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Thu, 09 May 2024 09:24:51 -0500 Yom Chamishi, Chodesh Sheni 30, 6024 — יום חמישי חדש שני ל ו׳כד

Exposing Misleading, Incorrect Translations!
The Third Commandment
Exodus 20:5 Deuteronomy 5:11

לֹ֥א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
תִשָּׂ֛א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef p427 rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav p60 ltCol
־שֵֽׁם
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
־יְהוָ֥ה
Ernest Klein
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
Ernest Klein Alef-Lamed-He-Yud Elohei-Elohim-Divinity p29 leftCol
לַשָּׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Klein/Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
כִּ֣י
Ernest Klein Chaf-Yud p275 leftColBottom
לֹ֤א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
יְנַקֶּה֙
Ernest Klein Nun-Quf-He p425 midCol
יְהוָ֔ה
Ernest Klein Yud-He-Vav-He p255 rtCol
אֵ֛ת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav p60 ltCol
אֲשֶׁר
Ernest Klein Alef-Shin-Resh Who-Which-That p59 rtCol
־יִשָּׂ֥א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef
p427 rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav p60 ltCol
־שְׁמ֖וֹ
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
לַשָּֽׁוְא׃
Ernest Klein Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
פ

5 Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

לֹ֥א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
תִשָּׂ֛א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef
p427 rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav p60 ltCol
־שֵֽׁם
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
־יְהוָ֥ה
Ernest Klein
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
Ernest Klein Alef-Lamed-He-Yud Elohei-Elohim-Divinity p29 leftCol
לַשָּׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Klein/Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
כִּ֣י
Ernest Klein Chaf-Yud p275 leftColBottom
לֹ֤א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
יְנַקֶּה֙
Ernest Klein Nun-Quf-He p425 midCol
יְהוָ֔ה
Ernest Klein Yud-He-Vav-He p255 rtCol
אֵ֛ת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav p60 ltCol
אֲשֶׁר
Ernest Klein Alef-Shin-Resh Who-Which-That p59 rtCol
־יִשָּׂ֥א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef p427
rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav p60 ltCol
־שְׁמ֖וֹ
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
לַשָּֽׁוְא׃
Ernest Klein Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
ס

11 Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain: for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

By visually comparing the companion verses of the Hebrew texts of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, we believe that one can readily determine the essence of meanings rarely captured correctly, if ever, in English translations (this is particularly evident, to us, for the third commandment).

Are we saying that, of these original Hebrew passages, some of the English translations (interpretations) are incorrect in addition to NOT conforming to the Masoretic verse ordering?

YES, ABSOLUTELY!

For instance, the same Hebrew word לַשָּֽׁוְא
Ernest Klein Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
(root: Shin-Vet-Alef) most often translated as "in vain", in the Ten Commandments companion passages (Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 5:11): "Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain..." is NEVER translated "in vain" anywhere else Moshe (Moses) uses that word in the Torah!

For example, in the Deuteronomy 5:18 passage commonly translated "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor", that same Hebrew word ( לַשָּֽׁוְא
Ernest Klein Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
) is correctly translated as "false"!

Exodus 20:11 Deuteronomy 5:18

11 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

18 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.

We want to emphasize the importance that the companion passage to Deuteronomy 5:18, Exodus 20:11, carries the exact translation: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor"! However, the Hebrew word used in Exodus 20:11 to express the same thought of "false" is an entirely different word: ( שָֽׁקֶר
Ernest Klein Shin-Quf-Resh p680 leftColBot midColTop Lie-Falsehood-Deception
).

Where שָׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity p643 leftCol
can have a nuanced meaning in some instances, the Hebrew word שָֽׁקֶר
Ernest Klein Shin-Quf-Resh p680 leftColBot midColTop Lie-Falsehood-Deception
(root: Shin-Quf-Resh) has a concrete and obvious meaning of falsehood, lying, deception and cannot remotely be considered to be interpreted/translated as "vain", or "in vain" in any instance!

To be fair, we will note that the Hebrew word שָׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity p643 leftCol
(root: Shin-Vet-Alef) can take a nuanced meaning as "vanity", "in vain". However, where it can take on that definition, it must be understood that it is down on the list as the very last instance of meaning in most Hebrew–English dictionaries. Also, among the other possible meanings, that of "in vain", "vanity" has little or no relation to the other potential meanings, and should probably be considered as only a very nuanced variation when a context supports it without doubt (at least, in our opinion)!

For the word שָׁ֑וְא Reuben Alcalay as well as Ernest Klein have the same order of definitions: Lie, Falsehood, Nothingness, Worthlessness, Vanity. Therein, vanity is in its natural order of prominence: last!

Of other places where the context absolutely dictates translating it as "vain", or "vanity", those instances should never dictate that that should always be the case, including herein. For lack of a better analogy, to force שָׁ֑וְא to mean "in vain" or "vanity" in Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 5:11 is to infer that the tail must wag the dog!

In the least, that is incredibly shoddy, if not criminal, exegesis!

Another point of consideration should be that Moshe (Moses), who it is known to have written the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, known as the "Torah", only used the word שָׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity p643 leftCol
(root: Shin-Vet-Alef) one other time in the entire Torah, in Exodus 23:1, where it takes the natural meaning "false":

Exodus 23:1

(note that we have set the word "Shav", Shin-Vet-Alef, in green for both the Hebrew word and its English translation):

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֖א שֵׁ֣מַע שָׁ֑וְא אַל־תָּ֤שֶׁת יָֽדְךָ֙ עִם־רָשָׁ֔ע לִהְיֹ֖ת עֵ֥ד חָמָֽס׃ ס

א

1

Thou shalt not take up a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

The "In Vain" Passages In The Ten Commandments
Are Not Correct Translations!!!

Thus, it should reasonably be understood that the passages interpreted/translated "Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain..." ARE NOT CORRECT, especially because that in every other instance where Moshe uses the word שָׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity p643 leftCol
(root: Shin-Vet-Alef), it takes the meaning towards "falsehood". And, again, those other passages never even infer to take on the meaning of "vain", or "in vain"!

We must ask, why do translations mislead us to keep us from truly understanding this commandment, and instead lead us to read into it something entirely different altogether?

Perhaps a closer interpretation would be "Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God as nothing, for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name falsely."

We think it is very unfortunate that most people who believe they have a grasp on the meaning of the Ten Commandments, and particularly on how they rely upon the misinterpreted translation of the third commandment, which is often defined, in reality, to say "Do not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain (as a swear word)".

Obviously, it is a very different thing to consider, rather, that the third commandment would say anything like:

"Do not take the Name of יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ  [Yehovah Eloheikha] (the Lord thy God) with such light esteem as if He is nothing; for יְהֹוָה  [Yehovah] will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name with such light esteem as if He is nothing"!


Exodus 20:5 Deuteronomy 5:11

לֹ֥א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
תִשָּׂ֛א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef p427 rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav Prefix-To-Definite-Noun p60 leftCol
־שֵֽׁם
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
־יְהוָ֥ה
Ernest Klein
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
Ernest Klein Alef-Lamed-He-Yud Elohei-Elohim-Divinity p29 leftCol
לַשָּׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Klein/Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
כִּ֣י
Ernest Klein Chaf-Yud p275 leftColBottom
לֹ֤א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
יְנַקֶּה֙
Ernest Klein Nun-Quf-He p425 midCol
יְהוָ֔ה
Ernest Klein Yud-He-Vav-He p255 rtCol
אֵ֛ת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav Prefix-To-Definite-Noun p60 leftCol
אֲשֶׁר
Ernest Klein Alef-Shin-Resh Who-Which-That p59 rtCol
־יִשָּׂ֥א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef
p427 rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav Prefix-To-Definite-Noun p60 leftCol
־שְׁמ֖וֹ
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
לַשָּֽׁוְא׃
Ernest Klein Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
פ

5 Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[Do not take the Name of the Lord thy God with such light esteem as if He is nothing; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name with such light esteem as if He is nothing.]

לֹ֥א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
תִשָּׂ֛א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef
p427 rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav Prefix-To-Definite-Noun p60 leftCol
־שֵֽׁם
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
־יְהוָ֥ה
Ernest Klein
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
Ernest Klein Alef-Lamed-He-Yud Elohei-Elohim-Divinity p29 leftCol
לַשָּׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Klein/Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
כִּ֣י
Ernest Klein Chaf-Yud p275 leftColBottom
לֹ֤א
Ernest Klein Lamed-Alef No-Not p291 midCol
יְנַקֶּה֙
Ernest Klein Nun-Quf-He p425 midCol
יְהוָ֔ה
Ernest Klein Yud-He-Vav-He p255 rtCol
אֵ֛ת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav Prefix-To-Definite-Noun p60 leftCol
אֲשֶׁר
Ernest Klein Alef-Shin-Resh Who-Which-That p59 rtCol
־יִשָּׂ֥א
Ernest Klein Nun-Sin-Alef p427
rtColBot p428 leftColTop
אֶת
Ernest Klein Alef-Tav Prefix-To-Definite-Noun p60 leftCol
־שְׁמ֖וֹ
Ernest Klein Shin-MemSofit Name p664 midCol
לַשָּֽׁוְא׃
Ernest Klein Lamed p291 leftColBot midColTop Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity_p643 leftCol
ס

11 Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain: for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[Do not take the Name of the Lord thy God with such light esteem as if He is nothing; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name with such light esteem as if He is nothing.]


Reuben Alcalay Hebrew-Enghlish Dictionary

Page 2553-2554 שָֽׁוְא (darker text!).


Even-Shoshan Hebrew Concordance

Page 1117 שָֽׁוְא (darker text!)


Avraham Even-Shoshan
שָׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity p643 leftCol
(Shin-Vet-Alef)
Referenced Passages:

(1) Exodus 23:1

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֖א שֵׁ֣מַע שָׁ֑וְא אַל־תָּ֤שֶׁת יָֽדְךָ֙ עִם־רָשָׁ֔ע לִהְיֹ֖ת עֵ֥ד חָמָֽס׃ ס

א

1

Thou shalt not take up a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.


(2) Deuteronomy 5:17 [Corrected 5:18]

וְלֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָׁ֑וְא׃ ס

יח

18

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.


(3) Isaiah 1:13

לֹ֣א תוֹסִ֗יפוּ הָבִיא֙ מִנְחַת־שָׁ֑וְא קְטֹ֧רֶת תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה הִ֖יא לִ֑י חֹ֤דֶשׁ וְשַׁבָּת֙ קְרֹ֣א מִקְרָ֔א לֹא־אוּכַ֥ל אָ֖וֶן וַעֲצָרָֽה׃

יג

13

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,- I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.


(4) Isaiah 30:28

וְרוּח֞וֹ כְּנַ֤חַל שׁוֹטֵף֙ עַד־צַוָּ֣אר יֶֽחֱצֶ֔ה לַהֲנָפָ֥ה גוֹיִ֖ם בְּנָ֣פַת שָׁ֑וְא וְרֶ֣סֶן מַתְעֶ֔ה עַ֖ל לְחָיֵ֥י עַמִּֽים׃

כח

28

and his breath is as an overflowing stream, that reacheth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction: and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples.


(5) Isaiah 59:4 (verse 3 provided as contrasting use of שָֽׁקֶר
Ernest Klein Shin-Quf-Resh p680 leftColBot midColTop Lie-Falsehood-Deception
)

כִּ֤י כַפֵּיכֶם֙ נְגֹאֲל֣וּ בַדָּ֔ם וְאֶצְבְּעוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בֶּֽעָוֺ֑ן שִׂפְתֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ דִּבְּרוּ־שֶׁ֔קֶר לְשׁוֹנְכֶ֖ם עַוְלָ֥ה תֶהְגֶּֽה׃

ג

3

For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness.

אֵין־קֹרֵ֣א בְצֶ֔דֶק וְאֵ֥ין נִשְׁפָּ֖ט בֶּאֱמוּנָ֑ה בָּט֤וֹחַ עַל־תֹּ֙הוּ֙ וְדַבֶּר־שָׁ֔וְא הָר֥וֹ עָמָ֖ל וְהוֹלֵ֥יד אָֽוֶן׃

ד

4

None sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.


(6) Ezekiel 12:24

כִּ֠י לֹ֣א יִֽהְיֶ֥ה ע֛וֹד כָּל־חֲז֥וֹן שָׁ֖וְא וּמִקְסַ֣ם חָלָ֑ק בְּת֖וֹךְ בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

כד

24

For there shall be no more any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.


(7) Ezekiel 13:6

חָ֤זוּ שָׁוְא֙ וְקֶ֣סֶם כָּזָ֔ב הָאֹֽמְרִים֙ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה וַֽיהוָ֖ה לֹ֣א שְׁלָחָ֑ם וְיִֽחֲל֖וּ לְקַיֵּ֥ם דָּבָֽר׃

ו

6

They have seen falsehood and lying divination, that say, Yehovah saith; but Yehovah hath not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.


(8) Ezekiel 13:7

הֲל֤וֹא מַֽחֲזֵה־שָׁוְא֙ חֲזִיתֶ֔ם וּמִקְסַ֥ם כָּזָ֖ב אֲמַרְתֶּ֑ם וְאֹֽמְרִים֙ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה וַאֲנִ֖י לֹ֥א דִבַּֽרְתִּי׃ ס

ז

7

Have ye not seen a false vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, in that ye say, Yehovah saith; albeit I have not spoken?


(9) Ezekiel 13:8

לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה יַ֚עַן דַּבֶּרְכֶ֣ם שָׁ֔וְא וַחֲזִיתֶ֖ם כָּזָ֑ב לָכֵן֙ הִנְנִ֣י אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִֽה׃

ח

8

Therefore thus saith the Lord Yehovah: Because ye have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord Yehovah.


(10) Ezekiel 13:9

וְהָיְתָ֣ה יָדִ֗י אֶֽל־הַנְּבִיאִ֞ים הַחֹזִ֣ים שָׁוְא֮ וְהַקֹּסְמִ֣ים כָּזָב֒ בְּס֧וֹד עַמִּ֣י לֹֽא־יִהְי֗וּ וּבִכְתָ֤ב בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֹ֣א יִכָּתֵ֔בוּ וְאֶל־אַדְמַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֹ֣א יָבֹ֑אוּ וִידַעְתֶּ֕ם כִּ֥י אֲנִ֖י אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִֽה׃

ט

9

And my hand shall be against the prophets that see false visions, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord Yehovah.


(11) Ezekiel 13:23

לָכֵ֗ן שָׁ֚וְא לֹ֣א תֶחֱזֶ֔ינָה וְקֶ֖סֶם לֹא־תִקְסַ֣מְנָה ע֑וֹד וְהִצַּלְתִּ֤י אֶת־עַמִּי֙ מִיֶּדְכֶ֔ן וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ן כִּֽי־אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

כג

23

Therefore ye shall no more see false visions, nor divine divinations: and I will deliver my people out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am Yehovah.


(12) Ezekiel 21:28

וְהָיָ֨ה לָהֶ֤ם כִּקְסָם כקסום־שָׁוְא֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁבֻעֵ֥י שְׁבֻע֖וֹת לָהֶ֑ם וְהֽוּא־מַזְכִּ֥יר עָוֺ֖ן לְהִתָּפֵֽשׂ׃ פ

כח

28

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, who have sworn oaths unto them; but he bringeth iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.


(13) Ezekiel 21:34

בַּחֲז֥וֹת לָךְ֙ שָׁ֔וְא בִּקְסָם־לָ֖ךְ כָּזָ֑ב לָתֵ֣ת אוֹתָ֗ךְ אֶֽל־צַוְּארֵי֙ חַֽלְלֵ֣י רְשָׁעִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣א יוֹמָ֔ם בְּעֵ֖ת עֲוֺ֥ן קֵֽץ׃

לד

34

while they see for thee false visions, while they divine lies unto thee, to lay thee upon the necks of the wicked that are deadly wounded, whose day is come in the time of the iniquity of the end.


(14) Ezekiel 22:28

וּנְבִיאֶ֗יהָ טָח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ תָּפֵ֔ל חֹזִ֣ים שָׁ֔וְא וְקֹסְמִ֥ים לָהֶ֖ם כָּזָ֑ב אֹמְרִ֗ים כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה וַֽיהוָ֖ה לֹ֥א דִבֵּֽר׃

כח

28

And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Yehovah, when Yehovah hath not spoken.


(15) Hosea 10:4

דִּבְּר֣וּ דְבָרִ֔ים אָל֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא כָּרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֑ית וּפָרַ֤ח כָּרֹאשׁ֙ מִשְׁפָּ֔ט עַ֖ל תַּלְמֵ֥י שָׂדָֽי׃

ד

4

They speak vain words, swearing falsely in making covenants: therefore judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.


(16) Hosea 12:12

אִם־גִּלְעָ֥ד אָ֙וֶן֙ אַךְ־שָׁ֣וְא הָי֔וּ בַּגִּלְגָּ֖ל שְׁוָרִ֣ים זִבֵּ֑חוּ גַּ֤ם מִזְבְּחוֹתָם֙ כְּגַלִּ֔ים עַ֖ל תַּלְמֵ֥י שָׂדָֽי׃

יב

12

Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.


(17) Yonah 2:9

מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא חַסְדָּ֖ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ׃

ט

9

They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy.


(18) Malachi 3:14

אֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם שָׁ֖וְא עֲבֹ֣ד אֱלֹהִ֑ים וּמַה־בֶּ֗צַע כִּ֤י שָׁמַ֙רְנוּ֙ מִשְׁמַרְתּ֔וֹ וְכִ֤י הָלַ֙כְנוּ֙ קְדֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית מִפְּנֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃

יד

14

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Yehovah of hosts?


(19) Psalms 12:3

שָׁ֤וְא ׀ יְֽדַבְּרוּ֮ אִ֤ישׁ אֶת־רֵ֫עֵ֥הוּ שְׂפַ֥ת חֲלָק֑וֹת בְּלֵ֖ב וָלֵ֣ב יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃

ג

3

They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.


(20) Psalms 26:4

לֹא־יָ֭שַׁבְתִּי עִם־מְתֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וְעִ֥ם נַ֝עֲלָמִ֗ים לֹ֣א אָבֽוֹא׃

ד

4

I have not sat with men of falsehood; Neither will I go in with dissemblers.


(21) Psalms 31:7

שָׂנֵ֗אתִי הַשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וַ֝אֲנִ֗י אֶל־יְהוָ֥ה בָּטָֽחְתִּי׃

ז

7

I hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in Yehovah.


(22) Psalms 41:7

וְאִם־בָּ֤א לִרְא֨וֹת ׀ שָׁ֤וְא יְדַבֵּ֗ר לִבּ֗וֹ יִקְבָּץ־אָ֥וֶן ל֑וֹ יֵצֵ֖א לַח֣וּץ יְדַבֵּֽר׃

ז

7

And if he come to see me, he speaketh falsehood; His heart gathereth iniquity to itself: When he goeth abroad, he telleth it.


(23) Psalms 89:48

זְכָר־אֲנִ֥י מֶה־חָ֑לֶד עַל־מַה־שָּׁ֝֗וְא בָּרָ֥אתָ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָֽם׃

מח

48

Oh remember how short my time is: For what vanity hast thou created all the children of men!


(24) Psalms 119:37

הַעֲבֵ֣ר עֵ֭ינַי מֵרְא֣וֹת שָׁ֑וְא בִּדְרָכֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃

לז

37

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in they ways.


(25) Psalms 127:1
(26) Psalms 127:1

שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּֽעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה אִם־יְהוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא ׀ עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהוָ֥ה לֹֽא־יִשְׁמָר־עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃

א

1

[A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.] Except Yehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Yehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.


(27) Psalms 127:2

שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם ׀ מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵי ק֡וּם מְאַֽחֲרֵי־שֶׁ֗בֶת אֹ֭כְלֵי לֶ֣חֶם הָעֲצָבִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן יִתֵּ֖ן לִֽידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא׃

ב

2

It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil;


(28) Psalms 144:8

אֲשֶׁ֣ר פִּ֭יהֶם דִּבֶּר־שָׁ֑וְא וִֽ֝ימִינָ֗ם יְמִ֣ין שָֽׁקֶר׃

ח

8

Whose mouth speaketh deceit, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.


(29) Psalms 144:11

פְּצֵ֥נִי וְהַצִּילֵנִי֮ מִיַּ֪ד בְּֽנֵי־נֵ֫כָ֥ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר פִּ֭יהֶם דִּבֶּר־שָׁ֑וְא וִֽ֝ימִינָ֗ם יְמִ֣ין שָֽׁקֶר׃

יא

11

Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, Whose mouth speaketh deceit, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.


(30) Proverbs 30:8

שָׁ֤וְא ׀ וּֽדְבַר־כָּזָ֡ב הַרְחֵ֬ק מִמֶּ֗נִּי רֵ֣אשׁ וָ֭עֹשֶׁר אַל־תִּֽתֶּן־לִ֑י הַ֝טְרִיפֵ֗נִי לֶ֣חֶם חֻקִּֽי׃

ח

8

Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me:


(31) Job 7:3

כֵּ֤ן הָנְחַ֣לְתִּי לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וְלֵיל֥וֹת עָ֝מָ֗ל מִנּוּ־לִֽי׃

ג

3

So am I made to possess months of misery, And wearisome nights are appointed to me.


(32) Job 11:11

כִּי־ה֭וּא יָדַ֣ע מְתֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וַיַּרְא־אָ֝֗וֶן וְלֹ֣א יִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃

יא

11

For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.


(33) Job 15:31

אַל־יַאֲמֵ֣ן בַּשָּׁ֣יו בשו נִתְעָ֑ה כִּי־שָׁ֝֗וְא תִּהְיֶ֥ה תְמוּרָתֽוֹ׃

לא

31

Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself; For vanity shall be his recompense.


(34) Job 31:5

אִם־הָלַ֥כְתִּי עִם־שָׁ֑וְא וַתַּ֖חַשׁ עַל־מִרְמָ֣ה רַגְלִֽי׃

ה

5

If I have walked with falsehood, And my foot hath hasted to deceit


(35) Job 35:13

אַךְ־שָׁ֭וְא לֹא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ אֵ֑ל וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י לֹ֣א יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה׃

יג

13

Surely God will not hear an empty cry, Neither will the Almighty regard it.


(36) Lamentations 2:14
(37) Lamentations 2:14

נְבִיאַ֗יִךְ חָ֤זוּ לָךְ֙ שָׁ֣וְא וְתָפֵ֔ל וְלֹֽא־גִלּ֥וּ עַל־עֲוֺנֵ֖ךְ לְהָשִׁ֣יב שְׁבוּתֵ֑ךְ שביתך וַיֶּ֣חֱזוּ לָ֔ךְ מַשְׂא֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא וּמַדּוּחִֽים׃ ס

יד

14

Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; And they have not uncovered thine iniquity, to bring back thy captivity, But have seen for thee false oracles and causes of banishment.


(38) Psalms 60:13

הָֽבָה־לָּ֣נוּ עֶזְרָ֣ת מִצָּ֑ר וְ֝שָׁ֗וְא תְּשׁוּעַ֥ת אָדָם׃

יג

13

Give us help against the adversary; For vain is the help of man.


(39) Psalms 108:13

הָֽבָה־לָּ֣נוּ עֶזְרָ֣ת מִצָּ֑ר וְ֝שָׁ֗וְא תְּשׁוּעַ֥ת אָדָֽם׃

יג

13

Give us help against the adversary; For vain is the help of man.


(40) Isaiah 5:18

ה֛וֹי מֹשְׁכֵ֥י הֶֽעָוֺ֖ן בְּחַבְלֵ֣י הַשָּׁ֑וְא וְכַעֲב֥וֹת הָעֲגָלָ֖ה חַטָּאָֽה׃

יח

18

Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and sin as it were with a cart rope;


(41) Zechariah 10:2

כִּ֧י הַתְּרָפִ֣ים דִּבְּרוּ־אָ֗וֶן וְהַקּֽוֹסְמִים֙ חָ֣זוּ שֶׁ֔קֶר וַֽחֲלֹמוֹת֙ הַשָּׁ֣וא יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ הֶ֖בֶל יְנַֽחֵמ֑וּן עַל־כֵּן֙ נָסְע֣וּ כְמוֹ־צֹ֔אן יַעֲנ֖וּ כִּֽי־אֵ֥ין רֹעֶֽה׃ פ

ב

2

For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they go their way like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.


(42) Job 15:31

אַל־יַאֲמֵ֣ן בַּשָּׁ֣יו בשו נִתְעָ֑ה כִּי־שָׁ֝֗וְא תִּהְיֶ֥ה תְמוּרָתֽוֹ׃

לא

31

Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself; For vanity shall be his recompense.


(43,44) Exodus 20:7 [Corrected 20:5]

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ פ

ה

5

Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[Do not take the Name of the Lord thy God with such light esteem as if He is nothing; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name with such light esteem as if He is nothing.]


(45,46) Exodus 20:7 [Corrected 20:5]

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ פ

ה

5

Thou shalt not take the name of Yehovah thy God in vain; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[Do not take the Name of the Lord thy God with such light esteem as if He is nothing; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name with such light esteem as if He is nothing.]


(47) Jeremiah 2:30

לַשָּׁוְא֙ הִכֵּ֣יתִי אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶ֔ם מוּסָ֖ר לֹ֣א לָקָ֑חוּ אָכְלָ֧ה חַרְבְּכֶ֛ם נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֖ם כְּאַרְיֵ֥ה מַשְׁחִֽית׃

ל

30

In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.


(48) Jeremiah 4:30

וְאַ֨תְּ ואתי שָׁד֜וּד מַֽה־תַּעֲשִׂ֗י כִּֽי־תִלְבְּשִׁ֨י שָׁנִ֜י כִּי־תַעְדִּ֣י עֲדִי־זָהָ֗ב כִּֽי־תִקְרְעִ֤י בַפּוּךְ֙ עֵינַ֔יִךְ לַשָּׁ֖וְא תִּתְיַפִּ֑י מָאֲסוּ־בָ֥ךְ עֹגְבִ֖ים נַפְשֵׁ֥ךְ יְבַקֵּֽשׁוּ׃

ל

30

And thou, when thou art made desolate, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with scarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou enlargest thine eyes with paint, in vain dost thou make thyself fair; thy lovers despise thee, they seek thy life.


(49) Jeremiah 6:29

נָחַ֣ר מַפֻּ֔חַ מֵאֵ֖שׁ תַּ֣ם מאשתם עֹפָ֑רֶת לַשָּׁוְא֙ צָרַ֣ף צָר֔וֹף וְרָעִ֖ים לֹ֥א נִתָּֽקוּ׃

כט

29

The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away.


(50) Jeremiah 18:15

כִּֽי־שְׁכֵחֻ֥נִי עַמִּ֖י לַשָּׁ֣וְא יְקַטֵּ֑רוּ וַיַּכְשִׁל֤וּם בְּדַרְכֵיהֶם֙ שְׁבִילֵ֣י עוֹלָ֔ם לָלֶ֣כֶת נְתִיב֔וֹת דֶּ֖רֶךְ לֹ֥א סְלוּלָֽה׃

טו

15

For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up;


(51) Jeremiah 46:11

עֲלִ֤י גִלְעָד֙ וּקְחִ֣י צֳרִ֔י בְּתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־מִצְרָ֑יִם לַשָּׁוְא֙ הִרְבֵּ֣ית הרביתי רְפֻא֔וֹת תְּעָלָ֖ה אֵ֥ין לָֽךְ׃

יא

11

Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt: in vain dost thou use many medicines; there is no healing for thee.


(52) Psalms 24:4

נְקִ֥י כַפַּ֗יִם וּֽבַר־לֵ֫בָ֥ב אֲשֶׁ֤ר ׀ לֹא־נָשָׂ֣א לַשָּׁ֣וְא נַפְשִׁ֑י וְלֹ֖א נִשְׁבַּ֣ע לְמִרְמָֽה׃

ד

4

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.


(53) Psalms 139:20

אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֹ֭אמְרֻךָ לִמְזִמָּ֑ה נָשֻׂ֖א לַשָּׁ֣וְא עָרֶֽיךָ׃

כ

20

For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take thy name in vain.


We, no doubt, have not exhausted this study but we believe the argument is salient. As you may have seen above, we have provided more detail for the word שָׁ֑וְא
Ernest Klein Shin-Vet-Alef Lie-Falsehood-Nothingness-Worthlessness-Vanity p643 leftCol
(root: Shin-Vet-Alef) which is found in 53 reference verses (some repeated) according to the Even-Shoshan Concordance (from Scan, p1117 above).


Hebrew Word Roots Usually Contain Three (3) Letters

As a point of information for those who may not be familiar with the Hebrew language, the majority of Hebrew words typically have roots containing three (3) letters. In addition to vowel points, words will typically have a prefix and a suffix to contribute to the overall definition in providing tense, subject and variant meanings.

In the above side–by–side comparison, popup-definitions occur when the mouse cursor hovers over a Hebrew word. The definitions are taken from Ernest Klein's A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary Of The Hebrew Language For Readers Of English (hence, the image of the book above).

Moreover, our intent with the popup-definitions is merely to provide the base definition for the root of the Hebrew word, and not the full "nuanced" definition which may include a prefix and a suffix as well as different vowel pointers, each of which contribute to the tense, subject and variant meanings for a given word.

However, in some instances we may choose to provide a prefix or suffix in the popup image along with that of the base root in order to help discern the meaning of a particular word.


Click on the image above to go to the web page discussion on The Septuagint.

At the bottom of that page is a video of 5 parts with detail of how that the "history" of The Septuagint titled: "WAS THERE A B.C. SEPTUAGINT?"

Please click on that image to go to the YouTube web page and watch all five parts!


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