VersePhraseExplanation
Gen 25:32I am about to dieEsau was exaggerating to emphasize how hungry he was. Alternate Translation: "I am so hungry I feel like I could die"
Gen 27:46I am weary of lifeRebekah is exaggerating to emphasize how upset she is about the Hittite women that Esau married. Alternate Translation: "I am terribly upset"
Gen 29:31not lovedThis is an exaggeration to emphasize that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Alternate Translation: "loved less than Rachel"
Gen 30:1I will dieRachel is exaggerating to show how upset she is about not having children. Alternate Translation: "I will feel completely worthless"
Gen 31:1Jacob has taken away all that was our father'sLaban's sons were exaggerating because they were angry. Alternate Translation: "Everything that Jacob has taken belonged to our father"
Exo 5:12throughout all the land of EgyptThis is an generalization used to show the extra effort Israel made to meet Pharaoh's demands. Alternate Translation: "to many places throughout Egypt"
Exo 7:24All the EgyptiansThe word "all" here is a generalization that means "many." Alternate Translation: "Many of the Egyptians"
Exo 9:6All the cattle of Egypt diedThis is exaggerated to emphasize the seriousness of the event. There were still some animals alive that were afflicted by later plagues. However, it may be best to translate this with the word "All."
Exo 16:2The whole community of Israelites complainedAll the Israelites complained. This is a generalization. Moses and Aaron did not complain. Alternate Translation: "The Israelites complained"
Num 11:22all the fish in the seaThe word "all" is an exaggeration to show how impossible it was to provide food for all the people of Israel.
Num 16:13to kill usThe people exaggerate because they will hold Moses responsible if any of them die. Alternate Translation: "to have us die"
Num 22:5They cover the face of the earthThis is an exaggeration to emphasize how many of them there were. Alternate Translation: "They are extremely numerous"
Deu 1:10as the multitude of the stars of heavenThis is an exaggeration that means God has greatly increased the number of Israelites. Alternate Translation: "a great crowd of many people"
Deu 1:28are fortified up to the heavensThis is an exaggeration that emphasizes how frightened the people were because the cities were so large and strong. Alternate Translation: "have walls so high it is like they reach up to the heavens"
Deu 4:26but you will be completely destroyedAs indicated in 4:27, not every Israelite will be killed. Here "completely destroy" is a generalization and emphasizes that many of the Israelites will die. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "but Yahweh will destroy many of you"
Deu 5:1called to all IsraelHere "all" is a generalization. Moses wanted everyone in Israel to hear and obey his words, but his voice was probably not so loud that everyone actually heard him.
Deu 9:1fortified up to heavenThis is an exaggeration that emphasizes how frightened the people were because the cities were so large and strong. See how you translated similar words in [Deuteronomy 1:28](../01/28.md). Alternate Translation: "have walls so high it is like they reach up to the heavens"
Deu 28:56who would not venture to put the bottom of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tendernessMoses is exaggerating. He is emphasizing that this noble woman is so rich and lives in such luxury that she would not allow herself to get dirty.
Deu 28:61every sickness and plague that is not writtenHere "every" is a generalization that means "many." This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "even other sicknesses and plagues that I have not written"
Jos 1:8You will always speakThe word "always" is an exaggeration for speaking often.
Jos 8:16All the people who were in the cityThe writer speaks in a general way about all the people, but "all the people" refers only to those who could fight. Alternate Translation: "all the people in the city who could help chase the army of Israel"
Jos 11:4a great number of soldiers, in number like the sand on the seashoreNo one can count the grains of sand on the seashore. This exaggeration emphasizes the very large number of soldiers that these kings assembled. Alternate Translation: "such a great number of soldiers that there appeared to be as many of them as there are grains of sand on the seashore"
Jdg 5:8there were no shields or spears seen among forty thousand in IsraelThis statement is probably an exaggeration about how few weapons the Israelites had. Alternate Translation: "few weapons for battle remained in Israel"
Jdg 6:5it was impossible to countThis is an exaggeration, a hyperbole, showing the number is very great.
Jdg 7:12Their camels were more ... in number than the grains of the sand on the seashoreThe author uses a hyperbole, an exaggeration, to emphasize that there were very many camels.
Jdg 8:27all IsraelHere "all" is an exaggeration to emphasize that very many worshiped the garment. Alternate Translation: "very many people in Israel worshiped the garment"
Jdg 15:18But now will I die of thirst and fall into ... uncircumcised?Possible meanings are 1) Samson is so thirsty he could literally die. Alternate Translation: "But now I will die of thirst and my body will fall into ... uncircumcised." or 2) Samson exaggerates how thirsty he is by asking if he will die of thirst. Alternate Translation: "But now will you allow me to become so weak from my thirst that I fall into ... uncircumcised?"
Jdg 16:16that he wished he would dieThe author used a hyperbole, an exaggeration, to emphasize how miserable Sampson felt. Alternate Translation: "that he was completely miserable" or "that he was very unhappy"
Jdg 18:10that does not lack anything in the landThe men use a hyperbole, an exaggeration, to emphasize that it is a very desirable place to live. Alternate Translation: "where we will have everything there that we need"
Jdg 21:17There must be an inheritance ... is not destroyed from IsraelThe Israelites are exaggerating. They had already given wives to four hundred of the Benjamites, so the tribe would not be completely destroyed.
1Sa 1:8than ten sonsElkanah is exaggerating to emphasize how important Hannah is to him. Alternate Translation: "than any son could be"
1Sa 13:5troops as numerous as the sand on the seashoreThis is an exaggeration that means a group of soldiers so large that it was difficult to count them.
1Sa 14:26the honey flowedThis is an exaggeration to emphasize how much honey there was in the forest. Alternate Translation: "there was a lot of honey everywhere"
1Sa 14:33You have acted unfaithfullySaul is accusing his whole army of acting unfaithfully though this is a generalization because not every soldier acted unfaithfully.
1Sa 14:40Then he said to all IsraelThis was a generalization since only the Israelite soldiers were present. Alternate Translation: "Then he said to the Israelite soldiers who were there"
1Sa 14:45not one hair of his head will fall to the groundThis exaggeration shows how the people of Israel would protect Jonathan and keep him safe. This litotes can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "we will protect him from any harm"
1Sa 18:6from all the cities of IsraelThis is generalization that emphasizes the great number of women who came from many cities. Alternate Translation: "from many of the cities throughout Israel"
1Sa 21:11Is not this David, the king of the land?They were probably exaggerating when they said that David was king of the land. They used this question to imply that David was a powerful enemy and Achish should not let him stay there. Alternate Translation: "You know that this is David, who is as dangerous as the king of the land"
1Sa 22:2Everyone who was in distress ... everyone who was discontentedThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "Many people who were distressed ... many people who were unhappy"
1Sa 25:1All Israel gathered together and mourned for himThis is likely a generalization. A large number of the people of Israel were probably there, but some were probably unable to attend.
2Sa 3:35All the people cameThis deliberate exaggeration is used to show that the nation of Israel wanted to take care of David in his grief. Alternate Translation: "Many people came"
2Sa 5:17they all went out looking for himHere "all" is a generalization that means the Philistine army. Alternate Translation: "the Philistine army went looking for him"
2Sa 14:11not one hair of your son will fall to the groundThe means that her son will not be harmed, which is exaggerated by saying that he will not lose even a single hair. Alternate Translation: "your son will be completely safe"
2Sa 15:20Since you just left yesterdayHere "yesterday" is an exaggeration that emphasizes a short amount of time. Ittai the Gittite had lived there for several years. Alternate Translation: "Since you have lived here only a short time"
2Sa 15:23All the country wept with a loud voiceMany of the people of Israel wept loudly when they saw the king leaving. Here this is generalized by saying that the whole country wept. Alternate Translation: "All the people along the road wept" or "Many of the people wept"
2Sa 15:35whatever you hearThis is a generalization. It means all of the important and insightful things that he hears, not every single word he hears.
2Sa 16:22in the sight of all IsraelThis means that people were able to see the tent and Absalom walking in and out of the tent with the women. The phrase "all of Israel" is a generalization, for only people near the palace could see it. Alternate Translation: "where the Israelites could see him go into the tent"
2Sa 17:11as numerous as the sands that are by the seaThis is an exaggeration where all the grains of sand on a beach are compared to the number of Israelite soldiers. Alternate Translation: "so many that they can barely be counted"
2Sa 17:13until there is no longer even a small stone found thereThis is an exaggeration to describe how completely they will destroy the city. The would not literally sweep away every small stone from the city. Alternate Translation: "until the city is completely destroyed"
2Sa 19:6nothing to youThis phrase is an exaggeration, but it expresses the very low value that David showed for the army. Alternate Translation: "are worth very little to you"
2Sa 19:8all the people were toldThis is a generalization. It means most of the men. It can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "many of the men who were there heard others saying"
2Sa 19:8all the peopleHere "the people" refer to the people who followed David. Here "all" is an generalization. It means a large number came and gathered around him. Alternate Translation: "many of the people"
2Sa 22:30I can leap over a wallDavid is exaggerating to emphasize Yahweh's help. Alternate Translation: "I can climb over the wall that surrounds their city"
1Ki 1:3within all the borders of IsraelThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "all over the land of Israel"
1Ki 1:9all his brothers ... all the menThis is a generalization.
1Ki 1:31May my master King David live foreverBathsheba knew David would not live forever; this is a way of saying that he is a good king.
1Ki 1:39all the peopleThis is a generalization.
1Ki 2:15all IsraelThis is a generalization.
1Ki 3:28all IsraelThis is a generalization.
1Ki 4:20Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the seaThe speaker uses exaggeration to say that there were so many people that it would be impossible to count them all. The words "Judah" and "Israel" are metonyms for the people who lived in Judah and Israel. Alternate Translation: "There were as many people in Judah and Israel as there are grains of sand by the sea" or "there were more people in Judah and Israel than a person could count"
1Ki 8:2All the men of IsraelThis may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in 8:1 or 2) generally to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every male person who lived in Israel.
1Ki 8:5all the assembly of IsraelThis is a generalization.
1Ki 8:62all Israel with him ... all the people of IsraelThese generalizations may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in [1 Kings 8:1](./01.md), or 2) to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
1Ki 8:63all Israel with him ... all the people of IsraelThese generalizations may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in [1 Kings 8:1](./01.md), or 2) to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
1Ki 8:65all Israel with himThis generalization may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in [1 Kings 8:1](./01.md), or 2) to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel. See how you translated similar words in [1 Kings 8:62](./62.md).
1Ki 10:2all that was in her heartThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "everything she wanted to know"
1Ki 10:24All the earthThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "People from everywhere" or "People from many different places"
1Ki 10:27The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the groundThe narrator uses exaggeration to emphasize the great amount of silver that was in Jerusalem. Alternate Translation: "The king had so much silver in Jerusalem, it was like there was as much silver as there was stones on the ground"
1Ki 14:13All IsraelThis is a generalization that means the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. Alternate Translation: "The Israelite people"
1Ki 14:18All Israel buried him and mourned for himThis is a generalization that means the people of Israel buried him and mourned for him. Alternate Translation: "A great number of the people of Israel were present when people buried him, and the people of Israel mourned for him"
1Ki 14:23on every high hill and under every green treeThis is likely to be an exaggeration that indicates there were many places like these for false worship all over the country. Alternate Translation: "on the high hills and under the green trees"
1Ki 14:26He took everything awayThis is a generalization that indicates every valuable thing that could be found was taken away. Alternate Translation: "He took away many valuable things"
1Ki 18:10there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent menHere "no nation or kingdom" is an exaggeration that means that men have traveled very far and gone to many places to find Elijah. This can be expressed positively. Alternate Translation: "my master has sent men to nations and kingdoms near and far"
1Ki 18:19all IsraelThis is a generalization to refer to the leaders and people who represent the ten tribes of the northern kingdom.
2Ki 4:2nothing in the house, except a pot of oilThis is an exaggeration. The only valuable thing she had was a jar of oil.
2Ki 7:15all the road was full of clothes and equipmentThis is an exaggeration that means the men saw these items scattered along the road as they traveled. Alternate Translation: "there were clothes and equipment all along the road"
2Ki 11:18all the people of the landThis is a generalization to show that a large group of people tore down the temple of Baal. Alternate Translation: a large number of the people of the land"
2Ki 11:20all the people of the land rejoicedThis is a generalization. It is possible that some did not rejoice. Alternate Translation: "many people in the land rejoiced"
2Ki 14:21All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father AmaziahThis is a generalization. Some people may not have wanted him to be king. Alternate Translation: "The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Azariah and made him king after his father, Amaziah"
2Ki 16:4under every green treeGod wanted his people to offer sacrifices to him in Jerusalem. The word "every" here is an exaggeration to show how determined King Ahaz was to disobey God by offering sacrifices in many other places instead. Alternate Translation: "under many green trees" or "under many green trees around the country"
2Ki 17:10on every high hill and under every green treeThese are exaggerations to show that worship of false gods was widespread. Alternate Translation: "on high hills and under green trees everywhere"
2Ki 19:24I dried up all the rivers of Egypt under the soles of my feet.This is a boast that Sennacherib has so many soldiers that their feet dry up the water when they cross a river. This is an exaggeration to emphasize the great number of soldiers he has. Alternate Translation: "And by marching through the streams of Egypt, we dried them all up!"
2Ki 20:15They have seen everything in my house. There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown themHezekiah repeats the same idea in two ways to emphasize his point.
2Ki 21:16he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another with deathThis hyperbole emphasizes the great number of people Manasseh had killed throughout Jerusalem. The abstract noun "death" can be stated as "dead people." Alternate Translation: "there were very many dead people throughout Jerusalem"
2Ki 21:24the people of the landThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "some of the people in Judah"
2Ki 23:2all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of JerusalemThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "many other people"
2Ki 24:9he did all that his father had doneHere "all" is a generalization. It means he did the same sinful things as his father. Alternate Translation: "he committed the same kinds of sins his father had committed"
2Ki 25:26all the peopleThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "many people"
1Ch 10:1Every man of Israel ... fell down deadThis is probably a generalization. It seems that while all the soldiers did run away, not all of them died. Alternate Translation: "Every man of Israel ... most of them died"
1Ch 10:7When every man of IsraelThis is probably a generalization. Alternate Translation: "When the men of Israel"
1Ch 10:11When all Jabesh Gilead heard of all that the PhilistinesBoth instances of the word "all" are generalizations. The name of the town is a metonym for the people who live in the town, and the people group name is a metonym for that people group's soldiers. Alternate Translation: "When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the soldiers of the Philistine army"
1Ch 11:1all Israel came to DavidThis is a generalization that means people from every tribe in Israel came to David, but not every individual. Alternate Translation: "people from throughout Israel came to David" or "people from every tribe in Israel came to David"
1Ch 12:8They were as swift as gazelles on the mountainsThis hyperbole compares how swiftly these men were able to run with how swiftly gazelles are able to run over rugged mountain terrain.
1Ch 13:5David assembled all Israel togetherHere the word "all" is a generalization. The phrase means that David assembled people from all over Israel, not that he assembled every person in Israel. Alternate Translation: "David assembled people together from all Israel"
1Ch 13:8David and all IsraelHere the word "all" is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "David and all of the Israelites who were present"
1Ch 15:3David assembled all Israel at JerusalemHere the word "all" is a generalization. The phrase "all Israel" means that David assembled people from all over Israel, not that he assembled every person in Israel. Alternate Translation: "David assembled at Jerusalem people from all over Israel"
1Ch 15:28So all Israel brought up the arkHere the word "all" is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "So a great crowd of Israelites brought up the ark"
1Ch 16:22Do not touch my anointed onesHere "touch" means to harm. It is an exaggeration Yahweh used to strengthen his warning to not harm his people. Alternate Translation: "Do not harm the people I have anointed"
1Ch 16:36All the peopleThis is a generalization that refers to the group of people assembled to worship Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "The people" or "Everyone who was there"
1Ch 19:17all IsraelThis is a generalization. Not every person in Israel came to fight. Alternate Translation: "a very large number of Israelites"
1Ch 21:3a hundred times greater than it isJoab expresses the desire for an army the size of 100 armies to say he would like the army to have more soldiers and be more powerful.
1Ch 22:15skillful craftsmen without number of every kindHere "without number" is an exaggeration to emphasize that there were a large number of them. Alternate Translation: "a very large number of every kind of skillful craftsmen"
2Ch 1:15The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as the stonesThe narrator uses exaggeration to emphasize the great amount of silver that was in Jerusalem. Alternate Translation: "The king had so much silver in Jerusalem, it was like there was as much silver as there was stones on the ground"
2Ch 5:3All the men of IsraelThis may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in 5:2 or 2) generally to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every male person who lived in Israel.
2Ch 5:6all the assembly of IsraelHere "all" is a generalization meaning very many Israelites.
2Ch 5:6sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be countedThis is an exaggeration that emphasizes the great number of animals that were sacrificed. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "sacrificing more sheep and oxen than anyone could count" or "sacrificing very many sheep and oxen"
2Ch 6:3while all the assembly of Israel was standingThe phrase "all the assembly" is a generalization. It does not mean that every person of Israel was standing, but that all of the people who were gathered there were standing. Alternate Translation: "while the people of Israel there were standing"
2Ch 7:4all the peopleThis generalization refers either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in [2 Chronicles 5:2](../05/02.md), or 2) to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
2Ch 7:6all IsraelThis generalization refers to those who were at the feast in Jerusalem, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
2Ch 7:8all Israel with himThis generalization refers to those who were at the feast in Jerusalem, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
2Ch 9:1all that was in her heartThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "everything she wanted to know"
2Ch 9:23All the kings of the earthThe word "all" here is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "Kings from around the world"
2Ch 9:27as much as the stones on the groundThis is an exaggeration to emphasize that there was such a great amount of silver.
2Ch 9:28from all the landsThe word "all" is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "from many other places" or "from many other countries"
2Ch 12:3Soldiers without numberThis exaggeration means that there were more soldiers than a person could easily count. Alternate Translation: "Many soldiers"
2Ch 15:9He gathered all Judah and BenjaminHere the word "all" is a generalization. The phrase means that David assembled people from all over Judah and Benjamin. Alternate Translation: "He gathered together people from all over Judah and Benjamin"
2Ch 15:15All Judah rejoicedHere the word "all" is a generalization. The phrase means that people from all over Judah rejoiced. Alternate Translation: "People all over Judah rejoiced"
2Ch 23:5All the peopleThis is a generalization that refers to all the people who are present. Alternate Translation: "All the other people who are present"
2Ch 23:8all JudahThis is a generalization to refer to all the people of Judah who were present in the courtyard that day.
2Ch 23:13All the people of the landThis is a generalization to show that many people participated in the event. Alternate Translation: "A very large number of the people of the land"
2Ch 23:17all the people went to the house of BaalThis is a generalization that means a large group of the people did this. Alternate Translation: "a very large group of the people went to the temple of Baal"
2Ch 23:20all the people of the landThis is a generalization that means he took very many people with him. Alternate Translation: "a very large group of the people of Israel"
2Ch 23:21So all the people of the landThis is generalization to say that most of the people rejoiced.
2Ch 24:10All the leaders and all the peopleThis is a generalization. Some people probably did not respond this way.
2Ch 25:12so that they were all broken in piecesThis is an exaggeration to emphasize the thoroughness of the slaughter. Alternate Translation: "so that they were all completely destroyed"
2Ch 25:22every manThis is a generalization that refers to the soldiers of Judah who survived the battle. Alternate Translation: "the surviving soldiers of Judah"
2Ch 26:1All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father AmaziahThe word "All" is a generalization. Some people may not have wanted him to be king. Alternate Translation: "The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Uzziah and made him king after his father, Amaziah"
2Ch 26:4in everythingThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "in the same way"
2Ch 28:4under every green treeGod wanted his people to offer sacrifices to him in Jerusalem. The word "every" here is an exaggeration to show how determined King Ahaz was to disobey God by offering sacrifices in many other places instead. Alternate Translation: "under many green trees" or "under many green trees around the country"
2Ch 34:30all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of JerusalemThis is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "many other people"
2Ch 36:23all the kingdoms of the earthThis is an exaggeration, as there were kingdoms over which Cyrus did not rule.
Ezr 1:2all the kingdoms of the earthHere "all" is an exaggeration, as there were kingdoms over which Cyrus did not rule.
Ezr 4:16there will be nothing remaining for youHere "nothing" is an exaggeration to make the king think that he will be losing much tax money if the Judeans rebel.
Neh 2:3May the king live foreverNehemiah is showing honor to King Artaxerxes. Here "forever" is an exaggeration that refers to a long life. Alternate Translation: "Long live the king" or "May the king have a long life"
Neh 4:3If only a fox went up on what they are building, it would break down their stone wallSanaballat mocks the wall and exaggerates how weak it is by saying that a fox could knock it down. Alternate Translation: "That wall they are building is so weak that even if a little fox climbed up on it, their stone wall would fall to the ground"
Neh 4:12from all directionsThis represents many directions. The word "all" is an exaggeration for represents "many." Alternate Translation: "from many directions"
Neh 4:17Everyone worked with one hand, and with the other hand he held his weaponThis is an exaggeration. They did not always work with only one hand, but they always had their weapon with them so that they were prepared to protect themselves and those around them.
Neh 8:1All the people gathered as one manThe word "all" is a generalization that indicates the people as a whole came together. Alternate Translation: "The people gathered all together"
Neh 8:9For all the people weptThis is a generalization that indicates there was great weeping among the people. Alternate Translation: "For the people wept greatly"
Est 1:16all the officials and all the people ... all the provinces ... all womenThese are exaggerations to emphasize the damage that the queen's refusal caused.
Est 1:17all the officials and all the people ... all the provinces ... all womenThese are exaggerations to emphasize the damage that the queen's refusal caused.
Job 7:1on earthThis is a generalization that means for the time people are living on the earth. Alternate Translation: "while he lives on the earth"
Job 14:1lives only a few daysThis is an exaggeration to emphasize that people live only a short time. Alternate Translation: "lives only a very short time"
Job 16:20my eye pours out tearsJob describes how strongly he feels his sorrow. Here he exaggerates how he often cries by saying that tears pour from his eyes. Alternate Translation: "my eyes are full of tears while I cry out"
Job 17:7all my body partsThis is a generalization used to emphasize that his whole body is thin, but refers specifically to his arms and legs. Alternate Translation: "my arms and legs"
Job 22:8possessed the earthEliphaz is exaggerating the amount of land that Job owned in order to portray Job as greedy. Alternate Translation: "possessed a great amount of land"
Job 24:4poor people of the earth all hide themselvesThe word "all" is an exaggeration to show that many poor people are afraid of these wicked people.
Job 28:9he overturns mountains by their rootsDigging up the mountains and the ground underneath them is a metaphor from digging out weeds or trees, an exaggeration that represents digging minerals out of the ground. Alternate Translation: "he turns the mountains upside down by pulling out their roots"
Job 29:6when my way was covered with creamwhen my path was flowing with cream. Job uses this exaggeration to express that he had many cows and they produced much more cream than he and his family needed. Alternate Translation: "when my cows provided an abundance of cream"
Job 29:6and the rock poured out for me streams of oiland the rock poured out streams of oil for me. Job uses this exaggeration to express that he had many olive vines and great amounts of olive oil. The rock is where his servants pressed the oil out of the olives. Alternate Translation: "when my servants pressed out a great amount of olive oil" or "when oil flowed like streams from the pressing rock"
Job 29:18I will multiply my days like the grains of sandThere are more grains of sand on the shore than anyone can count. To say that he would live more days than anyone could count is an exaggeration to express that he would live a very long time. Alternate Translation: "I will live a very long time" or "I will live many years"
Job 31:18I have guided his mother, a widow, from my own mother's wombJob is describing how he truly treated widows. With the phrase "from my own mother's womb" he uses exaggeration to emphasize that he did this all his life. Alternate Translation: "all my life I have guided the orphan's mother, a widow" or "all my life I have guided widows"
Job 33:25fresher than a child'sIn this comparison, the word "fresher" is an exaggeration. Alternate Translation: "fresh like a child's"
Psa 12:2Everyone says ... everyone speaksThe two occurrences of "everyone" are exaggerations, used to emphasize that this is true of very many people.
Psa 40:6You have no delight in sacrifice or offeringThis is an exaggeration to express that other things are much more important to God. Alternate Translation: "Sacrifices and other offerings are not the things that delight you most"
Psa 40:6you have not required burnt offerings or sin offeringsThis is an exaggeration to show that these things were not the most important to God. Alternate Translation: "animals burned on the altar and other offerings for our sins are not what you require most"
Psa 42:3my enemies are always saying to meThis is an exaggeration. His enemies are not saying this constantly; they are saying it often.
Psa 42:10they always say to meThis is an exaggeration; his enemies are not saying this constantly but are saying it often.
Psa 44:22we are being killed all day longThe phrase "all day long" is an exaggeration to emphasize that their people are being killed frequently. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "we are always in danger of people killing us"
Psa 45:2You are fairer than the children of mankindThis phrase is an exaggeration that emphasizes that the king is better looking than anyone else. The phrase "children of mankind" is an idiom and refers to all humans. Alternate Translation: "You are more handsome than any other man"
Psa 45:16you will make princes in all the earthThe phrase "in all the earth" is an exaggeration to emphasize that they will rule over many nations. Alternate Translation: "you will make rulers over many nations"
Psa 50:10the cattle on a thousand hillsThe phrase "on a thousand hills" does not represent the total number of cattle that God owns. The number is an exaggeration that emphasizes that God owns all of the cattle in the world. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate Translation: "all the cattle in the world are mine"
Psa 65:4live in your courtsThis exaggeration expresses that the man is in the temple very frequently to worship Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "worship often in your courts"
Psa 69:4more than the hairs on my headThis is an exaggeration to express how many enemies the writer has. Alternate Translation: "more than I can count, like the hairs on my head"
Psa 70:4always sayThis exaggeration emphasizes that it is important to praise God often.
Psa 71:18everyone who is to comeThis exaggeration refers to everyone the writer can speak to. Alternate Translation: "so as many people as I can tell will know"
Psa 77:18lightning lit up the worldThis is an exaggeration to emphasize that the lightning lit up everything the writer could see. Alternate Translation: "lightning lit up everything as far as you could see"
Psa 78:15enough to fill the depths of the seaThis is probably hyperbole. Alternate Translation: "more water than they could possibly drink"
Psa 78:27as numerous as the sands of the seaNo one can count the grains of sand. There were more birds than anyone could count, but this is an exaggeration: there were probably not literally the same number of birds as grains of sand.
Psa 86:3all day longThis is an exaggeration. David cries out continually, but not literally at all times from dawn to dusk. Alternate Translation: "continually"
Psa 88:16your terrifying deeds have annihilated meThis exaggeration speaks about God punishing the writer as if God has completely destroyed the writer. Alternate Translation: "the terrifying things you do have destroyed me" or "the terrifying things you do have almost destroyed me"
Psa 91:12you will not hit your foot on a stoneThe angels will protect not only the reader's foot but the rest of his body as well. The words "not ... hit your foot on a stone" is an exaggerated metonym to say that not even small bad things will happen. This should probably not be taken as a promise that no bad things will ever happen again. Alternate Translation: "you will not even hit your foot on a stone" or "not even the smallest bad thing will happen to you"
Psa 105:15Do not touch my anointed onesHere "touch" means to harm, it's an exaggeration Yahweh used to strengthen his warning to not harm his people. Alternate Translation: "Do not harm the people I have anointed"
Psa 107:26They reached up to the sky; they went down to the depthsThis describes the ships rising and falling with the waves. The extremes of rising to the sky and falling to the depths are an exaggeration to express how horrible the windstorm was and how large the waves were. Alternate Translation: "their ships would rise very high on the waves and then they would fall very low between the waves"
Psa 139:9If I fly away on the wings of the morning and go to live in the uttermost parts across the seaThe author uses exaggeration to explain that wherever he is, God is there too.
Psa 139:18they would be more in number than the sandThis hyperbole means that the writer would be unable to count God's thoughts. Alternate Translation: "there would be more than I could count"
Psa 150:6everything that has breathThis is an exaggeration that calls on all people who are alive to praise God.
Pro 4:16they cannot sleep until they do evilThey probably could literally sleep, but the writer uses an exaggeration to express how intensely they desire to commit evil actions.
Pro 4:16they are robbed of sleepThe writer speaks of people being unable to sleep as if sleep were an object that someone stole from them. They probably could literally sleep, but the writer uses an exaggeration to express how intensely they desire to commit evil actions. Alternate Translation: "they are unable to sleep"
Pro 19:6everyone is a friendThe word "everyone" is an exaggeration. Alternate Translation: "it seems that everyone is a friend" or "almost everyone is a friend"
Pro 23:2put a knife to your throatPossible meanings of this exaggeration are 1) "be very careful not to eat too much" or 2) "do not eat anything at all"
Pro 23:8You will vomit up the little you have eatenThis is an exaggeration for wishing one had not eaten anything. Alternate Translation: "You will wish that you had not eaten anything"
Pro 26:15he has no strength to lift it up to his mouthThis is an exaggeration for doing necessary work that would clearly do him good.
Pro 28:21for a piece of bread a man will do wrongA piece of bread here is an exaggeration for a very small bribe or reward. Alternate Translation: "a man will sin for very little gain"
Pro 28:28people hide themselvesThis is an exaggeration for doing everything they can to avoid having wicked people harm them. Alternate Translation: "people go into hiding"
Pro 31:18all night long her lamp is not extinguishedThis is probably an exaggeration: she works late into the night, but not from dusk to dawn. Alternate Translation: "She burns a lamp through the night as she works"
Pro 31:25laughs at the time to comeThis is probably an exaggeration to show that she is not afraid. Alternate Translation: "is not afraid of what will happen in the future"
Ecc 4:16There is no end to all the peopleThis is an exaggeration used to emphasize a large number of people. Alternate Translation: "There are very many people"
Sng 1:6scorchedThis exaggeration for "burned" or "made black" refers to the sun changing her skin from light to dark.
Sng 6:9the only daughter of her motherThis is an exaggeration. Alternate Translation: "her mother's special daughter" or "completely different from her mother's other daughters"
Isa 32:14foreverThis is an exaggeration for a very long time. Alternate Translation: "an extremely long time"
Isa 34:12all her princes will be nothingThis exaggerates the princes losing their royal status by saying that they will become nothing. Alternate Translation: "all her princes will no longer rule"
Isa 37:18all the nations and their landsThis is a generalization. The kings had destroyed many of the nearby lands, but not necessarily all lands. Alternate Translation: "many of the nations and their lands"
Isa 37:25I dried up all the rivers of Egypt under the soles of my feetHere Sennachrib is exaggerating his conquest and travels across the rivers of Egypt by claiming to have dried up the rivers when he marched his army through them. Alternate Translation: "I have marched through all the rivers of Egypt as if they were dry under my feet"
Isa 39:4everything in my houseThis is a generalization, as Hezekiah showed them many things, but not necessarily everything in the palace. Alternate Translation: "almost everything in my house"
Isa 51:20they lie at every street cornerThis is generalization. Many children will lie in the street, but not necessarily on every street corner. Alternate Translation: "they lie on the street"
Isa 57:9you went down to SheolThe people did not literally go to Sheol, the world of the dead. Instead, Yahweh is indicating by exaggeration that the people were willing to go anywhere to find new gods to worship.
Jer 1:6I do not know how to speakJeremiah may have been exaggerating to show his fear of speaking in public. Alternate Translation: "I do not know how to speak in public" or "I do not know how to make announcements to people"
Jer 1:15everyoneThis generalization refers to the kings of the northern kingdoms. Alternate Translation: "every king" or "all of the northern kings"
Jer 3:6every high hill and under every leafy treeThe tops of hills and under shade trees were common places for people to worship idols. The word "every" is used as a generalization to show that the people were worshiping idols in many different places.
Jer 3:13under every leafy treePeople would worship idols under trees. The word "every" is a generalization used to show that the people of Israel worshiped many gods under many different trees.
Jer 7:25Ever since the day when your ancestors went out from the land of Egypt until this dayThis is a generalization that means over this entire period of time, not every day during this period of time. Alternate Translation: "From the time your ancestors went out from the land of Egypt until now"
Jer 8:16The whole earth shakesThis is an exaggeration that is a metaphor for the people of Judah trembling with fear. Alternate Translation: "All the people of the land shake with fear"
Jer 8:18has no endThese words are an exaggeration that express the great extent of Jeremiah's sorrow. Alternate Translation: "is very great"
Jer 15:8more than the sands of the seashorethan the grains of sand on the seashore. This comparison is an exaggeration used to emphasize an uncountable number. Alternate Translation: "more than you can count"
Jer 23:10the land is full of adulterersThe land is spoken of as if it were a container and the adulterers were objects that filled the container completely. That is, everyone in the land is an adulterer, which in turn is an exaggeration for very many people being adulterers.
Jer 23:17They are constantly sayingThe word "constantly" is an exaggeration to emphasize that this is what they normally say.
Jer 31:12they will never again feel any more sorrowThe world "never" is a generalization. The Israelites will almost always feel joy.
Jer 38:6they ... threw him into the cisternThey literally "lowered Jeremiah down on ropes," but the word "threw" is an exaggeration to say that they treated him roughly. Your language may have another way of saying this. Alternate Translation: "they ... roughly pushed him into the cistern"
Jer 39:9the rest of the people who were left in the cityThis is probably a generalization. Alternate Translation: "the people who were still living in the city"
Jer 39:10who had nothing for themselvesThe word "nothing" is probably an exaggeration. Alternate Translation: "who owned nothing of great value"
Jer 40:15all of JudahThe word "all" is a generalization. Alternate Translation: "many of the people of Judah"
Jer 42:1all the peopleMost likely not every individual in the town went. The word "all" is a generalization that means very many people went. Alternate Translation: "many other people"
Jer 42:8to all the peopleMost likely not every individual in the town went. The word "all" is a generalization that means very many people went. Alternate Translation: "to many other people"
Jer 43:4all the peopleThis probably did not include every individual there. The word "all" is a generalization that means many people. Alternate Translation: "many of the people"
Jer 44:27Every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all finishedHere "Every person" is a generalization that means "very many people." Also, "sword" represents enemies carrying weapons. Alternate Translation: "Nearly every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will die. Enemies will kill many of them and many of them will starve to death until there is very few of them left"
Lam 2:19at the corner of every streetThe word "every" here is an exaggeration for "many." Alternate Translation: "where the streets come together" or "by the roads"
Lam 3:14a laughingstock to all my peopleThe word "all" is a generalization, meaning "most." Alternate Translation: "a laughingstock to most of my people" or "someone whom all my people mock"
Ezk 22:4to all the landsThis generalization refers to the places who are familiar with Jerusalem and represents the people who live in these places. Alternate Translation: "of the people of every nearby land"
Ezk 23:23the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with themThis does not refer to all of the people who live in these places, but rather to soldiers from there. Alternate Translation: "soldiers from Babylon and all of Chaldea, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the soldiers of Assyria with them"
Ezk 30:5will all fall by the swordThe word "all" here is a generalization. It means that many people will die.
Ezk 30:11fill the land with those who have been killedThis is an exaggeration to show that the Babylonians will kill very many Egyptians. There will be so many dead Egyptians that it will seem that their dead bodies cover all of the land of Egypt. Alternate Translation: "kill so many people that it will seem like dead bodies are everywhere"
Ezk 32:12destroy all of its multitudesHere "all" is probably a generalization that refers to the killing of large numbers of soldiers, and perhaps other people also. Alternate Translation: "kill a very large number of people who live in Egypt"
Ezk 34:8all the beasts in the fieldsHere "all" is a generalization that refers to all the wild animals that eat sheep. Alternate Translation: "all the wild animals in the fields"
Ezk 35:9a perpetual desolationdesolate forever. This may be an exaggeration to emphasize the destruction.
Dan 1:17in all literature and wisdomHere "all" is a generalization to show that they had a very good education and understanding. Alternate Translation: "in many things that the Babylonians had written and studied"
Dan 1:20ten times betterHere "ten times" is an exaggeration representing great quality. Alternate Translation: "much better"
Dan 4:1who lived on the earthKings would often exaggerate how wide their kingdom was. Nebuchadnezzar did rule over most of the known world at the time this book was written. Alternate Translation: "who lived in the kingdom of Babylon"
Dan 4:20to the heavens ... to the ends of the earthThese phrases are exaggerations to emphasize that everyone everywhere knew how great Nebuchadnezzar was.
Dan 5:19all peoples, nations, and languagesThis phrase uses the word "all" as a generalization that represents a large number. Alternate Translation: "a great number of people, of different nations and languages"
Dan 6:25in all the earthKing Darius wrote his message to his entire kingdom which was huge. Here it says "all the earth" as a generalization to emphasis how large his kingdom was, though it did not include everyone on the earth. Alternate Translation: "in his kingdom"
Dan 8:5across the surface of the whole earthThe phrase "the whole earth" is an exaggeration that means he came from far away. Alternate Translation: "from far away across the surface of the land"
Jol 2:10the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars stop shiningThis exaggeration claims that there are so many locusts that people cannot see the sun, moon, or stars.
Jol 3:16The heavens and earth will shakeJoel speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were people who are shaking with fear. This can be translated as either a hyperbole, that Yahweh's roar is so frightening that even things that are not alive are afraid, or as metonymy, that the heavens and earth are metonyms for the beings who live there. Alternate Translation: "Everyone in the heavens and on the earth is very afraid"
Jol 3:18the mountains will drip with sweet winesweet wine will drip from the mountains. This is an exaggeration to show that the land is very fertile. Alternate Translation: "On the mountains there will be vineyards that produce plenty of sweet wine"
Amo 1:11his wrath lasted foreverThis is an exaggeration that is meant to express the ongoing nature of his wrath.
Amo 2:9whose height was like the height of cedars; he was strong as the oaksThis is an exaggeration. It describes how tall and strong the Amorite people were and compares them to the tallest and strongest trees in that region. Alternate Translation: "who were tall and strong like great trees"
Amo 9:2Though they dig into Sheol, there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to heaven, there I will bring them downYahweh uses an exaggerated image of people fleeing to Sheol or heaven to try to escape being killed. Here "Sheol" and "heaven" are a merism that represents all places. Alternate Translation: "Even if they were to flee to Sheol or to heaven, they would not be able to escape me"
Amo 9:3Though they hide on the top of Carmel ... Though they are hidden from my sight in the bottom of the seaYahweh gives an exaggerated image of the people fleeing to the top of mount Carmel or to the bottom of the sea to escape being killed. Here "top of Carmel" and "bottom of the sea" are a merism that represents all places. Alternate Translation: "Even if they were to hide on the top of Carmel ... Even if they tried to go the bottom sea, thinking that I could not see them"
Oba 1:4Though you soar high like the eagle and though your nest is set among the starsBoth of these exaggerations say that Edom is built in a very high place by saying it is built much higher than possible. Alternate Translation: "And I tell you that even if you had wings and could fly higher than eagles fly, and if you could make your homes among the stars"
Mic 7:2Faithful people have disappeared ... land; there is no upright person ... They all lie in wait ... blood; each one huntsThese are exaggerations. Alternate Translation: "I feel as though faithful people have disappeared ... land and there is no upright person ... I feel as though they all lie in wait ... blood, and each one hunts"
Mic 7:17They will lick the dust like a snakeSnakes slither on the ground where dust gets on them, and here the people are being compared to snakes, though it is probably an exaggeration that they will lick the dust. Possible meanings are that these people 1) will literally lie on the ground in shame or 2) will be so ashamed and humbled that it will be as if they were lying on the ground.
Nam 2:9there is no end to itThe words "no end" are an exaggeration to express that there is a great amount of something. Alternate Translation: "there is so much of it"
Nam 3:3There is no end to the bodiesThe words "no end" are an exaggeration for the great number of bodies that the attackers piled into heaps. Alternate Translation: "There are too many bodies to count" or "There are a great number of bodies"
Nam 3:9there was no end to itThe word "it" refers to the "strength" that Cush and Egypt gave to Thebes. That there was no end to it is a hyperbole that expresses the great amount of strength. Alternate Translation: "their strength was very great"
Nam 3:12they fall into the mouth of the eaterthe figs fall into the mouth of the eater. This is an exaggeration. By saying that the figs fall from the tree into the mouth of the one who eats it, Nahum emphasizes that the figs are ready to eat immediately. Alternate Translation: "a person can eat the fig immediately"
Nam 3:16You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars in the heavensThis exaggeration emphasizes the great number of merchants who lived and worked in Nineveh. Alternate Translation: "It is as if you have more merchants than there are stars in the sky" or "You have more merchants than anyone could count"
Hab 1:6the breadth of the landThis can mean 1) everywhere in Judah or 2) everywhere in the world. This would be an exaggeration to emphasize how powerful the Chaldean army is.
Zep 1:2I will utterly destroy everything from off the surface of the earth ... I will cut off man from the surface of the earthThe words "everything" and "will cut off man" are deliberate exaggerations by Yahweh to express his anger at the people's sin. Yahweh will destroy neither sinners who repent nor all living things nor.
Zep 1:3I will utterly destroy everything from off the surface of the earth ... I will cut off man from the surface of the earthThe words "everything" and "will cut off man" are deliberate exaggerations by Yahweh to express his anger at the people's sin. Yahweh will destroy neither sinners who repent nor all living things nor.
Zec 9:3heaped up silver like dust and refined gold like mud in the streetsYahweh exaggerates to emphasize how rich Tyre was. Alternate Translation: "accumulated silver and gold as much as soil in the streets"
Zec 14:2I will gather every nation against Jerusalem for battleHere "every nation" is a generalization that means "many nations." Alternate Translation: "I will cause many nations to attack Jerusalem"
Mal 2:13You cover the altar of Yahweh with tearsThis sarcastically exaggerates the amount of tears the people cry to show that Yahweh knows that the people do not really feel sad.