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Psalms 35:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְהָ֘רֵ֤ק חֲנִ֣ית וּ֭סְגֹר לִקְרַ֣את רֹדְפָ֑י אֱמֹ֥ר לְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗י יְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥ךְ אָֽנִי׃

BSADrawrûwq [brandish, take up] the spearchănîyth [lance, thrusting pole] and javelinçâgar [throwing spear] my pursuersrâdaph [those who chase me, persecute me] sayʼâmar [command, promise] to my soulnephesh [living being, essence] I [am]ʼănîy [emphatically, I myself] your salvationyᵉshûwʻâh [deliverance, victory, prosperity]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 35
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 ('A.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 35:3quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist calls for divine intervention against his pursuers and affirms his trust in God's salvation.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, likely David, speaking to God.
Where we areIn a plea for help against enemies, with a declaration of faith.
The hard wordיְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥ךְ
Take awayThe psalmist seeks deliverance from his enemies and affirms that God is his salvation.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֲנִי verbאָמַר 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 35:3

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 Plea for Deliverancegenerated

2Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.
3Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”
4May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded.
5May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away.

Psalm 35:3 is part of a larger plea where the psalmist calls upon God for protection against those who pursue him. The surrounding verses express a deep sense of urgency and a desire for divine intervention, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on God's promise of salvation. This plea reflects a common theme in the Psalms, where the faithful seek refuge and deliverance from their adversaries, trusting in God's power to save.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 27:2When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
2Psalm 76:10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
31 Samuel 23:26–27Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.
4Job 1:10Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
5Isaiah 8:9–10Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered!

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יְֽש׻עָתֵ֥ךְ, ye.shu.'a.Tekhgenerated

The noun יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah) refers to salvation or deliverance, derived from the root meaning 'to save'. This term encompasses not only the act of being saved from danger but also implies victory and prosperity. In this verse, it is used in the construct form, indicating a possession — 'your salvation'.

The parsing shows that it is a feminine singular noun, which is often used in biblical texts to denote not just physical salvation but also spiritual and communal aspects of deliverance. The emphasis on 'your' in 'your salvation' personalizes the appeal, indicating a direct relationship between the psalmist and God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the word is rendered as salvation, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains multiple clauses, with the finite verbs הָרֵק (draw) and אֱמֹר (say) governing the actions. The structure emphasizes a command to God followed by a declaration to the psalmist's soul.

The first part of the verse calls for action against the pursuers, while the latter part shifts to a personal affirmation of faith, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on God's salvation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְשׁוּעָה as σου (your), indicating a direct address to God regarding the psalmist's salvation. This choice underscores the personal nature of the plea.

The Greek term used in the Septuagint reflects a similar meaning of deliverance, aligning with the Hebrew understanding but presented in a way that resonates with the Greek-speaking audience.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 35:3 expresses a plea for God to take action against those who pursue the psalmist. The psalmist asks God to draw weapons against his enemies and reassures himself that God is his salvation. This reflects a deep trust in God's ability to deliver from danger.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'salvation'?

In this context, 'salvation' refers to God's deliverance from enemies and troubles, emphasizing both physical and spiritual rescue.

Why does the psalmist call for weapons against his pursuers?

The call for weapons symbolizes a desire for God to actively intervene and protect him from those who threaten his life.

What does the phrase 'say to my soul' indicate?

This phrase shows the psalmist's inner dialogue, affirming his faith and trust in God's promise of salvation amidst distress.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the Psalms?

This verse reflects the common theme in the Psalms of seeking God's help in times of trouble and expressing confidence in His deliverance.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I experienced God's salvation in my life?
  2. How can I express my trust in God during difficult times, as the psalmist does?
  3. What does it mean for me to have God as my salvation?
  4. How can I encourage others to trust in God's deliverance?

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

Early church fathers have commented on this verse, often highlighting the psalmist's plea for divine protection and the assurance of God's salvation.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 35 354–430
"Pour forth the weapon, and stop the way against them that persecute me" [Psalms 35:3].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 35 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 35:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Draw out also the spear,.... An offensive weapon; expressive of the vengeance which God sometimes takes of the enemies of his people, when he bends his bow, shoots his arrows, whets his glittering

Read John Gill on Psalms 35 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Draw out also the spear - namely, from thy armoury.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 35 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The spear; thy offensive weapons. He alludes to the practice of soldiers in battle. The way, in which they are marching directly and furiously against me. But divers interpreters, both Hebrews and others, take this Hebrew word for a noun, and render it a sword; or, as the word may signify, a close weapon; for the psalmist here representing God as a man of war, and accordingly furnishing him with other weapons, it seems not probable that he would omit this weapon, which was most constantly and universally used. Say unto my soul, i.e. unto me; either, 1. By thy Spirit assuring me of it; or, 2. By thy providence effecting it; for God’ s saying or speaking is oft meant of his doing, because his…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 35 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 35:3 Draw out also the spear, and stop [the way] against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I [am] thy salvation.Ver. 3. Draw out also the spear] viz. That thy contending and appearing for me may appear to be sufficient and glorious. And stop the way] Heb. And stop, viz. the doors, as Genesis 19:6; Genesis 19:10 2 Kings 6:32, lest the malcontents come in and kill me. Or, shut me up from my persecutors, that they find me not; like as, afterwards, God hid Jeremiah and Baruch, when sought for to the slaughter. Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation] Facito ut haec animula te sibi testantem audiat, &c. Inwardly persuade my heart to firm affiance in thee, amidst all mine afflictions.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 35 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Draw out also the spear—i.e., from the sheath, that seems to have been used to guard its point. So δουροδόκη (Homer, Odyssey, i. 128). Stop the way.—So LXX., Vulg., and all ancient versions. Many modern scholars, however, are disposed to treat the word segor not as the imperative of a verb, but as a noun, equivalent to the Greek σάγαρις, Latin, securis, a Persian and Scythian weapon mentioned by Herodotus (i. 215, iv. 70) and Xenophon (Anab., iv. 4, 16), and generally taken for a battle-axe, but by some as a short curved sword or a scimitar. It is identified by Sir Henry Rawlinson with the khanjar of modern Persia, “a short curved double-edged dagger, almost universally worn.” The…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 35 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.] Give me an assurance that thou wilt defend both body and soul against my adversaries.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 35 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–3. Appeal to Jehovah to arm himself as the Psalmist’s champion.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 35 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Draw out also the spear - The word here rendered “draw out” means properly to pour out; to empty; and it is applied to the act of emptying sacks, Genesis 42:35; to emptying bottles, Jeremiah 48:12;

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 35 →

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

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

Use your spear and lance against those who chase me! Assure me with these words: “I am your deliverer!”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Bring out also the speare and stop the way against them, that persecute me: say vnto my soule, I am thy saluation.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And draw out the spear, and stop [the way] against my pursuers: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, 'Thy salvation I [am].'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And draw out spear and lance, || To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, “I [am] your salvation.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And draw out the spear, and step in against my pursuers; say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Use your spear and battle ax against those who chase me; say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For in his sight he hath done deceitfully, that his iniquity may be found unto hatred.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Draw your spear and your javelin, confront those who are chasing me. Tell me, “I am your salvation!”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Take up your spear and keep back my attackers; say to my soul, I am your salvation.

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.

וְandclauseverbהָ֘רֵ֤קdraw.outnoun phrase · objectחֲנִ֣יתa.spearוּ֭andסְגֹרlanceprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtoclauseverbקְרַ֣אתmeetnoun phrase · objectרֹדְפָ֑[thoseיwho].pursue.meclauseverbאֱמֹ֥רsayprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ֝tonoun phraseנַפְשִׁ֗selfיmyclausenoun phrase · predicateיְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥salvationךְ[am].yoursubjectאָֽנִיI

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 closely on the wording of this verse, with all nine words matched. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the text across these traditions.

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

וְהָ֘רֵ֤ק חֲנִ֣ית וּ֭סְגֹר לִקְרַ֣את רֹדְפָ֑י אֱמֹ֥ר לְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗י יְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥ךְ אָֽנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְהָ֘רֵ֤קἔκξεονחֲנִ֣יתῥομφαίανוּ֭סְגֹרσύγκλεισονלִקְרַ֣אתἐναντίαςרֹדְפָ֑יμεאֱמֹ֥רεἰπὸνלְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗יμουיְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥ךְσουאָֽנִי׃ἐγώ

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 35:3רִיקand draw ouand draw outרִיקחֲניִתa speara spearחֲניִתסָגַרand lanceand lanceסָגַרקָרָאto meetto meetקָרָארָדַףpursuers mypursuers myרָדַףאָמַרsaysayאָמַרנֶ֫פֶשׁto self myto self myנֶ֫פֶשׁיְשׁוּעָה[am] salvat[am] salvation יְשׁוּעָהאֲנִיIIאֲנִיחָנָהto campto campחָנָהנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫ייָשַׁעto saveto saveיָשַׁעצָעָהto marchto marchצָעָהזָרָהto scatterto scatterזָרָהמָנוֹרloom-beamloom-beamמָנוֹרמִצְרִיEgyptianEgyptianמִצְרִידָּלdoordoorדָּלבַּ֫עַדabout/throabout/through/fבַּ֫עַדרוּץto run: ruto run: runרוּץעָרַךְto arrangeto arrangeעָרַךְנָשַׂגto overtakto overtakeנָשַׂגאַחַרafterafterאַחַרכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַי
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 35:3

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.

and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
וְהָ֘רֵ֤קve.Ha.Rek and draw out H7324 Conjunction · verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To empty or pour out, whether physically or figuratively, as in the pouring out of one's heart to God in Psalm 62:8. This verb can also mean to keep something empty or to cast something out. It is often used to describe a sense of abandonment or rejection.
Amplified meaning
brandish, take up
Tyndale gloss
to empty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רִיק (ruq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to empty or pour out. It includes actions such as making something empty, pouring down, or drawing a sword. The Hiphil form indicates causing something to be emptied, while the Hophal form refers to being emptied out. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including empty vessels and rain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רִיק] vb. Hiph. make empty, empty out

empty vessels

pour out or down, rain

empty out (i.e. draw) sword

Hoph. be emptied out from vessel

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7324 רִיק Hiph. make empty, empty out . empty vessels

. pour out or down, rain

. empty out (i.e. draw) sword

. be emptied out from vessel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7324 ruwq rook

a primitive root; to pour out (literally or figuratively),

i.e. empty:--X arm, cast out, draw (out), (make) empty, pour

forth (out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רִיק (ruq) — to empty.

1) to make empty, empty out

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to empty, keep empty or hungry

1a2) to pour out or down

1a3) to empty out

1b) (Hophal) to be emptied out

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms — Conjunction · verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular
HC/Vhv2ms
and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
חֲנִ֣יתcha.Nit a spear H2595 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a spear or lance used for thrusting, like a tent pole. It appears in the stories of Saul and Jonathan, where they use spears in battle. The word is also used to describe a shaft or spear-head.
Amplified meaning
lance, thrusting pole
Tyndale gloss
spear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲנִית (chaniyth) refers to a spear or lance, emphasizing its use for thrusting. The term encompasses various parts of the spear, including the shaft and spear-head. Additionally, it is noted metaphorically in relation to the teeth of lions. The word is derived from חָנָה (chanah), suggesting a connection to flexibility.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲנִית n.f. spear (as flexible?)

spear, as hurled

shaft of spear

spear-head

butt of spear

metaph. of teeth of lions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2595 חֲניִת spear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2595 chaniyth khan-eeth'

from 2583; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a

tent):--javelin, spear.

see HEBREW for 02583

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲנִית (cha.nit) — spear.

1) spear

1a) spear

1a1) shaft of a spear

1a2) spear-head

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

[ARMS, ARMOR]

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (An implement of war)

→ (Spears and javelins differed in weight and size, but had similar uses)

→ Goliath' s 1Sa 17:7

→ Saul' s 1Sa 18:10,11

→ Stored in the tabernacle 2Ch 23:9

→ Changed into pruning-hooks Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3

→ Pruning-hooks beat into Joe 3:10

→ Plunged into Jesus' side Joh 19:34; 20:27; Zec 12:10; Re 1:7

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- An offensive weapon

2Sa 23:8,18

- First mention of, in Scripture

Jos 8:18

- PARTS OF MENTIONED

. The staff of wood

1Sa 17:7

. The head of iron or brass

1Sa 17:7; 2Sa 21:16

- Probably pointed at both ends

2Sa 2:23

- Called the glittering spear

Job 39:23; Hab 3:11

- DIFFERENT KINDS OF

. Lances

Jer 50:42

. Javelins

and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
וּ֭סְגֹרU.se.gor and lance H5462 Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular
91× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To shut means to close something, like a door or a container. In the Bible, this word is used to describe surrendering or giving something up, like in the book of Ezra where the Israelites shut themselves in to pray.
Amplified meaning
throwing spear
Tyndale gloss
to shut
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָגַר (sagar) means to shut or close, with various applications including shutting doors, closing up breaches, and imprisoning. It can also imply delivering someone up or surrendering. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal (to shut), Niphal (to be shut up), and Piel (to deliver up). The term is associated with the concept of being tightly sealed or enclosed.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָגַר vb. shut, close

Qal

shut door

close in upon

close up breach

Pt. pass., closed up = closely joined with tight seal

elsewhwere only Pt. pass. (gold shut up, and so prized, rare, fine?)

Niph.

subj. pers. be shut up

be shut, closed, of city gates

Pi. deliver up to (leave no other opening for one, shut one up to)

Pu.

of cities

of prisoners

of doors

Hiph.

deliver up to

shut up

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5462 סָגַר shut, close .. shut door

. . close in upon

. close up breach

. Pt. pass., closed up = closely joined with tight seal

. elsewhwere only Pt. pass. (gold shut up, and so prized, rare, fine?)

. . subj. pers. be shut up

. be shut, closed, of city gates

. deliver up to (leave no other opening for one, shut one up to)

. . of cities

. of prisoners

. of doors

. . deliver up to

. shut up

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5462 cagar saw-gar'

a primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to

surrender:--close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose,

X pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, X

straitly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָגַר (sa.gar) — to shut.

1) to shut, close

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to shut

1a2) to close, close up

1a3) closed up, closely joined, shut up

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be shut up

1b2) to be shut or closed

1c) (Piel) to shut up, deliver up

1d) (Pual) to be shut up

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to deliver up

1e2) to shut up, imprison

2) pure gold

Aramaic equivalent: se.gar (סְגַר "to shut" H5463)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular
HC/Vqv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See JAVELIN

→ See SPEAR

and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
לִקְרַ֣אתlik.Rat to meet H7122 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
139× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to encounter or meet someone, either by chance or on purpose. It can describe a friendly meeting or a hostile one. In Exodus, the Israelites encountered God on Mount Sinai.
Tyndale gloss
to encounter: meet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (*qara'*) is a primitive root meaning to encounter or meet, often unexpectedly. It encompasses various nuances, including to befall or happen by chance. The verb appears in different forms: Qal (to meet), Niphal (to meet unexpectedly), and Hiphil (to cause to meet). Brown-Driver-Briggs notes its use in a figurative sense as well.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָרָא] 137 vb. encounter, befall

Qal 131

meet, encounter

fig. befall

Niph. meet unexpectedly

Hiph. thou didst cause all this evil to befall them

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7122 קָרָא encounter, befall

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7122 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a

hostile manner:--befall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon),

fall out, happen, meet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: meet.

: meet

1) to encounter, befall, meet

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to meet, encounter

1a2) to befall (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: toward.

: toward/(come)against

1) to encounter, befall, meet

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to meet, encounter

1a2) to befall (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: chanced.

: happen[unexpectedly]

1) to encounter, befall, meet

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to meet, encounter

1a2) to befall (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

met, adjective (yashar; axios): Various words are employed to express meetness, the sense of what is proper, worthy, or fit. We have yashar, "straight," "upright," "right" (2Ki 10:3, "meetest"; Jer 26:14, the Revised Version (British and American) "right"); yashar (Jer 27:5, the Revised Version (British and American) "right"); yosher (Pr 11:24, the Revised Version margin "what is justly due"); 'arikh, Aramaic "meet" (Ezr 4:14); bene, "sons of" (De 3:18, the King James Version "meet for the war," margin "Hebrew sons of power," the Revised Version (British and…

and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
רֹדְפָ֑יro.de.Fai pursuers my H7291 Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Amplified meaning
those who chase me, persecute me
Tyndale gloss
to pursue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָדַף (radaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pursue, chase, or persecute. It conveys the idea of running after something, often with hostile intent, and can also figuratively refer to following time or securing something. The word has various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hiphil, each indicating different nuances of pursuit or being pursued.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָדַף 141 vb. pursue, chase, persecute

Qal 128

pursue

lit. put to flight, chase

lit., the pursuers

chase, hunt

pursue

fig. persecute, harass

pursue, dog

fig. follow after, aim to secure

Niph. upon the neck (i.e. closely) we are pursued

Pi. pursue ardently

Pu. it shall be chased away like chaff of the mountains

Hiph. usu. they chased him

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7291 רָדַף pursue, chase, persecute

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7291 radaph raw-daf'

a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent;

figuratively (of time) gone by):--chase, put to flight,

follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or),

pursue(-r).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָדַף (ra.daph) — to pursue.

1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon

1a2) to persecute, harass (fig)

1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig)

1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be pursued

1b2) one pursued (participle)

1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue

1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away

1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal | Suff — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
HVqrmpc/Sp1bs
and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
אֱמֹ֥ר'e.Mor say H559 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Amplified meaning
command, promise
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVqv2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
לְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗יle.naf.Shi to self my H5315 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
living being, essence
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
יְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥ךְye.shu.'a.Tekh [am] salvation your H3444 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Salvation means being saved or delivered from something, like trouble or danger, and can also mean victory or prosperity, as seen in the Bible's promises of God's deliverance.
Amplified meaning
deliverance, victory, prosperity
Tyndale gloss
salvation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah) refers to concepts of salvation, deliverance, and welfare, often with a spiritual dimension. It is derived from a root meaning to save and encompasses ideas of victory and prosperity. The term is used in contexts related to divine aid and protection, emphasizing both physical and spiritual deliverance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְשׁוּעָה n.f. salvation

welfare, prosperity

deliverance

salvation by God, primarily from external evils, but often with added spiritual idea

victory

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3444 יְשׁוּעָה salvation . welfare, prosperity

. deliverance

. salvation by God, primarily from external evils, but often with added spiritual idea

. victory

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3444 yshuw`ah yesh-oo'-aw

feminine passive participle of 3467; something saved, i.e.

(abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory,

prosperity:--deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save,

saving (health), welfare.

see HEBREW for 03467

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְשׁוּעָה (ye.shu.ah) — salvation.

1) salvation, deliverance

1a) welfare, prosperity

1b) deliverance

1c) salvation (by God)

1d) victory

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp2fs
and draw out a spear and lance to meet pursuers my say to self my [am] salvation your I
אָֽנִי׃'A.ni I H589 Pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Amplified meaning
emphatically, I myself
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bs
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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