Psalms 78:2 — Word Study
WLCאֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־ קֶֽדֶם׃
BSAI will openpâthach [to utter, to declare] my mouthpeh [lips, edge of expression] in parablesmâshâl [proverbs, dark sayings] I will utternâbaʻ [to bubble, to gush forth] things hiddenchîydâh [mysteries, riddles, difficult to understand, perplexing] frommin the beginningqedem [from old, from the front]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה | I will open | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct first person common singular |
| בְמָשָׁ֣ל | in a parable | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| פִּ֑י | mouth my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אַבִּ֥יעָה | I will pour forth | Verb, Hiphil, infinitive construct first person common singular |
| חִ֝יד֗וֹת | riddles | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| מִנִּי־ | from | Preposition |
| קֶֽדֶם׃ | antiquity | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, |
| KJV | I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: |
| ASV | I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, |
| YLT | I open with a simile my mouth, I bring forth hidden things of old, |
| WEB | I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old, |
| BBE | Opening my mouth I will give out a story, even the dark sayings of old times; |
The translations agree on the key elements of the verse, particularly the use of parables and the revelation of hidden things.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate clause, indicating the action of speaking and what will be spoken about.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּתַח
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 78:2
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 Teaching of the Psalmistgenerated
Psalm 78:2 presents the psalmist's commitment to convey profound truths through parables. This verse is part of a larger section where the psalmist instructs the people to listen and learn from the wisdom passed down through generations, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge and understanding God's works as seen in Psalm 78:1.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 49:4 | I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp: |
| 2 | Matthew 13:13–34 | This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:6 | by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. |
| 4 | Matthew 13:11–13 | He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. |
| 5 | Mark 4:34 | He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֶפְתְּחָה, 'ef.te.Chahgenerated
The verb פָּתַח (pathach) means 'to open' and is used here in the first person singular future tense, indicating the psalmist's intention to speak. It carries a sense of revealing or declaring, as in opening one's mouth to share wisdom.
This word can also imply engraving or carving, suggesting that the teachings being shared are meant to leave a lasting impression. The use of this verb highlights the active role of the speaker in communicating important truths.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which has I will open for אֶפְתְּחָה, and this is consistent across the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֶפְתְּחָה (ef.te.Chah) governs the structure of the verse, indicating the action of opening the mouth. It is followed by a prepositional phrase describing the manner of speaking and a second clause that details what will be uttered.
The syntax emphasizes the act of speaking as central to the psalmist's message, with the parables and hidden things serving as the objects of this declaration.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֶפְתְּחָה as ἀνοίχω (anoichō), which also means 'to open.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on the act of revealing.
The Greek term used for 'hidden things' is ἀρξῆς (archēs), which suggests a beginning or origin, complementing the Hebrew notion of ancient mysteries.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:2 expresses the psalmist's intention to speak in parables and reveal hidden truths. This verse emphasizes the importance of teaching and sharing wisdom, as the psalmist aims to convey profound messages that have been kept secret since ancient times.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is indicating that he will use parables to convey deeper truths and insights, making complex ideas more accessible.
This refers to profound truths and mysteries that have been concealed throughout history, now being revealed to the people.
This verse sets the stage for the psalmist's teaching, emphasizing the importance of passing down knowledge and the history of God's deeds.
Parables engage the listener's imagination and encourage deeper reflection, allowing complex ideas to be understood through relatable stories.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some parables or stories that have helped you understand deeper truths in your life?
- How can you share wisdom with others using relatable examples or stories?
- In what ways do you see hidden truths being revealed in your own experiences?
- How does the practice of teaching through parables enhance the learning process?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the significance of the psalmist's declaration to open his mouth in parables.
"I will open," he says, "in parables My mouth, I will declare propositions from the beginning" [Psalms 78:2]. From what beginning he means, is very evident in the words following.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 78 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will open my mouth,.... Speak freely, boldly, and without reserve, Ephesians 6:19, so Christ opened his mouth, Matthew 5:2, in a parable; not that what follows in this psalm was such, but what were
Read John Gill on Psalms 78 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: I will open my mouth in a parable ( maashaal (H4912)) - a similitude (see note, Psalms 49:4). I will utter - literally, sputter out (cf.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 78 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOpen my mouth, speak to you with all freedom and plainness, in a parable; uttering divers and weighty sentences (for such are oft called parables in Scripture) or passages of great moment for your instruction and advantage. Dark sayings; so he calls the following passages, not because the words and sentences are in themselves hard to be understood, for they are generally historical and easy, but because the things contained in them, concerning God’ s transcendent goodness to an unworthy people, and their unparalleled ingratitude for and abuse of such eminent favours, and their stupid ignorance and insensibleness under such excellent and constant teachings of God’ s word and works, are…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 78 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:Ver. 2. I will open my mouth in a parable] I will speak freely and plainly (I will open my mouth, Matthew 5:2 Acts 10:34), and yet acutely and accurately. See Psalms 49:4, I will utter dark sayings of old] Heb. I will well out (as from a spring or fountain) dark or sharp sayings, transacted and recorded of old, but of good use for ever. Difficulty doth not discourage, but rather whet on heroic spirits to a more diligent inquiry. Aben Ezra noteth here, that Psalms 78:9, "The children of Ephraim," &c., is a parable, and Psalms 78:25, "Man did eat angels’ food," is a riddle, or dark saying.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2, 3) I will open.—A difficulty is started by the fact that the psalm deals with history, and is neither a proverb (mâshal) nor riddle (chîdah). But the Divine rejection of the northern tribes may be the covert meaning which the poet sees to have been wrapped up in all the ancient history. The word mâshal is also sometimes used in a wide, vague sense, embracing prophetic as well as proverbial poetry. (See Numbers 21:27.) For “dark sayings,” literally, knotty points, see Numbers 12:8. In Habakkuk 2:6 the word seems to mean a sarcasm.For the use of this passage in Matthew 13:35, see Note, New Testament Commentary.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 78 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. In a parable] Or, I will give you instruction by numerous examples; see Psalms 49:1-4, which bears a great similarity to this; and see the notes there. The term parable, in its various acceptations, has already been sufficiently explained; but משל mashal may here mean example, as opposed to תורה torah, law or precept, Psalms 78:1.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 78 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. On the words parable and dark sayings or enigmas see note on Psalms 49:4. The Psalmist has no mere narrative of facts to recount, but a history full of significance for those who can penetrate its hidden meaning. It is a ‘parable’ not for Israel only, but for every individual in the Christian Church. dark sayings of old] Lessons drawn from the history of ancient times, from the Exodus, when Israel was ‘born’ as a nation, onward. Cp. Psalms 77:5. This verse is freely quoted by St Matthew (Matthew 13:34-35), in a form which does not agree exactly either with the Heb. or with the LXX, with reference to our Lord’s teaching in parables. “All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will open my mouth in a parable - See the notes at Psalms 49:4.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 78 →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
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past.
Tyndale line
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old:
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will declare high sentences of olde.
Strictly literal
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter riddles from of old,
I open with a simile my mouth, I bring forth hidden things of old,
I open my mouth with an allegory, || I bring forth hidden things of old,
I will open with a parable my mouth: I will utter riddles out of ancient times;
I will open my mouth in parables; I will sing about hidden things about the past.
From the Latin
They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.
Simplified
I will tell you wise sayings; I will explain mysteries from the past
Opening my mouth I will give out a story, even the dark sayings of old times;
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 agree in their wording for this verse, with all seven words matched. This shows a consistent transmission of the text across these ancient witnesses.
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־ קֶֽדֶם׃
7 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 78:2
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.
פָּתַח (pathach) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to open' and can refer to various actions such as opening doors, loosening restraints, or engraving. It has different forms, including Qal (to open), Niphal (to be opened), and Piel (to engrave). The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, but there is some overlap in meaning regarding its applications in opening and engraving.
פָּתַח vb. open
Qal open sack
Niph. be opened
Pi. be opened
free, i.e. ungird, camels
loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
open gates, doors
Hithp. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
base
[פָּתַח] vb. Pi. engrave
Pu. stones engraved with the engravings of a signet.
base
H6605a פָּתַח open .open sack
. be opened
. be opened . free, i.e. ungird, camels
. loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
. open gates, doors
. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
H6605b פָּתַח Pi. engrave
6605 pathach paw-thakh'
a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively);
specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve:--appear, break
forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self),
(be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to open.
1) to open
1a) (Qal) to open
1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to free
1c2) to loosen
1c3) to open, open oneself
1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself
Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to engrave.
1) to carve, engrave
1a) (Piel) to engrave
1b) (Pual) to be engraved
V-Qal-1cs — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common singularHVqc1cs
o'-p'-n: In the Old Testament represents chiefly pathach, but also other words, as galah, "to uncover"; of the opening of the eyes in vision, etc. (thus Balaam, Nu 22:31; 24:4; compare Job 33:16; 36:10; Ps 119:18; Jer 32:11,14). In the New Testament the usual word is anoigo (of opening of mouth, eyes, heavens, doors, etc.). A peculiar word, trachelizomai (literally, to have the neck bent back, to be laid bare), is used for "laid open" before God in Heb 4:13.
מָשָׁל (mashal) refers to a proverb or parable, often characterized by parallelism and typically found in Hebrew Wisdom literature. It encompasses various forms such as aphorisms, bywords, and ethical maxims. The word is derived from a root suggesting superiority in mental action, indicating its metaphorical nature.
מָשָׁל n.m. proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)
base
H4912 מָשָׁל proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)
4912 mashal maw-shawl'
apparently from 4910 in some original sense of superiority in
mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of
metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem,
discourse):--byword, like, parable, proverb.
see HEBREW for 04910
מָשָׁל (ma.shal) — proverb.
1) proverb, parable
1a) proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism
1b) byword
1c) similitude, parable
1d) poem
1e) sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
par'-a-b'-l:
1. Name
2. Historical Data
3. Christ's Use of Parables.
4. Purpose of Christ in Using Parables
5. Interpretation of the Parables
6. Doctrinal Value of the Parables
1. Name:
Etymologically the word "parable" (paraballo) signifies a placing of two or more objects together, usually for the purpose of a comparison. In this widest sense of the term there is practically no difference between parable and simile (see Thayer, Dictionary of New Testament Greek, under the word). This is also what substantially some of Christ's parables amount to, which consist of only one comparison and in a single verse (compare Mt 13:33,44-46). In the more usual and technical sense of the word, "parable" ordinarily signifies an imaginary story, yet one that in its details could have actually transpired, the purpose of the story being to illustrate and…
Parable
(Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or…
(The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another. --McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expanded into a…
Derived from a Greek word, which signifies, to compare things together, to form a parallel or similitude of them with other things.
What we call the Proverbs of Solomon, which are moral maxims and sentences, the Greeks call the Parables of Solomon. In like manner, when Job answers his friends, it is said he took up his "parable," Job 27:1 29:1. In the New Testament the word parable denotes sometimes a true history, or an illustrative sketch from nature; sometimes a proverb or adage, Lu 4:23; a truth darkly or figuratively expressed, Mt 15:15; a type, Heb 9:9; or a similitude, Mt 24:32. The parabolical, enigmatical…
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
נָבַע (naba`) is a primitive root meaning to gush forth or bubble up. It encompasses actions like flowing, pouring out, and emitting, with uses in both literal and figurative contexts, including the utterance of words. The entries indicate that it can also refer to producing a foul odor, as in belching forth.
[נָבַע] vb. flow, spring, bubble up, poet. and late
Qal a flowing wady
Hiph. pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth
base
H5042 נָבַע
5042 naba` naw-bah'
a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good
or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor):--belch
out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).
נָבַע (na.va) — to bubble.
1) to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment
1a) (Qal) to flow
1b)(Hiphil) to pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth
1b1) to pour out
1b2) to cause to bubble, ferment
1b3) to pour forth, emit, belch forth
V-Hiphil-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct first person common singularHVhc1cs
forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement
(1) forward,
(2) out of,
(3) beyond a certain boundary.
In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…
חִידָה (chiydah) means 'riddle' or 'perplexing question.' It can refer to enigmatic sayings, dark utterances, or difficult questions, often used in a context of testing someone's wisdom, as seen in the story of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to puzzle' and can also imply trickery or double-dealing.
חִידָה n.f. riddle, enigmatic, perplexing saying or question
riddle = dark, obscure utterance
riddle, enigma, to be guessed
perplexing questions by which queen of Sheba put Sol. to the test
skilled in double-dealing
base
H2420 חִידָה
2420 chiydah khee-daw'
from 2330; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious
maxim:--dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question,
proverb, riddle.
see HEBREW for 02330
חִידָה (chi.dah) — riddle.
1) riddle, difficult question, parable, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question
1a) riddle (dark obscure utterance)
1b) riddle, enigma (to be guessed)
1c) perplexing questions (difficult)
1d) double dealing (with 'havin')
Aramaic equivalent: a.chi.dah (אֲחִידָה "riddle" H0280)
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.
מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal
from, against
מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
of position, off, on the side of, on
Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
Partitively
Of time—
as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
towards, to
(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
In comparisons, beyond, above
מן is prefixed to an infin.:
with causal force, from, on account of, through
after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
with a temporal force, since, after
Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
In compounds:
base
H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against
. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
. of position, off, on the side of, on
. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
. Partitively
. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
. towards, to
. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
. In comparisons, beyond, above
. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through
. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
. with a temporal force, since, after
. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
4480 min min
or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)
{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;
hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as
follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason
of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,
since, X then, through, X whether, with.
see HEBREW for 04482
מִן־ (min) — from.
prep
1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than
1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of
1b) out of
1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)
1b2) (of material from which something is made)
1b3) (of source or origin)
1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)
1d) from, since, after (of time)
1e) than, more than (in comparison)
1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or
1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)
1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)
conj
2) that
Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
מֵן (men) — portion.
n.m.
portion
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime
loc.
front
East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward
temp., ancient time, aforetime:
הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.
בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days
מִקּ׳ from of old
ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old
beginning
base
[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.
base
H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front
. East
. temp. ancient time, aforetime
H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.
6924 qedem keh'-dem
or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place
(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time
(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,
eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,
part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,
past. Compare 6926.
see HEBREW for 06923
see HEBREW for 06926
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.
This name means east, antiquity, front
קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.
adv
eastward, to or toward the East
Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.
: east
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.
: old/ancient
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.
: forward
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
