VersePhraseExplanation
Gen 24:27has not forsakenThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "continues to show"
Gen 31:32Whoever has stolen your gods will not continue to liveThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "We will kill whoever has stolen your gods"
Gen 37:22Shed no bloodThe negation can be placed on the verb. Also, "shedding blood" is a euphemism for killing someone. Alternate Translation: "Do not spill any blood" or "Do not kill him"
Gen 39:9He has not kept back anything from me but youThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "He has given me everything except you"
Lev 19:15Do not cause judgment to be falseThis double negative is used for emphasis. It can be expressed in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "Always judge rightly"
Num 23:9do not consider themselves as just an ordinary nationThis negative statement is used to stress that the opposite is true. Alternate Translation: "they consider themselves to be a special nation"
Num 31:49not one man is missingThis can be stated in a positive statement. "we know for certain that every man is here"
Deu 2:7you have lacked nothingThis is a litotes for "you have had everything you needed."
Deu 2:27I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the leftThis phrase emphasizes that they will always go in the same direction. It can be stated in positive form. "I will not change direction" or "I will always stay on the path"
Deu 2:36there was not a city too high for usThis negative statement is used to emphasize their success in battle. This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "we were able to defeat the people of every city even if the city had high walls around it"
Deu 3:3not one of his people remainedThis is a litotes that is used to emphasize that the Israelites did not let anyone live. Alternate Translation: "all of his people were dead"
Deu 7:10he will not be lenient on whoever hates himThe words "not be lenient" are an understatement to emphasize that Yahweh will severely punish. Alternate Translation: "Yahweh will severely punish everyone who hates him"
Deu 7:14there will not be a childless male or a barren female among you or among your cattleMoses uses a negative statement to emphasize that they all will be able to have children. This may be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "All of you will be able to have children and your cattle will be able to reproduce"
Deu 8:9a land in which you will eat bread without lackThis litotes can be translated positively. Alternate Translation: "a land where there will be plenty of food for you"
Deu 15:18It must not seem difficult for you to let him go free from youThis means that they are not resent it when they let someone go free. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "Be pleased when you let him go free"
Deu 16:16No one will appear before Yahweh empty-handedThey will not come before Yahweh without an offering These two negative phrases together have a positive meaning. Alternate Translation: "Every person who comes before Yahweh must bring an offering"
Deu 20:16you must save alive nothing that breathesyou must not let any living thing stay alive. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "you must kill every living thing"
Deu 31:6he will not fail you nor forsake youThis can be treated as litotes and translated positively. Alternate Translation: "he will always fulfill his promise to you and will always be with you"
Deu 32:47no trivial matterThis litotes can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "something very important"
Jos 10:6Do not withdraw your hands from your servantsThis humble request is stated with two negatives to emphasize the need for a positive action. Alternate Translation: "Please come and use your strength to protect us"
Jos 11:15He left nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses to doThis negative phrase emphasizes that Joshua did everything that Yahweh commanded. Alternate Translation: "Joshua did everything that Yahweh commanded"
Jos 21:44Not one of their enemies could defeat themThis is stated in a negative way to strengthen the statement. Alternate Translation: "They defeated every one of their enemies"
Jos 21:45Not one thing among all the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel failed to come trueThis is stated in a negative way to strengthen the statement. Alternate Translation: "Every one of the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel came true"
Jos 22:3You have not deserted your brothersThis can be stated in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "You have remained with your brothers"
Jos 22:17we have not even now cleansed ourselves from itThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "we are still dealing with the guilt of that sin"
Jdg 2:19They refused to give up any of their evil practices or their stubborn waysThey refused to stop doing evil things and being stubborn. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "They continued doing evil things and being stubborn"
Jdg 14:6had nothing in his handHere it states that he had nothing in his hand to emphasize that he was not holding a weapon. Alternate Translation: "did not have a weapon"
Jdg 19:19We lack nothingThis can be written as a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "We have everything we need"
1Sa 13:14your rule will not continueThis is a litotes that can be stated in the positive form. Alternate Translation: "your rule will end soon"
1Sa 14:36let us not leave one of them aliveThis is stated in a negative way to emphasize the slaughter. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "let us kill every one of them"
1Sa 15:3Do not spare themThis negative statement emphasizes the completeness of the destruction.
1Sa 15:29will not lie nor change his mindThis is stated as a negative to emphasize that God tells the truth. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "will always tell the truth and do what he says"
1Sa 15:29he is not a man, that he should change his mindThis is stated as a negative to emphasize that God is trustworthy. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "he is God, and will do what he says he will do"
1Sa 25:7we did them no harm, and they missed nothingDavid is pointing out how he and his men offered protection to Nabal's servants and flocks. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "we kept them and all their property from harm"
1Sa 25:21nothing was missed of all that belonged to himThis can be stated positively and in active form. Alternate Translation: "he still has everything that was his"
1Sa 25:31This will not be a staggering burden for youAbigail is stating that if David chooses not to take revenge he will have a clear conscience when Yahweh makes him king of Israel. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "You will always be glad you acted as you did"
1Sa 29:3I have found no fault with himThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I know of nothing that he has done wrong" or "I am very pleased with him"
2Sa 14:18Please do not hide from me anything that I will ask youThe negative form here is used for emphasis and can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Please tell me the truth about everything I ask you"
2Sa 17:12We will not leave even one of his men ... aliveThis negative sentence is used for emphasis and can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "We will kill every one of his men"
2Sa 17:22By morning daylight not one of them had failed to cross over the JordanThis negative sentence is used to emphasize that they all crossed the river. It can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "By morning daylight every one of them had crossed over the Jordan"
1Ki 4:27They let nothing be lackingThis can be expressed positively. Alternate Translation: "They provided everything that Solomon needed"
1Ki 8:56Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promisesThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "Yahweh has made every word of his good promises come true"
Ezr 4:22Be careful not to neglect thisThe litotes "not to neglect" is an understatement to emphasize that the writers want Artaxerxes to do what they tell him to do. Alternate Translation: "Be careful to do this"
Ezr 10:13this is not only one or two days of workThis litotes can be translated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "we will need a long time to do all this work"
Neh 9:20your manna you did not withhold from their mouthsThis litotes can be expressed positively. Alternate Translation: "you generously gave them manna"
Job 8:15it will not support himThis negative statement emphasizes the opposite. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "he will fall down"
Job 8:15it does not standThis negative statement emphasizes the opposite. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "it will fall down"
Job 10:22without any orderThis negative phrase can be expressed in positive form. Alternate Translation: "full of confusion" or "where all is confused"
Job 15:18their ancestors did not hideEliphaz emphasizes that their ancestors purposefully taught them these things. Alternate Translation: "their ancestors taught openly"
Job 15:29He will not be rich; his wealth will not lastThese two litotes express that he will be the opposite of rich, that he will be poor. Alternate Translation: "he will be poor; all his money will disappear"
Job 30:10they do not refrain from spitting in my faceThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "they even spit in my face"
Job 41:12I will not keep silent concerning ... nor about ... nor aboutThis can be translated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I will certainly speak about ... and about ... and about"
Psa 22:2I am not silentThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I still speak"
Psa 22:11Do not be far away from meThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Come close to me"
Psa 22:19Do not be far awayThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Be very close"
Psa 23:1I will lack nothingThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I have everything that I need"
Psa 34:9There is no lack for those who fear himThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Those who fear him will always have what they need"
Psa 34:10will not lack anything goodThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "will always have the good things they need"
Psa 35:22do not be silentdo not ignore what they did This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "judge them because of what they did"
Psa 35:22do not be far from meThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "be very close to me"
Psa 40:10I have not concealed your righteousness in my heartI have not kept your righteousness a secret. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I have openly told every one about your righteousness"
Psa 40:10I have not concealed your covenant faithfulness or your trustworthiness from the great assemblyThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I have told everyone in the great assembly about your covenant faithfulness or your trustworthiness"
Psa 40:12that cannot be numberedThis is stated in negative form to intensify the number.See how you translated this in [Psalms 40:5](./005.md). Alternate Translation: "that are vast in number"
Psa 40:17do not delayThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "respond quickly"
Psa 50:3does not stay silentThe writer uses this negative statement to emphasize the positive. Alternate Translation: "speaks so that everyone can hear him"
Psa 69:2there is no place to standThe writer uses a negative statement to stress how unstable and uncertain his condition is.
Psa 69:5my sins are not hidden from youThis can be expressed as a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "you know all my sins"
Psa 70:5do not delayThis can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "please come quickly"
Psa 74:19Do not forget forever the life of your oppressed peopleDo not continue forever to do nothing to help your oppressed people. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Come soon to help your oppressed people"
Psa 89:33I will not remove my steadfast love from him or be unfaithful to my promiseThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I will always love David, and I will do what I promised to him"
Psa 94:10does he not correctThis can be stated in positive form. Possible meanings are 1) God corrects. Alternate Translation: "he corrects" or 2) God punishes. "he punishes"
Psa 107:38He does not let their cattle decrease in numberThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "He keeps their cattle very numerous"
Psa 119:93I will never forgetThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I will always remember"
Psa 119:109I do not forget your lawThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I always remember your laws"
Pro 6:20do not forsake the teaching of your motherThis figure of speech is using the negative "forsake" to mean the positive "obey." Alternate Translation: "obey the teaching of your mother"
Pro 6:33will not be wiped awayThis figure of speech is using the negative "will not be wiped away" to refer to it always being there. Alternate Translation: "will always remain"
Pro 6:34he will show no mercyThe "he" is the neighbor whose wife has committed adultery with another man. Alternate Translation: "he will not limit the pain he will cause you" or "he will hurt you as much as he can"
Pro 8:33do not neglectdo not disregard Alternate Translation: "be sure to pay attention to" or "be sure to follow"
Pro 10:19transgression is not lackingThis phrase uses a negative to emphasize a positive idea. Alternate Translation: "there is much sin"
Pro 10:30will never be overthrownThis can be stated as active and positive: Alternate Translation: "will be secure"
Pro 11:21will not go unpunishedThis phrase uses a negative to emphasize a positive idea. Alternate Translation: "will certainly be punished"
Pro 12:21No ill comesThe negative, "No" cancels out the idea of "ill" (bad things that happen). Alternate Translation: "Good things come"
Pro 16:5they will not go unpunishedThe two negatives in this phrase strongly emphasize the positive. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "Yahweh will certainly punish them"
Pro 17:26it is never good ... neither is it goodThese statements can be written in positive form. Alternate Translation: "it is always wrong ... and it is evil"
Pro 18:2A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but onlyA fool does not care about understanding, but only about This means the fool considers "understanding" the opposite of pleasure. Alternate Translation: "A fool detests understanding and only finds pleasure in"
Pro 18:5It is not good to ... to the righteous personThese phrases can be written in positive form. Alternate Translation: "It is good to treat the wicked person as he deserves, and to be just to the righteous person"
Pro 19:5he who breathes out lies will not escapeThis means that he will be captured. Alternate Translation: "they will capture the one who breathes out lies"
Pro 20:1is not wiseThis means the opposite of "wise" which is "foolish." Alternate Translation: "is foolish"
Pro 21:26gives and does not hold backThe phrase "does not hold back" can be stated positively, and what he gives can be made explicit. Alternate Translation: "gives everything he should" or "gives generously"
Pro 23:22do not despiseThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "show respect for"
Pro 25:27It is not goodThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "It is a bad thing"
Pro 28:20the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunishedThe double negative "will not go unpunished" is used for emphasis. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "God will certainly punish the one who gets rich quickly"
Pro 28:27lack nothingThis double negative is used for emphasis. Alternate Translation: "have everything they need"
Pro 30:15are never satisfiedThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "always want more"
Pro 31:11he will never be poorThis litotes can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "he will always have what he needs"
Isa 40:26not one is missingThis negative statement emphasizes the positive. Alternate Translation: "every one is present"
Isa 62:6they are not silent day or nightThis means they are continually pleading to Yahweh or calling to each other. Alternate Translation: "they are earnestly praying to Yahweh throughout the entire day"
Isa 65:8I will not ruin them allThis can be expressed positively. Alternate Translation: "I will spare some of them who are righteous"
Isa 66:24will not be quenchedThis can be expressed positively. Alternate Translation: "will burn forever"
Ezk 24:26you will speak—you will no longer be silentBoth of these phrases mean that Ezekiel will speak. In the second phrase it is stated in negative form to emphasize that he will speak.
Ezk 24:27you will speak—you will no longer be silentBoth of these phrases mean that Ezekiel will speak. In the second phrase it is stated in negative form to emphasize that he will speak.
Dan 1:4without blemishThese two negative words together emphasize a positive idea. Alternate Translation: "with perfect appearance"
Dan 1:19among the whole group there were none to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and AzariahThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah pleased him much more than anyone else in the whole group"
Dan 2:11there is no one who can tell it to the king except the godsThis is stated in negative form for emphasis. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "only the gods can tell this to the king"
Dan 2:35there was no trace of them leftThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "they were completely gone"
Amo 1:3I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. Alternate Translation: "I will certainly punish those people"
Amo 1:6I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](./03.md).
Amo 1:9I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](./03.md).
Amo 1:11I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](./03.md).
Amo 1:13I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](./03.md).
Amo 2:1I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
Amo 2:4I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he will punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
Amo 2:6I will not turn away punishmentYahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
Nam 1:3he will not allow the wicked to go unpunishedThis emphatic negative statement can be translated positively. Alternate Translation: "he will always be sure to punish the wicked"
Zep 3:5It will not be hidden in the lightThis uses a negative statement to emphasize the positive truth that Yahweh's justice is always visible. Alternate Translation: "His justice is clearly shown to all"