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Psalms 94:20 — Word Study

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WLCהַֽ֭יְחָבְרְךָ כִּסֵּ֣א הַוּ֑וֹת יֹצֵ֖ר עָמָ֣ל עֲלֵי־ חֹֽק׃

BSACan a corrupthavvâh [thoroughly wicked, morally decayed] thronekiççêʼ [seat of power] be Your allychâbar [unite with You, have fellowship] one devisingyâtsar [framing, plotting] mischiefʻâmâl [trouble, evil] byʻal decreechôq [statute, law, established rule]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 94
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Chok) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 94:20quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist questions whether a corrupt throne can truly align with God while enacting evil.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on the nature of authority and morality.
Where we areA meditation on the relationship between divine justice and earthly power.
The hard wordיְחָבְרְךָ
Take awayThe verse challenges the integrity of alliances formed with corrupt authority.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָצַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 94:20

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 Reflection on Divine Justicegenerated

19When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul.
20Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree?
21They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22But the LORD has been my stronghold, and my God is my rock of refuge.

Psalms 94:20 presents a rhetorical question about the compatibility of a corrupt throne with God's righteousness. The psalmist expresses concern over those in power who devise evil through their decrees, contrasting their actions with the justice of God. This passage emphasizes the moral decay of authority and invites reflection on the nature of true justice and alliance with God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 52:1Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long.
2Psalm 82:1God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
31 Samuel 22:12“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied.
4Ecclesiastes 3:16Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
5Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

The Key Word יְחָבְרְךָ, Hay.cha.ve.re.khagenerated

The Hebrew word חָבַר (chabar) means to unite or join together, often in a figurative sense. It can also refer to forming alliances or fellowship, indicating a connection that may be both positive and negative.

In this verse, the parsing indicates that it is a verb in the imperfect tense, suggesting a potential or ongoing action — questioning whether such a corrupt entity can truly unite with God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the corrupt nature of the throne and its inability to align with God.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main finite verb is יְחָבְרְךָ, will it be joined, governing the entire verse. The structure presents a conditional inquiry about the nature of the throne and its actions.

The sentence is constructed with a main clause followed by a subordinate clause that details the actions of the throne, emphasizing the relationship between the corrupt authority and its decrees.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְחָבְרְךָ with σοι (sōi), indicating a direct address to God and maintaining the inquiry about the alliance with corrupt power.

This choice reflects a focus on the relationship between the divine and the earthly authority, emphasizing the question of moral alignment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 94:20 questions whether a corrupt throne can truly be allied with God if it is engaged in enacting evil. The verse reflects on the moral integrity of those in power and their decrees, inviting readers to consider the nature of true justice.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by a corrupt throne?

A corrupt throne refers to a seat of power that is morally decayed and engages in wickedness, undermining true justice.

Why is the throne described as devising mischief?

The throne is described as devising mischief to highlight the active role of authority in creating trouble and injustice through its decrees.

What is the significance of the question posed in this verse?

The question emphasizes the incompatibility of corrupt authority with divine righteousness, challenging the reader to reflect on the nature of true alliances.

How does this verse relate to the theme of justice in the Psalms?

This verse contributes to the overarching theme of justice in the Psalms by contrasting the actions of corrupt rulers with the expectations of divine justice.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see authority figures acting contrary to justice in my own context?
  2. How can I discern between true and false alliances in my life?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure that my actions align with principles of justice and righteousness?
  4. How does this verse challenge my understanding of power and its moral implications?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, discussing the implications of corrupt authority and the quest for true justice.

JeromeHOMILIES ON THE Psalms 22 c. 347–420
“Who cause toil by your law.” No one receives a crown while he is asleep; no one is secure in his possession of the kingdom of heaven; no one with a full stomach is fit to discourse on fasting.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 94 354–430
"Will You have anything to do with the stool of iniquity, who makest sorrow in learning?" [Psalms 94:20].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
Augustine of HippoConfessions 2.2 354–430
But, instead, I was in a ferment of wickedness. I deserted you and allowed myself to be carried away by the sweep of the tide. I broke all your lawful bounds and did not escape your lash.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 94:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee,.... Or "be joined with thee", be "partner with thee" (f), as antichrist affects to be; who may well be called "the throne of iniquity", since

Read John Gill on Psalms 94 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 94 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Wilt thou take part with the unrighteous powers of the world, who oppress thy people? It is true, they partake of thy name, being called gods, , but I know thou wilt not afford them thy protection and patronage, but wilt manifest thy justice and displeasure against them. This seems to have been one of those comfortable thoughts wherewith the psalmist delighted his soul, as he now said. Which frameth mischief; who devise wicked devices, and lay heavy burdens upon men that are more righteous than themselves. By a law; either by virtue of those unrighteous decrees which they have made in form of laws; or by false pretences of law. Or, against law; against all right, and the laws both of God…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 94 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?Ver. 20. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee] Shall tyrants and oppressors (who do exercise regiment without righteousness) entitle thee to their wicked proceedings, and go unpunished? See Isaiah 36:10; Isaiah 37:36; the throne or tribunal is called, The holy place, Ecclesiastes 8:10; woe, then, to those that pollute it! Which frameth mischief by a law?] As did the primitive persecutors, with their bloody edicts against Christians; and the Popish bishops, of whose laws that of Politian was verified, Inventum Actiae dicuntur iura Draconis: Vera est fama nimis, nil nisi…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 94 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Throne of iniquity.—This is an apt expression for an oppressive and unjust government. The word rendered “iniquity” might mean “calamity” or “destruction” (see Psalms 57:1, and comp. Psalms 91:3 : “noisome”), but in Proverbs 10:3 it seems to mean “lawless desire,” which best suits this passage. Have fellowship—i.e., be associated in the government. Could the theocracy admit to a share in it, not merely imperfect instruments of justice, but even those who perverted justice to evil ends? Which frameth mischief by a law?—i.e., making legislation a means of wrong. Others, however, render, “against the law.” But the former explanation best suits the next verse.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 94 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 20. Shall the throne of iniquity] No wicked king, judge, or magistrate shall ever stand in thy presence. No countenance shall such have from thy grace or providence. Which frameth mischief] Devise, plan, and execute, as if they acted by a positive law, and were strictly enjoined to do what they so much delighted in.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 94 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20–23. The doom of tyrants and the deliverance of their victims.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 94 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Shall the throne of iniquity - The throne established in iniquity; or, sustaining iniquity.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 94 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, which brings about mischief by statute?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree?

NETBNew English Translation2006

Cruel rulers are not your allies, those who make oppressive laws.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee, Which frameth mischief by statute?

RVARevised Version, American1894

Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by statute?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Hath the throne of iniquitie fellowship with thee, which forgeth wrong for a Lawe?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Shall the throne of wickedness be united to thee, which frameth mischief into a law?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Is a throne of mischief joined [with] Thee? A framer of perverseness by statute?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Is a throne of mischief joined [with] You? A framer of perverseness by statute?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Can there be associated with thee the throne of destructive wickedness, which frameth mischief as a law?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Can a throne of destruction be allied with you, one who creates injustice by statute?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Can unjust judges really be on your side, Lord, when their corrupt use of the law causes misery?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

What part with you has the seat of sin, which makes evil into a law?

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.

clauseהַֽ֭willclauseverbיְחָבְרְitobjectךָbe.joined.to.you?noun phrase · subjectnoun phraseכִּסֵּ֣אa.throneהַוּ֑וֹתof.destruction(s)noun phraseclauseverbיֹצֵ֖ר[one.who].fashionsobjectעָמָ֣לmischiefprepositional phrase · prepositionalעֲלֵיonחֹֽקa.decree

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 six out of seven words matched. This consistency highlights the shared understanding of the verse's message across these ancient texts.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

הַֽ֭יְחָבְרְךָ כִּסֵּ֣א הַוּ֑וֹת יֹצֵ֖ר עָמָ֣ל עֲלֵי־ חֹֽק׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הַֽ֭יְחָבְרְךָσοιכִּסֵּ֣אθρόνοςהַוּ֑וֹתἀνομίαςעָמָ֣לκόπονעֲלֵי־ἐπὶחֹֽק׃προστάγματι

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 94:20חָבַר¿ will it b¿ will it be joחָבַרכִּסֵּאa throne ofa throne ofכִּסֵּאהַוָּהdestructiondestructionהַוָּהיָצַר[which] fas[which] fashionיָצַרעָמָלmischiefmischiefעָמָלעַלononעַלחֹקa decreea decreeחֹקעָמַלto toilto toilעָמַלכָּסָהto coverto coverכָּסָההָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאחָקַקto decreeto decreeחָקַקצָרַרbe distresbe distressedצָרַריָצַעto layto layיָצַעעַלheightheightעַלקֶ֫רֶסclaspclaspקֶ֫רֶסיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהמַלְכוּתroyaltyroyaltyמַלְכוּתשָׁקַלto weighto weighשָׁקַללָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןחֶ֫רֶשׂearthenwarearthenwareחֶ֫רֶשׂחֹ֫מֶרclayclayחֹ֫מֶראָ֫וֶןevil: wickevil: wickednesאָ֫וֶןכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאלָמַדto learn: to learn: teachלָמַד
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 94:20

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.

¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
הַֽ֭יְחָבְרְךָHay.cha.ve.re.kha ¿ will it be joined to you H2266 Particle · verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to unite or join, and can also refer to charming or spellbinding someone. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It can also mean to make an alliance or fellowship.
Amplified meaning
unite with You, have fellowship
Tyndale gloss
to unite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבַר (chabar) means to unite or join together, often in a figurative sense, but can also refer to tying magic spells or charms. It encompasses various forms of joining, including making alliances or being in fellowship. The verb appears in different stems, indicating nuances like being allied or compacted, but no significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבַר] vb. unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm

Qal

unite, be joined

tie magic knots, charm

Pi.

make an ally of, unite one with

unite, join (trans.)

Pu.

be allied with

be united to = be one of

be joined together

Hiph. I could make a joining with words

Hithp. join oneself to, make an alliance with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2266 חָבַר unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2266 chabar khaw-bar'

a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively);

specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate:--charm(- er),

be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up,

join (self, together), league.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבַר (cha.var) — to unite.

1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to unite, be joined

1a2) to tie magic charms, charm

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to unite with, make an ally of

1b2) to unite, join, ally

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be allied with, be united

1c2) to be joined together

1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words)

1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Particle · verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HTi/Vqi3ms/Sp2ms
¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
כִּסֵּ֣אki.Se' a throne of H3678 Noun common · masculine singular construct
135× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a throne, symbolizing a seat of power or authority, often canopied or covered. It is used to describe the throne of God or a king, representing royal dignity and power.
Amplified meaning
seat of power
Tyndale gloss
throne
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) refers to a seat of honour or throne, often associated with royal dignity and authority. It is derived from a root meaning 'covered' and encompasses meanings like stool and seat. The entries consistently highlight its significance in both literal and figurative contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה 133 n.m. seat of honour, throne

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3678 כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה seat of honour, throne

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3678 kicce' kis-say'

or kicceh {kis-say'}; from 3680; properly, covered, i.e. a

throne (as canopied):--seat, stool, throne.

see HEBREW for 03680

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne.

1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool

1a) seat (of honour), throne

1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — (Hall of) the Throne.

Combined with u.lam (אוּלָם "Hall" H0197I)

This name means throne, seat

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne: seat.

1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool

1a) seat (of honour), throne

1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
הַוּ֑וֹתha.Vot destruction H1942 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Havvah refers to a strong desire, but often in a bad sense, and can also mean ruin or calamity. It's used to describe something naughty or wicked, like mischief or iniquity. This concept appears in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
thoroughly wicked, morally decayed
Tyndale gloss
desire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הַוָּה (havvah) primarily means 'desire,' often with a negative connotation, indicating a bad or wicked desire. It can also refer to a 'chasm' or figuratively to destruction and calamity. The word is built from the root associated with eager coveting and falling into ruin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הַוָּה n.f. 1. desire; 2. chasm, fig. destruction

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1942 הַוָּה 1. desire; 2. chasm, fig. destruction

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1942 havvah hav-vaw'

from 1933 (in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon;

by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin:--calamity,

iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty,

noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הַוָּה (hav.vah) — desire.

1) desire

1a) desire (in bad sense)

2) chasm (fig. of destruction)

2a) engulfing ruin, destruction, calamity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

de-struk'-shun: In the King James Version this word translates over 30 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 4 words in the New Testament. Of these the most interesting, as having a technical sense, is 'abhaddon (from verb 'abhadh, "to be lost," "to perish"). It is found 6 times in the Wisdom Literature, and nowhere else in the Old Testament; compare Re 9:11. See ABADDON.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Destruction

In Job 26:6, 28:22 (Heb. abaddon) is sheol, the realm of the dead.

¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
יֹצֵ֖רyo.Tzer [which] fashions H3335 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Amplified meaning
framing, plotting
Tyndale gloss
to form: formed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָצַר (yatsar) means to form or fashion, often in the context of creation, whether by human or divine activity. It encompasses the act of shaping, as a potter does, and can refer to the formation of individuals or the people of Israel. The word also implies planning or preordaining in a figurative sense.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצַר vb. form, fashion

Qal

of human activity

of divine activity

Niph. before me a god was not formed (created)

Pu. days (that) were pre-ordained (in divine purpose)

Hoph. any weapon that is formed against thee will not prosper.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3335 יָצַר form, fashion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3335 yatsar yaw-tsar'

probably identical with 3334 (through the squeezing into

shape); ((compare 3331)); to mould into a form; especially as

a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a

resolution):--X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r),

potter, purpose.

see HEBREW for 03334

see HEBREW for 03331

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: formed.

: formed

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: potter.

: potter

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
עָמָ֣ל'a.Mal mischief H5999 Noun common · both singular absolute
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to trouble or hard work that causes worry or pain, whether physical or mental, like the struggles of the Israelites in the book of Exodus.
Amplified meaning
trouble, evil
Tyndale gloss
trouble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָמָל (amal) refers to trouble, labor, or toil. It encompasses a range of meanings including physical and mental effort, as well as sorrow and mischief. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of wearing effort and can imply grievance or wickedness. It appears in contexts related to suffering and toil.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָמָל n.m. f. trouble, labor, toil

trouble (∥ sorrow): one’s own suffering

trouble, mischief, as done to others

toil, labour (late in Heb.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5999 עָמָל trouble, labor, toil

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5999 `amal aw-mawl'

from 5998; toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of

body or mind:--grievance(-vousness), iniquity, labour,

mischief, miserable(-sery), pain(-ful), perverseness, sorrow,

toil, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness.

see HEBREW for 05998

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמָל (a.mal) — trouble.

1) toil, trouble, labour

1a) trouble

1b) trouble, mischief

1c) toil, labour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mis'-chif: The word, in the sense of "hurt" or "evil" befalling, plotted against, or done to, anyone, represents a variety of Hebrew terms (e.g. 'acon, the King James Version Ge 42:4; 44:29; Ex 21:22; ra`, 1Sa 23:9; 2Sa 16:8; 1Ki 11:25, etc.; `amal, Ps 7:14,16; 10:7,14; Pr 24:2, etc.). Sometimes the Revised Version (British and American) changes the word, as to "evil" (Ex 32:12,22); in Ac 13:10, to…

Thompson Chain Reference topics

1Sa 23:9; Ne 6:2; Job 15:35; Ps 10:7; 36:4; Pr 4:16

Pr 6:14; 24:2; Ac 13:10

\\--SEE Malice (2), CRUELTY

¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
עֲלֵי־'a.lei- on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ will it be joined to you a throne of destruction [which] fashions mischief on a decree
חֹֽק׃Chok a decree H2706 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a decree or law given by God, like the Ten Commandments. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy, guiding the Israelites' actions. This concept is essential to understanding God's expectations.
Amplified meaning
statute, law, established rule
Tyndale gloss
statute: decree
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֹק (choq) refers to something prescribed, such as a statute, ordinance, or limit. It encompasses a range of meanings, including prescribed tasks, portions, and decrees, whether from God or man. The plural form, חֻקִּים, denotes multiple enactments or statutes. The entries consistently emphasize its legal and prescriptive nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֹק 127 n.m. something prescribed, a statute or due

prescribed task

prescribed-portion or allowance of food

action prescribed for oneself, resolve

prescribed due of the priest from offerings

prescribed limit, boundary

enactment, decree, ordinance of either God or man

pl. חֻקִּים enactments, statutes of a law

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2706 חֹק something prescribed, a statute or due . prescribed task

. prescribed-portion or allowance of food

. action prescribed for oneself, resolve

. prescribed due of the priest from offerings

. prescribed limit, boundary

. enactment, decree, ordinance of either God or man

. pl. חֻקִּים enactments, statutes of a law

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2706 choq khoke

from 2710; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time,

space, quantity, labor or usage):--appointed, bound,

commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law,

measure, X necessary, ordinance(- nary), portion, set time,

statute, task.

see HEBREW for 02710

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֹק (choq) — statute: decree.

: decree

1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due

1a) prescribed task

1b) prescribed portion

1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve

1d) prescribed due

1e) prescribed limit, boundary

1f) enactment, decree, ordinance

1f1) specific decree

1f2) law in general

1g) enactments, statutes

1g1) conditions

1g2) enactments

1g3) decrees

1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God

חֹק (choq) — statute: portion.

: portion

1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due

1a) prescribed task

1b) prescribed portion

1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve

1d) prescribed due

1e) prescribed limit, boundary

1f) enactment, decree, ordinance

1f1) specific decree

1f2) law in general

1g) enactments, statutes

1g1) conditions

1g2) enactments

1g3) decrees

1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God

חֹק (choq) — statute: allotment.

: allotment/boundary

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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