2 Kings 4:19

וַ יֹּ֥אמֶר

וַ

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

יֹּ֥אמֶר

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

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

וַ

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

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

In the KJV here: and he said

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

More options

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

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

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

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

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

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

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

BDB9309 H560 H559

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

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

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

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

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

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

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

אֶל

Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …

Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

In the KJV here: unto

unto ×2370 to ×907 into ×230 upon ×112 against ×104 and to ×103 in ×63 unto him ×58

More options

to — Default directional/dative preposition; broadest everyday use.

toward — Emphasizes movement or orientation in a direction.

into — Stress entry or transition; spatial or metaphorical penetration.

against — Adversarial or oppositional context; hostility or pressure.

upon — Contact or imposition on a surface or person.

concerning — Topical/referential; use when the sense is 'about' or 'regarding'.

BDB420 H413

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job ( 1Sam 3:22; 1Sam 5:26; 1Sam 15:22; 1Sam 29:19), with suffix אֵלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַיִךְ, etc. אֵלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 t.) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Ps 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exod 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).

1. of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19; Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֺא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deut 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אֶל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים יִקָּחֵהוּ and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 זָנָה אֶל commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Ezek 16:26; Ezek 16:28; Ezek 16:29 דָּרֵשׁ אֶל seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deut 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; חָבַר אֶל join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3 הִשְׁכִּים אֶל rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 הִבְרִיח אֶל made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 תַּם אֶל i.e. has been made over to; פָּחַד אֶל to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as מִןהַֿקָּצֶה אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exod 26:28 מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2Kgs 21:16 פֶּה לָפֶה). And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֶלעֵֿת 1Chr 9:25 מִיּוֺם אֶליֿוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Chr 16:23 (in the || Ps 96:2 מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם).

2. Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17 & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֶלבֵּֿית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exod 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deut 23:25 so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29 שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11 מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׂם אֶללֵֿב, הֵשִׁיב to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deut 4:39; 2Sam 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sam 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.

3. Of direction towards anything:
(a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 נָתַן פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן אֶל, Gen 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֶל, Exod 25:20; Num 6:26, נָשָׂא פָנָיו אֶל (2Kgs 9:32 differently), 2Kgs 24:1 שָׁת פָּנָיו אֶל, Josh 8:18; Ps 28:2; 1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 8:30 (to pray towards) v1Kgs 8:38 pregnantly חָרֵד אֶל to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֶל to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, פָּחַד אֶל Jer 36:16: without a verb פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Num 12:8 כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ אֵלַי Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; ׳אֶלפֿ ׳עֵינֵי י the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Ps 34:16 (compare Ps 33:18).
(b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְפַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Ezek 13:19 חִלֵּל אֶל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezek 40:14.
(c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Ps 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5 נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֶל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deut 24:15; Ps 25:1 שָׂם לֵב אֶל, שָׁת to set the heart (mind) to Exod 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֶל to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2 חָרֵד אֶל to shew fear towards 2Kgs 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deut 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוֺת אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sam 3:8; 1Kgs 14:13; Ps 40:6 alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Kgs 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 וְגַםאֲֿנִי אֵלָֽיִח׃ Ezek 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֶל).

4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 אֶלהֶֿבֶל ׳וַיָּקָם קand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sam 24:8) 1Sam 22:12; Exod 14:5; Num 32:14 with נִקְבַּץ Josh 10:6, הָלַךְ Judg 1:10; Judg 20:30 with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Judg 9:57; 1Sam 2:34; 1Kgs 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֶל) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 וַיָּשַׂר אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֶל ֗֗֗ Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nah 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Ezek 13:8; Ezek 13:20; Ezek 21:8; Ezek 29:10; Ezek 30:22; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 35:3; Ezek 38:3; Ezek 39:1 (Ezek 5:8; Ezek 26:3; Ezek 28:22; Ezek 29:3 על: on Ezek 36:9 see above)

5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֺתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Josh 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sam 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sam 14:32 & generally עַל); 1Kgs 10:7 הוֺסִיף אֶל (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Ezek 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Ezek 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֶלכַּֿפָּ֑יִם our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; W^{AG ii. § 51 c}).

6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sam 15:35 הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sam 24:16 דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Kgs 14:5 הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sam 1:27; 2Kgs 19:20 צָעַק to cry 2Kgs 8:3 (2Kgs 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sam 20:34 נִחַם to comfort 2Sam 10:2 more generally 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 21:22 אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21; Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sam 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִפֵּר Ps 2:7; Ps 69:27 צִוָּה Isa 23:11 שָׁמַע Ezek 19:4 הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֶל the report regarding. . . 1Sam 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)

7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare): אֶלפִּֿי ֗֗֗ according to the command of, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3 (generally עַלפִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Ps 5:1; Ps 80:1 (Ps 45:1 עַל).

8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Josh 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֶלמֵֿי מֵרוֺם at the waters of Merom, 1Sam 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sam 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deut 33:28; Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7 but also in other cases, as Josh 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Josh 22:11 have built an altar אֶל גְּלִילוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judg 12:6 & 2Sam 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1Kgs 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Kgs 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 אֶלנְֿהַר פְּרָת by the Euphrates, Ezek 3:15; Ezek 11:11; Ezek 17:8; Ezek 31:7; Ezek 40:18; Ezek 43:3; Ezek 47:7; Ezek 48:12.

9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sam 5:23; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 סֹב אֶלאַֿחֲרַי turn to behind me, Zech 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יצא אל before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Ezek 10:2 ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית לְ to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Kgs 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב לְ unto the south of Josh 15:3 ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ לְ to the outside of Lev 4:12; Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4 אֶלתַּֿחַת Judg 6:19; 1Kgs 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).

Note I. — In Gen 20:13 אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֺא ׳שָׁמָּה אִמְרִילִֿי וג; Num 33:54 ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר וג; Prov 17:8 (compare Deut 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deut 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.

Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus
(a) Josh 5:14 וִיִּפֹּל אֶלפָּֿנָיו; 1Sam 13:13 אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל ׳הֵקִים י; 1Sam 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sam 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֶלהָֿהָר (contractee עַל Deut 11:29); Deut 19:16; 2Sam 6:3; 2Sam 20:23 (contracted 2Sam 8:16) 1Kgs 13:29; 1Kgs 18:46 (contracted 2Kgs 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Ezek 7:18.
(b) Judg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, vJudg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sam 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, v1Sam 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sam 16; 1Sam 18:10 צָלַח אֶל, 1Sam 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1Sam 25:17 evil is determined אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ וְעַל כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ; v1Sam 25:25; 1Sam 27:10; 2Sam 2:9 וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל; 2Sam 3:29 יָחֻלוּ עַל ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ 2Kgs 8:3 & 5; 2Kgs 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֶלהָֿעִיר הַזּאֹת; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13; Jer 37:14; Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11 & 15; Ezek 21:12 etc. Ps 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.

[Note]

Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sam 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1Sam 1:26 אֶל); v1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Kgs 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ (1Kgs 21:4 אֶל); Isa 22:15; Jer 11:2; Jer 23:35; Jer 31:12. compare Dr^{Sm i. 13, 13}; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.

unto, to, into, upon, against, …

ʾēl

near, with or among; often in general, to

to, toward, unto (of motion)

in among

אָבִ֖י ו

אָבִ֖י

Root word fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …

ו

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: his father

his father ×133 of their fathers ×94 his fathers ×86 my father ×80 thy father ×51 of the fathers ×44 the father ×41 their fathers ×30

More options

father — Default choice; direct, natural, widely understood.

ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.

forefather — Slightly more formal; good for ancestral or covenantal contexts.

patriarch — Use for tribal or clan heads with religious authority.

family head — Highlights household-leader role in social/legal contexts.

founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

BDB17 H1

אָב₁₁₉₁ noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CIS^{iv, 1, 37 1. 2} and others, Ethiopic Aramaic אַבָּא, — absolute אָב Gen 44:19 + 47 t.; construct אַב Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (compare in אַבְרָהָם ib. & elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposed אֲבִר see אברהם); אֲבִי (compare Ge^{§§ 90, 3b, 96}) Gen 4:20 +; suffix אָבִי Gen 19:34 + (MI אבי); אָבִיךָ Gen 12:1 +; אָבִיו Gen 2:24 +; אָבִ֫יהוּ Judg 14:10 + 6t.; plural אָבוֺת Exod 12:3 +; construct אֲבוֺת Exod 6:25 + 7 t.; suffix אֲבוֺתַי (אֲבֹתַי, אֲבוֺתָ֑י) Gen 47:9 + 15 t.; אֲבוֺתֵיהֶם 1Chr 4:38 + 32 t. (late); אֲבוֺתָם Exod 4:5 + 106 t. etc.; —

1. father of individual Gen 2:24 (+ אֵם) Gen 11:28; Gen 11:29 (twice in verse); Gen 19:31; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:33, + often (mostly J E D); of father as commanding Gen 50:16 (J) Jer 35:6 f Prov 6:20 (compare Gen 18:19 J Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6 P 1Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 2:1); instructing מוסר Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1 (compare Deut 8:5); specifically as begetter, genitor Prov 23:22; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse) (+ אֵם) Isa 45:10 compare Gen 49:4 (J) Lev 18:7; Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11 (P); rebuking Gen 37:10 loving Gen 37:4; Gen 44:20 (J E; compare Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3; 2Sam 14:1); pitying Ps 103:13 (in simile compare 2Sam 18:5); blessing Gen 27:41 (J E compare Gen 27:4 also Gen 28:1 P +); as glad Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 compare Prov 29:3 grieving Gen 37:35 (J E; compare 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:2 f) etc. Also as object of honour, obedience, love Exod 20:12 (E) = Deut 5:16; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Gen 28:7 (P) 1Kgs 19:20 (all + אֵם), 1Kgs 50:1; 1Kgs 50:5 (J) Mal 1:6 etc. Hence metaphor of intimate connection Job 17:14 to corruption I cry, My father art thou (|| אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָֽרִמָּה).

2. of God as father of his people (see RS^{Sem 42}), who constituted, controls, guides and lovingly watches over it: Deut 32:6; Jer 3:4; Jer 3:19; Jer 31:9; Isa 63:16 (twice in verse); Isa 64:7; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:10 (compare Exod 4:22; Exod 19:4 (JE) Deut 32:11; Hos 11:1); compare Jer 2:27 (of idolatrous Israel) אֹמְרִים לָעֵץ אָבִי אַתָּה וְלָאֶבֶן אַתְּ ילדתני׃; especially God as father of Davidic line 2Sam 7:14; Ps 89:27 f. of needy (late) Ps 68:6 (compare Ps 103:13) (in proper name, f. of individual, compare below)

3. head of household, family or clan; בֵּית אָבִי as abode Gen 38:11 (twice in verse); Lev 22:13 +; = family Gen 24:40 (|| מִשְׁפַּחְתִּי) Gen 41:51; Gen 46:31 + compare Num 18:1; Num 18:2; Josh 2:12; Josh 2:18; Josh 6:25 especially techn. of divisions of Israel בֵּית אָב לְמִשְׁפָּחוֺת Num 3:30; Num 3:35 = a father's house, i.e. a family or clan; more often plural (אבותם, אבותיו) בֵית אָבוֺת = father's houses = families, clans (compare Di on Exod 6:14) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:18 ff (often in Numbers) Josh 14:1; Josh 19:51; Josh 21:1 (twice in verse); Josh 22:14 (twice in verse) (always P in Hexateuch); also 1Chr 5:13; 1Chr 5:15 + often in Chronicles; compare רָאשֵׁי אבות הלוים (= ׳בית א ׳ר) Exod 6:25 compare 1Kgs 8:1; 1Chr 6:4; 1Chr 7:11 + often Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah.

4. ancestor (a) of individual; grandfather (instead of precise term) Gen 28:13; Gen 32:10 (J; where used by Jacob of Abraham & then of Isaac); greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:13 great-greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:11 etc.; oft plural (= fathers, forefathers) Gen 15:15; Gen 46:34 (JE) 1Kgs 19:4; 1Kgs 21:3; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 19:12; 2Kgs 20:17 +; particularly שׁכב עם אבותיו 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 11:21; 1Kgs 22:40 +; joined with ׳ויקבר עם אב 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:24; 1Kgs 22:51; 2Kgs 8:24; 2Kgs 15:38 compare v2Kgs 15:7, 2Kgs 16:20 + (all of kings of Judah); intensive, אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֺת אֲבֹתֶיךָ Exod 10:6 compare Dan 11:24 (b) of people Gen 10:21 (J) Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (P) Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J) Gen 36:9; Gen 36:43 (P) Deut 26:5; Isa 51:2; Isa 43:27 (where אביך הראשׁון thy first father, see Che) compare also Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 + often; plural Exod 3:13; Exod 3:15; Exod 3:16 (E) Deut 1:8; Josh 1:6; Judg 2:1; 1Sam 12:6 +; 1Sam 12:15 near the end read וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם ᵐ5 We Dr.

5. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art Gen 4:20; Gen 4:21.

6. figurative of producer, generator Job 38:28 הֲיֵשׁ לַמָּטָר אָ֑ב (|| הוֺלִיד אֶגְלֵיטָֽֿל׃ מִיֿ).

7. figurative of benevolence & protection Job 29:6 אָב אָֽנֹכִי לָֽאֶבְיוֺנִים, compare Job 31:18 of Eliakim Isa 22:21 perhaps also of gracious Messianic king אֲבִי עַד Isa 9:5 everlasting father (Ge Ew De Che Brd Di) — others divider of spoil (Abarb Hi Kn Kue Br^MP).

8. term of respect & honour (Abbas, Pater, Papa, Pope); applied to master 2Kgs 5:13 priest Judg 17:10; Judg 18:19 prophet 2Kgs 2:12 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:21; 2Kgs 13:14 (twice in verse); compare 2Kgs 8:9 counsellor Gen 45:8 (E; compare δευτέρου πατρός ᵐ5 add. Esth 3:13 τῷ πατρί 1 Mac Esth 11:32); king 1Sam 24:12 artificer 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 4:16.

9. specifically, ruler, chief (late) 1Chr 2:24; 1Chr 2:42 (twice in verse); etc. (compare Ew^{§ 273 b}) see also Ew^{Geschichte. i. 524. H i. 365}. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see Che^{Ency. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITH} Nö^{ib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45}.

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …

ʾāb

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

father of an individual

grandfather, forefathers (of a person)

רֹאשִׁ ֣י

רֹאשִׁ

Root word head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …

֣י

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: רֹאשׁ · rohsh

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: my head

the head ×56 his head ×49 the chief ×33 the top ×30 head ×23 their heads ×21 the heads ×19 chief ×17

More options

head — Primary anatomical or positional sense; most versatile.

top — Prefer for mountains, pillars, or physical summits.

leader — Best when רֹאשׁ denotes a person of authority.

chief — Titular sense; fits ranks, tribes, or priestly roles.

beginning — Use for temporal or sequential firsts.

sum — Specific to census or enumeration contexts.

BDB7678 H7218 H7226 H4763 H7219 H7220

I. רֹאשׁ₅₉₉ noun masculine^{Lev 13:45} head (common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic , Sabean ראס Prä^{ZMG xxix (1875). 425} Mordtm^{Him.Inschr. 31}; Ethiopic Amharic hence (a heightened) Assyrian rêšu (rarely râšu), Aramaic רֵישָׁא (Egyptian Aramaic ראש Cooke^{North-Semitic Inscr. 404}), , modern (Ma'lûla) ra±ša, Huart^{JAs xii (1878), 491} Duval^{id. xiii(1879), 464}; Palmyrene רשא, Lzb³⁶⁶, compare Biblical Hebrew רִישׁוֺן, רֵאשִׁית; from*ra'š, also Biblical Hebrew רָאשׁ֩, ראֹשׁ (Lag^{Symm. i. 113}), Tel Amarna rušu(nu) Wkl^{189, 18} (gloss to ‡a‡‡adunu), Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; SI⁶ ראש, Phoenician רשׁ, ראש (in proper name), Punic rus (in proper name, of a location) Schröd^{Phoenician Spr.133}, ראשת choicest, chief; on MI²⁰ (suffix) רשה, Lev 1:28 ש[ר], compare Sm. u. So¹⁴ Nö^{LCB Jan. 8, 1887, 60}); — ׳ר absolute Gen 3:15 +, construct Gen 40:20 +; suffix ראֹשִׁי vGen 40:16 +, etc.; plural רָאשִׁים (for רְאָשִׁים֩ Nö^{GGA 1884, 1019}) Exod 18:25 +; construct רָאשֵׁי Hos 7:13 + [מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי 1Sam 26:12 see מְרַאֲשׁוֺת below]; suffix רָאשֵׁינוּ 1Chr 12:19, רָאשֵׁיכֶם Isa 29:10 +, etc.; —

1. a. (c. 230 t.) head, of human being; man Gen 40:16; Gen 40:17. + often, גֶּבֶר ׳לְר Judg 5:30 for the head of a man, i.e. for each man, per capita; woman 2Kgs 9:30; Deut 21:12; Num 5:18; Esth 2:17 boy 2Kgs 4:19 (twice in verse); Gen 48:14 (twice in verse) +; of ׳י, under figure of armed man Ps 60:9 = Ps 108:9 of idol 1Sam 5:4 of gates, personified Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9.
b. head, of animals: of serpent Gen 3:15, dog 2Sam 3:8, ass 2Kgs 6:25, of הַחַיָּה in Ezek 1:22 compare vEzek 1:22 vEzek 1:26, of הַכְּרֻבִים Ezek 10:1 compare vEzek 10:11 of sea-monsters, לִוְיָתָן Job 40:31; Ps 74:14, תַּנִּינִים vPs 74:13 especially of animals for sacrifice Exod 12:9; Exod 29:15; Exod 29:19; Lev 1:4; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:12; Lev 1:15; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:8 + 18 t. P; in phrase וְזָנָב ׳ר Isa 9:13 (figurative of noble and commoner) compare v.Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15, so (figurative of relative dignity, power, influence) Deut 28:13; Deut 28:44.

2. a. top (88 t.): of mountain, הַר, Gen 8:5; Exod 19:20 (twice in verse); Exod 24:17; Exod 34:2 + 34 t.; hill, גִּבְעָה, Exod 17:9; Exod 17:10 (E), 2Sam 8:25 מְרוֺמִים ׳ר Prov 8:2 + Prov 1:21 Toy (for ᵑ0 הֹמִיּוֺת), גֵּיא ׳ר שְׁמָנִים Isa 28:1; Isa 28:4 of rocks, צֻרִים, Num 23:9 (JE), crag, סֶלַע, 2Chr 25:12 (twice in verse); tower Gen 11:4 (J), stronghold Judg 6:26, ladder Gen 28:12 (E), tree 2Sam 5:24 = 1Chr 14:15, bough Isa 17:6 compare Ezek 17:4; Ezek 17:22, mast (?; חִבֵּל) Prov 23:34 (otherwise Toy); of ears of grain, שִׁבֹּלֶת Job 24:24, of stone Gen 28:18 (E), bed, מִטָּה, Gen 47:31 (J), throne, עָגוֺל לַכִּסֵּה׳ר 1Kgs 10:19, tabernacle, or its wall, Exod 26:24 = Exod 36:29 (P); pillar ( =capital) 1Kgs 7:16; 1Kgs 7:17 + 13: t., מְכוֺנָה v1Kgs 7:35 v1Kgs 7:35, lampstand Zech 4:2 (twice in verse), high priest's robe, מְעִיל, Exod 28:32 (P), פִּנָּה ׳ר Ps 118:22 top of (the) corner, i.e. most conspicuous stone (figurative); = tip, end, of staves 1Kgs 8:8= 2Chr 5:9, of sceptre Esth 5:2.
b. height of stars Job 22:12 (|| גֹּבַהּ שָׁמַיִם).

3.: 171
a. head = chief (man) Judg 10:18; Judg 11:8; Judg 11:9; Judg 11:11; Exod 18:25 (E), Num 1:16 (P), Deut 1:15; Hos 2:2; Mic 3:1 + often; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 12:10. (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:9, series of 11); of God 2Chr 13:12.
b. = chief (city) Josh 11:10 (D), compare (of city and king) Isa 7:3; Isa 7:8; Isa 7:9 (twice in verse).
c. chief nation Jer 31:7.
d. =chief (place, position) 1Sam 9:22; 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:12; Deut 20:9; 1Chr 4:42 (compare also 5).
e. הָראֹשׁ chief priest 2Kgs 25:18= Jer 52:24; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 24:11; 2Chr 26:20, הַכֹּחֵן ראֹשׁ 1Chr 27:5, ׳הָר ׳הַכּ 2Chr 31:10; Ezra 7:5 ׳י alone 2Chr 24:6 רָאשֵׁי הַכֹּהֲנִים Neh 12:7. feminine especially = head of a family (P Chronicles); רָאשֵׁי בֵּית (rare ראֹשׁ) אֲבוֺתָ (םׅ) Exod 6:14; Num 7:2; Num 17:18; Josh 22:14; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:9 בֵּית הָאָבוֺת ׳ר v1Chr 7:40 לְבֵית אֲבֹתָיו ׳ר Num 1:4, compare 1Chr 5:15; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 9:13; 1Chr 24:4 אֻמּוֺת בַּיתאָֿב ׳ר Num 25:15 אֲבוֺת ׳ר הָעַדָה Num 31:26 compare Num 32:28; Josh 14:1; Josh 21:1 אֲבוֺת הַלְוִיִּם ׳ר Exod 6:25; Josh 21:1 (הָ)אָבוֺת לַלְּוִיִם ׳ר 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 9:34; 1Chr 15:12, compare Num 36:1; Josh 19:51; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 8:13; 1Chr 23:9; 1Chr 23:24 + 10 t. Chronicles; absolute ׳ר (הָ)אָבוֺת 1Chr 8:10; 1Chr 8:28; 1Chr 9:9; 1Chr 26:32; 1Chr 27:1; 2Chr 1:2 + 8 t. Ezra Nehemiah (Chronicles); אֲכֹתֵיהֶם ׳ר Ezra 8:1 רָאשִׁים לְאָכוֺת Neh 11:13 so also ׳י alone 1Chr 5:7; 1Chr 5:12; 1Chr 7:3; 1Chr 8:28 +; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 23:8 (series of 3), v1Chr 23:11 (of 4), v1Chr 23:19 (of 3), v1Chr 23:20 (of 2).

4. a. head=front, leader's place Mic 2:13; 2Chr 20:27, compare Amos 6:7.
b. of time, beginning, of night-watch Judg 7:19; Lam 2:19 absolute מֵראֹשׁ from the beginning Isa 40:21; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:26 (|| מִלְּפָנִים), Isa 48:16; Prov 8:23 (|| מֵעוֺלָם),. Eccl 3:11 (|| עַדסֿוֺף); first of months Exod 12:2 (|| רִאשׁוֺן), Num 10:10; Num 28:11 (all P); בָּראֹשׁ 1Chr 16:7 at first.
c. of things, river-heads Gen 2:10 (J); עַפְרוֺת תֵּכֵל ׳ר Prov 8:26.

5. chief, choicest, best, of spices, כשׂמ(יםׅ, Ezek 27:22; Exod 30:23 (P), Song 4:14 שִׂמְחָתִי ׳ר Ps 137:6 the choicest of my joy.

6. head = division of army, company, band : Judg 7:16; Judg 7:20; Judg 9:34; Judg 9:37; Judg 9:43; Judg 9:44 (twice in verse); 1Sam 11:11; 1Sam 13:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 13:18 (twice in verse) Job 1:17.

7. =sum, especially in phrase ׳בְּנֵייִֿשׂ ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿ Exod 30:12take the sum of, enumerate, compare Num 1:2; Num 1:49; Num 4:2; Num 4:22; Num 26:2; Num 31:26; Num 31:49 בְּראֹשׁוֺ Lev 5:24 in its sum, i.e. in full, so Num 5:7 (all P); of ׳י's thoughts Ps 139:17 compare ראֹשׁ דְּבָֽרְךָ אֱמֶתPs 119:160.

8. other phrase are : ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿאֹשׁ פ see נָשָׂא Qal 1 b (2); יָרוּם ראֹשִׁי עַלאֹֿיְבַי Ps 27:6, מֵרִים ראֹשִׁי ׳י Ps 3:4 (Ps 110:7; Ps 140:10 see רום); shake the head, see נוּעַ Hiph`il, compare יָנִיד בְּראֹשׁוֺ Jer 8:16, מְנוֺד ראֹשׁ Ps 44:15 נָתַן דֶּרֶךְ בְּראֹשׁ, i.e. requite, see נתן Qal 2 b near the end; יָשׁוּב גְּמֻלְךָ ׳בְּר Obad 1:15, compare Ps 7:17; 1Kgs 2:33 (below דָּם 2 i and (with ׳עַלרֿ) Esth 9:25, הֵשִׁיב רָעָה בְּראֹשׁ Judg 9:57; 1Sam 25:39; 1Kgs 2:44, compare Joel 1Kgs 4:4; 1Kgs 4:7; 1Kgs 2:32 (sub דָּם 2 i, compare Neh 3:36 (אֶלרֿאֹשָׁם), see also 2Sam 3:29 below 1. חוּל 3; see, further, דָּם 2 i; Dan 1:10 see חוּב Pi`el

BDB9878 H7217 H7218

רֵאשׁ noun masculine^{Dan 7:6} head (Egyptian Aramaic, S-C^Pap.; Palmyrene רש; ᵑ7 רֵישׁ, Syriac ; Biblical Hebrew ראֹשׁ); — construct ׳ר Dan 7:1 emphatic הָ֯ Dan 2:38 suffix רֵאשׁי Dan 4:2 +, חָ֯ Dan 2:28, הֵּ֯ vDan 2:32 +, הַּ֯ Dan 7:20, הֵ֯וֺן Dan 3:27 plural absolute רֵאשִׁין Dan 7:6, suffix רָאשֵׁיהֹם (K^{§§ 53, Anm. b}); 63 Gu^{Hpt on the passage}) Ezra 5:10 —

1. head of man Dan 3:27, compare Dan 7:9 in vision: of image Dan 2:32; Dan 2:38, beast Dan 7:6; Dan 7:20.

2. head as seat of visions, הֶזְוֵי רֵאשָׁךְ, etc., Dan 2:28; Dan 4:2; Dan 4:7; Dan 4:10; Dan 7:1; Dan 7:15.

3. = chief, ׳בְּר Ezra 5:10 in the capacity of their chiefs.

4. sum, essential content, of matters Dan 7:1 (Nes^{MM 40} beginning).

head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …

rōš

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

head (of man, animals)

רֹאשִׁ ֑י

רֹאשִׁ

Root word head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …

֑י

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: רֹאשׁ · rohsh

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: my head

the head ×56 his head ×49 the chief ×33 the top ×30 head ×23 their heads ×21 the heads ×19 chief ×17

More options

head — Primary anatomical or positional sense; most versatile.

top — Prefer for mountains, pillars, or physical summits.

leader — Best when רֹאשׁ denotes a person of authority.

chief — Titular sense; fits ranks, tribes, or priestly roles.

beginning — Use for temporal or sequential firsts.

sum — Specific to census or enumeration contexts.

BDB7678 H7218 H7226 H4763 H7219 H7220

I. רֹאשׁ₅₉₉ noun masculine^{Lev 13:45} head (common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic , Sabean ראס Prä^{ZMG xxix (1875). 425} Mordtm^{Him.Inschr. 31}; Ethiopic Amharic hence (a heightened) Assyrian rêšu (rarely râšu), Aramaic רֵישָׁא (Egyptian Aramaic ראש Cooke^{North-Semitic Inscr. 404}), , modern (Ma'lûla) ra±ša, Huart^{JAs xii (1878), 491} Duval^{id. xiii(1879), 464}; Palmyrene רשא, Lzb³⁶⁶, compare Biblical Hebrew רִישׁוֺן, רֵאשִׁית; from*ra'š, also Biblical Hebrew רָאשׁ֩, ראֹשׁ (Lag^{Symm. i. 113}), Tel Amarna rušu(nu) Wkl^{189, 18} (gloss to ‡a‡‡adunu), Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; SI⁶ ראש, Phoenician רשׁ, ראש (in proper name), Punic rus (in proper name, of a location) Schröd^{Phoenician Spr.133}, ראשת choicest, chief; on MI²⁰ (suffix) רשה, Lev 1:28 ש[ר], compare Sm. u. So¹⁴ Nö^{LCB Jan. 8, 1887, 60}); — ׳ר absolute Gen 3:15 +, construct Gen 40:20 +; suffix ראֹשִׁי vGen 40:16 +, etc.; plural רָאשִׁים (for רְאָשִׁים֩ Nö^{GGA 1884, 1019}) Exod 18:25 +; construct רָאשֵׁי Hos 7:13 + [מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי 1Sam 26:12 see מְרַאֲשׁוֺת below]; suffix רָאשֵׁינוּ 1Chr 12:19, רָאשֵׁיכֶם Isa 29:10 +, etc.; —

1. a. (c. 230 t.) head, of human being; man Gen 40:16; Gen 40:17. + often, גֶּבֶר ׳לְר Judg 5:30 for the head of a man, i.e. for each man, per capita; woman 2Kgs 9:30; Deut 21:12; Num 5:18; Esth 2:17 boy 2Kgs 4:19 (twice in verse); Gen 48:14 (twice in verse) +; of ׳י, under figure of armed man Ps 60:9 = Ps 108:9 of idol 1Sam 5:4 of gates, personified Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9.
b. head, of animals: of serpent Gen 3:15, dog 2Sam 3:8, ass 2Kgs 6:25, of הַחַיָּה in Ezek 1:22 compare vEzek 1:22 vEzek 1:26, of הַכְּרֻבִים Ezek 10:1 compare vEzek 10:11 of sea-monsters, לִוְיָתָן Job 40:31; Ps 74:14, תַּנִּינִים vPs 74:13 especially of animals for sacrifice Exod 12:9; Exod 29:15; Exod 29:19; Lev 1:4; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:12; Lev 1:15; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:8 + 18 t. P; in phrase וְזָנָב ׳ר Isa 9:13 (figurative of noble and commoner) compare v.Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15, so (figurative of relative dignity, power, influence) Deut 28:13; Deut 28:44.

2. a. top (88 t.): of mountain, הַר, Gen 8:5; Exod 19:20 (twice in verse); Exod 24:17; Exod 34:2 + 34 t.; hill, גִּבְעָה, Exod 17:9; Exod 17:10 (E), 2Sam 8:25 מְרוֺמִים ׳ר Prov 8:2 + Prov 1:21 Toy (for ᵑ0 הֹמִיּוֺת), גֵּיא ׳ר שְׁמָנִים Isa 28:1; Isa 28:4 of rocks, צֻרִים, Num 23:9 (JE), crag, סֶלַע, 2Chr 25:12 (twice in verse); tower Gen 11:4 (J), stronghold Judg 6:26, ladder Gen 28:12 (E), tree 2Sam 5:24 = 1Chr 14:15, bough Isa 17:6 compare Ezek 17:4; Ezek 17:22, mast (?; חִבֵּל) Prov 23:34 (otherwise Toy); of ears of grain, שִׁבֹּלֶת Job 24:24, of stone Gen 28:18 (E), bed, מִטָּה, Gen 47:31 (J), throne, עָגוֺל לַכִּסֵּה׳ר 1Kgs 10:19, tabernacle, or its wall, Exod 26:24 = Exod 36:29 (P); pillar ( =capital) 1Kgs 7:16; 1Kgs 7:17 + 13: t., מְכוֺנָה v1Kgs 7:35 v1Kgs 7:35, lampstand Zech 4:2 (twice in verse), high priest's robe, מְעִיל, Exod 28:32 (P), פִּנָּה ׳ר Ps 118:22 top of (the) corner, i.e. most conspicuous stone (figurative); = tip, end, of staves 1Kgs 8:8= 2Chr 5:9, of sceptre Esth 5:2.
b. height of stars Job 22:12 (|| גֹּבַהּ שָׁמַיִם).

3.: 171
a. head = chief (man) Judg 10:18; Judg 11:8; Judg 11:9; Judg 11:11; Exod 18:25 (E), Num 1:16 (P), Deut 1:15; Hos 2:2; Mic 3:1 + often; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 12:10. (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:9, series of 11); of God 2Chr 13:12.
b. = chief (city) Josh 11:10 (D), compare (of city and king) Isa 7:3; Isa 7:8; Isa 7:9 (twice in verse).
c. chief nation Jer 31:7.
d. =chief (place, position) 1Sam 9:22; 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:12; Deut 20:9; 1Chr 4:42 (compare also 5).
e. הָראֹשׁ chief priest 2Kgs 25:18= Jer 52:24; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 24:11; 2Chr 26:20, הַכֹּחֵן ראֹשׁ 1Chr 27:5, ׳הָר ׳הַכּ 2Chr 31:10; Ezra 7:5 ׳י alone 2Chr 24:6 רָאשֵׁי הַכֹּהֲנִים Neh 12:7. feminine especially = head of a family (P Chronicles); רָאשֵׁי בֵּית (rare ראֹשׁ) אֲבוֺתָ (םׅ) Exod 6:14; Num 7:2; Num 17:18; Josh 22:14; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:9 בֵּית הָאָבוֺת ׳ר v1Chr 7:40 לְבֵית אֲבֹתָיו ׳ר Num 1:4, compare 1Chr 5:15; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 9:13; 1Chr 24:4 אֻמּוֺת בַּיתאָֿב ׳ר Num 25:15 אֲבוֺת ׳ר הָעַדָה Num 31:26 compare Num 32:28; Josh 14:1; Josh 21:1 אֲבוֺת הַלְוִיִּם ׳ר Exod 6:25; Josh 21:1 (הָ)אָבוֺת לַלְּוִיִם ׳ר 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 9:34; 1Chr 15:12, compare Num 36:1; Josh 19:51; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 8:13; 1Chr 23:9; 1Chr 23:24 + 10 t. Chronicles; absolute ׳ר (הָ)אָבוֺת 1Chr 8:10; 1Chr 8:28; 1Chr 9:9; 1Chr 26:32; 1Chr 27:1; 2Chr 1:2 + 8 t. Ezra Nehemiah (Chronicles); אֲכֹתֵיהֶם ׳ר Ezra 8:1 רָאשִׁים לְאָכוֺת Neh 11:13 so also ׳י alone 1Chr 5:7; 1Chr 5:12; 1Chr 7:3; 1Chr 8:28 +; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 23:8 (series of 3), v1Chr 23:11 (of 4), v1Chr 23:19 (of 3), v1Chr 23:20 (of 2).

4. a. head=front, leader's place Mic 2:13; 2Chr 20:27, compare Amos 6:7.
b. of time, beginning, of night-watch Judg 7:19; Lam 2:19 absolute מֵראֹשׁ from the beginning Isa 40:21; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:26 (|| מִלְּפָנִים), Isa 48:16; Prov 8:23 (|| מֵעוֺלָם),. Eccl 3:11 (|| עַדסֿוֺף); first of months Exod 12:2 (|| רִאשׁוֺן), Num 10:10; Num 28:11 (all P); בָּראֹשׁ 1Chr 16:7 at first.
c. of things, river-heads Gen 2:10 (J); עַפְרוֺת תֵּכֵל ׳ר Prov 8:26.

5. chief, choicest, best, of spices, כשׂמ(יםׅ, Ezek 27:22; Exod 30:23 (P), Song 4:14 שִׂמְחָתִי ׳ר Ps 137:6 the choicest of my joy.

6. head = division of army, company, band : Judg 7:16; Judg 7:20; Judg 9:34; Judg 9:37; Judg 9:43; Judg 9:44 (twice in verse); 1Sam 11:11; 1Sam 13:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 13:18 (twice in verse) Job 1:17.

7. =sum, especially in phrase ׳בְּנֵייִֿשׂ ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿ Exod 30:12take the sum of, enumerate, compare Num 1:2; Num 1:49; Num 4:2; Num 4:22; Num 26:2; Num 31:26; Num 31:49 בְּראֹשׁוֺ Lev 5:24 in its sum, i.e. in full, so Num 5:7 (all P); of ׳י's thoughts Ps 139:17 compare ראֹשׁ דְּבָֽרְךָ אֱמֶתPs 119:160.

8. other phrase are : ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿאֹשׁ פ see נָשָׂא Qal 1 b (2); יָרוּם ראֹשִׁי עַלאֹֿיְבַי Ps 27:6, מֵרִים ראֹשִׁי ׳י Ps 3:4 (Ps 110:7; Ps 140:10 see רום); shake the head, see נוּעַ Hiph`il, compare יָנִיד בְּראֹשׁוֺ Jer 8:16, מְנוֺד ראֹשׁ Ps 44:15 נָתַן דֶּרֶךְ בְּראֹשׁ, i.e. requite, see נתן Qal 2 b near the end; יָשׁוּב גְּמֻלְךָ ׳בְּר Obad 1:15, compare Ps 7:17; 1Kgs 2:33 (below דָּם 2 i and (with ׳עַלרֿ) Esth 9:25, הֵשִׁיב רָעָה בְּראֹשׁ Judg 9:57; 1Sam 25:39; 1Kgs 2:44, compare Joel 1Kgs 4:4; 1Kgs 4:7; 1Kgs 2:32 (sub דָּם 2 i, compare Neh 3:36 (אֶלרֿאֹשָׁם), see also 2Sam 3:29 below 1. חוּל 3; see, further, דָּם 2 i; Dan 1:10 see חוּב Pi`el

BDB9878 H7217 H7218

רֵאשׁ noun masculine^{Dan 7:6} head (Egyptian Aramaic, S-C^Pap.; Palmyrene רש; ᵑ7 רֵישׁ, Syriac ; Biblical Hebrew ראֹשׁ); — construct ׳ר Dan 7:1 emphatic הָ֯ Dan 2:38 suffix רֵאשׁי Dan 4:2 +, חָ֯ Dan 2:28, הֵּ֯ vDan 2:32 +, הַּ֯ Dan 7:20, הֵ֯וֺן Dan 3:27 plural absolute רֵאשִׁין Dan 7:6, suffix רָאשֵׁיהֹם (K^{§§ 53, Anm. b}); 63 Gu^{Hpt on the passage}) Ezra 5:10 —

1. head of man Dan 3:27, compare Dan 7:9 in vision: of image Dan 2:32; Dan 2:38, beast Dan 7:6; Dan 7:20.

2. head as seat of visions, הֶזְוֵי רֵאשָׁךְ, etc., Dan 2:28; Dan 4:2; Dan 4:7; Dan 4:10; Dan 7:1; Dan 7:15.

3. = chief, ׳בְּר Ezra 5:10 in the capacity of their chiefs.

4. sum, essential content, of matters Dan 7:1 (Nes^{MM 40} beginning).

head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …

rōš

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

head (of man, animals)

וַ יֹּ֙אמֶר֙

וַ

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

יֹּ֙אמֶר֙

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

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

וַ

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

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

In the KJV here: and he said

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

More options

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

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

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

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

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

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

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

BDB9309 H560 H559

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

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

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

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

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

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

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

אֶל

Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …

Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

In the KJV here: to

unto ×2370 to ×907 into ×230 upon ×112 against ×104 and to ×103 in ×63 unto him ×58

More options

to — Default directional/dative preposition; broadest everyday use.

toward — Emphasizes movement or orientation in a direction.

into — Stress entry or transition; spatial or metaphorical penetration.

against — Adversarial or oppositional context; hostility or pressure.

upon — Contact or imposition on a surface or person.

concerning — Topical/referential; use when the sense is 'about' or 'regarding'.

BDB420 H413

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job ( 1Sam 3:22; 1Sam 5:26; 1Sam 15:22; 1Sam 29:19), with suffix אֵלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַיִךְ, etc. אֵלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 t.) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Ps 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exod 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).

1. of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19; Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֺא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deut 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אֶל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים יִקָּחֵהוּ and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 זָנָה אֶל commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Ezek 16:26; Ezek 16:28; Ezek 16:29 דָּרֵשׁ אֶל seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deut 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; חָבַר אֶל join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3 הִשְׁכִּים אֶל rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 הִבְרִיח אֶל made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 תַּם אֶל i.e. has been made over to; פָּחַד אֶל to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as מִןהַֿקָּצֶה אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exod 26:28 מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2Kgs 21:16 פֶּה לָפֶה). And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֶלעֵֿת 1Chr 9:25 מִיּוֺם אֶליֿוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Chr 16:23 (in the || Ps 96:2 מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם).

2. Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17 & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֶלבֵּֿית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exod 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deut 23:25 so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29 שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11 מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׂם אֶללֵֿב, הֵשִׁיב to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deut 4:39; 2Sam 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sam 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.

3. Of direction towards anything:
(a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 נָתַן פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן אֶל, Gen 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֶל, Exod 25:20; Num 6:26, נָשָׂא פָנָיו אֶל (2Kgs 9:32 differently), 2Kgs 24:1 שָׁת פָּנָיו אֶל, Josh 8:18; Ps 28:2; 1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 8:30 (to pray towards) v1Kgs 8:38 pregnantly חָרֵד אֶל to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֶל to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, פָּחַד אֶל Jer 36:16: without a verb פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Num 12:8 כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ אֵלַי Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; ׳אֶלפֿ ׳עֵינֵי י the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Ps 34:16 (compare Ps 33:18).
(b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְפַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Ezek 13:19 חִלֵּל אֶל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezek 40:14.
(c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Ps 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5 נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֶל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deut 24:15; Ps 25:1 שָׂם לֵב אֶל, שָׁת to set the heart (mind) to Exod 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֶל to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2 חָרֵד אֶל to shew fear towards 2Kgs 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deut 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוֺת אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sam 3:8; 1Kgs 14:13; Ps 40:6 alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Kgs 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 וְגַםאֲֿנִי אֵלָֽיִח׃ Ezek 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֶל).

4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 אֶלהֶֿבֶל ׳וַיָּקָם קand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sam 24:8) 1Sam 22:12; Exod 14:5; Num 32:14 with נִקְבַּץ Josh 10:6, הָלַךְ Judg 1:10; Judg 20:30 with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Judg 9:57; 1Sam 2:34; 1Kgs 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֶל) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 וַיָּשַׂר אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֶל ֗֗֗ Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nah 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Ezek 13:8; Ezek 13:20; Ezek 21:8; Ezek 29:10; Ezek 30:22; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 35:3; Ezek 38:3; Ezek 39:1 (Ezek 5:8; Ezek 26:3; Ezek 28:22; Ezek 29:3 על: on Ezek 36:9 see above)

5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֺתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Josh 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sam 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sam 14:32 & generally עַל); 1Kgs 10:7 הוֺסִיף אֶל (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Ezek 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Ezek 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֶלכַּֿפָּ֑יִם our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; W^{AG ii. § 51 c}).

6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sam 15:35 הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sam 24:16 דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Kgs 14:5 הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sam 1:27; 2Kgs 19:20 צָעַק to cry 2Kgs 8:3 (2Kgs 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sam 20:34 נִחַם to comfort 2Sam 10:2 more generally 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 21:22 אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21; Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sam 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִפֵּר Ps 2:7; Ps 69:27 צִוָּה Isa 23:11 שָׁמַע Ezek 19:4 הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֶל the report regarding. . . 1Sam 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)

7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare): אֶלפִּֿי ֗֗֗ according to the command of, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3 (generally עַלפִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Ps 5:1; Ps 80:1 (Ps 45:1 עַל).

8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Josh 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֶלמֵֿי מֵרוֺם at the waters of Merom, 1Sam 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sam 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deut 33:28; Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7 but also in other cases, as Josh 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Josh 22:11 have built an altar אֶל גְּלִילוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judg 12:6 & 2Sam 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1Kgs 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Kgs 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 אֶלנְֿהַר פְּרָת by the Euphrates, Ezek 3:15; Ezek 11:11; Ezek 17:8; Ezek 31:7; Ezek 40:18; Ezek 43:3; Ezek 47:7; Ezek 48:12.

9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sam 5:23; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 סֹב אֶלאַֿחֲרַי turn to behind me, Zech 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יצא אל before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Ezek 10:2 ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית לְ to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Kgs 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב לְ unto the south of Josh 15:3 ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ לְ to the outside of Lev 4:12; Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4 אֶלתַּֿחַת Judg 6:19; 1Kgs 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).

Note I. — In Gen 20:13 אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֺא ׳שָׁמָּה אִמְרִילִֿי וג; Num 33:54 ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר וג; Prov 17:8 (compare Deut 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deut 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.

Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus
(a) Josh 5:14 וִיִּפֹּל אֶלפָּֿנָיו; 1Sam 13:13 אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל ׳הֵקִים י; 1Sam 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sam 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֶלהָֿהָר (contractee עַל Deut 11:29); Deut 19:16; 2Sam 6:3; 2Sam 20:23 (contracted 2Sam 8:16) 1Kgs 13:29; 1Kgs 18:46 (contracted 2Kgs 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Ezek 7:18.
(b) Judg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, vJudg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sam 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, v1Sam 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sam 16; 1Sam 18:10 צָלַח אֶל, 1Sam 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1Sam 25:17 evil is determined אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ וְעַל כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ; v1Sam 25:25; 1Sam 27:10; 2Sam 2:9 וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל; 2Sam 3:29 יָחֻלוּ עַל ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ 2Kgs 8:3 & 5; 2Kgs 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֶלהָֿעִיר הַזּאֹת; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13; Jer 37:14; Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11 & 15; Ezek 21:12 etc. Ps 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.

[Note]

Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sam 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1Sam 1:26 אֶל); v1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Kgs 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ (1Kgs 21:4 אֶל); Isa 22:15; Jer 11:2; Jer 23:35; Jer 31:12. compare Dr^{Sm i. 13, 13}; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.

unto, to, into, upon, against, …

ʾēl

near, with or among; often in general, to

to, toward, unto (of motion)

in among

הַ נַּ֔עַר

הַ

Prefix — article the

נַּ֔עַר

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

Dictionary form: נַעַר · na-AR

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: a lad

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

More options

young man — Most broadly useful; general default rendering.

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

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

servant — Use when context stresses attendant or subordinate role.

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

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

BDB5274 H5288

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

child, men, man, lad, servant, …

naʿar

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

a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer

boy, lad, youth

שָׂאֵ ֖הוּ

שָׂאֵ

Root word up, bear, take, bare, away, …

֖הוּ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: נָשָׂא · naw-SAW

Verb — Qal, Imperative, second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: carry

lift up ×27 and lifted up ×18 lifted up ×18 that bare ×15 take ×14 shall bear ×12 to bear ×12 bear ×11

More options

lift — Most common sense; raising something physically or figuratively.

carry — Preferred when sustained bearing or transport is in view.

bear — Broad: carry a load, bear guilt/sin, or endure.

take — Use when the motion of taking or receiving is primary.

forgive — Idiomatic for 'lifting' sin or guilt; theological contexts.

exalt — Figurative lifting of status or honor; elevated register.

BDB9721 H5375 H5376

נְשָׂא verb lift, take, carry (compare Biblical Hebrew; rare in Aramaic; see נְסִי, נְסָא ChWB, NHWB); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳נ Dan 2:35 carry away (of wind, with accusative of thing); Imperative masculine singular שֵׂא Ezra 5:15 take (accusative vessels). Hithpa. make a rising, an insurrection: Participle feminine singular מִתְנַשְּׂאָה Ezra 4:19, עַל person

נְשֵׁיהוֺן see [נָשִׁין] below II. אנשׁ.

up, bear, take, bare, away, …

nāśāʾ

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

to lift, bear up, carry, take

(Qal)

to lift, lift up

to be lifted up, be exalted

to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist

to cause one to bear (iniquity)

אֶל

Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …

Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

In the KJV here: him to

unto ×2370 to ×907 into ×230 upon ×112 against ×104 and to ×103 in ×63 unto him ×58

More options

to — Default directional/dative preposition; broadest everyday use.

toward — Emphasizes movement or orientation in a direction.

into — Stress entry or transition; spatial or metaphorical penetration.

against — Adversarial or oppositional context; hostility or pressure.

upon — Contact or imposition on a surface or person.

concerning — Topical/referential; use when the sense is 'about' or 'regarding'.

BDB420 H413

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job ( 1Sam 3:22; 1Sam 5:26; 1Sam 15:22; 1Sam 29:19), with suffix אֵלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַיִךְ, etc. אֵלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 t.) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Ps 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exod 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).

1. of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19; Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֺא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deut 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אֶל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים יִקָּחֵהוּ and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 זָנָה אֶל commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Ezek 16:26; Ezek 16:28; Ezek 16:29 דָּרֵשׁ אֶל seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deut 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; חָבַר אֶל join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3 הִשְׁכִּים אֶל rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 הִבְרִיח אֶל made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 תַּם אֶל i.e. has been made over to; פָּחַד אֶל to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as מִןהַֿקָּצֶה אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exod 26:28 מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2Kgs 21:16 פֶּה לָפֶה). And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֶלעֵֿת 1Chr 9:25 מִיּוֺם אֶליֿוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Chr 16:23 (in the || Ps 96:2 מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם).

2. Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17 & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֶלבֵּֿית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exod 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deut 23:25 so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29 שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11 מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׂם אֶללֵֿב, הֵשִׁיב to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deut 4:39; 2Sam 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sam 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.

3. Of direction towards anything:
(a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 נָתַן פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן אֶל, Gen 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֶל, Exod 25:20; Num 6:26, נָשָׂא פָנָיו אֶל (2Kgs 9:32 differently), 2Kgs 24:1 שָׁת פָּנָיו אֶל, Josh 8:18; Ps 28:2; 1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 8:30 (to pray towards) v1Kgs 8:38 pregnantly חָרֵד אֶל to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֶל to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, פָּחַד אֶל Jer 36:16: without a verb פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Num 12:8 כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ אֵלַי Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; ׳אֶלפֿ ׳עֵינֵי י the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Ps 34:16 (compare Ps 33:18).
(b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְפַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Ezek 13:19 חִלֵּל אֶל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezek 40:14.
(c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Ps 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5 נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֶל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deut 24:15; Ps 25:1 שָׂם לֵב אֶל, שָׁת to set the heart (mind) to Exod 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֶל to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2 חָרֵד אֶל to shew fear towards 2Kgs 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deut 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוֺת אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sam 3:8; 1Kgs 14:13; Ps 40:6 alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Kgs 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 וְגַםאֲֿנִי אֵלָֽיִח׃ Ezek 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֶל).

4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 אֶלהֶֿבֶל ׳וַיָּקָם קand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sam 24:8) 1Sam 22:12; Exod 14:5; Num 32:14 with נִקְבַּץ Josh 10:6, הָלַךְ Judg 1:10; Judg 20:30 with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Judg 9:57; 1Sam 2:34; 1Kgs 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֶל) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 וַיָּשַׂר אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֶל ֗֗֗ Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nah 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Ezek 13:8; Ezek 13:20; Ezek 21:8; Ezek 29:10; Ezek 30:22; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 35:3; Ezek 38:3; Ezek 39:1 (Ezek 5:8; Ezek 26:3; Ezek 28:22; Ezek 29:3 על: on Ezek 36:9 see above)

5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֺתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Josh 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sam 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sam 14:32 & generally עַל); 1Kgs 10:7 הוֺסִיף אֶל (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Ezek 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Ezek 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֶלכַּֿפָּ֑יִם our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; W^{AG ii. § 51 c}).

6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sam 15:35 הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sam 24:16 דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Kgs 14:5 הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sam 1:27; 2Kgs 19:20 צָעַק to cry 2Kgs 8:3 (2Kgs 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sam 20:34 נִחַם to comfort 2Sam 10:2 more generally 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 21:22 אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21; Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sam 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִפֵּר Ps 2:7; Ps 69:27 צִוָּה Isa 23:11 שָׁמַע Ezek 19:4 הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֶל the report regarding. . . 1Sam 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)

7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare): אֶלפִּֿי ֗֗֗ according to the command of, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3 (generally עַלפִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Ps 5:1; Ps 80:1 (Ps 45:1 עַל).

8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Josh 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֶלמֵֿי מֵרוֺם at the waters of Merom, 1Sam 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sam 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deut 33:28; Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7 but also in other cases, as Josh 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Josh 22:11 have built an altar אֶל גְּלִילוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judg 12:6 & 2Sam 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1Kgs 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Kgs 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 אֶלנְֿהַר פְּרָת by the Euphrates, Ezek 3:15; Ezek 11:11; Ezek 17:8; Ezek 31:7; Ezek 40:18; Ezek 43:3; Ezek 47:7; Ezek 48:12.

9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sam 5:23; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 סֹב אֶלאַֿחֲרַי turn to behind me, Zech 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יצא אל before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Ezek 10:2 ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית לְ to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Kgs 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב לְ unto the south of Josh 15:3 ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ לְ to the outside of Lev 4:12; Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4 אֶלתַּֿחַת Judg 6:19; 1Kgs 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).

Note I. — In Gen 20:13 אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֺא ׳שָׁמָּה אִמְרִילִֿי וג; Num 33:54 ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר וג; Prov 17:8 (compare Deut 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deut 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.

Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus
(a) Josh 5:14 וִיִּפֹּל אֶלפָּֿנָיו; 1Sam 13:13 אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל ׳הֵקִים י; 1Sam 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sam 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֶלהָֿהָר (contractee עַל Deut 11:29); Deut 19:16; 2Sam 6:3; 2Sam 20:23 (contracted 2Sam 8:16) 1Kgs 13:29; 1Kgs 18:46 (contracted 2Kgs 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Ezek 7:18.
(b) Judg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, vJudg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sam 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, v1Sam 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sam 16; 1Sam 18:10 צָלַח אֶל, 1Sam 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1Sam 25:17 evil is determined אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ וְעַל כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ; v1Sam 25:25; 1Sam 27:10; 2Sam 2:9 וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל; 2Sam 3:29 יָחֻלוּ עַל ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ 2Kgs 8:3 & 5; 2Kgs 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֶלהָֿעִיר הַזּאֹת; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13; Jer 37:14; Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11 & 15; Ezek 21:12 etc. Ps 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.

[Note]

Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sam 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1Sam 1:26 אֶל); v1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Kgs 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ (1Kgs 21:4 אֶל); Isa 22:15; Jer 11:2; Jer 23:35; Jer 31:12. compare Dr^{Sm i. 13, 13}; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.

unto, to, into, upon, against, …

ʾēl

near, with or among; often in general, to

to, toward, unto (of motion)

in among

אִמּֽ וֹ

אִמּֽ

Root word mother, mothers, dam, parting

וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: אֵם · ame

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: his mother

and his mothers ×24 his mother ×19 his mothers ×12 and his mother ×11 the mother ×9 or his mother ×8 and thy mother ×7 mother ×7

More options

mother — Most natural, broadly applicable rendering in any context.

mom — Informal register; suits direct address or family dialogue.

dam — Technical term for the female parent of an animal.

maternal figure — When biological motherhood is implied but indirect.

ancestress — For collective or metaphorical uses, e.g. 'mother of a nation'.

BDB520 H517

אֵם₂₂₁ noun feminine mother (Phoenician אם, Arabic , Ethiopic , Sabean אם (only in proper names compare e. g. Bae^{Rel 118}) Assyrian ummu COT^Gloss; Aramaic אֵם, אִימָּא, ) — ׳א absolute Gen 32:12 +; construct Gen 3:20 +; suffix אִמִּי Gen 20:12 + etc.; plural only suffix אִמֹּתֵנוּ Lam 5:3 אִמֹּתָם Jer 16:3; Lam 2:12 (twice in verse); —

1. literal (human) mother, as parent Gen 20:12; Gen 32:12; Gen 44:20; Exod 2:8; Ps 51:7; Ps 113:9 ( opposed to עֲקֶרֶת) Jer 15:8; Jer 15:10; Jer 20:14; Jer 22:26; Jer 50:12; 1Chr 4:9; Song 6:9; Song 8:5 +; hence of Eve אֵם כָּלחָֿ֑י Gen 3:20 in poetry of birth, יָצָא מִבֶּטֶן אֵם Job 1:21; Eccl 5:14 יָצָא מֵרֶחֶם אֵם Num 12:12 compare Ps 139:13 (Jer 20:18 &) מִמְּעֵי אִמִּי גּוֺזִי Ps 71:6 (subject ׳י, compare גחה Ps 22:10 > גּוֺזִי = my benefactor from birth Thes Ew Hup Pe); also וַתְּהִי אִמִּי קִבְרִי Jer 20:17 מִבֶּטֶן אֵם = from earliest existence Judg 16:17; Job 31:18; Ps 22:11 so מִמְּעֵי אֵם Isa 49:1 as giving suck Song 8:1 (שְׁדֵי אֵם) Ps 22:10 compare Ps 131:2 (see Exod 2:9 compare vExod 2:8); as exercising authority Gen 21:21; Gen 24:28; Gen 27:11; Gen 27:13; Gen 27:14; Judg 17:2 f Ruth 1:8; Song 3:4; Song 8:2 etc.; especially of queen-mother as possessing dignity & influence 1Kgs 1:11; 1Kgs 2:13; 1Kgs 2:19; 1Kgs 2:20; 2Chr 22:2; 2Chr 22:3; Song 3:11; Prov 31:1 compare names of mo-thers of kings of Judah 1Kgs 14:21; 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:2; 1Kgs 15:10; 1Kgs 15:13 +; as shewing love & care 1Sam 2:19; 1Kgs 3:27; 1Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 4:30; Isa 66:13 (simile of ׳י's comforting his people; compare also Gen 27:45); as beloved & lamented 1Kgs 19:20 (|| אָב) Gen 24:67; Ps 35:14 בֶּןאִֿמּוֺ = own (uterine) brother Gen 43:29 & || אָח Gen 27:29; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:19; Ps 50:20; Ps 69:9; Song 1:6 compare Song 8:1 so בַּתאִֿמּוֺ Lev 18:9; Lev 20:17; Deut 27:22 (|| בַּתאָֿבִיו) Gen 20:12 often with אָב, as parentes Jer 16:3; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse); Isa 8:4 as rightfully claiming honour, authority, etc., compare above, Gen 28:7 (P) compare Gen 37:10 (E) Judg 14:2 f, so in precept Prov 1:8; Prov 6:20; Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 etc. compare Ezek 22:7 laws enjoining these Exod 20:12 = Deut 5:16; Lev 19:3 compare Deut 22:15 laws prohib. contrary Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Lev 20:9 (twice in verse) (H) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Deut 27:16 laws as to mourning for Lev 21:2; Lev 21:11 (H) Num 6:7 (P) compare Jer 16:7; Ezek 44:25 left for wife Gen 2:24 for mother-in-law Ruth 2:24 for husband Deut 21:13 (law for captive women); compare Deut 33:9 (of devoted service of Levites); loving, caring for children Prov 4:3 (on the opposite compare Ps 27:10); loved, cared for Josh 2:13 compare vJosh 2:18; Josh 6:23. 1Sam 22:3; 1Kgs 19:20 compare 2Sam 19:38.

2. figurative of Deborah as caring for her people אֵם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל Judg 5:7 (compare אָב Isa 22:21; Job 29:16); so of a city 2Sam 20:19 ('stock, race, community' RS^{K 28 compare Proph. iv. n 8}); of Israel Hos 2:4; Hos 2:7; Hos 4:5 compare Hos 10:14 of Judah Isa 50:1 (twice in verse); of Hittite as mother of Jerusalem אָבִיךְ הָאֱמֹרִי וְאִמֵּךְ חִתִּית Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 compare vEzek 16:44 vEzek 16:45 also Ezek 19:2; Ezek 19:10 & see Ezek 23:2.

3. of animals, dam Exod 22:29 (of ox & sheep) Lev 22:27 (of bullock, sheep, or goat); Exod 23:19 = Exod 34:26 = Deut 14:21 (of kid); mother-bird Deut 22:6 (twice in verse); Deut 22:7 figurative Job 17:14 לַשַּׁחַת קָרָאתִי אָבִי אָ֑תָּה אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָרִמָּֽה ׃.

4. = point of departure or division אֵם הַדֶּרֶךְ Ezek 21:26. (|| ראֹשׁ שְׁנֵי הַדְּרָכִים).

mother, mothers, dam, parting

ʾēm

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

mother

of humans

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Vqw3ms

Verb Chart

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H559

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H413

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsc/Sp3ms

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsc/Sp1cs

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7218

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsc/Sp1cs

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7218

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Vqw3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H559

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H413

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Td/Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5288

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqv2ms/Sp3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5375

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H413

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncfsc/Sp3ms

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H517

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV