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Psalms 38:10 — Word Study

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WLCלִבִּ֣י סְ֭חַרְחַר עֲזָבַ֣נִי כֹחִ֑י וְֽאוֹר־ עֵינַ֥י גַּם־ הֵ֝֗ם אֵ֣ין אִתִּֽי׃

BSALordʼĂdônây beforeneged allkôl desiretaʼăvâh sighingʼănâchâh frommin notlôʼ to hideçâthar

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 38
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 ('i.Ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 38:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses deep emotional turmoil, describing a heart that pounds and strength that fails.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, in a moment of distress, addresses God directly.
Where we areIn a lament, the psalmist reveals personal suffering and a sense of abandonment.
The hard wordסְ֭חַרְחַר
Take awayThe weight of despair is heavy, and the light of life seems to dim.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנֶגֶד 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 38:10

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 Lament of Distressgenerated

9O Lord, my every desire is before You; my groaning is not hidden from You.
10My heart pounds, my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded.
11My beloved and friends shun my disease, and my kinsmen stand at a distance.
12Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.

Psalm 38:10 reveals the psalmist's anguish, where he describes his heart pounding, his strength failing, and the light of his eyes fading. This verse captures a moment of vulnerability and desperation, reflecting a plea for divine attention amidst suffering. The surrounding verses emphasize the psalmist's emotional state and the isolation he feels, as friends distance themselves and adversaries plot against him.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 42:1As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
2Psalm 119:81–83My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.
3Psalm 143:4–7My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
4Isaiah 21:4My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror.
5Psalm 6:7My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word לִבִּי, li.Bigenerated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and represents not only the physical organ but also the seat of emotions, thoughts, and will. It signifies the inner self and is often used to convey deep feelings and intentions.

In this verse, לִבִּי emphasizes the psalmist's emotional distress, indicating that his heart is not just a physical entity but a source of his turmoil and suffering.


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 סְ֭חַרְחַר governs the verse, describing the psalmist's heart condition. The structure presents a series of clauses that build upon this central idea: the heart's action, the failure of strength, and the fading of sight.

This arrangement highlights the escalating nature of the psalmist's distress, with each clause contributing to a cumulative sense of despair.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates לִבִּי as κύριε, indicating a direct address to God, which emphasizes the psalmist's reliance on divine assistance in his time of trouble.

This choice reflects a focus on the relationship between the psalmist and God, underscoring the urgency of his plea for help.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 38:10 shows the psalmist in distress, expressing that his heart pounds, his strength is failing, and the light of his eyes has faded. This verse captures a moment of deep emotional pain and a sense of abandonment, highlighting the psalmist's plea for God's attention in his suffering.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'my heart pounds'?

This phrase indicates a state of anxiety or distress, where the psalmist feels overwhelmed by his emotions.

Why does the psalmist mention the 'light of my eyes'?

The 'light of my eyes' symbolizes clarity, life, and joy, which the psalmist feels has diminished in his suffering.

What is the significance of the psalmist's strength failing?

The failing strength reflects not only physical weakness but also emotional and spiritual exhaustion, highlighting the depth of his despair.

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

This verse encapsulates the theme of lament, expressing the psalmist's profound sense of loss and need for divine intervention.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced emotional distress similar to the psalmist?
  2. How can I seek God's help during my moments of weakness and despair?
  3. What does it mean for me to recognize the 'light of my eyes' in my life?
  4. How can I support others who are going through similar struggles as described in this psalm?

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

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, reflecting on the psalmist's emotional state and the implications of divine absence in times of distress.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 38 354–430
"My heart is troubled" [Psalms 38:10]. Wherefore is it troubled? "And my courage has failed me." Generally something comes upon us on a sudden;
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 38 →
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 38:4 c. 393–460
By these statements he implies two things: both the extraordinary degree of depression, by which the light does not even seem to be light, and the deprivation of divine care, which he rightly called “light of my eyes.”
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 38 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 38:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

My heart panteth,.... Or "goes about" (m); runs here and there, and finds no rest; as Aben Ezra interprets the word from the Targum he cites; though the Targum we have renders it, "my heart shakes

Read John Gill on Psalms 38 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. My heart panteth - palpitates. As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me - literally, they also (are) not with me.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 38 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Panteth; or, goes round; wanders hither and thither, as the word signifies; is perplexed and tossed with many and various thoughts, not knowing what to do, nor whither to go. Mine eyes are grown dim; either through grief and tears, as @; or through weakness, as ,29.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 38 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.Ver. 10. My heart panteth] Heb. runneth about, or is tossed to and fro, circuivit cor meum, inordinate movetur, et non quiescit, saith Aben Ezra. The Hebrew word signifieth such a kind of motion as that of merchants, who run up and down from one country to another. Also the two last radicals are doubled; to note that it is more than an ordinary stirring and motion of the spirit, because it is not come to its rest. All earthly things to the soul are but as the air to the stone; can give it no stay till it come to God, the centre. As the circle is the most perfect figure, because it…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 38 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Panteth.—Better, palpitates. The Hebrew word, like palpitate, expresses the beating of the heart, by its sound, secharchar.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 38 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. My heart panteth] סחרחר secharchar, flutters, palpitates, through fear and alarm. My strength faileth] Not being able to take nourishment. The light of mine eyes - is gone] I can scarcely discern any thing through the general decay of my health and vigour, particularly affecting my sight.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 38 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. panteth] R.V. excellently, throbbeth. as for the light of mine eyes &c.] His eyes are dim and dull with weakness and weeping. Cp. Psalms 6:7; Psalms 13:3, note; Psalms 31:9; Job 17:7; Lamentations 2:11.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 38 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

My heart panteth - The word rendered “panteth,” in its original form, means properly to go about; to travel around; and then, to travel around as a merchant or pedlar, or for purposes of traffic:

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 38 →

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

My heart pounds, my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

My heart pounds, my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded.

NETBNew English Translation2006

My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me; I can hardly see.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of my eyes, that also is gone from me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Mine heart panteth: my strength faileth me, and the light of mine eyes, euen they are not mine owne.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

My heart throbbeth, my strength hath left me; and the light of mine eyes, it also is no more with me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

My heart [is] panting, my power hath forsaken me, And the light of mine eyes, Even they are not with me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

My heart [is] panting, my power has forsaken me, || And the light of my eyes, || Even they are not with me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(38:11) My heart is restless, my strength hath left me; and the light of my eyes—that also is no more with me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

My heart pounds, my strength fades, and my eyesight dims.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

My heart goes out in pain, my strength is wasting away; as for the light of my eyes, it is gone from me.

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 · subjectלִבִּ֣heartיmyverbסְ֭חַרְחַרit.palpitatesclauseverbעֲזָבַ֣itobjectנִיhas.left.menoun phrase · subjectכֹחִ֑strengthיmyוְֽandclauseclausenoun phraseאוֹרthe.lightnoun phraseעֵינַ֥my.eyesיmyclausenoun phrase · subjectגַּםalsoהֵ֝֗םtheypredicateאֵ֣יןnotprepositional phrase · prepositionalאִתִּֽ[are].withיme

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 closely align, with 9 of the 10 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment contains 8 words, with some words supplied by an editor, indicating a degree of preservation despite the damage.

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

לִבִּ֣י סְ֭חַרְחַר עֲזָבַ֣נִי כֹחִ֑י וְֽאוֹר־ עֵינַ֥י גַּם־ הֵ֝֗ם אֵ֣ין אִתִּֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לִבִּ֣יκύριεסְ֭חַרְחַרἐναντίονעֲזָבַ֣נִיπᾶσαכֹחִ֑יμουוְֽאוֹר־καὶעֵינַ֥יἀπὸגַּם־σοῦהֵ֝֗םοὐκאֵ֣יןἐκρύβη

9 of the 10 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 — 4Q83a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[אדני] [נגד׳ך] [כל] [תאות׳י] [ואנחת׳י] ממ׳כה לוא נסתר

8 words of the verse are on this fragment — 5 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 38:10לֵבheart myheart myלֵבסָחַרit palpitatit palpitatesסָחַרעָזַבit has leftit has left meעָזַבכֹּחַstrength mystrength myכֹּחַאוֹרand [the] land [the] lightאוֹרעַ֫יִןeyes myeyes myעַ֫יִןגַּםalsoalsoגַּםהֵ֫מָּהtheytheyהֵ֫מָּהאַ֫יִןnotnotאַ֫יִןאֵת[are] with [are] with meאֵתאוֹרto lightto lightאוֹרהֲלַךְto goto goהֲלַךְאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָבאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםקֹוֶהKueKueקֹוֶהרֹבabundanceabundanceרֹבנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסעָצַרto restraito restrainעָצַרזְרוֹעַarmarmזְרוֹעַחֹ֫שֶׁךְdarknessdarknessחֹ֫שֶׁךְיָרֵחַmoonmoonיָרֵחַחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁם
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 38:10

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.

heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
לִבִּ֣יli.Bi heart my 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.
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
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
סְ֭חַרְחַרSe.char.char it palpitates H5503 Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to travel around, often for trade or business. It can also describe a person who goes around buying and selling goods. In the Bible, it is used to describe merchants or traders.
Tyndale gloss
to trade
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָחַר (sachar) means to go around or travel about, particularly in the context of trade. It can refer to a trader or trafficker, emphasizing movement in business. The root suggests both the act of trading and a sense of palpitation, though the latter is less commonly emphasized.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[סָחַר] vb. go around, about, travel about in

Qal

go about, to and fro

Pt. = subst. a trafficker, trader (who goes about with wares, etc.)

Pilp. my heart palpitates

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5503 סָחַר go around, about, travel about in

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5503 cachar saw-khar'

a primitive root; to travel round (specifically as a pedlar);

intensively, to palpitate:--go about, merchant(-man), occupy

with, pant, trade, traffick.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָחַר (sa.char) — to trade.

1) to go around, go about, travel about in, go about in trade

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go about to and fro (in business)

1a2) trader, trafficker (participle)

1b) (Pilpel) to palpitate

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVpp3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
HVpp3ms
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
עֲזָבַ֣נִי'a.za.Va.ni it has left me H5800 Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
215× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Tyndale gloss
Forsaken
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָזַב (azab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to leave, forsake, or let loose. It encompasses a range of actions from abandoning or neglecting to setting free. The entries suggest it can also imply restoration or repair, though this aspect is less emphasized. Notably, the term can describe both active and passive states, such as being forsaken or deserted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָזַב 213 vb. leave, forsake, loose

Qal

leave, c. acc.

leave, abandon, forsake

let loose, set free, let go

Niph.

be left to

be forsaken, of house of God

Pu. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city

base

[עָזַב] vb. restore, repair (?);—Qal Ne 3:8

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5800a עָזַב leave, forsake, loose .. leave, c. acc.

. leave, abandon, forsake

. let loose, set free, let go

. . be left to

. be forsaken, of house of God

. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city

H5800b עָזַב restore, repair(?)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5800 `azab aw-zab'

a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit,

etc.:--commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave

(destitute, off), refuse, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: forsake.

1) to leave, loose, forsake

1a) (Qal) to leave

1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone

1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise

1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be left to

1b2) to be forsaken

1c) (Pual) to be deserted

עָזַב (a.zav) — to restore.

1) to restore, repair

1a) (Qal) to repair

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: release.

1) to leave, loose, forsake

1a) (Qal) to leave

1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone

1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise

1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be left to

1b2) to be forsaken

1c) (Pual) to be deserted

עָזַב (a.zav) — Forsaken.

This name means to restore, repair

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: neglect.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp3ms/Sp1bs — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HVqp3ms/Sp1bs
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
כֹחִ֑יkho.Chi strength my H3581 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
126× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Tyndale gloss
reptile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

ref

כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3581 koach ko'-akh

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.

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

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

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.

1) strength, power, might

1a) human strength

1b) strength (of angels)

1c) power (of God)

1d) strength (of animals)

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
וְֽאוֹר־ve.'or- and [the] light of H216 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
121× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Light, including natural light from the sun or stars, and also spiritual light from God. It can refer to happiness, prosperity, or understanding. In the Bible, God is often described as the source of light and life.
Tyndale gloss
light
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight, dawn, and the light of heavenly bodies like the sun and stars. It can also refer to metaphorical concepts such as the light of life, prosperity, and instruction, as well as Yahweh as a source of light.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹר 121 n.m. light

light as diffused in nature, light of day

morning light, dawn

light of the heavenly luminaries

daylight

lightning

light of lamp

light of life

light of prosperity

light of instruction

light of face

Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H216 אוֹר light . light as diffused in nature, light of day

. morning light, dawn

. light of the heavenly luminaries

. daylight

. lightning

. light of lamp

. light of life

. light of prosperity

. light of instruction

. light of face

. Yahweh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

216 'owr ore

from 215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every

sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):--bright, clear,

+ day, light (-ning), morning, sun.

see HEBREW for 0215

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹר (or) — light.

1) light

1a) light of day

1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars)

1c) day-break, dawn, morning light

1d) daylight

1e) lightning

1f) light of lamp

1g) light of life

1h) light of prosperity

1i) light of instruction

1j) light of face (fig.)

1k) Jehovah as Israel's light

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncfsc — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
עֵינַ֥י'ei.Nai eyes my H5869 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfdc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp1bs
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
גַּם־gam- also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
הֵ֝֗םHem they H1992 Pronoun
553× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
they(masc.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1992 hem haym

or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from

1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)

many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,

their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.

see HEBREW for 01981

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).

they, these, the same, who

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp3mp — Pronoun
HPp3mp
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
אֵ֣ין'ein not H369 Noun common · masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

to nothing, as nothing

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

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

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

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

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

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

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

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

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
heart my it palpitates it has left me strength my and [the] light of eyes my also they not [are] with me
אִתִּֽי׃'i.Ti [are] with me H854 Preposition · suffix
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
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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