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Psalms 51:3 — Word Study

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WLCכִּֽי־ פְ֭שָׁעַי אֲנִ֣י אֵדָ֑ע וְחַטָּאתִ֖י נֶגְדִּ֣י תָמִֽיד׃

BSAmy transgressionspeshaʻ [rebellion, revolt against God]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 51
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ta.Mid) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 51:3quick helps
In a sentenceDavid acknowledges his wrongdoing and the constant presence of his sin.
Who is speakingDavid, expressing personal guilt and awareness.
Where we areA penitential psalm, where David confesses his sins.
The hard wordפְ֭שָׁעַי, p'sha'i
Take awayThe awareness of sin is a heavy burden for David.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectכְּ verbחֶסֶד 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 51:3

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — A Confession of Singenerated

2Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
5Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

Psalms 51:3 is part of a heartfelt appeal from David to God, where he openly admits his transgressions and acknowledges the weight of his sin. This psalm reflects a deep sense of remorse and the desire for cleansing, following his sin with Bathsheba, as seen in the broader context of Psalms 51:1-2 and Psalms 51:4.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 32:5Then 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
2Psalm 38:18Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
3Leviticus 26:40–41But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me—
4Nehemiah 9:2Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
5Job 33:27Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word פְ֭שָׁעַי, Fe.sha.'aigenerated

The noun פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression, indicating a revolt or rebellion against God. It is derived from a root that implies intentional disobedience, resulting in guilt. The parsing reveals it as a common masculine plural construct with a suffix, indicating possession: 'my transgressions.'

In this verse, David is fully aware of his פְ֭שָׁעַי, which signifies a conscious acknowledgment of his wrongdoing. This word encapsulates the idea of rebellion against divine authority, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions.


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 finite verb אֵדָ֑ע, know, governs the whole verse, with two noun phrases attached: 'my transgressions' and 'my sin.' The sentence structure places emphasis on David's self-awareness regarding his moral failures.

The adverbial phrase תָמִֽיד, continually, indicates the persistent nature of David's awareness, suggesting that his sin is ever-present in his mind.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word פְ֭שָׁעַי is rendered as με, which carries a personal emphasis. This choice highlights David's direct acknowledgment of his transgressions.

The LXX translation reflects a more general sense of wrongdoing, which may broaden the understanding of sin beyond just rebellion against God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 51:3 shows David admitting his sins and recognizing that they are always in front of him. He expresses his guilt and awareness of wrongdoing, highlighting the burden of his transgressions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does David mean by 'my transgressions'?

David refers to his deliberate acts of rebellion against God's commands, acknowledging his wrongdoing.

Why does David say his sin is always before him?

David expresses that he is constantly aware of his guilt and the consequences of his actions.

How does this verse relate to repentance?

This verse illustrates the importance of acknowledging one's sins as a step towards genuine repentance and seeking forgiveness.

What can we learn from David's confession?

David's confession teaches us the value of honesty about our faults and the need for God's mercy and cleansing.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can acknowledge my own shortcomings like David did?
  2. How does recognizing my sins help me grow in my relationship with God?
  3. In what areas of my life do I need to seek forgiveness and cleansing?
  4. How can I help others understand the importance of confessing their sins?

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

The early church Fathers often referenced this psalm in discussions of sin and repentance. Here are quotations from Augustine of Hippo, who reflects on the themes of acknowledgment and divine mercy.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 51 354–430
"For mine iniquity I acknowledge, and my delinquency is before me ever" [Psalms 51:3].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 51 →
Augustine of HippoSERMON 19:1 354–430
As we were singing of the Lord, we asked him to turn his face away from our sins and to blot out all our misdeeds. But you can also take note, brothers, of what we heard in the same psalm: "Since I myself acknowledge my misdeed,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 51 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 51:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For I acknowledge my transgressions,.... Before God and man. Acknowledgment of sin is what the Lord requires, and promises forgiveness upon, and therefore is used here as a plea for it; and moreover

Read John Gill on Psalms 51 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. I acknowledge my transgressions.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 51 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I acknowledge, with grief and shame, and abhorrency of myself and of my sins; which hitherto I have dissembled and covered. And being thus truly penitent, I hope and beg that I may find mercy with thee. My transgressions; for it was not a single, but a complicated wickedness, adultery, murder, injustice, perfidiousness; and frequent repetition of and long and stupid continuance in abominable filthiness, and that with public scandal. My sin is ever before me; that which I had cast behind my back is now constantly in my view, and fixed in my thoughts and memory.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 51 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.Ver. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions] And therefore look for pardon, according to thy promise. Homo agnoseit, Deus ignoscit. And my sin] My twisted sin and sadly accented; mine accumulative sin, voluminous wickedness, that hath so many sins bound up in it, as Cicero saith of parricide. Is ever before me] To my great grief and regret, my conscience twitteth me with it, and the devil layeth it in my dish. This maketh him follow God so close, resolved to give him no rest till he hath registered and enrolled the remission of his sins in the book of life, with the bloody lines of Christ’ s soul saving…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 51 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) For I.—There is an emphatic pronoun in the first clause which we may preserve, at the same time noticing the difference between the violation of the covenant generally in the term transgressions in the first clause, and the offence which made the breach in the second. (See Note Psalms 51:1.) Because I am one who is conscious of my transgressions, and (or, possibly, even) my offence is ever before me.The thought that he had been unfaithful to the covenant was an accusing conscience to him, keeping his sin always before his eyes, and until, according to his prayer in Psalms 51:1-2, he was received back into conscious relationship again, his offence must weigh upon his mind. This…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 51 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions] I know, I feel, I confess that I have sinned. My sin is ever before me.] A true, deep, and unsophisticated mark of a genuine penitent. Wherever he turns his face, he sees his sin, and through it the eye of an angry God.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 51 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. For I acknowledge] Lit., I know. The pronoun is emphatic. His sins have all along been known to God. They are before His eyes (Psalms 90:8). But now he has come to know them himself; they are unceasingly present to his conscience. Such consciousness of sin is the first step towards the repentance and confession which are the indispensable conditions of forgiveness. David refused to acknowledge his sin to himself and to God—yet not, apparently, without sharp pangs of remorse, see Psalms 32:3-4—until Nathan’s message awoke his conscience. Cp. the confession of the nation in Isaiah 59:12.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 51 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For I acknowledge my transgressions - literally, I know, or make known. That is, he knew that he was a sinner, and he did not seek to cloak or conceal that fact.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 51 →

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

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For I am aware of my rebellious acts; I am forever conscious of my sin.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For I know mine iniquities, and my sinne is euer before me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For I know my transgressions, || And my sin [is] continually before me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(51:5) For of my transgressions I have full knowledge; and my sin is before me continually.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before 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.

כִּֽי(dm)clausenoun phrase · objectפְ֭שָׁעַtransgressionsיmysubjectאֲנִ֣יIverbאֵדָ֑עI.knowוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectחַטָּאתִ֖sinיmyprepositional phrase · predicateנֶגְדִּ֣[is].beforeיmeadverbialתָמִֽידcontinually

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


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

The Masoretic Text is consistent, reading כִּֽי־ פְ֭שָׁעַי אֲנִ֣י אֵדָ֑ע וְחַטָּאתִ֖י נֶגְדִּ֣י תָמִֽיד׃. The Septuagint aligns closely with this text, with six out of seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but agree with the overall content of the Masoretic Text.

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

כִּֽי־ פְ֭שָׁעַי אֲנִ֣י אֵדָ֑ע וְחַטָּאתִ֖י נֶגְדִּ֣י תָמִֽיד׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּֽי־θεόςפְ֭שָׁעַיμεאֲנִ֣יσουוְחַטָּאתִ֖יκατὰנֶגְדִּ֣יσουתָמִֽיד׃ἐχάλειψον

6 of the 7 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 — 4Q85a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

חנ׳ני אלהים כחסד׳ך כרב רחמי׳ך מחה פשע׳י

6 words on the leather — 1 partly restored.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q91a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[חנ׳ני] [אלוהים] [כחסד׳כה] [כרוב] [רחמי׳כה] מחה פשע׳י

1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 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 51:3כִּיforforכִּיפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgressitransgressions פֶּ֫שַׁעאֲנִיIIאֲנִייָדַעI knowI knowיָדַעחַטָּאָהand sin myand sin myחַטָּאָהנֶ֫גֶד[is] before[is] before meנֶ֫גֶדתָּמִידcontinuallycontinuallyתָּמִידפָּשַׁעto transgrto transgressפָּשַׁעאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יחָטָאto sinto sinחָטָאנָגַדto tellto tellנָגַדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָהעָוֹןiniquity: iniquity: crimeעָוֹןנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןשָׂעִרhairyhairyשָׂעִרעֵזgoatgoatעֵזבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַלנֶ֫סֶךְdrink offedrink offeringנֶ֫סֶךְעֹלָהburnt offeburnt offeringעֹלָה
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 51:3

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
פְ֭שָׁעַיFe.sha.'ai transgressions my H6588 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
93× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Transgression refers to a revolt or rebellion against God or others, resulting in guilt and punishment, as in Genesis 3:6-7. It involves intentional disobedience.
Amplified meaning
rebellion, revolt against God
Tyndale gloss
transgression
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6588 pesha` peh'-shah

from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or

religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.

see HEBREW for 06586

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.

1) transgression, rebellion

1a1) transgression (against individuals)

1a2) transgression (nation against nation)

1a3) transgression (against God)

1a3a) in general

1a3b) as recognised by sinner

1a3c) as God deals with it

1a3d) as God forgives

1a4) guilt of transgression

1a5) punishment for transgression

1a6) offering for transgression

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
אֲנִ֣י'a.Ni I H589 Pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

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

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp1bs — Pronoun
HPp1bs
for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
אֵדָ֑ע'e.Da' I know H3045 Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
HVqi1cs
for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
וְחַטָּאתִ֖יve.cha.ta.Ti and sin my H2403 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
295× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Tyndale gloss
sin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah) refers to sin and encompasses various aspects such as the condition of sin, guilt, punishment, and sin-offering. It can denote both the act of sinning and the consequences, including purification from ceremonial uncleanness. The term is built from the root word for offense and is used in contexts relating to sin and its expiation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַטָּאָה n.f. sinful thing, sin, Ex 34:7 (J E) Is 5:18.

done

חַטָּאת n.f. sin, sin-offering

sin

condition of sin, guilt of sin

punishment for sin

sin-offering

purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2403a חַטָּאָה sin, sin-offering(?) . sin

. sin-offering

H2403b חַטָּאת sin, sin-offering . sin

. condition of sin, guilt of sin

. punishment for sin

. sin-offering

. purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2403 chatta'ah khat-taw-aw'

or chattacth {khat-tawth'}; from 2398; an offence (sometimes

habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or

expiation; also (concretely) an offender:--punishment (of

sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).

see HEBREW for 02398

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַטָּאָה (chat.ta.ah) — sin.

sin, sinful thing

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin.

: sin

1) sin, sin offering

1a) sin

1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin

1c) punishment for sin

1d) sin-offering

1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: sin offering.

: sin_offering

1) sin, sin offering

1a) sin

1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin

1c) punishment for sin

1d) sin-offering

1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: punishment.

: punishment/purification

1) sin, sin offering

1a) sin

1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin

1c) punishment for sin

1d) sin-offering

1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
נֶגְדִּ֣יneg.Di [is] before me H5048 Suffix
151× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5048 neged neh'-ghed

from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a

counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with

preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,

X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,

sight, X to view.

see HEBREW for 05046

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.

subst

1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of

adv

2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of

3) in front of oneself, straightforward

4) before your face, in your view or purpose

with prep

5) what is in front of, corresponding to

6) in front of, before

7) in the sight or presence of

8) parallel to

9) over, for

10) in front, opposite

11) at a distance

prep

12) from the front of, away from

13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from

14) from before, in front of

15) as far as the front of

Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmsc/Sp1bs — Suffix
HAcmsc/Sp1bs
for transgressions my I I know and sin my [is] before me continually
תָמִֽיד׃ta.Mid continually H8548 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
104× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means continually or constantly, like the daily sacrifice in the Bible. It describes something that happens regularly, like every day. It is used in books like Leviticus and Numbers to describe regular offerings.
Tyndale gloss
continually
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּמִיד (tamiyd) refers to continuity or perpetuity, often used adverbially to mean continually or constantly. It is derived from a root meaning to stretch, indicating indefinite extension. The term is also associated with the regular daily sacrifice in the Old Testament, emphasizing its constant nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּמִיד n.m. continuity

earliest and oftenest as adv., continually

as subst.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8548 תָּמִיד continuity . earliest and oftenest as adv., continually

. as subst.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8548 tamiyd taw-meed'

from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance

(as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as

adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the

regular (daily) sacrifice:--alway(-s), continual

(employment, -ly), daily, ((n-))ever(-more), perpetual.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמִיד (ta.mid) — continually.

1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch

1a) continually, continuously (as adverb)

1b) continuity (subst)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
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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