Psalms 64:9 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּֽירְא֗וּ כָּל־ אָ֫דָ֥ם וַ֭יַּגִּידוּ פֹּ֥עַל אֱלֹהִ֗ים וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥הוּ הִשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃
BSAThen allkôl [every single one, the entire world]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּֽירְא֗וּ | and they were afraid | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| כָּל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אָ֫דָ֥ם | humankind | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וַ֭יַּגִּידוּ | and they declared | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| פֹּ֥עַל | [the] deed[s] of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אֱלֹהִ֗ים | God | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥הוּ | and work his | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| הִשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃ | they will consider | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person common plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done. |
| KJV | And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. |
| ASV | And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing. |
| YLT | And all men fear, and declare the work of God, And His deed they have considered wisely. |
| WEB | All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done. |
| BBE | And in fear men make public the works of God; and giving thought to his acts they get wisdom. |
The translations agree on the key themes of fear and acknowledgment of God's works.
The sentence is structured around a main verb with two clauses detailing the actions of proclaiming and pondering.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכָּשַׁל
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 64:9
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 — The Recognition of God's Worksgenerated
Psalm 64:9 reveals a moment when all of humanity will acknowledge and fear the acts of God. This reflects a broader theme in the psalm, where the psalmist contemplates the consequences of divine intervention and the resulting reverence it instills in people. The surrounding verses emphasize the contrast between the wicked and the righteous, underscoring the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 40:3 | He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. |
| 2 | Psalm 53:5 | There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them. |
| 3 | Psalm 119:20 | My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 50:28 | Listen to the fugitives and refugees from the land of Babylon, declaring in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance for His temple. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 51:10 | “The LORD has brought forth our vindication; come, let us tell in Zion what the LORD our God has accomplished.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פֹּ֥עַל, Po.'algenerated
The noun פֹּ֥עַל (po'al) refers to a deed or work, particularly the acts performed by God. It encompasses various meanings, including actions, accomplishments, or even the wages of work. The term is often used in a poetic context, highlighting the significance of divine actions in the world.
In this verse, it signifies the works of God that inspire awe and reflection among all mankind. The parsing indicates it is in the construct state, connecting it directly to the preceding phrase, emphasizing the nature of God's actions.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the wording of this verse, consistently using terms that convey the fear and acknowledgment of God's works.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is וַיִּֽירְא֗וּ (vai.yi.re.'U), meaning 'and they were afraid,' which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes two additional clauses that detail the actions of declaring and considering God's works.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the collective response of humanity to God's deeds, showcasing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between God's actions and human reverence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the key term for God's works as ποιήματα (poiēmata), which means 'deeds' or 'works.' This choice highlights a focus on the tangible results of God's actions, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but potentially broadening the scope to include all of God's creative and redemptive acts.
This rendering reflects an interpretation that emphasizes the impact of God's works on humanity, inviting a response of fear and reverence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 64:9 states that all people will fear and declare the works of God, leading them to reflect on what He has accomplished. This verse emphasizes the universal recognition of God's power and the appropriate response of awe and contemplation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a deep respect and acknowledgment of God's power and authority, leading to a sense of awe among all people.
They declare and make known the deeds of God, sharing their recognition of His actions and influence in the world.
To ponder means to reflect wisely on God's deeds, considering their significance and implications for humanity.
The fear of God leads to reverence and respect, encouraging people to recognize His greatness and align their lives accordingly.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's works in my own life?
- How can I better acknowledge and declare the deeds of God to others?
- What actions can I take to reflect on what God has done in the world?
- How does understanding the fear of God shape my relationship with Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, noting that it reflects the universal fear of God among those who recognize His deeds.
"And every man feared" [Psalms 64:9]. They that feared not, were not even men. "Every man feared;" that is, every one using reason to perceive the things which were done.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 64 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 64:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd all men shall fear,.... Either God himself, or his judgments: they shall be frightened at them, learn righteousness by them, worship God, and give glory to him; they shall fear him as King of
Read John Gill on Psalms 64 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. -When all the plot is ripe, then ensues sudden destruction of the wicked plotters.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 64 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAll men, i.e. the greater number of those who shall see these events. The work of God, i.e. this admirable work of Divine power, and wisdom, and faithfulness. Wisely consider of his doing; learning wisdom by their folly and misery, and avoiding those evil courses which brought them to ruin.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 64 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 64:9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.Ver. 9. And all men shall fear] Seeing such and such banged up in gibbets, as it were, for a terror to others, Poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes. And shall declare the work of God] viz. His power and providence, which some doubt till thus powerfully convinced, as Claudian was by the destruction of Ruffinus. Abstulit hunc tandem Ruffini poena tumultum, Absolvitque deos; et non iam ad culmina rerum Iniustos crevisse queror; tolluntur in altum, Ut lapsu graviore ruant -
Read John Trapp on Psalms 64 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) For they shall wisely consider.—Rather, And they understand his work.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 64 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. And all men shall fear] They endeavoured to hide their mischief; but God shall so punish them that all shall see it, and shall acknowledge in their chastisement the just judgment of God. The wicked, in consequence, shall fear, and,
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 64 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. all men] Upon men in general (cp. Psalms 58:11) this judgement produces an impression of wholesome fear, in contrast to the profane fearlessness of the ungodly (Psalms 64:4). And they declare the work of God, And understand his operation: publicly acknowledging that He rules in the world, and interpreting for themselves the meaning of the judgement. For ‘work,’ ‘operation,’ cp. Psalms 28:5; for ‘understand,’ Psalms 106:7; and generally, Hosea 14:9. The P.B.V. all men that see it presumes a slightly different and inferior reading.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 64 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd all men shall fear - That is, a deep impression would be made, not only on the associates and companions of the wicked, but on all that should hear of what was done.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 64 →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
Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.
All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.
Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.
and all people will fear. They will proclaim what God has done, and reflect on his deeds.
Tyndale line
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing.
And all men shall fear; and they shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely consider of his doing.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
And all men shall see it, and declare the worke of God, and they shall vnderstand, what he hath wrought.
Strictly literal
And all men shall fear, and shall declare God's doing; and they shall wisely consider his work.
And all men fear, and declare the work of God, And His deed they have considered wisely.
And all men fear, and declare the work of God, || And they have wisely considered His deed.
(64:10) All men shall fear, and shall declare the deeds of God, and understand his works.
All people will fear and will declare God's deeds. They will wisely think about what he has done.
From the Latin
And they that dwell in the uttermost borders shall be afraid at thy signs: thou shalt make the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to be joyful.
Simplified
Then everyone will be frightened. They will say that this is the work of God, and they will think about what he has done.
And in fear men make public the works of God; and giving thought to his acts they get wisdom.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 7 of the 8 words matched. The Septuagint's translation reflects the same core ideas but presents them in a different syntactical structure.
וַיִּֽירְא֗וּ כָּל־ אָ֫דָ֥ם וַ֭יַּגִּידוּ פֹּ֥עַל אֱלֹהִ֗ים וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥הוּ הִשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃
7 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 64:9
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.
יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.
יָרֵא vb. fear
Qal
fear, be afraid
stand in awe of
fear, reverence, honour
Niph.
be fearful, dreadful
cause astonishment and awe
inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
Piel. make afraid, terrify
base
H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid
. stand in awe of
. fear, reverence, honour
. . be fearful, dreadful
. cause astonishment and awe
. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
. make afraid, terrify
3372 yare' yaw-ray'
a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to
frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)
fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,
terrible (act, -ness, thing).
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.
: frightening(DANGER)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.
: awesome(god)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)
Hc/Vqw3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;
married to Eve (H2332);
father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;
Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)
man, human being
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Hc/Vhw3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vhw3mp
פֹּ֫עַל (po'al) refers to an act or work, encompassing meanings like deed, thing done, and wages of work. It is noted as poetic and late in usage. The word is built from the root associated with action, and it can also imply acquisition, particularly of treasures.
פֹּ֫עַל 37 n.m. doing, deed, work (poet. and late)
deed, thing done
work, thing made
wages of work
acquisition of treasures
base
H6467 פֹּ֫עַל doing, deed, work (poet. and late)
6467 po`al po'-al
from 6466; an act or work (concretely):--act, deed, do,
getting, maker, work.
see HEBREW for 06466
פֹּ֫עַל (po.al) — work.
1) work, deed, doing
1a) deed, thing done
1b) work, thing made
1c) wages of work
1d) acquisition (of treasure)
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…
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (*sakal*) is a primitive root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It encompasses a range of meanings including to consider, understand, teach, and prosper. The word can also refer to laying something crosswise in its Piel form. Notably, it appears in contexts that emphasize insight and wisdom.
שָׂכַל vb. be prudent
Qal be prudent, circumspect
Hiph.
look at
give attention to, consider, ponder
have insight, comprehension
cause to consider, give insight, teach
act circumspectly, prudently
H7919a שָׂכַל be prudent .be prudent, circumspect
. . look at
. give attention to, consider, ponder
. have insight, comprehension
. cause to consider, give insight, teach
. act circumspectly, prudently
. prosper, have success
. cause to prosper
H7919b שָׂכַל Pi. lay crosswise
7919 sakal saw-kal'
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act)
circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert,
instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful),
have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing),
wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide
wittingly.
שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — be prudent.
1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper
1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to look at or upon, have insight
1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent
1b3) to have insight, have comprehension
1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst)
1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach
1b4a) the teachers, the wise
1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely
1b6) to prosper, have success
1b7) to cause to prosper
Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)
שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — to cross hands.
(Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)
HVhp3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common pluralHVhp3cp
kon-sid'-er: In the New Testament the force of the word is brought out most vividly in Mt 6:26 (katamanthano), where it means to "examine closely," as though the observer had to bend down for this purpose, and in Lu 12:27; Heb 10:24 (katanoeo, to "observe well"), while in Heb 13:7 the anatheoreo, "look up toward" or "look again at" is consistent with the reverential regard commended in the context. Used in the Old Testament for a variety of Hebrew terms, signifying inspecting (Pr 31:16), examining (Le 13:13), giving serious thoughts to (
