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Psalms 55:1 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהַאֲזִ֣ינָה אֱ֭לֹהִים תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְאַל־ תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם מִתְּחִנָּתִֽי׃

BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach With stringed instrumentsnᵉgîynâh A Maskilmaskîyl of DavidDâvid

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 55
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the 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 (mi.te.chi.na.Ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 55:1quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist appeals to God for attention to his prayer and pleads against divine silence.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing God directly.
Where we areThis verse is the opening of a heartfelt prayer, setting the tone for the psalm.
The hard wordתִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם
Take awayThe psalmist seeks God's attention and fears being ignored.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbH5956 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 55:1

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 Prayer for Deliverancegenerated

1Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.
2Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught
3at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they release disaster upon me and revile me in their anger.
4My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.

Psalm 55:1 is a plea for God to listen to the psalmist's prayer and not to ignore his supplication. The psalm continues with expressions of distress due to the pressures from enemies, highlighting the urgency and emotional weight of the request. This theme of seeking divine attention in times of trouble is prevalent throughout the Psalms, as seen in other passages like Psalm 6:1 and Psalm 54:1.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 6:1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
2Psalm 54:1Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!
3Psalm 5:1Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
4Psalm 17:1Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit.
5Psalm 64:1Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

A. M. 2983. B.C. 1021. NeginothPsalm 6:1 Psalm 54:1

The Key Word הַאֲזִ֣ינָה, ha.'a.Zi.nahgenerated

The verb הַאֲזִינָה (ha'azinah) is a hiphil imperative form, conveying a command to listen attentively or to give ear. It is derived from the root אָזַן (azan), which means to listen or hear, often implying obedience. This word emphasizes the act of listening as an active engagement, particularly in the context of prayer.

In this verse, the psalmist is urging God to pay attention to his prayer, indicating a sense of urgency and desperation. The use of the imperative form highlights the psalmist's expectation that God will indeed listen and respond.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, serving as the baseline for comparison.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb הַאֲזִינָה, give ear, governs the entire verse, establishing the psalmist's request. The structure includes a direct address to God and two clauses that elaborate on the psalmist's prayer and plea.

The order of the Hebrew words emphasizes the urgency of the request, placing the imperative first and framing the plea as a direct appeal to God.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הַאֲזִינָה as εἰς (eis), indicating a directional listening, as if the psalmist is urging God to turn His attention towards him. This choice highlights the relational aspect of prayer, suggesting a desire for God to be present and responsive.

The choice of συνέσεως for תְּפִלָּתִ֑י emphasizes the communal aspect of prayer, as it can imply a gathering of thoughts or intentions before God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 55:1 is a heartfelt prayer where the psalmist asks God to listen and not ignore his plea. This verse sets the stage for the psalm's themes of distress and the need for divine intervention.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by asking God to listen?

The psalmist is expressing a deep need for God's attention to his troubles, indicating that he feels vulnerable and in need of help.

Why does the psalmist fear that God might ignore his plea?

The fear of divine silence often reflects the psalmist's feelings of abandonment or desperation in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

What is the significance of the word 'prayer' in this context?

The term 'prayer' signifies a formal request for help, highlighting the importance of communication with God during times of distress.

How does this verse relate to other psalms?

This verse connects with many other psalms where the authors cry out to God for help, showing a common theme of seeking divine assistance in difficult times.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I approach God in prayer when I feel overwhelmed?
  2. What are some specific areas in my life where I need to ask for God's attention?
  3. In what ways can I remind myself of God's willingness to listen to my prayers?
  4. How can I support others who are struggling to feel heard by God?

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

The verse is quoted by Augustine of Hippo in his exposition, illustrating its significance in early Christian thought.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 55 354–430
"Hear Thou, O God, my entreaty, and despise not my prayer: give heed unto me, and hearken unto me" [Psalms 55:1].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 55 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 55:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Give ear to my prayer, O God,.... Which was for that which is just and right, and equitable to be given, as the word (n) used signifies; being promised in the covenant of grace, ratified and

Read John Gill on Psalms 55 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 55 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Psalms 55 THE This Psalm was certainly composed by David, when he was greatly distressed and persecuted, either by Saul, or rather by Absalom, and betrayed by some pretended or former friend. David, being surrounded and surprised with danger and distress, complaineth to God, , prayeth for the frustrating the practice of his cruel and false enemies, , and strengtheneth himself with God’ s protection, , and his enemies’ utter destruction, . Turn not away thy face and ear, as one resolved not to hear nor help.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 55 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 55:1 « To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. » Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.A Psalm of David] Whether made upon occasion of his flight from Keilah, 1 Samuel 23:2, or from Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:16. Idem est argumentum, et idem usus huius Psalmi atque, superioris, saith Beza; this and the former psalm are of the same argument and for the same use. It is most probable that this psalm was written when Absalom was up, and Hushai related unto Zadock the troubled state of the city, 2 Samuel 17:15, with which compare Psalms 55:9-11 of this psalm. For thereupon David, put into a great perturbation, as Psalms 55:4-5, wished…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 55 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

PSALM LV David, in great danger and distress from the implacable malice of his enemies, calls on God for mercy, 1-5; wishes he had the wings of a dove, that he might flee away, and be at rest, 6-8; prays against his enemies, and describes their wickedness, 9-11; speaks of a false friend, who had been the principal cause of all his distresses, 12-14; again prays against his enemies, 15; expresses his confidence in God, 16-18; gives a farther description of the deceitful friend, 19-21; encourages himself in the Lord, and foretells the destruction of his foes, 22, 23. NOTES ON PSALM LV The title, "To the chief Musician upon Neginoth, A Psalm of David, giving instruction." This is the same as…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 55 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–3 a. The Psalmist’s passionate appeal to God for a hearing in his distress. 1. Give ear &c.] Cp. Psalms 54:2. hide not thyself] As the unmerciful man turns away from misfortune and suffering which he does not want to relieve (Deuteronomy 22:1; Deuteronomy 22:3-4; Isaiah 58:7); or as though my prayer were the prayer of a hypocrite (Isaiah 1:15). Cp. Psalms 10:1; Lamentations 3:56.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 55 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Give ear to my prayer - See the notes at Psalms 5:1; Psalms 17:6. This is the language of earnestness. The psalmist was in deep affliction, and he pleaded, therefore, that God would not turn away from him in his troubles.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 55 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

1. Give ear… hide not thyself—Strong, anthropomorphic words. His urgent cause requires instant personal attention and public action.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 55 →

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

Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore my appeal for mercy!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of David to give instruction. Heare my prayer, O God, and hide not thy selfe from my supplication.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

To the Overseer with stringed instruments. — An instruction, by David. Give ear, O God, [to] my prayer, And hide not from my supplication.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

TO THE OVERSEER. WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. AN INSTRUCTION OF DAVID. Give ear, O God, [to] my prayer, || And do not hide from my supplication.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

“To the chief musician on Neginoth, a Maskil of David.” (55:2) Give ear, O God, to my prayer, and hide not thyself from my supplication.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Give ear to my prayer, God; and do not hide yourself from my plea.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Give hearing to my prayer, O God; and let not your ear be shut against my request.

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.

clauseclauseאֱ֭לֹהִיםO.Godclauseverb phrase · verbהַאֲזִ֣ינָgiveהear.tonoun phrase · objectתְּפִלָּתִ֑prayerיmyוְandclauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗םhide.yourselfprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phraseתְּחִנָּתִֽsupplicationיmy

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads: הַאֲזִ֣ינָה אֱ֭לֹהִים תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְאַל־ תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם מִתְּחִנָּתִֽי׃. The Septuagint aligns closely with the MT in meaning, though the word order differs, reflecting its own syntactical structure.

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

הַאֲזִ֣ינָה אֱ֭לֹהִים תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְאַל־ תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם מִתְּחִנָּתִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הַאֲזִ֣ינָהεἰςאֱ֭לֹהִיםἐνתְּפִלָּתִ֑יσυνέσεωςוְאַל־δαυιδ

4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 55:1אָזַןgive ear togive ear to !אָזַןאֱלֹהִיםO GodO Godאֱלֹהִיםתְּפִלָּהprayer myprayer myתְּפִלָּהאַלand may notand may notאַלעָלַםyou hide yoyou hide yourseעָלַםתְּחִנָּהfrom supplifrom supplicatiתְּחִנָּהאֹ֫זֶןearearאֹ֫זֶןפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלחָנַןbe gracioube graciousחָנַןאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּלֹאnotnotלֹאתְּפִלָּהprayerprayerתְּפִלָּהקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבאַחֵרanotheranotherאַחֵראֲרוֹןarkarkאֲרוֹןתְּחִנָּהsupplicatisupplicationתְּחִנָּהרִנָּהcrycryרִנָּהחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאעַ֫יִןeyeeyeעַ֫יִןנָפַלto fall: fto fall: fallנָפַל
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 55:1

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.

give ear to ! O God prayer my and may not you hide yourself from supplication my
הַאֲזִ֣ינָהha.'a.Zi.nah give ear to ! H238 Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Tyndale gloss
to listen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

hear, perceive by the ear

of God, listening (with favour) to prayer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

238 'azan aw-zan'

a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a

denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),

i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,

hear(-ken). See 239.

see HEBREW for 0241

see HEBREW for 0239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.

1) to hear, listen

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to hear, listen, give ear

1a2) to be obedient, harken

1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhv2ms/Sh — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HVhv2ms/Sh
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):

(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ear

Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Blood put upon, in consecration of priest Ex 29:20; Le 8:23

→ In cleansing lepers Le 14:14,25

→ Anointed with oil in purifications Le 14:17,28

→ Bored as a sign of servitude Ex 21:5,6; Ps 40:6

→ See DEAFNESS

→ FIGURATIVE

Anthropomorphic uses of Ps 17:6; 39:12; 77:1; 80:1; 84:8

For more extended anthropomorphic uses, consult a concordance

give ear to ! O God prayer my and may not you hide yourself from supplication my
אֱ֭לֹהִים'E.lo.Him O God H430 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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…

give ear to ! O God prayer my and may not you hide yourself from supplication my
תְּפִלָּתִ֑יte.fi.la.Ti prayer my H8605 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
77× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means prayer or supplication, often used to describe requests to God. It appears in many Psalms, highlighting the importance of prayer in worship.
Tyndale gloss
prayer
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תְּפִלָּה (tefillah) means 'prayer' and is derived from the root meaning intercession or supplication. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including hymns and requests for divine attention. The term appears in contexts such as the titles of Psalms, emphasizing its liturgical significance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תְּפִלָּה 77 n.f. prayer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8605 תְּפִלָּה prayer

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8605 tphillah tef-il-law'

from 6419; intercession, supplication; by implication, a

hymn:--prayer.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תְּפִלָּה (te.phil.lah) — prayer.

1) prayer

1a) prayer

1b) pray a prayer

1c) house of prayer

1d) hear prayer

1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
give ear to ! O God prayer my and may not you hide yourself from supplication my
וְאַל־ve.'al- and may not H408 Conjunction · particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Tn — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
give ear to ! O God prayer my and may not you hide yourself from supplication my
תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗םtit.'a.Lam you hide yourself H5956 Verb · Hithpael · jussive second person masculine singular
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to hide or conceal something from view. It appears in various forms, including being hidden or keeping a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding oneself or something from others.
Tyndale gloss
to conceal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָלַם (alam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to conceal or hide. It covers various forms, including being hidden, hiding oneself, and the act of concealing something. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Hiphil, and Hithpael, which express nuances of secrecy and concealment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָלַם] vb. conceal

Qal as subst. our secret, i.e. hidden sin

Niph. be concealed

Hiph. conceal, hide

Hithp. and thou hide thyself completely from them (utterly neglect to aid)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5956 [עָלַם] conceal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5956 `alam aw-lam'

a primitive root; to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally

or figuratively):--X any ways, blind, dissembler, hide

(self), secret (thing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָלַם (a.lam) — to conceal.

1) to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret

1a) (Qal) secret (participle)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be concealed

1b2) concealed, dissembler (participle)

1c) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide

1d) (Hithpael) to hide oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVtj2ms — Verb · Hithpael · jussive second person masculine singular
HVtj2ms
give ear to ! O God prayer my and may not you hide yourself from supplication my
מִתְּחִנָּתִֽי׃mi.te.chi.na.Ti from supplication my H8467 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a humble request for favor or grace, often used to describe a prayer to God for help. It appears in the Bible as a plea for mercy or kindness. In the KJV, it is translated as favor, grace, or supplication.
Tyndale gloss
supplication
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תְּחִנָּה (tchinnah) refers to a type of supplication or request for favor, emphasizing graciousness and entreaty. It is built from the root associated with grace and has a range that includes both favor and the act of supplication. The entries consistently highlight its meaning without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תְּחִנָּה n.f. favour, supplication for favour

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8467 תְּחִנָּה favour, supplication for favour

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8467 tchinnah tekh-in-naw'

from 2603; graciousness; causatively, entreaty:--favour,

grace, supplication.

see HEBREW for 02603

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תְּחִנָּה (te.chin.nah) — supplication.

1) favour, supplication, supplication for favour

1a) favour

1b) supplication for favour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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