Psalms 46:4 — Word Study
WLCנָהָ֗ר פְּלָגָ֗יו יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ עִיר־ אֱלֹהִ֑ים קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃
BSAto roarhâmâh to aggitatechâmar Water (Gate)mayim to shakerâʻash mountainhar pridegaʼăvâh Selahçelâh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נָהָ֗ר | a river | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| פְּלָגָ֗יו | streams its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ | they make glad | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| עִיר־ | [the] city of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אֱלֹהִ֑ים | God | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ | [the] holy [place] of | |
| מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י | [the] dwellings of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ | [the] Most High |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. |
| KJV | There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. |
| ASV | There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. |
| YLT | A river — its rivulets rejoice the city of God, Thy holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. |
| WEB | There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. |
| BBE | There is a river whose streams make glad the resting-place of God, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by several noun phrases that elaborate on the river and its effects.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהוּא
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 46:4
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 — God's Protection and Presencegenerated
Psalm 46:4 describes a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, emphasizing the divine presence that sustains and protects His people. This imagery suggests a source of life and comfort amid chaos, reflecting God's faithfulness as a refuge. The psalmist contrasts the stability provided by God with the turmoil of the surrounding nations, illustrating the peace found in His presence.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 23:2 | He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. |
| 2 | Psalm 36:8–9 | They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights. |
| 3 | Isaiah 8:6–7 | “Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah, |
| 4 | Isaiah 48:18 | If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 47:1–12 | Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 18 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ, ye.sa.me.Chugenerated
The verb שָׂמַח (samach) means to rejoice or be glad. In this instance, it is in the Piel stem, indicating that the subject causes joy in others. The parsing shows that it is an imperfect verb, suggesting ongoing action — the streams continuously bring gladness to the city.
This word captures the essence of joy derived from God's provision and presence. It is used in various contexts throughout the Bible, often in relation to worship and celebration, highlighting the deep emotional response to divine blessings.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the meaning of יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ as 'make glad' or 'delight', conveying the joy that the streams bring to the city of God.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ governs the sentence, indicating that the streams are the subject that brings joy. The structure of the verse emphasizes the relationship between the river's streams and the city of God, highlighting the source of joy amidst the imagery of divine protection.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the streams and their effect, showing that the joy they bring is central to the psalmist's message.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ with the Greek word ὕδατα, which means 'waters'. This choice reflects a focus on the life-giving aspect of the streams, emphasizing the sustenance and joy they provide to the city of God.
The translation indicates a broader interpretation, suggesting that the waters not only bring joy but also symbolize the abundance and blessings that flow from God's presence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 46:4 tells us that there is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, which is the holy place where the Most High dwells. This imagery highlights the joy and stability that God's presence provides, contrasting it with the chaos of the world around.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The river symbolizes God's provision and the joy that comes from His presence, reflecting the life-giving sustenance He offers to His people.
The verse emphasizes that the city of God, sustained by the river, is a place of joy and safety, contrasting the turmoil of the surrounding nations.
The 'city of God' represents the dwelling place of the Most High, indicating a sacred space where God's presence is felt and where His people find refuge.
The term 'Most High' emphasizes God's supreme authority and power, highlighting His position above all creation and His ability to protect and provide for His people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced joy from God's presence in my life?
- How can I recognize the sources of joy that God provides amidst the chaos around me?
- What does it mean for me to dwell in the 'city of God' today?
- How can I share the joy that comes from God's presence with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, interpreting the river as a symbol of divine grace and the city of God as the church, emphasizing God's sustaining presence.
Some give the definition that a city is an established community, administered according to law. And the definition that has been handed down of the city is in harmony with the celestial city, Jerusalem above.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 46 →
The city of God, or the church, is the reasonable spirit. The flowing of the river is the gifts of the Spirit.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 46 →
As a river divided into countless tributaries waters the surrounding land, so God’s providence flows everywhere, spreading copiously, advancing in a rush and covering everything.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 46 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 46:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[There] is a river,.... The allusion is either to the river Kidron, which ran by Jerusalem; or to the waters of Shiloah, which by different courses and branches, ran through the city of Jerusalem,
Read John Gill on Psalms 46 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThere is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 46 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe either speaks of, or at least alludes to, the river of Kidron, , and its two streams or rivulets flowing from it, Gihon and Shiloah, , which being small and contemptible, or still or gentle waters, are not unfitly opposed to the vast and unruly waters of the sea. He insinuates the weak condition of God’ s church as to outward advantages, that they had not one sea to oppose to another, but only a small river; which though in itself despicable, yet was sufficient to refresh and defend them in spite of all their enemies. And as the sea and waters thereof, ,3, are to be understood metaphorically, as all agree, so also in all probability are this river and streams; which therefore may design…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 46 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 46:4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.Ver. 4. There is a river, &c.] Interea civitas Dei, amidst all these garboils and hurly-burlies abroad the Church shall be helped with a little help, as Daniel 11:34, that, through weaker means, she may see God’ s greater strength. That contemptible brook Kidron (whereof read John 18:1, compassing some part only of the city Jerusalem, or passing through the middle of it, as some write), together with the riverets Siloe and others that run into it, shall be able, through God, to save her from the power and greatness of her enemies. Confer Isaiah 8:6, and…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 46 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) A river . . .—Heb., nâhar, i.e., a perennial stream, as distinguished from nâchal, a torrent bed dry except in the rainy season. Plainly, then, the “Cedron” is not here alluded to. But many commentators think “Siloam” is intended. (See Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 180, and comp. Isaiah 12:3; Ezekiel 47:1-5; John 7:37.) There may not, however, be any such local allusion. The river, flowing calmly and smoothly along, may be only a symbol of the peace and blessing of the Divine presence, as the tumult and tempest of the sea in the last verse are of the world’s noisy troubles. Indeed, the LXX. (comp. Prayer Book version) seems to connect the river of this verse with the waters of the…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 46 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. There is a river, the streams whereof] The Chaldee understands the river, and its streams or divisions, as pointing out various peoples who should be converted to the faith, and thus make glad the city of God, Jerusalem, by their flowing together to the worship of the true God. But the river may refer to the vast Medo-Persian army and its divisions: those branches which took Babylon; and, instead of ruining and destroying the poor Jews, preserved them alive, and gave them their liberty; and thus the city of God, and the tabernacle of the Most High, were gladdened.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 46 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4–7. The Presence of God the joy and security of His people.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 46 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThere is a river - There is no allusion here to any particular stream or river, but the image is designed to represent a state of peace and calm security in contrast with the rough and troubled ocean.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 46 →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
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the sovereign One.
Tyndale line
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
There is a river, the streams of which shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
Yet there is a Riuer, whose streames shall make glad the citie of God: euen the Sanctuarie of the Tabernacles of the most High.
Strictly literal
There is a river the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the sanctuary of the habitations of the Most High.
A river — its rivulets rejoice the city of God, Thy holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
A river—its streams make glad the city of God, || Your holy place of the dwelling places of the Most High.
(46:5) [There] is a river, its rivulets cause to rejoice the city of God, the sanctuary of the dwellings of the Most High.
There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
From the Latin
He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet.
Simplified
A river flows to bring happiness to those in God's city, the holy place where the Most High lives.
There is a river whose streams make glad the resting-place of God, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
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 largely agree in their wording, with six out of eight words matching. The Septuagint's translation reflects the same themes of joy and divine presence, although the word order differs.
נָהָ֗ר פְּלָגָ֗יו יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ עִיר־ אֱלֹהִ֑ים קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃
6 of the 8 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 46:4
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.
נָהָר (nahar) means 'stream' or 'river' and can refer to various water bodies, including the Nile and Euphrates. It also has a figurative sense of prosperity. The word is derived from a root meaning related to flowing water and has an Aramaic equivalent, נְהַר (ne.har).
נָהָר 120 n.m. stream, river
base
H5104 נָהָר stream, river
5104 nahar naw-hawr'
from 5102; a stream (including the sea; expec. the Nile,
Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity:--flood, river.
see HEBREW for 05102
נָהָר (na.har) — River.
This name means stream, river
Another name of pe.rat (פְּרָת "Euphrates" H6578)
נָהָר (na.har) — river.
1) stream, river
1a) stream, river
1b) (underground) streams
Aramaic equivalent: ne.har (נְהַר "river" H5103H)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
riv'-er:
(1) The usual word is nahar (Aramaic nehar (Ezr 4:10, etc.)), used of the rivers of Eden (Ge 2:10-14), often of the Euphrates (Ge 15:18, etc.), of Abana and Pharpar (2Ki 5:12), the river of Gozan (2Ki 17:6), the river Chebar (Eze 1:1), the rivers (canals?) of Babylon (Ps 137:1), the rivers of Ethiopia (Isa 18:1; Ze 3:10). Compare nahr, the common Arabic word for "river."
River
(1.) Heb. ‘aphik, properly the channel or ravine that holds water (2 Sam. 22:16), translated “brook,” “river,” “stream,” but not necessarily a perennial stream (Ezek. 6:3; 31:12; 32:6; 34:13).
(2.) Heb. nahal, in winter a “torrent,” in summer a “wady” or valley (Gen. 32:23; Deut. 2:24; 3:16; Isa. 30:28; Lam. 2:18; Ezek. 47:9).
These winter torrents sometimes come down with great suddenness and with desolating force. A distinguished traveller thus describes his experience in this matter…
In the sense in which we employ the word viz. for a perennial stream of considerable size, a river is a much rarer object in the East than in the West. With the exception of the Jordan and the Litany, the streams of the holy land are either entirely dried up in the summer months converted into hot lanes of glaring stones, or else reduced to very small streamlets, deeply sunk in a narrow bed, and concealed from view by a dense growth of shrubs. The perennial river is called nahar by the Hebrews. With the definite article, "the river," it signifies invariably the Euphrates. (Genesis 31:21; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 24:6; 2 Samuel 10:16) etc. It is never applied to the fleeting…
This word answers in our Bible to various Hebrew terms, of which the principal are the following:
1. Yeor, an Egyptian word signifying river. It is always applied to the Nile and its various canals, except in Job 28:10 Da 12:5,6,7 2. Nahar, applied, like our word river, to constantly flowing streams, such as the Euphrates. In our version this word is sometimes rendered "flood," Jos 24:2,3, etc.
3. Nahal, a torrent-bed, or valley through which water flows in the rainy season only, Nu 34:5, etc; frequently rendered "brook," Nu 13:28 Job 6:15, etc. Such streams are to the…
פֶּ֫לֶג (peleg) refers to a small channel of water, such as a stream or canal. It is built from the root meaning 'to cleave' or 'split.' The term is used in contexts related to irrigation and water flow.
פֶּ֫לֶג n.m. (cleft) channel, (artif.) canal
base
H6388 פֶּ֫לֶג (cleft) channel, (artif.) canal
6388 peleg peh'-leg
from 6385; a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in
irrigation):--river, stream.
see HEBREW for 06385
פֶּ֫לֶג (pe.leg) — stream.
channel, canal
HNcmpc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
שָׂמַח (samach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It can express joy in everyday life, religious contexts, or even exultation. The verb has different forms: Qal (to rejoice), Piel (to cause to rejoice), and Hiphil (to make glad). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to joy and merriment.
שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ 154 vb. rejoice, be glad
Qal 126
in common life
rejoice religiously
subj. י׳
Pi. cause to rejoice, gladden
Hiph. = Pi.
base
H8055 שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ rejoice, be glad
8055 samach saw-makh'
a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e.
(figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or
gleesome:--cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful),
be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.
שָׂמַח (sa.mach) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)
1a3) to rejoice (religiously)
1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
HVpi3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVpi3mp
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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.
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…
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…
The Hebrew word קָדוֹשׁ (*qadosh*) means sacred or holy. It can refer to God, angels, saints, or sanctuaries, indicating a state of being set apart. The entries consistently emphasize its moral and ceremonial significance, with no notable disagreements among the lexicons.
קָדוֹשׁ adj. sacred, holy
base
H6918 קָדוֹשׁ sacred, holy
6918 qadowsh kaw-doshe'
or qadosh {kaw-doshe'}; from 6942; sacred (ceremonially or
morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a
sanctuary:--holy (One), saint.
see HEBREW for 06942
קָדוֹשׁ (qa.dosh) — holy.
: holy
sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
קָדוֹשׁ (qa.dosh) — holy: saint.
: saint/priest
sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
A sub-meaning of qa.dosh (קָדוֹשׁ ": holy" H6918)
HAamsc — HAamsc
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.
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…
מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) means 'dwelling-place' or 'tabernacle.' It is derived from a root meaning to dwell and can refer to various types of residences, including the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. The term encompasses both literal and figurative meanings, such as a grave or the Temple.
מִשְׁכָּן 139 n.m. dwelling-place, ‘tabernacle’
base
H4908 מִשְׁכָּן dwelling-place, ‘tabernacle’
4908 mishkan mish-kawn'
from 7931; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair
of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple);
specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden
walls):--dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle,
tent.
see HEBREW for 07931
מִשְׁכָּן (mish.kan) — tabernacle.
1) dwelling place, tabernacle
1a) dwelling-place
1b) dwellings
Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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.
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…
עֶלְיוֹן (elyown) means 'high' or 'upper,' and is used to describe both physical elevations, such as the upper part of Bethhoron, and metaphorical heights, referring to God as the 'Most High.' It can also denote rulers, including monarchs and angelic beings. The term is derived from a root meaning elevation.
עֶלְיוֹן 22 adj.
high
upper Bethhoron, the upper (opp. lower) of house
base
עֶלְיוֹן n.m. Highest, Most High
name of God
of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes
base
H5945a עֶלְיוֹן . high
. upper Bethhoron, the upper (opp. lower) of house
H5945b עֶלְיוֹן Highest, Most High . name of God
. of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes
5945 'elyown el-yone'
from 5927; an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as
title, the Supreme:--(Most, on) high(-er, -est),
upper(-most).
see HEBREW for 05927
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — high.
adj
1) high, upper
1a) of Davidic king exalted above monarchs
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — Most High.
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — Upper (Beth Horon).
Combined with bet cho.ron (בֵּית חוֹרֹן " Beth-horon" H1032H)
§
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — (LORD) Most High.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
HAamsa — HAamsa