Psalms 96:11 — Word Study
WLCיִשְׂמְח֣וּ הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם וְתָגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִֽרְעַ֥ם הַ֝יָּ֗ם וּמְלֹאֽוֹ׃
BSALet the heavensshâmayim [the visible universe, the abode of God] be gladsâmach▸ [rejoice, have joy] and the earthʼerets [the land, the material world] rejoicegîyl▸ [be glad, joyful] let the seayâm [a large body of water] resoundrâʻam▸ [roar, thunder] and all that fills itmᵉlôʼ [has everything needed, is full of, the fullness, a large quantity]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִשְׂמְח֣וּ | let them rejoice | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם | the heavens | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וְתָגֵ֣ל | and let it be glad | Conjunction, verb qal jussive third person feminine singular |
| הָאָ֑רֶץ | the earth | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| יִֽרְעַ֥ם | let it thunder | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הַ֝יָּ֗ם | the sea | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וּמְלֹאֽוֹ׃ | and what fills it | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it. |
| KJV | Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. |
| ASV | Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; |
| YLT | The heavens joy, and the earth is joyful, The sea and its fulness roar. |
| WEB | Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! |
| BBE | Let the heavens have joy and the earth be glad; let the sea be thundering with all its waters; |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the call for creation to rejoice.
The verse consists of one main clause and three subordinate phrases, creating a rhythmic call for creation to rejoice.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׂמַח
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 96:11
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 Call to Creation's Joygenerated
Psalm 96:11 is part of a psalm that calls upon all of creation to rejoice in the Lord's reign. It emphasizes the joy that should fill the heavens, the earth, and the sea, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's dominion. This psalm can be seen as a celebration of God's sovereignty and a call for all elements of creation to recognize and respond to His authority.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 69:34 | Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. |
| 2 | Psalm 148:1–4 | Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places. |
| 3 | Isaiah 44:23 | Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel. |
| 4 | Isaiah 49:13 | Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones. |
| 5 | Luke 2:10–13 | But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִשְׂמְח֣וּ, yis.me.Chugenerated
The verb שָׂמַח (samach) means to rejoice or be glad. It is used here in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing action — a call for the heavens to continually rejoice. This verb often expresses joy in religious contexts, such as during celebrations or significant events in Israel's history.
This form is third person masculine plural, suggesting that the subject is not limited to one entity but includes all of creation. The call for the heavens to rejoice reflects a communal aspect of joy, inviting all to participate in the celebration of God's reign.
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 structure of this verse revolves around three main verbs: יִשְׂמְח֣וּ (let them rejoice), וְתָגֵ֣ל (and let it be glad), and יִֽרְעַ֥ם (let it thunder). Each verb governs a different subject — the heavens, the earth, and the sea, respectively — creating a parallel structure that emphasizes the collective joy of creation.
Hebrew word order places the subjects before the verbs, highlighting the focus on what is rejoicing. The psalmist's call to creation to express joy is clear and emphatic, underscoring the importance of each element of creation in this celebration.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִשְׂמְח֣וּ as εὐφραινέσθωσαν, which carries the meaning of being joyful or glad. This choice aligns with the Hebrew intent, emphasizing the joy of creation in response to God's reign.
The use of ἀγαλλιάσθω for וְתָגֵ֣ל also conveys a sense of exuberance, indicating a deep emotional response to the divine presence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 96:11 invites the heavens and the earth to rejoice, calling on the sea and everything within it to join in this celebration. This verse emphasizes the joy of creation in recognizing God's sovereignty and authority.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that the celestial realm, including the stars and the sky, is invited to express joy in God's reign, reflecting the harmony between creation and its Creator.
The earth's rejoicing symbolizes the acknowledgment of God's rule over all creation, including the land and its inhabitants.
The sea's resounding refers to the powerful and loud expression of joy, akin to the roar of waves, celebrating the greatness of God.
This verse reflects the overarching theme of God's sovereignty by calling all elements of creation to recognize and rejoice in His authority and reign over the universe.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I recognize and celebrate God's reign in my own life?
- How does the joy of creation inspire me to express my own joy in God?
- What are some examples of how nature reflects the glory of God?
- How can I encourage others to join in the celebration of God's sovereignty?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this psalm to discuss the joy of creation in relation to God's sovereignty, highlighting its theological significance.
“Let the Sea Roar (Be Moved), and the Fulness Thereof.” By these words it is signified that the preaching of the Gospel will be spread abroad over the seas and the islands in the ocean, and among the people dwelling therein,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 96 →
"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad" [Psalms 96:11].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 96 →
Furthermore, let no one maintain that the heavens or the heavenly bodies are animate, for they are inanimate and without feeling.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 96 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 96:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet the heavens rejoice,.... At the coming and kingdom of Christ; at what is said and done in the Gentile world; even the hosts of heaven, as the Targum, the angels that dwell there, and never left
Read John Gill on Psalms 96 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySay among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 96 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIt is a figure called prosopopoeia, whereby he signifies the great felicity of those times, which shall be such that even those lifeless creatures would testify their joy and thankfulness for it, if they were in a capacity so to do.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 96 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.Ver. 11. Let the heavens rejoice, &c.] Let there be a general joy for the general renovation by the coming of Christ, Romans 8:22, after which the whole creation groaneth also. Basil and others by heaven, earth, &c., understand angels, men of all sorts, as islanders, seamen, fieldmen, woodlanders, &c. Vel est similitudo ad denotandam in mundo pacem, saith Kimchi, Or it is a similitude to note peace all over the world. And surely when Christ came there was a universal aut pax aut pactio, saith Florus, peace or truce, under the government of Augustus. Let the sea roar] Heb. thunder…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 96 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11-13) Magnificent progress of the Divine Judge through His realm. There is only one thought, that of the inauguration of a righteous sway for all nations: at its advent, as in Isaiah’s glorious visions (see Isaiah 35:1-2; Isaiah 42:10; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 55:12), all nature seems to join the chorus of gladness.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 96 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 11. Let the heavens rejoice] The publication of the Gospel is here represented as a universal blessing; the heavens, the earth, the sea, and its inhabitants, the field, the grass, and the trees of the wood, are all called to rejoice at this glorious event. This verse is well and harmoniously translated in the old Psalter: - Fayne be hevenes. - and the erth glad; Styrde be the see, - and the fulnes of it; Joy sal feldes, - and al that ere in thaim. And the paraphrase is at least curious: - Hevens, haly men. Erthe, meke men that receyves lare (learning.) Feldes, that is even men, mylde and softe: they shall joy in Criste. And all that is in thaim, that es, strengh, wyttes & skill." I…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 96 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice (R.V.)] Such appeals to Nature to rejoice in the redemption of Israel are characteristic of the later Isaiah (Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13). In the establishment of God’s righteous rule the Psalmist sees the prelude of the Messianic age which is to bring harmony and peace to all creation. Cp. Isaiah 11:1 ff; Isaiah 35:1 ff; Isaiah 55:12-13; Romans 8:19 ff. roar] Lit. thunder. Cp. Psalms 98:7. the fulness thereof] I.e. all that is therein, as the same word is rendered in Isaiah 42:10. Cp. Psalms 24:1.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 96 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad - Let all worlds be full of joy, as they are all interested in the fact here stated. The universe is one.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 96 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it.
Let the sky rejoice, and the earth be happy! Let the sea and everything in it shout!
Tyndale line
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness of it.
Let the heauens reioyce, and let the earth be glad: let the sea roare, and all that therein is.
Strictly literal
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
The heavens joy, and the earth is joyful, The sea and its fulness roar.
The heavens rejoice, and the earth is joyful, || The sea and its fullness roar.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: let the sea roar, with all that filleth it.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and that which fills it shout with joy.
From the Latin
Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
Simplified
Let the heavens sing for joy, let the earth be happy, let the sea and everything in it shout with praise!
Let the heavens have joy and the earth be glad; let the sea be thundering with all its waters;
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 of Psalms 96:11 reads, "יִשְׂמְח֣וּ הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם וְתָגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִֽרְעַ֥ם הַ֝יָּ֗ם וּמְלֹאֽוֹ׃" which translates to "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all seven words correspond in a word-by-word match, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a variant reading for this verse, thus supporting the Masoretic Text in this instance.
יִשְׂמְח֣וּ הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם וְתָגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִֽרְעַ֥ם הַ֝יָּ֗ם וּמְלֹאֽוֹ׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 96:11
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.
שָׂמַח (samach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It can express joy in everyday life, religious contexts, or even exultation. The verb has different forms: Qal (to rejoice), Piel (to cause to rejoice), and Hiphil (to make glad). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to joy and merriment.
שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ 154 vb. rejoice, be glad
Qal 126
in common life
rejoice religiously
subj. י׳
Pi. cause to rejoice, gladden
Hiph. = Pi.
base
H8055 שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ rejoice, be glad
8055 samach saw-makh'
a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e.
(figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or
gleesome:--cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful),
be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.
שָׂמַח (sa.mach) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)
1a3) to rejoice (religiously)
1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).
See HEAVENLY.
גִּיל (giyl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad, often associated with a sense of excitement or levity. It can also imply trembling, particularly from fear. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of spinning around due to strong emotions, covering both joy and fear.
[גִּיל] vb. rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
Qal
rejoice
tremble
base
H1523 גִּיל rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
1523 giyl gheel
or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly,
to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion),
i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:--be glad, joy,
be joyful, rejoice.
גִּיל (gil) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, exult, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to tremble (from fear)
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Conjunction · verb qal jussive third person feminine singularHC/Vqj3fs
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
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
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
רָעַם (ra`am) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to thunder.' It can refer to the sound of thunder or the act of causing thunder, with additional meanings of agitation or irritation. The entries indicate that it can be used in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, covering a range of meanings from making thunderous sounds to causing trembling.
[רָעַם] vb. denom. thunder
Qal make the sound of thunder, thunder
Hiph. thunder, cause to thunder
base
H7481 רָעַם vb. denom. thunder
7481 ra`am raw-am'
a primitive root; to tumble, i.e. be violently agitated;
specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively, to irritate
(with anger):--make to fret, roar, thunder, trouble.
רָעַם (ra.am) — to thunder.
1) to thunder
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to make the sound of thunder, thunder
1a2) to rage
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to thunder, cause thunder
1b2) to tremble, cause to tremble (by extension)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
thun'-der (ra`am (1Sa 2:10; Job 26:14; 39:19; 40:9; Ps 77:18; 81:7; 104:7; Isa 29:6), qol, "a voice" (Ex 9:23; 1Sa 7:10; 12:17; Job 28:26; 38:25)): Thunder is the noise resulting from the lightning discharge. It is very common in the winter storms of Syria and Palestine and occurs in the extra-season storms. Thunder accompanied the storm of hail in Egypt at the time of the plagues: "The Lord sent thunder and hail" (Ex 9:23).
Thunder
Often referred to in Scripture (Job 40:9; Ps. 77:18; 104:7). James and John were called by our Lord “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). In Job 39:19, instead of “thunder,” as in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version translates (ra’amah) by “quivering main” (marg., “shaking”). Thunder accompanied the giving of the law at Sinai (Ex. 19:16). It was regarded as the voice of God (Job 37:2; Ps. 18:13; 81:7; comp. John 12:29). In answer to Samuel’s prayer…
is hardly ever heard in Palestine form the middle of April to the middle of September; hence it was selected by Samuel as a striking expression of the divine displeasure toward the Israelites. (1 Samuel 12:17) Rain in harvest was deemed as extraordinary as snow in summer, (Proverbs 26:1) and Jerome states that he had never witnessed it in the latter part of June or in July. Comm. on (Amos 4:7) In the imaginative philosophy of the Hebrews, thunder was regarded as the voice of Jehovah, (Job 37:2,4,5; 40:9; Psalms 18:13; 29:3-9; Isaiah 30:30,31) who dwelt behind the thunder-cloud. (
And lightning are significant manifestations of the power of God, and emblems of his presence, Ex 19:16 1Sa 2:10 12:17 Ps 18:13. Thunder is poetically called "the voice of the Lord" in the sublime description of a thunder-storm in Ps 29:11;
"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
The God of glory thundereth;
The Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars;
Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon," etc.
See also Job 37:1-5 40:9 Jer 10:13. In illustration of
יָם (yam) means 'sea' and refers to various large bodies of water, including the Mediterranean, Red, and Dead Seas, as well as the Sea of Galilee. It can also denote a mighty river like the Nile and has geographical implications, indicating directions such as west or south. The term is derived from a root meaning to roar, suggesting the noise of breaking surf.
יָם 390 n.m. sea
base
H3220 יָם sea
3220 yam yawm
from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in
noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the
article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or
an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the
south:--sea (X -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern,
side, -ward).
יָם (yam) — sea.
: sea
1) sea
1a) Mediterranean Sea
1b) Red Sea
1c) Dead Sea
1d) Sea of Galilee
1e) sea (general)
1f) mighty river (Nile)
1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)
1h) seaward, west, westward
יָם (yam) — sea: west.
: west
1) sea
1a) Mediterranean Sea
1b) Red Sea
1c) Dead Sea
1d) Sea of Galilee
1e) sea (general)
1f) mighty river (Nile)
1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)
1h) seaward, west, westward
יָם (yam) — (Mt. Ephron in the) West.
This name means sea, seaward, westward
Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
se (yam; thalassa; in Ac 27:5 pelagos): The Mediterranean is called ha-yam ha-gadhol, "the great sea" (Nu 34:6; Jos 1:4; Eze 47:10, etc.); ha-yam ha-'acharon, "the hinder," or "western sea" (De 11:24; 34:2; Joe 2:20; Zec 14:8); yam pelishtim, "the sea of the Philis" (Ex 23:31); the King James Version translates yam yapho' in Ezr 3:7 by "sea of Joppa," perhaps rightly.
The sea, yam , is used in Scripture to denote-- "The gathering of the waters," "the Ocean." (Genesis 1:2,10; 30:13) etc. Some portion of this, as the Mediterranean Sea, called the "hinder," the "western" and the "utmost" sea, (11:24; 34:2; Joel 2:20) "sea of the Philistines," (Exodus 23:31) "the great sea," (Numbers 36:6,7; Joshua 15:47) "the sea." Genesis49:13; Psal 80:11 Also frequently of the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:4) [RED SEA SEA] Inland lakes termed seas, as the Salt or Dead Sea. [See the special article] Any…
The Hebrews give the name of sea to any large collection of water, Job 14:11; as to the lakes of Tiberias and Asphaltites, and also to the rivers Nile and Euphrates, Isa 11:15 18:2 21:1 Jer 51:36,42. The principal seas mentioned in Scripture are the following:
1. The GREAT SEA, the Mediterranean, called also the Hinder or Western Sea. Indeed, the Hebrew word for sea, meaning the Mediterranean, is often put for the west. The Great Sea is 2,200 miles long, and in the widest part 1,200 miles in width. In many places it is so deep as to give no soundings. It is little affected by tides, but is often agitated by violent winds. The prevailing direction of the wind in spring is from the southeast and southwest and from the northeast…
→ Creation of Ge 1:9,10; Ps 95:5; 148:4,5
→ Lake Galilee calmed by Jesus Mt 8:24-26; Mr 4:37-39
→ Jesus walked upon Lake Galilee Mt 14:25-31
מְלֹא (melo') refers to 'fulness' or 'that which fills.' It encompasses various meanings, including a handful, mass, or multitude. The term appears in contexts that highlight both literal and figurative senses of fullness, such as in Ezekiel 41:8. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
מְלֹא, [מְלוֹא] n.m. fulness, that which fills
fulness of hand (= handful)
mass of shepherds; multitude of nations
base
H4393 מְלֹא, מְלוֹא fulness, that which fills
4393 mlo' mel-o'
rarely mlowf {mel-o'}; or mlow (Ezekiel 41:8), {mel-o'}; from
4390; fulness (literally or figuratively):--X all along, X
all that is (there-)in, fill, (X that whereof...was) full,
fulness, (hand- )full, multitude.
see HEBREW for 04390
מְלֹא (me.lo) — fullness.
1) fulness, that which fills
1a) fulness, handful
1b) mass, multitude
1c) fulness, that which fills, entire contents
1d) full length, full line
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms