeעָשָׂהצָרַרbe distresbe distressedצָרַריָצַעto layto layיָצַעלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָבחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםחֶ֫רֶשׂearthenwarearthenwareחֶ֫רֶשׂחֹ֫מֶרclayclayחֹ֫מֶריָעַדto appointto appointיָעַדרוּןto overcomto overcomeרוּןחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫העֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהשָׁנִיscarletscarletשָׁנִי
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 33:15

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 [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
הַיֹּצֵ֣רhai.yo.Tzer the [one who] forms H3335 Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Amplified meaning
forms, creates
Tyndale gloss
to form: formed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָצַר (yatsar) means to form or fashion, often in the context of creation, whether by human or divine activity. It encompasses the act of shaping, as a potter does, and can refer to the formation of individuals or the people of Israel. The word also implies planning or preordaining in a figurative sense.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצַר vb. form, fashion

Qal

of human activity

of divine activity

Niph. before me a god was not formed (created)

Pu. days (that) were pre-ordained (in divine purpose)

Hoph. any weapon that is formed against thee will not prosper.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3335 יָצַר form, fashion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3335 yatsar yaw-tsar'

probably identical with 3334 (through the squeezing into

shape); ((compare 3331)); to mould into a form; especially as

a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a

resolution):--X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r),

potter, purpose.

see HEBREW for 03334

see HEBREW for 03331

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: formed.

: formed

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: potter.

: potter

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
HTd/Vqrmsa
the [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
יַ֣חַדYa.chad together H3162 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Amplified meaning
individually, one by one
Tyndale gloss
unitedness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יַ֫חַד (yachad) refers to the concept of unitedness or being together. It can function as a noun meaning 'unitedness' and as an adverb meaning 'together.' The word is built from a root that emphasizes unity and is used in various contexts in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַ֫חַד 45 n.[m.] unitedness

as subst.

elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together

base

יָחְדָּו 92 adv. together

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3162a יַ֫חַד unitedness . as subst.

. elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together

H3162b יָחְדָּו adv. together

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3162 yachad yakh'-ad

from 3161; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly:--alike,

at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-)together, withal.

see HEBREW for 03161

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַ֫חַד (ya.chad) — unitedness.

1) union, unitedness

יָחְדָּו (yach.dav) — together.

adv

together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
the [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
לִבָּ֑םli.Bam heart their H3820 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
595× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Amplified meaning
the seat of feelings, will, and intellect
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the sea

elsewhere of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific reference to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

[various]

for the man himself

as seat of appetites

as seat of emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea

. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific reference to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. [various]

. for the man himself

. as seat of appetites

. as seat of emotions and passions

. seat of courage

H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3820 leb labe

a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very

widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,

consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),

(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X

heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X

themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,

wisdom.

see HEBREW for 03824

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵב (lev) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

לֵב (lev) — Leb.

§ Leb- = "heart of"

(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3mp
the [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
הַ֝מֵּבִ֗יןha.me.Vin the [one who] attends H995 Particle · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
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
carefully, attentively, understands, discerns, examines
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
Art | V-Hiphil — Particle · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
HTd/Vhrmsa
the [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
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
HR — Preposition
HR
the [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
כָּל־kol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every single one, everything
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

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

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
the [one who] forms together heart their the [one who] attends to all deeds their
מַעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃ma.'a.sei.Hem deeds their H4639 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
236× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Amplified meaning
deeds, actions, accomplishments, a deed, something done
Tyndale gloss
deed: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'

from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;

abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,

a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,

business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,

occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,

((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.

see HEBREW for 06213

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.

: work/product

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.

: custom/manner

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3mp
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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