Ecclesiastes 4:3

biblecontext

{ "verseID": "Ecclesiastes.4.3", "source": "וְטוֹב֙ מִשְּׁנֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־עֲדֶ֖ן לֹ֣א הָיָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַמַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה הָרָ֔ע אֲשֶׁ֥ר נַעֲשָׂ֖ה תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃", "text": "*wə-ṭôḇ* from-*šənêhem* *ʾēt* who-*ʿăden* not *hāyāh* who not-*rāʾāh* *ʾet*-the-*maʿăśeh* the-*rāʿ* which *naʿăśâh* *taḥat* the-*šāmeš*", "grammar": { "*wə-ṭôḇ*": "conjunction + adjective, masculine singular - and better", "*šənêhem*": "numeral, dual construct + 3rd person masculine plural suffix - both of them", "*ʾēt*": "direct object marker", "*ʿăden*": "adverb - yet/still", "*hāyāh*": "Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he was/existed", "*rāʾāh*": "Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he saw", "*maʿăśeh*": "noun, masculine singular - work/deed/action", "*rāʿ*": "adjective, masculine singular - evil/bad", "*naʿăśâh*": "Niphal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - was done" }, "variants": { "*ṭôḇ*": "better/good/preferable", "*maʿăśeh*": "work/deed/action/activity", "*rāʿ*": "evil/bad/harmful/wicked/distressing", "*taḥat ha-šāmeš*": "under the sun/in this world/in this life" } }

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְטוֹב֙ מִשְּׁנֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־עֲדֶ֖ן לֹ֣א הָיָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַמַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה הָרָ֔ע אֲשֶׁ֥ר נַעֲשָׂ֖ה תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃

Transliteration

wə-ṭôḇ from-šənêhem ʾēt who-ʿăden not hāyāh who not-rāʾāh ʾet-the-maʿăśeh the-rāʿ which naʿăśâh taḥat the-šāmeš

Grammar Details

• *wə-ṭôḇ*: conjunction + adjective, masculine singular - and better
• *šənêhem*: numeral, dual construct + 3rd person masculine plural suffix - both of them
• *ʾēt*: direct object marker
• *ʿăden*: adverb - yet/still
• *hāyāh*: Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he was/existed
• *rāʾāh*: Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he saw
• *maʿăśeh*: noun, masculine singular - work/deed/action
• *rāʿ*: adjective, masculine singular - evil/bad
• *naʿăśâh*: Niphal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - was done

Word Meanings

• *ṭôḇ*: better/good/preferable
• *maʿăśeh*: work/deed/action/activity
• *rāʿ*: evil/bad/harmful/wicked/distressing
• *taḥat ha-šāmeš*: under the sun/in this world/in this life

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  But better than both is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Yes, better is he than both, who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  yea, better{H2896} than them both{H8147} [did I esteem] him that hath not yet{H5728} been, who hath not seen{H7200} the evil{H7451} work{H4639} that is done{H6213} under the sun.{H8121}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Yea, better{H2896} is he than both{H8147} they, which hath not yet{H5728} been, who hath not seen{H7200}{(H8804)} the evil{H7451} work{H4639} that is done{H6213}{(H8738)} under the sun{H8121}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  yee him that is yet vnborne to be better at ease the they both, because he seith not the miserable workes that are done vnder the Sonne.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Yea him that is yet vnborne, to be better at ease then they both: because he seeth not the miserable workes that are done vnder the sunne.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  Yea, better [is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And better than both of them `is' he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  yea, better than them both `did I esteem' him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

Referenced Verses

• Luke 23:29 : 29 { "verseID": "Luke.23.29", "source": "Ὅτι, ἰδού, ἔρχονται ἡμέραι, ἐν αἷς ἐροῦσιν, Μακάριαι αἱ στεῖραι, καὶ κοιλίαι αἳ οὐκ ἐγέννησαν, καὶ μαστοὶ οἳ οὐκ ἔθήλασαν.", "text": "For, *idou*, *erchontai* *hēmerai*, in which they-will-*erousin*, *Makariai* the *steirai*, and *koiliai* which not *egennēsan*, and *mastoi* which not *ethēlasan*.", "grammar": { "*idou*": "aorist middle imperative, 2nd singular - behold/look/see", "*erchontai*": "present middle/passive indicative, 3rd plural - are coming", "*hēmerai*": "nominative plural feminine - days", "αἷς": "relative pronoun, dative plural feminine - which/whom", "*erousin*": "future active indicative, 3rd plural - they will say", "*Makariai*": "nominative plural feminine - blessed/happy", "*steirai*": "nominative plural feminine - barren women", "*koiliai*": "nominative plural feminine - wombs", "*egennēsan*": "aorist active indicative, 3rd plural - gave birth/bore", "*mastoi*": "nominative plural masculine - breasts", "*ethēlasan*": "aorist active indicative, 3rd plural - nursed/gave suck" }, "variants": { "*idou*": "behold/look/see", "*erchontai*": "come/are coming", "*hēmerai*": "days/time", "*erousin*": "will say/speak", "*Makariai*": "blessed/happy/fortunate", "*steirai*": "barren women/sterile", "*koiliai*": "wombs/bellies", "*egennēsan*": "gave birth/bore/generated", "*mastoi*": "breasts/chest", "*ethēlasan*": "nursed/suckled/gave suck" } }
• Job 3:10-16 : 10 { "verseID": "Job.3.10", "source": "כִּ֤י לֹ֣א סָ֭גַר דַּלְתֵ֣י בִטְנִ֑י וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר עָ֝מָ֗ל מֵעֵינָֽי׃", "text": "*kî lōʾ sāgar daltê biṭnî wayyastēr ʿāmāl mēʿênāy*", "grammar": { "*kî*": "conjunction - because", "*lōʾ*": "negative particle - not", "*sāgar*": "verb, Qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - it shut up", "*daltê*": "noun, feminine plural construct - doors of", "*biṭnî*": "noun, feminine singular with 1st common singular suffix - my womb", "*wayyastēr*": "conjunction + verb, Hiphil imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine singular - and hide", "*ʿāmāl*": "noun, masculine singular - trouble", "*mēʿênāy*": "preposition + noun, feminine dual with 1st common singular suffix - from my eyes" }, "variants": { "*sāgar*": "shut up/closed/bolted", "*daltê*": "doors/gates", "*biṭnî*": "my womb/my belly/my body", "*wayyastēr*": "and hide/and conceal", "*ʿāmāl*": "trouble/misery/toil/sorrow" } } 11 { "verseID": "Job.3.11", "source": "לָ֤מָּה לֹּ֣א מֵרֶ֣חֶם אָמ֑וּת מִבֶּ֖טֶן יָצָ֣אתִי וְאֶגְוָֽע׃", "text": "*lāmmâ lōʾ mēreḥem ʾāmût mibbeṭen yāṣāʾtî wəʾegwāʿ*", "grammar": { "*lāmmâ*": "interrogative adverb - why", "*lōʾ*": "negative particle - not", "*mēreḥem*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular - from womb", "*ʾāmût*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 1st common singular - I die", "*mibbeṭen*": "preposition + noun, feminine singular - from belly", "*yāṣāʾtî*": "verb, Qal perfect, 1st common singular - I came out", "*wəʾegwāʿ*": "conjunction + verb, Qal imperfect, 1st common singular - and expire" }, "variants": { "*lāmmâ*": "why/for what reason", "*mēreḥem*": "from womb/from birth", "*ʾāmût*": "I die/I would die", "*mibbeṭen*": "from belly/from womb", "*yāṣāʾtî*": "I came out/I emerged/I was delivered", "*wəʾegwāʿ*": "and expire/and perish/and die" } } 12 { "verseID": "Job.3.12", "source": "מַ֭דּוּעַ קִדְּמ֣וּנִי בִרְכָּ֑יִם וּמַה־שָּׁ֝דַ֗יִם כִּ֣י אִינָֽק׃", "text": "*maddûaʿ qiddəmûnî birkāyim ûmâ-šādayim kî ʾînāq*", "grammar": { "*maddûaʿ*": "interrogative adverb - why", "*qiddəmûnî*": "verb, Piel perfect, 3rd common plural with 1st common singular suffix - they met me/received me", "*birkāyim*": "noun, feminine dual - knees", "*ûmâ*": "conjunction + interrogative pronoun - and what", "*šādayim*": "noun, masculine dual - breasts", "*kî*": "conjunction - that", "*ʾînāq*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 1st common singular - I would suck" }, "variants": { "*maddûaʿ*": "why/for what reason", "*qiddəmûnî*": "they met me/they received me/they welcomed me", "*birkāyim*": "knees/laps", "*šādayim*": "breasts/teats", "*ʾînāq*": "I would suck/I would nurse" } } 13 { "verseID": "Job.3.13", "source": "כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה שָׁכַ֣בְתִּי וְאֶשְׁק֑וֹט יָ֝שַׁ֗נְתִּי אָ֤ז ׀ יָנ֬וּחַֽ לִֽי׃", "text": "*kî-ʿattâ šākābtî wəʾešqôṭ yāšantî ʾāz yānûaḥ lî*", "grammar": { "*kî-ʿattâ*": "conjunction + adverb - for now", "*šākābtî*": "verb, Qal perfect, 1st common singular - I would have lain down", "*wəʾešqôṭ*": "conjunction + verb, Qal imperfect, 1st common singular - and be quiet", "*yāšantî*": "verb, Qal perfect, 1st common singular - I would have slept", "*ʾāz*": "adverb - then", "*yānûaḥ*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - it would be at rest", "*lî*": "preposition with 1st common singular suffix - for me" }, "variants": { "*kî-ʿattâ*": "for now/because now/for then", "*šākābtî*": "I would have lain down/I would have rested", "*wəʾešqôṭ*": "and be quiet/and be still/and be at peace", "*yāšantî*": "I would have slept/I would have rested", "*yānûaḥ*": "it would be at rest/there would be rest" } } 14 { "verseID": "Job.3.14", "source": "עִם־מְ֭לָכִים וְיֹ֣עֲצֵי אָ֑רֶץ הַבֹּנִ֖ים חֳרָב֣וֹת לָֽמוֹ׃", "text": "*ʿim-məlākîm wəyōʿăṣê ʾāreṣ habbōnîm ḥŏrābôt lāmô*", "grammar": { "*ʿim-məlākîm*": "preposition + noun, masculine plural - with kings", "*wəyōʿăṣê*": "conjunction + verb, Qal participle, masculine plural construct - and counselors of", "*ʾāreṣ*": "noun, feminine singular - earth/land", "*habbōnîm*": "definite article + verb, Qal participle, masculine plural - the ones building", "*ḥŏrābôt*": "noun, feminine plural - ruins/desolate places", "*lāmô*": "preposition with 3rd masculine plural suffix - for themselves" }, "variants": { "*məlākîm*": "kings/rulers", "*yōʿăṣê*": "counselors of/advisors of", "*ʾāreṣ*": "earth/land/ground", "*habbōnîm*": "the ones building/the ones constructing", "*ḥŏrābôt*": "ruins/desolate places/empty monuments", "*lāmô*": "for themselves/for them" } } 15 { "verseID": "Job.3.15", "source": "א֣וֹ עִם־שָׂ֭רִים זָהָ֣ב לָהֶ֑ם הַֽמְמַלְאִ֖ים בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם כָּֽסֶף׃", "text": "*ʾô ʿim-śārîm zāhāb lāhem hamməmalʾîm bāttêhem kāsep*", "grammar": { "*ʾô*": "conjunction - or", "*ʿim-śārîm*": "preposition + noun, masculine plural - with princes", "*zāhāb*": "noun, masculine singular - gold", "*lāhem*": "preposition with 3rd masculine plural suffix - to them/belonging to them", "*hamməmalʾîm*": "definite article + verb, Piel participle, masculine plural - the ones filling", "*bāttêhem*": "noun, masculine plural with 3rd masculine plural suffix - their houses", "*kāsep*": "noun, masculine singular - silver" }, "variants": { "*śārîm*": "princes/officials/nobles", "*zāhāb*": "gold/golden objects", "*hamməmalʾîm*": "the ones filling/the ones stuffing", "*bāttêhem*": "their houses/their dwellings/their tombs", "*kāsep*": "silver/money" } } 16 { "verseID": "Job.3.16", "source": "א֤וֹ כְנֵ֣פֶל טָ֭מוּן לֹ֣א אֶהְיֶ֑ה כְּ֝עֹלְלִ֗ים לֹא־רָ֥אוּ אֽוֹר׃", "text": "*ʾô kənēpel ṭāmûn lōʾ ʾehyeh kəʿōlălîm lōʾ-rāʾû ʾôr*", "grammar": { "*ʾô*": "conjunction - or", "*kənēpel*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular - like a miscarriage", "*ṭāmûn*": "verb, Qal passive participle, masculine singular - hidden", "*lōʾ*": "negative particle - not", "*ʾehyeh*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 1st common singular - I would be", "*kəʿōlălîm*": "preposition + noun, masculine plural - like infants", "*lōʾ-rāʾû*": "negative particle + verb, Qal perfect, 3rd common plural - they did not see", "*ʾôr*": "noun, masculine singular - light" }, "variants": { "*nēpel*": "miscarriage/stillbirth/untimely birth", "*ṭāmûn*": "hidden/buried/concealed", "*ʾehyeh*": "I would be/I would have been", "*ʿōlălîm*": "infants/babies/children", "*rāʾû*": "they saw/they experienced" } }
• Job 3:22 : 22 { "verseID": "Job.3.22", "source": "הַשְּׂמֵחִ֥ים אֱלֵי־גִ֑יל יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ כִּ֣י יִמְצְאוּ־קָֽבֶר׃", "text": "*haśśəmēḥîm ʾĕlê-gîl yāśîśû kî yimṣəʾû-qāber*", "grammar": { "*haśśəmēḥîm*": "definite article + verb, Qal participle, masculine plural - the ones rejoicing", "*ʾĕlê-gîl*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular - to joy", "*yāśîśû*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine plural - they are glad", "*kî*": "conjunction - when", "*yimṣəʾû-qāber*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine plural + noun, masculine singular - they find grave" }, "variants": { "*haśśəmēḥîm*": "the ones rejoicing/the ones being joyful", "*gîl*": "joy/rejoicing/gladness", "*yāśîśû*": "they are glad/they rejoice/they exult", "*yimṣəʾû*": "they find/they discover", "*qāber*": "grave/tomb" } }
• Job 10:18-19 : 18 { "verseID": "Job.10.18", "source": "וְלָ֣מָּה מֵ֭רֶחֶם הֹצֵאתָ֑נִי אֶ֝גְוַ֗ע וְעַ֣יִן לֹא־תִרְאֵֽנִי׃", "text": "and why from *mēreḥem* *hōṣēʾtānî* *ʾegwaʿ* and *ʿayin* not *tirʾēnî*", "grammar": { "*mēreḥem*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular - from womb", "*hōṣēʾtānî*": "Hiphil perfect, 2nd masculine singular with 1st person suffix - you brought me out", "*ʾegwaʿ*": "Qal imperfect, 1st singular - I expire/die", "*ʿayin*": "noun, common singular - eye", "*tirʾēnî*": "Qal imperfect, 3rd feminine singular with 1st person suffix - it sees me" }, "variants": { "*mēreḥem*": "from womb/from birth", "*hōṣēʾtānî*": "you brought me out/you caused me to come out", "*ʾegwaʿ*": "I expire/I die/I perish", "*ʿayin*": "eye/sight" } } 19 { "verseID": "Job.10.19", "source": "כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־הָיִ֣יתִי אֶהְיֶ֑ה מִ֝בֶּ֗טֶן לַקֶּ֥בֶר אוּבָֽל׃", "text": "as if not *hāyîtî* *ʾehyeh* from *mibbeṭen* to *laqqeber* *ʾûbāl*", "grammar": { "*hāyîtî*": "Qal perfect, 1st singular - I was", "*ʾehyeh*": "Qal imperfect, 1st singular - I would be", "*mibbeṭen*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular - from womb", "*laqqeber*": "preposition + definite article + noun, masculine singular - to the grave", "*ʾûbāl*": "Hophal imperfect, 1st singular - I would be carried" }, "variants": { "*hāyîtî*": "I was/I existed", "*ʾehyeh*": "I would be/I would exist", "*mibbeṭen*": "from womb/from birth", "*ʾûbāl*": "I would be carried/I would be brought/I would be led" } }
• Ps 55:6-9 : 6 { "verseID": "Psalms.55.6", "source": "יִרְאָ֣ה וָ֭רַעַד יָ֣בֹא בִ֑י וַ֝תְּכַסֵּ֗נִי פַּלָּצֽוּת׃", "text": "*yirʾāh wāraʿad yābōʾ* in me, and *wattəkassēnî pallāṣût*", "grammar": { "*yirʾāh*": "feminine singular noun - fear", "*wāraʿad*": "masculine singular noun with waw conjunction - and trembling", "*yābōʾ*": "qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - comes/enters", "*bî*": "preposition with 1st person singular suffix - in me", "*wattəkassēnî*": "waw consecutive with piel imperfect, 3rd person feminine singular and 1st person singular suffix - and it covers me", "*pallāṣût*": "feminine singular noun - horror/shuddering" }, "variants": { "*yirʾāh*": "fear/terror/dread", "*raʿad*": "trembling/shaking", "*yābōʾ*": "comes/enters/arrives", "*təkassēnî*": "covers me/overwhelms me", "*pallāṣût*": "horror/shuddering/trembling" } } 7 { "verseID": "Psalms.55.7", "source": "וָאֹמַ֗ר מִֽי־יִתֶּן־לִּ֣י אֵ֭בֶר כַּיּוֹנָ֗ה אָע֥וּפָה וְאֶשְׁכֹּֽנָה׃", "text": "And *wāʾōmar* who *yitten-lî ʾēber* like the *yônāh ʾāʿûpāh wəʾeškōnāh*", "grammar": { "*wāʾōmar*": "waw consecutive with qal imperfect, 1st person singular - and I said", "*yitten-lî*": "qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular with preposition lamed and 1st person singular suffix - would give to me", "*ʾēber*": "masculine singular noun - wing/pinion", "*yônāh*": "feminine singular noun with prefixed preposition kaph (like) - like the dove", "*ʾāʿûpāh*": "qal cohortative, 1st person singular - I would fly", "*wəʾeškōnāh*": "waw conjunction with qal cohortative, 1st person singular - and I would dwell/rest" }, "variants": { "*wāʾōmar*": "and I said/I thought", "*yitten*": "would give/would grant", "*ʾēber*": "wing/pinion", "*yônāh*": "dove/pigeon", "*ʾāʿûpāh*": "I would fly/I would soar", "*ʾeškōnāh*": "I would dwell/I would rest/I would settle" } } 8 { "verseID": "Psalms.55.8", "source": "הִ֭נֵּה אַרְחִ֣יק נְדֹ֑ד אָלִ֖ין בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר סֶֽלָה׃", "text": "*hinnēh ʾarḥîq nədōd ʾālîn* in the *midbār selāh*", "grammar": { "*hinnēh*": "demonstrative particle - behold", "*ʾarḥîq*": "hiphil imperfect, 1st person singular - I would go far", "*nədōd*": "infinitive absolute - wandering/flight", "*ʾālîn*": "qal imperfect, 1st person singular - I would lodge", "*midbār*": "masculine singular noun with prefixed preposition beth (in) - in the wilderness", "*selāh*": "musical notation - selah/pause" }, "variants": { "*hinnēh*": "behold/look/see", "*ʾarḥîq*": "I would go far/I would flee afar/I would distance myself", "*nədōd*": "wandering/flight/escape", "*ʾālîn*": "I would lodge/I would spend the night/I would dwell", "*midbār*": "wilderness/desert", "*selāh*": "musical pause/interlude/lift up" } } 9 { "verseID": "Psalms.55.9", "source": "אָחִ֣ישָׁה מִפְלָ֣ט לִ֑י מֵר֖וּחַ סֹעָ֣ה מִסָּֽעַר׃", "text": "*ʾāḥîšāh miplāṭ* for me from *rûaḥ sōʿāh missāʿar*", "grammar": { "*ʾāḥîšāh*": "hiphil cohortative, 1st person singular - I would hasten", "*miplāṭ*": "masculine singular noun - escape/refuge", "*lî*": "preposition lamed with 1st person singular suffix - for me", "*rûaḥ*": "feminine singular noun with prefixed preposition min (from) - from wind", "*sōʿāh*": "qal active participle, feminine singular - stormy/raging", "*missāʿar*": "masculine singular noun with prefixed preposition min (from) - from the tempest" }, "variants": { "*ʾāḥîšāh*": "I would hasten/I would hurry", "*miplāṭ*": "escape/refuge/place of deliverance", "*rûaḥ*": "wind/spirit/breath", "*sōʿāh*": "stormy/raging/driving", "*sāʿar*": "tempest/storm/whirlwind" } } 10 { "verseID": "Psalms.55.10", "source": "בַּלַּ֣ע אֲ֭דֹנָי פַּלַּ֣ג לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם כִּֽי־רָאִ֨יתִי חָמָ֖ס וְרִ֣יב בָּעִֽיר׃", "text": "*ballaʿ ʾădōnāy pallag ləšônām* because *rāʾîtî ḥāmās wərîb* in the *ʿîr*", "grammar": { "*ballaʿ*": "piel imperative, masculine singular - swallow up/destroy", "*ʾădōnāy*": "divine name - Lord", "*pallag*": "piel imperative, masculine singular - divide", "*ləšônām*": "feminine singular noun with 3rd person masculine plural suffix - their tongue", "*rāʾîtî*": "qal perfect, 1st person singular - I have seen", "*ḥāmās*": "masculine singular noun - violence", "*wərîb*": "masculine singular noun with waw conjunction - and strife", "*ʿîr*": "feminine singular noun with prefixed preposition beth (in) - in the city" }, "variants": { "*ballaʿ*": "swallow up/destroy/confuse", "*ʾădōnāy*": "Lord/my Lord", "*pallag*": "divide/confuse/split", "*ləšônām*": "their tongue/their language", "*ḥāmās*": "violence/wrong/cruelty", "*rîb*": "strife/contention/dispute", "*ʿîr*": "city/town" } } 11 { "verseID": "Psalms.55.11", "source": "יוֹמָ֤ם וָלַ֗יְלָה יְסוֹבְבֻ֥הָ עַל־חוֹמֹתֶ֑יהָ וְאָ֖וֶן וְעָמָ֣ל בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃", "text": "*yômām wālaylāh yəsôbəbūhā* upon *ḥômōtêhā wəʾāwen wəʿāmāl* in *qirbāh*", "grammar": { "*yômām*": "adverb - by day", "*wālaylāh*": "masculine singular noun with waw conjunction - and by night", "*yəsôbəbūhā*": "poel imperfect, 3rd person masculine plural with 3rd person feminine singular suffix - they surround it", "*ḥômōtêhā*": "feminine plural noun with 3rd person feminine singular suffix and prefixed preposition ʿal (upon) - upon its walls", "*wəʾāwen*": "masculine singular noun with waw conjunction - and iniquity", "*wəʿāmāl*": "masculine singular noun with waw conjunction - and trouble", "*qirbāh*": "masculine singular noun with 3rd person feminine singular suffix and prefixed preposition beth (in) - in its midst" }, "variants": { "*yômām*": "by day/daytime", "*laylāh*": "night/night time", "*yəsôbəbūhā*": "they surround it/they encircle it/they go around it", "*ḥômōtêhā*": "its walls/its ramparts", "*ʾāwen*": "iniquity/trouble/wickedness", "*ʿāmāl*": "trouble/labor/mischief", "*qirbāh*": "its midst/within it/its interior" } }
• Eccl 1:14 : 14 { "verseID": "Ecclesiastes.1.14", "source": "רָאִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַֽמַּעֲשִׂ֔ים שֶֽׁנַּעֲשׂ֖וּ תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ וְהִנֵּ֥ה הַכֹּ֛ל הֶ֖בֶל וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ׃", "text": "*Rāʾîtî* *ʾet*-*kol*-*hammaʿăśîm* *šennaʿăśû* *taḥat* *haššāmeš* *wəhinnêh* *hakkōl* *hebel* *ûrəʿût* *rûaḥ*", "grammar": { "*Rāʾîtî*": "verb, qal perfect 1st common singular - I saw/observed", "*ʾet*": "direct object marker", "*kol*": "noun, masculine singular construct - all of", "*hammaʿăśîm*": "article + noun, masculine plural - the works/deeds", "*šennaʿăśû*": "relative pronoun + verb, niphal perfect 3rd common plural - that were done", "*taḥat*": "preposition - under", "*haššāmeš*": "article + noun, feminine singular - the sun", "*wəhinnêh*": "conjunction + demonstrative particle - and behold", "*hakkōl*": "article + noun, masculine singular - the whole/everything", "*hebel*": "noun, masculine singular - vanity/breath/vapor", "*ûrəʿût*": "conjunction + noun, feminine singular construct - and striving/chasing after", "*rûaḥ*": "noun, feminine singular - wind/spirit" }, "variants": { "*maʿăśîm*": "works/deeds/actions/activities", "*hebel*": "vanity/emptiness/breath/vapor/futility", "*rəʿût rûaḥ*": "striving after wind/chasing wind/vexation of spirit" } }
• Eccl 2:17 : 17 { "verseID": "Ecclesiastes.2.17", "source": "וְשָׂנֵ֙אתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣חַיִּ֔ים כִּ֣י רַ֤ע עָלַי֙ הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂ֖ה תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ כִּֽי־הַכֹּ֥ל הֶ֖בֶל וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ׃", "text": "And *śānēʾtî* *ʾet*-the-*ḥayyîm* because *raʿ* upon me the-*maʿăśeh* *shennaʿăśâ* under the-*shāmesh* because-the-all *habel* and *rĕʿût* *rûaḥ*.", "grammar": { "*śānēʾtî*": "perfect, 1st singular - I hated", "*ḥayyîm*": "masculine plural noun with definite article - the life", "*raʿ*": "adjective, masculine singular - evil/grievous", "*maʿăśeh*": "masculine singular noun with definite article - the work/deed", "*shennaʿăśâ*": "relative particle + Niphal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - that was done", "*shāmesh*": "masculine singular noun with definite article - the sun", "*habel*": "masculine singular noun - vapor/vanity", "*rĕʿût*": "feminine singular construct - striving of", "*rûaḥ*": "feminine singular noun - wind/spirit" }, "variants": { "*śānēʾtî*": "I hated/loathed/detested", "*ʾet-haḥayyîm*": "life/living", "*raʿ ʿālay*": "grievous/distressing to me", "*hammaʿăśeh shennaʿăśâ*": "the work that is done/the deed that is performed", "*taḥat hashāmesh*": "under the sun/in this world", "*hebel*": "vapor/breath/emptiness/vanity/futility/meaninglessness", "*rĕʿût rûaḥ*": "striving after wind/chasing wind/vexation of spirit" } }
• Eccl 6:3-5 : 3 { "verseID": "Ecclesiastes.6.3", "source": "אִם־יוֹלִ֣יד אִ֣ישׁ מֵאָ֡ה וְשָׁנִים֩ רַבּ֨וֹת יִֽחְיֶ֜ה וְרַ֣ב ׀ שֶׁיִּהְי֣וּ יְמֵֽי־שָׁנָ֗יו וְנַפְשׁוֹ֙ לֹא־תִשְׂבַּ֣ע מִן־הַטּוֹבָ֔ה וְגַם־קְבוּרָ֖ה לֹא־הָ֣יְתָה לּ֑וֹ אָמַ֕רְתִּי ט֥וֹב מִמֶּ֖נּוּ הַנָּֽפֶל׃", "text": "If-*yôlîd* *ʾîš* hundred and-*šānîm* *rabbôṯ* *yiḥyeh* and-many *šeyyihyû* *yəmê-šānāyw* and-*nap̄šô* not-*tiśbaʿ* from-the-*haṭṭôḇāh* and-also-*qəḇûrāh* not-*hāyəṯāh* to-him, *ʾāmartî* *ṭôḇ* from-him the-*hannāp̄el*.", "grammar": { "*yôlîd*": "verb, Hiphil imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he begets", "*ʾîš*": "noun, masculine singular - man", "*šānîm*": "noun, feminine plural - years", "*rabbôṯ*": "adjective, feminine plural - many/numerous", "*yiḥyeh*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he will live", "*šeyyihyû*": "relative conjunction + verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine plural - that they will be", "*yəmê-šānāyw*": "construct state: noun, masculine plural construct + noun, feminine plural + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - days of his years", "*nap̄šô*": "noun, feminine singular + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - his soul", "*tiśbaʿ*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person feminine singular - she is satisfied/filled", "*haṭṭôḇāh*": "definite article + noun, feminine singular - the good/goodness", "*qəḇûrāh*": "noun, feminine singular - burial/grave", "*hāyəṯāh*": "verb, Qal perfect, 3rd person feminine singular - she was/became", "*ʾāmartî*": "verb, Qal perfect, 1st person singular - I say/said", "*ṭôḇ*": "adjective, masculine singular - good/better", "*hannāp̄el*": "definite article + noun, masculine singular - the miscarriage/stillborn" }, "variants": { "*yôlîd*": "begets/fathers/brings forth", "*tiśbaʿ*": "is satisfied/is filled/has enough", "*haṭṭôḇāh*": "the good/the goodness/the prosperity", "*qəḇûrāh*": "burial/grave/tomb", "*ʾāmartî*": "I say/I declare/I pronounce", "*hannāp̄el*": "the miscarriage/the stillborn/the untimely birth" } } 4 { "verseID": "Ecclesiastes.6.4", "source": "כִּֽי־בַהֶ֥בֶל בָּ֖א וּבַחֹ֣שֶׁךְ יֵלֵ֑ךְ וּבַחֹ֖שֶׁךְ שְׁמ֥וֹ יְכֻסֶּֽה׃", "text": "For-in-the-*heḇel* *bāʾ* and-in-the-*ḥōšeḵ* *yēlēḵ* and-in-the-*ḥōšeḵ* *šəmô* *yəḵusseh*.", "grammar": { "*heḇel*": "noun, masculine singular - vanity/emptiness", "*bāʾ*": "verb, Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he came", "*ḥōšeḵ*": "noun, masculine singular - darkness", "*yēlēḵ*": "verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he will go", "*šəmô*": "noun, masculine singular + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - his name", "*yəḵusseh*": "verb, Pual imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - it will be covered" }, "variants": { "*heḇel*": "vanity/emptiness/futility/breath/vapor", "*ḥōšeḵ*": "darkness/obscurity", "*yəḵusseh*": "will be covered/will be concealed/will be hidden" } } 5 { "verseID": "Ecclesiastes.6.5", "source": "גַּם־שֶׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹא־רָאָ֖ה וְלֹ֣א יָדָ֑ע נַ֥חַת לָזֶ֖ה מִזֶּֽה׃", "text": "Also-*šemeš* not-*rāʾāh* and-not *yādāʿ*; *naḥaṯ* to-this from-this.", "grammar": { "*šemeš*": "noun, masculine/feminine singular - sun", "*rāʾāh*": "verb, Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he saw", "*yādāʿ*": "verb, Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he knew", "*naḥaṯ*": "noun, masculine singular - rest/quiet" }, "variants": { "*naḥaṯ*": "rest/quiet/peace/tranquility" } }
• Jer 9:2-3 : 2 { "verseID": "Jeremiah.9.2", "source": "וַֽיַּדְרְכ֤וּ אֶת־לְשׁוֹנָם֙ קַשְׁתָּ֣ם שֶׁ֔קֶר וְלֹ֥א לֶאֱמוּנָ֖ה גָּבְר֣וּ בָאָ֑רֶץ כִּי֩ מֵרָעָ֨ה אֶל־רָעָ֧ה ׀ יָצָ֛אוּ וְאֹתִ֥י לֹֽא־יָדָ֖עוּ נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃", "text": "*wayyadrĕkû* *'et*-*lĕšônām* *qaštām* *šeqer* *wĕlō'* for-*'ĕmûnāh* *gābrû* in-the-*'āreṣ* *kî* from-*rā'āh* to-*rā'āh* *yāṣā'û* *wĕ'ōtî* *lō'*-*yādā'û* *nĕ'um*-*YHWH*", "grammar": { "*wayyadrĕkû*": "waw consecutive + imperfect verb, 3rd person masculine plural - and they bend/draw", "*'et*": "direct object marker", "*lĕšônām*": "feminine noun with 3rd person masculine plural suffix - their tongue", "*qaštām*": "feminine noun with 3rd person masculine plural suffix - their bow", "*šeqer*": "masculine noun - falsehood/lie", "*wĕlō'*": "conjunction + negative particle - and not", "*'ĕmûnāh*": "feminine noun with prefixed preposition - for faithfulness/truth", "*gābrû*": "perfect verb, 3rd person masculine plural - they have grown strong/prevailed", "*'āreṣ*": "feminine noun with prefixed preposition - in the land", "*kî*": "conjunction - for/because", "*rā'āh*": "feminine noun with prefixed preposition - from evil/wickedness", "*yāṣā'û*": "perfect verb, 3rd person masculine plural - they have gone out/proceeded", "*wĕ'ōtî*": "conjunction + direct object marker with 1st person singular suffix - and me", "*lō'-yādā'û*": "negative particle + perfect verb, 3rd person masculine plural - they have not known", "*nĕ'um-YHWH*": "construct phrase - declaration of YHWH" }, "variants": { "*wayyadrĕkû*": "and they bend/draw/stretch", "*lĕšônām*": "their tongue/language/speech", "*qaštām*": "their bow/weapon", "*šeqer*": "falsehood/lie/deception", "*'ĕmûnāh*": "faithfulness/truth/reliability", "*gābrû*": "they have grown strong/prevailed/been mighty", "*'āreṣ*": "land/earth/ground", "*rā'āh*": "evil/wickedness/calamity", "*yāṣā'û*": "they have gone out/proceeded/departed", "*yādā'û*": "they have known/acknowledged/recognized", "*nĕ'um*": "declaration/oracle/utterance" } } 3 { "verseID": "Jeremiah.9.3", "source": "אִ֤ישׁ מֵרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ וְעַל־כָּל־אָ֖ח אַל־תִּבְטָ֑חוּ כִּ֤י כָל־אָח֙ עָק֣וֹב יַעְקֹ֔ב וְכָל־רֵ֖עַ רָכִ֥יל יַהֲלֹֽךְ׃", "text": "*'îš* from-*rē'ēhû* *hiššāmērû* *wĕ'al*-*kol*-*'āḥ* *'al*-*tibṭāḥû* *kî* *kol*-*'āḥ* *'āqôb* *ya'qōb* *wĕkol*-*rēa'* *rākîl* *yahălōk*", "grammar": { "*'îš*": "masculine noun, singular - man/each person", "*rē'ēhû*": "masculine noun with 3rd person masculine singular suffix and prefixed preposition - from his neighbor", "*hiššāmērû*": "imperative verb, 2nd person masculine plural, niphal - be on guard/beware", "*wĕ'al*": "conjunction + preposition - and against", "*kol*": "noun, construct state - all of/every", "*'āḥ*": "masculine noun - brother", "*'al-tibṭāḥû*": "negative particle + imperfect verb, 2nd person masculine plural, jussive - do not trust", "*kî*": "conjunction - for/because", "*'āqôb*": "infinitive absolute - supplanting/deceiving", "*ya'qōb*": "imperfect verb, 3rd person masculine singular - he will supplant/deceive", "*wĕkol*": "conjunction + noun, construct state - and every", "*rēa'*": "masculine noun - friend/neighbor", "*rākîl*": "masculine noun - slanderer/talebearer", "*yahălōk*": "imperfect verb, 3rd person masculine singular - he will walk/go about" }, "variants": { "*'îš*": "man/each person/anyone", "*rē'ēhû*": "his neighbor/friend/companion", "*hiššāmērû*": "be on guard/beware/take heed", "*'āḥ*": "brother/kinsman/relative", "*tibṭāḥû*": "trust/have confidence in/rely on", "*'āqôb ya'qōb*": "utterly deceives/thoroughly supplants/completely betrays (emphatic construction)", "*rēa'*": "friend/neighbor/companion", "*rākîl*": "slanderer/talebearer/gossiper", "*yahălōk*": "walks/goes about/proceeds" } }
• Jer 20:17-18 : 17 { "verseID": "Jeremiah.20.17", "source": "אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־מוֹתְתַ֖נִי מֵרָ֑חֶם וַתְּהִי־לִ֤י אִמִּי֙ קִבְרִ֔י וְרַחְמָ֖הֿ הֲרַ֥ת עוֹלָֽם׃", "text": "Who not-*môtətanî* from *rāḥem*, and *wattəhî*-to me *ʾimmî* *qibrî*, and *raḥmāh* *hărat* *ʿôlām*.", "grammar": { "*ʾăšer*": "relative pronoun - who/because", "*lōʾ*": "negative particle - not", "*môtətanî*": "polel perfect, 3rd masculine singular with 1st common singular suffix - he killed me", "*rāḥem*": "noun, masculine singular with preposition - from the womb", "*wattəhî*": "waw consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd feminine singular - and she would be", "*lî*": "preposition with 1st common singular suffix - to me", "*ʾimmî*": "noun, feminine singular construct with 1st common singular suffix - my mother", "*qibrî*": "noun, masculine singular construct with 1st common singular suffix - my grave", "*raḥmāh*": "noun, masculine singular construct with 3rd feminine singular suffix - her womb", "*hărat*": "adjective, feminine singular construct - pregnant with", "*ʿôlām*": "noun, masculine singular - forever/eternity" }, "variants": { "*môtətanî*": "he killed me/put me to death", "*rāḥem*": "womb/uterus", "*qibrî*": "my grave/tomb", "*hărat ʿôlām*": "eternally pregnant/perpetually with child/always pregnant" } } 18 { "verseID": "Jeremiah.20.18", "source": "לָ֤מָּה זֶּה֙ מֵרֶ֣חֶם יָצָ֔אתִי לִרְא֥וֹת עָמָ֖ל וְיָג֑וֹן וַיִּכְל֥וּ בְּבֹ֖שֶׁת יָמָֽי׃", "text": "Why *zeh* from *reḥem* *yāṣāʾtî* to *lirʾôt* *ʿāmāl* and *wəyāgôn*, and *wayyiḵlû* in *bōšet* *yāmāy*.", "grammar": { "*lāmmāh*": "interrogative adverb - why", "*zeh*": "demonstrative pronoun, masculine singular - this", "*reḥem*": "noun, masculine singular with preposition - from womb", "*yāṣāʾtî*": "qal perfect, 1st common singular - I came out", "*lirʾôt*": "qal infinitive construct with preposition - to see", "*ʿāmāl*": "noun, masculine singular - trouble/labor", "*wəyāgôn*": "waw + noun, masculine singular - and sorrow", "*wayyiḵlû*": "waw consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine plural - and they are consumed", "*bōšet*": "noun, feminine singular with preposition - in shame", "*yāmāy*": "noun, masculine plural construct with 1st common singular suffix - my days" }, "variants": { "*yāṣāʾtî*": "I came out/emerged/was born", "*lirʾôt*": "to see/experience/witness", "*ʿāmāl*": "trouble/labor/toil/misery", "*wəyāgôn*": "sorrow/grief/distress", "*wayyiḵlû*": "they are consumed/spent/come to an end", "*bōšet*": "shame/disgrace/humiliation" } }
• Matt 24:19 : 19 { "verseID": "Matthew.24.19", "source": "Οὐαὶ δὲ ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις, καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις!", "text": "But *ouai* to those in *gastri* *echousais*, and to those *thēlazousais* in those the *hēmerais*!", "grammar": { "*ouai*": "interjection - woe", "*gastri*": "dative feminine singular - womb/belly", "*echousais*": "present active participle, dative feminine plural - having/being pregnant", "*thēlazousais*": "present active participle, dative feminine plural - nursing", "*hēmerais*": "dative feminine plural - days" }, "variants": { "*ouai*": "woe/alas/grief", "*gastri*": "womb/belly/pregnancy", "*echousais*": "having/being pregnant/carrying", "*thēlazousais*": "nursing/breastfeeding", "*hēmerais*": "days/times/period" } }