Ecclesiastes 7:10

אַל

Particle not

Dictionary form: אַל · al

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: not

not ×238 neither ×59 let not ×44 be not ×26 nor ×23 ye not ×18 no ×17 me not ×15

More options

do not — Most natural modern negative imperative; broadly applicable.

never — Use when the prohibition carries a sense of absolute refusal.

nor — Coordinating negative; links parallel prohibitions or negations.

no — Emphatic short-form negative; fits exclamatory or abrupt contexts.

and do not — Connects a negative command to a preceding clause smoothly.

must not — Stronger deontic force; stresses obligation to refrain.

BDB419 H408

II. אַל adverb of negation (so Phoenician e.g. CIS^{i.^3,4.5.8}, Biblical Aramaic, Sabean (DHM^{ZMG 1875, 596}), and in the Ethiopic albo, is not), denying however, not objectively as a fact (like לֹא οὐ), but subjectively as a wish (like μή), expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition:
a.
(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number; Gen 15:1 and often אַלתִּֿירָא fear not! Gen 22:12 אַלתִּֿשְׁלַח יָָֽדְךָ put not forth thy hand, Gen 37:27 וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ and let not our hand be upon him, Gen 21:16 אַלאֶֿרְאֶה let me not look upon the death of the lad! Ps 25:2 אַלאֵֿבוֺשָׁה let me not be ashamed; with 1 plural (rare) 2Sam 13:25; Jer 18:18; Jonah 1:14. In an imprecation: Gen 49:4 אַלתּֿוֺתַר have not thou the excellency! Ps 109:12; Job 3:4; Job 3:6. Sometimes strengthened by נָא : Gen 13:8; Gen 18:3 and elsewhere
(b) without a verb, (α) 2Sam 1:21 let (there be) not dew & not rain upon you! Isa 62:6; Ps 83:1. (β) used absolutely, in deprecation Gen 19:18; 2Sam 13:16 (see below אוֺדָה) 2Kgs 3:13; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 6:27 (see RVm: but possibly to be explained by Dr^{§ 152 iii}; so Th Ke: hardly as Ew^{§ 355 b}) Ruth 1:13 אַל בְּנֹתַי Nay, my daughters, compare Judg 19:23 (γ) after a preceding imperative Amos 5:14; Joel 2:13; Prov 8:10, a jussive Prov 27:2, an infinitive absolute Prov 27:2. (χ) in poetry אַל sometimes expresses vividly the emotion or sympathy of the poet (see Dr^{§ 56-8}); Isa 2:9 וְאַלתִּֿשָּׂא לָהֶם and forgive them not! (with a touch of passion), Ps 41:3; Prov 3:25; Job 5:22; Ps 34:6 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Ew Che here read וּפְנֵיכֶם, probably rightly); Ps 50:3 a may our God come וְאַלֿ יֶ֫חֱשָרשׁ and not be silent! (the psalmist identifying himself with a spectator of the scene vPs 50:2; Ps 50:3 b-c) Ps 121:3 (contrast vPs 121:4 לֹא) Jer 46:6 +.
b. once Prov 12:28 joined closely to a substantive (compare לֹא 2 b) to express with emphasis its negation: In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway therecf אַלמָֿוֶת there is no-death! i.e. immortality.
c. once Job 24:25 used in poetry as a substantive, And bring my words לְאַל to nought! —

N.B. 1Sam 27:10 אַלפְּֿשַׁטְתֶּם הַיּוֺם, אַל with the perfect is against all analogy; and either אֶלמִֿי (with ᵐ5. ᵑ9), or better אָן whither? (with ᵑ6 ᵑ7 : see 1Sam 10:14) must be read.

BDB9298 H409 H408

אַל adverb of prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . ., followed by imperfect ( = Biblical Hebrew I. אַל; Zenjirli אל (Had^{22. 23. 29}) Cooke^{160 f.}; compare Pahlavi (Nö^{GGA, 1884, 1016}); not ᵑ7 Syriac); — Dan 2:24 אַלֹתְּֿהוֺבֵד, Dan 4:16; Dan 5:10.

not, neither, no, nor, nay, …

ʾal

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

do not, let not (with a verb)

תֹּאמַר֙

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

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Jussive, second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" a wish or command — try "let him ___" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: say

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

מֶ֣ה

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: thou what

what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9

More options

what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.

why — Use when context implies reason or motive.

how — Use when manner or degree is in view.

for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.

wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.

whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

מַדַּי (i.e. מַהדַּֿי) 2Chr 30:3, see מה 1 e.

מִדֵּי see דַּי.

מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.

מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.

מַדְמֵן, I, II. מַדְמֵנָה, מַדְמַנָּה see דמן.

מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.

מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.

[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.

מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.

[מִדְרָךְ] see דרך. [מִדְרָשׁ] see דרשׁ.

[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.

BDB4522 H4100 H4078

מָה, rarely מָהֿ (e.g. Gen 31:43; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1), מַהֿ, מַהּ , מֶה, מַּ ( Exod 4:2; Isa 3:15; Mal 1:13; 1Chr 15:13; 2Chr 30:3), מָ (only in מָהֵם Ezek 8:6 Kt., Qr. מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of these forms, see Ges^{«GKC:37»§ 37} —

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (Dl^{HWB 417 f.}), Ethiopic ment; compare W^{CG 123 ff.} K?:ii. 368): —

1. interrogative what ?
a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
(a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: W^{AG. ii. § 170}), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da^{§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.}); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : W^{AG. ii. § 49. 7}), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
(b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
(c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da^{§ 70 a} cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
(d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
(e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
(a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
(b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
(c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
(a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
(b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.

2. Used adverbially:
a. as an interrogative:
(a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵאדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
(b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare Walker^{Hebraica. xii. 244 ff.}; Kö^{iii, 478}).
b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.

3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr^{§ 149}), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare Kö^{iii. § 65.}

4. With prepositions:
a. בַּמָּה₉, בַּמֶּה₁₉ wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
(a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
(b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
(a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
(b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CIS^{i. 2, 21} יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.

BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb^{371, 445}; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb^{227 f.}): according to Ges Ew^{§ 181 b} Ol^{p. 439} Sta^{§ 176 e, abbreviated} from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], Kö^{ii. 323 f.}) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.

2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges^{«GKC:130c»§ 130c}), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ (compare ib. 4 b a).

3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
(b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).

4. compounds:
a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
b. כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo Kmp^Kau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, Nö^{§ 225}). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb²³³, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (Cooke^{N. Semitic Inscr. 320}) = ἐπειδή).

[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].

BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

מָה (מָא Ezra 6:8) pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? (Biblical Hebrew מָה; Nabataean מה; Zinjirli מ; ᵑ7 מא; Syriac ; Arabic : compare W^{CG 124 f.}); —

1. what ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.

2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke^{320, 332}) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).

3. with prefixes:
a. כְּמָה how! Dan 3:33 (twice in verse).
b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה 4 d b, p. 554:a).
c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …

mâ

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses

(interr pron) what, how, of what kind

(interrogative)

what?

how, how now

wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

how much?, how many?, how often?

הָיָ֔ה

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

Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

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

In the KJV here: is

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

More options

be — Default copula; suits timeless or stative contexts.

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

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

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

exist — Emphasizes being or presence rather than action.

take place — Idiomatic for scheduled or unfolding events.

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB2145 H1961

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

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

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

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

II. Come into being, become: —

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB9470 H1934 H1961

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

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

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

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

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

be, pass, was, were, came, …

hāyâ

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

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

(Qal)

to occur

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

to arise, appear, come

to become

to exist, be in existence

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

שֶׁ ֤הַ יָּמִים֙

שֶׁ

Prefix — relative who, which, that

֤הַ

Prefix — article the

יָּמִים֙

Root word day, days, time, daily, ever, …

Dictionary form: יוֹם · yome

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

In the KJV here: days

day ×665 days ×303 the days ×109 in the day ×104 the day ×93 this day ×84 to day ×39 in the days ×38

More options

day — Default rendering; fits most singular, literal contexts.

days — Use for plural forms or extended periods.

time — Prefer when yom signals an era or occasion, not a calendar day.

today — Modernizes KJV 'to day / this day' in direct speech.

season — Use when the context implies a set or appointed period.

lifetime — Suits biographical or lifespan contexts; replaces 'all the days of his life'.

BDB3494 H3117

יוֺם₂₂₈₅ noun masculine^{Gen 1:5} day (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יומָא, ; Phoenician ים; MI⁵ ימן, suffix ימי Gen 1:6; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:33, plural construct ימי Gen 1:8, suffix 3 masculine singular ימה; SI³ ים; Zinjirli יום DHM^{Sendsch Gloss}; Plam. יום Vog^{No. 123a, Oxon. iii}.; Arabic ; Ethiopic Sabean יום, ים Mordt^{ZMG 1876, 29,} יומה DHM^{ZMG 1883, 328} SabDenkm⁶¹; Assyrian ummu, ûmu COT^Gloss; derivation unknown; on √ and relation of יום to Phoenician ימם, Aramaic ימם, , see Nö^{ZMG 1886, 721} Ba^{ZMG 1887, 632 f.}) — יוֺם absolute Gen 1:5 +; construct Gen 2:4 +; suffix יוֺמְךָ Jer 50:31 יוֺמוֺ Exod 5:13 + 22 t.; יוֺמָם Jer 50:27; Ezek 21:34 dual יוֺמַ֫יִם Exod 21:21 יוֺמָ֑יִם Exod 16:29; Num 11:19 יֹמַ֫יִם Num 9:22 יֹמָ֑יִם Hos 6:2 ; plural יָמִים Gen 4:3 +; יָמִם; Num 6:5 יָמִין (Aramaic form; Ges^{«GKC:87»§ 87}, 1 a) Dan 12:13 מִיָּמִים יָמִ֫ימָה Exod 13:10 + 4 t.; construct יְמֵי Gen 3:14 +; יְמוֺת Deut 32:7; Ps 90:15 ; suffix יָמַי Job 7:6 + 9 t.; יָמָ֑י Gen 29:21+ 8 t.; יָמֵינוּ Jer 35:8 + 7 t., etc.; —

1. day, opposed to night, Gen 7:14; Gen 7:12; Gen 8:22 (all J), Gen 31:39; Gen 31:40 (E), Exod 24:18; Exod 34:28; Num 11:32 (twice in verse); Josh 10:13 (all J E), Deut 9:9; Deut 9:11; Deut 9:18; Deut 9:25; Deut 10:10 (D), Gen 1:5; Gen 1:14; Gen 1:16; Gen 1:18 (P), 1Sam 30:12; Judg 19:8; Judg 19:9 (twice in verse); Judg 19:11; Amos 5:8; 1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 19:8; Neh 4:16; Eccl 8:16 || לִפְנֵי בוֺאהַֿשֶּׁמֶשׁ 2Sam 3:35 ׳חֹם הַיּ Gen 18:1(J) the heat of the day 1Sam 11:11; 2Sam 4:5 עוֺד גָּדוֺל ׳הַיּ Gen 29:7 (J) the day is still high, not near its end; ׳רוּחַ הַיּ Gen 3:8 coll of the day; מִןהָֿאוֺר עַדֿ ׳מַחֲצִית הַיּ Neh 8:3 from dawn until mid-day; so also probably of mid-day הוֺלך ואור עַדנְֿכוֺן הַיּוֺם Prov 4:18 growing lighter and lighter until the full day; note phrase in Judg 19, ׳עַדנְֿטוֺת הַיּ Judg 19:8 until the declining of the day; לַעֲרוֺב ׳רָפָה הַיּ vJudg 19:9 the day hath sunk down to become evening; ׳חֲנוֺת הַיּ vJudg 19:9 the declining of the day; רַד מְאֹד ׳הַיּ vJudg 19:11 the day has gone down exceedingly (is far spent).

2. Day as division of time:
a. working-day Exod 20:9; Exod 20:10 (E) = Deut 5:18; Exod 16:26; Exod 16:30 (twice in verse) (J), Exod 23:12 (JE), Exod 31:15 (P), Lev 23:3 (H); יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה Ezek 46:1.
b. דֶּרֶךְ יוֺם a day's journey Num 11:31 (twice in verse)( J E), 1Kgs 19:4 מַהֲלַךְ יוֺם אֶחָד Jonah 3:4 דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלשֶׁת יָמִים a three days' journey Gen 30:36; Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:23 (all J), Num 10:33 (twice in verse) (JE), Num 33:8 (P); מַהֲלַךְ שְׁלשֶׁת יָמִים Jonah 3:3 so seven days' journey Gen 31:23 (E), 2Kgs 3:9 without דֶּרֶךְ etc., שְׁלשֶׁת יָמִים Exod 15:22 (E) they went three days, etc.
c. to denote duration of various other acts or states: seven days Gen 7:4; Gen 7:10; Gen 8:10; Gen 8:12 forty days Gen 7:17; Gen 8:6 (all J); 150 days Gen 7:24; Gen 8:3 (both P), 1Sam 25:38; 1Kgs 8:65 (twice in verse); Jer 42:7; Ezek 4:5; Ezek 4:6; 1Chr 9:25; Ezra 6:22; Esth 1:4 etc. In Esth 4:16 1 & 2 are combined: וְאַלתִּֿשְׁתּוּ שְׁלשֶׁת יָמִים לַיְלָה וָיוֺם do not eat and do not drink for thee days, night or day (see Zech 14:7 below 3 below)
d. day as defined by evening and morning Gen 1:5; Gen 1:8; Gen 1:13; Gen 1:19; Gen 1:23; Gen 1:31 (all P; compare further בֹּקֶר, עֶרֶב); see also Gen 2:2 (twice in verse); Gen 2:3 (P), Exod 20:11 (twice in verse)(E), Exod 32:17 (twice in verse) (P).
e. day of month (with ordinal number), chiefly P and late: Gen 7:11; Gen 8:4; Gen 8:14; Exod 12:6; Exod 12:18 (twice in verse) +, 1Kgs 12:32; 1Kgs 12:33; 1Kgs 45:25; 1Kgs 1:15; 1Kgs 1:18; 2Chr 29:17 (twice in verse); Ezra 3:6; Neh 8:2; Neh 9:1; Dan 10:4; Esth 3:12; Esth 9:1 +; (יוֺם often omitted e.g. Gen 8:5; Gen 8:13; Exod 12:10; 2Kgs 25:1; 2Kgs 25:3; Ezek 1:1; Ezek 1:2; Hag 2:1; Hag 2:20; Zech 7:1; 2Chr 3:2; Ezra 6:19; Esth 3:13, etc.) feminine יוֺם defined by substantive, infinitive, or other clause: (1) construct יוֺם הַשֶּׁלֶג = the snowy day 2Sam 23:20 = 1Chr 11:22 יוֺם סַגְרִיר Prov 27:15 = rainy d.; יוֺם קָרָה Prov 25:20 = cold d.; (so, = time יוֺם צָרָתִי Gen 35:3 (E) d. of my distrees; Jer 18:17; Lam 1:7; Prov 24:10; Prov 25:19; Prov 27:10 יוֺם מוֺתוֺ etc. Judg 13:7; 2Sam 6:23; 2Kgs 15:5 + often; compare יוֺם הֻלֶּדֶת אֶתפַּֿרְעֹה Gen 40:20 (E) = Pharaoh's birthday; כְּיוֺם הִוָּלְדָהּ Hos 2:5 compare Eccl 7:1 (see also 7 d below; compare יוֺמוֺ Job 3:1), יום חֲתֻנָּה Song 3:11 of day emphatically characterized by prophets and others יוֺם מְהוּמָה וּמְבוּסָה וּמְבוּכָה Isa 22:5 (see מְהוּמָה below הום); יוֺם צָרָה וְתוֺכֵחָה וּנְאָצָה Isa 37:3 = 2Kgs 19:3 on the other hand ׳יוֺם רָצוֺן לי Isa 58:5 a day of acceptableness to ׳י; plural followed by substantive יְמֵי שָׂכִיר Lev 25:50 (H) the days of an hireling; יְמֵי (מִלֻּאֵיכֶםׅ Lev 8:33; Num 6:13 followed by rel. clause אָרוּר הַיּוֺם אֲשֶׁר יֻלַּדְתִּי בּ֑וֺ יוֺם אֲשֶׁריְֿלָדַתְנִי ׳אִמִּי וגו Jer 20:14 compare Job 3:3 also Ps 118:24 (see i).
g. particular days defined by proper name, of a location: יוֺם יִזְרְעֶאל Hos 2:2 i.e. of judgement, with implied restoration; see also Isa 9:3; Ezek 30:9 יְמֵי הַגִּבְעָה Hos 9:9; Hos 10:9, i.e. of the outrage at Gibeah (Judg 19:22ff.); יוֺם ירושׁלם Ps 137:7 i.e. of Jerusalem's calamity, compare Jer 50:27; Jer 50:31.
h. with suffix, thy, his, or their day, in sense of (1) day of disaster or death: Psalms בָּא יוֺמְךָ Jer 50:31 thy day has come; אוֺ יומו יָבאֹ וָמֵת 1Sam 26:10 יומו in this sense also Ezek 21:30; Ps 37:13; Job 18:20 בָּא יוֺמָם Jer 50:27; Ezek 21:34.
i. specifically a holy day: יוֺם הַשַּׁבָּת the sabbath day (see also שַׁבָּת), Exod 20:8; Exod 20:11(E) = Deut 5:12; Deut 5:15; Exod 31:15; Exod 35:3 +; = יוֺם קָדְשִׁי Isa 58:13 repetition בְּיוֺם הַשַּׁבָּת בְּיוֺם הַשַּׁבָּת Lev 24:8 every Sabbath day; also יוֺם הַכִּפֻּרים Lev 23:27; Lev 25:9 יוֺם כִּפֻּרִים Lev 23:28 יוֺם הַבִּכּוּרִים Num 28:26 יוֺם חַגֵּנוּ Ps 81:4 יוֺם מַלְכֵּנוּ Hos 7:5 also of false gods, יִמֵי הַבְּעָלִים Hos 2:11.

3. ׳יוֺם י day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous (see RS^{Proph. 396 f.} Dr^{Isa 28}); Amos 5:18 (twice in verse); Amos 5:20; Isa 2:12; Isa 13:6; Isa 13:9; Zeph 1:7 (compare vZeph 1:8), vZeph 1:14 vZeph 1:14 (compare vZeph 1:15 vZeph 1:16), Jer 46:10; Ezek 13:5; Ezek 30:3 (compare Ezek 36:33; Ezek 39:8; Ezek 39:11; Ezek 39:13); Obad 15; Zech 14:1; Mal 3:23 (compare Zech 14:7; Mal 3:2; Mal 3:17; Mal 3:19 (twice in verse); Mal 3:21), Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1; Joel 2:11 (compare vJoel 2:2 vJoel 2:2), Joel 3:4; Joel 4:14 ׳יוֺם עֶבְרַת י Zeph 1:18 יוֺם עֶבְרָה Prov 11:4 יוֺם חֲרוֺן אַפּוֺ Isa 13:13; Lam 1:12 יוֺם נָקָם Isa 34:8; Isa 61:2; Isa 63:4 יוֺם נְקָמָה Jer 46:10 ׳יוֺם אַף י Zeph 2:2; Zeph 2:3; Lam 2:22 יוֺם אַפּוֺ Lam 2:1 compare also Zech 14:7 (where senses of 1 and 2 are combined, compare Esth 4:16 2 c above); וְהָיָה יוֺםֿ לֹא יוֺם וְלֹא לָ֑יְלָה ׳אֶחָד הוּא יִּוָּדַע לי but there shall be one day, known shall it be of ׳י not day and not night; compare also ביום ההוא 7 g below

4. Plural days of any one:
a. = his life, his age Gen 6:3 (J), Deut 22:19; Deut 22:29; Deut 23:7; Josh 24:31 (twice in verse) (D), Judg 2:7 (twice in verse); Judg 2:18; 1Sam 25:28, etc.; Gen 5:4; Gen 5:8; Gen 5:11; Gen 9:29; Gen 11:32 (all P), Job 7:1 (twice in verse); Job 7:6; Job 7:16; Job 8:9, Ps 39:5 (twice in verse); Ps 90:9; Ps 90:10; Ps 90:12; Ps 90:14; Ps 103:15 כָּליְֿמֵי חַיֶּיךָ Gen 3:14; Gen 3:17 (J), Ps 23:6, so Prov 31:12 יְמֵי שְׁנֵי חַיִּים 2Sam 19:35; Gen 25:7; Gen 47:8; Gen 47:9 (all P); יְמֵי חַיָּיו Eccl 5:17; Eccl 5:19 יְמֵי שָׁנָיו Eccl 6:3 יְמֵי שְׁנוֺתֵינוּ Ps 90:10 מִסְפַּר יְמֵי חַיֵּיהֶם Eccl 2:3 מִסְפַּר יְמֵי חַיֵּי הֶבְלוֺ Eccl 6:12 the number of the days of the years of his vanity, i.e. his empty, fleeting years; כָּלהַּֿיָּמִים אֲשֶׁרהֵֿם חַיִּים עַלפְּֿנֵי הָאֲדָמָה 1Kgs 8:40 יָמִים רַבִּים long life 1Kgs 3:11= 2Chr 1:11 בָּא בַּיָּמִים advanced in days = of advanced age Gen 18:11; Gen 24:1 (both J), Josh 13:1 (twice in verse) (JE), Josh 23:1; Josh 23:2 (D), 1Kgs 1:1 מִיָּמָיו 1Kgs 1:6 from his (earliest) days, so מִיָּמֶיךָ 1Sam 25:28 (see Dr), Job 38:12 שְׂבַע יָמִים Job 42:17; 1Kgs 8:40 יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ Exod 20:12 (JE) that thy days may be long = Deut 5:16, see further ארך; יָמִים עַליְֿמֵימֶֿלֶךְ תּוֺסִיף Ps 61:7 i.e. prolong the king's life; outlive is הֶאֱרִיךְ יָמִים אַחֲרֵי Josh 24:31(D), Judg 2:7 אֹרֶךְ יָמִים וּשְׁנוֺת חַיִּים Prov 3:2 length of days and years of life; אֹרֶךְ יָמִים vProv 3:16 כְּיָמֶיךָ דבאך Deut 33:25 according to (the length of) thy life shall be [ thy strength ? read רבאך ?] see Di VB; rarely singular e.g. קְשֵׁהֿ יוֺם Job 30:25 one hurd of day, i.e. whose day (= life) was hard; of life as approaching its end, וַיִּקְרְבוּ יְמֵי ישׂראל לָמוּת Gen 47:29 (J) and the days of Israel drew near for dying, so Deut 31:14; 1Kgs 2:1 (compare Job 7:6; Job 7:16; Job 8:9; Eccl 2:3 above)
b. (in) the days of (i.e. life-time, reign, or activity of) Gen 10:25 (J), Gen 14:1; Judg 5:6 (twice in verse); Judg 8:28; 2Sam 21:1; 1Kgs 16:34; 1Kgs 21:29 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 22:47; 2Kgs 20:19; 2Chr 13:20; 2Chr 35:18 + often (so M 2Chr 1:6. 8.8.9.33).
c. hence in phrase סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים לְ 1Kgs 14:19; 1Kgs 14:29 + 31 t. Kings, Neh 12:23; Esth 2:23; Esth 10:2 מִסְפַּר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים 1Chr 27:24 סֵפֶר הַזִּכְרֹנוֺת דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים Esth 6:1.

5. Days:
a. indefinite: יָמִים אֲחָדִים some days, a few days Gen 27:44 (J), Gen 29:10 (E), Dan 11:20 יָמִים alone Dan 40:4 (E) they were days (a certain time) in the prison 1Kgs 17:15; Neh 1:4 עוּל יָמִים Isa 65:20 a suckling of (a few) days; מִיָּמִים Judg 11:4 after a time, Judg 15:1 so מִקֵּץ יָמִים Gen 4:3 (J) after the end of days, 1Kgs 17:7 יוֺם אוֺ יוֺמַיִם Exod 21:21(JE) a day or two. יָמִים אוֺ עָשׂוֺר Gen 24:55 (J) some days, or ten (days or a dekad; on question of text see Di).
b. of long time, זֶה יָמִים אוֺ זֶה שָׁנִים 1Sam 29:3 these days or these years; אוֺ יֹמַיִם אוֺ חֹדֶשׁ אוֺ יָמִים Num 9:22 (P) whether two days or a month or days (an indefinitely long period); יָמִים רַבִּים many days Gen 21:34 (JE) Gen 37:34 (J) +; ׳וַיִּרְבּוּ הַיָּמִים וגו Gen 38:12 (J) and the days were multiplied (= time passed) and Judah's wife died, 1Sam 7:2 אָֽרְכוּ לוֺ שָׁם הַיָּמִים Gen 26:8 (J) the days were long to him there = he had been there a long time; בְּהַאֲרִיךְ הֶעָנָןיָ֗֗֗מִים רַבִּים Num 9:19 (P) when the cloud prolonged many days (remained a long time) upon the tabern — See also 6 below
c. days of old, former or ancient times (especially of early period of Israel hist): יְמוֺת עוֺלָם Deut 32:7 (poem); יְמֵי עוֺלם Mic 5:1; Mic 7:14; יְמֵי קֶדֶם Mic 7:20 יָמִים מִקֶּדֶם Ps 77:6; Ps 143:5 compare הַיָּמִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים Eccl 7:10 coming days הַיָּמִים הַבָּאִים Eccl 2:16 coming time יוֺם אַהֲרוֺן Prov 31:25 especially (ב)אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים see above; לְקֵץ הַיָּמִין Dan 12:13.

6. יוֺם = time;
a. vividly in general sense (see also

5. above): time of harvest Prov 25:13 usually יְמֵי Gen 30:14 (J), Josh 3:15; Num 13:20 (twice in verse) (all J E), Judg 15:1; 2Sam 21:9 proper time for paying wages Deut 24:15 compare Job 14:6 time of parturition וַיִּמְלְאוּ יָמֶיהָ לָלֶדֶת Gen 25:24.
b. apposition to other expressions of time (Dr^{§ 192} (1) Da^{Synt. § 29. d}): חֹדֶשׁ יָמִים a month of time Gen 29:14 (J; literally a month, time), Num 11:20; Num 11:21 (JE); = יֶרַח יָמִים Deut 21:13; 2Kgs 15:13 יָמִים ארבעה חדשׁים Judg 19:2 time, four months (si vera lectio, see 1Sam 27:7); (מִקֵּץ) שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים Gen 41:1 (E) two years (of) time, 2Sam 13:23; 2Sam 14:28; Jer 28:3; Jer 28:11 שְׁלשָׁה שָׁבֻעִים יָמִים Dan 10:2; Dan 10:3 three weeks (of) time.
c. plural in specific sense, apparently = year, literal יָמִים 1Sam 27:7; Lev 25:29 (H); לַיָּמִים Judg 17:10 זֶבַךְ הַיָּמִים 1Sam 1:21; 1Sam 2:19; 1Sam 20:6 יָמִים וארבעה חדשׁים 1Sam 27:7 = a year and four months (compare Judg 19:2 above
b.); מִיָּמִים יָמִ֫ימָה = from year to year, yearly Exod 13:10 (JE), Judg 11:40 (compare v^b), Judg 21:19; 1Sam 1:3; 1Sam 2:19 מִקֵּץ יָמִים לַיָּמִים 2Sam 14:26 יֹמַיִם אוֺ חֹדֶשׁ אוֺיָֿמִים Num 9:22 (P); distributive Num 14:34 (twice in verse) (P), Ezek 4:6 (twice in verse); וַיְהִי לְיָמִים מִיָּמִים וּכְעֵת צֵּאת הַקֵּץ לְיָמִים שְׁנַיִם 2Chr 21:19 and it came to pass at days from days (=after some days) even about the time of the outgoing of the end of two (series of) days (i.e. probably years, see Be).

7. Phrases, without preposition and with, are:
a. (1) הַיּוֺם = to-day Gen 4:14; Gen 31:43; Gen 31:48; Exod 13:4 (JE) + often; opposed to תְּמוֺל yesterday Exod 5:14; 1Sam 20:27 opposed to מָחָר Exod 19:10 (2) (בְּ)יוֺם מָחָר = to-morrow Gen 30:33; Isa 56:12; Prov 27:1 (3) יוֺם אֶתְמוֺל Ps 90:4 (4) הַיּוֺם שְׁלשֶׁת הַיָּמִים 1Sam 9:20 three days ago (see Dr); = הַיּוֺם שְׁלשָׁה 1Sam 30:13 (5) בַּיּוֺם Judg 13:10 apparently = the other day (see Be); (6) יוֺם אֶחָד no preposition, emphatic = in one day, Gen 27:45; Isa 9:13 with בְּ Isa 10:17; Isa 47:9 for, during, one day Gen 33:13; Num 11:19 unemphatic, one day (= some day) 1Sam 27:1 יוֺם אֶחָד לִפְנֵי 1Sam 9:15 one day, before Saul came.
b. וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם וַֹֿ and the day came, that (or when) 1Sam 1:4 (see Dr), 2Kgs 4:8; 2Kgs 4:11; 2Kgs 4:18; Job 1:6; Job 1:13; Job 2:1.
c. הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים lo! days are coming, when, etc.; especially in Amos, Jeremiah: 1Sam 2:31; Amos 4:2; Amos 8:11; Amos 9:13; Isa 39:6 = 2Kgs 20:17; Jer 7:32 + 13 t. Jeremiah
d. יוֺם in construct def. verbs, both literally, the day of, and (often) in general sense = the time of (forcible and pregnantly, representing the act vividly as that of a single day): (1) before infinitive, (α) singular without preposition אֶתיֿוֺם צֵאתְךָ Deut 16:3 and thou shalt remember the day of thy going out from the land Egypt, Isa 58:5; Ezek 39:13; Mal 3:2 compare Eccl 7:1 (מִן comparative); (β) עַדיֿוֺם Josh 6:10; Judg 18:30 + 5 t.; (γ) בְּיוֺם Gen 2:4; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:5 + 53 t.; (δ) כְּיוֺם Hos 2:5; Hos 2:17; Zeph 3:8; Zech 14:3 (ε) מִיּוֺם 1Sam 7:2; 1Sam 8:8; 1Sam 29:6; 2Sam 13:32; 2Kgs 8:6; Deut 9:24; Lev 23:15; Ezek 28:15 (ζ) לְמִיּוֺם Judg 19:30; 2Sam 7:6; Isa 7:17 (2) plural construct before infinitive: (α) כָּליְֿמֵי Judg 18:31; 1Sam 22:4; 1Sam 25:7; 1Sam 25:16; Lev 26:34; Lev 26:35; Num 6:6; 2Chr 36:21 (β) בִּימֵי Ruth 1:1; 2Chr 26:5 (γ) כִּימֵי Mic 7:15 (3) singular construct with preposition before finite verb in perfect: (α) compare בְּ, ׳בְּיוֺם דִּבֶּר י Exod 6:28 in the day (when) ׳י spoke, so Num 3:1; Deut 4:15 also Lev 7:35; 2Sam 22:1 = Ps 18:1; Ps 138:3; Zech 8:9 (β) מִיּוֺם Jer 36:2 (4) singular construct before imperfect: בְּיוֺם אֶקְרָא Ps 56:10 in the day (when) I cry, Ps 103:3; Lam 5:7 also without בְּ, יוֺם אִירָא Ps 56:4 (at the) time (when) I am afraid; (5) plural construct before perfect: כָּליְֿמֵי הִתְהַלַּכְנוּ אִתָּם 1Sam 25:15, so Lev 14:46 (probably, see Di); כִּימוֺת Ps 90:15 (6) plural construct before imperfect: כִּימֵי אֱלוֺתַּ יִשְׁמְרֵנִי Job 29:2 (7) מִיּוֺם construct before rel. clause: מִיּוֺם אֲשֶׁר הָיִיתִי לְפָנֶיךָ 1Sam 29:8 since the day when (= as long as) I have been before thee, Neh 5:14 (8) plural construct before rel. clause כָּליְֿמֵי אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכֹּן Num 9:18 as long as the cloud remained, etc.
e. (1) יוֺם יוֺם day by day Gen 39:10 (J), Exod 16:5 (P), Prov 8:30; Prov 8:34; Ps 61:9; Ps 68:20 (+ Jer 7:25; Ps 13:3 Lag, see יוֺמָם); so (late) לְיוֺם בְּיוֺם 2Chr 24:11 יוֺם בְּיוֺם 2Chr 30:21; Neh 8:18 לְעֶתיֿוֺם בְּיוֺם 1Chr 12:22 עֹלֹת יוֺם בְּיוֺם Ezra 3:4 בִּדְבַר יוֺם בְּיוֺם 2Chr 8:13 מִיּוֺם אֶליֿוֺם from day to day 1Chr 16:23 = מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם Ps 96:2 (Esth 3:7 see below); יוֺם וָיוֺם Esth 3:4 (very late, see וְ 1 i
(b), p. 253 above and Dr^{Intr. 505}); בְּכָליֿוֺם וָיוֺם Esth 2:11 כְּיוֺם בְּיוֺם 1Sam 18:10 as daily = according to daily habit; (2) מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם Esth 3:7, is in phrase of casting lots for one day after another; (מִיָּמִים יָמִ֫ימָה see 6 c); (3) of daily duties, observances, etc.: דְּבַר יוֺם בְּיוֺמוֺ each day's affair in its day Exod 5:13; Exod 5:19; Exod 16:4 (all J), Lev 23:37 (H), 1Kgs 8:59; 2Kgs 25:30 = Jer 52:34; Ezra 3:4; Neh 11:23; Neh 12:47; Dan 1:5 לִדְבַר יוֺם בְּיוֺמוֺ 1Chr 16:37; 2Chr 8:14; 2Chr 31:16. feminine כָּלהַֿיָּמִים = always, continually, Gen 43:9; Gen 44:32 (both J), Deut 4:40; Deut 5:26; Deut 6:24; Deut 11:1; Deut 14:23; Deut 18:5; Deut 19:9; Deut 28:29; Deut 28:33; Josh 4:24 (D), Judg 16:16; 1Sam 2:32; 1Sam 2:35; 1Sam 18:29; 1Sam 23:14; 1Sam 28:2; 2Sam 13:37; 2Sam 19:14; Jer 31:36; Jer 32:39; Jer 33:18; Jer 35:19; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:3; 1Kgs 11:36; 1Kgs 11:39; 1Kgs 12:7; 1Kgs 14:30; 1Kgs 2:19; 1Kgs 13:3; 1Kgs 17:37; 1Kgs 2:16; 1Kgs 10:7; 1Kgs 12:15; 1Kgs 21:7; also (only in prophetic writers and in poetry) כָּלהַֿיּוֺם Gen 6:5 (J), Hos 12:2; Deut 28:32; Deut 33:12; Jer 20:7; Jer 20:8; Isa 28:24; Isa 51:13; Isa 52:5 (both תָּמִיד כלהֿיום), Isa 65:2; Isa 65:5; Lam 1:13; Lam 3:3; Lam 3:14; Lam 3:62; Ps 25:5; Ps 32:3; Ps 35:28; Ps 37:26; Ps 38:7; Ps 38:13; Ps 42:4; Ps 42:11; Ps 44:9; Ps 44:16; Ps 44:23; Ps 52:3; Ps 56:2; Ps 56:3; Ps 56:6; Ps 71:8; Ps 71:15; Ps 71:24; Ps 72:15; Ps 73:14; Ps 74:22; Ps 86:3; Ps 88:18; Ps 89:17; Ps 102:9; Ps 119:97; Prov 21:26; Prov 23:17.
g. additional phrase with בְּ = on a particular day: בַּיּוֺם הַחֲמִישִׁי Judg 19:18, so Gen 2:2 (twice in verse) + often; בְּכָליֿוֺם every day Ps 7:12; Ps 88:10; Ps 145:2 בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא of definite time in past Gen 15:18; Gen 33:16 + (see also 3 above); compare הַיּוֺם הַזֶּה (no preposition) Exod 13:3 (JE); בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא of time defined in subsequent context, 1Sam 3:2 at that time when Eli was laid down, i.e. at the particular time of the following incident (= at a certain time, on one particular day; compare Gen 39:11 Sub h; see Da^{Synt. § 21. e. R. 1, 2 and} especially Dr 1Sam 1:4; 1Sam 19:3); בַּיּוֺם הַזֶּה Gen 7:11 +; בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֺם הַזֶּה on this selfsame day Gen 7:13 (see עֶצֶם); בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא also of future 1Sam 3:12; Deut 31:17 (twice in verse); Deut 31:18 and very often in prophets, as formula in describing what is to come at time of future blessing, retribution, etc., Amos 8:3; Amos 8:9; Hos 2:18; Hos 2:20; Hos 2:23 etc., especially Isa 2:11; Isa 2:17; Isa 2:20; Isa 3:7; Isa 3:18; Isa 4:1; Isa 4:2 + often; plural בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם of past Gen 6:4 (J), Judg 18:1 (twice in verse); Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 3:1 + often; of future Deut 17:9; Deut 19:17; Deut 26:3.
h. with כַּיּוֺם ׃כְּ as or like the day Ps 139:12 כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Josh 10:14 כְּיוֺם Hos 2:5 as at the day of; כְּיוֺם תָּמִים Josh 10:13 about a whole day; כַּיּוֺם literally at (about) to-day = now (see כְּ) 1Sam 9:27; 1Kgs 22:5 = 2Chr 18:4; Isa 58:4 so כְּהַיּוֺם 1Sam 9:13 + v1Sam 9:12 We Dr (for ᵑ0 כי היום), Neh 5:11 כַּיּוֺם = at once, first of all Gen 25:31; Gen 25:33; 1Sam 2:16; 1Kgs 1:51 often with adjective pronoun to point out agreement of result with promise or prediction, כַּיּוֺם הַזֶּה as it is this day Gen 50:20 (E), 1Sam 22:8; 1Sam 22:13, and especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah and subsequent writing: Deut 2:30; Deut 4:20; Deut 4:38; Deut 8:18; Deut 10:15; Deut 29:27; Jer 11:5; Jer 25:18 (gloss, omitted by ᵐ5, compare especially Kue^{Einl. § 56. 1}), Jer 32:20; Jer 44:6; Jer 44:23; 1Kgs 3:6; 1Kgs 8:24; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Chr 28:7; 2Chr 6:15; Dan 9:7; Dan 9:15 so כְּהַיּוֺם הַזֶּה Deut 6:24; Jer 44:22; Ezra 9:7; Ezra 9:15; Neh 9:10 in Gen 39:11 (J) this phrase = on this particular day (when the incident to be narrated occurred; compare ביום ההוא g above)
i. with לְיוֺם ׃לְ on, at (literally with reference to) Hos 9:5 (twice in verse) what will ye do on the day of assembly, etc., Isa 10:3 לְיוֺם אֶחָד 1Kgs 5:2 bread for one day; הַמְּלָאכָה לֹא לְיוֺם אֶחָד וְלֹא לִשְׁנַיִם Ezra 10:13 distributive phrase נָשִׂיא אֶחָד לַיּוֺם נָשִׂיא אֶחָד לַיּוֺם Num 7:11 (P), Job 21:30 (twice in verse); compare לַיּוֺם Mal 1:17 לַיּום against, i.e. in expectation of Exod 19:11, so לְיוֺם קְרָב Job 38:23; Prov 21:31 לְיוֺם קוּמִי almost = until Zeph 3:8 לִפְנֵי יוֺם Isa 48:7 before to-day; late phrase are לְיָמִים מִיָּמִים 2Chr 21:19 = in the course of time; לְיָמִים רַבִּים Dan 8:26 at (the end of) many days; לַיּוֺם for every day, daily, Exod 29:36; Exod 29:38; Num 7:11 (twice in verse); Num 28:3; Num 28:34; 1Chr 26:17; Jer 37:21; Ezek 4:10; Ezek 43:25; Ezek 45:23 (twice in verse); Ezek 46:13 לַיּוֺם in exclamation ׳הָהּ לַיּ Ezek 20:2 alas for the day! ׳אֲהָהּ לַיּ Joel 1:15.
j. with מִיּוֺם ׃מִן since the day (time) of (or when), Exod 10:6; Lev 23:15; Deut 9:24; 1Sam 7:2 etc.; מִיּוֺם הראשׁן Exod 12:15 from the first day (on omission of article see Dr^{§ 209} (1)); מִימֵי השׁפטים 2Kgs 23:22, etc.; מִיּוֺם = from to-day, from this day forth Isa 43:13; Ezek 48:35 מֵהַיּוֺם הַהוּא וָמָ֑עְלָה 1Sam 16:13; 1Sam 30:25 from that day forward; so וָהָ֑לְאָה ׳הַה ׳מֵהַיּ 1Sam 18:9 מִןהַֿיּוֺם הַזֶּה וָמָ֑עְלָה Hag 2:15; Hag 2:18 from this day onward (see Add. on p. 751:b); עַדהַֿיּוֺם הַזֶּה Gen 47:26 until now; מִיָּמִים רַבִּים after many days Josh 23:1; Ezek 38:8 מִיָּמִים after a time Judg 11:4; Judg 14:8; Judg 15:1 but usually ׳מִקֵּץ י, see קֵץ; מִיֹּמָ֑יִם Hos 6:2 after two days; — מִיָּמִים יָמִ֫ימָה see e (4) above
k. with לְמִן (see לְ near the end): לְמִן הַיּוֺם אֲשֶׁר Deut 4:32; Deut 9:7; 2Sam 7:11; Jer 7:25; Jer 32:31; Hag 2:18 twice followed by infinitive in apposition Exod 9:18; 2Sam 19:25 (compare also 2Chr 8:16 see Dr^{Sm. & § 190, Obs}.); קֶדֶם ׃לְמִימֵי ׳למ 2Kgs 19:25 since days of old = long ago, compare Mal 3:7 since the days of your fathers.

1. ׃עַד (ה)יום ׳עַד יוֺם הָאֶחָד וגו Exod 12:18 until the 21st day, Lev 19:6 +; עַדיֿוֺם מוֺתוֺ Judg 13:7; 1Sam 15:35; 2Sam 6:23 +, etc., see also (followed by infinitive) c above; עַדהַֿיּוֺם until to-day, denoting especially permanence of a name or situation, or of result of an event, Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J), Gen 35:20 (E), 2Kgs 10:27; Ezek 20:31 ; more often עַדהַֿיּוֺם הַזֶּה until this day Gen 26:33 (J), Gen 32:33 (P or R), Gen 47:26 (J), Gen 48:15 (E), Exod 10:6; Num 22:30 (both J), Deut 2:22; Deut 3:14; Deut 10:8; Deut 11:4; Deut 29:3; Deut 34:6; Deut 5:9; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:26 (twice in verse); Josh 8:28; Josh 8:29; Josh 9:27; Josh 13:13; Josh 14:14; Josh 15:63; Josh 16:10 (all J E), Josh 22:3 (D), vJosh 22:17 (P), Josh 23:8; Josh 23:9 (D), Judg 1:21; Judg 1:26; Judg 6:24; Judg 10:4; Judg 15:19; Judg 18:12; Judg 19:30; 1Sam 5:5; 1Sam 6:18; 1Sam 8:8; 1Sam 12:2; 1Sam 27:6; 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:6; 1Sam 29:8; 1Sam 30:25; 2Sam 4:3; 2Sam 6:8 = 1Chr 13:11; 2Sam 7:6 = 1Chr 17:5; 2Sam 18:18 + often; עַדעֶֿצֶם הַיּוֺם הַזֶּה Josh 10:27 (JE), Ezek 2:3 (compare Lev 23:14 H); עַדֿ הַיּוֺם הַהוּא Judg 18:1; Neh 8:17. masculine once עַליֿוֺם טוֺב 1Sam 25:8 upon a good day, i.e. a day of social cheerfulness, feasting, rejoicing (with rare עַל temporal compare Dr; יוֺם טוֺב also Esth 8:17; Esth 9:19; Esth 9:22, see טוֺב adjective )

day, days, time, daily, ever, …

yôm

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)

day, time, year

day (as opposed to night)

as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

a working day, a day's journey

today

הָ רִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים

הָ

Prefix — article the

רִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים

Root word first, former, things, beginning, chief, …

Dictionary form: רִאשׁוֹן · rih-SHONE

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: the cause that the former

the first ×23 first ×21 in the first ×20 at the first ×10 of the first ×10 the former ×9 day of the first ×7 the former things ×5

More options

first — Most common; ordinal sequence or rank.

former — Prefer for contrast with what comes later.

earlier — Temporal sense; less formal than 'former'.

foremost — Emphasizes priority or supreme importance.

original — Highlights the initial or foundational instance.

ancient — Use when referring to distant past or ancestors.

BDB7681 H7223

רִאשׁוֺן₁₈₂ adjective former, first, chief (i heightened from original a, see √); — absolute ׳ר Hos 2:19 +, שֹׁן- - Exod 12:15 +, רִישׁוֺן Job 8:8, construct רִאשׁוֺן Job 15:7 Qr (Kt ראישון and so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Kö^{ii. 1, 225 n}); feminine רִאשֹׁנָה Judg 20:37 + (Josh 21:10 Kt ראישנה see above); masculine plural רִאשֹׁנִים Exod 34:1 +, feminine plural רִאשֹׁנוֺת Isa 41:22 +, etc.; —

1. former:
a. in time, former of two Gen 25:25 (J), Gen 41:20 (E), Deut 10:1; Deut 10:2; Deut 10:3; Deut 10:4; Deut 10:10; Deut 24:4, compare Hos 2:9; Lev 4:21; Lev 9:15 (both P), Judg 20:39; 2Kgs 1:14; Hag 2:3; Hag 2:9; Ezra 3:12 +; more generally former, previous, Num 21:26 (JE), Mic 4:8; 2Kgs 17:34; 2Kgs 17:40; Zech 1:4; Zech 7:7; Zech 7:12; Zech 8:11; Neh 5:15 Eccl 17:10; Ps 79:8 +; ׳כָּעֵת הָ ר Isa 8:23 ׳דִּבְרֵי דויד הָ ר 1Chr 29:29 the doings of David, the former and the latter (הָאַחֲדֹנִים), compare 2Chr 9:29; 2Chr 12:15; 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34; 2Chr 25:26; 2Chr 26:22; 2Chr 28:26; 2Chr 35:27 early days of harvest 2Sam 21:9 רִאשֹׁנִים as substantive, former persons, ancestors, men of old, Deut 19:14; Lev 26:45 (H), Eccl 1:11 (opposed to אַחֲרֹנִים); (תָ)רִאשֹׁנוֺת as substantive the former things, i.e. past events Isa 41:22; Isa 43:9; Isa 43:18; Isa 46:9; Isa 48:3, earlier predictions Isa 42:9.
b. location, foremost, of two 2Sam 18:27. 2 first:
a. in time, ׳הַמַּכָּה הָ ר 1Sam 14:14 the first slaughter (preliminary to general carnage); ׳וְלֹאהָֿיָה דְּבָרִי ר 2Sam 19:44 was not my word first? ׳ר in apposition with person subject 2Sam 19:21 I am come as first, compare perhaps Isa 41:27 (insert אָמַרְתִּי Ges De < read הִגַּדְתִּים for הִנֵּה הִנָּם Che^Hpt Kit Di), and ׳הָ ר Jer 50:17 (opposed to הָאַחֲרוֺן), Isa 43:27 ׳ר absolute, first of mankind Job 15:17 absolute of ׳י, I (an the) first Isa 41:4 (+אֶתֿ אַחֲדֹנִים), + אַחְרוֺן Isa 44:6; Isa 48:12 absolute of time, מֵרִאשׁוֺן Jer 17:12 from the beginning; especially first of a def. series (sometimes opposed to אַחֲרוֺן). first day of feast Deut 16:4; Exod 12:15 (twice in verse); Exod 12:16 + 5 t. P (H), Neh 8:18, usually first month (חֹרֶשׁ) Exod 40:2; Exod 40:17; Lev 23:5 + 6 t. P, 1Chr 12:16 (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:15) + 10 t. Chronicles, Ezra, Esth 3:7; Dan 10:4, חֹדֶשׁ omitted Gen 8:13; Exod 12:2; Exod 12:18; Num 9:5 (all P) Ezek 29:17; Ezek 30:20; Ezek 45:18; Ezek 45:21, so Joel 2:23, but read כָּרִאשׁוֺנָה (3 a) ᵐ5 ᵑ6 We Now and Dr.
b. first in degree, chief: יַד הַשָּׂרִיםרִ֗֗֗אשׁוֺנָה Ezra 9:2 the hand of the princes ... has been first in this trespass; 1Chr 18:17; Dan 10:13 (Chronicles, Esth 1:14 below).

3. a. feminine with preposition as adverb phrase: (1) of time, בָּרִאשֹׁנָה Gen 13:4 (J), = before, formerly, so Josh 8:5; Josh 8:6 (JE), 2Sam 7:10; 2Sam 20:18; Jer 7:12; Isa 52:4, ׳לָר = before, formerly, Gen 28:19 (J), Judg 18:29 so ׳כְּבָר as formerly Judg 20:32; 1Kgs 13:6; Isa 1:26; Jer 33:7; Jer 33:11, = ׳כָּ ר Deut 9:15; Dan 11:29 (opposed to כָּאַחֲרוֺנָה); בָּר = at first, first of all, Deut 13:10; Deut 17:7; (P) Josh 8:33 (D), 1Kgs 17:13; 1Kgs 20:9; Zech 12:7; Prov 20:21 (opposed to אַחֲרִיתָהּ), 1Chr 11:6 (twice in verse); 1Chr 17:9; Neh 7:5 לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה 1Chr 15:13 (= ׳לְמַהבָּֿר) for what was at first, etc. (מָךְ 1 e); (2) location, ׳בָּר i.e. at the head of an army 1Kgs 20:17, a procession Num 10:14 (P), compare Isa 60:9.
b. רִאשֹׁנָה alone as adverb: (1) of time first Gen 38:28 (J), 1Kgs 18:25; Jer 16:18; Lev 5:8; Num 2:9; Josh 21:10 (all P), Isa 65:7 (Ew De Che Di Du Skinner, >adjective Ges Hi Kn); (2) of place Gen 33:2 (J); (3) of degree, rank, Esth 1:14.

first, former, things, beginning, chief, …

riʾšôn

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

(adj) first, primary, former

former (of time)

ancestors

הָי֥וּ

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

Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

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

In the KJV here: were