Ruth 4:16 — Word Study
WLCוַתִּקַּ֨ח נָעֳמִ֤י אֶת־ הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ בְחֵיקָ֔הּ וַתְּהִי־ ל֖וֹ לְאֹמֶֽנֶת׃
BSAAnd NaomiNoʻŏmîy [an Israelite woman] tooklâqach▸ [to get, to receive] the childyeled [youth, a young person] placed himshîyth▸ [set, laid] on her lapchêyq [bosom, chest area] and becamehâyâh▸ [to be, to exist] a nurseʼâman [faithful one, trustworthy caregiver, to support]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַתִּקַּ֨ח | and she took | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| נָעֳמִ֤י | Naomi | Noun proper feminine |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ | the child | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ | and she placed him | Verb qal sequential imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| בְחֵיקָ֔הּ | on bosom her | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַתְּהִי־ | and she became | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| ל֖וֹ | of him | Preposition, suffix |
| לְאֹמֶֽנֶת׃ | a nurse | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him. |
| KJV | And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. |
| ASV | And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. |
| YLT | And Naomi taketh the lad, and layeth him in her bosom, and is to him for a nurse; |
| WEB | Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to him. |
| BBE | And Naomi took the child and put her arms round it, and she took care of it. |
Where they part company is לְאֹמֶֽנֶת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around Naomi's actions, with a main clause followed by two participial phrases that describe her subsequent actions and new role.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectנׇעֳמִי
verbלָקַח
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 4:16
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 Conclusion of Ruth's Storygenerated
Ruth 4:16 describes a pivotal moment where Naomi, having experienced great loss, takes the child born to Ruth and embraces a new chapter in her life. This act of taking the child signifies not only her acceptance of joy but also her role as a caregiver, reflecting the restoration of her family line. The surrounding verses highlight the community's recognition of this child as a blessing to Naomi, further emphasizing the theme of redemption in the narrative.
Cross References
The Key Word — לְאֹמֶֽנֶת, le.'o.Me.netgenerated
The Hebrew word אָמַן (*aman*) signifies a caregiver or nurse, emphasizing the role of nurturing and support. It is derived from a root meaning to be faithful, suggesting that this role is one of trust and reliability. The participial form indicates an ongoing action, pointing to Naomi's commitment to the child's well-being.
In this context, Naomi's becoming a nurse to the child reflects her transition from a period of bitterness to one of joy and fulfillment, as she embraces the responsibilities of motherhood once again.
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 of the verse is וַתִּקַּ֨ח, and she took, which governs the actions that follow: placing the child on her lap and becoming a nurse. The structure emphasizes Naomi's active role in receiving the child and her subsequent nurturing actions.
The sentence flows from Naomi's action to the result of that action, highlighting her transition into a caregiver role. The Hebrew word order places emphasis on her taking the child first, establishing the significance of this moment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the key verb וַתִּקַּ֨ח as ἔλαβεν, which means 'she took.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, indicating a straightforward transfer of the action without additional interpretation.
The translation reflects a direct correspondence with the Hebrew text, maintaining the emphasis on Naomi's action of taking the child, which is central to the narrative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ruth 4:16 tells us that Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him. This moment marks a significant change in her life, as she embraces her role as a caregiver and experiences joy after her previous losses.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that Naomi took on the role of caregiver, nurturing and supporting the child, which reflects her acceptance of joy and restoration after her losses.
This verse highlights the themes of redemption and restoration, as Naomi's new role brings hope and continuity to her family line.
The community recognizes the child as a blessing to Naomi, reinforcing the idea that her family is being restored and that joy can emerge from sorrow.
Ruth's love and loyalty to Naomi lead to the birth of this child, which ultimately allows Naomi to experience joy and fulfillment in her life again.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced restoration in my own life, similar to Naomi's experience?
- How can I support and nurture those around me, as Naomi did for the child?
- What does it mean to embrace new roles and responsibilities after a period of loss?
- How can I recognize and celebrate the blessings in my life, even after difficult times?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ruth 4:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom,.... As a token of her most tender love and affection for it; this it is probable she did quickly after the birth of it: and became a nurse unto it;
Read John Gill on Ruth 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySo Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ruth 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsRth 4:16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.Ver. 16. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom.] Next her heart, to show her great love and tender affection, though she were but mother-in-law to his mother. What, then, may we think of Ruth, own mother to Obed? There is an ocean of love in a parent’ s heart. “φιλτρωμενσυνεδησεθεοςγονεαςτετοκουςτε.” Grandfathers and grandmothers oft love their grandchildren better than their own, for love descendeth. And became his nurse.] A dry nurse no doubt, a foster nurse, a faithful nurse, as the Hebrew word importeth, not a milk nurse, for she was too old to give it suck. That was a miracle, if true…
Read John Trapp on Ruth 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Nurse.—The verb (aman) here is that used in Isaiah 49:23, “and kings shall be thy nursing fathers.” That ordinarily used for the natural nursing of a woman is different.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ruth 4 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. Naomi took the child] This might do for Naomi, but it was bad for the child. A child, unless remarkably healthy and robust, will suffer considerably by being nursed by an old woman, especially if the child sleep with her. The aged gain refreshment and energy by sleeping with the young; and from the same means the young derive premature decrepitude. The vigour which is absorbed by the former is lost by the latter. It is a foolish and destructive custom to permit young children, which is a common case, to sleep with aged aunts and old grandmothers. Bacon's grand secret of the cure of old age, couched in so many obscure and enigmatical terms, is simply this: Let young persons sleep…
Read AdamClarke on Ruth 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. took the child, and laid it in her bosom] to shew that she adopted the child of Ruth as her own; cf. the phrase ‘born upon the knees’ Genesis 30:3; Genesis 50:13.
Read Cambridge on Ruth 4 →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 Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.
Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to him.
And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.
Naomi took the child and placed him on her lap; she became his caregiver.
Tyndale line
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became its nurse.
And Naomi tooke the childe, and layde it in her lap, and became nource vnto it.
Strictly literal
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it.
And Naomi taketh the lad, and layeth him in her bosom, and is to him for a nurse;
And Naomi takes the boy, and lays him in her bosom, and is to him for a nurse;
And Na'omi took the child, and laid it in her lap, and she became a nurse unto it.
Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and took care of him.
From the Latin
And Noemi taking the child laid it in her bosom, and she carried it, and was a nurse unto it.
Simplified
Naomi picked up the child and hugged him. She looked after him like her own son.
And Naomi took the child and put her arms round it, and she took care of it.
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 largely agree in this verse, with 8 of the 9 words matched. The Septuagint's rendering follows the Hebrew closely, indicating that the core meaning has been preserved across these texts.
וַתִּקַּ֨ח נָעֳמִ֤י אֶת־ הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ בְחֵיקָ֔הּ וַתְּהִי־ ל֖וֹ לְאֹמֶֽנֶת׃
8 of the 9 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 Ruth 4:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.
לָקַח 965 vb. take
Qal
take, take in hand
take and carry along with oneself
take from, or out of
take, carry away
take away from, so as to deprive of
esp. take away life
take to or for a person
take up, upon = put upon
= fetch
take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
take = capture, seize
take = carry off
in phr. take vengeance
Niph.
be captured, of ark
be taken away, removed
be taken, brought unto
Pu.
be taken from, out of
= be stolen from
be taken captive
be taken away, removed
Hoph.
be taken, brought unto
be taken out of
be taken away from
Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
base
H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand
. take and carry along with oneself
. . take from, or out of
. take, carry away
. take away from, so as to deprive of
. esp. take away life
. take to or for a person
. take up, upon = put upon
. = fetch
. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
. take = capture, seize
. take = carry off
. in phr. take vengeance
. . be captured, of ark
. be taken away, removed
. be taken, brought unto
. . be taken from, out of
. = be stolen from
. be taken captive
. be taken away, removed
. . be taken, brought unto
. be taken out of
. be taken away from
. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
3947 laqach law-kakh'
a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,
get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,
seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.
: take
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take, take in the hand
1a2) to take and carry along
1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
1a5) to take up or upon, put upon
1a6) to fetch
1a7) to take, lead, conduct
1a8) to take, capture, seize
1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be captured
1b2) to be taken away, be removed
1b3) to be taken, brought unto
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be taken from or out of
1c2) to be stolen from
1c3) to be taken captive
1c4) to be taken away, be removed
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
1d2) to be taken out of
1d3) to be taken away
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to take hold of oneself
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
נָעֳמִי (No`omiy) refers to Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth. The name is derived from a root meaning 'pleasant.' Naomi is a significant figure in the Book of Ruth, where she is described as the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She is also known as Mara, meaning 'bitter,' in Ruth 1:20.
נָעֳמִי n.pr.f. mother-in-law of Ruth
base
H5281 נָעֳמִי mother-in-law of Ruth
5281 No`omiy no-om-ee'
from 5278; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess:--Naomi.
see HEBREW for 05278
נׇעֳמִי (no.o.mi) — Naomi.
A woman living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.1.2; married to Elimelech (H0458);
mother of: Mahlon (H4248) and Chilion (H3630); also called Mara at Rut.1.20;
Also named: ma.ra (מָרָא "Mara" H4755)
§ Naomi = "my delight"
wife of Elimelech, mother of Mahlon and Chilion, and mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah
N-proper — Noun proper feminineHNpf
na'-o-mi, na-o'-mi, na-o'-mi (no`omi, probably equals "pleasantness"; Septuagint. Codex Vaticanus Noemein; Codex Alexandrinus Noemmei(n)): Wife of Elimelech and mother-in-law of Ru (Ru 1:2-4:17). She went with her husband to the land of Moab, and after his death returned to Bethlehem. When greeted on her return, she told the women of the town to call her, not no`omi ("pleasantness"), but marah ("bitterness"), "for," she said, "the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." She advised Ru in her dealings with Boaz, and afterward nursed their child.ith Anaitis (equalsAnahita), the Asian Artemis. She was the Venus, but sometimes the Diana, of the Romans. There are many variants of the name: Anaea (Strabo xvi.738), Aneitis (Plut. Artax. xxvii), Tanais (Clement of Alexandria, loc. cit.), also Tanath, sometimes in Phoenician inscriptions…
Naomi
The lovable; my delight, the wife of Elimelech, and mother of Mahlon and Chilion, and mother-in-law of Ruth (1:2, 20, 21; 2:1). Elimelech and his wife left the district of Bethlehem-Judah, and found a new home in the uplands of Moab. In course of time he died, as also his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, who had married women of Moab, and three widows were left mourning the loss of their husbands. Naomi longs to return now to her own land, to Bethlehem. One of her widowed daughters-in-law, Ruth, accompanies her, and is at length married to Boaz (q.v.).
or Nao’mi (my delight), the wife of Elimelech and mother-in-law of Ruth. (Ruth 1:2) etc.; Ruth 2:1 etc.; Ruth 3:1; 4:3 etc. (B.C. 1363.) The name is derived from a root signifying sweetness or pleasantness. Naomi left Judea with her husband and two sons, in a time of famine and went to the land of Moab. Here her husband and sons died; and on her return to Bethlehem she wished to be known as Mara, bitterness , instead of Naomi, sweetness.
Wife of Elimelech, and mother-in-law of Ruth. See RUTH.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
יֶ֫לֶד (yeled) refers to a child, son, or youth, encompassing meanings like offspring and young man. It can also figuratively denote apostate Israelites. The word is derived from a root meaning something born, indicating its connection to birth and lineage.
יֶ֫לֶד 89 n.m. child, son, boy, youth
base
H3206 יֶ֫לֶד child, son, boy, youth
3206 yeled yeh'-led
from 3205; something born, i.e. a lad or offspring:--boy,
child, fruit, son, young man (one).
see HEBREW for 03205
יֶ֫לֶד (ye.led) — youth.
1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth
1a) child, son, boy
1b) child, children
1c) descendants
1d) youth
1e) apostate Israelites (fig.)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
Child
This word has considerable latitude of meaning in Scripture. Thus Joseph is called a child at the time when he was probably about sixteen years of age (Gen. 37:3); and Benjamin is so called when he was above thirty years (44:20). Solomon called himself a little child when he came to the kingdom (1 Kings 3:7).
The descendants of a man, however remote, are called his children; as, “the children of Edom,” “the children of Moab,” “the children of Israel.”
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-3fs | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHc/Vqw3fs/Sp3ms
חֵיק (cheq) means 'bosom' and can refer to the literal or figurative sense of being enclosed, such as in the body or in garments. It encompasses meanings like embrace, lap, and secret, indicating a sense of intimacy or closeness. The entries suggest a range of uses, including physical and metaphorical contexts.
חֵיק, חֵק n.[m.] bosom
of fold of garment, at breast
carry in bosom
bosom as part of body
base
H2436 חֵיק, חֵק bosom
2436 cheyq khake
or cheq {khake}; and chowq {khoke}; from an unused root,
apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or
figuratively):--bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: embrace.
: embrace/chest
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: garment.
: garment
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: lap.
: lap/base
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)
חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: secret.
: secret
bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
אָמַן (aman) is a Hebrew root meaning to support or confirm, with applications ranging from nurturing (as a foster parent or nurse) to establishing trust and reliability. It encompasses concepts of faithfulness, permanence, and assurance. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including verbs and nouns, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[אָמַן] vb. confirm, support
Qal
as vb. support, nourish
as subst. foster-father
foster-mother, nurse
pillars, supporters of the door
Niph.
carried by nurse
made firm, sure, lasting
confirmed, established, sure
verified, confirmed
reliable, faithful, trusty
Hiph.
stand firm
trust, believe
base
H539 אָמַן confirm, support .. as vb. support, nourish
. as subst. foster-father
. foster-mother, nurse
. pillars, supporters of the door
. . carried by nurse
. made firm, sure, lasting
. confirmed, established, sure
. verified, confirmed
. reliable, faithful, trusty
. . stand firm
. trust, believe
539 'aman aw-man'
a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster
as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or
faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet;
morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21;
interchangeable with 541) to go to the right hand:--hence,
assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful
(of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty,
verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the
right.
see HEBREW for 0541
אָמַן (a.man) — be faithful.
1) to support, confirm, be faithful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish
1a1a) foster-father (subst.)
1a1b) foster-mother, nurse
1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm
1b1a) to be carried by a nurse
1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting
1b1c) confirmed, established, sure
1b1d) verified, confirmed
1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in
1c1a) stand firm
1c1b) trust, believe
Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)
Prep | V-Qal — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) feminine singularHR/Vqrfsa
In ancient times the position of the nurse, wherever one was maintained, was one of much honor sad importance. See (Genesis 24:59; 36;8; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Kings 11:2) The same term is applied to a foster-father or mother, e.g. (Numbers 11:12; Ruth 4:16; Isaiah 49:23)
The Bible contains various allusions to the tender and confidential relation anciently subsisting between a nurse and the children she had brought up, Isa 49:22,23 1Th 2:7,8. See also the story of Rebekah, attended through life by her faithful and honored Deborah, the oak under which she was buried being called "The oak of weeping," Ge 24:59 35:8. The custom still prevails in the better families of Syria and India. Says Roberts in his Oriental Illustrations, "how often have scenes like this led my mind to the patriarchal age. The daughter is about for the first time to leave the paternal roof; the servants are all in confusion; each refers to things long gone by, each wishes to do something to attract the attention of his…