Deuteronomy 11:22

כִּי֩

Conjunction for, that, because, but, when, …

Dictionary form: כִּי · kee

Conjunction

In the KJV here: for

for ×2058 that ×621 because ×373 but ×221 when ×190 if ×94 and if ×49 though ×39

More options

because — Causal; explains the reason for a preceding statement.

that — Complementary/content clause; introduces indirect speech or thought.

since — Causal with a presupposed background fact.

when — Temporal; use where כִּי marks time rather than cause.

if — Conditional; use in hypothetical or legal-style clauses.

although — Concessive; acknowledges a contrasting reality.

BDB3937 H3587 H3588

כִּי noun [masculine] burning, branding (for form, compare רִי from רָוָה, אִי, צִי, עִי: Kö^{ii. 1. 64}) — only כִּי תַּחַת יֹ֑פִי Isa 3:24 branding instead of beauty, in judgment on women of Jerusalem.

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.

BDB3996 H3588 H5921 H3651

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as, a peculiar phrase found Gen 18:5; Gen 19:8; Gen 33:10; Gen 38:26; Num 10:31; Num 14:43; Judg 6:22; 2Sam 18:20 Qr (rightly), Jer 29:28; Jer 38:4 — literally for therefore, emphasizing the ground pleonastically (Ew^{§ 353 a} ). The original force of the phrase is traceable in some of the passages in which it occurs, as Gen 18:5 let me fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort your heart; כִּיעַֿלכֵּֿן עֲבַרְתֶּם עַל עַבְדְּכֶם for therefore (that is, to partake of such hospitality) are ye come to your servant, Num 14:43 the Amalekite and the Canaanite are there, and ye will fall by the sword, כִּיעַֿלכֵּֿן שַׁבְתֶּם for therefore (to encounter such a fate) have ye turned back from ׳י etc.: but in process of time the distinct sense of its component parts was no doubt gradually obscured, and it thus came to be used conventionally, as a mere particle of causation, even where there was no preceding statement to which עַל כֵּן therefore could be explicitly referred. אֲשֶׁר עַל כֵּן appears to be used similarly (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c) Job 34:27.

BDB6199 H6258 H2088 H2009 H5704 H3588

עַתָּ֫ה₄₃₅ (also Ezek 23:43; Ps 74:6 עת Kt, Qr עַתָּה), עָ֑֫תָּה Gen 32:5 +, adverb of time, now (properly accusative of [`int],עֵת (Kö^{ii. 260}), at the time, in particular of the present time, i.e. now; compare German zur Zeit, Arabic at the time, i.e. now); — now:

1. a. Gen 12:19 ועתה הנה אשׁתך and now, behold thy wife, Gen 22:12 כי עתח ידעתי now, I know (so Exod 18:11; Judg 17:13; 1Kgs 17:24 [עַתָּה זֶה], Ps 20:7), Gen 26:22; Gen 26:29; Gen 27:36; Gen 31:13; Gen 31:28, etc., Exod 5:5 הך רבים עתה עם הארץ; whether in opposed to past time, as Gen 32:11; Josh 14:11 כְּכֹחִי אָז וּכְכֹחִי עָ֑תָּה, Judg 11:8; 1Kgs 12:4; Isa 1:21 ועתה מרצחים, Isa 16:14; Hos 2:9 כִּי טוֺב לִי אָז מַעָ֑תָּה, Hos 13:2, Job 30:1 +, or to future, as Num 24:17 אֶרְאֶנּוּ ולא עתה, Judg 8:6 חֲכַף עַתָּהכְּֿיָדֶ֑ךָ ׳זֶבַח וצ, 1Sam 2:16 כִּי עַתָּה תִּתֵּן; = after all Num 22:38; Judg 8:2 = now at last 2Sam 24:16; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 19:25; Hos 7:2; Jer 4:12 and in the phrase מעתה ועד עולם Isa 9:6; Isa 59:21; (see below), Ps 113:2; Ps 115:18; Ps 121:8; Ps 125:2; Ps 131:3.
b. of the imminent or impending future: Gen 19:9 עַתָּה נָרַע לְךָ מַהֶם. Gen 29:32 כי עתה יאהבני אישׁי, vGen 29:34; Exod 6:1 עתה תראה, Num 11:23; Num 22:4; 2Sam 20:6; Isa 33:10 (Ps 12:6), Isa 43:19; Isa 49:19; Amos 6:7 לכן עתה יִגְלוּ, Isa 49:19; Mic 7:4; Mic 7:10; Dan 10:20 and especially ἀσυνδέτως in Hosea, introducing a punishment, Hos 4:16 ׳וגו ׳עתה יִרְעֵם י Hos 5:7; Hos 8:8; Hos 8:13 (Jer 14:10), Jer 10:2.
c. of a time ideally present (= then, from our point of view): Isa 29:22 לא עתה יבושׁ יעקב, v^b Hos 10:3; Mic 4:9; Mic 4:10; Mic 4:11; Mic 4:14; Mic 5:3.
d. describing a present state = as things are: 1Sam 8:5 thou art old, etc., עתה שִׂימָה לנו מלך, 1Sam 9:6; 1Sam 13:12; 1Sam 14:30; 1Sam 25:7b; 1Sam 27:1 now I shall be swept away one day, etc., 2Kgs 18:20; 2Kgs 18:25; Job 6:21; Job 14:16; Job 16:7.
e. with an Imperative, as an encouragement, implying that the time has come for the exhortation or advice to be followed, Gen 31:13 עתה קים צא, Exod 18:19 עתה שְׁמַע בקולי, Num 22:11; Deut 2:13; 1Sam 30:8.

2. Phrases:
a. עַתָּה זֶה (זְה 4 h) 1Kgs 17:24; 2Kgs 5:22.
b. ועתה and, now, or now, therefore (וְ 4), drawing a conclusion, especially (compare 1 e) a practical one, from what has been stated: Gen 3:22 and now (since man has once been disobedient), lest he put forth his hand, etc., Gen 20:7; Gen 20:23 וְעַתָּה הִשָּֽׁבְעָה לִי הֵ֫נָּה, Gen 27:3; Gen 27:8 ועתה בני שְׁמַע בקולי, Gen 30:30; Gen 31:16; Gen 31:44; Gen 37:20 + often, Isa 5:3; Isa 5:5; Ps 2:10; Gen 11:6 ׳ועתה לאֹיִֿבָּצֵר מֵהֶם וגו, Gen 31:30; Gen 45:8; 2Sam 19:11; Ps 39:8 ועתה מַהקִּֿזִּיתִי אֲדֹנָי, Isa 52:5,
c. וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה stating the ground on which some conclusion or action is to be based, Exod 3:9; Josh 14:10 (twice in verse); 1Sam 12:2; 1Sam 24:21; 1Kgs 1:18; Jer 40:4 (with ועתה usually repeated afer the הנה-clause).
d. גם עתה Gen 44:10; 1Sam 12:16; 1Kgs 14:14; Joel 2:12; Job 16:19.
e. מֵעַתָּה from now, henceforth, Jer 3:4; Isa 48:6; Dan 10:17 (according to some, here = from just now), 2Chr 16:9 מעתה ועד עוּלּסּ, see above 1 a end. feminine עַדעַֿתָּה until now, Gen 32:5, ׳וֶאֵחַר עדעֿ, Deut 12:9 ׳אל הנחלה לא באתם עד ע (opposed to the future), 2Kgs 13:23 especially after clause with מִן, 2Kgs 46:34 ׳מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ וְעַדעֿ (2Sam 19:8; Ezek 4:14), Exod 9:18; 2Kgs 8:6; Ruth 2:7.
g. כִּי עַתָּה for in this case, in our idiom, for them (עתה pointing to a condition assumed as a possible contingency: compare Dr^{§ 141, 142}); (a) Exod 9:15 כי עתה ׳שׁלחתי וגו for then (if the intention expressed in vExod 9:14 had not existed) I should have put forth my hand, etc., Num 22:29 כי עתה הֲרַגְתִּיךְ, 1Sam 13:13; Job 3:13 followed by imperfect Job 6:3 for then (if it were weighed, vJob 6:2) it would be heavier, etc., Job 13:19 for then would I be silent and die; (b) after a protasis, surely then Gen 31:42 + (see כִּי 1 d b, p. 472). — Note. Read כְּמוֺ עַתָּ) (ᵐ5 ᵑ9) as now, for כְּמוֺ עֵת Ezek 16:57, עַתָּ נִשְׁבַּרְתְּ (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9) now art thou broken ! for עֵת נִשְׁבֶּרֶת Ezek 27:34, and probably עַתָּ בָּא (Hi We Kö Now, compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6) for עֶתבּֿאֹ Hag 1:2 also עַתָּה for אַתָּה 1Kgs 1:20, and אַתָּה for עַתָּה v1Kgs 1:18b 2Sam 18:3.

BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

יַעַן₉₆ properly substantive, purpose, intention, but always used as preposition or conjunction, on account of, because (for יַעֲנֶה, of the form יִצְהָר etc., Sta^{§ 259} Kö^{ii. 403}; compare mean, intend): —

1. as preposition, rarely with a substantive, Ezek 5:9 יַעַן תּוֺעֲבוֺתֵיכֶם, Hag 1:9 יַעַן מָה, vHag 1:9 יַעַן בֵּיתִי; with a participle Ezek 36:13 יען אמרים because of men saying to you (but read probablyאָמְרָם, Co Toy Berthol); frequently with infinitive with, 1Kgs 21:20 יַעַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ on account of thy having sold thyself, Amos 5:11; Isa 30:12; Isa 37:29 (= 2Kgs 19:28) יַעֵן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ אֵלַי, Jer 5:14; Jer 7:13; Jer 23:38; Jer 48:7, and often. (c. 18 t.) in Ezek., as Jer 5:7 (read יַעַן הַמְרֹתְכֶם), Jer 13:8; Jer 13:22; Jer 25:3; Jer 25:6; Jer 25:8; Jer 25:12.

2. As conjunction:
a. יַעַן אֲשֶׁר (32 t.), usually with perfect, as Gen 22:16 יען אשׁר עשׂית זאת because that thou hast done this, Deut 1:36 (Josh 14:14), Judg 2:20; 1Sam 30:22; 1Kgs 3:11; 1Kgs 8:18; Jer 19:4; Jer 25:8; Jer 29:23 (not Isaiah) +; with imperfect (in frequent. sense) Ezek 44:12.
b. יַען כִּי, Num 11:20 ׳יַעַן כִּי מְאַסְתֶּם אֶתיֿ, 1Kgs 13:21; 1Kgs 21:29; Isa 3:16; Isa 7:5; Isa 8:6; Isa 29:13.
c. יַעַן alone (23 t.), with perfect Num 20:12 יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, 1Sam 15:23; 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 22:19; Hos 8:1; Isa 61:1; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 with imperfect (frequently) Ezek 34:21 of the future Ezek 12:12 because he shall not see, etc., (but ᵐ5 Co Kau Berthol לְמַעַן אשׁר לא יֵרָאֶה לָעַיִן): usually the verb follows immediately, but Ezek. sometimes puts the object first for emphasis, Ezek 5:11 יַעַן אֶתמִֿקְדָּשִׁי טִמֵּאתָ, Ezek 20:16; Ezek 20:24; Ezek 36:6, compare Ezek 34:21.

3. יַעַן וּבְיַעַן, q.d. because and by the cause (that), followed by perhaps, Lev 26:43 (H) יען וביען בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי מָאָ֔סוּ, Ezek 13:10 יַעַן בְּיַעַז followed by infinitive, Ezek 36:3. (In all, reckoning יען (ו)ביען once each, 93 t., of which 20 are in 1-2 Kings, 11 in Jeremiah, 38 in Ezekiel; and only 9 in Genesis—2Samuel.)

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.

for, that, because, but, when, …

kî

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

that

yea, indeed

when, if, though (with a concessive force)

אִם

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

Dictionary form: אִם · im

Conjunction

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.

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.

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

שָׁמֹ֨ר

Root word keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …

Dictionary form: שָׁמַר · shaw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Absolute, absolute state simple action — "he did" adds emphasis — try "surely ___"

In the KJV here: shall diligently

keep ×28 kept ×24 and keep ×23 to keep ×23 take heed ×16 and to keep ×7 observe ×7 ye shall keep ×6

More options

keep — Most versatile rendering; suits commands and ongoing obligations.

observe — Best for law/covenant contexts: observe the sabbath.

guard — Physical or protective watching over something or someone.

watch over — Caring, attentive oversight; warm, pastoral register.

heed — Prefer when the nuance is careful attention or warning.

preserve — Suits divine protection contexts: God preserves his people.

BDB8848 H8104

I. שָׁמַר₄₆₅ verb keep, watch, preserve (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמר in proper name and (Punic) = watchman; Tel Amarna šimiru is perhaps overseer (Canaanism), Wkl^{No. 80, i. 23}; Mandean סמירא preserved Nö^{M 46}; compare Arabic converse by night, stay awake (see Lag^{BN 105}); Ba^{NB 175 f.; ES 43} infers from eyelid (compare [שְׁמֻרָה] below), and Arabic support, aid, protect (l = r), that two √ √ are combined in Hebrew; but proof insufficient); —

Qal₄₂₅ Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 37:11 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמֹר 1Sam 2:9 +, יִשְׁמָרֿ Jer 5:24 +, suffix 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּ Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 3 feminine singular suffix תִּשְׁמוּרֵ֑ם Prov 14:3 (read תִּשְׁמְרוּם, see Ges^{«GKC:47g»§ 47g} Toy), etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמֹר Job 2:6 +, שָׁמְרָה 1Chr 29:18 +; masculine plural שִׁמְרוּ Josh 6:18 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺר Deut 5:12 +; construct שְׁמֹר Gen 3:24 +, suffix שָׁמְרָהּ Gen 2:15, etc.; Participle active שֹׁמֵר 1Sam 1:12 +, etc.; passive שָׁמוּר Eccl 5:12 (1Sam 9:24 see below), etc.; — [Synon. I. נָצַר, נָטַר, q. v.]:

1. a. keep, have charge of, garden Gen 2:15 (J), ark 1Sam 7:1, property in trust Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9 (E), compare 1Sam 25:31 tend flock Gen 30:31 (E), compare Zech 3:7; Num 3:8 (P); so perhaps (object omitted) Hos 12:13 (where ׳שׁ chosen for parallelism Now Marti and others); Participle הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹ֑כִי Gen 4:9 (J), ׳שׁ of sheep 1Sam 17:20, הַכֵּלִים ׳שׁ v1Sam 17:22, הַכְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14; 2Chr 34:22, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:8; Esth 2:15, compare vEsth 2:14, etc.
b. keep, guard, captives Josh 10:18 (J), 1Kgs 20:39, דֶּרֶךְ Gen 3:24 (J); keep watch and ward, אֶל person for whom 1Sam 26:15 (Ps 59:10 see 3 end), עַל person vPs 59:16; Prov 6:22 בַּנַּעַר 2Sam 18:12 have a care of (read לִי for מִי ᵐ5 and modern); in hostile sense, אֶל הָעִיר (in siege) 2Sam 11:16, חַטָאתִי עַל Job 14:16 (but read תַּעֲבֹר with ᵐ5 Ew Di Du and others [not Hi Bu]); absolute with מֵעַל Eccl 5:7 watcheth above, etc.; keep one's mouth, be prudent of speech Prov 21:33, compare Mic 7:5 keep = protect, save, one's life, נֶפֶשׁ Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5, another's Job 2:6 in Proverbs, accusative of person, subject wisdom, Job 4:6 she shall preserve thee, compare (+ מִן of evil) Job 6:24; Job 7:5 especially Participle watch, watchman, of city Isa 21:11 (twice in verse); Isa 21:12; Isa 62:5 (figurative), Song 3:3; Song 5:7 (twice in verse); Ps 127:1 הַמֶּלֶף ׳שׁ (in temple) Jer 35:4 + (see סַף), פֶּית הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳הַפּ 1Kgs 14:27 = 2Chr 12:10, הַשְּׁעָרִים ׳שׁ Neh 13:22, שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת (figurative) Eccl 12:3 ׳שׁ הַבַּיִתךֵסעוֺה ךֵהת פךֵךֵכ (of David's concubines) 2Sam 15:16; 2Sam 16:21; 2Sam 20:3 שֹׁמֵר הַכֵּלִים 1Sam 17:22, הַבְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14, חַפַּרְדֵּס ׳שׁ Neh 2:8, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:14; Esth 2:15, שֹׁמְרִים absolute Judg 7:19; Jer 51:12.
c. hence watch for, wait for, accusative of person 1Sam 19:11 (to kill him), compare Ps 59:1 (title; accusative הַבַּיִת); with יֲקֵכַי Ps 56:7 = dog my steps, Ps 71:10; Jer 20:10 = watch (suspiciously) Job 10:14; Job 13:27; Job 33:11 absolute הַשֹּׁעמרִים Judg 1:24 wait for, נֶשֶׁף Job 24:15, לַבֹּקֶר Ps 130:6 (twice in verse).
d. watch, observe, accusative of thing 1Sam 1:12; Eccl 11:4; Job 39:1; Jer 8:7 (of birds), with intelligence Isa 42:20; Ps 107:43 accusative of person Ps 37:37 (|| ראה), Zech 11:11 accusative of sin Ps 31:7; Ps 130:3 accusative of thing, for the purpose of avoiding, Ps 17:4.

2. a. keep, retain, of storing up (food) Gen 41:35 (E); absolute Eccl 3:6 (opposed to הִשְׁלִיךְ); treasure up (in memory) Gen 37:11 (E), compare Mal 2:7; 1Chr 29:18; Prov 4:21 (בְּתוֺךְ לְבָבֶ֑ךְ), Prov 22:18 (כְּבִטֱנ֑ךָ); retain wrath Amos 1:11 (read שָׁמֶר לָנֶצַח We Now GASm Marti; see also נָטַר 1) + (anger omitted) Jer 3:5 (|| נטר).
b. keep within bounds, restrain, object שׁוֺר Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 (E); with accusative hand, מִן of evil Isa 56:2 figurative keep thy foot, with temporal clause Eccl 4:17 לְֿפִי מַחְסוֺם׳אֶשׁ Ps 39:2 (ᵐ5 Du and others אָשִׁימָה); apparently reflexive (= Niph`al), Josh 6:18 (+ מִןהַֿחֵרֶס), possibly sc. גַפְשְׁכֶם Di.

3. a. observe, celebrate, accusative of festival, etc., Exod 23:15 (E), Exod 34:18 (J), Exod 12:17 of day vExod 12:17 (P), of month Deut 16:1.
b. keep Sabbath Deut 5:12; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:30; Lev 26:2 (all H), Exod 31:13; Exod 31:14; Exod 31:16 (P), Isa 56:4, also (+ מֵחַלְּלוֺ) vIsa 56:2 vIsa 56:6.
c. of other obligations: keep convenant Ezek 17:14, especially convenant of ׳י Deut 29:8; 1Kgs 11:11 + 5 t., ׳שְׁבֻעַת י 1Kgs 2:43, perform vow Deut 23:24 keep commands Jer 35:18; Ezek 20:18 especially מִצָוֺת, תֻקִּים, יֲבֹדָה, etc., of ׳י (sometimes || נצר), Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10; Amos 2:4; 1Kgs 2:3; Ps 119:8; Ps 119:17; Ps 119:34 + very often (c. 120 t.); ׳דֶּרֶח י ׳שׁ Gen 18:19 (J) + 4 t., ׳דַּרְכֵי י 2Sam 22:22 = Ps 18:22, ׳י ׳ד omitted Judg 2:22 b; אָרְחוֺת צַדַּיקִים ׳שׁ Prov 2:20 (|| תֵּלֵח תְּלֵח בְּדֶרֶח טוֺבֹים), ׳שׁ דְּרָכַי (ways of wisdom) Prov 8:32 (Ps 17:4 see 1 d); keep discharge an office, כְּהֻנָּה Num 3:10; Num 18:7 (both P), absolute 2Chr 5:11 a function or duty, especially מִשְׁמֶרֶת ׳שׁ Lev 8:35; Num 1:53 + approximately 32 t. (see ׳מ below); accusative of obligation often omitted, especially D (and R^D) keep and do Deut 4:6; Deut 7:12 + 8 t.; to do Deut 5:1; Deut 5:29 + 16 t. D + 3 t., etc.
d. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom) Hos 12:7 (חֶסֶד וּמִשְׁפָּט), Isa 56:1; Prov 4:4; Prov 5:2; Prov 7:1; Prov 7:2 bad sense, observe vanities Ps 31:7. — Doubtful are: לִשְׁמֹר absolute Hos 4:10, very strange (conjectures in We Now Marti); שָׁמוּר 1Sam 9:24, HPS אֵחַרְנוּ, compare Now Bu^Comm.; Ps 59:10 read עֻוִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה (as vPs 59:18, ᵑ6 Che Bae).

4. sometimes ׳י subject:
a. keep, preserve, protect, accusative of person, + ב of way, etc., Gen 28:15; Gen 28:20 (J), Exod 23:20 (E; of מַלְאָח), Ps 91:11 (׳מ), Josh 24:17 (E); accusative of person (or נפשׁ) only: 1Sam 30:23; Jer 31:9; Num 6:24 (P), Job 29:2; Ps 16:1 + 10 t. Psalms; + מִן Ps 121:7 + 2 t.; accusative רַהְּלַי 1Sam 2:9, compare Prov 3:26 (מִן); Participle שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ Ps 121:3; Ps 121:5, compare vPs 121:4, etc.; accusative of city Ps 127:1.
b. with accusative בְּרִית, ל person Deut 7:12, + חֶסֶד vDeut 7:7 + 5 t., אֱמֶת לְעוֺלָם ׳הַשּׁ Ps 146:6 הַשְּׁבֻעָה Deut 7:8, etc.; passive of covenant (׳י agent) עֲרוּכָה בַכֹּל וּשְׁמֻרָה 2Sam 23:5 (legal terminology, Dr).

5. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest Jer 5:24 (ל person). Niph`al₃₆ Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַד 2Sam 20:10, etc.; Imperfect 3 feminine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Judg 13:13 2 masculine plural תִּשָּׁמַ֑רוּ Exod 23:13 Imperative masculine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Isa 7:4 הִדָמשּׁ֫מֶר (לְךָׅ Gen 24:6 +; feminine singular הִשָּֽׁמְרִי Judg 13:4, etc.; —

1. be on one's guard, with בַּחֶרֶב 2Sam 20:10 by reason of the sword, i.e. against it; with ב temporal 1Sam 19:2, שָׁם 2Kgs 6:10 take heed Exod 23:13 (E) Deut 2:4 with מִן person Exod 23:21 (E), Jer 9:3 מִן of thing Judg 13:13; Deut 23:10 מִן infinitive take care not to, etc. Gen 31:29 (E), 2Kgs 6:9 infinitive without מִן Exod 19:12 (J), but read probably מֵעֲלוֺת; followed by פֶּן lest Gen 24:6 (J) + 11 t. (especially Deuteronomy); with (וְ)אַל jussive Exod 10:23 (J), Judg 13:4; Job 36:21, with Imperative coordinate Isa 7:4. — Very often Imperative (24 t.), especially in phrase הִשָּׁמֶרלְֿךָ (12 t.), הִשָּֽׁטְרוּ לָכֶם (3 t.); + לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (R^D; + infinitive); + ׳בְּנַפ Jer 17:21 apparently ב pret. on peril of your life (compare ב III. 3 a), so perhaps also בְּרוּחֲכֶם Mal 2:15; Mal 2:16 (We Now).

2. keep oneself, refrain, abstain, מֵאִשָּׁה 1Sam 21:5.

3. be kept, guarded, Hos 12:14 (compare ׳שׁ of Jacob v.Hos 12:13); be preserved (by ׳י) Ps 37:28 (לִיוֺלָם), but read probably עַוָּלִים (לְעוֺלָם) נִשְׁמָ֑דוּ Hup-Ri (Now) Che Bae Du Dr. Pi`el Participle plural מְשַׁמְּרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא Jonah 2:9 those paying regard to false vanities (compare Qal Ps 31:7). Hithpa`el Imperfect 1 singular וָאֶשְׁתַּסֵּר מֵעֲוֺנַי Ps 18:24 I kept myself from, etc. = 2Sam 22:24 (verb cohortative); 3 masculine singular וְיִשְׁתַּמֵּר חֻקּוֺת עָמְרִי Mic 6:16, but read וְתִשְׁמֹר thou keepest, observest, We Now GASm.

keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …

šāmar

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

to keep, guard, observe, give heed

(Qal)

to keep, have charge of

watch, watchman (participle)

to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

תִּשְׁמְר֜וּ ן

תִּשְׁמְר֜וּ

Root word keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …

ן

Suffix emphatic ending — no change in meaning

Dictionary form: שָׁמַר · shaw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine plural simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you (a group)"

In the KJV here: ye keep