What does יָסַף · גָּרַע mean in the Bible?
יָסַף · גָּרַע is a Hebrew phrase meaning "Do not add to it and do not subtract from it — the canonical completeness seal".
Hebrew · H3254, H1639
לֹא תֹסִפוּ עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ
To add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) · to scrape off; by implication, to shave , remove , lessen , withhold
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 theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
יָסַףH3254to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
Pronunciationyosif / yasaph
Conveys iterative continuation or repeated action; "do again" or "continue doing" beyond initial occurrence.
Open lexicon entry →גָּרַעH1639to scrape off; by implication, to shave , remove , lessen , withhold
Pronunciationgāraʿ
Physical removal action extending to abstract diminishment: scraping away materializes into reducing, restraining, withholding.
Open lexicon entry →What does לֹא תֹסִפוּ עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ (lo tosifu alav velo tigru mimenu) mean in the Bible?
יָסַף · גָּרַע is a Hebrew phrase meaning "Do not add to it and do not subtract from it — the canonical completeness seal".
Full entry for לֹא תֹסִפוּ עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ (H3254, H1639) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H3254, H1639?
H3254, H1639 is connected to 232 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. Do not add to it and do not subtract from it — the canonical completeness seal
Source Gloss
Do not add to it and do not subtract from it — the canonical completeness seal
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 groups3Aligned forms127
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action107×
Imperfect1Chr 17:18 · 2Sam 7:20 · 2Sam 14:10 · Deut 25:3 · Eccl 1:18 · Gen 30:24 · Isa 10:20 · Isa 11:11 · Isa 29:14 · Isa 38:5 · Isa 52:1 · Job 17:9 · Job 34:37 · Joel 2:2 · Josh 23:13 · Lam 4:1683×
Jussive1Chr 21:3 · 1Kgs 2:23 · 1Sam 3:17 · 1Sam 14:44 · 1Sam 20:13 · 1Sam 25:22 · 2Kgs 6:31 · 2Sam 3:9 · 2Sam 3:35 · 2Sam 19:14 · Deut 1:11 · Exod 8:25 · Lev 5:16 · Lev 5:24 · Ps 115:14 · Deut 3:2621×
Perfect1Kgs 10:7 · 2Kgs 24:72×
CohortativeHos 9:151×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense18×
Perfect1Sam 15:35 · 1Sam 27:4 · Deut 5:22 · Gen 38:26 · Jer 45:3 · Judg 13:21 · 1Sam 7:13 · 2Kgs 6:23 · 2Sam 2:28 · Judg 8:28 · Num 11:25 · 2Chr 9:6 · Isa 26:15 · 1Sam 12:19 · Gen 8:1216×
Participle active1Sam 27:4 · Deut 5:252×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action2×
Participle activeIsa 15:91×
PerfectJer 36:321×
Word Origins
לֹא תֹסִפוּ עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ is a primitive root - no further derivation.