Ruth 3:15 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָ֠בִי הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת אֲשֶׁר־ עָלַ֛יִךְ וְאֶֽחֳזִי־ בָ֖הּ וַתֹּ֣אחֶז בָּ֑הּ וַיָּ֤מָד שֵׁשׁ־ שְׂעֹרִים֙ וַיָּ֣שֶׁת עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיָּבֹ֖א הָעִֽיר׃
BSAAnd he told herʼâmar▸ Bringyâhab the shawlmiṭpachath [cloak, mantle] you are wearingʻal and holdʼâchaz When she [did so]ʼâchaz▸ he poured inmâdad▸ six [measures]shêsh [a quantity of six] of barleysᵉʻôrâh [a type of grain, food] and placed itshîyth▸ on herʻal Then he wentbôwʼ▸ into the cityʻîyr [town, urban area]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֗אמֶר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הָ֠בִי | give | Verb, Qal, imperative second person feminine singular |
| הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת | the shawl | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| אֲשֶׁר־ | which | Particle |
| עָלַ֛יִךְ | [is] on you | Preposition, suffix |
| וְאֶֽחֳזִי־ | and take hold | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person feminine singular |
| בָ֖הּ | on it | Preposition, suffix |
| וַתֹּ֣אחֶז | and she took hold | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| בָּ֑הּ | on it | Preposition, suffix |
| וַיָּ֤מָד | and he measured out | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שֵׁשׁ־ | six | Noun common, both singular construct |
| שְׂעֹרִים֙ | barley | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וַיָּ֣שֶׁת | and he put [it] | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עָלֶ֔יהָ | on her | Preposition, suffix |
| וַיָּבֹ֖א | and he came | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הָעִֽיר׃ | the city | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl. Then he went into the city. |
| KJV | Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. |
| ASV | And he said, Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city. |
| YLT | And he saith, 'Give the covering which [is] on thee, and keep hold on it;' and she keepeth hold on it, and he measureth six [measures] of barley, and layeth [it] on her; and he goeth into the city. |
| WEB | He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city. |
| BBE | And he said, Take your robe, stretching it out in your hands: and she did so, and he took six measures of grain and put them into it, and gave it her to take: and she went back to the town. |
All translations agree on the term for the shawl, maintaining the imagery of Ruth's garment.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by several subordinate clauses that detail the actions taken.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
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 — Ruth 3:15
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 — Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floorgenerated
Ruth 3:15 describes a pivotal moment where Boaz instructs Ruth to bring her shawl, demonstrating his kindness and generosity. This event occurs after Ruth has laid at Boaz's feet, and he is now ensuring she leaves with a substantial gift of barley, signifying his protection and provision for her. This act reflects the customs of gleaning and the responsibilities of a kinsman-redeemer, as seen throughout the book of Ruth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 32:8 | But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes. |
| 2 | Galatians 6:10 | Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת, ha.mit.Pa.chatgenerated
The Hebrew word מִטְפַּ֫חַת (*mitpachath*) refers to a shawl or cloak, typically worn by women for modesty or warmth. Its use in this context highlights the act of Ruth receiving something from Boaz, emphasizing the personal and intimate nature of the transaction.
This noun is in the feminine singular form, indicating it is specifically a covering that Ruth is wearing. The shawl serves as a significant symbol of her identity and status, as well as a practical item for receiving the barley.
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 main verb וַיֹּ֗אמֶר, and he said, governs the entire verse. It is followed by an imperative clause instructing Ruth to bring her shawl, and then an action clause describing what Boaz does with the barley.
The structure emphasizes Boaz's command and the subsequent action, showing a clear sequence of events that highlights the generosity of Boaz towards Ruth.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת as περίζωμα, which means 'girdle' or 'belt'. This choice indicates a slight shift in focus from a loose shawl to something that suggests a more fitted garment, which may imply readiness or preparation.
This translation reflects a different cultural understanding of clothing and its significance in the context of the narrative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ruth 3:15 shows Boaz telling Ruth to bring her shawl and hold it out. When she does, he fills it with six measures of barley, demonstrating his kindness. This moment highlights the customs of the time and Boaz's role as a protector.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Boaz instructs Ruth to bring her shawl so he can fill it with barley, symbolizing his provision and care for her.
The six measures of barley represent a generous gift, ensuring Ruth does not return to her mother-in-law empty-handed.
The shawl serves as a practical item for Ruth to collect the barley, but it also symbolizes her identity and her connection to Boaz.
This event illustrates the practice of gleaning and the responsibilities of a kinsman-redeemer, highlighting the social and cultural norms of the time.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this act of generosity from Boaz teach us about kindness and provision?
- How can we reflect the qualities of Boaz in our own interactions with others?
- What role do symbols like the shawl play in our understanding of identity and community?
- How does this story encourage us to support those in need around us?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ruth 3:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAlso he said,.... Which seems to confirm the first sense, that what he had said before was to Ruth, beside which he also said to her what follows: bring the vail which thou hast upon thee, and hold
Read John Gill on Ruth 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAlso he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ruth 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe veil, or, the apron, such as women ordinarily wear. Six measures; known and usual measure: it is not determined how large those measures were, but this the nature of the thing shows, that they were no larger than one woman could carry in her veil, or apron.
Read Matthew Poole on Ruth 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsRth 3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that [thou hast] upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid [it] on her: and she went into the city.Ver. 15. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast.] Pallium, peplum: some render it the mantle, others the apron, others the sheet. Our west country women wear mantles when they go abroad: the women of the Isle of Man sheets, as was before observed out of Speed. He measured six measures of barley.] Six ephahs, saith Bibliander: six gallons, saith Bunting. The Hebrew is, Six barleys; as much as she could well carry. God also sendeth not away his suitors without their bosoms full of blessings, even as…
Read John Trapp on Ruth 3 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Vail—Rather a mantle, so in Isaiah 3:22. She went.—This should be, if we follow the current Hebrew text, he went. The verb is masculine (yabho), and the distinction is shewn in the Targum, which inserts the name Boaz as the nominative. It must be allowed that a fair number of Hebrew MSS., as well as the Peshito and Vulgate, take the verb in the feminine. The LXX. is from the nature of the Greek language unable to mark the distinction. The clause. if we accept the current reading, will mean that Boaz went to the city to find the kinsman whose claim lay before his own, while Ruth, laden with six measures of barley, goes to her mother-in-law.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ruth 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. Bring the veil] המט פחת hammit pachath; this seems to have been a cloak, plaid, or what the Arabs call hayk, which has been largely explained elsewhere. See Judges 14:12. Six measures of barley] We supply the word measures, for the Hebrew mentions no quantity. The Targum renders six seahs, שית סאין shith sein, which, as a seah was about two gallons and a half, must have been a very heavy load for a woman; and so the Targumist thought, for he adds, And she received strength from the Lord to carry it. If the omer be meant, which is about six pints, the load would not be so great, as this would amount to but about four gallons and a half; a very goodly present. The Targum says, that…
Read AdamClarke on Ruth 3 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. the mantle] Only again in Isaiah 3:22; apparently a large wrap worn over the ordinary clothes. six measures of barley] The measure to be supplied is uncertain: six seahs=two ephahs (i.e. bushels), which the Targ. gives, or six ephahs, would be too heavy to carry; hence it is suggested that six omers are meant = 3/6 of an ephah, Exodus 16:36. The gift is intended for Naomi, who would have to consent to the marriage, as standing in the relation of parent to Ruth. Mr S. A. Cook points out a parallel in a Babylonian tablet (KB. iv. P. 187, xi. lines 1–6), where the widowed mother is approached by the intending bridegroom; The Laws of Moses and the Code of H̬ ?ammurabi, p. 75 n.
Read Cambridge on Ruth 3 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe vail - Quite a different word from that rendered “vail,” in Genesis 38:14. It seems rather to mean a kind of loose cloak, worn over the ordinary dress (see the margin). Six measures - i. e.
Read Albert Barnes on Ruth 3 →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
And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl. Then he went into the city.
He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.
And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured in six measures of barley and placed it on her. Then he went into the city.
Then he said, “Hold out the shawl you are wearing and grip it tightly.” As she held it tightly, he measured out about sixty pounds of barley into the shawl and put it on her shoulders. Then he went into town,
Tyndale line
Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
And he said, Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city.
And he said, Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it; and she held it: and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city.
Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
Also he sayd, Bring the sheete that thou hast vpon thee, and holde it. And when she helde it, he measured sixe measures of barly, and layde them on her, and she went into the citie.
Strictly literal
And he said, Bring the cloak that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And she held it, and he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid [it] on her; and he went into the city.
And he saith, 'Give the covering which [is] on thee, and keep hold on it;' and she keepeth hold on it, and he measureth six [measures] of barley, and layeth [it] on her; and he goeth into the city.
And he says, “Give the covering which [is] on you, and keep hold on it”; and she keeps hold on it, and he measures six [measures] of barley, and lays [it] on her; and he goes into the city.
Also he said, Bring hither the cloak that thou hast upon thee, and lay hold of it. And she laid hold of it, and he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid it on her, and went into the city.
Then Boaz said, “Bring your shawl and hold it out.” When she did so, he measured six large measures of barley into it and put the load on her. Then he went into the city.
From the Latin
And again he said: Spread thy mantle, wherewith thou art covered, and hold it with both hands. And when she spread it and held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her. And she carried it and went into the city,
Simplified
He also told her, “Bring me the cloak you're wearing and hold it out.” So she held it out and he poured out six measures of barley into it. He helped her put it on her back and she went back to town.
And he said, Take your robe, stretching it out in your hands: and she did so, and he took six measures of grain and put them into it, and gave it her to take: and she went back to the town.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with 14 of the 16 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the essential elements of the verse are preserved, indicating consistency across these ancient witnesses.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָ֠בִי הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת אֲשֶׁר־ עָלַ֛יִךְ וְאֶֽחֳזִי־ בָ֖הּ וַתֹּ֣אחֶז בָּ֑הּ וַיָּ֤מָד שֵׁשׁ־ שְׂעֹרִים֙ וַיָּ֣שֶׁת עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיָּבֹ֖א הָעִֽיר׃
14 of the 16 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.
ויאמר [הבי] [המטפחת] [אשר] [עלי׳ך] [ואחזי] [ב׳ה] [ותאחז] ב׳ה וימד שם שש שערים [וישת] [עלי׳ה] [ויבא] [העיר]
4 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 11 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ruth 3:15
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.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
יָהַב (yahab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to give, with various nuances including to set, provide, and ascribe glory. It can also imply granting or permitting something. The entries highlight its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[יָהַב] vb. give
give
= set
with reflex. = provide
ascribe glory, etc.
= come now (orig. grant, permit)
base
H3051 יָהַב give . give
. = set
. with reflex. = provide
. ascribe glory, etc.
. = come now (orig. grant, permit)
3051 yahab yaw-hab'
a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative);
generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come:--ascribe,
bring, come on, give, go, set, take.
יָהַב (ya.hav) — to give.
1) to give, provide, ascribe, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give
1a2) to set, place
1a3) to provide (with reflexive)
1a4) to ascribe (glory)
1a5) to grant, permit, come now
Aramaic equivalent: ye.hav (יְהַב "to give" H3052)
V-Qal-Impv-2fs — Verb · Qal · imperative second person feminine singularHVqv2fs
(nathan, yahabh, sum; didomi): "Give" is a very common word in the Old Testament. It is most frequently the translation of nathan, "to give" (Ge 1:29; 3:6; Ex 2:9; De 18,20, etc., over 800 instances); nathan is also translated "to give up" (De 23:14; Isa 43:6; Ho 11:8); of yahabh, "to give" (Ge 30:1; 1Ch 16:28 the King James Version). In Ps 55:22 we have the perfect with suffix, "Cast thy burden upon Yahweh," margin "what he hath given thee"; elsewhere it is…
The Hebrew word מִטְפַּ֫חַת (*mitpachath*) refers to a wide cloak, particularly associated with women. It is derived from another root, noted as H2946, and is translated as 'vail' or 'wimple' in some contexts. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as a type of cloak.
מִטְפַּ֫חַת n.f. cloak
base
H4304 מִטְפַּ֫חַת cloak
4304 mitpachath mit-pakh'-ath
from 2946; a wide cloak (for a woman):--vail, wimple.
see HEBREW for 02946
מִטְפַּ֫חַת (mit.pa.chat) — cloak.
cloak
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
shol: the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "shawls" for the King James Version "wimples" in Isa 3:22.
See DRESS.
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
HTr — ParticleHTr
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.
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)
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)
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
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
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp2fs
The Hebrew word אָחַז (achaz) means to grasp, take hold of, or seize. It has various forms, including Qal (to grasp), Niphal (to be caught), Piel (to enclose), and Hophal (to be fastened). The entries highlight its use in contexts of possession and holding, but do not provide specific verse references.
אָחַז 68 vb. grasp, take hold of, take possession
Qal grasp, take hold of
Niph. be caught
Pi. enclose, overlay
Hoph. fastened
base
H270 אָחַז grasp, take hold of, take possession .grasp, take hold of
. be caught
. enclose, overlay
270 'achaz aw-khaz'
a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of
holding in possession):--+ be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay,
take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get,
have or take) possess(-ion).
אָחַז (a.chaz) — to grasp.
1) grasp, take hold, seize, take possession
1a) (Qal) to grasp, take hold of
1b) (Niphal) to be caught, grasped, be settled
1c) (Piel) to enclose, overlay
1d) (Hophal) fastened
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2fs — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person feminine singularHC/Vqv2fs
hold: In the American Standard Revised Version frequently "stronghold" (Jud 9:49; 1Sa 22:4; 24:22; 2Sa 5:17; 23:14; 1Ch 11:16; 12:16). See FORTIFICATION. In Re 18:2 for the King James Version "cage" (phulake) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes, as in first clause, "hold," and in the margin "prison."
Hold
A fortress, the name given to David’s lurking-places (1 Sam. 22:4, 5; 24:22).
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HRd/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word אָחַז (achaz) means to grasp, take hold of, or seize. It has various forms, including Qal (to grasp), Niphal (to be caught), Piel (to enclose), and Hophal (to be fastened). The entries highlight its use in contexts of possession and holding, but do not provide specific verse references.
אָחַז 68 vb. grasp, take hold of, take possession
Qal grasp, take hold of
Niph. be caught
Pi. enclose, overlay
Hoph. fastened
base
H270 אָחַז grasp, take hold of, take possession .grasp, take hold of
. be caught
. enclose, overlay
270 'achaz aw-khaz'
a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of
holding in possession):--+ be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay,
take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get,
have or take) possess(-ion).
אָחַז (a.chaz) — to grasp.
1) grasp, take hold, seize, take possession
1a) (Qal) to grasp, take hold of
1b) (Niphal) to be caught, grasped, be settled
1c) (Piel) to enclose, overlay
1d) (Hophal) fastened
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
hold: In the American Standard Revised Version frequently "stronghold" (Jud 9:49; 1Sa 22:4; 24:22; 2Sa 5:17; 23:14; 1Ch 11:16; 12:16). See FORTIFICATION. In Re 18:2 for the King James Version "cage" (phulake) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes, as in first clause, "hold," and in the margin "prison."
Hold
A fortress, the name given to David’s lurking-places (1 Sam. 22:4, 5; 24:22).
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HRd/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3fs
מָדַד (madad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to measure or stretch. It encompasses various forms, including measuring length or distance, extending, and being measured. The word appears in different contexts, such as dry measures and figurative uses related to waters and requital. Notably, it can also refer to the act of extending oneself, as seen in its usage in the Old Testament.
מָדַד 53 vb. measure
Qal
measure of length, distance
of dry measure
fig. of measuring waters; of requital
Niph. be measured
Pi.
extend, continue (= make extent or continuation)
measure, measure off
Po. measured
Hithpo. measured (= extended, stretched) himself upon the boy
base
H4058 מָדַד measure .. measure of length, distance
. of dry measure
. fig. of measuring waters; of requital
. be measured
. . extend, continue (= make extent or continuation)
. measure, measure off
. measured
. measured (= extended, stretched) himself upon the boy
4058 madad maw-dad'
a primitive root: properly, to stretch; by implication, to
measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be
extended:--measure, mete, stretch self.
מָדַד (ma.dad) — to measure.
1) to measure, stretch
1a) (Qal) to measure
1b) (Niphal) to be measured
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to extend, continue
1c2) to measure, measure off
1d) (Po) measured
1e) (Hithpolel) to extend oneself, stretch oneself
Also means: mid.dad (מָדַד "to extend" H4059)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
The Hebrew word שֵׁשׁ, transliterated as shesh, means 'six' and can function as both a cardinal and ordinal number, indicating the sixth position. It is a primitive number that signifies an excess beyond five, as noted in the entries. The Aramaic equivalent is שֵׁת (shet).
שֵׁשׁ, שִׁשָּׁה 216 n.m. et f. six
base
H8337 שֵׁשׁ, שִׁשָּׁה six
8337 shesh shaysh
masculine shishshah {shish-shaw'}; a primitive number; six
(as an overplus (see 7797) beyond five or the fingers of the
hand); as ord. sixth:--six((-teen, -teenth)), sixth.
see HEBREW for 07797
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — six.
1) six
1a) six (cardinal number)
1b) sixth (ordinal number)
1c) in combination with other numbers
Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Adj — Noun common · both singular constructHNcbsc
שְׂעֹרָה (se'orah) refers to barley, specifically the bearded grain. It can denote both the plant and the grain itself. The word is derived from a root meaning 'roughness,' which relates to the texture of barley. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.
שְׂעֹרָה n.f. barley (bearded grain)
base
H8184 שְׂעֹרָה barley (bearded grain)
8184 s`orah seh-o-raw'
or snowrah {seh-o-raw'} (feminine meaning the plant); and
(masculine meaning the grain); also s or {seh-ore'}; or s-owr
{seh-ore'}; from 8175 in the sense of roughness; barley (as
villose):--barley.
see HEBREW for 08175
שְׂעֹרָה (se.o.rah) — barley.
1) barley
1a) barley (of the plant)
1b) barley (of the meal or grain)
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
bar'-li (se`orah):
(1) In the Bible, as in modern times, barley was a characteristic product of Palestine--"a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees," etc. (De 8:8), the failure of whose crop was a national disaster (Joe 1:11). It was, and is, grown chiefly as provender for horses and asses (1Ki 4:28), oats being practically unknown, but it was, as it now is, to some extent, the food of the poor in country districts (Ru 2:17; 2Ki 4:42; Joh 6:9,13). Probably this is the meaning of the dream of the Midianite concerning Gideon: "Behold, I dreamed a dream; and, lo…
Barley
A grain much cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31) and in Palestine (Lev. 27:16; Deut. 8:8). It was usually the food of horses (1 Kings 4:28). Barley bread was used by the poorer people (Judg. 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42). Barley of the first crop was ready for the harvest by the time of the Passover, in the middle of April (Ruth 1:22; 2 Sam. 21:9). Mention is made of barley-meal (Num. 5:15). Our Lord fed five thousand…
is one of the most important of the cereal grains, and the most hardy of them all. It was grown by the Hebrews, (Leviticus 27:16; 8:8; Ruth 2:17) etc., who used it for baking into bread chiefly among the poor, (Judges 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42; John 6:9,13) and as fodder for horses. (1 Kings 4:28) The barley harvest, (Ruth 1:22; 2:23; 2 Samuel 21:9;10) takes place in Palestine in March and April, and in the hilly district as late as May. It always precedes the wheat…
The Hebrew word שִׁית (shiyth) is a primitive root meaning to put or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, laying, and constituting. It can also imply taking a stand or being imposed upon. The entries consistently emphasize its versatility in contexts of action and intention.
שִׁית vb. put, set
Qal
put, lay
set, station
set one's mind to, give heed, attention
set, fix
constitute, make one something
internally trans., = take one's stand
Hoph. if a ransom be imposed
base
H7896 שִׁית put, set .. put, lay
. . set, station
. set one's mind to, give heed, attention
. set, fix
. constitute, make one something
. internally trans., = take one's stand
. if a ransom be imposed
7896 shiyth sheeth
a primitive root; to place (in a very wide
application):--apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay
(up), let alone, X look, make, mark, put (on), + regard, set,
shew, be stayed, X take.
שִׁית (shit) — to set: make.
: make/establish
1) to put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)
1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to
1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform
1a4) to take one's stand
1a5) to lay waste
1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon
שִׁית (shit) — to set: put.
: put/bring
1) to put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)
1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to
1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform
1a4) to take one's stand
1a5) to lay waste
1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon
שִׁית (shit) — to set: appoint.
: appoint
1) to put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)
1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to
1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform
1a4) to take one's stand
1a5) to lay waste
1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon
שִׁית (shit) — to set: accuse.
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
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.
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)
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)
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
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
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3fs
בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
come in
come (approach, arrive)
go, i.e. walk, associate with
go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
be brought in (of pers. and things)
be brought
be introduced, put
base
H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in
. come (approach, arrive)
. go, i.e. walk, associate with
. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
. . be brought in (of pers. and things)
. be brought
. be introduced, put
935 bow' bo
a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of
applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +
besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X
certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,
upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,
(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be
fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),
grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,
pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken
(in age), X surely, take (in), way.
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.
: come/go_in
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
1a5) to go
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead in
1b2) to carry in
1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
1b4) to bring to pass
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought, brought in
1c2) to be introduced, be put
לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).
This name means to go in, enter
Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.
: towards/entrance
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
sit'-i (`ir, qiryah; polis):
I. THE CANAANITE CITY
1. Origin
2. Extent
3. Villages
4. Sites
5. External Appearance
6. General
II. THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION
1. Tower or Stronghold
2. High Place
3. Broad Place
4. Streets
5. General Characteristics
III. STORE CITIES
IV. LEVITICAL CITIES
LITERATURE
I. The Canaanite City.
1. Origin:
The development of the Canaanite city has been traced by Macalister in his report on the excavation at Gezer (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1904, 108 ff). It originated on the slopes of a bare rocky spur, in which the Neolithic Troglodytes quarried their habitations out of the solid rock, the stones therefrom being used to form a casing to the earthen ramparts, with which the site was afterwards surrounded and which served as a protection against the intrusion of enemies. Later Semitic intruders occupied the site, stone houses were built, and high stone defense…
City
The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen. 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (10:12, 19; 11:3, 9; 36:31-39). The earliest description of a city is that of Sodom (19:1-22). Damascus is said to be the oldest existing city in the world. Before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt (Num. 13:22). The Israelites in Egypt were employed in building the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses (Ex. 1:11); but it does not seem that they had any cities of their own in Goshen (Gen.…
The towns and cities of Palestine were commonly built on heights, for better security against robbers or invaders. These heights, surrounded by walls, sometimes formed the entire city. In other cases, the citadel alone crowned the hill, around and at the base of which the town was built; and in time of danger the surrounding population all took refuge in the fortified place. Larger towns and cities were often not only defended by strong outer walls, with towers and gates, but by a citadel or castle within these limits-a last resort when the rest of the city was taken, Jud 9:46,51. The "fenced cities" of the Jews, De 3:5, were of various sizes and degrees of strength; some being surrounded by high and thick stone walls, and others by feebler ramparts, often of clay or sun-dried…