Psalms 61:3 — Word Study
WLCכִּֽי־ הָיִ֣יתָ מַחְסֶ֣ה לִ֑י מִגְדַּל־ עֹ֝֗ז מִפְּנֵ֥י אוֹיֵֽב׃
BSAendqâtseh landʼerets to(wards)ʼêl to callqârâʼ to turn asideʻâṭaph heartlêb rocktsûwr to exaltrûwm frommin to leadnâchâh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּֽי־ | for | Particle |
| הָיִ֣יתָ | you have been | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| מַחְסֶ֣ה | a refuge | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לִ֑י | of me | Preposition, suffix |
| מִגְדַּל־ | a tower of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| עֹ֝֗ז | strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מִפְּנֵ֥י | from before | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| אוֹיֵֽב׃ | [the] enemy | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy. |
| KJV | For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. |
| ASV | For thou hast been a refuge for me, A strong tower from the enemy. |
| YLT | For Thou hast been a refuge for me, A tower of strength because of the enemy. |
| WEB | For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy. |
| BBE | For you have been my secret place, and my high tower from those who made war on me. |
Where they part company is עֹ֝ז — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by a noun phrase and a prepositional phrase, indicating the nature of God's protection and the context of opposition.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbקָצֶה
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 61:3
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 Prayer for Helpgenerated
Psalm 61:3 is part of a heartfelt prayer where the psalmist calls out to God from a place of distress, seeking refuge and strength. The verses surrounding this one emphasize the need for divine guidance and protection, as the psalmist expresses a longing for safety and a desire to dwell in God's presence, similar to the sentiments found in Psalm 4:6-7 and Isaiah 46:3-4.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 4:6–7 | Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. |
| 2 | Psalm 116:2 | Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. |
| 3 | Psalm 140:7 | O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle. |
| 4 | Isaiah 46:3–4 | “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 1:10 | He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַחְסֶ֣ה, mach.Sehgenerated
The noun מַחְסֶה (machseh) refers to a refuge or shelter, indicating a place of safety and protection. It is used in contexts that convey trust and hope, showing that God provides a secure haven from danger.
This word is built from a root meaning to cover or protect, highlighting its significance as a stronghold in times of trouble. The psalmist's use of this term emphasizes reliance on God as a source of strength and security.
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 verse contains one main clause governed by the verb הָיִ֣יתָ, you have been, which introduces the subject and its attributes. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's declaration of God's role as a refuge and strength.
The noun phrase מַחְסֶ֣ה serves as the object of the verb, while the prepositional phrase מִגְדַּל־עֹ֝ז describes the nature of that refuge, indicating a strong and secure place.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew מַחְסֶה is rendered as τῆς, which indicates a similar concept of protection. This choice aligns with the idea of seeking shelter in God.
The Greek word for עֹ֝ז is translated as ἐκέκραχα, which emphasizes strength and might, reinforcing the psalmist's reliance on God's powerful support.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 61:3 expresses the psalmist's trust in God as a refuge and a strong tower of strength. The psalmist acknowledges God’s protective nature, emphasizing that He is a safe place to turn to when facing enemies.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God provides safety and protection in times of trouble, serving as a secure place to turn when facing challenges.
A tower symbolizes stability and security, indicating that God offers unwavering support and power in difficult situations.
The term refers to those who oppose or threaten the psalmist, whether in a personal, spiritual, or national sense.
Seeking refuge in God is essential because it acknowledges our dependence on Him for protection, guidance, and strength during trials.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations have I turned to God as my refuge?
- How can I better recognize God's strength in my life?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God against my own enemies?
- How can I encourage others to find their refuge in God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The verse has been referenced by early Church Fathers to illustrate God's protective nature and the believer's reliance on Him in times of trouble.
It is clear that this obligation and condition of life includes not only those who have responded so well to sound advice that they have sold their goods and distributed them to the poor, and,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 61 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 61:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor thou hast been a shelter for me,.... Or "refuge" (y), from avenging justice; a hiding place and covert from the storms and tempests of divine wrath; a shadow and a screen from the heat of Satan's
Read John Gill on Psalms 61 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. For thou hast been a shelter for me - and always art so. And a strong tower from the enemy - literally, 'from the face of the enemy' (Proverbs 18:10).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 61 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, [and] a strong tower from the enemy.Ver. 3. For thou hast been a shelter for me] Thou hast, and therefore thou wilt, is an ordinary Scripture medium, and well it may; for God is unchangeable, and his decree for preserving his people is (as the poet saith well) ουπαλιναγρετον, Irrevocable.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 61 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) A strong tower.—Comp. Proverbs 18:10.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 61 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. Thou hast been a shelter for me] During the whole duration of the captivity God marvellously dealt with the poor Jews; so that, although they were cast down, they were not utterly forsaken.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 61 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. For thou hast been a refuge for me, A strong tower from the enemy (R.V.). He appeals to past experience. “In Thee have I taken refuge” is the constant cry with which faith approaches God (Psalms 7:1; Psalms 11:1; Psalms 16:1; Psalms 31:1; Psalms 57:1; Psalms 71:1; &c.). In Psalms 18:2 David addresses God as “my Rock in whom I take refuge.” We may see from Judges 9:51 what ‘a strong tower’ meant literally: for the metaphor cp. Proverbs 18:10.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 61 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFor thou hast been a shelter for me - A place of refuge; a place where I have found safety. He refers here to what had occurred in former times.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 61 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3. For thou hast been a shelter… a strong tower—A bringing out the figure of “the rock… higher than I,” in previous verse. Thou hast been— A remembrance of former mighty perils and deliverances.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 61 →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
For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.
For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.
For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.
Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.
Tyndale line
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
For thou hast been a refuge for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
For thou hast been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
For thou hast bene mine hope, and a strong tower against the enemie.
Strictly literal
For thou hast been a refuge for me, a strong tower from before the enemy.
For Thou hast been a refuge for me, A tower of strength because of the enemy.
For You have been a refuge for me, || A tower of strength because of the enemy.
(61:4) For thou hast been a shelter unto me, a strong tower against the enemy.
For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.
From the Latin
For he is my God and my saviour: he is my protector, I shall be moved no more.
Simplified
for you are my protection, a strong tower where my enemies cannot attack me.
For you have been my secret place, and my high tower from those who made war on 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.
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: כִּֽי־ הָיִ֣יתָ מַחְסֶ֣ה לִ֑י מִגְדַּל־ עֹ֝֗ז מִפְּנֵ֥י אוֹיֵֽב׃. The Septuagint agrees with this wording, confirming the psalmist's declaration of God as a refuge and strength against enemies.
כִּֽי־ הָיִ֣יתָ מַחְסֶ֣ה לִ֑י מִגְדַּל־ עֹ֝֗ז מִפְּנֵ֥י אוֹיֵֽב׃
8 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 61:3
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.
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
HTc — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
HVqp2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
מַחְסֶּה (machaceh) refers to a refuge or shelter, both literally and figuratively. It conveys meanings of protection from danger or storms, and can also imply a place of trust or hope. The word is derived from a root meaning to cover or protect, and is used in contexts that emphasize safety.
מַחְסֶּה n.m. refuge, shelter
base
H4268 מַחְסֶּה refuge, shelter
4268 machaceh makh-as-eh'
or machceh {makh-seh'}; from 2620; a shelter (literally or
figuratively):--hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.
see HEBREW for 02620
מַחְסֶּה (ma.cha.seh) — refuge.
1) refuge, shelter
1a) from rain or storm, from danger
1b) of falsehood
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
ref'-uj: A place of resort and safety. The principal words in the Old Testament are machceh (Ps 14:6; 46:1; 62:7,8; Isa 4:6, etc.), and manoc (2Sa 22:3; Ps 59:16, etc.), both applied chiefly to God as a "refuge" for His people. For the King James Version "refuge" in De 33:27, the Revised Version (British and American) has "dwelling-place," and in Ps 9:9, "high tower." Conversely, the Revised Version (British and American) has "refuge" for the King James Version "shelter" in Ps 61:3, and "hope" in
→ CITIES OF
From the avenger of blood Ex 21:13,14; Nu 35:11-32; De 4:41-43; 19:2-13; Jos 20:1-6
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
מִגְדָּל (migdal) primarily means 'tower,' indicating a structure that is tall or elevated. It can also refer to an elevated stage or pulpit and, in a figurative sense, to a raised bed of flowers. The word is derived from a root meaning height, and its usage spans various contexts in the Old Testament.
מִגְדָּל n.m. tower
tower
elevated stage, pulpit of wood
raised bed
base
H4026 מִגְדָּל tower . tower
. elevated stage, pulpit of wood
. raised bed
4026 migdal mig-dawl'
also (in plural) feminine migdalah {mig-daw- law'}; from
1431; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a
rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers:--castle,
flower, tower. Compare the names following.
see HEBREW for 01431
מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — (Hananel) Tower.
Combined with cha.nan.el (חֲנַנְאֵל " of Hananel" H2606)
This name means tower
מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — Tower (of the Hundred).
Combined with me.ah (מֵאָה "hundred" H3968)
This name means tower
מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — Tower (Of the Ovens).
This name means tower, elevated stage
מִגְדָּל (mig.dal) — tower.
1) tower
1a) tower
1b) elevated stage, pulpit
1c) raised bed
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
HR/Ncmpc — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
אֹיֵב (oyeb) means 'enemy' or 'foe,' indicating hostility. It can refer to personal or national adversaries. The word is derived from the active participle of another root, אָיַב (ayab), which also conveys the sense of being hostile.
[אָיַב] 283 vb. be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
base
H341 אָיַב be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
341 'oyeb o-yabe'
or (fully) owyeb {o-yabe'}; active participle of 340;
hating; an adversary:--enemy, foe.
see HEBREW for 0340
אֹיֵב (o.yev) — enemy.
1) (Qal) enemy
1a) personal
1b) national
HVqrmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
en'-e-mi ('oyebh, tsar, tsar; echthros):
"Enemy," "enemies," are frequent words in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word most often so translated is 'oyebh, meaning perhaps literally, "one who hates"; very frequent in the Psalms, eg. 3:7; 6:10; 7:5; 8:2; 9:3,1; 13:2, where the cry is often for deliverance from enemies. Another word for "enemy," found chiefly in the poetical books, is tsar, or tsar, "distresser," "straitener" (Nu 10:9; Job 16:9; Ps 27:2,12, the Revised Version (British and American) "adversary," etc.); also tsarar (Es 3:10; Ps 8:2; 10:5 the King James Version, etc.). Other words are `ar, "one awake" (
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 23:5; Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:1-28; Pr 24:17,18; 25:21,22; Mt 5:43-48; Lu 6:27-36; Ro 12:14,20
