Psalms 63:9 — Word Study
WLCוְהֵ֗מָּה לְ֭שׁוֹאָה יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י יָ֝בֹ֗אוּ בְּֽתַחְתִּיּ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
BSAmy lifenephesh [soul, living being]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהֵ֗מָּה | and they | Conjunction, pronoun |
| לְ֭שׁוֹאָה | to destruction | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ | they are seeking | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| נַפְשִׁ֑י | life my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| יָ֝בֹ֗אוּ | they will go | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בְּֽתַחְתִּיּ֥וֹת | in [the] lower parts of | Preposition |
| הָאָֽרֶץ׃ | the earth | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth. |
| KJV | But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. |
| ASV | But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. |
| YLT | And they who for desolation seek my soul, Go in to the lower parts of the earth. |
| WEB | But those who seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth. |
| BBE | But those whose desire is my soul's destruction will go down to the lower parts of the earth. |
Where they part company is יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause followed by two phrases that elaborate on the actions and consequences.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהוּא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 63:9
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 Lament of Trustgenerated
Psalm 63:9 reflects the psalmist's deep reliance on God amidst threats to his life. He contrasts his own clinging to God with the destructive intentions of his enemies. The surrounding verses emphasize God's support and the ultimate downfall of those who oppose him, as seen in verses 8 and 10.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 35:4–26 | May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded. |
| 2 | Psalm 38:12 | Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long. |
| 3 | Psalm 40:14 | May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. |
| 4 | Psalm 70:2 | May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 25:29 | And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ, ye.vak.Shugenerated
The verb בָּקַשׁ (baqash) means 'to seek' or 'to search out.' In this instance, it is in the Piel form, indicating an active pursuit. The parsing shows it is in the imperfect tense, which conveys ongoing action, suggesting that the enemies are continuously seeking the psalmist's life.
This word is often used in contexts of desire or need, indicating a strong intention behind the seeking. The psalmist highlights the malicious nature of their pursuit, emphasizing the seriousness of their actions against him.
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 verbs יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ (they are seeking) and יָ֝בֹ֗אוּ (they will go) govern the verse. The structure indicates that the actions of seeking and going are closely linked.
The main clause is followed by two prepositional phrases: the first describes the object of their seeking, while the second specifies the destination of their going, emphasizing the consequences of their actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ as σου (sou), indicating a personal aspect to the seeking, as if it directly concerns the psalmist. This choice emphasizes the intimate threat posed by the enemies.
This translation aligns with the Hebrew's intent but may suggest a more direct confrontation with the psalmist.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 63:9 states that those who seek to destroy the psalmist's life will face severe consequences, going down into the depths of the earth. This reflects the psalmist's confidence in God's protection and the fate of his enemies.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the psalmist's enemies are actively trying to harm him, indicating a serious threat to his existence.
This phrase symbolizes a place of destruction or death, highlighting the ultimate fate that awaits those who oppose the psalmist.
It contrasts the psalmist's trust in God with the destructive intentions of his enemies, emphasizing that God will protect him.
It indicates an active and persistent pursuit, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by the psalmist's enemies.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I felt threatened, and how can I trust God like the psalmist?
- What does it mean for me to seek God in my life?
- How can I respond to those who seek to harm me with grace and faith?
- What can I learn from the psalmist's confidence in God's protection?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo quotes this verse to illustrate the futility of those who seek to harm the faithful, emphasizing their inevitable downfall.
"But themselves in vain have sought my soul. They shall go unto the lower places of the earth" [Psalms 63:9].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 63 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 63:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut those [that] seek my soul to destroy it,.... Meaning his life; for as for his soul, that was immaterial and immortal, and could never be destroyed by man: but as for his natural life, his enemies
Read John Gill on Psalms 63 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhen I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. -Second strophe.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 63 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTo destroy it, i.e. to take away my life. Into the lower parts of the earth; either, 1. Into hell. Or rather, 2. Into their grave, as this phrase is used, ,18. But how is this true, when they are supposed to be devoured by foxes, ? Answ. This may be understood, either, 1. Of divers persons. Some of their slain might be buried, and others lie unburied. Or, 2. Of the same persons; they did go into the earth, but not immediately, but were first devoured of foxes, and the remainders of them were buried, as is frequently done in such cases. Or this phrase may note not so much the place as the state of the dead; this being universally said of those that die, whether they are buried or unburied…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 63 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 63:9 But those [that] seek my soul, to destroy [it], shall go into the lower parts of the earth.Ver. 9. But those that seek my soul to destroy it] Heb. Ad pracipitium, to hurl it down headlong, shall themselves be laid low enough, even in the slimy valley where are many already like them, and more (shall come after them), Job 21:31-32. And this assurance of his enemies’ downfall David had gotten by his meditations on God, Psalms 63:6. Shall go into the lower parts of the earth] i.e. Into the grave at least, if not into hell; they shall be abyssed into hell, into eternal perdition, saith Diodati.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 63 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. Lower parts of the earth.] They are appointed, in the just judgment of God, to destruction; they shall be slain and buried in the earth, and shall be seen no more. Some understand the passage as referring to the punishment of hell; which many supposed to be in the centre of the earth. So the old Psalter, - Thai sall entir in till lagher pine of hell. Lahher or laigher, lower, undermost.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 63 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. But those &c.] They, his enemies, who are seeking his life, are emphatically contrasted with himself (Psalms 59:15; Psalms 56:6). While his path is upward to God, theirs is downward to the depths of Sheol. It is possible to render (cp. R.V. marg.) But they shall be destroyed that seek my life, They shall go &c. into the lower parts of the earth] Into Sheol, swallowed up like Korah and his company of rebels. Cp. for the phrase, Isaiah 44:23; Ezekiel 26:20; Psalms 86:13; Ephesians 4:9; Deuteronomy 32:22 : and for the thought, Psalms 9:15; Psalms 9:17; Psalms 55:15; Psalms 55:23.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 63 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut those that seek my soul to destroy it - Who seek my life; who endeavor to kill me. This language would well describe the purposes of Absalom and his followers.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 63 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible9. But those—He turns from these soul yearnings and sweet thoughts of God to the stern battle of life before him.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 63 →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
But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth.
But those who seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth.
Enemies seek to destroy my life, but they will descend into the depths of the earth.
Tyndale line
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
But those that seek my soul to destroy it , shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
Therefore they that seeke my soule to destroy it, they shall goe into the lowest partes of the earth.
Strictly literal
But those that seek my soul, to destroy [it], shall go into the lower parts of the earth;
And they who for desolation seek my soul, Go in to the lower parts of the earth.
And they who seek my soul for desolation, || Go into the lower parts of the earth.
(63:10) But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go down into the lowest deeps of the earth.
But those who seek to destroy my life will go down into the lowest parts of the earth;
From the Latin
And their tongues against them are made weak. All that saw them were troubled;
Simplified
Those who are trying to destroy me will go down into the grave.
But those whose desire is my soul's destruction will go down to the lower parts of the earth.
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 of Psalms 63:9 states, "וְהֵ֗מָּה לְ֭שׁוֹאָה יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י יָ֝בֹ֗אוּ בְּֽתַחְתִּיּ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃" which translates to, "But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth." The Septuagint closely aligns with the Masoretic Text, matching six out of seven words, although the exact wording and structure may differ due to the nature of the Greek translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, indicating a strong agreement with the Masoretic Text in this instance.
וְהֵ֗מָּה לְ֭שׁוֹאָה יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י יָ֝בֹ֗אוּ בְּֽתַחְתִּיּ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
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.
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 63:9
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.
הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.
הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they
base
H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they
1992 hem haym
or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from
1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)
many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,
their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.
see HEBREW for 01981
הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).
they, these, the same, who
HC/Pp3mp — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp3mp
שׁוֹא (sho') and its feminine form שׁוֹאָה (sho'ah) relate to concepts of ravage and devastation. The word conveys meanings such as ruin, waste, and destruction, often implying a sense of overwhelming force or storm. The entries suggest a connection to a root meaning to rush over, emphasizing the intensity of the devastation.
[שׁוֹא] n.[m.] ravage (?)
base
שׁוֹאָה, שֹׁאָה n.f. devastation, ruin, waste
base
H7722a שׁוֹא ravage? H7722b שׁוֹאָה, שֹׁאָה devastation, ruin, waste
7722 show' sho
or (feminine) showtah {sho-aw'}; or shoah {sho-aw'}; from an
unused root meaning to rush over; a tempest; by implication,
devastation:--desolate(-ion), destroy, destruction, storm,
wasteness.
שׁוֹא (sho) — ravage.
ravage
שׁוֹאָה (sho.ah) — devastation.
1) devastation, ruin, waste
1a) devastation, ruin
1b) ruin, waste (of land)
HR/Ncfsa — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
de-struk'-shun: In the King James Version this word translates over 30 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 4 words in the New Testament. Of these the most interesting, as having a technical sense, is 'abhaddon (from verb 'abhadh, "to be lost," "to perish"). It is found 6 times in the Wisdom Literature, and nowhere else in the Old Testament; compare Re 9:11. See ABADDON.
Destruction
In Job 26:6, 28:22 (Heb. abaddon) is sheol, the realm of the dead.
בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or search out, often in the context of worship or prayer. It encompasses a range of actions including asking, desiring, and requiring. The verb can appear in different forms, such as Piel and Pual, indicating various nuances of seeking or being sought.
[בָּקַשׁ] 224 vb. seek
Pi.
seek to find
seek to secure
seek the face
desire, demand
require, exact
exact equivalent or penalty for
(late) ask, request
Pu. be sought
base
H1245 בָּקַשׁ seek
1245 baqash baw-kash'
a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically
in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:--ask,
beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,
(make) request, require, seek (for).
בָּקַשׁ (ba.qash) — to seek.
1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to seek to find
1a2) to seek to secure
1a3) to seek the face
1a4) to desire, demand
1a5) to require, exact
1a6) to ask, request
1b) (Pual) to be sought
HVpi3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVpi3mp
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
come in
come (approach, arrive)
go, i.e. walk, associate with
go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
be brought in (of pers. and things)
be brought
be introduced, put
base
H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in
. come (approach, arrive)
. go, i.e. walk, associate with
. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
. . be brought in (of pers. and things)
. be brought
. be introduced, put
935 bow' bo
a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of
applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +
besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X
certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,
upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,
(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be
fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),
grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,
pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken
(in age), X surely, take (in), way.
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.
: come/go_in
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
1a5) to go
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead in
1b2) to carry in
1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
1b4) to bring to pass
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought, brought in
1c2) to be introduced, be put
לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).
This name means to go in, enter
Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.
: towards/entrance
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
(halakh, yalakh, bo', yatsa'; ago, hupago, anabaino, erchomi, aperchomai, poreuomai): "Go" ("went," etc.) occurs very frequently in the English Bible, and is the translation of a great many different Hebrew and Greek terms. As the word implies movement of all kinds, physical and mental, it has naturally many applications.
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament halakh and yalakh are among the commonest words, meaning "to go" in its original sense of "to walk," but also in the most varied senses, according to the verbal conjugations, etc., the preposition attached, and the words in connection with which the terms stand; halakh and yalakh are often used figuratively (translated "to walk," etc.) for to live, to pursue a way of life, e.g. "to walk ever in his ways" (De 19:9; compare
תַּחְתִּי (tachtiy) means 'lower' or 'lowest,' referring to positions or places. It can be used as an adjective or a noun, indicating the depths or lower parts, such as a pit or womb. The word is derived from a root meaning 'low' and is noted in various contexts in the Old Testament.
תַּחְתִּי adj. and subst. lower, lowest (places)
base
H8482 תַּחְתִּי lower, lowest (places)
8482 tachtiy takh-tee'
from 8478; lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths
(figuratively, a pit, the womb):--low (parts, -er, -er
parts, - est), nether (part).
see HEBREW for 08478
תַּחְתִּי (tach.ti) — lower.
1) low, lower, lowest
1a) lowest (as adj)
1b) the lower parts (subst)
HR/Aafpc — PrepositionHR/Aafpc
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…
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
HTd/Ncfsa — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2