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15:10). A girl’s parent or someone else in a responsible position may “give” her to a man
to be his wife (Gen. 16:3), as well as presenting a bride price (Gen. 34:12) and dowry (1
Kings 9:16). The verb also is used of “giving” or “granting” a request (Gen. 15:2).
Sometimes,
can be used to signify “putting” (“placing”) someone into custody
(2 Sam. 14:7) or into prison (Jer. 37:4), or even of “destroying” something (Judg. 6:30).
This same basic sense may be applied to “dedicating” (“handing over”) something or
someone to God, such as the first-born son (Exod. 22:29). Levites are those who have
been “handed over” in this way (Num. 3:9). This word is used of “bringing reprisal” upon
someone or of “giving” him what he deserves; in some cases, the stress is on the act of
reprisal (1 Kings 8:32), or bringing his punishment on his head.
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can be used of “giving” or “ascribing” something to someone, such as
“giving” glory and praise to God (Josh. 7:19). Obviously, nothing is passed from men to
God; nothing is added to God, since He is perfect. This means, therefore, that a worshiper
recognizes and confesses what is already His.
Another major emphasis of
is the action of “giving” or “effecting” a result. For
example, the land will “give” (“yield”) its fruit (Deut. 25:19). In some passages, this verb
means “to procure” (“to set up”), as when God “gave” (“procured, set up”) favor for
Joseph (Gen. 39:21). The word can be used of sexual activity, too, emphasizing the act of
intercourse or “one’s lying down” with an animal (Lev. 18:23).
God “placed” (literally, “gave”) the heavenly lights into the expanse of the heavens
(Gen. 1:17—the first occurrence of the verb). A garland is “placed” (literally, “given”)
upon one’s head (Prov. 4:9). The children of Israel are commanded not to “set up” idols
in their land.
A third meaning of
is seen in Gen. 17:5: “… For a father of many nations have
I made [literally, “given”] thee.” There are several instances where the verb bears this
significance.
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has a number of special implications when used with bodily parts—for
example, “to give” or “turn” a stubborn shoulder (Neh. 9:29). Similarly, compare
expressions such as “turning [giving] one’s face” (2 Chron. 29:6). To “turn [give] one’s
back” is to flee (Exod. 23:27). “Giving one’s hand” may be no more than “putting it
forth,” as in the case of the unborn Zarah (Gen. 38:28). This word can also signify an act
of friendship as when Jehonadab “gave his hand” (instead of a sword) to Jehu to help him
into the chariot (2 Kings 10:15); an act of oathtaking, as when the priests “pledged”
(“gave their hands”) to put away their foreign wives (Ezra 10:19); and “making” or
“renewing” a covenant, as when the leaders of Israel “pledged” themselves (“gave their
hands”) to follow Solomon (1 Chron. 29:24).
“To give something into someone’s hand” is to “commit” it to his care. So after the
Flood, God “gave” the earth into Noah’s hand (Gen. 9:2). This phrase is used to express
the “transfer of political power,” such as the divine right to rule (2 Sam. 16:8).
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is
used especially in a military and judicial sense, meaning “to give over one’s power or
control,” or to grant victory to someone; so Moses said God would “give” the kings of
Canaan into Israel’s hands (Deut. 7:24). “To give one’s heart” to something or someone
is “to be concerned about it”; Pharaoh was not “concerned” about (“did not set his heart
to”) Moses’ message from God (Exod. 7:23). “To put [give] something into one’s heart”