"This is about how God made the heavens and the earth in the beginning." This statement summarizes the rest of the chapter. Some languages translate it as "A very long time ago God created the heavens and the earth." Translate it in a way that shows this actually happened and is not just a folk story.
This refers to the start of the world and everything in it.
"the sky, the ground, and everything in them"
This refers here to the sky.
God had not yet put the world in order.
"the water" or "the deep water" or "the vast water"
"the surface of the water" or "the water"
This is a command. By commanding that light should exist, God made it exist.
"God considered the light and was pleased with it." "Good" here means "pleasing" or "suitable."
"separated the light and the darkness" or "made it light at one time and dark at another." This refers to God creating the daytime and the night time.
God did these things on the first day that the universe existed.
By commanding that the expanse should exist and that it divide the waters, God made it exist and divide the waters.
large empty space. The Jewish people thought of this space as being shaped like the inside of dome or the inside of a bowl that is turned upside down.
"In this way God made the expanse and divided the waters." When God spoke, it happened. This sentence explains what God did when he spoke.
"It happened like that" or "That is what happened." What God commanded happened just as he said it should.
This refers to the second day that the universe existed. See how you translated "the first day" in Genesis 1:5.
"Let the waters ... gather" or "Let the waters ... come together"
"let dry land become visible" or "let the dry land become clear" or "let the land be uncovered"
"the part that was dry 'earth,' and"
"Let vegetation sprout up on the earth" or "Let vegetation grow on the earth"
"vegetation, each plant that bears seed and each tree that bears fruit" or "vegetation. Let them be plants that produce seeds and fruit trees that produce fruit."
The seeds would produce plants and trees that would be like the ones they came from. In this way, the plants and trees would "reproduce themselves" .
This refers to the third day that the universe existed.
"things that shine in the sky" or "things that give light in the sky." This refers to the sun, moon, and stars.
"in the expanse of the sky" or "in the large space of the sky"
"to separate the day from the night." This means "to help us tell the difference between day and night." The sun means it is daytime, and the moon and stars mean it is nighttime.
"Let them serve as signs" or "let them show"
Here this means something that reveals or points to something.
times that are set aside for festivals and other things that people do
"to shine light on the earth" or "to brighten the earth." The earth does not self-shine but it is lit and so reflects light.
"the two large lights" or "the two bright lights." The two great lights are the sun and the moon.
"to direct the daytime as a ruler directs a group of people" or "to mark the times of the day"
This refers only to the daylight hours.
"the smaller light" or "the dimmer light"
"to separate the light from the darkness" or "to make it light at one time and dark at another."
This refers to the fourth day that the universe existed.
"Let the waters be full of many living things" or "Let many animals that swim live in the oceans"
By commanding that birds should fly, God made them fly.
"the open space of the sky" or "the sky"
"large animals that live in the sea"
"every flying thing that has wings." If the word for birds is used, it may be more natural in some languages to simply say "every bird," since all birds have wings.
"blessed the animals that he had made"
This is God's blessing. He told the sea animals to produce more sea animals like themselves, so that there would be many of them in the seas. The word "multiply" explains how they are to be "fruitful."
increase greatly in number
This refers to the fifth day that the universe existed.
This shows that God created all kinds of animals. If your language has another way of grouping all the animals, you can use that, or you can use these groups.
These are animals that people look after.
"small animals"
These are animals that live in the wild. People do not take care of them.
The word "us" here refers to God. God was saying what he intended to do. The pronoun "us" is plural. Possible reasons for the plural use are 1) the plural form suggests that God is discussing something with the angels that make up his heavenly court or 2) the plural form foreshadows the later New Testament implications that God exists in the form of the Holy Trinity. Some translate it as "Let me make" or "I will make." If you do this, consider adding a footnote to say that the word is plural.
human beings
"to truly be like us"
"rule over" or "have authority over"
These two sentences mean the same thing and emphasize that God created people in his own image.
The way that God created man was different from the way he created everything else. Do not specify that he created man by simply speaking, as in the preceding verses.
Fill the earth with people.
"all the birds that fly in the sky"
"that breathes." This phrase emphasizes that these animals had a different kind of life than the plants. Plants do not breathe, and were to be used as food for the animals. Here "life" means physical life.
"This is true and important: it"
Now when God looked at everything he had made, it was "very good.
This refers to the sixth day that the universe existed.
"the sky" or "the skies"
"and all the many living things that are in them" or "and all the crowds of living things in them"
"God had finished creating them"
God did not work at all on the seventh day.
"on that day he did not work"
Possible meanings are 1) God caused the seventh day to produce good result or 2) God said that the seventh day was good.
"made it holy" or "set it apart"
"This is the story about the heavens and the earth." Possible meanings are 1) it is a summary of the events described in Genesis 1:1-2:3 or 2) it introduces the events to follow. If possible, translate this so that people can understood it either way.
"when Yahweh God created." The word "day" refers to the whole time span of the creation, not to just one particular day.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
no shrubs growing in the wild that animals might eat
no leafy plants like vegetables or greens that both animals and humans can eat
to do everything he needed to do so that the plants would grow well
Possible meanings are 1) something like dew or morning fog or 2) springs from underground streams.
the entire earth
"molded man" or "shaped man" or "created man"
"a human being ... the human" or "a person ... the person" not specifically a male
"his nose"
"breath that makes things live." Here "life" refers to physical life.
This could have been an orchard of fruit trees or an area with all kinds of trees.
"the tree that gives people life"
Here this means "eternal life" or life that does not end.
"the tree that gives people the ability to understand both good and evil" or "the tree that makes people who eat its fruit able to know good things and bad things"
"everything, including both good and evil"
"in the middle of the garden."
"A river flowed through Eden to water the garden"
This is the only time this river is referred to in the Bible.
"the whole land called Havilah." It was somewhere in the Arabian Desert.
"There is gold in Havilah"
"This is also where people can find bdellium and onyx stones"
This resin comes from a tree and smells nice. A resin is sticky stuff that comes out of some trees and can burn.
"onyx stones." Onyx is a certain kind of beautiful stone.
This is the only mention of this river in the Bible.
"the entire land called Cush"
"it flows in the land east of the city of Ashur"
"the garden that was in Eden"
"to cultivate it." This means to do everything necessary so that the plants will grow well.
to guard against anything bad happening in it
"The fruit of every tree in the garden"
"may eat without restriction"
"I will make a helper who is just right for him"
"all the animals that people look after"
This refers to the soft parts of the body like skin and muscle.
"From the rib ... he formed a woman." The rib was the material God made the woman from.
"Finally, this one's bones are like my bones, and her flesh is like my flesh." After looking among all the animals for a partner and not finding one, he finally saw someone who was like him and could be his partner.
"That is why a man"
"a man will stop living in his father and mother's home." This is about men in general. It does not refer to any particular man at any particular time.
"their two bodies will become one body"
"not wearing clothing"
"they were not ashamed about being naked"
"more cunning" or "smarter at getting what he wanted by telling lies"
"I am surprised that God said, 'You ... garden.'"
The word "you" is plural and refers to the man and the woman.
"We are allowed to eat" or "We have permission to eat"
"Do not eat it, and do not touch it" or "You must not eat it or touch it"
"If you eat it or touch it, you will die"
These words refer to the man and the woman and so are dual or plural.
"knowing everything, including both good and evil"
"the tree was delightful to look at" or "it was nice to look at" or "it was very beautiful"
"she wanted the tree's fruit because it could make a person wise" or "she wanted its fruit because it could make her understand what was right and wrong just as God does"
put together, probably using vines as thread
If people do not know what fig leaves are like, this can be translated as "large leaves from a fig tree" or simply "large leaves."
"clothed themselves with them because they were ashamed"
"Why are you trying to hide from me?" God knew where the man was. When the man answered, he did not say where he was but why he was hiding.
God knew the answer to this question. He asked it in order to help Adam to confess that he had disobeyed God.
"You have done a terrible thing."
"all domestic animals and all wild animals"
"You will move along the ground on your stomach." The words "it is upon your stomach" comes first to emphasize the contrast between the way other animals would move along using their legs and the way the serpent would slither along on its stomach.
"you will eat dust." The words "it is dust" comes first to emphasize the contrast between the plants above the ground that other animals would eat and the dirty food on the ground that the serpent would eat.
This means that the serpent and the woman would become enemies.
The word "seed" refers to what a man puts into a woman to cause a baby to grow inside the woman. Like the word "offspring," it can refer to more than one person. Try to find a word that is singular but can refer to more than one person.
The words "he" and "his" refer to the woman's descendant. If "seed" was translated as plural, this can be translated as "they will bruise ... their heel"; in this case, consider inserting footnotes to say that the "they" and "their" are used to translate a singular pronoun.
"crush" or "strike" or "attack"
"I will make your pain increase much" or "I will make your pain to be very severe"
"in giving birth to children" or "when you give birth to children"
"You will have a strong desire for your husband." Possible meanings are 1) "You will want very much to be with your husband" or 2) "You will want to control your husband"
"he will be your master" or "he will control you"
The name Adam is the same as the Hebrew word for "man." Some translations say "Adam" and some say "the man." You may use either form as it refers to the same person.
"you have obeyed what your wife said"
"have eaten the fruit of the tree" or "have eaten some of the fruit of the tree"
"You must not eat from it" or "Do not eat its fruit"
"I am cursing the ground"
"by doing hard work"
Possible meanings are 1) "the plants that you take care of in your fields" or 2) "the wild plants that grow in the open fields."
"By doing hard work that makes your face sweat"
"you will eat food"
"until you die and your body is put in the ground." Man's hard work does not end until the time of his death and burial.
"I made you from soil, so your body will become soil again." Translate both occurrences of "dust" with the same word in order to show that man begins and ends in the same condition.
Some translations say "Adam."
"gave his wife the name Eve" or "named his wife Eve"
Translators may write a footnote saying "The name Eve sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'living.'"
"all people" or "all living people"
Possible meanings are 1) God was referring to one human, the man, or 2) God was referring to humans in general, so this would mean the man and his wife. Even if God was speaking about one person, what he said applied to both of them.
"like us." The pronoun "us" is plural.
"knowing everything, including both good and evil"
"I will not allow him"
"the tree that gives people life." See how you translated this in Genesis 2:9.
"dirt because he had been taken from dirt." This does not refer to the particular place on the land that the God took man from.
This means to what is needed so that plants grow well.
"God forced the man to leave the garden."
"in order to stop people from going to the tree of life"
Possible meanings are 1) a sword that had flames coming from it or 2) a fire that was shaped like a sword. Languages that do not have swords could use another weapon such as a spear or arrow.
This is a polite way of saying that the man had sexual relations with Eve. You may need to use another euphemism in your language.
"the human being" or "Adam"
Translators may want to include a footnote that says "The name Cain sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'produce.' Eve named him Cain because she produced him."
We do not know how much time passed between the births of Cain and Abel. If possible, use an expression that does not tell how much time passed.
Possible meanings are 1) "after some time had passed" or 2) "at the right time"
"crops" or "harvest"
"some of their fat parts"
"looked favorably upon" or "was pleased with"
"did not look favorably upon" or "was not pleased with"
This means that the expression on his face showed that he was angry or jealous.
God used these questions to tell Cain that he was wrong to be angry and scowl. They may also have been intended to give Cain an opportunity to confess that he was wrong.
"You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you"
"But if you do not do what is right, you will desire to sin even more, and then you will do sinful things. You must refuse to obey it"
"you will become so angry that you will not be able to stop sin"
Languages that do not have a noun that means "sin" could translate this as "your desire to sin" or "the bad things you want to do."
"you must control it so you do not sin"
"Cain said to Abel his brother, 'Let us go into the fields.'"
Abel was Cain's younger brother. Some languages may need to use the word for "younger brother."
"attacked"
God knew that Cain had killed Abel, but he asked Cain this question so that Cain would have to answer.
"I am not my brother's keeper!" or "You know that taking care of my brother is not my job!"
"What you have done is terrible!"
"Your brother's blood is like a person calling out to me to punish the person who killed him"
"I am cursing you so that you will not be able to grow food from the ground"
"which is soaked with your brother's blood"
"that spilled when you killed him" or "from you"
"the ground will not produce much food for you"
"A homeless wanderer"
"I will not be able to speak to you"
"I will take vengeance on him seven times" or "I will punish that person seven times as severely as I am punishing you"
"would not kill Cain"
"went away from where Yahweh spoke to him"
Translators may add a footnote saying "The word Nod means 'wandering.'"
This is a polite way of saying that Cain had sexual relations with his wife. You may need to use another euphemism in your language.
"Cain built a city"
"Enoch grew up and married and became the father of a son whom he named Irad"
women's names
Possible meanings are 1) "He was the first person to live in a tent and have livestock" or 2) "his descendants live in tents and have livestock."
Possible meanings are 1) "He was the first person to play the harp and pipe" or 2) "He and his descendants played the harp and pipe."
the name of a man
"who made tools out of bronze and iron"
a very strong metal used to make tools and weapons.
"listen carefully to me"
"a young man because he hurt me"
"Since God will punish anyone who kills Cain seven times, Lamech"
"whoever kills me, God will punish seventy-seven times"
"explained, 'God has given me another child"
Translators may add a footnote that says "This name sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'has given.'"
"Seth's wife bore him a son"
"to worship God by using the name Yahweh"
"to truly be like us"
"when he created them"
"he had a son"
"He had more sons and daughters"
"Adam lived a total of 930 years"
This phrase will be repeated throughout the chapter. Use the ordinary word for "died."
"he had his son Enosh"
This is the name of a person.
"Seth lived nine hundred and twelve years." Seth lived a total of 912 years.
"he had his son Methuselah"
This is the name of a man.
"Enoch had a close relationship with God" or "Enoch lived in union with God"
"He had more sons and daughters"
"Enoch lived three hundred and sixty-five years."
The word "he" refers to Enoch. He was no longer on earth.
This means that God took Enoch to be with himself.
This Lamech is different from the Lamech in Genesis 4:18.
"had a son"
Translators may want to add a footnote that says: "This name sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'rest.'"
"from working so hard with our hands"
"Lamech lived seven hundred seventy-seven years."
"he had his sons." This does not tell us whether the sons were born on the same day or in different years.
These sons may not be listed in the order of their birth. There is disagreement about which one was the oldest. Avoid translating this in a way that implies that the list is in the order of their ages.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"the women bore daughters"
Translators could add a footnote saying: "It is not clear whether this refers to heavenly beings or human beings. In either case, they were beings that God created." Some believe these words refer to angels who rebelled against God, that is, evil spirits or demons. Others think this may refer to powerful political rulers, and others think this may refer to the descendants of Seth.
Here Yahweh is talking about himself and his spirit, which is the Spirit of God.
This means that they have physical bodies that will one day die.
These seem to have been giants, very tall, large people.
"The Nephilim were born because"
See how you translated this in Genesis 6:2.
"These Nephilim were the mighty men who lived long ago" or "These children grew to become the powerful fighters who lived long ago"
"famous men"
"everything their hearts wanted to think about"
"their inner, secret thoughts"
"he was very, very sad about it"
"I created mankind. I will destroy mankind ... so that there will not be any people on the earth"
"completely destroy." Here "wipe away" is used in a negative sense, for God is talking about destroying the people because of their sin.
"Yahweh looked favorably on Noah" or "Yahweh was pleased with Noah"
See how you translated this in Genesis 5:21.
"Noah had three sons" or "Noah's wife had three sons"
Translators may add the following footnote: "The sons are not listed in the order in which they were born."
Possible meanings are 1) the people who lived on the earth or 2) "The earth itself."
"was rotten" or "was completely evil"
Possible meanings are 1) "in God's sight" or 2) "in the presence of Yahweh"
"and there were very many violent people on the earth" or "because it was full of people who did evil things to each other"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Possible meanings for what "all flesh" represents are 1) all human beings or 2) all physical beings, including humans and animal.
"had stopped living the way God wanted" or "had behaved in an evil way"
See how you translated these words in Genesis 6:12.
"people everywhere on earth are violent"
"I will destroy both them and the earth" or "I will destroy them when I destroy the earth"
This refers to a very large box that would be able to float on water even in a very bad storm. "a large boat" or "a ship" or "a barge"
People do not know exactly what kind of tree this was. "wood used for building boats" or "good wood"
"spread pitch on it" or "paint tar on it" or "cover it with pitch to make it waterproof"
This is a thick, sticky or oily liquid that people put on the outside of a boat to stop water from going through gaps in the wood into the boat.
A cubit was a unit of measure, a little less than half a meter long.
"138 meters." or you may also write a footnote that says: "Three hundred cubits is about 138 meters."
"twenty-three meters"
"fourteen meters"
This was probably a peaked or slanted roof. Its purpose was to protect everything in the ark from the rain.
"a lower deck, a middle deck, and an upper deck" or "three decks inside"
"floor" or "level"
God said this in order to emphasize that he would do what he was about to say. "Pay attention" or "Listen to what I am saying"
"I am about to send a flood of waters" or "I am about to cause a flood"
Here "flesh" represents all physical beings, including humans and animals.
"that lives"
"make a covenant between you and me"
with Noah
"You will enter the ark." Some translations say "You will go into the ark."
"You must bring into the ark two of every kind of living creature"
an animal God created
"of each different kind"
This refers to small animals that move on the ground .
This refers to two of every kind of bird and animal.
This refers to Noah and so is singular.
"so you can keep them alive"
These refer to Noah and are singular.
"So Noah did everything that God commanded him to do"
"Enter ... into the ark." Many translations read "Go ... into the ark."
"your family"
This means that God saw Noah as righteous.
"among all the people who are now living"
This was an animal that God allowed his people to eat and to sacrifice.
These were animals that God did not allow people to eat or to sacrifice.
"so that they will have offspring that will live" or "so that, after the flood, animals will continue to live"
"forty days and nights"
This refers to physical life.
"happened" or "came on the earth"
"because of the flood that would come" or "to escape the flood water"
The animals entered the boat in pairs of one male and one female.
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story: the start of the flood. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"it started to rain and the waters of the flood came upon the earth"
"When Noah was 600 years old"
This refers to the specific day when the rain began. This phrase emphasizes how all of these major events happened quickly when the time arrived.
"water from under the earth rushed up to the earth's surface"
This refers to the sea that was thought to be under the earth.
"the sky opened" or "the doors in the sky opened"
These four groups are listed to show that every kind of animal was included. If your language has another way of grouping all the animals, you can use that, or you can use these groups. See how you translated this in Genesis 1:24.
This refers to animals that crawl on the ground, like rodents, insects, lizards, and snakes.
"so that each kind of animal will produce more of its own kind." See how you translated this in Genesis 1:24.
Here, "flesh" represents animals.
"that lived"
"of every kind of animal"
"after they entered the ark"
"the water became very deep." This happened during the forty days while the water kept coming.
"it caused the ark to float"
"causes the ark to rise up high over the ground" or "he ark floated on top of the deep water"
"The water totally overwhelmed the earth"
"six meters."
This refers to all the animals that move around on the ground in large groups.
"everyone that breathed"
The words "breath" and "life" represent the power that causes people and animals to be alive.
"So every living thing ... perished" or "So the flood completely destroyed every living thing"
"God destroyed them all"
"so they were no longer on the earth"
"the people and animals that were with him"
"remained" or "lived" or "remained alive"
"God had not forgotten Noah" or "God thought of Noah" or "God decided to help Noah"
"a large boat" or "a ship" or "a barge"
"God closed the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven"
"the sky closed" or "the doors in the sky closed"
"landed" or "stopped on solid ground"
Because Moses wrote this book, it is possible he is referring to the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, but this is uncertain.
"On the first day of the tenth month"
The phrase "which he had made" tells about the window. Some languages may need to make this phrase a separate sentence: "Noah had made a window in the boat. It came about after forty days that he opened the window"
a black bird that eats mainly the flesh of dead animals
This means that the raven kept leaving the boat and returning.
"until the wind dried up the waters" or "until the waters dried up"
If you use masculine pronouns for the word "dove," you may need to insert Noah's name here to avoid confusion: "Noah sent out a dove."
"to land" or "to perch." It means to land on something in order to rest from flying.
The word "dove" is feminine in the author's language. You could translate these phrases with the pronouns "its ... it ... it" or "his ... he ... him," depending on how your language refers to a dove.
"Pay attention" or "This is important"
"a leaf that she had just broken off from an olive tree"
"when Noah was 601 years old"
"the waters covering the earth dried up" or "the wind dried up the waters covering the earth"
This refers to a cover that kept the rain water from going into the ark.
The word "behold" tells us to pay attention to the important information that comes next.
"the ground was completely dry"
"Take." Some translations read "Bring out."
"every kind of living creature."
See how this is translated in Genesis. God wanted the humans and animals to reproduce, so there would be many of them.
Some translations read "Noah came out."
"in groups of their own kinds"
"built an altar dedicated to Yahweh" or "built an altar for worshiping Yahweh." He may have built it with stones.
"burned the animals as offerings to Yahweh"
This refers to the good smell of the roasted meat.
Here the word "heart" refers to God's thoughts and emotions.
"do very serious harm to the earth"
"because mankind is sinful."
"from their earliest years they tend to do evil things" or "when they are young, they want to do evil things
"from their youth"
"While the earth lasts" or "As long as the earth exists"
"the season for planting"
These expressions both refer to two major weather conditions in the year. Translators may use local expressions.
the hot, dry time of the year
the cool, wet or snowy time of the year
"will continue"
This is God's blessing. He told Noah and his family to produce more humans like themselves, so that there would be many of them. The word "multiply" explains how they are to be "fruitful." See how you translated these commands in Genesis 1:28.
"Every living thing ... and all the fish of the sea will be dreadfully afraid of you"
This is a general term for things that fly.
This includes all types of small animals.
"They are given into your control" or "I have put them under your control"
Translators may add a footnote such as this: "The blood is a symbol for life." They may also add a footnote that says something like this: "God was commanding people not to eat meat while the blood was still in it. They had to drain out the blood first."
"if anyone causes your blood to pour out" or "if anyone spills your blood" or "if anyone kills you"
This refers to physical life.
"I will require anyone who kills you to pay"
"I will require any animal that takes your life to pay"
"I will require anyone who takes the life of another person to pay"
"From that very man"
Here "brother" is used as a general reference to relatives, such as members of the same tribe, clan, or people group.
The shedding of blood is a metaphor for killing someone. This means that if a person murders someone, someone else must kill the murderer. However, "blood" is very significant in this passage and should be used in the translation if possible. Translate "sheds blood" with words that indicate a major loss of blood that causes death.
"because God made people to be like him" or "because I made people in my own image"
"God continued speaking to Noah and his sons" or "Then God went on to say"
This phrase is used in English to mark the change from God talking about what Noah and his sons must do to talking about what God would do.
"make a covenant between you and me."
Possible meanings for what "all flesh" represents are 1) all human beings or 2) all physical beings, including humans and animal.
"There will never again be a flood that destroys the earth." There would be floods, but they would not destroy the whole earth.
This means a reminder of something that was promised.
The covenant applies to Noah and his family and also to all generations that follow.
"Whenever." It is something that would happen many times.
"people and I see the rainbow"
the colorful strip of light that appears in the rain when the sun shines from behind the viewer
"I will think about my covenant"
The word "you" is plural. God was speaking to Noah and Noah's sons.
"every kind of living being"
"between me and every living creature"
"every kind of living being."
"God finished by saying to Noah" or "So God said to Noah"
Ham was Canaan's true father.
person who raises plants for food
"drank too much wine"
The text does not specify how much of Noah's body was uncovered as he lay drunk. His sons' reactions show us that it was shameful.
This refers to Noah.
He awoke after drinking wine and becoming drunk. He "became sober."
"his youngest son, Ham"
"I curse Canaan" or "May bad things happen to Canaan"
"Ham's son Canaan"
"the lowest servant of his brothers" or "the least important servant of his brothers"
This could refer either to Canaan's brothers or to his relatives in general.
"Praised be Yahweh, the God of Shem," or "Yahweh, the God of Shem, is worthy of praise" or "I praise Yahweh, the God of Shem"
"And let Canaan be Shem's servant." This includes Canaan's and Shem's descendants.
Possible meanings are 1) "May God make Japheth's territory larger" or 2) "May God cause Japheth to have many descendants."
"let him leave peacefully with Shem." This includes Japheth's and Shem's descendants.
"Let Canaan be Japheth's servant." This includes Canaan's and Japheth's descendants.
“This is the account of Noah’s sons.” This sentence introduces the account of Noah’s descendants in Genesis 10:1-11:9.
"Javan's sons and descendants separated and moved to the coastlands and islands"
"their homelands." These are the places that the people moved to and lived in.
"Each people group spoke its own language" or "The people groups divided themselves according to their languages"
Mizraim is the Hebrew name for "Egypt."
Possible meanings are 1) "mighty warrior" or 2) "mighty man" or 3) "powerful ruler."
Possible meanings are 1) "in Yahweh's sight" or 2) "with Yahweh's help"
"This is the reason people say"
Possible meanings are 1) the first centers he developed or 2) the important cities.
"Nimrod went into Assyria"
Mizraim was one of Ham's sons. His descendants became the people of Egypt.
These names refer to larger groups of people that descended from Canaan.
line between one person's land and another person's land
"from Sidon city in the north as far south as Gaza town, which is near Gerar"
"then east toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim towns, as far as Lasha"
The word "these" refers to the people and people groups who were listed in verses Genesis 6-19.
"broken up according to their different languages"
"in their homelands"
Arphaxad was one of Shem's sons.
Translators may add a footnote note that says: "The name Peleg means 'division.'"
"the people of the earth divided themselves" or "the people of the earth separated from one another" or "God divided the people of the earth"
Joktan was one of Eber's sons.
"These" here refers to the sons of Joktan.
"The land they controlled" or "The land they lived in"
The word "these" refers to the descendants of Shem
This refers back to all the people listed in Genesis 10:1-31.
"listed by"
"From these clans the nations divided and spread over the earth" or "These clans divided from each other and formed the nations of the earth"
"after the flood destroyed the earth"
This word shows that the writer is beginning a new part of the story.
"all the people on the earth"
"they moved around"
Possible meanings are 1) "in the east" or 2) "from the east" or 3) "to the east." The preferred choice is "in the east" because Shinar is to the east of where scholars believe the ark came to rest.
stopped moving from one place to another and began to live at one location
If your language has a way of urging or commanding people to begin work, like the English "Come on!" you might use it here.
People make bricks out of clay and heat them in a very hot oven to make them hard and strong.
a thick, sticky, black liquid that comes up from the ground
This is a thick substance made of lime powder, clay, sand, and water used to make stones or bricks stick together.
"let us make our reputation great"
"we will separate from each other and live in different places"
"the people"
"came down from heaven." This does not tell how he came down. Use a general word meaning "came down."
"to observe" or "to look more closely"
All the people were one big group and they all spoke the same language.
Possible meanings are 1) "they have begun to do this," meaning that they have begun to build the tower but it is not finished, or 2) "this is just the first thing they have done," meaning that in future they will do greater things.
"anything they intend to do will be possible for them" or "they will be able to do anything they want to do"
The word "us" is plural even though it refers to God. Some translate it as "let me go down" or "I will go down." If you do this, consider adding a footnote to say that the pronoun is plural. See the note on "Let us make" in Genesis 1:26.
"mix up their language"
"so that they will not be able to understand what each other is saying"
"from the city"
The name "Babel" sounds like the word that means "confused." Translators may want to add a footnote about this.
"had his son Arphaxad" or "his son Arphaxad was born"
This is the flood from Noah's time when people had become so evil that God sent a worldwide flood to cover the earth.
"his son Shelah was born"
This is a man's name.
We do not know the birth order of his sons.
"This is the account of Terah's descendants"
"Haran died while his father, Terah, was with him"
"married wives"
This is a female name.
This word is used to introduce new information about Sarai that will become important in later chapters.
This term describes a woman who is physically unable to conceive or bear a child.
Here the word "his" refers to Terah.
"his daughter-in-law Sarai, who was the wife of his son Abram"
These are two different names and they are spelled differently in Hebrew. One refers to a person and the other refers to a city. (The "h" sound in the city's name is louder than the "h" sound in the person's name.) You might choose to spell them differently in your language to show this.
This word is used to mark a new part of the story.
"Go from your land, from your family"
"I will start a great nation through you" or "I will make your descendants become a great nation"
"make you famous"
"you will be a blessing to other people"
"I will curse whoever treats you in a shameful way" or "if anyone treats you as worthless, I will curse him"
"I will bless all the families of the earth through you"
"Because of you" or "Because I have blessed you"
This includes animals and non-living property.
Possible meanings are 1) "slaves that they had accumulated" or 2) "the people whom they had gathered to be with them."
"So Abram and his family went through the land of Canaan"
Moreh was probably the name of a place.
"they set up their tents"
"prayed in the name of Yahweh" or "worshiped Yahweh"
"toward the Negev region" or "toward the south" or "south to the Negev desert"
"There was a shortage of food"
"in the area" or "in the land where Abram was living"
Possible meanings are 1) "went further south" or 2) "went away from Canaan into." It would be best to translate this using your usual words for going from a higher place to a lower place.
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I"
"they will kill me so that they can marry you"
"so that, because of you, they will not kill me"
Possible meanings are 1) This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts, and if your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here, or 2) "And that was what happened" .
"Pharaoh's officials saw Sarai" or "the king's officials saw her"
"Pharaoh took her into his household" or "Pharaoh had his soldiers take her into his household"
Sarai
Possible meanings are 1) "Pharoah's family," that is, as a wife, or 2) "Pharaoah's house" or "Pharaoh's palace,"
"for Sarai's sake" or "because of her"
"because Pharaoh intended to take Sarai, Abram's wife, to be his own wife"
"Pharaoh called Abram" or "Pharaoh ordered Abram to come to him"
"You have done a terrible thing to me!"
"Then Pharaoh directed his officials concerning Abram"
"the officials sent Abram away from Pharoah, with his wife and all his possessions"
"went back to the Negev desert"
"Abram had many livestock, much silver, and much gold"
"They continued on their journey"
"to the place where he had set up his tent before he went to Egypt"
"prayed in the name of Yahweh" or "worshiped Yahweh."
This word is used to show what follows is background information to help the reader understand the events that follow.
There was not enough grazing land and water for all their animals.
This includes livestock, which need pasture and water.
"could not live together"
"Let's not quarrel"
"let's stop the men who take care of our animals from quarreling"
"because we are family"
"The whole land is available for you to use."
Abraham was speaking kindly to Lot and encouraging him to do something that would help them both. "Let's separate."
Possible meanings are 1) "If you go one way, then I will go the other" or 2) "If you go to the north, I will go to the south." Abram let Lot choose the part of the land he wanted, and Abram would take what remained.
This refers to the general region of the Jordan River.
"had much water"
"like the garden of Yahweh or like the land of Egypt." These were two different places.
This anticipates something that would happen later. It is important here because it explains why Lot settled in a region that later was not fertile.
"the kinsmen" or "the families." This refers to Lot and Abram with their households.
Possible meanings are 1) "He set up his tents near Sodom" or 2) "He moved his tents around in an area that reached all the way to Sodom."
God is saying that he will give Abram very many descendants.
"walk around all over the whole land"
This was the name of the man who owned the oak trees.
This is the name of a place.
"an altar for worshiping Yahweh"
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
These are names of men.
These are names of places. See how you translated "Shinar" in Genesis 10:10.
"they went to war" or "they started a war" or "they prepared for war"
"These latter five kings and their armies joined together"
The events in verses 4-7 happened before verse 3. Your language may have a way of showing this.
"they had been under the control of Kedorlaomer"
"they refused to serve him" or "they stopped serving him"
These are the names of people groups.
These are the names of places.
This name in Hebrew is different from the name of Noah's son, which is spelled the same way in English.
This is the name of a people group.
These are the names of places.
"El Paran. El Paran is near the desert"
This phrase tells which Amorite people were defeated. There were other Amorite people who lived in other places.
The city of Bela was also called Zoar. "the king of Bela went out and prepared for battle. Bela is also called Zoar."
"joined battle" or "drew up battle lines."
This word introduces background information about the valley of Siddim.
"had many tar pits." These were holes in the ground that had tar in them.
a thick, sticky, black liquid that comes up from the ground.
the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their armies"
Possible meanings are 1) some of their soldiers fell in the tar pits or 2) the kings themselves fell in the tar pits.
"Those who did not die in battle and did not fall in the pits"
"the wealth of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah" or "the property of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah"
"their food and drink"
"they also took Lot, along with all his possessions. Lot was Abram's brother's son and was living in Sodom at that time"
"were treaty-partners with Abram" or "had a peace agreement with Abram"
This is a reference to Abram's nephew Lot.
"men who were trained to fight"
"men who were born in Abram's household." They were children of Abram's servants.
"chased them"
This is a city in the far north of Canaan, far from Abram's camp.
"At night Abram divided his men—he attacked them from one side and his servants attacked them from another—and"
"men of war." They served him by fighting for him.
This refers to the things that the enemies had stolen from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
"Lot's property that the enemies had stolen from Lot"
"as well as the women and other people that the four kings had captured"
"returned to where he was living"
This is the first time this king is mentioned.
King Melchizedek blessed Abram.
"May God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth, bless Abram"
This is a way of praising God.
"into your control" or "into your power"
The phrase "the people" may refer to the people of Sodom that the enemies had captured. Abram rescued them when he rescued Lot.
This means "I have taken an oath" or "I have made a promise."
"I will take from you only what my young men have eaten."
"the share of the recovered property that belongs to the men who helped me get it back"
"my allies Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre"
"These things" refers to when the kings fought and Abram rescued Lot.
"Yahweh gave a message to Abram in a vision. He said, 'Fear" or "Yahweh spoke this message to Abram in a vision: 'Fear"
"I will protect you like shield" or "I am your shield to protect you"
Possible meanings are 1) "I myself will be all that you need" or 2) "I will give you all you need."
the result of a person's actions. This is the gracious blessing God would give Abram.
The word "behold" emphasizes the fact that the word of Yahweh came to Abraham again.
"Yahweh gave him a message. He said, 'This" or "Yahweh spoke this message to him: 'This"
This refers to Eliezer of Damascus.
"the one that you will father" or "your very own son." Abram's own son would become his heir.
"count the stars"
Just as Abram would not be able to count all the stars, he would not be able to count all his descendants because there would be so many.
This means he accepted and trusted what Yahweh said was true.
"Yahweh counted Abram's belief as righteousness" or "Yahweh considered Abram righteous because Abram believed him"
Yahweh was reminding Abraham of what he had already done so that Abraham would know that Yahweh had the power to give Abram what he promised him.
"to receive it" or "so that you will possess it"
"the dead bodies of the animals and birds"
"Abram chased the birds away." He made sure the birds did not eat the dead animals.
"an extreme darkness that terrified him"
"surrounded him"
people who are at home in one place but have to live in another place
"the owners of that land will enslave your descendants and oppress them"
"I will punish"
"that your descendants will serve"
"many possessions" or "great wealth"
This is a polite way of saying "you will die."
"ancestors" or "ancestral fathers"
"you will be very old when you die and your family buries your body"
Here one generation refers to a lifespan of 100 years. "After four hundred years"
"your descendants will come back here." Abraham's descendants would come to the land where Abram was then living, the land that Yahweh had promised to give to him.
"is not yet complete" or "will get much worse before I punish them"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
God did this to show Abram that he was making a covenant with him.
"passed through between the two rows of animal pieces"
In this covenant God promises to bless Abram, and he will continue to bless him as long as Abram follows him.
By saying this, God was giving the land to Abram's descendants. God was doing this then, but the descendants would not go into the land until many years later.
These are the names of groups of people who lived in that land. God would allow Abraham's descendants to conquer these people and take their land.
These are the names of groups of people who lived in that land. God would allow Abraham's descendants to conquer these people and take their land.
These are the names of groups of people who lived in that land. God would allow Abraham's descendants to conquer these people and take their land.
This word is used in English to introduce a new part of the story and background information about Sarai.
"slave-girl." This type of slave would serve the woman of the household.
"Please listen carefully: Yahweh"
"Please have sexual relations with my servant" or "Please lie with my servant"
"I will build my family through her"
"she despised her mistress" or "she thought that she was more valuable than her mistress"
"her owner" or "Sarai"
"This injustice against me"
"is your responsibility" or "is your fault"
"I gave you my servant so that you would sleep with her"
"she hated me" or "she began to hate me" or "she thought she was better than me"
"I want Yahweh to say whether this is my fault or your fault" or "I want Yahweh to decide which one of us is right." The phrase "to judge between" means to decide which person is right in a dispute between them.
"Listen to me" or "Pay attention"
"under your authority"
"Sarai treated Hagar very badly"
"Hagar fled from Sarai"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh made himself look like an angel or 2) this was one of Yahweh's angels or 3) this was a special messenger from God (some scholars think it was Jesus). Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of Yahweh" using the normal word that you use for "angel."
The wilderness area she went to was a desert. Alternate translation: "desert"
This was the name of a place south of Canaan and east of Egypt.
"my owner"
When he said "I," he was referring to Yahweh. When translating what is in the quote, do it as the angel of Yahweh did and use the word "I" when referring to Yahweh.
"I will give you very many descendants"
"so many that no one will be able to count them"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention"
"give birth to a son"
"you will name him." The word "you" refers to Hagar.
She has been afflicted by distress and suffering.
"He will be like a wild donkey among men"
"He will be every man's enemy"
"everyone will be his enemy"
"his relatives" or "the other members of his family"
"I am surprised that I am still alive, ... me."
Translators may add a footnote that says "Beer Lahai Roi means 'the well of the living one who sees me.'"
"named his son by Hagar" or "named his and Hagar's son"
This means "gave birth to Abram's son, Ishmael." The focus is on Abram having a son.
"the all-powerful God" or "the God who has all power"
"Live the way I want you to" or "Obey me"
"If you do this, then I will give my covenant" or "I will make my covenant"
In this covenant God promises to bless Abram, but he also requires Abram to obey him.
"greatly increase the number of your descendants" or "give you very many descendants"
"Abram threw himself face down on the ground" or "Abraham immediately lay down with his face to the ground." He did this to show that he respected God and would obey him.
The word "behold" here says that what comes next is certain: "my covenant is certainly with you."
"the father of a great number of nations" or "the one after whom many nations name themselves"
"I will cause you to have very many descendants"
"I will cause your descendants to become nations"
"among your descendants there will be kings" or "some of your descendants will be kings"
"for each generation"
"as a covenant that will last forever"
"to be your God and your descendants' God" or "covenant"
"Canaan, as an everlasting possession" or "Canaan, to possess forever"
"observe my covenant" or "honor my covenant" or "obey my covenant"
"This is a requirement of my covenant" or "This is part of my covenant." This sentence introduces the part of the covenant that Abram must do.
"You must circumcise every male among you"
"You must circumcise every male among you"
"the sign that shows that the covenant exists"
"any male that you buy"
"you will mark my covenant in your flesh"
"as a permanent covenant." Because it was marked in flesh, no one could easily erase it.
"male whom you have not circumcised"
Possible meanings are 1) "I will cut off any uncircumcised male ... foreskin from his people" or 2) "I want you to cut off any uncircumcised male ... foreskin from his people."
Possible meanings are 1) "killed" or 2) "sent away from the community."
"He has not obeyed the rules of my covenant." This is the reason that he would be cut off from his people.
"I will make her bear a son for you"
"she will be the ancestor of many nations" or "her descendants will become nations"
"Kings of peoples will descend from her" or "Some of her descendants will be kings of peoples"
"thought to himself" or "said to himself silently"
"Sarah is ninety years old. Could she bear a son?" or "Sarah is ninety years old. Surely she could not bear a son!"
"Please let Ishmael inherit the covenant that you have made with me" or "Perhaps Ishmael could receive your covenant blessing." Abraham suggested something that he believed really could happen.
God said this to correct Abraham's belief that Sarah could not have a son.
The word "you" refers to Abraham.
The words "As for" show that God is switching from talking about the baby that would be born to talking about Ishmael.
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I will cause him to have many descendants"
"chiefs" or "rulers." Ishmael's twelve sons are different from the twelve sons of Jacob who were the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.
God returns to talking about his covenant with Abraham and emphasizes that he would fulfill his promise with Isaac, not with Ishmael.
"God left Abraham"
This refers to servants or slaves.
This was the name of the man who owned the oak trees.
"at the opening of the tent" or "at the entrance of the tent"
"he was surprised because he saw"
"nearby" or "there." They were near him, but far enough away for him to run to them.
This is a title of respect. Possible meanings are 1) Abraham knew that one of these men was God or 2) Abraham knew that these men came on behalf of God.
"if you have evaluated me and approve" or "if you are pleased with me"
Abraham is speaking to one of the men.
"please do not keep on going past"
"me." Abraham refers to himself this way in order to show respect to his guest.
"Let me bring you some water" or "My servant will bring you some water"
This custom helped tired travelers to refresh themselves after walking long distances.
Abraham speaks to all three of the men, so "you" and "your" are plural.
about 22 liters
This bread was probably cooked quickly on a hot stone. It may have been flat or round like small loaves or rolls.
"the servant hurried"
"to cut it up and roast it"
This refers to the solid part of fermented milk. It may have been yogurt or cheese.
"the roasted calf"
"before the three visitors"
"Then they said to Abraham"
The word "He" refers to the man whom Abraham called "Lord" in Genesis 18:3.
"when this same season comes next year" or "about this time next year"
The word "see" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"at the opening of the tent" or "at the entrance of the tent"
"I am worn out and my master is old, so I cannot believe that I will experience the joy of having a child.""
"I am too old to conceive a child"
This means "since my husband, Abraham is also old."
"Sarah was wrong to laugh and say, 'I will not bear a child because I am too old!'"
"There is nothing that I, Yahweh, cannot do!"
"Yahweh replied"
"Yes, you did laugh." This means "No, that is not true; you did in fact laugh."
"I should not and will not hide from Abraham what I am about to do" or "I should and will tell Abraham what I am about to do"
"This is because ... him"
"I will bless all the nations of the earth through Abraham"
"will be blessed because of Abraham" or "will be blessed because I have blessed Abraham."
"that he will direct" or "so that he will command"
"to obey what I, Yahweh, require ... I, Yahweh, may bring ... I have said"
"to obey the commands of Yahweh"
"by doing righteousness and justice." This tells how to keep the way of Yahweh.
"so that Yahweh may bless Abraham just as he said he would." This refers to the covenant promise to bless Abraham and make him a great nation.
"so many people have been accusing the people of Sodom and Gomorrah of doing evil things"
"they have sinned so much"
"go down to Sodom and Gomorrah to find out" or "go down there to decide"
"as wicked as those who are accusing them say that they are"
"If they are not as wicked as the outcry suggests"
"went out from Abraham's camp"
"Abraham and Yahweh remained together"
"approached Yahweh and said" or "stepped closer to Yahweh and said"
"destroy"
"the righteous people with the wicked people"
"Suppose there are"
"I think you would not sweep it away. Instead, you would spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there"
"destroy the people who live there"
Abraham was hoping that God would say "I will let the people live for the sake of the fifty righteous people there."
"I would never want you to do something like that" or "You should not want to do something like that"
"such a thing as killing" or "such a thing, that is, killing"
"you should treat the righteous the same way you treat the wicked"
"The Judge of all the earth will certainly do what is just!" or "Since you are the Judge of all the earth, you will surely do what is right!"
God is often referred to as a judge because he is the one perfect judge who makes the final decisions about what is right or wrong.
"Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
"Pardon me for being so bold as to speak to you" or "Excuse me for daring to speak"
"to you, my Lord"
"only a mortal man" or "as unimportant as dust and ashes"
"only forty-five righteous people"
"if there are five fewer righteous people"
"I will not destroy Sodom"
"Abraham spoke to Yahweh"
"for the sake of the forty righteous people" or "if I find forty righteous people there"
"Yahweh answered"
"I will not destroy the cities if I find forty righteous people there"
"you will find thirty righteous people there"
"you will find twenty righteous people there"
"for the sake of the twenty righteous people" or "if I find twenty righteous people there"
"Perhaps you will find ten righteous people there"
"Perhaps ten righteous people" or "ten good people"
"And Yahweh answered"
"if I find ten righteous people there"
"Yahweh departed" or "Yahweh continued on his journey"
The two men who have gone to Sodom Genesis 18:22 are really angels.
"the entrance to the city of Sodom." The city had a wall around it, and people had to go through a gate to get into it. This was a very important place in a city. Important people often spent time there.
He put his knees on the ground then touched his forehead and nose to the ground.
This was a term of respect Lot used for the angels.
"Please come and stay in your servant's house"
People liked to wash their feet after traveling.
When the two angels said this, they were referring only to themselves, not to Lot. The two of them planned to spend the night in the square. Some languages would use the exclusive form of "we" here.
This is a public, outdoor place in the town.
"before the people in Lot's house lay down to go to sleep"
"the men of the city, that is, the men of Sodom" or just "the men of the city of Sodom"
"Lot's house"
"from the youngest to the oldest." This means "men of all ages" and refers to the men of Sodom who were surrounding Lot's house.
"that went into your house"
The phrase "know them" is a polite way of saying "have sexual relations with them."
"behind him" or "after he went through"
"my friends"
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I"
This is a polite way of saying that the daughters had not had sexual relations with any man.
"whatever you desire" or "whatever you think is right"
"into my house, and God expects me to protect them"
"Step aside!" or "Get out of our way!"
"This one came here as an outsider" or "This foreigner came to live here"
"but even though he has no good reason to"
"he acts as if he has the authority to tell us what is right and what is wrong"
"Because you are telling us that what we are doing is wrong, we"
"we will act more wickedly with you than we will with them"
Possible meanings are 1) "They kept coming closer to the man, to Lot, until they were close enough to break down the door" or 2) they physically pushed Lot up against the wall or door of the house and were about to break the door down.
This is two ways of referring to Lot.
"But Lot's two guests" or "But the two angels"
'the men opened the door far enough so they could reach out their hands and pull ... them, and then they shut"
"Lot's visitors blinded the men" or "they took away their sight"
"men of all ages" or "men of every status"
"Then the two men said" or "Then the angels said"
"Are there any other members of your family in the city?" or "Do you have any other family members in this place?"
The word "we" here is exclusive. Only the two angels would destroy the city; Lot would not destroy it. If your language has an exclusive form of "we," use it here.
"so many people have been telling Yahweh that the people of this city are doing evil things"
"the men who were going to marry his daughters"
"Just before the sun came up"
"so Yahweh does not also destroy you when he punishes the people of this city"
Here "city" stands for the people.
"But Lot hesitated" or "But Lot did not start to leave"
"So the two men grabbed" or "So the angels grabbed"
"had compassion on Lot." Yahweh is described as being "merciful" because he was sparing the lives of Lot and his family instead of destroying them when he destroyed the people of Sodom for the wrong they had done.
"When the two men had brought Lot's family out"
"Run away and save your lives!"
This means the plain of the Jordan River. This refers to the general region of the Jordan River.
"or else God will destroy you along with the people of the city"
"Please listen carefully: your servant"
"you have been very kind to me by saving my life"
"My family and I will certainly die when God destroys the people of Sodom, because the mountains are too far away for us to get there safely"
"Please listen carefully: the city"
"let me escape there. You can see how small it is. If you let us go there we will live"
"instead of destroying that city, let me escape there"
"I will do what you have asked"
"cannot destroy the other cities"
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Zoar sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'little.' Lot called this town 'little' in Genesis 19:20."
"when Lot and his family arrived at Zoar"
"Yahweh caused burning sulfur and fiery rain to fall from the sky onto Sodom and Gomorrah"
This refers primarily to Sodom and Gomorrah, but also to three other towns.
"the people who lived in the cities"
"she became like a statue of salt" or "her body became like a tall stone of salt." Because she disobeyed the angel who told them not to look back at the city, God caused her to become something like a statue made out of rock salt.
The word "behold" draws attention to the surprising information that follows.
"like the smoke from a very large fire"
"God thought about Abraham and had mercy on him"
"away from the destruction" or "away from danger"
"Lot's first daughter ... Lot's last daughter" or "The older daughter ... the younger daughter"
To have sexual relations with us
"as people everywhere do"
"drink wine until he gets drunk" or "get drunk with wine"
"we will have sexual relations with him"
"so that we can bear children who will be our father's descendants"
"had sexual relations with her father"
"I had sexual relations with my father ... have sexual relations with him"
"drink wine until he gets drunk" or "get drunk with wine"
"had sexual relations with him"
"became pregnant by their father" or "conceived children with their father"
"He is"
"the Moab people who are now living"
The word "today" refers to the time when the author of Genesis was living. The author was born and wrote this many years after Lot's family lived and died.
This is a male name.
"the descendants of Ammon" or "the Ammon people"
This is a desert region on the eastern border of Egypt.
"made his men go get Sarah and bring her to him"
"God appeared to Abimelek"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: "
"you will certainly die soon" or "I will kill you"
"a married woman"
"Abimelek had not had sexual relations with Sarah"
"even a people who are innocent"
"Did he himself not tell me that she is his sister? Even she herself told me that he is her brother."
"I have done this with good intentions and actions" or "I have done this with no evil thoughts or actions"
"God said to Abimelech"
"you did this with good intentions" or "you did this without evil intentions"
"to sleep with her"
"Abraham's wife"
"I will let you live"
"all of your people"
"He told them everything that God had told him"
"You have done something bad to us!" or "Look what you have done to us!"
The word "us" here is exclusive and does not include Abraham and Sarah. If your language uses an exclusive form of "we" or "us," use it here.
"I have done nothing against you to cause you to bring ... sin."
"on the people of my kingdom"
"You should not have done this to me"
"Why did you tell me that Sarah is your sister?"
"Because I thought that since no one here fears God, someone may kill me so they can take my wife."
This means to deeply respect God and show that respect by obeying him.
"Also, it is true that Sarah is my sister" or "Also, Sarah really is my sister"
"we have the same father, but we have different mothers"
"my father and the rest of my family" or "my father's household"
"I said to Sarah that I wanted her to be faithful to me by telling people everywhere we go that I am her brother"
"Abimelek brought some"
"Abimelek said to Abraham"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
This is a way of saying "I make all of my land available to you"
"Live wherever you want"
"I am giving this to him, so that those who are with you will know that you have done nothing wrong"
"everyone will know that you are innocent"
"made all the women of Abimelek's household totally unable to have children"
"because Abimelech had taken Abraham's wife Sarah"
"Yahweh helped Sarah"
"gave birth to Abraham's son"
"when Abraham was very old"
"at the exact time that God had told him it would happen"
"Abraham named his newborn son, the one Sarah gave birth to, Isaac" or "Abraham named their newborn son Isaac"
"When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him"
"God has caused me to laugh joyfully"
"everyone who hears about what God has done for me"
"No one would have ever said to Abraham that Sarah will nurse children"
"feed a baby her own milk"
"Isaac grew, and when he no longer needed his mother's milk, Abraham had a large feast"
"Ishmael, the son of Hagar the Egyptian and Abraham"
"laughing at Isaac"
"Sarah said to Abraham"
"send away" or "get rid of"
This refers to Hagar and Ishmael. Sarah probably did not refer to them by name because she was angry with them.
"Abraham was very unhappy about what Sarah said"
"because it was about his son." It is implied that this means his son, Ishmael.
"Do everything that Sarah says to you about them"
"Isaac is the one who will be the forefather of the descendants I promised to give you"
These words could refer to 1) food in general or 2) bread specifically.
"a bag of water." The water container was made out of animal skin.
This refers to the distance that a person could shoot an arrow with a bow. This is about 100 meters.
"I do not want to watch the boy die"
"she cried out loudly and wept" or "she wept loudly"
"the sound of Ishmael"
"a messenger from God" or "God's messenger"
Here "heaven" means the place where God lives.
"What is wrong" or "Why are you crying"
"help the young man stand up"
"I will make his descendants become a great nation" or "I will make him become the ancestor of a great nation"
"God caused Hagar to see" or "God showed her"
"the container made of skin" or "the bag"
"the boy" or "Ishmael"
"God guided the young man" or "God blessed the young man"
"became very skilled at using a bow and arrows"
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
This is the name of a man.
"commander of his army"
The word "his" refers to Abimelech.
"God blesses everything you do"
"promise me with God as your witness"
"that you will not lie to me"
"will deal honestly with me and my descendants"
"Be as faithful to me and to the people of the land as I have been to you"
"I swear to be as faithful to you and your people as you have been to me"
Possible meanings are 1) Abraham was complaining about what happened or 2) "Abraham also rebuked Abimelek"
"because Abimelek's servants had taken one of Abraham's wells"
"This is the first time I have heard about it"
This is a sign of friendship and that Abraham agrees to make covenant with Abimelek
"you will take"
"from me"
The word "it" refers to the gift of seven lambs.
"to prove to everyone"
Translators may add a footnote saying "Beersheba can mean either "well of the oath" or "well of seven."
"Abraham and Abimelech"
This is an evergreen tree that can grow in the desert. It can be stated more generally. Alternate translation: "a tree"
"the God who lives forever"
"for a long time"
This phrase refers to the events in chapter 21.
God tested Abraham's faithfulness"
"Yes, I am listening" or "Yes, what is it?"
"your only son whom I have promised"
"the land called Moriah"
"loaded his donkey" or "put on his donkey what he needed for the journey"
"servants"
"After traveling for three days"
"saw far away the place that God had spoken of"
The word "we" refers only to Abraham and Isaac, but not to the young men.
"return to you"
"had Isaac, his son, carry it"
"Abraham himself carried"
"something for starting a fire"
"they left together" or "the two of them went together"
This is a loving way for a son to speak to his father.
"Yes, I am listening" or "Yes, what is it?"
This is a loving way for a father to speak to his son.
Here "himself" emphasizes that it is God who will provide the lamb.
"will give us"
"he tied up"
"on top of the wood that was on the altar"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh made himself look like an angel or 2) this was one of Yahweh's angels or 3) this was a special messenger from God (some scholars think it was Jesus). Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of Yahweh" using the normal word that you use for "angel."
This refers to the place where God lives.
"Do not hurt the boy in any way"
The words "I" and "me" refer to Yahweh. When translating what is in the quote, do it as the angel of Yahweh did and use the words "I" and "me" when referring to Yahweh.
This refers to deeply respecting God and showing that respect by obeying him.
"you have not held back your son ... from me." or "you were willing to offer your son ... to me"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"was a ram whose horns were stuck in the bushes" or "was a ram stuck in the bushes"
"even now." This means even to the time that the author was writing this book.
"he will provide"
"again"
"spoke this message from Yahweh" or "declared these words of Yahweh." This is a formal way of saying that the words that follow come directly from Yahweh.
"I have promised and I am my witness." To swear means to use the name of something or someone as the basis or power on which the oath is made. There is nothing more powerful for Yahweh to swear by than himself.
"you obeyed me"
"have not kept back your son" or "were willing to offer your son to me"
"certainly bless"
"I will cause your descendants to increase again and again" or "I will cause your descendants to be very many"
"beyond what you can count"
Here the word "heavens" refers to everything we see above the earth, including the sun, moon, and stars.
"will completely triumph over their enemies"
"I, the Lord, will bless all the people living everywhere"
Here "nations" stands for the people of the nations.
"you have obeyed what I said" or "you have obeyed me"
"Abraham and his son went back"
"they left that place"
"Abraham and his people stayed in Beersheba"
"someone told Abraham"
"Milkah has also borne children"
This is the name of a woman.
"The name of his firstborn was Uz, and the names of the rest of his children were Buz his brother"
These are all names of men. Translate this so that it is clear that all of these except Aram are the sons of Nahor and Milkah.
These are all names of men. Translate this so that it is clear that all of these are the sons of Nahor and Milkah.
"Later Bethel became the father of Rebekah"
"These were the eight children of Milkah and Nahor, Abraham's brother." This refers to the children that were listed in Genesis 22:21-22.
"Nahor's concubine"
This is the name of a woman.
"also gave birth to"
These are all names of men.
This is the name of a city.
"Abraham was very sad and cried because Sarah died"
"got up and left his wife's body"
"the descendants of Heth" or "the Hittites"
This idea may be expressed in terms of location. "in your country" or "here"
"Sell me some land" or "Allow me to buy a piece of land"
"my dead wife" or "my wife who has died"
This phrase is used to show respect to Abraham.
"a powerful man" or "a mighty leader."
"your wife who has died" or "your wife"
"the best of our burial places"
"withhold his burial place from you" or "refuse to give to you his tomb"
This means to bend over or kneel down very low to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
These are names of men.
"the cave in Machpela." Machpela was the name of an area or region. Ephron owned a field in Machpela and the cave that was in the field.
This also tells something about the cave. The cave was at the end of Ephron's field.
"sell it to me in front of you all" or "sell it to me in your presence"
"as a piece of land that I may own and use"
Here "Now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Ephron.
"so that all the sons of Heth could hear him" or "while all the sons of Heth were listening"
The city gate was where the leaders of the city would meet to make important decisions.
"with my fellow countrymen as my witnesses"
This means "my fellow countrymen" or "my fellow Hittites"
"I give it to you. Bury your dead"
"so that the people who lived in the area could hear" or "while the people who lived in the area were listening"
"No, but if you are willing" or "No, but if you agree with this"
"I will give you money for the field"
"Hear me, my master" or "Listen to me, kind sir"
"The piece of land is worth only four hundred shekels of silver. For you and me, that is nothing."
This is about 4.5 kilograms of silver.
"Abraham weighed the silver and gave Ephron the amount" or "Abraham counted out to Ephron the amount of silver"
"the descendants of Heth"
"He weighed the silver the same way that the merchants used to weigh it"
This was another name for the city of Hebron. It may have been named after Mamre, the friend of Abraham who lived there.
This phrase explains what the author meant when he wrote "the field of Ephron." It was not only the field, but also the cave and trees in the field.
"became property that belonged"
These words complete the idea that begins with the word "passed" in verse 17. "became Abraham's possession when he purchased it" or "belonged to Abraham after he bought it"
"with the people of Heth watching as witnesses"
"After he bought the field"
"the cave in the field in Machpelah"
"became Abraham's property for a burial ground when he bought it from the sons of Heth"
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
Abraham was about to ask the servant to swear to do something. Putting his hand under Abraham's thigh would show that he would certainly do what he would swear to do.
"promise me with Yahweh as your witness"
"the God of everything in heaven and earth"
"from the Canaanite women" or "from the Canaanites." This refers to Canaanite females.
"among whom we live"
"Swear that you will go" or "But go"
"my family"
"What should I do if"
"will not follow me" or "refuses to come back with me"
"Should I take you son to live in the land from which you came"
"who took me from my father and the rest of my family"
"saying that he would give this land to my descendants"
The words "he" and "his" refer to Yahweh.
"But if the woman refuses to come with you."
"you will not have to do what you swore to me that you would do"
"made an oath to him"
"concerning Abraham's request" or "that he would do what Abraham said"
This means he also took many good things that his master wanted to give to the woman's family.
"set out and went" or "he left and went"
Possible meanings are 1) the city where Nahor lived" or 2) "the city called Nahor."
Camels are tall animals with long legs. He made them bend their legs and lower their bodies to the ground. "He made the camels lie down"
"get water"
"Then the servant said"
"Show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham by granting me success today"
"help me to succeed" or "make me able to do what I have come here to do"
"You can see me standing here"
"the spring" or "the well"
"the young women of the city"
"Let it happen this way" or "Make this happen"
"When I ask a young woman to let me have a drink of water from her jar"
a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids
"that you have been faithful to the covenant you have with my master Abraham" or "you have been faithful to my master Abraham"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"Rebekah's father was Bethuel. Bethuel's parents were Milkah and Nahor. Nahor was Abraham's brother"
This is a polite way of saying that the she had not had sexual relations with any man. You may need to use another euphemism in your language.
The spring was somewhere lower in elevation than where the servant was standing.
"to meet the young woman"
"sir." Here the woman uses this term of respect to refer to the man, though she is not his slave.
"So she quickly emptied her pitcher"
"the animals' water trough." A trough is a long open container for holding water for animals to drink.
"The servant"
"watched Rebekah" or "watched the young woman"
"to know" or "to determine"
"was showing him the woman who would become Isaac's wife"
"or not prospered his journey"
"an expensive gold nose ring"
"two large gold bracelets for her arms"
"Who is your father"
"is there a place in your father's house"
Apparently other men went on this journey with Abraham's servant. Here "us" refers to the servant and those traveling with him, but not to those to whom he was speaking.
"to stay tonight" or "to stay for the night"
"Rebekah said" or "the young woman said"
"to the servant"
"Bethuel is my father, and his parents are Milkah and Nahor"
"We have plenty of straw and feed for the camels"
"for you to stay tonight" or "where you can stay for the night"
Here "you" refers to the servant and those traveling with him.
"the servant"
"has not stopped being faithful to his covenant and trustworthy toward my master" or "has not stopped being faithful and trustworthy to my master"
"my master's family" or "my master's clan"
"ran to the house and told her mother and everyone there"
"everything that had just happened"
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author tells background information about Rebekah. The author introduces her brother, Laban, to the story.
These things happened before he ran out to the man. This tells why Laban ran out to the man.
"when he had heard his sister Rebekah tell what the man had said to her"
The word "behold" here adds emphasis to what follows. "it was just as she had said: he"
"you whom Yahweh has blessed"
Here the word "you" refers to Abraham's servant.
"You do not need to stay outside."
"Laban's servants unloaded the camels" or "the camels were unloaded"
"Laban's servants gave straw and feed to the camels, and they provided water"
"for Abraham's servant and the men who were with him to wash their feet"
Here, the word "they" refers to Laban's family members or to the household servants.
"gave food to the servant"
"spoken my words" or "told you why I am here"
Here the word "he" refers to Abraham.
"become very wealthy"
The word "he" refers to Yahweh.
"gave birth to a son"
"my master has given ... to his son"
"My master made me swear that I would do what he told me to do. He said"
"from the Canaanite women" or "from the Canaanites"
"among whom we live"
"to my own clan"
"What if the woman will not come back with me?" or "What should I do if the woman will not come back with me?"
"whom I serve"
"he will make your journey successful"
"you will not have to do what you swore to me that you would do"
"if you arrive at my relatives' home" or "if you go to my relatives"
"the well"
The servant goes back to stating his request. These are the first two things he has to say about the woman whom he hopes will come.
The servant finishes his request.
"praying" or "praying quietly"
"suddenly Rebekah came" or "I was surprised because I saw Rebekah coming"
In this story, all of these items were made of gold. See how you translated these in Genesis 24:22.
"brought me here"
"because Yahweh led me"
This refers to Bethuel, the son of Abraham's brother Nahor.
"Now." Here "Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"tell me if you will love my master and be faithful to him by giving Rebekah to be his son's wife"
The word "you" refers to Laban and Bethuel.
"But if you are not prepared to treat my master with steadfast love and faithfulness"
"so that I may continue on my journey"
"Yahweh has caused all of this to happen"
"we dare not judge what Yahweh is doing"
"Here is Rebekah"
"what Laban and Bethuel said"
Bowing down before God is an expression of worship to him.
"silver and gold items" or "things made of silver and gold"
"expensive gifts" or "valuable gifts"
"Abraham's servant and his men"
"slept there that night"
"got up the next morning"
"Let me leave and return"
"at least ten more days"
"Abraham's servant said"
"to Rebekah's brother and mother"
"Do not delay me" or "Do not make me wait"
"Yahweh has caused me to succeed in the purpose my journey"
"Allow me to leave"
"So the family sent Rebekah"
This refers to the female servant who had fed Rebekah when she was a baby, cared for her when she was a child, and still served her.
"may you be the ancestor of millions of people" or "may you have very many descendants"
"may your descendants completely defeat those who hate them"
"Then Rebekah and her servant girls went and got on the camels"
"In this way Abraham's servant took Rebekah with him and returned to where he had come from"
This word marks a change in the story. It was telling about the servant finding a wife, and now it will tell about Isaac.
This is the name of a water well in the Negev. See how you translated it in Genesis 16:14.
"One evening Isaac went out to the field to think." This must have been a long time after the servant and Rebekah left her home since they had to travel a long distance.
"When he looked up he was surprised to see camels coming"
"Rebekah looked up"
"she quickly got off the camel"
"So she covered her face with her veil." This is a sign of respect and modesty towards the man she will marry. The full meaning of this can be made explicit.
a piece of cloth used to cover a person's head, shoulders and face
"married Rebekah" or "took her as his wife"
"So Rebekah comforted Isaac"
This refers to the people named in verses 2-4.
"Isaac inherited all that Abraham owned." It was normal for the father to divide his wealth when he was old and not leave that for others to do after he died.
"Abraham died"
"when he had lived a very long time and was very old"
"he joined his family members who had already died"
Ephron owned a field in Machpelah and the cave that was in that field. Abraham bought the field from Ephron.
Machpelah was the name of an area or region. See how you translated this in Genesis 23:9
Machpela was near Mamre.
This was another name for the city of Hebron. It may have been named after Mamre, the friend of Abraham who lived there.
"Abraham had bought this field"
"the descendants of Heth" or "the Hittites." See how you translated this in Genesis 23:5.
This word is used in English to introduce a new part of the story and information about Ishmael.
Here the word "princes" means that the men were leaders or rules of the tribes; it does not mean that they were the sons of a king.
Ishmael lived 137 years.
"died"
"His descendants settled"
Havilah was located somewhere in the Arabian Desert. See how you translated this in Genesis 2:11.
"in the direction of"
Possible meanings are 1) "they did not live in peace together," or 2) "they lived away from their other relatives."
"when he married Rebekah"
Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22.
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq.
"she was unable to become pregnant"
"Rebekah, his wife, became pregnant with twins"
"the babies inside her kept bumping against each other" or "The babies pushed against each other within her
"She went and asked Yahweh about this." It is not clear where she went. She may have gone somewhere private to pray, or she may have gone somewhere to offer a sacrifice.
"said to Rebekah"
"Two nations will come from the twins within you"
"when you give birth to these two children they will be rivals"
Possible meanings are 1) "the older son will serve the younger son" or 2) "the descendants of the older son will serve the descendants of the younger son." If possible, translate it so that people could understand either meaning.
"she was surprised to learn that there"
"red and hairy like a garment made of animal hair"
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Esau sounds like the word 'hairy.'"
"holding the back part of Esau's foot"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Jacob means 'he grasps the heel.'"
"became good at hunting and killing animals for food"
"a peaceful man" or "a less active man"
"who remained in the tents much of the time"
This word is used to mark a change in focus, shifting from the story to background information about Isaac and Rebekah.
Here the word "loved" means "favored" or "preferred."
"because he ate the animals that Esau had hunted" or "because he enjoyed eating the wild animal meat that Esau caught"
"boiled some food" or "cooked some soup." This stew was made of boiled lentils
"he was weak because he was very hungry" or "he was very hungry"
"I am weak from hunger" or "I am very hungry"
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Edom means 'red.'"
right as firstborn to inherit most of the father's wealth
"I am so hungry I feel like I could die"
"My inheritance is no good to me if I die of hunger!"
"First swear to me that you will sell me your birthright"
These are like beans, but their seeds are very small, round, and somewhat flat.
"Esau showed that he did not value his birthright"
This word is used here to mark a new part of the story.
"there was a famine" or "there was another famine"
"in the land where Isaac and his family lived"
"that had happened during Abraham's life" or "that had happened while Abraham was alive"
"appeared to Isaac"
"for I will give all these lands to you and your descendants"
"I will do what I promised Abraham your father I would do"
"I will cause you to have very many descendants."
This speaks about the number of Isaac's descendants as if they were the same as the number of stars. See how you translated this in Genesis 22:17.
This refers to everything we see above the earth, including the sun, moon, and stars.
"I will bless all the nations of the earth"
"Abraham obeyed me and did everything I commanded him to do"
"So Isaac and his family settled in Gerar"
Here "fear" refers to the unpleasant feeling a person has when there is a threat of harm to himself or others. "He was afraid to say"
"in order to take Rebekah"
"And he was surprised to see that Isaac"
Possible meanings are 1) he was touching her the way a husband touches his wife or 2) he was laughing and talking with her the way a husband talks with his wife.
"Abimelek sent someone to bring Isaac to him"
"Why did you say that she is your sister?"
"so he could take her"
"You should not have done this to us!"
The word "lain" here is a euphemism for "had sexual relations."
"you would have caused us to be guilty of taking a man's wife"
Here "us" refers to Abimelech and his people.
"Whoever harms this man"
"I will put him to death" or "I will order my men to kill him"
"in Gerar"
This means "one hundred times as much as he planted." It can be translated more generally as "a very large crop."
"Isaac became rich" or "He became rich"
"he gained more and more until he became very wealthy"
This may also include goats.
"many servants"
"The Philistines were jealous of him"
"when Abraham, his father, was living" or "during his father Abraham's lifetime"
"Therefore Abimelek said" or "Finally Abimelek said" or 2) Abimelek made this decision because he saw that his people were jealous and acting in a hostile way towards Isaac.
"much stronger than we are"
"So Isaac and his household left"
"Isaac and his servants dug out"
This was the reason that Isaac dug them out. Possible ways to translate this are: 1) Since this happened first, this sentence can come before the sentence about Isaac digging them out, or 2) This sentence can start with "Isaac did this because the Philistines had stopped them up."
"fresh water"
men who tended livestock
Here "ours" refers to the herdsmen of Gerar.
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Esek means 'quarrel' or 'argue.'"
"Then Isaac's servants dug"
"the herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac's herdsmen"
"so Isaac gave it"
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Sitnah means 'oppose' or 'accuse.'"
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Rehoboth means 'make room for' or 'empty place.'"
Isaac was speaking about himself and his household.
"will cause your descendants to increase greatly" or "will cause your descendants to be very many"
"because I promised my servant Abraham that I would do this"
"Isaac built an altar there to sacrifice to Yahweh"
"prayed to Yahweh" or "worshiped Yahweh"
"went to Isaac"
This is the name of a man.
Possible meanings are 1) "Abimelech's friend" or 2) "Abimelech's advisor."
This is the name of a man. See how you translated his name in Genesis 21:22.
"one of them said"
"We know" or "We are certain"
"So we want to make a covenant"
"We have done only good to you"
Eating a meal together was a part of making a covenant with one another.
Here "them" refers to "Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phicol"
"they all ate"
"So he called the well Shibah." Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Shibah sounds like the word that means 'oath.'"
Translators may add a footnote saying "Beersheba can mean either "well of the oath" or "well of seven."
"he took two wives"
These are the names of Esau's wives.
These are names of men.
"the descendant of Heth" or "a descendant of Heth." The Hittite people were the descendants of Heth.
"They made Isaac and Rebekah sorrowful" or "Isaac and Rebekah were miserable because of them"
"he was nearly blind" or "he was almost blind"
"I am here" or "I am listening." See how you translated this in Genesis 22:1.
"Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
"I may die any day now"
"your hunting equipment"
"your quiver of arrows"
"hunt a wild animal for me"
"Cook for me the tasty meat that I love"
In Bible times, a father would often pronounce a formal blessing on his children.
This verse is background information for the description of the events that follow. The word "now" shows that the author is going to begin to talk about Rebekah and Jacob.
Esau was the son of both Isaac and Rebekah. The author calls Esau "his son" to emphasize that Isaac preferred Esau over Isaac.
Jacob was the son of both Isaac and Rebekah. The author calls Jacob "her son" here to emphasize that Rebekah preferred Jacob over Esau.
"He told Esau to hunt a wild animal, and to make the tasty meat that he loves. Then before he dies, your father will bless Esau in the presence of Yahweh."
"Bring me a wild animal that you hunt and kill"
"obey me and do what I tell you"
"and after he eats it, he will bless you"
"I am a man with smooth skin" or "I am not hairy"
"he will think that I am a liar" or "he will know that I am deceiving him"
"Then because of this, he will curse me and not bless me"
"let your father curse me instead of you, my son"
"bring me the young goats"
The goat skins still had the hair on them.
"She gave to her son Jacob the delicious food and bread which she had prepared"
"I have done what you told me to do"
The word "game" refers to wild animals that someone hunts and kills.
"Jacob replied"
"helped me to succeed while hunting"
"if you are really my son Esau"
"Jacob approached Isaac his father"
"You sound like Jacob"
"but your hands feel like Esau's hands"
"But first Isaac asked"
"Isaac drank it"
"Isaac smelled his clothes and they smelled like Esau's clothes, so Isaac blessed him"
"the scent"
"then he blessed him." This refers to the formal blessing a father pronounces on his children.
"Truly, the smell of my son"
"that Yahweh has caused to be very productive"
Here "you" is singular and refers to Jacob. But the blessing would also apply to Jacob's descendants.
"night mist from heaven to water your crops"
"good soil for producing crops"
"plenty of food and drink"
"people from all nations bow down"
"Become a master over your brothers"
Isaac is speaking this blessing directly to Jacob. But, it also applies to Jacob's descendants who will rule over the descendants of Esau and the descendants of any other of Jacob's brothers that he may have.
"May God curse everyone who curses you"
"May God bless everyone who blesses you"
"had just left the tent of Isaac his father"
Here "your son's" was a polite way of Esau referring to his own food he prepared.
The word "game" refers to wild animals that people hunt to eat.
"said to Esau"
"Isaac began to shake"
"he cried loudly"
"I have blessed him instead of you"
"Jacob is certainly the right name for my brother!"
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Jacob means 'he grasps the heel.' In the original language the name 'Jacob' also sounds like the word for 'he deceives.'"
"What was once my birthright is now his because he tricked me"
"now he has tricked you into blessing him instead of me"
Esau knows that his father cannot bless him with the same things that he blessed Jacob. Esau is asking if there is anything left to say to him that Isaac did not say while blessing Jacob.
"There is nothing else I can do for you!"
"said to Esau"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: the place"
"far from the fertile soil"
"the night mist from the sky to water your crops"
In 27:39-40 these pronouns are singular and refer to Esau, but what Isaac says also applies to Esau's descendants
"You will rob and kill people in order to get what you need to live"
"you will free yourself from his control"
Esau believed that Jacob had wronged him, and so Esau did not want to forgive Jacob.
"Esau said to himself"
This refers to a number of days a person grieves when a family member dies.
"Someone told Rebekah about Esau's plan"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"is making himself feel better"
"leave here quickly and go to Laban"
"for a period of time"
"until you brother calms down"
: "until he is no longer angry with you"
"I do not want to lose both of you in one day!"
"I am terribly upset"
"these Hittite women" or "descendants of Heth"
"like these women who live in this land"
"My life will be awful!"
"Go right away"
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq.
"family"
Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22.
"your grandfather"
"your uncle"
"give you many children and descendants"
"May God bless you and your descendants as he blessed Abraham" or "May God give to you and your descendants what he promised to Abraham"
God giving the land of Canaan to Jacob and his descendants is spoken of as if a child were inheriting money or possessions from his father.
"the land where you have been staying"
This word is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Esau.
"to take a wife for himself"
"Esau also saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob"
"daughters of Canaan" or "Canaanite women"
"Esau realized"
"his father Isaac did not approve of the women of Canaan"
"Because of that, he went"
"in addition to the wives that he already had"
This is the name of one of Ishmael's daughters.
This is the name of one of Ishmael's sons.
"Jacob had a dream"
"with the bottom of it touching the ground"
This refers to the place where God lives.
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh was standing at the top of the stairway" or 2) "Yahweh was standing next to Jacob"
"Abraham your ancestor" or "Abraham your forefather"
"You will have more descendants than you can count"
"your descendants will spread out to the west"
"in all directions"
"I will bless all families on the earth through you and your descendants"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I am"
"for I will not leave you until I have done all"
"I will keep you safe" or "I will protect you"
"I will bring you back to this land"
The phrase "the gate of heaven" explains that this place is the entrance to "the house of God" and "the entrance to where God lives."
This is a memorial pillar, that is, simply a large stone or boulder set up on its end.
"poured oil on the top of it in order to dedicate the pillar to God"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Bethel means 'house of God.'"
This is the name of a city.
"made a vow" or "solemnly promised God"
"on this journey"
Here "bread" stands for food in general
This can be stated in the second person. "If you will ... clothes to wear ... so that I return safely ... then you, Yahweh, will be the God that I will worship"
"to my father and the rest of my family"
"God's house" or "God's place"
This means the people of Paddan Aram, which is a land east of the land of Canaan.
The word "behold" marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of doing this.
"the shepherds would water" or "those taking care of the sheep would water"
"the opening of the well"
"Jacob said to the shepherds"
"Laban the grandson of Nahor."
"the sun is still high in the sky" or "the sun is still shining brightly"
"for you to gather the flocks"
"let them eat grass in the field"
"until the other shepherds gather their flocks"
"from the well" or "from the opening of the well"
"then we will water the sheep"
"his uncle"
In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. However, it is normally done between men. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.
Jacob weeps because he is so happy. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
"his nephew"
"hugged him"
"then Jacob told Laban everything he told Rachel"
"my relative" or "a member of my family"
"It is certainly right that I should pay you for working for me even though you are my relative."
Possible meanings are 1) "Leah's eyes were pretty" or 2) "Leah's eyes were plain"
"but the time seemed to him to be only a few days"
"on account of the love he had for her" or "because of his love for her"
"for my days of working for you have been completed" or "For I have completed the length of time that I was to work for you" )
This is a polite way of referring to having sexual relations with her.
"had others prepare a wedding feast"
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her.
Here the author gives background information about Laban giving Zilpah to Leah. Most likely he gave Zilpah to Leah before the wedding.
This is the name of Leah's female servant.
"Jacob was surprised to see it was Leah in bed with him." The word "behold" here shows that Jacob was surprised by what he saw.
"I cannot believe you did this to me!"
"I served you for seven years to marry Rachel!"
"In our family we do not give"
"Finish celebrating Leah's bridal week"
"next week we will give you Rachel also"
"And Jacob did what Laban asked, and finished celebrating Leah's bridal week"
This is the name of Rachel's female servant.
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her.
This refers to the romantic love between a man and a woman.
"loved less than Rachel"
God causing Leah to be able to become pregnant is spoken of as if God is opening her womb.
"was not able to become pregnant"
"Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son"
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Reuben means 'See, a son.'"
"Yahweh saw that I was suffering"
"Then Leah became pregnant"
"gave birth to a son"
"Yahweh has heard that my husband does not love me"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Simeon means 'heard.'"
"my husband will embrace me"
"I have given birth to three sons for him"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Levi means 'attached.'"
"Leah became pregnant again"
"gave birth to a son"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Judah means 'praise.'"
"When Rachel realized that she was unable to become preganant"
"I will feel completely worthless"
"Cause me to become pregnant"
"Jacob was very angry with Rachel"
"I am not God! I am not the one who is preventing you from having children!"
"Rachel said"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
At that time, this was an acceptable way for a barren woman to have children that would legally belong to her. The full meaning of this may be made explicit.
This is a polite way of asking him to have sexual relations with her servant.
"for me"
"and in this way she will cause me to have children"
"gave birth to a son for Jacob"
"Rachel gave him the name"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Dan means 'he judged.'"
"Bilhah ... became pregnant again"
"gave birth to a second son for Jacob"
"I have had a great struggle to have children like my older sister, Leah"
"I have won" or "I have succeeded"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Naphtali means 'my struggle.'"
"she gave Zilpah, her servant, to Jacob as a wife"
"How fortunate!" or "What good luck!"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Gad means 'fortunate.'"
"the women" or "the young women"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Asher means 'happy.'"
"Reuben went out"
"at the time of year of the wheat harvest" or "during the wheat harvest"
"love fruit"
"It is bad enough ... my husband."
"Now you want ... too!"
"Then Jacob will have sexual relations with you"
"You must have sexual intercourse with me"
"Jacob had sexual relations with Leah"
"God has given my due" or "God has rewarded me"
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Issachar means 'there is a reward.'"
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Zebulun means 'honor.'"
This is the name of Leah's daughter.
"God considered Rachel and granted to her what she wanted"
"God has caused me to no longer feel ashamed"
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Joseph means 'may he add.'"
"so I can go"
"you know that I have served you long enough"
"Laban said to Jacob"
"If I have found favor with you" or "If you are pleased with me"
"please stay, because"
"I have discovered by my own spiritual and magical practices"
"because of you"
"Tell me how much I have to pay to keep you here"
"Jacob said to Laban"
"how well your livestock have done since I started taking care of them"
"but now your wealth has greatly increased"
"Now I want to take care of my family!"
"But if you will do this thing for me"
The phrase "this thing" refers to what Jacob will propose in verse 32.
"and remove every sheep with spots, every black sheep, and every goat with spots"
"This will be the cost of keeping me here"
"And later you will know if I have been honest with you or not"
"had his sons take care of them"
These are all trees with white wood.
long open containers for holding water for animals to drink
"The animals of the flocks conceived" or "The animals mated"
"gave birth to babies with stripes and spots"
"During the several years following, Jacob separated"
"look toward"
"so that the flock could see them"
"in front of the sticks"
"So the weaker offspring did not have stripes or spots and so belonged to Laban, while the stronger offspring did have stripes or spots and so belonged to Jacob"
"Jacob"
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
"Everything that Jacob has taken belonged to our father"
"Jacob noticed that Laban was no longer pleased with him"
"your father Isaac and your grandfather Abraham"
"I have noticed your father is no longer pleased with me"
"You yourselves know that I have served your father with all my strength"
"has lied to me" or "has not treated me fairly"
"what he said he would pay me"
Possible meanings are 1) physical harm or 2) to cause Jacob to suffer in any way.
"The animals with spots"
"the flock gave birth to"
"The animals with stripes"
"This is how God gave your father's animals to me"
"During the breeding season"
"mating with the female goats of the flock"
Possible meanings are 1) God himself appeared as a man or 2) one of God's messengers appeared. Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of God," using the normal word that you use for "angel."
"And I answered"
This is a way of saying "Look up."
"that are breeding with the female goats of the flock"
Jacob poured oil on the pillar to dedicate it to God.
"the land where you were born"
"There is absolutely nothing left for us to inherit from our father!"
"Our father treats us like a foreign women instead of daughters!"
"He has sold us for his own gain"
"he completely used up our money"
"do all that God has told you"
"his children"
"He drove all his cattle." Here "livestock" is referring to all his domesticate animals.
"and the other herd of cattle which he took ownership of when he was in Paddan Aram"
This refers to the Euphrates River.
"Two days after they had left"
"that Jacob had fled with his wives and children"
"So Laban took"
"chased after Jacob"
"He caught up to him"
"That night God came to Laban in a dream"
"Do not say anything to try and stop Jacob from leaving"
"When Laban caught up with Jacob, Jacob had set up camp in the hill country. Then Laban and his relatives also camped in the hill country of Gilead"
Laban speaks about Jacob taking his family with him back to the land of Canaan as if Jacob took them as prisoners after a battle and is forcing them to go with him. Laban is exaggerating because he is angry and is trying to make Jacob feel guilty for what he did.
"with joy"
"and with music"
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
"to kiss my grandchildren"
"I have enough people with me to harm all of you"
"Do not say anything to try and stop Jacob from leaving"
This "you" is singular and refers to Jacob.
"to be home with your father and the rest of your family"
"my idols"
"We will kill whoever has stolen your gods"
All the relatives will watch to make sure everything is fair and honest.
"look for whatever we have that is yours and take it"
This refers to Zilpah and Bilhah.
"he did not find his idols"
a seat placed on the back of an animal so a person can ride on it
Calling someone "my master" is a way of honoring them.
"because I am unable to stand up in your presence"
This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb.
"Jacob said to Laban"
"What have I done wrong that you should pursue me like this?"
Here the word "hotly" means Laban urgently chased Jacob intending to capture him.
"What have you found that belongs to you?"
"Lay anything you have found in front of our relatives"
"they may judge between the two of us"
female sheep
This means they have not had a pregnancy end early and unexpectedly with the lamb or kid born dead.
"I did not bring to you any of your animals that a wild beast tore apart" or "When a wild animal killed any of your animals I did not bring it to you"
"Instead of counting it a loss from your flock, I counted it as a loss from my flock"
"You demanded that I pay you for any animal of yours that was missing"
Possble meanings are 1) "whether someone stole it during the day or at night" or 2) "whether an animal took it during the day or night."
"I stayed with your flocks even during hottest part of the day and the coldest part of the night"
"changed what he said he would pay me ten times." See how you translated "my wages" in Genesis 31:7.
"If the God of Abraham and Isaac, my father, had not been with me"
Here the word "fears" refers to the "fear of Yahweh," which means to deeply respect him and show that respect by obeying him.
"with absolutely nothing"
"God has seen how hard I worked and how you afflicted me"
"But, there is nothing I can do to bring my daughters and grandchildren back with me."
Here the word "witness" does not refer to a person, but it is used figuratively and refers to the covenant that Jacob and Laban are making. The covenant is spoken of as if it were a person who is there when they agree to act peacefully to one another.
This means that a large stone was simply set up on its end to mark the place where this important event happened.
"stacked them on top of each other"
Eating a meal together was a part of making the covenant with one another. The full meaning of this may be made explicit.
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Jegar Sahadutha means 'heap of witness' in Laban's language."
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Galeed means 'heap of witness' in Jacob's language.
"This pile will be a reminder between me and you"
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Mizpah means 'watchtower.'"
"when we are no longer with each other"
"even if no one else is there to see us"
"look" or "remember" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you"
These piles of stones were to act as a remembrance and a boundary marker for Jacob and Laban regarding their peace agreement. They are spoken of as if they are human witnesses.
Here the word "Fear" refers to Yahweh, who Isaac deeply respected and showed that respect by obeying him.
Eating a meal together was part of making the covenant with one another.
This means expressing a desire for positive and beneficial things to happen to someone.
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Mahanaim means 'two camps.'"
This is a mountainous area in the region of Edom.
"'This is what I want you to tell my master Esau. Tell him that I have been ... have delayed my return until now.'"
"that you may approve of me"
"Yahweh, who is God of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac"
"to your family"
"I will do good for you" or "I will treat you well"
"I do not deserve for you to remain faithful to your covenant or for you to be loyal to me, your servant"
This is a polite way of saying "me."
"and now I have enough people, flocks, and possessions with me to make two camps"
"save me"
"from the power of my brother, Esau" or "from my brother, Esau"
"But you said that you would certainly prosper me, and that you would make my descendants ... number"
This speaks about the very large number of Jacob's descendants as if their number will be like the grains of sand on the seashore.
"which no one can count because of their number"
"their young"
"He divided them into small herds, and gave each of his servants control over one herd"
"He commanded"
"asks you who your master is, where you are going, and who owns these animals that are ahead of you"
"Then I want you to tell him that all of these things belong to Jacob, his servant, and he his giving them to his master, Esau. And tell him that Jacob is on the way to meet him"
Here "us" refers to the servant speaking and the other servants bringing herds to Esau.
Possible meanings are 1) "You will say also, 'Your servant Jacob'" or 2) "You will say, 'Also, Your servant Jacob.'"
"I will calm him down" or "I will make his anger go away"
"he will welcome me kindly"
Here "gifts" stands for the servants taking the gifts.
Here "himself" emphasizes that Jacob did not go with the servants.
"his two servant wives." This means Zilpah and Bilhah.
a shallow place in a river that is easy to cross
This is the name of a river.
"all that he had"
"he struck Jacob's hip and dislocated it" or "he struck Jacob's hip and injured it"
Possible meanings are that 1) the top of Jacob's leg bone moved out of the hole in the hip where it normally is, or 2) a muscle or something that attaches the top of the leg to the hip was torn.
"the sun will rise soon"
Here "bless" means to pronounce a formal blessing on someone and to cause good things to happen to that person.
"I will let you go only if you bless me" or "Absolutely not! You must bless me first, then I will let you go"
"The name Israel means 'He struggles with God.'"
Here "men" means "people" in general.
"Do not ask me for my name!"
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Peniel means 'the face of God.'"
Being "face to face" means that two people are seeing each other in person, at a close distance.
"yet he spared my life"
This means to the day that the author was writing this.
This refers to the muscle that connects the thigh bone to the thigh socket.
"thigh socket"
"while striking"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to a surprising new part of the story.
This does not mean Jacob divided the children evenly so that each woman had the same amount of children with her. Jacob divided the children so that each one went with his or her mother.
Here "himself" emphasizes that Jacob went alone in front of the others.
Here the word "bow" means to bend over to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
"meet Jacob"
"Esau put his arms around Jacob, hugged him, and kissed him"
"Then Esau and Jacob cried because they were happy to see each other again"
"he saw the women and children who were with Jacob"
"Why did you send all of those different groups to meet me?"
"So that you, my master, would be pleased with me"
"I have enough animals" or "I have enough property"
"if you are pleased with me"
"this gift that I am giving to you"
The meaning of this simile is unclear. Possible meanings are 1) Jacob is happy that Esau has forgiven him like God has forgiven him or 2) Jacob is amazed to see his brother again like he was amazed to see God or 3) Jacob is humbled to be in Esau's presence like he was humbled to be in God's presence.
"God has treated me very well" or "God has blessed me very much"
It was customary to refuse a gift first, but then to accept the gift before the giver was offended.
"the children are too young to travel fast"
"If we force them to go too fast even for one day"
"My lord, I am your servant. Please go ahead of me"
"at the speed the animals I am looking after can go"
"Do not do that!" or "You do not need to do that!"
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name Sukkoth means 'shelters.'"
"built a house for himself and his family"
"for the animals he looked after"
"After Jacob left Paddan Aram"
"He set up his camp near"
"piece of land"
This is the name of a man.
Shechem is the name of a city and the name of a man.
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name El Elohe Israel means 'God, the God of Israel.'"
Here this word is used to mark a new part of the story.
This is the name of Leah's daughter. See how you translated this name in Genesis 30:21.
This is referring to Hamor not Shechem. Also, "prince" here does not mean son of a king. It means Hamor was the leader of the people in that area.
"he grabbed her and had sexual relations with her"
"He wanted very much to be with Dinah"
He tried to convince her that he loved her and that he wanted her to love him also.
The word "he" refers to Shechem.
This means that Shechem had greatly dishonored and disgraced Dinah by forcing her to sleep with him.
This is a way of saying that Jacob did not say or do anything about the matter.
"he had humiliated the family of Israel" or "he had brought shame on the people of Israel"
"for he should not have done such a terrible thing"
"Hamor spoke with Jacob and his sons"
"Allow marriages between your people and ours"
"the land will be available to you"
"If you will approve of me, then I will give you whatever you ask"
In some cultures, it is customary for a man to give money, property, cattle, and other gifts to the bride's family at the time of marriage.
"But the sons of Jacob lied to Shechem and Hamor when they answered them"
"We cannot agree to give Dinah in marriage"
"for that would cause us shame." Here "us" refers to Jacob's sons and all the people of Israel.
This means they will allow a person from Jacob's family to marry a person who lives in Hamor's land.
"Hamor and his son Shechem agreed with what Jacob's sons said"
"to become circumcised"
"Jacob's daughter Dinah"
"Shechem knew all the men in his father's household would agree with him because he was the most honored among them"
It was common for leaders to meet at the city gate to make official decisions.
"Jacob, his sons, and the people of Israel"
Here "us" includes Hamor, his son and all the people they spoke with at the city gate.
"let them live and trade in the land"
"All of their animals and property will be ours."
"All adult males were circumcised" or "So Hamor and Shechem had someone circumcise all the adult men"
"After two days"
"took their swords"
"they attacked the people of the city"
"security. Simeon and Levi killed all the men of the city"
"the dead bodies of Hamor, Shechem, and their men"
"stole everything in the city that was valuable"
Shechem alone had defiled Dinah, but Jacob's sons considered Shechem's entire family and everyone in the city responsible for this act.
"Jacob's sons took the people's flocks, herds, and donkeys, as well as everything"
"They took all their wealth, and they captured all their children and their wives"
"caused great problems for me"
"You have made me repulsive to the people who live in the land"
"My household is small ... against us and attack us, then they will destroy all of us"
The phrase "go up" is used because Bethel is higher in elevation than Shechem.
"Build an altar there to me, your God"
"said to his family"
"Throw away your idols" or "Get rid of your false gods"
This was the custom of cleansing oneself morally and physically before going to worship God.
Putting on a new clothes was a sign that they had made themselves clean before approaching God.
"that were in their possession" or "that they had"
"their earrings." Possible meanings are 1) the gold in the earrings could have been used to make more idols or 2) they took these earrings from the city of Shechem after they attacked it and killed all the people. The earrings would have reminded them of their sin.
"God made the people in the surrounding cities afraid of Jacob and those with him"
Here "cities" stands for the people who live in the cities.
"Jacob's family" or "Jacob's household"
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Genesis 28:19.
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name El Bethel means 'God of Bethel.'"
This is the name of a woman.
A nurse is a woman who takes care of another woman's child. The nurse was highly honored and important to the family.
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Allon Bakuth means 'Oak tree where there is weeping.'"
"After Jacob left Paddan Aram, and while he was in Bethel"
Here "bless" means to pronounce a formal blessing on someone and to cause good things to happen to that person.
"but your name will no longer be Jacob"
"God said to Jacob"
God told Jacob to produce children so that there would be many of them. The word "multiply" explains how he was to be "fruitful."
Here "nation" and "nations" refer to Jacob's descendants who will establish these nations.
"God left him"
This is a memorial pillar which was simply a large stone or boulder set up on its end.
This is a sign that he is dedicating the pillar to God.
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Bethel means 'house of God.'"
This is another name for the town of Bethlehem.
"She was having a very difficult time giving birth to the child"
"When the labor pain was at its worst"
a person who helps a woman when she is giving birth to a child
"Just before she died, as she was taking her last breath"
Translator may add a footnote that says "The name Ben-Oni means 'son of my sorrow.'"
Translator may add a footnote that says "The name Benjamin means 'son of the right hand.'" The phrase "right hand" indicates a place of special favor.
"they buried her"
"alongside the road"
"It marks Rachel's grave to the time that the author was writing this"
Some English translations understand this phrase as a proper name, either "Migdal Eder" or "the tower of Eder."
"had sexual relations with"
This sentence begins a new paragraph, which continues into the following verses.
This is the name of Leah's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:24.
"who were born to him in Paddan Aram, except Benjamin who was born in the land of Canaan"
Here "came" can be stated as "went."
This was another name for the city of Hebron. It may have been named after Mamre, the friend of Abraham who lived there.
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Genesis 23:2.
"he joined his family members who had already died"
"after he had lived a very long time and was very old"
"This is an account of the descendants of Esau, who is also called Edom"
These are names of Esau's wives.
"Elon the descendant of Heth" or "Elon a descendant of Heth." This is the name of a man. See how you translate this in Genesis 26:34.
These are names of men.
This refers to a larger group of people. See how you translated it in Genesis 10:17.
a man's name
This is the name of one of Esau's wives. See how you translated this in Genesis 26:34.
This is the name of one of Ishmael's sons. See how you translated this in Genesis 28:9.
These are names of Esau's sons.
These are names of Esau's sons.
"which he had accumulated while living in the land of Canaan"
"went to live in another land"
"Esau's and Jacob's possessions"
"where they were living as foreigners"
"who lived in the hill country of Seir"
These are names of the sons of Eliphaz.
a son of Eliphaz
This is the name of Eliphaz's concubine.
These are names of Reuel's sons.
These are the names of men.
This the name of a man.
The word "Seir" is the name of a man and of a country.
The word "Horite" refers to a people group.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a woman.
This is the name of man.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a man.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"of those who lived in the land of Seir"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
"succeeded Bela as king" or "became king after him"
This is the name of a man.
"Husham who lived in the land of the Temanites"
descendants of a man named Teman
These are names of men.
These are names of places.
These are names of men.
"Samlah from Masrekah"
These are names of places.
This is the name of a man.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of places.
This is the name of a woman.
"she was the daughter of Matred, and the granddaughter of Me-Zahab"
"the names of their clans and the regions where they lived were named after them. These are their names"
These are names of people groups.
These are names of people groups.
These are names of people groups.
These are names of people groups.
"their dwelling places" or "the places they lived"
"This is the list of the descendants of Esau"
These women were servants of Leah and Rachel whom they had given to Jacob to produce children.
"a bad report about his brothers"
This refers to brotherly love or love for a friend or family member. This is natural human love between friends or relatives.
"who was born when Israel was an old man"
"Israel made Joseph"
"a beautiful robe"
This is a summary of the events that will happen in 37:6-11.
"And Joseph's brothers hated him even more than they hated him before"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
The word "we" refers to Joseph and includes all of his brothers.
When grain is reaped it is tied into bundles and stacked until it is time to separate the grain from the straw.
Here the word "behold" here shows that Joseph was surprised by what he saw.
Here the bundles of grain are standing and kneeling as if they were people. These bundle represent Joseph and his brothers.
"You will never be our king, and we will never bow down to you!"
The word "us" refers to Joseph's brothers but not Joseph.
"because of his dreams and what he said"
"Israel scolded him, saying"
"This dream you had is not real. Your mother, brothers, and I will not bow down before you!"
This means being angry because someone else is successful or more popular.
"kept thinking about what the dream might mean"
"You brothers are tending the flock in Shechem."
"Get ready"
"Israel said to Joseph"
"come tell me what you find out" or "give me a report"
"from the Valley"
This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.
"What are you looking for?"
This is the name of a place that is about 22 kilometers from Shechem.
"Joseph's brothers saw him while he was far away"
"here comes the wonderful person who has great dreams." The phrase "this master of dreams" is sarcastic. If your language has a way of showing that the brothers used these words to show that they hated Joseph, you may want to use it here.
"So now"
to eagerly have eaten
"That way we will make sure his dreams do not come true"
"heard what they were saying"
"from them" or "from their plans"
"Let us not kill Joseph"
"Do not spill any blood" or "Do not kill him"
"Rueben said this so that he might rescue Joseph"
"from them" or "from their plans"
"and return him"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"they tore his beautiful garment off of him"
"They sat down to eat food" or "Joseph's brothers sat down to eat"
"They looked up and they suddenly saw a caravan"
carrying
seasonings
an oily substance with a sweet smell used for healing and protecting skin. "medicine"
"bringing them down to Egypt to sell them"
"We do not gain a profit by killing our brother and covering up his blood"
"hide his murder"
"to these men who are descendants of Ishmael"
"not hurt him"
"he is our blood relative"
"Judah's brothers listened to him" or "Judah's brothers agreed with him"
Both names refer to the same group of traders that Joseph's brothers meet.
"for the price of 20 pieces of silver"
"took Joseph to Egypt"
"Reuben returned to the pit, and was surprised to see that Joseph was not there." The word "behold" here shows that Reuben was surprised to find out Joseph was gone.
"He was so grieved that he tore his clothes"
"The boy is gone! I cannot go back home now!"
This refers to the beautiful garment that his father made for him.
"the goat's blood"
"has eaten him"
"It has certainly torn Joseph to pieces"
"Jacob was so grieved that he tore his garments"
"put on sackcloth"
"came to him"
"but he would not let them comfort him"
"Indeed when I die and go down to Sheol I will still be mourning"
"The Midianites sold Joseph"
"the leader of the soldiers who guarded the king"
This introduces a new part of the story that focuses on Judah.
Hirah is the name of a man who lived in the village of Adullam.
Shua is a Canaanite woman who married Judah.
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her.
"Judah's wife became pregnant"
"His father named him Er"
"named him"
Judah's son
Judah's son
This is the name of a place
"was wicked and Yahweh saw it"
"So Yahweh killed him"
This is a polite way of telling him to have sexual relations with his brother's wife
This refers to a custom that when the oldest brother dies before he and his wife have a son, the next oldest brother would marry and have sexual relations with the widow. When the widow gave birth to the first son, that son was considered the son of the oldest brother and he would receive the oldest brother's inheritance.
"he destroyed his semen by having it flow on the ground" or "he did not send his semen into her"
"his oldest son's wife"
"and live in your father's house"
"and when Shelah, my son, grows up, he can marry you"
"For he feared, 'If he marries her he may also die like his brothers did"
"When Judah was no longer grieving, he"
This is the name of a place.
"His friend Hiram, from Adullam, went with him"
"Someone told Tamar"
"your husband's father"
This is the name of a place.
"that widows wear"
a very thin material used to cover a woman's head and face
"wrapped herself in her clothing so that people would not recognize her"
"Judah had not given her to Shelah as a wife"
The word "her" here refers to Tamar, but your reader should understand that Judah did not know that the woman he was looking at was Tamar.
"because she had covered her head and sat where prostitutes often sat"
"He went to where she was sitting by the road"
"Please have sexual relations with me" or "Please lie with me"
"from my flock of goats"
A "seal" is similar to a coin with a design engraved on it, used to imprint melted wax. The "cord" was put through the seal so the owner could wear it around his neck. A staff was long wooden stick that helped in walking over rough ground.
"he caused her to become pregnant"
"clothing that widows wear."
"take back the pledge"
"from the woman"
"some of the men who lived there"
"prostitute who serves in the temple"
"or else people will laugh at us when they find out what happened"
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
"someone told Judah"
"Tamar, your oldest son's wife"
"it has made her pregnant" or "she is pregnant"
"we will burn her to death"
"her husband's father"
This is a polite way of saying that Judah did not have sexual relations with her again.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
The word "behold" alerts us to the surprise that Tamar was carrying twins, which was previously unknown.
"one of the babies put out his hand"
This is a person who helps a woman when she is giving birth to a child.
"bright red thread"
"around his wrist"
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"So this is how you break your way out first!" or "You have burst out first!"
"she named him"
This is the name of a boy. Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Perez means 'breaking out.'"
This is the name of a boy. Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Zerah means 'scarlet or bright red.'"
"The Ishmaelites had taken Joseph to Egypt"
"Yahweh guided Joseph and helped him"
"he worked in the house"
Joseph was now Potiphar's slave.
"Yahweh caused everything that Joseph did to prosper"
Possible meanings are 1) Alternate translation: "Potiphar was pleased with Joseph" or 2) Alternate translation: "Yahweh was pleased with Joseph"
"Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and everything that belonged to Potiphar"
"The Egyptian made Joseph manager over his house and over everything he possessed, and it came about from the time that that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph"
"Yahweh blessed"
"Potiphar's household and all of his crops and livestock"
"So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything that he had"
"The only thing he had to think about was the food that he ate"
The word "now" marks a stop in the story as the author gives background information about Joseph.
"handsome and strong"
"And so." This phrase is used here to mark a new event.
"Have sexual relations with me"
"my master has no concern about his household with me in charge" or "my master trusts me with his household"
"he has put me in charge of everything that belongs to him"
"I have more authority in this house than anyone else"
"He has given me everything except you"
"I certainly cannot do such a wicked thing and sin against God."
"She kept on asking Joseph to sleep with her"
"to be near her"
"None of the other men who worked in the house"
"and quickly ran outside" or "and quickly ran out of the house"
"the men who worked in her house"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"He came into my room to have sexual relations with me"
"Joseph's master." This refers to Potiphar.
"She explained it like this"
The word "us" refers to Potiphar, his wife, and includes the rest of the household.
"came into where I was and tried to force me to sleep with him"
"ran quickly out of the house"
"Joseph's master, Potiphar"
"heard his wife explain to him." The word "his" and "him" here refer to Potiphar.
"Potiphar became very angry"
"the place where the king put his prisoners"
"Joseph stayed there"
"But Yahweh was kind to Joseph" or "But Yahweh took care of Joseph"
"was faithful to his covenant with him" or "faithfully loved him"
"Yahweh caused the prison warden to be pleased with Joseph"
"the prison manager" or "the man in charge of the prison"
"put Joseph in charge of"
"Joseph was in charge of everything they did there"
"because Yahweh guided Joseph"
"Yahweh caused everything that Joseph did to prosper"
This phrase is used here to mark a new event in the story.
This is the person who brought drinks to the king.
This is the person who made food for the king.
"upset their master"
"the leading cupbearer and the leading baker"
"He put them in the prison that was in the house that was overseen by the captain of the guard"
"This was the same prison that Joseph was in" or "This was the same prison Potiphar put Joseph in"
"They remained in prison for a long time"
"He was surprised to see that they were upset"
This refers to the cupbearer and the baker.
"In prison in him master's house." "His master" refers to Joseph's master, the captain of the guard.
"Tell me the dreams, please"
"squeezed the juice from them"
"Here is what the dream means"
"The three branches represent three days"
"In three more days"
"will give you back your job"
"just as you did when"
"please be kind to me"
"Help me get out of this prison by telling Pharaoh about me"
"For indeed people took me" or "For indeed the Ishmaelites took me"
"the land where the Hebrew people live"
"and also while I have been here in Egypt, I have done nothing for which I deserved to be put in prison"
"there were three baskets of bread on my head!" The baker uses word "behold" here to show that he was surprised by what he saw in his dream and to alert Joseph to pay attention.
"will lift up your head with a knife" or "will lift up your head with a noose"
Here "flesh" literally means the soft tissue on a person's body.
"Afterward, on the third day." The phrase "it came about" is used here to mark a new event in the story.
"He lifted up the heads of the chief of the cupbearers and the chief of the bakers"
"He gave the chief of the cupbearers his job back"
"But he commanded for the chief of the bakers to be hanged" or "But he commanded his guards to hang the chief of the bakers"
"just as Joseph had said would happen when he interpreted the two men's dreams"
Two years passed after Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, who had been in prison with Joseph.
"Pharaoh was standing"
"healthy and fat"
"were eating the grass along the side of the river"
tall, thin grasses that grow in wet areas
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was again surprised by what he saw.
"sick and thin"
"beside the river" or "riverside." This is the higher ground along the edge of a river.
"awakened"
"again"
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was surprised by what he saw.
The heads are parts of the corn plant on which the seeds grow.
"grew up on one stem." The stalk is the thick or tall part of a plant.
"on one stock and they were healthy and beautiful"
"that were thin and burned because of the hot wind from the east"
"grew up" or "developed"
"The thin heads of grain"
"he had been dreaming"
"he was troubled in his inner being" or "he was troubled"
"He sent his servants to call" or "He sent his servants to summon"
Ancient kings and rulers used magicians and wise men as advisers.
"I realize now that I have sinned." The phrase "my sins" is used for emphasis. His "sins" are that he should have told Pharaoh something much earlier but he did not.
"You, Pharaoh, were angry"
"with us, your servants"
"put the chief baker and me in the prison where the captain of the guard was in charge." Here "house" refers to the prison.
The most important person who made food for the king. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 40:2.
"One night we both had dreams"
Here "We" refers to the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
"Our dreams had different meanings"
"In prison there was with the chief baker and me"
"We told him our dreams and he explained their meanings to us"
"He explained what was going to happen to both of us"
"what he explained about the dreams is what later happened"
"You allowed me to return to my job"
"the chief baker"
"you ordered your soldiers to hang"
"Pharaoh sent his servants to get Joseph"
"out of the jail" or "out of the prison"
"went before Pharaoh"
"no one can explain the meaning"
"you can explain its meaning"
"I am not the one who can explain the meaning"
"God will answer Pharaoh favorably"
Pharaoh uses the word "behold" to make Joseph pay attention to surprising information.
"weak, and skinny."
"such ugly cows" or "such worthless looking cows"
"well-fed cows."
"no one would have been able to tell that the thin cows had eaten the fat cows"
"Then I dreamed again"
"seven heads of grain"
"grew up on one stem." The stalk is the thick or tall part of a plant.
dead and dried
"grew up" or "developed"
"there was not a single one that could" or "none of them could"
"Both dreams mean the same thing"
"God is showing you what he will soon do"
"seven good heads of grain"
"skinny and weak cows."
"seven thin heads of grain scorched because of the hot wind from the east"
"These events will happen just as I have told you ... revealed to you, Pharaoh"
"he has made known"
"there will be seven years in which there will be plenty of food throughout the land of Egypt"
"Then there will be seven years when there is very little food"
"the people of Egypt will forget about the years in which there was plenty of food"
Here "land" refers to the soil, the people, and the entire country.
Joseph expresses an idea in two ways to emphasize its importance.
"God gave you two dreams to show you that he will certainly cause these things to happen"
"You, Pharaoh, should look"
"give him authority over the kingdom of Egypt" or "put him in charge of the kingdom of Egypt"
Here "land" stands for all the people and everything in Egypt.
"let them divide the crops of Egypt into five equal parts, then take one of those parts"
"during the seven years in which there is plenty of food"
"Allow the overseers to gather"
"during the good years that will soon happen"
"use the authority of Pharaoh to store the grain"
"The overseers should leave soldiers there to guard the grain"
"This food will be for the people"
"This way the people will not starve during the famine"
"Pharaoh and his servants thought this was a good plan"
"a man like the one Joseph described"
"in whom the Spirit of God lives"
"no one else is as capable in making decisions."
"You will be in charge of everyone in my palace"
"you will rule over my people and they will do what you command"
"Only in my role as king"
This ring had Pharaoh's seal engraved on it. This gave Joseph the authority and money needed to carry out his plans.
"Linen" here is a smooth, strong cloth made from the blue-flowered flax plant.
This act makes clear to the people that Joseph is second only to Pharaoh.
"Bow down and honor Joseph." To bend the knee and bow down was a sign of honor and respect.
"no person in Egypt will do anything without your permission" or "every person in Egypt must ask your permission before they do anything"
Translators may add the following footnote: The name Zaphenath-Paneah means "a revealer of secrets."
Priests in Egypt were the highest and most privileged caste. This marriage signifies Joseph's place of honor and privilege.
On is a city, also called Heliopolis, which was "the City of the Sun" and the center of worship of the sun god Ra.
Joseph traveled over the land to supervise the preparations for the coming drought.
"when he started to serve Pharaoh"
Joseph is inspecting the country as he prepares to carry out his plans.
"During the seven good years"
"the land produced big harvests"
"Joseph ordered his servants to gather ... They put"
"The grain that Joseph stored was as plentiful as the sand on the seashore"
"Joseph had his servants store up ... they stopped"
"before the seven years of the famine began"
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name 'Manasseh' means 'to cause to forget.'"
This refers to Joseph's father Jacob and his family.
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name 'Ephraim' means 'to be fruitful' or 'to have children.'"
Here "fruitful" means to prosper or to have children.
"in this land where I have suffered"
In all the surrounding nations beyond Egypt, including the land of Canaan.
It is implied that there was food because of Joseph commanded his people to store food during the seven good years.
"When all the Egyptians were starving"
"Joseph had his servants open all the storehouses and sell grain to the Egyptians"
"People were coming to Egypt from all the surrounding regions"
"Do not just sit here!"
It was common to speak of going from Canaan to Egypt as going "down."
"from those selling grain in Egypt"
Benjamin and Joseph had the same father and mother; their mother was different from the mothers of the other brothers. Jacob did not want to risk sending Rachel's last son.
"The sons of Israel went to by grain along with other people who went to Egypt"
"all the people of all the nations that came to buy grain"
This is a way of showing respect.
"he acted like he was not their brother" or "he did not let them know that he was their brother"
This was not a rhetorical question even though Joseph knew the answer. It was part of his choice to keep his identity from his brothers.
Spies are people who secretly try to get information about a country to help another country.
"You have come to find out where we are not guarding our land so that you can attack us"
This is a way to refer to someone to honor them.
"We, your servants, have" or "We have"
"Joseph said to his brothers"
"right now our youngest brother is with our father"
"like I already said, you are spies."
"This is how I will test you"
"I swear by the life of Pharaoh"
"Choose one of you to go get your brother"
"The rest of you will remain in prison"
"so that I may find out if you are telling the truth"
"in prison"
"If you will do what I say, I will let you live"
This refers to deeply respecting God and showing that respect by obeying him.
"leave one of your brothers here in prison"
"but the rest of you go"
"carry grain home to help your family during this famine"
"so I may know what you say is true"
This implies that Joseph would have his soldiers execute the brothers if he finds out they are spies.
"because we saw how distressed Joseph was" or "because we saw that Joseph was suffering"
"That is why we are suffering like this now"
"Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy, but" or "I told you not to harm the boy, but"
"we are getting what we deserve for his death" or "we are suffering for having killed him"
This changes from the main story to background information that explains why the brothers thought Joseph could not understand them.
An "interpreter" is someone who translates what one person says into another language. Joseph placed an interpreter between himself and his brothers to make it seem like he did not speak their language.
It is implied that Joseph wept because he was emotional after hearing what his brothers said.
Joseph was still speaking a different language and using the interpreter to speak to his brothers.
"bound him in their sight" or "bound him as they watched"
"to give them the supplies they needed"
"The servants did for them everything that Joseph commanded"
"When they stopped at a place for the night, one of the brothers opened his sack to get food for his donkey. In the sack he saw his money!"
"Someone has put my money back"
"Look in my sack!"
"They became very afraid"
"the lord of Egypt"
"spoke harshly"
"One brother is no longer alive"
"the youngest brother is with our father right now"
"take grain to help your family during the famine"
"go home" or "leave"
"I will allow you to buy and sell in this land"
"you have deprived me of my children" or "you have caused me to lose two of my children"
"all these things hurt me"
"Put me in charge of him" or "Let me take care of him"
"My son, Benjamin, will not go with you to Egypt"
Here "you" is plural and refers to Jacob's older sons.
"For my wife, Rachel, only had two children. Joseph is dead and Benjamin is the only one left"
"while you a traveling to Egypt and back" or "while you are away." Here "road" stands for traveling.
"then you will cause me, an old man, to die of sorrow"
"The famine was severe in the land of Canaan"
"when Jacob and his family had eaten"
"Jacob's older sons had brought"
Here "us" refers to Jacob, his sons, and the rest of the family.
"Judah told his father Jacob"
This refers to Joseph, but the brothers did not know it was Joseph.
"warned us that we would not see his face unless we brought our youngest brother with us"
"was very serious when he warned us, saying"
"You will not see me"
Judah is referring to Benjamin, Rachel's last born before she died.
"Why did you cause me so much trouble"
"The man asked many questions"
Here "us" is exclusive and refers to the brothers who went to Egypt and spoke with "the man."
"He asked us directly if our father was still alive and if we had another brother."
"We answered the questions he asked us"
"We will go now to Egypt and get grain so our whole family will live"
Here "we" refers to the brothers.
Here "you" is singular and refers to Israel.
Here "our" refers to the brothers. This refers to the small children who were most likely to die during a famine.
"I will promise to bring him back"
"You will make me answer to you about what happens to Benjamin"
"you may blame me"
"we could have gone and returned twice"
"If this is our only choice, then do it"
an oily substance with a sweet smell used for healing and protecting skin. Alternate translation: "medicine"
seasonings.
small, green tree nuts
tree nuts with a sweet flavor
"Take double the money with you"
"take back to Egypt the money someone put in your sacks"
"Take also Benjamin"
"return"
"May God Almighty cause the man to be kind to you"
"Simeon"
"If I lose my children, then I lose my children." This means that Jacob knows he must accept whatever happens to his sons.
"they took"
"Benjamin with Joseph's older brothers"
The "steward" was responsible for managing Joseph's household activities.
"Joseph's brothers were afraid"
"The steward is bringing us into the house because of the money that someone put back in our sacks"
"He is waiting for the opportunity to accuse us, so that he might arrest us"
"when we came to the place that we were going to stay for the night"
The word "behold" here shows that the brothers were surprised by what they saw.
"each one of us found the full amount of his money in his sack"
"We have brought the money back with us"
"We have also brought more money to buy food"
"Relax" or "Calm yourselves"
"Your God, the God your father worships"
This custom helped tired travelers to refresh themselves after walking long distances.
"Feed" is dry food that is set aside for animals
"Our father who serves you"
They lay down in front of the man to show him respect.
This means "he looked up."
"his mother's son. Joseph said"
"young man"
"for he had strong feelings of compassion for his brother" or "for he had strong feelings of affection for his brother"
"and said to his servants"
This means to distribute the food so that people may eat.
"The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves and the Egyptians, who were eating with him, by themselves"
This can be translated as a new sentence: "They did this because the Egyptians thought it was shameful to eat with the Hebrews"
"The brothers sat across from the man, according to how he arranged their places"
The "firstborn" and the "youngest" are used together to mean all the brothers were sitting in order according to their age.
"The men were very surprised when they realized this"
"But Benjamin received a portion that was much bigger than what his brothers received"
The "steward" was responsible for managing Joseph's household activities.
Their money was silver coins most likely in a small bag.
"in his sack"
"Put my silver cup"
"in the youngest brother's sack"
"The morning light shown"
"they sent the men away, along with their donkeys"
"You have treated us badly, after we were good to you!"
"You already know that this is the cup that my master uses for drinking and for fortune telling!"
"What you have done is very evil"
"spoke what Joseph told him to say"
"Why are you saying this, my master?"
"We would never do such a thing!"
"Listen to what we are about to say and you will see that we are speaking the truth: the money"
"you know the money that we found in our sacks"
"we brought back to you from Canaan"
"So we would never take anything from your master's house!"
"If you find that one of us has stolen the cup"
"you may take us as your slaves"
"If I find the cup in one of your sacks, that person will be my slave"
"lowered his sack"
"youngest. The steward found the cup in Benjamin's sack"
The word "they" refers to the brothers. Tearing clothes was a sign of great distress and sorrow.
"Surely you know that a man like me can learn things by magic!"
"We have nothing to say, my master. We cannot speak anything of value. We cannot justify ourselves."
"God is punishing us for our past sins"
"It is not like me to do something like that"
"The man who had my cup"
"approached"
"let me, your servant"
"speak to you, my master"
"please do not be angry with me, your servant"
"for you are as powerful as Pharaoh and could have your soldiers kill me"
"My master asked us if we have a father or a brother."
"And you said to your servants that we should bring our youngest brother to you so that you may see him"
"In response, we said to my master that the boy cannot ... father would die from sorrow"
"Then you said to your servants that unless our youngest brother comes with us, we would not see you again."
"we told him what you said, my master"
"Then we said to him that we cannot go down to Egypt. We told him that if our youngest brother is with us ... is with us"
"to see the man"
Here "us" does not include Joseph.
Here "You" is plural and refers to the brothers.
"a wild animal has torn him to pieces"
"This is what your servant my father said to us: 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went out from me and I said that surely he had been torn in pieces, and I have not seen him since. Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.'"
Something bad happening to a person is spoken of as if "harm" were something that travels and comes to a person.
"then you will cause me, an old man, to die of sorrow"
"me, an old man"
"since he said he would die if the boy did not come back"
"And we your servants will have caused our old father to die of sorrow"
"For I promised my father concerning the boy"
"For I, your servant" or "For I"
"then my father may blame me"
"let your servant remain as a slave to my master instead of the boy"
It was going to use the phrase "go up" when speaking about traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
"I cannot return to my father if the boy is not with me."
"I am afraid to see how much my father would suffer"
"was about to start crying"
"near him"
"everyone in Pharaoh's palace"
"terrified of him"
"whom you sold as a slave to the trader who brought me to Egypt"
"do not be upset" or "do not be distressed"
"that you sold me as a slave and sent me here to Egypt"
"so I could save many lives"
"and the famine will last five more years"
"so that you and your families would not completely perish from the earth" or "to make sure your descendants would survive"
"to keep you alive by rescuing you in a mighty way"
"he has made me a guide to Pharaoh" or "he has made me the chief adviser to Pharaoh"
"of all his household" or "of all his palace"
"ruler over all the people of Egypt"
"go back to my father"
"Come here to me"
"say to him that his son Joseph says that God has made him master of all Egypt, so he must go down to Joseph and not delay. He will live in the land of Goshen, and he will be near Joseph, he and his children and his children's children, and his flocks and his herds, and all that he has. Joseph will provide for him there, for there are still five years of famine, so that he does not come to poverty, him, his household, and all that he has."
"All of you and Benjamin can see"
"that I, Joseph, am speaking to you"
"how the people in Egypt greatly honor me"
"Joseph hugged his brother Benjamin, and they both wept"
This means Joseph was crying while he kissed them.
"After that his brothers talked freely with him"
"Everyone in Pharaoh's palace heard that Joseph's brothers had come."
"I also command you to tell them" or "also tell them"
"Carts" are wagons with two or four wheels. Animals pull the carts.
"Now you are commanded to tell them to take carts out of the land of Egypt for their children and for their wives, to get their father, and to come. They are not to be concerned about their possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt will be theirs."
"gave them what they needed for traveling"
Each man received a set of clothes except for Benjamin who received 5 sets of clothes.
The donkeys were included as part of the gift.
Possible meanings include 1) "do not argue" and 2) "do not become afraid"
"he rules all the people of Egypt"
"and he was astonished" or "he was very surprised"
"he did not accept that what they said was true"
"They told Jacob"
"everything that Joseph had said to them"
"Jacob their father recovered" or "Jacob their father became very excited"
"Yes, I am listening"
"I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation"
"I will surely bring your descendants out of Egypt again"
"Joseph will even be present with you at the time of your death"
"set out from"
"they had acquired" or "they had gained"
"Jacob brought with him"
"his grandsons"
"his granddaughters"
"Altogether he had 33 sons, daughters, and grandchildren"
A person's "direct descendants" are natural sons, daughters, and grandchildren, not those who have become part of the family by marrying a direct descendant.
"to show them the way to Goshen"
"Joseph's servants prepared his chariot and Joseph went up"
"went to meet Israel"
"Now I am ready to die" or "Now I will die happy"
"since I have seen you alive again"
"his father's family" or "his father's household"
"I will go tell Pharaoh"
"I will go up and tell Pharaoh and say that my brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. I will tell him that the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and that they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have."
"when Pharaoh ... asks what your occupation is, that you should say that you have been keepers of livestock from your youth until now, both you and your forefathers. Do this"
"We, your servants"
"Egyptians think shepherds are disgusting"
"Your servants shepherd flocks"
"We, your servants" or "We"
"both we and our forefathers" or "both we and our ancestors"
"We have come to stay for a while in Egypt"
"There is no grass to eat"
"The land of Egypt is open to you" or "All of the land of Egypt is available to you"
"Settle your father and your brothers in the land of Goshen, which is the best region"
"If you know of any men among them who have great skill taking care of animals"
Here "blessed" means to express a desire for positive and beneficial things to happen to that person.
"How old are you?"
"I have lived as a foreigner in many places on the earth for 130 years"
Jacob means his life is short compared to the lives of Abraham and Isaac.
Jacob has experienced much pain and trouble during his life.
"Then Joseph took care of his father and his brothers and helped them establish where they would live"
This is another name for the land of Goshen.
"according to how many small children were in their families"
"The people of Egypt and the people of Canaan"
"became thin and weak"
"The people of Egypt and Canaan spent all of their money buying grain from Joseph"
Most likely Joseph ordered his servants to gather and bring the money.
"When the people of Egypt and Canaan used up all their money"
"Please, do not let us die because we have used up all of our money!"
"He gave them food" or "He provided them with food"
"the people came to Joseph"
"We will not hide from you, our master" or "We will not hide from you"
"The only things we have left in the sight of my master is our bodies and our land"
"We have nothing left to give you, our master"
"Please do not just watch as we die and our land is ruined!"
"So the land became Pharaoh's"
"But he did not buy the land of the priests"
"Pharaoh gave the priests a certain amount of food each day"
"They ate from what Pharaoh gave them"
"that you might sow"
"At harvest time you will divide the crops into five parts. You will give one part back to Pharaoh for payment and the four parts are for your own"
"for food for your households and for food for your little ones"
"May you be pleased with us"
This means to the time that the author was writing this.
"They had very many children"
"When it was almost time for Israel to die"
"If I have found favor with you" or "If I have pleased you"
This act is a sign of making a serious promise.
"treat me in a faithful and trustworthy manner"
The word "please" adds emphasis to this request.
"When I die and join my family members who died before me"
"Promise me" or "Make an oath to me"
"promised him" or "made an oath to him"
"someone said to Joseph"
"So Joseph took"
"your son Joseph has come to you"
"Israel made a great effort to sit up in bed" or "Israel struggled as he sat up in bed"
This is the name of a city.
"said to me that he would make me fruitful and multiply me. And, he said that he would make me an assembly of nations and he would give this land to my descendants as an everlasting possession."God used the word "behold" here to alert Jacob to pay attention to what he was about to tell him.
"I will give you very many descendants"
"I will make your descendants into many nations"
"a permanent possession"
Ephraim and Manasseh each will receive a portion of land just like Joseph's brothers.
"as for their inheritance, you will list them under the names of their brothers"
This is another name for the town of Bethlehem.
"Whose sons are these?"
A father would often pronounce a formal blessing on his children or grandchildren.
"Israel kissed them"
"to see you again"
When Joseph placed his sons on Israel's lap or knees it was a sign that Israel was adopting them. This gave the children special inheritance rights from Jacob.
Joseph bowed down to show honor to his father.
Joseph places the boys so that Israel will put his right hand on Manasseh. Manasseh was the oldest brother and the right hand was the sign he would receive the greater blessing.
Placing the right hand on Ephraim's head was the sign that he would receive the greater blessing.
Here "Joseph" also stands for Ephraim and Manasseh. Since Joseph is the father, he is the only one mentioned here.
"The God who my grandfather Abraham and father Isaac served"
"who has cared for me like a shepherd cares for his animals"
These words could refer to 1) the angel that God sent to protect Jacob or 2) God, who appeared in angel form to protect Jacob.
"delivered me"
"May people remember Abraham, Isaac, and me because of Ephraim and Manasseh"
"May they have many descendants who will live all over the earth"
"Your older son will have many descendants, and they will become a great people"
"that day, saying"
"The people of Israel will speak your names when they are blessing others"
"by your names. They will ask God to make others like Ephraim and like Manasseh"
Giving Ephraim the greater blessing and making him more important than Manasseh is spoken of as if Israel physically put Ephraim in front of Manasseh.
Here "you" and "your" are plural and refer to all the people of Israel.
"God will help you" or "God will bless you"
"land of your ancestors"
"To you, I give one more ridge than I give your brothers. I give to you the mountain slope"
Here "you" is singular and refers to Joseph.
"the portion of land I fought for and took from the Amorites"
"my first child after I became a man"
"You are first in honor and power" or "You surpass everyone else in honor and power"
"you shall not be first among your brothers"
"because you went to my bed and slept with Bilhah my concubine. You have shamed me"
This does not just mean they are brothers by birth. Jacob is emphasizing that they worked together to kill the people of Shechem.
"They use their swords to hurt and to kill people"
Jacob uses the words "soul" and "glory" to refer to himself and is saying that other people, and perhaps God also, honor him so much that he does not wish to join with those who make plans to do evil.
This refers to Simeon and Levi crippling oxen just for fun.
This refers to cutting the sinews of an animal's leg so that it cannot walk.
"The Lord says, 'I will curse them because of their fierce anger and their cruel fury" or "I, the Lord, will curse them because of their fierce anger and their cruel fury"
"I will divide their descendants and scatter them among all the people of Israel"
"will praise you. For your hand" or "will praise you because your hand"
This is a way of saying "You will conquer your enemies."
This means to bend over to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
"Judah is like a young lion"
"You, my son, have come back from eating your prey"
Jacob also compares Judah to a female lion. The lioness is the primary hunter and protector of her cubs.
"No one wants to wake him up."
"The power to rule will always be with the descendants of Judah"
Possible meanings are 1) "until the nations obey him and bring him tribute" or 2) "Shiloh" refers to the city of Shiloh. Alternate translation: "until the ruler comes to Shiloh. Then the nations will obey him" Many people consider this a prophecy about the Messiah, who is a descendant of King David. David is a descendant of Judah.
Both statements mean the same thing. It is implied that the vines are so full of grapes that the master does not mind that his donkey eats some of them.
Possible meanings for all occurrences of "his" or "he" are 1) they refer to Judah's descendants or 2) they refer to the ruler in Genesis 49:10.
"they will wash" or "he will wash"
This speaks about the grape juice as if it were blood. This emphasizes how red the juice is.
"The descendants of Zebulun will live"
Here "He" stands for sea towns that the people of Zebulun will inhabit or build. These cities will provide shelter for ships.
"The descendants of Issachar will be like a strong donkey"
Possible meanings are 1) "lying down between the packs they were carrying" or 2) "lying down between two sheep pens." Either way, Jacob speaks about Issachar's descendants as if they are donkeys that have worked hard and are lying down to rest.
These words refer to the descendants of Issachar in 49:14).
The phrase "bend his shoulder to the burden" is a way of saying "work very hard to carry the load"
"will work for others as slaves"
"The descendants of Dan will judge their people"
Possible meanings for "his people" are 1) "the people of Dan" or 2) "the people of Israel"
"I wait for you, Yahweh, to save me"
The word "I" refers to Jacob.
"The descendants of Gad ... attack them, but they"
Here "heels" stands for the raiders who are running away from the descendants of Gad.
"Asher's descendants' food ... and they"
Here "rich" is a way of saying "delicious."
"The descendants of Naphtali are ... they will"
"The descendants of Naphtali will be like deer set free"
A "fawn" is a baby deer. The meaning of the Hebrew word is unclear. Some versions translate it as "have beautiful words" or "speak beautiful things"
"The descendants of Joseph are a fruitful bough"
a main branch of a tree
Branches that grow and extend over a wall are spoken of as if they were climbing.
"he will hold his bow steady as he aims at his enemy"
"the power of the Mighty One"
"because of the Shepherd"
Jacob speak of Yahweh as if he were a "Shepherd." This emphasizes that Yahweh guides and protects his people.
Jacob speaks of Yahweh as if he were a "Rock" that people can climb upon to find safety from enemies. This emphasizes that Yahweh protects his people.
"help your descendants ... bless them"
Here "sky" stands for the rain that helps the crops to grow.
Here "deep" stands for the water underneath the ground that supplies rivers and wells.
Here "breasts and womb" stand for the ability for a mother to have children and feed them milk.
The meaning of the original language is not certain. Some Bible translations have "my ancestors" instead of "ancient mountains."
Here "they" refers to the blessings of his father.
"on the head of the most important of Joseph's descendants"
"most important of his brothers"
"The descendants of Benjamin will be like hungry wolves"
Here the word "blessed" refers to the speaking of formal blessings.
"He gave each son a fitting blessing"
"he commanded them"
"I am about to die"
Jacob is referring to where his inner man will go when he dies. He expects to join Abraham and Isaac in the afterlife.
"in it were purchased by Abraham"
"from the Hittites"
"finished instructing his sons" or "finished commanding his sons"
Jacob was sitting on the bed. Now, Jacob turns and puts his feet in the bed so he can lie down.
This is a polite way of saying a person died.
After Jacob died, his inner man went to the same place as his relatives who died before him.
"that he fell on his father in grief"
"his servants who took care of dead bodies"
"to prepare his father's body for burial"
"days of mourning him" or "days of weeping for him"
"Joseph spoke to Pharaoh's officials"
"If I have found favor with you" or "If you are pleased with me"
"If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak to Pharaoh and tell him that my father made me swear, saying that he was about to die and that I was to bury him in his tomb that he dug for himself in the land of Canaan. I was to bury him there. Now let me go up ... I will return."
It was common to use the phrase "go up" when speaking of traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
It is implied that the members of the court spoke to Pharaoh, and now Pharaoh is replying to Joseph.
"as you swore to him"
All of Pharaoh's most important leaders attended the burial procession.
These were probably government officials, not household servants.
Here "household" refers to Pharaoh's royal court.
"Joseph's household, his brothers, and his father's household also went with him"
Here this stands for the men riding in the chariots.
"It was a very large gathering"
The word "they" refers to the participants in the burial procession.
Possible meanings are 1) the word "Atad" means "thorn" and it may refer to a place where large amounts of thorns grew, or 2) it may be the name of the person who owns the threshing floor.
"they were extremely sad and they mourned very much"
"The mourning of the Egyptians is very great"
"The name Abel Mizraim means "the mourning of Egypt.'"
"So Jacob's sons"
"just as he had directed them"
"His sons took his body"
Machpela was the name of an area or region.
This was another name for the city of Hebron.
This is the name of a man. "Hittite" means "descendent of Heth."
"all who had come with him"
"wants revenge for the evil thing we did to him"
"Before our father died he said"
"Your father instructed us before he died to tell you to please forgive our transgression and our sin when we did evil to you."
"for the wicked things they did to you"
"please forgive us, the servants of the God of our father"
"Joseph wept when he heard this message"
They lay down with their faces toward the ground. This is a sign of humility and respect for Joseph.
"I am not in the place of God." or "I am not God."
"you intended to do evil against me"
"God intended it for good"
"So do not fear me"
"I will always make sure you and your children have enough to eat"
"He comforted them by speaking kindly to them"
"Ephraim's children and grandchildren"
This is the name of Joseph's grandson.
This expression means that Joseph adopted these children of Machir as his own children. This means they would have special inheritance rights from Joseph.
The word "you" refers to Joseph's brothers, but it also stands for their descendants.
"bring you out of this land and take you to the land"
To "embalm" is a special way of preserving a dead body before it is buried.
"they placed him"
"in a chest" or "in a case." This is a box a dead person is placed in.
This refers to all the people who live in a house together, usually a large family with servants.
"70 in number". This number included both Jacob's children and grandchildren.
"Joseph lived in Egypt before his brothers"
This includes 10 older brothers and 1 younger brother.
"gave birth to many children". The author here emphasizes how God was blessing the Israelites by saying five different ways that there very many of them.
They were mighty because there were so many of them.
The writer is saying that the people were more than just "mighty" and even more than just "very mighty." Your language may have another way of expressing an idea stronger than "very mighty."
"the land was full of them"
The word "them" refers to the Israelites.
"began to rule over the people of Egypt"
"The king said to his people"
These were the people who lived in Egypt, the Egyptians.
The word "us" is inclusive and refers to the king and his people, the Egyptians.
Here war is spoken of as a person that is able to act.
"leave Egypt"
Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to do hard work
"to force the Israelites to do hard work for the Egyptians"
These were places where the leaders put food and other important things to keep them safe.
"to abhor and fear"
"harshly forced the people of Israel to work"
The difficult lives of the Israelites are spoken of as if they were bitter food that was difficult to eat.
This was a wet glue or mud put between bricks or stones that held them together when it dried.
"The Egyptians forced them to work very hard"
The king of Egypt is called Pharaoh.
These were women who helped a woman give birth to a baby.
These are Hebrew women's names.
"as they give birth". Women sat on this short stool as they gave birth.
"You have disobeyed my order by not killing the male babies!"
The midwives answered wisely to appease Pharaoh's anger.
God kept Pharaoh from killing these midwives.
"The Israelites increased in numbers". This was in fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham and caused the Egyptians great concern that there would be more Israelites than Egyptians because they would be unable to defend themselves. Pharaoh also tried to kill all of the male babies so they would not become soldiers who would fight against him.
They were mighty because there were so many of them.
"had reverence for God"
"the enabled them to have children"
"You must ... into the river so they will drown"
This is a basket made from a tall grass that grows by the Nile River in Egypt.
"spread tar on it to keep water from getting into it"
Here "sealed" means that she applied a waterproof coating.
"tar" or "resin"
These "reeds" were a type of tall grass that grew in flat, wet areas.
This means she stood far enough away so that she would not be noticed, but close enough to see the basket.
the young women whose job was to be with her and make sure nothing bad happened to her
The word "behold" signals the surprising information that follows. In the first part of this chapter, Pharaoh's daughter recognizes Moses as being a Hebrew, but in the last part of this chapter, the Midianites believe him to be an Egyptian. While Pharaoh tried to diminish the power of the Israelites by killing all of their baby boys, Yahweh used Pharaoh's own daughter to save Moses. Moses was the one who would ultimately be used by Yahweh to deliver Israel.
feed with milk from the breast
"the Hebrew woman brought him"
"he became the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter"
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Moses sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'pull.'"
"pulled him"
"beating a Hebrew"
"He looked all around"
"Moses went out"
The word "behold" here shows that Moses was surprised by what he saw.
"the one who was guilty of starting the fight"
"You are not our leader and have no right to judge us!"
"We know that you killed an Egyptian yesterday. You had better not kill me!"
Here the author starts to tell a new part of the incident.
Here the author tells about new people in the narrative.
This means that they brought up water from a well.
a long, narrow, open container for animals to eat or drink out of
"chase them away"
"rescued them"
"You should not have left this man at the well!"
"Moses agreed to live with Reuel"
"stranger in a foreign land"
"sighed deeply"
"God heard their pleas"
"God remembered his covenant"
"Yahweh appeared as an angel" .
The name Yahweh is sacred in the Hebrew religion. It is the personal name of God, which he revealed to Moses. It is by this name, he is known. Yahweh means "I am". Some translations use all capitals to set this apart, "I AM". Great care must be taken in translating the phrase "I am that I am". This chapter records one of the most important events in the history of the Israelite people: the revelation of the name Yahweh at the burning bush.
"made holy"
"the God of your father, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob". God is so holy that people could not look upon him without dying. This is why Moses covered his eyes and also why he took off his shoes.
Possible meanings are 1) "your ancestor" or 2) "your father." If it means "your ancestor," then the phrases following it clarify who "your father" refers to: it refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If it means "your father," then it refers to Moses's own father.
Here the "outcry" is of pain because of the hard work the Egyptians were forcing the Israelites to do.
Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to do hard work.
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"full of"
"food from livestock"
"food from crops"
"I have heard the outcry of the people of Israel"
"I am not important enough to go to Pharaoh ... Egypt!"
"God said to Moses, 'Tell them that God says his name is, "I AM THAT I AM."'"
This whole sentence is God's name. God is teaching that he is eternal; he has always lived and always will live. (see the next verse plus John 8:58, John 18:5 and Revelation 1:8)
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were three of Moses's ancestors. They all worshiped the same God.
The word "you" refers to the people of Israel.
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"full of"
"The elders will listen to you"
"only if someone stronger than he forces him to let you go" or "only if I force him to let you go,"
"I will powerfully attack"
"will go with many valuable things"
"any Egyptian woman staying in the houses of her Egyptian neighbors"
"if the Israelites do not believe"
"pick it up by the tail"
"turned into a rod" or "changed into a staff"
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were three of their ancestors. They all worshiped the same God.
This word is used to create an exclamation, showing surprise.
"as white as wool or as white as the sand on the beach". Leprosy causes the skin to look white. You may not have a word for snow in your language. If so, consider an alternative that describes something white.
"acknowledge"
"have never been an excellent speaker". Although Moses believes in Yahweh, he does not trust in him because Moses lacks understanding. Moses tries to believe the things he is asked to do are done by his own power. Yahweh is trying to get Moses to trust that these are Yahweh’s doing.
Moses uses these phrases to emphasize that he is not a good speaker.
"unable to speak well"
"I Yahweh am the one who created the human mouth and the ability to speak!"
"I Yahweh make people able to speak, or hear, or to see, or to be blind!"
"I, Yahweh, am the one who does this!"
"I will give you the ability to speak"
"he will be very happy"
"give him the message that he is to repeat"
"I will give you the right words to speak"
"I will give him the right words to speak"
"He will say what you tell him to say"
"you will speak to Aaron with the same authority with which I speak to you"
This refers to the father of Moses's wife.
"will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn". Scholars debate over whether Pharaoh plays an active or passive role in the hardening of his own heart. (see Exodus 8:32 and Exodus 9:12, as well as Romans 9:18)
"The people of Israel are my own children". This chapter really introduces the concept that the people group "Israel" is the chosen people of God and God's children, possibly God's firstborn children.
"is like my own firstborn son"
"you have refused to let my son go". The word "him" refers to the people of Israel as God's son.
The word "son" here refers to the actual son of Pharaoh.
This may have been because Moses had not circumcised his son.
This is the name of Moses's wife.
This was a knife with a sharpened stone blade.
"you are related to me by this blood" or "you are my husband because of blood"
This may have been the mountain at Sinai, but the text does not include that information.
The word "he" refers to Yahweh, and "him" refers to Moses.
"in the presence of the people"
"was concerned about the people of Israel"
"they bowed down low in reverence."
It is unclear how long Moses and Aaron waited until they went to see Pharoah. "Let my people go". This is a very important statement because Moses does not ask Pharaoh for permission to "let go" of the Hebrew people. Instead, he is demanding that Pharaoh free the Hebrew people.
This is a celebration to worship Yahweh.
"I do not know Yahweh"
"He is nothing to me and I will not let Israel go!"
"listen to what he says"
This is a term also used for the Israelites' God or Yahweh.
"or cause our enemies to attack us"
"stop distracting the people from doing their work!". The Egyptians were known for making their slaves do a lot of work. They were forced to make a specific number of bricks every day. In this chapter, they were required to not only make these bricks, but also to gather the straw in order to make these bricks.
Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to do hard work. The leaders are given different titles in this chapter. Many cultures will not have these types of titles, so expressions like "Egyptian leaders" and "Hebrew leaders" may be necessary.
The word "you" in these verses is plural and refers to the taskmasters and foremen.
The word "you" is plural and refers to the Israelite people.
The word "you" is plural and refers to the Israelite people.
Here "yourselves" emphasizes that the Egyptians will no longer help them.
"you must continue to make the same number of bricks as before"
"to many places throughout Egypt"
the part of a plant that is left over after harvest
"You are not producing enough bricks, either yesterday or today, as you did in the past!"
"complained"
Here "they" refers to the Egyptian taskmasters.
"when Pharaoh told them"
This is a very large house that a king lives in.
"you have caused them to hate us"
"have given them a reason to kill us"
"Lord, I am sorry that you have caused this trouble for this people."
"I wish you had never sent me here!"
"to give him your message"
"the power I show in my works"
"I showed myself to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob". According to the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham, Egypt is not the home of the Hebrew people. It is the Promised Land in Canaan. The people are to return home to their land.
"They did not know me"
This means making sad sounds because of pain and suffering.
"Yahweh told Moses to say to the people of Israel"
These "acts of judgment" will be acts with which Yahweh will punish the Egyptians.
"I promised"
"The people of Israel did not listen to me, so I can be sure that Pharaoh will not listen to me either because I am not good at speaking!"
"the ancestors of the clans"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"one hundred and thirty-seven years old"
These are the names of men.
"one hundred and thirty-three years old"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a man.
"These were the leaders of the families"
"one tribe at a time"
"I am not good ... Pharaoh will certainly not listen to me!"
"I will cause Pharaoh to consider you as a god". Also in this chapter, "Let my people go" is a very important statement. Moses does not ask Pharaoh for permission to "let go" of the Hebrew people. Instead, he is demanding that Pharaoh free the Hebrew people.
"will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn". Pharaoh's heart is often described as hard in this chapter. This means that his heart was not open or willing to understand Yahweh's instructions. When his heart was hardened, it became less and less receptive to Yahweh. (see Exodus 4:21)
God uses these words to emphasize the greatness of what he will do in Egypt.
"use my power against"
These "acts of judgment" will be acts with which Yahweh will punish the Egyptians. (see Exodus 6:6)
"show my powerful acts against"
"When Pharaoh tells you to do a miracle, then you will tell Aaron to take his staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a snake". Also, in the following verses miracles are mentioned several times. When Yahweh had Moses perform miracles, Pharaoh's men were able to copy these miracles. It is unknown how they were able to do this, but since it was not from Yahweh, they were probably done under some evil power.
"devoured"
"Pharaoh became more defiant"
"Pharaoh is stubborn"
"when he goes down to the Nile River to bathe"
"Say to Pharaoh"
"hit the water"
"in every part of"
"in the Nile River"
"Pharaoh became more defiant"
"Many of the Egyptians"
"the Nile River"
These are bowls in which bread is made.
"Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron"
"The honor is yours to tell me when to pray ... river."
"Pharaoh hardened his heart." (see Exodus 4:21)
"just as Yahweh had said Pharaoh would do"
"This is the powerful work of God"
"present yourself to Pharaoh"
"set my people free". This is a very important statement. Moses does not ask Pharaoh for permission to "let go" of the Hebrew people. Instead, he is demanding that Pharaoh free the Hebrew people.
"the swarms of flies devastated the land"
"in their presence"
"they will certainly stone us!"
"you must begin to deal truthfully with us and let our people go"
"But you must not deceive us" or "But you must not lie to us"
"if you continue refusing to let them go". Yahweh continues talking with Moses about dealing with Pharaoh and bringing the Hebrew people out of Egypt.
"then the power of Yahweh will bring"
"will cause your livestock ... flocks—to die from a terrible plague". The word "your" refers to those who owned livestock.
See how you translated this idea in Exodus 8:22.
"the livestock belonging to the people of Israel"
"the livestock belonging to the people of Egypt"
"appointed a time"
This is exaggerated to emphasize the seriousness of the event. There were still some animals alive that were afflicted by later plagues. However, it may be best to translate this with the word "All."
"the cattle belonging to the people of Egypt"
Pharaoh collected facts about the situation.
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was surprised by what he saw.
"Pharaoh refused to change his mind"
a furnace
very small
"to quickly appear on"
"Yahweh caused Pharaoh to became more defiant"
This means that even Pharaoh will be hurt by the plagues.
The word "this" refers to the plagues that Moses had just told Pharaoh about.
"used my power to strike you". Here "my hand" refers to God's power.
"so that people everywhere will know I am great"
Pharaoh's opposition to letting Israel go is spoken of as if he was raising himself up as a barrier to them.
"Pay attention to the important thing I am about to tell you"
"to call"
"Moses said to Pharaoh"
"lift up my hands and pray to Yahweh"
Honoring God involves obeying him and living in a way that shows how great he is.
This is a plant that produces fibers that can be made into linen cloth.
This is a type of grain used for making bread; also used for cattle feed.
This is a kind of wheat.
"lifted up his hands toward Yahweh and prayed"
"became more defiant"
"just as Yahweh had said through Moses"
See how you translated "Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart" in Exodus 9:12. (also see Exodus 4:21)
"many different signs"
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
Hail is raindrops that freeze while falling from the clouds.
"nothing anyone has ever seen"
"We cannot allow this man to continue to cause us trouble"
"You should realize that Egypt is destroyed!"
"that these plagues have destroyed Egypt" or "that their God has destroyed Egypt"
Pharaoh said this to emphasize that he would not let the Israelites take the women and children with them to worship Yahweh. When he said, "May Yahweh indeed be with you," he may have been warning Moses that the Israelites would need Yahweh to protect them from Pharaoh.
This phrase refers to everyone in the family except the man (the father and husband), including wives, children, and servants.
"Then Pharaoh drove Moses and Aaron out from his presence" or "Then Pharaoh had his servants drive Moses and Aaron out from his presence"
"so that the locusts darkened the land"
"once again"
"stop this destruction that will lead to our deaths". The word "death" here refers to the destruction by the locusts of all plants in Egypt, which would eventually lead to the deaths of people because there were no crops.
"moved the locusts upwards"
"dense darkness that people can grasp with their hands"
"we cannot leave behind a single animal"
"Pharaoh would not let them go"
"Make sure of one thing" or "Be certain of one thing"
"you see me"
"What you have said is true". Moses emphasizes that Pharaoh has spoken the truth.
The word "you" in this verse is plural and refers to Moses and the rest of the Israelites.
This is the time of 12 am (at night) or 2400 hours.
The "firstborn" always refers to the oldest male offspring.
"who is grinding at the handmill"
Here the "outcry" is of pain and grief over the death of the children. (see Exodus 3:7)
He is setting the Israelites apart from the Egyptians. The words "making a distinction" translate the same Hebrew word as "set ... apart" in Exodus 8:22; so if your language has a word or phrase for both ideas, you may want to use it there and here.
"After that I will go out from Egypt".
"Yahweh caused Pharaoh to became more defiant". (see Exodus 4:21)
These two phrases emphasize that the month in which the events of this chapter take place will be the beginning of their calendar year.
The first month of the Hebrew calendar includes the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. It marks when Yahweh rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians.
"If there are not enough people in the household to eat an entire lamb"
Here "the man" refers to the man who is the leader of the household.
This refers to the time of evening after the sun has set but while there is still some light.
"on the sides and top of the way into the house"
"Eat it with bread which you have made without yeast". The concept of unleavened bread is introduced in this chapter. Its significance stems from its connection to the events in this chapter.
These are small plants that have a strong and usually bad taste.
"Do not eat the lamb or goat uncooked"
"Do not leave any of it until the morning"
This refers to a strip of leather or fabric for tying around the waist.
"eat it quickly"
"This observance is Yahweh's Passover". Here the word "it" refers to eating the animal on the tenth day of the month.
"I will bring judgment on all". These will be acts with which Yahweh will punish the gods of Egypt. (see Exodus 6:6)
"that I will see when I come to you". This implies that Yahweh will see the blood which indicates an Israelite home.
"I will not enter your house". The words "pass over" were a customary way of saying to not visit or enter.
"the people of Israel must send him away" or "I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel"
"an assembly that you have set apart to me"
"The only work that will be done on these days is the cooking for everyone to eat"
"That must be the only work that you do"
"because it is on this day that I will have brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt" or "for it will remind you that it was on this day that I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt"
"your armies" or "your tribes"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fourteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
"the twenty-first day of the first month." This is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
"there must not be any yeast in your houses"
"the people of Israel must send him away" or "I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel"
"bread which you have made without yeast"
officially called
a woody plant with small leaves that can be used for sprinkling liquids
"on the sides and top of the way into the house." (see Exodus 12:7)
"pass over your house". This means that God will spare the Israelites in houses with blood on the doors.
These words refer to the Passover or Festival of Unleavened Bread. Observing the Passover was an act of worshiping Yahweh.
"He did not kill the firstborn sons in our houses"
"everything that Yahweh told Moses and Aaron to do"
"in the middle of the night"
Here, "firstborn" always refers to the oldest male offspring. (see Exodus 11:5)
"to the firstborn of people in the dungeon." This refers to prisoners in general, not to a specific person in the dungeon.
"All the Egyptians cried loudly"
Here the "outcry" is of pain and grief over the death of the children. (see Exodus 3:7)
"because someone was dead in every house"
"We will all die if you do not leave"
"They had already tied up their kneading bowls in their clothes and on their shoulders"
Rameses was a major Egyptian city where grain was stored.
"They numbered about six hundred thousand men."
See how you translated this in Exodus 10:10.
"A crowd of people from other ethnic groups also went"
"bread with dough that did not contain yeast"
"the Egyptians had driven them out of Egypt"
"four hundred and thirty years"
This refers to the tribes of Israel.
"that all the people of Israel were to observe"
"all the people of Israel and the all the generations of their descendants"
The pronoun "it" refers to the Passover meal. The Hebrew people were to be separate from the rest of the world. Because of this, they separated themselves from other people groups. At this time, these foreigners were looked upon as unholy.
"any slave of an Israelite"
"whom the Israelite has bought with money"
"Each Israelite family must eat the food in one house"
"you must not break any of its bones." Here the word "it" refers to the lamb which the Israelite family will eat. (see John 19:36 and how this applies to Jesus)
"someone must circumcise all his male relatives"
"those who are Israelites by birth". Here the word "land" refers to Canaan.
"only circumcised people may eat"
"everything that Yahweh told Moses and Aaron to do"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story.
"by their divisions" or "by their regiments". The term used for these groups is a military term referring to a large number of soldiers. See how you translated "armed group" in Exodus 12:41.
God requires that every firstborn male child be set apart for him. Also, this chapter records the instructions for the celebration of Passover. The law mentioned here is not the law of Moses because it has not yet been revealed. Instead, it is a more generic "rule.”
"Remember and celebrate this day"
"the place where you were slaves"
Here the word "hand" refers to power. See how you translated "strong hand" in Exodus 6:1.
"You must not eat bread with yeast"
This is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Aviv is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
When the Israelites live in Canaan, they must celebrate the Passover on this day each year. See how you translated this phrase in Exodus 12:25.
"You must eat bread without yeast"
"You may not have any bread with yeast among you"
"You may not have any yeast"
"inside any of the borders of your land"
"On that day you are to tell your children that this is because of what Yahweh did for you when you came out of Egypt"
These are two different types of physical reminders so people will not forget something important.
"like something you tie around your hand as a reminder"
"like something you tie around your head as a reminder"
"so you may always be speaking of the law of Yahweh"
"the power I show in my works"
"when he gives the land of the Canaanites to you"
Israel is given a choice to kill the firstborn donkey or buy it back with a lamb.
"When your son asks you later what this means, then you are to tell him"
"the place where you were slaves". See how you translated this in Exodus 13:3.
"was close to where they were located"
Since Israelites had lived in slavery all their lives, they were more accustomed to peace than to war and would rather return to slavery than fight.
Etham is located south of the route heading towards the Philistines, at the border of the wilderness.
"a cloud in the shape of a column ... fire in the shape of a column." God is with them in a cloud by day and in a fire by night.
This is an important event in the history of Israel, known as the "parting of the Sea of Reeds". Pharaoh's chariots were a fighting force. Pharaoh took an army to kill the Hebrew people. The Israelites asked a few rhetorical questions of Moses. These questions were not really directed at Moses, but at Yahweh. This showed their lack of faith in Yahweh.
These are towns on Egypt's eastern border.
Here the word "You" is plural and refers to Moses and the Israelites.
"Pharaoh will say that the people of Israel are wandering confused in the land and that the wilderness has closed in on them"
Pharaoh speaks of the wilderness as a person who has trapped the people of Israel.
"Pharaoh will pursue the Israelites"
"People will honor me"
"The Egyptians will understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God"
"So the Israelites camped as Yahweh had instructed them"
"When someone told the king of Egypt"
This refers to Pharaoh.
"had run away"
"Pharaoh and his servants changed their attitudes about the people"
"We have done a stupid thing by letting Israel go free from working for us!"
"He took 600 of his best chariots"
These are towns on Egypt's eastern border. See how you translated them in Exodus 14:2.
"When Pharaoh and his army came close". The word "Pharaoh" here represents the entire Egyptian army.
"the Israelites were terrified"
"There were plenty of graveyards in Egypt for us to be buried in. You did not have to take us into the wilderness to die!"
"You should not have treated us like this by bringing us out of Egypt!"
"This is exactly what we told you while we were in Egypt."
"We told you to leave us alone, so we could work for the Egyptians."
Moses responds to the Israelites' fears.
The pronoun "you" refers to the Israelites.
"For God will kill the Egyptians"
"Do not call out to me any longer, Moses." Moses apparently had been praying to God for help so God uses this question to compel Moses to act.
"divide the sea into two parts"
"Know"
"I will cause the Egyptians to became more defiant" Here "hearts" refers to the Egyptians themselves. Their stubborn attitude is spoken of as if their hearts were hard.
"so that the Egyptians will go into the sea after the Israelites"
"the Egyptian army and the Israelite people"
This means that the Egyptians and the Israelites could not approach one another.
An east wind originates in the east and blows towards the west.
where the sun rises
"Yahweh divided the waters"
"on both sides of them"
The Egyptians were so afraid that they could not think normally.
"Mud clogged their chariot wheels" or "Their chariot wheels were getting stuck in the mud"
"Yahweh told Moses to reach out with his hand over the sea so that the waters would come back onto the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen."
"fall on"
Since the sea was closing in on top of the Egyptians, instead of escaping, they were actually running right into the water.
"Yahweh threw the Egyptians"
"from the Egyptians' power"
"on the land along the edge of the sea"
This is a song about the events that happened in Exodus 14:26-28. In this chapter, Moses talks about Yahweh's laws. The law of Moses is about to be introduced. Although it has not yet been formally introduced, this is what is being referenced in this chapter in anticipation of the revelation of the law of Moses.
"he has achieved a glorious victory over the army of Egypt"
"he has made the horse and rider drown in the sea". (see Exodus 15:21)
This is a person who sits on a horse or travels in a chariot that a horse is pulling.
"Yahweh is the one who gives me strength" or "Yahweh is the strong one who protects me."
"the one I sing about". (see Exodus 14:13)
"he is the one who saves me"
"Yahweh is like a warrior". (see Exodus 14:14)
"He has made Pharaoh's chariot riders and army drown in the sea". Moses sings about God causing the sea to cover Pharaohs chariots and army as if God had thrown them into the sea. (see Exodus 14:13-28)
"they went down into the deep water like a stone sinking to the bottom of the sea". (see Nehemiah 9:11)
"Yahweh, your power is glorious" or "Yahweh, what you do is glorious in power". Moses speaks of God as if God had hands. The right hand refers to God's power or the things God does powerfully. (see Exodus 6:1)
"Yahweh, your power has completely destroyed the enemy"
"those who rebelled against you"
"You acted according to your wrath"
"it completely destroyed your enemies like a fire that burns up straw". (see Deuteronomy 4:24)
"You blew on the sea and". Moses speaks of God as if God had a nose, and he speaks of the wind as if God blew the wind from his nose. (see 2 Samuel 22:16)
"I will satisfy my desire on them"
"I will destroy them with my hand". (ses 2 Samuel 22:38)
"But you made the wind blow"
"sank as fast as lead in the deep turbulent waters". Lead is a heavy metal that is commonly used to make things sink in water.
"O Yahweh, no one is like you among the gods!"
"No one is like you. No one is majestic in holiness as you are, no one is honored in praises as you are, and no one does miracles as you do!". (see Revelation 4:8)
"with your strong power"
"With your strong power you made it happen". (see Psalm 138:7)
"the earth devoured them"
This means to shake because you are afraid.
"the inhabitants of Philistia will be afraid"
"will be weak from fear"
"Fear will come upon them"
Dread is extreme fear or anxiety about something that is going to happen or might happen. (see Numbers 22:3)
"Because of your great strength"
"They will be silent like stone" or "They will be motionless as stone"
"You will take your people to Canaan"
"settle them on the mountain"
This refers to Mount Zion in the land of Canaan. (see 2 Samuel 7:10)
"that you have given them as an inheritance"
"that you have built by your power"
Miriam was the older sister of Moses and Aaron.
This is a musical instrument like a small drum that also has pieces of metal around the side that make a sound when shaken.
"he has achieved a glorious victory over the army of Egypt"
"He has made the horse and rider drown in the sea". (see Exodus 15:1)
"Moses led the Israelite people". The word "Israel" represents the people of Israel.
We do not know the exact locations of this place.
We do not know the exact location of this place.
"were unhappy and told Moses"
"my voice" or "what I say". Yahweh is speaking about his own voice.
"do what Yahweh considers to be right"
"I will not cause any of you to have the diseases"
This is an oasis in the desert, a place with water and shade trees.
"12"
"70"
The word "Sin" here is the Hebrew name of a part of the Sinai wilderness. It is not the description of a place, and it has nothing to do with sinning.
"on day 15 of the second month". This time coincides with the end of April and the beginning of May on Western calendars.
"All the Israelites complained." or "The Israelites complained". Moses and Aaron did not complain. The Israelites complained about the amount of food Yahweh gave them, even when he miraculously provided their food for them. This is intended to show their ungratefulness and their sinful view of Yahweh.
"were angry and spoke"
"We wish that we had died"
"by Yahweh's action"
"I will make bread come down from heaven like rain"
"food" or "food like bread"
"live according to my law"
"my command"
"It will happen on the sixth day that they". The people were not allowed to store the food, called manna, they were provided with. This is because they were to trust in Yahweh to provide for their needs every day.
"on day 6"
two times
"It is foolish to complain against us, because we cannot do what you want."
"Aaron and I cannot give you what you want."
"Your complaints are not really against us; they are against Yahweh, because we are his servants"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story, which is the people seeing Yahweh's glory. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
The word "behold" here shows that the people saw something interesting.
This phrase is used here to mark an important part of the events. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
These are small, plump birds.
"that looked like frost". Frost is frozen dew that forms on the ground. It is very fine.
2 liters
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. Verses 16:22-30 tell about what the people did concerning the manna on the sixth and seventh days of the week. If your language has a way for marking this as a new part of the story, you could consider using it here.
"on day 6"
two times
This refers to the bread that appeared as thin flakes on the ground each morning.
"a day to rest quietly and think seriously". This is the first recorded celebration of the Sabbath rest.
"did not smell rotten"
"today is a Sabbath and is to be used only for honoring Yahweh"
"but on day seven"
This was the name the Israelites gave to the bread that Yahweh caused to appear for them each morning.
"they did not find any manna"
Yahweh speaks to Moses, but the word "you" refers to the people of Israel in general.
"You people still do not keep my commandments and laws!"
"to obey my commandments and my laws"
"I, Yahweh, have taught you to rest on the Sabbath"
"day 6 ... 2 days ... day 7"
Coriander is also known as cilantro. People dry the seeds and grind them into a powder and put it in food to give it flavor.
very thin biscuits or crackers
2 liters
"Now ten omers equal one ephah". An omer and an ephah are both containers for measuring volume. The original readers would have known how much an ephah was. This sentence would help them know how much an omer was. For languages that do not use fractions, this can be reworded.
See how you translated this in Exodus 16:1.
This means "the resting place," a place to rest on long journeys through the wilderness.
"You should not quarrel with me! You should not test Yahweh!"
"You only brought us out here to kill us and our children and livestock by not letting us have any water to drink!"
a place in the desert whose name means "testing"
a place in the desert whose name means "complaining"
This was the name of a place in the desert.
"So Joshua and the men he chose fought against the Amalekites"
Hur was a friend of Moses and Aaron.
"the Israelite fighters were winning ... the Amalekite fighters would begin to win"
"arms became tired"
"destroyed"
"the land of Amalek and the people who lived there"
"in battle"
"I will completely destroy Amalek". God speaks of destroying Amalek as if he were removing people's memory of Amalek. When a group of people is completely destroyed, there is nothing to remind people about them.
"Amalekites"
"Yahweh made a solemn promise". People would raise their hand when they made a promise or pledge, so raising the hand represents making a promise.
This refers to the father of the wife of Moses.
Possible meanings are 1) Jethro took Zipporah to Moses, or 2) Jethro had earlier welcomed back Zipporah.
"after Moses had sent her home to her parents"
Possible meanings are 1) Jethro took Zipporah and her two sons to Moses, or 2) Jethro had earlier welcomed back Zipporah and her two sons.
This is a son of Moses and Zipporah, whose name means "foreigner."
This is a son of Moses and Zipporah, whose name means "God is the one who helps me."
"being killed by Pharaoh" or "being killed by Pharaoh's army"
"where he camped with the Israelites"
These symbolic acts were the normal way that people showed great respect and devotion in that culture.
"in order to help the Israelite people"
"all the hardships that had happened to them"
"the power of the Egyptians ... the power of Pharaoh" or "what the Egyptians were doing to you"
"You should not be doing all of this for the people!"
"You should not sit alone ... from morning till evening!"
"you are the only one who judges the people"
Jethro taught Moses an important leadership lesson in this chapter. Moses delegated some of his responsibilities to other godly men so that he would not become worn out by all the demands made of him.
"you will surely make yourselves very tired"
"This work is too much for you"
"give you guidance"
"God will help you"
"you tell God about their disputes" or "you tell God what they are arguing about"
"You must show them how to live" or "You must show them how to behave"
"In addition, you must choose" or "You must also choose"
"You must give them authority over people"
"leaders in charge of groups of 1,000 people, groups of 100 people, groups of 50 people, and groups of 10 people" or "leaders in charge of very small groups, small groups, large groups, and very large groups"
"the simple cases"
"the difficult cases they will tell you about" or "when there are difficult cases, they will tell you about them so you can judge them"
"they will do the hard work with you" or "they will help you do the hard work"
"endure the stress of the work"
They will be satisfied that the dispute has been settled justly.
"leaders of the people"
"men who were able to lead" or "men who were able to judge"
"judged the people most of the time"
"when there were difficult cases, they told Moses about them so that he would judge them"
"the easy cases"
"In the third month ... on the first day of the month". This means they arrived at the wilderness on the first day of the month just as they left Egypt on the first day of the month. The first day of the third month on the Hebrew calendar is near the middle of May on Western calendars.
"had left"
This is an area on the edge of the wilderness of Sinai where the people of Israel had been camping. See how you translated this name in Exodus 17:1.
"the descendants of Jacob"
The phrase "the people of Israel" explains what "the house of Jacob" means.
The word "you" here refers to the Israelites. Yahweh is telling Moses what to tell the Israelites.
"I helped you travel like an eagle that carries her babies on her wings"
"listen to my voice and obey me"
"what I say"
"do what my covenant requires you to do"
"treasure"
"a kingdom of people who are like priests" or "a kingdom of people who do what priests do". The function of the priests was to intercede for the people. The Levites were the only priests in Israel, so this indicates that the nation was to intercede for the world as a whole. They were also to be holy, or set apart, from the rest of the world.
"told them all these words"
"all that Yahweh had commanded him"
"Moses went back up the mountain to report"
"what the people said"
"tell them to dedicate themselves to me" or "tell them to purify themselves for me."
"their clothes"
This was a command to the people of Israel.
"make a boundary." This was probably some kind of mark, but it could have been a fence.
"You must surely put to death any person who touches the mountain"
"Any person who touches"
"No one may touch anyone who touches the mountain"
"Whether it is an animal or a man that touches the mountain"
"you must certainly stone him or shoot him"
This refers to being killed by someone who shoots arrows from a bow.
"a long, loud sound"
"do not sleep with your wives"
"All the people ... shook with fear"
"Yahweh came down"
"like the smoke from a very large fire"
an oven that can be made extremely hot.
"continued to become louder and louder"
"by speaking loudly like thunder" or "by speaking". The word "voice" here refers to a sound that God made.
"he commanded Moses to come up"
"they might go through the barrier"
Revealing the Law. The events of this chapter are concerned with preparing the people to receive the law of Moses. The people go through all of this to prepare themselves for the law, which show the great importance of this event for Israel.
"go through the barrier"
The instructions recorded in this chapter are commonly known as the "ten commandments". Also, Yahweh's covenant faithfulness is now based on the covenant he made with Abraham as well as the covenant he is making with Moses.
"place where you were slaves"
"You must not worship any other gods but me"
"and you must not make the likeness"
The word "them" refers to carved figures or idols.
God wants his people to worship only him.
God will punish people for the sin of their parents.
"even on the grandchildren and great-grandchildren
"I faithfully love thousands of those who love me"
"forever to those who love me"
"use the name of Yahweh your God"
"without proper respect"
"I will certainly consider guilty"
"set it apart for a special purpose"
"do all your usual duties"
"within your community" or "inside your city"
"on day seven." Here "seventh" is the ordinal number for "7."
Possible meanings are that 1) God caused the Sabbath day to produce good results, or 2) God said that the Sabbath day was good.
"You must not have sex with anyone other than your spouse"
"must not tell lies about someone"
"must not want to take"
"smoke coming from the mountain"
"they shook with fear"
"stood at a distance"
"so that you will honor him and not sin"
"Moses went closer to"
"Tell the people of Israel this"
"You have heard me speak to you from heaven"
"You must not make idols as other gods instead of me"
"gods made out of silver or gold"
an altar made of materials from the ground, such as stone, soil, or clay
"choose for you to honor me"
"Do not build steps up to the altar and go up to it on those steps"
"your private parts"
Although the covenant Yahweh made with Moses began in the previous chapter, it formally begins with the statement, “Now these are the decrees that you must set before them.” Justice in society...The rules and law of this chapter are not intended to be followed by every society. Israel was God's chosen nation and was required to live in a special way. These laws concerned creating a just society and a holy nation. The law of Moses was a major part of this covenant.
"you must give them" or "you must tell them"
Yahweh tells Moses his laws for the people of Israel. Slavery...This passage does not condone slavery as an acceptable practice. However, it does impose some restrictions on the practice.
"If he became a slave while he had no wife, and if he marries while he is a slave, the master need only free the man"
"alone"
"if he was married when he became a slave"
"clearly says"
"I do not want my master to set me free"
"put a hole in his ear"
a pointed tool used to make a hole
"until he dies"
"has chosen"
"he must allow her father to buy her back"
"has no authority to sell"
"he has deceived her"
"decides that she is the one who will be his son's wife"
"he must give the first wife the same food, clothing, and marital rights she had before"
"must not take away her food" or "must not give her less food"
"and he must continue to sleep with her as before". This includes things that a husband must do for his wife, including sleeping with her.
"attacks a man"
"you must certainly execute that person"
"did not plan to harm him"
"I will choose a place that he can run away to be safe"
"after thinking carefully about it"
The word "him" refers to the one who killed his neighbor.
"so that you can kill him"
"If anyone hits his father or mother, you must surely put him to death"
"must certainly"
"you must kill that kidnapper"
"you must surely kill anyone who curses his father or his mother"
"cannot get out of bed"
"he gets better"
This is a stick that can be leaned on for support while walking.
"the time he could not work"
"pay his medical costs" or "pay for his costs for healing"
"because of the injury" or "because his master hit him"
"you must certainly punish that man"
"no one is to punish the master"
"because he has already lost his servant who was valuable to him"
"her baby dies in her womb" or "her baby is born too soon and dies"
"the guilty man must pay a fine"
"what the judges decide"
"he must give his life for her life"
"his eye for her eye"
Here "man" refers to the owner of a slave.
"as payment." Compensation is what someone does to make up for what he has caused another person to lose.
"an ox injures with its horns"
"you must stone the ox to death"
"you must not eat its flesh"
"you must acquit the ox's owner"
"you must also kill its owner"
"if the owner of the bull can pay a fine to save his own life"
"the full amount that the judges say that he must pay"
"has injured with its horns"
"330 grams of silver." A shekel weighed eleven grams.
"you must kill the ox by stoning it"
"takes a cover off a hole in the ground"
"pay the owner for the dead animal"
"will belong to the owner of the pit"
"divide the money they receive"
"if people knew" or "if the owner knew"
"had gored other animals before"
"its owner did not keep it inside a fence"
"the owner of the ox that killed must surely give a living ox to the owner of the ox that died"
Yahweh continues telling Moses his laws for the people of Israel. In this chapter, the purpose of these laws often focus on minimizing the people's desire for vengeance.
"If anyone finds a thief"
"using force to come into a house"
"if anyone strikes the thief so that he dies"
"no one will be guilty of murdering him"
"if it is light before he breaks in" or "if he breaks in and it is after sunrise"
"the person who kills him will be guilty of murder"
"pay for what he stole"
"you must sell him as a slave in order to pay for what he stole"
"If they find that he still has the live animal that he stole"
pay two animals for every animal that he took
"If a man lets his animals eat plants"
"he must pay back the owner of that field"
"If someone starts a fire and it moves along the ground through dry plants"
"bundled grain" or "harvested grain"
This is grain that has not been cut, but it is ready to be harvested.
"fire consumes a field"
"must certainly pay for the grain that the fire destroyed"
"to keep it safe"
"if someone steals it"
someone who steals something
"if you find the thief"
"come before the judges so that they can find out if"
"has stolen his neighbor's property"
The judges must listen to both people who claim that the item belongs to them and then decide who is guilty.
"the man who was caring for the animal must swear an oath before Yahweh and the owner must accept that oath"
"But if someone stole the animal from him"
"But if a wild beast tore the animal in pieces"
"He will not have to pay for the animal that the wild beast destroyed"
"must certainly pay the owner for the animal"
"if someone rented the animal"
"the money that someone paid to rent the animal will cover the loss of the animal"
"money paid to rent the animal"
"a man persuades a virgin who is not betrothed that she wants to sleep with him"
"not promised to be married"
"if he has sexual relations with her"
"dowry" or "bride price"
These pronouns refer back to the man who seduced the virgin.
"Whoever has sexual relations with an animal"
"Yahweh, you must completely destroy"
"mistreat a foreigner"
"You must treat all widows and fatherless children fairly"
"woman whose husband has died"
"child with no parents"
Here the "outcry" is of people in pain because they are being oppressed. See how you translated "outcry" in Exodus 3:7.
"you will die a violent death"
"one who lends money"
"charge him extra money for borrowing"
"coat as a guarantee to repay the loan"
"only garment to keep him warm"
"He will have nothing to wear while he sleeps!"
"Do not speak evil about God"
"and do not ask God to do bad things to a ruler"
"You must bring all of your offerings"
"dedicate your firstborn sons to me"
"dedicate to me the firstborn of"
"For 7 days after they are born"
"day number 8"
"dedicate them to me"
Yahweh continues telling Moses his laws for the people of Israel. The people of Israel were required to celebrate certain feasts and festivals, which were part of the law of Moses and some are described in this chapter. Their purpose was to worship Yahweh and to remember the great things Yahweh has done for them.
This is the same as a lying or false witness.
"doing what the crowd wants"
do illegal or immoral actions that result in a unjust ruling
"Do not decide to treat a poor man unjustly in legal matters"
This refers to any matter that a court decides.
"I will not find the wicked not guilty"
"bribe discredits ... undermines"
"the kind of life a stranger lives in a foreign land"
"the food its plants produce"
in its natural state, not used for to grow food
"so the poor among your people may harvest and eat any food that grows on its own in that field"
"your work animals"
"any foreigner may rest and regain his strength"
"Do" or "Obey"
"pray to other gods"
This is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Aviv is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. See how you translated this in Exodus 13:4.
"come to me without a proper offering"
"You must honor" or "You must celebrate"
This festival celebrated the final harvesting of all the crops for the year.
"All the men must gather to worship the Lord Yahweh"
The fat was burned as an offering to Yahweh and was never eaten.
"the best and first produce of the harvest"
This was a magical fertility practice among the Canaanites and the Israelites were not permitted to participate in it.
"Listen to him"
"If you provoke him, he will not pardon"
"He has my authority". Here "name" refers to God's authority.
"If you carefully obey what he says". Here "voice" represents what the angel says.
These two phrases mean the same thing and are used for emphasis.
"You must not ... live as the people who worship those gods"
"he will bless your food and drink"
Here both "he" and "I" refer to Yahweh.
"Every woman will be able to become pregnant and give birth to healthy babies"
to have a pregnancy end early and unexpectedly
a flying insect that can sting people and cause pain
"because no one would be living in the land"
This means that worshiping other gods will lead the people of Israel to certain destruction as if they were an animal caught in a hunter's trap.
These are men's names. See how you translated these names in Exodus 6:23.
"70 of Israel's elders"
Because Yahweh is perfectly holy, he can only be approached in a certain way. Because of this, only Moses was allowed near Yahweh. This is also why Yahweh is described as a "devouring fire.”
"together" or "in agreement". Moses' covenant...The people of Israel promise to obey the covenant Yahweh made with Moses. Their continued blessings were contingent upon their obedience to this covenant.
"base of the mountain"
Moses collected half of the blood in basins in order to splash it on the people in Exodus 24:8. This would confirm the people's participation in the covenant between the people of Israel and God.
Here the altar represents God. This would confirm God's participation in the covenant between God and the people of Israel.
"We will obey everything"
"Then Moses took the blood that was in the bowls"
These are men's names. See how you translated these names in Exodus 6:23.
This speaks of God as if he had human feet.
"a pavement made of blue stones called sapphires"
a hard surface for walking or riding
This is a gemstone that is blue in color.
"as clear as the sky is when there are no clouds"
"God did not harm the leaders of the people of Israel"
"two stone slabs on which I have written all the laws"
"with Joshua who assisted him"
"wait for Joshua and me"
Hur was a man who was a friend of Moses and Aaron. See how you translated this name in Exodus 17:10.
"The brilliant light showing God's presence"
"like a big fire burning"
"to the people of Israel"
"40 days and 40 nights"
This chapter gives specific instructions regarding the building of a tent where Moses would meet Yahweh and the ark would be stored. This would eventually become the tabernacle. It was to be considered a very holy place.
"who wants to give an offering"
The word "you" refers to Moses and the leaders.
"material that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet," probably wool yarn,
bright red
dried plants that people grind into a powder and put in oil or food to give it a nice smell or flavor
a valuable stone that has layers of white and black, red or brown.
"precious stones for someone to set"
"valuable gems" or "treasured gems"
Here this word means the same thing as the word "sanctuary" in verse 8.
Here "you" is plural and refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
"show you in the design" or "show you in the pattern." Here "you" is singular and refers to Moses.
"2.5 cubits ... 1.5 cubits" or "115 centimeters ... almost 69 centimeters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
Casting was a process in which gold was melted, poured into a mold that was in the shape of a ring, and then allowed to harden.
"so that you can carry the ark"
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made.
"beaten gold"
"You must make them"
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
"I will meet with you at the ark." Here the word "you" is singular and refers to Moses.
a measurement of 7 to 8 centimeters
"frame for the table"
"legs are"
"You must attach the rings"
"so you can carry"
"so that you may carry the table with them"
"so that you may use them to pour out drink offerings"
This bread represented the presence of God.
"Make the lampstand"
"Make its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers all of one piece with the lampstand"
white or pink flowers that have five petals
"you must make them as one piece with the lampstand"
"so they shine light from it"
"Make the tongs and their trays of pure gold"
A talent weighs about thirty-three kilograms.
the tongs and the trays
"I am showing you on the mountain"
This chapter gives specific instructions regarding the building of a tent where Moses would meet Yahweh and the ark would be stored. This would eventually become the tabernacle. It was to be considered a very holy place.
"Tell a craftsman to make". Yahweh is speaking to Moses, so the word "you" is singular. Yahweh probably expected Moses to tell someone else to do the actual work, but Moses would be the one responsible for seeing that the work was done correctly.
These were large, heavy sections of woven cloth that were used to form the covering and dividing walls of the tabernacle.
wool dyed a deep red color
a person who is skilled in making beautiful objects by hand
"28 cubits ... 4 cubits." A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"Sew five curtains together to make one set, and sew the other five curtains together to make another set"
"one set of five curtains"
"the second set of five curtains"
The clasps fit into the loops (verses 4 and 5) to hold the curtains together.
"30 ... 4"
This refers to frames or panels that they made by joining together smaller pieces of wood.
"10 cubits ... 1.5 cubits"
These were silver blocks that had a slot in them to keep the board in place.
The silver bases kept the wooden board off the ground.
"Put two bases"
"and two bases for each of the rest of the boards"
"Separate these frames at the bottom, but join them at the top"
These were silver blocks that had a slot in them to keep the frame in place. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:19.
"total"
"and two bases for each of the rest of the frames"
These are horizontal support beams that give stability to the structure.
The front was on the east side of the tabernacle.
"which will hold the crossbars" or "because they will hold the crossbars"
"that I have shown you here on this mountain"
"Tell a craftsman to make." See how you translated this in Exodus 26:1.
"you must bring in the chest containing the commandments". The ark of the testimony is the chest that contains the commandments.
"The curtain will separate the holy place"
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:17.
"on the chest that contains the commandments"
"Place the table for the bread of God's presence on the north side". This is the table that holds the bread that represents the presence of God.
This was a large curtain made of cloth.
"yarn that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet," probably wool yarn, or "blue, purple, and scarlet dye" to dye the linen.
"finely twisted linen." This was cloth made from fine linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
"a person who sews designs into cloth"
"2.2 meters long on each side". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"The altar must be square and 1.3 meters high"
"You must make projections that look like ox horns on its four corners"
"You must make the horns"
"must cover the altar and horns"
bowls
These were pans that held hot coals from the altar.
These were any instrument, vessel, or tool that served a useful purpose.
"You must make a bronze grate for the altar"
a frame of crossed bars for holding wood when burning
"You must put the grate under the rim of the altar, on the inside of the altar".
"You must make poles for carrying the altar". These poles were used for carrying the altar.
"You must put the poles into the rings and place them on each side of the altar to carry it"
a long, flat piece of wood that is thicker than a board
"that I have shown to you here on this mountain"
"You must place hangings ... courtyard"
A "hanging" was a large curtain made of cloth. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
"finely twisted linen."
"44 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"You must also attach hooks ... posts"
a strong piece of wood set upright and used as a support
"you must make a curtain"
"You must make ten posts"
"Make the courtyard fifty cubits long"
See how you translated these in Exodus 27:10.
See how you translated this in Exodus 26:19.
about seven meters
"You must make a screen twenty cubits long to be the courtyard gate"
"They must make the curtain ... fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer"
"yarn that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet," probably wool yarn, or "blue, purple, and scarlet dye" to dye the linen.
a person who sews designs into cloth
"100 cubits." A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"finely twisted linen." See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
"make all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard out of bronze"
sharp pieces of wood or metal used to secure the corners of a tent to the ground
This is another name for the tabernacle.
This is the chest that contains the sacred slabs of stone on which Yahweh had written his commandments.
"I require that the people do this as a lasting statute"
Here "yourself" refers to Moses.
Here "you" refers to the people.
"garments that you will set apart to me". Holy garments...Because Yahweh is holy, only the priests could approach him, and when they did they must be wearing specially made clothing.
"a coat with a design woven into it"
a tall head covering made from cloth wrapped around the head several times
a piece of cloth that people wear around their waist or across their chest
"finely-twisted linen." See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
a person who can make beautiful objects by hand
"they must make it in one piece"
These are valuable stones that have layers of white and black, red or brown.
"In the same way a person engraves on a seal"
a person who cuts designs into a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal
an engraved stone used to stamp a design into a wax seal
pieces of metal that hold the stone onto the ephod
"two chains of pure gold that are braided like cords"
"a skillful workman will make it like the ephod"
A span is 22 centimeters.
Twelve kinds of stone are listed here. Scholars are not sure which kinds of stones the Hebrew words refer to. Some translations list different stones.
"valuable gems" or "treasured gems." See how you translated these in Exodus 25:7.
These are precious stones.
These are precious stones.
This is a gemstone that is blue in color. See how you translated this in Exodus 24:10.
These are precious stones
These are precious stones.
See how you translated these in Exodus 25:7.
"You must mount them in gold settings"
"You must arrange the stones"
A signet is an engraved stone used to stamp a design into a wax seal. Here the stone is mounted on a ring. See how you translated "signet" in Exodus 28:11.
"chains that are made of pure gold and are braided like cords." See how you translated this in Exodus 28:14.
"to the two settings that enclose the stones"
This was a cloth belt made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:8.
"so that they may attach it"
"the breastpiece might stay attached to the ephod"
This refers to the names of the tribes engraved on the twelve stones in the breastplate as described in Exodus 28:17-21.
"over Aaron's heart"
The second phrase appears to refer to the Urim and Thummim and explain their purpose.
It not clear what these are. They were objects, possibly stones, that the priest used to determine somehow the will of God.
"A weaver must make this robe"
"a person who creates cloth using thread"
A pomegranate is a round fruit with a red outer skin.
This phrase is repeated to show the pattern of the design on the robe.
"Aaron must wear the robe when he serves"
"so that the bells make a sound"
"As a result, he will not die because of disobeying my instructions"
"write on it in the same way a person engraves on a seal." See how you translated similar words in Exodus 28:11.
This was a tall head covering made from cloth wrapped around the head several times. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:4.
"Aaron must wear it on his forehead"
"Aaron must always wear the turban on his forehead"
A sash is a decorative piece of cloth that a person wears around his waist or across his chest. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:4.
A headband is a narrow, decorative strip of cloth that is worn around the head above the eyes.
"Put these clothes on your older brother Aaron"
These are underwear, clothing worn under the outer clothes, next to the skin.
This refers to sexual organs. Your language may have a different polite way to speak of these things.
This is another name for the tabernacle. See how you translated this in Exodus 27:21.
"a law the will not end"
The word "now" marks a change in topic from garments for priests to consecrating priests. This chapter records the process of consecrating priests, who were to be set apart from the rest of Israel because Yahweh is holy.
Here "you" refers to Moses.
"to set apart Aaron and his sons"
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
a male cow
"Also take wafers without yeast and rub them with oil"
These are different kinds of food made from flour.
"You must put the bread, cake, and wafer"
"offer them to me when you sacrifice the bull and the two rams". Here "present" means to offer as a sacrifice.
This is another name for the tabernacle. See how you translated this in Exodus 27:21.
This was a coat with a design woven into it. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:4.
This was a cloth belt made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
This was a tall head covering made from cloth wrapped around the head several times.
This crown is described as being engraved with the words "dedicated to Yahweh" and made of pure gold.
"bring Aaron's sons"
These were coats with a design woven into them.
A sash is a decorative piece of cloth that people wear around their waist or across their chest.
A headband is a narrow, decorative strip of cloth that is worn around the head above the eyes.
"the duty of being priests"
"will belong to them and their descendants"
"a law the will not end."
The bull offering was to be killed by Moses, not the priests, at the doorway, not inside the tent of meeting.
Since the following verses will tell what to do with the blood from the bull, use a term for "kill" that will imply a method similar to "slitting its throat and catch the blood in a bowl."
These were projections that looked like ox horns attached to the four corners of the altar.
"the remaining blood"
"covers the organs"
These are organs in the body.
"But as for the remaining parts of the bull"
For these consecration sacrifices for the priests, it was Moses, not Aaron or his sons, who had to kill the animals.
Unlike the bull offering that was burned outside of the tent, the ram was to be burned on the inner altar.
"Then kill the ram by cutting its throat"
"By doing this, you will dedicate Aaron to me"
See how you translated similar words in Exodus 29:2.
"that you have placed before Yahweh"
Here "these" refers to the parts of the sacrifice mentioned in the previous verses.
"burn it as an offering to me"
"ram that you dedicated"
"the ram that you used to dedicate Aaron"
"This is what Aaron and his sons will always receive from the people"
"Aaron must reserve the holy garments for his descendants after him". These garments belong to the priesthood and are not just Aaron's personal clothing.
"They must wear the holy garments when you anoint his descendants and ordain them to me"
"the ram you killed when you installed the priests"
"at the entrance to the tent of meeting". This is not the same as the holy place outside of the most holy place. This refers to a place within the courtyard.
This is another name for the tabernacle.
"that you sacrificed"
"No one must eat it"
"because you have set it apart to me"
"I have commanded you to treat Aaron and his sons this way"
"Then the altar will be most holy"
"will also be very holy"
"You must daily offer on the altar"
"1/10 ... 1/4"
An ephah is 22 liters.
A hin is 3.7 liters.
"it will be a burnt offering to me"
"through all the generations of your descendants."
"My awesome presence will dedicate the tent to me"
As God, Yahweh is everywhere and cannot be limited to a single space. This phrase indicates that he permanently remains within Israel in a special way while they have the ark.
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel. Yahweh tells Moses how to build the worship equipment.
"You must make its horns". These were projections that looked like ox horns attached to the four corners of the altar. See how you translated "horns" in Exodus 27:2.
"an altar to burn incense"
"which you will attach to the altar"
"the chest containing the commandments". The ark is the chest that contains the commandments. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:33.
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:17.
Here "you" refers to Moses.
Though the word "you" is addressed to Moses, the instruction is given specifically to Aaron and his descendants as to when and what they are to offer on the altar of incense.
The atonement offered by the priests was very important in the religious life of Israel. In order to offer sacrifices, the priests had to maintain ritual cleanliness by washing themselves.
"through all the generations of your descendants."
Possible meanings are 1) "you" refers to just Moses or 2) "you" refers to Moses and the leaders of Israel in future generations when they take a census.
The leaders only counted the males of Israel.
"Everyone you count" or "Every man you count". They counted only the men.
"1/2 a shekel of silver." Translators may use a unit of measure that people understand and a round number: "5.5 grams of silver" or "six grams of silver"
There were evidently shekels of more than one weight at the time. This specified which one was to be used.
"20 gerahs." A gerah is a unit that people used for measuring how much something very small weighed.
"who is twenty years old or older"
Only the men made this offering.
Translators may use a unit of measure that people understand and a round number: "the 5.5 grams of silver" or "the 6 grams of silver."
"It will remind the people of Israel to make atonement for their lives" or "It will remind the people of Israel that they have made atonement for their lives."
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
"bronze bowl" or "bronze tub"
This is what the basin would be put on.
This phrase explains what the priests were to use the large bronze basin for.
the altar of sacrifice
"water in the basin"
"for Aaron and all the generations of his descendants."
dried plants that people grind into a powder and put in oil or food to give it a nice smell or flavor. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:6.
"500 shekels ... two hundred and fifty shekels." A shekel is about 11 grams. Translators may use units that people know and round numbers: "5.7 kilograms ... 11.4 kilograms" or "six kilograms ... eleven kilograms"
These are sweet spices.
This is a sweet spice.
There were evidently shekels of more than one weight at the time. This specified which one was to be used.
Translators may use units that people know and round numbers: "3.7 liters" or "four liters"
"with these items"
Moses was to have a perfumer do the work or Moses was to do the work himself, the way a perfumer would do it.
a person who is skilled in mixing spices and oils
Here "you" refers to Moses.
"the chest containing the commandments". See how you translated this in Exodus 26:33.
"the altar on which offering were burnt"
This refers to the items listed in Exodus 30:26-28.
"all the generations of your descendants."
"You must not put the anointing oil that is dedicated to Yahweh on a person's skin"
"with the same ingredients"
"I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel" or "the people of Israel must send him away"
Yahweh gives the commands only to Moses: all instances of "you" are singular. However, the words "blended by a perfumer" might mean that Moses could have the perfumer take the spices, blend them, grind them, and give them to Moses so Moses could put part of the mixture in front of the ark.
"Make it into the form of incense that a perfumer has blended" or "A perfumer must blend it into a kind of incense"
Moses was to have a perfumer do the work or Moses was to do the work himself, the way a perfumer would do it.
"You will crush it." Here "you" refers to Moses.
Here "you" is plural and refers to Moses and all the people.
The word "you" here refers to the people of Israel.
"with the same ingredients".
"You must consider it to be most holy"
This is a pleasant smelling liquid that a person puts on his or her body.
See how you translated this in Exodus 30:33.
This chapter is the end of Exodus' recording of the law of Moses. As described in this chapter, the Sabbath is more than just a day of worship or celebration. Its significance extends beyond a way to help people rest. It is a major part of the identity of the Hebrew people.
"I have chosen"
These are names of men.
"I have given my Spirit to Bezalel"
"so that he can make all kinds of things"
These are names of men.
"I have given skill to all who are wise" or "I have made all who are wise able to make things well"
This is another name for the tabernacle. See how you translated this in Exodus 27:21.
"the chest containing the commandments". The ark is the chest that contains the commandments. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:33.
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:17.
"altar to burn incense." See how you translated this in Exodus 30:3.
"altar on which offering were burnt." See how you translated this in Exodus 30:28.
"These people who are skilled in making beautiful things"
"You must certainly obey Yahweh's instructions about the Sabbath"
"through all the generations of your descendants."
"who has chosen you to be his people"
"for you must treat it as holy"
"Everyone who treats the Sabbath with disrespect" or "Everyone who does not obey the laws about the Sabbath"
"you must surely kill" or "you must surely execute"
"Yahweh will no longer consider him to be one of his people" or "you must surely send him away"
"but day 7"
"must obey Yahweh's instructions about the Sabbath"
"They and all the generations of their descendants must observe it."
"a covenant that will always exist."
"which Yahweh wrote on with his own hand"
"the people realized"
The word "come" strengthens the force of the command following it. The people were demanding that Aaron make an idol for them. The making of the golden calf was considered a form of idolatry.
"lead us" or "be our leader"
The word "them" refers to the golden rings.
This refers to all the people who rejected Moses as their leader and Moses's God as their God.
Aaron melted the gold and poured it into a mold that had the shape of a calf. When the gold became hard, he removed the mold, and the hardened gold had the shape of a calf.
"When Aaron saw what the people did"
The word "play" here is a general term that might mean immoral sexual activity, but it could just as well speak of singing and dancing or even of laughing at and mocking Moses and Yahweh.
"have stopped obeying what I commanded them to do"
"I know this people"
"a stubborn people"
Here Yahweh tells what he will do to the people.
"My anger towards them will be terrible" or "I am extremely angry with them"
The word "you" refers to Moses.
"Do not let your anger burn against your people ... a mighty hand."
"and the powerful things you did"
"If you destroy your people, the Egyptians might say, 'He led them out ... to destroy them from the face of the earth.'. Moses used this question to try to persuade God not to destroy his people.
"from the surface of the earth" or "from the earth"
"Stop your terrible anger"
"Remember Abraham" or "Think about Abraham"
"you made an oath" or "you solemnly promised"
"They will possess it forever"
These are the two stone slabs on which God had engraved his commandments.
These two phrases share similar meanings. The second explains how the tablets were "God's own work."
It is assumed that Joshua met Moses while Moses was going back to the camp.
"It is not the sound people make when they have won a battle, and not the sound people make when they have lost a battle"
These words translate the same Hebrew word, which fits well with both "victory" and "defeat." There is no such word in English, but if your language has such a word, you may want to use it here.
"the two stone slabs that Yahweh had written on"
"Then Moses asked Aaron what the people do to him, that he have brought such a great sin on them"
"you have caused them to sin so terribly"
"Do not be so angry"
"they are determined to do what is evil"
People showed disrespect by putting the word "this" before his name, as if Moses were someone they did not know and could not trust.
"So I told them that whoever had any gold should take it off"
Instead of taking ownership for making the calf, Aaron claims the calf came out of the fire supernaturally.
"were not controlling themselves"
"Then Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said that whoever was on Yahweh's side should come to him"
"Whoever is loyal to Yahweh" or "Whoever serves Yahweh"
"go from side of the camp to the other, starting at one entrance to the camp and going to the entrance on the other side of the camp"
"3000 of the people"
"You have been chosen to serve Yahweh"
"for you have obeyed Yahweh and killed your sons and your brothers"
They worshiped an idol.
"Perhaps I can persuade Yahweh to forgive you"
If your language has a word that expresses deep sadness, you may want to use it here.
"erase my name from the book"
"the book in which you have written the names of your people"
"I will erase that person's name from my book"
On the day that God decides to punish them, it will be clear that it is God who is judging them.
"Yahweh made the people very sick"
"they told Aaron to make the calf"
While the covenants Yahweh made may not be conditioned upon the obedience of Israel, it is clear that their conquering of the Promised Land was conditioned on their obedience to Yahweh.
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"full of" or "with an abundance of"
"food from livestock"
"food from crops"
"stubborn people"
beautiful clothing as well as chains and rings with jewels in them
"the cloud shaped like a pillar"
"would come down from the sky"
"Yahweh would speak directly to Moses"
Joshua was old enough to be a soldier, but he was much younger than Moses
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I know you well"
"I have evaluated you and approve" or "I am pleased with you"
"Now If you are pleased with me" or "Now if you approve of me"
"show me what you are going to do in the future" or "show me how people can do what pleases you."
"I will go"
The word "you" here refers to Moses. It is singular.
"I will let you rest"
"For if your presence does not go with us"
"how will people know"
"no one will know ... people."
"everyone will know that I and your people are different." The words "be distinct" translate the same Hebrew word as "set ... apart" in Exodus 8:22, so if your language has one word or phrase for both ideas, you may want to use it there and here.
"Will it not only be known if"
When Yahweh uses the word "you" in this verse, it is singular and refers to Moses.
"I am pleased with you" or "I approve of you"
"I will move past you so that you may see my goodness"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
This is because Yahweh will be walking away from Moses.
"but you will not see my face"
"flat slabs of stone."
"Do not let anyone else be anywhere on the mountain"
"Even flocks or herds are not allowed to come near the mountain to eat."
"stood with Moses on the mountain"
"he spoke the name 'Yahweh.'" or "he proclaimed who Yahweh is." For the second meaning, "name" would represent who God is.
"I, Yahweh, am God, and I am merciful and gracious"
"always loving my people and always being faithful to them"
"faithfully loving thousands"
"thousands of generations". This refers to a great number of people.
"I will by no means clear the guilty"
"will certainly not clear the guilty" or "will certainly not say that the guilty are innocent"
"He will punish the children for their fathers' sin". This phrase does not mean that a child is necessarily punished for the sins of their parents. Many scholars believe that this passage indicates that a parent's sins will have consequences that will affect their children and grandchildren.
The word "children" refers to sons and daughters.
"Now If you are pleased with me" or "Now if you approve of me"
"all our sins"
"take us as the people that you possess forever" or "accept us as the people who belong to you forever"
"this people is stubborn"
Here "your" refers to Moses.
"what I do for you will cause people to fear me"
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
"they will tempt you to sin"
"I, Yahweh, always guard my honor". The word "Jealous" here means that God is concerned to keep his honor. If his people worship other gods, he loses honor, because when his people do not honor him, other people also will not honor him.
"for they worship other gods" or "because they worship other gods like prostitutes who go to other men"
"you will eat some of his sacrifice and become guilty of worshiping his gods" or "and you will prostitute yourself to his god by eating some of his sacrifice"
This is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Aviv is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
Firstborn sons and firstborn donkeys belonged to Yahweh, but Yahweh did not want them sacrificed to him. Instead, the Israelites were to sacrifice a lamb in their place. This allowed the Israelites to redeem or buy back the donkeys and sons from Yahweh.
"No one may come to me without an offering" or "Everyone who comes to me must bring me an offering"
"Even when you are preparing the soil or gathering the crops"
This festival was also known as the Festival of Shelters or the Festival of Booths. The idea came from the practice of the farmers living in temporary booths, or huts, out in the fields to guard the crop as it ripened. The word "Ingathering" means when they harvest their crop.
"the blood of an animal that you sacrifice to me"
"with bread that has yeast in it"
"Moses was on the mountain"
"for forty days, both day and night"
"Moses wrote"
"had started to shine"
"approached him" or "returned to him." They did not go up the mountain.
"all the commands that Yahweh had told him" or "everything that Yahweh had commanded them"
"Moses would remove"
"what Yahweh had commanded him"
All of the people offered sacrifices to Yahweh. This was a form of worship and a sign of repentance from making the golden calf idol. Other translations use "offering" or "contribution to the LORD" in Exodus 35:5.
"day number seven" or "Saturday"
"You must kill anyone who does work on that day"
In Exodus 35:4-9, Moses tells the Israelites to make the things Yahweh commanded him in Exodus 25:3-7.
"Take up a collection for Yahweh"
"everyone who is willing"
"Every man with a skill"
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made.
"The people of Israel brought"
This bread represented the presence of God.
This is a frame of crossed bronze bars for holding wood when burning.
These were large curtains made of cloth.
These were strong pieces of wood set upright and used as supports.
These were blocks that had a slot in them to keep the board in place.
sharp pieces of wood or metal used to secure the corners of a tent to the ground.
This was clothing made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
"who responded to God"
"who was willing"
"everyone who was willing"
These are different kinds of jewelry.
"material that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet", probably wool or "blue, purple and scarlet dye" to dye the linen.
"who responded to God". Here "hearts" refers to the women. The hearts of the women who responded to God are spoken of as if they were water stirred up by a storm.
"who was willing". Here "heart" refers to the people.
God's Spirit who gave Bezalel the ability to work is spoken of here as if he was something that filled up Bezalel. See Exodus 31:3-6.
"He gave Bezalel the ability to teach"
"Oholiab" and "Ahisamak" are names of men.
"made them very skillful"
a person who cuts designs into a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal
people who sew designs into cloth
people who are skilled in making beautiful objects by hand
a person who creates cloth using thread
a person who creates beauty with materials
The tent of meeting, or tabernacle, mentioned in previous chapters is constructed in this chapter.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a man.
Here skill and ability are spoken of as if they are something that Yahweh can place inside a person.
"just as Yahweh has commanded"
"to whom Yahweh had given skill"
"who responded to God"
"The craftsmen told Moses that the people were bringing much more than enough for doing the work that Yahweh has commanded them to do"
"The men working on the sanctuary told Moses"
These curtains are sheets of cloth woven and sewed together so that they can hang to form a wall or tent. See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 26.
Here "he" refers to Bezalel, but it includes all the men working on the sanctuary.
loops of blue cloth
These were large, heavy sections of woven cloth that were used to form the covering and dividing walls of the tabernacle.
"50 gold clasps"
"made 11"
"30 cubits"
"50 loops"
"50 bronze clasps"
"10 cubits ... 1.5 cubits"
A wooden peg is a small piece of wood sticking out beyond the end of the board so it can be secured.
"40 silver bases"
"20 frames"
There will be two bases under each and every frame.
on the side that is on the west
for the corners at the rear of the tabernacle
"16 bases in all"
There will be two bases under each and every frame.
from one side of the tabernacle to the other side
"Bezalel and his men made"
See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 25. The ark, mentioned in previous chapters, is constructed in this chapter. There are other furnishings of the tabernacle that are also produced in this chapter.
"2.5 cubits ... 1.5 cubits" or "115 centimeters ... 69 centimeters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
These four pieces of wood that supported the ark are spoken of as if they were human or animal feet.
Though "he" refers to Bezalel, "he" may include all of the workers who assisted him.
"He made them as one piece"
"They placed the winged creatures so that their wings touched each other and spread out over"
"The faces of the cherubim were towards each other, and they looked toward"
This was the width of a man's hand with fingers spread out.
"Bezalel attached the rings"
"plates and cups, and also the jars and bowls which the priests will use for pouring out the offerings"
"He made the cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers as one piece with the lampstand"
"he made the 3 cups look like almond blossoms"
An almond blossom is a white or pink flower with five petals that grows on an almond tree.
"there were 4 cups which Bezalel made to look like almond blossoms"
"which he made as one piece with the lampstand"
This is a tool made from two sticks of wood or metal connected at one end and used for picking up objects.
"33 kilograms"
See Exodus 30.
"which they attached to the altar"
See Exodus 25.
A perfumer is skilled in mixing spices and oils.
The altar is constructed in this chapter, along with other furnishings of the tabernacle that are also produced in this chapter. The list of materials being used is intended to give the reader an understanding of the scale of the tabernacle. It should fill the reader with awe concerning the power of Yahweh. See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 27.
"He made the horns as one piece"
"which they placed under the ledge"
Bezalel's work crew continues to build the tabernacle and furniture.
a long, flat piece of wood that is thicker than a board
The stand supported the bronze basin. See how you translated this in Exodus 30.
"The bronze for the basin came from the mirrors"
A mirror is a piece of polished metal or glass that reflects an image.
A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"100 ... 20"
"50 ... 10"
"Bezalel and the workers made all the hangings around the courtyard with fine linen"
"Bezalel and the workers made the bases for the posts out of bronze"
"They made the hooks, the rods for the posts, and the covering for the tops of the posts out of silver"
"They made the screen of"
"They made the covering for the tops of the posts and their rods out of silver"
"They made all of the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard out of bronze"
Bezalel's work crew continues to build the tabernacle and furniture.
"which Moses instructed the Levites to write down"
This is the name of a man. See Exodus 6.
"Bezalel" and "uri" are the name of men. See Exodus 31.
"everything that Yahweh told Moses to do"
"Oholiab" and "Ahisamak" are names of men. See Exodus 31.
"as a skilled engraver and embroiderer"
"All the gold that the people used for the project"
"29 talents" or "about 960 kilograms". A talent is about 33 kilograms.
"seven hundred and thirty shekels" or "about 8 kilograms." (A shekel is 11 grams).
There were evidently shekels of more than one weight at the time. This specified which one was to be used. See Exodus 30:13.
"100 talents" or "about 330 kilograms"
"one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels" or "about 20 kilograms"
"The silver which the community gave"
A beka is 1/2 a shekel.
"1/2 a shekel" or "five and a half grams" or "5 1/2 grams"
Every man who was 20 years old or older was included in the census and was required to give half a shekel.
"20 years old"
"The workers cast 100 talents of silver" or "The workers cast 3,300 kilograms of silver"
"100 talents"
"one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels"
A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
"70 talents and two thousand four hundred shekels" or "2450 kilograms and 2400 bronze coins" or "2,450 kilograms plus 28 kilograms of bronze coins". The shekels were bronze coins. The talents and shekels together would have weighed a total of about 2,500 kilograms.
This is a frame of crossed bars for holding wood when burning. See Exodus 27.
These are sharp bronze stakes that were used to secure the corners of a tent to the ground.
Bezalel's work crew shifts to making the priestly garments. The special, holy clothing mentioned in previous chapters is produced in this chapter to the correct specifications. See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 28.
The word "they" refers to Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other workmen.
"just as Yahweh told Moses to do"
This is the name of a man. See Exodus 31.
"they made it as one piece with the ephod with fine twisted linen"
"just as Yahweh told Moses to do." See Exodus 39.
"Bezalel and the workers made"
"The workers set in the breastpiece"
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
"They mounted the stones in gold settings"
"chains that are made of pure gold and are braided like cords."
This was a cloth belt made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
"so they could attach it"
"the breastpiece might stay attached to the ephod"
These were tiny bells.
This is a head covering worn by men made of a long strip of cloth wound around the head.
A headband is a narrow, decorative strip of cloth that is worn around the head above the eyes.
This is clothing worn under the outer clothes, next to the skin.
This is a long piece of cloth worn over the shoulder or around the waist.
This was an engraved crown made of pure gold. See Exodus 29.
The Israelites finish making the things Yahweh commanded in Exodus 35:4-9 and Exodus 35:10-12.
"So the people of Israel finished all of the work on the tabernacle". The "tabernacle" and "tent of meeting" are the same thing.
The clasps fit into the loops to hold the curtains together. See how you translated these in Exodus 26.
These are heavy objects that rest on the ground and keep the object attached to them from moving. See how you translated this in Exodus 25.
See how you translated similar phrases in Exodus 25.
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See Exodus 25.
This bread represented the presence of God. See Exodus 25.
This is a frame of crossed bars that held wood while burning. See Exodus 27.
"The people of Israel brought"
"And so the people"
The word "behold" here draws attention to the information that follows.
"They did it in the way that Yahweh had commanded them"
This chapter is repetitive and should read as a series of instructions. It is repeated as well to show that Moses was obedient to every detail of Yahweh's command.
The new year marks the time when God rescued his people from Egypt. This happens around the middle of March on Western calendars.
"in the sacred chest"
"put the ark behind the curtain"
This refers to the "sacred chest."
"all the things that are a part of it"
Moses will do these things himself.
"that you have set apart to me"
"through all the generations of their descendants." See Exodus 12.
"So the people set up the tabernacle"
This refers to exactly one year after God rescued his people from Egypt. This happens around the middle of March on Western calendars. See Exodus 40:2.
This is the second year after Yahweh brought his people out of Egypt.
Moses was the leader. The people helped him set up the tabernacle.
a strong piece of wood set upright and used as a support
Moses was the leader, with workers helping him.
"in front of"
"Moses's workmen set the lampstand inside the sacred tent"
"in front of the curtain that separated the holy place from the very holy place"
"washed their hands and their feet with water from the basin"
"And so"
"Yahweh's awesome presence filled". This phrase indicates that Yahweh began to dwell within the tabernacle, among Israel, in a special way.
"rose up from"
"when it rose up"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"When any one of you" or "When any of you"
Here Yahweh begins speaking to Moses. "from the tent of meeting and told Moses to say this to the people of Israel: 'When any man"
"If your offering ... you must offer"
"so that Yahweh will accept it"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself through the animal to Yahweh, so that God will forgive the person's sins when they kill the animal.
"then Yahweh will accept it in his place and forgive his sins"
"Then you must kill the bull"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
It is implied that the priests would catch the blood in a bowl as it drained out of the animal. Then they would bring the bowl with the blood in it and present it to Yahweh at the altar.
As indicated in 1:9, the person must also wash the inner parts and the legs of the animal with water. The person would do this before giving the pieces to the priests so they could place them on the altar.
Here "he" refers to the one making the offering.
"will put wood on the altar and light a fire"
The person would do this before giving the pieces to the priests to place on the altar.
This is the stomach and intestines.
Here "he" refers to the one making the offering.
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper offering the sacrifice is spoken of as if Yahweh were pleased by the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
"a burnt offering to me"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"Then you must cut it"
See how you translated many of these words in Leviticus 1:9.
"Then the priest will burn everything on the altar"
"it will be a burnt offering to me" or "it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh"
"twist off its head"
"Then the priest must drain its blood"
"The priest must"
A crop is a pouch in the bird's throat where pre-digested food is stored.
Here "it" refers to the crop and its contents.
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
"it will be a burnt offering to me" or "it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh"
"be the finest flour" or "be the best flour"
a powder made from wheat
"He must take"
"take out what he can hold in his hand"
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice.
"it will be a burnt offering to him"
"that you baked in an oven"
This was probably a hollow object made of clay. A fire was lit under the oven, and the heat would bake the dough inside of the oven.
It is understood that the soft bread contained no yeast.
"with oil on the bread"
"If you bake your grain offering in a flat iron pan"
This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate.
Here "it" refers to the grain offering cooked on a flat iron pan.
"If you cook your grain offering"
A pan is a metal plate with rounded edges. The dough was placed in the pan and cooked over a fire.
"that you made from the flour and oil"
"you will present it"
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
"It will be a burnt offering"
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
"from the burnt offerings to Yahweh"
"Do not use yeast in a grain offering that you offer to Yahweh"
“as a burnt offering”
"You will offer the grain offerings made with leaven or honey"
"you will not use them to produce a sweet aroma on the altar" or "you will not burn them on the altar"
It is implied that the salt is a symbol that represents the covenant with God.
"that you have cooked over a fire and then crushed"
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "to Yahweh"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch blood in a bowl as the it drains from the animal.
This is the stomach and intestines.
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
"the best part of the liver"
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
“it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh”
"offer it in the presence of Yahweh" or "offer it to Yahweh"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch the blood in a bowl as it drains from the animal.
This is the stomach and intestines.
"He will remove the fat, the entire fat tail ... the inner parts, and the two kidneys ... with the kidneys"
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
“the best part of the liver”
"will burn those things on the altar as an offering to Yahweh. Those things will come from your food supplies"
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "to Yahweh"
"will offer his sacrifice by fire" or "will burn his sacrifice"
Here "He" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
"will burn those things on the altar to be an offering to Yahweh. It will be as though they are food given to Yahweh"
Yahweh is pleased with the aroma of burning meat when he is pleased with the worshiper's sincerity.
This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.
"or consume blood"
"Yahweh said to Moses"
"Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: 'When anyone sins"
"that Yahweh has commanded the people not to do"
"if he does something that Yahweh does not allow"
"he must do the following"
This phrase refers to the son of the high priest who will succeed the high priest when the high priest dies.
"so as to cause the people to be guilty"
"The high priest must bring the bull"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
"drip some of it" or "splatter some of it"
"the projections at the corners of the altar"
"empty out the rest of the blood"
"at the bottom of the altar"
"The priest will cut away"
This is the stomach and intestines.
"He will cut away the fat that covers the inner parts, all the fat that is attached to the inner parts, the two kidneys ... with the kidneys"
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
“the best part of the liver”
"As for the skin of the bull ... and its dung"
A place being ritually pure and suitable to use for serving God is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
Here "they" refers to the priests, and "me" refers to Yahweh.
"does not know"
"commanded them not to do"
"they are guilty" or "they deserve for God to punish them"
"when they realize that they have sinned"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the people with the animal they are offering. In this way the people are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal.
"and they will kill the bull"
It is implied that the priest caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the bull.
It is implied that this is the curtain before the most holy place.
"The priest will put"
"all the fat from the bull and burn the fat"
"the priest must do"
"the priest will atone for the people's sins"
"Yahweh will forgive them"
"God has commanded the people not to do"
"then he realizes that he has sinned"
"The ruler will lay"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
"where the priests kill"
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "to Yahweh"
It is implied that the priest will catch the blood in a bowl as the blood drains from the goat.
"The priest will burn"
"The priest will atone for the ruler"
"Yahweh will forgive the ruler's sins"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
"all the blood remaining in the bowl"
Here "He" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
"just as a person cuts away the fat"
"will burn the fat"
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
"The priest will atone for the man's sins"
"Yahweh will forgive the man's sins"
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
"where the priests kill"
Here "He" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
"just as a person cuts away the fat of the lamb"
"the priest will burn the fat"
"burnt offerings for Yahweh"
"will atone for the sin the person committed"
"Yahweh will forgive the man's sins"
"people ask God to punish anyone who refuses to tell what he knows "
Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
"the dead body"
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"if he touches anything that makes a person unclean"
Something that Yahweh has declared unfit for a person to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
"he does not realize it" or "he does not know about it"
"if anyone swears rashly"
This means to swear an oath without thinking seriously about it. It implies that after the person swears the oath that he either cannot fulfill it or he does not really want to fulfill it.
"the priest will atone for him"
"If he does not have enough money to buy a lamb"
"he will kill it by twisting its head and breaking its neck, but he will not remove the head"
"as Yahweh has instructed"
"the priest will atone for the sin that the person committed"
"Yahweh will forgive the person"
An ephah is 22 liters. A tenth of an ephah is about two liters.
This is one part out of ten equal parts.
"He must bring the fine flour"
The handful that the priest burns on the altar represents the entire offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
"on top of the burnt offerings to Yahweh"
“will atone”
"Yahweh will forgive that person's sins"
"sins by failing to give to Yahweh what belongs to Yahweh"
This means the person must pay an extra one-fifth of the value of what he owes to Yahweh.
This is one part out of five equal parts.
“the priest will atone for him”
“Yahweh will forgive that person”
"has commanded the people not to do"
"he is responsible for his own guilt" or "Yahweh will punish him for his sin"
This means the person must determine how many shekels the ram is worth by using the official standard
"Yahweh will forgive him"
"Yahweh certainly considers him guilty"
"disobeys one of Yahweh's commandments"
"lying to his neighbor about something the neighbor let him borrow"
Here "neighbor" means any Israelite, not just someone who lives nearby.
"fully" or "totally"
"to pay the person he owes"
"the judge declares him guilty"
This means the person must determine how many shekels the ram is worth by using the official standard. You can make clear the understood information.
"The priest will atone for him"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"God will forgive him"
"Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law"
"must be on top of the altar"
"you must keep the fire of the altar burning"
"his white clothes"
"He will gather the ashes"
The fire completely burning up the offering is spoken of as if it consumed or used up the burnt offering.
A place that is fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
"on it as Yahweh demands"
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice.
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
"They must eat it"
“Do not bake it with yeast”
"burnt offerings"
This is an implied warning that those who are not male descendants of Aaron should not touch this offering.
"when he anoints each son, ordaining them as priests"
One-tenth of an ephah is about 2 liters.
This is one part of ten equal parts.
This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate.
"When the flour is completely wet with oil"
Here "you" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.
This phrase refers to the son of the high priest who will succeed the high priest when the high priest dies.
"As Yahweh has commanded you"
"he must burn all of it"
"Yahweh spoke to Moses again and told him to speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law"
Yahweh is speaking to Aaron and his sons, but these regulations apply to all priest who perform these sacrifices.
It can be made explicit that this refers to the north side of the altar.
"where you kill the animal for the burnt offering"
"to Yahweh"
"He must eat it"
This is an implied warning that no one besides the priests should touch the meat of the sin offering.
"if the blood sprinkles on"
"you must break the clay pot in which you boiled the meat"
"If you boiled the meat in a bronze pot, then you must scrub the pot and rinse it with clean water"
"But no one may eat any sin offering whose blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place"
"from which the priest takes the blood into the tent of meeting"
"The priest must burn it"
If these words would cause confusion for the reader, you may omit them.
It can be made explicit that this refers to, the north side of the altar, the place where the animals for the burnt offerings are killed.
"The priest must offer all the fat in it"
This is the stomach and intestines.
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
"the priest must remove all this"
"as a burnt offering"
"They must eat it"
"The law is the same for both of them"
"to the priest who offers the sacrifice to atone for someone's sins"
the coat or skin of a herd animal
"that someone bakes in an oven ... that someone cooks in a frying pan"
This was probably a hollow object made of clay. A fire was lit under the oven, and the heat would bake the dough inside of the oven.
This is a metal plate with rounded edges. The dough was placed in the pan and cooked over a fire.
This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate.
"of cakes he made without yeast but mixed with oil"
Here "cakes" refers to a thick bread.
"of thin cakes he made without yeast but spread with oil"
"of cakes he made with fine flour mixed with oil"
Here "cakes" refers to a thick bread. It is similar to the first type of bread except it is made with the finest flour.
"The person who offers"
"for the purpose of thanking Yahweh"
"he must eat the meat ... he may eat it"
“after two days”
"the person must burn it"
"If anyone eats the meat of his peace offering sacrifice on the third day"
"Yahweh will not accept it"
"neither will Yahweh honor the sacrifice that the person offered"
A person being responsible for the sin he committed is spoken of as if he had to carry the guilt physically.
"No one may eat meat that touches something unclean"
Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
"You must burn it"
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
"of a person"
"or of some unclean thing that disgusts Yahweh"
"Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: 'You must eat no fat"
"died but was not a sacrifice"
"the fat of an animal that wild animals killed"
"you may use"
"burnt offering"
"You must not consume blood"
"in any of your homes" or "wherever you live"
"Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: 'He who offers"
"He himself must bring the offering that he plans to burn as a sacrifice to Yahweh"
"he must bring it himself"
the front part of the animal's body below the neck
"so that the priest can present it to Yahweh as a wave offering"
Raising up the offering is a symbolic gesture that shows that the person is dedicating the sacrifice to Yahweh.
the upper part of the leg above the knee
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"that is given as an offering"
"the burnt offerings for Yahweh"
"that Yahweh commanded the people of Israel to give to them"
"that Moses anointed the priests"
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:17.
"the priestly garments" or "the clothes that the priests wore"
"Yahweh commands us to do"
This is a symbolic action. It is a ritually cleaning that prepares them to become priests.
These are special garments that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests.
a long piece of cloth that is tied around the waist or chest
"tied it around him"
"Moses placed the breastpiece on Aaron"
This is a special garment that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests.
It is not clear what these are. They were objects that the priest somehow used to determine the will of God.
These are special garments that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests.
a man's head covering that is a long piece of cloth wrapped around the head
These two phrases refer to the same thing. It was a plate of pure gold attached to the turban.
These are all the pots, pans, shovels, and forks used at the altar.
This is a bronze basin that was located between the altar and the tabernacle.
This is a bronze stand on which the washbasin was placed.
"Moses poured"
This is the plural form of "sash."
This is a symbolic action that identifies Aaron and his sons with the animal they are offering. In this way they are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal.
This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox.
"set the altar apart for God"
"in order to make it a suitable place for burning sacrifices for sin"
This is the stomach and intestines.
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.
the coat or skin of a herd animal
"Moses cut the ram"
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
"an offering he burned to Yahweh"
"the ram for setting Aaron and his sons apart for service to God"
It is implied that Moses caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained out from the animal.
This is the stomach and intestines. .
The thigh is the upper part of the leg above the knee.
This does not refer to the location of the basket of bread. It means this is the bread that Moses had dedicated to Yahweh.
"gave it all to Aaron and his sons"
"they waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering"
This is a symbolic action that dedicates the offering to Yahweh.
Here "them" refers to the fat, thigh, and all of the bread.
"from Aaron and his sons"
"They were an offering for setting Aaron and his sons apart for service to Yahweh"
“a burnt offering to Yahweh”
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
the front part of the animal's body below the neck
an official ceremony that makes someone a priest
"as I commanded you to do"
"until you fulfill the days of your ordination
This is an official ceremony that makes someone a priest.
"us to do"
"to atone for your sins"
"to Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh"
“You must tell the people of Israel to take a male goat ... burnt offering”
"to sacrifice to Yahweh"
Here "you" refers to the people of Israel.
"so that he may show you the glory of his presence"
These are two different sacrifices. The first sacrifice is to atone for the sins of the high priest. When the high priest sins it also makes the people guilty. The second sacrifice is to atone of the sins the people themselves commit.
This implies that they caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the animal.
This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.
"at the bottom of the altar"
"Aaron burned"
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.
This is the coat or skin of a herd animal.
the sons caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the animal.
This is the stomach and intestines
"the goat for his own offering"
This refers to the first sacrifice of each day. The priests would offer this burnt sacrifice in the morning before any other sacrifice.
"Aaron killed"
This is the stomach and intestines. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.
"Aaron's sons took the parts"
The word "these" refers to the fat and inner parts listed previously.
This is front part of the animal's body below the neck.
This is the upper part of the leg above the knee
"to Yahweh"
The phrase "came down" is used because the place of the altar was higher than where the people were standing.
"Yahweh showed all the people the glory of his presence"
"Yahweh sent a fire that consumed"
The fire completely burning up the offering is spoken of as if the fire consumed or used up the burnt offering.
"lay with their faces to the ground." This is a sign respect and honor.
These are the names of Aaron's sons.
a shallow metal container which priests used to carry hot coals or incense
"put burning coals in it"
"But Yahweh did not approve of their offering because it was not according to what he commanded them to offer"
"unapproved fire to Yahweh"
"So Yahweh sent a fire"
"came out from Yahweh"
The fire completely burning the men up is spoken of as if the fire devoured or completely used them up.
"they died in the presence of Yahweh"
"This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said that he would reveal his holiness ... who come near him, and that he will be glorified ... people."
The phrase "those who come near me" refers to the priests that serve Yahweh. "I will show those that come near to serve me that I am holy" or "Those who come near to serve me must treat me as holy"
"They must glorify me before all the people" or "They must honor me in the presence of all the people"
These are names of men.
This does not mean they were literal brothers. Here "brothers" means relatives or cousins.
"So Mishael and Elzaphan came near"
carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, which still had on the priestly tunics
These are the names of Aaron's sons.
Yahweh is telling Aaron and his sons not to show any outward signs of grief or mourning.
"so that you will not die"
"not be angry with all the people of Israel"
"all the people of Israel"
"for those whom Yahweh killed with his fire"
Here "This" refers back to the command for the priests to not drink wine or strong drink when they enter the tent of meeting.
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:17.
You can start a new sentence here. "You must do this so that you will be able to distinguish"
"between what is holy and what is common" or "between what is dedicated to God and what is ordinary"
"between what is unclean and what is clean" or "between what God will not accept and what he will accept"
A person or thing that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch is spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
A person or thing that Yahweh has stated is fit to touch is spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
"the burnt offerings to Yahweh"
"for the grain offering is most holy"
"this is what Yahweh commanded me to tell you"
This refers to the breast of the animals that the Israelites were to bring as offerings to Yahweh and give to the priests, who would wave them before Yahweh.
This refers to the upper part of the leg above the knee of the animals that the Israelites were to bring as offerings to Yahweh and give to the priests, who would eat them with their families.
A place that is fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
"for Yahweh has assigned them to you as your portion"
Here "you" refers to Aaron.
"This portion will always be for you and your sons"
"the priests had burned it all"
"You should have eaten ... before him."
"since the sin offering is most holy"
Causing Yahweh to forgive the people of Israel is spoken of as if iniquity were an object that Yahweh takes from the people.
"in his presence"
"you did not bring its blood"
Aaron is referring to the death of his two sons.
"certainly, Yahweh would not have been pleased."
"out of all the animals"
This means a hoof that is split into two parts instead of being one whole.
This means an animal that brings its food up from its stomach and chews it again.
That is, they have one or the other, but not both.
The camel being unfit for the people to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
a small animal that lives in rocky places
These animals which God declared to be unfit for the people to eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
a small animal with long ears that usually lives in holes in the ground
"nor touch their dead bodies"
the thin, flat part that the fish uses to move through the water
the small plates that cover the body of the fish
"all creatures that live in the ocean or rivers that do not have fins and scales"
"you must detest them" or "you must completely reject them"
"Since you must detest them" or "Since you must completely reject them"
"you must detest their dead bodies" or "you must not touch their dead bodies"
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night.
"the large owl"
These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night.
These are birds that feed on rodents and lizards.
These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night.
Although not a bird, the bat is included in this list because it has wings and flies. It has a furry body and is awake mainly at night. It eats insects and rodents.
"You will detest all winged insects that walk on four legs"
"insects that crawl on the ground"
These are small insects that eat plants and can jump.
"flying insects that have four legs"
"The dead bodies of these animals will make you unclean if you touch any of them"
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he has touched one of these dead animals is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
This refers to the animals he is about to list in the following verses.
These animals that God declared to be unfit for the people to eat are spoken of as if they were physically dirty.
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he has touched one of these animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
animal feet with claws
"until sunset"
These are different kinds of reptiles with four legs.
These are different kinds of reptiles with four legs.
"sand lizard"
"however you use it, you must put it into water"
dead bodies
"You must break it to pieces" or "You must shatter it"
Water that the people are permitted to drink from a spring or cistern is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he has touched the carcass of one of these animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
"seeds that you intend to plant"
Seeds that God has permitted the people to plant are spoken of as if they are physically clean, and those that he has not permitted are spoken of as if they were unclean.
Seeds that God has permitted the people to plant are spoken of as if they are physically clean, and those that he has not permitted are spoken of as if they were unclean.
"But if you put water on the seeds"
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he touches the body of a dead animal is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
"you must not eat it"
Yahweh repeats the same idea in three different ways to strengthen the command that they are not to eat any unclean animal.
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
"and you must not allow them to make you unclean" or "you must not allow yourselves to become unclean by touching them" Or 2) this refers to the result of disobedience to the two preceding commands. Alternate translation: "or you will be made unclean by them" or "or they will make you unclean" or "you will be unclean because you have touched them"
"for which you must distinguish between"
Animals that God declared to be unfit for the people to touch or eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean, and those which he declared to be acceptable for the people to touch and eat are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
"that you may eat ... that you may not eat"
A woman whom other people must not touch because she is bleeding from her womb is spoken of as if she were physically unclean.
This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb.
"a priest must circumcise the baby boy"
This means that the mother will remain impure for thirty-three days.
The reader should understand that this is different from the Holy Place, the first chamber in the tabernacle.
A woman whom other people must not touch because she is bleeding from her womb is spoken of as if she were physically unclean.
"for 14 days"
"it will take sixty-six days for her to be purified from her bleeding"
"When the days of the mother's purification are finished"
This refers to the different number of days for purification based on if she gave birth to a son or daughter.
"this will cleanse her from her bleeding occurring during childbirth"
"If she does not have enough money to buy a lamb"
A woman whom other people may touch is spoken of as if she were physically clean.
"then someone must bring him" or "then he must go"
"to one of Aaron's sons"
Here "his" refers to the person with the skin disease.
Leprosy was a skin disease. There were different skin diseases called leprosy in the Bible.
"the priest must pronounce the man unclean." The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Here "him" refers to the person with the skin disease.
This means if the skin disease has not increased in size or moved to other parts of the body.
"day 7"
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
This is an area of the skin that is irritated, but the rash will not spread to other people.
This refers to the person with the skin disease.
"someone must bring him to the priest" or "he must go to the priest"
Here "raw flesh" could refer to open sores on the skin or it could refer to new skin that has grown, but the area around it is still diseased. Either one indicates that the skin disease is not healing properly.
The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean and the man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
a painful area on the skin that is infected
Here "it" refers to the white swelling or bright spot on the skin.
Here "it" refers to the burn on the person's skin.
"the person must shave the hair near the sore but not the hair on the sore"
Here "the disease" refers to the disease on the person's head or chin.
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
"a faded white"
See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:6.
The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
The camp is the area where the majority of Israelites lived. The unclean person was not permitted to live among them because his disease may spread to others.
"A garment that has leprosy on it" or "A garment that mildews"
has become impure because something harmful has been added to it
"or anything that someone has woven or knitted"
"if there is greenish or reddish mildew in the garment"
"the owner must show it to a priest"
"day 7"
"anything in which a person uses leather"
Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
"anything on which he found the leprosy"
The leprosy could cause disease in a person who comes in contact with the item.
"He must burn the item completely"
"then the priest will command the owners" Here the priest is telling the people what to do with household items that were possibly infected.
"in which they found the leprosy"
"after they washed the item where there was leprosy"
Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Here "you" does not refer to the priest specifically. It just means someone must burn the object.
"after the owner washed it"
Here "you" does not refer to the priest specifically. It just means someone must burn the item.
"then the owner must wash it"
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:47-48.
"so that a priest may declare it"
This refers to the day on which the priest declares the person to be ritually clean.
"Someone must bring him to the priest" or "He must go to the priest"
See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:3.
"the person he is cleansing"
Birds that God allowed the people to eat and offer as sacrifices are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
"red yarn"
an herb with a pleasant smell that was used for medicine
"the bird that the person killed"
"the person he is cleansing"
The person whom other people may touch and who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Here "he" refers to the man who was cleansed.
One ephah is 22 liters.
One log is 0.31 liters.
"will present the person ... along with those things to Yahweh"
This phrase clarifies the previous phrase and further defines where the priest was to kill the lamb.
"sprinkle some of the oil ... in Yahweh's presence." There is no indication of what the priest sprinkled the oil on.
"the rest of the oil that is in his hand"
"in Yahweh's presence"
The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
"does not have enough money to buy"
"that the priest will wave ... for him"
"sprinkle ... some of the oil ... in Yahweh's presence." There is no indication of what the priest sprinkled the oil on.
"The priest must offer"
Here "you" refers to the people of Israel.
"in the land that you possess"
"so that he does not need to declare anything left in the house to be unclean"
The house that Yahweh has stated is unfit for people to touch or live in is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
This means the priest is to determine whether mildew has gone deeper that just the surface of the walls.
"in which they found the leprosy"
Here this probably refers to mildew.
A place that is unfit for people to occupy or to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Here "He" refers to the priest.
"that the owner scrapes all the inside walls"
"the contaminated material that they scraped off"
A place that is unfit for people to occupy or to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
"the stones that they removed"
"they must cover the stones with new clay"
"in the house after the owner takes away the stones, scrapes the walls, and covers the new stones with clay"
"They must tear the house down"
"They must carry away the stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house"
A person whom other people may not touch and who is not acceptable for God's purposes because he has entered the house is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"until sunset"
"the owner put new clay on the stones"
A place that is fit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 14:4.
"the blood of the bird that he killed"
"The priest will make the house ritually clean"
A house that is fit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
People and items that other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean, and those which people may touch are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
This refers to the man's private parts.
The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
"his body is unclean" or "he is unclean"
The bed or anything that the man sits on that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
"until sunset"
"who touches any part of the body"
A saddle is a leather seat that a person puts on the back of a horse in order to ride it.
Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
This refers to the person with the infected fluid.
"Anyone the person with the infected flow touches"
"Someone must break any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches"
"someone must rinse every wooden container in water"
"recovers from his flow"
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
People and objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
"Someone must wash with water every garment or leather on which there is semen"
"man has sexual relations with a woman"
This word refers to the time when blood flows from a woman's womb.
"she will continue to be impure"
These words refer to the time when blood flows from a woman's womb.
This refers to the woman who is menstruating.
This means that if the woman bleeds from her womb at any time other than her regular menstruation time, she is still unclean just as she is during her menstruation.
Objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
The word "she" refers to the woman who is menstruating.
"recovers from her flow of blood"
The woman whom other people may touch is spoken of as if she were physically clean.
"she will take for herself"
"her flow of blood that makes her unclean"
"This is how you must prevent the people of Israel from becoming unclean"
People whom other people may not touch and who are not acceptable for God's purposes are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
"These are the things that must be done"
People whom other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
"who is menstruating" or "who is bleeding from her womb"
"who has sexual relations with"
This refers to Nadab and Abihu. They died because they brought fire to Yahweh that he did not approve.
"This is how"
clothing worn next to the skin under the outer clothes
a piece of cloth that ties around the waist or chest
head covering made from wrapped strips of cloth
"from the congregation"
"the sin offering for himself"
"the goat that is sent away." Aaron was to have someone set the goat free in the wilderness.
"which the lot designated"
Aaron would catch the blood of the bull in a bowl so he could later sprinkle it on the atonement lid.
a container for fire and incense, used by the priests
"sweet-smelling incense." This refers to the smell and not to the taste of the incense.
This is the blood Aaron caught with a bowl in Leviticus 16:11.
He used his finger to splash the blood.
He put the blood on the top part of the lid. He also put it on the side of the lid that was towards him as he entered the most holy place.
Possible meanings are 1) "below the atonement lid onto the chest" or 2) "onto the ground in front of the atonement lid."
The sins of the people of Israel made the holy place unclean.
These words mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the people have committed all kinds of sins.
Sinful actions which make people unacceptable to Yahweh are spoken of as if they were physically unclean actions.
"in the presence of people who commit sinful actions"
This is the altar of sacrifice just inside the courtyard of the tabernacle.
Like the holy place and tent of meeting, the altar is unclean because of the sins of the people.
"the projections at the corners of the altar." This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox.
The altar being fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
The altar being dedicated to Yahweh is spoken of as if it were physically separated from the sins of the people.
Sinful actions which make people unacceptable to Yahweh are spoken of as if they were physically unclean actions.
This goat is called the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:10.
"confess over the goat"
Aaron's actions here were a symbolic transfer of the people's sin to the goat as a sign that the goat would bear the punishment for their guilt.
These all mean basically the same thing. Aaron is confessing every kind of sin that the people committed.
These were the special garments Aaron wore only when he entered the most holy place.
Here "holy place" does not refer to the tent of meeting. This was a different place set aside for him to bathe himself.
These are the clothes that Aaron wore for his ordinary duties.
"Aaron must burn"
The man was unclean because of his contact with the scapegoat, which carried the sin of the people.
"the goat that is sent away."
"whose blood Aaron brought"
"someone must carry"
"their skins." Here "their" refers to the bull and the goat.
The word "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on the western calendar.
"Aaron will make atonement for you"
People who are acceptable for God's purposes are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
This is not the same as the Sabbath they observed every week on the seventh day. This was a special Sabbath on the Day of Atonement.
"the one they will anoint and ordain"
When the high priest died, one of his sons would replace him.
These are special clothes the high priest must wear when he enters the most holy place.
"for all the people of Israel"
"And Moses did as Yahweh commanded" or "And Aaron did as Yahweh commanded Moses"
"before Yahweh's tabernacle"
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
"to the priest, so he may sacrifice them"
The people had been offering their sacrifices in the open field. God wanted them to stop doing that.
The people being unfaithful to Yahweh by worshiping false gods is spoken of as if they were acting like a man who betrays his wife by committing adultery. Alternate translation: "for which they are unfaithful to Yahweh"
See how you translated this phrase in Leviticus 3:17.
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
"I have made up my mind to oppose that person"
"will stare angrily at"
"I will not permit that person to live among his people any longer" or "I will separate that person from his people"
This means God uses the blood to atone for the sins of the people because the blood is life. The people should not consume the blood because it has this special purpose.
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"no one among you may eat meat with blood in it"
"that I have said they may eat"
"cover the blood with dirt"
"each creature is able to live because of its blood"
"Whoever eats blood may no longer live among his people" or "You must separate from his people anyone who eats blood"
"that wild animals have killed"
"is an Israelite"
The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean and the person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
"until sunset"
"then he is responsible for his own guilt" or "then I will punish him for his sin"
"You must obey all of my laws and commandments"
"so that you conduct your behavior according to them"
"uncover nakedness" means "have sexual relations"
"Do not disgrace your father" or "Do not shame shame your father"
"by having sexual relations with your mother ... you must not have sexual relations with her"
"Do not have sexual relations with your father's wives"
Sometimes men had more than one wife. God did not allow a son to have sexual intercourse with any woman married to his father.
"you disgrace your father" or "you shame your father"
"Do not have sexual relations with"
This means a man cannot have sexual intercourse with his sister if they have the same parents or even if she has a different mother or father.
Another possible meaning is, "whether she grew up at your home or far away from you."
"you will disgrace both them and yourself" or "you will shame both them and yourself"
Possible meanings are 1) "your half-sister" or 2) "your stepsister." Here the man does not have the same father or mother as the woman. They became brother and sister when their parents married.
"Do not disgrace your father's brother" or "Do not shame shame your father's brother"
"do not go to his wife in order to have sexual intercourse with her"
"if you do that, you will shame your brother"
This is the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb. The words "impurity" and "uncleanness" both occur to emphasize how disgusting a man is to consider her nakedness at that time.
"any man's wife"
"You must not burn your children alive"
"you must not dishonor your God"
"Do not have sexual relations with"
Here "detestable" refers to a violation of the natural order of things as Yahweh intended them to be.
"to have sexual relations with it"
"the people of the nations defiled themselves"
"The people defiled the land"
"I forcibly removed the people from the land, like a person vomits up food"
"any of these disgusting things"
"Therefore be careful to obey me"
"so that I do forcibly remove you from the land ... as I forcibly removed the people"
"the persons ... may no longer live among their people" or "you must separate the persons ... from their people"
"which the people did here before you came"
Here "them" refers to the detestable customs.
"observe my Sabbaths" or "respect my day of rest"
"Do not begin to worship worthless idols"
"you must offer it properly so that I will accept you" or 2) Yahweh will accept the sacrifice from the person. Alternate translation: "you must offer it properly so that I will accept your sacrifice"
"You must eat it"
"you must burn it"
"If you eat any of it"
"You may not accept it for eating"
"everyone ... is responsible for his own guilt" or "Yahweh will punish everyone ... for his sin"
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
"When you gather your crops, do not gather all the way to the edges of your fields"
"and do not go back and pick up all that you left behind"
"Do not use my name to swear about something that is not true"
"Do not hurt or rob anyone"
Yahweh commands the employer to pay his servant promptly when his work is done that day.
"and do not put something in front of a blind person to make him trip over it"
"Do not judge falsely" or "Do not just unjustly"
"You must not show favoritism to anyone based on how much money they have"
"judge everyone according to what is right"
untrue, hurtful messages about other people
"Do not continually hate your brother"
"You must correct a person who is sinning"
"clothing that someone made from two kinds of material"
"has sexual relations with"
"who is engaged to marry another man"
"but whom her future husband has not ransomed or given her freedom"
"you must punish them"
"You must not kill them"
"A man must bring a ram as a guilt offering to Yahweh to the entrance of the tent of meeting"
"Yahweh will forgive the sin which he has committed"
"then you must not eat the fruit of the trees for the first three years"
"you must regard the fruit they produce as something that I have forbidden you to eat"
"the people will begin to practice prostitution and many wicked things"
"anyone who communicates with the world of the dead"
"Do not seek those people out. If you do, they will defile you"
Standing up in front of someone is a sign of respect.
This refers to a person whose hair has turned gray from age, or "an old person."
This was a measurement for grain.
This was a measurement for liquids.
These phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the command for obedience.
"kills any of his children as a sacrifice to Molech"
"the people in the land must stone him to death"
"I have made up my mind to oppose that man"
"he has sacrificed his child"
"and by doing that, he has defiled my holy place and profaned my holy name"
"dishonor my reputation" or "dishonor me"
"disregard" or "ignore"
"who is unfaithful to Yahweh as he was in order to commit faithless acts with Molech"
"by doing that, they seek advice from the spirits rather than from me"
The words "keep" and "carry out" mean basically the same thing. They are used together in order to emphasize that the people must obey God.
"you must surely put to death"
"the guilt for his violent death is his alone"
"you must certainly put both of them to death"
"has sexual relations with his father's wife"
"he disgraces his father" or "he shames his father"
Here God calls a man having sex with his son's wife a "perversion", a serious sin.
"just like he would with a woman"
"something detestable" or "something detestable"
"You must burn to death both the man and the women"
Both clauses mean the same thing. They emphasize that the woman and animal must die.
"has sexual relations with" or 2) it simply means "to marry."
"whether it is his full sister or half-sister"
"they have sexual relations"
"has had sexual relations with his sister"
"He is responsible for his sin" or "You must punish him"
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb
"he has done a shameful thing by uncovering the flow of her blood"
"a man has sexual relations with a woman"
"Because they have done this shameful thing, both the man and woman must be cut off"
"Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister"
"a man has sexual relations with his aunt"
"he has disgraced his uncle" or "he has shamed his uncle"
Some interpret this to apply only when the brother is still alive or has become the father of male children by the woman.
"He has disgraced his brother" or "He has shamed his brother"
"the land to which I am bringing you will not reject you"
"you must not follow"
or "the customs"
"remove"
"a land that is excellent for cattle and farming" or "a productive land"
"I have distinguished you" or "I have set you apart"
"they must certainly put to death"
"the guilt for their violent death is theirs alone"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"among the Israelites"
This can also be translated as "young woman"
It is impossible to be certain what the writer intended here. Possible meanings are 1) shave off certain parts of their beards or 2) cut or shave any part of their beards.
"They must be set apart"
"not disgrace God's reputation" or "not disgrace their God"
Here "bread" represents food in general. Yahweh does not actually eat these offerings. It is the sincerity of those offering the food that pleases God.
"The priests must not"
"they are holy" or "all priests are holy"
"You people must treat the priest as holy"
"You must regard him as holy"
"You must burn her to death"
This is a reference to the anointing oil used in the ceremony consecrating a new the high priest.
"on whose head they poured anointing oil and consecrated him"
Loose hair and torn clothes were signs of mourning.
This does not mean the high priest could never leave. God did not allow him to leave in order to grieve over someone who died.
"from among his own tribe, the tribe of Levi"
"that he will not have unworthy children by marrying an ungodly woman"
"he must not come to burn the burnt offering of food on God's altar"
A priest had to meet specific physical standards in order to approach Yahweh. This does not imply that physical defects were the result of immorality or that all people with physical defects are unable to approach Yahweh.
"one whose body or face is deformed"
"to make burnt offering of food on God's altar"
Here "he" refers to the priest with the bodily defect.
"eat the food offering of his God." Parts of the sacrifices belonged to the priests and could be eaten.
"some of the sacrifices offered in the most holy place or some of the sacrifices offered in the holy place"
"to Aaron's sons"
"tell them when they should keep away from the holy things." Yahweh is about to describe situations where a priest is unclean and not allowed to touch holy things.
"dishonor my reputation" or "dishonor me"
"from now on"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"that person will no longer be able to serve as a priest"
"a bodily discharge"
"from his private parts"
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"by touching a dead body"
"the sacrifices that someone has offered to Yahweh"
"or whoever is unclean from touching a creeping animal or from touching another unclean person"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"until sunset"
"the priest will then be considered clean." A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"that someone found dead or that a wild animal has killed"
"the holy offerings which people have contributed"
Possible meanings are 1) that the person had to replace the food that he had eaten with the same kind of food or 2) that the person had to pay money to the priest for the food that he had eaten.
This is one part out of five equal parts.
"that they have offered"
"they would receive the punishment because they are guilty"
"a foreigner"
"if Yahweh is to accept it" or "if I, Yahweh, am to accept it"
"for me to accept it" or "for Yahweh to accept it"
These words refer to defects caused by accidents.
These refer to types of skin diseases.
"I will not accept" or "Yahweh will not accept"
These words refer to defects the animal has from birth.
"must not present an animal as a food offering to your God"
"that a foreigner has given you"
"Yahweh will not accept them from you"
"you may accept it"
"for a burnt offering"
"You must eat it"
"that you sacrificed it"
"obey my commandments"
"You must not dishonor me, for I am holy" or "You must not dishonor my holy reputation"
"The people of Israel must acknowledge me as holy"
"the festivals for Yahweh" or "Yahweh's festivals"
This is something the people must do habitually. After every six days in which they can work, they must rest on the seventh day.
"a holy day, when you must assemble together to worship me"
"at their proper times"
The first month of the Hebrew calendar marks when Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The fourteenth day is around the beginning of April on the Western calendar.
"at sunset"
The "same month" is the first month of the Hebrew calendar (verse 5). It was in the first month that Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The fifteenth day are around the beginning of April on the Western calendar.
"You must set apart the first day to gather together" or "You must treat the first day as different and gather together"
They would present it to Yahweh by burning it on the altar.
"The seventh day is a day when you must assemble together to worship Yahweh"
"for Yahweh to accept it" or "and I will accept it"
"four and a half liters"
"one liter"
"nor cooked or uncooked grain"
This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.
"that you have made from two-tenths of an ephah of flour and then baked with yeast"
"Yahweh will be pleased with you" or "that pleases the Yahweh"
"When you gather your crops, do not gather them all the way to the edges of your fields"
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of September on Western calendars.
a period of time that was only for worship and not for work
"you must offer a sacrifice that you make by fire to Yahweh" or "you must burn an offering on the altar to Yahweh"
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on Western calendars.
"the Day of Sacrifice for Forgiveness"
"must be excluded from his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
"on the Day of Atonement"
This is not the same as the Sabbath they observed every week on the seventh day. This was a special Sabbath on the Day of Atonement.
"you must humble yourselves and eat nothing"
"the ninth day of the seventh month"
"From sunset to sunset on the next day"
This is near the beginning of October on Western calendars.
This is a celebration during which the people of Israel lived in temporary shelters for seven days as a way to remember the time they spent living in the wilderness after they left Egypt.
This refers to the festivals mentioned in 23:1-36.
"after you have gathered the crops"
Possible uses for these branches are 1) to make temporary shelters or 2) to wave them as part of their joyous celebration. Some translations state their use clearly; other translations leave it implicit.
trees with long, narrow leaves, which grow near water
"your descendants belonging to all future generations may learn" or "all your descendants may learn forever"
"pure olive oil"
"the lamp in the tent of meeting"
The phrase "covenant decrees" represents either the tablets that the decrees were written on or the box that the tablets were put in. These were kept in the very holy place, which was the room behind the curtain in the tent of meeting. Alternate translation: "Outside the curtain that is in front of the tablets of the covenant decrees" or "Outside the curtain that is in front of the box of the covenant"
This was a thick fabric hung as a wall. It was not like a light window curtain.
"from sunset to sunrise" or "all night"
This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.
"four and a half liters"
This table is in the holy place, which is before the most holy place.
"to represent the loaves as an offering" or "to be an offering that represents the loaves"
"You will burn this incense as an offering for Yahweh"
"This bread that is offered"
"for they took it from the offerings"
"blasphemed Yahweh by cursing him" or "said terrible things about Yahweh"
This is the name of a woman.
This is the name of a man.
They were to put their hands on his head to show that he was the guilty one.
"must suffer for his sin" or "must be punished
"the people must surely put him to death" or "the people must surely kill him"
"You must certainly put to death anyone who kills another person"
"must pay it back by giving him a live animal"
"one life to replace the other life" or "to replace the one that he killed"
"you must do to him"
"broken bone for broken bone" or "If he breaks someone's bone, one of his bones must be broken" or "If he breaks someone's bone, they will break one of his bones"
"If he destroys someone's eye, one of his bones must be destroyed" or "If he destroys someone's eye, they will destroy his eye"
"If he knocks out someone's tooth, one of his teeth must be knocked out" or "If he knocks out someone's tooth, they will knock out one of his teeth"
"they must put to death anyone who kills a person"
"obeyed the command"
"you must obey the Sabbath law by letting the land rest every seventh year for Yahweh" or "you must obey Yahweh's Sabbath by not farming the land every seventh year"
To prune a vineyard is to cut the branches and vines to help the fruit grow better.
"you must observe a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land" or "you must obey the Sabbath law by not farming the land every seventh year"
Yahweh will not allow the owner of a field to organize his workers and harvest the land as he does the other six years. However, Yahweh will allow individuals to go through the fields to pick and eat the fruit they find.
"your vines that you do not prune"
"whatever grows on the unworked land"
"your gardens that you do not tend"
"whatever grows on the land"
"they will be seven sets of seven years"
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on Western calendars.
On this day each year the high priest would make a sacrifice to Yahweh so that Yahweh would forgive all the sins of the people of Israel.
The Jubilee was a year when the Jews had to return land to its' original owners and set slaves free. Alternate translation: "a year of restoration for you" or "a year for you to return land and free slaves"
"you must return property and slaves"
"a year for you to return the land to me"
Yahweh did not allow the land owner to organize his workers and harvest the land as he did the other six years. However, he did allow individuals to go through the fields and eat what they find.
"this year of restoration" or "this year to return land and free slaves"
"that you can harvest"
"the next year of restoration" or "the next year to return land"
All of these phrases mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the people must obey everything Yahweh says.
"you will eat till you are full" or "you will eat plenty"
Here "You" refers to the people of Israel.
"I will send my blessing on you" or "I will bless you"
"from the food you store"
"You must not sell your land permanently to another person"
"You must remember that the original owner has the right to redeem the land whenever he wants"
"you must allow the family from whom you bought the land to buy it back"
"he sold the land"
"repay to the purchaser who bought it the money the purchaser would have made"
"will go back to his land"
"after he sold it"
"the right to redeem it"
"If he or his family does not redeem the house"
"the buyer and his descendants"
"The man who bought that house will not have to return it"
Some villages did not have a wall around them.
"the houses that the Levites own in their cities"
"the Levites may redeem them at any time"
"the one who bought the house in the city where it is located must return it"
"the year of restoration" or "the year to return land and free slaves"
The land of Canaan was divided up among the people of Israel, but of that land, the Levites were only given 48 cities with the fields around them. Alternate translation: "their part of the land that the Israelites possessed" or "their property in the land of Israel"
"But the Levites must not sell the fields around their cities"
"Do not require him to pay back any more than you lent him"
The owner was to treat the Israelite with more respect than he would treat a slave.
The owner was to treat the Israelite with more respect than he would treat a slave.
"your fellow countrymen are my servants"
"You must not sell them as slaves"
"you may buy slaves from those nations"
"after the foreigner buys your fellow Israelite, someone in the Israelite's family may buy him back"
An Israelite could be a slave only until the year of Jubilee. These instructions are for when an Israelite wanted to buy back his freedom before the year of Jubilee.
"They must figure the price of his redemption" or "They must figure how much to pay for the foreigner to set the Israelite free"
"according to the rate a person would pay to hire a servant"
"for the number of years until the jubilee that the Israelite would have continued to work but will not"
"the Israelite slave must pay back"
"rule over him in a way that harms him" or "treat him badly"
"If no one redeems him by these means from the one who bought him as a slave"
"in this way"
The Israelite slave and his children would serve the foreigner until the year of Jubilee, and then the foreigner would have to set the Israelite and his children free.
"For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants." This is the reason that God wanted the Israelites to be set free in the year of jubilee. They were his servants. They were not permitted to be anyone else's permanent slave.
"obey the rules for my Sabbaths"
"If you carefully obey my laws and commands"
"If you behave according to my laws" or "if you live according to my laws"
"will eat food until you are full" or "will have plenty of food to eat"
"I will cause there to be peace in the land"
"no armies will attack you"
"they will die when you attack them with the sword" or "you will kill them in battle"
This means the Israelites will have victory against larger armies.
"I will show you favor" or "I will bless you"
These two phrases refer to God causing them to have many descendants so they become a large group.
"cause you to have many children"
"You will have enough food stored to eat for a long time" or "you will have enough food to store and eat it for a long time"
"I will put my dwelling place among you"
"I will accept you"
"I will live with you"
"I have set you free from the hard labor they made you do"
The phrase "these things" refers to the things listed in Leviticus 26:14-15.
"I will send disasters that will terrify you"
"will slowly take away your life" or "will slowly make you die." It is the diseases and the fever that will do this.
"You will plant your seeds, but you will not get anything from them"
"I have made up my mind to oppose you"
"your enemies will defeat you"
Here "seven times" is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment.
"I will punish you and so end the pride that you feel about your power" or "I will punish you so that you will no longer be proud of your power"
This means God will stop the rain from falling from the sky. This will make the ground hard so that people cannot plant seed or grow crops.
"You will work very hard in vain" or "You will work very hard, but you will not receive anything good from working so hard"
"rebel against me"
"I will cause seven times as many disasters to come against you" or "I will punish you seven times more severely"
Here "seven times" is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment.
"according to how much you have sinned"
"which will kill your children"
"no one will travel on your roads"
"If when I punish you like this" or "If I discipline you like this and"
"you still do not listen to my correction" or "you still do not obey me"
"oppose me" or "fight against me"
"because you continue to sin against me"
"I will bring an enemy army against you" or "I will cause an enemy army to attack you"
"that will punish you"
"for disobeying the covenant" or "because you disobey the covenant"
"You will gather together" or "You will hide"
"I will deliver you into the hand of your enemy" or "I will allow your enemy to control you"
"When I stop you from being able to get food" or "When I make it impossible for you to get the food you depend on"
This implies that there will be so little flour that one small oven will be able to hold all the bread that many women can put into it.
This means there will be so little food that they will have to measure how much each person gets.
"If you do not obey me"
"to oppose me" or "to fight against me"
"I will oppose you"
"I will send an enemy army to destroy ... cut down ... throw your corpses"
"your dead bodies"
"your lifeless idols"
"I will send enemy armies to turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sacred places"
These were places where people worshiped idols instead of God.
"You will burn offerings, but I will not be pleased with you"
"I will send enemy armies to attack you" or "I will send enemy armies to attack you with their swords"
"Your enemies will devastate your land and destroy your cities"
"Then the land will rest according to the Sabbath law" or "Then, as required by the Sabbath law, the land will not be farmed"
"it will not be farmed"
"I will make you terribly afraid"
"as though you were fleeing from someone who was chasing you with a sword" or "as though you were fleeing from an enemy army"
"as though you were running away from someone who was chasing you with a sword" or "as though you were running away from an enemy army"
"to resist your enemies when they attack you" or "to fight back against your enemies"
"you will die in your enemies' land"
"Those of you who do not die"
Wasting away in their sins represents wasting away because of their sins.
Here "their fathers" represents their ancestors.
"to oppose them"
"if they will be humble instead of stubbornly disobedient"
"then I will fulfill the covenant I made with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham"
"I will fulfill my promise about the land"
"The people of Israel will abandon their land"
"so it will benefit from the Sabbaths"
"I will fulfill the covenant with their ancestors"
"in the knowledge of the nations" or "and the nations knew about it"
"the people of the nations"
"If anyone vows to give someone to Yahweh"
"use the following values as your gift to the Lord in place of the person" or "give the Lord the following amounts of silver instead of the person"
"The amount to pay" or "You must pay"
"fifty pieces of silver, each of which weighs ten grams" or "five hundred grams of silver"
"Use the kind of shekel that is used in the sanctuary" or "When you weigh the silver, use the weight that is used in the sanctuary"
"for the female of that age your standard value must be ten shekels"
"sixty years old and older"
"he must present to the priest the person he is giving"
"you must set apart to Yahweh any part of that animal that that person has given to Yahweh"
"both it and the one he exchanges it for" or "both animals"
"is in fact one that Yahweh will not accept because it is unclean"
This is the value the animal is normally worth when someone buys or sells it.
"wishes to buy it back"
"he must divide the value of the house into five equal parts, add the amount equal to one of those parts, and pay all of it"
"a piece of land that requires one homer of barley in order to plant all of it will be valued at" or 'the value of land that requires one homer of barley will be"
A homer is 220 liters.
This occurs every 50 years.
"its value will remain the same" or "its value will be the full amount"
"he must reduce the estimated value"
If he does not redeem the field before the year of Jubilee"
"he can no longer buy it back"
"in the year of restoration" or "the year for you to return land and free slaves." This was a year when the Jews had to return land to its original owners and set slaves free.
"that someone has completely given to Yahweh"
These two phases refer to the same person. Normally the land would be bought from its owner.
"The priests must determine the estimated values"
There were shekels of different weights. This is the one that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent.
"One shekel must equal twenty gerahs"
"No one may set apart to Yahweh"
"If the person does not buy back the animal"
"No one may pay a ransom"
"for any person whom Yahweh has determined should die because of his sin"
"you must put that person to death" or "you must kill that person"
"If a man wants to buy back any of his tithe"
"when you count your animals by raising your shepherd rod and having them walk under it to the other side" or "when you count the animals"
"every tenth animal"
"then both animals"
"He cannot redeem it" or "He cannot buy it back"
This is a summary statement. It refers to the commandments that were given in the past chapters.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
"year 2"
"males, one by one" or "males, head by head" or "males, each one". They counted how many men of military age were in each tribe of Israel. These men would also become the heads of families. It is possible the numbers in this chapter are rounded to the nearest 100.
"20 years old"
This refers to assigning the men to their military divisions.
"a leader of a clan"
"help you"
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
Yahweh continues to list the leaders of the tribes to Moses.
"the men whom Yahweh appointed"
"gathered these men together"
"whose names they had recorded"
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of April on Western calendars. See how you translated this in Numbers 1:1.
"one by one" or "head by head"
"they counted by name all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war"
"older—men who were able to go to war—were"
"counted one by one" or "counted head by head"
"forty-six thousand five hundred men"
"they counted by name all the mustered men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, by"
"men they had called to fight"
"fifty-nine thousand three hundred men"
"seventy-four thousand six hundred men"
"fifty-four thousand four hundred men"
"older—men who were able to go to war—were."
"fifty-seven thousand four hundred men"
"forty thousand five hundred men"
"thirty-two thousand two hundred men"
"thirty-five thousand four hundred men"
"They counted sixty-two thousand seven hundred"
"They counted forty-one thousand five hundred"
"They counted fifty-three thousand four hundred"
"So they counted all the men of Israel ... in each of their ancestors' households". This long phrase is repeated multiple times in the census. See how you translated it in Numbers 1:20.
"six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty men"
"Moses and Aaron did not count the Levites"
"must not count the men of the tribe of Levi"
The tabernacle was also called by this longer name because the ark with the law of God was placed inside it.
Here "it" refers to the tabernacle.
"When you travel, the Levites must carry the tabernacle"
"set up their tents around it"
"When it is time to set up the tabernacle"
"Any stranger ... must die" or "You must kill any stranger who comes near the tabernacle"
a large flag
"his military division"
The tabernacle was also called by this longer name because the ark with the law of God was placed inside it.
"so that in my anger I do not punish the people of Israel". Here Yahweh speaks of not punishing the Israelites as his anger not coming upon them. The phrase "come upon" refers to his anger being applied to them.
"do all the work connected to the tabernacle" or "take care of everything connected to the tabernacle"
Yahweh had commanded Moses everything that the Israelites were to do, and then Moses had commanded the Israelites.
The "standards" were four larger groups that the tribes were divided into. Each standard was commanded to camp together. The standards was represented by a banner. Moses told each tribe where to camp.
Each extended family also had a banner under with the camp, which was within the area designated for their standard.
A banner is a large flag.
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:7.
"seventy-four thousand six hundred"
Yahweh continues telling Moses where each tribe and its army will camp around the tent of meeting.
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:8.
"division." This is a military term for a large group of soldiers.
"fifty-four thousand four hundred men"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:9.
"fifty-seven thousand four hundred men."
"The number of the men camped under the standard of Judah is 186,400" (one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred.)
This refers to the three tribes that camp east of the tent of meeting: the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
"When travelling, the camp of Judah will start walking first" or "When the Israelites leave, those tribes will leave first"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:5.
"46,500 men" or "forty-six thousand five hundred men."
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:6.
"Fifty-nine thousand three hundred men." or "59,300 men"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:14.
"forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty men." or "45,650 men"
"The number of all the men ... is one hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty." or "The number of all the men camped under the standard of Reuben, according to their divisions, is 151,450"
"When traveling, the camp of Reuben will start walking second" or "When the Israelites leave, those tribes will leave next". This means that when the Israelite camp moves, the camp of Reuben will start walking out after the camp of Judah goes out.
This means that the tent of meeting must be carried by the Levites in the middle of the tribes as they travel.
"They" refers to the twelve tribes.
"by his tribe's banner"
"Forty thousand five hundred men." or "40,500 men"
This means that the tribe of Manasseh will set out next, after the tribe of Ephraim.
"Thirty-two thousand two hundred men." or "32,200 men"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:11.
"Thirty-five thousand four hundred men." or "35,400 men"
"All those numbered ... one hundred and eight thousand one hundred men." or "The number of the men camped under the standard of Ephraim is 108,100"
"When travelling, the camp of Ephraim will start walking third" or "When the Israelites leave, those tribes will leave next". This means that when the Israelite camp moves, the camp of Ephraim will start walking out after the camp of Judah and the camp of Reuben go out.
"the divisions that camp under the standard of Dan". This refers to the divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphthali that are under the standard of Dan.
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:12.
"Sixty-two thousand seven hundred men." or "62,700 men"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:13.
"forty-one thousand five hundred men." or "41,500 men."
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:15.
"fifty-three thousand four hundred men." or "53,400 men."
"All those numbered ... one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred men." or "The number of the men camped under the standard of Dan is 157,600."
"Moses and Aaron counted them all"
Here "their" refers to the people of Israel.
"are six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty people"
"When they traveled, they went out from the camp"
The author uses the word "now" to shift to telling a new historical account.
"Nadab, who was the firstborn"
These are names of men.
"the priests whom Moses anointed and ordained"
"suddenly died before Yahweh"
"in Yahweh's presence"
"they burned an incense offering in a way that Yahweh did not approve of"
"Bring the men of the tribe of Levi". The Levites were given a special function in Israel. They belonged to or were specially dedicated to serve Yahweh. They were to be priests and were held to a higher standard than the rest of Israel. Only two of Aaron's sons survived because his other two sons offered improper sacrifices. This tribe had a lot of responsibility during this time.
"for." This means to do something for someone else, acting as a representative for them.
"help the people of Israel"
"they must help the tribes of Israel by serving in the tabernacle"
"work of the tabernacle"
"You" refers to Moses.
"I have given them entirely"
"you must kill any foreigner who comes near" or "any foreigner who comes near must die"
"but any foreigner who comes near the tabernacle"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I have chosen the Levites"
"every firstborn son, the first to come from the womb"
"Count the male descendants"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize that he obeyed Yahweh.
This is a list of the descendants of Levi.
This is a list of the descendants of Gershon.
This is a list of the descendants of Kohath.
This is a list of the descendants of Merari.
"descend from Gershon"
"Libnites" and "Shimeites" are the name of clans, named after the head of their family. The "Gershonites" is the name of people who descended from Gershon.
"Moses counted all the males from a month old and older"
"seventy-five hundred males" or "seven thousand five hundred males"
These are the names of men.
"the curtains in the courtyard"
"that is, the courtyard that surrounds the sanctuary and the altar"
This is a list of clans that descended from Kohath. See Numbers 3:17.
"Moses counted 8,600 males"
"eight thousand six hundred males"
"from a month old and older"
"do all the work connected to the sanctuary" or "take care of everything connected to the sanctuary". See how you translated this in Numbers 1:53.
These verses give us information about the clans that descended from Kohath.
"the holy things which the priests use for service"
"do all the work connected to the holy place" or "take care of everything connected to the holy place". See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
This is a list of clans that descended from Merari.
"Moses counted 6,200 males"
"six thousand two hundred males"
The panels that they made by joining together smaller pieces of wood.
These are support beams that give stability to the structure.
A strong piece of wood set upright and used as a support.
The bases held the posts in place.
This means everything used to join the crossbars, posts, and bases together.
"pillars and posts."
These are all items used secure the pillars and posts into place.
Here "his" refers to Aaron
"on the east side, where the sun rises"
"doing all the work connected to the sanctuary" or "taking care of everything connected to the sanctuary". See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
"You must kill any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary" or "Any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary must die"
"22,000 men" or "22,000 males"
"you must take all the Levites' livestock"
"all the firstborn sons"
"twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three men"
"to redeem". Some translations use "ransom". This refers back to the Exodus from Egypt in Exodus 12 and 13. Also, see how the Apostle Paul uses these phrases to refer to Jesus Christ as the Passover Lamb and Redeemer. (1 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 3:13, 1Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 1:19).
"two hundred and seventy-three firstborn"
Only the firstborn males were counted.
This means that there are 273 more firstborn males among the other tribes of the Israelites than there are total number of Levite males.
"about 55 grams of silver". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
"You must use the weight of the shekels in the sanctuary as your standard weight". This means that the shekel must weight the same as those in the sanctuary.
"20 gerahs." A gerah is a unit of weight equal to about 0.57 kilograms.
"the money that you collected for their redemption." Some translations use "ransom" instead of "redemption". This refers to the shekels that Moses collected.
"about 15 kilograms of silver". "one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels." A shekel is 11 grams.
This refers to the money that Moses collected. Some translations use "ransom".
Here "his" refers to Aaron
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
"that Yahweh had told him to do"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"30 to 50 years old"
The word "company" refers to the rest of the people working in the tent of meeting.
"that I have specially selected for myself"
"When the people prepare". Here "camp" refers to all of the people in the camp.
"to move to another location"
This refers to the curtain that kept people from being able to see into the most holy place.
The word "it" refers to the curtain that separated the most holy place from the holy place.
"insert the poles into the rings on the ark's sides"
"the bread of Yahweh's presence"
Here "it" refers to the blue cloth.
"There must always be bread"
The word "them" refers to "the dishes, spoons, bowls, and jars" (verse 7).
"red cloth"
"insert poles into the rings at the corners of the table"
"They must cover ... with fine leather"
"they must place all of these things on a frame for carrying them"
"insert the carrying poles into the rings one the sides of the altar"
a wooden rectangle made with poles used to carry things
"used when serving Yahweh in the holy place"
"when serving at the altar"
"to carry all of the items of the holy place". Here the holy place refers to all the items that make up the holy place that Aaron and his sons covered in cloth and skins.
"when the people move forward"
"the holy equipment"
"the oil for the lamps"
"those who care for"
"to do anything that will cause me to completely remove them from among the Levites". This phrase refers to the death of the Kohathites.
This phrase refers to what Yahweh says next. Moses will protect the Kohathites by not allowing them to go in and see the holy place.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
This refers to the descendants of Kohath. See how you translated this in Numbers 3:27.
"of the male descendants of Gershon"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"30 years old to 50 years old"
This sentence is a description that tells us what the following verses are about.
"the covering of fine leather hides that is placed on top of that" or "the outer covering made of fine leather hides"
"Whatever work that these things require"
"must tell the descendants of the Gershonites how they are to serve Yahweh in the tent of meeting"
"This is how the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites will serve in the tent of meeting"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:2.
"the male descendants of Merari"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"list them"
"This" refers to what Yahweh says next.
These are all parts of the framing of the tabernacle. See how you translated all of these parts in Numbers 3:36-37.
Here "their" refers to the posts of the court.
These are all parts of the framing of the tabernacle. See how you translated all of these parts in Numbers 3:36-37.
"List by each man's name the articles he must carry"
"as Ithamar son of Aaron the priest directs them"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:2.
"the male descendants of the Kohathites"
"everyone who was assigned to join the company"
"two thousand seven hundred and fifty men"
"Moses and Aaron counted the male descendants of Gershon"
"everyone who was assigned to join the company"
"whom Moses and Aaron counted by their clans"
"two thousand six hundred and thirty men."
"they" refers to Moses and Aaron.
"Moses and Aaron counted the descendants of Merari"
"whom Moses and Aaron counted by their clans"
"numbered three thousand two hundred"
"to the command Moses received from Yahweh and gave to Aaron"
Moses gave special instructions for each of the families of the tribes of Levi. Each family was given a special role in the ministry of the tabernacle.
"eight thousand five hundred and eighty men"
"As Yahweh commanded"
These two phrase have similar meaning and are used together to emphasize how Moses counted all the men.
"by his type of work assignment" or "by the type of work he had assigned each man to do"
"he would have"
Here "they" and "them" refer to Moses and Aaron.
Israel's entire camp was to be a "clean" place. This meant that people who could not be made acceptable to God were not allowed inside the camp.
This refers to an open cut that has been leaking fluids for a long time.
If a person touched a dead body they were considered unclean. A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
"The people of Israel sent those who were unclean out of the camp"
"any sin that people usually commit against one another"
"they have also wronged me". If someone sins against another person, it means that they have also sinned against Yahweh and Yahweh considers that person as unfaithful to him.
"what is considered a suitable amount of money for the wrong that he has done". Here the person's "sin" is referred to as his "guilt."
This means the person must pay an extra one-fifth of the price that he owes.
This is one part out of five equal parts.
"But if the wronged person has died and has no close relative to receive the payment"
"if the person whom the guilty person has wronged"
If a person made a payment to a priest to pay for his guilt it was the same as if the person had made the payment to Yahweh.
"to atone for his sin"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and may be combined to state that the offerings that someone gives belong to the priest to whom they have been given.
The words "Suppose that a man's wife turns away" begin a long description of a possible situation, something that has not happened but might happen. Yahweh tells Moses what to do if it does happen.
"a man's wife is unfaithful"
"sins against her husband by having sexual relations with another man"
"If a man has sexual relations with her"
"in the act of adultery" or "sleeping with him"
"his wife has defiled herself ... his wife has not defiled herself"
"the husband might feel jealous and become suspicious"
"a man might feel jealous for no reason"
This is one part out of ten equal parts.
"2 liters"
"a grain offering for jealousy"
A "reminder" is something that shows evidence that something had occurred that required justice. In this case, he made the offering to determine whether his wife had committed adultery or not.
"near the altar and place her in the presence of Yahweh"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"no other man has had sexual relations with you"
"if you have not been unfaithful to your husband"
"by committing uncleanness." This phrase refers to committing adultery.
"this bitter water will not harm you, though it is able to"
"this bitter water can be a curse to you"
"have been unfaithful to your husband"
"that can cause a curse to come upon her"
"Because Yahweh curses you, other people will curse you as well, and Yahweh will show people that you are truly cursed"
"that he will show to your people as a curse"
"your womb to be useless and your abdomen to swell". Here the word "thigh" is a polite way of referring to the woman's womb or her private parts. Possible meanings are 1) that the woman will become unable to have children or 2) that the woman's pregnancy will end too early and the baby will die.
"Yes, that is exactly what should happen if I am guilty"
This means that he is to wash the ink off of the scroll.
"the curses he has written"
Verse 24 explains in a general way what the priest must do and what is expected to happen when the woman drinks the water. Verse 25 and 26 explains in detail how the priest is to do this work. The priest gives the water to the woman and she drinks it only once.
"a grain offering for jealousy." See how you translated this in Numbers 5:15.
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering, which belongs to Yahweh.
"if she has defined herself by committing"
"committed adultery"
See how you translated these concepts in Numbers 5:21.
"Her people will curse her"
"has not defiled herself"
Here "being innocent" is spoken of as "being clean."
"then she will not be cursed" or "then she is free from guilt."
"become pregnant"
"the law for dealing with jealousy"
"who is unfaithful to her husband"
"defiles herself"
"who is jealous"
"and suspects that his wife has been unfaithful to him"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"will not be guilty of doing something wrong by bringing his wife to the priest"
"must endure"
The Nazirite vow was a special type of vow between a person and Yahweh. This chapter gives the rules for people to be consecrated to God as Nazirites.
"he must not consume"
"vinegar that people make from wine"
a drink produced when wine and other strong drinks ferment too long and become sour
dried grapes
"the days in which he has consecrated himself to me"
"nothing that people make from grapes"
"from any part of a grape"
"vow of dedication"
"no one is to use a razor on his head"
"the days that he has separated himself to Yahweh" or "the days that he has dedicated himself to Yahweh"
"to Yahweh are complete"
"He must set himself apart to Yahweh"
"dedicated"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"he has consecrated himself"
"that he has consecration himself"
"he has reserved himself for Yahweh" or "set apart for Yahweh"
"defiles his long hair which shows everyone he is separated to God" or "he becomes defiled"
"day 7"
"day 8"
"during the time he is being set apart again"
"He must bring a male lamb one year old to the priest as a guilt offering"
"He must not count the days before he defiled himself"
"he defiled himself" or "he made himself unacceptable"
"for which he has consecrated himself"
"Someone must bring him" or "He must go"
"He must present his offering to Yahweh by bringing it to the priest to be sacrificed" or "He must present his offering to Yahweh by bringing it to the priest who will sacrifice it"
"bread he made without yeast"
"fine flour that he mixed with oil"
"wafers without yeast which he rubbed with oil"
small pieces of flat bread
"together with the grain offering and drink offering that Yahweh required to accompany the other offerings"
"He" refers to the priest and "his" refers to the man who took a vow.
"as the fellowship offering"
"The priest must present also ... the drink offering to Yahweh"
"his head, on which he had grown out his hair to show that he had consecrated himself to Yahweh"
"the shoulder of the ram that he boiled"
"Then the priest must take them back and wave them"
"as well as"
"that the priest waved"
"for which he has consecrated himself to Yahweh"
"If he decides to give any additional offerings"
"he must still obey the requirements of the vow he has taken"
"the promise that the law for his consecration indicates"
"You" is plural.
Here "you" is singular.
"protect you."
"smile at you" or "look at you with kindness"
Here "you" is singular.
"show you favor"
Here "you" is singular.
"they must let the people of Israel know that they are mine"
"Moses finished setting up the tabernacle". When the tabernacle was completed, they consecrated the altar. Each tribe brought an offering to consecrate the altar.
"the leaders of Israel who are also the heads of their ancestors families"
"the leaders of their ancestor's families"
"had helped Aaron and Moses to count the men"
"They brought their offerings to Yahweh and presented them to him in front of the tabernacle"
"6 covered carts and 12 oxen"
"to each man as he needs them for his work"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"because it was what they needed to do their work"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"under the supervision of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest" or "Ithamar son of Aaron the priest oversaw their work"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:2.
The word "he" refers to Moses.
"because it was what they needed to do their work"
This refers to the carts and oxen.
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"their work would be"
"the things that Yahweh reserved for the tabernacle"
"offered gifts"
"Each day, one leader must offer his sacrifice"
"day 1" or "day number 1"
These are the names of men. See how you translated these names in Numbers 1:7.
"weighing one hundred and thirty shekels." or "weighing nearly one and a half kilograms" or "weighing one kilogram and 430 grams"
"one silver bowl weighing 70 shekels." or "one silver bowl weighing nearly eight tenths of a kilogram" or "one silver bowl weighting 770 grams"
"measured by the standard weights used in the sanctuary". There were shekels of different weights. This is the one that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent.
"fine flour that he had mixed with oil"
"one gold dish that weighed one tenth of a kilogram" or "one gold dish that weighed 110 grams"
"that were each one year old"
"This was what Nahshon son of Amminadab presented"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:7.
"day 2" or "day number 2"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:8.
"one silver platter weighing nearly one and a half kilograms" or "one silver platter weighing one kilogram and 430 grams"
"one silver bowl weighing 70 shekels." or "one silver bowl weighing nearly eight tenths of a kilogram" or "one silver bowl weighting 770 grams"
"measured by the standard weights used in the sanctuary"
"fine flour that he had mixed with oil"
"one gold dish weighing one tenth of a kilogram" or "one gold dish weighting 110 grams"
"that were each one year old"
"This was what Nethanel son of Zuar presented"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:8.
"day 3" or "day number 3"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:9.
See how you translated these same weights in Numbers 7:13.
See how you translated these same weights in Numbers 7:14.
"that were each one year old"
"This was what Eliab son of Helon gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:9.
"day 4" or "day number 4"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:5.
See how you translated these same weights in Numbers 7:14.
"that were each one year old"
"This was what Elizur son of Shedeur gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:5.
"day 5" or "day number 5"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:6.
"This was what Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai gave as a sacrifice." "Shelumiel" and "Zurishaddai" are names of men.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:6.
"day 6" or "day number 6"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:14.
"This was what Eliasaph son of Deuel gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:14.
"day 7" or "day number 7"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
"This was what Elishama son of Ammihud presented"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
"day 8" or "day number 8"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
"This was what Gamaliel son of Pedahzur gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
"day 9" or "day number 9"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:11.
"This was what Abidan son of Gideoni gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:11.
"day 10" or "day number 10"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:12.
"This was what Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:12.
"day 11" or "day number 11"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:13.
"This was what Pagiel son of Okran gave as a sacrifice." "Pagiel" and "Okran" were names of men. See how you translated their names in Numbers 1:13.
"day 12" or "day number 12"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:15.
"This was what Ahira son of Enan gave as a sacrifice"
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:15.
The phrase "set apart" means to be dedicated to a specific purpose. In this case, the offerings were dedicated to Yahweh.
"when Moses anointed the altar". Here the word "day" refers to a general period of time. The leaders of Israel dedicated these things over the course of 12 days.
"All the gold dishes together weighed"
"one hundred and twenty shekels"
"24 ... 60."
"that were one year old"
"after Moses had anointed it"
"he heard Yahweh speaking to him"
These two phrases describe the same location.
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 4:5.
"Yahweh spoke to Moses"
The consecration of the tabernacle continues in this chapter. The people obeyed Yahweh's exact instructions.
"must shine towards the front"
"to shine"
"They had made the lampstand"
"with hammered cups that resemble flower blossoms"
Here "them" refers to the Levites.
"Sprinkle on them the water that symbolizes atonement"
Possible meanings are 1) Moses was to have the Levites shave, wash, and purify, or 2) Moses was to have the Levites purify themselves by shaving and washing, or Make them shave their entire body and wash their clothes; in this way they will purify themselves.
When offering a young bull, a grain offering was usually required to accompany it.
"of fine flour that they have mingled with oil"
"gather the whole community"
Here Yahweh refers to himself by his own name.
"The people Israel must lay their hands on the Levites, dedicating them to me"
"if they were a wave offering". Aaron was to present the Levites to Yahweh with the same amount of dedication as if they were a sacrifice given to him.
This is a symbolic action that identifies the Levites with the animals being offered. In this way the person is offering himself through the animal to Yahweh.
"dedicate them to me, as if you were lifting them up a wave offering to me". Aaron was to present the Levites to Yahweh as if he were lifting up an offering to Yahweh.
"But first, you must purify them. You must offer them as a wave offering". Yahweh repeats these things to emphasize their importance. This must happen before the Levites go to serve at the tent of meeting.
"You must dedicate them to me, as if you were presenting a wave offering to me". Aaron was to present the Levites to Yahweh as if they were a wave offering to him.
The phrase "first issue of the womb" is another way of saying "firstborn."
"I killed". This is a polite way of referring to when a person kills someone.
"the firstborn from among the people of Israel."
"I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn from among the people of Israel"
Yahweh appointing the Levites to help Aaron and his sons is spoken of as if they were a gift that Yahweh were giving to Aaron and his sons.
Here "them" refers to the Levites.
Here "they" refers to the people of Israel.
"Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of the people of Israel did with the Levites everything that Yahweh had commanded Moses concerning the Levites". Here there are three parallel sentences that give the same information. It is repeated to emphasize that the people did this with the Levites as Yahweh had commanded.
"to serve"
"in the presence of Aaron and his sons"
"What they did was"
"They did to the Levites what Yahweh commanded." The word "They" refers to the people of Israel.
"All of these commandments are for the Levites"
"25 years old"
The word "company" refers to the rest of the people working in the tent of meeting. See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 4:3.
"at 50 years old" or "when they become 50 years old"
"make sure the Levites do their duty"
This means that they had come out of Egypt a year earlier. They were beginning their second year in the wilderness.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It marks when God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt.
"after they left the land of Egypt". Here "they" refers to the people of Israel.
"Let the people ... at the time of year they currently observe it". The word "fixed" means "previously set." This means that this is when the observe it every year. This chapter records the celebration of the Passover for the first time since it began. The people kept the Passover as directed by the Lord.
"On the fourteenth day ... and observe it, for this is the time you do celebrate it every year"
"day 14"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined to emphasize that they needed to obey the commands.
"You must observe it" or "You must celebrate it"
"observe the Festival of the Passover" or "celebrate the Festival of the Passover"
"on day 14 of the first month." This refers to time in the Jewish calendar.
"became unclean because they touched the body of a dead man"
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"observe the Passover" or "celebrate the Passover"
"because we have touched the body of a dead man"
"It is not fair that you keep us away from offering the sacrifice ... among the people of Israel."
set or predetermined
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"because you have touched a dead body"
"observe the Passover" or "celebrate the Passover"
"day 14 of month 2." This refers to time in the Jewish calendar.
"at sunset"
"with bread that contains no yeast"
These are small plants that have a strong and usually bad taste.
"and they must not break any of its bones"
A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"that person must be sent away" or "you must send that person away"
set or predetermined
"That man must bear the punishment for his sin"
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
"that stranger must keep it and do all that Yahweh has commanded concerning the Passover."
"in the land of Israel"
"the Levites set up the tabernacle"
See how you translated the phrase "the tabernacle of the covenant decrees" in Numbers 1:50.
"During the night the cloud looked like a huge fire until morning"
"The cloud remained this way over the tabernacle"
"it looked like a huge fire at night"
"moved" or "Yahweh took up the cloud"
"the cloud stopped moving"
"When Yahweh commanded"
"over the tabernacle"
"set up their camp"
"only from evening until morning" or "over the tabernacle for only one night"
"If the cloud stayed over the tabernacle"
"then after the cloud moved they would travel"
"the cloud rose up" or "Yahweh took up the cloud"
"what Yahweh commanded"
"the command that Yahweh had given through Moses"
In the ancient Near East, trumpets were used for many purposes. They were used to call people together. They were also used to lead people into battle.
"Tell someone to make two silver trumpets". This means that Yahweh commanded Moses to have someone make the trumpet. He did not make them himself.
Moses will not blow the trumpets himself, but he will command the priests to blow them.
"while you are present." Moses was to be there with the priest when he blew the trumpets.
"the leaders, who are the heads of the clans of Israel". These two phrases refer to the same group of people. Here the second phrase is used to describe the first phrase.
"When they blow a loud signal". Here the word "you" is plural. Yahweh is speaking to Moses, but he is referring to the priests. The priests will blow the trumpets, Moses will not.
"When they blow a loud signal"
"time number 2" or "again"
"They" refers to the priests and the word "their" refers to the people of Israel.
"To gather the community together"
"be a rule for you." Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
"When the people of Israel go to war ... oppresses Israel".
"then you must command the priests to sound an alarm with the trumpets". Here Yahweh again speaks to Moses using the word "you" but actually wants Moses to have the priests blow the trumpets.
"remember you"
"when you celebrate"
"you must command the priests to blow the trumpets"
There are 12 months on the Hebrew calendar. The beginning phase of the moon with its sliver of light marked the beginning of each month in the lunar calendar.
In these phrases the words "your" and "you" are plural and refer to the people of Israel.
"in honor of the sacrifices"
"will act as a memorial for you of me." or "will always remind you of me."
The word "these" refers to the trumpets and the sacrifices.
"In year 2." This refers to the second year after Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
"on day 20 of month 2." This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar.
"the cloud rose up" or "Yahweh lifted the cloud"
The tabernacle was also called by this longer name because the ark with the law of God was placed inside it. See how you translated this in Numbers 1:50.
"the commands that Yahweh had given through Moses"
This camp includes the three tribes under the division of Judah: Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
They packed up their camp and they left that place before all the others left. Each tribe had its place in line as did the tabernacle. Their movements through the desert were very deliberate and ordered.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:7.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:8.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:9.
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 3:17.
This refers to the armies of the tribes under the division of Reuben: Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:5.
See how you translated this man's name Numbers 1:6.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:14.
This refers to the descendants of Kohath. See how you translated this in Numbers 3:27.
This refers to the armies of the tribes under the division of Ephraim: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:11.
This refers to the armies of the tribes under the division of Dan: Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:12.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:13.
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:15.
This is the name of a man.
"that Yahweh described to us"
"we will treat you well"
"You can guide us and show us how to live in the desert"
"They" refers to the people of Israel.
"Mount Sinai, the mountain of Yahweh"
"Men carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh before them as they traveled". The group of Levites carrying the ark of the covenant went before the people of Israel as the traveled.
"Whenever the people carrying the ark set out". Here the ark was really being carried by men.
Here the phrase "rise up" is a request for Yahweh to act. In this case, Moses is asking him to scatter their enemies.
"Make those who hate you run away from your ark and your people". Here Moses speaks about Yahweh causing their enemies to flee from the people of Israel as if they were fleeing from Yahweh himself.
"Whenever the people carrying the ark stopped"
"many tens of thousands of people"
"Yahweh sent fire that burned"
"They named that place"
"We wish that we had meat to eat.". The Israelites ask this question in order to complain and to express their desire for something other than manna to eat.
"we do not want to eat"
Coriander is also known as cilantro and serves as a spice when dried.
This is a sticky substance with a pale yellow color.
"in Moses' opinion" or "in Moses' judgement". Moses complained about having too much responsibility. Therefore, God gave seventy men the spirit of prophecy to help Moses. The people complained about food, even though Yahweh was miraculously providing them with their food. The people complained because they did not have meat or fish to eat. God sent them quail. He punished some of the people, but it does not say why God did this.
"You should not treat me, your servant, so badly. You should not be angry with me!" or "I, your servant, have done nothing wrong for you to treat me so badly!". Moses used these questions to complain about the way God was treating him.
"You make me responsible for all these people, but it's too hard for me"
"I am not the father of all these people."
"I have not given them birth, so you have no right to say to me, 'Carry ... baby'!". Moses wants God to remember that God told him to take care of the Israelites even though Moses was not their father.
To take care of the Israelites is spoken of as if it were to carry a helpless newborn baby.
"You should not expect me to carry them ... to give them!" or "I am not able to carry them ... to give them!"
"I cannot possibly find enough meat to give to all these people."
"I cannot provide for all these people alone"
"This responsibility is too difficult for me"
"some of the power that the Spirit has given you". The "Spirit" here represents the power that God's Spirit had given to Moses so that he could do what God told him to do.
"They will help you care for the people"
"You will not care for them alone"
"We wish that we had meat to eat."
"until you are sick and vomit" or "until it feels like it would have to come out of your nostrils"
"We never should have left Egypt."
"six hundred thousand footmen"
"We would have to kill entire flocks and herds and catch all the fish in the sea to satisfy them!"
The word "all" is an exaggeration to show how impossible it was to provide food for all the people of Israel.
"to satisfy their hunger"
"Do you think that I am not powerful enough to do this?" or "You should know I am more than strong enough to do this.". God uses this question to rebuke Moses for thinking that God did not have the power to provide enough meat for the people.
"what Yahweh had said"
"some of the power that the Spirit had given to Moses"
"gave it to the seventy elders". Giving power to the elders is spoken of as putting the Spirit on them. See how you translated these phrases in Numbers 11:17
"When they had power from the Spirit". Having power from the Spirit is spoken of as if the Spirit rested on them.
"The Spirit also gave them power"
"Moses had written their names on the list"
"tell them to stop prophesying"
"You should not be jealous for my sake.". Moses uses this question to rebuke Joshua.
"Are you concerned that they might be taking away something that belongs to me?" or "Are you concerned that people will not respect my authority?"
"that God's Spirit would give them all power"
a small bird
"in each direction for as far as a person could walk in one day"
"about 92 centimeters" or "about 1 meter". A cubit is a unit of measurement equal to about 46 centimeters.
"Everyone gathered at least ten homers of quail"
"2,200 liters". A homer is a unit of volume equal to about 220 liters.
"While they were still eating the meat". These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize that God punished them immediately, even while they were eating the meat.
"Yahweh became very angry with them"
"They named that place Kibroth Hattaavah"
This is the name of a place in the desert.
"Yahweh has not spoken only with Moses. He has also spoken with us.". Miriam and Aaron use these questions to complain that Moses had so much authority and they did not.
"Now" is used here to mark a pause in the story. The narrator tells background information about Moses's character.
"a cloud shaped like a pillar" or "a tall cloud"
"I do not speak to Moses like that"
"Moses leads my people faithfully" or "Moses is the one whom I trust to lead my people Israel". Here "my house" represents the nation of Israel. Being faithful in God's house represents being faithful in leading Israel.
God used the idiom "mouth to mouth" meaning "speaking directly with both people present." This indicated that Moses was more than just a prophet and greater than other prophets.
"You should be afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses.". Yahweh asks this question to rebuke Miriam and Aaron.
"against my servant, Moses"
"Yahweh became very angry with them"
"became very white". Leprosy turned Miriam's skin white.
To hold people's sin against them is to say that they are guilty for their sin. Here it represents punishing them for their sin.
"Please do not let her be like a dead newborn baby whose flesh is half decayed". Miriam's leprosy would cause her body to decay until she died. The flesh being decayed is spoken of as if it were eaten.
The word "please" is repeated for emphasis.
This describes a situation that could have happened but did not. Spitting in someone's face was a terrible insult.
"Moses shut Miriam outside the camp" or "Moses sent Miriam outside the camp".
This is the name of a place in the desert. See how you translated it in Numbers 11:35.
Leaders from each of the tribes went to spy on the Promised Land in Canaan. Yahweh was not concerned with how many people were there; because he could defeat them and it appears that he is testing the faith of the people. The people were supposed to be excited to enter this wonderful land, instead they were afraid.
"which I have decided to give". God had decided that the land of Canaan would belong to the people of Israel, but they had not yet moved into it.
"Each man whom you send must be a leader among his tribe"
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
A man's name.
A man's name.
A man's name.
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
"from the tribe of Joseph's son Manasseh"
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
"See if the land is good or bad, what kind of cities are there, and whether those cities are only camps, or whether they have defensive walls around them."
Fortified cities had strong walls around them to protect them from enemy armies. Camps did not have these walls.
These are names of places. The word "Zin" is the Hebrew name of the wilderness.
This is the name of a place.
"the Canaanites had built Hebron 7 years before the Egyptians built Zoan"
These are names of clans that were named after their ancestors.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a place.
"between two men of their group"
"They named that place"
"After 40 days"
"They brought back their report"
"It is certainly excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" or "It is certainly very fertile land"
"food from livestock"
"food from crops"
Here "they" refers to all of the men who examined the land except for Caleb and Joshua.
Here "they" refers to all of the men who examined the land including Caleb and Joshua.
"a very dangerous land" or "a land where the people will kill us"
These seem to have been giants, very tall, large people.
This is the name of a man.
"In our own opinion ... in their opinion" or "In our own judgment ... in their judgment"
"we are as small as grasshoppers in comparison with them"
The author uses several rhetorical questions in this chapter. These questions indicate that people did not have faith in Yahweh. Yahweh also uses rhetorical questions to show the people's lack of faith.
"Yahweh should not have brought us to this land only to die by the sword."
"to die when people attack us with swords" or "to die in battle"
"It would be better for us to return to Egypt than to try to conquer Canaan."
This refers to the people of Israel.
"lay down with their faces touching the ground." or "lay facedown in humility to God" or "lay facedown to pray to God". Moses and Aaron did this to show that they were humbling themselves before God. They feared that God might punish the people for rebelling against him.
These are names of men.
"who were some of those whom Moses sent"
Tearing one's clothes was a gesture indicating the person is very troubled and is mourning.
"It is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" or "It is very fertile land". See how you translated this in Numbers 13:27.
"We will destroy them as easily as we can eat food". Joshua and Caleb speak of destroying their enemies as easily as if they were eating bread.
"Yahweh will remove their protection from them"
"Anyone that might protect them"
"This people has despised me for too long. They have failed to trust me for too long, despite all the signs ... them.". Yahweh uses these questions to show that he was angry and had lost patience with the people.
"reject them from being my people." This may imply that he would destroy them, and some versions translate it that way.
Here "your" is singular and refers to Moses.
"they have seen you" or "you speak directly to me". See Numbers 12:8.
"all at one time"
Some ancient manuscripts and modern translations read, "Yahweh."
"always showing that he loves his people"
"he will certainly not clear guilty people." or "He will always punish the guilty"
"when he punishes the guilty people's descendants for the guilty people's sins"
"my glory will fill all the earth"
"they have continued to test me"
"too many times"
"have not obeyed what I have said"
"because he has a different attitude" or "because he is different"
"and obeys me wholeheartedly"
"I have tolerated this evil community who has criticized me long enough."
"I have heard the people of Israel complain"
"as I have heard you say"
"You will die"
"you whom Moses counted in the census"
"twenty years old and older"
"The only ones of you who will go into the land ... home are Caleb ... Joshua ... Nun"
"you will die"
"Your children will wander in the wilderness." This is because in ancient times, shepherds usually wandered from place to place so their flocks and herds could find pasture.
"They must have me punish them for your acts" or "They must suffer because of what you have done"
"until the last one of you dies" or "until all of you die"
"you must bear ... you must know" or "you will have to bear ... you will have to know."
"have me punish you for your sins" or "suffer because of your sins"
"what it is like when I oppose you"
"they will come to an end" or "they will all be destroyed"
"Yahweh struck down these men who had brought out a bad report about the land, and they died"
These words are used to emphasize that they have changed their minds and now want to do what they should have done the day before.
"You should not be violating Yahweh's command again."
"Yahweh will not help you"
"to prevent your enemies from defeating you" or "to give you victory over your enemies"
"you will die in battle" or "they will kill you when you fight against them"
"you stopped obeying Yahweh" or "you have decided not to obey Yahweh"
"he will not help you"
"they dared to go up into the hill country even though God did not approve"
Much of the land of Israel is elevated. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River valley to attack the Canaanites, there were hills that they had to climb in order to go farther.
"defeated them" or "crushed them"
Numbers 15:1-32 indicates what God told Moses to tell the people of Israel. As the people travel through the wilderness, Yahweh is purifying them. He is doing this so that they are able to enter into the Promised Land.
"to produce from the herd or flock a smell that pleases Yahweh." or "to please Yahweh by burning a sacrifice from the herd or the flock." The Lord's pleasure with the aroma represents his pleasure with the person who burns the offering.
"about 2 liters" or "two liters". An ephah is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
"about 1 liter" or "one liter". A hin is a unit of volume equal to about 3.7 liters.
"4 liters" or "four and a half liters"
"one liter". A hin is a unit of volume equal to about 3.7 liters.
"It will produce a smell that pleases Yahweh." or "You will please Yahweh by offering it."
"six and one half liters"
"two liters"
"that you burn on the altar"
"to produce a smell that pleases Yahweh." or "to please Yahweh by offering it."
"You must do it"
"you must do as I have described"
"that they burn on the altar"
"he must burn an offering on the altar"
"You and the sojourner staying with you are alike before Yahweh" or "The same law applies to both you and the sojourner"
"He must act as you act in Yahweh's presence." or "he must act as you act and obey all of Yahweh's commands." Because it says that they must act as the Israelites in Yahweh's presence, it is implied that they must obey all of Yahweh's commands.
"the food that the land produces" or "the food that you produce in the land"
Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) the first grain that they would gather during the harvest or 2) the dough that they would make from the first of their grain.
Calling it a loaf implies that they would cooked the dough first.
"to offer it as a gift"
The offering is spoken of as being from the threshing floor because this is where they would separate the grain from the other parts of the plant.
The word "you" here refers to Israelite people.
"you must make a grain offering and drink offering"
"as I commanded when I made the decree"
"I will forgive them"
"that they made by fire" or "that they burned on the altar"
"I will forgive all the community of the people of Israel"
"a one year old female goat"
"I will forgive that person when the priest has made atonement"
"defiantly" or "knowing it is a sin and not caring"
"his people must send him away" or "I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel"
"has disobeyed my commandment" or "has not obeyed what I commanded"
"I will punish him because of his sin" or "I will consider him guilty"
"Yahweh had not declared what they should do with him"
"You must surely put the man to death" or "The man must surely die"
"the people of Israel"
"to obey them"
"so that you do not think about whatever you want". The heart represents what a person wants, and the eyes represent what a person sees and wants.
"be shamefully unfaithful to me" or "do those things instead of obeying me". Being unfaithful to God by choosing to do whatever they want is spoken of as if they were women who were unfaithful to their husband by choosing to have sinful relationships with other men. The imagery of prostitution is commonly used in Scripture to indicate that Yahweh alone is to be worshiped. The people are compared to the prostitute because a husband is to only have a sexual relationship with his wife. Both the prostitute and the worship of other gods are violations of this exclusive relationship. Many cultures will struggle with this imagery because of a desire to use euphemisms.
The word "you" refers to the people.
"remember"
This phrase is repeated for emphasis.
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
"rebelled against Moses"
"famous members of the community" or "important men in the community"
"You have done more than you should" or "You assume to have more authority than you should"
"You are wrong to lift up yourselves above the rest of Yahweh's community."
"consider yourselves more important than the rest"
This indicates that Moses was humbling himself before God. He was afraid that God would punish the people for rebelling against God and his chosen leaders.
"whom Yahweh has set apart for himself"
containers in which to burn incense
"in Yahweh's presence"
"Yahweh will set apart that man for himself"
"You have done more than you should" or "You assume to have more authority than you should"
"You behave as though it it is a small thing for you ... to serve them!" or "You should not consider it a small thing ... to serve them!"
"not enough for you" or "unimportant to you"
"you want to have the priesthood too" or "you want to be priests also"
"You are not really complaining about Aaron, but about Yahweh, whom Aaron obeys!"
"You behave as though it was a small thing for you to bring us ... and kill us in the wilderness.". Dathan and Abiram use this question to rebuke Moses.
"not enough" or "unimportant"
"that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" or "a very fertile land". They spoke of the land being good for animals and plants as if the milk and honey from those animals and plants were flowing through the land. See how you translated this in Numbers 14:8.
"to have us die"
They spoke of what God would give them to be theirs forever as if it were an inheritance.
"Now you want to blind us with empty promises."
"to deceive us"
"with promises that you do not keep" or "by promising to do things that you do not do"
"I have not taken anything from them, not even one donkey"
a container in which to burn incense
A certain Levite and a few men from the tribe of Reuben claimed that they were just as good as Moses and Aaron, and they also could do the work of sacrificing animals at the sacred tent. So Moses told them to come to the sacred tent and burn incense to Yahweh. God then made the earth open and swallow up these leaders and their families. He also sent fire to destroy 250 other men who had joined with those leaders. These actions showed that only the Levites could be priests. Also, it taught the people that to rebel against Yahweh's anointed was to rebel against Yahweh.
"that I may destroy them" or "and I will destroy them"
This shows that Moses and Aaron were humbling themselves before God.
"the God who gives life to all humanity"
"please do not be angry with all the community because one man sins"
"you will be destroyed"
"you will be destroyed because of all their sins"
"all their sins will destroy you" or "Yahweh will destroy you because of all their sins"
The word "this" refers to what Moses will say next.
"and they fall into it and are buried underneath the ground". Moses speaks as if the earth were alive and the opening in the ground into which these people would fall were a large mouth that would eat them.
"The earth opened up like a large mouth, and they fell into it and were buried in it" or "There was a giant hole in the ground, and they fell into it and were buried in it"
A similar phrase occurs in Numbers 16:30. See how you translated it there.
"They" refers to "All Israel."
"The earth might open up and we too will fall into it" or "If the earth opens up again, we too will fall into it and be buried"
"fire flashed out from Yahweh and destroyed the 250 men"
"two hundred and fifty men"
This refers to the flames that burned the 250 men.
"those who died"
"Let Eleazar make them". Here "them" refers to the censers.
Here "they" and "They" refer to the censers.
"that the men whom the fire had burned up had used"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"had assembled to complain against Moses and Aaron"
"suddenly, the cloud."
"so that I may destroy them"
This indicates that Moses and Aaron are humbling themselves before God.
"Yahweh is showing us his anger" or "Yahweh is very angry and is acting according to his anger"
"he burned the incense"
"the plague stopped spreading"
"fourteen thousand seven hundred in number"
"12"
The name Levi here refers to the tribe of Levi.
The word "his" refers to "each leader."
"the ark of the covenant" or "the box that holds the covenant decrees". The phrase "the covenant decrees" refers to the box that held the tablets that the covenant decrees were written on. God told Moses that each tribe should bring one wooden staff and leave it overnight at the temple. The next day Aaron's staff representing the tribe of Levi bloomed and produced ripe almond nuts. This showed that the tribe of Levi was still the tribe chosen to be Yahweh's priests.
"buds will start to grow on the staff of the man whom I choose"
"make the people of Israel stop complaining against you"
"whom Moses selected from each of the ancestor's tribes"
"the tent of the covenant box" or "the tent that the covenant decrees are in"
The word "behold" here shows that something especially important has happened.
"the ark of the covenant" or "the box that holds the covenant decrees"
"so that you may stop them from complaining against me"
"so that they will not die"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
"all sins that anyone commits against the sanctuary"
"all sins that anyone in the priesthood commits"
"any priest"
"They" refers to members of the tribe of Levi; the word "you" is singular and refers to Aaron.
"do the work I have commanded you to do and all the work connected with the whole tent." See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
Here "they" refers to any member of the tribe of Levi who comes "near to anything in the sanctuary;" the word "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites who are serving in approved roles.
"They" refers to members of the tribe of Levi; the word "you" is singular and refers to Aaron.
"do all the work"
Here "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites.
Here "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites.
"do all the work connected to the holy place" or "take care of everything connected to the holy place" or "keeping watch over the holy place" See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
"so that I do not become very angry with the people of Israel again" or "so that I do not punish the people of Israel again"
"They are like a gift to you"
"which I have set apart for myself" or "and I have set them apart for myself"
Here "you" and "your" are singular and refer to Aaron. Other occurrences of "you" and "your" are plural and refer to Aaron and his sons.
"do the work of priests"
"everything in the room behind the curtain"
"Any foreigner who approaches must die" or "You must put to death any foreigner who approaches"
"who approaches the sacred things"
"the offerings that people give to me"
"I give these offerings to you". The tribes of Israel were required to bring a tithe (offering) to the Levites in order to free them to serve Yahweh as priests. There is a detailed description of what belonged to Yahweh in this chapter.
"as the portion that you will continually receive"
"that you do not completely burn on the altar"
This refers to the first of the best oil, wine, and grain that they harvest.
"Everyone in your family who is acceptable to me"
The word "firstborn" means the same thing and explains the phrase "first issue of the womb".
"The people must buy them back when they become one month old"
Most likely this refers only to firstborn humans that must be redeemed and not to firstborn unclean animals.
"five pieces of silver ... each of which equals ten grams" or "fifty grams of silver, using the standard weights that are used in the sanctuary"
"five shekels of silver"
This is the shekel that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent. It weighed twenty gerahs, which was about 11 grams.
"You must kill them and sprinkle their blood"
"that you make by fire" or "that you burn with fire on the altar"
"and Yahweh will be pleased with you"
"the breast and the right thigh that you lift up as a gift to me"
"I give to you". God speaks as if he had already done this because it is a decision that he had already made.
"as the portion that you will continually receive"
"an agreement forever"
"a covenant made with salt." or "a permanent covenant."
"You will not possess any of the people's land" or "You will not receive any of the land that the Israelites will possess"
"Instead, I am what you will have" or "Instead, I will allow you to serve me and I will provide for you through that service"
"indeed, I have given"
"as their portion of what I give to all Israel"
"they must not have any of the land that the other people of Israel receive"
"as their portion of what I give to all Israel"
The people of Israel would offer Yahweh a tenth of their crops and animals, and Yahweh would give that to the Levites.
"as your portion of what I give to all Israel"
"You must consider your contribution"
"you must give Aaron the priest the contribution that you owe Yahweh"
"that the people of Israel give to you"
"the best of what you have received from the people of Israel"
The "gifts" are the offerings that the Israelites give to God and that the Levites receive from them.
"You will not be guilty when you eat and drink it"
Ritually clean...This chapter talks about being clean. Some of these rituals were required to make a priest clean in order to set them apart to serve Yahweh. Other rituals were required because they prevented people from getting sick.
"a statute of the law" or "a legal statute"
"I, Yahweh, am commanding" or "I am commanding"
Here "you" is singular and refers to Moses.
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that this animal is to have no imperfections.
"in his view"
"The priest" refers to Eleazar.
"red wool"
Here "he" refers to Eleazar the priest.
Being unacceptable to God or unfit to do any sacred work is spoken of as not being clean.
Being acceptable to God and fit to do sacred work is spoken of as being clean.
"You must keep these ashes"
The ideas of "clean" and "purify" represent being acceptable to God. The ideas of "unclean," "defile," "impurity," and "uncleanness" represent not being acceptable to God.
"the dead body of any person"
"ask someone to purify him"
"he will be clean on the seventh day only if he purifies himself the third day"
"That person must be sent away" or "you must send that person away". Here the phrase "be cut off" means to be disowned and sent away. See how you translated this in Numbers 9:13.
"no one sprinkled the water for impurity on him"
"the water that is sprinkled on impure things to make them pure"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
"Open containers will remain clean only if they have covers"
"someone whom someone else has killed with a sword"
"That person must be sent away" or "you must send that person away"
"the water that is sprinkled on impure things to make them pure" or "the water for making things pure." See how you translated this in Numbers 19:13.
The word "Zin" here is the Hebrew name of the wilderness.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It marks when God rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians. The first month is during the last part of March and the first part of April on the Western calendar.
"they buried her"
Here "they" refers to the community.
"came as a mob"
This represents being in front of Yahweh's tent.
It is possible that this statement should be taken as hyperbole, but it does not have to be taken this way. The translator should probably avoid treating this as hyperbole.
"You should not have brought Yahweh's community into this wilderness to die here, we and our animals."
"You should not have made us leave Egypt to bring us to this horrible place."
This indicates that Moses and Aaron are humbling themselves before God.
"while they watch you"
"from Yahweh's tent"
"You complain that there is no water. Well, we will make water come out of this rock." or "You would not be happy even if we caused water to come out of this rock. But I will do it anyway."
Here "we" refers to Moses and Aaron and may include Yahweh, but does not include the people.
God told Moses to command water to come out of a rock for the people who were complaining that they had no water. Moses became angry with the people and hit the rock twice. God told him that he and Aaron would not be allowed to go into Canaan because he disobeyed by hitting the rock instead of just speaking to it.
"Because you did not trust me or honor me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, but struck the rock instead of speaking to it as I told you"
"while the people of Israel were watching you"
"People called this place"
Moses uses this phrase to emphasize that the Israelites and the Edomites are related because their ancestors, Jacob and Esau, were brothers.
"When we prayed to Yahweh begging him to help us"
"he heard our cry" or "he heard what we asked for"
The word "look" here shows that they have stopped speaking about the past and are now speaking about their present situation.
The messengers continue speaking to the king of Edom.
"We will not leave the road in any direction"
This is the main road that connects Damascus in the north to the Gulf of Aqabah in the south.
"Your people may not pass ... to attack them". Here "you" is singular and refers to Moses, who represents the people of Israel
"I will send my army"
This phrase refers to the Israelite messengers.
This means that they would simply travel through the area by walking. They would not come in chariots to attack the people of Edom.
"the king of Edom sent a strong army of many soldiers to attack Israel"
The word "their" refers to the Edomites.
The phrase "the whole community" emphasizes that every person who was a part of "the people of Israel" was present, without exception.
"Aaron must die". This means that it is time for Aaron to die and for his spirit to go to the place where his ancestors are.
"refused to do what I said"
These two phrases mean that it is time for Aaron to die and for his spirit to go to the place where his ancestors are.
"30 days"
"his army fought against Israel"
"The people of Israel vowed" or "The Israelites made a vow"
"did what Israel asked"
"what Israel asked"
"The people of Israel completely destroyed the Canaanite army and their cities"
"They named that place Hormah"
"You should not made us leave Egypt to die in the wilderness!". After all Yahweh had done, they were very ungrateful. This showed their lack of faith and trust in Yahweh.
"we have said bad things about Yahweh and you"
The words "we" and "us" here refer to the people but not to Moses.
"Make a model of a snake"
"everyone whom a snake bites"
"a snake out of bronze"
Here "he" refers to "any person" who was bitten by a snake.
"that is next to Moab"
The Moabite people lived south of the river and the Amorites lived on the north. The river was a boundary between them.
These are both names of places.
"the valleys that go downhill to the town of Ar and lie along the border of Moab"
"to Beer. There was a well there"
"where Yahweh told Moses to gather the people together for him to give them water"
"Water, fill up the well". Here "well" represents the water in the well. The Israelites are speaking to the water as if it were a person who could hear them, and they are asking for it to fill the well.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the role of the leaders in digging the well.
"using even their scepter and staffs". A scepter was carried by those with authority, and the staff was carried by everyone. Neither of these are digging tools. These two items emphasize that they were not too proud to use any means available
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a mountain.
"rises above the wilderness"
"Then the Israelites". Here "Israel" refers to the people of Israel, and especially to their leaders.
"We will not go into any of your fields or vineyards"
This is the main road that connects Damascus in the north to the Gulf of Aqabah in the south. See how you translated this in Numbers 20:17.
"to cross over his border" or "to cross over into his land"
This is the name of a place.
"they fought against the Israelites". Here "he" refers to King Sihon who represents himself and his army.
"The Israelites attacked". Here "Israel" refers to the people of Israel.
"with the sharp part of the sword." or "and completely defeated them." The "edge of the sword" is associated with death and complete destruction.
"conquered the land of the Amorites." Here the word "their" refers to the Amorites.
"was strongly defended." The Israelites did not attack the Ammonites.
"Heshbon and the nearby villages that it controlled"
The word "his" refers to the king of Moab.
These are two names that refer to the same city.
"Let someone rebuild and establish again the city of Sihon"
"completely rebuilt"
"King Sihon led a strong army from the city of Heshbon". These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that destruction will begin at Heshbon. The fire refers to a destroying army.
"destroyed the town of Ar in the land of Moab"
These two phrases refer to the same people.
"the people who worship Chemosh". "Chemosh" was the name of the false god whom the Moabites worshiped.
"He" and "his" refer to Chemosh.
Here "we" refers to the Israelites who defeated Sihon.
"We have devastated Heshbon"
These are all places in Sihon's kingdom. This means the Israelites destroyed Sihon's entire nation.
"chased away"
"attacked them"
"Destroy him like you destroyed Sihon king of the Amorites". The Israelites had completely destroyed Sihon.
"So the army of Israel killed Og"
"all of his people were dead"
"they took control of his land"
The Israelites were camped on the east side of the Jordan River, while Jericho was on the west side.
Balak was king of Moab.
Zippor is the father of Balak.
"All of the Moabites were very afraid"
"because there were many of them"
The Moabites and the Midianites were two different groups of people, but the Midianites were living in the land of Moab at that time.
The way the Israelites will destroy their enemies is spoken of as if they were an ox eating up the grass in a field.
This changes from the main story to background information about Balak.
"Balak sent messengers"
This is the name of Balaam's father.
This is the name of a city.
"of Balaam's nation and people". The chapter begins a section on Balaam. The king of Moab wanted the prophet Balaam to come and curse Israel. God told him not to go but he wanted to go; so God told him to say only what God wanted him to say. Yahweh was able to use Balaam, even though he was not a prophet of Yahweh.
"Balak called Balaam." Balak did not speak to Balaam directly, but did so through the messengers he sent.
"They are extremely numerous"
This refers to the surface of the earth.
"chase them"
"I know you have the power to bless or to curse people"
"money to pay Balaam to curse Israel"
"They went to Balaam"
"told him the message from Balak"
"I will tell you"
"God appeared to Balaam"
"Tell me about these men who came to you.". Yahweh uses a question to introduce a new topic of conversation.
Balaam restates the message that Balak sent to him. See how you translated these phrases in Numbers 22:5-6.
"chase them away"
"because I have blessed them"
"They went to Balaam"
"this group of people"
These were probably soldiers, not household servants.
Balaam is describing something that would never happen. He is emphasizing that there is nothing that could make him disobey Yahweh.
This means Balaam cannot disobey Yahweh in any way.
A saddle is a seat put on the back of an animal in order to ride it.
"God became very angry"
"as an enemy to Balaam" or "in order to stop Balaam"
"with his sword ready to attack"
The donkey did this to avoid the angel of Yahweh.
"to turn it back"
This was an attempt to escape from the angel of Yahweh in the road.
"It went"
"pushed Balaam's foot against it" or "hurt Balaam's foot against it"
"Balaam became very angry". The increase in Balaam's anger is spoken of as if it was a fire starting to burn. See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 22:22.
"Then Yahweh gave the donkey the ability to speak like a human would speak"
"The donkey said to Balaam"
"I am your donkey on which you have ridden all your life, right up to the present moment."
"I have never been in the habit of doing such things to you!"
"Then Yahweh gave Balaam the ability to see the angel of Yahweh"
"with his sword ready to attack"
This indicates that Balaam is humbling himself before the angel.
"You should not have struck your donkey these three times."
"as an enemy to you" or "to oppose you"
This statement indicates what could have happened but did not. The donkey's actions saved Balaam.
"So if you do not want me to continue going"
"with the leaders whom Balak had sent."
This is the name of a river. See how you translated it in Numbers 21:13.
"Surely I sent men to summon you."
"You should have come to me!"
"Surely you know that I am able to pay you money for coming to me."
"But I have no power to say anything I want". Balaam uses this question to tell Balak that he will not be able to do everything that Balak asks him to do.
"the message that God wants me to say"
This is the name of a town.
"some of the meat from the sacrifices"
These words could refer to 1) the same place as Bamoth in Numbers 21:19; the word Bamoth means "the high place." Or 2) another high place where people sacrificed to Baal.
This is the king of Moab. The story of Balaam continues in this chapter.
"kill seven bulls and seven rams as a sacrifice"
"Stay here with your burnt offering and I will go a distance away"
"I have killed a bull and a ram and burnt them as an offering"
"Yahweh told Balaam what he wanted him to say to Balak"
Cursing God's people...God does not allow others to curse his people. Balaam blessed Israel twice when he was supposed to curse them. This may be taken as humor or an ironic situation.
"his prophecy"
These phrases mean the same thing.
To "denounce" here means to judge someone harshly, to consider Israel guilty of great evil.
"But I cannot curse those whom God has not cursed. I cannot denounce those whom Yahweh does not denounce!"
Balaam viewed Israel from the top of a hill.
Here "him" refers to the people of Israel.
"there is a group of people"
"they consider themselves to be a special nation"
"There are too many Israelites to count. No one could count even a fourth of them because there are so many."
"the peaceful death of a righteous person"
These refer to the people of Israel as a single person.
"I cannot believe you did this to me!"
This emphasizes the shocking action that follows.
"I must be very careful to say only what Yahweh tells me to say."
"to say only what Yahweh wants me to say"
"There you will curse the Israelites for me"
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The word 'Zophim' means 'to watch' or 'to spy.'"
This is the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 21:20.
"told him what to say"
"Then Yahweh said"
These two phrases are repeated to emphasize how important it was for Balak to pay attention.
See how you translated these names in Numbers 22:2.
"He has never promised a thing without fulfilling what he promised. He has always done exactly what he said he would do."
"God has commanded me to bless the Israelites"
Possible meanings are 1) God has given Israel only good things or 2) there is no sin in Israel that would cause him to judge them.
"they shout with joy because Yahweh is their king"
This says that Yahweh's great strength is equal to an ox.
"people must say"
"Look at the good things God has done for them!"
This verse speaks of Israel defeating her enemies as if Israel was a lion devouring its prey.
"I told you before that I must say all that Yahweh tells me to say."
"which looks down on the wilderness where Israel was"
"like he did the previous times". The story of Balaam continues in this chapter. God does not allow others to curse his people. Balaam blesses Israel again and the king is angry and sends him home. This may be taken as humor or an ironic situation.
"He looked up"
This mean's God's Spirit took control of him to prophesy.
"God gave him this prophecy"
Beor was Balaam's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 22:5.
This means that he sees and understands clearly.
Here Balaam refers to himself as "He."
This is an act of humility.
Here "eyes open" means Balaam has received the ability to know what God wants to say.
Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they were numerous enough to cover entire valleys.
Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they were well-watered gardens that produce an abundant harvest.
"aloes which Yahweh has planted". Aloes are plants with a pleasant smell that grow well even in dry conditions. Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they would thrive and be pleasant like aloe plants.
Cedar trees were the largest trees in Israel. Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they grew as large as well-watered cedar trees.
"God will bless Israel and they will have plenty of water for their seed to grow healthy crops"
These two phrases emphasize how much God will bless them compared to other nations.
will have more honor and will be more powerful
"other people will give honor to their kingdom"
"God will bring the Israelites"
This phrase emphasizes that the Israelites have great strength. The ox was the strongest animal the Israelites owned.
Balaam speaks of the Israelites as if they are wild animals that eat their enemies. This means they will destroy their enemies.
Balaam compares the Israelites to both male and female lions. This means they are dangerous and always ready to attack.
"No one dares to disturb him!"
"May God bless those who bless the Israelites; may he curse those who curse the Israelites"
"Balak became very angry"
This was a sign of great frustration and anger.
Balak is very angry and wants Balaam to leave quickly, as if Balak were going to kill him.
This statement emphasizes that there is nothing that would make Balaam disobey God.
"I said this to them."
"the Israelites"
Beor was Balaam's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 22:5.
This means that he sees and understands clearly.
"who knows things that God Most High has revealed to him"
This is a sign of submission to God.
Balaam is having a vision of a future event. The word "him" refers to a future leader of Israel.
Here "star" refers to an Israelite king that will rise in power.
"from among the descendants of Jacob"
This means the same thing as the first part of the sentence. Here "scepter" refers to a powerful king.
"from among the Israelites in the future"
Possible meanings are 1) he will break the heads of the leaders of Moab or 2) he will destroy the leaders of Moab.
This also refers to the Moabites, who were descendants of Seth.
"The Israelites will occupy Edom"
"Israel will also conquer the people of Seir". Here "Seir" refers to the people who lived near Mount Seir.
Jacob was the ancestor of the Israelites. "Jacob" refers to the whole people group.
This refers to the city of Ar where Balak met Balaam.
Here "Amalek" refers to the people of Amalek. This continues Balaam's vision while turning to look in the direction of the Amalek nation, and then he prophecies about the Amalekites.
A singular pronoun is used because the Amalekites are spoken of as a single person.
This is the name of a people group who descended from Kain.
"The place were you live is well defended"
"your location is as secure as a nest high in the rocks"
"Nevertheless the Assyrians will destroy you Kenites like a fire, and take you away as captives"
"No one will survive when God does this!"
This is the name of an island in the Mediterranean Sea.
"God will destroy them also"
This is the name of a place in Moab. The story of Balaam concludes in this chapter.
This was an act of worship.
Peor was the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 23:28.
"Yahweh became very angry"
"all the leaders of the people who are guilty of idolatry"
This means that the leaders of Israel will kill these people and leave their dead bodies out where all the people can see them.
"to the judges of Israel who were not guilty of idolatry"
Peor was the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 23:28.
"brought a Midianite woman to the Israelite camp to sleep with her". Balaam told the young women from Moab to act friendly to the Israelite men and invite them to feasts in honor of their god Baal. The men went to the feasts and worshiped Baal, so God was angry and killed 24,000 Israelite men. Foreign women are often the source of problems in Israel, since they caused the men to worship their false gods.
Here "in the sight of" means they heard about it, or found out about it.
This is the name of Aaron's son. See how you translated it in Numbers 3:2.
"Phinehas followed"
Yahweh begins to speak to Moses.
"caused me to no longer be angry with the people of Israel"
"I have not destroyed the people of Israel in my terrible anger"
This is the end of Yahweh's speech that begins in verse 11.
"Therefore say to them that Yahweh says that he is giving to Phinehas his covenant of peace. For him and his descendants after him, it will be a covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for Yahweh, his God. He has atoned for the people of Israel."
The word "Now" is used here to mark a pause in the story, where the author tells background information about Zimri and Kozbi.
"whom Phinehas killed"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a woman.
"by deceiving you"
"They persuaded you to do this evil thing"
Both of these phrases mean that these things happened at Mount Peor.
Peor was the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 23:28.
"whom Phinehas killed"
The people are counted in preparation for entering into the Promised Land. None of the adults who came out of Egypt with Moses were still alive except the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb.
"Count all the men of the community"
"20 years old and older"
"spoke to the Israelite leaders"
A plain is a large flat area of land.
"20 years old and older"
The leaders of Israel are counting the men, 20 years old and older, according to their tribes and families.
Here "Israel" refers to the man also known as Jacob.
The word "his" refers to Rueben.
"forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty men"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 16:1.
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 16:1.
"Yahweh caused the earth to split open, and the men fell in the hole"
"Yahweh caused a fire that killed 250 men"
"two hundred and fifty men"
"all of Korah's family"
"end"
"twenty-two thousand two hundred men"
"forty thousand five hundred men"
"seventy-six thousand five hundred men"
"sixty-four thousand three hundred men"
"sixty thousand five hundred men"
"fifty-two thousand seven hundred men"
"thirty-two thousand five hundred men"
"These were Joseph's descendants, descended from his sons Manasseh and Ephraim, counted". The word "these" refers to all of the men descended from Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
"they counted them in each of their clans"
"forty-five thousand six hundred men"
"sixty-four thousand four hundred men"
"fifty-three thousand four hundred men"
"forty-five thousand four hundred men"
"the total number"
"six-hundred and one thousand, seven hundred and thirty men."
"You must divide the land"
This refers to all of the men that were counted in their clans, beginning in Numbers 26:5.
"by the number of people in each clan"
Yahweh continues speaking to Moses.
"give more land as an inheritance"
"whom the leaders of Israel counted"
"you must divide the land"
"by casting lots"
"and you must distribute the land to them"
This is a list of the Levite clans. Moses counts the Levites separately from the other tribes because they did not receive any land.
"that the leaders also counted clan by clan"
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 3:17.
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:19.
"She and Amram had children"
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 3:2.
"they burned an incense offering to Yahweh in a way that he did not approve of". Here the word "fire" is used to refer to "burning incense." See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 3:4.
"whom the leaders counted"
"23,000"
"one month old and older"
"but the leaders did not count them"
"because Yahweh said they would not receive any land as an inheritance"
"whom Moses and Eleazar the priest counted"
"there were no men"
"whom Moses and Aaron the priest had counted"
"when they counted the descendants of Israel"
"The only ones who were still alive were". The word "them" refers to all of the people who were counted in the wilderness of Sinai.
Jephunneh was Caleb's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 13:6.
Nun was Joshua's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 11:28.
"Then the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph came to Moses." This tells us the genealogy of Zelophehad. He died without any sons. His five daughters went to Moses and requested to receive the land that Zelophehad's sons would have received. Yahweh told Moses that it is right to give a man's inheritance to his daughter if he has no son.
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 26:33.
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 26:29.
"The daughters of Zelophehad stood"
The words "the company of Korah" further identify the words "the company that gathered themselves together to oppose Yahweh."
"made a plan"
"because of his own sin"
"You should not remove our father's name from the clan members just because he did not have a son.". At that time, only sons received land as an inheritance. The daughters use this question to suggest that they should receive the inheritance and continue the family clan.
"Give us land where our father's relatives live"
"land"
"where their father's relatives live"
"be a law that all the people of Israel must obey"
Here "me" refers to Moses.
"this mountain in the Abarim range" Abarim was a range or line of mountains in Moab.
"that I will give to the people of Israel". Here Yahweh speaks about the land that he is giving the people of Israel as if he has already given it to them.
"you must die". This means that Moses will die and his spirit will go to the place where his ancestors are.
"and you must die like your older brother Aaron died"
This refers to Moses and Aaron.
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 13:21.
"when the people of Israel were rebelling against me"
This refers to an event when Yahweh made water miraculously flow out of a rock. God told Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses hit the rock because he was angry with the people. See Numbers 20:8-13.
"you did not treat me as holy"
"in front of the whole community"
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 20:13.
"the God over all of humanity" or "the God who gives life to all humanity"
"a man to lead the community”
This means a person who will lead all the people and also lead the army into battle.
This means without a leader the people will wander and be helpless.
Yahweh's Spirit is in Joshua, meaning that he obeys Yahweh and follows his commands. God told Moses to appoint Joshua as the new leader. He became Yahweh's anointed leader.
"lay your hand on him to appoint him"
"in front of all of them command Joshua to lead the people of Israel"
Yahweh continues speaking to Moses about Joshua.
"You should give him some of your authority" or "Let him decide what the people should do"
This was a sacred stone that the High Priest wore on his chest plate. He used it to determine God's will.
"He will command the community's movements". "Going out" and "coming in" are two opposite commands used to emphasize that he will have full command over their movements.
"both he and the entire nation of Israel"
"told him to stand in front of"
Here "him" refers to Joshua. The laying on of hands was a way of setting a person apart to do a special task for God.
"to lead the people" or "to be the leader of the Israelites"
Here "him" refers to Moses.
God commanded the Israelites to make special offerings for Sabbaths, new months, Passover and firstfruits. On each of these occasions, specific sacrifices were required.
"at the times that I haven chosen"
"the food offerings that you will burn on the altar produce"
"a smell I enjoy"
"the burnt offering" or "the offering you have burned by fire on the altar"
"which you have mixed with"
"2 liters" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
"a liter" or "one-fourth of a hin (which is almost 1 liter)"
"pressed oil" or "pure olive oil." This refers to oil that has been pressed out of olives.
"that Yahweh commanded at Mount Sinai"
"that you burned on the altar"
"a liter" or "one-fourth of a hin (which is almost 1 liter)"
"It must be a drink offering of strong drink and you must pour it out in the holy place to Yahweh"
"like the one you offered"
"four and a half liters" or "two tenths of an ephah (which is about 4.5 liters)"
"which you have mixed with oil"
"the drink offering that accompanies it"
"six liters" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)". "Three-tenths" means three parts out of ten equal parts.
"which you have mixed with oil"
"four and a half liters of fine flour" or "two-tenths of an ephah (which is about 4.5 liters) of fine flour"
"2 liters" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
"that you burned on the altar"
"two liters" or "half a hin (which is two liters)". "Half" means one part out of two equal parts.
"1.2 liters" or "One and one-fifth liters" or "half a hin (which is 1.2 liters)"
"a liter" or "one-fourth of a hin (which is almost 1 liter)"
"You must offer one male goat to Yahweh as a sin offering"
"During the first month, on day 14 of the month." This refers to the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
"you must celebrate Yahweh's Passover"
"On day 15 of this month." This refers to the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
"you must have a feast"
"you must eat bread without yeast"
"On day 1 of the feast"
"you must gather together to worship and honor Yahweh." The phrase "a holy assembly" means the people gather together to worship Yahweh. Worshiping Yahweh is a holy event.
"you must burn an offering on the altar"
"six liters" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)"
"which you have mixed with oil"
"to atone"
"which Yahweh requires each morning"
"As I, Yahweh, have described here"
"you must burn the food offering on the altar"
"as a sweet aroma for Yahweh"
"You must offer it"
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
"the day of the firstfruits, that is the day." This refers to the day during the Festival of Weeks when they offer the grain offering to Yahweh.
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
"which you have mixed with oil"
"six liters" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)"
"fine flour which you mix with oil"
"to atone"
"the drink offerings that are offered with them" or "the drink offerings that accompany them"
This chapter continues the material from the previous chapter about offerings on specific days.
"On day 1 of month 7". This refers to the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
"It will be a day when the priests blow trumpets". The priests blew the trumpet to begin a worship service or to gather the community together. This is also known as "The Feast of Trumpets". Be sure to look back to Exodus 23:16, Exodus 34:22 and Numbers 28:26 to recall the Feasts of Harvest, Ingathering and Weeks.
"the grain offerings that are offered with them" or "the grain offerings that accompany them"
"which you have mixed with oil"
"six liters of fine flour mixed with oil" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)"
"four and a half liters of fine flour mixed with oil" or "two-tenths of an ephah (which is about 4.5 liters)". "Two tenths" means two parts out of ten equal parts.
"2 liters of fine flour mixed with oil" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
"to atone"
"in month 7 ... day 1 of each month." The word "month" refers to a month of the Hebrew calendar.
"of each month—the special burnt offering ... with it." This is the offering that is made on the first day of each month.
"the regular burnt offering, with the grain offering and drink offerings that accompany it". This refers to the offerings the priests were to give every day. The grain offering and drink offering were to be offered with the regular burnt offering.
"you will obey Yahweh's decree" or "you will obey what Yahweh had decreed"
"an offering you burnt on the altar to Yahweh"
"day 10 of month 7" The word "month" refers to those in the Hebrew calendar.
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
"fine flour which you have mixed with oil"
"2 liters" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
"day 15 of month 7." The word "month" refer to those in the Hebrew calendar.
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
"you must celebrate the festival for Yahweh"
"you must burn it on the altar"
"13 young bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"
"fine flour which you have mixed with oil"
"13 bulls"
"14 lambs"
The grain offering and drink offering accompany the regular burnt offering.
"On day 2 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks or Feast of Tabernacles.
"12 young bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"
"as Yahweh commanded"
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
"day 3 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
"11 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"
"as Yahweh commanded"
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do during the festival in the seventh month.
"day 4 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
"14 male lambs"
"as Yahweh commanded"
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
"day 5 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
"day 6 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
"day 7 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks
Yahweh tells Moses what the people must do after the seven-day festival in the seventh month.
This "eighth" is the ordinal number for eight.
"gather together again to worship Yahweh." This is another assembly similar to the one on the first day of the festival.
"you must burn it on the altar"
"the grain offerings and the drink offerings". These offerings were to be offered with the bull, the ram, and the lambs.
"as Yahweh commanded"
"These offerings are what you must offer"
"any man". The words "a man" refer to any man, not one particular man. Because a vow is a type of promise, men must do what they have vowed to do. A father or a husband has one day in which to cancel a woman's vow. Otherwise, she must do what she vowed she would do.
"committing to fulfill a promise" or "promising to do something"
Here "word" refers to what he said. These two sentences are combined to emphasize that he must fulfill his promises.
"he must fulfill his promises"
"to do everything that he says he will do" Here the word "mouth" refers to the things that the man says.
"commits herself to fulfilling a promise"
"the vow". These two phrases emphasize what she has promised to do.
"that she has committed herself to fulfill"
"he does not cancel what she has said"
"she will be obligated to fulfill".
"her vows"
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
"Yahweh will forgive her for not fulfilling her vows"
something done without thinking
"which she has committed herself to fulfill"
"says nothing to her about her vow" or "does not tell her to have Yahweh release her from the vow". You may need to specify that her husband says nothing to her about her vow.
"that she has committed herself to fulfill"
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
"the vow that she has made ... that is, the rash talk of her lips." These two phrases refer to the same thing. The second phrase describes the vow that the woman made.
"the rash things she has said" or "her rash promise". The phrase "the rash talk" refers to the rash promise that she made. Here "her lips" means the woman herself.
"that she has committed herself to fulfill"
"Yahweh will forgive her for not fulfilling her vow". Here Moses speaks about Yahweh forgiving the woman for not fulfilling her vow as if he were releasing her from something that bound her.
Moses continues telling the leaders of the tribes what Yahweh has commanded.
"a woman whom a man has divorced"
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
"If a married woman makes a vow"
"then she must fulfill all her vows"
"then whatever she said"
"she will not be obligated to fulfill"
"Yahweh will forgive her for not fulfilling her vow"
an oath by which the woman says that unless she fulfills the oath, God or other poeple have the right to afflict her
"obligations" or "promises"
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
"because her husband has said nothing to her about them"
"if she does not fulfill her vow, she will not be guilty of her sin, and he will be guilty instead of her". This means that her husband will be guilty of her sin instead of her if she does not fulfill her vow.
Israel killed the Midianites, including Balaam, for tempting them to worship Baal. This battle was at Yahweh's command. Yahweh would bring justice.
Yahweh was punishing the Midianites for convincing the people of Israel to worship idols.
This is a polite way to emphasize that it is time for Moses to die and for his spirit to go to the place where his ancestors are.
"Give weapons to some of your men"
"go fight a war against the Midianites, to punish them for what they did to us"
"1,000"
"12,000"
"the thousands of Israel's men"
"every tribe sent 1,000 men to war"
All 12 tribes sent men, including the tribe of Levi. Each tribe sent 1,000 men into battle.
"the trumpets that he was in charge of"
These are names of kings of Midian.
Beor was Balaam's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 22:5.
"They took the Midianites' possessions as their own"
"Israel's army burned all the Midianites' cities where they lived and all of their camps"
"The army of Israel took"
a large area of flat land
"the commanders of 1,000 soldiers and the captains of 100 soldiers" or "the commanders of large military divisions and the captains of smaller military divisions"
The law was explicit on who would be permitted to live. The army violated the law by allowing all the women and children to live. This was a rebuke to the army leaders.
"Listen"
"has had sexual relations with a man"
Moses speaks to the commanders of the Israelite army about becoming clean before God.
"you may keep alive and take as wives for yourselves"
"who have not had sexual relations with any man." This refers to girls who were virgins.
Moses is referring to anyone who fought in battle.
They must become spiritually clean again before entering the camp.
"everything that someone has made of animal hide, goats' hair, or wood"
Eleazar teaches the soldiers the customs of becoming ceremonially clean before Yahweh.
metals that were used during that time period
"that will not burn"
"put it into the fire"
This refers to water that someone has mixed with ashes from a sin offering. See: Numbers 19:17-19.
These are the customs of becoming ceremonially clean before Yahweh.
"count all of the possessions that the soldiers captured"
"the leaders of each clan in the community"
Yahweh continues speaking to Moses. The word "me" refers to Yahweh.
"Collect a tax from the soldiers' plunder and give it to me"
"every 500"
"from the soldiers' half"
"for a contribution to me"
"Also from the people of Israel's half of the plunder"
"do all the work connected to my tabernacle" or "take care of everything connected to my tabernacle". See how you translated this in Numbers 1:53.
Moses begins listing the amount of plunder and how much went to the soldiers, to the people, and to Yahweh.
"six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep"
"72,000 cattle"
"61,000 donkeys"
"32,000 women"
"women who had no had sexual relations with a man."
Moses is listing the plunder that goes to the soldiers and the tax that goes to Yahweh.
"The soldiers' part of the sheep"
"three hundred and thirty-seven thousand sheep"
"the tax they were to give to Yahweh was 675 sheep"
"was six hundred and seventy-five"
36,000
72
"were thirty thousand five hundred"
61
16,000
32
"to be a contribution to Yahweh"
"three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep"
36,000 oxen
"16,000 women." It has been stated earlier that all the males and the married women captives were put to death.
The tax on the people's portion was higher than the tax on the soldiers' portion.
"did all the work connected to Yahweh's tabernacle" or "took care of everything connected to Yahweh's tabernacle". See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
"the commanders over 1,000 soldiers and the captains over 100 soldiers" or "the commanders over large military divisions and the captains over smaller military divisions" See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 31:14.
The commanders refer to themselves as "your servants." This is a polite way to speak to someone with greater authority.
"we know for certain that every man is here"
These are all types of jewelry that people wore.
"to thank God for saving our lives"
"all the golden jewelry"
"All the gold of the contribution that the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds gave to Yahweh weighed"
See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 31:14.
"sixteen thousand, seven hundred and fifty"
A shekel is 11 grams.
The gold will remind the people that Yahweh gave them victory, while reminding Yahweh that the people fulfilled his revenge on the Midianites.
This word is used here to mark a pause in the story. Reuben and Gad were given the land conquered east of the Jordan River. This land had good pastures, and suited these tribes because they had many sheep, goats and cattle. They had not yet entered into the Promised Land, and it would have been sinful to not fight with the rest of Israel. So they promised to enter the land to fight with the other tribes, and then return to their own land.
These are names of cities.
The people from Reuben and Gad continue speaking to Moses, Eleazar, and the other leaders.
"the lands where Yahweh enabled us to defeat the people living there"
The people of the tribes of Reuben and Gad refer to themselves in this way to show respect to a person of higher authority.
"If you are pleased with us"
"give this land to us"
"Do not make us cross over the Jordan to take possession of land on that side". They wanted the land on the east side of the Jordan River instead of crossing over to the west side and claiming land there.
"It is wrong for you to settle down in this land while your brothers go to war."
"Do not discourage the hearts ... the land that Yahweh has given them."
"discourage the people of Israel from going" or "cause the people of Israel to not want to go"
This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in Numbers 13:23.
"They saw the strong people and cities in the land"
"discouraged the people of Israel"
"Yahweh became very angry"
"none of the people." This phrase refers to both men and women.
"20 years old or older"
"completely obeyed me" or "been completely devoted to me"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a people group.
"because they have not completely followed me, except for Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun," which begin in Numbers 32:11.
"Yahweh became very angry with Israel"
"40 years"
"he destroyed all the generation ... sight" or "all the generation ... sight had died"
"who had done evil before Yahweh" or "who had done evil in Yahweh's presence"
"you have begun to act just like your ancestors"
"to cause Yahweh to be even more angry with Israel"
"all this generation of people"
"will be ready to fight a war"
"in the secured cities"
"has taken possession of his portion of the land"
"if you take your weapons"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"until Yahweh has driven out his enemies from his presence." or "until Yahweh has enabled your soldiers to defeat the enemy and force them away from his presence."
"in his presence the Israelites have subdued the people who live in the land".
"you may return to this land on the east side of the Jordan"
"You will have fulfilled your obligation to Yahweh and to Israel" or "There will be nothing for which Yahweh or the people of Israel can blame you."
"Know for sure that Yahweh will punish you for your sin"
The people of Gad and Reuben refer to themselves as "your servants."
"will cross over the Jordan River"
"every man prepared for war"
"as you, our master, say" or "as you say, Master". The men speak of Moses in the third person to show great respect.
"every man who is ready with his weapon"
"if Yahweh subdues before you the people living in the land" or "if they help you subdue the people living in the land"
"then the descendants of Gad and Reuben will receive the land with you in Canaan"
"We will cross over the Jordan ready to fight"
"the portion of land that we will possess"
"will be ours"
These are names of kings who ruled two separate kingdoms.
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
"people later changed the names of these cities"
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 26:29.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a city.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a city.
"by their military divisions." This means that each tribe had their own men, who were armed, to protect them. This chapter is a summary of Israel's exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, including their wandering through the desert. The phrase "they set out" means "they left".
"as Yahweh commanded"
"from one place to another place"
Moses lists the places the Israelites went after they left Egypt.
Here "first" is the ordinal number one and "fifteenth" is the ordinal number fifteen. This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
"the Israelites left in plain view of the Egyptians"
"their firstborn sons"
"he also proved that he is greater than their gods". Yahweh proving that he is more powerful than all of the false gods that the Egyptians worshiped is spoken of as if Yahweh judged or punished those false gods.
"departed from"
"on the border of the wilderness."
This refers to when Yahweh divided the Red Sea so that the Israelites could escape from the Egyptian army.
"12 springs ... 70 palm trees"
"where the people could not find water to drink"
Moses continues to list the places the Israelites went after they left Egypt.
"40 years after"
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of July on Western calendars.
"one hundred and twenty-three years old"
"The Canaanite king of Arad"
This was the name of a Canaanite city.
"heard that the people of Israel were coming"
a large area of flat land.
"destroy all of their high places."
Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do when entering Canaan.
The Israelites claiming the land as their permanent possession is spoken of as if they were inheriting the land.
"Each clan will receive the land according to how the lot falls"
Just like a small object in a person's eye or a small thorn that sticks into a person skin can cause great irritation, so even a small portion of the Canaanites, if left in the land, would cause great trouble for the Israelites.
Moses told them all of the land they would inherit and live in and said that they should divide it up by casting lots.
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 33:12.
Yahweh continues telling Moses where the borders are for the land that he is giving to the Israelites.
See how you translated this name in Numbers 20:22.
This refers to the remaining tribes of Israel who will live on the west side of the Jordan River in the land of Canaan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had already received their land on the east side of the Jordan River.
"according to how Yahweh assigned the property to their ancestor's tribe,"
"The tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh"
Here "your" is plural and refers to the people of Israel. These men will cast lots to divide the land and distribute it to the tribes.
This is the list of men who will help divide the land among the tribes.
This continues the list of men who will help divide the land among the tribes.
This concludes the list of men who will help divide the land among the tribes.
a large area of flat land. This chapter continues the material from the previous chapter. Yahweh told Moses to establish safe places for people who accidentally killed other people, to prevent revenge killings. Justice is an important concept in this chapter.
Yahweh did not give the Levites their own land, so they had to live in cities that belonged to other tribes.
an area of land where animals feed on grass.
"460 meters". "1,000 cubits." A cubit is about 46 centimeters.
"920 meters" or "2,000 cubits"
This refers to people who have killed someone, but it had not yet been determined whether they killed the person intentionally or accidentally.
"42"
"48"
accidentally or without wanting to or trying to.
This refers to a close relative that seeks vengeance by killing the accused man.
This phrase "the killer" indicates that the community knows who killed the man who died. The question they are deciding is if the killer committed murder or if he killed by accident.
Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.
"You must certainly execute him"
"The one who avenges the murder" or "The relative seeking vengeance"
"the relative must certainly execute the accused man" or "the accused man must die"
"without planning it out of hate ahead of time"
"without intentionally having tried to harm the victim"
This means if the community judges that the death was an accident, then they must save the accused man from the relative who wants to kill him.
"the one you anointed with holy oil"
"the one who avenges the murder"
"and all of your descendants who will live after you"
"someone must execute the murderer"
"according to the testimony of witnesses" or "as witnesses testify to the murder"
"But the word of only one witness is not enough for you to execute a person"
"You must execute him"
"You must not ... allow him to leave the city of refuge and return home to live on his own property"
"by accepting a ransom"
"Do not make the land where you live unacceptable to me in this way, because blood from murder makes the land unacceptable to me"
This means by disobeying the laws concerning a person who kills someone.
"The only atonement that can be made for the land when blood has been shed on it is the blood of the one who shed it"
"when someone has shed blood" or "when someone has intentionally killed another person"
This is the name of a man. See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 26:29.
"Yahweh commanded you"
This is the name of a man. See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 26:33.
"will no longer belong to our ancestor's share". Women who inherited land from their father must marry men from their tribe, so the inheritance stays within the tribe.
"It will belong to"
"it will no longer be a part of our inheritance"
This refers to a celebration which happens once every fifty years. In this celebration, all land that someone sold or traded must return to the original owner.
"their possession will belong"
"they will take our tribe's share of the land"
"according to what Yahweh said."
"Let them marry whom they want"
"but they may only marry someone from their father's tribal clan"
"No portion of the land"
"who owns a share of land in her tribe"
The land that each clan possesses is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received.
"No one may transfer the ownership of any share of land from one tribe to another"
See how you translated these women's names in Numbers 26:33.
"the lands that they received as an inheritance"
a large area of flat land.
"east of the Jordan". This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he spoke to the Israelites.
These are the names of places.
"It takes eleven days to walk from Horeb ... to Kadesh Barnea"
This is a mountainous area south of the Dead Sea. The area is also called "Edom."
"11"
"They had lived in the wilderness for 40 years, 11 months, and 1 day, when Moses spoke"
40th
This is the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of January on Western calendars.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"Yahweh had enabled the Israelites to defeat". This chapter explains that Israel's conquering of the Promised Land will be done by Yahweh. They are not to fear the people of Canaan but be obedient to Yahweh. Yahweh is bringing about his judgement upon the people of Canaan.
These are names of kings.
These are names of cities.
"East of the Jordan River"
The word "us" refers to Moses and the other people of Israel.
"You do not need to stay near this mountain any longer"
"Start again on your journey"
Yahweh is describing places in the land that he has promised to give to the Israelites. This is an area in the hills near the place where the Amorites lived.
an area of land that is low and flat
"Pay attention to what I am about to say"
"I am now giving this land to you". While the Promised Land belongs to Israel, they do not possess the land. Possessing the land is an important theme. Possessing the land depended on Israel's faithfulness.
"that I, Yahweh, swore"
"ancestors"
"When we were at Horeb, I spoke to you". Here "I" refers to Moses. The phrase "at that time" refers to when the Israelites were at Horeb, which is the same as Mount Sinai.
"It is too much for me to lead you by myself".
"a great crowd of many people"
"very many times"
1000
"I cannot carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes by myself."
"take care of your problems, your complaints"
"your arguments" or "your disagreements"
"men from each tribe whom the people of Israel respect,"
"men whom your people respected."
"of groups of 1,000 ... of groups of 100 ... of groups of 50 ... and groups of 10"
These are titles for different leaders in Israel's government.
"from each of your tribes"
"make right and fair decisions about the disputes Israelites have with each other,"
Moses continues speaking to the judges, so the commands are plural.
"Do not show partiality"
"you will treat all people alike"
"Do not be afraid of anyone". "You will not" is a command.
This means the time when they were at Horeb, at Mount Sinai.
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel what the previous generation of Israelites did.
"large and dangerous desert that you crossed through,"
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as if he were speaking to one man, so these forms should be singular, not plural.
"is now giving this land to you."
"12 men"
"They left that place and went"
This is a valley in the Hebron region, which is south of Jerusalem.
"looked for places they could attack"
"The 12 men took"
"picked some of the produce of the land"
"told us"
"said that the land that Yahweh our God was giving to us was good"
God commanded the Israelites to attack and destroy the Amorites, but the Israelites were afraid and refused to fight them.
"into the power of the Amorites"
"We have nowhere to go."
"made us very afraid"
"have walls so high it is like they reach up to the heavens"
These are descendants of the Anak people who were very large and fierce.
"I said to your ancestors"
"which you yourselves saw"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"Yahweh your God has taken care of you, like a father takes care of his son"
"until you came to this land that God promised to give you"
"put up your tents,"
"heard what you were saying"
God made a vow not to allow those who rebelled against him to enter the land he promised to give them.
"will enter"
This is the name of Caleb's father.
"he has completely obeyed me"
This refers to when Moses disobeyed what Yahweh told him to do because Moses was angry with the people of Israel. See Numbers 20:11-12.
This is the name of Joshua's father.
"who stands before you as your servant" or "who helps you"
"turn around and go back on the road you have come on"
"we have rebelled against Yahweh by disobeying him"
"we will obey"
"to attack the people who live in the hill country"
"your enemies will defeat you because I will not be with you"
"attacked the people who live in the hill country"
A "bee" is a small, flying insect that flies in large groups and stings people who threaten them. This means that so many Amorites attacked the Israelite soldiers that they had to leave the battle.
This is the name of a piece of land.
This is the name of a city.
"killed many of your soldiers"
"returned to Kadesh and wept"
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel what the previous generation of Israelites did. Yahweh is faithful to the covenant he made with Abraham and is also faithful to the promises he made with Esau and Lot. Because of this, Israel was given specific land it was able to conquer in Canaan.
"Then we turned around and went"
Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites traveled around the mountain called Seir for a very long time or 2) the Israelites wandered in a region called Mount Seir for a very long time.
This is a mountainous area south of the Dead Sea. The area is also called "Edom."
Some languages translate this as "many nights."
"of your relatives, the descendants of Esau"
Yahweh is reminding the Israelites that he has given this area to the descendants of Esau.
Moses continues to instruct Israel in how they are to treat the descendants of Esau.
"I permit you to purchase food from them" or "If you need food, you are to purchase it from them". Yahweh is giving them permission or instruction, not a command, and he is telling them not to steal.
"from Esau's descendants"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"all of your work"
Here what happened to the people while they were walking is spoken of as their "walking."
"40 years"
"you have had everything you needed."
"by our relatives"
These are names of cities.
"we kept going"
This is the end of a part of Moses's speech reminding the Israelites of how Yahweh guided them in the wilderness.
"Do not trouble the people of Moab"
This is the name of a city in Moab.
The people of Israel were related to the descendants of Moab. Moab was the son of Lot. Lot was the nephew of Abraham.
The writer begins to give background information about the people of the land. These words are not part of Moses's speech to the Israelites.
These words give background information about the Emite people, who had lived in the land before the Moabites. Your language may have a special way to mark background information.
This is the name of a people group that were considered giants.
These are descendants of the Anak people who were very large and fierce.
This continues the background information about the different people groups that had lived in the land.
This is the name of a people group that were considered giants.
This is the name of a people group.
"killed all of them so none of them were left living with them" or "removed them from their presence by killing all of them"
Moses continues reminding the Israelites of what had happened to them in the wilderness.
"Then Yahweh told us to rise up ... Zered. So"
begin to do something
This stream flows into the Dead Sea from the southeast and creates the border between Edom and Moab.
The word "now" marks a change from the story to background information about how long the people of Israel traveled and about God's anger towards that generation. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here.
"38 years"
This is a polite way of saying "had died."
"Yahweh used his power against" or "Yahweh punished"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" is singular.
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the command and the word "you" are singular.
The people of Israel were related to the descendants of Ammon. Ammon was the son of Lot. Lot was the nephew of Abraham.
These verses begin to give background information about the people groups who lived in the land. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here.
"People also consider that"
This is the name of a people group.
This is the name of a people group.
"allowed the Ammonites to defeat them" or "allowed the Ammonites to kill them all"
"the Ammonites took over everything the Rephaim had owned and have lived where the Rephaim had lived"
This is the name of a people group.
"took over everything the Horites had owned and have lived where the Horites had lived"
The writer finishes describing how God enabled Esau to conquer the land Esau is now inhabiting.
These are names of people groups.
This is the name of a place. It may be another name for the island of Crete located in the Mediterranean Sea.
"destroyed the Avvim"
"lived where the Avvim had lived"
The writer has finished giving background information and is now again telling what Moses said to the Israelites.
"Now get up" or "Now go."
"continue your journey"
This is the name of the valley of the Arnon River. It creates the border between Moab and the Amorites.
"I have given you the power to defeat"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "your" and the commands "begin to possess" and "fight" are singular.
This is the name of a king. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 1:4.
This is the name of a city.
"fight against him and his army"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" are singular.
"put a terrible fear"
"peoples in every land"
"tremble in anguish."
Here "I" refers to Moses.
This is the name of a place near the valley of Arnon.
These are the names of a man and a place. See how you translated them in Deuteronomy 1:4.
"with my offer of peace" or "with a message from me asking for peace"
"I will not change direction" or "I will always stay on the path"
"I expect to have to pay for food so I can eat and to pay for water so I can drink". Moses tells Sihon that the Israelites will not steal from the Amorites and requests that Sihon and his people sell food and water to the Israelites; he is not giving a command.
"sell to me and my people ... we may eat ... give us ... we may drink". Moses is referring to the people of Israel as if they were Moses himself.
"only let us walk through your land"
Moses continues to remind the people of what happened in the past.
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "your" are singular.
"caused him to become very stubborn."
refusing to change opinion or behavior
"to give Sihon and his land over to you,"
"take possession of his land, so that you may inherit it."
This is the name of a city in Moab
"We captured all of King Sihon's cities"
This is the name of a city on the north bank of the Arnon River.
"we were able to defeat the people of every city even if the city had high walls around it"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so "you" is singular.
This is the name of a river that created the border between Sihon's land and the land of the Ammonites.
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel of what happened in the past. The victories recorded in this chapter occurred on the east side of the Jordan River. This was not part of the Promised Land, which was on the west side of the Jordan River.
This is the name of a king. See how you translated it in Deuteronomy 1:4
This is the name of a city.
This is the name of a king. See how you translated it in Deuteronomy 1:4.
This is the name of a city.
Yahweh is speaking to Moses as if Moses were the Israelites, so the command "do not fear" and all instances of "you" and "your" are plural.
Here the words "him" and "his" refer to Og.
Yahweh speaks of what he will do as if he had already done it.
"You will destroy Og and his people as you did Sihon"
"Yahweh put all of Og's people under our control"
"all of his people were dead." This emphasizes that the Israelites did not let anyone live.
"We took every one of the sixty cities"
"60 cities"
This is the name of a region within Bashan.
"These were all cities protected by"
"in addition to very many" or "not including very many"
This is the name of a king.
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 1:4.
"from the control of the two kings" or "from the two kings"
"Amorite people." See how you translated the name of this people group in Deuteronomy 1:4.
"east of the Jordan River"
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 2:24.
This is the name of a mountain at the northern border of Bashan.
These are all names of the same mountain which is at the northern border of Bashan.
See how you translated these in Deuteronomy 1:4.
This is high, flat land between the Arnon River and Mount Gilead.
This is the name of a city near Edrei.
This is background information about King Og.
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:11.
"Pay attention to the important thing I am going to tell you."
"It was in Rabbah, ... live." or "It is in Rabbah ... live.". The writer uses a question to remind the people of Israel that they could go to Rabbah and see how large Og must have been.
A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"according to the cubit most people use"
Moses continues reminding the people of what happened in the past.
See how you translated the name of this town in Deuteronomy 2:36.
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 2:24.
The writer begins to present background information about the land that the people of Israel captured. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here.
This is the name of a man.
These are people groups who lived west of Bashan.
Translators may make a footnote that says: "The name 'Havvoth Jair' means 'tent villages of Jair' or 'realm of Jair.'"
Here "I" refers to Moses.
"to the descendants of Makir". Makir was the son of Manasseh. He had died before Moses gave this land.
This is the name of a river that created the border between Sihon's land and the land of the Ammonites. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:37.
"The western border of the Reubenite and Gadite territory is"
the Sea of Kinnereth, also called "the Sea of Galilee" or "the Lake of Gennesaret"
This is the name of a mountain in the northern part of the Abarim mountain range.
Moses reminds the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh that they must help the other Israelites conquer the rest of the land God promised them.
"will take your weapons and cross the Jordan River ahead of"
"your fellow Israelites"
"Yahweh allows your brothers to rest" or "Yahweh allows your brothers to stop fighting wars and live peacefully"
"east of the Jordan River". This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he said this. See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 1:1.
"only then are you to return.". Moses is emphasizing that the other tribes must possess their land before Yahweh will permit these three tribes to possess their land.
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel about what happened in the past.
"You have seen". Here "eyes" refers to Joshua.
Here "I" refers to Moses. This means he asked God in a very emotional way.
"to show me, your servant"
"your power"
"for there is no god ... acts.". Moses uses a question to emphasize that Yahweh is the only God with the power to do the works he has done.
These two extremes together mean "anywhere."
"west of the Jordan River,". When Moses spoke these words to Yahweh, he was east of the Jordan River in Moab.
This refers to when Moses disobeyed what Yahweh told him to do because Moses was angry with the people of Israel. See Numbers 20:11-12.
"look"
This is the name of a town in Moab near Mount Pisgah.
Moses is telling the people of Israel what God wants them to do. Moses is not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Since they are getting ready to possess the Promised Land, Moses gives them some last instructions before his death. In order to possess the land, the people needed to obey the law of Moses. This will be the most important thing in the religious life of Israel.
"and obey them"
Yahweh does not want his people to create new laws, or to ignore those he has already given them.
"You saw". Here "eyes" refers to the people of Israel.
"because of the sins you committed at Baal Peor"
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 3:29.
Moses speaks to the people of Israel as though they were one person, so "your" and "you" are singular.
"you who were careful to obey Yahweh"
"Pay attention"
"that you should obey them when you live in the land"
"obey them carefully"
"this is what will show the peoples that you are wise and that you understand what is important"
"the people of this great nation are wise and understanding"
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel.
"For there is no other great nation ... him."
"There is no other great nation ... today."
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they are one person, so all instances of "you," "your," and "yourself," as well as the commands "pay attention," "guard," and "make known" are singular.
"Pay careful attention and be sure to remember these things always"
These phrases means the same thing and emphasize that the people of Israel must remember what they have seen.
"you have seen"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they are one person, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"Bring the people together and bring them to me"
Moses continues to remind the Israelites of their history.
"with a fire that went up to the sky". "The heart of" means "the middle of" or "the innermost part of," and "heaven" here refers to the sky.
"with a thick, dark cloud" or "heavy cloud."
"Yahweh declared"
Here "you" refers to the Israelites who were at Mount Horeb.
"after you have crossed over the Jordan River and taken possession of the land."
"do not do what is wrong"
"crawls on the ground,"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" and the words "lift," "look," and "be drawn" are singular.
"Do not ... and do not let anyone make you want to worship" or "Do not ... and do not allow yourself worship"
"all the multitude of things in the sky" or "all the army of the heavens." Here this refers to the lights we see in the sky, including the sun, moon, stars. They are called the host because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers.
"that Yahweh your God has put there to help all people groups"
"brought you out of the land where people made you do hard work". Moses speaks of Egypt and the hard work the Israelites did there as if it were an oven in which iron is heated and the Israelites were the iron.
"people who belong only to him."
This refers to when Moses disobeyed what Yahweh told him to do because Moses was angry with the people of Israel. See Numbers 20:11-12.
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so "you" and "your" are singular.
"Pay careful attention"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one person, so the words "you" and "your" are singular.
"Yahweh your God will severely punish and destroy you like a fire does because he does not want you to worship other gods"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one person, so the word "your" is singular.
The words "you" and "your" are singular here.
become the father of, or become the ancestor of
"if you do what is wrong."
"you make Yahweh your God angry by doing what he says is evil"
Possible meanings are 1) Moses is calling on all those who live in heaven and earth to be witnesses to what he says or 2) Moses is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses to what he says.
"you will not be able to live a long time"
"but Yahweh will destroy many of you". As indicated in the next verse, not every Israelite will be killed. Here "completely destroy" is a generalization and emphasizes that many of the Israelites will die.
"Yahweh will send you to many different places and force you to live there"
"will send you" or "will cause your enemies to take you away"
"the wood and stone idols that men have made". Here "men's hands" refers the men themselves, and "the work ... wood and stone" to the idols that they have created.
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel. He speaks as though they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"But when you are in those other nations"
The word "you" here is plural.
"when you really try to find him" or "when you really try to know him"
"completely" or "earnestly."
"have happened to"
"afterwards" or "then"
"obey what he says". Here "listen" means to hear and obey. Also, "his voice" refers to Yahweh and emphasizes what he says.
"No other people besides you has heard God speak from the middle of the fire and lived.". Here the people of Israel are reminded of how Yahweh has spoken to them in an amazing way in the past.
"hear God's voice as he spoke"
"by showing his mighty power"
"in front of you"
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"Yahweh showed you these things"
"he made sure you heard ... made sure you saw"
"made your fathers ... your fathers heard". Moses speaks as if the people to whom he was speaking were the people he had spoken to at Mount Sinai many years earlier. The people at Mount Sinai were actually the fathers of the people to whom he was speaking these words.
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
This refers to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's sons.
"with the great power that comes from his presence" or "with his great power"
"remember it"
"over everything"
"be able to live a long time"
Moses's speech, which began in Deuteronomy 1:6, has finished, and the writer continues the narrative that ended in Deuteronomy 1:5.
These are names of cities.
This refers to the laws Moses will give in the following chapters.
This is the name of a town in Moab near Mount Pisgah. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 3:29.
"King Sihon ... Amorite people ... town of Heshbon." See how you translated these names in Deuteronomy 1:4.
King Sihon's land
"from the side of the Jordan River toward the east"
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:36.
This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:24.
These are different names for the same mountain.
The word "Siyon" is another spelling of "Sirion" Deuteronomy 3:9.
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 3:8.
"eastward from the side of the Jordan River". This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he said this.
See how you translated these names in Deuteronomy 3:17.
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel. This chapter repeats the material of Exodus 20. It is known as the Ten Commandments.
Here "all" is a generalization. Moses wanted everyone in Israel to hear and obey his words, but his voice was probably not so loud that everyone actually heard him.
"that I will speak to you today". Here "ears" refers to the whole person. This emphasizes that the people know what Moses has said to them, so they cannot sin and then say they did not know they were sinning.
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh did not only make a covenant with those who were at Horeb; the covenant was also with the later generations of Israelites or 2) Yahweh did not make this covenant with their distant ancestors, such as, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; instead, this covenant began with the Israelites at Horeb.
This refers to two people who are close to each other and looking at each other when they are speaking to each other.
"on the mountain"
Moses is referring to an event that happened about 40 years earlier.
"out of the place where you were slaves"
The phrases "you will" and "you will not" are commands. He speaks to the Israelites as if they were one person. Some translations set each of the commandments in the list of Ten Commandments in 5:7-21 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULB uses a separate paragraph for each commandment.
"You must not worship any other gods but me"
"that is in the earth beneath your feet, or that is in the water below the earth"
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"You will not worship the carved figures or do as they command"
"Never"
"I ... want you to worship only me"
"faithfully loving thousands, those who love me"
"forever, to those who love me". Some translations read "to a thousand generations of those who love me." The word "thousands" refers to a number that is too many to count.
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"You will not use the name of Yahweh"
"carelessly" or "without proper respect" or "for wrong purposes"
"Yahweh will consider him guilty" or "Yahweh will punish him"
"to dedicate it to God"
"do all your usual duties"
"day 7." Here "seventh" is the ordinal number for seven.
"On that day never do"
"within your community" or "inside your city"
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"You must remember"
"by showing his mighty power". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 4:34.
"You will not sleep with anyone other than your spouse"
"You will not tell lies about someone"
Moses continues to remind the people of Israel what happened in the past.
"heard the sound of the voice" or "heard Yahweh speaking"
Moses continues to remind the Israelites what the Israelites had said to Moses.
"We are afraid that we will die."
"There are no other people besides us ... have done."
"all people" or "all living beings"
Here "me" refers to Moses.
"I would be very happy if there were". If your language has a word that expresses a strong desire for something, you might want to use it here.
"you will teach the people of Israel"
Moses is giving a command to the people of Israel.
"you will not disobey him in any way" or "you will do everything he says"
"be able to live a long time". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:40.
Moses continues the speech to the people of Israel he began in Deuteronomy 5:1 and beginning in chapter 6:2, he speaks to the people of Israel as if they were one person. Yahweh's continued blessing of the people of Israel is dependent upon the people's obedience to the law of Moses.
"might obey"
"going to the other side of the Jordan River"
"to obey"
"that I may prolong your days" or "that I may cause you to live a long time". This can be translated similarly to "prolong your days" in Deuteronomy 4:26. There are many metaphors in this chapter that describe the greatness of the Promised Land and the wholehearted worship that is completely dedicated to Yahweh.
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
"listen to Yahweh's commandments, statutes, and decrees". Here "listen" means to obey, and "them" refers to Yahweh's commandments.
"obey them"
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming"
"Our God Yahweh is the one and only God"
These three phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See how you translated "with all your heart, with all your soul" in Deuteronomy 4:29.
Moses is speaking God's commandments to the people of Israel.
"you must always remember"
"I command you to diligently teach ... I command you to talk." The reader should understand that these as commands.
"tie these words"
"as something to make you remember my laws"
"my words will serve as frontlets". This may also mean "obey these words so that it is as if they were physically there."
ornaments a person wears on the forehead
Moses states that this is a command.
All these cities will belong to the people of Israel when they conquer the people in Canaan.
"out of the place where you were slaves". Here "house of bondage" refers to Egypt, the place where the people of Israel had been slaves.
"It is Yahweh your God and no one else whom you will honor; it is he alone whom you will worship, and it is by his name and only his name that you will swear." Your language may have another way of emphasizing that Yahweh is telling the Israelites not to worship or serve any other god.
"you will swear and ask Yahweh to confirm it" or "when you swear you will speak his name". To swear by the name of Yahweh means to make Yahweh the basis or the power on which the oath is made.
"who lives among you"
"Yahweh your God will kindle his anger" or "Yahweh your God will become very angry". Moses compares Yahweh's anger to someone starting a fire to destroy things.
"destroy you so that there is nothing left of you anywhere on"
Here "test" means to challenge Yahweh and force him to prove himself.
This is the name of a place in the desert. The translator may add a footnote that says: "The name 'Massah' means 'testing.'"
"Do what Yahweh says is right and good". This is a command and a blessing. If the Israelites obey Yahweh, they will receive blessings from Yahweh.
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
"What do the covenant decrees ... commanded mean to you" or "Why should you obey the covenant decrees ... commanded you". In this question the "covenant decrees" represent their meaning and purpose.
This refers to the children of the adult people of Israel to whom Moses was speaking Yahweh's words.
"with his mighty power". Here "a mighty hand" refers to Yahweh's power. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:34.
"on all of his people". Here "his house" refers to the people of Yahweh.
"where we could see them"
"might bring us into Canaan"
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel what they should tell their children about Yahweh's commandments.
obey at all times and for a long time
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "where Yahweh can see us"
"he will consider us righteous". The word "this" refers to keeping Yahweh's commands.
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person. This chapter references parts of the Abrahamic covenant that Yahweh made with Abraham and it also emphasizes Yahweh's faithfulness to this covenant.
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
"enables you to defeat them"
Here "them" refers to the seven nations from Deuteronomy 7:1.
The people of Canaan were to be punished by Yahweh. Yahweh used Israel to punish these nations. If they were not completely destroyed, they would lead Israel into sin. Therefore, they were to be completely destroyed and be shown no mercy.
"If you allow your children to marry the people from the other nations, the people from the other nations will"
"Yahweh will kindle his anger against you" or "Then Yahweh will become very angry with you"
The word "you" refers to all the Israelites and so is plural.
Moses is speaking to all the Israelites here, so these words are all plural.
Moses tells the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
Yahweh choosing the people of Israel to belong to him in a special way is spoken of as if Yahweh set them apart from all other nations.
"that live on the earth"
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words. All instances of "you" and "your" are plural.
"did not love you more than he loved others"
"with his mighty power". Here "a mighty hand" refers to Yahweh's power. These words also appear in Deuteronomy 4:34.
"rescued you from being slaves". Moses speaks of Yahweh rescuing the people of Israel from being slaves as if Yahweh had paid money to a slave owner.
"out of the place where you were slaves". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 6:12.
"control of Pharaoh". Here "hand" means "the control of."
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
"for 1,000 generations"
"repays them quickly and openly so that they know God has punished them."
"Yahweh will severely punish everyone who hates him". The words "not be lenient" are an understatement to emphasize that Yahweh will severely punish.
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words. He speaks as if the Israelites are one person in verse 12 and to all of them as a group in verse 13.
"increase the number of your people"
"your children."
"your crops."
"your cattle so they will become many, as will"
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
"I will bless you more than I bless any other people"
"All of you will be able to have children and your livestock will be able to reproduce". Moses uses a negative statement to emphasize that they all will be able to have children.
The words "you" and "your" are plural here.
"make sure that you do not become ill" or "keep you completely healthy"
"he will not make you sick with any of the evil diseases ... but he will make your enemies sick with them"
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
"I command you to completely destroy all the people groups"
"do not allow what you see to cause you to pity them" or "do not pity them because you see that what you are doing is hurting them". This is a command. Moses speaks as if what the eye sees were the eye itself.
"never worship"
If the people worship other gods, they will be like an animal caught in a hunter's trap, and they will be unable to escape.
"Even if you say in your heart". The people should not be afraid even if they notice that the nations are stronger than they are.
"think"
"I do not know how I will be able to dispossess them"
"take their land away from them"
"even then do not be afraid"
"you must remember"
"that you saw"
"and the mighty power". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:34.
"And also, Yahweh"
Possible meanings are 1) God will send actual flying insects that sting people and cause pain, or 2) God will cause the people to become terrified and want to run away.
"die so you do not see them anymore"
"Never"
"a great and awesome God." or "a great God who causes the people to fear."
"slowly."
"enable you to defeat"
"victory over the armies from the other nations"
"he will make them so they cannot think clearly"
"until you have destroyed them"
The Israelites will completely destroy all the people from those nations, and in the future no one will remember them.
"stand against you" or "defend themselves against you"
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words. In verse 25 he speaks to the group as a group, so the forms of "you" are plural, but in verse 26 he speaks as if the Israelites are one person, so the forms are singular.
This is a command.
These words add to the instruction to burn the idols.
"it will become a trap to you". Even taking the gold or silver on the idols could cause the people to start worshiping them.
"do this because Yahweh your God hates it very much". These words tell why Yahweh wants the people to burn the idols.
"You will completely hate"
"for Yahweh has set it apart for destruction"
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. This chapter recalls the great things that Yahweh has done for Israel and is about to do for them; so they do not forget him and continue to worship him. They must remember that Yahweh is the source of their blessings.
All instances of "you" and "your" and the verbs are plural.
"You must remember"
"40 years"
"he might show you how weak and sinful you are"
"to reveal" or "to show"
"what kind of people you are" or "how you would behave"
"Yahweh showed you how weak and sinful you are."
"gave you manna to eat"
"food is not the only thing people need so they can live"
"people must obey the commands of Yahweh so they can live" or "people must do what Yahweh tells them to do so they can live"
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person.
This is the last item that they should "call to mind"
"40 years"
This continues the list of commands that begins in Deuteronomy 8:1.
"You will understand"
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person.
"a land with" or "a land that has"
"a land where there will be plenty of food for you". This means that they will eat and they will not be in poverty. They will have plenty to eat. The word "bread" refers to food in general.
"and where you will have everything you need"
The stones are full of iron ore. Iron is a very hard metal useful for making swords and plows.
"mine copper." Copper is a soft metal useful for making household utensils.
"You will have enough food to eat until you are full,"
"you will praise" or "you will give thanks to"
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person.
"when you eat and are full" and "when you build good houses.". This verse describes the first two items of a list of five things that might make the Israelites forget about Yahweh (verse 11).
"when you have enough food to eat"
"you will become prideful and no longer obey Yahweh"
This verse describes the last three of the five things that might cause them to forget Yahweh. The first two are "you eat and are full" and "you build good houses and live in them". (See verse 12). The last three are "when your herds and flocks multiply," "when your silver and gold increase," and "all that you have is multiplied."
"your herds of cattle and flocks of sheep and goats"
increase greatly in number
"you have many more things" or "you have many more possessions"
This verse contains the first two of three items Moses warns the people to be careful of (verse 11): that "your heart becomes lifted up" and "you forget Yahweh your God." It then lists the first of four characteristics of Yahweh that they need to remember, that Yahweh "brought you out of the land of Egypt."
"you become prideful and no longer obey Yahweh".
Moses begins to remind the Israelites of what they know about Yahweh.
"out from the place where you were slaves"
This verse gives the second and third items in the list of characteristics that Moses reminds the Israelites they must remember about "Yahweh your God" (verse 14). The first is that he "brought you out of Egypt", the second that he led them "through the ... wilderness," and the third that he "brought ... water out of the rock."
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. He also continues to remind the Israelites of what they know about Yahweh (verse14).
"Yahweh, who led ... Yahweh, who brought"
"poisonous snakes"
"dry ground"
This is the fourth item in the list of characteristics that Moses reminds the Israelites that they must remember about "Yahweh your God" (verse 14). The first is that he "brought you out of Egypt" , the second that he led them "through the ... wilderness" (verse 15), and the third is that he "brought ... water out of the rock" (verse 15).
"Yahweh fed"
"to help you" or "because it would be good for you"
"but you may think to yourself". This is the third thing the people might do when their hearts "become lifted up" and they "forget Yahweh" (verse 14).
"I got this wealth because I am so strong and powerful" or "I have acquired all these things by my own power and ability"
"But remember"
"in this way he establishes" or "in this way he is faithful to establish."
"so he can"
cause to stand or to remain
"as he is establishing his covenant now"
"serve other gods". Walking refers to obeying.
These instances of "you" are plural.
"I warn you" or "I tell you in front of witnesses"
"you will certainly die"
All these instances of "you" and "your" are plural.
"in front of you"
"would not obey Yahweh's commandments"
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. This chapter assures the Israelites that it is Yahweh who will empower them to conquer the Promised Land. The Israelites will not be strong enough on their own to conquer these other nations. The people did not earn this victory, but it is Yahweh's punishment of these sinful nations. He also reminds Israel of their sin. This serves as a warning to the people of Israel. If they sin again, Yahweh will punish them too.
"Listen, people of Israel"
"to take the land from"
"have walls so high it is like they reach up to the heavens". This is an exaggeration that emphasizes how frightened the people were because the cities were so large and strong. See how you translated similar words here (and in the following verses) in Deuteronomy 1:28.
"There is no one who can defend himself against the sons of Anak."
Moses is speaking of the days and weeks beginning on that day, not of the time since the sun had last set.
Yahweh is powerful and able to destroy the armies of the other nations.
"make them weak so you can control them"
"Do not think to yourselves"
"has driven the other peoples out"
"because you always thought and desired the right things"
"so that he may fulfill the promise"
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the "ancestors" of whom Moses is speaking.
"stubborn people" or "people who refuse to change"
"Be careful to remember"
Here "you" refers to the Israelites that are present with Moses and also the Israelites of the previous generation.
These instances of "you" are plural.
This refers to the Jordan River Valley.
Moses is reminding the people of Israel what happened in the past.
Here the second phrase clarifies that "the tablets of stone" are the ones on which God wrote the Ten Commandments.
"40 days and 40 nights"
"Yahweh wrote on them the same words he had said to you"
It was as if Yahweh were a person standing in the middle of a fire and speaking with a loud voice.
"on the day when you Israelites all came and met together in one place"
These verses refer to the "Golden Calf" that was made in Exodus 32:7-8.
"your people ... are doing what is wrong."
"They have already disobeyed my commands"
"make their name disappear completely" or "kill them all so no one will ever remember them." (See Deuteronomy 7:24).
The word "behold" here shows that Moses was surprised by what he saw.
The Israelites of the earlier generation had asked Aaron to make a metal calf so they could worship it.
"You had quickly disobeyed what Yahweh had commanded you".
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel about what happened in the past.
"I broke them right in front of you" or "I broke them where you could see them"
"lay with my face on the ground." This is a way of showing that Yahweh was great and Moses was not.
"Yahweh was angry at you—he was extremely displeased with you—he was angry enough to destroy you, and so I was afraid of what he would do"
"I had people take ... burn ... beat ... grind ... throw"
"the calf, which you sinfully made". Here the golden calf itself is referred to as their "sin."
These are names of places that the people of Israel went through while they were in the wilderness.
They were on low land, and the land Yahweh had told them to take was in the hills, so they had to go uphill to get to it.
"rebelled against Yahweh; you did not obey the commandment"
"obey what he said"
"from the time I began to lead you." or "from the day that he knew you."
"you have rescued". See Exodus 32 through 34.
"through your great power"
"with your mighty power"
Moses continues praying to Yahweh so that he may not destroy the people of Israel.
"Remember"
"so that the people of Egypt"
"can say"
These phrases emphasize the greatness of Yahweh's power that he used to rescue his people.
Moses continues to remind the people of Israel about what happened in the past. This chapter focuses on retelling the great things Yahweh has done and is a continuation of the material from the previous chapter. It is possible that this is a type of sermon or homily, where Moses is giving the people instructions.
"After I finished praying"
"the first two tablets". This refers to the first set of tablets that Moses had broken.
This refers to Mount Sinai.
"went up Mount Sinai"
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 9:10.
"on the day when you Israelites all came and met together in one place"
Here "I" refers to Moses.
"came down from Mount Sinai"
"in the box" or "in the chest"
The writer continues the short account of where the Israelites had traveled.
These are names of different places the people of Israel went through while in the wilderness.
Translator may add a footnote: "The name 'Beeroth Bene Jaakan' means 'the wells that belonged to the sons of Jaakan' or 'the wells that belonged to the people of Jaakan.'"
"that is where they buried him" or "the Israelites buried him there"
This is the name of Aaron's son.
These are names of different places the people of Israel went through while in the wilderness.
The writer begins to explain why the tribe of Levi has no inheritance in the land.
"to offer the sacrifices that Yahweh requires"
"as representatives of Yahweh"
"as they are doing today"
The tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of the promised land when they arrived there.
"Yahweh is what they will have" or "Yahweh will allow them to serve him and he will provide for them through that service"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "your" here is singular.
"spoke to the tribe of Levi"
Moses resumes reminding the people of Israel about what happened in the past.
"as I did the first time"
"take the land" or "take possession of the land"
This refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
"that I would give to you, their descendants."
"Now, people of Israel"
"Yahweh your God requires you to do no more than this: to fear ... with all your soul."
"to obey all his commands"
See how you translated these two phrases in Deuteronomy 4:29.
"Yahweh your God requires you to do no more than this: to fear ... with all your soul, to keep the commandments ... for your own good.". This question begins in verse 12.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: to"
These words mean that all things everywhere belong to Yahweh.
This refers to the highest places in the heavens. Everything in the heavens belong to God.
Here the word "you" refers to all the Israelites and is plural.
"Because of this"
The word "foreskin" refers to the fold of skin on a man's private parts that is removed during circumcision. Here Moses is referring to a spiritual circumcision. This means the people must remove the sin from their lives.
"stop being stubborn"
"the supreme God" or "the only true God"
"the supreme Lord" or "the greatest Lord"
"the one who causes people to fear,"
"Yahweh makes sure that people treat the fatherless justly"
A true widow is a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
"Because of this,"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"he is the one you must worship"
"You must rely on him" or "He is the one you must rely on"
"you will swear and ask Yahweh to confirm it" or "when you swear you will speak his name"
"which you yourselves have seen"
"He is the one you must praise" or "It is because you worship him that other peoples will praise you"
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they are one man, so "you" and "your" are singular.
"traveled south to Egypt" or "went to Egypt"
"70 persons"
"more than you can count"
This chapter begins with the word "therefore," which looks back to the instructions Moses gave in the previous two chapters. This chapter is included in the covenant God made with Moses, even though it is not explicitly said. The instruction that Moses gives and the retelling of the great things Yahweh has done for Israel are very important, because this generation entering into the Promised Land did not witness many of these events.
"always obey"
"who have not experienced"
"or his mighty power". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 4:34.
"in Egypt"
"to all his people"
"Neither did your children see what Yahweh did"
"the Egyptian soldiers"
Here "you" means the Israelites who were alive about 40 years earlier.
This is the plain of the Jordan River Valley where Moses is speaking to them before they cross over into Canaan.
Moses continues to remind the adults to teach their children God's mighty deeds.
Moses is referring to an event in the past when Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses and Aaron.
These are names of men.
"descendant of Reuben"
Yahweh causes the land to split open so that the people fell in.
This refers to their servants and animals.
This means all the people of Israel witnessed what happened to Dathan, Abiram, their families, and their possessions.
"But you have seen"
"take the land"
The phrase "are going over" is used because the people of Israel will have to cross the Jordan River to enter into Canaan.
"be able to live a long time".
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming". See Deuteronomy 6:3.
"worked hard to water it". They would use their feet to turn a water wheel that supplied water to the fields.
"vegetable garden" or "garden of vegetables"
"the rain from the sky gives it plenty of water"
"Yahweh your God is always watching over it"
"continuously throughout the entire year"
This means that what Yahweh promises will happen if the Israelites obey his commands.
Here "I" refers to Moses.
"with all your being" or "with all your energy". See Deuteronomy 4:29.
"I will cause it to rain on your land in the proper season"
"Yahweh will give" or "He will give"
"the autumn rain and spring rain" or "the rain in the right seasons"
"Be careful" or "Beware"
"so that your desires do not deceive you" or "so that you do not deceive yourself"
"you start worshiping other gods"
"so that Yahweh does not become angry with you"
"so that he does not cause the rain to stop falling from the sky so that crops will not grow in the land"
"be very careful to remember these words that I am saying to you"
"these commands that I have given you"
Here "heart" and "soul" represent a person's mind or thoughts.
"tie these words." See Deuteronomy 6:8.
"as something to make you remember my laws"
"let my words be as as frontlets between your eyes."
ornaments a person wears on the forehead
Using the different places "in your house" and "on the road," and the opposites "when you lie down" and "get up,". These phrases represent anywhere, anytime.
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 6:9.
"that Yahweh may cause you and your children to live a long time"
This refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
"to give them as a possession forever" or "to allow them to live there forever"
"For if you are careful to do everything that I have commanded you"
A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if he were walking on Yahweh's ways or roads.
"to rely on him" or "to have a good relationship with him". See Deuteronomy 10:20.
"all of these people groups from before you, and you will take the land from people groups". Here "nations" represent the people groups already living in Canaan.
Although Israel's army is smaller and weaker than the people groups living in Canaan, Yahweh will enable the people of Israel to defeat them.
"Every place you go"
"from the Euphrates River"
"No one will be able to stop you" or "No one will be able to oppose you"
"Yahweh your God will cause the people in every place you go to be very afraid of you"
"a terrible fear of you"
"upon all the people in every place you go"
Here Moses summarizes the two options the people of Israel could choose. They could choose to obey and receive God's blessing or they could choose to disobey and receive God's punishment.
"Pay attention"
"Today you must choose whether God will bless you or curse you"
"God will bless you if you obey"
"but stop obeying what I command you today, in order to worship other gods"
This refers to the gods that other people groups worship. The Israelites know Yahweh because he has revealed himself to them and they have experienced his power.
"some of you must stand on top of Mount Gerazim and proclaim what will cause Yahweh to bless you, and the others must stand on top of Mount Ebal and proclaim what will cause Yahweh to curse you"
These are names of mountains on the west side of the Jordan River.
"As you know, they are beyond the Jordan ... Moreh.". The Israelites are on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Moses uses a question to remind the people where these mountains are located.
"on the west side of the Jordan River"
"in the west"
"near Gilgal" This may not be the same place as the city near Jericho. Moses may be referring to a place that is near Shechem.
These are sacred trees near Gilgal.
These are the statutes and decrees Moses will give in Deuteronomy 12 through 26.
This does not mean these are new. Moses is reviewing the same statutes and decrees that he gave 40 years earlier.
"I am giving to you"
This chapter is a continuation of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses. In the ancient Near East, when nations conquered other nations, they often added the gods of the conquered nation into their collection of gods they worshiped. It was rare to worship only one God. Israel was to be known for worshiping Yahweh and Yahweh alone. The reasons for these food restrictions are not always known.
"you must obey"
"for as long as you live"
"You must destroy"
"the people groups whose land you will take". Here "nations" represents the people groups that live in Canaan.
"you must destroy the altars of those nations"
"break into pieces" or "shatter"
"destroy them so completely that no one will remember them" or "destroy anything that represents these false gods"
This refers to each place where the nations worshiped their gods.
"You should not worship Yahweh your God like those nations worshiped their gods."
"to have his people build the place where they will worship him"
They will go to worship where God decides.
"the offerings that you present"
"your offerings to fulfill a vow, your voluntary offerings."
God requires that the people give him every firstborn male of their livestock.
This refers to the place that Yahweh will choose for the children of Israel to worship.
"rejoice about all the work you have done"
"You will not do as we are doing here today."
"everyone is doing what he considers to be right" or "now everyone is doing what he judges to be right"
"to the land where you will rest"
"to the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you as a permanent possession"
This refers to the land of Canaan.
God giving the land of Canaan to the people of Israel is spoken of as if he were a father giving an inheritance to his children.
"he will give you peace from all your enemies around you"
"the offerings that you present"
"all your voluntary offerings to fulfill vows"
"rejoice in the presence of Yahweh"
"the Levites who live inside your city"
The fact that Yahweh would not give any of the land to the Levites is spoken of as if a father were not giving them an inheritance.
"they have no portion". Here "he" refers to Levi. Levi represents all of his descendants.
"Be careful"
"any place that pleases you" or "wherever you want"
The burnt offerings are to be made at the tabernacle, which Yahweh himself would choose the location.
The people could only kill animals as sacrifices in the place that Yahweh would choose. They could kill animals for food anywhere they wanted.
"inside your city" or "at your homes"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"the antelope and the deer"
The blood represents life and God did not allow the people to eat the blood along with the meat.
Moses describes to the people all the special offerings and sacrifices that are to be made at the tabernacle.
"nor that of any offering which you bring to Yahweh"
"you will eat your offerings"
"in the presence of Yahweh
"any Levite who lives inside your city"
"rejoice about all the work you do"
"Be careful about yourself"
"that you take good care of the Levite"
"enlarges your territory" or "gives you even more land"
"and you decide that you want to eat meat"
"as you want" or "as you crave"
"to have his people build the place where they will worship him"
"as you desire"
"Just like you eat the gazelle and the deer"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"the blood sustains life" or "the blood causes animals and people to live"
"You will not eat what sustains life with the meat" or "you will not eat the blood, which sustains life, with the meat"
"what is right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
"the priest will pour out the blood of the sacrifice"
"you will eat some of the meat". God's law specifies which parts of the animal are for the burnt offering, which parts are for the priest and which parts are for the person making the offer to eat.
"Carefully listen to and obey everything that I am commanding you"
"that you and your descendants may prosper"
"what is good and right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be good and right"
Yahweh destroying the people groups in Canaan is spoken of as if he were cutting them off, as one would cut a branch from a tree.
"when you take everything from them"
"be careful"
"that you do not act like them ... that you do try to learn about their gods, asking"
The Israelites worshiping idols as the people groups of Canaan worship idols is spoken of as if the Israelites were following behind the other people groups.
"after Yahweh destroys them before you"
"into asking about how those people groups worship their gods so that you can do the same."
They are not to create more laws nor ignore laws that God has given them.
Moses continues speaking to the people of Israel, who were required to listen to Yahweh's prophets unless they were encouraging the people to worship other gods. The punishment for anyone leading the people to worship other gods was death. These instructions were to keep Israel's worship of Yahweh pure.
"If there appears among you" or "If someone among you claims to be"
This is someone who receives messages from God through dreams.
These two words refer to various miracles.
"takes place" or "happens"
"and he tells you to serve and worship other gods which you have not known,"
"Let us follow other gods"
The phrase "gods, that you have not known" refers to the gods that other people groups worship. The Israelites know Yahweh because he has revealed himself to them and they have experienced his power.
"do not listen to what that prophet say nor to what the dreamer of dreams says"
These two phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See Deuteronomy 4:29.
"You will obey Yahweh"
"obey what he says"
"rely on him".
"you must kill"
"he has tried to make you rebel"
"who rescued you out of the place where you were slaves"
"Egypt where you were slaves". Here "house of bondage" represents Egypt where the people of Yahweh had been slaves.
"make you disobey what Yahweh your God commanded"
"So you must remove from among the people of Israel the person who does this evil thing" or "So you must kill this evil person"
"wife you love" or "wife you dearly embrace"
chest, shoulders, and arms
"your dearest friend" or "a friend you love as much as you love yourself"
"secretly entices you to go and worship other gods which you have not known". The words "Let us go and worship other gods" are a direct quote. The words "which you have not known" describe the other gods, but they are not part of the quote. In some languages, it might be more natural to use an indirect quote.
"that are around you." These words describe the peoples.
"everywhere on earth." or "throughout the entire earth."
"Do not agree to what he wants"
"you must not look at him with pity" or "you must not show him mercy"
"you must not show him mercy or hide from others what he has done"
"you must be the first to strike him to kill him". This means that he was to throw the first stone at the guilty person.
"the other people will join you"
"to turn you away from Yahweh," or "he has tried to make you disobey Yahweh,"
"out from the place where you were slaves"
It is implied that when the people hear about the person who was executed, they will be afraid to act like he did.
The phrase "from among you" means that these wicked men were Israelites who lived in their communities.
"have persuaded those who live in their city to go and worship other gods that they have not known."
A person causing someone else to stop obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if the person has caused the other person to physically turn and leave Yahweh.
Moses is emphasizing that they must carefully find out what truly happened at the city.
"that the people of the city have done such a terrible thing"
"with your swords"
"all the plunder." This refers to the things that an army collects after winning a battle.
"pile of ruins"
"no one must ever rebuild the city"
"You must not keep any of the things God has commanded you to destroy". Yahweh cursing something and promising to destroy it is spoken of as if Yahweh were setting the object apart from other things.
"must you keep"
"Yahweh will stop being angry"
Here "fathers" means ancestors or forefathers.
"you are obeying what Yahweh says"
"that which is right in Yahweh's judgment" or "that which Yahweh your God considers to be right"
This chapter is part of the law of Moses, which is part of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses. The people were not allowed to eat the unclean animals. Scholars are uncertain about the reasons for the animals to be considered to be clean or unclean. The result of these food restrictions was a nation that was different than the nations surrounding it.
"We are the people"
These were ways the people groups living in Canaan showed that they were grieving over people who had died. Moses is telling the people of Israel not to act like them.
"nor shave the front of your head"
"we are a nation ... has chosen us"
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 7:6.
"Yahweh your God has set you apart from other nations"
This means that the people of Israel belong to Yahweh in a special way.
"a people for his treasured possession" or "his people"
"out of all the people groups in the world"
The people of Israel were told not to eat anything that God said was unfit for eating.
"all kinds of deer."
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 12:15.
"all kinds of antelope."
"that have split hooves."
This means the animal brings its food up from its stomach and chews it again.
This is a small animal with long ears that usually lives in holes in the ground.
This is a small animal that lives in rocky places.
Something Yahweh says is unfit for his people to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Yahweh says this is unfit for his people to eat.
"You may eat these kinds of animals that live in the water"
the thin, flat part which the fish uses to move through the water
the small plates that cover the body of the fish
An animal that God says is fit for his people to eat is spoken of as if the animal were physically clean.
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on small animals and dead animals.
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on small animals and dead animals.
A bird that either is awake at night or feeds on small animals and dead animals.
A bird that is either awake at night or feeds on small animals and dead animals.
These are types of birds that eat small animals and lizards.
animal with wings and furry body which is awake mainly at night and eats insects and rodents
This means all flying insects that move in large groups.
"you must not eat them"
Animals that God says are fit for his people to eat.
This means an animal that dies a natural death.
"lives in your towns"
"For Yahweh your God has set you apart from other nations"
This means they are to give one part out of ten parts from their crops.
"every year"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". Yahweh will choose one location where he will live and people will come to worship him there.
Here "it" refers to the tithe of crops and livestock.
"to have his people build the place where they will worship him". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 12:5.
"you will sell your offering for money,"
"put the money in a bag and take it with you"
"for whatever you want:"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"make sure to take care of him"
The tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of land as their inheritance. Their share of the inheritance was the honor of serving Yahweh as his priests.
Once every 3 years the Israelites were to store their tithes within their own towns so that it would be used to provide for the Levites, orphans, widows and foreigners.
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
This is a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
"in all the work you do"
This chapter gives instructions about the necessity to regularly forgive debt among their fellow countryman, preventing people from being trapped by their poverty. As Yahweh's chosen nation, there must be justice in Israel. This chapter gives commands that encouraged justice by protecting the poor, servants and slaves.
"7 years"
"forgive every thing which people still owe you"
"This is how to cancel the debts"
a person who lends money to other people
"his fellow Israelite". The words "neighbor" and "brother" emphasize the close relationship that they have with each other.
"because Yahweh has required that you cancel debts"
"you must not demand it back" or "you must not require repayment"
"no poor people" or "no one who is poor"
This refers to the land of Canaan.
The land that Yahweh is giving to his people is spoken of as if it were an inheritance from Yahweh.
"if only you are careful to obey what Yahweh your God says"
"you will lend money ... you will not borrow money"
"to the people of many nations ... over the people of many nations"
This means to be financially superior and basically means the same thing as the previous part of the sentence.
"If there is a poor person"
"one of your fellow Israelites"
"within any of your towns"
"you must not be stubborn"
"nor refuse to help your fellow Israelite who is poor"
"but you must surely help him"
"not to think a wicked thought"
It is implied that because the year of release will happen soon, the person thinking this will be reluctant to help a poor person since it is likely that the poor person will not have to pay him back.
"the year to cancel debts, will happen soon"
"so that you are not stubborn and refuse to give anything to your fellow Israelite"
"shout to Yahweh for help"
"Yahweh will consider what you have done to be sinful"
"you should not regret it" or "you should be happy"
"in all that you do"
"For there will always be poor people in the land"
"I command you to open your hand ... in your land"
"help your fellow Israelite, those who are needy, and those who are poor"
"help your fellow Israelites who cannot help themselves"
"If a fellow Israelite" or "If a fellow Hebrew"
"sell themselves to you". If a person could not repay their debts, they sometimes sold themselves into slavery to pay what they owed.
"6 years"
"you must not let him leave without having anything to provide for himself and his family"
"generously give to him". Abundance is implied.
"remember that your people were once slaves"
Yahweh rescuing the people of Israel from being slaves in Egypt is spoken of as if Yahweh paid money to redeem his people from slavery.
"if he says to you that he will not go away from you,"
Here "house" represents the person's family.
"then you will place his head near a wooden door frame in your house, and then put the point of the awl through his earlobe into the wood"
a sharp, pointed tool used to make a hole
"until he dies"
"Be pleased when you let him go free"
This means the owner only had to pay half the amount for this slave to work than he would for a person he hired.
This is a person who works for pay.
to cut off wool or hair
"in the presence of Yahweh your God"
"each year" or "every year"
physically disabled
"within your community" or "inside your city"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
See how you translated these in Deuteronomy 12:15.
"you must not consume its blood." Yahweh did not allow Israelites to consume blood because it represented life.
This chapter retells the specific commands about how to celebrate the Passover; recalling the Passover in Egypt, which was an important event in the formation of the nation of Israel. There are several other important festivals described in this chapter. As Yahweh's chosen nation, there must be justice in Israel. Also, Yahweh must be the only God in Israel. He alone is to be worshiped.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It marks when God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt. It is during the last part of March and the first part April on Western calendars.
"celebrate the Passover meal" or "eat the Passover meal"
"For the Passover you will offer a sacrifice". Here "Passover" represents the animal that is sacrificed for the Passover celebration.
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". See Deuteronomy 14:23.
Here "it" refers to the animal they will sacrifice and eat.
"this bread will remind you of how much you suffered while in Egypt". This was the name of the unleavened bread.
"out of the land of Egypt in such hurry you did not have time to make bread with yeast in it".
"Do this as long as you live"
"remember"
"You must not have any yeast among you"
"inside all your territory" or "in all your land"
This "first" is the ordinal number for one.
"For the Passover you must not sacrifice the animal". Here "Passover" represents the animal that will be sacrificed.
"within any of your towns"
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". See Deuteronomy 14:23.
"at sunset"
"You must cook it". A fire is implied. See Exodus 12:8.
"special gathering"
"from the time that you begin harvesting the grain". "Seven weeks" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
a tool with a curved blade used for cutting grass, grain, and vines
"and you will give your free will offering"
"according to the harvest which Yahweh your God has given you" They will base their offering on their harvest.
"your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your females servants, any Levite"
"all foreigners, orphans, and widows"
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
This means a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 14:23.
"remember"
Other names for this festival are "Feast of Tabernacles," "Festival of Booths," and "Feast of the Ingathering." During harvest time, farmers would set up temporary shelters in the field. This festival took place after the last harvest of the year.
"the Festival of Shelters"
"all the work you do"
The men could represent their whole families. Females were allowed, but Yahweh did not require that they come.
"must come and stand in the presence of Yahweh"
"Every person who comes before Yahweh must bring an offering"
"You must appoint judges" or "You must choose judges". Justice is a reoccurring theme.
"you will choose them"
"judge the people fairly"
"You must not be unfair when you judge" or "You must make just decisions".
Here "You" refers to those who will be appointed as judges and officers.
"for even a wise man who accepts a bribe will become blind, and even a righteous man who accepts a bribe will tell lies"
"a wise person" or "wise people"
"causes a righteous person to lie"
"do only what is fair". This person is spoken of as if he was following close behind justice.
Receiving the land that God is giving to the people is spoken of as if the people are inheriting the land from God.
Here "You" refers to all the people of Israel.
"any sacred stone pillar because Yahweh your God hates them"
This refers to pillars that are idols used to worship false gods.
In the ancient Near East, it was common for a person to be punished by the testimony of a single person, especially if this was an important person. The rules in this chapter give protection to people; especially the poor by requiring multiple witnesses, allowing justice to be done.
"that has a blemish" or "that has something wrong with it." The animal is to appear without any deformity.
"that would be disgusting to Yahweh"
"If you find someone"
"living in one of your cities"
"something that Yahweh your God thinks is evil"
"disobeys his covenant"
"any of the multitude of things in the sky". "any of the army of heaven." This refers to the lights we see in the sky, including the sun, moon, stars. They are called the host because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers.
"if someone tells you about this disobedient act"
"you must carefully investigate what happened"
"someone has done such a horrible thing in Israel"
"If two or three witnesses speak against the person, then you must execute him"
"but if only one person speaks against him, then you must not execute him"
"The witnesses themselves must be the first ones to throw stones. Then all the people will execute the person by throwing stones at him"
"you must remove from among the Israelites this person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
"If there is a matter" or "If there is a situation"
"murder or accidental killing"
"whether a lawsuit is just or unjust"
"whether harm was done intentionally or by accident"
"you will ask them to advise you"
"they will decide on the matter"
"You must obey what the judge and priests decide about the matter"
"Do not disobey anything they tell you" or "Do everything they say"
"arrogance, if he will not listen to the priest who is standing to serve before Yahweh your God and he will not listen to the judge—that"
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil Israelite"
It is implied that when the people hear about the person who was executed for acting arrogantly, they will be afraid and not act arrogantly themselves.
Israel was not to have a king because Yahweh was their king. Knowing the sinfulness of the people, Yahweh anticipated that one day Israel would have a king. Therefore, this passage gives commands about their king prophetically. They were not allowed to collect chariots because they were a sign of earthly power and the king was to trust in Yahweh. (See 1 Samuel 8).
"entered."
"then you decide that you want a king just like the peoples of the nations that surround you have kings,"
"We will set over ourselves ... round about us"
Giving someone the authority to rule as king is spoken of as if the people were setting the person in a place above them.
"all the surrounding nations". Here "nations" represent the people who live in the nations.
"one of your fellow Israelites"
"a foreigner over yourself" or "a non-Israelite over yourself". Yahweh is emphasizing that the people of Israel should not let a foreigner rule over them.
"he must not get large numbers of horses for himself" or "he must not keep acquiring more horses for himself'
"for Yahweh had said that you must never return to Egypt again."
"so that they do not cause him to stop honoring Yahweh and start worshiping false gods". An Israelite king who marries foreign wives and starts to worship their false gods is spoken of as if his heart were to turn away from Yahweh.
"When he becomes king"
"he must personally write in a scroll a copy of this law for himself" or "he must appoint someone to write in a scroll a copy of this law for him"
"from the copy of the law that the Levitical priests keep"
These two phrases emphasize that the king must obey all of God's law.
"so that he does not think he is better than his fellow Israelites"
"so that he does not disobey any of the commandments" or "so that he obeys all of the commandments"
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
This chapter is one of the first prophecies about the promised, coming Messiah. "Levites"... As Yahweh's chosen priests, the priests were to trust in Yahweh to provide for them. He provided for them through the rest of the Israelites. Yahweh was their inheritance.
"will not possess any of the people's land" or "will not receive any of the land that the Israelites will possess".
"no part"
"among the other tribes of Israel" or "among the other Israelites"
"instead, they will have Yahweh". See how you translated a similar phrase in Deuteronomy 10:9.
This refers to the stomach and intestines.
"you must give to the priest."
Here "him" represents all the Levites.
"to be his special servants" or "to serve as a representative of Yahweh"
"the Levites and their descendants forever"
"strongly desires"
"then he must serve Yahweh his God as a priest"
"who serve in the sanctuary in the presence of Yahweh"
This refers to what the priest would inherit from his father.
"entered."
"you must not do the terrible things that the people of the other nations do".
"There must not be anyone among you"
"anyone who uses magic to try to find out what will happen in the future or to cast spells". These are different ways of practicing magic. God has forbidden every kind of magic.
"anyone who uses magic to cast spells or to talk to the spirits of dead people".
This refers to the people already living in Canaan.
"For these people groups"
"these nations whose land you will take"
Yahweh appointing a person to be a prophet is spoken of as if Yahweh would raise or lift the person up. This chapter is one of the first prophecies about the promised, coming Messiah. (See Matthew 21:11).
"one of your fellow Israelites"
Here "you" refers to the Israelites at Mount Horeb about 40 years earlier.
"on the day you gathered together at Horeb"
"on the day of the assembly when you said that you did not want to hear the voice of Yahweh our God, nor see his great fire anymore, because you were afraid that you would die."
"Let us not hear Yahweh our God speak again"
Yahweh telling the prophet what to say is spoken of as if Yahweh would put words in the prophet's mouth.
"speak to the people of Israel"
"does not listen to him when he speaks my message"
"I will hold him responsible" or "I will punish him." This refers to the person who does not listen to the prophet.
"who dares to speak a message" or "who is arrogant enough to speak a message"
"for me" or "with my authority"
"a message"
This means the prophet claims that false gods told him to speak a certain message.
"You ask yourself" or "You must say to yourself"
"How will we know if the message that the prophet speaks is from Yahweh?" Here "we" refers to the people of Israel.
"a prophet claims to speak for me" or "a prophet claims to speak with my authority"
"the prophet has spoken this message without my authority"
The chapter describes a famous law, often called the "law of retaliation". It is said, an "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot". This does not mean a person who causes another person to lose their eye must have their own eye removed as punishment. Instead, it is about limiting the punishment or the ability of a person to retaliate. Also, this chapter describes the establishment of special cities to protect those fleeing from revenge killings.
Yahweh destroying the people who live in Canaan is spoken of as if he were cutting them off, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree.
"those nations who were living in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you"
"possess the land after those nations are gone"
"choose 3 cities"
They were to build roads so that it would be easy for people to travel to these cities.
It is implied that one of the cities they choose must be in each part of the land.
Yahweh giving the land to the people of Israel is spoken of as if the people are inheriting the land.
"These are the instructions"
"for a person who kills another person"
"and who escapes to one of these cities" or "who runs to one of these cities"
"any person who kills another person by accident"
"but did not hate his neighbor before he killed him." This implies there was no cause for him to kill his neighbor purposely.
The author gives an example of how someone might accidentally kill his neighbor.
The iron part of the ax comes off the wooden handle.
This means the head of the ax hits and kills the neighbor.
It is implied that the family of the dead man may try to get revenge. The man who killed him can flee to one of these cities, and the people there will protect him.
An "avenger of blood" is a close relative of the person who was killed and is responsible for punishing the murderer.
"the one who killed the other person"
"and being very angry"
"And the blood avenger strikes and kills the one who had killed the other person"
"though that man did not deserve to die since he accidentally killed the other person and was not his enemy, and he had not planned to hurt the man"
"gives you more land to possess"
"like he promised your ancestors that he would do"
"if you obey all these commandments"
"to always obey him"
"then you must choose three more cities for a person to escape to if he accidentally kills someone"
"in addition to the three cities you already established"
"Do this so that family members do not kill an innocent person"
"in the land" or "in the territory"
The people of Israel being guilty for a person dying because they did not build a city where he would be safe from the "blood avenger" is spoken of as if the guilt of his death is on them.
This means that if a family member kills an innocent person, then all the people of Israel will be guilty for letting that happen.
Here "neighbor" means any person in general.
"hides and waits in order to kill him"
"attacks him"
"hurts him so that he dies" or "and kills him"
"must send someone to get him and bring him back from the city that he escaped to"
"give him over"
"to the power of the responsible relative" or "to the responsible relative"
"the murderer may die" or "the responsible relative may execute the murderer"
"Do not show him mercy" or "Do not feel sorry for him"
"you must execute the murderer so that the people of Israel will not become guilty for the death of an innocent person"
Here "Israel" refers to the people of Israel.
"You must not take land away from your neighbor by moving the markers on the borders of his land"
"that your ancestors placed"
"in the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you to possess"
In the ancient Near East, it was common for a person to be punished by the testimony of a single person, especially if this was an important person. The rules in this chapter give protection to people, especially the poor by requiring multiple witnesses. This allowed justice to be done.
"A single witness" or "Only one witness"
"must not speak to the judges about something bad that a man did"
"anytime that a man does something bad"
"at the testimony of at least two or three people" or "based on what at least two or three people say happened"
"will you confirm that the man is guilty"
"When" or "If"
"a witness who intends to harm someone else"
"tells the judge that a man sinned in order to get the man in trouble" or "tells the judge that a man sinned, so the judge will punish him"
"the ones who disagree with one another"
This means the two persons must go to the sanctuary where Yahweh's presence dwells. At the sanctuary are priests and judges who have the authority to make legal decisions for Yahweh.
The phrase "stand before" means to go to someone with authority and let him make a legal decision about a matter.
"The judges must work very hard to determine what happened;"
"then you must punish the false witness in the same way as he wanted you to punish the other man"
"you will remove the evil practice from among you"
"When you punish the false witness, the rest of the people"
"will hear about the punishment and be afraid of getting punished"
"never again do something evil like that"
"You must not pity him" or "You must not show him mercy"
"When you go out to fight in a war against your enemies". Israel was not to worry about the power and strength of other nations. Instead, they were to trust in the power of Yahweh, who is the source of their military strength and protection. This is why a priest leads them into battle, rather than a military commander.
People considered an army with many horses and chariots to be very strong.
"Yahweh who led you out from the land of Egypt".
"speak to the soldiers of Israel"
These four expressions all mean the same thing and strongly emphasize that they are not to be afraid.
"Do not be afraid."
Yahweh defeating the enemies of the people of Israel is spoken of as if Yahweh were a warrior who would fight along with the people of Israel. Israel's conquering of the Promised Land was unique in history because it was a type of holy war and had special rules. This war was really Yahweh's punishment against the sin of the Canaanite people. If the people were not completely destroyed, they would cause Israel to sin.
"to give you victory"
Moses says what the army officers must say to the people of Israel before a battle. In ancient Israel, men were excused from fighting in battle for several different reasons. Some of these reasons are mentioned in this chapter. Apparently, needing to establish a new house, the need to harvest a field and cowardice were possible excuses.
One of the officers' jobs was to decide who could leave the army.
"If any soldier here has built a new house and has not dedicated it, he should go back to his house". The questions are intended to tell the readers that Yahweh only wants soldiers who are completely dedicated to fighting for him.
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could dedicate it"
Moses continues describing situations that allow a man to leave the military.
"If any soldier here has a new vineyard, but has not yet harvested its grapes, he should go back to his house"
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could harvest its fruit instead of him"
"If any soldier here has promised to marry a woman, but has not yet married her, he should go back to his house"
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could marry her instead of him"
"If any soldier here is afraid and not brave, he should go back to his house"
"afraid to fight in battle"
"another Israelite does not become afraid like he is afraid"
Here "heart" represents a person's courage.
"the officers must appoint people to be commanders of the army and to lead the people of Israel."
"When you go to attack the people of a city"
"give the people in the city a chance to surrender"
Possible meanings are 1) they answer in a peaceful manner or 2) they accept the offer of peace.
"let you enter their city peacefully". The phrase "open their gates to you" represents the people surrendering.
"all the people in the city"
"must become your slaves"
"But if the people of the city do not surrender" or "But if the people of the city do not accept your offer of peace"
"kill every man in the town with your sword."
"the children"
"all the valuable things"
These are the valuable things which people take from those they attacked.
"all the people who live in cities"
The cities in Canaan that Yahweh is giving to the people are spoken of as their inheritance.
"you must not let any living thing stay alive." or "you must kill every living thing"
"You must completely destroy these people groups:"
"Destroy these nations so that they"
"to act in abominable ways, like the people in these nations have done with their gods"
"If you act like these people, you will sin against Yahweh your God."
"fight in a war"
"by cutting down the trees with an ax"
"For fruit trees are not people, so they are not your enemy."
"you know are not trees that grow fruit to eat"
These are tools and structures, such as ladders and towers, that are needed to lay siege to a city.
"until the people of the city lose the war"
The rules and instructions in this chapter help to ensure peace in Israel. This is not a military peace, but it is about establishing peace within Israel and among the people.
"If someone finds a person whom someone else has killed"
The dead person is lying in the field.
"nobody knows who attacked him"
"they must measure the distance to the cities". "Elders"...Older men were required to lead the people of Israel and help to administer justice. These men would function as judges, which would later become a more official position
"him whom someone has killed" or "the dead body"
"has not worn a yoke."
"a stream"
"a valley where nobody has plowed the ground or planted seeds"
"must come to the valley"
"because the priests are the ones whom Yahweh your God has chosen to serve him"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if he were speaking to one man, so the word "your" is singular.
"bless the people of Israel"
"as one who says and does what Yahweh himself would say and do"
"Yahweh, and they will be the ones who settle all disagreements and cases of violence"
"the heifer whose neck the priests broke"
"they must testify to Yahweh about this case"
"We did not kill this innocent person"
"and we did not see anyone kill this person"
Moses continues to tell the elders what they should say when they wash their hands over the heifer. He speaks to them as if he were speaking to one man, so the words "you" and "your" are singular.
Yahweh rescuing the people is spoken of as if Yahweh paid money to redeem his people from slavery.
"do not treat your people Israel as if they are guilty of killing an innocent person"
"Then Yahweh will forgive his people Israel for the death of an innocent person"
"you will not be guilty any more of killing an innocent person"
"what is right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
"you who are soldiers go out"
The word "delight in" here probably refers to tender feelings rather than sexual desire.
"want to marry her,"
"she will shave the hair off of her head"
"cut her fingernails."
"she will take off the clothes of her people and put on Israelite clothes"
"when you took her captive"
"an entire month"
"After that you may have sexual relations with her" or "After that you may lie with her"
"But if you sleep with her and then decide that you do not want her as your wife"
"let her go wherever she wants to go"
"because you shamed her by sleeping with her and then sending her away"
"the man loves one of his wives and he hates the other wife" or "the man loves one wife more than he loves the other wife"
"if the firstborn son belongs to the wife whom the man hates"
"when the man"
"the man gives his possessions to his sons as an inheritance"
"he may not treat the son of the beloved wife as if he were the firstborn instead of the son of the hated wife."
"twice as much"
"that son is the one who shows that the man can become the father of sons"
"who will not obey what his father or mother say"
"they punish him for his wrongdoing" or "they train and instruct him"
"must force him to come out,"
"Our son"
"he will not do what we tell him to do" or "he will not obey us"
a person who eats and drinks too much
a person who drinks too much alcohol and gets drunk often
"throw stones at him until he dies"
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
"All the people of Israel"
"will hear about what happened to the son and be afraid that the people will punish them also"
"If a man has done something so bad that you need to punish him by killing him"
"you execute him" or "you kill him"
"after he has died you hang him on a tree" or "you kill him by hanging him on a wooden post"
"bury him on the same day as when you execute him". See John 19:31 and Galatians 3:13.
"because God curses everyone whom people hang on trees" and "for people hang on trees those whom God has cursed."
Leaving the body on the tree would defile the land.
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular. The instructions in this chapter help to maintain order. The people are to have integrity. The people's sin will result in serious punishment.
"walk away from its owner"
"act as if you do not see them"
"If your fellow Israelite lives far away from you,"
"or if you do not know who the owner of the animal is"
"you must keep the animal with you until its owner comes looking for it,"
"You must return his donkey in the same way"
"you must return his clothing in the same way"
"you must not act as if you do not see that he has lost something" or "you must not go away without doing anything"
"you must help your fellow Israelite lift the animal back up onto its feet."
"men's clothing"
a home that birds make for themselves out of sticks, grass, plants, and mud
"with baby birds or eggs in the nest"
"the mother bird is sitting on the baby birds"
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
a low fence around the edge of the roof so people will not fall off the roof
"so that it will not be the fault of your household if someone dies"
"if anyone falls from the roof because you did not make a railing"
"so that you do not defile the whole harvest and the priests do not allow you to use it"
"the fruit that grows in the vineyard"
soft, curly hair that grows on a sheep
thread made from the flax plant
threads that are bound together and hang from the end of each corner of the cloak
a long garment that a person wears over his other clothes
"he has sexual relations with her"
"then accuses her of having had sexual relations with someone else before she was married"
"makes other people think she is a bad person"
"but when I had sexual relations with her"
"she could not prove to me that she was a virgin". If a woman was not a virgin, she was not considered to be worth marrying. The man who slept with her was responsible for providing for her since she will not be able to find a husband to provide for her.
"must take something that proves that she has never had sexual relations"
"he has accused her of having slept with someone before he married her"
"Your daughter could not prove that she has never had sexual relations"
"But this proves that my daughter has never had sexual relations"
"And then the mother and father will show the clothing with the bloodstain to the elders as proof that she was a virgin"
"they must make him pay as a punishment"
"100 shekels"
"give the money to the father of the girl"
"has caused people to think that a virgin of Israel is a bad person"
"never allow him to divorce her"
"for his entire life"
"But if it is true" or "But if what the man said is true"
"that the man did not find proof that the girl was a virgin"
"something that proves that the girl has never had sexual relations"
"then the elders must bring out the girl"
"throw stones at her until she dies"
"because she has done a disgraceful thing in Israel,"
"acting like a prostitute while living in her father's house"
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
"If someone finds a man"
"having sexual relations with"
"in this way you will remove"
"who is promised to marry a man"
"has sexual relations with her"
These commands are addressed to Israel as a group and so are plural.
"then you must bring both the girl and the man who slept with her"
"because she did not call for help"
"because he slept with a girl who belongs to a fellow Israelite"
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
a girl whose parents have agreed to let her marry a certain man, but she has not married him yet
"then you must only kill the man who lay with her"
"you are not to punish her by killing her for what she did."
"Because this situation is like the situation when somebody attacks another person and kills him."
"Because the man found the girl working in the field;"
"but whose parents have not promised another man that she will marry him"
"if somebody finds out what happened"
"fifty pieces of silver" or "550 grams of silver"
"He must never divorce her during his entire life"
"must not marry his father's former wife, even if she is not his mother"
"man whose private body parts someone has crushed or cut off."
"may be a full member of the Israelite community". This was probably the corporate worship of Yahweh, when the people would come together to worship him.
Possible meanings are 1) a child born to parents who committed incest or adultery or 2) a child born to a prostitute.
"even after ten generations of the illegitimate child's descendants"
"none of these descendants"
"may not be a full member of the Israelite community"
"they did not welcome you by bringing you food and drink"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" here is singular.
"did not pay attention"
"had him bless you and not curse you"
"You should never make a peace treaty with the Ammonites and the Moabites"
"as long as you are a nation"
"Do not hate an Edomite"
"because he is your relative"
"do not hate an Egyptian"
"If an Edomite or an Egyptian comes to live in the Israelite community, his grandchildren may become full members of that community"
"to fight against your enemies"
"keep yourselves away from all bad things"
"any man who is unclean because he had an emission of semen while he was asleep"
"you should have a tool that you can use to dig with"
"when you squat down to defecate"
"you must dig a hole with the tool"
"cover up your excrement"
"so that Yahweh may not see any unclean thing among you,"
"a slave from another country who escaped from his master and came to Israel"
"Let the slave live among your people,"
Possible meanings are that Moses 1) openly forbids women and men to perform sexual acts as part of temple service or 2) forbids women and men to perform sexual acts to receive money.
"A woman who earns money as a prostitute must not bring that money ... into the house"
a man who allows men to have sex with him for money
"into the temple"
"to fulfill a vow;"
the wages of a female prostitute and of a male prostitute.
to lend to somebody and force that person to pay back more than was lent
"you must not charge interest when you lend somebody money, food, or anything else"
"all that you do"
"you must not take a long time to fulfill the vow"
"because Yahweh your God will blame you and punish you if you do not fulfill your vow"
"But, if you do not make a vow, you will not sin because you will not have a vow to fulfill"
"The words you have spoken"
"whatever you have vowed to Yahweh your God that you will do"
"anything that people have heard you promise to do because you wanted to do it"
"so that people heard you say it"
"then you may enjoy eating grapes until you are full"
"but you may not put any grapes in your bag to take them away with you"
"When you walk through your neighbor's field where there is grain growing,"
"then you may eat the kernels of grain with your hand"
"but do not cut down your neighbor's ripe grain and take it with you."
a sharp tool that farmers use to harvest wheat
This chapter continues the teaching about how to maintain justice in Israel and also gives limitations regarding the lending of money. Lending money to fellow Israelites was a way to help them out and was not intended to be a way to make money off their brothers.
"When a man marries a woman"
"if he decides that he does not like her"
The word translated "shameful" here implies sexual immorality.
"he must give his wife an official paper saying that they are not married anymore"
"she may go and marry another man."
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"If the second husband decides that he hates the woman"
"gives it to the woman"
"after she has become unclean by the divorce and remarriage to another man"
"You must not spread guilt around in the land"
"When a man is newly married to a woman"
"and no one is to force him to live away from his home and do any kind of work"
"he will be free to live at home"
a tool for making flour by grinding grain in between two heavy discs of stone
the top disc of stone in a mill. To take a person's millstone was to take away how they earned money and produced food.
"because he would be taking from the man what the man needs to make food for his family"
"If you find a man kidnapping". This refers to using force to take a person away from his home and imprison him.
"any of his fellow Israelites"
"then other Israelites should kill that thief as a punishment for what he did"
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
"Pay attention if you suffer from leprosy" or "Pay attention if you have leprosy"
"all of the instructions that I have given you and that the priests, who are Levites, teach you to do"
Moses here speaks to the Israelites as a group, so these instances of the word "you" are plural.
"you must make sure that you do exactly what I have commanded them"
The word "them" refers to the priests, who are Levites.
Moses speaks to the Israelites here as if they were one man, so the words "your" and "call to mind" are singular.
Moses here speaks to the Israelites as a group, so the word "you" is plural.
"Remember"
"during the time when you were leaving Egypt"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"When you loan something to your neighbor"
"to take his pledge"
This refers to what he has promised that he would give you if he did not pay back the loan.
"You should wait outside his house,"
"you must not keep his coat overnight" or "you must return his pledge before you lie down to sleep"
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 24:10.
"give him back what he has given you to show that he will pay back the loan"
"so that he will have his coat to keep himself warm when he sleeps, and he will be grateful to you"
This was probably the "pledge" Moses was speaking of in Deuteronomy 24:10-12.
"Yahweh your God will approve of the way you handled this matter"
"You must not treat a hired servant poorly"
a person who gets paid daily for his work
"in one of your cities"
"You should give the man the money he earns every single day"
"you should pay the man on the same day he does the work"
"because he is poor and depends on his wages to buy his food for the next day"
"he does not call out to Yahweh and ask him to punish you"
"You must not execute the parents because of something bad that one of their children did"
"and you must not execute the children because of something bad that their parents did"
"you should only execute a person because of something bad that he did himself"
"You must not treat a foreigner or the fatherless unfairly"
This refers to children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
"and do not take a widow's cloak as a pledge because she needs it"
"When you cut down the grain in your field"
Some versions translate this as "a sheaf." This refers to stalks of grain, enough to carry and tie in a bundle.
"you must leave the sheaf so a foreigner, an orphan, or a widow can take it"
"in all the work that you do"
"When you shake the branches of your olive tree, causing the olives to fall to the ground so you can pick them up"
"do not pick every single olive from the tree"
"the olives that stay on the branches are for foreigners, orphans, and widows to pick and take with them"
"The grapes that you do not pick will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow to pick"
"remember"
This chapter continues to teach about justice in Israel.
"If the judge orders them to beat the guilty man"
"he will watch them beat him"
"the number of times he has ordered because of the bad deed he did"
"The judge may say that they should beat the guilty person 40 times"
"but the judge may not order them to beat him more than 40 times"
"because if the judge orders them to beat him many more than 40 times"
"then the judge would humiliate your fellow Israelite in front of all of the people of Israel"
"humiliated, and you would all see it"
"You must not put something over the mouth of an ox"
while he separates the grain from the chaff by walking on it or dragging heavy wood over it.
"If brothers live on the same property" or "If brothers live near each other."
"then the family of the dead man must not let the widow marry someone"
"shall have sexual relations with her"
"do what the brother of a dead husband is supposed to do"
"will continue the family line of that man's dead brother"
"so that his family line will not disappear from Israel"
"must go up to the city gate where the elders judge cases"
"refuses to give his brother a son"
"he will not do what a husband's brother is supposed to do and marry me"
"I do not wish to marry her."
"must walk up close to him with the elders there watching"
"who does not give his brother a son and continue his brother's family line"
"People in Israel will know his family as"
"The house of him whose sandal his brother's widow took off his foot" or "The family of a man who did not marry the wife of his dead brother". Here removing the sandal symbolizes that the brother would not receive any of the property of his dead brother.
"so the one who struck him will not strike him again" or "from the man who hit him"
"you should not feel sorry for her" or "you must not show her mercy"
"You must not cheat people by using a weight that is larger than you say it is when you buy things and by using a weight that is smaller than you say it is when you sell things"
Weights were stones used on a balance to determine how much something weighs
In the ancient Near East, people weighed gold and silver on a scale and used it as money. God was commanding people to use accurate weights for weighing the gold and silver. He did not want them to rob people by using inaccurate weights.
"A correct and fair"
"you may live for a long time"
"because everyone who cheats people by using different sized weights and measures,"
"Remember what the Amalekites did to you"
The word "you" here is plural.
"how they met you along the way"
"attacked those of your people who were in the back of the line"
"all the people who were weak in the back of the line"
"tired and exhausted"
"he was not afraid of God's punishment" or "he did not respect God"
"you must kill all of the Amalekites so that nobody will remember them anymore."
This chapter recalls the great events of Israel's history when Yahweh brought them out of Egypt. Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"some of the first fruits of the crops"
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 14:23.
This is the beginning of the statement that the Israelite male should make when bringing his basket. This refers to Jacob, who was the ancestor of all the Israelites. He lived for many years in Aram-Nahairam, a region located in Syria.
"lived the rest of his life there"
The word "he" refers to "Jacob's descendants."
"very great"
These two phrases emphasize that the Egyptians acted very harshly.
Here "us" refers to the people of Israel that were living in Egypt.
"he heard our cries" or "he heard our prayers"
"that the Egyptians were afflicting us, that we were doing very hard work, and that the Egyptians were oppressing us"
"by showing his mighty power". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 4:34.
"with acts that terrified the people who saw them"
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming". See Deuteronomy 6:3.
Moses continues telling the Israelites what they must say when they bring their first crops to Yahweh. He speaks to them as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"first fruits of the harvest"
"You must set the basket down."
"you must rejoice and be grateful for all the good things that Yahweh your God has done for you,"
Every three years the people of Israel gave a tenth of the harvest to the poor.
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
This means a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her now that she is old.
"so that those within your towns may have enough food to eat"
These are the first words of another statement that the Israelite was supposed to say.
This says that he has obeyed all of God's commandments.
This continues what the Israelite must say to Yahweh when he gives his tithe to the poor.
"I have not eaten any of the tithe while I was mourning"
"when I was unclean according to the Law" or "when the law says I cannot touch it"
Both statements emphasize that the person has obeyed all of God's commands.
"from heaven, your holy dwelling place"
These two phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See Deuteronomy 4:29.
"that you will completely obey everything Yahweh commands"
"a people who belong to him"
"he will make you more important than" or "he will make you greater than"
"he will cause you to become greater than any other nation that he has established, and he will enable you to praise him and honor him" or "he will have people praise you more than they praise every other nation that he has made; people will say that you are better than any other nation, and they will honor you."
"Yahweh your God will set you apart from other nations"
"May the man be cursed"...This phrase is repeated several times in this chapter, serves as a warning to the Israelites when they will live in the Promised Land and is part of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses.
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as a group, so the word "you" is plural.
Here "I" refers to Moses. The elders are there in agreement with Moses, but he is the only one speaking.
"spread plaster on them" or "make them so you can write on them". Plaster is usually a mixture of lime, sand, and water that is spread on something. It dries to form a hard, smooth surface on which a person can write.
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming". See Deuteronomy 6:3.
Moses is addressing the Israelites as a group, so the instances of "you" and the command "set up" are plural.
This is a mountain near Shechem. See Deuteronomy 11:29.
"you will not shape the altar stones with iron tools"
stones in their natural shape that no one has shaped with metal tools
This refers to the stones they were to set up on Mount Ebal and cover with plaster.
"obey what Yahweh your God says"
The Levites are there in agreement with Moses, but he is the only one speaking.
"The people from these tribes". This refers to the people from the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
A small mountain north of Mount Ebal. See Deuteronomy 11:29.
This combines the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were descendants of Joseph.
"say in a loud voice how Yahweh will curse Israel"
"May Yahweh curse the person ... sets it up in secret". This is the statement the Levites must shout to all the people of Israel.
"something a man has made"
a man who knows how to make things.
Moses continues telling the Levites and the people what they must say.
"May Yahweh curse the man"
"who takes land away from his neighbor by moving the markers on the borders of his land"
"May Yahweh curse the man"
"treats a foreigner ... widow unfairly". See Deuteronomy 24:17.
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
This means a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
"May Yahweh curse the man"
"who has sexual relations with his father's wife"
This does not refer to the man's mother, but another wife of his father.
"he has taken away his father's legal rights". When a man marries a woman, only he has the legal right to sleep with her.
"who has sexual relations with any animal"
"who has sexual relations with his sister"
This means a man cannot have sexual relations with his sister, even if she has a different mother or father.
"who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law"
This chapter explains some of the blessings and warnings associated with Israel's obedience to the law of Moses. Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"to what Yahweh your God says"
"and obey"
"make you more important than" or "make you greater than"
"Yahweh will bless you like this in ways that will completely surprise you, and it will be as if you cannot escape having him bless you"
"Yahweh will bless you"
This means that Yahweh will bless them everywhere.
These idioms for "your children, and your crops, and all your animals" refer to everything the Israelites valued.
"all of your animals, along with the calves of the cattle and the lambs of the flocks"
"all the food you grow and all the food you eat". A "kneading trough" was a bowl they used to make bread.
This refers to all of life's activities everywhere they go.
"cause you to defeat the armies that attack you"
"but they will run away from you in seven directions". The actual number could be more or less than seven.
"When Yahweh blesses you, you will be surprised by how much grain you have in your barns"
"in everything you do"
"Yahweh will make you a holy people that belongs to him".
"Yahweh has called you his own"
"with children, animals, and crops"
"the clouds"
"when the crops need it"
"all the work that you do"
This means the Israelites will always be the leaders over other nations and never the servants following behind them.
The Israelites will rule over others but never have others rule them.
Moses is speaking to all the Israelites, so the word "you" is plural.
"if you do not disobey what I am commanding you today by serving other gods"
Here Moses starts describing the curses the people will receive if they disobey.
"what Yahweh your God is saying"
"Yahweh will curse you like this in ways that will completely surprise you, and it will be as if you cannot escape having him curse you". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:2.
"Yahweh will curse you"
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:5.
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:4.
"cattle ... sheep"
"disasters, fear, and frustration"
"in everything you do"
"until your enemies destroy you"
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
"remain on you,"
"diseases and burning fevers that will make you weak."
"with lack of rain"
mold that grows on crops and causes them to rot
"You will suffer from them"
"skies ... will give no rain"
"nothing will grow from the ground"
"instead of rain, Yahweh will send sandstorms"
"until it destroys you"
"Yahweh will cause your enemies to strike you down"
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:7.
"you will flee in seven directions"
"The peoples of the other nations will drive you from one nation to another"
"the same skin disease with which I cursed the Egyptians"
These are different types of skin diseases.
"from which no one will be able to heal you"
"You will be like blind people who grope in darkness even at noonday."
"stronger people will always oppress and rob you"
"You will watch as someone kills your ox"
"someone will take your donkey by force and will not give it back"
"I will give your sheep to your enemies" or "I will allow your enemies to take your sheep"
"I will give your sons and your daughters to other peoples" or "Your enemies will take your sons and daughters"
"you will grow tired as you constantly watch for them and long to see them again"
"You will be powerless to do anything about it"
"people from a nation"
"they will always oppress and crush you"
"what you see will make you go crazy."
"that no one will be able to cure"
"of horror. The people, in the places where Yahweh will send you, will make up proverbs and bywords about you" or "of horror. Yahweh will send you to peoples who will laugh at you and ridicule you"
a word or phrase that people use to shame others
"but will harvest very little food"
People would rub olive oil on themselves to make their skin healthy.
"your olive trees will drop their fruit before the fruit is ripe"
"The foreigners who are"
This means foreigners will have more power, money, and honor than the Israelites.
"They will ... to them"
See how you translated a similar phrase in Deuteronomy 28:13.
"Yahweh will curse you like this in ways that will completely surprise you, and it will be as if he is chasing you and you cannot escape having him curse you"
"to what Yahweh your God said"
"all that Yahweh has commanded you to do."
They emphasize that the people should have been very glad to worship Yahweh.
This refers to Yahweh allowing the enemy to treat the Israelites cruelly and make them slaves.
These two phrases emphasize that the enemy will come from a nation that is very far away from Israel.
"from places that you know nothing about"
This means the enemy will come suddenly and the Israelites will not be able to stop them.
"a nation whose people have fierce expressions, who do not respect the aged and do not show favor"
"until they destroy you"
Moses continues describing the army that will attack the Israelites if they do not obey Yahweh.
"your cities"
The people will be so hungry after the enemy army surrounds their city that they will eat their own children.
"who is timid and very delicate among you—even he." Moses is saying that not only those one would expect to eat their children, but even the last person one would expect to eat his own children will eat his children.
"The tender and delicate woman among you ... tenderness—even she." Moses is saying that not only those one would expect to eat their children, but even women of noble birth and normally very gentle, will eat their children.
Moses is emphasizing that this noble woman is so rich and lives in such luxury that she would not allow herself to get dirty.
"because she is so delicate and tender"
"that I have written"
"Yahweh your God who is glorious and awesome"
"Yahweh will send terrible plagues on you and your descendants;" or "Yahweh will make sure that you and your descendants suffer from terrible plagues"
"He will make sure that you again suffer from the diseases of Egypt"
"the diseases will not stop, and no one will be able to heal you of them"
"even other sicknesses and plagues that I have not written"
"until he has destroyed you"
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as a group, so all instances of "you" are plural.
This means that in the past there were many Israelites.
"to what Yahweh says"
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as a group, so all instances of "you" are plural.
"Yahweh once enjoyed doing you good and causing you to become many"
"he will enjoy making you die"
"He will remove you from the land which you are entering to possess"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" is singular.
"throughout the earth" or "all over the earth"
"you will have to continually wander because you have no permanent home where you can rest"
"Yahweh will cause you to be afraid, without hope, and sad"
"You will not know whether you will live or die"
"because of the fear you are feeling"
"the terrifying things I will force you to see"
Refers to Yahweh.
This chapter is a retelling of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses, along with its blessings and cursing. Moses is speaking.
"while they were in the land of Moab". This is on the east side of the Jordan where the Israelites were staying before they entered the land of Canaan.
These additions to the original covenant were given to make Yahweh's covenant apply better to the people once they were settled in their new land.
"You have seen all that Yahweh did so that you would see and remember what he did"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "your" here is singular.
"you saw for yourselves that the people suffered terribly"
"and all of the powerful things that Yahweh did"
This says that Yahweh has not enabled them to understand.
"enabled you to understand"
Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel.
These were alcoholic drinks made probably from fermented grains and not distilled liquors.
See how you translated these names in Deuteronomy 1:4.
Here "us" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
"obey all the words of this covenant"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"the foreigners who are among you in your camp, from those who cut your wood to those who get your water"
"to agree to the covenant and to swear that you will obey all that Yahweh your God commands". (Covenant in Moab)
"a people group that belongs to him alone,"
"Yahweh is making"
Here "us" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
"our future descendants, who are not here."
"we lived as slaves"
"who no longer obeys Yahweh our God"
"any person who worships idols and causes others to disobey Yahweh"
The person described in verse 18.
"congratulate himself"
"even though I still refuse to obey Yahweh"
"This would cause Yahweh to destroy both the righteous people and the wicked people in the land"
"Yahweh's jealous anger will grow like a fire"
Yahweh's jealous anger"
"that I have written"
"Yahweh will curse him with all the curses written in this book in ways that will completely surprise him". See Deuteronomy 28:15.
This means that God will completely destroy the person and his family. In the future people will not remember him. A similar phrase appears in Deuteronomy 7:24.
These words tell who "the generation to come" is.
"when they see that Yahweh has burned the land with sulfur and salt"
"where no one can sow seed and the crops do not bear fruit"
"as when Yahweh completely destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah"
These are names of cities that Yahweh destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah.
"they will ask with all the other nations why Yahweh has done this to the land, and what the heat of this great anger means."
"your descendants and the people of all the other nations will say"
"What does this terrible anger mean?"
"Yahweh has done this to the land because the Israelites did not follow the promises and the laws of his covenant". This is the answer to "Why has Yahweh done this to this land?".
"obeyed other gods and worshiped them,"
"Yahweh has became very angry with this land"
"the people of this land, so as to bring on them"
"that I have written"
"Yahweh has removed them from their land ... and has forced them to go"
"in extremely great anger" or "because he was extremely angry"
"Some things Yahweh our God has not revealed, and only he knows them"
"that he has revealed"
"we may do everything that this law commands us to do"
Moses begins to give final instructions to Israel before his death and in anticipation of their entrance into the Promised Land. There were warnings and blessings associated with the people's obedience to the covenant Yahweh made with Moses.
"When all these things happen to you". "these things" refer to the blessings and curses described in chapters 28-29.
"that I have just now told you about"
"remember them"
"while you are living in the other nations"
"has forced you to go"
"obey what Yahweh says"
See Deuteronomy 4:29.
"free you from those who had captured you"
"Even those of your exiled people who are in the farthest places"
"under the sky" or "on the earth"
This means God will remove their sin and enable them to love and obey him.
"will cause your enemies to suffer from these curses"
"in all the work you do"
These three phrases are idioms for "in children ... in calves ... in crops." See Deuteronomy 28:4.
"that I have written"
"neither is it too difficult for you to understand what Yahweh requires you to do"
"Someone must travel to heaven to learn God's commands and then return to tell us what they are so we can obey them."
"Someone must travel across the sea to learn God's commands and then return and tell us what they are."
This means that the people already know God's commands and can tell them to others.
"I have told you about"
"what is good and will cause you to live, and what is evil and will cause you to die"
"if you stop being loyal to God ... and the people living in the land convince you to bow down and worship other gods"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as a group.
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
Possible meanings are 1) Moses is calling on all those who live in heaven and earth to be witnesses to what he says, or 2) Moses is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses to what he says
"to be willing to say that you have done evil things"
"to rely on him"
"Yahweh is the only one who can enable you to live a long life"
"the land that Yahweh swore that he would give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob"
In the Ancient Near East, it was common for an important leader to give instructions to follow after his death. Moses begins his final words to the people of Israel, which will help make a smooth transition to Joshua's leadership.
"I am no longer able to go everywhere that you need to go, so I cannot be your leader any longer"
"you will take their land"
"Joshua will lead you across the river, as Yahweh promised"
"he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their armies". See Deuteronomy 1:4.
"do not fear them at all"
"he will always fulfill his promise to you and will always be with you"
"in the presence of all the Israelites"
"you will help them take the land"
"gave it out to the Levites, who are the priests,"
"for canceling debts"
"Feast of Tabernacles," "Festival of Booths," or "Feast of the Ingathering." During harvest, farmers would set up temporary shelters, taking place after the last harvest of the year. See Deuteronomy 16:13.
"so that they can hear it"
"your foreigners who live in your cities"
"carefully obey all the commands in this law"
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you, the"
This was a thick cloud of smoke in the shape of an upright column;
"you will die and join your ancestors who have died before you"
"will start to be unfaithful to me". Being a prostitute refers to worshiping gods other than Yahweh.
"I will kindle my anger against them"
"I will not help them"
"I will devour them" or "I will allow their enemies to devour them"
"They will experience many disasters and troubles"
"These disasters are destroying me ... midst."
"God is no longer protecting us"
"Make them memorize and sing it"
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming" See Deuteronomy 6:3.
"When this people experiences many evils and troubles"
"their descendants will not forget to keep it in their mouths" or "their descendants will remember to keep it in their mouths"
"what they plan to do"
"the land that I promised I would give to them"
"Be strong and courageous." See Deuteronomy 31:5.
See how you translated "stubborn" in Deuteronomy 9:6.
"you will be even more rebellious after I die."
"so that I may speak the words of this song to them"
Possible meanings are 1) Moses is calling on all those who live in heaven and earth to be witnesses. or 2) Moses is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses.
"you will do what is completely wrong." See Deuteronomy 4:16.
"stop following the instructions I have given to you." See Deuteronomy 9:12.
"what is evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"because of what you have made"
"Moses recited to all the people of Israel"
"sang" or "spoke"
"the words of the song that Yahweh taught him"
This chapter prophesies a time when Israel will be disobedient to Yahweh and he will have to punish them. This is meant to serve as a warning to the nation.
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh is speaking to the inhabitants of heaven and earth or 2) Yahweh is speaking to the heavens and earth as if they are persons.
This means Yahweh wants the people to eagerly accept his helpful teaching.
Use the word in your language for the process by which dew appears.
water that forms on leaves and grass on cool mornings
"new plants"
heavy rain
"tell how good Yahweh is"
"make sure people know that our God is great"
This a proper name that Moses gives to Yahweh, who, like a rock, is strong and able to protect his people.
"everything he does"
"he does everything in a just way"
"opposed him by doing what is wrong." See Deuteronomy 4:16.
"a completely wicked generation"
"You should give Yahweh proper praise ... people."
"you extremely foolish people"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
"Yahweh is your Father and the one who created you."
"Remember"
Moses wants the people of Israel to focus on their history as a nation.
"he will enable you to understand it"
"put the nations in the places where they would live." See Deuteronomy 4:21.
God has arranged the nations according to the way they relate to Israel.
"the number of the angels of God" or "the number of the children of God."
"The descendants of Jacob are Yahweh's inheritance"
"He found Jacob ... shielded him and cared for him ... guarded him".
Here "howling" refers to the sound the wind makes as it blows through the empty land.
"he protected him as something very valuable and precious"
the outer edges of a bird's wings
Moses again speaks of the Israelites as "Jacob". See Deuteronomy 32:9.
"Yahweh made them ride on high places of the land" or "Yahweh helped them take and occupy the land"
"he brought him to a land with plenty of crops he could eat"
"allowed him to suck honey". This is like a mother giving her breast to an infant.
"Our ancestors ate"
The people of Israel had many healthy herd animals.
Moses speaks of the Israelites as if they were an animal whose owner named it Jeshurun.
"and kicked his master" or "and rebelled"
This means Yahweh is strong like a rock and able to protect his people. See Deuteronomy 32:4.
The Israelites made Yahweh jealous,
"The people of Israel sacrificed"
This means the Israelites recently learned about these gods.
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as many people, so the word "your" is plural.
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
"You have left the protective care of Yahweh"
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 32:4.
"who fathered you ... who gave life to you"
This refers to the people of Israel whom Yahweh gave life to and made into a nation.
"I will turn away from them" or "I will stop helping them"
"I will see what happens to them"
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
"what are false gods"
"worthless idols"
"people who do not belong to one people group"
"I start a fire because I am angry, and it burns ... it is devouring ... it is setting" or "when I am angry, I destroy my enemies like a fire, and I destroy everything on earth and in ... I devour ... I set"
"even to the world of the dead"
"I will make sure that many bad things happen to them"
"I will do all I can do to kill them"
"They will grow weak and die because they are hungry"
"They will ... hunger, and burning heat and terrible disasters will devour them" or "They will ... hunger, and they will die from burning heat and terrible disasters"
"I will send wild animals to bite them, and things that crawl in the dust to bite and poison them"
"When the Israelites are outside, the enemy army will kill them"
"you will die because you are afraid"
These terms describing people of different ages are combined to mean that all kinds of people will die.
"I said, 'I will ... away, and I will ... mankind.'
"I would make all people forget about them"
"I was afraid of the provocation of the enemy"
"that my enemy would provoke me" or "that my enemies would cause me to be angry"
"misunderstand"
"We have defeated them because we are more powerful"
The people of Israel were not wise and did not understand that their disobedience would cause Yahweh to bring disaster on them.
"what is going to happen to them"
Moses uses a question to scold the people for not being wise enough to understand why their enemies are defeating them.
"How could 1 enemy soldier chase 1,000 of your men, and 2 enemy soldiers cause 10,000 of your men to run away"
"unless Yahweh, their Rock, had handed them over"
The enemies' idols and false gods are not powerful like Yahweh.
"Rock; not only do we say so, but our enemies say so also"
have made a judgment after looking at the facts
This means their enemies are wicked and will cause the Israelites to die if the Israelites start to act like these people.
"they do evil the same way the people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah did"
"their clusters of grapes"
Moses continues comparing the enemies of the people of Israel to grapevines that produce poisonous fruit and wine.
poisonous snakes
"I know what I have planned to do to the Israelite people and to their enemies, and I have locked up those plans as someone would lock up his valuable possessions."
This is the end of Moses's quotation of Yahweh's words that began in Deuteronomy 32:20.
"I will have vengeance and punish Israel's enemies"
"they are helpless"
"the time for me to destroy them"
"I will punish them quickly"
"For Yahweh will do what is just for his people" or "For Yahweh will act justly towards his people"
"he will feel that he needs to help his servants"
"Their gods ... the gods who ... drink offerings, have not come to help them.". This is the end of the question that begins in Deuteronomy 32:37.
"These idols are not even able to get up and help or to protect you"
"I, I myself" or "I, I alone." Yahweh repeats "I" to emphasize that only he is God.
"I lift up my hand to heaven and swear" or "I have taken an oath." Lifting up the hand is a sign of making an oath.
"As certainly as I live forever" or "I swear by my life which is never-ending."
"When I am ready to judge my enemies"
"when I get ready to judge the wicked"
These ideas refer to Yahweh killing his enemies in war.
"from the long-haired heads of the enemy."
This is the end of Moses's song.
Moses addresses the peoples of all the nations as if they were there listening.
"for he will take revenge on his enemies, who killed his servants"
"spoke" or "sang"
"to the people so they would be sure to hear it"
"speaking" or "singing"
"Moses said to the people of Israel"
"Pay attention to" or "Think about"
"I have testified to you," or "I have commanded you,"
"your children and descendants"
"this law is"
"something very important"
"because you will live if you obey it"
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
This is the name of a mountain range in Moab.
"Abarim and climb up Mount Nebo"
This is the highest place in the Abarim Mountains.
"on the other side of the river from Jericho"
"join your ancestors who died before you"
This is the name of a mountain on the border of Edom.
This is the name of the place in the desert where Moses disobeyed God. See Numbers 20:12.
This is the name of a wilderness on the southern border of Judah. See Numbers 27:14.
Moses begins to bless the tribes of Israel. He gives a series of prophecies or instructions for each of the tribes of Israel and Israel in general.
"When Yahweh came from Sinai, he looked to them like the sun when it rises from Seir and shines out from Mount Paran"
"upon the people of Israel"
"10,000 angels"
"In his right hand were flames of fire"
"the people of Israel"
"all Yahweh's holy peole are in his hand ... his feet ... his words"
"you protect all his holy people"
"a possession," or "a precious possession"
"Yahweh became king"
This is another name for Israel. Translate it as in Deuteronomy 32:15.
This begins Moses's blessings to the individual tribes of Israel.
"even though his men are few."
"when the people of Judah pray to you"
"help him to fight"
These were sacred stones the high priest carried on his breastplate and used at times to determine God's will. "Your" refers to Yahweh.
Moses refers to the tribe of Levi as if it were one man.
"the one who seeks to please you."
"The name 'Massah' means 'testing.'" (See Deuteronomy 6:16)
"The name 'Meribah' means 'argue' or 'quarrel.'" (See Deuteronomy 32:51)
The word "who" refers to the Yahweh's "faithful one" of Deuteronomy 33:8. This is the tribe of Levi.
"your commands"
These words often refer to "obeyed," but here they should be translated literally because they refer to a time when the Levites literally killed people who were rebelling against Yahweh.
Moses is speaking to Yahweh, so all these words are singular.
be pleased with
"all the work that he does"
"Take away the strength of" or "Utterly destroy"
"rise up to fight ... cause any more trouble"
"fight against"
"The ones whom Yahweh loves live". Here Moses is referring to the tribe of Benjamin.
"lives where no one can harm him"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh protects the tribe of Benjamin with his power or 2) Yahweh lives in the hill region of the tribe of Benjamin. In both translations, it means Yahweh takes care of them.
This refers to the tribe of Ephraim and the tribe of Manasseh. Both tribes descended from Joseph.
"May Yahweh bless their land"
"with the precious dew from the sky" or "with the precious rain from the sky"
water that forms on leaves and grass on cool mornings. See Deuteronomy 32:2.
This refers to the water under the ground.
"May Yahweh bless his land". See Deuteronomy 33:13.
"with the best crops that the sun causes to grow"
"with the best crops that grow month to month"
"the best fruits ... the precious fruits"
"the mountains that existed long ago"
"the hills that will exist forever"
"May Yahweh bless his land". (See Deuteronomy 33:13)
"what it produces in large amounts"
"Yahweh, who spoke to Moses from the burning bush"
"May Yahweh bless Joseph as a father blesses his son"
"People will honor Joseph's descendants, who are many and powerful"
"he is as strong as"
"He is so strong that he will push"
"the people of Ephraim, who number many times 10,000 ... the people of Manasseh, who number many times 1,000".
He speaks to the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar as if they were one man, so "your" and "rejoice" here are singular.
The people of Zebulun traveled by sea and traded with other people. The people of Issachar preferred peaceful living and working the land and raising cattle.
"It is there that they will offer"
"acceptable sacrifices" or "proper sacrifices"
Possible meanings are 1) they will trade with people across the sea or 2) they were beginning to use sand in making pottery.
The Hebrew word "suck" refers to how a baby nurses at its mother's breast, meaning they will gain wealth from the sea.
"May Yahweh bless Gad and give him much land to live in" or "People should say that Yahweh is good because he has given Gad much land to live in"
This means the people of Gad are strong and secure, and they will defeat their enemies in war.
This means a larger piece of land that a leader normally took.
"They met with all the leaders of the Israelites"
"They obeyed all that Yahweh had commanded the Israelites"
The people of Dan are strong like a lion cub, and they attack their enemies who live in Bashan.
"who has all the good things he desires because Yahweh is pleased with him"
"whom Yahweh has blessed so that he has all he needs"
This refers to the land around Lake Galilee.
"have so much olive oil that he can afford to waste it".
"May you be safe from attacks by your enemies"
This is another name for Israel. Translate it as in Deuteronomy 32:15.
"who rides through the heavens like a king rides through a battlefield ... on the clouds like a king on his chariot"
"to help you."
"The eternal God will protect his people"
"he will support and take care of his people forever"
"He will thrust out ... he will say"
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" and the command "destroy" here are singular.
"he will tell you to destroy them!"
"Israel will dwell ... Jacob's spring will be secure" or "May Israel dwell ... and may Jacob's spring be secure."
Jacob's home or Jacob's descendants.
"may much dew cover the land like rain" or "much dew will cover the land like rain."
"There is no other people group like you, a people whom Yahweh has saved ... majesty."
"the one who protects you and helps you"
"the one who enables you to win battles and so have majesty"
Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites will destroy the places where the other people worship false gods or 2) the Israelites will walk on the backs of their enemies when the Israelites defeat them.
This chapter may have been written by Joshua, since it records Moses' death. It officially ends the revelation of the law of Moses, and life in the Promised Land is about to begin again.
This is the highest point of Mount Pisgah. See Deuteronomy 32:49.
See Deuteronomy 3:17.
"see it for yourself,"
This was a town in Moab. (See Deuteronomy 3:29)
This refers to the time that this was written or edited.
This means his eyes and body were still strong and healthy.
See Deuteronomy 1:38.
"Yahweh enabled Joshua ... to be very wise"
"Moses had laid his hands on him to set Joshua apart so Joshua would serve Yahweh"
This means Yahweh and Moses had a very close relationship.
"who did all the mighty,"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Joshua's father
"travel from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan"
The word "you" here refers to Joshua.
"I will give to you every place you go in this land"
The word "your" refers to the tribes of Israel and not only Joshua.
In verse 5 the words "you" and "your" refer to Joshua.
"I will certainly stay with you always"
Yahweh commands Joshua to overcome his fears with courage.
"Follow it exactly" or "Follow them exactly"
"achieve your goal" or "reach your goal"
Yahweh is commanding Joshua.
"the people of Israel"
"Two days from now" or "On the day after tomorrow"
"travel to the other side of the Jordan River"
These were the descendants of Reuben.
These were the decendants of Gad.
"your little children"
"east of the Jordan River"
This refers to Israel defeating all their enemies residing in Canaan that they were to conquer.
This refers to living out their life on the land in peace.
This refers to the east side of the Jordan river.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that any form of disobedience will be punished.
"we will put to death"
Israel and God considered both traits important for Joshua to pursue as their leader.
This is Joshua's father.
This is the name of a place on the east side of the Jordan River. It means "Acacia Trees."
These men were to visit the land to gain information on how Israel should conquer the land.
This happened before the king's messenger spoke to her.
This refers to Rahab, the prostitute.
This is the time that day begins to change to the darkness of night.
The roof was flat and strong, so people could walk around on it.
a plant that is grown for its fibers, which is used in making cloth
The men pursued the spies because of what Rahab had told them in Joshua 2:5.
places where a river or other body of water is shallow enough for people to get to the other side by walking through it
This refers to going to sleep for the night.
The word "you" refers to the all the Israelite people.
"we have become afraid of you"
"will be so afraid that they will not resist you"
This is another name for the Red Sea.
These are the names of the Amorite kings.
These two phrases share similar meanings, combined for emphasis. The phrase "our hearts melted" compares the hearts of the fearful people of Jericho to ice melting and flowing away.
These are similar statements of Rahab seeking assurance from the spies.
The word "you" refers to the two spies.
a polite way of saying "do not to kill us"
"If we do not do what we promise, may Yahweh cause us to die"
This expresses a condition for the promise the spies had made to Rahab. The word, "this," refers to the things the men tell her to do in Joshua 2:18.
"If anyone goes out of the doors of your house"
"their death will be their own fault"
"we will be innocent"
"if we cause injury to any"
"You" refers to Rahab.
Rahab agreed to their terms of the oath to protect her family.
"their pursuers returned to the city of Jericho"
This refers to the men not finding the spies.
These are similar expressions referring to returning to where the Israelite's are camped.
"traveled from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan"
"all that the men had experienced and seen."
This word, "us," refers to Israel.
The people of the land toward Israel are like a substance that melts in the presence of heat.
The phrase, "got up," means to "awaken."
A place in the land of Moab, west of the Jordan River where the Israelites were camped before their entry into the promised land, Canaan.
These are people holding a position of command or authority.
This is the nation of Israel.
"2,000 cubits." The word "cubit" is a measurement equaling the distance from the elbow to the finger tips.
This refers to a special preparation of being religiously clean before Yahweh.
Yahweh will be doing miracles for all to see and experience.
This is referring to the levites picking up the ark for the purpose of carrying it from one location to another.
"the people will see what I do and realize that I have made you a great man"
Joshua is to approach the bank or edge of the Jordan River.
Yahweh will force the other people living on the land to leave or be killed.
"will travel from this side to the opposite side"
This refers to the bottom of their feet.
The water will stay in one spot or place. It will not flow around the priests.
This can refer to the surface of the water as well as the bank where the water flows to dry land.
This is background information and it emphasizes the scale of what Yahweh is doing.
This refers to the Jordan River bed.
"went across"
the Jordan River
"Give them this command to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing on the dry ground, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you will spend the night tonight"
"The Jordan River was"
The water flowing down the Jordan River stopped before the ark so everyone including the ark traveled on the dry river bed.
These were twelve additional stones, not the stones that the twelve men carried from the river bed.
This means the memorial was there to the day that the author was writing this book.
This refers to the Jordan River.
This refers to the nation of Israel.
"traveled from one side to the opposite side"
This refers to being in front of the people or in the sight of all the people. Everyone saw the ark being carried by the priests.
These were the soldiers of the 3 tribes that were fulfilling their obligation to lead the Israelites into battle for settling on the East side of the Jordan River.
The word "they" refers to the people of Israel.
The Jordan River was overflowing its banks and flooding the area before and after Israel passed through on dry land.
This refers to when Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of March on Western calendars.
Each tribe was to take one stone from the Jordan River so Joshua could build a memorial of the crossing event.
It was for Israel to teach their children of God's miracles so that they would honor Yahweh forever.
"Yahweh is mighty"
"they lost all their courage"
"they no longer had any will to fight"
"Joshua and the Israelites made themselves flint knives ... they circumcised all the males"
This is a place name which commemorates Israel rededicating themselves to Yahweh. It means "the hill of the foreskins."
the men who were old enough to be soldiers
"obey the things that Yahweh commanded them"
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"This day I have removed the disgrace of Egypt from you" or "You were disgraced when you were slaves in Egypt. But, today I have caused you to no longer be disgraced"
"the fourteenth day of the first month"
"he looked up and saw that a man was standing"
The word "behold" alerts us to pay special attention to new information. Your language may have a way of doing this.
Here the words "he" and "his" refer to the man who was standing in front of Joshua.
The word "he" refers to the man Joshua saw.
"I am neither for you nor for your enemies"
This was an act of worship.
This was an act of reverence.
Yahweh is telling Joshua that he will certainly do this by saying that he has already done it.
"so that you can control it"
"You must do this once each day for six days"
The seven priests are to march in front of other priests who are carrying the ark and marching around the city.
The word "they" refers to the seven priests. The "ram's horn" and "trumpet" refer to the trumpets of rams' horns that the priests were blowing in Joshua 6:4.
"the outer wall of the city" or "the wall surrounding the city"
This is Joshua's father.
"Pick up the ark of the covenant"
Possible meanings are 1) "in obedience to Yahweh" or 2) "in front of Yahweh's ark"
"they sounded the trumpets loudly" or "the priests blew into the ram's horn trumpets"
"The priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh followed after them"
"Do not yell or speak"
"Joshua had commanded the people"
"continually sounded the trumpets loudly" or "blew into the ram's horn trumpets continually"
the next day
Israel marched around Jericho once every day.
This refers to the people of Israel.
"sounded the trumpets loudly" or "blew into the ram's horn trumpets"
Joshua is saying that Yahweh will definitely give them the city by saying that he has already given it to them.
"You must set apart to Yahweh the city and all that is in it for destruction" or "You must set apart to Yahweh the city and all that is in it by destroying it"
"Be careful that you do not take the things"
"you will cause bad things to happen to it"
a collection of things set apart for the worship of Yahweh
The writer is briefly saying that the people did what Joshua had commanded them in Joshua 6:16.
"the people of Israel shouted"
"blew into the ram's horn trumpets"
The word "they" refers to the Israelite soldiers. It does not refer only to the two young men who brought Rahab and her family out of the city.
"Her descendants live in Israel"
"now" or "even today." Rahab's descendants are still living in Israel as the original writer writes this story.
"May Yahweh curse the man who rebuilds"
"If he lays the foundation, he will lose his firstborn son" or "If he lays the foundation, his firstborn son will die"
"If he sets up its gates, he will lose his youngest son" or "If he sets up it gates, his youngest son will die"
"Joshua became famous throughout the land" or "people throughout the land learned about Joshua"
"the things that God had said they must set apart to him by destroying them"
These are names of men.
"Yahweh's anger burned like a fire" or "Yahweh was very angry"
This refers to the army of Israel.
The word "they" refers to the people of Ai.
"The people were very afraid"
The phrase "the people" refers to the Israelite soldiers.
They did these things to show God how sad and distressed they were.
"you brought this people across the Jordan to give us into the hands of the Amorites so they would to destroy us."
"I wish we had made a different decision"
"I do not know what to say. Israel has run away from their enemies!"
"They will surround us and kill us, and the people of the earth will forget about us"
"And so what will you do so that people will know that you are great"
"Stop lying there with your face in the dirt!"
"the cursed things" or "those things which God has cursed"
"They have stolen those things, and then they tried to keep people from knowing that they sinned"
"cannot fight successfully against their enemies" or "cannot defeat their enemies"
"I will not help you any more"
This refers to the people of Israel.
"You cannot fight successfully against your enemies" or "You cannot defeat your enemies"
"each of your tribes must present themselves to Yahweh"
"From the tribe that Yahweh selects, each clan will come near"
"The tribe that Yahweh selects by lot" or "The tribe that Yahweh selects when we toss lots"
"From the clan that Yahweh selects, each household must come near"
"From the household that Yahweh selects, each person must come near"
"the one whom Yahweh selects"
"he has disobeyed the covenant of Yahweh"
"brought each tribe of Israel near"
"Yahweh selected the tribe of Judah"
"He brought near each person of the clan of the Zerahites" or "From the clan of the Zerahites, he brought near each man who was the leader of his household"
The clan was named after the man named Zerah.
This is a man's name.
"tell the truth to Yahweh ... confess to him" or "tell the truth before Yahweh ... confess before him."
"Do not try to prevent me from knowing what you have done"
This is over two kilograms.
This is over 500 grams.
"I hid them in the ground"
"the men Joshua had sent looked"
Use the word in your language for pouring many small solid things out of a large bag onto the ground.
The name means "Valley of Trouble," but it is best to translate Achor the way it sounds.
"You have troubled us"
Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites burned Achan's family to death and then covered them with stones or 2) the Israelites stoned Achan's family to death and then burned the dead bodies or 3) that Achan and his possessions were stoned and then burned.
"Yahweh stopped being angry"
"even today" or "even now"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Yahweh combines them to emphasize that there is no reason to be afraid.
"I have given you victory over the king of Ai and his people, and I have given you control over his city and his land"
"its king" or "their king"
"the army of Israel"
Here "hand" symbolizes the control and power the people have over their enemies.
This phrase refers to Joshua sending the thirty thousand men who had been selected to ambush Ai to where they would set the ambush.
"where they would hide until it was time to attack"
This group seems to be a portion of the "thirty thousand men" (Joshua 8:9). This smaller group remained in the ambush while the other 25,000 men attacked the city.
This refers to the largest group of fighting men, those not in the ambush group.
those who were "set in ambush on the west side of the city"
"let the people of Ai think that the Israelites were defeated" or "let the people of Ai think that they had defeated the Israelites"
the army of Ai
The army of Israel fled.
These occurrences of "they" refer to the army of Ai.
to go after the army of Isreal
"The city leaders called all the people in the city together"
"left the city gates open"
"I will give you victory over Ai" or "I will cause you to capture Ai"
The writer uses both of these sentences, which mean almost the same thing, to strongly say that the Israelites had obeyed God's command to kill everyone in Ai.
"had died in battle" or "had died when the army of Israel attacked them"
a place where people once lived, but in which no one now lives
"today" or "even now"
a mountain in Canaan
"Joshua read every word of all that Moses commanded"
This refers to the nation of Israel.
a shortened name for the Jordan River
"obeying the commands of one leader"
a crafty scheme intended to trick Joshua and the Israelites
"dry and filled with fungus" or "stale and ruined"
This refers to the entire nation of Israel.
This is another name for the Gibeonites.
"If you do live near us, we cannot make a covenant with you."
This is the name of the defeated Amorite king.
This is the name of the royal city of the nation of Moab.
This is the name of the defeated king of Bashan.
This is the name of a city known for worshiping the goddess of the same name.
This phrase means "take with you." Here the word "hand" represents the possession by the Gibeonites of the provisions.
The word "them" refers to the people of Israel.
These two sentences are saying that the same thing occurred. Joshua, the leader of the nation of Israel, promised not to kill the Gibeonites. The leaders of the nation of Israel, likewise, made the same covenant.
Here this refers to the people of Israel.
This refers to number three in order.
This is one of the cities of the Gibeonites.
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of a place.
"All of the Israelites were grumbling"
Here this phrase refers to the nation of Israel.
"the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers"
Here this phrase refers to the dwelling place of Yahweh, the Tabernacle.
"Whatever seems fair and just"
The word "them" here refers to the Gibeonites.
"even up to now." This means that the people had continued to do these things even up to the day that the writer was living.
This word is used here to mark a pause in the story. Here the writer tells about a new person in the story, Adoni-Zedek.
This is the name of a man who is an important king.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of kings.
"Travel to where I am." Jerusalem was higher in elevation than other cities in Canaan.
These are the names of cities.
This means they set up their camp around their city. This was a way of weakening those in the city. It prevented people from escaping the city, and it prevented others from bringing food and water to them in the city.
The word "They" here refers to Gibeonites.
"Please come and use your strength to protect us"
"your strength"
Here "hand" represents the people of Israel's strength and their ability to defeat their enemy. The word "them" refers to the attacking army.
The entire army of Israel is referred to here by the name of their commander, Joshua.
Here "Israel" refers to the entire army of Israel.
These are the names of cities.
"threw large hailstones from the sky"
Joshua is praying that Yahweh would make the progression of time stop on this day.
Joshua commands the sun and moon as if these were people.
This is the name of a place.
This refers to the people of Israel.
"This is written in The Book of Jashar."
This is the name of a city.
"Someone told Joshua"
The phrase "your hand" here means "your control."
"No one dared to say anything against" or "No one dared to complain or protest against"
"Open the entrance of the cave"
These are the names of places.
Here the men of Israel represent only those who were soldiers.
"until the author wrote this story"
The second sentence summarizes the first sentence to emphasize that Joshua left no person or animal alive.
This is the name of a city.
"Yahweh gave Lachish into the control of the nation of Israel"
This is the name of a man who is an important king.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These two phrases have similar meanings. Together they show the completeness of the destruction of Eglon.
This is the name of a city.
"He killed all the people and animals"
This refers to the kings and lands that were listed beginning in Joshua 10:28.
"Joshua and his soldiers captured"
This does not mean in one day. It means during one military campaign, which may have lasted many days or weeks.
These are names of kings.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a mountain.
This is the name of a place.
"I will enable Israel to kill all of them in battle"
"cripple their horses by cutting their legs." This is a practice where the tendons in the backs of the legs are cut so that the horses cannot walk.
"Yahweh enabled Israel to conquer the enemy"
"attacked them ... attacked them"
This is the name of a place.
"Joshua killed the king of Hazor with his sword"
Hazor had been the most important of all these kingdoms
These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize complete destruction.
"the army completely destroyed them"
"killed them"
"The only city built on a mound that Israel burned was Hazor"
"cities built on small hills"
This phrase refers to the army of Israel.
These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize complete destruction.
"Joshua did everything that Yahweh commanded"
These are the names of places.
"it was Yahweh who caused them to act stubbornly"
These are the descendants of Anak.
These are the names of places.
"The only Anakim left in the land of Israel were those in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod"
"Joshua gave the land to the Israelites as a permanent possession"
"the people no longer fought wars in the land" or "there was peace in the land"
This refers to the list of kings that continues through verse 24.
These are the names of a region of land.
This is the name of a city.
See how you translated these words in Joshua 9:10.
This is a place.
These are the names of places.
See how you translated this man's name in Joshua 9:10.
These are the names of people groups.
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of a people group.
These are the descendants of Reuben.
These are the descendants of Gad.
They are called a half tribe because the other half of the tribe received an inheritance in the land of Canaan.
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a city.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
This is the name of a city.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
This is the name of a city.
"This is the land that still remains for Israel to capture"
This is the name of a place.
"which the Canaanites now consider their property"
This is the name of a people group.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
this is the name of a place
The land that Israel will claim is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they will receive as a permanent possession.
These are the names of places.
a place where the river is far below the land on the sides
flat land high above rivers
This is the name of a city.
These are the names of places.
"the land where the Geshurites and Maakathites lived"
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a people group.
"Moses and the Israelites attacked them"
"those people live among Israel"
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
The land that Moses assigned to the tribes of Israel is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession.
"The offerings of Yahweh ... are what they will have for their provision"
"that the priests burned with fire"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a city.
These are the names of people.
"as he had defeated the leaders of Midian"
The Jordan River was the western border of the land that the tribe of Reuben received.
The land that Moses assigned to the tribe of Reuben is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribe of Reuben received as a permanent possession.
"that Moses gave to each of their clans"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
The land that Moses assigned to the tribe of Gad is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribe of Gad received as a permanent possession.
The land that Moses assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that he gave to them as a permanent possession.
Only half of the tribe received this land because the other half received land on the other side of the Jordan River.
These are the names of places.
"Moses assigned these"
This is a man's name.
"This is the land that Moses assigned to them as an inheritance"
"Yahweh, the God of Israel, is what they have"
The land that the people of Israel acquired is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession.
"Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal leaders cast lots to determine the inheritance"
"through Moses"
"And Moses did not give a portion of the inheritance to the Levites in the land"
"part"
"but they were given only certain cities to live in" or "but he gave to them only certain cities to live in"
fields of grass for the livestock to eat
physical things they needed so they could provide for their families
This is a man's name.
This is the name of a people group.
"I brought back to him an honest report"
"made the people very afraid"
"I remained loyal to Yahweh"
"the land on which you have walked"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
"while the people of Israel traveled in the wilderness"
"I am still as strong now as I was then"
"for the things I do every day"
Possible meanings are 1) many large hills or small mountains or 2) one mountain.
This is the name of a people group.
Hebron is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that Caleb received as a permanent possession.
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
"he remained loyal to Yahweh"
This is the name of a place.
"Then the people no longer fought wars in the land"
This is the name of the wilderness area.
"from the bay that faces south at the end of the Salt Sea." These two phrases refer to the same location. The second phrase clarifies the point at which the southern border begins.
"from the bay that extends to the south" or "from the southern bay"
smaller part of the sea that extends into the land
"The border of the land belonging to the tribe of Judah"
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a city.
a small river of water at the southwestern edge of the land, near Egypt
The point at which the river empties into the sea is spoken of as if it were the mouth of the river.
"border ... was"
These are the names of places.
This was likely a large stone that someone set up as a landmark and named after the man, Bohan.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of men.
"the three clans, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, who were descendants of Anak"
"He went up from there to fight against"
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a place.
This is a woman's name.
These are men's names.
"when Aksah became Othniel's wife"
"she urged him, saying, 'Ask my father to give me a field.'"
The words "upper" and "lower" likely refer to the geographical altitude of the water springs.
"This was the land that the tribe of Judah received as an inheritance"
villages
a small river of water at the southwestern edge of the land near Egypt
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
"the tribe of Ephraim and the other half of the tribe of Manasseh"
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a people group.
This is the name of a people group.
These are the names of places.
"the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, the sons of Joseph"
"received this land as their inheritance"
"The territory ... that Joshua assigned to their clans"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
This was the land that the tribe of Ephraim received as an inheritance"
"which Joshua assigned to their clans"
"the cities that Joshua had chosen"
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
"the Israelites forced these people to work as slaves"
"firstborn; he was also"
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
"Joshua assigned land ... and gave them to their clans"
These are men's names.
These are women's names.
This is the name of a man.
"to give to us some land as an inheritance"
Possible meanings are 1) "Joshua gave those women an inheritance" or 2) "Eleazar gave those women an inheritance."
"Joshua assigned ten parcels of land"
"Ten portions"
"received land as an inheritance"
"Joshua assigned the land of Gilead"
These are the names of places.
"The border of Manasseh's land"
a very small river
name of a brook
"Asher was on the north side" or "One can travel north to reach Asher"
"to the east, Issachar can be reached" or "to the east, one can reach Issachar"
These are the names of places.
This refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
"You should have given us more than one ... Yahweh has blessed us."
"one assignment of land as our inheritance"
"many people"
"Since you are a people great in number"
This is the name of a people group.
These are the names of places.
"the descendants of Joseph"
"you will clear the forest of trees" or "you will cut down its trees"
"For long enough, you have put off ... has given you."
"the land in every direction" or "throughout the land"
This means that they will describe the portions of land that each tribe would like to receive for an inheritance.
The land that they are to survey is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that each of the tribes would receive as a permanent possession.
"They will divide the land"
"The tribe of Judah will remain"
"the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh"
"no portion of land"
"have received land as their inheritance"
"to each tribe Joshua gave their portion in the land"
"between the land that belonged to the descendants of Judah and the land that belonged to the descendants of Joseph"
This is the name of a place.
These are the names of places.
This refers to the same thing as "the border" in verse 13.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
This was likely a large stone that someone set up as a landmark and named after the man, Bohan.
"the slope of Beth Arabah"
This is the name of a city.
"the north slope of Beth Hoglah"
This is the name of a place.
"This was the land that the tribe of Benjamin received as an inheritance"
"Joshua gave it to each of their clans"
"the villages around them"
"The second time Joshua cast lots, the lot indicated the tribe of Simeon"
number two in a list
"and Joshua assigned the land to each of their clans"
"The land that they received as an inheritance was in the middle of the land that the tribe of Judah received as an inheritance"
"They had the following cities for their inheritance"
See how you translated the name of this city in Joshua 15:31.
"the portion of land which Joshua assigned to the tribe of Judah"
"the middle of Judah's portion of land"
See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.
number three in a list
This is the name of a city.
These are the names of places.
"across from Jokneam"
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are names of places.
These are names of places.
This is not the same "Bethlehem" that is south of Jerusalem in Judah.
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Zebulun received as an inheritance"
See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.
number four in a list
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
This is the name of a mountain.
This is the name of a city.
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Issachar received as an inheritance"
number five in a list
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Asher received as an inheritance"
number six in a list
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
This is not the same location as "Hamath," but is located on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are names of cities.
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Naphtali received as an inheritance"
number seven in a list
"The territory of land that the tribe of Dan received as an inheritance"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
These are the names of cities.
"opposite Joppa" or "beside Joppa"
This is the name of a city.
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Dan received as an inheritance"
"gave a city within their own land as an inheritance to Joshua son of Nun"
This is the name of a city.
"These are the portions of land and the cities ... assigned as inheritances"
"through the things that Moses wrote"
This happens when a person accidentally kills another person, without intending to do so.
This was a relative of the person who had been killed. His job was to kill the person who had killed his relative.
"death"
Here the word "he" refers to the person who unintentionally killed someone.
"convince the elders of that city that he had not intentionally killed the person.
The word "they" refers to the elders and "him" refers to the person who unintentionally killed someone.
This refers to the city as a whole, not to the elders only.
This is a phrase that describes standing to seek justice from a court of the assembly of his fellow citizens.
This is a short name for the Jordan River.
"would not be killed by the avenger"
This was a relative of the person who had been killed. His job was to kill the person who had killed his relative.
These are names of men.
"The Levites said to them"
"Yahweh told Moses to command you"
This refers to the cities to be listed in the next verses.
A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader's will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.
This priests in this group were descendants of Levi's son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath's grandson.
Half the tribe because the other half received their inheritance before crossing the Jordan River.
Gershon was one of the sons of Levi.
Merari was one of the sons of Levi.
"Yahweh had told Moses to command"
This is background information about the name of the man who founded the city of Kiriath Arba.
This is the name of a man.
An area of land with natural elevations, smaller than mountains.
An area covered with grass or plants suitable for the grazing of livestock or cattle.
Areas of open land, usually, planted with crops, belonging to and surrounding the city.
Small communities, usually smaller than a town.
This is the name of a city.
These are all names of cities.
These are all names of cities.
These are all names of cities.
"The tribe of Benjamin gave Gibeon"
This is the name of a city.
These are names of cities.
"they received cities"
This is the name of a city.
names of cities.
"The tribe of Dan gave to the clan of Kohath Eltekeh"
These are names of cities.
"The half tribe of Manasseh gave to the clan of Kohath Taanach"
These are names of cities.
"The half tribe of Manasseh, other Levite clans, received from the half tribe of Manasseh Golan"
names of cities
This refers to a death resulting from an action not intended to harm a person.
"The clans of Gershon also received Kishion"
names of cities.
names of cities.
"They received from the tribe of Asher Mishal"
names of cities
names of cities
"The clans of Gershon received from the tribe of Naphtali Kedesh"
This is the name of a person.
These are names of cities.
The rest of the Levites—the clans of Merari—received from the tribe of Zebulun Jokneam"
This is a man's name.
These are the names of cities.
names of cities
"The clans of Merari received from the tribe of Reuben Bezer"
names of cities
names of cities
"They received from the tribe of Gad Ramoth"
These are the names of cities.
These are names of cities.
"The Levites received their cities from the middle of the land"
"he gave an oath"
"They defeated every one of their enemies"
"gave them power to defeat all their enemies"
"Every one of the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel came true"
people of the tribe of Reuben
people of the tribe of Gad
"obeyed everything I said"
"You have remained with your brothers"
"to obey everything he says"
"with all you think and feel" or "with your entire being"
This was a short name for the Jordan River.
a strong, hard, magnetic metal
The winning army would take everything of value from the people they conquered.
"the commandment that Yahweh told Moses to give to you"
"at the entrance to the land of Canaan"
This is the name of a city.
a state of armed conflict between two nations or people groups
name of man
"All the other Israelites are asking"
"Certainly the iniquity of Peor was enough for us!" or "We sinned so badly at Peor that we certainly do not want to sin more."
This is name of a place. Translate the same way as in Joshua 13:20.
"we are still dealing with the guilt of that sin"
"You must not turn away from following Yahweh today!"
"Achan son of Zerah sinned by taking things that had been reserved for God. And because of that God punished all the people of Israel!"
"If we built this altar in rebellion or unfaithfulness against Yahweh" or "If we rebelled and broke faith with Yahweh when we built this altar"
"do not rescue us today" or "do not save us today." The three tribes say this to prove to the rest of Israel that they did not build the altar in rebellion or breach of faith. If they had rebelled and broken faith, they would not have dared to say "do not deliver us on this day."
The three tribes say this to prove to the rest of Israel that they did not build the altar in order to offering any kind of offerings on it. If they had built the altar to do those things, they would not have dared to say "let Yahweh make us pay for it."
"You have nothing to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel!"
This is the continuation of the accusation that the three tribes fear the children of the other tribes might make sometime in the future.
The three tribes were afraid that the others might make their children stop worshiping Yahweh.
"to remind us and you, and our descendants and your descendants"
"that we will perform the service of Yahweh in his tabernacle"
"no portion" or "no inheritance"
The is what the descendants of the three tribes would say to the other tribes.
"as a reminder for us and you." The three tribes wanted people to see the copy of the altar and remember that the three tribes belong to Israel and worship God at the real altar in the tabernacle.
"We would certainly not rebel"
"stop following him"
"heard the message"
Here "in their eyes" means "in their opinion."
"broken your promise to him"
"you have kept Yahweh from punishing us"
"The people accepted the report of the leaders"
"destroy everything in the land"
This refers to the Reubenites and Gadites.
The altar is spoken of as if it were a witness that could testify for the three tribes.
This can be translated as "very old."
This is a short name for the Jordan River.
This indicates the direction of the setting sun.
Disobeying the commands of the law of Moses is spoken of as turning to the right or to the left away from a path.
Possible meanings are 1) having close friendship with them or 2) intermarrying with them.
to speak of
This refers to the gods of the remaining nations.
"continue to believe in Yahweh"
"until the present time"
Here "stand" represents holding ground in a battle. The word "you" refers to the entire nation of Israel.
only one
"accept the beliefs of the survivors of these nations"
The words "snare" and "trap" mean basically the same thing. Together they speak of the other nations as if they were a deadly trap that will cause trouble for Israel.
These phrases speak of the troubles these nations will cause Israel as if they were as painful as whips and thorns.
"I am going to die"
Here the words "hearts" and "souls" have similar meanings. Together they emphasize deep personal knowledge.
These words emphasize that Yahweh has fulfilled all his promises. "every word has come true"
This refers to the punishment threatened in the previous verse.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second describes how the people "worship other gods."
"Yahweh will begin to be angry with you"
"Joshua asked all the tribes of Israel to meet with him"
"came and stood in front of" or "came before"
"many years ago"
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a place.
"traveled"
The word "you" is plural and refers to the entire nation of Israel.
This refers to the Sea of Reeds.
an uninhabited area, a desert
The word "you" is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel.
"enabled you to conquer them"
men's names
"enabled you to overcome him"
A small fast flying stinging insect that lives in colonies. Here, many "hornets" are spoken of as only one.
"If you do not want"
"my family"
The people speak as if they were present with their ancestors, and interchange the words "us" and "we" with "our ancestors."
"place where we were slaves"
"nations that we passed through"
This refers to the Israelites.
God wants his people to worship only him.
"He will destroy you as with fire"
This refers to the Israelites.
"turn yourselves to Yahweh" or "decide to obey Yahweh"
"We will obey everything he tells us to do"
"He established decrees and laws" or "He gave them laws and decrees to obey"
This appears to be a continuation of the writings of Moses.
"placed it there"
This refers to the Israelites.
The stone that Joshua set up is spoken of as if it were a person who heard what was spoken and would be able to testify about what was said.
"if you ever"
"one hundred and ten years old"
names of places
This refers to Joshua's entire life.
"lived longer than Joshua"
"The people of Israel brought the bones of Joseph up out of Egypt and buried them at Shechem"
This is a man's name.
This is the name of a place.
The book of Judges continues the story about Joshua, creating a seamless transition from the book of Joshua.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
The word "us" refers to the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh.
"The men of Judah must attack first".
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"the land of the Canaanites"
"their fellow Israelites" or "their relatives"
"Come with us". The people of the tribes of Judah and Simeon were camped in the valley of the Jordan River. The land given to Judah was in the hills above the valley.
"that Yahweh assigned to us ... that Yahweh assigned to you"
"In the same way, we will go with you"
It is implied that the men of Simeon attacked with the men of Judah.
"soldiers of the Canaanites and Perizzites" or "enemies"
This is an area in the mountains of Canaan.
"they fought against him and his army". Here "him" refers to Adoni-Bezek and his army of the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
"chased him,"
"whose thumbs and big toes I told my men to cut off" or "whose thumbs and big toes we cut off"
"ate scraps of food from under my table". Forcing these kings to eat this way shows all the ways that he humiliated them.
"the people who lived in Jerusalem and defeated them"
"They attacked the people of the city"
"with their swords"
"the men of Judah went to fight"
"in the southern Judean wilderness"
hills at the base of a mountain or mountain range
"Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai, and their armies"
"which used to be called Kiriath Sepher"
"was at an earlier time"
"Whoever attacks and defeats the people of Kiriath Sepher and takes their city"
This is the name of Caleb's daughter.
These are names of men.
"Aksah urged Othniel,"
"Do this for me"
"Since you have given me in marriage to live in the Negev"
She is now asking for springs of water in addition to that field.
"of the father of Moses' wife"
"father-in-law, who was one of the Ken people, went up"
"left the City of Palms ... and went into the wilderness". This is another name for the city of Jericho.
This is the name of a city in Canaan.
Here "brothers" means relatives who were in another tribe of Israel.
This is the name of a city in Canaan.
After the Israelites destroyed Zephath, they changed its name to "Hormah", which means "complete destruction."
Here "was with" means that Yahweh helped the people of Judah.
a very large area of level, treeless ground
"Moses had given Hebron to Caleb"
"three sons of Anak and their people". They were famous for being very tall.
"until now." This refers to when the book of Judges was written.
"The descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim"
Here "Bethel" represents the people who live in Bethel.
to get information secretly
"they attacked the people of the city"
"escape"
This new town in the land of the Hittites was named after the town of Luz, near Bethel, that the man had left.
These are names of cities.
"because the Canaanites firmly decided not to leave that land"
"When the people of Israel became stronger"
"they forced the Canaanites to do hard work for them"
Here "Ephraim" means the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Ephraim.
The name of one of the cities in the Ephraim area.
Here "Zebulun" represents the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Zebulun.
These are names of cities in the land of Canaan.
Here "Asher" represents the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Asher.
These are names of cities in the land of Canaan.
These are names of cities.
"the people of Naphtali forced the people of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath to work for them as slaves"
"stopping them from coming down"
Where the city of Aijalon was built.
These are names of cities.
"the tribes of people who descended from Joseph were able to conquer them because of their powerful army"
This was a pass southwest of the Dead Sea. It is also called the "Scorpion Pass."
This is the name of a city.
"angel who represents Yahweh" or "messenger who serves Yahweh" or it may refer to Yahweh himself, who looked like an angel as he talked to a person.
"left Gilgal and went to Bokim"
"Bokim" means "crying."
"and said to the people of Israel"
"led you from Egypt"
"fail to do what I said I would do for you"
"you have not obeyed my commands"
"You have done a terrible thing."
"So now I tell you that I will not ... trap for you.'"
"cause you trouble"
sharp pieces of wood up to 7 centimeters long that stick out from some plants
"cried many tears."
Here the narrator explains how the generations of Israelites after Joshua sinned and worshiped false gods so that Yahweh punished them, but then he would send judges to rescue them. This summary ends in 2:23.
The events of 1:1-2:5 happened after Joshua died, which is written at the end of the book of Joshua.
"to the place Yahweh had given him"
"during the life"
The men who helped lead Israel, participating in matters of social justice and maintaining the law of Moses.
"lived longer than he did"
This begins with the words "Now when Joshua" in verse 6 ends.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of an area of land.
This is the name of a mountain.
This means that as the people of that generation died, their souls went to the same place as their ancestors who died before them.
"became older"
Here "did not know" means they had not experienced Yahweh or his power the way the previous generation had.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
This is the plural of Baal, which is used for various other gods that were often worshiped along with Baal.
The Israelites no longer obeying Yahweh.
The Israelites starting to worship false gods.
This is an act of worship and giving honor to someone.
"They caused Yahweh to become angry"
This is the plural of Ashtoroth, who was worshiped as a goddess in many different forms.
"Yahweh became very angry with the people of Israel"
"he let raiders steal their possessions"
"He allowed their enemies to conquer them and take them as slaves, and they could no longer resist their powerful enemies"
"Yahweh helped their enemies defeat them"
"they were suffering terribly"
Yahweh appointing persons to be judges.
"from the power of the enemies"
"they would not obey their judges"
"betrayed him by worshiping false gods"
"their ancestors"
The word "them" refers to the Israelites.
"as long as the judge lived"
to have compassion for someone or something
"as they suffered"
The people no longer obeying Yahweh.
"They would serve and worship other gods"
"They continued doing evil things and being stubborn"
"the Israelites have broken"
Here "nations" represents the people groups that lived in Canaan before the Israelites.
A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if they were walking in his way
"he did not let Joshua quickly conquer them and drive them out"
"into the power of Joshua and his army"
This refers to the people groups that the narrator will list in 3:3.
"who had not fought in any of the wars in Canaan."
"Yahweh left nations among the people of Israel to teach the young men who had not fought in battle before how to fight"
"the five kings and their people"
This is the highest mountain in Israel.
This is the name of route between two mountains at the northern boundary of Canaan.
"Yahweh left these nations in Canaan"
"as a way"
The words "they" and "their" refer to the people of Israel.
"the commands Yahweh gave"
Israel worshiped idols and false gods. Because of this, Yahweh allowed Aram and Moab to rule over them. In the period of Judges, when Israel sinned, they were often placed under the rule of a foreign power.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
"they stopped obeying."
"Yahweh became very angry"
"allowed Cushan-Rishathaim and his army to defeat them"
This is the name of a country.
Yahweh appoints someone to do a special work for him.
See how you translated these men's names in Judges 1:13.
This means that Yahweh helped Othniel to develop the qualities he needed to be a great leader.
Here "judged" means he led the people of Israel.
"Othniel and the Israelite soldiers went to fight against the army of Cushan-Rishathaim"
"Yahweh helped the Israelite army defeat the army of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram”
"The people lived peacefully"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil". See Judges 2:11.
"Yahweh made Eglon king of Moab strong"
"to Eglon king of Moab and his soldiers as they defeated the army of Israel"
This is another name for the city of Jericho.
Here this means to shout or speak loudly to someone far away or to ask someone for help, especially God.
Yahweh appointing a deliverer to do a special service for him is spoken of as if he raised or lifted up the person.
These are names of men.
"46 centimeters" or "about one half meter"
the part of the leg between the knee and the hip
"when he arrived at the place near Gilgal where people made carved images"
This is a room above the lower level that was used for rest and to remain cool during the hot part of the day.
Standing up was a sign of honoring God will listening to his message.
"The sharp end of the sword came out of his back,"
This speaks about a person having a bowel movement (defecating) or urinating.
They waited until they became worried that something was wrong.
"took the key and opened the doors"
"Meanwhile, as the servants were still waiting outside of the upper room ... Ehud escaped"
This is the name of a city.
"When he arrived in Seirah"
When Ehud "blew a trumpet," he was calling all of the men to come help him fight.
This is spoken of as if Yahweh were a warrior who would fight and defeat their enemies.
"gained control of the fords". The areas of a river where it is shallow and easy to walk across to the other side
"did not let anyone cross"
"10,000 men"
"men able to fight well"
"the Israelite army defeated the Moabites"
"the Israelites lived peacefully"
God appointed judges to lead and rescue the people of Israel in times of trouble after they entered the Promised Land.
The names of a men.
"a stick used to urge oxen to move"
"He also delivered the people of Israel from their enemies"
See how you translated this man's name in Judges 3:15.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
"Yahweh allowed them to be defeated by the power of Jabin king of Canaan"
These are the names of men
These are the names of cities or places
"900 iron chariots"
Here the narrator tells background information about Deborah.
This is the name of a woman
This is the name of a man
This tree was named after Deborah
These are the names of men. Barak's leadership...it was very unusual for a woman to be a military leader and if a woman won the battle for him, it would have brought Barak shame, indicating that Deborah was very well respected.
This is the name of a mountain.
Here "I" refers to God.
"draw out Sisera and his army from a safe location"
This is the name of a river.
"no one will honor you for what you do"
"for Yahweh will cause a woman to defeat Sisera"
Here the narrator tells background information about Heber the Kenite.
These are the names of men.
See Judges 1:16.
"the father of Moses' wife"
This is the name of a city.
"When someone told Sisera"
Here "chariots" represents the soldiers who drove the chariots.
"Yahweh will give you victory"
"Remember, Yahweh is leading you."
"Yahweh made Sisera and all his chariots and all his army unable to think clearly"
"all the men driving chariots"
"Barak and his soldiers chased"
"Barak and his soldiers killed Sisera's whole army with their swords"
This means he was walking.
This is the name of a woman.
"Come here"
a large covering for the body to sleep under for warmth, made of wool or animal skins
"Sisera said to Jael,"
a pointed piece of wood or metal, like a large nail, that is hammered into the ground to hold down a tent.
a heavy tool made of wood used to hit a tent peg into the ground
This refers to a person in a deep sleep who cannot easily wake up.
"Barak was chasing,"
This is spoken of as is God himself defeated Jabin as the people of Israel watched.
"The military power"
"they destroyed Jabin and his army"
"On the day the Israelites defeated the army of King Jabin". The account of Deborah and Barak continues in this chapter.
"When the leaders took the lead ... the people volunteered."
"when the men gladly agree to fight in battle"
This command is to the people of Israel and so is plural.
Deborah and Barak speak to the kings and rulers as if they were there listening to the song.
This refers to kings and rulers in general, not to specific kings or rulers.
This refers to the time when the Israelites left Edom to start conquering the people in Canaan.
Seir is a mountain on the border of the land of Israel and Edom.
These phrases emphasize Yahweh's power by describing it as causing earthquakes and storms or the people of Canaan being terrified as the Israelites were about to attack them.
"The mountains trembled in fear"
"in the presence of Yahweh"
"long ago, even Mount Sinai quaked"
"During the lifetime of"
These are the names of people.
Shamgar's father is mentioned to help identify Shamgar and when he lived.
"people stopped using the main roads; because they were afraid of Israel's enemies"
"I, Deborah, began to lead—I took care of the Israelites as a mother takes care of her children"
"the people of Israel worshiped new gods"
"enemies attacked the people within the Israelite cities"
"few weapons for battle remained in Israel"
"I appreciate the commanders of Israel"
"you rich people who ride on white donkeys ... you poor people who walk along the road"
These rugs were probably used as saddles, to make the rider more comfortable.
"Listen to those"
The people of Israel or Deborah who is speaking to herself or the poet who wrote the song.
The word "me" refers to Deborah
"from Ephraim, that land where the descendants of Amalek once lived"
"followed them"
This is the place where the descendants of Makir live. He was the son of Manasseh and the grandson of Joseph.
"military leaders from Zebulun"
"My princes in Issachar were with me"
"the tribe of Issachar was with Barak"
"obeying his command and rushing after him into the valley"
"there was a lot of discussing about what they should do"
"You should have helped us fight, instead of staying at home and listening to the shepherds playing their pipes"
"the sheep pens."
"The men of Gilead stayed"
This refers to the east side of the Jordan.
"the men of Dan should not have remained on their ships!" or "the people of the tribe of Dan did not help us in the battle. Instead they were wandering around on the sea in ships!". They sailed to make money through trade and fishing.
"The people of the tribe of Asher also failed to help us, they just remained on the coast near their harbors"
"Naphtali was a tribe who would also risk their lives to the point of death"
"The kings and their armies came and fought ... the kings of Canaan and their armies fought"
"they fought us ... fought us"
Translate the names of these places as you did in Judges 1:27.
"no silver or other treasures as plunder". Plunder is things taken by force, usually in battle or by thieves
This may refer to Yahweh using natural elements, specifically rain storms, to defeat Sisera.
"Sisera and his army". See Judges 4:2.
"The Kishon River flooded and swept away Sisera's soldiers". God caused rain and flooding to bog down Jaban's chariots making them vulnerable to soldiers on foot.
"I tell myself to march on and to be strong"
"Then I heard the sound of horses running away. Sisera's mighty horses were running away"
"Curse the people of Meroz"
See how you translated these names in Judges 4:11 and 18.
Translate the name of this people group as you did in Judges 1:16.
"brought him yogurt" or "brought him curds"
This phrase means the dish was of the best quality because princes were given the best things.
"Jael grabbed the tent peg with her left hand"
See how you translated this in Judges 4:21.
"she grabbed a hammer with her right hand"
See how you translated this in Judges 4:21.
without strength or movement
"she killed him"
This is a frame in the window made of crossed wood.
"Why is it taking Sisera so long to arrive home"
"taken Sisera ... Why has he"
"wisest ladies"
"she said to herself the same thing"
"They must have so much plunder that it is taking a long time to divide it. They have ... plunder."
"There must be a womb, two wombs for every man ... of those who plunder."
"colored cloth"
having designs made of colored threads
"for the soldiers who plunder to wear"
The people of Israel wish to be like the sun because no nation's army is powerful enough to stop the sunrise.
"and the people of Israel lived peacefully"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil". This chapter begins a section about Gideon.
"the control of the people of Midian"
"The people of Midian were more powerful than the people of Israel and they oppressed them".
places in the rocky cliffs that would provide shelter
"The army would set up their tents,"
"Whenever the Midianites brought their livestock and tents to the land of Israel"
The Midianites are compared to a swarm of locusts because they came in with a great number of people and their livestock ate everything that grew.
Here "Midian" represents the people of Midian.
"prayed to Yahweh for help"
"prayed to Yahweh for help"
"because of the Midianites"
"I led you out of Egypt"
"the place where you were slaves"
"hand" represents power or control.
"obeyed my command" or "obeyed me"
This is the name of a town.
This is a people group named after their ancestor Abiezer.
Gideon was beating the wheat against the floor to separate the wheat grain from the rest of the wheat plant.
"went to him,"
Gideon does not realize he is speaking to Yahweh in the form of an angel or a man.
"We have not seen any wonderful deeds like the ones our fathers told us about when Yahweh brought them up from Egypt."
"allowed the Midianites to defeat us"
"of the Midianites"
"Yahweh looked at Gideon"
"I, Yahweh, am sending you!"
Gideon now calls the person "Lord" instead of "my master" as in Judges 6:13.
"I cannot possibly rescue the Israelites!"
"Look at my clan and me and you will see that it"
"in the tribe of Manasseh"
"in my father's family" or "in my family"
"be with you" means Yahweh will help and bless Gideon.
"as easily as if you were fighting only one man"
"place it in front of you."
"with 22 liters of flour"
water that has had food, such as meat, cooked in it
"them to the angel of God"
"God, who was in the form of an angel" or "God"
See how you translated this in Judges 6:11.
"disappeared"
The word "Ah" here shows that Gideon was very frightened.
"really seen the angel of Yahweh"
Apparently Yahweh spoke to Gideon from heaven.
This means to the time when the book of Judges was written.
"that is beside the altar of Baal"
The city of Ophrah was on top of a hill.
"place the stones in an orderly manner" or "and build it properly"
"got up out of bed" or "woke up"
"they noticed that someone had broken down the altar of Baal, cut down the Asherah that was beside it, and built an altar and sacrificed the second bull on it"
"we may kill him as punishment"
"You should not have to defend Baal."
"make a defense" or "give an excuse"
"You should not have to save Baal."
This is another name for Gideon. It means "let Baal defend himself."
"because Joash said"
"gathered together as an army"
"came over Gideon" or "took control of Gideon" or the Spirit covered himself with Gideon and so acted through him.
"so they might follow him to battle"
"calling them out to follow him"
"to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali"
the woolly coat of a sheep
water that forms on plants during the night
"this will be a sign from you, and then I will know that you will"
"Gideon got out of bed"
twist and squeeze something to remove water.
This is another name for Gideon. See Judges 6:32. The account of Gideon continues in this chapter.
"they set up their camp"
These are the names of places.
"The Midianite army set up their camp to the north of the Israelite army"
"for me to allow you to defeat the Midianites". By lowering the number of fighting soldiers, it emphasizes that the victory is achieved through God's power.
"We have saved ourselves without God's help"
"proclaim to the people"
Both of these phrases have the same meaning. "shakes with fear"
"let him return to his home"
This is the name of a mountain in the region of Gilead.
"10,000 people remained" or "10,000 men remained"
"there, I will show you who to send home so the army will have less men"
"took"
to drink by licking with the tongue
Here "you" is plural and refers to Gideon and the Israelites.
"So those whom Yahweh chose"
Here "their" refers to the Israelite soldiers who were leaving the army.
Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.
"Attack the Midianites at their camp, for I am going to help you defeat them" or "Attack the Midianites at their camp, for I am going to cause you to be victorious over them"
"afraid to go down to attack"
This is the name of a man.
"what you hear will be encourage you"
places around the edge of an area where soldiers stand to watch for an enemy army
Here "cloud" means a swarm.
The author emphasizes that there were very many camels.
"Their camels were more than anyone could count"
"The loaf of barley bread in your dream must be the army of Gideon"
"God will certainly help the Israelites defeat the Midianites"
"We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon!"
The beginning of the middle watch would be around 10 o'clock at night.
"We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon"
"Yahweh caused every Midianite man to fight against his fellow soldiers"
These are the names of towns and cities.
"Gideon called out the Israelites from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and all Mannasseh"
This is the name of a town.
"took control of the area of the Jordan River as far south as Beth Barah"
The places were given these names after the Israelites killed Oreb and Zeeb there.
These are names of men.
"You have not treated us fairly."
Here "Midian" represents the Midianite army.
they argued angrily with him"
"I have done very little compared with what you have done!"
"Certainly the grapes you people of Ephraim gleaned are better than what we the descendants of Abiezer gathered from the whole harvest!"
"What you people of Ephraim did at the end of the battle is more important than what we descendants of Abiezer did at the beginning."
This is the name of one of Gideon's ancestors. Gideon used his name to refer to Abiezer's descendants and their land.
See how you translated these names in Judges 7:25.
"What you have done is more important than what I have done."
"became less"
"continued to chase their enemies"
These are the names of men.
"You have not captured Zebah and Zalmunna yet."
Here "hands" refer to the whole body and represents power or control.
"We see no reason to give bread to your army.". The men of Sukkoth feared the Midianites more than Gideon, which is why they refused to help him. By allying themselves with the Midianites, they aligned themselves against Yahweh and Gideon treated them like he treated the Midianites.
"I will make whips out of desert thorns and briers and use them to beat you and cut you"
sharp, pointed pieces on vines or tree limbs that stick out and can cut people and animals
"They left there" or "Gideon and his 300 men left there"
The name of a place.
"asked for food there in the same way"
"After I have completely defeated the Midian army"
"My men and I will break down this tower"
Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.
This is the name of a city.
"had been killed" or "had died in battle"
"swordsmen" or "men who fought with swords"
"Gideon and his soldiers went up"
"Gideon and his soldiers defeated"
These are names of towns.
extreme fear or worry that makes someone unable to think or act normally
This is the name of a road that passes between two mountains.
"he asked him to identify all the names of the leaders in the town"
"You have not yet conquered Zebah and Zalmunna."
"Gideon and his soldiers took ... they punished"
"Gideon and his soldiers broke"
Translate the name of this city as you did in Judges 4:6.
"They were just like you"
"I promise you that"
This is the name of Gideon's son.
"It is a job for a man to do"
This is a curved shape with two points.
decorations
"from the power of the Midianites" or "from Midian"
Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you." Although the book of Deuteronomy anticipates a king in Israel, it was sinful for Israel to desire to have a king. Gideon did though take a share of everyone's plunder as a king would have done through taxes. This may serve as a warning to Israel about their desire to have a king.
"Gideon said to the men of Israel"
jewelry worn on the ear
things stolen by force or taken off of people killed in war
Here the narrator tells background information about the Midianites.
clothing made from a large piece of fabric and worn over the shoulders as a coat.
"18.7 kilograms of gold" or "about 20 kilograms of gold"
pieces of jewelry that hang at the end of the chains or cords of necklaces
"that the kings of Midian wore"
"Gideon used the gold from the earrings to make an ephod"
Translate the name of this city as you did in Judges 6:11.
"the Israelites sinned against Yahweh by worshiping the ephod there"
"very many people in Israel worshiped the garment"
"Gideon and his family sinned by worshiping it"
"So Yahweh subdued the Midianites before the people of Israel" or "So Yahweh helped the Israelites defeat the Midianites"
"they did not attack Israel again"
"So the Israelites lived peacefully"
"during the life of Gideon"
This is another name for Gideon. See Judges 6:32.
"when he was very old"
"they buried him"
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
"they stopped worshiping Yahwheh"
"they sinned against Yahweh by worshiping the Baals"
This is the name of a false god.
"from the power of all their enemies"
"who surrounded them"
"the family of Jerub-Baal"
This is another name for Gideon. See how you translated this in Judges 6:32. This chapter contains a parable about trees, instructing Israel about their sinful desire to have a king.
"Please ask the leaders of Shechem if they would rather have all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule over them, or if they would rather have just one of his sons rule over them."
"I am a member of your family"
The relatives of the mother of Abimelek spoke to the leaders, suggesting that they make Abimelek their king.
"they agreed to let Abimelek be their leader"
Here "house" represents a temple.
"almost one kilo of silver". This means seventy shekels of silver. A shekel weighs 11 grams.
This is the name of a false god. See how you translated it in Judges 8:33.
"violent and foolish"
Translate the name of this city as you did in Judges 6:11.
This is another name for Gideon. See Judges 6:32.
This is the name of a place.
Jotham begins telling a parable in which the trees represent the Israelites.
"When Jotham heard that Abimelech had murdered his brothers"
"to appoint a king to rule over all of them"
"Be our king"
"I will not give up my abundance ... over the other trees."
"oil"
"by which people honor both gods and other men"
"rule over"
"I will not give up my sweetness ... over the other trees."
"my good sweet fruit"
In this parable, Jotham describes the trees and the vine as doing things that humans do.
"I will not give up my new wine ... over the other trees."
This bush has many sharp spikes along its branches.
"to appoint me as your king"
This means to let the thornbush burn so that it will burn the cedars.
"then may fire come out from me, the thornbush"
Here "house" represents Gideon's family.
Jotham makes the application to the situation at that time and place.
Here Jotham is expressing that he cannot believe how badly the people of Shechem have treated Gideon and his family even after Gideon fought to save the people of Shechem.
"from the power of the Midianites" or "from the Midianites"
"you have rebelled against"
"my father's family"
Here "his" refers to Gideon.
"If you treated Jerub-Baal and his family with faithfulness and sincerity"
"But if you did not act with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house"
Jotham is speaking a curse. He speaks of Abimelek destroying the people of Shechem as if he would burn them with fire. Gideon's son, Abimelech, killed all of his brothers except Jotham in order to become king of Shechem. Jotham cursed Abimelech for having murdered Gideon's other sons.
This is the name of a city.
God applied the curse Jotham made by sending an evil spirit to cause trouble and animosity between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem.
"God did this to avenge the seventy sons whom Abimelech their brother murdered and the men of Shechem helped murder"
"sent men to hide on the hilltops and wait to attack Abimelek"
"Someone told Abimelek about the men waiting to attack him"
These are names of men.
"trusted him"
Here "They" refers to Gaal and his relatives and the men of Shechem.
They did this to squeeze out the grape juice to make wine with it.
"crushed" or "stomped"
Here "house" represents a temple.
"We should not serve Abimelek, that is, Shechem!"
"He is just the son of Jerub-Baal, and Zebul is just his overseer."
Zebul oversaw Abimelek's slaves, servants, and laborers.
This is the name of a man.
Gaal means the people of Shechem should serve those who descended from Hamor; that is, those who are truly Canaanites, and not serve someone whose father was an Israelite.
"I wish that I ruled the people of Shechem."
"heard what Gaal son of Ebed said"
"he became very angry"
Here "city" represents the people of the city.
"secretly"
"they are persuading the people of the city to rebel against you"
"to hide and attack them suddenly"
They can do what they want to destroy the followers of Gaal.
"all the men accompanying Abimelech" or "all the men fighting for Abimelech"
"separating into 4 groups"
"That is not people, it is only shadows on the hills"
"1 group" or "1 troop"
"You are not speaking proudly now, you"
"you who said that we should not serve Abimelek."
"Here are the men that you strongly disliked"
"And many men died of wounds"
This is the name of a city.
"someone reported this to Abimelek"
"separated them into 3 groups"
"they hid in the fields to attack the people by surprise"
"they attacked"
"the groups of soldiers"
"Abimelek and his soldiers fought ... They broke down"
"against the people of Shechem"
"demolished"
"spread salt over the land"
Here this represents a temple.
The word "El" means "god." This is the same false god as "Baal-Berith" in Judges 8:33.
"Someone told Abimelek"
This means to stack the branches into a large heap.
"camped outside the city of Thebez"
"attacked it,"
An upper millstone was the top one that was rolled on the lower one to crush the grain in between them.
The man who carried the weapons of Abimelech.
The young man put the sword right through the body of Abimelech.
"punished the men of Shechem for all the evil they had done"
"the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal happened to them"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
"became the leader to deliver the people of Israel". This chapter begins the account of Jephthah (Judges 10-12).
Here "judged" means he led the people of Israel. In Judges, Israel's actions are connected to their obedience to Yahweh. When Israel does evil, they are oppressed.
"they buried him"
"Jair the Gileadite was leader after Tola"
This is the name of a man who was from the tribe of Gilead.
This is the name of a region, which is named after a man.
This means to the time when the book of Judges was being written.
"they buried him"
This is the name of a place.
"continued doing what Yahweh said was evil"
"according to Yahweh"
This is the plural of Ashtoroth, who was worshiped as a goddess in many different forms. See Judges 2:13
"They completely stopped worshiping Yahweh"
No longer obeying and worshiping Yahweh.
"Yahweh was very angry at Israel"
Yahweh allowing the Philistines and the Ammonites to defeat the Israelites.
"terribly oppressed"
This means on the east side of the Jordan River.
"this region is also called Gilead"
"the people of the tribe of Judah ... the people of the tribe of Benjamin"
"the people of the tribe of Ephraim"
"so that the people of Israel suffered much"
The people of Israel desperately asked Yahweh for help.
"abandoned you, our God". The people no longer obeyed and worshiped Yahweh.
"I am the one who delivered you ... and also from the Sidonians."
These are the people from the clan or family of Maon.
"from them"
"I will not keep on delivering you again and again" or "You can be sure that I will stop delivering you"
"foreign gods whose images they possessed"
"And Yahweh did not want the people of Israel to suffer any longer"
"the leaders of the Ammonites called them to come to fight, so they set" or "the Ammonites gathered together."
"Who will begin to lead our army to fight against the Ammonites?"
This is someone who is from the region of Gilead. It is a coincidence that his father's name is also Gilead. See Judges 10:3. Jephthah was half Israelite and half Canaanite by birth. While all of the judges were called by Yahweh, it is the leaders who called Jephthah to help them. Yahweh still used Jephthah to help them.
"When the sons of Gilead's wife became adults,"
Tob is the name of a region.
"they followed him" or "they went everywhere together"
"Some time later"
"attacked the people of Israel"
"so that we can fight against,"
"my family"
"We are turning to you now because we are in trouble"
"fight against the people of Ammon"
"commander"
"When Jephthah was in Mizpah he repeated all of these promises as a vow before Yahweh"
This refers to the promises he made to the leaders of Gilead about becoming their leader.
Jephthah is asking the king why they are angry with Israel.
"Why have your soldiers come to seize our land"
"come to forcefully take"
These are the names of two rivers.
"on the other side of the Jordan River"
"peacefully"
"Jephthah told the messengers to say" or "they said"
"they left Egypt"
"When the leaders of Israel sent messengers"
"go through" or "cross"
"refused" or "denied their request"
"They also send messengers to the king of Moab with the same request"
"but he also refused and would not let them pass through the land of Moab"
"When the leaders of Israel sent messengers"
This is the name of a city.
"But Sihon did not trust the people of Israel to pass through his territory peacefully"
"there his army fought"
"gave Israel power over Sihon and all his people"
"therefore, you should not take possession of their land."
"You should only take control of the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you.”
"You are not better than Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab."
These are the names of men.
"Yet he did not dare to have an argument with Israel."
"Nor did he ever wage war against them."
"you should have taken them back during that time." or "now it is too late; you should have taken them back long ago."
"The Israelites have not done wrong to your people, but your people are doing us wrong by attacking us"
"treated you wrongly ... treating me wrongly" or "treated you unfairly ... treating me unfairly"
"the Spirit of Yahweh took control of Jephthah"
"he gathered men for his army as he passed through Gilead and Manasseh ... from Mizpah of Gilead"
"I will offer it to you"
"So Jephthah and his army passed through ... Yahweh gave them victory"
These are the names of cities.
Musical instruments with heads like drums that can be hit or shaken.
"he tore his clothes from grief"
"You have caused me great sorrow" or "You have filled me with sorrow"
"you have caused me great distress"
"I must do what I have promised" or "I cannot break my promise"
"has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites, by defeating them"
"Keep this promise for me" or "Keep this promise concerning me"
"weep because I am a virgin"
"had never had sexual relations with a man"
See how you translated this in Judges 10:3.
"The men of Ephraim were called together" or "The men ... of Ephraim called together their soldiers"
This is the name of a city.
"traveled through ... travel" or "journeyed through ... journey"
"We will burn your house down with you still in it"
"You should only take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you.”
"We risked our lives, relying on our own strength"
"Yahweh gave us victory over them"
"Why have you come to fight against us"
"fought against the people of Ammon as we passed through their region"
"they fought against Ephraim"
"You Gileadites do not really belong here. You are just people who came here to live"
people from Gilead
"in the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh" or "in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh."
"to the land of Ephraim"
"The Gileadites controlled" or "The Gileadites occupied"
These are places where you can cross the river on foot because the water is shallow.
These words have no meaning. Copy these words into your language, and make sure that the letters "Sh" and "S" are translated differently. The translator should transliterate it by substituting letters that have the same sounds.
"make the sound of the word"
"Jephthah the Gileadite died and they buried him"
This is the name of a man from Bethlehem.
"He had thirty daughters and arranged a marriage for each of them"
"he arranged for thirty daughters of other men from outside of his clan to marry his sons"
"they buried him in Bethlehem"
This is the name of a man.
someone from the tribe of Zebulun
"they buried him in Aijalon". Translate the name of this place as you did in Judges 1:35
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a city.
"They owned 70 donkeys"
Pirathon is the name of a place, someone who is from that place is called a Pirathonite.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
"he allowed the Philistines to defeat them" or "he allowed them to be oppressed by the Philistines"
This was the name of a town in Israel. It was in the region of Judah near the border of Dan.
people from the tribe of Dan
"Listen carefully: you"
"have a baby boy"
Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
"No one should ever cut his hair". The angel of the Lord prophesied about Samson and gave instructions to Samson's mother, who was to offer up her son under a Nazarite vow. This was a special type of vow, dedicating Samson to Yahweh. Part of this vow prohibited the cutting of the person's hair.
a sharp knife used to cut hair close to the skin
"a Nazirite devoted to God" or "devoted to God as a Nazirite"
"from before he is born"
"the control of the Philistines"
"A man that God sent"
"I was very afraid of him because he looked like an angel of God"
"a Nazirite devoted to God"
"all his life"
"came to Manoah's wife"
"the man of God"
"what you have said."
"anything that grows on a vine"
"cook a young goat for you to eat"
"what you have said comes true?"
"You should not ask me what my name is."
"It is too wonderful for you to understand"
"with the grain offering required with it"
"on the altar." The altar Manoah sacrificed the offering on was a rock.
"The angel did something"
"the angel of Yahweh went back up into heaven through the flames on the altar"
"lay with their faces to the ground." This is a sign of respect and honor, but it also shows fear of Yahweh.
The word "he" refers to the man they had seen.
"God will cause us to die because we have seen him"
"He would not have told us what he wanted us to do"
"Manoah's wife"
"matured"
"Yahweh's Spirit began to cause him to act" or "Yahweh's Spirit began to control him"
Mahaneh Dan is the name of a temporary camp that the tribe of Dan lived in. Eshtaol is the name of a town.
The phrase "went down" is used because Timnah is lower in elevation and is the name of a city in the Sorek Valley.
"one of the unmarried women among the Philistine people" or "a Philistine girl"
"Now arrange for her to become my wife" or "Make the arrangements for me to marry her"
"Surely there are unmarried women among your people whom you could marry.". It was considered sinful for a man of Israel to marry anyone from a different people group. She caused Samson many problems.
"You really should not marry a Philistine woman because the Philistine people do not worship Yahweh."
"Now arrange for her to be my wife"
"I am pleased by how beautiful she is"
"he" refers to Yahweh.
"Suddenly, a young lion came near him"
"threatened him."
"Yahweh's Spirit made him very strong"
"did not have a weapon"
"he left the path"
dead body
"He found a swarm of bees"
large group of insects
"gathered up,"
"Samson's father went to where the woman lived"
"the custom of young men who were getting married"
a game in which the players must discover the answer to a difficult question
"can figure out its meaning"
a type of cloth
"you" is plural and refers to the guests at the feast.
The riddle it is supposed to be hard to understand; do not translate it so that people will immediately know what it means.
"Out of the eater came something to eat"
"out of the strong thing came something sweet"
"the men at his feast"
"could not figure out the answer"
mislead or fool someone into doing something they would not want to do
"the house your father and his family live in"
If a person is "burnt up," it means that person is burned to death.
"You have brought us here to make us poor!"
"to make us poor by forcing us to buy him new clothes"
"You do not really love me at all"
"Listen to me" or "Pay attention to what I am about to say"
"I have not even told my father or mother. I will not tell you." or "you should not demand that I tell you, since I have not even told my parents, and they are closer to me than you are."
"during the seven days of their feast"
"she kept urging him to tell her"
"the young men"
"Honey is sweet and a lion is strong.". This is the answer to the riddle.
"If you had not used my wife"
To plow is to use an animal to pull a blade through soil to prepare the soil for seeds.
"made Samson very powerful"
"the men who lived there"
things taken by force, usually after a fight or battle
"the sets of clothing that he had taken"
"Very angry"
"his wife's father gave her to his best friend"
"closest friend"
"He thought to himself"
"I will go to my wife's room, so we may sleep together"
"would not permit him to go into her room"
"so I gave her to be married to your friend"
"I hope you agree."
"Take her to be your wife instead"
"I will be innocent if I hurt the Philistines because they have wronged me"
"by their tails"
A torch is often used to light other things or to be carried for light.
the stalks of grain collected in piles after it has been harvested
An orchard is a place where fruit trees are grown.
The husband of a man's daughter.
This is a person from Timnah.
"took Samson's wife and allowed her to marry Samson's friend"
"said to the Philistines,"
"Because you have done this,"
"He cut their bodies to pieces"
"he went"
This is the name of the rocky hill country near Jerusalem.
The phrase "came up" is used here because Judah is higher in elevation than Philistia.
"prepared to make war against Judah"
This is the name of a town in Judah.
"have you come up to attack"
"We are attacking you."
"kill him like he killed many of our people"
"You know that the Philistines are rulers over us but you act like they are not. What you have done has caused us great harm."
"They killed my wife, so I killed them"
"the Philistine's control"
"give you to the Philistines"
"away from the cave in the large rock"
"When they came"
"made Samson very strong". This means God gave Samson extraordinary strength. Samson's power is the power of Yahweh himself and he enacted the judgment of God on the Philistines.
"He snapped the ropes on his arms as easily as if they had been stalks of burned flax"
fibers from the flax plant used for making threads and cloth
This means that the donkey had died very recently and its bones had not yet begun to decay.
"I have made heaps of dead bodies"
"Jawbone Hill". This is the name of a place.
"needed water to drink"
"But now I will die of thirst and my body will fall into ... uncircumcised."
"be captured by those godless Philistines"
"opened a hole in the ground"
"he became strong again" or "he was revived"
"spring of him who prayed.". This is the name of a place.
"the spring can still be found at Lehi, even today"
"during the time the Philistines controlled Israel"
"he had sexual relations with her"
"Someone told the people of Gaza"
Some Gazites surrounded the place where Samson was staying and others waited at the city gate.
"They did not make any noise all night"
These posts were probably made from tree trunks and buried deep in the ground. The doors were attached to these posts.
The bar was probably a heavy rod of iron, the doors were probably made of heavy wooden beams or iron bars.
the part of the human body where the arms and the neck attach to the body
This is the name of a city.
This is the name of a valley near Samson's home.
"to understand"
"what causes him to be very strong"
"how we might overpower him""
"bind you to control you" or "bind you to restrain you".
"that have not yet dried" or "that are not dry yet". Bowstrings were often made from the tendons of an animal.
"Delilah tied Samson up with the fresh bowstrings"
"The Philistines are here to capture you". The author tells background information about the Philistine men.
"he broke the bowstrings as easily as if he were breaking burned yarn"
"You have greatly deceived me!"
"people can overpower you"
"The Philistines are here to capture you"
"waiting to attack him"
"as easily as if they were only a piece of thread"
"you have greatly deceived me"
"people can overpower you"
crossing pieces of material together; making fabric, so they hold each other in place
small bunches of hair
a machine used for combining many threads of material into a cloth
"then nail the fabric to the loom"
"I will be as weak as any other man"
"pulled away his hair, taking with it the pin of the loom and the fabric in the loom"
This is the wooden nail or peg used to fasten the fabric to the loom.
"When you say 'I love you,' you are lying because you do not share your secrets with me."
"tried hard to persuade him ... kept trying to persuade him"
"by what she said to him"
"that he was completely miserable" or "that he was very unhappy"
"told her the source of his strength" or "told her the truth". Samson mistakenly thought that he was the source of his strength. He did not realize that Yahweh had left him and without Yahweh, he had no strength. This was not Samson's only mistake. His foreign wife created most of his problems.
"a Nazirite devoted to God" or "devoted to God as a Nazirite". See Judges 13:5.
"my entire life"
"If someone shaves my head"
to have had the hair cut close to the skin with a razor
"I will not be strong any more"
"Delilah realized" or "Delilah learned"
"the truth about why he is strong"
Delilah's home is likely at a higher elevation.
"bringing the silver that they had promised to give her"
"She caused him to fall asleep"
"with his head on her lap"
"the seven locks of hair on his head"
"control him"
"his strength was gone"
"awakened"
"escape"
"But he did not know that Yahweh had left him and that he would not be strong enough to defeat the Philistines"
"removed his eyes"
They brought Samson to Gaza which is lower in elevation than his home.
"chained him with bronze shackles" or "tied him up using bronze shackles"
locks on the end of chains that hold a prisoner at his feet or hands, or both
"pulled the millstone around in a circle"
A large animal usually pulls the millstone around in a circle to crush grain. The Philistines humiliate Samson here.
"after the Philistines had shaved it"
a major false god of the Philistines
"has defeated"
"put him under our control"
"the man who has destroyed our country"
"who killed many of our people"
"Call for them to bring out Samson ... They brought Samson"
"the young man"
"Allow me to touch the pillars which hold up the building"
"watching"
It is unclear what Samson did to entertain them. It seems the Philistines were making him do humiliating things.
"prayed to Yahweh"
"remember me"
"one more time"
"with one strike against the Philistine"
"which held up the building,"
"He used his strength to push down the pillars" or "He used his strength to push over the pillars"
"the dead people"
"were a greater amount"
"all of his father's family"
See how you translated the names of these places in Judges 13:2 and 25.
"where his father, Manoah, is buried". See how you translated this man's name in Judges 13:2.
"Samson had judged Israel for twenty years before he died". This same sentence is also in Judges 15:20. It is repeated here to remind readers of how long he judged Israel.
This is the name of a man. This man did not write the book of Micah.
"which someone stole from you"
"I was the one who took it"
"dedicate"
metal that has been melted and poured into a mold to form a special shape
"I give it back to you"
"Micah placed them in his house". "they" refers to the metal figures.
"a house for worshiping idols"
"each person did what he decided was right"
"from Bethlehem"
"who was living among the tribe of Judah"
"He lived and worked there"
"find a different place to live."
"where I might live and have a job"
"an advisor and a priest"
"So the Levite accepted his offer and went into his house"
"the young man became close to Micah and was like one of his sons"
"Micah dedicated the Levite"
"lived in Micah's house"
The tribe of Dan lacked faith in Yahweh and had yet to conquer its inheritance. In this chapter, they begin to conquer their land, but they also started to worship an idol. Their conquering of the land is much different than the other tribes' victories.
"not received a land inheritance from"
"from among all of the men in their tribe"
"experienced fighters"
See Judges 13:2 and 25.
"to scout the land by walking through it"
See how you translated this man's name in Judges 17:1.
"they heard the young Levite talking, and they recognized his voice"
This is the name of a city.
"There were no enemies living in their land who had conquered them"
"had no contact with any outsiders." This means they lived secluded from other people.
"You should be acting now!"
"Hurry! Attack"
"people who are not afraid that anyone will attack them"
"the land is large."
"where we will have everything there that we need"
"that has everything"
This is the name of a town.
Translate the name of this place as you did in Judges 13:25.
"and that is still its name". This refers to the time when Judges was written.
"these houses contain an ephod, ... metal figure. (They were suggesting that the men steal these things.) Decide ... will do". The implied information may be given in a parenthetical phrase.
"in one of these house there is"
"they turned,"
The word "him" refers to the Levite.
"It is better for you to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel than for just the house of one man."
"The priest was glad"
"putting the little children, their livestock and their possessions in front of them to protect them"
"the Danites turned around"
"some distance."
"he called together the men who were in the houses near his house"
"running after the Danites, they caught up with them"
"You should not have called your men together to chase us."
"called these men together"
"the gods which I had made for me" or "the gods which a craftsman made for me"
"I have nothing left."
"You know that I am greatly distressed!'"
"let us find out that you have said anything"
"hear you say anything about this matter"
"kill you and your family"
"continued on their journey"
"they were too strong for him and his men to fight"
"the things that had been made for Micah"
"with their swords."
This is a name of a town.
"The young Levite's name was Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses"
"until the day that their enemies conquered their land"
This phrase introduces the beginning of another event in the story.
far from where most people live
"began to have sexual relations with other men"
"He took with him his servant and two donkeys."
"The girl's father persuaded"
"spoke to him so he decided to stay."
the Levite prepared,
"Eat some food so you will be strong enough to travel"
"Please stay another night,"
"Eat some food so you will be strong enough to travel, and wait until afternoon to leave"
"Please listen carefully: the day"
"the day is almost over" or "it is almost evening"
"which was later called Jerusalem."
"I suggest that we"
"stop at"
the marketplace where people gathered during the day
"invited them to stay in their house for that night"
A Benjamite was a descendant of Benjamin. See Judges 3:15.
"He looked up"
"who has invited me to stay in his house"
"will take us"
"we have plenty of bread and wine"
"me, my concubine, and my servant"
"We have everything we need"
"invited the Levite and his servants to stay in his house"
"they were enjoying themselves"
Some men stood on all sides of the house.
"know him" means "have sexual relations with him." The men probably were not trying to be polite.
a senseless, disgraceful act!
"the men would not accept his offer". People from a village of the tribe of Benjamin raped a visitor's wife to death. This was very evil and the people of Israel considered mistreatment of a guest one of the worst crimes.
"the Levite seized his concubine"
"when the sun was coming up"
"the sun was fully risen"
"But she did not answer because she was dead"
"section by section." The author uses this graphic description of how the Levite cut up her body into specific pieces. If there is not a similar phrase in your language, this description may be left out of the translation.
"sent each piece to a different place throughout Israel". He sent the pieces to twelve different areas of Israel.
"as if they were a single man"
"from all the eleven tribes"
"God, and also 400,000 regular soldiers came"
"capable of going to war."
Mizpah was located high in the mountains.
"to stay for a night."
"outrageous wickedness"
a senseless, disgraceful act. See Judges 19:23.
"decide what we need to do about this"
"as if they were a single man"
"We will all stay here"
This involved tossing or rolling small marked stones to determine what God wants.
food and other things the people need
"came together to attack the city,"
"kill them"
"what their brother said"
"could throw a stone at something as small as a hair and hit it"
"asked God what to do."
Instead of meaning that they set up their camp near Gibeah, it could mean that the army went out and stood across from Gibeah ready to fight.
Here "strengthened" means they encouraged each other.
"they got ready to fight the next day"
The priest may have cast lots to determine God's will, but the method is not stated.
"in Yahweh's presence," or "to Yahweh"
This is background information inserted to help understand how the people asked Yahweh for an answer.
"was at Bethel in those days"
This is background information.
"was serving as priest before the ark"
"Attack the army of Benjamin"
"the Israelites"
"in ambush"
"fought against the people of Israel"
"the people of Israel drew them away from the city"
"The people of Benjamin began to kill some of the men of Israel"
"just as before." or "just like the first two times."
This is the name of a city.
"fields of Gibeah" or "west of Gibeah". This is the name of a place.
"well-trained soldier"
"they would soon be completely defeated"
"soldiers of Benjamin"
From here until the end of verse 41 is background information, explaining how the ambush defeated the Benjamites.
"had allowed Benjamin to move forward"
"would retreat from the fight"
"we have defeated them"
great harm, trouble, misery
"happened to them"
"But the soldiers of Israel caught up to them" or "But they were not able to escape the fighting"
This is the name of a place.
"they completely destroyed them"
"had fought bravely in the battle"
"The remaining Benjamites turned and fled"
This is the name of a place.
These people of Benjamin are not the soldiers who fled, but the ones who were still in the city.
"everyone who was in the city"
"along the way"
This background information is about the promise that the Israelites made before the battle with the Benjamites.
This is the name of the descendants of Benjamin. See Judges 3:15.
At the end of Judges, there is much sin and immorality. The people are doing wrong and fixing their wrongs by doing more evil things. This period of Judges is typified by this final account and summarized by the statement, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”. (see verse 25)
"Oh Yahweh, we are so sad that one of the tribes of Israel has been completely destroyed."
The people are referring back to the assembly of the Israelites at Mizpah before they attacked the Benjamites.
"We will certainly kill that person"
"the surviving Benjamites"
"one tribe has been removed"
The Israelites wanted to provide wives, but their promise at Mizpah prevented them from doing that.
This is the name of a city.
"people that were assembled at Mizpah were accounted for"
"none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead had been present at Mizpah"
The next verse will add an exception to this general instruction.
"kill ... with their swords"
"who had not had sexual relations with a man"
"they wanted to stop fighting with them"
There were six hundred Benjamite men, and only four hundred women from Jabesh Gilead.
"had caused the tribes of Israel not to be unified."
This refers to the descendants of Benjamin. See Judges 3:15.
"we killed all the Benjamite women"
The Israelites had already given wives to four hundred of the Benjamites, so the tribe would not be completely destroyed.
"a wife to the men of Benjamin"
This is background information to explain where the city of Shiloh is located.
This is the name of a city.
"each one of you should seize one of the girls of Shiloh, taking her back with you to the land of Benjamin to become your wife"
"Act kindly toward us"
"because we did not get wives for each of them during the war with Jabesh Gilead"
The men of Shiloh did not voluntarily give their daughters to the Benjamites, so they didn't break their promise.
"Israel did not yet have a king"
"what he considered to be right"
"In the days when the judges ruled" or "In the days when the judges ruled, this is what happened."
"during the time when judges governed Israel"
This refers to the land of Israel. Alternate translation: "in the land of Israel"
"a man." This is a common way of introducing a character into a story.
"married women"
"who were from the tribe of Moab." The Moabites worshiped other gods.
"the name of one woman ... the name of the other woman"
"she prepared with her daughters-in-law to return"
the women who married Naomi's sons
"while Naomi was living in Moab she heard"
This is God's name. Some translations say "the LORD."
God saw their need and provided good harvests for them.
"they walked along the road"
"to the home of each of your mothers"
"to those who died" or "to your husbands, who died"
"may Yahweh cause you to find rest" or "may Yahweh enable to you rest"
"Rest" here includes security in marriage.
"in the house of a new husband"
"they cried loudly"
This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is no reason for you to go with me.”
This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not have sons in my womb who could become your husbands.”
These questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “you would not wait until they were grown up. You would marry someone else.”
The idea of bitterness refers to grief. Alternate translation: "I grieve much for you"
The word "hand" refers to Yahweh's power or influence. Alternate translation: "for Yahweh has caused terrible things to happen to me"
"Ruth clung to her" or "Ruth refused to leave her"
"the wife of your husband's brother" or "Orpah"
"has gone back to her people and will worship the gods she worshiped before"
"where you live"
"I will consider the people of your country as being my own people" or "I will consider your relatives to be my relatives"
"May Yahweh punish me and do even worse to me"
"if I leave you before one of us dies"
"Naomi stopped arguing with Ruth"
This phrase marks a new part of the story with new people. Some languages will not need to translate it.
"everyone in the town"
The women were probably not sure if this was really Naomi.
This is a translation of the meaning of the name. It is also often translated according to its sound as "Mara."
"I left here with much, but Yahweh has brought me back without anything"
Another possible meaning is "has judged me guilty."
"has brought calamity on me" or "has brought tragedy to me"
This verse summarizes what happened in verse 19. It does not tell about them doing something new.
"when the farmers were just beginning to harvest barley"
"the woman from Moab"
"pick up the grain that the harvesters leave behind"
The "ears" are the parts of a grain plant that contain the grain.
"anyone who will be kind to me" or "anyone who will give me permission to glean"
Ruth was caring for Naomi as if she were her own mother, so Naomi called her "daughter."
Ruth was not aware that the field she went to belonged to Naomi's relative Boaz.
"May Yahweh give you good things" or "May Yahweh make you happy"
Boaz probably wanted to know who Ruth’s husband or parents were.
"the hut" or "the shelter." This was a temporary shelter or garden hut that provided shade from the sun.
This question can be translated as a command. Alternate translation: "Listen to me, my daughter."
This was a kind way of addressing a younger woman. Ruth was not the actual daughter of Boaz.
"Watch the field"
This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I have given the men strict instructions not to touch you."
Possible meanings are 1) the men were not to harm Ruth or 2) the men were not to stop her from gleaning in his field.
To draw water means to pull up water from a well or to take it out of a storage vessel.
"she bowed before Boaz with her face to the ground"
"People have reported to me" or "People have told me"
"repay you" or "pay you back"
for what you have done
Boaz uses the picture of a mother bird gathering her chicks under her wings to protect them, in order to describe God's protection for those who trust in him. Alternate translation: "in whose safe care you have placed yourself"
Here “find favor” means be approved of or be pleasing to someone. Alternate translation: “May I be pleasing to you”
The wine vinegar was a sauce that people would dip pieces of bread in before eating it.
The ears of grain are the parts that people eat. She separated the edible part of the grain from the hull and stalk, which are thrown away.
An ephah is about 22 liters.
"May Yahweh bless him"
"who has continued to be loyal." Possible meanings are 1) Boaz was loyal to his family or 2) Yahweh was faithful to Naomi's family.
A kinsman-redeemer was a close male relative who could rescue a childless widow from financial ruin by marrying her and having a child with her. He could also acquire land his relatives had lost due to poverty and buy back and set freee relatives who had sold themselves into slavery.
"work with his young female workers"
"so that men in another field do not harm you"
Ruth cared for Naomi as if she were her own mother, so Naomi called her “daughter”.
This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I must look for a place for you to rest so that things may go well for you."
Possible meanings are 1) a home for Ruth or 2) a husband who would provide a home for Ruth. Naomi probably had both of these in mind.
This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Now Boaz ... is our relative."
To winnow means to separate the grains from the chaff by tossing them into the air and letting the wind blow the chaff away.
This probably refers to rubbing sweet-smelling oil on herself.
This means to remove the part of the cloak or blanket that covered his feet.
"he was satisfied" or "he was in a good mood"
"she came quietly"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"in the middle of the night"
This sentence expresses Boaz's surprise at seeing a woman there. She was Ruth, but Boaz did not recognize her in the darkness.
Ruth spoke with humility to Boaz.
Ruth was asking Boaz to marry her.
a close relative with special responsibilities toward their extended family
"You have shown even more kindness now than you did before"
Ruth showed kindness to Naomi. Ruth would provide for Naomi by marrying Naomi's relative, Boaz.
"you have not tried to marry any of the young men"
This was a kind way of addressing a younger woman. Ruth was not the actual daughter of Boaz.
Bethlehem is a town, or small city, that belonged to the tribe that Boaz belonged to. Alternate translation: "all the people of my city know" or "everyone in town knows"
"a man who is more closely related to you than I am"
"if he will redeem you" or "if he will marry you." A dead man's closest male relative was expected to marry the widow, and their first son would have the dead man's family name.
"as surely as Yahweh lives." Boaz used this vow to assure Ruth that he would keep his promise.
Ruth slept at Boaz's feet. They did not have sexual relations.
a piece of cloth worn over the shoulders
"What happened, my daughter?"
"Do not go without bringing something" or "Be sure to take something"
"until he has settled the matter." This refers to the decision about who will buy Naomi's property and marry Ruth.
"the gate of the city." There was an open area by the gate where people met to discuss community matters.
This was Elimelek's closest living male relative. Elimelek had died, and Naomi was his widow.
"the leaders of the city"
"to inform you"
This meant to buy the land so that it would still belong to their family.
"I am the next person in the family to do it"
"from Naomi"
"you must also marry Ruth"
"Ruth ... the widow of Elimelek's son"
"so that she may have a son to inherit the property and carry on the name of her dead husband"
"If I redeem it, I will destroy my own inheritance"
"putting my own inheritance in danger"
"You redeem it yourself" or "You yourself redeem it instead of me"
This refers to the person with whom he was making the agreement.
This refers to all the land and possessions of Naomi's dead husband and sons.
"so that I might give her a son who will inherit the dead man's property"
"so that the dead man will not be forgotten by his brothers' descendants and the people of his town"
"All the people who were at the gate"
"the two women who bore many children who became the nation of Israel"
"May your family be like the family of Perez." This was a blessing.
"son of Judah and Tamar"
"Boaz took Ruth as his wife" or "Boaz married Ruth"
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. Alternate translation: "He had sexual relations with her" or "He lay with her"
"who has provided you today with a near kinsman"
"May he restore your life" or "May he bring you hope again"
"and take care of you when you become old"
"held him close against her chest" or "held him in her arms"
"The child is like a son to Naomi" or "Naomi has a son"
Perez was the son of Judah that was mentioned in verse 12.
This chapter introduces Samuel. It is the beginning of the section in 1 Samuel 1-7 which tells about Samuel, the religious leader of Israel.
The name of a small village possibly located eight kilometers northwest of Jerusalem.
The name of a people group that descended from Zuph.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a woman. Two wives was a common practice but it was against the law of Moses. The men of Israel would have sinned if they married more than one woman. This type of marriage creates problems because of jealousy.
"This man" refers to Elkanah.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
These are the names of men.
"prevented her from becoming pregnant"
The other wife would grieve and shame Hannah.
This is Peninnah, the other wife of Elkanah. Peninnah was trying to get Elkanah to love her best.
"Hannah, you should not weep. You should eat, and your heart should be glad because I am better to you than ten sons!" or "You have little reason for sadness. I favor you and that should be enough."
"than any son could be"
"Hannah rose up and went to the house of Yahweh to pray after"
The author tells about a new person in the story. This person is the priest Eli.
The "temple" was actually a tent, but it was where the people worshiped, so it is best to translate as "temple" here.
Hannah was deeply troubled or grieved because of not having any children and being ridiculed by Peninnah.
"how I am suffering because I cannot become pregnant"
A special plea to God to take action on Hannah's behalf. He knows what is happening; he has not forgotten.
Eli was the chief priest, so he was in the tabernacle of God and in charge of it.
"I am a woman who is deeply sad"
"telling Yahweh my deepest emotions."
"Do not consider me, your servant, to be"
"I have been speaking because I am very sad, and my rival has greatly provoked me". She is sad and annoyed.
"Let me, your servant, find"
"evaluated me and approve"
"ate. She was" or "ate. People could see that she was"
"Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah"
"Hannah became pregnant,"
"his family"
stops drinking milk and starts eating only solid food
Hannah had promised God that she would allow Samuel to live and work with Eli the priest in the temple
"gave her son milk."
An ephah is about 22 liters of dry material. Wine was kept in animal skins.
"Sir, what I am going to tell you is certainly true". This is a type of oath meaning "I promise you I am telling the truth.”
"has agreed to do what I solemnly requested that he do"
"I am loaning him to Yahweh"
"Elkanah and his family"
This song is about how God protects the weak and strengthens them. He humbles the rich, provides for the poor, and defeats his enemies.
"I rejoice"
"because of who Yahweh is" or "because Yahweh is so great"
"I am now strong"
This is another way of saying that God is strong and faithful.
This is large enough to hide behind or to stand on and so be high above one's enemies.
"no arrogant words"
"he weighs people's acts" or "he understands why people act as they do"
"Mighty bowmen are kept from acting"
"Yahweh breaks the bows of the mighty men" or "Yahweh can make even the strongest of people weak"
"he will make those who stumble strong"
They have put something around their waist to prepare for work.
"gives birth to seven children"
Yahweh is in control of everything.
The lowest position in society.
people who do not have the things that they need
"keep his faithful people from making foolish decisions" or "enable his faithful people to make wise decisions"
"Yahweh will put the wicked to silence in darkness"
"Yahweh will make them silent"
"because he is strong"
"Yahweh will break those who oppose him"
"defeated."
"the whole earth"
"he will make the leader he has chosen stronger than his enemies"
"the one he has chosen"
When people would offer sacrifices, they would first burn the animal's fat and then boil the meat and eat it.
"did not listen to Yahweh" or "did not obey Yahweh". Eli had two sons, who were ungodly priests that continually sinned and did not honor God. Eli corrected them but they did not listen. A prophet warned Eli that God would stop his family from being priests and his sons would both die on the same day. At the same time, Samuel was growing up and serving God.
An action that people regularly do.
"into whatever the people were cooking the meat in"
a small metal container for boiling and cooking
a large, heavy metal container for boiling and cooking
a clay container for cooking
"They even did something worse than that. Before"
"the man who was sacrificing took his sacrifice to the priests and the priests burned"
"Give me some meat so I can give it to the priest so he can roast it"
cook over a fire
cooked in water
They did not like and paid no attention to Yahweh's instructions regarding what people would offer to him.
Hannah had asked Yahweh for a baby, promising him that she would give the baby to serve in the temple.
Yahweh could see him and Samuel could learn about Yahweh.
"they were having sexual relations with the women"
"It is terrible that you do such things!"
"there is certainly no one who can speak for him."
"ask Yahweh to have mercy on him"
"what their father said"
"a man who hears and tells words from God"
"You should know that I revealed myself ... house of Pharaoh."
"the family of Aaron"
This refers to making an offering to Yahweh.
"to do what I had commanded the priests to do"
"You should not scorn my sacrifices ... where I live."
"the place where my people bring offerings to me"
The best part of the offering was to be burned up as an offering to Yahweh, but the priests were eating it.
"live in obedience to me."
"I will certainly not allow your family to serve me forever"
"I will lightly esteem those who despise me"
"Listen carefully to what I am about to say" or "What I am about to say is very important"
"I will kill you and all strong, young male descendants in your family"
"be any men who grow old"
"cause you to lose your eyesight" or "cause you to go blind"
"all the children born into your family"
while they are the strongest they can be
"I will cause a man to become priest"
"to serve me"
"what I want him to do and what I tell him to do"
"I will ensure that he always has a descendant who serves as high priest"
the faithful priest whom God will raise up
"so I can have something to eat"
"Yahweh did not often speak to people;"
This is the seven-candle lampstand in the holy place of the tabernacle that burned every day and night until it was empty.
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:9.
Eli speaks as if he were Samuel's father to show the need to listen to Eli. God spoke at night to Samuel when he was a small boy, telling him that he would punish Eli's family. People came from all over Israel to find out what God had to say.
"nor had Yahweh ever revealed any message to him"
"I am". Eli tells Samuel to speak to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person.
Yahweh actually appeared and stood before Samuel or Yahweh made his presence known to Samuel.
"that will shock everyone who hears it"
Someone is gently poking with small, sharp objects or someone has slapped that body part with their hand.
"absolutely everything"
"did those things which Yahweh had said he would punish those who did them."
"there is no sacrifice or offering that anyone can offer that will atone for the iniquity of his house"
"the iniquity that the people in his family have committed"
The "house" was actually a tent, but it would be best to translate "house".
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:6.
"the message Yahweh gave"
"May God punish you the same way he said he will punish me, and even more"
"he made all the things he prophesied happen"
"All the people in Israel"
"from Dan in the very north to Beersheba in the very south"
"Yahweh had appointed"
These are the names of places. This chapter begins a new section on the Ark and the Philistines. It recounts two battles between Israel and the Philistines. In both battles, Israel was badly defeated and, in the second, the Ark was captured.
"the Philistines defeated the Israelites and killed"
the soldiers who had been fighting the battle
The elders wrongly thought they knew how to make sure it did not happen again, by bringing the ark with them.
"who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
This Phinehas is not the same as the grandson of Aaron in Exodus and Numbers.
"The people, along with Hophni and Phinehas, picked up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh and carried it into the camp. When the people carried the ark into the camp"
"the people had carried the ark of Yahweh into the camp."
"they said to themselves ... They said to each other"
Because 4:8 speaks of "gods," some translations read, "Gods have come," that is, "It is gods who have come."
"There is no one who can protect us from these mighty gods."
Because the word "god" (or "God") in 4:7 is singular, many translations read "this mighty god ... the god who attacked,".
"be strong and fight"
"they defeated the army of Israel"
"his home." The Israelites were living in houses in those days.
"The Philistines also took the ark of God". When Eli's sons took the Ark into the next battle and the Philistines won the battle, they killed Eli's two sons and captured the Ark. When Eli heard the Ark was captured, he fell over, broke his neck, and died. Hearing this news, his daughter-in-law named her baby "the glory has departed.”
A way to express deep mourning in Israelite culture.
This means he was very fearful or terribly concerned about something.
"all the people in the city."
"The man of Benjamin,"
Eli speaks as if he were the man's father to show the man that he is not angry but that the man needs to answer him.
"I will now tell you something worse ... I will now tell you something worse" or "Not only has there been ... people, but your two sons"
"the Philistines have taken the ark of God"
"When the man of Benjamin spoke of"
"He broke his neck when he fell"
"the Philistines had captured the ark of God"
"pay any attention to what they said."
"she named"
The name is actually a phrase that means "no glory."
"for the Philistines had captured the ark of God"
"because the Philistines have captured the ark of God"
This is the same as the "ark of the covenant of Yahweh" in 1 Samuel 4:3.
The temple of Dagon, the god of the Philistines.
"they were very surprised to see that Dagon"
The Philistines placed Dagon in their idol temple, but it fell down because Yahweh had caused the staute to fall on it's face during the night. They repeated this for a second night with the same result. The people got sick with bubonic plague. They took it to Gath next (verse eight) and the people of Gath began dying of the plague. They took the Ark to Ekron (verse 10) and the people did not want it there. Finally they sent it back to Israel.
It was as if Yahweh were a soldier who had defeated his enemy and cut off the enemy's head and hands.
"on the threshold of the doorway of the entrance to the temple"
Here "today" means up to the day when the author was writing this book.
"the threshold of the doorway of the temple of Dagon"
"Yahweh severely judged"
Possible meanings are 1) painful swelling under the skin or 2) hemorrhoids.
"both the people of Ashdod and the people in the land surrounding Ashdod"
"the men of Ashdod understood"
"Yahweh punished"
"from the poorest and weakest men to the richest and most powerful men"
"cried out in fear"
This is the same as the "ark of the covenant of Yahweh" in 1 Samuel 4:3.
"people all over the city were afraid that they were going to die"
"Yahweh was punishing the people there very severely"
This implies that many men actually died.
"the people of the city cried out to their gods"
This chapter ends the story of the Ark among the Philistines. The Philistine leaders asked their priests what they should do with the Ark and they said to send it off with an offering. They put the Ark on a cart drawn by cows and it went straight toward Israel. When some people peeked into the Ark, God killed them. The people sent the Ark to Kiriath Jearim.
The pagan priests and diviners who worshiped Dagon.
The Philistines wanted to know how to get rid of the ark without angering Yahweh any further.
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:7.
"you must send a guilt offering"
The pronoun "you" is plural, referring to all of the Philistines.
"why he has not relieved your suffering"
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.
more than one mouse
A model is something that looks like a real thing.
"stop punishing you, your gods and your land"
"Do not be stubborn like the Egyptians and Pharaoh were!"
"refuse to obey God"
"remember that the Egyptians sent the Israelites out of Egypt."
"two cows that have calves that are still drinking milk."
Normally the cows would head back home to their calves.
It is unlikely the cows would choose to wander to Beth Shemesh when their calves are in the Philistine area.
"models of their tumors"
Lowing is the noise cows make with their voices.
"they stayed on the highway" or "they went straight ahead"
These were Israelites.
"looked up"
They used this stone as an altar when they offered the cows as sacrifices.
This happened before they chopped the cart into firewood to use in offering the cows to Yahweh.
According to the law of Moses, only the Levites were permitted to handle the ark.
"the box containing the gold models of the rats and the tumors"
These are cities with high walls around them to protect the people inside from attack by their enemies.
"The great stone ... is still there, and people remember what happened on it"
This is a man's name.
"from Beth Shemesh"
to the time at which the writer wrote the book
The ark was so holy that no one was permitted to look inside it. Only the priests were allowed to even see the ark.
"There is no one who can resist Yahweh because he is so holy!" or "Is there a priest among us who serves this holy God, Yahweh, and is able to handle this ark?"
"Where can we send this ark so that Yahweh will not punish us again?"
This was a town in Israel.
This is the name of a place.
These are the names of men.
"all of the Israelite people"
"become completely devoted to worshiping and obeying Yahweh only". Samuel told the people to get rid of all their idols and worship Yahweh alone and the people were obedient. When the Philistines heard the Israelites were all gathered together, the Philistines attacked, but God defeated them. There was a time of peace during which Samuel settled disputes between the people as the judges had done before.
"all the Israelites."
Possible meanings are 1) the people denied themselves water as part of fasting or 2) they got water out of a stream or well and poured it on the ground as an outward sign of being sorry for their sin.
"the Philistine rulers led their army and attacked Israel"
"save us from the Philistine army" or "keep the Philistine army from harming us"
a lamb that is still drinking its mother's milk.
"cried out for help"
"Yahweh did what Samuel asked him to do"
"made them unable to think clearly"
"Yahweh routed them before Israel"
To rout people is to defeat them before they can cause any harm.
This is the name of a place.
The Israelites and other peoples would place a large stone as a reminder of God's help.
These are the names of places.
"Yahweh subdued the Philistines" or "Yahweh kept the Philistines from causing harm"
The Philistines did not enter Israel's border to attack them.
"Yahweh used his power against the Philistines"
"Yahweh restored to the land of Israel the towns ... from Israel"
traveled from place to place in a rough circle.
Disputes are arguments or disagreements between two or more people.
The section including chapters 8-16 begins a new part of the story. When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to be judges. They were corrupt and took bribes, so the people came and asked Samuel to appoint a king for them. Samuel asked God, who gave them a king, but warned them what a king would be like. Despite Samuel's warning that a king would oppress them, the people still wanted one. This was sinful because they were rejecting God as their king.
"they worked hard to gain money by being dishonest"
"judged in favor of those who did evil"
"do not do the things you do" or "do not do what is just the way you do"
"Appoint for us a king like the kings of all the nations so that he can judge us". They wrongly believed that a king, and his sons after him, would rule justly.
The people did not just want him to remove his corrupt sons and to appoint honest judges, but they wanted a king.
"Do what the people say"
Yahweh knew that the people were rejecting Yahweh as their king.
This refers to Yahweh freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt many years ago.
"be very serious as you warn them"
"how the king who reigns over them will treat them." or "what the king who rules over them will require them to do."
"This is how the king who will reign over you will act"
"have them drive chariots in battle"
They will ride horses into battle.
"to make good-smelling oils to put on his body"
"fields of olive trees,"
They will have to divide the wine into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king's officers and servants.
These are the leaders of the king's army.
"you will feel as if you are his slaves"
The people will ask Yahweh to rescue them from the king or the people will ask the king to stop treating them so badly.
"he repeated them to Yahweh"
"Obey the people"
"make someone king over them."
"go home"
He was a nobleman or he was a mighty and brave man.
These are names of the men of Saul's family line.
A Benjamite is someone who belongs to the tribe of Benjamin.
The other people in Israel did not even come up to his shoulders.
"stop what you are doing and go". When the donkeys of Saul's father strayed away, Saul went looking for them but he could not find them. He asked Samuel to ask God where they were and Samuel said the donkeys had been found. He invited Saul as the guest of honor to a feast and gave him a place to sleep for the night.
These are all areas in Israel.
The words "them" and "they" all refer to the donkeys.
This is an area in Israel just north of Jerusalem.
"a man who hears and tells words from God"
"which way we should go to find the donkeys"
Giving a gift is a sign of respect for the man of God.
"1/4 of a shekel." A shekel is a type of money used in the Old Testament.
This is cultural information added by the Hebrew author.
"Seer is the old name for what we call a prophet today"
These are likely the first-fruit sacrifices, not the sin sacrifices, which must be held at the tabernacle.
A place designated as holy to make sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh, maybe outside the city wall.
The term prince is used here instead of king. He is the man whom God has chosen to be king of Israel.
"the land where people from the tribe of Benjamin live"
"from the control of the Philistines"
"My people are suffering and I want to help them"
"Yahweh told Samuel,"
"the prophet of Yahweh?"
"You should know that it is on you that all the desires of Israel are set. They are set on you and your father's family."
"I am from the tribe of Benjamin, the least important of all tribes. And my clan is the least important clan in our tribe. I do not understand why you are saying that the Israelite people want me and my family to do something important."
The writer assumes that the reader knows there was a large building in which people would eat together.
This is the seat of honor.
Possible meanings are 1) the other food that Saul was to eat along with the meat or 2) other parts of the bull.
"Then the cook said". It is possible that the cook is speaking to Saul.
This is a normal place for family and guests to eat, visit, and sleep. It tends to be cooler in the evening and at night.
"while Saul was sleeping on the rooftop, Samuel called to him and said"
"ahead of us, and when he has gone ahead, you must stay"
"so that I can tell you God's message for you"
In Israelite culture, when a prophet poured oil on someone's head, that person received a blessing from Yahweh.
a small container made from baked clay
"Yahweh has certainly anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance." This is the first chapter about King Saul.
This is the name of a place.
Saul's father is now concerned about Saul and wants to find him.
This is the name of a place.
"take from them" or "accept"
Samuel told Saul that God had chosen him to be king, and on the way home he would meet some prophets. Saul would then begin prophesying and God would give him the Holy Spirit to help him to know what to do. Samuel told everyone to come to Mizpah where he announced that God had chosen Saul to be their king.
This is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and shaken.
The phrase "rush upon" means that Yahweh's Spirit will make Saul prophesy and act like a different person.
"do whatever you think is right to do"
God enabled Samuel to think differently from the way he had thought before.
"the Spirit of Yahweh took complete control of him"
"Kish is not an important person, so it cannot be true that Saul has become a prophet!"
"It does not matter who the parents of these other prophets are. What matters is that, amazingly, Saul is speaking messages from God."
"And that is why, when people cannot believe some report, they think about what happened to Saul and say, 'Is Saul really one of the prophets?'" This became a proverb among the Israelites, that expresses surprise.
"Then the brother of Saul's father said to Saul,"
"Saul did not tell his uncle that God had appointed him to be the king of Israel."
"I brought the people of Israel out of Egypt"
"the power of the Egyptians ... the power of all the kingdoms"
Samuel is speaking of the time since Israel had begun to reject God.
"Give us a king to rule us"
"gather together by tribes and clans and come to stand before Yahweh"
"Yahweh chose the tribe of Benjamin"
"Yahweh chose the clan of the Matrites ... Yahweh chose Saul son of Kish"
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 9:2.
"the customs and rules that a king would be required to follow"
"who wanted to go with Saul because God had changed their thinking"
"This man has no power to save us!"
strongly disliked or hated
This is a man from Ammon, a descendent of Lot, Abraham's nephew.
This is the name of a place. Nahash, king of the Ammonites, and his army surrounded Jabesh Gilead. When the city's leaders asked for peace terms, Nahash demanded the right to poke out one eye of every man in order to show Israel their weakness. When Saul heard this, he called for all of Israel to help save this city. Israel was victorious and everyone wanted Saul as their king. Israel was not a truly unified country, even though it is often spoken of as one country.
"I cut out" or "I pluck out"
"bring shame on" or "bring a bad reputation to,"
This is the name of a place.
See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 10:6.
Saul was calling all the men of Israel to come fight against Nahash and the Ammonites.
Yahweh enabled people to fearfully respect Saul as their king. The men rallied together with Saul at Bezek.
This is the name of a town near Jabesh Gilead.
"They" refers to Samuel and Saul.
"before the hottest part of the day"
This was before dawn when most people were still asleep.
"made Saul king while Yahweh watched,"
Part of Samuel's service is to offer sacrifices even though he is not from the line of Aaron or Levi.
This chapter serves as a type of farewell address, which was a way for leaders to give instructions to their followers before they leave or die. Samuel first established his holiness before calling on the people to repent of their desire to have a king.
"the king's life was seen ... My life was seen"
"I stand in front of you now. I ask you to speak in front of Yahweh and his anointed king if I have done you any wrong"
"I have never stolen a prized animal from anyone."
"I have never cheated or bribed any man."
"If I have done any of these evil things, speak now, and I will pay back what I owe. I will make right any wrong"
This is a polite way of saying he has not stolen, nor has he given or taken bribes.
Samuel is calling their attention to the history of Yahweh's dealing with Israel, which has been filled with goodness and purpose. This gives the readers evidence to trust in Yahweh in their current situation.
These are names of men.
"into the power of Sisera ... Philistines ... king of Moab"
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a place.
This is an expression for God giving them over to their enemies to be their slaves.
"They" refers to the nation of Israel.
"have worshiped false gods and goddesses"
"the power or control of our enemies"
This is sometimes translated as Jerubbaal. This is a name of godly honor and strength to fight the false god.
Samuel is telling the story of what God did after the people's confession of sin and plea for help.
These are the names of some judges that God raised up. Samuel included himself in this list.
These two phrases emphasize that this is the king whom the people wanted.
These words are used to emphasize how important this is.
"Yahweh will punish you, just as he punished your ancestors"
"out in the open where all of the nation of Israel may see"
"It is harvest time and does not usually rain at this time"
Samuel is asking Yahweh to punish Israel by sending a rainstorm during the harvest which will ruin the grain.
The nation of Israel had seen Yahweh destroy the nations that had oppressed them. They were concerned that they had become "dedicated for destruction" like those nations.
"Do not be afraid that God will be angry and destroy you because of this sin"
"pursue worship of false gods,"
"So that people will continue to honor and respect Yahweh"
The people are filled with fear because of the rain and thunder that Yahweh sent when Samuel prayed. Some people may believe Samuel would use his prayers to harm them.
This chapter is the beginning of a story about Jonathan's victory over the Philistines.
The text of this verse is uncertain, so modern versions have many different translations.
This is the name of a city.
Gibeah is a town.
"He sent the rest of the soldiers home". Saul sent most of his army home before Jonathan attacked and defeated a Philistine garrison. This attack made the Philistines very angry, and they brought a huge army into Israel and camped at the top of a hill. Most of Saul's army ran away in fear and hid. Many details give the impression that Israel was unprepared for battle.
"military base of the Philistines"
The name of the town that the Philistine garrison was stationed in.
Saul was taking responsibility for Jonathan's actions or Saul was taking credit for Jonathan's actions.
"the Philistines hated the Israelites"
"Saul called the soldiers together to join him at Gilgal"
This is an exaggeration that means a group of soldiers so large that it was difficult to count them.
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of a place.
This phrase refers to the nation of Israel.
"the people worried greatly"
"according to the time Samuel had told them he would come"
"the people had started to leave Saul"
Only the line of Aaron was permitted to perform this sacrifice to God.
Samuel was giving a rebuke to Saul, who sought to defend his actions even though they were wrong.
"the command of Yahweh your God that he gave you."
Saul was to wait for Samuel to come and sacrifice the burnt offering to God. He was not to perform it himself.
"set up your rule" or "authorized your rule"
"your rule will end soon"
"a man who is the kind of person he wants" or "a man who will obey him"
"Samuel left and went up."
Gilgal is a city.
Gibeah is a town.
Raiders are normally military people who attack enemy villages for their food and other supplies.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
"No one could find a blacksmith"
This refers to someone who made or sharpened metal tools and weapons.
The words "plow points" refer to the point of a metal tool used for digging up the ground for planting crops.
These are common garden tools.
A "mattock" is a broad-bladed axe.
a curved blade for cutting grasses and grain stalks
The shekel is divided into 3 parts, 2 of 3 parts are given. "2/3 of a shekel"
"taking out the bend and making the ox goad straight again so it could be used"
This explains in part why Saul's army was afraid. They did not have any weapons to fight.
Jonathan begins his second raid on the Philistines' army, completing the story of his victory.
A teenage boy who is responsible for caring for his master's weapons of war. Jonathan took his armor bearer to where the Philistines were. They started killing the Philistines, and suddenly the Philistines began fighting each other or running away. The rest of Israel, who had hidden, came and chased the Philistines. Even though Israel had a king, God was still in control of the nation of Israel.
This is an outpost staffed by the Philistine army.
This is the name of a hill north of Jerusalem.
a tree whose fruit is thick skinned, round, red and has many seeds to eat
"Migron" is the name of a place north of Jerusalem.
"Ahitub" and "Ichabod" are names of men.
Phinehas was one of the priests. See 1 Samuel 1:3.
The cliff was well-known and given the name "Bozez."
towns north of Jerusalem
a derogatory term that the people of Israel often used to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to mean the Philistines.
"help us"
"Yahweh can win the battle"
"by any number of people"
"everything that you desire to do"
"will not go over to the other side of the valley where the Philistines are,"
"will enable us to defeat them"
"This will confirm that the Lord will be with us"
"allowed the Philistine soldiers to see them"
The Philistines implied that the Hebrews had been hiding in holes in the ground like animals.
"we will teach you a lesson."
"will enable Israel to defeat them"
"So Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and his feet because it was very steep"
"Jonathan killed the Philistines"
"Jonathan's armor bearer followed him and also killed Philistine soldiers"
An acre of land was the area that a farmer could plow in a day.
"The Philistine soldiers in the camp and in the field, and all the people with them, panicked"
"God caused the ground to shake"
This was the town where Saul was born.
These two phrases emphasize that the soldiers were running away in every direction.
A few versions have "ephod" here instead of "ark of God."
great noise and confusion
"Do not bring the sacred chest at this time"
the remnant of the Israelite army that remained with Saul
"The Philistine soldiers were striking each other with their swords"
"the Israelite soldiers who were afraid and had hidden themselves in the hills"
This is a place in Israel. See 1 Samuel 13:5.
It was understood that no refreshment was permitted under Saul's oath.
The Philistine soldiers fled through the forests and the Israelite soldiers followed them.
"there was a lot of honey everywhere"
"no one ate any"
"commanded that the people obey his oath"
"He ate some honey"
"he regained his strength"
"for Israel"
"It would have been much better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder that they took from their enemies."
This word refers to the things the people had taken from the battle with their enemy.
Because the troops were not able to eat during the battle, they were not able to kill as many of the Philistines.
This is the name of a town. See 1 Samuel 13:2.
a place in Zebulun in Israel
This refers to the Israelites.
"ate them without draining the blood first as required by the law"
"by eating meat without draining the blood first as required by the law"
Saul is accusing his whole army of acting unfaithfully though this is a generalization.
The stone would hold the animals up and make it easier to drain the blood from them.
This would allow Saul to observe if the blood was properly drained.
It is unclear if Saul built this altar with the large stone.
"let us kill every one of them"
Saul had the support of his army to continue the fight.
"Let us ask God what we should do"
"enable us to defeat them"
This implies that God was not willing to help Saul.
"find who sinned"
"Even if Jonathan my son is the guilty one, he will surely die"
"His men knew who was guilty, but none of them said anything to Saul"
"Then he said to the Israelite soldiers who were there"
"Show us by means of the Thummim". This is a borrowed word from the original language. The Israelites at that time used special stones called the Urim and the Thummim to receive direction from God.
"The lots indicated that either Jonathan or Saul was guilty, but the army was not guilty"
"Then the lot indicated that Jonathan was guilty"
"Tell me how you have sinned"
"I am willing to die"
"May God kill me if I do not kill you, Jonathan"
"Jonathan has just won this great victory for Israel. He should surely not die."
The people were expressing their certainty that they would not let anything happen to Jonathan.
"we will protect him from any harm"
"the Israelites"
"the Moabites"
"the Edomites"
"Wherever he sent his army"
"out of the control"
These are names of men.
These are names of women.
This is the name of a woman.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"all of Saul's life"
"he forced him to join his army."
"the message of Yahweh". This is the end of the section on Saul and Samuel (Chapters 8-15).
The second phrase gives specific details about what they are to destroy completely.
"Do not allow any of them to live"
"the army"
"counted them"
a nomad people group that had always been friendly to the nation of Israel.
These are the names of places.
"Saul and his army took Agag" or "Saul and his army captured Agag"
"they killed all of the people with their swords"
Samuel told Saul that God wanted him to completely destroy the Amalekite people and animals. Saul fought the Amalekites and killed all the people except the king. He destroyed the animals that were not very good but saved the best animals. Saul told Samuel he had obeyed God's command and had saved them for a sacrifice to God. Because Saul had disobeyed, God had chosen someone else to become king.
Saul disobeyed God by keeping the best of the livestock.
"Yahweh spoke this message to Samuel:"
"I am sorry"
"he has stopped following me"
"has not obeyed what I commanded him to do."
Samuel was angry with Saul for his disobedience or Samuel was disturbed.
"Someone told Samuel,"
Saul was full of pride.
Gilgal was lower in elevation than Carmel.
It is not clear if Saul understood that he had not fully obeyed God's command.
These are the sounds that these animals make.
"in my ears" refers to hearing.
"they" and "the people" both represent Saul's army. Saul is blaming the people rather than himself.
Saul is arguing that animals for sacrifice were an exception to Yahweh's command to destroy everything.
Saul here does not describe Samuel's God as his own God.
"in your own opinion"
"Yahweh made you the ruler of the tribes of Israel!"
"You should have obeyed the voice of Yahweh!"
"the things that Yahweh commanded"
"You should not have rushed to the plunder and done what was evil in the sight of Yahweh!"
"what Yahweh considers to be evil"
It is unclear if Saul thought this was true, or if he was simply making excuses for his sin.
"the things that Yahweh commanded"
This is the name of the king of the Amalekites.
This appears to be shifting the blame to the people.
"animals that Yahweh commanded them to destroy"
This is the name of a place.
"Yahweh does not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying his voice!"
"the things that Yahweh commanded"
God wanted Saul's complete obedience in the destruction of the Amalekites. Nothing in the land was fit for sacrifice.
"better than to sacrifice the fat of rams as a burnt offering"
"to rebel is as sinful as practicing divination"
"being stubborn is as bad as doing wicked things and practicing idolatry"
"Yahweh's message"
"decided that you will no longer be king"
"I have disobeyed what Yahweh commanded"
"because I was afraid of the soldiers". This is the reason Saul gives for not obeying God.
"did what they asked"
Saul and Samuel were apparently talking in private.
Samuel made it clear that Saul understood that he was disobeying God.
"refused to obey Yahweh's command"
"Saul tried to stop him by grabbing the edge of Samuel's robe"
"the edge of his robe"
"Just as you tore my robe, Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel"
God had already decided who would be the next king after Saul.
"Yahweh, who is the strength of Israel"
"will always tell the truth and do what he says"
"what he has decided to do"
"he is God, and will do what he says he will do"
Saul may have been more interested in being honored by the people than in actually worshiping God.
"before the people of Israel and the elders who lead them"
"Come back with me" or "Return with me"
"So Samuel finally agreed to do that, and they went together back to where the people were"
"Agag came to him confidently, thinking to himself, 'Surely I am no longer in danger of dying.'"
"They brought Agag to him bound by chains and Agag said"
"Since you have killed people, you will also be killed"
"killed the sons of other women, so shall I kill your mother's son"
"Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces with his sword"
These are the names of places.
Gibeah was higher in elevation than Gilgal where Saul and Samuel had been talking.
"Samuel did not see Saul again for as long as he lived,"
Chapter 16 establishes God's choice of David to be the next king. David receives the Holy Spirit to empower and guide him as the king, while the Holy Spirit leaves Saul because of his disobedience. Humans judge others by what they look like, but God judges people by their true inner character. God rejected David's older brothers in favor of David, who truly loved and obeyed him.
"Stop mourning that I rejected Saul from being king over Israel."
The term "horn" was sometimes used to refer to a "flask" that was used for anointing a king.
"I cannot go!" or "I am afraid to go."
"Take a heifer with you to Bethlehem and say to the people there"
"say to the people there that you have come to sacrifice to Yahweh."
It seems the elders were trembling because they were worried that Samuel came to rebuke them.
"Yes, I have come in peace"
To get a person ready for Yahweh's purposes by making sure they are ritually clean according to the law of Moses.
Here "they" refers to Jesse and his sons.
Here "he" refers to Samuel.
This is the name of Jesse's oldest son.
Here "him" refers to Yahweh.
Here "see" means to evaluate something.
"For I, Yahweh, do not see ... I, Yahweh, look"
Here "heart" represents a person's inner being.
This is the name of one of Jesse's sons.
"told him to go to Samuel"
"Jesse then made Shammah pass before Samuel"
This is the name of one of Jesse's sons.
"There is still my youngest son"
"we will not sit down to eat"
The word "ruddy" means David was healthy looking.
It is implied that he rose up after they sat down to eat.
The phrase "rushed on" means Yahweh's Spirit influenced David. In this case it means he enabled David to fulfill whatever Yahweh wanted him to do. See 1 Samuel 10:6.
This may refer to either a "spirit that causes trouble" or an "evil spirit."
"Please listen carefully: a harmful spirit". See 1 Samuel 9:6.
"We ask that you, our master, command"
"command us, your servants who attend to you, to search"
"troubles you"
"a great warrior" or "a very brave man."
"one wise in speech"
Here "with him" means Yahweh helps and blesses David.
"went."
"began to serve him"
"David became Saul's armor bearer"
"Let David stay in my service"
"he has found favor in my judgment" or "I am pleased with him"
"troubled Saul"
"the music would refresh Saul and make him well"
This chapter introduces David as a soldier, a skill that will be important for the rest of his life. Armed only with a sling, David defeats Goliath who is well-armed and physically strong but who did not believe in Yahweh. Trust in God is more powerful than physical might or military training and equipment.
This is the name of a place.
"about 3 meters". A cubit is equal to about 46 centimeters. A span is equal to about 23 centimeters.
"he protected himself by wearing a coat of chainmail"
"about 55 kilograms". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
A small spear that is meant to be thrown.
"the handle of his spear"
"rope rolled up into a circle"
"The point of his spear"
"about 7 kilograms"
"You are fools if you think you can fight in battle against us!"
"I am a great Philistine, and you are merely servants of Saul."
"I defy the army of Israel."
This refers to the Israelite soldiers who were there.
These words emphasize the intensity of their fear.
"He" refers to Jesse.
The two phrases are combined for emphasis.
"Abinadab the second born, and Shammah the third born."
"The three oldest sons of Jesse"
"to show that he was ready to fight"
An ephah is equal to about 22 liters.
"the captain of your brothers' unit of 1,000 soldiers"
"Check and find out how your brothers are doing"
"all the soldiers of Israel"
"whose name was Goliath,"
"stepped forward from the Philistines' battle line"
"Look at this man who has come up!"
"Our king"
The king's daughter.
The words "him" and "his" refer to the man who kills Goliath.
"will no longer require his family to pay taxes"
"stops him from disgracing Israel"
"This uncircumcised Philistine certainly has no power that he should defy the armies of the living God!"
This is an insult and indicates that Goliath does not belong to the living God. The people of Israel often used the term "uncircumcised" to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to describe the Philistines.
"Eliab became angry with David"
"You had no good reason to come here"
"You simply had the responsibility of watching over a few sheep in the wilderness. You could not even carry out that simple responsibility!"
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
"I have done nothing wrong. I was only asking a question!"
"He" refers to David and "him" refers to Eliab.
"When the soldiers heard what David said"
"Do not let anyone be terrified" or "Do not let anyone lose their confidence"
"I, your servant, will go"
"I, your servant, used to keep my father's sheep"
"used to take care of his father's sheep"
Here "him" refers to the lion or bear.
Here "it" refers to the lamb.
"it attacked me"
The "beard" refers to the lion's mane or the hair on the bear's face.
David is saying that he will be able to kill the Philistine just as he was able to kill the lion and bear.
"from the attack of the lion and from the attack of the bear"
"the power of this Philistine"
a flexible piece of body armor covered with protective scales or small plates.
"Saul's sword on the armor."
"his" refers to David.
A sling is a weapon for throwing stones.
"and his shield bearer walked in front of him."
"he hated him,"
"and healthy looking"
"You insult me by coming at me with mere sticks as if I were just a dog!"
"I will kill you, and the birds of the heavens and the wild animals of the field will eat your body"
"birds of the sky"
"with the power of Yahweh" or "with the authority of Yahweh"
"whom you have provoked" or "whom you have insulted"
"We Israelites will kill the Philistine army, and the birds of the heavens and the wild beasts of the earth will eat them"
"all the people of the earth may know"
"Yahweh can save his people without anyone's sword or spear"
"the weapons people use"
"the victory belongs to Yahweh"
"he will help us defeat you"
Verse 50 is a summary of David's amazing victory over Goliath.
"took the Philistine's sword."
"And they killed the Philistines as they chased them, and the bodies of the dead Philistines were on the ground along the way to Shaaraim"
"the Israelites plundered the Philistines' camp."
"he put Goliath's armor in his own tent."
"When Saul had seen David". This (17:55-56) happened before David killed Goliath.
"go to fight against the Philistine"
"who is this youth's father"
This was a way of swearing that what he was about to say was true.
"who the boy's father is."
"his" refers to David.
"Who is your father"
"My father is your servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite"
"your servant" to show that David's father was faithful to King Saul.
This is the first chapter of a section explaining why Saul wants to kill David. David is successful in battling the Philistines, and Saul is happy until the women give David more attention than they give him. He fears that David will replace him as king. This is potentially confusing because the author has already established that David will be the next king. It is probably that Saul feared David would kill him in order to be the next king sooner, or that he did not really believe David would be the next king.
"Jonathan committed himself to David". Some scholars believe Jonathan loved David as a man loves his wife. There is no reason to translate this as if Jonathan were a homosexual. Instead, treat this as a brotherly type of love.
"Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life"
"Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life". Here "loved" refers to the love between friends, not romantic love.
"he prospered"
"This pleased all the people and Saul's servants"
"from many of the cities throughout Israel"
"joyfully playing tambourines and other musical instruments"
A "tambourine" is a small handheld drum.
"thousands of enemy soldiers ... ten thousand enemy soldiers"
"David has killed his ten thousands"
"They have credited"
"The only thing left for him to have is the kingship."
"a spirit that causes trouble". (See 1 Samuel 16:15)
The harmful spirit influenced Saul, causing him to be troubled and act crazy. See 1 Samuel 10:6.
"a spirit caused him to speak."
"Yahweh was with David,"
"So Saul removed David from his presence"
"a commander of 1,000 soldiers". See 1 Samuel 17:18.
"David led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle"
"he feared David"
"all the people in Israel and Judah loved David"
"led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle"
"I will not be the one to kill him; I will let the Philistines kill him"
"I am nobody and neither my relatives nor my father's family are important enough in Israel ... to the king."
"husband of the king's daughter"
"when Saul should have given his daughter Merab to David"
"Saul gave her to Adriel"
Here "loved" means she had romantic feelings for David.
"they" refers to people who found out about Michal's feelings, not to David and Michal.
"so that the Philistines may kill him". Harming someone is spoken of as if it were placing one's hand on that person. Here, Saul is referring to killing David. See 1 Samuel 18:17.
"You will be the husband of my daughter"
"all of his servants admire you."
"For these reasons you should"
"It is a great matter to be the king's son-in-law, and I am too poor and unimportant for that."
"The king does not desire any price for the bride; he desires only that you bring to him a hundred foreskins"
The foreskin is a fold of skin on a man's private part that is removed during circumcision.
"to get revenge on the king's enemies"
"to have the Philistines kill David"
"David and his men gave all of them to the king"
"Saul recognized"
Here "loved" means she had romantic feelings for David.
"had more success."
"so that people greatly respected David"
Jonathan persuades Saul not to kill David, but Saul again becomes jealous and orders his servants to bring David to him to be killed. God uses Michal to save David, who flees to Samuel and they begin prophesying. When Saul sends servants to capture David, they begin prophesying. This causes Saul to go himself and he begins to prophesy.
Here "his" refers to Saul.
Jonathan greatly enjoyed being with David.
"Do not sin against your servant"
"he risked his life"
"Yahweh gave us a great victory"
"You should not sin against innocent blood and kill David without cause."
"commit the sin of murder"
"I will not put him to death" or "I will not kill him"
David was in Saul's presence,
"a spirit that causes trouble". See 1 Samuel 16:14.
throw his spear so it would go through David and into the wall,
"Saul might kill David"
Michal told David
"If you do not escape"
"someone will kill you"
Michal uses a household idol to make David's bed look like he is sleeping in it.
Possible meanings are 1) the head of the idol was lying on the goat's hair pillow and Michal dressed the idol in David's clothes or 2) Michal used David's clothes as a blanket and made the "pillow" of goat's hair look like David's hair.
"take David back to Saul"
Here "she" refers to Michal.
"If he really is too sick to come to me, bring me the bed with him in it"
The word "behold" here shows that the messengers were surprised by what they saw.
"You should not have deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped."
"I will kill you if you do not help me to escape."
"Someone told Saul"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"acting as their leader"
"When someone told Saul this"
These are place names.
"That is the reason that when people see someone doing something that is very unexpected, they say, 'Is Saul also a prophet?'"
The question became a proverb among the people.
David tells Jonathan that Saul is still trying to kill David. Jonathan promises to find out if this is true. When David misses dinner two consecutive days, Saul asks about him. Jonathan says that David went home for an annual sacrifice. Saul gets angry at Jonathan, telling him he will never be king unless they kill David. Saul throws his spear at Jonathan. Jonathan warns David to run away, but first they both promise to always be friends.
"I have done nothing wrong. I have not committed any iniquity. I have not sinned against your father. He has no reason to kill me."
"This is certainly not true"
"nothing at all"
"My father has no reason to hide this thing from me!"
"It is not true"
"I have pleased you" or "you consider me favorably"
"this will grieve him"
"I am very close to death"
David proposes a test to Jonathan against King Saul.
On the first of every month the people would celebrate and offer sacrifices to God.
"until the evening of the day after tomorrow."
"asked me if I would allow him to leave"
The word "he" refers to Saul.
"I, your servant, will have peace"
"with me, your servant ... have brought me, your servant" or "with me ... have brought me"
"Yahweh heard you when you made a solemn agreement with me that you and I will always be good friends"
"then there would be no reason for you to bring me to your father"
"This will never happen to you!"
"I would certainly tell you."
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"if my father wants to do good things for you"
"then I will certainly send to you and make it known to you"
"may Yahweh do to me whatever harm my father intends to do to you, and even more than that"
"please show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die"
"be faithful to me as Yahweh is faithful"
"David's family"
"May Yahweh use David's enemies to punish David if he breaks this promise" or "May Yahweh destroy the enemies of David."
"My father will miss you"
"the stone that people call Ezel"
The stone by which David was to hide.
These refer to the same person.
"then you, David, come"
"we know that Yahweh" or "pay attention because this is important: Yahweh."
"Yahweh is a witness between you and me" or "Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other"
"Jonathan sat across from him."
According to the law of Moses, a person who is ceremonially unclean is not to participate in the feast until the priest declares that he is clean. Saul repeats this phrase as if trying to convince himself.
"asked me to allow him to go."
"I have pleased you" or "you consider me favorably"
"your table"
"Saul became very angry with Jonathan"
"You stupid son of a prostitute" or "You stupid traitor"
"I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse ... mother's nakedness."
"to the shame of your mother who gave birth to you"
"you will not become king and will not establish your kingdom"
"You have no good reason to kill him. He has done nothing wrong."
"the second day of the new moon festival"
"he was grieving over David"
Here "him" refers to David.
"him" refers to Jonathan.
"Jonathan shot an arrow beyond the young man."
"You should know that the arrow is beyond you." or "The arrow is far beyond you."
"called out to the young man, who was running away from him, 'Hurry,"
It seems that David had hidden behind a pile of earth or stones.
David bowed before Jonathan, who was still the King's son. Also, this was the last time they met together.
"Yahweh is a witness between you and me" or "Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other"
This is the name of a place.
This is a man's name.
shaking in fear
"to do work for him". David visits the chief priest and lies to him about being on a special mission for the king. He asks for food, weapons, and prayer. The chief priest gives him some sacred bread and Goliath's sword and prays for him.
"I have told the young men to go to another place, and I will meet them there later"
"What food do you have that you can give me?"
bread that the priests have not used in worship
"Your men may eat it if they have not slept with women recently"
"we have kept ourselves from women"
"when I begin a journey"
"The young men have set what belongs to them apart"
"It is especially true today that they will set apart what they have"
"the only bread that was there was the bread of the presence"
"the bread that the priests had set apart"
"which the priests had removed from before Yahweh so that they could put"
"for some work before Yahweh" or "because Yahweh had detained him there"
"Doeg ... herdsmen, and he saw what Ahimelech did". You may need to say clearly that Doeg saw what David did.
This is the name of a man from the land of Edom.
"Do you have a spear or sword that you can give me?"
a general name for such things as swords, knives, bows and arrows, and spears
This is the name of a place in Israel.
"You know that this is David, who is as dangerous as the king of the land". David flees to Gath. The advisers to the king tell him that David is almost the king of Israel. David becomes afraid and pretends to be insane.
"You know that when the people of the land were dancing, they sang to each other about him, 'Saul ... thousands.'"
"David thought seriously about what the servants said"
"in their presence"
"You should have known not to bring him to me."
"There are enough madmen here who waste my time. You should not have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence."
"Do not allow this fellow to enter my house."
This is the name of a town near the city of Gath. There are two stories in this chapter: David gathering a group of followers and Saul having all the priests and their families killed.
heard that David had gone to hide in the cave.
"Many people who were distressed ... many people who were unhappy"
military officer who leads soldiers
"Then David went from the cave at Adullam"
This is the name of a city.
"come to stay with you," or "stay with you,"
"go to your home land of Judah". David hides in the wilderness, and people in trouble come to him. Soon he has a force of 500 men. The prophet then tells him to leave the wilderness.
This is the name of a city.
"someone had discovered where David and all the men who were with him were hiding"
"a large shade tree"
"The son of Jesse will not give you fields or vineyards."
"When David becomes king, will he give"
"He will not make you captains of thousands and captains of hundreds"
"When he becomes king, will he make you all captains"
"captains of 1,000 soldiers and captains of 100 soldiers". See 1 Samuel 17:18.
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:7.
This is a place name and the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:1.
This is the name of a man.
Ahitub prayed to Yahweh that Yahweh might help David, and Ahitub gave David.
"by giving,"
"rebel" or "fight"
"None of your servants is as faithful as David ... house."
a person or group of people who protect someone
"whom your family honors"
"This is not the first time I have prayed to God to help David."
"Absolutely not!"
"Please, King Saul, do not consider me, your servant, or anyone in the house of my father to be guilty. For I know nothing"
"to all my father's family"
"your father's family"
"the soldiers standing nearby to protect him"
"Go and kill"
"they also help David"
"did not do anything to kill" or "refused to kill"
"Doeg the Edomite and his men turned and attacked ... they killed"
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:7. Doeg tells Saul that Ahimelech the priest gave David food and a sword and prayed for him. Saul accuses the priests of encouraging David to rebel, which is a serious accusation because the priests are God's representatives and are rebelling against God's king if true. Saul has the priests and all their families killed except those who escape to David.
"They also killed with the sword ... they killed with the sword"
"the people in the city of Nob"
This is a man's name.
"fighting against the people of Keilah". David rescues the town of Keilah from the Philistines who are stealing the harvest. Saul goes to Keilah to capture David, but David flees to the wilderness near Ziph. When David goes deeper into the wilderness, Saul follows but he has to leave to fight the Philistines who have invaded the land. Saul's pursuit of David shows that Saul cares more about killing his enemies than pleasing God.
separating the grain or seeds, generally from a cereal plant or wheat by some mechanical means
"We will be even more fearful if we go to Keilah to fight the armies of the Philistines."
These words are all singular, though David's men helped him do all these things.
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:1.
"Someone told Saul"
Saul probably told his officials to gather the soldiers. He did not call with a loud voice to get them to come.
"all his soldiers"
"David prayed"
"I have indeed heard"
make the city so no one could live in it and kill all the people who live there
"as I have heard ... tell me"
"give me over to Saul"
"David prayed"
"give me and my men over to Saul"
"had run away from"
This is the name of a deserted area near the city of Ziph.
"did not allow Saul to have power over David" or "did not allow Saul to capture David"
"try to kill him"
This is the name of city near Ziph.
"encouraged him to trust in God"
"For Saul my father will not find you"
This is the name of the people group from Ziph.
"David is hiding among us in ... Jeshimon!"
This is in the wilderness of Judah.
"the Judean Wilderness" or "the wasteland.". This is a desert area near the Dead Sea.
"give David to you so you can do whatever you desire with him"
"I hope that Yahweh blesses you"
"you have been kind to me"
"Know for sure"
"who saw him"
"People tell me"
"among all the clans of Judah"
They stopped what they had been doing. The reader should not believe that they were sitting or lying.
"Then the Ziphites"
This is a deserted area around the city of Maon in southern Judah.
"Someone told David that they were coming"
"Come quickly"
"chasing David, trying to catch him"
"Rock of Escape." This was a memorial or marker of David's escape from Saul.
"someone told him". Even though Saul tries again and again to kill David, David does not avenge himself on Saul because God had chosen Saul as king. This is meant to contrast with Saul's treatment of David, the future king. Saul represents the king the people wanted, a selfish man. David is the king God wanted, a godly man.
En Gedi is a place in Israel west of the Dead Sea where there is water with dry land all around it.
men whom he had chosen because of their superior military abilities
"sheep corrals"
"relieve himself" or "defecate"
generally a natural hole, often with an opening in the side of a hill or cliff
"David took action; he quietly crept"
approached slowly, carefully or quietly
"David was sad because he had done something wrong"
"the one whom Yahweh has chosen to lead his people"
"to harm him in any way"
"You should not listen to the men who say, 'See, David is seeking to harm you."
"you have seen with your own eyes"
"put you where I could kill you or allow you to live"
Saul was not David's real father. David calls him "father" to show that he respects Saul.
"I have done no evil deed against you, nor have I rebelled against you"
"I will not harm you in any way"
"people who lived long ago"
"Let me tell you who the king of Israel has come out after. Let me tell you who it is that you are pursuing."
"You are pursuing a person who is as powerless as a dead dog"
"You are pursuing a person who is as unimportant as a flea"
"do what is right, and plead my cause" or "see that my cause is right and fight for me."
"so that you have no power over me"
Saul speaks as if David were his son to show David that he loves him.
"wept loudly"
Saul acknowledges that David did show that he supported King Saul and was loyal to him.
Saul acknowledges that David chose to show mercy and demonstrated his loyalty to King Saul as Yahweh's anointed.
"For if a man finds his enemy, he will not let him go safely."
Saul learns that even though David will be king, he will not take the throne by force, but will wait for Yahweh.
"the kingdom of Israel will prosper as you rule the Israelite people" or "you will have complete rule over the kingdom of Israel"
The word "hand" represents power or control.
"you will not kill my sons and their families." It was common for a new king who was not from the previous family line to kill off all the children to prevent any of them from challenging him for the throne.
"you will not destroy my family and descendants"
"David and his army,"
A large number of the people of Israel were probably there, but some were probably unable to attend.
"met together"
in his home town of Ramah or on his family's land in Ramah or in his house in Ramah.
"David and his men moved on and they went down"
"There was a very wealthy man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel."
This is the name of a town.
This is the name of a town. This is different from Mount Carmel.
"shaving the wool off his sheep"
"Now the man was a descendant of the house of Caleb. His name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings."
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a woman.
"He was a descendant of the family of Caleb"
"greet him as I would greet him if I were there."
"I desire that you possess many good things as long as you live"
"I desire that peace may come to you, your household and your possessions"
"your shearers have sheep to shear." David wants Nabal to understand that his sheep were well because David's men helped guard them.
"we kept them and all their property from harm"
"may you be pleased with my young men"
David was expressing respect toward Nabal by calling his men Nabal's servants.
David spoke as if he were Nabal's son to show that he respected Nabal, who was an older man.
"David's army"
"told Nabal that this message had come from David,"
"This David, son of Jesse you speak of—I do not know him." or "I do not know who this David is, so I will not do as he says. I do not know who Jesse is, so I do not care what happens to his son."
"running away from"
"bread" is an idiom for any kind of food.
"men when I do not know where they have come from"
"that Nabal had said"
"said to his army". When David decides to kill all of the men in Nabal's household, Abigail convinces David to leave the revenge to God.
"'Every man, prepare for war.' And every man prepared for war. David also prepared for war"
They remained at their base camp to prevent other raiders from stealing their possessions.
"One of Nabal's servants found out what David and his men were planning to do, so he went to Nabal's wife Abigail"
"We were safe"
"we did not lose anything when we were with them." David's men kept animals and people from stealing.
David's men were like a wall around a city that protects the people in the city from their enemies.
"someone is plotting to do evil things to you"
"loaves of bread"
"that someone had already cooked"
"grain that someone had cooked"
"cakes of raisins"
Possible meanings are 1) into a low, narrow stream bed or 2) to where the men were hiding.
David said these things before he said, "Every man strap on his sword" in 1 Samuel 25:13.
"he still has everything that was his"
David said these things before he said, "Every man strap on his sword" in 1 Samuel 25:13.
"May God do so to David."
"all the people who belong to him"
Abigail was being humble and showing that she would obey David because he was a powerful leader.
"hear"
"David ... me ... my words." Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people.
"Do not regard ... I ... your young men"
"But if I ... had seen ... whom you sent, I would have given them food"
"David ... you"
murder
"taking vengeance yourself instead of letting Yahweh do it"
"I hope that Yahweh will punish your enemies ... as he will punish Nabal"
"please let my master give this present, which your servant has brought to my master, to the young men"
"these gifts." The "present" was actually many different things.
"I have ... you ... you"
"my trespass ... you ... you are"
"Yahweh will ensure that my master always has a descendant who serves as king"
"fighting against Yahweh's enemies"
"you will never do anything evil"
chase and try to catch
"Yahweh your God will keep you alive with those who are alive"
"your life"
"he will kill your enemies as easily as a man slings a stone a long distance"
a piece of animal skin with long cords in which a person can put a stone and throw it a long distance
"you"
"Your action will not cause you the grief or the troubled heart that pouring out blood needlessly or trying to avenge yourself would cause you.”
"Your action will not give you sorrow or guilty feelings" or "You will not do something that causes you to regret what you did and to feel guilty"
"that you have killed innocent people"
"you ... you ... yourself ... you ... me"
That is, when Yahweh actually makes him king after Saul's reign is over.
David accepts Abigail's counsel and gifts.
"I praise Yahweh ... who"
"I thank Yahweh because he has blessed you by making you wise and because"
"murder". The same word appears in 1 Samuel 25:26.
"by my own actions"
"I would not have left to Nabal even one male baby"
"accepted all the gifts that she had brought"
"have listened to what you have told me"
dawn.
Nabal was very happy.
Nabal was no longer drunk and so was no longer feeling happy.
Nabal was unable to move because he was no longer physically healthy, probably because he had suffered a stroke.
"I praise Yahweh"
"has defended me after Nabal insulted me"
"has kept me from doing evil deeds"
"has done to Nabal what Nabal planned to do to me"
"on him"
"sent men to speak to Abigail and tell her that David wanted to take her to be his wife"
The reader should understand that she was probably already standing and "arose" refers to deciding to bow down.
"See, I will serve you, the servants of my master David, by washing your feet"
"quickly did what she needed to do to prepare for the journey, and then she rode"
Abigail was riding a donkey, but the servant girls were walking.
This event took place before David married Abigail.
This is the name of a woman.
This event took place before David married Abigail.
This is the name of a woman.
These are names of men.
This is a town north of Jerusalem.
"David is hiding ... Jeshimon!"
"from which we can see Jeshimon"
"the Judean Wilderness". This is a desert area near the Dead Sea. See 1 Samuel 23:19.
"Then Saul took action and he went"
men whom he had chosen because of their superior military abilities
"from which they could see Jeshimon"
"David took action and he went"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of woman.
David and his men were probably on higher ground than Saul.
"I want to be the one who goes down"
"God has given you complete control over your enemy". David has another opportunity to kill Saul but he refuses to kill the one God had chosen as king. This contrasts with Saul, who tried to find David and kill him.
"kill with a spear"
"I will kill him the first time I strike him"
"No one can strike Yahweh's anointed one and be without guilt."
"as certainly as Yahweh lives," or "as surely as Yahweh lives,"
"he will die a natural death"
"do anything to harm"
David includes Abishai, so the word "us" is inclusive.
"Answer me, Abner!"
"David spoke as loudly as he could"
"You are a very brave man."
"You are the greatest soldier in Israel."
"Therefore you should have kept watch over your master the king!"
Saul wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father.
"My master has no reason to pursue his servant."
"You know that I have done nothing to harm you."
"What have I done wrong?"
"you my king, listen to my words"
"caused you to be angry with me"
"I will give him an offering and hope he will accept it so he will no longer cause you to be angry with me"
"for they have today driven me out. It is as if they want me to stop clinging to the inheritance of Yahweh. It is as if they have said to me, 'Go worship other gods.'"
"so that I will no longer trust that Yahweh will give me what he has promised me"
"you have"
"do not kill me."
"this single flea"
"Return to serve me in my palace" or "Return to your home."
"today you have considered my life to be very valuable"
"been very foolish"
"Yahweh placed me where I could easily have killed you"
"give what is proper to each man"
"the one he has chosen to be king"
"so may Yahweh consider my life very valuable as well"
"May Yahweh bless you"
"David thought to himself". This begins a section about David living with the Philistines.
"escape from him". David moves to the Philistine city of Gath. This is a type of exile David creates for himself, caused by his lack of trust in God. This is the same reason his descendants would come to be exiled.
"David took action; he passed over"
"passed over the border between Israel and Philistia"
These are the names of men. See 1 Samuel 21:10.
This is the name of a woman. See 1 Samuel 14:50.
This is the name of a woman. See 1 Samuel 25:3.
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 25:3.
"Someone told Saul"
"If I have pleased you" or "If you consider me favorably"
"please give me a place."
"one of the towns outside the city"
"I am not important enough to live here with you in the royal city."
David speaks as if he were another person to show that he respected Achish.
This is the name of a city in the southwest part of Judah.
attacking and taking property many times
A people group who apparently lived somewhere between Philistia and Egypt.
"on the way most people travel to Shur". A region on the northeast border of Egypt.
the king of Gath, which is one of five Philistine city-states.
a clan from the tribe of Judah
a people group who lived in the land of Midian
"to fight against Israel."
"Very well, I will go with you so that you will know ... Very well, I will make"
David probably wanted Achish to think that David would kill many Israelites, but this could also mean that David was planning to kill Philistines instead. Try to translate so that the reader can see both of these possible meanings.
The word "you" refers to David and so is singular.
a person who protects another person
The writer provides background information to prepare the reader for the events that follow.
"expelled ... from Israel"
"those who talked with the dead and those who talked with spirits." If your language has one word for those who talk with the dead and one word for those who talk with spirits, you should use those words here.
"gathered all his armies in Israel together"
These are names of places.
"he was terrified"
The high priest carried the sacred lots called Urim and Thummin in his breastplate, next to his heart.
This is the name of a place. Talking to the dead was against the law of Moses. God or the Holy Spirit left Saul because of his sin and would not help him.
Saul disguised himself because the way was through land that the Philistines were living in. He traveled all day and reached the woman after the sun had gone down.
Saul was requesting that the woman call on the familiar spirit she used to contact the dead and have that spirit call up the spirit of the dead person Saul would name.
"those who talked with the dead and those who talked with spirits." See 1 Samuel 28:3.
"me"
"a judge". See 1 Samuel 7:15.
"made another person king in your place"
"Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to you and the people of Israel"
"will be dead"
"Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to the army of Israel"
Saul had not eaten during the night before he traveled from Gilboa to Endor , nor during the day as he journeyed, nor during the night on which he visited the woman.
"Someone could kill me because I listened"
"my voice"
"Saul would not do what they asked,"
"forced him,"
a calf that has been grown and fed for a special feast
She mixed flour and oil, working and rolling the mixture thoroughly with her hands.
"divided their men into groups; some groups had one hundred soldiers and some groups had one thousand soldiers"
The groups of hundreds and thousands passed on first, then Achish and his helpers, and then David.
"You should not have allowed these Hebrews, our enemies, to be here with us."
"You should know that this is David ... these years. I have found ... this day."
"Do not let his army join with our army against our enemies"
"The best way for David to make peace with his master would be by killing our soldiers!"
"You should not trust David—he is the one of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, 'Saul ... ten thousands'!"
"It is good that you go everywhere with me and my army"
"you, my master and king". It is unclear whether David wanted to go into battle with the Philistines. He would have been fighting against Saul, but he also would have been fighting against Israel's soldiers.
"however, the princes"
Achish is speaking of Saul.
Ziklag is a city in the southern part of Judah where David and his men kept their families.
the Amalekites
"both unimportant people and important people"
"they saw that someone had burned it and taken their wives ... captive"
"Ahinoam from Jezreel"
"Nabal the man from Carmel"
women's names.
"all the people were ready to rebel against David"
"David took courage because he knew Yahweh his God would help him"
"David prayed that Yahweh would tell David what David should do"
"kept chasing them, trying to catch them"
They were tired from their own raids and now in pursuit of the Amalekites.
He was left there to die from the raiding party.
David questioned the Egyptian slave.
a group of armed warriors who attack people or places unexpectedly
"you will not ... violate the trust I have in you by allowing my master to control me again"
the time just after the sun goes down until the sky is dark
"The only ones who escaped were four hundred young men"
"got back ... got back." Your language may have a word for a person getting his own property back from the person who stole it that is different from the word for a person getting his wife back from those who have captured her.
"saved his two wives from danger"
"None of the items the Amalekites had stolen were lost"
See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 30:2.
goods that the Amelekites had stolen.
a small stream or creek named Besor.
spoke to them in a friendly way
"we have gotten back"
"No one will listen to you in this matter."
"as what belongs to anyone who goes"
"will make sure that all receive the same amount"
the people who supported the warriors by managing and guarding their supplies
belongings that the soldiers left behind when they went into battle
This is the name of a town.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
This is the name of a town.
These are the names of people groups.
These are names of towns.
The writer has finished telling the story of David that began in 1 Samuel 30:1, and now he tells about the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. This battle starts in 1 Samuel 29:11.
"against the people of Israel". This is the end of the section on Saul, but the book continues in 2 Samuel 1.
This is the name of a mountain.
"chased Saul and three of his sons".
These are names of men.
"Saul's army began to lose the battle"
The armor bearer carried the large shield and other weapons. He protected the commanding officer during a battle.
"these men who have not been circumcised"
"would not do what Saul had told him to do"
"killed himself with his own sword". Saul receives his punishment from God.
take the armor and weapons off the dead Israelites' bodies
A mountain range overlooking the Valley of Jezreel in northern Israel, south of Nazareth.
"to speak the news inside the temples and to the people"
ancient false goddesses and idols, also called "Asherah" or "Astarte"
attached, probably with a large spike or nail
the name of a city
This is the name of a town. See 1 Samuel 11:1.
"how the Philistines had dishonored Saul"
"a large shade tree". See 1 Samuel 22:6.
This is the name of a city in the southern part of Judah.
"After three days"
In this culture, tearing one's own clothes and putting dirt on one's head was an act of mourning.
This was an act of showing submission to David, who was now the king of Israel.
Possible meanings are 1) "Many were wounded and many were killed" or 2) "Many were wounded and killed."
This statement emphasizes that the man did not plan to meet Saul.
Possible meanings are 1) Saul was weak and using the spear to support himself or 2) Saul was attempting to kill himself by falling on his own spear.
These are the same people David just finished attacking in 2 Samuel 1:1.
"I am suffering terribly"
"I am still alive"
"he would die anyway"
David and his men tore their clothes as a sign of mourning for the death of King Saul.
"for the Israelite soldiers"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"they had died in battle" or "enemies had killed them in battle"
The man had already stated that he is an Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1:8. David apparently asks the man to confirm this because of the serious judgment that David was going to pronounce on the man.
"You should have feared Yahweh and not killed his anointed king with your own hand!"
This refers to Saul.
"yourself" or "personally"
"killed him."
"You are responsible for your own death" or "You have caused your own death"
"you have testified against yourself"
This was the title of the song.
"the Book of the Upright"
"Your glory" refers to Saul.
The phrase "the mighty" refers to both Saul and Jonathan.
The word "fallen" here means "died."
Gath and Ashkelon are two of the Philistines' major cities. The Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan.
This phrase refers to people who do not follow Yahweh, such as the Philistines.
David speaks directly to the "Mountains of Gilboa" as if they were listening to his song.
David curses the ground where King Saul died in the battle. This was out of reverence for Saul, who was God's anointed king.
The "mighty" here refers to Saul. The shield was defiled because it fell on the ground, and because the king's blood was shed on it.
"No one will care for Saul's shield anymore"
Saul and Jonathan are shown here to have been fierce and valiant warriors.
Saul's sword is spoken of as if it were a living thing that could return on its own. Rather than return empty, it was carrying the blood of Saul's enemies that it killed.
"even in death they were together"
"The mighty men have died in battle"
"Jonathan has died in battle" or "The enemy has killed Jonathan"
David continues to address this part of the song to the mountains of Gilboa as he started in 2 Samuel 1:21.
Here "brother" is used in the sense of a very close friend.
Here "love" is used in the sense of friendship and loyalty. Jonathan's loyalty to David was even greater than the loyalty a woman has for her husband and children.
"After David mourned the deaths of Saul and Jonathan in battle"
"travel to one of the cities of Judah"
"David traveled to Hebron with his two wives"
In this symbolic act, they poured oil on David's head to show that he was selected to be the king.
"the tribe of Judah"
This is the name of a town in the region of Gilead.
"Now may Yahweh show you that he loves you without ceasing and is faithful"
They buried Saul.
"be strong"
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a place.
These are the names of places.
"the tribe of Judah obeyed David as their king"
Here "house" is used to mean "tribe."
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a man.
"they both died"
This is a name given to remind people what happened there.
"Then the others started to fight also. It was a very fierce battle that day"
These are the names of men.
"Asahel could run very fast"
This small, four-legged animal, with two long horns on its head, runs very fast.
This is the name of a man.
"followed him wherever he went"
"Stop chasing me ... stop chasing Abner"
"fight with another soldier and take his equipment as plunder"
"I do not wish to kill you"
"I would be too ashamed to look at your brother, Joab"
This means to "halt" or "stop chasing."
This refers to the handle, which is not sharp or designed to pierce anything.
These are the names of places.
"Abner shouted" or "Abner yelled"
"We do not need to keep using our swords to fight and kill each other."
"You know very well that there will be a terrible result if this continues!"
"Stop this now so that Israelites will not have to kill each other!"
"With God as my witness" or "God will affirm that I mean what I say"
Joab spoke about what did not happen to show how good it was that Abner said what he said. Because Abner said what he said, Joab would tell his soldiers to stop chasing their brothers.
Trumpets were used to signal orders to the armies across great distances.
"did not continue to chase the Israelite soldiers"
These are the names of places.
"his men" or "his fighting men"
"David's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
This phrase means "from the tribe of Benjamin."
"carried Asahel's body with them"
"they arrived at Hebron by dawn the next morning"
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here Samuel gives information about the war between David and the supporters of Saul.
Here "house" is used to mean "supporters."
This metaphor means the number of people supporting David increased.
This metaphor means the number of people supporting Saul's family decreased.
"David's wives gave birth to six sons"
This is the name of a woman, a wife of David.
These two sons were born after the "firstborn" (verse 2). This is the numerical order of David's sons.
These are women's names. They are the wives of David.
These are men's names.
This is the numerical order of David's sons.
These are the names of David's sons.
These are names of David's wives.
This is the numerical order of David's sons.
This is the name of one of David's sons.
This is the name of one of David's wives.
This refers to Saul's family and supporters who assumed control of his estate after he died.
This refers to the supporters of David.
"Abner gained more power over the family and supporters of Saul"
These are names of women.
This is a male name, a son of Saul.
"You did not have the right to go to father's concubine!"
"had sexual relations with"
"Am I a traitor for Judah?" or "I am not a traitor working for David!" )
"to be defeated by David"
"You should not think that I have slept with this woman!"
"I am asking God to punish me if I do not"
This phrase refers to the authority of David as king.
"This land rightfully belongs to you!"
"I will assist you"
"you cannot see me unless you bring Michal to me first"
This is the name of a daughter of Saul. She was David's first wife.
This represents the number of men David killed so that Saul would allow him to marry Michal. These men are represented here by their "foreskins." The "foreskin" is the fold of skin that covers the male reproductive organ.
Paltiel was Michal's second husband. Saul gave her to him after David fled from Saul.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a village.
"So now make David your king"
"I will empower my servant David and"
"the power of the Philistines"
"the power of all of their enemies"
Both of these statements refer to the descendants of Benjamin, who were one of the tribes of Israel.
The number of men who came with Abner.
This phrase means "all of the nation of Israel."
They parted as friends. David was not angry with Abner.
"David's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
These are items taken from the enemy.
Abner had already left to return home.
"someone told Joab"
This is a man's name. He is the grandfather of Saul.
"You should not have done this!"
"Abner was here and you let him leave!"
"Surely you know ... everything you are doing."
"Sirah" is the name of a place where the well was located.
"the death of Asahel"
This is the name of a male person.
"the death of Abner" or "the murder of Abner"
"always cause suffering for Joab and for all his father's house"
"all the descendants of Joab's father"
"May Joab's house always have someone"
"dies violently"
"is hungry"
These are the names of men.
These were symbolic actions to demonstrate their grief and sadness.
The words "wept" and "cried loudly" mean basically the same thing and emphasize how much David mourned for Abner.
"Abner should not have died in disgrace!"
"You were in no way a criminal in prison" or "You were completely innocent of doing wrong"
"wicked men"
"Many people came"
"I am asking God to punish me if"
"It is certainly true that a great prince has died today in Israel!"
This is the name of a man.
"are too much like animals" or "are too violent"
This is the name of a man.
"Ishbosheth became weak" or "Ishbosheth lost all strength"
This introduces the men Baanah and Rechab into the story.
Here the author begins to provide background information about Beeroth for the reader. The area of Beeroth was part of the land that belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.
This is the name of a place.
This phrase means "unable to walk."
This was the age of Jonathan's son at the time of his father's death.
This refers to the news about their death.
This is a woman or girl who is hired to care for young children.
This explains how Mephibosheth was injured so he was unable to walk.
This is the name of Jonathan's young son, the grandson of Saul.
the middle of the day, the part of the day when it is the hottest
"cleaning chaff from wheat"
"was trying to kill you."
"I swear on the life of Yahweh"
"who rescued me"
"You are even more guilty! It is my duty to require his blood from your hand and to remove you from the earth."
These were symbolic actions to show contempt for the men.
"they honored Ish-Bosheth by burying his head in the grave"
"we are of the same family"
These two clauses mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh had chosen David to be king.
"You will care for my people Israel" or "You will rule over my people Israel"
To "anoint" is a symbolic act to show that they recognized that God had chosen David as king.
"If you come here, even the blind and the lame will be able to turn you away"
"those people who cannot see and those who cannot walk"
"David said to his soldiers, 'Those who want to get rid of the Jebus people"
These words could be either 1) a literal reference to people who are truly lame and blind or 2) it speaks about the Jebusites inside the city of Jerusalem as if they were all weak and handicapped.
This is the name of a man.
those who work with wood
those who work with stone or brick
"he had more sons and daughters" or "they bore him more sons and daughters"
These are the names of David's sons.
"that his wives bore for him" or "he had"
These are the names of David's sons.
These are the names of David's sons.
"Israel had anointed David as king"
"the Philistine army went looking for him"
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of a place.
"Yahweh has overwhelmed my enemies like a flood overwhelms the land"
They "came up" because the Philistines lived at a lower elevation than David's stronghold.
This is the name of a place.
"Balsam" here is a type of tree, and the "woods" describe many balsam trees growing together.
"When the wind blowing through the tops of the balsam trees sounds like men marching"
These are the names of places.
This represents the army of the nation of Israel.
"from Baalah in Judah to take to Jerusalem the ark of God"
Jerusalem was higher than almost any other place in Israel, so it was normal for Israelites to speak of going up to Jerusalem and going down from it.
Yahweh's name was written on the ark.
"who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
These are names of men.
"all the other Israelites with him"
A tambourine is a musical instrument like the head of a drum with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken or hit.
musical instruments with many small, hard objects inside a hard shell, making rhythmic noise when shaken
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
This is the name of a man.
Here the "anger of Yahweh" is spoken of as if it were fire.
It was a sin for Uzzah to touch the ark because Yahweh had commanded that no one should touch the ark.
This is the name of a place. Translator may add a footnote that says, "The name 'Perez Uzzah' means 'the punishment of Uzzah.'"
This means to the time when this was being written, not to the present time in the twenty-first century.
"I am too afraid to bring the ark of Yahweh with me to Jerusalem."
This is the name of a man.
Here "him" refers to Obed-Edom the Gittite.
"people told King David"
"Obed-Edom and his family"
Dancing here is a form of joyfully worshiping Yahweh.
a cloth made from fibers of the flax plant
Michal was the daughter of King Saul and also David's first wife.
"she looked at him with disdain" or "she sneered at him"
"to Yahweh"
To bless "in the name of Yahweh of hosts" means to bless with Yahweh's power and authority or as his representative.
a baked sweet bread made with dried grapes
This is an ironic statement. Michal means the opposite of what she said, and she does not believe David acted honorably. Michal speaks disrespectfully to King David about his dancing attire and behavior.
"in front of the slave girls"
Michal is comparing David to vulgar and foolish men.
Here "your" refers to Michal.
Here "the people of Yahweh" and "Israel" mean the same thing.
"I will consider myself humiliated" or "I will consider myself a fool"
"But the slave girls of whom you have spoken will honor me"
"was never able to bear any children"
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"caused the enemy people groups to stop attacking Israel"
"I am living in a strong, permanent house"
"the ark of God is staying in a temporary place"
"do what you think you should"
Here "with you" means God is helping and blessing David.
"Yahweh gave a message to Nathan. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to Nathan:"
"You will not build a house for me"
Here the word "house" means a temple. Later Yahweh will say that he will build a house for David, but there the word "house" means a family. If your language has a word that can express both ideas, use it here.
"I never said, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar.'" or "I never said anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel. I never said, 'You should have built me a house of cedar.'"
The referent of "whom I appointed" is "anyone," not "tribes." Of those from the tribes of Israel whom he had appointed to shepherd, he had told none to build him a house.
"tell my servant David that I took him ... so that he would be ruler over my people Israel"
"I have been with him wherever he went. I have cut off all his enemies from before him. Now I will make his name great, like the name of the great ones of the earth"
Here "name" represents a person's reputation.
"I will choose a place"
Yahweh causing the people to live in the land permanently and securely is spoken of as if he would plant them in the land.
"no one will ever trouble them"
"from the time"
After the people of Israel entered the land of Canaan and before they had kings to rule them, God appointed leaders called "judges" to lead them in times of trouble.
"to rule my people Israel"
"Now I will give him rest from all his enemies ... Yahweh declares to him that Yahweh will make him a house"
"I will make all your enemies stop attacking you"
Here "house" refers to David's ancestors continuing on as the rulers of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:4 Yahweh asked David if he would be the one to build a house for Yahweh. There "house" represented a temple. If your language has a word that can express both ideas, use it here and in 7:4.
These two phrases have similar meanings and are combined for emphasis. They both are polite ways to refer to death and dying.
Yahweh appointing David's descendant is spoken of as if Yahweh would raise or lift him up.
This is an idiom that means the person will be David's descendant.
"I will make him to be a very powerful king"
"a permanent dwelling for me"
"I will make his rule over Israel to last forever"
The prophecy in 7:12-14 refers to Solomon, David's son. But, aspects of the prophecy will be fulfilled by Jesus. So, here it is best to translate the words "father" and "son" with your normal words for a biological father and son.
"I will never stop faithfully loving him as I stopped loving Saul"
"from before David. David's house ... before him."
"You will live to see me establish your family and their rule over the people of Israel forever"
"I will cause your descendants to rule over Israel forever"
"all these things." This refers to what Yahweh had said.
"he told him about everything Yahweh revealed to him"
"My family and I are not worthy of this honor, Lord Yahweh."
"in your judgment"
"my family"
"and what will happen to them in the future"
"me"
"There is nothing more I can say to you."
"Because of what you promised to do"
"to accomplish what you planned to do"
"to me"
"as we ourselves have heard"
Here "we" refers to David and the nation of Israel.
"There is no nation like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom you, God, went and rescued for yourself."
"to make all people know who you are"
"for your people"
Here "nations" represents the people groups that were living in Canaan.
Here "now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"may you do what you promised to me and my family, and may your promise never change"
"me and my family"
Here "name" represents Yahweh's reputation.
"my family"
"is secure because of you" or "continues because of you"
"to me that you will build me a house"
Here "house" represents David's family.
"I trust what you say"
"you will continue to bless my family forever"
"my house" or "my family"
"David and his soldiers attacked"
"Then they defeated"
Here the "line" is a "rope." David had the soldiers lie down on the ground to be measured and sorted into three groups. The men in two groups were killed, and in the third, they were allowed to live.
"David and his army then defeated the army of Hadadezer"
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a region in Aram.
"to regain control over a region" or "to recapture a region"
This is a practice where the tendons in the backs of the legs are cut so that the horses cannot run.
"set aside enough" or "saved enough"
"David and his soldiers killed"
"ordered large groups of his soldiers to remain in Aram"
"David's soldiers took"
"King David's soldiers took"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a place.
"David's army had defeated"
These are the names of men.
"and the Amalekites"
These are the valuable items that soldiers take from the people they defeated.
"David was very famous"
This is the name of a place. Its exact location is unknown.
See how you translated these names in 2 Samuel 2:13.
"Ahilud was the herald"
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of people-groups. These people were David's bodyguards.
They were probably officials who advised David on matters to do with the kingdom and not involved in temple worship.
"because of my love for Jonathan"
Jonathan was Saul's son and David's best friend.
This is the name of a man.
Ziba calls himself "your servant" to show great respect to David.
"I may be kind as I promised God I would be"
"who is unable to walk"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
See how you translated this in 2 Samuel 4:4.
"because I loved your father, Jonathan"
"you will always eat with me"
"I am like a dead dog. I do not deserve for you to be kind to me."
"must always eat with me"
"I, your servant will do all that you, my king, command me to do"
This is the name of the son of Mephibosheth.
"All of Ziba's family"
"he always ate with the king at his table"
These are the names of men.
"You are wrong to think that ... you!"
to secretly learn information about someone else
"You need to know that David ... overthrow it."
"in order to conquer us"
Here "the city" refers to Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites.
This act was meant as an insult to humiliate the men.
Here "deeply" means "very."
It is understood that they should return to Jerusalem.
"they had become offensive like a bad smell to David"
These are the names of places.
Here "the city" refers to Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites.
"He put Abishai his brother in charge of the rest of the army"
"for us, then you, Abishai, and your army must rescue us"
"from Abishai and his soldiers"
Here "the city" refers to Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites.
"returned to Jerusalem"
"when the Arameans realized that the Israelites were defeating them"
These are the names of men.
This means the east side of the Euphrates River.
Here "came to" can be translated as "went to" or "gathered at"
This is the name of a place.
"When David heard about this"
"assembled all the army of Israel together"
"against David and his soldiers and fought them"
"David and his soldiers killed"
"The Israelites wounded Shobak the commander of the Aramean army, and he died there"
"realized that the Israelites had defeated them"
"at the time of year"
"David sent Joab, his servants, and all the army of Israel to war"
"the Ammonite army"
This is the name of a city.
"So it happened" or "So it came to pass." The author uses this phrase to introduce the next event in the story.
"a woman who was bathing in the courtyard of her house"
"So David sent a messenger"
"the messenger asked the people who knew her about who she was"
"This is Bathsheba ... and she is the wife of Uriah the Hittite."
"they brought her to him"
"she came into the place where he was"
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. You may need to use a different euphemism in your language.
The Israelites considered a woman unclean when she was bleeding from her womb, and she needed to wash herself after the bleeding stopped. The bath she was taking in 1 Samuel 11:2 may have been this ritual bath.
"she sent a messenger to David, and the messenger told David that she was pregnant"
"Then David sent a messenger"
"if Joab was well, if other soldiers were well, and how the war was progressing"
"Go to your house"
"rest for the night"
"the king sent someone to take a gift to Uriah"
The word "his" refers to Uriah and the word "master" refers to David.
"After coming from such a long journey, you should have gone down to your house."
"the armies of Israel and Judah"
"It would be wrong for me to go into my house ... with my wife while the other soldiers in my army are in danger."
"I solemnly promise that I will not do this"
"Uriah ate and drank with David"
"sent Uriah himself to deliver it to him"
"very front of the battle line where the fighting is the worst"
"command the soldiers to back away from him"
"he may be wounded and die"
"his army surround and attack the city"
"David's servants were killed" or "they killed some of David's servants"
"including Uriah the Hittite" or "and the men of the city also killed Uriah the Hittite"
"Joab sent a messenger to David to give a report"
"You should not have gone so near to the city to fight. You should have known that they would shoot from the wall."
"shoot arrows at you from the top of the city wall"
"Remember how Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth was killed!"
This is the name of a man. His father is also know by the name Gideon.
"Remember he died at Thebez when a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the top of the wall."
a heavy stone that would roll, used to crush grain for making bread
"from the top of the city wall"
This is the name of a city.
"You should not have gone so near the wall!"
"the city gate"
"their shooters shot arrows"
"they killed some of the king's servants"
"king's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
"they killed your servant Uriah the Hittite"
"for one man can be killed by a sword the same as another man" or "for any man can die in battle"
"Fight even stronger"
"she lamented very much" or "she lamented greatly"
a deep feeling of sadness caused by suffering, disappointment or misfortune
"David sent a messenger to her to bring her home"
"saddened Yahweh" or "angered Yahweh"
"the only thing the poor man had was one little ewe lamb ... raised" or "the poor man had a little ewe lamb ... raised, and which he loved more than anything else he owned"
a female lamb
"he loved it as much as if it were one of his daughters"
"for his visitor to eat"
"David became furious with" or "David became very angry with"
This means that David spoke angrily to Nathan.
"I declare, as surely as Yahweh lives"
"to be killed" or "to die"
The amount the rich man was required to pay back to the poor man was to be four times what the little lamb cost. "He must pay the poor man four times the price of the lamb"
to feel sadness and love for someone who is suffering or hurt or not loved
"out of Saul's control" or "from Saul's control"
"your master's wives as your own"
"I also gave you authority as king over the people of Israel and Judah"
"if I had not given you enough"
"You should not have despised ... Yahweh and should not have done what is evil in his sight!"
"what he considers to be evil" or "what is evil in Yahweh's judgement"
"You have arranged for Uriah the Hittite to die in battle"
"You arranged for him to die in battle against the army of Ammon"
"some of your descendants will always die in battle"
"from among your own family"
"While you are watching"
"he will have sexual relations with your wives"
"openly" or "and everyone will see what is happening"
"before all the people of Israel" or "and all the people of Israel will know about it"
"forgiven"
"You will not die" or "you will not die because of this sin"
to strongly dislike or hate someone or something
"your child who will be born"
"Yahweh afflicted the child that ... and he was very sick" or "Yahweh caused the baby that ... to become very sick"
"David's child, who Uriah's wife gave birth to"
to beg or pray with strong desire
"went inside his room"
"and urged him to get up from the floor"
"It happened"
"he did not listen to us"
"the seventh day after he was born"
This is used to get people's attention. Alternate translation: "Listen"
"We are afraid that he may harm himself if we tell him that the boy is dead!"
"were speaking very quietly to each other"
"David understood"
"David got up"
"No one knows whether or not Yahweh will be gracious to me so that the child may live."
"Now that he is dead it would be of no use to fast any longer."
"I cannot bring him back to life."
"When I die I will go to where he is"
"he sent Nathan to tell him"
This is another name for David's son Solomon, which Yahweh chose for him.
"Joab and his soldiers fought ... they captured"
"the people of Rabbah"
"So Joab sent messengers to David to say to him"
"have taken control of the city's water supply"
"My soldiers and I have fought ... my soldier and I have taken"
"if my soldiers and I take"
"besiege" or "surround"
"take control of it ... take control of the city"
"people will name it"
"David and his soldiers fought"
"about 33 kilograms"
a rare gemstone such as a diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, or opal
"They placed the crown on David's own head"
"they brought out"
valuable things taken from a defeated enemy
"large amounts"
"David commanded his soldiers to bring out the people"
These are tools to cut wood or break up the ground.
ovens where bricks are dried and hardened
"all the people of the cites of Ammon"
"It happened after this." This phrase is used to introduce a new event to the story.
"Amnon was so frustrated with desire for his sister Tamar that he felt sick"
These are the names of men. Shimeah was David's brother.
crafty or deceptive
in an emotional state of extreme unhappiness
"Will you not tell me why you are depressed?" or "Please, tell me why you are depressed."
"have her serve it to me herself"
"she may serve it to me to eat"
This means he gave a false appearance of being ill.
"in front of me because I am sick"
"David sent a messenger"
a thick mixture of flour and liquid used for baking
used her hands to mix the dough
"in front of him" or "in his presence"
"So everyone left him"
"and serve it to me"
"have sexual relations with me"
"do not force me to have sexual relations with you"
"If you do this, I would have to endure shame everywhere I go"
"He hated her even more than he had loved her"
"It would be very evil to make me leave! It would be even worse"
"lock the door so that she cannot come back in"
"put ashes on her head and tore her beautifully decorated garment to show that she was very sad. Then to show her grief, she put her hands on her head"
"Has Amnon your brother slept with you?"
"do not tell anyone about this"
"Do not worry about what has happened"
This means that she did not marry.
"did not speak"
These are people who cut the wool from sheep.
This is the name of a place.
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: your servant"
Absalom is calling himself "your servant" to show respect.
It was customary for people in Israel to have a party after they had sheared their sheep.
Although he is talking to his father the king, he calls him "the king" instead of "you" to show respect for him.
The oldest son could often represent his father in Israelite culture. Amnon was David's oldest son.
David knew that Amnon was not Absalom's friend.
"Absalom begged David for Amnon to come"
"the rest of the king's sons"
"Do not be afraid that you will be blamed for killing the king's son"
"I have commanded you to do this." or "I will be the one guilty for killing him because I have commanded you to do this."
"not commanded you to kill him"
This refers to the king's sons who left the celebration.
"travelling along the road"
"that someone came and reported the news to David saying"
"Then the king stood up"
"tore his clothes, and threw himself on the floor grieving"
"and tore their clothes, mourning with the king"
"My master, do not believe"
Jonadab calls David "my master" to show respect.
This is a polite way of saying that Amnon raped his sister.
"my master the king, do not"
"worry about this report"
"who was guarding" or "who was guarding at the city wall"
"looked up"
"cried out"
These are the names of men.
"for his son Amnon"
"King David longed"
"because he was no longer grieving about Amnon being dead." This refers to three years after Absalom fled to Geshur.
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 2:13.
"sent someone with a message to Tokoa and had him bring a wise woman back"
This is the name of a place.
"someone who has died"
"she showed her respect to the king by lying facedown on the ground"
"One of my sons hit the other son with something"
"my entire family"
To show respect for the king the woman refers to herself as "your servant."
"kill him"
"if they did this, they would be destroying our family's heir"
"In this way they will kill the only child I have left"
"no son to preserve our family's name"
"on the earth." This descriptive phrase emphasizes that the family line would not continue on earth after the husband died. "The surface of the earth" refers to the ground on which people walk.
"I will take care of this matter for you"
"if anyone blames you for helping our family, may my family be considered guilty instead"
"The king and his descendants" or "The king and his family"
"will be innocent regarding the matter"
"threatens you" or "speaks threats to you"
"I will make sure he does not threaten you again"
"Please promise in the name of Yahweh your God"
"the man who wants to avenge my son's brother's death"
"cause anyone else to die." This is in addition to the brother who already died.
"that they will not kill my son" or "that they will not execute my son"
"I promise you, as surely as Yahweh lives" or "In Yahweh's name I promise"
"your son will be completely safe"
"talk about something else to." The woman is requesting to speak to the king about another topic.
"You may speak to me"
"What you have just said proved that you did wrong."
"the king has declared himself guilty"
"his son whom he banished"
"We all must die, and after we die we cannot be brought back to life again"
"to be allowed to return"
"I have come because the people have made me afraid"
"out of the control of the man"
"the message of my master the king"
"for the king is like an angel of God because they both know how to tell good from evil"
"Please tell me the truth about everything I ask you"
"Has not Joab influenced you in all this" or "Did Joab send you here to speak these things"
"As surely as you are alive." Here the woman compares the certainty of what David has said to the certainty that he is alive, to emphasize how true his statement is.
"no one can keep you from knowing the truth"
"anywhere at all" or "anywhere"
"you are very wise, like an angel of God"
"Then the king summoned Joab and said to him"
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully:
"what you want me to do"
Joab did this to honor the king and show his gratitude.
To show respect for the king Joab refers to himself as "your servant."
"you are pleased with me" or "you have approved of me"
"because the king"
"you have done what I asked you to do"
"but he may not see me ... the king"
"people praised Absalom for his handsomeness more than they praised anyone else"
good and pleasing appearance, especially of the face
"There were no blemishes on any part of his body"
"two and a half kilograms"
The king had weights that determined the standard weight of the shekel and other weights and measurements.
"Absalom had three sons and one daughter"
"the king"
"Absalom sent a messenger to Joab asking him"
"to come to him and to intercede for him so that he could see the king"
"So Absalom sent a messenger to Joab again with the same request"
"I sent a messenger"
"to say to the king on my behalf" or "to ask the king for me"
"bowed low to the ground to honor the king"
This implies that the king forgave and restored Absalom. The full meaning of this can be made clear.
This phrase is used to introduce the next event in the story.
"with fifty men to run before him to honor him"
When a man would respond to Absalom's question he would refer to himself as "your servant" to honor Absalom.
"Absalom would ask him what his problem was, and the man would then explain to Absalom why he sought justice. Absalom would then say to him"
"to judge your case" or "to oversee your case"
"greet him as a friend by embracing him and kissing him"
"who came to the king for him to judge over their disputes"
"In this way, Absalom convinced the men of Israel to be loyal to him"
"fours years after Absalom had returned to Jerusalem, he"
"to Hebron and there fulfill a vow that I have made to Yahweh"
Here Absalom refers to himself this way to honor the king.
"So Absalom left"
"throughout the land of the tribes of Israel"
"a ram's horn being blown"
"who he had invited"
"went innocently"
"he sent a messenger to go get Ahithophel who was"
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a place.
"The men of Israel are loyal to" or "The men of Israel are following after"
"escape from Absalom and his men ... he and his men will quickly ... and they will bring"
"will attack the people of our city and kill them with their swords"
This means to cause disaster to happen.
"to care for the palace"
"at the last house as they were leaving the city"
"his soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
This is the name of a man.
"You do not need to go with us."
"I do not want to cause you to wander around with us."
"Since you have lived here only a short time"
"may Yahweh love you without ceasing and be faithful to you"
"I solemnly promise that as surely as Yahweh and the king live"
Ittai refers to himself this way to honor the king.
"even if I get killed supporting you"
"All the people along the road wept" or "Many of the people wept"
This is the name of a place near Jerusalem.
"Yahweh is pleased with me"
"where it is kept"
This is the name of a man.
"You will be able to find out what is happening."
"Listen"
"until you send a messenger to me to inform me"
"to tell me what is happening in Jerusalem"
wearing no shoes or sandals
"his head covered in mourning"
people who join together against someone else
"please let whatever advice Ahithophel gives be foolishness and unsuccessful"
"at the top of the hill"
"where people once worshiped God"
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a people group.
"He had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head to show that he was very sad"
"you can serve me by opposing Ahithophel's advice"
"Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there to help you."
This is a generalization. It means all of the important and insightful things that he hears, not every single word he hears.
These are the names of men.
"their sons to tell me"
This is a man's name.
"cakes of bread"
These phrases refer to raisins or figs pressed together.
dried grapes
"a wineskin full of wine"
tired and weak
"Mephibosheth, your master's grandson"
the son of one's son or daughter
"Listen"
"the people of Israel"
"will allow me to rule the kingdom that my grandfather ruled"
"I will humbly serve you"
"I want you to be pleased with me" or "I desire you for to be pleased with me"
These are the names of men.
"the king's officials"
"even though there were"
"soldiers and bodyguards"
"murderer"
"Yahweh has punished"
"for killing many of Saul's family"
"in whose place you have reigned as king"
"into the control of Absalom"
"This worthless man must not speak to the king this way."
"I do not want to know what you think!"
"He may be cursing me because"
"No one then can ask him, 'Why are you cursing the king?'"
"wants to kill me"
"Of course this Benjamite desires me to be killed!" or "I am not surprised this Benjamite desires to kill me!"
"Do not stop him from cursing me"
"will consider"
Here David speaks of misery as if it were a dangerous animal that the Benjamite unleashed on him.
Shimei was walking parallel to David and his men, though Shimei was up higher on the hillside.
a strong feeling of support and love
"You have been a loyal friend to David; you should have gone with him."
"you are the one whom ... you are the man ... with you"
"I should serve only David's son, so I will serve in his presence." or "I should serve you, for you are David's son."
"Have sexual relations with your father's concubines" or "Lie with your father's concubines"
"to take care of the palace"
"become offensive to your father" or "greatly insulted father"
"The news of this will strengthen the loyalty of all who follow you"
"they set up"
"where the Israelites could see him go into the tent"
"Now people trusted the advice of Ahithophel in those days in the same way they would have trusted it if had come"
"as if God had said it with his own mouth" or "as if a man heard it spoken by God himself"
"both David and Absalom viewed all of Ahithophel's advice"
"was thought of"
"begin to"
"come to"
"will surprise him and make him afraid"
"I will kill only the king"
"and they will come happily, like a bride is happy when she comes to her husband" or "and they will come happily"
"under your authority"
"they are angry, like a mother bear whose cubs have been take from her" or "they are very angry"
a large furry animal that walks on four legs and has sharp claws and teeth
"has fought in many battles"
a deep hole in the ground
"or hidden in some other place"
"when his soldiers kill some of your men"
"Many of the soldiers who follow Absalom have been slaughtered" or "The enemy soldiers have killed many of the soldiers who follow Absalom"
"who are as brave as lions" or "who are very brave"
"that you should gather together all of the Israelite soldiers"
"from the whole nation of Israel"
"so many that they can barely be counted"
"then lead them yourself into battle"
This means to purposefully go to where he is and then to attack.
"we will overwhelm and completely defeat David's army"
the fog or misty cloud of water that can fall onto the ground during the night, covering the ground and leaving it wet in the morning
"We will kill every one of his men"
"David himself"
"then all of our soldiers"
"will destroy the city and drag the stones to the river with ropes"
"until the city is completely destroyed"
"for the men of Israel to reject Ahithophel's good advice"
"to cause a disaster to happen to Absalom"
See how you translated these men's names in 2 Samuel 15:24.
This phrase, meaning "like this," refers to what Ahithophel advised Absalom earlier beginning in 2 Samuel 17:1.
A ford is a shallow part of a river where people can walk across. The word "wilderness" here probably refers to the Arabah, the land along both sides of the Jordan River.
"be sure to" or "make sure that you"
"the king will be killed"
"When she brought them a message"
This is the name of a place.
"Jonathan and Ahimaaz found out what the young man had done, so they went away"
This is the name of a small town.
"they lowered themselves and hid"
These were probably soldiers, not house servants.
"the man's wife"
"It happened." This phrase marks the next event in the story.
"cross quickly over the river"
"has advised that Absalom send him with an army to attack you now"
"By morning daylight every one of them had crossed over the Jordan"
"Ahithophel knew" or "Ahithophel realized"
"Absalom had not followed his advice"
placed a blanket or small leather seat on the donkey so he could sit on it
"prepared for his death"
"And this is how"
"they buried him"
These are the names of men.
This word means that the person is descended from Ishmael. Some versions say "Israelite" here. See the footnote. You may want to choose the word that is used in the majority language Bible in your area.
"who had sexual relations with Abigail" or "who lay with Abigail"
These are the names of women.
These are the names of cities or places.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of people groups.
A mat is something soft to sleep on, and a blanket is a cloth covering for warmth.
crushed grain made into powder and used to make bread
cooked with dry heat
seeds that are cooked and eaten
a kind of seed that is cooked and eaten
milk that has soured and become solid
in need of water or some other drink
"David commanded for the soldiers who were with him to be counted and he appointed" or "David arranged the soldiers who were with him and appointed"
"captains of large military divisions and captains of smaller military divisions"
A captain is a person who is in authority over a group of soldiers.
"one-third of the army ... another third of the army." A "third" is one part out of three equal parts.
This refers to a person from Gath, which is a Philistine city.
"I myself will go with you to battle" or "I personally will go with you into battle"
The word "half" refers to one out of two equal parts.
"they would rather kill you than to kill 10,000 of us" or "killing you is worth more to them than killing a great number of us"
"that you stay here in the city and send help to us"
"For my sake, do not harm the young man, Absalom." The phrase "Deal gently" means to be kind to someone and not to harm them.
"my well-being" or "my account"
"went out into the countryside and fought against Israel"
"against the Israelite soldiers"
"There the servants of David defeated the army of Israel"
"David's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
an event where many people are brutally killed
"dangerous things in the forest killed more men than David's soldiers killed with their swords"
"During the battle, Absalom happened to meet some of David's servants"
"his hair was caught in the tree branches"
hanging or swinging loosely
"in the air"
"Listen"
"You should have struck him down to the ground!" or "You should have killed him immediately!"
"ten silver coins" or "110 grams of silver"
This is a special belt that shows people that someone is a great soldier and should be honored.
"1,000 silver coins" or "11 kilograms of silver"
"would not have attacked the king's son"
"No none must harm" or "Do not harm"
"doing something that is wrong" or "by disobeying the king"
"there is nothing that the king does not know" or "the king hears about everything that happens"
"I will not waste anymore time talking to you"
"chest"
"armor and weapons"
"Then Joab blew the ram's horn to call back the army, and the army returned from pursuing Israel"
"returned from pursuing the Israelite army"
"They took Absalom's body and threw it"
"they covered his body with a huge pile of stones"
"while all the Israelite soldiers ran away"
"his own home." The Israelites were living in houses at this time.
This is the name of a place.
"to carry on my family name, by which people would remember me"
"so people called it Absalom's Monument from that day on"
"run to tell the king the good news"
"the control of his enemies"
"the one who tells the news"
"you will not tell the news to the king"
Joab is telling him to go and tell the king about the news of the battle.
"looked out beyond the city"
"he has news to tell us"
"He bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground to honor the king"
"Praise Yahweh." Here "bless" means to praise.
"the men who opposed and fought against my master the king"
This means that people were acting as though things were not right.
"opposed"
"I would like all your enemies ... to die the way that young man died"
"was very unhappy" or "was trembling with grief"
"Listen, the king is weeping"
"So instead of celebrating victory that day, the whole army mourned"
"in the same way that people who had run away from battle would sneak away because they were ashamed"
"The king showed his grief by covering his face"
"You have caused all your soldiers to hide their faces in shame today" or "You have caused all of your servants to be ashamed today"
"are worth very little to you"
Joab imagined how David would have felt if Absalom had lived and if all the men who had fought to help David had died. He said this because he was angry that David was still mourning for Absalom.
"I swear, as surely as Yahweh is alive"
"only if you go will any of your men remain with you" or "if you do not go, all of your men will leave you"
"not one man will remain loyal to you"
"many of the men who were there heard others saying"
"Listen, the king is sitting"
"And every Israelite soldier fled" or "And all of the Israelite soldiers fled"
"his home." The Israelites were living in houses in those days.
"from under the control of our enemies" or "from our enemies' control"
"from under the control of the Philistines" or "from the Philistines' control"
"out of the country fleeing from Absalom"
"we should be talking about bringing the king back."
This refers to David.
"sent a messenger to Zadok and to Abiathar"
"You should have been the first to favor the king and bring him back to the palace, not the people of the nation of Israel."
"since all Israel speaks favorably about the king and desires to bring" or "since what the people of Israel are saying is in the king's favor, to bring"
"to restore the king's authority as king"
"You are my brothers, and we have the same flesh and bone" or "You are my brothers, my close relatives"
"You should have been the first, not the last, to bring back the king."
"my relative"
"May God kill me"
"he won the loyalty"
"and they were united together" or "they were united in their loyalty to the king"
"They sent a messenger to the king"
This is the name of a man.
"at the place where the king was"
"remember"
Here Shimei refers to himself this way to humble himself before the king and honor the king.
"not be bothered by it" or "forget about it"
"Shimei should be put to death because he cursed Yahweh's anointed."
"the man that Yahweh has anointed as king"
"We have nothing in common with you, you sons of Zeruiah! You have no good reason to become my adversaries today."
"No person will be executed today in the nation of Israel, because today I am the one who is king over all of Israel."
"Will any man be killed" or "Will I order any man to die"
Possible meanings of this rhetorical question are 1) "I know that I am still king of Israel." or 2) "Today I am the one who is king over Israel!"
"He had not cared for his feet." Mephibosheth's feet were crippled. This phrase means that he had not taken proper care of his feet.
"Why did you not go with me when I left Jerusalem, Mephibosheth?"
"my master the king is as wise as an angel of God"
"do what you believe to be the right thing to do"
"all my father's house deserved for my master the king to order them to be executed"
"my father's relatives"
"Therefore, I have no right to ask the king to do anything else for me."
"You do not need to explain this any further." or "You certainly do not need to say any more."
the Jordan River
"had provided what the king needed"
"I am certainly not going to live many more years. There is no good reason for me to go up with the king to Jerusalem."
"I cannot distinguish between what is desirable and what is not."
"I cannot enjoy the taste of what I eat and drink."
"I cannot hear well the voices of singing men and singing women."
"Your servant should not go with you and be a burden to you."
"I do not know why the king would repay me with such a great reward"
This is the name of a man.
"where my father's and my mother's graves are" or "where my father and my mother are buried"
"Let him cross over the Jordan"
"Kimham will cross the river with me"
"crossed over the river to Gilgal"
"All the army of Judah and half the army of Israel escorted the king over"
"It is not right that our brothers, the men of Judah, who did not support you as king, had the privilege of bringing you and your family back across the Jordan River."
"taken you away from us"
"But you have no reason to be upset about this."
"The king has never paid for our food, and he has never given us any gifts."
"we have more right to serve the king and to be with the king than you do"
"You should not have despised us!"
"We were the first to suggest that we bring back the king!"
"the men of Judah spoke even more severely than the men of Israel did"
This refers to the town of Gilgal.
These are names of men.
"The inheritance of David and his father's family does not belong to us" or "We are not a part of David and his father's family"
"his home."
"to take care of the palace"
"in a house and put a guard there"
"he did not have sexual relations with them"
"they were shut inside the house"
These are women whose husbands have died.
"hurt us more"
"my soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
"chase after"
"he and his men will hide in fortified cities" or "he and his men will take refuge in fortified cities"
"from us"
These are the names of people groups who helped to protect King David. See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 8:18.
"When Joab and the men of Judah were"
a strip of leather or other material used to hold clothing or weapons in place
This means the sword was in its protective covering.
"he allowed the sword to fall on the ground so Amasa would think he was unarmed"
Amasa was the son of the sister of Joab's mother.
This was a common way for men to greet one another.
a short sword that is easy to hide and was often used for close-in fighting and assassinations
"intestines spilled"
"he who supports David" or "he who is loyal to David"
"Amasa lay dead in his blood"
"all the people stood still staring at the dead body ... came by him stood still, staring at his dead body"
"he carried Amasa's body"
"After the man took Amasa off the road"
"pursuing"
"Sheba and his army" or "Sheba and his men"
The names Both Abel and Beth Maakah refer to the same place and may be combined. It is a city near the tribe of Dan.
This is the name of a people group.
"Joab and the soldiers caught up with him"
"against the city wall"
"were doing all they could to break down the wall."
The repetition of "Listen" strengthens the woman's plea.
The woman refers to herself as "your servant." This is a polite way to speak to someone with greater authority.
"that advice would solve the problem"
"most peaceful and faithful cities in Israel"
"city that everyone in Israel respects like they would their mother" or "city that is very important and that Israel respects"
"You should not destroy the city that is Yahweh's inheritance!"
"Truly, truly, I would never"
"that I should swallow up or destroy your city" or "that I should swallow up or destroy the inheritance of Yahweh"
"has opposed" or "is rebelling against"
"Hand this man over to us" or "Give this man to us"
"We will withdraw from the city"
"We will throw his head"
"Then the wise woman spoke to all the people"
"his home."
"Joab had authority over ... Benaiah son of Jehoiada had authority over"
"Adoniram had authority over"
This is the name of a man.
"the slave workers"
This is the name of a man.
They were probably officials who advised David on matters to do with the kingdom and were not involved in temple worship.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a people group.
He was probably an official who advised David on matters to do with the kingdom and was not involved in temple worship.
This means David prayed to Yahweh for an answer about the famine.
Saul had killed many Gibeonites, and Saul's descendants are guilty because of this sin.
Here "Now" marks a stop in the main story. This gives background information about the Gibeonites.
"What can I do to remove this sin, so that you may bless the people of Yahweh, who inherit his goodness and promises?"
"Money will not solve the problem"
"who made plans against us"
"allow your men to give seven of his descendants to us"
"we will execute them by hanging"
Saul was from the town of Gibeah.
"the one whom Yahweh chose"
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan.
Rizpah was a woman and her father was Aiah.
These are names of men. This is not the same Mephibosheth as the son of Jonathan.
This is the name of a woman.
This is the name of a people group.
"He gave them to the Gibeonites"
"The Gibeonites put them to death"
"Someone told David"
Jabesh is a town in the region of Gilead.
This is an area near the city gate where people did various kinds of business.
This is the name of a place.
See how you translated the name of this place in 2 Samuel 1:6.
"whom the Gibeonites executed by hanging"
This is the name of a town in Benjamin.
This is the name of a man.
"Saul's father"
This is the name of a man.
"300 shekels." This is about 3.4 kilograms.
Abishai and Zeruiah are names of men. See how you translated these names in 2 Samuel 2:18.
The "lamp of Israel" is a metaphor that refers to David's leadership and the idea that if David were to die, the people of Israel would have no clear direction.
This is the name of a town.
These are names of men.
These are names of people groups.
This people group was known for its giant warriors.
These are names of men.
These are names of people groups.
This means Goliath's spear was larger than a normal spear.
"24 fingers and toes altogether"
These are names of men. Shimeah was David's brother.
"David and his servants killed them"
A fortress is built of many large rocks. This means Yahweh has the strength to protect his people from harm.
All of these metaphors are symbols of God's strength and power. They emphasize God's ability to protect and save his people.
David compares the wicked men who wanted to kill him to flood waters that are about to drown him.
This is a picture of fast-flowing flood waters that destroy everything in their path.
David speaks about death and Sheol as if they are people who are trying to trap him as a hunter traps an animal.
"In my great trouble"
David is referring to the heavenly temple where Yahweh dwells. The earthly temple has not yet been built.
David speaks of Yahweh as if he had ears.
This is Yahweh's response to David's cry for help from his enemies. David uses the imagery of the earth shaking to emphasize Yahweh's terrible anger.
David speaks of the two extremes to include everything in creation.
David speaks of Yahweh as if he had these humans parts.
"The flame from his mouth set coals on fire" or "He also sent burning coals from his mouth"
David uses the imagery of fire coming from Yahweh to emphasize Yahweh's terrible anger.
David describes Yahweh's way of saving David from his enemies as a storm cloud gathering over a place. This emphasizes God's power and his anger.
David speaks of God as having feet like humans.
In the original language the word translated here as "seen" is uncertain. Some other translation have "He flew."
This expression speaks of the wind as if it were a bird.
David describes Yahweh's way of saving David from his enemies as a storm cloud gathering over a place. This emphasizes God's power and his anger.
"He hid himself in the darkness"
Possible meanings are 1) "Out of his bright light he sent burning coals" or 2) "From his brightness he sent lightning"
David continues describing Yahweh, whom he compares to a storm, coming to save him from his enemies. This emphasizes God's power and anger towards David's enemies.
David describes Yahweh doing these actions a person would do.
David compares the lightning from Yahweh's storm to arrows that a soldier would use.
"People could see the deepest part of the sea"
David compares his enemies to a flood that threatens to drown him.
David's enemies were overwhelming. He praises God for delivering him from all his enemies.
"My enemies fought against me when I was in great trouble"
"but Yahweh supported me" or "but Yahweh helped me"
This refers to a place where there was no danger and his enemies could not trap him.
"because I obey his commands"
Here "the ways of Yahweh" refers to how Yahweh wants his people to act. This means David has done what Yahweh commands.
This means David constantly reads and thinks about God's decrees.
This refers to choosing not to sin against Yahweh.
Here "perverse" means to be cunning or crafty, and "twisted" means to turn away from what is good and right. This means God is wise in how he deals with wicked people.
This means Yahweh watches the proud person.
"you destroy their pride" or "you make them no longer proud"
This means he gives David light and helps him to see when things seem hopeless.
Here "troop" may refer to a group of soldiers or to a stone wall. Either way it means God enables David to defeat his enemies.
"I can climb over the wall that surrounds their city"
"Everything Yahweh says is true"
This emphasizes God's power to protect his people.
"Yahweh alone is God. Our God alone is a rock."
Yahweh keeps the blameless person safe and removes anything that may harm him.
Yahweh gives David the strength to move quickly and provides secure places for protection and rest.
Both of these refer to David.
Only a very strong man could use a bow made from metal.
David compares Yahweh's power to save him to a shield that protects a soldier from his enemy.
God answered David's prayers and granted him blessings and success over his enemies.
Yahweh has put David in a safe place where his enemies cannot trap him. Here he refers to himself by his "feet" to emphasize his ability to stand securely.
"chased my enemies"
"I completely destroyed them like a wild animal devouring its prey"
Here "feet" refers to the power and control of victory over his enemies.
"You gave me strength for battle"
"you helped me defeat those who fought against me"
Possible meanings are 1) David seeing the backs of the enemy as they run away or 2) David putting his foot on the back of his enemy's neck after he defeats him.
"I completely destroyed"
The time for Yahweh's judgment had come upon them.
This means that David completely destroyed his enemies. These two phrases "like dust on the ground" and "like mud on the streets" have a similar meaning and are used for emphasis.
This refers to those among the Israelites who rebelled against King David.
"You placed me as ruler over the nations." Here "nations" refers to other nations besides Israel.
"A foreign people"
"Foreigners bowed down to me"
"May everyone praise my rock. May everyone exalt God"
David compares Yahweh to a rock to emphasize his power to protect his people.
"the one who puts the people of other nations under my rule"
"you saved me from my enemies and gave me honor"
"from those who want to harm me"
"name" refers to Yahweh's reputation.
This refers to what David will say in 2 Samuel 23:2-7.
"the man whom the God of Jacob highly honored and anointed"
Anointing was done by pouring oil on a person's head. This was done to choose who would serve God as king or priest.
This is a person who writes psalms or songs.
by David
"he gave me a message to speak"
David compares God to a rock to emphasize his power to protect his people.
These two sentences both say that the king will respect God and do what God wants him to do.
"He will be a delight to all"
This means God's covenant is properly organized and will not change so David's family can trust it.
"because no one can pick them up with his hands without the thorns hurting him"
"Where thorns are found, that is where they must be burned." This means God will destroy wicked people.
"Josheb-Basshebeth, a descendant of Tahkemon"
"The Israeli army returned to the battle field after Eleazer had already won the battle"
"only to take what they wanted from the dead bodies of the enemies"
"a field where someone had planted lentils"
a flat seed, eaten like beans
"the Israelite army ran away"
These are not the same three soldiers mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:8-12.
"the 30" or "the thirty bravest Israelite soldiers." The full meaning of this statement can be made clear.
"cave near the town of Adullam." Adullam is near Bethlehem.
"in his protected place"
"some Philistines soldiers were controlling the village of Bethlehem"
"fought their way through the enemy army"
"Drinking this water would be like drinking the blood of those men who have risked their lives to bring it to me."
These are the names of men. Translate them as in 2 Samuel 2:18.
This means Abishai was the leader of the three who went and got water for David.
"He was almost as famous as the three bravest men"
"He was even more famous than the three."
This refers to Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shimeah. Abishai was not as famous as these soldiers.
This is the name of a city.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a man.
"people praise him like they praised Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shimeah"
"He was more famous than the other 30 soldiers except for the three best soldiers"
a group of soldiers in charge of guarding David
"there were 37 total"
"the anger of Yahweh started to burn like a fire"
"he caused David to oppose them"
In the law of Moses, God prohibited the kings of Israel from taking a census of fighting men. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
This phrase uses two place names Dan, in the far north, and Beersheba, in the far south, to represent the entire country.
This means to count all the men except those men who are either too young, too old, or physically unable to fight.
Joab and the other commanders of King David's army were not able to convince David to not take a census.
"what the king had commanded"
"Joab and the commanders of the army crossed"
This was a city on the northern edge of the Arnon River.
This is a town in Gad.
This may refer to the town of Kadesh in the land of the Hittite people.
"Joab and the commanders had gone"
"Then Joab told the king the total number of men ready for battle"
This refers to the northern tribes of Israel.
This metonym refers to the men who were ready to fight in the army.
This refers to the southern tribe of Judah.
"David felt guilty"
David refers to himself as "your servant." This is a polite way to speak to someone with greater authority.
"Yahweh gave a message to the prophet Gad, David's seer. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to the prophet Gad, David's seer:"
This means Gad was the official prophet in the royal palace.
"I am in terrible trouble"
"Let Yahweh and not people punish us"
This is the time God decided he would stop the plague.
"Yahweh felt grieved about the harm"
"Do not harm them any longer"
This is the name of a man.
A threshing floor was a hard, flat surface where edible grain was separated from chaff.
"I have sinned terribly"
"These ordinary people have done nothing wrong."
"Please punish me"
He was showing deep respect and honor to the king.
"so that Yahweh will remove this plague from the people"
"what you think is good" or "what is good in your judgement"
heavy boards used to separate grain from the rest of the wheat plant
"I will only offer ... something that I have paid for"
"50 shekels." A shekel is 11 grams.
"on behalf of the people of Israel"
"God confined the plague that had been on Israel" or "God took the plague away from Israel"
1 Kings is a continuation of 2 Samuel. This chapter records the beginning of the reign of Solomon (chapters 1-11) after the death of David. David did not announce who was to succeed him and because of this, there was fighting between David's sons over who should be king. Adonijah invited guests to a banquet and declared himself king. Then those favoring Solomon told David and he declared Solomon the new king.
"very old."
"So the king's servants searched"
This is a woman's name.
a person from the city of Shunem
"King David"
"the king did not have sexual relations with her"
Haggith was a wife of David.
"began to boast"
These are men who drive chariots pulled by horses, going ahead to clear the way and protect the king.
"had never wanted to make him angry, so he never even asked him"
"You should know that what you have done is wrong."
David was the father or both Absalom and Adonijah, but they had different mothers. Absalom was born, then Adonijah.
"Adonijah discussed his plans with Joab"
These are names of men.
"supported and helped Adonijah" or "promised to support and help Adonijah"
These are names of men.
"calves that were given plenty of food so that they would be fat" or "young cows that were specially prepared for sacrifice"
This is a rocky area near Jerusalem.
This was the name of a spring where people got water.
This is a generalization.
These phrases refer to the same people.
These phrases refer to the same people.
"You do not seem to have heard ... it."
"that Haggith's son Adonijah is trying to become king"
Adonijah's mother and a wife of David.
"you swore to your servant ... throne."
"to me, your servant"
"he will be king just as I was"
"So then, Adonijah should not be reigning."
"tell him that what you have said is true."
"the room in which the king slept"
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 1:3.
"bowed close to the ground in front of the king."
"What can I do for you?"
"you yourself swore to"
"me, your servant". See 1 Kings 1:13.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 1:13.
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"all the people of Israel are waiting expectantly"
"when you sleep with your fathers"
"dies."
"the new king will regard my son Solomon and me as criminals"
"have you said that Adonijah will reign after you, and he will sit on your throne?"
"eating and drinking with him". The main idea is that the people Nathan named were with Adonijah and they were celebrating together.
"Have you, my master the king, done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after you?". Nathan refers to David in the third person. This is a way of showing respect to the king. It can be stated in second person.
"came before the king" or "came back to the king"
"made a solemn promise,"
Bathsheba knew David would not live forever; this is a way of saying that he is a good king.
David anoints Solomon king.
"my servants". David speaks of himself as if he were speaking of someone else; so Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah would remember that David is still king.
This is the name of a water spring.
King David continues to speak on behalf of Solomon as the one who will become king.
They agree and will do what King David said.
"My master and king, may Yahweh your God confirm"
"has been with you, my master the king, so"
"make the one who sits on the throne greater than my master King David" or "make his kingdom greater than the kingdom of my master King David"
The people of Israel anoint Solomon as king over Israel.
These are names of people groups.
This means the priest took the special animal horn filled with olive oil that was kept in Yahweh's special tent.
"took a container of oil"
This is a generalization.
These are names of people groups.
"is now king" or that Solomon was sitting on the physical throne. See 1 Kings 1:35.
"They began to act quickly"
Because Adonijah literally went into the area of the tent to take hold of the physical horns, you should translate this literally.
"Adonijah ... quickly went"
"is afraid of you, King Solomon"
"he will not kill me"
"I will keep him safe"
"he does what is evil,"
This chapter has two stories. David's last advice to Solomon and Solomon's punishment of those who supported Adonijah and Shimei, who had cursed David when David was fleeing from Absalom. Exalting oneself can lead to disaster as when Adonijah made himself king.
"I am going to die."
"show everyone that you are a man" or "live so that everyone can see you are a good man"
"live the way he commands"
"so you may succeed"
"do everything he promised he would do"
Yahweh is talking to David, so the words "you" and "your" refer to David.
Yahweh is talking to David, so the word "me" refers to Yahweh.
"with all their being" or "with all their energy"
"one of your descendants will always be the king of Israel"
"what Joab ... did to me—that is, what he did"
"killed those men during a time of peace as if he were killing them in war" or "took revenge on those men during a time of peace because they had killed people in war"
Joab was close enough to these men when he killed them that their blood spattered on his belt and on his sandals or the word "blood" refers to guilty of murder, and the belt and the shoes refer to Joab's authority as commander. David is saying that because Joab is guilty of murder, he should not be commander of the army. It is best to translate this literally.
"make sure Joab dies a violent death before he grows old"
the grave or the world of the dead
a man's name
"welcome them to eat at your home"
men's names
descendant of Benjamin
place names
"be sure to punish him"
"died". David dies and Solomon takes his place as the new king of Israel.
"David ... and they buried him"
"The time that David reigned over Israel was,"
"became king, as his father David had been"
"Yahweh firmly established Solomon's rule" or "Yahweh caused Solomon to take complete control of the kingdom"
This is a generalization.
"what we expected to happen did not happen"
"Yahweh gave the kingdom to my brother"
"do not refuse to do what I request"
See 1 Kings 1:3.
"The king stood up" from where he was sitting on his throne.
"told someone to bring a throne"
Bathsheba
"you will not refuse to do what I request ... I will not refuse to do what you request"
"Give Abishag the Shunammite to Adonijah ... as his wife"
"You are wrong to ask ... Adonijah! This is the same as asking the kingdom for him also ... Zeruiah!"
"God will have every right to execute me—and to do even worse things to me—if I do not execute Adonijah because he has made this request"
"throne" refers to Solomon's authority to rule that was given by Yahweh.
Here "house" refers to descendants that Yahweh gave to King Solomon, who would continue to reign after him.
Abiathar had suffered alongside King David before David became king.
The word "he" refers to King Solomon.
"the things that Yahweh had said"
"Joab heard what Solomon did after he had become king"
The horns of the altar symbolized Yahweh's power and protection.
"Someone told King Solomon that Joab had fled"
"bury him and so remove from me and my family the guilt for the murders Joab committed without cause" or "bury him. Do that so Yahweh will not hold me and my father's house guilty because Joab murdered people for no reason"
"Joab has murdered people, and I want Yahweh to hold him guilty for what he has done"
These words emphasize that Abner and Amasa were much better men than Joab.
"I want Yahweh to hold Joab and his descendants guilty"
"to David's descendants and to David's kingdom"
"They buried Joab in his own house"
"where his family lived". The house refers to the land. The Israelites buried people out of doors in graves or tombs.
"You will be responsible for your own death"
men's names
a Philistine city
"Shimei quickly"
"someone told Solomon"
"You know very well that I made you swear ... saying, 'Know ... die'!"
"You have done wrong by breaking your oath ... you."
"will hold you responsible for all your wickedness"
"throne of David" represents the authority and rule of David and all his descendants forever.
Solomon's power and authority.
Solomon marries an Egyptian. This chapter contains two stories. Verses 1-15 is the story of Solomon's dream when God asked him what he wanted and he said he needed wisdom to be a good and fair ruler. Verses 16-28 are the story of a court case showing Solomon's wisdom.
Solomon became the son-in-law of Pharaoh king of Egypt so the two kings would work together.
She was still in the city of David after he had finished building.
"the temple"
"no one had yet built a house"
"in which people would worship Yahweh"
"obeying the laws that David his father had made"
"the most famous place for makings sacrifices"
"Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."
"You have been very faithful to your covenant with your servant" or "You have greatly and faithfully loved your servant"
"because he was trustworthy and righteous, and his heart was upright"
"he was sincere" or "he spoke the truth and did what was good"
"to rule in his place"
Solomon is speaking of the years he had already been ruling, not of the time since the sun had last set.
"me"
Solomon is saying that he is like a child who does not know as much as a father.
"I do not know how to be the king" or "I do not know the right way to do things as king"
"No one is able to judge this great people of yours.". God was very pleased with Solomon's request for wisdom; which was something that he could use to serve other people instead of himself. God promised Solomon wisdom, wealth, and fame.
"the power to kill your enemies"
"I will do what you asked me to do when you spoke with me"
"I make you able to be wise and to understand many things"
"live as I want you to live and obey"
"make you live a long time"
The word "behold" shows that Solomon saw something interesting.
There are two additional examples of people putting the needs of others in front of their own needs. God is pleased with people wanting to do their job well more than wanting to be blessed. A mother will put the life of her child above every other concern.
"accidentally rolled on top of her baby and smothered him"
"I". The woman speaks as if she were speaking of someone else to show respect for Solomon.
This means to feed her baby milk from her breast.
"before Solomon."
"she greatly loved her baby"
This is a generalization.
This chapter names the important people in Solomon's government and shows the extent of his kingdom. This verse starts a list of Solomon's officials that ends in 1 Kings 4:6.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"the men whom Solomon forced to work for him"
This begins a list of Solomon's 12 officers that ends in 1 Kings 4:19.
"the son of Hur." Note that "Ben" before a name means "son of".
"who was the officer in charge of the hill country
This is the name of a place.
"the son of Deker."
"who was the officer in charge of Makaz"
These are names of places.
"the son of Hesed."
"who was the officer in charge of Arubboth"
These are names of places.
"the son of Abinadab."
"who was the officer in charge of all Naphoth Dor"
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of a woman.
These are names of men.
"who was the officer in charge of Taanach"
These are names of places.
These are names of men.
"who was the officer in charge of Ramoth Gilead"
These are names of places.
These are men's names.
"who was the officer in charge of Mahanaim"
This is the name of place.
This is the name of a man.
"who was the officer in charge of Naphtali". This is a tribal land named after a son of Israel.
This is the name of a woman.
These are names of men.
"who was the officer in charge of Asher". This is a tribal land named after a son of Israel.
This is the name of a piece of land.
These are names of men.
"who was the officer in charge of Issachar". This is a tribal land named after a son of Israel.
These are the names of men.
"who was the officer in charge of Benjamin". This is a tribal land named for a son of Israel.
These are men's names
"who was the officer in charge of the land of Gilead"
These are names of places.
"the land that in earlier years belonged to Sihon"
This is the name of a people group.
"the land" refers to the land of Judah; the previous officials presided over different parts of Israel.
"There were as many people in Judah and Israel as there are grains of sand by the sea"
"the Euphrates River,"
A cor is a unit of dry measure.
four-legged animals that run fast
"birds that people fed so they would become fat"
Name of a piece of land.
These words refer to the people of Judah and Israel.
"each family had their own garden with grapevines and fig trees,". This showed that the people lived in safety and peace.
The whole land of Israel from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.
"who ate with King Solomon" or "whom King Solomon invited to eat with him"
Solomon had assigned 12 officers in 1 Kings 4:7 to bring him food in different months.
"They provided everything that Solomon needed"
"God enabled Solomon to be wise and to understand many things"
"Solomon was able to understand many things about a wide range of subjects"
"Solomon was wiser than all the wise people"
People from countries east of Israel such as Arabia and Mesopotamia.
Men's names.
"cedar tree ... hyssop bush" or "the greatest of trees ... least important of bushes"
Solomon talks with King Hiram about building the Temple, which took a lot of work and cooperation. King Hiram of Tyre provided lumber in exchange for wheat and olive oil. Solomon had many people cutting rocks for the walls of the temple.
"Hiram had always been a close friend of King David"
"Yahweh was helping David to defeat his enemies" or "Yahweh was enabling David to completely defeat his enemies"
"in which people would worship Yahweh"
"because of the wars with which his enemies surrounded him" or "because he was fighting enemies on all sides"
King Solomon and the people are at rest and in a time of peace.
"We are safe from our enemies and from natural disasters"
"Because of what Yahweh has done for me, this is what I am going to do:"
"where Yahweh my God will live ... where I will live"
"make to be the king after you"
"your workers know how to cut timber better than my men"
people of the city of Sidon
"what Solomon said"
"I praise Yahweh today"
"tie them together so they will float in groups"
"my workers untie the logs from each other"
"You can do what I want"
"fir" refers to many kinds of trees, including cypress trees.
"4,400 cubic meters of wheat". A cor equals about 220 liters.
"440 cubic meters of pure oil". A bath equals about 22 liters.
"forced men from all over Israel to work". Solomon forces men to build the Temple.
There were three groups that took turns spending one month working in Lebanon and two months at home in Israel.
"the men whom Solomon was forcing to work for him"
heavy things that people have to work hard to carry
men who dig stones out of the ground and cut them to the proper shape
"dug large, good stones out of the mountain and cut them to be the right shape."
The narrator describes the temple and its dimensions with the description continuing through 1 Kings 6:38. Solomon built the temple in seven years. The outside walls were made of rock. Solomon shaped the rocks for the wall in the quarry and then assembled them at the temple site. The inside was covered with wood. Inside the temple was a room covered by gold, which was the Most Holy Place where the ark was housed under statues of angels. It represented the presence of God.
"Solomon commanded his workers to begin building"
These are the ordinal forms of 480 and 4.
"Ziv" is the second month of the Hebrew calendar and the last part of April and first part of May on Western calendars.
"27.6 meters long, 9.2 meters wide, and 13.8 meters high". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
This portico was probably attached to the front part of the wall that surrounded the temple. It was made of columns and a roof that connects with the building's entrance door.
"9.2 meters ... 4.6 meters".
"they made windows"
They built rooms on the outside of the outside wall around the main chamber.
This refers to the rooms in each story of the building.
"about 2.3 meters ... about 2.8 meters ... about 3.2 meters"
They made ledges all around the main building to support the beams of the small rooms.
Here "house" refers to God's house, the temple.
A quarry is where people cut large stones and shape them with tools so they are smooth, then brought to the temple.
"ground floor," "first floor," and "second floor.". Three floors in total.
"Solomon's workers built ... they covered"
A beam is a long heavy piece of wood used to support a building.
A plank is a flat wooden board used for floors and walls.
These are the same rooms referred to in 1 Kings 6:5.
"exterior walls that enclosed the inner chambers"
"2.3 meters"
"timbers" is a general term, such as beams and planks.
"Yahweh gave a message to Solomon. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to Solomon:"
"which you are having your workers build"
"continually obey all my statutes"
"carry out all of my laws" or "treat the people whom you are ruling justly."
"carefully obey all I tell you to do"
"I will do everything I promised David your father that I would do for you"
"they built ... they covered them ... they covered the floor"
Cypress is a kind of wood that was used for building the temple.
"He commanded them to build twenty cubits ... He had them build this room"
"He built a room twenty cubits long". "9.2 meters".
"18.4 meters"
"main room"
a type of hard, round vegetable; growing on a vine on the ground.
"blooming flowers"
This altar would be used for burning incense.
"They covered ... they placed"
"altar of incense at the entrance to the inner room"
wood from an olive tree
"4.6 meters"
"2.3 meters"
The distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing.
"They placed"
another name for the most holy place
"He commanded them to carve"
beam across the top of a door frame
tooth-like notches on each of five sections
"they made ... they made ... They overlaid ... they spread"
"In the same way, Solomon also made doorposts of olive wood for the temple entrance, with four indented sections"
Each door had two sections connected by hinges so they could fold together.
"They built the inner courtyard"
"the fourth year after Solomon became king"
"the temple"
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 6:1.
"the eleventh year after Solomon became king"
"Bul" is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of October and the first part of November on Western calendars.
"they finished building every part of the house. They built it exactly the way Solomon had told them to build it"
"It took Solomon's workers"
This chapter has a description of the palace Solomon built and the materials used in the temple courtyard. It is the last chapter about the building of the temple. Solomon spent 13 years building a palace for himself that was much bigger than the temple. It is significant that the house of Solomon was much larger than the house of God.
"It took Solomon's workers thirteen years to build his palace"
"house" or "big house."
"Solomon commanded them to build".
"the house called the House of the Lebanon Forest"
"46 meters ... 23 meters ... 13.8 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
A beam is a long piece of strong wood used to support walls and roofs.
"The carpenters built a roof from cedar planks and attached them to beams"
"had rectangular frames"
a series of columns, all the same distance apart. The author writes about the structure of the Hall of Pillars.
"23 meters ... 13.8 meters"
Made of columns and a roof that leads to and connects with the building's entrance door. See 1 Kings 6:3.
"the house in which he was going to place his throne" or "a house named The King's Chair House"
"The workers covered the floor with cedar wood"
"Solomon had someone design the house in which he was to live, in another courtyard within the palace grounds, in almost the same way"
"The workers adorned the buildings with costly, hewn stones"
"hewn stones, that workers had precisely measured and cut with a saw and smoothed"
"The workers used these stones"
"The workers constructed the foundation"
"about 3.7 meters and 4.6 meters"
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 6:36.
Huram accepted Solomon's invitation to come to Jerusalem.
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, so we know that the father is dead.
"Yahweh had given Huram wisdom, understanding, and skill"
"about 8.3 meters ... 5.5 meters". Circumference is the distance or measurement around a circular object or area. The bronze objects were made by hollowing out the shape of the object in clay and then pouring in the hot melted liquid bronze and letting it cool. He made two large pillars and a large water reservoir set on the backs of 12 bronze cows; as well as the instruments for use in the sacrifices outside the temple. He made the temple furnishings out of gold.
"2.3 meters"
decorations on top of each of the two pillars
"gleaming bronze". They polished the bronze so that it would reflect sunlight.
"Crossed metal strips woven together and metal chains twisted together,"
"Huram commanded his workers to make"
A pomegranate is a fruit with a hard, red rind and many juicy seeds inside. Huram made them out of bronze.
"Huram decorated the capitals ... with bronze lilies, four cubits high"
Translate "portico" as in 1 Kings 7:6.
"about 1.8 meters"
"They raised up"
"The name of the pillar on the right side was Jakin"
"The name of the pillar on the left side was Boaz"
"Huram's men fashioned the pillars"
This refers to a particular bronze tank or basin in the temple. It held a lot of water and was called "the sea."
Huram melted the bronze and formed it in a mold.
"4.6 meters ... 2.3 meters ... 13.8 meters"
"from one edge to the other"
"when Huram cast that basin"
"was on top of"
"Huram's workers set 'The Sea' on top of the bronze oxen"
This is the back quarter of the body of an animal with four feet.
This is about eight centimeters.
"Huram forged the brim to look like the brim of a cup, to curve outward like a lily"
"44 cubic meters" or "44,000 liters". A unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
"about 1.8 meters ... about 1.4 meters"
The author will describe the stands in the words that follow.
There were decorative pieces in the shapes of lions, oxen, and cherubim fastened to the sides of the stands.
"wreaths" refers to spiral-shaped pieces of bronze.
"four bronze wheels and two axles"
"the four corners of each stand"
"Huram cast the supports with spiral-shaped pieces"
"about 70 centimeters ... about 50 centimeters"
"crown" refers to the circular piece at the top of the stand's opening that held the basin.
"the panels of the stands were square."
The word "housings" refers to the casings into which the axles were inserted.
"Huram made the wheels like small chariot wheels"
"There was a handle at each of the four corners of each stand,"
"twenty-three centimeters wide"
"Huram attached the supports and panels to the top of each stand"
"the workers engraved"
"they" refers to the cherubim, lions, and palm trees.
"there were wreaths all around them"
"They cast all of the stand in the same mold"
"about 880 liters". A bath is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
"about 1.8 meters"
"near the southeast corner of the temple"
The capitals were shaped like bowls.
"crossed metal strips woven together"
See 1 Kings 7:18.
"all the other tools"
"Solomon had his workers cast them"
"flat land near the Jordan River"
These are names of cities.
"no one could measure the weight of the bronze"
"on which the priests were to place the bread of the presence"
The sockets in which the door pegs turned, or the hinges on which the doors hung.
"the workers finished the work that King Solomon had them do for the house of Yahweh"
"called together the leaders of Israel,". When the temple was finished, Solomon told all of the people to come to Jerusalem. They took the ark out of the tent and brought it to the temple. Then Solomon prayed that God would hear and answer prayers made to him when they faced towards the temple. This is a very significant event in the history of the Israelites.
To the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in chapter 8:1 or generally to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every male person who lived in Israel.
This is a reference to the Feast of Sukkoth, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Shelters .
"Ethanim" is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
This is a generalization.
"more sheep and cattle than anyone would ever be able to count"
"into the inner room of the house, that is, to the most holy place, under"
"poles by which the priests carried it"
"people could see their ends ... people could not see them"
This means the day on which the writer wrote.
"The only things in the ark were the two tablets ... Egypt"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story.
Solomon speaks to Yahweh as if he were speaking to someone else to show that he respects Yahweh.
beautiful building in which someone very important lives,
"all the people of Israel who were gathered there."
"Praise Yahweh, the God of Israel"
"by his own power"
"so that people would worship me". See 1 Kings 3:2.
"David my father desired"
"Because you desired"
"in which people will worship me"
"to desire to do that"
"one who will be your own offspring" or "one whom you yourself will father"
"has done exactly what he said he would do"
"I have gained the power that David my father had"
"I rule over Israel"
"are the tablets on which Yahweh wrote the terms of the covenant that"
"all the people of Israel who were gathered there,"
"who is faithful to your covenant with your servants"
"live wholeheartedly the way that you want them to"
"by your power fulfilled what you said"
"to rule over Israel"
"live as I want you to ... have lived as I want you to"
"But it surely cannot be that God will actually live on the earth!"
"But will you"
"The truth is that"
"you, so this temple that I have built certainly cannot contain you"
"respect me, your servant, as I make this request"
"listen to me, your servant, as I call today for you to help me"
"May you watch over"
"all the time"
These two words together emphasize that Yahweh will dwell in the temple.
"that I, your servant, will pray"
"listen to my humble request and the humble request of your people Israel"
"someone requires him to swear"
"on him"
"to give him what he deserves because he is righteous"
"an enemy defeats your people Israel"
"confess that they have sinned against you"
"you do not allow rain to fall"
"that they should live"
These terms refer to the death of crops from either too little or too much rain.
A "locust" is a type of grasshopper that causes destruction. "caterpillar" refers to an early growth stage of the locust.
"knowing the sin in his own heart" or "knowing in his heart that the plague is the result of his own sin"
"you own this house that I have built"
The situations Solomon describes are conditions for what he requests in the following sentence. The words "suppose that" can be translated with the word "if," and this sentence can be connected to his request in verse 45.
The events that Solomon describes in verese 46-48 are conditions for his requests in verses 49-50.
"where their enemies have taken them as exiles"
people who keep others as prisoners
These two sentences emphasize how bad the people's actions were.
These words emphasize how badly the people sinned.
"with all their being". See 1 Kings 2:4.
"while they are living in the land"
"toward the land in which they belong." This refers to Israel.
Solomon twice requests Yahweh to forgive the people, emphasizing the earnestness of his request.
"a furnace where people forge iron"
"Please pay attention"
"Praise Yahweh"
"Yahweh has made every word of his good promises come true"
These two phrases emphasize Solomon's desire for Yahweh to be present with the people.
"make us want to please him"
"live as he requires us to live"
"all the time"
"be wholly devoted"
"always obey his statutes"
This generalization may refer either to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and are listed in 1 Kings 8:1, or to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast.
"the bronze altar that was in Yahweh's presence."
The word "eighth" is the ordinal form of "8."
The two words are combined for emphasis.
There are two parts to this chapter. Verses 1–9 are a dream in which God warned Solomon that he and his descendants were not to worship idols. If they did this, the temple would be destroyed. Verses 10–28 are about Solomon's extensive building and his partnership with Hiram, king of Tyre. It is necessary for people to stay faithful to God and not worship idols.
"your request". These words emphasize that Yahweh recognized that Solomon's request was sincere. See 1 Kings 8:28.
"to dwell there and to claim possession of it forever"
"I will protect and care for it"
"if you live the way I want you to live, just as David your father did"
These two phrases emphasize how righteous David was.
"your reign"
"will always rule over Israel"
The words "commandments" and "statutes" emphasize all that Yahweh has commanded.
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
"set apart for myself"
"I will put it where I no longer have to see it"
"This temple will be destroyed and its remains will be piled into a high mound"
"will express amazement and make a sound of disrespect"
The phrase "bowed down to them" describes the posture that people used in worship.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
"after 20 years"
It might be best to translate that other people helped Solomon do this.
"These cities that you have given me are good for nothing.". Hiram is rebuking Solomon.
"and people still call them that today"
"about 4,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
"the account of Solomon requiring men to work"
"the terrace system" or "the landfill."
"The army of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had gone up"
"Solomon did not force the people of Israel to labor."
See how you translated this phrase in 1 Kings 8:64.
"So his workers completed the temple"
"a large group of ships"
"about 14,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
There are two parts mentioned in this chapter: The fame of Solomon's wisdom and the wealth of his kingdom. King Solomon became so famous for his wisdom that the queen of Sheba (modern day Yemen) came all the way to see him and was deeply impressed. God promised him great wealth and he became famously rich.
"Solomon's fame, which glorified Yahweh" or "Solomon's fame, which Yahweh had given him"
"everything she wanted to know". This is a generalization.
"how his servants were seated around the table"
"she was utterly amazed"
"I heard while I was in my own land"
"your wise sayings"
"I have seen it for myself"
"They did not tell me about even half of how wise and wealthy you are"
"who are always in your presence waiting to serve you"
"May people praise Yahweh your God"
"who made you king of Israel"
"about 4,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
"No one ever again gave to King Solomon more spices than the queen of Sheba gave to him"
a type of wood, possibly one with a pleasant scent.
"The king told his people to make"
"nor has anyone ever seen such a great quantity again"
To the day that the author was writing this.
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
"because as king he had so much"
"each year." This refers to every year of Solomon's reign, and not to just one time.
"almost 22,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is equal to about 33 kilograms.
"About 6.6 kilograms of gold" or "Six and one half kilograms of gold". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
"shekels" does not appear here in the Hebrew text, so some modern versions assume instead the unit of bekah, which was equivalent to a half shekel or a metric equivalent of about three kilograms.
"The king's men also made"
"About 1.7 kilograms of gold" or "One and three-quarters kilograms of gold". A mina is equal to about 550 grams.
"the house called the House of the Lebanon Forest." See 1 Kings 7:2.
Ivory is the hard, white substance from the tusks or teeth of large animals.
These animals live wild in Africa. Some people consider baboons a type of ape.
"People from everywhere"
"sought an audience with Solomon" or "wanted to visit Solomon"
"to hear his wisdom, which God had given him" or "to hear him speak the wise words that God had enabled him to speak"
"one thousand four hundred chariots and 12,000 horsemen"
"The king had so much silver in Jerusalem, it was like there was as much silver as there was stones on the ground"
"that his merchants had bought from people in Egypt"
This is the name of a region. Some think that Kue was the same as Cilicia, in Asia Minor.
"His merchants went to Egypt, bought chariots for six hundred shekels of silver each and horses for 150 shekels each, and brought them to Solomon in Jerusalem"
"about 6.6 kilograms of silver ... about 1.7 kilograms". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams
"His merchants then sold many of these"
This is the end of the story of Solomon. (Chapters 1-11) and the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story. God had told the people of Israel in Moses's law never to marry women from the Gentile nations. This was because their religious beliefs would negatively affect Israel. Solomon, the wisest man, became a fool; married many women from Gentile countries and his wives persuaded him to worship foolish idols. God became angry and warned he would take away 10 tribes from the kingdom of his son.
These are names of people groups.
"persuade you to worship the gods that they worship"
"seven hundred royal wives"
"he was not fully devoted ... as was David"
These are the names of false gods.
Some version render this as "Milcom."
"what Yahweh considered to be evil"
These are the names of false gods.
"at them" refer to the shrines that Solomon built.
"Yahweh had appeared to Solomon twice"
"forcefully take the kingdom from you"
"your son's control"
This is the name of a man.
This begins three verses of background material that happened long before.
"Joab and all of the Israelite army"
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a woman.
These are names of men.
"David had died"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a location.
These are names of locations.
"when David's army killed"
This is the name of a location.
"all the days of Solomon's life"
"Rezon hated Israel very much"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a location.
"one of Solomon's officials." He was probably an official in the government, not a household servant.
This is the name of a woman.
"rebelled against the king"
Translate "Millo" as in 1 Kings 9:15.
"a wealthy and influential man" or "a great warrior."
"he made him commander"
The word "labor" refers to the government work that Solomon commanded the people to do.
This refers to the descendants of Joseph who were the people groups of Ephraim and Manasseh.
This is the name of a man.
The Shilonites are a people group.
"forcefully take the kingdom out"
"Solomon's control"
"Solomon's sons will have" or "Solomon's descendants will have"
These are the names of locations and the people groups that live there.
"what I consider to be right"
Here the word "I" refers to Yahweh.
"out of Solomon's control"
"you" refers to Jeroboam.
"will always have a descendant to rule as an influence and a guide for obeying my covenant with David's family"
"I" refers to Yahweh and the word "you" refers to Jeroboam.
"establish for you a lasting kingdom"
This is the name of a man.
"you can find them in the book of the events of Solomon."
This book no longer exists.
"He died and he was buried with his ancestors"
"people buried him"
"all the men of Israel were coming". Here "Israel" represents all the men of Israel capable of fighting. This chapter explains how the united kingdom of Israel was split into the two kingdoms: Israel and Judah.
This phrase marks where the action starts.
These are the names of men.
"treated us cruelly" or "forced us to work very hard". God's warning to Solomon came true. God's warning to Solomon came true. In spite of his famous wealth, Solomon had over-taxed his own people and forced them to work for free.
"the old men who counseled Solomon"
"Do not treat us as cruelly as your father did"
"What I will do to make your burden heavier is much more than what my father put on you". When the people requested that King Rehoboam reduce taxes and forced labor, he said that he would be harsher than his father.
"My father used whips to force you to work but I will use even crueler punishment"
A whip with sharp metal barbs on the end or a spider-like creature that has a poisonous sting.
"Yahweh caused things to happen like this". This caused the 10 northern tribes to revolt and appoint Jeroboam as their king. These northern tribes are now called the kingdom of Israel. Only Judah and Benjamin stayed with Rehoboam. They are called Judah.
This refers to giving someone a message to tell others.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a people group from the town of Shiloh.
"We will have no part in the family of David."
"We will have nothing to do with the descendants of Jesse"
"Go to your homes, people of Israel"
"Now take care of your own kingdom, descendant of David"
This is the name of a man.
"all the people of Israel who were there"
"the kings descended from David"
"ever since that time." This refers to the time that the writer was actually writing this.
"when all the leaders of Israel heard"
"king over all of the 10 tribes of Israel". This means the northern ten tribes that rebelled against Rehoboam.
"The only people who followed the family of David were the people of the tribe of Judah"
"David's descendants"
"all the soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin"
"the people of the northern tribes of Israel"
"God spoke this message ... and he said" or "God spoke these words ... and he said"
This is the name of a man.
"the man who belongs to God" or "the prophet of God"
"all the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin"
These words refer to the men of the ten northern tribes and emphasize the family relationship between them and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
"because I have made this thing happen"
"thought to himself"
"the kings descended from David"
These words refer to the people of the northern ten tribes of Israel.
"the allegiance of these people"
These phrases emphasize Jeroboam's fear that the people would turn again to Rehoboam as king.
"brought your ancestors up"
"Jeroboam's workers made houses of worship on high places"
"appointed men to be priests"
"on the fifteenth day of the eighth month". This is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifteenth day is near the beginning of November on Western calendars.
"offered sacrifices on the altar"
"offered sacrifices on the altar"
"in the month that he had determined"
"Yahweh sent a man of God from Judah to Bethel". This chapter has two parts: The young prophet's warning to Jeroboam (1-10) and the old prophet's deception (11-34). People should do what God tells them to do and not what other people tell them is God's will for them.
"A prophet"
"came from Judah"
"the message of Yahweh"
"He" refers to the man of God.
"prophesied loudly toward the altar"
"a descendant of David will have a son named Josiah"
"they" refers to Josiah and the people with him.
"Yahweh will split the altar apart and the ashes on it will fall to the ground"
"Yahweh dried up the hand with which he had reached out against the man"
"withered" or "became paralyzed"
"Yahweh also split the altar apart"
"as the man of God had described by the word of Yahweh as a sign"
"the message of Yahweh"
"Plead that Yahweh your God may favor me"
"Yahweh may restore my hand"
"Yahweh restored the king's hand and made it as it was before"
"Come home with me and eat some food"
"half of your house,"
"Do not eat bread, drink water, or return by the way that you came."
"went a different way,"
The implied information is that the sons also told their father which way the man of God went.
This refers to placing a seat on the back of an animal so a person can ride on it.
The prophet who lived in Bethel.
"the old prophet said to the man of God"
"The man of God answered"
"go into your house,"
"in Bethel"
"Yahweh commanded me by his word"
"an angel delivered to me a message from Yahweh"
"As they were eating and drinking at the table"
"Yahweh spoke this message to the prophet". See 1 Kings 6:11.
Here the word "him" refers to the man of God.
"came from Judah. He said, 'Yahweh" or "came from Judah: 'Yahweh"
"the prophet spoke loudly to the man of God"
"Because you have not obeyed the word of Yahweh"
"left his dead body on the road"
"they came and told about what they had seen"
"they" refers to the prophet and his sons.
"Woe" is an expression of great sorrow.
"he" refers to the old prophet and the word "him" refers to the man of God.
"Lay my dead body beside his bones"
"houses of worship on the high places"
"Jeroboam's family sinned by doing this thing"
This phrase refers to Jeroboam's setting up shrines and appointing priests.
"because of this God destroyed and exterminated Jeroboam's family"
"to be completely destroyed"
This chapter has two stories: One is the death of Jeroboam's son (1-18) and the other is the reign of Rehoboam (20-31). When the people of Judah began to worship the fertility goddess, Ashtoreth, they had to give all of their wealth to the king of Egypt. Jeroboam's son became sick; so the king sent his wife to the prophet. The prophet was blind, but when Jeroboam's wife arrived he told her, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam." He also told her that her son would die.
"change how you appear to others"
"no one will recognize you"
"pay attention."
"coming to ask you to advise her"
"Speak in this way to her"
"Stop pretending to be someone else; I know who you are."
"Yahweh told me to give you severe news"
"very bad news"
"I exalted you"
"obeyed me"
"with all his will" or "with complete commitment"
"what I judged to be right"
"completely rejected me"
"the family of Jeroboam"
These two phrases are repeated for emphasis.
"destroy every one of your male children in Israel"
"Dogs will eat anyone who belongs to Jeroboam and who dies in the city"
"who is part of Jeroboam's family."
"the birds of the heavens will eat anyone who dies in the field"
"when you enter the city"
"The Israelite people"
"be buried in a grave"
"in all of Jeroboam's family"
"did Yahweh, the God of Israel, find anything he judged to be good"
"destroy the descendants of Jeroboam"
"Yahweh will attack the people of Israel as a reed is shaken in the water"
"like a river of water shakes a reed"
"he will remove the people of Israel from this good land"
"disperse them"
This is the name of the city where king Jeroboam lived.
"A great number of the people of Israel were present when people buried him, and the people of Israel mourned for him"
"by the message of Yahweh"
"see for yourself"
"you can find them written in"
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
"died". See 1 Kings 2:10.
"in which to dwell"
This is a woman's name.
"The people of Judah did"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"they made him jealous"
"their ancestors"
"they" here refers to the people of Judah.
"built for their own use"
"on the high hills and under the green trees"
"religious prostitutes". This probably refers to male prostitutes associated with idol worship.
"the same disgusting things that the people did whom"
"Shishak king of Egypt, and his army with him, came up against Jerusalem"
This is the name of a man. See 1 Kings 11:40.
"came to attack"
"He took away many valuable things"
"Shishak and his army took"
"that Solomon had his workers make"
"King Rehoboam's workers made shields"
"in place of the shields of gold"
"made them the responsibility of the commanders"
"who guarded the entrance to the king's house"
"the guards would carry the shields of bronze;"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah."
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
"There were constant battles"
"the armies of Rehoboam and Jeroboam fought in battle again and again"
"Abijah the son of Rehoboam"
"became king instead of Rehoboam"
Judah had some bad kings and some good kings; while the kings in Israel worshiped the golden calves, so they were all considered to be bad. Judah and Israel continually fought each other.
"Abijah continued to practice all the sins"
"that his father, Rehoboam, had committed before Abijah was king"
"Abijah was not devoted ... as David"
"gave David a descendant to rule in Jerusalem"
"by raising up Abijah's son after him"
"what Yahweh judges to be right"
"throughout David's whole life"
"the only time David turned away from anything that God commanded him was in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" or "except when he caused Uriah the Hittite to be killed"
"between the armies of Rehoboam and Jeroboam"
"the whole time that Abijah lived"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah.". See 1 Kings 14:29.
"between the armies of Abijah and Jeroboam"
"Abijah died as his ancestors had"
"became king instead of Abijah"
"After Jeroboam had been the king of Israel for almost twenty years"
"what Yahweh judges to be right"
"religious prostitutes" or "the prostitutes who worked for idols"
"Asa caused the disgusting figure to be cut down" or "Asa made them cut down the disgusting figure"
"But Asa did not command the people to take away the high places"
"Asa was completely devoted"
"throughout his whole life"
"the whole time that they reigned over Judah and Israel"
"attacked Judah"
"captured and fortified Ramah"
"He entrusted it to his servants"
"Asa told his servants to say to Ben Hadad"
"Let us have a covenant with each other" or "Let us make a peace treaty"
"As proof that I want a treaty with you, I"
"Cancel your covenant with Baasha king of Israel" or "Break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, and attack Israel"
"he had his workers stop building up Ramah"
This is the name of a city. See 1 Kings 14:17.
"Every one had to obey King Asa's proclamation"
"Asa died and was buried with his ancestors"
"King David, his ancestor"
The rest of chapter 15 and 16 is about the kings of Israel, which happened while King Asa of Judah was still alive.
"when Asa had been king of Judah for almost two years"
"Nadab reigned over Israel two years"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"did the same things that his father had done"
"he sinned in his own ways"
"and by sinning, he influenced Israel to sin"
"secretly plotted to kill King Nadab"
This is the name of a city.
"Nadab and the army of Israel"
"were surrounding Gibbethon, so that the people of Gibbethon would surrender to them"
"became king instead of Nadab"
"He left none of Jeroboam's descendants living"
Jeroboam was King Nadab's father.
"Jeroboam's royal line"
In 1 Kings 14:10 and 11 Yahweh spoke through his prophet Ahijah and told Jeroboam that he would destroy his family.
"Ahijah, who was from Shiloh"
"because Jeroboam sinned and led Israel to sin in the same ways"
"did the same things that Jeroboam had done"
"his" and "he" refer to 1) Baasha or 2) Jeroboam.
"Yahweh spoke his message". See 1 Kings 6:11.
"I raised you from a very unimportant position"
"you have sinned as Jeroboam sinned"
"Listen, Baasha. I will completely destroy you and your family"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 1 Kings 15:31.
"Baasha died and was buried as his ancestors had"
This is the name of a city. See 1 Kings 14:17.
"became king instead of Baasha"
"Yahweh spoke this message". The prophet Jehu warned Baasha, king of Israel, that God would destroy his family for worshiping the idols. But Baasha did not change his ways; so Zimri murdered Baasha's son and all his relatives.
"all the things that Baasha did that are evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"so as to make Yahweh very angry"
"by the things Baasha had done"
"Elah's servant Zimri"
"captain of half his chariot drivers"
"drinking so much wine that he was getting drunk"
"who was in charge of the things in the Elah's house"
"attacked and killed Elah"
"became king instead of Elah"
"He did not leave even one male alive"
"that Yahweh told Jehu the prophet to speak against Baasha"
"they had influenced Israel to sin"
"Israel" refers to the ten northern tribes of Israel. Baasha and Elah had been their king.
"they made Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry because they worshiped idols"
"Israel" refers to all of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob.
The word "army" refers to the army of the kingdom of Israel.
This is the name of a city. See 1 Kings 15:27.
"The soldiers who camped there heard someone say"
"all the army of Israel" or "the army of Israel"
"that Omri and the army had taken the city". Omri killed Zimri. Omri's son Ahab brought in the rain god Baal and his wife, the fertility goddess Ashtoreth, as the official religion of Israel. This was very evil.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"doing the same things that Jeroboam had done"
"how he plotted against King Elah" or "how he killed the king of Israel"
"wanted to make Tibni son of Ginath king, and half wanted to make Omri king"
"overpowered the people who followed Tibni,"
This is the name of a man.
"about 66 kilograms of silver"
"Omri had his people build a city" or "Omri commanded and his workers built a city"
"to honor Shemer"
"did all the same things that Jeroboam son of Nebat did"
"his" and "he" refer to 1) Baasha or 2) Jeroboam.
"he sinned as Jeroboam sinned"
"to make Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry because they worshiped worthless idols"
"their idols, which are worthless"
"Israel" refers to all of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob.
"Omri died as his ancestors had"
"became king instead of Omri"
"It was as if Ahab thought that walking in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat was not enough"
"Ahab considered it an insignificant thing" or "Ahab thought that it was not enough"
"to sin as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned"
"bowed down to him" describes the posture that people used in worship.
"Israel" refers to the nation of Israel, which consisted of twelve tribes.
Here the word "Israel" refers to the kingdom of Israel, which consisted of ten tribes.
"and the consequence of his sin was that Abiram, his firstborn son, died"
"Segub, his youngest son, died"
"while Hiel was building the gates of the city"
"according to the word of Yahweh"
"which Yahweh caused Joshua son of Nun to speak"
A people group from Tishbe, a town in the region of Gilead. This begins the story of Elijah. (1 Kings 17--2 Kings 2).
This phrase is an oath to emphasize that what he will say is true.
"whom I serve"
drops of water that form on the plants during the night
"Yahweh spoke his message". See 1 Kings 6:11.
This is the name of a very small stream.
"There". This phrase introduces how Yahweh will take care of Elijah during the drought. Ahab had introduced to Israel the worship of Baal, the god people thought brought rain. Because of this, God caused a drought. Elijah told Ahab that it would not rain or dew until he, Elijah, said so. Elijah had to hide so Ahab would not kill him for bringing the drought.
large, black birds
"as Yahweh commanded"
"in that area."
Here the word "him" refers to Elijah.
This is a town.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I"
This is an oath to emphasize that what she will say is true.
"only a little bit of flour"
"Let me tell you what I am doing: I"
This may refer to two sticks or to only a few sticks.
"that we may eat. Afterwards, we will starve to death"
There would be enough flour and oil to make more bread.
"Yahweh causes rain to fall"
In the original language it says, "And she and he and her household ate for many days." It is unclear who "he" is. Possible meanings are 1) Elijah, the widow, and her son ate for many days or 2) Elijah, the widow, and everyone living in her house ate for many days.
"the son of the woman who owned the house"
"he died"
The phrase "man of God" is another title for a prophet.
"of my sins"
Here "he" refers to Elijah.
"why would you cause the widow with whom I am staying to suffer even more by killing her son"
"lay on top of the child"
"Yahweh answered Elijah's prayer"
"the child came back to life"
Here "his" refers to Elijah.
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"the message that you spoke from Yahweh is true"
"Yahweh spoke his word". See 1 Kings 6:11.
"cause rain to fall on the land"
Here the writer tells background information about how the famine had affected Samaria.
"prevent the horses and mules from dying"
"Ahab lead a team in one direction and Obadiah lead a team in the other direction"
"master" is used as a term of respect.
Here "master" refers to Ahab.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: Elijah"
"I have not wronged you ... for him to kill me."
"deliver your servant to Ahab"
Obadiah refers to himself as Elijah's servant in order to honor Elijah.
This oath is used to emphasize that what he is saying is true.
"my master has sent men to every nation and kingdom"
This emphasizes the danger in what Elijah is telling Obadiah to do.
"Surely you have been told about what I did ... with bread and water!"
Here "master" is a term of respect used to refer to Elijah.
Here "master" refers to King Ahab.
This oath emphasizes that what he will say is true.
"whom I serve"
"Obadiah told Ahab what Elijah had told him to say."
"So here you are. You are the troublemaker of Israel!"
God proved himself to all the people of Israel. Elijah went to meet Ahab and told him to bring the 450 prophets of Baal and all the people to Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal took one bull, killed it, cut it up, and placed it on wood on an altar without lighting the fire and then they danced and prayed to Baal all morning and half the afternoon. Elijah built his altar, put the bull he had prepared on it, and drenched it with water and prayed. God answered his prayer with fire that burned up the sacrifice, the altar and the water. Then Elijah told the people to seize the prophets of Baal and kill them. Elijah prayed for rain, and it rained very hard.
This generalization refers to the leaders and people who represent the ten tribes of the northern kingdom.
"sent a messenger to summon ... to gather"
"You have been indecisive for long enough."
"did not say anything"
"call to your god ... call to Yahweh"
"all the people said, 'This is a good thing to do.'"
"make it ready to be sacrificed"
Here the word "you" is plural.
"The prophets of Baal took the bull"
"the bull that someone gave them"
"But Baal did not say or do anything"
"Maybe he is thinking"
"in the bathroom". Elijah uses understatement to insult Baal with sarcasm.
"you must wake him up"
"they continued their wild behavior." They called on Baal while dancing, shouting loudly, and cutting themselves with knives.
"to offer the evening sacrifice"
"but Baal did not say or do anything or even pay attention"
"with the authority of Yahweh."
a small waterway to hold water
"about 15 liters of seeds". A seah is a unit of volume equal to about 7.7 liters.
"He put the wood for a fire on the altar"
A jar is a container for water.
God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and God named the nation of Jacob's descendants "Israel."
"make these people know today"
"caused them to be loyal to you again"
"the fire of Yahweh came down"
The fire is compared to a thirsty person drinking water.
"it sounds like it is going to rain a lot."
This is a posture used for praying.
A man's hand could cover the cloud from sight.
This phrase is used here to mark where a new step in the action starts.
"Yahweh gave his power to Elijah"
Elijah wrapped his long robe around his waist so that his legs would be free for running.
The queen was angry that Elijah had killed her prophets of Baal and promised to kill Elijah. Elijah fled south into the desert south of Judah and traveled on to Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai), the mountain of God. God asked him why he was there and he said he had come because Israel had deserted God, killed his prophets, and wanted to kill him. God sent him home to make Hazael the king of Aram, Jehu the king of Israel, and Elisha as the prophet in his place.
"May the gods kill me and do even more bad things"
"if I do not kill you like you killed those prophets"
"he stood up,"
"he walked by himself for a day"
A "broom tree" is a plant that grows in the desert.
"He prayed that he would die"
"These troubles are too much for me, Yahweh"
"bread that someone had cooked on hot stones"
"will be too difficult for you."
"that food gave him energy to travel for 40 days and 40 nights"
"there" refers to Mount Horeb. A cave is an opening in a mountainside that leads to natural rooms.
"Yahweh spoke this message to him: 'What" See 1 Kings 6:11.
"This is not where you should be, Elijah."
"on the mountain in my presence"
"he covered his face with his cloak". A cloak is a long robe that covers the whole body.
"Then he heard a voice"
"prophet instead of you."
"What will happen is". This introduces what will happen when Elijah does what Yahweh has told him to do.
"whomever Hazael does not kill with the sword"
"I will save from death"
"who have not bowed down and kissed Baal" or "who have not worshiped Baal"
This is the name of a man.
This indicates that Elisha was plowing with the last yoke, while other men were plowing with the other eleven yokes.
"he" refers to Elisha.
Elisha gave the cooked meat to the people of his city.
God had chosen to defeat Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. So when Ben-Hadad attacked Samaria with a huge army, the tiny army of Israel defeated him. The people of Aram said that Yahweh was the god of the hills, but they could defeat Israel on the plains. So they came again but Israel defeated them again. Then Ben Hadad offered a peace plan and Ahab accepted. But God had wanted him to kill Ben Hadad and was angry at Ahab for making peace with him.
"kings ruling smaller groups of people"
"I agree with you"
"tomorrow at the same time of day that it is now"
"whatever pleases you"
"of the people of Israel"
"pay close attention to"
"I have agreed to his demands"
This is an oath with great emphasis. See 1 Kings 19:2.
Ben-Hadad is threatening that his army will totally destroy everything in Samaria.
"Tell Ben-Hadad, 'Do not boast as if you have already won a battle that you have not yet fought.'"
"Let him who puts his armor on not boast like him who takes it off". This is a proverb.
"his soldiers"
This alerts us to the sudden appearance of a new person in the story.
"Look at this great army."
"Look" alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"give you victory over that army"
"By whom will you do this?"
"Ahab assembled the young officers"
"Scouts that Ben-Hadad had sent out informed him"
"Ben-Hadad said to his soldiers"
Here "they" and "them" refer to the Israelite army.
"The young Israelite officers ... the Israelite army followed."
"the men of the army of Israel pursued them"
"The king of Israel and his soldiers went out and attacked"
"strengthen your forces"
"determine"
"in the springtime of next year"
"us" and "we" refer to the servants, the king, and the army all together.
"You must remove the thirty-two kings who are leading your troops,"
This is the name of a city.
"to fight against the army of Israel"
"The Israelite army also gathered together, and the commanders gave the arms that they needed for the battle"
"The Israelite army appeared to be small and weak like two flocks of goats"
"a prophet"
"give you victory over this great army"
A "footman" is a soldier who marches on foot.
"The rest of the Aramean soldiers"
"Please listen carefully: we"
This was a sign of surrender.
"I am surprised that he is still alive!"
"He is like a brother to me"
"Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"for any action from Ahab that would show them that Ahab wanted to be merciful"
"a member of the group of prophets,"
"the message of Yahweh"
"you have not obeyed Yahweh"
The prophet refers to himself in the third person as a sign of respect to the king.
"to where the battle was most intense"
"you will die in his place"
"33 kilograms of silver". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
"doing other things"
"spared the life of"
"you will die in his place, and your people will die in the place of his people"
"Now this is what happened later". God hates oppression but is forgiving to people who are sorry for their sins. Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard to make into a garden for his palace, but Naboth refused to sell it. So the queen, Ahab’s wife, told the civic leaders to falsely accuse him and execute him. Elijah told Ahab that he would be killed in Naboth’s vineyard and all his family destroyed. Ahab repented and showed he was very sorry for what he did, so God said it would not happen to Ahab himself but to his son.
This is the name of a man from Jezreel.
"king of Israel". "Samaria" was the capital city of the kingdom of Israel.
"Because Yahweh forbids it, I will never give"
"give to you the land that my ancestors received as an inheritance"
"Why are you so sad"
"You still rule the kingdom of Israel!"
"be happy"
"wrote letters and signed them with Ahab's name"
"nobles" refers to wealthy people.
"have Naboth sit in a place of honor among the people"
"have them accuse him,"
"as she had written in the letters"
"had Naboth sit in a place of honor among the people"
"sat in front of Naboth"
"they" refers to the people of the city.
"We have stoned Naboth and he is dead"
"Naboth is dead!"
"Yahweh spoke this message". See 1 Kings 6:11.
"You have killed Naboth and stolen his vineyard!"
"You have found me, my enemy!" or "You have discovered what I have done, my enemy!"
"you have dedicated yourself to doing what is evil"
"what Yahweh considers to be evil". See 1 Kings 11:6.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"destroy every one of your male children in Israel, whether slave or free"
Yahweh will destroy Ahab's family like he destroyed the families of Jeroboam and Baasha.
"Anyone who belongs to Ahab's family"
Possible meanings are: following the idols was in itself abhorrent behavior or because he followed idols he engaged in other abhorrent behavior.
"removed from the presence of the people of Israel". Here "Israel" refers to all twelve tribes of Israel and not just to the northern kingdom.
"I have seen how Ahab humbles himself before me."
"during his lifetime ... during his son's lifetime"
This is the end of the story of Ahab and a continuation of the story of Elijah as he had predicted Ahab's death and the dogs licking his blood. A randomly shot arrow hit him and he bled to death. They washed his chariot at the pool and the dogs licked up his blood, just as Elijah had said they would. At the shrines, the people worshiped Yahweh. But later, during Hezekiah's reign it was decided that all sacrifices must be made only at the temple.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
"Ramoth Gilead is ours, but we have done nothing yet to take it from the hand of the king of Aram."
"to take it from the control of the king of Aram"
"I, my soldiers, and my horses are yours to use in any way you want"
"for the Lord will allow the king to capture Ramoth Gilead"
"You should not say that". Jehoshaphat refers to Ahab in the third person to show respect for him.
"made iron horns for himself"
The prophet's actions illustrate the way that Ahab would defeat the Arameans.
"until you destroy them"
"allowed the king to capture it"
"Listen carefully: the words"
"the prophets all declare the same good things to the king"
"let what you say agree with what they have said"
The word "we" refers to Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and their armies but not to Micaiah.
"will allow the king to capture it"
"Many times I have required ... in the name of Yahweh."
"as the representative of Yahweh"
"I saw the entire army of Israel"
The people of the army are compared to sheep that have no one leading them because the king has died.
"These people no longer have a leader"
"I told you ... but only disaster!"
"all the angel army of heaven was standing by him"
"die at Ramoth Gilead"
"One ... and another" refers to two or more angels in the heavenly host.
"cause all his prophets to speak lies"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
"has caused all of your prophets to speak lies"
"Do not think that Yahweh's Spirit left me to speak to you!"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"you will know that the Spirit of Yahweh has spoken to me"
"feed him the bread and water of affliction" or "give him the prisoners' small portions of bread and water."
"If you return safely, then that would mean that Yahweh has not spoken by me"
"Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah led their armies up"
To change the usual appearance so as not to be identified.
"Do not attack any of the soldiers"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story.
He took aim to shoot a soldier without knowing it was Ahab or he drew his bow to shoot without a target in mind.
"someone held the king up in his chariot"
"soldiers began to shout"
"his soldiers brought his body to Samaria"
"people buried him"
"just as Yahweh had declared"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 1 Kings 15:31.
"died". See 1 Kings 2:10.
"He did the same things that Asa, his father, had done"
"what Yahweh considered to be right"
"he did not take away the high places"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah.". See 1 Kings 14:29.
"the ships wrecked"
"died". See 1 Kings 2:10.
"people buried him"
"what Yahweh considered to be evil"
"did the same things that his father, mother, and Jeroboam son of Nebat had done"
Here the word "Israel" refers to the ten northern tribes that made up the kingdom of Israel.
"served" and "worshiped" mean basically the same thing.
Here the word "Israel" refers to all of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob.
"The people who lived in Moab rebelled". 2 Kings is a continuation of 1 Kings and the story of Elijah continues.
"the wooden boards around the flat roof of his palace". God is in control of the future. King Ahaziah sent messengers to ask the Philistine god if he would recover from his fall, but this god does not know the future. Because he asked another god instead of Yahweh, Elijah sent the messengers to tell Ahaziah that he would not recover.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
This refers to someone from the city of Tishbe.
"You fools! You know there is a God in Israel, but you were acting as though you did not know when you sent men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron!"
The word "consult" means to get the opinion of someone.
"Therefore Yahweh says to King Ahaziah"
"You will not recover and you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying"
"You fools! You know there is a God in Israel, but you were acting as though you did not know when you sent men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron!". See 2 Kings 3:3.
"you will not recover and you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying". See 2 Kings 3:4.
"His clothes were made from animal hair".
"Then the king sent a captain with 50 soldiers to seize Elijah"
"Since I am a man of God, let fire come down from the sky" or "If I am a man of God as you have said, let fire come down from heaven"
"fire from God"
"begged him"
"please consider my life and the life of ... as precious to you" or "consider my life and the life of ... to be of worth to you and do not kill us"
"please allow me to live"
"You must think there is no God in Israel whom you may ask for information!"
"what Yahweh had told Elijah that Elijah had spoken"
"in the second year that Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was king of Judah"
"someone has written about them in ... Israel."
"So it happened,". This chapter ends the story of Elijah and begins the story of Elisha, who replaces Elijah as the chief prophet of God.
a strong wind that spins around and around.
"I solemnly promise you that"
"A group of men who were prophets"
"When Elijah and Elisha came near Jericho, the sons of the prophets who were from there said to Elisha"
"stood facing them" or "stood watching them".
"The water of the Jordan River opened up so there was a dry path for Elijah and Elisha to cross over to the other side"
"to the right and the left." This refers to the right and the left of where Elijah struck the water.
"it happened"
"crossed over the Jordan River"
"before Yahweh takes me from you"
"twice as much of your spiritual power"
"behold" alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"a chariot surrounded by fire pulled by horses surrounded by fire"
"was carried into the sky by a whirlwind."
Elisha is calling Elijah his respected leader.
"ripped them in two pieces to show his great sadness"
The cloak was the outer clothing of a prophet. It was the sign of his job. When Elisha took Elijah's cloak he was saying he was taking Elijah's place as prophet.
"Yahweh, the God of Elijah, are you here with me?"
The river separated and Elisha walked to the other side on dry ground, the same way he did when he was with Elijah.
They are showing him deep respect and acknowledging him as their new leader.
"The spiritual power Elijah had is now with Elisha"
"See now, we are 50 strong men and we are now your servants. Let us go"
"They kept asking Elisha until he felt bad for denying their request, so"
"I told you that you should not go, because you would not find him!"
"The leaders of the city"
"this city is in a good place" or "this city is in a good location"
The men refer to Elisha here as "my master" to honor him.
"made the waters pure"
"everyone will live and all the land will be fruitful"
"the waters have remained pure"
"by the word which Elisha spoke, and have always remained pure since".
"went up" is used because Bethel is higher in elevation than Jericho.
"Go away,"
The young boys were mocking Elisha for not having any hair on his head.
"in year 18 that Jehoshaphat was king of Judah".
Sometimes this man is referred to as "Jehoram.", who is not the man mentioned in 2 Kings 1:17.
"what is evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"but he did not do as much evil as his father and mother had done"
"the sacred stone pillar for worshiping Baal"
This is the name of a man.
"he continued committing those sins"
"Every year he was forced to give 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams to the king of Israel, because his kingdom was controlled by the king of Israel"
"to mobilize all of the Israelite soldiers for war"
"Will you and your army go with me to fight against the army of Moab?".
"We will go with you". God is in control of victory and defeat. The armies of Israel, Judah and Edom united to attack Moab from the desert for failure to pay tribute. When they ran out of water, they were in desperate condition. Therefore, they asked Elisha what to do and he said God would give them water and victory.
"We are ready to do whatever you want us to. My soldiers and my horses are ready to help you"
"By going through the wilderness of Edom."
"the king of Israel and his army went with the king of Judah and his army and the king of Edom and his army"
"It looks like Yahweh will allow all three of us to be captured by Moab!"
"to give us over to Moab's control" or "so the army of Moab will defeat us"
"I am sure there is a prophet of Yahweh here! Tell me where one is, so we may consult Yahweh by him."
This is the name of a man.
"who was a helper to Elijah"
"He speaks what Yahweh tells him to say"
"went to see Elisha to ask him what they should do"
"I have nothing to do with you."
"to give them over to the control of Moab"
"As surely as Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I serve, I promise you, if I ... look at you"
"it is only because I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah that I pay attention to you"
"I would not have anything at all to do with you"
"And it happened that"
"the power of Yahweh came upon Elisha"
"I will fill this river valley with water"
"you will drink the water"
"Yahweh considers this as an easy thing to do" or "This is an easy thing for Yahweh to do".
A fortified city is well protected by such things as high walls or a easily defensible location.
"ruin every good piece of land by covering them with rocks"
"and soon the land became filled with water."
"all the men who were able to fight"
"the kings and their armies had come"
"it was red like blood".
"soldiers of Moab"
"steal their belongings."
"the area where the Israelite soldiers had set up their tents"
"the Israelite soldiers began to act purposefully"
"ran away from them"
This is the capital of Moab.
"still had its stone walls and buildings in place"
A "sling" is piece of animal skin with long cords, in which a person can put a stone and throw it a long distance.
"that his army was being defeated"
soldiers who fight with swords
"force their way through."
King Mesha burned his son with fire until he died. He did this as an offering to Chemosh, the false god of Moab.
"So the Moabite soldiers were very angry with Israel"
"the prophets". This means that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 2:3.
"My husband, who was your servant". The story of Elisha continues with a group of stories about the miracles he did.Elisha helps a widow financially, and he correctly prophesies that a barren woman would conceive and have a baby by the next year. When that child dies, Elisha miraculously causes him to come back to life. Also, Elisha causes a poisonous food to no longer be harmful, and he miraculously feeds 100 people with only 20 loaves of bread.
person who lends other people money
The woman refers to herself as Elisha's servant to show him honor.
"nothing of value in the house except a pot of oil"
"you must go inside your house"
"Elisha, the man of God"
"use the rest of the money for you and your sons for what you need to live"
This is the name of a city.
"she asked him to come to her house to have a meal"
"traveled through Shunem"
"Please listen carefully: I"
"who travels by regularly"
Here "us" refers to the important woman and her husband.
This is the name of a man.
"Call the Shunammite woman." This refers to the woman from Shunem that Elisha was staying with.
"You have made a great effort to care for us"
"What can we do for you"
"Can we make a request for you"
"I live surrounded by my family, and because they take care of me, I have no needs"
"Ask her to come to see me"
"When Gehazi had called her"
"the doorway"
"your son"
The woman uses both of these names to refer to Elisha. She refers to herself as Elisha's servant to show him honor.
"during the same season the next year,"
"When the child was older,"
"My head hurts! My head hurts!"
"she held him on her lap until noon and then he died"
This was the bed she had prepared for Elisha.
"Elisha, the man of God"
"that I may hurry to the man of God and then come back.' But she did not tell her husband that their son had died"
"Everything will be all right if you do as I ask"
"she had her servant saddle a donkey"
"So she traveled toward Mount Carmel where Elisha, the man of God, was"
"While she was still far off, and Elisha saw her coming,"
"Mount Carmel"
"she dropped down on the ground in front of him and put her hands around his feet"
Elisha can see that the woman is upset but Yahweh has not revealed to him the cause of her problem.
"I did not ask you to give me a son, but I did ask you not to lie to me!"
"Get ready to travel"
"I solemnly promise that"
"but the young man did not show any signs of being alive"
"is still dead"
"So Elisha went by himself into the room where the child lay, closed the door and"
"lay on top of the boy again."
"Then she bowed in front of Elisha with her face to the ground to show him her gratitude"
"the group of men who were prophets". See 2 Kings 2:3.
This is usually made of meat and vegetables cooked in a pot with liquid.
These vegetables were growing wild, meaning someone had not planted them.
He lifted the bottom edge of his robe up to his waist to carry more than with his hands.
"but did not know if they were good or bad to eat"
"they poured the stew into bowls"
"there is something in the pot that will kill us"
"He added it to the stew in the pot"
"Serve it to the people,"
This is the name of a city.
made from the firstfruits of his grain from the new harvest
"fresh heads of grain."
"That is not enough to feed 100 men!"
"in the king's opinion"
"because through Naaman, Yahweh had given victory to the Aramean army"
Here the "Arameans" refer to the Aramean soldiers.
"in small groups attacking."
The girl who had been captured by the Aramean soldiers, spoke to Naaman's wife.
Here "my master" refers to Naaman.
"I will send a letter with you"
"330 kilograms of sliver, 6,000 pieces of gold"
"took with him ten ... clothes, which were gifts for the king of Israel"
"he ripped his clothes to show his distress"
"The king of Aram must think I am some sort of God, with the power over death and life! He wants me to cure this man of his leprosy, but I cannot do that."
"It seems he is looking for an excuse to start a fight with me"
"There is no need to be distressed and tear your clothes.". Elisha talks to the King of Israel about Naaman.
"your flesh will be well"
This means that he will no longer be unclean. A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. God considers a person who has leprosy as being defiled and unclean.
"Listen"
"Yahweh"
"over the diseased area of my skin"
"The Abanah and the Pharpar Rivers, in my home country of Aram, are much better than any of the rivers of Israel!
These are the names of rivers.
"I should have just bathed in them and been healed!"
"was very angry as he walked away"
The servants were showing respect to Naaman.
"you surely would have done it!"
"You should be even more willing to obey when he says to you, 'Dip yourself and be clean.'"
"Elisha, the man of God"
"His skin was restored again and was as soft as the flesh of a young child"
"his leprosy was gone"
"Please listen carefully: I"
"the only God in all the earth is in Israel"
"As surely as Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I promise you that I"
"whom I serve"
"I will not take any gifts"
"If you will not take the gifts I have brought for you"
"let me have"
"as much soil from Israel as two mules can carry, so that I can build an altar to Yahweh"
Naaman refers to himself as Elisha's servant to honor him.
"will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but Yahweh"
This is referring to the king of Aram.
"he supports himself on my arm." Naaman assists the king because the king is either old or sick.
"Go home and do not worry." or "Leave without fear."
"Naaman had traveled"
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Kings 4:12.
"has let Naaman the Aramean leave too easily"
"from him"
"As Yahweh lives, I promise"
"all right". See 2 Kings 4:23.
"from among the prophets there". See 2 Kings 2:3.
"Please give me a talent of sliver and two changes of clothes to give to them"
"33 kilograms of silver"
"two talents of silver" or "66 kilograms of silver"
"gave them to"
"Naaman urged Gehazi to take the gifts"
Gehazi refers to himself as Elisha's servant.
"You should have realized that my spirit could see you when Naaman stopped his chariot and talked to you."
"This is not the time to accept money ... female servants."
"you and your descendants will have leprosy, just as Naaman had leprosy"
"When Gehazi left the room, he was"
"with skin that was white like snow". Leprosy makes skin white.
"The group of prophets". See 2 Kings 2:3.
"Please listen carefully: the place". See 2 Kings 2:16.
"let us go beside the Jordan River"
The prophet refers to the sons of the prophets as Elisha's servants to show him honor.
"the ax head separated from the handle and fell into the water".
The man said this to show that he was upset and frustrated.
"I borrowed it"
"So Elisha, the man of God, asked"
God uses Elisha to perform a miracle. Elisha caused an iron ax head to float and he fooled the whole army of Aram that was sent to arrest him. When the king of Aram besieged the capital of Israel, the people became so hungry they started eating their children. Elisha told the king of Israel that there would be plenty of food the next day, but the king's counselor said it was impossible.
"caused the ax head to float"
"When the king of Aram was at war with Israel,"
"and told them where his camp would be located"
"Elisha the man of God"
Elisha knew the specific place that the Arameans were going to set up their camp.
"Elisha warned the king of Israel in this way several times and the Israelites were able to stay safe"
"Tell me which of you is revealing our plans to the king of Israel!"
"is loyal to the king of Israel"
"It is none of us"
This refers to the king of Aram.
"what you say in the privacy of your own bedroom"
"I may send men to capture him"
"Elisha is in Dothan"
This is the name of a city.
"Elisha the man of God"
"behold" shows that the servant was surprised by what he saw.
"got up early in the morning and went outside, and he saw"
"The servant went back inside and said to Elisha"
"those who are on our side in the battle are more than those who are on their side"
"make him able to see"
"he could see. What he saw was that"
"the mountainside was covered with horses"
"around the city where Elisha was"
This refers to the Aramean soldiers.
"Cause these people to be blind!"
"This is not the way, neither is this the city you are looking for"
"It happened that"
"allow these men to see"
"Yahweh allowed them to see clearly"
"when he saw the Aramean soldiers"
The king is speaking to Elisha and calling him "father" to show respect.
"Should I order my army to kill these enemy soldiers?"
"You would not kill men whom you had captured in war, so you should not kill these men."
"Give them food to eat and water to drink"
This refers to the king of Aram.
"Then the king ordered his servants to prepare a lot of food for them"
"Those groups"
"stopped attacking the land of Israel for a long time"
"son of Hadad". The name of the king of Aram.
"they attacked Samaria"
"a donkey's head cost"
"a fourth part of a liter" or "a quarter of a liter"
"dove's dung was sold for"
"walking on top of the city wall"
"The king of Israel answered the woman,"
"If Yahweh is not helping you, then I cannot help you."
"There is nothing coming from the threshing floor or the winepress."
"we cooked"
"heard the woman tell what she and the other woman had done"
"he tore his clothes in grief"
"he had sackcloth underneath his outer garment, against his skin"
"May God punish me and kill me"
"if Elisha son of Shaphat is not beheaded today"
"The king of Israel sent one of his servants as a messenger"
"when the messenger had almost arrived, Elisha said to the elders"
"See, this man who is like a murderer has sent someone to remove my head!"
"to behead me"
"Listen to what I want you to do: when"
"hold the door shut so that he cannot come in"
"The sound of his master's feet is right behind him."
"the messenger and the king arrived"
"Indeed, this trouble." This refers to the famine in Samaria and the suffering it caused.
"Why should I continue to wait for Yahweh to help us?"
"people will sell a measure of fine flour for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel"
"7 liters of fine flour ... 14 liters of barley". Here the word "measure" translates the word "seah".
"about 11 grams of silver" or "one silver coin"
"the officer who was the king's personal assistant"
"even if Yahweh were to cause much rain to fall from heaven"
"this could never happen!"
"you yourself will watch these things happen"
"but you will not eat any of the flour or barely"
"Certainly we should not sit here until we die"
This was not an actual army, but the Lord had made them hear these sounds, so they all ran away leaving all their food.
"the Aramean soldiers said to each other"
"the armies of the Hittites and the Egyptians"
"to fight us"
"silver and gold and clothes.". This refers to items that a conquering army takes from a defeated army.
"until morning, when people can see"
"someone will punish us"
"tell the king and his people"
"as they were when the soldiers were still there"
"then people told it to the king and those in his palace"
"are planning to do to us"
"the horses in the city that are still alive"
"see if what these lepers have said is true"
"They followed the path the Aramean army took all the way to the Jordan River"
"there were clothes and equipment all along the road"
"So people sold a measure of fine flour for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel"
"just as Yahweh had said"
The writer summarizes what happened by repeating the events that he described in 2 Kings 7:1-2.
"About this time tomorrow"
"you yourself will watch these things happen"
"but you will not eat any of the flour or barley"
Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story. Elisha told Hazael that he would be king of Aram, while Jehoram became king of Judah. He was evil so Edom and Libna revolted and chose their own kings.
The story of this woman and her son is found at 2 Kings 4:8.
"he had caused to become alive again"
"Do as I say, and go"
"Elisha, the man of God"
This refers to the king of Israel.
"to beg him to return her house and land to her"
The land that she would farm for food.
"had caused the child who was dead to become alive again"
to beg the king to return her house and land to her"
"about what had happened to her son"
"all the profit from the harvests of her fields"
"son of Hadad.". This is the name of the king of Aram. See 2 Kings 6:24.
This is the name of a man.
"take many gifts with you"
"ask Elisha to ask Yahweh"
"Will I recover"
"which 40 camels carried"
"Ben-Hadad the king of Aram who is like a son to you"
"You will surely recover"
"until Hazael felt uncomfortable,"
Hazael refers to Elisha this way to honor him.
God has shown Elisha what will take place in the future.
"you will cause to happen"
"You soldiers will set ... your soldiers will kill"
"crush their little children." This is a brutal description of the soldiers killing children.
"kill their young men in battle"
"rip open the stomachs of their pregnant women with swords"
"I could never do such great things!"
"this terrible thing."
"I am as powerless as a dog"
The phrase "his master" refers to Ben Hadad.
"face. Ben-Hadad was unable to breathe through it, and so he died"
Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, became the king of Judah.
"In the fifth year that Jorman son of Ahab was king of Israel" or "In year five of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel". This describes the time that Jehoram began to reign over Judah by stating how long Joram had been king of Israel.
"Jehoram was an evil king, just as other kings of Israel who ruled before him had been"
"the same as the rest of the family of Ahab was doing"
Jehoram had married king Ahab's daughter.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"destroy the people of Judah"
"since he had told David that one of his descendants would always rule Judah"
"the control of the king of Judah"
"they appointed a king to rule over themselves"
"Then Jehoram crossed the enemy lines"
"their homes." The Judahites were living in houses in those days.
"So after that, Edom was no longer controlled by Judah, and it is still like that"
"the rule of the king of Judah". King Jehoram of Judah dies and his son Ahaziah becomes king.
to the time that this book was written
"During that same time, Libnah also rebelled against the king of Judah"
"the people of Libnah". This is a city that was originally part of Judah.
"To read more about the history of Jehoram and what he did,"
"someone has written about them ... Judah."
"Jehoram died as his ancestors had died, and they buried him with his ancestors"
"Then Ahaziah, Jehoram's son, became king after he died"
"in the twelfth year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel". Ahaziah becomes king of Judah.
Athaliah is the name of a woman. Omri is the name of a man.
"Ahaziah lived the same way as the others in"
"the family of Ahab"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"the son of Ahab's son-in-law"
"Ahaziah's army joined the army of King Joram of Israel to fight against the army of King Hazael of Aram"
"to heal"
"the army of Hazael king of Aram"
"the Arameans had wounded Joram"
"the group of the prophets". See 2 Kings 2:3.
"Get ready to travel"
"with you"
Translate the name of this city as you did in 2 Kings 8:28.
Jehoshaphat is Jehu's father and that Nimshi is Jehoshapat's father. Elisha told a young prophet to go and tell Jehu that God had made him the new king. Jehu killed the kings of both Israel and Judah and Jezebel, the mother of the king.
"take him along to"
"a private room"
"Jehu and some other army officers were sitting together"
The word "us" refers to Jehu and the other army captains.
"so that I may punish them for murdering my servants the prophets and all the servants of Yahweh"
"whose deaths were commanded by Jezebel"
"by an order from Jezebel"
"For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cause every male in his family to be killed"
"I will get rid of the house of Ahab like I got rid of"
"the family of"
These are the names of men. Translate "Nebat" the same as you did in 2 Kings 3:3.
"Dogs will eat the dead body of Jezebel"
This refers to the other officers who were serving King Ahab.
"Is everything fine." See how you translated "all right" in 2 Kings 4:23.
"crazy man"
"You know what kinds of things young prophets like him say"
"Tell us what he said."
"He talked about some things"
"took off their outer clothes and put them in front of Jehu for him to walk on"
"One of them blew the ram's horn and they all said"
The author tells about about how Joram was wounded and went to recover in Jezreel.
"he and the Israelite army"
Translate the name of this man as you did in 2 Kings 8:8.
"to recover from"
"wounds that Joram got during the battle with the Aramean army"
"against Hazael king of Aram and his army"
This refers to the officers who were with Joram at Ramoth Gilead.
"If you truly want me to be your king"
"to warn king Joram and his army in Jezreel"
guard
"Jehu and his men as they were still far away;"
"It is not for you to know if I have come in peace!"
"Then king Joram sent a second messenger riding a horse, who went out to meet Jehu and his army"
"Because the driver of the chariot drives the same way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives"
"each in his own chariot"
This is the name of a man.
This refers to a person from Jezreel.
"There can be no peace as long as your mother Jezebel practices and promotes so much idolatry in the form of prostitution and witchcraft."
"turned his chariot around to try to flee"
"with all of his power"
"Joram fell down dead in his chariot."
This is the name of a man.
"Pick up his dead body and throw it"
"Remember"
"behind his father Ahab's chariot"
"Yahweh spoke this prophecy against Ahab"
"I will give you what you deserve for the evil you have done"
"take Joram's dead body and throw it into the field of Naboth"
"to fulfill the prophecy spoken to us"
"saw what happened to Joram"
These are the names of places.
"on the road leading up to Gur"
"his ancestors"
"in the eleventh year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel"
"put on makeup, made her hair look nice,"
"You are certainly not coming in peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer!"
"you murdered your master, just like Zimri murdered his master"
"Who is loyal to me"
The eunuchs threw Jezebel out of the high window and she died when she hit the ground.
"Jehu's horses that were pulling his chariot trampled her body under their feet"
"because she is a king's daughter and therefore should be buried properly"
"all they found that was left of her body were"
Someone from the city of Tishbe. See 2 Kings 1:3.
"the pieces of Jezebel's body will be scattered like dung in the fields ... so that no one will be able to recognize them and say"
Manure used as fertilizer.
"make him king in his father's place"
"to defend your master's descendant"
"Then they were very afraid"
"two kings, Joram and Ahaziah"
"could not endure against Jehu"
"the mayor of the city" or "the man who was in charge of the city"
"Do what you judge to be right"
"loyal to me"
"to what I say"
"kill your master's descendants and cut off their heads". Jehu killed all of Ahab's descendants and the worshipers of Baal.
"who were raising them"
"of Ahab's descendants."
"Jehu went to the city gate and stood before the people"
"You are innocent of what happened to Joram and his family"
"but the men of Samaria are responsible for killing Ahab's 70 descendants"
"understand"
"No part of Yahweh's word ... will fail" or "every part of Yahweh's word ... will happen"
"So Jehu commanded for all ... to be killed"
"all who were left"
"until all of his people were dead"
This was the name of a place where sheep were sheared.
"going to visit"
"Capture them"
This is the name of a man.
"Will you be loyal to me, as I will be loyal to you? ... 'I will.'"
"If so, let us shake hands". This confirms their agreement.
"see how zealous I am"
"entire royal family"
"to fulfill the prophecy that Elijah had spoken, which Yahweh gave to him"
"called all the people of the city of Samaria and had them come to where he was"
"serve him much more than Ahab did"
"We will execute anyone who does not come"
"Then Jehu sent the message"
"so that every worshiper of Baal was there"
"who was in charge of the priest's wardrobe" or "who cared for the priest's wardrobe"
"Jehu said to the people who were in the temple to worship Baal"
"but that only worshipers of Baal are here."
"If any of these men that I brought into your control escapes"
"we will kill the man who let him escape"
"in exchange for the life of the man"
"he went back outside of the temple of Baal and said to his bodyguards and to the officers"
"with their swords"
"threw their dead bodies out of the temple"
"made it a public toilet"
"and since then it has always been that way"
"did not stop committing the kinds of sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed"
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Kings 3:3.
"in carrying out"
"what I judge to be right"
"the family of Ahab"
"all that I desired for you to do" or "all that I wanted you to do"
"be the kings"
"for four more generations". This refers to his son, grandson, great-grandson, and great-great-grandson.
"Jehu was not careful to live according to the law of Yahweh"
"in everything that he did"
"began to cause the territory controlled by Israel to become smaller"
"King Hazael's Aramean army"
See how you translated this king's name in 2 Kings 8:8.
"from the land east of the Jordan"
These are all names of places.
"the Arnon River"
"Jehu died and they buried him in Samaria, where they had also buried his ancestors"
This is the name of a man.
"Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for 28 years"
The mother of the king of Judah, Athaliah, killed all the royal children so that she could rule. She was not able to kill the baby Joash because his aunt hid him in the temple. When Joash was seven years old, the chief priest conspired with the army and made Joash king. They killed Athaliah and destroyed the temple of Baal. This chapter is the beginning of the story of the spiritual revival in Judah under Joash, as the people returned to properly worshiping Yahweh.
"became aware that her son was dead"
"she commanded her servants to kill all the members of Ahaziah's family who might become king"
"took Ahaziah's very young son Joash and hid him and his nursemaid in a bedroom in the temple. So he was not killed"
"Joash and Jehosheba hid him in the house of Yahweh for six years while Athaliah ruled the land"
"people of Judah"
"In year 7 of Athaliah's reign"
the high priest
"the commanders of 100 soldiers" or "the commanders of military divisions"
This is the name of a particular group of the royal guards.
"had them come to meet with him."
Jehoiada revealed to them that Joash, King Azahiah's son, was still alive.
"in order to protect King Joash"
"Anyone who tries to go past you while you are protecting King Joash."
"you must kill him"
"You must stay near the king at all times"
"were stored in the temple."
"from the right side of the palace to the left side of the palace, near the altar and the temple."
Jehoiada brought king Ahaziah's son out from the temple apartment where he had been in hiding.
"presented him with the book of the law"
"poured some olive oil on Joash's head"
A sign of the happiness of the people at the anointing of the new king.
The noise made by all the soldiers.
"she came to where the people had gathered at the temple"
"When she arrived, she was surprised to see King Joash standing"
"by one of the pillars of the temple"
"which was the usual place for the king to stand"
"the people who played the trumpets"
She tore her clothes to express that she was very upset and angry.
"You are traitors! You have betrayed me!"
"Lead her away with a row of soldiers on each side of her."
"Anyone who follows to try to rescue her"
"the guards seized her and took her to the palace, to the place where horses enter the courtyard."
"where the horses enter the palace grounds"
"also made a covenant between the king and the people."
"a large number of the people of the land"
"the temple of Baal"
This is the name of a male priest.
"brought the king from the temple to the palace"
"many people in the land rejoiced"
"the city was peaceful"
"During year 7 of the reign of Jehu over Israel". This chapter is the end of the story of the revival in Judah under Joash.
This was the name of a woman.
"Zibiah, from the city of Beersheba"
"what Yahweh judges to be right"
"But the people did not destroy the high places"
Joash repaired the temple. In many ways, the temple represents the relationship between the people and Yahweh.
"when Joash had been king for twenty three years,"
"pay workers who will do the repairs"
"on the right side of the entrance to the temple"
"put into the chest"
"count the money and put it in bags."
"counted"
"to men"
"who repaired the temple"
people who build with stone
people who cut stones into the correct size and shape
"was not spent to pay for any of the temple's"
Items used by the priests for various temple tasks, such as sacrifices or festivals.
To keep a record of how much money was received and spent.
"they did not use the money from the guilt offerings and the sin offerings to pay for the repairs to Yahweh's temple."
"Hazael king of Aram and his army attacked ... Then they turned to attack"
This is the name of the king of the country of Syria.
These men were previous kings of Judah.
"dedicated"
"So Hazael stopped attacking Jerusalem and left"
"they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
The location of this place is unknown.
These are names of men.
"became the next king of Judah"
"After Joash had been ruling Judah for almost 23 years". This is the last chapter about Elisha.
"rule over the kingdom of Israel located in Samaria"
"Jehoahaz was king for 17 years"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment"
"did the same sins as Jeroboam"
"allowed Hazael the king of Aram, and Ben-Hadad, his son, to repeatedly defeat the Israelites in battle"
"prayed to Yahweh"
"he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel"
"someone to rescue them"
"their homes." The Israelites were living in houses at this time.
"Israel did not stop doing the same sins as Jeroboam had done"
"the family of Jeroboam"
"had defeated the army of Jehoahaz"
"had crushed them as workers crush chaff under their feet at harvest time"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 2 Kings 1:18.
This is a polite way of saying that he died.
"Joash". This is a man's name.
"After Joash had ruled Judah for almost 37 years"
"Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in Samaria"
"Jehoash kept committing the same sins as Jeroboam"
"by which Jeroboam had caused Israel to sin"
"the power that his army showed when they fought against the army of Amaziah king of Judah"
"Jeroboam became king after him"
"wept because Elisha was sick". Elisha assures him that he will have three victories over Aram.
Elisha was not the king's literal father. King Joash used this term as a sign of respect.
"the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you to heaven". See 2 Kings 2:11-12.
"the drivers of the chariots"
"open the window that faces east"
"So a servant opened it"
"Joash shot the arrow"
"This arrow is a sign from Yahweh that he will give you victory over Aram"
This was a city in the land of Israel.
"But Elisha was angry with King Joash"
"until you completely destroyed it,"
"each year during spring"
"As some Israelites were burying a man's body"
"they saw a group of Moabite raiders coming toward them and they were afraid"
"As soon as the dead man's body touched the bones of Elisha"
"the dead man came back to life and stood up"
"But Yahweh was very kind to the Israelite people. He helped them"
"Because of his covenant, Yahweh did not destroy them"
"has not rejected them"
These are names of kings.
These are names of kings.
"Jehoash's army attacked Ben-Hadad's army three times"
"When Jehoash son of Jehoahaz had been king of Israel for almost two years". The text begins again to alternate between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
"Amaziah son of Joash, became the king of Judah"
"He was 25 years old when he became king"
"he was the king in Jerusalem for 29 years"
"Amaziah did many things that pleased Yahweh, but he did not do as many things that pleased Yahweh as King David had done"
"He did the same good things that his father Joash had done"
"But he did not remove the high places"
"sacrificed and burned incense to pagan gods at the high places"
"as soon as Amaziah securely established his royal rule and kingly authority"
"he made his servants execute the officials"
The narrator tells about what king Amaziah did after his father King Joash was murdered.
"But he did not tell his servants to execute those officials' children" King Amaziah did not order his servants to kill the children of the men who killed his father. If he was going to have them executed though, he would have commanded his servants do it.
"the sons of the murderers. He obeyed what was written in the book of the law of Moses"
"People must not kill the fathers for the sins of their children, and they must not kill the children for the sins of their parents"
"Amaziah's army killed"
This is the name of a place that is located south of the Dead Sea.
"King Amaziah's army captured the city of Sela"
"Then Amaziah sent messengers to King Jehoash of Israel, saying, 'Come here and let us and our armies fight each other in battle.'". Amaziah defeated Edom so he wanted to fight Israel. But Israel defeated him and thoroughly humiliated him.
This is a word picture and a riddle. A cedar tree is great and a thistle is small and worthless. Jehoash compares himself to the cedar and Amaziah to the thistle and warns Amaziah not to attack.
"asking the cedar to give his daughter to the thistle's son for a wife"
"Amaziah, you have definitely defeated Edom"
"you are very proud of what you have done"
"for you should not cause trouble for yourself and suffer defeat"
"However, Amaziah would not obey Jehoash's warning"
"So Jehoash and his army went to fight Amaziah and his army and they met each other"
This is a town in Judah near the border of Israel.
"Israel defeated Judah"
"all the men in the army of Judah ran home." The people of Judah lived in houses at this time.
"Jehoash and his army came ... Jehoash's soldiers took"
There are the names of gates in the wall of Jerusalem.
"about 180 meters". A cubit was about 46 centimeters.
"Jehoash and his army came ... Jehoash's soldiers took"
"and they also took to Samaria some prisoners to make sure that Amaziah would cause them no more trouble"
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 2 Kings 1:18.
"Then Jehoash died"
"became king after him"
"Some people in Jerusalem plotted against Amaziah"
This is a city in southwestern Judah.
The men who made the conspiracy sent other men to follow Amaziah to Lachish.
"They brought Amaziah's body back on horses"
"The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Azariah and made him king after his father, Amaziah"
This king is better known by the name "Uzziah."
"It was Azariah who ordered Elath to be rebuilt" or "It was Azariah who supervised the rebuilding of Elath"
a city in Judah
"In year 15 of Amaziah"
"evil according to Yahweh"
"He continued to commit the same sins as Jeroboam"
"His soldiers conquered again some of the territory that had previously belonged to Israel"
This city was also called Hamath.
"the Dead Sea"
"it was very difficult"
"there was no one who could rescue Israel"
"completely destroy"
"the Israelite people"
"on earth"
"In year 27 of the reign of Jeroboam"
This king is better known by the name "Uzziah."
"what was right in Yahweh's judgment"
"no one destroyed the high places" or "Azariah did not have anyone destroy the high places"
"until the day he died"
"had authority over those in Azariah's palace". Because Azariah was a leper, he had to live in a separate house. So his son, Jotham, took charge over the palace.
"they are written ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
"Azariah died as his ancestors had"
"became king instead of Azariah"
"In year 38 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
This Jeroboam was the second king of Israel that had that name. He was the son of King Jehoash.
"lived in Samaria and reigned over Israel for six months"
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment". See 2 Kings 3:2.
"Zechariah sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned"
This Jeroboam was the first king of the ten northern tribes that made up the kingdom of Israel.
"who had caused the people of Israel to sin"
These are the names of two men.
"against King Zechariah". Israel assassinated one king after another. The Assyrians began attacking Israel.
This was the name of a city.
"you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel"
"What happened to Zechariah fulfilled the word of Yahweh"
"Your descendants will be the kings of Israel for four generations"
"in year 39 of the reign of Uzziah king of Judah"
"Azariah."
"Shallum lived in Samaria and reigned over Israel for only one month"
These are the names of two men.
"became king instead of Shallum"
"how he planned to murder King Zechariah"
This is the name of a city. Some versions have "Tappuah," which is the name of another city.
"In year 39 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
"The whole time that he lived"
"who had caused the people of Israel to sin"
"Pul the king of Assyria came with his army against the land"
He was also named Tiglath-Pileser.
"came with his army to attack the people of Israel"
"thirty-three thousand kilograms of silver" or "thirty-three metric tons of silver"
"to strengthen his rule over the kingdom of Israel"
"took this money from Israel"
These were important leaders, not strong soldiers.
"six hundred grams of silver" or "three-fifths of a kilogram of silver"
"Menahem died as his ancestors had"
"became king instead of Menahem"
"In year 50 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
"Pekahiah sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned"
Here the word "Israel" represents the people of the kingdom of Israel.
These are men's names.
"secretly planned to kill Pekahiah"
These are men's names.
"the fortified part of the king's palace"
"became king instead of Pekahiah"
"In year 52 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
"During the time that Pekah was king of Israel"
In 2 Kings 15:19 this man was called "Pul."
These are the names of cities or regions.
"He and his army forced the people to go to Assyria
"the people of Israel"
These are men's names.
"became king instead of Pekah"
"In year 20 of the reign of Jotham son of Uzziah"
"In year 2 of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel"
"Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah became king of Judah"
"Azariah."
This is a woman's name.
"no one destroyed the high places"
"Jotham had his workers build the upper gate"
"While Jotham was king of Judah"
This is a man's name.
These are men's names. Pekah was the king of Israel.
"became king instead of Jotham"
"In year 17 of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah"
These are men's names. Pekah was the king of Israel. See 2 Kings 15:25.
He was a wicked king. Israel and Aram united to fight against him, so he paid the Assyrian king to attack Aram. Assyria defeated the people of Aram and took them into captivity. The people were not to rely on military alliances with other Gentile nations. This showed a lack of trust in the power of Yahweh.
"what was right in Yahweh's judgment"
David had done what is right.
"King Ahaz acted the same way that the kings of Israel had acted"
"He even burned his son to death as an offering to his gods"
"copying the disgusting things that the people of other nations did, the nations"
"before the people of Israel who moved into the land"
These are places where the people of the other nations worshiped their false gods.
"under many green trees around the country"
These are men's names. See 2 Kings 15:37.
"surrounded the city with Ahaz in it"
"took back control of the city of Elath for the people of Aram"
This means to the time of the writing of this book.
In 2 Kings 15:19 this man was called "Pul." See the translation of his name in 2 Kings 15:29.
"I will obey you as if I were your servant or your son"
"from the power of the king of Aram and from the power of the king of Israel"
"whose armies have attacked me"
"the king of Assyria and his army attacked the people of Damascus"
"made the people his prisoners and forced them to go to Kir"
This is the name of a city and refers to the capital city of Assyria.
"all the instructions that the workers needed in order to build it"
"King Ahaz made his burnt offering"
"the royal burnt offering and royal grain offering"
"the movable stands"
"he also removed the large bowl." The "sea" was a water bowl made of bronze.
"to please the king of Assyria"
"they are written in The Book of the Events of the Kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
"Ahaz died as his ancestors had"
"people buried him with his ancestors"
"became king instead of Ahaz"
Hoshea became the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. This chapter ends the story about the kingdom of Israel and continues with Judah.
This is the name of a man.
Samaria was the capital city of Israel.
"evil to Yahweh". He did not obey Yahweh's laws as given to Moses.
This is the name of a man.
Hoshea did as the King of Assyria commanded and brought money to him. Israel continued to worship idols, so God punished them by allowing Assyria to conquer them and take them away. Assyria brought people from other lands and settled them in what used to be Israel's territory and they worshiped their own gods in addition to Yahweh.
This is the name of the king of Egypt.
"put Hoshea in prison"
put troops around the city in order to force a surrender
"took the Israelite people to Assyria"
These are the names of locations.
This is the name of a people group.
This refers to the capture of the Israelites by the Assyrians.
"the control of"
"doing the activities"
"on high hills and under green trees everywhere"
"did many sinful things that caused Yahweh to become angry"
Yahweh spoke through the prophets.
"Stop doing the evil things you have been doing"
"they became very stubborn"
They refused to obey God's Laws.
"not to copy"
These are objects made by pouring melted metal into a mold to make a shape.
"practiced all kinds of magic"
"committed themselves to do things that Yahweh said were evil"
"removed them from his attention"
"the people of Judah"
"Yahweh punished the Israelites"
"handed them over to those who robbed them of their property"
"until they were no longer in his presence"
"Yahweh removed the people of Israel"
"from the rule of David's descendants"
"turned the people of Israel away from following Yahweh"
"the Israelites did not stop committing these sins"
"so Yahweh removed the people of Israel from his attention and care"
These are places in the Assyrian empire.
"When those people first lived there"
"The people you have moved from other lands and sent to live in the cities of Samaria"
"do not know how to worship the God that the Israelites worshiped in this land."
"Take a priest who came from Samaria back there,"
"let the Samaritan priest teach the people who are living there now"
These are the names of gods, both male and female.
These are the names of gods, both male and female.
These are the names of people groups.
"sacrificed their own children"
The pagan people that the king of Assyria moved into the cities of Samaria.
"they continue in the same habits as before"
The people only appeased Yahweh, but were not aware Yahweh was interested in a relationship with them.
"with very great power"
"obey them"
"They did not obey"
"and have continued ever since." The phrase "this day" refers to the time period when the writer lived.
This begins the story of Hezekiah, one of the great kings of Judah (2 Kings 18–20). He becomes king over Judah in place of his father King Ahaz. Because he was so important, there is more space dedicated to the history of his reign.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a woman.
"King Hezekiah did what was right to Yahweh". Hezekiah trusted and obeyed God. He stopped paying tribute to Assyria so the Assyrians invaded Judah. The people of Judah were told that resistance was useless.
"Hezekiah removed the high places of worship, smashed the memorial stones, and cut down the wooden poles of Asherah"
"Bronze Serpent Idol."
"Hezekiah remained faithful to Yahweh"
"wherever Hezekiah went he was successful."
city with a wall all around it.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of places.
This is the name of a people group.
"So the king of Assyria commanded his army to take the Israelites away from their homes, and made them live in Assyria"
"the command of Yahweh"
This is the name of a city.
"Take your army out of my territory"
"I will pay you whatever you demand of me"
This is a type of weight that was used for money. One talent weighted about 33 kilograms.
The place in the palace where money and valuable things were stored.
Sennacherib sent a group of men from his army to Jerusalem to meet with King Hezekiah, including Tartan and Rabsaris.
"the Tartan ... the Rabsaris" or "the leader of the soldier ... a court official"
the channel where the water stored in the "upper pool" flows into the city of Jerusalem
"and waited there for King Hezekiah to meet with them"
These are the names of men.
"You have no reason to think that you can defeat me."
The speaker is trying to convince the hearers that Hezekiah does not know how to defeat the Assyrians and would not have the might to carry out such a plan.
"You cannot trust anyone to help you rebel against me."
"Egypt, which is like a walking stick made from a crushed reed". The speaker compares Egypt to a weak walking stick; you expect that it will support you but it breaks and cuts you.
"You need to remember that he is the one whose high places ... Jerusalem'!"
"You could not defeat even one of the least of the king's soldiers."
"Yahweh himself told us to come here and destroy this land!"
Translate the names of these men as in 2 Kings 18:18.
"because the people standing on the city wall will hear it and be afraid"
"My master sent me not only to you and your master, but also to speak to the people in this city, who will suffer with you when they have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine to survive."
"from the power of my army"
"Yahweh will never allow the king of Assyria's army to take this city"
"Come out of the city and surrender to me"
These sources of food and water refer to security and plenty.
These words refer to having good things and plenty in daily life.
"None the gods of the peoples have rescued them ... Assyria."
"I have destroyed the gods of ... Arpad!"
These are the names of places that represent the people living there.
"out from my control"
"No god has rescued his land from my power."
"There is no way Yahweh can save Jerusalem from my might!"
These are the names of men.
"who managed the king's palace"
"the history keeper"
"Rabshakeh"
"temple of Yahweh."
These are all names of men.
"Hezekiah sent Eliakim"
"all wearing sackcloth"
"This is a time of distress"
This describes how the people and their leaders have become so weak and unable to fight the enemy.
"everything that the chief commander has said". God caused the Assyrian king to fail in conquering Jerusalem because he mocked God.
"pray earnestly"
"I will control the attitude of the king of Assyria, so when he hears a report, he will want to return to his own country".
"I will cause him to die by the sword"
"the official from Assyria in charge under the king"
"discovered that the Assyrian army was fighting"
The names of cities in the kingdom of Judah.
These are the names of men.
"had prepared his army to fight against Assyria"
"so Sennacherib sent"
This message was written in a letter.
"Do not believe your God in whom you trust. He is lying when he says"
"the control of the government of Assyria"
"Notice, you have heard" or "You have certainly heard."
"Your God will not rescue you!"
"The gods of the nations, the nations ... destroyed—Gozan ... Assar—certainly did not rescue them!"
"the previous kings of Assyria"
These are all place names.
These are all place names.
"you who sit on your throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant". The cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh's footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven.
"Yahweh, please listen to what he is saying". To "incline the ear" is to lean toward the speaker so as to better hear the words. The words "Open your eyes" and "see" mean the same thing and add emphasis to the plea.
"The Assyrian kings have burned up the gods of the other nations"
"Assyrians have destroyed both the nations and the nations' gods."
"I beg of you"
"from the power of the King of Assyria"
The writer quotes a poem by the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 37:22) that contains a prophecy.
"The beautiful people of Jerusalem". "despises you and laughs you to scorn" means that "the people of Jerusalem know that Assyria will fail because they have mocked God.”
"The people of the city of Jerusalem"
"scorns you"
"You have defied and slandered me! You have exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes in pride against me, the Holy One of Israel!"
"looked at very proudly"
An expression for the God of Israel, Yahweh.
To "defy" is to openly resist or mock.
The pronoun "I" represents him and his army.
"And by marching through the streams of Egypt, we dried them all up!". This is a boast that Sennacherib has so many soldiers that their feet dry up the water when they cross a river.
"Surely you know how ... times."
"cities that cannot be captured"
"as frail as plants and grass in the fields"
"like grass before it has matured"
"angry shouting about me"
"because I have heard your proud words"
"I will lead you like an animal". A "hook" and a "bit" (to control a horse) refer to Yahweh's control of Sennacherib.
"I will make you return to your own country the same way you came, without conquering Jerusalem"
"grows without having been planted"
"The people who remain in Judah will prosper and have many children"
"The strong action of Yahweh will make this happen."
"nor do any fighting here"
"and they will not even build up high mounds of earth against the city wall to enable them to attack the city"
"this is what Yahweh has declared"
"for the sake of my own reputation and because of what I promised to King David, who served me well."
"It happened"
"When the men who were left alive got up"
These are the names of men.
"Give final instructions to your household and government". This chapter finishes the story of Hezekiah.
"remember"
"lived my life". Hezekiah was dying but when he prayed, God gave him 15 more years of life.
"in your judgment"
"Yahweh spoke his word"
"I have heard your prayers and seen your tears"
"two days from now" The day Isaiah said this was the first day, so "the third day" is the same as "two days from now."
"from the control of the king of Assyria"
"paste made of boiled figs."
"Hezekiah's servants did this and put the paste on Hezekiah's sore"
"Do you want Yahweh to make the shadow caused by the sunlight on the stairway to go forward ten steps or to go back ten steps?"
A special stairway built for King Ahaz in such a way that the steps marked the hours of daylight as the sun's rays advanced along them; thus telling the time during the day. See "stairway of Ahaz" in 2 Kings 20:11.
"It is easy to cause the shadow to move forward ten steps, because that is the normal thing for it to do"
"the steps that had been built for King Ahaz"
These are the names of the king of Babylon and his son.
"carefully considered those letters" or "heard the message from the king of Babylon"
"Hezekiah showed him absolutely everything valuable in his house and in all his kingdom"
The men sent to King Hezekiah with a message and gifts from Marduk-Baladan.
"I showed them absolutely every one of my valuable things". Hezekiah repeats the same idea to emphasize his point.
"So, because Isaiah knew Hezekiah had been foolish to show the men all his valuable things, Isaiah said to him"
"the message of Yahweh"
"Listen to me, someday there will come a time when"; "Look" is used to draw attention to what Isaiah is about to tell Hezekiah.
"Days" refers to an undefined span of time.
"Because Hezekiah thought"
"I can be sure that there will be peace and stability in my days."
A tunnel for carrying the water from the pool.
"they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
The mother of King Manasseh.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment". When Manasseh worshiped idols and did many evil things, God said he would cause Judah to be destroyed by its enemies. God judges sin. See 2 Kings 3:2.
"including the disgusting things."
"Manasseh had the high places rebuilt ... he had altars built for Baal, had an Asherah pole made"
"Jerusalem is where I will forever make known who I am"
"He had his workers build altars in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh so that the people could worship the stars and offer them sacrifices"
"He burned his son to death as an offering to his gods"
"asked for information from"
"many things that were evil in Yahweh's judgment". See 2 Kings 3:2.
"where I want people to worship me forever"
"the people of Israel"
"even more than the people whom Yahweh had destroyed as the people of Israel advanced through the land". This refers to the people living in the land of Canaan before the Israelites had arrived.
"judge Jerusalem using the same measure I used when I judged Samaria and the house of Ahab". Additionally, "I will wipe Jerusalem clean, as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down" means "God would completely destroy Jerusalem.”
"against the people of Israel". Samaria is the capital city.
a tool made of a heavy weight and a thin rope used to show if a wall is straight
"the family of Ahab"
"I will abandon"
"let their enemies defeat them and take over their land"
"In addition, Manasseh"
"Manasseh ordered his soldiers to kill many innocent people"
"there were very many dead people throughout Jerusalem"
"they are written ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
"died, as his ancestors had, and"
"the garden that had once belonged to a man named Uzza"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a woman.
"lived completely the way his father had lived"
"He paid no more attention to Yahweh"
"made plans to work together to harm him"
"some of the people in Judah"
This is the name of a woman.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a town in Judah.
"He did what was right according to Yahweh"
"He lived the way David his ancestor had lived"
"he fully obeyed all the laws of Yahweh"
These are men's names.
"Go to Hilkiah". The phrase "Go up" is used because Yahweh's temple was higher in elevation.
This is a man's name.
"that the temple guards who gathered the money from the people brought into the temple of Yahweh"
Here "house of Yahweh" and "temple" mean the same thing.
"Tell Hilkiah to give the money to the workmen"
"them" refers to the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh in 2 Kings 22:5.
workers who build with stone
"the workmen who were in charge did not have to report how they used the money that the temple guards gave them"
"because they used the money honestly"
This is the name of a man. See 2 Kings 18:18.
Most likely these laws were written on a scroll; which is made of one long, rolled-up sheet of papyrus or leather.
"given it to the workmen"
"had heard the laws that were written in the book" or "had heard the laws that were written in the scroll"
A symbolic action that indicates intense grief or sadness.
These are names of men.
It is made clear (in Chapter 22:14) that the king means to go to the prophetess of Yahweh to determine Yahweh's will.
to go to someone to ask for advice
"the laws in this book that Hilkiah has found"
"For Yahweh is very angry with us"
"all the laws that God gave through Moses to the people of Israel"
This is a woman's name.
These are men's names.
The person who took care of the clothing that priests wore in the temple or who took care of the king's clothing.
"she lived in the new part of Jerusalem". The "second quarter" refers to the new part built on the north side of Jerusalem.
"the man" refers to King Josiah.
"I will cause terrible things to happen to this place and to those who live there"
"to Jerusalem" or "to Judah". The city of Jerusalem which represents the whole land of Judah.
"About the message that you heard"
"because you repented"
"that I would make the land desolate and would curse them"
"this is what Yahweh has declared". See 2 Kings 19:33.
"So I will allow you to die and be buried peacefully"
"You will not experience"
"the terrible things I will cause to happen in this place"
The story of Josiah ends in this chapter. He destroyed idolatry in Judah and in the deserted areas of Israel. He fought against Egypt and was killed in battle. After his death, Egypt set up and contolled a government in Judah.
"many other people"
"from the least important to the most important"
"Then the king read aloud so that they could hear"
"that Hilkiah had found". In 2 Kings 22:8 it states that Hilkiah found the book.
"live obeying Yahweh"
These words emphasize everything that Yahweh had commanded in the law.
"with all his being" or "with all his energy"
"that this book contained"
"obey the terms of the covenant."
"the other priests who served him"
"so people could use them to worship Baal ... so people could use them to worship all the stars"
"Josiah had them burn them ... and carry them". It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things.
names of places
"as a way to worship Baal, the sun and the moon, the planets, and all the stars"
The houses were in the temple or the prostitutes were in the temple.
"by the temple of Yahweh"
"made clothes"
names of places
"the city leader named Joshua.". This is a different Joshua from the Joshua in the Old Testament Book of Joshua.
"brothers" refers to their fellow priests who served at the temple.
place names
"put his son or his daughter in the fire and burn them as an offering to Molech"
Real horses or statues of horses.
"had used to worship the sun"
a man's name
"the kings of Judah had had their workers make ... Manasseh had had his workers make".
Place name. See 2 Kings 23:4.
"Josiah had them ruin ... He had them break ... they filled"
"Solomon the king of Israel had had his workers build"
"covered the ground with human bones so people could not use it as a shrine anymore"
"had said that these things would happen."
A marker or statue that honors a person, like a tomb.
"So they did not touch his bones, or the bones of"
"what Josiah had done"
"he burned human bones on them so no one would use them again"
"You must celebrate the Passover,"
"The descendants of Israel had not celebrated the Passover festival in such a great way in the time of"
"the descendants of Israel."
"the time when the people of Israel had their own king and the people of Judah had their own king"
"the people of Judah celebrated this Passover of Yahweh"
This translates a word that can mean to burn things, which is probably what Josiah did to the fetishes, idols, and disgusting things. Josiah probably told the sorcerers and spiritists to leave Judah, but he may have executed them by burning them.
See 2 Kings 21:6.
things that people wrongly believe have special power
"who gave himself completely to Yahweh"
"And since then there has never been a king who was like Josiah."
The writer says that even though all of these things that Josiah did were good, Yahweh was still angry with Judah.
"Yahweh did not stop being furiously angry with Judah"
"had done to cause him to be angry"
"from where I am"
"People should worship me there"
"you can find them ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
"During the time of Josiah, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt"
Necho is the name of a man. Megiddo is the name of a city.
This is a woman's name.
This is the name of a place.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment". See 2 Kings 3:2.
These are names of places.
"put him in prison"
"punished the people of Judah by forcing them to give him"
"3,300 kilograms ... 33 kilograms". A talent was about 33 kilograms.
"Jehoikim collected taxes from the people who owned land"
"the people who lived in the land of Judah"
This is a woman's name.
This is a man's name.
This is the name of a place.
"During the time that Jehoiakim ruled Judah". These last two chapters are the final defeat of Judah and the beginning of their exile to Babylon. The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and carry away all the craftsmen, soldiers and wealthy. God punished Judah because of their sin. They make Zedekiah the king. He was not truly a king because he lacked absolute authority.
"Nebuchadnezzar attacked and defeated Judah"
"This was according to the word of Yahweh that his servants the prophets had spoken"
"It was certainly because of the wrath of Yahweh,"
"as Yahweh had commanded"
"get rid of them"
"innocent people whom he killed"
"he killed many innocent people in Jerusalem"
"they are indeed written ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
"died and was buried along with his ancestors"
"The king of Egypt did not come out of his land any more to attack other people groups,"
Nehushta is the name of a woman. Elnathan is the name of a man.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment". See 2 Kings 3:2
"he committed the same kinds of sins his father had committed"
"the army." They served Nebuchadnezzar as soldiers.
"Jehoiachin the king of Judah, with his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers, went out to where the king of Babylon was, to surrender to him"
"After the king of Babylon had been king for more than seven years, he captured Jehoiachin"
Solomon might have had others help him do this.
"Nebuchadnezzar took all the important people away from Jerusalem"
"the men who knew how to make and repair things that are made from metal"
"Only the poorest people in the land still lived there"
The men who were wealthy or were leaders because people thought they were wise.
This is a man's name.
This is a woman's name.
This is a man's name.
This is the name of a place.
This chapter is the final defeat of Judah and the beginning of their exile to Babylon. Zedekiah revolted against the Babylonians; so they came and completely destroyed Jerusalem, tearing down the city walls. They took the rest of the people to Babylon as slaves, except for the very poorest people.
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of December on Western calendars. This is during the cold season when there may be rain and snow.
"came with his whole army to fight against the people of Jerusalem"
The fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. The ninth day is near the end of June on Western calendars. This is during the dry season when there is very little or no rain.
These are the inhabitants of Jerusalem, including refugees from the surrounding villages that fled to Jerusalem when the war started.
"Then the Babylonian army broke into the city"
"by using the gate"
Some translations use "Chaldeans" and others use "Babylonians."
"King Zedekiah also fled and he went toward"
"His whole army ran away from him"
This is the name of a place.
"decided what they would do to punish him"
"they forced king Zedekiah to watch them kill his sons"
"Nebuchadnezzar put out Zedekiah's eyes.". Other people might have helped Nebuchadnezzar do this.
The fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The seventh day is near the end of July on Western calendars.
This is the name of a man.
"This is what happened to all the walls around Jerusalem, all"
"who were following the orders of"
"This is what happened to the people who remained in the city, those"
"left the city and gone to be with the king"
"This is what happened to the bronze pillars ... Yahweh: the Chaldeans"
"the moveable bronze stands". The stands with bronze wheels and axles.
"the large bronze basin"
"cut them into pieces"
A tool that was used to clean the altar, typically used to move big piles of dirt, sand, or ashes.
"which the priests had used in the temple service"
"about 8.3 meters ... about 1.4 meters". A cubit was 46 centimeters.
"an artistic, bronze design" or "a bronze piece with designs"
This was a design made of crossed strips that looked like a net.
"completely made of bronze"
This is the name of a man.
"the priest under Seraiah.". These words refer to Zephaniah.
"captured and kept from escaping"
The officer forced men to become soldiers or the officer wrote down the names of the men who became soldiers.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a place.
"killed them." Other people might have helped the king do this.
"So Judah was taken into exile out of its land"
"the people of Judah went out of their land"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
A descendant of a man named Netophah.
A person who comes from a place called Maakah.
On the Hebrew calendar. The last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
This is the name of a man.
"many people"
"from the least important to the most important"
On the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-seventh day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
This is a man's name.
"more honor than the other kings"
This represents making him a free man.
"with the king and his officials"
"The king made sure that he had a regular food allowance"
"Money to buy food"
These are all names of men. Each man was the father or ancestor of the next man in the list. If your language has a specific way to mark this kind of list, you can use it here. This also applies to verses 2 and 3.
Some versions, include "The sons of" in order to make it clear that Shem, Ham, and Japheth were brothers to each other and sons of Noah. Otherwise, the reader would assume that each person represented one generation farther away from Noah, their ancestor.
"Lamech's son Noah"
These are names of people groups.
This name is sometimes spelled "Dodanites."
Possible meanings are 1) "who became a mighty man" or 2) "who was the first mighty man."
or "warrior" or "conqueror"
These are names of people groups.
These are names of people groups.
"the ancestors of the Philistines"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a people group.
These and those listed in verses 15 and 16 are names of people groups.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a place.
"succeeded Bela as king" or "became king after him"
These are names of men.
"Husham, from the land where Teman's descendants lived, reigned after him"
This is the name of a people group.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
These are names of men.
"Shaul reigned in his place. He was from Rehoboth, which is by the Euphrates River" or "Shaul, who was from Rehoboth by the river, became king after him"
This is the name of a place.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"as Yahweh judged"
This refers to the wife of his son.
These are the names of men.
"gave birth to his sons Perez and Zerah"
what God had said he wanted the people to destroy
These are names of men.
"the second son ... the third son"
"the fourth son ... the fifth son"
"the sixth son ... the seventh son"
These are names of men.
"Jether, a descendant of Ishmael"
These are names of men.
These are names of women.
These are names of men.
"gave birth to"
These are names of men.
People gave the land the name of the man.
These are names of people groups named after ancestors. Translate "Aram" as in 1 Chronicles 1:17.
These are the names of places.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"Caleb had sexual relations with Ephrathah" or "Caleb lay with Ephrathah"
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
Some modern translations read, "the founder of the clan of Hebron"
Some modern translations read, "the founder of the clan of Hebron ... the founder of the clan of Raham, the founder of the clan of Jorkeam ... the founder of the clan of Shammai."
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a woman.
"founder of Kiriath Jearim"
"founder of Bethlehem ... founder of Beth Gader"
Shobal is the name of a man, and Kiriath Jearim is the name of a town.
This is the name of a clan.
This is the name of a man.
"the people of Bethlehem"
These are names of clans.
"the Kenites who descended from Hamath"
These are names of men.
David was a son of Jesse, who was a descendant of Judah
This man has the same name as an Israelite prophet but is a different person.
These are the names of men.
These are names of men.
This was another name for Uzziah, the better-known name for this king. Translators may decide to use "Uzziah" everywhere for this king.
These are names of men.
Some versions have "Jeconiah," which is a variation of "Jehoiachin."
This may be a title that was given to Jehoiachin because he was taken into captivity. However, some versions regard the word as "Assir," the name of one of his sons.
This man has the same name as the prophet Obadiah but is a different person.
Different versions put these people into different relationships with each other because the Hebrew is not very clear about them.
There was a village named Etam. Possible meanings are 1) Etam was a man, and the word "sons" refers to his own sons, or 2) Etam here is the village, and "sons" is a metaphor meaning those who start a village.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a woman.
There was a man named Gedor and a city named Gedor. The name Hushah occurs only in this verse. Possible meanings are 1) the names Gedor and Hushah refer to two men, or 2) the names Gedor and Hushah refer to cities, and "father" is a metaphor meaning someone who starts a city.
These are the names of men.
The word "These" refers to Peniel and Ezer.
Hur was Ephrathah's first son.
"Ephrathah, who started the city of Bethlehem."
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 2:24.
These are the names of women.
"gave birth to his sons"
These are names of men.
These are understood here as the names of men. However, some versions understand them as the names of clans that were begun by the sons of Ashhur.
These are names of men.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a man.
"you will guide me" or "you will make me prosper" or "you will protect me." Alternate translation: "you will be with me"
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"Tehinnah, the founder of the city of Nahash"
These are names of men.
people skilled at making or building things
These are the names of men.
The word "these" refers to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah. They were the sons Bithiah bore for her husband Mered.
These are the names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of towns.
people who made clothing out of a fabric made from crushed reeds
These are names of men.
These are names of towns.
the people who make containers out of clay
These are names of towns.
These are names of men.
the son of Mishma's son
the son of Mishma's grandson
the villages that were near but outside the main town
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"the number of people in their families increased greatly"
This is the name of a town.
an area of land where their flocks could feed on the grass
a people group, descendants of Ham
Or "homes of the Hamites" or "places where the Hamites lived." The Hamites probably did not still live in tents.
"descendants of Meun"
"the rest of the remaining Amalekites who had escaped"
"from then until now." This refers to the day when the author was writing this account.
"but Israel gave Reuben's birthright to the sons of Joseph, another of Israel's sons"
This is a polite way to speak about Reuben sleeping with his father's secondary wife. The couch is the place where a man and his wife would have slept together.
"the family history does not list Reuben as the oldest son"
a record that shows how people in a family are related to each other
These are names of men.
These are the names of cities.
This is a name of a people group.
"took over all the Hagrites' land and buildings" or "lived in all the Hagrite territory"
This is the name of a city.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"The tribe of Gad lived"
the areas of land where animals feed on grass
"Genealogical records listed them all" or "The records of their family's ancestry listed them all"
This refers to the people from the tribe of Rueben.
This refers to the people from the tribe of Gad.
"who were all trained to fight well in battles"
These are the names of people groups.
"the Israelites cried to God for help"
"The Israelites captured the Hagrites' animals"
"God helped them"
"the families of the half tribe" or "the people of the half tribe"
These are the names of mountains.
These are the names of men.
extended families, people related to each other who usually lived in different houses.
"they acted like prostitutes by worshiping the gods"
These are the names of men.
These are names of towns.
See how you translated this phrase in 1 Chronicles 4:43.
The reader should understand that Solomon probably hired workers to do the work.
"allowed Nebuchadnezzar's army to defeat the armies of Judah and Jerusalem and take the people into captivity"
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 6:2.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
the second son
"where people met with Yahweh" This was a tent in David's time.
"the people of Israel placed the ark there"
Possible meanings are 1) that "the tent of meeting" and "the tabernacle" are two names for the same thing or 2) the tabernacle is part of the tent of meeting, "the sanctuary of the tent of meeting"
"They did their work" or "They did their various kinds of work"
"according to the instructions that David gave them" or "according to the instructions they received"
"These were the musicians"
This is the name of a people group, the descendants of Kohath
This means the list is going in order from the most recent to the oldest.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 6:25.
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 6:25.
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 6:25.
The authority of a person is described by where they stand. The right side of a person is the place where the person with the most authority stands.
"Standing on Heman's left side"
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 2:6.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
"God had assigned their associates, the Levites, to do" or "It was the duty of their fellow workers, the Levites, to do"
"They offered these things to make atonement for the sins of the people of Israel"
"These were the descendants of Aaron"
"These are the places where God assigned Aaron's descendants to live"
"where the descendants of Aaron ... Kohathites were to live"
This is the name of a people group, the descendants of Kohath. See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 6:33.
"They gave Hebron to the Kohathites"
These are names of places.
These are names of places.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
The towns mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:55 and 1 Chronicles 6:60.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
"The tribe of Asher gave Issachar"
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
"The tribe of Naphtali gave them"
These are names of towns.
"The tribe of Zebulun gave the rest ... descendants"
Translate "Merari" as in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
These are names of towns.
"the tribe of Reuben, across ... Jericho, gave them"
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
"The tribe of Gad gave the Levites"
These are names of towns.
These are names of towns.
"during David's life" or "while David was alive"
Another possible meaning is "Among them ... were."
These are names of men.
These are names of clans of people.
This is the name of a woman.
This is the name of a man.
"descendant, to whom his Aramean concubine gave birth"
These are names of men. See how you translated "Makir, father of Gilead" in 1 Chronicles 2:21.
These are names of men.
This is the name of a woman.
This woman is different from Makir's sister Maakah 1 Chronicles 7:15.
"the brothers went to steal the livestock from the people of Gath"
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with his wife.
"She became pregnant and gave birth to a son"
"They possessed and resided in Bethel ... villages" or "They owned and lived in Bethel ... villages"
This is the name of a man.
"important men"
"According to the clan records, there were twenty-six thousand men who were able to serve in the military"
This is the name of a man.
extended families, people related to each other who usually lived in different houses, also called "clans"
These are names of towns.
"needed to move" or "had to move"
"Shaharaim and his wife Hodesh had the following sons:"
This is the name of a woman.
These are names of men.
These are names of places.
"Jeiel, the leader of Gibeon, lived in Gibeon. His wife's name was Maakah"
This is the name of a town.
"Jeiel's first son"
These are names of men.
"Jeush, who was born after Ulam, and Eliphelet, who was born after Jeush"
"a total of one hundred fifty sons and grandsons"
"The Israelites recorded all of themselves in genealogies"
family records that name ancestors and descendants
"They wrote the names in the book ... Israel"
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
"The Babylonians carried them away in exile"
This is the name of a people group descended from Shelah.
This is the name of a man.
These are names of men.
"numbered six hundred ninety people"
"leaders of their extended families." Extended families are people related to each other who usually live in different houses, or "clans."
the second temple, which the people built after they returned from Babylon
"numbered one thousand and sixty priests" or "numbered seventeen hundred and sixty priests"
"one of the descendants"
All of the names here except "Netophathites" are the names of men. The Netophathites were a people group.
"The guards were" or "The gatekeepers were"
These are names of men.
"Levi's descendants guarded the king's gate on the east side of their camp"
descendants of Korah
These phrases both refer to the entrance of the tent of meeting, or the tabernacle.
This is the second temple, which the people built after they returned from Babylon.
"in charge of the Korahites"
"numbered two hundred and twelve"
"The records in peoples' villages included the names of these men"
"men guarded the entrances"
"The guards' brothers"
"would come to help for 7-day periods, taking turns"
"entrusted to guard"
"Some of the guards"
"they counted the articles that people took out to use, and they counted the articles when people brought them back"
"The leaders also assigned some of them to take care of" or "Some of them also took care of"
These are names of men.
"they did not have to do other work"
"complete the tasks they needed to do"
This means "at all times" and can be translated using a phrase or word from your language or culture that gives the same meaning.
"the man Gibeon ... the town of Gibeon"
Possible meanings are 1) Rephaiah was Bineah's son, Eleasah was Rephaiah's son, and Azel was Eleasah's son, or 2) Rephaiah, Eleasah, and Azel were all sons of Moza.
"The whole army of Israel ran away from the Philistines"
"Every man of Israel ... most of them died"
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 8:33.
"kill me with it"
"these people who are uncircumcised will come" or "these uncircumcised people will come"
"these people who do not belong to Yahweh" or "these heathen Philistines"
"killed himself with it"
"and his 3 sons died"
"When the men of Israel"
"the Israelite soldiers had fled"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"to take everything of value off of the dead bodies"
"Saul and his sons dead"
"The Philistines removed everything from Saul's body"
They told the people what had happened and praised their idols in prayer.
"The Philistines put Saul's armor"
This is the name of a false god.
"When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the soldiers of the Philistine army"
This is the name of a town in the region of Gilead.
"their bodies"
"did not ask Yahweh to guide him"
"made David, son of Jesse, king"
"people from throughout Israel came to be with David" or "people from every tribe in Israel came to be with David"
"we are your relatives" or "we have the same ancestors as you"
This is historical information. Saul had been their king before David.
"'You will care for my people Israel" or "You will lead my people Israel"
To "anoint" is a symbolic act to show that they recognized that God had chosen David as king.
"the word of Yahweh that Samuel had declared"
"David captured the stronghold of Zion" or "David and the Israelite army captured the stronghold of Zion"
Both of these names refer to Jerusalem.
This is the name of a man.
"so David made Joab the chief"
The word "he" refers to David. The reader should understand that David and Joab were probably in charge of other men who made the fortifications.
This likely refers to a terraced structure that consisted of retaining walls with dirt filled in behind them.
"These were the leaders of David's warriors"
"who strongly supported David's kingdom ... to make him king"
This refers to a person from the clan descended from a man named Hakmon.
"in one battle"
"After Jashobeam"
The "Ahohites" is the name of a people group.
This is the name of a place.
"David and Eleazar stood in the middle of the field"
"killed the Philistines"
"the cave near the town of Adullam." Adullam is near Bethlehem.
This is the name of a place.
These two phrases refer to the same well. The second specifies which well in Bethlehem.
"fought their way through the army of the Philistines"
This means that he poured out the water as an offering to Yahweh.
"I should not drink this water, which would be like drinking the blood of these men who have risked their lives to bring it to me."
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 2:16.
This means Abishai was the leader of the three men who went and got water for David.
"People honored him the same way they honored the Three"
"People gave him twice as much honor as they gave the Three and he became" or 2) the Three honored him more than they honored others. Alternate translation: "The Three honored him more than they honored others and he became"
This is the name of a city.
"2.3 meters"
"he attacked him"
the group of people responsible for protecting David
"during the time when he could not be in the presence of"
"could use either their right hands or their left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows"
The sling was a strip of leather that a person would use to throw a stone long distances.
"who were as fierce in battle as lions hunting prey"
This compares how swiftly these men were able to run with how swiftly gazelles are able to run over rugged mountain terrain.
animals similar to deer that can run quickly over hills and rough ground
This begins a list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
This continues a list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
This continues the list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
This continues the list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
This ends the list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
Possible meanings are "The youngest sons ... the oldest sons," "The weakest sons ... the strongest sons," or "The most important sons ... the least important sons"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. It is at the beginning of the spring season when the late rains come.
"when the Jordan overflowed its banks"
"men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah"
"may the God of our ancestors see what you intend to do"
Amasai had special powers. Possible images are 1) the Spirit came over or came on or covered Amasai like a garment, thus giving Amasai special powers. Alternate translation: "came over Amasai" or "took control of Amasai" Or 2) the Spirit covered himself with Amasai and so acted through him.
This is the name of a man.
"We are devoted to you, David. We support you, son of Jesse"
"left their leaders to join"
"He will stop fighting with us and fight for his master Saul"
This is the name of a city.
"the groups of robbers." This refers to groups of people who robbed people traveling through the countryside.
"Each day"
Possible meanings are 1) the phrase "like the army of God" means "like an army that God assembled" or 2) the word "God" is used as an idiom that refers to the great size of the army. Alternate translation: "a very large army"
"to make David king in place of Saul"
"made Yahweh's word true" or "fulfilled Yahweh's word"
"From Simeon" or "From the tribe of Simeon"
This is the name of a man.
"From Benjamin, the tribe to which Saul belonged"
"been loyal to"
"From Ephraim" or "From the tribe of Ephraim"
Possible meanings are 1) these men knew the right time to act or 2) these men had a good understanding of current political events within Israel.
"ready to give undivided loyalty to David"
"From Dan" or "From the tribe of Dan"
"Reuben, Gad" or "the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad"
"with firm intentions" or "determined to make David king"
"These soldiers were there with David"
The people of Israel were very happy.
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
"all of the Israelites who were assembled there"
"if this is something that Yahweh our God approves"
"Let messengers tell them to join us" or "Let them join us"
"all the people considered these things to be right"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places. "Baalah" is another name for Kiriath Jearim.
"to take to Jerusalem the ark of God"
Jerusalem is higher than almost any other place in Israel, so it was normal for Israelites to speak of going up to Jerusalem and going down from it.
"which bears Yahweh's name"
"who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
These are names of men.
hand drums with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instruments are shaken
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
"Yahweh was very angry with Uzzah"
"in the presence of God"
This is the name of a place. Translator may add a footnote that says, "The name 'Perez Uzzah' means 'the punishment of Uzzah.'"
"I am too afraid to bring the ark of Yahweh with me to Jerusalem."
This is the name of a man. A "Gittite" is a person from the city of Gath.
"Yahweh blessed his family"
This is the name of a man.
people who make things with wood
people make things with stone or brick
"The carpenters and masons built a house for David"
"Yahweh had exalted David's kingdom on high" or "Yahweh had given great honor to David's kingdom"
Here the word "his" refers to Yahweh.
These are names of men. See how you translated these in 1 Chronicles 3:5.
These are names of men. These names appear also in 1 Chronicles 3:6, although there "Elpelet" is spelled "Eliphelet."
These are names of men. These names appear also in 1 Chronicles 3:7.
These are names of men. These names appear also in 1 Chronicles 3:8, although there "Beeliada" is spelled "Eliada."
"led his army out to fight against them"
"give you victory over them"
This is the name of a place. You may add a footnote that says, "The name 'Baal Perazim' means 'Lord of breaking through.'"
"God has easily defeated my enemies ... like a flood easily bursts through everything"
"using my army"
"the Valley of Rephaim"
"go through the forest of balsam trees and attack them from behind"
"When the wind blowing through the tops of the balsam trees sounds like men marching"
This is the name of a town.
"People in all the lands nearby knew who David was" or "People in all the lands nearby knew that David was a mighty warrior"
"David had workers build houses for him ... He had them prepare"
These are names of men. See how you translated them in 1 Chronicles 15:5-6 and 1 Chronicles 15:7-10.
"You did not carry the ark"
"acted violently toward us" or "attacked us"
"we did not ask him for instructions"
"the rules that the word of Yahweh had given" or "the rules that Yahweh had spoken"
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
"sing and play the instruments loudly and joyfully"
"With them were their kinsmen who were in a lower position of power" or "The following relatives would help them"
The word "gatekeepers" refers to people who guard gates or entryways. Here it refers to guarding access to the ark of the covenant and applies to Obed-Edom and Jeiel. Alternate translation: "Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers, Obed-Edom and Jeiel"
"The Levites appointed the musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan"
The meaning of this word is not clear but may refer to a style of music.
The meaning of this word is not clear but may refer to a style of music.
"led the other musicians" or "led the processional"
"the commanders of large military divisions"
This is the name of a man.
"David, the Levites who carried the ark, the singers, and Kenaniah, the leader of the song with the singers all wore fine linen robes"
a cloth made from fibers of the flax plant
This is the name of a man.
"So a great crowd of Israelites brought up the ark"
"as the people brought the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to the city of David"
This is the name of David's wife.
"she despised him" or "she hated him"
"to God"
David directed the priests, who performed the actual sacrifices.
To bless "in the name of Yahweh" means to bless with Yahweh's power and authority or as his representative.
David probably had those under his authority distribute the items.
a baked sweet bread made with dried grapes
These are names of men.
This means next to him in authority and position.
These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
This is the name of a man.
Here "his name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "call on Yahweh"
"the people of the nations"
Here "his holy name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Boast in who Yahweh is" or "Boast in Yahweh"
"let the people who seek Yahweh rejoice"
To "seek Yahweh's strength" means to ask him to strengthen you. Alternate translation: "Seek Yahweh and ask him to give you his strength"
"seek to be near him always"
"done; recall his miracles and"
"decrees that he has spoken"
"His laws are for all the people of the earth"
"Keep his covenant in mind forever, the promise that he made for a thousand generations"
"Remember his covenant"
"He remembers"
Both "the covenant" and "the oath" refer to the same promise that Yahweh made to his people.
"foreigners in the land of Canaan"
"for their own well-being"
"Do not harm the people I have anointed"
"all you people who live on the earth"
"announce that he has saved us" or "tell people that he is the one who saves"
"all around him" or "where he is"
The author speaks as if strength and joy are people who can be in Yahweh's sanctuary.
"in his temple" or "in his sanctuary"
"praise Yahweh because he is glorious and strong"
"Glorify Yahweh just as his name deserves" or "Proclaim that Yahweh is glorious just as his name deserves"
"Bow down to worship Yahweh"
"because he is gloriously beautiful and holy"
shake because of fear
Possible meanings are 1) the heavens and the earth are spoken of as if they have emotions like people. Alternate translation: "Let those who live in the heavens be glad and let those who live on the earth rejoice, and let them say"
"let them say to the nations"
"the sea creatures shout joyfully"
"Let it be as if the fields themselves and all the animals that live in them are rejoicing"
This speaks about the trees as if they were people who could shout for joy.
"for he faithfully loves us forever" or "for he is faithful to his covenant forever"
"from the people of other nations" or "from the armies of other nations"
Here Yahweh is referred to by his "holy name." Alternate translation: "give thanks to you" or "give thanks to Yahweh"
"for all eternity"
"The people" or "Everyone who was there"
"his relatives"
"as was required every day by the law"
These were names of men.
"to serve at the tabernacle"
These were names of men.
These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
"guarded the tabernacle gate"
comfortable and happy, without the desire to move or change
"I am living in a strong, permanent house"
"the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is staying in a temporary place"
"do what you think you should"
Here "with you" means God is helping and blessing David.
"God gave a message to Nathan. He said," or "God spoke this message to Nathan:"
"Go and tell David my servant that he will not be the one to build a house in which I will live"
Here "house" means a temple. In 1 Chronicles 17:10 Yahweh will say that he will build a house for David. There "house" means a family. If your language has a word that can express both ideas, use it here and in 17:10.
"that I brought the Israelites to the promised land from the land of Egypt"
Both the words "tent" and "tabernacle" describe the same thing and emphasize that he had lived in a place that was not a permanent building.
"did I ever ask any of Israel's judges, whom I appointed to shepherd my people, why they had not built me a house of cedar?"
Yahweh is still telling the prophet Nathan what he should tell David.
"I took you from your job as a shepherd"
an area of land where animals feed on the grass.
Here "with you" means that Yahweh has helped and blessed David.
Yahweh destroying David's enemies is spoken of as if Yahweh cut them off, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree.
"I will make your name to be great and well known"
The phrase "great ones" means famous persons.
"I will choose a place"
"I will settle them there"
"from the time"
"to rule my people Israel"
make a person or animal unable to attack
The two phrases "when your days are fulfilled" and "go to your fathers" have similar meanings and are combined for emphasis. They both are polite ways to refer to death and dying.
God appointing David's descendant is spoken of as if Yahweh would raise or lift him up.
"I will make his rule over Israel to last forever"
"I will never stop faithfully loving him, as I stopped loving Saul"
These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that David's dynasty will last forever.
"told him"
Here "words" represents what Yahweh said.
"David said"
"My family and I are not worthy of this honor, Yahweh God."
Something that is not important is described as being small.
"in your judgment"
"my family"
"and what will happen to them in the future"
"me"
"You have recognized your servant in a special way"
"my sake" or "my benefit"
"to accomplish what you planned to do"
Here "we" refers to David and the nation of Israel.
"you rescued from slavery in Egypt"
"to make all people know who you are"
Here "nations" represents the people groups that were living in Canaan.
Here "now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"may you do what you promised to me and my family, and may your promise never change"
"me and my family"
Here "name" represents Yahweh's reputation.
"my family"
"is secure because of you" or "continues because of you"
"I, your servant, am encouraged"
These two phrases have about the same meaning and are repeated here for emphasis.
"you will continue to bless it forever"
"After God's promise to bless David"
"David and his army then defeated the army of Hadadezer"
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a country.
David had his soldiers cut the hamstring muscles on the backs of the horses' thighs so they would no longer be able to run.
to keep for a special use
groups of soldiers assigned to particular areas
"Yahweh caused David to be victorious"
"that Hadadezar's servants carried"
This a large bronze bowl, about 5 meters across, that was kept in the temple for ceremonial washing.
This is the name of a man.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of men.
"been at war with"
"decided that these objects would only be used to worship Yahweh"
"David took from all the nations that he defeated"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a valley between Edom and Judah that was used as a battlefield.
"he did what was just and right for all his people"
the person who writes down details of special events
These are the names of men.
This spelling represents a correction of the spelling "Abimelek," which some versions follow. The corrected spelling makes this verse agree with 2 Samuel 8:17.
These are the names of foreign people groups who became David's bodyguards.
comfort
"You should not think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you."
"Surely his servants come to you to explore the land in order to overthrow it."
"So Hanun's men seized"
"David sent some messengers to encourage them"
This refers to David.
"then return to Jerusalem"
"realized that they had become repulsive to David" or "realized that they had angered David"
approximately 33 kilograms
These are names of cities.
These are names of cities.
"heard that the Ammonites were coming out for war"
You may need to make explicit the purpose of sending them "he sent ... mighty men to fight against them"
this refers to the gate of the Ammonite capital city
this refers to the Aramean kings that the Ammonites hired to help them fight Israel
in the field outside the city, separate from the Ammonites
"the enemy soldiers lined up for battle"
"arranged his soldiers in lines for battle"
This is the name of Joab's brother.
"for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God" or "to protect our people and the cities of our God"
Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "what he considers to be good"
"the Arameans understood"
"sent messengers to request more soldiers"
These are names of men.
"When David's messengers told him that a larger Aramean army was coming"
"David and his officials gathered ... David and his officers arranged"
"a very large number of Israelites"
Here "him" refers to David's soldiers, in addition to David. Alternate translation: "the Arameans fought David and his soldiers"
This verse continues to describe a second battle when the Arameans who fled from Joab in 1 Chronicles 19:15 were reinforced by other Arameans and attacked Israel again.
" killed 7,000 ... 40,000"
They made the peace agreement with David as the king, and served the Israelites.
"kings normally send their armies to war ... Joab led David's army into battle"
"destroyed the land." This refers to when an army will ruin the land where their enemies grow food.
"Joab and his soldiers surrounded Rabbah"
about 33 kilograms
Possible meanings are 1) David put the crown on his own head or 2) David's men placed the crown on his head.
The word "he" refers to David, but also refers to David's soldiers who helped David do this.
valuable items taken in war
The word "He" refers to David, but also refers to David's soldiers who helped David do this.
These terms describe difficult manual labor that the defeated people were forced to do.
"David and his army returned to Jerusalem"
This is the name of a city.
These are names of men.
These are names of people groups.
"they subdued the Philistines" or "they defeated the Philistines"
This is the name of a city.
These are names of people groups.
a long and thin pole.
A weaver's beam was a very large piece of wood used to stretch strings as the threads of a rug are weaved together around them. This means the handle of Lahmi's spear was very large.
This is the name given to a race of people who were very tall and strong.
"David and his servants killed the descendants of the Rephaim"
"soldiers"
Possible meanings of "adversary" are 1) this refers to Satan who decided to cause trouble for Israel or 2) this refers to an enemy army that began to threaten Israel.
"caused David to do wrong, to count Israel." If your language has a word for getting someone to become angry and do something he knows is wrong, you should use it here.
It is apparent from 1 Chronicles 21:5 that David wanted to count only the men who were able to fight.
The Israelites considered these two cities their most southern and most northern cities. David uses these cities to refer to all of Israel.
Joab expresses the desire for an army the size of 100 armies to say he would like the army to have more soldiers and be more powerful.
"But my master the king, they all serve you already. My master should not request this. You will only bring guilt on the people of Israel by trusting your military power."
The word "this" refers to David's plan to count all the men of Israel.
"the command of the king prevailed despite Joab's objections"
"So Joab left and went throughout all Israel to count the people"
"men who were prepared to serve as soldiers"
"four hundred seventy thousand soldiers"
"But Joab did not count the men from the tribes of Levi and Benjamin"
"Joab was offended by what David had commanded"
Here "this action" refers to David's plan to count all the men of Israel who are able to fight.
The nature of this attack is not clear. It was apparently enough to cause David to realize that Yahweh was angry with him for counting the people.
"forgive me"
"my guilt"
"being killed by them in battle"
"killing people who live in every part of the land"
"I should take to Yahweh who sent me"
"Let me be punished by Yahweh, rather than be punished by people"
The people of Israel are the ones who would die from the plague, but David is personalizing this judgment as if he himself was being killed.
Here "man" is used in the generic sense of "people."
"Yahweh is very merciful"
"On the people of Israel"
"decided not to destroy Jerusalem"
"You have killed enough people!"
"do not kill attack the people of Jerusalem"
This is the name of a man.
This is symbolic language to indicate that the angel was sent from Yahweh in heaven to judge the people on the earth.
"holding a sword in his hand as if ready to attack Jerusalem"
These were symbols of repentance.
"I am the one who commanded that the army be numbered."
David speaks of the people of Israel as if they were sheep, who are known for trusting and following their leader.
"they certainly have done nothing that deserves punishment."
"Punish me and my clan"
This is a reference to elevation. This threshing floor which became the future site of the temple was the highest point in Jerusalem.
"as Gad, speaking for Yahweh, instructed David to do"
"hid themselves because they were afraid of the angel"
"bowed very low to the ground"
"I will pay the full price for what this threshing floor is worth"
"Take it as a gift"
"whatever you decide to do with it"
These are wooden sleds with rocks or metal fitted underneath, dragged by oxen over the grain on the threshing floor to separate the grain from its stalks.
a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams
"to buy the threshing floor"
"He prayed for help to Yahweh"
"who answered him by sending fire from heaven to the alter where David would offer the burnt offerings"
"the angel put his sword in its sheath to show that he would stop killing the people"
cover for a sword or knife
"to ask God to tell him what he should do"
"afraid he would be killed by the angel of Yahweh"
"This threshing floor is where"
persons who gathered large stones and cut them to the correct size so builders could use the rocks in walls and buildings
items that connect two things together. "clamps" or "hinges"
"so many cedar trees that no one could count them"
"the house that he will build for Yahweh"
"so that people in every other land will know about it and think that it is glorious"
"prepare to build it"
"David called"
"commanded him to oversee the building of"
"I intended"
"that I would be the one to build the temple"
"in order to honor Yahweh my God"
"killed many people"
"to honor me"
"I have seen that you have shed much blood on the earth"
"live at peace with everyone"
"cause there to be peace between him and all his enemies"
"His name will be Solomon, which sounds like the word for peace"
"while he rules"
"a temple to honor me"
God will treat Solomon as if he were God's own son.
"I will make his descendants rule over Israel forever"
"May you direct people to build"
"when he makes you king of Israel"
"Listen! With great"
"I have worked hard to prepare"
about 33 kilograms
"You will need to increase that amount"
These are both workers who cut stone and prepare it for builders to use in walls and buildings.
persons who work with wood
"a very large number of every kind of skillful craftsmen"
"May Yahweh will help Solomon be successful in the project"
"Yahweh will help Israel to prosper"
Here these pronouns are plural.
"has caused all the nations who live around Israel to live peacefully with you"
"He has given me power over everyone who lives around us"
"The other nations no longer attack Yahweh and his people"
Seeking Yahweh represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him.
"with your whole being"
"Get up and direct the workers as they build the holy place"
"the temple you will build to honor Yahweh"
"Some of David's men counted the Levites who were 30 years old and older"
These Levites listened to legal arguments and administered justice according to the law of Moses.
These Levites guarded the temple entrance so no person who was ceremonially unclean entered.
"based on" or "according to the descendants of"
"the oldest son ... the second son"
"Yahweh chose Aaron to dedicate the most holy things"
"to bless the people as representatives of God forever"
"the people considered Moses's sons to be part of the Levite clan"
"the oldest son ... the second son ... the third son ... the fourth son"
"the oldest son ... the second son"
"These were the names of Levi's descendants and their families, whom David's men counted and listed. They were the leaders of the clans"
Here "rest" refers to peace with surrounding nations.
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh will be present in Jerusalem forever or 2) Yahweh's temple will be present in Jerusalem forever.
"For David's last command was for his men to count the Levites"
See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 9:32.
grain that is ground into a powder
"The Levites also stood at the temple"
"whenever the priests offered burnt offerings to Yahweh"
These holidays marked the beginning of each new month.
"A specific number of the Levites were always assigned to be present at the temple to make offerings to Yahweh"
"The Levites were responsible for"
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 6:3.
This is the name of a man.
"divided the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar into groups"
"David, Zadok, and Ahimelech divided"
"leaders of the clans"
"There were eight divisions based on the clans of Ithamar's descendants"
"They divided them by lot so that the divisions would be fair"
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 15:24.
"Lot number 1 ... lot number 2." This shows the order in which the families were chosen by lots. If this is unnatural in your language you may use "The initial" for "The first" and "the next" for all of the following ones.
See how you translated the names of these men in 1 Chronicles 9:10.
"the second lot" or "lot number 2"
"the third lot ... the fourth lot"
These are names of men.
"the fifth lot ... the sixth lot"
These are names of men.
"the seventh lot ... the eighth lot"
These are names of men.
"the ninth lot ... the tenth lot"
These are names of men.
"the eleventh lot ... the twelfth lot" or "lot number 11 ... lot number 12"
These are names of men.
"the thirteenth lot ... the fourteenth lot"
These are names of men.
"the fifteenth lot ... the sixteenth lot"
These are names of men.
"the seventeenth lot ... the eighteenth lot"
These are names of men.
"the nineteenth lot ... the twentieth lot"
These are names of men.
"the twenty-first lot ... the twenty-second lot"
These are names of men.
"the twenty-third lot ... the twenty-fourth lot"
These are names of men.
"following the rules that Aaron their ancestor gave them"
"the second son ... the third son ... the fourth son"
It seems Jaaziah is another son of Merari. And, Beno is the son of Jaaziah. Beno is mentioned in both verses 26 and 27 because he is a leader in his family. However, some Bibles translate "Beno" as "his son" rather than as a proper name. Those Bibles read like this: "and from his sons, Jaaziah, his son."
It seems Jaaziah is another son of Merari. And, Beno is the son of Jaaziah. Beno is mentioned in both verses 26 and 27 because he is a leader in his family. However, some Bibles translate "Beno" as "his son" rather than as a proper name. Those Bibles read like this: "from Jaaziah, his son: Shoham."
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 23:21.
"These are the sons who were descended from Kish"
Translate the name of this man as in 1 Chronicles 23:21.
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 16:41.
This refers to two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
"the work done at the tabernacle"
"under the supervision of"
"to honor Heman"
"were supervised by their fathers"
"Lot number 1 ... lot number 2." This shows the order in which the families were chosen by lots. If this is unnatural in your language you may use "The initial" for "The first" and "the next" for all of the following ones.
"The first lot fell to Joseph's family, twelve persons in number"
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
"the third lot" or "lot number 3"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:2.
"the fourth lot" or "lot number 4"
This name of this man is spelled Zeri in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
"the fifth lot" or "lot number 5"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:2.
"the sixth lot" or "lot number 6"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the seventh lot" or "lot number 7"
"the eighth lot" or "lot number 8"
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
"the ninth lot" or "lot number 9"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the tenth lot" or "lot number 10"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
"the eleventh lot" or "lot number 11"
"the twelfth lot" or "lot number 12"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
"the thirteenth lot" or "lot number 13" )
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the fourteenth lot" or "lot number 14"
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
"the fifteenth lot" or "lot number 15"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the sixteenth lot" or "lot number 16"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the seventeenth lot" or "lot number 17"
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the eighteenth lot" or "lot number 18"
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the nineteenth lot" or "lot number 19"
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the twentieth lot" or "lot number 20"
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the twenty-first lot" or "lot number 21"
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the twenty-second lot" or "lot number 2"
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the twenty-third lot" or "lot number 23"
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
"the twenty-fourth lot" or "lot number 24"
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
groups
See how you translated the name of this people group in 1 Chronicles 19:19.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 9:21.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 9:19.
This is an alternative spelling to "Ebiasaph" in 1 Chronicles 9:19.
See how you translated the names of these men in 1 Chronicles 9:21.
This shows the order in which the sons were born. If it is more natural in your language, you may say "the next" for each son. The word "son" may be supplied here.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 16:38.
Translate this name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 26:4.
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 26:1.
groups
"cast lots"
"all of them, including the young men and the old men" or "men of all ages"
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 26:2.
This is a person who shows good judgment in making decisions.
"Obed-Edom was responsible for guarding the south gate, and his sons guarded the storehouses"
"Shuppim and Hosah were responsible for guarding"
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 26:10.
"the east gate ... the north gate ... the south gate"
"four men each day" or "four Levites each day"
"2 pairs of men" or "2 sets of 2 men each"
"Four Levites guarded the pillar to the west"
"four Levites stationed at the road and two Levites stationed as guards of the pillar"
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:7.
"who were leaders of the families of Ladan the Gershonite"
A descendant of Gershon.
This is the name of a man. This is the same person as in 1 Chronicles 23:8, but there his name is spelled "Jehiel."
This is the name of a man. This is the same person as in 1 Chronicles 23:8, but there his name is spelled "Jehiel."
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:8.
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:16.
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:15.
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:15.
"His relatives who did the work with him from the clan of Eliezer"
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:17.
"were in charge of"
"the commanders over large military divisions and the commanders over smaller military divisions"
things an army takes from its enemies after a victory
"Everything that the leaders set apart"
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
"daily business of the people of Israel." This refers to the regular business of the people of Israel, not connected to the military or to the temple.
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
This is the name of a man.
"work done for Yahweh and the king."
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 23:19.
"When David had been king for forty years"
This is the name of a city.
"These are the names"
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
"in different ways" or "in many ways"
This means that each division took turns serving periods of a month at a time.
"Each group"
"all year long"
"In charge of the division"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
This is the name of a man.
"In charge of the division"
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of April and the first part of May on Western calendars.
These are names of men.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 8:4.
"In his group of soldiers"
This is the third month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of May and the first part of June on Western calendars.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 11:22.
"in charge of the 30 men"
This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of June and the first part of July on Western calendars.
"his military group"
These are the names of men.
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars.
This is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of August and the first part of September on Western calendars.
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 11:28.
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
See how you translated the name of this man and the name of his clan in 1 Chronicles 11:27.
This is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of October and the first part of November on Western calendars.
See how you translated the name of this man and the name of his clan in 1 Chronicles 11:29.
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 2:4.
This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part November and the first part December on Western calendars.
See how you translated the name of this man and the name of his clan 1 Chronicles 11:28.
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of December and the first part of January on Western calendars.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 11:30.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 2:4.
This is the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of January and the first part of February on Western calendars.
This is the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of February and the first part of March on Western calendars.
These are names of men.
See how you translated the hame of this man in 1 Chronicles 6:8.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 12:20.
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 7:3.
"to increase the number of people in Israel to be as many as the stars in the heavens"
See how you translated this woman's name in 1 Chronicles 2:16.
"God punished the people of Israel"
"No one wrote this number down"
"responsible for guarding"
"was in charge of"
"strong towers"
This means to dig into or break up the dirt before planting.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a person from the city of Ramah.
This is the name of a person from the city of Shepham.
These are the parts of a building that are below the ground and used to store wine.
This is a type of tree.
This is the name of a man.
These are names of men.
"that ate grass in the fields"
These are names of men.
Translate the name of this clan as you did in 1 Chronicles 2:17.
Translate the name of this people group as you did in 1 Chronicles 5:10.
This is the name of a man.
Translate the name of this people group as you did in 1 Chronicles 5:10.
"All of these men"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a tribe or clan.
These are names of men.
called together
Work that needs to be repeated, for example every day or every month.
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
"the managers in charge of"
These two words share similar meanings and refer to all of the items and lands that the king owned.
"stood up"
The "ark of the covenant" is spoke of as Yahweh's footstool to picture God on his throne, with his feet resting on his footstool, which represents all that is in submission to him.
"a temple for me"
"have killed people"
"chose me and my descendants ... to be kings over Israel forever"
"the whole land of Israel" or "all the Israelites"
"to rule over" or "to be the king of"
"Israel, which is Yahweh's kingdom"
"God said to me"
The word "house" refers to the temple of Yahweh.
"I have chosen to treat him like a son, and I will be like a father to him"
"as you are committed this day"
Here David is giving a command to all of the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Now then, in the sight of all Israel, this assembly for Yahweh, and in the presence of our God, I command all of you to"
"in the hearing of"
"carefully obey"
"your children and your descendants, who will take your place after you die"
"my God"
"with complete devotion" or "completely"
"Yahweh knows the thoughts and motives of every person"
"searches everyone's emotions and desires"
"If you seek him, you will find him" or "If you try to get Yahweh to pay attention to you, he will do so"
"Be aware that" or "Be sure you remember that"
The word "strong" here refers to willpower and strength of character.
"temple porch" or "temple entrance." This refers to the columns that supported the roof at the entrance of the temple.
storerooms for valuable things
These were specific rules about how the priests and Levites should work in the temple.
"groups of the priests and Levites." This refers to the groups in which the priests and other temple workers were organized to fulfill their duties.
"determined by what each lampstand would be used for in the service in the temple." There would be silver lampstands of different weights for different purposes.
"the weight of the gold for every other table"
"I wrote all of this down"
"helped me to understand the details for his temple"
These two words basically mean the same thing and emphasize that Solomon must be courageous.
"Be courageous" or "Be confident"
"will help you"
"He will always be with you"
"Here are the divisions." David uses the word "see" here to refer back to the listings of the divisions of the Levites and their duties for the temple.
"the one whom God has chosen"
"gold so the craftsmen may make the gold things, silver so they may make the silver things, bronze so they may make the bronze things, iron so they may make the iron things, and wood so they may make the wooden things"
These are stones with black and white lines that are used to make jewelry.
"stones for the craftsmen to set" or "stones for mounting"
This refers to the beautiful and decorative designs or patterns formed by the stones.
"about 100,000 kilograms" or "about 100 metric tons"
This was the best quality and most valuable gold.
"about 230,000 kilograms" or "230 metric tons"
"give himself to God"
"Then the leaders ... and the officials in charge of the king's work made freewill offerings"
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
"165 metric tons and 84 kilograms of gold, 330 metric tons of silver, 600 metric tons of bronze, and 3,300 metric tons of iron"
This is a place where money and valuable objects are kept.
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 23:8.
This was the firstborn son of Levi. See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 23:7.
willingly and without any doubt or hesitation
"May people praise you"
Here "Israel" refers to the man Jacob. Alternate translation: "Jacob our ancestor"
"You determine who has power and might"
The words "power" and "might" mean the same thing and emphasize the greatness of Yahweh's power.
"you who are glorious" or "you because you are glorious"
"My people and I should definitely offer these things to you willingly!"
"For our lives are short and we are like foreigners and tenants who live on your land"
"Our time here on earth is like a shadow that disappears quickly"
"you examine people's thoughts"
"because I want to be honest and honorable in everything I do for you"
"Direct them to be loyal to you" or "Keep them loyal to you"
"firm intentions"
"Now praise Yahweh"
"lay down on the ground to show respect to Yahweh and the king"
The people offered animals to be sacrificed to Yahweh by the priests. Most of the people did not actually kill and sacrifice the animals themselves.
"in honor of Yahweh"
This means that they anointed him and declared him as king.
"anointed him to rule over Israel on Yahweh's behalf"
"So Solomon sat on the throne, in place of his father David, as king over Yahweh's people"
"told King Solomon that they would be faithful to him"
"as an old man"
These are written accounts that no longer exist.
"There men wrote down the things that happened while David was king"
"all the things that happened to him and to the people of Israel and in the kingdoms of other countries while he was ruling Israel"
"gained complete control over his kingdom". This chapter begins a section about King Solomon's reign (2 Chronicles 1-9), who asks God for wisdom to rule God's people. God is pleased with this request because it is used to serve others. Therefore, God also gives Solomon tremendous wealth and a long life.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"God helped him"
"spoke to the commanders ... heads of the father's house". Here "all of Israel" represent all of Israel.
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
"to every leader". Here "prince" means leaders in general, not necessarily the sons of the king.
"the leaders of the families in Israel"
A little town about 9 miles west of Jerusalem.
"set up a tent"
These are names of men.
"went up to the high place at Gibeon"
"Ask for whatever you want from me."
"You have been very faithful to David"
"please do what you promised to David my father that you would do"
"countless people"
"cause me to be wise and to know many things"
"no one can judge all of your countless people without your help."
"Because this was your desire"
"nor to be able to kill your enemies"
"I will now cause you to be wise and to know many things"
"So Solomon and the people with him went to Jerusalem"
"from the tent of meeting"
A reference to cities which stored his chariots.
"The king had so much silver in Jerusalem, it was like there was as much silver as there was stones on the ground"
A tree that grows fruit that looks like figs.
"As for the horses Solomon imported from Egypt and Kue"
The name of a region. Some think that Kue was the same as Cilicia, in Asia Minor.
"about 6.6 kilograms of silver ... about 1.7 kilograms". A unit of weight equal to about 11 grams
to send something out of one country into another
This chapter begins a section on building the temple. It is repeatedly referred to as the "house of God" because Yahweh will dwell in the temple. (2 Chronicles 2 to 4).
"commanded his people to build a house where Yahweh may live" or "commanded his people to build a house where they could worship Yahweh"
"of a royal palace for his kingdom"
"to carry loads of materials"
This is the name of a man.
"I am about to command my people to build"
A reference to the 12 loaves of bread that were placed in front of the altar.
The time of a festival coinciding with the movement of the moon.
"These are the things Yahweh has commanded Israel to do forever"
A reference to God being more important and more powerful than other gods.
"no one is able to build a house for God because not even the universe or heaven is big enough to contain him. I am not worthy to build a house for him, except as a place to offer sacrifices to him."
A cor is 220 liters. Twenty thousand cors equals 4,400 cubic meters.
"wheat flour"
A bath is 22 liters. Twenty thousand baths equals 440 cubic meters.
"who is very intelligent and understands many things"
"who understand many things" or "who is very wise"
This is the name of a man.
"high quality cloth"
"His mother is from the tribe of Dan"
"of which you, my master, have spoken, please send these things to us, your servants". Hiram is showing respect.
"you will command your people to take the wood to Jerusalem"
"There were one hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred foreigners"
"Then Solomon's workers began to build ... They prepared"
This is the name of a mountain. The location of the temple was significant. Many events in history occurred there.
"Ornan" is the name of a man. "Jebusite" is the name of a people group.
"day 2 of month 2." The second month of the Hebrew calendar. This is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
The narrator begins to explain the dimensions and the design of the temple.
"27.6 meters long ... 9.2 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters
This portico was probably attached to the front part of the wall that surrounded the temple and was made of columns and a roof that leads to and connects with the building's entrance door.
"9.2 meters"
"Solomon's workers overlaid"
This is a reference to a large room, not a hallway.
Stones that were beautiful, highly valued, and used for decorations.
This is probably the name of a region.
A beam is a long heavy piece of wood used to support a building.
"about 20 metric tons". A talent is 33 kilograms.
"about a half a kilogram". A shekel is 11 grams.
"9.2 meters ... 2.3 meters"
Translate these words as you did in 2 Chronicles 2:7.
"high quality cloth"
"16.1 meters ... 2.3 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
decorations on top of the pillars
"on the right side ... on the left side"
Possibly a name to describe God as "The One who establishes."
"In him is strength."
"Solomon's workers made"
"20 cubits ... 10 cubits" or "9.2 meters ... 4.6 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"4.6 meters ... 2.3 meters ... 13.8 meters"
A tank or basin that would hold water. This is metal that was melted then formed in a mold.
"from one edge to the other"
Circumference is the distance or measurement around a circular object or area.
"every 46 centimeters"
"ten per cubit"
"when the workers cast the sea itself"
This refers to the tank or basin that held water for sacrifices.
"was on top of twelve oxen"
"twelve bronze oxen"
This is the back quarter of the body of an animal with four feet.
This is about 8 centimeters.
"Solomon's workers forged the brim to look like the brim of a cup, to curve outward like a lily"
"66 cubic meters". A bath is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
"Solomon's workers made ... they put"
"people were to wash the items used in performing the burnt offering in them"
"according to the instructions for their design"
"on the right side ... on the left side"
Shallow bowls used for washing.
"the large court"
"next to the southeast corner of the temple"
See how you translated this name in 2 Chronicles 2:13.
bowls that held blood that was used in the house of God for sprinkling the altar
"Huram and the other workers finished the work that they did"
"bowl-shaped tops" or "bowl-shaped upper parts". The upper part of a pillar is called a capital. See 2 Chronicles 3:15.
"carvings that resembled chains"
Translate "pomegranates" as you did in 2 Chronicles 3:16.
This is a large decorative washing container. Translate as you did in 2 Chronicles 4:2-3.
"Huram-Abi and his craftsmen made". Huram is also called Huram-Abi.
"other tools"
Bronze that the workmen polished so that it would reflect light.
"The king commanded his workers to cast them"
This is the name of a city.
"no one even tried to weigh the bronze"
This refers to all of the bowls and tools that were used in the house of God.
"the tables on which the priests were to place the bread of the presence"
A reference to the 12 loaves of bread that were placed in front of the altar. See 2 Chronicles 2:4.
The "flowers" and "lamps" were part of the lampstands.
A tool made from two sticks of wood or metal connected at one end and used for picking up objects.
"The workers also made the lamp trimmers ... out of pure gold"
These would have been used to trim the wicks of the lamps.
"the workers made its inner doors ... out of gold"
"When Solomon's workers completed all of the work for the house of Yahweh, they brought". Everything from the tent was moved into the new temple and was done in a special way.
storerooms, rooms where things are kept or stored
"called together the leaders of Israel"
"all the leaders of the tribes"
This may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in 5:2 or 2) to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every male person who lived in Israel.
This is the Festival of Shelters which is on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, near the beginning of October on Western calendars.
See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 4:19.
Here "all" is a generalization meaning very many Israelites.
"sacrificing more sheep and cattle than anyone could count"
"poles by which the priests carried it"
"people could see their ends ... people could not see them"
This means the day on which the writer wrote.
"The only things in the ark were the two tablets ... Egypt"
These are names of men.
"sons and other relatives"
Two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
"making one sound as they praised and thanked Yahweh"
"sang loudly"
"for he is faithful forever"
"Then a cloud filled the house of Yahweh"
"Yahweh, you have said that you". Solomon dedicated the temple with a prayer asking God to honor the temple. It was common to dedicate something important to God when it was completed.
"in great darkness"
"I and your people have built you a lofty residence"
a magnificent house, appropriate for someone who is very important
"while the people of Israel there were standing"
"Praise Yahweh, the God of Israel"
King Solomon actually was one of King David's sons.
"has ensured that he fulfilled his promises"
"by his own power"
"for people to worship me there". His name being there represents people recognizing his greatness and worshiping him.
"to rule my people Israel"
"so that people might worship me there". This represents people recognizing his greatness and worshiping him.
"to rule my people Israel"
"David my father desired"
"for Yahweh's reputation"
"you desired ... to desire to do that"
"Because it was in your heart"
"one who will be your own offspring,"
"has done exactly what he said he would do"
"I have gained the power that David my father had"
"I rule over Israel"
"in which are the tablets on which Yahweh wrote the terms of the covenant that"
"in front of the people of Israel who had gathered there"
"raised his hands." This shows that he was praying.
"two and one-third meters long, two and one-third meters wide, and one and one-half meters high"
"on the earth. You keep your promise to love your servants"
"live wholeheartedly the way that you want them to"
"you who have done what you promised your servant David my father"
"you yourself spoke"
"and, by your power, have fulfilled what you said"
This refers to the day when Solomon was saying this prayer.
"please do what you have promised"
"you will always have a descendant"
The phrase "in my sight" implies that God would choose the man and the man would want to obey God.
"to rule over Israel"
"to be faithful to my law as you have been faithful to me"
"I want you to make come true the word that you have spoken to your servant David"
"confirm your promise"
"But it surely cannot be that God will actually live on the earth!"
"you, so this temple that I have built certainly cannot contain you"
"this temple that your people have built under my leadership"
"respect me, your servant, as I make this plea"
"listen to me, your servant, as I call for you to help me"
"Please watch over this temple"
"all the time"
"where you promised to be"
"the prayer that I, your servant, pray toward this place"
"So listen to my pleas and the pleas of your people Israel"
"when you hear our prayers, please forgive our sins"
"someone requires him to swear an oath"
This refers to the temple.
"punishing him as he deserves"
"on him"
"give him what he deserves because he is innocent"
"When an enemy defeats your people Israel"
"because your people Israel have sinned against you"
"if they submit to you again"
"confess that they have sinned against you"
"ask you to forgive them"
"please honor their prayer" or "please answer their prayer"
"bring them back to their own land"
"When you do not allow rain to fall from the skies"
"stop committing their sins"
"the good way that they should live"
"your land, which you have given to your people to own forever"
These are agricultural terms referring to the death of crops from either too little or too much rain.
A "locust" is a type of grasshopper that causes destruction by eating crops.
These words emphasize that the person is sincere as he makes his pleas.
"knowing the sin and sorrow in his own heart"
A way of showing that they were praying to the God of the temple. See 2 Chronicles 6:12.
"for what he has done"
"so that they may live as you want them to"
"who hears about your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—if he comes"
"your greatness"
These two phrases refer to God's power.
Praying toward Yahweh's temple shows that one is praying to Yahweh.
"as your own people Israel know your name and fear you"
"you own this house that I have built"
Solomon speaks about events that could happen in the future and can be connected to his request in verse 35.
Praying toward Jerusalem and the temple shows that they are praying to Yahweh.
"to what they request when they pray to you"
This refers to helping them fight against their enemies.
The situations he describes in verses 36-38 are conditions for what he requests verse 39.
"so that the enemy forces them to leave"
"where their enemies have taken them as exiles"
"beg you to be merciful to them"
These two sentences emphasize how bad the people's actions were.
"they submit to you again completely"
"where their enemies took them as captives"
"that they pray facing their land"
This refers to Jerusalem.
"please pay attention to us"
"please listen to the prayer"
"to the prayer that we make in this place"
"arise, Yahweh God, and come to your resting place"
"the ark, which is a symbol of your power"
"Let your priests ... know that you have saved them"
"do not reject your anointed one"
"the one you anointed"
"Remember what you have done for David, your servant, because of your covenant loyalty"
"the temple"
"they lay down on the ground with their faces touching the stone pavement". This is a position of humility and worship.
"God will always be loyal to us because of his covenant"
This refers either to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and are listed in 2 Chronicles 5:2 or to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
"each standing in their appointed place"
"the Levites also stood with instruments of music of Yahweh"
"the bronze altar that he had commanded someone to make"
"was not able to hold the large amount of burnt offerings, grain offerings, and fat"
"from Lebo Hamath in the north to the brook of Egypt in the south". People from every part of Israel were at the festival.
This was a special religious gathering.
"celebrated the dedication."
The seventh month of the Hebrew calendar and near the middle of October on Western calendars.
"to their homes". This refers to people's homes, which were houses, not tents.
"with very glad hearts"
"because Yahweh had shown wonderful goodness"
"Israel, God's people." This emphasizes God's faithfulness to Israel.
"the workers whom Solomon commanded finished the house of Yahweh and Solomon's own house"
"the royal palace,". Where Solomon himself lived.
"Everything that Solomon desired to make"
"he caused to be done successfully"
"at night". God appeared again to Solomon in a dream and said the temple was acceptable and he honored it with his presence. He would remain as long as Israel obeyed him. If they worshiped other gods and idols he would let their enemies destroy the temple.
"the house where people will offer sacrifices to me"
"Suppose that I do not allow the rain to fall from the skies". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 6:26.
This represents the plants and crops on the land.
"if I cause my people to have diseases"
"who belong to me"
"beg me to forgive them"
"stop their wicked behavior"
"make their land good again"
"I will pay attention to you"
"I will listen to the prayers"
"to the prayers that you make in this place"
"that I may be there forever"
"I will watch and protect it forever". This implies that he will protect his temple.
Here "you" refers to King Solomon.
"If you obey me as David your father did"
Solomon was one of David's sons.
"obeying my statutes and my decrees"
"I will make descendants of yours rule over your kingdom".
"One of your descendants will always be ruler in Israel"
"But if you stop worshiping me"
To all the people of Israel, or to Solomon and his descendants.
"I will make them leave the land I have given them"
"that I have set apart for myself"
"I will reject it"
"because of what I do to it, all the nations will mock and ridicule it"
"will be amazed"
This shows that they are appalled by what happened to the temple
"they were unfaithful to Yahweh"
This phrase tells why they should have worshiped God.
"they chose to be loyal to other gods"
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story. Solomon achieved many victories when he was king and Israel is at its height of power.
"Solomon caused the house of Yahweh and his own house to be built".
"Hiram, the king of Tyre" or "King Hiram". See how you translated his name in 2 Chronicles 2:11.
"Solomon commanded and the people rebuilt the towns that Hiram had given to him"
"Solomon's army attacked the town of Hamath Zolbah"
"Solomon caused the town of Tadmor in the wilderness to be rebuilt". Tadmor was north of Israel, in modern-day Syria.
"supply cities." These are cities where the government stored food or supplies.
"Beth Horon of the Hill and Beth Horon of the Valley". These were two cities in Judah.
This was a city in Israel.
"all the lands that he ruled"
"after those people died, their descendants who remained in the land"
"and their descendants are still forced laborers even now"
This refers to the time when the book of 2 Chronicles was written. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
"his wife, the daughter of Paharaoh"
"the house that he had his workers build for her"
David was Solomon's father and had been king before Solomon.
"because the ark of Yahweh was brought into that house, and wherever the ark of Yahweh has come is holy"
"on Yahweh's altar that Solomon had his workers build"
"the entrance to the temple." This was a covered porch supported by columns, attached to the front of the temple.
"obeying the directions"
"what Moses had commanded them"
"the three festivals that they were to celebrate every year"
"the Festival of Tents." Each year when they harvested their crops, they stayed in temporary shelters in their gardens.
"According to the decrees of his father David"
"He also appointed groups of gatekeepers to each gate"
These were Levites who guarded the gates.
"These people carefully obeyed the commands"
"They completed all the work that Solomon had ordered"
"from the day they built the foundation of the house of Yahweh"
"until they finished building the temple"
"the towns of Ezion Geber and Elath, on the coast of the Sea of Reeds". These are towns along the Sea of Reeds, which had ports where ships could stop.
This is the name of a place. Its location is not known.
"about sixteen thousand kilograms of gold" or "about fifteen metric tons of gold"
"a very large group of servants". Solomon was famous because of his wisdom and tremendous wealth.
"everything she wanted to know"
"he answered every question"
"When the queen of Sheba realized how wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace that he had built"
"the palace that Solomon had his workers build"
Where his servants lived or how his servants sat around the table.
"his wine servers." These were servants who tasted the king's wine to make sure that there was no poison in it.
"she was completely amazed"
"I heard while I was in my own land"
"your wise words"
"now I have seen it for myself"
"They did not tell me about even half of the greatness of your wisdom and wealth"
"Your people are greatly blessed"
"your servants who constantly stand before you are greatly blessed"
"they hear the wise things that you say"
"because he is pleased with you and placed you on his throne"
"who gave you authority to rule as he does, to represent Yahweh your God as king"
"in order to help them forever" or "in order to make them a nation forever"
"for you to rule fairly and righteously"
"about four thousand kilograms of gold" or "about four metric tons of gold". A unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
"Hiram, the king of Tyre" or "King Hiram". See how you translated his name in 2 Chronicles 2:11.
This is the name of a place. Its location is not known. See 2 Chronicles 8:18.
Algum is a kind of tree that grows in Lebanon. King Hiram sent this to Solomon. See 2 Chronicles 2:8.
"the king had his workers make the steps .. as well as harps and lyres"
"No one had seen wood like this before in the land of Judah"
Each year or a particular year.
"about twenty-two thousand kilograms of gold" or "about twenty-two metric tons of gold"
"gold that people had beaten into thin sheets"
"They made each shield out of six hundred shekels of gold"
"Six and one half kilograms of gold". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. The word "shekels" does not appear here in the Hebrew text. Some modern versions assume instead the unit called bekah, which was equivalent to only a half shekel.
"They made each shield out of three minas of gold"
"One and three-quarters kilograms of gold". A mina is about 600 grams.
"King Solomon's workers put them"
"the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon" or this was the name of his whole palace. The palace was built of trees from Lebanon.
"the king had his workers make a great throne"
"a great throne decorated with ivory"
Ivory is the hard, white substance from the tusks or teeth of animals, like the elephant, walrus, or hippopotamus.
"two statues of lions"
"people did not value silver so much". Silver was so common that if a king wanted to show his wealth, he would use gold.
"when Solomon ruled"
"a group of ships that travel on the ocean"
"along with Hiram's fleet of ships"
"animals from far away". It is not certain whether "apes" refers to apes, baboons, or monkeys or whether "baboons" refers to baboons or peacocks.
"Kings from around the world"
"wanted to visit Solomon" or "came to visit Solomon"
"to hear him speak the wise words that God had enabled him to speak"
"every year"
This is a small enclosure where horses are kept.
To emphasize that there was such a great amount of silver.
"Horses were brought to Solomon from Egypt and from many other places"
"from the beginning to the end of his reign"
"they are written ... (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat.)" or "people have written about them ... (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat)."
These are the names of writings that existed when 2 Chronicles was written, but they do not exist now.
This is a prophet from Shiloh who predicted that the nation of Israel would be divided into two kingdoms.
"He died"
"the men of Israel were coming". This begins a section on King Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles 10-12)
"the men of Israel sent for Jeroboam"
"Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam"
"treated us cruelly" or "forced us to work very hard". The people asked Solomon's son, Rehoboam, to reduce the heavy taxes and the forced labor Solomon had demanded but Rehoboam refused. He did not follow the advice of the men who had been councilors of his father Solomon. So the ten northern tribes broke off and made Jeroboam their king. They were called "Israel" and Rehoboam's kingdom was called Judah. This will cause confusion between the two.
"make the hard work that your father gave us easier, and do not treat us as harshly as he did"
"the old men who counseled Solomon"
"to answer these people"
"Rehoboam did not follow the advice"
"who were his long-time friends, and who advised him."
"I rule much more harshly than my father ever did"
"I will force you to work harder"
"I will punish you much more harshly"
"treated you cruelly, but I will be more cruel"
"So the king did not do what the people had asked him to do"
"God caused things to happen like this"
"that Yahweh might do according to the message that he told Ahijah the Shilonite to tell Jeroboam son of Nebat"
This refers to the message that God gave Ahijah to tell Jeroboam.
See how you translated these names in 2 Chronicles 9:29.
"the king did not do what they had asked him to do"
"We have no share in David. We will not have anything to do with the descendants of the son of Jesse". The people imply that since they do not belong to David's family, they are not obligated to support David's grandson, King Rehoboam.
"We will not receive any inheritance from the son of Jesse"
"Go to your homes, people of Israel"
"Now take care of your own kingdom, descendant of David"
Adoniram is the name of a man. In the Hebrew text, his name was written as Adoram.
"who was in charge of the forced laborers"
"killed Adoniram by stoning him"
"against the kings descended from David"
"even now". This refers to the time when the author wrote this book. See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 5:9.
"all the soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin". This refers to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
"of the best soldiers"
"Yahweh spoke this message ... and he said"
"the man who belongs to God"
"all of the Israelites in the tribes of Judah and Benjamin"
A reference to the ten northern tribes. Yahweh emphasizes the family relationship between all of the tribes.
"Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and had his workers build cities"
These are the names of cities. Rehoboam felt it necessary to strengthen Judah's military defenses. Without the help of the northern tribes, Judah did not really have much power to defend itself from outside attacks.
"He strengthened the defenses of the fortified cities"
"made the cities very strong."
Rehoboam was in control of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
"The priests and Levites ... traveled from within their borders to join Rehoboam."
lands used for animals
"Jeroboam and his sons had forced them to leave"
"do their duties as priests of Yahweh"
"the goat idols and calf idols that he had his craftsmen make"
"People ... came to Jerusalem after the Levites". When the author speaks about Israel, he is now referring almost exclusively to the northern kingdom of Israel and not the united nation of Israel.
"those who had determined to seek Yahweh"
"to worship Yahweh"
"supported Rehoboam son of Solomon as king"
"they followed the example of David and Solomon for three years"
"Rehoboam married Maakah"
These are the names of men.
"he had thought of making Abijah king."
"he sent all his sons throughout all the land to every fortified city of Judah and Benjamin,"
"when Rehoboam had established his reign"
"all the Israelite people whom he ruled also abandoned the law of Yahweh". The safety of Israel and Judah was dependent upon the people worshiping Yahweh and not upon their military power. Because Rehoboam deserted the worship of God, God allowed the king of Egypt to take all of the wealth Solomon had stored up.
"in the fifth year that Rehoboam was king"
"Shishak, king of Egypt, and his army with him, came to attack Jerusalem"
"Many soldiers"
These are people from Libya, Sukki, and Ethiopia. The location of Sukki is uncertain, but it may be a region in Libya.
See how you translated this word in 2 Chronicles 11:2.
"so I have enabled Shishak to defeat you"
"the princes of Israel and the king had humbled themselves"
"Yahweh spoke this message ... and he said"
Yahweh will permit Shishak to attack Jerusalem, but he will deliver them from total destruction or that Yahweh will deliver the people of Jerusalem before Shishak can completely destroy the city.
"I will not express my anger against Jerusalem"
"by means of Shishak"
"came to attack". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 12:2.
"the temple of Yahweh"
"the shields of gold that Solomon had his craftsmen make"
"in place of the shields of gold"
"made them the responsibility of the commanders"
"who guarded the entrance to the king's house"
"the guards would carry the shields"
"Yahweh was no longer angry with him and so did not destroy him completely"
"in addition, there was"
"so that he might dwell there" or "so that it might belong to him"
"he was not committed to worship Yahweh"
"everything that he did"
"they are written ... Jeroboam."
These are the names of men.
"the wars in which Rehoboam's army and Jeroboam's army constantly engaged"
"Rehoboam died"
"people buried him in the city of David"
"became king instead of Rehoboam"
"In the eighteenth year that Jeroboam was king"
"Uriel" is the name of a man.
"There was war between the army of Abijah and the army of Jeroboam"
"400,000 skilled men ... 800,000 skilled men"
"You know very well ... by a covenant of salt."
This phrase seems to mean "a permanent covenant."
"wicked men,"
This is a reference to a united Israel as it existed in the time of David and Solomon.
"which only the descendants of David have the authority to rule". Abijah is claiming only the descendants of David can rule Yahweh's kingdom.
"the golden calves that Jeroboam had his craftsmen make"
"But you drive out ... as the people of other lands do."
"a priest of idols that are not really gods"
This refers to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah.
"who are working"
This refers to twelve loaves of bread that the priests placed on a golden table in the tabernacle as a sacrifice to God.
"they also take care of the lampstand"
"and light the lamps every evening"
"God is with us as our leader"
Abijah speaks of the army of Israel fighting against the army of Judah as if they were fighting against Yahweh himself.
"When the soldiers of Judah looked back"
"the army of Israel was fighting them from the front and from the back"
"God enabled Abijah and the army of Judah to defeat Jeroboam and all Israel". Trusting in God, King Abijah of Judah was able to overcome the army of Israel even though it was twice as big as his army.
"the entire army of Israel"
"fled before the army of Judah"
"God enabled Judah to defeat the people of Israel"
"slaughtered many of their soldiers"
"the army of Judah subdued the people of Israel"
"Abijah chased after"
These are the names of cities.
"Yahweh caused Jeroboam to become ill, and he died"
"he married fourteen women"
"his behavior, and the things that he said"
"are in the history that the prophet Iddo wrote"
"Abijah died"
"people buried him"
"became king instead of Abijah". This chapter begins the section about King Asa. (2 Chronicles 14-16).
"During his reign"
"there was peace in the land for ten years"
"what Yahweh judged to be good and right"
"He had his people break down the stone pillars and cut down the Asherah poles"
"He commanded the people of Judah to worship Yahweh"
"The kingdom had peace while he was king"
"Asa said to the people of Judah"
"peace all around." Judah was at peace with all of the surrounding nations.
"So they built the cities"
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a place.
"Asa led his army out to meet him in battle". Trusting in Yahweh, Asa was able to defeat the army of Nubia. Trust in Yahweh is more important than military might.
"by your authority"
"do not let man defeat your people". Since they are fighting in Yahweh's name, Asa speaks as if Zerah were to defeat Yahweh himself.
"God enabled Asa and the army of Judah to defeat the Cushites"
"So many Cushites died that there were none who remained alive."
"for Yahweh's army completely destroyed them"
"for Yahweh had caused the inhabitants to be terrified"
"The Spirit of God gave Azariah the ability to prophesy"
"you will find him"
"The people of Israel did not worship the true God"
"without a priest who taught them"
"they found him"
"for the person who traveled anywhere"
"for all the inhabitants of the lands experienced great troubles"
"Nations and cities destroyed each other, as the people of one nation fought against the people of another nation, and the people of one city fought against the people of another city"
"do not become weak as you work"
"for Yahweh will reward your work"
"the prophecy of Azariah, the son of Oded the prophet." This shows agreement with 2 Chronicles 15:1.
"got rid of the disgusting idols"
"He gathered together people from all over Judah and Benjamin"
"For people from of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon came from Israel"
"They" refers to the tribes of Judah and Israel that were with Asa.
The third month of the Hebrew calendar, which is the last part of May and the first part of June on Western calendars.
This refers to the plunder that they had taken from the villages around Gerar in 2 Chronicles 14:14.
"with all their beings". The people promise to serve the Lord. This is something they will ultimately fail to do. The phrase "seek Yahweh" means "wanting to believe and obey Yahweh."
"should die"
"whether the person was important or not"
"People all over Judah rejoiced"
"with complete devotion"
This woman had been the wife of Rehoboam and the mother of Asa's father Abijah. She had no official duties.
This phrase refers to an idol.
"He made his workers cut down the disgusting figure, crush it ... and burn it"
"But Asa did not command the people to take the high places out of Israel"
"Asa was completely devoted the whole time that he lived"
"the temple of God"
"captured and fortified Ramah"
"so that no one could"
"Then Asa told his workers to take the silver ... of the king's house, and to take it"
"Asa told his servants to say to Ben-Hadad"
"Let us have a covenant with each other ... with my father and your father". Asa asked the king of Aram to help him instead of trusting God to help him. This was sinful because he disobeyed Yahweh.
"As proof that I want a treaty with you, I have sent"
"Break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel, and attack Israel". Asa wanted Ben Hadad to attack Israel. Ben Hadad could only do that if he broke his covenant.
"not attack me"
"sent his armies to attack the cities"
"he commanded his army to stop fortifying Ramah and doing other work there"
"took all the men of Judah"
Timbers are large pieces of wood used to build houses or walls.
"Baasha's workers had been"
"Then King Asa had his workers use"
This is the name of a city.
This is the name of a man.
"from your control"
"The Cushites and the Libyans were a huge army, with very many chariots and horsemen."
These are people from Libya.
"he gave your army victory"
"Yahweh sees what is happening all over the earth"
"and Yahweh protects with his strength"
"those who are completely devoted to following him"
"from the first thing that he did to the last thing that he did"
This is a book that no longer exists.
"Asa had a disease in his feet"
"Asa died during"
"which his workers had dug out for him"
A bier is a table on which a dead body is placed at a funeral.
"sweet smelling plants prepared by people skilled in this custom"
"after his father". This begins the story of King Jehoshaphat who trusted and obeyed God. God made him strong.
"prepared the army to be able to battle Israel"
"He places soldiers"
Military encampments set up to protect the people.
"God helped him"
"lived righteously as his father David had done in his earlier years". For most of David's life he lived righteously and followed Yahweh closely.
He did not worship the Baal idols in order to seek help from them.
"and did not follow the evil practices that were common in Israel"
"Yahweh enabled him to completely control his kingdom"
"the people greatly honored him"
"He". This represents his will and desires.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"The people in all the kingdoms surrounding Judah became very afraid of what Yahweh might do to punish them"
"against Jehoshaphat's army"
This is a description of the flocks that the Arabians brought Jehoshaphat.
"His workers built fortresses and storage cities"
"The divisions by the name of their fathers' houses were as follows"
"the commanders of 1,000 soldiers"
"in addition to"
This marks background information, which happened before Ahab went down to Samaria.
"he aligned himself with Ahab"
"Ahab commanded his workers to slaughter many sheep and cattle for a feast for Jehoshaphat and the people"
"Will you and your army go with my army to attack the city of Ramoth in the region of Gilead". Ahab is requesting for Jehoshaphat to join him with his army to make war against Ramoth Gilead.
"I offer myself and my soldiers to you to use in any way you want". Jehoshaphat is stating his allegiance to Ahab.
King Ahab.
"should we not"
"will enable your army to defeat them"
This is the name of a man.
This is a reference to the horns of a bull but they made of metal.
"With horns like these, your army will keep attacking the army of Aram like a bull attacks another animal, until you completely destroy them"
"has allowed the king to capture it"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"the prophets all declare that good things will happen to the king"
"what you say"
"I solemnly swear"
"or should we not go"
"we" refers to Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and their armies but not to Micaiah.
"Many times I have required ... in the name of Yahweh."
"as the representative of Yahweh"
"I saw the entire army of Israel"
"These people no longer have a leader". The people are compared to sheep with no shepherd; the king, who has died.
"I told you ... but only disaster!"
"all the angel army of heaven" or "all the multitude of heaven"
"by his right side and by his left side"
To attract someone by offering something appealing.
"die at Ramoth Gilead"
This refers to two or more angels in the heavenly host who were responding to Yahweh's question in the previous verse and indicates there was more than one opinion.
"cause all his prophets to speak lies"
"Now pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: Yahweh"
"Do not think that Yahweh's Spirit left me to speak to you!"
"you will know that the Spirit of Yahweh has spoken to me"
This refers to Ahab.
This is the name of a man.
"If you return safely, then that would mean that Yahweh has not spoken by me". Micaiah knew that the king would not return safely because Yahweh had already told him that. So he said this to emphasize that.
"Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah led their armies up against"
"fought against"
To change the usual appearance so as not to be identified.
"Do not attack any of the soldiers". This means the unimportant and important soldiers.
Jehoshaphat was wrongly identified as the king of Israel because Ahab had insisted that he wear kingly robes.
"God caused them to stop pursuing him"
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
He took aim to shoot a soldier without knowing that it was Ahab or he drew his bow without any specific target in mind.
This is where two pieces of armor meet and is susceptible to arrows and swords.
"someone held the king of Israel up in his chariot"
"Hanani" is the name of a man. See 2 Chronicles 16:7.
"You should not help the wicked people! You should not love those who hate Yahweh!"
"Yahweh is angry with you"
"you have done some good things"
"you have had your people take the Asherah poles out of the land"
See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 14:3.
"firmly decided"
"do what pleases God"
"of all the land of Judah"
"convinced them to return to Yahweh"
"their ancestors"
cities with walls around them for protection.
"for every city". Jehoshaphat appointed many Levites to be judges and told them to be very fair. .
"Jehoshaphat said to the judges"
Yahweh was aware of what the judges decided or Yahweh would help and guide them in their decisions.
"you should remember to fear Yahweh when you judge"
"Yahweh our God will not sin or favor one person over another in judgment or be bribed"
"leaders of the families"
"for judging the people for Yahweh"
"for settling disputes"
"You must serve while respecting Yahweh"
"with your whole being"
"Whenever your fellow Israelites, who live in their cities bring you a dispute"
"murder"
"God will be angry with you and your brothers"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: Amariah"
"is in charge of you"
"of all my royal matters"
This was a people group from the region of Meun which was near Edom, east of the Jordan River.
"came to fight against Jehoshaphat and his army"
"They are already in Hazezon Tamar". An enormous army came against Jehoshaphat but God promised that he would defeat them without Judah having to fight. Then the enemy fought among themselves and when the army of Judah arrived there were dead bodies.
This is the name of a place. It is another name for Engedi.
"devoted himself to seek"
"to seek Yahweh's advice"
"He proclaimed that all the people should fast"
"The people of Judah gathered"
"of the people from Judah and Jerusalem"
"you are indeed God in heaven and the ruler over all the kings of the earth."
"You have great power and might"
"It was you who drove out those who lived in this land for the sake of your people Israel and who gave it permanently to the descendants of Abraham."
"to honor you"
"war"
This refers to the temple.
"your presence is here in this house"
This was a place where the Edomites lived.
"This is how they 'repay' us for the mercy we showed to them; they are coming to drive us out of your land"
"please judge them."
"we are looking to you for help"
The spirit of God influenced Jahaziel and enabled him to prophesy. See 2 Chronicles 15:1.
These are the names of men.
"all you who live in Judah and Jerusalem"
God is in control of the battle and of what happens.
"go to battle against"
This is a narrow valley between two mountains southeast of Jerusalem.
"Yahweh rescue you"
"people of Judah and Jerusalem"
Acts of worship that express humility and submission to God.
"All the people of Judah"
The names of people groups descending from Kohath and Korah.
"with very loud voices"
Translate this city name the same as in 2 Chronicles 11:6.
"he will support you"
"If you trust in Yahweh's prophets, then you will succeed"
"he is always faithful to his covenant with us". See 2 Chronicles 7:3.
"Yahweh set some enemy soldiers"
"They defeated them"
"to completely annihilate them"
"When they had finished killing"
"they were all dead on the ground"
This is the name of a place.
The day on which the writer wrote. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
"every soldier of Judah and Jerusalem"
"with Jehoshaphat leading them."
"rejoice over their enemies' defeat"
"All the kingdoms in the nearby nations greatly feared God"
"Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace"
"Azubah" was the name of Jehoshaphat's mother. Shilhi was the name of Azubah's father.
"He did things that were pleasing to Yahweh, like his father Asa had done, and he did not stop doing those things"
"he did what Yahweh judged to be right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"he did not get rid of the high places"
"The people were still not devoted to the God"
"from the beginning of his reign until he died"
"anyone can look in the history ... Israel and see that they are written there"
"they are in ... which is in"
Translate this man's name as you did in 2 Chronicles 16:7.
This is a book that no longer exists. See 2 Chronicles 16:11.
This is the name of a city.
"Their workers built the ships"
Translate this place name as you did in 2 Chronicles 8:17.
These are names of men.
"the things you have made"
"The ships wrecked so that no one was able to sail them"
"died"
This is the city of Jerusalem.
The writer wanted to make the point that the southern kingdom was, in its obedience to God, the true Israel.
"gifts of large amounts"
"he made Jehoram king"
"taken complete control over his father's kingdom"
"he caused all of his younger brothers to be killed". Edom and Libna successfully revolted against Jehoshaphat, the Arabs plundered him and he died of an intestinal disease.
"followed the example". See 2 Chronicles 20:32.
"the descendants of Ahab were doing"
"he had married a daughter of Ahab"
"as Yahweh judged"
"the people of Judah". See 2 Chronicles 10:19.
"he had promised that David and his descendants would rule Israel forever"
"While Jehoram was king"
"chose a king to rule over them"
"crossed the border into Edom"
"The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but Jehoram and his army fought against them and escaped during the night"
The time when the book of 2 Chronicles was written. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
This was a town in Judah.
"Jehoram and the people had also built high places"
"he caused the people of Jerusalem to leave Yahweh and serve other gods, as prostitutes serve men"
"he caused Judah to no longer follow Yahweh"
"The prophet Elijah sent a letter to Jehoram"
"followed the example". See 2 Chronicles 20:32.
"the descendants of Ahab". See 2 Chronicles 21:6.
"cause horrible things to happen to your people ... your possessions"
This emphasizes a personal judgment on Jehoram.
"until this disease causes your death". His intestines will literally fall out or intestinal problems that will result in death.
"provoked against Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabians"
"against Jehoram and the people of Judah"
"the spirit of the Philistines and the spirit of the Arabians who were near the Cushites".
"The only son they left to him was Jehoahaz, his youngest son"
This same son is called "Ahaziah" in 2 Chronicles 22:1.
"Yahweh caused him to suffer from an incurable disease in his intestines"
"when the time was right"
"did not make a bonfire to honor him as they normally did to honor kings when they died". This expressed contempt.
"no one was sad that he died."
See 2 Chronicles 21:16-17. Ahaziah was called "Jehoahaz". It is possible he changed his name when he became king.
"all Jehoram's older sons"
This is the beginning of the story of Queen Athaliah. The author compares Athaliah's evil deeds to Ahab's evil lives.
"He also followed the example"
"the descendants of Ahab". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 21:6.
"as Yahweh judged"
"descendants of Ahab advised him"
"and this caused his destruction"
"He also followed their advice and went"
"to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, and his army"
"from the wounds that he received at the battle,"
Jezreel was lower in elevation than Jerusalem.
"God caused Ahaziah to die"
"Joram" and "Jehoram" are the same person.
This is the name of a man.
"killing all the descendants of Ahab as God had commanded"
Ahaziah's nephews or the sons of Ahaziah's relatives .
"they caught Ahaziah ... killed Ahaziah"
"He deserves to be buried, because he was a descendant of Jehoshaphat, who tried hard to please Yahweh."
All the adult descendants of Ahaziah were dead, there was no one left to rule Judah.
"she commanded her servants to kill all the royal sons". Verse 11 confirms that the sons were killed.
"the kingdom of Judah"
Here "the king" refers to Jehoram, the father of Ahaziah.
This refers to a person who cares for a child, not to a medical person.
Verse 12 makes it clear this was located in the temple. Jehosheba had access because she was married to Jehoiada.
"Joash was with Jehosheba and Jehoiada,"
Throughout chapter 23, Joash is referred to as "the king.". This begins his story.
The chief priest who served in the temple and was faithful to God. He was an advisor to Joash.
"decided to act". He decided to reveal that Joash was alive and ready to be king.
"the commanders of 100 soldiers"
"made an agreement"
These are men's names.
"leaders of the families"
"Joash, the son of the king"
"One-third"
"will be guards at the temple doors"
This may also be called the "Middle Gate" or the "Sur Gate.", apparently an inner gate that was near the king's palace.
"All the other people who are present"
"Do not allow anyone to come into the house of Yahweh are the priests ... serving"
"All the others must remain in the courtyard, obeying what Yahweh has commanded"
"The Levites must surround the king on all sides in order to protect him"
"all sides, and every temple guard should have his weapons and be ready to fight"
"You must kill anyone except the temple guards and the priests who come into the temple"
"at all times"
"did exactly what Jehoiada the priest commanded"
The priests and guards served in divisions, with each group working for two weeks. This refers to the point in time when two divisions were present. Thus there were twice as many men as usual.
"were finishing their work on that Sabbath day"
See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 23:7.
This is a symbolic act to show that they are making him king.
"presented to him the covenant decrees that he should obey". It is unclear if these decrees were a portion of the law of Moses, or a separate set of rules for kings to obey.
This was a symbolic act to show that he was chosen by God to be the king.
"May the king live a long life"
The relationship between the king and this pillar is unclear. It might have been his place of authority.
"A very large number of the people of the land"
"You are committing treason!". Athaliah had made herself ruler in 2 Chronicles 22:10 and was angry Joash became king.
Translate this man's name as in 2 Chronicles 22:11.
"who were leaders in the army"
"Remove her from the people in the temple courtyard"
"Use your sword to kill anyone who comes to help her"
"For Jehoiada the priest had said"
"and took her to the Horse Gate near the entrance of the royal palace"
"a very large group of the people went to the temple of Baal"
This is the name of a man.
"under the direction of the priests"
"so that no one that was unacceptable to God in any way should enter"
"a very large group of the people of Israel"
"He brought the king down from the temple to the palace". The temple was built on the highest hill in Jerusalem.
"the royal throne"
"the people of the city were at peace"
"became king of Judah"
"what Yahweh judged to be right"
"as long as Jehoiada, the priest, was alive."
"Jehoiada chose two wives for Joash,"
Joash decided to repair the temple. The Levites collected money from people and gave it to the workmen to repair the temple. This was a sign of worship towards Yahweh.
"immediately"
"But the Levites did not do it immediately"
"You have neglected your duty. I told you to require the Levites ... covenant decrees, but you have not done it."
This a reminder that the tax had been collected since the time of Moses and the "tent of meeting."
The items used for worship in the temple.
"to people to use for the worship of idols of Baal"
"they announced"
Some people probably did not respond this way.
This phrase introduces a new, recurring action.
"take the chest and carry it back to its place"
"men who built with stone and men who built with wood"
"men who made things from iron and bronze."
"made progress under their supervision"
The money that was collected in the chest but not needed for repairs.
"utensils" and "spoons" listed later in the verse.
"for as long as Jehoiada lived"
"became very old and lived a long time"
"among the graves of the kings"
"because he had done good things in Judah for God and for God's temple"
"gave honor to King Joash"
"Then they persuaded the king to do what they wanted"
"God became very angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem". Joash remaind loyal to Yahweh as long as the chief priest lived, but when he died Joash started following other gods. The chief priest's son warned Joash that he would have trouble and was killed. The army of Aram defeated and plundered him and his servants murdered him.
"because they were guilty of sin"
This indicates a contrast between God's anger and his sending the prophets to give them a chance to repent.
That Yahweh was the one to whom they should turn.
"the people refused to obey"
"took control of Zechariah" or the Spirit covered Zechariah and so acted through him.
This is not the same man as Zechariah son of Berechiah who wrote the Book of Zechariah.
"You are transgressing the commandments of Yahweh, so that is why you cannot prosper."
"did not pay attention to the way that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had been kind to him"
"make you pay for the wrong you have done"
"sent all the plunder from Judah and Jerusalem"
"victory over the much larger army of Judah"
"In this way God used the Arameans to judge Joash"
"they had severely wounded Joash"
"because he had murdered the sons of Jehoiada"
"The servants killed Joash in his bed"
"Shimeath, from the country of Ammon ... Shimrith, from the country of Moab."
"the record of what his sons did"
"the important things the prophets spoke about him"
This is a book which no longer exists.
"what Yahweh judged to be right". See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"but not completely"
When Amaziah trusted God he was successful against Edom. But when he started worshiping the idols of Edom he was badly defeated.
This refers to the book of Deuteronomy, which Moses wrote.
"People must not kill the fathers for the sins of their children, and they must not kill the children for the sins of their fathers"
"gathered the people of Judah together"
He had someone write their names on an official list.
"by their ancestors' families". See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"all the people of Judah and Benjamin"
"20 years old and older"
"learned that there were"
"skilled warriors"
"about 3,300 kilograms of silver"
"a prophet of God"
The names for the same people group.
"enable your enemy to defeat you ... defeat"
"about thirty-three hundred kilograms of silver"
"the army of Israel" (verse 9).
"So their anger began to burn within them like a fire"
"very angry"
"became brave"
This is an area near the Dead Sea.
"so that they were all completely destroyed"
"the men of the army of Israel which Amaziah sent back to Israel"
This was a village near Jerusalem in Ephraim.
"killed"
"took away a great amount of valuable things"
"slaughtering the Edomites"
"the gods that the people of Seir worshiped"
These are symbolic acts of worship.
The popular opinion of the day that the gods determined who won battles.
"Yahweh's anger grew like a fire against Amaziah"
"You have worshiped the gods of a people that did not even save their own people from your power, King Amaziah."
"We certainly did not appoint you to be one of my advisors. So stop talking! If you say anything more, I will tell my soldiers to kill you!"
"meet each other in person"
This is in the form of a parable. The point is that Amaziah was foolish to challenge Jehoash.
This is a small, worthless plant with small, sharp thorns.
a very large type of tree
"the people of Judah"
"you have become proud"
"you should not cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you."
"die."
"God wanted this event to happen"
"into the power of their enemies"
The city of Beth Shemesh was located in Judah.
"The soldiers of Israel defeated the soldiers of Judah"
"the surviving soldiers of Judah"
"to his home"
"a length of 180 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
"under the care of the descendants of Obed-Edom"
"the royal palace"
"All of the matters concerning Amaziah, behold, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
"all the matters concerning Amaziah"
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
"stopped obeying Yahweh"
The text does not state to whom "they" refers.
"plot against him"
a city in Judah
"brought back his body"
Another name for Jerusalem, which was also called the city of David.
"The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Uzziah and made him king after his father, Amaziah"
"It was he who supervised the rebuilding of Elath"
a city in Judah
"returned it to Judah." His army captured the city so that now it belonged to Judah again.
"died."
"what Yahweh judges to be right". See a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"He was determined to obey God". Seeking God represents choosing to know, worship, and obey him.
"when Zechariah was priest"
"During the whole time that he sought Yahweh"
"Uzziah led his army out to fight against the Philistines"
"Uzziah and his army broke down ... they built cities"
This was a town in northern Judah.
"near Ashdod"
"God helped them"
This was a town in Arabia.
This is likely people who moved to that area from the kingdom of Maon near Mount Seir.
"people who lived even as far away as the border of Egypt learned about the things he was doing"
"Uzziah's workers built towers"
"He had his workers build watchtowers ... and dig many cisterns"
"farming"
"the family leaders who led the mighty warriors"
"They commanded an army"
This is a covering for the body made of metal links or chains.
"his workers built machines that were designed by skillful men"
These were the corners of the city walls where soldiers could fight from.
"God greatly helped him"
"he became proud"
"with him went eighty priests of Yahweh, who were brave men"
"Uzziah, you do not have the right to burn incense to Yahweh"
"whom God has chosen to burn incense"
This is a special pan or bowl used for burning incense. Uzziah was powerful when he followed Yahweh. When he entered the temple to burn incense like a priest, God made him a leper and he could not properly worship Yahweh because he was unclean.
"behold" shows that the priests were surprised by what they saw.
"They quickly forced him out of there"
"Yahweh had made him ill"
"until he died"
He lived away from other houses and other people.
"he was excluded from the house of Yahweh"
"Jotham, his son, was responsible for the king's house"
This refers to the king's palace, which the king was no longer living in.
"As for the other matters concerning Uzziah, from the beginning of his reign to the end of his reign, the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz recorded them"
This is the name of a man.
"So Uzziah died"
"the people buried him near his ancestors"
"Jotham, his son, became king after Uzziah"
"He did what Yahweh judged to be right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"He had his workers build the upper gate ... he had his workers build many things"
This is a hill in Jerusalem.
"He also led his army to fight with the king of the people of Ammon". Jotham was able to conquer the people of Ammon because he obeyed the Lord. For Yahweh, trust in Yahweh is the key to victory in battle.
"with the king of Ammon and his army"
"3,300 kilograms of silver". A "talent" is equivalent to 33 kilograms.
"2,200 kiloliters of wheat". The word translated here as "measure" is "cor" and is equivalent to 220 liters.
"2,200 kiloliters of barley"
"in the second and third years after he defeated them"
"he faithfully obeyed Yahweh his God"
"the things that he did"
"anyone can read of them in the book ... Judah and see that they are written there"
This is a book that no longer exists.
"Jotham died"
"people buried him"
"became king instead of Jotham"
"what Yahweh judged to be right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"he acted the same way that the kings of Israel had acted"
"he even made cast metal figures for worshiping the Baals".
This is a valley in Jerusalem.
"before the people of Israel who moved into the land"
"under many green trees around the country". Places where other nations worshiped their false gods.
"Yahweh the God of Ahaz enabled the king of Aram to defeat Ahaz". Judah was defeated by all of the neighboring countries because King Ahaz was worshiping all sorts of foreign gods.
"carried away from Ahaz's army"
"Yahweh also enabled the king of Israel to defeat Ahaz"
This was the king of Israel. "Pekah" and "Remaliah" are the names of men.
"a mighty warrior"
"who was the king's second in command"
"From their own relatives, the army of Israel took captive."
"God enabled you to defeat them"
"you have slaughtered them in such great rage that Yahweh himself has noticed and will take vengeance"
"But you yourselves are guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God."
"Yahweh is extremely angry with you". "burning anger"... See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 28:11.
"confronted those who came back from the war"
"something that will cause us to be guilty of sinning"
"The men whom the leaders assigned by name"
This probably means that they gave them oil to put on their wounds.
"put the weak ones who were too weak to walk on donkeys"
"The Philistines captured Beth Shemesh"
These are the names of places.
"Yahweh humiliated the people of Judah because of Ahaz"
This is Tiglath-Pileser III, also known as Pul.
"caused him trouble instead of helping him"
"when he was suffering."
"the gods whom the Syrians worshiped in Damascus". They believed Damascus to be the city where their gods dwelt.
"gods whom he believed had enabled the Syrian army to defeat him"
"those gods ruined him and all Israel"
"Israel" represents the southern kingdom of Judah.
"the temple of God ... the temple of Yahweh"
"on every street corner in Jerusalem" or "in every part of Jerusalem"
"he had his workers make altars for him"
"he had his workers make high places to burn sacrifices"
"all that he did from the beginning of his reign to the end of his reign"
"anyone can look at the book ... Israel and see that they are written there"
"someone has written them in the book"
This is a book that no longer exists.
"Ahaz died"
"people buried him"
"became king instead of Ahaz"
This chapter begins the story of King Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 29-32). He was a great king who cleaned and rededicated the temple, showing that he wanted the people to return to worshiping Yahweh.
"what Yahweh judged to be right". See a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:1.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar and the last part of March and the first part April on Western calendars.
"the temple of Yahweh"
"Hezekiah ordered his workers to open the doors ... and to repair them"
"on the east side of the temple"
"remove the things that make the holy place unacceptable to Yahweh"
"what Yahweh our God judged to be evil"
"abandoned Yahweh's temple and stopped worshiping him"
"the temple where Yahweh lives"
"because Yahweh was angry, he had punished the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
"something that terrifies and horrifies people, and something that people scorn"
"as you can see for yourselves"
"our fathers have died in battle"
"it is my intention"
"to stand in his presence"
The names of the men (Levites) who began to do the work that Hezekiah had ordered them to do.
"the Levites began to work"
"in obedience to the word of Yahweh"
A place that is fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
"the temple of Yahweh"
"they brought out all the things that they found in the temple of Yahweh that made it unacceptable to Yahweh"
A small body of water that flows on the east side of Jerusalem. At times it was used as a trash dump.
This is near the end of March on Western calendars.
"they had begun to cleanse the porch of Yahweh's temple"
This is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
The 12 loaves of bread that were placed in front of the altar. See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 2:4.
"Look at them. You can see for yourself that they are."
"the priests killed the bulls, and took the blood"
"the king and people in the assembly laid their hands on them."
"that the priests should make a burnt offering and a sin offering for all Israel"
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound. See 2 Chronicles 5:12.
"arranging the Levites as David, Gad, the king's seer, and Nathan, the prophet had commanded"
"for Yahweh had commanded this through his prophets"
"the people began to sing a song to Yahweh also"
"until the priests finished offering the burnt offering"
"When the priests had finished the offerings"
"bowed and worshiped Yahweh"
These were offerings of thanksgiving.
"who were willing"
"to remove the skins from all the burn offerings"
"until they had finished the work"
"until more of the priests could consecrate themselves"
This implies there were not enough priests because they were not careful to consecrate themselves.
"the priests performed the burnt offerings with the fat of the fellowship offerings"
"Hezekiah set the service of the house of Yahweh in order"
"was restored"
"the people had done the work quickly"
The nation of Israel. Earlier the nation had been split into two kingdoms called by these names.
"the northern tribes of Israel". The people who belonged to all ten of the northern tribes of Israel.
The Israelites normally celebrated the Passover during the first month of the Hebrew calendar, last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. Hezekiah invited everyone in Judah and in Israel to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover. It had not been celebrated since King Solomon's day.
The second month of the Hebrew calendar, during the last part of April and the first part of May on Western calendars.
The proposal to celebrate the Passover in the second month instead of in the first month.
"in the judgment of the king and all the assembly"
"from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north". The writer emphasizes that all of Israel was included.
"as Moses had written that they should observe it"
people who carry messages
"the southern tribes of Israel"
"submit again to Yahweh"
"so that he may again protect the remnant of you"
"who have escaped from the power of the kings of Assyria"
"your people"
"he punished them horribly"
"do not become stubborn"
"dedicate yourselves to Yahweh"
"come to his temple in Jerusalem for it is holy"
"he may no longer be very angry with you" or "he may turn his great anger away from you". See 2 Chronicles 28:11.
"if you submit again to Yahweh"
"your brothers and children will experience compassion from those who led them away as prisoners"
"will not reject you"
"if you submit again to him"
Zebulun was one of the tribes farthest in the north of Israel, but there were three other tribes that reached farther north.
"God guided the people of Judah"
"causing them to agree"
"to obey the command"
"the command that the king and leaders gave them in obedience to the word of Yahweh"
"They began to work and took away the altars"
The altars that people had built to false gods.
This is near the beginning of May on Western calendars.
"They stood in their appointed places"
"the blood that they received from the Levites"
"the lambs for the Passover,"
The names of some of the tribes that lived in the northern part of Israel. See 2 Chronicles 30:10.
"even though the written instructions said that they must purify themselves first"
"Yahweh, who is good"
"everyone who truly wants to honor God"
"So Yahweh responded favorably to Hezekiah"
"forgave the people"
"celebrate the festival"
"singing and playing loud musical instruments to Yahweh"
"because they understood the service of Yahweh"
The people of Israel.
"confessing their sins to Yahweh"
Hezekiah gave the animals to the people as an offering to the Lord for the people to eat.
Here "Judah" probably refers to the southern tribes of Israel.
"all the people who came together from Israel in the north"
"the foreigners who came from the land of Israel in the north"
"since the time when Solomon son of David ruled as king of Israel”
"there had not been any Passover Festival in Jerusalem like this Passover Festival"
"God responded favorably to their prayer, which he heard in heaven, the holy place where he lives"
"God heard what they said to him"
Their prayer represents God in heaven paying attention to them praying on earth.
"who were in Jerusalem"
"to his own property"
"Hezekiah organized the priests and the Levites into groups. He assigned each priest and Levite to their duties"
A festival coinciding with the movement of the moon.
Festivals which occur on specific dates.
"just as Yahweh commanded in his law"
"As soon as the people heard the command"
"a tenth of all their crops"
This is the third month of the Hebrew calendar. It is at the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dry season. It is during the last part of May and the first part of June on Western calendars.
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. This is during the early rain season, which would soften the land for sowing. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
"a descendant of Zadok"
The chief priest would have been pointing to the large heaps.
"Hezekiah commanded the priests and Levites to prepare storerooms"
These are names of men.
"were managers whom Konaniah and Shimei his brother supervised"
"the official in charge of everyone who served in the house of God"
These are names of men.
"the gatekeeper at the east gate of the temple"
These are names of men.
"Eden ... assisted Kore in the cities of the priests"
"They faithfully gave"
"to their fellow priests"
"group by group"
"to everyone, including those who are old and those who are young"
"They also gave freewill offerings"
"three years old and older"
"whose names were in the records"
"to do the daily work that they were supposed to do"
"They distributed freewill offerings"
"20 years old and older"
"there were men responsible for giving portions"
"to obey his God". He really wanted to do what God wanted and expresses Hezekiah's desire to please God.
"he was completely committed to what he did"
"After Hezekiah faithfully did all the things Yahweh commanded him to do"
"Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and his army came ... They camped"
"went and entered Judah"
"that Sennacherib and his army had come and that they intended"
"to fight against the people of Jerusalem"
The people of the city would fill up wells and fountain springs with earth and rocks, hiding the water from the Assyrians, but the people would cause the water to flow into the city through secret pathways.
"We do not want the kings of Assyria to come here and find a lot of water."
"the king and the other leaders of Assyria"
"Hezekiah took courage and commanded the people to build up ... They built ... They also ... they made"
"Hezekiah strengthened the city by building up"
This is a part of the wall on the north side of Jerusalem.
"He put military commanders in charge of the people"
"for our God is with us and is more powerful than those with the king of Assyria"
"are only those with human power". Because Hezekiah trusted God, God rescued Jerusalem from the attack of the Assyrian army and healed Hezekiah when he was very sick.
This marks a stop in the main story, telling background information about the location of Sennacherib and his army.
This was a city in Judah.
"These people you are trusting in cannot make you able to endure a siege in Jerusalem."
"Hezekiah is misleading you ... king of Assyria.'"
"so that you will die from lack of food and water"
"from the power of the king of Assyria"
"This is the same Hezekiah who has taken away ... sacrifices.'"
"commanded the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
"You know very well what ... lands!"
"There was no god ... power!"
"There was no god among all the gods ... who ... hand!"
"from my power"
"There is no reason your God should be able ... power!"
"Your God will certainly not be able to rescue you from my hand!"
"Sennacherib's servants shouted loudly"
"to make them very afraid"
"the Assyrian army might capture"
"They mocked the God of Jerusalem as they had mocked the gods of the other peoples of the earth"
"which are merely idols that men have made"
"cried to Yahweh for help"
"ashamed."
"the temple of his god"
"from the power of Sennacherib ... from the power of all others"
"caused them to live peacefully with all the people of the nations around them"
"the people of all the nations honored him"
"that he would heal Hezekiah"
"But Hezekiah did not act in a grateful way after Yahweh helped him"
"he became proud"
"So Yahweh became angry and punished him and the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
"during Hezekiah's lifetime."
This is a small enclosure where horses are kept. See 2 Chronicles 9:25.
a storage place for small animals
"Hezekiah who ordered his workers to stop up ... and to build a tunnel so that the water would flow down"
This is a stream near Jerusalem.
"the miracle that Yahweh had performed in the land"
"to reveal Hezekiah's true character"
"Hezekiah died". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 9:31.
Manasseh angered God more than any other king of Judah. He worshiped the sun, stars and many foreign gods and even sacrificed his sons to the sun.
"things that Yahweh said were evil". See a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"including the disgusting things."
"he had his workers rebuild the high places ... he had them build altars ... he had them make Asherah poles"
"Jerusalem is where I will forever make known who I am"
"He had his workers build altars in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh so that the people could worship the stars and offer them sacrifices"
The name of a place near Jerusalem that is also known as Gehenna.
"he burned his sons to death as an offering to his gods"
"Manasseh made Yahweh very angry"
"Manasseh had ordered his servants to make"
"where I want people to worship me forever"
"that I gave to their ancestors,"
"the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
"even more than the people whom Yahweh had destroyed as the people of Israel advanced through the land"
"brought about an attack on them by"
"the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria and their soldiers"
"seized Manasseh, bound him in chains, and took him as a prisoner to Babylon". Fetters were chains placed around the feet.
To beg for help.
"He prayed to God; and God heard his plea and changed his mind"
"to rule again as king"
"Manasseh commanded his workers to build ... They surrounded ... and raised ... He commanded his workers to put"
"the waters of Gihon". The name of a spring and a stream. See 2 Chronicles 32:30.
Translate the name of this hill as you did in 2 Chronicles 27:3.
"built the wall up"
This refers to cities with walls around them.
"the false gods from other countries"
"he commanded the people of Judah"
"anyone can look among the deeds ... Israel and see that they are written there"
"men have written them”
This in account of the history of Israel that no longer exists.
"the place where he had the high places built and the Asherah poles and the carved figures set up"
This is a book that no longer exists.
"So Manasseh died"
"in his palace"
"became the next king"
"Amon continued to sin."
"planned in secret to kill him"
"killed him"
"became the next king"
This chapter is the beginning of the story of King Josiah.
"the things that Yahweh said were right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
"lived the way David his ancestor had lived"
"did not do anything that would displease Yahweh"
"he began to make Judah and Jerusalem acceptable again to Yahweh by having his workers remove from them the high places, the Asherah poles, the craved figures, and the cast metal figures". Josiah worshiped Yahweh and cleaned out the idols and shrines from Judah and the people returned to worship Yahweh again.
"in Josiah's presence"
"he and his workers cut apart ... He and his workers broke ... He and his workers crushed ... and scattered"
"He commanded them to burn"
The bones of the priests who offered sacrifices on the altars to the false gods were burned on the altars that the priests had previously made sacrifices on.
"he caused Judah and Jerusalem to be acceptable again to Yahweh"
"into dust."
"Josiah had caused the land and the temple to become acceptable again to Yahweh"
These are the names of men.
"gave to him the responsibility of using the money"
"that the Levites who guarded the doors had brought into the house of God all that they had gathered"
"Then Hilkiah entrusted".
"some of the money". This is some of the money that was entrusted to Hilkiah.
pieces used to connect large beams
"had allowed to rot"
Translate the name of the clan as you did in 2 Chronicles 20:19.
Translate these men's names as you did in 2 Chronicles 17:7.
"These Levites were in charge of all of the men who did any kind of building work"
"When they brought out the money for the supervisors from"
"that Yahweh had given to the people through Moses"
Most likely these laws were written on a scroll; made of one long, rolled-up sheet of papyrus or leather.
This is the name of a man.
"everything that you gave them the responsibility to do"
"They have gathered all"
"to the supervisors and the workmen"
"he tore his clothes because he was very upset"
These are the names of men.
"Ask Yahweh what he wants me to do". The men are to go to the prophetess of Yahweh. (2 Chronicles 34:22)
"concerning the words"
"the laws in the book that Hilkiah has found"
"For Yahweh's anger towards us is great, like water that could totally wash us away"
"all that is written in it"
This the name of a man.
This refers to Shallum. The person who took care of the clothing that priests wore or took care of the king's clothing.
"The Second Part". This may have been a newer part of Jerusalem.
"they had the following conversation with her"
"I will soon cause terrible things to happen to this place and to those who live there"
"to Jerusalem" or "on Judah". This refers to Jerusalem, which represents the whole land of Judah.
"all the curses written"
"on these people"
"they have made me angry"
"I will pour out my anger"
"About the message that you heard,"
"because you repented"
"so I will allow you to die and be buried peacefully"
"I will gather you to your grave"
"you will not experience"
"the terrible things I will cause to happen to this place"
"many other people"
"from the most important to the least important"
"Then the king read aloud so that they could hear"
"that they had found"
"stood where he was supposed to stand at the entrance to the temple"
"live obeying Yahweh"
Together these words emphasize everything that Yahweh had commanded in the law.
"with all his being"
"that this book contained"
"all who lived in Jerusalem and Benjamin"
"promise to obey the covenant"
"Josiah commanded his workers to take away all"
"the disgusting idols"
"As long as Josiah was alive"
Josiah organized a large Passover celebration and people shared their animals with those without animals to sacrifice. The celebration of Passover was a sign of proper worship by the people.
Yahweh had commanded Moses that all the people of Israel were to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fourteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
"He had people tell the priests which jobs to do"
"as they served in" or "to serve well in"
"that Solomon, king of Israel, commanded the people to build"
"according to the names of your clans and your divisions."
groups into which the people had divided the priests and Levites
"the instructions that David ... and Solomon, his son, wrote"
"Take your positions in the temple area"
This probably refers to the priests and Levites washing themselves before they did work in the temple.
"to obey all of the commands that Yahweh gave to the people through Moses"
baby goats
"all these lambs, kids, and bulls that he gave were ones that he himself owned"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"they prepared everything they needed so they could perform the Passover"
"the blood that the Levites gave them"
All instances of "they" and "themselves" refer to the Levites 2 Chronicles 35:10.
"They cooked the Passover lambs over fires"
"they cooked them in water in containers of different sizes"
"They ... prepared the offerings that they would eat and the offerings that the priests would eat"
"as David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer had commanded them"
These are the names of men.
"they did everything that needed to be done to serve Yahweh"
"celebrated the Passover"
"then celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread"
"There had never been such a Passover celebration in Israel"
The nation of Israel as a whole, as it was before the northern kingdom and southern king split.
"from the time"
Here "Israel" refers specifically to the northern kingdom of Israel.
"They observed this Passover"
"was celebrated"
"restored proper worship to the temple"
"Necho, king of Egypt, went up with his army"
"against the people of Carchemish". This is the name of a city.
"Josiah and his army went to fight against Necho and his army"
"You have no reason to attack me, king of Judah."
"I am not fighting your kingdom"
"against the house of Babylon, with whom"
"fight with the army of Egypt"
"that God had said to him"
"so he and his army went"
This is the name of a place.
"All the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
This means the day on which the writer wrote. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
"this is where they are: they"
This was an ancient scroll of funeral songs.
"the good deeds that he did"
"the words"
"men have written of all his deeds ... in the book"
"everything he did from the beginning of his reign to when he died"
This is a book that no longer exists.
"instead of his father"
This is the end of the story of Judah as an independent country.
"The king of Egypt removed him from being king in Jerusalem"
"land" represents the people who lived there.
"about 3,300 kilograms of silver and 33 kilograms of gold". A talent was about 33 kilograms.
"what Yahweh judged to be evil"
"attacked Jerusalem" or "attacked Judah". Jehoiakim represents either Jerusalem or the nation of Judah.
"Nebuchadnezzar also had his soldiers carry"
"the temple of Yahweh"
This usually refers to worshiping false gods, which Yahweh hated.
"what people found against him"
"someone has written them in the book"
This is a book that no longer exists. See 2 Chronicles 35:27.
"became king instead of Jehoiakim"
"brought Jehoiachin to Babylon"
"Jehoiachin's relative"
"who spoke the words that Yahweh spoke to him". God warned the people through the prophets, that he would punish them if they did not worship Yahweh. The people refused to listen to the prophets or to stop their evil deeds. God finally punished them by letting the Babylonians conquer them.
"Zedekiah stubbornly refused to worship Yahweh"
"they did the disgusting things that the nations did"
This phrase refers to worshiping other gods.
"They polluted the temple of Yahweh"
This refers to the temple.
"in his wrath, Yahweh began to punish his people"
"there was no way to avoid it"
"God caused the king of the Chaldeans to attack them, and he"
"whose army killed their young men with swords"
"God allowed the Chaldean army to defeat them"
"the temple of God ... the temple of Yahweh"
The Babylonian soldiers.
"The king had his army forcefully take to Babylon"
"until the kingdom of Persia came to power"
"what Yahweh spoke through Jeremiah"
"until the land had rested according to the Sabbath law". The people were supposed to obey the Sabbath law by not farming the land every seventh year.
"The requirements of the Sabbath law were fulfilled as long as the land lay desolate"
"so that 70 years might pass while the land lay desolate"
This refers to the beginning of the reign of King Cyrus.
"so that what Yahweh spoke through Jeremiah might happen"
"Yahweh made Cyrus, king of Persia, want to act"
This is an exaggeration, as there were kingdoms over which Cyrus did not rule.
"to build a temple for him"
"Yahweh's people"
"Let that person go up to the land of Judah"
This refers to the beginning of the reign of King Cyrus and records when the first Jews returned from Persia to Judea. Upon return to Judea, the focus of the rest of the Old Testament is on the Jewish people.
"Yahweh did what Jeremiah prophesied that Yahweh would do"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"Yahweh ... made Cyrus want to act". King Cyrus allowed them to return because he wanted them to rebuild the temple. Those who stayed behind gave gifts to those who left to help them on their journey and resettlement, which was a way to maintain peace throughout his kingdom.
"Cyrus sent a message to everyone over whom he ruled"
"what Cyrus wrote and what his messengers read so people could hear them"
There were kingdoms over which Cyrus did not rule.
"a house in ... Judah where people can worship him"
The refers to the work of the people roused by God in the previous verse.
A man's name.
"put Mithredath the treasurer in charge of them" or "made Mithredath the treasurer responsible for them"
official in charge of money
There was no king of Judah at this time, so the word "prince" means "leader," not "son of the king."
objects used to hold water for washing
objects used to hold water for washing
The total number of items returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, which are listed above individually.
This begins a list of the names of people who returned from the exile. They had to prove they were priests or Jews, through their genealogies.
"returned" or "came back"
This refers to the list of men in 2:3-35.
This continues the list of the names of men who returned from the exile along with the number of people in each group.
Notice that starting in 2:21 these are now the names of places where they originally came from.
This begins the list of the people whose ancestors had lived in towns in Judah.
This is the name of a town in Judah.
This continues with the list of people who returned from the exile along with the number in each group whose ancestors came from the places listed.
The "Harim" in Ezra 2:32 is the name of a place, but here "Harim" is the name of a man.
This section lists the names of Levites whose descendants returned from the exile along with the number in each group.
those in charge of who goes through the gates of the temple
These are men's names.
This section continues listing the names of Levites. These are all names of men.
This is the number of all the people in this group who came back from the exile.
This is a list of people who had returned to Israel from various Babylonian cities but could not prove their heritage.
These are men's names.
These are men's names.
the records that told who their ancestors were
"could not find their names in the records of the priests"
"the other priests treated them as if they were unclean and did not allow them to work as priests"
two items, like dice, that the priests used to decide what God wanted them to do
"their female servants"
This is a list of the animals along with the numbers of each kind that returned with the people from the exile.
A "daric" was a small gold coin used by the Persian Empire.
A mina is a unit of weight. One mina equals 550 grams. Minas are normally linked with measuring silver.
garments worn next to the skin
Everyone went back to their home towns in Judea.
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is at the end of the dry season and the beginning of the early rain season; during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
"for one purpose"
This is the name of a man.
"began to act and built". This begins the story of the building of the temple and re-establishment of worship in the new temple. They immediately began the temple worship, even though the temple had not yet been built because they feared the people of the surrounding nations.
"as Yahweh had commanded them to do in the law of Moses"
"mounted the altar on its stand"
"they were terrified"
"because they thought the people of the land wanted to attack them"
One of the first things the people did was to begin offering sacrifices. This was before the temple was rebuilt.
This is a festival that was celebrated for eight days during the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar and was associated with the time of the exodus when the Israelites lived in tents.
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of September on Western calendars.
"they had not yet laid the foundation for the temple"
The letters sent by Cyrus gave the Jews permission to buy materials.
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. This is during the warm season when people are harvesting crops. It is during the last part of April and the first part of May on Western calendars.
This is during the year after the one in which they returned.
"to where the house of God had stood" or "to where they were going to build the house of God"
This a man's name.
"the rest of the members of their tribe—the priests and the Levites—and". The word "brothers" is used here because Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the priests and Levites were all from the tribe of Levi; not all sons of the same man and woman.
"foundation" in this sense was more than just the stone blocks to support the temple walls. It included the entire temple floor set in stone. This enabled all the temple worshipers to wear their special garments and keep them clean.
"their special robes"
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
"as David ... had commanded"
A feeling and expression of appreciation and gratitude for the kindness of another.
"He faithfully loves Israel forever" or "He is always faithful to his covenant with Israel"
This refers to the first temple that Solomon built, the house of God.
"in their sight" or "and they saw it"
This refers to emotional expression of sorrow involving tears and vocal sounds.
The people of the surrounding nations offered to help build the temple. It is unknown why the Jews refused their help. These other people became their enemies and tried to hinder the work. They even persuaded the king of Persia to stop the Jews from building.
"whom the Babylonians had taken into exile"
This is a man's name. See Ezra 2:2.
He ruled in Assyria before Cyrus ruled in Persia.
This is a man's name. See Ezra 2:6.
the Jewish leader felt that Cyrus had authorized only them to build the temple or building the temple was the exclusive work of the Jews and non-Jew's would not be permitted to contribute to the work.
"the people who were living in the land at that time"; which could include non-Jews and Jews whose families the Babylonians had not taken into exile
"discouraged the Judeans"
"to make it so the Judeans could not build the temple as they had planned."
"wrote a letter in which they accused those who lived in Judah and Jerusalem of disobeying the king"
names of men
the language used in that area for official business
into Persian
This is a man's name.
This is a man's name. See Ezra 2:1.
names of cities
This is a name of a man.
The name of the province west of the Euphrates River and across the river from the city of Susa.
Ezra includes in his writing the content of the letter sent to King Artaxerxes.
See how you translated this in the previous verse.
"a city that they plan to live in and rebel against you"
"fixed the foundations" or "mended the foundations"
"if they build the city and complete the wall"
"any kind of taxes.". This probably refers specifically to taxes on goods that people bought or consumed.
taxes that people needed to pay to use roads
They will "harm the treasury" by not giving money to the kings. Possible meanings for "kings" ... refer to Artaxerxes and his descendants or to honor Artaxerxes by referring to him in third person plural.
"we are loyal to you" or "you have honored us by making us your officials"
"a city in which live people who have rebelled against your father"
"the Babylonians destroyed the city"
An exaggeration to make the king think that he will be losing much tax money if the Judeans rebel.
This is a man's name. See Ezra 2:2.
This is a man's name. See Ezra 4:8.
the Euphrates River
"I have had my servants translate and read the letter that you sent to me"
"I issued a decree"
"the people of that city have been rebelling against kings"
"the people who live there have been rebelling and revolting”
"The people in Jerusalem paid tribute, taxes, and tolls to those kings"
"make a law"
"Be careful to do this"
"You must make sure that this threat does not grow and cause more loss for the royal interests."
"danger to become worse"
"cause more bad things to happen to the kings"
"The messengers from King Artaxerxes read his decree"
This delay lasted about 16 years.
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the Jews to begin building the temple again, which was very important to life in Judah.
This is a man's name.
These are the names of men.
This is a man's name. See Ezra 3:1.
This was the temple of God.
men's names.
The name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River and across the river from the city of Susa. See Ezra 4:10.
"God was watching over"
"for an official to send a letter to the king and for the king to send back to them a letter stating a decree"
Ezra includes the contents of the letter to King Darius regarding their work on the temple.
"Who gave you official permission"
"so that we could tell you who they are"
"we wrote down the names ... head"
they were calling the Jewish people servants of God or those who replied were from the tribe of Levi and Aaron, who were the ones actually responsible for the temple worship and sacrifices
"that the great king of Israel had built and supplied all the equipment for"
"made the God of heaven become very angry with us"
"allowed the army of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the Chaldean, to destroy this house and take the people"
"tore down this house"
Cyrus orders that the people rebuild God's temple.
See Ezra 1:7.
King Cyrus returned the temple objects.
"I want the Judeans to rebuild the house of God"
"people are now building it, but they have not done all the work yet"
"I would like you to have someone investigate this matter"
"if King Cyrus issued a decree"
In this chapter, Darius is called the king of Assyria. In reality, Darius was also king of Persia. Persia had conquered Babylon, which had previously conquered Assyria. It was unusual to refer to Darius as the king of Assyria. Ezra may have referred to him in this way to contrast Darius' actions with those of the former rulers of Assyria, who had treated the Jews very cruelly.
This is a building where the king's officials kept the important government records.
This is the name of a city.
"they found a scroll that told about Darius and Jerusalem"
"In year 1 of the reign of King Cyrus"
"Let the Jews rebuild the house" or "The Jews must rebuild the house"
"twenty-seven meters"
"Build the foundation with three layers of large stones alternating with one layer of timber"
"I will pay for it with money from the royal treasury"
Darius writes directly to these men. Translate their names as in Ezra 5:3.
The name of the province west of the Euphrates River and across the river from the city of Susa. Ezra 4:10.
"Money from the taxes that you collect for the king from the people beyond the river". The king said the Jews were right and ordered money from his taxes to be used.
"I command my officials to pull a beam from his house and impale him on it. They are then to turn his house into a rubbish heap"
a long, sturdy piece of wood, supporting the roof of a house
pierced through
"who tries to violate ... or to destroy" or "who dares to violate ... or to destroy"
"to violate what I have decreed" or "to do what this decree says no one should do"
The phrase "hereby issue" means that Darius, by speaking, is issuing the decree.
Translate the names of these men as you did in Ezra 5:3.
"They completed God's house" or "They finished building the temple"
The name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the cold season. The third day is near the middle of February on Western calendars.
King Darius had been ruling for five years, so he was now in year number six of his reign.
"the rest of the people who had been taken captive to Babylon and had returned to Jerusalem"
"groups that work together"
The first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fourteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
"made themselves acceptable to God"
"They refused to do the things that the people of the nations of the land did that made them unacceptable to God"
"chose to obey Yahweh"
"changed the attitude of Assyria's king" or "made Assyria's king willing"
"to help them do the work of his house" or "to make it possible for them to do the work of building the temple". The Assyrian king did this by telling them to do the work and providing the money for it.
Ezra's genealogy goes back to Aaron, the first high priest. Ezra begins his religious reforms.
"Ezra came up to Jerusalem from Babylon"
See how you translated this man's name in Ezra 2:2.
men's names
See how you translated this man's name in Ezra 2:42.
men's names
This list through verse 5 is all men's names.
"The king gave Ezra anything he asked for"
"the blessing of Yahweh was with Ezra"
"in the seventh year that Artaxerxes was king"
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar and the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars.
The king had ruled for six full years and part of the seventh.
This is near the middle of March on Western calendars.
This is near the middle of July on Western calendars.
The power or control that God uses for good results.
"Ezra committed his life to study". The people no longer know the law of Moses. Therefore, the king allows Ezra to return to Judea to teach the people about God's law. Many people go with him.
"obey"
These were the laws that God passed down to Israel through Moses.
The text, following this statement, was what King Artaxerxes had written in the letter.
"The Great King Artaxerxes" or "Artaxerxes, the greatest king"
In those days people needed permission from the king to resettle and rebuild in an area previously destroyed by the conquering nation.
The phrase "hereby issue" means that Darius, by speaking, is issuing the decree. See Ezra 6:12.
The word "you" refers to Ezra.
The word "I" and the phrase "the king" refer to the same person. The king is reminding the people that he is the author of this letter.
"to investigate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, in order to learn whether or not they are obeying the law of your God"
"You are to bring to Jerusalem the silver and gold"
"the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have willingly offered"
"Use this money to buy as many of the oxen, rams, lambs, grain and drink offerings as are needed"
"your co-workers" or "your companions"
"the objects that we have freely given to you"
The word "him" refers to God.
"to use in the house of your God" or "to serve in the house of your God"
a secure place where the money is stored
The name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River and across the river from the city of Susa. See how you translated it in Ezra 4:10.
"Give Ezra ... in full anything he asks of you"
"should be given as much as he needs"
"3,300 kilograms of silver"
"22,000 liters of grain" or "twenty thousand liters of grain"
2,200 liters of oil" or "two thousand liters of oil"
This refers to God's temple
"For we do not want God's wrath to come upon the kingdom of the king and his sons." or "For if you do not do these things, God's wrath will come upon the kingdom of the king and his sons."
"For why should God punish the kingdom of the king and his sons" or "For if you do not do these things, God will punish the kingdom of the king and his sons"
"my and my sons' kingdom"
"We are telling them that they have no authority to impose any tribute or taxes"
people who play musical instruments
"God has made you wise, so you must wisely appoint judges and magistrates"
"whether by killing them, banishing them, confiscating their goods, or imprisoning them" or "You may kill them, send them away, take the things they own, or put them in prison"
"caused the king to want to glorify Yahweh's house in Jerusalem"
this refers to Yahweh's temple
"who has been faithful to me" or "who has been loyal to me"
"I am encouraged"
"because Yahweh has helped me"
There is an apparent shift in authorship beginning here. Chapters 1-7 were written as if the author were writing about Ezra. Chapter 8 was written as if the author were Ezra. Verses 2-14 are a list of leaders and their ancestors. All of them are men.
"Gershom was the leader of the descendants of Phinehas"
"Daniel was the leader of the descendants of Ithamar"
"The leaders of the descendants of David were Hattush who was ... Parosh; and Zechariah"
"with Zechariah there were 150 males listed in his genealogy"
"Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah was the leader of the descendants of Pahath-Moab"
"with Eliehoenai were two hundred males"
See how you translated this man's name in Ezra 7:4.
See how you translated this man's name in Ezra 2:15.
"Zebadiah son of Michael was the leader of the descendants of Shephatiah"
See how you translated this man's name in Ezra 2:2.
"with Zebadiah were listed eighty males"
"Johanan son of Hakkatan was the leader of the descendants of Azgad"
"with Johanan were listed 110 males"
See how you translated this name in Ezra 2:12.
"The leaders of the descendants of Adonikam"
See how you translated this name in Ezra 2:13.
See how you translated this man's name in Ezra 2:2.
The word "I" in chapter 8 refers to Ezra. He is the author. Verse 16 contains a list of men's names. Many people went back to Judah with Ezra. They trusted God to protect them and the precious items they carried with them, which had been given for the temple.
"the waterway that flows to Ahava"
There were apparently three men with the same name.
"Next I sent those men to Iddo". The word "them" refers to the nine leaders and two teachers written about in verse 16.
This is the name of a place.
"I told them to tell Iddo ... to send us servants for the house of God". The words "that is" introduces what he told them to say.
"Because God was kind to us, they sent us a man"
this is a man of understanding and wisdom
Here "Israel" is a man's name. It is the name God gave to Jacob.
people who were given specific authority within a government system
"to ask God to protect us, our little ones, and all our possessions while we travel"
"God helps all who serve him"
"but he punishes all who refuse to serve him"
"So we fasted and asked God to help us"
"22,000 kilograms of silver". A talent weighs about thirty-three kilograms.
"3,300 kilograms of silver objects"
"3,300 kilograms of gold"
"one thousand Persian gold coins" or "eight and one half kilograms of gold". A "daric" was a small gold coin that people in the Persian Empire used.
Bronze is a mixture of copper and another metal and is stronger than pure copper.
"Then I said to the twelve priestly officials,"
When they arrived; they would weigh the silver, gold, and bronze to show that they had not taken any of it for themselves.
According to the law of Moses, the tribe of Levi had the work of caring for the temple, its possessions and offerings.
"We left the Ahava Canal" or "We started traveling from the Ahava Canal"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The twelfth day is near the end of March on Western calendars.
"God was helping us"
"He kept the enemy from attacking us and he kept robbers from ambushing us along the road"
This refers to thieves and robbers who wanted to attack them for their treasures.
"the twelve priestly officials weighed out the silver, gold and objects"
This represents Meremoth's care of the silver, gold, and objects. The men weighed those things and gave them to Meremoth to take care of them.
These are the names of men.
"The ones who came back to Jerusalem from the captivity in Babylon, the people of exile"
The Babylonian officials managing the people west of the Euphrates River, including the people living in Judea.
See how you translated it in Ezra 4:10.
have married people from other lands and adopted their religion
When Ezra found out that many Jews had married Gentile wives, he prayed to God and asked God why he had been so good to them by letting these few people return from captivity even though they sinned by marrying Gentile wives. They did this before and God had punished them for it because it caused the people to worship other gods.
when Ezra heard that many Israelites had married foreign women and were worshiping their gods
Ezra was showing everyone how unhappy he was that people were doing things that offended God
a sacrifice that the priests would offer around the time when the sun was going down
"where I was sitting on the ground to show how ashamed I was"
"got on my knees and stretched out my arms with my hands open toward the sky"
"we have committed wicked deeds and we are very guilty"
"the time when our ancestors were alive"
"very guilty ... Because of the evil deeds we did"
"you gave us ... were given into the control of the kings of this world"
"to our enemies to kill us, to capture us, to steal from us, and to cause us shame"
"Yahweh our God has decided to be merciful to us and"
"some survivors who have escaped captivity"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as "faithful" or "loyal." See how you translated a similar phrase in [Ezra 7:28]
The king could not literally see the temple, but he did know about what was happening in Jerusalem. Here "sight" is a metonym for what a person knows. Alternate translation: "so that the king of Persia knows about it"
the temple
Possible meanings are 1) the wall of safety is a wall to protect the people. Alternate translation: "he has given us a wall to protect us" or 2) this is a metaphor for Yahweh protecting his people. Alterate trasnslation: "he protects us like a wall" or "he gives us protection"
"some survivors who have escaped captivity"
"it is very wrong that some of us have broken your commandments and made ... people."
"I am afraid that you will be angry ... escape."
"survivors who have escaped captivity."
"Pay attention to what I am about to say"
"You can see that we are all guilty"
"you do not think that any person is innocent"
Ezra speaks of himself as if he were someone else.
quickly went from standing to lying face down
in front of the temple
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:5.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:9.
This was made as a public confession, not as a boastful claim. The people agree to divorce their Gentile wives. Many Jews were involved in these mixed marriages.
"we will help you."
These are the names of men.
"As for anyone who did not come ... the officials would take all his possessions away from him and would exclude him"
This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. The twentieth day is near the middle of December on Western calendars.
a large open courtyard in front of the temple
"helped the enemies of your people"
"and now God considers us guilty of worse sin than before"
move away from or be different from
"we will need a long time to do all this work"
men's names
these men did not want the city officials to investigate the offenses or they did not want anyone to investigate the people's marriages
The people investigated who had married non-Jewish wives.
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of December on Western calendars.
This is near the middle of March on Western calendars.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:2.
See how you translated this in Ezra 3:2.
names of men
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:16.
Ezra continues to list the men who married non-Jewish women.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:37.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:8.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:32.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:13.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:37.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:33.
Ezra continues to list the men who married non-Jewish women.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:33.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:42.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:3.
See how you translated this in Ezra 7:5.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:7.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:9.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:8.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:11.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:10.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:16.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:4.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:33.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:19.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:13.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:10.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:33.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:42.
See how you translated this in Ezra 7:3.
See how you translated this in Ezra 2:29.
See how you translated this in Ezra 8:13.
all the men in the list beginning in Ezra 10:20
These are names of men.
"Kislev" is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of November and the first part of December on Western calendars.
"in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia"
This was one of the royal cities of Persian kings, located in the country of Elam. It was a large, fortified city with high walls surrounding it.
This is the name of a man.
Hanani was Nehemiah's biological brother.
"Hanani, came from Judah with some other men"
The phrases "escaped remnant" and "those who had escaped from the captivity" both describe "the Jews," and "those who had escaped the captivity" specifies what it was that "the escaped remnant" escaped. Possible meanings are: the few Jews who were taken as exiles to Babylon but escaped and returned to live in Jerusalem or the few Jews who had escaped from those who were trying to take them into exile in Babylon and so remained in Jerusalem. Since it is unclear which meaning is correct, it is best not to specify in the translation.
Here "They" refers to Hanani and the other people who had come from Judah.
"the province of Judah" or "Judah". This refers to Judah as an administrative district under the Persian Empire.
"armies have broken open the wall of Jerusalem and have set its gates on fire"
"Then I said to Yahweh". Nehemiah tells what he prayed.
These words translate one word with which the speaker calls for the attention of the hearer and indicates that the words that follow are a plea. If your language has another way of saying the same thing, you may want to use it here.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"who love you and keep your commandments". Since Nehemiah is speaking to Yahweh, the pronouns "him" and "his" can be translated as "you" and "your".
This verse begins the prayer that Nehemiah begs Yahweh to listen to. (Nehemiah 1:5)
"pay attention to me"
"listen and pay attention"
"so that you may hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying." The word "servant" refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior in order to show humility and respect.
"all the time"
"Both I and my family"
"Please remember"
The pronouns "you" and "your" refer to God and so are singular.
The pronouns "you" and "your" are plural and refer to the Israelite people.
"I will cause you to live among the people of other nations". Yahweh speaks of causing the Israelite people to live in other nations as if he scattered them like someone would scatter seeds.
The pronouns "you" and "your" are plural and refer to the Israelite people.
"though I scattered your people"
"to places very far away"
"to Jerusalem, where I have chosen ... remain"
"where I have chosen to dwell"
This word is used here to mark a break in Nehemiah's prayer, showing that he begins to make his request based on Yahweh's promise.
The word "they" refers to the Israelite people.
"by your great power and by your mighty strength" or "by your very powerful strength"
The prayer that Nehemiah begs Yahweh to listen to from Nehemiah 1:5 ends here.
Here "servant" refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior in order to show humility and respect.
Here "servants" refers to the rest of the Israelite people who would have been praying for Yahweh to act on behalf of his people and on behalf of Jerusalem.
"who delight to honor you"
Here "him" refers to Nehemiah, who refers to himself in the third person to express his humility before God, and "this man" refers to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia.
"grant that the king will have mercy on me"
This is background information about Nehemiah's role in the king's court. Your language may have a special way to mark background information.
"Nisan" is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
"in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king"
This word is used to mark a pause in the story. Here Nehemiah tells background information about the expression on his face when he went before the king.
"So the king"
"Why are you so sad"
"You must be very sad". The heart is often considered the center of emotions.
As Nehemiah prepares to answer, he is afraid because he does not know how the king will respond.
"Long live the king" or "May the king have a long life"
"I have very good reasons to be sad."
"the place where my ancestors are buried"
"fire has destroyed its gates" or "our enemy has burned its gates"
"Then I replied to the king"
Nehemiah refers to himself this way to show his submission to the king.
"in your judgment"
"the city where my ancestors are buried"
"that I and my people may rebuild it"
"I told him when I wanted to go and how long I would be gone"
"may you give letters to me"
This is the name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River. It was across the river from the city of Susa.
This is the name of a man.
"God's favor was upon me"
Sanballat is the name of a man, and the Horonites were a people group.
This man was likely a freed slave now serving as an officer in Ammon.
"heard that I had arrived"
"had inspired me" or "had led me"
"There were no animals with me"
A few men accompanied Nehemiah, but he speaks in the first person because he was the primary person.
"At night, I went out through the Valley Gate"
"Dragon's Well". A jackal is a wild dog.
Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate.
"which Israel's enemies had broken open, and the wooden gates which their enemies had destroyed with fire"
"So we went up ... and we turned back"
"through the Valley Gate"
"the others who would later do the work of rebuilding the walls"
Here "you" is plural, referring to all the people mentioned in the previous verse.
"how our enemies destroyed its gates by burning them"
"so we will no longer be ashamed"
"my God's favor was upon me"
"begin building"
"So they prepared do this good work"
These are the names of men. See Nehemiah 2:10
This is the name of a man.
"You are acting foolishly! You should not be rebelling against the king!"
This refers to Artaxerses, the king of Persia.
"will begin rebuilding"
"But you have no share, legal right, or religious claim to Jerusalem"
"Then Eliashib the high priest came forward with his brothers, the priests"
This is the name of a man.
"Tower of the 100"
This is the name of a tower that is likely named after a man named "Hananel."
This is the name of a man.
"men from Jericho"
This is the name of a man.
"put its doors in place"
"its locks and bars."
These are names of men.
"Meremoth repaired the next section of the wall ... Meshullam repaired the wall ... Zadok repaired the wall"
"Tekoites repaired the wall". These are people from the town of Tekoa.
"that their supervisors had ordered them to do"
These are all names of men.
"Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, who carried out the commands of the governor."
"the place in which the governor had his throne" or "the place where the governor lived."
These are names of men.
Gibeonites and Meronothites are people groups.
These are names of places.
This is the name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River. It was across the river from the city of Susa. See Nehemiah 2:7.
These are names of men.
A goldsmith makes gold jewelry and other gold objects.
"goldsmiths, repaired the wall"
"next to him Hananiah, a maker of perfumes, repaired the wall"
liquid substances that people put on their body in small amounts to smell pleasant
These are names of men.
"Hur repaired the wall"
leader or chief administrator
"Half" means one part out of two equal parts.
These are names of men.
"Harumaph repaired the wall ... Hashabneiah repaired the wall"
These are all names of men.
"repaired another section of the wall"
These are names of men.
"repaired another section of the wall, along with his daughters"
Shallum was the ruler, not Hallohesh.
This is the name of a man.
"the people from Zanoah". This is the name of a place.
"the Gate of the Valley". Try to translate this as a name, not just as a description.
"They repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, from the Valley Gate to the Dung Gate"
"They repaired another thousand cubits of the wall beyond the Valley Gate"
"1,000 cubits." or "460 meters"
Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate. Try to translate as a name, not just as a description.
Malkijah was the official, not Rekab. These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
' Shallun was the official, not Kol-Hozeh. These are names of men.
"the wall that surrounded the Pool of Siloam"
Nehemiah was the official, not Azbuk.
This is a different man named Nehemiah from the person who authored this book.
This is the name of a place.
"repaired the wall up to the place"
"warriors"
This is the name of a place.
"Levites repaired the wall"
"on behalf of his district"
"Next to him their brothers repaired the wall"
"relatives" or "fellow Jews." These were probably not children of the same parents.
"Next to him"
Binnui was the official, not Henadad. These are names of men.
This is the name of a place.
This is the name of a place.
Ezer was the official, not Jeshua. These are names of men.
"in front of the steps that went up to the place where weapons are kept"
"Next to him"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"around Jerusalem, repaired the wall"
"Benjamin and Hasshub repaired the wall ... Azariah ... repaired the wall". These are the names of men.
"Next to them"
"in front of their own house"
"Binnui ... repaired the wall". These are the names of men.
"Palal ... repaired the wall ... Parosh repaired the wall". These are the names of men.
"the tower that rises up"
"higher palace of the leader of Israel"
This is the place where the guards stayed.
"servants ... repaired the wall"
This is the name of a place.
"in front of the Water Gate"
"the tall tower"
"the tall tower." The phrase means a tall tower that juts out from the wall.
"priests repaired the wall"
The word "above" is used because the priests' houses were likely located at a higher elevation.
"in front of his own house"
These are the names of men.
Shemaiah was the keeper of the east gate, not Shekaniah.
"the person who looked after the east gate"
These are the names of men.
"son 6" or "son number 6"
"in front of the rooms where Meshullam stayed".
This is the name of a man.
"repaired the wall to the house"
"sellers" or "traders"
the higher-level rooms where people stayed
"merchants repaired the wall"
This is the name of an entranceway in the wall.
Here Nehemiah uses the word "now" to signal a new part of the story.
This is a man's name. See Nehemiah 2:10.
"he became furiously angry" or "he became very angry"
"In the presence of his kinsmen"
Sanballat poses these questions to mock the Jews. "These weak Jews can accomplish nothing. They will never restore the city for themselves. They will not offer sacrifices. They will not finish the work in a day."
"quickly"
"They will not bring to life again the useless stones from piles of rubble that were burned."
"from piles of rubble that someone had burned"
This is a man's name. See Nehemiah 2:10.
"That wall they are building is so weak that even if a little fox climbed up on it, the wall would fall to the ground"
Nehemiah begins to pray to God.
"Hear, our God, for our enemies despise us". This refers to the Jews.
"let their enemies rob them"
"Turn their taunts onto themselves" or "Cause their insulting words to mock themselves". The phrase "their taunts" refers to Sanballat's and Tobiah's insults. The word "heads" refers to the whole person.
"land where they are prisoners"
Nehemiah continues the prayer he began in verse 4. You may show this by making it a direct quote. "Then I prayed, 'Hear, our God, ... they are prisoners. Do not forgive ... the builders to anger.'"
"do not forgive their sin" or "I do not want you to forgive their sin"
Nehemiah is expressing a desire.
"they have made the builders become angry"
"So we rebuilt the wall"
"we joined the wall together and it was half its total height"
"they became very angry" or "they became enraged"
"against the people of Jerusalem"
"put men around the wall to guard the city"
"broken rock" or "unusable stone."
"They will not see us coming until we are beside them"
"from many directions"
"spoke to us many times"
"in the vulnerable areas"
"I positioned people from each family". They were so dedicated that they worked with their weapons ready for battle right next to them. Even when they were threatened they continued to trust in Yahweh.
"Remember the Lord"
"It happened that"
"we knew about their plans"
"my young men worked"
"Half" means one part out of two equal parts.
"the leaders positioned themselves behind all the people"
These were people who carried supplies to those who were actually working on the wall.
This is probably an exaggeration to say that they always had their weapon with them.
Here "I" refers to Nehemiah.
These are the leaders referred to in Nehemiah 4:16.
"large-scale" or "huge"
"someone blowing a ram's horn"
"from the first light of day until the very beginning of the night"
"within Jerusalem"
"took off our clothes"
The workers did not have enough time to work to buy and grow food for their families.
"cried out loudly"
"We are having to pledge"
"Yet our families are Jews just like the other Jew's families, and our children are just as important to us as their children are to them"
"We have already sold some of our daughters into slavery"
"But we are unable to change this situation because other men now own our fields and our vineyards which we need to support our lives"
"we are unable"
"when I heard them cry out"
Nehemiah was pleading with the nobles and officials; including judges, appealing to their sense of right and wrong.
"Each of you is charging interest to your own brother, and that is wrong under the Law"
"I held a great assembly and brought these charges against them"
The Hebrew indicates that the speakers are emphasizing that their actions ("we have bought back from slavery") are good, but those of the hearers ("you even sell your brothers") are wicked. Your language may have another way of indicating this important contrast.
"Now you are selling your own people to be slaves of your fellow Jews, so that they might later sell them back to us"
"who people had sold as slaves to the nations"
The pronoun "I" refers to Nehemiah.
"You" here refers to the Jewish nobles.
"You should walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations that are our enemies."
"live your life in a way that honors God"
"the nations who are our enemies from taunting us"
borrowing or giving something to someone expecting repayment
Any money, food, or property that one person could let another person borrow in order to repay debts. The borrower would then be indebted to the lender.
A part of the value of the loan that the borrower was charged in interest.
"you made them pay"
This refers to the Jewish leaders.
The Jewish leaders are saying they will return the money which the poorer Jews paid in interest charges.
The word "them" refers to the Jewish leaders.
"I" refers to Nehemiah.
"I shook out the pockets of my robe.". Nehemiah is demonstrating to the Jewish leaders what will happen if they break the promise they had made.
"So may God take away from every man who does not keep his promise all of his possessions and his home like I have taken everything out of the fold of my robe"
Here "I" refers to Nehemiah.
"from the 20th year until the 32nd year"
"that Artaxerxes was king"
"during those 12 years". Nehemiah is emphasizing that he did this continually for the full time he was governor.
"ate the food that the people provided for the governor"
"every day for their"
"previous governors". Nehemiah was not the first governor of Judah.
"40 shekels" or "40 silver coins"
"oppressed the people"
"But I did not take the food because I feared God"
The word "we" refers to Nehemiah and his servants.
"I gathered all of my servants there"
"to work on the wall"
"one hundred and fifty men"
"Also, every day I was responsible to feed at our table the Jews and the officials, 150 people; and we also fed the visitors who came from other countries around us
The governor's table was a communal table for the community and for discussion of issues.
government leaders
"Each day I told my servants to prepare"
"6 choice ... 10 days"
"enough wine for everyone"
"yet I never asked for the governor's food allowance"
"the officials were forcing the people to do too much work"
"Remember me"
"cause good to happen to me"
These are the names of men. See Nehemiah 2:10.
This is the name of a man.
"we had rebuilt the wall ... we had not yet"
"any gaps in the city wall"
"sent a messenger to me"
This is the name of a place.
"We are doing a great work"
"I cannot let the work stop and come down to you"
The word "down" is used here because the plain of Ono is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem.
"Sanballat sent his servant to me to deliver a fifth message"
The letter was an unsealed diplomatic communication. This was an insult because the courier was free to read it and spread its contents among the people.
"in his possession"
"The rumor in the region is"
"are planning to rebel against Artaxerxes"
"King Artaxerxes will hear"
"Therefore come meet with us"
Here "I" refers to Nehemiah and "him" to Sanballat.
"None of the things you have written have occurred"
"for within your mind you invented them"
"they" refers to Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and their followers. The word "us" refers to the Jews.
"They will become discouraged and will stop working"
"give me courage"
These are men's names.
"who could not leave his house"
"A man like me would not run away. A man like me would not go into the temple just to hide to stay alive."
"but that he had prophesied in order to oppose me"
"and sin by misusing the temple"
"so that they could give me a bad reputation"
"Remember"
This is the name of a woman.
"We finished the wall"
"day 25 of the month of Elul." Elul is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar.
"they lost confidence in themselves"
"it was our God who helped us complete this work"
"sent many messengers with letters"
"Tobiah sent letters"
See Nehemiah 2:10.
"who had made an oath and were loyal to him"
Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shekaniah. See how you translated "Shekaniah" in Nehemiah 3:29.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men. See Nehemiah 3:4.
"The Jewish nobles told me about Tobiah's good deeds and then told him about my responses"
"When we had finished the wall"
"I and others hung the doors"
"they assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks"
people responsible to control access to the city or temple
vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants
These are names of men.
"I gave the order for my brother Hanani to be the manager"
"official who was in charge of the fortress"
"feared God more than many other people"
the gatekeepers did these actions under the direction of Hanani and Hananiah.
"the sun is high in the sky"
"close the gates and lock them"
"guard post"
"the people had not yet rebuilt the houses"
"inspired me" or "led me"
"to list and register them"
This was a book that no longer exists. The people who returned from Persia were counted according to their families. Nehemiah ensured that those who lived in Jerusalem had a completely Jewish ancestry.
"found that someone had written the following in it"
"These are the descendants of this region"
"returned from". Traveling toward Jerusalem which was on higher ground.
"whom Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, took away from their home country."
These are the names of men.
A census had been taken when the Israelites first returned to Jerusalem after the exile. The numbers represent how many men belonged to each family group.
Nehemiah is recounting the number of people who returned from exile. The people were grouped by families according to the name of their patriarchs. The number represents the number of men in each family and all are men's names through verse 26.
"that is, the descendants of Jeshua and Joab"
"the descendants of Ater, who is a descendant of Hezekiah"
These are the names of places in Judah. The list of place names continues through verse 38.
This is the name of a place and concludes the list of place names.
These are names of men.
"from the family of Jeshua"
This is a man's name.
This is a man's name.
This is a man's name.
These are all names of men.
This is a man's name.
These are names of men.
This list of men's names continues through verse 56.
Sia is the same man known by the name Siaha in Ezra 2:44.
These are names of men and concludes this list.
This list of men's names continues through verse 60. Sophereth is the name of a man who is called Hassophereth in Ezra 2:55 and Perida is the name of a man who is also called Peruda in Ezra 2:55.
"returned" or "came back". This refers to traveling toward Jerusalem, which was on higher ground.
These are names of places.
These are names of men.
These are names of men.
"They searched their written genealogical records"
"These" refers to the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai.
"but they could not find their records"
"the governor treated them as if they were unclean and did not allow them to work as priests"
"until a priest with Urim and Thummim approved"
These were sacred stones that the high priest carried on his breastplate and used at times to determine God's will.
"The whole group together was 42,360 people"
"male and female singers"
"seven hundred and thirty-six ... two hundred and forty-five." These are numbers of animals brought back.
"four hundred and thirty-five ... six thousand seven hundred and twenty." These are numbers of animals brought back.
"the chief patriarchs" or "the leaders of the clans"
"put into the treasury"
"1,000 darics of gold". A daric was a small gold coin that people in the Persian Empire used.
"fifty basins." These are large bowls.
"five hundred thirty priestly garments." These are items of clothing worn by the priests.
"20,000 darics"
"two thousand two hundred minas of silver." A mina is about one half of a kilogram in weight.
"2,000 minas"
"67 priestly garments"
The implied information is that this refers to some of the Israelites who were not priests or other temple workers.
all the groups of Israelites that are listed in this verse or the rest of the Israelites who did not work in the temple.
"month 7." This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
"lived in their own cities"
"The people gathered all together"
This was the name of a large opening or doorway in the wall.
This would have been all or part of the first five books of the Old Testament. During the exile, the Hebrew language was no longer spoken. Only the priests and Levites still understood it. Ezra read the book of the law to the people in Hebrew and the Levites walked among the crowd translating it into Aramaic for the people to understand.
"On day 1 of month 7". This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day of the seventh month is near the middle of September on Western calendars.
"brought The Book of the Law"
This would include children who were old enough to understand what was being read.
"He turned towards the open area"
Here "it" refers to the Book of the law of Moses.
These are all names of men.
"Everyone saw Ezra open the Book of the Law"
"he was standing higher than the people"
The people stood up out of respect for God's word.
Ezra thanked Yahweh or Ezra praised Yahweh.
The word "They" here refers to the Levites.
"clearly interpreting and explaining it"
"what was read"
"For the people wept greatly"
"eat rich food and drink something sweet"
"Do not grieve"
"being joyful in Yahweh will be your strong refuge"
"Be quiet!" or "Be silent!"
"Do not grieve"
"rejoice greatly"
"the words that he declared to them"
"On the next day"
"to understand"
These were temporary shelters that people made out of branches and leaves. They did this to remember that their ancestors slept in shelters when they came out of slavery in Egypt.
"month 7." This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
"They should announce"
a kind of small tree with colorful flowers
"leafy trees"
"as Moses wrote about it"
"each built their own shelters"
These are names of large openings in the wall.
"in the open place by the Gate of Ephraim"
"From the days of Joshua"
"Nun" here is a man's name.
"the people were very joyful"
"each day"
"from the first day to the last day of the week"
"They celebrated the festival"
"on day 8"
This was a special religious gathering.
"as God had commanded"
"the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month" This is near the middle of October on Western calendars.
"the people of Israel came together"
This was to show how sorry they were for the wrong things they and their ancestors had done.
"The Israelites"
"no longer had anything to do with those who were not Israelites"
"They stood and admitted the wrong things that they had done and the wicked things their forefathers had done"
All the Israelites stood up
"they were admitting the wrong things they had done"
"worshiping"
"Jeshua, Bani ... stood on the stairs built for the Levites"
men's names
Here the Levites are speaking to the people of Israel.
"bless Yahweh"
These are the names of men.
"May the people of Judah bless your glorious name, Yahweh"
"with all their angel armies ... the angel armies of heaven worship you"
"Ur, where the Chaldean people group lived"
"You saw that he was completely faithful to you"
people group names
Yahweh saw
The implied information is that God was moved to action because of the Israelites' cries for help.
"signs and wonders that testified against Pharaoh"
"all the Egyptians"
"were arrogant toward the Israelites"
"you made yourself famous and even now people still remember"
God divided
The writer describes God throwing the Egyptians into the sea as a person would throw a stone into water, and the stone would disappear under the water.
Yahweh led the Israelites.
"you came down from heaven"
Both of these phrases describe the law of Moses.
Each of these words refers to the law of Moses.
the Israelites at the time of Moses and the people of Israel after the time of Moses
"they were very stubborn"
"the miracles that you had done among them"
"they appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt where they had been slaves"
"who is ready to forgive"
"always loves his people very much"
melted metal and molded it in the shape of a calf
Yahweh did not abandon the Israelites.
The writer changes the usual word order to emphasize the good things Yahweh gave his people.
teach
"you generously gave them manna"
"from them"
Yahweh enabled the Israelites to conquer kingdoms and peoples"
"enabling them to possess every part of the land"
These are the names of kings.
These are names of places.
Yahweh made the descendants of the Israelites at the time of Moses
"enabled the Israelites to have complete control over them"
The Israelites at the time of Moses captured
"a fertile land"
holes in the ground where people store water
"stopped thinking about Yahweh" or "became complacent"
"They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it"
The Israelites threw Yahweh's law.
"you allowed their enemies to defeat them and cause them to suffer"
"you sent people to stop their enemies from harming them"
Here "they" refers to the Israelites and "you" to Yahweh.
"you abandoned them and allow their enemies to defeat them"
If your language has a word for "listen" that also means "obey," use it here.
"you even though you give life to everyone who obeys your decrees"
"They became stubborn"
Yahweh gave
"the neighboring peoples"
"Do not let all this hardship seem little to you. The hardship has come upon us ... until today"
"harm ... we have suffered"
"everything we have suffered"
"while they enjoyed the good things you gave them"
"they were not obedient to your law or teaching"
"all the good things in it"
"We pay tribute to kings for working our own land"
The kings rule.
because the people had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them
The reader should understand the men wrote their names on the document before it was sealed.
Here begins a list of the men whose names were on the sealed document. The list of men continues through verse 27.
"On the sealed documents were the names of the following people: Nehemiah ... Zedekiah"
The documents were sealed after the names had been signed on the documents.
Some people believe that Nehemiah wrote this book and is speaking of himself as if he were someone else because this is an official list.
This is a man's name.
"These were the names of the priests who signed the document". This refers to the previous list of men who signed the document.
"The Levites who put their names on the sealed documents were"
"The leaders of the people who put their names on the sealed documents were"
This refers to the people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.
"temple singers"
"the neighboring peoples"
"all who were old enough to understand what promising to obey God meant"
"their fellow brothers the nobles". These phrases refer to the same people.
"they took an oath and called for a curse to come on themselves if they failed to keep it"
"to live by God's law" or "to obey God's law"
"which Moses the servant of God had given to Israel"
"to follow"
In these verses, the people describe the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah 10:29.
"would not give our daughters to marry the people of the land, and we would not take their daughters to marry our sons"
"the people of this land who do not worship Yahweh"
The word "we" includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the reader of this book.
"year 7"
"we will not grow anything in our fields"
"we will cancel all debts that people owe us"
"We promised to obey the command"
The word "we" includes all the Israelites including Nehemiah except for the priest and Levites, and does not include the reader of this book.
"A third" means one part out of three equal parts or "5 grams of silver".
"to pay for the care of"
This refers to the 12 loaves of bread baked without yeast kept in the temple and used to symbolize God's presence with his people.
These were celebrations held when the moon was just a small crescent in the sky.
"for the Levites to burn"
"as it states"
"in our soil"
Possible meanings are: dough made from coarse flour or coarse flour or ground grain.
"and the first of the fruit of every tree and the first of the new wine and the first of the oil". The words "first of" are understood from the beginning of the sentences.
"the best"
"the places where things are stored in the temple"
"the tithes of what we grow in the ground"
"the people give them the tithes"
This means one part out of ten equal parts.
"the storerooms in the temple"
In these verses, the people finish describing the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah 10:29.
"the rooms where the priests keep the things that are used in the temple"
"We will care for the temple"
The word "we" includes Nehemiah and all the people of Israel but does not include the reader of this book.
"the people threw marked stones"
"to bring one family out of every ten families"
"on his own property: Israelites"
"some of the people of Judah and some of the people of Benjamin"
"From the descendants of Judah:"
These are the names of men.
"from the descendants of Perez"
In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the provincial officers who lived in Jerusalem.
These are the names of men.
This is a man's name.
"All ... were four hundred and sixty-eight." Perez had 468 descendants who lived in Jerusalem.
"They were courageous men"
"These are some of the descendants." Your language may need to specify that this is not a list of every descendant.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"nine hundred and twenty-eight men"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
These are names of men.
"their brothers" or "their kinsmen"
"who worked in the temple." The "house" referred to here is the "house of God" mentioned in the previous verse.
"eight hundred and twenty-two men"
the brothers of Adaiah, the son of Jeroham.
"associates" or "fellow workers". This word refers to fellow Israelites or people who did the same work.
"two hundred and forty-two men"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"one hundred and twenty-eight courageous fighting men."
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"from the leaders of the Levites, were in charge"
These are the names of men.
That is, who directed the singers.
Bakbukiah was Mattaniah's kinsman and second in authority to Mattaniah or "Bakbukiah, who led a second group of singers."
"associates" or "fellow workers"
This expression refers to the city of Jerusalem.
"numbered two hundred and eighty-four." There were 284 Levites in Jerusalem.
people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.
These are the names of men.
"one hundred and seventy-two men"
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a place.
"The overseer of"
These are the names of men.
"The king had told them what to do"
"the king had told them specifically what to do about the singers"
These are the names of men.
"at the Persian king's side as an adviser in all matters concerning the Jewish people"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
Here "they" refers to the people of Judah, and encamped probably refers to "lived in houses".
These are the names of places.
This is possibly another name for the town of Ai.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
"Ono, and the valley of the craftsmen" Or "Ono, the valley of the craftsmen"
"They assigned some of the Levites who lived in Judah to serve the people of Benjamin" or "The officials assigned some of the Levites who lived in Judah to serve the people of Benjamin"
"who arrived from Babylonia"
"under the leadership of Zerubbabel"
These are names of men. Unless noted otherwise, the names listed through verse 26 are all men.
"Jeshua the high priest"
The list of men's names continues.
Possible meanings are: this was during a worship service and these were two groups of singers or other worshipers, or these groups guarded the temple at different times, or "took turns guarding the temple."
"Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim". This is the same Jeshua named in Nehemiah 12:1.
These are names of families named after men.
These are names of families named after men.
These are names of families named after men.
The list of men's names continues.
These are all names of families that are named after men.
"was the leader of the family of" or "was the leader of the descendants of"
These are all names of families that are named after men.
Ginnethon may be another form of the name Ginnethoi.
These are all names of families that are named after men.
These are all names of families that are named after men.
These are all names of families that are named after men.
These are all names of families that are named after men.
These are all names of families that are named after men.
"until the reign of Darius"
This may refer to the Book of Chronicles. The scribes wrote the words in the verses above in a book that recorded the events of each day.
The records in the temple recorded only up until Johanan.
This refers to how they sang some of their songs in worship. A leader or one group would sing a phrase, then one or two groups that "stood opposite them" would sing a phrase in response.
King David had commanded the Levites how they were to organize and lead worship.
"when Joiakim ... Jozadak was high priest, and when Nehemiah was governor and Ezra ... was the scribe". The date was fixed by listing those who were leading the Jews at the time. The list of men's names begun in verse one has concluded.
"At the time when they dedicated the wall of Jerusalem" or "So that the dedication of Jerusalem's wall could take place."
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
These are the names of places.
the leaders of the people who lived in the region of Judah
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"behind them followed"
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"from among the priests with trumpets, Zechariah"
"Zechariah who was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Shemaiah, who was the son of Mattaniah, who was the son of Micaiah, who was the son of Zaccur son of Asaph". All of the names after "Zechariah" are the ancestors of Zechariah. This list connects Zechariah with the famous singer Asaph.
"Along with them were"
These are the names of men.
"Ezra the scribe was leading them"
These are the names of openings in the wall.
group of singers
Nehemiah followed them.
This is the name of a tall structure where people kept watch for danger.
This is a name for part of the wall.
These are the names of tall structures where people kept watch for danger.
These are the names of openings in the wall.
"I, Nehemiah, also took my place"
These are the names of males who were the priests at that time.
Only the first seven priests listed from Eliakim to Hananiah carried trumpets or all 15 priests listed from Eliakim to Ezer carried trumpets.
These are the names of men who were the priests at that time.
This is the name of a man who was the leader of the singers.
"sang loudly"
"rejoice greatly"
"people far away from Jerusalem could hear the sound that the people of Jerusalem made as they celebrated"
"they appointed men to be in charge"
things the people gave to the priests
It seems that the people appointed the men because the people of Judah were grateful for the priests and Levites who were serving.
"who were standing before them serving God"
These were people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See Nehemiah 7:1.
This sentence tells why the people did what they did in Nehemiah 12:45 and gives us more information about the time when David told people how to worship at the temple.
Zerubbabel was a descendant of King David and one of the governors in the region of Judah.
"All Israel set aside the consecrated portion"
the priests in Israel, who descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses
"so that the people could hear it"
"should ever come into the assembly of God"
"They could not come into the assembly because"
"they appointed Eliashib the priest" or "the leaders appointed Eliashib the priest"
"Eliashib and Tobiah worked closely together"
These are the names of men.
"Eliashib prepared a large storeroom for Tobiah to use"
people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See Nehemiah 7:1.
"During the time all this was happening, I was away from Jerusalem"
Here "I" refers to Nehemiah.
This was a room which had previously been purified to store offering supplies. See Nehemiah 13:5.
"the people had not been bringing into the storerooms their tithes and offerings of food for the temple priests"
"the Levites and the singers who did the work had left the temple, each one going to his own field"
"You have neglected the house of God!"
"all the people who lived in Judah"
These are the names of men.
"I knew that I could trust them"
"My God, remember me concerning this"
"walking on grapes in winepresses"
walking on something to crush or press it
This is the name of a city.
"You are doing an evil thing by profaning the Sabbath day." or "God will punish you for doing this evil thing, for profaning the Sabbath day."
"You know that your fathers did this, and that is why God brought all this evil on us and on this city."
"When the sun went down ... and it was time for the Sabbath to begin"
"that the guards shut the doors and not open them until"
"no one could bring in things they wanted to sell"
"people who had brought many different things they wanted to sell"
"You are camping outside the wall against what I commanded."
"I will send you away by force!" or "I will remove you by force!"
"My God, remember me concerning this also." See how you translated a similar phrase in Nehemiah 13:14.
These verses introduce the action that follows.
"Jews that had married foreign women." God had forbidden intermarriage.
This is the name of a city.
These are the names of nations.
"As a result, half of their children"
"I spoke directly to them about what they had done"
Nehemiah hit some of them with his hands.
"I made them say a promise before God"
"You know that Solomon king of Israel sinned on account of these women."
"We will not listen to you or do this great evil or act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women."
These are the names of men.
This refers to a person from the city of Beth Horon.
"I chased him away" or "I made him leave Jerusalem"
"Think about them" or "Remember what they have done." See Nehemiah 13:14.
"they have dishonored the priesthood and broken the covenant you made with the priests and Levites"
"In this way I purified them"
"told the priests and Levites what they were to do"
"I arranged for a supply of wood for the wood offerings"
"for the offering of firstfruits at harvest time"
"Think about all I have done, my God, and bless me because of the good things I have done." See Nehemiah 13:14.
The king's advisers were afraid that husbands would lose their authority when they heard the queen had refused to come to show her beauty to the king's guests; so the advisers told him to divorce her.
"In the time of Xerxes" or "When Xerxes was ruling as king"
This is background information to help the reader identify Xerxes.
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government.
"ruled the empire"
This refers to a castle, stronghold or fortified city.
This was a royal city of Persian kings.
"After he had ruled for 2 years"
"The officers of the army"
"the great wealth of his kingdom"
"the splendor of his greatness"
"At the end of that feast"
"another feast that lasted seven days"
A "mosaic" consists of colored stones arranged in an attractive pattern.
This is a kind of red and purple rock that contained pieces of crystal.
"The guests drank wine from gold cups"
"the king had a great willingness to give the royal wine to his guests"
"No one must be forced to drink"
This statement means that the king told his workers to give all the guests as much wine as they wanted.
"After 6 days"
"the king was drunk with wine"
These are names of men.
This is background information to explain who these men were.
"she was very beautiful"
"when the king's officials told her about his command"
"his rage was as intense as a fire inside him"
"who understood the things that happened in their lives"
This background information explains why the king called these men.
These are the names of men.
"In compliance with the law ... by the officials?"
"In observance of the law" or "In obedience to the law"
These are exaggerations to emphasize the damage that the queen's refusal caused.
This is an exaggeration to emphasize the damage that the queen's refusal caused.
"They will be angry with their husbands and treat them with contempt"
"If it pleases you ... from you ... before you ... Please"
"which no one can change"
"your decree ... your vast kingdom"
"When they hear the king's decree" or "When they hear what you have commanded"
very wide
This probably refers to the husbands, but it is possible that it refers to the wives.
You may need to use a word for written instructions that is more general than "letter" so that the reader does not think that these documents were about only personal matters.
"all men should have complete authority over their wives and their children"
"They wrote this decree"
This introduces a new event that happened a while later.
"the king became less angry"
This is refers to the decree in Esther 1:19-20.
"Tell your servants to search"
"on your behalf"
"You should ... your official"
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
where the wives of a man with many wives live
This refers to a castle, stronghold or fortified city. See how you translated this in Esther 1:2.
See how you translated the name of this place in Esther 1:2
"Let Hegai, the king's official, who is in charge of the women, take care of them"
This is a man's name.
A "cosmetic" is a substance such as a cream, lotion, or powder that women usually put on their face or body to improve their appearance.
"pleases you"
This introduces Mordecai as a new character in the story.
"Jair," "Shimei," and "Kish" are men from whom "Mordecai" is the male descendant.
"of the tribe of Benjamin"
"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia took him and other exiles into exile, along with Jehoiachin, king of Judah"
This is Esther's Hebrew name.
"his cousin"
"her father and mother had died"
"cared for her as if she was his own daughter"
"After the king commanded that they search for some beautiful women"
"announced"
"Hegai began to take care of them"
"Hegai, the overseer of the women, also began to take care of Esther when they brought her to the king's palace"
See how you translated this in Esther 1:5.
"The young girl greatly pleased him"
"Esther"
"how Esther was doing" or "about Esther's well-being"
"acting in accordance with the requirements for the women"
"what the king had commanded that the women needed to do"
Things done to make the girls look more beautiful and smell good.
These words are repeated from the beginning of Esther 2:12 because so much background information is given there.
"she could take whatever she desired"
"the next morning"
"a different house"
"to where Shaashgaz, ... concubines would take care of her"
This is a man's name.
Esther's father and Mordecai's uncle
"she asked only for what"
"pleased all"
"Tebeth" is the name of the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part December and the first part January on Western calendars.
"year number 7"
This is the romantic use of the word "love."
"greatly pleased him"
The king did this to show that he was making her his queen.
"he called it, 'Esther's feast,'"
"he collected fewer taxes from the provinces than he had been collecting"
See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
"generosity that only a king can give"
It is unclear when this second gathering happened, and why. Therefore some versions have altered the text somewhat. It is probably best to translate it as it is written.
"one more time" or "an additional time"
Possible meanings are 1) Mordecai sat there so he could hear how Esther was doing from the many people who passed through the gate or 2) "sitting at the king's gate" is an idiom that means Mordecai was given a position of authority by the king.
"the gate to the king's palace"
Mordecai told her not to tell anyone about her family.
This introduces a new event in the story.
These are the names of men.
"When Mordecai learned about what they were planning"
"on behalf of Mordecai"
"The king investigated and confirmed the report, and ordered his servants to hang both men"
"a frame for hanging people"
"They recorded this account"
"the royal history" or "the royal chronicles"
This introduces a new event in the story.
This is the name and description of Haman, one of the king's officials.
"promoted him above the other officials" or "gave him more authority than all the other officials"
These acts represent submission to the authority of Haman.
"to find out what Haman would do about Mordecai's actions"
Mordecai showed disrespect for Haman's status in the government by not doing these actions.
"Haman became very angry"
"He decided to kill more than just Mordecai"
"was trying to get rid of all the Jews" or "kill all the Jews"
"In month one"
"Nisan" is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
"in year number 12 of King Xerxes" or "when King Xerxes had reigned for about twelve years"
"Adar" is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of February and the first part of March on Western calendars.
"a group of people" This refers to the Jews as an ethnic group.
"who live in many different places"
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
"your ... you"
"the king should remove them"
"If the king would be pleased to do so" or "If doing so would please the king"
"I will pay ... to the men"
"330 metric tons of silver"
a special ring that could be used to imprint the king's official seal on a proclamation
Possible meanings are 1) "I will return the money to you" or 2) "Take the money and give it to the men just as you have said."
"the king summoned his scribes ... they wrote a decree containing all that Haman had commanded"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The thirteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
"governors of the provinces." Translate "province" as in Esther 1:1.
"They wrote the decree in the authority of King Xerxes and Haman sealed it with the king's signet ring"
"Couriers hand-delivered the letters" or "Courtiers gave the letters directly"
You may need to use a word for written instructions that is more general than "letter" so that the reader does not think that these documents were about only personal matters.
"completely destroy"
"day thirteen of month twelve"
steal by force
"The officials in every province made a copy of the letter become the law"
"They told all the people in every province"
"that day"
"They also distributed the decree"
This refers to a castle, stronghold or fortified city.
See how you translated the name of this place in Esther 1:2
"found out about those letters"
"tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes to show his grief"
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
"the Jews mourned greatly"
Possible meanings are 1) they put sackcloth and ashes on the ground and lay down on them or 2) they wore sackcloth and lay down on ashes.
"female servants and male servants"
"for Mordecai to wear"
This is the name of a man.
"one of the officials whom the king had assigned to serve her"
"the city plaza"
See how you translated this man's name in Esther 3:1
"Mordecai also gave Hathak"
"to beg for the king's favor"
or "instructed him"
"no man or woman is allowed to go to the king inside the inner courtyard without being summoned. The person who breaks this law will be be put to death unless the king holds out his golden scepter to him"
"someone else will rise up from another place and rescue the Jews"
"Who knows, perhaps it was for just for a time like this that you were made queen."
See how you translated the name of this place in Esther 1:2
"fast and pray for me ... will fast and pray"
or "instructed him"
"across the room from the entrance of the house" or "looking toward the entrance to the house"
"he was pleased with her" or "he approved of her"
He did this to show that he he was pleased with her.
She probably did this to to show that she respected his authority and was thankful for his kindness to her.
"If you ask for up to half of my kingdom, I will give it to you"
"O King, if it pleases you, come and bring Haman ... for you" or "If you are willing to do this, Sir, come, and let Haman come with you .. for you"
See how you translated this man's name in Esther 3:1
"What do you ask for" or "What do you want"
"I will give you what you ask for" or "I will do for you what you ask"
"if you are pleased with me, O King, and if it pleases you"
"please come and bring Haman" or "please come and let Haman come with you"
"I will answer your question"
Rising was a sign of respect. Mordecai did not give Haman special respect.
"he was extremely angry"
This can be translated with a phrase. "Even though he was so angry"
"Haman refused to show how angry he was"
"Haman told them about how great his wealth was" or "Haman told them about the many great things he owned"
"How the king had promoted him many times and honored him" or "how the king had honored him many times by giving him more important work"
"how he had become more important than all the officials and the servants of the king"
"only me"
"does not make me happy" or "does not satisfy me"
a structure used for killing a person by tying one end of a a rope around the top of the structure and the other end of the rope around the person's neck and hanging him from it.
"twenty-three meters high"
"he told people to construct the gallows"
"Haman liked this idea"
"the records of his reign" or "the royal record book"
These are the names of two men. See how your translated their names in Esther 2:21
"They found that the writers had recorded there" or "They learned that the writers had written"
"What did I do to give honor" or "What did we do to give honor"
"No one did anything for Mordecai"
See how you translated this man's name in Esther 3:1
"the first courtyard from the outside"
"killing Mordecai by hanging him"
"the structure Haman built for hanging Mordecai"
"What should I do for the man whom I take pleasure in honoring"
"thought" or "said to himself"
"Surely there is no one whom the king would take pleasure in honoring more than me!"
"let someone bring royal robes" or "tell your servants to bring royal robes"
The word "whose" refers to the horse. The royal crest is a special symbol that represents the king's family.
"Then let them give the robes and the horse" or "Then tell them to give the robes and the horse"
"Tell them to clothe ... in honoring and to lead him."
If your language has a special word for putting someone into especially beautiful clothes, you might want to use it here.
"Tell the noble official and servants to proclaim"
"Be sure to do absolutely everything you have said"
People often covered their head to show that they were either extremely sad or ashamed.
"who has already humiliated you ... he will certainly defeat you"
"you will not have greater honor than he has"
See how you translated this man's name in Esther 3:1.
"on this second day of feasting"
"as they were drinking wine" or "during the banquet." They were probably also eating food, not only drinking wine.
"What do you ask for" or "What do you want"
"I will give you what you ask for" or "I will do for you what you ask"
"If you ask for up to half of my kingdom, I will give it to you"
"If you evaluate me and approve" or "If you are pleased with me"
"this is what I ask for"
"For someone has betrayed us" or "For someone has put us in danger of our enemies"
"for our enemies to destroy, kill, and annihilate us"
"Where is the one who has dared to so such a thing"
"was extremely afraid"
"The king was extremely angry and got up"
"to beg Queen Esther to save his life"
"the king was deciding to cause a disaster against him" or "the king was deciding to destroy him"
"where they had been drinking wine" or "where the banquet had been." They were probably also eating food, not only drinking wine.
a long piece of furniture where a person can sit or lie down
"He even dares to attack the queen in my presence and in my own house!"
"attack the queen." This phrase is a polite way to refer to rape.
"As soon as the king said this"
"the servants covered Haman's face as a sign that he would be killed"
This is the name of a man.
"A gallows twenty-three meters high"
"Then the king's rage lessened" or "Then the king was not so angry"
See how you translated this man's name in Esther 3:1.
This ring had the king's name or mark on it. When he put a wax seal on important papers, he would press the mark onto the seal. See how you translated this in Esther 3:10.
By giving his signet ring to Mordecai, the king gave Mordecai the authority to write important papers that people would have to obey.
This refers to the things that had belonged to Haman and that the king had given to Esther.
"begged"
"to stop the evil plan of Haman the Agagite" or "to prevent the evil things from happening that Haman the Agagite had planned"
See how you translated this in Esther 3:1.
"the plot that he had invented" or "the plot that Haman invented"
He did this to show that he was pleased with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Esther 5:2
"If it pleases you, the king ... in your eyes ... before you, the king ... in your eyes"
"if the king thinks that what I ask for is proper"
"he is pleased with me"
take back and make of no effect
You may need to use a word for written instructions that is more general than "letter" so that the reader does not think that these documents were about only personal matters.
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
"I cannot bear to see disaster fall on the Jews. I cannot endure watching my relatives be killed."
"all that had belonged to Haman" or "all of Haman's property"
See how you translated this in Esther 6:4
Writing something in the king's name represents writing it with his authority, or writing it as his representative.
"For no one can revoke the decree ... ring" or "For no one can cancel the decree ... ring"
"the king called his scribes."
"Sivan" is the name of the third month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-third day is near the middle of June on Western calendars.
"They wrote a decree"
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in in Esther 1:1.
"written in their own script."
You may need to use a word for written instructions that is more general than "letter" so that the reader does not think that these documents were about only personal matters.
people who carry messages
"the offspring of the king's best horse"
"told the Jews ... that he was allowing them to gather"
"fight back"
See how you translated this in Esther 3:13
"to fight back against their enemies"
"They went immediately"
This is the city where the king's palace was. See how you translated it in Esther 1:2.
"the people of the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced"
"felt safe and were glad"
"they felt honored"
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
"wherever the king's men took word of his decree" or "wherever the king's decree was read"
day on which people celebrate special events
"they had become very afraid of the Jews"
See how you translated a similar phrase in Esther 3:13.
"when the people were about to obey the king's law and decree"
"to defeat the Jews"
"the opposite happened"
A province is a large area into which some countries are divided for the purposes of government. See how you translated this in Esther 1:1.
"to fight their enemies"
"who tried to destroy them"
"No one could resist the attack of the Jews" or "No one could successfully fight against the Jews"
"all the peoples had become very afraid of the Jews"
"governors of the provinces"
"they had become afraid of Mordecai"
"was very important in the king's palace"
"throughout the provinces people learned about how great he was"
This refers to a castle, stronghold or fortified city. See how you translated this in Esther 1:2.
This was a royal city of Persian kings. See how you translated this in Esther 1:2.
This is the name and description of Haman, one of the king's officials. See how you translated this in Esther 3:1
See how you translated this man's name in Esther 3:1.
"What they must have done in the rest of the king's provinces!" or "They must have killed many more in the rest of the king's provinces!"
"what do you ask for?" or "what do you want?"
"I will give you what you ask for" or "I will do for you what you ask"
"to obey today's decree tomorrow also" or "to do tomorrow also what was decreed that they should do today"
"a frame for hanging people"
"took none of the plunder" or "did not take any of the plunder"
"valuable things" or "possessions"
"On the fourteenth day of Adar the Jews who were in the provinces rested"
"the Jews who were in Susa assembled together to fight against their enemies"
You may need to use a word for written instructions that is more general than "letter" so that the reader does not think that these documents were about only personal matters.
"to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar every year"
"they changed from being very sad to being joyful"
Why he threw Pur, or lots, can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "he threw Pur (that is, he threw lots) to find out what would be the best day to attack the Jews"
"But when Esther came before the king." Some modern versions choose this interpretation.
"the wicked plan Haman developed against the Jews should be done to him"
"They called these days Purim, like the word Pur which means 'lot"
This is the name of the festival that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman's plot to destroy and kill all the Jews in a single day.
"The Jews were to remember and celebrate these days"
"The Jews should never fail to celebrate these days of Purim"
"the memory of those days should never come to an end for the descendants of the Jews" or "the descendants of the Jews should never forget those days"
Esther was the daughter of Abihail. Esther and Mordecai wrote the letter.
Esther's father and Mordecai's uncle. See how you translated this in Esther 2:15
"additional letter"
"They sent letters to all the Jews"
"wishing that the Jews would be safe and that people would be faithful to the Jews"
"The Jews agreed and said that they and their descendants were obligated to celebrate the days of Purim"
"they agreed to fast and lament at certain times"
"made the people living in the land and on the coastlands along the sea pay a tax"
"All that he achieved because of how powerful and mighty he was" or "All the great things that he did because of his power and might"
"the full account of how the King had made it known that Mordecai was great" or "the full account of how the king had honored Mordecai for the great things he had done"
"the royal histories" or "the royal chronicles"
"the most important person after King Xerxes"
The word brothers represents people who were like him. Alternate translation: "fellow Jews"
Seeking something is a metaphor for working hard for something. The abstract noun "welfare" can be translated as a phrase with the verb "prosper" or the adjective "secure." Alternate translation: "He worked hard so his people would prosper" or "He worked hard so his people would be secure"
"he represented his people so that they might have peace"
Possible locations are: a place in ancient Edom east of the Jordan River in modern western Jordan or a place east of the Euphrates River in modern Iran.
"one who did what was right before God". These words share similar meanings and emphasize that Job was a righteous man.
"one who honored God"
"refused to do evil"
"7 sons and 3 daughters"
"He had 7,000 sheep"
"3,000 camels"
"500 yoke of oxen." Each yoke would have been over two oxen, so there were five hundred pairs of oxen, which is a total of one thousand (1,000) oxen.
"the richest"
"all the people who live in lands that were east of Canaan"
"Each son in turn would give". The word "day" perhaps refers to the day when they celebrated the son's birth or it refers to the idea that the sons each took a turn in holding a feast. It must be remembered that Job lives prior to the law of Moses, so his religious practices are different than the Hebrew people after Moses. The events of this book apparently occur about the same time as the life of Abraham. Therefore, this book corresponds more with Genesis 12-50 than the rest of the Old Testament.
"he habitually gave ... They habitually sent and called for "
The word "them" refers to the seven sons and the three daughters but does not include Job.
"he habitually gave ... They habitually sent and called for ... Job habitually sent ... he habitually consecrated ... He habitually rose early in the morning and offered ... he habitually said"
"When the feast was over"
"Job habitually sent someone to call them to come to him"
Here "consecrate" means to ask God to take away any ritual impurities that Job's children might have brought upon themselves as they happily feasted together. Job did this by making sacrifices to God for them.
"cursed God in their thoughts"
"At the time when" or "One day when." This is not a specific day but apparently the gathering happened often.
This refers to angels, heavenly beings.
"to stand together before Yahweh as he commanded them to do."
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"From going everywhere on the earth"
"Consider my servant Job" or "Have you thought about my servant Job?"
"one who did what was right before God"
"one who honors God." See how you translated this in Job 1:1.
"me" or "me, God". God is referring to himself in third person.
Satan's response to God's question in verse 8 runs through Job 8:11.
"Job has a very good reason for fearing God." or "Does Job not live better because he fears God?"
The word "reason" here implies some form of gain, whether physical goods or happiness.
"Job honors God"
"You have protected him, his family and everything he owns"
"protected him and his house and all that is his". Just as a wall or a hedge surrounds and protects one's land, God has surrounded Job with his protection.
"everything that he does"
"he has more and more livestock in the land"
"But now, if you stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, you will see that he will curse you to your face". Satan means that if God attacks Job, he will see how Job responds.
"But now use your power"
This word usually indicates a sincere, polite request, but Satan uses it here to taunt God.
"attack all that he has" or "destroy all that he has"
"in your hearing." This refers to a time when God is paying attention.
"Pay attention to all that I am about to tell you"
"you have power over all that he has"
"against his life"
"departed from Yahweh"
"were eating." The word "feeding" here is the usual word for a person's animal eating in a pasture.
This refers to a group of raiders or bandits in a region of modern day Yemen.
"attacked them"
Here striking represents killing.
Here "edge" represents the part of swords that kill people, that is, either the point or the sharp edge. Also, all the swords of the Sabeans are spoken of as if they were only one sword.
"I am the only one who has escaped and can report it to you"
"tell"
"he" refers to the first messenger
"another messenger also came"
See how you translated this in Job 1:15.
"quickly attacked"
See how you translated this in Job 1:15.
"the Chaldeans have struck the servants"
See how you translated this in Job 1:13.
"A tornado" or "A desert storm"
"the structural supports of the house"
"The house fell on your sons and daughters"
See how you translated this in Job 1:15.
These were ritual mourning actions, symbolizing deep grief.
"At my birth, I brought nothing into the world, and at my death I will return to the earth with nothing"
"Regarding all this that happened"
"say that God had done wrong"
This verse is almost exactly the same as Job 1:6 and can probably be translated in the same way.
"at the time when" or "one day when". The gathering happened often.
See how you translated this in Job 1:6.
"to stand together before Yahweh as he commanded them to do."
This verse is exactly the same as Job 1:7.
This verse is the same as Job 1:8, except for the addition of "He still holds fast to his integrity, although you misled me against him, to destroy him without cause."
"Consider my servant Job.". See how you translated this in Job 1:8.
"one who did what was right before God". These words emphasize that Job was a righteous man.
See how you translated this in Job 1:1.
"remains completely dedicated to doing what is good and right"
"persuaded me without cause to attack him"
"to make him a poor man"
"A person will do anything to save his own life, even accept the loss of possessions and loved ones"
"But now, if you stretch out your hand and touch his bones and his flesh, you will see that he will curse you to your face"
"But now use your power."
"attack"
This expression represents Job's body.
See how you translated this in Job 1:11.
"in your hearing"
See Job 1:12.
"He caused Job to suffer greatly with painful boils"
large, itching and painful skin infections
The scraping scratches the skin to lessen the itch.
"sat on the trash heap". This probably refers to a place where trash and garbage were dumped and perhaps burned. Sitting in such a place was a sign of deep mourning.
"You should not still be holding fast to your integrity."
"Reject God"
"You talk the way a stupid woman talks"
"We should certainly receive the bad from God as well as the good."
"benefit from all the good things". This represents all the good things that God gives us.
"suffer all the bad things without complaining". This represents all the bad things that God allows us to experience.
"sin by speaking against God"
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are men's names. Teman was a city in Edom. Shuhites are the decedents of Abraham and Keturah. Naamah was a city in Canaan.
"agreed on a time"
"to grieve with Job in order to help ease his suffering". The friends try to comfort Job by mourning with him.
"they looked intently" or "they looked carefully."
"they barely recognized him". This probably means that Job's visitors did not recognize him at first. Job looked very different because of his grief and because of the sores covering his body.
"They wept loudly"
These were signs of mourning.
This means he began to speak. Job uses several rhetorical questions in this chapter to show his earnest desire.
"I wish that I had never been born". The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem.
"the night that said, 'A boy has been conceived' perish."
"the night on which people said"
"his mother has conceived a male child"
"May that day be like the night ... nor may the sun shine during it". This describes the darkness of the day of Job's birth, thus repeating Job's regret that he had been born.
"May that day disappear"
Here darkness and the shadow of death are spoken of as if they were people who could claim something as their own possession. The word "it" refers to the day of Job's birth.
"death like a shadow"
"May a cloud cover it so no one can see it"
This refers to things that block out the sun's light and create darkness.
"terrify that day."
"may thick darkness make it disappear"
"deep darkness"
"May that night vanish from the calendar". Job's conception is spoken of as if it were a person who should not rejoice.
"may no one count it in the number"
"may no child be born on that night". The night of Job's birth is spoken of as if it were a woman.
"may no one hear the happy cry at the birth of a son". The night of Job's birth is spoken of as if it were a time when it was still possible for someone to be happy.
"may no one be happy in it ever again"
"Those who curse the day—those who know how to wake up Leviathan—may they curse the day I was born"
"Those who know how to curse people". People who use magic to cause other people to suffer on a given day.
Job is probably referring here to sorcerers and magicians. Leviathan was an animal well known in Ancient Near Eastern mythology, which was thought to be responsible for all kinds of destruction, disorder, and chaos.
"May the stars that appear before that day's first light be dark". The planets that are visible just before dawn.
"May that day hope for light, but have none"
"nor see the first light of the dawn". The dawn is spoken of as if it had eyelids like a person.
"because that day did not close my mother's womb". A woman's womb is spoken of as if it were a container with doors.
Job's birth is spoken of as if it were a person who could hide something.
"from me"
Verses 11 and 12 contain rhetorical questions, which Job asks in order to show how sad he was about being born.
"I wish I had died the day I was born".
"I wish I had perished when I came out of the womb.". Job poses this question to express his anguish.
"I wish there had been no lap to receive me.". His mother's knees are spoken of as if they were people who could welcome a newborn baby.
"I wish there had been no breasts for me to nurse.". His mother's breasts are spoken of as if they were people who could welcome a newborn baby.
Job is talking about what would have been true if he had died at birth. He is sad that these things are not true.
"asleep, resting peacefully"
This means to sleep peacefully in death, but also that Job would not be experiencing the pain that he does.
"with kings and their advisers"
"I would be resting with princes." These phrases are a polite way of saying "no longer alive."
"I would have died in my mother's womb"
"like babies who have never been born"
Job changes his talk from dying to life after death.
"In that place, evil people stop causing trouble". The place where people go after they stop living.
"They are no longer under the control of the slave driver"
"slave drivers"
"oppressor"
"all people, both poor people and rich people"
A servant is no longer obligated to serve his master.
"I do not understand why God gives life to a person who is suffering"
Here light represents life.
"I do not understand why God gives life to a person who is very unhappy"
The end of the question that Job begins asking with the words "Why is life given ... bitter in soul" (verse 20).
"to a person who no longer wants to be alive, but is still alive"
"to a person who wants to stop living more than he wants to look for hidden riches".
"I do not understand why God allows a person to keep living when the person would be very happy to be buried in the ground"
"one who is extremely happy"
"when he is dead and can be buried"
"God should not give life to a man and then take away his future and confine him."
"Why does God keep a man alive"
Job speaks of his future, which he does not know in advance, as if God had hidden it from him.
"around whom God has built a hedge". A man is spoken of as if God had put a hedge around him so he could not move.
Job expresses his anguish in two ways.
"Instead of eating, I mourn"
Moral qualities and emotions such as grief are often spoken of as if they were water.
"I am very anxious and I cannot rest"
Eliphaz is a man's name. Eliphaz uses rhetorical questions to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to form Eliphaz's argument.
A Temanite belongs to the tribe of Teman.
"you will surely be impatient.". The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page because it is a poem. Eliphaz speaks to Job.
"will that annoy you?"
"No one can restrain himself from speaking (to a friend in such a state as you find yourself)"
This verse states a single idea in two different ways.
"you have helped others when they needed help"
Someone who has been encouraged is spoken of as if he were kept from falling down.
Here discouragement is spoken of as if it were a person whose weak knees could not keep him upright.
"But now you suffer from disasters"
"you are discouraged"
"the fact that you honor God"
"Everyone thinks that you honor God; everyone thinks that you are an honest man. But these things must not be true, because you do not trust God any longer."
"No one has ever perished when innocent.". Eliphaz uses this question to prompt Job to search his life for sin as the cause of his loss.
"No one has ever destroyed an upright person"
Plowing and sowing represent causing trouble for other people. Reaping represents suffering the trouble that one has himself caused.
The writer explains a single idea using two different statements. This is a form of Hebrew poetry used for emphasis, clarity, teaching, or all three.
This may represent the action of God giving a command.
This suggests the heavy breathing that a person sometimes does through his nose when he is very angry.
"By the puff of God's mouth they die; the rushing wind of his anger devastates them.". The second phrase builds on the first. They make the same point.
"By the puff of God's breath they die, the rushing wind of his anger devastates them."
Here being consumed or eaten represents being killed.
These phrases are used as pictures of the wicked being destroyed.
"something breaks them"
Eliphaz uses these phrases to picture the wicked being destroyed.
"something scatters the cubs of the lioness"
These phrases emphasize that Eliphaz heard a message whispered to him.
"dreams"
"when people sleep very deeply"
"I began to be afraid and to tremble"
This indicates great fear.
"the hair on my body." In some languages, the word for the hair that grows on the top of the head is different from the word for hair that grows on other parts of the body.
"I saw a shape"
"then I heard"
"A mortal man cannot be more righteous than God.". Eliphaz poses this question so that Job will consider, "Do I regard myself as more righteous than God?"
"A man cannot be more pure than his Creator."
This is a way of describing human beings, who were created out of the dust of the earth and whose bodies are like houses, which are made of clay and have dirt foundations.
"who God destroys as easily as he crushes a moth" or "whose lives are as short as the life of a moth."
This refers to the idea of something happening quickly.
"they die"
"Have not their enemies plucked up their tent cords from among them?"
Sometimes a person's home and family are pictured as his tent, which can also represent all his possessions.
"There is no holy one to whom you can turn for help.". Eliphaz poses this question to make the point that there is no one Job can turn to for help.
This refers to supernatural beings of some kind, whether angels or other spirits.
"it is the foolish whom anger kills; it is the silly of whom jealousy causes the death". These phrases are emphatic in the Hebrew.
"the one who lacks sound judgment" or "the one who cannot think well"
These phrases refer to any foolish or silly person.
"a foolish person becoming grounded in foolishness". A person is spoken of as a plant, perhaps becoming more foolish over time.
This refers to the person's family and all his property.
"Their children are never safe"
"someone crushes them". This represents being oppressed, taken advantage of, at court.
Functioning as a court, this was the place where disputes were resolved and judgments were given.
"There is no one to help the foolish people's children out of their hardship"
This could refer to parts of a field where the worst crops grow, due to thorn plants.
Greedy people are spoken of as if they were thirsty, and the wealth of the foolish person is spoken of as if it were something that they could drink.
Here difficulties and trouble are spoken of as if they were plants.
It is as natural for people to have trouble as it is for sparks to fly up from a fire.
"greatly profound things that cannot be understood, wonderful things that cannot be counted"
This refers to things that mankind cannot understand.
"God does this in order to rescue and honor the humble who have been suffering". When God rescues humble people, they receive honor and are spoken of as being raised up and put into a high position.
Stopping the plans of crafty people is spoken of as if those plans could physically break.
Wise people suffering for their own evil actions is spoken of as catching them in the traps of their actions.
"those who are cunning" or "those who are devious"
"Those who are cunning are in the dark, even at noontime". The cunning, wicked people cannot do anything they wish to do, because they cannot see.
feel around like a blind person
the middle of the day, when the sun is highest and brightest
"But he saves the poor person from the threats of the mighty" or "But he saves the poor person when the mighty threaten or insult them". The things that people say are spoken of as a sword in their mouths.
"It is as though injustice shut her own mouth". These people are spoken of as if they were the injustice itself.
In the ancient Near East, it was common to believe that a person's illness was caused by sin and seen as punishment of a god. While Yahweh may punish people because of their sin, not all sicknesses are caused by sin.
"God really favors the man whom he corrects"
"do not reject"
"instruction" or "correction"
"For he causes pain but binds up; he crushes, but God's hands heal"
The "pain" that "he inflicts" is by implication the pain of a bleeding wound, so when "he binds" it, he stops the bleeding.
"He will rescue you out of trouble over and over again; indeed, time after time, no evil will touch you"
The shift in pronoun from "he" to "you" which began in Job 5:19 continues through the end of Job 5:27.
"In famine God will rescue you from danger"
"people who attack you"
"that any enemy will destroy you"
"You will not be afraid of any danger of destruction or famine"
"wild animals"
"the stones in your fields will be like people who promise that they will not make any trouble for you"
"You will know that your family, servants, and everything you own are safe"
"when you visit where your flock stays at night, you will find all your sheep there"
"your descendants will be many"
"your descendants will be as many and as alive as the grass that grows"
"You will die at a very old age"
The grain is fully ripe but not overly ripe. He would neither die young nor become weak in his old age.
"Look, we have thought about this matter. Listen to what I am saying and know that it is true". The words "we" refers to Job's friends but not to Job.
Despite being upset about his circumstances, and desiring his own death, Job does not curse God. He would rather have God end his life than to curse him. He is also upset with the advice of his friends, who are supposed to help him during difficult times.
"on a scale"
"For my anguish and calamities would be heavier than the sand on the seashore". Job compares the burden of his suffering to the weight of wet sand which can crush you.
"I spoke recklessly" or "I spoke rashly"
"It is as though the Almighty has shot arrows into my body"
"I feel the pain of their poison in my inner being". This implies that the arrows had tips of poison and that Job feels the pain in his spirit, as if he drank the poison.
"the terrors of God have arranged themselves like soldiers in an army"
"Just as the wild donkey does not bray in despair when he has grass and as the ox does not low in hunger when he has fodder, I would not complain if I did not have a reason".
the sound a donkey makes
the sound an ox makes
animal food
Job is comparing his displeasure for his circumstances to people's dislike for bland food or Job is comparing his displeasure for his friend's advice to people's dislike for bland food.
"Tasteless food cannot be eaten without salt, just as there is no taste in the white of an egg."
"Can you eat that which has no taste"
Bad tasting foods.
"to crush me and let me die"
"that he would do what he really wants to do and cut short my life" or "that he would act quickly and end my life"
"I would endure pain that does not diminish"
"that I have always obeyed the Holy One"
"I do not have enough strength to go on living; I have no reason to prolong my life"
keep waiting for something good to happen
The writer uses these questions to emphasize Job's lack of strength to endure suffering.
"I am not as strong as the rocks. My flesh is not as strong as metal."
"It is true that I have no strength left ... me.". Job emphasizes his lack of wisdom and his weakness.
"my wisdom is gone"
"A friend should be faithful to the person who feels he is about to faint"
"who feels hopeless". This speaks of a person who is overwhelmed by his troubles.
"even if he stops fearing Almighty God."
"But my friends are unfaithful to me. They are like a desert streambed". Job speaks of his friends as being like a "wadi" which is a stream that can suddenly dry up and his friends ironically here as his "brothers."
"like streams of water that dry up." Job continues speaking of his friends being unfaithful.
"which look dark in the winter because they are covered with ice and are full of melted snow"
"because the snow melts and goes into them"
"When it is hot, the ice melts and the streambeds dry up"
Job is continuing his description of his friends being as unreliable as streams that dry up.
"The caravans turn aside from the routes to find water". A large group of travelers riding camels across the desert.
These are names of places. These people used caravans to trade things with people from other lands.
"while caravans from Sheba put their hope in them"
"but they were not satisfied"
Job poses four questions to rebuke his friends and to emphasize that he did not ask for help from any of them.
Job uses this phrase to introduce the main part of what he is saying.
"you friends have not helped me at all"
"you are afraid that God might do similar things to you"
"I never said to you, 'Give ... me' or, 'Offer ... wealth' or, 'Save ... hand' or, 'Ransom ... oppressors'.". These words are the last of a series of questions that began in verse 22. Job uses these questions to emphasize that he has not asked his friends to give him anything or to help him.
"having my adversary control me ... having my oppressors control me"
"Rescue me"
These words are spoken to his friends.
"I will be silent"
"When a person speaks the truth, it harms no one. But your arguments are not true, so how do they actually rebuke me?". The exact meaning of the original language is uncertain. Some Bibles translate "How painful" as "How pleasant."
"honest words"
"Your reasons for rebuking me do not apply to me even though you sternly correct me.". Job is using this question to rebuke his friends.
"You ignore my words! I am a desperate man, and you treat my words as if they are as useless as the wind.". Job compares his words to the wind to explain that his friends act like his words are empty and useless.
"you would even gamble to win an orphan"
Here "you" and "your" are in second person plural form.
"bargain to sell your friend for money". This compares how the man would sell his friend to how a person sells merchandise or wares.
This word is used by Job to introduce new information.
The verb "to look" is in second person plural form.
"I would not lie to you while I am looking at you".
"Please be merciful to me" or "Stop speaking like this, I beg you"
"always be just in the way you treat me"
"Please relent"
"I do not say wicked things." or "Do I say wicked things?"
"in my speech"
"I know what is right to say and what is wrong to say.". Job rebukes his friends and emphasizes that he can tell the difference between right and wrong. Job refers to himself by his "mouth" to emphasize his speech.
"There is hard labor for every person on earth."
"while he lives on the earth"
"And their days are like the days of a hired man."
"a day laborer." This is a man who worked jobs and was paid at the end of every day.
Job compares his misery and trouble to that of the slave and hired man.
"cool shade."
"waits for his pay"
"God has assigned me months of emptiness"
"months when I have nothing to live for" or "months in which I can do nothing of value"
"God has given me trouble-filled nights"
"nights in which bad things happen" or "nights in which I greatly worry."
"When I lie down to sleep"
"I ask" or "I wonder"
"I wish I could get up, but night continues.". Job poses this question to emphasize his intense suffering during the hours he should be sleeping.
"turning back and forth." This indicates that Job has moved on his bed all night without any rest.
"My body is covered with worms and clods of dust"
lumps or crusts of dirt or scabs on the skin.
"break out again"
"My life goes by very quickly"
a person who makes cloth by crossing threads or yarn
a moving part that carries thread or yarn back and forth quickly in a loom
"remember." The phrase "call to mind" does not mean God forgot but that Job is asking God to think about the shortness of Job's life.
"my life is very short, like taking one breath"
"I will never again experience good things"
"The eye which sees me will see me no more."
"God who watches me ... God will look for me"
Job is describing death as being like the clouds that disappear.
"As a cloud fades"
"he who dies will not return"
"the people who live in his place" or "his family"
"I will not restrain my speech"
"while my spirit is distressed"
"with anger and resentment"
"I am not the sea or a sea monster that needs a guard to watch it.". Job poses this question to express his anger at God. In comparing himself to the sea or a sea monster, he suggests that God regards him as a hideous creature.
"My bed, my couch, will be like someone who can comfort me"
"My bed ... my bed"
"you" here refers to God
"I"
killing a person by squeezing the throat and stopping the breathing
"This body of mine"
"to live forever"
"my days are pointless"
Job asks a question to say that he does not understand why God should pay attention to people.
"direct your attention to him"
"Tell me what man is that ... mind on him, that you should observe ... every moment." or "I do not understand what man is that ... mind on him, that you should observe ... every moment."
"carefully examine him"
"Look away from me! Leave me alone long enough for me to swallow my own saliva!"
liquid produced in the mouth that keeps it moist and helps to swallow food
"Even if I have sinned, that would do nothing to you, as you watch over people. Tell me why you have made me your target, so that I am a burden for you.". Job poses these questions to argue against God treating him unfairly.
"Tell me why you do not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity." or "Tell me why you do not just bear with my transgression and iniquity."
"remove"
"now I will die"
"I will be gone"
Verses 2 and 3 each consist of two different questions that have the same meaning. Bildad uses these questions to rebuke Job and to convince him that he is wrong. In this chapter, Bildad begins to speak about Job's complaints. The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right than the rest of the text because it is a poem.
"Bildad" is the name of a man who is a member of the tribe of Shuah.
"The words of your mouth are as insignificant as a mighty wind."
"God does not pervert justice; the Almighty does not pervert righteousness.". Here "God" and "the Almighty" both refer to Yahweh.
"approve of and do what is not just? ... approve of and do what is not righteous?"
"for God caused the consequences of your children's sins to kill them". Bildad implies that God killed Job's children because of their sin.
Bildad is about to say what would have happened if Job had correctly spoken to God, but Bildad does not believe that Job really did this.
"earnestly asked God for help". Both phrases refer to Job asking God for help or pleading with God for mercy.
Bildad says that God would treat Job well if he was pure, but Bildad does not believe that Job is pure.
"If only you were pure and righteous"
"do good things for you". Here Yahweh is spoken of as if he would wake up to help Job.
This refers to giving back to Job the things he lost, including his family, wealth, and honor.
"Even if you were poor early in your life, God would make you very wealthy later in your life"
"study carefully what our ancestors discovered"
The shortness of life is spoken of as if it were a shadow which quickly disappears.
"They will teach you and tell you and speak what they sincerely believe.". Bildad uses these questions to rebuke Job for not agreeing with Bildad and the ancestors.
It is unclear if this verse is the teaching of Bildad, or if Bildad is quoting the sayings of the ancestors of Job 8:8-10.
"Papyrus plants cannot grow away from the marshes. Reeds cannot grow without water.". Bildad uses these questions to emphasize that people cannot live without God. Here the plants represent people and the water represents God.
a tall reed-like plant that grows in shallow water
"Without water, they stop growing and wither faster than any other plant, even if no one cuts them down"
"dry up"
"The same thing will happen to everyone who forgets God". This represents a person's future and the events that will happen to them.
"the things the godless person desires will not happen"
In this verse the pronoun "his" refers to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to use "they" and "their."
These two phrases emphasize that the godless person is trusting in something that cannot save him.
Here Bildad compares the trust of the godless person to a spider's web; the slightest force will break both.
"He thinks he will be safe because he is wealthy, but he will not be safe".
"he will fall down"
"it will fall down"
Here pronouns "he" and "his" refer to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to readers to use "they" and "their."
Here Bildad compares the godless person to a plant that is healthy.
The meaning of the Hebrew text is unclear. Possible meanings: he is healthy during the day or he is watered before the sun rises.
Possible meanings: he appears to be well-rooted in the rocks, taking advantage of every opening or his roots cannot find fertile ground and must try to find nutrients among the rocks.
"if someone pulls him out of his place" or "if a gardener tears him out of the garden"
The garden is spoken of as if it had human ability to speak and immediately forgets that he existed.
"this is all the joy they will receive from their godless actions". Bildad is speaking with irony to express that there is not any real joy for the godless person.
"when one wicked man dies, another will take his place".
"grow"
"the garden"
"in the place of the godless man"
"God will accept an innocent man"
"God will not support people who do evil things"
"God will make you very happy again if you are innocent".
"cause you to continually laugh".
"he will yet fill your lips with shouting"
"God will cause those who hate you to be very ashamed"
"the houses of the wicked will be destroyed"
Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. Job does not think that he can make a claim against Yahweh because only God is perfectly wise and just. Yahweh is truly powerful and Job understands this.
"I know that what you say is true"
The word "this" refers to what Bildad said.
"how can anyone be innocent before God?"
dispute
"he cannot give any answer to God" or "God will not answer him at all". "Once in a 1,000 times" means "at all."
"wise in what he decides". The heart represents the inner being or thoughts.
"mighty in how strong he is"
"resisted him" or "defied him"
"God removes the mountains"
"God shakes the earth"
"who blocks the stars from view"
God is spoken of as creating the heavens without any help, as if the heavens were fabric that he stretches out.
"God calms the waves of the sea"
These are the names of constellations, which are groups of stars that seem like they form a particular shape in the sky.
a famous hunter in Greek mythology
several bright stars that look like they are close together in the sky
"things that cannot be understood"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"he passes by" or "he moves on"
"If he takes something away, no one can stop him. No one can ask him, 'What are you doing?'"
"If he takes someone away" or "If he wants to snatch something away"
"he crushes the helpers of Rahab"
The word "Rahab" refers to a monster of the sea.
"So I certainly could not answer him or choose words to reason with him.". Job shows his reluctance to confront God.
"He injures me as if with a tempest". Job compares his troubles from God to the effects of a violent storm.
"gives me many wounds"
"even though I have not given him cause to do so"
"to be able to breathe again"
"God fills me up with bitter things"
"If there is a contest of strength"
"pay attention to what I am about to tell you: he is the strong one"
"no one can summon him."
"Although I have done right things" or "Even though I am innocent"
"my own words would accuse me" or "what I say would condemn me"
"faultless"
"God would use what I say to prove me guilty"
"twisted" or "crooked."
"I am faultless"
"what happens to me"
"It does not matter"
"he brings everyone to an end, whether they are blameless or wicked"
"When a disaster suddenly happens and people die"
"the innocent who have lost all hope"
"innocent people"
"The people of the world are given"
"into the control of"
"God keeps its judges from judging rightly"
"If it is not God who does these things, then who does them?"
"My days pass swiftly"
"running man"
This pictures the days of Job's life as being able to run away like a person.
This pictures the days of Job's life as being able to see like a person.
"no good thing"
"They pass quickly by like papyrus reed boats"
"boats made out of reeds." Papyrus reed is a hollow grass that grows along the banks of rivers.
"as fast as the eagle that flies down quickly to catch its food"
"rushes down"
"I would stop complaining" or "I would stop complaining against God"
"I would stop looking unhappy and smile"
"Then I would be afraid of all my sorrows". Verses 28 & 29 express the consequences if Job does what he says.
"of everything that hurts me"
"God will condemn me"
"It is of no use to try to get God's attention."
"If I bathed my body in pure, clean water"
the water that comes from melted snow
white flakes of frozen water that fall from clouds in places where the air temperature is cold
"made my hands exceedingly clean." or "cleaned my hands with very strong soap."
"throw me into a pit"
"I would be too filthy for my own clothing"
"answer his charges against me" or "defend myself". Job implies that God has charged him of doing wrong.
"confront each other before a judge"
There is no judge who is greater than God who could decide what is right between him and Job.
"have authority over both of us"
"stop God from punishing me"
"keep him from terrifying and frightening me"
"Then I would speak"
"because this is how things are now"
"I am tired of living"
"I will freely express what I have to complain about"
"My inner being will speak bitterly"
Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to defend himself. He does not believe that he committed a sin deserving severe punishment.
"It is not good that you should oppress me, that you should despise the labor of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked."
"what you have created"
"approve the plans of the wicked"
"You do not have eyes of flesh, and you do not see like a man sees."
Job is saying that God lives forever but people live only for a short time, so God should not worry about Job's sins.
These two phrases have nearly the same meaning.
"the number of your days"
"the number of your years"
"look to see if I have committed iniquity"
"Your days are not like the days of mankind, and your years are not like the years of people, so you should not inquire after my iniquity and search after my sin, because you know I am not guilty and there is no one who can rescue me from your hand.". This is the end of the whole question that begins with the words "Are your days" in verse 5. This translates the whole question.
"from your power"
"You"
Job refers to a potter forming clay to describe how God carefully created him.
"shaped and formed me."
"Remember"
"turn me back into dust again"
In these verses, Job uses the language of poetry to describe how God formed him in the womb.
"You formed me in the womb like poured milk becomes cheese."
Here "you" refers to God.
Here "me" refers to Job.
"You have put skin and flesh on my body"
"wove me together" or "put me together". God putting Job's body together is spoken of as if God was knitting or weaving a piece of cloth.
the parts of the body that connect muscles to bones or other body parts and are like tough, white bands or cords
"You have been faithful to your covenant and allowed me to live"
"watched carefully over me" or "kept me safe"
"you would watch me"
"If I do evil things"
"how terrible will it be for me"
"hold my head up" or "be confident"
"I am totally ashamed and am completely full of my own suffering," The disgrace is bad but the suffering is even worse.
"see how God is afflicting me"
"When my head is lifted up, you stalk me like a lion"
"If I become proud"
God hunts Job like a lion hunts its prey or Job is like a lion being hunted by God.
This phrase expresses irony in how God displays his marvelous power by acting to harm Job.
Job's troubles from God are spoken of as if they were people who were witnesses against him.
"are more and more angry with me"
God sending troubles against Job is spoken of as if God was constantly sending new armies against him.
"brought me into this world"
"before any person had ever seen me" or "before I was born"
"I had never lived"
"My body would have been carried"
"I only have a few days left to live." or "My life will soon end."
"the place". The place where the spirits of dead people go.
"shadow of death" intensifies the idea of "darkness." Both phrases describe where the spirits of dead people go.
See how you translated this in Job 3:5.
"totally dark"
"where all is confused"
"where there is darkness even where there should be light"
"Zophar from the region of Naamah". See Job 2:11. Zophar uses many different rhetorical questions to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Zophar's argument.
"Someone should respond to all these words!". Zophar is asking a question to emphasize that Job's words must be challenged.
"This man is full of much talk, but we should not believe him!"
"Just because you have spoken many words, this does not mean that others must keep silent.". Zophar rebukes Job.
"You have mocked us for what we have said. Now we will make you feel ashamed!"
"My understanding is correct"
"You should know that I am innocent" or "You should consider me innocent"
These two phrases mean the same thing and are used to emphasize Zophar's desire that God speak harshly against Job.
"that he would show you that you are suffering because of your sin"
When there is a disagreement, a wise person will listen to everyone before deciding what the truth is.
"Acknowledge then"
"God is punishing you less than you deserve"
"You cannot understand God by searching for him, and you will never completely understand the Almighty!"
"To understand God"
"is as inaccessible as the highest places in heaven ... is more inaccessible than the deepest places in Sheol". The impossibility of understanding God.
"you cannot do anything." or "you cannot understand him fully."
"you cannot know God fully." or "you cannot know all there is to know."
God's greatness or the greatness of God's wisdom.
God's greatness or wisdom is spoken of as if it could be measured in distance.
"If God ... shuts anyone up in prison"
"if God calls people together for a court"
"no one can stop him!"
"God surely notices it!"
"it is as impossible for a foolish person to get understanding as it is for a donkey to give birth to a man"
"But foolish people will be able to understand"
Zophar asks Job to consider what will happen if he does these things.
"if you correct your attitude"
"and make an appeal and pray to God". This action represents asking God for help. Zophar asks Job to consider what will happen if he sets his heart right.
Zophar asks Job to consider what will happen if he puts iniquity far away from him and does not let righteousness live in his tent.
"even if you have done some evil things"
"but that you stop doing evil things".
"and that you do not allow the members of your household to do unrighteous things"
In verses 15-19 Zophar tells Job what will happen if Job does what Zophar spoke about in verses 13-14.
"Lifting up your face" represents the attitude of a person who is confident and brave.
"You will remember your misery, but it will be gone, like waters that have flowed away"
"Your life will be prosperous and happy like the noonday". Brightness represents being prosperous and happy.
"Though there might be dark troubles and sadness". Darkness represents troubles and sadness.
"it would be prosperous and happy like the morning". The morning represents light, which represents prosperity and happiness.
Zophar repeats the idea to emphasize how safe Job will be.
"will rest safely"
"you would lie down and rest"
This means that people will respect Job and that he will treat them well.
"the understanding of the wicked people will fail" or "the wicked people will not be able to understand"
"there will be no place to which they can escape"
Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. His friends, on the other hand, judge Job's case, which Job recognizes to be Yahweh's authority. These three friends therefore try to take God's place. Job uses many different rhetorical questions to try to convince Zophar that he is wrong.
"Surely you are such important people that wisdom cannot exist without you" or "You all act like you are the only wise people and that when you die, wisdom will disappear". Job mocks how they are acting.
"Surely"
This is plural in verses 2 and 3.
"you are the important people who know everything"
"Certainly everyone knows these things.". Job expresses a truth that should be obvious to his listeners.
"I am something for my neighbor to laugh at—even though I am one who called on God and he answered me!"
"Even though I am a just and blameless man, people now laugh at me"
"A person who lives an easy life despises a person who suffers"
"causes more bad things to happen"
"to those who are already in trouble"
"Robbers live in prosperity in their own tents"
"they are extremely proud of their own abilities"
Job is saying that the animals and the birds understand God better than Job's friends do. All occurrences of "you" are plural.
"But if you ask the animals, they will teach you"
if you ask the birds of the heavens, they will tell you"
Job is saying that the beasts, the birds, the earth, and the fish understand God better than Job's friends do.
"Or if you speak to the earth, it will teach you"
"and if you ask the fish of the sea, they will declare to you"
"Every animal among all these knows ... this."
"Yahweh has done this by his power"
"God controls the life of every living thing and gives breath to all mankind"
Here "breath" represents life or the ability to live.
"We hear what people say and test it just as we taste food and test it."
"Aged people are wise"
"people who live a long time understand much"
Verse 13 says that God is wise and mighty. The rest of the chapter confirms this.
"God is wise and mighty"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"no one can rebuild them"
"if God shuts someone in, no one can free him"
"if he stops the rain from falling the land dries up" or "if he stops the water from flowing, the land dries up"
"if he causes a lot of rain to fall, it floods the land" or "if he makes a lot of water flow, it floods the land"
"God is strong and wise"
"God rules over both people who believe lies and people who lie to others"
This represents taking away their wisdom and authority.
"and they feel very sad" or "and they grieve"
"he makes judges become foolish"
"He takes away the authority of kings" or "He takes off the bonds that kings have put on people"
"he makes kings wear the clothing of slaves"
This represents taking away their authority.
"and they feel sad" or "and they grieve"
"defeats powerful people"
"He makes those who were trusted unable to speak"
"makes the elders unable to understand"
the older people or the leaders
"He causes people to greatly disrespect those who rule"
"makes the strong weak"
"strong people"
"He makes known secrets that people do not know"
"makes known things that no one can see"
"He makes nations larger"
"he also causes their enemies to lead them along as prisoners"
"He causes the leaders of the people of the earth to be unable to understand"
"to be unsure of what to do like a person wandering in a wasteland with no path"
"They struggle to make decisions without knowledge as people struggle to walk in the dark without light"
"they wander aimlessly like a drunk person who staggers back and forth"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I have seen all this"
"I have heard and understood it"
"What you know, I also know"
Job's friends are not speaking the truth. Job would rather argue with God alone about his complaint.
"you hide the truth with lies" or "you lie and ignore the truth"
"you are all like physicians who do not know how to heal people"
"be quiet" or "stop talking."
"If you were to stop talking, you would appear wise"
"listen to what I myself plead for"
"You think that you are speaking for God, but you are speaking unrighteousness. You are trying to defend him by speaking deceitfully.". Job rebukes his friends for speaking unrighteously.
"speak unrighteous words"
"to defend God ... to defend him" or "as God's representative ... to represent him"
"tell lies"
"You think that God needs you to defend him? You think that you can argue for God like attorneys in court.".Job rebukes his friends.
"When God examines you, it will not be good for you."
"You might be able to deceive men, but you cannot deceive God."
"rebuke you"
"if you secretly show favor to another." This refers to saying only good things about someone so that the judge will say that the person is good. Doing this in secret means pretending to speak fairly, but really favoring one person over another.
"His majesty will make you afraid, and his dread will fall on you!"
"and you not be terrified"
"Your memorable sayings will be forgotten like ashes that are blown away"
"What you say in defense is as useless as a wall of clay"
what they say to defend themselves or what they say to defend God
"Be quiet" or "Stop talking"
"stop bothering me" or "stop hindering me"
"let whatever may happen to me happen"
"I am ready to risk my life"
"This is the reason that God will deliver me"
Job begins directing his speech directly to God.
These two lines intensify Job's request for God to listen to him.
"listen to my declaration" or "listen to what I declare"
"Please listen carefully: I"
"I have thought through how I will defend myself"
"I do not believe that anyone would argue against me in court."
"If you came to argue against me"
"You" refers to God himself.
"if you were to prove me wrong"
You may want to use a word for dying from your language that refers to breathing for the last time.
"from you"
"stop oppressing me"
"do not terrify me"
Job asks this question to complain about how God is treating him. He probably hopes for an answer.
"you refuse to look at me" or "you ignore me"
"You should not cause this driven leaf to tremble". Job is rebuking God because God is attacking Job when Job has no defense against God.
"terrify a weak, harmless man"
"It is useless for you to pursue dry stubble". Job uses this question to tell God that since Job is so insignificant and weak, it is useless to pursue him.
"persecute"
Job finishes presenting his case to God.
"For you write down accusations against me"
"you say that I am still guilty for the sins of my youth" or "you punish me for the sins of my youth"
"It is as though you put my feet in the stocks". This represents punishing Job and keeping him from living freely as if Job was a prisoner.
a frame that holds a prisoner's feet in place so that he cannot move at all or chains around a prisoner's feet that make it hard for him to walk.
"everything I do"
"you examine the ground where I have walked"
"it is as though you examine the ground where I have walked"
Job compares his life to something that is decaying. He is slowly dying.
Job compares himself to clothes that are full of holes because the moths have eaten parts of it.
This chapter is a continuation of Job's claim of righteousness being presented to Yahweh and has an abrupt shift in tone. Rather than being hopeful, Job laments.
This refers to all people, both men and women; all are born into this world.
"lives only a very short time"
"has many troubles" or "suffers much"
Like the life of a flower, a person's life is short and is easily killed.
A person's short life is compared to a shadow that disappears quickly.
"You do not pay so much attention to these. Please do not pay so much attention to me."
"pay attention to" or "look for faults in"
"But you judge me.". Job shows his surprise that God judges him even though Job is so insignificant.
"No one can bring something clean out of something unclean". Job uses this question to persuade God to apply what he knows about unclean things to Job.
"You decide how long a man lives"
"You decide how many months he will live"
"you have appointed the time that he will die, and he cannot live longer than that"
a man who is hired to do a job and goes home afterwards
"We can hope that a tree will live again". The hope is explained in verses 7-9.
"it might start growing again"
"so that its young shoot will not die"
"Even if"
the part of the tree that remains sticking out of the ground after someone has cut down most of the tree
"even if only a little water is near it"
"it will start growing"
"branches will start growing on it like a plant"
"no one knows where he is.". Job uses this question to emphasize that when a person dies, he is not present.
Water that has dried up from a lake or a river cannot return, and once a person dies or grows old, he cannot become young again. Job begins to use word pictures.
If translating both phrases would be awkward in your language, you can leave one of them untranslated.
Job finishes comparing growing old and dying with water drying up (verse 11).
"so people die"
"do not live again"
"I wish that you would hide me". Job continues speaking to God.
"keep me locked up" or "keep me hidden"
"think about me" or "remember me"
"If a man dies, he will not live again.". The events of Job occurred long before the Old Testament was written. Therefore, he likely had very little direct revelation about Yahweh. The resurrection of the dead was apparently not well-known during Job's day.
any male person
"I will wait all the time I am serving there"
"until I should be released" or "until you release me"
"I would do what you wanted me to do". Job continues speaking to God.
"You would desire" or "You would want"
"for me, whom you have made"
"attentively care for"
"my life" or "the things I do"
"you would not look at my sin" or "you would not think about my sin"
These three lines are used together to emphasize his confidence that God would forgive him.
"You would refuse to think about my transgression like someone who hides something in a bag"
"you would hide my iniquity"
"mountains completely fall apart". Job continues speaking to God.
"rocks tumble down from their place"
"You destroy the hope of man, just like ... dust of the earth". If it is easier in your language, you can put this phrase at the beginning of verse 18 and adjust the text accordingly.
"You prevent the hope of man from happening"
"the things that man hopes for"
"You completely defeat man" or "You completely defeat people". Job continues speaking to God.
"he dies"
the pain just before dying makes his face contract or when a person dies, God makes the person's face look different.
This represents causing him to die.
"if they are disgraced" or "if people shame them"
This is the name of a man. People from Teman are known as Temanites. See Job 2:11. In this chapter, Eliphaz speaks to Job again. His words in this chapter are much stronger than when he previously spoke. Eliphaz uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter to try to convince Job that he is wrong.
"A wise man should not answer with useless knowledge nor fill himself with empty words."
"hot air" or "the desert wind"
"He should not reason with unprofitable talk nor with speeches with which he can do no good.". Eliphaz uses this rhetorical question to rebuke Job.
"because of what you say and do, other people no longer respect God" or "you are no longer respecting God."
make smaller
"you make it difficult for others to meditate in God's presence" or "you are no longer devoting yourself to God."
"your iniquity is like a teacher and your mouth is like its student" or "it is because of your sin that you speak the way you do"
"you to say what you say". This refers to Job.
"to speak in the way of crafty people"
This refers to people who harm others by lying to them.
"You are condemned by what you say, not by what I say" or "You condemn yourself by what you say, it is not I who condemns you"
"your own words" or "you testify"
"You are not the first man that was born."
"God did not bring you into existence before he brought the hills into existence."
"Did God bring you"
"You have not heard the secret knowledge of God."
"You cannot limit wisdom to yourself." or "You are not the only wise person."
"There is nothing that you know that we do not know."
"Everything you understand, we also understand."
"We acquired wisdom from old gray-haired people, from people who were born before your father was"
"You must think that the consolations of God are too small for you, the words that are gentle toward you"
"comforts"
"Why do your emotions take you away?" or "Why do you allow your emotions to guide your decisions?"
"Why are you angry"
"turn yourself"
"so you say harsh things against him"
These two questions are used together to emphasize that a man cannot be perfect.
"A man, he cannot be completely clean."
A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"A man who is born from a woman cannot be completely righteous."
"Listen"
"his angels"
"in his judgment"
These two words emphasize how wicked humans are.
If your language has a word for a person whom others reject as unclean in a ritual or spiritual sense, you might want to use it here.
"who love iniquity as much as they love a cup of fresh water" or "who commit evil deeds as often as they drink water"
"I will explain to you"
"I will declare"
"their ancestors taught openly"
"to whom alone God gave the land"
"no one from another country came and caused them to think wrongly about God"
"suffers a lot of pain." This is either physical or emotional pain.
"all the years that God has prepared"
"He constantly hears sounds that terrify him"
Eliphaz continues describing the wicked man he began to describe in Job 15:20.
"escape misfortune"
"he worries that someone is about to murder him" or "someone is waiting to murder him"
"for food"
"the moment of his death"
"is coming soon"
Here these feelings are spoken of as if they were an enemy who is attacking the wicked man.
"overpower" or "defeat"
"just like a king, who is ready for a battle, would prevail against him"
"he has shook his fist against God."
"attacks God" or "acts violently against God"
"with his strong shield"
"he is weak with a fat face and fat loins"
"which are abandoned"
piles of useless things
"he will be poor; all his money will disappear"
"out of the darkness of death"
"God will take everything he owns away, like a fire dries out the moist branches of a tree"
"God's judgment"
"he will die"
"for if he trusts in them, uselessness will be his reward"
"he will look dead, just like the branch of a dead palm tree does not look green"
These two lines emphasize that this will surely happen.
"Just like a grapevine drops its unripe grapes, so the wicked man will drop his strength"
"just like an olive tree loses its flowers, so the wicked man will lose his strength"
"the group of godless people"
"the tents they bought with their bribes will be burned by fire"
"They plan to cause mischief and do evil things; they are always planning to deceive others"
"they conceive"
Job expresses shock and disgust at the advice Eliphaz gives to him. He even mocks Eliphaz. He describes the difficulties of his circumstances but never curses Yahweh.
"instead of comforting me, you all cause me only trouble"
"How I wish your useless words would end!"
"Eliphaz, you should stop answering me like this!"
"I could think of things to say"
This action shows disapproval.
"to mock you"
"My words would surely not be encouraging to you! They would surely not lighten your grief"
"with what I say"
"my comforting words"
"will help you feel less grief"
Job has experienced great loss of family and health that is unexplained and therefore causes him "great sorrow and emotional pain."
"it does not help me at all."
Job now turns his complaining to God.
"destroyed all my family"
"You have made my body shrivel up"
"and people think that shows me to be a sinner"
"They see how thin my body is, and they think that proves that I am guilty"
"against me"
"Because God is very angry with me, it is as though he were a wild animal that tore my body apart with his teeth because he was my enemy"
Job refers to God as he describes how God has caused him great pain.
"glares at me"
This means to stare in amazement with an open mouth.
These two lines emphasize Job's feeling of having been betrayed by God.
"puts me under the control of"
"delivers me to the control"
"but then it felt as though he broke me apart"
"it is as though he has taken me by the neck and smashed me to pieces"
"it is as though he set me up like a target"
"It is as though his archers have me surrounded"
"It feels like God's arrows have pierced my kidneys and my liver, spilling my bile on the ground. He does not spare me"
"I feel like a wall that God smashes through"
"it is like he is a warrior who runs at me to attack me"
"Because I am mourning, I have sewn together sackcloth to wear as my clothing"
"I sit here in the dirt, very depressed"
"there are dark circles around my eyes" or "my eyes are dark, like the eyes of a dead person"
"I have not acted violently"
"I wish my blood would not soak into the ground but that it would remain on top of the ground as proof of how I died"
"Earth, when I die, do not hide how I died unfairly"
"let everyone hear about what has happened to me"
"listen"
"testifies that I am righteous"
"in heaven on high"
"scorn" or "ridicule"
"my eyes are full of tears while I cry out"
"for me.". Job refers to himself in the third person.
"as a man does for his neighbor." Job describes the need for someone to intercede for him in heaven. This person would be his advocate and provide a witness for him. Although this is probably not intended as a prophecy, it closely parallels the way Jesus intercedes for people in heaven.
"I will die and go to a place"
Job expresses great sadness in this chapter. He awaits the justice and intercession of Yahweh as he awaits his own death.
"I have no more strength"
"I am going to die soon"
"soon I will be dead and buried"
"Those who are around me are mocking me"
"Certainly" or "There is no doubt that"
"I must always see"
"their insults." or "them provoking me"
"God, give now a pledge so that I may be released from this prison". Job is asking God to provide a pledge so that he may be released.
"there is no one else who will help me."
"have kept my friends"
"you will not allow them to triumph over me"
"Anyone who"
"falsely accuses his friends in order to get a profit"
"his children will suffer for it"
"because of him, people use my name as an insult"
"people insult me greatly, by spitting in my face.". Spitting on someone was a great insult. If spitting has a different meaning in your culture you can write this differently.
"My vision has become weak because I am so sad" or "I am almost blind because of my sorrow"
"all my body parts are very thin"
"my arms and legs"
"will be shocked"
"by what has happened to me"
"will begin to take action against"
"will continue to live in a righteous way"
"he who does what is right" or "he who is innocent"
This does not refer only to physical strength but also to the strength of a person's will and emotions.
Job is speaking to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
"come on now, argue with me again". Job invites his friends to debate what he has said.
"My life is over"
"my plans will never happen, nor will the things that I have desired most"
These two phrases refer to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. The second phrase emphasizes their unfriendly attitude.
"say the opposite of what is true, just as night is the opposite of day"
"they claim that when it is becoming dark, that it is getting light"
"Since the only home ... and since I have spread"
"have prepared myself to go and sleep among the dead"
"have made my bed"
"since I have said"
These two lines are used together to emphasize how desperate Job is.
"the grave"
"When I am buried, you will be as close to me as a father"
"the maggot." Worms are the small creatures that eat dead bodies.
"You are as close to me as my mother or my sister"
"then I have no hope."
"No one expects me to have any more hope."
"Hope will not go down with me ... dust."
"when I go into Sheol"
"when I and the things that I hope for" or "when I and my hopes."
"die and are buried" or "go to the grave"
The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. Bildad speaks to Job again. His words are much stronger than when he previously spoke, and he is even angry at Job.
"Bildad" is the name of a man who is a member of the tribe of Shuah. See Job 8:1.
"Stop talking!".
"Be reasonable, and" or "Think about these things, and"
"You should not regard us as beasts or think of us as stupid."
The word "we" probably refers to Bildad and Job's other friends and so is exclusive.
Regarding or looking both refer to thinking well or badly of someone.
"in your judgment"
"your sight, you who wrongly think you are great". The word "your" here is plural. Bildad is using sarcasm to tell Job that Job should not think of himself as a great man.
"You who have caused your own injuries because of your anger". Here Bildad is stating that it is because of Job's anger and disobedience that he has been injured, not because of God's anger as Job has previously claimed.
"asking God to let you, a guilty man, go free is as silly as asking for God to forsake the earth for your sake or for God to move the rocks out of their places to please you!". This question suggests that letting Job, whom they consider a guilty man, go free would be like changing the whole world.
"should everyone leave the earth"
"should God remove the rocks from their places" or "should God move mountains around". The word "rocks" here refers to large rocks, such as those in the mountains.
"What will happen is that the lives of wicked people like you end as quickly as we can put out a light or extinguish the flame of a fire"
"will go out"
"It will be like the light in his tent has turned to darkness, like the lamp above him has gone out". Bildad speaks of the wicked man's life as if it were the light in his tent.
"It will be like he no longer has the strength to walk".
"his own advice makes him fall down." or "his own plans will lead him into disaster"
"It will be as though he led himself into a net, as if he walked right into a pitfall" or "His own feet will lead him into a net."
People used nets to catch animals.
a pit that has branches and leaves over it so that an animal will walk onto the branches and leaves and fall in
"It will be as though a trap will take him ... a snare will"
People used this kind of trap to catch birds. The trap snapped shut and held on to the foot of the bird.
"will take hold of his foot"
"It will be as though a noose is ... and a trap for him in the way"
"Someone has hidden a noose on the ground in order to catch him"
a rope with a loop that grabs hold of an animal's leg when the animal steps in
"a trap is hidden on the path to catch him" or "someone will hide a trap to catch him in the way"
"Terrors all around will make him afraid"
"it will be as if the terrors will chase him all around"
"Instead of being wealthy, he will become poor and hungry"
"he will continually experience disaster"
"Disease will eat away at his skin" or "Disease will destroy his skin"
"a deadly disease will destroy the different parts of his body"
"Disaster rips him out of his tent, where he is safe"
"it forces him to go"
"the one who rules over the dead" or "the king of death". This is a reference to "King Death," a pagan god who was believed to rule over death.
"People who are not his family"
"after they spread sulfur all over his home". People used sulfur to get rid of any diseases from a dying person.
"He will die and leave no descendants, he will be like a tree whose roots have dried up and whose branches have all withered"
These phrases have the same meaning and are used to emphasize that nobody will remember him after he dies.
"No one on the earth will remember him"
"no one walking along the street will even remember his name"
These phrases emphasize the fact that the wicked person will be sent to Sheol, the place of the dead.
"God will drive the wicked person from light into darkness"
"from the light of life to the darkness of death"
"God will send him to the place where dead people go"
"God will chase him"
These two phrases emphasize that he will have no family or descendants left.
"in his temporary dwelling-place." If your language has a word for a place in which people live temporarily until they can move to a better place, you may want to use it here.
These phrases refer to all people living everywhere and is probably an exaggeration. Bildad is speaking of Job in the third person to warn Job that if he continues to do evil, everyone Job cares about will be horrified at what happens when God punishes Job.
"on the day God punishes him"
"unrighteous people, those who do not know God". These phrases refer to the same people by the places where they live.
This chapter is Job's response to Bildad. Verses 25-27 are very important to this book. They show the great depth of Job's faith in Yahweh after his most difficult time.
"Stop making me suffer and crushing me with words."
"torment me with your words"
"You have completely insulted me" or "You have insulted me many times"
"You should be ashamed that you have treated me so harshly"
"have despised me" or "have publicly ridiculed me"
"have sinned by accident"
"my error is my own responsibility, so you should not continue to rebuke me"
"my sin" or "my mistake"
"If you think you are better than I am" or "Since you act as though you are better than I am"
"use my humiliation as evidence that I am guilty" or "claim that what has happened to humiliate me proves that I am guilty"
"has trapped me" or "has control of what happens to me, so that I am helpless". Job speaks as if God were a hunter that has trapped Job in his net.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I cry out"
"Violence! Help!" or "Help! I am being attacked!"
"I shout for help" or "I cry for help"
"but no one protects me from those who do me wrong"
"God has put a wall on the road that I am walking on" or "He has blocked the way so I cannot keep going"
"He has taken away my glory". Job uses these images to say that God has taken away his good reputation, wealth, and dignity.
"he has taken away my dignity and honor"
"He has ruined me in every way"
"I am completely destroyed"
"he has completely taken away all my hope" or "because of what he has done, I can no longer hope for anything good"
"the way a man pulls a tree up by its roots"
"God has also lit a fire of anger against me" or "God has also become very angry with me"
"he thinks of me as an enemy"
"God sends his army to attack me"
"the soldiers pile up dirt in order to climb over my wall"
"they camp around my tent and prepare to attack me"
"God has caused my brothers to stay away from me" or "God caused my brothers to refuse to help me"
"my friends treat me like a stranger"
"My relatives have left me without help"
"my intimate friends"
"have abandoned me" or "have neglected me."
"consider me"
"they think of me as a foreigner"
"but he does not respond to me". The answer is a response to Job's call.
"even though I speak to him and plead with him"
"plead with him"
"My wife hates the smell of my breath"
"my own brothers who should love me" or "my brothers and sisters who should love me"
"hate me" or "detest me"
"they make fun of me"
"All my closest friends" or "All of my friends with whom I shared my secrets."
"think I am disgusting"
"have betrayed me"
"I am just skin and bones". Job speaks of his bones, skin, and flesh to describe being extremely thin.
"I am barely alive" or "I hardly survive"
"Have compassion on me"
"because God has afflicted me"
"Do not persecute me ... God does!"
"You have consumed my flesh enough!" or "Stop consuming my flesh!"
"Stop violently slandering me." or "Stop attacking me with your words."
"I wish that someone would write down what I am saying"
"I wish that someone would write them in a book"
"I wish that someone would use an iron pen and lead to carve them in the rock forever"
"an iron chisel." This was a tool used for writing. It was made of iron so that people could carve words in rock.
Lead is a soft metal. We do not know how people used lead when carving rock. They may have filled the letters of the inscription with lead in order to make the inscription last longer.
"My Defender." Here "Redeemer" refers to a person who will rescue Job by proving Job's innocence, restoring his honor, and giving him justice.
"he will judge whether or not I am guilty" or "at last he will defend me in court"
his body being destroyed by disease or his body decaying after he has died.
"while I live in my body, I will see God"
The phrases "my eyes" and "and not someone else" emphasize that Job himself will actually see God.
"I am very emotional about it" or "My emotions overwhelm me as I think about that"
Job feels very hopeful, thankful, and happy or Job feels exhausted waiting to see his Redeemer.
that they will certainly persecute Job or that they will persecute him severely
"He is the source of all his troubles" or "He has all these troubles because of what he has done"
"then be afraid that God will judge you" or "then be afraid that God will kill you"
"because God will be angry with you and punish you" or "because if you are so angry with me, God will punish you"
"causes"
"God judges people"
Zophar speaks to Job again. His words are much stronger than when he previously spoke, and he is even angry at Job. He claims that Job took advantage of the poor and is being punished for it. Zophar uses metaphors to explain the temporary nature of life and riches. He also uses them to describe God's punishment of Job.
See how you translated this man's name in Job 2:11. Since this is the second time that Zophar speaks, some translations omit "the Naamathite" here.
"I want very much to answer you quickly"
"because I am very worried about you" or "because I am very worried because of what you said"
"You insult me by how you rebuke me"
"I have a thought from my understanding, and now I know what I wanted to know" or "a thought from my understanding answers me about how I can reply to you"
"because I understand things, I have thought, and now I know how I can reply to you"
Zophar begins a rhetorical question to cause Job to think deeply about what he will now say.
"Surely you know ... man on earth; the triumph ... for a moment."
"the wicked person celebrates for only a little while"
"the godless man is happy for only a very short time"
"Though his reputation is great" or "Though his pride is great"
This also represents his reputation or pride being great.
"will perish permanently like his dung, which completely disappears in the ground"
"dust that the wind blows away"
"The wicked person will"
"He will disappear like a dream ... he will be forgotten like a vision of the night"
"no one will find him"
"Anyone who saw him" or "The people who saw him"
"the people who live in his place" or "his family"
"The wicked person's children"
When he dies, his children will have to return everything that he took from others.
"His body is strong like a young person's body"
"but his youthful strength will die with him"
"Although doing wicked things is pleasurable like tasting sweet food in the mouth"
Zophar speaks of wickedness as if it were sweet food that a person puts under his tongue.
Zophar speaks of wickedness as if it were sweet food that a person puts under his tongue so it will stay in his mouth and he can taste it for a long time.
"those wicked things become like food that has turned bitter in the stomach" or "the consequences of those wicked things are painful like food that becomes sour in the stomach"
"the consequences of doing those wicked things are painful like the poison of asps inside him"
poisonous snakes
"The wicked person becomes very wealthy, but he loses his wealth like a person who vomits up his food. God causes him to lose it all"
"The wicked man gains much wealth and keeps it all for himself" or "The wicked man steals many riches"
This refers to causing the man to lose his riches.
"Doing evil things is like sucking the poison of asps"
"the viper's poisonous bite will kill him" or "the viper will bite him and he will die"
"his wickedness will kill him like a viper's bite"
"the abundance of good things that God gives his people"
"the things he had stolen"
"will not be able to enjoy them"
"he has never been able to satisfy his desires"
"There is nothing left that he did not take for himself"
"he will suddenly experience trouble"
"everyone who is in poverty will attack him" or "everyone who suffers will attack him". If your language has a separate word for suffering because of poverty, you may want to use it here.
Here "fill his stomach" refers to eating a lot.
"God will be angry and throw down his punishment on him" or "God will be angry and punish him severely"
"God will punish him severely"
"will flee from the person carrying an iron weapon"
"someone with a bronze bow will shoot him"
This is a large and important part of the body. The person who is shot will die.
"he is terrified"
"His treasures will be destroyed"
"God will cause a fire to destroy him"
"the fire will destroy"
Those who live in the heavens and the earth or Zophar is describing the heavens and the earth as if they are humans who will testify in court against the wicked person.
disappear
"his goods will be taken away from him, like goods that float away in a flood, on"
"his possessions"
"the day when God punishes people"
"This is what God has decided should happen to the wicked man"
"what God has planned to give to him" or "what God has planned should happen to him"
This chapter is Job's response to Zophar and is also a response to all three of his friends in general. In the ancient Near East, it was common to believe that a person could be punished because of the sins of their fathers and ancestors. It was seen as the punishment of a god. While a father's sin may have consequences for their children, Yahweh does not punish people because of their father's sin.
"Allow me" or "Be patient with me"
"you can continue mocking me." Job is using sarcasm to imply that his friends would ignore what he would say and continue to mock him.
"I am not complaining to a person. I have the right to be impatient"
"cover your mouth with your hand" or "do not say anything"
"fear causes my body to tremble"
"Wicked people indeed continue to live, become old, and become wealthier."
This two clauses mean the same thing and emphasize that this is true.
Wicked people get to watch their descendants grow strong and wealthy.
"Their families"
This refers to God's punishment.
"she does not miscarry" or "her calf is born healthy and strong"
Job compares these children to lambs to emphasize that they run, play, and are happy.
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
"their lifetime"
"they die peacefully"
This refers to how God wants people to behave.
"We do not believe that this Almighty God is worthy of our worship. If we pray to him, he cannot do anything good for us."
"Look, these wicked people claim that they make themselves prosper!"
"It is not often ... their calamity comes upon them.". Job says that it seems to him that God does not punish the wicked very often.
"that God causes them to die suddenly". Job compares the life of the wicked to a lamp that is burning.
"It is not often ... in his anger."
"It is not often ... the storm carries away."
"God takes them away like the wind blows away the chaff".
These words are added by most versions in order to make it clear that Job is quoting his friends.
"God keeps a record of a person's sins, then he punishes the person's children for those wicked deeds". Job speaks of iniquity as if it were an object that could be stored for later use.
"But I say that he should pay it himself, ... know his guilt'". You may need to make explicit that what the sinner should know is how bad his sins have been.
"Let him see"
Here the wrath of God is spoken of as if it were a drink that a person can taste. Job wants the wicked person to experience God's punishment.
"For the wicked man does not care what happens to his family after he has died!"
This is a polite way of saying that he dies.
This refers to the length of his life.
"Obviously, no one can teach anything to God, since he even judges those in heaven.". God knows everything.
"those who are in heaven" or "powerful people."
"If there are two men, one may die in his full strength". Job contrasts this man who dies in health and peace to the man who dies in sorrow and pain in Job 21:25.
"His body if full of fat". These phrases mean that the person is very healthy.
This means his body is youthful and healthy.
Job contrasts this man to the man who dies in peace in Job 21:23.
"with anger and resentment" or "after living a sad life"
"has experienced only bad things"
"They both die and people bury them"
"the worms in the dirt eat their dead bodies"
"Listen"
"See, the house of the evil ruler is gone. The tent of the wicked man has disappeared.". Job believes his friends will ask these question to scold him.
"You should listen to those who have traveled to distant places.". Job rebukes his friends.
Job finishes asking a rhetorical question that begins with the words "Do you not know" in verse 29.
"Those who have traveled to distant places will tell you ... from the day of wrath."
"God keeps the wicked man from the day of calamity ... God leads him away from the day of wrath"
"No one condemns the wicked man to his face.". Job contradicts his friends' belief that the wicked are always judged. This means no one will go directly to the wicked person and condemn him personally.
"No one repays him for the bad things that he has done."
"people will carry him"
"He will enjoy being buried in the dirt of the valley". Job imagines that the dead person will even enjoy the dirt that is put on him. This means the wicked person will even have a good death and a nice burial after a fulfilling life.
"a huge number of people go to the grave site; some go in front of the procession and some come behind"
"You cannot comfort me with nonsense. All of your answers are false.". Job scolds his friends.
See Job 2:11. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Eliphaz. His words are much stronger than when he previously spoke and he tries to get Job to repent. Eliphaz assumes he is righteous, while assuming Job isn't.
"A man cannot be useful to God. A wise man cannot be useful to him.". Eliphaz emphasizes that a person's actions and wisdom do not benefit God.
"The Almighty does not receive any pleasure if you are righteous. He does not gain anything if you make your ways blameless.". Eliphaz emphasizes that Job's actions do not help God.
"It is certainly not because you have been devoted to him that God rebukes you and takes you to judgment!". Eliphaz scolds Job and accuses him of committing terrible sins.
"As you know, he judges you because your wickedness is great and you keep on sinning!"
A lender taking something from the borrower to ensure that the borrower pays him back.
Eliphaz is accusing Job of taking clothes as security from poor people who borrowed from him.
"withheld food"
"possessed a great amount of land". Eliphaz is accusing Job of taking land from poor people and not allowing them to live on it. Eliphaz is exaggerating the amount of land to portray Job as greedy.
"You made widows go away with nothing". Women whose husbands have died.
"you even oppressed the fatherless"
"you are always in danger ... you become afraid for no reason"
These metaphors refer to troubles and dangers that are all around Job because of his sin.
"a flood"
"God is in the heights of heaven and sees everything that happens on earth.". Eliphaz says that God sees Job's sin and will judge him.
"Look at how high the stars are. God is even higher than the stars!"
"God does not know what happens on earth. He sits in dark clouds and cannot see to judge us.". Eliphaz implies that Job has said these things against God.
"he lives too far away in heaven to see what happens here". A barrier that ancient people believed separated the earth from heaven.
"those whom God took away"
The death of wicked people is compared to buildings that had their foundations washed away by a flood.
"The Almighty cannot do anything to us!". Eliphaz quotes a question wicked people use to mock God.
"Yet God filled"
"but I will not listen to their wicked plans". This means Eliphaz rejects them.
"know what will happen to the wicked"
"The righteous say"
"Surely God has destroyed the wicked people who harmed us". This refers to the wicked people.
Eliphaz uses this word to introduce something important he is about to say.
"the instruction that God has spoken"
"treasure his commands". God's words are compared to treasures that Job could keep in a storeroom.
"your mind"
"he will heal you and make you prosper again"
"if you and everyone in your house stops sinning". Unrighteousness must be removed.
"Consider your riches as unimportant as dust"
"the gold of Ophir is as worthless as stones in a stream"
This is the name of a region famous for its gold.
This means God will be more valuable to Job than any treasure.
"you will be able to approach God confidently". Job will no longer be ashamed but will trust in God.
"God will cause you to succeed"
"it will be like a light shining on the road in front of you". God's blessing is compared to a light on Job's paths.
"the humble person". The way the person thinks and acts.
"lowered eyes". Eyes that look at the ground and not at the person.
"Yahweh will rescue even the person who is not innocent because you do what is right" or "He rescues the innocent person; so he will rescue you when your hands are clean"
This chapter is Job's response to Eliphaz and uses an extended metaphor of a court case to describe Job's "case," which he seeks to bring to Yahweh, who is a judge. Cultures without a legal system will have difficulty translating this chapter.
"In spite of what you have said, my complaint is rebellion"
That is, God continues to afflict Job, but Job will not stop claiming that he has done no wrong.
"I can barely lift my hand because of my groaning" or "God's hand continues to make me suffer in spite of my groaning"
These two lines emphasize Job's desire to meet with God.
"I might find God"
These two lines emphasize Job's desire to explain his situation to God.
"I would speak all of my arguments"
These two lines emphasize Job's desire to hear God's answer.
"the answer that he would give me"
"Would God"
This refers to the place where God is.
"God, who is my judge, would say that I am innocent once and for all"
Job says that he has looked everywhere.
This ends the words that began with "eastward ... westward" in verse 8. By mentioning these four directions, Job emphasizes that he has looked everywhere.
Job speaks of God as if he is a person who hides.
"God knows what I do"
"he will see that I am as pure as gold when anything not pure has been burned away"
"I have followed the path he has shown me"
"I have done what he told me to do". Job's obedience is spoken of as walking in a path that God showed him.
"followed it exactly"
"I have always obeyed"
"that God spoke"
"what he said"
"But there is no one like him, and nobody can make him change his mind."
"He does whatever he wants to do"
"he is doing to me what he said he would do"
"he has many similar plans for me"
These two lines emphasize that Job is very afraid of God.
"made me afraid"
"The thick darkness in front of me has not made me silent" or "God has stopped me, not the darkness."
"my sadness"
This chapter is Job's response to Eliphaz and is a continuation of the extended metaphor of a court case to describe Job's "case," which he seeks to bring to Yahweh, who is a judge. Cultures without a legal system will have difficulty translating this chapter. The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem.
"I do not understand why God does not set a time when he will judge wicked people."
"It seems that those who obey him never get to see him judge the wicked."
These are stones or other objects to mark the boundary between the lands owned by different people.
land with grass for animals to eat
"They steal"
The father has died.
"they take widows' oxen to guarantee that the widows will pay back the loaned money"
a woman whose husband has died
A lender would take something from a borrower to ensure that the borrower pays him back.
"out of their way" or "off the road"
This is an exaggeration to show that many poor people are afraid of these wicked people.
"these poor people go out to search for food as if they were wild donkeys in the wilderness"
"donkeys that no one owns or cares for"
This verse describes the misery and hard work of the poor. They harvest food for rich people's animals to eat, and they get the last grapes of crops that the wicked enjoy in luxury.
Fodder is food for animals.
Reaping is the work of hired hands, while gleaning is the work of the landless poor. This is a description of poor people who must work in fields belonging to other people, including the wicked.
These two lines emphasize that these people do not have enough clothing to keep warm.
"They become wet when it rains in the mountains"
"The wicked seize the fatherless from their mothers and take a pledge against the poor" or "The fatherless are seized from the breast of the poor as a pledge"
"Fatherless children are"
"walk around"
"naked because they have no clothing"
Their work will provide food for others but not for themselves.
they squeezed olives in order to extract olive oil from them
"in the houses of those evil men"
"they tread on grapes to make juice for wine"
"they suffer from thirst"
"rebel against God" or "do not want to do things openly"
"they do not know how to live a moral life; they stay far away from living a righteous life". These two lines emphasize that they do not want to follow the ways of the light.
These words emphasize that these are people who are unable to help themselves.
"he kills people secretly, just like a thief steals secretly"
"the adulterer"
"for the sunset"
"No one will see me"
"wicked people dig into houses to steal what is in them"
"they hide inside"
The thick darkness is as comfortable for the wicked as light of the morning is for normal people.
"the scary things that happen at night"
This emphasizes how quickly God will cause the wicked to disappear.
"God curses the part of the land that they own"
Job says that sinners will disappear in Sheol in the same way as snow melts and disappears when it becomes warm.
These two words are used together to describe essentially the same weather.
"The mother"
"the worm will enjoy eating his dead body"
"no one will remember him anymore"
"God will destroy the wicked as if he were a tree"
"Just like a wild animal kills its prey, so the wicked person harms"
The people of that day considered that a woman who was barren was cursed by God, so this represents the most unfortunate women.
a woman whose husband has died
"by using his power"
"God rises up and does not give the mighty the strength to live" or "God rises up and causes them to die"
"mighty people" or "the wicked people"
"gives to mighty people what they need ... they are supported"
"he is safe" or "he has what he needs"
"but God is always watching what they do"
"God will bring them low" or "God will destroy them"
"God will gather them up as he gathered up the other wicked people"
"God will cut them off like a farmer cuts off the top of a stalk of grain". These wicked people will be cut off in the same way heads of grain are cut off during harvest.
"This is true, and no one can prove that I am a liar; no one can prove me wrong."
"prove what I say is wrong"
See Job 2:11. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Bildad. His words are much stronger than when he previously spoke. Bildad describes the holiness of Yahweh and the universal nature of man's sinfulness. While his points are accurate, they are not convincing for Job because he has been righteous.
"God rules over all and people should fear only him"
"he makes peace in the high heaven"
"His armies are so big that no one can count them."
"God makes his light shine over everyone."
"A man can never be righteous before God.". It is impossible for a man to be good enough before God.
"He who is born of a woman cannot be clean or acceptable to him."
"any person"
"Indeed"
"the moon is not bright enough for God"
"he does not think even the stars are perfect"
These two lines emphasize that any person is not perfect.
"who is as worthless as a worm"
The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job's response to Bildad and begins a section continuing through chapter 31. While Bildad describes Yahweh's power as being so much greater than Job's, Job understands the true extent of Yahweh's power. It is not just over Job's life, but over all of creation.
"I am powerless and have no strength, but you act like you have helped me; but really, you have not helped me at all"
"You act like I have no wisdom and that you have advised me, that you have given me good advice". Job is saying that Bildad has not provided him with good advice and knowledge.
"given him good advice"
"You must have had help speaking these words. Perhaps some spirit helped you speak them!". Job continues to mock Bildad.
"Those who are dead"
"tremble in fear of God"
This refers to the dead people who tremble.
This refers to the dead people who dwell in the waters.
"It is like sheol is naked before God, for nothing in sheol, the place of destruction, is hidden from God"
"the place of destruction". This is another name for sheol.
The northern skies represent heaven, where God dwells with the beings he created to dwell there.
"He wraps up the water in his thick clouds"
"but the weight of the waters does not tear the clouds"
"by spreading his clouds in front of it"
The horizon is where the earth appears to meet the sky, as if God has marked a boundary on the ocean.
"The pillars that hold up the sky shake like people who are afraid when God rebukes them". People thought of heaven or the sky as resting on pillars. Job speaks as though the pillars are humans that shake in fear when God is angry.
"he destroyed Rahab". The name of a frightening monster that lived in the sea. See Job 9:13.
"God blew away the clouds so that the skies were clear"
"With his sword he pierced the fleeing serpent"
"the serpent as it was trying to escape from him." This refers to Rahab, the monster in the sea.
"See, these things that God has done show only a small part of his great power"
"it is as if we heard only his quiet whisper!". This expresses Job's amazement of all the great things that God does that we do not even know about. Seeing what God does is spoken of as hearing God's voice.
"The thunder displays the greatness of his power which no one can understand!"
"continued speaking." If your language has a word for a series of proverbs or short teachings, you might want to use it here. This chapter is a continuation of Job's response to Bildad and despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. Instead, he recognizes Yahweh's authority.
"I swear by God". This is a way of making a solemn promise.
"has refused to treat me justly"
"has made me feel angry because of the unfair way he has treated me".
"as long as my life is yet in me" or "as long as I am still alive"
"God enables me to breathe". "Breath ... in my nostrils" represents being able to breathe.
"I will not speak wickedness or deceit"
"speak wickedly ... speak deceitfully"
"I will never agree with you and say that you three are right". The word "you" refers to Job's friends.
"I will never say that I am not innocent" or "I will always say that I am innocent"
"I am determined to continue saying that I am righteous"
"will not stop saying that I am righteous" or "will not stop saying so"
"even in my thoughts, I will not accuse myself"
The two clauses emphasize Job's strong desire that this should happen.
"Let God punish my enemy as he punishes wicked people"
"let him who rises up against me be punished like an unrighteous man"
"him who opposes me" or "my adversary"
"There is no hope for the godless when God ... takes away his soul."
"when God cuts him off and takes away his life" or "when God causes him to die"
"kills him" or "causes him to die"
"kills him" or "makes him stop living"
"God will not hear his cry when trouble comes upon him."
"Will God respond to his cry"
"He will not be happy about what the Almighty does and he will not pray to God often."
Each occurrence of "you" is plural and refers to Job's three friends.
"the power of God"
"I will not hide from you what the Almighty thinks"
"you should not have spoken so foolishly!". Job rebukes his friends for saying such foolish things.
"This is what God has planned for the wicked man"
"what the Almighty will do to the oppressor". This refers to an inheritance that God will give him.
"they will die in battle"
"Those who continue to live after their wicked father dies". This refers to the wicked man's children.
"will die by plague"
"Those who survive him". The children of the wicked man.
"gathers silver as easily as he could gather dust"
"gathers clothing as easily as he could gather clay"
"He builds his house as a spider builds its web"
"He builds his house as fragile as a spider's web"
"like a temporary hut"
"He is wealthy when he lies down in bed." This refers to his lying down at night and sleeping.
"but he will not continue to be wealthy when he lies down in bed"
"he wakes up"
"all of his riches are gone"
"Terrifying things suddenly happen to him" or "He suddenly becomes terrified"
"like a flood" or "like waters that rise up suddenly"
"a violent wind blows him away"
"the wind easily blows him out of his home"
In verses 22-23 Job speaks of the wind as if it were a person attacking the wicked person.
"It blows strong against him like someone attacking him"
"he tries to flee out of its control"
"It makes loud noises like someone clapping his hands to mock him"
"it blows him out of his home and makes a hissing noise like someone who hisses at him to mock him"
Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. Instead, he recognizes Yahweh's wisdom and authority. This chapter especially focuses on Yahweh's wisdom as he controls the circumstances of Job's life. Men cannot understand because they do not have Yahweh's wisdom.
This is a place where people dig rocks out of the earth. These rocks have metal in them.
This is the process of heating a metal to remove all of the impurities that are in it.
"People take iron out of the earth"
"people heat stone to melt copper out of it"
an important red-brown colored metal
"A man carries light into dark places"
"to the farthest parts of the mine"
a deep narrow hole dug into the ground or rock. People go down into the hole to mine it.
"places where people no longer walk" or "where no one ever walks"
"Far away from people, he hangs from a rope in the shaft"
"the earth, where food grows"
"it is broken up below by the fires that the miners make"
The word "it" refers to the earth.
a rare and valuable blue gemstone
"No bird of prey or falcon knows or has ever seen the path that goes to the mine"
a bird that eats other animals
"hawk." Birds that hunt and eat other animals. You may translate this with a similar bird from your culture.
These clauses also express similar meaning.
This refers to very strong, wild animals.
"digs into the hard rock"
"he turns the mountains upside down by pulling out their roots"
"he sees"
"He blocks the streams so they do not flow"
Things that people normally do not see because they are in the ground or underwater.
In 28:12-28, wisdom and understanding are spoken of as if they were precious objects that are in some place and people want to find them. Finding wisdom and understanding represents becoming wise and learning to understand things well.
"It is very difficult to find wisdom and understanding." or "How do people become wise? How do people learn to understand things well"
"People do not know what it is worth" or "People do not know where it is"
"and it is not found in the land of the living." or "and no one can find wisdom in this world"
"Wisdom is not in the deep waters under the earth, nor is it in the sea"
"People cannot pay for wisdom with gold"
"and people cannot weigh out enough silver to pay for wisdom"
This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than the gold of Ophir, precious onyx and sapphire.
This is the name of a land where there was fine gold.
a valuable black gemstone
a valuable blue gemstone
This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than gold and crystal.
a valuable gemstone that is clear or lightly colored
"and it cannot be exchanged for jewels of fine gold." This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than jewels of fine gold.
"traded"
"Coral and jasper are worthless compared to wisdom"
This is a beautiful, hard substance that grows on ocean reefs.
These are valuable gemstones.
This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than the finest topaz.
A valuable gemstone.
"and wisdom cannot be valued in terms of pure gold."
"I will tell you how to become wise and how to learn to understand things."
Wisdom is spoken of as if it were in a place and comes to people and represents people becoming wise.
Understanding is spoken of as if it were in a place.
"No living thing can see wisdom"
"even the birds that fly in the skies cannot see wisdom"
Here "Destruction" and "Death" are spoken of as if they are living things who can speak.
"God knows how to find wisdom. He knows where it is"
"the farthest places on the earth"
"decided how much water should be in each place"
"he decided how the thunder can be heard" or "he decided the path of the thunderstorm"
"Listen, if you fear the Lord, you will be wise"
"if you refuse to do evil, then you will understand many things"
The ULB sets the lines farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. Job recalls the days before Yahweh's blessings were taken from him. This chapter is a continuation of Job's statement, but now it is directly addressed to Yahweh. This is only one part of Job's argument that continues for the next 3 chapters.
"I wish that I were as I was in past months"
"when God's blessing was like a lamp shining its light on my head"
Walking through darkness represents experiencing difficult situations.
"when I was young and strong"
"when God was my friend and protected my home"
"when my cows provided an abundance of cream"
"when my servants pressed out a great amount of olive oil" or "when oil flowed like streams from the pressing rock"
This is an open area in a village or city where two or more streets meet.
"rose and stood respectfully for me"
They did this to show that they would not speak. This was a sign of their respect for Job.
"The noblemen hushed their voices" or "The noblemen stopped speaking"
"they felt that they were unable to speak". This shows they had so much respect for Job that they had nothing to say.
"after they heard what I told them ... after they saw me"
"they would witness approvingly of me"
"I used to rescue poor people who cried out"
"He who was about to perish would bless me"
"those who were about to die"
"I caused widows to sing joyfully"
"I did what was righteous, and it was like clothing that I put on". People often spoke of righteousness this way.
"I did what was just, and it was like a robe and a turban on me"
a long cloth that men wrap around their heads and wear as a hat
"I was like eyes for blind people" or "I guided blind people"
"I was like feet for lame people"
"I provided for needy people as a father provides for his children"
In verses 18-20 Job tells about things he used to say before bad things happened to him.
"I made unrighteous people stop persecuting people, like someone who breaks the jaw of a wild animal and rescues its victim from between its teeth"
"I will die at home with my family" or "I will die in the safety of my home". Job used to speak as if he were a bird that lived in a nest with his baby birds.
"I will live a very long time" or "I will live many years".
Job used to speak of his strength as if he were strong like a well-watered tree.
"People constantly give me honor"
"I am always strong like a new bow". A new bow is very strong.
"my speech refreshed their hearts as drops of water refresh people's bodies"
People waited for Job patiently and expected to hear good things.
"they eagerly waited for me to speak in order to benefit from what I said"
"as farmers wait eagerly for the latter rain". This refers to the large amount of rain that falls just before the dry season.
"I smiled on them to encourage them"
This represents the kindness they saw in Job's face.
This represents deciding what they should do.
"led them as their chief". Chiefs sat down when they made important decisions.
"led them because I was their chief"
Job speaks of how he led the people and how they obeyed him.
"I comforted them when they mourned"
"whose fathers I despised and would not have allowed to work beside the dogs of my flock"
"the dogs that guarded my flock"
"The strength of their fathers' hands could not have helped me ... perished.". Job uses this question to mock the weakness of those men. In this chapter, Job laments his current condition as others insult him.
"men who had become old and had no strength"
The word "They" refers to the fathers of the young mockers.
"They were very thin because they were poor and starving"
"they chewed on the dry roots they found in the ground"
Job continues to talk about the fathers of the mockers.
These are plants that people would eat only if they could find nothing better.
The people ate the roots of the broom tree.
"The people shouted after them as ... a thief and forced them to leave"
"shouted at them as though they were thieves"
"cried out like wild donkeys because they were hungry"
"Nettles" are bushes with sharp thorns. This implies that they did not have a home.
"They were like fools"
"indeed, they were nameless people" or "indeed, they were worthless"
"worthless people"
"People treated them like criminals and forced them to leave the land" or "People whipped them and forced them to leave the land"
This refers to the land where they lived before they were forced to go out to the wilderness.
Job speaks again about the people who were mocking him.
"But now they sing songs about me to taunt me"
"They joke and say cruel things about me"
"they even spit in my face"
"God has taken away my power to defend myself". A bow that is unstrung is not useful.
"those who mock me"
"do not refrain from being cruel to me" or "do whatever cruel things they want to do to me"
Job speaks about the mockers treating him cruelly as if they were a mob or an army attacking him.
"Gangs of young people attack my strength" or "Mobs attack my honor"
"they force me to run away"
"prepare to attack me like an army that prepares to attack a city". Armies would pile up mounds of dirt along a city's wall in order to climb over the wall.
"They prevent me from escaping from them"
"they try to make disaster happen to me" or "they try to destroy me"
"men who have no one to stop them from attacking me"
This represents attacking Job forcefully.
This represents many coming to attack him at once, like giant ocean waves rolling in on him.
Job has become terrified or things are happening to Job that make him afraid.
"I am now a person that people do not honor"
"I no longer prosper at all" or "I am no longer safe"
"Now I am dying"
"I suffer many days, and the suffering does not end"
"my bones ache terribly" or "I have sharp pain in my bones"
"the pains that cause me to suffer do not stop" or "I am in constant pain"
"God has seized my clothing by his great force" or "My pain feels like God has grabbed my clothing tightly"
"he wraps the collar of my tunic tightly around me" or "It is as though he grabs me by the collar of my tunic"
"He has humiliated me, like a person thrown in the mud"
"I have become as worthless as dust and ashes"
This word means unkind.
"you persecute me with your power"
These expressions represent the extreme suffering that God made Job endure.
"cause the wind to push me along"
"you will cause me to die"
"the world of the dead, to which everything that has ever lived goes". Job speaks of the world of the dead as if it were a house to which God has appointed all living things to go.
That is, all things now alive, but that will die one day.
"I have fallen, and so God should not think I am doing wrong when I beg for his help. I am in trouble, so of course I call out for help!"
"Surely no one would reach out with his hand against someone who falls and calls out for help.". Some versions interpret these questions as Job complaining that God has reached out with his hand to harm him when Job was in trouble and crying out for help.
"You know that I wept ... hard, and I grieved ... man!". Job uses these questions to remind God of how Job had done good to others.
"him whose life is difficult"
Looking for good represents hoping for good things, and evil coming represents evil things happening.
"I waited for the light of God's blessing, but instead I experienced the darkness of suffering"
"I am troubled in my heart and the feeling does not end"
"I experience affliction many days" or "I suffer every day"
"I have lived" or "I live"
"like one who is terribly sad"
"I am like jackals and ostriches that cry out in the wilderness"
Here "bones" refers to the whole body, which suffers from fever.
"I play only songs of mourning on my harp"
"I play only songs of wailing on my flute"
To wail is to cry very loudly because of terrible sadness or pain.
This chapter is a continuation of Job's statement and it is directly addressed to Yahweh. Job presents his case to Yahweh that he is upright and not guilty of the sins he is being accused of.
"I have made a firm promise about what I will look at" or "I made a promise that I will not look lustfully on a virgin"
"So I certainly will not look with lust at a virgin."
"For how will God above respond to me? What will the Almighty on high do?"
"For if I look lustfully on a woman, God Almighty on high will not bless me." or "For if I look lustfully on a woman, God Almighty on high will certainly punish me."
"Certainly God watches me and knows everything that I do."
Job may be implying that God should know that Job is righteous and does not deserve calamity and disaster.
In 31:5-40 Job describes different situations in which he would deserve God's punishment. But, Job is confident that they are not true and he is innocent.
"have done anything false or purposely deceived anyone"
"let me be judged honestly" or "let God judge me honestly". People used balances to weigh items and to determine their value. This image represents judging honestly.
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but Job is confident that they are not true.
"If I have stopped doing what is right"
"if I have wanted to do any sinful things that I see". It is implied that this refers to sinful things that Job sees.
"if I am guilty of any sin at all"
Job is saying that if he really has sinned, then this bad thing should happen to him. He would do the hard work of sowing his fields, but he would not be able to eat any of it.
"let someone else come and take the harvest from my field"
"If another man's wife has enticed me" or "If I have desired another man's wife"
"if I have waited at my neighbor's door so I could sleep with his wife"
This could mean Job is saying may his wife sleep with another man or she will become a slave working for another man.
The word "that" refers to Job sleeping with another woman.
"it would be a crime for which judges should punish me"
"For adultery is like a fire that burns up everything from here to Abaddon and that would burn up all my harvest"
"destroys everything so I have nothing good for the rest of my life,". You should probably translate this literally.
"those who punish me would take away everything I have worked for"
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but is confident that they are not true.
"my male or female servant" or "any of my servants."
"then there would be absolutely nothing I could say to defend myself when God comes to judge me."
"The one who made me in the womb also made them. He formed us all in the womb.". Job emphasizes that he is no different from his servants. He implies that God would be angry if Job were to treat his servants as less valuable than himself.
Job does not finish his sentence in verses 16 and 17. Instead he explains in verse 18 why they are not true.
"If I have kept poor people from getting what they desire"
"if I have caused a widow to cry in great sadness"
"my food"
"because even when I was young I took care of orphans like a father"
"But I have done none of those things, because from my youth"
"all my life I have guided the orphan's mother, a widow" or "all my life I have guided widows"
"if he has not blessed me". The phrase "his heart" represents the poor man who needs clothing.
"because I have not given him clothing made from the wool of my sheep"
"if I have threatened to harm the orphan"
"orphans" or "fatherless people"
"I knew that the leaders at the city gate would approve of me". This is where the important men of the city would gather to make decisions.
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement in this long sentence.
"then let someone tear off my shoulder from the shoulder blade and break my arm from its joint"
This is the reason that Job did not do any of the wicked things he spoke of in verses 7 through 21.
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true.
"If I trusted in gold" or "If I hoped that having a lot of gold would make me secure"
This line means the same as the previous line.
"I have gained many possessions by my own ability"
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement.
"the moon moving across the sky"
"if I have been secretly attracted to them" or "if I have secretly desired to worship them"
"so that I have kissed my hand"
"for which judges would be right to punish me"
"I would have been unfaithful to the God who is above"
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is confident that they are not true.
"when anyone who hated me was destroyed" or "when bad things happened to anyone who hated me"
"when he experienced disasters"
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement.
"Truly I did not let myself sin" or "Truly, I did not sin"
"by cursing him so that he would die"
"the men of my household" or "my family members and servants"
"Everyone we know of has eaten as much of Job's food as he wanted!"
"foreigners have never had to sleep in the city square" or "foreigners have never had to sleep outside". Job is explaining how he truly treated foreigners. Here "stay in the city square" represents sleeping overnight in the city square.
"I have always welcomed the traveler into my home"
This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added to help preserve the meaning of Job's statement.
"If ... I have tried to keep my sins a secret"
"like one who hides the evidence of his guilt inside his tunic". This represents trying to keep people from knowing that he is guilty.
The reason for hiding his sins. A person may hide his sin because he fears what other people may think about him.
The dash at the end of the line is used to show that Job did not finish this sentence.
"I wish I had someone to hear me" or "I wish that someone would listen to me"
"I solemnly promise that all I have said is true"
"let the Almighty tell me what I have done wrong". An answer probably refers to telling Job what wrong he accuses Job of doing.
"If only I could read my opponent's complaint against me"
These words could refer to God or someone else.
This represents putting it where everyone could read it.
"I would declare to him an accounting for all I have done" or "I would tell him everything I have done"
"I would approach him boldly". Job would approach God without any fear because he was not guilty.
This concludes Job's description of situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he is convinced that they they are not true.
"If I have done wrong concerning my land" or "If I have stolen my land from someone"
"to die"
"let weeds grow instead of barley"
Job's friends give up on trying to convince him that he is being punished for sinning. This chapter introduces Elihu who was a witness to these interactions between Job and his friends. According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is the first of Elihu's four statements.
"he considered himself righteous"
This compares Elihu's anger to someone starting a fire. Also, this can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job"
These are names of men.
This is the name of a people-group.
This means that he considered himself innocent and believed God had been wrong to punish him. Alternate translation: "he justified himself and claimed that God had been wrong to punish him"
"Elihu also became very angry with his three friends". This compares Elihu's anger to someone starting a fire.
This word marks a pause in the story. This tells background information about Elihu.
"that these three men had no more answers to give Job". This speaks of the men possibly having an answer as if the answer were an object that would be in their mouths.
"he became very angry"
Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers, or songs. The ULB and many other English translations set the lines of 32:6-22, which is an extended quotation, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. This quotation continues through the next chapter.
Here "you" is plural and refers to Job and his three friends.
"He who has lived many years should speak; He would is older should teach wisdom". Elihu emphasizes that since older people are wiser than younger people, they should be the first to speak of what they know.
"there is a spirit in a man, that is, the breath of the Almighty that". Elihu emphases that a man's wisdom comes from God.
"the spirit of the Almighty"
"Listen"
"I waited to hear what you would say." The word "your" refers to Job's friends and is plural.
"trying to think of the right thing to say"
The word "respond" means to answer with a helpful response.
"We have discovered what is wise"
"to refute Job" or "to answer Job"
"by saying what you have said"
Elihu continues speaking.
discouraged or distressed
"But because you do not speak, I certainly will not wait any longer; you merely stand there and do not reply anymore." Elihu answers this question himself in the next verse.
"I will now take my turn to answer"
"I have so much to say"
"my spirit forces me to say it"
"I feel like my breast is about to burst, like a container of fermenting wine that has no vent". While wine is fermenting, gas collects in the container. If the gas is not let out the container will burst. Elihu means that he has so much to say that if he does not speak he feels like he will burst.
"my spirit is" or "I am"
"I may feel better"
"open my mouth"
"favoritism; neither will I flatter anyone" or "favoritism, nor will I flatter any of you". Elihu is probably speaking of giving honorific titles to someone as a way of flattering him, and is probably speaking indirectly about Job and his friends by speaking of "a man" in general.
"God who made me"
"destroy me"
According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is a continuation of the first of Elihu's four statements. While Job has been complaining about the lack of justice and response from Yahweh, Elihu shows Job that Yahweh has shown him great mercy because he is still alive.
Elihu is emphasizing that Job must listen carefully.
"Please listen carefully: I". See Job 13:18.
"I have opened my mouth and I have begun to speak"
"I will speak with complete honesty"
"I will speak sincerely to you the things I know"
Elihu is emphasizing that God has made him and so gives authority to what he is saying.
"prepare what you will say, and stand up and answer me"
"Listen"
"I am just as you are in God's judgment"
"God has made both of us just as a potter forms things from clay".
"God has also made me" or "God has formed both of us"
"you do not need to be afraid of me"
"neither will I burden you"
"where I could hear you"
"I have heard you say"
A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
"I have not sinned"
Elihu continues quoting what he heard Job say.
"I feel he has made me a prisoner". "Stocks" are wooden blocks a jailer puts around a prisoner's feet to restrict his movement.
"everything that I do"
Elihu is speaking to Job, so the word "you" is singular.
"You should not struggle against God." or "You should not try to argue with God."
"He does not have to explain to us anything he does"
"God speaks again and again in different ways"
These phrases have the same meaning.
"when people are fully asleep on their bed"
"then God reveals things to people"
"to keep man from"
If your language has a word for human beings, male and female, you may want to use it here.
"what he desires to do" or "what he is doing." The context implies that the deed will be evil.
This is a male person as opposed to a female, a strong person as opposed to a weak person.
"God saves people from the grave and from death"
"the place where dead people are"
"man from dying and ... he keeps him"
"from going to sheol"
"God also punishes a person"
"with pain so that he must lie in bed"
"constant pain in his body"
"the result is that he does not desire any food, not even very special food"
"Disease makes his body weak and thin so that a person can see his bones"
"he is close to going into the grave"
"and he is close to going to the place where dead people go"
Elihu continues speaking about any person in general.
"one from the great number of angels"
“to be gracious to the man and to say to God”
"for I have found a way for you to keep him from dying". The angel has found a way to pay for the sins of the man so that he does not have to die.
This word refers to what will happen if God grants the angel's request by saving the man.
"the sick man's body will become new again like a young person's body"
"it will become strong again, as it was when he was young"
"he joyfully worships God"
"God"
"will once again consider the person righteous" or "God will make things right for the person again"
"but God did not punish me for sinning"
"rescued me from dying and going to the pit"
"I will continue to live and see the daylight"
"Listen"
"again and again"
"him"
"to keep him from dying and going to the pit"
"he may be happy to still be alive"
"Listen carefully to me, Job"
"show that you are innocent"
Elihu defends the justice of Yahweh after Job claimed that Yahweh was being unjust. This is the second of Elihu's four statements and it is addressed first to Job's friends and then to Job. Elihu uses many of Job's statements against him. His attitude is not too different from Job's friends. The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem.
"Then, Elihu". See how you translated this man's name in Job 32:2.
"Listen to what I say"
Elihu is criticizing Job and his friends. He does not think they are actually wise.
"For we listen to words to know what is good and bad, just as we taste foods to know what is good to eat"
Here "us" refers to Elihu, Job, and his three friends.
"refused to give me justice"
"God considers me to be a liar"
"I am sick and no one can heal me"
"There is no one else like Job"
"who mocks other people as frequently as he drinks water"
"who behaves like wicked men"
Elihu is criticizing Job and his friends. He does not actually think they are wise.
"Almighty God would never consider doing anything that is wicked or wrong"
"For he gives to a person what he deserves in return for he does"
"he causes every man to receive the reward he deserves for how he lives"
"No one needed to give permission to God to take responsibility over all the earth. He is the rightful one to rule the world."
The word "he" refers to God. Elihu is describing a situation that he does not believe would ever happen.
"his spirit and breath which give us life"
"all living things"
"the bodies of mankind would soon become soil again". This means that all people would die and their bodies would decay and become soil. In the beginning God created man from the dust.
Elihu uses this word to bring attention to something important he is about to say. Here "you" refers to Job.
"listen to what I say."
"One who hates justice cannot be expected to rule over people. So you really cannot criticize God, who is righteous and powerful, and you cannot say that what he has done is wrong."
"God could certainly never hate what is right and still rule the world."
"You cannot condemn God, who is righteous and mighty!"
"He says to some kings, 'You are worthless,' and he says to some nobles, 'You are wicked.'". This continues the question from the previous verse, emphasizing to Job that he cannot condemn God.
"Will you condemn God, who says to a king". This is part of the previous question.
"for God made them all"
"at night" or "suddenly, at night". Midnight is the time when one day ends and another begins.
"God strikes them and they die"
"it is God and not humans who cause mighty people to die"
"not by humans" or "not by people"
"For God watches everything a person does"
"he sees him wherever he goes"
The words "deep shadow" mean basically the same thing as, and intensify, the word "darkness."
"so he may judge him" or "to be judged"
"He destroys mighty men" or "He destroys important people"
"without needing to do further investigation, because he already knows their ways"
"the things they have done"
"and he chooses other people to rule in their places"
"when they are not expecting it"
"they are destroyed"
"He kills them for their wicked deeds, in the open sight of others as if they were criminals"
"In a place where everyone can see"
"he causes them to die". This speaks of God causing these people to die, though he does not actually strike them with a sword himself. He may cause someone else to kill them or disaster to come upon them.
This refers to God's instructions for how people should behave.
"they made the poor people cry, and God heard them"
These two questions speak of God not punishing wicked people as if he were being silent and hiding his face.
"No one can criticize God if he decides to remain silent"
"No one can go and see him if he decides to hide his face"
"himself"
"no one to harm the people"
"teach me what I have done wrong that I am not aware of"
"God does not need to punish that person according to your desires."
"you reject God" or "you do not want God to punish you."
"what you are thinking about this"
"who hears me speaking"
"If only we could put Job on trial in"
"to hear all of the details of his case"
"of how he has spoken like a wicked man"
"he adds rebellion against God"
"he claps his hands as he mocks God in our midst" or "he mocks God right in front of us". In this accusation, this means that Job clapped his hands to strengthen his mockery of God.
"he speaks many words against God"
This is the third of Elihu's four statements and is addressed to Job's friends and then to Job. According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. Elihu explains the irony of Job's claim. He claimed to be righteous and desired Yahweh to intervene. In this chapter, Elihu explains to Job that his claims of righteousness are prideful. This makes him unrighteous.
"You must think you are right ... 'I am in the right before God.'". Here "you" is singular and refers to Job.
"I am more righteous than God"
"For you say, 'It does not benefit me' and, 'I am no better off than if I had sinned.'"
"If you have sinned, you have not done any harm to God."
"If you committed a great many transgressions, you still do nothing to him."
"If you are righteous, that does not enable you to give anything to him, and there is nothing that he will receive from your hand."
"receive from you". Here the word "hand" represents Job.
"another person"
"Because of the many things that people do to oppress others"
"they call for someone to deliver them from the power of mighty men"
Elihu speaks of God enabling people to have hope as if he were giving songs which they can sing during the night.
"the oppressed people cry out"
"So he certainly will not answer you ... that you are waiting for him!"
"you have presented your case to him"
"you are waiting for him to respond"
Because Job is saying things about God that are untrue, it is even less likely that God will answer Job's prayers.
"he never punishes anyone because he is angry"
"he speaks many words without knowing what he is talking about"
This chapter focuses on the justice of Yahweh. It is important to remember that justice won't always come in this life. This is the last of Elihu's four statements and is addressed to Job's friends and then to Job. The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page because it is a poem.
"Allow me to speak"
"I will explain some things to you"
"I will show you my great knowledge"
"that my Maker is righteous"
"what I say will not be false"
"I, who am with you, am very knowledgeable"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"he understands everything completely"
"He does not stop protecting the righteous people"
Elihu speaks of God honoring the righteous people as if God were causing them to sit on thrones with kings.
"he honors them"
"If someone makes them a prisoner"
"someone causes them to suffer"
"he reveals to them their transgressions and their pride"
"He also causes them to listen"
"to what he is instructing them"
"to stop committing iniquity"
"they will spend their lives in prosperity and contentment"
"they will die a violent death"
"who refuse to trust in God"
"are always angry"
"even when God punishes them"
Here "cultic prostitutes" refers to young men who served in pagan temples performing sexually immoral acts as part of their rituals. Possible meanings are: the godless die because of their immoral behavior or the godless die in shame and disgrace.
"he causes them to listen"
Elihu speaks of living without trouble as if it were being in a wide-open space where there were no hardships.
Elihu speaks of living prosperously as if it were having one's table filled with the very best foods.
"your servants would set your table"
"God is punishing you as he would punish the wicked" or "you are obsessed with the judgment that the wicked deserve."
"God has brought you to judgment and given you justice"
"Beware that you are not enticed by wealth."
"Your wealth cannot cause you to no longer be in distress, and all the force of your strength cannot help you."
"all of your great strength" or "all of your mighty efforts"
"when people drag others away from their homes" or "when nations will perish"
"God is testing you by making you suffer"
"You know this already: God"
"God is extremely powerful" or "people exalt God because he is powerful"
"no one is a teacher like him." or "no one teaches like he does."
"No one has ever instructed him about what he should do."
"No one can ever say to him, 'You have committed unrighteousness.'"
"they do not fully understand them"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"people cannot know how long he has lived" or "people cannot know his age"
"that he turns into rain". Elihu describes how God turns the vapor that he draws up into rain.
"no one can understand the extensive spread of the clouds and the thunder from his hut."
"how the clouds spread across the sky"
"from the sky, where God lives"
"Look carefully and see how he spreads"
"but the depths of the sea remain dark" or "and lights up the depths of the sea"
Possible meanings are: that God holds the lightning bolts in his hands in order to throw them, or that God hides the lightning bolts in his hands until he is ready to use them.
"The thunder"
"hear that the storm is coming"
This chapter focuses on the justice of Yahweh, which might not always come in this life. This is a continuation of the previous chapter and the last of Elihu's four statements, and is addressed to Job's friends and then to Job. According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties.
These two phrases emphasize the intensity of his fear.
The word "this" refers to the storm in Job 36:33.
"it moves out of its place" or "it beats violently"
Elihu speaks of the thunder as if it is God's voice.
"everywhere in the world"
"a voice roars after the lightning...his majestic voice"
"when people hear his voice"
"and in the same way he says to the rain shower"
"Be a strong shower of rain"
"He stops every man"
Elihu speaks as if the storm has a place where it resides until it comes. In Israel, strong wind storms blow in from the south and cold weather approaches from the north.
"God's breath makes ice"
"frozen, as hard as metal"
"he causes the thick clouds to be full of moisture"
"the land on which people live" or "the land on which it is possible to live."
"sometimes it happens to correct his people"
"sometimes to water the land"
"sometimes to act faithfully to his covenant" or "sometimes to be faithful to his people"
"You cannot understand how God establishes the clouds and makes the lightning bolts to flash in them."
"controls the clouds"
"You do not understand the floating of the clouds, the marvelous deeds of God, who is perfect in knowledge."
"how the clouds float"
"or do you understand the marvelous deeds of God"
"You do not understand how your garments become hot ... from the south."
"how you sweat in your clothes"
"because of the hot, dry wind blowing in from the south"
"You cannot spread out the sky ... a mirror of cast metal."
In biblical days, mirrors were made of metal. Elihu speaks of the sky giving no rain as if it were as hard as solid metal that is melted, poured into a mold, and then hardens as it cools.
Here the words "us" and "we" refer to Elihu, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, but not to Job. Elihu uses this phrase sarcastically.
"because we do not understand"
"I cannot have someone tell him that I wish to speak with him."
"No person would want God to destroy him"
"God's majesty causes people to fear"
"we cannot approach him" or "we cannot comprehend him"
"those who are wise in their own thinking" or "those who consider themselves to be wise"
Yahweh finally speaks in this chapter and defends his character. Yahweh is far greater than any man. He is the creator of the earth, and his ways will not always be understood by men because their knowledge is always limited. The ULB sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem.
"After all that had happened, Yahweh called". This marks the beginning of a new part of the book. See if your language has a way to introduce a new scene.
"answered Job" or "responded to Job"
"from a powerful storm"
"You bring darkness to my plans by means of words without knowledge.". Yahweh emphasizes that Job spoke of things he did not know about.
"Who are you to bring"
"obscures my plans" or "confuses my purposes" or "makes plans hard to see"
"by speaking of things about which you do not know"
"unknowing words" or "ignorant words"
"tie your robe up around your waist like a man" or "get yourself ready for hard work". Men tied up their robes around their waists so that their legs could move more freely as they did heavy work. Job was to prepare for the hard work of answering God.
Yahweh begins to challenge Job with a series of questions that emphasize he created the earth and Job did not.
"Tell me where you were when I laid the foundations of the earth, if you have so much understanding". Yahweh describes creating the earth as though he was building a structure.
"if you understand so much"
"Tell me who determined its size, if you know"
"Tell me who stretched the measuring line over it.". A rope or cord that people use to make something the right size and shape.
The word "its" refers to the earth. Yahweh uses more questions to emphasize that Job could never understand how great God is. Yahweh continues to challenge Job.
"On what did I set its foundations?" or "Tell me on what its foundations were laid."
"Tell me who laid its cornerstone"
"Tell me who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars ... the sons of God shouted for joy.". Yahweh finishes the question that begins with the words "Who laid its cornerstone" in verse 6.
"sons of God" or "the morning stars" refer to stars in the sky.
"the bright stars that shine in the morning"
This refers to angels, heavenly beings. See how you translated this in Job 1:6.
"shouted because they were full of joy"
"Tell me who shut up the sea ... of the womb"
"prevented the water from flooding over the land"
Yahweh compares his creation of the sea to childbirth.
This is the end of the question that begins with the words "Who shut up" in verse 8.
"Tell me who shut up ... when I made clouds ... and thick darkness its swaddling bands."
"as clothes for the sea"
"made dark clouds its swaddling bands"
long pieces of cloth that people use to wrap a baby in after it is born
"I made a boundary for the sea"
Yahweh set a limit beyond which the sea was not allowed to cross.
"I set up its barriers". Yahweh compares making a boundary for the sea to containing it with bars and doors.
long pieces of wood or metal that are used to keep a door shut
"when I said to the sea." Yahweh speaks to the sea as though it were a person.
"You may come as far as this boundary, but no farther"
"to the power of your waves" or "to your proud waves" or "to your powerful waves"
Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he created the light of day and Job did not.
"You have never ... shaken the wicked out of it.". This question expects a negative answer.
Yahweh describes the morning as being able to receive orders and know things like a person.
"caused the dawn to know where it belongs". The daylight that appears in the morning sky before the sun rises.
"You have never given ... so that it might take hold ... shaken the wicked out of it.". This is the end of the question that begins with the words "Have you given" in verse 12 and it expects a negative answer.
"grasp the ends of the earth"
"shake wicked people out of the earth". The daylight is pictured as causing wicked people to leave like shaking something to remove unwanted things.
At nighttime, people cannot see clearly, but in the morning the light reveals the distinct shape of everything, just like a seal creates distinct images in clay.
Here "it" refers to the earth.
"The morning takes away the 'light' of wicked people"
The wicked consider darkness to be their light, because they do their evil deeds in the darkness and they are familiar with the darkness.
The raised arm of the wicked represents their power and intention to do evil things, but they stop when the morning light comes.
Yahweh uses five questions to emphasize that he understands the earth and seas but Job does not.
"You have not gone to the sources of the sea."
"You have not walked in the lowest parts of the deep."
"the deep sea" or "the ocean depths" or "the deep water"
"Has anyone shown the gates of death to you"
See how you translated this in Job 3:5.
"You do not understand the earth in its expanse."
"the great broad places of the earth"
"if you know all about these things"
Yahweh uses three questions to emphasize that he understands light and darkness but Job does not. Each of these verses have two parallel phrases.
"You do not know the way to the resting place of light or the place of darkness."
"the dwelling of daylight." Light is spoken of as having a resting place from which it comes forth each day.
"You cannot lead light and darkness to their places of work, or find the way back to their houses for them.". These questions expect a negative answer.
"to their territory." Light and darkness are spoken of as being led out and back in each day to accomplish Yahweh's purposes.
"It is obvious that you do not know, because you were not born when I created them, and you are not very old". Yahweh uses mocking irony to emphasize that Job does not understand light and darkness.
"for you were already born when I created them". The word "then" refers to the time when light was created and separated from darkness.
"you have lived so many years"
Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he rules over the natural world and Job does not.
Snow and hail are pictured as being stored by Yahweh to do his will.
balls of ice (usually small) that sometimes fall down from the sky during a storm
"You have never entered the storehouses for the snow, and you have never seen the storehouses for the hail, these things that I have kept ... and war.". The question that began with the words "Have you entered" in verse 22 ends here.
The words "these things" refer to the snow and the hail.
"What is the path to where I distribute the lightning bolts or to where I scatter the winds from the east over the earth?"
"the winds are blown"
Yahweh questions Job to emphasize that he causes it to rain and thunder but Job does not.
"Only I have created the channels for the floods of rain"
"and only I have made a path for the thunder"
"the torrents of rain"
"a way for the rumble of thunder to be heard."
These two phrases have nearly the same meaning.
"where there are no people"
"I am the one who has created ... of rain, and I am the one who has made ... to satisfy ... sprout with grass.". The question that began with the words "Who has created" in verse 25 ends here.
"so that the rain can satisfy the needs of"
"ruined and wasted." These two words emphasize the ruined and empty nature of these regions.
"the new grass" or "the fresh grass."
"make the ground support new grass"
Yahweh begins a series of four questions to emphasize to Job that he makes rain, dew, ice, and frost but Job does not. Rain, dew, ice, and frost are spoken of as though they could be born like people are.
"Tell me who the rain's father is, and tell me who has become the father of the drops of dew."
"causes the drops of dew to exist"
"Tell me whose womb the ice came out of. Tell me who bore the white frost out of the sky."
"frozen water"
"gave birth to"
dew that freezes on the ground on cold, clear nights
The waters are spoken of as being able to hide. During the winter the ice hides the water underneath it.
"become hard like stone"
"the deep sea" or "the ocean depths" or "the deep water"
"You cannot fasten chains on the Pleiades, and you cannot undo the cords of Orion."
"bind chains onto" or "tie the bonds of"
These are the names of constellations. See how you translated them in Job 9:9.
"loosen the cords that hold Orion"
"You cannot lead the constellations ... proper times. You cannot guide ... children."
groups of stars that seem like they form a particular shape in the sky
"so that they appear at the right time"
This is the name of a constellation. Translate as in Job 9:9.
"its cubs"
"You do not know the regulations of the sky? You could not set in place the sky's rule over the earth."
Yahweh uses two questions to emphasize to Job that he rules the rain clouds and lightning but Job does not.
"You cannot raise ... may cover you."
"an abundant amount of rainwater" or "a flood of waters"
"You cannot send out you, 'Here we are!'"
The lightning bolts are spoken of as servants saying they are ready to follow commands.
"I am the one who has put wisdom in the clouds and given understanding to the mists."
"has given wisdom to the clouds"
"I am the one who can pour out the water skins of the sky."
These are skins that people sew together so that they can hold water. Yahweh refers to the thick clouds as "waters skins" because they hold much water.
"Only I can pour out ... when the dust runs ... tightly together.". The question that began with the words "Who can pour out" in verse 37 ends here.
"when the rain molds the dirt into a hard mass"
"the lumps of soil stick together"
"You know that you cannot hunt down a victim for a lioness or satisfy the appetite of her young lion cubs"
"prey." This is an animal that a lion could eat.
This is a female lion.
hunger
"of young lions." These are young lions that are old enough to hunt for themselves.
"You know that you cannot hunt down ... when they are crouching ... to lie in wait.". The question that began with the words "Can you hunt" in verse 39 ends here.
A "den" is a lair or shelter where lions live.
"hiding in a thicket." Lions hide in thick vegetation when hunting their prey.
"to lie waiting for a victim"
"Tell me who provides victims ... for lack of food."
"provides food." This refers to animals that ravens look for and can eat.
large birds with shiny black feathers that feed on dead animals
"cry out for God to give them food"
This means to walk around in an unsteady way.
"because they have nothing to eat"
Yahweh uses four questions to emphasize that he is greater than Job because Yahweh takes care of the wild mountain goats and deer and Job does not. Yahweh is far greater than any man. He is the creator of the earth, and his ways will not always be understood by men because their knowledge is always limited. Since Job cannot understand creation, he cannot truly understand Yahweh.
"Surely you do not know when ... bear their young!"
"You are not able to watch to make sure everything goes well when the deer give birth to their fawns!"
"give birth to their fawns"
"You cannot count the months that they are pregnant."
"to complete their pregnancy"
The word "they" refers to the goats and the deer.
"Of course you do not know when they give birth to their young."
The word "They" refers to the wild mountain goats and the deer.
"send out their offspring from their womb"
"the countryside"
"do not come back to their mothers"
"I am the one who sent the wild donkey out free."
These are different names for the same kind of donkey.
"I am the one who untied the bonds of the swift donkey"
ropes, chains, or straps that hold an animal and keep it from running away
"I am the one who has untied ... whose home I have made in the Arabah, his house in the salt land.". The question that began with the words "Who has untied" in verse 5 ends here.
"I gave him the Arabah as a place to live". Yahweh describes the donkey as though he were a person that had a house.
the land around the Salt Sea that has a lot of salt in it
The word "He" refers to the wild donkey.
Yahweh describes the donkey as though he were a person. The donkey laughs because those in the city have to hear loud noise, but he lives in a quiet place.
someone who forces an animal to work
places where animals can eat plants growing in the field
"The wild ox will not be happy to serve you."
Possible meanings are: a type of ox that used to live in the wild or a buffalo that looked like oxen.
"be willing"
"He will not consent to stay by your manger."
"stay by your manger through the night"
something that holds food so that animals can eat it
"You cannot control the wild ox with a rope in order to plow furrows in your fields."
Farmers would tie ropes to animals' heads or necks in order to lead them.
These are long channels made in the dirt while plowing. See how you translated this in Job 31:38.
"He will never harrow the valleys as he follows after you."
to smooth and break up the soil
"You cannot trust him because his strength is great."
The word "him" refers to the "wild ox."
"You will not be able to make him do your labor for you."
"have him do your hard work for you"
"You will not be able to depend on him ... grain for your threshing floor."
"You do not know whether the pinions and plumage of the ostrich represent love when they wave their wings proudly."
a very large bird that can run very fast but cannot fly
"move with joy"
the very long feathers on the wings of birds
the smaller feathers that cover the body of a bird
"of faithfulness"
"on the ground"
The word "them" refers to the eggs.
"step on them"
The word "She" refers to the female ostrich.
the work that she does when she lays the eggs
"might have been useless if the chicks die"
"made her forget wisdom" or "not given her wisdom"
See how you translated this in Job 11:6.
"However, when she runs"
"she laughs ... its rider because she can run faster than the horse"
"You have never given the horse his strength."
"You cannot clothe his neck with his flowing mane."
"made his flowing main to cover his neck like clothes"
the long hair on the top of the neck of a horse
"You are not able to make him jump like a locust."
a large kind of grasshopper that can jump very far and very quickly
a very loud sound that horses make with their nose
"He paws with excitement and"
"digs at the ground with his hooves"
"to join in the battle"
"He is not afraid at all"
"laughs at"
discouraged
"does not run away"
a container that holds arrows
shakes and makes noise
the side of a horse
a long stick with a sharp end that people throw at their enemies
The word "He" refers to the horse.
"runs very fast over the ground"
The horse is very excited, so he moves quickly and strongly.
"when someone blows a ram's horn to announce that a battle has begun"
"he is too excited to stand still"
The word "Aha" is a sound people make when they discover something. The horse makes a sound because he has discovered the battle.
"he hears the thunderous shouts"
"the battle cries." People have special shouts that they use in war to show their great strength and bravery and to scare the enemy.
"It is not by your wisdom ... for the south."
"flies to the south"
In the biblical geography, birds fly south during the winter in order to live in warmer climates.
"You are not able to command the eagle to mount up and build his nest in high places."
"because you tell it to do so"
"flies up into the sky"
The high cliffs are strongholds for eagles because the animals that would want to eat them cannot reach them.
Here the word "he" refers to the eagle.
"for animals that he can kill and eat"
"he sees them". Here "his eyes" refer to the eagle.
"After an eagle kills an animal, the baby eagles"
"drink the blood of the animal that he killed"
"where there are dead people." This phrase refers to dead bodies that are lying out in the open.
"he is there to eat them"
In seeking to defend his own righteousness, Job accuses Yahweh of being unjust. Yahweh asks a very important question: "Will you condemn me so you may claim you are right?" This is the essence of Job's error. Yahweh states, "He who argues with God, let him answer." Job immediately answers him. This is irony. While Job is forced to acknowledge the power of Yahweh, he does not repent of his former statements. Because of this, Yahweh asks him more questions.
"No one who wants to criticize me should try to argue with me, for I am Almighty God."
"You want to argue with me, so answer me"
Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers, or songs. The ULB and many other English translations set the lines of 40:1-2, 4-5, 7-24, which are extended quotations of Job and Yahweh, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.
"You are right when you say that I am" or "Look at me and you will see that I am"
"I am not important"
"I cannot answer you.". Job uses this question to apologize for questioning God.
A man who tucks his robe up under his sash or belt is preparing for hard physical work, and Job was to prepare for the hard work of answering God. See how you translated this in Job 38:3.
"I am surprised that you are saying I am unjust." or "You should be sure that you want to say that I am unjust, because that is what you are saying."
"You are condemning me so you can claim that you are innocent."
"strength like God's strength"
"you certainly cannot thunder with a voice like God's."
"can you speak with the sound of thunder as he does"
"a voice like his voice"
"make yourself glorious; do something great so people will respect you and honor you; make people think you are a great king"
"Be angry because people are proud, and punish them"
"take away everything he is proud of"
"them"
a euphemism for the place where people's spirits go when they die
"Listen carefully: the behemoth"
a large water animal, possibly the hippopotamus
the behemoth eats
Both the behemoth and the ox eat grass.
These two phrases refer to the same part of the body.
Cedar is a very hard wood, and his tail becomes very hard.
Here, his bones are compared to tubes made of bronze to show how tough this animal is.
This last comparison describes the strength of this great animal.
"most important of the creatures" or "strongest of the creatures"
"of my creatures. Only I, God". Yahweh speaks as if he were another person.
"food grows on the hills for him"
flowering plants that float on the water in swampy areas
tall grasses found in swamps or marshes
Willows are large trees that grow in damp ground. If they are unknown in your culture, you can use a general term for trees that grow near water.
sides of the river
"even if the flood of the Jordan should come up to his mouth"
"No one can capture him with a hook or pierce his nose through with a snare."
God continues speaking, using many rhetorical questions to challenge Job. There are several animals mentioned in this chapter that do not exist and may never have existed. It may be necessary to leave these names untranslated or to translate their names as adjectives. The ULB and many other English translations set the lines of this chapter, which is an extended quotation of Yahweh, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.
"You know that you cannot draw out Leviathan with a fishhook.". God uses this question to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan.
pull out of the water
"Or can you tie up his jaws with a cord?" or "And you know that you cannot tie up his jaws with a cord."
Leviathan's jaws
"You know that you cannot put a rope into Leviathan's nose ... with a hook."
"You know that he will not make pleas to you."
Leviathan. Other translations refer to crocodile, sea monster or ever dragon.
"You know that he will not speak soft words to you."
"You know that he will not make a covenant with you, that you should take him for a servant forever."
The words "he" and "him" refer to Leviathan.
"You know that you cannot play with him as you would play with a bird."
"You know that you cannot tie him up for your servant girls."
"You know that the groups of fishermen will not bargain for him."
"You know that they will not divide him up to trade among the merchants."
"Will the groups of fishermen divide"
"You cannot pierce his skin with your hunting weapons, nor can you pierce his head with fishing spears."
Leviathan's
large spears with barbed points that people use to hunt large sea creatures
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"Anyone who looks at him will be so frightened that he will throw himself on the ground."
"by looking at him" or "by seeing him"
"Since you know that no person is so fierce that he dare stir Leviathan up, you should certainly know that no one can stand before me."
"You know that no one has first given anything to me, so there is no one whom I need to repay."
"I will certainly speak about ... and about ... and about"
These are three things about which God will not keep silent.
"No one can strip off his outer clothing."
"No one can penetrate his very thick hide."
"No one can pry his jaws apart ... terror."
The word "shields" is a metaphor for Leviathan's hide. Both shields and Leviathan's hide protect well and deflect arrows and other weapons.
This means the "shields" are very close to one another and nothing can get between them.
"no one can pull them apart"
"when he snorts." A snort is a sound like a short snore. Another possible meaning is "from his sneezing".
This means that his eyes are red as the morning dawn is red.
"Out of his mouth go burning torches, sparks of fire leap out of his mouth". God expresses the same idea in two different ways in order to emphasize the terrifying appearance of Leviathan. You can make this clear by adding the omitted words.
the two openings of the nose
Both the smoke and a boiling pot are very hot.
"causes coals to catch fire"
The words "his" and "him" refer to Leviathan.
"when people see him coming, they are very afraid"
"no one can move them"
Possible meanings are: Leviathan's physical chest and the organs inside it are physically hard or Leviathan is not afraid of anything or Leviathan is spoken of as a person who kills without ever being sorry.
"the hardest of rocks." The lower millstone is the larger and harder of the two rocks used to grind grain.
"mighty people" or "very strong people"
strikes Leviathan
"He thinks of weapons made of iron as if they were weapons made of straw."
"he thinks of weapons made of bronze as if they were weapons made of rotten wood"
Chaff cannot hurt Leviathan, and sling stones are just as ineffective as chaff.
"He thinks of clubs as if they were straw"
The person throwing the spear hopes that the spear will kill Leviathan, but the writer speaks as if Leviathan knows the spear will not kill him and so laughs.
These words refer to Leviathan.
Just as a threshing sledge goes over grain on a threshing floor and turns it to powder, so Leviathan's tail leaves a trail in the mud as he wags it when he walks.
"As he passes through the water, he leaves a trail of bubbles behind him, like the bubbling of boiling water in a pot"
The ointment in a pot is cloudy if someone shakes it, and the sea is muddy when Leviathan swims in it.
This is because the bubbles in his wake are white.
"no other creature is like Leviathan"
"He is very, very proud"
"Leviathan has more reason to be proud than anyone else on earth"
In this chapter Job shows his complete trust in Yahweh, who enacts justice at the end of this book. He punishes Job's friends and restores Job's blessings. Yahweh's blessing was not dependent upon Job's repentance, but upon Yahweh's grace. The ULB and many other English translations set the lines of 42:1-6, which is an extended quotation of Job, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.
"I know that you can do all things. I know that no purpose of yours can be stopped"
"no one can stop any of your plans"
"You said to me, 'Who is this". The ULB and most modern versions agree that Job is loosely quoting God's own words from Job 38:2. You may decide, as does the UDB, to make it clear that God asked this question of Job and that Job is now remembering it.
That is, hides or misrepresents God's plans.
"but now I really understand you"
"I despise the things I said"
intensely dislike
Sitting in dust and ashes is a symbolic act showing the person is sorry.
This phrase is used to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
See how you translated this man's name in Job 2:11.
"I have become very angry with you"
"7 bulls"
"even though you have been very foolish, I will not punish you as you deserve"
See how you translated this man's name in Job 2:11.
See how you translated this man's name in Job 2:11.
"God accepted Job's prayer for his three friends"
"Yahweh restored his riches" or "Yahweh restored his wealth"
"all the people he had known before"
"more than he blessed the first part of Job's life"
14,000 sheep
6,000 camels
1,000 yoke of oxen
7 sons and 3 daughters
women's names
"Job's daughters were more beautiful than all the other women"
"lived 140 years"
"a very old man"
"who does not follow the advice of the wicked" or "who does not do what wicked people advise"
"imitate the behavior of sinful people"
"or join those who mock God" or "or mock God with others who mock him"
The word "delight" is an abstract noun that can be stated as a verb. A person who can "delight ... in the law" is happy because the law is good and because one is obeying it. Alternate translation: "what makes him truly happy is the law of Yahweh" or "what makes him truly happy is to know that he is obeying the law of Yahweh"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
This passage introduces an elaborate image in which a righteous person is thought of in terms of a flourishing tree.
In the Bible, people are often spoken of as trees. People who delight in Yahweh's law can do all God wants them to do just as a tree that is planted by water produces good fruit. Alternate translation: "He will be prosperous like a tree ... fruit in its season"
A tree that is planted by a stream can get enough water to be healthy.
Healthy trees produce good fruit at the right time.
If a tree gets enough water, its leaves do not dry out and die.
"He will be successful at whatever he does"
How they are not like that can be stated clearly. "The wicked are not prosperous" or "The wicked do not prosper"
How they are like chaff can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "but are worthless like the chaff"
Possible meanings are 1) not standing in the judgment is a metonym for being judged by God and having to leave his presence. Alternate translation: "will not continue to stay before God when he judges them" or "will have to leave God's presence when he judges them as guilty" or 2) not standing in the judgment is a metaphor for being condemned in the judgment. "Alternate translation: "will be condemned in the judgment" or "will be condemned when God judges them"
The noun judgment can be expressed as a verb. This probably refers to the final judgment when God judges all people. Alternate translation: "when God judges everyone"
Translators can supply the verb "stand." Alternate translation: "neither will sinners stand in the assembly of the righteous" or "and sinners will not stand in the assembly of the righteous"
Being accepted by God as righteous is spoken of as standing with the group of righteous people. Alternate translation: "and God will not accept sinners along with the righteous people"
These two clauses contrast what happens to righteous people with what happens to wicked people.
How people live is spoken of as if it were a "way" or "road" that they are walking on. Alternate translation: "how the righteous live"
How people live and what they do is spoken of as if it were a "way" or "road" that they walk on. Possible meanings are 1) the way perishing represents the wicked perishing because of how they live. Alternate translation: "The wicked will die because of how they live" or 2) the way perishing is a metaphor for no longer being able to live the way they do. Alternate translation: "the wicked will no longer be able to live the way they live"
This probably means that the nations were making a noisy and angry commotion.
This represents either the leaders or the people of the nations.
These are probably plots against God and his people.
These two clauses have similar meanings.
These phrases have similar meanings, implying that the leaders stand together in order to fight against Yahweh and his Messiah. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "gather to fight ... plan together to revolt"
The people of other nations speak of Yahweh and the Messiah's rule over them as if it were shackles and chains. Alternate translation: "We should free ourselves from their control; we should not let them rule over us any longer"
These phrases refer to Yahweh. Yahweh is often called "the Lord" but the words for "Yahweh" and "the Lord" are different.
Here sitting represents ruling. What he sits on can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "rules in the heavens" or "sits on his throne in heaven"
"the Lord mocks those people." Why he mocks them can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "The Lord mocks them for their foolish plans"
The abstract noun "rage" can be stated as "furious." Alternate translation: "he will be furious and terrify them"
greatly frighten
Yahweh is emphasizing that he, and not someone else, has set his king in place.
"appointed my king to rule"
The person saying this is the king. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "The king says, 'I will announce a decree of Yahweh.' He"
"Yahweh said to me"
Among many peoples in that part of the world then, men could decide to legally adopt children, who would become their heirs. Here Yahweh adopts a man and makes him king of Israel. Alternate translation: "I make you my son. This day I have become your Father" or "Now you are my son and am your Father"
Yahweh continues speaking to the new king of Israel.
These phrases express very similar ideas.
"the lands that are very far away"
These phrases express very similar ideas.
Defeating the nations is spoken of as breaking them, and his power is spoken of as an iron rod. Alternate translation: "You will defeat them completely by your power"
Destroying nations is spoken of as if they could be smashed like a clay jar. Alternate translation: you will completely destroy them like a clay pot"
A potter is a person who makes clay pots and jars. These are fragile and can be broken easily. Alternate translation: "a clay jar" or "a clay pot"
This can be stated with an active form. Alternate translation: "listen to this correction" or "take this correction"
"powerful people who govern the nations on earth"
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People would show their king that they were loyal to him by kissing him, perhaps on the feet. Alternate translation: "Show the son that you are truly loyal to him" or "Bow down humbly before his son"
This may refer to dying right there, before the person has a chance to go away. Alternate translation: "you will die immediately"
The king's anger is spoken of as if it were a fire that could burn. Alternate translation: "when he suddenly becomes very angry"
Asking the king for protection is spoken of as seeking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "ask the king to protect them"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"Oh Yahweh, I have so many enemies!"
"come against me"
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A shield protects a soldier. David speaks as if God were a shield protecting him. Alternate translation: "you, Yahweh, protect me like a shield"
"you are my glory." By calling God his glory, David says that God is the one who gives him glory. Since David has just spoken about his enemies and God being his protector, he probably meant that God gives him glory by giving him victory over his enemies. Alternate translation: "you are the one who gives me glory" or "you are the one who gives me victory"
"you are the one who lifts up my head." Giving someone courage is spoken of as lifting up his head. Alternate translation: "the one who encourages me"
Using one's voice to cry out is spoken as as lifting up his voice. Alternate translation: "I cry out"
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"have surrounded me to destroy me"
David speaks of starting to do something as getting up. Alternate translation: "Take action" or "Do something"
These phrases say very similar things. The phrases "my enemies" and "the wicked" refer to the same group of people.
This was a way of insulting people. David speaks as if Yahweh would come and physically hit his enemies. Alternate translation: "For you will insult all my enemies like someone hitting them on the jaw"
Animals attack with their teeth. Breaking their teeth takes away their power to attack. David speaks as if Yahweh would come and physically fight against the wicked. Alternate translation: "you will make the wicked unable to harm me like someone breaking the teeth of a ferocious animal"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be expressed with the verb "save." Alternate translation: "Yahweh saves his people"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
"Respond to me when I call" or "Help me when I call"
"God, who shows that I am righteous"
"rescue me when I am in danger"
David sings this part of the song as if he is speaking to his enemies.
David uses this question to rebuke his enemies. Alternate translation: "You people continually turn my honor into shame!"
Shaming him instead of honoring him is spoken of as making his honor become shame. Alternate translation: "shame me instead of honoring me" or "bring me shame when you should be honoring me"
David uses this question to rebuke his enemies. Alternate translation: "You continue to love things that are worthless and seek after lies."
These two phrases are very similar in meaning. The lies are worthless. Alternate translation: "love worthless lies"
"Yahweh chooses godly people for himself"
The relationship between "tremble" and "fear" and who people should fear can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Fear Yahweh so much that you tremble" or "Stand in awe of Yahweh"
shake from fear
The heart represents a person's thoughts. Thinking carefully is spoken of as meditating in one's heart. Alternate translation: "Think carefully"
"Offer the right sacrifices"
Here "trust" is spoken of as if it were an object that could be put somewhere. The abstract noun "trust" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "trust in Yahweh" or "trust Yahweh"
This question is used either to ask for something or to express a wish about something that has not happened. Alternate translation: "Please show us something good!" or "We wish someone would show us something good!"
Possible meanings are 1) showing something good represents bringing good things. Alternate translation: "Who will bring good things to us?" or 2) showing something good represents saying that good things have happened. Alternate translation: "Who will say that anything good has happened?"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. Alternate translation: "act favorably towards us"
The heart represents the person. Alternate translation: "You have given me more gladness"
Here "gladness" is spoken of as if it is an object that can be given. The abstract noun "gladness" can be stated as "glad." Alternate translation: "You have made me more glad than others are"
"New wine" may represent grapes. Alternate translation: "when they reap plentiful harvests of grain and grapes"
Peace is spoken of as if it were a place. This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "peace." Alternate translation: "I will be peaceful when I lie down and sleep" or "I will not be afraid of danger when I lie down and sleep"
The words "safe" and "secure" mean basically the same thing and emphasize complete safety. Alternate translation: "make me completely safe"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"This song should be accompanied by people who play wind instruments."
"Listen to me as I call to you for help"
low sounds that people make with the voice when they are suffering
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These two phrases are very similar in meaning.
"I will make my request" or "I will ask you for what I need"
"wait, expecting you to do what I ask you to do"
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Since David is speaking to God in this psalm, this sentence can be stated with the word "you." Alternate translation: "Yahweh, you abhor"
The phrase "the man" here refers to any person. Alternate translation: "anyone who kills or deceives others"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant"
This refers to God's temple. Alternate translation: "your temple"
David speaks of righteousness as if it were a path and of teaching as leading. The phrase "your righteousness" means that God is righteous Alternate translation: "teach me to do what is righteous as you do"
David speaks of righteousness as if it were a path. A straight path is easy to see or walk on. Alternate translation: "show me clearly how to live in the right way" or "make it easy for me to do what is right"
David talks about his enemies.
Truth being in the mouth represents speaking truthfully. Alternate translation: "For they never say what is true"
The inward being represents people's thoughts and desires. Alternate translation: "their thoughts and desires are wicked"
The throat represents people's speech. Alternate translation: "their speech" or "what they say"
Their throat is spoken of as if it were an open tomb, ready for dead bodies to put into it. Possible meanings are 1) "they say that they will kill people" or 2) "What they say kills people"
"they say nice things about people without really meaning it"
The tongue represents what people say.
"may their schemes cause them to experience disasters" or "may they become less important because of their schemes"
plans to harm people
This is something that causes a person to experience disasters or to lose power. Experiencing disaster or becoming less important is spoken of as falling.
God is spoken of as if he were a refuge, a place where people can be protected. Alternate translation: "May all those who go to you for protection rejoice"
These two clauses express similar thoughts.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection"
God's name represents him. Alternate translation: "those who love you"
God's favor is spoken of as if it were a shield. Alternate translation: "you will favor them and protect them as a soldier protects himself with his shield" or "because you are kind to them, you will protect them
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
This may refer to a style of music.
The bones represent the whole body. His body may have been shaking because he was sick or extremely tired. Alternate translation: "my whole body is shaking"
"terrified" or "worried"
David uses this question to show that he does not want to continue feeling weak and troubled. Alternate translation: please, do not let this continue!"
David speaks of God being kind to him as God returning to him. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, come back to me" or "Have mercy on me, Yahweh"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Save me because you are faithful to your covenant"
These two sentences express similar meanings.
The abstract noun "remembrance" represents praise. Alternate translation: "For when people die, they no longer praise you"
David uses this question to emphasize that no one in Sheol thanks God. Alternate translation: "No one in Sheol will give you thanks!" or "The dead cannot praise you!"
His groaning represents the pain or distress that he feels. Alternate translation: "I am very tired because of my pain"
This is an exaggeration. Alternate translation: "I make my bed wet with my tears" or "I cry in my bed"
Possible meanings are 1) these are two words for the same thing or 2) the "couch" is the main cushion on the bed or 3) the "bed" is where he sleeps at night and the "couch" is another item of furniture.
This is an exaggeration. "My couch is very wet because of my tears" or "I cry hard when I am on my couch"
The ability to see is spoken of in terms of the eyes. Alternate translation: "My vision is blurry" or "I cannot see clearly"
Grief here represents crying. Alternate translation: "from crying" or "because I cry so much"
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These two lines have very similar meanings.
Being willing to do what David has prayed for is spoken of as accepting his prayer. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will respond to my prayer"
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"This is a song that David wrote"
"go to you for protection!"
David speaks of his enemies attacking him as if they would rip his body apart and tear it in pieces as a lion would. Alternate translation: "they will violently kill me like a lion ripping apart its victim's body and tearing it in pieces" or "they will violently kill me"
"and no one else will be able to save me"
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The life represents the person. Alternate translation: "me"
This represents capturing him. Alternate translation: "capture me"
Here "my life" represents the writer. Alternate translation: "allow him to destroy me"
This refers to lying dead and unburied in disgrace.
Arising represents doing something or taking action. Alternate translation: "Do something in your anger" or "Be angry at my enemies and take action:
Fighting against people is spoken of as standing up against them. Alternate translation: "fight against the rage of my enemies" or "attack my enemies who rage against me"
Their rage represents their attacks. Alternate translation: "the attacks of my enemies" or "my enemies who attack me"
Waking up represents starting to do something or take action. Alternate translation: "Take action" or "Do something"
"for me" or "to help me"
Here the word "peoples" represents all of the armies that have gathered to attack.
Ruling people is spoken of as being over them. Yahweh's rightful place refers either to heaven or to ruling in general. Alternate translation: "Rule over them from heaven" or "Rule over them"
"show them that I am not guilty"
"make the righteous people strong" or "make the righteous people prosper"
The hearts and minds represent people's desires and thoughts. Alternate translation: "you who know our inner thoughts"
The word "shield" represents God's protection.
Who God is angry with can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "a God who is angry with the wicked every day"
In verses 12 and 13, David speaks of God deciding to punish the wicked as if God were a warrior preparing to fight against them with weapons. Alternate translation: "God will take action against him like a warrior who sharpens his sword and prepares his bow for battle"
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David speaks of the things that a wicked person does as if the person were pregnant and wickedness was the baby. Alternate translation: "the wicked person. He makes plans to destroy people and produces harmful lies"
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Destruction and violence are spoken of as if they hit a person's head or fall down on it. Alternate translation: "His own destructive plans destroy him, for his violence attacks him" or "When he plans to destroy others, others destroy him; when he attacks others, others attack him"
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"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
"people all over the world know that you are very great"
"You have given babies and infants the ability to praise you" or "It is babies and infants who truly praise you"
"the heavens, which you have made"
"It is amazing that you think about people and are concerned about them!"
Both of these phrases refer to people in general.
"have given them glory and honor" or "have caused them to be like kings"
"you make them ... under their feet." The words "him" and "his" here refer to people.
"the things that you made"
"you have given him authority over all things"
"your reputation is wonderfully magnificent in all the earth" or "people in all the earth know how magnificent you are"
excellent, great
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
"Yahweh, I will give thanks to you with all my heart"
"all the marvelous things you do" or "all the marvelous things you have done"
"retreat" or "flee in fear"
"you judge like a king who sits on his throne, and you are righteous"
Causing people to be forgotten is spoken of as blotting out their name. Alternate translation: "you have caused them to be forgotten as if their name was erased" or "no one will ever remember them again"
"Our enemies were destroyed"
"when you destroyed their cities"
"No one remembers them at all"
"Yahweh sits on his throne forever" or "Yahweh rules forever"
Possible meanings are 1) "He rules in order to judge people" or "He rules over people justly"
"He will judge all the people of the world righteously"
"Yahweh will also protect the oppressed" or "Yahweh will also provide safety for those who are oppressed"
"Those who know you"
"do not forsake" or "do not leave"
"who is king in Jerusalem"
Here "the nations" represents the people of the nations.
"For the God who avenges bloodshed remembers those who were killed" or "For God remembers those who were killed and he punishes the killers"
"He does not ignore the cry"
"see how those who hate me oppress me" or "see how badly my enemies treat me"
"you who can rescue me from death" or "you who can keep me from dying"
"The nations are like people who dig a pit for others and then fall into it"
"they are like people who hide a net and get trapped in it"
"when a wicked person tries to harm other people, his actions will end up harming him"
"is trapped"
"rejected"
This refers to "the wicked."
"God will not always forget the needy" or "God will remember the needy"
"and the oppressed will not hope forever without results" or "and someday what the oppressed hope for will happen"
"Do something" or "Take action"
people
"be punished"
"judge the nations in your presence" or "take the nations into your presence and punish them"
"Yahweh, it seems as though you are far away from me and you hide from me whenever I am in trouble"
evil plans
"the things that he wants very much to do"
"greedy people"
"the wicked person"
"has an arrogant attitude and" or "is proud and"
"does not ask God for help" or "does not think about God"
"He is safe at all times." He is not really safe, but he thinks that he is.
"he cannot understand your righteous decrees"
"he thinks that all his enemies are weak and worthless" or "he sneers at all his enemies"
This means that he blows air out noisily through his nose.
"The wicked man says"
This probably simply means "forever."
"I will not have any troubles"
"He always curses people, tells lies, and threatens to harm people"
"what he says injures and destroys people" or "he speaks words that threaten and hurt people"
The word "he" refers to the wicked man.
"He hides while he waits for the weak to walk near him, the same way a lion quietly waits in the bush for the animal it wants to attack"
"He catches the oppressed like a hunter that catches an animal in a net and drags it away"
"his victims are caught by his plans like animals that fall into a hunter's strong nets"
The word "He" refers to the wicked person, and to wicked people in general.
"God does not pay attention" or "God does not care about what I do"
"God refuses to see what is happening"
"he will never see what I am doing" or "he does not care what I am doing" or "he will never punish me for what I am doing"
"Do something"
"Hit him hard" or "Punish the wicked person"
"Wicked people are always rejecting God and saying ... 'You will not hold me accountable.'"
"You will not punish me"
"Destroy the power of the wicked and evil man" or "Make the wicked and evil man weak"
"Punish him for the evil things he has done"
"Yahweh forces the people of other nations to leave his land"
"when oppressed people cried out to you, you listened to them tell you what they need"
"you encourage them" or "you make them confident"
"no one ... will cause people to be afraid again"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"go to Yahweh for protection"
"So do not ask me to run away!"
"Look! the wicked are preparing to attack upright people"
Here "upright in heart" refers to godly or righteous people.
"Righteous people cannot do anything when evil people are not punished when they disobey the laws!"
"He examines all that humanity does"
"Yahweh watches carefully"
"hurt others"
"He punishes the wicked; there will be no relief for them!"
burning sulphur
"be in his presence"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
"Yahweh, come to my aid"
"faithful people have all vanished"
"everyone speaks with flattering words and deception" or "everyone praises people falsely and tells lies"
"stop all those who flatter others"
"every person who boasts"
"We will prevail because of what we say"
"we will succeed" or "we will win" or "we will be victorious"
"When we speak"
"no one can rule over us!"
These are deep sounds that people make because of pain or some strong emotion.
This means Yahweh will do something to help the people.
"they are without any imperfection"
"You keep the righteous people safe"
"surround us"
"when people everywhere are praising evil"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"Yahweh, it seems that you have forgotten about me and will never remember me!"
"It seems like you are hiding from me!"
"Surely my enemies will not always defeat me!"
"Give me your attention and listen to me"
"Make me strong again"
To "sleep in death" means to die.
"Do not let my enemy say about me ... so that my enemy may not say about me"
"when I fall" or "when they defeat me"
"I have trusted that you are faithful to your covenant" or "I have trusted you because you are faithful to your covenant"
"I will rejoice because you have rescued me"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"A foolish person says to himself"
The word "they" refers to all foolish human beings who say there is no God.
This phrase refers to all humans.
"who desire to know him"
"They have all turned away from Yahweh"
"They act as if they do not know anything ... who do not call on Yahweh. But they know what they are doing!"
This refers to those who do evil things and destroy God's people as if they were eating food.
The word "they" refers to those who do evil things.
"God helps those who act righteously" or "God helps those who do the right things"
The word "you" here refers to the wicked people.
"to make the person who is poor feel ashamed"
"Yahweh is like a shelter of protection to him"
"Oh, that Yahweh would come from Zion and save Israel!" or "I wish that Yahweh would come from Zion and rescue his people Israel!"
"then all the people of Israel will rejoice greatly"
"Who may live in your holy place?"
"speaks honestly"
"He does not slander people with his speech" or "He does not say evil things about innocent people"
hurt
"Righteous people hate those who have rejected God, but they honor those who respect God"
"will live in safety"
"go to you for protection"
"your people who live in this land"
"The troubles of those who seek other gods will increase"
"pour out blood as a sacrifice to their gods"
"or praise them with my words" or "and I will not praise their gods"
"the one who blesses me"
"You determine my future" or "You control what will happen to me"
"You have measured off land for me in pleasant places" or "You have given me land in pleasant places" or "You bless me like one who gives land in pleasant places"
"I am delighted with all the things that he has given me"
"I always remember that Yahweh is with me"
"nothing will take me away from his side"
"I am rejoicing"
"great joy" or "a large amount of joy"
The writer speaks of "joy" as if it were a person.
"when I am near you"
"Listen to my prayer for I speak without deceit"
"Let my vindication come from you" or "Declare that I am innocent"
"please see what is right" or "do what is right"
"If you examine my thoughts in the night"
"I will not tell lies or sin with my words"
"it is by obeying your instruction that I have kept myself from doing the things that lawless people do" or "your instruction has caused me to avoid doing wicked things"
"I am determined to follow your ways"
"pay attention to me ... listen when I speak"
"Show in a wonderful way that you are faithful to your covenant"
"your mighty power"
"go to you for protection"
"Protect me as you would something most valuable and precious"
"Keep me safe as a mother bird protects her babies by gathering them under her wing"
"they speak with pride" or "they are always boasting"
"My enemies have surrounded me"
The writer feels pursued the way a lion hunts its prey
"by having them die in war" or "by killing them in battle"
Here "fill the bellies ... with riches" is a metaphor for giving them many valuable things. Possible meanings are 1) "You will give many riches to the people you love" or 2) "you will give the men of this world many riches"
Here "face" represents Yahweh in all of his being. David is confident he will see Yahweh. Alternate translation: "because I act in the right way, I will be with you one day"
David believes that after he dies, he will be with Yahweh. This can be made clear in the translation. Alternate translation: "After I die, I will be happy to wake up in your presence"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"he sang this song to Yahweh after Yahweh had rescued him"
"from Saul's power"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a rock. The word "rock" is a picture of a safe place.
"go to him for protection"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a "shield," "the horn" of his salvation, and his "stronghold."
"I will be rescued from my enemies"
"I was about to be killed"
"I felt completely helpless"
"I felt trapped and thought I was going to die"
"In my great need" or "In my despair"
"I prayed to him"
"he heard my appeal"
"God was so angry that it was as if the earth ... shaken"
"the land moved back and forth" or "the ground moved up and down" or "there was a violent earthquake"
"the foundations of the mountains also trembled and shook"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were breathing fire. This is a picture of how angry God was.
"blazing fire came out of his mouth and kindled coals"
The word "He" refers to Yahweh.
"thick darkness was beneath him"
Here the Psalmist speaks of the wind as if it had wings like an angel.
Here the words "He" and "him" refer to Yahweh.
"He made darkness a covering" or "He made darkness a hiding place"
"clouds heavy with rain" or "thick, dark rainclouds"
stones made of ice
Yahweh's voice sounded like thunder.
"the Most High" refers to Yahweh.
Here lighting strikes are being spoken of as if they were arrows
"sent them in different directions"
"Then the water channels appeared and the bottom of the ocean became visible; you exposed the foundations of the world"
The wind is spoken of here as if it came as a mighty blast from God's nostrils.
The word "He" in these verses refers to Yahweh.
Here the Psalmist speaks of the dangers of his enemies as if they were huge waves or forceful waters, from which Yahweh has rescued him.
Here "They" refers to the strong enemies in verse 17.
"Strong enemies attacked me on a day when I was distressed, but Yahweh protected me"
Here having clean hands represents being innocent of wrongdoing. Alternate translation: "I was innocent" or "my actions were right"
The laws of Yahweh are spoken of as if they were the paths on which one should walk. Alternate translation: "I have obeyed Yahweh's laws"
"have guided me" or "I have remembered"
"innocent according to him"
"I have not sinned"
"I was innocent" or "my actions were right"
"before him" or "according to him"
"you show that you are faithful" or "you are faithful"
"you show that you are blameless" or "you are blameless"
"you show that you are pure" or "you are pure"
The perverse person might think that he is wise and can sin without being punished, but God is wiser and will do to the perverse person what that person deserves.
"you humiliate"
"who are proud"
"For with your help I can run past anything that is in my way"
"You, Yahweh, protect like a shield everyone who takes refuge in you"
"Only Yahweh is God! Only our God is a rock!"
"causes the blameless person to live a righteous life"
"makes me run very fast"
The deer is especially quick and stable in the mountains.
"He trains me"
"me"
"your protection and saved me"
"Your power has supported me" or "You have supported me by your power"
"You have made me great according to your favor" or "By your kindness, you have made me great"
"a safe place for me"
"I have not slipped" or "I am doing well"
"I crushed them" or "I broke them to pieces"
"unable to stand"
"I have defeated all of them"
"you defeat for me"
"those who are my enemies"
"You gave me victory over my enemies"
"I defeated those who hated me" or "I destroyed completely those who hated me"
"but he did not help them"
disagreements, arguments
"appointed me to be the ruler over many nations"
"God forced foreigners to bow"
"foreigners came shaking, showing that they were very afraid"
"he is my rock and he should be praised" or "may people praise my rock"
"May people exalt the God who rescued me"
"the God who punishes people for the evil things they have done to me"
"God has set me free"
"you put me in a safe place high above"
"who attacked me" or "who rebelled against me"
"cruel men" or "savage men"
"so all the nations will hear about it"
Here "name" represents God himself. Alternate translation: "in honor of your name" or "to you"
By using the words "his king," David is referring to himself as king.
"he faithfully loves me as he promised in his covenant, and he will love my descendants forever"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"The heavens show" or "The heavens look like they declare"
"people can learn from looking at the skies that God has created them"
"creation is like a person speaking to everyone"
"There is no real speech or spoken words; no one hears an actual voice with their ears"
David has just said that creation shows God's glory.
This refers to the unspoken "words" of creation that show God's glory.
"He created a place for the sun"
The word "them" probably refers to the heavens.
"The sun is like a bridegroom walking joyfully toward his bride"
This compares the sun to an athlete to emphasize the strength and brightness of the sun.
the line where the earth and the sky meet
"to the other horizon"
"everything feels its heat"
"making a person strong again"
"those who have no experience" or "those who have not learned"
"a person"
"are true" or "are correct"
Possible meanings are 1) "bringing understanding to a person" or 2) "making a person healthy again"
"completely right"
"If you could buy them, they would be of greater value than gold ... if you could taste them, they would be sweeter than honey"
"Moreover"
"they warn your servant" or "they are a warning for your servant"
The word "them" refers to Yahweh's righteous decrees.
"I am warned"
"No one can be aware of his own errors!"
"from secret mistakes I have made"
"Also, protect your servant from doing" or "Also, make sure that I do not commit"
"do not let my sins become like a king who rules over me"
"innocent of rebelling against you" or "innocent of committing many sins"
"the things I say and the things I think about"
"receive approval in your sight" or "be pleasing to you"
"Yahweh, you are like my rock"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
The word "you" in this Psalm is singular and refers to the king.
"in times of trouble" or "when you are in trouble"
"may the God of Jacob protect you"
"may Yahweh help you from his holy place"
Both of these refer to God's temple in Jerusalem.
"May he remember"
"May he give"
"what you desire" or "what you want"
"may he help you to accomplish everything that you plan to do"
Here "we" refers to the people. They will rejoice in the king's victory.
"in honor of our God" or "for the reputation of our God"
This word is used here to mark a break in the psalm. It transitions from the people speaking to the king speaking.
The word "I" probably refers to the king who is speaking in this section.
"me, his anointed one ... answer me"
God dwells in heaven as well as in the temple in Jerusalem.
"with his great strength he will rescue him"
Here "chariots" and "horses" represent a king's army.
"we trust in Yahweh our God because of who he is"
Here "we" refers to the writer and the readers.
"God will bring them down and make them fall"
"we will get up and stand up straight." Both of these stand for victory in battle.
Possible interpretations are 1) the people ask God to protect the king or 2) the king continues to speak about himself in the third person.
"King, help us when we call you"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"because you, Yahweh, have made him strong enough to defeat his enemies"
"because you have saved him from his enemies"
"his desire" or "what he wished for"
"have not refused him" or "you have given him"
"his request" or "what he requested of you"
"you bless him greatly" or "you give him many good things"
To place a crown on a person's head is a symbol of making him a king.
"He asked that you cause him to live for a long time; you caused it to happen"
"a long life that lasts forever"
"The king's honor" or "The king's fame"
"you have made him wealthy and powerful"
"you allow him to have" or "you agree to give him"
"a blessings that will last" or "a blessings that will stay"
"the joy of being in your presence" or "the joy that comes from you being near to you"
"because the Most High is faithful to his covenant"
"no one will remove him as king"
"Your power will seize" or "You will powerfully seize"
God will give the king the power to stop his enemies.
"When you are angry and begin to act"
Yahweh completely destroying his enemies is spoken of as if his wrath is a fire that completely burns up his enemies.
The word "you" refers to either 1) God or 2) the king.
none of their enemies will survive.
"they planned." The word "they" refers to the enemies of God and the king.
"to do evil things to you"
"they made a plan" or "they created a scheme"
This is a way of saying that God and the king will defeat their enemies in battle.
Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh, show us that you are very strong" or 2) "Yahweh, because you are strong we will exalt you"
"with singing we will praise you because you are powerful"
Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm. It contains references to events during the crucifixion of Christ. It is also a psalm of individual lament and praise.
Christ was despised and taunted by his enemies; but finally people all over the earth will bow down to him.
This psalm is quoted in different places in the New Testament. Verse 1a is cited in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 as the words of Christ on the cross. Many of the events in the narratives of the crucifixion are mentioned in this psalm.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
The writer repeats "My God" to emphasize that he is desperate for God to hear him.
"my God, I feel like you have abandoned me!"
"you left me all alone"
"You are far from saving me and far from the words of my anguish!"
"I still speak"
"you are king and the people of Israel praise you"
"you did not disappoint them" or "you did not fail them" or "you saved them" or "you did for them what they needed you to do"
"But it is like I am a worm and not a man"
"everyone thinks I am worthless and the people hate me"
These three phrases share similar meanings and emphasize how much people disrespect him.
"Let Yahweh rescue him"
Possible meanings are 1) "for Yahweh delights in him" or 2) "for he delights in Yahweh"
The writer uses the word "For" to begin explaining why he is confused and asking God why he is not coming to help.
This is a way of saying "you caused me to be born."
"even from the time that I drank milk from my mother's breasts"
"It was as though you had adopted me right when I was born"
"you, God, have taken care of me"
"Come close to me"
"for my enemies are near me"
"there is no helper"
"I have many enemies and they are like bulls that surround me; they are like strong bulls from Bashan that surround me"
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were lions with the mouths open ready to eat him. His enemies may be speaking lies to discredit him. Or they may be threatening him and attacking him.
"It is like someone is pouring me out like water"
"all my bones are out of place." It is possible the writer is in some kind of physical pain. Or he may be speaking of his emotional pain as if it were physical pain.
The writer speaks about no longer having courage as if his heart melted like wax.
a soft substance that melts at a relatively low temperature
The writer speaks about feeling weak as if his strength were like a dry piece of pottery that can easily break.
The writer may be describing his extreme thirst. Or he may be continuing to speak about being weak as if he were completely dry.
"You have laid me in my grave"
"my enemies are like dogs that have surrounded me"
"a group of evildoers" or "a gang of evildoers"
stood in a circle
This continues the dog metaphor. The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were dogs that are biting and piercing his hands and feet with their teeth.
stabbed through something with a sharp object
"I can see all of my bones" or "I can feel each of my bones"
The words "look" and "stare" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that people look at him awkwardly and make fun of him.
"my clothes"
"Be very close"
"you who give me strength"
"Rescue me"
"those who want to kill me" or "my enemies"
"my precious life" or "the only life I have"
The word "wild" here means that no one has captured and tamed the animal.
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were lions and wild oxen to emphasize how dangerous his enemies are.
"I will talk about your character"
Here "brothers" means "my fellow Israelites" or "my fellow worshipers of Yahweh"
"when my fellow Israelites and I gather together" or "when I am surrounded by my fellow worshipers of Yahweh"
Here "You" is plural.
"Be full of awe for him" or "Let God's power amaze you"
Possible meanings are 1) he has not despised the afflicted one because he is suffering or 2) he has not belittled the suffering of the afflicted one
"my suffering because of my affliction ... from me ... I cried"
"has not turned his attention away from him" or "has not ignored him"
"he answered" or "he helped"
Here "you" refers to Yahweh.
This refers to sacrifices the writer promised to offer to God.
"in the presence of those who fear you"
This refers to the fellowship meal which occurs after the writer offers to God the sacrifices that he promised. He will invite those who were suffering to eat a part of the animal he sacrificed.
Those who want to know Yahweh and please him are spoken of as if they are literally seeking to find Yahweh.
Here "your" is plural and refers to the oppressed people.
"will remember Yahweh and obey him"
"everyone from every place will worship and obey Yahweh"
"For Yahweh is king"
"he rules the people of the nations"
"will eat together" or "will eat a festive meal together"
"those who are dying" or "those who die"
"those who cannot save their own lives" or "those who cannot keep themselves from dying"
"People in the future generations"
"the people of the next generation" or "their children"
"about the Lord" or "about what the Lord has done"
"tell of the righteous things he has done"
"Yahweh is like a shepherd to me" or "Yahweh cares for me as a shepherd cares for his sheep"
"I have everything that I need"
"He gives me rest like a shepherd who leads his sheep to lie down in green pastures"
"he provides what I need like a shepherd who leads his sheep beside tranquil water"
"calm water" or "water that flows gently." This water is safe to drink.
This means God makes a person who is weak and tired to be strong and rested again.
"he shows me how to live right"
"for his reputation" or "so that people will honor him"
"Though my life is like walking through a dark and dangerous valley"
"I will not be afraid of something harming me"
Here "you" refers to Yahweh.
"I am not afraid because you protect me like a shepherd who protects his sheep with his rod and staff"
A table represents a feast because people would put all the food on a table.
"despite the presence of my enemies"
People sometimes put oil on their guests' heads in order to honor them.
"You fill my cup so much that it overflows" or "You give me many blessings"
"Surely you will be good and faithful to me"
"as long as I live"
Possible meanings are that 1) this refers to Yahweh's eternal home, or 2) this refers to Yahweh's temple in Jerusalem. If possible, translate it so that both meanings could be understood.
"everything that fills it"
"For he formed its foundation on the seas and built it on the deep waters"
These phrases are used together to refer to the huge deep ocean below the earth.
The speaker is asking about who is allowed to go and worship Yahweh.
"will go up" or "will climb"
This refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
This refers Yahweh's temple. His temple is on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
"Those who have ... who have ... and have not"
"who does what is right"
"thinks good thoughts" or "does not think about doing what is wrong"
"who has not worshiped an idol"
"Yahweh will bless them"
"God will deal righteously with him and save him"
"The people who seek him are like this"
"the ones who approach God, they are the ones who may worship God, the one we Israelites worship"
"Open up, you ancient gates" or "Open these ancient gates"
"I give myself to you" or 2) he is offering prayer and adoration to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I worship and adore you"
"Do not let my enemies humiliate me"
"defeat me and rejoice about it"
"Do not let enemies defeat those who hope in you"
"who trusts you"
"act deceitfully" or "act with trickery"
"without a reason"
"I depend on you" or "I wait patiently for you"
"Instruct me to conduct my life by obeying your truth"
"the one who saves me"
"Remember" or "Think about"
"how you have been compassionate and faithful to your covenant"
"for that is how you have always been"
"Do not think about how I sinned against you when I was young"
"how I have rebelled against you"
"and be faithful to me because of your covenant, because you are good"
How God wants a person to behave is spoken of as if it were a way or path on which a person travels.
"humble people" or "those who are humble"
"Yahweh always loves and is faithful"
"For your reputation" or "So that people will honor you"
"please forgive me, for I have sinned much"
"I will tell you about the man who fears Yahweh."
Yahweh teaching people how they should behave is spoken of as if Yahweh were teaching the people what way or path they should travel.
"Their lives ... their descendants"
"God will cause him to prosper" or "God will cause them to prosper"
"Yahweh is a friend to those." Some translate it as "Yahweh confides in those." His confiding in them shows the intimate friendship he has with them.
"I always look to Yahweh to help me" or "I always depend on Yahweh to help me"
"He will rescue me from danger"
Yahweh paying attention to a person and considering him is spoken of as if Yahweh were physically turning towards the person.
"I feel more and more troubled"
"rescue me from my distress" or "relieve me of my distress"
"Notice my affliction"
"the things that afflict me" or "how afflicted I am"
"the things that trouble me"
"they hate me and want to do violence to me"
"go to you for protection!"
"May being honest and doing what is right preserve me" or "keep me safe, Lord, because I am honest and do what is right"
"Save Israel" or "Redeem Israel"
"the people of Israel ... our troubles"
"I have behaved"
"in you"
"without doubting"
"Try me"
"test whether my motives are good"
"For I am always aware of your covenant faithfulness" or "For I am always aware that you are faithful to your covenant"
"I conduct my life according to your faithfulness" or "I behave the way I do because you are faithful"
"I do not keep company with" or "I do not sit with"
"with those who deceive others"
"and I do not join with dishonest people"
"those who gather to do evil"
"wicked people" or "those who are wicked"
This seems to refer to a ritual washing of hands in water to symbolize freedom from sin and guilt.
This was an action of worship that the Israelites were accustomed to doing.
Possible meanings are 1) if a person wrote this after the time of David, then the writer is referring to the temple in Jerusalem or 2) if David wrote this, then this refers to the tent that God told his people to set up so that they could worship him there.
"the place where people can see the glorious light of your presence"
"Do not destroy me along with sinners"
"people who are eager to shed others' blood" or "murderers"
"people in which"
"a wicked plan"
"I will behave with integrity"
"I stand"
Possible meanings are that "level ground" represents 1) a safe place or 2) right behavior
"when I gather with the people of Israel I will praise you"
"Yahweh is the source of my life"
"I will not be afraid of anyone"
"Yahweh is the one who keeps me safe"
"I will not dread anyone"
"to destroy me"
These words mean the same thing. These are the evildoers who came near to him.
"did not succeed" or "failed"
"though an army surrounds me" or "though an army puts its tents around me"
"I will not be afraid"
"though my enemies come to fight against me"
"I will continue to trust God to help me"
"I have asked Yahweh to let me do"
A person really wanting something and continually asking God for it is spoken of as if he were seeking to find something.
"to see how wonderful Yahweh is"
Possible meanings are 1) "to ask God what he wants me to do" or 2) "to think carefully about God in his temple."
"in times of trouble" or "when I have troubles"
"he will protect me"
Both of these refer to the tabernacle where the writer is worshiping God.
The word "cover" represents something that hides and protects.
God keeping the writer safe from his enemies is spoken of as if God were placing him on a high rock where his enemies cannot reach him.
"people will honor me when I win the fight against my enemies" or "God will honor me by enabling me to defeat my enemies"
"Yahweh, hear me"
"answer my prayer" or "do what I request of you"
"In my heart I say" or "I say to myself"
"I will come to your temple to pray to you"
"Do not reject me" or "Do not stop taking care of me"
"do not be angry with me"
The writer is emphasizing that he does not want God to leave him.
"God who saves me" or "because you are the God who saves me"
He is not saying that they actually have done this or that they would do it. His point is that even if they did that, God would not abandon him.
"Yahweh will keep me" or "Yahweh will take care of me"
"Teach me how you want me to live" or "Teach me to do what you want me to do"
"Keep me safe"
"Do not let my enemies do to me what they desire"
"have stood up in order to speak against me"
"they say that they will do violent things to me"
"Something bad would have happened to me"
"the good things that Yahweh does"
"while I am alive"
This verse may be 1) the writer speaking to himself or 2) the writer speaking to others or 3) someone speaking to the writer.
"be courageous"
"I call out loudly"
"my strength"
"do not be silent to me" or "do not leave me alone"
"I will die like those who are in the grave"
"Hear my strong request"
Lifting up hands is a symbol of worship. The writer is not worshiping the holy place, but Yahweh who lives in the holy place.
Possible meanings are 1) if David wrote this, then this refers to the tent that God told his people to set up so that they could worship him there, or 2) if a person wrote this after the time of David, then the writer is referring to the temple in Jerusalem.
"Do not remove me"
"who speak peacefully with other people"
"but are thinking something evil about them"
These two phrases mean the same thing. They are used together to emphasize that they deserve for God to punish them.
"the things they have done"
"give them what they deserve"
Possible meanings are 1) David is confident about what God will do to wicked people or 2) David is asking God to destroy the wicked people.
"they do not regard with honor what Yahweh has done"
"what he has created"
The punishment of the wicked people is spoken of as if they were a building or a city that God would destroy.
"has heard what I said when I pleaded to him"
"Yahweh makes me strong"
"he protects me"
"I trust"
"he helps me"
"I greatly rejoice"
"Yahweh makes his people strong"
"he keeps safe the one he appointed to be king"
The words "anointed one" represent the king.
"your possession" or "those who belong to you"
"Be like their shepherd and protect them forever"
"you mighty men"
"praise Yahweh because he is glorious and strong"
"as is proper because of who he is"
"Bow down to worship Yahweh"
"because he is gloriously beautiful and holy"
"When Yahweh speaks his voice is louder than the sound of the sea" or "Yahweh shouts louder than the sound of the waters"
"The voice of the glorious God is loud like thunder" or "When the glorious God speaks it rumbles like thunder"
"He makes the land of Lebanon shake like a calf skipping"
jump lightly back and forth
"he makes Sirion skip like a young ox"
This is a mountain in Lebanon. It is also called Mount Hermon.
"When Yahweh speaks he causes lightning to flash in the sky"
This refers to lightning.
"When Yahweh speaks, the sound causes"
"the large trees to shake"
"strips off the leaves from the trees"
"Yahweh rules" or "Yahweh is king"
Here "flood" refers to waters that cover the earth.
"This song was sung when the temple was dedicated"
"you rescued me"
"kept me from dying"
"from dying"
"Remember that God is holy and thank him" or "Remember what God has done because he is holy and thank him"
"he is angry for only a a short time"
"but he is good to us all of our lives"
"We may cry during the night, but the next morning we will be joyful"
"When I was confident" or "When I felt safe"
"No one will defeat me"
"when you favored me" or "when you were kind to me"
"you made me as secure as a high mountain"
"when you stopped helping me" or "when you rejected me"
"I was fearful" or "I was worried"
"I pleaded for you to help me"
"from you, my Lord"
"There is no advantage in my blood, if I go down to the grave."
"if I die a violent death"
"My decayed body will certainly not praise you or tell others about how trustworthy you are."
"You have caused me to stop mourning and to dance with joy instead"
"You have caused me to no longer be sad"
"caused me to be glad"
"I will sing praise to you"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"I go to you, Yahweh, for protection"
"do not let others humiliate me"
"like a huge rock on which I can be safe"
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a strong fortress in which the writer would be protected from his enemies.
"so that your name may be honored" or "so that I may worship you"
"lead me where you want me to go"
The writer is spoken of as if he were a bird caught in a hidden net, and waiting for Yahweh to free him from the trap.
"you always protect me" or "you give me constant protection"
"Into your care"
"I place myself"
"you are a God I can trust"
"Idols are worthless. I hate those who serve them"
"I will be very glad because you are faithful to your covenant"
God knows about the writer's troubles.
"my distress"
"You have set me"
"a place where I am free"
"I am suffering greatly"
The terms "soul" and "body" are used to describe the complete person.
"I have become very weak"
"because of my sorrow ... because of my groaning"
"my years are weary with groaning"
"I have become weak"
"my health is failing"
"people have contempt for me" or "people insult me"
"are shocked at my condition"
People do not think about dead people. The writer does not think people think about him.
The writer speaks of himself as useless as a broken pot"
"many people talking about me"
"scary reports from many sources"
"kill me"
"You have the power to decide my future"
"from people who try to capture me"
"Act favorably towards your servant"
"save me because you are faithful to your covenant"
"Do not let others make me feel ashamed"
"I wish that God would disgrace wicked people!"
"Let them die so they cannot speak"
"May someone make people who lie be silent"
"that say terrible things about righteous people"
"with a complete lack of respect"
"are the good things you do"
"that you are keeping ready to use"
"those who respect you greatly"
"those who go to you for protection"
"You provide a safe place for them"
"where their enemies cannot speak evil at them"
"he showed me that he is wonderfully faithful to his covenant"
"You have removed me from your presence"
"you heard me plead for help"
"he gives the proud people all of the punishment that they deserve"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
This may refer to a style of music.
"who God forgives his transgression and covers his sin"
"whose sin is ignored" or "whose sin is deliberately forgotten"
"whom Yahweh sees as innocent" or "who is not guilty according to Yahweh"
"in whom there is not deceit" or "who is completely honest"
"I was wasting away" or "I was getting weaker"
"all the time"
"you made me suffer greatly"
David's strength is compared to a small, green plant that turns brown and crumbles in the dry season.
"when they are in great trouble."
"Then when difficulties come like a flood of water, those people will be safe"
"You are like a place where I can hide myself from my enemies"
"Because of you I will sing songs of victory"
"I will teach you everything about the way"
Here the "I" is probably Yahweh who talks directly to David.
"how you should live your life"
"and direct my attention to you" or "and watch over you"
Possible meanings are 1) the writer is speaking Yahweh's words to his readers, "You all must not be like a horse ... no understanding" or 2) Yahweh is speaking to the writer as though to a group of people.
Two tools that are used by people to guide horses and mules go where the rider wants them to go.
"Because Yahweh is faithful to his covenant, he will protect the one who trusts in him"
"Be glad because of what Yahweh has done"
"you righteous people"
"shout joyfully" or "shout because of joy"
"people who are upright"
"Rejoice because of what Yahweh has done"
"to praise Yahweh is appropriate for upright people"
"Yahweh always does what he says that he will do"
"He loves doing what is right and just" or "He loves those who do what is right and just"
"People everywhere on earth can see that Yahweh is faithful to his covenant" or "Throughout the earth, there is evidence that Yahweh is faithful to his covenant"
"By using his word, Yahweh made the heavens"
"by his word"
"like behind a dam." The writer describes the creation of the sea as if God piles up all the waters together.
"he puts the oceans in their place, just like a man puts grain in a storehouse"
"Let everyone on earth"
"honor him"
"started to exist"
"Yahweh destroys" or "Yahweh breaks"
"the alliances of the people of different nations"
An alliance is an agreement between two or more nations to support each other in a war against a common enemy.
"the intentions of the peoples" Alternate translation: "the evil plans of the peoples"
"endure."
"the plans of his heart stand forever"
"Blessed are the people of the nation"
"who worship Yahweh as God"
The people Yahweh has chosen to worship him are described here as if they were an inheritance that he has received.
The place where Yahweh lives is spoken of as if it is above the earth where people live.
"guides their thinking as a potter shapes a bowl"
"A large army is not what saves a king"
"Having an army with strong horses does not provide security"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"Yahweh's attention"
"those who expect him to act faithfully because of his covenant" or "those who wait for him to act because he is faithful to his covenant"
"to keep them from dying"
"We trust in Yahweh" or "We hope in Yahweh"
"he is our helper and protects us like a shield"
"We rejoice"
"in his holy character" or "in him because he is holy"
"May you always act faithfully towards us because of your covenant, Yahweh"
"as we hope for your help"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"acted like a crazy person"
"when he was in Abimelek's house" or "when he was Abimelek's prisoner"
"I will always praise him out loud"
"the oppressed people"
"Everyone should praise Yahweh with me"
"tell people how great he is"
"his character"
"I prayed to Yahweh" or "I asked Yahweh for help"
"Those who look at him for help" or "those who expect help only from him"
"are joyful"
"they are not ashamed" or "they are proud"
"I was oppressed and"
"Yahweh heard me" or "Yahweh helped him"
"guards"
Yahweh's goodness is spoken of as something that can be tasted and seen. Alternate translation: "Try and experience that Yahweh is good"
"trust him to protect them"
"Those who fear him will always have what they need"
"will always have the good things they need"
"my students"
"Every man delights in life and desires to live many days and have a good life"
"Therefore, do not speak evil"
"do not speak lies"
"Refuse to do evil"
"Try hard to live in peace with other people"
"Yahweh carefully watches over the righteous people"
"he pays attention to their cry" or "he answers their cry"
"so that when they are dead, people will forget them completely"
"Yahweh pays attention to them"
"Yahweh is always ready to help"
"people who are very sad"
"people who are deeply discouraged"
"the righteous people"
"He provides complete protection for him, he will not be harmed in any way"
"The evil deeds of wicked people will kill them"
"Yahweh will condemn those who hate the righteous people"
"Yahweh will forgive everyone who takes refuge in him"
these are defensive weapons
these are offensive weapons
Possible meanings are 1) these enemies are literally chasing the writer or 2) this is a metaphor for people who are enemies of the writer.
"say to me"
"I am your savior" or "I will save you"
"I desire that Yahweh shame and dishonor those who who are trying to kill me"
"May Yahweh turn back and confound those who plan to harm me"
"be unsuccessful"
"blown away by the wind like chaff"
"their lives"
"hidden and full of dangers"
"works against them" or "opposes them"
"they want to catch me in a net like a small animal"
"they wanted to capture me in a pit like a big animal"
"Let them be destroyed suddenly" or "Let them be surprised because you destroy them suddenly"
"the net that they placed in order to capture me like an animal and harm me"
"Let them fall into the pit that they dug for me"
Possible meanings are 1) fall into the pit of verse 7 or 2) fall into destruction.
"because you save me"
"My whole inner being"
"Yahweh, there is no one like you ... those who try to rob them."
The words "poor" and "needy" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh saves many who need his help.
"volunteer to give a testimony"
"In return for my doing good things for them, they do evil things to me"
"I am extremely sad"
The word "they" refers to the "unrighteous witnesses"
"I wore sackcloth" or "I showed that I was sad"
"them with my head bent down in prayer"
"grieving as if my own brother was ill"
"I mourned as if my own mother had died"
This was a symbol of pain and suffering.
"assembled together" or "came together"
"to make plans against me" or "to plan my destruction"
"They attacked me"
"With the worthless people they ridiculed me" or "Without respect they made fun of me"
This is a sign of anger and hate. "they made grinding noises with their teeth at me"
"how long will you only watch them doing this?" or "when will you help me?"
"Rescue me"
"save my only life from from my enemies who attack me like wild animals"
"me—and I only have one life—from"
"Do not let my enemies, who tell lies about me,"
"their evil plans"
"they do not speak peacefully to people"
"look for ways to tell lies"
"those who live peacefully in our land"
"They shout at me in order to accuse me"
"we have seen it" or "we saw the wrong things that you did"
"You have seen how they falsely accused me"
"judge them because of what they did"
"be very close to me"
"I feel like you are sleeping! Wake up"
"to defend me"
"do not let them be glad because I am suffering"
"say to themselves"
"Yes"
"he has been declared guilty just as we desired"
"We have swallowed him up" or "We have destroyed him"
"May those who rejoice at my distress be put to shame and humiliated"
"May you clothe with shame and dishonor those who exalt themselves over me"
"consider themselves better than I am" or "think they have the right to treat me badly"
Here "vindication" refers to Yahweh proclaiming or judging the psalmist innocent.
"may they always say"
"Let us praise Yahweh"
"who is happy with" or "who is glad for"
well-being, happiness
"proclaim that you act in the right way"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"Evil people"
"from his inner being"
"in him"
"he prefers to believe" or "he wants to think"
"God will not discover and hate his sin"
"Everything he says is wicked, and he wants to deceive others"
"do things that are good"
"he begins to do evil things"
"he does not reject evil behavior"
"Your covenant faithfulness ... is very great" or "You ... are as faithful to your covenant as the heavens are high above the earth"
"as high as the highest mountains ... as deep as the deepest sea"
"you help" or "you save"
"I greatly value how you are faithful to your covenant"
"They will have all they need because you will provide it to them" or "You have plenty to give, and you will provide them with all they need"
"your precious blessings are like a river from which you will let them drink"
"source of life"
"when you enlighten us, we will know the truth" or "your light is what enables us to know the truth about you"
"Continue to act faithfully to those who know you"
"Continue to protect the people who act righteously"
"arrogant people ... wicked people"
"send me away" or "make me leave my place"
"you have pushed them down" or "you have destroyed them" or "you have defeated them"
"cannot get up" or "will never again harm anyone"
"Do not let wicked people upset you" or "Do not be bothered by what wicked people do"
"die" or "come to an end"
"nourish faithfulness" or "increase your faithfulness"
"your deepest, inner desires" or "the things that you desire the most"
"Ask Yahweh to guide your actions in life"
Here, when one trusts in Yahweh, he will defend that person and grant justice to that person.
"as clear to see as the light of day"
"as visible as the light at the brightest time of day"
"Be quiet"
The destruction of the wicked is spoken of as if they were a branch of a plant that was cut off and thrown away.
"but those who trust in Yahweh"
"will receive the land as their own possession" or "will live safely in the land"
"will die and you will no longer see him"
"the meek people"
"will receive the land as their own possession" or "will live safely in the land"
"The wicked person"
"the righteous person"
The wicked man hates the righteous person so much that he grinds his teeth together to show his anger.
"the day is coming when Yahweh will judge and punish him" or "the day is coming when Yahweh will judge and punish the wicked person"
"The wicked people"
"have prepared their weapons in order to attack"
"to destroy"
"people who are not able to resist them"
"Their weapons will be turned against them and they will kill themselves"
"It is better to be poor and righteous than to be wicked with great wealth"
"For Yahweh will remove the strength of the wicked people"
"protects the blameless people"
"every day"
"when calamities occur"
"Yahweh will destroy them as fire turns the weeds of the field into smoke"
These mean the same thing and emphasize the generosity of the righteous.
"Those whom God blesses"
"will receive the land as their own possession" or "will be allowed to live safely in the land"
"those whom Yahweh curses"
"If a man lives in a commendable way in Yahweh's sight, Yahweh will establish his steps"
"the way a man lives"
"Though he has difficult times, he will not utterly fail"
"protecting him with his power"
"Yahweh forsake the righteous person"
"begging for food"
"He is always"
"his children grow up to bless others"
"Stop doing"
"Yahweh will protect them forever"
"will receive the land as their own possession" or "will be allowed to live safely in the land"
"the righteous people"
"gives wise advice to others"
"encourages other people to live rightly"
"He treasures the commands of his God in his inner being"
"he will walk safely in the way God wants him to walk" or "he will safely do the things God wants him to do"
"Wicked people ... righteous people" or "Any wicked person" or "any righteous person"
"waits in ambush for the righteous person"
"evil people's hands" or "the power of the evil person"
"When Yahweh judges him"
"he will honor you by giving you the land"
"the wicked people"
Here the prosperity of the wicked man is spoken of as if he were a healthy tree growing in good soil.
"I could not find him" or "Yahweh had taken him away"
This does not refer to a specific person. It is a general statement.
"note carefully the good people" or "notice the good people"
"God will end his family line" or "he will not have any descendants"
"Yahweh rescues the righteous people"
"they have gone to him for protection"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"Your punishment is as painful as if you had shot arrows into me"
"your power knocks me down"
"my whole body is diseased because of my sin"
"my iniquities cover me like a flood"
"they are like a load that is too heavy for me to lift"
"My wounds are infected and stink as they rot"
"I am bent over in pain"
"My body is burning with fever"
"I am completely sick"
The writer's illness is so severe that it is as if a huge weight is pressing down on him.
"my anguish"
"My strongest desires" or "that I desire you to heal me"
"you are able to see all my moans of sorrow"
"My heart beats loudly"
"I become very weak"
"I can no longer see well"
"set traps to catch me"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the hurtful nature of what these people say.
The writer does not listen to what his enemies are saying.
The writer does not speak evil words to or about his enemies.
The writer does not listen to what his enemies are saying.
The writer does not speak evil words to or about his enemies.
Possible meanings are 1) "you will answer me" or 2) "you will answer my enemies."
"will not be glad because I am having trouble"
"If I make mistakes that cause me trouble"
Possible meanings are 1) "I am so sick that I am about to die" or 2) "I will soon be ruined."
"I am always in pain"
"They do evil thing to me after I was good to them"
The way the writer's enemies accuse him is spoken of as if they were throwing accusations at him like rocks.
The writers desire for what is good is spoken of as if he were running after good things.
Because Yahweh has not yet answered the writer's request, he speaks of Yahweh as if Yahweh were standing far away from the writer.
"you are the one who saves me"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship,"
One of David's chief musicians had this same name. This may refer to him.
"I will pay attention to the things that I say"
"so that I do not speak an offense against Yahweh"
To "muzzle" means to keep a mouth shut. Here David means that he will not speak while he is with an evil person.
"I was completely silent"
"I did not speak"
"I became very anxious when I thought about these things"
"Show me how brief my life is" or "Show me how soon I will die"
"only a very short time"
"the length of my life is barely any time at all"
"The time that humans live is as short as a single breath of a person"
"Everyone disappears like shadows do"
Here it is implied that they do not know what will happen to their wealth after they die.
"So now, Yahweh, I can expect to receive nothing from anyone else."
"because my punishment comes from you"
"Please stop punishing me"
"I am defeated completely"
"your judgment on me"
"consume the things they desire like a moth eats away at clothing"
"everyone is completely fragile"
"do not ignore me" or "pay attention to me"
The reader should understand that the writer is extremely sad.
"I am like a complete stranger to you"
"Please stop punishing me"
"so that I can be happy again"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This means the writer was waiting for Yahweh to help him.
"he listened to me when I called out to him"
"from being trapped in a horrible pit full of sticky mud"
"he provided safety for me"
Possible meanings are 1) "He has taught me the words to a new song" or 2) "He has given me a new reason to sing."
"in me"
"a song to praise our God"
"Many people will hear me tell what Yahweh has done"
"Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh" or "Those who trust in Yahweh are blessed"
"proud people"
The Hebrew word is unclear. Possible meanings are 1) "lies" or 2) "false gods."
"no one can count all the things you think about us"
"Sacrifices and other offerings are not the things that delight you most"
"you have enabled me to hear your commands"
"animals burned on the altar and other offerings for our sins are not what you require most"
"the written scroll"
"I am always thinking about your laws within my inner being"
"I have told a large assembly of people the good news of your righteousness."
"good news that because you are righteous, you rescue your people"
"I have not stopped myself from proclaiming these things"
"I have openly told every one about your righteousness"
Here this refers to the writer's inner being.
"I have told everyone in the great assembly about your covenant faithfulness or your trustworthiness"
"how faithful you are to your covenant"
"how trustworthy you are"
"I want your covenant faithfulness and your trustworthiness to always preserve"
"there are more troubles around me than I can count" or "more troubles come to me than I can count"
"the consequences of my iniquities"
The writer's iniquities are spoken of as if they were his enemies who were harming him.
This may mean that the speaker is crying so much that he cannot see anything because of his tears.
"I am very discouraged"
"Let those who pursue my life to sweep it away be ashamed and completely disappointed"
"who are trying to kill me"
"Let those who delight in hurting me be turned back and brought to dishonor" or "Please have someone turn back those who delight in hurting me and bring them to dishonor"
"Let those who say to me, 'Aha, aha!' be appalled because of their shame"
"I hope that they will be appalled when you cause them to be ashamed"
These words indicate that the speaker has seen the hearer doing evil that the hearer did not think anyone knew about.
"be very joyful"
"love you because you saved them"
"very needy"
"the Lord cares for me"
"You are the one who helps me"
"you come to save me"
"respond quickly"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
The words "he" and "him" refer to anyone who is concerned for weak people" or "poor people."
These words refer to anyone who is concerned for the weak.
"When he is sick and in bed, Yahweh will support him"
"when will his name perish" or "when will people forget about him"
The words "my enemy" refers to any enemy in general, and not to one specific enemy.
"he says deceitful things" or "they pretend to be concerned about me"
"he tries to learn about all of my sins"
Possible meanings are 1) "they hope that very bad things will happen to me" or 2) "they are planning to hurt me."
"He is sick with a fatal disease"
"now that he is sick in bed, he will die there"
"has betrayed me" or "has turned against me"
"Please, Yahweh, have mercy on me and raise me up"
"make me well"
"so that I may take revenge on them"
"Because my enemy does not triumph over me, I know that you delight in me"
"you support me because of my integrity"
"will keep me with you"
"for all eternity"
"May it certainly be so"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This may refer to a style of music.
The author compares his desire for God to the desire of a thirsty deer for water.
heavy breathing from an animal or person that is very tired or thirsty
The author does not ask this question to get an answer but to show his strong desire to be before God.
"My tears are like my food and I eat nothing else"
"all day long"
"Your God is not here to help you"
"remember"
"I express my sorrow"
"the crowd of people"
"I should not be discouraged. I should not be worried"
The writer continues to speak to his own soul and commands it to trust God.
The writer begins to speak to God about his soul.
"I think of you"
"the land where the Jordan river begins"
mountain tops
This is the name of a hill at the base of Mount Hermon.
The word "deep" refers to deep waters, which here are likely the streams rushing down Mount Hermon. The writer speaks of them as if they are people calling out to one another as they hear the sound of their own descent from the mountain.
The author speaks of his great misfortune and sadness as if they are deep waters that drown him with one wave after another.
"all of your great waves"
"Yahweh will show me his covenant faithfulness in the daytime" or "Yahweh will show me in the daytime how faithful he is to his covenant"
Possible meanings are 1) "the song that he gives me" or "the song about him"
"the God who gives me life"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a huge rock that would provide protection from enemy attack.
To "go mourning" is to perform customs related to being very sad.
The writer describes his adversaries' rebukes as his receiving a fatal wound.
Possible meanings are 1) "the God who protects me" or 2) "the God who gives me strength."
To "go about in mourning" is to perform customs related to being very sad.
"because my enemy oppresses me"
"guide me with your light and truth"
This refers to the hill in Jerusalem where the temple is located and thus to the temple itself.
"to the place where you live"
"God who is my very great joy" or "God who gives me very great joy"
"I should not be bowed down. I should not be worried"
The writer continues to speak to his own soul and commands it to trust God.
"my God who saves me"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote."
"God, we have heard clearly"
Both of these phrases use the word "days" to refer to the time period when the ancestors of the people of Israel were alive.
"You forced the people from other nations to leave"
"by your power"
"you caused our people to live there"
"by fighting with their own swords" or "by their own army's strength"
"their own power"
"the light of your face obtained the land for their possession"
"your great power"
"your kindness" or "your good favor"
The people of Israel are referred to by the name of their ancestor "Jacob."
"By you ... by your"
The writer speaks of his enemies' defeat as if they are "down" and of their preparing to fight as if they are "up."
"by your power"
"tread them under our feet" or "walk on top of them"
"we have boasted"
"we will give thanks to you"
resources and treasures that an army collects after winning a battle
"You have allowed our enemies to kill us like they would kill a sheep and eat it"
"caused us to live in many different nations"
"You make us something that our neighbors rebuke"
"those around us scoff at us and mock us"
"You make the nations around us insult us"
"something at which the peoples shake their heads"
"I think about my dishonor"
"the shame of my face has overwhelmed me"
"because of what the person says who rebukes and insults me"
"We have not stopped being loyal to you"
"you have punished us severely"
"and made our land like a place where wild dogs live"
"made us so that we are about to die"
"If we have forgotten our God" or "If we have stopped worshiping our God"
"worshiped a strange god" or "prayed to a strange god"
"God would certainly find out"
"he knows what a person secretly thinks"
"we are always in danger of people killing us"
"people consider us to be sheep for the slaughter"
"Wake up! I feel like you are sleeping, Lord!"
"Do not ignore us ... our oppression."
"forget that people afflict us and oppress us" or "forget that people greatly afflict us"
The writer speaks of their humiliation as if their bodies were objects, such as ice, that melt and soak into the dirt.
The writer speaks of their humiliation as if their bodies were stuck to the ground and they could not raise themselves up.
"Take action"
"to show that you are faithful to your covenant"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style or the tune of the music. Sometimes it is translated as "set to the tune of 'Lilies.'"
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote."
This may refer to a style of music.
"My emotions are excited about a good subject"
"a noble theme" or "a beautiful word." This refers to the song that he has written.
to have written or created a song
"my tongue is like the pen of person who writes well" or "I speak words as skillfully as an experienced writer can write words"
"You are more handsome than any other man"
"it is as if someone has anointed your lips with oil" or "you speak eloquently"
"Prepare yourself for battle"
The writer tells the king to ride his horse or chariot to victory.
"in order to fight for what is trustworthy, meek, and right"
"You will learn to accomplish great military feats by fighting in many battles"
"awesome deeds." This refers to military victories that cause his enemies to fear him and his allies to revere him.
This phrase refers to the king defeating his enemies. Possible meanings are 1) "the peoples fall at your feet in surrender" or 2) "the peoples fall dead at your feet."
"your arrows have pierced the hearts of your enemies." The writer speaks to the king while referring to the king in the third person.
"Your kingdom ... is forever and ever" or "You will reign ... forever and ever"
Possible meanings are that the word "God" 1) is a title for the king, who is God's representative or 2) modifies the word "throne" and means "Your kingdom that God has given you."
"you rule your kingdom with justice"
"when God appointed you as king, he made you very glad"
These are aromatic plant substances that people used to make perfumes.
Ivory is a hard white substance that forms animal's tusks. This phrase describes a palace with walls and furniture that people have decorated with ivory.
"the music of stringed instruments has made you glad"
These women are wives of the king who receive his approval.
"your bride, the queen" or "your bride, who will be the queen"
This is the name of a place that had a reputation for its fine gold.
The writer begins to speak to the queen and refers to her as "daughter" because she is a young woman.
"listen carefully"
"no longer follow the customs of your people"
"your relatives"
"and" or "so"
This is a polite way to say that the king will want to sleep with the queen as his wife.
"The people of Tyre"
"The king's bride"
"very beautiful."
"she wears clothing that someone has embroidered with golden thread"
"People will lead her to the king as she wears an embroidered dress"
a design made by sewing colored threads into cloth
"people will bring to you the virgins, her companions who follow her"
"Gladness and rejoicing will lead them" or "They will proceed with gladness and rejoicing"
This means that the king's sons will replace him as king, just as he replaced his ancestors as king.
"you will make rulers over many nations"
"I will cause people in every generation to know about your greatness"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote"
This may refer to a style of music.
"God gives us safety and strength"
"the mountains should shake so violently that they fall into the depths of the sea"
"though the waters of the sea roar and rage." The words "roar" and "rage" describe the violent movements of the sea during a strong storm.
"the swelling waters cause the mountains to tremble"
The imagery of a running river symbolizes peace and prosperity for the city of God.
"the holy place where the Most High lives"
The words "her" and "she" refer to "the city of God."
"nothing will be able destroy her"
"The nations are terrified"
"armies overthrew the kingdoms"
"God shouted"
"the people of the earth tremble with fear"
"the God of Jacob gives us safety"
Possible meanings are 1) "the God whom Jacob worshiped" or 2) "the God of Israel."
"He makes nations stop fighting wars"
"everywhere in the world"
One way in which Yahweh will make all wars to cease is by destroying the weapons that the armies use to fight one another.
Some versions understand this Hebrew word as "chariots."
Here, God begins to speak.
"Stop fighting"
Here the word "know" means to understand and to confess that Yahweh is the true God.
"People from every nation will exalt me; people all over the earth will exalt me"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"Clap your hands in celebration"
These two phrases are parallel and mean that God enabled Israel to conquer their enemies.
"He chooses this land as an inheritance for us"
"the land in which Jacob takes pride"
The word "Jacob" refers to the nation of Israel.
"God has gone up into the temple as people shouted" or "God has ascended to his throne as people shouted"
"Yahweh has gone up as people blew rams' horns"
"The rulers of all the nations"
Possible meanings are that the rulers of the nations 1) "gather in front of the people" or 2) "gathered together with the people" so that all may worship God as king.
"the kings of the earth are subject to God"
"people are to praise him greatly"
This is a reference to Jerusalem, which was built on Mount Zion.
Possible meanings are 1) "the city where our God lives" or 2) "the city that belongs to our God"
"Beautiful and high." The word "elevation" refers to how high mount Zion is.
"Mount Zion gives joy to everyone on earth" or "everyone on earth rejoices because of Mount Zion"
Possible meanings are that this phrase 1) refers to the direction of the north or 2) is a proper name, Zaphon, referring to a mountain in the north.
"God has made himself known as one who gives safety to the people in Mount Zion's palaces"
The word "see" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"assembled their armies"
"together they passed by Jerusalem"
"They saw Jerusalem"
greatly troubled
"There they trembled with fear"
"pain took hold of them, as when a woman is in labor" or "they became afraid, like a woman is afraid of experiencing labor pains"
Possible meanings are 1) "a wind blowing from the east" or 2) "a strong wind."
Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) ships that sail to or are built in the city of Tarshish or 2) any large ocean-going ship.
"in the city of our God, Yahweh of hosts"
"make it secure."
"how faithful you are to your covenant" or "how faithful you are to us because of your covenant"
"as we are in your temple"
"Your name is very great ... and so people throughout the world praise you greatly" or "People all throughout the world have heard of you ... so people throughout the world praise you"
"you rule with righteousness" or "you are righteous as you rule"
"Let those who live on Mount Zion be glad"
"let the people who live in the cities of Judah rejoice"
"Walk all the way around Mount Zion"
"notice in detail"
"he will guide us"
Possible meanings are 1) "until we die" or 2) "forever."
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
These two phrases are parallel. Together they strengthen the command for all people to listen.
"both important people and unimportant people" or "people of every social class"
"all people"
"I will speak wise words"
"the thoughts upon which I meditate will help you to understand"
"listen carefully"
"as I play the harp"
"I have no reason to fear ... heels."
"when evil things happen." Here the word "days" refers to general periods of time.
"when my enemies surround me"
These people trust their wealth will keep them from having to suffer.
a large amount of something
"no one can pay money to God so that their brother will not die"
"it costs too much to redeem a person's life"
The word "pit" here refers to the place where a person's spirit goes after the person dies. The words "not see the pit" refer to the person's dead body not decaying.
"he will die and his body will decay"
This means a person who is stupid or unintelligent.
"Their belief"
"the places where they live will continue to all generations"
"they own their own lands"
"But man, even if he has wealth"
"This is the fate of those who practice folly"
"yet after they die"
The writer compares people who will all die to a flock of sheep. Just as sheep cannot escape when the butcher decides to slaughter them, so men will not escape when it is their time to die.
"God has appointed them"
"death will take them away as a shepherd leads away sheep to be slaughtered"
Here the word "morning" is a metaphor that refers to a time when God will vindicate righteous people and save them from evil people.
"their bodies will decompose in the grave"
"God will redeem me"
The word "glory" here refers to wealth or riches. Possible meanings are 1) "when he gains more wealth in his house" or 2) "when his family becomes richer."
"he will take nothing with him to the grave"
"his glory will not go along with him when he dies" or "he will not keep his reputation when he dies"
"He congratulated himself"
"he will join his ancestors in the grave"
"they will never see the sun again" or "they will never live again"
The author uses three different names to speak of God.
"called all people"
"everywhere on earth"
Possible meanings are 1) "Zion, whose beauty is perfect" or 2) "Zion, the most beautiful city."
"God's glory shines like a light"
"speaks so that everyone can hear him"
"a fire burns in front of him"
"there is a great storm around him"
Possible meanings are 1) God is calling on all who live in heaven and on earth to be witnesses as he judges his people or 2) God is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses as he judges his people.
Possible meanings are 1) the writer uses the word "heavens" to refer to the angels who live there or 2) the writer speaks of "the heavens" as if they are a person who testifies about God's righteousness.
tell someone he is guilty of doing wrong
"you are always sacrificing burnt offerings to me"
areas surrounded by walls in which sheep and goats are kept
"all the cattle in the world are mine"
"I own all the birds"
"I do not eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats."
"Offer to me"
"fulfill your vows to the Most High" or "do what you have promised the Most High to do"
"whenever you have troubles"
"to wicked people"
"talk about my covenant"
"It is not right for you to declare my statutes and my covenant, since you hate instruction and reject what I say."
"you join him"
"You are always saying evil things"
"you are always telling lies"
God accuses them of speaking falsely against members of their own family.
"you thought that I was someone who acts just like you do"
tell someone he is guilty of doing wrong
"list ... all the things you have done"
"right in front of you" or "so that you can not deny them"
"you who reject me"
"I will destroy you"
"lives his life the right way"
"I will save him"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"when Nathan the prophet came to David and rebuked him"
"because you are faithful to your covenant"
"because you do so many merciful things"
"forgive my sins like someone wiping something away" or "forget my sins like someone who erases a record of sins"
"Wash away all my sin" or "Forgive all my sins so that I will be acceptable to you"
completely, totally
"Make me clean from my sin" or "forgive me for my sin so that I will be clean"
"I am always aware of my sins" or "I cannot forget my sins"
"what you judge to be evil" or "what you consider to be evil"
"I was already a sinner when I was born"
"even when my mother conceived me, I was a sinner"
"you want me to desire trustworthiness" or "you want me to be trustworthy"
"Make me acceptable by sprinkling water on me with hyssop" or "Forgive me for my sins so that I will be acceptable to you"
This is a plant that the priests used to sprinkle water or blood on people or things to make them ceremonially clean, that is, acceptable to God.
"very, very white"
"for you have caused me terrible sadness in my inner being. Let me rejoice again"
"Do not look at my sins" or "Do not remember my sins"
"Make me completely devoted to you" or "Make me want to obey you always"
"make my attitude right" or "make me always want to do what is right"
"Do not reject me as one of your people"
"hold me up" or "assist me"
"the way you want people to live" or "what you want people to do"
These two words refer to the same people here.
This phrase refers to killing another person.
"Lord, make me able to speak, and I will praise you"
"A sacrifice is not enough to please you ... you want something more than burn offerings"
"The sacrifices that please God"
"sorrow and humility" or "a person who is sorry for his sin and humble"
Possible meanings are 1) "enable us to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem" or 2) "protect Jerusalem and make it strong"
A bull is an adult male cow. Bulls were often used as sacrificial animals, according to God's instruction.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This may refer to a style of music.
These are the names of men.
"you, who think you are so mighty"
"Every day, God is faithful to keep the promises of his covenant" or "Every day, God faithfully protects his people from wicked people like you"
"Your tongue harms people like a sharp razor does, when you plan destruction and deceive others"
"You"
"you love lying more than speaking what is right"
"words that harm others"
"you speaker of deceit" or "you liar"
All three of these phrases are different ways of saying "remove you"
"he will take you out the land of the living" or "He will kill you so that you will no longer be on earth with living people"
This may be a musical term that tells people how to sing or play their instruments here. Some translations write the Hebrew word, and some translations do not include it.
"The righteous will also see God remove him and they will fear"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"did not make God his protector" or "did not ask God to protect him"
"I am strong in God's house, like a green olive tree" or "Because I worship in God's temple, I am secure like a green olive tree"
"I will trust in God forever and ever because he is faithful to his covenant"
"I will wait for you, because you are good" or "I will wait for you to help me, because you are good"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
This may refer to a style of music.
This refers to all people.
"who worship him"
"They have all turned away from doing what is right" or "They have all rejected God"
"those who destroy my people as freely as if they were eating bread"
"God will completely destroy everyone who attacks you, and their bones will lie scattered on the ground"
"I hope that the salvation of Israel will come" or "I pray that the salvation of will come"
"the savior of Israel would come from Zion" or "God would come from Zion and save Israel"
"When God saves his captive people"
Here "Jacob" refers to the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
This may refer to a style of music.
people from the city of Ziph in the Judean mountains, southeast of Hebron.
"Save me, God, by your power"
"In your might, show people that I am not guilty" or "Show people that I am not guilty by using your power to rescue me"
"listen to the words"
"my words" or "what I am saying to you"
"have prepared to attack me" or "are attacking me"
"men who have no mercy"
"have tried to kill me" or "want to kill me"
"they do not pay attention to God" or "they ignore God"
"who defends me" or "who keeps me safe"
"He will do the evil to my enemies that they have done to me" or "He will cause the evil that my enemies have done to me to be done to them"
"God, destroy them because you are faithful to me"
"I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, for you are good"
"I have seen that my enemies have been defeated" or 2) "I have defeated my enemies"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
This may refer to a style of music.
"Listen to my prayer"
"do not ignore my plea"
"because of what my enemies say"
"they cause me to have great troubles" or "they do wicked things to me and so I suffer"
"I am suffering because I am so afraid"
"I am very much afraid that I will die" or "I am terrified that I will die"
"I have become very fearful and I tremble"
"I feel terrible horror" or "I am extremely afraid"
"I wish very much that I had wings like a dove"
"If I did have wings, I would fly away"
a strong storm
Possible meanings are "Destroy my enemies, Lord" or "Destroy my enemies."
"confuse them when they speak to each other" or "confuse their plans"
"people walk about on the city's walls, being violent and fighting"
"people do wickedness and cause trouble in the middle of the city" or "people do sinful things and cause trouble in it"
"People do wicked things in the middle of the city" or "people destroy things in the city"
"People oppress and deceive others in the city streets, and they do not leave" or "People are always oppressing and deceiving others in the city streets"
This may refer to the marketplaces in the city.
"I could have tolerated the rebuke" or "I would not be so sad about the rebuke"
"insulted me" or "despised me"
The psalmist speaks as though the person who had rebuked and taunted him were there listening to him.
"myself. You were my companion and my close friend"
The word "we" refers to the psalmist and his friend.
Possible meanings are 1) "together" or 2) "with the crowd."
"Let my enemies die suddenly"
"let them suddenly go to Sheol"
"they always do wicked things where they live"
"They always do wicked things wherever they are" or "wherever they are"
the sound people and animals make when they are in pain
"he will hear me" or "he will hear my moaning"
"me"
"for many people fought against me"
"will hear my enemies" or "will hear what my enemies say." Some versions say "will hear me."
"will defeat and humiliate them"
"has attacked those" or "has betrayed those"
"What he said was pleasant like smooth butter" or "He said nice things"
"was mean" or "was hateful"
"what he said"
"what he said was kind and soothing like oil" or "he said kind things"
"what he said wounded people as drawn swords do" or "what he said caused people trouble"
"Give Yahweh your problems" or "Trust God to help you with all your troubles like someone who trusts a stronger person to carry his load"
"he will take care of you" or "he will help you"
"he will not let a righteous person sway and fall down" or "he will not let a righteous person to be destroyed"
The author speaks to God now.
This probably refers to the grave or hell.
"will cause the wicked to die" or "will cause wicked people to die and go to the place where dead people are"
"people who lie and who want to kill others" or "deceitful murderers"
"even half as long as other people live"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship;"
"Sing this psalm using the tune of 'Jonath elem rehokim.'" This may mean "Dove on Distant Oak Trees." Translators may either write the meaning or copy the Hebrew words.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead. This can be written as: "This is a psalm that David wrote."
"come closer and closer in order to attack me"
"My enemies attack me severely"
The word "you" refers to God.
"just humans" or "people." This implies that people are not powerful, but God is powerful.
"All the time"
"they say that I said things than I did not say" or "they claim that I said things, but they lie"
"they always have evil thoughts against me" or "they always think of evil things to do to me"
"they watch everything I do"
"as they wait to kill me"
"Do not let them escape your punishment for their iniquity" or "Do not let them escape when you punish them for the wicked things they do"
"Defeat the peoples"
"You care about all the times that I have been wandering alone"
"you know how much I have cried and you care about me"
"you have written about them in your book!" or "you remember my cries!"
"will retreat" or "will turn and run away"
"God is fighting for me"
"People can do nothing to me!" or "People cannot harm me badly!"
"I must fulfill my vows to you" or "I must do what I promised you I would do"
"you have kept me from stumbling" or "you have kept me from being killed by my enemies"
"so that I may live in God's presence"
"with the life that you give" or "because you enable me to live"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This means "Do Not Destroy." Translators may either write the meaning or copy the Hebrew words.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead. This can be written as: "This is a psalm that David wrote."
"I go to you for protection"
"I trust you to protect me"
"until this destructive storm is over"
"because he does all things for me"
"those who attack me severely"
"God will be loving to me and trustworthy"
"I live among fierce enemies" or "Fierce enemies surround me like lions"
"those who are ready to destroy me"
"people who kill others with spears and arrows as lions kill with their sharp teeth"
Since both of these terms are weapons, if your culture knows only one, it is acceptable to use it alone.
"whose cruel words are like sharp swords" or "who cause terrible trouble for me by what they say"
"God, show that you are exalted above the heavens" or "God, show that you are great in the heavens"
"show your glory over all the earth"
"It is as though my enemies have spread a net out to trap me" or "They planned to capture me like people who spread out a net to trap an animal"
"It is as though they dug a pit for me to fall into" or "They planned to capture me like people who dig a hole in the ground to trap an animal"
"They themselves fell into the pit they had dug for me" or "But they themselves were hurt by what they planned to do to me"
"I am completely confident in you, God"
"I will sing praises to you, God"
"Wake up, my honored heart, to sing praises to God" or "I will prepare my honored heart to sing praises to God" or "I am honored to wake up and sing praises to God"
The psalmist speaks as though the lute and harp were people who could wake up to sing praises to God.
"I will get up before dawn" or "I will get up before the sun rises"
"Your unfailing love is as great as the distance from the earth to the heavens"
"great is your faithfulness, reaching to the clouds" or "your faithfulness is as great as the distance from the earth to the clouds"
"God, show that you are exalted above the heavens" or "God, show that you are great in the heavens"
"show your glory over all the earth"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This probably tells what musical style or tune to use when singing the psalm.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"You rulers do not say what is right!"
"You people never judge people uprightly!"
The words "you" and "your" refer to the mighty men who are judges
"you commit wickedness in your thoughts" or "you think about doing wicked things"
"you yourselves do violent deeds everywhere in the land"
"they do wrong things"
"Their wicked words cause trouble as a snake's poison harms people"
"a poisonous snake that does not listen"
people who play or sing music in order to control snakes
"no matter how skillful the charmers are at controlling snakes"
"Take away their power to kill. Make them powerless like young lions whose teeth have been broken and fallen out"
"Make them disappear like water that runs off" or "Make them vanish like ice that melts and drains into the ground"
"let their arrows be as though they had no points"
"Let the wicked vanish like a snail that melts and no longer exists"
small animal that the Israelites considered unclean and that looks like it is melting as it moves by sliding over slime it has produced
"like a baby who is born too early too live and see the sunlight" or "like a baby that was born dead"
"God will destroy wicked people faster than a whirlwind can blow away thornbush branches that have been put under a cooking pot and lit with fire"
David is speaking to God's people, so this is plural.
"the heat from the burning thorn branches ... the green thorn branches and the burning thorn branches"
"Righteous people will rejoice when they see"
"the righteous will make their feet wet in the blood of the wicked" or "the righteous will march on the blood of the wicked"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This probably tells what musical style or tune to use when singing the psalm.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead.
"put me in a safe place"
"attack me"
"people who like to kill other people" or "murderers"
The writer has transgressed and sinned, but not against those who "prepare to run" at him.
David's enemies are in hiding and are waiting quietly for the time when they can attack him.
"do something" or "take action"
"and see what is happening to me" or "and see what they are doing to me"
"do something" or "take action"
"the people of all the nations"
The word "they" refers to the wicked transgressors.
"they threaten to attack people"
"go around the city to attack anyone they find"
"Hear"
"they say terrible things" or "they shout out terrible words"
burp loudly; allow air from the stomach to come out of the mouth with a loud, rude noise
"they say cruel things that cause people trouble as much as swords destroy people"
"No one can hear us!" or "Your God does not hear us!"
"laugh at them scornfully" or "mock them." God would laugh at them because they are worthless and powerless.
"you are my strength" or "you are my protector"
"you protect me like a high tower"
"My God, who is faithful to his covenant, will come to save me" or "My God will come to save me because he is faithful to his covenant"
"what I want to happen to my enemies"
"Cause them to wander around"
"our protector" or "the one who protects us like a shield"
"Because they sin by what they say" or "Because of the sinful things they say"
"let people capture them because of their pride"
"that they say"
"Be angry with them and destroy them completely so there will be no more of them"
"in Israel"
"everywhere on earth"
"threatening to attack us" or "threatening to attack us like wild dogs"
content, having everything they want
"you have protected me like a high tower and a refuge"
"whenever I have had troubles"
"You are my protector, so I will sing praises to you"
"you have protected me like a high tower"
"He is the God who is faithful to his covenant" )
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"sing this psalm using the tune of 'Shushan Eduth'" or "sing this using the Shushan Eduth style"
This means "Lily of the Promise." Translators may either write the meaning or copy the Hebrew words.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead.
"Aram of the two rivers ... the Aramean nation of Zobah." These are places.
"Joab and his army"
"you have allowed our enemies to break through our defenses"
The psalmist speaks of the disaster in his country as if it were an earthquake.
Making the people strong again is spoken of as repairing large cracks in the ground or walls.
Here "see" represents "experience" or "suffer."
"the wine that makes us stagger"
"you are like a king who sets up a banner" or "you command us in battle like a king who raises up a battle flag"
"to display when he takes his army into battle against your enemies"
"by your power"
"respond to my request" or "answer my prayer"
"Ephraim is like a helmet I have chosen" or "the tribe of Ephraim is my army"
a hard hat that soldiers wear to protect their heads from injury
"the tribe of Judah is like my scepter" or "Judah is the tribe through whom I rule my people"
"Moab is like a bowl that I use for washing"
"I take ownership of the land of Edom" or "I throw my sandal onto the land of Edom to show that it is mine"
"But God, it seems like you have rejected us." or "God, you seem to have abandoned us."
"you do not help our army when we go into battle"
"is worthless"
"will defeat our enemies"
"he will enable us to trample down our enemies" or "he will make us able to defeat our enemies"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play a stringed instrument with this song"
"God, listen to me and answer my prayer"
Here the writer speaks of God as if he were a high rock that he could climb for protection.
"You have been like a safe place for me"
"You have been like a strong tower to keep me safe from the enemy" or "You have protected me from my enemy like a strong tower"
"go to you for protection as a chick is safe under the wings of its mother"
"you have given to me the blessings"
"who honor you" or "who have an awesome respect for you"
"You will extend the king's life" or "You will cause the king's life to last a long time"
"he will live for many generations"
"I desire that the king reign before God forever"
"always protect him because you love him and are faithful"
"I will always sing praise to you"
These refer to the promise to offer sacrifices to God every day.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
One of David's chief musicians had this same name. This may refer to him.
"he is the one who rescues me" or "he is the one who saves me"
"He is the only one who can protect and rescue me"
"he keeps me away from the grasp of my enemies"
"nothing can ever move me"
"my enemies" or "all my enemies"
"It seems like my enemies will never stop attacking me. I feel that I am as weak against you as a leaning wall or a broken-down fence."
"They intend to" or "They plan to"
This refers to their speech or their words.
This refers to their thoughts.
"for I place my hope in him"
"nothing can move me"
"God always gives me strength and protection"
"give your deepest concerns to God"
"you cannot place your trust in men, no matter how important they are"
These two words have basically the same meaning. You cannot trust in money that you get by taking it from other people.
"for they will provide nothing good for you"
"do not desire them"
This means that God has said this more than once.
"God is powerful"
"You, Lord, are also faithful to your covenant"
The writer speaks of God's rewards as if he were paying a wage for work.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
sincerely
"my whole being greatly desires to be with you"
"hot, dry desert"
"I value you being faithful to your covenant more than I value living, so my lips"
"I will praise you"
"I will worship you and pray to you"
"I will be happier than a person who eats a meal of fat and choice food"
"I will praise you joyfully"
"I rejoice because you protect me"
"I need you" or "I depend on you"
"you support me" or "you lift me up"
"will die and descend into the place of the dead" or "will die and go down into the place of the dead"
"God will cause them to die in battle"
"wild dogs will eat their dead bodies"
"I, the king of Israel, will"
The word "him" refers to "God."
"but God will silence the liars" or "but God will silence those who lie"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
save
"Protect me from the harm that evil doers secretly plan to do to me"
"the noisy disturbance that those who behave wickedly make" or 2) a crowd that makes a noisy disturbance.
"The harsh things that they say hurt me like a sharp sword"
"bitter words which pierce me like arrows"
"No one will see what we are doing"
Both of these phrases refer to man's private or inner thoughts.
"God will make them stumble" or "God will cause their plans to fail"
"since the words that they say are against them"
"what God has done"
"go to him for protection"
"all the people who are godly will praise him"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"To you alone, God in Zion, we will offer our praise"
"we will do what we have promised you that we would do"
"It is as if our own sins were defeating us"
The word "them" refers to our "iniquities."
The words "you" and "your" in this verse refer to Yahweh.
"worship often in your courts"
"The goodness of your house, your holy temple, will satisfy us"
Here the word "we" refers to David and the people of Israel, but not to God, to whom he is speaking.
"Because you are righteous"
This refers to the people who live all over the earth.
"showing that you are very powerful"
a loud noise caused by the wind and waves
loud noise
proof or something that shows that another thing is true
"you cause people everywhere to shout joyfully"
"you make the soil very good so that good things will grow in it"
"you fill the streams with water"
"the earth's furrows"
A furrow is a long narrow trench made in the ground for planting seeds or for watering the field where grains have been planted.
edges
"You have honored the year with a good harvest"
"everywhere you have been, you have left abundant food"
"The pastures ... are full of dew" or "Much dew drips in the pastures of the wilderness"
"the hills are like people wearing joy" or "the hills are like joyful people"
The writer speaks of the pastures as being so covered with flocks that it is like the pastures are wearing a garment.
"they are like joyful singing people"
The word "they" refers to the pastures and valleys.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"Shout joyfully to God" "or "Shout praises to God"
"everyone on earth"
"Sing about how wonderful God's name is; sing wonderful praise about how great God is"
The works of God cause us to be in awe and terrified because we know he is powerful and holy.
"Because you have great power"
"All the people on earth will worship you"
"they will praise and honor you"
"God causes people to feel fear and wonder when they see his deeds"
"humanity"
This refers to the crossing of the Red Sea.
The word "they" refers to God's people, the Israelites.
The word "we" refers to the Israelites, their ancestors, David, and the people he is speaking to.
"God sees"
"let not the rebellious people exalt themselves" or "let not the rebellious people be proud"
"he has not allowed us to fall into disaster"
a trap for a bird or an animal
The writer speaks of what the people have endured as having to carry heavy loads on their backs.
"It is as if our enemies defeated us in battle and then drove their chariots over our fallen bodies"
"we suffered like people who suffer from fires and floods"
"open place where we are safe"
"which I promised"
"smell of the smoke of sacrificed rams"
"I will tell you what he has done for me"
The word "mouth" represents the whole person who cries out to God.
"I praised him with my tongue" or "I praised him"
"looked with favor on wickedness"
"would not have heard me call out to him" or "he would not have answered my prayer"
"But God has truly heard my prayer"
"my prayer"
"who has not ignored my prayer"
"and has not turned away his covenant faithfulness from me" or "and has not stopped being faithful to his covenant with me"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
"act favorably towards us"
"people may know your ways on earth"
"and the people of all nations may know that you have the power to save them"
Here "nations" represents the people who live in all the nations on the earth.
"fairly" or "justly"
"We have gained much food from our crops"
"I desire that all people everywhere on the earth may have an awesome respect for him"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"Let God begin to act"
"let God chase away his enemies"
"Drive them away as the wind blows away smoke"
"cause them to disappear as wax melts before a fire"
This refers to the wicked people in general.
This refers to the righteous people in general.
"to him"
God's presence among people is spoken of as if he rides on the earth in a horse or chariot.
"One who acts like a father to children who have no parents"
"a protector of widows"
"God provides families for those who have no one to live with"
"God frees prisoners and makes them sing with happiness"
"rebellious people" or "people who rebel against him"
"a very hot and dry land"
"you led your people"
God is spoken of as if he was a soldier marching ahead of the people of Israel.
"God caused it to rain"
"when God appeared to the Israelites"
"you caused the land to produce good crops"
"the land that you gave to us Israelites"
"poor people"
The large number of people told the Lord's message to others. They are spoken of as if there were a large army.
"Kings and their armies flee from us because they are defeated"
things that are taken from the defeated army and brought to the victorious army's home.
This means that some of the plunder is very valuable because it is covered with precious metals.
"defeated so many enemy kings and soldiers there that they were like snowflakes covering Mount Zalmon"
"The high hill country of Bashan should not look in envy at the mountain which God desires for the place he will live."
To "ascend" is to to move up, to go toward the sky.
"carries our heavy loads every day."
"the God who saves us"
"will kill his enemies by striking them in the head"
"the long-haired skulls"
"habitually offend him"
The word "them" refers to God's enemies.
This speaks of the most remote parts of the earth where people might try to escape from God as if they were the depths of the sea.
"totally defeat your enemies"
"stepping in their blood"
The bloodshed from the battle against Israel's enemies is spoken of as if it is so extensive that the dogs will lap up the flowing blood with their tongues.
A procession is a group of people walking together in an orderly manner as part of a ceremony.
people who play musical instruments
"You who are true descendants of Israel, praise Yahweh and bless God in the assembly"
"their group." The word "their" refers to the leaders of Judah.
Some versions understand the Hebrew text differently: "Summon your strength, God" or "Use your strength, God"
The word "us" refers to the writer and the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh, to whom he is speaking.
"When you are present in the temple at Jerusalem, Show us that you are strong"
"Tell the wild beasts in the reeds that you are going to fight against them. Tell the peoples"
"the powerful nations, who are like herds of bulls"
This means cause something to spread quickly in different directions.
"Then the leaders of Egypt will bring gifts to you"
"The Cushites"
"lift up her hands to praise God"
"you people who are citizens of kingdoms all over the world"
"to Yahweh, who rides across the sky in his chariot"
"he shouts powerfully" or "he speaks loudly"
"Strength belongs to God"
"in the skies he also shows that he is powerful"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
"for it feels like I am drowning in the waters"
"For it feels like I am sinking in deep mud and will die"
"It feels like I am in deep waters, and the floodwaters flow over me"
very tired
"my eyes are swollen from tears"
"more than I can count, like the hairs on my head"
"kill me."
"the foolish things that I have done"
"you know all my sins"
"Please do not allow anyone to bring dishonor on those who worship you because of me"
"On your behalf" or "For you"
"I have endured the insults of my enemies"
"I am thoroughly humiliated"
"My brothers no longer know or accept me at all"
"the zeal I have for your house completely controls all that I think and do"
"those who rebuke you have also thrown their rebukes at me"
"my enemies rebuked me because I was weeping and not eating"
Wearing rough, cheap clothing was a symbol of mourning over sin.
"I became a joke to them" or "they made fun of me"
"The important people of the city"
"the drunkards of the city sing disgusting songs about me"
"in your accepted time" or "when you are willing"
"rescue me because you faithfully love me, as you have promised to do"
"Do not allow me to sink anymore in the mud"
"please rescue me out"
"the deep waters swallow me up like a dangerous animal"
"Do not let the pit consume me" or "Do not let the pit of death close over me"
"you are good and faithful to your covenant"
"you are very merciful to me"
"help me"
"Please help your servant" or "Please help me"
"in great trouble"
"free me"
"rescue me"
"how people have rebuked me, shamed me, and dishonored me"
"you know who all my enemies are"
"offended me deeply"
"I am heavy with sorrow"
to feel sorrow or sadness
"They gave me food that tasted like poison"
"May their food ruin them like a snare ... may it destroy them like a trap"
"Please make them unable to see anything"
"cause their backs to be too weak for them to do anything"
anger of a person who has suffered injustice
"your burning anger" or "your strong anger"
God's judgment on his enemies is described as if he ran after them and caught them.
"become abandoned"
"they persecuted the man"
"you punished"
"those you have caused to suffer"
"Keep making a record of all their sins"
"do not let them receive your righteous reward"
"Wipe out their names in"
"do not write down their names"
"God, save me and put me in a safe place"
"by thanking him"
"better than sacrificing an ox or sacrificing a bull"
"a bull that is full grown with horns and hooves"
"Meek people"
"you who ask God for help" or "you who think about God"
"may you be encouraged"
"Yahweh answers"
"needy people"
"those who have suffered for him"
"let he seas and everything that moves in them praise him"
"God will save the people of Zion"
The word "it" refers to the land of Judah.
"who love God"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"the people who"
"kill me."
"may God turn them around and make them ashamed for what they have done"
"stopped"
"those who mock and laugh at me"
"ask you for help" or "think about you and obey you"
"love you because you saved them"
This exaggeration emphasizes that it is important to praise God often.
"Let everyone praise God"
"come quickly to help me"
"you help me by rescuing me"
"go to you, Yahweh, for protection"
"never let my enemies put me to shame"
Possible meanings are 1) "make me safe because you always do what is right" or 2) "make me safe as I do what you want me to do"
"pay attention to me"
"keep me safe"
The psalmist requests that Yahweh make him as safe as he would be if he were hiding in a large rock or cliff where his enemies could not find him.
The psalmist believes that Yahweh will protect him and make him as safe as if he were hiding on top of a large mountain or inside a man-made fortress.
"from wicked people, from unrighteous ... people" or "so that wicked people and unrighteous ... people cannot harm me"
"you are the one whom I confidently expect to help me"
"You have supported me from the womb" or "You have taken care of me ever since I came out of my mother's womb"
"you are the one"
"Many people are surprised to see how well I live and want to live as I do"
"My mouth will be filled with words that praise you ... that honor you" or "I will always praise you ... will always honor you"
"all day long" or "at all times"
"do not reject me"
"do not leave me forever"
"watch for an opportunity to take my life" or "wait for an opportunity to kill me"
"follow him when he runs away, and kill him"
"help me soon"
"Let those who are hostile to my life be put to shame and destroyed"
"may everyone rebuke them, and may no one honor them"
"those who are looking for ways to harm me"
"I do not completely understand your righteousness and your salvation, but my mouth will tell about them all the day"
"how you have saved me" or "how you save people"
Possible meanings are 1) "I will go to where people worship Yahweh" or 2) "I will go to my enemies"
Possible meanings are 1) "I will tell them of the mighty deeds the Lord Yahweh has done" or 2) "because the Lord Yahweh has given me strength to do mighty acts."
"will talk about"
"God, please do not leave me"
"I have been telling how strong you are"
"to those who are children today"
"and as I declare your power to everyone who is to come"
"so as many people as I can tell will know"
The psalmist speaks of the good things God has done as though they were put together as a high building or a mountain.
"there is no one like you!"
strengthen or make lively again
"when we are near death"
"You will increase ... you will turn again and comfort me."
"to you, who is the Holy One of Israel, I will sing praises while I play the harp"
"I will shout for joy"
"and my soul, which you have redeemed, will sing praises"
Here "soul" refers to the whole person.
"I will also talk"
"those who sought my hurt have been put to shame and are confused"
"Enable the king to judge rightly"
"give your righteousness to the king's son" or "enable the king's son to rule with righteousness"
"May the king judge"
The psalmist is speaking to God.
"May the people of the land live in peace ... may they do everything in a righteous way"
These refer to the one who will "judge"
"punish the person who oppresses others"
"forever, and without ending"
The king will be good, and he will do good things for his people as if he were rain doing good for freshly cut grass.
"May he come down like showers that water."
"righteous people"
Possible meanings are 1) "while the king rules" or 2) "as long as the righteous person lives" or "as long as the righteous people live."
"may righteous people live peacefully"
"May the king have dominion"
Both of these expressions are merisms and refer to the whole earth.
"the Euphrates River," which the Israelites would travel to on land by going north
as far as people could travel on land by different routes to the south.
"do everything they can so he will allow them to live"
This is the name of a place.
pay
"bow down before him" or "honor him as their king"
"the people who live in every nation"
"no one else to help him"
"He wants to stop the poor and needy from suffering"
"those who are poor and those who are needy"
"redeems them" or "saves them" or "rescues them"
"those who oppress them and hurt them"
"their well-being is very important to him" or "he wants them to live well"
"May the king live a long time!" or "I desire that the king live a long time!"
"continually" or "all the time"
"much grain" or "plenty of grain"
plants that people grow for food
Use the word for what long grass does when a gentle wind blows on it and it moves slowly back and forth.
"like the cedar trees in Lebanon."
The prosperity of the people in the cities is spoken of as if they were grass that grows abundantly in the fields.
"May people always know about him" or "May people never forget who he is"
"the king's name" or "the king's reputation" or "the king's fame"
"as long as the sun endures" or "as long as the sun shines"
"may God cause him to do good things for people"
"recognize that God has blessed them"
"May people bless Yahweh God, the God of Israel"
"May people forever know how glorious he is"
"may his glory fill the whole earth" or "may he fill the whole earth with his glory"
"May it certainly be so"
"David, the son of Jesse has finished his prayers" or "This is the last prayer of the David the son of Jesse"
"I almost stopped trusting in God; I was almost guilty of committing a great sin against him"
"I envied the arrogant" or "I did not want arrogant people to have the good things that they had"
"how the wicked people have so many good things"
They do not have to work hard to meet their needs for food, shelter, and clothing, and they are always healthy.
"they do not suffer the way other people do"
This means the wicked show everyone how proud and violent they are as if they were wearing a necklace or beautiful robe.
Because they are like blind people who cannot see where they are going, they sin without knowing it.
"in their inner beings they are always thinking about more evil things to do"
"They mock God and his people"
"They speak against God, who is in the heavens"
Possible meanings are 1) "they go through the earth saying bad things about God" or "they go everywhere and boast about themselves."
Possible meanings are 1) "God's people love the wicked people" or "the wicked people return to this place"
Possible meanings are 1) "God's people listen gladly to the words of the wicked people" or 2) "the wicked people have plenty of food to eat and wine to drink"
the wicked people say
"Surely God does not know what we are doing. The Most High has no knowledge of it."
"I have kept my thoughts pure"
"my actions have remained pure" or "I have washed my hands to show that I am innocent"
"always" or "every day"
"You have made me suffer."
"I have been ... punished"
"I never said, 'I will say these things,' so I did not betray this generation of your children"
The good things that happen to "the wicked"
"what happens to wicked people when they die" or "how wicked people die"
The word "them" refers to the wicked.
"unsafe or unstable ground."
"How quickly they are destroyed"
The wicked will last no longer than what a person sees in a dream. It disappears as soon as the person wakes up.
"I was very sad"
"I felt like someone had wounded me"
"very ignorant"
"understood nothing"
This "you" refers to God.
The word "I" here represents Asaph. The word "you" here represents God.
"You hold me close"
Possible meanings are 1) "put me where people will honor me" or 2) "honor me by taking me to where you are."
"There is no one for me in heaven but you!" or "You are the only one I have in heaven!"
"My body and my mind"
"Those who do not want to obey you"
The word "unfaithful" here refers to people who say they will worship only Yahweh but later worship other gods.
The writer speaks of Yahweh as if he were a place to which a person could flee for safety.
This may refer to a style of music.
"God, we have done nothing wrong, but you have rejected us forever!"
"We are the ones you have promised to care for, and we have done nothing wrong, but now you are angry with us!"
"against Israel, who are like the sheep whom you feed in your pasture"
"Pay attention to." God has not forgotten his people, but he does not seem to be thinking about them.
"yours forever"
Asaph is addressing God, asking him to come look at the destruction.
the ruins of a building that no one will ever rebuild
The adversaries were shouting loudly with a great cry of victory.
This refers to carvings on wood, metal, or stone in the temple.
Here "they" refers to the adversaries mentioned in Psalms 74:4.
"They said to themselves" or "They thought to themselves" )
"They have completely destroyed our army"
"God, the enemy has been throwing insults at you for too long!"
"not show your power" or "not use your power to destroy your enemies"
"Stop hiding your power and take action"
"God has been our king since we Israelites first became a nation" or 2) "God, my king, was alive even in ancient times."
"saving people"
"You are so strong you were able to make dry land in the middle of the great water."
"when you killed Pharaoh's army, it was as if you smashed the heads of sea monsters in the waters"
Leviathan is a sea monster. It represents a cruel enemy.
"You caused springs and streams to flow out of the ground"
This probably refers to the moon.
"the boundaries of the land and the sea"
"Pay attention to."
"the enemy insulted you many times"
"me, your dove"
A small, defenseless bird often kept as a pet.
"a savage enemy that is like a wild animal"
"Come soon to help your oppressed people"
"violent people do evil deeds in dark places in the land wherever they can"
"Do not let wicked people defeat the oppressed and make them ashamed"
"show everyone that you are right"
"what your adversaries are saying"
"and pay attention to the loud and meaningless words of those who continually defy you"
boldly oppose
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
"This is a psalm that Asaph wrote."
you reveal your presence
"all the people who live on it"
"keep my people safe"
Possible meanings are 1) God is speaking or 2) Asaph is speaking.
"Do not be confident" or "Do not boast about how strong you are"
"Be especially sure not to boast that you are greater than God"
"arrogantly"
"The one who will lift you up will not be someone who comes from the east" or "The one who will make you strong and have people honor you will not be someone who comes from the east"
"he makes one man king in place of another man" or "he takes away one man's power and gives power to another man"
When Yahweh punishes the people they will be like people who have drunk strong wine and become ill.
dried leaves or ground seeds
pours it from a large container into the cups that the people will drink from
"drink every drop of it"
God says
"take away all power from"
"I will raise up the horns of the righteous" or "I will make the righteous powerful"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song."
"This is a psalm that Asaph wrote"
"caused the people of Judah to know who he is" or "made himself famous in Judah"
"the people of Israel consider him good and powerful"
"the place where he has chosen to live"
"You show how extremely great you are"
"Your people killed the brave soldiers of their enemies and then took all their possessions"
"died" or "fell down dead"
"When you rebuked them"
"No one can stand in your sight when you are angry." or "You can destroy anyone at whom you are angry."
"you pronounced judgment" or "you announced how you were going to punish wicked people"
"the people of the earth were"
"carry out judgment" or "punish wicked people"
Possible meanings are 1) "people will praise you because you are angry at the wicked and judge them" or 2) "people who are angry with you will do things that cause people to praise you."
"you tie your remaining anger around you like a belt"
"Yahweh, whom they should fear"
"He humbles the princes"
"the kings of the earth fear him"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
One of David's chief musicians had this same name.
"I prayed with my arms extended"
"I would not allow anyone to try to comfort me"
"as my spirit grew faint" or "as my spirit was overwhelmed"
"kept me from sleeping"
"about things that happened a very long time ago"
"I remembered"
"do things that show that he is pleased with me"
"Has he stopped being faithful to his covenant forever?"
"Had God stopped showing us compassion because he was angry with us"
Possible meanings are 1) the psalmist was speaking to himself or 2) the psalmist was speaking to Yahweh.
"the Most High no longer uses his power to help us"
"the wonderful things you did long ago"
think deeply about
"think of what they mean"
"no god compares to our great God."
"shown people from many people groups how strong you are"
This refers to the entire nation of Israel.
"water" and "depth" refers to large bodies of water such as the sea or ocean.
"Much rain fell" or "It rained very hard"
"the lightning you made flashed like arrows"
"voice, which was as loud as thunder" or "very loud voice"
"lightning lit up everything as far as you could see"
"no one saw your footprints"
This may refer to a style of music.
"Hear what I teach" or "Hear me as I teach you"
"my words"
"speak in parables"
If your language has a word for sayings that are purposely difficult to understand, you might use it here.
"We will certainly tell our descendants about them"
"the things we praise Yahweh for"
"Yahweh established"
Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws."
"The Ephraimite soldiers"
"had bows and arrows for weapons"
This refers to the area around the city of Zoan, which was in Egypt.
"God split"
"more water than they could possibly drink"
small rivers
They wanted God to prove that he could do what he said he would do before they would believe him.
"with their whole hearts"
"so they could eat as much as they desired"
the Israelites spoke
"We do not believe that God can really lay out a table for us in the wilderness!" or "God, prove to us that you can really lay out a table for us in the wilderness!"
much water came out quickly
"But we will not believe that he can give us bread also or provide meat for his people until we see him do it."
"his anger was like a fire that burned Jacob"
"because he was angry, he attacked Israel"
"did not trust him to save them"
"he spoke to the sky"
Possible meanings are 1) "sky" or 2) "clouds."
"opened the sky as if it were a storeroom"
"He caused manna to fall from the sky like rain"
"the same kind of food that angels eat"
"abundant food" or "a large amount of food"
"God caused"
"He caused birds to fall from the sky like rain, and there was so much of it that it covered the ground like dust"
There were more birds than anyone could count
strongly desired
while the food was still in their mouths
"God was angry and attacked them."
"killed"
"did not believe that he would take care of them even though he had done such wonderful deeds"
"killed them while they were still young"
"year after year they were afraid all the time"
When some of them died, others would "start to seek" God.
"would repent" or "would be truly sorry for their sins"
"look urgently" or "look as best they could"
"remember."
"God was the one who protected them"
"the one who rescued them"
"tell him he was wonderful when they did not believe it"
"by saying what they said"
"their thoughts were not focused on him" or "they were not loyal to him"
"forgave them even though they had done evil deeds"
"did not punish them even though he was angry with them"
"did not allow himself to become fully angry with them"
"the Israelites were weak and would someday die"
"places where nothing grows"
so many flies that it looked like a cloud
"overran their land" or "went everywhere in their land"
"allowed the grasshoppers to eat all their crops and allowed the locusts to eat everything they had worked hard to produce"
a plant-eating insect with long legs used for jumping
a tree that gives fruit
lightning that makes loud thunder
"He brought hail" or "He caused hail to fall"
"He was angry with them, so he suddenly and fiercely attacked them"
"He was so angry that he wanted to harm the Egyptians, so he made trouble for them and brought them to disaster"
or "servants who bring disaster"
"He was so angry that he did everything he could to harm them" or "It was as if his anger was an army and he made a smooth road for it to march on"
"he did not keep the Egyptians from dying" or "he did not permit the Egyptians to live"
"he made them all very ill with the plague"
"the firstborn males"
"among the families of Egypt"
This means God cared for and protected the people like a shepherd does his sheep.
completely covered
"he won for himself using his own power"
"gave them land that would always be theirs"
"in their homes"
refused to obey
These words mean almost the same thing. The writer uses them both to emphasize that the Israelites did not do for God what they had said they would do.
These two phrases are in parallel and have similar meanings.
"He allowed his enemies to capture the glorious ark of his covenant; he simply gave it to them so they could do whatever they wanted with it"
"He allowed people to kill all his people in war"
"he was angry with the people he had said would be his forever"
Possible meanings are 1) "The enemy used fire to kill all their young men" or 2) "Their young men died quickly in battle like a fire burns dry grass."
These words refer to people at the time they are the strongest and most attractive.
the celebration when people marry
"Their priests died in battle" or "Enemies killed their priests with swords"
Possible meanings are 1) someone forced the widows not to weep or 2) so many priests died that there was no time for proper funerals.
women whose husbands have died
"the Lord began to act as if he had awakened from sleep"
Possible meanings are 1) like a warrior who had drunk too much wine and has become angry because he was awakened and so wants to fight or 2) like a warrior who drank much wine but is now able to think and fight well because he has slept.
"the descendants of Joseph"
Ephraim was Joseph's son.
Mount Zion was in the land where the tribe of Judah lived.
"He built his sanctuary to last permanently, like the heavens last forever"
"He built his sanctuary to last permanently, like the earth lasts permanently"
spaces with walls around them where sheep are kept safe
"to lead and protect the descendants of Jacob, his people, and of Israel, his heritage"
"David led them and protected them"
"the land that was to be yours forever"
"They have killed so many innocent people that the blood is everywhere, like water after it rains"
"We have become people whom our neighbors treat with contempt; those around us mock and laugh us"
The pronoun "We" refers to God's people.
"It seems as though your jealous anger will never stop burning like fire."
"destroy us"
"Since you are angry, punish the nations"
"do not belong to you" or "do not ask you to help them"
"they have completely destroyed the people of Israel"
"Do not continue to remember the sins of our forefathers and punish us for them" or "Forgive us for the sins of our forefathers"
"we are very weak" or "we are very discouraged"
"God who saves us."
"so that people will know about your glory and will honor you"
"The nations should not be able to say, 'Their God cannot do anything'"
"Avenge your innocent servants whom the nations killed where we can see you do it"
"Listen carefully to the groans of the prisoners and help them"
"those who are condemned to die"
"Return" or "Give back"
onto their knees and thighs as they are sitting.
"we who are your people, whom you protect and lead, will thank you"
"make sure that all generations to come know all the good things you have done"
"continue to praise you for the things that you have done"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
Asaph is referring to God as the one who leads and protects Israel.
"you who lead the descendants of Joseph as though they were a flock of sheep"
Here Joseph represents the nation of Israel.
"you who sit on your throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
"give us light" or "show us the right way to live"
The phrase "stir up" means to "put into action."
"act favorably towards us"
"and please save us" or "so that you can save us"
Israel
"You have made sure that they are very sad all the time"
"act favorably towards us"
"you will save us"
"You brought us, like a vine, out of Egypt"
"you forced nations out of this land and gave it to us, the vine, and planted us there"
"You cleared the land for the vine"
"the vine took root" or "the vine began to grow"
"its branches covered the land"
"and its branches covered the cedars of God"
Possible meanings are 1) "the highest cedar trees," the cedar trees that grew on the "mountains" in the land of Lebanon north of Israel, or 2) "God's own cedar trees."
the Mediterranean Sea to the west of Israel
the parts of new plants that are just starting to grow above the ground
walls of stone, not of wood
wild pigs that ruin gardens and farms and attack people.
land where there are many trees
wild animals of any kind
land where there are many plants but no trees
"Turn back to us" or "Come and help us again"
"look at"
The writer continues comparing the nation of Israel to the vine.
"This is the root that you, Yahweh, planted"
"the shoot you have caused to grow for your pleasure"
Possible meanings are 1) "down; your people perish because of your rebuke." or 2) "down. May your enemies perish because of your rebuke!"
This refers to Yahweh's power and control.
the nation of Israel, which Yahweh has chosen as his people.
"we will not stop worshiping and obeying you" or "we will always worship and obey you"
"act favorably towards us"
"you will save us"
A psalm that Asaph wrote.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship;"
This may refer to a style of music.
"God who causes us to be strong"
"the God of Israel, the nation of Jacob's descendants"
These are musical instruments.
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
This is the beginning of the lunar month.
This is the middle of the lunar month.
"and on the days when our feasts begin"
Here "it" refers to the feast day.
"the God of Jacob decreed it" or "the God of Jacob commanded it"
"the God of Israel, the nation of Jacob's descendants"
"gave it as a law"
"to the Israelites"
This refers to the historical events in Egypt when the people of Israel were enslaved and God rescued them.
"the people of Egypt"
Here "the burden from his shoulder" represents the forced labor the Israelites had to do as slaves in Egypt.
Here "holding the basket" represents the forced labor the Israelites had to do as slaves in Egypt.
"In your great suffering"
When God came to the Israelites, he hid the fullness of his presence and glory in a dark and threatening cloud.
God tested the children of Israel to see if they would trust him to supply water in the desert of Meribah.
"because I am giving you a warning"
"Israelites" or "people of Israel"
"how I wish you would listen to me" or "but you must start listening to me!"
God taking care of all the needs of the people is spoken of as if he were a mother bird feeding her baby birds.
"to what I said" or "to me"
"Therefore, I let them be stubborn"
"they might follow their own plans" or "they might do what they think is right"
"I wish that they would obey my laws"
"I would destroy" or "I would defeat"
"who hate me ... before me"
"bow down in fear" or "fall down in fear"
"I would humiliate them forever" or "I will punish them forever"
"I would allow the Israelites to eat the finest wheat"
Both "Israel" and "you" refer to the Israelites.
This refers to wild honey. Bees would build hives in the holes in rocks and make the honey there.
"the heavenly council" or "the meeting in heaven"
"he judges"
"the divine beings" or "the heavenly judges" or 2) these are human judges that God has appointed. Either way, it does not mean they are gods like Yahweh is god. It means God has given them great power and authority. Alternate translation: "the rulers"
"do what is right for the"
"stop the wicked people from harming them"
Possible meanings are 1) "they" refers to the gods or 2) "they" refers to the wicked people.
Doing what is evil is spoken of as if they were walking in a very dark place.
The gods corrupting the moral order that Yahweh established is spoken of as if the gods were shaking the earth and making it fall apart.
Yahweh is speaking about himself as "the Most High."
"However you"
This is a way of speaking of a person dying.
"judge the people of the earth"
"for you rule over all the people of every nation"
"do nothing to help us"
"Look, your enemies are rebelling against you"
"those who hate you are defying you"
"those whom you protect." This refers to the Israelites.
"no one will ever remember the Israelites existed"
"Your enemies have agreed together with one plan"
"they have joined together against you"
This refers to the people of Edom who lived in tents.
This is the name of a people group that lived on the east side of the Jordan River.
"the people of Byblos, the Ammonites, the Amalekites ... the Philistines"
This is the name of a region south of the Dead Sea.
"the people of Assyria"
"they have become a help for the descendants of Lot" or "they are helping the descendants of Lot"
This refers to the people of the nations of Moab and Ammon. You can make clear the understood information.
The writer is asking God to defeat Israel's enemies as he has done in the past.
"did to the Midianites"
These are names of men. Jabin was king of Hazor. Sisera was the commander of Jabin's army.
This is the name of a river in northern Israel.
This is the name of a town in northern Israel.
This means the bodies of Sisera and Jabin were not buried but were left to rot.
These are all names of kings.
Here "They" refers to Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna.
This speaks about the land of Israel as if it were land for sheep to graze and God were the shepherd watching over it.
Both statements speak of God destroying his enemies as if he were a strong wind easily blowing them away.
Both statements speak of God's punishment as if it were a fire, and the enemies of God are things that burn in the fire.
Both statements ask God to destroy the enemies with storms.
"Make them very ashamed"
"they might acknowledge that you are powerful"
Possible meanings are 1) God's enemies admit that God is powerful or 2) God's enemies are asking God for help or 3) God's enemies start to worship and obey him.
"may they die while they are ashamed"
"Cause them to know"
"are supreme, and you rule all things on the earth"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
"How beautiful"
"I really want to be in the courts of Yahweh"
Here "courts" represent the temple.
"my desire has exhausted me" or "I am tired because I want it so much"
"I shout for joy with all of my being"
This means God is living and he also has the power to cause other things to live.
These are types of birds.
"the swallow has found a nest" or "the swallow has made a nest"
"where she may lay her eggs and care for her babies"
Possible meanings are 1) "they" refers to the priests who permanently serve at the temple or 2) "they" refers to people in general who come and worship at the temple.
"keep praising you again and again"
Here "man" refers to people in general.
"whom you strengthen"
"Who love to go up to Zion" or "Who earnestly wish go up to Zion"
The temple was in Jerusalem on the top of the highest hill, called Mount Zion.
This refers to a dry, arid place. Some Bible versions have "the Valley of Baca." The word "Baca" means "weeping."
This means the rain that falls in autumn before the cold season. This is during the months of October and November on Western calendars.
"pools of water that make them happy"
This is a way of saying they get stronger.
"God, watch over our king"
"I would rather be in your courts for one day than to be somewhere else for a thousand days"
"be a guard at the door" or "stand at the door"
"wicked people" or "those who are wicked"
"For Yahweh God guides us like the light from the sun, and he protects us like a shield"
"Yahweh will be kind to us and honor us"
"who live honestly" or "who are honest"
"blessed are those"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Here "land" represents the nation and people of Israel.
This refers to a person being happy, healthy and prosperous.
Here "Jacob" represents Jacob's descendents, the Israelites.
"you have deliberately forgotten their sin"
"our sin"
God no longer being angry with the Israelites is spoken of as if anger were a fire that God from which God turned away.
"God who saves us"
Asking God to stop being angry with the Israelites is spoken of as if displeasure were an object the writer wants God to let go of.
"Please do not stay angry at us forever."
"Please make us prosper again."
"and save us" or "by saving us"
"have a peaceful relationship with his people" or "bring peace to his people"
"Yet they must not start doing foolish things again"
"Surely God is ready to save those"
"then his glorious presence will remain in our land"
"God has loved his people and his people have responded by trusting him"
"will meet together ... will kiss each other"
This was a common way for friends to greet each other.
"Here on earth, we will be loyal to God"
"God will look on us from heaven and will act justly towards us"
God doing what is right everywhere he goes is spoken of as if righteousness were a person who goes ahead of God and prepares a path for God to walk.
Here "footsteps" represents where God walks.
"save me, your servant"
"continually"
"Make me, your servant" or "Make me"
"faithfully loving all those who cry out to you"
"During my times of difficulty"
"I pray to you"
The psalmist is referring to false gods that people from other nations worship.
"The people from all nations"
"They will honor you"
"very good things that amaze me"
"you are the only God"
"Teach me your truth, Yahweh. Then I will obey what you say"
"Cause me to respect you sincerely with all my heart" or "Cause me to respect you sincerely"
"I will praise you completely and sincerely"
"I will glorify you"
"For you are very faithful to me because of your covenant"
This does not mean God brought him back to life after he died. It means God saved him when he was about to die.
"arrogant people"
"are coming together to harm me"
The word "company" here is a general term for a group of people who are together for a common purpose, not a specific term for people working to do harm.
This is a way of saying they want to kill him.
"and always loving your people and always being faithful to them"
Asking God to consider him is spoken of as if he wanted God to turn and look at him.
"strengthen your servant" or "make your servant strong"
"they will be ashamed"
"city of Jerusalem"
"any of the other dwelling places of the Israelites"
"You people in Jerusalem, other people say wonderful things about your city"
"I tell about." Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"the people of Egypt and Babylon"
"to those who worship me"
"This one" refers to the people from the nations that the writer mentions. Although they were not physically born in Zion, those who follow God are natives of Jerusalem spiritually.
"People will say about Zion"
"It is as though all of these people were born in Jerusalem"
"in Jerusalem" or "in Zion"
"will make Jerusalem strong"
Yahweh acknowledging that the people from other nations belong to him is spoken of as if he were a king writing down the names of the people who live in his city.
Jerusalem being a place where people receive all their blessings is spoken of as if Jerusalem were a spring that provided water to the people.
"this is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
This is the name of a man.
"you are the one who saves me"
The writer uses these words with opposite meanings to say that he cries out continually.
"For I am very troubled"
"I am about to die"
"people treat me like I have already died"
"I now share the existence of the dead" or "I am left alone as if I were dead"
"those who have died ... those who have died"
"who no longer receive your care" or "people you have stopped caring about"
"you no longer use your power to help them"
The writer feeling like God has abandoned him speaks about himself as if God has put the him in the deepest and darkest grave.
"I feel your great anger" or "I feel how very angry you are with me"
This speaks about God being very angry with the writer as if God's anger were large waves rising up from the sea then landing on the writer.
"those who know me"
"You have made me a disgusting sight to them" or "Because of you, they are shocked when they see me"
"It is as though I were in a prison" or "I am trapped"
For his eyes to grow weary from trouble is a way of saying that he his troubles cause him to cry so much that it is hard for him to see.
"I lift up my hands to you." This is an action that shows that he totally depends on God.
"You do not do wonders for dead people."
"You know that those who have died will not stand up and praise you."
"Nobody will proclaim your covenant faithfulness or faithfulness from the grave." or "Nobody will proclaim from the grave that you are faithful to your covenant and faithful to your people"
These represent the place where people go after they die.
"Will your faithfulness be proclaimed in the place of the dead?" or "Those who are dead will not proclaim your faithfulness."
These represent the place where people go after they die.
"People will not talk about your wonderful deeds and righteousness in the dark place of the forgotten dead."
The writer praying to Yahweh is spoken of as if the prayer itself goes to speak with Yahweh.
This speaks of the writer feeling like God has rejected or abandoned him as if God were hiding his face or physically turning away from the writer.
"It is as if your angry actions crush me"
"the terrifying things you do have destroyed me" or "the terrifying things you do have almost destroyed me"
"All day long they threaten to destroy me like a flood"
The word "They" refers to God's "angry actions" and "terrifying deeds" from the previous verse.
"they have surrounded me like enemy soldiers"
"every person I love and know"
"Everywhere I go it is dark"
This may refer to a style of music.
This is the name of the writer.
"faithful acts" or "loving acts"
"You will always be faithful because of your covenant with us"
God always doing what he promised to do is spoken of as if his faithfulness were a building that God has built and made firm.
"I made a promise to David, the one I chose"
Yahweh is speaking.
"I will make sure that one of your descendants will rule as king over every generation of my people"
"The assembly of the holy ones praises you because you always do what you promise to do"
This refers to the angels in heaven.
Both questions mean the same thing. The writer is using question to emphasize that there in no one in heaven like Yahweh.
"angels" or "divine beings"
"The gathering of heavenly beings" or "the gathering of angels greatly honors God"
The writer asks the question to emphasize there is no one as strong as Yahweh.
Yahweh always doing what he promises to do is spoken of as if his truthfulness were a cloak or garment that wraps around him.
The word "Rahab" here refers to a monster of the sea.
Here "arm" represents power. Alternate translation: "with your great power"
The writer uses the words "north" and "south" together to mean that God created everything everywhere.
"It is as if Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon were rejoicing in your name"
"in you"
To raise the right hand high into the air is a gesture that indicates power.
God ruling as king and doing what is right and just is spoken of as if God's throne were a building, and righteousness and justice were its foundation.
"You are always faithful to your covenant and are worthy of people trusting you"
Here the words "joyful sound" refer to the sound of people shouting and blowing horns. These were common acts of worship during Israelite festivals.
"they live"
"knowing that you act favorably towards them"
"in you"
"they exalt you because you always do what is right"
"You make them wonderfully strong"
"You are our"
"we win the battle"
The king who protects his people and whom Yahweh chose is spoken of as if he were a shield that belongs to Yahweh.
"I have made a mighty man king"
"I have chosen one from among the people to be king"
Here to pour oil on someone's head is a sign that God is appointing the person to be king.
"I will support him and make him strong"
"wicked person"
"I will always be truthful with him and I will always act faithfully towards him"
"I, God, will cause him to be victorious"
"he wins the battle"
"I will give him authority over everything from the Mediterranean sea to the Euphrates river"
"He will say that I am his Father, his God, and the rock of his salvation."
Yahweh giving David special rank and privileges over all other people is spoken of as if David would be Yahweh's firstborn son.
"I will continue to act faithfully towards him forever"
Someone from David's family always ruling as king is spoken of as if his his throne would last as long as the sky will last.
"David's descendants"
"punish them for rebelling against me"
"I will punish them because they sinned against me"
"I will always love David, and I will do what I promised to him"
"what I said"
"his throne will continue as long as the sun before me"
God compares David's rule as king to the sun to emphasize that someone from David's descendants will always rule as king.
"I will cause it to last forever"
"the moon, which is like a faithful witness in the sky"
"you have refused and rejected the king"
"with the king you chose"
"You have defiled his crown on the ground" or "You have caused his crown to fall into the dirt"
This represents the king's power as king and his right to rule.
"You have allowed enemies to break down his walls and ruin his strongholds in Jerusalem"
"the one whom his neighbors scorn" or "the one his neighbors mock"
Here "right hand" represents power. To "raise the right hand" means that Yahweh has made his enemies strong enough to defeat God's chosen king.
Here "sword" represents the king's power in battle. To turn the sword back represents making the king unable to win in battle.
"You have not helped him to be victorious in battle"
"you, Yahweh, have ended his reign as king"
"Even while he is young you have made him weak like an old man"
Yahweh completely humiliating the king is spoken of as if shame were a garment that God used to cover the king.
"Please, Yahweh, do not refuse to help the king forever."
"Please do not continue being angry"
"that you have created all people for such a short life"
"No one can live forever or bring himself back to life after dying"
"Lord, be faithful to your covenant with David as you have been in the past"
"Remember" or "Consider"
"how they mock us, your servants"
"I endure so many insults from the people of the nations" or "I suffer because the people from the nations insult me"
The enemies shouting insults at the king is spoken of as if insults were an object that the enemies throw violently at the king.
"they mock your anointed one wherever he goes"
"May people praise Yahweh forever"
The word "Amen" is repeated to emphasize approval of what has been said.
"Lord, you have been like a shelter for us"
"always"
"were created" or "were shaped"
This represents everything that is in the world.
This phrase represents all time past, present, and future.
"You return people to dust when they die"an" means people in general.
"Return to dust, you descendants" or "Return to soil, you people"
"You consider a thousand years the same as one day in the past, or as a few short hours in the night" or "Even a thousand years is not a long time to you"
"Lord, you destroy the people as with a flood and they die"
"it begins to grow and develop"
"You destroy us in your anger"
"when you are angry we are greatly afraid"
"You see every sinful thing we do, even the sinful things we do in secret"
"Our lives come to an end because of your wrath"
"we die"
"No one knows the power of your anger. Therefore no one fears your wrath when they sin."
"we might want to be wise and act wisely"
"Yahweh, please do not be angry any longer"
"Be merciful to us, your servants"
"Satisfy us every morning"
"by being faithful because of your covenant with us"
"for the same amount of time that you afflicted us and caused us to suffer"
Here "children" means children and descendants.
"see the great things you do"
"May the Lord our God be kind to us"
"cause us to be successful"
"The Most High, the Almighty, will care for all those who live where he can protect them"
The words "the Most High" refer to Yahweh.
"I will say about Yahweh"
"the one to whom I can go and he will protect me"
deadly
"from the snare that the hunter has set to catch you"
"He will keep you safe and protect you"
"You can trust him to protect you"
"things attacking you at night"
"people attacking you with arrows during the day"
"You will not be afraid of dying from illness"
These two phrases taken together refer to all possible times of night and day.
an illness that makes many people ill at the same time
"Many people may fall all around you."
"the evil will not harm you"
"You yourself will not suffer, but you will watch carefully, and you will see"
"how God punishes the wicked"
"Yahweh protects me, like a person finds protection in a place of refuge"
"You should make the Most High your refuge also."
"Nothing evil will happen to you"
"no one will be able to harm your family"
"in everything you do" or "at all times"
"Yahweh's angels will lift you"
"you will not even hit your foot on a stone" or "not even the smallest bad thing will happen to you"
"You will be able kill lions and asps as if they were small animals you could crush under your feet"
types of poisonous snake.
crush by walking heavily on
"he is loyal to me" or "he considers me holy"
"I will cause him to be victorious" or "I will enable him to defeat his enemies"
"I will satisfy him by giving him a long life" or "I will make him happy by letting him live a very long time"
"I will save him so that he knows I am the one who saved him"
"to sing praises to you"
"proclaim in the morning that you are faithful to your covenant"
"proclaim every night that everything you say is true"
happy
"What you have done"
"We cannot understand what you plan to do until you do it"
"What you think" or "What you plan"
animal-like
"When evil people appear quickly and seem to be everywhere, like grass"
"God has decided that he will destroy them completely"
"They will die" or "You will kill them"
"you will scatter all those who behave wickedly"
Many texts read, "have been driven away."
"You have made me as strong as a wild ox"
Possible meanings are that the oil that God has put on the psalmist is a metaphor for God 1) making him happy "you have made me very happy" or 2) making him strong, "you have made me strong" or 3) enabling him to defeat his enemies, "you have enabled me to defeat my enemies."
"I have seen and heard of the defeat of my evil enemies"
Possible meanings are that righteous people will be like a healthy palm tree because they will 1) be strong or 2) live for long time.
Possible meanings are that righteous people will be like a healthy cedar tree growing in the land of Lebanon because 1) they will be strong or 2) people will honor them.
"Yahweh has planted them" or "Yahweh takes care of them as if they were trees he had planted"
The psalmist speaks of people who truly worship God as if they were trees growing in Yahweh's house.
"they are growing well" or "they are very strong"
in the courtyard of the temple in Jerusalem.
"They please God"
"they remain strong and healthy" or "they always do what pleases God"
"Yahweh is the one who protects me." The psalmist speaks of Yahweh as if he were a rock that would protect him.
"he shows everyone that he is a powerful king" or "his majesty is there for all to see, like the robe a king wears; everything about Yahweh shows that he is strong and he is ready to do great work"
put on a belt—a band of leather or another material that a person wears around his waist—to prepare for work or battle
"You have firmly established the world")
"no one will ever move it"
"You established your throne in ancient times"
"you have always existed"
"have made a mighty noise because their waves crash and roar"
make a long, loud sound.
large waves coming to land
"in heaven"
very serious
"always stay the same" or "never change"
"your house is beautiful because you are holy" or "your holiness makes your house beautiful the way beautiful clothes and jewelry make a woman more beautiful"
This refers to the temple in Jerusalem.
"for as long as you live" or "forever"
"show yourself" or "reveal your glory"
"Take action" or "Do something"
"give to the proud what they deserve" or "punish people who are proud"
"You have waited too long Yahweh; you have waited too long to stop the wicked from rejoicing."
The psalmist writes of the wicked speaking as if their words were a liquid being poured out.
"all those who behave wickedly boast about their evil deeds"
"afflict the people of the nation"
"They completely destroy" or "They greatly harm"
"women whose husbands have died"
"children without fathers"
"the God of Israel does not see what we do"
"stop your foolish ways!" or "learn from your mistakes!"
"God made ears, so he can hear. God made eyes, so he can see." or "God made ears, so stop acting as if he does not hear. God made eyes, so stop acting as if he does not see."
"You know that Yahweh corrects the nations, so you can be sure that he will correct his people!" or "he will punish his people!"
"he corrects" or 2) God punishes. "he punishes"
"mist." See how this word is translated in Psalms 39:11
"until you dig a pit for the wicked" or "until you destroy the wicked"
"those whom he has chosen to be with him forever"
"judges will again judge righteously" or "judges will again make righteous decisions"
"those whose hearts are right with God"
"will want the judges to judge righteously"
"No one will defend me against the evildoers. No one will help me fight against those who behave wickedly."
"If Yahweh had not helped me"
"in a short time, I would be dead, lying in a silent grave"
"You, Yahweh, held me up because you are faithful to your covenant"
"When I have been worried about many things, you have comforted me and made me happy"
"A wicked ruler or "corrupt judge, one that creates trouble by statute, cannot be allied with you"
secretly plan with a person something harmful or illegal
"they declare the innocent person guilty and then kill him"
"Yahweh has protected me from my enemies"
"I have asked God to protect me, and he has kept me safe by his power"
Possible meanings are 1) "will do to them the evil things they have done to others" or 2) "will punish them for all the evil things he has done to others."
"kill them."
Possible meanings are 1) "while they are doing wicked things" or 2) "because they have done wicked things."
"the rock where we can go and God will save us"
"go to where he is"
"thanking him as we enter his presence"
Possible meanings are that Yahweh is a great king 1) "who rules over all other gods," or 2) "who is much better than all gods."
"in his control" or "he is responsible for."
deep places
high places
put both knees on the ground, often to show submission
"we are the people whose needs he meets"
"the people whom he protects like a shepherd protects his sheep"
"Oh, that you would hear his voice today!" The psalmist purposely interrupts what he is saying.
"listen to God speak" or "hear what God says"
"become stubborn"
These are places in the desert that Moses named because the Israelites rebelled against God.
"wanted to see if they could do evil things without me punishing them ... tested me to see if I would continue to be patient with them"
"the amazing things I had done"
"all of those people" or "that entire generation of people"
"move away from me" or "go their own way"
"they have not obeyed my commands"
"the place where I would have allowed them to rest"
a song no one has ever sung before
"all you people who live on the earth"
"bless Yahweh" or "do what makes Yahweh happy"
"announce that he has saved us" or "tell people that he is the one who saves"
"Tell all the people in every nation about his great glory"
"Yahweh is great. Praise him greatly" or "Yahweh is great, and people should praise him greatly"
"Fear him above all other gods"
"where he is"
"Everyone knows of his splendor and majesty"
"It is his sanctuary that contains the ark of the covenant decrees"
"Praise Yahweh ... praise Yahweh because he is glorious and strong"
"Honor Yahweh just as his name deserves" or "Proclaim that Yahweh is glorious just as his name deserves"
the temple courtyard where the priests sacrificed animals to Yahweh
"Bow down to worship Yahweh"
"because he is gloriously beautiful and holy"
to shake because of fear
"He also established the world"
"nothing can shake it"
"Let those who live in the heavens be glad and let those who live on the earth rejoice"
"the sea creatures shout joyfully"
"Let it be as if the fields themselves and all the animals that live in them are rejoicing"
"let it be as if all the trees in the forest shout for joy"
"He will judge all the people of the world righteously"
"he will judge the peoples with his faithfulness"
"fairly, according to what he knows is true" or 2) Alternate translation: "using the same standard for all people"
"Rejoice and be glad every person on the earth and near the seas"
Possible meanings are 1) "lands near the seas" or 2) "islands."
"We cannot see him; it is as if he were sitting in the dark with clouds all around him"
"He is righteous and just in everything he does" or "He is able to rule because he rules righteously and justly"
The psalmist speaks as if fire were a person walking before King Yahweh and telling people that the king was coming.
"burns up his enemies"
"like a person, the earth sees and shakes with fear"
"The mountains are unable to stand as Yahweh comes near" or "The mountains crumble in Yahweh's presence"
"All those who live in heaven declare that Yahweh is just"
"rule over all the people who live on"
"You are high, far"
"he rescues them from the power of the wicked"
"Yahweh plans for good things to happen to the righteous people in the future"
"gladness is sown for those with honest hearts" or "Yahweh plans for people with honest hearts to be happy in the future"
"Be glad because of what Yahweh has done"
a song no one has ever sung before.
"his very great power has have enabled him to be victorious over his enemies" or "has enabled him to defeat his enemies"
"showed people that he saves his people"
"showed the people who live in all the nations that he is just"
"He remembers that he always loves and is faithful to the house of Israel
"people from all over the world"
"will see our God defeat his enemies"
"all people in the world"
"suddenly begin singing happily"
"sing because you are happy"
"sing praises to God"
delightful or pleasing musical sound
an animal horn used as a musical instrument
"Let it be as if the sea and everything in it were shouting"
"the people in the world"
"Let it be as though the rivers are clapping their hands and mountains were shouting for joy"
"he will judge the nations with fairness"
"the people of all nations"
shake with fear
"He sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
shakes
"Not only does Yahweh rule in Zion, he rules over all the nations"
"people in all the nations exalt him" or "people in all nations praise him greatly"
Here the author shifts from speaking about God, to speaking to God. After this phrase though, he shifts back to speaking about God.
"he loves doing what is just"
"The laws you have established are fair"
"worship Yahweh at his footstool" or "worship Yahweh before his throne in the temple"
important, given seriously
"You answered your people"
"Mount Zion"
"everyone on the earth"
"go to where he is with joyful singing" or "he can hear you, so sing joyfully"
"the people God provides for and protects"
a grassy area for feeding animals
"while thanking him" or "while giving thanks to him"
"bless Yahweh" or "do what makes Yahweh happy"
"he is faithful to his covenant forever"
"his truthfulness endures through all generations" or "he is truthful through all generations"
"I will sing that you are faithful to your covenant and that you are just"
"I will live in a way that is honest and right" or "I will live a life full of integrity"
"I will not approve of anyone doing anything that is wrong in my presence"
"I will completely avoid evil"
"Perverse people"
"to anything that is evil"
"people who are haughty and arrogant"
"I will allow the faithful people of the land to live with me"
"I will not welcome liars"
"before me" or "in my presence"
"Every day"
"the wicked people"
"from this city, which is Yahweh's city"
"the afflicted man"
"my life passes away quickly"
"my body feels like it is burning"
"I am in despair"
"I feel like I am drying up like withered grass"
"I am lonely and despised like a pelican in the wilderness"
a large fish-eating bird
"I have become alone like an owl in abandoned ruins"
"a night bird"
"my tears fall into the cup that I drink"
"it is like you have lifted me up to throw me down"
"My time to remain alive is short like an evening shadow that will soon be gone"
"my body has become weak like dry and wrinkled grass"
"you will be recognized by many people for all generations to come"
"have mercy on the people of Zion"
The word "her" refers to Zion.
"still love the stones that were formerly in the city walls"
"you"
"will honor you because you are glorious"
"will be seen as glorious" or "people will see his glory"
This refers to destitute people.
"Yahweh will accept their prayers"
"his holy place high above the earth"
"those whom the authorities had sentenced to die"
"has caused me to become weak"
"my life"
"do not take me away from the earth" or "do not let me die"
"you are present throughout all generations"
The word "they" refers to "the earth" and "the heavens."
"you will live forever"
"will continue to live"
"be protected as they live in your presence"
"I will praise Yahweh with all that I am"
This refers to praising Yahweh's name as Yahweh.
"He saves me from dying"
"he blesses you by acting faithfully and mercifully towards you"
"He satisfies you with good things through your life"
"you feel young and are strong like an eagle"
"causes justice to happen to"
"all who are oppressed by men"
"he always loves his people"
"He does not repay us with the punishment we deserve for our sins"
"so he is very faithful to his covenant"
The distance between east and west is so far that it cannot be measured.
"what our bodies are like" or "how he formed our bodies"
"he remembers that he created us from dust"
"The length of man's life is short like that of grass"
To "flourish" is to grow well or be healthy.
"The wind blows over the flowers and grass and they disappear, and no one can tell where they once grew—it is the same way with man"
"Yahweh is faithful to his covenant"
"will continue forever"
"the descendants of those who honor him"
"Yahweh has taken his seat in the heavens where he rules as king"
"has made"
"all his multitude of angels"
"praise him in all the places where he reigns"
"with all of me" or "with all my soul"
"you have splendor and majesty all around you"
"You build your upper rooms in the heavens." This is referring to his house is so tall that the upper floor extends into the clouds.
"you make the clouds carry you like a chariot"
"you walk upon the wind"
Possible meanings are 1) he causes the wind to be able to carry a message like a messenger, "He makes the winds to be like his messengers" or 2) "He makes his messengers swift like the wind"
"He makes the flames of fire his servants"
"He created the whole earth"
It will not sway like it is about to fall down.
"You completely covered the earth with water"
"rushed away"
"The mountains grew and the valleys sank"
border
small rivers
the ground at the edges of a river
"they chirp among the tree branches"
"He waters the mountains by causing the rains to fall from the sky"
"the many good things that you create"
"The birds make their nests in the cedars"
"bird"
"rock badger"
This word refers to different weather changes through the year. Some places have rainy season and dry season, while others have spring, summer, fall, and winter.
"he made the sun to set when it is time"
"Yahweh, you make." Here the authors switches from speaking about Yahweh to speaking to him.
an animal that is food for another animal
"but they rely on God to provide their food"
go back to their dens
the homes of some mammals and small animals
"is filled with your work"
"it is very deep and very wide." The depth and width of the sea emphasizes how large it is.
"having in them more creatures than anyone could count"
This means creatures of all sizes.
"The ships travel on the sea"
"All these creatures"
"give them their food when they need it"
"When you give food to them, they collect it"
"when you open your hand to feed them"
"when you do not look upon them" or "when you ignore them"
"their bodies decay and return to the ground"
This refers to his Spirit being sent to give life to creatures.
It is Yahweh's spirit that created them.
"you cause the land to be full of new life"
"my thoughts be pleasing"
disappear
"may wicked people disappear"
"call on him"
"the people of the nations"
"Boast in Yahweh"
"let the people who seek Yahweh rejoice"
"Seek Yahweh and ask him to give you his strength"
"remember and think about his miracles and"
"the decrees that he has spoken"
The author is speaking to the Israelites, calling them these names.
"Abraham, Yahweh's servant"
"He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made"
"he remembers"
"the covenant" and "the oath" refer to the same promise that Yahweh made to his people.
"his oath that he made to Isaac" or "his oath that he gave to Isaac"
The word "they" refers to the Israelites.
"were foreigners in the land of Canaan"
"They continued to wander"
"for their own well-being." This is referring to Israel.
"Do not harm the people I have anointed"
"He sent." This means that caused a famine to happen in the land.
"the whole supply of food"
"Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave"
metal restraints used to fasten a prisoner's wrists or ankles together
"The Egyptians bound his feet in shackles; they put an iron collar around his neck.
"The message of Yahweh tested him"
"Then Israel and his family came into Egypt"
"God increased the number of his people greatly"
"Moses and Aaron performed God's miracles in Egypt among the descendants of Ham"
"the land of Ham's descendants"
"made the sky dark"
Moses and Aaron did not rebel
a small jumping reptile
"they were even in the rooms of their rulers"
large flying groups
small flying insects like flies but smaller
ice that falls from the sky like rain
"God caused it to destroy ... and to break"
"The insects ate all the plants and all the crops in the land"
"He killed every firstborn in their land, which were the firstfruits of all their strength" or "Then Yahweh killed the oldest son in every house of the people of Egypt"
"He brought the Isrealites out of Egypt with silver and gold in their possession"
"every one of his tribes was able to make the journey"
The people of Egypt were glad
"He placed a cloud in the sky to protect them from the sun and heat"
"placed a fire it the sky to light up the night"
"Yahweh sent small birds to eat"
"with bread that fell from the sky"
"the waters flowed"
"He led his chosen people out with shouts of joy and triumph"
"obey his laws and statutes"
"No one can recount the mighty acts of Yahweh ... deeds."
"deeds that are worthy of praise"
"remember me"
"of your chosen people"
These are things that David says he will do, along with "seeing the prosperity of your chosen."
"boast of your greatness with your people" or "boast with your people about you"
"for the sake of his own reputation"
"through the Seas of Reeds on dry ground"
"the power of those who hated them" or "the control of those who hated them"
"drowned their enemies"
"they did things without first waiting for Yahweh's instructions"
"cravings that could not be satisfied"
"They rebelled against God"
"but he caused them to suffer from a horrible disease"
"In the camp in the wilderness"
"The earth opened and buried"
This was an official who rebelled against Moses.
"it also buried the company of Abiram"
This was an official who rebelled against Moses.
"At Horeb, they made a cast metal figure of a calf and worshiped it"
"They traded worshiping the glory of God to worship the image of a bull"
"their glorious God" or "God who is glorious"
"the land where Ham's descendant live"
"stood between Yahweh and the Israelites and begged Yahweh to not destroy them"
This refers to Yahweh's promise that he would allow them to take the land of Canaan as their possession.
complained
The word "his" refers to Yahweh. Also, it was custom to raise a hand when swearing an oath.
"and that he would make their descendants live in foreign lands"
This means to disperse or spread out something.
"to gods who are dead" or "to lifeless gods"
"a plague spread"
"angered him"
"Then Phinehas rose to punish the people on God's behalf because of their sin"
"People credited it to him as a righteous deed"
This is a place.
"suffered because of their actions"
Possible meanings: 1) The word "his" refers to Moses. Alternate translation: "They were rebellious against Moses." Or 2) The word "his" refers to God. Alternate translation: "They were rebellious against the Spirit of God."
"but they mixed in marriage with the other nations"
The idols became a snare to them.
"They shed innocent blood when they killed their sons and daughters"
"Their deeds defiled them"
"they were as unfaithful to Yahweh as prostitutes"
"So Yahweh was angry with his people and despised them"
"God allowed the nations to take control of them"
"people who hated them"
"their enemies caused them to be subject to their authority"
"their iniquity ruined them"
"their affliction" or "their suffering"
"He ... decided that because he still loved them very much he would not punish them"
"to be compassionate on them"
"to you"
"May people praise Yahweh the God of Israel"
"for all eternity"
"he remains faithful to his covenant forever"
"those whom Yahweh has saved"
"tell about what Yahweh has done"
"from the power of the enemy"
"from every direction" or "from every part of the world"
"Some people wandered"
"on a road that was in the desert"
"that they could live in"
"Then they prayed to Yahweh to help them in their trouble"
"their difficulties" or "their afflictions"
"Let people praise Yahweh because he is faithful to his covenant" or "People should praise Yahweh because he is faithful to his covenant"
"for all people"
"For he gives water to those who desire it—to those who are thirsty"
"to those who are very hungry and desire food, he give them good things to eat"
"Yahweh also rescued people who sat"
Possible meanings are 1) they thought that their captors would kill them or 2) the prison had no light and was very dark.
"He humbled them by allowing them to suffer hardship"
Possible meanings are 1) "trouble" or 2) "hard labor."
"they got into trouble and there was no one to help them out of it"
"Yahweh brought those in prison"
"complete darkness"
"because he"
"He freed his people from prison"
"They were foolish in the way they rebelled against Yahweh"
"and they became sick"
"they almost died"
Possible meanings are 1) "He commanded for them to be healed and they were healed" or 2) "He encouraged them and healed them"
"that show that they are thankful"
"by singing about them"
"selling things in cities far away"
"he commanded the wind and caused it become a great windstorm that stirred up the sea"
a strong wind, like the wind that accompanies a strong rain storm
"that caused the waves of the sea to become very high"
"their ships would rise very high on the waves and then they would fall very low between the waves"
"The men were terrified and greatly distressed"
"and they did not know what to do" or "they had no idea what to do"
The word "they" refers to the sailors.
"he guided them"
"He made the wind stop"
"to the harbor where they wanted to go"
"when the elders sit together." The elders sat together to discuss issues in the community and to make decisions for the community.
"Yahweh makes"
"because the people that live there are wicked"
"He make springs and lakes in land that used to be desert"
"Yahweh makes people who are hungry live there"
"that produced a plentiful harvest"
"so that their people are very numerous"
"He keeps their livestock very numerous"
The word "They" refers to the people who were hungry that Yahweh had settled in the land. This sentence describes how they were before Yahweh settled them in the land.
"Their leaders became fewer in number and brought them low"
"humiliated"
"shows contempt for"
"the leaders who oppressed them"
"where people never go"
"But Yahweh"
"needy people" or "poor people"
Possible meanings are 1) "makes the number of people in their families increase like flocks" or 2) "takes care of them like a shepherd cares for his sheep"
"Upright people" or "People who do what is right"
"all wicked people"
"has nothing to say against Yahweh in reply"
"think about these things" or "remember these things"
"meditate on the things that Yahweh has done that show that he is faithful to his covenant"
"My heart is fixed on you, God" or "I am trusting completely in you, God"
"You honor me by allowing me to sing praises to you"
"I will praise you by playing the lute and the harp"
"I will be praising you when the sun rises"
"For your covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness are greater than the distance between heaven and earth" or "For you are more faithful to your covenant and more worthy of people trusting you than the sky is higher than the earth"
"God, show that you are exalted above the heavens" or "God, show that you are great in the heavens"
Because those you love need rescuing" or "Rescue those you love"
"by your power"
"respond to my request" or "answer my prayer"
"God, because he is holy, has said"
Here God is speaking about dividing the land of Shechem and the Valley of Sukkoth.
to divide into portions
"Ephraim is like a helmet I have chosen" or "The tribe of Ephraim is my army"
a hard hat that soldiers wear to protect their heads from injury
"The tribe of Judah is like my scepter" or "Judah is the tribe through whom I rule my people"
"Moab is like a bowl that I use for washing"
"I take ownership of the land of Edom" or "I throw my sandal onto the land of Edom to show that it is mine"
"It seems like you have rejected us!" or "God, you seem to have abandoned us!"
"you do not help our army when we go into battle"
"is worthless"
"will defeat our enemies"
"he will enable us to trample down our enemies" or "he will make us able to defeat our enemies.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"For wicked and deceitful men"
"Although I loved them"
"my love for them"
"they accuse me falsely" or "they slander me"
"at my enemy's right hand"
"When he is on trial, may the judge find him guilty"
"May he not live a long time"
"his position of authority"
"their destroyed homes"
someone who lends money to another person but expects that the person will pay the money back
steal by force
"Cause his descendants to be cut off" or "Cause his descendants to die"
"may there be no one to carry on his name"
"May Yahweh remember the iniquity of this man's ancestors" or "May you remember the iniquity of his ancestors, Yahweh"
"May you not forget the sins that his mother committed"
"May Yahweh always see their sins" or "May Yahweh always think about their sins"
"may Yahweh make it so that no one on earth remembers those wicked people"
"that man never did anything to show that he was faithful to his covenant with people" or "that man nevered bothered to be kind to people"
"oppressed people, needy people"
"brokenheared people" or "people who have lost hope"
"until they died." This means that he harassed them until they died.
"may his curses come upon him"
“Curses were like his clothing” or “He cursed people all the time”
“may his curse come into his body like water, like oil into his bones”
"Let his curses be on him every day like the garment he wears"
"may his curses be to him like the belt he always wears" or "and let his curses always be on him like the belt he always wears"
"May these curses be the reward"
"treat me kindly"
"the sake of your reputation"
"Because you are good and are faithful to your covenant"
"I am full of grief and despair"
"I feel like I am about to die, like an evening shadow that will soon disappear, like a locust is easily blown away by the wind"
"My legs are weak" or "I have difficulty standing"
"because I am not eating any food"
"My accusers ridicule me"
This is an act of disapproval.
"save me because you are faithful to your covenant"
The word "them" refers to David's accusers and the people who say bad things about him.
"this is your work" or "this salvation is your doing"
"have saved me"
"They curse me, but you bless me"
"put the to shame" or "may they be ashamed"
"but may I, your servant, rejoice" or "I am your servant, let me rejoice." David uses the phrase "your servant" to refer to himself.
"be very ashamed"
"may their shame cover them just like their robe is wrapped around them"
"I will speak and give"
"will defend the one who is needy"
Psalm 110 is a psalm honoring the king as he becomes king and also a prophecy about Christ.
"Sit at the place of honor which I have for you"
"put your enemies under your power"
"Yahweh will extend the area over which you powerfully rule"
"King, rule among your enemies." This is spoken to the king as a command.
"by their own choice." This means that they will chose to follow the king.
"on the day that you lead your armies into battle"
"in the morning ... like the dew"
"each morning you will be filled with youthful strength to sustain you just like each morning the dew appears to water and sustain the earth"
Yahweh is speaking to the lord, the one David calls "my master" in Psalms 110:1.
"will not change his mind" or "will not change what he has said"
"after the manner that Melchizedek was priest" or "in the same way that Melchizedek was priest"
"The Lord helps you in battle"
The word "Lord" refers to Yahweh.
"He will cause the enemy kings to die" or "He will allow your armies to kill the enemy kings"
"on the day of judgment when his patience turns to anger"
"he will cause the battlegrounds to be filled with death bodies"
"he will cause the leaders in many countries to be killed" or "he will allow the leaders in many countries to die"
"As he pursues his enemies, he will only stop to drink quickly from a brook"
Possible meanings are 1) the king lifts up his own head or 2) Yahweh lifts up the head of the king.
"he will confidently lift his head after victory" or "he will be victorious"
"with all that I am"
"in the gathering of upright people"
"all those who desire the works of Yahweh eagerly await them"
"remember"
"his works that demonstrated his power"
"the land that belonged to other nations"
"The works that he does"
"Yahweh is holy and awesome"
"the first step to becoming wise" or "the most important thing to become wise"
"those who obey his instructions"
"People will praise him forever"
"takes great pleasure"
"His family is very wealthy"
"The blessings that a godly person receives from God are like a light that shines in the darkness"
"lends his money to other people"
"For nothing will ever move him"
"His heart is supported." Here the word "heart" refers to the person. Possible meanings are 1) "He is at peace" or 2) "He is confident"
"Yahweh will give him honor by enabling him to win battles" or "Yahweh will give him honor by defeating his enemies"
"will see that things go well for the godly person." The word "this" refers to everything good that the writer has described in the previous verses about the godly person.
"eventually die"
"wicked people will lose the things that they desired"
"Everywhere on earth"
"his glory is higher than the skies" or "his glory is enormously great"
"There is no one like Yahweh our God, who is enthroned on high" or "who rules in the highest position"
"There is no one like Yahweh our God, needs to bow so he can look down at the sky and at the earth."
The writer speaks of Yahweh helping and honoring people who are poor as if Yahweh caused them to stand up from sitting in dirt and ashes.
"so that Yahweh may seat him next to rulers of his people"
"He gives children to the woman who had none"
"the descendants of Jacob left people who spoke a language that the descendants of Jacob did not understand"
"The land of Judah became Yahweh's holy place, the land of Israel became his kingdom." Alternate translation: "The people of Judah became those among whom Yahweh lived, the people of Israel became those over whom he ruled"
"It was as though the sea looked and fled"
"it was as though the Jordan retreated"
"It was as if the mountains shook like jumping rams and the hills shook like jumping lambs"
"Tremble, everyone one earth"
"Do not bring honor to us, Yahweh"
The word "us" refers to the people of Israel.
"but bring honor to yourself"
"because you are faithful to your covenant and you are worthy of people trusting you"
"The people of the nations should not be able to say, 'Your God is not here to help you'"
"things which men have made"
"People have given mouths to those idols"
"People have given hands to those idols"
"but those hands do not feel"
"Those who make them become lifeless like they are, as does everyone who trusts in them"
"People of Israel, trust in Yahweh"
"the one who helps you and protects you"
"Descendants of Aaron" or "Priests"
"has paid attention to us"
"the people of Israel"
"the descendants of Aaron" or "the priests"
"May Yahweh increase the number of your children more and more"
The earth still belongs to Yahweh, but he has given the earth to mankind as a dwelling place.
"People who are dead"
"nor do any who go to the place of the dead"
The word "we" refers to the people of Israel who are still alive.
"he hears me when I plead for him to be merciful to me"
"I felt like I was about to die"
"I felt as if I were ready to enter the grave"
"called out to Yahweh"
"rescue me" or "keep me from dying"
"those who are naive" or "those who are helpless"
"I was helpless"
"I can rest in peace again"
"you have saved me from death" or "you have kept me from dying"
"you have kept me from crying"
"you have rescued me from stumbling" or "you have kept me from being killed by my enemies"
"in this world where people are alive."
"I suffer greatly" or "People afflict me very much"
"I said too quickly" or "I said without considering"
"Every person is a liar" or "All people are liars"
"This is how I will repay Yahweh ... to me."
"I will present a drink offering to Yahweh because he saved me"
"Yahweh considers the death of his saints to be a costly thing"
"as my mother was"
"you have saved me from death"
"a sacrifice to express my thankfulness"
"in the courtyards of Yahweh's temple"
"in Jerusalem"
"Because his"
"he does great things for us because he is faithful to his covenant"
"Yahweh remains trustworthy forever" or "Yahweh will forever be worthy of people trusting him"
"Thank Yahweh because of the good things he does"
"he remains faithful to his covenant forever"
"Let the people of Israel say"
"Let the descendants of Aaron say" or "Let the priests say"
"He remains faithful to his covenant forever"
"those who fear Yahweh" or "those who worship Yahweh"
The writer speaks of Yahweh (Yah) saving him from distress as if Yahweh had taken him from a place of confinement to a wide open space where he could move about freely.
"people cannot do anything to harm me."
"Yahweh approves of me and will help me"
"I will see Yahweh defeating all those who hate me"
"to seek protection from Yahweh"
"The armies of many nations"
"by Yahweh's power"
"I defeated them"
"They surrounded me like a swarm of bees would surround a person"
"their attack lasted only a short time, as a fire that consumes thorns quickly dies"
"in order to defeat me"
"Yah gives me strength and joy"
"Yahweh has conquered by his great strength"
"Yahweh has exalted his right hand" or "Yahweh has raised his right hand in victory"
"Yah has disciplined me"
"he has not allowed me to die" or "he has not allowed my enemies to kill me"
"Open for me the temple gates"
"the gate that leads to Yahweh's presence" or "Yahweh's gate"
"you have saved me"
That which others have considered worthless, Yahweh has made to be the most important.
"be very glad"
"the one who comes in the power of the Yahweh"
Here the priests address the people.
"Yahweh's temple"
"he has blessed us"
"tie the sacrifice with rope"
This is an exclamation that should be translated with whatever exclamation of emphasis you have in your language to make it sound natural.
"thank Yahweh because of the good things he does."
"he remains faithful to his covenant forever"
This is a certain kind of psalm called an acrostic. The Hebrew language has twenty-two letters, and this psalm has twenty-two groups of verses, one group for each letter of the alphabet. Each group has eight verses, and each verse in a group begins with the same letter. The verses in the first group begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the verses in the second group begin with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and so on through the whole alphabet.
Psalm 119 is a wisdom psalm about the Law of God.
"Aleph" is the name of the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 1 through 8 begins with this Hebrew letter.
"How good it is for those"
"those whose behavior is blameless" or "those whom no one can blame for doing wrong"
"who live according to the law of Yahweh" or "who obey the law of Yahweh."
To "seek" God means to want to know him.
"with all their being" or "with everything in them" or "sincerely"
They do not disobey Yahweh.
"they behave as Yahweh wants them to"
"obey all the things that you have declared that we should do"
This is to carefully know and understand the commandments and to obey those commandments.
The writer speaks of being established in God's commandments as if no one could physically make him move.
The writer does not want to be ashamed when he is in God's presence.
"a sincere heart." A person who is sincere will do what is right. The heart refers to the center of emotions in a person.
"Statutes" refers to God's laws or commands.
"Beth" is the name of the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 9 through 16 begins with this Hebrew letter.
"This is how a young person can keep his path pure"
The writer compares living according to God's law as a path kept clear of obstructions.
"Do not let me disobey your commandments"
"I have memorized your word." The heart is pictured as a container that can hold what people think.
"think carefully about what you have instructed us"
"give careful thought"
to take pleasure
"Gimel" is the name of the third letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 17 through 24 begins with this Hebrew letter.
The writer called himself "your servant" to show his humility.
Help me to understand"
"in your instructions" or "in your commands"
"I am like a foreigner living a short time in the land" or 2) the writer's ignorance of God's law as if he were a foreigner who did not know the laws of the land.
"My inner being strongly desires to know" or "My soul aches because I want so much to know"
"who deserve your punishment"
"who go away from the path of your commandments" or "who disobey your commandments"
"Keep me from" or "Rescue me from"
"Though rulers make plans to harm me and say bad things about me"
"Your solemn commands make me very happy."
"they are like wise counselors to me" or "they give me wise counsel"
"Daleth" is the name of the fourth letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 25 through 32 begins with this Hebrew letter.
Possible meanings are that 1) he thought that he would die soon, or 2) he lay in the dust because he was very sad, or 3) he realized that he desired the worthless things of the earth.
Here "life" refers to purpose and significance, not just biological life.
"according to your promise"
"what I have done"
"amazing teachings"
"because I am so sad"
"Make me strong." This may refer to physical strength or spiritual strength.
"Keep me from following the path of deceit" or "Prevent me from being deceptive"
Possible meanings are 1) "lying" or 2) "believing lies" or "following lies."
"I hold tightly to your covenant decrees" or "I am committed to obeying your covenant decrees"
This refers to the law of Moses.
"I will be committed to obey your commands"
Possible meanings are 1) "you help me gain greater understanding of your commands" or 2) "you give me greater desire to obey your commands"
This is another way of describing the law of Moses.
"I will surely observe your law" or "I am completely committed to doing what it says"
"Make me want"
"the desire for riches." This is referring to wealth gained by illegal methods or wrongdoing towards others.
"make my life strong" or "give me strength"
"Do for your servant what you promised to do for those who revere you"
"I am very afraid of"
"Your judge rightly"
This refers to being aware of the situation. The focus is on knowledge or understanding, rather than just observing.
Possible meanings are 1) "I want very much to know your instructions" or 2) "I want very much to obey what you teach us to do."
Possible meanings are 1) "Keep me alive" or 2) "Make me strong."
"give me your salvation" or "save me"
"as you promised"
Here the writer is represented by his "mouth." Possible meanings are 1) "never prevent me from speaking the message about the truth" or 2) "never prevent me from speaking the true message."
This means to honor, cherish or respect God's commandments.
"Remember your promise."
"The reason for my comfort is that your promise has kept me alive in my affliction"
"The proud people"
to mock someone or something that is looked down on, doubted, or not honored
This is a reference to when the decrees, the Law, were given to Moses many years before.
"I have become very angry"
"I have used your statutes as lyrics to my music" or "I have created songs from your statutes"
"I think about you, Yahweh"
"I obey your law"
"my habit"
"I have obeyed your instructions"
This means Yahweh is all he wants. Just as the Levites did not receive vast territories of land for the Lord was to be their portion so the writer claims Yahweh as the satisfier of his needs.
"changed my direction"
"My enemies have tried to catch me"
"I am a friend of all who honor you"
"People everywhere on earth can see that you, Yahweh, are faithful to your covenant" or "Throughout the earth, there is evidence that you, Yahweh, are faithful to your covenant"
"to me, your servant" or "to me"
"as you have promised"
"Before you afflicted me" or "Before you punished me"
"I disobeyed you"
"Now I obey your commandments"
"Arrogant people"
People telling many lies about a person is spoken of as if they made the person dirty by spreading lies over him.
"with complete commitment" or "completely"
"They are stubborn"
"The instructions you have spoken are" or "Your instructions are"
"than a large amount of money" or "than great wealth"
Here "hands" represents God's power or action. Alternate translation: "You"
"because I trust what you say" or "I confidently believe what you say"
"you punished me because you are faithful"
"as you promised"
"proud people" or "those who are proud"
"come to me" or "unite with me"
"so that they may learn your solemn commands"
"May I be blameless"
"I confidently trust in what you say"
"I wait and wait for you to do what you promised to do"
A wineskin is ruined when it hangs for a long time in a smoke-filled place. The writer compares himself to a wineskin that has been ruined by smoke to emphasize that he feels useless.
"Please do not make wait any longer. Punish those who persecute me."
"must I, your servant" or "must I"
This is spoken of as if they were hunters digging holes to trap the writer like an animal.
"They have almost killed me"
"because you faithfully love me"
"what you have said will be true in heaven forever"
"forever."
"all things serve you" or "all things obey your commands"
"I will always remember"
"for you have kept me alive because I obey them"
"I will try hard to understand"
"but your command is without limits" or "but your command is eternal"
"I have avoided doing what is evil"
"kept myself"
"obey your word" or "observe your commands"
"I always obey your righteous decrees"
"Your words are good and delightful!"
"I learn to discern what is right"
"Your words tell me how to live my life"
Here "word" represents all that God communicates to people.
"as you have promised to do"
"my prayer as a sacrifice to you"
Here "mouth" represents the whole person.
"My enemies are often trying to kill me"
"I always remember your laws"
"Wicked people"
"I obey your instructions"
"Your laws will belong to me forever" or "Your covenant decrees are like a heritage I will keep forever"
"they make me joyful" or "I delight in them"
"I am determined to obey"
Possible meanings are 1) "every one of them" 2) "to the very end of my life" or 3) "to the very end of time"
"who are not completely committed to obeying you" or "who are insincere"
God making the writer safe is spoken of as if God were a place where the writer could go and hide.
God protecting the writer is spoken of as if God were the writer's shield.
"I trust in your word"
"Give me strength as you said you would" or "Enable me to be strong as you promised"
"Do not disappoint me" or "Do not cause me shame by not doing what you promised to do"
"Help me" or "Strengthen me"
Possible meanings are 1) "those people lie and no one can trust them" or 2) "those people make deceitful plans but they will fail"
Slag is the waste or undesired leftovers in the process of refining gold or other metals. Yahweh removes the wicked people as if they were trash.
"the wicked people"
"I shake because I fear you"
It is implied that the writer is afraid of God's righteous decrees because the writer knows that God punishes those who disobey his decrees.
"do not allow people to oppress me"
"Guarantee my welfare" or "Help and protect me, your servant"
"I grow tired because I wait and wait"
"for you to save me as you promised to do"
"Show me" or "Show me, your servant"
"that you faithfully love me" or "that you are faithful to your covenant"
"enable me to understand what you want me to know"
"It is time for you to act, Yahweh"
Here "have broken" means "disobeyed." This is a way of saying the people have disobeyed God's law.
"all the bad ways some people live"
"The explanation of your words gives people wisdom"
"Pay attention to me"
"love you"
"Direct me" or "Teach me how to live"
Possible meanings are 1) "do not let me habitually do wicked deeds" or 2) "do not let wicked men rule me"
"Save me from people who oppress others"
"Act favorably towards your servant"
"Many tears"
"obey your law"
"I am extremely angry."
"I have tested your word many times"
"I, your servant, love" or "I love"
"People despise me"
"I have become distressed and anguished" or "my body and my mind are suffering"
"completely"
"before the sun first appears"
"I am awake all night"
"because you are faithful to your covenant"
"they have strayed from your law" or "they do not pay any attention to your laws"
"I can trust your commandments"
"given them for people to obey"
"Look at how much I am suffering"
"Defend me against those who accuse me"
"protect my life" or "give me life"
"as you promised"
"You will certainly not save the wicked"
"You have shown mercy to people many times" or "You have done many merciful things"
"because you do what is just."
"Those who persecute me"
"I have not stopped obeying" or "I have not stopped believing"
"treacherous people" or "those who betray me" or "my enemies"
"Look at me so you can see"
"Your word is completely true" or "Your word can be trusted"
"I am amazed at your word"
Possible meanings are 1) things that soldiers and robbers take from those they have defeated in battle or 2) things of great value or "treasure."
"hate very strongly"
Possible meanings are 1) "people who lie" or 2) "the false words that people say."
Possible meanings are 1) "nothing makes them do wrong" or 2) "nothing causes them trouble."
"help me understand your word"
"May you hear my prayer"
"I desire to praise you much"
"me sing"
"Please help me"
"you to rescue me"
"I very much enjoy obeying your law"
"may I listen to your righteous decrees and so become wise and strong"
"I have left your way like a sheep that has left its flock"
"because I am your servant, come and search for me"
"In my trouble" or "When I was in trouble"
"This is how God will punish you, and this is what he will do to you, you who tell lies."
"He will punish you severely, as if he were shooting you with warrior's arrows"
"It is as if I live in Meshech or among the people who live in Kedar"
"I want peace"
"they want war"
This expression means "look at" or "focus my attention on."
"I will tell you from where my help comes."
"you to fall"
"God will always protect you"
God
"God is beside you to protect you from things that would hurt you"
"God protects you from the elements at all times"
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps."
"we are standing"
"inside you, Jerusalem"
"the descendants of David"
"May the people in Jerusalem live in peace"
"within Jerusalem"
"For the well-being"
"May the people in you live in peace"
"I will pray that people treat you well"
"I look to you"
sitting on a throne and ruling as king
"master's provision ... provision of her mistress"
woman who has authority over servant girls
"act mercifully toward us"
"we are very disgraced"
"We have had too much"
"mocking" or "insults"
"rude and arrogant people"
"killed us all"
"they were very angry with us"
"Our enemies would have easily defeated us"
"our enemies would have overwhelmed us"
"our enemies would have destroyed us"
"destroyed as if we were eaten by wild animals"
"escaped from our enemies as a bird escapes from the trap that hunters have set"
"the power and authority of Yahweh" "Yahweh himself"
People who trust in Yahweh are spoken of as if they they were Mount Zion. Mountains are unable to be moved.
"As the hills that surround Jerusalem protect it, so Yahweh protects his people"
"always."
"Wicked people" or "Wicked rulers"
the land that Yahweh assigned to the people of Israel
"Yahweh, please do good things" or "Yahweh, I beg you to do good things"
"desire to do the right"
"leave good and go"
"their wicked ways"
"lead them away to punish them"
"made Zion prosperous again"
"the people of Zion"
"we laughed for joy"
"the people of the nations said among themselves."
"Restore our fortunes" or "Allow us to live well again"
"Those who weep as they sow"
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps."
A person who works hard often has to wake up earlier in the morning and return home late at night.
"work hard for your daily needs"
property that a person can inherit from his ancestors. Children normally receive an inheritance from their parents. Inheritance goes from parents to children. This passage says that Yahweh is the only one who can give children.
"Having many children will help to protect you"
"a home full of children" or "many children"
"who behaves the way Yahweh wants people to behave" or "who does what Yahweh commands"
"The food that you work hard to produce"
"Yahweh will bless you and prosper you" or "Yahweh will make you blessed and prosperous"
"very productive and give you many children"
"you will have many children who will grow and prosper"
This refers to the place where a family gathers to eat. Often, all those who eat a man's table are under his authority or control.
"Yahweh will bless the man who honors him"
"May Israel have peace"
"My enemies have cut me deeply on my back"
"they made their cuts long"
"he has freed us from our enemies"
"May Yahweh shame them and defeat them"
"May they die and may there be few of them"
Yahweh compares the wicked to the little bit of grass that grows on the roof of a house and withers and is not enough to cut or bundle. "May they be like the grass, which cannot fill ... together"
"Yahweh bless you"
"Because I am very sad, I"
"please listen" or "please respond"
"no one could escape from your punishment" or "no one could survive your punishment"
"I hope" or "I trust" or "I desire for something"
These are men who guard towns or fields against enemies or robbers. Here it refers to men who have to stay awake at night doing this.
"You people of Israel, hope in Yahweh"
"he is very willing to redeem" or "he is very willing to forgive"
"I am not proud or haughty"
Possible meanings are "I do not expect to do great things" or "I do not think I am great."
"things that are too hard to understand"
"I am calm and peaceful"
"I"
"content like a young child that no longer cries for breast milk but rests in his mother's arms" or "content and resting"
"because of what happened to David"
"remember" or "think about"
This refers to God.
"King David said"
"the comfort of my own house or ... my comfortable bed."
"I will not allow my eyes to sleep or my eyelids to rest" or "I will not sleep or close my eyes and rest"
"until I build a place for Yahweh"
"we who were in Ephrathah heard about where the sacred chest was" or "we in Ephrathah heard that the holy box was in Jaar"
Jaar is probably another name for the city of Kiriath Jearim. This probably refers to the fields surrounding the city.
"Arise, Yahweh, and come to your tabernacle"
Possible meanings are 1) "come to the ark of your strength" or 2) "come, and make the ark of your strength come."
"the ark that shows your great power"
"May people recognize that your priests have integrity" or "I want people see how your priests always do what is right"
"Because of what happened to your servant David."
"do not abandon the king that you anointed"
"rule as king"
"your descendants"
The author writes as though the city of Zion were a woman.
"Yahweh has desired Zion for Yahweh's seat." Here "seat" represents either 1) his throne where he would rule, or 2) the place where he would stay.
"the place where I stay" or "my tabernacle"
"will satisfy the poor people in Zion with food"
"I will make a descendant of David become king after him" or "I will cause David to have a descendant who will be a powerful king"
"I will cause my anointed one's descendants to continue to rule as king"
"I will cause his enemies to be ashamed" or "I will cause his enemies to be defeated and ashamed"
"he will be a great king" or "his greatness will shine"
This word is used to stress the importance of the statement that follows.
"for God's people to live together peacefully as brothers"
"This unity is precious like the oil that was poured on Aaron's head"
"refreshing like the dew of Hermon"
This is a mountain in Israel that has snow on its peak year-round.
"all you who serve Yahweh"
This is how people prayed or praised God.
Possible meanings are 1) "to the temple" or 2) "to the holy place in the temple."
"everything in heaven and earth"
This represents serving Yahweh in his temple.
"because we get pleasure from praising his name"
"Yah has chosen Jacob's descendants"
"that our Lord is greater than all gods"
"causing the wind to blow by his power"
These two words mean basically the same thing and refer to the miraculous troubles that God had caused in Egypt.
"among you people of Egypt" or "among the people of Egypt"
"to punish Pharaoh"
These are the names of two men.
"He gave us their land to have forever" or "He gave us their land to be ours forever"
"Your fame" or "Your reputation"
"Those who make them are stupid and powerless like their idols"
"and so are those who trust in the idols"
"he whose temple is in Jerusalem"
"He remains faithful to his covenant forever"
the God who is greater than the gods that other people worship
That is, because he is wise.
"placed the earth over the waters"
"the sun and the moon and the stars"
"to mark the time of day"
"from among the people of Egypt"
"with great power"
The soldiers of Pharaoh drowned in the Sea of Reeds.
"defeated Pharaoh" or "defeated the king of Egypt"
a man's name
a man's name
"thought about us"
"cared when we were shamed"
"the God who lives in heaven" or "the God whom the heavenly beings worship"
"Next to one of the rivers near Babylon"
"On the trees in Babylon"
"our captors required us to sing"
"made us pretend to be happy"
This probably refers to songs that the Israelites had used in worship at the temple in Jerusalem.
"If I act as if I did not remember you, Jerusalem" or "If I try to forget you, Jerusalem"
the hand most people use most often
"Remember" or "Think about"
"Punish the Edomites, Yahweh, for what they did"
"the day Jerusalem was captured" or "the day the Babylonian army entered Jerusalem"
This represents the city of Babylon and its people.
"may God bless the person"
"does to you what you did to us"
"smashes your babies' heads against rocks"
"I will sincerely thank you"
Possible meanings are 1) "in spite of the false idols that exist" or 2) "before the heavenly assembly," which means "in the knowledge of the angels in heaven."
"I will worship you"
"give thanks to you"
"because you are faithful to your covenant and you are worthy of people trusting you"
"what you have said" or "your commands and promises"
Possible meanings are 1) "yourself" or 2) "your fame."
"you"
Yahweh is above all creation in power, position, and authority. Yet his interest is in those who are humble in spirit, servants to all. This is a simple contrast.
This expression probably means that God is not faithful to those who are proud.
live, exist
Being in danger is spoken of as being in a physical place.
God is spoken of as if he will strike the enemies with his hand.
"my enemies, who are angry"
"you, Yahweh, remain faithful to your covenant forever"
"the people you have created"
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"have tested"
"everything I do" or "everything about me"
"My path and my lying down" together represent everything about the psalmist.
"before I say anything"
This expression refers to God's presence everywhere.
"you guide and help me"
"too much for me to understand"
"it is too difficult to understand"
"I cannot escape from your Spirit."
"even if I stay in Sheol"
"If the sun could carry me with itself across the sky"
"very far away to the west"
"will help me"
The psalmist speaks of the night as if it were a blanket that could conceal him.
The night, which is dark, is spoken of as if it were bright with light.
"You made my entire body
"I know this with all my heart"
"made with great complexity"
This is probably a way of speaking about a mother's womb
This expression implies that ancient Israelites imagined that God wrote down his plans in a book.
"I consider your thoughts very important" or "Your thoughts are very valuable to me"
"Your thoughts are so many."
"there would be more than I could count"
"They rebel against your authority, God"
"your enemies lie about you"
"Yahweh, I hate those who hate you! I despise those who rebel against you!"
"Please search me" or "I beg you to search me"
Here "way" stands for behavior.
Here "way" refers to trust and obedience in God. Anyone who "walks" this way will have everlasting life.
This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Here "battles" probably refers to conflict of any kind, including quarrels.
That is, the power of the wicked
Possible meanings are 1) "cause my feet to trip so I fall over" or 2) "cause me to fall."
"have set a trap to catch me"
"listen to me as I call to you now for help"
"you protect me when I go to war"
Here "battle" probably stands for any kind of severe trouble
"please do not allow wicked people to have what they desire"
"are arrogant"
The trouble that they themselves caused by what they said.
That is, stop them from causing any more trouble.
Images of fire stand for severe punishment for the wicked.
This is probably a reference to Sheol, the world of the dead.
those who speak evil of others without cause
"safe in this life"
Here evil is spoken of as if it were someone taking revenge on another person.
"He will act in a just manner to help the needy"
"to you"
"asking you for help"
"Please hear me when I call" or "I beg you to hear me when I call"
"May the my prayer please you the way the sweet smell of incense pleases people"
"the hands that I have lifted up." People lifted their hands when they prayed or praised Yahweh.
The psalmist speaks as if he wants Yahweh to be as pleased with him as he is with those who bring animals to sacrifice.
"please help me not to say things that are evil"
"please help me not to say things when I should not"
"do evil things"
"their special foods"
"rebuke me" or "hit me so I will listen when he corrects me"
he will be acting kindly to me"
"when he corrects me, I will know that the one who corrects me is doing a good deed to me" or 2) to make his head feel better.
"may I accept it gladly"
"I always pray that Yahweh will stop wicked people from doing evil deeds"
Possible meanings are 1) "Someone will throw their political leaders down" or 2) "Their political leaders will throw them down."
ground that goes straight down a long way
Possible meanings are 1) "people have thrown our bones around in different directions" or 2) as a result of the fall from the cliffs (141:6) "our bodies are broken and our bones lie in disorder."
"I am looking to see what you will do" or "I expect you to help me"
"I am asking you to protect me"
"me"
"people who are looking for ways to harm me"
"and protect me from the traps that those who do evil have set"
"Let the wicked fall into the net traps they have made to trap other people" or "Let the bad things the wicked planned for the righteous happen to the wicked instead"
This may refer to a style of music.
open place under the earth large enough for people to walk around in
"using my voice" -
"I tell him all about why I am sad"
"tell him about everything that makes me worry"
"I am weak" or "I am extremely discouraged"
"you know the way I should live"
"They are making plans so that whatever I do they can harm me"
"called to you now for help"
Possible meanings are 1) "all I want" or 2) "all I need" or 3) "all I have."
"while I am living"
"Listen to me as I call to you now for help"
Possible meanings are 1) "I am very needy" and 2) "I am very weak."
"bring me out of prison"
"Listen to me as I pray to you" or "Be willing to do what I ask you to do"
"Please do not judge" or "I beg you not to judge"
"me"
"in your judgment no one is righteous"
"pursued me"
"has completely defeated me"
"I am weak" or "I am extremely discouraged"
"I no longer have any hope"
"think about"
"all that you have accomplished" or "all the great things you have done"
"pray to you with my hands lifted up at my sides"
"I want to be with you the way a person in a land without water who is very thirsty."
"I long for you"
"I am weak" or "I am very discouraged"
"Do not refuse to listen to me" or "Please listen to me"
"I will become just another dead person" )
"Let me hear of how you are faithful to your covenant"
"Tell me"
"how you want me to live"
Possible meanings are 1) "I pray to you" or 2) "I believe that you will guide and protect me."
Possible meanings are 1) "I flee to you so I can hide" and 2) "I flee to you so you will hide and protect me."
"to do what you want me to do"
Possible meanings are 1) "help me to live righteously" or 2) "may my life be free of trouble"
"because of who you are"
"the enemies who want to take my life"
"Because you are faithful to your covenant, cut off my enemies"
Possible meanings are 1) "the one who keeps me safe" or 2) "the one who gives me strength"
"who trains me for war and trains me for battle" or "who trains me for war"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with anadverb. Possible meanings are 1) "the one who faithfully loves me" or 2) "the one who faithfully protects me."
The psalmist kows that Yahweh will protect him.
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a fortress that protects him from attack. Yahweh is the one who protects David from harm.
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a shield that protects a soldier. Yahweh is the one who protects David from harm.
"the one who enables me to defeat other nations"
"Man is so small compared to everything else you have made that I am surprised that you take notice of man and that you think about the son of man"
two words for human beings.
The writer compares humans to these thing to emphasize how short their lives are.
Possible meanings are 1) tear the sky open or 2) bend the heavens like a tree branch bends when someone walks on it or as one bends a bow before shooting arrows.
These should probably be translated as requests, not commands, since the psalmist knows that God is greater than he is.
"so they do not know what to think or what to do"
"You who are able to act, help me overcome my troubles"
"from the power of foreigners"
"They speak lies"
Possible meanings are 1) "they lie even when they swear to tell the truth," or 2) "everything they have gotten, they have gotten by telling lies."
Possible meanings are 1) "a song no one has ever sung before" or 2) "a song I have never sung before."
"It is you who gives ... kings. It is you who rescues"
David speaks of himself as if he were someone else. "me, David, your servant"
"from evil people who were trying to kill him"
"Please rescue me and free me"
healthy and strong
the time when people develop
"may our daughters be like carved corner pillars"
"beautiful posts that hold up the corners of a large house"
"No one will be able to invade our city"
"no one crying in pain" or "no one crying for help" or "no one calling out for justice"
"tell people how wonderful you are"
"bless you" or "do what makes you happy"
"praise you" or "tell people how great you are"
"the things you can do because you are strong"
"tell others how very good you are"
"loving your people without ceasing"
"people can see him showing mercy in everything he does"
"All the people you have made will give thanks" or "It will be as if everything you have made will give you thanks"
"remains forever"
"encourages those who are discouraged"
"Everyone watches and waits"
"You generously provide"
"you give everyone more than they need and as much as they want"
"People can see from everything that Yahweh does that he is righteous"
"and he is gracious in all he does" or "people can see from everything that Yahweh does that he is gracious"
"is always ready to help all those who call to him"
"to all who tell only the truth when they pray" or "to all whom he trusts when they pray"
"I will speak"
"tell everyone how good Yahweh is"
"let all people bless him" or "let all people do what makes him happy"
"I will praise Yahweh with all my soul" or "I give praise to Yahweh with all my life"
"until I die" or "while I live"
Here "princes" represents all human leaders.
"in any person because they cannot save you"
"in humankind" or "in people"
"When a person dies"
This means that just as God made the first human, Adam, from the soil, so will a person's body decay and become soil again when he dies.
The words "heaven" and "earth" represent everything that exists in the physical universe.
"remains trustworthy" or "remains faithful"
"He decides matters fairly"
"for oppressed people" or "for those whom other people oppress"
"to hungry people" or "to those who are hungry"
"causes the blind to see"
"Yahweh helps those who are discouraged" or "Yahweh helps those who are weak"
God helping someone is spoken of as if he were physically keeping them from falling to the ground.
"your God, people of Israel"
"will reign for all generations" or "will reign forever"
"praise is fitting" or "praise is appropriate"
"He encourages those who are sad and helps them to heal from their emotional wounds"
"no one can measure his understanding" or "his understanding has no limit"
"Yahweh honors the oppressed"
"he humiliates the wicked"
"while playing a harp"
"animals, and he gives food to the young ravens when they cry"
"whey they chirp" or "when they call"
"Strong horses do not delight him"
"men who can run swiftly" or 2) "strong legs" represents the strength of the whole man. Alternate translation: "how strong a man is"
"who trust him because he is faithful to his covenant"
"people of Jerusalem ... people of Zion"
"For he protects Jerusalem"
"he blesses those who live in Jerusalem"
"He brings peace." Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh causes the people who live in Jerusalem to prosper materially and financially or 2) the word translated as "prosperity" means "peace" and Yahweh keeps Jerusalem safe from enemy attack.
The writer describes God's command as if it were a messenger that moves quickly to deliver God's message.
These emphasize how easy it is for him to do these things. He covers the ground with snow as easily as a person covers something with a wool blanket. And, he removes the frost as easily as the wind blows ashes.
"He sends the hail easily, as if it were crumbs"
small pieces of ice that fall from the sky like rain
"no one can live in the cold he sends."
"He commands the ice to melt"
Yahweh gave his law only to Israel.
"He proclaimed his statutes and his righteous decrees to Israel"
The other nations do not know Yahweh's decrees.
"all his multitude of angels"
"Praise Yahweh, sun and moon, as people do"
"Praise Yahweh, highest heaven, as people do"
"praise him, you waters that are above the sky, as people do"
The writer speaks of a place above the sky where water is stored and from which the rain comes.
"he created them"
Possible meanings are 1) "he gave a command that is permanent" or 2) "he gave a command that they will not disobey."
"all creatures in the ocean depths"
The Psalmist speaks to these natural phenomena as if they are people and commands them to praise Yahweh.
"stormy wind that does what Yahweh commands"
"all animals"
"people of every nation"
"Yahweh, for he alone"
The writer speaks of Yahweh's greatness as his glory being high above earth and heaven.
"He has made his people strong" or "He has given his people victory"
"so that all his faithful ones praise him"
"the people he loves"
Possible meanings are 1) "a song you have never sung before" or 2) a song no one has ever sung before.
"praise him with songs"
Possible meanings are 1) "rejoice because he made them" or 2) "rejoice because the one who made them is good."
The words "their king" is likely a reference to God. Possible meanings are 1) "rejoice because he is their king" or 2) "rejoice because their king is good."
"praise him" or "tell people how great he is"
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
"glorifies the humble by saving them"
"those who are humble"
"as they lie down to sleep at night"
"May they always be ready to praise God"
"may there be a two-edged sword in their hand" or "may they always be ready to go to war for him"
"the people of the nations"
These are made of heavy metal and restrict the movement of prisoners.
a pair of chains or bands with a chain between that limits the movement of both a person's hands or feet.
"They will judge and punish the people of those nations as God wrote should be done"
God's temple was often referred to as his holy place. This was the most common place to go to worship God.
"the great things he has done." God's "mighty acts" can possibly mean 1) natural such as thunderstorms and earthquakes or 2) miraculous such as healings and great victories in battle.
A tambourine is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken.
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
All people who are alive should praise God.
The first chapter of proverbs begins with a type of introduction in verses 1-7. It mentions Solomon, son of David. Verse 7 contains a foundational verse for the whole book. It defines wisdom. Verses 2-33 are poetry. Proverbs are often written without any surrounding context and in two lines of text. Each line will have a certain relationship to the other line.
"to teach you how to be wise and to instruct you about how to live moral lives"
"to help you understand wise teachings"
"that we may receive"
"may receive instruction in how to live prudently"
"also teach to those who are naive how to be wise"
inexperienced or immature
"and to teach to the youth what he needs to know and how to discern the right thing to do"
"young people"
knowing what should be done in a particular situation
"Let those who are wise pay attention and learn even more"
"let people who have understanding learn from these proverbs how to make good decisions"
sayings that one can understand only after thinking about them
A father teaches his child.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"those who do not value what is wise and instructive are fools"
"do not ignore" or "do not reject"
"they will make you wise just as wearing a wreath on your head or a pendant around your neck makes you beautiful". The rules and instructions that parents teach their children are so valuable and important that they are spoken of as if they were a beautiful wreath or pendant that a person wears.
an woven circle made of leaves or flowers
jewelry that is worn around the neck
"try to persuade you to sin as they do"
"do not listen to them"
The speaker gives an example of what sinners may try to do to entice someone.
"hide and wait for the right time"
Verses 12-14 end the imagined statement of the sinners who are trying to entice others to sin.
The sinners speak of murdering innocent people as if they were Sheol and they would take a living and healthy person down to the place where dead people go.
This speaks of the grave as if it were a person that swallows humans and takes them down to the place of the dead.
The wicked expect to destroy their victims in the same way Sheol, the place of the dead, takes away even healthy people.
These words could be: a literal reference to travelers who fall into a deep hole where no one will ever find them or a euphemism for people who die and enter Sheol, the place of the dead.
"get" or "seize" by violence.
"join us"
"we will equally share everything that we steal"
a bag for carrying money
This is the continuation of the sentence that started in 1:11 with "If they say."
"do not go with the sinners, and do not do what they do"
"they are eager to do wicked things"
"they run"
Here "blood" represents a person's life. To "shed blood" means to murder someone.
This compares the wisdom of birds who avoid traps that they see to the foolishness of sinners who get caught in traps they make for themselves.
"But these men are more foolish than the birds. They kill themselves with their own traps". This finishes the comparison started in Proverbs 1:17.
"It is as if they are looking for an opportunity to kill themselves" or "They themselves will be killed because they try to kill others". To lie in wait is to hide, ready to do something wicked.
"to kill themselves violently"
"it is as if they are the ones who are waiting to suddenly attack and kill them"
"This is what happens to everyone"
If your language has a word for "profit" that has been gained by unjust means, you should use it here.
"it is like the unjust gains will destroy those who hold on to it"
In 1:20-1:33, Wisdom is spoken of as if it were a woman speaking to the people.
If your language does not allow you to treat wisdom as a woman shouting to the people in the city, you might try something like "Grandmother Wisdom cries aloud" or "Honored Miss Wisdom cries aloud" or "Wisdom is like a woman who cries aloud"
"speaks with a loud voice"
"in the markets" or "in the town squares". This means places where there would be a lot of people.
Possible meanings are: "head" refers to the place where busy streets intersect or "head" refers to the top of a wall where people on noisy streets could see and hear wisdom speaking.
"You who are naive must stop loving being naive.". Wisdom uses this question to rebuke those who are not wise.
inexperienced or immature
"You who mock must stop delighting in mockery, and you fools must stop hating knowledge."
"Repent when you hear me correct you" or "Listen carefully to me when I correct you."
Wisdom telling the people everything she thinks about them is spoken of as if her spirit were a liquid that she would pour out.
"thoughts". This word does not refer to the Holy Spirit.
"I will tell you what I think"
"I invited you to come to me"
"Therefore I will laugh". This shows that the woman Wisdom laughs at them because they ignored her.
"when bad things happen to you"
Terrible things happening to the people is compared to a storm hitting them and causing fear and suffering.
a very strong wind storm that causes damage
"Then those who ignored me will cry out to me for help". Wisdom continues speaking.
"Because they refused to learn to be wise"
"did not fear Yahweh" or "did not honor and respect Yahweh"
"would not accept my instruction" or "rejected my advice"
Verse 33 ends wisdom's statement that began in Proverbs 1:22.
"experience the consequences of their actions"
"they will eat the fruit of their schemes until they are full." or "they will suffer the consequences of their own evil plans."
"die because they refuse to learn"
"fools will die because they do not care about what should be done"
Chapter 2 continues a collection of proverbs that ends in chapter nine. A father teaches his child using poetry. Occasionally, the author addresses a proverb to "my son." This is not intended to restrict the words of that proverb to only males. Instead, it is simply the idea used to pass on advice as a father does to his son.
"if you listen to what I am teaching you"
"consider my commands to be as valuable as a treasure"
"force yourself to listen carefully"
"to the wise things I am teaching you"
"fully dedicate yourself to understanding wise teachings"
This means to speak loudly or to shout.
"if you seek understanding with as much effort as you search for a valuable object"
This is spoken of as if understanding were an object for which a person must search.
This is spoken of as if the knowledge of God were an object that a person finds after searching.
"from Yahweh comes knowledge and understanding" or "Yahweh tells us what we need to know and understand"
"He teaches what is truly wise to the upright". This is spoken of as if wisdom were an item that Yahweh stores and gives to people.
"the person who lives rightly" or "people who live rightly"
"dependable"
"God protects those"
"who behave with integrity" or "who live their lives as they should"
"God makes sure that people act justly" or "God protects those who act justly"
"protect those who are faithful to him"
fairness
"ways to live that are pleasing to God"
"you will gain much wisdom" or "you will learn how to be truly wise"
"pleasing to you" or "enjoyable to you"
"Because you think carefully and understand what is right and wrong, you will be safe". This speaks of "discretion" and "understanding" as if they were persons who could watch over someone else.
the quality of being careful in actions and speech
to guard, protect or take care of someone or something
"You will know to stay away from what is evil". "They" refers to discretion and understanding, which are spoken of as if they were persons who could rescue someone else.
Evil behaviors are spoken of as if evil were a way or path on which a person walks.
This is spoken of as if the person stops walking on the correct path and chooses to walk down a dark path.
The word "who" refers to the people who speak perverse things.
to leave and never return to someone or something
"delight in doing what they know is evil"
"They deceive other people"
"they lie so that no one will know what they have done"
The father continues to teach his child how wisdom will protect him.
"If you have wisdom and discretion, you will save yourself"
This refers to her husband, whom she married when she was young.
This likely refers to the marriage covenant that she made with her husband in the presence of God.
"going to her house leads to death" or "the road to her house is the road to death."
"the paths to her house will lead you." or "her way of life will lead you"
"to the grave"
"have sexual relations with her"
"they will not return to the land of the living" or "they will never live a happy life again."
The writer tells the result of getting understanding and discretion.
"you will live in the way ... follow the example"
"Yahweh will remove the wicked from the land". The writer speaks of Yahweh as if he were cutting the people off, like cutting a branch from a tree.
"those who are wicked ... those who are faithless" or "wicked people ... faithless people"
"he will remove the faithless from it"
Chapter 3 continues a collection of proverbs that ends in chapter nine. Occasionally, the author addresses a proverb to "my son." This is not intended to restrict the words of that proverb to only males. Instead, it is simply a form used to pass on advice as a father does to his son.
"do not forget what I have taught you"
"always remember what I have commanded you"
"all your life" or "as long as you live"
"Love God without ceasing and be faithful to him". The writer speaks of "steadfast love" and "faithfulness" as if they were people who could leave someone.
"display them proudly like one would wear a necklace". The writer speaks of faithfulness and trustworthiness as if they were objects that a person could tie around the neck like a necklace. The image suggests that these are valuable things that the person displays outwardly.
"always remember them, as if you had written them permanently on a tablet"
"in the judgment of God and man"
"your whole being"
"do not rely on your own understanding" or "do not trust your own understanding"
"in everything you do"
"he will give you success"
"Do not be wise in your own opinion"
"do not commit evil"
"If you do this, it will be healing for your body"
These words refer to the entire person through the image for the outer man and the inner man.
"all the food you harvest"
"your storehouses will be full"
buildings or rooms where food is stored
your storage containers will be extremely full, as if ready to break open
"a son in whom he delights." or "a son whom he loves". This refers to the father's affection for the son, and not to the father's approval of the son's behavior.
"The one who attains wisdom". You may notice that wisdom is referenced using a feminine pronoun. This is a feature that is carried in from the Hebrew language. This may apply well in your language but if it does not, follow the conventions of your language.
This refers to the profit that one can make from trading or investing silver.
The author speaks of wisdom as if it were a woman.
"more valuable"
"Wisdom gives a person length of days and riches and honor". The writer speaks of having wisdom as if wisdom were a woman who held these qualities in her hands and offered them to people.
"long life"
"Wisdom will always treat you pleasantly and give you peace"
"pleasant ways"
"Wisdom is like a tree that sustains the life of those who eat of its fruit"
"a tree that gives life" or "a tree whose fruit sustains life"
"those who hold on to its fruit"
"Yahweh created the earth ... made the heavens"
"he caused the rivers to flow" or "he caused the oceans to exist". In ancient thought, water existed under the earth. This phrase refers to Yahweh causing that water to come out of the earth and make the oceans and rivers exist.
water that forms on the ground at night
"do not let these out of your sight ... wisdom ... discretion" or "never forget ... wisdom ... discretion"
"They will be life for you"
"a display of favor like one would adorn themselves with a necklace". The writer speaks of "sound judgment" and "discernment" as if they were objects that a person could tie around the neck like a necklace. The image suggests that these are valuable things that the person displays outwardly.
"a favorable adornment" or "an adornment that displays Yahweh's favor"
"you will live your life in safety"
"you will not do things that are wrong"
"when you lie down to sleep"
"your sleep will be pleasant" or "you will sleep peacefully"
"when the wicked cause devastation"
"wicked people"
"Yahweh will be by your side" or "Yahweh will support and defend you"
"will protect you from those who want to harm you"
"Do not withhold good things" or "Do not withhold good actions"
"when you are able to help"
"when you have the money with you now." The person has the money to help today, but tells his neighbor to come back tomorrow.
"Do not ... choose to imitate any of his ways"
"Yahweh strongly hates the devious person"
the person who is dishonest or deceitful
"Yahweh is a close friend to the upright"
"Yahweh has cursed the family of the wicked person"
"he blesses the families of righteous people"
"he shows his favor to humble people" or "he is gracious to humble people"
"Wise people will obtain honor" or "Wise people will gain an honorable reputation"
"Yahweh will cause everyone to see the shame of fools"
Chapter 4 continues a collection of proverbs that ends in chapter nine. Occasionally, the author addresses a proverb to "my son." This is not intended to restrict the words of that proverb to only males. Instead, it is simply a form used to pass on advice as a father does to his son.
"listen carefully"
"you will know how to understand" or "you will gain understanding"
"What I am teaching you is good"
"When I was still a boy learning from my father"
"the tender only child". The word "tender" refers to a young age at which the child is still weak.
"Always remember what I am teaching you"
The father continues to teach his children what his father taught him.
"Work hard to gain for yourself wisdom" or "Get wisdom". You may notice that wisdom is referenced using a feminine pronoun. This is a feature that is carried in from the Hebrew language. This may apply well in your language but if it does not, follow the conventions of your language.
"remember"
"accept"
"what I am saying"
The writer speaks of wisdom as if it were a woman who protects the person who is faithful to her.
"hold tightly to wisdom" or "be faithful to wisdom"
"love wisdom"
The father finishes teaching his children what his father taught him.
"value understanding more than all you own"
"If you cherish wisdom, she will give you great honor". The writer refers to wisdom as if wisdom lifted that person to a high position.
to feel or show great love for someone or something
"if you love wisdom greatly, wisdom will cause people to honor you"
"Wisdom will be like a wreath on your head that shows your great honor"
a woven circle made of leaves or flowers
"wisdom will be like a beautiful crown on your head"
"be willing to listen carefully to what I teach you"
"you will live many years"
"I am teaching you how to live wisely; I am explaining the right way to live"
"With these words I am teaching ... with them I am leading"
"When you plan something, you will succeed in doing it"
"Continue to obey what I have taught you and never forget it"
"for it will preserve your life"
"Do not do what wicked people do and do not join in the actions of people who do evil"
"Avoid the path of the wicked"
They probably could literally sleep, but the writer uses an exaggeration to express how intensely they desire to commit evil actions.
"they are unable to sleep"
"until they harm someone"
"wickedness is like the bread that they eat and violence is like the wine that they drink" or "they eat bread that they obtain by doing wicked things and drink wine that they obtain through violence"
eat a great amount quickly
"the lifestyle of righteous people"
"righteous people walk along their path safely because the morning sun shines on it and grows brighter"
This refers to the dawn or sunrise.
"until the sun shines most brightly" or "until full daylight"
"The lifestyle of the wicked"
"Wicked people walk dangerously along their path because they have no light to be able to see"
"they do not know why they experience harm and misfortune"
"listen carefully"
"listen attentively to the things that I am saying"
"Do not stop thinking about them"
"always remember them"
"my words give life" or "the things I say give life"
"to those who understand and practice them"
"my words will give health to the whole body of those who find them"
"Keep your mind safe and guard your thoughts"
with constant and earnest effort
"from your thoughts comes everything you say and do" or "your thoughts determine your course of life"
"Do not lie and do not speak deceitfully"
"Always look straight ahead and fix your gaze straight before you"
"Make a level path to walk on" or "Prepare well what you want to do"
"a smooth path" or "an even path"
"then everything that you do will be right"
"Walk straight ahead and do not leave the level path"
"turn away from evil" or "stay away from evil"
Chapter 5 continues a collection of proverbs that ends in chapter nine. The writer speaks as a father teaching his children. Occasionally, the author addresses a proverb to "my son." This is not intended to restrict the words of that proverb to only males. Instead, it is simply a form used to pass on advice as a father does to his son
"listen attentively". The writer speaks of listening attentively to someone as if it were leaning forward so that the ears are closer to the one speaking. See Proverbs 4:20.
Discretion is the quality of being careful with regard to one's actions and speech. See Proverbs 1:4.
"you will speak only what is true"
"the words of an adulteress are sweet, as if dripping with honey" or "the kisses of an adulteress are sweet, as if her lips dripped with honey". This chapter is unusual because it holds a theme about the adulteress and warns the young man to avoid her. An adulteress is a woman who commits adultery.
"her speech is persuasive and smoother than olive oil" or "her kisses are smoother than olive oil"
"but in the end, she is like bitter-tasting wormwood and will cause you harm"
a plant that tastes bitter
"she wounds a person, as if she were a sharp sword"
"She is walking along a path that leads to death" or "Her lifestyle leads to death"
"she walks all the way to Sheol" or "her conduct takes her all the way to Sheol"
"She does not think about walking along the path that leads to life" or "She is not concerned about conduct that leads to life"
"She wanders about as if she were lost" or "She walks along the wrong path."
The teacher shifts from warning about the adulteress to giving advice.
"do not stop listening"
"my words" or "what I am saying"
"Keep yourself far away from her" or "Stay away from her"
"do not go near the door of her house" or "do not even go near her house". Here "the door of her house" represents the house itself. It may be more appropriate to use the word "go" instead of "come" since the latter might imply that the speaker is at the door of her house.
"If you do this." This phrase refers to what he has just said in previous verses.
"You will not lose your good reputation among other people" or "You will not give away your wealth to other people" or "You will not give away the best times of your life to other people"
"or give years of your life to a cruel person" or "or cause a cruel person to kill you while you are still young"
This may refer to the husband of the adulteress, who will deal cruelly with the person who sleeps with her.
"strangers will not enjoy all of the wealth you labored hard for"
unknown people from the same people group or nation
"the things that you have labored for will not end up belonging to the families of strangers"
unknown people from other people groups or nations
"your body wastes away" or "you waste away"
"physically wear down" or "become weak and unhealthy"
These two phrases emphasize how much this person disliked what the teacher had said.
"I hated it so much when someone would instruct me"
"I despised people when they corrected me"
"listen to those who instructed me".The writer speaks of listening attentively to someone as if it were leaning forward so that the ear is closer to the one speaking. See Proverbs 4:20.
This refers to the person's community that has gathered together either 1) to worship God or 2) to judge him for his offense.
The writer speaks of a man as if he drank water only from his own cistern or well.
"flowing water"
The writer speaks of adultery using metaphors about wasting the water that was so precious in Israel, where rain was rare.
"Your springs should not ... your streams of water should not flow in the public squares."
Here the words "springs" and "streams of water" are likely euphemisms for male reproductive fluids. Possible meanings are: sleeping with women other than one's wife is spoken of as if it were allowing one's water to flow in the public streets or having children with women other than one's wife is spoken of as if it were allowing one's water to flow in the public streets.
"Should you disperse your springs ... everywhere? Should your ... squares?". Public squares are open areas in a city or town where two or more streets meet, where people meet each other and talk.
"do not share them with strangers"
"May you always find joy with your wife"
"the wife whom you married when you were young" or "your young wife."
"she is as beautiful and graceful as a deer or a doe" or "she is as beautiful and graceful as a female deer"
"beautiful while moving."
"Let her breasts satisfy your desires" or "Let her body satisfy your desires" or "Let her breasts fill you with delight as a mother's breasts fill her child with food"
"let her love control you as alcohol controls someone who is drunk"
"by your love for her" or "by her love for you."
"My son, do not be captivated by an adulteress!"
"allow an adulteress to captivate you" or "allow an adulteress to fascinate you"
"Do not embrace the bosom of an immoral woman!"
"have sexual relations with an immoral woman"
chest, shoulders, and arms
"a woman who is not your wife" or "a woman who is another man's wife."
These two phrases emphasize that God knows everything that everyone does.
"everywhere he goes" or "everything he does"
"A wicked person's own iniquities will seize him" or "A wicked person will be unable to avoid the consequences of his iniquities"
"because of his sin, he will be like an animal caught in a trap"
"his great foolishness leads him astray"
"because he is very foolish"
"had to save up some of your money". Occasionally, the author addresses a proverb to "my son." This is not intended to restrict the words of that proverb to only males. Instead, it is simply a form used to pass on advice as a father does to his son.
your neighbor may come to you to ask for a loan or your neighbor wants to take out a loan from someone else, but you promise to pay the lender back if your neighbor cannot.
This same Hebrew word can also mean "friend."
"you have made a trap in which you yourself are caught"
"what you said" or "what you promised to do"
"protect yourself" or "help yourself out of these problems"
"your neighbor can bring harm to you if he wants to" or "your neighbor has power over you"
"Do not let your eyes sleep; do not let your eyelids slumber." or "Stay awake, and do what you can". These two phrases are repeated to emphasize how important it is not to be lazy.
"yourself ... yourself"
"Escape from your neighbor like a gazelle that flees from a hunter". The gazelle and the ant have certain characteristics which the author uses to give wisdom. If your language does not recognize these characteristics, you could add a footnote to explain or possibly substitute another animal from your culture that would help explain the same concept.
A big, lean animal that eats grass and people often hunt for meat. It is famous for its running speed.
"from the control of the hunter"
"and escape like a bird that flies away from a bird-hunter"
"Study ... think about" or "carefully observe ... ponder"
A small insect that lives underground or in a self-built hill. They usually live in groups of thousands, and can lift things that are much bigger than they are.
"consider how the ant behaves"
These three words emphasize that no one has formal authority over an individual ant.
These two phrases are repeated to show how responsible the ant is.
Summer is the time of the year when some trees bear their fruit.
"You should not just lie there, you lazy person. You should rise up from your sleep." or "Wake up, you lazy person! Get out of your bed!"
These are the kinds of things that lazy people say.
"I will just sleep a little longer. Let me sleep lightly a little longer"
"I will just cross my arms comfortably and rest a little"
"If you continue to be lazy, your poverty will come" or "While you sleep, poverty will come"
"you will suddenly become poor, just as if a robber came and stole everything you have"
"and you will become needy just as if an armed soldier stole all your things"
"a soldier who is holding a weapon" or "a man with a weapon"
"A person with no value—an evil man"
"constantly tells lies"
All three phrases describe a way in which the evil person communicates secretly to deceive others.
If someone winks, he closes one eye very briefly as a secret signal to another person. This might be a sign of trust or of approval.
"He prepares to do evil deeds"
"he always causes strife" or "he is constantly looking for arguments and making them worse"
"For that reason"
"his disaster will catch him"
This refers to the disaster that will happen to him, but also the disaster that he himself caused.
"suddenly" or "very quickly."
"six things that Yahwah hates; seven things that". This whole verse emphasizes that God hates several things and not just one. Occasionally, the author will mention a list of six things, or seven things, that Yahweh hates. These numbers are used to draw attention to the list of things.
"that he strongly hates." See Proverbs 3:32.
All of these body parts refer to a whole person. You can translate each of these with "people."
"kill" or "murder"
All of these body parts refer to a whole person. You can translate each of these with "people."
"evil plans"
"constantly lies"
See how you translated this in Proverbs 6:14.
"a person who causes discord".
The use of both phrases, "father" and "mother" explicitly includes women in the teaching process.
"Do not reject what your mother teaches you"
These two phrases describe the commands and instructions as if they are written down so that you can put it in or on your body to remind yourself.
"love them" or "think about them"
These three phrases are used together to emphasize that the lessons are valuable all the time.
The repetition of these phrases shows that the lessons are valuable for all sorts of things and speaks of those lessons as if they were people.
These three phrases show the various types of lessons a father and a mother teach.
"as useful as a lamp ... as helpful as light in the darkness ... as necessary to follow as the way of life"
"the way that leads to life" or "the way of living that God approves of"
"It saves you from" or "It protects you from"
"deceptive words"
sexually immoral. The latter part of this chapter comes back to the theme about the woman who commits adultery and warns the young man to avoid her.
"do not allow her to gain control over you by being beautiful and by the way she looks at you"
"in your thoughts"
"what is beautiful about her."
"gain control over you"
"her beautiful eyes". The "eyelashes" stand for the beautiful things about her body that she uses to catch a man's attention.
Be sure your translation clearly communicates that having sexual relations with the wife of another man is much worse than having sexual relations with a prostitute.
"Having sexual relations with a prostitute will cost you only as much as a loaf of bread, but having sexual relations with another man's wife will cost you your precious life"
Possible meanings are: the reader thinks that the money a prostitute takes is little and his own life is precious or the prostitute is looking only for money so she can eat, while an adulterous wife gives her body hoping to receive love.
"very small"
"is giving her husband the opportunity to kill you" or "is putting you in danger". The writer speaks of the jealous husband as if it were the woman herself who were trying to kill him.
"Every man who carries a fire in his chest will burn his clothes."
"without destroying" or "and not destroy"
His clothes stand for him as a whole person.
"Every man who walks on hot coals will have scorched feet."
This stands for committing adultery.
That is to slowly walk a long distance, without using tricks or magic.
"burning"
"the man who has sexual relations with his neighbor's wife"
"do not regard a thief with contempt" or "do not think a thief is evil"
"if someone catches him"
"that he owns"
"The person" or "The man"
"the appropriate punishment for what he has done"
"the memory of his shameful act"
"will never go away" or "will always be there"
very angry
"he will not limit the pain he will cause you" or "he will hurt you as much as he can". The "he" is the neighbor whose wife has committed adultery with another man.
"when he takes revenge"
The writer speaks as if the jealous husband has captured the one who had sexual relations with his wife.
money to buy the freedom of someone who has been captured
"you cannot pay him enough money to change his mind"
"off. This will be true even if"
"obey my words". Occasionally the author addresses a proverb to "my son." This is not intended to restrict the words of that proverb to only males, but is still given in the context of a father warning his son.
"memorize my commands". God's commands are spoken of as objects that could put into a storeroom. Many of the proverbs are stated as promises or commands, but they are intended to be advice. This chapter continues the theme about the adulteress and warns the young man to avoid her.
"obey my instructions"
"as your most valuable possession"
Possible meanings are: the writer wanted his son to engrave certain commands from God on a ring and wear it, or that the writer wanted his son to always remember God's commands, as if he always wore a certain ring.
"remember my commands well as if you were writing them in stone". See Proverbs 3:3.
"Value wisdom as you would love your sister"
"treat understanding as you would treat your kinsman". The quality of understanding is spoken of as if it were a kinsman, relative or family member.
"who praises you to deceive you" or "who flatters you with her words"
a covering over a window made of thin strips of wood that cross one another in a slanted pattern that forms square-shaped openings in the pattern
inexperienced or immature
"the corner where a female stranger was standing". See Proverbs 7:5.
This refers to where two roads meet.
the time of day when it is getting darker and about to become night
"she planned to deceive someone"
"She talked loudly and showed contempt for her husband"
"she did not stay at home"
"she waited to trap someone" or "she waited to find someone she could persuade to sin". The woman is spoken of as if she were preparing to physically trap a person, with the idea of persuading someone to commit sin.
"took hold of him firmly"
"with a shameless expression on her face". A stubborn expression and she is deliberately doing what she knows is wrong.
"I made the sacrifices I promised to God"
"look for you" or "find out where you are". This represents the person and especially the person's presence.
"scattered on my bed"
a substance from aloe plants that has a nice smell
A spice made from the bark of a tree that smells and tastes good.
"let us make love to each other as much as we want"
caresses and sexual relations
"is not at home"
The moon is full when it is a perfectly round disk, shining at its brightest.
The female is the married woman who wants to sleep with "him," the young man.
These phrases emphasize that she was able to get him to willingly do exactly what she wanted.
"she persuaded him"
"flattering, deceiving words"
The woman flattering the young man so that he could not resist, as if she were forcing him to sin.
"He quickly decided to go after her"
The young man is compared to how an animal is unaware of the danger it is in.
This refers to killing an animal in order to eat its meat.
"like a deer walks into a trap.". The Hebrew for this sentence is not not clear.
The young man is compared to the way an animal is unaware of the danger he is in.
"until a hunter shoots it in its most important part"
Here this organ represents a very important part of the deer's body.
"it would kill him" or "he would die because of it"
This is to focus their attention on the conclusion of this lesson.
"Make your heart stay far away from the ways of the adulterous woman". This represents the person's behavior.
"do not leave the right path in order to go on her paths". This strengthens the first warning.
"She has caused many people to fall dead"
Here "paths" represents the kinds of behavior that foolish people participate in. Sheol was the name for the world of the dead.
These two phrases are repeated to emphasize that the woman's victims will be destroyed.
This pictures the dead as sleeping in many different rooms in Sheol.
Chapter 8 continues a collection of proverbs that ends in chapter nine. These chapters operate more as a unit than many of the following chapters in this book. In this chapter wisdom is spoken of as a woman who teaches people how to be wise.
"Wisdom calls out"
"Is not wisdom like a woman who calls out?" or "Does not a woman named Wisdom call out?". Here wisdom is imagined as a woman. If your language does not allow this kind of idea, please use these other possible translations.
Here "Understanding" means the same as "Wisdom."
"speak"
In ancient times, cities usually had outer walls with gates in them.
This continues to refer to Wisdom, personified as a woman.
Wisdom speaks to the people in verses 4-36.
"my words are for the sons of mankind". The addressee of this chapter is broader than "my son," but is personal like the previous chapters' use of "my son." In this case, Wisdom is calling out for all to come and learn of her, in contrast to the adulteress mentioned in chapters 5-7.
"all people"
inexperienced or immature
"learn how a wise person acts" or "learn what it means to be wise"
"you must begin to understand things with your mind"
"when I open my mouth to speak"
proper or just
"I speak"
"what people should believe"
"saying wicked things would be an abomination to me". See how you translated "abomination" in Proverbs 3:32.
This represents wicked speech.
"The things I teach"
"nothing false"
honest and clear
"those who know what is right and what is wrong consider what I teach to be right"
true and honest
"You should try much harder to understand my instructions than to get silver"
"the best gold you could ever find"
"For I, Wisdom, am better than jewels; no desirable thing is equal to me"
treasuries
Prudence is also represented as a person.
caution or good judgment
"I am knowledgeable and discreet" or "I know many things, and I am careful"
being careful about what we say and do; being cautious not to cause hurt or harm to others
"wicked talk"
turned from what is right
"wise suggestions"
counsel that is given to help someone
good, reliable
"I have insight"
"and by me nobles and all who judge with justice also rule"
noblemen, leading members of important families in the nation
This refers to brotherly love or love for a friend or family member and is a natural human love.
with careful and continued effort
"I have riches and honor"
"therefore, I will give lasting wealth and righteousness to those who find me"
"the ability to live in a right way"
what wisdom produces or causes
the benefit or gain that wisdom causes
"I live right" or "I do what is right"
"I do what is perfectly just" or "I only do what is just"
Wisdom is spoken of as a woman who fills the storehouses of her followers with valuable things.
"creating me was one of the first things he did long ago"
"Very long ago"
The word "age" refers to a general, extended period of time.
"from when God created the earth"
"Before God made the foundations of the mountains and put them into their proper places"
This is wisdom speaking about herself.
"I was alive"
"created" or "made"
"when he marked on the ocean's surface how far a person at sea can see in every direction"
"the ocean"
brought into permanent being
"when God fixed the springs in the deep"
The ancient Hebrews thought that the ocean got its water from springs at the bottom of the sea.
"when he created the shorelines for the oceans.
The Hebrew word for "earth" also often means "land."
"when God set the limit for the foundations of the earth"
This is still wisdom speaking. Wisdom now says she was right next to Yahweh, implying that she was his assistant in creating the world.
This is a person who has trained for years to make useful things very well, like furniture or houses.
"he was happy because of me"
"continually" or "the whole time"
"the whole world he created" or "everything he created"
"the people he brought into existence"
This is to focus the attention of the children to the conclusion of this lesson.
This is still wisdom talking about herself.
"those who do what I teach" or "the people who follow my example"
"be sure to pay attention to" or "be sure to follow"
A wise person waits outside wisdom's home in the morning in order to serve her, or a wise person waits outside wisdom's house for her to come and teach him.
"he who fails to find me"
Here "life" represents the person's self.
These verses begin a parable in which wisdom is imagined to be a woman who is giving good advice to people. The addressee of chapters 8 and 9 is broader than "my son," but is personal like the previous chapters' use of "my son." In this case, Wisdom is calling out for all to come and learn of her.
The writer speaks about wisdom as if it were a woman who has built her own house.
"She has killed the animals for meat at dinner"
"prepared her wine by mixing it with water". In ancient Israel, people often mixed wine with water.
"she has prepared her table"
These verses begin to give the message of Wisdom, who is personified as a woman.
These maids went out and invited people to come to the feast that Wisdom had prepared.
Young women or girls who are in the service of a respectable, adult woman, such as Wisdom.
"she loudly recites her invitation"
The invitation is shouted from the highest points so that it will be heard by all the people.
"Anyone who is naive, let ... anyone lacking good sense"
"is inexperienced or immature"
"leave his path and come into my house"
All of these commands are plural; Wisdom is addressing many people at the same time.
"prepared her wine by mixing it with water"
All of these commands are plural; Wisdom is addressing many people at the same time.
"Stop your naive behavior"
"inexperienced, immature actions"
"the manner of living that a wise person has"
"A mocker will dishonor anyone who disciplines him" or "Whoever disciplines a mocker can expect the mocker to insult him"
"someone who says insulting things about other people"
"a wicked person will abuse whoever rebukes him"
"whoever corrects"
"Do not correct"
"If you give to a wise person, he ... if you teach a righteous person, he"
These two phrases basically say the same thing.
This refers to giving instruction to a wise person.
See how you translated this phrase in Proverbs 1:7.
"I will multiply your days" or "I will cause you to live many more days"
Wisdom, personified as a woman, continues to speak here.
These two phrases emphasize the great benefits wisdom has.
"I will add years of life to you" or "I will enable you to live longer"
These two statements seem to mean that wise people gain advantages for themselves because of their wisdom, and mockers suffer because of their behavior.
The consequence of one's bad behavior is referred to, as a heavy load that one had to carry on his back.
These verses begin to describe foolishness, which is also personified as a woman.
"The woman Foolishness". If your language allows wisdom to be personified, it may also allow foolishness to be personified.
"she does not know anything at all"
"she has not learned from experience" or "she is young and naive"
"thinking only of their own affairs" or "minding their own business."
"is inexperienced or immature"
"leave his path and come here"
This is the foolish woman who was introduced in Proverbs 9:13.
"those who do not have wisdom" or "those who are not wise"
"You can enjoy me just as you enjoy water that you have stolen or bread that is secret"
"that the men who have gone to her are now dead"
"Sheol" refers to the world of the dead.
There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often using contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, and wicked/righteous.
Chapter 10 starts a new section of the book, which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs.
acquired over time
"Yahweh makes sure those who do what is right have food to eat"
"A person unwilling to work"
"person who works hard"
"are given to"
"words the wicked speak"
hides the truth
"memory"
"be destroyed" or "be made useless"
not straight; deformed; dishonest; deceitful
"He who makes a signal with a gesture". This represents a secretive sign for being cruel to someone else.
will lose all the good things he now has
"The speech of a righteous person"
This person's speech is spoken of as if it preserved living animals or people, as a water spring would do.
The wicked person appears to say harmless things, but plans violent things against other people.
"the speech of a wicked person"
"Anyone who hates others stirs up conflict"
"starts fights"
"Anyone who loves others forgives all wrongs"
"in what a sensible person says"
"a person who has no sense needs forceful punishment"
"the words from a foolish person"
"his safety"
"what destroys them"
The money a worker earns and represents the results of either doing what is right or doing what is wrong.
"what comes in" when a person sells his labor or something he has produced
"The person who obeys wise instruction will have a long and happy life"
"but the one who does not obey wise instruction will not have a good life"
"tells lies"
"there is much sin"
"Whatever a righteous person says"
"is extremely valuable"
"The sayings of a righteous man"
cause them to develop or grow stronger
"Fools find pleasure in wickedness"
overcome someone
Just as storm comes and sweeps everything away so wicked people will disappear.
"is a start for something that lasts forever"
"A lazy person will make those who send him wish they had not"
a sour liquid used to flavor or preserve foods, too much of which is painful to drink
"the lifetime of the evil person"
"what wicked people hope to obtain"
"will be secure"
"From the righteous man's words"
"God will shut the mouths of people who say what is false"
"righteous person knows how to speak in a way that gains favor"
"makes people think well of them"
"the words of the wicked"
Chapter 11 continues the section of the book which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with individual proverbs. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often using contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility, integrity/crookedness.
"Yahweh hates it when people deceive their neighbors". "Scales" represent measuring accurately in negotiating. See how you translated "abomination" in Proverbs 3:32.
"but he is happy when people are honest"
"upright people" or "honest people"
"treacherous people"
"A person's wealth will do him no good when God comes to judge"
"has clear direction"
"those who are wicked"
"those who are treacherous"
"those who do evil are captured by their passions"
ready to betray trust; traitorous; deceptive
"the confidence he has in his own power"
"disappears"
"God delivers from trouble the person who does what is right"
"trouble comes"
"The words of the godless"
Possible meanings are: The upright do good things that cause the people in the city to be prosperous or God blesses the people of the city because of the actions of the upright.
"God exalts the people of the city" or "God makes the people in the city prosperous"
"the words of evil people"
"a trustworthy person"
"does not tell" or "does not speak about the matter"
"one who refuses to give"
people without pity or compassion; cruel people
"are greedy for wealth"
"a person who"
"spreads out what is right"
"will surely be rewarded"
"the person who"
"chases after evil" or "seeks to do evil"
"Yahweh strongly hates those whose hearts are perverse."
"who have wicked thoughts"
"will certainly be punished"
A beautiful woman without discretion is compared to a useless and unsuitable golden ring in a pig's nose.
"without common sense" or "who is foolish"
"Some people give freely to others and yet become more wealthy"
"one who scatters much seed" or "one who is generous"
"will gain even more"
"what he should give" or "wrongly refuses to give."
"will gain more"
"the generous person who" or "anyone who"
This describes the person who hoards his wealth instead of helping those in need.
"good gifts are given as a crown of honor to him who sells it" or "the person who sells it is honored with many blessings"
the one who seeks with careful and continued effort
"will be destroyed" or "awaits a bad future"
"righteous people will prosper in the same way a healthy green leaf grows"
This means that righteous people will thrive or prosper.
"inherit nothing"
"Those who do right will bring life to themselves and others"
See how you translated this in Proverbs 3:18.
"but the one who kills people is violent." or "and the one who wins souls is wise," that is, a wise person will convince other people to do what is right.
"God rewards the righteous person on earth"
"person who is righteous on earth is rewarded."
"is rewarded ... in this life"
"even more so"
Chapter 12 continues the section of the book (Chapter 10-22) which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs. Verses 1-15 contrast wisdom and foolishness. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often using contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility and integrity/crookedness.
"Any person who"
"the person who does not want to be told what to do"
"is foolish" or "is unwise"
"No one can become safe and secure by doing what is wicked"
"are as stable as a tree with deep roots"
"A good wife is a sign of great honor for her husband"
"a wife's shameful acts destroy her husband's influence and happiness"
"righteous people"
"The deceitful things wicked people say are like a person waiting to murder someone by surprise"
"advice from the upright keeps people safe"
"upright persons" or "righteous persons" or "honest persons"
"People will overthrow the wicked people" or "People will remove the wicked people from power"
"family" or "descendants"
"People will praise a man with prudent lips"
"because he is prudent" or "because he speaks prudently."
"people will despise the one who always thinks evil thoughts" or "people will despise the one who takes good things and twists them into bad"
"the person whom others despise"
"the one who boasts about himself"
"causes suffering"
"worthless plans" or "worthless tasks"
"what wicked people steal." The writer is not referring to evil people stealing from other wicked people.
"the righteous person endures" or "righteous people endure"
"The wicked things an evil person says will trap him"
"just as the good work he does rewards him"
"in his own opinion"
wise suggestions
"is wise" or "has good sense."
"What a person says without thinking can hurt as much as if he stabbed with a sword"
"what wise people say"
"comforts and heals"
"A truthful person endures forever"
"the one who lies lasts only for a moment"
those who give recommendations as a guide to action; counselors
"Good things come"
"Yahweh strongly hates lying lips." See how you translated "abomination" in Proverbs 3:32.
"People who tell lies"
"does not tell everything he knows"
"Diligent people"
"will become a slave"
uneasy feeling of fear or dread, worry
"causes him to become sad or depressed"
"but when others speak kindly to him, he is cheerful again"
"Game" refers to animals caught and killed while hunting, and "roast" is a way of cooking food.
"valuable treasure"
"A wise son obeys". Chapter 13 continues the section which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility, integrity/crookedness.
"will not learn from rebuke" or "will not obey, despite rebuke"
"From the words of his mouth" or "From what he says"
the desire or liking for something
"the treacherous person"
"what he says"
"speaks a lot" or "talks too much"
"strongly desires but gets nothing"
"the diligent person will have a richly satisfied life"
this refers to any person who works with careful and continued effort
causing a strong feeling of disgust
"A way of life approved by Yahweh protects". "Righteousness" represents a way of life approved by Yahweh.
"who are faultless in their way of living" or "who live lives of integrity"
"wickedness ruins sinners' lives" or "sinners ruin their lives by committing wickedness"
"who makes himself rich"
"does not listen to rebuke"
"The life of a righteous person is like a light that causes people to rejoice"
"the lives of wicked people are like a lamp whose fire will be stopped"
"Pride always causes conflict"
"heed" or "follow"
suggestions that are helpful and profitable
"Wealth decreases" or "Wealth slowly disappears"
"working with physical strength"
"make his money increase"
"When a person hopes for something but does not receive it for a very long time"
"it causes intense sadness"
"a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life"
"a tree that gives life" or "a tree whose fruit sustains life." See Proverbs 3:18.
"they will reward the one who respects the command"
"a bountiful source of life"
"traps that lead to death"
"but the behavior of the treacherous will cause their own destruction"
"the treacherous person"
"a fool displays his foolishness to everyone"
"is unreliable" or "does something evil"
"a faithful messenger" or "a faithful ambassador"
"brings reconciliation"
"learns when someone corrects him"
"is a delight" or "brings joy"
the desire or liking for something
"fools strongly hate to turn away from evil." See how you translated "abomination" in Proverbs 3:32.
"will experience harm" or "will be ruined"
"Sinners have trouble wherever they go"
"God rewards righteous people with good"
"the children of his children" or "his descendants"
"the one who does right will receive the wealth that a sinner has stored up"
"An empty field not ready for planting"
"but injustice takes away that food" or "but unjust people take the food away"
"makes sure to instruct him"
"he has satisfied himself" or "he fulfills his desires"
"the wicked person is always hungry for more"
"builds up her house" or "makes her house better". Chapter 14 continues the section of the book which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs.
this may refer to the building she lives in or this may refer to her family.
"by herself" or "by the way she behaves"
"The person who ... the person who"
"conducts his life in a just and honest way"
"grossly disrespects him" or "shows that he hates him"
The word "his" refers to the dishonest man and "him" refers to Yahweh.
They both refer to what a person says.
"words that will cause people to punish him"
"wise men" or "wise people"
"will keep them from harm" or "will keep them safe"
A "trough" is a container in which you put food for animals.
"a good harvest"
"because of the work an ox does"
"constantly lies". See Proverbs 6:19.
"and wisdom is not there" or "but he will not find wisdom"
"the one who has understanding acquires knowledge easily"
"from his speech" or "with his comments"
a person who has good judgment or sense
"his conduct" or "how he lives"
The foolishness of fools is that they think they are wise, when they are not.
"at guilt" or "at the guilt offering" The meaning behind this phrase is that fools do not apologize to God or men for the things they do wrong.
"but the upright enjoy favor together" or "but God's favor is experienced together among the upright"
"upright people" or "righteous people" or "honest people"
"its own sorrow" or "its own sadness"
"those who do not know him"
"the household"
"to do well and last long" or "to be healthy" or "to be very successful"
"People think that the way they are living is the right way"
"A person's feelings can show laughter"
"experience pain" or "hurt"
"The person who is faithless"
"what he deserves, based on how he lived"
"what belongs to him" or "what he has a right to"
inexperienced or immature
"his actions"
"avoids doing evil"
"boldly ignores"
"becomes angry quickly"
Here "inherit" represents having permanent possession of something. The word "foolishness" represents foolish thinking and foolish actions.
"wise people"
"wear knowledge as a turban". Knowledge is spoken of as if it were a beautiful ornament worn on one's head, such as a turban with jewels.
This means to bend over to humbly express respect and submission toward someone.
"to meet with the righteous person"
"Everyone hates the poor person even his own neighbors"
"The person ... the person"
"poor people"
"Those who plot evil will go astray."
"who make evil plans"
"God will show those who plan to do what is good that he loves them without ceasing, and he will be faithful to them"
"but when all a person does is talking"
"The reward of wise people"
See Proverbs 14:8.
"constantly lies". See Proverbs 6:19.
"The person who fears Yahweh also knows that he can trust Yahweh"
"his children can know that Yahweh will protect them"
"source of life"
"from the trap that will kill"
"how many people he rules"
"the prince has nothing and his kingdom will fall"
a person who is quick to become angry
"A peaceful mindset" or "An attitude that is at peace"
"causes a person to be unhealthy in body and spirit"
"The person who ... the person who"
"a poor person ... a needy person"
"is kind to" or "helps"
"evil actions push over" or "evil actions destroy"
"Wisdom is in the attitude"
"a discerning person"
"she makes sure people know her". The word "she" refers to wisdom.
"should cause any people to be ashamed"
"who acts wisely" or "who makes sure bad things do not happen"
"the servant who"
"Answering a person gently will calm that person's wrath"
"but speaking harshly causes that person to become more angry". Chapter 15 continues the section of the book which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs.
"Wise people compliment knowledge when they speak"
"makes knowledge attractive" or "uses knowledge correctly."
"fools are always speaking folly"
"Yahweh sees everything"
"evil people and good people"
"Kind words are like a tree that gives life"
"deceitful speech causes a person to despair"
"he who learns when someone corrects him"
"is wise"
"the wealth that a wicked person earns gives"
"The speech of wise people spreads knowledge"
"fools do not scatter knowledge about" or "fools do not understand knowledge"
"Yahweh strongly hates the sacrifices that wicked people offer." See how you translated "abomination" in Proverbs 3:32.
"the person who lives rightly" or "people who live rightly"
"pleases him"
"Yahweh strongly hates the way that wicked people live"
"the person who strives to live rightly"
"anyone who stops living rightly"
"the person who hates it when others correct him"
"Yahweh knows everything about the place where dead people are"
"so he certainly knows the thoughts of humans."
"he will not go to the wise to seek their counsel"
"When a person is joyful, his face is cheerful"
"an injured heart makes a person become discouraged"
"The mind of the discerning person"
"foolish people desire folly as if it were the food that they eat"
"Oppressed people are miserable all of their days"
"the cheerful person enjoys life, as if he were celebrating an unending feast"
"a feast that never ends"
"with confusion and disorder"
"a small meal" or "very little food"
"where people love one another"
"a luxurious meal that someone serves with hatred"
"where people hate one another"
"causes people to argue" or "makes people want to fight"
"The life of the lazy person ... the life of the upright"
"Life for the lazy person is like walking through a hedge of thorns"
The writer speaks of upright people as if they were walking on a smooth road that is wide, flat, smooth, and free of obstacles.
"upright people" or "righteous people" or "honest people"
"the person who has understanding does what is right"
"Plans fail"
"when there is no one to give advice"
people who give recommendations as a guide to action
"plans succeed"
"a fitting reply" or "an appropriate answer"
"a word that a person speaks at the right time is very good"
This refers to a path that goes upward towards life or that leads down to the place of the dead.
This refers to the person's household, property, and wealth.
"Yahweh strongly hates the thoughts of wicked people,"
"kind words are pure"
"The person who does right ponders what to say before he answers"
"wicked people are always saying evil things"
"the mouth of the wicked person pours out all its evil" or "the mouths of wicked people pour out all their evil"
"Yahweh does not listen to wicked people" or "Yahweh does not answer wicked people"
"A cheerful expression"
"causes a person to be joyful"
"receiving good news makes a person feel good"
"The person who listens ... will dwell"
"will always be welcome to be with"
"listens when others correct him"
"When a person fears Yahweh, he will learn to be wise"
See how you translated this phrase in Proverbs 1:7.
A person must first learn humility before Yahweh will honor him.
"A person makes plans in his mind"
Yahweh speaks his answer to a person's plans, meaning that Yahweh determines the outcome of that person's plans or Yahweh enables a person to speak about the plans that are made.
"the answer that he speaks"
"A person thinks that everything he does is pure"
"Yahweh judges the person's motives"
"he has made even the wicked for the day of trouble"
"Yahweh strongly hates every exalted heart." See how you translated "abomination" in Proverbs 3:32.
"everyone who is arrogant" or "every arrogant person"
"Yahweh will certainly punish them"
"Because Yahweh loves his people without ceasing and is faithful to them, he forgives their sins" or "Yahweh will forgive the sins of those who love him without ceasing and are faithful to him"
"people stop doing evil things"
"Yahweh makes"
"earning a lot of money"
"with wrongdoing"
"A person plans in his mind what he will do"
The writer speaks as if Yahweh were telling that person where to walk.
"What a king says are insightful decisions". Some of these proverbs mention a king, which is intended to apply to all rulers. Chapter 16 continues the section which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs, often including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility, integrity/crookedness
"he should not speak deceitfully when he judges"
Yahweh requires justice and fairness when doing business. Dishonest people used heavier or lighter weights in their scales in order to gain more when buying or selling.
Merchants carried their weights in bags. Possible meanings are: Yahweh has determined how much every weight must weigh or Yahweh is concerned with every weight that a merchant uses.
Kings hate evil deeds that their subjects commit or Yahweh hates kings who commit evil deeds.
"for the king establishes his reign by doing what is right"
"A person who speaks the truth"
"An angry king can put people to death"
"When the king is cheerful, people live". Verse 15 contrasts with verse 14.
The writer compares the king showing favor towards someone with a cloud that brings rain to make crops grow. Both promise blessing to those who receive them.
"It is much better to get wisdom than to get gold"
"A person should choose to get understanding more than to get silver"
"The righteous way that upright people live"
"keeps them from doing evil"
"the one who does not allow evil people to lead him to sin will live a long time"
"an arrogant attitude"
"ruin" or "failure"
"to have a humble spirit" or "to be a humble person"
goods taken in battle
"what someone has taught them" or "what they have learned"
"People will call the one who is wise in heart discerning" or "The one who is wise in heart will have a reputation of being a discerning person"
"The one who is wise" or "The one who is wise in his thinking"
"kind speech" or "pleasant speech"
"Understanding is like a fountain flowing with life-giving water"
"The thoughts of a wise person gives"
"makes his speech wise"
"to what he says"
"sweet enough to make a person happy" or "sweet to a person's taste"
"healing to the body"
"A person thinks that the way he is living is right"
This "way" is the road that leads to death.
"The laborer works to satisfy his appetite"
"he keeps on working because he is hungry"
"A useless person looks for mischief as if he were digging for something in the ground"
trouble
"he hurts people with his words, like a fire scorches the things it touches"
a person who gossips or spreads rumors
"A violent man entices his neighbor"
"gets him to do things that are not good"
"a very bad path" or "a terrible path"
Both of these are facial gestures which people might use to signal their plans to others. See how you translated "winks the eye" in Proverbs 10:10.
"will do evil things"
"A person who has lived long enough to have gray hair is like one who wears a glorious crown on his head"
"a person gains it"
"one who controls his temper"
"A person throws the lots into his lap"
Yahweh decides how the lots will land or it is not the lots, but Yahweh determines what will happen.
"to have peace". Chapter 17 continues the section which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs.
"than to have a house full of feasting with strife" or "than to be in a house full of feasting where there is strife"
"The crucible is used to refine silver and the furnace is used to refine gold"
a pot in which metals are melted at a very high temperature
"Yahweh tests people's hearts" or "Yahweh refines people's hearts"
"a wicked person" or "wicked talk"
"listens."
"a destructive person" or "destructive talk"
"those who are poor"
"the one who made him". This name refers to Yahweh.
"at others' misfortune" or "at other peoples' troubles"
"will certainly be punished"
"bring honor and respect to"
"those who are older" or "older people"
"Fine speech" or "Excellent speech"
"even more it is not suitable for a prince to lie"
"A bribe works like a magical stone for the one who gives it" or "A bribe works like magic for the one who is giving the bribe"
"in whatever he does" or "in everything he tries to do by giving bribes"
an action or word that has hurt him
"who repeats a past offense"
"causes people to stop being close friends" or "causes close friends to stop liking each other"
"A rebuke has more effect on a person ... than a hundred blows have on a fool"
"a person who has good judgment" or "a person who understands"
"beating a fool a hundred times makes him change his ways"
"seeks to rebel"
"a cruel messenger will come against him"
"will be sent to harm him"
"a bear who has just lost her cubs"
"who is acting foolish"
"bad things will continue to happen to him and his family"
"Starting a conflict is like pumping water and letting it run everywhere"
"starts"or "begins"
justifies, declares someone not guilty
"A fool should not pay money to learn about wisdom because he does not have any sense."
desire to learn wisdom or ability to learn wisdom
"a brother is there for times of trouble"
"no good judgment"
Promises that must be kept and are often a burden on the person who made them.
"the one who makes his doorway more impressive is giving others the opportunity to ruin him" or "the one who makes the entrance to his house high is trying to harm other people" or "the one who speaks proudly is giving others the opportunity to ruin him" or "the one who speaks proudly is trying to harm other people"
Possible meanings are: literally making either the door itself or the threshold of the entrance high or making either the door itself or the house of which it is a part seem great or the word "door" refers to the words the person speaks with his mouth.
"who is deceptive" or "who is dishonest"
"speaks perversely" or "speaks wickedly"
"will have calamity"
"Being joyful is like medicine that makes a person feel better"
"depression"
"makes a person unhealthy and weak"
"to prevent justice from being rendered"
"focuses on acting wisely"
"the fool is"
"focus on impossible things"
"A foolish son brings grief to his father"
"A foolish son ... and brings bitterness to the woman"
"who gave birth to him"
emotional pain, sorrow
"it is always wrong ... and it is evil"
"to force the righteous to give up his property"
"the innocent,"
whip severely
"noble people"
"because they are honest"
"speaks with few words"
"is able to control himself" or "is able to stay calm" or "does not become angry easily"
"People even think a fool is wise"
"does not speak"
"people consider him to be intelligent"
"keeps away from other people". Chapter 18 continues the section of the book which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs.
"he disagrees with all sound judgment"
"good judgment" or "wise choices"
"A fool detests understanding and only finds pleasure in"
"but only in telling others what is in his own heart"
"what he thinks"
"people feel contempt for him along with shame and disgrace" or "he shows his contempt for other people and causes them to feel shame and disgrace"
These two words emphasize the "shame" felt by either the wicked man or other people.
"The words of a wise man's mouth are deep waters; ... the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream"
"The words of a man's mouth are as profound as deep waters"
"of a man"
"the source of wisdom is as plentiful as the water of a gushing spring"
"It is good to treat the wicked person as he deserves, and to be just to the righteous person"
"what a fool says brings"
"cause"
"what he says makes people want to beat him"
"What a fool says ... by what he says"
"will ruin him"
"he will cause problems for himself"
"The words that a gossiping person speaks are desirable to listen to"
small bites of food
"and they enter a person's mind and affect his thoughts"
"is closely related to" or "is very similar to"
"is lazy" or "is not interested"
"the one who destroys everything" or "the one who is always destructive"
"Yahweh protects his people like a strong tower"
"Yahweh"
"those who are righteous" or "righteous people"
"run to him and they are safe" or "seek him and they are safe"
"The wealthy person depends on his wealth as a city depends on its fortified wall"
"the rich person"
a city with strong defenses like walls and towers
"he thinks it protects him as well as a high wall"
"First a person's heart is proud, but then comes his downfall"
A significant decline in a person's reputation or health.
"a person"
"a person must be humble before he can be honored"
"it is foolish of him, and he should be ashamed"
"Even if a person is sick, he will still want to keep living" or "A person who has hope will be able to survive sickness"
"but it is very hard to bear a broken spirit."
"being depressed"
"The intelligent desire to acquire"
"intelligent people"
"gains" or "obtains"
"the wise seeks to learn about it"
"wise people"
Here the word "it" refers to "knowledge"
"may create an opportunity for him"
"let him meet" or "let him be introduced to"
"The first person to plead his case"
asks him questions
"Casting lots"
"causes opponents to stop fighting over their dispute"
"If you offend your brother, finding a way to have peace with him again may be harder than waging a battle to win a city"
"resolving quarrels is as difficult as breaking down the bars of a castle"
a fortified palace
"A person is satisfied by the results of the good things that he says"
"his wise speech" or "his good words"
"a person is satisfied"
"his wise speech" or "his good words"
"he is pleased"
"What people say can lead to life or death"
"by what people say ... love speaking"
"will receive its consequences"
"many friends—they will bring him to ruin"
"is more faithful than" or "stays more loyal than"
"It is better to be a poor person". Chapter 19 is attributed to Solomon and is filled with short, individual proverbs. They run along common themes, like wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility, integrity/crookedness.
"who lives in his integrity" or "who lives an honest life"
"speaks in an evil way"
"to work hard without knowing what you are doing"
"the one who acts too quickly makes mistakes"
"he rages"
"Those who are wealthy easily find many friends"
"poverty causes a person to lose his friends"
"A false witness will certainly be punished"
"they will capture the one who breathes out lies"
"constantly lies". See how you translated this phrase in Proverbs 6:19.
someone who often gives away things
"it seems that everyone is a friend"
"therefore his friends will certainly hate him and go far away from him!"
"He pleads with them to help him"
"loves himself"
"has understanding"
"They will certainly punish a false witness"
"constantly lies"
"It is not right"
"it is much less fitting for a slave"
"A person who has discretion is slow to become angry"
This means to know what should be done in a particular situation. See Proverbs 1:4.
"it will bring him glory to overlook" or "others will consider it honorable if he overlooks"
to forget on purpose
"The wrath of the king is as dangerous as the attack of a young lion"
"but his favor is refreshing like the dew on the ground in the morning"
"will ruin a father"
"an arguing wife is as annoying and distracting as a constant dripping of water"
"Children inherit a house and wealth from their parents"
See how you translated this word in Proverbs 12:23.
"Yahweh gives a prudent wife"
"Laziness makes a person sleep a lot" or "A lazy person sleeps a lot"
"not eat" or "be hungry"
"the command that he was taught"
"protects his life"
"despises the ways of Yahweh" or "does not care how he lives"
"The person who gives to the poor is giving to Yahweh"
"those who are poor" or "poor people"
"while he is young" or "while he can still be taught"
"but do not punish him so severely that he might die" or "for if you do not punish him you are helping him destroy himself"
"be determined to put him"
"A person who does not control his temper"
"must bear the consequences of his anger"
"if you rescue him after he has had an outburst"
"another time" or "again"
These two phrases are repeated to emphasize how important it is.
"Pay attention to advice" or "Follow advice"
"in a person's mind" or "that a person desires"
"Yahweh's purpose" or "Yahweh's plans"
"that will happen"
"Those who honor Yahweh will live a long time; anyone who honors Yahweh will rest satisfied"
"honor for Yahweh."
"live satisfied"
"satisfied; nothing will harm him" or "satisfied; he will be safe"
"puts his hand in his plate." In the Biblical culture people usually ate with their hands.
"but he is too lazy to bring his hand up to his mouth to feed himself"
"If you punish a mocker, the naive person"
"inexperienced person" or "immature person"
See how you translated this word in Proverbs 12:23.
"if you discipline one who is discerning,"
"he will know more"
"brings shame and disgrace to himself" or "brings shame and disgrace to his family"
"If you stop paying attention to instruction" or "If you stop obeying instruction"
"you will abandon" or "you will turn your back on"
"knowledge"
"the wicked enjoy doing evil as much as they enjoy eating food"
"wicked people swallow" or "the wicked swallow"
"the wicked person"
"Yahweh is ready to judge mockers and to flog"
"Punishment is ready for" or "Yahweh is ready to punish" or "Yahweh is ready to condemn"
"flogging is ready for the backs of fools" or "he is ready to flog the backs"
beating with a whip or stick
These two phrases are combined to emphasize the danger of too much alcohol. Chapter 20 continues the section which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs.
"A person who is drunk with wine mocks"
"a person who is drunk with strong drink starts fights"
a person who fights noisily, usually in a public place
"whoever drinks alcohol until they can no longer think clearly"
"is foolish"
"The king's wrath makes people as afraid as if they were facing a young lion roaring at them"
"makes the king angry"
"will die"
"It is honorable." This means that a person will be honored.
"every fool is quick to join an argument"
to prepare land for planting
"during the season for planting crops"
"but will have nothing to harvest"
"It is as difficult to understand the purpose in the human heart as it is to reach the water in a deep well"
"a person who has understanding"
"will figure it out"
"is faithful" or "is trustworthy"
"but it is hard to find a person who really is faithful!"
"lives an honest life"
"his sons after him" or "his sons"
"sees and sorts the different kinds of evils that are brought before him"
"No one can say that his heart is clean and that he is free from sin"
Here a person's "heart" refers to his thoughts and desires. Alternate translation: "my thoughts"
A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as being physically clean.
"I am without sin"
"People know a young man by his actions"
"whether his conduct is pure and upright or not"
"his deeds" or "what he does"
"pure". These two words emphasize how good this young person is and can be combined into one word.
"become poor"
"stay awake" or "be alert"
"'Bad! Bad!' says the buyer criticizing the seller's wares, but after he buys he goes away and he is boasting about the low price that he paid"
"lips of knowledge are as valuable as an expensive jewel"
"wise words" or "words of knowledge"
"Take a garment as security from the one who guarantees that what a stranger has borrowed will be paid back"
"hold onto his coat as a guarantee of repayment"
"for foreigners."
"Bread that someone gained by deceit"
"by deceiving others"
"Food"
"tastes good"
"but afterwards it tastes like gravel in his mouth"
small pieces of rock
"People establish plans based on advice"
"A gossip"
"you should not be friends with"
Someone expresses a desire that bad things will happen to someone else.
"he will die suddenly"
"his lamp will go out"
"the flame of his lamp"
"before the right time"
"I will punish you"
"Have faith in Yahweh"
"Yahweh directs a person's steps"
"A person's actions"
"therefore, a person cannot understand his way"
"understand why some things happen in his life"
"It is dangerous"
to say something quickly and without careful consideration of what it might mean
"dedicating it to Yahweh"
"separates the wicked"
"the wicked people"
"he severely punishes them"
"threshing cart." A tool used to crush grain and help separate it from the chaff.
"Yahweh has given us a spirit to understand our deepest selves, just as a lamp makes you see in the dark"
"The king preserves himself by loving Yahweh without ceasing and by being faithful to him"
keep the king safe from harm
"he ensures that he will rule for a long time by loving others"
"Beating a person who has done wrong will correct him and cause him to be a better person"
"Yahweh controls the king's heart as a man directs water for irrigation"
"The king's thoughts and actions"
Chapter 21 continues the section which is attributed to Solomon and is filled mainly with short, individual proverbs that run along common themes, often including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility, integrity/crookedness.
"Every person thinks that what he does is good"
"who will judge the motives"
"To do what Yahweh thinks is right"
"To treat people the way Yahweh wants people to treat other people"
"just—Yahweh wants this more"
"People who want others to think that they are better than other people"
a person who wants others to know that he thinks he is better than they are
a person who thinks he is better than others
"the things that help a wicked person like a lamp helps to see in the dark"
"a diligent person" or "a person who works hard"
"only becomes poor"
"Gaining wealth" or "Getting rich"
"by deceitful words" or "by telling lies"
"is like a disappearing mist"
"and is like a snare that kills"
God will punish wicked people who harm their innocent neighbors.
"The violent actions of wicked people"
"drag them away like fish" or "destroy them as easily as one catches fish in a net"
"The way a guilty person lives is crooked"
"wrong"
Ancient Israelites spent much time on their flat roofs, where it was often cooler than inside the house, and sometimes people would build a shelter large enough for a person to sleep in.
"wife who often argues and complains"
"Evil people desire to do evil deeds just as they desire to eat and drink"
desires strongly
"his neighbor does not receive favor from him" or "he does not act kindly towards his neighbor"
"those who have no experience" or "those who are not mature"
"the person who mocks others"
"when someone instructs the wise person"
Knowledge is spoken of as if it were an object that someone could grasp and keep for himself.
any righteous person or "Yahweh the one who is righteous."
"pays careful attention to the house" or "looks to see what happens to the house"
"he destroys them"
"The one who will not listen when poor people ask for help"
"no one will do anything to help him"
"makes an angry person feel better so he is no longer angry"
"When rulers do what is just"
"those who do evil"
"no longer lives wisely"
"he will remain in the assembly of dead spirits"
One person who takes the place of another person. Here the person who does what is wrong is punished instead of the person who does what is right.
a person who harms those who trust him by lying and otherwise dealing falsely
"the person who lives rightly"
"wise person"
"wastes it"
"climbs up and over the wall that surrounds the city"
"a city in which mighty men are living"
"he destroys"
"the walls and towers around the city that they did not think anyone would be able to get past into the city, so they felt safe"
"Whoever is careful in what he says"
"You can expect a proud and haughty people to act with arrogant pride"
These two words emphasize how prideful the person is.
"a mocker is what you should call him"
"A lazy person will die because he does not want to work"
"he refuses"
desires strongly
"gives everything he should" or "gives generously"
The reader should understand that it is Yahweh who detests the sacrifice of the wicked.
"wicked people"
"Yahweh detests the sacrifice even more"
This is because people will never forget what he said.
"pretends to be courageous" or "will not listen to correction."
"is certain about what he does" or "is confident about what he does"
"There is no wise person, there is no one who understands anything, and there is no one who tells others what to do who"
"work against what Yahweh wants to do"
"Soldiers prepare horses for the day of battle"
"when there is a battle"
"A person should choose a good name rather than great riches"
"To have others think that one is a good person"
Chapter 22 ends the section attributed to Solomon. The second half of this chapter and the first half of Chapter 23 are attributed to the "Wise Men", who are unknown. The author begins to use many rhetorical questions. The obvious answers should convince the reader.
Any prudent person. See Proverbs 12:16.
To be naive is to lack experience and to not be mature.
A path on which the perverse will have trouble due to the natural "thorns" and man-made "snares".
traps to catch animals
"perverse people"
"people who want to live a long time"
"how he should live"
"borrows money ... lends money"
"If a person treats those less powerful than he is unjustly, they will cause him trouble later on"
"he will no longer have the power that he had used to harm people"
"the power he used to harm others"
plants drying up
"God will bless the one who has a generous eye"
"generous person" or "person who is willing to give things to other people"
The main food in biblical times, it is often used to refer to food in general.
"people will no longer argue with each other or say things that dishonor each other"
"loves having a pure heart" or "wants to be pure"
"is kind"
"Yahweh keeps watch over" or "Yahweh guards knowledge"
"protect knowledge"
"he destroys"
"a treacherous person". Translate "treacherous" as in Proverbs 11:3.
The quote that follows is a lie and an excuse for not working. If your language introduces false statements in a special way, use that here.
"The words spoken by an adulteress will draw you in, and it will be as if you have fallen into a deep and dangerous pit". See how you translated "adulteress" in Proverbs 5:3.
"Yahweh is angry"
"sins because of the adulteress"
"The heart of a child is full of foolish things"
The writer speaks of discipline as if that parent were using a wooden rod.
"will make a child wise"
"to become richer" or "to gain more money"
"gives money to rich people"
"will become poor"
Verse 17 begins the introduction to a new section. The exact identity of the "Wise Men" is unknown.
"Pay attention and listen" or "Listen attentively". See Proverbs 4:20.
"what wise people say"
"do your best to understand and remember"
"the knowledge I have, which I am sharing with you" or "what I know". The person speaking is probably the same as the father from Proverbs 1:8. He may be speaking of "the words of the wise" as "my knowledge."
"you are able to speak of them at any time"
"today. Yes, I am teaching you," This emphasizes that it is the hearer whom he is teaching.
These verses end the introduction that began in verse 17.
"excellent sayings."
"You need to know that I have written ... to teach you ... who sent you."
The hearer is or will be one whom others send to gain and bring back information.
These verses begin the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20.
If your language has a way of showing the way one person would speak strongly to another, you should use it here.
"any poor person" or "poor people"
"treat unjustly"
"any needy person"
"in court"
"Yahweh will defend the needy from those who oppress them"
"he will destroy those who oppress poor people"
someone who is unable to control his anger
shows violent anger
"you will be like an animal that eats bait that closes a trap and then is unable to escape"
The speaker warns the hearer not to strike hands as a way to promise to pay off someone's debts.
"and agree to pay what someone owes to another person"
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20.
very old
a large stone that shows where one person's land ends and another person's land begins
ancestors
"Think of someone you know who is skilled at his work"
This refers to becoming a servant of kings and other important people, who will think so highly of him they will use his skills.
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20. The second half of this chapter and the first half of Chapter 24 are attributed to general sayings.
"be very careful not to eat too much" or "do not eat anything at all"
"Do not strongly desire." See Proverbs 21:9.
"his special and expensive food"
"he is giving it to you so he can deceive you"
"Do not work so much that you are always tired"
land like a bird upon the wealth (verse 4). This refers to looking at wealth for a short time.
"the wealth will disappear as quickly as an eagle can fly away"
wings like an eagle's wings
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20.
"do not strongly desire." See Proverbs 21:9.
"his special and expensive food."
"eating with him is like getting hair stuck in your throat"
"he really does not want you to enjoy the meal"
"You will wish that you had not eaten anything"
"he will not be happy even if you say good things about him and the food"
"where a fool can hear you"
very old. See Proverbs 22:28.
A large stone to show where one person's land ends and another person's land begins.
To slowly take or begin to use land (or some thing) that belongs to someone else.
children whose parents are dead
Yahweh
"he will defend the orphans against you"
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20.
"Do your best to understand and remember". See Proverbs 22:17.
"what people who know what is right and what is wrong tell you"
"apply your ears" or "listen carefully"
"to me when I tell you what I know"
"Do not neglect to instruct a child" or "Do not refuse to instruct a child"
refuse to give something that one knows another person needs
"discipline him"
piece of wood
"You are the one who must beat him ... and save his soul." The hearer is responsible to save the child's soul from Sheol.
"you will keep him from the world of the dead" or "you will keep him from dying"
"my inner being"
"when you speak"
"Do not allow yourself to envy sinners" or "Make sure you do not envy sinners"
"God will keep the promises he made to you"
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" in Proverbs 22:20.
"Listen carefully, my son,"
"make sure you do what is wise"
"people who eat more food than they need to"
"because they spend so much time eating and drinking, they will do no work and so will become poor"
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" starting in Proverbs 22:20.
"show respect for"
"Do what you need to do so you can know what is true, so you can be wise, so you can learn how to act, and so you can tell good from bad; never think of anything else as more important than these things"
"The father of the righteous person, he who begets a wise child, will greatly rejoice and will be glad because of him."
"pay careful attention" or "trust me completely."
"observe" or "look carefully at"
"delight in"
There are two types of sexually immoral women. The "prostitute" is unmarried, "another man's wife" is married.
"sleeping with a prostitute is like falling into a deep pit"
Here the word refers to any unmarried woman who engages in sexual activity, not only those who do so for money.
These are two places easy to fall into and hard to get out of, the "pit" because it is "deep" and the "well" because it is "narrow."
"Sleeping with another man's wife is like falling into a narrow well"
a hole in the ground that people have dug to get to water
stays hidden, ready to attack when a victim approaches
"treacherous people" or "those who harm others by deceiving them"
"Listen to me while I tell you what kind of person has woe, sorrow, fights, complaining, wounds for no reason, and bloodshot eyes."
"eyes red, like the color of blood"
These words answer the questions in verse 29 and describe people who drink too much wine.
spend much time drinking wine and so drink much wine
different wines mixed together or other drinks that are stronger than wine
"After you drink it"
"it makes you feel as bad as if a serpent had bitten you or an adder had stung you"
a type of poisonous snake
"you will think about and decide to do perverse things"
things that God says are morally wrong and bad; things that are wicked
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20. It is the continuation of the description of a drunk person.
"lies down in the basket near the top of a mast"
the long wooden pole to which are attached the sails of a sailing ship
Because the drunk person is not thinking clearly, he is imagining that people are hitting and beating him, yet he feels no pain and cannot remember anything.
The drunk person is wondering when he will be sober again.
Chapter 24 continues the section beginning in the previous chapter and is mainly filled with short, individual proverbs. The second half of this chapter finishes the section. Unlike much of Proverbs, verses 30-34 tell a short story about a lazy man, which ends in a very memorable proverb.
"they"
"they"
"talk about causing harm" or "talk about creating problems"
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" Proverbs 22:20.
"People need to be wise if they are to build a good house"
"People need to understand what is morally good and what is morally bad if they are to establish a house"
The word "established" means made stable and strong. The word "house" refers to the family that lives in the house and that lives in peace.
"People need to know what is precious and pleasant if they are to fill their rooms"
"wise warrior"
"a man who knows many things is stronger because he knows these things"
"if wise people guide you"
"fight your war"
those who tell government officials what those officials should do
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" in Proverbs 22:20.
"too difficult for a fool to understand"
"speak"
"a mischievous person" or "a troublemaker"
"you have very little strength" or "you are certainly weak"
"those whom they are taking away"
"dragged away."
walking unsteadily, almost falling and can also describe the way a person walks when being dragged away.
"where people will kill them as they would kill animals"
"You may say, 'Behold, ... this,' but does"
"Listen to us! We" or "But we" or "We have done nothing wrong, because we"
"the one who weighs the heart understands what you are saying."
"Yahweh, who"
"knows how good what people really think and desire is"
"The one who guards your life knows it."
"God will give to each one what he deserves."
"no one will take your hope away" or "your hope will surely continue"
"Do not hide and wait for the right time". Translate "lie in wait" as in Proverbs 1:11.
the home of the righteous person
Bad things happen to righteous people, but God gives them the courage to continue doing good. God uses the bad things that happen to wicked people to discourage them.
"gets back on his feet" or "stands up again"
"wicked people stumble because of calamity." or "God uses calamity to bring wicked people down"
times when bad things happen to people and their property
These verses continue the "thirty sayings" from Proverbs 22:20.
"something bad happens to your enemy"
"do not allow yourself to be glad" or "stop yourself from being glad"
"stop being angry with him and be angry with you instead"
"Do not fret," which is advice not to worry so much that one becomes angry.
"the lamp of wicked people will be put out" or "they will put out the lamp of wicked people"
"the life ... will end" or "the hard work ... come to nothing"
a deep respect and awe for a person in authority
"no one knows the extent of the destruction that will come from both of them."
these words refer to Yahweh and the king
This sentence starts a new collection of proverbs.
a situation that is brought before a judge in which someone is accused of breaking the law
"People will curse whoever says to the wicked person, ... , and the people of other nations will abhor him"
"a person guilty of a crime ... innocent"
"will be very happy"
"people will give them good gifts"
"good things" or "blessings"
"honest" or "correct"
"shows true friendship". A kiss was a sign of respect and devotion in that culture.
"by what you say"
"take revenge against him"
Unlike much of Proverbs, verses 30-34 tell a short story about a lazy man, which ends in a very memorable proverb.
useless plants with sharp spines
plants that are covered with stinging leaves and hairs
"had fallen down"
"learned a lesson"
"You may say to yourself, 'A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,' but then poverty will come". This finishes a thought that began in Proverbs 24:33.
"poverty comes upon you like a robber." Poverty is spoken of as if it were a person or animal that can attack a lazy person.
"your needs will come to you like an armed soldier"
Chapter 25 begins the second section of the book (Chapter 25-29) which is attributed to Solomon. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, truth telling, wicked/righteous, sluggard, pride/humility, integrity/crookedness.
"to keep some things secret"
"but it is the glory"
"search that matter out" or "search for those things that God has concealed"
"Just as no one can measure the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth, even so no one can understand the heart of kings"
This refers to everything we see above the earth, including the sun, moon, and stars.
the material in a metal that people do not want and they remove by heating the metal
"the king will establish his throne by doing"
"It is better for someone to invite you to sit closer to the king than"
"in front of a nobleman"
"For you will not know what to do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame." or "For if your neighbor has an explanation, he will put you to shame, and you will have nothing to say to defend yourself."
"your disagreement"
"do not share your neighbor's secret with other people"
"you will not be able to stop him from telling other people harmful things about you" or "he will tell people evil things about you and you will never have a good reputation again"
"A word spoken at the right time is beautiful like apples of gold in settings of silver"
"a golden design carved into a silver bowl" or "Golden colored fruit placed in a silver bowl". The ancient Israelites did not know the apples that most people know today.
"is a message that someone speaks"
"A wise rebuke to a listening ear is beautiful and valuable like a golden ring or golden jewelry"
"person who is willing to listen"
Here a faithful messenger is being compared to the cold of snow, because both are pleasant.
If your language has no word for snow, consider "cool, fresh, clean water."
white flakes of ice that fall from the sky like rain
This means he makes his masters, who are weak and tired, to be strong and rested again.
"The one who boasts ... not give is like clouds and wind without rain" or "The one who boasts ... not give is useless and a disappointment, like clouds and wind without rain"
"Someone who is patient can persuade a ruler" or "Someone who is patient can speak to a ruler and change his mind"
"gentle speech can overcome strong opposition"
Verse 16 states a general principle, and verse 17 gives one specific example. The idea of eating too much honey and then vomiting it up refers to taking too much of any good thing and regretting it later.
A false witness is compared to three weapons that can hurt or kill people.
"Trusting in an unfaithful man in time of trouble will bring you pain like a bad tooth or a foot that slips"
"a wound." This is a kind of mineral that hisses and bubbles violently when it comes into contact with acids like vinegar.
"sings happy songs"
"a sad person"
"cause him to have a guilty conscience and be ashamed of what he has done"
"a cold wind.". In Israel, wind from the north often brought rain.
"someone who tells secrets."
"makes other people so angry you can see it in their faces"
Ancient Israelites spent much time on their flat roofs, where it was often cooler than inside the house. People would build a shelter large enough for a person to sleep in on one corner of the roof.
a wife who often argues or complains
Cold water is compared to good news that is both refreshing and delightful.
A polluted spring or fountain is compared to a righteous man who falls.
"who allows wicked people to do wickedness" or "who starts to do what wicked people do"
"unable to stand"
"when wicked people attack him" or "when wicked people urge him to do evil."
Both wanting others to honor you and eating honey are good, but you can eat too much honey, and you can try too hard to have people honor you.
"It is a bad thing"
"that is like speaking too many compliments to people." or "that is like always thinking about how others should honor you."
Both a person without self-control and a city without walls are weak and vulnerable.
"whose walls an army has knocked down and destroyed"
"Just as it would be very strange to have snow in summer or rain during the harvest"
Chapter 26 continues the second section of the book (Chapter 25-29) which is attributed to Solomon. Wisdom and folly are particularly prominent in this chapter. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often including contrasting elements.
"so an undeserved curse does not land on its mark"
"a curse on a person who does not deserve it"
land on someone or something
A whip, a bridle, and a rod are things that people use to make the horse, donkey, and fool do what they want.
A bridle is made of straps. People put it on a donkey's head and hold one of the straps to make the donkey go the way they want it to go.
In the Bible, people would hit their children or their slaves with a wooden rod in order to discipline them.
"Answer a fool according to his folly" or "Answer a fool foolishly"
"so that he will not become wise according to his judgement" or "so that he does not consider himself to be wise"
"Whoever sends a fool to deliver a message"
"harms himself like a person who cuts off his own feet and drinks violence"
"harms himself by being violent"
"A proverb in the mouth of fools is as useless as the legs of a paralytic which hang down"
a person who is unable to move or feel all or part of his body
"in the speech of fools" or "that fools say"
"tying a stone in a sling so that it cannot be thrown"
"honoring a fool"
"A proverb in the mouth of fools is as dangerous as a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard"
If a drunk person holds a thornbush, a thorn will prick his hand, or if a drunk person is angry, he will pick up a thornbush and swing it at people.
"in the speech of fools" or "that fools say"
"gives a job to a fool"
"As a dog eats its own vomit"
"Consider the person who thinks he is wise but is not."
"A fool can become wise more easily than he can"
The lazy person lies and says that he cannot go outside and work.
See how you translated this in Proverbs 22:13.
"the town plazas" or "the streets"
metal pieces that attach a door to something and allow it to open and close
Both the door and the lazy person move, but they do not go anywhere.
"puts his hand into the dish to get food" or "reaches for food"
This is an exaggeration for doing necessary work that would clearly do him good.
"The lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven men"
"A passerby who becomes angry at some other people's dispute is like a person who grabs hold of a dog's ears"
"Like a person who grabs a dog's ears and is bitten by the dog"
The passerby will start arguing, and the people who were fighting will get angry with him and hurt him.
"throws firebrands, shoots arrows, and tries to kill people" or "shoots flaming arrows that can kill people"
burning pieces of wood
Both the "madman" (Proverbs 26:18) and the one who deceives hurt people but do not take responsibility for it.
"I did nothing wrong. I was only telling a joke."
a person who gossips a lot
"As charcoal helps coals burn and as wood helps fire burn"
"causing people to fight" or "causing people to argue"
"The words of a gossip are desirable to listen to"
"and they enter a person's mind and affect his thoughts". This sentence is equivalent to Proverbs 18:8.
"People who have burning lips and an evil heart are like the shiny glaze that covers a clay pot." A clay pot is cheap and common. So people covered it was a glaze to make it shiny and appear more expensive.
"so is a person who says nice things but whose heart is evil"
"emotional speech" or "saying nice things"
"evil thoughts" or "evil desires"
"hides his feelings with what he says" or "speaks in such a way that people cannot know his true feelings"
"he secretly plans to harm people"
"but do not believe what he says"
"for his heart is completely filled with hateful things" or "for his heart is completely filled with hatred".
"Though deception covers his hatred" or "Though he covers his hatred with deception"
"Though he lies to keep people from knowing that he hates them"
"his wickedness will become known in the assembly"
"the community of Israel"
"Whoever digs a pit to trap someone will fall into it"
"if someone pushed a stone so that it would roll downhill and crush someone, the stone will roll back on him instead"
"A liar hates those he hurts by his lies"
a person who flatters others causes trouble or a person who flatters others ruins them
praising someone in a manner that is not sincere, or praising someone about things that are not true
"Do not speak proudly about your plans for tomorrow"
"what will happen on a day"
Chapter 27 continues the second section of the book (Chapter 25-29) which is attributed to Solomon. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, etc.
"and do not let your own mouth praise you ... and do not let your own lips praise you"
"let a stranger praise you"
"It is harder to be patient when a fool provokes you than it is to be patient while carrying them"
"the trouble caused by a fool." Actions or words that cause anger or irritation.
"A raging person is cruel and an angry person is overwhelming, but who can stand before a jealous person?"
"harshness"
"the destructiveness of anger." Anger is spoken of as if it were a powerful flood.
"but no one is able to stand before jealousy"
"to resist a jealous person" or "to remain strong when a jealous person attacks him"
"It is better to be openly rebuked"
"than to be loved secretly"
"The wounds that a friend causes are trustworthy." The pain and sadness that a person feels when a friend rebukes or corrects him.
"Though it causes sadness, a friend's rebuke is trustworthy"
"but the enemy's many kisses are not trustworthy"
"A person who is satisfied" or "A person who has eaten enough to be full"
A honeycomb would normally be desirable, but not when someone has already eaten enough to be satisfied.
"everything that is bitter tastes sweet"
The words "wanders" and "strays" mean the same thing.
The word "perfume" means a desirable oil or ointment.
"make a person feel joyful" or "make a person glad"
"we recognize our friend's kindness by his counsel" or "what we appreciate about a friend is his advice"
The word "brother" refers to relatives, such as members of the same tribe, clan, or people group.
extreme troubles and misfortune
"make me feel joyful" or "make me glad"
"then I will reply to the one who mocks me by telling him about you"
makes fun of someone, especially in a cruel way
See how you translated a similar phrase in Proverbs 22:3.
See how you translated "prudent" in Proverbs 12:16.
To be naive is to lack experience and to not be mature.
"Take a garment as security from the one who guarantees that what a stranger has borrowed will be paid back"
"who has guaranteed that what has been borrowed will be paid back"
"hold onto his coat as a guarantee of repayment". See Proverbs 20:16.
"If anyone gives his neighbor a blessing"
"the neighbor will consider that blessing to be a curse"
Making people angry with each other or causing strong disagreements between people.
"the constant dripping of rain"
"a day of continual rain"
Like how difficult or useless it is to try to restrain the wind or catch oil in your hand.
"restraining her from quarreling"
"holding back the wind" or "keeping the wind under control"
"As iron can sharpen another piece of iron, so a man's character is improved by contact with his friend"
"who takes care of"
"a master will honor the one who protects him"
"what a person thinks"
"the Destroyer"
"are never filled up"
"a man's desires"
"A crucible is used to refine silver and a furnace is used to refine gold". A metal is refined by heating it to a high temperature so that it melts and the impurities may be removed. See Proverbs 17:3.
a container used for heating substances to very high temperatures
an oven that can be made extremely hot
"when one praises a person, they are also testing that person"
Even if a fool is made to suffer hardship or pain, he will remain foolish.
a hard tool with a rounded end, used for crushing things in a bowl
These two phrases are used together for emphasis.
"flocks of sheep"
"herds of goats"
"A crown does not endure for all generations"
"a king's rule"
"the new sprouts appear" or "the new grass starts to grow"
Verses 26 and 27 go together with verses 23 to 25 as one proverb.
"The lambs' wool will provide you with clothing"
"selling your goats will provide the price of the field"
"there will be goat's milk to nourish your servant girls"
"food"
Chapter 28 continues the second section of the book (Chapter 25-29) which is attributed to Solomon. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, often including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, money, lazy/diligent, etc.
"Because of how a land transgresses"
"the transgression of the people of a land"
"with a man who understands and knows how to rule"
"who severely mistreats"
The poor man who oppresses others is compared to a rain that falls so hard that it leaves no crop to harvest.
"damaging rain"
"reject God's law" or "refuse to obey the law"
"those who obey God's law"
"struggle against them."
"People who do evil things"
"do not understand what is just"
Those who want to know Yahweh are spoken of as if they are literally seeking to find Yahweh.
"completely understand what is just". Those who seek Yahweh understand all about justice.
"It is better to be a poor person ... than it is to be a rich person"
"walks honestly" or "lives honestly"
"who is not honest in what he does"
"He who obeys God's law"
"a son who understands"
"of people who eat too much."
"puts his father to shame"
"increases his wealth"
"forcing people who have borrowed money from him to pay back more than they borrowed"
money that a borrower pays for the use of someone else's money
"brings his wealth together"
"for another person"
"If a person"
"turns away from hearing and obeying the law"
"God detests even his prayer"
See how you translated this in Proverbs 3:32
"Whoever causes the upright to go in an evil direction"
"If anyone misleads ... evil way, he will fall"
"upright people" or "righteous people" or "honest people"
"will end up in the same evil place toward which he guided other people"
"blameless persons"
"will inherit what is good"
"be wise in his own thoughts" or "think he is wise"
"who understands"
"will see his true nature" or "will see what he is truly like"
"righteous people"
"succeed"
"when the wicked rise to power"
"wicked people"
"they seek people out" or "they seek out the people who hide from them"
"covers his sins." The opposite of confessing and forsaking sins, and is spoken of as covering sins.
"will not succeed" or "will not advance"
"God will show mercy to the one who confesses and forsakes them"
"God will bless the one who always lives with reverence"
"lives a reverent life". Deeply respecting Yahweh and showing that respect by obeying him.
"the one who refuses to obey God"
"will end up in trouble"
Poor people are compared to people who have a lion roaring at them or a bear attacking them.
A bear is a large, furry, dangerous animal that has sharp claws and teeth.
"The ruler who does not understand"
a person who treats people harshly and makes their lives very difficult
"the one who becomes angry when other people gain dishonestly" or "the one who hates gaining dishonestly"
This phrase can refer to the "ruler" or any person.
"live longer" or "rule for a longer time"
"is guilty because he has murdered someone"
a person who is running away to avoid being captured
"until he dies" or "all of his life"
"God will keep safe anyone who walks with integrity"
"walks honestly" or "lives honestly"
"the one who does not live honestly"
"will suddenly be ruined" or "will suddenly perish"
This means to till, sow, and care for his crops.
"anyone who follows"
"chases after worthless projects."
"will be very poor"
"God will certainly punish the one who gets rich quickly". The double negative "will not go unpunished" is used for emphasis.
"the one who tries to get rich quickly". This person gains wealth by unfaithful or dishonest means.
"a man will sin for very little gain". "A piece of bread" is an exaggeration for a very small bribe or reward.
"sin"
"A selfish man." A person who does not like to share his possessions or spend money.
"is greedy for riches"
"he will suddenly become poor"
"A person will favor the one who disciplines him more than he favors the person who flatters him with his tongue"
"If a person disciplines"
trains people to obey a set of guidelines for moral behavior
"flatters him with words". Praises someone in a manner that is not sincere, or about things that are not true.
"The one who robs"
"says that it is not a sin, he"
"the friend of" or "the same kind of person as"
a person who selfishly wants more things, money or food than what he needs
"causes conflict"
"The person who relies on himself"
"any person who walks"
"lives wisely" or "follows wise teachings"
"The person"
"poor people"
"have everything they need"
"people will give many curses to whoever closes his eyes to the poor" or "God will give many curses to whoever closes his eyes to the poor"
"anyone who closes"
"ignores" or "chooses not to help"
"When the wicked rise to power"
"wicked people"
"people go into hiding"
"go away" or "fall from power" or "are destroyed."
"righteous people"
"multiply" or "rise to power."
Chapter 29 concludes the second section (Chapter 25-29) which is attributed to Solomon. There are individual proverbs that run along common themes, including contrasting elements: wise/foolish, lazy/diligent, wicked/righteous, etc.
"who becomes stubborn" or "who refuses to listen"
"God will suddenly break him"
"and no one will be able to help him"
"the people will be weary and sad"
makes the land peaceful so the king can rule for a long time
"by doing what is just" or "by making just laws"
knowingly tells his neighbor things that are not true so that person will do what the speaker wants him to do
"setting a trap to catch that person"
When an evil person sins, he desires to do evil to other people, but God will use what he does to punish him.
"create turmoil for the people of a city"
"calm the wrath of angry people"
"goes to court with a fool" or "sues a fool"
The fool becomes very angry and tries to keep the wise person from speaking or the judge from judging.
"yells angrily"
"they will not be able to settle the problem"
"Murderous men" or "People who are happy when they commit murder"
"want to kill"
"upright people" or "righteous people" or "honest people"
He has no self-control. He lets everyone know what he is thinking and feeling, especially when he is angry.
The wise man does the opposite of what the fool does: he quiets and holds back his anger and calms himself.
"listens." See Proverbs 17:4.
"it is as if he is teaching his officials to be wicked"
a person who treats people harshly and makes their lives very difficult
"Yahweh makes both of them alive."
"his kingdom"
"If a parent uses the rod on his child and corrects him, the child will become wise" or "If parents discipline their child and tell him when he has done wrong, the child will learn to live wisely"
"discipline". Parents in Israel used wooden rods as instruments to discipline children by striking them.
When a person does this, he tells that person he does not approve and expects the person to change his behavior.
"more people will transgress and their sins will become worse"
"those wicked people fall" or "those wicked people lose their power to rule"
"God will bless the one who keeps the law"
"You will not be able to correct a slave simply by talking to him"
"You should notice what happens to a man who is hasty in his words."
"who allows his slave to avoid work and treats his slave better than he treats other slaves"
"at the end of the slave's youth" or "when the slave is grown"
Some understand it to mean that the slave will be weak, others that the slave will rule the household.
"causes people to argue more" or "causes people to argue and fight". See Proverbs 15:18.
"a person who becomes angry easily"
"men will give honor to a person who has a humble spirit" or "Yahweh will cause men to honor a person who has a humble spirit"
"becomes his own enemy"
"he does not dare to testify under oath" or "he says nothing even after people have cursed him"
"Anyone who is afraid of what other people might do to him is like a person who has become snared in a trap"
a trap that catches animals with ropes
"Yahweh will protect the one who trusts in him"
"Many people want their ruler to pay attention to them"
"it is Yahweh who is truly just towards a person"
a person whom others should hate. See Proverbs 3:32.
These are the names of men.
The literal son of Jakeh, not a grandchild.
"the important message"
"to Ithiel—that is, to Ithiel and Ucal"
Chapter 30 is a chapter attributed to Agur, who is unknown. His full title is Agur, Son of Jakeh. Agur comes from a Hebrew word meaning "gatherer". Some scholars believe this is a way of referring to Solomon. It is still prudent to simply use this as a real name. The sayings of Agur address several themes including the wisdom of God compared to human wisdom (30:1-6), wicked people (30:11-14), things that are never satisfied (30:15-16), things too amazing for Agur to understand (30:18-19), things that are small but wise (30:24-28), and things that walk in a strong and proud way (30:29-31).
"Certainly" or "There is no doubt that"
"I do not understand anything the way human beings are supposed to understand them"
"nor do I really know anything about the Holy One"
"No person has ever ... down. No person has ever ... hands. No person has ever ... cloak. No person has ever ... earth." or "Who has ... down? Who has ... hands? Who has ... cloak? Who has ... earth? No one has ever done any of these things."
where God lives
"has caught the wind in his hands"
"his cupped hands"
brought small scattered objects into a pile so they can be lifted
"has marked the boundaries for the ends of the earth"
"Tell me his name and the name of his son, if you know them."
"I do not think you really know anyone who can do those things."
"is like a precious metal from which someone has removed all the useless material"
"he protects those who come and ask him to protect them"
say more than he has said
"he will prove that you are"
Many translations understand this to be the beginning of a prayer.
"of you, Yahweh"
"Do not allow people to speak vanity and lies to me" or "Do not allow me to speak vanity and lies"
false, useless words
"Do not allow me to be either very poor or very rich"
"the food that you, Yahweh, have assigned to me"
This describes a situation that has not happened but is possible if the writer becomes rich.
This describes a situation that has not happened but is possible if the writer becomes poor.
"I might steal things and that would cause people to think badly about God"
speak falsely about another person with the desire to harm him
"the servant will curse"
"people will hold you guilty"
"Stay away from people who curse"
"a generation of people who curse ... and do not bless"
"Some people are" or "Stay away from people who are."
"believes they are pure"
"God has not forgiven them of their sins"
This should be translated with a polite term that includes human or animal vomit and waste.
"Some people's eyes are" or "Stay away from people whose eyes are."
This describes people who think that they are better than other people.
This refers to being cruel and treating poor and needy people cruelly, like an animal with sharp teeth that tears apart other animals and eats them.
"Some people's teeth" or "Stay away from people whose teeth."
the bones of the face where teeth grow
"Greed has two daughters"
a type of worm that attaches itself to the skin and sucks blood
"and they are both named Give Me."
"There are four things that are never satisfied, who never say, 'Enough'". From verses 15 through 32, the author uses a technique to explain some things. He says there are three things and even four and lists items that exemplify a feature like "small and yet wise." The numbering is not meant to be literal, but a memory device that introduces the items.
"always want more"
Land no longer producing food is spoken of as if it were a person who does not have enough water to drink.
"The ravens of the valley will peck out the eyes of the person who mocks ... mother, and the vultures will eat them"
"considers his mother worthless and will not obey her"
large, shiny, black birds that eat plants and dead animals
any one of several large birds that eat dead animals and have small, featherless heads
"There are some things that are too wonderful for me that I do not understand—four of them are:"
"in the middle of the sea" or "on the open sea"
This refers to committing adultery and then taking a bath.
"There are some things that make the earth tremble, that it cannot endure. Four of these are:"
"a fool who has had enough to eat"
"a woman whom good people have hated when she marries"
Possible meanings are: the slave girl is able to rule over the wife and children or the man loves the slave girl more than he loves his wife.
This is the female form of "master," so it refers to the wife of the man of the house.
an animal with small, rounded ears, short legs, and no tail
a small reptile that has four legs, a long, slender body, and a tail
"There are some things that walk stately. Four of these are"
majestic or dignified, like a king
an adult male chicken that walks proudly
strongly stirring
Animal milk that someone has stirred and made thick.
"an important message"
Chapter 31 begins with 9 verses from King Lemuel. The last portion of this chapter is a poem about a godly wife. This person is unknown in Scripture. It is important to recognize that the words in this chapter are words of his mother addressed to him. They are formed like advice of a mother to her son. His advice to his son addresses themes of avoiding drinks with alcohol and of being fair and righteous (31:1-9). The final section about the godly wife addresses several themes, including the great value of a godly wife (30:10-12), her hard work (31:13-19), her generosity (31:20), her care for her family (31:21-23), and her dignity, wisdom, and fear of the Lord (31:25-31).
"You should not be doing what you are doing" or "Do not do the things I am about to warn you against."
The speaker wants the hearer to notice carefully and to respect the one who is talking to him.
It is best to use a polite term for the body part in which babies grow before they are born.
The "vows" could be: the mother's marriage vows or a vow after she married that if God allowed her to have a child she would dedicate him to God.
"Do not work hard trying to have sex with women," either outside of marriage or with concubines.
"or allow those who destroy kings to advise you"
"the way you live your life" or "the work you do"
probably the immoral "women" to whom he is not to give his strength
This is the name of a man. See Proverbs 31:1.
"what God has decreed" or "what the kings themselves have decreed"
"deny afflicted people their legal rights"
exchange good for evil
"all those people whom others wrongfully harm"
"and give wine"
"who's souls are bitter" or "who are in misery"
"how poor he is"
"the bad things that are happening to him"
"Defend those who cannot defend themselves"
"so that people will treat all who are perishing justly"
"speak for the causes" or "speak out for"
"people who are poor and cannot get the things that they need"
"Not many men can find a wife who is able to do many things well.". Verse 10 through 31 is tightly formed as a poem in the original language. There are 22 lines in the Hebrew language that each begin with a successive letter of the alphabet. However, each language will have a different set of letters. It is important to realize this was a single composition with a single theme of a noble or godly wife.
"She is more precious than jewels"
"he will always have what he needs"
sheep's hair that is used to make cloth
a plant whose fiber is used to make linen
"gladly with her hands," or "with her hands on things that she enjoys working with"
someone who buys and sells
"gives the right amount of food to her female servants" or "tells her female servants what work each of them is to do that day."
"the money she has earned"
"She prepares herself for hard physical work"
"she strengthens her arms by doing her work"
"She burns a lamp through the night as she works"
a thin rod or stick with pointed ends that is used in making thread
"helps poor"
These words translate the same words translated "puts her hands on" in Proverbs 31:19.
"have expensive, warm clothing". Here "scarlet" does not refer to the color of the cloth.
cloth made of flax yarn
"People respect her husband"
to make laws and settle arguments
cloth made from flax yarn
long pieces of cloth worn around the waist or over one shoulder
"Everyone can see that she is strong, and so they honor her"
"is not afraid of what will happen in the future"
"she speaks wisely" or "she speaks wise words"
"she teaches people to be kind"
"makes sure her whole family lives in a way that pleases God"
"she is not idle"
doing nothing and being lazy
"stand up and" or "actively"
"congratulate her" or "say, 'Yay, Mom!'"
"you have done better than"
"A gracious woman can deceive people" or "A woman with good manners could really be evil" See Proverbs 11:16.
"a woman who is beautiful now will not always be beautiful"
"people will praise her"
"the money she has earned". The money she has earned is spoken of as if it were fruit growing off a tree.
"may the important people of the city praise her because of the works she has done". She will be praised for her works, not by her works.
The ULB sets poetry (1:2-11 and 15) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The tone of this chapter is sad, or depressing. The author believes that everything in life is pointless. The metaphors in this chapter all describe the idea that nothing ever changes. This is also known as "fatalism."
"'Like a vapor of mist vanishes and like a breeze in the wind disappears,' says the Teacher, 'everything vanishes and has no lasting value.'"
"People seem to gain no lasting benefit from all the work that they labor at under the sun.". The author uses this question to cause the reader to think deeply about important things.
"on the earth"
The writer is presenting the natural order of life as he understands it.
"quickly returns to the place" or "quickly goes to the place"
"Everything becomes tiring." Since man is unable to explain these things, it becomes useless to try.
"A person is not satisfied by what his eyes see"
"nor is a person content by what his ears hear"
There is nothing new regarding man and his activities.
"whatever has happened before is what will happen again"
"on the earth"
"There is nothing about which it may be said, 'Look, this is new.'"
"about which someone may say"
"the things that will happen in the future"
"people will not likely remember them either"
"I determined" or "I applied myself"
These two phrases emphasize how diligently he studied.
"on the earth"
"human beings"
"everything that people do"
"on the earth". See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
"indeed" or "really"
"are as useless as trying to control the wind"
"People cannot straighten things that are twisted! They cannot count what is not there"
"I have spoken to myself"
"I have gained" or "I have learned"
"I determined" or "I applied myself"
These words refer to foolish thinking and behavior, respectively.
"as useless as trying to control the wind"
When the author thought about the pointlessness of life, he decided to fill it with pointless pleasures. He believed that this would have no effect on the world. Therefore, he indulged in every type of pleasure. It is assumed that the author is going to reject this way of living. The ULB sets poetry (2:10-16) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"I said to myself"
"I will test myself with things that make me happy"
"So I will enjoy things that please me"
"this also only lasted for a short time, like a temporary breeze"
"I said that laughter is crazy"
If your language has a special word for laughter about meaningless things, please use it here.
"It is useless."
"I thought hard about"
"to use wine to make myself happy"
"I thought about the things that wise people had taught me"
"on the earth"
"during the time that they are alive"
"I had people build houses and plant vineyards for me"
"I had people build for me gardens and parks; I had them plant"
These two words refer to beautiful orchards of fruit trees.
"I had them create"
"to provide water for a forest"
"forest where trees grew"
"My slaves bore children and they also were my slaves"
"much more than any other king had"
"that I acquired from the treasures of kings and the rulers of provinces"
"the rulers of provinces"
"I greatly enjoyed many concubines, as would delight any man"
"than all the kings who had ruled before me in Jerusalem"
"I continued to act wisely" or "I continued to be wise"
"Whatever I saw and desired ... from myself"
"I got for them"
"I allowed myself to enjoy everything that made me happy"
"I rejoiced"
"all that I had accomplished"
"the hard work that I had done"
"are as useless as trying to control the wind". See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14.
"But it had no profit under the sun"
"on the earth". See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
These words refer to foolish thinking and behavior, respectively. See Ecclesiastes 1:17.
"For the next king who comes after the king can do nothing that a king before him has not already done."
"the next king who comes after me"
This refers to how light makes life better for people than darkness does.
"The wise man is like a person who uses his eyes to see where he is going"
"pays attention and looks to see"
"the fool is like a person who walks in the dark"
death
"I said to myself"
"So it makes no difference if I am very wise."
"I concluded"
"People do not remember the wise man for very long, just as they do not remember the fool for very long"
"people will have long forgotten everything"
"all the work that people do"
"troubled me"
"as useless as trying to control the wind". See Ecclesiastes 1:14.
"on the earth"
"everything I had gained from toiling"
"to the man who inherits it after me"
"For no one knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool."
The word "he" refers to the author's heir.
"on the earth"
"that I worked very hard and wisely to build"
"I began to despair" or "I began to lose all hope"
"who works wisely and skillfully, using the things that he has learned"
"who has not worked for any of it"
"a great disaster"
"A man seems to gain no lasting benefit from working hard and trying in his heart to complete his labors under the sun."
These two words emphasize how difficult the person's work is.
"his mind does not rest" or "he continues to worry"
"from God"
"For no one can eat or have any kind of pleasure apart from God."
"so that the one who pleases God may have it"
The chapter uses parallelism with the phrase, "a time to." The overall purpose is to show that Yahweh directs the events of the world and therefore, they have purpose. This gives the quotation a poetic style. The ULB sets poetry (3:1-8 and 3:15) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"every activity" or "everything that can happen"
"on the earth". See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
"a time to harvest" or "a time to uproot,"
The writer continues to describe various aspects of life from one extreme to the other.
to hold someone in your arms to show love or friendship
"The worker seems to gain no lasting benefit for his labor." Translate "What profit does ... gain" as you did in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
"God has fixed a time that is right for everything to happen"
"placed eternity in the hearts of human beings"
This refers to the beginning and the end and all that is in between.
"should learn how to enjoy"
"No one can add anything to or take anything away from it"
These two phrases emphasize how common wicked behavior is.
"where there should be righteousness"
"on the earth"
"I said to myself"
"the righteous people and the wicked people"
These two phrases refer to every action that people do.
"I said to myself"
The author says that human beings are like animals and explains (v. 19) clearly how humans are like animals.
"is the same for both of them"
"All of them breathe same"
"Mankind is no better off than the animals"
"Everything dies and goes to the same place"
soil
"No one knows whether the spirit ... into the earth."
See how you translated this phrase in Ecclesiastes 3:12.
"No one of us knows what happens to us after we die."
The teacher looks at the oppression in the world and is saddened by it, but he is the king and has the power to change things. He also laments being alone even though he has many wives, children, and concubines. The ULB sets poetry (4:1-3, 4:5-6, and 4:8-12) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"on the earth". This refers to things that are done on earth. See Ecclesiastes 1:3
"I looked and I saw"
"the oppressed people were weeping"
"Their oppressors were powerful"
"the people who are still alive"
"the one who has not yet been born is better off than both of them"
"both those who are dead and those who are living"
"made one's neighbor envious"
The neighbor envies the object his neighbor made, or the neighbor envies the skills his neighbor has.
"as useless as trying to control the wind". See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14.
"The fool refuses to work"
"as a result, he causes his own ruin" or "and as a result, he destroys himself"
"a small amount"
"two handfuls of profit" or "a large amount of profit"
"that is as useless as trying to control the wind"
"I thought again and and I saw something meaningless" or "Again I saw something meaningless"
"he has no family"
"he is not satisfied"
"Will anyone benefit from me working hard and not enjoying myself"
"the person who is alone when he falls is really in trouble"
"If two people lie down together at night, they can be warm"
"a person who lies down alone cannot be warm."
"Someone can overpower a person who is alone"
"but two people"
"defend themselves against an attack"
"three people are even stronger, like a three-strand rope that"
"people cannot easily break a rope made with three strands"
"wise young man"
"who is no longer willing"
"after being in prison"
"he was born to poor parents who lived in the land that he will someday rule"
Instead of choosing the wise youth, the people choose the king's son, who may not be any wiser.
These words are combined to emphasize living people.
"There are very many people"
"are as useless as trying to control the wind"
"Be careful how you conduct yourself"
The author describes the pointlessness of pursuing material things. This is known as "materialism." Those who pursue after things will always want more. At the end of their life, they will not be able to use these things. The ULB sets poetry (5:2-3, and 5:10-17) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
These two phrases emphasize that you should think first before you speak to God about a matter.
"to speak"
"do not"
"do not say too much"
"do not foolishly delay in doing it, because God is not pleased with foolish people"
"Do not let what you say cause you to sin"
"It would be foolish to make God angry by vowing falsely, provoking God to destroy the work of your hands."
"destroy everything you do"
"people oppressing the poor and robbing them"
"those who are poor" or "poor people"
"fair treatment"
"do not be surprised, for there are people
"there are people with authority"
"men who have even more authority than they do"
"the food that the land produces ... crops from the fields"
"As a person becomes more prosperous"
"so also the person spends more money" or "so also there will be more people who use his wealth."
"who use it"
"The only benefit that the owner has from wealth is that he can look at it"
"The sleep of a laborer is peaceful"
"whether he eats a little bit of food or a lot of food"
"but rich people do not sleep well because they worry about their money"
"on the earth"
"an owner hoards riches"
"through misfortune" or "through a bad business deal."
"he leaves no possession for his own son"
"As a man is naked and owns nothing when he is born ... he will leave this life the same way"
"is born"
"he will die"
"He can not take any of his possessions with him"
as people bring nothing into the world when they are born, so they take nothing with them when they die and leave this world"
"No one gets any profit in laboring for the wind."
"tries to shepherd the wind" or "labors to receive the air he breathes"
"He spends his life in mourning and sadness"
"his life"
"suffers greatly, being sick and angry"
"Pay attention" or "Listen"
"what I have seen to be the best thing to do"
"as long as God allows him to live"
"For this is man's reward" or "For these are the things that he allows man to do"
These two words refer to money and the things that a person can buy with money.
"to accept what he is given"
"he does not remember" or "he does not think about"
"the things that have happened during his lifetime"
"stay busy"
"it causes hardship for people"
While a person may be given a great many things, they are worthless and provide no sense of satisfaction or peace. It is assumed that only Yahweh can provide these things to man. Solomon is depressed that he had everything he could have ever wanted in life, but they were not enough to give him satisfaction or peace. The ULB sets poetry (6:7-11) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
These two words refer to money and the things that a person can buy with money.
"he has everything"
"God does not give him the ability"
"fathers many children"
"lives many years"
"he is not content with good things"
"no one buries him at all" or "no one buries him properly."
"Such a baby is born for nothing"
"dies unexplainably"
"no one knows its name"
This shows that it does not matter how long a person lives if he does not enjoy the good things in life.
"2,000 years"
"he goes to the grave just like everyone else"
"is to put food in his mouth" or "is to feed him"
"he does not satisfy his appetite"
"it seems the wise person has no advantage over the fool."
"The poor man has no advantage even if he knows how to act in front of other people."
"how to conduct himself"
"What a person has"
"what a person wants but does not have"
Both phrases emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
"as useless as trying to control the wind". The author speaks as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14.
"People have already named everything that exists"
"people already know what mankind is like"
"God, who is the stronger than he is"
"The more words that people speak"
"the more meaningless those words are"
"That is no advantage to a man."
"No one knows what is good for a person ... he passes through like a shadow."
"during his futile, short life, which he passes through as quickly as a shadow passes by"
"No one can tell a person ... after he dies."
"what will happen on the earth". See how you translated "under the sun" in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice in these statements do not apply in every situation. Therefore, they should be seen as "good ideas". The ULB sets poetry (7:1-26) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"A good reputation"
"must think seriously about this"
"an experience that makes a person sad"
"right thinking". "Gladness" describes either the state of the emotions of being happy and peaceful or the ability to understand the truth.
"Wise people think deeply about death"
"but foolish people think only about enjoying themselves". These phrases refer to what happens in these places.
"when wise people rebuke you"
"to listen to fools sing"
"For listening to the laughter of fools will not teach a man any more than if he were listening to the crackling of thorns burning under a pot"
This refers to wrongfully forcing someone to give money or other valuable items to another so that the other person does not harm him.
"turns the wise man into a foolish man" or "makes the advice of the wise man appear to be foolish advice."
"ruins a person's ability to think and judge rightly"
"patient people are better than proud people" or "a patient attitude is better than a prideful attitude"
"Do not become angry quickly" or "Do not have a bad temper"
"foolish people are full of anger"
"Things were better in the past than they are now."
"if you were wise you would not ask this question"
"those who are alive"
"the advantage of knowing wisdom is that it gives life."
"helps a person to make good decisions and to live a longer life"
"No one can straighten out anything he has made crooked."
"When good things happen ... when bad things happen"
"be happy about those good things"
"both to exist" or "there to be both good and bad"
"anything that happens in the future" or "anything that happens to him after he dies"
"There are righteous people who perish in spite of their righteousness, and there are wicked people who live a long life in spite of their evil deeds."
"even though he is righteous"
"even though he is evil"
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
"Do not think that you are more righteous than you actually are"
"being wise in your own opinion" or "being wise according to your own judgement"
"There is no reason to destroy yourself." or "If you think this way you will destroy yourself."
"There is no reason for you to die sooner than you should."
"commit yourself to this wisdom"
"you should not stop trying to be righteous" or "you should keep trying to be righteous"
"will do everything that God expects of him"
"Wisdom makes a man powerful; it makes him more powerful than ten rulers in a city"
"does good things and does not sin"
"everything that people say"
The words "many times" placed at the beginning of the sentence and the word "even" emphasize that the reader is guilty many times.
"you certainly know,"
"All this that I have already written about have I proven"
"it was beyond my ability to understand" or "but I was not able to do it"
"difficult to understand"
"No one can understand it."
"I directed my thoughts" or "I determined"
"how to explain various things in life"
"any woman who traps men by seducing them"
These two words refer to ways in which people trap animals and how the woman traps men.
"from whom no one can escape"
"she will capture the sinner"
"discovering one thing after another"
"in order to be able to explain things in life". See Ecclesiastes 7:25.
Only one righteous man was found in a group of 1,000 people.
There were no righteous women found in a group of 1,000 people.
"they have made many sinful plans" or "they have made their own lives difficult."
This speaks of humanity changing from being upright to not being upright.
Solomon, known for his wisdom, describes true wisdom as seeking to honor God. This is the only thing that lasts. He asks these as leading questions to provide the answer in what he says next. The ULB sets poetry (8:1 and 8:5-8) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"shows on his face"
"his harsh appearance"
"changes"
"the oath you made before God to protect him"
"Do not abandon the king"
"What the king says is the law"
"no one can say to him"
"You should not be doing what you are doing."
"A wise man recognizes"
"the correct time to do things and the right way to do them"
"No one can tell him what is coming."
Just as no one has the ability to stop the wind from blowing, no one can continue living when it is time to die.
"when he will die"
"No army allows soldiers to leave"
"evil people will not be saved by doing what is evil"
"I applied myself". See Ecclesiastes 1:17.
"every kind of work that people do"
"on the earth". This refers to things that are done on earth. See Ecclesiastes 1:3.
Sometimes one person will oppress another and cause that second person to be hurt.
"people bury the wicked publicly". Evil people that died were given honorable burials.
"People took them from the holy area and buried them and praised them"
"When people in authority do not quickly execute a sentence against an evil crime"
"entices human beings"
"life will be better for those who respect God"
These two phrases are combined to emphasize people respecting God.
"God will not prolong his life"
"His days will pass as quickly as a shadow disappears"
"His life is"
"another meaningless thing that people do on the earth"
"for as long as God allows him to live"
"I applied myself". See Ecclesiastes 1:17.
"the work that people do on the earth"
"without sleeping"
"the work that God does under the sun" or "the work that God allows people to do under the sun."
This chapter explains that there is one thing that awaits all people: judgment. When people die, they will all face Yahweh's judgment. The ULB sets poetry (9:2, 5-6, and 11-12) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"I thought very deeply about all this"
"under God's control"
"whether he will experience love or hate"
This refers to all people, emphasizing the two opposites of righteous and wicked people.
"wicked people ... good people ... clean people and unclean people". A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean. A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
This emphasizes the two opposites of those who sacrifice and those who do not.
This emphasizes the two opposites of good people and sinners.
"the sinner will die ... the man who fears to make an oath will die"
This emphasizes the two opposites of those who swear oaths and those who do not.
"everything that happens"
"on the earth". See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
death
"Human beings are full of evil, and their thoughts are of folly"
"they die and go to the grave"
"who are alive"
"As lowly as a dog is, it is better to be a dog and to be alive than to be noble like a lion and to be dead"
"those who are dead"
"people will forget them"
This refers to the love, hatred, and envy that the dead people showed others when they were alive.
"anything that people do"
These two phrases emphasize the importance of enjoying the basic activities of life.
"your food"
"drink your wine joyfully"
Wearing white clothes and anointing one's head with oil were both signs of gladness and celebration.
"anoint your head with oil"
"Since you have a wife whom you love, live happily with her"
"on the earth"
"your ... lifetime"
The word "that" refers to living happily with his wife.
"Whatever you are able to do"
"the dead do not work or explain or know or have wisdom"
"the race is not always won by the swift, nor is the battle always won by the strong"
"the quickest person ... the strongest person ... the wisest person ... the most intelligent person"
"but at certain times, unexpected things happen to them all"
"when he will die" or "when the time of his death will come"
This speaks in the same way that people catch animals and kill them when they do not expect it.
"evil times are coming upon the children of human beings"
"at times when they do not expect them to happen"
"a great king and his army"
This refers to dirt ramps the army built against the city wall so that they could climb up and attack.
"in the city, people found a poor, wise man"
"people despise the poor man's wisdom"
"they do not listen to what he says" or "they do not take his advice"
"It is easier to understands the words that wise people speak quietly"
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice given does not apply in every situation, so they should be seen as "good ideas". The ULB sets poetry in this chapter farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
Just as flies can ruin perfume, so folly can ruin a person's reputation for wisdom and honor.
"committing a little folly can ruin a person's wisdom and honor"
"The way a wise person thinks ... the way a fool thinks"
"tends to doing what is right ... tends to doing what is wrong"
"he is stupid"
"If a ruler becomes angry with you"
"Calm can undo great offenses"
"on the earth". This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
"Rulers give positions of leadership to fools"
"they give low positions to wealthy men"
If your language has a word for people who are wealthy because they are wise, please use it here.
"unimportant positions"
Slaves were usually forced to walk and were not permitted to ride. If the words "on the ground" here would cause confusion, you can omit them.
"a snake may bite whoever breaks through a wall". This refers to a snake that was hiding inside the wall.
This refers working in a quarry and cutting larger stones.
"those stones can hurt him"
"the wood may injure him"
A wise person would have sharpened his blade and would not have had to work so hard.
"before the snake charmer charms it"
"The things that a wise man says are gracious"
"The things that a foolish man says destroy him"
"As a fool begins to speak"
"as he finishes talking, he speaks wicked madness"
"keeps on talking"
"what will happen in the future"
"No one knows what will happen after he dies."
"Fools feel tired by the work that they do"
"so much that he is unable to find the road to town." or "because he does not even know the way to town."
The writer is speaking to the people of the nation as if they were the land itself.
This means that the king is inexperienced or immature.
This implies that the leaders are more concerned with having a good time than with leading the nation.
"king has trained by nobles"
This explains why the blessed leaders eat.
"Because a lazy person does not repair his house, the roof sinks in"
"because of an idle person" or "because the person is idle"
"the roof leaks"
"People prepare food in order to laugh"
"wine helps people to enjoy life"
"money provides for every need" or "money provides for both food and wine"
"not even in your thoughts"
"rich people when you are in your bedroom." You should not curse them, even in a place where no one else will hear.
"For a bird may hear what you say and tell the matter to other people"
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice does not apply in every situation, so they should be seen as "good ideas". The ULB sets poetry in this chapter farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
A person should be generous with his possessions and will then receive generously from others or a person should invest his resources openly and will make a profit from it.
"share it with numerous people"
"what disasters may happen in the world" or "what bad things may happen to you"
"the clouds are dark with rain"
"empty themselves on the ground"
"in any direction"
"Any farmer who pays too much attention to the wind will never plant"
"any farmer who pays too much attention to the clouds will never harvest"
"As you do not know where the wind comes from or where it goes"
"how the bones of a baby grow"
"keep on working"
"whether the seed that you planted in the morning or the seed that you planted in the evening"
"it is a joy to be able to see the sun" or "being alive is delightful"
"for a person to see the sun" or "to be alive"
"he should enjoy them all" or "he should rejoice without ceasing in all of them"
"how many days that he will be dead"
"for he will be dead for many more days than he is alive" or "for he will be dead forever"
"No one knows what will happen after he dies" or "Everything to come is meaningless"
These two phrases emphasize that the man should be happy while he is young.
"be joyful"
"Pursue the good things that you desire" or "Pursue the good things that you have determined to pursue"
"whatever you see that you desire" or "whatever you see to be best"
"God will judge you for all these things" or "God will make you account for all of your actions"
"Refuse to be angry"
"because youth and its strength will not last forever". See how you translated "vapor" in Ecclesiastes 1:14.
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between them. The advice given do not apply in every situation, so they should be seen as "good ideas". The ULB sets poetry (12:1-7 and 12:13-14) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"remember"
"before you experience difficult times"
"before you become old when you say, 'I no longer enjoy being alive'"
"do this before it seems to you that the light of the sun ... after the rain"
The writer describes a house in which various activities stop and appears to refer to the human body as it becomes old.
"strong men become weak"
"the women who grind grain stop grinding grain because there are few of them"
"those who try to see can only see dimly." or "the people whom they see looking at them are dim."
"people shut the doors that lead to the street"
"when the voice of a bird startles men awake"
"the songs of the birds fade away". Here "girls" may refer to the birds.
"things along the road that frighten them"
The "almond tree" is a tree that blossoms in the winter with white flowers.
A large, straight-winged insect that has the ability to jump a long way. Here it has gotten old and weak.
"when people no longer desire what they once did naturally"
"Then the man goes to the place of the dead forever" or "Then the person dies and never returns to life"
Possible meanings are: that mourners go around in the streets to attend a funeral, or that mourners go around in the streets to the house of the person who is about to die.
"Remember"
Death will break the body just as suddenly as people accidentally break these items while they are using them.
"someone cuts the silver cord"
"someone crushes the golden bowl"
"someone shatters the pitcher"
"someone breaks the water wheel"
Here "dust" refers to the human body that has decomposed.
"vapor"
See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:1.
"thought much about and arranged" or "thought much about and wrote down"
The Teacher wanted the words to bring pleasure because they are well written, not because they are comforting.
The writer speaks of the teacher as a shepherd who uses his tools to lead his flock.
"Wise people encourage people to act, like a sharp stick encourages an animal to move"
"Like you can depend on a nail that a person drives firmly into a piece of wood, so you can depend on the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs"
"the wise words collected in their proverbs" or "the sayings of the wise"
"which one shepherd teaches"
Possible meanings are: these words refer to what follows or these words refer to the material in verse 11.
"People will never stop making many books"
"makes the person tired"
"The final conclusion on the matter". At the end of a very impressive life, Solomon looks back and sees that the only real lasting thing in this world is Yahweh. The purpose of his life was to honor Yahweh, something he should have done far more throughout his life. Therefore, he felt that his life was wasted.
"after you have heard everything"
"along with everything that people do in secret"
This chapter is centered on the feelings of love, affection, and attraction. Different cultural standards may make translation difficult and the translator may use euphemisms to avoid offending people. The kisses in this chapter are a intimate kiss that was only done between a husband a wife.
"The Best Song" or "The Most Excellent Song"
"which is about Solomon" or "which Solomon composed."
The woman thinks this or says this to herself.
"The ways you show you love me are better than wine." The woman says this to the man.
"The oils that you put on your body"
"smell wonderful"
Perfume's smell that spreads as the air moves. The name either refers to the person's reputation or the person himself.
"Pull" or "Drag." Here the woman describes herself as being like a captive who is willing to follow her captor.
The word "you" and "your" refers to the man.
The word "we" refers to the young woman together with the man.
The king is the man that the woman loves. The woman is probably talking to herself.
The woman speaks of herself as if she were more than one person. Some versions present these as the words of the woman's friends speaking about either the woman or the man.
"because of you"
"Women who love you are doing as they should do"
In 1:5-6 the woman speaks to the other women.
"Even though my skin is dark, I am beautiful". In the ancient Near East, rich people usually had lighter skin because they did not need to work outside in the sun. This young woman had to work out in the sun, and her skin became darker than it was when she was younger.
The nomadic tribes in Kedar used black goat skins to build their homes. The woman is comparing her skin to these tents.
Solomon produced beautiful curtains either for his own palace or for the Temple. She says that her skin is beautiful.
This refers to the sun changing her skin from light to dark.
"My half-brothers." These brothers probably had the same mother as the woman but not the same father.
"forced me to take care of the vineyards"
"but I have not been able to take care of myself"
In 1:7 the woman speaks to the man.
"I love"
"graze your flocks". In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive.
"have your flock lie down"
"Tell me so that I will not need to wander around among the flocks of your companions when I am looking for you."
"who goes all around." Perhaps she is afraid other men will think she is a prostitute looking for business.
"your friends" or "your co-workers"
In 1:8-11 the man speaks to the woman.
"you who are the most beautiful of all women"
"follow along behind the flock"
marks of the hooves of the flock on the ground
"graze your young goats" or "let your young goats eat"
"My love, you are as beautiful as any of Pharaoh's chariot horses". The Jews of those days considered horses beautiful, and the Pharaoh's horses would have been the most beautiful he could find.
"you whom I love"
"the horses that pull Pharaoh's chariots"
These ornaments could be: jewels hanging from a band around the head or earrings or her long hair.
The man speaks as if he were many people. Some versions change this to singular "I." Other versions take these to be the words of the woman's friends.
"with spots of silver"
In 1:12-14 the woman speaks to herself.
"sat eating his special meal." This probably refers to one of the couches on which people would lie around a table at a banquet.
an oil that people got from the expensive nard or spikenard (valerian plant with small pink or white flowers) and used to make their skin soft and to have a pleasant odor.
"gave off its good smell"
"I enjoy my beloved as much as I enjoy having a bag of myrrh ... breasts". Women would place a small bag or pouch of myrrh on a necklace so it would lie between their breasts and they could enjoy its pleasant fragrance. She adds "to me" to show that she does not expect anyone else to enjoy her beloved in this way.
"My dear one" or "My lover"
"close to me"
"I enjoy my beloved as much as I enjoy the smell of clusters of henna flowers". She adds "to me" to show that she does not expect anyone else to enjoy her beloved in this way.
flowers from a small desert tree that people used as a perfume
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: you". The man speaks to the woman.
"you whom I love." See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9.
"you are very gentle" or the man is speaking of the woman's eyes as being like the shape of a dove.
In 1:16-17 the woman speaks to the man.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: you"
Use the word in your language that describes a good-looking man.
"my dear one" or "my lover". It may be more natural for her to refer to him as "my lover." See Song of Songs 1:13.
"lush plants are what we lie down on to sleep"
plants that are green, moist, and grow abundantly
The woman describes the forest as though it were a house in which they were lying down.
Possible meanings are: "beams" refers to large logs used to support everything above the walls and "rafters" refers to the large pieces of wood to which the roof is attached or "beams" refers to the rafters and "rafters" refers to the strips attached to the beams, onto which the builders attached the roofing materials.
If cedar and fir trees are unknown in your area, you could use general terms for the tallest and strongest trees.
In 2:1 the woman speaks to the man. Women are compared to flowers and may describe a woman's beauty and delicacy.
The woman speaks as if she were one of many flowers in a land known for beautiful flowers.
the name of a land that is flat, has no trees, and grows many different kinds of grasses and flowers
The woman speaks as if she were one of many flowers in a land known for beautiful flowers.
a sweet smelling flower that grows in places where there is much water.
flat areas between mountains and near water
In 2:2 the man speaks to the woman.
The man thinks the woman is much more beautiful than the other women.
"you whom I love." See Song of Songs 1:9.
"the other young women"
In 2:3-4 the woman speaks to herself.
People enjoy the fruit of an apricot tree, but the trees of the forest do not bear fruit. The woman enjoys being with the man, but not with the other young men.
"fruit tree". A tree that produces a small yellow fruit that is very sweet.
The Hebrew word here refers to land where trees grow for which people have no use.
"my dear one" or "my lover"
The woman finds great joy and comfort in being so near to the man.
The woman enjoys eating sweet fruit, and she enjoys being near to the man.
Possible meanings are: the very large room where the king would serve many people large meals with wine or a small booth in a vineyard where the man and woman could be alone together.
"but his loving protection guided me and gave me courage" or "when he looked at me, I knew he wanted to make love to me" or "he lovingly covered me"
"Return my strength" or "Give me energy". The woman speaks to the man.
"by giving me raisin cakes to eat." Raisin cakes were cakes made of dried grapes pressed together.
"support me by giving me apricots" or "help me by giving me apricots"
"because my love is so strong that I feel feeble"
"left arm ... right arm". The woman speaks to herself.
"holds me"
"young women of Jerusalem." These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her.
The woman speaks to them as if they could hear saying that the gazelles and the does will punish them if they break their promise.
These are animals that look like deer and move quickly.
female deer
"that live in the countryside." This was land that has not been farmed.
"will not disturb us until we have finished making love"
In 2:8-14 the woman is speaking either to herself or to the daughters of Jerusalem.
"Listen carefully to what I am about to say." or "Listen so you can hear him coming."
"my dear one" or "my lover"
"leaping on the mountains, running quickly on the hills." The woman speaks of the man as if he were "a gazelle or a young stag" (verse 9) coming quickly toward her over rough ground. The woman shows that she is excited to see the man come by using as few words as possible to describe what he is doing.
The woman shows that she is excited to see the man come by using as few words as possible.
The woman imagines the man coming as fast as he can to be with her.
This is an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly. Translate as in Song of Songs 2:7.
"a young male deer"
"listen carefully" or "what I am about to say is important"
"on the other side of our wall." The woman is in a house and the man is outside the house.
The word "our" refers to the woman and the other people in the house with her.
"he stares in through the windows"
"he peeks through the lattice". A cover for a window or some other entrance that someone has made by weaving long strips of wood together. Lattices have holes that people can look through.
"My dear one" or "My lover"
"Get out of bed, my love"
"you whom I love." See Song of Songs 1:9.
"Listen carefully" or "What I am about to say is important."
In winter it is too cold and wet to make love outside, but the cold, wet time has passed.
In Israel it only rains during the winter. The rain here is cold and unpleasant.
"People can see flowers"
"all over this land"
cutting off branches from a plant so that it will produce more fruit or look better
"for birds to sing"
"people can hear the sound of doves" or "the doves are cooing"
"The figs on the trees are becoming ripe"
"vines are flowering" or "vines have flowers"
The word "they" refers to the blossoms on the vines.
"their sweet smell"
"you whom I love."
The man is speaking.
"My beautiful woman". The Israelites considered doves beautiful birds with pleasant voices.
large cracks in the side of mountain rocks large enough for people to hide in
"the steep rocks on the sides of the mountains"
"your appearance" or "your form" or "what you look like"
This is plural, as if the woman is speaking to more than one man, but most versions translate who she is speaking to as the man, so you could translate this as singular.
These animals look like small dogs and were often used in love poetry to represent eager young men who would spoil a young woman.
The words "us" and "our" could possibly be exclusive, referring to the woman herself, as in Song of Songs 1:4 or inclusive, referring to the woman and the man, or exclusive, referring to the woman and the rest of her family.
"jackals." A jackal is a type of thin wild dog with long legs.
Foxes spoil or destroy vineyards by digging holes and eating vines and grapes.
The vineyard is healthy and the grapes have appeared, but they are not ready for harvest. See Song of Songs 2:13.
"My beloved belongs to me". The woman speaks about the man.
"I belong to him"
"feeds" or "eats grass." The woman speaks of the man as if he were "a gazelle or a young stag" (verse 17). Grazing is probably a metaphor for lovemaking (Song of Songs 2:1-2).
sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water.
"my dear one" or "my lover". The woman speaks to the man.
"before dawn" or "before daybreak"
"the shadows disappear"
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:9.
an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly.
an adult male deer
"rocky mountains" or "rough mountains"
This chapter describes a feeling of longing, or the waiting in anticipation of the one you love. In 3:1-4 the woman speaks to herself. In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using words involving animals.
"I had a strong desire to be with him ... loves, but he was not there"
"my beloved" (Song of Songs 1:14).
"walk through the city"
This indicates the center area of a town where streets or roads come together. It is where people sell items and a place where people come together to talk.
"will to look for"
men who have the job of keeping guard of the town at night to keep the people safe
"who were walking around the city on the walls"
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 3:1.
"the room for sleeping"
her mother
"young women of Jerusalem." These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. See Song of Songs 2:7.
Although the daughters of Jerusalem are not there to hear her, the woman is telling them that the gazelles and the does will punish them they break their promise.
animals that look like deer and move quickly.
female deer
"that live in the countryside." This refers to land that has not been farmed.
"will not disturb us until we have finished making love". See how you translated these words in Song of Songs 2:7.
"will not awaken"
In 3:6-10 the woman speaks to herself about sixty men coming with Solomon from the wilderness to Jerusalem.
They must go up in order to reach Jerusalem because the wilderness is low and Jerusalem is high in the mountains.
"Who is that."
The dust looked like smoke from far away because the people raised much dust in the air as they traveled.
"with the sweet smell of myrrh and frankincense"
"and with the sweet smell of all the powders that merchants sell"
a fine dust made by crushing something solid
"Listen carefully" or "What I am about to say is important."
This refers to a piece of furniture people used to carry an important person from one place to another.
TThe second phrase clarifies that the "warriors" are "mighty men of Israel". Men who fight.
The description of sixty men carrying Solomon's bed up from the wilderness to Jerusalem, began in Song of Songs 3:6. A description of the bed itself begins in verse 9.
"can fight battles well"
"so that he can fight against"
"evil people who attack others at night"
This is a chair or couch for important people to sit or lie on. It rests on long poles that people can use to carry it. This is probably the same as the "bed" in verse 7.
This refers to King Solomon's sedan chair.
The word "posts" here refers to pieces either made of silver or made of wood covered with silver that hold up the tent of cloth around his chair.
"The inside of it was"
"with love," indicating that the women made the sedan beautiful in a special way to show their love for Solomon, or "with leather."
"you young women who live in Zion". The woman speaks to the women of Jerusalem.
"look at King Solomon." The word "gaze" refers to look at someone for a long time, usually with strong emotional feeling.
"wearing the crown"
"the day on which he truly rejoiced" or "the happiest day of his life"
The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. Not all cultures share the same the same standards. In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using words involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. In Chapter 4:1-15 the man speaks to the woman.
"You are very gentle". See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:15.
"you whom I love." See Song of Songs 1:9.
"Your hair is as dark as storm clouds above a fertile land". Goats in Israel were usually dark in color. People thought of Mount Gilead as beautiful and fertile. If you remove the simile of the goats, you may have to remove the simile of the mountain as well.
After sheep have their wool cut off, they are washed and their skin looks very white.
"a flock of ewes whose wool people have cut off"
"that are coming up out of the water after people have washed them"
Sheep usually give birth to two lambs at one time. These twin lambs usually look like one another. Each of the woman's teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth.
Each of the woman's teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth. She has not lost any of her teeth.
"are a deep red like scarlet thread" or "are red and very beautiful". Scarlet thread was very expensive.
a dark red color that is very similar to the color of blood
"is beautiful"
"are red and round like two halves of a pomegranate" or "are red and full and healthy".
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:1.
"Your neck is long and beautiful like the tower that David built". No one knows if this was a real tower. A tower is a tall, slender building, and saying that David built it implies that it was beautiful.
"that has many rows of stone". Women had necklaces that covered their entire necks with rows of decorations. The man compares these rows of decorations with the rows of stone on the tower.
The man compares the decorations of the woman's necklace with shields hanging on the tower. The necklace probably went around her neck many times.
"all of the shields belong to mighty warriors"
The man implies that the woman's breasts are matching, soft, and perhaps small.
the babies of a mother who gave birth to two babies at one time
an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly.
"eating plants among the lilies." While it is clear that the man "grazing among the lilies" refers to making love. See Song of Songs 2:16. It is best to translate them literally.
sweet-smelling flowers growing where there is much water. Translate as the plural of "lily" in Song of Songs 2:1.
Translate these words as you did in Song of Songs 2:17.
"I will lie close to your breasts, which are like mountains that smell like myrrh and frankincense" or "I will lie close to your breasts, which smell very sweet"
"the mountain made of myrrh" or "the mountain that has myrrh growing on it"
"the hill where there are clouds of smoke from burning frankincense in the air"
"Every part of you is beautiful" or "All of you is beautiful"
"you whom I love." See Song of Songs 1:9.
"you have no blemish"
He speaks of them not being free to make love as if they were in a wild, dangerous, foreign place.
"away from Lebanon"
This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son's wife.
the name of a mountain north of Israel
the name of a mountain near Amana and Hermon. This may refer to the same mountain as Hermon.
places where lions and leopards live, like caves or holes in the ground
"My heart now belongs completely to you"
"my dear" or "my darling". The woman described is not the sister of her husband. They are not related. Instead, this is a reference to a woman who is a fellow Israelite.
This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son's wife. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:8.
"heart. All you have to do is look at me once or show me just one jewel." Both the woman's eyes and her jewelry attract the man to her.
This necklace probably went around her neck many times, See Song of Songs 4:4.
"Your love is wonderful"
"my dear" or "my darling". They are not actually brother and sister.
This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son's wife. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9.
"Your love is much better than wine."
"how much better is the fragrance of your perfume than the fragrance of any spice"
See how you translated these words in Song of Songs 1:3.
dried plants or seeds that have a good smell or taste
the sweet taste of the woman's kisses or the woman's words
Because "milk and honey" is a common phrase in the Bible, you should translate literally. When the woman kisses the man, he enjoys life.
"the smell of your clothes is like the smell of Lebanon." Cedar trees smell very good, so Lebanon would have smelled sweet and fresh.
"My dear" or "My darling". They are not actually brother and sister. See Song of Songs 4:9.
This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son's wife. See Song of Songs 4:9.
"is a garden that no one can enter." The garden is a metaphor for the woman, and the lock is a metaphor for her still being a virgin.
"a spring with a cover on it."
"You"
a place where many trees grow together
"with the best kinds of fruits"
plants that give oil that people used to make their skin soft and to have a pleasant odor.
small desert trees that people used as a perfume. See Song of Songs 1:14.
a spice that comes from the dried parts from the yellow thread in the center of a certain flower
a reed with a pleasant smell that people used to make anointing oil.
a spice made from the bark of a tree that people used for cooking
See Song of Songs 1:13.
a type of large plant that had a very sweet smell
"all the best spices"
"You are a spring in a garden." A garden spring gives sweet, clean water that people enjoy drinking. The man enjoys being close to the woman.
water that is good to drink
Because Lebanon had mountains covered with trees, the streams from Lebanon were clean and cool.
In 4:16 the woman speaks to the man.
"I wish the north wind and south wind would come and blow"
"North wind, start blowing"
The garden refers to her body, which she has covered with sweet-smelling oils. See Song of Songs 4:14.
"may send out their good smells"
The woman is inviting the man to make love to her.
"my dear one" or "my lover"
"wonderful fruit"
In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using words involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel.
It is clearly the woman's lover who is speaking.
The man is finally able to fully enjoy the woman as they make love.
"my dear" or "my darling". The woman described is not the sister of her husband. Instead, this is a reference to a woman who is a fellow Israelite. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9.
This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son's wife.
These are all words for the man enjoying the woman's body. See Song of Songs 1:13, 2:4, 4:11 and 4:14.
plants that have a strong smell or taste
"Make love ... make love ... make love until you are fully satisfied". The friends say this to the man and woman.
Chapter 5:2-7 describe a dream the woman had. It can be interpreted in two different ways: she describes a dream about a night when the man came to visit her at her house or she describes a dream about starting to sleep with the man.
"but I could think clearly" or "but I knew what I was feeling"
"my lover" or "my dear one"
"Open the door for me," or "Let me make love to you."
"my dear" or "my darling". They are not actually brother and sister. See Song of Songs 4:9.
"you whom I love." See Song of Songs 1:9.
See Song of Songs 2:14.
"my faithful one" or "my innocent one"
drops of water or mist that form as the night becomes cool
"my hair is wet with the night's dampness"
"I thought to myself, 'I have taken off my robe ... dirty?'"
thin linen clothing that people wore on their skin
"I do not want to put it on again."
"I do not want to get them dirty."
the lover reaches through a hole in the door in order to open it or they have begun to make love.
"My dear one" or "My lover"
"door lock"
"I prepared myself to make love with my beloved" or the young woman got out of bed to let the man into the house.
It is best to translate literally.
"with liquid myrrh"
The woman continues to describe her dream.
"I was very sad"
men who have the job of keeping guard of the town at night to keep the people safe. See Song of Songs 3:3.
"who were walking around the city on the walls."
found the woman
"beat me" or "hit me"
"injured me"
"the men who guard the walls"
a garment that people wore over the other clothing on their upper body when they went outdoors in public
The woman speaks to the women of the city.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7.
"young women of Jerusalem." These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7.
"my beloved, this is what I want you to say to him: tell him that"
She loves the man so strongly that she feels weak.
The women of the city speak to the woman.
"your dear one" or "your lover". See Song of Songs 1:13.
"you who are the most beautiful of all women." See Song of Songs 1:8.
"What makes your beloved better"
"and causes you to have us take this oath"
In 5:10-16, the woman speaks to the women of the city.
"My dear one" or "My lover"
"has radiant and ruddy skin"
"is completely healthy" or "is pure."
a healthy color of the skin that is brownish red
"better than anyone else" or "no one else is like him."
The man's head is as precious to the woman as the purest gold.
a bird with very black feathers
"His eyes are gentle like doves" or the woman is speaking of the man's white eyeballs or the shape of his eyes, the shape of a dove.
Birds that the Israelites considered gentle sitting beside a gently flowing stream.
"gently flowing water"
"doves that are white like milk" or "his pupils are like doves bathing in white milk"
His eyes are beautiful. Jewels that a craftsman has carefully put in place are beautiful.
His cheeks are like beds of spices because they both give off wonderful smells.
gardens or parts of gardens where people grow spices. The man's body gives the woman pleasure.
"that give off wonderful smells."
The woman probably compares his lips with lilies because they are beautiful and smell wonderful.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:16.
"that drip with the best myrrh."
"His arms are rods of gold that have jewels all over them." The woman says that his arms are beautiful and precious.
"his belly is smooth ivory that has sapphires all over it." The woman says that his belly is beautiful and precious.
the white tusk or tooth of an animal. People use ivory to make smooth and shiny pieces of art.
valuable stones that are either 1) blue or 2) clear and either blue or golden
Marble and gold are strong and beautiful.
a very strong stone that has many different colors and that people polish to make very smooth
"he looks like Lebanon." Lebanon was a very beautiful area with many mountains and cedar trees.
the man's sweet kisses or the sweet words that he says.
"every part of him is lovely" or "all of him is lovely"
"That is what the one I love is like, and that is what my friend is like"
"my dear one" or "my lover"
"young women of Jerusalem." These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. See Song of Songs 2:7.
In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. In Chapter 6:1, the women of Jerusalem speak to the woman.
"Which way did your beloved go"
"your dear one" or "your lover" or "the man you love"
"you who are the most beautiful of all women." See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:8.
"gone? Tell us, so that we can look for him with you."
General Information:
In 6:2-3 the woman speaks to herself.
"garden" refers to the woman. The man is finally able to fully enjoy the woman as they make love. See Song of Songs 5:1.
gardens or parts of gardens where people grow spices. See Song of Songs 5:13.
This refers to the man enjoying her body.
"feeds" or "eats grass." See how you translated "he grazes" in Song of Songs 2:16.
"to pick lilies". Sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:16.
In 6:4-7 the man speaks to the woman.
These cities were famous for being beautiful and pleasant to be in. The man thinks the woman is beautiful, and he takes pleasure in being with her.
"you whom I love." See Song of Songs 1:9.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:5.
The beauty of the woman is so powerful that it makes the man feel helpless, as if an army were approaching him.
"terrify me." The woman's eyes are so beautiful that it makes him feel weak and afraid.
"Your hair ... from Mount Gilead" as in Song of Songs 4:1.
After sheep have their wool cut off, they are washed and their skin looks very white. See Song of Songs 4:2.
"that are coming up out of the water after people have washed them"
Sheep usually give birth to two lambs at one time. These twin lamb usually look like one another. Each of the woman's teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth.
Each of the woman's teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth. She has not lost any of her teeth.
"are red and round like two halves of a pomegranate" or "are red and full and healthy". See Song of Songs 4:3.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:1.
In 6:8-9 the man speaks to himself.
"There are 60 queens, 80 concubines ... more young women than anyone could count"
"You beautiful woman"
"my faithful one" or "my innocent one." See Song of Songs 5:2.
"her mother's special daughter"
"the woman who gave birth to her." This phrase refers to her mother.
the women spoken of in Song of Songs 6:8.
"said that things had gone especially well for her"
"This is an amazing woman! She comes into view like the dawn ... banners!"
"who comes into view like the dawn"
The beauty of the woman is so powerful that it makes the other women feel helpless, as if an army were approaching them. See Song of Songs 6:4.
In 6:11-12 the man speaks to himself.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:13.
"young plants" or "new shoots"
"had grown their buds." Buds are the small round parts of plants which open up into flowers.
"were opening their flowers"
"before I knew it, my soul placed me"
"my desire." She was on the chariots because she wanted to be.
"made me like"
"on the chariots of Ammi-nadib"
In some versions this is 7:1, the first verse of chapter seven. In this verse either the friends speak to the woman and she replies, or the friends speak to the woman and the man replies, or the man speaks to the woman and she replies.
the friends are speaking to the woman or the man is referring to himself in plural
"Come back, come back." This is repeated for emphasis.
This word refers to the woman.
"I may gaze"
look intently for a long time
"Why do you gaze on me". The word "Shulammite" refers to the woman.
"as if on a dance of two armies" or "as if she were dancing before two armies"
There are many similes in this chapter. Their purpose is to describe the beauty of the woman. The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. In 7:1-9 the man speaks to the woman. In some versions this is 7:2, the second verse of chapter seven.
"Your feet are so very beautiful in your sandals"
"you who have a noble character."
"The curves of your thighs are beautiful like the beautiful curves of jewel that a skilled craftsman has made". The word "thighs" refers to the hips of a woman and the part of her legs that is above her knee.
"the work of a master craftsman"
The young woman's lover continues describing the one he loves.
The spot on the stomach left from the cord that attaches a baby to its mother
"may it always contain mixed wine" or "may I always enjoy its beauty"
The Israelites thought mounds of wheat and lilies were pleasant to look at. Much wheat was a sign that there would be much food to eat. This simile combines beautiful sights that people would not usually see at the same time.
"Your belly has a beautiful color and is round like a pile of wheat"
This is a pile of the grains of wheat after people remove the parts of it that they do not use.
"with lilies all around it". Sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:5.
The man implies that the woman's breasts are matching, soft, and perhaps small.
the babies of a mother who gave birth to two babies at one time.
an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly.
"Your neck is like a tower that people have decorated with ivory". A tower is long and straight. Ivory is the white tusk or tooth of an animal that is similar to bone. People use ivory to make art and to make things look beautiful.
"your eyes are as clear as the pools in Heshbon"
This is the name of a city east of the Jordan River
This is the name of a city.
"that allows people to look toward Damascus"
"Your head is on you like a crown, higher than anything else". Mount Carmel is higher than everything else around it. The man wants to look at the woman's head more than at anything else.
"dark black" or "dark red."
"Your hair that hangs down is so beautiful that the king is not able to stop admiring it"
the clusters of hair that hang down from a woman's head
"my love. You delight me"
"You stand up like a date palm tree." Date palm trees are tall and straight, and their branches are only at the top, with the fruit under the branches, produceing a sweet, brown, and sticky fruit that grows in groups.
The woman's breasts are soft and round and are just lower than her arms.
"I thought" or "I said to myself." The man said this silently.
The man wants to embrace the woman.
The man wants to touch her breasts. Clusters of grapes are round and soft.
"grapes"
"may the breath coming from your nose smell sweet like apricots"
sweet yellow fruit
The man continues describing what he would like to do with the woman. He wants to kiss the woman's lips.
"that flows smoothly for the one I love." The man enjoys the smooth kisses of the woman.
"that flows over our lips as we sleep"
In 7:10-13 the woman speaks to the man.
"my dear one's" or "my lover's"
"he wants to make love to me" or "he wants me"
the ULB chooses this reading because the immediate metaphor is of the man and woman sleeping in the village, rising in the morning, and going out into the vineyards.
"get up early" or "wake up early"
"have begun to bloom"
"have flowers open on the plant"
"I will make love with you"
The name of plants that give off a strong but pleasant scent. The scent is slightly intoxicating and stimulating, which increases the desire to make love.
"produce their scent" or "smell very nice"
"above the entrances of our house" or "by the doors of our house"
"is every kind of the best fruit, both old fruit and new fruit"
"saved so I can give to you"
"my dear one" or "my lover"
The kisses in this chapter are a type of kiss that was only done between a husband a wife. It is an intimate kiss. This is the feeling of strong or uncontrollable desire for another person. In 8:1-2 the woman speaks to the man.
A woman could show affection for her brother in public. This woman wanted to be able to show affection for the man in public.
"you in public"
A woman would probably kiss her brother on his cheek order to greet him.
"would think that I am a bad person"
The young woman continues to speak to the man.
taught her how to make love
The woman uses these images to say that she will give herself to the man and make love with him.
"wine with spices" or "wine that has spices in it." This represents the intoxicating power of lovemaking.
In 8:2 the woman speaks to herself.
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:6.
"left arm ... right arm"
"holds me"
See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7. In this verse, the woman speaks to the other women
"young women of Jerusalem." These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her.
"will not disturb us until we have finished making love".
In this verse, the women of Jerusalem ask a question. Then they speak to the man and continues speaking through 8:7.
"Look at this amazing woman as she comes up". See Song of Songs 6:10.
"I woke you up" or "I aroused you"
"fruit tree." See Song of Songs 2:3. A tree that produces a small yellow fruit that is very sweet.
under the apricot tree
"she bore you"
Possible meanings are: because seals were very important, people kept them around their neck or on their hand. The woman wants to be with the man constantly, or a seal shows who owns the thing that has the seal on it, and the woman wants herself as the seal on the man's heart and arm to show that all of his thoughts, emotions, and actions belong to her.
When someone dies, it is as if death does not release the person and let him live again. So also, when someone loves someone, that person does not stop loving the other person.
this refers to the woman's desire that the man would love only her, or refers to the woman's own strong love for him
When someone dies and goes to Sheol, it is as if Sheol does not release the person and let him leave. So also, when someone is jealous, he does not stop being jealous for that person.
Love is very powerful like fire.
"burn suddenly"
Love is like a fire that is so hot that it cannot be put out even with an ocean full of water.
"Oceans of water" or "Huge amounts of water"
"cannot extinguish" or "cannot put out"
Love is like something that not even a powerful flood can move. In Israel, water from the rain flows into deep and narrow valleys, creating a flood so powerful that it can move huge boulders and trees.
"carry it away" or "wash it away"
"Even if a man ... he would be utterly despised". Love is so valuable that even all a man's possessions would not be enough to buy love.
"everything he owns"
"in order to get love" or "in order to buy love"
"people would completely despise it"
"young sister". In 8:8-9 the woman's brothers speak among themselves.
"This is what we will do ... in marriage."
"a man comes and wants to marry her"
The little sister has very small breasts that either have not grown or are very small.
The brothers decide to decorate the little sister with silver and cedar, symbols of riches, so that she will be more likely to attract a good husband.
The wall refers to a woman with small breasts. In 8:10-12 the woman speaks to herself.
Fortress towers are tall.
"I am in his judgment as one" or "he thinks of me as one"
"brings him well-being"
Possible interpretations: The woman contrasts the way she wants to give herself to the man, who will give her his love, to the way Solomon leases out his vineyard to those who will give him money or the man contrasts the woman, whom he will not give to another man, to Solomon's vineyard, which he gave to other men.
This is the name of a town in the northern part of Israel.
leased, agreed to let other people pay him so they could grow grapes in the vineyard
"to people who would take care of it"
"Each man was supposed to give Solomon a thousand shekels as payment for the fruit of the vineyard"
"coins"
Some versions understand the woman to be speaking directly to Solomon. Others understand her to be speaking in an apostrophe to her friends, to the man, or to herself.
The woman refers to herself as a vineyard, as in Song of Songs 1:6. She emphasizes that she and no one else will decide what she does with the "vineyard."
"is at my disposal" or "is mine to do with as I desire"
The woman knows that Solomon has leased out the vineyard so he can get money, but she does not want money.
The speaker has not mentioned these before, but the hearer would understand that she is speaking of the money that those who worked the vineyard would have left for their own after they paid Solomon.
The man is speaking to the woman, so "you" and "live" are feminine singular.
"waiting to hear you start speaking" or "waiting to hear what you have to say"
"let me hear your voice."
"my dear one" or "my lover". The woman speaks to the man.
See Song of Songs 2:9.
a type of slender deer-like animal with long curved horns
an adult male deer
"the mountains that have spices all over them." The woman uses this metaphor to invite the man to make love to her. See Song of Songs 4:6.
"This is the vision of Isaiah ... that Yahweh showed him" or "This is what God showed Isaiah"
Amoz was the father of Isaiah.
"those living in Judah and Jerusalem" or "the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
"when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of Judah"
"you who live in the heavens ... you who live on the earth"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Words that Yahweh spoke and which Isaiah is speaking to the Israelites for Yahweh.
"I have taken care of the people living in Judah like they were my children"
Words that Yahweh spoke and which Isaiah is speaking to the Israelites for Yahweh.
"the donkey knows his master's feeding trough" or "the donkey knows where his master gives him food"
This probably means "but the people of Israel do not know me, they do not understand that I am the one who cares for them."
"Nation of sinners"
"their sin is like a heavy bag on their shoulders that makes it hard for them to walk"
"people who do the same evil they see others doing"
do evil deeds
"They have gone away from Yahweh"
"have refused to obey" or "have refused to respect"
Judah is part of what had been the nation of Israel.
Though at one time they were friends, they now treat him as though they do not know him.
"You keep doing things that Yahweh has to punish you for. You continue to rebel against him."
Here the word "you" refers to the people who live in Judah and so is plural.
"You are like someone whose head is wounded and whose heart is weak" or "You are like someone whose whole mind and heart are sick"
"there is disease"
"no one has closed, cleansed, bandaged, or treated them with oil"
"They have ruined your country" or "Your enemies have ruined your country"
"they have burned your cities"
"people who are not from your own country steal the crops from your fields while you watch"
"they have destroyed the land and no one lives there"
"strangers have overthrown your country" or "a foreign army has completely conquered it"
"I have left the people of Zion" or "The people who live in Zion"
Possible meanings are 1) "has become as small as a hut in a vineyard or a shed in a garden of cucumbers" or 2) "is left the way a farmer leaves a hut in a vineyard or a shed in a garden of cucumbers when he is finished with them"
"God would have destroyed us, like he destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah"
"listen and let our God rebuke you."
"you rulers who are as sinful as the people of Sodom ... you people who are as wicked as those who lived in Gomorrah"
"Your many sacrifices mean nothing to me!"
"no one told you to stomp around in my courtyards!"
"Do not bring me any more of your worthless gifts"
"I hate the incense the priests burn"
Possible meanings are 1) "I cannot allow you to gather together because of the wicked things you do" or 2) "I cannot allow myself to watch you gather together because of the wicked things you do."
"your celebrations of the new moon and your other regular feasts"
A new moon is when the moon first shows light after having been dark.
"they are a heavy load that I am tired of carrying"
This idiom is a way of saying "I will not look at you" or "I will not pay attention to you"
"because it is like your hands are covered with the blood of those you have harmed" or "because you are guilty of violence"
"Repent and wash the sin from your heart like you wash the dirt from your body"
"stop doing the evil deeds that I see you doing"
“rebuke oppressors” or “help those who are oppressed”
"be fair to the children who do not have fathers"
"protect the women whose husbands have died"
"Please listen to me. Let" or "Pay attention; I want to help you."
"let us think about this together" or "we need to discuss this" or "what are we going to do?" Yahweh invites the people to discuss the future. Here the word "us" refers to Yahweh and includes the people of Judah.
"bright red"
This means that their sins will be forgiven.
"dark red"
"white like wool"
"the land will produce good food for you to eat"
"but if you refuse to listen and instead disobey me"
"your enemies will kill you"
"Yahweh has spoken" or "Yahweh has said that this will happen"
"See how the people of Jerusalem, who had been faithful to God"
"acts like a prostitute"
"You used to do good deeds, but now your bad deeds make your good deeds worthless"
Someone needs to clean silver often or it will no longer shine brightly.
Wine with water in it has little taste and so is no better than water.
"Your leaders rebel against God"
"they are friends with people who steal from others"
People give "bribes" as gifts to dishonest rulers so the rulers will then act unjustly. Rulers receive "payoffs" as gifts from those who make profits from unjust laws that the ruler has passed.
"everyone desires for someone to pay money to them to make dishonest decisions"
"they do not protect those who do not have fathers"
"nor do they listen when widows go to them for help against those who break the law" or "and they do not help widows who go to them for help against those who break the law"
"For that reason"
Yahweh will comfort himself by taking just vengeance on his adversaries.
"I will justly punish my enemies"
"I will begin to use all my power against you"
"and like fire removing the dirt from silver, I will remove all the evil from among you"
These are two ways of speaking of the first part or beginning of Israel's history, when Israel first became a nation.
"people will call you"
"the city where the people are righteous and loyal to God"
Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh will redeem Zion because the people there do what is just, and he will redeem those who repent because they do what Yahweh says is right" or 2) "Yahweh will redeem Zion because he is just, and he will redeem those who repent because he is righteous"
"God will destroy those who rebel and sin against him"
"and Yahweh will completely do away with those who turn away from him" or "and Yahweh will kill all who reject him"
These phrases refer to places where the people of Judah worshiped idols.
Some modern translations read, "you will blush because of." A person blushes when his face turns hot and red, often because he feels that he has done something wrong.
"The strong person" or "Whoever is powerful." This may refer to people who are important and who influence other people.
dry material that burns easily
"his work will be like a spark that starts a fire"
"those living in Judah and Jerusalem"
"in the future"
"Yahweh will establish the mountain on which his temple is built"
"the most important of the mountains" or "the most important place in the world"
"Yahweh will honor the people who worship there more than he honors any other people"
"people from all the nations"
"will flow like a river to it" or "will go to it"
"he may teach us his will so that we may obey him"
"People in Zion will teach God's law, and people in Jerusalem will teach the word of Yahweh"
"Yahweh will judge"
"will solve disputes"
The people of the nations will turn their weapons of war into tools for farming.
"they will make their swords into tools for planting seeds." A plowshare is a blade that people use to dig into soil so they can plant seeds there.
"they will hammer their spears into pruning hooks" or "they will make their spears into tools for caring for plants."
"one nation will not fight wars against another nation"
"You descendants of Jacob."
a gentle encouragement to do what the speaker is about to tell the hearer to do
"let us learn how Yahweh wants us to live and then live that way"
"For you have left your people" and do not care what happens to them.
"many diviners have come from the east and now live there"
they try to tell the future by looking at things like animal parts and leaves
"they make peace and work together with people who are not from Israel"
"They possess much silver and gold ... they also possess many horses"
"They also possess many idols"
"things that they themselves have made"
"People will be brought down, and the men will be abased" or "God will make people ashamed, and they will realize that all they trusted in is worthless"
human beings, as opposed to animals
"each person"
"do not forgive them"
Possible meanings are the people should go into 1) caves on steep hillsides or 2) places where there are many large rocks among which to hide.
Possible meanings are that the people should hide 1) in natural holes in the ground or 2) in pits that they dig in the ground.
"to get away from Yahweh's terrifying presence" or "from Yahweh because you will be extremely afraid of him"
"the great beauty and power he has as king" or "his royal splendor."
"Yahweh will make ashamed all people because they think they are better than he is"
"Yahweh will abase haughty men"
"people will praise only Yahweh"
"on the day that Yahweh judges everyone"
"who is proud and who raises himself above other people" or "who is proud and thinks that he is better than other people"
"Yahweh will abase him"
Possible meanings are 1) these trees stand for the proud people whom God will judge or 2) God will actually destroy these mighty trees.
In 2:14-16 Isaiah lists things that God will destroy. Possible meanings are 1) these refer to prideful people that God will humble or 2) God will actually destroy all these things in the list.
"that are very high"
These refer to things people would build around their cities so they could defend themselves against their enemies. They are pictures of the Israelites' pride and belief that they had no need for Yahweh and could stand against any punishment Yahweh would mete out to them for their sins.
"wall that nothing can break down or go through"
These refer to large boats that people used to travel far on the sea and bring back goods to the cities.
"ships on which they go to Tarshish"
"beautiful" or "desirable"
"He will bring down every proud man" or "He will humiliate every proud man"
"those people who are haughty will stop being haughty"
"people will praise only Yahweh"
"All idols will disappear" or "There will be no more idols"
"Men will go ... to hide from the terror"
"the caves in the rocks." These are large rocks, not small stones that can be held in the hand.
because they are very afraid of Yahweh
"the beauty he has as king"
"when Yahweh takes action and causes the people of the earth to be terribly afraid of him"
"to the animals"
If your language does not have two different words for "crevice" and "cleft," the space that appears between the two parts of a rock when it splits, you can combine these two phrases into one.
"who is weak and will die" or "who needs the breath in his nose to live"
the holes in the nose through which people breathe
"for man amounts to nothing!" or "for man is not worth anything!"
The word "see" here adds emphasis to what follows. It can also be translated as "Listen" or "Indeed."
"everything that supports you" or "everything that you depend on"
This is a person who claims that he can tell the future by looking at things like animal parts and leaves.
"the captain of a small military unit"
"Yahweh says, 'I will place over them leaders who are immature, like young people, and those bad leaders will rule over them'"
"Everyone will be cruel to others and will mistreat his neighbor"
"the people who are without honor" or "the people whom no one respects"
"the people with honor" or "the people whom everyone respects"
"take charge of this ruin" or "rule over this city, which is now ruined"
"No, I cannot fix this problem" or "No, I cannot help you"
Disobeying God is spoken of as if it were stumbling and falling.
"him who is glorious" or "Yahweh, who is glorious"
"The prideful looks on their faces show that they oppose Yahweh"
"like the people of Sodom, they talk about their sins and let everyone know about them"
"For they have done everything that will cause a catastrophe to happen"
"Tell the one who is doing what is right that I will make things good for him"
"for they will receive their reward for their good deeds" or "for they will receive their reward for the good things they have done"
"for what the wicked person has done to others will be done to him"
Possible meanings are 1) Isaiah is talking and "My" refers to Isaiah, or 2) Yahweh is talking and "My" refers to Yahweh.
Possible meanings are 1) "young people have become their leaders and they oppress the people" or 2) "their leaders are immature like children and oppress the people."
Possible meanings are 1) "women rule over the people" or 2) "their leaders are weak like women."
"your leaders are like bad shepherds who lead you away from good paths and do not show you where to go"
"It is as though Yahweh had taken his place in a courtroom and were ready to accuse the people"
"will announce his judgment" or "will declare his judgment"
"My people are like a vineyard, and you have ruined it"
"the things you have taken from those who are poor are in your houses"
"I am angry with you evil men because you are crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor!"
"cruelly harm my people"
"harm the poor and make them suffer"
"this is what the Lord Yahweh of hosts has declared" or "this is what I, the Lord Yahweh of hosts, have declared"
Zion, meaning here the city of Jerusalem, is spoken of as if it were a woman with her daughters. Alternate translation: "the women of Zion"
"in an arrogant way"
Looking at men in a way that makes the men think the women want sexual relations.
This is how they would walk to attract men, possibly because the bracelets on their ankles were connected by chains decorated with bells so they could not take normal steps.
"the Lord will cause others to remove"
a decoration that women wear on the ankle, just above the foot
a decoration that women wear over the head and hair
moon-shaped ornaments that people wear in the belief that they will protect the person from evil
jewelry that hangs from the ear or over the ear
a decoration that women wear on the arm near the hands
a very thin material used to cover a woman's head and face
long, thin pieces of cloth that women tie around the head or hair
These are decorations that women wear near the feet. Often the chains hang down to make a gentle noise.
a piece of cloth that people wear around the waist or across the chest mostly for decoration
a small box or bag containing perfume that women wore on chains or strings around their necks so they smelled good
ornaments or jewelry that people wear because they believe that those things will protect them from evil, danger, or sickness
a decoration worn around the finger
a decoration worn in or through the nose
a long, loose garment with decorations that was worn over other clothes for everyone to see
a cloth worn over the shoulders on the outside of the clothes
a bag to used to carry small things
a small surface, held in one's hand and used to see oneself
a soft cloth worn by rich people
a cloth or small hat worn over the hair
a decorative cloth that a woman would wrap around herself to make her beautiful
This is a general word for a piece of cloth or leather that people wear around the waist. Some are for decoration, but others are to hold weapons.
This may refer to a rope that enemies would tie on the people of Judah when they captured them. Or it might mean that Jerusalem's women would have nothing to wear but rough clothing secured with ropes.
"pretty hair, their heads will be bald"
"Your men will be killed in battle, and your strong men will be killed in war" or "Enemies will kill your soldiers in battle"
"The people of Jerusalem will sit at the city gates and cry and mourn"
This phrase means "let us marry you."
"Yahweh will cause the crops in Israel to be beautiful" or 2) "branch" is a metaphor that refers to the Messiah.
"will be full of beauty and glory"
"the fruit of the land will be what makes those survivors in Israel proud and what they delight in"
"the Lord will call them holy" or "will belong to the Lord"
This word can refer to dung or to vomit, so you should use a general word here that can refer to either.
Possible meanings are 1) the women of Jerusalem or 2) the people of Jerusalem.
"will have taken away those in Jerusalem who harm innocent people"
"by judgment and flaming fire"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh will remove sinners from Zion like a fire removes impurities or 2) "flaming fire" represents the destruction in general of all the sinners.
Possible meanings are 1) a canopy for protecting the glorious city, or 2) a canopy consisting of God's glory that will protect the city. If the first meaning is followed, then it may further mean that the city is glorious because Yahweh is present in it.
This is a cloth that is hung over something to cover it for protecton.
"my dear friend"
"on a hill where very good crops could grow"
"He prepared the soil." This expresson refers to using a tool to dig into the ground to prepare it for planting.
"He made a tall building in the middle of the vineyard to watch over it." Someone would stand at the top of the tower to watch the vineyard and make sure that no animals or people went into it.
"dug a pit to squeeze out the grape juice." A winepress is a low place carved out of rock in the ground where workers step on the grapes to crush them with their feet, in order to remove the grape juice.
"worthless grapes" or "bad tasting grapes"
"all of you who live in Jerusalem and Judah"
"decide who has acted right, I or my vineyard"
"I have done all that I could do for my vineyard!"
"I wanted it to make good grapes, but it only produced worthless grapes"
"take away the border of bushes."
"I will allow animals to go there and eat." This is a grassy place where animals feed.
"animals will trample it down"
"I will destroy it"
"no one will prune it or hoe it" or "no one will cut off the branches that are not needed, and no one will take care of the soil"
"For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts represents the house of Israel" or "The people of Israel are like the vineyard of Yahweh, Lord of the angel armies"
"the people of Judah are like a vine that that Yahweh planted for Yahweh's pleasure"
"the people of Judah"
"Yahweh waited for the people to do what is fair, but instead they killed one another"
"he waited for righteousness" or "he waited for them to do what is right"
"instead, there was a shout for help" or "instead, those who were weak shouted out for someone to help them because others were attacking them"
"to those who take more and more houses, and who take more and more fields."
"without anyone living in it"
"a vineyard that is large enough for ten pairs of oxen to plow it"
"only 22 liters of wine"
A homer is equal to 220 liters.
"only 22 liters of grain"
This refers to people who do nothing all day but drink alcoholic drinks.
"until they are drunk with wine"
These musical instruments and the wine imply that the people enjoying these things are celebrating very much.
A musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be beaten with the hand. It probably had pieces of metal around the side that sounded when the player shook it.
"what Yahweh has done"
"enemies from other countries will take my people, Israel, as slaves"
"because they do not understand Yahweh or his law"
"are extremely hungry"
"death is like a hungry animal that has opened its mouth wide to eat up many people"
"Many people of Israel, their important people and common people, their leaders and those who enjoy wild parties, will go into Sheol"
"the eyes of proud people will look down in shame" or "people who were proud are now ashamed"
"People will praise Yahweh of hosts because he is just"
"will be greatly honored"
Yahweh will destroy the city of Jerusalem, which was called a "vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1. It will become good for nothing except for sheep to eat grass there.
That is, the lambs will graze there. The land will be worthless for any other use.
"Woe to those who work hard to sin as a person who drags a cart by a rope"
"those mockers who say"
"let the Holy One of Israel accomplish his plans"
"They are like people who call darkness light and light darkness. They are like people who call bitter things sweet and sweet things bitter"
"to those who consider themselves to be wise"
"think they understand everything"
This passage is speaking about corrupt judges in courts of law.
"declare guilty people innocent"
"do not treat innocent people fairly"
"flame of fire" or "flame"
The dry pieces of plants that are left in the ground after the stalks have been cut.
or "dry grass"
"they will die like a plant whose roots have rotted and whose blossom has dried up and blown away in the wind"
"Yahweh is very angry"
"he will punish them with his powerful hand"
The dead bodies are allowed to lie in the streets as if they were garbage. This implies that many will die but that no one will be there to bury them. The word "garbage" can also be translated as "refuse" or "manure."
"Even though all these things have happened, he is still angry, and his hand"
"he will still be ready to punish them"
"He will call for the armies of nations that are far away from Judah and tell them to come"
"very quickly"
The soldiers kept their clothes tight so it would easier to move and fight.
"the straps of their sandals"
Possible meanings are 1) Isaiah compares their hooves to flint so to describe the frightening image of their feet causing sparks as they run or 2) Isaiah compares their hooves to flint to emphasize how strong their hooves are which enables the horse to do whatever their master want them to do.
"the wheels of the chariots will spin like a windstorm"
These wheels often had sharp blades attached to them that would cut to pieces anyone the chariot passed close to.
"the strongest lions"
Isaiah compares the enemy killing the people of Judah to a lion killing a weaker animal.
"and no one will be able to save them"
The word "roar" here is translated "growl" in verse 29. Use your language's word for the sound of waves in a storm or heavy rain or some other frightening natural sound.
"the dark clouds will completely block the light of the sun"
The words "high" and "elevated" emphasize that the throne was very high and above everything around it. The height of the throne represents how great and powerful the Lord is.
"filled the palace." The word used for temple here is often used to refer to the palace of kings.
The word "seraphim" is the plural of seraph. This means the Lord was seated on the throne and the seraphim were standing or flying near the Lord ready to serve him.
Because we do not know exactly what "seraphim" means, you could translate this as "winged creatures" or "winged living things." Or, you can borrow the word and use it in your language.
"each seraph had six wings" or "each creature had six wings"
"with two wings each seraph covered his face, and with two wings he covered his feet, and with two wings he flew"
"The seraphim called out to one another and said" or "The winged creatures proclaimed to one another"
"Yahweh of hosts is holy beyond all else" or "Yahweh of hosts is completely holy"
"Everything on the earth is evidence of God's glory"
"When the seraphim called out, their voices shook the doorways and their foundations"
"smoke filled the temple" or "smoke filled the palace"
"I am in great trouble! Terrible things will happen to me"
Here "lips" represent what a person speaks. And, people saying things that are unacceptable to God is spoken of as if their lips were physically unclean.
Yahweh, the ruler of the angel armies"
"I have seen"
a tool used for grabbing or holding objects
"Yahweh has taken away your guilt and has forgiven your sins"
"the Lord say"
"Whom will I send to be a messenger to my people"
It seems "us" refers to Yahweh and the members of his heavenly council to whom he is speaking.
"the people of Israel"
"You will hear Yahweh's message, but you will not understand what it means; you will see what Yahweh is doing, but you will not know what it means"
"Make these people unable to understand" or "Make the minds of these people dull"
This command means that Yahweh will use Isaiah's message to cause the people to understand even less and to make them less sensitive to what Yahweh is doing.
"make it so that they cannot hear, and make it so that they cannot see."
People being able to understand Yahweh's message and what he is doing is spoken of as if the people were able physically to see and hear.
Truly understanding something and caring about what is happening is spoken of as if the people were to understand with their hearts.
"follow me again" or "then start trusting in me again"
"I would heal them"
"Until all the cities and houses are ruined and no one lives there"
"the land becomes a desolate waste"
"until I, Yahweh, have sent all the people far away from their land, so that no one is left"
"armies will again destroy the land of Israel"
a kind of oak tree
A trunk is the thick main stem of a tree. A stump is the part of a tree that remains in the ground after the tree is cut down.
The people who will serve Yahweh after armies destroy Israel are spoken of as if they were set apart as a holy seed.
"When Ahaz ... was king of Judah" This was when the events happened.
men's names
"Rezin ... and Pekah ... led their armies up"
"to war against the people of Jerusalem"
"King Ahaz and his counselors heard the report" or "someone reported to the house of David"
"that Rezin, the king of Aram was helping Pekah, the king of Israel"
"Ahaz and his people were very afraid"
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name Shear-Jashub means 'a remnant will return.'" The meaning may have given hope to Ahaz.
"where the water flows out of the tunnel and enters the upper pool"
man-made ditch or tunnel through which water flows
If your language has a word for a road or path that people have made smooth by filling in the low places and lowering the high places, you can use it here.
A launderer is either 1) a man who washes wool that someone has cut from the sheep, "Wool Washer Field," or 2) a woman who washes dirty clothes, "Clothes Washer Field."
"Tell Ahaz"
"do not let Rezin and Pekah make you afraid; their fierce anger is like a burning stick whose fire has gone out and there is only smoke"
"Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel"
Here "you" is singular and refers to Ahaz.
It is unknown who this man is.
"the king of Damascus is Rezin, who is only a man"
"an army will destroy Ephraim, and there will no longer be a people of Israel"
"the king of Samaria is Pekah, who is a weak man"
"If you continue to believe in me, you will certainly remain safe"
"Unless you remain"
Yahweh uses the words "Sheol" and "height" to mean Ahaz could ask him for anything.
"will not ask Yahweh for a sign"
"King Ahaz, you and your counselors"
"You test the patience of people! Now you even test the patience of my God!"
Some ancient versions and some contemporary versions translate, "the virgin will conceive," while others translate "the young woman will conceive."
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Immanuel means 'God with us.'"
Possible meanings are 1) "By the time that child is old enough to eat curds and honey, he will be able to reject what is evil and choose what is good." This emphasizes that the child will be very young when he knows to choose what is right instead of wrong or 2) "By the time the child is old enough to reject what is evil and choose what is good, he will be eating curds and honey."
milk that people have treated to make it into a soft solid
"you fear." Here "you" is singular and refers to Ahaz.
This refers to the people of Judah.
"Yahweh will call" or "Yahweh will summon"
"for the armies of Egypt and Assyria, and their soldiers will be everywhere like flies and bees"
"the Lord will call the king of Assyria from beyond the Euphrates River to work for him to shave you"
"that he bought"
It was bad to have someone shave the top of the head; it was worse to have someone shave "the hair of the legs"; it was worst of all to have someone shave the beard.
"the Lord will also sweep."
"because they will give so much milk"
He says that these vineyards will become full of briers and thorns.
"1,000 silver coins"
"People will stay away from the hills where they once prepared the soil to plant crops"
Here the word "me" refers to Isaiah.
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh is speaking: "I will call honest men to be witnesses" or 2) Isaiah is speaking: "I called honest men to be witnesses" or 3) Yahweh is commanding Isaiah: "Call honest men to be witnesses."
"I had sexual relations with the prophetess" or "I had sexual relations with my wife, the prophetess"
"the king of Assyria will carry away all the treasures of Damascus and Samaria"
"Because this people has rejected Yahweh's law, which is like the gentle waters of Shiloah"
"is happy that the armies of Assyria have defeated Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, Remaliah's son, king of Israel"
"therefore I, the Lord, am"
"on the people of Judah"
"the army from Assyria, which is powerful like a mighty river"
the Euphrates River in Assyria
"More and more soldiers will come like a river rising up to your neck"
Possible meanings are 1) as "the River" rises, its "wings" flow over and cover what had been dry land or 2) Isaiah then speaks of Yahweh as a bird who is protecting the land, "But his outstretched wings will cover."
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Immanuel means 'God with us.'"
"I will break your armies to pieces"
"Listen, all you people in far away places"
"you will prepare yourselves for battle, but I will destroy you"
"You can prepare to attack Judah, but your soldiers will not be able to do what their commanders tell them to do"
"Yahweh spoke to me in a very powerful way"
"warned me and said, 'Do not act like this people.'"
"Do not worry like this people who think someone is always trying to harm them"
"But you will consider me, Yahweh of Hosts, as holy. And you will fear and be in awe of me"
"He will protect them when they go to him"
"he will trap the people of Jerusalem so they cannot escape him"
a device that catches a bird in a net or basket
a trap that catches and holds an animal's leg or nose
"Many people will stumble over the stone, and when they fall they will not get up. And many people will step into the trap, and they will not be able to get out"
"Close up tightly the scroll with this message written on it"
It is unclear to whom the word "my" refers. It could be Isaiah or Yahweh.
Here "I" refers to Isaiah.
"who has taken away his blessing from the people of Israel" or "who no longer looks with favor on the people of Israel"
"I and the sons Yahweh has given me are like signs to warn the people of Israel." The sons are Shear-Jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, whose names are a message to the people of Israel.
The word "they" refers to those who do not trust Yahweh. The word "you" is plural and refers to those who trust Yahweh.
"they people who whisper and mutter their magic words to try and speak to dead people"
make sounds like birds
"But people should ask Yahweh to guide them. They should not seek answers from those who have died."
This is the same word translated "official record" in Isaiah 8:16.
"If they do not speak of the law and the testimony"
"it is because they are like a person lost in the dark"
"darkness that makes them very sad"
"Yahweh will drive them out into complete darkness"
"Yahweh will remove the darkness from hthe people of Judah"
"In the past, the Lord humbled those living in Zebulun and Naphtali"
"but in the future, the Lord will honor the people of Galilee of the nations, which is on the road between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River"
"Galilee, where many foreigners live"
Isaiah speaks of the people living sinful lives and suffering because of it as if they had been walking in a dark or living in a land of shadow of death.
Here "light" represents hope and deliverance.
"the land of deepest darkness"
"Lord, you will greatly increase our people and our joy"
"They will rejoice before you as people rejoice when they gather their crops or when a battle is over and soldiers divide what they took"
"For as on the day when you defeated the Midianites you will set the people of Israel free from being slaves to their oppressors like a person removes a yoke from the shoulders of an animal"
Isaiah speaks of the people of Israel as if they were one man. Alternate translation: "For the yoke of their burden ... their shoulders ... their oppressor"
The beam is the part of the yoke that goes over the shoulders of the ox.
Another possible meaning is "staff," a long piece of wood that a person uses to beat the oxen so they will work and a symbol of one person's power to rule other people.
Isaiah speaks of the power the oppressor has over the people of Judah as if it were the piece of wood used by a person to beat oxen so they will work.
"you will burn the boots of the soldiers and their clothes, which are covered with blood"
"burned. You will make the boots and the garments fuel for the fire"
"For the Lord will give to us a child"
"he will wear his royal robe on his shoulder" or "he will have authority to rule as king."
one who advises kings
"As time passes he will rule over more and more people and enable them to live more and more peacefully"
"has the right to rule as David's descendant"
"his kingdom. He will establish and protect his kingdom, and he will do what is fair and just"
"The Lord has spoken against the people of the northern kingdom of Israel."
These names all refer to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel.
"All the people will know that the Lord has judged them, even those in Ephraim and Samaria"
"We will replace the common bricks of our destroyed cities with expensive cut stone, and we will plant great cedar trees where ordinary sycamore trees grew"
"Therefore, Yahweh will bring Rezin and his army against the people of Israel"
This is the name of a man
"Yahweh will cause Israel's enemies to attack"
"Like a wild beast eating its prey, the army of the enemy will destroy the people of Israel"
"Even though all these things have happened, he is still angry, and his hand."
"he will still be ready to punish them"
Isaiah explains this metaphor in verse 15. The "head," the part of an animal a person would want to be, is "the leader and the noble man," and the "tail," the dirty part of the animal, is "the prophet who teaches lies."
The "palm branch" grows high on the tree and is a metaphor for people who are important and rule others. The "reed" grows in shallow water and stands for people who are poor and unimportant and are ruled by others.
"The leaders of Israel have caused the people to disobey God"
"Yahweh destroys those that they lead"
"every person speaks foolish things"
"Even though all these things have happened, he is still angry, and his hand."
"he will still be ready to punish them"
The people's evil deeds are spoken of as if they were a very destructive fire. This fire burns even the briers and thorns, plants that grow in places where people no longer live, and "the thickets of the forest" where no one has ever lived, because it has already destroyed the places where people were living.
"Like fire that scorches the land, the Lord's intense anger will destroy the people of Israel"
"No one stops himself from harming his own brother" or "Everyone harms even his own brother."
"They will grab food that lies to the right of them ... that lies to the left of them." They will grab food wherever they can find it.
Possible meanings are 1) people will be so hungry that they will want to eat or will actually eat their own arms or 2) the word "arm" stands for the person's neighbor.
"to those who make laws and decrees that are not fair to everyone"
"They are unjust to the poor and needy among my people"
"take everything from women whose husbands have died"
"harm children who do not have parents like an animal that goes after its prey"
"You will be able to do nothing on judgment day ... away!"
"the day when Yahweh comes to judge you" or "the day when Yahweh punishes you"
"You have nowhere to run for help, and you will have nowhere to hide your riches!"
Possible meanings are 1) "None of your wealth remains as you crouch" or 2) "You can do nothing else but crouch."
"your enemies will either take you as a prisoner or will kill you"
This word marks the beginning of God's announcement about a severe punishment against Assyria.
This refers to the king of Assyria.
"who will be like a weapon in my hands that I will use to show my anger"
"I send the army of Assyria ... I order them"
"to attack a nation full of proud people who have made me very angry"
"to take everything they have"
"completely defeat them"
"But the king of Assyria does not intend to do what I tell him, nor does he think that I am using him as my weapon"
"He wants to completely destroy many nations"
"I have made captains of my army kings over lands I have conquered!"
"Kalno is no different from Carchemish. Hamath is no different from Arpad. Samaria is no different from Damascus. I have conquered them all!"
These are all names of cities.
"As my powerful army has defeated" or "As I have conquered"
This refers to the king of Assyria.
"just as I did to the people of Samaria and their worthless idols"
"I will certainly do the same to Jerusalem and her idols!"
Yahweh speaks of himself as if he were someone else. "When I, the Lord, have finished my work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will
"I will punish the king of Assyria for the arrogant things he has said and the look of pride on his face"
"For the king of Assyria says"
"my army has removed ... They have stolen"
"as strong as a bull." Some ancient texts read, "like a mighty man."
Possible meanings are 1) the king of Assyria has shamed the people of the countries he conquered or 2) he has removed the kings of the nations so they no longer rule.
"My army has stolen the wealth from the nations just as easily as a man takes eggs from a nest"
"And like a bird that does not make a sound or flap her wings when someone steals her eggs, the nations did nothing as we took their treasure"
"An ax cannot boast that it is better than the one who holds it. And a saw does not get more glory than the one who cuts with it."
a sharp tool used for cutting wood
"And neither can a rod or staff lift the person who picks it up"
"Therefore I, Lord Yahweh of hosts, will make the king's strongest soldiers weak"
"I will destroy his greatness as if I were starting a fire to burn everything he is proud of"
"I, Yahweh, the light of Israel, will become like a fire, able to destroy everyone that does not honor me"
"I, Yahweh, the Holy one of Israel, will become like a flame."
"I will destroy the Assyrians like a fire burning thorns and briers"
Possible meaning are 1) "Yahweh will destroy the great forests and farmlands in the nation of Assyria" or 2) "Yahweh will destroy the army of Assyria as a fire burns up great forests and farmlands."
"completely" or 2) this means God will completely destroy the people of Assyria. The phrase "soul and body" refers to the spiritual part and the physical part of a person.
"they will be like a sick man who grows weak and dies"
"At that time"
"that has escaped from the army of Assyria"
"will no longer rely on the king of Assyria, who harmed them"
"your people, O Israel, are"
"are too many to count, like the sand on the seashore"
"Yahweh has decreed that he will destroy most of those who live in Israel"
"This must be done for the sake of perfect righteousness" or "Yahweh must do this because he is completely righteous"
"destroy the people in the land just as he has decided to do."
"He and his army will rule over you and make slaves of you"
"as the Egyptians ruled over your ancestors and made them slaves"
"I will destroy him because I am angry with him"
"will punish the Assyrians severely as if with a whip"
This refers to when God helped a man named Gideon defeat the army of Midian.
"He will help you escape from the army of Assyria as he helped your ancestors escape the army of Egypt"
"Yahweh will remove the Assyrians who oppress you and will stop them from making you their slaves"
"your neck will become so fat that it will break the yoke" or "you will become so strong that you will no longer be the Assyrians' slaves"
Isaiah speaks of these future events as though they have already happened.
These are all cities and villages near Jerusalem that the army of Assyria went through and caused trouble in.
These are all cities and villages near Jerusalem that the army of Assyria went through and caused trouble in.
"The people of Ramah tremble and the people of Gibeah of Saul have fled"
"Gallim" or "people of Gallim"
These are names of more cities and villages near Jerusalem that the Assyrian army traveled through causing fear among the people.
These are names of more cities and villages near Jerusalem that the Assyrian army traveled through causing fear among the people.
"the army of Assyria will stop at Nob and threaten"
"the people of Mount Zion and the people living on the hill in Jerusalem"
This can be translated as "Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
He will destroy the army of Assyria like strong men cutting off the big branches of trees.
"and the branches will crash down on the ground and make a terrifying noise" or "and the branches will fall to the ground with a very loud noise"
"he will cut down the strongest soldiers"
proud
"the dense shrubs in the forest."
"Yahweh will defeat the army of Assyria, as mighty as it is"
"As a shoot sprouts out of a tree stump, so a descendant of Jesse will become king over what remains of Israel"
The "stump of Jesse" represents what was left of the kingdom that Jesse's son David was once king of.
"and he will cause him to have wisdom and understanding, instruction and might, knowledge and the fear of Yahweh"
"he will not judge a person simply by seeing what the person looks like"
"and he will not judge a person simply by hearing what others say about him"
"poor people ... humble people ... wicked people"
"He will judge the people of the earth, and they will be punished"
"he will judge wicked people, and they will be killed"
"His righteousness will be a like a belt around his waist" or 2) the king's righteousness would show his authority to rule. Alternate translation: "He will rule righteously"
"his faithfulness will be a like a belt around his hips" or "he will rule faithfully"
"Wolves ... leopards ... young lions"
"lambs ... young goats ... calves ... fattened calves"
a large cat with yellow fur and black spots that kills and eats other animals
"the calf, the lion, and the fattened calf will be together"
A child will take care of them and lead them to good places to drink water and eat grass or hay.
"Wolves ... leopards ... young lions ... bears ... Lions"
a very large animal with thick hair and sharp claws that kills and eats other animals
"will eat grass together"
This refers to the animals' offspring shortly after they are born.
"Babies will play safely over the hole of the asp"
These phrases refer to poisonous snakes in general. Alternate translation: "snakes ... serpents' dens"
a child who no longer drinks his mother's milk
"on all of Yahweh's holy mountain"
"the earth will be full of those who know Yahweh" or "those who know Yahweh will cover the earth"
"as the seas are full of water"
"Jesse's descendant king" or "the king descended from Jesse"
"will attract the peoples to come to him"
"The people of the nations"
"the Lord will again use his power to bring back the remnant of his people"
These are names of places.
"the people of Judah who had been scattered around the world"
"from even the most distant places of the earth" or "from all over the earth"
"He will stop the people of Ephraim from being envious"
"he will stop the people of Judah from being hostile" or "he will stop the people of Judah from hating"
"they will go quickly to the Philistine hills to attack the people there"
"They will take the land of Edom and Moab" or "They will rule over Edom and Moab"
A "gulf" is a large area of water that land partly surrounds.
"By his power he will cause a strong or hot wind to blow on the Euphrates River"
"so that people can cross over it even while wearing their sandals"
A highway is a large road that many people can travel on. "Yahweh will make a road"
"when they came up from the land of Egypt"
"At that time" or "When the king rules"
"You are no longer angry with me"
"God causes my salvation" or "God is my savior" or "God is the one who saves me"
"Yahweh makes me strong"
"the one I joyfully sing about"
"He has saved me"
"you will rejoice when he saves you, as people rejoice when they draw water from a well"
"praise him loudly" or "call to him to help you"
"Tell the peoples about the great things he has done"
"proclaim that he is exalted" or "proclaim that he is great"
"Sing songs of praise to Yahweh"
"because the Holy One of Israel, who lives among you, is mighty" or "because the Holy One of Israel is mighty and he lives among you"
"about the people of Babylon"
See how you translated this in Isaiah 5:26.
The word "them" refers to soldiers from another country.
Possible meanings are 1) "the gates of Babylon where the rulers live" or 2) "the gates of the rulers' large houses"
"the ones I have set apart for myself" or "the army that I have set apart for myself"
"I have called my mighty soldiers to punish the people of Babylon because they have made me angry"
"because I have defeated my enemies"
"There is the noise of many people in the mountains" or "There is the noise of a great crowd of people in the mountains"
"is gathering"
"from places far beyond the horizon" or "from very distant places"
"the army that he will use to punish Babylon"
cry out loud. The word is usually used of an animal making a sound because it is in pain.
"on that day, the Almighty God will destroy them"
This shows that all the people are very weak and unable to do anything.
"everyone is terribly afraid"
"they will suddenly feel terrible pain and agony"
"like a woman giving birth to a baby" or "like the pain of a woman who is giving birth to a baby"
"their faces will be hot and red"
"on the day of Yahweh, he will be furious and extremely angry"
"to ruin the land"
"The stars in the sky"
"will not shine"
"Yahweh will darken the sun" or "The sun will be dark"
"the people of the world"
"cruel people"
"will abase the ruthless"
"I will cause so many people to die that living people will be more rare than fine gold"
"Like gazelles that run away swiftly when people hunt them, and like sheep that have no shepherd run away from wild animals"
an animal that is similar to a deer. People hunt them, and wild animals sometimes attack and kill them.
"The enemy will kill with the sword everyone they find"
captured
"The enemy will also dash their infants to pieces" or "The enemy will beat their infants until they die"
"in front of them" or "while their parents helplessly watch"
"The enemy will plunder the people's houses" or "The enemy will steal everything valuable from the people's houses"
"their wives will be raped" or "their enemies will rape their wives"
"I am about to make the Medes want to attack them"
"Their soldiers will use bows and arrows to kill"
"the kingdom that people most admire"
"Then God will destroy Babylon, the most admired of kingdoms, the splendor of Chaldean arrogance, as he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah"
"the beautiful city that the Chaldeans are so proud of"
"No one will ever live in it"
"for ever" or "ever again"
"Arabs" or "Arab people"
"will lie in Babylon"
"The people's houses"
Owls are wild birds that hunt at night.
Ostriches are large wild birds that run fast and cannot fly.
Hyenas are large wild animals that look like dogs and eat dead animals. Their loud cry sounds like a person laughing.
"jackals will cry in the beautiful palaces"
"The time that all of this will happen to the people of Babylon is near, and nothing will stop it"
"Yahweh will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob"
"unite with the descendants of Jacob"
"The nations will bring the descendants of Jacob back to the land of Israel"
"the descendants of Israel"
"will possess the people of the nations"
"The Israelite soldiers will take as captives those who had captured Israelites"
"from the things that have caused you to suffer greatly"
"The oppressor has come to an end."
"how the proud fury has ended" or "his pride and fury have ended"
"Yahweh has destroyed the power of the wicked"
"Yahweh has destroyed the power of the wicked rulers"
"who struck the peoples." Wicked people struck the peoples with their staff.
"without stopping" or "again and again"
"who conquered other nations"
"attacking them without stopping"
"everyone on earth"
"It will be as if even the cyprus trees and the cedars of Lebanon rejoice over you"
"rejoice that God has made you powerless"
"Since you have become powerless"
"Sheol is like a host eager to meet you"
"All the dead leaders of the earth in Sheol wake up to greet you"
The word "they" refers to the dead kings in Sheol, and the word "you" refers to the king of Babylon.
"Your splendor ended when God sent you here to Sheol"
"along with the sound of people playing music to honor you"
"You lie on a bed of maggots" or "You lie on many maggots"
"Worms cover you like a blanket" or "There are worms all over your body"
"You were like the bright morning star, but you have fallen from the sky"
"You are defeated like a tree that someone has cut down to the ground"
"I will rule on the mountain where the gods assemble"
"in the most northern places." The mountain in the north was apparently called Zaphon. Some modern English translations say, "far away on the sides of Zaphon."
"But now God has sent you down to Sheol"
"Surely, this is not the man"
Possible meanings are 1) the earth trembled as the king's army marched to conquer people, or 2) this refers to the people of the earth trembling in fear of him.
Possible meanings are 1) this is a metaphor for "conquered kingdoms" or 2) this is metonymy for "terrified the people of kingdoms."
"who made the places where people lived into a wilderness"
"all the kings who have died are buried in an honorable way"
"But you are not buried. Your body is left on the ground"
"like something disgusting that is tossed aside"
"The bodies of dead people completely cover your body" or "The bodies of dead soldiers are piled on top of your body"
"those who were killed in battle"
The pit refers either to hell, or to a large hole in the ground where many dead bodies are simply dumped.
"you will never be buried as other kings were buried"
"no one will ever speak again about the descendants of evildoers"
"Get ready to kill the children of the king of Babylon"
"because their forefathers have sinned greatly"
"so they will not become powerful" or "so they will not attack"
"take control of the peoples on the earth" or "conquer the peoples on the earth"
"build cities all over the world"
"I will also make it"
"a place where owls live" or "a place where wild animals live"
"into a place where there are stagnant ponds"
"the things that I have planned will surely happen"
"I will defeat the Assyrian in my land" or "I will cause the Assyrian in my land to be defeated"
"the king of Assyria and his army" or "the Assyrian army"
This represents completely defeating him.
"Then I will lift his yoke from them and his burden from their shoulder"
The word "his" refers to Assyria.
The words "them" and "their" refer to the people of Israel.
"This is the plan that God intends for the whole earth"
"this is Yahweh's power to punish all the nations" or "this is how Yahweh will punish the nations"
"there is no one who can stop him."
"He is ready to punish them"
"no one can turn it back." or "no one can stop him from punishing them."
"the king that sent his army against you is dead" or "the army that attacked you is defeated"
These two phrases are both the image of a serpent's offspring being even more harmful than the serpent. They represent a king's successor being more powerful and cruel than the first king.
a kind of poisonous snake
"a quickly moving poisonous snake"
"The poorest people" or "The poorest of my people"
"I will kill your people with famine that will put to death all your survivors"
"you will grow weak with fear"
"For from the north comes a large army with a cloud of smoke"
"no one in his ranks walks slowly behind the others"
"This is how we will answer the messengers of Philistia."
"Yahweh started Zion"
"in Jerusalem" or "there"
"those of his people who have been afflicted"
"This is what Yahweh declares" or "This is a message from Yahweh"
These are names of cities and towns in Moab.
"Enemy armies will completely destroy Ar of Moab"
These are names of cities and towns in Moab.
"went up to the temple on the hilltop to weep"
"the people of Moab will weep because of what happened to the cities of Nebo and Medeba"
"They will all shave their heads and cut off their beards and grieve"
"they wear sackcloth and mourn"
These city names represent the people of these cities. "The people of Heshbon and Elealeh call out"
"they will be completely filled with fear" or "they tremble with fear"
"I am extremely sad about what is happening to Moab"
"the fugitives from Moab will flee." A fugitive is a person who runs away so that his enemy will not capture him.
These are names of cities and towns.
"because their city is destroyed"
This is the name of a city or town.
"Everything"
This may refer to the river at the southern border of Moab.
"the wailing has gone as far as Egalim and Beer Elim" or "people even as far away as Elaim and Beer Elim wail"
These are names of cities and towns. Dimon was the principal city of the country of Moab. Several modern versions have "Dibon" instead of "Dimon."
"but I will cause even more trouble for the people of Dimon"
The Moabites will send rams to the king of Judah so that he might protect them from the enemy army.
This is the name of a city.
"the people of Zion" or "the people who live in Zion"
"Like birds without a home, the women of Moab will flee across the river to another land"
"protect us completely from our enemies as a large shadow protects people from the hot sun"
"give them a place to hide from those who are trying to destroy them" or "hide them from those who want to destroy them"
"Yahweh will be faithful to the covenant and he will appoint a king"
"a descendant of David will rule faithfully"
"We have heard that the people of Moab are proud and arrogant, boastful and angry"
"But what they say about themselves means nothing" or "But what they boast about is not true"
"because there are no raisin cakes in Kir Hareseth"
"Kir Hareseth" is the name of a city.
These are names of cities.
In 16:9-10 the word "I" refers to Yahweh.
"I will cry much for you"
"Because of what I will do, you will no longer shout for joy when you harvest your fields of summer fruit"
"therefore the people who tread the grapes do not shout with joy"
"So I sigh like a sad song on a harp"
This refer to the people of Moab.
"the people of Kir Hareseth"
All of these words refer to the people of Moab.
"his prayers will not be answered"
The word "Moab" refers to the people of Moab.
"I will destroy everything for which Moab is honored"
Damascus is the name of a city.
"Strong cities will disappear from Israel"
This does not mean that they will vanish, but that the cities will be destroyed.
"the kingdom will disappear from Damascus" or "there will be no royal power in Damascus"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event that will happen. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
There will be nothing left in the land after God punishes the people of Israel.
"But there will be a few people left in Israel"
"like the few olives that remain on the olive trees after people harvest them"
"men will hope that their Maker, the Holy One of Israel, will help them"
"They will not worship idols at their altars" or "The people of Israel will not go to their altars and ask their idols to help them"
"that they made with their hands" or "which they themselves built"
"which the Hivites and Amorites left after the people of Israel came"
"For you no longer obey"
"the God who saves you"
"have ignored God, who is like a rock that protects you" or "have ignored the one who protects you"
"there will not be much fruit for you to harvest"
"the rushing of the enemy armies"
"like chaff on the mountains that the wind blows away ... like weeds that whirl and blow away as a storm approaches"
"This is what happens to those"
"Woe to those who live in the land beyond the rivers of Cush, whose many ships look like insects on the water" or 2) the rustling of wings refers to the noise of insects that have wings, perhaps locusts.
"on the great river" or "along the Nile River"
"papyrus boats" or "boats made of reeds"
"a nation whose people are tall and have smooth skin"
"a people who are feared everywhere" or "a people that everyone in the earth fears"
"a nation that is strong and conquers other nations"
This probably refers to many rivers that flow through the nation so they divide it into different parts.
"pay attention when the signal flag is lifted up on the mountains and the ram's horn is blown"
"pay attention when you hear the sound of the battle trumpets"
"Yahweh said to me." Here the word "me" refers to Isaiah.
These phrases show how quietly God will watch the nation.
"Before the grape harvest"
"when flowers have finished growing on the grape vines"
"Yahweh will cut off the branches with knives before their produce fruit"
A pruning hook is a knife that people use to cut branches off of vines or other plants.
Yahweh will throw away the branches in judgment.
God seems to change from telling the parable to speaking more directly about the nation. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Those who are killed will be left together" or "Like branches that are cut off and thrown away, the bodies of those who are killed will be left on the ground"
"The birds of prey will eat them during the summer"
"all kinds of wild animals"
"will eat them in the winter"
"a nation that is strong and conquers other nations"
"to Mount Zion, where Yahweh of hosts dwells"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
Yahweh seems to be pictured here as riding on a cloud as if he was riding in a chariot.
"the idols of Egypt tremble in fear before Yahweh"
"the Egyptians have no more courage"
"a man will fight against his neighbor"
"people of one city will fight against people of another city" or "people from different cities will fight against one another"
"kingdom will be against kingdom" or "kingdom will fight against kingdom"
"I will weaken the spirit of Egypt from within"
"I will confuse those who advise the king"
These are people who claim to speak with those who have died.
"I will give the Egyptians over to the control of a severe master"
"this is what the Lord Yahweh of hosts has declared" or "this is what I, the Lord Yahweh of hosts, have declared"
"The Nile River will completely dry up"
"become foul-smelling" or "stink"
"become smaller and smaller"
"the plants along the river will die and decay"
"the fields near the Nile where people have planted crops"
"The fishermen who catch fish with hooks or nets will cry in despair because the fish in the Nile have died"
throw
In order to catch fish, some people toss a net on the water. When fish get caught in it, they pull the net with the fish out of the water.
"will grieve." This weakness probably comes from grief.
Flax is a plant that grows along the Nile River. People comb its fibers in order to separate them, and use them to make thread for linen cloth.
"will be ashamed"
"The people of Egypt who make cloth"
"will be discouraged"
"work for pay"
"will feel very sad"
This is a city in northern Egypt.
Isaiah uses a question to mock those in Egypt who claim to be wise. Alternate translation: "You foolishly say to Pharaoh ... kings."
"You do not have any wise men." or "Your wise men are fools."
"If they were really wise, they would be able to tell you what Yahweh of hosts plans concerning Egypt"
"the leaders have made Egypt go astray"
This is a city in the northern part of Egypt.
"made the people of Egypt go astray" or "made the people of Egypt do what is wrong"
"Yahweh has judged them by distorting their thoughts" or "Yahweh has judged Egypt by distorting its leaders' thoughts, as intoxicating drinks confuse people's thoughts"
"perverseness" or "confusion"
"within Egypt"
Isaiah speaks of the people of Egypt doing what is wrong as if they were made to wander about like a drunken person.
"whether leader or follower"
"whether they are important or unimportant" or "whether rich or poor"
This emphasizes that the people of Egypt will be afraid and helpless when God punishes them.
"because Yahweh of hosts has raised his powerful hand to punish them"
"The people of Judah will cause the Egyptians to stagger" or "The people of Judah will cause the Egyptians to be terribly afraid"
"Whenever anyone reminds the Egyptians of the people of Judah, the Egyptians will be afraid"
"the people in five Egyptian cities will speak"
"the language of the people of Canaan"
"promise to be loyal"
"People will call one of these cities"
"the city called Sun City" or "the city called Destruction City"
"a stone pillar to Yahweh at the border of Egypt"
"The altar will show and prove that Yahweh of hosts is in the land of Egypt"
"that the people in the land of Egypt worship Yahweh of hosts"
"When the Egyptians cry"
"because people are treating them harshly" or "because others are causing them to suffer"
"Yahweh will send someone to save and defend the Egyptians"
"Yahweh will make the people of Egypt know him"
"will accept the truth about Yahweh" or "will agree to the truth about Yahweh"
"They will worship Yahweh"
"will make promises to Yahweh and keep them" or "they will make promises to Yahweh and they will do what they have promised to do"
Here, "Egypt" refers to the people of Egypt. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will afflict the people of Egypt"
"strike" or "punish"
The word "them" is understood in this phrase. Alternate translation: "afflicting them and healing them"
How this phrase relates to the phrase before it can be made clear with the words "after" and "also." Alternate translation: "and after he afflicts them, he will also heal them"
A highway is a large road on which many people can travel.
"Assyrians will come"
"the Egyptian will come to Assyria"
"the Egyptians and Assyrians will worship Yahweh"
The names of the three nations represent the people of those nations. Alternate translation: "the Israelites will be the third blessing with the Egyptians and Assyrians"
The names of the three nations refer to the people of those nations. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I have blessed you, people of Egypt, because you are my people; and I have blessed you, people of Assyria, because I created you; and I have blessed you, people of Israel, because I securely possess you"
Here "hands" refers to God's power and action.
the name of the chief commander of the armies of Assyria
the name of the king of Assyria
"he fought against the army of Ashdod and defeated it"
"walking around without clothes and without sandals." Here the word "naked" probably refers to wearing only his undergarments.
"a warning"
"the king of Assyria will have his army lead away the captives of Egypt, and the exiles of Cush"
"which will bring shame on the people of Egypt"
"afraid and put to shame"
"because they had trusted in the power of the armies of Cush and Egypt"
the people who lived in the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea
"now there is no way for us to escape!"
"This is what Yahweh declares" or "This is Yahweh's message"
"about the people who live in a land that soon will be a desert"
Here "wilderness" refers to the wilderness of Judea.
The army is from a people that cause great fear.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh showed me a troubling vision"
"those who deceive will deceive"
"those who destroy will destroy"
"Go up and attack the Babylonians, you soldiers of Elam; go and besiege the Babylonians, you soldiers of Media"
Here "Elam" and "Media" represent the soldiers from these places.
Here "her" represents all the people who are suffering because of the Babylonians. Yahweh will cause them to stop groaning when he sends the armies of Elam and Media to destroy the Babylonians.
Isaiah compares his pain to the pain of a woman giving birth. This emphasizes the great pain he is feeling.
"What I heard has caused me to bend over in pain"
"what I saw has greatly troubled me"
"My heart beats fast and I am shaking"
Here "They" refers to the leaders of Babylon.
Here "table" represents the food that people will eat at the feast.
Here "princes" refers in general to men with authority and not necessarily to sons of kings.
Soldiers would put oil on their leather shields so they would stay soft and not crack during battle.
"tell a watchman to stand on the wall of Jerusalem"
"a soldier riding in a chariot, a pair of horses pulling it"
"The people of Babylon are completely defeated"
The people of Israel suffering because of the Babylonians is spoken of as if the people were grain that was threshed and winnowed.
The word "my" refers to Isaiah.
"This is what Yahweh declares" or "This is a message from Yahweh"
"about the people of Dumah" or "about the people of Edom"
Here "me" refers to Isaiah.
This is the name of mountains west of Edom.
This is repeated to emphasize that the person asking the question is worried and nervous.
"about the people of Arabia"
"Far off from the road in Arabia" or "Out in the bushes of Arabia"
a group of people traveling together
This is a people group that lived in Arabia.
This is the name of a city in Arabia.
Here "bread" represents food in general.
"from their enemies who attack them with swords and bows"
"from the horrors of war"
"of the people of Kedar"
"This is what Yahweh declares" or "This is Yahweh's message"
"about those who live in the Valley of Vision" or "about those who live in Jerusalem"
"You should not go and stand on the tops of your houses."
"a town full of people celebrating"
"Enemy soldiers did not kill your people"
Here "sword" represents the soldiers who fight in battle.
"the enemy captured all of them together"
Here "I" refers to Isaiah.
"of my people whom I love" or "of my people"
"For there will be a time"
"when the Lord Yahweh of hosts will cause panic, treading down, and confusion"
This refers to Jerusalem.
Possible meanings are 1) "people in the mountains will hear their cries" or 2) "the people's cries will echo off the mountains"
"The soldiers of Elam take their bows and arrows"
"the soldiers of Kir will take their shields out of their covers"
Kir is a city in Media.
"our best valleys"
"Yahweh will take away everything that has protected the people of Judah"
"to defend yourselves you will get the weapons"
This was a part of the temple in Jerusalem where they stored their weapons.
The people will store water so that they will have enough to drink while their enemies surround the city.
Here "counted" means they inspected the houses to find material to help them rebuild the city wall.
"You made a storage place"
It is unclear what two walls Isaiah meant. The main point is that they built the reservoir within the city walls.
These words could refer to 1) the original human builder of the city or 2) Yahweh.
This was a sign of mourning and repenting.
"You say, 'Let us feast and drink all we want, for we will die soon.'"
"Yahweh of hosts revealed this to me"
This is the name of the manager of the king's palace in Jerusalem.
"who is in charge of all those who work in the palace"
"You have no right ... in the rock!"
These three phrases all refer to making a burial tomb.
The most important people in Israel had tombs in the highest places.
The enemy soldiers coming and taking Shebna as a captive to a foreign land is spoken of as if Yahweh were throwing him like a ball into another land.
"you will cause shame for all those in your master's palace"
Yahweh causing Shebna to no longer work in the king's palace is spoken of as if Yahweh will throw him to the ground.
"It will happen at that time"
These are names of men.
Yahweh causing Eliakim to take Shebna's place in the king's palace is spoken of as if Yahweh will dress Eliakim in Shebna's clothes that represent his authority in the king's palace.
This is a piece of cloth that people wear around the waist or across the chest.
"to him"
"He will be like a father"
"to the people of Judah"
"I will put him in charge of those who work in the king's palace, and when he makes a decision no one will be able to oppose him"
Yahweh causing Eliakim's authority to be strong and secure in the king's palace is spoken of as if Eliakim were a peg and Yahweh will set him firmly in the palace wall.
"Eliakim will bring honor to his family"
"his father's family" or "his family"
"They will give honor to his whole family because of him"
This continues to speak of Eliakim as a peg. His offspring will be like cups that hang on the peg. This means his descendants will be honored because of him.
Yahweh causing Shebna to lose his authority in the king's palace is spoken of as if Shebna were a peg in the wall that breaks off and falls to the ground. This emphasizes that Shebna thought his authority was secure but God will remove him.
"This is what Yahweh declares about Tyre"
"Cry out in despair you men on the ships of Tarshish"
an area of the sea that is near land and safe for ships
"the men heard about Tyre when they were in the land of Cyprus"
Isaiah speaks to the people who live on the coast as if they could hear him.
The "coast" is the land near or around the sea or ocean. Here it refers to the people who live in Phoenicia which borders the Mediterranean sea.
"the merchants of Sidon, who travel over the sea, have made you rich"
"The men traveled on the large sea to transport the grain from Shihor in Egypt"
The "harvest of the Nile" refers to the grain that was harvested near the Nile River and transported on the river and then to Phoenicia.
"you were where people from other nations came to buy and sell goods"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh describes the city of Tyre as a mother who speaks about the people who live in the city as her children, or 2) Yahweh is describing the Mediterranean Sea as speaking.
"Make your way to Tarshish." Tarshish was the farthest land the people of Tyre traveled to do business. It will be the only place of safety for those who escape from Tyre.
"This has indeed happened to you who were full of joy in the ancient city of Tyre ... to settle."
"who went to distant places to live and make money"
"It was Yahweh who has planned to destroy the people of Tyre ... of the earth."
"who gives people power to rule over others"
"whose traders the people of the earth give the highest honors"
"to dishonor them because they were proud of their own glory"
"Pass through your land like a river, daughter of Tarshish. The people of Tyre no longer have any power"
Yahweh using his power to control the sea and the people of mighty kingdoms is spoken of as if Yahweh reached out his hand and shook kingdoms.
"people of Sidon, because other people will oppress you"
"See what happened to the land of the Babylonians" or "See what has happened to Babylonia"
Soldiers built towers or dirt ramps to attack over the walls of a city.
"for enemies have destroyed your refuge"
"At that time" or "Then"
"for seventy years it will be like the people have forgotten about Tyre"
"like the years of a king" or "which is about as long as a king lives"
This speaks about the people of Tyre as if they were a prostitute.
"so that people remember you" or "so that people return to you"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event that will happen. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"Yahweh will help the people of Tyre"
"And like a prostitute they will buy and sell will all the kingdoms of the earth"
"The merchants will not store away their money"
"those who obey and serve Yahweh"
"so they will have enough food to eat"
"to make the earth desolate" or "to destroy everything on the earth"
This phrase marks an important event. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"as Yahweh scatters ... so he will scatter"
"the one who is owed money"
"Yahweh will completely devastate the earth and he will remove from it everything of value"
"Yahweh has said he would"
everything that is on the earth
"they have not obeyed God's laws and statutes, and they have broken God's eternal covenant"
Yahweh cursing the earth and destroying it is spoken of as if a curse were either a wild animal that completely eats the earth or a fire that completely burns up the earth.
"Yahweh will declare that the people are guilty"
These are musical instruments.
"Yahweh will break down the city of chaos"
"the people will close up their houses and leave them empty"
"because there is no wine"
"all joy will be gone from the people of the earth"
"The city is desolate" or "The city is left empty"
This compares the nations after Yahweh devastates the land to trees and vines after their fruit has been picked. This means there will be very few people left in the land.
Here "They" refers to those who are still alive after Yahweh devastates the earth.
"and those in the west towards the sea will shout with joy"
"Therefore everyone from distant lands in the east will glorify Yahweh"
"everyone in the islands will give glory"
"we will hear"
"I have become very weak"
"Indeed, those who deceive are now deceiving others" or "Indeed, the deceivers have acted deceitfully"
Here "pit" and "snare" represent all the different bad things that will happen to people. People will run away to escape one bad thing but they will just experience another bad thing.
"the terrifying sound"
"the snare will catch him"
"The sky will split open and torrents of rain will fall"
"the earth will shake terribly" or "there will be a terrible earthquake"
Sin will cause the people of the earth to suffer.
"The sins of the people are many and so Yahweh will destroy the earth, and the earth will be like a person who falls and cannot get back up"
"At that time"
"the heavenly army in heaven" or 2) because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers. Alternate translation: "the multitude of powerful beings in the heavens" or "the evil spiritual beings in the heavens"
"Yahweh will gather them together as his prisoners and lock them in the dungeon of a prison"
The sun and the moon are described as a person who is ashamed of being in front of someone with greater power. In the presence of Yahweh, the light of the moon and sun will seem less bright.
"praise you"
"because you are perfectly faithful"
"a city where foreigners had a palace is no more"
Here "city" and "nations" represent the people who live there.
Yahweh protecting his people is spoken of as if he were a place that the people could go to be safe and comforted.
Ruthless people oppressing the people of God is spoken of as if they were a storm beating against a wall.
"ruthless people" or "those who are ruthless"
This compares the enemies of God's people to the heat that dries up the land. This emphasizes how much the enemies cause the people of God to suffer.
"you will stop the ruthless people from singing"
This refers to Jerusalem or Mount Zion.
Death, suffering, and sadness are spoken of as if they were a dark cloud or web that covers everyone on the earth.
Yahweh causing people to live forever is spoken of as if he would swallow death.
Yahweh causing the people to never be ashamed again is spoken of as if disgrace were an object that Yahweh would take away.
"People will say"
"at that time"
"The power of Yahweh will be on this mountain" or "For on Mount Zion Yahweh will protect his people"
"Yahweh will trample the people in the land of Moab"
"The people of Moab will push their hands through the dung"
"as if they were swimming"
Yahweh humiliating a proud person is spoken of as if pride were something high and Yahweh would cause it to be low.
"in spite of the great things they have built" or "in spite of the great things they have done"
"He will send an army to humiliate you by bringing down the stronghold of your fortress walls and making them fall"
"At that time"
"the people in the land of Judah will sing this song"
This refers to the city of Jerusalem.
God's power to protect and save his people is spoken of as if his salvation were walls around a city.
Ramparts are walls built around a city to keep enemy armies from getting into the city.
"the righteous and faithful people"
"The person who continually thinks about you"
Yahweh having the power to protect his people is spoken of as if he were a tall rock where people could go to escape from their enemies.
Yahweh humiliating those who are proud is spoken of as if proud people were up high and he would cause them to come down low.
This means fortified cities in general not a specific city.
Yahweh causing an army to destroy fortified cities is spoken of as if Yahweh would do it himself.
"The poor and oppressed people will trample on the ruins of the city"
Yahweh ensuring the people that what they do is right is spoken of as if he were making the path level and straight for them.
"we wait for you, Yahweh, as we continue to do what you judged to be right"
"of your laws" or "of your teachings"
"our only desire is to honor you"
"I earnestly want to know you better"
"Even if Yahweh is kind to wicked people, they still do not learn to do what is right"
"In the land where the people do what is right"
"does not realize that Yahweh is great"
Yahweh preparing to punish wicked people is spoken of as if his hand were raised and about to hit the wicked people.
"but the wicked people do not notice"
"they will realize that you are eager to bless your people"
"they will be ashamed"
Yahweh punishing and completely destroying his adversaries is spoken of as if he would send a fire that will completely burn them up.
"you will enable us to live in peace" or "you will bring about peace for us"
Here "us" refers to Isaiah and includes all the righteous people.
"they will not come back to life"
Yahweh causing people to no longer remember those he destroyed is spoken of as if Yahweh made their memory perish or die.
"we asked you for help"
"when you disciplined them"
This compares the people to a woman giving birth. This emphasizes their suffering and crying when Yahweh disciplined them.
"but nothing good resulted from it"
"We have not saved the inhabitants of the earth"
"nor have we caused the wicked people of the world to fall in battle"
"Your people who have died will live again"
Possible meanings are 1) "Your" refers to Yahweh or 2) "Your" refers to the people of Israel. If you choose option two you could translate it as "Our dead."
This speaks of dead people coming back to life as if they were waking up from sleep.
"those who are dead and buried"
"dew in the morning"
"and Yahweh will cause those who have died to rise from the earth"
Here "my" refers to Isaiah. Also "people" refers to the people of Israel.
"until Yahweh is no longer angry with us"
Yahweh revealing all murders that have happened on the earth so that he can punish the murderers is spoken of as if the earth itself will reveal everyone who has been murdered.
"At that time"
Yahweh having the power to destroy his enemies is spoken of as if he had strong, large sword.
This refers to Leviathan.
"Sing about the people of Israel as if they were a vineyard that produced grapes for wine"
"all the time" or "continually"
"I am not angry with my people any longer"
Here Isaiah combines different images to speak of Yahweh's enemies. He speaks of them as if they are briers and thorns but also as soldiers in an army.
"unless they ask me to protect them"
"In the future"
"the descendants of Israel will prosper like a vine that has taken root and blossomed"
Here "Jacob" and "Israel" represent the descendants of Jacob.
"Yahweh has certainly punished the enemy nations more severely than he punished the people of Israel."
"Yahweh has not killed the people of Israel like they killed their enemies from other nations."
"But you did punish them as much as was needed"
"sending the Israelites away"
"the power of Yahweh drove them out like a severe wind from the east"
"Yahweh will purge the sin from the Israelites" or "Yahweh will forgive the sins of the Israelites"
"the result"
"They will completely destroy all the altars on which they sacrifice to false gods, and they will remove all the Asherah idols and the altars on which they burn incense to false gods"
"The cities that were strong and had many people living in them will become empty like a desert"
"When the branches wither, women will come and break them off and make fires with them"
"this is not a people who understands Yahweh or his law"
"Because they do not understand, Yahweh, the one who made them, will not be merciful to them"
This phrase marks an important event that will happen.
"at that time"
Yahweh gathering his people to bring them back from the foreign nations to the land of Israel is spoken of as if he were threshing wheat to separate the grain from the chaff.
The Euphrates River is northeast of Israel, and the Brook of Egypt is southwest of Israel.
"Yahweh will gather you together one by one"
"someone will blow a ram's horn loudly"
"will return to Jerusalem"
"the outcasts in the land of Egypt will come"
A "garland" is a crown made of flowers. Here it represents the city of Samaria, the capital of Israel, which sits above a fertile valley. Samaria and its people being destroyed is spoken of as if the flowers in the garland will grow old and stop being beautiful.
"who are drunk with wine"
"Listen" or "Pay attention"
"the Lord sends a king with his powerful army"
A "storm of hail" or hailstorm happens when hard pieces of ice fall from the sky. Here it refers to the enemy army that Yahweh will send to destroy the people of Samaria.
The king and his powerful army destroying the people of Samaria and their city is spoken of as if the king will throw the people's garlands onto the ground.
"The enemy army will crush the proud drunkards of Samaria as if they were crushing flowers under their feet"
The city of Samaria, the capital of Israel, sits above a fertile valley.
This speaks of the enemy soldiers seeing the beauty of Samaria and quickly plundering it as if they were a person who sees the first fig of the season and quickly eats it.
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were to become a beautiful crown that the people who honor him as their true king would wear.
"Yahweh will cause the judges to be just and will cause to be strong those who"
"Yahweh will cause the soldiers to be strong so that they defeat their enemies when the enemies attack their city"
"But even the leaders"
"stumble around because they are drunk"
"the wine is causing them to be confused"
Just like they are too drunk to walk correctly, they are too drunk to understand the visions God gives them or to make good decisions.
"The drunk prophets and priests say, 'Isaiah should not be trying to teach us about Yahweh's message!'"
"He should not treat us like babies!"
The drunk prophets and priests criticize Isaiah because they feel that Isaiah is repeating simple commands as if he were talking to a child.
"Yahweh will speak to this people through enemy soldiers who will speak a foreign language"
"stammering lips"
"This is the resting place"
"let whoever is tired come and rest"
"this is the place where you can be refreshed"
"So Yahweh's message"
"in order that the army of Assyria will come and defeat them and take them as captives"
The enemy soldiers capturing the people of Israel is spoken of as if they were hunters that catch an animal in a snare.
"So listen to Yahweh's message"
Possible meanings are 1) the leaders of Jerusalem have used magic or sorcery to try to make an agreement with the gods of the place of the dead so that these gods would protect them from dying or 2) The leaders of Jerusalem were so confident that the Egyptians would protect that it was like they had made an agreement with the gods of the place of the dead.
"As a result, when everyone else is suffering and dying, nothing will harm us"
"For lies and falsehoods have become like a place where we can hide from danger"
Possible meanings are 1) the leaders trust in their own lies that they have said in order to protect themselves or 2) the leaders trust that the covenant they have made with the false gods of the place of the dead will keep them safe or 3) the leaders trust that the agreement they have made with the Egyptians will keep them safe.
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"a stone that is solid"
"a firm support"
"Anyone who trusts in this foundation stone will not be sorry"
A builder uses a measuring stick to determine if something is the correct length.
A builder uses a plumbline to determine if something is straight and level.
"Hailstorms will destroy"
"I will cancel the covenant you have with death, and I will cancel the agreement you have with Sheol"
"will not last"
"it will trample you there" or "it will completely destroy you"
"every day"
This means "throughout the entire day"
This was probably a proverb that the people knew at the time. It means that what they believe will keep them safe from Yahweh's punishment will disappoint them like a bed that is too short or a blanket that is too narrow.
Yahweh preparing to act is spoken of as if he were sitting and then rising up.
These refer to places where God miraculously defeated enemy armies.
"he will become very angry"
This work is strange because God is using a foreign army to defeat the people of Jerusalem rather than helping the people of Jerusalem defeat their enemies.
This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"Yahweh will tighten your bonds" or "Yahweh will punish you even more severely"
"that he is going to destroy people throughout the land"
"to what I say"
"to my message"
"A farmer does not plow the ground over and over and continually work the soil without ever sowing seed."
"When the farmer has plowed the soil"
"he will certainly plant each kind of seed in the correct way and in the proper places."
These are names of plants that are spices. Translators may represent them in general as seeds of spices used to spice food.
These are all names of plants that are grains. Translators may represent them in general as seeds of grains.
"Yahweh helps the farmer know how to care for each kind of plant"
"the farmer does not separate the caraway seed from the plant with a heavy club"
"nor does he roll a heavy wheel over the cumin seed"
"The farmer grinds the grain for bread, but he eventually stops grinding it"
The implied lesson of the parable is that farmers are wise enough to listen to Yahweh's instructions about planting and threshing. But the leaders of Jerusalem are foolish for not listening to Yahweh's instructions that he is speaking through Isaiah.
"How terrible it will be for the people of Ariel"
This is another name for Jerusalem, and it means "altar." If possible translate this as "Ariel" rather than "Jerusalem" since the meaning of "Ariel" is important in 29:2.
"David dwelled" or "David lived"
Yahweh tells the people to keep celebrating their festivals where they sacrifice to him, but he knows it will not prevent him from destroying them.
The word "I" refers to Yahweh. This represents Yahweh causing an enemy army to besiege Jerusalem.
"the people of Ariel will"
"they will mourn deeply"
Translators may add a footnote that says, "The name Ariel means 'altar.'"
"I will command the army of your enemies to surround you"
"Your enemy will humble you"
"you will speak with a quiet voice from the dust" or "you will be talking as you lie facedown in the dust"
"Yahweh will easily remove the horde of your invaders and the multitude of the ruthless ones"
The word "you" refers to the people of Jerusalem. Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh of hosts will come to help you" or 2) "Yahweh of hosts will come to punish you."
The two phrases emphasize that soon it will be like the invading army was never there.
"Large armies from all the nations"
"their stronghold. They will attack the city of Ariel and its defenses and cause the people to be in great distress"
The enemy will expect victory but they will fail because God will not allow them to conquer Jerusalem.
"Yes, this will be what happens to the armies from the nations who fight against the people who live on Mount Zion"
"Be astonished at what I am telling you"
"keep being ignorant and spiritually blind to what I am showing you"
"Be senseless like a drunk person, but it is not because you have drunk too much wine or strong drink"
"The reason you are senseless is because Yahweh has caused you to be spiritually asleep"
"It is as though Yahweh has closed the eyes of the prophets and covered the heads of the seers"
"All that Yahweh has revealed is to you like a sealed book"
"is sealed. A person may take the sealed book to someone who can read"
"The people of Jerusalem pretend to worship me and honor me with what they say"
"but they do not honor me in their thoughts" or "but they are not truly devoted to me"
"They honor me only because that is what people tell them to do"
"Therefore, look and see! I am going to do wonderful and marvelous things among you that you will not be able to explain"
"who try to hide their plans from Yahweh" or "who try to keep Yahweh from finding out what they are planning to do"
"who do evil things in the dark so no one can see them"
"No one, not even Yahweh, sees us or knows what we are doing!"
"You make things opposite of the way they should be" or "You distort the truth"
"It is as if a potter created something, and that thing said about the potter, 'He did not make me,' or 'He does not understand.'"
This means Yahweh will humble those who are powerful, but he will honor those who are suffering.
"God will turn the mighty forests of Lebanon into a field"
Possible meanings are 1) this is literal and Yahweh will cause deaf people to hear and blind people to see or 2) this means Yahweh will enable the people to hear and understand his message or 3) it may mean both options 1 and 2.
"those who are blind"
"The poor and oppressed people will again be happy because of what Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, has done"
"For the ruthless people will cease" or "For there will no longer be cruel people"
"who testify against a man and make him out to be an offender" or "who say in court that an innocent man is guilty of doing something wrong"
"They lie and try to stop those who want to do what is fair and right"
The city gate was often the place where the city leaders made official decisions.
This possibly refers to when Yahweh called Abraham from his home country and sent him to the promised land.
"Jacob's descendants will no longer ... their faces"
"nor will he be afraid"
"When they see all the children I have given them and all that I have done"
"They will honor me, the Holy One of Jacob"
"of me, the God of Israel"
"Those who are wrong in what they think" or "Those who are wrong in their attitude"
"will begin to understand Yahweh and his laws"
Yahweh speaks about his people as if they were his children.
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"They plan to do things, but they do not ask me what I want them to do"
"but my Spirit did not direct them"
"they continue to sin more and more"
"They ask Pharaoh to protect them"
"they rely on the Egyptians to keep them safe"
"Therefore you will be ashamed because you relied on Pharaoh to protect you; you will be humiliated because you relied on the Egyptians to keep you safe"
Here "princes" mean an official or ambassador, not necessarily sons of the king.
belonging to the people of Judah
These were cities in the northern part of Egypt.
Here "come" can be stated as "gone."
These words refer to the people of Judah.
"because of the people of Egypt"
"This is what Yahweh declares"
"where lionesses and lions dwell, and where there are vipers and serpents"
"the people of Judah carry their riches"
Egypt's help is worthless.
"I call Egypt a loud boaster who does nothing"
This word is used here to mark a break in Yahweh's declaration about Judah. Here he tells Isaiah to do something.
"in the presence of the people of Judah"
"for a future time"
"They behave like children who lie and do not listen to what Yahweh commands"
How Yahweh wants his people to behave is spoken of as if it were a way or path on which to walk.
"you reject this message"
Possible meanings are 1) the leaders of Judah are trusting in the Egyptian leaders who rule by oppressing and deceiving others or 2) the leaders of Judah have oppressed and deceived their own people in order to take their money and send it to the Egyptians leaders as payment for protection.
This means to trust or rely on something.
"like a broken part of a wall that is ready to fall"
"that will suddenly fall"
Here "it" refers to the part in the wall that is about to fall.
This means that the piece of wall will break as quickly and completely as a clay jar that falls to the ground.
A potter is a person who makes pots and jars out of clay.
"no one will be able to find" or "there will not be"
"a shard big enough to scrape"
"ashes from the fireplace"
"I will save you from your enemies if you will repent and rest knowing that I will take care of you"
"You will be strong if you are quiet and trust in me"
"One thousand soldiers will flee at the threat of one enemy soldier; at the threat of five enemy soldiers all of your soldiers will flee"
There will be so few people left that they will be like a single signal flag on top of a hill.
Here "you" refers to the people who will live in Zion.
"he will help you"
Here "bread" and "water" make up the diet of a very poor person. The whole phrase represents the hard times and poverty of the people.
This refers to Yahweh.
"You will hear"
"him speaking behind you saying"
To obey Yahweh is spoken of as if it were a person walking on his path.
Disobeying Yahweh is spoken of as if the person turned left or right off of Yahweh's path.
This simile means they will throw away their idols like they were garbage.
Yahweh means that the people will no longer need or want the idols.
"Yahweh will give"
"he will cause the ground to produce plenty of food for you to eat"
"At that time"
"that you have winnowed with a shovel and a pitchfork"
Isaiah describes what will be an ideal situation after Yahweh rescues his people. Although the language may be exaggerated, you should translate this just as Isaiah described it.
"when Yahweh slaughters your enemies and causes their strong towers to fall"
"at the time"
"the sun will shine as bright as seven suns" or "the sun will give as much light in one day as it normally does in seven days"
Yahweh comforting his people and causing their suffering to end is spoken of as if he would put bandages on their wounds.
Yahweh being extremely angry is spoken of as if he were a large fire.
"Yahweh comes"
"When he speaks his fury is like a fire that destroys everything"
This compares the air coming out of Yahweh's mouth to a flood to emphasize its power to destroy.
"Yahweh will separate and destroy the wicked people of the nations"
"sieve that gets rid of what is worthless." Many modern translations read, "sieve of destruction."
"a bridle on the heads of the peoples" or "a bit in the jaws of the peoples"
"You will sing"
This simile emphasizes how happy the people will be.
"you will be glad"
"to Israel's protective rock" or "which is like a protective rock for Israel"
"show that he is powerful by destroying your enemies"
"in anger that is like a storm and flames of fire" or "in great anger"
"with storms full of wind, rain, and hail"
hard pieces of ice that fall from the sky like rain
"Yahweh will shatter Assyria" or "Yahweh will totally defeat Assyria"
Here this is a metonym for the soldiers of Assyria.
Yahweh causing an army to defeat the Assyrians is spoken of as if Yahweh would hit the Assyrians with a rod.
"the people of Judah will accompany it"
This is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken.
Yahweh causing the enemy army to defeat the Assyrians is spoken of as if Yahweh were a warrior who would fight along with the enemy army.
"For long ago Yahweh prepared a place for burning"
Some English translations read, "Topheth," the name of a place in the Hinnom Valley, south of Jerusalem, where at one time people burned their children as sacrifices to a false god.
"Yahweh prepared it for the king of Assyria"
"The pile is ready with much wood to make a fire"
This speaks of Yahweh's breath as if it were a river of fire that will set the pile on fire.
The phrase "go down" is used here because Egypt is lower in Elevation than Jerusalem.
"those people of Judah who go down"
"rely on their horses"
The word "mighty" here implies that they are mighty because there are so many of them.
"nor do they ask Yahweh to help them"
"he will cause disasters to happen"
"he will do what he said he would do"
"punish"
"all who do evil things"
"The soldiers of Egypt are men"
"their horses are only horses; they are not powerful spirits"
"When Yahweh uses his power against them"
"these two things will happen: I will destroy Egypt, who helps you, and I will destroy you, whom Egypt helps"
"the one who is seeking help"
"Yahweh of hosts will descend to fight on Mount Zion, on that hill, as a lion, even a young lion"
warns others to stay away
"when someone sends shepherds to chase the lion away"
"from the loud noises that they make"
"will come down from heaven"
"on Mount Zion"
Here the way that Yahweh protects Jerusalem is compared to the way that a mother bird protects her baby birds in their nest.
"he will protect and rescue the city from it's enemies"
"the people of Jerusalem"
"Return to the one against whom you have rebelled"
"that you have sinned by making with you own hands"
"God's sword, and not a man's sword, will destroy the Assyrian army"
"The Assyrians will flee"
"enemies will capture their young men and force them to do hard labor"
"They will no longer be confident because they are so terrified"
"their leaders"
"whose powerful presence is in Zion"
"Listen"
"the rulers will protect the people like a shelter does in a storm"
"they will provide for the people like streams of water in a dry place"
"they will provide rest for the people like a huge rock gives shade to weary people"
Both of these phrases emphasize that the leaders will enable the people to understand God's truth.
"will see clearly"
"The rash person ... the stuttering person"
"No one will give honor to the fool"
"nor will anyone show respect to the person who deceives"
"he plans evil things in his heart"
The word "he" refers to the foolish person.
"the hungry person has an empty stomach"
"he causes the thirsty person to have nothing to drink"
"The deceptive person's"
"to harm the poor people by telling lies"
"he will be successful"
"Stand up" or "Pay attention"
"secure" or "carefree"
"me speak"
"listen to what I am saying and prepare to act"
"you will no longer be confident"
"there will be no grapes for you to harvest"
"the time for gathering crops will not happen"
shake from fear
"secure" or "carefree"
"take off you fine clothes and make yourself unclothed" or "take off your fancy clothes"
"put sackcloth around waists as you grieve"
"You will wail because of what happens to your pleasant fields and fruitful vines"
"in all the formerly joyful houses in the formerly jubilant city." The houses and city will not be joyful after the thorns and briers grow up.
"For the people will abandon the palace, and the crowds will leave the city" or "For the people will leave the palace, and the city that was crowded with people will be empty"
"the fort on the hill"
"the hill and the watchtower will become abandoned and empty"
"the wild donkeys and the flocks of sheep will eat the grass there"
"an extremely long time"
"the Spirit is given to us" )
Here heaven is referred to as "on high." Alternate translation: "from heaven"
"people will say that the fruitful fields have grown thick like a forest" or "the fruitful fields will be overly bountiful"
"people will act justly in the wilderness and people will act righteously in the fertile fields"
"The result of people acting righteously is that there will be peace, and quietness, and confidence forever"
place where people live
"hail destroys the forest and completely destroys the city"
"Yahweh will bless you when you plant your crops in fields alongside the streams and as you send out your ox and donkey to graze in the pasture"
"whom others have not destroyed"
"others will destroy you"
"others will betray"
"give us strength"
"every day"
"be our salvation" or "save us"
"when we have troubles"
"The people flee at the sound of your army"
"begin acting"
"the nations scatter"
"Your people gather spoils from your enemies with the same fierceness as the locusts have who devour green plants"
"Yahweh is greater than anyone else"
"He will rule Zion with justice and righteousness"
"He will make you secure all your lives"
"and he will give you an abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge" or "he will save you and cause you to be very wise and knowledgeable"
"revering Yahweh will be like a valuable treasure that he will give to you" or "to fear Yahweh will be as valuable to you as a treasure"
"Listen"
messengers
"the ambassadors who hope for peace do not succeed, and so they weep bitterly"
"People break covenants that they have made, people ignore the testimony of witnesses, and people do not respect one another"
"The land becomes dry and its plants wither away"
"Lebanon's trees wither and decay"
Many trees and flowers once grew in these places.
"Sharon is as dry as a desert plain"
"there are no more leaves on the trees in Bashan and Carmel"
"now I will exalt myself and show that I deserve for everyone to honor me"
"You make plans that are as useless as chaff and straw"
The dry pieces of plants that are left in the ground after the stalks have been cut.
"your plans will cause you to die"
"Fire will burn the peoples' bodies to lime in the same way that a farmer cuts down thornbushes and burns them"
"All people everywhere hear what I have done and acknowledge that I am mighty"
"the godless ones are overwhelmed with trembling"
"No one can live with raging fire! No one can sojourn where things are always burning!" or "No one can live bearing Yahweh's judgment, it is like an everlasting fire!"
live in a place that is not one's home
"things that never stop burning"
"He who lives"
"who hates the riches that come from harming other people"
"he will be safe, like a man who home is built on a high hill, in a rocky place that is easy to defend"
"will always be available"
"You will see ... you will see"
"the king in his beautiful robes"
"You will remember the terror that the Assyrians caused you when they attacked"
"The officers of Assyria who counted the tax money that we were forced to pay to them have disappeared! Those men who counted our towers are gone!"
Money was valuable metal; its value was determined by its weight.
"the city where we have our feasts" or "they city where we celebrate our festivals"
"you will see"
"it will be secure, like a tent that no one will ever remove"
"Yahweh who is majestic will be with us there, and we will be safe as if we were in a place surrounded by broad rivers"
This refers to Isaiah and includes the people of Judah.
Possible meanings: 1) The Assyrian army is like a boat that is unable to move through the water: the ropes that support the mast and sail have come loose and no longer support the mast, so the sail is useless or 2) the people of Judah are no longer at war: "You have loosened the cords that supported your flagpole; the flag no longer flies"
tall poles that support the sail
a large cloth that fills with wind and moves a boat through the water
"the plunder they can take from all of their victims"
This refers to people who are cannot walk.
"In all places everywhere on earth, everyone must listen to what I say"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "No one will bury those who died"
"the mountains will be covered in their blood"
The stars in the sky are spoken of as an army.
"Yahweh will roll up the sky in the same way that a person rolls up a scroll"
"all the stars will fall from the sky like a leaf falls from a vine or a fig falls from a tree"
"when I am finished destroying things in heaven"
"listen" or "and then"
"I will come to punish the people of Edom, the people whom I have set aside for me to destroy"
"Yahweh sacrifices them as a priest sacrifices animals, whose sword drips with the blood and fat of lambs, goats, and rams"
"For Yahweh will sacrifice many people in Bozrah and kill many people in the land of Edom"
"will die"
"both young bulls and mighty bulls" or "both weak and strong bulls"
"Their land will be soaked with blood"
"the dirt will be full of the fat of the animals"
"it will be the time when Yahweh gets revenge"
"he will give them the punishment they deserve for what they had done to the people of Zion"
"Edom's dust ... Edom's land"
a thick, black substance that burns for a long time
"forever"
"will live in the land of Edom"
This is a large black bird. It is difficult to identify some of the precise kinds of birds mentioned in this passage. However, they were all birds that preferred to live in places where there were no people, so they symbolize deserted places.
"there." This refers to Edom.
"Yahweh will measure that land carefully; he will measure it to to decide where to cause ruin and destruction"
"The nobles of Edom ... the princes of Edom"
"all her princes will no longer rule"
These are all weeds with thorns. Nettles' thorns have poison that causes itching.
Hyenas are large wild animals that look like dogs and eat dead animals.
Ostriches are large wild birds that run fast and cannot fly.
animals that are awake and active at night
Owls are wild birds that hunt at night.
birds that kill small animals for food
"Read carefully what is written in this scroll that contains the messages of Yahweh"
"not one of the animals"
"Each will have a mate"
"for Yahweh has commanded it"
"He has determined where they will live"
"he has given the animals their places"
"forever they will" or "they will always"
"The desert will grow many new plants and trees"
"it will be as though everything is rejoicing and shouting joyfully"
"Yahweh will give it the glory of Lebanon" or "Yahweh will make it as glorious as Lebanon"
"Strengthen those whose hands are weak and whose knees shake from fear"
"to those who are fearful"
"Listen"
"your God will punish your enemies for what they have done"
"blind people will see"
"deaf people will hear"
"the lame man will jump high"
"mute people will shout for joy"
"streams will flow in the wilderness"
"A pool will appear in the burning sand"
"the dry ground"
"springs of water will appear in the thirsty ground"
These are plants that grow in wet areas.
A highway is a large road that many people can travel on.
"People who are not acceptable to God"
"who lives in the holy way" or "who lives a holy life"
"those who are redeemed" or "those who God has redeemed"
"Those whom Yahweh has rescued"
"they will have everlasting joy"
"they will be overwhelmed by joy and gladness"
"they will no longer be sorrowful and sighing"
This is the name of the king of Assyria.
"Sennacherib and his army ... attacked all the fortified cities"
Some versions of the Bible translate this as "the Rabshakeh." This is the Assyrian word for one of the highest ranking military leaders in Assyria.
This is a city southwest of Jerusalem.
man-made ditch or tunnel through which water flows.
Possible meanings are 1) this is the proper name by which the people called the field or 2) this is the common noun that the people used to talk about the field, "the launderers' field" or "the field where men wash wool" or "the field where women wash clothes."
These are names of men.
"said to Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah"
"You have no reliable source for your confidence."
"you have enough military council, strong men, and weapons to go to war"
"No matter in whom you trust, you will not have the courage to rebel against me."
Sennacherib uses this word to draw Hezekiah's attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: "Listen"
"trusting in the Egyptian army"
"that is like walking with a splintered reed for a staff. If a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it"
This is a stick that someone would use for support when walking, made of whatever kind of tree limb that is found along the way.
"he is the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away ... Jerusalem." or "he is the one whom Hezekiah insulted by tearing down his high places and altars ... Jerusalem."
"has told the people of Judah and Jerusalem that they must worship only at this altar in Jerusalem."
The chief commander continues to ridicule Hezekiah and his army by implying that he did not have many soldiers.
"Your army could not even defeat one captain ... servants."
"I came here with Yahweh's command to destroy Jerusalem."
Eliakim, Shebnah, and Joah refer to themselves as the chief commander's servants. This is a polite way to speak to someone who has greater authority.
"Aramean" is the name of a people group. "Aramaic" is the name of their language.
"where the people who are standing on the wall may hear us"
"My master has sent me to everyone who hears this, who will have to ... you."
"will soon need to eat their own dung and drink their own urine, just as you will, because you will have nothing else to eat"
"Yahweh will not give Jerusalem into the control of the king of Assyria"
"Let us agree to have peace"
"surrender to me"
"until my army comes and takes"
"a land where there is plenty of grain ... a land where there is plenty of bread"
"None of the gods of the peoples rescued them from ... Assyria."
"the control of the king"
"The gods of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, and Samaria did not rescue their people from my power."
This is the name of a city.
"there is no god who has rescued ... and Yahweh will not save you in Jerusalem from my power."
"his people"
"in charge of the palace"
"with their clothes torn because they were extremely distressed"
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
This is a sign of mourning and distress. "he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth because he was very distressed"
"in charge of the palace"
"The men sent by Hezekiah said to Isaiah"
"It is as terrible as the day when a child is ready to be born, but the mother has no strength to give birth to her child"
"Maybe if you pray to Yahweh your God will hear the message"
This phrase means that the king is the chief commander's master.
"Yahweh your God will rebuke the king of Assyria for what he has said"
"pray"
"for the few of us that are still here"
"he will hear a rumor, and when he does, I will cause him to go back to his own land"
"Listen"
"And there in his own land, I will cause his enemies to kill him with their swords"
This is a city in southern Judah.
"Tirhakah king of Cush and Egypt had mobilized his army"
"to fight against the army of Sennacherib"
"The king of Assyria and his army will not conquer you in Jerusalem"
"You have certainly heard"
"So you too will not be saved." or "So of course no one will rescue you either!"
"The nations' god did not rescue the nations that my fathers destroyed with their armies ... Tel Assar!"
These are places that the Assyrians had conquered.
These are places that the Assyrians had conquered.
"We also conquered the king ... Ivvah!"
"that the messengers gave him"
The house of Yahweh was at the highest place in Jerusalem, so it is spoken of as "up."
"spread out the letter in front of Yahweh." Being in the house of Yahweh is considered the same as being in Yahweh's presence. The letter was a scroll that could be unrolled and spread out.
"you who sit on your throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
"only you are God"
"have authority over all the kingdoms"
"You made everything"
"in the message he has sent"
"Incline your ear" or "Turn your head." This means to turn your head so that you can hear something better.
"many of the nations and their lands"
"because they were false gods that men made out of wood and stone"
"from the king of Assyria's power"
"all the people in the kingdoms"
"only you, Yahweh, are God"
"sent someone to give a message"
"is what Yahweh has said"
This is a gesture of scorn.
"The people of Zion ... the people of Jerusalem"
"You have defied and insulted Yahweh, you have shouted at and acted pridefully against the Holy One of Israel!"
"In the messages you sent with your servants"
"We have gone ... We will cut ... we will enter"
"Lebanon's tall cedars"
"We have dug ... we dried ... our feet"
"I have marched through all the rivers of Egypt as if they were dry under my feet"
"Certainly you have heard how ... times."
"I planned that your army would destroy cities and cause them to become piles of rubble"
strong and heavily guarded
"I am causing it to happen" or "I am causing these things to take place"
"who are weak"
"The cities are as weak as the grass in the fields before your armies. They are as weak as the grass that grows on the roofs of houses and is scorched by the hot east wind"
"I know everything you do"
"how you rage against me"
"I have heard you speaking arrogantly"
"I will control you like a man controls his animal by place a hook in its nose and a bit in its mouth"
"I will force you to return to your own country"
"sign for you, Hezekiah." Here "you" is singular and refers to Hezekiah.
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Judah.
"in the second year you will eat what grows" or "next year you will eat what grows"
"the year after that" or "in the following year"
A "remnant" is a part of something that remains after the rest is gone. Here this refers to the people who are left in Judah.
"the descendants of Judah"
"will prosper like a plant that takes root and produces fruit"
"Because of his zeal, Yahweh of hosts will do this" or "Yahweh of hosts will do this because of his zeal"
"His army will not come ... They will not come"
"with shields"
a large mound of dirt built against the wall of a city that better enables an army to attach the city
"they came ... they will not enter"
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"so that things will be better for me and for my servant David"
"killing"
"Sennacherib and his army left Israel and went home, and Sennacherib stayed in Nineveh"
"as Sennacherib was worshiping"
This is the name of a false god.
These are the names of men.
"with their swords"
"You should tell the people in your palace what you want them to do after you die"
"remember"
"faithfully lived before you" or "faithfully served you"
"with all my inner being" or "with my complete devotion"
"what pleases you" or "what you consider to be good"
"Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words"
"Listen"
"the power of the king of Assyria"
These stairs are referred to this way because they were built while Ahaz was king.
"that before I have grown old." This refers to dying at middle age, before growing old.
"I will die and go to Sheol"
"before I have lived all of my years I will go to the grave"
"in the land where people are alive" or "in this world where people are alive"
"Yahweh has taken my life away from me quickly like a shepherd packs up his tent and carries it away"
"you are ending my life quickly, like a weaver cuts his cloth from the loom when it is finished"
Here "you" is singular and refers to God.
a device used to weave thread together to make cloth
"my pain was as though I were being torn apart by lions"
"My cries are pitiful—they sound like the chirp of a swallow and the coo of a dove"
"I"
"of waiting for help to come from heaven" or "of waiting for you to help me"
"My sickness oppresses me"
"I have nothing left to say."
"I will like humbly"
"the rest of my life"
"because I am very sad"
"may you give my life back to me"
"from dying and going to the pit of destruction" or "so that I did not die"
"for you have forgiven all my sins and no longer think about them"
"For those in Sheol do not thank you; dead people do not praise you"
"those who go down to the grave"
"do not have hope in your faithfulness." Here "your" is singular and refers to Yahweh.
"save me from dying"
Here "we" refers to Hezekiah and the people of Judah.
"Let Hezekiah's servants"
"use an ointment of mashed figs"
a painful area on the skin that is infected
These are names of men.
"When the king's messengers arrived, Hezekiah was pleased with what they brought to him"
"he showed the messengers everything of value he had"
a building where goods are kept
"Hezekiah showed them every important thing in his house and in his kingdom"
"the message"
"Listen"
"when the enemy army will take everything in your palace ... back to Babylon"
"The Babylonians will take"
"your descendants, whom you should love as your own sons" figs-metaphor]])
Here "your" is plural and refers to those whom the prophet tells to comfort God's people.
Speak tenderly to the people of Jerusalem"
Possible meanings are that the word "warfare" refers 1) to military battle or 2) to forced labor.
"from Yahweh"
"Someone cries out"
The people preparing themselves for Yahweh's help is spoken of as if they were to prepare roads for Yahweh to travel upon.
The term "arabah" can also be a general reference to any desert region.
"Every valley will be filled in"
made level
"make the rugged land level, and make the rough places into a plain"
"Yahweh will reveal his glory"
"for Yahweh has spoken it"
"All people are like grass"
"they quickly stop being faithful to the covenant, just like a flower of the field dies quickly"
"people die as quickly as grass"
"the things that our God says will last forever"
"you people of Zion"
The writer speaks of Jerusalem as if it were a messenger who declares good news.
"he rules with great power"
"those he has rescued go before him"
"No one but Yahweh has measured ... and the hills in a balance."
Yahweh knowing how much water is in the oceans is spoken of as if Yahweh held the water in his hand.
A "span" is the measure of length between the thumb and little finger when the hand is outstretched. Yahweh knowing the length of the sky is spoken of as if he measured it with his hand.
Yahweh knowing how much dust there is on the earth is spoken of as if he carried it in a basket.
Yahweh knowing how heavy the mountains are is spoken of as if he weighed them in scales and balances.
"No one has comprehended the mind of Yahweh, and no one has instructed him as his counselor."
Here the word "mind" refers not only to Yahweh's thoughts, but also to his desires and motivations.
"He has never received instruction from anyone."
"No one taught him the correct way to do things. No one taught him knowledge. No one showed to him the way of understanding."
Possible meanings are 1) a drop of water that falls into a bucket or 2) a drop of water that drops out of a bucket.
"Yahweh regards them as dust on the scales"
"he regards them as nothing"
"There is no one to whom you can compare God. There is no idol to which you can liken him."
This is plural and refers to all of God's people.
"A skilled worker forms it, another covers it with gold and makes a silver chain for it"
"You certainly know and have heard! It has been told to you from the beginning; you have understood from the foundations of the earth!"
"from the time that Yahweh created the earth"
The prophet speaks of Yahweh ruling the earth as if Yahweh were seated on a throne above the earth.
The prophet compares the way Yahweh considers humans to the way humans would consider grasshoppers. Just as grasshoppers are small to humans, humans are small and weak before God.
"He spreads out the heavens as easily as a person would stretch out a curtain or erect a tent in which to live"
"Yahweh reduces"
"As soon as someone plants them ... as soon as someone sows them"
The prophet speaks of Yahweh removing the rulers from power as if Yahweh were a scorching wind that blows upon the plants and causes them to wither.
The wind of Yahweh's judgement will remove the withered plants as easily as wind blows away straw.
"There is no one to whom you can compare me. There is no one whom I resemble."
"Yahweh has created all these stars!"
The prophet speaks of the stars as if they were soldiers whom Yahweh commands to appear.
"By his great might and powerful strength"
"every one is present"
"Why do you say, O people of Israel"
"Yahweh does not know what happens to me"
Possible meanings are 1) "my God is not concerned about others treating me unjustly" or 2) "my God is not concerned about treating me justly."
"You certainly know and have heard!"
"the farthest places of the earth" or "the entire earth"
"Yahweh gives strength"
People receiving strength from Yahweh is spoken of as if the people were able to fly like eagles fly. An eagle is a bird often used as a symbol for strength and power.
People receiving strength from Yahweh is spoken of as if they were able to run and walk without tiring.
Here "me" refers to God.
This refers to the people who live on the islands and in the lands bordering or beyond the Mediterranean Sea.
"then let them come near so they may speak and reason with me"
"I am the one who called this powerful ruler from the east and put him in my good service."
"I give the nations over to him" or "The one who does these things hands nations over to him"
"conquer kings and force them to obey him"
The armies of one from the east will conquer these nations and scatter the people easily.
"The ruler from the east pursues the nations"
"by a path that he has never traveled before"
"I have performed and accomplished these deeds."
"I have summoned the generations of humanity from the beginning."
Possible meanings are 1) that Yahweh existed before creation and will exist at the end of creation or 2) that Yahweh was before the first generation of humanity and will be at the last generation of humanity.
"People who live on the isles ... people who live at the ends of the earth"
You can translate "isles" the same way you translated "coastlands" in Isaiah 41:1.
"the farthest places of the earth"
"they come together"
an iron block on which a person shapes metal with a hammer
Here the word "welding" refers to the process of fastening the gold to the wood as the workers finish making the idol.
Here "it" refers to the idol that they have made.
"the farthest places of the earth"
"my righteous power" or 2) Yahweh's right hand is victorious in that he will always succeed in what he does. Alternate translation: "my victorious power"
"all who have been angry with you will be ashamed and disgraced"
"those who oppose you will be as nothing and will perish"
Yahweh helping the people of Israel is spoken of as if he were holding their right hand.
"you people of Israel who are insignificant, as if you were a worm"
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
the Holy One who rules Israel.
A threshing sledge was a board with sharp spikes that someone would drag over the wheat to separate the grain from the chaff.
This refers to the edges of the spikes that were attached to the threshing sledge. That they are "two-edged" means that they are very sharp.
"you will thresh your enemies and crush them as if they were grain, even though they appear to be as strong as mountains"
The hills are a metaphor for the powerful enemy nations near Israel. People having the wind blow the chaff away after they have threshed the grain means that they allow Yahweh to destroy their enemies.
Israel's enemies will disappear like chaff blown away by the wind.
These are types of trees.
"Yahweh has done this"
"do anything at all"
"the person who chooses you idols"
"I have appointed one"
"from the east"
Possible meanings are 1) that this person invokes Yahweh for his success or 2) that this person worships Yahweh.
"he will conquer the rulers"
Yahweh compares the way in which this person will trample the other rulers with the way that a potter tramples on clay to mix it with water.
"None of the idols announced this from the beginning, that we might know. And none of them announced this before time, that we may say, 'He is in the right.'"
"Who announced this before this time" )
"Indeed, none of the idols decreed it. Indeed, no one heard you idols say anything"
"not one idol"
"their idols are all worthless"
"Look, my servant" or "Here is my servant"
"with whom I am very happy"
Yahweh speaks of weak and helpless people as if they were crushed reeds and dimly burning wicks.
A reed is the long, thin stem of a plant like tall grass. If it is crushed, it cannot carry any weight.
"be discouraged"
"the people who live on the coastlands"
The prophet speaks of Yahweh creating the heavens and the earth as if the heavens and earth were fabric which Yahweh stretched out.
"gives life to the people who live on the earth"
Here "you" is singular and refers to Yahweh's servant.
"I will ... make you be the mediator of a covenant with the people"
Yahweh speaks of making his servant the one who delivers the nations from bondage as if he were making him a light that shines in dark places for the Gentiles.
"to enable the blind to see"
This refers to the praise that Yahweh receives from people.
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
This refers to the people who live in the desert and the cities.
This is a city north of Arabia.
a city in Edom
Here "them" refers to the people along the coastlands.
Yahweh is compared with a warrior who is ready to defeat his people's enemies.
Yahweh stimulating his zeal is spoken of as if he stirred it up like the wind stirs up waves of water.
"I have kept myself from doing anything"
Yahweh's activity as a shouting warrior is compared with a pregnant woman who cries from labor pains.
Yahweh uses this language to describe his great power to conquer his enemies.
A marsh is an area of soft, wet land with pools of water.
Yahweh speaks of his people being helpless as if they could not see because they were blind.
Possible meanings are 1) "that they have never traveled" or 2) "with which they are unfamiliar."
Yahweh speaks of his people being helpless as if they could not see because they walked in darkness, and of his helping them as if he caused light to shine in the darkness.
"I will reject them and put them to shame"
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel. Yahweh speaks of their failure to listen to him and obey him as if they are deaf and blind.
"No one is as blind as my servant. No one is as deaf as my messenger whom I send."
"No one is as blind as my covenant partner. No one is as blind as Yahweh's servant."
"Although you see many things, you do not understand what they mean"
"people hear, but no one understands what they hear"
"Yahweh was pleased to honor his justice by making his law glorious." The second part of the phrase explains how Yahweh accomplished the first part.
"But the enemy has robbed and plundered this people"
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
"It was certainly Yahweh ... refused to obey."
Here the word "we" refers to the people of Israel and to Isaiah.
"Therefore Yahweh"
"he showed he people of Israel just how angry he was"
"by devastating them with war"
Isaiah speaks of Yahweh's fierce anger as if it were a fire that burned the people.
"they did not pay attention" or "they did not learn from it"
Yahweh speaks of suffering and difficult experiences as if they are deep waters and fires through which the people walk.
The people will experience no harm because Yahweh is with them.
"it will not burn you"
"ransom" could be translated as "a buying back" or "a penalty paid" or "the price paid" to free or buy back people." Yahweh will allow Israel's enemy to conquer these nations instead of Israel.
This is the name of a nation.
"Because you are very precious to me"
"therefore I will let the enemy conquer other peoples instead of you"
Yahweh speaks to "the north" and "the south" as if commanding the nations in those locations.
Yahweh speaks of the people who belong to him as if they were his children.
"everyone whom I have called by my name" or "everyone who belongs to me"
Yahweh speaks of those who do not listen to him or obey him as if they were blind and deaf.
"None of their gods could have declared this or announced to us earlier events before they happened."
"These gods have no witnesses who will prove them right, witnesses who will listen and affirm, 'It is true'"
The phrase "my servant" refers to the nation, as a whole.
"None of the gods whom people have formed existed before me"
"none of those gods will exist after me"
"I alone am Yahweh" or "I myself am Yahweh"
"I am the only savior" or "I am the only one who can save you"
"no one can rescue anyone from my power"
"no one can turn it back." or "no one can stop me."
"I send an army to Babylon"
"lead all of the Babylonians down as fugitives"
A fugitive is a person who runs away so that his enemy will not capture him.
Isaiah speaks of the events following the exodus from Egypt, when Yahweh divided the sea to let the Israelites walk through on dry ground but then drowned the Egyptian army.
"They all died together; they will never live again" )
"their lives have ended, like a person extinguishes the flame of a burning candle"
They are not to worry about what happened in the past.
"Listen" or "Pay attention"
"surely you have noticed it."
Here animals honor Yahweh as if they were people.
This is a plant with a pleasant smell used to make anointing oil. It did not grow in the land of Israel so the people had to buy it from other nations.
"troubled me with your sins"
"I alone"
"who forgives your offenses like someone wiping something away" or "who forgives your offenses like someone who erases a record of sins"
"for my own honor" or "for my own reputation"
"remember"
"present your case, but you cannot prove yourselves to be to be in the right"
This refers to the founder of Israel and may represent either Abraham or Jacob.
the false prophets
"I will cause the enemy to completely destroy Jacob"
"I will hand Israel over to abusive humiliation" or "I will allow the enemy to abuse and humiliate Israel"
"descendants of Jacob, my servants"
"he who made you, as I form a baby in the womb" )
"The people of Israel whom I have chosen, do not fear"
"the dry ground"
"I will give my Spirit to your offspring"
"I will pour out my blessing on your descendants" or "I will give my blessing to your descendants"
The people of Israel being prosperous and multiplying is spoken of as if they were plants that grow because they have plenty of water.
A willow is a tree with thin branches that grows near the water.
"another person will say he is a descendant of Jacob"
"call himself a descendant of Israel"
"Israel's Redeemer"
This phrase emphasizes Yahweh's eternal nature. Possible meanings are 1) "I am the one who began all things, and I am the one who ends all things" or 2) "I am the one who has always lived, and I am the one who always will live."
"If anyone thinks he is like me, let him announce"
"I declared these things to you long ago."
"There is no God besides me."
Yahweh speaks of himself as if he were a large rock under which people can find shelter. This means he has the power to protect his people.
"the idols they delight in are worthless"
"those who serve as witnesses for these idols are like blind people who know nothing"
"they will be ashamed" or "their idols will put them to shame"
"Only fools would form a god or cast an idol that is worthless."
"all of the craftsman's associates" Or 2) those who associate themselves with the idol by worshiping it. Alternate translation: "all those who worship the idol"
"will be ashamed"
"Let them all come together before me"
"they will be terrified." To "cower" is to bend over in fear.
"forming the idol" or "creating the idol"
A string was used to outline the shape of the idol in the wood.
This is a sharp tool to scratch the wood so the craftsman can see where to cut.
This is a tool with two points that spread out used to help mark the wood to make the idol.
"The carpenter cuts down" or "the woodcarver cuts down"
He works so that the tree will grow strong and he can use it.
a tall evergreen tree
"The man uses the wood")
Yahweh speaks of those who cannot understand the foolishness of worshiping idols as if they were blind.
"they cannot understand"
"I should not now make ... something disgusting to worship. I should not bow down to a block of wood."
Yahweh speaks of a person worshiping an idol as if that person were eating the burned ashes of the wood from which he made the idol. Just as eating ashes does not benefit a person, neither does worshiping an idol.
"he misleads himself because he is deceived"
"The person who worships idols cannot save himself"
"I will not forget you"
"Like a thick cloud that covers the sun, I have blotted out your rebellious deeds, and like a cloud covers the sun, I have forgiven your sins"
Here Isaiah speaks various parts of creation as if they were people and commands them to praise Yawheh.
"you lowest parts of the earth." Possible meanings are 1) that this refers to very deep places on the earth such as caves or canyons and forms a merism with "heavens" in the previous phrase or 2) that this refers to the place of the dead.
Yahweh speaks of creating the heavens as if they were fabric which he stretched out.
These are signs that people used to attempt to predict the future.
This refers to people who say things that are meaningless.
"what his servant declares ... what his messengers announce"
"People will live there again"
"People will rebuild them"
"I will rebuild what others have destroyed"
Yahweh speaks of Cyrus ruling and protecting the people of Israel as if Cyrus is their shepherd.
"Let the people rebuild the city"
"Let the people lay its foundations"
Yahweh helping Cyrus and causing him to be successful is spoken of as if he were holding his right hand.
Yahweh speaks of removing obstacles that would hinder Cyrus's success as if it were leveling mountains before him.
This refers to the iron bars on the bronze gates.
"treasures in dark places" or "the treasures in secret places"
These both refer to the descendants of Israel.
Possible meanings are 1) "I will strengthen you for battle" or 2) "I will equip you for battle."
"from every place on earth"
Both of these expressions emphasize that Yahweh is sovereign creator of everything.
Yahweh speaks of his righteousness as if it were rain that falls on the earth, and of his righteousness and salvation as plants that grow on the earth.
"like one piece of pottery among many other pieces of pottery scattered on the ground"
Possible meanings are 1) "clay pot" or 2) "piece of broken clay pottery."
"The clay should not say to the potter ... on it!'"
Yahweh speaks of those who would argue him as if they were unborn children who argue with their own parents.
"You should not be my father ... You should give birth to me." or "You are not fathering me correctly ... You are not giving birth to me correctly."
"Do not question me about what I do for my children. Do not command me concerning the work of my hands."
This refers to the people of Israel.
"the things that I have made"
"It was I who"
Here the word "righteousness" refers to right action. Possible meanings are 1) that Yahweh has stirred up Cyrus to do the right thing or 2) that Yahweh was right to stir up Cyrus.
Yahweh speaks of causing Cyrus to act as if it were stirring him from slumber.
Yahweh speaks of removing obstacles and causing Cyrus to be successful as if he were making the paths smooth on which Cyrus walks.
This refers to Jerusalem.
"he will not do these things for money"
"The crops that grow in Egypt"
These are people from the nation of Seba.
Here "you" refers to the people of Jerusalem.
"the only true God is your God"
"Their idols will leave them all completely ashamed"
"will be continually humiliated"
"Yahweh will save the people of Israel"
"No one will ever humiliate you again"
"not to be empty." Here the word "waste" refers to an empty, barren place.
"but he designed it so people could live on it"
"things that are good and true"
people who have fled from their homes so the enemy will not capture or kill them
Here the word "them" refers to the refugees from among the nations who worship idols.
"I will tell you who has shown this from long ago. I will tell you who announced it. It was I, Yahweh."
"I am the only God ... I am the only one"
"Turn to me and I will save you"
"all the farthest places of the earth" or "the entire earth"
"Every person will kneel before me, and everyone will swear"
All the people on the earth are speaking.
"Yahweh will justify all the descendants of Israel" or "Yahweh will vindicate all the descendants of Israel"
Isaiah speaks of people placing the idols of Bel and Nebo into a cart for animals to transport as if these gods were made to "bow down" and "stoop." These are both postures of humiliation.
These were the two primary gods whom the Babylonians worshiped.
"Bel and Nebo cannot rescue their images"
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
Yahweh speaks of the nation of Israel as if it were a person, and of the nation's beginning as if it were its birth.
Yahweh speaks of the nation of Israel becoming very old as if it were an old man with gray hair.
"There is no one to whom you can compare me. I resemble no one, so that we might be compared."
"They" refers to the people who make idols and "it" refers to the idol that they have created.
"I announce the end from the beginning, and I announce beforehand what has not yet happened"
Yahweh speaks of Cyrus as if he were "a bird of prey." As a bird swiftly captures its prey, so Cyrus will swiftly accomplish Yahweh's purpose to conquer the nations.
"I will not wait to save you"
Sitting in the dust was a sign of humiliation.
Both of these phrases refer to the city, Babylon, which is spoken of as if it were a daughter. That the city is a "daughter" indicates how people think fondly of her.
"without the power to rule"
a large stone used to grind grain
"You will be naked"
"people will see your shame" or "people will see your private parts"
"Our" refers to Isaiah and the people of Israel.
This phrase refers to the city, Babylon, which is spoken of as if it were a daughter.
Yahweh speaks of Babylon being the capital city of the Babylonian empire as if it were a queen who ruled many kingdoms.
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"I defiled my people, who are my special possession"
"I put them under your power"
Yahweh speaks of the Babylonians oppressing the old people as if they had treated the old people like cattle and put heavy yokes on their necks.
Babylon speaks of permanently ruling over many nations as if she were a queen who would rule forever.
"You did not consider these things"
"you luxurious one." This refers to the many luxuries that Babylon enjoyed.
"who think you are safe"
"I will never become a widow"
"suddenly at the same time"
ornaments or jewelry that people wear because they believe that those things will protect them from evil, danger, or sickness
"you say to yourself"
"You will experience disaster"
"You will experience destruction" or "Others will destroy you"
"You will experience calamity"
Yahweh mocks Babylon by telling her to continue to practice her sorcery to keep bad things away, but he knows that it will not help her.
"cause disaster to tremble in fear and stay away" or "keep yourselves from suffering disaster"
Yahweh compares the magicians and sorcerers to straw that burns quickly in a fire. This means that Yahweh will destroy them as easily as fire burns stubble, and so they are powerless to save Babylon.
"the power of the flame"
Yahweh emphasizes that this is a destructive fire by stating that it is not one that people will use to warm themselves.
"descendants of Jacob"
"whom everyone calls the people of Israel"
"are the descendants of Judah"
"the family line of Judah" or "the loins of Judah" or "the sperm of Judah"
"call on the God of Israel"
"you call yourselves"
This refers to Jerusalem.
"I spoke these things"
"you are stubborn and will not admit what I said is true."
"I did not explain these things to you beforehand"
Yahweh speaks of the nation's beginning as if it were its birth.
"For the sake of my reputation I will delay my anger"
Yahweh speaks of using affliction to purify his people as if they were precious metals and affliction were a furnace in which he refines them.
"for I cannot allow anyone to profane my name."
Yahweh continues speaking to the people of Israel.
Both of these refer to the people of Israel.
This phrase emphasizes Yahweh's eternal nature. Possible meanings are 1) "I am the one who began all things, and I am the one who ends all things" or 2) "I am the one who has always lived, and I am the one who always will live." See how you translated a similar phrase in [Isaiah 44:6]
"I laid the foundation of the earth, and I spread out the heavens"
Yahweh speaks of the earth and the heavens as if they were able to hear him and obey him.
"None of your idols has told this to you."
Here "ally" refers to Cyrus.
"Yahweh's purpose"
"I myself"
"I have spoken plainly and clearly"
Here "me" refers to an unknown servant of Yahweh, maybe Isaiah or Cyrus or the promised Messiah.
Here "your" refers to the people of Israel.
Yahweh teaching the people how they should live is spoken of as if he were leading them to walk on the correct paths.
to succeed
Yahweh describes something that could have happened but did not.
"your righteousness would have flowed like the waves of the sea"
"salvation"
These both mean that the people would have had more descendants than they could count.
Yahweh speaks of the descendants of the people of Israel as if they were children to which the nation gives birth.
"I would not have destroyed them"
"they"
"to all the farthest places of the earth" or "to the entire earth"
This refers to an event in the history of the people of Israel when Yahweh took care of them while they lived in the desert after escaping Egypt.
Here "me" refers to Yahweh's servant.
"you who live on the coastlands"
"He has made my words as effective as a sharp sword"
Yahweh protecting his servant and keeping his purpose secret is spoken of as if Yahweh's hand cast a shadow over him.
Yahweh's servant being able to carry out Yahweh's purposes effectively is spoken of as if the servant were a sharp, new arrow.
Yahweh protecting his servant and keeping his purpose secret is spoken of as if Yahweh kept him hidden in a case used to carry arrows.
"Yahweh said"
"You are my servant, whom I call Israel"
"to bring the people of Israel back to himself"
"Yahweh has honored me"
The servant bringing Yahweh's message to the Gentiles and helping them to understand it is spoken of as if Yahweh made the servant a light that shines among the Gentiles.
"to all the farthest places of the earth" or "to the entire earth"
"to the one whom people despised, whom the nations hated and held as slaves"
Here "you" refers to Yahweh's servant.
"when the time comes for me to save you"
"make you be the mediator of a covenant with the people"
"to rebuild the ruined places in the land"
"to reassign the desolate land to the people of Israel as their inheritance"
Yahweh speaks of the people living freely and prosperously as if they were sheep that had plenty of pasture in which to graze.
Here "they" refers to God's people.
"nor will they suffer from the sun's heat"
"I, the one who has mercy on them ... I will guide them"
Yahweh speaks of guiding his people safely and removing obstacles from their path as if he turned mountains into roads and level highways.
The location of this place is uncertain, but it may refer to a region in the southern part of Egypt.
Isaiah turns his attention from the people of Israel and speaks to the heavens, earth, and mountains as if they were people.
The word "Zion" is another name for Jerusalem. Isaiah speaks of the city as if it were a woman who complains that Yahweh has forgotten her.
"A woman would not forget her nursing baby or stop caring for the son she bore."
Yahweh speaks of his unwavering devotion to Zion as if he had written her name on the palms of his hands.
"I am continually thinking about your walls" or "I am always thinking about you"
"Your inhabitants are hurrying back"
"completely destroyed you"
Yahweh speaks of the inhabitants of Zion as if they were jewelry that the city wears to show her beauty and joy.
"you will put them on, like a bride wears jewelry"
"Though you were completely desolate"
"Those who will inhabit you, who were born while the people were in exile"
This means that there will be so many people that the city will be too small for them all to live in it.
"say to yourself" or "ask yourself"
Zion speaks of the people who are returning to inhabit the city as if those people were her children. Zion's question expresses her surprise that so many children now belong to her.
Zion describes herself as a woman incapable of having more children. She indicates the reasons for her great surprise.
"I was mourning over my dead children and unable to have more"
"I was sent away, without a husband"
"Look, I was left all alone; now all of these children that I did not raise have come to me."
"I will raise my hand and signal with a flag for the people of the nations to come"
Yahweh speaks of the people who will inhabit Jerusalem as if they were the city's children. He also speaks of the people of other nations helping the Israelites to return to Jerusalem as if they were carrying the Israelites.
The word "bosom" refers to the chest, shoulders, and arms.
"The kings and queens of other nations will provide for your inhabitants"
These phrases describe gestures that people used to express complete submission to a superior.
Possible meanings are 1) that this is a literal expression of submission where the person licks the dust off of a superior's foot or from the ground at the superior's foot or 2) that this is an idiom that describes a person prostrating himself before a superior.
"will not be ashamed" or "will not be disappointed"
"A person cannot take the booty from a warrior or rescue captives from ruthless soldiers."
valuable items taken from the losers in a battle
"I will take the captives from the warrior, and I will rescue the booty"
"ruthless people"
Yahweh speaks of the people who will inhabit Zion as if they were the city's children.
"I will cause your oppressors to destroy themselves, as if they were eating their own flesh"
"they will shed so much of their friends' blood that it will be as though they were getting drunk with wine"
"Show me the certificate of divorce with which I divorced your mother."
"I did not sell you because I owed a debt to someone."
"I sold you because of your sins, and I divorced your mother because of your rebellion"
"When I came to you, you should have been there, but you were not. When I called you, you should have answered, but you did not." or "When I came to speak to you, you did not respond to me."
"My hand was certainly not too short for me to ransom you, and I had the power to rescue you!" or "I certainly have the power to rescue you from your enemies."
"Was I not strong enough"
"Did I not have the power"
"I make the rivers as dry as a desert"
"their fish die and rot for lack of water." The word "their" refers to the sea and the rivers.
"I make the sky dark, as if it were wearing dark sackcloth"
"The Lord Yahweh has enabled me to be a skillful speaker" or 2) Yahweh has taught him what to say. Alternate translation: "The Lord Yahweh has enabled me to speak what he has taught me"
"he has enabled me to understand what he says"
The servant compares himself with a student who learns from his teacher. Possible meanings are 1) "like one who learns from his teacher" or 2) "like one whom he has taught"
"The Lord Yahweh has enabled me to hear and understand him"
"I obeyed what he said"
"I allowed people to beat me on my back and to pluck out my beard from my cheeks"
"I did not defend myself when they mocked me and spat on me"
"therefore I will not be ashamed"
"so I am absolutely determined"
"for I know that my enemies will not be able to make me feel shame"
"If anyone would oppose me, let us stand ... If anyone would accuse me, let him come"
"There is no one who can declare me guilty."
There being no one left to accuse the servant of being guilty is spoken of as if the accusers were garments that wear thin and are eaten by moths.
"If someone among you fears Yahweh and obeys the voice of his servant, but he walks in deep darkness without light, then he should ... his God."
"obeys his servant"
"is suffering and feels helpless"
"trust in Yahweh, his God"
This continues the thought from the previous verse of people who walk in darkness. Here people who try to live according to their own wisdom instead of trusting in Yahweh are spoken of as if they lit their own fires and carried about torches in order to see in the dark.
"You will die with great suffering"
Here the word "me" refers to Yahweh.
"your ancestors, who are like a rock from which you were chiseled and a quarry from which you were cut"
"cut with a chisel" or "cut"
"Abraham, your forefather" or "Abraham, your ancestor"
"Abraham's wife, Sarah, of whom you are all descendants"
"when he had no children"
"made his descendants many" or "made him have many descendants"
"Yahweh will comfort the people of Zion"
"he will comfort the people who live in all her places that have been destroyed"
"he will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert plains ... like the garden of Yahweh
"there will be joy and gladness in Zion again"
"my law will teach the nations what is right" or "the nations will know my law"
"I will issue a "decree" or "instruction"
"I will soon show my righteousness"
"I will save people"
"I will rule the nations with my power"
"the people who live on the coastlands" or "the people who live in the lands across the sea"
"they will eagerly wait for me to do something" or "they will eagerly wait for me to save them"
"Look up at the sky"
"I will save you, you will be free forever"
"my righteous rule will never end" or "I will rule righteously forever"
"who know and honor my law"
"and do not lose your courage when they hurt you"
"my righteous rule will be forever" or "I will rule righteously forever"
"I will save you, and you will be free forever"
"Awake, awake, Yahweh, and clothe your arm with strength"
"make yourself strong"
Rahab was the name of this mythological serpent in the sea. Rahab can symbolize either the nation of Egypt or evil and chaos.
"You dried up the sea ... for the redeemed to pass through."
"Those whom Yahweh has rescued"
"they will be glad forever"
"they will be overwhelmed by joy and gladness" or "they will be extremely glad and joyful"
"they will no longer be sorrowful and mourning"
"I am he"
"Do not be afraid of men ... like grass."
"who live and die quickly like grass" or "who will wither and disappear like grass"
"You should not have forgotten Yahweh ... earth."
"who stretched out the heavens like a garment"
"the oppressor's great fury when he decides to cause destruction"
"The fury of the oppressor is not a threat!"
"The slave"
"the pit of Sheol" or "the grave"
"nor will he be without food"
"who causes the sea to churn" or "who makes the sea move up and down"
"I have told you what to say"
"my power has kept you safe" or "I have protected you and kept you safe"
"that I may establish the heavens"
"Awake, awake, stand up, you people of Jerusalem"
Yahweh speaks of having punished his people as if he had forced them to drink from a bowl that was filled with his anger. And when they drank from the bowl of his anger, they staggered as if they had drank a lot of wine.
"down to the very bottom"
not walking straight, or stumbling while walking
"You have no one to help you! You are like a drunk old woman without a son to take her by the hand and guide her"
"but there is no one to grieve with you ... There is no one to comfort you."
"your enemies have left your city empty and ruined"
"many of you have died from hunger and war"
"they lie on the street"
"they are helpless, like a deer caught in a net" or "as helpless as a trapped deer"
"they have been severely punished by Yahweh because he was angry with them and rebuked them"
"you oppressed people and drunken people"
"you who are drunk from drinking the wine of the bowl of Yahweh's anger" or "you who act drunk, because you have suffered greatly"
"I will no longer be angry with you. See, it is like I have taken away from you the cup that made you stagger, that is, the cup that was full of my anger, so that"
"Listen"
This speaks of Yahweh punishing their enemies as if he were going to force them to drink from the cup filled with his anger.
"I will force your tormentors to drink from the wine of the bowl of my anger"
"those who have tormented you" or "those who have caused you to suffer"
"you lay in the streets so your enemies could walk on your backs"
"be strong"
"people of Zion ... people of Jerusalem"
"those who are not acceptable to God"
"enter your city to attack you"
It is implied that the people of Jerusalem were wearing chains because they were slaves while exiled in Babylon.
"people of Zion" or "people who live in Zion"
"I sold you for nothing, and I will redeem you without money"
Here "beginning" refers to the start of Israel's history as they were first becoming a people.
"went to ... Egypt." It was common to use the phrase "went down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.
"the people of Assyria have treated them badly"
"Now look at what is happening ... my people are again taken away for nothing."
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"I see the enemy taking my people away for nothing"
This refers to the Babylonians who have conquered the people. However, some versions have, "Those who rule over them wail." For these versions, this passage refers to the leaders of the Israelites in captivity.
"those who watch the enemy take away my people are continually saying evil things about me"
"Therefore my people will truly know who I am"
"It is beautiful to see a messenger coming over the mountains to announce good news"
"to the people of Zion"
"shout loudly"
"every one of them"
"you people who live among the ruins of Jerusalem"
"he has redeemed the people of Jerusalem"
"showed his holiness and mighty power"
Here "nations" and "earth" represent the people of all the nations all over the earth.
This word is repeated to emphasize that the people must indeed leave, although not necessarily right away.
"go out from the land where you are slaves"
"touch nothing that is unacceptable to Yahweh"
Here "her" represents Babylon.
Yahweh protecting his people from their enemies is spoken of as if he were the warriors who go ahead of the people and the warriors who stay behind the people to protect them.
"I will give my servant the greatest honor"
"his enemies beat his body so badly that he did not even look like a human anymore"
The servant causing the people of the nations to be acceptable to Yahweh is spoken of as if the servant were a priest who sprinkles the blood of a sacrifice to make someone or something acceptable to Yahweh.
The Hebrew word translated "sprinkle" here can also be translated as "surprise" or "startle," which some versions of the Bible do.
Here "nations" represents the people of the nations.
"kings will stop talking" or "kings will be silent"
"that which no one had told them" or "something no one had told them"
"It is hard for anyone to believe what we are telling them"
"Yahweh has revealed his power to people."
Here "he" refers to God's servant whom Isaiah compares to a very young tree. This emphasizes that he will appear weak.
"out of an impossible situation"
"People considered him as nothing and rejected him"
"a man knowing all kinds of sadness"
"from whom people turn away"
"they considered him to be worthless"
"he has taken our sicknesses and sorrows upon himself"
"yet we thought God was punishing and afflicting him"
"God allowed the enemy to stab him and kill him because of our iniquities"
"He accepted this punishment so we could live in harmony"
"he healed us by his suffering of the wounds"
Sheep often leave the path on which the shepherd leads them. Isaiah means that we do what we want instead of what God commands.
"the guilt for the sin of every one of us"
"They treated him harshly"
"he did not protest"
Isaiah compares the servant to a lamb and a sheep to emphasize that he will remain silent as people harm and humiliate him.
"just as a lamb is silent as a person slaughters it"
"They coerced him, judged him, and took him away"
forcing a person to do what that person does not want to do
"No one thought about his descendants."
"he died" or "death took him away"
"of the people of Israel"
"nor did he deceive anyone when he spoke"
Here, "offspring" means those people that Yahweh has forgiven because of the servant's sacrifice.
"Yahweh will make his servant live again"
"Yahweh will accomplish his purpose through his servant"
"After the servant has suffered"
Many versions understand "light" here to stand for life. That is, the servant will become alive again.
Here "my" refers to Yahweh.
"he will take their punishment" or "he will be punished for their sins." Alternate translation: "he will take their guilt upon himself" or "he will be guilty for their sins"
"Portion" and "plunder" refer to what a king rewards his army with after a battle. This means God will greatly honor his servant because of his sacrifice.
Many versions interpret this expression as "the many" or "the strong."
"he willingly accepted the possibility of death"
"allowed people to treat him as a criminal"
Yahweh telling the people of Jerusalem to rejoice because there will be many people living in Jerusalem again is spoken of as if Yahweh were telling a barren women she is going to have many children.
"For the children of the desolate woman will be more"
Here "desolate" means that the woman's husband had rejected and abandoned her
Yahweh telling the people of Jerusalem to prepare because Yahweh will greatly increase their people is spoken of as if he is telling a woman to make her tent bigger to make room for many children.
"For you and your descendants will spread out"
"will conquer the people of other nations"
"you will not remember how disgraced you felt when you were like a widow"
Yahweh loving and taking care of his people is spoken of as if he were their husband.
"he is the God of the whole earth"
Yahweh sending his people away into exile then bringing them back is spoken of as if Yahweh were a husband who had rejected his wife but now accepts her. (
Here "spirit" represents a person's inner being. Alternate translation: "grieved" or "made sad"
"When I was very angry"
"I abandoned you"
"but because I always am faithful to my covenant with you" or "but because I am always faithful to do what I promise to do"
"that is what I, Yahweh, your rescuer, say to you"
This refers to the flood that Yahweh caused during the time of Noah.
"Even if the mountains were to fall and the hills were to shake, my steadfast love will not ... be shaken"
"the hills may shake"
"I will not stop loving you"
"and I will not cancel my covenant of peace" or "and I will surely give you peace as I promised in my covenant"
"that is what I, Yahweh, who acts mercifully, say"
"You afflicted people of Jerusalem"
Yahweh speaks of the people as if they were blown around and damaged by the winds and storms. This means the people were hurt and without stability.
"without comfort"
These are precious gemstones. Turquoise is light blue-to-green, sapphires are typically dark blue.
Yahweh describes in ideal terms how he will restore Jerusalem and cause it to be beautiful again. Although the language may be exaggerated, you should translate this just as Yahweh described it.
These precious gemstones are red to pink.
"And Yahweh will teach all your children"
"by me, Yahweh"
"I will cause you to be strong again because you will do what is right"
No one in the city or outsiders will ever terrify the inhabitants of Jerusalem again.
"causes trouble" or "troubles you"
"you will defeat them in battle"
"Enemies may form weapons to attack you but they will not defeat you"
The reward that Yahweh will give to those who serve him is spoken of as if the reward were something they would inherit.
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
This short word is called or shouted at people to get their attention for any reason. You should use whatever word or sound is used in your language to get people's attention.
This word is repeated three times so the hearers will know that the speaker is sincere.
There is a sense of irony in this statement since a person usually has to use money to buy something. This emphasizes Yahweh's amazing grace in giving these things freely.
"You should not pay money ... bread, and you should not labor ... satisfy"
"for things to eat that are not really food"
The people trusting Yahweh for blessing and happiness is spoken of as if they are eating good food that is making them happy.
"Pay attention"
These words could refer to 1) what Yahweh did for King David in the past or 2) what God will do through one of David's descendants.
"Seek Yahweh while you can still find him"
"Let wicked people change the way they live"
"let the sinful man leave his thoughts"
Possible meanings are 1) "the way he thinks" or 2) "his plans"
"Yahweh will pity him"
"let him return to our God"
Yahweh speaks of the things that he does and how he thinks as being far superior to or higher than what people do and think, just like the sky is much higher than the earth.
This is likely a description of the rain and snow evaporating.
"the word that I speak"
"it will not fail to complete its task"
"I will lead you along peacefully"
Yahweh speaks of the mountains, hills, and trees as if they were people with voices and hands, celebrating as Yahweh rescues his people.
The words "thornbushes" and "brier" refer to species of plants that have sharp thorns growing on them. The words "cypress" and "myrtle" refer to species of evergreen trees. The thorny plants symbolize desolation, while the evergreens symbolize life and prosperity.
"for his fame" or "for his honor"
"that will never end" or "that will last forever"
"I will soon save you and show you that I am righteous"
"who is careful to always do this"
"does not do evil things")
This means eunuchs may have thought they could not be a part of God's people because they were deformed by castration (and for this reason could not have children). Israelites did not practice castration; foreigners did, sometimes for punishment. Eunuchs who had accepted the Hebrew faith knew that normally they were not allowed to worship in the temple (Deut. 23:1).
"inside the walls of my temple"
"that will never end" or "that will never be forgotten"
"who love Yahweh"
"on all of Yahweh's holy mountain"
"I will accept on my altar"
"my house will be a house of prayer"
God is calling armies of other nations by comparing them to animals to come and attack the people of Israel.
This means Israel's leaders cannot or perhaps do not want to see what is going on in society.
The leaders are supposed to open their mouths and warn the people, but they do not. Comparing someone to a dog in this society is a great insult.)
This means the leaders are not bringing God's word of warning to Israel but prefer their own comfort.
Yahweh continues comparing Israel's bad leaders to dogs.
"the people who are faithful to the covenant" or "the people who are faithful"
"die and go away ... dies and goes away"
"that the righteous people die, and Yahweh takes them away from all that is evil"
"The righteous enter into peace"
they die
"those who have done what is right"
God is calling all of the unfaithful people to come before him so he can judge them in a strong contrast to the promises for the righteous that came before.
This is a strong insult against the people who practice sorcery because sorcery and magic includes idolatry.
This refers to actual and spiritual adultery. They have abandoned the worship of God and now worship other gods and idols along with actual prostitution in pagan Canaanite ceremonies.
"You are mocking me and making fun of me by opening your mouth wide and sticking out the tongue!"
"You are children of rebellion, children of deceit!"
All of these actions are associated with worshiping idols. The oaks were sacred trees to the Canaanites. People thought such activity would increase fertility for people and the land.
"that is your lot" or "that is your inheritance"
"I should certainly not change my mind about how I will deal with these things you have done."
This refers to sleeping with prostitutes as a part of worshiping false gods.
People often went on top of hills and mountains to worship false gods. They thought those were the best places for worship. This might even refer to Jerusalem, too.
"You made a contract with them"
The people did not literally go to Sheol, the world of the dead. Instead, Yahweh is indicating by exaggeration that the people were willing to go anywhere to find new gods to worship.
After trying so hard, the idolators found they still had strength to keep going. Here "hand" equals "strength" or "capacity."
"Apparently you really fear others because you have acted deceitfully and you do not rememer me or think about me!"
Possible meanings are that they lied to God or that they were not faithful to him.
Yahweh is being sarcastic, calling their evil deeds so-called righteousness.
Yahweh is mocking the people and their idols. He knows the idols cannot rescue them.
"The wind, or even a breath, will blow them away"
The "holy mountain" is Mount Zion, in Jerusalem.
Yahweh is emphatic and urgent that a clear and level road be available for the people to return to him and free of obstacles to worshiping Yahweh.
Yahweh will strengthen and encourage those who humble themselves before him.
Here these refer to a person's thoughts and emotions, not the spirit and heart literally.
This means God gave up on his people and no longer helped or blessed them.
This means the Israelites kept rejecting the true God for false ones. Here "backward" and "way" are location words representing motivations and feelings.
"their ways." Here "his" refers to the people of Israel.
"I will soothe and calm those who feel sad for the people's suffering because of their sinful behavior"
"I cause them to praise and thank me"
"I have made peace with them who are far off." The word "Peace" is repeated for emphasis.
This compares the wicked to rough water on the shore that makes the water dirty.
This means shout loudly. Here "your" refers to Isaiah.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they strengthen the urgency to confront Yahweh's people.
The people of Israel use questions to complain to God because they feel he is ignoring them.
"Behold!" or "Pay attention." Yahweh confronts their questioning by telling them to pay attention.
"wicked fist." This shows that they fight viciously. "Fist" represents anger that is physically violent.
"This is not the kind of fast I want ... under himself."
This means the person is bowing down, but he is not truly humble. "A reed" represents a weak plant that bends easily.
"Surely you do not think this kind of fast pleases me!"
"This is the fast that I choose ... break every yoke."
All of these phrases mean they should help those people whom the wicked are hurting and oppressing.
"It is to ... your relatives." or "The fast I choose for you to do is to ... your own relatives."
"to share your food with those who are hungry"
This means that if they help people in need, their deeds will be like lights others will see, as when the sun comes up after a dark night. Or the light may refer to the light of the Lord, shining on them and blessing them.
This means God will bless and restore them quickly, as a wound heals quickly.
This refers to the time when God protected the people of Israel as they escaped from Egypt. This means God will again protect them from their enemies if they will do what is right.
"Your light" represents the acts of kindness that will be examples to everyone, and the "darkness," the bad deeds, will be overcome by their good deeds.
"A watered garden" represents abundance and plenty so they will have all they need.
"A spring of water" represents a source of abundance in a land where water is precious.
"people will call you"
"you stop traveling and doing what you want to do on the Sabbath, my holy day"
This refers to God exalting the nation in reputation and power in response to living righteously.
"for Yahweh has spoken it"
"Behold!" or "You should know!" Yahweh tells the people to pay attention.
"Yahweh is fully able"
These plural pronouns refer to the people of Israel as a single group.
"your sins have made him turn away from you"
"For you have committed violent sins"
"You speak lies and malicious things"
"they work hard to do sinful things"
"They make evil that spreads out to make more evil"
"produce things and activities that are useless"
"The activities they do will destroy them and will spread destruction to others"
"Their evil deeds will be exposed as useless"
"They cannot clothe themselves with their webs"
"they are fully responsible for the violence they do"
"They are quick to do evil things"
"are all they do"
"they never do what is just" or "everything they do is unjust"
"They say and do dishonest things. They are devious"
"justice is gone and very difficult to get"
Each of these phrases means that the people are waiting for God's goodness, but it seems like he has abandoned them.
This means that because God is not coming to them, they feel helpless, not finding the right path and despairing of the future, with no hope for a vibrant life.
Here "our" refers to Isaiah and the people of Israel.
Here "you" refers to Yahweh.
"for we are aware of our transgressions"
"The people drive justice back"
Isaiah describes this idea as acting like a person.
"Yahweh used his own power to save the people"
"he did right as he always would do"
"breastplate," "helmet," "garments," and "mantle" are clothing for war and fighting. Isaiah describes Yahweh as putting these on to punish the sins of his restored people.
a loose, flowing robe
Isaiah is describing a future event as if it happened in the past. This means that it will certainly happen.
"punished his adversaries for what they had done"
"he punished the islands as they deserved"
"the people who live on the islands" or "the people who live on the coastlands"
"fear Yahweh"
Isaiah combines these words to mean people in all places of the world.
"which the breath of Yahweh drives"
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"the message I have given you to speak"
This refers to the glorious things Yahweh has done for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are now to show that glory through what they do and say and have hope in the future.
This refers to "spiritual darkness," divine judgment.
This means the light of God's presence will appear for the people of Israel, and it will show the way they should go.
"the people of the nations will see his glory on you"
"They" refers to the rest of the people of Israel who will come together to return to Jerusalem.
These phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that they will be very happy because of what will happen in Jerusalem.
This refers to the riches and goods that will come to Jerusalem by way of shipping, perhaps from along the Mediterranean Sea.
This describes that the abundance will be like water that gushes out.
"the young camels"
an area in Arabia
"joyfully proclaim and praise the goodness of Yahweh"
These are the names of areas in Arabia.
This refers to their need for sacrifices.
"I, Yahweh, will accept them on my altar"
"Look, I see something like clouds moving quickly and like doves returning to their shelters."
"The people from the coastlands"
This expression usually means large merchant ships suitable for long voyages.
"Yahweh has honored you, the people of Israel"
"no one will ever shut them"
"I will completely destroy the people of those nations"
This refers to Lebanon being famous for its beautiful trees, especially cypress and cedar.
This refers to Yahweh's temple.
"with everyone avoiding your land" or "with all the foreigners avoiding your land"
This refers to the wealth and plenty that will be drained from foreign nations.
"Savior"
"instead of wood, I will bring bronze, and instead of stones, I will bring iron"
This means there will be complete peace and justice in the land of Israel.
"There will no longer be reports of violence in your land"
The city of Jerusalem will be a safe place, and the people there will praise Yahweh.
The light of the sun and the moon will be much less bright than the light of Yahweh.
Yahweh has placed his people in the land of Israel. This gives hope to the people.
Yahweh compares the people of Israel to something made by the skill of his handicraft.
"so that all people may glorify me"
"Spirit" here is the Holy Spirit of Yahweh who compels or motivates the person.
This refers to poor people, those in great sorrow, or oppressed people who have problems they cannot overcome by themselves.
"time when Yahweh will act kindly toward his people"
"a headdress" or "a beautiful head covering." This is a long piece of cloth that is wrapped around the head.
People put oil on themselves and dressed in beautiful, long robes during times of celebration and joy.
"in place of sadness" or "in place of mourning"
This means Yahweh has caused the people to be strong and sturdy.
"so that the people's lives may glorify him"
This probably refers to a double portion of land.
"People from other nations will know their descendants"
"their offspring will be known among the peoples"
"I" refers to the people of God speaking as one person whom Yahweh has restored.
The people of God speaking as one person that has salvation and righteousness as the appearance visible to all.
This comparison emphasizes that the speaker is extremely happy, joyful, celebrating.
"Just as seeds sown in a garden sprout from the soil and grow"
This expression describes these virtues as growing from seed like plants do.
"For the sake of the people of Jerusalem I will not be silent"
It is most likely that "I" refers to Isaiah.
Both clauses reassure the people that God will eventually come and save the people of Israel and that it will be as apparent as light is.
Jerusalem will become a royal city under the power and authority of God.
"nor will people any longer say about your land"
This means Yahweh will love the people of Israel and will always be with them as is a husband.
This means the people will take possession of the land as a man takes possession of his young wife.
This emphasizes God's happiness about his relationship with his people.
Here "I" may refer to Isaiah or to Yahweh.
This refers to prophets, officials, or possibly angels, who are constantly praying for the people of Jerusalem like watchmen who constantly guard the city.
"they are earnestly praying to Yahweh throughout the entire day"
Here "him" refers to Yahweh.
"by his power and authority"
This means Yahweh will not let enemies conquer the people of Israel and take their grain anymore. Perhaps enemies took the grain in the past as a tax or to feed their own armies.
The phrase "come through" is repeated to show urgency.
The word "build" is repeated to emphasize that Yahweh urgently wants the road prepared. The "highway" represents the way the people can return.
"Take the stones out of the road to make it smooth." Stones represent all the obstacles to quick travel.
A signal flag represents something to draw the attention of others. This means Yahweh is calling the people of the other nations to take notice of the land of Israel and to see what Yahweh has accomplished as he said he would.
"Take notice!"
"the farthest places of the earth" or "the entire earth"
"Daughter" represents the people of Jerusalem (Zion).
The word "recompense" stands for the people Yahweh has rescued. They are his "reward" for his work.
"they will call you"
"I, Yahweh, am coming from Edom, clothed in red from Bozrah"
This is the capital city of Edom.
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"The red on your clothing looks makes you look like you have been treading on grapes in a winepress."
A winepress is a low place carved out of rock in the ground where workers step on the grapes to crush them with their feet, in order to remove the grape juice.
Here "I" refers to Yahweh. This imagery refers to Yahweh destroying his enemies.
Yahweh will punish in an appropriate way to bring about justice.
"the time for my salvation "
Here "arm" represents power.
This means Yahweh made them stunned and senseless by his full wrath and punishment.
Here "blood" represents the life of Yahweh's enemies that was gushing out so they would die.
"I will tell about how God has acted faithfully to his covenant" or "I will tell about all the faithful things God has done for his people"
"the praiseworthy deeds of Yahweh"
Here "I" refers to Isaiah.
Here "us" refers to Isaiah and the people of Israel.
"Through all our suffering." Here "their" refers to the people of Israel. Isaiah included himself as a member of the people.
Here "he" refers to Yahweh.
This is a representative who is sent from God's presence.
This refers to when God protected and saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians many years earlier.
"but we rebelled." Here "they" refers to the people of Israel. Isaiah included himself as a member of the people.
"Yahweh's Holy Spirit"
"we said." Here "they" refers to the people of Israel. Isaiah included himself as a member of the people.
The story of Yahweh miraculously splitting the waters of the Sea of Reeds so that the Israelites could cross and escape the Egyptians is assumed knowledge.
"the leaders of his people"
Here "right hand" represents the power of Yahweh through Moses. This means it was God's power that enabled Moses to divide the water of the Reed Sea.
This means that the people of Israel were sure-footed as horses in open country on their travels toward Israel from Egypt.
This image pictures cattle going into a valley where there is green grass and water and emphasizes that God led the people of Israel and took care of them.
"to make sure people know who you are and honor you"
These ancestors of the nation of Israel would not able to identify their descendants because they changed so much. "Abraham" and "Israel" represent the people from the distant past.
This refers to the name also called "Jacob."
"Yahweh, you have made us wander from your ways and become stubborn so that we do not fear you."
"why do you make do what is wrong"
"who never belonged to your family"
Isaiah wishes that God had shown himself very dramatically by tearing open the sky and coming down.
This is what would have happened if God had split open the heavens and come down. The mountains would have trembled as in an earthquake.
"and no one has seen"
A "menstrual rag" is a cloth that a woman uses during the time of month when she bleeds from her womb. This means all their attempts to please God fail. This sentence was meant to be shocking.
Isaiah compares the people of Israel to leaves that dry up when dead.
This means their sins, as a community, are the reason for their failure. Isaiah compares the iniquities to the wind as the force for their suffering Yahweh's punishment.
This means God gave up on his people and let them suffer.
"as you punish us for our iniquities"
This means God created the people of Israel.
Isaiah asks Yahweh to pay attention to their situation.
This emphasizes that the cities have been destroyed and no one lives there.
"Please do not hold back, Yahweh! Please do not remain silent and continue to humiliate us!"
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"I have continually begged a stubborn people to receive my help"
These refer to Canaanite places for worshiping idols. Their sacred altars were made of bricks, which Yahweh forbid for his altars. Yahweh's altars were made of stone.
This is a reference to consulting the dead, a practice that Yahweh prohibited.
Yahweh did not allow the people of Israel to eat meat from pigs.
Yahweh compares these people who are continually annoying him to smoke that irritates a person's breathing.
"Take notice and pay attention"
This means God will punish them to the fullest extent.
"when you find new wine in a cluster"
"I will spare some of them who are righteous"
This refers to the highest locations of Jerusalem and all of Judea.
This was a fertile grazing area.
This is the name of a valley that possibly ran from Jerusalem to south of Jericho. This was also a fertile grazing area.
The "holy mountain" is Mount Zion, in Jerusalem.
People would bring food and drink and place it in front of the idol as part of their worship.
wine mixed with spices
These are names of false gods. They are also called "Gad" and "Meni."
"The sword" represents various weapons of war that Yahweh will use to punish those who do not respond to Yahweh's call.
"Take notice and pay attention" Yahweh repeats this for emphasis.
This expression compares the feeling of terrible disappointment and sorrow to something becoming deformed due to high pressure.
"I, the God who always speaks the truth, will bless him"
"they will forget the former troubles, for these troubles will be out of my memory"
"I will not even think about them again"
"Notice! Pay attention!"
"you will not even think about what happened in the past"
Here "you" refers to all of God's servants.
"no one will hear weeping and cries of distress any longer in her"
"for my people will live as long as trees live"
Yahweh compares heaven to a throne and the earth to a footstool to emphasize how great he is.
Yahweh uses questions to emphasize that humans cannot build a place for him to dwell.
"I have made all these things"
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
Here "broken" and "contrite" refers to a person who is truly humble and who suffers for his faith.
These four clauses all describe different ways evil people act and come to the same meaning for emphasis.
"They have chosen to do evil things that violate the ways of Yahweh"
"what I consider to be evil" or "what is evil in my judgement"
"but I will put them to shame"
Yahweh describes the punishment for the hypocrisy of the worshipers.
The sound represents the real fighting that is going on in the temple as Yahweh is carrying out the punishment.
Yahweh speaks about Zion as if it were a woman who is about to give birth. Although Zion was destroyed and the people no longer lived there, Yahweh promises that without delay and with little effort an entire nation will come from her.
Yahweh uses questions to emphasize that he will not fail to fulfill his promises to the people of Jerusalem.
"For she will satisfy you with her milk; she will comfort you with her breasts"
Yahweh continues speaking about Jerusalem as if it were a mother (Isaiah 66:7-8).
This means God will cause the people of the nations to bring a very large amount of riches, which will be permanent like a river and abundant.
"she will carry you in her arms and bounce you on her knees with delight"
Isaiah is speaking to God's faithful people.
"Bones" refers to the whole body.
"Tender grass" grows fast and strong and compares to the health and vigor of God's faithful people.
"Yahweh will reveal his power to his servants"
Isaiah continues speaking to God's faithful people.
Yahweh's appearances in the Old Testament are often accompanied by fire that represents Yahweh's anger and judgment.
Storms represent Yahweh's powerful actions to make his judgment effective.
"Sword" is one weapon that represents all of warfare and killing.
"Yahweh will kill many people"
"They" are those who worship Yahweh but go against his laws.
This is a place where people would go to worship idols.
This describes the leader of those of go to worship idols.
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
Here "their" refers to the worshipers that are hypocrites whom Yahweh has described before.
These are names of people groups and areas that are far from the land of Israel.
Here "they" refers to the foreigners who survived and witnessed to the nations. They will return to Jerusalem with exiled Israelites.
The "holy mountain" is Mount Zion, in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "on all of Yahweh's holy mountain"
Here "they" refers to all the people, the faithful Israelites and foreigners, who come to worship Yahweh.
The worms represent the horror of decay and rot that are Yahweh's punishment on the wicked.
Fire also represents Yahweh's judgment.
"will burn forever"
This expression represents all created living beings that shrink from the dead.
God chose Jeremiah to be his prophet and although many powerful people would be against him, God promised to protect him. This chapter emphasizes that Jeremiah was chosen by God to be his prophet. The people were supposed to listen to God's prophet. When he prophesied, they should have repented. Instead, they persecuted Jeremiah. The ULB sets poetry (1:4-10) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"Jeremiah son of Hilkiah. Jeremiah was one of the priests". Hilkiah is a man's name.
This is the name of a town.
"the land that belongs to the tribe of Benjamin"
"Yahweh gave messages to him" or "Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"when Josiah son of Amon was king of Judah"
This is the name of a man.
"Josiah's reign"
"The word of Yahweh also came"
"when Johoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah"
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars.
"of the reign of Zedekiah"
"when the army of Babylon took the people of Jerusalem away as prisoners" or "when the army of Babylon took the people of Jerusalem as prisoners to Babylon"
"Yahweh gave me a message. He said" or "Yahweh spoke this message to me"
"shaped you"
"before you were born"
Here "Ah" shows Jeremiah's fear of doing what God has said.
"I do not know how to speak in public". Jeremiah may have been exaggerating to show his fear of speaking in public.
"Do not be afraid of the people I will send you to speak to"
The word "this" refers to what Yahweh just said in verses 7 and 8.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"Then it was as though Yahweh touched my mouth" or "Then Yahweh touched my mouth with his hand"
"I have given you my message for you to speak to the people"
Jeremiah would do these things to various nations by saying that they would happen. He would uproot, break down, destroy and overthrow some nations, and he would build and plant other nations.
God speaks of Jeremiah destroying the nations by what he says as if the nations were plants and he were to pull them up out of the ground.
Jeremiah uses these words to show that this will certainly happen.
God speaks of Jeremiah causing nations to become strong as if they were a building and he would build them, and as if they were plants and he would plant them.
"Yahweh gave me a message. He said, 'What" or "Yahweh spoke this message to me: 'What"
Yahweh shows Jeremiah a spiritual vision. An almond tree is a kind of nut tree.
"I guarantee that I will do what I have said"
The Hebrew words for "almond" and "watch over" sound almost the same. God wants Jeremiah to remember that God will make his word succeed.
"Yahweh gave me a message a second time. He said"
"whose water is boiling"
This means that it was tipping toward the south, where Jeremiah was in Judah.
"Disaster will come from the north" or "I will send disaster from the north"
"all of the northern kings"
"will rule at the gates of Jerusalem" or "will judge Jerusalem"
"and they will command their armies to destroy the walls surrounding Judah"
Setting their thrones represents commanding their armies to destroy all the cities of Judah.
"I will announce how I will punish them"
"I will pronounce sentence against the people of Judah"
Since the people made the idols, they should have known that the idols are not worthy of worship.
"Get ready for action". Yahweh continues speaking to Jeremiah.
"Do not be terrified ... I will terrify you"
"Pay attention!"
"I have made you strong against the whole land like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls"
These were the strongest materials known at that time.
This represents all the people of the land.
This refers to the people of Judah.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 2:1-3:5. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. The people worshiped other gods, particularly the fertility gods of Baal and Ashtoreth. Even when the nation was punished, the people did not learn. The ULB sets poetry (2:1-31) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"Yahweh gave me a message. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to me:"
"Go and speak where the people in Jerusalem can hear you"
"I remember about you"
"how, when you were young, you were faithful to our covenant, and how you loved me"
"when we first agreed that we would marry each other"
"the land where no one had sown seed" or "the land where no food was growing"
"like the firstfruits of his harvest"
"All who attacked Israel were held guilty like people who ate from the first fruits of his harvest"
"Disasters happened to them" or "I made terrible things happen to them"
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See Jeremiah 1:8.
"all you descendants of Jacob". Jacob and Israel refer to one man, and these phrases refer to the same group of people.
"descendants of Jacob"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group"
"I did nothing wrong to your forefathers, so they should not have gone far from following me, and they should not have gone after useless idols. By doing that they themselves have become useless!"
"they rejected me"
"they worshiped useless idols". Idols that people can use for nothing good. The translation should not make people think that there are some idols that are useful.
"They should have said"
"We need Yahweh. He is the one who brought us ... Egypt."
"We need Yahweh. He is the one who led us ... lives."
"a dangerous land where there is not enough water"
"you sinned and made the land I gave you disgusting to me!"
"by sinning, you made my land no good". "defiled" represents making the land unacceptable to God. They did this by sinning against him there when they worshiped idols.
"you made my inheritance disgusting by your sin"
"my land" or "the land I gave you as an inheritance"
"We need to obey Yahweh!"
"were not committed to me" or "rejected me"
"Their leaders sinned against me"
"obeyed unprofitable things" or "worshiped unprofitable things"
Unprofitable things (like idols) are things that cannot help a person.
"your future generations"
"go west across the ocean to Cyprus". "Cyprus" represents all the lands far to the west of Israel.
"Send messengers far east to the land of Kedar"
"You will see that no nation has ever exchanged gods ... gods."
"But you, my people, have exchanged me, your glorious God, for what cannot help you"
"me, your glorious God"
"for false gods, which cannot help" or "for gods who cannot help"
"People of Judah, if the heavens could see you, they would shudder ... They would be shocked and very desolate"
"totally horrified" or "appalled"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"have abandoned me, who is like springs of living water"
"have gone to false gods, which are like cisterns they have dug for themselves"
deep holes for storing water
"Israel, are you a slave? Were you born at home? So why have you become plunder?". Yahweh used the third person as though he were talking to someone else about Israel.
"Israel is not a slave. Israel was not born at home."
"Was he born a slave"
"So he should not have become plunder."
"So why have Israel's enemies taken Israel away as captives"
God speaks of Israel's enemies attacking Israel as if they were lions roaring and attacking Israel. A roar is a loud sound that a wild animal makes when it attacks.
"destroyed Israel's land"
"They have destroyed Israel's cities and now no one lives in them"
people who live in a certain place
These are the names of two cities in Egypt.
The Egyptians shaved the head of their slaves to mark them as slaves.
"have cracked your skull."
"You caused this yourselves by abandoning Yahweh your God while he was leading you along the way."
"It does not help you to go to Egypt and drink from the waters of the Shihor River, or to go to Assyria and drink from the waters of the Euphrates River."
"why ask the Egyptians to help you ... Why ask the Assyrians to help you"
"the Shihor Stream" or "the Nile River". This stream is associated with Egypt. It may have been a branch of the Nile River.
"Because you have been wicked and unfaithful, I will punish you"
"it is bitterly wicked" or "it is extremely wicked"
"Long ago I released you from slavery, but still you refused to worship me!" The people of Israel had been slaves in Egypt.
chains used to restrain a person or an animal
"On every high hill and under every leafy tree you worshiped idols instead of me, like an adulterous wife who is unfaithful to her husband"
"I, Yahweh, started you with a very good beginning, like a farmer who uses excellent seed to plant the best kind of vine"
"a vine of very good quality"
"that grew from excellent seed"
"But you have changed yourself into a corrupt, worthless vine!"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared"
"You lie when you say, 'I ... have not walked after the Baals.'
This refers to serving or worshiping.
"You are like a female camel quickly running back and forth looking for a male camel to mate with". Israel is compared to a female camel or a wild donkey for being unstable and lustful.
"You are like a young female donkey that lives in the desert. When she wants to mate she is out of control and constantly sniffs the breeze to find a mate"
"when she wants to mate"
"No one can turn her around when she wants to mate."
"when she is ready to mate"
"I have told you to stop running here and there chasing after false gods, because all that it does is wear out your sandals and make you very thirsty"
"We cannot stop ourselves"
"We must follow after foreign gods and worship them!'"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group"
"when someone finds him" or "when people know that he has stolen things"
This list shows that everyone belonging to Israel will be ashamed.
"These people are the ones who say to a carved piece of wood, 'You are my father,' and to a carved stone, 'You gave birth to me.'" These words emphasize that the idol was made of ordinary things and is not worthy of worship.
"they have turned away from me" or "they have completely rejected me"
"Yahweh, come and save us"
"You should ask the gods you made to help you." or "You do not ask the gods you made to help you."
"You do not ask them because you know that they cannot save you in your time of troubles"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"When I disciplined them, they refused to learn to obey me"
"You have killed the prophets brutally with your sword like a destructive lion"
capable of causing a very large amount of damage
"You who live today, pay attention to what I, Yahweh, say to you"
"You act as though I have been like a wilderness or a land of deep darkness to you"
"You my people say 'We can go where we want to go and not worship Yahweh anymore.'"
move around or go to different places usually without any particular purpose or direction
"You know that a virgin would never forget to put on her jewelry, and a bride would never forget to put on her sash."
"Will a virgin forget her jewelry, and will a bride forget her sash"
You may need to translate it as a general word like "attire" or "ornament."
"a very long time"
God appears to be praising his people for looking for love, but this is irony. He was showing that he was angry with them for being unfaithful to him. God speaks of his people worshiping other gods as if they were a woman who is unfaithful to her husband and is looking for other men to love her.
God speaks of how unfaithful his people are to him as though they were even teaching prostitutes how to be unfaithful to their husbands.
"The blood of innocent, poor people on your clothes shows that you are guilty of killing them"
"The blood that represents the life"
"But you killed them even though they were not even stealing anything"
"surely Yahweh has stopped being angry with me"
"I will punish you"
Yahweh is scolding the Israelites because they changed from one kingdom to another for help but did not rely on God for help.
without care or concern
"Egypt will also disappoint you"
"You will be disappointed when Egypt does not protect you"
"just as Assyria disappointed you"
"You will go out from Egypt"
This is a symbol of shame.
"so they will not help you"
The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 2:1-3:5. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. The same is true for 3:19-4:3. If Judah repents, God will bring the people back from the captivity into which he is going to send them. The ULB sets poetry (3:1-5, 12-17, 19-25) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"he would not return to her again."
"He knows that if he did, the land would be greatly polluted."
"completely unacceptable to God"
"You have given your love and trust to idols the way a prostitute gives her body to men who are not her husband"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8.
"Look up"
"As a whore sleeps with many men, you have worshiped your idols everywhere!" He uses this question to tell the Israelites that he knows that they have worshiped idols everywhere.
"Like a prostitute waiting at the roadside for her lovers, you were eager to worship any idol you learned about"
"like an Arab in the wilderness waiting for people he might rob"
"a robber in the wilderness". Some Arabs lived as nomads in the desert and would rob others who came near them.
"So I prevented the rains from falling"
"But the expression on your face shows that you arrogant, like the face of a prostitute"
"You have just called out to me: 'My father ... youth! Will he ... to the end?'". The question that begins with the words "Have you not" in verse 4 ends here.
"Surely he will not always be angry. Surely he will not always keep his wrath to the end."
"pay attention" or "listen"
"See how apostate Israel is!" or "You see how apostate Israel is."
"Israel's people have gone up" or "They have gone up"
"every" is used as a generalization to show that the people were worshiping idols in many different places. The tops of hills and under shade trees were common places for people to worship idols.
"the people of Judah, who also did not obey me, saw". God speaks of Israel and Judah as if they were sisters. In this book, "Israel" serves as another name Judah because the northern kingdom of Israel no longer exists. The people group formed by these ten tribes had been scattered among the other nations by the Assyrians, who had conquered them. Judah's faithlessness to God is often pictured as adultery. When Judah does not worship God, their nation is spoken of as if it were a woman unfaithful to her husband.
Something that a man writes to certify that he has divorced his wife.
"She did not care about her prostitution" or "She was not ashamed of her prostitution"
"she made my land no good". This represents making the land unacceptable to God.
Here "stones" and "trees" represent the stone and wood material that was used to create idols. The people's idol worship is spoken of as if they were committing adultery.
"Israel has been unfaithful to me, but Judah is even more guilty than Israel"
"Go and proclaim these words to the people of Israel". They had been taken north to Assyria.
"Admit how you have sinned." God was speaking to Israel.
God speaks of Israel worshiping foreign gods as if Israel were a woman who was having sex with strangers.
People would worship idols under trees. The word "every" is a generalization.
"you belong to me as a wife belongs to her husband". God speaks as if he were Israel's husband.
"I will give you leaders ... they will lead you"
"shepherds who do my will" or "shepherds who do what I want"
"you will increase greatly in number"
"They will no longer think of this matter"
"This is from where Yahweh rules"
"They will no longer stubbornly do the wicked things that they want to do"
"the people of Judah will be united with the people of Israel"
"the kingdom of Judah" or "the people of Judah". This includes the descendants of Judah and Benjamin.
"the kingdom of Israel" or "the people of Israel"
"the land that I gave to your ancestors so that it would belong to their descendants forever"
the word "me" refers to Yahweh
"I want so much to treat you as my son ... nation"
God speaks of Israel as if Israel were his son.
God speaks of the land he wanted to give to Israel as if it were an inheritance.
God speaks of Israel being unfaithful to him as if she were an unfaithful wife.
"People hear a noise"
"the people of Israel crying and begging loudly"
"They have ignored Yahweh their God"
"I will cause you to stop being unfaithful to me" or "I will forgive your apostasy"
"heal you so you will stop being unfaithful to me"
"The people will reply, 'Behold! We will come to you" or "You will say "Behold! We will come to you"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
"The false gods that we worshiped on the hills could not guide us"
"We made a confusing noise on the mountains while we worshiped them, but they did not help us"
"surely Yahweh our God is the only one who can save Israel"
"what our ancestors have worked for"
A list of animals and people that the people of Israel had killed and offered to the idols.
"Let us be completely humiliated". Being fully aware is like covering them with a blanket or a garment.
"from when we were young" or "from when we were first becoming a nation"
"have not obeyed what Yahweh our God has said"
This chapter prophecies Yahweh's punishment on Judah. This should bring Judah to repentance, but it does not. It is also intended to make the nations fear the power of Yahweh and make them desire to worship him. The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 3:19-4:3. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. The ULB sets poetry (4:1-9) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"if you will come back to me" or "if you will start worshiping me again"
"If you remove your disgusting idols from my presence"
"and if you remain faithful to me"
"I solemnly swear"
"people of other nations will bless themselves in me". The word "him" refers to Yahweh.
"the people of the nations will ask Yahweh to bless them"
"they will boast in me" or "they will praise me".
Yahweh tells the people to prepare their lives like a farmer prepares the ground for planting.
"Dedicate yourselves completely to Yahweh"
These two phrases emphasize the command.
"my great anger will burn like a fire and no one will be able to stop it"
"because of how wicked your practices are"
These phrases emphasize the command.
"cause the people in Jerusalem to hear it"
The ram's horn would warn the people that their enemies were coming to attack them.
They would go to the fortified cities for protection from their enemies.
The phrase "great crushing" defines what the "disaster" will be.
"for I will cause an army from the north to come and destroy you"
This represents an enemy army that would come from the north.
"the enemy will crush you" or "the enemy will completely destroy you"
"A powerful and merciless army approaches"
a set of bushes that grew closely together
Here "someone" represents a king and his army.
"is starting to march"
"to destroy your land"
"put on the clothes that show you are mourning". Wearing sackcloth would be to show that they were very sorry for the bad things they had done.
cry loudly
"For Yahweh is still very angry with us"
"the king and his officials will stop being courageous" or "the king and his officials will be terrified"
"our enemies are ready to slaughter us with their swords"
"Yahweh will say"
Here a "burning wind" represents a fierce and merciless enemy.
"will travel" or "will rush"
"my people, who are like a daughter to me" or "my dear people"
"It will not be a light wind for blowing the chaff away from the grain"
far stronger than the "burning wind" of verse 11. It refers to a fierce and merciless enemy.
"will come when I command it to come"
"for me" or "from me"
"announce their punishment"
"See, great armies like giant clouds are gathering"
"approaches"
"the roar of their chariots coming is like a fierce storm"
"This is terrible"
"for they will devastate us" or "for they will destroy us all"
"People of Jerusalem, stop being evil" or "People of Jerusalem, stop living wickedly"
"Your deepest thoughts are about how to sin!" or "You are always thinking about how to sin!"
"a messenger comes and tells about what is happening in Dan"
The region of Dan, which was west of Jerusalem.
People in Jerusalem would understand that the enemies were getting closer to them.
Soldiers who surround a city in order to keep the people from being able to get supplies of food and water.
"they will guard Jerusalem carefully like watchmen who carefully guard a cultivated field"
Jerusalem was often spoken of as if it were a woman.
"These things are happening to you because of what you have done"
"It will cause you to suffer terrible anguish"
Here "heart" represents painful emotions, such as grief and fear and is repeated to express the intensity of the pain.
The speaker feels severe emotional pain that causes severe physical pain.
"My heart is beating wildly."
full of confusion, violence, or disorder; not stable or steady
"Enemies have suddenly destroyed my tents"
"and enemies have destroyed my curtains in a moment"
Curtains are cloths that are hung to separate the rooms in the tents.
"Oh, how I wish that the battle would end, and the flag would be lowered, and the sound of the army's horn would stop"
Someone would blow the horn as a signal for battle.
"Yahweh replied, 'It is because of the foolishness of my people ... do not know how to do good.'" This is probably Yahweh's reply to Jeremiah, telling why the battle is still happening.
Jeremiah describes a vision that God gave him about things that would happen later.
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
A prophecy of what the land of Israel would be like after the people were all taken into captivity.
"there were no lights in the sky"
"the land that in the past had produced much food"
"all the cities had been destroyed" or "all the cities were a heap of ruins"
All these things would happen because Yahweh was so angry with the people of Judah.
"All the land of Judah will be devastated" or "all the land of Judah will be ruined"
Jeremiah emphasizes Yahweh's judgment by saying that the earth itself expresses great sorrow.
"I will not change my mind"
"I will not change my mind about doing what I said I would do"
"The people of every city"
"horsemen and archers with bows"
a person who shoots a bow
They will run away to the forests for safety.
"The cities will be empty. There will be no one left to live in them"
Yahweh speaks of the people of Judah as if they were a prostitute because they were unfaithful to him by worshiping other gods.
"Now that your enemies have devastated you, there is nothing you can do to find help.
"Like a prostitute you are clothed in expensive red clothing ... good jewelry ... eyes ... with paint"
"you put on gold jewelry"
God speaks of the nations that Judah had depended on as if they were men who lusted after Judah. Those nations would reject Judah when they see God's judgment.
"They are trying to kill you" or "They want to kill you"
"severe distress as in the pain and suffering a woman has while giving birth"
"my dear daughter, Zion"
"I am in great danger"
"I am becoming weak"
It is possible that Yahweh is using the word "a" (meaning "even one") as hyperbole when he states, "If you can find a man or anyone who is acting justly ... I will forgive Jerusalem." The purpose of this is to show how evil Jerusalem had become. Yahweh asks several questions in this chapter to show Jeremiah the justness of his actions. The ULB sets poetry (5:1-31) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry
"Go quickly through the streets"
"look and find out"
broad and open places in a city where people can gather
"who does what is just"
The word "they" refers to the people of Jerusalem.
"I solemnly swear". See Jeremiah 4:2.
"you look for faithfulness." or "you want people to be faithful."
"You punish the people, but they do not pay attention"
"they still refuse to learn their lesson"
"They are extremely stubborn"
Jeremiah is speaking.
The yoke and chains represent the law which bind God and his people.
"Like a lion from the thicket, a wolf from the Arabah, and a leopard, enemy armies will come against their cities, attack them, and destroy them. Anyone who goes outside his city will be killed"
a set of bushes that grew closely together.
a large wild dangerous dog
"is watching for an opportunity to attack"
"For they sin much"
"They disobey me in very many ways"
"Because of the things that they do, I cannot pardon these people."
"The people of Jerusalem"
"I gave them everything they needed"
"they were unfaithful to me and went in large groups to the houses of prostitutes"
"They were like horses in heat ... neighed to his neighbor's wife"
ready to breed to reproduce
"Like horses who mate with more than one horse, these men wanted to sleep with other men's wives"
"Because they do these things, I will punish them ... I will certainly get revenge for myself against them."
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"Go up into Israel and Judah, which are like a vineyard to me, and destroy them". In verses 10-13, Yahweh speaks to Israel's enemies.
"do not completely destroy them"
"like farmers who trim the vines of a vineyard, you must remove many of the people of Israel and Judah, because they do not belong to Yahweh"
"For the people of Israel and Judah"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"They have spoken falsely about Yahweh by saying"
"No harm will happen to us" or "no one will harm us"
"we will not experience war or famine"
"The prophets make noise like the wind, but what they prophesy will not happen"
"the messages that they speak are not from God"
"so let the harm that the prophets talk about come to them"
The word "you" refers to the people of Israel and Judah.
"look" or "listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I will cause you to speak my message"
Yahweh speaks of his message as if it were a fire, and of his people as if they were wood.
"For when you speak my message, it will destroy the people of Israel as fire destroys wood"
"to attack you." The word "you" refers to the people of Israel.
"it is a very old and enduring nation". The nation from far away that Yahweh will bring against Israel.
"It is a nation whose language you will not understand at all"
a container for holding arrows
"That nation's army will use their arrows and kill many people"
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel and Jeremiah.
"will not destroy"
"done all these things to harm us" or "sent foreign armies to attack us"
"Because you ... worshiped foreign gods in your land, you will have to serve foreigners"
"Tell this"
"descendants of Jacob". Translate "house of Jacob" as in Jeremiah 2:4.
"Let those in Judah hear it" or "announce it in Judah"
"who understand nothing"
"you do not understand"
"you do not understand"
"It is foolish that you do not fear me ... face!"
"or shake with fear because of me"
"I placed the sand as the border for the sea"
"an everlasting limit that it cannot cross". God speaks of the ocean not going past the border of sand as if the border were a law, and as if the ocean were a person who obeys the law.
"moves back and forth"
"it does not succeed in going past the border"
"but you people have a stubborn and rebellious heart. You have turned"
"They have rebelled and disobey me"
"they do not think"
"making sure for us that the weeks of harvest happen when they are supposed to"
The word "Your" refers to the descendants of Jacob and the people of Judah.
This refers to the rains and the harvests.
"Because of your sins, good things have stopped happening to you"
Yahweh continues to speak.
"For I have found wicked men among my people"
"Like someone hiding and waiting to capture birds"
"They set things up so that they can take advantage of people"
"Like a cage full of birds that a hunter has caught, wicked people's houses are full of things that they have taken by deceiving people"
"these wicked people become powerful and rich"
This indicates that they eat well.
"They do all kinds of wicked things"
"They do not plead with the rulers to give the people and the orphans what they need"
"they have not helped the needy by doing what is just for them"
"So I will punish them, this is Yahweh's declaration. I will certainly get revenge for myself against them". Yahweh emphasizes that the things they are doing are so bad that he will no have mercy but will punish them. See Jeremiah 5:9.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
"People do terrible and horrible things"
"in the land of Israel"
These are the atrocities and horrors that are spoken of in verse 30.
"The prophets tell lies when they prophesy"
"the priests rule by their own authority"
"but in the end I will punish you and you will be regret your wicked behavior"
Yahweh is speaking. In the ancient Near East, it was commonly believed that a nation's gods were responsible for military victory. It may have been believed that a god would not defend an evil city. The ULB sets poetry (6:1-30)farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"Leave Jerusalem ... so that you can be safe"
This is who Yahweh was speaking to.
"Blow a ram's horn in Tekoa to warn the people that they will be attacked"
"a horn for blowing". This is the name of a town about 18 kilometers south of Jerusalem.
"Light a fire to send up smoke at Beth Hakkerem to warn people about the enemy coming" or "Raise up a flag over the town of Beth Hakkerem to warn people about the enemy coming"
the name of a town about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem. The name means "the place of the vineyard."
"enemies will come from the north and cause disaster to happen to you"
"Enemies will come and destroy you"
"My dear Zion, which is like a beautiful and delicate woman". Zion is another name for Jerusalem. Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem as a daughter to show his love for Jerusalem.
"The kings and their soldiers will go to them". Kings were often spoken of as shepherds of their people.
"they will set up tents all around Zion in order to attack it"
"like a shepherd each king will lead his army"
"and conquer his portion of the land"
"The kings say to their armies, 'Dedicate yourselves". A king from the attacking army is speaking to his men.
"Prepare for war by purifying yourselves and sacrificing to the gods"
"Let us stop thinking and begin to attack Jerusalem at noon"
"It is too bad that" or "We are sorry to see that"
"the day is ending" or "it is beginning to get dark"
"are stretching out" or "are getting longer"
"during the night even though it is dark"
"the strong buildings of Jerusalem". People often spoke of cities as if they were women.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh.
"Cut down the trees outside of Jerusalem". God says this to the army that will attack Jerusalem.
Either high mounds of dirt or high ramps made of wood that the enemies build outside the city wall in order go on top of the wall and attack the people.
"because its people are always oppressing each other"
"this city keeps producing wickedness"
"I hear the sound of violence and devastation in her"
"I constantly see sickness and wounds"
"Accept discipline, you people of Jerusalem ... make your land into a ruin, an uninhabited land"
"Learn from your discipline" or "When I punish you, learn to do what is right"
"a land that has no people living in it"
"After destroying Israel, they will certainly come back to attack the people who are still alive"
This refers to the enemy that Yahweh sends to destroy Israel.
"Like people who reach out again to pick grapes from vines that they have already harvested, come back and attack the people who remain"
"There is no one left for me to speak to and warn who might listen"
"You can see it yourself"
"The people of Israel refuse to listen"
"Yahweh has sent messages to them" or "Yahweh has spoken to them"
"they do not want to listen to the word of Yahweh"
"I am completely angry as Yahweh is". Jeremiah is speaking. He feels the same anger that Yahweh feels.
"I am tired of not doing anything about this anger"
"In anger punish the children in the streets and the groups of young men"
"Because enemies will capture every man with his wife"
"they will take every old person heavy with years"
"Their houses will become the possession of other people"
"and their their fields and their women will also be turned over to others"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See Jeremiah 1:8.
"all of them, including the least powerful, the most powerful, and every one else, are greedy".
"the least powerful people"
"the greatest people" or "the most powerful people"
"all of the people of Israel"
"want to get more money by lying to people"
"all of them deceive people" or "all of them are liars"
"They act as though my people's problems are not serious" or "They act as though my people's sins are not serious"
"the places where my people were broken" or "my people, who were broken,"
Here "lightly" represents the wounds were easy to heal.
"'All is well, All is well,' but it is not well"
"They committed terrible sins, and they were not ashamed"
"their faces did not even turn red". A person's face normally turns red when ashamed.
"they will be killed along with the others who are killed"
"I will destroy them when I punish them"
"Yahweh says this to the people of Israel"
Yahweh wants the people of Israel to ask what is the good way to live their lives and then to live that way.
This refers to the place where two roads meet.
"ask about the pathways that your ancestors walked on" or "ask about how your ancestors behaved"
"What is the good way to live" or "What is the way to live that results in blessing"
"Then live that way"
"We will not live that way"
Yahweh speaks of his prophets as if they were watchmen who were sent to warn the people of danger.
The word "you" refers to the people of Israel.
"to listen to the sound of the ram's horn." Yahweh speaks of warning about the danger that would come. The prophets were to listen to the warning and tell the people about it.
"Therefore, you people of other nations, listen! You witnesses, see what will happen to my people". This refers to what Yahweh will do to the rebellious people of Judah.
"Therefore, nations, listen to what I am about to say!"
"you who are witnesses"
The word "them" refers to the people of Israel.
"Listen, everyone who lives on the earth". Jeremiah is speaking to the people of nations far away from him.
"soon I will punish these people severely"
"the consequences of their thoughts"
"they did not listen to what I said and they have not obeyed my law"
"I do not want your burnt offerings of frankincense from Sheba or sweet smelling cane from a distant land."
People would burn sweet smelling cane as an offering to God.
"do not please me" or "do not make me happy"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I"
"I am about to put obstacles in front of this people." Yahweh speaks of the troubles that he will make happen to the people of Israel.
"fathers and sons will both stumble" or "fathers and sons will both be hurt"
"Neighbors and their friends"
"a people is coming to attack you" or "an army is coming"
"the army of a great nation"
"is being prepared to come from a distant land"
"The soldiers will carry bows and spears"
"The sound that they make is very loud, like the sound of the ocean"
"they are riding on horses in their assigned rows, and they are ready to fight against you"
The word "We" probably refers to Jeremiah and the people of Judah.
"our hands are weak because we are anxious"
"We feel terrible anguish"
"like a woman who is about to give birth"
Jeremiah speaks to the people of Jerusalem. Some versions interpret this as Yahweh speaking to the people of Jerusalem.
"For the enemy is everywhere with their swords and everyone else is terrified"
"My people, you who are like a daughter to me" or "My dear people". Jeremiah shows Yahweh's love for his people by speaking to them as a daughter. See a similar phrase in Jeremiah 4:11.
"Show how sad you are by wearing sackcloth and rolling in ashes"
"put on the clothes that show you are mourning" or "prepare to mourn". The command "gird yourselves," which usually means "prepare for work" or "prepare for battle" is ironic: they are to prepare to mourn, not to work or fight. See Jeremiah 4:8.
"mourn with painful sobs as you would if your only son died". Jeremiah refers to the sadness that a mother feels if her only son dies.
"because the enemy army will suddenly come to attack us"
Yahweh is speaking to Jeremiah. God speaks of punishing Israel to make them stop sinning as if he were boiling silver and lead in a hot fire in order to remove the impurities from the silver.
Yahweh compares Jeremiah testing his people to a person who tests metal to see how good it is.
"their behavior" or "how they live"
"and constantly slander other people"
"All of them are hard like bronze and iron" or "All of them are stubborn, as hard as bronze and iron".
God speaks of punishing his people as if they were silver and he was boiling the silver in a very hot fire. The one boiling the metal was working very hard.
"The fire is so hot that it scorches the bellows" or "The punishment is so severe that it is like a fire that even burns the bellows". This very hot fire represents God's judgment.
Bellows are a tool used to blow large amounts of air into a burning fire to make the fire hotter.
"they are like silver that is so full of impurities that the lead cannot remove them all". This represents the people of Israel being so full of sin, that they continue to sin even after God punishes them.
"You will continue to refine them" or "You will continue to try to purify them"
"because the evil remains" or "the impurities remain"
"People will say about the people of Israel, 'They are rejected silver,' for"
Jeremiah commanded the people of Jerusalem to live justly. Without justice, they did not truly have faith in Yahweh. Without this faith in Yahweh, the temple and its rituals were useless.
"This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah. He said,". See a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4.
"all you people of Judah"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"If you improve your ways and your practices, then I will let you continue"
This means in the land of Judah, not in the temple.
"Do not trust in deceitful words to protect you, saying"
"This is the temple of Yahweh so it is absolutely certain that no one will destroy it and we are safe."
"improve your ways and practices."
"judge rightly"
"if you treat the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow justly"
child whose parents have died
"kill innocent people"
"serve other gods"
Here "this place" refers to the land of Judah.
"will let you continue to live"
"from ancient times and continually." Yahweh gave the land to the people of Judah to be their permanent possession.
The word "you" in these verses refers to the people of Judah.
The word "Behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the information that follows.
"You steal, kill, and commit adultery. You swear ... and walk after other gods whom you have not known."
"lie even in your oaths"
"serve other gods"
"Then you come and stand ... so you can do all of these abominations."
"house that belongs to me" or "temple where you worship me"
"You act as though you think this house, which is called by my name, should be a place where bandits can go to hide!"
This has a similar meaning to "this house that is called by my name" in the previous verse.
violent people who steal and destroy
"But I certainly have seen what you are doing"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8.
The words "you" and "your" in these verses refer to the people of Judah.
"the place in Shiloh where I first allowed my people to worship me"
"repeatedly" or "persistently"
"this house that belongs to me" or "this temple where you worship me"
In these verses, "this people" refers to the people of Judah.
Yahweh wanted the people to repent. This statement, and the others that follow, may be taken in another way. They are intended to show that it is too late for the people, and their punishment will come regardless of their response.
"cry out with sadness"
"for their benefit" or "for them"
"plead with me"
"Look at what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem!"
"starting the fire"
mixing dough by hand
a thick mixture of flour and liquid used for baking
"the false god known as 'the queen of the heavens'"
"will anger me"
In these verses, "they" and "themselves" refer to the people of Judah.
"they are provoking themselves, so that shame is on them!"
"they are shamed"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I will punish this place"
These words emphasize the intensity of Yahweh's anger.
"pour out"
"No one will will be able to stop my anger"
"never stop burning"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"I do not care if you eat the meat from the burnt offerings as well as the meat from your sacrifices"
"Hear and obey what I say"
"do everything that I am commanding you"
The words "you" and "your" in these verses refer to the people of Judah. "They" refers to the ancestors of the people of Judah.
"listen carefully" or "pay attention"
"according to their own plans because they were wicked and stubborn"
"they went away from me instead of drawing closer to me" or "they got worse instead of better"
"From the time your ancestors went out from the land of Egypt until now"
"I sent them again and again" or "I repeatedly sent them"
"they became stubborn" or "they resisted me"
"Each generation was more wicked"
The words "them" and "they" in these verses refer to the people of Judah.
"Tell them my message, but they will not listen to you or answer you."
"what Yahweh its God has said". See Jeremiah 3:25.
"The people destroy truth and cut it off from their mouths" or "The people tell only lies"
"What is truthful is destroyed"
This would be done as a sign of mourning.
These two words are repeated for emphasis. The ULB and many other English translations set the lines of 7:29-34, which is an extended quotation, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.
"people of Judah"
Here "detestable things" refers to idols, which God hates. Alternate translation: "their disgusting idols"
"house that belongs to me" or "temple where they worship me"
Yahweh continues to describe the evil things that the people of Judah had done.
A place where the people of Israel sacrificed their children to a false god by burning them with fire.
The name of a valley south of the city of Jerusalem, where people sacrificed to false gods.
"nor did I ever think about it". This refers to Yahweh's thoughts.
"Indeed"
"in the future ... it" or "there will be a time ... when it"
"people will no longer call it"
"they will bury dead people"
"no place remaining"
"The dead bodies"
"the people of Judah"
See Jeremiah 4:25.
"the wild animals of the land," referring to Judah.
"to scare them away"
"I will remove from"
"the sounds of people rejoicing and being glad"
"and people celebrating marriage"
"will become desolate"
Yahweh continues to speak of his judgment on the people of Judah. The author frequently uses hyperbole in this chapter to describe the complete destruction of Jerusalem.
This refers to the enemies of the people of Judah.
"its princes" or "its rulers"
The word "they" here refers to the people of Judah.
This refers to serving or worshiping. See Jeremiah 2:23.
"No one will gather their bones or bury them again"
"all over the ground". This emphasizes that they will be disgusting and because they will not be buried.
The word "them" refers to the people of Judah.
"all who remain from this evil family will choose death instead of life"
"this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
Yahweh continues to speak of his judgment on the people of Judah.
Yahweh is telling Jeremiah what to say to the people of Judah.
"You know that when someone falls, he gets back up, and when someone gets lost, he tries to find his way back."
The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 8:5-9:12. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. The ULB sets poetry (8:5-22) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"It does not make sense that this people, Jerusalem, has turned away in permanent apostasy."
"Judah"
What the people of Judah were doing is spoken of as if they were clinging to deceit and would not let it go.
"They refuse to turn away from what deceives them" or "They love the people who deceive them"
These two things are repeated for emphasis.
"did not say what is right"
"for being wicked"
"I have done a terrible thing."
"go their own way"
The eagerness of the people is compared to the eagerness of a war horse running toward a battle.
These birds know the right times to migrate, flying from one place to another for feeding or breeding.
All of these are different types of birds that migrate.
The implied information is that the people should have naturally known Yahweh's decrees.
"They migrate" or "They fly from one region to another"
"You think that you are wise because you have the law of Yahweh with you". This refers to the people of Judah.
These words tell the hearer to pay close attention to what follows.
"The false things that the scribes write"
"has given you false ideas"
"Those men who think they are wise will feel ashamed"
terrified or shattered
"Pay attention!"
"so what they think is wise does not do them any good."
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:13.
"because all of them, including the least powerful, the most powerful, and everyone else, are greedy"
"the least powerful people"
"the greatest people" or "the most powerful people"
"all of the people of Judah"
"strongly desire to get more things and will even trick people in order to get them"
"all of them deceive people" or "all of them are liars"
The words "they," "their" and "them" in these verses refer to the people of Judah.
"They act as though my people's sins are not serious". See Jeremiah 6:14.
"the places where my people were broken" or "my people, who were broken,"
This represents treating the wounds as if they were not serious, as if easy to heal them.
"'All is well, All is well,' but it is not well"
"They committed terrible sins, and they were not ashamed."
"their faces did not even turn red." When a person is ashamed, his face normally turns red. See Jeremiah 6:15.
"they will be killed along with the others who are killed"
"I will destroy them when I punish them"
"the leaf will dry up"
The meaning of the original text is uncertain.
Yahweh continues his message by telling us what the people of Judah will say at the time of their punishment.
"We should not stay here."
The "fortified cities" were cities with high walls and strong defenses.
"let us die there" or "let us wait for our enemies to kill us there"
"because Yahweh our God has condemned us to die"
This refers to Yahweh's judgment on his people.
"but nothing good will happen"
"but understand"
"The people of Dan hear the snorting of his stallions"
a loud sound that a horse makes with its nose
adult male horses
"All the people of the land shake with fear"
"when they hear the sound of the enemy's strong horses"
a sound that a horse makes
"they will come and destroy"
"Now pay attention"
To charm means to sing or make music in order to control snakes.
Jeremiah and Yahweh have a conversation about the people of Judah.
The word "my" refers to Jeremiah.
"is very great"
"I feel sick deep down inside me"
"Pay attention!"
"my dear people". Jeremiah shows his affection for them, as if for a daughter. See Jeremiah 4:11.
"from exile in a distant land" or "throughout our land"
"Why does Yahweh not save us if he is the king in Zion?"
"If they want me to save them, then they must not offend me with their carved figures". "me" refers to Yahweh.
The word "we" refers to the people of Judah. The words "I" and "my" refer to Jeremiah.
"Harvest time is over"
"But Yahweh has not saved us"
These statements express the same idea in more than one way for emphasis.
"There is medicine in Gilead, and there are healers there, so tell me why the healing of my dear people will not happen.
This chapter pictures Jerusalem as having a funeral with its typical songs. This is an image used to describe their destruction. It is a time of great sadness. The ULB sets poetry (9:1-12, 17-24) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 8:5-9:12. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit.
"I wish I could make more tears". This is Jeremiah speaking.
"all the time" or "continually"
"my people, who are like Yahweh's daughter". Yahweh shows his love for his people by speaking of them as a daughter. Here Jeremiah uses this same phrase for the people. See Jeremiah 4:11.
"whom the enemy has killed"
"I wish someone would give me." This is still Jeremiah speaking.
This refers to a building for people traveling in the wilderness, where they can stop and sleep overnight.
"leave my people"
a group of people who work together t betray other people"
See how you translated these words in Jeremiah 1:8.
"Their tongues are like bows which they prepare to shoot out lies" or "Their lies are like arrows that they shoot with their tongues"
Here the word "They" refers to God's people.
"and they grow strong on the earth, but it is not because they are faithful"
"For they keep doing evil things"
The word "you" refers to the people of Judah.
"be careful not to trust your fellow Israelites, and do not even trust your own brother"
"every neighbor slanders one another"
"All of the people mock each other, and they do not tell the truth"
"They teach deceitful things"
"They are tired from committing so much sin"
"Your dwelling is among the dwellings of liars" or "You dwell in the midst of liars"
"By telling all of these lies"
"Listen"
Yahweh speaks of testing the people as if they were metal that he was melting in a crucible to remove its impurities.
"for this is how I must deal with my people because of what they have done."
"Their words are like arrows that kill other people". Their speech is represented by their "tongues".
The word "they" refers to "their tongues".
"They speak, saying that they want peace with their neighbors"
"but what they really want is to destroy their neighbors"
"Because they do these things, I will punish them ... I will certainly get revenge for myself against them." See Jeremiah 5:9.
Yahweh continues speaking about the people of Judah. In verse 12, Jeremiah makes a comment.
Yahweh is mourning for the land of Israel as if it were a person who died.
"I will sing a dirge"
"the fields of grass that the livestock eats"
"Because someone has destroyed the meadows and pastures"
"Nobody will hear the sound of cattle there"
"a place for jackals to hide." Jackals are fierce wild dogs.
"places where no people live"
"Only people who are very wise can understand these things."
"Only those who have been taught by Yahweh can explain these things to others."
"Yahweh"
"Only a wise person could explain why the land has perished and been made desolate ... pass through."
"has the land perished? Why has Yahweh made it desolate"
"These things will happen because"
"they have rejected my law"
"they do not pay attention to the things I tell them"
"or live the way I tell them to live"
"they have been stubborn and lived the way they want to live"
"have worshiped the Baals"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"Listen"
a plant that tastes bitter
"Then I will force them to leave here and live in many different countries"
"that neither they nor their ancestors have known"
"I will send an army of soldiers to fight against them"
"I have caused their enemies to completely destroy them"
Yahweh tells the people of Judah to mourn for the coming destruction of the land.
"Get women who are trained in mourning and bring those women here"
"Call women who are professional singers at funerals"
"tell the women to come"
"Send people out to get women who are skilled at mourning"
"Tell them to hurry and sing a song to mourn for you, so your eyes may run with tears and your eyelids flow with water"
"so we will cry very hard with tears flowing from our eyes"
Here Yahweh is saying what the people of Judah will say when he destroys the land.
"The people of Zion are crying loudly, saying"
"We are very upset"
"Our shame is great, because enemies destroyed our houses and we had to leave the land of Israel"
"listen to what Yahweh says. Pay attention to his words"
"teach each neighbor woman a dirge"
The people of Judah will compare death to a person who can climb in windows to attack the people inside and attacks people in the palaces, streets, and city squares.
fancy houses where kings live. Death will come to rich and poor alike.
marketplaces
"dead bodies will fall all over the place"
"dead bodies will drop everywhere like animal dung falls all over the fields"
"like stalks of grain fall everywhere after the farmers cut them down"
"there will be nobody to gather the dead bodies"
"A wise man should not be proud because he is wise"
"or let the warrior take pride in his might"
"A rich man should not be proud because he is rich"
"understands who I am and knows me." This emphasizes people knowing who Yahweh is and understanding who he is.
"Because people should understand that I am Yahweh"
The word "these" refers to covenant loyalty, justice, and righteousness.
Circumcision is used here in an unusual way. Those who have a circumcised heart have faith in Yahweh while those with an uncircumcised heart do not have faith in Yahweh, regardless of whether they are physically circumcised.
"Listen" or "Indeed"
"all those people who have changed their bodies by circumcising them but who have not changed their inner beings"
"all the people who live on the edge of the wilderness". People who cut their hair short in order to honor a pagan god.
"For the people of these nations did not enter into a covenant with Yahweh through circumcision". Foreigners being uncircumcised was a sign that they were not in Yahweh's covenant.
"all the people of Israel are only circumcised on the outside and have not changed their hearts". An "uncircumcised heart" represents the character of a person that does not follow Yahweh and his laws.
Yahweh has just reminded the people of Judah, as well as Egypt, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all people, that they will be punished. The chapter contrasts the great power of Yahweh with the powerlessness of any other false god. It is intended to question why the Jews would worship any other god. The ULB sets the lines in 10:1-25 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are a long quotation.
"Hear the message"
"people of Israel"
"Do not act like the other nations act"
worried or upset
"by strange things in the sky"
"for the people of the nations are afraid of the strange things they see in the sky"
a man skilled in his work
A scarecrow is a man-like figure made to scare birds and prevent them from eating the crops. Yahweh compares the idols to scarecrows because they are not capable of doing anything.
a vegetable that is usually long, with green skin and white flesh that contains much water
"people have to carry them"
"you are very powerful". Yahweh's "name" refers to himself and his reputation.
"Everyone should fear you, king of the nations."
"what you have earned"
"They are all very stupid"
"As for what they work so hard to serve, it is only a piece of wood"
places where silver and gold are mined
"gold from Uphaz that skilled craftsmen and refiners have made"
"skilled craftsmen"
people who heat gold to remove from it anything that is not gold
"The people dress the idols in blue and purple cloth"
"The earth quakes when he is angry"
"shakes"
The word "you" refers to the Israelites and the word "them" refers to the people of the other nations.
"will disappear from the earth"
"created the heavens" or "created the sky"
"His voice causes the storms in the sky"
"he causes clouds to form over every part of the earth"
Yahweh causing the wind to blow as if the wind were in a storehouse and brought out when he desires.
a building where things are kept
"is lacking knowledge" or "is as ignorant as an animal"
"Every metalworker's idols put him to shame"
"there will be a time when God will destroy them"
"the portion of Israel" or "whom the people of Israel worship". Here "Jacob" represents the people of Israel.
"the creator of all things" or "the one who created all things"
"The tribe of Israel belongs to him"
"Gather your belongings"
"who have been living in your city while an enemy army surrounds it"
"Listen"
"I will cause the people living in the land to leave that land"
"people who live in the land"
great pain or suffering
Jeremiah is speaking as if he were the whole tribe of Israel.
"Woe to us! It is as though we have broken bones and an infected wound"
"but we must bear it"
"The enemy has completely destroyed our city"
"My enemy has devastated my tent" or "Our enemy has destroyed our tent"
"Our enemies have taken our children away from us"
"and it is like they no longer exist" or "and they will never return again"
"There is no one to rebuild our city"
"For the shepherds of our people are stupid ... all the people of their flock have been scattered"
"and their enemies have scattered all their flock"
"Look! The enemy army is coming, they sound like a great earthquake as they are marching"
a type of fierce wild dog
Jeremiah prays for the people of Israel.
"that no person controls what will happen to him; no one is able to direct the events that he will experience"
"In your fury, punish the nations" or "In your anger, punish the nations of the people"
"that do not worship you"
"For they have fiercely attacked the people of Israel and consumed them so as to completely destroy them"
"demolish their homes"
The covenant Yahweh made with Moses is prominent in this chapter. Because the people disobeyed this covenant, God will not help them. The ULB sets poetry (11:15-17 & 20) farther to the right to show it is poetry.
"This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah. He said,". See a similar phrase in Jeremiah 7:1.
"the people who live in Jerusalem"
"I will curse anyone"
"of Egypt. What happened to them in Egypt was terrible; it was as though they were living in a hot furnace"
heating iron to liquid form
"Obey what I say"
"the land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"the terms of this covenant"
"obey them"
serious and important
"Obey what I say"
"Each person has refused to change and continues to do the evil things that they want to do"
"So I punished them with all the curses that I described in this covenant that I had commanded them to obey"
"There is a conspiracy". A secret plan to do something that is harmful or illegal.
"the people who live in Jerusalem"
"They have returned to committing the same iniquities that their earliest ancestors committed"
"followed after"
"The kingdom of Israel". See Jeremiah 3:18.
"the kingdom of Judah". This includes the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See Jeremiah 3:18.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"The people who live in the cities of Judah and in Jerusalem"
"but their gods will certainly not save them"
"to as many as"
"the streets in Jerusalem"
Or "You must not make a loud cry of sadness"
"My beloved one, the one who has had so many wicked intentions, should not be in my house."
"are the people of Judah whom I love, who have had". They are spoken of as a single woman greatly beloved.
"In the past Yahweh said that you were like a leafy olive tree".In the Old Testament people were often compared to trees or plants. The prosperous and healthy were spoken of as a leafy, fruitful tree.
The fire stands for the destruction of the people.
This compares the sound of the raging fire to the sound of a severe storm.
"it will break off your branches"
"who planted you like a farmer plants a tree". Yahweh placing the people of Israel and Judah where they live as a tree that Yahweh had planted.
"has decreed that disaster will come upon you"
"You have revealed things to me and so I know them." Yahweh reveals that Jeremiah's enemies were planning to kill him.
"have revealed to me their evil plans". This is spoken of as if Jeremiah has already see their actions.
This speaks of Jeremiah being unaware of his enemies' plans to kill him by comparing him to a lamb who is being led to be slaughtered.
"that my enemies were leading to a butcher"
Jeremiah's enemies speak of killing him as if he were a fruit tree that they were planning to destroy.
"Let us kill him so he is no longer in the land of those who are alive"
"people will no longer remember his name"
"a person's feelings and thoughts"
"I will watch you take revenge"
The name of a special city where priests live.
"wanting to kill you"
"They say to me." The men are speaking to Jeremiah.
"we ourselves will kill you"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
men at the strongest time of their lives
"will die in battle"
"I will leave none of them"
"for the time of their punishment is coming"
Jeremiah complains that evil men prosper. He questions Yahweh's justice. Yahweh's response: if Jeremiah is upset by the people of Anathoth, how will he face enemies in Jerusalem? The ULB sets poetry (12:1-13) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"wicked people"
"They are like fruit trees that you planted, that you allow to prosper and to produce lots of fruit". Jeremiah speaks of the wicked.
"They always say good things about you, but they do not love or respect you"
"my thoughts" or "my inner feelings"
"Take the wicked people away, like sheep for slaughter"
"the day they will be destroyed"
"Because those who live in the land are wicked, the land mourns and the grass in the field is withered and the animals ... away. This is because."
"How long will the land be parched" or "How long will the people in the land mourn"
dried up and so dead
"The animals and the birds have all died"
"God does not see the sinful things that we do"
"you will never compete well against horses."
"if you fall down."
The open countryside, where it is easy to travel quickly, in contrast to the overgrown thickets along the Jordan River, where it is difficult to move.
"you will surely not be able to run in the majesty along the Jordan."
"forest" or "thickets"
"have publicly accused you of doing evil"
The words "my house," "my inheritance" and "my beloved" all refer to God's people, the nation of Israel. The third sentence tells how God abandoned the nation.
"I have abandoned my people Israel, the people whom I chose to belong to me"
"to be conquered by her enemies"
"of their enemies". Yahweh refers to the nation of Israel as if the nation were a woman.
"it is like she roars at me to defy me". This continues to speaks of Yahweh's people as a lion.
"they set themselves ... with their ... hate them"
"My prized possession has become a speckled bird and other birds of prey go against her all around."
"Have not my people, who are my prized possession"
"become like a strang looking bird, and her enemies are like birds of prey attacking her on all sides". a bird that was often picked on and eaten by other birds
"Let all the wild beasts in the fields come and eat her"
"My people and my land are like a vineyard that many shepherds have destroyed"
"Many shepherds have allowed their sheep to destroy"
"They have crushed under their feet"
"the ground I planted"
"All the land is desolate"
"cares" or "pays any attention"
"Destroying armies have come"
"places in the wilderness where nothing grows"
"for I am sending the destroying armies to attack you"
This refers to the whole land that belongs to his people.
"They have sown wheat, but there is nothing to harvest but thornbushes"
"My people have"
a large plant that is covered in sharp points
unable to do more, without any more strength
"So be ashamed of your tiny harvest because Yahweh is angry with you."
"have been trying to take away the land"
"gave my people Israel as an inheritance"
"to make them leave their own land". God speaks as if the people were plants that he was pulling out of the ground. (Jeremiah 1:10)
"I will cause the house of Judah to leave their lands as well"
"uproot"
"Judah" or "the kingdom of Judah". See Jeremiah 3:18.
"I make those nations leave their lands and move to different places". Yahweh gives a gracious offer to the Gentile nations. If the other nations who have been against Judah leave their idols and worship God, then God will allow them to return to their lands.
"It will happen that". God's word about Judah's neighbors.
"I solemnly swear". Swearing in Yahweh's name indicates that they worship Yahweh instead of Baal. See Jeremiah 4:2.
"I will build them up in the middle of my people" or "I will make them wealthy and they will live among my people"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See Jeremiah 1:8.
a type of very fine cloth
clothing that people wear under their clothes
"do not wash it or get it wet"
"Yahweh gave me a message a second time. He said". This introduces a special message from God. See Jeremiah 1:4.
Space between rocks or a crack in a rock, big enough to put something into it. The action of hiding the undergarment was intended to be a symbolic event. It was supposed to get the Jews' attention and be a lesson for them to learn. Jeremiah performed the action, but it was not the action itself that was important.
"of the people of Judah ... the people of Jerusalem"
"to obey what I say"
"who are stubborn and only do the things they desire"
"sticks to ... stick to me" or "stays close to ... stay close to me"
"all the people of ... all the people of"
"Every wineskin should be full of wine ... every wineskin should be full of wine"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"cause all the people of this land to be drunk"
"the kings who sit on Judah's throne" or "the kings of the nation of Judah"
"Then I will cause the people to fight with each other, even parents and children will fight one another"
The understood information may be supplied. Alternate translation: "I will smash fathers and children together"
"I will not feel sorry for"
"will allow them to be destroyed"
falsely believing oneself to be important. The ULB sets poetry (13:15-27) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"he brings trouble and despair"
"before he causes you to trip and fall as you walk"
early morning or evening when the sun is beginning to rise or when the sun is almost set
"For you were hoping for light and blessings, but Yahweh will give you darkness and great despair—you will feel like you are surrounded by a dark cloud"
"for enemies have captured Yahweh's flock"
"for you who are Yahweh's flock, your enemies will soon capture you"
Yahweh is telling Jeremiah what to say to the king of Judah and the king's mother.
"Humbly sit down" or "Take lowly seats" or "Come down from your thrones"
"For you will no longer be the king and queen mother, for your crowns, your pride and glory, will fall off". This event has not happened yet and can be written in future tense.
"The cities in the Negev will be shut up, and no one will be able to go into them or come out of them"
"Your enemies will shut the cities in the Negev up"
"The enemies will take all of the people of Judah captive into exile"
"Pay attention and be aware of the ones coming from the north". Yahweh is talking to the people of Jerusalem.
"the enemy army marching from the north"
"I gave you the people of Judah to care for, like a beautiful flock of sheep, but the enemy army will capture them."
The leaders of Judah were supposed to care for them and look after them.
T"The people you thought were your friends will conquer you and rule over you."
"These things that you will suffer are like the beginning of the labor pains of a woman in childbirth."
"that the enemy soldiers will lift up the skirts of your women and rape them"
"The people of Cush cannot change their skin color and a leopard cannot change its spots."
"Just like these things are impossible, so it is also impossible for you who always do evil to do good"
"I will scatter them like chaff that is blown away by the wind." Yahweh will scatter His people throughout the world.
"It is as though I myself will strip your skirts off of you so that everyone will see your private parts and you will be ashamed". These words do not mean that he will rape them, only that Yahweh will make them feel ashamed.
"lusting"
The false prophets promised there would not be any war or drought. They gave people a false sense of hope, when they needed to repent. Yahweh sent a drought and said that the false prophets would die of drought and war. This showed that these were not true prophets of Yahweh. The ULB sets poetry (14:1-10, 17-22) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4.
"Let the people of Judah mourn"
"let the people in her cities become unable to defend themselves"
"rot away and fall into pieces"
"They are calling out loudly in prayer for Jerusalem"
"The rich people"
Both of these words emphasize that the servants were ashamed that they were unable to get water.
In biblical times, people would wear a headcovering to show that they were ashamed.
"the deer leaves her young in the field". The doe leaves her young deer because she cannot provide for them.
"for there is no grass for them to eat"
"they pant in the wind like thirsty jackals"
"They become blind because there is no grass to eat"
"our iniquities give evidence of our wrongdoing"
"in order that everyone can see that you are very great and keep your promises"
"You are the hope of Israel". Another name for Yahweh.
"you should not be like a stranger in the land, like a foreign wanderer who stretches out and spends just one night." The people are asking if Yahweh is unconcerned with his people and unable to help them.
"You do nothing to help us, like someone who is astounded or like a warrior who has no power to rescue us."
unable to understand or to think clearly
"we bear your name" or "we are your people". They are Yahweh's people by saying that his name is over them.
"they love to wander away from me." The people are being unfaithful to Yahweh and not obeying him.
"have not kept themselves"
"remembers" or "recalls"
"to assist" or "to help"
loud crying because of sorrow
"I will cause them to die"
"by war" or "by battle"
Yahweh has just told Jeremiah not to pray for the people of Judah.
"You will not experience any war"
"I will allow you to live securely" or "I will make it so there is peace where you live"
"prophesy deceitfully"
This phrase refers to speaking with Yahweh's power and authority or as his representative.
"I did not send them to prophesy to other people"
"the deceitful things that they think up themselves"
"there will be no war ... perish by war". Jeremiah has been talking to Yahweh about what the false prophets have been prophesying.
"famine and war"
"Then the people to whom they prophesied will die by famine and sword and people will throw their bodies into the streets of Jerusalem"
The word "them," that is, everyone who died by famine and sword.
"I will punish them like they deserve to be punished"
"all the time, both night and day"
a cut or break in skin that cannot be cured
"who died in war"
"there are the ones who are sick because of famine"
move around without purpose
"they do not know what they are doing"
"we hoped for a time of healing"
"Yahweh, we admit our wicked offenses and our ancestors' iniquity"
"do disgrace Zion where you glorious throne is" or "do not disgrace Zion, where you rule as king". Yahweh's "throne" is represented by Zion, that is Jerusalem. His "throne" also represents the place where he rules as king.
"Can the skies decide when they make the rain to fall?"
God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because God was punishing them and that the punishment was already determined. Yahweh also explains that even the great Moses could not help the sinful Jews.
"were standing in front of me pleading for these people, I would still not be in favor of them"
Yahweh repeats this idea of sending away his people to add emphasis to it.
"Those whom I have appointed to go to". The ULB sets poetry (15:2, 5-21) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"should die"
"those whom I have appointed to die in war should go to die in war"
"Those whom I have appointed to die by famine should go and die by famine"
"should go into captivity"
"the enemy soldiers"
The word "them" refers to the people of Judah, not to the four groups listed in the previous verse. Yahweh is going to use the Gentile nations to punish Judah. This would have been very offensive to the Jews. They would have also been surprised to learn that Yahweh was using the Gentile nations.
"because of the wicked things that Manasseh ... did in Jerusalem". Manasseh was a very wicked king who did many evil things.
"No one should have compassion on you, Jerusalem. No one should mourn for your destruction."
"for you people who live in Jerusalem"
The people have turned away from Yahweh. They have disobeyed him and broken the covenant he had made with them.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8.
"left me" or "gone away from me"
"I will use my power to strike you"
Here Yahweh speaks of scattering the people and causing them to leave Jersalem.
a farm tool with a long handle and sharp metal prongs, used for lifting and tossing grain in the air for winnowing
"I will let their enemies kill their children"
Yahweh has just told them no one will care about them and that he will destroy his people.
women whose husbands have died
"than you can count"
"At noonday I will send an enemy army to destroy young men and cause their mothers to weep"
"happen to them"
"She will be completely ashamed"
"will grow faint"
"Because of her sorrow, it will be as though the sun has set and her day has turned to darkness"
"I will allow the enemy soldiers to kill those of her children that remain alive"
In these verses, Jeremiah speaks to Yahweh about his suffering, and Yahweh answers him.
Jeremiah pretends to speak to his mother as a way to emphasize how sad he is.
"a man with whom everyone argues all the time"
"I have not made anyone angry by lending or borrow money and then quarreling about it"
"I will certainly rescue you for good!"
Those are the enemies of Jeremiah who disagreed with his prophecies.
"in the time of great calamity"
"But Judah's enemies, who are as strong as iron or bronze, will attack Judah from the north, no one will be able to stop them"
In these verses, Yahweh speaks to the nation of Israel as if it were one person.
The words "wealth" and "treasures" mean the same thing and refer to anything that people consider to be valuable.
things that you steal from a city after conquering it
"all of the sins you have committed"
"throughout your country"
"to a land that is strange to you"
"I will destroy you because I am very angry with you"
"for my wrath is like a fire that I will kindle against you"
to light a fire
"Please do not continue to be patient with them and allow them to kill me"
"I have heard your message"
"I understood your message"
"what I love most"
"people know that I serve you"
"I did not spend time with"
"you are the one who controls what I do"
"My pain is constant, it is like a wound that will not heal."
"that will not heal"
"It feels like you are undependable to me, like a stream I go to for a drink only to find it dried up."
"you will speak for me"
This phrase is used here to emphasis the command was specifically for Jeremiah.
"I will make you strong, like a bronze wall"
"they will fight against you" or "they will oppose you"
These words emphasize the safety that God promises.
These phrases emphasize the safety that God provides.
"the control of the wicked ... the control of the ruthless"
"wicked people" or "those who are wicked"
"ruthless people" or "cruel people who will harm you"
The punishment that is prophesied in this chapter will happen quickly. The author gives many illustrations which describe how quickly it will come. The punishment of Judah will be great but Yahweh promises a future restoration by bringing his people back from captivity.
"Yahweh gave me a message. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to me:"
"They will die from deadly diseases"
"No one will mourn for them or bury them"
The sons and daughters are compared to dung on the ground to emphasize that they will be disgusting and that no one will bury them. See a similar phrase in Jeremiah 8:2.
"they will die in battle or from famine"
"Yahweh gave me a message. He said, 'Do" or "Yahweh spoke this message to me: 'Do". See Jeremiah 1:4.
"where people are mourning"
"I will no longer act towards them with peace ... or with steadfast love and mercy"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he declares. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"Both the important and the unimportant" or "Many people, regardless of how important they are, will"
"No one will bury them"
Cutting oneself and shaving one's head were actions that expressed strong grief, especially when a loved one died.
God said basically the same thing twice for emphasis. It was customary to take food or wine to people whose relative had died. Yahweh has removed all comfort from the people because of their sin.
"none must give a comforting drink"
"a house where people are feasting"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"in front of you" or "where you can see". This phrase is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
"during your lifetime"
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:34.
These words describe the posture that people used in worship.
"ancestors. Look at these people and you will see that each person"
"stubbornly doing the wicked things that he wants to do". See Jeremiah 11:8.
"who does what I tell him to do"
"force you to leave this land and go"
"all the time" or "continually"
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"when people will no longer say"
"I solemnly swear". This is a way of making a solemn promise. See Jeremiah 4:2.
Yahweh speaks of enemy armies as if they were fishermen who are catching fish.
Yahweh speaks of enemy armies as if they were hunters who are hunting animals.
"I am watching everything they do"
"they cannot hide from me" or "they cannot hide their ways from me"
"They cannot conceal their iniquity from me"
"because they have polluted my land"
"There are very many detestable idols in my inheritance"
"the land that is my inheritance"
"their detestable idols and abominations, which are useless, like corpses" or "the corpses of those whom you have killed with the abominations that your detestable idols command"
Here Jeremiah begins speaking to Yahweh. The ULB sets poetry (16:19-21) farther to the right to show that it is poetry. The poem continues in chapter 17, and should be seen as one section.
Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh as a place where enemies cannot attack him.
"The people from the nations will go to you" or "The people of the nations will come to you"
"the farthest places on the earth" or "everywhere on earth"
"our ancestors inherited nothing but false gods"
The words "They" and "them" refer to the false gods that the ancestors taught them to believe in.
"People cannot make gods for themselves. The things that they make are not gods"
"Therefore, indeed." Here Yahweh begins speaking.
Here the word "them" refers to the people from the nations.
"my great power"
"they will know that I am Yahweh, the true God"
Those who trust in human wisdom will not prosper. Those who trust in God will have all of their needs met. The person depending on the power of other people is compared to a bush in the desert which always has to struggle for life. But the person trusting in God is like a tree growing by a stream and has all his needs supplied. The ULB sets poetry (17:1-18) farther to the right to show that it is poetry. This poem is a continuation of 16:19-21, and should be seen as one section.
Yahweh speaks of Judah's sins as if someone had engraved their sin permanently.
"Someone has written the sin of Judah"
"Someone has engraved it"
"engraved in their very beings"
The word "horns" refers to the projections on the corners of the altars.
The words "wealth" and "treasures" refer to anything that they consider valuable.
This refers to things that people steal or take by force.
"You will, because of your own actions, lose the land that I have given to you as an inheritance"
"you have made me so angry that my anger will be like a fire that will burn forever"
"I will curse any person who trusts in mankind"
"he depends on mere humans for strength"
"turns his devotion away from Yahweh"
The person who trusts in man instead of Yahweh will be like a plant that struggles to survive.
"the barren wilderness where no person lives"
"he will be like a tree that someone has planted by water"
"The heat will not affect it when it comes ... No harm is caused to it in a year of drought"
"The human mind is more deceitful"
"no one can understand it."
"who tests the emotions"
"according to how he lives"
"what he has done"
This analogy is meant to illustrate a rich man who makes his money by robbing others.
"when he has lived only half of his life"
"he will lose his wealth"
"at the end of his life"
Jeremiah speaks of the "glorious throne" because it is there that Yahweh dwells and rules.
This refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Here the word "you" refers to Yahweh.
"you will write in the dust those in the land who turn away from you"
"will disappear like names that someone writes in the dust" or "will join those in the place of the dead"
"Yahweh, who is like a fountain of fresh, running water"
"you really will have healed me ... you really will have rescued me"
"For you are the one whom I praise" or "For you are the reason I sing praise."
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
The word "me" refers to Jeremiah and the word "they" to his enemies.
"The things that Yahweh told you would happen have not happened."
"Let what Yahweh has said happen"
Jeremiah speaks as if he were a shepherd caring for sheep and abandoning that work as if he were running away.
"I did not desire"
"the proclamations that I spoke" or "the things that I proclaimed"
"I made them"
Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh as a place where enemies cannot attack him.
"in times of calamity"
"Bring shame on my pursuers, but do not bring shame on me"
"Make them very afraid, but do not make me afraid"
"shatter them with complete destruction" or "destroy them twice as much"
"then go and stand in all the other gates of Jerusalem"
"to protect your lives"
"set apart the Sabbath to Yahweh" or "keep the Sabbath day holy"
"They refused to listen" or "They refused to obey"
"became stubborn"
"those who sit on Judah's throne" or "the kings of the nation of Judah". See Jeremiah 13:13.
"people will inhabit this city forever"
"I will set the gates of Jerusalem on fire"
"people cannot put it out"
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah: 'Arise". See Jeremiah 7:1.
"the workshop of the potter." A potter makes pots from clay. Like a potter can change what he is making from one type of pot to another, God can change his plans and not punish people if they repent. The image of God as a potter and mankind as clay is an important one in Scripture.
This word alerts us to a new person in the story.
The potter's wheel is a small table that spins. A potter uses it to make pots.
"the pot that the potter was making with his hands was not good". Something about the pot made the potter unhappy.
"was forming" or "was shaping"
He crushed the clay back into a lump, and then used that lump of clay to make another pot.
"that he thought was good"
"Yahweh gave me a message. He said,". This introduces a special message from God. See Jeremiah 1:4.
"I am allowed to act toward you, house of Israel, like the potter acts toward the clay." Yahweh emphasizes his authority to do as he pleases with Israel.
"kingdom of Israel" or "people of Israel". See Jeremiah 3:18.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he declares. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
Yahweh compares his being able to remake Israel to the way the potter remakes a lump of clay as he sees fit.
Yahweh speaks of destroying a kingdom as if the kingdom were a plant or a building that he tears down.
"withhold" or "not bring"
Yahweh speaks as if they were buildings that he would build, and as if they were plants that he would plant.
"if the people of that nation do things that I consider to be evil"
"not obeying what I say"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I am about to devise a plan to bring disaster against you"
"make a plan"
"his wicked way of living"
"so your actions will result in good happening to you"
The word "they" refers to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
"We do not care what you say" or "What you are saying will not work"
"what his evil, stubborn mind desires"
"Ask the nations if any of them have ever heard of such a thing as this." The ULB sets poetry (18:13-17, 19-23) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"Israel, who is like a virgin, has done something horrible". Yahweh speaks of Israel being pure and faithful towards him as if she were a virgin and of Israel being unfaithful as if she had "committed a horrible act."
"The snow in Lebanon never leaves the rocky hills on its sides."
"the sides of the rocky hills"
"Those cold mountain streams that come from far away never cease to flow."
"this caused them to stumble in their paths"
Here, "the ancient paths" represents how Yahweh told their ancestors to live and "lesser paths" represents living unfaithfully to Yahweh.
"will become something that horrifies people"
"an object at which people will always hiss". This refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval.
Here the word "her" refers to "Their land."
"I will be like an eastern wind and scatter them before their enemies"
Here the word "them" refers to "my people."
"I will reject them and not act favorably towards them"
"let us make plans to harm Jeremiah". They even attacked Jeremiah, which was to attack Yahweh himself.
"the priests will always have the law, the wise men will always give advice, and the prophets will always speak"
"words of Yahweh from the prophets"
"say things that will harm him"
Here Jeremiah begins speaking to Yahweh.
"Disaster from them should not be my reward for being good to them."
Jeremiah speaks of his enemies as if they had dug a pit to trap him.
"so that you would not punish them in your anger"
"cause their children to die from famine"
"cause them to die in battle"
"let the children and husbands of their women die." This refers to a woman whose children have all died.
"let people kill their men"
"let their young men be killed by the sword in battle"
"Let people hear others shout in distress"
Jeremiah speaks of his enemies as if they had dug a pit for him to fall into and set traps to capture him.
"have hidden traps for me to step on".
"Do not pardon their sins". Jeremiah speaks as if someone had written their sins down and Yahweh would erase them.
"Let people overthrow them in your presence"
"when you are still angry with them"
A potter is someone who makes pots from clay.
"jar" or "bottle"
The name of a valley south of the city of Jerusalem, where people sacrificed to false gods. See Jeremiah 7:31.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"it will shock everyone who hears of it"
"will ring" or "will quiver"
The word "they" refers to the people of Judah.
"murdered many innocent people in this place"
"nor did I ever think about it". See Jeremiah 7:31.
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"people will no longer call this place"
See how you translated these places in Jeremiah 7:31. The destruction of Jerusalem will be so complete that it will leave dead bodies everywhere and horrify people who see it.
"I will enable their enemies to kill them with swords"
The word "them" refers to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
"I will enable those who want to kill them to kill them"
"an object at which people hiss". The sound that shows strong disapproval.
"I will make the people who live in Jerusalem eat"
"because of the siege"
"bring upon them"
"while the men who went with you are watching"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"no one can repair it again"
"the houses of the kings of Judah"
People unacceptable for God's purposes are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"stubbornly refused to listen"
Jeremiah told the Jews that God said that he would punish them and they would suffer, so they became angry and were cruel to Jeremiah. Jeremiah suffered when they were cruel to him, and he complained to God about it. However, Jeremiah also praised God for always being with him, trusting that God would punish the people who had harmed him.
These are names of men. This chapter prophesied punishment against Pashhur. He was in charge of protecting the temple and had Jeremiah beaten and arrested.
Possible meanings: that Pashhur himself beat Jeremiah or that Pashhur ordered other men to beat Jeremiah.
Stocks are a wooden frame with holes in it that people use to lock up a prisoner's hands, feet, and head.
This gate is different from the gate in the city wall that shared the same name.
This phrase is used to mark where the action starts.
"terror on every side" or "surrounded by terror."
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"their enemies will kill them with swords"
"you will see it". This represents Pashhur.
"I will enable the king of Babylon to conquer all of Judah"
The word "him" refers to the king of Babylon.
Babylon will take away all the wealth of Israel, including the king's possessions.
"I will allow your enemies to take possession of these things"
"There, people will bury you and all of your loved ones to whom you prophesied deceitful things"
Jeremiah speaks to Yahweh. The ULB sets poetry (20:7-18) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"Yahweh, you persuaded me, and I was indeed deceived."
These two phrases emphasize the way others mock him.
This is a person whom others laugh at and make fun of.
"openly proclaimed" or "proclaimed loudly"
"people insult and mock me all day because I proclaim Yahweh's message"
"I will never mention Yahweh or say anything about him" or "I will no longer speak as his messenger"
"Yahweh's word is like a fire that burns deep within me"
Jeremiah's enemies say these words.
"my treacherous friends" or "my so-called friends"
Jeremiah speaks of his enemies as if they were watching for him to fall down.
Jeremiah's enemies say these words.
"Perhaps we can trick him"
Jeremiah compares Yahweh to a terrifying warrior.
Jeremiah speaks of his enemies chasing after him and of their failing to harm him as if they were to stagger.
"Yahweh will bring great shame upon them"
"people will never forget it"
"know every person's thoughts and feelings"
"those whom evildoers oppress with their power"
Jeremiah continues speaking to Yahweh.
"Curse the day I was born"
"Do not bless the day that my mother bore me"
"Curse the man who informed my father" or "Let people curse the man who informed my father"
This refers to the man who informed Jeremiah's father of Jeremiah's birth.
This refers to Sodom and Gomorrah.
The word "he" refers to Yahweh.
The word "him" refers to "that man."
Jeremiah speaks of his dying while his mother was still pregnant with him as if his mother's womb were his tomb.
Jeremiah speaks of his pregnant mother never giving birth to the baby in her womb as if she had been pregnant forever.
"There was no reason for me to be born only to see troubles and agony ... shame."
"to experience so much suffering"
"my life is filled with shame"
"Yahweh spoke a message to Jeremiah"
This is not the same Pashhur that was mentioned in Jeremiah 20:1.
These are names of men.
"Pashhur and Zephaniah said to Jeremiah"
God will fight against Jerusalem and will use the nation of Babylon to fight his battle. If the Jews wanted to live, they needed to surrender to Babylon. Most of the Jews would have rather died than to surrender to Babylon. Usually, fighting against a Gentile nation was a sign of trust in Yahweh's power. In this instance, it was a sign of trust in Yahweh to surrender.
"Please speak to Yahweh for us ... attacking us"
"as he did in the past"
"will make him go away"
This tells the hearer to pay special attention to what follows.
Possible meanings: to make useless or to send back into the city.
"the soldiers that you command" or "the weapons that you and your soldiers carry"
This is another name for the Babylonians.
"coming close to you"
Possible meanings: Yahweh will allow the Babylonians to enter the city or Yahweh will cause the Israelites to bring their weapons back into the center of the city.
This stresses that Yahweh is the one who will do this.
"with very great power"
"with extremely great anger"
"those who live in Jerusalem"
"the war"
"into the power"
These phrases refer to Nebuchadnezzar and his army.
"wanting to kill them"
"in battle"
"He will not show them any mercy or compassion at all"
"the people of Jerusalem"
Yahweh is offering the people of Jerusalem a choice that will determine whether they live or die.
"in battle and by famine and plague"
"surrendering to"
"attacked you from all sides"
"He will escape with his life" or "He will not die, but he will lose all his possessions"
"I have made up my mind to oppose this city"
"am staring angrily at"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"I have given it"
"into the power of the king"
"Listen to what Yahweh says about the king of Judah, his family, and his servants". This may serve as a title for 21:12-23:8.
"the king of Judah and his family"
"Descendants of David". All of the kings of Judah were descendants of David. The ULB sets (21:12-14) poetry farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"Always treat the people whom you rule over fairly"
"the power of the one who oppresses them"
"I will punish and destroy you in my anger quickly and completely". Yahweh's punishment is spoken of as if it was a fire that would burn up those who did evil.
"the evil things you do" or "how evil what you do is." See Jeremiah 4:4.
Possible meanings: this may refer to Jerusalem, which was located above a valley or this is directed to another city or group of people. Most versions leave the original form rather than specifying the city.
"I oppose" or "I am going to punish"
"No one will attack us! ... No one will enter our houses!"
"I will punish you as you deserve because of the things you have done"
Possible meanings: the columns of wood that supported the palace or these are literal patches of brush.
"the palace of the king of Judah". The king lived in luxury and oppressed the poor. God was sending him and his mother into captivity unless he repented. The king lacked justice.
"proclaim this message"
"your people who come to visit the king"
"Act fairly and justly"
"rescue anyone who has been robbed from the hand of the oppressor"
"the power of the oppressor" or "the one who would harm him"
"Do not treat badly"
a child who does not have parents
"Do not ... murder innocent people"
Possible meanings: Jerusalem or the whole country of Judah. This doesn't imply that it is good to murder elsewhere.
"kings, ruling like David before them"
Tthe gates to the courtyard of the palace.
This phrase describes the kings as powerful and wealthy.
"he, his servants, and his people will ride into the palace on chariots and horses"
"if you refuse to pay attention to" or "if you do not obey"
This phrase appears to refer specifically to the royal palace.
"the royal dynasty of Judah". The ULB sets poetry (22:6-10, 13-28, 28-30) farther to the right to show it is poetry.
"You are as beautiful as Gilead or the summit of Lebanon" or "You give me as much pleasure as Gilead or the summit of Lebanon."
"cause you to become empty like the desert"
"I have chosen an army to attack you"
Possible meaning: the beams of the palace or the leading men of the royal family.
Possible meanings: a literal fire that will burn the palace beams or the destruction of the royal family is spoken of as if they were burned in a fire.
"Then many people from various nations will pass by this city"
"they worshiped other gods"
Yahweh has shifted from addressing the King of Judah and is now speaking to a general audience.
This refers to King Josiah who had been killed.
This refers to King Jehoahaz who was taken into exile in Egypt.
"never come back and see the land of Israel again" or "never return and see the place where he was born"
The name in Hebrew is "Shallum," but he is better known as Jehoahaz.
"who became king when his father, Josiah, died"
The words "him" and "his" and "who" and "he" refer to King Jehoahaz (verse 11).
"unjustly forced men to build his house and his upper rooms"
In this case it refers to Jehoahaz (verse 11) and his family.
This refers to any of the neighbors of King Jehoahaz (verse 11) whom the king forces to work.
These refer to King Jehoahaz (verse 11).
These characteristics describe a very expensive house.
"Having a cedar palace does not make you a good king."
"Your father King Josiah enjoyed his life, yet did ... righteousness."
"act justly and fairly"
"Things went well for him"
"This is what it means to know me."
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"you only look for and think about ways to cheat others and pour out innocent blood, and to oppress and crush others"
Getting money by cheating or by using unfair means.
"murdering innocent people"
"doing violence to others in order to get money"
"They will not lament for Jehoiakim when he dies". Yahweh stops speaking directly to Jehoiakim and begins to speak to other people.
Yahweh addresses the various people who would normally show great sadness when someone dies.
"They will bury his dead body the way they would bury a dead donkey; they will drag it away and throw it out"
It appears that Yahweh is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, telling them that they will be destroyed.
"Cry out"
a mountain range that was southeast of Jerusalem
"I spoke to you when you were doing well"
"This was your way of life"
"you have not obeyed me"
"I will take your leaders away as if the wind had blown them away". The wind represents Yahweh.
"become captives" or "go into exile"
"You who live in a palace made from the cedars of Lebanon"
This "You" is singular and refers to the king.
"they will greatly pity you" or "you will groan greatly."
"when you experience pain as intense as the pain of a woman in childbirth"
Yahweh speaks to Jehoiachin as if it were possible for him to be the ring on Yahweh's hand.
"the signet ring on my right hand that represented my authority to be king". A signet ring was used by a king to place his seal of authority on documents. It represents authority to rule.
"I would tear you off from my hand" or "I would quickly pull you off of my hand"
"I have made it possible for the ones seeking your life to capture you"
The word "hand" represents power and control.
"trying to kill you". This represents wanting or trying to kill someone. See Jeremiah 11:21.
The land of Judah.
It is not clear who is speaking in verse 28.
"Jehoiachin is as useless as a broken vessel and no one is happy with him."
"Therefore the enemy will remove Jehoiachin and his family from the land and take them to a foreign land."
Jehoiachin and his descendants are spoke of like garbage from a vessel.
Yahweh speaks his message to all the people of the land by calling out to the land where they live.
"It will be as if he did not have any children". Jehoiachin has several sons but they will not succeed him as king.
"become king"
In verses 1-4, Yahweh refers to Israel as his pasture, the people of Israel as his sheep, and the leaders of Israel as the shepherds. Shepherds have a duty to protect the sheep, but the leaders were not doing that. The false prophets had encouraged people to continue sinning by saying everything will be alright.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
These two phrases have similar meanings.
"the evil things you do" or "how evil what you do is." See Jeremiah 4:4.
"to good pasture" or "to where all their needs will be supplied". Yahweh refers to the land of Israel as if it were good pasture for his people.
"they will increase greatly in number"
"I will appoint"
"no one will make them afraid anymore"
"None of my people"
This word alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. The ULB sets poetry (23:5-6, 9-24)farther to the right show that it is poetry.
This he will appoint a successor.
"a righteous descendant" or "a legitimate successor to the throne"
"cause people to act justly and rightly"
"for all the people in the nation"
"the people of Judah will be rescued" or "He will rescue Judah from their enemies"
"the people of Israel will live in security"
this refers to the king
"Yahweh, the one who does what is right for us"
"I solemnly swear". This is a way of making a solemn promise. See Jeremiah 4:2. This verse is very similar to Jeremiah 16:14. Compare how you translated that verse.
"who brought back". This verse is very similar to Jeremiah 16:15. Compare how you translated that verse.
"the kingdom of Israel".
This refers to the northern ten tribes of Israel.
"Then they will live in their own land again". This refers to Israel.
In verses 9-32 Jeremiah delivers Yahweh's message to the false prophets and the priests. Jeremiah is speaking in verse 9, but it is not clear if verse 10 are the words of Jeremiah or of Yahweh.
"I have great fear for what will happen because of the false prophets"
"I am very sad"
"I am very afraid"
"I am like a drunk man; I cannot control myself". Jeremiah has lost control of himself out of fear of Yahweh's punishment.
Everyone in the land is an adulterer, which in turn is an exaggeration for very many people being adulterers. This word has the literal meaning that the men in the nation had committed adultery against their own wives, and it also has the figurative meaning that they had abandoned Yahweh in order to worship idols.
"the people of the land mourn"
"These prophets are doing things that are wicked"
Jeremiah continues to deliver Yahweh's message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.
"the prophets and the priests are sinful"
"there actions are unstable and dangerous, like walking on a slippery place in the darkness"
"I will cause them to experience disaster"
"deceived my people, the Israelites"
Possible meanings: they were literally unfaithful to their wives or their worship of other gods is spoken of as spiritual adultery.
"live in dishonesty"
"They strengthen those who do evil" or "They encourage people who do evil"
"everyone continues in their sin"
"They all became as evil as Sodom ... as wicked as Gomorrah". Sodom and Gomorrah were cities that were so wicked that God destroyed them with fire from heaven.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
The word "look" alerts the reader to pay attention to the important information that follows.
Wormwood is a plant that is very bitter and unpleasant to eat. This phrase describes the punishment that Yahweh was going to bring about on the evil prophets.
"I will soon"
"evil has come from the prophets"
dirty and unsafe things that spoil the air, water, or land where they are found
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"The prophets have caused you to believe something that is not true!"
"visions that they imagined"
"not what Yahweh said"
The word "constantly" is an exaggeration to emphasize that this is what they normally say.
"everyone stubbornly does whatever they desire to do"
"Nothing bad will happen to you"
"None of them has stood in Yahweh's council meeting. None of them sees and hears his word. None of them pays attention to his word and listens."
"who has attended Yahweh's council meeting" or "who has met with Yahweh to listen to him"
"obeys his word at all"
"Yahweh's anger is coming like a great storm, going out with fury and whirling like a tempest"
a violent windstorm
"It is coming upon the wicked like a windstorm". Yahweh's anger is spoken of as if it were a windstorm whirling around the wicked.
"Yahweh will not stop being angry until he"
"completed and accomplished all the punishment that he had planned"
"the future"
Yahweh is the speaker in verses 21-40.
"but they ran off to prophesy" or "but they prophesied anyway". They may have walked.
"they have prophesied falsely anyway"
Standing in Yahweh's council represents being one of those who meets with him to learn what he is thinking. This is a condition that is contrary to fact; the false prophets had not stood in his council meeting.
See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 23:18.
This means they would stop doing these things.
"the evil things they do." See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 4:4.
"I am not only a God who is here in Jerusalem ... but I am everywhere!"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"No one can hide in a secret place so I cannot see him."
"I am everywhere, both in the heavens and on the earth."
"prophesying deceit things" or "prophesying deceitfully"
This refers to speaking with Yahweh's power and authority or as his representative. See Jeremiah 14:14.
"I had a dream from Yahweh"
"This should not continue, prophets declaring lies which they themselves have made up."
"prophesy things that come only from their own minds"
"forget me ... forgot me" or "forget who I am ... forgot who I am"
"leading my people to worship Baal instead of me"
"My word is powerful like fire ... and powerful like a hammer that shatters a rock into pieces." Yahweh emphasizes that his word is much more powerful than the words of mere men.
"I am opposed to"
This implies that the false prophets are thieves. They are so evil that they take each other's messages without permission.
Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.
"Pay attention"
This refers to the ability to speak.
In verses 33-40 there is a wordplay with the word "burden". In Hebrew, the word for "message" can also mean "burden." In translations that are using footnotes, you may want to explain the wordplay in a footnote. In translations that are not using footnotes you may need a sentence like "What message has the Lord burdened you with now?" or "You (plural) call God's message a heavy burden on you."
These two instances of "you" are singular and refer to Jeremiah.
Here "burden" means a message or prophecy from Yahweh.
These two instances of "you" are plural and refer to the false prophets and the priests.
"You are a burden that I am tired of carrying". Here "burden" means a heavy load.
Here "burden" means a message or prophecy from Yahweh.
"his family"
"Each person continues to ask his neighbor and his brother, 'What did Yahweh answer?' and 'What did Yahweh declare?'"
"You must no longer call your visions the 'burden of Yahweh' because they are really only every man's own words, and" or "You must no longer talk about the 'message of Yahweh' because the words that each of you speak are what is a 'heavy load.' In this way"
"you have changed the message of the living God, Yahweh of hosts, our God, to say what you want it to say and not what God said"
Here "you" is singular and refers to Jeremiah.
All these instances of "you" are plural and refer to the priests and false prophets.
"therefore, pay attention"
"I am about to drive you away from me"
All of these instances of "you" are plural and refer to the priests and false prophets.
This refers to Jerusalem.
This plural and refers to the priests and false prophets.
"I will cover you with dishonor that will last forever and shame that you will never forget" or "I will cause people to make fun of you forever. People will never forget that you were disgraced."
"that will last forever"
All instances of this word refer to Jeremiah.
The word "Behold" here shows that Jeremiah saw something interesting.
This part of the story is used to provide historical information to show when the events of the happened.
people skilled at building things
people skilled at creating things out of metal
"no one could eat them"
"no one could eat them .. no one can eat them"
"Yahweh spoke this message to me:". See how you translated it in Jeremiah 1:4.
"I will take good care of the exiles of Judah". God will bless the people who were taken away into Babylon but punish the people left in the land because they still did not repent and turn to him.
The good figs represent those Judean exiles sent to the land of Chaldea.
"I will bless them"
"I will help them to prosper in Chaldea"
"I will help them flourish in the land, and not ruin them"
"I will establish them in the land, and not remove them"
These phrases emphasize how thoroughly Yahweh will judge the people of Jerusalem, who will become something that will frighten others.
"I will kill them with war, famine and sicknesses"
"I will send enemy armies" or "I will send out war"
These things are spoken of as living things that could attack the people of Jerusalem.
"none of them remain in the land"
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See a similar phrase in Jeremiah 7:1.
This is a man's name.
Jeremiah speaks of people as if they were turning away from that action.
These terms refer to every sinful thing that they do.
"the evil things he does." See similar words in Jeremiah 4:4.
"do not become devoted to other gods"
"do not provoke Yahweh with the idols that you have made" or "do not provoke Yahweh by the things that you do"
"so that I do harm to you"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"listen" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you".
"bring them to attack this land"
"I will destroy them completely"
"I will turn them into something that horrifies people"
"an object at which people will hiss". This refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval.
These are two large, round stones used to grind grain.
See Jeremiah 7:34.
"I will cause this land to be desolate and something that horrifies people"
"after seventy years" or "after seventy years have passed". Babylon will rule over Judah for seventy years. Because Yahweh is just, he will soon punish Babylon for their evil actions.
"desolate forever"
"everything that Jeremiah has written in this book"
Yahweh speaks of punishing the people of the nations for what they have done as if he were paying them back.
"everything that they have done"
"Take this cup of wine that represents my fury". Jeremiah says that Babylon will destroy all the surrounding nations and then be destroyed.
"make all the people of the nations ... drink the wine". Yahweh speaks as if they were to drink the wine in the cup.
Yahweh speaks as if they were drunk from drinking the wine from the cup.
"because of the wars that I am causing to happen among them"
"I made all the people of the nations ... drink the wine from the cup"
"an object of horror" or "a terrifying thing."
"an object at which people hiss and which they curse". This refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval.
When the book of Jeremiah was written and some time after that or Jeremiah's prophecy's have already started to happen.
"People from other nations also had to drink the wine from the cup"
People whose ancestors were from different people groups or foreigners who lived in Egypt.
This is the name of a place.
This is a reference to the Mediterranean Sea.
These are the names of places.
"all the people who live on the edge of the wilderness." See Jeremiah 9:26. This probably refers to people who cut their hair short in order to honor a pagan god.
"they also had to drink the wine from the cup"
This passage continues to refer to Yahweh's extreme anger as wine that he causes the people of the nations to drink.
This is the name of a place.
"one after another"
"all of these people had to drink the wine from the cup in Yahweh's hand"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"before the wars that I am causing to happen among you"
"Jerusalem, which I have called by my name"
"so do not think that you yourselves will be free from punishment."
"I am bringing war against all the inhabitants of the land"
Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh shouting very loudly as if he were roaring like a lion. The ULB sets poetry (25:30-38) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"from heaven"
Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh as if he were a lion and his people were sheep. The people will be helpless when Yahweh comes to punish them.
The people who crush grapes in a winepress with their feet in order to make wine.
"to the farthest places on the earth"
"on all mankind" or "on all people"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"great disasters are going to happen in one nation after another"
Yahweh speaks of Babylonian army and the destruction that it will cause as if it were a great storm or Yahweh speaks of his great anger as if it were a great storm that causes much destruction.
"those whom Yahweh killed"
"will on that day cover the entire earth"
"no one will mourn them, gather them, or bury them"
The bodies are compared to dung to emphasize they will be disgusting and that no one will bury them. See Jeremiah 16:4.
Yahweh speaks of the leaders of Israel as if they were shepherds who are responsible for protecting the people, who are spoken of as sheep.
This is a sign of sorrow, mourning or distress.
"you leaders of the people"
"for the time has come for me to slaughter you". Yahweh says that he will slaughter the shepherds.
"you will fall like fine pottery and your shattered pieces will scatter on the ground"
Yahweh speaks of the nation as if it were the "pastures" in which they care for the sheep.
"Yahweh will devastate the peaceful pastures because of he extremely angry"
Yahweh punishing his people is spoken of as if Yahweh were a lion who leaves his den in search of prey.
"their land will become something that horrifies people"
This refers to the anger of Israel's enemies.
"This message came from Yahweh. He said" or "Yahweh spoke this message". See a similar phrase in Jeremiah 18:1.
"people from the cities of Judah"
"Do not leave anything out from what I have told you!"
"each man will stop his wicked way of living"
"so I will change my mind and I will not send the disaster."
"because of how wicked their deeds are" or "because of the wicked things that they do." See Jeremiah 4:4.
Yahweh had destroyed a place of worship at Shiloh, and was threatening to destroy this place.
"I will make this city so that people will ask me to destroy others the way I have destroyed this city"
"so that all the nations on earth can see me do it"
the temple
The people wanted to kill Jeremiah but other people intervened and said that they should listen to Jeremiah and repent. They represent the remnant of the faithful Jews.
"You should not have prophesied ... inhabitant."
the name of the gate through which people went into the temple
"you heard"
"the people who worship in Yahweh's temple and those who live in the city of Jerusalem"
"the things you do"
"obey Yahweh"
"Do to me whatever you think is the right thing to do"
"you are making yourselves and this city and its inhabitants guilty of the violent death of an innocent person"
"all the people in the city and every one of the people who live here"
"for you to hear"
"with the authority of Yahweh our God"
This is a town in Judah.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
When a farmer plows a field, he turns over all the dirt and uproots all the plants. A thicket is full of bushes that no one can use it for anything. These phrases emphasize that Yahweh will allow the invaders to completely destroy the temple area.
"You know very well that Hezekiah ... did not put him to death."
"all the people of Judah"
"You know very well that he feared Yahweh and appeased the face of Yahweh so that Yahweh ... them."
"cause Yahweh to be less angry"
"If we kill Jeremiah, we will do greater evil against our own lives."
Jeremiah stops telling about his own life and begins telling about what happened to another prophet.
"While what I was just telling you about was happening, there was"
"prophesied that bad things would happen to the people who lived in this city and this land"
"heard what he said"
This ends the story of Uriah.
men's names
"Ahikam ... was able to keep the people from harming Jeremiah". Ahikam was not a soldier, so he probably was able to talk to people and change their minds.
men's names
"Ahikam did not allow the people to have the power to put Jeremiah to death"
Jeremiah told the king of Judah, and all the surrounding nations, to serve the Babylonians and live in their land. If they refused, Babylon would take them as captives to another land.
things that keep a person from moving freely
"Then send out messages"
"Have those kings' ambassadors, who ... Judah, take them"
Jeremiah was instructed to give a set of chains and yoke to each ambassador and a message for each king regarding the chains and yoke.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"by my very great power"
"I give it to anyone I want to"
"I ... am putting the people who live in all these lands under the power of Nebuchadnezzar ... servant"
"the time for me to destroy his land"
"will defeat Babylon". This refers to Nebuchadnezzar, representing the kingdom of Babylon.
"and whose people do not willingly become slaves of the king"
"I have used Nebuchadnezzar's power to destroy it" or "I have enabled Nebuchadnezzar's armies to destroy it"
people who say what will happen in the future
"the nation whose people willingly becomes slaves of the king". Being the king's slave is spoken of as being an animal onto the shoulders of which the king puts a yoke so it can do heavy work.
"the nation of people who place"
This means to prepare and use land to grow food crops
"make their homes in their own land"
The word "your" refers to Zedekiah and the people of Judah and is plural.
"For if you do not do this, you will surely die ... king."
Yahweh is warning the people about all the false prophets that he did not send and that are lying to them.
"they say they are speaking for me when they prophesy, but they are deceiving you"
"I will force you to leave your home country"
"People are bringing back all the gold items that they took from Yahweh's temple!". Jeremiah continues to speak the words of Yahweh.
"You can keep this city from becoming a ruin if you do what Yahweh wants you to do."
Yahweh challenges them to beg of him. But he knows that they are not true prophets and they will not beg of him.
"if Yahweh has truly given them messages"
"my word ... be me, Yahweh of hosts, not". Yahweh is speaking of himself in third person.
"the palace of the king of Judah"
These were objects that were in the temple. "The Sea" was a large bronze bowl.
The Hebrew text has "Jeconiah", a variation of the name "Jehoiachin." Many modern versions have "Jehoiachin" to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.
"People will bring them to Babylon" or "I will bring them to Babylon"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
The reader should understand that Yahweh will have people carry them up.
Hananiah claims to speak for God. A false prophet prophesied that the captives would return from Babylon with all the temple vessels. Jeremiah told the false prophet that he would die that year for prophesying lies, and he did.
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. It is during the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars. This was after Zedekiah had been king for three years.
This is the name of a man.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"I have set you free from slavery to the king of Babylon"
The Hebrew text has "Jeconiah," which is a variation of the name "Jehoiachin." Many modern versions have "Jehoiachin" in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.
"whom I sent"
"May Yahweh prove you have prophesied truly"
"The prophets who lived long ago before you and I"
"then you will know that he is indeed a true prophet and that Yahweh has sent him out"
This was the yoke that God had told Jeremiah to make and put on himself in Jeremiah 27:2.
"Just as Hananiah has taken the yoke off Jeremiah's neck"
"I will set every nation free from slavery to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon"
"the people of every nation"
"the yoke that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has imposed"
put on people
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". See Jeremiah 1:4.
Iron is a very strong metal and it would be very difficult to break yokes made of iron.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"I have made all of these nations slaves, and they will have to serve Nebuchadnezzar"
"you urged people to rebel against me". It is not clear why Yahweh speaks of himself by name.
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
"proclaimed from Jerusalem"
"elders who were still alive"
The Hebrew text has "Jeconiah," which is a variation of the name "Jehoiachin." Many modern versions have "Jehoiachin" in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.
the king's mother
"very important officials"
Jeremiah gave the scroll to Elasah so that Elasah could take it to Babylon. Elasah probably put the scroll in a container to keep it safe as he traveled.
These are the names of men.
When these people wrote letters, they would write their name first, then the name of the person to whom they were writing, and then the main part of the letter. Yahweh speaks of himself by name as if he were writing the letter himself.
Yahweh is telling them they will be there for a long time.
Parents commonly arranged their children's marriages.
"Do everything you can so the people of the city live in peace"
These words refer to the city of Babylon.
Yahweh continues speaking to the captive Israelites.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"you yourselves are having."
Possible meanings: these words refer to the prophets and diviners, not to the dreams or "they are prophesying deceitfully" refers to the dreams, and "I did not send them" refers to the prophets and diviners.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
Yahweh continues speaking about what will happen to the captives of Israel.
the captive Israelites
"70 years"
Praying is spoken of as calling out with a loud voice.
This implies that Yahweh will give them what they want.
"you will want to do what I require you to do"
"you will be completely sincere when you seek me"
"free you from those who had captured you"
"I sent you into exile" or "I sent you to be exiles"
"the king who rules the Israelites as David did". Jeremiah speaks to the captive Israelites.
"Listen" or "Pay attention"
"I am going to punish them by having them die in war, from hunger, and from illness"
Rotten figs are useless because they cannot be eaten, and Yahweh sees no use for the people of Israel.
These words describe how the people of other nations will react when they see what Yahweh has done to the people of Judah.
the sound people make when they disapprove of something
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"But as for you, listen carefully"
These are the names of men.
"liars who tell you that they are speaking my words to you"
"I will allow Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to conquer them"
"where you can see him do it"
"the exiles from Judah in Babylon will say a curse about these persons"
"burned to death" or the king's men attached them to poles over the fire so that the fire would slowly kill them but far enough away that it would not totally consume their bodies.
This is a man's name.
This is the name of a people group.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6. Jeremiah sent a letter to Babylon telling the exiles to prepare for a long stay. A false prophet in Babylon wrote back to the chief priest telling him to punish Jeremiah. Even though Jeremiah had prophesied the exile, the Jews still did not believe him.
"based on your own authority and reputation"
This is a man's name.
This is a man's name.
a wooden frame that holds the feet, hands, or head of a person whom someone is punishing
This finishes the letter by Shemaiah that he sent out to the people in Jerusalem.
"I want you to rebuke Jeremiah of Anathoth ... against you."
"he has sent a message to us"
See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 29:5.
"so that Jeremiah the prophet could hear him read it." See Jeremiah 2:2.
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:"
"the good things"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"he has urged people to rebel against me". It is not clear why Yahweh speaks of himself by name.
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". See Jeremiah 1:4. Despite the prophesied punishment, Yahweh promises to restore Judah and he also declares that he will ultimately restore Israel. The author uses the term "Israel" in two different ways. He uses it in reference to the nation of Israel, as well as the people who used to inhabit the northern kingdom of Israel, the people group of Israel.
"For listen carefully." This phrase brings attention to what Yahweh is going to say next.
"there will be a time ... when I will reverse the captivity". See Jeremiah 7:32.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"free my people, Israel and Judah, from their captivity". See Jeremiah 29:1
Jeremiah often wrote prophecy in the form of poetry. Hebrew poetry uses different kinds of parallelism.
"I have heard" or "You people of Jerusalem say, 'We have heard". The ULB sets poetry (3:5-24) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"people cry out in dread because there is no peace" or "you cry out in dread because there is no peace."
"You know that no man has ever given birth to a child"
"The young men are holding their bellies like a woman giving birth; they all look sick because they are so afraid."
"for the descendants of Jacob, but I will rescue them from it"
Being a slave is spoken of as wearing a yoke like an animal and wearing chains like a prisoner.
"you will worship Yahweh your God ... your king ... over you"
"a man descended from their King David"
"descendants of Jacob ... you Israelite people"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"do not be discouraged"
"Listen carefully while I tell you why: I am"
"from the place where they were captives"
"You descendants of Jacob will return ... you will rest secure"
"safe"
"no one to terrify him"
"where I have sent you"
"But I will not completely destroy you"
"will certainly punish you"
Yahweh has punished them so severely that there is no one who can help them. He continues speaking to the people of Israel.
"There is no one who asks me to show you mercy"
Yahweh has punished them so severely that there is no one who can help them.
Yahweh describes the people of Israel as an unfaithful wife. Here "lovers" refers to other nations. The Israelites allied with them and worshiped their gods instead of relying on Yahweh.
"They no longer want to be your friends"
Yahweh has treated his people like he would treat his enemy.
Yahweh has treated his people like a cruel master would treat a rebellious slave.
"your sins, which are too many to count"
"You are calling for help for your injury because you have disobeyed me."
"So I will destroy everyone who destroys you"
To plunder is to steal from peaceful people using violence and plunder is what people steal.
To despoil is to take items from an enemy one has defeated and the items one takes are the spoil.
See Jeremiah 30:12.
"they said, 'Nobody wants you'"
"No one cares about the people of Zion"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"I am about to bring back the fortunes of the descendants of Jacob, and I will have compassion on them"
"I will cause things to go well for the people in Jacob's tents again". See Jeremiah 29:14.
"Then they will rebuild Jerusalem on its ruins"
"Then they will sing songs of praise and joy"
"I will cause them to increase in number, not to become fewer"
"so that no one will humble them"
"I will establish them as a people before me"
This speaks of God's anger and punishment as if it were a storm and his power and ability to destroy wicked people.
"what he intends to do"
This chapter is a transition from the previous chapter. "At that time" refers to the day of restoration mentioned in Jeremiah 30:24. The chapter is an important teaching regarding the new covenant. God will bring forgiveness of sins and a desire to obey God. Jeremiah uses the term "Israel" in reference to the nation of Israel as a whole. He also uses it in reference to the northern kingdom of Israel and their people group. The ULB sets poetry (31:1-6, 8-22, 35-37) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"While the people who have survived the sword have been in the wilderness, I have had grace on them"
"who have survived the war"
"wilderness, where Israel went out to find rest."
"I have been faithful to my covenant and brought you near to me". Jeremiah speaks as if he were the people of Israel.
"I will build you up again. Remember this: I will build you". Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel.
"Israel, who falsely pretends to be fully devoted to me". The word "virgin" makes a person think about a young woman who has never married and has never had the opportunity to be faithless. Calling Israel this is ironic. See Jeremiah 18:13.
musical instruments with heads like a drum that can be hit, with pieces of metal around their sides that sound when shaken
Yahweh is speaking to all people of the world, so these verbs are plural.
"the most important people group of all the nations"
"Cause everyone to hear your praise"
Yahweh continues speaking about how he will bring the Israelite people back from being captives in Babylon.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"to bring the Israelite people"
"Yahweh will lead them and will comfort them." Yahweh will lead them and they will be praying to Yahweh.
"I will be like a father to the people of Israel, and they will be like my firstborn child". "Ephraim" refers to "Israel."
The firstborn had special honor and responsibility.
Yahweh is speaking to the nations, so these verbs are plural.
"I caused my people Israel to be scattered among the nations, but now I am bringing them home and keeping them"
A shepherd cares for and protects his sheep, and Yahweh is promising to care for and protect the Israelites.
"For Yahweh has rescued the people of Israel from their enemy who was too strong for them"
"on Zion, the high place" or "on Mount Zion." Being on top of a hill refers to being happy.
They will be strong and healthy, and will prosper.
This is a generalization. The Israelites will almost always feel joy.
"I will cause them to mourn no longer but instead to celebrate"
"Yahweh will change"
"I will satisfy the priests with good things"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"I hear a voice in Ramah"
Rachel was the wife of Jacob/Israel and was the mother of the tribes of Joseph and Benjamin. Her name refers to the women of Israel who are crying because the Babylonians have killed their children or taken them away.
"She will not let anyone comfort her, for her children are dead"
"Stop weeping aloud and stop crying tears"
Yahweh is speaking as if he were talking to Rachel (Jeremiah 31:15), so these words are singular.
"I have certainly heard the descendants of Ephraim sorrowing". Ephraim was the ancestor of the largest tribe in Israel.
"You punished me. Yes, you punished me severely"
When people train calves, they cause them to suffer. Yahweh had caused the people of Israel to suffer.
"disciplined."
"I rubbed my brow". This means that they are very sad.
"I was completely ashamed"
"Ephraim is my precious child. He is my dear, delightful son.
These commands and instances of "yourself" and "your" and "you" are addressed to "virgin Israel" and are singular. God continues to speak from verse 7.
God is referring to a changed Israel.
"Do not hesitate to start obeying me."
Possible meanings: be unable to decide what to do or go off the correct path, meaning to disobey Yahweh.
"new on earth—something as strange as a woman protecting a man"
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
This refers to the people of Judah. See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 29:14.
"May Yahweh bless those who live in Jerusalem with Yahweh, where his temple is".
Mount Zion, where the temple had stood
"it will be as if the land were a house in which Judah lived with his family"
"and farmers and those who set out with flocks will also live there". People who take care of sheep and goats.
"had refreshed me"
"Pay attention" or "Listen"
"in the future ... I will sow". See Jeremiah 7:32.
"I will cause the people of Israel and Judah to become many people with many animals"
"looked for ways to uproot them"
See how you translated these ideas in Jeremiah 1:9.
"in order to make them strong and many"
A proverb that Jeremiah heard people say when they were complaining that Yahweh was punishing children for the sins of their fathers. The ULB sets 31:29 farther to the right than the rest of the text since it is an important quotation.
grapes with too much acid in them or grapes that are not ripe
Use the common words for how people's mouths feel when they eat sour or unripe fruit.
"For each man will die because of his own sins"
Jeremiah restates the proverb so it now means people will suffer as a consequence of their own behaviors.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am going to tell you"
"in the future ... I will establish"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"the kingdom of Israel" or "the people of Israel". See Jeremiah 3:18.
"the kingdom of Judah" or "the people of Judah"
as a loving husband would hold the hand of his wife as they walk
"My law will be part of their thoughts and emotions". Yahweh's law will become a part of them, rather than merely written on stone.
"every single one of them"
"Just as these permanent things will never vanish ... Israel's descendants will never stop from forever being a nation"
"Just as the highest heavens can never be measured, and the earth's foundation below can never be discovered, I will never reject all of Israel's descendants"
These phrases refer to the whole of creation.
"someone can dig all the way down to the earth's foundation"
"deepest part." The part of a house on which every other part rests.
throw away or refuse to take
"I will have them rebuild the city"
These are the names of places.
These are the names of places.
"I will have them make the whole valley ... holy for me"
These are the names of places.
"made holy"
"No one will tear the city down or destroy it again"
"Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:2.
"after Zedekiah had been king of Judah for more than nine years and Nebuchadnezzar had been king for more than seventeen years". The king should have listened to the prophet Jeremiah and repented of his sin. Instead, he objected to his message and was punished by Yahweh.The term "Israel" is used exclusively in reference to the nation of Israel.
"they were keeping Jeremiah as a prisoner"
"I was imprisoned". It isn't clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here.
An open area attached to the king's palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners.
It might be best to translate that other people helped Zedekiah do this.
Here "him" refers to Jeremiah.
"It is wrong for you to continue prophesying and saying"
"I am about to put this city under the control of the king of Babylon". It might be best to translate that other people would help the king of Babylon.
"I will certainly put him under the control of the king of Babylon"
"Zedekiah himself will see and directly speak with Nebuchadnezzar"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people in Jerusalem.
"I said"
"Yahweh spoke this message to me: 'Look". See Jeremiah 1:4.
"Jeremiah said that the word of Yahweh had come to him and told him that Hanamel son of Shallum his uncle was coming to him and would tell him to buy his uncle's field that was in Anathoth for himself, for the right of redemption belonged to Jeremiah." The long quotation that begins in verse 6 ends here.
These are the names of men.
This is the name of a place. See Jeremiah 1:1.
Jeremiah continues speaking, but he begins to speak of himself in first person.
"17 shekels" or "187 grams". A shekel is 11 grams.
This refers to the deed that a person would sign to purchase land.
"had people watch me purchase the land so they could tell others that I had purchased the land"
"that I sealed"
"the deed that did not have a seal on it"
These are names of men.
Here "them" refers to Hanamel, the witnesses, and the Judeans.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6
"The people of Israel will buy houses, vineyards and fields again in this land"
Jeremiah begins a long prayer, a lament with a long introduction of praise.
This means the sealed scroll and the unsealed scroll.
The word "woe" here indicates that in this prayer Jeremiah is sad, complaining or lamenting. The word "look" indicates that the next words are an introduction to the most important part of the prayer.
"by your great power"
"You love thousands without ceasing"
"you punish children for the sins of their parents". Yahweh punishing people is spoken as if he were pouring a large container full of liquid into people's laps as they sit.
"You see everything that people do"
"and will reward everyone according to how good or evil the things are that they do"
Aan event in the past when God used his power to free the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt.
"To this day"
"among all people"
"you have made yourself famous". Here "name" refers to God's reputation.
"by your great strength"
Jeremiah continues praying to Yahweh and ends the introduction to his lament ("Woe," Jeremiah 32:17) with the words "took possession of it" and begins the lament with "but they did not obey."
"gave the people of Israel"
"land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops". See how you translated this in Jeremiah 11:5.
"But they did not obey what you said"
"The enemy's seige mounds are so close to the city that the enemy will be able to capture the city"
"because soldiers will attack"
"people have no food to eat, and everyone is weak from being ill"
"you have given Jerusalem to the Chaldean army"
"happening, as you can see very well"
"have people watch you purchase the land so they can tell others that you have purchased the land"
"I am giving this city"
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". This introduces a special message from God. See Jeremiah 1:4.
It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here.
"Nothing is too difficult for me to do."
"Listen carefully! I am the one who will give"
"put this city under the power of the Chaldeans"
"so that I would become very angry"
"doing what I consider evil" or "doing evil knowing that I am watching"
"from the time that they became a nation"
"the idols they have made" or "their evil practices"
"the people of Jerusalem have made me very angry since the day they built their city"
"has been something that has provoked"
"They continue to make me angry even now"
"from my presence" or "completely"
"Instead of listening carefully to me, they refused to listen at all"
"to learn how to act correctly"
"their idols which I hate"
"the house that belongs to me" or "the building in which they worship me"
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:31.
"I never thought at all"
Here "you" is plural. These words could refer to Jeremiah and those with him or all the people.
"Yahweh has given the king of Babylon the power to rule it"
"to gather my people"
"extreme anger"
"where they are safe"
The people of Israel will want to work together to honor Yahweh.
"eternal agreement"
"stop doing good"
"I will cause them to always honor me"
"so that they will never stop obeying and worshiping me"
Here "them" refers to the people of Israel.
"I will permanently settle the Israelites in this land"
"with all that I am" or "wholeheartedly"
"I have caused all these bad things to happen to this people, and now I will cause the good things to happen to them"
"Then people will buy fields in this land"
This refers to the people of Israel.
"Yahweh has given the Chaldeans power over it"
These are the deeds that a person would sign to purchase land. Other people would be the witnesses.
"free them from those who had captured them". See Jeremiah 29:14.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"While Jeremiah was ... guard, Yahweh spoke this second message to Jeremiah:". This introduces a special message from God. See Jeremiah 1:13.
There is no need to translate using first person.
"he was still a prisoner in"
An open area attached to the king's palace, surrounded by buildings and where they kept prisoners. See Jeremiah 32:2
who creates things so he can make them exist forever
"that the people have torn down to defend against the siege ramps and the sword" or "the houses that the Chaldeans have torn down to make siege ramps so they can make war"
People dying violently when soldiers kill with swords.
"in my extreme wrath"
"I have turned away from you"
"I will free Israel and Judah from their captivity". See Jeremiah 29:14. Despite the great punishment Judah is facing and Israel has undergone, there is hope. This hope is based in the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh. Ultimately, he will restore his people.
"the people who live in this city ... do for the people who live there ... give to the people who live there"
Yahweh himself will rejoice when he thinks of the name of Jerusalem or when people in other lands hear the name of the city, they will know that Yahweh has given the people who live there joy.
"something about which all the people groups of the earth will sing songs of praise and honor to me, Yahweh"
"they will tremble with fear"
"awe"
"because of all the good things that I will give to it and because I will cause it to be peaceful"
the temple in Jerusalem
"I will free the people of this land from those who had captured them". See Jeremiah 29:14.
"to what they were before I sent the Israelites into exile in Babylon"
Jeremiah uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"shepherds will again count their sheep as the sheep walk by". The shepherd counting and inspecting his sheep as the sheep walked under his hand.
"Listen carefully"
"In the future ... I will do". See Jeremiah 7:32.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8
"the kingdom of Israel". See Jeremiah 3:18.
"the kingdom of Judah"
"the people of Judah"
"In those very days" or "At that very time"
"I will cause a righteous man to come from and bring glory to the line of David"
the nation of Israel
"the people of Judah ... the people of Jerusalem"
"I will save Judah"
"the people of Judah will be safe from their enemies"
"this is what they will call her". Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem as if the town were a woman.
"There will always be a man from David's line"
a male descendant of King David
"to be king over the house of Israel"
"and there will always be a man from the Levitical priests to offer burnt offerings"
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". This introduces a special message from God. See Jeremiah 1:4.
"I say"
This phrase is a condition that is contrary to fact. No one can break God's covenant with night and day.
"Just as you cannot break my covenant ... proper times, so you will never be able to break my covenant with David ... and my covenant with the Levitical priests, my servants" This completes the sentence that began in verse 20. God said this to assure his people that no one can change God's covenants, giving the people hope.
"to rule the kingdom I have given to him"
"As the hosts of heaven are so many that they cannot be counted"
"the armies of heaven" or "the multitude of things in the sky". This refers to the sun, moon, stars. They are called the hosts because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers.
"as the sand of the seashores is so abundant that it cannot be measured"
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:"
"You should have noticed what this people are really saying when they said, 'The ... them.'". Yahweh wants Jeremiah to think deeply about what the people have said.
"What they are really saying is that my people are worthless and that my people will never again be a nation."
"they no longer think of my people as a nation"
The phrase is contrary to fact. God established his covenant with day and night, and fixed the laws of heaven and earth.
"Just as I have established the covenant ... so I will never reject the descendants ... and I will bring". This completes the sentence that began in verse 25. God said this to assure his people.
"free them from their captivity" or "free them from those who had captured them"
See how the words "have compassion on" are translated in Jeremiah 30:18.
"This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah when Nebuchadnezzar ... her cities. He said," or "When Nebuchadnezzar ... her cities, Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". See Jeremiah 7:1.
There is no need to translate using first person.
"fighting"
This refers to all the towns around Jerusalem.
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:28.
"under the control of the king of Babylon"
"You will not escape from his control"
"the Babylonians will certainly seize you and give you"
"You will not die in battle"
The people would burn spices in honor of people who had recently died, not the bodies.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
These are names of cities.
"the only fortified cities of Judah that the Babylonians had not yet captured"
"Yahweh spoke a message to Jeremiah"
message
These words begin to provide background information to events that will be described later.
The background information that began in verse 8 ends here. According to the law of Moses, the people were required to free their indebted slaves after a period of time. The king led them in freeing their fellow Israelites, but they later changed their minds and enslaved them again.
Jeremiah resumes the story from Jeremiah 34:8.
"place where you were slaves"
"each of you must free any fellow Hebrews who sold themselves to you and have been your slaves"
"You must let them be free from serving you"
"did not ... pay attention to what I said"
This draws attention to the important point that follows.
"what I consider to be right"
"the house that belongs to me" or "the building in which they worship me"
"stopped doing what was right and did evil things that have made people think that I am evil"
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to the important thing I am going to tell you!"
"I will proclaim misery to you ... misery from the sword, the plague, and famine". Jeremiah uses irony to say the "freedom" the people will enjoy will actually be suffering.
"proclaim that you are free"
"enemy soldiers to kill you"
"I am going to terrify the people in every kingdom on earth by what I do to you"
When the people of Israel made a sacred promise to God, they cut a calf in two and passed between its parts. It was a very serious sin not to do what one had promised.
"agreed to with me" or "established while I was watching"
The description of how the people established the covenant that began with in verse 18 ends.
"I will allow their enemies to have complete control over them"
"seeking to kill them"
"to be conquered by their enemies"
"come to fight"
bring the Babylonian armies
"In the days ... of Judah, Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". See Jeremiah 1:4. It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself.
The Rechabites obeyed the commands their ancestor had give while living in Canaan, but Judah did not obey Yahweh's commands. Because the Rechabites were obedient, Yahweh preserved their clan. The Rechabites' history is found in the book of Judges.
the temple
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
These are the names of men.
"live many years in the land"
"the command of Jonadab"
"as long as we live."
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah: 'Yahweh"
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"You must certainly receive this correction and listen to my words."
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See Jeremiah 1:8.
"The sons of Jonadab son of Rekab have observed their father's command to not drink wine"
These are the names of men.
"do not follow other gods" or "do not obey other gods"
"you did not pay attention to me"
"the commands of their ancestor that he gave them"
This tells the reader to pay special attention to what follows.
"I said"
See Jeremiah 6:6.
See Jeremiah 35:5.
These are the names of men. See Jeremiah 35:5.
"It happened." This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
Jehoiakim had been king of Judah for more than three years. See Jeremiah 25:1.
This phrase refers to the message that follows.
It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here.
"Yahweh said"
"all of the nations"
"I have told you from"
"from the time Josiah was king until today"
"It is possible that the people"
"to cause to happen to them"
"his wicked way of living". See Jeremiah 18:11.
"forgive them for their iniquity and their sin"
"I called ... at my dictation ... to me ... I gave ... I said"
"while Jeremiah was speaking, Baruch wrote in a scroll all of Yahweh's words that Yahweh had spoken to Jeremiah"
"I called ... at my dictation ... to me ... I gave ... I said"
"read out loud from the scroll"
"must read out loud"
"so that the people in Yahweh's house can hear them." See Jeremiah 2:2.
"so all the people of Judah who have come from their cities can hear them."
"It is possible that their pleas"
"Yahweh will hear them plead for mercy and do as they ask"
This refers to the people in the house of Yahweh and the people of Judah who had come from their cities.
"his wicked way of living". See Jeremiah 18:11.
"the anger and rage"
"after Jehoiakim ... had been king of Judah for more than four years, during the ninth month". The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar; during the last part of November and first part of December on Western calendars.
See Jeremiah 25:1.
"told everyone that they were going to fast"
"who was a scribe"
"in the entrance of the new gate of the house of Yahweh"
He read aloud Jeremiah's words.
"where all the people could hear him." See Jeremiah 2:2.
used to draw attention to the important point that follows
"Micaiah who was the son of Gemariah, who was the son of Shaphan"
"Pay attention to what I am going to say"
These are names of people.
See Jeremiah 26:20.
See Jeremiah 26:22.
See Jeremiah 1:3.
See Jeremiah 28:1.
"all of the other officials"
"so that the people could hear" See Jeremiah 2:2.
These are men's names.
"so we can hear you read it" See Jeremiah 2:2.
"read the scroll aloud"
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
The word "they" refers to the officials.
the words that Baruch read aloud from the scroll
"how did you write"
See Jeremiah 36:4.
Jeremiah spoke out loud so that Baruch could write down his words.
"used ink to write them"
"Jeremiah should hide himself, too"
The word "you" refers to Baruch and Jeremiah and so is plural.
"Then the officials"
"put the scroll in the room of Elishama so it would be safe"
See how you translated "Elishama the scribe" in Jeremiah 36:12.
"where the king could hear him" See Jeremiah 2:2.
This word is used to mark a stop in the main story. Jeremiah starts to tell a new part.
The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. This is at the end of the sowing season and the beginning of the cold season; the last part November and the first part of December on Western calendars.
"the brazier was in front of him with a blazing fire". A fireplace that people can move.
This phrase marks an important event in the story. Jeremiah wrote God's prophesies on a scroll but the king burned it. It is possible this action was intended to be understood as representing the definitiveness of these prophecies.
these are columns of words on the scroll
"would cut that part of the scroll off"
"using the kind of knife that scribes use"
"until the scroll was completely gone"
the words from the scroll that Baruch wrote as Jeremiah dictated
"nor did they mourn by tearing their clothes". People tore their cloths when extremely sad.
See Jeremiah 36:12.
"pleaded with the king"
These are the names of men.
"a relative of the king"
"After ... dictation, Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:". Jeremiah 1:4.
"Take another scroll for yourself again"
"the first scroll"
"You should not have written ... animal from it!"
"for he will destroy"
"will ever rule the Israelites as David did". See how you translated this in Jeremiah 29:16.
"people will throw your dead body outside"
"so that it is exposed to the dry heat of the daytime"
ice that forms on grass during cold nights
"of all of you"
Jeremiah speaks of himself by name for reasons that are not clear.
"while Jeremiah was speaking, Baruch wrote on it". See Jeremiah 36:4.
"that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire"
"Furthermore, Jeremiah and Baruch added to this scroll many more words which were similar to the words that had been in the first scroll"
The Hebrew text has "Coniah," a variation of the name "Jehoiachin." Many modern versions have "Jehoiachin" in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.
"of the land of Judah"
"he had Jeremiah the prophet proclaim"
"Yahweh proclaimed"
Jeremiah refers to himself by name for reasons that are not clear.
This is a man's name.
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 36:14.
See how you translated these men's names in Jeremiah 21:1.
"for our sake". This refers to King Zedekiah and the rest of the people of Judah.
This marks a stop in the main story. The narrator tells background information about what Jeremiah had been doing before Zedekiah sent the message.
"Jeremiah was able to go wherever he wanted with everybody else"
"because no one had put him in prison"
"had set out"
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah the prophet:". This introduces a special message from God. See Jeremiah 1:4.
This refers to the two men that king Zedekiah had sent to Jeremiah, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest.
The word "me" refers to Yahweh.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
Compare how you translated "to wage war against it and take it, and to burn it" in Jeremiah 34:22.
This refers to King Zedekiah and the rest of the people of Judah.
"Surely we are safe because the Chaldeans are leaving us"
"the wounded men would get up"
"It came about that." This marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
"a piece of land" or "some land"
"among his relatives." Jeremiah was from the town of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin (Jeremiah 1:1).
This is the name of the gate.
This is the name of a person.
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 36:14.
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 28:1.
escaping trouble and leaving people who need help
This means escaping trouble and leaving people who need help.
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:18.
"Jonathan, who was a scribe." (A man's name). Jeremiah was thrown into prison and beaten for prophesying the word of God. Then the king asked him, "Is there any word from Yahweh?". The king simply didn't agree with God's original word.
"the officials put Jeremiah into a room that was under the ground"
"brought Jeremiah"
the palace of King Zedekiah
"I will certainly allow the king of Babylon to do whatever he wants with you". See Jeremiah 32:4.
"I have not done anything wrong to you ... prison."
the people of the kingdom of Judah
"have put"
"Your prophets who prophesied ... against this land were obviously wrong, but now it is clear that I was telling you the truth."
This refers to King Zedekiah and the other people of the kingdom of Judah.
"will not attack you or attack this land"
"Hear me plead for mercy and do as I ask." See Jeremiah 36:7.
"the house of Jonathan, who is a scribe."
An open area attached to the king's palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners.
"His servants also gave Jeremiah a loaf of bread"
"from the street where the bakers worked"
men's names
"I will kill anyone staying in this city with sword, famine, and plague"
"He will not die, but he will lose all his possessions". The word "loot" refers to something taken away from Jerusalem after the Babylonians conquer it. The Babylonians would take physical objects, but the Judeans who surrendered would not die, they would take no physical objects with them. See Jeremiah 21:9.
"I will allow the army of the king of Babylon to conquer Jerusalem"
"his army will capture it".
"Order someone to kill this man"
"he is causing the soldiers and all the people in the city to lose courage"
"for Jeremiah is not working to help this people be safe, but he is working for bad things to happen to this people"
"Listen carefully"
"you are able do whatever you want with him"
"they ... roughly pushed him into the cistern"
a deep hole in the ground where people collect and store rain water
An open area attached to the king's palace, surrounded by buildings and where they kept prisoners. See Jeremiah 32:2.
"they threw him into the cistern."
This marks a stop in the main story. The narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.
This is the name of a man from Cush.
The narrator tells background information about what the king was doing.
King Zedekiah was probably hearing and judging legal cases.
This is an entrance into the city of Jerusalem that people named after Benjamin, Jacob's son.
"used ropes to lower them down"
"between your arms and the ropes"
This refers to some of the 30 men who were with Ebed-Melech.
"If I tell you the truth, you will certainly kill me"
"I solemnly swear by Yahweh, the one who made us". This is a way of making a solemn promise. See Jeremiah 4:2.
"I will not ... allow those men to capture you"
"trying to kill you". See Jeremiah 11:21.
"God of the people of Israel"
"the Babylonian army will not burn this city". If the king obeyed God and surrendered to the Babylonians, he would be allowed to live and the city would not be burned. But if he refused, he would be captured and the city burned. This took faith that Yahweh was using this ungodly, Gentile nation.
"I will allow the Chaldeans to do whatever they want with this city". See Jeremiah 38:2.
"you will not escape from their power"
escaped trouble and left people who needed help. See Jeremiah 37:13.
"the Chaldeans might allow the people of Judah who have deserted to do whatever they want with me"
This refers to the people of Judah who have deserted.
"The Chaldeans will not give you over to the Judeans." Here "you" refers to Zedekiah.
This refers to what Jeremiah will say next.
"Soldiers will bring all the women who are left ... out to the officials of the king of Babylon". The officials will take these women as slaves.
"Your men of peace have deceived you"
"treacherous friends" or "so-called friends". See Jeremiah 20:10.
The king is now helpless.
"Soldiers will bring your wives and children out to the Chaldeans". The officials will take them as slaves.
"will not escape from their power"
"The army of the king of Babylon will capture you and will burn the city"
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 37:15.
"what Jeremiah and the king said to each other"
See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.
"until the day that the Babylonian army captured Jerusalem"
"came to attack Jerusalem". The prophesied destruction of Jerusalem is over and the actual conquering of the Promised Land by Babylon begins in this chapter.
"In the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah was king of Judah". This is after Zedekiah had been king of Judah for eight years, in the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar and during the last part of December and the first part of January on Western calendars.
"On the ninth day of the fourth month of the eleventh year that Zedekiah was king". Zedekiah had been king of Judah for more than ten years, in the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. The eleventh day is near the beginning of July on Western calendars.
These are the names of men.
"in the middle entrance to the city." It was common for leaders to sit at the gate to discuss important matters.
"They left the city at night going out on a path in the king's garden"
The flat land at the southern end of the valley.
Riblah was a town in the territory of Hamath, which is in Syria.
"followed them and caught"
"decided how to punish him"
"forced Zedekiah to watch as the king's soldiers killed Zedekiah's sons". Others probably helped the king of Babylon kill Zedekiah's sons.
"the king's men made Zedekiah blind."
Zedekiah's house
the houses that had belonged to the people of Jerusalem
This is the name of a man.
"Nebuchadnezzar's guards"
"the people who were still living in the city"
"who owned nothing of great value"
a man's name
"sent men out to get Jeremiah"
These are the names of men.
An open area attached to the king's palace, surrounded by buildings and where they kept prisoners. See Jeremiah 32:2.
"among the people who remained in Judah"
This happened before the events in the first part of the chapter and marks a return to the main story, where the narrator tells what Yahweh said to Jeremiah after Nebuchadnezzar gave the orders about Jeremiah (Jeremiah 39:12-14).
"while Jeremiah was ... guard, Yahweh spoke this message to him:". See Jeremiah 1:4.
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 38:7.
Jeremiah uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"I am bringing disaster, not good, against this city, just as I said I would"
"For you will see it all happen on that day"
"I will not allow anyone to put you under the control of the people whom you fear"
"You will not die in war"
"You will not die, but you will lose all your possessions". The Babylonians would take physical objects; but the Judeans would not die, taking no physical objects with them. See Jeremiah 21:9.
"Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See Jeremiah 32:1. After Babylon conquered Jerusalem, this chapter reveals an unfolding peace in the area. Ammon, who was supposed to be Judah's ally against Babylon, probably sought to distract Babylon from attacking them by ruining the peace in the region of Judah.
This is the name of a man. See Jeremiah 39:9.
"whom the soldiers were about to take to Babylon as exiles"
"this disaster"
Nebuzaradan says this to bring Jeremiah's attention to the present moment.
"it is what you consider to be right"
These are the names of men. See Jeremiah 39:14.
"among the Judeans"
"who stayed in Judah"
This marks a new part of the story.
"those whom the enemy soldiers had not sent to Babylon"
These are the names of men.
people from the regions of Netophah and Maakah
"swore to the Judean commanders"
"Listen carefully" or "Pay attention"
"fruit that becomes ripe during the summer"
"you have taken over." Gedaliah was talking to soldiers (verse 7) who may have conquered or taken control of cities.
"remnant of the people of Judah"
"had put ... in charge of them"
"over the people of Judah"
"where the Babylonians had driven them"
"a huge amount of grapes and summer fruit"
"You need to understand that Baalis king of the people of Ammon sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to murder you!"
This is the name of a man.
See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 26:24.
"No one will think that I did it"
"You should not allow him to kill you."
"If you do this, all of Judah that has been gathered to you will be scattered and the remnant of Judah will be destroyed."
"many of the people of Judah"
"whom Yahweh has brought to you"
"to have the Chaldeans scatter them"
"allow the Chaldeans to destroy the remnant of the people of Judah"
See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 26:24.
This marks the beginning of a new part of the story. The chapter explains what life was like in Judah after the Babylonian conquest. It was a difficult and dangerous time, but some of the faithful remained in the Promised Land.
The seventh month of the Hebrew calendar and is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
See how you translated these men's names in Jeremiah 40:8.
This is the name of a man.
See how you translated these men's names in Jeremiah 39:14.
"in charge of the people of Judah"
"Then Ishmael and the ten men with him killed"
"also the Chaldean soldiers there"
"the day after"
"in their possession"
"to go worship Yahweh at his temple"
"to meet the 80 men"
This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts.
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
"Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and the men who were with him, killed most of the 80 men and threw them into a pit". See verse 8.
The word "them" refers to the 80 men.
"for we will give you our provisions that we have hidden in a field"
supplies to be used to provide for future needs
This is background information about the cistern that Ishmael used. King Asa had his men dig the cistern so his people would have a water supply when King Baasha attacked them.
"that King Asa ordered his men to dig"
"against Baasha, king of Israel, and his army"
"Ishmael and his men filled it"
"with those they had killed"
"Ishmael and his men captured"
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 39:9.
"traveled towards the land of the Ammonites"
"Ishmael and his men"
"Ishmael and his men ... found them"
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
Here "people" refers to those whom Ishmael and his men had captured.
"whom Ishmael and his men had captured"
"They went to the people of Ammon". "He" refers to Ishmael and the eight men with him.
"whom they had rescued"
The author stops the story to refer to a previous event so the order of events are understood.
"the soldiers"
"whom they had rescued at Gibeon"
"Johanan, his companions, and all the people they rescued went"
This is the name of a place.
"because they thought the Chaldeans may attack them"
"in charge of the people of Judah"
The remaining army commanders, who scattered after the Babylonian victory, asked Jeremiah to ask Yahweh about where they should go. Yahweh encouraged them to go to Babylon because they would soon return to the Promised Land. They would be punished if they went to Egypt or anywhere else.
See how you translated these men's names in Jeremiah 40:13.
These are the names of men.
"all the people, including the least important and the most important people"
"many other people"
"Listen as we plead with you for your favor"
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I will tell you everything the Lord tells me"
"We ask Yahweh to be". This is a way of beginning an oath.
"trustworthy"
"Whatever he answers"
"we will obey Yahweh our God"
"Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See Jeremiah 1:2.
"to many other people"
"I will cause you to prosper and I will not destroy you"
Yahweh refers to them like a plant in the same way he referred to them as a wall.
"I have changed my mind about the disaster that I have caused to happen to you"
"to save you completely"
"rescue you from his power"
"if you do not obey my commands, even though I am Yahweh, your God"
"where we will not experience the hardships of war"
Being hungry for food is used to describe famine.
The word "now" is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"to Yahweh's message"
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"depart for" or "leave for"
"you will experience the terrible results of war"
"You worry about famine in Israel but if you go to Egypt you will suffer from famine there"
"anyone who sets out"
"the disaster that I will cause to happen to them"
"I became very angry and punished the people of Jerusalem"
"my terrible wrath"
"People will be terrified when they see what has happened to you. They will curse and mock you"
"I have warned you"
"we will do it"
"you have not paid attention"
"to what Yahweh your God commanded"
"in Egypt, where you thought you would be safe"
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
After Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Judah, the people did not believe him. Judah was conquered and destroyed. Even after this, the people did not believe they would be safe in Babylon as Jeremiah prophesied.
Possible meanings: another name for Jezaniah in Jeremiah 42:1 or a different son of Hoshaiah.
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 42:1.
See how you translated these men's names in Jeremiah 40:13.
To cause someone to act in a harmful or violent way.
"to give us over to the Chaldeans"
"for you to cause the Chaldeans to either kill us or to take us as captives to Babylon". Babylon is described as invading part of Egypt. This would have been unthinkable for the people. It would have gotten their attention.
"many of the people"
"would not obey Yahweh's command"
"where Yahweh had scattered them"
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 39:9.
See how you translated these men's names in Jeremiah 39:14.
See the name of this city in Jeremiah 2:16.
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah in Tahpanehs:". See Jeremiah 1:4.
"while some Jewish men are watching"
a substance used to hold bricks together
"to Pharaoh's royal building"
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6. Jeremiah's burial of the stones was intended to be a symbolic action for the people. This was supposed to teach the people a lesson.
"I will cause him to rule as king over the people of Egypt. He will place his throne and pavilion over these stones you have buried"
a very large tent
"Nebuchadnezzar's army will come"
"Everyone will die whom I have decided must die"
"The Babylonians will take everyone captive whom I have decided must go into captivity"
"Everyone will die in battle whom I have decided will die in battle"
"Then I will cause the Babylonian army to light a fire". Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"Nebuchadnezzar's army will ... They will"
"burn the Egyptian idols or take them"
"He will take or destroy everything valuable in Egypt just as a shepherd is careful to get every insect off of his clothes"
"city of the sun." There was a temple where they worshiped a sun god.
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See Jeremiah 7:1.
This is the name of a city.
Translate the names of these cities as you did in Jeremiah 2:16.
"Pathros." The southern region of Egypt.
Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
This is used to specify the people of Judea who live in the land of Egypt.
"all the disaster that I caused to happen to Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"the people of Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah did to provoke me to anger"
"the people from the ruined cities"
The word "I" refers to Yahweh.
"or to stop behaving wickedly by burning incense to other gods"
"I became very angry and punished them"
"my terrible wrath"
"my fury and wrath were like a fire" or "my punishment was like a fire"
"they became completely devastated"
This refers to the current time at which Yahweh was speaking this message.
"You are doing ... yourselves. You are causing ... and babies."
"Why are you doing these wicked things that harm yourselves?"
"Why are you causing me to remove you from the people of Judah ... and babies?"
"You have offended me with the wicked things you have done"
"The result of going to Egypt is that ... and that"
"you will cause me to destroy you" or "you will destroy yourselves"
"all the people of all the nations of the earth will curse you and hate you"
"Think about what happened to your ancestors and the kings of Judah and their wives when they did wicked things."
"Think about what happened to you and your wives when you did evil things in the land Judah and the streets of Jerusalem."
"the public places of Jerusalem"
"you are still not humble"
"nor do they obey them" or "nor do you obey them"
"I have made up my mind to oppose you". See Jeremiah 21:10.
"stare angrily at"
"to cause disaster to happen to you"
"Enemies will kill some of them and others will die of hunger"
"all the people, including the least important and the most important people"
"people will be horrified because of what happened to the people of Judah, and people will mock and curse them"
"I punished the people of Jerusalem"
"by causing enemies to kill some of them, others to starve to death, and others to die because of disease"
"the only ones of them who will return are the few who escaped from there"
"in the large crowd"
"Lower Egypt" refers to the northern region of Egypt.
"We will not obey this message that you say Yahweh told you to tell us"
The people called Ashtoreth the goddess of the Canaanites. This goddess is also called "Asherah."
"in the public places of Jerusalem" or "in Jerusalem"
The people of Judah thought they would prosper because the queen of heaven would bless them if they worshiped her.
"Then we will have plenty of food"
The remnant of the people living in Egypt continue to speak. Beginning in verse 19, the women address Jeremiah.
"enemy soldiers were killing some of us and some of us were dying of hunger"
"our husbands knew what we were doing ... to her."
These were probably small cakes shaped like stars or the crescent moon.
"Yahweh certainly knew about ... of the land."
"Yes, Yahweh knows what you were doing, and he does not forget"
"was no longer able to tolerate it"
"the evil things you did" or "how evil what you did was." See Jeremiah 4:4.
"because you did things that he hated"
"Then Yahweh caused it so that no one lives in the land. He made it a desolate and horrifying place. People use its name to curse others. And this is how it is even to this day"
"burned incense to false gods"
"you would not obey his commands"
"all the people of Judah"
"have done what you promised to do when you said"
"fulfill the vows" or "complete the vows"
"Very well! If that is what you want to do, then go fulfill your vows and do what you promised to do"
The word "now" is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"all the people of Judah"
"No person of Judah living in the land of Egypt will ever call upon me again"
"I solemnly swear by the Lord Yahweh". This is a way of making a solemn promise. See Jeremiah 4:2.
"Nearly every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will die. Enemies will kill many of them and many of them will starve to death until there is very few of them left"
"Then those whom the enemies do not kill"
"I am opposed to you"
"what I have said will happen and you will have a disaster"
"Listen" or "Pay attention"
"I will allow the enemies who want to kill Pharaoh Hophra, the king of Egypt, to defeat him"
This is the name of a man.
"when I allowed the army of Nebuchadnezzar to defeat Zedekiah king of Judah"
This chapter forms a break in the narrative sequence. It records prophecies that have already occurred.
"in the fourth year of the rule of Jehoiakim"
"Jeremiah said to Baruch"
"for I was already suffering and now Yahweh causes me to be sad as well"
"I am tired because I cry so much"
Yahweh is telling Jeremiah what to say to Baruch.
"I know you hope for great things for yourself." or "I know you hope others will honor you."
"For understand" or "Be aware"
"but wherever you go, I will protect you and allow you to live". See Jeremiah 21:9.
things stolen from a place by force
Jeremiah commands the Egyptian army to prepare for battle, even though they will not be able to defend themselves. Their punishment has already been determined by Yahweh.
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See Jeremiah 14:1.
This message is intended for the nation of Egypt.
This is the name of a man.
This is the name of a city on the west bank of the Euphrates.
"that the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon"
"in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim"
The word "fourth" is the ordinal form of "four."
The ULB sets poetry (46:3-12, 14-24) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
This begins a section where Jeremiah prophesies about other nations. Much of Jeremiah is concerned with Yahweh's punishment of Judah. Yahweh used Egypt to punish Judah. Because Yahweh is just, he is going to punish Egypt for their evil deeds as well.
A "harness" is a set of straps placed on a horse so that it can pull a chariot. The soldiers rode in the chariots that the horses were pulling.
A helmet is armor which protects the head in battle.
This phrase means to "sharpen" the spear.
Jeremiah's vision for Egypt continues.
"Look at what is happening here". The word "I" refers to Yahweh.
"the enemy has killed all their soldiers"
"even the swiftest soldier cannot escape"
"The Egyptian soldiers suffer defeat and die in the north by the Euphrates River"
"Look at who rises like the Nile ... the rivers." Jeremiah continues Yahweh's declaration to the nation of Egypt.
The Nile river floods its banks once a year, covering the surrounding area with water. Yahweh compares the kingdom of Egypt to the Nile because the Egyptian people think they are mighty enough to destroy cities in all the lands.
"The Egyptians rise ... The Egyptians say ... We will"
"Go up to battle, you soldiers on horses. Fight furiously, you soldiers in chariots"
"You soldiers from Cush and Put, who are skillful with your shields, go out to battle"
These are biblical names for the countries of Ethiopia and Libya.
"you soldiers from Lud, who are skillful at bending your bows, go out to battle"
This is the name of the people group from the nation of Lydia.
"skillful at shooting arrows from their bows" or "skillful with the bow and arrow"
This phrase refers to the day the Egyptians lose the battle to the Babylonians.
"for me, Lord Yahweh of hosts, and I will avenge myself on my foes"
"I will completely destroy my enemy. It will be like my sword devours them and gets drunk on their blood"
Yahweh punishing and killing his enemies is spoken of as if he would use a sword to kill them.
"For the Egyptians will be like a sacrifice"
Yahweh finishes his declaration to Egypt.
Gilead was a region famous for having people skillful with medicine. Yahweh is mocking the Egyptians by telling them to go get medicine, but he knows it will not help them.
"people of Egypt"
This word means a condition of feeling ashamed or the loss of respect.
"All the people of the earth hear you crying"
"for your soldiers die in battle"
"when the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon"
"the people of Egypt" or "the Egyptians"
Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 44:1.
Translate the names of these cities as you did in Jeremiah 2:16.
"your enemies will kill people all around you"
"Your soldiers are facedown on the ground and will not stand".
"Yahweh causes more and more of your soldiers to stumble"
"the land where we were born"
"away from the soldiers that are oppressing us"
Possible meanings: "they" refers to people in general who are in Egypt or "they" refers to the foreign soldiers who are fleeing to their native lands of Cush, Put, and Lud.
"Pharaoh brags much but cannot do what he brags he will"
"this is what I, the King, declare". This refers to Yahweh.
This refers to the nation of Babylon who will be as overwhelming to the nation of Egypt as these two mountains are to the plains that surround them.
This is the name of a mountain in the northern part of Israel.
"Prepare to go into exile"
"Egypt is like a very beautiful heifer"
"but a powerful army like a stinging insect"
The writer says the soldiers are well cared for by the Egyptians just as farmers take care of a bull and make it fat.
The writer is saying that the soldiers will not fight as a unit but will run away thinking only of saving themselves.
"they will experience disaster on that day"
The inability of the Egyptians is spoken of as if they were snakes that can only hiss and crawl away.
The enemies are spoken of as if they were woodcutters with axes preparing to cut down a tree.
"The enemy army will kill many Egyptians like woodcutters cutting down a forest ... even though there are very many trees"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
A type of insect that travels in very large groups and can cause great destruction by eating crops.
"no one will be able to count them"
"The enemy army will humiliate the people of Egypt"
"I, Yahweh, will allow the people from the north to defeat the Egyptians"
"Amon, god of the people of Thebes". "Amon" is the king of the Egyptian gods. "Thebes" is the capital of the northern part of Egypt and represents the people of Thebes.
"all the people of Egypt and the gods they worship"
"I will allow those who are wanting to kill them to defeat them"
"that is, I will allow Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants to defeat the Egyptians"
"Then after this, people will live in Egypt again"
"people of Israel, my servants, do not be afraid"
"from the land where they are captives"
See Jeremiah 30:10.
"no one to terrify him"
"I will completely destroy all the nations"
"will certainly punish you"
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See Jeremiah 14:1. This chapter uses the imagery of a flood to describe the enemies who conquer the Philistines. Their destruction will be swift and complete.
"Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah"
"before Pharaoh's army"
This alerts us to pay attention. The ULB sets poetry (47:2-7) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"an army in the north will come like a flood. They will be powerful like an overflowing river"
"like an overflowing river, the army from the north will destroy the land"
This represents the sounds of an oncoming army.
"at the very loud sound of the wheels of the chariots"
"For on that day, the enemy army will devastate all of the Philistines and cut off from Tyre"
"to remove anyone who may want to help Tyre and Sidon"
This is the name of an island of the northern region of the Philistines.
"The people of Gaza will shave their heads bald"
This is a sign of great sorrow practiced by idol worshipers in nations such as Philistia.
Possible meanings: the people are silent because they are mourning or the enemy soldiers have killed them.
"You people who remain in their valley, how long will you cut yourselves?"
the valley in which the Philistines of Gaza and Ashkelon lived
"you will forever cut yourself."
"cut yourself in mourning". Another practice done by the idol worshipers when they mourned the dead.
"Yahweh, you who are holding your sword! When will you stop striking us with your sword? Stop your sword and put it back in its scabbard!"
Yahweh punishing the Philistines is spoken of as if Yahweh were striking them with a sword.
"Please, Yahweh, stop striking us with your sword!"
"you stop slashing"
This is the case used to protect the blade of a sword.
"It cannot rest ... along the sea."
"It cannot stop, for Yahweh has commanded it. He has appointed ... the sea."
Moab worshiped and served other gods. Yahweh expected every nation to worship and serve him and him alone. They were punished because of it. The ULB sets poetry (48:1-25, 28-33, 39-47) farther to the right to show that it is poetry. Jeremiah's prophesies about other nations continue in this chapter.
"To the people of Moab"
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.
"How terrible it is for the people of Nebo, for their city is devastated". The name of a city near Mount Nebo in Moab.
"The enemy has captured the city of Kiriathaim and humiliated the people who live there"
This is the name of a city in Moab.
"The enemy has destroyed the fortress in Kiriathaim and disgraced its people"
"People no longer honor Moab"
This is the name of a city.
"Their enemies will destroy the city of Madmen". The name of the city in Moab has nothing to do with the English word "madmen".
"your enemies will chase after you and kill you"
This is the name of a town in the south of Moab. Jeremiah continues to tell of the destruction of Moab.
These terms emphasize complete destruction.
"The enemy army has destroyed Moab"
"The people of Moab"
This is the name of a place in Moab.
"because their town is destroyed"
This refers to the people of Moab.
"become like a shrub that grows in the wilderness"
"because you trusted"
"in your own efforts"
"the enemy army will also capture you"
"The enemy army will take your god Chemosh as a captive". "Chemosh" is the chief god of the Moabites.
"For the enemy army will come to every city and destroy it"
"no people from any city will escape"
"So the enemy army will destroy everything in the valleys and on the plains"
"Help the people of Moab to escape as if you were giving them wings to fly away"
"Set up a tombstone for Moab, for the enemy will certainly destroy it." or "Put salt on the cities of Moab, for the enemy will completely destroy it." Enemies through salt on ruins to keep thing from ever growing again.
"from killing people"
"Even from their earliest times, the people of Moab have rested secure ... They are ... their wine ... They have never gone ... they tastes ... their flavor"
Yahweh compares the people of Moab, who are prosperous because no one has ever conquered them and taken them as captives, to wine that is undisturbed and has a good flavor.
"Listen carefully because there will be a time"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he's declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"I will send an army that will destroy them as if they were pouring out wine and breaking the jars"
"send them ... tip them over ... their pots ... their jars". All occurrences of "he" "his" and "him" (48:11-12) can be stated as "they" "their" or "them".
"Then the people of Moab"
"the Israelite people group". See Jeremiah 2:4.
The name of the city in which the Israelites worshiped a golden calf or a false god the Israelites worshiped.
"No longer can you say, 'We are soldiers, powerful fighting men.'"
"The enemy army will devastate Moab and attack its cities"
"the enemy army will kill all of the finest men of Moab"
"This is what I, the king, declare". This refers to Yahweh. See Jeremiah 46:18.
"Moab's enemies will destroy her very soon"
"terrible things will happen very soon"
"Moab's enemies have ended her great power"
"you people living in Dibon".
The name of a city in Moab.
"the enemy army that will destroy Moab"
This is the name of a city in Moab.
"Ask the people" or "Ask the men and women"
"The people are disgraced, for the enemy army has destroyed Moab"
"Cry loudly in pain and anger"
"that the enemy army has devastated Moab"
"Yahweh will punish the people of the hill country, of Holon ... Mephaath"
These are cities in Moab.
a city in Moab
"Moab has become weak; the people are not able to fight anymore"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he's declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"I, Yahweh, will cause the people of Moab to be drunk, for they acted proudly against me"
"I will cause you to be like a drunk person"
"Now the people of Moab will be like a person who wallows in his vomit ... an object of ridicule"
"so that people will laugh at him"
"For you used to mock and laugh at the people of Israel."
"the people of Israel ... Were they found ... at them ... about them"
"Although they were not thieves, you still shook your head ... about him."
A symbolic action that shows feeling of scorn or disgust towards someone.
The people should leave their cities and live in the rocky cliffs to hide from their enemies. A cliff is a steep side of a mountain.
"the entrance to caves" or "an opening in the rocks"
All the people in the surrounding area.
These words emphasize the extreme pride of the people of Moab.
"his conceit"
This emphasizes that Yahweh was the one who knew about Moab's arrogant speech.
"their arrogant speech ... like their deeds"
"that he has spoken arrogantly"
"I will cry loudly for the people of Moab"
"I" refers to Yahweh.
a sad and loud cry that a person makes when he is in pain or deep sorrow
This is the name of the old capital city of Moab.
These are the names of two towns in Moab.
"people of Sibmah! Your grapevine had branches that passed ... your grapes"
"The destroyers have attacked you and have taken the fruit from your orchards and your grapes"
"The enemy army has"
dates and figs
"The people of Moab will no longer celebrate and rejoice because of their fruit trees"
"I have stopped the people from making wine"
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
"The wine makers will not stomp the grapes"
Translate the name of this city as done in Jeremiah 48:2.
These are names of other cities in Moab.
The name of a stream or river near the Dead Sea.
"dried up."
"I cry sadly for Moab. My cries are like the sad music a person plays on a flute at a funeral"
"my" refers to Yahweh.
These are things the people of Moab did when they were mourning or expressing deep sorrow.
cuts made on the skin
"There are people mourning everywhere"
"every housetop"
open public areas, such as open marketplaces
The word "I" refers to Yahweh
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"I have completely shattered them! They shout loudly and weep!"
a sad and loud cry that a person makes when he is in pain
"The people of Moab turn their backs in shame"
"So all the people nearby will be terrified at what happened to the people of Moab and they will mock them"
This compares how a powerful army will descend on Moab and conquer it to an eagle swooping down to capture its prey.
"The enemy has captured Kerioth and seized its strongholds"
"Moab's soldiers will be afraid like a woman about to give birth". This compares the fear that will overwhelm the soldiers of Moab to the fear a woman may feel when she is about to give birth.
"So the enemy will destroy the people of Moab"
"You will be terrified, and you will fall into pits and traps"
People will run away to escape one bad thing but they will just experience another bad thing.
"time" or "season" or "time period"
The people who were able to run away during the destruction of Moab.
"will hide in Heshbon for protection"
"because a fire will burn in Heshbon, which is the city where King Sihon lived long ago"
This is the name of an Amorite king who once ruled over Heshbon.
"It will burn up all the people in Moab who noisily boasted very much"
"The enemy army has destroyed the people who worship Chemosh". The chief god of the Moabites.
"the enemy army has taken your sons and daughters as captives"
"I will cause Moab to live well again". See Jeremiah 29:14.
"That is the end of what Jeremiah prophesied about Moab"
Ammon is destroyed because it drove the people of the tribe of Gad from their homeland. This remembers the promises of the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham to curse those who curse Abraham's descendants. The purpose of these rhetorical questions is to convict those Yahweh addresses. The ULB sets the lines in 49:1-11, 14-27, 29-33, 37-39 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long quotation.
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"There are plenty of Israelites to inherit the land of Israel. The people who worship the false idol, Molech, should not live in Gad."
"Why do the people who worship Molech"
"Look and listen"
"there will be a time ... when I will". See Jeremiah 7:32.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"when I will cause the enemy army to sound the signal for battle against Rabbah"
"the enemy army will burn their villages"
"Then the people of Israel will again possess the land that the people of Ammon took away from them"
"Cry loudly and weep"
"people of Heshbon". Translate the name of this city as done in Jeremiah 48:2.
"for your enemies will devastate Ai"
"women of Rabbah" or "people of Rabbah"
"Put on the clothes that show you are mourning". They are to prepare to mourn, not to work or fight. See Jeremiah 4:8.
"for your enemies will take your god Molech captive." This means the enemies will take the idol, Molech, back to their land.
"Do not be proud of your valleys ... daughter."
"Why do you brag about your strength, your strength which is ebbing away"
"faithless people" or "rebellious people"
"falsely think that no one can defeat you."
This refers to the people of Ammon.
"I will cause all those around you to terrify you. Each one of you flee to different directions"
"free the people of Ammon from their captivity". See Jeremiah 29:14.
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"It seems that there are no longer any wise people in Teman!". The name of a district in Edom.
The same idea is expressed in two different ways.
"It seems that there are no longer any wise people in Teman district in Edom!"
"Their advice is no longer wise."
The is the name of a city in Edom.
"I will cause the people of Edom to experience disaster when I punish them"
"on you ... I punish you". Yahweh is speaking to the people of Edom.
"If grape harvesters ... they would certainly leave some grapes behind." Yahweh continues speaking about what will happen to Edom.
"If thieves ... they would only spoil as much as they wanted." They would spoil the crop by stealing it.
"But I have sent an army to take everything away from Esau"
"the people of Edom ... their hiding ... they will not ... hide themselves ... Their children ... they are gone"
"I have made known to the enemy soldiers where the people of Edom hide"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"must certainly experience my punishment ... for you will certainly experience my punishment"
"Certainly, you must be aware that you will personally experience my punishment for your sins."
"you yourselves". Draws attention to the people of Edom.
"You will certainly be punished"
"People will be horrified when they see that the city of Bozrah is devastated. And they will mock the city and use its name when they curse others"
This is the name of a city in Edom.
"All of Edom's cities"
Jeremiah speaks to the people of Edom.
"Yahweh has sent out a messenger"
"to tell the nations, 'Gather together ... for battle.'"
The word "her" refers to Edom.
The word "I" refers to Yahweh and "you" refers to the nation of Edom.
"made you least important"
"and people despise you"
Yahweh continues speaking about what will happen to Edom.
"As for how terrifying you think you are" or "Although you think you scare other people"
"you have become prideful, but you have deceived yourselves"
"live in safety like an eagle in the heights of the mountains". This is a very large, powerful bird of prey.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"The people passing by will be horrified when they what happened to Edom"
"shake from fear and gasp"
Yahweh emphasizes that Edom will be completely uninhabited.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
"When I punish the people of Edom, it will be fierce and unexpected like when a lion comes out of forest and attacks sheep in the pasture"
"forest" or "thickets"
This is land covered with grass where animals feed on the grass.
"the people of Edom will run from their land"
"whom I will choose"
"For no one is like me, no one can summon me."
"who will challenge me" or "who will call me to account"
"No king is able to resist me!"
"the people who live in Teman". Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 49:7.
"He will drag them away, even the smallest flock"
"even the weakest and the smallest people"
"He will completely get rid of the people who live there"
"When enemies come and destroy Edom, the noise will be extremely loud, with the result that the earth will shake"
"People at the Sea of Reeds will hear the people of Edom crying"
When the enemy army attacks it will be vicious and unexpected.
Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 48:24.
"Edom's soldiers will be afraid like a woman about to give birth"
"The people who live in Hamath and Arpad will be ashamed". Yahweh tells what will happen to the people of Damascus.
These are cities in Syria.
"They are very afraid"
The water of the sea is always moving and is compared to the people who cannot rest .
"The people of Damascus have become very weak. They turn ... seizes them"
"The people of Damascus are terrified"
"The people are afraid and suffering like a woman giving birth"
“Why have they not abandoned the city of praise, the town of my joy?”
These phrases both refer to Damascus.
“the city that people used to praise”
“the town that brought me joy” or “the joyous town” or “the town that had joy”
Yahweh continues speaking about what will happen to Damascus and its people.
"enemies will kill the young men of Damascus in its plazas"
"this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"I will cause the enemy army to light a fire"
"the fire will completely burn up"
This the name or title of the king of Damascus.
The name of a land far to the east of Israel. Jeremiah speaks about what will happen to Kedar. See Jeremiah 2:10.
The name of the kingdom or district far to the east of Israel.
This introduces background information about Nebuchadnezzar.
"the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was going to attack"
"Your soldiers will take their flocks, tent curtains, and all of their equipment"
"your soldiers will take their camels from them"
"men will shout, 'We are terrified because terrible things are happening all around us!'" or "soldiers will shout at them, 'Be afraid because we are all around you!'"
Yahweh is speaking about what will happen to Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor.
"people who live in Hazor"
"made a plan"
Here Yahweh is speaking to Nebuchadnezzar as if he was there listening to him.
"Attack this nation, whose people feel safe and secure"
These words refer to the people who feel safe and secure.
"For your soldiers will take their camels and all of their property". Yahweh is still speaking to Nebuchadnezzar.
"Then I will send to nations in all different directions"
Some modern versions interpret this as "those who live on the edge of the wilderness". This probably refers to people who cut their hair short in order to honor a pagan god. See Jeremiah 9:26.
"a place where jackals live." Jackals are fierce wild dogs. See Jeremiah 9:11.
These two lines emphasize that Hazor will be completely uninhabited.
Yahweh is speaking about what will happen to Elam.
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah". See Jeremiah 14:1.
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"The archers made Elam very powerful, but I will stop them"
men who are skilled with a bow and arrows
"I will cause the winds to blow from every direction"
"I will bring your enemies from every direction to attack you"
"to all those nations"
"I will scatter the people of Elam to every nation on earth"
I will cause Elam's enemies to destroy the people of Elam"
"those who want to kill them"
"I will cause them to experience disaster"
"the enemy army to pursue and kill them"
"I will judge the people of Elam". This represents Yahweh's right to rule and judge as the king.
"in the future"
"free the people of Elam from their captivity". See Jeremiah 29:14.
God gives Jeremiah a message that Babylon will be conquered and the Jews will return to their homeland. At this time, Babylon controlled almost the entire Near East. The fulfillment of this prophecy would have been unthinkable. The ULB sets poetry (50:1-5, 6-46) farther to the right to show that it is poetry.
"This is the message that Yahweh spoke"
"through Jeremiah, who was a prophet". See Jeremiah 37:2.
This phrase is repeated to emphasize the importance of the command.
"Put up a sign"
"Babylon is conquered"
These lines emphasize that Yahweh has disgraced the gods of Babylon.
These are two names for the chief god of Babylon.
The word "it" refers to Babylon in both phrases.
The word "her" refers to Babylon.
"destroy her land"
These phrases emphasize the importance of that future time. See Jeremiah 33:15.
"this is what I, Yahweh, declare". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
Seeking Yahweh their God represents either asking God for help or thinking about God and obeying him. The author sometimes uses the term "Israel" to refer to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel, and at other times to the nation of Israel as a whole. He switches between these uses without warning the reader.
The word "They" refers to the people of Israel or the people of Judah who are returning from Babylon to Jerusalem.
This language is used to explain a spiritual connection to Yahweh.
"that no one will forget"
"My people have been like a lost flock of sheep"
"Their leaders were like shepherds who"
"lead them around to many different places"
"devoured them like a wild animal would eat its prey"
The word "they" refers to the people of Israel.
"the one whom their ancestors confidently expected to help them"
Yahweh is speaking to his people in captivity in Babylon.
Male goats tend to be more independent than the rest of the flock. Possible meanings are: they should be the first to leave Babylon or they should lead the rest of the Israelites away from Babylon.
"Pay attention, because"
"stir up"
"These nations will capture Babylon"
"from the north" or "from their battle positions"
"Each of their arrows are like skilled soldiers that always hit their target"
"They will plunder Chaldea"
"You people of Babylon rejoice, celebrate". Yahweh is speaking to the people of Babylon.
Each instance of "You" or "you" is plural and refers to the people of Babylon.
The joy of the people of Babylon is compared to a calf who runs around joyfully in a pasture.
the action a calf makes when kicking the ground
The people of Babylon are compared to stallions that are making loud noises because they are excited.
The word "you" is plural and refers to the people of Babylon.
These two phrases emphasize the intensity of her embarrassment. The words "mother" and "the one who bore you" refer either to Babylonia or to the city of Babylon.
"the most unimportant nation"
These words emphasize the complete barrenness of the land. Possible meanings are: an uninhabited place or to Babylon literally becoming a barren wilderness.
"completely destroyed"
shake violently due to fear
make a sound like a snake that means great disapproval
"You enemies of Babylon arrange yourselves against her". Yahweh tells the other nations to attack Babylon.
"Line up in military formation" or "Form battle lines"
This refers to the soldiers who use bows and arrows to fight.
"shoot at the people in the city"
"Shoot every one of your arrows at her"
"the people of the city"
"The people of Babylon have surrendered ... they have done"
"the towers of the city ... the walls of the city". Jeremiah speaks of the city of Babylon as if it were a woman.
"the nations have torn down her walls"
These people represent all the farmers and harvesters of Babylon. Yahweh continues to tell the other nations to attack Babylon.
A "sickle" is a farm tool that people use to harvest grain. Together with the previous phrase, Yahweh is saying that all planting and harvesting will stop in Babylon.
These two phrases strengthen the command for foreigners to flee from Babylon back to their own countries.
This refers to the armies that will attack Babylon.
"Israel is like a sheep that lions scattered and drove away". Yahweh speaks of Israel as a flock of sheep that had run away from hungry lions.
This refers to all the people of Israel.
This refers to the army of the king of Assyria.
The destruction of Israel by Assyria is spoken of as if Israel were a sheep that Assyria ate.
This refers to the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
"destroyed Israel". The destruction of Israel is spoken of if it were a sheep which had its bones crushed by a lion.
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
This means to pay special attention to what follows.
"the Babylonian people"
The word "I" refers to Yahweh, who continues speaking to Jeremiah about Israel.
"the people of Israel to their homeland ... they will be satisfied"
"they will eat food that grows in Carmel and Bashan"
These two phrases emphasize that future time. See Jeremiah 33:15.
These two lines emphasize that Yahweh will completely forgive the sins of the people of Israel.
"Yahweh will look for iniquity in the people of Israel, but will not find any"
"that I allow to escape the destruction of Babylon"
"You enemies of Babylon, arise against the land". Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the enemies of Babylon.
This is another name for Babylon and means "double rebellion".
This is another name for the Chaldeans means "visitation".
"Kill them in battle"
"The sounds of fierce battle and terrible destruction are going to happen soon in the land"
Yahweh speaks to the people of Babylon.
"The mighty army of Babylon that conquered all the nations is like a hammer that will be broken into pieces and destroyed"
Babylon was a nation like the other nations, but it will become a complete ruin, totally destroyed.
"I set a trap and caught you in it as a hunter catches an animal"
"I have captured you ... I found you and captured you"
"Yahweh has prepared for war and is sending the nations to attack Babylon in his anger"
this is a building or room where weapons of war are stored
"You enemies of Babylon, attack her from far away"
"Raid the places where her treasures are stored"
buildings where grain is stored
Possible meanings are: reduce the city to piles of rubble that look like stacks of grain or stack up the plunder from the city like piles of grain.
"destroy her completely". See Jeremiah 25:9.
"Kill every person in her"
Possible meaning of "bulls" is: soldiers or strong young men.
"You enemies of Babylon, kill all her bulls". Yahweh speaks to the enemies of Babylon.
The words "them" and "their" refer to the people of Babylon.
"the time for their punishment has come"
"Listen and you will hear those who are fleeing"
These words refer to the survivors from Babylon who will tell others about Yahweh's vengeance.
"Yahweh our God has taken revenge for what they did to Zion and to his temple in Jerusalem"
These phrases refer to the same people. Yahweh continues telling how to destroy the people of Babylon and Chaldea.
The words "her" and "she" refer to Babylon.
"capture or kill every person"
"Measure out punishment for her with the same amount she used to punish Israel"
"they will kill her young men"
"I will destroy all her fighting men"
"this is what I, Yahweh, declare". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"See, I am against you, people of Babylon". Yahweh speaks to the people of Babylon.
This tells the reader to pay special attention to what follows.
This is Yahweh's description of Babylon.
"for the day when I will punish you has come"
"your time" The entire span of time during which the horrible judgment will come upon Babylon.
"I will cause enemies to defeat and kill the proud ones"
Fire is spoken of as if the fire were an animal that ate them.
Here "him" refers to the "proud one" which describes Babylon.
Yahweh now speaks through Jeremiah about Israel and Judah.
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"The Babylonians are oppressing the people of Israel and Judah"
The word "them" refers to the people of Israel and Judah who were captured and taken into exile.
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a lawyer who represents the people of Israel in court.
"in order that the people who live in Israel might live in peace"
These terms represent opposite ideas and bring a strong contrast to how Yahweh will treat Israel and Babylon.
"give peace"
"War will soon happen to ... and to"
"Their actions are foolish, and everyone will see that they are fools"
"they will be terrified"
"they will all become as weak as women"
A storeroom is a place where supplies or valuables are kept.
"enemy soldiers will plunder them"
"A drought will soon happen that will affect all her waters"
This represents all the sources of water for the Babylonians, especially the river that went through the city.
"wild animals and hyenas" or "wild demons and evil spirits."
A jackal is a wild dog found in Asia and Africa.
Some versions translate this as "owl".
The word "her" refers to Babylon.
"People will never live there again; it will be uninhabited forever"
"no one will live in her"
"no one will ever live there again"
These verses are almost identical to Jeremiah 6:22 and Jeremiah 6:23. See how you translated those verses.
"See, people of Babylon, a people is coming"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: a people"
"the armies of a great nation and many kings". The time when the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon in 539 BC.
"are preparing to come from the most distant places on earth"
"The soldiers will carry bows and spears"
"The sound that they make is very loud, like the sound of the sea"
"they are riding on horses in their assigned rows, and they are ready to fight"
This refers to the Babylonian people.
This verse is almost identical to Jeremiah 6:24. See how you translated that verse.
"his hands were weak because he was anxious"
"He felt terrible anguish"
suffering and grief that would bring a person to tears
"like a woman who is about to give birth"
This verse is almost identical to Jeremiah 49:19. See how you translated that verse.
"Pay attention!"
"When I punish the people of Babylon, it will be fierce and unexpected like when a lion comes out of a forest and attacks sheep in the pasture"
"forest" or "thickets". This refers to forests or thickets on the banks of the Jordan River.
This is land covered with grass where animals feed on the grass.
Here "them" refers to the Babylonian people; the word "it" refers to the invasion.
"whom I will choose"
"For no one is like me, no one can summon me."
"who will challenge me" or "who will call me to account"
"No king is able to resist me."
These verses are almost identical to Jeremiah 49:20 and Jeremiah 49:21. See how you translated those verses.
"the plans that Yahweh has decided for the people of Babylon and the Chaldeans"
"He will drag them away, even the smallest flock"
"even the youngest and weakest"
"He will turn their pasturelands into ruined places"
"The fall of Babylon will sound like a mighty earthquake"
pain or unhappiness
"their shout of pain"
Babylon will be destroyed because it drove the people of Judah from their homeland. The Jews will return to their homeland and this is in line with the promises of the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham to curse those who curse Abraham's descendants. The fulfillment of this prophecy would have been unthinkable because Babylon controlled almost the entire Near East. The ULB sets poetry (51:1-64) farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry.
"Listen carefully" or "Pay attention"
"a wind that destroys" or "the spirit of a destroyer". Yahweh would cause or inspire the enemy army to attack Babylon.
This refers to Chaldea, a region of Babylonia. You may want to translate as "Chaldea" or "Babylonia". It is not clear why Jeremiah uses this name.
"separate the people who live there from each other, send them in different directions, and make their land empty ... foreigners will attack the people of Babylon"
"when I destroy Babylon"
Yahweh wants the attack to be so sudden that the archers have no time to prepare for battle.
"those whom the attackers thrust through"
"Yahweh of hosts, the God of the people of Israel and Judah, has not abandoned them"
"they have offended the Holy One of Israel everywhere throughout the land"
"when Yahweh punishes Babylon". Babylon is spoken of as a woman. "iniquity" refers to Yahweh punishing the people.
"will punish the Babylonians as much as they deserve".
"Babylon was a strong nation that Yahweh used to punish all the people of the surrounding nations severely" or "Babylon was a rich and powerful nation, and other nations wanted to become sinful just like it"
Babylon is spoken of as if it were a golden cup in his hand, which represents Yahweh's power.
"Babylon defeated and destroyed other nations" or "nations enjoyed her riches and power and became evil."
unable to think clearly
"Yahweh will destroy Babylon"
to make a long, loud cry that shows that the person is sad
"perhaps Yahweh can heal her"
Yahweh used Babylon to punish Judah and the nation. It is either the people of Judah or the people of the nations who are speaking these words.
"the people of Babylon ... they are not healed ... leave them ... their guilt"
"we have not been able to heal her"
"For Babylon is so very guilty"
Yahweh had punished the Israelites for their sins, but now has let them return to him.
Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, telling them that Yahweh will destroy Babylon before they can defend themselves.
"Give a signal to attack Babylon's walls"
"make sure the guards are strong and have good weapons"
"make sure there are enough men watching the city"
This was done to catch anyone running from the city.
Jeremiah continues to speak to the people of Jerusalem.
"Your lives will be ended quickly"
"with a large number of soldiers"
This is a shout that a soldier makes in battle.
These phrases compare the voice of Yahweh to the loud sound made by thunder and rain.
A storehouse is a building where people keep things they might want to use in the future.
Translate many of these words as in Jeremiah 10:14.
"has become like an animal" or "has become senseless"
"Every metalworker's idols put him to shame"
Translate many of these words as in Jeremiah 10:15.
"there will be a time when God will destroy them"
Translate many of these words as in Jeremiah 10:16.
"the portion of Israel" or "whom the people of Israel worship"
"the creator of all things"
"The tribe of Israel belongs to him". This speaks as if Yahweh gained Israel through inheritance.
"You, the Babylonian army, are"
"With you I will punish"
"I will use you to"
"With you I will punish". See Jeremiah 51:20.
"I will use you to."
"you will see it when I pay"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See Jeremiah 1:8.
Yahweh speaks to the people of Jerusalem, who could hear him, as if he were speaking to the people of Babylon, who could not hear him. He speaks of the city as if it were a mountain.
"I will use my strength to attack you"
Yahweh speaks of Babylon as a building that he is breaking down and throwing away.
A cliff is the steep side of a mountain or hill.
"I will ... make you a pile of useless rocks"
"I will turn you into an empty place where no one will ever live"
These are both ways of calling people to attack.
"battle flag." This is large flag for the soldiers to follow in battle.
"attack the people of Babylon"
These are names of nations or people groups.
"bring many horses with soldiers quickly"
"the people who live in Babylon will shake with fear and be in anguish"
suffering and grief that would bring a person to tears
"against the people of Babylon"
"no one lives"
Yahweh speaks of what will happen as if it had already happened.
"the homes in the city are on fire, the bars of the city gates are broken". The city is spoken of as if it were a woman.
"the enemies have overcome the whole city"
"the enemies have taken control of all the fords over the river"
shallow parts of a river where people can walk across
places with shallow water and grasses growing in deep mud
unable to think clearly
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"Daughter of Babylon" is another name for the people who live in Babylon.
People thresh grain by trampling it on a threshing floor, and Yahweh speaks of people punishing the daughter of Babylon as if they were threshing grain.
"It is time to punish her"
"God will punish her for her sins"
The speaker speaks as if he were a woman.
"he has caused me to be unable to think clearly" or "he has crushed me."
Babylon has taken everything from Israel.
Here Babylon is compared to a sea monster.
Jerusalem compares its destruction to being swallowed.
This continues to speak of Babylon as a monster. Here "foods" represents all the good things that were there before.
"he has vomited me up". Nebuchadnezzar took what he wanted and spit out the rest.
"She who lives in Zion"
All of these phrases refer to a woman.
"people who live in Chaldea"
This begins Yahweh's reply to Jerusalem's request in verses 34 and 35.
"I will be like your lawyer to defend you and I will bring about vengeance"
buildings that have become piles of rock
home for wild dogs
something that terrifies everyone who looks at it
a sound people make to show that they dislike something very much
"no one lives"
loud sound made by a lion
a sound animals make to frighten other animals
"are very drunk"
Lambs and goats do not know that people will slaughter them, and the Babylonians will not know that Yahweh will destroy them.
"We never thought that enemies could capture Babylon, but they have captured her ... We never thought that Babylon could become a ruined place, but it has become a ruined place"
"enemies have seized Babylon, the nation that everyone on earth praised"
Babylon's enemies have overcome her. The words "sea" and "water" often represent the nations.
"Its roaring waves have covered her"
"Babylon's cities"
Bel was the main god of the Babylonians and represents the whole country and the people that worshiped it.
Yahweh compares all the sacrifices and offerings to Bel to things he ate.
"the people of other nations will no longer come in large groups". The many nations that come to Babylon are spoken of as a river that moves along.
"when you hear the news that is in the land"
"Nations will fight against other nations"
"listen" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you"
"there will be a time ... when I will punish". Future time is spoken of as "days are coming." See Jeremiah 7:32.
"I will remove the carved idols of Babylon"
"the people of Babylon ... their land ... their slaughtered ones ... their midst"
"over the Babylonians ... come for them ... the Babylonians have made ... their land"
Heaven and earth are viewed as if they were people.
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Jeremiah 1:8.
"the people of Babylon ... their land ... their slaughtered ones ... their midst ... over the Babylonians ... come for them ... the Babylonians have made ... their land"
"those whom the Babylonians' enemies have killed in the land"
"You who have survived the war". Jeremiah speaks to the Israelite people in verse 50.
"Though you are far away, think about Yahweh; think about Jerusalem"
"people have insulted us" or "people have scorned us"
"our faces show that we feel very ashamed" or "we cover our faces because we feel ashamed"
"I will destroy her carved idols" or "I will remove her carved idols"
"their carved idols ... their land ... the Babylonians ... their highest fortresses ... to them"
to cry out because of pain or sadness
"their highest fortresses ... to them"
God says this to assure Israel that God will send people to destroy Babylon.
"I would send enemies to destroy Babylon"
The same thought is expressed in two different ways for emphasis.
"destroying the people of Babylon ... their loud voices"
"The enemies of the people of Babylon ... the noise of the enemies"
The waves of the ocean and of flooding rivers make a loud sound, and the enemies will also make a very loud sound.
"against the people of Babylon—yes, against Babylon!—and their warriors"
"her enemies have captured her warriors"
"their princes and their wise men ... their governors, their officials, and their soldiers"
They will be dead. See Jeremiah 51:39.
Jeremiah introduces an important message from Yahweh. See Jeremiah 6:6.
"The invaders willl completely demolish the thick walls of Babylon"
"their high gates ... their aid ... for them"
"they will burn her high gates"
"they will burn up everything that the nations try to do for her"
These are the names of men.
"after he had been king for three years."
"that he had written about Babylon"
Animals that normally live with people.
The stone and scroll will disappear in the water, the water will destroy the scroll, and Babylon will no longer look like a city or have buildings for people to live in.
"will never again be a city"
The Babylonians will fall because they are exhausted. Many translations do not include these words.
The chapter returns to a previous sequence of events and records Babylon's conquering of Judah. It also records the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Because of the words "Jeremiah's words end here" in Jeremiah 51:64, many scholars believe that this chapter was written by someone other than Jeremiah and attached to the scroll that he and Baruch wrote.
This is the name of a woman.
This is the name of a place.
This refers to another man named Jeremiah, not the prophet Jeremiah who wrote this book.
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil"
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
after Zedekiah had been king for eight years, in the tenth calendar month, on the tenth day of the month
"in year nine"
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the beginning of January on Western calendars.
"Nebuchadnezzar's army camped opposite Jerusalem"
until Zedekiah had been king for more than ten years
"year eleven"
"So they besieged the city"
This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. The ninth day is near the beginning of July on Western calendars. Zedekiah had been king for ten years, three months, and eight days.
This refers to Jerusalem.
"the Babylonians broke through the wall around the city"
the wall of the king's garden and the wall of the city
flat land
"the Chaldeans scattered his entire army" or "all of his soldiers ran away in different directions"
Riblah was a town in the territory of Hamath.
"decided how to punish him"
"forced Zedekiah to watch as the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons". The reader should understand that others probably helped the king of Babylon kill Zedekiah's sons.
"the king's men made Zedekiah blind." Use the common words for making a person blind. It is not clear that the king of Babylon took Zedekiah's eyes out of his head.
the day of Zedekiah's death
Nebuchadnezzar had been king for eighteen years, four months, and nine days. This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. The tenth day is near the beginning of August on Western calendars.
"during year nineteen"
This is the name of a man.
people whose job is to protect someone
This is the name of a man.
"the poorest people who lived on the land"
This is a basin of water used in the worship of Yahweh.
"18 cubits ... 12 cubits" or "about 8.3 meters ... about 5.5 meters". A cubit was about 46 centimeters long.
The pillars had empty space inside them.
This is the top part of each pillar.
"5 cubits" or "about 2.3 meters"
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 36:26.
people who guard the gate of a city
"forcing men to fight in the army"
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 39:9.
This is the name of a city.
"three thousand and twenty-three"
"eight hundred and thirty-two"
See how you translated this man's name in Jeremiah 39:9.
"seven hundred and forty-five ... four thousand six hundred"
after Jehoiachin had been an exile for more than 36 years
This is the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-fifth day is near the middle of March on Western calendars.
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
He became the king of Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar.
"Awel-Marduk spoke kindly to Jehoiachin"
"a seat at the table that was closer to where Awel-Marduk sat"
removing his prison clothes represents making him a free man
Various poetic forms are used throughout this book.
This speaks of the city of Jerusalem being empty, as if it were a woman who was sitting alone.
The word "she" refers to Jerusalem.
"She was like a princess among the nations"
The city also stands for her inhabitants. Alternate translation: "Those who live in her weep and wail ... and their tears cover their cheeks"
The words "lovers" and "friends" represent other nations that had been allies of Jerusalem.
In this verse, the kingdom of Judah is spoken of as if it were a woman.
"Judah has been taken to a foreign land"
"does not find a place to rest" or "is always afraid"
"Everyone who was chasing her captured her"
"when she was desperate" or "when she was distressed"
Zion is another name for Jerusalem.
"the feasts that God told them to celebrate"
"All of Zion's gates are empty"
"Zion's virgins are sorrowful, and life is bitter for her"
"Zion's adversaries rule over her
"Her enemy captures her little children"
"Everything that was beautiful about the daughter of Zion is destroyed"
This is a poetic name for Jerusalem.
"Her princes are starving, like deer that cannot find grass to eat"
A deer is a medium-sized, grass-eating animal that people hunt for food. It is also a beautiful animal to look at.
"they are not strong enough to run away from the one who chases them"
When she is afflicted and homeless
"Jerusalem will remember"
"in the past"
"When the enemy conquered and captured her people"
"laughed at her because she was destroyed"
"Jerusalem has sinned terribly"
"Jerusalem has become unclean, as when a woman is unclean beneath her skirts"
"Those who saw how she was destroyed were astonished" or "Those who saw her fall were shocked"
"Yahweh, see how I suffer"
"has taken all our precious treasures"
Jersalem has seen people from the nations
The word "you" refers to Yahweh.
"All Jerusalem's people"
This refers to food in general.
"to save their lives" or "to restore their strength"
"All you who pass by should care that I am being afflicted!"
"the sorrow that Yahweh is inflicting upon me"
"when he is fiercely angry"
From heaven Yahweh has sent fire into my bones
"He has made a trap for me"
"and made me go back
"My transgressions are heavy like a yoke that he has bound together with his hands and placed on my neck"
"has given me over to the control of my enemies" or "has let my enemies defeat me"
"I cannot resist them"
"all my strong soldiers"
"an army"
"to defeat my strong youg men"
"It is as though the Lord has trampled upon the virgin daughter of Judah in a winepress" or "The Lord has punished the virgin daughter of Judah has harshly as a winemaker stomps on grapes to squeeze out the juice"
This is a poetic name for Jerusalem.
"for there is no one to comfort me and restore my life"
"one who revives me"
"Zion has spread out her hands to ask for help" or "Zion has reached out for help"
"the people around Jacob" or "the nations surrounding Jacob"
Here "Jacob" refers to Jacob's descendants, that is Israel.
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself.
"Yahweh has acted out of his righteousness" or "What Yahweh has done is right"
"see how extremely sad I am"
"Many of my people, including my virgins and strong young men, have gone into captivity"
The phrase "my lovers" refers to nations that the people of Judah hoped would help them fight their enemy.
"but they betrayed me"
"to save their lives" or "to restore their strength"
Jerusalem continues to talk about herself as if she were a woman, but now talks directly to Yahweh.
"Outside of the house the enemy kills my family"
"inside the house everyone is dying"
Jerusalem continues to speak to the Lord.
"People have heard my groaning"
"You have done what you have said you would do"
"now let my enemies suffer as I am suffering"
"Pay attention to all of the wickedness they have committed"
"punish them as you have punished me"
"I am faint"
This speaks of the Lord's anger as if it were a dark cloud.
This is a poetic name for the city of Jerusalem. Translate it as you did in Lamentations 1:6.
"Jerusalem, the splendor of Israel, has lost all favor with the Lord"
"He disregarded Jerusalem as his footstool"
"at the time when he displayed his anger"
"completely destroyed"
"all the towns of Israel"
Possible meanings are 1) the fortified cities throughout Judah or 2) the fortified walls of Jerusalem.
This speaks of the Lord taking away Israel's strength as if he were cutting off the horns of a strong animal. Alternate translation: "he has taken away all of Israel's strength"
"He has stopped protecting us from our enemies"
"He has destroyed Israel like a blazing fire that destroys everything around it"
A soldier has to bend his bow in order to shoot an arrow from it. Alternate translation: "He has prepared to kill us, like an enemy who has made his bow ready to shoot us"
He has pulled back the bowstring and is ready to shoot an arrow. Most bowmen pull back the string and arrow with their right hands.
Calling Jerusalem a "tent" emphasizes that it is the home of those who live there. Alternate translation: "who live in Jerusalem"
"in his anger he has destroyed everything like a blazing fire"
The word "her" refers to the nation of Israel.
"He has caused more and more people within the daughter of Judah to mourn and lament"
"He has caused their enemies to destroy his tabernacle as easily as if they were destroying a garden"
"He has caused the place of the solemn assembly to be destroyed" or "He has caused their enemies to destroy the place of the solemn assembly"
"has caused the people in Zion to forget both solemn assembly and Sabbath"
"because he was extremely angry with them"
"He has given her palaces to the enemy" or "He has allowed the enemy to capture her palaces"
"They have shouted victoriously in the house of Yahweh, as the Israelites would during an appointed feast"
"It is as though he has measured the wall"
"has used his hand to completely destroy the wall" or "has completely destroyed the wall"
"Because he has destroyed the ramparts and walls, they are like people who lament and have lost their strength"
These were outer protective walls to keep attackers from breaking into the city.
"sit on the ground, mourning in silence"
"they have thrown dust on their heads and worn burlap." Burlap cloth was coarse and could irritate the skin. They did these things to show that they were mourning.
"I have cried until I cannot cry anymore"
"my insides ache" or "my stomach hurts"
"my entire inner being is in grief"
"my people"
"We need something to eat and drink."
"the children slowly die in the arms of their mothers"
chest, shoulders, and arms
"There is nothing that I can say to testify for you."
"There is nothing to which I can compare you, ... Jerusalem."
"There is nothing to which I can liken you ... Zion" or "I cannot say that you are like anything ... Zion."
"Your suffering is as terrible as the sea is large"
"No one can heal you." or "No one can restore you."
"They have not rebuked you for your sins to keep you from becoming captives" or "They have not rebuked you for your sins so that Yahweh could free you from those who captured you"
"for they told you things that are false and misleading"
These actions are used to mock and insult others. Alternate translation: "mock you by clapping their hands at you. They hiss and shake their heads"
"This city that they called 'The Perfection of Beauty,' 'The Joy for All of Earth,' is not beautiful or joyful anymore!"
"Perfectly Beautiful"
This action shows a person's anger.
"We have completely destroyed Jerusalem"
"We have greatly desired to see it happen"
"He has destroyed you"
"to rejoice over defeating you"
An animal's "horn" represents its strength. Alternate translation: "he has increased the power of your enemies"
"Cry many, many tears"
"Do not allow yourself and your eyes to rest from crying"
"many times during the night." This refers to every time a nightwatchman came on duty.
"Tell the Lord how you feel in your inner being"
"Lift up your hands to him in prayer and ask him to save the lives for your children"
"Woman should not eat their own children ... for!" or "Do not make women eat the fruit of their wombs ... for!" Some of the women did this when there was no food and they were starving.
"their children that they have given birth to" or "their own children"
"The prophets and priests should not be slaughtered in the sanctuary of the Lord!" or "Do not let your enemies slaughter your priests and prophets in your sanctuary!"
"The corpses of young people and old people lie on the dust"
"My virgins and my young men have been murdered by their enemies" or "My enemies have murdered my virgins and young men"
This probably refers to young women in general.
"you have let your enemies slaughter them"
"In the same way that you would invite many people to a feast, you have called terrors to come and surround me"
Possible meanings are "the people who terrify me" or "the terrible events that frighten me."
The author speaks about how his people have suffered as if God had attacked him.
"who has experienced affliction" or "who has suffered"
"because Yahweh was very angry and has beaten me with a rod"
"He forced me to go away"
"he beat me" or "he hit me"
Siege works are ramps that an army builds around a city to enable them to climb over the city walls and invade the city.
"caused me to experience much bitterness and hardship" or "caused me to suffer and have many problems"
"he prevented my prayer from going to him" or "he refuses to hear my prayer"
"a wall of cut stones." People would cut stones into regular shapes that could fit together well in order to build a strong wall.
"He is like a bear waiting to attack me, like a lion hiding so it can attack me"
Possible meanings are 1) "he dragged me off the path" or 2) "he caused my path to turn in the wrong direction"
"he has made me hopeless" or "he has not allowed me to have any help"
A soldier has to bend his bow in order to shoot an arrow from it. See how you translated this in Lamentations 2:4.
"He pierced my kidneys by shooting me with the arrows of his quiver"
The kidneys are organs in the body that move urine into the bladder.
a bag for holding arrows
"someone whom all my people mock"
"and I am the one about whom they sing mocking songs" or "and they sing songs to make fun of me"
"He made me I eat a great amount of bitter herbs"
"and made me drink a large amount of bitter liquid"
"He has made me chew on gravel stones"
"he has made me crouch down in ashes"
"I have no peace in my life" or "I feel no peace in my soul"
"I have no more endurance and I have no hope in Yahweh" or "I cannot endure anymore suffering and I can no longer hope that Yahweh will help me"
Wormwood is a plant that gives a liquid which is very bitter to drink. Together "wormwood" and "bitterness" represent severe suffering.
"I am depressed" or "I am discouraged"
"But I choose to think about this" or "But I remember this." The word "this" refers to what he says in the next verses.
"I hope"
"Yahweh never stops loving his people faithfully"
"he never stops caring for those who suffer"
his steadfast love and compassion are new every morning" or "every morning he treats us again with steadfast love and compassion"
The word "your" refers to Yahweh.
"Yahweh is my portion" or "Yahweh is what I have received"
"I say"
"Yahweh is kind to those who wait for him" or "Yahweh does good things for those who depend on him"
Possible meanings are "the one who asks Yahweh for help" or "the person who wants to know him."
"that he carry the heavy load while he is young" or "that he suffer while he is young"
"Let him sit alone without speaking" or "Let him sit alone and not complain"
"when the yoke is laid upon him" or "when the burden is laid on him"
The writer speaks of anyone who waits for Yahweh. See Lamentations 3:25.
"Let him allow people to hit him on the face"
"let him be insulted much" or "let him be patient when people insult him"
"though the Lord causes people to suffer" or "though he afflicts people"
"he will be compassionate to them"
"For it does not make him happy to afflict people" or "For he does not take pleasure in hurting people"
"human beings" or "people"
"To abuse all the prisoners" or "If people mistreat all the prisoners"
"to deny a person his rights" or "if they keep a person from having what he deserves"
"and the Most High God sees it"
"to judge a person wrongly in court" or "if they keep a person who goes to a judge from getting what is right"
The phrase "such things" refers to the three wicked actions listed in verses 34-36.
"No one has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord decreed it." or "What someone has commanded to happen has never happened unless the Lord commanded it."
"It is only from the command of the Most High that both bad things and good things happen." or "It is only because the Most High has commanded them that both difficulties and pleasant things happen."
"A living person should not complain when God punishes him for his sins." or "A mere person should not complain when he is punished for his sins."
Let us look carefully at how we have been behaving and test it
"let us submit to Yahweh again"
"Let us pray sincerely with lifted hands" or "Let us lift up our hands and pray sincerely"
"We have sinned and rebelled"
"You have wrapped yourself in anger" or "You have been very angry"
"you have killed many of us"
"you have not had pity on us"
"You have put a cloud between us and you so that our prayers cannot get to you." This represents God refusing to listen to the people's prayer.
Possible meanings are "You have made the peoples think of us as scum and garbage" or "You have thrown us away like filthy scum and garbage among the peoples"
nations or other groups of people who are not Israelites
"panic and pitfall, ruin and destruction have happened to us" or "we are terrified and trapped. We are being completely destroyed"
This refers to falling into a pit. Here it represents being trapped in any way.
"Tears flow from my eyes like water flowing in a river"
"because my people are destroyed" or "because enemies have destroyed my people"
"without stopping" or "and they will not stop"
"until Yahweh looks down from heaven and sees what has happened to my people"
"What I see causes me to grieve"
"because of what is happening to the women of my city" or "because I see the daughters of my city suffering"
"My enemies have hunted melike a bird"or "My enemies have looked for me in order to kill me like people who hunt for a bird"
"They tried to kill me by throwing me into a pit"
Possible meanings are 1) any deep hole in the ground that is hard to climb out of or 2) a hole dug to hold water.
Possible meanings are 1) "threw stones down on me" or 2) "covered the pit with a stone"
"the level of the water in the pit rose up over my head"
"I am about to die"
"I called to you for help" or "I prayed to you"
"Do not refuse to listen"
"you defended me in court" or "you spoke in my defense"
"you bought back my life" or "you saved my life"
"judge me and show that I am right"
"You have seen how they have taken revenge against me"
"and how they have made many plans to harm me"
"You heard how they have taunted me ... all they plan to do to me" or "You have heard them mock me ... and plan ways to harm me"
"My enemies speak against me and think about how to harm me the whole day"
"Look at what they do while they sit and stand;" or "Look at them. Both when they sit and when they stand,"
"Punish them as they deserve, Yahweh, according to what they have done"
"You will let them feel no shame for their sins" or "You will make their hearts hard"
"Condemn them" or "Curse them"
"The gold is no longer shiny" or "The gold has become dark"
This exclamation shows the author's sadness that this has happened.
Possible meanings are "the building blocks of the sanctuary" or "the gemstones of the sanctuary"
Possible meanings are "The precious young men of Jerusalem" or "The precious people of Jerusalem"
"people think of them as worthless, like clay jars that potters make"
Because of the lack of food in the city, the people of Jerusalem do not give their children all they need.
"Even the fierce, wild dogs feed their babies at the breast"
"the women of my people have become cruel" or "my people have become cruel"
large birds that abandon some of their eggs
"Nursing babies are so thirsty that their tongues stick to the top of their mouths"
These people no longer have homes, so they live outside along the streets and do not have enough to eat.
"those who grew up wearing scarlet clothing" or "those who wore expensive clothing when they were growing up"
"the daughter of my people has sinned worse than the people of Sodom sinned"
"which God destroyed in a moment." The word "which" refers to Sodom.
Possible meanings are "no one was sad because of what has happened to Sodom" or "no one helped Sodom."
Possible meanings are 1) Jerusalem's leaders were beautiful to look at because they were physically healthy or 2) the leaders were morally pure as new snow and milk are pure white.
"Jerusalem's leaders"
"their bodies were redder than coral." This implies that they were healthy. Alternate translation: "their bodies were healthy and red"
a rock-hard red substance that comes from the ocean and was used for making decorations
a costly blue stone used in jewelry
This may be because 1) the sun has darkened the leaders' skin or 2) the soot from the fires that burned Jerusalem has covered their faces.
"no one can recognize them"
This implies that there was not much muscle or fat under the skin.
"Those whom enemy soldiers have killed ... those who starve to death"
"are better off than" or "are happier than" or "suffer less than"
"who became extremely thin and weak"
"suffering because there was not enough food from the field"
"Compassionate women" or "Women who had been compassionate in the past"
"their children became the women's food"
"because of his fierce anger, he punished his people" or "in fierce anger he responded to his people"
"He started a fire in Zion"
"that burned down the city, even its foundations"
"The kings of the earth and the rest of the inhabitants of the world did not believe"
"adversaries or enemies" or "any kind of enemy" or "any of Jerusalem's enemies"
"the sins of her prophets and priests"
"who have murdered righteous people"
"The priests and prophets wandered through the streets like blind men"
"They were so defiled by the blood that they shed" or "They were so defiled from murdering people"
"no one dared to touch the priests' and prophets' clothes"
"Go away! You are unclean"
"Go away! Go away! Do not touch us"
"scattered the prophets and priests"
"he does not care about them anymore"
"The people did not honor the priests" or "The priests are not honored"
"We continued looking, but we could not find anyone to help us"
without succeeding
"we hoped for a nation to come and rescue us, but it could not rescue us"
"Our enemies followed us everywhere we went"
"Our end would be soon" or "Our enemies would soon destroy us"
"we had very little time"
"it was now the end for us" or "our enemies were attacking us"
"Those who were chasing us were faster than eagles"
"waited to attack us"
The one who gave us life, the one Yahweh anointed as our king
"he was the one who was captured in their traps"
"even though we had said about him"
"Under his protection we will live among the nations" or "Though we may have to live in other nations, he will protect us"
"Be very glad." The writer uses these words to mock the people. He knew that the people of Edom would be glad that Jerusalem was being destroyed.
"you people of Edom"
"But you also will have to drink from the bitter cup" or "But Yahweh will also punish you"
"People of Jerusalem"
"your punishment will end" or "Yahweh will stop punishing you"
"Yahweh will not make your time in exile longer" or "Yahweh will not make you stay in exile longer"
"he will expose your sins" or "he will let other people know how you have sinned"
A new poem begins.
"Remember" here is an idiom. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, think about what has happened to us"
"look at the shameful state we are in"
"You have turned our inheritance over to strangers; you have turned our houses over to strangers" or "You have allowed strangers to take possession of the land you gave us; you have allowed foreigners to take possession of our houses"
"orphans who have no fathers"
"We have to pay silver to our enemies in order to drink water ... our own wood"
"Our enemies who are chasing after us" This refers to the Babylonian army.
"we cannot rest"
"We have made a treaty with Egypt and with Assyria so that we would have food to eat" or "We have surrendered to Egypt and Assyria to have enough food to remain alive"
"they have died"
"we carry their sins" or "we take the punishment for their sins"
"to rescue us from their control"
"food"
"because there are robbers in the wilderness who kill people with swords"
"Our skin has become hot like an oven; we have a high fever because we are extremely hungry" or "Our skin is as hot as an oven because we have a fever from the famine"
"Women are raped in Zion, and virgins are raped in the cities of Judah" or "Our enemies have raped the women in Zion and the virgins of Judah"
"The enemy has hung up our princes by their hands"
"they have not shown honor to the elders"
"They force young men"
"boys walk unsteadily as they carry heavy loads of wood" or "they force boys to carry heavy loads of wood that make them stagger"
This is where the elders would give legal advice.
"the young men have stopped playing music"
We no longer have joy in our heart
we have stopped dancing, and now we mourn
This probably mean, "Our glory has fallen" or "We no longer have what gave us honor."
"we are doomed" or "destruction comes to us"
"Because of this we are discouraged"
"and we can hardly see because of our tears"
Here "Mount Zion" refers to Jerusalem. The phrase "lies desolate" means that no one lives there.
These are fierce wild dogs. See how you translated this in Lamentations 4:3.
"you will rule as king forever"
"Why do you ignore us forever? Why do you neglect us for such a long time?"
"Bring us back to yourself"
"if you have not completely rejected us and you are not so angry with us that your anger cannot even be measured." or "Are you so extremely angry with us that you have completely rejected us?" The writer probably hopes that Yahweh is not too angry to restore them.
This is the thirtieth year of Ezekiel's life. Ezekiel had a vision of God calling him to prophetic ministry.
"the fifth day of the fourth month." This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifth day is around the end of June on Western calendars.
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
"I was one of the captives". The word "I" refers to Ezekiel.
"God showed me unusual things"
"the Kebar River". This is a river that people in Chaldea had dug to give water to their gardens.
"to me, Ezekiel ... upon me there". Ezekiel speaks of himself as if he were another person.
"Yahweh gave a message to Ezekiel". This is used to introduce a special message from God.
This is a man's name.
"Yahweh was controlling him"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
This is a storm that has a lot of wind. Ezekiel continues to describe his vision.
North is the direction to your left when you look toward the sun while it is rising.
"The storm had a very large cloud with fire flashing in it"
"flashing lightning" or "constant lightning."
"a very bright light was around the cloud and inside of it"
"bright yellow like amber" or "glowing yellow"
a hard yellow resin that is used as a beautiful decoration on jewelry
"Inside the storm"
"what looked like four living creatures"
"This is what they looked like"
"The four creatures looked like people"
"but each of them had four different faces and four wings." Each creature had a face on the front, on the back, and a face on each side of its head.
"but their feet looked like the feet of calves". Ezekiel continues to describe his vision.
the hard part of a calf's foot
"and they shone like polished bronze"
"on all four sides of their bodies"
"For all four of the creatures, their wings and their faces were like this"
"The creatures did not turn as they moved"
"The face of each creature looked like the face of a man"
"The face on the right side of each one's head looked like the face of a lion"
"the face on the left side of the head of each one looked like the face of an ox"
"The face on the back of the head of each one looked like the face of an eagle"
"each creature held up two of his wings so that one wing touched the wing of the creature on one side of him, and the other wing touched the wing of the creature on the other side of him"
"The other two wings of each creature covered its body"
"Each creature moved with a face looking forward"
"As for what the living creatures looked like, they were similar to burning coals". Ezekiel continues describing his vision.
"lightning came out from the fire."
"The living creatures were moving swiftly back and forth, and they looked like lightning"
"This is what the wheels looked like and how they were made"
"clear and yellow like a beryl stone". Beryl is a clear, valuable stone, often of yellow or golden color.
"all four of the wheels looked the same"
"they appeared to be made with one wheel going through another wheel"
Ezekiel continues to describe his vision.
"they would go straight in any of the four directions that the creatures looked towards" or "their" refers to the wheels.
"This is what the rims of the wheels looked like"
"the rims where tall and frightening"
"because the rims had very many eyes around all four of the wheels"
"So when the creatures left the ground and went up into the air"
"the wheels also left the ground and went into the air"
The word "they" refers to the creatures.
"the wheels went up into the air with the living creatures"
"the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels" or "the spirit of life was in the wheels" or "the same spirit that gave life to the creatures also gave life to the wheels"
"what looked like an expansive dome"
"a huge upside-down bowl"
"awe-inspiring ice"
"and the expansive dome was spread out above the heads of the creatures"
"under the dome"
"Each of the living creatures also had two other wings, which they used to cover their bodies"
Ezekiel continues to tell about his vision of the living creatures.
"Whenever they moved, I heard the sound of their wings. Like the noise of rushing water. Like the voice of the Almighty. Like" or "wings. Like the noise of rushing water. Like the voice of the Almighty. Whenever they moved, it sounded like."
"The wings sounded like ... water. They sounded like ... moved. They sounded like ... rainstorm. They sounded like ... army."
"a lot of water." It could be a loud river or a large waterfall or the waves crashing at the ocean.
"It sounded like the voice of the Almighty God"
"There was a sound that was loud like a big storm" or "There was a sound that was loud like a very large crowd of people"
"Whenever the creatures stopped moving"
"the creatures let their wings hang down by their sides."
"Someone who was above the dome spoke." If you need to tell whose voice this is, you should probably identify it as the voice of Yahweh (Ezekiel 1:3).
"the dome that was over the heads of the creatures"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 1:23
"over the heads of the living creatures"
"was something that looked like a throne"
a very valuable stone that is clear blue and very shiny
"on what looked like a throne there was"
"something that looked similar to what appeared to be a man". This probably refers to Yahweh. See Ezekiel 1:3.
"from what appeared to be his hips up". Ezekiel continues to tell about the vision.
"all around him below what appeared to be his hips, I saw what looked like fire and a bright light"
"The brightness surrounding it appeared to be like the way a rainbow appears in the clouds on a rainy day"
the colorful strip of light that appears in the rain when the sun shines from behind the viewer
"It appeared to be what looked like the glory of Yahweh"
"I bowed down to the ground" or "I lay on the ground." Ezekiel did not fall by accident, he is showing that he respected and feared Yahweh.
"I heard someone speaking"
Ezekiel's call continues in this chapter. God appointed Ezekiel to be a prophet but warned him that the people were very rebellious and would not listen to him.
"one who looked like a man". See Ezekiel 1:26. It was not "the Spirit."
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is a human being, while God is eternal and powerful.
This refers to the Holy Spirit.
"even now" or "even today." The people of Israel were continuing to disobey God.
God continues to speak to Ezekiel.
this refers to the people living in Israel at the time Ezekiel writes
"have expression on their faces that show that they are stubborn"
These words emphasize that the people of Israel would not change how they lived in order to obey God.
Rocks never change and these people never change and become sorry when they do evil things.
"people group". This refers to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob.
"the one whom they have refused to listen to was a prophet"
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity"
These words describe the people of Israel who will not treat Ezekiel kindly when he tells them what God says.
"Do not be afraid of what they say."
"lose your desire to serve me because of the way they look at you"
"are very rebellious" or "totally rebel against me". God continues to speak to Ezekiel.
It was as if a person in the heavens had extended his hand out toward Ezekiel and all Ezekiel could see was from the hand to the elbow or shoulder or the "one who looked like a man" (Ezekiel 1:26) extended his hand.
"a scroll that had writing on it"
The word "He" refers to the "one who looked like a man" (Ezekiel 1:26).
"someone had written on both its front and its back"
"someone had written on it that these people would lament, be sad the way they would be if someone they loved had died, and have bad things happen to them"
Ezekiel's call concludes. God told Ezekiel more about what he should say to the people and how he should say it.
The word "He" refers to the "one who looked like a man" (Ezekiel 1:26).
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1.
The scroll that God was giving him. See Ezekiel 2:9.
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group"
"the scroll" or "this scroll"
The word "belly" refers to the part of the body people can see from the outside. The word "stomach" refers to the internal organs inside the belly.
Honey tastes sweet, and the scroll tasted sweet.
Ezekiel continues to tell about the vision that he saw.
It would be best to identify the speaker as the "one who looked like a man" (Ezekiel 1:26). It was not "the Spirit."
"who speak a strange or difficult language"
"I am not sending you to a mighty nation whose people speak a strange language"
This is a situation that could have happened, but Yahweh did not send Ezekiel to people who didn't understand his language.
The word "them" refers to a mighty nation other than Israel.
"very rebellious" or "very stubborn"
"unwilling to change"
This phrase suggests that the people resist God and are unwilling to obey him. See Ezekiel 2:4.
This word alerts Ezekiel to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. The Spirit of God continues speaking to Ezekiel.
"I have made you as stubborn as they are"
"I have made ... you strong so you will not stop doing what you are doing"
"I have made your brow like the hardest stone, harder than flint"
a stone that is hard enough to start a fire by hitting it with metal or another stone
"people group". See Ezekiel 2:5.
"remember them and listen carefully"
The word "captives" refers to the people of Israel who were living in Babylon.
"your people group." Ezekiel had lived in Judah before the Babylonians took him to Babylon.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
This refers to the Holy Spirit. See Ezekiel 2:2.
Some versions take "Blessed ... place!" as words that the "great earthquake" spoke: "I heard behind me the sound of a great earthquake, which said, 'Blessed be the glory of Yahweh from his place!'" Others understand the sound of the earthquake as the sound of the glory of Yahweh leaving his place, "as the glory of Yahweh left its place, I heard behind me the sound of a great earthquake."
"a sound like the sound of a great earthquake" or "a voice speaking; the voice sounded like a great earthquake" or "a loud rumbling noise"
See Ezekiel 1:28.
"a loud, deep and powerful rumbling sound like the sound of an earthquake"
"and as I went, I felt bitter and my spirit was full of anger" or "and as I went, I was bitter and angry"
Possible meanings are: sadness, or anger. Ezekiel speaks as if there were a bad taste in his mouth.
Possible meanings are: Yahweh made Ezekiel feel as he did about the people's sin, or Yahweh was giving Ezekiel power. The word "hand" is often used to refer to someone's power or actions.
A town in Babylon, about 80 kilometers southeast of the main city, which was also called Babylon.
This is a river that people in Chaldea had dug to give water to their gardens. See Ezekiel 1:1.
"unable to do anything because I was so amazed"
Ezekiel tells about his experience at Tel Aviv.
"Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words"
God told Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel just as a watchman would warn the people of a city if enemies were coming, so that they could prepare and be safe.
"wicked people"
"treat you as if you had murdered him"
"he does not stop doing wicked things"
"make something bad happen to him" or "cause him to sin openly."
"he will die as a sinner" or "he will die as a guilty person because he has disobeyed me"
"I will treat you as if you had murdered him". See Ezekiel 3:18.
"since you warned him"
"the power of Yahweh"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 1:28.
This is a river that people in Chaldea had dug to give water to their gardens. See Ezekiel 1:1.
"I bowed down to the ground" or "I lay on the ground." See Ezekiel 1:28. Ezekiel went to the ground to show that he respected and feared Yahweh.
It would be best to identify the speaker as the "one who looked like a man" See Ezekiel 1:26.
This is best translated literally.
"the top of your mouth". The Spirit continues speaking to Ezekiel.
"you will not be able to speak"
"people group". See Ezekiel 2:5.
"I will make you able to speak"
"the one who refuses to listen will not listen"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to take a brick, dirt and pieces of wood and act as if he were Yahweh destroying the city of Jerusalem. The destruction is pictured in this chapter. Ezekiel showed the lack of food and water that would occur during the siege of Jerusalem.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"carve a picture of the city of Jerusalem"
"surround the city in order to capture it"
"build strong walls against it." The walls would keep people from leaving the city.
"Build a ramp outside of it for the enemies to get inside." Jerusalem had a wall around it to protect the people inside. The enemies could only get inside if they had a ramp to climb up over the wall.
"Set around it huge poles people would use to break down the gates and get inside." "Battering rams" are large trees or poles that many men in an army would pick up and hit against a wall or door to break it down and get inside.
"stare angrily at the city" or "stare at the city so that it will be harmed"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"symbolically bear the punishment for the sins of the Israelites" or "suffer by lying on your side because of their sin."
"you will be guilty of their sin" or "you will be punished for their sin." Either meaning will be demonstrated "symbolically" by Ezekiel.
"lie facing the kingdom of Israel in a hostile manner"
"I myself command you to lie on your side for the same number of days as the number of years that I will punish them"
Possible meanings are: each year that they will be punished for their sins or each year that they have sinned.
"three hundred and ninety days"
the days Ezekiel lies down on his left side to illustrate the siege of the kingdom of Israel
"the Judah people group" or "the people of Judah". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"I will make you do this one day for each year that I will punish them"
"Stare at Jerusalem that is under siege, so that it will be harmed". This is a command to stare at the model of Jerusalem as a symbol of punishing Jerusalem. See Ezekiel 4:3.
"prophesy about the bad things that will happen to Jerusalem"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
It is not clear whether the word "bonds" refers to something Yahweh does that is as if he had bound Ezekiel or if he is using literal, physical ropes.
These are different kinds of grains.
vines whose seeds, which grow in a single row inside its otherwise empty fruit, can be eaten
These are like beans, but their seeds are very small, round, and somewhat flat.
"200 grams of bread each day". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
"1/6 hin" or "a sixth part of a hin" or "about one-half liter". A hin is 3.7 liters.
The word "it" refers to the bread See Ezekiel 4:9.
flat bread made of barley
"you will cook it over a fire made with pieces of human solid waste." Your language may have a way of stating this politely.
will send away by force
"Lord Yahweh, it would be wrong for me to do that." Ezekiel is very troubled by what the Lord has told him to do.
Ezekiel is speaking to the Lord. See Ezekiel 2:4.
"I have never eaten foul meat"
"disgusting, unclean meat." This refers to meat that is unclean because it has come from an animal that has died. The word "foul" shows his disgust.
"I will allow you to use"
solid waste from cows. Your language may have a polite way of expressing this.
solid waste from humans. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 4:12.
"I will stop the supply of food to Jerusalem"
"the supply of food". The supply is called a staff because some people need a staff to walk and do their work, and people need bread to live. Bread represents all kinds of food.
"they will carefully divide their bread because they fear that there will not be enough"
"while being anxious and rationing it" or "while rationing it anxiously"
giving small amounts of something of which there is not enough to many people
"while being afraid and rationing it" or "while rationing it fearfully"
"everyone will look at his brother and worry that they are not eating enough". The word "brother" simply refers to another person.
This refers to people becoming thin and dying because they have no food.
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel. The destruction of Jerusalem is continued in this chapter. Ezekiel showed the destruction of Jerusalem by fire and war. All instances of "the city" refer to the "city" that Ezekiel carved onto the brick. See Ezekiel 4:1.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"blade for cutting hair"
"shave your head and your face"
"Burn a third of your hair"
middle
"when the days of Jerusalem's siege have ended"
"take one of the three piles of hair"
"hit it with your sword all over the city"
"let the wind blow the last third of your hair in different directions"
"I will cause their enemies to pursue them and attack them with swords"
"I will pull a sword out of its container"
"a few hairs from the piles". Yahweh continues to speak to Ezekiel.
Possible meanings are: the hairs were long enough so Ezekiel could tie them or Ezekiel was to sew the hairs or Ezekiel was to place the hairs loosely in a fold of the garment.
Possible meanings are: "the cloth on your arms" ("your sleeves") or "the end of the cloth on your robe" ("your hem") or the fold in the garment where it is tucked into the belt.
This continues the instructions Yahweh gives to Ezekiel beginning with the words "But take" in verse 3. You may need to place these verses before Ezekiel 5:1 and 2. "But when you shave off your hair and beard, and before you burn them, take ... After you have scattered the hair to the wind, then take"
"from there a fire will spread out and burn up all the people of Israel." Yahweh speaks of how he will punish Israel.
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
"This carving represents Jerusalem". See Ezekiel 4:1.
Possible meanings are: other nations were on all sides of Jerusalem or "more important than all other nations."
Jerusalem is referred to as "her" and "she"
"the neighboring countries"
"have refused to obey my orders"
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel and Judah.
"because your sinfulness is worse than" or "because you are more unruly than"
"that are all around you."
"have not obeyed my statutes"
"or obeyed my decrees"
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"I will judge you in various ways" or "I will punish you".
Yahweh continues speaking to the people of Israel and Jerusalem.
"like I have never done before and will never do again" .
"because of all the disgusting things you do." God was angry because the people were worshiping idols and false gods.
Ezekiel is probably telling what will really happen when the people have no food.
"I will judge you" or "I will punish you severely"
"I will force all of you who remain to go to different places."
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel and Judah.
ruined the place that Yahweh had set aside to be only for his use
"with all your idols, which I hate" or "with all your disgusting idols."
"with all the disgusting things that you do"
"I will not pity you"
"I will surely punish you"
"many of them will die because of famine"
"I will no longer be angry because I will have done everything I wanted to do because I was angry"
"I will stop punishing them because I will have punished them fully."
"I will be comforted in knowing that I have punished them enough"
"when I have finished punishing them"
"because I will be very angry with you". Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel and Judah.
"will make you feel the pain of intense hunger"
"make the famine more severe for you" or "make the famine last longer for you"
"cut off your food supply". This phrase means removing the supply of food that the people were depending upon. See how "staff of bread" is translated in Ezekiel 4:16.
"Many people will die of disease, and many others will die in war"
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak to the mountains as if they were people so the people of Israel would hear the words and know that Ezekiel's words were for them.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"stare at the mountains of Israel so that the people there will be harmed". This command to stare at the mountains is a symbol of punishing the people there. See how you translated a similar phrase in Ezekiel 4:3.
This refers to attention or gaze.
"the mountains in the land of Israel"
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
"I am bringing soldiers to come and kill you"
"People will no longer worship at your altars and your enemy will destroy your pillars". These are Yahweh's words to the people of Israel.
"I will send soldiers to throw down"
"your people who have died". God will destroy all those who have been worshiping idols at the hill top shrines.
"I will send soldiers to lay ... and scatter"
"enemy armies will lay waste your cities". These are Yahweh's words to the people of Israel.
"enemy armies will break your idols"
"they will cut down your pillars"
"no one will remember what you have done" or "they will destroy everything you have made"
"You will see the enemy kill many people"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God"
"when I scatter you into different lands"
"among the peoples of other countries". Life would be hard for the Jews because the people there would persecute them.
"I was sad because they were like a wife who has left me to sleep with other men". Yahweh speaks of the Israelites as if they were a woman who sleeps with many people.
"by the way they desired strongly to worship idols"
"their faces will show that they hate themselves because of the wicked things they have done"
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this". Yahweh speaks to Ezekiel, reminding him and the people that what he is saying is important.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
Ezekiel was to do this symbolic action to get the people's attention. This was not applause.
This word is spoken by those who see people doing bad things and realize bad things will happen to the evildoers.
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
This refers to soldiers who kill people using swords.
"I will punish them until I am no longer angry"
"hill, on all the mountain peaks, under every flourishing tree, and under every thick oak."
healthy and growing
a large tree with strong wood that provided shade for worshipers
This is the name of a city.
This starts God's prophecy of judgment on Israel.
"Yahweh spoke this message". See Ezekiel 3:16.
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this". Yahweh speaks of himself to remind Ezekiel and the people that what he's saying is important.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
"to the people of Israel"
"The end has come!". The people will be punished severely for their idol worship and the temple will be destroyed.
"the entire land" The "four borders" are to the north, east, south, and west.
"your life is finished". These are Yahweh's words to the people of Israel.
"I am angry, and I will punish you"
"because of the wicked things you do"
"I will punish you for doing those things that I hate so much"
"For I will not pity you"
"I will punish you for the things you have done"
"this will happen as long as you continue to commit abominations"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". See Ezekiel 6:7.
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this". Yahweh speaks of himself to remind Ezekiel and the people that what he is saying is important. See Ezekiel 6:11.
"Behold, a terrible disaster is coming, one that no one has ever experienced before"
"You can be absolutely sure that it"
The coming judgment is treated as if it were an enemy waking up from sleep.
"Very soon now". These are Yahweh's words to the people of Israel.
"I will punish you severely because I am very angry"
"wrath" or "great anger"
"I will not look on them with compassion" or "I will not be compassionate to them"
"I will not leave you without punishment" or "I will punish you"
"Behold! The day when I will punish you is coming!"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"Disaster has begun to come to Israel" or "Terrible things have begun to happen"
"The people of Israel have become very violent and very proud."
"Israel's punishment will happen very soon"
"I am angry with the whole multitude"
a very large number of people and refers to the people of Israel
as long as "the buyer" and "the seller" (7:12) both live
"God will surely do to the multitude what he has shown me"
"God will not strengthen any of them"
"They have blown the trumpet to call people to fight against the enemy". These are Yahweh's words about Israel.
This refers to soldiers who kill people using swords.
the city
"and most of the people in the city will die from hunger and sickness"
"Everyone will be so terrified that they will be unable to work and their knees will become weak so that they cannot stand"
fail to do what it is supposed to do
"everyone will see them tremble and know how terrified they are"
"all of them will shave their heads". Shaving the head was a sign of sadness.
"in the day when Yahweh acts on his anger" or "when Yahweh punishes them"
This can be a time period of more or less than one 24-hour day.
"they will not be able to satisfy their hunger"
"because they are evil, they are committing sins that show how evil they are."
with the jeweled ornaments
"I will give those idols into the control of people they do not know"
things that are stolen or taken by force
The strangers and wicked people will defile the idols that the people of Israel had made.
"I will look away" or "I will not notice"
"the place I love." This refers to God's temple.
violent people who steal and destroy
God says this to show they will become slaves or prisoners.
"everywhere in the country God is judging people because they violently killed others"
"violence is everywhere in the city" or "many people in the city are doing violent things to others"
the wicked will take the Israelites' houses
"I will cause the powerful people in Israel to stop being proud of themselves"
"enemies will defile the places where they worship"
"The people will be afraid"
"They will try to make peace with their enemies"
"but they will be unable to make peace with their enemies"
"One disaster after another will happen". These are Yahweh's words about Israel.
"they will ask the prophets what visions they have seen"
"The priests will not teach the law, and the elders will not be able to give good advice." God will not give wisdom.
"the king's son"
"will have no hope," or "will dress in clothes that show he is mourning"
"the people of the land will be so afraid that their hands will tremble"
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. Ezekiel tells about another vision he saw.
"in the sixth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin"
"the fifth day of the sixth month". This is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifth day is near the beginning of September on Western calendars.
This should be translated literally, as Ezekiel later sees something like a hand.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:4.
"took hold of"
"there was someone who appeared to be a man"
When metal is very hot, it glows with a yellow or orange light.
"what appeared to be his hips ... what appeared to be something shining"
Ezekiel continues telling about the vision from God.
The word "he" probably refers to the "figure like a man". See verse 2.
"between the ground and the sky"
The words "in visions" mean this experience is happening in Ezekiel's thoughts. His body would still be in his home while God shows him these things.
"the inner northern gate of the temple." The temple was surrounded by two walls, one inside the other. This gate was on the north side of the inner wall.
"the idol that causes God to be very jealous"
"who looked the same as what I had seen in the vision that I saw when I was on the plain"
a large area of flat land that has few trees
The "figure like a man" (Ezekiel 8:2) speaks to Ezekiel.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"look up ... looked up" or "turn your head and look ... turned my head and looked"
"gate through which people would walk so they could go to the altar"
"I want you to understand why I hate what the people here are doing."
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"the temple courtyard"
The people have contaminated the temple with their worship of other gods and through their sin.
This word shows that Ezekiel was surprised by what he saw.
"carvings in the wall of all kinds of creeping animals and detestable beasts." The phrase "creeping things" refer to insects and other small animals.
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
men's names
a pan that people burn incense in when they worship God or false gods
"look at what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark."
"the room where no one can see him worship his idol"
This was the outer north gate—not the same one as in Ezekiel 8:3.
grieving because the false god Tammuz had died
"Think about this ... man". Yahweh is commanding Ezekiel to think about what he has just seen.
covering in front of an entrance with columns or posts for support
"they were looking toward the east"
"I am right to be angry at the house of Judah because of these abominations that they are doing here."
"throughout the country they are doing violent things"
"to make me angry"
Possible meanings are: the people were using the branches in false worship or the people were using the branches to show rebellion against Yahweh. The words "branch to ... noses" may be a literal tree branch and literal noses or they could be a term for a hand gesture.
"I will not look on them with compassion"
"I will still punish them"
"Though they yell their prayers to me with a loud voice"
"I will not listen to them"
Ezekiel continues to tell about the vision God gave him. It started in Ezekiel 8:1.
"I heard him call out"
the "figure like a man" (Ezekiel 8:2) cried
weapon for destroying people or things
weapon for killing many people
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"the upper northern gate" or "the north gate of the inner court"
"smooth cloth". A strong, smooth cloth made from a plant and worn by people in places that are hot.
tools that scribes write with
A dark gold-colored metal. It is made from mostly copper with tin added for strength.
"from above the four winged creatures" (Ezekiel 1:5) or from between the two cherubim in the most holy place in the temple. Try to translate this literally.
The "house" refers to God's temple.
These are sounds people make when they feel very sad or grieved about something. God was looking for people who were sad that there was so much evil being done. Yahweh would keep these faithful people from being killed with the others.
"the detestable things that people are doing in the city
The word "others" refers to the guards (Ezekiel 9:1).
"Do not have compassion"
"do not refrain from killing"
These were the people who groaned about the abominations happening in Jerusalem. See Ezekiel 9:4.
"Begin to kill the ones who do not have the mark at my sanctuary"
"seventy elders of the house of Israel" (Ezekiel 8:11) or any "old man" (see the beginning of the verse).
God continuing to speak to the guards judging the people of Israel.
the temple
"attacked the people in the city"
"I bowed down to the ground" or "I lay on the ground." Ezekiel did not fall by accident. He went to the ground to show that he respected and feared Yahweh. See Ezekiel 1:28.
Ezekiel is very troubled by what the Lord told the men to do to Jerusalem. See Ezekiel 4:14.
"please do not destroy all the remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem!"
"when you punish the people of Jerusalem because you are very angry with them"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"very great"
"All over the land people are killing innocent people, and all over the city people are doing wicked things"
"I will not look on them with pity"
"I will punish them as they deserve"
"Pay attention to what I am about to say"
"He reported to Yahweh and told him"
Ezekiel continues to tell about the vision that started in Ezekiel 8:1. He once again saw and described the throne, its wheels, and the cherubim. (See his description in Ezekiel 1).
"toward the curved roof"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 9:3.
a valuable blue or green gemstone
"that looked like something that looked like a throne".
"smooth cloth". A strong, smooth cloth made from a plant. It is worn by many people in places that are hot. (See how you translated this in Ezekiel 9:2). God told the man dressed in linen to take coals from between the wheels of the throne and scatter them over the city of Jerusalem. This was a symbolic action that showed God's judgment against the city and that it would be destroyed.
Translate the word "wheels" as in Ezekiel 1:15.
Coals are burned pieces of wood left over after a fire and are called charcoal. They are black, but glow red and orange when very hot.
"sprinkle them over the city" or "spread them over the city"
This is background information for the events that follow. Ezekiel interrupts his description of what was happening and describes what he saw.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 9:3.
"on the south side". As one faces east, "the right side" is toward the south.
the temple
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 1:28.
the glory of Yahweh filled
This phrase is used to mark when the action starts.
This is a repeat of the information that was given in Ezekiel 10:2. After talking about the cherubim and God's glory in 10:3-5, Ezekiel returns to telling about the man who was wearing linen.
"I saw that the cherubim had something like a man's hand under their wings"
Ezekiel was surprised by what he saw
"what appeared to be wheels were like a beryl stone"
"Beryl" here is a very hard, valuable stone. This beryl was probably green or blue.
"All four of them appeared to be similar"
The word "intersecting" means "crossing" or "passing through".
"they would go straight in any one of the four directions that the creatures looked towards" or "their" refers to the wheels.
"they went in whatever direction the winged creatures were looking" or "they followed in whatever direction the front wheel went"
"someone called the wheels, 'Whirling.'" or "the name of the wheels was 'Whirling.'" This word means "Spinning".
"Each cherub had four faces" or "Each of the cherubim had four faces." Each creature had a face on the front, a face on the back, and a face on each side of its head. See Ezekiel 1:6.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 1:13.
"went up into the air"
"The wheels moved with the cherubim"
"stayed still" or "did not move"
"the same spirit that gave life to the creatures also gave life to the wheels". See Ezekiel 1:20.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 1:28. God now abandoned Jerusalem and left the temple. This was devastating to the religious life of Judah.
the temple
"stayed over" or "waited over"
"went above the cherubim"
This is a river that people in Chaldea had dug to give water to their gardens. See Ezekiel 1:1.
"something that looked like human hands"
"their faces looked like the faces that I had seen"
"faced forward" or "looked directly ahead"
Ezekiel continues to tell about the vision that started in Ezekiel 8:1. The people were trusting Jerusalem to keep them safe. But God was going to pull them out of Jerusalem.
This refers to the Holy Spirit.
"the gate on the eastern side of the wall surrounding the house of Yahweh"
See how you translated this phrase in Ezekiel 8:16.
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
These are the names of men.
"among the twenty-five men"
Ezekiel continues to tell about the vision.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1
This shows the people feel so secure they are not worried about building houses now. Other versions of the Bible read, "Now is the time to build our houses." This would mean that the people want to build houses because they feel secure.
"This city is like a pot that will protect us as a pot protects meat". This suggests that the people are important and safe within the city.
Possible meanings are: a pot for storing meat or a pot for cooking meat.
Yahweh continues to talk to the prophet Ezekiel.
"the Spirit of Yahweh empowered me"
"You are saying these things." This refers to what the people were saying in Ezekiel 11:3.
"Israelites" or "Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"The people you have killed ... are like the meat in the pot, and this city is like the pot. See Ezekiel 11:3.
"But I am going to bring you out"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"enable foreigners to capture you"
"They will kill you with their swords" or "You will die in battle"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
"This city is not like a pot that will protect you as a pot protects meat"
"in the land of Israel"
"whose statutes you have not obeyed"
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
"I bowed down to the ground". Ezekiel did not fall by accident. He went to the ground to show that he respected and feared Yahweh.
"Oh no, Lord Yahweh" or "Ah, Lord Yahweh"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
This is stated twice for emphasis.
"the people of Israel"
"The people living in Jerusalem say about all of them"
"All of them are those to whom"
"Yahweh has given this land to us as our possession"
"I have been like their place of worship". Yahweh gives this message to Ezekiel about the Israelites who were in exile.
"I will bring you back from all of the nations". This emphasizes the surety of Yahweh's promise to bring the exiles back to the land of Israel.
"where I scattered you"
These words emphasize that God will remove all the idols from Israel.
The things that cause hatred or disgust, referring to idols.
Yahweh speaks of all of the Israelites who are in exile as if they are one person, with one heart and one spirit. God continues this prophecy about the scattered Israelites.
Yahweh speaks of causing the people to think new thoughts as if he were giving them a new spirit.
"I will cause them to stop being stubborn and instead cause them to obey me willingly"
These phrases describe the people as obeying what Yahweh has commanded them to do.
"they will obey my statutes"
"those who conduct their lives out of devotion to their detestable things"
"I will cause them to suffer the consequences of their actions"
The cherubim and the glory of God leave the temple and city. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 9:3.
"the vision that I had seen ended"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"a rebellious people". See Ezekiel 2:5.
People are spoken of as if they were unable physically to see and hear.
Yahweh is telling Ezekiel to act out another parable.
"So then, this is what I say to you". God warned that very soon the people in Jerusalem would be exiled to Babylon.
"as they watch"
This means that the people might be physically able to see.
"a rebellious people". See Ezekiel 2:5.
God is speaking to Ezekiel and describing how he should act out the parable.
"as they watch"
"have made you to be a warning"
Ezekiel shows the people of Israel they will soon be forced into exile.
"just as Yahweh commanded me"
"dug a hole through the wall with my hands"
"at night"
"Son of man, the house of Israel, that rebellious house, is asking, 'What are you doing?'"
"the people of Israel, that rebellious people". See Ezekiel 2:5.
"What is the meaning of the things you are doing"
"who are in Jerusalem"
"I am a warning to you"
"so others will do to them". The word "them" refers to the people living in Jerusalem.
"at night"
"The prince will cover his face"
Yahweh speaks of enabling the Chaldeans to capture the prince as if he himself were catching the prince in a trap that he had set.
"I will cause the Chaldeans to bring him to Babylon"
"I will send armies to pursue them with swords"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"when I cause them to separate from each other and live in different nations"
"I will keep ... from dying in battle, from starving to death, and from dying of disease"
"Yahweh spoke this message"
"others will empty the land of everything in it"
"the cities where people lived will be desolate"
"the people in the land of Israel have this proverb that says, 'The days are prolonged, and every vision fails.'
"Many days have passed"
"every prophetic vision fails to happen"
"The days of judgment are coming soon"
"I will fulfill every vision"
Yahweh continues to tell Ezekiel what to say to the people of Israel.
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"I do the things that I say"
"What I say will no longer be delayed" or "What I say will happen soon"
"I will speak this message"
"while you are alive" or "during you lifetime"
"rebellious people". See Ezekiel 2:5.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
These phrases are both ways the people of Israel are saying Ezekiel's warnings will not happen in their lifetime but will happen far in the future.
"I will no longer delay doing what I said I would do"
God spoke against people who said they were prophesying but had not received any message from God. He said of people who encourage others to feel safe even when they continue to sin are not strengthening a wall but just putting whitewash on it to hide the imperfections.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"prophesying only the things that they imagine"
"who act according to their own ideas"
Like jackals that scavenge for food and shelter among the abandoned ruins of cities, the prophets are using the destruction of Jerusalem for their own benefit. Jackals are wild animals that are related to dogs.
This refers to the wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem.
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"resist the enemy armies" or "defend the city"
"the day of Yahweh's judgment" or "the day when Yahweh judges you by sending enemy armies to attack you"
This phrase refers to anything the prophet may have said.
"is what Yahweh has declared"
"You have had false visions ... because I myself have not spoken."
Since the false prophets have not received a message from Yahweh, what they predict about the future is not true.
"utter false prophecies"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he's declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"I will punish the prophets"
Yahweh will not consider these false prophets to be part of the people of Israel.
"nor will anyone enroll their names in the record of the house of Israel". This probably is an official record of the citizens of Israel.
"understand that I am the Lord Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
Yahweh speaks of the false security of peace that the prophets spoke as if they had built a poorly-constructed wall and covered it over with white paint in order to make it look good.
This refers to the prophets reporting false visions to the people and telling them lies.
Yahweh speaks of the prophets as if they had led the people away from the path they should have been walking.
Here "a wall" stands for peace and security that the false prophets told the people Yahweh was promising to give them. Whitewash is a white liquid mixture or paint used to cover up impurities and make surfaces white.
Yahweh refers to the judgment as if it were a severe storm that breaks down the wall.
balls of ice that sometimes falls from the sky during a rainstorm
"Others will certainly say to you, 'Where is the whitewash that you put on it?'"
"The whitewash that you put on it did no good."
Yahweh continues to speak of the false security that the prophets have given to the people as if the prophets had built a poorly-constructed wall and covered it over with white paint in order to make it look good.
"because of my rage ... because of my wrath ... because my rage."
"uncover"
"all of its stones will crush you to death". The phrase "in the middle of it all" refers to the stones of the wall that Yahweh will break down. He speaks as if the wall would crush them to death when he breaks it down.
"destroyed"
"Because I am very angry, I will annihilate"
This phrase defines who "the people who whitewashed it" are.
The word "her" refers to Jerusalem.
"stare angrily at the daughters". This is a command to stare at the women as a symbol of punishing them. Translate "set your face against" as you did in Ezekiel 4:3.
"stare at"
"women of Israel" or "your countrywomen"
"prophesying only the things that they think in their own minds." See Ezekiel 13:2.
"prophesy about the bad things that will happen to them." See Ezekiel 4:7.
They sew magic charms together and then attach them to their hands, not that they sew them directly onto their hands. The charms are objects they believed to have magical powers.
"that they use to hunt down people"
"make veils for the heads of women of every stature"
"Do not think that you will be able to save your own lives after you have hunted down my people!"
Yahweh continues to speak against the false prophetesses in Israel.
Barley is a grain used to make bread and the word "crumb" is a small amount of bread. Both phrases emphasize how small the payment was to the prophetesses.
Yahweh speaks of these women as if the people were birds that the women trapped with those charms.
"to trap" "to catch in a snare"
"tear the charms from your arms"
"rescue my people from your power"
"you will no longer trap them like prey in your hands"
"discouraged the righteous"
"righteous people ... did not cause them grief"
"strenghtened the wicked" or "encouraged the wicked"
"wicked people so that they do not turn from their evil ways and save their lives"
"stop doing evil things"
"continue to make false predictions"
"I will rescue my people from your power". See Ezekiel 13:21.
The elders sat before Ezekiel in order to inquire of the Lord through Ezekiel.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"have devoted themselves to idols"
"have resolutely determined to worship the things that lead to iniquity"
Possible meanings are: the idols are a stumbling block that leads to the elders' iniquity or worshiping idols is an iniquity that causes the elders to stumble.
"Should I permit them to inquire of me at all?" or "They should not be inquiring of me at all."
"men from the elders of Israel"
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"I, Yahweh, will give him the answer that he deserves because he worships so many idols"
"I will cause the people of Israel to be devoted to me again"
"who have all left me to worship their idols"
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
Both of these phrases are ways to tell the people of Israel to stop worshiping idols.
These words basically mean the same thing. Together they strengthen the command to stop worshiping idols.
"Turn back"
"who resolutely determines to worship the things that lead to iniquity"
"I will be against that man" or "I will oppose that man". When the captives from Jerusalem arrive in Babylon, it will be obvious why God has punished them.
"stare angrily at"
"I will make that man to be a warning and a proverb"
"I will cause him no longer to belong to my people"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"I will work against him"
"They will suffer the consequences of their own iniquity"
"will no longer stop worshiping me"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"when the people who live in a land sin against me"
"end the supply of its food". Yahweh speaks of the supply of bread as if it were a staff. The word "bread" represents all kinds of food. See Ezekiel 4:16.
"kill both men and animals in the land"
Noah, Daniel, and Job
"I solemnly swear". See Ezekiel 5:11.
"they could only rescue their own lives"
The word "sword" refers to soldiers who kill people using swords.
"Army, go through the land"
"kill both men and animals in the land"
"they would only rescue their own lives"
"I will express my fury"
"kill both men and animals"
"they would only rescue their own lives"
"to kill both men and animals in Jerusalem"
Yahweh continues to speak with Ezekiel about the punishment of the people of Israel.
This word alerts us to pay attention to the information that follows.
The word "her" refers to Jerusalem.
"they will comfort you concerning the punishment"
The word "her" refers to Jerusalem.
"the way they live" or "the things they do"
Yahweh is talking to Ezekiel in this section.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"a vine is not better than any tree with branches that is among the trees in a forest."
"People do not take wood from a vine to make anything."
"they do not make a peg from it to hang things on it."
"If it is thrown into a fire as fuel ... it is not good for anything."
"If a person throws it into a fire as fuel"
Yahweh continues speaking about the vine. God said that the people of Jerusalem were useless to him and shows just how useless they were.
This word alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"When it was whole" or "Before the fire burned it"
"no one could make anything from it"
Yahweh speaks to Ezekiel about the people of Israel.
"I will be against them" or "I will oppose them"
"stare angrily at them"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
Yahweh speaks of the punishment that he will afflict upon the people as if it were a fire that burns them.
"the fire will destroy them"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
In this chapter, Yahweh speaks about Jerusalem as if the city were his unfaithful bride. He describes her growth from infancy to adulthood. The city represents the people who live there.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
Yahweh speaks of when people founded the city as if it were the city's birth.
The Amorites and Hittites were both pagan people groups who lived in the land before the people of Israel conquered it. Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem's father and mother belonging to these people groups to express being born into idolatry.
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were an infant. The city represents the people living there.
"you mother did not cut your umbilical cord"
"Nobody who saw you had compassion for you"
"because your parents hated you"
"your parents threw you out into the open field"
Yahweh is walking near the newborn baby.
"I said to you as you were lying in your blood"
Here Yahweh compares growing quickly with the way a plant grows quickly.
"You matured and grew taller"
Here the woman, who represents Jerusalem, is spoken of as if she had become the finest of all jewels; as if she had become the most beautiful of all women.
"You became old enough to wear jewels."
"completely naked"
This word alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Yahweh sees the young woman is old enough to be married.
"beautiful clothes". To embroider is to sew a design into a piece of cloth.
"I put jewelry on you"
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were a young woman. The city represents the people living there.
"I adorned you with gold and silver, and dressed you in fine linen"
"Many people in many nations knew who you were"
"your beauty was perfect"
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were a young woman. The city represents the people who live there.
"you placed your confidence in your own beauty"
Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem as if the city were an unfaithful wife who sleeps with other men in exchange for payment. God compared Judah to an adulteress because she worshiped idols instead of God who had done so much to help her. Adultery is a common image used to describe the worship of idols by Israel.
"you repeatedly committed your acts of prostitution"
"so that you gave yourself to him" or "his it was"
"statues of men" or "idols that look like men"
"you slept with them" or "you worshiped them"
"placed as an offering in front of them"
"who were my children"
"you sacrificed them to the images so that those images could devour them as food". Here Yahweh speaks of the people of Israel sacrificing their children to pagan idols. In these ancient pagan sacrifices, the people believed that the gods would eat the food that they offered to them.
"You must think that your acts of prostitution are a small matter." or "I do not think your acts of prostitution are a small matter."
"sacrificed them as burnt offerings"
"completely naked". See Ezekiel 16:7.
that she built a place where she could worship her idols or she could practice her prostitution
"at the beginning of every road"
"I will use my power to strike you"
"stop your food supply"
"I will hand you over"
"the Philistine people"
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem and the people of Israel as his unfaithful wife.
"Your heart must be very weak ... that you would do all these things, deeds of a shameless prostitute!"
"How weak-willed are you"
"at the beginning of every street"
"you accept strangers into your bed instead of your husband"
"you repeatedly committed actions to gratify your lust"
"poured your wealth out."
This refers to killing children as a sacrifice to idols.
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"so they can see you completely naked". Stripping a person naked in front of others was intended to humiliate the person.
"murder"
"In my anger and jealousy, I will punish you for committing murder" or "In my anger and jealousy, I will shed your blood"
"I will place you in their control" or "I will allow them to have power over you"
See how you translated "vaulted chamber" in Ezekiel 16:24.
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were his unfaithful wife. He speaks about enemy soldiers as her lovers. The city represents the people who live there.
"will punish you in many different ways"
"where many women can see" or "while many women watch"
"I will stop punishing you because I will no longer be angry with you"
"remember"
Here "shake" refers to a physical response that a person has when he is extremely angry. As Jerusalem was doing these things, she did not think about what Yahweh had done when she was young.
"who hated her husband"
The Amorites and Hittites were both pagan people groups who lived in the land before the people of Israel conquered it. Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem's father and mother belonging to these people groups to express that she was born into idolatry. See how you translated these phrases in Ezekiel 16:3
Samaria and Sodom were both cities that Yahweh had judged for their idolatry and wickedness. Yahweh speaks of these cities being Jerusalem's sisters to express that she belonged to a family that practiced idolatry and wickedness.
"You not only acted like them"
did the disgusting things that they did
Yahweh describes Sodom as a rich woman who has more than enough food and lives in security.
"She did not help the people who could not help themselves"
Yahweh uses this phrase twice to emphasize how shamefully the people of Jerusalem have acted.
"be ashamed" or "bear your insults"
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were his unfaithful wife. The city represents the people who live there.
"For I will cause them to live well again—Sodom and her daughters, and Samaria and her daughters—and I will cause you to live well also"
"the people living in Sodom and the villages around it ... the people living in Samaria and the villages around it"
"you will be ashamed" or "you will bear your disgrace"
"I will humiliate you"
"you will comfort Sodom and Samaria"
"I will restore your sister Sodom and her daughters to their former condition"
"I will restore your sister Samaria and her daughters to their former estate"
"condition"
"I will restore you and your daughters to your former condition"
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were his unfaithful wife. The city represents the people who live there.
"You did not even mention your sister Sodom"
"before you revealed your wickedness" or "before I revealed your wickedness"
"now people treat you with shame" or "now people insult you"
"the Edomite people and to all the Philistine people"
hate very much
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
Yahweh continues to speak about Jerusalem as if the city were his unfaithful wife. The city represents the people who live there.
"despised your oath to me by breaking the covenant that you made with me". Jerusalem broke her marriage covenant with Yahweh, showing she did not care about the oaths that she had made to him.
"remember"
"that I made with you when you were young"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"remember everything"
This means that Jerusalem will be too ashamed to speak.
Ezekiel reports a message that God gives him.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"give them a puzzle to think about" or "tell this story as an illustration"
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"the ends of its wings were long and full of feathers." The word "pinion" means the outer end of the wings.
The eagle's feathers were many different colors.
"It broke off the highest part of the tree"
"took the top of the tree" or "took the branches"
"he planted it in a city that had many merchants." A merchant is a person who sells things.
The word "he" is the eagle in the parable.
"good ground"
"the eagle planted the seed in a place where there was a lot of water"
"and planted the seed like one would plant a willow tree by water". Willow trees grow where there is a lot of water.
"Then the seed began to grow into a plant"
"a vine that spreads out on the ground". Judah is compared to a vine that grows one direction and then another.
The branches of the vine turned toward the eagle, meaning they began to grow upward towards the sky.
"its roots grew under itself into the ground" or "the roots of the vine grew under the eagle."
"That is how the vine grew"
"grew branches and spread its shoots"
The introductory "but" shows that a different eagle is being described.
"another large eagle"
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"The roots of the vine grew toward the eagle"
"from the place that the first eagle had planted it so that it would have water"
"The first eagle had planted the vine"
"It will not prosper."
"Someone will pull up its roots and pluck out its fruit so all of its growth of leaves will wither away."
"There will be no need for a strong person or many people to pull it out"
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"It will not grow."
"It will wither when the eastern wind touches it."
"when the eastern wind blows on it"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"the rebellious people". See Ezekiel 2:5.
"This is what these things mean."
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
This refers to Jerusalem.
"made him swear an oath"
"so the kingdom might remain small and not become great"
"the kingdom will continue to exist"
The king of Judah had vowed to obey Babylon but instead he followed Egypt. Therefore, God said he would not prosper.
"He will certainly not succeed."
"The one doing these things will not escape."
"If he breaks the covenant, he will certainly not escape."
"the land of the king of Babylon who made him King of Judah, the king of Babylon whose oath he despised"
Yahweh speaking about the king of Jerusalem.
These two phrases emphasize how large and strong Pharaoh's army is.
This refers to the king of Judah.
A tower with ladders that can be placed next to a wall and allow soldiers to get over the wall and into the city.
"to kill many people"
"He did something even worse than that: he reached out"
This refers to taking hold of another person's hand as a sign of friendship and agreement, representing the covenant oath that he made with the king of Babylon.
"it was my oath that the king of Jerusalem despised and my covenant that he broke."
"I will cause him to suffer his punishment"
Yahweh speaks of enabling the enemy army to capture the king as if he were trapping the king in a net.
"I will catch him in my hunting net"
"Soldiers will kill all his refugees ... armies"
"the ones who remain alive will flee in every direction" or "the enemy soldiers will scatter in every directions the ones who remain alive"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
Yahweh resumes the parable that he had told in Ezekiel 17:1 and speaks about Jerusalem as if it were a branch that he plants on the mountains of Israel.
"grow new branches"
Yahweh speaks of trees as if they are people who can know about him. The trees represent the nations and the people who live in them.
"I cut down the tall trees and I cause the little trees to grow"
when a plant dries up and dies
"Yahweh spoke to me again". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people.
"The people in the land of Israel have this proverb ... 'Fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are made blunt'." The question is a rebuke for the people who use the proverb.
This refers to the people of Israel.
This refers to the people of Israel.
This proverbs means that children experience the consequences of their parents' actions.
"the children get a sour taste in their mouths"
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"The person who sins". God does not punish children for the sins of their parents, but only punishes them for their own sins. Despite this, the parents' sins may still have consequences for their children.
"he does not eat meat sacrificed to idols on the mountains"
"worship the idols" or "pray to the idols"
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"tried to sleep with a woman during her impurity"
"when she is unclean" or "during her monthly period"
"returns to the debtor the item that the debtor gave him as security for the loan." When a person borrowed something, sometimes the person giving the loan required the borrower to give something as a pledge. A pledge was given to ensure that the borrower would pay back whatever he borrowed. The person who gave the loan was supposed to return the pledge to the borrower once the debt was paid.
Yahweh continues to describe the actions of the righteous man.
This word refers to the money paid by a person to use borrowed money. However, some modern versions interpret "any interest" in this passage as "too much interest."
This means that he judges fairly the disputes that may arise between people.
"that man obeys my statutes"
"who murders"
This refers to the sinful actions that Yahweh had mentioned beginning in Ezekiel 18:5.
"eats meat sacrificed to idols upon the mountains". People often worshiped and offered sacrifices to pagan gods on the mountains. It is implied that this person has participated in these kinds of pagan rituals.
Yahweh continues to speak about the violent son.
These words emphasize that these are people who cannot help themselves.
"he worships the idols" or "he prays to the idols"
"does not return to the debtor the item that the debtor gave him as security for the loan." A pledge was given to ensure that the borrower would pay back whatever he borrowed. The person who gave the loan was supposed to return the pledge to the borrower once the debt was paid.
"he will certainly not live!"
"he will be responsible for his own death"
"That son does not eat meat sacrificed to idols upon the mountains"
"he does not worship the idols" or "he does not pray to the idols"
Yahweh continues to speak about the son who does not commit the same sins as his father.
"obeys my statutes"
Yahweh speaks about the son's father who has not obeyed God's law.
to take something from someone else by using threats or force.
"robbed his fellow Israelite"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: he"
"because of his iniquity"
"Why is the son not guilty of the iniquity of his father?"
"The one who acts rightly will be responsible for his own righteousness"
"the wicked person will be responsible for his own wickedness"
Yahweh speaking of the wicked person who changes and does what is righteous.
"I will not remember all the transgressions that he has committed and will not hold them against him"
"because of the righteous things he has done"
Yahweh speaks about his desire for wicked people.
"I do not greatly rejoice over the death of the wicked ... but I do greatly rejoice if he turns away from his way so that he may live."
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"not in his ceasing to live the way that he lives"
Yahweh gives an example of a man who turns from righteousness to wickedness.
"then he will surely not live."
"I will not remember all the righteousness that he had done"
crime done against a country or against God by someone who is expected to be loyal
"he will die because of the sins"
"My ways are not unfair."
"It is your ways that are unfair."
These phrases express that it was his fault and the fault of no one else.
"he has considered" or "he has understood"
Yahweh continues to teach the people of Israel why his way is fair.
"The Lord does not act fairly ... How do I not act fairly ... It is you who do not act fairly"
"according to his actions"
Yahweh speaks of "transgressions" as if they were blocks over which the people stumble.
"stumbling blocks that cause you to commit more iniquity" or "stumbling blocks that lead to your punishment"
"Get rid of all of the transgressions that you have committed"
"get for yourselves new emotions and a new way of thinking"
"There is no reason for you to die, people of Israel."
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel. He tells a story where the nation of Israel is a lioness and some of the past kings in the kingdom of Judah are her cubs. The first king was taken as a captive to Egypt, the next was taken as a captive to Babylon. Now Judah is not prospering. The kings of Judah are compared to man-eating lions.
"sing a lamentation"
"This is who your mother is."
a female lion
"They caught him in their trap"
"He seized the widows of the men whom he devoured"
"People abandoned the land and its fullness"
"everything in it"
Yahweh continues to describe the nation of Israel as a lioness and the kings of the kingdom of Judah as her cubs.
"from the provinces surrounding the land of Israel"
"They caught him in their trap"
"people would no longer hear his voice"
Yahweh speaks of the nation of Israel as though it was the mother of the leaders of Israel and begins to tell a story where she is a prosperous vine.
"a vine planted by means of violence" or "a vine planted in your prosperity"
"branches strong enough that people used them for rulers' scepters"
"people could see how tall it was by the greatness of its foliage"
"Yahweh uprooted the vine in fury and threw it down" or "people uprooted the vine in fury and threw it down"
"Yahweh broke off its strong branches and they withered" or "People broke off its strong branches and they withered"
"in a very dry land of drought"
"no branch strong enough for a ruler's scepter"
"you must sing it as a lamentation"
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
"in the seventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin"
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the beginning of August on Western calendars.
"in front of me"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"I solemnly swear"
"You should not come to inquire of me."
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"Are you ready to pronounce judgment on them, son of man?"
"I ... solemnly swore an oath"
"the descendants of Jacob". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"It was land that was excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"the most beautiful of all lands"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the elders of Israel.
"to the descendants of the house of Jacob"
"the detestable things that he worships"
"throw away the idols of Egypt"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
The people of Israel have rebelled against God again and again. Now they cannot come to God for help in their troubles.
"the descendants of the house of Jacob"
"would not obey me"
"the detestable things that he worshiped"
"to act against them in my fury"
"for the sake of my reputation"
"so that the people would not profane it in the eyes of the nations"
"in the opinion" or "in the judgment"
"the people who live in other nations"
"they were living"
"I revealed myself to them, in their presence"
"bringing the people of Israel"
"the descendants of the house of Jacob"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"They did not obey my statutes"
"I would act against them in my fury". See Ezekiel 20:8.
"in order to kill them"
"I acted for the sake of my reputation"
"so that the people would not profane it in the eyes of the nations"
"in the thoughts of the people in other nations"
"in whose presence I brought my people out of Egypt"
"I myself also solemnly swore an oath"
"to the house of Israel"
"a land that was excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
"the most beautiful of all lands"
"did not obey my statutes"
"they were dedicated to worshiping their idols"
"I spared them"
"Do not obey the statutes of your parents"
"Do not obey the statutes of your parents ... obey my statutes"
"obey them."
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the elders of Israel.
"to act against them in my fury". See Ezekiel 20:8.
"But I did not do that"
"for the sake of my reputation"
"so that the people would not profane it in the eyes of the nations". See Ezekiel 20:9.
"in the thoughts of the people in other nations"
"I myself also solemnly swore"
"cause them to separate from each other and live in different nations". See Ezekiel 12:15.
"They were longing after their fathers' idols"
The word "statutes" do not refer to God's law. God permitted them to live by human laws that were not good.
The word "them" refers to the children of those whom Yahweh brought out of Egypt.
"they sacrificed every woman's firstborn child"
"This is not a high place where you are to bring offerings!" Yahweh asks this question in order to rebuke the people.
"people have called that place Bamah". The name "Bamah" means "high place," a place for worshiping idols.
"You should not make yourselves unclean by doing the things that your fathers did." Yahweh rebukes the people.
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"You should not act like prostitutes, searching for disgusting things."
Yahweh speaks as if they were acting like women who sleep with men to whom they are not married.
"I will not let you come close to me, house of Israel." Yahweh rebukes the people.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel.
"with very great power"
"among whom I have scattered you"
"I will count you carefully as a shepherd counts his sheep" or "I will inspect you carefully as a shepherd inspects his sheep". This refers to a shepherd counting and inspecting his sheep as they walked under his staff.
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"to obey me" or "to pay attention to me"
"dishonor me"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel.
"to require you to bring your offerings"
"the best of your contributions"
"the offerings that you set aside to give to me"
Yahweh speaks as if the people themselves were the incense offering.
This emphasizes that Yahweh will bring his people back from all of the nations to which he had scattered them. See Ezekiel 20:34.
"where I have scattered you"
"I have solemnly sworn"
"you will remember"
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were defiled.
"you will hate yourselves"
"because of my reputation"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Stare at the southern lands so that they will be harmed". See Ezekiel 4:3.
"stare"
"The fiery flame will not go out"
"the fire will burn every face from the south to the north"
"every person who lives in that area". Yahweh refers to everyone who lives in the north, south and everywhere in between.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the forest of the Negev.
"all people will understand"
"it will not go out" or "no one will quench it"
a word that expresses distress or grief
"He is merely telling parables". The people use this question to insult Ezekiel.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity. God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"stare toward Jerusalem so that the people there will be harmed".See Ezekiel 6:2.
"I am opposed to you, and it will be as though I pull my sword from its sheath to kill both the righteous and the wicked people among you". Judah has refused to learn from their punishment, so God is about to destroy the nation in war.
"righteous people and wicked people."
something that holds and covers a sword when no one is using it
"kill"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the land of Israel.
"among you"
"it will be as though I pull my sword from its sheath and strike"
"all people"
"in every direction" or "everywhere"
"it is as though I, Yahweh, have struck people with my sword"
"I will not hold back from attacking people"
Yahweh is speaking to Ezekiel.
"groan deeply as if your loins were in great pain" or "groan deeply with great sorrow"
"With great grief" or "With great sorrow"
"before them" or "before the Israelite people"
"the news that they will soon hear"
"for everyone will become fearful and unable to act"
"will be weak"
"Everyone will be fearful in their inner being"
"every leg will be wet with urine" or "everyone will lose control of their urine"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
This passage describes the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for an enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem. This idea begins here and continues through Ezekiel 21:17.
"It is sharp and polished"
Someone made the sword smooth, shiny, and clean by rubbing it with a rough material.
Yahweh continues to describe the sword of Yahweh as the enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem.
"I will sharpen it ... I will polish it so that it will"
"so that it flashes like lightning"
"The people of Judah will not celebrate about their king's scepter."
The word "we" refers to Ezekiel and the people of Israel.
"in the power that the king's scepter represents". Here Yahweh refers to the king of Judah as his son. The king's scepter represents his rule as king. It is important to maintain the image of the king's scepter here, as the words "every such rod" refer to the scepter.
"the sword will overpower his scepter like that of any other ruler" or "for the king will not be able to resist when the sword is brought against him"
"such scepter"
"I will polish the sword"
"then the right person will hold it in his hand"
"it is ready for the killer to use"
"I will use my sword to kill my people! I will bring it against all"
"They are killed with the sword along with my people"
"beat your chests". In Ezekiel's culture, slapping one's thigh was a sign of grief. Some other translations use the gesture of beating one's breast which is a sign of grief in many cultures.
The original Hebrew is unclear and scholars do not agree on what the writer intended to say.
"the king"
"cannot resist" or "is destroyed"
"clap your hands to show that you are very sad"
"again and again"
"It is a sword for slaughtering people"
"It is a sword for slaughtering many people"
"attacking them from every side." Some Bibles translate this as "which enters into their rooms." This means no matter where they hide, the sword will kill them.
This refers to the people of Jerusalem and of the land of Israel.
"to fill them with terror" or "to cause them to be terrified"
"to kill many people among them"
"placed soldiers armed with swords at their gates, ready to slaughter the people"
The word "their" refers to the people of Jerusalem.
"My sword is polished and flashes like lightning"
"released to slaughter the people"
"I tell those attacking with swords, 'Strike to the right! ... Attack in every direction.'" Yahweh speaks to those who will attack his people as if they could hear him and as if they were a sword that they would use in the attack. He does this to emphasize that he is in control of what is happening during the attack.
"clap my hands in triumph"
"Yahweh spoke to me again"
"the soldiers of the king of Babylon"
"a sign will be posted where the road divides into two roads"
"the Babylonian army"
"at the crossroads". Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message.
These are divination practices.
"In his right hand will be an article of divination with an omen against Jerusalem"
A battering ram was a cut tree or large log with a sharpened end or an end covered in metal and was held by several men who would pound the end against a wall.
These were large dirt ramps that the Babylonian soldiers built so that they could get onto the walls of Jerusalem.
These were wooden towers that the soldiers built around Jerusalem to enable them to shoot arrows over the walls.
"in the thoughts of the people in Jerusalem"
"accuse them of violating the treaty they made"
"Because you remind me of your iniquity". Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Jerusalem.
"your enemies will capture you and take you into captivity"
"whom Yahweh will now punish". Yahweh gives Ezekiel his message to the ruler of Israel.
"at the time when Yahweh ends iniquity"
"the king's turban." This is a beautiful piece of cloth that kings wore wrapped on their heads as a symbol of their authority.
"those with low status ... those with high status"
"There will no longer be a king". The kingship will not be restored until the Messiah comes.
"the one comes who I assign"
"about how he will disgrace them"
"Swords! My soldiers have drawn their swords! They are sharpened for the slaughter"
"is out of its sheath"
"It is sharp in order to slaughter and to kill people"
"empty visions for you Ammonites ... with lies for you Ammonites." In the original Biblical language, the word "your" is feminine singular and refers to the nation of Ammon. Nations were often thought of as a woman.
"visions that are not true" or "false visions"
"those who are wicked"
"who are about to die"
"for the time has come for me to punish them and for them to no longer be able to commit wickedness"
"But later the soldiers will return their swords to their sheaths, for the time of slaughter will be over". Yahweh's sword is put back in its sheath.
"In the place that I created you"
"I will punish you because of indignation against you" or "Out of my anger I will punish you"
"I will bring my rage upon you like a blazing fire" or "I will punish you in my fierce anger"
"the control of cruel men"
"men who cause great destruction"
"The fire will burn up your bodies". Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Ammon.
"Your blood will soak into the ground of your land"
"No one will remember you"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. Murder, idolatry and all sorts of evil have been done in Jerusalem; so God will destroy the city and scatter the people among the nations.
"Son of man, go and judge. Go and judge the city of blood."
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1
"the city where many people murder their neighbors"
The word "her" refers to Jerusalem. Cities were often thought of as a woman.
The word "her" refers to Jerusalem. This continues through verse 32.
"The people who live in this city pour ... its midst"
"where many people murder their neighbors"
"so that the time of her destruction may come" or "so that the time may come for her to be destroyed"
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
Yahweh continues to speak through Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem.
"because you murdered innocent people"
"You are bringing your existence to an end". The images of days being brought to a close and years coming to an end are representing ending by death or by destruction. By saying that Jerusalem has brough her days to a close, Yahweh implies that Jerusalem would soon be destroyed because of the people's sin.
"have brought your days to an end" or "have ended your life"
"I will make the nations scorn you and all the lands ridicule you"
someone whom people disapprove of or treat with disgust
a person whom people ridicule or mock
"of the people of every nearby land"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you". Yahweh speaks about the ruler of Israel in Jerusalem.
"have each used their authority to come to you."
"come to Jerusalem". Yahweh speaks as if the city of Jerusalem were a woman who could hear him speak.
"to murder people"
"The rules of Israel have dishonored their fathers"
"within Jerusalem ... in the midst of Jerusalem ... within Jerusalem"
"oppressed"
"they eat the meat that has been sacrificed to idols"
"do evil things among you"
God continues to speak through Ezekiel about the terrible things that the people of Jerusalem have done. He speaks to the people of Jerusalem as if they were the city itself, and of the city of Jerusalem as if it were a woman. The word "you" is always feminine singular.
"within this city" or "among you people of Jerusalem".
"there are men who have sexual relations with their father's wife"
"They have raped unclean women during their impurity"
A person whom God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. The word "impurity" refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb. Women were considered to be unclean at this time.
"commit abominations by sleeping with their neighbors' wives... make their own daughters-in-law shamefully unclean by sleeping with them ... rape their own sisters"
"to murder people"
This refers to the money paid by a person to use borrowed money. However, some modern versions interpret "interest" in this passage as "too much interest." See Ezekiel 18:8.
Refusing to obey Yahweh is like forgetting that he exists.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Jerusalem by speaking directly to the city as if it were a woman.
"I have shown my anger and disapproval against"
"the murder that people commit in you"
"Your heart will not stand and your hands will not be strong on the days when I myself will deal with you."
"Will you stand" or "Will you be courageous"
"will you be strong"
"So I will cause them to separate from each other and live in different nations". See Ezekiel 12:15.
remove something unwanted
"the people in other nations"
"So the nations will consider you unclean"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"the Israelites have" or "the Israelite people group has". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"has become as worthless to me as dross". Dross is the impurities that are left over after silver or gold has been purified in a furnace.
"All of them are as worthless as the leftover of bronze and tin, and iron and lead that remain after you melt silver in the furnace"
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"Because of my great anger and wrath, I will gather you"
"I will gather you, and my wrath will be like a fire that I will blow on you". This is the image of a person gathering the metals in the furnace and blowing the fire to make it hotter.
The word "it" refers to Jerusalem.
"have punished you in my anger"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak to Jerusalem.
"You are a land and a people that is unclean"
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"There is no blessing on the day of wrath". Rain is used as an example of God's blessing.
"The prophets within Israel plot conspiracies"
a secret plan made by two or more people to do something harmful or illegal
"They kill people for they are like roaring lions who attack and kill their prey. They take peoples' precious wealth"
"they make many women into widows by killing their husbands"
"disobey my laws"
"things that are unclean and things that are clean"
"They ignore my Sabbaths"
"and profane me among themselves"
This refers to Jerusalem.
This compares Israel's princes to wolves who attack and kill their victims.
"They murder people"
"so that they can make a profit through dishonest actions"
"It is like her prophets have painted over their sins with whitewash" or "Their prophets try to hide these evil things"
This is a solution that is painted on things to make them white that is similar to white paint.
The word "their" refers to the priests (Ezekiel 22:26) and princes (Ezekiel 22:27).
"have oppressed people ... and plundered others"
When someone threatens or hurts another person in order to make them give him money.
"those who are poor and needy"
Yahweh compares the leaders of Jerusalem to a wall and himself to an invading army.
"a man from among them who would act like he built a wall"
Its "breach" refers to a gap in the wall. This speaks of the man defending the people before Yahweh as if he were a warrior standing in the breach to defend the city.
"for the people so that I would not destroy them"
"I will punish the people because of my anger against them"
anger of a person who has suffered injustice
"I will destroy them with my wrath which is as intense as a blazing fire" or "I will destroy them with my wrath"
Israel and Judah have been unfaithful to God by worshiping idols. They are compared to two unfaithful wives who have repeatedly committed adultery. This continues through Ezekiel 23:34.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"Men squeezed their breasts"
"there men fondled their virgin nipples". This phrase emphasizes the immoral behavior of the two young women.
to be touched lovingly or softly
"they became my wives"
"Oholah represents Samaria, and Oholibah represents Jerusalem." This speaks of how these cities were unfaithful to Yahweh.
This is the name of a woman that means "her tent"
This is the name of a woman that means "my tent is in her"
Yahweh continues to speak of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two sexually immoral women and continues through Ezekiel 23:34.
"while she was still my wife"
"who ruled over her"
This identifies who the word "them" refers to.
"she made herself unclean by sleeping with everyone she lusted for and by worshiping all their idols"
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
"when they had sexual relations with her"
"to act lustfully toward her"
"breasts"
"I gave her over to her lovers, the Assyrians"
"they talked about her disgrace" or "she had a bad reputation among them"
Yahweh continues to speak of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two sexually immoral women, continuing through Ezekiel 23:34.
The name of a woman that means "my tent is in her." See Ezekiel 23:4.
"Both sisters became unclean through their acts of prostitution"
hats made out of long cloth and wrapped around the top of a man's head
"appeared the way officers of chariot troops do, and they looked like sons"
soldiers who drive chariots and who run ahead of and beside them
"Babylonians"
"her bed where she acted lustfully"
"they slept with her and made her unclean"
"so she rejected them"
Yahweh speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two sexually immoral women, continuing through Ezekiel 23:34.
"whose private parts were very long, like those of a donkey". This is an exaggeration.
"whose reproductive emissions were huge, like those of a horse". This is an exaggeration.
"Listen!". This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"I will cause them to attack you from all directions"
"soldiers from Babylon and all of Chaldea, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the soldiers of Assyria with them"
"those from Pekod, Shoa, and Koa". These are the names places in Babylonia and represent the soldiers from these places.
This is the description of the men of Assyria that Oholah had slept with who are now turning against her. See Ezekiel 23:6
"will attack you"
The Hebrew word translated here as "weapons" is rare. Many modern versions translate it this way, but others leave it out.
"Soldiers will attack you on all sides carrying large shields, small shields, and wearing helmets"
"they will punish you"
"according to their customs" or "according to the way they punish people"
Because I am very jealous for you, I will cause them to act furiously towards you"
"They will punish you as an adulteress, by cutting of your noses and your ears"
"men will kill your survivors with their swords"
"your survivors will be burned by fire" or "fire will burn your survivors"
"which you began in the land of Egypt". This refers to her prostitution as beginning in Egypt.
"You will not look toward them with longing" or "You will not desire these things"
"you will not think about what you did in Egypt any more"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
"allow you to be captured by those you hate and had turned away from". This means that they will be captured by the men they used to prostitute themselves to.
"into the control"
These two words emphasize that she will be completely uncovered.
"Your private parts will be uncovered and everyone will be able to see that you have been fornicating"
Some translations use the idea of prostitution in one or both instances, since the Bible presents both acts as the same kind of sexual immorality.
"your wicked plans"
"These things will happen to you because you have acted"
"acting like a prostitute, lusting after men of other nations". Ezekiel wants the people of Judah to understand that Yahweh will punish them because they were worshiping the idols of other nations so they could get those nations' wealth and power.
"became unclean by worshiping their idols". A person whom God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. See Ezekiel 23:7.
"so I will cause you to be punished in the same way as your sister". This refers to Oholibah's punishment.
Yahweh continues to speak of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two sexually immoral women, continuing through Ezekiel 23:34.
"You will drink the same cup of punishment as your sister"
"all that is in your sister's cup, and her cup is"
These phrases refer to a person who is laughed at and criticized because of their foolish behavior. Derision is mocking or ridiculing something or someone.
"this cup contains a great amount of punishment". This sentence does not say what is in the cup because it is understood by reading Ezekiel 23:31.
"You will become very drunk and very sad"
"for what is in that cup causes horror and devastation"
"for this is the same cup of punishment that your sister, who represents Samaria, drank".
jThis concludes the account (begun in Ezekiel 23:2) of the two unfaithful wives who have repeatedly committed adultery.
"cut your beasts"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"rejected me"
"Son of man, judge the people of those two cities represented by Oholah and Oholibah."
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"they have murdered people"
Yahweh speaks about how the people of Jerusalem and Samaria have been unfaithful to him.
"on the same day on which they make my sanctuary unclean, they defile my Sabbaths"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
"in my own house". The word "middle" emphasizes that what was done happened openly in the temple and defiled the whole place.
Yahweh again refers to the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two sexually immoral women.
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
These are things done by a woman to make her appear more beautiful to a man.
Here the word "you" switches to singular and refers to only one sister, but the situation is probably the same for both sisters. If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here.
If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here.
These are items used in worship to Yahweh.
"So there was a carefree crowd around her"
Many translations read "noisy crowd" because happy, carefree crowds are noisy.
"was around her ... on her and her sister's hands." This verse begins by referring to one of the sisters but the situation is probably the same for both sisters. If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here. In the second part of the verse it switches back to referring to both sisters with the word "their."
"Sabeans had come"
The word "they" refers to the men.
Yahweh continues to refer to the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two sexually immoral women.
If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here.
"by committing adultery so many times"
This is a polite way of saying that they had sexual relations with her.
"This is how they had sexual relations with Oholah and Oholibah"
"condemn"
"who murder people ... murderers"
"gather a large group of people"
"against Jerusalem and Samaria and give them"
Yahweh gives up the responsibility to take care of them and allows them to suffer.
"for the company to terrorize and plunder them"
"kill them"
"So the company will set your". The word "they" refers to the "company" of people from Ezekiel 23:47.
"cause you to accept responsibility for your shameful behavior" or "punish you for your shameful behavior"
"receive the punishment for sinning by worshiping your idols"
This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. "Yahweh spoke this message"
"in the ninth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin"
"the 10th day of the 10th month." This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the beginning of January on Western calendars.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"the army of the king of Babylon has besieged"
Yahweh speaks a parable to Ezekiel about a cooking pot that represents Jerusalem. This parable continues through Ezekiel 24:14.
"this rebellious people". See Ezekiel 2:5.
"Place pieces of meat"
Here the "flock" refers to sheep, not birds.
"place the rest of the bones under the pot to fuel the fire". Some cultures add bones to a fire because they burn longer than wood. This refers to the bones that remained after the best bones were placed in the pot.
Yahweh continues telling a parable to Ezekiel about a cooking pot that represents Jerusalem, so rusted that it cannot be cleaned from its rust. The people of Jerusalem cannot be cleaned from their sin. They have been completely rotted. This parable continues through Ezekiel 24:14.
"the city of murderers"
Yahweh continues to compare Jerusalem to a cooking pot. Alternate translation: "it is like a cooking pot"
the red material that forms on metal. Rust eats away at metal and eventually destroys it
Yahweh does not give this command to a specific person. This is a general command given to an unspecified person.
Casting lots was a way of choosing which pieces of meat to take out, but because Yahweh wants to take out all of the pieces of meat, there is no need to cast lots.
Yahweh continues telling Ezekiel about a cooking pot that represents Jerusalem, continuing through Ezekiel 24:14.
"For the blood of those who were murdered among her is still there"
The word "her" refers to Jerusalem, which is represented by the cooking pot.
"They were murdered on the smooth rocks; not on the dirt where the dust would hide their blood"
"has put the blood on bare rocks"
"in order that I could see it and then be angry and get revenge". Yahweh is speaking about taking revenge.
"so that no one could cover it"
"the city of murderers"
"I will make the pile of wood on the fire under you even bigger".
"light the fire"
"burn the bones"
Yahweh continues telling Ezekiel about a cooking pot that represents Jerusalem, continuing through Ezekiel 24:14.
to burn the surface of something
"to melt the uncleanness within it and to consume its corrosion"
A person whom God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
rust
burned away
"Jerusalem has become tired"
difficult labor
"but the fire did not burn away her corrosion"
"until I am finished punishing you and am no longer furious with you"
Yahweh continues telling Ezekiel about a cooking pot that represents Jerusalem, continuing through the end of this verse.
"nor will I rest from punishing you." This refers to Yahweh punishing the people.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"your wife, whom you love very much, from"
or "desire" in a good way
"by a disease"
"you must not mourn nor weep"
"your dead wife"
a head covering made of a long cloth wrapped around the head
a simple shoe held onto the foot with straps around the ankles
"do not mourn by shaving and covering your beard". In Israel, men would shave their beards to express sorrow, then cover their faces until their facial hair grew back. Yahweh told Ezekiel not to cover his facial hair in order to show that he had not shaved his face to express his sorrow.
"The next morning"
The people of Israel question Ezekiel, and he tells them what Yahweh has said to them.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"I will desecrate my sanctuary which is the pride ... of your soul. Your sons"
"the building that you are proud of" or "the source of your strong pride"
"the building that you delight to look at"
"the building that you truly love"
"your enemies will kill your sons and your daughters ... with their swords"
"you will become very thin and slowly die"
"and I will not forgive your sins"
The sound a person makes who wants help, but who has too much pain or sorrow to speak.
"So Ezekiel will be a warning for you". See Ezekiel 12:6.
"that I destroy their temple"
"stronghold, which is the joy of their splendor, and the delight of their eyes and the burden of their soul, which are their sons"
"the splendid building in which they take joy"
"the temple, which they love very much." See Ezekiel 24:16.
"What they think most about" or "What they love the most."
someone who has been forced to leave his country because of war or another disaster
"I will open your mouth" or "I will cause you to know what to say"
These phrases mean that Ezekiel will speak. In the second phrase it is stated in negative form to emphasize that he will speak.
"You will be a warning for them". See Ezekiel 12:6.
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. This chapter includes prophecies against some Gentile nations. Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia will all be destroyed.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"Turn toward the people of Ammon and stare angrily" or "stare toward Ammon so that the people there will be harmed". Ammon was far away, so Ezekiel could not see the people there, but staring in that direction would be a symbol of harming the people. See Ezekiel 6:2.
"the descendants of Ammon" or "those who live in the land of Ammon"
"prophesy about the bad things that will happen to them". See Ezekiel 4:7.
"Listen to this message from the Lord Yahweh". Yahweh tells Ezekiel what to say to the people of Ammon.
"you cheered." The word "Aha" is a sound people make when they are happy about something. In this case the people were happy because bad things happened to Israel and Judah.
"against my sanctuary when the enemy army profaned it"
"over the land ... over the house"
"the people of Judah". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I will cause an army from a land that is east of you to come and conquer you". This speaks as if the enemy were taking the people of Ammon as their possession. It is not implied here that the enemy took the people of Ammon as slaves.
"They will set up tents and live in your country"
"They will eat the fruit from your trees and drink the milk from your cattle"
"I will make the rest of the land of Ammon a field for flocks"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
These actions show strong emotions, the people are cheering and showing their contempt against Israel.
"all of the hatred you feel towards the people who live in Israel"
"listen" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you"
"I will punish you"
"I will allow enemies to defeat you and take you, your land, and your possessions as plunder"
"I will completely destroy you so that you are no longer a nation"
"the people of Moab and Seir"
"Look at the house of Judah. It is like"
"listen! I will open" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you! I will open"
"starting at its cities"
"I will send the same army from the people in the east who attacked Ammon"
"I will allow the armies to conquer them"
"so that the nations will not remember the people of Ammon"
"The people of Edom have taken"
"I will punish Edom"
"I will make all of Edom ... from Teman to Dedan." These are two cities at opposite ends of Edom, meaning that Yahweh will destroy all of Edom.
"Their enemies will kill them with their swords"
"I will use my people Israel to punish the people of Edom". This refers to Israel's army.
"they will show Edom my anger and fury" or "they will punish Edom according to my anger and fury against the people of Edom"
"my furious anger" or "my extreme anger"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"to destroy the people of Judah"
"I will turn my powerful hand against the Philistines" or "I will turn my great power against the Philistines"
"I will destroy" or "I will get rid of"
people who lived in the city of Kereth in Philistia
"in the eleventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin"
"on day 1 of the month." It is uncertain which month of the Hebrew calendar Ezekiel meant.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity". God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"the people of Tyre have said against the people of Jerusalem"
"Yes!" or "This is great". The word "Aha" is a sound people make when they discover something.
"Armies have broken down the gates of the people". The people of Tyre refer to Jerusalem as if it were a city gate through which traders from the surrounding nations pass.
"The gateway has opened to me". Tyre has now replaced Jerusalem as the city through which the traders from many nations pass.
"I will become prosperous"
"Jerusalem is ruined"
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"I will gather armies from many nations that will beat against you like the waves in the raging sea"
"I will cause the armies to completely destroy the city, and they will leave nothing there"
"Tyre will become" or "It will become". The city of Tyre is spoken of as if it were a woman. Yahweh continues to give Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
"a deserted island where people dry out their fishing nets". Part of Tyre was an island.
"the armies of the nations will take away every valuable thing from Tyre". "Plunder" means things that people steal or take by force.
"The enemy armies will slaughter with swords her daughters who are in the fields"
"Her daughter communities who are on the mainland". Possible meanings are: "Her daughters" were the young women of Tyre who were working in the fields or "Her daughters" refer to nearby towns and villages on the mainland that supported the main city of Tyre.
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the greatest king"
This emphasizes the great size of Nebuchadnezzar's army.
"His army will kill"
The words "he" and "his" in these verses refer to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and represent the soldiers in Nebuchadnezzar's army doing these actions. The word "your" refers to the city of Tyre. Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
The battering rams and tools would have been used by the soldiers in Nebuchadnezzar's army against the walls and towers.
"Battering rams" are large trees or poles that many men in an army would pick up and hit against a wall or door so they could break it down and get inside. See Ezekiel 4:2.
Weapons or instruments made of iron used to tear down the towers
Yahweh describes how Nebuchadnezzar's army will enter into the city of Tyre.
"after breaking down its walls"
The phrases are repeated for emphasis.
These refer to what is left after the walls and homes are torn down.
"into the sea"
"No one will hear the sound of your harps anymore"
This describes the results after Yahweh completely destroys Tyre. See Ezekiel 26:4.
This also describes the results after Yahweh destroys Tyre. See Ezekiel 26:5.
"I will make you a place where nets"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
"The islands will quake ... in your midst."
"Will not the people of the islands quake with fear"
"princes of the coastlands"
This represents the princes trembling enough to seem like it was their clothing.
"be unable to speak because what has happened to you is so bad"
In these verses, "They" refers to the "princes of the sea" in the previous verse, and "you" refers to Tyre.
"sing"
"How your enemies have destroyed you—you who were inhabited by sailors"
"caused all the people around them to be terrified"
These two lines emphasize the response of the surrounding people to the destruction of Tyre.
"Now the people of the coastlands tremble"
"The people of the islands are terrified"
"you exist no more"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
The word "you" here refers to the city of Tyre. In the original language "you" is feminine singular.
Here Tyre is compared to other cities that no longer had people living in them.
"the deep waters"
What Yahweh would do to Tyre is compared to people going to the grave and cities falling into ruin.
This refers to the grave. Because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world.
This represents being restored to the city's former existence.
"I will bring you to a terrible end" or "I will destroy you"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. The prophecy against Tyre continues. Tyre has become wealthy from trade as far as Spain, but Tyre will be destroyed. It is compared to a ship built with the very best materials. Despite its strength and power, Yahweh will destroy it.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"begin to lament"
"say to the people of Tyre"
"who lives at the gates of the sea" or "who lives at the entry to the sea"
"People of Tyre, you have said"
"I am perfectly beautiful" or "I am entirely beautiful"
"Your" and "you" in these verses refer to Tyre. The city of Tyre is described as if it were a beautiful ship. Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
"Your boundaries"
"middle of the seas"
long, flat pieces of wood; thick boards
a large pole on a ship that holds up the sails of the ship
"They" refers to the builders of Tyre. "Your" refers to Tyre. The city of Tyre continues to be described as a beautiful ship.
long pieces of wood with flat blades at one end that people use to make a boat move
the parts of the boat that people can walk on
"covered them"
a white, beautiful, and hard material that is made from the long teeth of some animals
large pieces of cloth that move a ship when the wind blows on them
The sails of the ship are compared to the signal flags of Tyre's military.
The words "you" and "your" in these verses refer to Tyre.
This is the name of a small island off the coast of Syria.
A pilot is a person who controls where a ship goes by steering the ship.
The name of a city on the Syrian coast. Other versions call it by the name "Gebal".
"repaired your cracks" or "repaired your leaks"
A sailor is one of the team of workers on a ship.
These are the names of places.
"men who fought in your wars" or "serving as your warriors"
"how splendid you were" or "how majestic you were"
These are the names of places.
"They finished making you beautiful" or "They made you perfectly beautiful"
metals that were used during that time period
"the things you offered for sale"
"Javan". The name of a coastal region also known as Ionia.
"They traded for your merchandise"
the name of a place
adult male horses
This is the name of a place.
"You owned things that you sold to them"
The tusks or elongated teeth of certain animals.
a dark brown to black hardwood that is very dense or heavy
The words "you" and "your" in these verses refer to Tyre.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
"The people of Aram were trading partners"
An emerald is a type of green precious stone.
"purple cloth" or "purple yarn"
beautiful beads of hard white material that come from creatures in the sea
A ruby is a type of red precious stone.
"The people of Judah and Israel were trading with you"
This is the name of a place.
The meaning of the Hebrew word translated as "cakes" is uncertain. Other versions translate it as another type of food.
a sweet-smelling gum or resin that comes from a tree
names of places
"abundant wealth" or "great wealth"
These are names of places.
"The people of Dan and Javan"
a form of iron that can be shaped with a hammer
"Cassia" is another name for this spice, which comes from the bark of a tree.
a type of grass that people used as perfume and for medicine
"The people of Dedan were"
A piece of cloth that people place on a horse beneath a saddle or seat.
These are names of places.
"The people of Arabia" or "The Arabians"
The words "you" and "your" in these verses refer to Tyre.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
These are the names of places.
"valuable stones"
"The people of Haran, Kanneh, and Eden traded with you in the past, along with the people of Sheba, Ashur, and Kilmad"
These are the names of places.
"They traded with you"
"purple robes with many different colors"
"blankets with many colors that had designs and were of high quality"
"The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise"
Tyre's abundance is spoken of as a ship that was full of cargo.
"middle of the seas." See Ezekiel 27:4.
The city of Tyre is described here and in the following verses as if it were a wrecked ship. Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre.
"The people that row you"
"great waters"
"the strong wind from the east"
"heart of the seas" or "middle of the seas". See Ezekiel 27:4.
men who sail boats
"all the people on the ship" or "all of your companions"
"heart of the seas" or "middle of the seas." See Ezekiel 27:4.
"at the time they overthrow you" or "when they destroy you"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre. The city of Tyre continues to be described as if it were a wrecked ship.
"The people of the cities by the sea will tremble"
"All the rowers"
"raise their voices because of what has happened to you"
because they are sad
These are expressions of grieving and mourning.
The word "they" refers to the people mentioned in verses 28 and 29. The words "you" and "your" refer to Tyre.
These are expressions of grieving and mourning.
having no hair on the head
"They will cry out and lament"
"sing funeral songs"
"No other city is like Tyre, who has now been brought to silence in the middle of the sea."
"who its enemies have now silenced"
"When people brought your merchandise ashore"
"onto the land"
"you made the kings of the earth rich"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Tyre. The city of Tyre continues to be described as if it were a wrecked ship.
"when the seas, the deep waters, shattered you"
To "shatter" is to break up into pieces.
"all the people on the ship" or "all of your companions". See Ezekiel 27:27.
"were shocked and terrified by what happened to you"
"their kings bristled because they were afraid"
"were taken aback" or "were startled". natural physical reactions to messages that surprise and frighten
"They appear to be trembling"
Hissing was making a whistling sound through the teeth. It may have been out of dismay, grief, or surprise.
"you have become dreadful"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. The prophecy against Tyre concludes in this chapter. Tyre will be destroyed because of its pride and unfair business practices.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"You are arrogant"
falsely believing oneself to be important
"I will sit on the throne of the gods." Here sitting in the seat of the gods represents claiming to be in the same exalted position as if he were one of the gods.
"middle of the seas." See Ezekiel 27:4.
"you think that you have the mind of a god" or "you have allowed yourself to think that you are better than other people". A god thinks of himself as better than people.
Here the ruler of Tyre compares himself to Daniel the prophet in how wise he thought he was.
The words "you" and "your" refer to the ruler of Tyre. Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the ruler of Tyre.
"You have become wealthy by your own wisdom and skill"
"stored up gold and silver"
places to store valuable objects and keep them safe
"By being very wise and by your trading, you have become more and more wealthy, so your heart is arrogant because of how wealthy you are"
"you are arrogant"
The words "you" and "your" in these verses refer to the ruler of Tyre. Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the ruler of Tyre.
"the beautiful things that you have so wisely made"
"profane how splendid you are" or "defile how majestic you are"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the ruler of Tyre. The word "They" refers to foreign armies. The words "you" and "your" refer to the king of Tyre.
"down to the grave"
"in the middle of the seas"
"You will not say 'I am a god' to the face of one who kills you!"
"in the presence of" or "before"
"under the control of"
"by an army of foreigners"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"Yahweh gave a message to me a second time. He said". This introduces a special message from God. See Ezekiel 18:1.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful.
"sing"
"You were completely perfect"
"fully wise and perfectly beautiful"
"You wore every kind of precious stone"
These are all precious stones of different colors.
pieces of metal that hold the precious stones
"I prepared them on the day that I created you"
"made ready"
The word "you" refers to the king of Tyre. Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the king of Tyre.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 10:9.
"the stones of fire." Possible meanings are: the colorful and bright stones mentioned in Ezekiel 28:13 or other fiery stones on the "holy mountain of God"
"since the day that I created you until I found injustice within you"
"large volume of trade"
"you and your people became completely violent" or "you and your people were completely violent"
"guarding cherub"
"You were arrogant"
falsely believing oneself to be important
"Your heart was arrogant because you were beautiful; you became unwise because you were so splendid"
"in front of kings "
"so they may look at you"
"it will burn you up"
"burn you up to ashes" or "burn you up completely"
shake or tremble with fear
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 27:36.
"you have become a terror" or "those who see you will be terrified."
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"Turn toward Sidon and stare angrily" or "stare toward Sidon so that the people there will be harmed". Sidon was far away, so Ezekiel could not see it, but staring in that direction would be a symbol of harming the people there. See Ezekiel 6:2.
"prophesy about the bad things that will happen to". See Ezekiel 4:7.
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"I will reveal my glory among you"
"you will know ... within you ... in you". Here "they" and "her" refer to the people of Sidon.
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"when I judge her" or "when I punish her the way she deserves"
"I will show that I am holy when I punish her"
"in you ... in you ... midst of you ... against you ... then you". Here "her" and "they" refer to the people of Sidon.
This refers to the blood of the people of Sidon and represents those whom their enemies would kill.
"When enemy armies attack her"
"Then there will no longer be people anywhere around the house of Israel who wound them like briers, hurt them like thorns, and despise them"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
These words refer to the people of Israel.
"among whom I scattered them"
"in such a way as the nations will see it"
"the descendants of my servant Jacob"
"in the land"
"when I judge all" or "when I punish all"
"In the tenth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin". This chapter begins a prophecy against Egypt and its king, Pharaoh. Because Egypt did not fulfill its promise of protecting Judah, it will be conquered by Babylon.
"on the twelfth day of the tenth month." This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The twelfth day is near the beginning of January on Western calendars.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. Ezekiel 2:1.
"turn toward Pharaoh and stare" or "stare toward Pharaoh so that he and his people will be harmed". This is a command to stare at Pharaoh as a symbol of punishing him and his people. Pharaoh was far away, so Ezekiel could not see him, but staring in his direction would be a symbol of harming him and his people. See Ezekiel 6:2.
"tell the terrible things that will happen to him and everyone in Egypt"
"the huge creature that lives in the water." Yahweh calls Pharaoh a monster that lives in the water. The monster is probably a crocodile.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Pharaoh, speaking of him as a monster in the water and the people of Egypt were fish.
sharp and bent pieces of metal or wood that people use to catch fish and other animals in the water
hard pieces of skin that are on fish, crocodiles, and other animals
"never again gather together"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Pharaoh.
Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7."understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God"
"they have been as unreliable as a walking stick made of a reed". This refers to the inhabitants of Egypt. A walking stick made of a reed is unreliable because it is easily broken. Yahweh speaks of them as a reed stalk because the people of Israel relied on the Egyptians to help them in war, but the Egyptians did not help them.
a plant that grows near water and looks like very large grass
"When they relied on you"
This refers to the Israelites and the word "you" refers to Pharaoh or Pharaoh and Egypt.
"you caused them to be like people whose legs are unsteady". Because Egypt did not help the Israelites, the Israelites could not defend themselves against their enemy, the Babylonians.
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you". This adds emphasis to what is said next and is the Lord's message to Pharaoh.
"I will cause your enemies to come fight against you"
The word "you" refers to the nation of Egypt.
Here "cut off" is a metaphor for destroying. God would do this by causing the enemy army to do it.
The word "you" refers to Pharaoh. God speaks to Pharaoh as if Pharaoh were a monster in the river.
"I will cause Egypt to become a desolate waste"
"your country will become a wasteland". This refers to Pharaoh and represents Egypt, the country he rules over.
"throughout all of Egypt, from Migdol in the north to Syene in the south and the borders of Cush further south"
This is the name of a place in the far northern part of Egypt.
This the name of a town in southern Egypt. It is now called Aswan.
These borders of Cush were south of Syene. Some versions say Sudan or Ethiopia, the modern names of countries south of Egypt.
"No man will walk through the land of Egypt"
"not even a wild animal will walk through it"
"For I will make the land of Egypt desolate"
"I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations" or "I will make the people of Egypt go and live among the nations"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Pharaoh.
"I will cause the people of Egypt to return to Egypt"
"among whom I scattered them"
"free the Egyptians from their captivity" or "free the people of Egyptians from those who had captured them". Translate "will reverse the captivity" as in Ezekiel 16:53.
the southern part of Egypt between the Delta and the land of Cush. This is also called Upper Egypt.
"an unimportant kingdom"
"the least important of the kingdoms"
"it will not become important again among the nations"
"I will make them small." Here "diminish them" represents making Egypt weak or unimportant.
"The house of Israel will no longer trust in Egypt" or "The house of Israel will no longer rely on Egypt"
"The people of Egypt" or "The Egyptians"
"the people of Israel" or "the nation of Israel"
"when Israel sees what I do to Egypt, Israel will remember how Israel sinned"
"whenever they asked Egypt to help them"
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
"in the twenty-seventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin". This was after King Jehoiachin and the people of Judah were taken as exiles to Babylon.
"on the first day of the first month." This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the beginning of April.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"to work hard at attacking Tyre"
This refers to the heads and shoulders of the Babylonian soldiers.
Either their helmets or the heavy things they carried on their heads rubbed the hair off their heads.
"every shoulder was rubbed raw" or "every shoulder was rubbed bare". Either their armor or the heavy things they carried on their shoulders rubbed the skin off their shoulders.
"he and his army did not get any valuable things from Tyre as reward".
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you". "Listen!" This adds emphasis to what is said next.
"I will cause the army of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, to defeat Egypt"
"his army will receive those things as if they were payment"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"I will make the people of Israel strong"
"speak to them"
Ezekiel tells about a message that Yahweh gave him. The prophecy against Egypt and its king continues. Babylon will destroy all the towns of Egypt and their allies will not be able to help them.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
cry out with grief
"Oh that day" or "Oh, what a frightening day is coming"
"That day is soon" or "It will soon be that day"
"It will soon be the day when Yahweh will punish you"
"It will be frightening like a day with dark clouds"
"a time when terrible things will happen to the nations"
"There will be war against Egypt" or "An enemy army will attack Egypt". These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
"the people of Cush will be very sad" or "the people of Cush will suffer"
"when the attackers take away the wealth of Egypt"
"when the attackers destroy the foundations of the buildings in Egypt"
"The people of Cush and Put, Libya, and all Arabia, and Lydia"
Libya is a country west of Egypt.
This probably refers to the kingdom of Lydia which was in what is now Turkey.
"will all die in battle" or "will all die in the war"
This means that many people will die.
"This is what Yahweh says." This introduces what the Lord would say.
"In this way, the peoples" or "In this manner, the nations"
"who help Egypt"
"will die" or "come to ruin"
"Egypt will no longer be proud about being strong" or "Egypt will no longer have the strength that they were so proud of"
"In all of Egypt" or "From the northern border of Egypt to the southern border of Egypt". Ezekiel names towns on the borders of Egypt in order to refer to all of Egypt.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"The soldiers of the allies of Egypt will be appalled when they are left surrounded by nothing but abandoned lands"
"among" or "surrounded by"
"their cities will be ruined like the cities of other countries"
"Then people" or "Then the Egyptians". These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
"they will understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"when I send an army to burn Egypt with fire"
"I destroy all of the allies of Egypt" or "when armies destroy all of those who help Egypt"
Messengers will bring the news of Egypt's destruction to Cush, who will be frightened by the news.
"in order to frighten Cush, who now feels safe from danger"
"the people of Cush will also suffer when I punish Egypt"
"indeed!" This adds emphasis to what follows.
"It" refers to the "great pain" or "great sorrow" that Cush will have when they are punished along with Egypt.
This refers to what follows. See Ezekiel 5:5.
"I will make it so that Egypt will no longer have many people."
This represents Nebuchadnezzar's military power and he will be the one who brings this punishment about.
"I will bring Nebuchadnezzar and his army ... to destroy the land"
"I will cause him and his army ... to go destroy the land of Egypt"
"He and his army with him, the one who terrifies many nations"
"they will use their swords and fight against Egypt"
"kill so many people that it will seem like dead bodies are everywhere"
"I will dry up the rivers of Egypt". These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
"I will give control of the land to wicked men"
"everything in the land"
This refers to what follows. See Ezekiel 5:5.
"I will destroy the worthless idols"
Memphis was a very important city in Egypt. It was near modern-day Cairo.
"an important ruler in the land of Egypt"
"I will make the people of Egypt very afraid"
This was a region in southern Egypt.
"I will burn Zoan with fire"
Zoan was another important city in Egypt.
"I will punish Thebes"
This was the capital city of southern Egypt.
"For I will act in great anger against Pelusium" or "Because I am so angry, I will punish Pelusium severely"
Pelusium is the name of a fortress in northern Egypt.
"kill the very large number of people in Thebes"
This was the capital city of southern Egypt. See Ezekiel 3:14.
"I will start a fire in Egypt"
"The people of Pelusium will suffer terribly" or "The people of Pelusium will feel terrible pain"
"enemies will break up the walls and buildings in Thebes" or "enemies will destroy Thebes"
"The people of Memphis will have enemies every day" or "Enemies will fight against the people of Memphis every day"
These were cities in northern Egypt.
"will die in battle" or "will die in the war"
"the people of their cities will become captives" or "their enemies will capture their people and take them away"
This was an important city in northern Egypt.
"the day will be dark"
"when I stop Egypt from oppressing people" or "when I end Egypt's power to cruelly control other nations"
"Egypt will no longer be proud about being strong" or "Egypt will no longer have the strength that they were so proud of"
"It will be as if there is a cloud over Egypt" or "A cloud of dust will be over Egypt"
Possible meanings are: the people of the Egyptian towns or the daughters of the Egyptian people.
"I will punish Egypt in many ways"
"so the Egyptians"
God speaks as if he were to break Pharaoh's arm, and of the army not being able to become strong again as if Pharaoh's arm could not be healed.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
This is the eleventh year after King Jehoiachin was taken into exile in Babylon. See Ezekiel 26:1.
"in the seventh day of the first month." This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The seventh day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. "Yahweh spoke this message"
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
Here "arm" represents the powerful army of a king.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
"No one has wrapped up his arm for healing or set it"
This refers to the arm being bound tightly to a straight piece of wood so that the parts of the bone will stay together and heal.
God continues speaking of Pharaoh's army as if it were a broken arm. He also speaks of strengthening the army of Babylon as if it were the arms of the king of Babylon.
See Ezekiel 3:11.
"both the arm that is healthy and the arm that is already broken"
"I will knock the sword out of Pharaoh's hand"
See how you translated similar phrases in Ezekiel 12:15.
"among the places in which people live"
"I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong"
"When the king of Babylon comes to attack Egypt, Pharaoh will groan."
A groan is a noise that people make when they have a lot of pain or are dying.
"as a man who is dying groans" or "like a man who is dying"
God continues speaking of the armies of Egypt and Babylon as if the armies were the arms of their kings. He also speaks of making the army of Babylon strong to attack others as if he had a sword and put it in the Babylonian king's hand.
"I will make the army of the king of Babylon strong"
"but Pharaoh's army will be unable to defeat enemies"
"the Egyptians" or "all people who hear what Yahweh has done."
"and the king of Babylon will attack the land of Egypt with my sword"
See how you translated similar phrases in Ezekiel 12:15.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. The prophecy against Egypt and its king continues. God told Egypt to remember what happened to Assyria when it became proud. The same things will now happen to Egypt.
"in the eleventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin". The eleventh year after King Jehoiachin was taken into exile in Babylon. See Ezekiel 26:1.
"on the first day of the third month." This is the third month of the Hebrew calendar. This first day is near the beginning of June on Western calendars.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"You think that there is no country whose power is as great as the power of your country."
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you". These are God's words to Pharaoh about Assyria. God gives his message in the form of a parable about a great cedar tree.
In this parable, God speaks about Assyria as if it were a great tree to emphasize how great and powerful the Assyrians were. This parable continues until 31:9. "Assyria was like a cedar".
"its top was above the branches of the other trees" or "the top of the tree was in the clouds"
"Because the cedar had a lot of water, it grew very tall"
"the water deep in the ground made the cedar grow very big"
"and streams flowed from the rivers to all the trees of the field"
"The cedar was taller than any of the other trees of the field"
"it grew very many branches"
"because it had a lot of water"
"All kinds of birds that fly in the sky made nests in its branches"
"and all of the creatures that live in the field gave birth under the cedar's branches"
"The people from all the nations lived in the shade of that tree"
"It was beautiful because it was very big and its branches were very long"
"The cedar trees in my garden were not as great as that tree"
"the garden of Eden"
"None of the cypress trees had as many branches as the cedar"
Cypress trees have very many branches. They can grow very tall. See how you translated "cypress" in Ezekiel 27:5.
"no plane tree had branches as long as the branches of the cedar tree"
A plane tree was a large, leafy tree with strong branches, similar to a sycamore tree.
"was as beautiful as the cedar tree"
"I made the cedar beautiful by giving it many long branches"
"were jealous of the cedar tree". This parable ends in this verse.
"Therefore, this is what I, Yahweh the Lord, say"
"I gave the strongest nation power over it"
"I sent the cedar away from the cedar's land because the cedar was wicked"
"who made the people of all the nations afraid"
"cut the cedar down"
"the foreigners broke the boughs of the cedar"
Boughs are very large branches that grow on trees. Usually, many smaller branches grow on the boughs.
"left the shade of the cedar"
"All the birds that fly in the sky"
"rested on the remains of the cedar"
"the wild animals lived in the branches of the cedar"
"that no other trees that get a lot of water"
"that no other trees that get a lot of water will ever grow that tall again"
"For I made it so that they all will die and go deep under the ground"
"to be with those people who have died and gone down to the grave"
This refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See Ezekiel 26:20.
Yahweh speaks about the great sadness caused by the tree being cut down as if even the waters, Lebanon, and the wild trees all mourned for the cedar.
"On the day that the cedar died" or "On the day that the cedar was chopped down"
"I caused the earth to mourn"
"I made the water from the springs mourn for the cedar"
"I kept the water in the ocean from watering the earth"
"I made it so that there would not be a lot of water anymore"
"I made Lebanon mourn for the cedar"
"when I killed the cedar and it went to Sheol with everyone else that is dead". See Ezekiel 31:14.
"that had already died and are now in Sheol"
"the best trees of Lebanon that everyone would want; trees that got a lot of water". This describes the trees of Eden that were in the lowest parts of the earth.
This is something that everyone would want because it is very good.
"those trees of Lebanon also died and went down to Sheol with the cedar"
"whom enemies had killed with swords" or "who had died in battle"
"These trees of Lebanon were the power of the cedar"
"None of the trees in Eden was your equal in glory and greatness!"
"For I will bring you down"
"like the other trees of Eden"
"to a place deep in the ground"
"where you will be with people who are not circumcised"
"you will die and join those who were killed by the sword"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
This marks the beginning of a new part of the story. The prophecy against Egypt and its king concludes in this chapter. Egypt will have its army destroyed, just as happened to so many other nations. Beginning in verse 1, the land of Egypt is addressed through Pharaoh, its king, so God refers to Egypt as "he" and "him." However, beginning in verse 12, Egypt is referred to as "she" and "her," as if she were a woman. It was common in Hebrew for lands and countries to be referred to as if they were women.
This is the twelfth and final month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the end of February.
"of the twelfth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"sing"
Possible meanings are: he thought he was like a lion, but he was really only a monster, or he was like a lion and a monster.
Egypt was stronger than other nations, like lions are stronger than other animals.
Pharaoh was powerful, but he only caused trouble for others, like this monster in the water. A monster is an animal that is big and dangerous. This one might be a crocodile. See Ezekiel 29:3.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:5.
"So I will gather many peoples and throw my net over you"
"I will leave you helpless on the land." The monster that was fearsome and powerful when it was in the water cannot do anything when it is left on dry land.
"all the birds that fly in the sky"
"I will let all the animals of the earth eat your body until they are hungry no longer"
"your rotting body"
"I will fill the streams with your blood"
"When I destroy you". Yahweh continues telling Pharaoh what he will do to Egypt.
"I will make everything in the sky go dark"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"I will make the hearts of many peoples afraid" or "I will cause many people to be terrified"
The way Yahweh destroys Egypt will make afraid even people in lands that Pharaoh never knew about.
"when nations hear about the way I destroyed you"
"when I use my sword"
"Every one of them will keep shaking because of their fear"
"when I destroy you"
"The army of the king of Babylon will attack you"
"Each warrior terrifies the nations"
"will cause the Egyptians to no longer be proud"
"kill a very large number of people who live in Egypt"
"in the places where there is a lot of water"
"people will no longer stir the waters up with their feet"
make clear water muddy
"cattle stir them with their hooves"
"I will make the water calm" or "I will make the water clear"
"When I make the land of Egypt a place where no one is living"
"when the country is made to lose all its wealth"
"when I destroy all who live in her"
"in it". It was normal in biblical language to represent countries and lands as if they were women.
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"over it"
"the women of other nations" or "people of other nations"
"about Egypt, about all her multitudes" or "about the disaster that happened to Egypt, about the disaster that happened to all her multitudes"
This marks the beginning of a new message.
Possible meanings are: this happened in the twelfth year after the Babylonians took the Israelites to Babylon or this happened in the twelfth year after the Babylonians took Jehoiachin to Babylon.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
God is perhaps telling Ezekiel to cause this to happen by giving a prophetic command.
"the people of powerful nations" or "other powerful nations"
"make them die"
"with everyone else who has died and gone into the ground"
"The pit" refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See Ezekiel 31:16.
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel. He speaks of the people of Egypt as if they were a woman.
"Go down and lie down with the uncircumcised. Ask them all: 'Are you really more beautiful than anyone else?'"
"Go down to Sheol"
as in death
"You are not more beautiful than anyone else."
"Egypt and her people will fall"
"whom enemy soldiers killed with swords" or "who died in battle"
"War has begun"
"I have given Egypt to the sword"
"her enemies will seize Egypt and her people"
"about the Egyptians and those who join them"
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about nations in Sheol. Because what God is showing Ezekiel may be for future time, either the present tense or the future tense is suitable for these and following verses.
"The people of Assyria and all its army are there in Sheol"
"all her people together"
"Soldiers used swords to kill them all"
"The pit" refers to the grave; which was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead and also represents that world. See Ezekiel 32:18.
"all those whom enemies killed in battle"
"died"
"those who, when they were still alive, caused people to be extremely afraid"
This represents the people who were alive.
"The people of Elam are also there in Sheol"
Possible meanings are: her many people or her army.
"enemies killed all the people of Elam"
"in battle"
"who were uncircumcised when they went down"
"to places deep down in the ground" or "to the land deep down in the ground." See Ezekiel 26:20.
"who feel ashamed" or "who are now disgraced"
"they have prepared a place for her"
The Israelites did not respect people who were not circumcised.
"their enemies have killed them with swords because"
"they had caused those who are in the land of the living to be extremely afraid"
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about nations in Sheol.
See how you translated these names in Ezekiel 27:13.
"killed in battle"
"they terrified everyone in the land of the living"
The warriors' iniquities cover their bodies, although one would expect that their shields would cover them in death.
"while they were still alive, they made other warriors very afraid"
"while they were alive"
"I will destroy you"
"in the middle of"
"those whose enemies have killed them"
"in battle"
"the people of Edom are in Sheol with their kings and all their leaders"
"The princes who ruled nations in the north"
"are in Sheol"
"went down to Sheol"
"now they lie dead there in shame"
"in battle"
"Pharaoh will see all the dead people from other nations"
"will comfort himself that he was not the only king whose entire army died"
"While Pharaoh was still alive, I made him to terrify people"
"Others will lay him in the midst of the uncircumcised"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"an army to attack the people of any land"
"appoint him as a guard" or "make him guard"
"He looks for an enemy army"
"ignore the warning"
"it is their own fault if they die"
"it will be his own fault that he dies". Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the Israelites.
"will keep himself from dying"
"the enemy army as it is coming"
"and he does not warn the people"
"the enemy army comes and kills anyone"
"that person dies because of his own iniquity"
"I will consider that person's death to be the fault of the watchman"
"the people of Israel"
"you will hear the message that I speak and you will warn them on my behalf"
"give them the warning from me"
"do not say this"
"the way he acts" or "the things he does." See Ezekiel 7:3.
"I will consider you responsible for his death"
"he might stop doing bad things, and if he does not stop doing bad things"
"will have kept yourself alive"
"This is what you have said"
Possible meanings are: they feel guilty for their transgressions and sins or they realize that Yahweh is punishing them for their transgressions and sins.
"they are destroying us" or "they are killing us"
"because of them"
"We have no hope of living." or "We will certainly die"
"It does not make me happy when wicked people die". God does not want sinners to die but to repent and live.
"if the wicked person stops doing bad things"
"Do not choose to die, house of Israel!"
"If righteous people start to sin, the fact that they did what was right before will not stop me from punishing them"
"A person who does what is wicked will not perish"
"if he depends on the right things he has done"
"does what is evil" or "does wicked things"
"I will not think about" or "I will not recall"
"because of the wicked things he has done"
"to the wicked person"
"if he gives back the loan guarantee"
something a person leaves with another person to show that he will keep his promise to pay back what he has borrowed
"returns what he has stolen" or "pays back the value of what he stole"
"lives according to the laws that give life"
"will I think about" or "will I recall"
These are the people of Israel. The word "your" refers to Ezekiel.
"What the Lord does ... the things you do that are not fair"
"but it is their ways"
"stops doing what is right"
"die because of his sins"
"stops doing wicked things"
"because he does what is just and righteous"
These are the people of Israel.
"people of Israel"
This marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
"year 12 ... day 5 ... month 10"
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifth day is near the beginning of January on Western calendars.
"after we became captives" or "after the Babylonians took us as captives to Babylon". This refers to Ezekiel and the Israelites who have been in Babylon since the time the Babylonians forced King Jehoiachin to leave Jerusalem, but not to the reader.
"someone escaped from Jerusalem and came to me" The Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and killed the people of Jerusalem, but a few people escaped.
"The Babylonians have destroyed Jerusalem"
"Yahweh was controlling me". See Ezekiel 1:3.
"Yahweh enabled me to speak". See how you translated "I will open your mouth" in Ezekiel 3:27.
The time early in the morning when the light of the sun first appears.
"I was no longer forced to be silent" or "I was no longer unable to speak". Ezekiel had been unable to speak anything except prophetic words since Ezekiel 3:26.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"those ruined buildings" or "those ruined cities"
"Yahweh gave him the land"
"the land of Israel"
"Yahweh has given us the land"
"so that we can possess it"
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about the people who were living in the ruins of Israel.
"You eat meat with blood in it". Yahweh had commanded them to drain out the blood.
"you worship your idols"
"you murder people"
"You should not possess this land!" or "You do not deserve this land!"
"You have committed violent acts with your swords to get what you want"
"done things that I hate very much"
"each man sleeps with his neighbor's wife"
"I solemnly swear". Yahweh uses this expression to show that what he says next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"enemies will kill the ones living in the ruins"
"plagues will kill the people who live in fortresses and caves"
A fortress is a building that people build to protect themselves from enemies who attack them.
Caves are natural holes in the side of a mountain or down in the ground. They are usually made of rock.
"the people of the land will not be proud anymore that they are strong"
"no one will live in the mountains of Israel"
"there will be no one left to travel through the land or over the mountains"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"all the things they have done that I hate"
"the people have done"
"that Yahweh tells him to speak" or "that Yahweh gives him". Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel.
"They speak about loving me, but their hearts are going after unjust profit" or "They speak about the things they lust after, and their hearts are going after unjust profit"
"in their hearts they want to get their unjust profit"
"they think that your words are like a lovely song". The people enjoy listening to Ezekiel, but they do not think his message is important enough to obey.
"a beautiful song" or "a love song"
"that someone plays very well on a stringed instrument"
something that has strings and people use to make music
"indeed!"
"that I really sent you as a prophet to them"
In chapter 34, Yahweh speaks of the people of Israel as if they were a flock of sheep and the leaders of Israel were the shepherds that were supposed to care for the flock but have not.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"the leaders of Israel who are like shepherds"
"are feeding and taking care of themselves"
"Shepherds should feed the flock and take care of it."
"You are like shepherds who eat the fatty portions ... clothe yourselves in wool". This continues speaking of the leaders of Israel as if they were bad shepherds that kill the best animals in their flock for food and clothing. God is against those who exploit others. He will protect and take care of his people.
"You eat the fatty parts of the sheep and goats" or "You eat the best parts of the sheep and goats"
"wear the wool from the sheep"
"the youngest and fattest sheep and goats"
"do not feed and take care of the flock"
"You do not wrap cloth around the broken bones of those who are wounded"
"the sheep that have broken bones" or "the sheep that are injured"
"you do not bring back"
"the sheep that have been chased away" or "those that others have chased away"
"the sheep or goats that are lost"
"forcefully and cruelly"
"Then they scattered because they did not have a shepherd"
"all of the wild animals could attack and eat them"
"my flock is spread out all over the earth"
"listen to Yahweh's message". This introduces a special message from God.
"because all the beasts in the fields steal my flock and eat them"
things that are stolen
"all the wild animals in the fields". This refers to all the wild animals that eat sheep.
"because they did not have a shepherd"
"none of my shepherds tried to find my flock"
"shepherded themselves" or "fed and cared for themselves"
"did not feed and care for my flock"
"listen to Yahweh's message"
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this"
"Indeed!"
"I am opposed to the shepherds"
"I will punish them for all the bad things they let happen to my flock"
"I will not let them shepherd the flock any longer" or "I will not let them be the shepherds of the flock any longer"
"feed and take care of themselves"
"so they cannot eat them"
"the shepherds will no longer eat the sheep and the goats of my flock"
Yahweh speaks of himself as if he were their shepherd and will take care of them.
"For this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, say"
This alerts the shepherds to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"will look for"
"with his scattered flock"
"they scattered because they did not have a shepherd to care for them"
"on the cloudy and dark day" or "when terrible disasters happened to them"
"bring my sheep and my goats" or "bring my flock"
"from the places where they lived with other peoples"
Yahweh speaks as if he were their shepherd, putting his flock in a place where there is plenty of land, food, and water.
land that has grass and small plants that sheep and goats can eat
This is a place where people live, usually living in houses.
"places where they can eat"
"lands that have a lot of grass and plants to eat"
eat grass and other plants
The word "myself" adds emphasis. God would do this because the shepherds were not doing it.
"will feed and take care of"
"the sheep or goats that are lost"
"bring back those that others have chased away"
"wrap a cloth around any sheep's broken bone" or "wrap a cloth around any sheep's wound"
"the fat sheep and the strong sheep"
Yahweh continues to give Ezekiel his message. Now it is to the people of Israel.
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important, I"
"I will judge between one sheep and another"
The male sheep and goats are usually the strongest in the flock and can get whatever they want from the other animals in the flock.
God uses these questions to scold Israel's leaders, who are spoken of as if they were the stronger animals in the flock that were unkind to the weaker ones.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, say"
"to my flock"
"Indeed!"
The word "myself" emphasizes that it is Yahweh who will judge.
"will make sure that the fat sheep and goats and the skinny sheep and goats are treating each other fairly"
The leaders and strong people in Israel are spoken of as if they were fat and strong animals in the flock. The poor and weak people in Israel are spoken of as if they were the thin and weak animals in the flock.
The word "you" refers to the sheep and goats that were not treating other sheep and goats well.
"with the sides of your body"
"have stabbed" or "have pierced"
"made them go in many different directions"
"away from the land of Israel"
"I will not allow anyone to steal them"
"will no longer be things that are stolen." The shepherds and wild animals have been stealing the sheep and the goats from Yahweh's flock.
"I will assign one shepherd to be in charge of my sheep and the goats"
"a descendant of my servant David"
The descendant of David who will be king over the people of Israel is spoken of as if he would be their shepherd.
"a covenant that brings peace"
These are wild animals that could kill the sheep and the goats.
"I will also turn them and the places around my hill into a blessing."
This refers to Mount Zion.
"I will cause it to rain"
"at the right time"
"This rain will be a blessing"
"the earth will grow food" or "food will grow on the earth"
"will be safe"
"when I free them from being slaves"
"from the control of those who made them slaves" or "from those who made them slaves"
"The people of the nations will no longer steal from them"
These are things that are stolen or taken by force. See Ezekiel 7:21.
"be starved" or "be starving because of lack of food"
"they will no longer hear the people of the nations insult them"
"I, Yahweh their God, am helping them"
"with them, and that they are my people"
This speaks of the people of Israel as if they were a flock of sheep and Yahweh is their shepherd.
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak a prophecy. He is to speak to Mount Seir, but the message is for all of the people of Edom. Because the people of Edom rejoiced at the destruction of Israel, they too will be destroyed.
This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. "Yahweh spoke this message"
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"stare toward Mount Seir so that the people there will be harmed". Mount Seir was far away, so Ezekiel could not see it, but Yahweh commands him to stare in that direction as a symbol of harming the people there. See Ezekiel 6:2.
"Mount Seir and prophesy against it because of what the people of Edom have done"
"to the mountain" or "to the people of Edom"
"Listen, Mount Seir, I will strike you with my hand and make you a desolation and a waste because of what your people did"
"Listen!" or "Indeed!"
"I am your enemy" or "I oppose you"
"I will use my power to strike you"
"make you desolate"
This continues the message that Ezekiel is to speak to Mount Seir. The message is for all the people of Edom.
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"you gave them over to their enemies who killed them with swords" or "you killed them with swords"
"at a time of disaster"
"I will make it easy for your enemies to kill many of you"
"your enemies will chase you down and kill you you"
"Since you did not hate it when enemies brutally killed the people of Israel"
This continues the message that Ezekiel is to speak to Mount Seir. The message is for all the people of Edom.
"I will destroy anyone who enters it or leaves it" or "I will make it so that people do not travel back and forth through it"
"desolate forever." This may be an exaggeration to emphasize the destruction.
"People will not live in your cities"
Here "you" is plural. God is speaking to the people of Mount Seir, rather than to a single mountain.
"Your people said". The word "You" refers to the mountain of Seir. Ezekiel is to speak to the mountain as if it can hear him. The message is for the people of Edom.
"the lands of Israel and Judah"
"will become ours".
The word "we" refers to the people of Edom.
"but Yahweh was there protecting Israel and Judah"
"I will punish you because of your anger and jealousy" or "just as you acted against the people of Israel with anger and jealousy, I will act against you with anger and jealousy."
Here "mountains" represents the whole land of Israel.
"They are in ruins"
"they are here for us to devour". The people of Mount Seir are spoken of as if they were wild animals that would devour the mountains of Israel.
"This is what I, the Lord Yahweh, say"
"Because of what your people did I will make you desolate"
"people who know that I have destroyed you rejoice". The word "entire" refers only to people near Mount Seir.
"As you rejoiced when I made the land of the Israelites desolate"
"I will make your land desolate" or "I will rejoice when your land is desolate" or "I will make other people rejoice because of your desolation."
"the people of the earth" or "the people of Israel and Judah."
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak to the mountains of Israel, but the message is for all of the people of Israel.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"I am very happy" or "This is great"
"The very old mountains." This refers to the high mountains of Israel.
"now belong to us"
"Because you, mountains of Israel, have become desolate"
"because you were attacked from every direction" or "because your enemies attacked you from every direction"
"people are saying bad things about you, and the nations are telling bad stories about you"
It may be helpful to use a verse bridge to arrange the text in a more logical order.
"listen to the message of the Lord Yahweh"
"the desolate cities which have no people living in them"
"the cities that people have left behind"
"that enemies have stolen from"
"because of my intense jealousy" or "because of my very strong anger". Yahweh loves Israel very much, so he becomes jealous and angry when other nations mock it.
"and against all of Edom"
"who despised the people of Israel and rejoiced while they took my land"
"Indeed!"
"Because I am extremely angry"
"other nations have insulted you" or "other nations have mocked you"
"I solemnly swear"
"that people will certainly mock the nations that surround you"
The word "you" refers to the mountains of Israel.
This continues Yahweh's message to the mountains of Israel and is intended for the people of Israel. Israel is promised to be restored by Yahweh. Because of his honor, God will bring Israel back to their land.
"your trees will grow branches and bear fruit"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I"
"I want to do good things to you" This refers to the mountains of Israel.
"I will be kind to you"
"my people, Israel, will plow your ground and sow it with seed"
"So, mountains of Israel, I will multiply upon you"
"all of the people of Israel"
"Then people will live in the cities and will rebuild the ruins"
"they will become very many people and have very many children"
"people to live on you mountains as they did before"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"They will possess you permanently"
It is implied that children died because there was not enough food in the land. Now the land would produce enough food.
"other nations are saying to you mountains"
"You cause many people to die". This speaks as if the mountains of Israel were devouring the people.
"you cause your people's children to die"
"you will no longer cause the people to die"
"This is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"I will no longer allow the other nations to insult you"
"the peoples will no longer cause you to feel ashamed"
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"the people of Israel"
"by the way they lived and the things they did"
"Their ways were as disgusting to me as the unclean menstruation of a woman". This emphasizes how disgusting the people's behavior was to Yahweh.
"I did things to them that showed how angry I was"
"because they made the blood of many people spill onto the land" or "because they murdered many people"
"because they defiled the land with their idols"
"I caused them to separate and live in separate lands"
"I dispersed them through the lands"
"the things that they have done"
"they mocked me"
"because other people said"
"I cannot believe these are really the people of Yahweh!"
"For Yahweh has forced them out of his land"
This refers to the land of Israel.
"When the house of Israel went among the nations, they caused me disgrace, but I wanted people to know that I am holy"
"I cared about my holy name"
"the people of Israel"
"because of you" or "in order to help you"
"but so that the people of the nations, who mock me because of you, will know that I am holy"
"you have caused the people of the nations to mock everywhere you have gone"
"I will forgive you and cause you not to sin as if I were sprinkling pure water on you so you will be clean; I will purify you from all of your uncleanness, and I will purify you from all of your idols"
"all the things that made you unclean"
Yahweh causing the people to no longer be stubborn but to love and serve Yahweh is spoken of as if he will take away their old heart and give them a new heart and spirit. God will forgive Israel's sin and give them the desire to obey him. This is expressed by the word "heart."
Here "heart" and "spirit" represent a person's thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. See Ezekiel 11:19.
"within you" or "inside of you"
"the heart that is as hard as stone". See Ezekiel 11:19.
"your body"
"a heart that is soft like flesh". See Ezekiel 11:19.
"enable you to obey my statutes". See Ezekiel 11:20.
"For I will save you from everything that made me reject you"
"I will cause there to be grain in the land of Israel"
"I will no longer cause there to be a famine"
"the nations will no longer make you feel ashamed because you suffer from famine"
"know this" or "you can be sure of this." Yahweh emphasizes that it is not because the people are good that he will restore them. This phrase can be moved to the beginning of the verse.
"So be very ashamed"
"because of what you do"
"people of Israel"
"you will farm the ruined land"
"to those who pass by and see it"
The word "they" refers to the people who walk through the land of Israel.
"the ruins that no one lived in"
"that enemies had torn down" or "that people could not get into"
"the people have now rebuilt them and have started living there again"
"and that I built up the cities that enemies had torn down"
"planted crops in the desolate land"
"The people of Israel will ask me"
"to make them multiply like a flock of sheep" or "to make the people multiply quickly like sheep"
"Like the great number of sheep that the people set apart for sacrifices or bring to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts"
"so will the great number of people be who will be living in the cities that are now ruined but the people will rebuild"
"Yahweh was controlling me". Ezekiel is speaking. See Ezekiel 1:3.
"in the middle"
"in every direction"
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"Listen to Yahweh's message"
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
"I will cause you to breathe". The people are discouraged and compare themselves to skeletons, but God will cause them to become a nation again.
The Hebrew word translated as "breath" is translated as "spirit" by a few modern versions. See Ezekiel 37:9.
the tissue that connects muscles to bones
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"as Yahweh had commanded me to speak"
This shows that Ezekiel was surprised by what he saw.
"But they were not breathing" or "But they were not alive"
"breath" or "spirit" or "wind."
"from every direction"
"these people that enemies and disasters have killed"
"as Yahweh had commanded me"
This refers to the family that lives in the house, in this case the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob over many years. See Ezekiel 3:1.
"Indeed!"
"Our nation is destroyed"
Yahweh speaks as if he will bring them back to life again.
"to live peacefully in your own land"
"this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.
"Representing Judah" or "Belonging to Judah". God will unite the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the Messiah will rule over them. This will come in a prophesied day of restoration.
The tribe of Judah lived in the southern kingdom of Israel which was called Judah. Here the name is used to refer to the whole southern kingdom.
"all the tribes of Judah" or "the tribes of Israel who are part of the kingdom of Judah"
Joseph was Ephraim's father. The tribe of Ephraim lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. Here the names are used to represent the whole northern kingdom.
"all the tribes of Israel" or "the Israelites who were part of the kingdom of Israel"
"so that they become one stick"
"what your sticks mean" or "why you have these sticks"
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"the stick of Joseph." This represents the kingdom of Israel.
"that is in the power of Ephraim" or "that the tribe of Ephraim rules over"
"the other tribes of Israel who are his companions" or "the other tribes of Israel who are part of that kingdom"
"the stick of Judah." This represents the kingdom of Judah.
"while they watched you"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 11:20.
"A descendant of my servant David". See Ezekiel 34:23.
This speaks of a king ruling a people as if he were a shepherd leading sheep. See Ezekiel 34:23.
"over the people of Israel"
"will live as I have commanded"
"had lived"
Yahweh is speaking about the people of Israel.
"I will set up" or "I will create"
"a covenant that brings peace." See Ezekiel 34:25.
"I will set them in the land of Israel" or "I will cause them to live securely in the land of Israel"
"cause their people to increase in number"
"my holy sanctuary" or "my holy temple"
"among them"
"The place where I live"
See how you translated a similar phrase in Ezekiel 11:20.
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16. This chapter begins a section prophesying against Gog. Later Gog will try to conquer Israel.
"Stare at the land of Magog and at Gog, the chief prince ... Tubal" or "Stare at Gog, the chief prince ... Tubal, and at the land of Magog so that they will be harmed". This is a command to stare at Gog and Magog as a symbol of punishing the people there. See Ezekiel 4:3.
"stare"
"Gog who rules over the land of Magog"
The name of a leader or king who ruled in the land of Magog.
The name of an ancient nation that was probably located in the land that is now Turkey. Magog might be the ancient nation of Lydia.
"who is the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal". Some modern versions interpret the Hebrew expression as "the chief of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." This is another title for Gog.
See how you translated these names in Ezekiel 32:26.
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"I am your enemy"
These verses list the various nations who will join Gog's army. Yahweh continues speaking to Gog.
This represents God's control over Gog. People used hooks so that they could lead the animals wherever they wanted.
These phrases describe an army that is ready for battle.
This phrase describes an army that is ready for battle.
a nation that lived north of the Black Sea
See Ezekiel 27:14.
"all of your troops that you have gathered to yourself"
"I will call you to come for war"
"recovered from war"
"that I have gathered together"
"from many nations"
"destroyed for a long time"
"I will bring the Israelites out"
This means Gog will bring destruction like a large storm does.
This means the army will be so large that it will cover the entire land.
"at that time"
"you will plan to do something very evil"
"you will think of plans"
"My army and I will"
The following phrases explain that this refers to a land without walls or bars or gates.
"take away all their valuable possessions"
Here "hand" refers to Gog's military power.
"against the people who live in the ruins"
"in the middle of the most important countries in the world"
Yahweh continues speaking to Gog.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 27:22.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 25:13.
These two questions are used to accuse Gog of attacking Israel without cause. These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: "It is not right for you to assemble your army to plunder, to carry off silver and gold, to take their livestock and property, and to haul away much plunder!"
These phrases have similar meaning and can be combined into a single phrase. Alternate translation: "to take away their livestock and all their valuable possessions"
Yahweh tells Ezekiel what he is to say to Gog.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"On that day, when my people Israel are living securely, you will hear about them"
"In the last days" or "At the end of time". This refers to the distant future before the world ends.
All the nations will understand that Yahweh is holy when they see what he does to Gog.
"might know who I am"
"You are the one ... bring you against them". Yahweh emphasizes that he brought Gog to the land of Israel.
"that I spoke about"
"in the past" or "a long time ago"
"by means of my servants" or "through my servants"
"against the people of Israel"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"my anger will greatly increase" or "I will be very angry with you"
This refers to Yahweh's desire to defend his honor against Gog's attacks.
"because my anger was intense"
"Yahweh will make mountains fall down"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message about Gog. He speaks of the people of Gog as if they were one man.
"I will cause soldiers to attack him"
"all of his soldiers will fight each other"
"his fellow soldier"
"I will judge him by causing him to be sick and by sending soldiers to kill him"
"I will rain down overflowing rain and hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur upon him and his troops—and on the many nations with him"
ice that falls out of the sky
"show that I am great and holy"
"I will cause many nations to understand who I am"
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
Yahweh gives Ezekiel his message to Gog and this chapter concludes the prophecy. God will destroy Gog and his army.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"I am your enemy"
"who is the prince of Meshech and Tubal". Some modern versions interpret the Hebrew expression as "prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." This is another title for Gog. See Ezekiel 38:2.
God speaks of leading Gog as if Gog was an animal.
God speaks of bringing Gog "up" to Israel because it was located in the mountains.
Knocking Gog's bow and arrows out of his hands is spoken of as if God is destroying Gog's military power.
"all your soldiers"
The scavengers eating the corpses is spoken of as if Yahweh was giving food to them.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
Possible meanings are: Yahweh will send literal fire down on Gog and his army or "fire" refers to the destruction that it causes.
This is the name of an ancient nation that probably lived in the land that is now Turkey. Magog might be the ancient nation of Lydia. See Ezekiel 38:2.
"understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God". Yahweh implies that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See Ezekiel 6:7.
"I will make my people, Israel, know that I am holy"
"Listen!" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you!"
"is surely going to happen"
"to start fires". The Israelites will use the wood from the weapons as kindling for fires.
This list includes all the typical weapons of war of that day.
wooden sticks used as a weapon
Gog intended to take Israel's possessions, but Yahweh prevented him so that he was not able to do that.
Translate "plunder" as in Ezekiel 23:46.
This signals an important event. Yahweh begins to tell Ezekiel what will happen to Gog.
"to the east toward the sea"
"The grave will block" or "The dead army will block."
"There the house of Israel"
"People will call it"
"Valley of the Great Army of Gog"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
In Jewish law, a dead body defiled anything it touched and made it "unclean." Burying these bodies is spoken of as cleansing or purifying the land.
"bury the soldiers of Gog's army"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"through the land of Israel"
This refers to the dead bodies of Gog's soldiers whom Yahweh killed as they entered the land.
"so that the designated men may bury the dead bodies"
Bones would be all that remained of the corpses after a period of time.
There are apparently two groups of men. The first will mark the location of corpses, and the second group will bury them.
"Great Army"
Yahweh gives Ezekiel a message for the birds and the wild animals about what they will do to Gog.
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"to the feast" or "to the slaughter." Yahweh means that he will give the birds and animals a very good meal and not that he is worshiping them.
"as if they were male sheep, lambs, goats, and bulls". Yahweh is speaking with irony. Normally people sacrificed animals to God. Here, God is sacrificing people to animals.
"they all became fat while grazing in Bashan"
"until you are satisfied"
"chariot driver"
"I will make the nations see my glory". Yahweh gives Ezekiel a message about what will happen to Israel.
"the way that I will judge them"
This refers to Yahweh's power that he uses to bring punishment.
"against Gog and his great army"
"because they sinned and betrayed me"
"I stopped protecting them and taking care of them"
"gave their enemies power over them"
"their enemies killed them all in battle". See Ezekiel 32:23.
"their disgusting behavior and their sins" or "their sins"
"free Jacob from those who had captured him" or "cause Jacob to live well again". See Ezekiel 16:53.
"the descendants of Jacob"
"make sure that they honor me"
"they will regret their shame and all the treachery" or "they will forget their shame and all the treachery". Experts do not agree on the meaning of this phrase.
"the unfaithfulness"
"many nations will understand that I am holy because of what I did for the house of Israel"
At the time when Ezekiel wrote, Israel was still in captivity in Babylon.
"I will no longer abandon them"
"when I generously give my Spirit to the house of Israel"
"after we became captives" or "after the Babylonians took us as captives to Babylon"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is in April on Western calendars.
"the Babylonians captured the city of Jerusalem"
This refers to Yahweh's power to show Ezekiel supernatural visions. See Ezekiel 1:3.
In a vision, Ezekiel saw a man measuring the wall of a new temple. The next chapters will give precise measurements for the construction of a temple to be built. This was not the temple of Ezra's day.
"He put me down"
"Yahweh brought me to the place that had the buildings"
Ezekiel was surprised by what he saw.
"The way he appeared was like the way bronze appears"
"a rope made of linen." This is a tool for measuring very long distances.
This is a type of cloth. See Ezekiel 9:2.
This is a tool for measuring shorter distances.
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"pay attention to" or "think about"
"the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"entirely around the temple area"
"These were the long cubits, which were the length of a regular cubit plus a handbreadth". Each "long cubit" was about 54 centimeters.
"the width of a hand." This was about 8 centimeters.
"it was one stick wide." This was about 3.2 meters.
"the gate on the eastern side of the wall surrounding the temple" or "the gate on the eastern wall of the temple courtyard". The gate was part of the wall surrounding the temple area but wasn't part of the temple building itself.
"up the steps of the gate"
"from the front edge of the threshold to its back edge"
These were rooms that were built inside of the gate where guards stayed to protect the gate.
about 2.7 meters
"the chambers next to each other were five cubits apart"
"the rooms"
This was a covering in front of an entrance with columns or posts for support. See Ezekiel 8:16.
"the portico of the gate on the inner side of the wall that surrounded the temple". Here "facing the temple" means that the portico was attached to the gate in the temple courtyard.
about one meter
"were the same size"
about 5.4 meters
about 7 meters
"The chambers were 6 cubits long"
about 3.2 meters
"54 centimeters" or "about one-half meter"
about 13.5 meters
"the entrance of the second chamber"
about 32 meters
This was a covering in front of an entrance with columns or posts for support. See Ezekiel 8:16.
about 27 meters
"closed windows" or "windows with shutters" or "narrow windows"
"the porches also had closed windows all around"
jambs are the sides of a wooden frame of a door
There were two walls surrounding the temple. The outer wall surrounded the outer courtyard, and the inner wall surrounded the inner courtyard. The inner courtyard was higher than the outer courtyard. Each wall had gates on the east, north, and south sides.
"The man brought me from outside the temple area into the outer courtyard of the temple"
See Ezekiel 10:5.
The word "Behold" here indicates that Ezekiel saw something interesting.
a flat floor that is made out of rocks
"and there were 30 rooms all around the pavement"
"went all the way to"
"the front of the outer gate to the front of the inner gate"
about 54 meters
"it was the same on the north side" or "on the north side, the distance from the outer gate to the inner gate was also one hundred cubits"
See Ezekiel 40:7.
See Ezekiel 8:16.
"had the same measurement"
about 27 meters.
about 13.5 meters
Ezekiel continues to describe the vision of the temple and of the man who looked like bronze.
"The northern gate's windows"
"were like those of the eastern gate" or "were like those of the eastern gate of the outer courtyard"
See Ezekiel 8:16.
"directly across from the northern gate" or "across the outer courtyard from the northern gate"
"the gate on the northern side of the outer courtyard"
"just as there was a eastern gate to the inner courtyard" or "just as there was a gate to the inner courtyard in front of the eastern gate"
about 54 meters
"had the same measurements as the northern and eastern gates"
about 27 meters
about 13.5 meters
See Ezekiel 8:16.
"on both sides"
"through its southern gate"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 40:7.
about 27 meters
about 13.5 meters
about 2.7 meters
"The portico's entrance was towards the outer courtyard"
"and it had carvings of palm trees"
"to the east side of the inner courtyard"
about 27 meters
about 13.5 meters
The entrance of its portico was towards the outer courtyard
about 27 meters
"The entrance of its portico was toward the outer courtyard"
"on both sides of it"
"in each of the inner gates"
Possible meanings for "they" are: the people who were bringing offerings or the priests who killed the animals.
the animals that would be killed and burned as offerings
there were four tables—two on each side of each portico
"they killed the burnt offering" or "they killed the animals that they would burn as an offering"
"There were also four tables of cut stone" or "There were four other tables made of cut stone"
"that were made out of stone that had been cut"
about 0.8 meter
about one-half meter
"All around the portico, people had attached hooks that were a handbreadth long and had two prongs each"
something that has two long curved points, which people can hang things on
about 8 centimeters
"they would put the flesh of the offerings on the tables"
This is the inner gate on the north.
"rooms for singers." However, some ancient and modern translations read only "chambers" without the reference to singers.
"one room on the north side facing south, and the other room on the south side facing north"
"This room whose door is on its south side" or "This room on the north side of the inner courtyard"
"who are working in the temple" or "who are responsible for guarding the temple"
"This room whose door is on its north side" or "This room on the south side of the inner courtyard"
"the priests who were offering sacrifices on the altar"
"approach Yahweh in his temple in order to serve him"
"the man measured"
about 54 meters
"and the altar was"
This refers to the temple.
about 2.7 meters
about 7.5 meters
about 1.6 meters
about 11 meters
about 6 meters
pieces of stone that were tall and narrow and supported the roof of the building
The man in Ezekiel's vision Ezekiel 40:3 continues to show Ezekiel around the temple. Instructions for the new temple and city continue and focus on the measurements for the construction of the temple to be built.
the room in the temple in front of the "most holy place"
"they were six cubits in width on both sides". 54 centimeters. These cubits were the "long" cubits Ezekiel 40:5.
about 3.2 meters.
about 5.4 meters
about 2.7 meters
"the size"
about 22 meters
about 11 meters
about 1.1 meter
about 3.2 meters
about 3.8 meters
the temple
about 2 meters
"three stories"
"The house had ledges all around for the side rooms all around". The side rooms could rest on the ledge of the wall.
"so that the ledges could support"
"for there were no supports in the wall of the house." The people who built the temple did not want stones or wood that would support the side rooms to be sticking out from the wall of the sanctuary.
a platform
small rooms
Translate "stick" as in Ezekiel 40:5.
"the side rooms of the priests that were further out from the sanctuary"
"The entire space between the chambers and the temple was five cubits wide, all around the temple"
"There was a building on the west side of the temple area, and its entrance was towards the courtyard. It was seventy cubits in width"
"about 38 meters ... about 2.7 meters ... about 49 meters". Each long cubit was about 54 centimeters. See Ezekiel 40:5.
"about 54 meters". See Ezekiel 40:5.
"the balconies." The balconies were places that were built higher up than the rest of the building. People could go onto the balconies and look down on the main floor of the building.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 8:16.
"was made beautiful"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 9:3.
This is the singular form of "cherubim." See Ezekiel 10:9.
"the temple"
"They appeared the same way the wooden altar in front of the holy place appeared. They were". These words are the end of the sentence that begins with the words "Their appearance was like the appearance of" in verse 21.
"about 1.6 meters ... about 1.1 meters"
"The holy place and the most holy place both had two doors"
"Each door had two parts that were on hinges." Hinges connect doors to the wall and allow the doors to swing.
"both of the doors for both the holy place and the most holy place had two parts"
"just as the walls also had carvings of cherubim and palm trees"
covering in front of an entrance with columns or posts for support. See Ezekiel 8:16.
Instructions for the new temple and city continue and focus on the storerooms for keeping the holy things of the temple.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 10:5.
"100 cubits ... 50 cubits" or "about 54 meters ... about 27 meters". Each long cubit was about 54 centimeters. See Ezekiel 40:5.
"20 cubits" or "about 11 meters"
"The entrance of some of those rooms was toward the inner courtyard"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 8:16.
"looked out onto the inner courtyard"
"because there was a place where one could walk along the rooms"
"The entrance of some of the rooms was toward the outer courtyard"
"about 5.4 meters ... about 54 meters"
"smaller than the rooms"
"about 27 meters"
"about 27 meters ... about 54 meters"
"The way the rooms on the northern side appeared was the way these rooms appeared"
"at its beginning"
the grain or flour that the people offered to show that they were thankful to God
"out to the east gate" or "out through the east gate"
The word "he" refers to the man who looked like bronze. See Ezekiel 40:3.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 40:5.
"about 270 meters"
"The house had a wall all around it"
"about 270 meters"
not holy
Instructions for the new temple and city continue in this chapter. God entered the temple. He told the people not to defile the temple by being idol worshipers or by having the funerals of their kings in the temple courtyard. He also told them what offerings to make each day.
This word alerts the reader to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"a lot of water". See Ezekiel 1:24. It could refer to a loud river or large waterfall or waves crashing at the ocean.
"the earth was full of bright light from his glory"
"The glory of God coming from the east was"
"It was according to the appearance of the vision that I saw when he had come to destroy the city" or "The appearance of this vision that I saw was according to the vision that I saw when he had come to destroy the city"
"just like what appeared in the vision"
"like the vision"
"when I had come to prophesy that the city will be destroyed" or "when I had come to prophesy that the God of Israel will destroy the city"
"the lifeless idols that their kings worshiped"
"The Israelites defiled"
"the disgusting things they did". God was angry because the people were worshiping idols and false gods. See Ezekiel 5:9.
"completely destroyed them because I was angry"
"this pattern" or "this plan"
"before the Israelite people". See how you translated this in Ezekiel 21:6.
"will keep its pattern"
"the instruction" or "the rule"
This probably refers to the wall that goes all the way around the temple.
"absolutely holy"
"This is important!"
"about 54 centimeters". Each "long cubit" was about 54 centimeters. Ezekiel 40:5.
"The border going around its edge"
"about 23 centimeters"
"These will be the measurements of the base of the altar"
"the bottom supporting the altar" or "the foundation of the altar"
"about 1.1 meters ... about 2.2 meters"
a narrow and flat surface that sticks out from a wall
the place where sacrifices were either cooked or burnt up with fire
"about 2.2 meters"
The horns were at the four corners of the altar that stuck up above the rest of the altar.
"about 2.2 meters"
"about 7.6 meters ... about 27 centimeters ... about 54 centimeters"
"with steps on the east side of the altar" or "and the altar's steps are on its east side"
"Yahweh said"
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. See Ezekiel 2:1.
"the rules" or "the instructions"
The word "you" is singular.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
The word "you" is singular. See Ezekiel 43:19.
The word "you" and the command refer to Ezekiel and are singular.
The altar on which they sacrifice the bull and ram is in front of the temple, where the presence of Yahweh dwells.
This is spoken to Ezekiel, so the word "You" is singular. See Ezekiel 43:19.
This phrase marks an important part of the instructions.
The words "your" and "you" are second person plural and refer to the people of Israel in general.
"will gladly receive you"
Instructions for the new temple and city continue. Foreigners and the Levites who have worshiped idols are not allowed in the temple. The priests alone will do the temple work.
"to the outer sanctuary gate on the east side of the temple"
"no one will open it"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 8:4.
He will enter the courtyard through another gate and then sit in the portico of the east gate and eat.
A covering in front of an entrance with columns or posts for support. In this case, the portico opens into the courtyard and is between the entrance to the temple and the inside of the gate. See Ezekiel 8:16.
"in front of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh"
"Then the man" or "Then Yahweh."
The word "behold" shows that Ezekiel was surprised by what he saw.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 1:28.
"I bowed down to the ground" or "I lay on the ground." Ezekiel did not fall by accident. He went down to the ground to show that he respected and feared Yahweh. See Ezekiel 1:28.
"pay attention to" or "think about". Translate as you translated "fix your mind on" in Ezekiel 40:4.
"all the instructions about the house of Yahweh"
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"Your disgusting practices have been more than enough for you" or "You have done far too many disgusting deeds"
See Ezekiel 5:9.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel.
"stopped worshiping me ... stopped doing what I wanted them to do. Instead, they worshiped their idols"
"will be the servants in my temple"
"performing guard duty at the gates of the house"
"these Levites will stand before the people, so that they can serve the people"
"became people who caused the house of Israel to sin"
"I will solemnly swear". A person would raise his right hand to show that he realized that God would punish him if he did not do what he swore to do. See Ezekiel 20:6.
"that I will punish them"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"I will certainly punish them"
Here "They" refers to the Levites See Ezekiel 44:10.
"I will not permit them to come near." Yahweh does not want them to come to him the way a servant comes to a king to receive commands.
"will be ashamed and suffer when I punish them for the disgusting practices"
"the disgusting things." God was angry because the people were worshiping idols and false gods. See Ezekiel 5:9.
people who guard or take care of something
"that they need to do in it"
"who are descendants of Zadok and who fulfilled"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel about the descendants of Zadok who serve as priests.
"So"
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 8:16.
See Ezekiel 9:2.
cloth or clothing made of the soft hair of sheep
A turban is a head covering that is that is made of a long cloth wrapped around the head.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 10:5.
must keep their hair neat
a woman whose husband has died
"who is a descendant of the people of Israel"
"When people are arguing, they will be the ones who decide who is right by applying my laws"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel about the descendants of Zadok who serve as priests.
This refers to the people of Israel and is plural.
land that a person owns and uses to provide for the needs of his family
"in the land of Israel"
"every gift of whatever kind from all your gifts" or "all gifts of every sort of all of your gifts"
"so that I will bless your family and everything that belongs to you"
"or any creature that a bird or a wild animal has torn apart"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel. Instructions for the new temple and city continue. There should be an area around the temple complex for the homes of the priests and Levites who work at the temple. People should celebrate the festivals.
"about 13.5 kilometers long ... about 5.4 kilometers wide". Each cubit was about 54 centimeters. See Ezekiel 40:5.
"all of the area inside of the borders around it"
"about 270 meters ... about 27 meters wide"
the temple and the border surrounding it
"a portion of land"
"about 13.5 kilometers ... about 5.4 kilometers"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the house of Israel.
"about 2.7 kilometers ... about 13.5 kilometers"
"that you gave for the holy place"
"The length will be the same as the length of one of the portions given to the tribes"
"from the western border of Israel at the sea to the eastern border at the Jordan River"
"This portion of the land will be the property of the prince among the people of Israel"
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"You have done too many bad things" or "You have been acting badly for far too long"
instruments that were used to weigh things that people sold or bought
An ephah and a bath are measurments that are equal to about 22 liters.
"so that ten baths will be the same amount as a homer"
A homer is equal to about 220 liters.
about 11 grams
about 0.55 grams
about 660 grams
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the princes of Israel.
"for every homer of wheat from the harvest"
"You must offer one tenth of a bath of oil"
This equals about 22 liters.
This equals about 220 liters.
This equals about 220 liters.
"the parts of Israel that get a good amount of water"
"The wheat or barley and the oil will be used for the grain offerings, and the sheep or goats will be used for the burnt offerings and the peace offerings".
"you will use for"
the festivals that happen at the same time every year or month or week
"the Israelites" or "the Israelite people group". See Ezekiel 3:1.
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this". Yahweh speaks of himself to remind Ezekiel and the people that what he is saying is important. See Ezekiel 6:11.
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the end of March on Western calendars.
The word "you" is singular and refers to whoever is the prince in Israel.
"on the seventh day of the first month"
"for each person who had sinned without meaning to or because he did not know he was sinning"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fourteenth day is near the beginning of April.
The word "you" is plural and refers to the prince and the rest of the people of the house of Israel.
"Seven bulls and seven rams that are completely healthy"
This is also called a "grain offering."
"twenty-two liters"
"four liters"
"each twenty-two liters"
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifteenth day is near the beginning of October.
This is a different festival from the festival Ezekiel was describing before.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the princes of Israel. Instructions for the new temple and city continue and focus on many of the temple's rules.
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this". Yahweh speaks of himself to remind Ezekiel and the people that what he is saying is important. See Ezekiel 6:11.
"the gate on the east side of the inner courtyard" or "the eastern gate of the inner courtyard"
See Ezekiel 8:16.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 40:19.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 43:24.
perfectly healthy and normal
covering in front of an entrance with columns or posts for support. See Ezekiel 8:16.
"in front of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh." See Ezekiel 44:3.
Translate as you did in Ezekiel 36:37.
"the Levites will open the gate facing east for him"
"the eastern gate" or "the gate on the east side of the courtyard"
"which will soak"
"I, the Lord Yahweh, say this". Yahweh speaks of himself to remind Ezekiel and the people that what he is saying is important. See Ezekiel 6:11.
"Year of Jubilee". This is the year that a servant gains freedom.
"which had their main entrances to the north"
Ezekiel saw something interesting.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 10:5.
"about 21.6 meters ... about 16.2 meters". Each long cubit was about 54 centimeters. See Ezekiel 40:5.
places where people can build fire and cook food
Instructions for the new temple and city continue. There was a river flowing from the temple. The land was to be divided among the tribes. The landscape of Jerusalem will have changed in a significant way.
"on the south side of the altar". The right side of the altar when a person looks at it while they are facing east, so it is on the south side of the altar.
"the eastern gate" or "the eastern gate of the outer wall"
a string or a rope that people use to measure longer distances
"about 540 meters". Each long cubit was about 54 centimeters.
"a river that no one could cross on foot"
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God emphasizes that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful. Ezekiel 2:1.
"think about this". Yahweh is commanding Ezekiel to think about what he has just seen. See Ezekiel 8:15.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 21:7.
The name of a very large spring on the western side of the Salt Sea.
"a place for people to dry out their fishing nets"
The name of a large spring on the eastern side of the Salt Sea.
places with shallow water and trees growing in deep mud
places with shallow water and grasses growing in deep mud
"the descendants of Joseph will receive two areas of land"
A person would raise his right hand to show that he realized that God would punish him if he did not do what he swore to do.
the end of an area of land
These are the names of towns.
These are the names of towns.
the name of a town
where two areas of land meet
This is the name of a town.
These are the names of towns.
a very large ravine in the northeast part of the Sinai
This is the name of a town.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 21:7.
"this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
Instructions for the new temple and city continue and there is more dividing of the land between the tribes.
"one piece of the land that you will distribute"
"boundary will be ... boundary will be"
This is the name of a town. See Ezekiel 47:15.
This is the name of a town. See Ezekiel 47:15.
This is the name of a town. See Ezekiel 47:17.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 48:3.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Israel.
"13.5 kilometers". Each long cubit was about 54 centimeters. See Ezekiel 40:5.
"13.5 kilometers ... 5.4 kilometers"
"The leaders of the Israelites will assign land to the priests"
"This smaller portion within the holy portion of the land will belong to these priests, a portion that is more holy than the rest of the holy portion of the land"
"this land which is the firstfruits." This probably means the best things among all the offerings set aside to give to God. This land is spoken of in that way, as land set aside for Yahweh's use.
"almost 2.3 kilometers ... about 13.5 kilometers"
"will be an area that all the people of the city will share and use"
"as a place for houses and for an open space"
"about 2.4 kilometers"
"about 135 meters"
"the food that grows there"
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Israel.
"You will offer the holy offering and also the property of the city"
This is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
the land that the people of Israel gave to Yahweh for the Levites, the priests, and the temple
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 48:18.
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Israel.
Names of towns. See Ezekiel 47:19.
A very large ravine in the northeast part of the Sinai. See Ezekiel 47:19.
This is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 45:1.
"This is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared". Yahweh speaks of himself to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See Ezekiel 5:11.
"about 2.4 kilometers"
This is about 2.4 kilometers.
"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia and his soldiers"
"to stop the people from receiving any supplies"
"the army of Jehoiakim king of Judah"
"gave Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia and his soldiers"
Jehoiakim gave Nebuchadnezzar
"They brought ... they placed"
This was an act of devotion to his god.
This refers to Nebuchadnezzar.
This is the chief official.
"with perfect appearance"
This is the large house or building where the king lives.
"Ashpenaz was to teach them"
"the writings"
"The king's officials counted out for them"
the special, rare, good foods that the king ate
"Ashpenaz was to teach these young men"
"Among the young men from Israel"
These are all men's names.
"Daniel decided to himself"
"make himself unclean according to God's law"
"He does not want to see you looking worse than the other young men of your own age."
"The king might cut off my head" or "The king might kill me"
"compare our appearance to see if it is worse than the appearance"
tested Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
This refers to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
This means to have been made healthy from what you have eaten.
This refers to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
"God gave them the ability to learn and understand clearly"
"in many things that the Babylonians had written and studied"
The king spoke with the "four young men"
"Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah pleased him much more than anyone else in the whole group"
"much better"
"the first year that King Cyrus ruled Babylon"
"In year two"
"Nebuchadnezzar had dreams"
"His thoughts disturbed him"
"Then the king called the magicians"
"people who had died"
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge.
"they came into the palace"
"I am atroubled"
This is the language that people in Babylon spoke.
"King, we hope you will live forever!"
The men called themselves the king's servants to show him respect.
"will interpret it for you" or "will reveal what the dream means"
"I have already decided what to do about this matter"
"reveal to me the dream and interpret it for me" or "tell me what my dream was and what the dream means"
"I will give you gifts"
"you see that I will not change my decision about this"
"there is only one punishment for you"
"lies intended to deceive."
"you can interpret it for me" or "you can reveal what the dream means"
"the only ones who can tell it to the king are the gods" or "only the gods can tell this to the king"
"incredibly angry"
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise.
"So the king issued a command" or "So the king gave a command"
"to kill the wise men"
"caution and careful judgment"
This is the name of the king's commander.
This is a group of men whose job is to protect the king.
"whom the king had sent out to kill"
"Daniel went to the palace" or "Daniel went to talk with the king"
"asked for a set time to meet with the king"
"he could interpret the dream for the king" or "he could tell the king what the dream meant"
This is referring to Daniel's house.
"about the king's decree"
"He begged them to pray for mercy"
"so that the king would not kill Daniel and his friends" or "so that the king's bodyguard would not kill Daniel and his friends"
"That night God revealed the king's dream and its meaning"
"Praise God"
"he takes away kings' authority to rule"
"makes new kings rule over their kingdoms"
"the light comes from where God is"
"told me what my friends and I asked you to tell us"
"told us what the king wants to know"
"I will interpret the king's dream for him" or "I will tell the king what his dream means"
"your dream"
Belteshazzar was the name the Babylonians gave to Daniel.
"tell me the dream that I saw and interpret it for me" or "tell me the dream that I saw and what the dream means"
"Those who have wisdom, those who claim to speak with the dead, magicians, and astrologers cannot reveal the mystery about which the king has asked"
"God, who reveals mysteries" or "God, who makes mysteries known"
"He revealed the mystery to me so that you"
"you ... may understand what the dreams mean"
"know the thoughts of your innermost being" or "know your innermost thoughts"
"was of fine gold" or "was fine gold"
"were partly of iron and partly of clay" or "were partly iron and partly clay"
"someone cut a stone from a mountain, but it was not a human who cut it. The stone"
"like dry pieces of grass blowing away in the wind"
"they were completely gone"
"spread over the whole earth"
"we will interpret it for the king" or "I will tell the king what it means"
"the most important king" or "a king who rules over other kings"
"He has given you control over the place"
"the people of the land"
"He has given you control over the animals of the fields and the birds of the heavens"
Here "heavens" is used in the sense of "skies."
"The golden head symbolizes you" or "The golden head is a symbol of you and your power"
"another kingdom, which is of silver, will arise" or "another kingdom, which is represented by the silver parts of the statue, will arise"
"then still another kingdom, which is represented by the bronze parts of the statue"
"kingdom number three"
"There will be a kingdom number four"
The fourth kingdom is spoken of as being as strong as iron.
This symbolic language means the fourth kingdom will defeat and replace the other kingdoms.
"the previous kingdoms"
Nebuchadnezzar saw that the feet consisted of clay and iron. He did not see the process of making the feet.
"were a mixture of baked clay and iron"
"they will not remain united"
Here "those kings" refers to the rulers of the kingdoms symbolized by the different parts of the statue.
"that no one will ever destroy, and that another people never conquer"
"someone cut a stone from the mountain, but it was not a human who cut it"
"I have interpreted it for you truly" or "I have told you what it really means"
"lay down with his face on the ground"
"his servants make an offering and offer up incense to Daniel"
"It is true that your God"
"greater than all the other gods, and King over all other kings"
"to reveal the mystery of my dream"
"The king made Daniel the ruler"
These were the Babylonian names of the three Jewish men who were brought to Babylon with Daniel.
"Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to make a gold statue ... They set it up"
"about 27 meters tall and almost 3 meters wide"
This is a location within the kingdom of Babylon.
These are officials who have authority over different sizes of territory.
These officials are in charge of money.
This person is an official messenger for the king.
"The king commands you"
"people from different nations and who speak different languages"
These are musical instruments similar to harps. They are shaped like triangles and have four strings.
"stretch yourselves out on the ground, face down, in worship of the golden statue"
"The soldiers will throw into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire anyone who does not fall down and worship the statue at the very moment they hear the music"
Or "certain educated men." The word translated "Chaldeans" here is translated "educated men" in Daniel chapter 2, but here it is not clear whether the author is referring to that group of men or simply to some Chaldean people.
This was a common greeting to the king.
matters having to do with government
These are the Babylonian names of the three Jewish friends of Daniel.
"do not pay attention to you"
"extremely angry"
"Have you firmly decided"
"there will no longer be a problem" or "you will be free to go"
"my soldiers will immediately throw you into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire"
"No god is able to rescue you from my power!"
"from my punishment"
"But king, we must let you know that even if our God does not rescue us"
"Nebuchadnezzar became extremely angry"
"He commanded his men to make the furnace very much hotter than they normally make it"
A turban is a head covering made of wrapped cloth.
"Because the men did exactly what the king commanded"
"We threw three men tied up into the fire, right"
"Man four is shining brightly with light as a son of the gods would shine"
"the fire had not singed the hair on their heads"
"was not burned even a little"
"the fire did not harm their robes"
"they did not smell like fire"
"they ignored my command"
"they were willing to die"
"any other god except their God"
"speaks words that do not respect the God"
"must have their bodies torn apart"
"only their God is able to save like this"
"made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego powerful officials"
"Nebuchadnezzar sent his messengers with"
"people from different nations and who speak different languages"
"who lived in the kingdom of Babylon"
This is a common greeting.
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge.
"they could not interpret it for me" or "they could not tell me what it means"
"who I named Belteshazzar"
"you understand the meaning of every mystery"
"Tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it for me" or "Tell me what I saw in my dream, and tell me what it means"
things that you see
"it was very tall"
"It seemed that its top reached up to the sky and that everyone in the world could see it"
"there was a lot of fruit on the tree"
"was food for all people and animals"
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people.
"I saw in my dream"
Some versions translate this phrase as "a messenger."
"He shouted to some people and said"
"The animals will flee from under it and the bird will fly away from its branches"
This is the part of the tree that is left above the ground after a tree is cut down.
the moisture on the ground that is found in the mornings
"The man's mind will change from a man's mind to an animal's mind for a period of seven years"
"a decision that the holy angels have made"
"every living person" or "everyone"
"gives the kingdoms"
"you are able to interpret it"
Nebuchadnezzar believed that Daniel's power came from the false gods that Nebuchadnezzar worshiped. These are not the same as "the holy ones" in verse 17.
"will interpret the king's dream to him" or "will reveal what the king's dream means"
"did not say anything for a brief time because he was very worried about the meaning of the dream"
Daniel is expressing his wish that the dream was not about Nebuchadnezzar, even though he knew that it really was about the king.
"will interpret the king's dream to him" or "will reveal what the king's dream means"
"which bore a great amount of fruit"
"this tree represents you, king"
"Your greatness has increased"
This is the part of the tree that is left above ground after a tree is cut down.
"surrounded by the tender grass of the field"
the moisture that settles on the ground in the mornings
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people.
"what it means"
"that you have heard"
"Men will drive you away from them"
"God in heaven is the ruler of all"
"I hope you will be pleased with my advice and do what I advise you to do"
"Reject your iniquities"
"people who are oppressed"
"God may extend your prosperity"
"This is the great Babylon ... for the glory of my majesty!"
"to show people my honor and my greatness"
"While the king was still speaking"
"he heard a voice from heaven"
"King Nebuchadnezzar, a decree went out against you that this kingdom no longer belongs to you"
"People will chase you away from them"
"whoever he chooses"
"This decree against Nebuchadnezzar happened immediately"
"his fingernails looked like birds' claws"
This refers back to the seven years in Daniel 4:32.
"my sanity came back to me" or "I became sane again"
"He rules forever and his kingdom will never end"
"He considers all the earth's inhabitants as nothing"
"All the people on the earth"
"the angel armies in heaven"
"whatever satisfies his purpose" or "anything he wants to do"
"No one can question what he does."
"I became sane again"
"I regained my majesty and my splendor again"
"my noblemen requested my help again"
"I returned to rule my kingdom again, and I received even more greatness"
All three of these words have basically the same meaning and emphasize how greatly he praised God.
"who are proud"
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father.
"he drank wine in the presence of"
"the gold or silver containers that the Israelites had made"
These were cups and other items that were small enough for a person to hold and to drink from them.
"his father Nebuchadnezzar's army" or "the army of Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken"
"As soon as they did that" or "Suddenly"
cement or mud that is spread on walls or ceilings to give them a smooth hard surface when it dries
"his face became pale." This was caused by his fear.
"his legs"
This was the result of his extreme fear.
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge.
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise.
"tells me what it means"
"dressed in royal clothing"
"the number three ruler"
"his face became even more pale."
unable to understand, confused
Some modern versions understand this to be a reference to the queen mother, that is, to the king's mother. The queen mother received much honor in ancient Babylon.
This was a normal way to greet the king.
"There is no need for your face to look so pale"
The queen believed that Daniel's power came from the false gods that Nebuchadnezzar worshiped.
"he had light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods"
"Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar"
Belshazzar believed that Daniel's power came from the false gods that Belshazzar worshiped.
"they could not interpret the message for me" or "they could not tell me what the message means"
"I will give you purple clothes and a gold neck chain"
"I do not want your gifts, so"
"people from different nations and who speak different languages"
"were very afraid of him"
"Nebuchadnezzar commanded his soldiers to kill those he wanted to die"
"He raised up those he wanted to raise up"
These words here mean the same thing.
"he humbled those he wished to humble"
"the king was arrogant"
"the king became stubborn"
rudely and overly confident
"the people took away his kingdom"
"The people chased him away from them"
"he thought as an animal thinks"
the moisture on the ground that is found in the mornings
"whomever he chooses"
"have not humbled yourself"
"You have rebelled against the Lord"
"From his temple in Jerusalem"
"God who gives you breath" or "God who has control over your entire life"
"everything you do"
"it wrote this message"
"This is the message that the hand wrote"
These are the Aramaic words that were written on the wall. Spell these words with the sounds that fit your language.
"what the message means"
"'Mene' means 'God has numbered"
"'Tekel' means 'you are weighed"
"God has examined your worthiness to rule, and he has found that you are not worthy"
"'Peres' means 'your kingdom."
This is the singular form of "Pharsin" in 5:25.
"God has divided your kingdom and given it to the Medes and Persians"
"They put a chain of gold around his neck"
"the number three ruler"
"became the ruler of the kingdom"
"It was pleasing to Darius" or "Darius was pleased"
The word "them" refers to the provincial governors.
"so that nothing should be stolen from the king" or "so that no one would steal anything from the king"
"excelled above" or "was more capable than"
spirit that made him do better than the others
"to give him authority over" or "to put him in charge of"
"Then the other chief administrators and the provincial governors became jealous. So they looked for mistakes in the work Daniel did for the kingdom"
"They could find no mistakes or negligence in his work"
"presented a plan to the king"
This was a normal way to greet a king.
A "prohibition" always only tells people what they cannot do, but a "decree" can permit people to do things.
"whoever makes a request"
"your soldiers must throw that person into the pit where lions were kept"
"according to the law"
"cannot be canceled"
It is important to the story to state clearly that Daniel knew about the new law before he prayed to God.
This is background information that explains how Daniel's enemies knew he was praying to God.
"gave thanks to his God"
a plan with evil intent
"because he had prohibited the people from doing what they had been doing: 'Did you not prohibit the people and say'" or "because he had told the people they could no longer do what they had been doing: 'Did you not tell the people to stop doing what they were doing and say'"
"who makes a request"
"according to the law"
This is not a respectful way of referring to Daniel. They intentionally used this phrase to avoid giving Daniel the respect he was due as a chief administrator.
"who is one of the exiles from Judah" or "who is an exile from Judah"
"does not obey you"
"he thought very hard about how"
This refers to mental labor, rather than to physical labor.
"no prohibition ... can be changed. Someone must throw Daniel into the pit of lions"
"his soldiers went and got Daniel"
The king is expressing his desire for God to save Daniel.
"save you from the lions"
"the king pressed his signet ring into a wax seal, the nobles did this too. No one was allowed to break the seal and help Daniel"
"no one could help Daniel"
This symbolic act showed that the king was worried about Daniel.
"He did not have anyone entertain him"
"he did not sleep at all that night"
"He knows that I have done nothing wrong"
"I have not harmed you at all"
"They did not find any wounds on Daniel"
"Before they reached the floor of the lions' den"
"crushed their bones"
"people from different nations and who spoke different languages"
"in his kingdom"
This is a form of greeting that is used to wish someone well in all areas of life.
"shake with fear"
"the God that Daniel worships"
God's kingdom will never end.
"no one will destroy his kingdom" or "his kingdom will last forever"
"he will rule forever"
"he has not allowed the strong lions to hurt Daniel"
Cyrus the Persian was the king who ruled after Darius.
Chapters 7 and 8 are not in chronological order. They happened while Belshazzar was still the king, before the rule of Darius and Cyrus that was discussed in chapter 6. In Daniel's vision, he saw animals that were symbols of other things. Later in the vision someone explains the meaning of those symbols.
This was the name of Nebuchadnezzar's son, who became king after him.
"visions while he was dreaming"
"winds from everywhere" or "strong winds from all four directions"
"whipped up" or "agitated" or "caused high waves in"
This was a symbolic creature, and not an animal that exists.
"Someone gave it the ability to think like a human being"
This was not an actual bear, but a symbolic animal that was similar to a bear.
large curved bones of the chest that connect to the spine
"Someone told it"
This was not an actual leopard, but a symbolic animal that was similar to a leopard.
The four wings and four heads are symbols, but their meaning is unclear.
"Someone gave it authority to rule"
This is also not an actual animal. It is a symbolic creature.
"walked on and crushed"
"Horns are a symbol of power and represent powerful leaders."
"The little horn tore out three of the first horns"
"the horn had a mouth and boasted about doing great things"
"someone set thrones in their places"
"the One Who Has Lived Forever" or "the One Who Has Always Lived"
This passage describes God as sitting down, with clothing and hair like a person. This does not mean that God really is like this, but it is how Daniel saw God in a vision.
"sat down on his throne"
"His clothing was very white"
Possible meanings are that 1) it was very white or 2) it was thick and curly.
"clean wool" or "wool that is washed"
It is unclear why God's throne is described as having wheels. Thrones normally do not have wheels, but the text clearly states that this throne has some kind of wheels. Use a general term for "wheels" if possible.
"Fire poured out in front of him like water in a river"
The word "him" refers to God, the Ancient of Days from
"thousands of thousands" or "great numbers of people"
"tens of thousands times tens of thousands" or "uncountable numbers of people"
"The judge was ready to judge" or "The judge was seated"
"the books of evidence were opened"
"they killed the fourth animal, destroyed its body, and gave it to someone to burn it up"
"the most frightening animal" or "the animal that had the boastful horn"
"the judge took away their authority to rule" or "their authority to rule ended"
"they continued to live for a period of time" or "the judge let them live a little longer"
"I also saw that night someone coming who resembled a son of man, that is, he had a human figure"
"with the clouds of the sky"
"they presented this son of man to the Ancient of Days" or "he stood before him"
"The one who looked like a son of man received authority to rule, glory, and royal power"
This, here, refers to "authority."
"people from different nations and who speak different languages"
"that no one will ever destroy"
"I was very sad inside"
This is one of the heavenly beings who were standing before God's throne. Possible meanings 1) these are angels, spirits who serve God 2) these are people who have died and are now in heaven.
"to tell me" or "to explain to me"
"what was the meaning of the things I had seen"
"These four large animals"
"represent four kings"
"four kings who will come to power on the earth" or "four men who will rise up from among the people of the earth and become kings"
"they will rule over it"
This repetition of ideas emphasizes that this kingdom will never come to an end.
"very frightening"
"walked on and crushed"
"the ten horns on the head of the fourth animal"
"grew up, and about the three horns that fell down in front of it" or "grew up, and about the three horns that fell down because of it"
Here "fell down" is a euphemism that means they were destroyed." Alternate translation: "which destroyed the three horns"
"its mouth that boasted" or "the mouth of the new horn, that boasted"
the horn with the eyes and a mouth seemed to be greater than the other horns
"this fourth horn."
"until the Ancient of Days came and brought justice"
writing-symlanguage]])
This is the person that Daniel approached in Daniel 7:16.
The fourth kingdom will brutally attack, conquer, and destroy all other kingdoms on earth.
"Concerning the ten horns" or "Now, about the ten horns"
"ten kings will rule over this fourth kingdom, one after another"
"after that an eleventh king will become powerful"
"He will be different from the other ten kings"
"he will defeat the three kings that were represented by the three horns that were pulled out"
This means that the newest king will openly disagree with and say bad things about the Most High.
The words "He" and "his" refer to the newest king, not the Most High.
"God's holy people"
Both terms refer to the law of Moses. The festivals were an important part of the religion of Israel in the Old Testament.
"The newest king will control the religous festivals and laws"
"one year plus two years plus six months"
"the judge will judge" or "The judge will sit down"
"the members of the court will take the authority away from the newest king"
"and consume and destroy it in the end" or "and completely destroy his royal power in the end"
"God will give the kingdom and the dominion ... to the people"
"everything that is great about the kingdoms"
"of all the kingdoms on earth"
"The kingdom of the Most High"
"a kingdom that will exist forever" or "a kingdom that will never end"
"That is what I saw in my vision" or "This is the end of the description of what I saw in my vision"
"my face became pale"
"In year three"
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father.
"had a second vision appear to me"
a walled city that was guarded and protected
These are names of places.
A canal is a narrow man-made waterway.
"but the longer horn grew more slowly than the shorter one, and the shorter one grew to be even longer than it"
"I saw the ram using its head to push things out of its way" or "I saw the ram running very quickly"
"to rescue anyone from him" or "to rescue anyone from his power"
"from far away across the surface of the land"
"The goat had a single large horn in the center of his head"
"and it was very angry"
to crush something by stepping on it
"the ram from the goat because of his power"
"the goat became very large and strong"
"something broke off the large horn"
"in four different directions"
"The goat is a king or nation, ruling powerfully over the lands to the south and east and over the Beautiful Land.
Here the horn is given qualities of a person and is engaging in war.
The horn threw some of that army and some of the stars down to the earth"
This refers to God himself, who is the leader of the angel army.
"It stopped the people from making their regular burnt offering to him"
"it defiled his sanctuary"
"The horn will reject the truth"
"angel"
"the surrender of the sanctuary"
"the horn trampling on heaven's army"
"2,300 sunsets and sunrises" or "2,300 days"
"the temple will be purified and set in order again"
This is an act of worship in which someone lies flat on the ground.
"the final days" or "the end of the world." This does not refer to the final moment in time, but rather to the events that will happen immediately before the end.
This is a type of sleep when someone is sleeping heavily and does not wake up easily.
"the time when God judges in anger"
"the time when the world will end"
"two horns—they represent"
"the kingdoms of Media and Persia"
"the kingdom of Greece"
"The large horn between his eyes represents"
"they represent the four kingdoms into which the kingdom of the first king will be divided"
"but they will not have as much power as the king represented by the large horn"
"As those kingdoms approach their end"
"have reached their full" or "have run their course"
This means someone who looks defiant, or like he will refuse to obey.
"but someone else will give him his power"
"the amount of deception will increase"
"under his rule"
"the mightiest prince" or "the prince who rules over all other princes." Most English versions capitalize the word "Prince" because the phrase probably refers either to God or to a man whom God appoints to rule.
"his rule will end"
"not by any human power" or "by divine power"
"close and seal up what you have written about the vision" or "do not tell anyone about the vision now"
"was exhausted and lay in bed sick for several days"
"did the work that the king had assigned to me"
"I was dismayed by the vision" or "I was very confused by the vision"
"who became king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans" or "who conquered the Chaldeans"
Or "over the country"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
"from the time Jerusalem was destroyed, it would remain in ruins for 70 years"
"I focused my attention on the Lord God" or "I directed my thoughts toward the Lord God"
Those who want to know Yahweh and please him are spoken of as if they are literally seeking to find Yahweh.
These are symbolic acts of repentance and sorrow.
"I confessed our sins"
This phrase translates a word that shows that the speaker is helpless and is begging the hearer to act. If your language has another word or phrase for this purpose, you may want to use it here.
"you do what what you said you would do in your covenant, and you faithfully love those"
"We have not obeyed the message of your prophets"
"spoke with your authority" or "spoke as your representative"
"the Israelite people"
"Lord, you are righteous"
"But as for us, we are ashamed of what we have done—the people"
The word "us" includes Daniel and the Israelites, but it does not include God.
Their shame is visible to all.
"because we were very unfaithful to you"
"We have not obeyed what Yahweh told us to do"
The words "turned aside" mean that Israel stopped obeying God's laws.
"that Moses wrote about in the law"
"you have brought upon us"
"For in the whole world"
"nothing has happened"
"what you have done to Jerusalem"
"As Moses wrote in the law"
"stopping our evil actions"
"Yahweh has prepared this disaster"
"we have not done what he told us to do"
"with great strength"
"you caused people to know how great you are, as you still do today"
Daniel and Israel sinned and did wicked things, but "we" does not include God.
"the mountain where your holy temple is"
"something that people will mock" or "something for which people will mock us"
This does not mean "at this moment", but it is a way to show that the next phase in Daniel's prayer is about to start.
The words "your servant" and "his" here refer to Daniel. He speaks about himself in the third person as a sign of respect for God.
"act kindly toward" or "act with favor toward"
This refers to the temple in Jerusalem.
"listen very carefully" or "pay close attention"
"notice us" or "pay attention"
"is your city" or "belongs to you"
"act quickly"
"the people of Israel to whom I belong"
"Gabriel, who appeared as a man"
"in the previous vision" or "in the vision I saw before" or "in a vision before"
"flew down to me quickly"
The Jewish people sacrificed to God each evening just before the sun went down.
Gabriel will help Daniel to understand the message completely.
"God gave the order"
"you are precious to God" or "God loves you very much"
"think about this message"
This refers back to the prophesy of Jeremiah in Daniel 9:2.
God decreed that he would do the things in this verse for the people and the holy city.
"Seventy times seven years"
The word "your" here refers to Daniel. The people are the Israelites and the holy city is Jerusalem.
The idea is repeated to emphasize how certain it is that this will happen.
"to accomplish the vision"
"seven times seven years ... and sixty-two times seven years"
"You must clearly understand" or "You must know for sure"
"the person that God anoints" or "the person that God chooses"
These added together are 69 of the 70 sevens spoken of in verse 24.
"People will rebuild Jerusalem"
a deep ditch around a city or building, usually with water in it
"a time of great trouble"
"sixty-two times seven"
"people will destroy the anointed one and he will have nothing"
"the person that God anoints" or "the person that God chooses"
"a foreign ruler who will come" or "a powerful ruler who will come"
The army will destroy the city and the holy place just as a flood destroys things.
"God has decreed ruin for the city and sanctuary" or "God has declared that the enemy army will destroy everything"
This refers to the coming ruler who will destroy the anointed one.
"seven years ... Halfway through the seven years"
"stop" or "halt"
"all forms of sacrificing" or "every type of offering"
"the walls of the temple that are full of abominations"
"a person who completely destroys"
"God, just as he said he would, completely destroys the one who made the desolation"
"the person who made the holy place desolate" or "the person who destroyed the holy place"
"year 3 of the rule of Cyrus the king of Persia"
"God revealed a message to Daniel"
the ability to understand more than what can be seen
These are expensive or rare kinds of food. Alternate translation: "fancy foods"
"until the end of three entire weeks"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
"and he was wearing a belt"
Uphaz is a place. Its location is not known
"his body gleamed like topaz"
a blue or yellow gemstone, also known as beryl, peridot, or chrysolite
"his face shone with light as bright as the flash of lightning"
"his eyes were so bright that it seemed they had torches burning inside them"
"his arms and feet shone like polished bronze that reflects the light around it"
"his voice was as loud as a huge crowd all calling out together"
"No one was with me, and I saw"
"my healthy-looking face"
"pale"
Possible meanings are: 1) Daniel was so scared by what he saw that he deliberately lay on the ground, where he then fainted or 2) Daniel fainted and then fell forward onto the ground.
"Someone touched me with his hand"
"Daniel, you who are precious to God"
"you determined to understand the vision"
"God heard your words"
"spirit prince"
This probably refers to the various kings who ruled over nations in the Persian Empire, and who had to obey the king of Persia.
"Michael, on of the chief angels" or "Michael, one of the archangels"
"This one, who looked like a human"
severe emotional suffering
"I am not able to answer you because I am only your servant"
"I cannot breathe" or "it's very hard to breathe"
"you who are precious to God"
"I became strong"
"But first I will tell you"
"what the Book of Truth says" or "what someone wrote in the Book of Truth"
"The only one who shows himself to be strong with me against them is Michael your prince" or "Michael your prince is the only one to show himself strong with me against them"
"who proves himself to be strong with me against them" or "who helps me against them"
"Michael, the prince of your people"
"In the first year of the reign of Darius"
"Three kings will rule over Persia"
"after them a fourth king will come into power who will have more money than the three before him"
Possible meanings are 1) authority or 2) military power.
"he will cause everyone to want to fight"
"A mighty king will begin to reign"
Possible meanings are 1) that the size of this kingdom would be very great, or 2) that the king would rule his kingdom with very great power.
"his kingdom will break apart and divide" or "his kingdom will break apart into pieces"
"but it will not be divided for his own descendants" or "but it will not be shared by his own descendants"
"His kingdom will be a great kingdom" or "He will rule over a great kingdom." Some English versions understand this "dominion" to be a kingdom other than the kingdom of the South, but others understand it to be the kingdom of the South.
"the king of the South and the king of the North will promise to work together"
The king of the South will give his daughter in marriage to the king of the North. The marriage will confirm the agreement between the two kings.
Here "arm" stands for power.
"a descendant of her ancestors" or "one of her descendants"
The word "her" refers to the daughter of the king of the South in Daniel 11:6.
"He and his army will attack the army of the king of the North"
"He will fight the enemy soldiers"
The word "he" refers to the king of the North.
"The sons of the king of the North"
"gather together many men who can fight in battles"
"will be so great in number that they will cover all the land"
"will assemble a great army"
"the king will surrender the army to the king of the South"
"The king of the South will capture the army of the North"
"will become very proud"
"will have his army kill many thousands of his enemies" or "will kill many thousands of his enemies"
"many thousands"
"a great army that has much equipment"
"many people will rebel against the king"
Possible meanings are 1) this speaks of the literal children of that society's violent people, who are themselves violent, or 2) this is a metaphor for "Those among your people who are violent."
"they will not succeed"
"The army of the king of the North will come" )
This refers to the piling up of earth in order for soldiers to reach the height of city walls in order to attack them. Soldiers and slaves would put loose earth in baskets, carry them to the right place, and pour it out in order to raise the mounds.
walls and other things built to defend a city or fort from enemy soldiers
"will not be able to keep fighting against them"
"The invading king will do whatever he wants against the other king"
"The king will begin to rule"
This refers to the land of Israel.
"he will have power to destroy anything"
"decide"
"come with the force of all his army"
"a woman"
"will make the king of the North stop being arrogant"
"will cause the king of the North to suffer because he was arrogant toward others"
"the king of the North will pay attention"
"he will disappear" or "he will die"
"another man will become king of the North instead of that king"
"will send someone to take taxes from the people" or "will send someone to oppress the people"
This collector will collect money so that the king can be wealthy.
"the new king will die"
Possible meanings are 1) no one was angry at the king, or 2) that the occasion and cause of the king's death were kept secret.
"a person whom the people will despise and will not honor as king"
"His army will completely destroy a great army as a flood destroys everything in its path"
"He will destroy that army and the leader of the covenant"
"the leader of the priests." This phrase refers to the person who filled the most important religious position that God required in his covenant, that of the high priest.
"When other rulers make a peace treaty with him"
"will distribute to his followers"
"the valuable things that he and his army take from the people they defeat"
"He will make himself powerful and will become courageous"
Here this represents courage.
"will fight against him"
"the king of the South will be defeated" or "his army will be defeated"
"the king's best advisers"
"The enemy will completely defeat his army" or "His enemy will completely destroy his army as a flood destroys everything in its path"
"many of his soldiers will die in battle"
"each determined to do evil to the other"
Sitting at the same table represents the act of talking to each other.
"but their talking will not help them"
"The result of their actions will only come at the time that God has fixed"
"determined to stop the Israelites from obeying the holy covenant"
"God's covenant, which all the Israelites should obey"
"He will do what he wants to in Israel"
"an army will come from Kittim in ships in order to fight his army"
This may refer to a settlement on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.
Some modern translations read, "he will become afraid and will turn back. He will be furious"
"hate the holy covenant"
"act in favor for those" or "help those"
"His army will appear" or "His army will come." The word "His" refers to the king of the North.
"the sanctuary that the people use as a fortress"
"They will stop the priests from presenting the regular burnt offering"
"the disgusting idol that will cause God to abandon the temple" or "the disgusting thing that will make the temple unclean"
"wickedly disobeyed the covenant"
"persuade them to do evil"
"who are faithful to their God"
"will be firm and resist them"
"they will die in battle and by burning to death"
This refers to the wise persons among the Israelites.
"they will become slaves and their enemies will rob them of their possessions for days"
"others will give them a little help"
This refers to other people who will pretend to help the wise persons, but not because they truly wish to help them.
"will come to help them"
This suffering will continue until the time when God has decided that it will end.
Here "stumble" represents experiencing a disaster of one kind or another, including death itself.
"with the result that refining will happen to them"
"they will be refined, cleansed, and purified" or "their suffering will refine, cleanse, and purify them"
This refers to the purifying of metal by melting it in a fire. When God makes his people more faithful to himself, this is spoken of as if they were metal that a worker was making more pure by putting it into fire.
This refers to making people, places, or objects suitable for God's use by separating them from sin and other forms of evil. It speaks of evil as if it were physical dirtiness that could be removed by washing.
This idea is very similar to refining, discussed earlier. Metal that is refined can also be said to be purified.
"the final days" or "the end of the world."
"Yahweh has set the time in the future"
"The king of the North will do whatever he wants"
Here this represents becoming very proud.
Here this represents pretending to be very important and powerful.
"the supreme God" or "the only true God"
"terrible things" or "shocking things"
"until God is completely angry with him" or "until God is angry enough to take action against him"
This seems to refer to the pagan god named Tammuz.
"the god that controls fortresses"
Possible meanings are 1) "he will give the land to his followers as a reward" or 2) "he will sell land to his followers"
"the final days" or "the end of the world."
"the king of the South and his army ... The king of the North and his army"
"will attack him like a violent storm" or "will violently attack him"
When an army overruns a country, it is spoken of as if a flood occurred.
"will pass through the lands with no one to stop him"
This refers to the land of Israel.
"will die"
"But these will escape from his power" or "But he will not be able to destroy these nations"
"He will extend his control over various lands"
"the land of Egypt will not escape"
"the Libyans and the Cushites will have to serve him"
"the people of Libya and Cush." Libya is a country west of Egypt, and Cush is a country south of Egypt.
"he will be very angry and will go out" or "he will become very angry and will go out with his army"
To "go out" represents the action of attacking the enemy.
"to destroy many people"
This refers to the king's luxurious tents that he lived in when he was with his army in time of war.
This probably refers to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
This refers to the hill in Jerusalem where God's temple was.
Michael is an archangel. Here he is also given the title "great prince."
"Michael ... will appear"
"God will save your people"
"whose name God has written in the book"
"those who have died will come back to life"
This refers to God's people who will share their wisdom with those around them.
"those who teach others to live righteously"
"those who turn ... will shine brightly like the stars forever and ever"
"close this book and keep it sealed"
"the final days" or "the end of the world."
"Before that happens, many people will travel here and there, learning more and more about many things"
"there were two other angels standing"
"the man who was wearing linen clothes" or "the angel who was wearing linen clothes"
Possible meanings are 1) the angel clothed in linen was above the river or 2) the angel was further upstream along the river.
At the time when the angel spoke to Daniel, none of the events in this vision had happened, including the events in the vision from chapter 11.
"the man who was wearing linen clothes" or "the angel who was wearing linen clothes"
"God, who lives forever"
"three and a half years." These "times" are generally understood to refer to years. One and two and a half equal three and a half.
"all these things will have happened"
At the time when the man clothed in linen spoke to Daniel, none of the events in this vision had happened, and may include the events in the vision from chapter 11.
Daniel refers to the angel clothed in linen as "My master" to show respect to the angel.
"for you are to close up and seal the words you have written"
"the final days" or "the end of the world."
"Yahweh will purify, cleanse, and refine many people"
purified by removing anything that does not belong in them
The evil people will do evil or sinful things.
The evil people can not understand spiritual knowledge.
"the king of the North puts an end to the regular burnt offering and sets up the abomination that causes complete desolation"
"the disgusting idol that will cause God to abandon the temple" or "the disgusting thing that will make the temple unclean"
"one thousand two and hundred ninety days" or "twelve hundred and ninety days." Here "days" refers to a period of time. Most commonly rendered as days, but can also imply years.
"Blessed is the person who waits" or "Blessed is anyone who remains faithful"
"one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days" or "thirteen hundred and thirty-five days." Here "days" is referring to a period of time most commonly rendered as days. However, it can also imply years.
"Daniel, you must go" This refers to Daniel continuing to live and serve the kings until the appointed time of his death.
This is a gentle way of saying "you will die."
This is referring to the first resurrection of the dead when the righteous people will be raised up.
"the place God has assigned to you"
"the word that Yahweh God spoke"
This is the name of a man.)
The events in this book happened during the time of these kings.
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Here "prostitution" represents the people being unfaithful to God.
These are names of people.
Here "house" means "family," including Jehu's descendants.
This expression refers to kingdom of Israel.
"the military power of Israel"
"No Mercy"
"Not My People"
This emphasizes the great number of Israelites.
"which no one can measure or count"
"Where God said to them"
This expression probably refers to Jezreel, the city where crimes had been committed by kings of Israel, and which was a symbol of God's punishment of them.
"God will say to them"
"God will gather them together"
This expression might refer to the land where the people of Israel were in captivity.
This refers to the time when God will put his people back in the land of Israel. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
"You are my people!"
"Yahweh has shown you compassion"
"kindness" or "mercy"
This is a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law.
Here "mother" refers to the nation of Israel.
Yahweh is stating that Israel, spoken of here as a woman, is no longer acting like a wife to Yahweh. Instead Israel has turned away from following and worshiping him.
Yahweh can no longer be in relationship with the nation of Israel as a husband would be to his wife.
A wife who is adulterous leaves her husband to sleep with another man. This is how Israel was acting toward Yahweh.
This imagery suggests that Israel is relying on the idols and not Yahweh.
Yahweh will no longer protect and provide for Israel because the nation has turned away from him. In Israel, husbands were obliged by law to provide clothes for their wives. Not to do so was a sign that a man was rejecting his wife.
Yahweh will change Israel to resemble the wilderness, which is a region that is bare and unproductive.
Here "thirst" refers to the need to worship and rely on Yahweh, not idols, or Israel will not be able to survive as a nation.
The Israelites are acting like they do not belong to Yahweh. Just as their parents did not worship God, Neither do they.
The previous generation who sought out other gods were considered prostitutes for they were unfaithful to Yahweh.
Here "my lovers" refers to Baal and other false gods, whom Israel has chosen to worship instead of Yahweh. The list of things are essential items that allow the people to live.
This passage indicates that Yahweh will prevent his people from finding success and prosperity, becuase they continue to worship idols.
Israel will return to Yahweh not because of their love for him, but because they are disappointed by their worship of Baal.
This probably means that Israel's harvests and flocks will fail. Yahweh will remove his blessings from Israel, and the people will be left alone and in danger of attack.
"that the people used to clothe themselves"
No one will try to help Israel. Here "hand" refers to God's power to punish.
Some versions read, "her celebrations," taking this word to be a general term that introduces the words "feasts," "new moon celebrations," "Sabbaths," and "appointed festivals."
Yahweh will destroy the vineyards and fruit trees by allowing other trees and weeds to grow among them.
to attract her
As Yahweh lead Israel out of Egypt, he will lead Israel to the Valley of Achor so that Israel will hope again in Yahweh.
Yahweh hopes that the nation of Israel will repent and again choose to worship him as their God.
This means the people of Israel will love and be faithful to Yahweh just as a wife is to a husband.
"Baal" means "master" and also refers to the false god that the Canaanites worship.
"For I will cause you to not speak the names of the Baals"
This phrase is used to talk about a future restoration between Israel and Yahweh.
Yahweh's new covenant will include peace for the animals.
Yahweh will keep Israel's enemies away from them, there will be no more war, the people will be safe. Here "the bow, the sword, and the battle" represent war.
This expression refers to living in safety.
Yahweh will be like the husband, and Israel will be like Yahweh's wife.
"and do what is right, just, faithful, and merciful"
Here "know" means to acknowledge Yahweh as their God and to be faithful to him.
The land will meet the need for grain, new wine, and olive oil. These things will also meet the needs of Jezreel. The land and these products are spoken of as if they were people who could meet the needs of others.
Here the name of this valley stands for all the people of Israel.
"I will take care of the Israelite people as a farmer plants his crops and takes care of them"
"No Mercy"
"Not My People"
Yahweh again tells Hosea to love an adulterous woman.
By loving the adulterous woman, Hosea will be an example of Yahweh's love for Israel.
People ate raisin or fig cakes during festivals where they worshiped false gods.
This was the price to buy a slave.
"330 liters of barley"
Just as Hosea lived without his wife because she committed adultery, Israel will live without a king and without worshiping God, because they committed idolatry.
Here "seek" means they are asking God to accept them and their worship.
"a descendant of David to be their king"
"in the future"
"they will come back to Yahweh and will humble themselves, honor him, and ask for his blessings"
Yahweh stating that the people of Israel have sinned against him and broken his covenant is spoken of as if Yahweh were accusing them in court.
This is a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law.
"The people have disobeyed the law in every possible way"
"you commit one murder after another"
"the people living on the land mourn and waste away"
becoming weak and dying because of sickness or lack of food
"God is taking away the beasts ... sea"
Yahweh is speaking about Israel.
a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law
No one should accuse another person of anything because everyone is guilty of something.
Many modern translations read, "your people are like those who accuse a priest."
Here "stumble" means to disobey God or even to stop trusting him.
Here "mother" refers to the nation of Israel.
"My people are perishing because you, the priests, have not properly taught them about me so that they will obey me"
Here "knowledge" refers to the knowledge of God.
"They have stopped worshiping me, their honorable God, and now worship shameful idols" or 2) some Bible versions translate this as "I will exchange their honor for shame." This means Yahweh will take away the things which the priests honor and cause the priests to be ashamed.
When people sinned, they would offer sacrifices so God would forgive them. The priests were allowed to eat these sacrifices. The priests eating these sacrifices for sin is spoken of as if they would actually feed on the people's sins.
The priests want the people to sin more so that the people will offer more sacrifices that the priests may eat.
"The people and the priests will be punished in the same way"
"their habits" or "their conduct"
"but not have children"
"to me"
The people of Israel are pursuing sex outside of marriage and drinking too much wine. In doing these activities they have forgotten Yahweh's commands. These actions are spoken of here as if they were someone who could prevent people from understanding the importance of obeying Yahweh.
Idol worshipers used walking sticks to help them predict the future. The walking sticks are spoken of here as if they were people who spoke prophecies.
"Their desire to act as a prostitute has caused them to sin"
It was common for the people to set up idols in these places, often called "high places" in the Old Testament.
Some modern translations read, "brides."
These were women who had sexual relations with men who came to worship certain idols. This was viewed as a sacred action in honor of the false gods.
Yahweh will destroy the nation of Israel because they do not understand or obey God's commandments.
God knows how sinful Israel has become and does not want Judah to do the same thing.
The people of Judah are being warned not to go to the cities of Gilgal or Beth Aven to worship idols in those places. Gilgal was once a place where Yahweh had been worshiped, but it had become a place of idol worship.
This was a city on the border between the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin in the southern kingdom.
Israel is compared to a young cow that will not obey its master.
"Yahweh will not shepherd a rebellious people." or "Therefore Yahweh will not continue to take care of them."
"How can I"
Here "Ephraim" represents the whole northern kingdom of Israel, which is a metonym for the people who live there. They chose to worship idols, instead of Yahweh. Yahweh is commanding Hosea to not try to correct them. The people of Israel will not listen.
The rulers are not ashamed of what they are doing when they worship idols and turn against Yahweh.
Here "wind" represents God's judgment and anger against the nation of Israel. Yahweh will allow the enemy army to defeat the people of Israel and take them as captives.
A snare and a net are both objects used to catch prey. In this case, the priests and the royal household had devised ways to keep the people away from Yahweh, while enticing them into idolatry. Mizpah and Tabor were places for idol worship in the land of Israel.
Here "rebels" refers to all of those people who had turned away from Yahweh, and "deep in slaughter" could refer to the murder of innocent people, or to the slaughter of animals offered to pagan idols.
Here, "Ephraim" and "Israel" both refer to the whole northern kingdom of Israel, and represent the people who live there. Here God says that he knows what they are like and what they are doing.
Ephraim is presented in terms of a prostitute because the people have become unfaithful to God, as a prostitute is faithful to no man.
This means they have the desire to be unfaithful to God. They want to worship idols.
The translator can represent this as "to turn to me ... they do not know me," or "to turn to me ... they do not know me, Yahweh."
This describes "pride" as a person who testifies against the people of Israel in court. Their prideful attitude and behavior show that they are guilty of no longer obeying Yahweh.
The two kingdoms will become completely disobedient to God because of their pride and sin.
Possible meanings are 1) this means the Israelites were marrying people from other nations and having children with them or 2) this means the Israelite parents were unfaithful to Yahweh and they were teaching their children to worship idols.
The people of Israel were supposed to celebrate during the new moon. Here this expression seems to describe the new moon festival as a beast that will eat the people and their fields. However, it is hard to interpret this expression; many versions translate it without making much sense of it. However, the overall meaning is certainly that God will punish the people for their unfaithfulness to him.
Here "Benjamin" represents the soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin. This may be a request for them to lead the people into battle.
This was a city on the border between the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin in the southern kingdom.
Many versions understand the word "rebuke" here as "punishment."
"I will do to the tribes of Israel what I have declared"
To "move a boundary stone" refers to moving the landmark that marked the border of some property, which was a crime under Israelite law.
Yahweh's wrath against Judah will be like a large stream of water that destroys them.
"Ephraim's enemies oppress him" or "The enemies of the people of Israel oppress them"
"and I am judging the people of Israel by crushing them" or "and I am judging the people of Israel by having their enemies crush them"
Here "walked" represents the idea of worshiping.
A moth on a piece of wool and rot in a piece of wood are both destructive. Yahweh will destroy both nations.
Both Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel) realized that they were in danger.
Ephraim and Judah asked Assyria for help instead of asking Yahweh for help. "Great king" was a title for the king of Assyria.
Here "he" refers to the king of Assyria.
Yahweh is going to pursue and attack Ephraim like a lion.
Yahweh is going to treat Judah in a similar way. Yahweh is showing his displeasure with both the northern and the southern kingdoms.
Yahweh is emphasizing that he is the one that is bringing judgment on all of his people.
As a lion tears apart the animal it is eating, so Yahweh will tear his people away from their homes and country.
Yahweh will leave his rebellious people.
"ask me to pay attention to them"
God has punished the people of Israel because they disobeyed him and worshiped idols.
Israel believes that God will be merciful to them when they repent and he will deliver them from their troubles.
This represents a short period of time. Israel believes God will quickly come to rescue them from their enemies.
"2 days ... day 3"
Here "know" means not only to learn God's character and laws, but also to become faithful to him.
Yahweh will come to help his people just as surely as the sun rises each morning.
"it is hard to know what to do with you!"
Through his prophets, Yahweh has pronounced destruction on the rebellious nation. The destruction, here called "cutting to pieces," is as sure as the condemnation.
"The judgments that have fallen on you are like the light that shines out" or "The way I have judged you"
"For I delight in covenant faithfulness more than I delight in sacrifice" or "For I delight in sacrifices, but I delight in covenant faithfulness even more"
"Like all of humankind"
"Footprints of blood" probably represents the evildoers and their acts of murder.
We do not know what this refers to. Were priests actually guilty of attacking people on their way to Shechem, which was an important religious and political center? Or is the prophet saying that the priests have "killed" true knowledge and worship of Yahweh? It is best to translate this expression as plainly as possible.
Here "prostitution" refers to Ephraim's worship of false gods.
Israel has become unacceptable to God because of her actions.
"I have set a time of harvest for you also, Judah"
Here "harvest" represents God's final judgment on Israel and Judah.
"I will free my people from those who had captured them"
Making Israel obedient to God again and receivers of his blessing is spoken of as if it were healing.
The people are selling and buying products dishonestly.
This is a group of people who are attacking other people without cause.
The people's evil deeds are probably spoken of here as if they were other people ready to accuse them of their crimes.
"and I see it all"
"by their lies the officials make the king glad"
The people committed spiritual adultery by worshiping idols and being unfaithful to Yahweh. They were probably also being unfaithful to their husbands or wives by sleeping with other people.
"like an oven which the baker heats"
This is a part of the process of making bread.
This is perhaps a festival held by the king.
This probably means to unite or join with someone. It may mean that the king joins with his officials to mock things or people that should not be mocked, even God himself.
This means like a fire burns in an oven, these people have strong evil desires within them. The people's desires are represented by their "hearts."
"Their anger grows slowly and quietly"
"it gets very intense"
This seems to mean that the court officials kill their kings.
This is probably a reference to the efforts made by the northern kingdom's kings to ally themselves with other nations for protection against attack.
"The people of Ephraim are like a cake that no one has turned over"
Here "gray hairs" represent old age.
However, this "old age" is clearly a way of saying that the northern kingdom is getting weaker and weaker, because the nation does not know it is "old."
This describes "pride" as a person who testifies against the people of Israel in court. This means their prideful attitude and behavior show that they are guilty of no longer obeying Yahweh.
"nor have they tried to get him to pay attention to them"
Here "this" refers God allowing foreigners to defeat them and make them weak.
Doves were thought to be foolish birds.
These were powerful nations that Israel could ask for help.
This is a way to catch birds. Yahweh continues to compare the people of Israel to doves. When they go to Egypt or Assyria for help, Yahweh will punish them.
"I will hunt them like birds" or "I will catch them like a hunter catches birds"
"when they gather together"
It was usual for idol worshipers to eat ceremonial meals while reclining on couches or beds.
Some modern translations read, "they slash themselves" to make themselves bleed.
"they no longer worship me"
God was training the Israelites to love him and obey him is spoken of as if he had been training their men for war.
That is, a bow that has no bowstring, or that has no tension.
"because they insult me" or "because they curse me"
"This is why people in Egypt will mock and laugh at Israel"
"As an eagle hunts another animal, the enemies of Israel are coming to capture my people"
Here "broken" represents "disobeyed," "violated."
"are faithful to you"
"but the result will be that I will destroy the people"
"I myself have rejected your calf"
"Because you worship your calf idol, your worship"
"I am very angry with these people"
"They will not be able to avoid being punished for much longer."
To sow or plant the wind is to act in useless or destructive ways. To reap the whirlwind is to suffer disaster from one's own actions.
Here "head" refers to the part of the plant where the grain is. A stalk with no head has nothing to give to the farmer. In the same way, Israel's actions will result in nothing good.
If any of Israel's actions do happen to result in something good, Israel's enemies will come and take it from them.
"The enemies of Israel have taken the Israelites away to other lands"
People often think of donkeys as being stubborn. This means the people of Israel refused to listen to Yahweh but instead went to the people of Assyria for help.
"The people of Israel have tried to pay other nations to protect them"
That is, because the Assyrian king, also called "the Great King," will make the people suffer.
This probably refers to a tax or other form of oppression.
"Even if I wrote down my law for them very many times, they would"
"they would think of it as something strange to them" or "they would think of it as something foreign to them"
Because of their sin, God will send his people away as slaves to the Egyptians.
This describes the threshing floor and the winepress as if they were humans that can feed someone. This means that the harvest will not provide enough grain for threshing to meet the needs of the people, and that it will not provide the grapes for pressing to make enough wine.
There will not be enough grape juice to make wine with.
This expression signals that Yahweh continues to view the land of Israel as his property, not the property of the Israelites.
This is food that the Israelites would normally refuse to eat because it would make them unacceptable to Yahweh.
Here "mourners' food" refers to what people would eat while they mourning because they were defiled and not acceptable to God. This means Yahweh will consider the people's sacrifices to be defiled and he will not accept them.
The people of Israel will have food to eat, but Yahweh will not accept it as a sacrifice.
"You will not be able to celebrate the festivals that Yahweh appointed for you."
"if you escape"
"the army of Egypt will capture you. You will die there, and the people in the city of Memphis will bury you"
"Sharp briers will grow where they store their precious things of silver"
Here "tents" represents the Israelites' homes.
Yahweh will soon judge the people of Israel for their evil deeds.
Possible meanings are 1) that the people regarded the prophets as madmen or 2) that the prophets had become crazy because of the sins that the people had committed.
The iniquity of the people manifested itself in hostility towards Yahweh and his prophets.
"The prophet is like a watchman for God over Ephraim"
Here "Ephraim" represents all the people of Israel.
"the people set a trap for him wherever he goes" or "the people do all they can to harm him"
"The people of Israel have sinned and become very corrupt as they did at Gibeah long ago." This is probably a reference to the shocking actions of the tribe of Benjamin recounted in Judges 19-21.
This refers to when Yahweh first started his relationship with the people of Israel by claiming them as his own special people.
This means Yahweh was very happy when his relationship with the people of Israel started.
This is the name of a mountain in the land of Moab where the false god Baal was worshiped.
"their glory will be like a bird that flies away from them"
When God stops helping the northern kingdom, it will be as if he physically turned away from them.
"The nation of Israel was once beautiful and pleasant like the city of Tyre, like a tree that someone plants in a meadow"
Here "Ephraim" represents the whole northern kingdom of Israel. These places refer to the people who live in them.
"but the people of Israel will bring out their children"
"This is what I ask you, Yahweh, to give them: give them"
To "miscarry" means that a pregnancy ends too early and the baby dies. Hosea is asking that all the nation's women be like that.
Yahweh is stating that he will force Israel out of his land, the land of Canaan. Here "my house" represents Canaan.
the men who serve the king
Yahweh speaks of the people of Israel as if they were a diseased tree that does not produce fruit and is ready to be cut down. This is a statement that the people have become weak, and that soon their enemies will come and defeat them.
Israel is spoken of as a vine that was very fruitful. For a while the people prospered and were strong.
Both of these mean as the people prospered and grew stronger and richer.
"They are deceitful"
"now is the time that Yahweh will punish them for their sins"
"Even if we had a king now, he could not help us."
"They speak lies"
"So their decisions are not just; instead, they are harmful"
Their lies and injustice spread throughout their nation and harm everyone like poisonous plants.
This was a city on the border between the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin in the southern kingdom.
"The Assyrians will carry them away"
Some modern translations read, "King Jareb."
"And the people of Israel will be very ashamed because they had worshiped idols"
Many versions interpret the Hebrew word in this passage as "advice," "plans," or "intentions."
"The Assyrians will destroy the king of Samaria"
This means the king of Samaria will be as helpless as a small piece of wood that waves of the water toss back and forth.
"The Assyrians will destroy Israel's high places, where the people acted very wickedly"
"The people will say, 'We wish the mountains would cover us!' and 'We wish the hills would fall on us!'"
This is probably a reference to the shocking actions of the tribe of Benjamin recounted in Judges 19-21.
"and you think just as they did"
"War will certainly come on those who do wrong in Gibeah." or "Enemies will certainly attack those who do wrong in Gibeah."
"those who do wrong" or "the evildoers"
This refers to the many sins of Israel.
A heifer loves to thresh because they can walk around freely without a yoke. Yahweh means that he has allowed the people of Israel to be free and have a pleasant life.
Here "yoke" refers to suffering and slavery. Yahweh has been kind to the people of Israel, but the people have been unfaithful to him. So he will punish them and send them away as slaves.
The irony here is that the "heifer" views herself as "fair"—that is, as beautiful and delicate—but Yahweh views her as ugly and so will put a yoke on her, which will destroy her beauty.
Here "Judah" refers to the people of the southern kingdom and "Jacob" is the people of the northern kingdom. This means God will cause difficult times for both kingdoms.
a tool used to smooth the land and cover the seeds after plowing
"Plow, now, and do what is right, and you will reap the fruit of faithful love"
When the ground is "unplowed" it is not ready to be planted. Yahweh means he wants the people to repent so they can start doing what is right.
Wickedness and injustice are spoken of as if they were crops that could be sown and harvested.
"You now suffer the consequences of having deceived each other"
The coming war is being compared to a battle long ago.
This is the name of a king who destroyed the city of Beth Arbel around 740 BC. His army murdered women and children in the attack.
This is likely the name of a city of the tribe of Naphtali.
Here "Bethel" represents the people who live there. The prophet addresses the people of Bethel as if they were there listening to him.
"The more I called them to be my people, the more they refused me"
Yahweh refers to Israel as a small child whom he taught to walk.
"took care of them"
Yahweh loved his people in ways that they as humans could understand and appreciate.
Yahweh is speaking of the nation of Israel as a hardworking animal whose work he made easier.
This expression continues the metaphor in which Israel is pictured as a young child. It may mean that Yahweh provided for all their physical needs.
This question means that the nation of Israel will once again be slaves as they were in Egypt.
The nation of Israel will be captives of Assyria as a result of their refusal to remain faithful to Yahweh.
Here "sword" represents the enemies of Israel who will destroy Israel's cities.
Gates offered security to city inhabitants from their enemies, and the bars secured the closed gates. To destroy the bars meant to take away the people's security.
"Though they call to me, the Most High"
Yahweh will not allow anyone to help Israel because they turned away from him.
"I will not give you up, Ephraim. I will not hand you over, Israel."
"I do not want to act toward you as I acted toward Admah or make you like Zeboyim—cities that I destroyed along with Sodom"
Here "heart" represents God's will and decisions.
God is not like people, who often decide very quickly to take revenge.
"I will not come to you and be angry with you"
Worshiping and honoring Yahweh is spoken of as if it were following him
Yahweh making it possible for his people to return to his land is spoken of as if he were calling to his people.
They will come home quickly as a bird returns to its nest. "Trembling" may refer to the fluttering of a bird's wings. It may also signal the people's feelings of humility and reverence for God
"what Yahweh has declared" or "what Yahweh has solemnly said."
Lies and deceitful acts are spoken of as if they were objects that the people of the northern kingdom surrounded Yahweh with.
Many modern translations read, "And Judah is rebelling against God and against the Holy One"
"the people of Judah are ... are"
"me, God, and ... me, the Holy One"
Here "Ephraim" represents all the people of Israel. Also "wind" represents something that is useless or temporary. The people of Israel doing things that will not help them is spoken of as if they eat the wind.
East winds were very hot and destructive to the land. Here it represents anything that is destructive. The people doing things that will destroy themselves is spoken of as if they are following the east wind.
The people of Israel sent olive oil as a present to the king of Egypt to try and persuade him to help them.
Yahweh stating that the people of Judah have sinned against him and broken his covenant is spoken of as if Yahweh were accusing them in court.
"against the people of Judah ... punish them for what they have done ... repay them for their deeds"
Jacob wanted to take his brother's place as the firstborn, so he tried to keep his brother from being born first.
Jacob fought with an angel so that the angel would bless him.
"is his name to which we pray" or "is his name by which we worship him"
This refers to obeying God's law and doing what is right.
"These deceitful merchants use the scales in their hands to deceive people"
The merchants cheat their customers by lying to them and taking more money than they should.
"I have made much money"
"they will not discover that I have done anything sinful"
Possible meanings are 1) "I am Yahweh your God, who brought your ancestors from the land of Egypt" or 2) "I have been your God ever since you were in the land of Egypt" or 3) "I became your God when you were in the land of Egypt"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh is threatening to force the people of Israel from their homes and make them live in tents. So, here to "live in tents" would represent being sent into exile, or 2) it is a promise that after their exile the people will live in tents again, and Yahweh will take care of them as he did when the Israelites left Egypt. So, here "to live in tents" would represent a return to an ideal situation when Yahweh took care of his people.
"Through the prophets"
The altars where the people worshiped will be thrown down and become piles of stones.
Here "Jacob" and "Israel" refer to the same person. Jacob's name became Israel later in his life.
That is, Moses.
The anger that the people have caused in Yahweh is extremely great.
Here "blood" refers to the guilt incurred by people who murder others. God will not forgive their sins.
"will make him suffer from his own disgraceful actions"
Hosea uses the term "Ephraim" to refer to the entire northern kingdom, although it was also the name of one of the ten tribes. Hosea seems to be speaking of a long-past time, when the northern kingdom was strong and honored, unlike at the present time.
"there was trembling among the people" or "people trembled in fear"
Here "exalting" means to make oneself important.
When the people of Ephraim began worshiping Baal, they grew weak, and their enemies defeated them. Here "died" refers to the nation growing weak.
Here "they" refers to the tribe of Ephraim and the entire nation of Israel, who followed Ephraim's example.
Part of idol worship was kissing idol figures that were images of calves.
These expressions state that Israel is temporary and will soon disappear if they continue to worship idols instead of following Yahweh.
"that the wind blows away"
Yahweh claimed the Hebrew people as his own special people, and he took care of them there.
The image of sheep is continued with this expression.
"you became proud"
These are wild animals that attack and kill other animals. Yahweh continues to say that he will destroy his people for their sins.
"like a bear would attack an animal that takes her cubs"
"as a lion would devour them"
"there will be no on able to help you."
Yahweh asks these questions to tell Israel that when they rebel against him, no king or ruler can help them. Only Yahweh can save them from destruction.
Possible meanings are 1) the word "iniquity" refers to the actual acts of iniquity, or 2) the guilt that God attaches to iniquity, or 3) the punishment God will give for that iniquity.
Yahweh speaks of his own remembering Ephraim's iniquity as if he were a scribe who had written down a record of them, rolled up the scroll, bound it, and put it away so he could show it to people in the future.
Ephraim's guilt is spoken of as if it were a solid object that a person could store for later use.
Here Yahweh speaks of the suffering the people of Israel will suffer as if it were