Psalms 41:4 — Word Study
WLCאֲֽנִי־ אָ֭מַרְתִּי יְהוָ֣ה חָנֵּ֑נִי רְפָאָ֥ה נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י כִּי־ חָטָ֥אתִי לָֽךְ׃
BSAO LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲֽנִי־ | I | Pronoun |
| אָ֭מַרְתִּי | I said | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| יְהוָ֣ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| חָנֵּ֑נִי | show favor to me | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| רְפָאָ֥ה | heal ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י | self my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּי־ | for | Particle |
| חָטָ֥אתִי | I have sinned | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| לָֽךְ׃ | to you | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.” |
| KJV | I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. |
| ASV | I said, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me: Heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. |
| YLT | I — I said, 'O Jehovah, favour me, Heal my soul, for I did sin against Thee,' |
| WEB | I said, “Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you.” |
| BBE | I said, Lord, have mercy on me; make my soul well, because my faith is in you. |
All translations agree on the core message of the psalmist's plea for grace and healing.
The sentence is structured around a main clause expressing a plea, followed by a reason for that plea, which emphasizes the psalmist's recognition of his sin.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
verbסָעַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 41:4
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 Healinggenerated
Psalm 41:4 is a heartfelt cry from the psalmist who is in distress, seeking God's grace and healing. This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms where the writer expresses vulnerability and dependence on God during times of trouble. The surrounding verses illustrate the psalmist's condition and the response of his enemies, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and mercy.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 32:5 | Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah |
| 2 | Psalm 51:1–3 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. |
| 3 | Psalm 6:2–4 | Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony. |
| 4 | Psalm 103:3 | He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, |
| 5 | Psalm 147:3 | He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָנֵּ֑נִי, cho.ne.nigenerated
The verb חָנַן (chanan) means to show favor or be gracious, often implying an act of kindness or mercy towards someone in need. In this verse, it is used in the imperative form, indicating a direct plea from the psalmist to God for compassion and help.
This word captures the essence of the psalmist's request for grace and healing, highlighting his recognition of his own sinfulness and his reliance on God's mercy. The construction emphasizes the urgency and sincerity of the plea.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the essence of the psalmist's plea for grace and healing.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is אָ֭מַרְתִּי, I said, which introduces the speaker's direct address to God. The structure includes a series of phrases that express the speaker's request for grace and healing, culminating in the acknowledgment of sin.
The sentence flows from the speaker's declaration to God, followed by a plea for healing, indicating a direct and personal communication with the divine. The order emphasizes the urgency of the request and the personal nature of the relationship.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb חָנַן is rendered as κλίνε (kline), which means 'to bend' or 'stoop.' This choice suggests a nuanced interpretation of God's grace as an act of lowering oneself to assist the needy.
This translation reflects a broader understanding of divine mercy, emphasizing God's willingness to engage with human suffering and need.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 41:4 shows the psalmist asking God for mercy and healing because he has sinned. This verse is part of a larger prayer where the writer expresses his need for help during a time of trouble. It highlights the importance of recognizing one's faults and seeking forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is asking God to show kindness and favor, especially in light of his own sins, seeking restoration and healing.
The acknowledgment of sin is crucial in the psalmist's plea for healing, as it reflects humility and a recognition of the need for God's mercy.
This verse exemplifies the themes of lament, repentance, and reliance on God's mercy, which are prevalent throughout the Psalms.
The psalmist's direct and honest plea teaches us the importance of approaching God with sincerity, acknowledging our shortcomings, and seeking His grace.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's grace and healing?
- How can acknowledging my faults lead to deeper spiritual growth?
- What does it mean to me to ask God for mercy in my daily life?
- How can I support others who are struggling with their own sins and seeking forgiveness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, referenced this verse to discuss themes of sin, repentance, and God's discipline, arguing from the psalmist's acknowledgment of sin and plea for mercy.
But why this? Because He "scourges every son whom He receives." [Hebrews 12:6] Why this? Because to men sinning was it said,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 41 →
Your accuser goes on scoring points off you, as long as you insist on making your own excuses. So do you want to ensure that your accuser—the devil, that is—suffers and groans? Do what you have heard, do what you have learned,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 41 →
The reason he says, “I myself have said it, Lord,” is to thrust before our eyes the fact that the will and decision to sin arises from the soul and that we are fully capable of destroying ourselves,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 41 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 41:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI said, Lord, be merciful unto me,.... [See comments on Psalms 40:11]; heal my soul; not that it was diseased with sin in such sense as the souls of other men are; but it is to be understood as a
Read John Gill on Psalms 41 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. I said, Lord, be merciful unto me.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 41 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMy soul, i.e. either, 1. Myself, to wit, my body. So it is a double synecdoche. And the soul is so taken . Or, 2. My soul properly so called; which is said to be healed, when it is pardoned and purged, as , compared with , compared with . So he strikes at the root of his misery, and prays for the removal of the sin of his soul, as the cause of the disease of his body. For I have sinned against thee: this may be added, either, 1. As a reason or motive to God; Grant this request, for I have sinned, and therefore thy grace in healing me will be more glorious and admirable. Or, for I acknowledge that I have sinned; for the act is oft put for the declaration of it, as . Or, 2. As a reason moving…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 41 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 41:4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. Ver. 4. I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal] Heal me in mercy, and begin at the inside first. Heal my soul of sin, and then my body of sickness; heal me every whit. These, to the end, are the sick man’ s words, saith Kimchi. And this is the character of the Lord’ s poor man, to whom the foresaid comforts do belong, saith another. For I have sinned against thee] He crieth peccavi, not peril. Sanationem a capite orditur, he beginneth at the right end.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 41 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) I said.—After the general statement, the poet applies it to his own case, which showed such sadly different conduct on the part of friends from whom more than sympathy might have been expected. The pronoun is emphatic: In my case, I said, etc. But it is a singular mark of the psalmist’s sincerity and genuineness that he first looks into his own heart for its evil before exposing that of his friends.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 41 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. I said, Lord, be merciful unto me] I need thy mercy especially, because I have sinned against thee, and my sin is a deadly wound to my soul; therefore heal my soul, for it has sinned against thee.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 41 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4–6. The foregoing sketch of the blessedness of the compassionate man serves to introduce the Psalmist’s description of his own case, partly as a foil and contrast to the heartless treatment he is experiencing, partly because he feels that he can himself plead for a share in the mercy promised to the merciful.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 41 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI said, Lord - I said in my sickness, or in the trial referred to in the psalm.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 41 →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
I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.”
I said, “Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.”
As for me, I said: “O Lord, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you!
Tyndale line
I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
I said, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me: Heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
I said, O LORD, have mercy upon me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
I said, LORD, be merciful to me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
Therefore I saide, Lord haue mercie vpon me: heale my soule, for I haue sinned against thee.
Strictly literal
As for me, I said, Jehovah, be gracious unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
I — I said, 'O Jehovah, favour me, Heal my soul, for I did sin against Thee,'
I said, “O YHWH, favor me, || Heal my soul, for I sinned against You,”
(41:5) I said, Lord, be gracious unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
I said, “Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
From the Latin
My tears have been any bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?
Simplified
“Lord, please be gracious to me,” I asked. “Please heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
I said, Lord, have mercy on me; make my soul well, because my faith is in you.
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.
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 in their wording. The Septuagint matches all nine words from the Hebrew text, indicating a strong consistency between these ancient witnesses.
אֲֽנִי־ אָ֭מַרְתִּי יְהוָ֣ה חָנֵּ֑נִי רְפָאָ֥ה נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י כִּי־ חָטָ֥אתִי לָֽךְ׃
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.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 41:4
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.
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.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
HPp1bs — PronounHPp1bs
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.
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
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
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.
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)
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
חָנַן (chanan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to show favor or be gracious. It encompasses various forms, including being pitied, directing favor, and seeking favor through imploration. The word can also mean to be loathsome, as noted in Job 19:17. The lexicons provide a range of uses, primarily focusing on kindness and mercy.
חָנַן vb. shew favour, be gracious
Qal favour, shew favour
Niph. be pitied
Po‛el direct favour to
Hoph. be shewn favour, consideration
H2603a חָנַן shew favour, be gracious .favour, shew favour
. be pitied
.direct favour to
. be shewn favour, consideration
. seek or implore favour
H2603b חָנַן be loathsome
2603 chanan khaw-nan'
a primitive root (compare 2583); properly, to bend or stoop
in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to
implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):--beseech, X fair,
(be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant
(gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on,
upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.
see HEBREW for 02583
חָנַן (cha.nan) — be gracious.
1) to be gracious, show favour, pity
1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious
1b) (Niphal) to be pitied
1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious
1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on
1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration
1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
חָנַן (cha.nan) — be loathsome.
to be loathsome
HVqv2ms/Sp1bs — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sp1bs
רָפָא (rapha') is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to heal' or 'to mend.' It covers various forms, including healing by God, physicians, and figurative healing of nations or individuals. The verb has different stems indicating active healing, being healed, and healing in order to be healed. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
רָפָא vb. heal
Qal heal
Niph. be healed
Pi. have healed, heal
Hithp. in order to get healed
base
H7495 רָפָא heal
7495 rapha' raw-faw'
or raphah {raw-faw'}; a primitive root; properly, to mend (by
stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure:--cure, (cause to)
heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. See 7503.
see HEBREW for 07503
רָפָא (ra.pah) — to heal.
1) to heal, make healthful
1a) (Qal) to heal
1a1) of God
1a2) healer, physician (of men)
1a3) of hurts of nations involving restored favour (fig)
1a4) of individual distresses (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be healed
1b1) literal (of persons)
1b2) of water, pottery
1b3) of national hurts (fig)
1b4) of personal distress (fig)
1c) (Piel) to heal
1c1) literal
1c2) of national defects or hurts (fig)
1d) (Hithpael) in order to get healed (infinitive)
HVqv2ms/Sh — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
hel (rapha'; therapeuo, iaomai, diasozo): The English word is connected with the Anglo-Saxon hoelan, and is used in several senses:
(1) Lit., in its meaning of making whole or well, as in Ec 3:3. In this way it occurs in prayers for restoration to health (Nu 12:13; Ps 6:2; Jer 17:14); and also in declarations as to God's power to restore to health (De 32:39; 2Ki 20:5-8).
(2) Metaphorically it is applied to the restoration of the soul to spiritual health and to the repair of the injuries caused by sin (Ps 41:4;
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.
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
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
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
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
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
HTc — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
חָטָא (chata') means to miss a goal or way, and is commonly translated as 'to sin.' It encompasses a range of meanings including incurring guilt, making a sin offering, and purifying from uncleanness. The word can also imply leading others to sin or causing oneself to lose one's way. It appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of the concept of sin.
חָטָא 238 vb. miss (a goal or way), go wrong, sin
Qal
miss
sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty
incur guilt, penalty by sin, forfeit
Pi.
bear loss
make a sin offering
purify from sin
purify from uncleanness
Hiph.
miss the mark
induce or cause to sin
bring into guilt, condemnation, punishment
Hithp.
miss oneself, lose oneself, fig. for be bewildered, beside oneself
purify oneself from uncleanness
base
H2398 חָטָא miss (a goal or way), go wrong, sin .. miss
. sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty
. incur guilt, penalty by sin, forfeit
. . bear loss
. make a sin offering
. purify from sin
. purify from uncleanness
. . miss the mark
. induce or cause to sin
. bring into guilt, condemnation, punishment
. . miss oneself, lose oneself, fig. for be bewildered, beside oneself
. purify oneself from uncleanness
2398 chata' khaw-taw'
a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and
generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate,
repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn:--bear the blame,
cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss,
miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self),
make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.
חָטָא (cha.ta) — to sin.
1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to miss
1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty
1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to bear loss
1b2) to make a sin-offering
1b3) to purify from sin
1b4) to purify from uncleanness
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to miss the mark
1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin
1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way
1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
ךְ (kh) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person feminine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
