1 Kings 20:14 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

וַ יֹּ֤אמֶר

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

יֹּ֤אמֶר

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqw3ms

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

וַ	Speech Conjunction
יֹּאמֶר	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: said

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

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Word Parts

אַחְאָב֙

Root word a name — transliterate it ("And ahab")

Dictionary form: אַחְאָב · ah-AWB

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Np

Noun — Proper Name

אַחְאָב

Speech Noun Type Proper Name

In English

In the KJV here: and ahab

of ahab ×36 ahab ×19 and ahab ×16 when ahab ×4 so ahab ×3 from ahab ×2 that ahab ×2 unto ahab ×2

More options

Ahab — Standard modern spelling for this Israelite king's name.

Ahab's — Possessive form; use when indicating ownership or association.

King Ahab — Use when royal title adds clarity or emphasis to context.

Ahab son of Omri — Use for first mention or when lineage distinguishes him.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB276 H251 H256 H257

I. אָח, אַחְאָב, אֶחָב, אַחְבָּן etc. see אחה.

BDB286 H256

אַחְאָב₉₁ proper name, masculine Ahab (father's brother; = אחיאב Nö^{ZMG 1886, 172}, Ἀχίαβος was a nephew of Herod; compare like name in Syriac, given ob maximum cum parte suo similitudinem, BarHebr^{Chron. Ecclesiast. ii. 23} compare LCB^{1879, 1339}. In many cases, however, the meaning of proper names compared with אח is dubious, & perfect consistency, especially in comparison with compounds of אָב, seems impossible; compare remark below אביאל and further We^{Skizzen, iii. 1 f}, Dl^{Pr. cap. vi}) — אַחְאָב1Kgs 16:28 +; וּכְאֶחָב Jer 29:22 —

1. son of Omri, king of Isr. 1Kgs 16:28; 1Kgs 16:29; 1Kgs 18:1; 1Kgs 18:2; 1Kgs 18:3; 1Kgs 20:2; 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:14 + 41 t. 1 Kings, 27 t. 2 Kings, 14 t. 2 Chronicles; Mic 6:16.

2. false prophet, time of Jeremiah. Jer 29:21; Jer 29:22.

אַחָב see אַחְאָב.

Strong's Definition H256

ahab, ahabs

ʾaḥʾāb

father's brother

Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon

king of Israel, son of Omri, husband of Jezebel

Variations 8 forms of this word

Translations 17 English renderings

Ahab Ahab False prophet during the Babylonian exile

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Word Parts

בְּ מִ֔י

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

מִ֔י

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מִי · mee

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ti

Particle — Interrogative

בְּ	Speech Preposition
מִי	Speech Particle Type Interrogative

In English

In the KJV here: by whom

who ×209 and who ×30 whom ×29 what ×14 and what ×10 or who ×10 whose ×10 but who ×6

More options

who — Standard interrogative or relative; broadest usage.

whoever — Prefer for indefinite or universal reference (whosoever).

whom — Use in object position for formal or written registers.

whose — Use when indicating possession or attribution.

anyone who — Emphasizes indefinite, inclusive scope.

which one — Use when selecting among a defined set of options.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4615 H4310

מִי₄₂₃ pronoun interrogative who? of persons, as מָה (q. v.) of things (Ethiopic but only = What ? and How ? Assyrian mî, me (rare) Jäger^{BAS. ii. 277}, the usual Semitic form for Who? has n, namely Assyrian mannu, manu (Dl^{HWB 419}), Ethiopic man¥, Aramaic Arabic , Vulgar Arabic min, m£n, from a form resembling which, by rejection of n, probably Hebrew מִי: W^{SG 123 f.}): — who ? (τίς; quis ?) Gen 3:11 הִגִּיד לְךָ מִי who told thee ? Gen 24:65 מִי הָאִישׁ הַלָּזֶה who is this man ? Gen 27:18 מי אתה בני who art thou, my son ? Num 22:9; Judg 1:1; Judg 6:29; Judg 15:6; Judg 18:3; Judg 20:18; 2Sam 1:8 + often; Ruth 3:9 מִי אָ֑תְּ who art thou, (feminine) ? Isa 51:12 of more than one, מִי אֵלָּה who are these ? Gen 33:5; Gen 48:8; Isa 60:8 מי אתם 2Kgs 10:13 once, more explicitly, מִי זָמִי הַהֹלְכִים Exod 10:8 = as who ? (i.e. in what condition, or capacity), Amos 7:2 יעקב מי יקום vAmos 7:5; Isa 51:19 מִי אֲנַחֲמֵךְ (but Vrss Che Lag Brd Du ׳מִי יְ, as || מִי יָנוּד), Ruth 3:16 (Be Ke Kö^{iii. 388}). Note in particular:
a. מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied: Gen 33:8 מי לך כלהֿמחנה הזה who (or what) to thee is all this camp ? Deut 4:7; Judg 9:28 שְׁכֶם מִי who is Shechem (i.e. the Shechemites) ? Mic 1:5 מִיפֶֿשַׁע יַעֲקֹב הֲלֹא שֹׁמְרוֺן, v^b Song 3:6; Judg 13:17 מִי שְׁמֶ֑ךָ ( but מה Gen 32:28; Exod 3:13: with מי compare מַן in Aramaic Ezra 5:4 Genesis, Exodus ll. cc. ᵑ7; and see Nö^{M. p. 341}). On 1Sam 18:18, see II. חַי
b. in the genitive, בַּתמִֿי אַתְּ whose daughter art thou ? Gen 24:23; Gen 24:47; 1Sam 12:3 (3 t. in verse); 1Sam 17:55; Jer 44:28; Job 26:4; Job 33:28 after various prepositions, as אַחֲרֵי מִי 1Sam 24:15 (twice in verse); אֶלמִֿי 1Sam 6:20; 2Kgs 9:5 +; בְּמִי by whom ? 1Kgs 20:14, לְמִי₂₀ to whom ? whose ? Gen 32:18 לְמִי אַתָּה, Gen 38:25; Prov 20:20 (6 t.) +; מִמִּי Ezek 32:19; Ps 27:1 (twice in verse); עַלמִֿי 2Kgs 18:20; 2Kgs 19:22; Isa 57:4 +; אֶתמִֿי (so always in accusative), 1Sam 12:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 28:11; Isa 6:8 = with whom ? Job 12:3.
c. in an indirect question, as Gen 21:26; Gen 43:22 לא ידענו מי שׂם we do not know who put, etc., Deut 21:1; Ps 39:7; Josh 24:15 בַּחֲרוּ ֗֗֗ אֶתמִֿי תַעֲבֹד֑וּן choose whom ye will serve, after ראה 1Sam 14:17, שׁאל 1Sam 17:56, הגיד 1Kgs 1:20, הודיע v1Kgs 1:27.
d. ׳מי ב who among ... ? 1Sam 22:14; Isa 36:20; Isa 43:9; Isa 48:14 (בהם) Isa 42:23; Isa 50:10; Hag 2:3 ( all בכם); מי מן who of ... ? Judg 21:8; 2Kgs 6:11; Isa 50:1.
e. strengthened and emphatic forms of interrogative:
(a) מי זה (see זה 4 b), מי הוא (see הוא 4 b β), הוא זה מי Ps 24:10; Jer 30:21; Esth 7:5 (see ibid.);
(b) אֶחָד מִי what single one ... ? Judg 21:8, compare 2Sam 7:23 ( = 1Chr 17:21). feminine various rhetorical uses ( often repeated in || clause, as Ps 15:1; Ps 18:32; Isa 28:9; Isa 29:15): — (a) followed by imperfect it expresses a wish ( the question implying a desire that the person asked for were present ), 2Sam 15:4 מִי יְשִׂמֵנִי שֹׁפֵט who will set me judge ? i.e. would that some one would make me judge ! 2Sam 23:15 מִי יַשְׁקֵנִי מַיִם = O that one would give me to drink, etc. ! compare Num 11:4; Num 11:18; Mal 1:10; Ps 4:7; Ps 60:11; Ps 94:16; Isa 42:23, and very often in the phrase מִי יִתֵּן who will give? i.e. would that there were. . . ! as Num 11:29 נביאים ׳ומי יתן כל עם י = and would that all ׳י's people were prophets! Deut 28:67 מי יתן ערב = would it were even! Judg 9:29 + (see נָתַן). (b) it expresses contempt (who ? implying the answer no one at all), Exod 5:2 ׳אשׁר אשׁמע בקולו מי י who is ׳י that I should listen to his voice ? Judg 9:28 מִי אֲבִימֶלֶךְ וּמִי שְׁכֶם כִּי נַעַבְדֶנּוּ, vJudg 9:38; 1Sam 17:26 who is this Philistine that he should have reproached, etc.? 1Sam 25:10 מי דוד ומי בן ישׁי Isa 28:9; Job 26:4; Prov 30:9 ׳מי י; or modesty (real or assumed), Exod 3:11 מִי אָנֹכִי כִּי אֵלֵךְ אֶלפַּֿרְעֹה 1Sam 18:18 ומי חיי מי אנכי who am I, and who is my clan (חַיִּי), that I should be the king's son-in-law ? 2Sam 7:18; 1Chr 29:14; 2Chr 2:5 or surprise, Isa 44:10; Isa 49:21. (c) in impassioned prose, and especially in poetry, implying the answer few or none, it is equivalent to a rhetorical negative, Deut 9:2 מִי יִתְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵי בְנֵי עֲנָק who can stand, etc.? Deut 30:12 מִי יַעֲלֶהלָּֿנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה vDeut 30:13; 1Sam 4:8 ׳מִי יַצִּילֵנוּ וג, 1Sam 6:20; 1Sam 22:14; 1Sam 26:9; 1Sam 26:15; 2Sam 16:10 מי יאמר who shall (or can) say ? Job 9:12; Prov 20:9; Eccl 8:4 with the perfect (of experience), who has ever . . . ? Num 23:10; Deut 5:23; Isa 36:20; Isa 66:8 (twice in verse); Jer 18:13 מִי שָׁמַע כָּאֵלֶּה, Jer 23:18 (ᵑ0), Jer 30:21; Job 4:7; Job 9:4 מִי הִקְשָׁה אֵלָיו וַיִּשְׁלָ֑ם, Job 41:3; Prov 30:4; Lam 3:37 in poetry, very often, as Gen 49:9 מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ וּכְלָבִיא who can rouse him up ? (i.e. no one), Exod 15:11 (twice in verse) מִי כָמוֺךָ (so Ps 35:10 and elsewhere), Num 24:9; Num 24:23; 1Sam 2:25 מי יתפלל לו who shall intercede for him ? (i.e. no one), Isa 1:12; Isa 10:3; Isa 40:13; Isa 40:14; Isa 40:18; Isa 41:26; Isa 42:19; Isa 43:9; Isa 48:14; Isa 50:1; Isa 53:1 מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ (i.e. few or none), etc.; Ps 18:32 ׳מִי אֱלוֺהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵי י, Ps 76:8; Ps 89:7; Ps 130:3; Job 21:31; Job 34:29; Jer 17:9; Joel 2:11; Mal 3:2 מִי לֹא ֗֗֗ Amos 3:8; Jer 10:7; Job 12:9 (compare Job 25:3; Nah 3:19); (יְשִׁיבֶנָּה) מִי יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ who shall (can) turn it back ? Job 9:12; Job 11:10; Job 23:13; Isa 14:27; Isa 43:13; Jer 2:24 implying the answer, no one but God, Isa 40:12; Isa 41:2; Isa 35:6; Isa 35:25, etc.; defiantly, Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי, Jer 21:13; Jer 49:4 מִי יָבוֺא אֵלַי, vJer 49:19; Obad 1:3; Ps 12:5 מִי אָדוֺן לָנוּ, Ps 59:8; Ps 64:6; Job 9:19 מִי יוֺעִידֵנִי וְאִם לְמִשְׁפָּט, Job 13:19 מִי הוּא יָרִיב עִמָּדִי who is he that will contend with me ? Job 17:3; Job 41:2. Notice in examples of this kind the frequent order of words: Prov 20:6 ואישׁ אמוּנים מי ימצא, Prov 24:22 יודע ופיד שׁניהם מי, Prov 31:10; Nah 1:6 לפני זעמו מי יעמד, Ps 147:17 קֹרָתוֺ מי יעמד לפני, Job 4:2 וַעְצֹר בְּמִלִּין מִי יוּכ֑ל, Job 26:14; Job 38:37; Job 39:5; Job 41:5; Job 41:6; Ps 6:6 בִּשְׁאוֺל מִי יוֺדֶהלָּֿ֑ךְ, Ps 19:13 and with the nom. pendens, Jer 2:24 תַּאֲנָתָהּ מִי יְשִׁיבֶנָּה, Prov 18:14; Job 17:15 וְתִקְוָתִי מִי יְשׁוּרֶנָּה, Job 38:29 וּכְפֹר שָׁמַיִם מִי יְלָדוֺ.
(d) מִי יוֺדֵעַ who knoweth ? (Ps 90:11; Prov 24:22), followed by a verbal clause, becomes (compare nescio an) = it may be, perchance, 2Sam 12:22 ׳מִי יוֺדֵעַ יְחָנֵּנִי י (Qr וְחַנַּנִי), Joel 2:14 ( = Jonah 3:9) מי יודע ישׁוב ונחם, Esth 4:14 יודע אם מי.
(e) especially in poetry, a question with מי, to which the answer follows, is an effective mode of affirming a fact, or introducing a description: Ps 15:1 (twice in verse) (see vPs 15:2); Ps 24:3; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:10; Isa 23:8 מי יעץ ׳זאת וג (Isa 23:9 the answ., יְעָצָהּ ׳צ ׳י), Isa 33:14 (see vIsa 33:15f.), Isa 37:23; Isa 41:2; Isa 41:4; Isa 60:8; Isa 63:1; Jer 46:7; Song 3:6, compare Song 6:10; Song 8:3 answered by הֲלֹא Exod 4:11; Isa 42:24; Isa 45:21; Mic 1:5 (twice in verse).
g. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it: Exod 24:14 מי בעל דברים יִגַּשׁ אליהם, literally Who hath a cause ? let him draw nigh unto them, i.e. whoso hath a cause, let him, etc., Isa 50:8b מִי בַעַל מִשְׁפָּטִי יִגַּשׁ אֵלַי, Isa 54:15; Judg 7:3 מִי יָרֵא וְחָרֵד יָשֹׁב ׳וג who is fearful and trembling ? let him return, Prov 9:4; Prov 9:16 מִיפֶֿ֖תִי יָסֻר הֵגָּה, Ezra 1:3 (compare with וְ in apodosis Jer 9:11; Hos 14:10; Ps 107:43; Zech 4:10 is dubious, on account of anomalous tense and construction); so with מי האישׁ אשׁר ֗֗֗ Deut 20:5; Deut 20:6; Deut 20:7; Judg 10:18, compare Ps 25:12. With 1 person in apodosis, Exod 32:33 חָטָא לִי אֶמְחֶגּוּ מִסִּפְרִי מִי אֲשֶׁר, Jer 49:19 ( = Jer 50:44) אֵלָיהָ אֶפְקֹד וּמִי בָחוּר and who is chosen? I will appoint him over her! Isa 50:8a; with an imperative in the apodosis Exod 32:24 (against accents; see Ra) התפרקו למי זהב who hath gold ? break it off you! Gen 19:12; 1Sam 11:12, compare Ps 34:13f.; without a verb, Exod 32:26 אלי ׳מי לי who is on J.'s side ? (let him come) to me! so 2Sam 20:11 (מי אשׁר); Eccl 5:9; Eccl 9:4 (מי אשׁר).
h. once, following a verb (compare מָה 3), any one, 2Sam 18:12 שִׁמְרוּמִֿי בַּנַּעַר באבשׁלום Have a care, whosoever ye be, of, etc. (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Bu לִי; compare v2Sam 18:5).

BDB9669 H4479 H4310

מַן (so Gi, with most MSS., supported by Syriac , Arabic ; see K^{§ 22, 1}), מָן (Baer: see on Dan 3:6), interrogative pronoun who? (Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene מן Lzb³¹² Cooke¹⁸⁸), ᵑ7 מן, Syriac , Ethiopic Arabic W^{CG 123:} Biblical Hebrew מִי); —

1. who? Ezra 5:3; Ezra 5:9 strengthened by הוּא, Dan 3:15 וּמַןהֿוּא אֱלָהּ דִּי who is the God who . . . ? (compare Syriac contracted from , and מַנּוּ in the Syriacizing ᵑ7 to Proverbs: also Biblical Hebrew מִי הוּא, הוּא 4 b β); so in the plural Ezra 5:4 מִןאִֿנוּן שְׁמָהָת what (literally who: compare מִי 1 a, and Gen 32:28; Exod 3:13 ᵑ7) are the names of . . .?

2. מַןדּֿי whosoever (literally who is there that . . .? see Biblical Hebrew מִי g) Dan 3:6; Dan 3:11 מִןדִּֿי לָא יִפֵּל, Dan 4:14 וּלְמִן דִּי יִצְבֵּא יִתְּנִנַּהּ to whomsoever he willeth, he giveth it, v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21 (so Nabataean מן די, Cooke^{241, 325 ff.}; ᵑ7 מַן דְּ; Syriac ; compare Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{Pap. K 7, 12} ולמן זי צבית תנתן).

Strong's Definition H4310

who, whom, what, whose, which, …

mî

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Variations 12 forms of this word

Translations 71 English renderings

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Word Parts

וַ יֹּ֙אמֶר֙

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

יֹּ֙אמֶר֙

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqw3ms

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

וַ	Speech Conjunction
יֹּאמֶר	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and he said

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

כֹּֽה

Adverb thus, so, also, here, hitherto, …

Dictionary form: כֹּה · koh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar D

Adverb

כֹּֽה

Speech Adverb

In English

In the KJV here: thus

thus ×446 them thus ×30 him thus ×17 so ×16 also ×5 and thus ×5 unto them thus ×5 thou thus ×4

More options

this is what — Best for prophetic/speech formulas, e.g. 'this is what the LORD says'

thus — Modernized from KJV; still natural in formal or literary prose

so — Casual, conversational register; suits narrative contexts

in this way — Emphasizes manner or method of an action

as follows — Introduces a direct quotation or list naturally

here — Use when כֹּה indicates place or spatial reference

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3924 H3541

כֹּה demonstrative adverb thus, here (Biblical Aramaic כָּה; ᵑ7, ᵑ6:Jerusalem, Mandean כָּא here: in Syriac with prefixes hither, (ᵑ6:Jerusalem ) hence, where? compare אֵיכָה, p. 32, and Kö^{ii. 1, 252}) —

1. of manner, thus (so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follow, while כֵּן points commonly to what has preceded), Gen 15:5 כה יהיה זרעך thus shall thy seed be, Num 6:23; 1Kgs 2:30 כֹּה דִבֶּר יוֺאָב וְכֹה עָנָנִי, 1Kgs 5:25; Isa 24:13 (answered by בְּ, as Jer 23:29); with a substantive Isa 20:6 הִנֵּה כֹה מַבָּטֵנוּ, Jer 9:21 (si vera lectio), Jer 23:29; 1Sam 27:11. Mostly confined to particular phrases: thus
a. with different forms of אמר, כה תאמר thus shalt thou say Exod 3:14; Exod 3:15; Exod 19:3; Exod 20:22 etc.; especially כה אמר יי֞ thus saith (or said) ׳י Exod 4:22; Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 7:26; Exod 8:16 etc.; and continually in the prophets, as Isa 7:7; Isa 8:11; Isa 18:4 etc.; Jer 2:2; Jer 2:5; Jer 4:27; Jer 6:16 etc.; also in the idiomatic formula אִם כֹּה יאֹמַר if he say (or used to say) (the words spoken following) Gen 31:8; 1Sam 14:9; 1Sam 14:10; 1Sam 20:7; 2Sam 15:26.
b. with עשׂה to do thus, Exod 5:15; Deut 7:5 pointing back, Num 22:30; Josh 6:14; 1Sam 27:11 and elsewhere; especially in the phrase כה יעשׂה אלהים וכה יוסיף (with variations), 1Sam 3:17 + (see יסף), in which כֹּה points to an imprecation understood but not expressed. With בְּ prefixed 1Kgs 22:20 ויאמר זה בְּכֹה וזה אמר בְּכֹה and one spake in this wise, and another spake in that wise (|| 2Chr 18:19 כָכָהכָּ֗֗֗כָה; probably rightly).

2. of place, here (rare, chiefly in E), Gen 31:37 שִׂים כֹּה place it here before my brethren, Num 23:15 (twice in verse); 2Sam 18:30; Ruth 2:8. Repeated, Exod 2:12 וַיִּפֶן כֹּה וָכֹה and he turned this way and that way; כֹּהכֹּ֗֗֗ה on this side . . . on that side Num 11:31. With עַד Gen 22:5 and we will go עַדכֹּֿה as far as here (δεικτικῶς) i.e. yonder.

3. of time, עַד כֹּה hitherto, Exod 7:16 (compare עַדהֵֿנָּה), Josh 17:14 עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה till now and till then, i.e. meanwhile, 1Kgs 18:45.

BDB9605 H3541 H3542

כָּה adverb here (Biblical Hebrew כֹּה; ᵑ7 Mandean כָּא; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic ; Syriac with prefixes, as hither, where?); — Dan 7:28 עָדכָּֿה סוֺפָא דִימִֿלְּתָא hitherto (compare Jer 48:47; Jer 51:64) is the end of the matter.

Strong's Definition H3541

thus, so, also, here, hitherto, …

kō

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

thus, here, in this manner

thus, so

Variations 13 forms of this word

Translations 38 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אָמַ֣ר

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqp3ms

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

אָמַר

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Perfect (Qatal) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: saith

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

יְהוָ֔ה

Root word a name — transliterate it ("The lord")

Dictionary form: יְהֹוָה · yeh-hoh-WAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Np

Noun — Proper Name

יְהוָה

Speech Noun Type Proper Name

In English

In the KJV here: the lord

the lord ×2811 of the lord ×1522 and the lord ×457 unto the lord ×342 o lord ×222 am the lord ×158 lord ×67 to the lord ×60

More options

the LORD — Standard modern Bible convention; small-caps signal the divine name.

YHWH — Preserves the Hebrew tetragrammaton; used in scholarly translations.

Yahweh — Reconstructed pronunciation; preferred in academic and some modern versions.

the Lord — General rendering when small-caps convention is unavailable.

God — Use only where context clearly equates YHWH with generic deity.

the Eternal — Captures timeless-existence nuance; used in some progressive translations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

יהוה_{c. 6823} i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺה^C518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה₃₀₅ (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philo^{de Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529}), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare Bö^{§ 88}). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see Lag^{Sym i.14} Baud^{Studien i.179 ff.}; Dr^{Stud.Bib.i.1 ff.} For Jeve see Sta^{ZAW 1881, 346} De^{ib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.}

2. on literature of interpretations see Nes^Eg.67 Dr^{l.c. — Many recent scholars explain} יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, Nes^Eg.88 (but Nes^{Eg.91 inclines to Qal as} RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev} see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RS^{OTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245}, compare We^{Skizzen iii.175}; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, Sta^G.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876}, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ew^infr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Dr^l.c.17)).

**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by Bau^{Rel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230)}; Dl^{Pa 162 ff.} claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kue^{national Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.)} Jastr^{JBL xiil {1894}, 103 f.} compare Hpt^{BAS i. 170 N}; Dl^{Babel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f.} makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially Hirsch^{ZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff.} Zim^{KATS. 465 ff.}; Spiegelb^{ZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff.} proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in Kö^{EB NAMES, § 112 and n.3}. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to Schw^{ThLZ, 1905, col. 612}.

I. יהוה is not used by E in Genesis, but is given Exod 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb, and is explained thus : אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I shall be with thee (Exod 3:12), which is then implied in אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I shall be the one who will be it vExod 3:14a (i.e: with thee vExod 3:12) and then compressed into אֶהְיֶה vExod 3:14b (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12), which then is given in the nominal form יהוה He who will be it vExod 3:15 (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12). compare Ew^{BTh ii. 337, 338} RS^{l.c., Proph. 385 ff.} Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc Lag^{Psalt.Hieron.156}); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich We^JD Th xxi, 540 = compare Hexateuch 72); Di and others I am who I am, he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable, — E uses יהוה sparingly by the side of אלהים and האלהים in his subsequent narrative. The Ephraimitic writers in Judges Samuel Kings use it in similar proportions. P abstains from the use of יהוה until he gives an account of its revelation to Moses Exod 6:3 but subsequently uses it freely. He gives no explanation of its meaning. He represents that אֵל שַׁדַּי was the God of the patriarchs. J uses יהוה from the beginning of his narrative, possibly explaining it, Gen 21:83 by אל עולם, the evergreen tamarisk being a symbol of the ever-living God; compare De Gen 21:33. Elsewhere יהוה is the common divine name in pre-exilic writers, but in post-exilic writers gradually falls into disuse, and is supplanted by אלהים and אדני. In Job it is used 31 t. in prose parts, and Job 12:9 (a proverb); not elsewhere in the poem. Chronicles apart from his sources prefers אלהים and האלהים. Daniel uses יהוה only in chap. 9 (7 t.); Ecclesiastes not at all. In the Elohistic group of Psalm 42-83 it is used 39 t. (see אלהים) . It occurs as the name of Israel's God MI¹⁸. It is doubtful whether it was used by other branches of the Shemitic family, compare COT Gen 2:4b Dl^{Pa 158 ff.} Dr^{Stud. Bib. i. 7 ff}.

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D²); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D² 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D² 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by R^P as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ⅏; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & ⅏ from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ℌ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.

2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.

3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

Note. — Bonk^{ZAW 1891, 126 ff.} seems to shew that as prefix, in compare proper name, יְהוֺ is the oldest and the latest form and that יוֺ is intermediate, belonging to the earlier post-exilic period until the time of Chronicles; occasional copyists' mistakes being taken into the account.

BDB3475 H3068

׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above.

BDB3483 H3068 H3069

יהוה proper name, of deity, see below הוה.

BDB3489 H3068 H3097

׳יו = ׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above: — namely יוֺאָב, יוֺאָח, יוֺאָחָז, יוֺאֵל, יוֺאָשׁ, יוֺיָכִין, יוֺיָקִים, יוֺיָרִיב, יוֺעֵד, יוֺעָשׁ, יוֺקִים, יוֺרָם, יוֺתָם, etc.

Strong's Definition H3068

lord, lords, god, jehovah, jehovah-jireh, …

yĕhōwâ

the existing One

(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

the proper name of the one true God

unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

Variations 44 forms of this word

Translations 243 English renderings

Yahweh Creator

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Word Parts

בְּ נַֽעֲרֵ֖י

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

נַֽעֲרֵ֖י

Root word child, men, man, lad, servant, …

Dictionary form: נַעַר · na-AR

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmpc

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

בְּ	Speech Preposition
נַעֲרֵי	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: even by the young men

the child ×15 the lad ×14 the young men ×11 the young man ×9 a young man ×8 his servant ×8 young men ×8 and the child ×7

More options

young man — Most broadly useful; general default rendering.

boy — Prefer when subject is clearly a child, not an adult.

youth — Emphasizes age stage; good for narrative or poetic contexts.

servant — Use when context stresses attendant or subordinate role.

lad — Informal, slightly warmer tone; suits personal or relational scenes.

attendant — Prefer when military or official service role is prominent.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5274 H5288

I. נַ֫עַר noun [masculine] usually interpreted as a shaking, scattering, abstract for concrete = scattered ones, only Zech 11:16, but text corrupt, see We Now.

Strong's Definition H5288

child, men, man, lad, servant, …

naʿar

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age)

a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer

boy, lad, youth

Variations 49 forms of this word

Translations 104 English renderings

Young Men

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Word Parts

שָׂרֵ֣י

Root word princes, captains, captain, chief, rulers, …

Dictionary form: שַׂר · sahr

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpc

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

שָׂרֵי

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: of the princes

the princes ×55 the captains ×28 and the princes ×21 princes ×18 the captain ×18 captains ×14 and captains ×13 captain ×13

More options

commander — Best for military contexts; clear and modern.

official — Broad civil/administrative use; fits non-military leaders.

prince — Retain for royal/noble rank; modernizes KJV directly.

chief — Good for head of a group or department.

governor — Prefer when regional administrative authority is stressed.

leader — General-purpose; use when rank is vague or inclusive.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5544 H5493 H5494 H3249 H5637 H8269

סוּר and (Hos 9:12) [שׂוּד]₃₀₀ verb turn aside (Late Hebrew Hiph`il cause to turn aside, or apostatize; Tel Amarna sûru, noun rebel Wkl^Gloss); —

Qal₁₆₁ Perfect masculine singular סָר Exod 3:4 +; 3 feminine singular סָ֫רָה 1Sam 16:14 +; 1 singular סָ֑רְתִּי Ps 119:102 3 plural סָרוּ Deut 9:12 +; 2 masculine plural סַרְתֶּם vDeut 9:16 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָסוּר Gen 49:10 +, וַיָּ֫מַר Judg 4:18 +; 3 feminine singular תָּסוּר 1Sam 6:3 +; 1 singular cohortative אָסֻ֫רָה Exod 3:3 3 masculine plural יָסֻ֫רוּ Exod 25:15 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular סוּר 2Sam 2:22 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute סוֺר Dan 9:5, סֹר vDan 9:11 construct סוּר Isa 7:17 +; suffix שׂוּרִי Hos 9:12 (Ges^{«GKC:6k»§ 6k} Now); Participle סָר Job 1:1 +; feminine construct סָרַת Prov 11:22 masculine plural construct סָרֵי Jer 6:28 (or from סרר, or שָׂר); passive feminine סוּרָה Isa 49:21, with intransitive meaning (Ges^{«GKC:50f»§ 50f} Kö^{ii. 1, 137}), plural suffix סוּרַי Jer 17:13 Qr; and construct סוּרֵי Jer 2:21 —

1. turn aside, out of one's course 1Sam 6:12; Deut 2:27, from following, מֵאַחֲרֵי person 2Sam 2:21; 2Sam 2:22, absolute v2Sam 2:23, from attacking, מֵעַל 2Chr 20:10 turn in unto (for shelter, refuge, etc.), with אֶלֿ, Gen 19:2; Gen 19:3 (J) Judg 4:18 (3 t. in verse); Judg 19:11; Judg 19:12; 2Kgs 4:11, with לְ Judg 20:8, with שָׁם Judg 18:3; Judg 19:15, שָׁ֫מָה Judg 18:15; 2Kgs 4:8 ( + infinitive), v2Kgs 4:10 with הֵ֫נָּה Prov 9:4; Prov 9:16 (in figurative); for purpose implied Exod 3:3 (J) Ruth 4:1 (twice in verse), or expressed by infinitive Exod 3:4 (J) Judg 14:8; Jer 15:5 (in figurative); especially figurative turn aside from right path, from ׳י, his commands, etc., usually with מִן Exodus (J) Judg 2:17; Deut 9:12 + 7 t. D, Prov 13:14 + 5 t. Proverbs, + 10 t. elsewhere, + 2Chr 8:15 (insert מִן); with מֵאַחֲרֵי 1Sam 12:20 + 4 t.; with מֵעַל Jer 32:40; Ezek 6:9 מִן + יָמִין etc. Deut 5:29; Deut 17:11; 2Kgs 22:2 = 2Chr 34:2 absolute (sometimes = revolt) Ps 14:3; Jer 5:23; Deut 11:16; Deut 17:17 (subject לֵבָב), וְסוּרַי Jer 17:13 Qr (> יסורי Kt) read probably וְסוּרֶיךָ those revolting from thee (Ew Gie); סוּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן נָכְרִיָּה Jer 2:21 degenerate (shoots) of the foreign vine (figurative); סָרַת טַעַם Prov 11:22 a woman turning aside as to discretion, shewing lack of it; also from wrong path, sins (of Jeroboam), etc., with מִן 2Kgs 3:3; 2Kgs 14:24 + 7 t. 2 Kings; with מֵעַל 2Kgs 10:31; 2Kgs 15:18 with מֵאַחֲרֵי 2Kgs 10:29 סָר מֵרָע (participle) Job 1:1; Job 1:8; Job 2:3 also Isa 59:15 סוּר מֵרָע (infinitive and imperative) Job 28:28; Prov 3:7; Prov 13:19; Prov 16:6; Prov 16:17; Ps 34:16; Ps 37:27.

2. depart, usually with מִן, of frogs Exod 8:7, flies v.Exod 8:25 (both J), sword 2Sam 12:10 sceptre from Judah Gen 49:10 (poem in J): ׳י's hand 1Sam 6:3, his kindness 2Sam 7:15 (ᵑ0, but read אָסִיר ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 || 1Chr 17:13 Th We Dr Klo Bu Kit HPS), his wrath Ezek 16:42 (but strike out Co Siegf Toy), depart from way = get out of the way, cease to obstruct Isa 30:11, etc.; with מִתּוֺךְ 1Sam 15:6 (twice in verse); with מֵעַל Isa 7:17; Judg 16:19; Num 12:10, etc.; of ׳י departing, מִן person, Hos 9:12, מֵעַל Judg 16:20; 1Sam 28:16, מֵעִם 1Sam 18:12 God, with מִן Job 21:14; Job 22:17, with מֵעַל 1Sam 28:16, ׳רוּחֵ י, with מֵעִם 1Sam 16:14 evil spirit, with מֵעַל v1Sam 16:23 absolute depart [from Babylon] Isa 52:11 (twice in verse); = avoid contact Lam 4:15 (3 t. in verse); of wicked Job 15:30 he shall not depart out of (מִנִּי) darkness, i.e. shall not avoid it, escape it; passive participle made to depart, thrust away, of Israel under figure of wife Isa 49:21 (> active, according to Ba^{NB § 124 c}).

3. of lifeless things = be removed, oppressors's yoke, with מֵעַל Isa 14:25 compare vIsa 14:25; Isa 10:27 staves from (מִן) ark Exod 25:16 absolute inquity Isa 6:7 especially of בָּמוֺת 1Kgs 15:14; 1Kgs 22:44; 2Kgs 12:4; 2Kgs 14:4; 2Kgs 15:4; 2Kgs 15:35; 2Kgs 2:17; 2Kgs 20:33.

4. = come to an end, Amos 6:7; Isa 11:13. — For סָר אֶלֿ 1Sam 22:14 read שָׂר עַלֿ ᵐ5 Th Dr Klo Bu Kit Löhr HPS; in 1Sam 15:32 Th HPS strike out סָר (after ᵐ5 ᵑ9 ᵑ6) as dittograph; סָר סָבְאָם Hos 4:18 see סֹבֶא; Hos 7:14 read יָס֫וֺרוּ for יָס֫וּרוּ (√ סרר q. v.); Jer 6:28, it is uncertain whether (סוֺרְרִים) סָרֵי belongs here, revolters among the rebellious, or below סרר, or even = שָׂרֵי princes, chiefs (compare 1Sam 22:14). Pô`lel Perfect 3 masculine singular סוֺרֵר דְּרָכָיו Lam 3:11 he turned aside my ways (my steps).

Hiph`il₁₃₃ Perfect 3 masculine singular הֵסִיר 2Kgs 18:4 +; 2 masculine singular וַהֲסִרֹ֫תָ consecutive (Dr^{§ 110(5) Obs.}) 1Kgs 3:31 1 singular הֲסִירֹ֫תִי 2Kgs 23:27 +, וַהֲסִרֹתִ֫י 1Sam 17:46 +; 3 plural הֵסִ֫ירוּ 2Chr 30:14, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָסִיר Isa 3:18 +, jussive יָסֵר Exod 8:4 +, וַיָּ֫סַר Gen 8:13 +; suffix וַיְסִרֵהוּ 1Sam 18:13, וַיְסִרֶהָ 1Kgs 15:13, יְסִירֶנָּה Lev 3:4 +; 3 masculine plural יָסִ֫ירוּ Isa 5:23 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הָסֵר 1Kgs 20:24 +, הָסִיר Ezek 21:31 (read הָסֵיר, הָסֵר); feminine singular הָסִ֫ירִי 1Sam 1:14, etc.; Infinitive absolute הָסֵר Gen 30:32 +; construct הָסִיר 2Kgs 6:32 +, etc.; Participle מֵסִיר Isa 3:1 + 3 t.; —

1. cause to (turn aside,) depart, common word for remove, take away: with מִן, Exod 8:4; Exod 8:27; Exod 33:23 (all J), Exod 23:25 (E) Deut 7:15; 1Sam 28:3; Josh 7:13 (J) Judg 10:16; Isa 3:1; Ps 18:23 (+ || 2Sam 22:23, read אָסִיר מִמֶּנִּי De Hup-Now HPS); shoulder from burden Ps 81:7 מֵסִיר אָזְנוֺ מִשְּׁמֹעַ Prov 28:9 + often, + Job 33:17 (insert מִן ᵐ5 Ew Di De Hi Bu and others); with מֵעַל, take off ring Gen 41:42 (E) Esth 3:10, also Esth 8:2 (absolute); garments Gen 38:14; Gen 38:19 (J) Deut 21:13; Zech 3:4; 1Sam 17:39 (armour), also Exod 34:34 (P; absolute) and Ezek 26:16 (Co insert מֵעַל); take off head, מֵעַל 1Sam 17:46, absolute 2Sam 4:7; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 2:32 with מֵעַל also often figurative (from upon = from resting on, or burdening), plagues Exod 8:4; Exod 10:17 (J), compare Num 21:7 (E), also 1Sam 1:14; Amos 5:23; 1Kgs 2:31 reproach 1Sam 17:26; Isa 25:8 c, מֵעִם = from one's presence 1Sam 18:13, also of ׳י removing kindness 1Chr 16:13 = || 2Sam 7:15 (see

Qal 2.); with מֵעַל פָּנָיו, of ׳י removing Israel 2Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 23:27; 2Kgs 24:3; Jer 32:31 absolute 2Kgs 23:27 often absolute, Gen 8:13 Noah removed the covering; remove = depose with מִן 1Kgs 15:13 = 2Chr 15:16 (see מִן 7 b
(b)), absolute 2Chr 36:3, compare Judg 9:29; Job 34:20 remove בָּמוֺת, etc., 2Kgs 18:4, v2Kgs 18:22 = Isa 36:7 = 2Chr 32:12; 2Kgs 23:19; 2Chr 30:14; 2Chr 14:2, compare 2Chr 14:4; 2Chr 17:5 (both with מִן); = put away strange gods, etc., Gen 35:2; Josh 24:14; Josh 24:23 (all E), 1Sam 7:4, with מִתּוֺךְ v1Sam 7:3; Isa 58:9 once with לְ, מֵסִיר שָׂפָה לְנֶאֱמָנִים Job 12:20.

2. rarer uses are: put aside = leave undone Josh 11:15 (D); retract words Isa 31:2 (of ׳י); reject prayer Ps 66:20 abolish sacrifice Dan 11:31 turn one away מֵאַחֲרֵי, i.e. from following Deut 7:4 with אֶלֿ person, remove the ark unto 2Sam 6:10 = 1Chr 13:13.Hoph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular הוּסַר Lev 4:31; Dan 12:11 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יוּסַר Lev 4:35 Participle מוּסָר Isa 17:1 plural מוּסָרִים 1Sam 21:7 (but final ם probably dittograph before מ We Dr Klo Kit HPS); — be taken away, removed: with מִן Lev 4:35, מֵעַל vLev 4:31, ׳מִלִּפְנֵי י 1Sam 21:7 מוּסָר מֵעִיר Isa 17:1 Damascus is removed from being a city; absolute be abolished Dan 12:11 (compare Dan 11:31 Hiph`il).

BDB8348 H8269 H3256

שַׂר₄₂₀ noun masculine chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince (Late Hebrew especially of angels; Assyrian šarru, king); — absolute שַׂר 2Sam 3:38 +, הַשַּׂר Mic 7:3 +, שָׂ֑ר Hos 3:4 +; construct שַׂר Judg 4:2 +; suffix שַׂרְכֶם Dan 10:21 plural שָׂרִים 1Kgs 4:2 +; construct שָׂרֵי Gen 12:15 +; suffix שָׂרַי Judg 5:15; Isa 10:8, שָׂרֵיכֶם Jer 44:21, שָׂרֵיהֶם Isa 3:4 +; —

1. chieftain, leader:
a. plural of Israel Num 21:18 (poem in J E; || נְדִיֹב הָעָם), of Issachar Judg 5:15 (poem); שָׂרֵי גִלְעָד Judg 10:18 is dubious (we should expect ׳וְשׂ, and compare ׳זִקְנֵי ג, instead, Judg 11:5-11); of Midian Judg 7:25; Judg 8:3 Philistines 1Sam 29:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 29:4 (twice in verse); 1Sam 29:9 (apparently = סְרָנִים v1Sam 29:2 v1Sam 29:6 v1Sam 29:7 [We], yet distinguished by HPS and [with reserve] Bu; ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th Bu strike out in v1Sam 29:4 b), compare 1Sam 18:30 in poetry, of כְּמוֺשׁ (i.e. the leading Moabites) Jer 48:7, of מָלכם (q. v.; i.e. the leading Ammonites) Amos 1:15 = Jer 49:3.
b. singular David as leader of freebooters 1Sam 22:2 compare גְּדוּד ׳שׂ 1Kgs 11:24, plural 2Sam 4:2.

2. vassal, noble, official, under king (acting, on occasion, as counselor, commander, etc.):
a. plural, in Egypt Gen 12:15 (J) + 3 t. Is + Gen 30:4 Di Du Skinner (>of foreign embassy [compare || מַלְאָכָיו] Che and others reading [Che^Heb.Hpt. Marti] שָׁשׂרִים), Ps 105:22 Moab Num 22:8 + 8 t. 22, 23 (JE), Amos 2:3 Edom Isa 34:12 (|| הֹרִים); Assyrian Isa 10:8; Isa 31:9 Babylonian Isa 21:5 + 7 t. Jeremiah + 2Chr 32:31 (but here perhaps vaguely = authorities); other nations Jer 49:38 + 17 t. Ezra, Esther; in general Isa 49:7 officials, official class, under kings of Israel: David (only Chronicles) 1Chr 22:17 + 5 t. 1 Chronicles; Ezra 8:20 Solomon 1Kgs 4:2 Jehoiachin 2Kgs 24:12; 2Kgs 24:14 Zedak. Jer 34:21; 2Chr 36:18 other kings 19 t. 2 Chronicles; in general Eccl 10:16; Eccl 10:17 see also (Judah) Jer 1:18 + 31 t. Jeremiah (Jer 17:25 a strike out ׳שׂ Gf Che Gie Du), 4 t. Lamentations; Ezek 17:12; Zeph 1:8 (where distinguished from בְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, who are never called ׳שׂ); so, in general, Neh 9:32; Neh 9:34; Dan 9:6; Dan 9:8 and (Northern Israel) Hos 3:4 + 6 t. Hosea.
b. as having powers of magistrate (‡adi) Exod 2:14 (E + שֹׁפֵט); under Moses (over groups of 1000, 100, 50, 10) Exod 18:21 + 7 t. 18 (E), Deut 1:15 (4 t. in verse); later in Judah Hos 5:10 (Now reads ׳שָׂרֵי תִשׁ), Isa 1:23, compare Isa 3:4; Isa 3:14; Isa 32:1; Mic 7:3 (singular; || שֹׁפֵט), Zeph 3:3 (|| id.), Ezek 22:27, compare Prov 8:16 (|| נְדִיבִים); Prov 28:2 read perhaps צָרֶיהָ, see Toy.
c. as ruler or magistrate of a district (מְרִינָה), 1Kgs 20:14; 1Kgs 20:15; 1Kgs 20:17; 1Kgs 20:19 (compare Esth 1:3; Esth 8:9; Esth 9:3, שָׂרֵי עַם וָעָם Esth 3:12).
d. as commandant of city, הָעִיר ׳שׂ Judg 9:30, compare 1Kgs 22:26 = 2Chr 18:25; 2Kgs 23:8; 2Chr 34:8 of citadel, הַבִּירָה ׳שׂ Neh 7:2 plural of city officials סֻכּוֺת ׳שׂ Judg 8:6; Judg 8:14 (distinguished from זְקֵנִים), compare 2Kgs 10:1; 2Chr 29:20.

3. specifically military, = captain, general:
a. שַׂרֿ(ה)צבא Gen 21:22; Gen 21:32 (E), Gen 26:26 (J), 1Sam 12:9 + 23 t., + ׳יֿ׳צֿ׳שׂ Josh 5:14; Josh 5:15 (J E; צָבָא 1 b), angel-captain in vision; see also 8, 9; ׳שָׂרֵי הַצּ 1Kgs 1:25 + 3 t. Chronicles, ׳שָׂרִים בַּצּ 1Chr 12:22 (Gi Baer; van d. H. v.1Chr 12:21); שָׂרֵי צְבָאוֺת Deut 20:9; 1Kgs 2:5; 1Chr 27:3 שַׂרהַֿחַ֫יִל 2Sam 24:2 (but read וְאֶלשָֿׂרֵי as ᵐ5^L and || 1Chr 21:2 Th We Dr HPS Bu), ׳שָׂרֵי (הַ)ח v1Chr 21:4 v1Chr 21:4; 2Kgs 9:5; 2Chr 33:14; Neh 2:9, שָׂרֵי הַחֲיָלִים 1Kgs 15:20 = 2Chr 16:4; 2Kgs 25:23; 2Kgs 25:26; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:13 + 7 t. Jeremiah; שָׂרֵי מִלְחָמוֺת 2Chr 32:6 so (ה)שׂר alone 2Sam 18:5; 2Sam 19:7; 1Kgs 9:22 = 2Chr 8:9 ᵐ5.:B Be Kit (שָׁרָיו וְשָׁלִישָׁיו, for ᵑ0 ׳שָׂרֵי שׁ), 2Kgs 9:5 (twice in verse); 1Chr 11:6; 1Chr 11:21 + 9 t., + Job 39:25; Dan 11:5 וְגָדוֺל ׳שׂ 2Sam 3:38 (of Abner); possibly military figurative also in שַׂר שָׁלוֺם Isa 9:5 (Messianic name).
b. leading companies of 50 2Kgs 1:9-14; Isa 3:3, of 100 1Sam 22:7 + 16 t. + 1Sam 8:12 (reading מֵאוֺת for חֲמִשִּׁים ᵐ5 HPS, compare We; Bu insert שָׂרֵי מֵאוֺת), of 1000 1Sam 17:18 + 11 t., + שָׂרֵי הָאֲלָפִים וְהַמֵּאוֺת 1Chr 13:1; 1Chr 26:26 (distinguished from שָׂרֵי הַצָּבָא), 1Chr 27:1; 1Chr 29:6; 2Chr 1:2 also הָרֶכֶב ׳שׂ captain of the chariotry 1Kgs 22:31; 1Kgs 22:32; 1Kgs 22:33 = 2Chr 18:30; 2Chr 18:31; 2Chr 18:32 + 3 t. + שָׂרֵי וּפָרָשָׁיו ׳ר 1Kgs 9:22 = 2Chr 8:9.

4. a. chief, head, of other official classes: שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים, Egypt, Gen 37:36 + 5 t.; שָׂרֵי הָרָצִים 1Kgs 14:27 = 2Chr 12:10 שָׂרֵי הַנִּצָּבִים 1Kgs 5:30; 1Kgs 9:23 = 2Chr 8:10 even domestic positions (court of Pharaoh), שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים Gen 40:2 + 5 t., שַׂר הָאוֺפוֺת Gen 40:2 + 4 t. (all E); שָׂרֵי הַמּחְלְקוֺת 1Chr 28:1, i.e. of the successive courses of royal military officials; compare הַשַּׂר 1Chr 27:28 שַׂר הַסָּרִיסִים Dan 1:7; Dan 1:8; Dan 1:9; Dan 1:10; Dan 1:11; Dan 1:18 שַׂר מְנוּחָה Jer 51:59.
b. = overseer: שַׂר בֵּית הַסֹּהַר Gen 39:21; Gen 39:23, שָׂרֵי מִקְנֶה Gen 47:6 (all J; compare אַבִּיר הָרֹעִים 1Sam 21:8), שָׂרֵי מִסִּים Exod 1:11 (J); compare 1Chr 15:27; 1Chr 29:6; 1Chr 27:31; 1Chr 28:1. — In 1Chr 15:22 read probably סַר הַמַּשָּׂא (= שַׂר) overseer of the carrying (for ᵑ0 בְּמַשָּׂא יָסֹר בַּמַּשָּׂא), so ᵐ5 Benz Kit, Be יָסֹר = יָשׂר; see another view יָסַר

Qal. 5. of religious office: שָׂרֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים Ezra 8:24; Ezra 8:29; Ezra 10:5; 2Chr 36:14 הַלְוִיִּם ׳שׂ 1Chr 15:16; 1Chr 15:22; 2Chr 35:9, compare 1Chr 15:5; 1Chr 15:6; 1Chr 15:7; 1Chr 15:8; 1Chr 15:10 (twice in verse); heads of classes or courses of priests, called שָׂרֵי קֹרֶשׁ 1Chr 24:5, אֱלֹהִים ׳שׂ v1Chr 24:5 — ׳שָׂרֵי ק Isa 43:28 (usually consecrated princes, whether priests, or kings, or both) is probably corrupt, read perhaps שַׁעֲרֵי (Du) or וַיְחַלְּלוּ שָׂרֶיךָ קָרְשִׁי ᵐ5 Houb Klo Che^Hpt Gr (substantially).

6. late, of representative leaders of people, tribal heads, ׳שׂ ׳שִׁבְטֵי יִשׂ 1Chr 27:22; 1Chr 29:6, compare 1Chr 28:1 apparently = elders, הָעָם ׳שׂ Ezek 11:1; 2Chr 24:23 ׳שׂ alone, Ps 68:28 (3 t. in verse); in post-exilic Jerusalem Ezra 9:1; Ezra 9:2; Neh 4:10; Neh 10:1; Neh 11:1 (שָׂרֵי הָעָם), + elders Ezra 10:8; Ezra 10:14 called שָׂרֵי יְהוּדָה Neh 12:31; Neh 12:32 of district-rulers Neh 3:9; Neh 3:12; Neh 3:14; Neh 3:15; Neh 3:16; Neh 3:17; Neh 3:18; Neh 3:19 of heads of families, שָׂרֵי הָאָבוֺת Ezra 8:29; 1Chr 29:6 (= רָאשֵׁי ׳הָא 1Chr 24:31; 1Chr 27:1; Neh 7:70).

7. late, as term of rank and dignity, Isa 23:8 (compare 'merchant- princes'), Job 3:15; Job 29:9 (|| נְגִירִים), Job 34:19; Ps 45:17; Ps 82:7; Ps 148:11, opposed to עבד(יםׅ Prov 19:10; Eccl 10:7 formidable foes Ps 119:23; Ps 119:161.

8. = patron-angel, only Daniel: שַׂר (מַלְכוּת) פָּרַס Dan 10:13; Dan 10:20, יָוָן ׳שׂ vDan 10:20 specifically of מִיכָאֵל vDan 10:13; Dan 10:21; Dan 12:1

9. שַׂרהַֿצָּבָא Dan 8:11 = God (probably, compare צָרָא 1 c; yet see also ׳צ 1 b), so שַׂר שְׂרִים vDan 8:25.

BDB8349 H7786 H8323 H3256 H8269

[שָׂרַר] verb denominative (Gerber²⁰) be, or act as, prince, rule; —

Qal Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיָּ֫שַׂר עַלֿ יִשְׂרָאֵל Judg 9:22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years; 3 masculine plural שָׂרִים ֗֗֗ יָשׂ֑רוּ Isa 32:1 princes shall govern (prince it) justly (|| יִמְלָךְמֶֿלֶךְ), compare Prov 8:16 Participle לִהְיוֺת֗֗֗ שׂרֵר Esth 1:22 that every man should bear rule בְּבֵיתוֺ. Hithpa`el Imperfect, 2 masculine singular + Infinitive absolute כִּיתִֿשְׂתָּרֵר עָלֵינוּ גַּםהִֿשְׂתָּרֵר Num 16:13 that thou shouldst also keep playing the prince over us. — יָסֹר 1Chr 15:22 see יָסַר Qal and שַׂר 4 b. Hiph`il Perfect 3 plural metaplastic הֵשִׂירוּ (Ges^{«GKC:67v»§ 67v}) Hos 8:4 they made princes (absolute; || הִמְלִיכוּ). p. 415f, 978

Strong's Definition H8269

princes, captains, captain, chief, rulers, …

śar

a head person (of any rank or class)

prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain

chieftain, leader

Variations 54 forms of this word

Translations 119 English renderings

Prince

Search every verse

Word Parts

הַ מְּדִינ֑וֹת

הַ

Prefix — article the

מְּדִינ֑וֹת

Root word provinces, province, every

Dictionary form: מְדִינָה · meh-dee-NAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Td/Ncfpa

Noun — Common, feminine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

הַ	Speech Particle Type Definite Article
מְּדִינוֹת	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: of the provinces

provinces ×9 of the provinces ×7 the provinces ×6 province ×5 of the province ×4 every province ×3 among the provinces ×1 and of the provinces ×1

More options

province — Standard term; fits administrative or political subdivisions.

district — Slightly smaller scale; good for regional administrative units.

region — Broader, less formal; suits looser geographic references.

territory — Emphasizes land and jurisdiction together.

state — Use when the unit has significant political autonomy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1927 H4082

מְדִינָה noun feminine province (an Aramaic word, compare Syriac , Arabic city)

**compare also Old Aramaic מדינתא city, Palmyrene מדיתא city, suffix מדיתהון, plural מדינתא SAC⁷⁰ Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke²⁶⁶. — Esth 1:1 + 28 t.; plural מְדִינוֺת 1Kgs 20:14 + 23 t.; — a district of an empire,

1. districts of realm of Ahab with שׂרים over them 1Kgs 20:14; 1Kgs 20:15; 1Kgs 20:17; 1Kgs 20:19.

2. of the Babylonian empire: Ezek 19:8; Dan 8:2 (of Elam); שָׂרָתִי בַּמְּדִינוֺת princess among the provinces Lam 1:1 (of Judea).

3. of the Persian empire Esth 1:1 + often; one of which was Palestine, Neh 1:3 the returning exiles, בְּנֵי הַמְּדִינָה children of the province Ezra 2:1; Neh 7:6 having רָאשֵׁי הַמְּדִינָה Neh 11:3.

4. provinces in general Eccl 2:8; Eccl 5:7 בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּי מְדִינָה in the fat places of the province Dan 11:24 (fertile regions, probably Egypt; other translations see in Bev.)

BDB9444 H4083 H4082

[מְדִינָה] noun feminine (judicial) district, province (K^{§ 60, 3}) d); also Biblical Hebrew); — emphatic מְדִינְתָּא (M:§ 72 c) Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:2 construct מְדִינַת Dan 2:48; Dan 2:49; Dan 3:1; Dan 3:12; Dan 3:30; Ezra 7:16 plural absolute מְדִנָן Ezra 4:15, emphatic מְדִינָתָא Dan 3:2; Dan 3:3.

Strong's Definition H4082

provinces, province, every

mĕdînâ

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

province, district

district

Variations 13 forms of this word

Translations 17 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

וַ יֹּ֛אמֶר

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

יֹּ֛אמֶר

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqw3ms

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

וַ	Speech Conjunction
יֹּאמֶר	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: then he said

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

מִֽי

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מִי · mee

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ti

Particle — Interrogative

מִֽי	Speech Particle Type Interrogative

In English

In the KJV here: who

who ×209 and who ×30 whom ×29 what ×14 and what ×10 or who ×10 whose ×10 but who ×6

More options

who — Standard interrogative or relative; broadest usage.

whoever — Prefer for indefinite or universal reference (whosoever).

whom — Use in object position for formal or written registers.

whose — Use when indicating possession or attribution.

anyone who — Emphasizes indefinite, inclusive scope.

which one — Use when selecting among a defined set of options.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4615 H4310

מִי₄₂₃ pronoun interrogative who? of persons, as מָה (q. v.) of things (Ethiopic but only = What ? and How ? Assyrian mî, me (rare) Jäger^{BAS. ii. 277}, the usual Semitic form for Who? has n, namely Assyrian mannu, manu (Dl^{HWB 419}), Ethiopic man¥, Aramaic Arabic , Vulgar Arabic min, m£n, from a form resembling which, by rejection of n, probably Hebrew מִי: W^{SG 123 f.}): — who ? (τίς; quis ?) Gen 3:11 הִגִּיד לְךָ מִי who told thee ? Gen 24:65 מִי הָאִישׁ הַלָּזֶה who is this man ? Gen 27:18 מי אתה בני who art thou, my son ? Num 22:9; Judg 1:1; Judg 6:29; Judg 15:6; Judg 18:3; Judg 20:18; 2Sam 1:8 + often; Ruth 3:9 מִי אָ֑תְּ who art thou, (feminine) ? Isa 51:12 of more than one, מִי אֵלָּה who are these ? Gen 33:5; Gen 48:8; Isa 60:8 מי אתם 2Kgs 10:13 once, more explicitly, מִי זָמִי הַהֹלְכִים Exod 10:8 = as who ? (i.e. in what condition, or capacity), Amos 7:2 יעקב מי יקום vAmos 7:5; Isa 51:19 מִי אֲנַחֲמֵךְ (but Vrss Che Lag Brd Du ׳מִי יְ, as || מִי יָנוּד), Ruth 3:16 (Be Ke Kö^{iii. 388}). Note in particular:
a. מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied: Gen 33:8 מי לך כלהֿמחנה הזה who (or what) to thee is all this camp ? Deut 4:7; Judg 9:28 שְׁכֶם מִי who is Shechem (i.e. the Shechemites) ? Mic 1:5 מִיפֶֿשַׁע יַעֲקֹב הֲלֹא שֹׁמְרוֺן, v^b Song 3:6; Judg 13:17 מִי שְׁמֶ֑ךָ ( but מה Gen 32:28; Exod 3:13: with מי compare מַן in Aramaic Ezra 5:4 Genesis, Exodus ll. cc. ᵑ7; and see Nö^{M. p. 341}). On 1Sam 18:18, see II. חַי
b. in the genitive, בַּתמִֿי אַתְּ whose daughter art thou ? Gen 24:23; Gen 24:47; 1Sam 12:3 (3 t. in verse); 1Sam 17:55; Jer 44:28; Job 26:4; Job 33:28 after various prepositions, as אַחֲרֵי מִי 1Sam 24:15 (twice in verse); אֶלמִֿי 1Sam 6:20; 2Kgs 9:5 +; בְּמִי by whom ? 1Kgs 20:14, לְמִי₂₀ to whom ? whose ? Gen 32:18 לְמִי אַתָּה, Gen 38:25; Prov 20:20 (6 t.) +; מִמִּי Ezek 32:19; Ps 27:1 (twice in verse); עַלמִֿי 2Kgs 18:20; 2Kgs 19:22; Isa 57:4 +; אֶתמִֿי (so always in accusative), 1Sam 12:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 28:11; Isa 6:8 = with whom ? Job 12:3.
c. in an indirect question, as Gen 21:26; Gen 43:22 לא ידענו מי שׂם we do not know who put, etc., Deut 21:1; Ps 39:7; Josh 24:15 בַּחֲרוּ ֗֗֗ אֶתמִֿי תַעֲבֹד֑וּן choose whom ye will serve, after ראה 1Sam 14:17, שׁאל 1Sam 17:56, הגיד 1Kgs 1:20, הודיע v1Kgs 1:27.
d. ׳מי ב who among ... ? 1Sam 22:14; Isa 36:20; Isa 43:9; Isa 48:14 (בהם) Isa 42:23; Isa 50:10; Hag 2:3 ( all בכם); מי מן who of ... ? Judg 21:8; 2Kgs 6:11; Isa 50:1.
e. strengthened and emphatic forms of interrogative:
(a) מי זה (see זה 4 b), מי הוא (see הוא 4 b β), הוא זה מי Ps 24:10; Jer 30:21; Esth 7:5 (see ibid.);
(b) אֶחָד מִי what single one ... ? Judg 21:8, compare 2Sam 7:23 ( = 1Chr 17:21). feminine various rhetorical uses ( often repeated in || clause, as Ps 15:1; Ps 18:32; Isa 28:9; Isa 29:15): — (a) followed by imperfect it expresses a wish ( the question implying a desire that the person asked for were present ), 2Sam 15:4 מִי יְשִׂמֵנִי שֹׁפֵט who will set me judge ? i.e. would that some one would make me judge ! 2Sam 23:15 מִי יַשְׁקֵנִי מַיִם = O that one would give me to drink, etc. ! compare Num 11:4; Num 11:18; Mal 1:10; Ps 4:7; Ps 60:11; Ps 94:16; Isa 42:23, and very often in the phrase מִי יִתֵּן who will give? i.e. would that there were. . . ! as Num 11:29 נביאים ׳ומי יתן כל עם י = and would that all ׳י's people were prophets! Deut 28:67 מי יתן ערב = would it were even! Judg 9:29 + (see נָתַן). (b) it expresses contempt (who ? implying the answer no one at all), Exod 5:2 ׳אשׁר אשׁמע בקולו מי י who is ׳י that I should listen to his voice ? Judg 9:28 מִי אֲבִימֶלֶךְ וּמִי שְׁכֶם כִּי נַעַבְדֶנּוּ, vJudg 9:38; 1Sam 17:26 who is this Philistine that he should have reproached, etc.? 1Sam 25:10 מי דוד ומי בן ישׁי Isa 28:9; Job 26:4; Prov 30:9 ׳מי י; or modesty (real or assumed), Exod 3:11 מִי אָנֹכִי כִּי אֵלֵךְ אֶלפַּֿרְעֹה 1Sam 18:18 ומי חיי מי אנכי who am I, and who is my clan (חַיִּי), that I should be the king's son-in-law ? 2Sam 7:18; 1Chr 29:14; 2Chr 2:5 or surprise, Isa 44:10; Isa 49:21. (c) in impassioned prose, and especially in poetry, implying the answer few or none, it is equivalent to a rhetorical negative, Deut 9:2 מִי יִתְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵי בְנֵי עֲנָק who can stand, etc.? Deut 30:12 מִי יַעֲלֶהלָּֿנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה vDeut 30:13; 1Sam 4:8 ׳מִי יַצִּילֵנוּ וג, 1Sam 6:20; 1Sam 22:14; 1Sam 26:9; 1Sam 26:15; 2Sam 16:10 מי יאמר who shall (or can) say ? Job 9:12; Prov 20:9; Eccl 8:4 with the perfect (of experience), who has ever . . . ? Num 23:10; Deut 5:23; Isa 36:20; Isa 66:8 (twice in verse); Jer 18:13 מִי שָׁמַע כָּאֵלֶּה, Jer 23:18 (ᵑ0), Jer 30:21; Job 4:7; Job 9:4 מִי הִקְשָׁה אֵלָיו וַיִּשְׁלָ֑ם, Job 41:3; Prov 30:4; Lam 3:37 in poetry, very often, as Gen 49:9 מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ וּכְלָבִיא who can rouse him up ? (i.e. no one), Exod 15:11 (twice in verse) מִי כָמוֺךָ (so Ps 35:10 and elsewhere), Num 24:9; Num 24:23; 1Sam 2:25 מי יתפלל לו who shall intercede for him ? (i.e. no one), Isa 1:12; Isa 10:3; Isa 40:13; Isa 40:14; Isa 40:18; Isa 41:26; Isa 42:19; Isa 43:9; Isa 48:14; Isa 50:1; Isa 53:1 מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ (i.e. few or none), etc.; Ps 18:32 ׳מִי אֱלוֺהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵי י, Ps 76:8; Ps 89:7; Ps 130:3; Job 21:31; Job 34:29; Jer 17:9; Joel 2:11; Mal 3:2 מִי לֹא ֗֗֗ Amos 3:8; Jer 10:7; Job 12:9 (compare Job 25:3; Nah 3:19); (יְשִׁיבֶנָּה) מִי יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ who shall (can) turn it back ? Job 9:12; Job 11:10; Job 23:13; Isa 14:27; Isa 43:13; Jer 2:24 implying the answer, no one but God, Isa 40:12; Isa 41:2; Isa 35:6; Isa 35:25, etc.; defiantly, Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי, Jer 21:13; Jer 49:4 מִי יָבוֺא אֵלַי, vJer 49:19; Obad 1:3; Ps 12:5 מִי אָדוֺן לָנוּ, Ps 59:8; Ps 64:6; Job 9:19 מִי יוֺעִידֵנִי וְאִם לְמִשְׁפָּט, Job 13:19 מִי הוּא יָרִיב עִמָּדִי who is he that will contend with me ? Job 17:3; Job 41:2. Notice in examples of this kind the frequent order of words: Prov 20:6 ואישׁ אמוּנים מי ימצא, Prov 24:22 יודע ופיד שׁניהם מי, Prov 31:10; Nah 1:6 לפני זעמו מי יעמד, Ps 147:17 קֹרָתוֺ מי יעמד לפני, Job 4:2 וַעְצֹר בְּמִלִּין מִי יוּכ֑ל, Job 26:14; Job 38:37; Job 39:5; Job 41:5; Job 41:6; Ps 6:6 בִּשְׁאוֺל מִי יוֺדֶהלָּֿ֑ךְ, Ps 19:13 and with the nom. pendens, Jer 2:24 תַּאֲנָתָהּ מִי יְשִׁיבֶנָּה, Prov 18:14; Job 17:15 וְתִקְוָתִי מִי יְשׁוּרֶנָּה, Job 38:29 וּכְפֹר שָׁמַיִם מִי יְלָדוֺ.
(d) מִי יוֺדֵעַ who knoweth ? (Ps 90:11; Prov 24:22), followed by a verbal clause, becomes (compare nescio an) = it may be, perchance, 2Sam 12:22 ׳מִי יוֺדֵעַ יְחָנֵּנִי י (Qr וְחַנַּנִי), Joel 2:14 ( = Jonah 3:9) מי יודע ישׁוב ונחם, Esth 4:14 יודע אם מי.
(e) especially in poetry, a question with מי, to which the answer follows, is an effective mode of affirming a fact, or introducing a description: Ps 15:1 (twice in verse) (see vPs 15:2); Ps 24:3; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:10; Isa 23:8 מי יעץ ׳זאת וג (Isa 23:9 the answ., יְעָצָהּ ׳צ ׳י), Isa 33:14 (see vIsa 33:15f.), Isa 37:23; Isa 41:2; Isa 41:4; Isa 60:8; Isa 63:1; Jer 46:7; Song 3:6, compare Song 6:10; Song 8:3 answered by הֲלֹא Exod 4:11; Isa 42:24; Isa 45:21; Mic 1:5 (twice in verse).
g. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it: Exod 24:14 מי בעל דברים יִגַּשׁ אליהם, literally Who hath a cause ? let him draw nigh unto them, i.e. whoso hath a cause, let him, etc., Isa 50:8b מִי בַעַל מִשְׁפָּטִי יִגַּשׁ אֵלַי, Isa 54:15; Judg 7:3 מִי יָרֵא וְחָרֵד יָשֹׁב ׳וג who is fearful and trembling ? let him return, Prov 9:4; Prov 9:16 מִיפֶֿ֖תִי יָסֻר הֵגָּה, Ezra 1:3 (compare with וְ in apodosis Jer 9:11; Hos 14:10; Ps 107:43; Zech 4:10 is dubious, on account of anomalous tense and construction); so with מי האישׁ אשׁר ֗֗֗ Deut 20:5; Deut 20:6; Deut 20:7; Judg 10:18, compare Ps 25:12. With 1 person in apodosis, Exod 32:33 חָטָא לִי אֶמְחֶגּוּ מִסִּפְרִי מִי אֲשֶׁר, Jer 49:19 ( = Jer 50:44) אֵלָיהָ אֶפְקֹד וּמִי בָחוּר and who is chosen? I will appoint him over her! Isa 50:8a; with an imperative in the apodosis Exod 32:24 (against accents; see Ra) התפרקו למי זהב who hath gold ? break it off you! Gen 19:12; 1Sam 11:12, compare Ps 34:13f.; without a verb, Exod 32:26 אלי ׳מי לי who is on J.'s side ? (let him come) to me! so 2Sam 20:11 (מי אשׁר); Eccl 5:9; Eccl 9:4 (מי אשׁר).
h. once, following a verb (compare מָה 3), any one, 2Sam 18:12 שִׁמְרוּמִֿי בַּנַּעַר באבשׁלום Have a care, whosoever ye be, of, etc. (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Bu לִי; compare v2Sam 18:5).

BDB9669 H4479 H4310

מַן (so Gi, with most MSS., supported by Syriac , Arabic ; see K^{§ 22, 1}), מָן (Baer: see on Dan 3:6), interrogative pronoun who? (Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene מן Lzb³¹² Cooke¹⁸⁸), ᵑ7 מן, Syriac , Ethiopic Arabic W^{CG 123:} Biblical Hebrew מִי); —

1. who? Ezra 5:3; Ezra 5:9 strengthened by הוּא, Dan 3:15 וּמַןהֿוּא אֱלָהּ דִּי who is the God who . . . ? (compare Syriac contracted from , and מַנּוּ in the Syriacizing ᵑ7 to Proverbs: also Biblical Hebrew מִי הוּא, הוּא 4 b β); so in the plural Ezra 5:4 מִןאִֿנוּן שְׁמָהָת what (literally who: compare מִי 1 a, and Gen 32:28; Exod 3:13 ᵑ7) are the names of . . .?

2. מַןדּֿי whosoever (literally who is there that . . .? see Biblical Hebrew מִי g) Dan 3:6; Dan 3:11 מִןדִּֿי לָא יִפֵּל, Dan 4:14 וּלְמִן דִּי יִצְבֵּא יִתְּנִנַּהּ to whomsoever he willeth, he giveth it, v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21 (so Nabataean מן די, Cooke^{241, 325 ff.}; ᵑ7 מַן דְּ; Syriac ; compare Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{Pap. K 7, 12} ולמן זי צבית תנתן).

Strong's Definition H4310

who, whom, what, whose, which, …

mî

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Variations 12 forms of this word

Translations 71 English renderings

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Word Parts

יֶאְסֹ֥ר

Root word bound, bind, ready, tied, prison, …

Dictionary form: אָסַר · aw-SAHR

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqi3ms

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

יֶאְסֹר

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: shall order

and bound ×7 to bind ×5 bound ×4 she bound ×4 she hath bound ×3 thou mightest be bound ×3 they bind ×2 tied ×2

More options

bind — Most versatile; covers physical and metaphorical tying.

tie — Concrete, everyday register; good for literal restraint.

fasten — Emphasizes securing firmly in place.

shackle — Strong connotation of imprisonment or captivity.

harness — Best when yoking animals or harnessing power.

imprison — Prefer when context is custody or captivity of persons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB636 H631 H612

[אָסַר] verb tie, bind, imprison (Arabic , Assyrian asâru, compare COT^Gloss, Aramaic אֲסַר, , Ethiopic ) —

Qal Perfect suffix אֲסָרָם Job 36:13 3 feminine singular אָֽסְרָה Num 30:5 +, etc.; Imperfect יֶאְסֹר 1Kgs 20:14 וַיֶּאֱסֹר Gen 42:24 וַיֶּאְסֹר Gen 46:29 +; plural suffix יַאַסְרֻנִי Judg 16:7 etc.; Imperative אֱסֹר 1Kgs 18:44; 2Kgs 9:21 אִסְרוּ Jer 46:4; Ps 118:27 Infinitive absolute אָסֹר Judg 15:13 אָסוֺר Judg 16:11 construct לָאְסֹר Num 30:3 +; לָאֱסוֺר Judg 15:10 לֶאֱסָרְךָ Judg 15:12 אָסְרָם Hos 10:10 Participle active construct אֹסְרִי Gen 49:11 passive אָסור Gen 40:3 +; plural אֲסוּרִים Gen 39:20 +; also Judg 16:21; Judg 16:25 Qr (Kt אסירים); הָסוּרִים Eccl 4:14 (compare Now); אֲסֻרוֺת 2Sam 3:34 construct אסורי Gen 39:20 Kt (Qr אֲסִירֵי); —

1. tie, bind, for security, foal to vine (followed by ל) Gen 49:11 (blessing of Jacob); horses and asses 2Kgs 7:10 (twice in verse); Ps 118:27 is dubious De bind the festal victim with cords; Che bind the procession with branches, etc.

2. tie, harness, kine to (ב) cart 1Sam 6:7; 1Sam 6:10 so (metaphor) Hos 10:10 harness them to (ל) their two iniquities (but Jerome Ew Now make ׳א here = יסר chastise, compare אֶסֳּרֵם v^a); also followed by accusative chariot Gen 46:29 (J) Exod 14:6 (E) 2Kgs 9:21 absolute 1Kgs 18:44; 2Kgs 9:21 even of making ready chargers הַסּוּסִים ׳א Jer 46:4 (|| עֲלוּ הַפָּרָשִׁים).

3. bind, with cords, fetters, etc., as prisoner, Simeon Gen 42:24 (E), Samson Judg 15:10; Judg 15:12; Judg 15:13 (3 t. in verse); Judg 16:5; Judg 16:7; Judg 16:8; Judg 16:11 (twice in verse); Judg 16:12 בַּנְחֻשְׁתַּיִם ׳א 2Kgs 25:7 = 2Chr 36:6 = Jer 39:7; Jer 52:11 also 2Chr 33:11 compare (without ׳בַּנ) 2Kgs 17:4 (בֵּית בֶּלָא ׳א || עָצַת), 2Kgs 23:33 compare of divine chastisement Job 36:13 & see also Ezek 3:25; Ps 149:8 figurative of absolute authority Ps 105:22 especially Passive participle 2Sam 3:34 thy hands were not bound (|| and thy feet not put in fetters); בָּאֿזִקִּים ׳א Jer 40:1 compare בַּזִּקִּים ׳א Job 36:8 (probably figurative || חַבְלֵיעֹֿ֑נִי); metaphor of king held captive by a woman's tresses Song 7:6 perhaps = imprisoned (whether bound or not) Gen 39:20; Gen 40:3; Gen 40:5 (all J E); as substantive plural prisoners Gen 39:20 (Kt, see above); so (late) as distressed, & object of divine compassion Isa 49:9; Isa 61:1; Ps 146:7 בֵּית האסי֯רים prison Judg 16:21; Judg 16:25 compare Eccl 4:14.

4. gird (rare & late) אֵזוֺר בְּמָתְנֵיהֶם ׳א Job 12:18 (אֵזוֺר = slaves' waistcloth, RS p. 25 above; Hoffm reads וַיָּסַר for וַיֶּאְסֹר); חַרְבּוֺ אֲסוּרִים עַלמָֿתְנָיו Neh 4:12.

5. followed by מִלְחָמָה begin the battle, make the attack (compare German mit jemandem anbinden) 1Kgs 20:14; 2Chr 13:3.

6. figurative of obligation of oath or vow (only Num 30, P) עַלנֶֿפֶשׁ ׳א, usually followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb אֱסָר, אִסָּר Num 30:3; Num 30:5 (twice in verse); Num 30:6; Num 30:8; Num 30:9; Num 30:11; Num 30:12 without אֱסָר etc., v.Num 30:7 v.Num 30:10 compare v.Num 30:4 אִסָּר ׳א (עַלנֶֿפֶשׁ omitted) Niph`al passive of Qal 3, be, bound, imprisoned, Imperfect (jussive) יֵאָסֵר Gen 42:19 (E); 2 masculine singular תֵּאָסֵר Judg 16:6; Judg 16:10; Judg 16:13 (of Samson); Imperative הֵאָֽסְרוּ Gen 42:16 (E). Pu`al Perfect be taken prisoner אֻסְּרוּ Isa 22:3 אֻסָּ֑רוּ ib.

BDB9327 H612 H631 H632

אסר (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew [ אָסַר] bind, אֵסוּר bond, אִסָּר binding obligation).

Strong's Definition H631

bound, bind, ready, tied, prison, …

ʾāsar

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

to tie, bind, imprison

(Qal)

to tie, bind

Variations 42 forms of this word

Translations 48 English renderings

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Word Parts

הַ מִּלְחָמָ֖ה

הַ

Prefix — article the

מִּלְחָמָ֖ה

Root word war, battle, wars, battles, fight, …

Dictionary form: מִלְחָמָה · mil-haw-MAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Td/Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

הַ	Speech Particle Type Definite Article
מִּלְחָמָה	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: the battle

of war ×61 to battle ×28 war ×28 the battle ×18 to war ×12 in the battle ×11 to the battle ×11 and the battle ×10

More options

war — Broadest term; suits large-scale or prolonged conflict.

battle — Prefer for a single, specific engagement or clash.

combat — Emphasizes active fighting; good for military action contexts.

warfare — Highlights the ongoing process or conduct of war.

conflict — Neutral, formal register; suits diplomatic or narrative prose.

fight — Colloquial; fits informal or direct speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4394 H4421

מִלְחָמָה₈₁₉ noun feminine battle, war; — absolute ׳מ Gen 14:2; Gen 14:8; Exod 1:10 +; construct מִלְהֶ֫מֶת 1Sam 13:22 (מִכְמָשׁ ׳מ ᵐ5 Th We Bu HPS Ew^{§ 188 c} Kö^{ii. 182 > absolute} Thes and others); suffix מִלְחַמְתִּי 2Chr 35:21 מִלְחַמְתְּךָ 2Sam 11:25 מִלְחַמְתֶּ֑ךָ Isa 41:12, etc.; plural מִלְחָמוֺת Isa 42:13 + 7 t. Chronicles, Psalms; construct מִלְחֲמוֺת Judg 3:1 +, etc.; — battle, Gen 14:8; 1Sam 17:1; 1Sam 17:2; 1Sam 17:8; 1Sam 31:3; 1Kgs 20:14; 1Kgs 20:18; 1Kgs 20:29; 1Kgs 20:39 + often; war, Gen 14:2; Exod 1:10; Deut 20:12; Josh 11:23; Josh 14:15; 2Sam 3:1 (אֲרֻכָּה וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה) +; מִלְחֲמוֺת כְּנָ֑עַן Judg 3:1 ׳סֵפֶד מִלְחֲמֹת י Num 21:14 (JE); accusative of congnate meaning with verb with נלחם 1Sam 8:20; 2Chr 32:8 and (׳מִלְחֲמוֺת י) 1Sam 18:17; 1Sam 25:28; = art of war, ׳למד מ Isa 2:4 learn war = Mic 4:3 ׳למּד מ Judg 3:2 teach war, fighting; ׳מְלַמֵּד יָדַי לַמּ 2Sam 22:35 = Ps 18:35, compare Ps 144:1 ׳לְמוּדֵי מ 1Chr 5:18, ׳מְלֻמְּדֵי מ Song 3:8 instructed in war; once = battlefield וַיָּבֹאוּ ׳עַד הַמּ 1Sam 14:20 (so Kit^KauAT). The most frequent phrases are: ׳אִישׁ מ Isa 3:2; 1Sam 16:18; 1Sam 17:33; 2Sam 17:8; Ezek 39:20; Josh 17:1 (P), also (collective) Judg 20:17, of ׳י Exod 15:3 (poem); ׳אַנְשֵׁי הַמּ Josh 6:3; Josh 10:24 (both J E), Deut 2:14; Deut 2:16; Josh 5:4; Josh 5:6 (all D), Jer 38:4; Jer 39:4; Jer 41:3; Jer 41:16; Jer 49:26; Jer 51:32; Jer 52:7; Jer 52:25, also 1Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 25:4; Num 31:28; Num 31:49 (P), Joel 4:9 late ׳אַנְשֵׁי מ Joel 2:7; 1Chr 12:39 (38 van d. H) 2Chr 8:9; 2Chr 17:13 אִישׁ מִלְחָמוֺת Isa 42:13; 1Chr 28:3 אַנְשֵׁי מִלְחַמְתָּהּ Jer 50:30 her men of war, compare Isa 41:12; Ezek 27:10; Ezek 27:27 אִישׁ מִלְחֲמוּת תֹּעִי 2Sam 8:10 a man of battles of Toi, i.e. his frequent opponent (see Dr), = 1Chr 18:10 seldom ׳גִּבּוֺר מ Ps 24:8 (f ׳י), ׳גִּבּוֺרֵי מ 2Chr 13:3 שָׂרֵי מִלְחָמוֺת 2Chr 32:6 ׳עַם הַמּ Josh 8:1; Josh 8:3; Josh 10:7; Josh 11:7, compare Josh 8:11 (all J E), compare also 1Sam 13:16 add. ᵐ5 We Dr, compare Klo; ׳אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל לַמּ Jer 48:14 ׳צְבָא מ battle-host Isa 13:4, so ׳הַמּ ׳צ Num 31:14 (P); also ׳גְּדוּדֵי צְבָא מ 1Chr 7:4, ׳לַמּ ׳יֹצְאֵי צ v1Chr 7:11 ׳אַנְשֵׁי צָבָא לַמּ 1Chr 12:9 (8 van d. H) ; weapons of war, ׳כְּלֵי (ה)מ Judg 18:11; Judg 18:17; Jer 21:4; Jer 51:20; 1Chr 12:34 (33 van d. H), also figurative 2Sam 1:27 ׅ || (גִבּוֺרִים; ׳כְּלֵי צְבָא מ 1Chr 12:38 (37 van d. H); ׳קֶשֶׁת מ Zech 9:10; Zech 10:4 כְּלֵי מִלְחַמְתּוֺ his weapons of war 1Sam 8:12; Deut 1:41, compare Judg 18:16; ׳דִּבְרֵי הַמּ = the news of the battle 2Sam 11:18; 2Sam 11:19 + v2Sam 11:22 add. ᵐ5 The We Klo Dr Bu. Frequently combined with verbs are: ׳עָרַךְ מ draw up battle-line Judg 20:22 +, followed by אֵת with = against Gen 14:8; Judg 20:20, followed by עִם 2Chr 13:3 ׳אסר המּ i. e. begin the battle 1Kgs 20:14, compare 2Chr 13:3 ׳וַתִּקְרַב הַמּ 1Kgs 20:29 and the battle was joined; ׳עָשָׂה מ make war Prov 20:8; Prov 24:6; 1Chr 22:8, followed by אֵת with Gen 14:2; Josh 11:18 (D), followed by עִם Deut 20:12; Deut 20:20; 1Chr 5:10; 1Chr 5:19 עִם ׳יָצָא לַמּ Judg 20:14; Judg 20:20; Judg 20:28, with עַל 1Kgs 8:44; 2Chr 6:34 עִם ׳הָלַךְ לַמּ 2Kgs 8:28 עַם ׳נגשׁ לַמּ Judg 20:23, with בְּ 1Sam 7:10; 2Sam 10:3, absolute Jer 46:3; עִם ׳וַתְּהִי הַמּ 2Sam 21:18; 2Sam 21:19, with בֵּין 2Sam 3:1, compare v2Sam 3:6 +; ׳קִדַּשׁ מ consecrate war, i.e. open a campaign (with sacred rites, Che) Mic 3:5; Jer 6:4 (both withעל), Joel 4:9 compare ׳הִדְבִּיקָתְהוּ וְהַמּ Judg 20:42 and the battle clung to them; ׳וַתַּעֲלֶה הַמּ Judg 22:35 and the battle rose (high) = 2Chr 18:34 ׳וַתִּטּשׁ הַמּ 1Sam 4:2, read ׳וַתֵּט הַמּ (ᵐ5 We Klo Bu, compare Dr) and the battle inclined (in favour of one side); ׳נָפוֺצֶת הַמּ 2Sam 18:8 Qr the battle was spread (extended), so read 1Sam 14:24 add. ᵐ5 The We Klo Dr; ׳תָּקוּם עָלַי מ Ps 27:3 if war rise against me; כָּבֵ֑דָה ׳הַמּ Judg 20:34 the battle was severe, compare אֶלשָֿׁאוּל ׳וַתִּכְבַּד הַמּ 1Sam 31:3 = 1Chr 10:3 (על for אל); so חֲזָקָה ׳וַתְּהִי הַמּ 1Sam 14:52, חָזַק מִמֶּנּוּ ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 3:26 קָשָׁה ׳וַתְּהִי הַמּ 2Sam 2:17: compare ׳כֹּבֶד מ Isa 21:15, ׳עֱזוּז מ Isa 42:25.

Strong's Definition H4421

war, battle, wars, battles, fight, …

milḥāmâ

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

battle, war

Variations 39 forms of this word

Translations 87 English renderings

Battle War

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Word Parts

וַ יֹּ֥אמֶר

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

יֹּ֥אמֶר

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqw3ms

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

וַ	Speech Conjunction
יֹּאמֶר	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and he answered

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

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Word Parts

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אַתָּה · at-TAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Pp2ms

Noun — masculine singular

	Speech Noun Gender Masculine Number Singular
	Speech Pronoun Type Personal Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: thou

thou ×485 ye ×157 and thou ×54 art thou ×32 but thou ×31 and ye ×23 but ye ×13 shalt thou ×11

More options

you — Standard modern singular/plural pronoun; default choice.

you yourself — Adds emphasis when the Hebrew is contrastive or emphatic.

you alone — Highlights exclusivity; use when context stresses uniqueness.

as for you — Topicalizing construction; good for sentence-initial emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB614 H859

אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה (so regularly; but 26-7 t., with different disjunctive accents, ׃אַ֑תָּה see Fr^{MM 228}; Sta^{§ 178 a} (read 8 for 18) pronoun 2 singular masculine thou (for anta, see above; compare נָתַתָּ for נָתַנְתָּ) Gen 3:11; Gen 3:19 + often written אַתָּ 1Sam 24:19; Ps 6:4; Job 1:10; Eccl 7:22; Neh 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis, Exod 18:19 (twice in verse); 1Sam 17:56 שְׁאַל אַתָּה inquire thou, 1Sam 20:8; 1Sam 22:18; Isa 43:26 סַפֵּר אַתָּה. Added for the purpose of strengthening a genitive or accusative suffix 1Kgs 21:19; Prov 22:19 (Ges^{«GKC:135»§ 135}.2).

BDB615 H859

אתי, i.e. אַתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (feminine), preserved, probably dialectically, 7 t. in Kt, Judg 17:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:23; 2Kgs 8:1; Jer 4:30; Ezek 36:13. (V. above as in Syriac, the י may not have been fully sounded: the Masoretes direct אַתְּ to be everywhere read.)

BDB616 H859

אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pronoun 2 singular feminine thou (feminine) (shortened from אַתִּי (q. v.); in Syriac the two genders are written differently, , , but, the not being sounded, are pronounced alike: in ᵑ7 both are written אַתְּ or אַנְתְּ) Gen 12:11; Gen 12:13; Gen 24:23 + often Thrice Num 11:15; Deut 5:24; Ezek 28:14 used as a masculine (as in Aramaic of ᵑ7); but probably אַתָּ (see below אַתָּה) should be here read.

BDB617 H859

אַתֶּם pronoun 2 masculine plural you (masculine) (for antem, see above) Gen 9:7; Gen 26:27; Gen 29:4 + often with הֲ, הָאַתֶּם Judg 6:31 following the verb for emphasis Judg 15:12; Jer 34:15 construed inaccurately with a feminine Ezek 13:20.

BDB618 H859

אַתֵּן Ezek 34:31 (many editions אַתֶּן), אַתֵּ֫נָה Gen 31:6; Ezek 13:11; Ezek 13:20 (editions אַתֵּ֫נָּה) Ezek 34:17 pronoun 2 feminine plural you (feminine)

BDB9323 H607 H859

אנתה Kt₁₄ (i.e. אַנְתָּה, peculiar to Biblical Aramaic; Qr אַנְתְּ) pronoun 2 masculine singular thou (Biblical Hebrew אַתָּה; Cappadocian and Egyptian Aramaic אנת (Lab^{Eph. 1. 67}; S-C^{A 11} +, feminine אנתי ib. D9, 11, 26+), Nerab את (Cooke^{186. 190}), Palmyrene אנת (ib. 308); ᵑ7^Onk את, ᵑ7^J אנת (^{§ 16. 1}); Syriac ); — thou, Dan 2:29; Dan 2:31; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:38 etc., Ezra 7:25.

BDB9324 H608 H859

אַנְתּוּן pronoun 2 masculine plural ye, you (Biblical Hebrew אַתֶּם), Dan 2:8.

Strong's Definition H859

thou, ye, you, thee, thyself, …

ʾattâ

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

you (second pers. sing. masc.)

Variations 31 forms of this word

Translations 163 English renderings