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KJV dictionary & concordance

lay

Meaning of “lay”

Sense 1: To put, place, set, arrange, deposit, apply, establish, impose, or cause to be in a stated position or condition. Sense 2: As the past tense of lie, to recline, rest, be situated, or remain in a state. Sense 3: In lay with, to have sexual relations. Sense 4: To press or bear upon. Sense 5: In lay up, lay by, or lay in store, to keep, store, or treasure; in lay wait, lay snares, lay an ambush, or lay siege, to prepare or set. Sense 6: In lay hold or lay hands on, to seize, take, apprehend, or touch. Sense 7: In lay down one's life, to surrender or give it; in lay aside, lay apart, or lay away, to remove, reject, or put off.

Definition sources

KJV context and cross-referencesWebster 1828
241 occurrences232 verses41 booksKJV PCE

Some verses contain the word more than once.

First occurrence: Genesis 19:4

Complete exact-word concordance

Every verse containing “lay”

KJV PCE

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Showing verses 1–7 of 7 · 7 word occurrences in this result

Proverbs 1:18
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Proverbs 1:18 · retained source text

And they lay wait for their owne blood, they lurke priuily for their owne liues.

Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Proverbs 3:18 · retained source text

She is a tree of life, to them that lay hold vpon her: and happy is euery one that retaineth her.

Proverbs 30:32
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Proverbs 30:32 · retained source text

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting vp thy selfe, or if thou hast thought euill, lay thine hand vpon thy mouth.

1611 marginal noteIob.21.5. and 39.37. &c. and 40.4.

Complete reference index — all 232 verses

Where “lay” appears

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Source order

Definition evidence

Historical English dictionary sources

Historical definitions

To put or place. To place in order; to dispose with regularity. To spread or set; as, to lay snares. To put; to apply. To assess; to charge; to impose. To impose, as evil, burden, or punishment. To station; to set; as, to lay an ambush. To lay apart, to put away; to reject. To lay aside, to put off or away; not to retain. To lay by, to reserve for future use. To lay down, to deposit; to resign. To lay hold of, to seize; to catch. To lay up, to store; to treasure; to reposit for future use. To lay siege, to besiege; to encompass with an army. To lay wait, to station for private attack; to lay in ambush for. To lay waste, to destroy; to desolate.

volume 2, leaves 44-45 (transitive verb entry)