What does דָבַר · מִשְׁפָּט mean in the Bible?
דָבַר · מִשְׁפָּט is a Hebrew phrase meaning "speak judgments, pronounce sentence".
Hebrew · H1696, H4941
דִּבֶּר מִשְׁפָּטִים
Perhaps properly, to arrange ; but used figuratively (of words), to speak ; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue · properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law , individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice , including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
דָבַר H1696 perhaps properly, to arrange ; but used figuratively (of words), to speak ; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Pronunciation dābar
Speech arranges reality: God's word creates and commands; human speech binds covenantally through promise and declaration.
Open lexicon entry →
מִשְׁפָּט H4941 properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law , individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice , including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style
Pronunciation mišpāṭ
Judicial decision encompassing verdict, law, and justice; God's decisive rulings establish cosmic and moral order.
Open lexicon entry →
What does דִּבֶּר מִשְׁפָּטִים (dibber mishpatim) mean in the Bible?
דָבַר · מִשְׁפָּט is a Hebrew phrase meaning "speak judgments, pronounce sentence".
Full entry for דִּבֶּר מִשְׁפָּטִים (H1696, H4941) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H1696, H4941?
H1696, H4941 is connected to 1,568 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. speak judgments, pronounce sentence
Source Gloss
speak judgments, pronounce sentence
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 6 Aligned forms 691
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 662×
Perfect 1Chr 17:15 · 1Chr 21:19 · 1Chr 22:11 · 1Kgs 2:4 · 1Kgs 2:23 · 1Kgs 2:24 · 1Kgs 2:27 · 1Kgs 2:30 · 1Kgs 2:31 · 1Kgs 2:38 · 1Kgs 5:19 · 1Kgs 5:26 · 1Kgs 8:15 · 1Kgs 8:20 · 1Kgs 8:56 · 1Kgs 12:12 388×
Imperfect 1Sam 9:6 · Dan 11:36 · Deut 5:24 · Deut 5:27 · Deut 18:19 · Deut 18:20 · Deut 18:22 · Exod 4:14 · Exod 7:2 · Exod 7:9 · Exod 19:19 · Exod 33:11 · Gen 44:7 · Hab 2:1 · Hos 12:5 · Isa 28:11 132×
Sequential imperfect 1Kgs 2:14 · 1Kgs 2:16 · 1Sam 3:9 · 1Sam 3:10 · 1Sam 15:16 · 2Kgs 18:26 · 2Sam 13:13 · 2Sam 17:6 · Exod 6:11 · Exod 6:29 · Exod 11:2 · Exod 14:2 · Exod 14:15 · Exod 16:12 · Exod 20:19 · Exod 25:2 81×
Participle active 1Kgs 1:14 · 1Kgs 1:22 · 1Kgs 1:42 · 1Sam 1:13 · 1Sam 17:23 · 2Kgs 6:33 · 2Kgs 8:4 · Dan 8:13 · Dan 9:20 · Dan 9:21 · Deut 4:33 · Deut 5:26 · Esth 6:14 · Ezek 1:28 · Ezek 2:8 · Ezek 44:5 32×
Jussive 2Sam 14:18 · Dan 10:19 · Exod 20:19 · Gen 44:18 · Jer 23:28 · 2Kgs 18:26 · Isa 36:11 · Prov 23:9 · 1Sam 2:3 · 2Sam 14:12 10×
Cohortative 2Sam 14:15 · Jer 6:10 · Job 9:35 · Job 10:1 · Job 16:4 · Job 16:6 · Job 32:20 · Ps 122:8 8×
Infinitive construct Deut 3:26 · Gen 24:50 · Isa 7:10 · Isa 8:5 · Jer 1:6 · Jer 9:4 · Num 22:19 · Num 22:38 8×
Infinitive absolute 2Sam 20:18 · Exod 4:14 · Isa 59:13 3×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 21×
Participle active Dan 10:11 · Deut 5:1 · Exod 6:29 · Isa 9:16 · Isa 45:19 · Jer 28:7 · Jer 32:42 · Jer 38:20 · Jer 40:16 · Job 2:13 · Jonah 3:2 · Mic 7:3 · Num 27:7 · Num 32:27 · Num 36:5 · Ps 5:7 20×
Participle passive Prov 25:11 1×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 3×
Participle active Ezek 2:2 · Ezek 43:6 · Num 7:89 3×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 3×
Perfect Mal 3:16 · Ps 119:23 · Mal 3:13 3×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Imperfect Ps 47:4 1×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 1×
Participle passive Ps 87:3 1×
Word Origins
דִּבֶּר מִשְׁפָּטִים is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain