1 Samuel 17:9 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

אִם

Conjunction if, or, though, surely, not, …

Dictionary form: אִם · im

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C

Conjunction

אִם	Speech Conjunction

In English

In the KJV here: if

if ×322 and if ×128 but if ×69 or ×48 surely ×29 though ×25 whether ×19 when ×16

More options

if — Default conditional; most broadly applicable rendering.

whether — Use for indirect questions or double alternatives.

though — Concessive force; signals contrast or surprise.

when — Temporal nuance; condition treated as certain to occur.

unless — Negative conditional; equivalent to 'if not'.

surely — Emphatic/oath context; asserts strong certainty.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2204 H2005 H518 H2006

II. הֵן₁₀₀ (הֶןֿ Num 23:9; Num 23:24; Job 8:19; Job 8:20; Job 13:1; Job 26:14; Job 33:6; Job 33:12; Job 33:29; Job 36:5; Job 36:22; Job 36:26 הֵןֿ Job 13:15; Job 36:30; Job 41:1 +) demonstrative adverb or interjection lo! behold (on etymology see הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based;
a. Gen 3:22 הֵן הָאָדָם הָיָה behold the man is become as one of us, & now lest, etc., Gen 4:14 behold, thou hast driven me forth etc., Gen 11:6; Gen 15:3; Gen 19:34; Gen 27:11; Gen 29:7; Gen 30:34 (nearly = yea), Exod 5:5; Exod 6:12; Exod 6:30; Lev 10:18; Lev 10:19; Num 17:27; Deut 5:21 (in prose only in Pentateuch (23 t.) and Ezek 18:4 in this usage); in poetry, used more freely, but chiefly in Isa² & Job, — Num 23:9; Num 23:24 (Balaam) Isa 23:13; Isa 32:1; Isa 33:7; Ps 51:7; Ps 51:8; Ps 68:34; Ps 78:20; Ps 139:4; Prov 11:31 (stating the premiss to a conclusion introduced by אַף כִּי, q. v.), Prov 24:12: elsewhere (except in senses b, c) only in Isa² (23 t.) & Job (31 t), as Isa 40:15 (twice in verse); Isa 41:11; Isa 41:24; Isa 41:29; Isa 50:1; Isa 50:2; Isa 50:9 (twice in verse); Isa 50:11; Job 4:18; Job 15:15; Job 25:5 (in these three passages before אַף or אַף כִּי), Job 9:1; Job 9:12 etc. (see above).
b. as a hypothetical particle, propounding a possibility, if (so Late Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic, Mandean, Palmyrene (ZMG 1888, 404); on the contrary Syriac , Palestinian ᵑ7 אִין, also Palmyrene (ib. p. 415), Arabic with א), a special application or development of the use a: Exod 4:1 והן לא יאמינו לי and behold ( = and suppose) they will not believe me ? etc., Lev 25:20 and if (וְכִי) ye say, What shall we eat the 7th year ? הֵן לֹא נִזְרַע behold, we shall not sow etc. (i.e. supposing we do not sow), Isa 54:15; Job 40:23; 2Chr 7:13 (twice in verse) (2Chr 7:13 b וְאִם); stating the ground on which a question is based, Exod 8:22 (וְלֹא = הֲלֹא), Jer 3:1; Hag 2:12 (see הֵן Aramaic b).
c. if, whether, in an indirect question, Jer 2:10 רְאוּ הֵן הָֽיְתָה כָּזֹאת (but Gr הֲנִהְיְתָה); compare אִם 2 b, and הֵן Aramaic

3.

BDB3995 H3588 H518

כִּי conjunction that, for, when (Moabite id,: Phoenician כ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found in here, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaic דֵּךְ this (W^{SG 110 f.}); perhaps also ultimately akin with that, in order that, and then, enclitic, like Latin nam in quisnam?) —

1. that (ὅτι, German dass):
a. prefixed to sentences depending on an active verb, and occupying to it the place of an accusative: so constantly, after verbs of seeing, as Gen 1:10 וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, Gen 3:6; Gen 6:2; Gen 6:5; Gen 12:14 + often, hearing Gen 14:14; Gen 29:33, knowing Gen 22:12; Gen 24:14, telling Gen 3:11; Gen 12:18, repenting Gen 6:6; Gen 6:7, swearing Gen 22:16; Jer 22:5, believing Exod 4:5; Lam 4:12, remembering Ps 78:35, forgetting Job 39:15 אָמַר = command (late; in early Hebrew the words said are quoted) Job 36:10; Job 36:24 (זְכֹר in a command) Job 37:20 b 1Chr 21:18 (contrast 2Sam 24:18) etc.; טוֺב כּי it is good that ... 2Sam 18:2 + (usually the infinitive with, as Gen 2:18 see ibid.); Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit that we should slay (imperfect)...? Mal 3:14 what proft כִּי שָׁמַרְנוּ that we have kept (perfect)...? Job 22:3 הַחֵפֶץ לְשַׁדַּי כִּי is it pleasure to Shaddai that...? after a pronoun, as Ps 41:12 by this I know that thou hast pleasure in me, that my enemy cannot triumph over me, Ps 42:5 these things will I remember...that (or how) I used to go, etc., Ps 56:10 this I know that God is for me Job 13:16 (הוא). And with כִּי repeated pleonastic after an intervening clause 2Sam 19:7; Jer 26:15 +; כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי Gen 3:6; Gen 29:12; Exod 4:31; Josh 2:9; Josh 8:21; Josh 10:1; 1Sam 31:7; 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 11:21; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:11 לֵאמֹר ֗֗֗ וְכִי Gen 45:26; Judg 10:10.
b. כִּי often introduces the direct narration (like , , and the Greek ὅτι recitativum, e.g. Luke 4:21), in which case it cannot be represented in English (except by inverted commas), Gen 21:30; Gen 29:33 and she said, ׳כִּי שׁמע י Yahweh hath heard, etc.; Exod 3:12 = Judg 6:16 and he said, כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I will be with thee, Josh 2:24; 1Sam 2:16 (see Dr) 1Sam 10:19 and ye have said to him, כִּי מֶלָךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ Thou shalt set a king over us, 2Sam 11:23; 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 20:5; Ruth 1:10, compare Ruth 2:21 (but in reply to a question כִּי may = because, see below 3; and so also in sentences giving the explanation of a proper name, Gen 26:22; Gen 29:32 (but De surely: see below), Exod 2:10 (compare Gen 4:25; Gen 41:51; Gen 41:52); in כִּי מָה, introducing an expostulation, 1Sam 29:8; 1Kgs 11:22; 2Kgs 8:13, it gives the reason for a suppressed 'Why do you say this?').
c. especially after an oath חַי אָ֫נִי, ׳חַי י etc., introducing the fact sworn to, Gen 42:16 by the life of Pharaoh, כִּי מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם (I say) that ye are spies; but though Hebrew usage probably gave it an asseverative force, English idiom does not require it to be expressed: Num 14:22; 1Sam 20:3 as ׳י liveth, כִּי כְפֶשַׂע בֵּינִי וּבֵין הַמָּוֶת there is but a step between me and death! 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 29:6; Isa 49:18 +; 1Sam 14:44 כֹּהיַֿעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֺסִיף כִּי מוֺת תָּמוּת thus may God do and more also: thou shalt surely die! 2Sam 3:35; 1Kgs 2:23; Ruth 1:17 and elsewhere — Note that כִּי when thus used is often repeated after an intervening clause, in order that its force may be fully preserved: Gen 1:39 כִּי מוֺת יָמוּת (אִםיֶֿשְׁנוֺ בְּיוֺנָתָן בְּנִי) כִּי ׳חַי י 1Sam 25:34; 2Sam 2:27 ׳כִּי אָז וג (לוּלֵא דִּבַּרְתָּ) כִּי, 2Sam 3:9; 2Sam 15:21 Qr 1Kgs 1:30; Jer 22:24.
d. כִּי is used sometimes with advs. and interjs. to add force or distinctness to the affirmation which follows:
(a) so especially in אַף כִּי (see אַף); הֲכִי is it that . . .? (as a neutral interrogative) 2Sam 9:1, (expecting a negative answer) Gen 29:15 is it that thou art my brother, and shalt (therefore) serve me for nothing? Job 6:22 is it that I have said, Give unto me? expressing surprise Gen 27:36 is it that he is called Jacob, and has (hence) supplanted me twice? 2Sam 23:19 an affirm. answer is required (which would imply הֲלֹא כִי): read probably with the || 1Chr 11:25 הִנּוֺ be-hold, he, etc.; אִםלֹֿא כִּי Deut 32:30 were it not that .. .; אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2 of a truth (is it) that ye are the people, etc.; אַךְ כִּי 1Sam 8:9 אֶפֶם כִּי Num 13:28 +; גַּם כִּי Ruth 2:21 הֲלֹא כִי 1Sam 10:1 (but see ᵐ5 Dr), 2Sam 13:28 הִנֵּה כִי Ps 128:4 compare Ps 118:10 כִּי אֲמִיַלם ׳בְּשֵׁם י in the name of ׳י (is it) that — or (I say) that — I will mow them down; Job 39:27 doth the vulture mount up at thy command, וְכִי יָרִים קִנּוֺ and (is it) that it (so) makes high its nest? Isa 36:19 have the gods of the nations delivered each his land etc.? . . . וְכִי הִצִּילוּ i.e. (Hi) and (is it) that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand? > (Ew^{§ 354 c} De Di) and that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand! = how much less (אַף כִּי) have they, etc.! (|| 2Kgs 18:34 כִּי alone, perhaps conformed by error to v2Kgs 18:35; 2Chr 32:15 אַף כִּי, which however does not decide the sense of the original וְכִי). 1Chr 29:14 וְכִי מִי read ומי or כי מי
(b) in introducing the apodosis, especially in כִּי עַתָּה (chiefly after לוּלֵא) indeed then . . ., Gen 31:42; Gen 43:10 for unless we had tarried כִּי עַתָּה שַׁבְנוּ surely then we had returned twice, Num 22:33 (read לוּלֵי for אוּלַי); so 1Sam 14:30 ᵐ5 (after לוּא), and 1Sam 13:13 Hi We (לֻא for לֹא); after אִם Job 8:6 surely then he will awake over thee, etc. (But elsewhere כִּי עַתָּה is simply for now, Gen 29:32; Job 7:21 +; or for then = for in that case, Exod 9:15; Num 22:29; Job 3:13; Job 6:3 +). It is dubious whether כִּי אָז has the same sense: for 2Sam 2:27; 2Sam 19:7 the כִּי in כִּי אָז may be merely resumptive of the כִּי recitation preceding (see a, c). Rare otherwise: Exod 22:22 if thou afflict him כִּי אִםצָֿעֹק יִצְעַק 'tis that (= indeed), if he cries unto me, I will hear him, Isa 7:9 if ye believe not כִּי לֹא תֵאֵָמנוּ ׃ indeed ye will not be established.
e. there seem also to be other cases in which כִּי, standing alone, has an intensive force, introducing a statement with emphasis, yea, surely, certainly (German ja — a lighter particle than these English words): see in AV RV Exod 18:11; Num 23:23; 1Sam 17:25; 1Sam 20:26; 2Kgs 23:22; Isa 32:13; Isa 60:9; Jer 22:22; Jer 31:19; Hos 6:9; Hos 8:6; Hos 9:12; Hos 10:3; Amos 3:7; Ps 76:11; Ps 77:12 (Ew Che), Prov 30:2 (but not if construed as RVm), Eccl 4:16; Eccl 7:7; Eccl 7:20; Job 28:1 +; Lam 3:22 (ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Ew Th Öttli) the mercies of ׳י, surely they are not consumed (read probably תַמּוּ or תָֽמְמוּ for תמנו), Ruth 3:12 כִּי אָמְנָם yea, indeed. But it is doubtful whether כִּי has this force in all the passages for which scholars have had recourse to it, and whether in some it is not simply = for. De^{Prov 30:1} would restrict the usage to cases in which a suppressed clause may be understood. feminine that, expressing consecution, especially after a question implying surprise or deprecation: followed by perf., Gen 20:9 what have I sinned against thee כִּי הֵבֵאתָ עָלַי that thou hast brought upon me? 1Sam 22:8; Isa 22:1 what aileth thee, that thou art gone up, etc.? vIsa 22:16; Isa 36:5; Isa 52:5; Mic 4:9; Hab 2:18 followed by participle Judg 14:3; 1Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 18:9 how have I sinned that thou art giving, etc.? 2Kgs 5:7; Ezek 24:19 usually followed by imperfect Exod 3:11 who am I כִּי אֵלֵךְ that I should go, etc.? Exod 16:7; Judg 8:6; Judg 9:28; 2Kgs 8:13; Isa 7:13; Isa 29:16 (also perfect), Ps 8:5 what is man כִּי תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ? Job 3:12 or why the breasts כִּי אִינָָֽק ׃ that I should suck? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אִַיַחֵל, Job 7:12; Job 7:17; Job 10:5f.; Job 13:25f.; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 +; after a negative, Gen 40:15 here also I have done nothing כִּי שָׂמוּ that they should have placed me in the dungeon, Ps 44:19f. our heart has not turned backward, etc. כִּי דִכִּיתָנוּ that thou shouldst have crushed us, etc., Isa 43:22 not me hast thou called on, כִּי יָגַעְתָּ בִּי that thou shouldst have wearied thyself with me, Hos 1:6 (see RV), Job 41:2; Ruth 1:12 I am too old to have an husband כִּי אָמַרְתִּי that I should have said, etc. (compare Ew^{§ 337 a}; Dr^{§ 39} δ).
g. added to preps. כִּי converts them, like אֲשֶׁר, into conjs. ..., as יַעַן כִּי because that...: see below יַעַן, עַד, עַל, עֵקֶב, תַּחַת.

2. a. Of time, when, of the past וַיְהִי כִּי Gen 6:1 (compare Bu^{Urg. 6}), Gen 26:8; Gen 27:1; 2Sam 6:13; 2Sam 7:1; 2Sam 19:26 + (כַּאֲשֶׁר and especially כְּ with infinitive, are more frequently); וְהָיָה כִּי (simple וְ) 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 17:48; Josh 22:7; Judg 2:18; Judg 12:5 והיה כי יאמרו and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said, Jer 44:19 (participle), Hos 11:1; Ps 32:3 כי החרשׁתי when I was silent, Job 31:21; Job 31:26; Job 31:29 of present (usually with imperfect) as Exod 18:16 כִּי יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר when they have a matter, 1Sam 24:20; Isa 1:12; Isa 30:21; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5; Zech 7:6; Mal 1:8; Ps 49:19 and men praise thee כִּי תֵיטִיב לָ֑ךְ when thou doest well to thyself, Ps 102:1; Ps 127:5 +, with perfect Ezek 3:19-21; Ezek 33:9; Prov 11:15; Prov 23:22 especially of future, as Gen 4:12 כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶתהָֿאֲדָמָה when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc., Gen 24:41; Gen 30:33; Gen 31:49; Gen 32:18; Exod 7:9 when Pharaoh shall speak unto you, Deut 4:25; Deut 6:20 +; in phrase (׳תאֹמַר וג) וְכִי תאֹמְרוּ Lev 25:20; Deut 18:21; Isa 8:19; Isa 36:7; Jer 13:22 and especially in ... וְהָיָה כִּי Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33; Deut 6:10; Deut 15:16; 1Sam 10:7; 1Sam 25:30; Isa 8:21; Isa 10:12 + often; with perfect Isa 16:12; 1Chr 17:11 (altered from imperfect 2Sam 7:12); with participle (unusual) Num 33:51; Num 34:2; Deut 11:31; Deut 18:9.
b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם: — (mostly with imperfect) Gen 38:16; Num 5:20; Num 10:32; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:17; Deut 28:2; Deut 28:13; 1Sam 20:13; 2Sam 19:8; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 18:22; Jer 38:15; Prov 4:8; Job 7:13 (כי אמרתי when I say), Job 19:28 often in laws, as Exod 21:14; Exod 21:33; Exod 21:35; Exod 21:37; Exod 22:4; Exod 22:5 etc., Deut 13:13; Deut 14:24; Deut 15:7; Deut 15:12; Deut 17:2; Deut 18:6; Deut 18:21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by אִם, as Exod 21:2 when (כִּי) thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after which vExod 21:3-5 follow four special cases with אִם if: so Exod 21:7 (כי), vExod 21:8-11 (אם); vExod 21:18 (כי), vExod 21:19 (אם); vExod 21:20 (כי), vExod 21:21 (אם); vExod 21:22 f; vExod 21:28-32; Lev 1:2 (כי), vLev 1:3 vLev 1:10 (אם) Lev 4:2; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:27; Lev 4:32; Lev 13:2ff. Num 30:3ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g. Exod 21:5 with Deut 15:16; Num 5:19 and vNum 5:20. —

N.B. with כִּי = when or if, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis: 1Kgs 8:37 רָעָב ׳כִּייִֿהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ דֶּבֶר כִּי יִהְיֶה וג, Isa 28:18; Mic 5:4 אַשּׁוּר כִּייָֿבאֹ בְאַרְצֵנוּ, Ps 62:11; Ezek 3:19 (וְאַתָּה), Ezek 14:9; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 18:5; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 33:6 (compare vEzek 33:2); and especially in laws of P, as כִּי ֗֗֗ אָדָם Lev 1:2; Lev 13:2, ... נֶפֶשׁ כִּי Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15, similarly Lev 15:2; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:25; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13; Lev 22:14 etc., rather differently Num 5:20.
c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though: —
(a) with imperfect Jer 4:30 (3 t. in verse); Jer 14:12; Jer 49:16 כִּיתַֿגְבִּיהַּ כַּנֶּשֶׁר קִנֶּ֑ךָ though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence, Jer 51:53; Hos 13:15; Zech 8:6; Ps 37:24; Ps 49:19f. though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps also Jer 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Ke for), Jer 50:11 Ew Ke (Hi yea); and strengthened by גַּם, גַּם כִּי Isa 1:5; Ps 23:4 (compare Dr^{§ 143});
(b) with perf. (rare) Mic 7:8 כִּי נָפַלְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי though I have fallen, I rise, Nah 1:10 (si vera 1.), Ps 21:12 (Hi Ew Now), Ps 119:88 (Ew De).

3. Because, since ὅτι —
a. Gen 3:14 because thou hast done this, cursed art thou, etc., vGen 3:17; Gen 18:20; Gen 17:20 the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah — because it is great ... (subject prefixed for emphasis: compare 2

N.B.) Isa 28:15 in answer to a question, Gen 27:20; Exod 1:19; Exod 18:15; 2Sam 19:43 +. Enunciating the conditions under which a future action is conceived as possible (German indem) Lev 22:9; Deut 4:29 כי תדרשׁנו, Deut 12:20 (see Dr), vDeut 12:25 vDeut 12:28; Deut 13:19; Deut 14:24; Deut 16:15; Deut 19:6; Deut 19:9 +, 1Kgs 8:35 (compare v1Kgs 8:33 אֲשֶׁר), v1Kgs 8:36 כִּי תוֺרֵם, Prov 4:8b.
b. more commonly the causal sentence follows, as Gen 2:3 and God blessed the seventh day ׳כִּי בוֺ שָׁבַת וג because on it he rested, etc., Gen 4:25 etc., in which case it may often be rendered for, Gen 2:5; Gen 2:28; Gen 3:20; Gen 5:24; Gen 6:7; Gen 6:12; Gen 6:13; Ps 6:3 heal me כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָ֑י for my bones are vexed, Ps 10:14; Ps 25:16; Ps 27:10 + very often specifically after verbs expressive of mental emotions, as rejoicing Isa 14:29; Ps 58:11, being angry Gen 31:35; Gen 45:5, fearing Gen 43:18; Ps 49:17 etc. Iron. 1Kgs 18:27 for he is a god etc. (4 t.); Prov 30:4; Job 38:5 כִּי תֵדָ֑ע for or since thou knowest. With subject prefixed Ps 128:2. Repeated (with anacoluthon) Isa 49:19.
c. the causal relation expressed by כִּי is sometimes subtle, especially in poetry, and not apparent without careful study of a passage. Thus sometimes it justifies a statement or description by pointing to a pregnant fact which involves it, as Isa 3:8a Job 6:21 (ground of the comparison vJob 6:15-20), Job 14:16 (For...: ground of the wishes expressed vJob 14:13-15), Job 16:22 (ground of vJob 16:20f.) Job 30:26 (For ...), or by pointing to a general truth which it exemplifies Job 5:6 (reason why complaining vJob 5:2-5 is foolish), Job 15:34; Job 23:14 sometimes it is explicative, justifying a statement by unfolding the particulars which establish or exemplify it 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 7:8; Isa 9:4; Isa 10:8-11; Isa 13:10 (development of vIsa 13:9a); Isa 32:6 f. (developing the characters of the נָבָל and כִּילַי, and so explaining why they will no longer be esteemed vIsa 32:5); Job 11:16ff. (explicit of vJob 11:15b), Job 18:8 ff. (justifying vJob 18:7), Job 22:26 ff. (justifying vJob 22:25); elsewhere the cause is expressed indirectly or figuratively Isa 2:6 (reason why invitation vIsa 2:5 is needed), Isa 5:10 (sterility of the soil the cause of the desolation vIsa 5:9), Isa 18:5; Isa 28:8 (proof of the intoxication vIsa 28:7), Isa 31:7 (reason for the exhortation vIsa 31:6: the certainty that the folly of idolatry will soon be recognized), Job 7:21 (for soon it will be too late to pardon), Job 27:8-10 (Job wishes his enemy the lot of the wicked, because this is so hopeless); or כִּי relates not to the see which immediately precedes or follows, but to several, as Isa 7:16f. (Isa 7:17 specially the ground of the people being reduced to simple fare vIsa 7:15), Isa 21:6ff. (ground of the statements vIsa 21:1-5), Job 4:5 (ground of vJob 4:2), Job 14:7-12 (Job 14:10-12 specially the ground for the appeal in vJob 14:6), Job 23:10-13 (ground why God cannot be found vJob 23:8f.), Ps 73:21 (ground not of vPs 73:20, but of the general train of thought vPs 73:2); similarly Gen 4:24; Deut 18:14; Jer 30:11 the reason lies not in the words immediately after כִּי, but in the second part of the sentence; or, on the other hand, it may state the reason for a particular word, Isa 28:20 (justifying 'nought but terror' vIsa 28:19), Job 23:17 (God's hostility vJob 23:16 the cause of his misery, not the calamity as such). Sometimes also כִּי, in a poetic orrhetorical style, gives the reason for a thought not expressed but implied, especially the answer to a question; Isa 28:11 (the mockeries of vIsa 28:10 have a meaning) 'for with men of strange lips, etc. he will speak unto this people,' who will retort the mockeries, charged with a new and terrible meaning, upon those who uttered them (Isa 28:13); = (no,) for Isa 28:28 (see RVm), Job 22:2b no, he that is wise is profitable to himself, Job 31:18; Job 39:14 (see vJob 39:13b), Ps 44:24 (he cannot do this, vPs 44:23) for for thy sake are we killed, etc., Ps 130:4 no, with thee is forgiveness; = (yes,) for Isa 49:25 (see the question vIsa 49:24), Isa 66:8.
d. כִּי ֗֗֗ כִּי ἀσυνδέτως sometimes introduce the proximate and ultimate cause respectively, Gen 3:19; Gen 26:7; Gen 43:32; Gen 47:20; Exod 23:33 for [else] thou wilt serve their gods, for it will be a snare to thee, Isa 2:6 (twice in verse); Isa 3:8 (twice in verse); Isa 6:5a, b; Isa 10:22f.; Job 6:3f.; Job 8:8; Job 8:9 (twice in verse); Job 24:17 (twice in verse); Job 29:11f.; sometimes they introduce two co-ordinate causes (where we should insert and), Exod 23:21; Exod 23:22; Isa 6:5b,c I am undone, because I am of unclean lips..., because mine eyes have seen ׳י of hosts, Isa 15:5 (twice in verse); Isa 15:6 (twice in verse); Isa 15:8; Isa 15:9; Zeph 3:8f.; Job 15:25; Job 15:27; Job 20:19f.; Job 31:11f. But כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי also occurs, Gen 33:11; Num 5:20 (if), Josh 7:15; Judg 6:30; 1Sam 19:4; 1Sam 22:17; 1Kgs 2:26; Isa 65:16 +.
e. after a negative כִּי for becomes = but (German sondern): Gen 17:15 thou shalt not call her name Sarai, כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ for (= but) Sarah shall be her name, Gen 24:3f.; Gen 45:8; Exod 1:19; Exod 16:8 not against us are your murmurings, ׳כי עליֿ for (they are) against ׳י = but against ׳י, Deut 21:17; 1Sam 6:3 (אַל), 1Sam 27:1 (see Dr), 1Kgs 21:17; Isa 10:7; Isa 28:27; Isa 29:23; Isa 30:5; Ps 44:8; Ps 118:17 + often; so in לא כי nay, for = nay, but, as Gen 18:15 לֹא כִּי צָחָֽקְתְּ nay, but thou didst laugh, Gen 19:2; Gen 42:12; Josh 5:14; 1Sam 2:16 MSS ᵐ5 (see Dr), 1Sam 12:12; 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 2:30; 1Kgs 3:22; 1Kgs 11:22; Isa 30:16 nay, but we will flee upon horses.

Note. — כִּי is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is between for and yea. E.g. Isa 8:23 Ges Ew^{§ 330 b} doch (no, but); Hi Di for (taking vIsa 8:22 as RVm); Ch surely: Isa 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Di surely; De for: Isa 39:8 Ges Hi De surely; Di for (explanation of טוֺב): Ezek 11:16 Hi Ke Co surely; Ew Sm because. — In Exod 20:25 the tense of וַתְּחַלֲלֶהָ makes it probably that כֹּי is for (Dr^{§ 153}). Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage (גַּאֲוָה) as Hi When they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. כִּי אִםֿ (the אִם always followed by makkeph, except Gen 15:4; Num 35:33; Neh 2:2, where כִּיאִֿם is read by the Mass.: Fr^{MM 241}) —

1. each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
a. that if Jer 26:15 after an oath (כִּי not translated: see כִּי 1 c) if 1Sam 14:39; Jer 22:24, surely not (אִם 1 b 2) 2Sam 3:35; 1Sam 25:34 (כִּי being resumptive of the כִּי before לוּלֵי: see כִּי 1 c); Exod 22:22 (in apodosis) indeed if . . . (see כִּי 1 d).
b. for if Exod 8:17; Exod 9:2; Exod 10:4; +, for though Isa 10:22; Jer 37:20; Amos 5:22, but if Jer 7:5.

2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause —
a. limiting the preceding clause, except (after a negative, or an oath, or question, the equivalent of a negative) — the most usual term for expressing this idea: followed by verb Gen 32:27 I will not let thee go; כִּי אִםבֵּֿרַכְתָּֽנִי literally but (כִּי 3 e) if thou bless me (that is, I will let thee go), i.e., subordinating the second clause to the first, 'I will not let thee go, except thou bless me;' Lev 22:6 he shall not eat of the holy things כִּי אִםרָֿחַץ except he have washed his flesh, Isa 65:6; Amos 3:7; Ruth 3:18; Lam 5:21f. (Ew Näg Ke Che Öttli), turn thou us unto thee, etc., unless thou have utterly rejected us, (and) art very wroth with us (= Or hast thou utterly rejected us? etc. Ew Öttli); followed by a noun, except, but, Gen 28:17 this is nothing ׳כִּי אִםבֵּֿית הָאֱ but the house of God, Gen 32:9 he withholds from me nothing כִּי אִםאֿוֺתָךְ except thee, Lev 21:2; Num 14:30 (after אִם), Num 26:65 (compare Num 32:12 בִּלְתִּי), Josh 14:4; 1Sam 30:17; 1Sam 30:22; 2Sam 12:3 אֵין כֹּל כִּי אִםֿ (so 2Kgs 4:2), 2Kgs 19:29; 1Kgs 17:1 (after אִם), 1Kgs 22:31; 2Kgs 5:15; 2Kgs 9:35; 2Kgs 13:7; Jer 22:17; Jer 44:14 +; after אַל, 2Chr 23:6 followed by an adverb clause, Gen 42:15; Num 35:33; 2Sam 3:13 (but כִּי אִם and לִפְנֵי are mutually exclusive: read probably with ᵐ5 כִּי אִםהֵֿבֵיאתָ); after an interrogative Isa 42:19 who is blind כִּי אִםעַֿבְדִּי but my servant ? (who is blind in comparison with him ?), Deut 10:12; Mic 6:8; Eccl 5:10; 2Chr 2:5.
b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic (compare אִם 1 c), so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but (= a slightly strengthened כִּי), Gen 15:4 this man shall not be thy heir; ׳כִּי אִםאֲֿשֶׁר וג but one that shall come forth from thy own bowels, he shall be thy heir (compare 1Kgs 8:19), 1Kgs 32:29 thy name shall no more be called Jacob כִּי אִםיִֿשְׂרָאֵל but Israel (compare כִּי alone 1Kgs 17:15), 1Kgs 47:18 we will not hide it from my lord, but the money . . . is all made over to, etc., Exod 12:9 not boiled in water, but roast with fire, Deut 7:5; Deut 12:5; Deut 16:6; Josh 23:8; 1Sam 2:15 he will not take of thee boiled flesh כִּי אִםחָֽֿי׃ but raw, 1Sam 8:19 לֹא כִּי אִםמֶֿלֶךְ יִהְיֶה עָלֵינוּ nay, but a king shall be over us (compare כי alone, 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 12:12), 1Sam 21:5; 2Sam 5:6; 1Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 10:23 (פֶּן), Isa 33:21; Isa 55:10; Isa 55:11; Isa 59:2; Jer 3:10; Jer 7:32; Jer 9:23; Jer 16:15; Jer 20:3; Jer 44:10; Ps 1:2; Ps 1:4; Prov 23:17 (אַל) Psalm +; with the principal verb repeated (as Gen 15:4; 1Kgs 8:19), Lev 21:14; Ezek 44:22; Num 10:30; 2Kgs 23:23; Jer 39:12 Kt (Qr omit אִם), compare Jer 7:23. Occasionally in colloquial language, the negative, it seems, is left to be understood: 1Sam 26:10 as ׳י liveth, (by no means,) כִּי אִם but ׳י shall smite him, 2Sam 13:33 Kt (by no means,) but Amnon alone is dead (Qr omits אִם). Followed by imperative Isa 65:18; Ezek 12:23; Jer 39:12; 2Chr 25:8. Sometimes also, though rarely (and not certainly), כִּי אִם appears to have the force of only even without a previous negative: Gen 40:14 כִּי אִםזְֿכַרְתָּנִי אִתְּךָ only have (?) me in remembrance with thyself (but read perhaps אַךְ for כִּי; see Dr^{§ 119} δ n., the use of a bare perfect, without לוּ, or even waw consecutive, to express a wish or command is unexampled), Num 24:22 כִּי אִםֿ יִהְיֶה לְבָעֵר קָֽיִן׃ only, nevertheless, the Kenite shall be for extermination (compare Di), Job 42:8 (De Di) כִּי אִםפָּֿנָיו אֶשָּׂא
c. after an oath כִּי אִם appears to = a strengthened כִּי (compare בִּלְתִּי אִם, אִם ׃עַד אִם 1 c), introducing the fact sworn to (see כִּי 1 c): 2Kgs 5:20 as ׳י liveth, כִּי אִםרַֿצְתִּי surely I will run (perfect of certitude) after him, etc., Jer 51:14 (Ges Hi Gf RV) surley I will fill thee with men (namely, assailants), etc. (but Ew Ke Ch treat the particles as separate (כִּי as כִּי 1 c): though I have filled thee with men —; i.e. increased thy population, — yet shall they — the assailants — lift up the shout against thee), 2Sam 15:21 Kt (Qr omits אִם); after an assever. particle Ruth 3:12 Kt וְעַתָּה כִּי אָמְנָם כִּי אִם גּוֺאֵל אָנֹכִי and now, yea indeed, surely I am thy kinsman (Qr omits אִם); the oath being understood, Judg 15:7 if ye do thus, כִּי אִםנִֿקַּמְתִּי surely (Ges hercle) I will avenge myself, 1Sam 21:6 כִּי אִםאִֿשָּׁה עֲצֻרָה לָנוּ of a truth women have been kept from us, etc., 1Kgs 20:6 surely tomorrow I will send, etc., Prov 23:18 (see De) surely there is a reward; perhaps also Job 42:8.

BDB511 H518

אִם conjunction (= Aramaic if [and in , אֶלָּא = if not, except], Arabic if [and in = if not, except], Ethiopic (§mma) if = מָה + אִם ( + ) [and in (allâ) if not, but], Assyrian umma; also in Arabic 'An?' = , compare הַאִם: see Nö^{M p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739}; W^{AG i. § 367 e})

**ᵑ7^{Onk Jon} אִם, ᵑ7^Hag אין.

1. hypothetical particle if.
a. construction (see more fully Dr^{§ 136-138, 143} Friedrich^{Die Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884}): (1) with imperfect (continued by perfects & waw consecutive; apodosis usually begins with perfect & waw consecutive or bare imperfect; or, if necessary, with imperative or jussive)
(a) of future time: Gen 18:26 אִםאֶֿמְצָא if I shall find 50 righteous in Sodom, וְנָשָׂאתִי I will pardon, etc., Gen 24:8; Gen 32:9; Deut 1:52 b 1Kgs 6:12; Ps 89:31; Gen 42:37; Judg 13:16; 1Kgs 1:52 a Ps 132:12.
(b) of past time (rare, but classical): Gen 31:8 אִם יאֹמַר if everhe said . . . וְיָָֽלְדִוּ then they used to bear, etc., Exod 40:37 & in the protestations Job 31:7; Job 31:13; Job 31:16; Job 31:25 etc. (alternating with pff., see below, & with jussives in apodosis)
(c) assuming a purely imaginary case (with imperfect in both clauses, like the double optative in Greek), if, though: Gen 13:16 so that אִםיֿוּכַל if a man were able to number the stars, thy seed also יִמָּנֶה might be numbered, Num 22:18; Isa 1:18 כַּשָּׁנִים יַלְבִּינוּ ׳אִםיִֿהְיוּ ח though your sins were as scarlet, they should become white as snow, Amos 9:2-4 אִםיַֿחְתְּרוּ though they were to dig into Sheôl, from thence תִּקָּחֵם would my hand fetch them, Ps 27:3; Ps 139:8 +. (2) with participle (expressing either a present process, or an approaching future: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 24:42; Gen 24:49; Judg 6:36; Judg 9:15; Judg 11:9 אִם מְשִׁיבִים אַתֶּם if ye are going to bring me back . . . ׳וְנָתַן י then ׳י will, etc.; similarly with יֵשׁ or אֵין Gen 44:26; Exod 22:2; 1Sam 20:8; 1Sam 23:23 & with no explicit copula Deut 22:2; Deut 25:2; Lev 1:3; Lev 1:14, etc. (3) with perfect
(a) of future or present time (continued by perfects & waw consecutive: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 43:9 אִםלֹֿא הֲבִיאֹתִיו אֵלֶיךָ וְהִצַּגְתִּיו לְפָנֶיךָ if I do not bring him back (si eum non reduxero) and set him before thee, I will be guilty for ever, Gen 47:6 if thou knowest that there are men of worth among them וְשַׂמְתָּם then make them, etc., Judg 16:17; 2Sam 15:33; 2Kgs 7:4; Ps 41:7; Ps 94:18; Job 7:4; Job 9:30f. Job 10:14 אִם חָטָאתִי וּשְׁמַרְתָּ֑נִי if I sin, thou watchest me. On אִםנָֿא Gen 18:3 and elsewhere see נָא.
(b) of past time, whether
(a) in actual fact, or (β) in an assumed case (the perfect is here continued by the imperfect and waw consecutive; apodosis begins as before).
(a) Judg 9:16-19 אִם ֗֗֗ עֲשִׂיתֶם if ye have done honestly וַתַּמְלִיכוּ and have made Abimelech king . . ., 1Sam 26:19 especially in protestations, as Ps 7:4 אִם עָשִׂיתִי זאת if I have done this . . ., let the enemy pursue my soul, etc. Jer 33:25f.; Job 31:5f; Job 31:9, etc.
(b) Num 5:27 if she have defiled herself וַתִּמְעֹל and been faithless, וּבָאוּ then shall they come, etc., Num 15:24; Num 35:22-24.
(c) with bare perfect in apodosis, in sense of If ... had ..., only Deut 32:30 אִםלֹֿא כִּי were it not that ..., Ps 73:15. (לוּ is more usual in such cases.) (4) with infinitive once (si vera 1.) Job 9:27 אִם אָמְרִי = if I say (literally if (there is) my saying). — Note that the verb following אִם is often strengthened by the infinitive absolute, as Exod 15:26; Exod 19:5; Exod 21:5; Exod 22:3; Exod 22:12; Exod 22:16; Exod 22:22; Judg 11:30; Judg 14:12; Judg 16:11 etc.; compare Dr^{Sm i. 20, 6}.

b. Special uses: (1) repeated ... אִם אִם whether ... or (sive ... sive) Exod 19:13; Deut 18:3; 2Sam 15:21 similarly אִם ֗֗֗ וְאִם Gen 31:52; Jer 42:6; Ezek 2:5; Eccl 11:3; Eccl 12:14 (compare ... , ... PS²⁵⁰; ... & ... ).(2) After an oath (expressed, or merely implied) אִם (the formula of imprecation being omitted) becomes an emphatic negative, and אִםלֹֿא an emphatic affirmative: 2Sam 11:11 by thy life אִםאֶֿעֱשֶׂה אֶתהַֿדָּבָר הַזֶּה (may God bring all manner of evil upon me) if I do this thing! = surely I will not do this thing! (compare the full phrases in 1Sam 3:17; 2Kgs 6:31) Gen 14:23; Gen 42:15; Num 14:23; 1Sam 3:14; 1Sam 19:6; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 3:14 & often; Isa 22:14; Ps 89:36; Ps 95:11; Job 6:28 אִםלֹֿא Num 14:28; Josh 14:9; 1Kgs 20:23; 2Kgs 9:26; Isa 5:9; Isa 14:24; Jer 15:11; Jer 49:20; Job 1:11 + especially Ezekiel; after a negative clause, emphasizing a contrasted idea, Gen 24:38 (where the explanation by Aramaic אֶלָּא is not supported by Hebrew usage), compare Jer 22:6. Repeated, אִם ֗֗֗ וְאִם 2Sam 20:20; 2Kgs 3:14; Isa 62:8; Jer 38:16; Ezek 14:16. In adjurations (with 2nd or 3rd person) = that not Gen 21:23; Gen 26:29; Gen 31:50; 1Sam 24:22; 1Kgs 1:51; Song 2:7; Song 3:5 +. Of past or present time: 1Sam 25:34 as ׳י liveth (I say) that, unless thou hadst hastened ..., כִּי אִם נוֺתַר that surely there had not been left ...! 1Sam 17:55 as thy soul liveth אִםיָֿדַעְתִּי if I Know it! 1Kgs 17:12; 1Kgs 18:10 — both אִםיֵֿשׁ (כִּי here merely introduces the fact sworn to, & need not be translated; so 2Sam 3:35: see כִּי); Ps 121:2 אִםלֹֿא (after a negative clause: compare above Gen 24:38). compare Str^{§ 90}.(3) Part, of wishing, if but ...! oh that ...! (rare) Ps 81:9 If thou wouldest hearken to me! Ps 95:7; Ps 139:19; Prov 24:11. compare Exod 32:32. With an imperative (si vera lectio) Job 34:16 וְאִםִֿבּינָה; and with an anacoluthon, Gen 23:13 (P) אִםאַֿתָּה לוּ שְׁמָעֵנִי if thou! — oh that thou wouldst hear me!(4) Nearly = when — with the perfect:
(a) of past, Gen 38:9; Num 21:9 וְהָיָה אִםנָֿשַׁךְ ֗֗֗ וְרָאָה and it used to be, if or when a serpent had bitten a man, that he would look, etc., Judg 6:3; Ps 78:34 (see Dr^{§ 136} δ Obs.); Amos 7:2.
(b) of present or future, Isa 4:4 אִם רָחַץ when the Lord shall have washed, Isa 24:13; Isa 28:25 compare Num 36:4 (with the imperfect)
c. Compounded with other particles: —
(a) בִּלְתִּי אִם except if, except, Gen 47:18; Judg 7:14; Amos 3:3; Amos 3:4. (β) הֲלוֺא אִם 2Kgs 20:19 (for which Isa 39:7 has sim-ply כִּי), perhaps Is it not (good), if ...? (De Di). (γ) כִּיאִֿם, q. v. (δ) עַד אִם Gen 24:19; Gen 24:33; Isa 30:17; Ruth 2:21, & עַד אֲשֶׁר אִם Gen 28:15; Num 32:17; Isa 6:11, until, properly until if or when. (ε) רַק אִם if only (see below רַק). אִםלֹֿא in Ezek 3:6b is very difficult. The Vrss render If I had sent, etc., implying לֻא for אִםלֹֿא (for Ew's אִםלֻֿא = אִלּוּ, q. v., is precarious): Ges Hi Co 'but (אִםלֹֿא after a negative, compare above Gen 24:38; Ps 131:2) unto them (Israel) have I sent thee: they can understand thee' (but understand is a dubious rendering of שָׁמַע אֶל).

2. Interrogative particle a. in direct question:
(a) alone (not frequently and usually = Num? expecting the answer No, especially in a rhet. style): Gen 38:17; 1Kgs 1:27; Judg 5:8 מָגֵן אִםיֵֿרָאֶה וָרֹמַח was there a shield to be seen or a spear ...?Isa 29:16 and repeated Amos 3:6; Jer 48:27; Job 6:12.
(b) more frequently in disjunctive interrogation:
(a) הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם, expressing a real alternative Josh 5:13 הֲלָנוּ אַתָּה אִםלְֿצָרֵינוּ art thou for us, or for our enemies? Judg 9:2; 1Kgs 22:6; 1Kgs 22:15: more often expressing a merely formal alternative, especially in poetry (a rhetorical Num?) Gen 37:8; Num 11:12; Num 11:22; Judg 11:25b 2Sam 19:36; Isa 10:15; Isa 66:8; Jer 3:5; Hab 3:8; Ps 77:10; Ps 78:20; Job 4:17; Job 6:5; Job 6:6; Job 10:4; Job 10:5; Job 11:7 etc. (β) הֲ ֗֗֗ וְאִם (rarer than הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם, but similar in use) 2Sam 24:13 (a real alt.); Isa 49:24; Isa 50:2; Jer 5:9 (Jer 5:29 אִם) Jer 14:22; Joel 1:2; Joel 4:4; Job 8:3; Job 11:2; Job 21:4; Job 22:3; Job 34:17; Job 40:8f. (formal); Gen 17:17 P (with an anacoluthon) shall a child ...? וְאִםשָֿׂרָה הֲבַתתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה תֵּלֵד or Sarah, — shall she that is 90 years old bear? Prov 27:24 (וְאִם after negative clause),
b. in oblique interrogation, if, whether:
(a) alone, after verbs of seeing, inquiring, etc. 2Kgs 1:2; Jer 5:1; Jer 30:6; Mal 3:10; Ps 139:24; Song 7:13; Lam 1:12; Ezra 2:59 once מִי יוֺדֵעַ אִם who knoweth if ...? i.e. (like haud scio an) perhaps Esth 4:14 (older synonym מִי יוֺדֵעַ alone: see 2Sam 12:22; Joel 2:14; Jonah 3:9).
(b) disjunctively הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם Gen 27:21; Num 13:18-20 so אִם ֗֗֗ וְאִם Josh 24:15.
c. compounded with הֲ, הַאִם Num 17:28 הַאִם תַּמְנוּ לִגְוֺעַ probably an emphatic Num? Shall we ever have finished dying? Job 6:13 difficult: perhaps Is it that my help is not in me? (a forcible means of expressing that that which might be thought impossible is nevertheless the case); Hi as an aposiop., If my help is not in me (am I still to wait) ? (The view that הַאִם = הֲלֹא nonne? is inconsistent with the fact that אִם in a question has regularly the force of Num?)

אֵם see אמם. Below

אַמָּה, אֻמָּה see אמם.

BDB9477 H2005 H2006 H518 H3861

הֵן conjunction if, whether (Biblical Hebrew הֵן, q. v.: Zenjirli, Egyptian Aramaic (S-C^{Pap. A 7} +), Palmyrene, Nabataean הן, Mandean הין if [ᵑ7^{Onk Jon} use אם, ᵑ7^Jer אין, Syriac ]); —

1. if, Dan 2:6; Dan 3:15; Dan 3:17; Dan 4:24; Dan 5:16; Dan 5:17, הֵן לָא ֗֗֗ Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 3:15 vDan 3:18 הֵן לָ֔א if not.

2. repeated, הֵן ֗֗֗ הֵן sive ... sive, whether ... or (compare Biblical Hebrew אִם, 1 b 1), Ezra 7:26 (so Palmyrene^{Tariff ii.c.19}).

3. in indirect question, whether (compare אִם, 2 b), Ezra 5:17b יִתְבַּקַּר ֗֗֗ הֵן אִיתַי ֗֗֗ . — See also לָהֵן. p. 50, 243, 1099

הַסִּק etc., see סלק Haph`el

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke^{217, 219, 241} S-C^{Pap. C 6, 7} +; lâinnî, however Soc^{Arab. Dial.} see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.

2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

Strong's Definition H518

if, or, though, surely, not, …

ʾim

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

if

conditional clauses

of possible situations

no, not

Variations 8 forms of this word

Translations 138 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

יוּכַ֞ל

Root word could, able, cannot, prevail, can, …

Dictionary form: יָכֹל · yaw-KOLE

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)"

יוּכַל

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: he be able

could ×17 cannot ×12 able ×10 be able ×10 i cannot ×10 prevail ×9 can ×8 but they could ×5

More options

be able — Broadest fit; works in most syntactic contexts.

can — Natural present-tense modal; prefer for simple capability.

could — Past tense or conditional contexts; very common usage.

prevail — Use when the sense is overcoming resistance or opposition.

manage — Colloquial; suits contexts of straining or barely succeeding.

succeed — Emphasizes outcome achieved after effort or struggle.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3539 H3201

יָכֹל, יָכוֺל₁₉₃ verb be able, have power prevail, endure (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יְכִיל; Assyrian akâlu, Hpt in KAT^{2 Gloss i},) —

Qal Perfect יָכֹל Gen 32:26 + 8 t.; יָכוֺל 1Sam 4:15 + 2 t.; 3 feminine singular יָכְלָה Gen 36:7; Exod 2:3 2 masculine singular וְיָכָלְתָּ֫ Exod 18:23 1 singular יָכֹלְתִּי Gen 30:8 + 2 t.; suffix יְכָלְתִּיו Ps 13:5 3 plural יָכְ֑לוּ Gen 13:6 + 27 t. + Josh 15:63 Qr; יָכֹ֑לוּ Exod 8:14 + 2 t.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יוּכָל Gen 13:16 + 34 t.; יוּכָ֑ל Job 4:2 + 4 t.; וַיֻּכָ֑ל Hos 12:5 3 feminine singular תּוּכַל Amos 7:10 + 2 t.; 2 masculine singular תּוּכַל Gen 15:5 + 16 t.; 1 singular אוּכַל Gen 19:19 + 30 t., etc. (on these Imperfect forms as irregular Qal, see Ges^{«GKC:2»§ 2}, R. 3 Kö^{i. 407} W^{SG 237}; others Hoph`al); Infinitive construct יְכֹ֫לֶת Num 14:16; Deut 9:28 Infinitive absolute יָכוֺל Num 13:20; 2Chr 32:13 יָכֹל Num 22:38; 1Sam 26:25 P 8 t. (not Leviticus), Ezek 3 t.; often J E D Jeremiah, Isa², not seldom in Samuel Kings Chronicles; —

1. be able, to do a thing, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority; usually of man Gen 13:16 (J) +, but also of gods 2Chr 32:13; 2Chr 32:15, and of ׳י Num 14:16 (JE), Deut 9:28; Jer 44:22 occasionally of inanimate things Amos 7:10; Gen 36:7 (P), Song 8:7; Eccl 1:15 (twice in verse), etc.:
a. usually followed by infinitive with לְ (122 t.), Gen 31:35 I am not able to rise up; Gen 45:1 Joseph was not able to restrain himself, vGen 45:3; Gen 48:10; Exod 7:21; Exod 7:24 were not able to drink, Exod 12:39; Josh 24:19 (all E); Gen 13:16 if a man can number the dust, Gen 19:19; Gen 19:22; Gen 43:32; Gen 44:22; Gen 44:26 (twice in verse); Exod 10:5; Exod 19:23 (all J), Gen 15:5; Exod 15:23; Num 11:14 (all J E) + 10 t. J E; Deut 7:17 + 10 t. D; Gen 13:6 they could not dwell together, Gen 34:14; Gen 36:7; Exod 9:11; Exod 40:35; Num 9:6; Josh 9:19 (all P); 1Sam 3:2; 1Sam 6:20; 1Kgs 9:21 (on || 2Chr 8:8 and text of Judg 1:19 see Bu^{RS 8}), Amos 7:10; Hos 5:13; Zeph 1:18; Jer 6:10; Jer 11:11; Jer 13:23; Jer 18:6; Jer 19:11 +.
b. followed by infinitive without לְ (27 t.; not P): Gen 37:4; Exod 2:3; Exod 18:18; Exod 18:23 (all E), Gen 24:50; Gen 44:1 (J), Num 22:37; Num 22:38 (JE), Deut 1:9; Deut 7:22; Deut 14:24; Deut 22:29; Judg 8:3; Jer 49:10; Jer 49:23; Hab 1:13; Isa 46:2; Isa 47:11; Isa 47:12; Isa 57:20; Lam 1:14; Ps 18:39; Ps 36:13; Ps 78:20; Prov 30:21; Job 4:2; Job 33:5.
c. with infinitive implicit, always negative, Gen 29:8 go and feed them; and they said, We are not able, cannot (J), Exod 8:14 (P), Isa 29:11; Jer 20:9; Ps 21:12; Jonah 1:13.
d. with negative = may not (of moral inability): Gen 43:32 (J) the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; Judg 21:18 we may not give them wives; especially D, Deut 7:22; Deut 12:17; Deut 14:24; Deut 16:5; Deut 17:15; Deut 22:3; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:35.
e. be able, followed by imperfect: אוּלַי אוּכַל נַכֶּה Num 22:6 (JE) perchance I am able (so that) we smite (see Di; read perhaps נוּכַל for אוּכַל Ges^{«GKC:120»§ 120}, 1 b); לֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ Lam 4:14 they are unable, they touch = are unable to touch (Dr^{§ 163}, Obs.) feminine be able, followed by perfect consecutive, only very late, אוּכַל וְרָאִיתִי Esth 8:6 (twice in verse), literally how shall I be able and see? — Also in various combinations where English idiom would make it an auxiliary to another verb:
g. able to gain, accomplish: followed by acc לֹא יוּכְלוּ נִקָּיוֺן Hos 8:5 how long will they be unable (to gain) innocence? יָדַעְתִּ֯ כִּיכֹֿל תּוּכָ֑ל Job 42:2 I know that thou art able (to do) all things; אֵין הַמֶּלֶךְ יוּכַל אֶתְכֶם דָּבָר Jer 38:5 the king is not (one who is) able (to do) anything with (אֶתְכם for אִתְּכֶם see Gf, i.e. against) you.
h. able to endure: לֹא אוּכַל אָוֶן וַעֲצָרָה Isa 1:13 I cannot endure iniquity and (with) a solemn assembly, Ps 101:5.
i. able to reach, followed by לְ, Ps 139:6 it is high, לֹא אוּכַל לָהּ I cannot (reach) to it.

2. prevail:
a. absolute prevail, overcome, be victor Gen 30:8 (E), Gen 32:29 (J), Hos 12:5; 1Sam 26:25; 1Kgs 22:22 = 2Chr 18:21; Jer 20:7; Jer 20:11 of waves Jer 5:22 succeed Isa 16:12; Jer 3:5 (VB hast had they way).
b. followed by לְ person, prevail against, over Gen 32:26 (J), Num 13:30 (JE), Judg 16:5; 1Sam 17:9; Jer 1:19; Jer 15:20; Jer 20:10; Jer 38:22; Obad 1:7; Ps 129:2; Esth 6:13.
c. once with suffix, יְכָלְתִּיו Ps 13:5 I have prevailed over him, + Zech 9:15 (where read וְיָכְלוּם for וְאָֽכְלוּ with ᵐ5 ᵑ7 Klo^{ThLZ 1879. 564} Sta^{ZAW 1881, 18}).

3. absolute have ability, strength, only negative מִשְּׂאֵתוֺ לֹא אוּכָ֑ל Job 31:23 because of his loftiness I have no ability, am inadequate (to anything).

BDB9581 H3202 H3201

יְכִל (K^{§ 25, a}) β)) verb be able (Daniel) (ᵑ7; Nabataean (rare) SAC⁶⁰; Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{E 8, 11}+; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic Schulth⁸³; Biblical Hebrew יָכֹל); —

Pe`al 1. with Infinitive be able to do:Perfect 3 masculine singular יְכִל Dan 6:21 (subject God), 2 masculine singular יְכֵ֫לְתָּ Dan 2:47 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יוּכַל (Hebraism, K^{§ 43, 1. Beisp. b})) vDan 2:10, יִכֻּל Dan 3:29 (subject a god), 2 masculine singular תוכל Dan 5:16 (twice in verse) (<both Qr תִּכּוּל, K^l.c.); Participle יָכִל Dan 3:17; Dan 4:34 (both subject God); plural יָָֽכְּ לִין Dan 2:27; Dan 4:15; Dan 6:5.

2. prevail (Biblical Hebrew

2.) against (ל), Participle feminine singular יָָֽכְלָה Dan 7:21.

Strong's Definition H3201

could, able, cannot, prevail, can, …

yākōl

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able

(Qal)

to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach

Variations 46 forms of this word

Translations 90 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לְ הִלָּחֵ֤ם

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

הִלָּחֵ֤ם

Root word fight, fought, war, warred, eat, …

Dictionary form: לָחַם · law-HAHM

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/VNc

Verb — Niphal, Infinitive Construct, construct state passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" try "to ___" or "___ing"

לְ	Speech Preposition
הִלָּחֵם	Speech Verb Stem Niphal Type Infinitive Construct State Construct

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: to fight

to fight ×27 and fought ×16 fought ×16 fight ×11 and fight ×9 and they shall fight ×5 that fight ×4 and they fought ×3

More options

fight — Most direct modern equivalent; suits most contexts.

battle — Preferred when emphasizing an engagement or campaign.

wage war — Highlights sustained, organized military conflict.

combat — Slightly formal; good for military or legal prose.

struggle against — Useful when opponent or opposition is in focus.

contend — Broader; suits figurative or non-military conflict.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4391 H3898

I. [לָחַם]₁₇₁ verb fight, do battle (Late Hebrew Hithpa`el; ואלתחם MI^11.15.19 perhaps = order the battle, compare Nö^{ZMG xl. 1886, 721}; Arabic fit close together, so Late Hebrew לחם Pi`el, Syriac Pa`el unite, fit also threaten; Gerber^{Verb. Denom. 59} thinks verb in Hebrew denominative from מִלְחָמָה battle-line, but dubious); —

Qal (poetry) only Imperative masculine singular and Participle active — fight, do battle with, rare, only Psalms, apparently later usage: — לְחַם אֶתלֹֿחֲמָ֑י Ps 35:1 do battle with those battling with me (dubious whether את is accusative sign compare preposition with, compare Ol; || רִיבָה אֶתיְֿרִיבַי); לֹחֲמִים לִי Ps 56:3 doing battle against me; לֹחֵם vPs 56:2 as substantive fighter. Niph`al₁₆₇ Perfect נִלְחַם Judg 9:17 +, וְנִלְחַמְתָּ֫ Judg 11:8; 1Sam 15:18, וְנִלְחַמְנוּ Deut 1:41 consecutive, etc.; Imperfect יִלָּהֵם Exod 14:14; Deut 1:30 יִלָּ֫חֶם לָ֑נוּ Neh 4:14, וַיִּלָּ֫חֶם Exod 17:8 + 19 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּלָּחֵם Zech 14:14 3 masculine plural תִּיִּלָּֽחֲמוּ Judg 1:5 + 13 t.; suffix וַיִּלָּֽחֲמוּנִי Ps 109:3 2 masculine plural תִּלָּֽחֲמוּ 1Kgs 22:31 + 4 t.; תִּלָּֽחֲמוּן 1Kgs 12:24.; etc.; Imperative הִלָּחֵם Exod 17:9; 1Sam 18:17 הִלָּ֫חֶם בּוֺ Judg 9:38 plural הִלָּֽחֲמוּ 2Kgs 10:3; Neh 4:8 Infinitive absolute נִלְחֹם Judg 11:25 construct הִלָּחֵם Judg 1:9 + 35 t.; הִלָּ֫חֶם בּוֺ etc., Num 22:11 + 6 t.; suffix הִלָּחֲמוֺ 2Kgs 8:29 + 3 t.; Participle נִלְחָם Exod 14:24 + 10 t.; plural נִלְחָמִים Josh 10:25 + 10 t. (but 1Sam 31:1 read rather נִלְחֲמוּ, so || 1Chr 10:1 We Klo Bu, compare Dr); — engage in battle (reciprocal), sometimes wage war (Josh 10:5; Judg 11:5; 1Kgs 14:19; 1Kgs 22:46; 2Kgs 6:8; 2Kgs 14:28 etc.), often with בְּ of enemy (60 t.) Exod 1:10; Exod 17:9; Exod 17:10; Num 21:23; Num 21:26; Num 22:11 (all E), Judg 11:8; Judg 11:25; 1Sam 15:18; 2Sam 8:10 + (49 t.); less often with בְּ of city attacked or besieged Judg 9:45; 1Sam 23:1; 2Sam 12:26; 2Sam 12:27; 2Sam 12:29; Isa 20:1; Josh 10:31 (D), 1Kgs 20:1; Neh 4:2 of tower Judg 1:52 followed by בְּאַרְצִי Judg 11:12; also with עִם of enemy (26 t.): Judg 5:20; Judg 11:4; Judg 11:5; Judg 11:20; Josh 11:5 (JE), 1Sam 13:5; 1Sam 17:19, also 1Sam 17:32; 1Sam 17:33 (of single combat), Deut 20:4; Josh 9:2 (both D), 2Kgs 13:12; 2Kgs 14:15; 2Chr 11:1; 2Chr 17:10; 2Chr 27:5; Dan 10:20; Dan 11:11 +; with עִם of city Josh 10:29 (D), Josh 19:47 (JE); c אֶתֿ = with, of enemy, Josh 24:8 (E), 1Sam 17:9 (single combat), Jer 21:5; 1Kgs 20:23; 2Kgs 19:9 = Isa 37:9; Jer 37:10 also Judg 12:4; 2Sam 11:17; 2Sam 21:15; 1Kgs 22:31; 2Kgs 8:2; 2Kgs 9:15; Jer 21:4; Jer 32:5; Jer 33:5; 2Chr 18:30; 2Chr 22:6, and with אוֺתָם (= אִתָּם) Josh 10:25 (D), 1Kgs 20:25 (Kö^{Lgb. ii, 296}); with עִל, against, of enemy only Jer 21:2 elsewhere (16 t.) of city: Josh 10:5 (JE), Isa 7:1; 2Kgs 12:18; 2Kgs 19:8 = Isa 37:8 especially D and Je: Deut 20:10; Deut 20:19; Josh 10:34; Josh 10:36; Josh 10:38 (all D), Jer 32:24; Jer 32:29; Jer 34:1; Jer 34:7; Jer 34:8; Jer 34:22; with אֶלֿ of enemy Jer 1:19; Jer 15:20; with suffix וַיִּלָּֽחֲמוּנִי Ps 109:3 and they have fought against me; with יָ֑חַד i.e. fight together = with (against) one another 1Sam 17:10 absolute with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מִלְחָמוֺת fight battles 1Sam 8:20; 1Sam 18:17; 1Sam 25:28; 2Chr 32:8; absolute elsewhere Judg 5:19 (twice in verse); Judg 5:20; Deut 1:41; Zech 10:5 + 26 t. + וַיָּסֻרוּ עָלָיו לְהִלָּחֵ֑ם 1Kgs 22:32 with עַל for, in behalf of, Judg 9:17; 2Kgs 10:3; Neh 4:8 with לְ = id., Exod 14:14 (J), vExod 14:25 (J; + בְּ of enemy), Deut 1:30; Deut 3:22; Deut 20:4 (+ עִם of enemy, see above), Josh 10:14; Josh 10:42; Josh 23:3; Josh 23:10 (all D), Neh 4:14 ׳יָכֹל לְהִלּ be able to fight, with את of enemy 1Sam 17:9, with בְּ of enemy Num 22:11, = be successful in fighting, prevail against; so with עַל of city Isa 7:1, and absolute 2Kgs 16:5 (after וַיָּצֻרוּ עָל besiege).

BDB4395 H3898

II. [לָחַם] verb use as food, eat, poetic (so Thes Buhl, compare Frä³⁰ Guidi^{Della Sede 33}; this would explain different between לֶחֶם and ; yet verb rare and chiefly late); —

Qal Perfect 3 plural לָֽחֲמוּ Prov 4:17 Imperfect 2 masculine singular תִּלְחַם Prov 23:6, 1 singular אֶלְחַם Ps 141:4 Imperative masculine plural לַחֲמוּ Prov 9:5 Infinitive construct לְחוֺם Prov 23:1 Passive participle plural construct לְחֻמֵי Deut 32:24 eat (mostly Proverbs), absolute Prov 23:1 followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb לֶחֶם Prov 4:17; Prov 23:6 followed by בְּלַחְמִי Prov 9:5 followed by בְּמַנְעַמֵּיהֶם Ps 141:4 eat of their dainties; לְחֻמֵי רֶשֶׁף Deut 32:24 (poem) eaten up with the Fire-bolt, figurative of pestilence (Dr).

Strong's Definition H3898

fight, fought, war, warred, eat, …

lāḥam

to feed on; by implication, to battle (as destruction)

to fight, do battle, make war

(Qal) to fight, do battle

Variations 49 forms of this word

Translations 75 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אִתִּ י֙

אִתִּ

Preposition with, to, unto, against, by, …

י֙

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: אֵת · ate

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp1cs

Preposition

אִתִּ	Speech Preposition
י	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person First Person Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: with

with ×372 were with ×37 with him ×31 and with ×23 with thee ×18 to ×14 are with ×13 with them ×12

More options

with — Default choice for accompaniment or association.

alongside — Emphasizes physical or relational proximity.

together with — Stresses joint participation or partnership.

against — Use when context implies opposition or conflict.

in the presence of — Highlights being before someone, often formal.

among — Use when embedded within a group or collective.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB854 H854

II. אֵת, preposition with — with makkeph אֶתֿ, with suffix אִתִּי, אִתְּךָ, אִתְּכֶם etc. (also, however, אוֺתְךָ, אוֺתוֺ, and similarly מֵאוֺתְךָ, מֵאוֺתוֺ etc.), first in Josh 10:25; Josh 14:12, next 2Sam 24:24 then repeatedly (but not exclusively) 1 Ki 20 — 2 Ki 8, & in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, e.g. 1Kgs 20:25 (but v1Kgs 20:23 אִתָּם) 1Kgs 22:7; 1Kgs 22:8; 1Kgs 22:24 (beside מֵאִתִּי) 2Kgs 1:15; 2Kgs 3:11; 2Kgs 3:12; 2Kgs 3:26; 2Kgs 6:16 (beside מֵאִתּוֺ) 2Kgs 8:8; Jer 2:35; Jer 10:5; Jer 16:8; Jer 19:10; Jer 20:11; Ezek 2:6; Ezek 10:17; Ezek 23:23; Ezek 37:26 (see below 1 d; also Isa 59:21, contr. Gen 17:4: on שָׁכַב אֹתָהּ Gen 34:2 and elsewhere, see below שָׁכַב, & compare Dr^{Sm ii. 13, 14}) preposition denoting proximity (synonym עִם; Phoenician את, e.g. CIS^{i. 3, 8} לא יכן לם משכב את רפאם let there not be for them a resting-place with the shades; Assyrian itti (perhaps akin to ittu 'side,' Dl^{Pr 115} Hpt KAT^{2. 498}; but compare Nö^{ZMG '86, 738 f.}). Not found as yet in the other cognate languages: but compare Ethiopic 'enta, towards, which supports the view; that אֵת is for 'int [compare תֵּת, תִּתִּי], perhaps from √ אנה to meet Ol^{p. 431} Prät^{ZMG '73, 643} Lag^{M i. 226}).

1. Of companionship, together with: Gen 6:13 behold, I destroy them אֶתהָֿאָרֶץ together with the earth, Gen 11:31; Gen 12:4 + often, especially with verbs of dwelling, abiding, going, etc., as Judg 1:3; Judg 14:11; Judg 19:4, & in the phrase הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֺ Judg 4:13; Judg 7:1; Judg 9:33; Judg 9:48; 1Sam 14:20; 1Sam 30:4 etc.; thou, and thy sons אִתָּֽךְ ׃ ֗֗֗ with thee Gen 6:18 similarly (3rd person) Gen 7:7; Gen 7:13; Gen 8:18; Gen 9:8 and elsewhere (character of P: Dr^{Intr 124}); הִתְהַלֵּךְ אֶתהָֿאֱלֹהִים to walk with God, i.e. to have him as a companion (that is, by adopting a course of life pleasing to him) Gen 5:22; Gen 5:24; Gen 6:9 (compare הִתְהַלֵּךְ אֵת literal 1Sam 25:15); — by the side of, like Isa 45:9, equally with Lev 26:39, in common with Jer 23:28b (compare עִם 1 e, f). Hence, in particular —
a. with for the purpose of help: Num 14:9 אִתָּנוּ ׳וי, Josh 14:12 (אוֺתִי, as Jer 20:11) Judg 1:19; 2Kgs 6:16; 2Kgs 9:32 מִי אִתִּי מִי who is on my side, who ? כִּי אִתְּךָ אֲנִי Isa 43:5; Jer 1:18; Jer 1:19 +; Isa 63:3; Ps 12:5 our lips are with us, on our side; in the phrase אֵת ׳(הָֽיְתָה) יַד פּ 2Sam 14:19; 2Kgs 15:19; Jer 26:24 נָשָׂא אֵת to bear together with, i.e. to assist Exod 18:22; Num 11:17. Exceptionally, = with the help of: Gen 4:1 for I have gotten a man ׳אֶתיֿ with the help of ׳י (compare עם 1Sam 14:45) Gen 49:25 (where, however, the parallelism, & ᵑ7 ᵑ6 ⅏ favour וְאֵל שַׁדַּי for וְאֵת שַׁדַּי) Mic 3:8 compare Esth 9:29.
b. beside (German neben): Gen 39:6 לֹא יָדַע אִתּוֺ מְאוּמָה he knew not with him, beside him, aught (i.e. Joseph managed everything), vGen 39:8; Exod 20:23 לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן אִתִּ֑י ye shall not make (aught) beside me.
c. beside = in the presence of (rare): Gen 20:16b and before all thou shalt be righted, Isa 30:8; Mic 6:1. In this sense ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי פּ is more frequently, see below פָּנִים
d. of intercourse of different kinds with another, e.g. after verbs of making a covenant or contract, or (less often) of speaking or dealing: (α) Gen 9:9; Gen 15:18; Gen 17:4 (Ezek 16:60; Isa 59:21 -אוֺת) Josh 10:4; 1Kgs 3:1 etc.; compare 1Sam 2:13 (but here הַכֹּהֵן מֵאֶתֿ is probably to be read with ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Ke We etc., compare Deut 18:3). (β) Gen 17:3; Gen 42:30 דִּבֶּר אִתָּנוּ קָשׁוֺת, 1Kgs 8:15; Ps 109:2, & especially in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (as Jer 1:16; Jer 4:12 [Jer 52:9 אִתּוֺ] Jer 5:5; Jer 12:1; Ezek 2:1; Ezek 3:22; Ezek 3:24; Ezek 3:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 44:5 — all -אוֺת); Gen 24:49 to perform kindness אֵת (עִם is here more genl.), 2Sam 16:17 זֶה חַסְדְּךָ אֶתרֵֿעֶךָ֑, Ruth 2:20; וְאַתָּה עשֶֹׁה אִתִּי רָעָה, Deut 1:30; Deut 10:21; 1Sam 12:7 b, (-אוֺת) Jer 21:2; Jer 33:9; Ezek 7:27; Ezek 16:59; Ezek 22:14; Ezek 23:25; Ezek 23:29; Ezek 39:24 absolute Ezek 17:17; Ezek 20:44; Ps 109:21; Zeph 3:19 (γ) in a pregnant sense, (in dealing) with, i.e. towards (rare): Isa 66:14; Ps 67:2 יָאֵר פָּנָיו אִתָּנוּ make his face to shine with (= toward) us (varied from אֶל Num 6:25) Deut 28:8 faithful with Ps 78:8 (compare vPs 78:37 נָכוֺן עִם); Ezek 2:6 (אוֺתָ֑ךְ); Judg 16:15 וְלֹבְּךָ אֵין אִתִּי. (δ) often with verbs of fighting, striving, contending, as Gen 14:2; Gen 14:8; Gen 14:9; Num 20:13; Isa 45:9 a Isa 50:8; Ps 35:1; Prov 23:11 with בָּא בְמִשְׁפָּט Ps 143:2 (Isa 3:14 and elsewhere עִם).

2. Of localities, especially in the phrase אֲשֶׁר אֵת describing a site: Judg 3:19; Judg 4:11 אֲשֶׁר אֶתקֶֿדֶשׁ which is near Kedesh, 1Kgs 9:26; 2Kgs 9:27 (compare עם 2, which is commoner in this sense); Ezek 43:8; Exod 33:21 הִנֵּה מָקוֺם אִתִּי. Perhaps, anomalously, 1Sam 7:16 at or by all those places (but see Dr); in 2Sam 15:23 עַלפְּֿנֵי דֶרֶךְ אֶתהַֿמִּדְבָּר, אֵת = towards is against analogue: read with ᵐ5^L עַלפָּֿנָיו דֶּרֶךְ הַזַּיִת אֲשֶׁר בַּמִּדְבָּר; 1Kgs 9:25 אִתּוֺ beside it (that is, the altar); but עָלָיו 1Kgs 13:1 etc. would be idiomatic, & for אִתּוֺ אֲשֶׁר Klo proposes plausibly אֶתאִֿשֹּׁוֺ (see Exod 30:20).

3. ׳אֵת פּ denotes specially,
a. in one's possession or keeping: Gen 27:15; Gen 30:29 thou knowest אֵת אֲשֶׁר הָיָה מִקְנְךָ אִתִּי ֗֗֗ how thy cattle fared with me, vGen 30:33; Lev 5:23; Lev 19:13; Deut 15:3; Judg 17:2; 1Sam 9:7 מָה אִתָּנוּ = what have we ? 1Sam 25:29; Isa 49:4 my right is with Jehovah (contr. Isa 40:27), Jer 8:8; Ps 38:11 the light of mine eyes also אֵין אִתִּי i.e. is gone from me, Prov 3:28; Prov 8:18 in his power, Jer 10:5 הֵיטֵיב אֵין אוֺתָם is not in their power, perhaps Ps 12:5. A dream, or the word of ׳י, is said to be אֵת with a prophet, 2Kgs 3:12; Jer 23:28; Jer 27:18. Metaph. of a mental quality, Prov 11:2; Prov 13:10.
b. in one's knowledge or memory: Isa 59:12 פְּשָׁעֵינוּ אִתָּנוּ our transgressions are with us, i.e. present to our minds (|| וַעֲוֺנֹתֵינוּ יְדַעֲנוּם), Job 12:3 אֶתמִֿיאֵֿין כְּמוֺאֵֿלָּה with whom are not (i.e. who knoweth not ? τίς οὐ σύνοιδε;) things like these ? Job 14:5 אִתָּךְ i.e. known to thee, Prov 2:1; Gen 40:14; Jer 12:3 (Ew Gf towards thee, as 1 d γ). So אִםיֵֿשׁ אֶתנַֿפְשְׁכֶם Gen 23:8 [2Kgs 9:15 ׳נ alone], אֶתלְֿבָבְךָ 2Kgs 10:15. compare עם 4 b, which is more frequent in this sense.

4. מֵאֵת (מֵאִתִּי, etc.; also -מֵאוֺת) from proximity with (like Greek παρά with a genitive, From de chez; in Syriac, Arabic , corresponding synonym מֵעִם; see below): coupled almost always with persons (contrast מֵעִם, a). Thus
a. with קָנָה to buy Gen 25:10 + often (compare Gen 17:27); לָקַח Gen 42:24; Exod 25:2; Lev 25:36; Num 17:17 + often; נָשָׂא Ps 24:5 שִׁלַּח, as Gen 8:8 וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶתהַֿיּוֺנָה מֵאִתּוֺ and he sent forth the dove from with him Gen 26:27 הָלַךְ Gen 26:31; 1Kgs 18:12; 1Kgs 20:36; Jer 9:1, of a wife deserting her husband Judg 19:2 וַתֵּלֶךְ מֵאִתּוֺ, Jer 3:1 (compare Isa 57:8); with simile words Gen 38:1; Deut 2:8; 1Kgs 11:23; Jer 2:37 (see Exod 5:20); Isa 54:10; Ps 66:20 with שָׁאַל Judg 1:14; 1Kgs 2:16; Ps 27:4 +, דָּרַשׁ 1Kgs 22:7 and elsewhere, שָׁמַע 1Sam 2:23. — ׳מֵאֵת פְּנֵי פּ Gen 27:30; Gen 43:34; Exod 10:11; Job 2:7; Lev 10:4 (הַקֹּדֶשׁ), 2Kgs 16:14 (הַבַּיִת). Hence
b. of rights or dues, handed over from, given on the part of, any one: Gen 47:22 חֹק מֵאֵת פַּרְעֹה; often in P, as Gen 23:20; Exod 27:21 a perpetual due מֵאֵת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל from, or on the part of, the children of Israel, Lev 7:34 b Lev 24:8; Num 3:9; Num 7:84 +; Deut 18:3; 1Sam 2:13 (ᵐ5, etc.; see 1 d) 2Sam 15:3 וְשֹׁמֵעַ אֵיןלְֿךָ מֵאֵת הַמֶּלֶךְ but there is none to hear thee deputed of the king, 1Kgs 5:14.
c. expressing origination: 1Kgs 1:27 אִם מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ נִהְיָה. Especially ׳מֵאֵת י — of a concrete object proceeding from him: Gen 19:24 (brimstone), Num 11:31 (a wind), Num 16:35 (fire), 1Sam 16:14 (evil spirit), Isa 38:7 (a sign), Jer 51:53 (wasters), Mic 5:6 (dew); of wrath Zech 7:12 (compare Num 17:11), teaching Isa 51:4, the word of prophecy Jer 7:1 (so Jer 11:1; Jer 18:1 + often in Jeremiah) Jer 37:17; Ezek 33:30 with 'have I (we) heard' Isa 21:10; Isa 28:22; Jer 49:14 (= Obad 1:1); of an event, or phase of history Josh 11:20 הָֽיְתָה ׳מֵאֵת י it came of ׳י to..., 1Kgs 12:24; Hab 2:13; Ps 118:23 הָֽיְתָה זאֹת ׳מֵאֵת י (ᵐ5 παρὰ Κυρίου) Ezra 9:8; Neh 6:16 of trouble (רָעָה) 2Kgs 6:33; Mic 1:12 (יָרַד); of a good or evil lot, having its source in ׳י Jer 13:25; Isa 54:17; Ps 109:20, compare Job 2:10; Ps 22:26 מֵאִתְּךָ תְהִלָּתִי from thee cometh my praise (thou art the source of it); Isa 44:24 Qr מֵאִתִּי of myself (compare ἀπ’ ἐμαυτοῦ John 5:30 Kt is מִי אִתִּי who was with me ?), John 54:15 אֶפֶס מֵאוֺתִי not at my instance (compare לֹא מִנִּי John 30:1, לֹא מִמֶּנִּי Hos 8:4).
d. of a place 1Kgs 6:33 (corrupt: read with ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 [partly] מְזוּזֹת רְבֻעוֺת, & compare Ezek 41:21).

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sometimes denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to. Thus Saul asks, מִי הָלַךְ מֵעִמָּנוּ who has gone from (those) about us ? but Jacob, speaking of the loss of Joseph, says, Gen 44:28 וַיֵּצֵא הָאֶחָד מֵאִתִּי and the one is gone from with me. מֵאֵת is accordingly preferred to מֵעִם in the sense of origination or authorship; מאת is not usual in the sense of מֵעִם c, nor מֵעִם in the sense of מֵאֵת
b..

Strong's Definition H854

with, to, unto, against, by, …

ʾēt

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

with, near, together with

with, together with

Variations 50 forms of this word

Translations 113 English renderings

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Word Parts

וְ הִכָּ ֔נִי

וְ

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

הִכָּ

Root word smote, smite, slew, smitten, slain, …

֔נִי

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: נָכָה · naw-KAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vhp3ms/Sp1cs

Verb — Hiphil, Perfect (Qatal), third person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
הִכָּ	Speech Verb Stem Hiphil Type Perfect (Qatal) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular
נִי	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person First Person Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: me and to kill

and smote ×52 smote ×52 smite ×23 slew ×22 and he smote ×14 and they smote ×13 and slew ×12 and smite ×12

More options

strike — Broad, everyday term; suits most physical-blow contexts.

slay — Prefer for lethal intent; slightly elevated but not archaic.

beat — Use when repeated blows or punishment are in view.

kill — Plain and direct; best when death is the clear outcome.

wound — Use when the victim survives but is injured.

slaughter — Mass or violent killing; strong register, war or sacrifice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5192 H5221

[נָכָה]₅₀₁ verb smite (not in Qal) (Late Hebrew Hiph`il id.; Perfect 3 plural הכו SI⁴, Infinitive [ת]להכ ib. 2; Syriac , laesit, nocuit, repugnavit; Aph`el laesit, vulneravit; Ethiopic laesit, nocuit; compare Arabic be defeated, the inflicting of injury on an enemy Lane³⁰³⁸); —

Niph`al Perfect וְנִכָּה וָמֵת consecutive 2Sam 11:15 and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die.

Pu`al Perfect 3 feminine singular נֻכָּ֑תָה Exod 9:31 3 plural נֻכּוּ vExod 9:32 (J), both be smitten down by the hail.

Hiph`il₄₈₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular הִכָּה Exod 9:25 +; suffix וְהִכַּ֫נִי consecutive Gen 32:12, הִכָּם Jer 5:6 2 masculine singular הִכִּ֫יתָ Exod 17:5 +; 1 singular הִכֵּיתִי Judg 15:16 +, וְהִכֵּתִ֫י Exod 3:20 +; 3 plural הִכּוּ Gen 19:11 +; 2 masculine plural הִכִּיתֶם Jer 37:10 + 3 t. consecutive; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַכֶּה Exod 21:20 +, יַךְ Hos 6:1 (but read וַיַּךְ We Now GASm); וְיַח Hos 14:6 (see below); וַיַּכֶּה Josh 10:40 +, usually וַיַּךְ Exod 2:12 +; suffix 2 masculine singular יַכֶּ֫כָּה Jer 40:15 + 2 t., 3 masculine singular וַיַּכּוֺ 2Sam 14:6 (but read וַיַּךְ ᵐ5. ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th We Dr Klo Kit Bu HPS), יַכֶּ֫נּוּ 1Sam 17:25 + 2 t.; usually וַיַּכֵּ֫הוּ Num 21:24 +; 3 feminine singular וַתַּךְ Jonah 4:7; Jonah 4:8 2 masculine singular תַּכֶּה Exod 2:13 +; suffix 3 masculine singular תַּכֶּ֫נּוּ Prov 23:13; Prov 23:14 1 singular אַכֶּה 1Sam 18:11 +; וָאַכֶּה Neh 13:25, וָאַךְ Exod 9:15 3 masculine plural יַכוּ Mic 4:14 usually וַיַּכּוּ Gen 14:5 + (1Sam 4:2 read probably Hoph`al q. v.); 1 plural נַכֶּהֿ Num 22:6 וַנַךְ Deut 2:33, etc.; Imperative הַכֵּה Ezek 6:11, הַךְ Amos 9:1 +; masculine plural הַכּוּ 2Sam 13:28, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַכֵּה Deut 3:16 +, הַכּוֺת 2Kgs 3:24 (Ges^{«GKC:75ff»§ 75ff}); cstr. הַכּוֺת Gen 4:15 +, etc.; Participle מַכֶּה Exod 2:11 +; construct מַכֵּה Exod 21:12 +; plural מַכִּים 1Sam 4:8 +, etc.; —

1. a. literally, smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike, followed by accusative, ass Num 22:23; Num 22:25; Num 22:27 (בְּמַקֵּל), vNum 22:28 vNum 22:32 (all J); man Exod 21:15; Exod 21:19 (E); cheeks Job 16:10 man (on) cheek (2 accusative) Lam 3:30; Ps 3:8 man עַללְֿחִי Mic 4:14 (ב instrumental), 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23 eye Exod 21:26 (E); שֵׁבֶט מַכֵּךְ Isa 14:29 (figurative of conqueror); with (בׅ stone or fist Exod 21:18 (E), compare (figurative) Isa 58:4 (absolute); smite lion or bear 1Sam 17:35 strike river (with rod מַטֶּה) 1Sam 7:17 (with עַל object, + ב instrumental), v1Sam 7:20; Exod 17:5 (E; ב instrumental), also (with mantle) 2Kgs 2:8; 2Kgs 2:14 (twice in verse), compare ׳י smiting Euphrates into (לׅ seven streams Isa 11:15 dust Exod 8:12; Exod 8:13 (P); rock Exod 17:6 (E), Num 20:11 (P; ב instrumental), Ps 78:20 figurative smite earth בְּשֵׁבֶט פִּיו Isa 11:4 (of future Davidic king); strike on ground (אַ֫רְצָה; with arrows) 2Kgs 13:18, also (absolute) v2Kgs 13:18 v2Kgs 13:19 strike weapons out of (מִן) hands, Ezek 39:3 (׳י; figurative of making powerless); lintel of door Amos 9:1 barley-loaf strikes tent Judg 7:13 (in dream); in figure of regret, remorse וַיַּךְ לֵב דָּוִד אֹתוֺ 2Sam 24:10 and David's heart smote him, so 1Sam 24:6 (+ עַלאֲֿשֶׁר because); of goat smiting (butting with horn) the ram, so as to break its horns Dan 8:7 (in vision); smite = hit with missile, sling-stone 1Sam 17:49 (with accusative of person + אֶלמִֿצְחוֺ), compare 2Kgs 3:25 (but text perhaps corrupt, see Benz); arrow, 1Kgs 22:34 = 2Chr 18:33 (with accusative of person + בֵּין), 2Kgs 9:24 (c. id.); of piercing, הַכּוֺת בַּחֲנִית בְּדָוִד וּבַקִּיר 1Sam 19:10 smite with the dart into David and into the wall, pin David to the wall, בַּקִּיר ׳וַיַּךְ אֶתהַֿח v1Sam 19:10, compare 1Sam 18:11, אַכֶּנּוּ בַחֲנִית וּבָאָרֶץ 1Sam 26:8.
b. smite repeatedly, beat, a man Exod 2:11; Exod 2:13 (E), Exod 5:16 (J), Neh 13:25 (מִן partitive), compare Deut 25:11 here probably also 1Kgs 20:35 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 20:37 (twice in verse) (הַכֵּה וּפָצֹעַ beating and bruising him); of Assyria under figure of taskmaster Isa 10:24 beat a woman so as to bruise her (פָּצַע) Song 5:7 beat by authority, scourge Jer 20:2; Jer 37:15; Deut 25:2; Deut 25:3 (with accusative of person + accusative of congnate meaning with verb מַכָּה רַבָּה), vDeut 25:3 compare כִּן הַכּוֺת vDeut 25:2 i.e. worthy of scourging, bastinado, (compare Dr); 2Chr 25:16; Prov 17:10; Prov 19:25; Prov 23:13; Prov 23:14 (ב instrumental); compare גֵּוִי נָחַתִּי לְמַכִּים Isa 50:6 of hail, beat down herbage etc. Exod 9:25 (twice in verse) (compare Pu`al).
c. וַיַּכּוּ כַף 2Kgs 11:12 and they clapped hands (in applause); elsewhere only Ezek., in mockery; כַּף אֶלכַּֿף Ezek 21:19; Ezek 21:22 בְּכַפְּךָ Ezek 6:11 (|| רְקַּע בְּרַגְלְךָ; accusative כַּפִּי Ezek 22:13.
d. give a thrust (with fork) into (ב) pot 1Sam 2:14 strike roots Hos 14:6 (in figurative, but וַיֵּלְכוּ We Now).
e. rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound 1Kgs 8:28, so (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb מַכָּה) v1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 9:18 = 2Chr 22:6 figurative of ׳י's wounding Israel Hos 6:1 (opposed to חָבַשׁ bind up), Jer 30:14 (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb). compare smite with (ב) the tongue Jer 18:18. feminine smite, of sun, etc., with accusative of person Isa 49:10; Ps 121:6 with עַל Jonah 4:8.

2. Smite fatally:
a. (subject man) smite, with accusative, + word of killing (dying): — object lion and bear 1Sam 17:35 man Exod 21:12; Exod 21:20 (E), Josh 10:26 (JE), Josh 11:17 (D), 1Sam 17:50; 2Sam 1:15; 2Sam 2:31 (מִן partitive + ב among), 2Sam 4:7; 2Sam 14:6; 2Sam 18:15; 2Sam 21:17; 1Kgs 16:10; 2Kgs 12:22; 2Kgs 15:30; 2Kgs 25:21 = Jer 52:27; 2Kgs 25:25; Jer 41:2; Num 35:16; Num 35:17; Num 35:18; Num 35:21 (P; all with ב instrumental); with accusative + אֶלחֹֿמֶשׁ + ב instrumental 2Sam 2:23 smote him (fatally) in the belly with (on text see HPS), 2Sam 20:10, compare 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 4:6 (but strike out ᵐ5 Ew Th We Dr Bu HPS); וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ Deut 19:11 and he smite him in his life (mortally), and he die, compare (without word of dying) vDeut 19:6; Gen 37:21 (J), Jer 40:14; Jer 40:15 [otherwise Lev 24:17; Lev 24:18; Lev 35:15; Lev 35:30; Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9]; with prolepsis לְהַכּוֺת חֲלָלִים smite the slain Judg 20:31; Judg 20:39 + אַ֫רְצָה smite to the ground i.e. kill 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 18:11.
b. smite, of worm gnawing or boring so as to kill plant Jonah 4:7.
c. very often = kill, slay, man or beast (c. 150 t.): Gen 4:15; Gen 8:21 (exterminate; both J), Exod 2:12; Num 21:35 (E), Josh 7:5 (מִן partitive), vJosh 7:5 (JE), Deut 19:6; Deut 21:1; Deut 27:24; Deut 27:25; Josh 11:10 (ב instrumental; all D), Lev 24:17; Lev 24:18; Lev 24:21 (twice in verse) (H), Num 35:11; Num 35:15; Num 35:21; Num 35:24; Num 35:30; Josh 9:18; Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9 (all P), Judg 15:16; 1Sam 17:9 (twice in verse); 1Sam 17:36; 2Sam 12:9 (ב instrumental), 2Kgs 9:7 (exterminate), etc.; with ב among 1Sam 23:5, מִן partitive Judg 14:19; Judg 20:45 with ב partitive slay at, work slaughter among 2Sam 23:10 (insert also in || 1Chr 11:13 see Be^{on the passage} Dr^{2Sam 23:10}), but also ב of direct object 1Sam 18:7; 1Sam 21:12; 1Sam 29:5 subject lion 1Kgs 20:36 (twice in verse) compare Jer 5:6 (figurative of judgment); ׳י subject 1Sam 6:19b (ב among, + accusative of congnate meaning with verb; 1Sam 6:19 a וַיַּךְ corrupt see ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kl Kit Bu HPS); slay firstborn Exod 12:2 (J), vExod 12:29; Num 3:13; Num 8:17; Num 33:4 (all P), Ps 78:51; Ps 105:36; Ps 135:8 God slays for (עַל) sin 2Sam 6:7 = 1Chr 13:10 (עַלאֲֿשֶׁר); slay לְפִיחֶֿרֶב Deut 13:16; Deut 20:13; (all D), Judg 18:27; Judg 21:10; 1Sam 22:9; 2Kgs 10:25; Jer 21:7; Job 1:15; Job 1:17 kill, slay, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb (מַכָּה) 1Sam 14:14; 1Kgs 20:21 (ב among), 2Chr 13:17 (בָּהֶם), 2Chr 25:13 (מֵהֶם); with accusative of person + accusative of congnate meaning with verb Josh 10:20 (JE), Esth 9:5, etc.; kill unwittingly, unintentionally הִכָּה בִבְלִי דַ֫עַת Deut 19:4; Josh 20:5 (both D).

3. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company Gen 32:9; Gen 32:12; Gen 34:30; Josh 8:21; Judg 8:11; Judg 9:43; 2Kgs 8:21; 2Chr 21:9 attack and capture a city Judg 1:8 vJudg 1:12 = Josh 15:16 (JE), Josh 7:3; Josh 10:4 (JE), 1Sam 30:1; 1Kgs 15:20 = 2Chr 16:4; 2Kgs 15:16 (twice in verse); 1Chr 20:1; 2Chr 14:13; Jer 47:1 tents 1Chr 4:41; 2Chr 14:14 = sack a city לְפִיחֶֿרֶב (slaying inhabitants), Josh 8:24; Josh 19:47 (both J E), Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37 compare vJosh 10:39 (all D), Judg 1:25; Judg 20:37; 2Sam 15:14 especially defeat king or army (involving often overthrow, pursuit and slaughter), — approximately 95 t., — Gen 14:5; Gen 14:15; Gen 14:17; Num 14:45; Num 21:24 (JE), Josh 8:12; Josh 10:10 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), vJosh 10:10 (עַד location), Josh 11:8 (twice in verse) (all J E), Deut 1:4; Deut 2:33; Deut 3:3; Deut 4:46; Deut 7:2; Deut 29:6; Josh 10:33; Josh 10:40 (מִןו֯עד location), Josh 12:1; Josh 12:6; Josh 12:12; Josh 13:12 (all D); Judg 1:5; Judg 1:17; 1Sam 11:11 (עד temporal), 1Kgs 13:17 (עַדכַּֿלֵּה), 2Kgs 3:24a + v2Kgs 3:24b (where read וַיָּבֹאוּ בוֺא וְהַכּוֺת and they went on defeating), Isa 10:20; Jer 37:10, etc.; insert וַיַּךְ or הִכָּה in 2Sam 8:13 Th Ke Kit Bu compare Dr, after ᵐ5; with ב object 1Sam 14:31; 1Sam 23:2 (twice in verse) (ה locative — מִן); + לְפִי חֶרֶב Judg 20:48, etc.; of gods causing defeat 2Chr 28:23 smite land = conquer, subjugate, sometimes ravage, Gen 14:7; Josh 10:40 (D), 1Sam 27:9; Jer 43:11; Jer 46:13, compare Isa 14:6 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb); subject ׳י Num 32:4 (P); of ׳י smiting sea וְהִכָּה בַיָּם גַּלִּים Zech 10:11 (Bev^{JPhoenician xviii. 35 (1889), 88} proposes גבלים).

4. Of God,
a. smite with (ב) a plague, disease, etc.: — blindness Gen 19:11 (J), 2Kgs 6:18 (twice in verse) compare Zech 12:4 (twice in verse) (symbolic); of Egyptian plagues Exod 3:20; Exod 9:15 (both J), 1Sam 4:8, without ב Exod 7:25 (J), Exod 12:13 (P), Ps 136:10 (accusative + בִּבְכוֺרֵיהֶם); other plagues Num 14:12 (JE), Deut 28:22; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:28; Deut 28:35; 1Sam 5:6; 2Sam 24:17; Job 2:7; Amos 4:9; Hag 2:17; Mal 3:24 without ב, 1Sam 5:9; 2Kgs 19:35 = Isa 37:26; Num 11:33 (J E; בָּעָם + accusative of congnate meaning with verb); smite vines with (ב) blight Ps 105:33.
b. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon, usually with accusative, 1Kgs 14:15; 1Chr 21:7; Isa 5:25; Isa 9:12; Isa 27:7 (הַכְּמַכַּת מַכֵּהוּ הִכָּהוּ), Isa 30:31 (ב instrumental) Isa 57:17; Isa 60:10 (opposed to רִחַם) Jer 2:30; Jer 5:3; Jer 14:9; Ezek 32:15 (ᵐ5 Co זֵרָה scatter); with עִל punish for, (sin) Lev 26:24 (H).
c. of God's destroying palaces Amos 3:15; Amos 6:11 (2 accusative), compare Zech 9:4.

Hoph`al Perfect הֻכָּה Hos 9:16; Num 25:14, הוּכָּה Ps 102:5 וְהֻכָּה consecutive Exod 22:1 3 feminine singular הֻכְּתָה Ezek 33:21; Ezek 40:1 1 singular הֻכֵּ֫יתִי Zech 13:6 3 pluralהֻכּוּ 1Sam 5:12 Imperfect 3 masculine plural וַיֻּכּוּ Exod 5:14 2 masculine plural תֻּכּוּ Isa 1:5 Participle מֻכֶּה Num 25:14, construct מֻכֵּה Isa 53:4 feminine מֻכָּה Num 25:15; Num 25:18 plural מֻכִּים Exod 5:16, construct מֻכֵּיֿ Jer 18:21 — be smitten:

1. = receive a blow Isa 1:5 (Judah under figure of man).

2. be wounded Zech 13:6.

3. be beaten Exod 5:14; Exod 5:16 (J).

4. be (fatally) smitten + verb of dying Exod 22:1 (E); be killed, slain Num 25:14 (twice in verse); Num 25:15; Num 25:18 (with עַל, for), מֻכֵּיחֶֿרֶב Jer 18:21 (|| הֲרֻגֵי מָ֑וֶת); so also (absolute) probably 1Sam 4:2 (read וַיֻּכּוּ ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th Dr Klo Kit, for ᵑ0 וַיַּכּוּ).

5. be attacked and captured, of city Ezek 33:21; Ezek 40:1.

6. be smitten with disease (by God) 1Sam 5:12 absolute, of ׳י's servant Isa 53:4.

7. be blighted, of plant (in figurative) Hos 9:16 (Ehpraimitic source), Ps 102:5 (heart, כָּעֵשֶׂב; both + יָבַשׁ).

Strong's Definition H5221

smote, smite, slew, smitten, slain, …

nākâ

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill

(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten

to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust

to receive a blow

Variations 140 forms of this word

Translations 204 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

וְ הָיִ֥ינוּ

וְ

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

הָיִ֥ינוּ

Root word be, pass, was, were, came, …

Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqq1cp

Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), first person plural simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "we"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
הָיִינוּ	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person First Person Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: me then will we be

and it came to pass ×336 shall be ×333 was ×233 be ×174 came ×133 were ×117 and it shall come to pass ×97 and it shall be ×92

More options

be — Default copula; suits timeless or stative contexts.

become — Prefer when a change of state or transformation is implied.

happen — Fits narrative events; modernizes 'come to pass'.

occur — Formal register; good for reported events or incidents.

exist — Emphasizes being or presence rather than action.

take place — Idiomatic for scheduled or unfolding events.

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.

BDB2145 H1961

הָיָה₃₅₇₀ verb fall out, come to pass, become, be (SI¹; SI⁶ היה, ib³ הית; parallel form of הוה, Arabic , Aramaic הֲוָא, ; see הָוָה above) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular הָיָה Gen 3:1 +; וְהָיָה consecutive Gen 4:14 +; 3 feminine singular הָֽיְתָה Gen 1:2 +; הָיָ֑תָה Isa 14:24 + 3 t.; וְהָֽיְתָה consecutive Gen 9:13 +; והית2Kgs 9:37 Kt (Qr וְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singular הָיִיתָ Deut 5:15 +; 1 singular הָיִיתִיGen 31:40 3 plural הָיוּ Gen 6:4 +; 2 masculine plural הֱיִיתֶ ם Exod 22:20 +; וִהְיִיתֶם consecutive Gen 3:5 +; 1 plural הָיִינוּIsa 1:9 +; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִהְיֶה Gen 1:29 +; jussive יְהִיGen 1:3 +; יֶהִ֑י Ezek 16:15 וִיהִיGen 1:6 +; וַיְהִי Gen 1:3 +; וַיֶּ֑הִי Ps 33:9; Ezek 16:19 3 feminine singular תִּהְיֶה Gen 21:30 +; 1 singular אֶהְיֶה Exod 3:12 +; וָאֶהְיֶה2Sam 7:6 + 9 t.; וָאֱהִי Judg 18:4 + 12 t.; 3 masculine plural יִהְיוּ Gen 6:19 +; 3 feminine plural תִּהְיֶינָהIsa 16:2 + 19 t.; תִּהְיֶין֣Gen 41:36 + 11 t.; וְתִהְיֶנָה Jer 18:21; Jer 48:6 וַתִּהְיֶינָה 2Sam 20:3 + 6 t.; וַתִּהְיֶיןָGen 26:35; 1Sam 25:43 וַתִּהְיֶנָה 1Chr 7:15 2 masculine plural תִהְיוּ Gen 34:15 +; תִהְיוּן Exod 22:20 1 plural נִהְיֶה Gen 38:23 +; וַנִּהְיֶה2Sam 11:23; Jer 44:17 וַנְּהִי Num 13:33; Isa 64:5, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הֱיֵה Exod 18:19 +; feminine singular הֲיִיGen 24:60 masculine plural הֱיוּExod 19:15; Num 16:16, וִהְיוּ 1Sam 4:9 + 6 t.; Infinitive absolute הָיוֺ Gen 18:18 + 3 t.; הָיֹה 1Kgs 13:32; Ezek 1:3 construct הֱיוֺת Gen 2:18 +, so read probably also for הֱיֵה Ezek 21:15 compare Sm Kö^{i. p. 600 f.} (Co em. היהלֿה to הָהֵל shine, glitter); with prefix בִּהְיוֺת Exod 5:13 +, בִּהְיֹת Exod 19:16 +; לִהְיוֺת Gen 10:8 +, לִהְיֹת Exod 23:1 +; suffix הֱיוֺתִי Jonah 4:2 הֱיוֺתְךָ Judg 18:19 (twice in verse); לִהְיֹתְךָ Deut 26:10, etc.; Participle feminine הוֺיָה Exod 9:3.

I. 1. a. Fall out, happen מֶההָֿיָה הַדָּבָר 1Sam 4:16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2Sam 1:4 מֶההָֿיָה לוֺ Exod 32:1; Exod 32:23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1Sam 10:12 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ 1Sam 6:9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also וַיְהִילֿוֺ כֵּן 2Kgs 7:20 and so it happened to him, compare וַיְהִיכֵֿן below
b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass: — גְדוֺלָה הָֽיְתָה בָּעָם מַגֵּפָה 1Sam 4:17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2Sam 17:9 וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיַעַר אֶפְרַיִם 2Sam 18:6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on אפרים compare Klo Dr); Josh 22:17 (P; of plague); תְּהִי נָא אָלָה Gen 26:28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Judg 21:5 compare 2Kgs 17:7 (si vera lectio), Ezek 16:34 especially late, 2Chr 29:36; 2Chr 32:31; Eccl 1:9; Eccl 1:10; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — כֵּן הָיָה Gen 41:3 (E) so it came to pass, 2Sam 13:25, וַיְהִיכֵֿן Judg 6:38; 2Kgs 15:12; Isa 29:5, & especially וַיְהִיכֵֿן Gen 1:7; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:11; Gen 1:15; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (all P) +; יְהִי כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ Gen 30:34 let it be as thou sayest, Zech 6:15, see also לֹא תָקוּם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה Isa 7:7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Isa 14:34 (so often בּוֺא q. v. 2 c, p. 98 above)

2. especially & very often, come about, come to pass followed by substantive (subject) clause almost always + modifying (usually temporal) clause or phrase:
a. ( I) וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.) followed by
(a) Imperfect consecutive: a. with Infinitive with כְּ temporal Gen 12:14; Gen 19:17 (both J) + 75 t. + Esth 3:4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only Exod 16:10, D only Deut 5:20; Deut 31:24; Josh 5:1; Josh 9:1 27 t. in Kings), — somewhat different is 2Kgs 7:18 β. with Infinitive with בְּ Gen 4:8; Gen 11:2 (both J) + 29 t. + Esth 3:4 Kt (in Hexateuch 10 t. J E; 3 t. P, Gen 19:29; Exod 34:29; Num 17:7 not in D); γ. with בְּ followed by temporal noun (יוֺם, בֹּקֶר, etc.) Gen 21:22 (E) Gen 26:32 (J) + 45 t. (Hes 14 t. J E; 3 t. P, Exod 6:28; Exod 16:13; Num 7:1 not D); δ. לְ temporal 1Sam 1:20; 2Sam 13:23; 1Kgs 20:26; 1Chr 20:1 ε. כְּ temporal Gen 39:11; 1Sam 25:38 ζ. מִן temporal namely: מֵאָז Gen 39:5, מִיּוֺם 1Sam 7:2 compare 1Sam 30:25, מִיָּמִים Judg 11:4; Judg 15:1, מִקֵּץ Gen 4:3; Gen 8:6 + 6 t., מִקְצֵה Josh 3:2; 2Kgs 8:3; Ezek 3:16, especially מִמָּחֳרָת Gen 19:34; Exod 18:13 + 11 t.; η. כַּאֲשֶׁר temporal Gen 12:11 (J) Gen 20:13 (E) + 31 t. (Hexateuch 13 t. J E, Deut 2:16, not P), characteristic of Nehemiah's memoris, Neh 3:33; Neh 4:1; Neh 4:6; Neh 4:9; Neh 6:1; Neh 6:16; Neh 7:1; Neh 13:19 θ. with כִּי temporal Gen 6:1 (J) Exod 3:21 (E) + 14 t. + Judg 16:25 Kt; ι. אַחֲרֵי temporal Gen 22:20 (J) + 13 t., אַחַר Gen 39:7; Job 42:7, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן Judg 16:14 + 6 t.; κ. followed by עַד temporal 1Sam 14:19 (on which compare Dr); compare עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה 1Kgs 18:45 λ. with combinations; as בְּ with temporal noun + בְּ Infinitive Gen 34:25; Exod 19:16; 1Sam 25:37 בְּ Infinitive + כְּ Infinitive Josh 3:14 double preposition כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ חֳדָשִׁים Gen 38:24 מִקְצֵה + אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר Josh 9:16 מִיָּמִים + id. Josh 23:1 μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Isa 22:7; 1Kgs 13:20; 2Kgs 8:21 (Dr^{§ 165, &} Οβς.) = 2Chr 21:9 those with indefinite כֹּל 1Sam 10:11; 2Sam 2:23; 2Sam 15:2, or with participle = rel. clause 1Sam 11:1 (on all see Dr^{§ 78 n.} & Sm); quite unique is 1Kgs 16:31, with הֲנָקֵל ׳לָכְתּוֺ וגוin place of temporal clause
(b) וַיְהִי sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative Gen 39:10 (with כְּ Infinitive), Exod 13:17 (with בְּ Infinitive) 2Kgs 12:7; 2Kgs 17:25 (both with בְּ temporal); & without negative, Gen 8:13 (P) Gen 14:1 +, usually with בְּ temporal (38 t.), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially מִדֵּי followed by Infinitive 1Sam 18:30; 2Chr 12:11 sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with וְ, as Gen 22:1; Gen 41:1; 1Sam 18:19; 1Sam 30:1; 2Kgs 2:9; 2Kgs 4:40 +; note especially 2Sam 17:27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 2Sam 13:30; 1Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 rarely subject precedes Perfect without וְ 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 21:1, compare subject preceding Participle without וְ Neh 4:10 in 2Chr 8:1 the object (with וְ) precedes what is apparently the principal verb
(c) וַיְהִי followed by וְהִנֵּה Gen 24:15 (J; טֶרֶם in temporal clause), Gen 29:25 (E), Gen 38:27 (J, both בְּ temporal) vGen 38:29 (כְּ Participle), 1Sam 13:10 (כְּ Infinitive); also 2Sam 1:2; 2Sam 13:36; 2Sam 15:32 (circumstantial clause) 2Kgs 2:11 (id.), 2Kgs 3:20; 2Kgs 13:21 (circumstantial clause).
(d) rarely וַיְהִי (in this sense) followed by other constructions: אָז יִתֵּן 1Kgs 9:10 (with מִקְצֵה); Imperfect frequentative 1Kgs 14:28 (with מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ), 2Kgs 4:8 (with מִדֵּי עָבְרוֺ) Jer 36:23 (with כְּ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2Chr 24:11 (with בְּ temporal). (2) rarely also Perfect with וְ conjunctive וְהָיָה (compare Dr^{§ 183}) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1Sam 1:12 (c. several circumstantial clause), 1Sam 10:9 (with כְּ Infinitive) 2Kgs 3:15 (id.), 1Sam 17:48 (with כִּי), Jer 37:11 (with בְּ Infinitive), Amos 7:2 (with אִם temporal); also Jer 3:9 (apparently with מִן causative, but obscure); 1Sam 13:22 (with בְּ temporal) is followed by וְלֹא & Perfect as well as Imperfect consecutive
b. less often וְהָיָה Perfect consecutive and it shall come to pass, or frequentative,came to pass (repeatedly, etc.) usually
(a) followed by simple Imperfect (c. 100 t.): a. with בְּ temporal Deut 21:16; Deut 25:19 + 37 t., (especially בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Hos 2:18; Hos 2:33; Isa 7:18; Isa 7:21; Isa 7:23 + 21 t.); β. with בְּ local Ezek 47:23; Zech 13:8 compare also Hos 2:1 (בִּמְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר, but perhaps = instead of, compare VB); γ. with indefinite rel. clause, or its equivalents (כֹּל indefinite, etc.), compare Dr^{§ 121}, Obs. 1: Gen 4:14; Num 17:20; Deut 12:11; Deut 18:19; Josh 7:14; Josh 7:15; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 2:36; 1Sam 17:25; 2Sam 15:35; 1Kgs 19:17; 1Kgs 20:6; Isa 4:3; Isa 24:18; Nah 3:7; Jer 27:8; Jer 42:4; Ezek 47:9; Zech 14:17; Joel 3:5 δ. with כַּאֲשֶׁר Num 33:56; Deut 28:63; Josh 23:15; Judg 7:17; Isa 29:8; Jer 31:28; Zech 8:13 ε. less often with other modifying phrase: כְּ Infinitive Exod 33:8; Exod 33:9 (both frequentative), Josh 3:13; Josh 8:8; Jer 25:12; Jer 51:63 בְּ Infinitive Gen 9:14 (P) 2Kgs 4:10; Ezek 44:17 אִם of condition Deut 20:11 (+ vDeut 20:11 Dr^{§ 118 n}.), also Josh 22:18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without אִם (compare Dr^{§ 155}); לְ temporal Deut 23:12 מִקֵּץ Isa 23:17 טֶרֶם Isa 65:24 מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֺ Isa 66:23, etc.
(b) וְהָיָה followed by Perfect consecutive (c. 85 t.): α. most often + clause with כִּי temporal Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33 (both J) Exod 1:10 (E) Deut 11:29; Isa 8:21 + 25 t.; β. with אִם Exod 4:8; Exod 4:9; Num 15:24; Deut 11:13 + 14 t.; also Gen 38:9; Num 21:9 (both frequentative); γ. with בְּ temporal Gen 30:41 (frequentative) Gen 47:24 (but compare Ol Di) Exod 16:5 + 11 t.; δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr^{§ 121} Obs. 1): Gen 24:14; Num 10:32 (Dr^{§ 118 n}.) Num 21:18; Deut 21:3; Judg 11:31; Judg 19:30; Zech 14:16 ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: כַּאֲשֶׁר Gen 27:40 +; כְּ Infinitive Gen 44:31 +; בְּ Infinitive Exod 33:22 +; מִקֵּץ 2Sam 14:26 עֵקֶב causative Deut 7:12 also
(c) followed by וְלֹא + simple Imperfect Exod 3:21 (with כִּי temporal).
(d) וְהָיָה followed by Imperative (very rare) Deut 6:10 (with כִּי temporal), 1Sam 10:7 (with כִּי), compare 1Sam 29:10, compare Perfect consecutive in command 1Sam 3:9 (with אִם).
(e) וְהָיָה followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) Deut 8:19 (with אִם).
(f) וְהָיָה followed by clause without verb: Gen 24:43; Josh 2:19; 1Kgs 18:24 (all with indefinite rel. modifier, or equivalents, see
(a) γ,
(b) δ, above).
(g) וְהָיָה (ו conjunctive) followed by Imperfect consecutive see
a.
(e) above

II. Come into being, become: —

1. a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָהExod 12:80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; וַיְהִיקֿוֺל Ezek 1:25 (strike out Co compare Da), Ezek 37:7 (strike out קוֺל ᵐ5 Co); כִּי הָֽיְתָה הָֽרְוָחָה Exod 8:11 (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Mic 7:4 now shall come their confusion (|| בוא); also of concrete objects וְהָֽיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן Gen 9:16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds (|| וְנִרְאֲתָה) וְרִמָּה לֹא הָֽיְתָה בּוֺ Exod 16:24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine Gen 12:10; Gen 26:1 (twice in verse) (all J), Gen 41:54 (E), Ruth 1:1; 2Sam 21:1; 2Kgs 6:25 strife Gen 13:7; Gen 13:8 (J), Hab 1:3 (|| מָדוֺן יִשָּׂא); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail Exod 9:18; Exod 9:24; Exod 9:26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., Exod 19:16 (E), rain 1Kgs 18:45, storm Jonah 1:4 especially of creative fiats יְהִי אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר Gen 1:3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare vGen 1:5 vGen 1:8 vGen 1:13 vGen 1:19 vGen 1:23 vGen 1:31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, וְאַחֲרָיו הָיָה שַׁמְגַּר Judg 3:31 and after him arose Shamgar (= וַיָּקָם Judg 10:1); further וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה Gen 15:17 (JE) and darkness came on; הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה Exod 10:13 (J) the morning came, Exod 19:16 (E); וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם 1Sam 1:4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 1Sam 14:1; 2Kgs 4:8; 2Kgs 4:11; 2Kgs 4:18; Job 1:6; Job 1:18; Job 2:1.
b. followed by preposition: בְּ, וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ Gen 37:27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of ׳יּ 1Sam 5:9; 1Sam 7:13; 1Sam 12:15 + (all in hostile sense); בְּכָלשֲֶֿֿׁר יֶשׁלֿוֺ ׳וַיְהִי בִּרְכַּת י Gen 39:5 (J) and the blessing of ׳י came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague Exod 12:13 (P); followed by עַל, וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ Gen 7:10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּ֑נָה Gen 42:36 (E) Gen 9:2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare Gen 35:25 (P) 2Chr 14:13; 2Chr 17:19; 2Chr 20:29 +; of wrath Josh 22:20; 1Kgs 3:27 so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 16:23; 1Sam 19:9 (אֶל); but followed by עַל also in good sense ׳וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ י conferring strength & efficiency Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29 (היה = צלח Judg 14:6 + often), compare Num 24:2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on ׳וַתְּהִי לָיו יַד י 2Kgs 3:15; Ezek 3:22 and the like, see יָד); יַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה עָלֵינוּ Ezra 8:31, so Ps 80:18 even וַתְּהִי עַלרֿאֹשׁ דָּוִד 2Sam 12:30 and it (the crown, עֲטֶרֶת) came (i.e. was put, set) on David's head; with a different meaning וַנִּהְיֶה עֲלֵיהֶם עַדפֶּֿתַח הַשָּׁ֑עַר 2Sam 11:23 and we were close upon them even to the gateway (compare We Dr); come, go, follow (followed by אַחֲרֵי) i.e. take the side of, adhere to, Exod 23:2 (JE) 1Sam 12:14; 2Sam 2:10; 1Kgs 12:20; 1Kgs 16:21 followed by לְ of blessings Gen 49:26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jer 40:3 especially ויהי דבר֗֗֗ אֶל and the word of ... came unto: word of Samuel 1Sam 4:1 usually word of God (or ׳י) Gen 15:1; 1Sam 15:10 +; constantly in prophets: Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jer 1:4; Jer 1:11; Jer 1:13; Jer 2:1; Jer 13:8 +; Ezek 3:16; Ezek 6:1; Ezek 7:1; Ezek 11:14; Ezek 11:17; Ezek 11:21; Ezek 11:26; Ezek 12:1; Ezek 12:8 +; so also absolute הָיָה הַמַּשָּׂא הַזֶּה Isa 14:28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by מִן; מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ Gen 17:16 (P), וּקְהַל גּוֺיִם יִהְיֶה מִמֶּ֑ךָּ Gen 35:11 (P), וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֺ מִמֶּנּוּ Jer 30:21 (|| מִקִּרְבּוֺ יֵצֵא); הַכֹּל הָיָה מִןהֶֿעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל הֶעָפָר Eccl 3:20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; וַיְהִי קֶצֶף גָּדוֺל מֵאֵת צְבָאוֺת ׳י Zech 7:12.

2. become :
a. followed by predicate noun (to be viewed as implicit accusative Dr^{§ 161, 3 n.}, according to the Arabic usage W^{AG ii, § 41. 44. 74}): הִוא הָֽיְתָה אֵם כָּלחָֿ֑י Gen 3:20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; וַיְהִי הֶבֶל רֹעֵה צאֹן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָהGen 4:2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2Sam 8:14; Mic 2:11 + often
b. followed by predicate adjective Gen 38:7; Exod 36:13 +; compare Gen 37:20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);
c. become like (כְּ), וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים Gen 3:5 and ye shall become like gods compare vGen 3:22, Num 11:1 (JE), Hos 2:1; Hos 7:11; Isa 9:18; 1Kgs 7:8; Zech 9:7 +; compare Gen 15:5 so (כֹּה) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Isa 1:9; 1Sam 17:36 +; also with כְּ repeated וְהָיָה כָעָם כַּכֹּהֵן Hos 4:9 and the people shall become like the priest (literally, and the like of the people shall become the like of the priest), so especially Isa 24:2 (6 pairs of words as above); וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע Gen 18:25 (J), see כְּ. b + c Gen 27:32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.
d. followed by predicate + לְ person וּתְהִי אִשָּׁה לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ Gen 24:51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1Sam 16:21; 1Kgs 11:25; Ps 89:42; 1Chr 18:6 +; = be instituted, estanblished, וְהָיָה לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם Exod 30:21 (P) and it shall be established for them as a perpetual ordinance (compare f below).
e. followed by לְ predicate: וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 2:7 (J) and the man became a living soul; וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁיםGen 2:10 (J) and it became four heads; גַּםהֿוּא יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם Gen 48:19 (J) he too shall become a people; וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים 1Sam 4:9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men (|| הִתְחַזְּקוּ; compare with double לְ, f below); Zeph 1:13; Ezek 17:6; Ezek 47:12; Job 16:8 עלמֶלֶךְ עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳וְהָיָה י Zech 14:9 וַיְהִי לְמַס עֹבֵד Gen 49:15; Josh 16:10 so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, וַיְהִי לְנָחָשׁExod 4:3 and it became a serpent, vExod 4:4; Exod 7:10; Isa 1:22; Deut 26:5 +; figurative וַיְהִי לְמָ֑יִם Josh 7:5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so וְהוּא הָיָה לְאֶבֶן 1Sam 25:37 or, serve as וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֺרֹת Gen 1:15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare vGen 1:14 וְהָיָה לְאוֺת בְּרִית Gen 9:13; Gen 17:11 (both P). feminine often with לְ predicate + לְ person: וַתְּהִי לָהֶם הַלְּבֵנָה לְאָ֑בֶןGen 11:3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; וַתְּהִי לִי לְאִשָּׁה Gen 20:12 (E) compare Gen 24:67 (J) +, וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה וְחָגְלָה ֗֗֗ לַבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים Num 36:11 וְהָיָה לְךָ וְלָהֶם לְאָכְלָה Num 6:21 (P), Exod 2:10; Exod 15:2; Judg 8:27 לִי לֵאלֹהִים ׳וְהָיָה י Gen 28:21 (E); אֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לוֺ לְאָב וְהוּא יִהְיֶהלִֿי לְבֵן 1Chr 17:3 +; = shew or prove oneself as הֱיֵהלִֿי לְבֶןחַֿיִל 1Sam 18:17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 1Sam 4:9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e above) וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָקעֿוֺלָם Exod 29:28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare vExod 29:9; Lev 10:15 וְהָֽיְתָה לִהְיֹת לָהֶם מָשְׁחָתָם לִכְהֻנַּת עוֺלָם לְדֹרֹתָם Exod 40:15 (all P).
g. with עַל and לְ 1Sam 22:2 וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר and he became over them prince.
h. sometimes with לְ person only = become the property of, come into the possession of ׳וַיְהִילֿוֺ צאֹןוּֿבָקָר וְגו Gen 12:15 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., Gen 26:14; Gen 30:43 לֹא לוֺ יִהְיֶה הַזָּ֑רַע Gen 38:9 not his should the seed become; ׳וְהָיָה לי Judg 11:31 it shall become Yah-weh's; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:29; 1Kgs 10:26; 1Kgs 11:3 + often; so of a woman, as wife תְּהִינָֿא לְךָ Judg 15:2 pray let her become thine, compare also וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֺן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ Judg 14:20, Hos 3:3; Ruth 1:13; Lev 21:3; Deut 24:2; Jer 3:1; Ezek 16:8 (and also + לְאִשָּׁה, לְנָשִׁים see f above)III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —

1. exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence), כָּלהַֿיּמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה 1Sam 1:28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = חַי Gen 5:5 etc., Dr^Sm), Job 3:16; Isa 23:13 often with בְּ local וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ Gen 2:5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; ׳וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא הָיָה אִישׁ וגו Num 26:64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו Josh 10:14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2Sam 14:25; 2Sam 1:5; 2Sam 21:25; 2Sam 23:25; +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause וַיְהִי אִישׁ now there was a man Judg 13:2; 1Sam 1:1; 1Sam 9:1; Num 9:6 (P), Job 1:1 +; on אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה Exod 3:14 see יהוֺה.

2. abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) וַיְהִי משֶׁה בָּהָר Exod 24:18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so Exod 34:28 (both J E), Judg 17:4; Judg 17:12; 1Sam 6:1; 1Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 11:3 = 2Chr 22:12 +; also Lev 22:27; Lev 25:28 (both H), etc.; followed by עַד temporal remain until Deut 22:2; 1Kgs 11:40; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Chr 5:9; 2Chr 26:21; Dan 1:21 etc.; compare הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֺלָם Eccl 3:14 so also of space followed by עַד extend unto, as far as, Josh 19:10: of net beneath altar, Exod 27:5 shall reach as far as (עַד) the middle of the altar.

3. with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated stand, lie; בִּהְיוֺתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה Gen 4:8 (J) when they were in the field, הַמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה שָׁם אָהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה Gen 13:3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; וְהָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה לִפְנֵיכֶם Gen 34:10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Josh 19:1; Judg 7:1; Judg 7:8; Mic 5:6; Mic 5:7 followed by עַל be, be found or situated upon Isa 30:25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezek 37:27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt דָּמִים וְהָיָה עָלָיךָ Deut 19:10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.

4. as copula, joining subject & predicate: —
a. followed by predicate adjective וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים Gen 2:25, וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם Gen 3:1, בִּהְיוֺתָם כֹּאֲבִים Gen 34:25, וַיְהִי יוֺסֵף יְפֵהתֹֿאַר Gen 39:6; Deut 23:15; Josh 19:9; Judg 11:1; Job 1:1; Job 1:3b 2Chr 7:21.
b. followed by predicate noun Gen 1:2; Gen 9:18; Gen 25:3; Gen 36:14; Gen 40:13; 1Sam 17:34; 1Sam 17:42; 2Sam 8:10; 2Sam 20:25; 1Kgs 10:6; 2Kgs 3:4; 2Kgs 5:1 (twice in verse); 1Chr 9:20; 1Chr 11:20; 1Chr 18:10; 1Chr 26:10; 2Chr 13:7 כִּי לֹאהָֿיָה מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל 2Chr 18:32 (|| 1Kgs 22:33 כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ ישׂראל הוּא) +; often of age: וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים Gen 17:1 (P) 2Kgs 8:17; 2Kgs 14:2; 2Kgs 15:2; 2Kgs 15:33; 2Kgs 18:2; 2Chr 21:20; 2Chr 27:8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֺךְ וְחָסוֺר Gen 8:5 = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: Gen 5:4; Gen 5:5; Gen 5:8; Gen 5:11; Gen 5:14; Gen 9:29; Gen 11:32; Gen 23:1 +; Exod 38:24; Num 1:46, etc.
c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: לֹאטֿוֺב הֱיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֺGen 2:18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַה כַּנָּשִׁים Gen 18:11 (J).
d. followed by preposition: (a) be with, accompany with עִם, subject most often ׳י or אלהים with added idea of protection, aid Gen 26:3; Gen 31:3; Gen 39:10; Gen 48:21; Josh 1:3; Josh 6:27; Judg 1:19; Judg 2:18; 1Sam 3:19; 1Sam 18:12; 1Sam 20:13; 1Kgs 1:37; 1Chr 11:13; 2Chr 17:3 followed by עִמָּדִי Gen 28:20; Gen 31:5; Gen 35:3 followed by עִם, human subject, of accompaniment וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם Neh 10:39; 1Chr 11:12, read also in || 2Sam 23:9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1Kgs 1:8 with עִם also = be near הָיָה עִםגֹּֿרֶן האורנה ׳וּמַלְאַךְ י 2Sam 24:16 (compare Dr); also 2Sam 13:20 implying sexual intercourse, so Gen 39:10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with עִם are: וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר הָיָה עִםזִֿקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 2Sam 3:17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1Kgs 1:7 וַיְהִי עִםלְֿבַב דָּוִד אָבִּי לִבְנוֺת 1Kgs 8:17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2Chr 6:7 compare 1Kgs 8:18 (twice in verse); 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 6:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:4 also 1Kgs 10:2 = 2Chr 9:1
(b) be with, followed by אֶת, subject ׳י, אלהים, Gen 21:20; Gen 39:2; Gen 39:21 but also with human subject וּבָנָיוּ הָיוּ אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ Gen 34:5, compare 1Sam 29:8 +;
(c) followed by לְ of possessor כֶּרֶם הָיָה לִידִדִי Isa 5:1 all vineyard had my beloved, Gen 30:30 compare Exod 20:3 = Deut 5:7; Judg 18:27; 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 5:6 + often (compare I. 2 d, f, h);
(d) followed by לְ + other preposition: of boundary וַיְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל מֵעֲרוֺעֵרJosh 13:16, compare וַיְהִי גְבוּלָם מִמַּחֲנַיִם vJosh 13:30 וַוְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפנַָה מִיַּרְדֵּן Josh 18:12, etc.;
(e) followed by בְּ be among, or of, Amos 1:1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1Kgs 2:7 let them be among those eating, Prov 22:26; Prov 23:20.

5. periphrastic conjug.:
a. היה + participle, of continuous state, or condition, sometimes, especially late (compare Late Hebrew), of habit, with וַיְהִי also of beginning and continuance (compare Dr^{§ 135}, (5)): participle active Gen 39:22 (J), Exod 3:1 (E), 1Sam 2:11; 1Sam 7:10; 1Sam 18:9 (compare Dr) v1Sam 18:14 v1Sam 18:29; 2Sam 8:15 = 1Chr 18:14. Deut 28:29; Isa 30:20; 1Kgs 5:1; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 5:24; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Chr 9:26; Ezra 4:4; Neh 1:4; Neh 2:13; Dan 1:16 +; Gen 1:6 (P); ׳הָיָה יָרֵא אֶתיֿ 1Kgs 18:3; 2Kgs 4:1; 2Chr 26:1 passive participle Josh 10:26; 1Kgs 13:24; 1Kgs 22:35 וְהַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה מָעֳמָד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה (|| 2Chr 18:34 הָיָה מַעֲמִיד), Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1, וְהָיָה סָגוּר Ezek 44:2, נַעֲשֶׂה ׳ה Neh 5:18, ׳וְאָהוּב לֵאלֹהָיו ה Neh 13:26 — on 2Sam 13:32 compare Dr.
b. followed by Infinitive with לְ (Dr^{§ 208, 204}): וְהָיָה לְבָעֵר Isa 5:5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; לָבוֺא וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ Gen 15:12 and the sun was about to set; וַיְהִי הַשַּׁעַר לִסְגּוֺר Josh 2:5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also וַיְהִי לִדְרשׁ אֱלֹהִים 2Chr 26:5 (nearly = וַיְהִי + Participle) Niph`al Perfect נִהְיָה 1Kgs 1:27 + 6 t. + Mic 2:4 (compare below near the end); 3 feminine singular נִהָיְתָה Judg 19:30 + 5 t., נִהְיָ֑תָה Exod 11:6; Jer 48:19 וְנִהְיָ֑תָה consecutive Ezek 39:8 + Ezek 21:12 (strike out B Manuscripts ᵐ5 Co); 2 masculine singular נִהְיֵיתָ Deut 27:9 1 singular ךּנהִךְייךתי Dan 8:27 Participle feminine singular נִהְיָה Prov 13:19 —

1. either, be done, be brought about, or occur, come to pass: in the strong expressions וְכָמֹהוּ לֹא תֹסִף אֲשֶׁר כָּמֹהוּ ׳לֹא נ Exod 11:6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare Deut 4:32 (be done; || נִשְׁמַע), & Judg 19:30 (|| נִרְאֲתָה); — but simply intransitive Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & apparently Ezek 21:12 (|| בָּאָ֫ה; on text, however, see above) Ezek 39:8 (|| id.); — also אֵיכָה נִהְיְתָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת Judg 20:3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare vJudg 20:12; Jer 5:30; Jer 48:19 also Neh 6:8 with לֹא, existence denied ׳לֹא נ Zech 8:10 (|| אֵינֶ֑נָּה); in all the above (except Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & Ezek 21:12; Ezek 39:8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed ׳מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶץ נ הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה 1Kgs 1:27, so of divine agency (מֵאִתִּי) 1 K i1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4 further be attained, secured, of wages Zech 8:10 (with לֹא, || אֵינֶ֑נָּה); תַּאֲוָּה נִהְיָה Prov 13:19 a desire come to pass, realized.

2. be done, finished, gone, only Daniel וּשְׁנָתוֺ נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו Dan 2:1 and his sleep was finished upon him, i.e. left him (compare Aramaic Dan 6:19); נִהְיֵיתִי Dan 8:27 I came to an end, was exhausted (si vera lectio, strike out ᵐ5; || נֶחֱלֵיתִי); נִהְיָה, in וְנָהָה נְהִי נִהְיָה Mic 2:4, is dubious; it is done, over, the ruin is come Rob-Ges Ew Hi Ca Che L RVm;? < omit as dittograph Sta^{ZAW 1886, 122 f.} compare JBL^{1890, 74.77}.

BDB9470 H1934 H1961

הֲוָא, הֲוָּה₇₁ verb come to pass, become, be (Biblical Hebrew הָיָה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular הֲוָה Dan 4:26 +, הֲוָא Dan 5:19 +; 2 masculine singular הֲוַיְתָ Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34, 1 singular הֲוֵית Dan 4:1 +; 3 masculine plural הֲווֺ Dan 2:35 +; Imperfect 3 masculine singular לֶהֱוֵא (K^{§ 47, l}) b) Dr^{§ 204 Obs.} Nö^{M 215 ff.}; in Jewish-Aramaic as jussive D^{§ 61, lc}) Dan 2:20 +; 3 feminine singular תֶּהֱוֵה Dan 4:24 +, אֵ֯ Ezra 6:8 +, 3 masculine plural לֶהֱוֺן Ezra 6:10 + 6 t., 3 feminine plural לֶהֶוְיָן Dan 5:17 Imperative masculine plural הֱווֺ Ezra 4:22, הֲזוֺ Ezra 6:6 —

1. come to pass Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45.

2. come into being, arise Ezra 7:23 become, come to be, with predicate noun Dan 4:24; Dan 5:29 and ( = represent) Dan 7:23 with כְּ like Dan 2:35 a, with ל predicate vDan 2:35 b, with adjective predicate Ezra 6:6, with adverb phrase Ezra 5:5; Dan 4:22 often periphrastic, with participle: ׳יְדִיעַ לה let become known Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8 let it be given Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:9, also Ezra 7:26; Dan 2:20.

3. be, as copula, with adjective predication Dan 2:40; Dan 2:42; Dan 7:19 so very often in periphrastic conjugation with participle, צָבֵא ׳ה wish Dan 5:19 (4 t. in verse), ׳חָזֵה ה behold Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34; Dan 7:2; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:6 +, etc.

Strong's Definition H1961

be, pass, was, were, came, …

hāyâ

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

(Qal)

to occur

to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

to arise, appear, come

to become

to exist, be in existence

to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

Variations 205 forms of this word

Translations 723 English renderings

Word Parts

לָ כֶ֖ם

לָ

Preposition to, for

כֶ֖ם

Suffix — pronoun your / you (a group)

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp2mp

Preposition

לָ	Speech Preposition
כֶם	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Plural

In English

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

Search every verse

Word Parts

לַ ֽעֲבָדִ֑ים

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for

ֽעֲבָדִ֑ים

Root word servants, servant, bondmen, manservant, bondage, …

Dictionary form: עֶבֶד · eh-BED

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmpa

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

לַ	Speech Preposition
עֲבָדִים	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: your servants

thy servant ×90 his servants ×68 thy servants ×56 servants ×53 my servant ×40 the servant ×40 his servant ×30 and his servants ×22

More options

servant — Broadest, most neutral choice for most contexts.

slave — Emphasizes legal ownership; use when bondage is explicit.

attendant — Highlights personal service to a superior; courtly contexts.

subject — Good for political/royal contexts; stresses subordination.

worker — Downplays social status; use cautiously, may be too weak.

bondservant — Retains covenantal nuance; useful in theological passages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5735 H5650

I. עֶ֫בֶד₇₉₉ noun masculine slave, servant (on formation Lag^{BN 77}); — ׳ע Gen 9:25 +, עָ֑בֶד Gen 44:10 +; suffix עַבְדִּי Gen 26:24 +; עַבְדְּךָ Gen 19:19 +; עַבְדֶּ֫ךָ Gen 18:3 +; plural עֲבָדִים Gen 9:25 +, עַבְדֵי Gen 21:25 +, suffix עֲבָדַי Lev 25:42 +, עַבְדֵיכֶם Josh 9:11 +, etc.; —

1. slave, servant of household Gen 39:17; Gen 39:19; Gen 41:12; Gen 50:2; Exod 21:2 +; man-servant, || אמה Exod 20:10; Lev 25:6; Deut 5:14; Job 31:13 +; || שׁפחה Gen 12:16; Gen 32:6; Jer 34:11; Isa 14:2 +; + אדון Deut 23:16; Isa 24:2; Mal 1:6 +; מִקְנַת כֶּסֶף Exod 12:44 or יְלִיד בַּיִת Jer 2:14 עֶבֶד עֲבָדִים servant of servants, humblest servant, Gen 9:25 בֵּית עֲבָדִים house of slaves, especially Israel in Egypt Exod 13:3; Exod 13:14 (D ?) Deut 5:6; Deut 6:12; Deut 7:8; Deut 8:14; Deut 13:6; Deut 13:11; Josh 24:17; Judg 6:8; Jer 34:13; Mic 6:4 וזכרת כי עבד היית מצרים ב(ארץׅ and thou shalt remember that thou wast a slave in (the land of) Egypt Deut 5:15; Deut 15:15; Deut 16:12; Deut 24:18; Deut 24:22 king of Babylon is slave to ׳י Jer 25:9; Jer 27:6; Jer 43:10 the borrower to the lender Prov 22:7 figurative of beast Job 40:28 of things Gen 47:19.

2. Subjects, of chief Gen 26:15; Gen 26:19; Gen 26:25; Gen 26:32; Gen 27:37; Gen 32:17 (twice in verse) +; of king Gen 21:25; Exod 7:28; Exod 7:29; 1Kgs 9:27; Deut 29:1 +; vassal kings 2Sam 10:19 tributary nations 2Sam 8:2; 2Sam 8:6; 2Sam 8:14 = 1Chr 18:2; 1Chr 18:6; 1Chr 18:13 specifically officers of king 1Sam 19:1; 1Sam 21:8; 2Sam 11:13; Prov 14:35 +; עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה Gen 40:20; Gen 41:10 שָׁאוּל ׳ע 1Sam 16:17; 1Sam 18:22; 1Sam 28:7 הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳ע 1Kgs 1:47; Esth 3:3 +; עֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 22:12 = 2Chr 34:20 (a court offical); opposed to שַׂר Prov 19:10; Eccl 10:7 מֶלֶךְ Prov 30:22 ambassadors Num 22:18; 2Sam 10:2 soldiers of army 1Sam 17:8; 1Sam 25:10; 2Sam 2:12, + officers of army 1Sam 29:3; 1Kgs 11:26; 2Kgs 25:8; Isa 36:9.

3. Servants, worshippers, of God: עַבְדֵי יהוה 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 10:23; Isa 54:17, compare Gen 50:17; Isa 56:6 עֲבָדָיו Deut 32:36 = Ps 135:14; Isa 65:15; Isa 66:14; Ps 34:23; Ps 69:37; Neh 2:20 || עַמּוֺ Ps 105:25 compare Deut 32:43 עֲבָּדַי Isa 65:8; Isa 65:9; Isa 65:13 (twice in verse); Isa 69:13; Isa 69:14 עֲבָדֶיךָ 1Kgs 8:23; Isa 63:17 (|| שִׁבְטֵי נחלתך), Ps 89:51; Ps 90:13; Ps 90:16; Ps 102:15; Ps 102:29; Ps 119:91; Ps 79:2; Ps 79:10 (|| חֲסִידֶיךָ); delivered from Egypt Lev 25:42; Lev 25:55 (twice in verse); Lev 26:13 (P); עַבְדְּךָ Ps 119:125; Ps 143:2, || בֶּןאֲֿמָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 86:16; Ps 116:16 (twice in verse); specifically angels Job 4:18 and ancient worthies, patriarchs Exod 32:13 (J) Deut 9:27 Abraham Gen 26:24 (J) Ps 105:6; Ps 105:42 Isaac Gen 24:14 (J); Jacob, Israel Ezek 28:25; Ezek 37:25; 1Chr 16:13 Moses Exod 14:31; Josh 18:7 (J) Num 12:7; Num 12:8 (E) Deut 34:5 (?) Josh 1:1; Josh 1:2; Josh 1:7; Josh 1:13; Josh 1:15; Josh 8:31; Josh 8:33; Josh 9:24; Josh 11:12; Josh 11:15; Josh 12:6 (twice in verse); Josh 13:8; Josh 14:7; Josh 22:2; Josh 22:4; Josh 22:5 (all D), 1Kgs 8:53; 1Kgs 8:56; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Kgs 21:8; 1Chr 6:34; 2Chr 1:3; 2Chr 24:6; 2Chr 24:9; Neh 1:8; Neh 9:14; Neh 10:30; Ps 105:26; Mal 3:22; Dan 9:11 Joshua Josh 24:29 (E) Judg 2:8 Caleb Num 14:24 (J); Job Job 1:8; Job 2:3; Job 42:7; Job 42:8 (3 t. in verse); David 2Sam 3:18; 2Sam 7:5; 2Sam 7:8; 2Sam 7:26 + 27 t.; Hezekiah 2Chr 32:16 Zerubbabel Hag 2:23 Eliakim Isa 22:20. — The צֶמַח Zech 3:8 compare Zech 6:12 is also servant of ׳י as Messianic builder of temple (see Br^{MP 442 ff}).

4. Servant of ׳י, in a special sense: of Levitical singers using benedictions in temple Ps 113:1; Ps 134:1; Ps 135:1 usually of prophets, עֲבָדַי הַנְּבִיאִים my servants the prophets 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 17:13; Jer 7:25; Jer 26:5; Jer 29:19; Jer 35:15; Jer 44:4; Ezek 38:17; Zech 1:6 עֲבָדָיו הַנְּבִיאִים 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 21:10; 2Kgs 24:2; Jer 25:4; Amos 3:7; Dan 9:10 עֲבָדֶיךָ הנביאים Ezra 9:11; Dan 9:6 specifically Ahia 1Kgs 14:18; 1Kgs 15:29 Elijah 2Kgs 9:36; 2Kgs 10:10 Jonah 2Kgs 14:25 Isaiah Isa 20:3 עַבְדּוֺ, || מלאכיו Isa 44:26 as one calling to fear ׳י Isa 50:10.

5. Israel as a people is servant of ׳׃י יִשְׂרָאֵל Isa 41:8; Isa 41:9; Isa 44:21 (twice in verse); Isa 49:3; Ps 136:22 יעקב Isa 44:1; Isa 44:2; Isa 45:4; Isa 48:20; Isa 46:27; Isa 47:28 עַבְדִּי = עֶבֶד יהוה, || מַלְאָכִי, as having a mission to the nations Isa 42:19 (twice in verse); and chosen as witness of ׳י Isa 43:10. But there is also an ideal servant chosen and endowed with the divine Spirit to be a covenant of Israel and a light of the nations Isa 42:1 (compare vIsa 42:2-6); formed to bring back Jacob, raise up the tribes, and become salvation to the end of the earth Isa 49:5; Isa 49:6; Isa 49:7 bearing the sins of all as a lamb and a trespass-offering, and yet prospering and justifying many as interposing martyr Isa 52:13; Isa 53:11: many understand of ideal Israel, contrasted with the actual; al. of personified || with Zion the wife and mother, distinguished from unworthy Israel as Zion from her apostate children; al. of ideal prophetic writer; al. of ideal prophetic person; al. (especially in Isa 53) of an actual prophecy known to writer and his readers; [in any case it is Messianic, see Matt 8:16; Matt 8:17; Matt 12:16-21; Luke 4:17-22; Phil 2:5-11]; see De^{Isa ii. 174} Da^{Expos. 1884, 358 ff.} Di Du Che and others on Isa 42; Isa 53, Dr^{Is 168 ff.} Br^{MP 345 ff.}, also Gie^{Beitr. 146 ff.} Berthol^{Isa 53}.

6. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 person singular, I, Gen 18:3; 1Sam 20:7; 1Sam 20:8 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 8:13 +; עֲבָדֶיךָ thy servants = we Gen 42:11; Isa 36:11 also עַבְדּוֺ his servant = I, 1Sam 26:18; 1Sam 26:19; 2Sam 14:22; 2Sam 24:21 +; also in addressing God, especially in prayer Exod 4:10; Num 11:11; Judg 15:18; 1Sam 3:9; 1Sam 3:10; 1Sam 25:39; 2Sam 24:10; Ps 19:12; Ps 19:14; Ps 27:9; Ps 31:17; Ps 35:27; Ps 69:18; Ps 109:28; Ps 143:2 +.

7. Phrases are: עבד (היה), with לְ person, become servant to Gen 9:26; Gen 9:27; Gen 44:10; Gen 44:16; Gen 44:17; Gen 44:33; Gen 47:19; Gen 47:26 (J) Deut 6:21; Deut 15:17; 2Sam 8:14; 2Kgs 17:3; 2Kgs 24:1; 1Chr 18:2; 1Chr 18:6; 1Chr 18:13; 2Chr 10:7; Prov 11:29; Prov 12:9; Prov 22:7 היה לעבד, with לְ person, Gen 44:9 (J) Gen 50:18 (E) 1Sam 8:17; 1Sam 17:9 (twice in verse); 1Sam 27:12; 2Sam 8:2; 2Sam 8:6; Jer 34:16 כבשׁ לעבדים 2Chr 28:10; Neh 5:5; Jer 34:11 ׳לקח לע Gen 43:18 (J) 2Kgs 4:1; Job 40:28.

BDB9746 H5649 H5650

[עֲבַד D^p.105, or עֲבֵד K^{§ 54, 3.} γ)] noun masculine slave, servant (Biblical Hebrew עֶ֫בֶד); — construct עֲבֵד Dan 6:21 servant of God; plural suffix of king, עבדיך Kt (K^{§ 53 Anm. b})), עַבְדָּךְ Qr Ezra 4:11, עַבְדָךְ Qr Dan 2:4 suffix of God, עַבְד֫וֺתִי, Dan 3:26; Dan 3:28; Ezra 5:11, of king Dan 2:7.

Strong's Definition H5650

servants, servant, bondmen, manservant, bondage, …

ʿebed

a servant

slave, servant

slave, servant, man-servant

Variations 91 forms of this word

Translations 176 English renderings

Servant

Search every verse

Word Parts

וְ אִם

וְ

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

אִם

Conjunction if, or, though, surely, not, …

Dictionary form: אִם · im

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/C

Conjunction

וְ	Speech Conjunction
אִם	Speech Conjunction

In English

In the KJV here: but if

if ×322 and if ×128 but if ×69 or ×48 surely ×29 though ×25 whether ×19 when ×16

More options

if — Default conditional; most broadly applicable rendering.

whether — Use for indirect questions or double alternatives.

though — Concessive force; signals contrast or surprise.

when — Temporal nuance; condition treated as certain to occur.

unless — Negative conditional; equivalent to 'if not'.

surely — Emphatic/oath context; asserts strong certainty.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2204 H2005 H518 H2006

II. הֵן₁₀₀ (הֶןֿ Num 23:9; Num 23:24; Job 8:19; Job 8:20; Job 13:1; Job 26:14; Job 33:6; Job 33:12; Job 33:29; Job 36:5; Job 36:22; Job 36:26 הֵןֿ Job 13:15; Job 36:30; Job 41:1 +) demonstrative adverb or interjection lo! behold (on etymology see הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based;
a. Gen 3:22 הֵן הָאָדָם הָיָה behold the man is become as one of us, & now lest, etc., Gen 4:14 behold, thou hast driven me forth etc., Gen 11:6; Gen 15:3; Gen 19:34; Gen 27:11; Gen 29:7; Gen 30:34 (nearly = yea), Exod 5:5; Exod 6:12; Exod 6:30; Lev 10:18; Lev 10:19; Num 17:27; Deut 5:21 (in prose only in Pentateuch (23 t.) and Ezek 18:4 in this usage); in poetry, used more freely, but chiefly in Isa² & Job, — Num 23:9; Num 23:24 (Balaam) Isa 23:13; Isa 32:1; Isa 33:7; Ps 51:7; Ps 51:8; Ps 68:34; Ps 78:20; Ps 139:4; Prov 11:31 (stating the premiss to a conclusion introduced by אַף כִּי, q. v.), Prov 24:12: elsewhere (except in senses b, c) only in Isa² (23 t.) & Job (31 t), as Isa 40:15 (twice in verse); Isa 41:11; Isa 41:24; Isa 41:29; Isa 50:1; Isa 50:2; Isa 50:9 (twice in verse); Isa 50:11; Job 4:18; Job 15:15; Job 25:5 (in these three passages before אַף or אַף כִּי), Job 9:1; Job 9:12 etc. (see above).
b. as a hypothetical particle, propounding a possibility, if (so Late Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic, Mandean, Palmyrene (ZMG 1888, 404); on the contrary Syriac , Palestinian ᵑ7 אִין, also Palmyrene (ib. p. 415), Arabic with א), a special application or development of the use a: Exod 4:1 והן לא יאמינו לי and behold ( = and suppose) they will not believe me ? etc., Lev 25:20 and if (וְכִי) ye say, What shall we eat the 7th year ? הֵן לֹא נִזְרַע behold, we shall not sow etc. (i.e. supposing we do not sow), Isa 54:15; Job 40:23; 2Chr 7:13 (twice in verse) (2Chr 7:13 b וְאִם); stating the ground on which a question is based, Exod 8:22 (וְלֹא = הֲלֹא), Jer 3:1; Hag 2:12 (see הֵן Aramaic b).
c. if, whether, in an indirect question, Jer 2:10 רְאוּ הֵן הָֽיְתָה כָּזֹאת (but Gr הֲנִהְיְתָה); compare אִם 2 b, and הֵן Aramaic

3.

BDB3995 H3588 H518

כִּי conjunction that, for, when (Moabite id,: Phoenician כ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found in here, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaic דֵּךְ this (W^{SG 110 f.}); perhaps also ultimately akin with that, in order that, and then, enclitic, like Latin nam in quisnam?) —

1. that (ὅτι, German dass):
a. prefixed to sentences depending on an active verb, and occupying to it the place of an accusative: so constantly, after verbs of seeing, as Gen 1:10 וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, Gen 3:6; Gen 6:2; Gen 6:5; Gen 12:14 + often, hearing Gen 14:14; Gen 29:33, knowing Gen 22:12; Gen 24:14, telling Gen 3:11; Gen 12:18, repenting Gen 6:6; Gen 6:7, swearing Gen 22:16; Jer 22:5, believing Exod 4:5; Lam 4:12, remembering Ps 78:35, forgetting Job 39:15 אָמַר = command (late; in early Hebrew the words said are quoted) Job 36:10; Job 36:24 (זְכֹר in a command) Job 37:20 b 1Chr 21:18 (contrast 2Sam 24:18) etc.; טוֺב כּי it is good that ... 2Sam 18:2 + (usually the infinitive with, as Gen 2:18 see ibid.); Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit that we should slay (imperfect)...? Mal 3:14 what proft כִּי שָׁמַרְנוּ that we have kept (perfect)...? Job 22:3 הַחֵפֶץ לְשַׁדַּי כִּי is it pleasure to Shaddai that...? after a pronoun, as Ps 41:12 by this I know that thou hast pleasure in me, that my enemy cannot triumph over me, Ps 42:5 these things will I remember...that (or how) I used to go, etc., Ps 56:10 this I know that God is for me Job 13:16 (הוא). And with כִּי repeated pleonastic after an intervening clause 2Sam 19:7; Jer 26:15 +; כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי Gen 3:6; Gen 29:12; Exod 4:31; Josh 2:9; Josh 8:21; Josh 10:1; 1Sam 31:7; 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 11:21; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:11 לֵאמֹר ֗֗֗ וְכִי Gen 45:26; Judg 10:10.
b. כִּי often introduces the direct narration (like , , and the Greek ὅτι recitativum, e.g. Luke 4:21), in which case it cannot be represented in English (except by inverted commas), Gen 21:30; Gen 29:33 and she said, ׳כִּי שׁמע י Yahweh hath heard, etc.; Exod 3:12 = Judg 6:16 and he said, כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I will be with thee, Josh 2:24; 1Sam 2:16 (see Dr) 1Sam 10:19 and ye have said to him, כִּי מֶלָךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ Thou shalt set a king over us, 2Sam 11:23; 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 20:5; Ruth 1:10, compare Ruth 2:21 (but in reply to a question כִּי may = because, see below 3; and so also in sentences giving the explanation of a proper name, Gen 26:22; Gen 29:32 (but De surely: see below), Exod 2:10 (compare Gen 4:25; Gen 41:51; Gen 41:52); in כִּי מָה, introducing an expostulation, 1Sam 29:8; 1Kgs 11:22; 2Kgs 8:13, it gives the reason for a suppressed 'Why do you say this?').
c. especially after an oath חַי אָ֫נִי, ׳חַי י etc., introducing the fact sworn to, Gen 42:16 by the life of Pharaoh, כִּי מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם (I say) that ye are spies; but though Hebrew usage probably gave it an asseverative force, English idiom does not require it to be expressed: Num 14:22; 1Sam 20:3 as ׳י liveth, כִּי כְפֶשַׂע בֵּינִי וּבֵין הַמָּוֶת there is but a step between me and death! 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 29:6; Isa 49:18 +; 1Sam 14:44 כֹּהיַֿעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֺסִיף כִּי מוֺת תָּמוּת thus may God do and more also: thou shalt surely die! 2Sam 3:35; 1Kgs 2:23; Ruth 1:17 and elsewhere — Note that כִּי when thus used is often repeated after an intervening clause, in order that its force may be fully preserved: Gen 1:39 כִּי מוֺת יָמוּת (אִםיֶֿשְׁנוֺ בְּיוֺנָתָן בְּנִי) כִּי ׳חַי י 1Sam 25:34; 2Sam 2:27 ׳כִּי אָז וג (לוּלֵא דִּבַּרְתָּ) כִּי, 2Sam 3:9; 2Sam 15:21 Qr 1Kgs 1:30; Jer 22:24.
d. כִּי is used sometimes with advs. and interjs. to add force or distinctness to the affirmation which follows:
(a) so especially in אַף כִּי (see אַף); הֲכִי is it that . . .? (as a neutral interrogative) 2Sam 9:1, (expecting a negative answer) Gen 29:15 is it that thou art my brother, and shalt (therefore) serve me for nothing? Job 6:22 is it that I have said, Give unto me? expressing surprise Gen 27:36 is it that he is called Jacob, and has (hence) supplanted me twice? 2Sam 23:19 an affirm. answer is required (which would imply הֲלֹא כִי): read probably with the || 1Chr 11:25 הִנּוֺ be-hold, he, etc.; אִםלֹֿא כִּי Deut 32:30 were it not that .. .; אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2 of a truth (is it) that ye are the people, etc.; אַךְ כִּי 1Sam 8:9 אֶפֶם כִּי Num 13:28 +; גַּם כִּי Ruth 2:21 הֲלֹא כִי 1Sam 10:1 (but see ᵐ5 Dr), 2Sam 13:28 הִנֵּה כִי Ps 128:4 compare Ps 118:10 כִּי אֲמִיַלם ׳בְּשֵׁם י in the name of ׳י (is it) that — or (I say) that — I will mow them down; Job 39:27 doth the vulture mount up at thy command, וְכִי יָרִים קִנּוֺ and (is it) that it (so) makes high its nest? Isa 36:19 have the gods of the nations delivered each his land etc.? . . . וְכִי הִצִּילוּ i.e. (Hi) and (is it) that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand? > (Ew^{§ 354 c} De Di) and that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand! = how much less (אַף כִּי) have they, etc.! (|| 2Kgs 18:34 כִּי alone, perhaps conformed by error to v2Kgs 18:35; 2Chr 32:15 אַף כִּי, which however does not decide the sense of the original וְכִי). 1Chr 29:14 וְכִי מִי read ומי or כי מי
(b) in introducing the apodosis, especially in כִּי עַתָּה (chiefly after לוּלֵא) indeed then . . ., Gen 31:42; Gen 43:10 for unless we had tarried כִּי עַתָּה שַׁבְנוּ surely then we had returned twice, Num 22:33 (read לוּלֵי for אוּלַי); so 1Sam 14:30 ᵐ5 (after לוּא), and 1Sam 13:13 Hi We (לֻא for לֹא); after אִם Job 8:6 surely then he will awake over thee, etc. (But elsewhere כִּי עַתָּה is simply for now, Gen 29:32; Job 7:21 +; or for then = for in that case, Exod 9:15; Num 22:29; Job 3:13; Job 6:3 +). It is dubious whether כִּי אָז has the same sense: for 2Sam 2:27; 2Sam 19:7 the כִּי in כִּי אָז may be merely resumptive of the כִּי recitation preceding (see a, c). Rare otherwise: Exod 22:22 if thou afflict him כִּי אִםצָֿעֹק יִצְעַק 'tis that (= indeed), if he cries unto me, I will hear him, Isa 7:9 if ye believe not כִּי לֹא תֵאֵָמנוּ ׃ indeed ye will not be established.
e. there seem also to be other cases in which כִּי, standing alone, has an intensive force, introducing a statement with emphasis, yea, surely, certainly (German ja — a lighter particle than these English words): see in AV RV Exod 18:11; Num 23:23; 1Sam 17:25; 1Sam 20:26; 2Kgs 23:22; Isa 32:13; Isa 60:9; Jer 22:22; Jer 31:19; Hos 6:9; Hos 8:6; Hos 9:12; Hos 10:3; Amos 3:7; Ps 76:11; Ps 77:12 (Ew Che), Prov 30:2 (but not if construed as RVm), Eccl 4:16; Eccl 7:7; Eccl 7:20; Job 28:1 +; Lam 3:22 (ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Ew Th Öttli) the mercies of ׳י, surely they are not consumed (read probably תַמּוּ or תָֽמְמוּ for תמנו), Ruth 3:12 כִּי אָמְנָם yea, indeed. But it is doubtful whether כִּי has this force in all the passages for which scholars have had recourse to it, and whether in some it is not simply = for. De^{Prov 30:1} would restrict the usage to cases in which a suppressed clause may be understood. feminine that, expressing consecution, especially after a question implying surprise or deprecation: followed by perf., Gen 20:9 what have I sinned against thee כִּי הֵבֵאתָ עָלַי that thou hast brought upon me? 1Sam 22:8; Isa 22:1 what aileth thee, that thou art gone up, etc.? vIsa 22:16; Isa 36:5; Isa 52:5; Mic 4:9; Hab 2:18 followed by participle Judg 14:3; 1Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 18:9 how have I sinned that thou art giving, etc.? 2Kgs 5:7; Ezek 24:19 usually followed by imperfect Exod 3:11 who am I כִּי אֵלֵךְ that I should go, etc.? Exod 16:7; Judg 8:6; Judg 9:28; 2Kgs 8:13; Isa 7:13; Isa 29:16 (also perfect), Ps 8:5 what is man כִּי תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ? Job 3:12 or why the breasts כִּי אִינָָֽק ׃ that I should suck? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אִַיַחֵל, Job 7:12; Job 7:17; Job 10:5f.; Job 13:25f.; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 +; after a negative, Gen 40:15 here also I have done nothing כִּי שָׂמוּ that they should have placed me in the dungeon, Ps 44:19f. our heart has not turned backward, etc. כִּי דִכִּיתָנוּ that thou shouldst have crushed us, etc., Isa 43:22 not me hast thou called on, כִּי יָגַעְתָּ בִּי that thou shouldst have wearied thyself with me, Hos 1:6 (see RV), Job 41:2; Ruth 1:12 I am too old to have an husband כִּי אָמַרְתִּי that I should have said, etc. (compare Ew^{§ 337 a}; Dr^{§ 39} δ).
g. added to preps. כִּי converts them, like אֲשֶׁר, into conjs. ..., as יַעַן כִּי because that...: see below יַעַן, עַד, עַל, עֵקֶב, תַּחַת.

2. a. Of time, when, of the past וַיְהִי כִּי Gen 6:1 (compare Bu^{Urg. 6}), Gen 26:8; Gen 27:1; 2Sam 6:13; 2Sam 7:1; 2Sam 19:26 + (כַּאֲשֶׁר and especially כְּ with infinitive, are more frequently); וְהָיָה כִּי (simple וְ) 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 17:48; Josh 22:7; Judg 2:18; Judg 12:5 והיה כי יאמרו and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said, Jer 44:19 (participle), Hos 11:1; Ps 32:3 כי החרשׁתי when I was silent, Job 31:21; Job 31:26; Job 31:29 of present (usually with imperfect) as Exod 18:16 כִּי יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר when they have a matter, 1Sam 24:20; Isa 1:12; Isa 30:21; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5; Zech 7:6; Mal 1:8; Ps 49:19 and men praise thee כִּי תֵיטִיב לָ֑ךְ when thou doest well to thyself, Ps 102:1; Ps 127:5 +, with perfect Ezek 3:19-21; Ezek 33:9; Prov 11:15; Prov 23:22 especially of future, as Gen 4:12 כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶתהָֿאֲדָמָה when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc., Gen 24:41; Gen 30:33; Gen 31:49; Gen 32:18; Exod 7:9 when Pharaoh shall speak unto you, Deut 4:25; Deut 6:20 +; in phrase (׳תאֹמַר וג) וְכִי תאֹמְרוּ Lev 25:20; Deut 18:21; Isa 8:19; Isa 36:7; Jer 13:22 and especially in ... וְהָיָה כִּי Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33; Deut 6:10; Deut 15:16; 1Sam 10:7; 1Sam 25:30; Isa 8:21; Isa 10:12 + often; with perfect Isa 16:12; 1Chr 17:11 (altered from imperfect 2Sam 7:12); with participle (unusual) Num 33:51; Num 34:2; Deut 11:31; Deut 18:9.
b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם: — (mostly with imperfect) Gen 38:16; Num 5:20; Num 10:32; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:17; Deut 28:2; Deut 28:13; 1Sam 20:13; 2Sam 19:8; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 18:22; Jer 38:15; Prov 4:8; Job 7:13 (כי אמרתי when I say), Job 19:28 often in laws, as Exod 21:14; Exod 21:33; Exod 21:35; Exod 21:37; Exod 22:4; Exod 22:5 etc., Deut 13:13; Deut 14:24; Deut 15:7; Deut 15:12; Deut 17:2; Deut 18:6; Deut 18:21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by אִם, as Exod 21:2 when (כִּי) thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after which vExod 21:3-5 follow four special cases with אִם if: so Exod 21:7 (כי), vExod 21:8-11 (אם); vExod 21:18 (כי), vExod 21:19 (אם); vExod 21:20 (כי), vExod 21:21 (אם); vExod 21:22 f; vExod 21:28-32; Lev 1:2 (כי), vLev 1:3 vLev 1:10 (אם) Lev 4:2; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:27; Lev 4:32; Lev 13:2ff. Num 30:3ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g. Exod 21:5 with Deut 15:16; Num 5:19 and vNum 5:20. —

N.B. with כִּי = when or if, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis: 1Kgs 8:37 רָעָב ׳כִּייִֿהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ דֶּבֶר כִּי יִהְיֶה וג, Isa 28:18; Mic 5:4 אַשּׁוּר כִּייָֿבאֹ בְאַרְצֵנוּ, Ps 62:11; Ezek 3:19 (וְאַתָּה), Ezek 14:9; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 18:5; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 33:6 (compare vEzek 33:2); and especially in laws of P, as כִּי ֗֗֗ אָדָם Lev 1:2; Lev 13:2, ... נֶפֶשׁ כִּי Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15, similarly Lev 15:2; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:25; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13; Lev 22:14 etc., rather differently Num 5:20.
c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though: —
(a) with imperfect Jer 4:30 (3 t. in verse); Jer 14:12; Jer 49:16 כִּיתַֿגְבִּיהַּ כַּנֶּשֶׁר קִנֶּ֑ךָ though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence, Jer 51:53; Hos 13:15; Zech 8:6; Ps 37:24; Ps 49:19f. though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps also Jer 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Ke for), Jer 50:11 Ew Ke (Hi yea); and strengthened by גַּם, גַּם כִּי Isa 1:5; Ps 23:4 (compare Dr^{§ 143});
(b) with perf. (rare) Mic 7:8 כִּי נָפַלְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי though I have fallen, I rise, Nah 1:10 (si vera 1.), Ps 21:12 (Hi Ew Now), Ps 119:88 (Ew De).

3. Because, since ὅτι —
a. Gen 3:14 because thou hast done this, cursed art thou, etc., vGen 3:17; Gen 18:20; Gen 17:20 the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah — because it is great ... (subject prefixed for emphasis: compare 2

N.B.) Isa 28:15 in answer to a question, Gen 27:20; Exod 1:19; Exod 18:15; 2Sam 19:43 +. Enunciating the conditions under which a future action is conceived as possible (German indem) Lev 22:9; Deut 4:29 כי תדרשׁנו, Deut 12:20 (see Dr), vDeut 12:25 vDeut 12:28; Deut 13:19; Deut 14:24; Deut 16:15; Deut 19:6; Deut 19:9 +, 1Kgs 8:35 (compare v1Kgs 8:33 אֲשֶׁר), v1Kgs 8:36 כִּי תוֺרֵם, Prov 4:8b.
b. more commonly the causal sentence follows, as Gen 2:3 and God blessed the seventh day ׳כִּי בוֺ שָׁבַת וג because on it he rested, etc., Gen 4:25 etc., in which case it may often be rendered for, Gen 2:5; Gen 2:28; Gen 3:20; Gen 5:24; Gen 6:7; Gen 6:12; Gen 6:13; Ps 6:3 heal me כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָ֑י for my bones are vexed, Ps 10:14; Ps 25:16; Ps 27:10 + very often specifically after verbs expressive of mental emotions, as rejoicing Isa 14:29; Ps 58:11, being angry Gen 31:35; Gen 45:5, fearing Gen 43:18; Ps 49:17 etc. Iron. 1Kgs 18:27 for he is a god etc. (4 t.); Prov 30:4; Job 38:5 כִּי תֵדָ֑ע for or since thou knowest. With subject prefixed Ps 128:2. Repeated (with anacoluthon) Isa 49:19.
c. the causal relation expressed by כִּי is sometimes subtle, especially in poetry, and not apparent without careful study of a passage. Thus sometimes it justifies a statement or description by pointing to a pregnant fact which involves it, as Isa 3:8a Job 6:21 (ground of the comparison vJob 6:15-20), Job 14:16 (For...: ground of the wishes expressed vJob 14:13-15), Job 16:22 (ground of vJob 16:20f.) Job 30:26 (For ...), or by pointing to a general truth which it exemplifies Job 5:6 (reason why complaining vJob 5:2-5 is foolish), Job 15:34; Job 23:14 sometimes it is explicative, justifying a statement by unfolding the particulars which establish or exemplify it 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 7:8; Isa 9:4; Isa 10:8-11; Isa 13:10 (development of vIsa 13:9a); Isa 32:6 f. (developing the characters of the נָבָל and כִּילַי, and so explaining why they will no longer be esteemed vIsa 32:5); Job 11:16ff. (explicit of vJob 11:15b), Job 18:8 ff. (justifying vJob 18:7), Job 22:26 ff. (justifying vJob 22:25); elsewhere the cause is expressed indirectly or figuratively Isa 2:6 (reason why invitation vIsa 2:5 is needed), Isa 5:10 (sterility of the soil the cause of the desolation vIsa 5:9), Isa 18:5; Isa 28:8 (proof of the intoxication vIsa 28:7), Isa 31:7 (reason for the exhortation vIsa 31:6: the certainty that the folly of idolatry will soon be recognized), Job 7:21 (for soon it will be too late to pardon), Job 27:8-10 (Job wishes his enemy the lot of the wicked, because this is so hopeless); or כִּי relates not to the see which immediately precedes or follows, but to several, as Isa 7:16f. (Isa 7:17 specially the ground of the people being reduced to simple fare vIsa 7:15), Isa 21:6ff. (ground of the statements vIsa 21:1-5), Job 4:5 (ground of vJob 4:2), Job 14:7-12 (Job 14:10-12 specially the ground for the appeal in vJob 14:6), Job 23:10-13 (ground why God cannot be found vJob 23:8f.), Ps 73:21 (ground not of vPs 73:20, but of the general train of thought vPs 73:2); similarly Gen 4:24; Deut 18:14; Jer 30:11 the reason lies not in the words immediately after כִּי, but in the second part of the sentence; or, on the other hand, it may state the reason for a particular word, Isa 28:20 (justifying 'nought but terror' vIsa 28:19), Job 23:17 (God's hostility vJob 23:16 the cause of his misery, not the calamity as such). Sometimes also כִּי, in a poetic orrhetorical style, gives the reason for a thought not expressed but implied, especially the answer to a question; Isa 28:11 (the mockeries of vIsa 28:10 have a meaning) 'for with men of strange lips, etc. he will speak unto this people,' who will retort the mockeries, charged with a new and terrible meaning, upon those who uttered them (Isa 28:13); = (no,) for Isa 28:28 (see RVm), Job 22:2b no, he that is wise is profitable to himself, Job 31:18; Job 39:14 (see vJob 39:13b), Ps 44:24 (he cannot do this, vPs 44:23) for for thy sake are we killed, etc., Ps 130:4 no, with thee is forgiveness; = (yes,) for Isa 49:25 (see the question vIsa 49:24), Isa 66:8.
d. כִּי ֗֗֗ כִּי ἀσυνδέτως sometimes introduce the proximate and ultimate cause respectively, Gen 3:19; Gen 26:7; Gen 43:32; Gen 47:20; Exod 23:33 for [else] thou wilt serve their gods, for it will be a snare to thee, Isa 2:6 (twice in verse); Isa 3:8 (twice in verse); Isa 6:5a, b; Isa 10:22f.; Job 6:3f.; Job 8:8; Job 8:9 (twice in verse); Job 24:17 (twice in verse); Job 29:11f.; sometimes they introduce two co-ordinate causes (where we should insert and), Exod 23:21; Exod 23:22; Isa 6:5b,c I am undone, because I am of unclean lips..., because mine eyes have seen ׳י of hosts, Isa 15:5 (twice in verse); Isa 15:6 (twice in verse); Isa 15:8; Isa 15:9; Zeph 3:8f.; Job 15:25; Job 15:27; Job 20:19f.; Job 31:11f. But כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי also occurs, Gen 33:11; Num 5:20 (if), Josh 7:15; Judg 6:30; 1Sam 19:4; 1Sam 22:17; 1Kgs 2:26; Isa 65:16 +.
e. after a negative כִּי for becomes = but (German sondern): Gen 17:15 thou shalt not call her name Sarai, כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ for (= but) Sarah shall be her name, Gen 24:3f.; Gen 45:8; Exod 1:19; Exod 16:8 not against us are your murmurings, ׳כי עליֿ for (they are) against ׳י = but against ׳י, Deut 21:17; 1Sam 6:3 (אַל), 1Sam 27:1 (see Dr), 1Kgs 21:17; Isa 10:7; Isa 28:27; Isa 29:23; Isa 30:5; Ps 44:8; Ps 118:17 + often; so in לא כי nay, for = nay, but, as Gen 18:15 לֹא כִּי צָחָֽקְתְּ nay, but thou didst laugh, Gen 19:2; Gen 42:12; Josh 5:14; 1Sam 2:16 MSS ᵐ5 (see Dr), 1Sam 12:12; 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 2:30; 1Kgs 3:22; 1Kgs 11:22; Isa 30:16 nay, but we will flee upon horses.

Note. — כִּי is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is between for and yea. E.g. Isa 8:23 Ges Ew^{§ 330 b} doch (no, but); Hi Di for (taking vIsa 8:22 as RVm); Ch surely: Isa 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Di surely; De for: Isa 39:8 Ges Hi De surely; Di for (explanation of טוֺב): Ezek 11:16 Hi Ke Co surely; Ew Sm because. — In Exod 20:25 the tense of וַתְּחַלֲלֶהָ makes it probably that כֹּי is for (Dr^{§ 153}). Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage (גַּאֲוָה) as Hi When they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. כִּי אִםֿ (the אִם always followed by makkeph, except Gen 15:4; Num 35:33; Neh 2:2, where כִּיאִֿם is read by the Mass.: Fr^{MM 241}) —

1. each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
a. that if Jer 26:15 after an oath (כִּי not translated: see כִּי 1 c) if 1Sam 14:39; Jer 22:24, surely not (אִם 1 b 2) 2Sam 3:35; 1Sam 25:34 (כִּי being resumptive of the כִּי before לוּלֵי: see כִּי 1 c); Exod 22:22 (in apodosis) indeed if . . . (see כִּי 1 d).
b. for if Exod 8:17; Exod 9:2; Exod 10:4; +, for though Isa 10:22; Jer 37:20; Amos 5:22, but if Jer 7:5.

2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause —
a. limiting the preceding clause, except (after a negative, or an oath, or question, the equivalent of a negative) — the most usual term for expressing this idea: followed by verb Gen 32:27 I will not let thee go; כִּי אִםבֵּֿרַכְתָּֽנִי literally but (כִּי 3 e) if thou bless me (that is, I will let thee go), i.e., subordinating the second clause to the first, 'I will not let thee go, except thou bless me;' Lev 22:6 he shall not eat of the holy things כִּי אִםרָֿחַץ except he have washed his flesh, Isa 65:6; Amos 3:7; Ruth 3:18; Lam 5:21f. (Ew Näg Ke Che Öttli), turn thou us unto thee, etc., unless thou have utterly rejected us, (and) art very wroth with us (= Or hast thou utterly rejected us? etc. Ew Öttli); followed by a noun, except, but, Gen 28:17 this is nothing ׳כִּי אִםבֵּֿית הָאֱ but the house of God, Gen 32:9 he withholds from me nothing כִּי אִםאֿוֺתָךְ except thee, Lev 21:2; Num 14:30 (after אִם), Num 26:65 (compare Num 32:12 בִּלְתִּי), Josh 14:4; 1Sam 30:17; 1Sam 30:22; 2Sam 12:3 אֵין כֹּל כִּי אִםֿ (so 2Kgs 4:2), 2Kgs 19:29; 1Kgs 17:1 (after אִם), 1Kgs 22:31; 2Kgs 5:15; 2Kgs 9:35; 2Kgs 13:7; Jer 22:17; Jer 44:14 +; after אַל, 2Chr 23:6 followed by an adverb clause, Gen 42:15; Num 35:33; 2Sam 3:13 (but כִּי אִם and לִפְנֵי are mutually exclusive: read probably with ᵐ5 כִּי אִםהֵֿבֵיאתָ); after an interrogative Isa 42:19 who is blind כִּי אִםעַֿבְדִּי but my servant ? (who is blind in comparison with him ?), Deut 10:12; Mic 6:8; Eccl 5:10; 2Chr 2:5.
b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic (compare אִם 1 c), so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but (= a slightly strengthened כִּי), Gen 15:4 this man shall not be thy heir; ׳כִּי אִםאֲֿשֶׁר וג but one that shall come forth from thy own bowels, he shall be thy heir (compare 1Kgs 8:19), 1Kgs 32:29 thy name shall no more be called Jacob כִּי אִםיִֿשְׂרָאֵל but Israel (compare כִּי alone 1Kgs 17:15), 1Kgs 47:18 we will not hide it from my lord, but the money . . . is all made over to, etc., Exod 12:9 not boiled in water, but roast with fire, Deut 7:5; Deut 12:5; Deut 16:6; Josh 23:8; 1Sam 2:15 he will not take of thee boiled flesh כִּי אִםחָֽֿי׃ but raw, 1Sam 8:19 לֹא כִּי אִםמֶֿלֶךְ יִהְיֶה עָלֵינוּ nay, but a king shall be over us (compare כי alone, 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 12:12), 1Sam 21:5; 2Sam 5:6; 1Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 10:23 (פֶּן), Isa 33:21; Isa 55:10; Isa 55:11; Isa 59:2; Jer 3:10; Jer 7:32; Jer 9:23; Jer 16:15; Jer 20:3; Jer 44:10; Ps 1:2; Ps 1:4; Prov 23:17 (אַל) Psalm +; with the principal verb repeated (as Gen 15:4; 1Kgs 8:19), Lev 21:14; Ezek 44:22; Num 10:30; 2Kgs 23:23; Jer 39:12 Kt (Qr omit אִם), compare Jer 7:23. Occasionally in colloquial language, the negative, it seems, is left to be understood: 1Sam 26:10 as ׳י liveth, (by no means,) כִּי אִם but ׳י shall smite him, 2Sam 13:33 Kt (by no means,) but Amnon alone is dead (Qr omits אִם). Followed by imperative Isa 65:18; Ezek 12:23; Jer 39:12; 2Chr 25:8. Sometimes also, though rarely (and not certainly), כִּי אִם appears to have the force of only even without a previous negative: Gen 40:14 כִּי אִםזְֿכַרְתָּנִי אִתְּךָ only have (?) me in remembrance with thyself (but read perhaps אַךְ for כִּי; see Dr^{§ 119} δ n., the use of a bare perfect, without לוּ, or even waw consecutive, to express a wish or command is unexampled), Num 24:22 כִּי אִםֿ יִהְיֶה לְבָעֵר קָֽיִן׃ only, nevertheless, the Kenite shall be for extermination (compare Di), Job 42:8 (De Di) כִּי אִםפָּֿנָיו אֶשָּׂא
c. after an oath כִּי אִם appears to = a strengthened כִּי (compare בִּלְתִּי אִם, אִם ׃עַד אִם 1 c), introducing the fact sworn to (see כִּי 1 c): 2Kgs 5:20 as ׳י liveth, כִּי אִםרַֿצְתִּי surely I will run (perfect of certitude) after him, etc., Jer 51:14 (Ges Hi Gf RV) surley I will fill thee with men (namely, assailants), etc. (but Ew Ke Ch treat the particles as separate (כִּי as כִּי 1 c): though I have filled thee with men —; i.e. increased thy population, — yet shall they — the assailants — lift up the shout against thee), 2Sam 15:21 Kt (Qr omits אִם); after an assever. particle Ruth 3:12 Kt וְעַתָּה כִּי אָמְנָם כִּי אִם גּוֺאֵל אָנֹכִי and now, yea indeed, surely I am thy kinsman (Qr omits אִם); the oath being understood, Judg 15:7 if ye do thus, כִּי אִםנִֿקַּמְתִּי surely (Ges hercle) I will avenge myself, 1Sam 21:6 כִּי אִםאִֿשָּׁה עֲצֻרָה לָנוּ of a truth women have been kept from us, etc., 1Kgs 20:6 surely tomorrow I will send, etc., Prov 23:18 (see De) surely there is a reward; perhaps also Job 42:8.

BDB511 H518

אִם conjunction (= Aramaic if [and in , אֶלָּא = if not, except], Arabic if [and in = if not, except], Ethiopic (§mma) if = מָה + אִם ( + ) [and in (allâ) if not, but], Assyrian umma; also in Arabic 'An?' = , compare הַאִם: see Nö^{M p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739}; W^{AG i. § 367 e})

**ᵑ7^{Onk Jon} אִם, ᵑ7^Hag אין.

1. hypothetical particle if.
a. construction (see more fully Dr^{§ 136-138, 143} Friedrich^{Die Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884}): (1) with imperfect (continued by perfects & waw consecutive; apodosis usually begins with perfect & waw consecutive or bare imperfect; or, if necessary, with imperative or jussive)
(a) of future time: Gen 18:26 אִםאֶֿמְצָא if I shall find 50 righteous in Sodom, וְנָשָׂאתִי I will pardon, etc., Gen 24:8; Gen 32:9; Deut 1:52 b 1Kgs 6:12; Ps 89:31; Gen 42:37; Judg 13:16; 1Kgs 1:52 a Ps 132:12.
(b) of past time (rare, but classical): Gen 31:8 אִם יאֹמַר if everhe said . . . וְיָָֽלְדִוּ then they used to bear, etc., Exod 40:37 & in the protestations Job 31:7; Job 31:13; Job 31:16; Job 31:25 etc. (alternating with pff., see below, & with jussives in apodosis)
(c) assuming a purely imaginary case (with imperfect in both clauses, like the double optative in Greek), if, though: Gen 13:16 so that אִםיֿוּכַל if a man were able to number the stars, thy seed also יִמָּנֶה might be numbered, Num 22:18; Isa 1:18 כַּשָּׁנִים יַלְבִּינוּ ׳אִםיִֿהְיוּ ח though your sins were as scarlet, they should become white as snow, Amos 9:2-4 אִםיַֿחְתְּרוּ though they were to dig into Sheôl, from thence תִּקָּחֵם would my hand fetch them, Ps 27:3; Ps 139:8 +. (2) with participle (expressing either a present process, or an approaching future: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 24:42; Gen 24:49; Judg 6:36; Judg 9:15; Judg 11:9 אִם מְשִׁיבִים אַתֶּם if ye are going to bring me back . . . ׳וְנָתַן י then ׳י will, etc.; similarly with יֵשׁ or אֵין Gen 44:26; Exod 22:2; 1Sam 20:8; 1Sam 23:23 & with no explicit copula Deut 22:2; Deut 25:2; Lev 1:3; Lev 1:14, etc. (3) with perfect
(a) of future or present time (continued by perfects & waw consecutive: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 43:9 אִםלֹֿא הֲבִיאֹתִיו אֵלֶיךָ וְהִצַּגְתִּיו לְפָנֶיךָ if I do not bring him back (si eum non reduxero) and set him before thee, I will be guilty for ever, Gen 47:6 if thou knowest that there are men of worth among them וְשַׂמְתָּם then make them, etc., Judg 16:17; 2Sam 15:33; 2Kgs 7:4; Ps 41:7; Ps 94:18; Job 7:4; Job 9:30f. Job 10:14 אִם חָטָאתִי וּשְׁמַרְתָּ֑נִי if I sin, thou watchest me. On אִםנָֿא Gen 18:3 and elsewhere see נָא.
(b) of past time, whether
(a) in actual fact, or (β) in an assumed case (the perfect is here continued by the imperfect and waw consecutive; apodosis begins as before).
(a) Judg 9:16-19 אִם ֗֗֗ עֲשִׂיתֶם if ye have done honestly וַתַּמְלִיכוּ and have made Abimelech king . . ., 1Sam 26:19 especially in protestations, as Ps 7:4 אִם עָשִׂיתִי זאת if I have done this . . ., let the enemy pursue my soul, etc. Jer 33:25f.; Job 31:5f; Job 31:9, etc.
(b) Num 5:27 if she have defiled herself וַתִּמְעֹל and been faithless, וּבָאוּ then shall they come, etc., Num 15:24; Num 35:22-24.
(c) with bare perfect in apodosis, in sense of If ... had ..., only Deut 32:30 אִםלֹֿא כִּי were it not that ..., Ps 73:15. (לוּ is more usual in such cases.) (4) with infinitive once (si vera 1.) Job 9:27 אִם אָמְרִי = if I say (literally if (there is) my saying). — Note that the verb following אִם is often strengthened by the infinitive absolute, as Exod 15:26; Exod 19:5; Exod 21:5; Exod 22:3; Exod 22:12; Exod 22:16; Exod 22:22; Judg 11:30; Judg 14:12; Judg 16:11 etc.; compare Dr^{Sm i. 20, 6}.

b. Special uses: (1) repeated ... אִם אִם whether ... or (sive ... sive) Exod 19:13; Deut 18:3; 2Sam 15:21 similarly אִם ֗֗֗ וְאִם Gen 31:52; Jer 42:6; Ezek 2:5; Eccl 11:3; Eccl 12:14 (compare ... , ... PS²⁵⁰; ... & ... ).(2) After an oath (expressed, or merely implied) אִם (the formula of imprecation being omitted) becomes an emphatic negative, and אִםלֹֿא an emphatic affirmative: 2Sam 11:11 by thy life אִםאֶֿעֱשֶׂה אֶתהַֿדָּבָר הַזֶּה (may God bring all manner of evil upon me) if I do this thing! = surely I will not do this thing! (compare the full phrases in 1Sam 3:17; 2Kgs 6:31) Gen 14:23; Gen 42:15; Num 14:23; 1Sam 3:14; 1Sam 19:6; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 3:14 & often; Isa 22:14; Ps 89:36; Ps 95:11; Job 6:28 אִםלֹֿא Num 14:28; Josh 14:9; 1Kgs 20:23; 2Kgs 9:26; Isa 5:9; Isa 14:24; Jer 15:11; Jer 49:20; Job 1:11 + especially Ezekiel; after a negative clause, emphasizing a contrasted idea, Gen 24:38 (where the explanation by Aramaic אֶלָּא is not supported by Hebrew usage), compare Jer 22:6. Repeated, אִם ֗֗֗ וְאִם 2Sam 20:20; 2Kgs 3:14; Isa 62:8; Jer 38:16; Ezek 14:16. In adjurations (with 2nd or 3rd person) = that not Gen 21:23; Gen 26:29; Gen 31:50; 1Sam 24:22; 1Kgs 1:51; Song 2:7; Song 3:5 +. Of past or present time: 1Sam 25:34 as ׳י liveth (I say) that, unless thou hadst hastened ..., כִּי אִם נוֺתַר that surely there had not been left ...! 1Sam 17:55 as thy soul liveth אִםיָֿדַעְתִּי if I Know it! 1Kgs 17:12; 1Kgs 18:10 — both אִםיֵֿשׁ (כִּי here merely introduces the fact sworn to, & need not be translated; so 2Sam 3:35: see כִּי); Ps 121:2 אִםלֹֿא (after a negative clause: compare above Gen 24:38). compare Str^{§ 90}.(3) Part, of wishing, if but ...! oh that ...! (rare) Ps 81:9 If thou wouldest hearken to me! Ps 95:7; Ps 139:19; Prov 24:11. compare Exod 32:32. With an imperative (si vera lectio) Job 34:16 וְאִםִֿבּינָה; and with an anacoluthon, Gen 23:13 (P) אִםאַֿתָּה לוּ שְׁמָעֵנִי if thou! — oh that thou wouldst hear me!(4) Nearly = when — with the perfect:
(a) of past, Gen 38:9; Num 21:9 וְהָיָה אִםנָֿשַׁךְ ֗֗֗ וְרָאָה and it used to be, if or when a serpent had bitten a man, that he would look, etc., Judg 6:3; Ps 78:34 (see Dr^{§ 136} δ Obs.); Amos 7:2.
(b) of present or future, Isa 4:4 אִם רָחַץ when the Lord shall have washed, Isa 24:13; Isa 28:25 compare Num 36:4 (with the imperfect)
c. Compounded with other particles: —
(a) בִּלְתִּי אִם except if, except, Gen 47:18; Judg 7:14; Amos 3:3; Amos 3:4. (β) הֲלוֺא אִם 2Kgs 20:19 (for which Isa 39:7 has sim-ply כִּי), perhaps Is it not (good), if ...? (De Di). (γ) כִּיאִֿם, q. v. (δ) עַד אִם Gen 24:19; Gen 24:33; Isa 30:17; Ruth 2:21, & עַד אֲשֶׁר אִם Gen 28:15; Num 32:17; Isa 6:11, until, properly until if or when. (ε) רַק אִם if only (see below רַק). אִםלֹֿא in Ezek 3:6b is very difficult. The Vrss render If I had sent, etc., implying לֻא for אִםלֹֿא (for Ew's אִםלֻֿא = אִלּוּ, q. v., is precarious): Ges Hi Co 'but (אִםלֹֿא after a negative, compare above Gen 24:38; Ps 131:2) unto them (Israel) have I sent thee: they can understand thee' (but understand is a dubious rendering of שָׁמַע אֶל).

2. Interrogative particle a. in direct question:
(a) alone (not frequently and usually = Num? expecting the answer No, especially in a rhet. style): Gen 38:17; 1Kgs 1:27; Judg 5:8 מָגֵן אִםיֵֿרָאֶה וָרֹמַח was there a shield to be seen or a spear ...?Isa 29:16 and repeated Amos 3:6; Jer 48:27; Job 6:12.
(b) more frequently in disjunctive interrogation:
(a) הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם, expressing a real alternative Josh 5:13 הֲלָנוּ אַתָּה אִםלְֿצָרֵינוּ art thou for us, or for our enemies? Judg 9:2; 1Kgs 22:6; 1Kgs 22:15: more often expressing a merely formal alternative, especially in poetry (a rhetorical Num?) Gen 37:8; Num 11:12; Num 11:22; Judg 11:25b 2Sam 19:36; Isa 10:15; Isa 66:8; Jer 3:5; Hab 3:8; Ps 77:10; Ps 78:20; Job 4:17; Job 6:5; Job 6:6; Job 10:4; Job 10:5; Job 11:7 etc. (β) הֲ ֗֗֗ וְאִם (rarer than הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם, but similar in use) 2Sam 24:13 (a real alt.); Isa 49:24; Isa 50:2; Jer 5:9 (Jer 5:29 אִם) Jer 14:22; Joel 1:2; Joel 4:4; Job 8:3; Job 11:2; Job 21:4; Job 22:3; Job 34:17; Job 40:8f. (formal); Gen 17:17 P (with an anacoluthon) shall a child ...? וְאִםשָֿׂרָה הֲבַתתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה תֵּלֵד or Sarah, — shall she that is 90 years old bear? Prov 27:24 (וְאִם after negative clause),
b. in oblique interrogation, if, whether:
(a) alone, after verbs of seeing, inquiring, etc. 2Kgs 1:2; Jer 5:1; Jer 30:6; Mal 3:10; Ps 139:24; Song 7:13; Lam 1:12; Ezra 2:59 once מִי יוֺדֵעַ אִם who knoweth if ...? i.e. (like haud scio an) perhaps Esth 4:14 (older synonym מִי יוֺדֵעַ alone: see 2Sam 12:22; Joel 2:14; Jonah 3:9).
(b) disjunctively הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם Gen 27:21; Num 13:18-20 so אִם ֗֗֗ וְאִם Josh 24:15.
c. compounded with הֲ, הַאִם Num 17:28 הַאִם תַּמְנוּ לִגְוֺעַ probably an emphatic Num? Shall we ever have finished dying? Job 6:13 difficult: perhaps Is it that my help is not in me? (a forcible means of expressing that that which might be thought impossible is nevertheless the case); Hi as an aposiop., If my help is not in me (am I still to wait) ? (The view that הַאִם = הֲלֹא nonne? is inconsistent with the fact that אִם in a question has regularly the force of Num?)

אֵם see אמם. Below

אַמָּה, אֻמָּה see אמם.

BDB9477 H2005 H2006 H518 H3861

הֵן conjunction if, whether (Biblical Hebrew הֵן, q. v.: Zenjirli, Egyptian Aramaic (S-C^{Pap. A 7} +), Palmyrene, Nabataean הן, Mandean הין if [ᵑ7^{Onk Jon} use אם, ᵑ7^Jer אין, Syriac ]); —

1. if, Dan 2:6; Dan 3:15; Dan 3:17; Dan 4:24; Dan 5:16; Dan 5:17, הֵן לָא ֗֗֗ Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 3:15 vDan 3:18 הֵן לָ֔א if not.

2. repeated, הֵן ֗֗֗ הֵן sive ... sive, whether ... or (compare Biblical Hebrew אִם, 1 b 1), Ezra 7:26 (so Palmyrene^{Tariff ii.c.19}).

3. in indirect question, whether (compare אִם, 2 b), Ezra 5:17b יִתְבַּקַּר ֗֗֗ הֵן אִיתַי ֗֗֗ . — See also לָהֵן. p. 50, 243, 1099

הַסִּק etc., see סלק Haph`el

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke^{217, 219, 241} S-C^{Pap. C 6, 7} +; lâinnî, however Soc^{Arab. Dial.} see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.

2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

Strong's Definition H518

if, or, though, surely, not, …

ʾim

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

if

conditional clauses

of possible situations

no, not

Variations 8 forms of this word

Translations 138 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אֲנִי · uh-NEE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Pp1cs

Noun — Common, singular

	Speech Noun Type Common Number Singular
	Speech Pronoun Type Personal Person First Person Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: i

i ×503 and i ×77 but i ×32 as i ×23 am i ×12 them i ×11 will i ×11 then i ×9

More options

I — Standard first-person subject pronoun; default choice.

me — Use when pronoun is object of verb or preposition.

myself — Use for reflexive or emphatic constructions.

I myself — Emphatic; stresses personal agency or contrast.

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.

BDB591 H589

אֲנִי, אָ֫נִי pronoun 1 singular, common I (, אֲנָא, , ) Gen 6:17; Gen 9:9; Gen 9:12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future]) Gen 18:17 הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִי Amos I hiding from Abraham that which, etc., Judg 15:3; 1Sam 3:13; Jer 1:12; Jer 38:14; Jer 44:29 (see Dr^{§ 135,4}). Appended to a verb, it expresses, in early Hebrew, a real emphasis, as Judg 8:23 לֹא אֶמְשֹׁל אֲנִי בָּכֶם I will not rule over you, 2Sam 12:28 lest I take the city, 2Sam 17:15 thus and thus did Ahitophel counsel, and thus and thus יָעַצְתִּי אָ֫נִי did I counsel; but in later Hebrew It is sometimes pelonastc, Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 2:18; Eccl 2:20 +. In response to a question, אָ֫נִי alone = I am, It is I, Gen 27:24; Judg 13:11; 1Kgs 18:8 +. With הֲֶ הַאֲנִי Isa 66:9. (Synonym אָנֹכִּי, q. v.)

BDB9313 H576 H589

אֲנָה pronoun 1 singular I (= Hebrew אֲנִי, q. v.: Zenjirli, Cilician, Egyptian Aramaic אנךְ (Cooke^{182; 104; 208}; S-C^oft), Nabataean נח . . . (Lzb²²¹); ᵑ7 אנא, Syriac ); — I, Dan 2:30; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:27; Dan 5:16, before a participle Dan 3:25; Dan 4:34, after a participle (K^{§ 76, 2b}) Dan 2:8 מִןיַֿצִּיב יָדַע אֲנָה, vDan 2:23; Dan 4:4 followed by a proper name Dan 4:1 אֲנָה נבוכדנצר שְׁלֵח חֲוֵית, v.Dan 4:15 v.Dan 4:34; Dan 7:15; Ezra 6:12; Ezra 7:21, as nom. pendens ['hanging' noun clause], Dan 4:31; Dan 7:28 emphasizing a suffix (K^{§ 87, 3}) Dan 7:15; Ezra 7:21 (compare S-C^{B 8, J 12, K3.5}).

Strong's Definition H589

i, me, myself, we, which, …

ʾănî

I

I (first pers. sing.—usually used for emphasis)

Variations 13 forms of this word

Translations 114 English renderings

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Word Parts

אֽוּכַל

Root word could, able, cannot, prevail, can, …

Dictionary form: יָכֹל · yaw-KOLE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqi1cs

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

אֽוּכַל

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person First Person Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: prevail

could ×17 cannot ×12 able ×10 be able ×10 i cannot ×10 prevail ×9 can ×8 but they could ×5

More options

be able — Broadest fit; works in most syntactic contexts.

can — Natural present-tense modal; prefer for simple capability.

could — Past tense or conditional contexts; very common usage.

prevail — Use when the sense is overcoming resistance or opposition.

manage — Colloquial; suits contexts of straining or barely succeeding.

succeed — Emphasizes outcome achieved after effort or struggle.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3539 H3201

יָכֹל, יָכוֺל₁₉₃ verb be able, have power prevail, endure (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יְכִיל; Assyrian akâlu, Hpt in KAT^{2 Gloss i},) —

Qal Perfect יָכֹל Gen 32:26 + 8 t.; יָכוֺל 1Sam 4:15 + 2 t.; 3 feminine singular יָכְלָה Gen 36:7; Exod 2:3 2 masculine singular וְיָכָלְתָּ֫ Exod 18:23 1 singular יָכֹלְתִּי Gen 30:8 + 2 t.; suffix יְכָלְתִּיו Ps 13:5 3 plural יָכְ֑לוּ Gen 13:6 + 27 t. + Josh 15:63 Qr; יָכֹ֑לוּ Exod 8:14 + 2 t.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יוּכָל Gen 13:16 + 34 t.; יוּכָ֑ל Job 4:2 + 4 t.; וַיֻּכָ֑ל Hos 12:5 3 feminine singular תּוּכַל Amos 7:10 + 2 t.; 2 masculine singular תּוּכַל Gen 15:5 + 16 t.; 1 singular אוּכַל Gen 19:19 + 30 t., etc. (on these Imperfect forms as irregular Qal, see Ges^{«GKC:2»§ 2}, R. 3 Kö^{i. 407} W^{SG 237}; others Hoph`al); Infinitive construct יְכֹ֫לֶת Num 14:16; Deut 9:28 Infinitive absolute יָכוֺל Num 13:20; 2Chr 32:13 יָכֹל Num 22:38; 1Sam 26:25 P 8 t. (not Leviticus), Ezek 3 t.; often J E D Jeremiah, Isa², not seldom in Samuel Kings Chronicles; —

1. be able, to do a thing, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority; usually of man Gen 13:16 (J) +, but also of gods 2Chr 32:13; 2Chr 32:15, and of ׳י Num 14:16 (JE), Deut 9:28; Jer 44:22 occasionally of inanimate things Amos 7:10; Gen 36:7 (P), Song 8:7; Eccl 1:15 (twice in verse), etc.:
a. usually followed by infinitive with לְ (122 t.), Gen 31:35 I am not able to rise up; Gen 45:1 Joseph was not able to restrain himself, vGen 45:3; Gen 48:10; Exod 7:21; Exod 7:24 were not able to drink, Exod 12:39; Josh 24:19 (all E); Gen 13:16 if a man can number the dust, Gen 19:19; Gen 19:22; Gen 43:32; Gen 44:22; Gen 44:26 (twice in verse); Exod 10:5; Exod 19:23 (all J), Gen 15:5; Exod 15:23; Num 11:14 (all J E) + 10 t. J E; Deut 7:17 + 10 t. D; Gen 13:6 they could not dwell together, Gen 34:14; Gen 36:7; Exod 9:11; Exod 40:35; Num 9:6; Josh 9:19 (all P); 1Sam 3:2; 1Sam 6:20; 1Kgs 9:21 (on || 2Chr 8:8 and text of Judg 1:19 see Bu^{RS 8}), Amos 7:10; Hos 5:13; Zeph 1:18; Jer 6:10; Jer 11:11; Jer 13:23; Jer 18:6; Jer 19:11 +.
b. followed by infinitive without לְ (27 t.; not P): Gen 37:4; Exod 2:3; Exod 18:18; Exod 18:23 (all E), Gen 24:50; Gen 44:1 (J), Num 22:37; Num 22:38 (JE), Deut 1:9; Deut 7:22; Deut 14:24; Deut 22:29; Judg 8:3; Jer 49:10; Jer 49:23; Hab 1:13; Isa 46:2; Isa 47:11; Isa 47:12; Isa 57:20; Lam 1:14; Ps 18:39; Ps 36:13; Ps 78:20; Prov 30:21; Job 4:2; Job 33:5.
c. with infinitive implicit, always negative, Gen 29:8 go and feed them; and they said, We are not able, cannot (J), Exod 8:14 (P), Isa 29:11; Jer 20:9; Ps 21:12; Jonah 1:13.
d. with negative = may not (of moral inability): Gen 43:32 (J) the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; Judg 21:18 we may not give them wives; especially D, Deut 7:22; Deut 12:17; Deut 14:24; Deut 16:5; Deut 17:15; Deut 22:3; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:35.
e. be able, followed by imperfect: אוּלַי אוּכַל נַכֶּה Num 22:6 (JE) perchance I am able (so that) we smite (see Di; read perhaps נוּכַל for אוּכַל Ges^{«GKC:120»§ 120}, 1 b); לֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ Lam 4:14 they are unable, they touch = are unable to touch (Dr^{§ 163}, Obs.) feminine be able, followed by perfect consecutive, only very late, אוּכַל וְרָאִיתִי Esth 8:6 (twice in verse), literally how shall I be able and see? — Also in various combinations where English idiom would make it an auxiliary to another verb:
g. able to gain, accomplish: followed by acc לֹא יוּכְלוּ נִקָּיוֺן Hos 8:5 how long will they be unable (to gain) innocence? יָדַעְתִּ֯ כִּיכֹֿל תּוּכָ֑ל Job 42:2 I know that thou art able (to do) all things; אֵין הַמֶּלֶךְ יוּכַל אֶתְכֶם דָּבָר Jer 38:5 the king is not (one who is) able (to do) anything with (אֶתְכם for אִתְּכֶם see Gf, i.e. against) you.
h. able to endure: לֹא אוּכַל אָוֶן וַעֲצָרָה Isa 1:13 I cannot endure iniquity and (with) a solemn assembly, Ps 101:5.
i. able to reach, followed by לְ, Ps 139:6 it is high, לֹא אוּכַל לָהּ I cannot (reach) to it.

2. prevail:
a. absolute prevail, overcome, be victor Gen 30:8 (E), Gen 32:29 (J), Hos 12:5; 1Sam 26:25; 1Kgs 22:22 = 2Chr 18:21; Jer 20:7; Jer 20:11 of waves Jer 5:22 succeed Isa 16:12; Jer 3:5 (VB hast had they way).
b. followed by לְ person, prevail against, over Gen 32:26 (J), Num 13:30 (JE), Judg 16:5; 1Sam 17:9; Jer 1:19; Jer 15:20; Jer 20:10; Jer 38:22; Obad 1:7; Ps 129:2; Esth 6:13.
c. once with suffix, יְכָלְתִּיו Ps 13:5 I have prevailed over him, + Zech 9:15 (where read וְיָכְלוּם for וְאָֽכְלוּ with ᵐ5 ᵑ7 Klo^{ThLZ 1879. 564} Sta^{ZAW 1881, 18}).

3. absolute have ability, strength, only negative מִשְּׂאֵתוֺ לֹא אוּכָ֑ל Job 31:23 because of his loftiness I have no ability, am inadequate (to anything).

BDB9581 H3202 H3201

יְכִל (K^{§ 25, a}) β)) verb be able (Daniel) (ᵑ7; Nabataean (rare) SAC⁶⁰; Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{E 8, 11}+; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic Schulth⁸³; Biblical Hebrew יָכֹל); —

Pe`al 1. with Infinitive be able to do:Perfect 3 masculine singular יְכִל Dan 6:21 (subject God), 2 masculine singular יְכֵ֫לְתָּ Dan 2:47 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יוּכַל (Hebraism, K^{§ 43, 1. Beisp. b})) vDan 2:10, יִכֻּל Dan 3:29 (subject a god), 2 masculine singular תוכל Dan 5:16 (twice in verse) (<both Qr תִּכּוּל, K^l.c.); Participle יָכִל Dan 3:17; Dan 4:34 (both subject God); plural יָָֽכְּ לִין Dan 2:27; Dan 4:15; Dan 6:5.

2. prevail (Biblical Hebrew

2.) against (ל), Participle feminine singular יָָֽכְלָה Dan 7:21.

Strong's Definition H3201

could, able, cannot, prevail, can, …

yākōl

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able

(Qal)

to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach

Variations 46 forms of this word

Translations 90 English renderings

Word Parts

ל וֹ֙

ל

Preposition to, for

וֹ֙

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp3ms

Preposition

ל	Speech Preposition
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

Search every verse

Word Parts

וְ הִכִּיתִ֔י ו

וְ

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

הִכִּיתִ֔י

Root word smote, smite, slew, smitten, slain, …

ו

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: נָכָה · naw-KAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vhp1cs/Sp3ms

Verb — Hiphil, Perfect (Qatal), first person singular causative — "he made (someone) do" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "I"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
הִכִּיתִי	Speech Verb Stem Hiphil Type Perfect (Qatal) Person First Person Number Singular
ו	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: against him and kill

and smote ×52 smote ×52 smite ×23 slew ×22 and he smote ×14 and they smote ×13 and slew ×12 and smite ×12

More options

strike — Broad, everyday term; suits most physical-blow contexts.

slay — Prefer for lethal intent; slightly elevated but not archaic.

beat — Use when repeated blows or punishment are in view.

kill — Plain and direct; best when death is the clear outcome.

wound — Use when the victim survives but is injured.

slaughter — Mass or violent killing; strong register, war or sacrifice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5192 H5221

[נָכָה]₅₀₁ verb smite (not in Qal) (Late Hebrew Hiph`il id.; Perfect 3 plural הכו SI⁴, Infinitive [ת]להכ ib. 2; Syriac , laesit, nocuit, repugnavit; Aph`el laesit, vulneravit; Ethiopic laesit, nocuit; compare Arabic be defeated, the inflicting of injury on an enemy Lane³⁰³⁸); —

Niph`al Perfect וְנִכָּה וָמֵת consecutive 2Sam 11:15 and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die.

Pu`al Perfect 3 feminine singular נֻכָּ֑תָה Exod 9:31 3 plural נֻכּוּ vExod 9:32 (J), both be smitten down by the hail.

Hiph`il₄₈₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular הִכָּה Exod 9:25 +; suffix וְהִכַּ֫נִי consecutive Gen 32:12, הִכָּם Jer 5:6 2 masculine singular הִכִּ֫יתָ Exod 17:5 +; 1 singular הִכֵּיתִי Judg 15:16 +, וְהִכֵּתִ֫י Exod 3:20 +; 3 plural הִכּוּ Gen 19:11 +; 2 masculine plural הִכִּיתֶם Jer 37:10 + 3 t. consecutive; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַכֶּה Exod 21:20 +, יַךְ Hos 6:1 (but read וַיַּךְ We Now GASm); וְיַח Hos 14:6 (see below); וַיַּכֶּה Josh 10:40 +, usually וַיַּךְ Exod 2:12 +; suffix 2 masculine singular יַכֶּ֫כָּה Jer 40:15 + 2 t., 3 masculine singular וַיַּכּוֺ 2Sam 14:6 (but read וַיַּךְ ᵐ5. ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th We Dr Klo Kit Bu HPS), יַכֶּ֫נּוּ 1Sam 17:25 + 2 t.; usually וַיַּכֵּ֫הוּ Num 21:24 +; 3 feminine singular וַתַּךְ Jonah 4:7; Jonah 4:8 2 masculine singular תַּכֶּה Exod 2:13 +; suffix 3 masculine singular תַּכֶּ֫נּוּ Prov 23:13; Prov 23:14 1 singular אַכֶּה 1Sam 18:11 +; וָאַכֶּה Neh 13:25, וָאַךְ Exod 9:15 3 masculine plural יַכוּ Mic 4:14 usually וַיַּכּוּ Gen 14:5 + (1Sam 4:2 read probably Hoph`al q. v.); 1 plural נַכֶּהֿ Num 22:6 וַנַךְ Deut 2:33, etc.; Imperative הַכֵּה Ezek 6:11, הַךְ Amos 9:1 +; masculine plural הַכּוּ 2Sam 13:28, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַכֵּה Deut 3:16 +, הַכּוֺת 2Kgs 3:24 (Ges^{«GKC:75ff»§ 75ff}); cstr. הַכּוֺת Gen 4:15 +, etc.; Participle מַכֶּה Exod 2:11 +; construct מַכֵּה Exod 21:12 +; plural מַכִּים 1Sam 4:8 +, etc.; —

1. a. literally, smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike, followed by accusative, ass Num 22:23; Num 22:25; Num 22:27 (בְּמַקֵּל), vNum 22:28 vNum 22:32 (all J); man Exod 21:15; Exod 21:19 (E); cheeks Job 16:10 man (on) cheek (2 accusative) Lam 3:30; Ps 3:8 man עַללְֿחִי Mic 4:14 (ב instrumental), 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23 eye Exod 21:26 (E); שֵׁבֶט מַכֵּךְ Isa 14:29 (figurative of conqueror); with (בׅ stone or fist Exod 21:18 (E), compare (figurative) Isa 58:4 (absolute); smite lion or bear 1Sam 17:35 strike river (with rod מַטֶּה) 1Sam 7:17 (with עַל object, + ב instrumental), v1Sam 7:20; Exod 17:5 (E; ב instrumental), also (with mantle) 2Kgs 2:8; 2Kgs 2:14 (twice in verse), compare ׳י smiting Euphrates into (לׅ seven streams Isa 11:15 dust Exod 8:12; Exod 8:13 (P); rock Exod 17:6 (E), Num 20:11 (P; ב instrumental), Ps 78:20 figurative smite earth בְּשֵׁבֶט פִּיו Isa 11:4 (of future Davidic king); strike on ground (אַ֫רְצָה; with arrows) 2Kgs 13:18, also (absolute) v2Kgs 13:18 v2Kgs 13:19 strike weapons out of (מִן) hands, Ezek 39:3 (׳י; figurative of making powerless); lintel of door Amos 9:1 barley-loaf strikes tent Judg 7:13 (in dream); in figure of regret, remorse וַיַּךְ לֵב דָּוִד אֹתוֺ 2Sam 24:10 and David's heart smote him, so 1Sam 24:6 (+ עַלאֲֿשֶׁר because); of goat smiting (butting with horn) the ram, so as to break its horns Dan 8:7 (in vision); smite = hit with missile, sling-stone 1Sam 17:49 (with accusative of person + אֶלמִֿצְחוֺ), compare 2Kgs 3:25 (but text perhaps corrupt, see Benz); arrow, 1Kgs 22:34 = 2Chr 18:33 (with accusative of person + בֵּין), 2Kgs 9:24 (c. id.); of piercing, הַכּוֺת בַּחֲנִית בְּדָוִד וּבַקִּיר 1Sam 19:10 smite with the dart into David and into the wall, pin David to the wall, בַּקִּיר ׳וַיַּךְ אֶתהַֿח v1Sam 19:10, compare 1Sam 18:11, אַכֶּנּוּ בַחֲנִית וּבָאָרֶץ 1Sam 26:8.
b. smite repeatedly, beat, a man Exod 2:11; Exod 2:13 (E), Exod 5:16 (J), Neh 13:25 (מִן partitive), compare Deut 25:11 here probably also 1Kgs 20:35 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 20:37 (twice in verse) (הַכֵּה וּפָצֹעַ beating and bruising him); of Assyria under figure of taskmaster Isa 10:24 beat a woman so as to bruise her (פָּצַע) Song 5:7 beat by authority, scourge Jer 20:2; Jer 37:15; Deut 25:2; Deut 25:3 (with accusative of person + accusative of congnate meaning with verb מַכָּה רַבָּה), vDeut 25:3 compare כִּן הַכּוֺת vDeut 25:2 i.e. worthy of scourging, bastinado, (compare Dr); 2Chr 25:16; Prov 17:10; Prov 19:25; Prov 23:13; Prov 23:14 (ב instrumental); compare גֵּוִי נָחַתִּי לְמַכִּים Isa 50:6 of hail, beat down herbage etc. Exod 9:25 (twice in verse) (compare Pu`al).
c. וַיַּכּוּ כַף 2Kgs 11:12 and they clapped hands (in applause); elsewhere only Ezek., in mockery; כַּף אֶלכַּֿף Ezek 21:19; Ezek 21:22 בְּכַפְּךָ Ezek 6:11 (|| רְקַּע בְּרַגְלְךָ; accusative כַּפִּי Ezek 22:13.
d. give a thrust (with fork) into (ב) pot 1Sam 2:14 strike roots Hos 14:6 (in figurative, but וַיֵּלְכוּ We Now).
e. rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound 1Kgs 8:28, so (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb מַכָּה) v1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 9:18 = 2Chr 22:6 figurative of ׳י's wounding Israel Hos 6:1 (opposed to חָבַשׁ bind up), Jer 30:14 (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb). compare smite with (ב) the tongue Jer 18:18. feminine smite, of sun, etc., with accusative of person Isa 49:10; Ps 121:6 with עַל Jonah 4:8.

2. Smite fatally:
a. (subject man) smite, with accusative, + word of killing (dying): — object lion and bear 1Sam 17:35 man Exod 21:12; Exod 21:20 (E), Josh 10:26 (JE), Josh 11:17 (D), 1Sam 17:50; 2Sam 1:15; 2Sam 2:31 (מִן partitive + ב among), 2Sam 4:7; 2Sam 14:6; 2Sam 18:15; 2Sam 21:17; 1Kgs 16:10; 2Kgs 12:22; 2Kgs 15:30; 2Kgs 25:21 = Jer 52:27; 2Kgs 25:25; Jer 41:2; Num 35:16; Num 35:17; Num 35:18; Num 35:21 (P; all with ב instrumental); with accusative + אֶלחֹֿמֶשׁ + ב instrumental 2Sam 2:23 smote him (fatally) in the belly with (on text see HPS), 2Sam 20:10, compare 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 4:6 (but strike out ᵐ5 Ew Th We Dr Bu HPS); וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ Deut 19:11 and he smite him in his life (mortally), and he die, compare (without word of dying) vDeut 19:6; Gen 37:21 (J), Jer 40:14; Jer 40:15 [otherwise Lev 24:17; Lev 24:18; Lev 35:15; Lev 35:30; Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9]; with prolepsis לְהַכּוֺת חֲלָלִים smite the slain Judg 20:31; Judg 20:39 + אַ֫רְצָה smite to the ground i.e. kill 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 18:11.
b. smite, of worm gnawing or boring so as to kill plant Jonah 4:7.
c. very often = kill, slay, man or beast (c. 150 t.): Gen 4:15; Gen 8:21 (exterminate; both J), Exod 2:12; Num 21:35 (E), Josh 7:5 (מִן partitive), vJosh 7:5 (JE), Deut 19:6; Deut 21:1; Deut 27:24; Deut 27:25; Josh 11:10 (ב instrumental; all D), Lev 24:17; Lev 24:18; Lev 24:21 (twice in verse) (H), Num 35:11; Num 35:15; Num 35:21; Num 35:24; Num 35:30; Josh 9:18; Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9 (all P), Judg 15:16; 1Sam 17:9 (twice in verse); 1Sam 17:36; 2Sam 12:9 (ב instrumental), 2Kgs 9:7 (exterminate), etc.; with ב among 1Sam 23:5, מִן partitive Judg 14:19; Judg 20:45 with ב partitive slay at, work slaughter among 2Sam 23:10 (insert also in || 1Chr 11:13 see Be^{on the passage} Dr^{2Sam 23:10}), but also ב of direct object 1Sam 18:7; 1Sam 21:12; 1Sam 29:5 subject lion 1Kgs 20:36 (twice in verse) compare Jer 5:6 (figurative of judgment); ׳י subject 1Sam 6:19b (ב among, + accusative of congnate meaning with verb; 1Sam 6:19 a וַיַּךְ corrupt see ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kl Kit Bu HPS); slay firstborn Exod 12:2 (J), vExod 12:29; Num 3:13; Num 8:17; Num 33:4 (all P), Ps 78:51; Ps 105:36; Ps 135:8 God slays for (עַל) sin 2Sam 6:7 = 1Chr 13:10 (עַלאֲֿשֶׁר); slay לְפִיחֶֿרֶב Deut 13:16; Deut 20:13; (all D), Judg 18:27; Judg 21:10; 1Sam 22:9; 2Kgs 10:25; Jer 21:7; Job 1:15; Job 1:17 kill, slay, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb (מַכָּה) 1Sam 14:14; 1Kgs 20:21 (ב among), 2Chr 13:17 (בָּהֶם), 2Chr 25:13 (מֵהֶם); with accusative of person + accusative of congnate meaning with verb Josh 10:20 (JE), Esth 9:5, etc.; kill unwittingly, unintentionally הִכָּה בִבְלִי דַ֫עַת Deut 19:4; Josh 20:5 (both D).

3. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company Gen 32:9; Gen 32:12; Gen 34:30; Josh 8:21; Judg 8:11; Judg 9:43; 2Kgs 8:21; 2Chr 21:9 attack and capture a city Judg 1:8 vJudg 1:12 = Josh 15:16 (JE), Josh 7:3; Josh 10:4 (JE), 1Sam 30:1; 1Kgs 15:20 = 2Chr 16:4; 2Kgs 15:16 (twice in verse); 1Chr 20:1; 2Chr 14:13; Jer 47:1 tents 1Chr 4:41; 2Chr 14:14 = sack a city לְפִיחֶֿרֶב (slaying inhabitants), Josh 8:24; Josh 19:47 (both J E), Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37 compare vJosh 10:39 (all D), Judg 1:25; Judg 20:37; 2Sam 15:14 especially defeat king or army (involving often overthrow, pursuit and slaughter), — approximately 95 t., — Gen 14:5; Gen 14:15; Gen 14:17; Num 14:45; Num 21:24 (JE), Josh 8:12; Josh 10:10 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), vJosh 10:10 (עַד location), Josh 11:8 (twice in verse) (all J E), Deut 1:4; Deut 2:33; Deut 3:3; Deut 4:46; Deut 7:2; Deut 29:6; Josh 10:33; Josh 10:40 (מִןו֯עד location), Josh 12:1; Josh 12:6; Josh 12:12; Josh 13:12 (all D); Judg 1:5; Judg 1:17; 1Sam 11:11 (עד temporal), 1Kgs 13:17 (עַדכַּֿלֵּה), 2Kgs 3:24a + v2Kgs 3:24b (where read וַיָּבֹאוּ בוֺא וְהַכּוֺת and they went on defeating), Isa 10:20; Jer 37:10, etc.; insert וַיַּךְ or הִכָּה in 2Sam 8:13 Th Ke Kit Bu compare Dr, after ᵐ5; with ב object 1Sam 14:31; 1Sam 23:2 (twice in verse) (ה locative — מִן); + לְפִי חֶרֶב Judg 20:48, etc.; of gods causing defeat 2Chr 28:23 smite land = conquer, subjugate, sometimes ravage, Gen 14:7; Josh 10:40 (D), 1Sam 27:9; Jer 43:11; Jer 46:13, compare Isa 14:6 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb); subject ׳י Num 32:4 (P); of ׳י smiting sea וְהִכָּה בַיָּם גַּלִּים Zech 10:11 (Bev^{JPhoenician xviii. 35 (1889), 88} proposes גבלים).

4. Of God,
a. smite with (ב) a plague, disease, etc.: — blindness Gen 19:11 (J), 2Kgs 6:18 (twice in verse) compare Zech 12:4 (twice in verse) (symbolic); of Egyptian plagues Exod 3:20; Exod 9:15 (both J), 1Sam 4:8, without ב Exod 7:25 (J), Exod 12:13 (P), Ps 136:10 (accusative + בִּבְכוֺרֵיהֶם); other plagues Num 14:12 (JE), Deut 28:22; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:28; Deut 28:35; 1Sam 5:6; 2Sam 24:17; Job 2:7; Amos 4:9; Hag 2:17; Mal 3:24 without ב, 1Sam 5:9; 2Kgs 19:35 = Isa 37:26; Num 11:33 (J E; בָּעָם + accusative of congnate meaning with verb); smite vines with (ב) blight Ps 105:33.
b. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon, usually with accusative, 1Kgs 14:15; 1Chr 21:7; Isa 5:25; Isa 9:12; Isa 27:7 (הַכְּמַכַּת מַכֵּהוּ הִכָּהוּ), Isa 30:31 (ב instrumental) Isa 57:17; Isa 60:10 (opposed to רִחַם) Jer 2:30; Jer 5:3; Jer 14:9; Ezek 32:15 (ᵐ5 Co זֵרָה scatter); with עִל punish for, (sin) Lev 26:24 (H).
c. of God's destroying palaces Amos 3:15; Amos 6:11 (2 accusative), compare Zech 9:4.

Hoph`al Perfect הֻכָּה Hos 9:16; Num 25:14, הוּכָּה Ps 102:5 וְהֻכָּה consecutive Exod 22:1 3 feminine singular הֻכְּתָה Ezek 33:21; Ezek 40:1 1 singular הֻכֵּ֫יתִי Zech 13:6 3 pluralהֻכּוּ 1Sam 5:12 Imperfect 3 masculine plural וַיֻּכּוּ Exod 5:14 2 masculine plural תֻּכּוּ Isa 1:5 Participle מֻכֶּה Num 25:14, construct מֻכֵּה Isa 53:4 feminine מֻכָּה Num 25:15; Num 25:18 plural מֻכִּים Exod 5:16, construct מֻכֵּיֿ Jer 18:21 — be smitten:

1. = receive a blow Isa 1:5 (Judah under figure of man).

2. be wounded Zech 13:6.

3. be beaten Exod 5:14; Exod 5:16 (J).

4. be (fatally) smitten + verb of dying Exod 22:1 (E); be killed, slain Num 25:14 (twice in verse); Num 25:15; Num 25:18 (with עַל, for), מֻכֵּיחֶֿרֶב Jer 18:21 (|| הֲרֻגֵי מָ֑וֶת); so also (absolute) probably 1Sam 4:2 (read וַיֻּכּוּ ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th Dr Klo Kit, for ᵑ0 וַיַּכּוּ).

5. be attacked and captured, of city Ezek 33:21; Ezek 40:1.

6. be smitten with disease (by God) 1Sam 5:12 absolute, of ׳י's servant Isa 53:4.

7. be blighted, of plant (in figurative) Hos 9:16 (Ehpraimitic source), Ps 102:5 (heart, כָּעֵשֶׂב; both + יָבַשׁ).

Strong's Definition H5221

smote, smite, slew, smitten, slain, …

nākâ

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill

(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten

to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust

to receive a blow

Variations 140 forms of this word

Translations 204 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

וִ ֽהְיִ֤יתֶם

וִ

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

ֽהְיִ֤יתֶם

Root word be, pass, was, were, came, …

Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqq2mp

Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), second person masculine plural simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "you (a group)"

וִ	Speech Conjunction
הְיִיתֶם	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: him then shall ye be