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Psalms 97:3 — Word Study

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WLCאֵ֭שׁ לְפָנָ֣יו תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וּתְלַהֵ֖ט סָבִ֣יב צָרָֽיו׃

BSAFireʼêsh [burning, flame] before Himpânîym [in His presence, face to face] and consumeslâhaṭ [burns up, completely destroys] His foestsar [enemies, adversaries] on every sideçâbîyb [around, surrounding Him]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 97
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (tza.Rav) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 97:3quick helps
In a sentenceGod's fire goes before Him, consuming His enemies from all sides.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, describing God's power and judgment.
Where we areA declaration of God's sovereignty and might in the context of His presence.
The hard wordאֵשׁ
Take awayGod's presence brings both protection for His people and destruction for His foes.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֵשׁ verbהלך 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 97:3

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Majesty of Godgenerated

2Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
3Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.
4His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Psalm 97:3 expresses the might of God through the imagery of fire, illustrating how His presence leads to the destruction of His adversaries. The surrounding verses emphasize God's righteousness and justice, reinforcing the theme of divine authority and power. This psalm serves as a reminder of God's protective nature towards His followers while simultaneously executing judgment on those who oppose Him.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 18:8Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
2Psalm 21:8–9Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
3Psalm 50:3Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him.
4Deuteronomy 4:11–36You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.
5Deuteronomy 5:4–23The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֵשׁ, 'eshgenerated

The word אֵשׁ ('esh) means 'fire' and covers various types, including natural fire and supernatural fire associated with divine appearances. It is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and His refining presence. The parsing indicates it is a common noun in singular form, emphasizing its significance in this context.

Fire is often used in biblical narratives to signify God's presence and action, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. The lexicons highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, consistently underscoring its role in conveying divine judgment and purification.


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 finite verb תֵּלֵךְ (it goes) governs the structure of the verse, with two phrases attached: a prepositional phrase indicating the direction of the fire and a participial phrase describing the action of burning up. This structure emphasizes the action of fire in relation to God's presence.

The word order places the subject, אֵשׁ (fire), at the beginning, highlighting its significance as the driving force of the verse. The subsequent verbs and phrases expand on the effects of this fire, creating a vivid image of divine judgment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֵשׁ as πῦρ (pur), which also means 'fire.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the imagery of divine presence and judgment.

The use of πῦρ in the Septuagint continues the theme of fire as a symbol of God's power, reinforcing the connection between the Hebrew text and its Greek interpretation.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 97:3 describes how God's fire goes before Him, consuming His enemies all around. This imagery emphasizes God's power and judgment, showing that He protects His people while dealing with those who oppose Him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the fire represent in this verse?

The fire symbolizes God's presence and power, illustrating His ability to consume and judge His adversaries.

How does this verse relate to God's character?

It highlights God's righteousness and justice, showing that He defends His people while punishing those who oppose Him.

What can we learn from God's judgment of His foes?

We can understand the seriousness of opposing God and the assurance that He will protect His followers.

Why is fire a common symbol for God in the Bible?

Fire represents both God's holiness and His ability to purify, as seen in various biblical accounts.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen God's protection in my life?
  2. How can I better understand the seriousness of opposing God?
  3. What does it mean for me to be in God's presence, as described in this verse?
  4. How can I reflect God's justice and righteousness in my interactions with others?

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

Early commentators reference this verse to discuss God's judgment and power. Quotations from Jerome and Augustine illustrate their interpretations of the fire that consumes God's enemies.

JeromeSt. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER SEVEN c. 347–420
[Daniel 7:9] "I beheld until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of days took His seat. His garment was as white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 97 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 97 354–430
"There shall go a fire before Him, and burn up His enemies on every side" [Psalms 97:3].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 97 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 97:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A fire goeth before him, c,] Not the fiery law, which went forth from his right hand on Mount Sinai but rather his Gospel, which, as it enlightens, warms, comforts, and refreshes his people,

Read John Gill on Psalms 97 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. A fire goeth before him; and burneth up his enemies round about - (Psalms 18:8; Psalms 18:12.)

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 97 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

This fire, and lightning, and earthquake, and the sad effects of them, mentioned here, and ,5, signify those dreadful judgments of God which should be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their refusal and contempt of the Messias; which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplished in the New Testament.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 97 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him] For even our God is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29 (and not the God of the Jews only), as shall well appear at the last day, 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 97 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) This is an echo of Psa 1:3. (Comp. also Psalms 18:8; Habakkuk 3:4-5.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 97 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. A fire goeth before him] Literally, this and the following verse may refer to the electric fluid, or to manifestations of the Divine displeasure, in which, by means of ethereal fire, God consumed his enemies. But fire is generally represented as an accompaniment of the appearances of the Supreme Being. He appeared on Mount Sinai in the midst of fire, thunder, and lightnings, Exodus 19:16-18. Daniel, Daniel 7:9; Daniel 7:10, represents the Sovereign Judge as being on a throne which was a fiery flame, and the wheels of his chariot like burning fire; and a fiery stream issuing from it, and coming forth from before him. St. Paul tells us (2 Thessalonians 1:8) that the Lord Jesus shall…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 97 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–3. The proclamation of Jehovah’s kingdom of power and righteousness.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 97 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A fire goeth before him - See Psalms 18:13, note; Psalms 50:3, note. And burneth up his enemies round about - Is especially directed against his foes.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 97 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

There shall goe a fire before him, and burne vp his enemies round about.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Fire before Him goeth, And burneth round about His adversaries.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Fire goes before Him, || And burns around His adversaries.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up round about his adversaries.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Fire goes before him and consumes his adversaries on every side.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He hath remembered his mercy his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Flames proceed him, burning up his enemies on every side.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Fire goes before him, burning up all those who are against him round about.

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.

clausesubjectאֵ֭שׁfireprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְbeforenoun phraseפָנָ֣יbeforeוhimverbתֵּלֵ֑ךְit.goesוּandclauseverbתְלַהֵ֖טit.sets.ablazeadverbialסָבִ֣יבall.aroundnoun phrase · objectצָרָֽיfoesוhis

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 closely, with all six words matched. This alignment suggests a consistent understanding of the verse's meaning across these ancient texts.

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

אֵ֭שׁ לְפָנָ֣יו תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וּתְלַהֵ֖ט סָבִ֣יב צָרָֽיו׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֵ֭שׁπῦρלְפָנָ֣יוαὐτοῦתֵּלֵ֑ךְπροπορεύσεταιוּתְלַהֵ֖טφλογιεῖסָבִ֣יבκύκλῳצָרָֽיו׃αὐτοῦ

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

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 97:3אֵשׁfirefireאֵשׁפָּנֶהbefore himbefore himפָּנֶההָלַךְit goesit goesהָלַךְלָהַטand it may and it may burnלָהַטסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבצַרopponents hopponents hisצַרפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבצוּרto confineto confineצוּרהָלַךְto walkto walkהָלַךְלֶהָבָהflameflameלֶהָבָהיָצַתto kindleto kindleיָצַתסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסדֶּ֫רֶךְway: roadway: roadדֶּ֫רֶךְחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהאֵשׁfirefireאֵשׁאֵילָםarchesarchesאֵילָםחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןמְצוּקָהdistressdistressמְצוּקָהבּוּסto trampleto trampleבּוּס
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 97:3

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.

fire before him it goes and it may burn up all around opponents his
אֵ֭שׁ'esh fire H784 Noun common · both singular absolute
378× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Amplified meaning
burning, flame
Tyndale gloss
fire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire

fire, of conflagration

of supernatural fire

fire for cooking, roasting, parching

esp. of altar fire

fig. of Yahweh's anger

in various combinations

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration

. of supernatural fire

. fire for cooking, roasting, parching

. esp. of altar fire

. fig. of Yahweh's anger

. in various combinations

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

784 'esh aysh

a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--

burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.

1) fire

1a) fire, flames

1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)

1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)

1d) altar-fire

1e) God's anger (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)

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

fir ('esh; pur):

These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fire

(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).

Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;

is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…

fire before him it goes and it may burn up all around opponents his
לְפָנָ֣יוle.fa.Nav before him H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Amplified meaning
in His presence, face to face
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
fire before him it goes and it may burn up all around opponents his
תֵּלֵ֑ךְte.Lekh it goes H1980 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance

twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

quite by itself

13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

In combination with other verbal forms

Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:

pass away, die

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently

. to intensify meaning of finite form

. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance

. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

. quite by itself

. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety

of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,

apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,

depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,

forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,

out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,

march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),

be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,

still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,

on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,

(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
fire before him it goes and it may burn up all around opponents his
וּתְלַהֵ֖טu.te.la.Het and it may burn up H3857 Conjunction · verb piel third person feminine singular
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To kindle or burn something is what this Hebrew word means, like a flame that blazes up. It is used to describe fire or passion, as seen in the Bible when something is set on fire or blazing.
Amplified meaning
burns up, completely destroys
Tyndale gloss
to kindle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לָהַט (lahat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to blaze or kindle. It encompasses actions like burning, scorching, and setting on fire, with forms indicating both a participle and a causative aspect. The entries consistently describe its fiery connotations without notable disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[לָהַט] vb. blaze up, flame

Qal a flaming fire

Pi. set ablaze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3857 [לָהַט] blaze up, flame

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3857 lahat law-hat'

a primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to

blaze:--burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָהַט (la.hat) — to kindle.

1) to burn, blaze, scorch, kindle, blaze up, flame

1a) (Qal) blazing (participle)

1b)(Piel) to scorch, burn, blaze

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-3fs — Conjunction · verb piel third person feminine singular
HC/Vpu3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
fire before him it goes and it may burn up all around opponents his
סָבִ֣יבsa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Amplified meaning
around, surrounding Him
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
fire before him it goes and it may burn up all around opponents his
צָרָֽיו׃tza.Rav opponents his H6862 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
109× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means hard or narrow, often referring to trouble or a tight spot, like an adversary or affliction. It can also mean a small stone or pebble, such as flint, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe challenges.
Amplified meaning
enemies, adversaries
Tyndale gloss
narrow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צַר adj. narrow, tight

base

צַר n.[m.] straits, distress

base

צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe

base

צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6862 tsar tsar

or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place

(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in

6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,

afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,

narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.

see HEBREW for 06887

see HEBREW for 06864

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צַר (tsar) — narrow.

narrow, tight

צַר (tsar) — distress.

straits, distress

צַר (tsar) — enemy.

adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor

צַר (tsar) — hard.

hard pebble, flint

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

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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