Psalms 89:27 — Word Study
WLCאַף־ אָ֭נִי בְּכ֣וֹר אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
BSAhe/she/ithûwʼ to callqârâʼ fatherʼâb you(m.s.)ʼattâh godʼêl rocktsûwr salvationyᵉshûwʻâh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַף־ | also | Particle |
| אָ֭נִי | I | Pronoun |
| בְּכ֣וֹר | firstborn | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ | I will make him | Verb qal imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן | most high | |
| לְמַלְכֵי־ | to [the] kings of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| אָֽרֶץ׃ | [the] earth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. |
| KJV | Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. |
| ASV | I also will make him my first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth. |
| YLT | I also first-born do appoint him, Highest of the kings of the earth. |
| WEB | I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. |
| BBE | And I will make him the first of my sons, most high over the kings of the earth. |
All translations consistently use the term בְּכ֣וֹר to convey the meaning of firstborn — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a clear main clause followed by a descriptive noun phrase, emphasizing the significance of the appointment.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 89:27
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 — God's Covenant with Davidgenerated
Psalms 89:27 is part of a larger passage where God reaffirms His covenant with David, emphasizing the special status of the appointed one. This verse highlights the promise of divine authority and kingship, connecting to the themes of God's faithfulness and the establishment of a lasting dynasty, as seen in the surrounding verses, especially Psalms 89:28 and Psalms 89:29.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 2:7 | I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. |
| 2 | Romans 8:29 | For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. |
| 3 | Colossians 1:15–18 | The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. |
| 4 | Psalm 2:10–12 | Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. |
| 5 | Psalm 72:11 | May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בְּכ֣וֹר, be.Khorgenerated
The word בְּכ֣וֹר (be.Khor) means 'firstborn' and refers to the first child born in a family, often carrying special rights and privileges. In this context, it signifies a position of honor and authority, indicating that the appointed one will have a unique relationship with God.
The significance of being the 'firstborn' extends beyond mere birth order; it implies leadership and preeminence, as seen throughout biblical narratives. This word is used in various contexts to denote not just the biological firstborn but also a metaphorical sense of priority and importance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term firstborn, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ, I will make him, which governs the subject and the objects. The structure emphasizes the action of appointing the firstborn, with the phrase בְּכ֣וֹר directly following the verb, indicating the role being assigned.
The sentence is constructed with a clear subject-verb-object order, highlighting the relationship between God and the appointed one, while the prepositional phrase לְמַלְכֵי־ adds context to the authority being conferred.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term בְּכ֣וֹר is rendered with the Greek word με, indicating a direct translation that maintains the significance of the firstborn concept. This choice reflects a continuity of meaning from Hebrew to Greek.
The use of με in the LXX underscores the importance of the appointed figure, aligning with the Hebrew understanding of firstborn as a position of honor and authority.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 89:27 states that God will appoint someone as His firstborn, giving him a special status above all the kings of the earth. This verse emphasizes the unique relationship and authority that this figure will hold, reflecting God's covenant promises.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being God's firstborn signifies a unique status and authority, indicating a special relationship with God and a position of leadership among others.
This verse reaffirms God's covenant with David, highlighting the promise of divine favor and the establishment of a lasting dynasty through the appointed firstborn.
The term 'firstborn' carries implications of honor, authority, and responsibility, often indicating a position of preeminence in both familial and spiritual contexts.
This verse establishes the appointed one as the highest among kings, reinforcing the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the divine right to rule.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean for me to recognize God's authority in my life as the supreme ruler?
- How can I reflect the qualities of leadership and responsibility that come with being a part of God's family?
- In what ways can I honor the significance of God's promises in my daily life?
- How does understanding Jesus as the firstborn change my perspective on His authority and kingship?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to highlight the significance of the appointed one as God's firstborn, emphasizing His authority over earthly kings.
"And I will make Him my first-born; higher than the kings of the earth" [Psalms 89:27].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 89 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 89:27 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAlso I will make him my firstborn,.... Or, "make him the firstborn"; make him great, as Jarchi interprets it; give him the blessing, the double portion of inheritance: so Christ is made most blessed
Read John Gill on Psalms 89 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 89 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAs he calls me Father, , so I will make him my son, yea, my first-born, who had divers privileges above other sons. This and the following passage in some sort agree to David, who may well be called God’ s first-born, as all the people of Israel are, ; and so is Ephraim, . Nor can I see fit wholly to exclude David here, of whom all the foregoing and following verses may, and some of them must be, understood. But this is more fully and properly accomplished in Christ, and seems to be ascribed to David here as a type of Christ, and that our minds might be led through David to him whom David represented, even to the Messias, to whom alone this doth strictly and literally belong. Higher than…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 89 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 89:27 Also I will make him [my] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.Ver. 27. Also I will make him my firstborn] Christ is the firstborn of every creature, and in all things hath the pre-eminence. David also shall be the highest prince on earth, blessed aud accepted far beyond any of them: O nimimn dilecte Deo, &c. O excessively esteemed God.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 89 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(27) Firstborn.—Jesse’s youngest son became the firstborn, the favourite son of God. Here, of course, the epithet is extended to all the Davidic succession.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 89 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 27. I will make him my first-born] I will deal with him as a father by his first-born son, to whom a double portion of possessions and honours belong. First-born is not always to be understood literally in Scripture. It often signifies simply a well-beloved, or best-beloved son; one preferred to all the rest, and distinguished by some eminent prerogative. Thus God calls Israel his son, his first-born, Exodus 4:22. See also Ecclus 36:12. And even Ephraim is called God's first-born, Jeremiah 31:9. In the same sense it is sometimes applied even to Jesus Christ himself, to signify his supereminent dignity; not the eternal Sonship of his Divine nature, as inveterate prejudice and…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 89 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges27. I also corresponds to the emphatic He at the beginning of Psa 89:26. It is God’s answer to David’s cry of filial love. The titles son and first-born applied to Israel (Exodus 4:22; Jeremiah 31:9) are conferred upon the king who is Israel’s representative: and the promise made to Israel (Deuteronomy 26:19, cp. Psalms 28:1) is here transferred to David, I also will appoint him as firstborn, Most high above the kings of the earth. David’s posterity is included in his person: and the high promise, never fully realised in any of his successors, points forward to Him Whom St John styles in language borrowed from this verse and Psalms 89:37, “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 89 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAlso I will make him my first-born - He shall be regarded and treated by me as the first-born son is in a family; that is, with distinguished favor and honor.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 89 →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
I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
I will appoint him to be my firstborn son, the most exalted of the earth’s kings.
Tyndale line
Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
I also will make him my first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth.
I also will make him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
Also I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.
Also I wil make him my first borne, higher then the Kings of the earth.
Strictly literal
And as to me, I will make him firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
I also first-born do appoint him, Highest of the kings of the earth.
I also appoint him firstborn, || Highest of the kings of the earth.
(89:28) Also I will appoint my first-born, the highest among the kings of the earth.
I also will place him as my firstborn son, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
Simplified
I will also make him my first-born son, the highest of the kings of the earth.
And I will make him the first of my sons, most high over the kings 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 and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with all seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that partially support the same message, although some words are restored or supplied by an editor.
אַף־ אָ֭נִי בְּכ֣וֹר אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
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.
[יקרא׳ני] אב׳י את
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
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 89:27
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.
The Hebrew word אַף (aph) is a conjunction that indicates addition, often implying something greater. It can mean 'also,' 'yea,' or 'though,' and is used to connect ideas in a sentence. The entries highlight its use as both an adverb and conjunction, with a focus on its additive nature.
אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
base
H637 אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
637 'aph af
a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or
conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though:--also, +
although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, + how much less
(more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.
אַף (aph) — also.
conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater)
1) also, yea, though, so much the more
adv
2) furthermore, indeed
Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
HTj — ParticleHTj
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
HPp1bs — PronounHPp1bs
בְּכוֹר (bekor) means 'first-born' and can refer to both humans and animals. It denotes the eldest son or daughter and can also be used figuratively. The word is derived from a root that emphasizes the concept of being first or chief.
בְּכוֹר 122 n.m. first-born
men and women
animals
figurative
base
H1060 בְּכוֹר first-born
1060 bkowr bek-ore'
from 1069; firstborn; hence, chief:--eldest (son),
firstborn(-ling).
see HEBREW for 01069
בְּכוֹר (be.khor) — firstborn.
1) firstborn, firstling
1a) of men and women
1b) of animals
1c) noun of relation (fig.)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by an offering not exceeding five shekels, within one month from birth. If he died before the expiration of thirty days, the Jewish doctors held the father excused, but liable to the payment if he outlived that time. (Exodus 13:12-15,16; Leviticus 27:6) The eldest son received a double portion of the father’s inheritance, (21:17) but not of the mother’s. Under the monarchy the eldest son usually, but no always, as appears in the case of Solomon, succeeded his father in the kingdom. (1 Kings 1:30; 2:22) The male first-born of animals was also devoted to God.…
This phrase is not always to be understood literally; it is sometimes taken for the prime, most excellent, most distinguished of things, Ps 89:27 Ro 8:29 Heb 1:4-6. Thus Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of every creature," Col 1:15, inasmuch as he was the "Only begotten" of the Father before any creature was produced. He is "the firstborn from the dead," Col 1:18, because he is the beginning, and the author of the resurrection of all who die in faith.
After the destroying angel had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, God ordained that all the Jewish firstborn, both of men and of beasts for service, should be consecrated to…
→ Of man and beast, reserved to himself by God Ex 13:2,12-16; 22:29,30; 34:19,20; Le 27:26; Nu 3:13; 8:17,18; De 15:19-23; Ne 10:36
→ Redemption of Ex 13:13; 34:20; Le 27:27; Nu 3:40-51; 18:15-17
→ Levites taken instead of firstborn of the families of Israel Nu 3:12,40-45; 8:16-18
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
HVqi1cs/Sp3ms — Verb qal imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVqi1cs/Sp3ms
עֶלְיוֹן (elyown) means 'high' or 'upper,' and is used to describe both physical elevations, such as the upper part of Bethhoron, and metaphorical heights, referring to God as the 'Most High.' It can also denote rulers, including monarchs and angelic beings. The term is derived from a root meaning elevation.
עֶלְיוֹן 22 adj.
high
upper Bethhoron, the upper (opp. lower) of house
base
עֶלְיוֹן n.m. Highest, Most High
name of God
of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes
base
H5945a עֶלְיוֹן . high
. upper Bethhoron, the upper (opp. lower) of house
H5945b עֶלְיוֹן Highest, Most High . name of God
. of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes
5945 'elyown el-yone'
from 5927; an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as
title, the Supreme:--(Most, on) high(-er, -est),
upper(-most).
see HEBREW for 05927
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — high.
adj
1) high, upper
1a) of Davidic king exalted above monarchs
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — Most High.
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — Upper (Beth Horon).
Combined with bet cho.ron (בֵּית חוֹרֹן " Beth-horon" H1032H)
§
עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — (LORD) Most High.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
HAamsa — HAamsa
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
HR/Ncmpc — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
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
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
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