Hebrew noun (masculine) · H4592
מְעַט
meatmeh-at'
little
101 uses in the Hebrew text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: mᵉʻaṭ
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's H4592is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 28 of 39Old Testament books
- 52spellings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · H4592
a little or few (often adverbial or compar.)
The King James renders it: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
meat is rendered "little". It stands 101 times in the Hebrew text, across twenty-eight books.
- Eleven of the uses stand in Genesis, more than in any other book.
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Genesis 18:4Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
- The Greek text spells it fifty-two different ways.
The first use
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
Genesis 18:4מְעַט־
The first use, in the order of the Old Testament's books.
Where the word stands
The word stands in twenty-eight of the 39 Old Testament books.
What the word means
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
How the Greek text is glossed, word by word
- a little18
- a little of18
- like a little15
- little10
- few8
- ¿ little5
- a few5
- ¿ small3
- and a little of2
- and for the few2
- fewness2
- like a little of2
and 10 more, 101 uses in all
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
The words it stands beside
All 101, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
52 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- מְעַ֣ט11
- מְעַט־7
- מְעַ֖ט5
- מְעָ֑ט5
- כִּ֭מְעַט4
- מְ֭עַט4
- הַמְעַ֣ט3
- הַמְעַ֖ט3
- מְעַ֥ט3
- מְעָֽט׃3
- וּמְעַ֣ט2
- כִּמְעַ֣ט2
and 40 more spellings in the ledger below.
The grammar of each form
- noun · masculine singular41HNcmsa
- preposition + noun · masculine singular20HR/Ncmsa
- noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)19HNcmsc
- question particle + noun · masculine singular9HTi/Ncmsa
- preposition + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)3HR/Ncmsc
- conjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)2HC/Ncmsc
- conjunction (“and”) + preposition with the article + noun · masculine singular2HC/Rd/Ncmsa
- noun · masculine plural2HNcmpa
- the definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singular2HTd/Ncmsa
- conjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singular1HC/Ncmsa
Genesis
eleven uses
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.”
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
“What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.”
- כִּ֠מְעַטkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”
- הַמְעַט֙hamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ small
Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?”
- מְעַט֩meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
- מְעַ֤טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
- וּמְעַ֣טumeatconjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: and a little of
Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy us some food.’
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: few
Exodus
three uses
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!”
- מְעַ֖טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land.
- מְעַ֥טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
- מְעַ֛טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
Leviticus
one use
If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to calculate and pay his redemption according to his remaining years.
- מְעַ֞טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: few
Numbers
seven uses
See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many.
- הַמְעַ֥טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ few
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
- הַמְעַ֣טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ small
Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us?
- הַמְעַ֗טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ small
Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.
- וְלַמְעַ֕טvelamatconjunction (“and”) + preposition with the article + noun · masculine singulartagged: and for the few
Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”
- לִמְעָֽט׃ סlimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: and few
And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.
- וְלַמְעַט֙velamatconjunction (“and”) + preposition with the article + noun · masculine singulartagged: and for the few
The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.”
- הַמְעַ֖טhamatthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the few
Deuteronomy
six uses
The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
- הַמְעַ֖טhamatthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the few
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
- מְעָ֑טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous.
- מְעָ֑טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: fewness
You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it.
- וּמְעַ֣טumeatconjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: and little
You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left few in number, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.
- מְעָ֔טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: fewness
Joshua
two uses
On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.”
- מְעַ֖טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: few
Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD.
- הַמְעַט־hamat-question particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ little
Judges
one use
Sisera said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again.
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
Ruth
one use
She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.”
- מְעָֽט׃meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
1 Samuel
four uses
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- בִמְעָֽט׃vimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: by few
“My father has brought trouble to the land,” Jonathan replied. “Just look at how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
- מְעַ֖טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
“Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”
- מְעַ֥טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”
- מְעַ֨טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: fewness of
2 Samuel
three uses
I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.
- מְעָ֔טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
- מְעַט֙meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Your servant could go with the king only a short distance past the Jordan; why should the king repay me with such a reward?
- כִּמְעַ֞טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
1 Kings
two uses
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.”
- מְעַט־meat-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”
- וּמְעַט־umeat-conjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: and a little of
2 Kings
one use
Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.
- מְעָ֑טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
1 Chronicles
one use
When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,
- כִּמְעַ֖טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a few
2 Chronicles
two uses
When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but will soon grant them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
- כִּמְעַט֙kimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had been consecrated. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.
- לִמְעָ֔טlimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: to fewness
Ezra
two uses
But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes.
- כִּמְעַט־kimat-preposition + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: like a little of
- מְעַ֖טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Nehemiah
two uses
I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
- מְעַט֮meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a few
Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.
- מְעַ֖טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: few
Job
five uses
Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: few
- מְּעָֽט׃meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Are the consolations of God not enough for you, even words spoken gently to you?
- הַמְעַ֣טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ little
They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.
- מְּעַ֨ט׀meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.
- כִּ֝מְעַ֗טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Psalms
ten uses
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
- כִּמְעַ֣טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.
- מְּ֭עַטmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
- מְ֭עַטmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.
- מְ֭עַטmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
- כִּ֭מְעַטkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!
- כִּ֭מְעַטkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Unless the LORD had been my helper, I would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
- כִּמְעַ֓ט׀kimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,
- כִּ֝מְעַ֗טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
May his days be few; may another take his position.
- מְעַטִּ֑יםmeatimnoun · masculine pluraltagged: few
They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
- כִּ֭מְעַטkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Proverbs
ten uses
I am on the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.”
- כִּ֭מְעַטkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
- מְעַ֓ט׀meatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
- כִּמְעָֽט׃kimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
- מְ֭עַטmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
- מְ֭עַטmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
- מְעַ֓ט׀meatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
Ecclesiastes
four uses
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
- מְעַטִּֽים׃meatimnoun · masculine pluraltagged: few
The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.
- מְעַ֥טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.
- מְעָ֑טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: few
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
- מְעָֽט׃meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Song of Solomon
one use
I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me.
- כִּמְעַט֙kimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Isaiah
seven uses
Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.
- כִּמְעָ֑טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well?
- הַמְעַ֤טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ little
But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.
- מְעָֽט׃meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a few
For in just a little while My fury against you will subside, and My anger will turn to their destruction.”
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
And now the LORD says, “In three years, as a hired worker counts the years, Moab’s splendor will become an object of contempt, with all her many people. And those who are left will be few and feeble.”
- מְעַ֛טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.
- כִמְעַט־khimat-preposition + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: like a little of
In a very short time, will not Lebanon become an orchard, and the orchard seem like a forest?
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: a little of
Jeremiah
two uses
Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes.
- מְעַט֙meatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a few
For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “The Daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is trampled. In just a little while her harvest time will come.”
- מְעַ֔טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Ezekiel
five uses
But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment.
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a few
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’
- מְעַ֔טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough?
- הַמְעַ֖טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ little
And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were.
- כִּמְעַ֣טkimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: like a little
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
- הַמְעַ֣טhamatquestion particle + noun · masculine singulartagged: ¿ little
Daniel
two uses
After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully; for he will rise to power with only a few people.
- בִּמְעַט־bimat-preposition + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: with fewness of
Now when they fall, they will be granted a little help, but many will join them insincerely.
- מְעָ֑טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Hosea
two uses
Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.
- מְעַ֗טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes.
- מְּעָ֔טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a few
Haggai
three uses
You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”
- מְעָ֗טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: little
You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.
- לִמְעָ֔טlimatpreposition + noun · masculine singulartagged: into little
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
- מְעַ֣טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Zechariah
one use
but I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease. For I was a little angry, but they have added to the calamity.’
- מְּעָ֔טmeatnoun · masculine singulartagged: a little
Where it leads
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.
The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.
