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Psalms 34:5 — Word Study

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WLCהִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־ יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃

BSAto seekdârash Obj.ʼêth The LordYᵉhôvâh to dwellʻânâh allkôl fearmᵉgôwrah to rescuenâtsal

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 34
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 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 (yech.Pa.ru) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 34:5quick helps
In a sentenceThose who look to the Lord experience joy and are not ashamed.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on God's faithfulness.
Where we areA psalm of David, expressing trust in the Lord.
The hard wordהִבִּ֣יטוּ
Take awayLooking to God brings joy and confidence.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbדָּרַשׁ 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 34:5

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 — A Psalm of Davidgenerated

4I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
5Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.
6This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 34:5 expresses the joy and confidence that come from looking to the Lord. The psalmist emphasizes that those who seek God will shine with joy and will not face shame or disappointment. This verse is part of a larger reflection on God's deliverance and care, as seen in the surrounding verses, particularly Psalm 34:4 and Psalm 34:6.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 123:1–2I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
2Isaiah 45:22Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
3Hebrews 12:2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
4Psalm 13:3Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,
5Psalm 18:28For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word הִבִּ֣יטוּ, hi.Bi.tugenerated

The verb הִבִּיטוּ (hi.Bi.tu) is a Hiphil form of the root דָּרַשׁ (darash), meaning to look or regard carefully. This form indicates that the action is performed by the subject, in this case, the people looking to the Lord with expectation.

This word captures the essence of seeking God attentively, suggesting a relationship built on trust and anticipation. The act of looking is not passive; it implies an active engagement with God, reflecting a desire for His presence and favor.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is הִבִּ֣יטוּ (hi.Bi.tu), which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating direction towards the Lord, followed by a description of the resulting state of joy and the assurance of not being ashamed.

The Hebrew word order emphasizes the action of looking first, establishing it as the focal point of the verse, with the subsequent phrases detailing the outcomes of that action.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הִבִּ֣יטוּ with ἐχεζήτησα (echezētēsa), which conveys a sense of looking or seeking. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the act of looking as an intentional and focused action.

This translation suggests that the Greek translators recognized the significance of actively seeking God, aligning with the original Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 34:5 tells us that those who look to the Lord will be filled with joy and will not be ashamed. This verse encourages us to seek God with expectation, promising that He will bring happiness and confidence to our lives.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to look to the Lord?

Looking to the Lord means seeking Him with intention and trust, expecting His presence and help in our lives.

What kind of joy is mentioned in this verse?

The joy mentioned is a radiant happiness that comes from a close relationship with God, contrasting with feelings of shame.

How can we be assured that we will not be ashamed?

The assurance comes from trusting in God's faithfulness and His promise to care for those who seek Him.

What is the significance of the phrase 'their faces shall never be ashamed'?

This phrase emphasizes that those who trust in the Lord will not experience disappointment or disgrace, highlighting God's protective nature.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I actively look to the Lord in my daily life?
  2. How does seeking God bring joy and confidence into my circumstances?
  3. What experiences have I had where I felt radiant joy from trusting in God?
  4. How can I encourage others to look to the Lord and experience His joy?

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

Early Christian writers reflect on this verse to illustrate the joy and illumination that comes from seeking God.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 34 354–430
I have said who was the exhorter, namely, that lover who would not alone embrace what he loves, and says, "Approach unto Him, and be ye lightened" [Psalms 34:5].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 34:4 c. 393–460
Whoever approaches him in faith receives rays of intellectual light.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
CassiodorusEXPLANATION OF THE Psalms 34:6 c. 485–585
His light is said to be inaccessible when the unique and omnipotent character of its substance is described. But when the grace of the holy Godhead pours itself forth, one both approaches him and is offered blessed illumination.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 34:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

They looked to him, and were lightened,.... That is, "the humble" ones, Psalms 34:2; and so this is a reason why they should join in praising and magnifying the Lord; these "looked" up to God in

Read John Gill on Psalms 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. They ... lightened.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They looked; the humble, ; or they that fear him, , when they were in distress. Or it is an indefinite expression. Unto him; either, 1. Unto the Lord, expressed , i.e. they sought and expected help from him. Or rather, 2. Unto this poor man, as it follows, , or unto David. So he speaks of himself in the third person, which is usual. So the sense is, when I was delivered, , men looked upon me with wonder and astonishment, as one saved in a prodigious manner. Lightened, i.e. comforted and encouraged by my example. But these and the foregoing words are by the ancient interpreters read imperatively, as an exhortation to others, to whom he oft addresseth his speech, as ,8,9,11. Look unto him, (…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.Ver. 5. They looked unto him, and were lightened] They, that is, my servants and fellow soldiers who accompanied me first to Nob, 1 Samuel 21:2; 1 Samuel 21:4 Matthew 12:3-4, and afterwards to Gath (as it is probable); these being in the same danger, looked likewise unto God by faith, hope, and prayer; and were lightened; that is, comforted, cheered, directed, yea, delivered together with David. Or, they flowed together, viz. to God, as rivers roll to the sea, or malefactors run to the sanctuary, Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 60:5. And their faces were not ashamed] i.e. They were not repulsed, disappointed, made to…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 34 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Were lightened.—The Hebrew verb means properly “to flow,” but by a natural process, as in the common phrases “streams of light,” “floods of light,” acquired in Aramaic the sense of “shining.” Such must be its meaning in Isaiah 60:5, almost the echo of the thought in the psalm, the thought of a reflex of the Divine glory lighting up the face of those who in trouble seek God. (Theodoret has “He who approaches God, receives the rays of intellectual light.”) We naturally think of the dying Stephen. As to the construction, the subject must either be supplied from Psalms 34:2, or it must be general. The LXX. and Vulg. avoid the difficulty by changing to the second person.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. They looked unto him] Instead of הביטו hibbitu, they looked, several of Dr. Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. have הביטו habbitu, with the point pathach, "Look ye." And their faces were not ashamed.] Some MSS., and the Complutensian Polyglot, make this clause the beginning of a new verse and as it begins with a vau, ופניהם upheneyhem, "and their faces," they make it supply the place of the verse which appears to be lost; but see what is said in the introduction before the first verse.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5, 6. Such experience of Jehovah’s help is not limited to the Psalmist.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

They looked unto him - That is, they who were with the psalmist. He was not alone when he fled to Abimelech; and the meaning here is, that each one of those who were with him looked to God, and found light and comfort in Him.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 34 →

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

Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Those who look to him for help are happy; their faces are not ashamed.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They looked unto him, and were radiant; And their faces shall never be confounded.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces shall never be confounded.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

They looked to him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They shall looke vnto him, and runne to him: and their faces shall not be ashamed, saying,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

They looked unto him, and were enlightened, and their faces were not confounded.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

They looked expectingly unto Him, And they became bright, And their faces are not ashamed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

They looked expectingly to Him, || And they became bright, || And their faces are not ashamed.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(34:6) They [who] looked unto him, were indeed enlightened, and their faces were not put to the blush.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces are not ashamed.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Let your eyes be turned to him and you will have light, and your faces will not be shamed.

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.

clauseverbהִבִּ֣יטוּpeople.lookprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֵלָ֣יtoוhimוְandclauseverbנָהָ֑רוּthey.are.radiantוּ֝andclausenoun phrase · subjectפְנֵיfacesהֶ֗םtheiradverbialאַלnotverbיֶחְפָּֽרוּmay.they.be.abashed

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads הִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־ יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃, while the Septuagint matches 4 of the 6 words, reflecting a close correspondence in meaning, though the word order and articles differ.

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

הִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־ יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הִבִּ֣יטוּἐχεζήτησαוְנָהָ֑רוּἐπήκουσένוּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗םἐκאַל־πασῶν

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

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


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

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

Psalms 34:5נָבַטpeople lookpeople lookנָבַטאֶלto himto himאֶלנָהַרand they arand they are raנָהַרפָּנֶהand faces tand faces theirפָּנֶהאַלmay notmay notאַלחָפֵרthey be abathey be abashedחָפֵרפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהלֹאnotnotלֹאחָפַרto searchto searchחָפַרעָמָלtroubletroubleעָמָלשָׁמַיheavenheavenשָׁמַיפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הגִּבְעָהGibeatGibeatגִּבְעָהגּוֹיGentileGentileגּוֹיסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאסוּגto turnto turnסוּגבּוֹשׁbe ashamedbe ashamedבּוֹשׁ
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 34:5

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.

people look to him and they are radiant and faces their may not they be abashed
הִבִּ֣יטוּhi.Bi.tu people look H5027 Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common plural
69× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to look or regard something carefully. It can also mean to show favor or care for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe how God looks at his people with favor and care, as seen in Psalm 138:6.
Tyndale gloss
to look
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look

Pi. look

Hiph. look

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5027 נָבַט look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5027 nabat naw-bat'

a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by

implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause

to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.

1) to look, regard

1a) (Piel) to look

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) tolook

1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider

1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhp3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common plural
HVhp3cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

look:

(1) The uses of the simple verb in English Versions of the Bible are nearly all good modern English. In Isa 5:2, however, "He looked that it should bring forth grapes"--"look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach 20:14; Ac 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised Version (British and American) "They expected that he would have swollen"). In 1 Macc 4:54, the King James Version has inserted "look" (omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)) as a simple interjection, without a corresponding word in the Greek

(2) "Look upon" means "fix one's attention on," and is often so used in English Versions of the Bible without further significance (Ec 2:11;

people look to him and they are radiant and faces their may not they be abashed
אֵלָ֣יו'e.Lav to him 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'.
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/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
people look to him and they are radiant and faces their may not they be abashed
וְנָהָ֑רוּve.na.Ha.ru and they are radiant H5102 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to shine or sparkle, and can also mean to flow or assemble, like a bright and cheerful gathering. It describes a positive and uplifting atmosphere.
Tyndale gloss
to flow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָהַר (nahar) has meanings related to both flowing and shining. It can refer to a stream or flow of water, as well as to the act of shining or beaming light. The entries suggest a figurative sense of cheerfulness associated with these actions. There is an Aramaic equivalent, נְהִירוּ (ne.hi.ru), meaning 'illumination.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָהַר] vb. flow, stream

base

נָהַר vb. shine, beam

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5102a נָהַר flow, stream H5102b נָהַר shine, beam

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5102 nahar naw-har'

a primitive root; to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be

cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream) to flow,

i.e. (figuratively) assemble:--flow (together), be lightened.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָהַר (na.har) — to flow.

1) to flow, stream

1a) (Qal) to flow, stream

נָהַר (na.har) — to shine.

1) to shine, beam, light, burn

1a) (Qal) to beam, be radiant

Aramaic equivalent: ne.hi.ru (נְהִירוּ "illumination" H5094B)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vqq3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
Hc/Vqq3cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ra'-di-ant (nahar, "to sparkle" i.e. (figurative) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream), to flow, i.e. (figurative) assemble; flow (together), be lightened): the American Standard Revised Version substitutes the active "radiant" for the passive "were lightened" in Ps 34:5; Isa 60:5 (English Revised Version, the King James Version "flow together"). As the earth and moon, both being dark, face a common sun and lighten each other, they are not only lightened, but radiant. So with the believers, "They looked unto him (Yahweh), and were radiant." Thus nahar combines the two ideas of being lightened and flowing together. This appears, also, in a different connection, in Isa 60:5, "Then thou shalt see and be…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
people look to him and they are radiant and faces their may not they be abashed
וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗םu.fe.nei.Hem and faces their H6440 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

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Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
people look to him and they are radiant and faces their may not they be abashed
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.
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
HTn — Particle
HTn
people look to him and they are radiant and faces their may not they be abashed
יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃yech.Pa.ru they be abashed H2659 Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine plural
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Châphêr means to be ashamed or blush, often used to describe feeling embarrassed or guilty. In Ezra 9:6, the people are ashamed of their sins, recognizing their wrongdoing. It involves a sense of regret.
Tyndale gloss
be ashamed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָפֵר (chapher) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be abashed or ashamed. It can refer to feeling embarrassed or confounded, and in the Hiphil form, it indicates causing someone else to feel shame. The word is built from a primitive root related to detection, emphasizing the emotional response of shame.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָפֵר] vb. be abashed, ashamed

Qal be abashed, ashamed

Hiph. display shame

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2659 חָפֵר be abashed, ashamed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2659 chapher khaw-fare'

a primitive root (perhaps rath. the same as 2658 through the

idea of detection): to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed,

disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach:--be ashamed, be

confounded, be brought to confusion (unto shame), come (be put

to) shame, bring reproach.

see HEBREW for 02658

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָפֵר (cha.pher) — be ashamed.

1) to be ashamed, be confounded, be abashed, feel abashed

1a) (Qal) to be ashamed, be abashed

1b) (Hiphil) to display shame, demonstrate shame, cause embarrassment

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqj3mp — Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine plural
HVqj3mp
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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