Psalms 83:16 — Word Study
WLCמַלֵּ֣א פְנֵיהֶ֣ם קָל֑וֹן וִֽיבַקְשׁ֖וּ שִׁמְךָ֣ יְהוָֽה׃
BSArightkên to pursuerâdaph tempestçaʻar whirlwindçûwphâh to dismaybâhal
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַלֵּ֣א | fill | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine singular |
| פְנֵיהֶ֣ם | faces their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| קָל֑וֹן | shame | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וִֽיבַקְשׁ֖וּ | so they may seek | Conjunction, verb piel third person masculine plural |
| שִׁמְךָ֣ | name your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יְהוָֽה׃ | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. |
| KJV | Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. |
| ASV | Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah. |
| YLT | Fill their faces [with] shame, And they seek Thy name, O Jehovah. |
| WEB | Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, Yahweh. |
| BBE | Let their faces be full of shame; so that they may give honour to your name, O Lord. |
Where they part company is קָל֑וֹן — see How Translations Differ.
The main request is followed by a purpose clause, indicating the desired outcome of the action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכֵּן
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 83:16
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 Plea for Divine Justicegenerated
Psalm 83:16 is a part of a prayer asking for God's intervention against enemies. The psalmist desires that their shame leads them to seek the Lord, emphasizing the power of divine authority and the hope for repentance among adversaries. This verse reflects a broader theme found throughout the Psalms, where the psalmist often pleads for God's justice and mercy in the face of opposition.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 6:10 | All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace. |
| 2 | Psalm 9:19–20 | Rise up, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence. |
| 3 | Psalm 34:5 | Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַלֵּ֣א, ma.Le'generated
The verb מַלֵּא (ma.Le') is an imperative form meaning 'to fill.' It carries a sense of completion or fulfillment, suggesting that the psalmist desires a total overwhelming of shame upon the enemies' faces.
This verb is used in various contexts, from literal filling to figurative applications like fulfilling a promise. Here, it serves to emphasize the psalmist's urgent request for God to act decisively against those who oppose 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 verse has a main clause with the verb מַלֵּ֣א, fill, governing the request. It is followed by a subordinate clause that indicates the purpose of this action: that they may seek Your name.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between the shame imposed and the resulting action of seeking God, demonstrating a cause-and-effect dynamic in the psalmist's plea.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַלֵּ֣א as οὕτως, which suggests a more interpretive approach, focusing on the outcome rather than the filling action itself. This choice may reflect a broader understanding of the psalmist's intent.
The translation of קָל֑וֹן is rendered as ἐν, indicating a different emphasis in the Greek text, potentially altering the nuance of shame as it relates to the seeking of God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 83:16 asks God to cover the faces of His enemies with shame so that they will seek Him. This reflects a desire for divine justice and the hope that shame can lead to repentance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a request for God to bring dishonor upon His enemies, which may lead them to recognize their wrongs and seek Him.
Seeking God's name represents acknowledging His authority and character, which is central to repentance and restoration.
Shame can prompt individuals to reflect on their actions, leading them to seek forgiveness and a relationship with God.
This title emphasizes God's sovereignty and self-existence, reminding the reader of His power and authority.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced shame leading to a desire for change in my life?
- How can I encourage others to seek God, especially when they face difficult circumstances?
- What does it mean for me to honor God's name in my daily life?
- How can I respond to those who oppose me in a way that reflects God's character?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse in their writings, using it to illustrate the importance of seeking God in times of distress.
"Fill their faces with shame, and they shall seek Your name, O Lord" [Psalms 83:16].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 83 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 83:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFill their faces with shame,.... For their sins, or rather through disappointment, not being able to put their desperate and deep laid schemes into execution: or "with lightness" (o); instead of a
Read John Gill on Psalms 83 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryO my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. -Second part of the second main division. Prayer inspired by God for the extinction of the foe by the fiery storm of God. Verse 13.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 83 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat being disappointed of their hopes, and discerning the impotency of their idols, they may own and worship thee as the only true God.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 83 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.Ver. 16. Fill their faces with shame] By confounding their confidences, and blasting their designs. They promised themselves a triumph, but let them have the canvas. That they may seek thy name, O Lord] Ut inviti cogantur quis sit tam potens Iehovah rogitare , that they may even in despite of their heads be compelled to inquire after thee. It is storied of Sennacherib, that, after the destruction of his huge army at Jerusalem, demanding of some about him what might be the reason that the irresistible God of heaven so favoured the Jewish nation, as he had found by sad experience? answer was given, that Abraham…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 83 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Thy name, O Lord.—Rather, thy name (which is) Jehovah. The nations were to seek Him not only as God, but as Jehovah God of Israel. This is proved by Psalms 83:18. No doubt the thought uppermost in the verse is the submission of the heathen to Jehovah’s power. But we may, looking back, read in it a nobler wish and a grander hope—the prophetic hope of a union of nations in a belief in the common fatherhood of God.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 83 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. That they may seek thy name] Let them be confounded in all their attempts on Israel; and see, so manifestly, that thou hast done it, that they may invoke thy name, and be converted to thee.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 83 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. Fill their faces with shame] Or, disgrace. Let them be disgraced by defeat and disappointed in their project. But this is only as the means to the higher end, that they may seek Jehovah’s name, recognising in Israel’s God the God of revelation, and submitting themselves to His Will.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 83 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFill their faces with shame - As those who are disappointed and foiled in their plans - such disappointment and confusion commonly manifesting itself in the face.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 83 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.
Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, Yahweh.
Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.
Cover their faces with shame, so they might seek you, O Lord.
Tyndale line
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah.
Fill their faces with confusion; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Fill their faces with shame, that they may seeke thy Name, O Lord.
Strictly literal
Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O Jehovah.
Fill their faces [with] shame, And they seek Thy name, O Jehovah.
Fill their faces [with] shame, || And they seek Your Name, O YHWH.
(83:17) Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O Lord!
Fill their faces with shame so that they might seek your name, Yahweh.
Simplified
Shame them in defeat so that they come to you, Lord!
Let their faces be full of shame; so that they may give honour to your name, O Lord.
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 is supported by the Septuagint, which matches five of the six words in this verse. However, the Dead Sea Scrolls fragment contains only a portion of the verse, indicating that while there is agreement on key elements, some details remain incomplete.
מַלֵּ֣א פְנֵיהֶ֣ם קָל֑וֹן וִֽיבַקְשׁ֖וּ שִׁמְךָ֣ יְהוָֽה׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
כן תרדפ׳ם בסער׳ך ובסופת׳ך תבהל׳ם
5 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.
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 83:16
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.
מָלֵא (male') means 'to fill' or 'be full,' with applications ranging from literal filling to figurative uses like accomplishing or completing something. It appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances such as being satisfied or confirming. Notably, it can also refer to massing against someone.
מָלֵא 249 vb. be full, fill
Qal 99
be full, usu. c. acc. material
trans. fill
Niph.
be filled
be accomplished, ended
Pi.
fill
special uses are:
fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day
Pu. filled
Hithp. mass themselves against me
base
H4390 מָלֵא be full, fill .. be full, usu. c. acc. material
. trans. fill
. . be filled
. be accomplished, ended
. . fill
. special uses are:
. fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day
. filled
. mass themselves against me
4390 male' maw-lay'
or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or
(intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally
and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at
an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X
draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow,
fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume,
replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have
wholly.
מָלֵא (ma.le) — to fill.
1) to fill, be full
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be full
1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle)
1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended
1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied
1b2) to be accomplished, be ended
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to fill
1c2) to satisfy
1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete
1c4) to confirm
1d) (Pual) to be filled
1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against
Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
HVpv2ms — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine singularHVpv2ms
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
HNcmpc/Sp3mp — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp
קָלוֹן (qalown) refers to concepts of dishonor and shame, encompassing personal disgrace and national ignominy. It is derived from the root meaning associated with disgrace. The entries consistently highlight its negative connotations related to reputation and honor.
קָלוֹן n.m. ignominy, dishonour
base
H7036 קָלוֹן ignominy, dishonour
7036 qalown kaw-lone'
from 7034; disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda:--
confusion, dishonour, ignominy, reproach, shame.
see HEBREW for 07034
קָלוֹן (qa.lon) — dishonor.
1) shame, disgrace, dishonour, ignominy
1a) ignominy (of nation)
1b) dishonour, disgrace (personal)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
sham (bosh, "to be ashamed," bosheth, "shame," qalon; aischune, "ignominy," atimia, "dishonor," and other words): An oft-recurring word in Scripture almost uniformly bound up with a sense of sin and guilt. It is figuratively set forth as a wild beast (Jer 3:24), a Nessus-garment (Jer 3:25), a blight (Jer 20:18), a sin against one's own soul (Hab 2:10), and twice as the condensed symbol of Hebrew abomination--Baal (Jer 11:13 margin; Ho 9:10 margin; see ISH-BOSHETH). It is bracketed with defeat (Isa 30:3), reproach…
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
HC/Vpu3mp — Conjunction · verb piel third person masculine pluralHC/Vpu3mp
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt