Ezekiel 44:25 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

וְ אֶל

וְ

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

אֶל

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

Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/R

Preposition

וְ	Speech Conjunction
אֶל	Speech Preposition

In English

In the KJV here: at

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

More options

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

toward — Emphasizes movement or orientation in a direction.

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

against — Adversarial or oppositional context; hostility or pressure.

upon — Contact or imposition on a surface or person.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB420 H413

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Note]

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

Strong's Definition H413

unto, to, into, upon, against, …

ʾēl

near, with or among; often in general, to

to, toward, unto (of motion)

in among

Variations 46 forms of this word

Translations 329 English renderings

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Word Parts

מֵ֣ת

Root word die, died, dead, death, surely, …

Dictionary form: מוּת · moot

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqrmsc

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine singular, construct state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

מֵת	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Participle Active Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: dead

die ×66 died ×63 be put to death ×33 shall die ×33 was dead ×28 and died ×26 and he died ×17 dead ×16

More options

die — Most direct rendering; suits most narrative and legal contexts.

perish — Slightly more elevated; good for poetic or lament passages.

be put to death — Use for judicial or commanded execution contexts.

be killed — Passive; fits violent or caused-death scenarios.

lose one's life — Idiomatic; natural in dialogue or reflective speech.

face death — Vivid; suits warnings or imminent-death situations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4561 H4191

מוּת verb die (Late Hebrew id. (rare); Assyrian mâtu Dl^{HWB 395}, Arabic , Ethiopic , Aramaic מוּת, מִית, ; Nabataean מות Eut^{Nab 14, 6}; Zinjirli מת DHM^{Sendsch. Glossary}); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular מֵת Gen 42:38 +; 3 feminine singular מֵ֫תָה Gen 35:18 +; 2 masculine singular מַתֶּה Ezek 28:8 1 singular וָמַ֑תִּי Gen 19:19 3 masculine plural מֵ֫תוּ Gen 7:22 +; 1 plural מַתְנוּ Num 14:2; 2Kgs 7:4 מָ֑תְנוּ Num 14:9 +; Imperfect יָמוּת Gen 38:11 +; יָמֹ֑ת Deut 33:6 +; וַיָּ֫מָת Gen 11:28 +; 1 singular אָמוּת Gen 26:9 +; אָמֻת 2Sam 19:38 אָמוּ֫תָה Gen 46:30 3 masculine plural יָמ֫וּתוּ 1Sam 2:23 +; יְמֻתוּן Num 16:29 3 feminine plural תְּמוּתֶ֫נָה Ezek 13:19 (Ges^{«GKC:72»§ 72}, 5) +; Imperative מֻת Deut 32:50; Job 2:9 Infinitive absolute מוֺת Gen 2:17 +; construct מוּת Gen 25:32 +; suffix מוּתִי 2Sam 19:1 מֻתָן 2Sam 20:3, etc.; Participle מֵת Gen 20:3 +; suffix מֵתִי Gen 23:4 +; feminine singular מֵתָה Gen 30:1; Zech 11:9 plural מֵתִים Exod 12:33 +; construct מֵתֵי Isa 22:2 +; suffix מֵתֶיךָ Isa 26:19 —

1. die, of natural or other causes:
a. (1) of man, וַיִּגְוִע וַיָּמָת and he expired and died Gen 25:8 ( + בְּשֵׂיבֶה טוֺבָה, see below), vGen 25:17; Gen 35:29 (P); וַיָּמָת וַיִּקָּבֵר Judg 10:2; Judg 10:5; Judg 8:32; Judg 12:7; Judg 12:10; Judg 12:12; Judg 12:15; 2Sam 17:23 וימלך תַּחְתָּיו וימת and he died and — reigned in his stead Gen 36:33; Gen 36:34; Gen 36:35; Gen 36:36; Gen 36:37; Gen 36:38; Gen 36:39 (P), 2Sam 10:1 = 1Chr 19:1; 2Kgs 1:17; 2Kgs 8:15; 2Kgs 13:24; 1Chr 1:44; 1Chr 1:45; 1Chr 1:46; 1Chr 1:47; 1Chr 1:48; 1Chr 1:49; 1Chr 1:50 וימת בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֺבָה and he died in a good old age 1Chr 29:28 (+ Gen 25:8, see above); as the result of smiting הכה Exod 21:18; Exod 21:20; Exod 21:22 (E); + במלחמה Deut 20:5; Deut 20:6; Deut 20:7; 2Sam 19:11 בַּחֶרֶב Jer 11:22 ברעב vJer 11:22 מפני הדעב Jer 38:9 בְּדֶבֶר Jer 21:6 באבן Num 35:17; Num 35:23 (P); בַּמַּגֵּפָה Num 14:37; Num 17:14; Num 25:9 (P). (2) figurative of wisdom, תָּמוּת חָכְמָה עִמָּכֶם Job 12:22 of courage, וַיָּמָת לִבּוֺ בְּקִרְבּוֺ and his heart died within him 1Sam 25:37. — 2Sam 2:31 strike out מֵ֑תוּ We Dr Kit Bu, compare ᵐ5.
b. of animals Lev 11:39 cattle Gen 33:13 (J), fish Exod 7:18 (E), frogs Exod 8:9 (J), lion Eccl 9:4, worm Isa 66:24 כֶּלֶב מֵת, dead dog (in proverb) 1Sam 24:15; 2Sam 9:8; 2Sam 16:9.
c. a tree Job 14:8.
d. זִבְחֵי מֵתִים Ps 106:28 sacrifices to the dead (idols).

2. die as a penalty = be put to death:
a. by human authority Gen 42:20; Exod 10:28; Exod 21:14 (E), Gen 44:9; Josh 2:14 (J), Lev 20:20 (H), Num 35:12; Num 35:30 (twice in verse) (P), especially D, Deut 17:2; Deut 17:6; Deut 18:20; Deut 19:12; Deut 22:22; Deut 22:25; Deut 24:7; Judg 6:30; 1Sam 14:43; 1Sam 14:45 (twice in verse); 1Sam 19:24; Jer 38:24 מוֺת יָּמּוּת, die = be put to a violent death ( > AV RV surely die), 1Sam 14:39; 1Sam 14:44; 1Sam 22:16; 1Kgs 2:37; 1Kgs 2:42 (all Judaic), Jer 26:8, all of capital punishment; 2Kgs 8:10 (Ehpraimitic source) cf assassination; מוֺת יוּמַת be put to a violent death, in the codes of Exod 21:12; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:16; Exod 21:17; Exod 22:18 (E), Lev 20:2; Lev 20:9; Lev 20:10; Lev 20:11; Lev 20:12; Lev 20:13; Lev 20:15; Lev 20:16; Lev 20:27; Lev 24:16; Lev 24:17 (H), Exod 31:14; Exod 31:15; Num 15:35; Num 35:16; Num 35:17; Num 35:18; Num 35:21; Num 35:31; Lev 27:29 (P; never in D; D uses verb, either Qal or Hiph`il, without infinitive absolute); it is used in narratives Gen 26:11 (J), Exod 19:12 (E), Judg 21:5. ׳מ is preceded by רגם Num 15:36 (P), Deut 21:21; 1Kgs 12:18 = 2Chr 10:18; 1Kgs 21:13 סקל Deut 13:11; Deut 17:5; Deut 22:21; Deut 22:24; Deut 1:10; Deut 1:13; Deut 1:14; Deut 1:15 פגע 1Kgs 2:25; 1Kgs 2:46 רמס 2Kgs 7:17; 2Kgs 7:20 בְּיַד גֹּאֵל Josh 20:9 (P).
b. inflicted by God, Gen 20:3; Gen 20:19; Josh 10:11 (E), Gen 3:3; Gen 38:11; Exod 11:5; Exod 12:36 (J), Exod 28:35; Exod 30:20 (twice in verse); Lev 8:35; Lev 10:2; Lev 10:6; Lev 10:7; Lev 10:9; Lev 16:1; Lev 16:2; Lev 16:13; Num 3:4; Num 4:19; Num 4:20; Num 14:35; Num 17:14; Num 17:28; Num 17:35; Num 18:3; Num 18:32; Num 26:11; Num 26:61 (P), Deut 5:22 (twice in verse); Deut 18:16; Judg 6:23; 1Sam 5:12; 1Sam 12:19; 1Sam 25:17; 1Sam 25:38; 1Sam 25:39; 2Sam 6:7; 2Sam 12:13; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 14:6 = 2Chr 25:4; 1Chr 24:2; 2Chr 13:20; 2Kgs 19:35 = Isa 37:36; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 18:4; Ezek 18:20; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 18:28; Ezek 33:15 מוֺת יָמוּת Gen 2:17; Gen 3:4 (J), Gen 20:7 (E), Judg 13:21; Judg 13:22; 2Sam 12:14; 2Sam 14:14; 2Kgs 1:4; 2Kgs 1:6; 2Kgs 1:16 (all Judaic), Num 26:65 (P), Ezek 3:18; Ezek 33:8; Ezek 33:14 מוֺת יוּמַת Ezek 18:13, ביד יהוה Exod 16:3 (P); בחטא Lev 22:9 (H), Num 27:3 (P), 2Kgs 14:6 = 2Chr 25:4 לשׂאת חטא למות Num 18:22 (P); בחטאת Ezek 3:20; Ezek 18:24 בטמאה Lev 15:21 (P); ביון Jer 31:30; Ezek 3:18; Ezek 3:19; Ezek 18:17; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 33:8; Ezek 33:9 לא ישׂאו עון זמתו Exod 28:43; Num 4:15 (P); בעול Ezek 18:26; Ezek 33:13; Ezek 33:18 על עול Ezek 18:26 במעל 1Chr 10:13.
c. die, perish, of a nation by divine judgment, Moab Amos 2:2, Ephraim Hos 13:1 בית ישׂראל Ezek 18:31; Ezek 33:1.
d. die prematurely, by neglect of wise moral conduct Prov 5:23; Prov 10:21; Prov 15:10; Prov 19:16; Prov 23:13 EC Prov 7:17. —

Note. On (לַבֵּן) עַלמֿוּת Ps 9:1; Ps 48:15 see עַלְמָה below II. עלם.

Po`lel. Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix מוֺתְתַנִי Jer 20:17 1 singular מֹתַתִּי 2Sam 1:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יְמֹתְתֵהוּ 1Sam 17:51 3 feminine singular תְּמוֺתֵת Ps 34:22 1 singular suffix אֲמֹתְתֵהוּ 2Sam 1:10 Imperative suffix מוֺתְתֵנִי Judg 9:54 מֹתְתֵנִי 2Sam 1:9 infinitive מוֺתֵת Ps 109:16 Participle מְמוֺתֵת 1Sam 14:13 — kill, put to death, despetch (intensive), absolute 1Sam 14:13, elsewhere with accusative Judg 9:54; 1Sam 17:51; 2Sam 1:9; 2Sam 1:10; 2Sam 1:16; Jer 20:17; Ps 34:22; Ps 109:16.

Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular הֵמִית Judg 16:30 +; suffix וֶהֱמִתָ֑נִי 2Sam 14:32 הֱמִיתָם Jer 41:8 3 feminine singular sf . הֱמִיתָ֑תְהוּ 2Chr 22:11 2 masculine singular הֵמַתָּה Num 14:15 1 singular suffix הֲמִיתִּיו (read הֲמִתִּיו) 1Sam 17:35 3 masculine plural הֵמִיתוּ 1Sam 30:2 +, etc.; Imperfect יָמִית Num 35:19 +; וַיָּ֫מֶת Gen 38:10 +; suffix יְמִיתֵהוּ 1Kgs 13:24 +; יְמִתֶנּוּ Num 35:19 +; Imperative suffix הֲמִיתֵנִי 1Sam 20:8 plural הָמִיתוּ 1Sam 22:17 Infinitive absolute הָמֵת 2Kgs 11:15 +; construct הָמִית Lev 20:4 +; Participle מֵמִית 1Sam 2:6 pl, מְמִיתִים 2Kgs 17:26; Job 33:22 מְמִתִים Jer 26:15 — kill, put to death

1. absolute Job 9:23, elsewhere with accusative, subject man,
a. of killing men in personal combat, or in war, often preceded by הכּה smite Josh 10:26; Josh 11:17; Josh 17:50 +; of destroying a city 2Sam 20:19 (|| השׁחית v2Sam 20:20).
b. by authority, especially in capital punishment Exod 1:16 (E), Lev 20:4 (H), Num 35:19 (twice in verse); Num 35:21 (P), Deut 9:10; Deut 17:7; Judg 20:13; 1Sam 11:12; 1Sam 28:9; 2Sam 14:7; 2Sam 14:32; 2Sam 21:4; 1Kgs 2:26; 1Kgs 2:34; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 19:17 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 14:6 = 2Chr 25:4; Isa 11:4; Jer 26:15; Jer 26:21; Jer 26:24; Jer 38:15; Jer 38:16; Jer 38:25; Esth 4:11 בַּחֶרֶב 1Kgs 1:51; 1Kgs 2:8; 2Kgs 11:20 = 2Chr 23:21 הָמֵת יָמִית Judg 15:13; 1Kgs 3:26; 1Kgs 3:27; Jer 26:19; Jer 38:15.

2. subject God, by inflicting penalty, absolute Deut 32:39; 1Sam 2:6; 2Kgs 5:7, elsewhere with accusative Gen 18:25; Gen 38:7; Gen 38:10; Exod 4:24; Num 14:15 (J), Deut 9:28; Judg 13:23; 1Sam 2:25; 1Sam 5:10; 1Sam 5:11; 1Chr 2:3; 1Chr 10:14; Isa 65:15; Hos 9:16 ברעב Isa 14:30 בצמא Hos 2:5 of killing fish Ps 105:29 מְמִיתִים Job 33:22 executioners, angels of death.

3. of animals killing men, e.g. ox Exod 21:29 (E), lion 1Kgs 13:24; 1Kgs 13:26; 2Kgs 17:26.

4. bring to a premature death Prov 19:18; Prov 21:25.

Hoph`al Perfect הוּמָ֑ת 2Kgs 11:2 +; 3 masculine plural הֻמְתוּ 2Sam 21:9 Imperfect יוּמַת Lev 20:10 +; יוּמָ֑ת Gen 26:11 +; Participle מוּמָת 1Sam 19:11, plural מוּמָתִים 2Kgs 11:2 (Qr), 2Chr 22:11 — be killed, put to death:

1. by conspiracy 2Kgs 11:2 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 22:11; 2Kgs 11:8; 2Kgs 11:15; 2Kgs 11:16; 2Chr 23:7; 2Chr 23:14.

2. by capital punishment Exod 21:29 (E), Exod 35:2; Num 1:15; Num 3:10; Num 3:38; Num 18:7 (P), Lev 19:20; Lev 24:16; Lev 24:21 (H), Deut 13:6; Deut 17:6 (twice in verse); Deut 21:22; Deut 24:16 (3 t. in verse) = 2Kgs 14:6 (twice in verse), Josh 1:18 (all D) Judg 6:31; 1Sam 11:13; 1Sam 19:6; 1Sam 19:11; 1Sam 20:32; 2Sam 19:22; 2Sam 19:23; 2Sam 21:9; 2Sam 1:24; 2Sam 2:13; , and the phrase מוֺת יוּמת (see Qal 2a).

3. by divine infliction, in the phrase מות יוּמת (see Qal 2b).

4. die prematurely Prov 19:16.

BDB9653 H4191 H4193

מוֺת noun [masculine] death (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute Ezra 7:26.

מָזוֺן see זון.

Strong's Definition H4191

die, died, dead, death, surely, …

mût

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

to die, kill, have one executed

(Qal)

to die

to be killed, be put to death

to die prematurely

Variations 204 forms of this word

Translations 300 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אָדָ֔ם

Root word man, men, mans, adam, mens, …

Dictionary form: אָדָם · aw-DAWM

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

אָדָם

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: person

of man ×143 man ×92 of men ×51 men ×26 a man ×24 of a man ×18 the man ×10 adam ×7

More options

human — Best general term; gender-neutral, covers individuals and collectives.

person — Emphasizes individual identity; good for singular contexts.

humanity — Ideal for collective or generic uses referring to humankind.

humankind — Broad collective; strong when contrasting humans with God or animals.

mortal — Highlights human frailty and finitude; fits poetic or theological passages.

man — Retain only when the male gender is contextually clear and intentional.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB108 H120 H121

אָדָם₅₆₀ noun masculine^{Gen 1:27} man, mankind (Phoenician אדם, Sabean id., CIS^iv.1,l.4 and others; compare Assyrian admu, young (of bird) Dl^W, but Nö^{ZMG 1886, 722} identification with Arabic collective creatures) — Singular absolute except construct Prov 6:12 compare Thes; (׳בְּנֵי (הָ)א often = plural of ׳א Gen 11:5 +39 t., compare ׳בְּנוֺת הָא Gen 6:2; Gen 6:4) —

1. a man (= German Mensch) = human being Gen 2:5; Gen 2:7 (twice in verse); Gen 2:8; Gen 2:15; Gen 2:16; Gen 2:18 +, Gen 16:12 (27 t. J) Lev 5:4 || נֶפֶּשׁ Lev 13:2; Lev 13:9 (19 t. P) Neh 2:10; Isa 13:12 (|| אֱנוֺשׁ); הַגָּדוֺל ׳הָאָ Josh 14:15 (E); בְּלִיַּעַל ׳אָ Prov 6:12 (|| אִישׁ אָוֶן compare 1Sam 25:25 & see בליעל); = any one Lev 1:2; Num 9:6; Num 9:7; Job 20:29; Job 27:13; Prov 15:20; Prov 21:16; Prov 21:20; Prov 24:30; Eccl 7:20 + often Wisdom Literature, Jer 2:6; Jer 4:25; Neh 2:12, compare ׳נֶפֶּשׁ א Num 19:11; Num 19:13 +; seldom man opposed to woman Gen 2:22 (twice in verse); Gen 2:23; Gen 2:25; Gen 3:8; Gen 3:12; Gen 3:17; Gen 3:20; Gen 3:21; Eccl 7:28.

2. collective man, mankind Gen 1:26; Gen 9:5; Gen 9:6 (3 t. in verse) + (P 28 t.) Gen 6:1; Gen 6:5; Gen 6:6; Gen 6:7 (J E 24 t.) Deut 4:32 (D 6 t.) (on 2Sam 7:19 compare 1Chr 17:17 see Dr^Sm); distinctly = men + women Gen 1:27; Gen 5:1; Num 5:6 given as name Gen 5:2 but = warriors Isa 22:6 ׳רֶכֶב א || (פּרשׁיםׅ; || beasts (41 t.) בְּהֵמָה Gen 6:7; Gen 7:23 (J ?) Exod 8:13; Exod 8:14; Exod 9:9; Exod 9:10 (P) Exod 9:19; Exod 9:22; Exod 9:25; Exod 12:12; Exod 13:2; Exod 13:13; Exod 13:15 (all J) +; late prophets Jer 21:6; Jer 31:27; Jer 50:3; Jer 51:62; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 14:17; Ezek 14:19; Ezek 14:21; Ezek 25:13; Ezek 29:8; Ezek 29:11; Ezek 32:13 (strike out Co) Ezek 36:11; Jonah 3:8; Zeph 1:3; Hag 1:11; Zech 2:8; Zech 8:10 || בָּקָר Ezek 4:15 || צֹאן, חֲמֹרִים ׳ב Num 31:28 || id. + מִכָּלהַֿבְּהֵמָה vNum 31:30 compare Jonah 3:7 || חַיָּה Gen 9:5 (P) compare Ezek 1:5; Ezek 1:8; Ezek 1:10; Ezek 1:26, & description of כְּרוּבִים Ezek 10:8; Ezek 10:14; Ezek 10:21 compare Ezek 41:19 || trees Deut 20:19 (read הֶאָדָם see Di); opposed to God 1Sam 15:29; 1Sam 16:7 (twice in verse); Isa 31:3; Ezek 28:2; Ezek 28:9; 1Chr 21:13; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 6:18; Mal 3:8 compare Exod 33:20; Deut 5:21 so ׳בֶּןאֿ Num 23:19 (|| אישׁ) Ezek 2:1; Ezek 2:3; Ezek 2:6; Ezek 2:8 (87 t. Ezekiel, always addressed to prophet); בְּנֵי ׳הָא 1Sam 26:19 made in God's image Gen 1:26; Gen 1:27; Gen 9:6 compare Eccl 7:29 as feeble, earthly, mortal Num 16:29 (twice in verse); Ps 82:7; Ps 144:3; Ps 144:4; Job 5:7; Job 14:1; Job 14:10 compare Job 25:6 (׳בֶּןאֿ) Eccl 12:5 as sinful 1Kgs 8:46; 2Chr 6:36; Jer 10:14 compare Num 5:6; Job 31:33; Hos 6:7 of men in general, other men (opposed to particular ones) Judg 16:17 (compare ׳אַחַד הָא vJudg 16:7 vJudg 16:11) Judg 18:7; Judg 18:28; Ps 73:5; Jer 32:20 +; || אִישׁ Isa 2:9; Isa 2:11; Isa 2:17; Isa 5:15 compare Ezek 23:42 (strike out Co Vrss); ׳בְּנֵי א 2Sam 7:14 (|| אֲנָשִׁים) Prov 8:4 (|| אִישִׁים); Ps 49:3; Ps 62:10 (both || בְּנֵי אִישׁ) = men of low opposed to men of high degree — so often Phoenician and = vassal Sabean DHM^{ZMG 1875, 680} compare 686; ׳נֶפֶשׁ א collective Num 31:35; Num 31:40; Num 31:46; 1Chr 5:21; Ezek 27:13.

3. proper name, masculine Adam, first man (without article, compare שָׂטָן 1Chr 21:1 over ag. ׳הַשּׂ Job 1:6 etc.) Gen 4:25 (J) Gen 5:1; Gen 5:3; Gen 5:4; Gen 5:5 (P) 1Chr 1:1. (Gen 2:20; Gen 3:17; Gen 3:21 read ׳לָא see Di.)

4. proper name, of a location city in Jordan valley (as built ?) Josh 3:16.

Strong's Definition H120

man, men, mans, adam, mens, …

ʾādām

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

man, mankind

man, human being

Variations 28 forms of this word

Translations 117 English renderings

Adam Man

Search every verse

Word Parts

לֹ֥א

Particle not

Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Tn

Particle — Negative

לֹא	Speech Particle Type Negative

In English

In the KJV here: no

not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86

More options

not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.

no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.

never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.

nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.

neither — Use when negating two elements together.

none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4266 H3808

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236} Walker^{AJSL 1896, 237 ff.}) — לוֺא, according to Masora (Fr^{MM 248}), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.^{p. 251}), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
(a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges^{«GKC:156»§ 156}. 3 R. b, c Dr^{§ 162}). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr^{§ 115}, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges^{«GKC:109»§ 109}. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
(b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr^{§ 202. 2}); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
(c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָבר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
(d) standing alone:
(a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
(e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew^{§ 324 a} Ges^{«GKC:150»§ 150}. 1 Dr^{1Sam 11:12}): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
b. with adjectives and substantive:
(a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
(b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר

2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
(c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew^{§ 320 c} Dr^{§ 162}): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), v^b בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew^{§ 286 g} Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, v^b Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr^{§ 164}), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236 f}.

4. With prefixes: —
a. בְּלֹא₃₁ (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
(a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
(b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
(c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.

b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
(a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.

c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.

e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see De^{Ps 100. 3} Fr^{MM 247} Str^{Prol. Cr. 84}), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb³⁰¹ Cook^{G1. 67}); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K^{§ 67, 1} Dr^{§ 202, 2}.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, D^{Aramaic Dialektproben, p. 1}). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H3808

not, no, neither, nor, none, …

lōʾ

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

not, no

not (with verb—absolute prohibition)

Variations 44 forms of this word

Translations 881 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

יָב֖וֹא

Root word come, came, brought, bring, in, …

Dictionary form: בּוֹא · boh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqi3ms

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

יָבוֹא

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

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and they shall come

came ×247 come ×144 and came ×99 shall come ×65 and brought ×55 cometh ×44 and they came ×38 brought ×37

More options

come — Most neutral, widely applicable rendering for this lemma.

go — Use when motion is away from the speaker's reference point.

enter — Prefer when crossing a threshold or boundary is in view.

bring — Use for causative or hiphil stems involving conveying something.

arrive — Emphasizes reaching a destination; good for narrative climax.

approach — Highlights drawing near; suitable for formal or ceremonial contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB946 H935

בּוֺא₂₅₆₉ verb come in, come, go in, go (Assyrian bâ'u Hpt^{KAT 499, Ethiopic} Arabic return) —

Qal Perfect בָּא Gen 6:13 +; 3 feminine singular בָּ֫אָה Gen 15:17 +; suffix בָּאַתְנוּ Ps 44:18 2 masculine singular בָּ֫אתָ Josh 13:1 +, בָּ֫אתָה 2Sam 3:7 2 feminine singular בָּאתְ Gen 16:8; Ruth 2:12, וּבָאתְ consecutive Ruth 3:4; 2Sam 14:3; Mic 4:10 3 plural בָּאוּ Gen 7:9 +; 1 plural בָּאנוּ Gen 32:7 + (בָּנוּ 1Sam 25:8), etc.; Imperfect יָבוֺא Gen 32:9 +, יָבאֹ Gen 49:10 +; 3 feminine singular תָּבוֺא Gen 41:50 +; suffix תְּבוֺאָֽתְךָ Job 22:21 (but text dubious see Kö^{i. 644}); 2 masculine singular תָּבוֺא Gen 15:15 +; 2 feminine singular תָּבוֺאִי Ruth 3:17 +; 1 singular אָבוֺא Gen 33:14 +; cohortative אָבֹ֫אָה Judg 15:1, אָב֫וֺאָה Gen 29:21 +, וַתָּבאֹתִי 1Sam 25:34 (Qr וַתָּבאֹת, but text probably wrong, see Kö^{i. 647} Dr, read וַתָּבֹאִי); 3 plural masculine יָבוֺאוּ Gen 6:20 +, also (by text error) בּאֹוּ Jer 27:18 compare Kö^{i. 645}, יְבאֹ֑וּן Ps 95:11 suffix יְבאֹוּנִי Ps 119:77, וִיבֹאֻנִי vPs 119:41 3 feminine plural תָּבאֹןָ Gen 30:38, תָּבוֺאנָה 1Sam 10:7 +; תְּבֹאֶינָה 1Sam 10:7; Ps 45:16, etc.; Imperative בּוֺא, בּאֹ Gen 7:1 +, בֹּ֫אָה 1Sam 20:21; 1Kgs 13:7, בּ֫וֺאִי, בֹּ֫אִי 2Sam 13:11 +; masculine plural בּ֫אֹוּ Gen 45:17 +; Infinitive בּוֺא, בּאֹ Gen 39:16 +; suffix בֹּאִי, בּוֺאִי Gen 48:5 +, בּוֺאֲךָ 1Sam 29:6 +, בֹּאֲכָה Gen 10:19 +, etc., בֹּאָם Gen 34:5 +, בֹּאָן Gen 30:88 compare Ezek 42:12 (where Co for בְּבוֺאָן reads לבוא להנה); Participle בָּא Gen 33:1 +; feminine בָּאָ֫ה Gen 29:6 +, הַבָּ֫אָה Gen 18:21 + (accent wrong Ew^{§ 331 b N}.); plural בָּאִים Gen 18:11 +; construct בָּאֵי Gen 23:10 feminine absolute בָּאוֺת Gen 41:29 (see further on forms Kö^{i. 643 f.}); —

1. come in, followed by אֶל Gen 6:18; Gen 7:9; Gen 7:13, followed by בְּ Gen 19:8 & so (subject רוּחַ) Ezek 2:2; Ezek 37:10, followed by לְ Esth 6:4, followed by ָ ה locative Gen 12:11; Gen 41:57; Num 14:24, followed by accusative (בוֺת) Judg 18:18; 2Kgs 11:19 compare Ps 100:4 (שַׁעֲרָיו), & בָּאֵי שַׁעַר עִירוֺ Gen 23:10; Gen 23:18 even of life-less things 2Kgs 18:21, וּבָא בְכַפּוֺ (of broken reed) = pierce; of food and drink (followed by אֶלֿ) Dan 10:3 compare Gen 41:21 (fat kine when eaten by lean kine); see also (followed by בְּ) Num 5:22; Num 5:24; Num 5:27 absolute Gen 7:16; Gen 24:31; 1Kgs 1:42; 1Kgs 14:6 compare 2Kgs 11:5; 2Kgs 11:9 = 2Chr 23:4; 2Chr 23:8 +; more particular
a. opposed to יָצָא, go out and come in (Sabean וצֿאם או בהאם Hal¹⁵²) Josh 6:1; 2Kgs 11:8 = 2Chr 23:7 especially in sense of going about one's affairs (including all one's undertakings) Deut 28:6; Deut 28:19; Zech 8:10; Ps 121:8 id. + ישׁב 2Kgs 19:27 also followed by לִפְנֵי הָעָם etc. = act as ruler (judge) of, Num 27:17; 2Chr 1:10 compare 1Kgs 3:7 of leading an army 1Sam 18:13; 1Sam 18:16 compare also Josh 14:11 see further Deut 31:2; 1Sam 29:6 & below
c. below
b. of taking part in worship of congregation Deut 23:2; Deut 23:3 (twice in verse); Deut 23:4 (twice in verse) + (followed by בְּ); or entering into tabernacle for priestly service Exod 28:29; Exod 28:35; Lev 16:23 (all followed by אֶלֿ), Exod 28:30 (followed by לִפְנֵי יהוה), Lev 16:17 (followed by infinitive) +. with of entering on official duty 2Kgs 11:9 = 2Chr 23:8; 1Chr 27:1 (all opposed to יצא). d. of bride coming into her husband's house Josh 15:18 = Judg 1:14. e. of entering a woman's tent or apartment (with implication coire cum femina, compare Late Hebrew בִּיאָה coitio; on origin of this use of word compare RS^{K 90, 167, 291}) Judg 15:1 אֶלאִֿשְׁתִּי הֶחָ֑דְרָה, Judg 16:1; Gen 6:4; Gen 16:2; Gen 30:3; Gen 38:8: Gen 38:9; Gen 39:14; Deut 22:13; 2Sam 12:24; 2Sam 16:21; 2Sam 20:3; Ezek 23:44 (3 t. in verse); Prov 6:29 (all followed by אֶלֿ); followed by עַלֿ Gen 19:31; Deut 25:5 יָבאֹ עָלָיהָ וּלְקָחָהּ לוֺ לְאִשָּׁה compare בָּאֶיהָ Prov 2:19 — subject rarely woman Gen 19:34; 2Sam 11:4. feminine of associating with (followed by בְּ) Josh 23:7; Josh 23:12 compare Gen 49:6 בְּסֹדָם אַל תָּבאֹ נַפְשִׁי (אַלתֵּֿחַד || בִּקְהָלָם).
g. of entering into specific relations, בְאָלָה ׳בּ, בִבְרִית ׳בּ (see אלה, ברית); בּוֺא בְדָמִים come into blood-guiltiness, became guilty of murder 1Sam 25:26.
h. of burial, אֶלקֶֿבֶר ׳בּ 1Kgs 13:22; 1Kgs 14:13 compare תָּבוֺא אֶלאֲֿבוֺתֶיךָ Gen 15:15 (|| תִּקָּבֵר).
i. of sun, set (go in, enter, compare As êrib šanši COT Gen 19:23 opposed to יצא go forth, rise) Gen 15:12; Gen 15:17; Gen 28:11; Exod 17:12; Exod 22:25; Lev 22:7; Deut 16:6; Deut 23:12; Deut 24:13; Deut 24:15; Deut 10:13; Deut 10:27; Deut 2:24; Deut 3:35; Deut 1:36; Deut 18:34 so also figurative Jer 15:9 of calamity בּאה שִׁמְשָׁהּ בְּעוֺד יוֺמָם (|| אֻמְלְלָה יֹלֶדֶת הַשִּׁבְעָה etc.), compare Isa 60:20; Mic 3:6 הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ עַלהַֿנְּבִיאִים ׳וּב of ignorance and confusion. j. of harvest, come in = be gathered Lev 25:22 (compare תְּבוּאָה); so of revenue (income) 1Kgs 10:14 = 2Chr 9:13 (followed by לְ person), — opposed to יצא be expended.
k. in other phrases: וַתָּבאֹ הָעִיר בַּמָּצוֺר 2Kgs 24:10 + and the city came into siege; compare Ps 105:18 בַּרְזֶל בָּאָה נַפְשׁוֺ his soul came into iron (see AV RVm; Che felt iron chains, compare Ew Ol Hup Pe; ᵑ7 Hi De and others iron came upon his soul); בָּא בַּיָּמִים come into (the) days, = advanced in age Gen 24:1; Josh 13:1; Josh 23:1 (all || זָקֵן); on 1Sam 17:12 see Dr.

2. come (approach, arrive) opposed to הָלַךְ Gen 16:8; 1Sam 20:21 (compare v1Sam 20:22) Neh 6:17; Eccl 5:14; Eccl 5:15 (of birth opposed to death); followed by אֶלֿ person or of thing Gen 14:7; Gen 37:23 followed by עַלֿ Exod 18:23; 2Chr 20:24 (come up upon, almost = ascend); compare also Lev 21:11; Num 6:6 followed by לְ 1Sam 9:12; 2Chr 29:17 followed by עַד Num 13:22; Judg 15:14; 2Sam 16:5 compare בָּאוּ בָנִים עַדמַֿשְׁבֵּר 2Kgs 19:3 = Isa 37:3 children have come to the birth; followed by עַד + אֶל 2Kgs 9:20 בָּא עַד אֲלֵיהֶם; followed by ָ ה locative Judg 11:16; 2Kgs 6:4 followed by accusative 1Sam 4:12; 2Kgs 8:7; Jer 32:24 compare also Lam 1:4 בָּאֵי מוֺעֵד those coming to an appointed feast; absolute Gen 45:16 Joseph's brethren are come, & often; also of lifeless things, ark of ׳י 1Sam 4:6 wind Job 1:19 so כַּסְפְּכֶם בָּא אֵלָ֑י Gen 43:23 your money came unto me = I received your money; our inheritance has fallen to us Num 32:19 (with אֶלֿ); so 1Sam 9:16 its cry is come unto me, compare Gen 18:21; Exod 3:9; Lam 1:22 of time, often of imminent future, esp in phrase הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים Isa 39:6 = 2Kgs 20:17; Jer 7:32; Jer 9:24; Jer 16:14; Jer 19:6 compare also 1Sam 26:10; Ezek 7:7 +; of day of ׳י Joel 2:1; Joel 3:4; Zech 14:1; Mal 3:2; Mal 3:19; Mal 3:23 also participle as adjective הַיָּמִים הַבָּאִים Eccl 2:16 compare Jer 47:4 as substantive הַבָּאוֺת Isa 41:22 things to come, future things; & הַבָּאִים alone = adverb in (days) to come Isa 27:6 particular
a. come with, i.e. come, bringing, followed by אָבוֺא בֵיתְךָ בְעוֺלוֺת ׃בְּ Ps 66:13 ׳אָבוֺא בִּגְבֻרוֺת אדני י Ps 71:16 (|| אַזְכִּיר צִדְקָֽתְךָ) so Lev 16:3 & perhaps Prov 18:6 — compare בְּ III. 1. b. b. come upon, fall or light upon, of enemy, attack, followed by עַלֿ Gen 34:27; 1Sam 11:12 compare Gen 32:9 (followed by אֶלֿ); followed by suffix Job 15:21, so also Job 20:22; Ezek 32:11 of calamity, etc. Prov 10:24; Prov 28:22; Ps 44:18 (all with suffix); followed by לְ Job 3:25 (|| אתה with suffix) Isa 47:9 (|| בוא על); of blessing, followed by עַלֿ Josh 23:15 followed by suffix Job 22:21 (compare Di) Ps 119:41; Ps 77.
c. come to pass, of signs, wonders, predictions, etc. Deut 13:3; Josh 23:14; 1Sam 9:6 (בּאֹ יָבאֹ) Isa 42:9; Jer 28:9; Prov 13:12; Job 6:8 +.
d. Gen 6:13 קֵץ כָּלבָּֿשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי perhaps has presented itself before me (see Kn), compare Lam 1:22 above & 2Chr 7:11 (where בוא for usual עלה); but perhaps (compare Di) has come to pass before me, i.e. in my mind it is already a fact.
e. in phrase עַדבּֿוֺאֲךָ עַזָּה Judg 6:4 compare Judg 11:33; 1Sam 17:52; 2Sam 5:25; 1Kgs 18:46 (עַדבֹּֿאֲכָה) until thou comest to = as far as; so also בּוֺאֲךָ (בֹּאֲכָה) alone, = as far as, or in the direction of, Gen 10:19 (twice in verse); Gen 10:30; Gen 13:10; Gen 25:18; 1Sam 27:8 (all followed by ָ ה locative) 1Sam 15:7 so לְבאֹ חֲמָת Num 13:21; Num 34:8; Ezek 48:1, compare Ezek 47:15 (in a different connection לָבוֺא אפרתה Gen 35:16; Gen 48:7); ׳עַד לְבוֺא ח Josh 13:5; Judg 3:3; 1Chr 13:5, compare 1Chr 5:9; 2Chr 26:8; Ezek 47:20 ׳מִלְּבוֺא ח Amos 6:14; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 14:25; 2Chr 7:8 of Isaac בָּא מִבּוֺא בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִיGen 24:62 (but text dubious) feminine attain to וְעַד הַשְּׁלשָׁה לֹא בָא 2Sam 23:19 = 1Chr 11:21.
g. be enumerated הַבָּאִים בְּשֵׁמוֺת, literally those coming with names 1Chr 4:38.

3. go, i.e. walk, associate with (עִם) Ps 26:4, so with אֵת Prov 22:24 (compare הלך את Prov 13:20 & התהלך את Gen 5:22; Gen 5:24; Gen 6:9).

4. go (compare הלך) from speaker, but with limit of motion given Isa 22:15 לָךְבּֿאֹ אֶלֿ, so Ezek 3:4; Ezek 3:11; Gen 45:17 וּלְכוּבֿאֹוּ אַרְצָה כְּנָ֑עַן; 1Sam 22:5 לֵךְ וּבָאתָלְֿךָ אֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה; Isa 47:5; Jonah 1:3 אֳנִיָּה בָּאָה תַרְשִׁישׁ a ship going to Tarshish; go to war יָבאֹוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה Num 32:6. Hiph`il Perfect הֵבִיא Gen 4:4 +; suffix הֱבִיאַנִי Deut 9:4 +, etc.; 2 masculine singular הֵבֵיאתָ Isa 43:23, הֵבֵאתָ Gen 20:9 +, etc.; suffix הֲבִיאֹתַנִי 2Sam 7:18; 1Chr 17:16, הֲבִיאֹתָנוּ Num 16:14, הֲבֵתָנוּ Ps 66:11 1 singular הֵבֵאתִי Gen 31:39 +, והבאותי Jer 25:13 Kt (Qr וְהֵבֵאתִי); suffix וַהֲבִיאוֺתִיךָ Ezek 38:16 +, הֲבֵאתִיהָ Isa 37:26, etc.; 3 plural הֵבִיאוּ Gen 43:2 +; suffix הֱבִיאוּהוּ 2Chr 28:27 etc.; 2 masculine plural הֲבֵאתֶם Num 20:4 +; וַהֲבִיאֹתֶם 1Sam 16:17 1 plural suffix הֲבִיאֹנֻם Num 32:17 Imperfect (יָבִא) יָבִיא Lev 4:32 +, וַיָּבֵא Gen 2:19 +; suffix וַיְבִיאֵנִי Ezek 40:17, etc.; 2 masculine singular תָּבִיא Job 14:3 suffix תְּבִיאֵהוּ Jer 13:1, וַתְּבִיאֵם Neh 9:23, תְּבִאֵֹמוֺ Exod 15:17, אָבִיא Exod 11:1 + (אָבִי 1Kgs 21:29; Mic 1:15), etc.; Imperative הָבֵא Gen 43:16; Exod 4:6, הָבֵיא 1Sam 20:40, הָבִיאָה Gen 27:7 +; feminine singular הָבִיאִי 2Sam 13:10 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute הָבֵא Hag 1:6 construct הָבִיא Gen 18:19 +; Participle מֵבִיא Exod 10:14 +, מֵבִי 1Kgs 21:21 + 3 t., מְבִיאֲךָ Deut 8:7 plural מְבִיאִים (מְבִאִים) 1Kgs 10:25 +; construct מְבִאֵי Jer 17:26, מְבִיאֶיהָ Dan 11:6 —

1. cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, object persons and animals), followed by אֶלֿ Gen 6:19; Song 2:4; Song 3:4 followed by בְּ Lev 26:41; Ps 66:11 followed by לְ Judg 19:21; 1Sam 9:22 followed by לִפְנֵי Esth 1:11; Esth 1:17 followed by ָ ה locative Gen 24:67; Gen 46:7 followed by הָ֯ + אֶלֿ Gen 19:10, followed by accusative (חֶדֶר) Song 1:4; 2Kgs 9:2 also bring, carry in (lifeless things), followed by אֶלֿ Num 31:54; Mal 3:10 followed by בְּ Jer 17:21 send, of sending (shooting) arrows (figurative) Lam 3:13 compare Lev 26:36 of sending breath (רוּחַ) into dry bones Ezek 37:5 (Co על); followed by לְ Neh 13:12 followed by ָ ה locative Exod 26:33; 2Kgs 20:20 וַיָּבֵא אֶתהַֿמַּיִם הָעִ֑ירָה; followed by accusative (חֶדֶר) 2Sam 13:10 also 2Chr 15:18 (בֵּית); absolute 2Sam 6:17 particular
a. opposed to הוֺצִיא (bring out) Deut 9:28 (followed by אֶלֿ); especially in combination with הוֺצִיא lead out and in (to and from battle) Num 27:17; 1Chr 11:2.
b. bring in women as wives for sons (followed by מִן הַחוּץ) Judg 12:9 (opposed to שִׁלַּח הַחוּצָה).
c. bring into judgment וְאֹתִי תָבִיא בְּמִשְׁפָּט עִמָּ֑ךְ Job 14:3 compare Eccl 11:9; Eccl 12:4.
d. cause sun to go down Amos 8:9 (symbol of judgment).
e. of harvest, bring in, gather 2Sam 9:10; Hag 1:6 (opposed to זרע) compare Neh 13:15. feminine put staves into (בְּ) rings Exod 25:14; Exod 37:5; Exod 38:7 compare Exod 26:11; Lev 14:42 hand into (בְּ) bosom Exod 4:6 (twice in verse); girdle into (בְּ) water Jer 13:1.
g. other phrases, הֵבִיאוּ צַוָּ֯רָם בַּעֲבֹדַת אֲדֹנֵיהֶם Neh 3:5 put their necks to the work, etc.; figurative הביאו אתצֿואריכם בְּעֹל Jer 27:12 הָבִיאָה לַמּוּסָר לֵבֶּ֑ךָ Prov 23:12 apply to instruction thy heart; וְנָבִא לְבַב חָכְמָה Ps 90:12 that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

2. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate object), followed by אֶלֿ Gen 2:19; Gen 2:22; Gen 43:9; Lev 24:11; Num 5:15 often of bringing Israel to Canaan Exod 6:8; Exod 23:23 +, compare Isa 14:2; Isa 56:7; Neh 1:9 absolute Deut 4:38; Deut 6:23 followed by לְ Gen 39:14; Gen 39:17 followed by ָ ה locative Ezek 12:13 followed by הֲלֹם Judg 18:3, & עַדהֲֿלֹם (figurative of Yahweh's prospering care) 2Sam 7:18 = 1Chr 17:16 absolute Gen 46:32 also with lifeless object, Gen 27:10 (followed by לְ), so 2Chr 36:7; Gen 31:39 (followed by אֶלֿ); followed by accusative 2Kgs 12:5; 2Chr 36:18; Dan 1:2 (twice in verse); followed by ָ ה locative Exod 26:33; Jer 20:5 followed by לִפְנֵי 2Chr 24:14 of ravens bringing food 1Kgs 17:6 (followed by לְ); of bringing presents Gen 43:26; 1Sam 9:7; 1Sam 10:27 (all followed by לְ); compare 1Sam 17:18 especially offerings, followed by לְ Gen 4:3; Num 15:25; Neh 10:35; Neh 10:37 (לְבֵית), etc.; Lev 2:2 followed by אֶלֿ of priest; absolute Gen 4:4; Lev 4:32; Lev 23:14; Lev 23:15; Mal 1:13 (twice in verse); 2Chr 31:5 compare also Exod 35:21; Exod 35:22; Exod 35:23; Exod 35:24 (twice in verse); Exod 35:27; Exod 35:29 (followed by לְ for) so Exod 36:3 +; of time, cause a day to come Lam 1:21 cause cry to come (עַלֿ) Job 34:28 = carry בָּנַיִךְ בְּחֹצֶן ׳והב Isa 49:22 (|| עַלכָּֿתֵף נשׂא); carry God in (בְּ) the hand Job 12:6 (compare אֱלהַּ p. 43); allow to come, almost = invite Esth 5:12 (followed by אֶלֿ) compare vEsth 5:10 particular
a. followed by עַלֿ bring against, or upon, bring enemies against Jer 25:9 compare Ezek 23:22 object sword Lev 26:25; Ezek 5:17; Ezek 11:8; Ezek 14:17; Ezek 33:2 plague Exod 11:1 curse or calamity Gen 27:12; Deut 29:26; 1Kgs 9:9 = 2Chr 7:22; Job 42:11 compare Jer 25:13; Jer 36:31; Jer 44:2; Jer 49:8; Jer 49:37; Ezek 14:22 sin Gen 20:9; Gen 26:10; Exod 32:21 compare also followed by אֶלֿ Jer 32:42; Jer 49:36.
b. bring to pass 2Kgs 19:25 = Isa 37:26 compare 1Chr 4:10; Ps 78:29.
c. bring, bring forward, bring on the scene Mic 1:15; Zech 3:8.
d. bring for a purpose, followed by infinitive Ps 78:71 מֵאַחַר עָלוֺת הֱבִיאוֺ לִרְעוֺת בְּיַעֲקֹב עַמּוֺ.
e. bring, procure בְּנַפְשֵׁנוּ נָבִיא לַחְמֵנוּ Lam 5:9. Hoph`al Perfect הוּבָא Lev 10:18 +; 3 feminine singular הֻבָאת Gen 33:11 (see below); 2 masculine singular הֻבָ֫אתָה Ezek 40:4 3 plural הוּבְאוּ Gen 43:18 Imperfect יוּבָא Lev 6:23 +, יוּבָ֑אוּ Jer 27:22 Participle מוּבָא 2Kgs 12:10 +; plural מוּבָאִים Gen 43:18; Ezek 30:11 + Ezek 23:42 (Co מרבדים), מוּבָאוֺת Ps 45:15 —
a. be brought in (of person and things), absolute Gen 43:18 followed by בית into a house Gen 43:18 temple 2Kgs 12:5; 2Kgs 12:10; 2Kgs 12:14; 2Kgs 12:17; 2Kgs 22:4; 2Kgs 2:9; 2Kgs 2:14.
b. be brought, followed by לְ Gen 33:11 (but ᵐ5 rd Hiph`il I have brought), Ps 45:15 followed by אֶלֿ unto Lev 6:23; Lev 10:18; Lev 13:2; Lev 13:9; Lev 14:2 compare Ezek 23:42 (but see Co VB); followed by הֵ֫נָּה Ezek 40:4 followed by בָּבֶ֫לָה Jer 27:22 followed by infinitive Lev 16:27; Ezek 30:11 followed by מִן Jer 10:9.
c. be introduced, put, followed by בְּ, staves into rings Exod 27:7 vessel into water Lev 11:32.

Strong's Definition H935

come, came, brought, bring, in, …

bôʾ

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

to go in, enter, come, go, come in

(Qal)

to enter, come in

to come with

to lead in

to be brought, brought in

Variations 427 forms of this word

Translations 844 English renderings

Lebo-hamath

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Word Parts

לְ טָמְאָ֑ה

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

טָמְאָ֑ה

Root word unclean, defiled, defile, polluted, pollute, …

Dictionary form: טָמֵא · taw-MAY

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Vqc

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

לְ	Speech Preposition
טָמְאָה	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Infinitive Construct State Construct

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: to defile

shall be unclean ×19 and be unclean ×18 shall pronounce him unclean ×7 defile ×5 defiled ×5 is defiled ×4 it shall be unclean ×4 be defiled ×3

More options

defile — Most versatile; suits ritual and moral contamination alike.

make unclean — Clearer causative rendering when the agent is explicit.

contaminate — Good for physical or priestly-purity contexts.

pollute — Stronger moral or cultic overtone; fits communal violations.

desecrate — Prefer when a sacred person, object, or space is violated.

be declared impure — Fits priestly pronouncement scenes; formal/legal register.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3346 H2930

I. טָמֵא verb be or become unclean (Late Hebrew Pi`el pollute (ceremonially); Aramaic טְמָא and especially derivatives, Pa`el pollute; see RS^{K 307 ff.}) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ט Lev 11:25 + 22 t.; 3 feminine singular טָֽמְאָה Lev 12:2 + 2 t.; 2 feminine singular טָמֵאת Ezek 22:4 plural טָֽמְאוּ Lev 15:18 Imperfect יִטְמָא Lev 5:3 + 34 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּטְמָא Lev 12:2 + 4 t.; plural יִטְמְאוּ Ps 106:39 Infinitive טָמְאָה Lev 15:32 + 6 t.; — be or become unclean:

1. sexually, with בְּ Lev 18:20; Lev 18:23 (H), Ezek 23:17 the land Lev 18:25; Lev 18:27 (H).

2. religiously, with idols Ezek 22:3 with בְ vEzek 22:4 with necromancers Lev 19:31 (H); by sacrificing children to idols Ps 106:39.

3. ceremonially, by contact with carcasses of unclean animals Lev 11:24; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:28; Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32; Lev 11:33; Lev 11:34 (twice in verse); Lev 11:35; Lev 11:36; Lev 11:40 (P); any carcass Lev 17:15 (H); eating of a carcass Lev 22:8 (H); by issues Lev 15:4; Lev 15:9; Lev 15:20 (twice in verse); Lev 15:24; Lev 15:27; Lev 15:32 (P); by contact with an unclean man Lev 5:3; Lev 15:4 (P), Lev 22:5 (H), or thing Lev 22:6 (H); by leprosy Lev 13:14; Lev 13:46; Lev 14:36; Lev 14:46 (P); by contact with the dead Num 6:12; Num 19:20 (P), Ezek 44:25, or with one unclean by such contact Num 19:22 (P), Hag 2:13 (twice in verse); by contact with creeping things Lev 22:5 (H); certain animals were always unclean Lev 11:26; Lev 11:27 (P). In ordinary cases of uncleanness טמא עד הערב unclean till even Lev 11:24; Lev 11:25; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:28; Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32; Lev 11:39; Lev 11:40 (twice in verse); Lev 14:46; Lev 15:5; Lev 15:6; Lev 15:7; Lev 15:8; Lev 15:10 (twice in verse); Lev 15:11; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:17; Lev 15:18; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:21; Lev 15:22; Lev 15:23; Lev 15:27; Num 19:7; Num 19:8; Num 19:10; Num 19:21; Num 19:22 (all P), Lev 17:15; Lev 22:6 (H); but uncleanness lasted 7 days for woman bearings a son Lev 12:2 (twice in verse) (P), for lying with woman having an issue Lev 15:24 (P), or one coming in contact with the dead Num 19:11; Num 19:14; Num 19:16 (P); it lasted 14 days for a woman bearing a daughter Lev 12:5 (P). Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נִטְמָא Hos 5:3; Hos 6:10 3 feminine singular נִטְמְאָה Num 5:27; Num 5:28 נִטְמָ֑אָה Num 5:13 + 5 t.; 1 singular נִטְמֵאתִי Jer 2:23 2 masculine plural נִטְמֵתֶם Lev 11:43 (א omitted by scribal error; but Ges and others derive from טמה), etc. + 4 t. perfect; Participle plural נִטְמְאִים Ezek 20:30; Ezek 20:31 — defile oneself, be defiled:

1. sexually, Lev 18:24 (H), Num 5:13; Num 5:14 (twice in verse); Num 5:20; Num 5:27; Num 5:28; Num 5:29 (P).

2. by idolatry conceived as whoredom Hos 5:3; Hos 6:10; Jer 2:23; Ezek 20:30; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:43; Ezek 23:7; Ezek 23:13; Ezek 23:30.

3. ceremonially, by eating creeping things Lev 11:43.

4. be regarded as unclean (compare Pi`el 4), probably נִטְמִינִוּ Job 18:3 we are accounted as unclean; metal. from; on another view see טמה. Pi`el Perfect טִמֵּא Gen 34:5 + 15 t.; suffix טִמְּאוֺ Lev 13:8 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular טִמֵּאת Ezek 5:11, etc. + 7 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְטַמֵּא 2Kgs 23:8, etc. + 12 t. Imperfect; Imperative plural טַמְּאוּ Ezek 9:7 Infinitive טַמֵּא Lev 13:44 + 2 t.; suffix טַמְּאָם Lev 15:31, etc. + 4 t. Infinitive; — defile:

1. sexually Gen 34:5; Gen 34:13; Gen 34:27 (R), Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11; Ezek 18:15; Ezek 22:11; Ezek 33:26 the land by sexual impurities of the people Lev 18:28 (H); Israel by spiritual whoredom Ezek 23:17.

2. religiously: the land by bloodshed Num 35:34 (P); by allowing the dead body of the murderer to hang on the tree over night Deut 21:23 by idolatry Jer 2:7; Ezek 36:17; Ezek 36:18 Israel defiled the sacred places by the sacrifice of children Lev 20:3 (H), Ezek 23:38, and God defiled him thereby Ezek 20:26 he defileth the sacred places by idolatry 2Chr 36:14; Jer 7:30 = Jer 32:34, Ezek 5:11 the holy name of ׳י Ezek 43:7; Ezek 43:8 Josiah defiled the idolatrous places of worship by destroying them and making them unfit for use 2Kgs 23:8; 2Kgs 23:10; 2Kgs 23:13; 2Kgs 23:16 of Israel defiling idolatrous images Isa 30:22, and the nations the temple of God Ps 79:1.

3. ceremonially: by ceremonial uncleanness, the sacred places Lev 15:31; Num 19:13; Num 19:20 (P); the camp Num 5:3 (P); the temple by dead bodies Ezek 9:7 the Nazirite's head of separation by a death occurring in his presence Num 6:9 (P); the people defile themselves (נפשׁתיכם) by creeping things Lev 11:44 (P).

4. pronounce or declare ceremonially unclean: the leper Lev 13:3; Lev 13:8; Lev 13:11; Lev 13:15; Lev 13:20; Lev 13:22; Lev 13:25; Lev 13:27; Lev 13:30; Lev 13:44 (twice in verse); Lev 13:59 (P); unclean animals Lev 20:25 (H). Pu`al Participle נַפְשִׁי לֹא מְטֻמָּאָה Ezek 4:14 myself is not polluted. Hithpa`el Imperfect יִטַּמָּא Lev 21:1 + 4 t.; plural יִטַּמְּאוּ Ezek 14:11; Ezek 37:23 יִטַּמָּ֑אוּ Hos 9:4; Ezek 44:25, etc. + 6 t. Imperfect — reflexive, defile oneself: by eating of an unaccepted peace-offering Hos 9:4 with בְּ Lev 18:24; Lev 18:30 (H), Lev 11:43 (P), Ezek 14:11; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:18; Ezek 37:23 with לְ for a dead person Lev 21:1; Lev 21:3; Lev 21:11 (H), Num 6:7 (P); by Lev 11:24 (P); without preposition Lev 21:4 (H), Ezek 44:25. Hothpa`al Perfect אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר חֻטַּמָּ֑אָה Deut 24:4 after that she has been defiled (sexually); on form see Ges^{«GKC:54»§ 54}. 3.

BDB3349 H2930 H2932

טָמְאָה noun feminine uncleanness (טָֽמְאָה, Bear, seems to rest upon a misinterpretation of the form) Mic 2:10 (so Thes MV SS); of ethical uncleanness, from wrong-doing.

Strong's Definition H2930

unclean, defiled, defile, polluted, pollute, …

ṭāmēʾ

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

to be unclean, become unclean, become impure

(Qal) to be or become unclean

sexually

to defile oneself, be defiled

sexually

to defile

sexually

Variations 63 forms of this word

Translations 96 English renderings

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Word Parts

כִּ֣י

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

Dictionary form: כִּי · kee

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C

Conjunction

כִּי	Speech Conjunction

In English

In the KJV here: themselves but

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

More options

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

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

since — Causal with a presupposed background fact.

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

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

although — Concessive; acknowledges a contrasting reality.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3937 H3587 H3588

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

BDB3995 H3588 H518

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB3996 H3588 H5921 H3651

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

BDB6199 H6258 H2088 H2009 H5704 H3588

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

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

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

BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

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

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

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

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

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H3588

for, that, because, but, when, …

kî

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

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

that

yea, indeed

when, if, though (with a concessive force)

Variations 14 forms of this word

Translations 302 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אִם

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

Dictionary form: אִם · im

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C

Conjunction

אִם	Speech Conjunction

In English

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

More options

if — Default conditional; most broadly applicable rendering.

whether — Use for indirect questions or double alternatives.

though — Concessive force; signals contrast or surprise.

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

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

surely — Emphatic/oath context; asserts strong certainty.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2204 H2005 H518 H2006

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

3.

BDB3995 H3588 H518

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB511 H518

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

**ᵑ7^{Onk Jon} אִם, ᵑ7^Hag אין.

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

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

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

אֵם see אמם. Below

אַמָּה, אֻמָּה see אמם.

BDB9477 H2005 H2006 H518 H3861

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

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

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

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

הַסִּק etc., see סלק Haph`el

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H518

if, or, though, surely, not, …

ʾim

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

if

conditional clauses

of possible situations

no, not

Variations 8 forms of this word

Translations 138 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לְ אָ֡ב

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

אָ֡ב

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

Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

לְ	Speech Preposition
אָב	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: for father

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

More options

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

ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.

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

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

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

founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB17 H1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H1

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …

ʾāb

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

father of an individual

grandfather, forefathers (of a person)

Variations 179 forms of this word

Translations 228 English renderings

Father

Search every verse

Word Parts

וּ ֠לְ אֵם

וּ

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

֠לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

אֵם

Root word mother, mothers, dam, parting

Dictionary form: אֵם · ame

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/R/Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

וּ	Speech Conjunction
לְ	Speech Preposition
אֵם	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: or for mother

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

More options

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

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

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

maternal figure — When biological motherhood is implied but indirect.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB520 H517

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

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

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H517

mother, mothers, dam, parting

ʾēm

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

mother

of humans

Variations 41 forms of this word

Translations 82 English renderings

Mother

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Word Parts

וּ לְ בֵ֨ן

וּ

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

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

בֵ֨ן

Root word son, children, sons, old, first, …

Dictionary form: בֵּן · bane

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/R/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

וּ	Speech Conjunction
לְ	Speech Preposition
בֵן	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: or for son

the son ×1140 the children ×607 of the children ×309 his son ×206 son ×179 the sons ×177 and the children ×160 sons ×155

More options

son — Core meaning; use for a single male offspring.

children — Preferred when the group is mixed or age is stressed.

sons — Use for a male plural or tribal/genealogical list.

descendants — Best for extended lineage or collective ethnic groups.

members — Idiomatic for constructs like 'members of the community/guild'.

young — Use for animal offspring or 'young of' constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1160 H1121

בֵּן₄₈₇₀ noun masculine son (MI Phoenician בן; so Sabean CIS^{iv. No. 2}, compare בני DHM^{Semitic Sprachforsch. 6}; Arabic ; Assyrian bin (u), Lyon^{Sargon 9, 1. 57}; especially in bin-bin, grandson COT^Gloss, compare Dl below; Aramaic בַּר, , plural בְּנִין, ; compare Palmyrene, especially Vog^{No. 21. 31. 36a} and others; possibly originally connected with בנה build, so Thes, compare Assyrian bânu, begetter (Dl^{Pr 104 &} compare Ba^{ZMG 1887, 638 ff.}); but all traces of this √ lost in Hebrew form; √ perhaps originally bilit. (בִּן, בֵּן) בַּן ֗֗֗ see Sta^{§ 183}) — absolute ׳בּ Gen 4:25 +; ֵבּןֿ Ezek 18:10 construct בֵּן Gen 49:22 (twice in verse); בֶּןֿ Gen 5:32 +; בֶּן Esth 2:5; Neh 6:18, & with prefix Gen 17:17; Num 8:25; 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 25:5; 2Chr 31:16; 2Chr 31:17 בְּנוֺ Num 23:18; Num 24:3; Num 24:15 בְּנִי Gen 49:11 בִּן Deut 25:2 בִּןֿ Exod 33:11 + 32 t. (29 t. in combination בִּןנֿוּן (ישׁוע, הושׁע) יהושׁע); suffix בְּנִי Gen 21:10 +; בִּנְךָ Exod 20:10 +; לִבֱנ֑ךָ Deut 7:3; 1Kgs 11:13 בְּנֵךְ Gen 30:14 +; בְּנוֺ Gen 4:17 +; בְּנָהּ Gen 21:10 +; plural בָּנִים Gen 3:16 +; construct בְּנֵי Gen 6:2 +; suffix בָּנַי Gen 31:43 +; בָּנֵינוּ Josh 22:25 +; בְּנֵיכֶם Exod 3:22 +, etc.; —

1. son, male child, born of a woman Gen 4:25; Gen 16:11; Gen 16:15; Gen 17:19 compare vGen 17:16; Gen 18:10; Gen 18:14; Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 + often, compare בֶּןבִּֿטְנָהּ Isa 49:15 begotten by a man Gen 5:4f; Gen 5:28; Gen 6:10; Gen 11:11f. + often; || (בָּנוֺת) בַּת daughter Gen 5:4; Gen 5:7; Gen 5:10f. Gen 11:11; Gen 11:13; Gen 11:15f; Exod 20:10; Deut 5:14; Deut 16:11; Deut 16:14; 1Sam 30:3; 1Sam 30:6; Job 1:2; Job 42:13 +; of son as desired Gen 30:2 (compare Gen 15:2; Gen 16:2; Gen 17:17; Gen 18:10f.; 1Sam 1:5-11) 2Kgs 4:14; 2Kgs 4:28; Ps 127:3 +; rejoiced in Gen 30:6 +; beloved Exod 21:5; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:3; 2Sam 19:5; 1Kgs 3:26 cared for Deut 1:31 spared Mal 3:17 disciplined & trained Deut 8:5; Prov 3:12; Prov 13:24; Prov 19:18; Prov 29:17 owing reverence, obedience, etc. to parents Prov 6:20; Prov 10:1; Prov 13:1 בִּנְךָ בְּכוֺרְךָ thy first-born son Gen 27:32 הַבֵּן הַבְּכֹר Deut 21:15 compare 1Sam 8:2 בְּנָהּ הַגָּדֹל her elder son Gen 27:15; Gen 27:42 בְּנוֺ הַגָּדֹל Gen 27:1 בְּנָהּ הַקָּטָן her younger son Gen 27:15; Gen 27:42. In particular
a. בֶּןאִֿמּוֺ son of his mother, i.e. own (uterine) brother Gen 43:29, compare Gen 27:29; Judg 8:19; Ps 50:20; Ps 69:9, & see אֵם; בְּנֵי אָבִיךָ sons of thy father = brethren Gen 49:8 (poetry)
b. בְּנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן = cousins Num 36:11.
c. בְּנִי my son, as term of kindliness or endearment, used by Eli to Samuel 1Sam 3:6; 1Sam 3:16 compare 1Sam 4:16; 1Sam 24:17; 1Sam 26:17; 1Sam 26:21; 1Sam 26:25, see also Prov 1:8; Prov 1:10; Prov 2:1 +; compare בִּנְךָ, used by Benhadad of himself to Elisha 2Kgs 8:9 by Ahaz to Tiglath-pileser 2Kgs 16:7 especially to express intimate and gracious relation with God: ׳י calls Israel בְּנִי בְכֹרִי Exod 4:22 compare vExod 4:23; Hos 11:1, see also Ps 80:16 (but compare Che); בָּנִים אַתֶּם ליהוה אלהיכם Deut 14:1 בְּנֵי עֶלְיוֺן Ps 82:6 (|| אלהים); בְּנֵי אֵלחָֿ֑י Hos 2:1 compare further Deut 32:5 (plural) vDeut 32:20 (plural) Isa 1:2; Isa 1:4; Isa 30:1; Isa 30:9; Jer 3:14; Jer 3:22; Jer 4:22; Jer 31:20 of future Davidic king 2Sam 7:14 = 1Chr 17:13 compare Ps 2:7 expressly referred to Solomon 1Chr 22:10; 1Chr 28:6 also of children (offered in fire) Ezek 16:21.
d. בְּנֵי האלהים applied to supernatural beings Gen 6:2; Gen 6:4; Job 1:6; Job 2:1 בְּנֵי אלהים Job 38:7 בְּנֵי אֵלִים Ps 29:1 (on which compare Che's note) Ps 89:7.
e. בֶּןאָֿדָם son of man, compare ׳בְּנֵי א, see אָדָם; בְּנֵי אִישׁ Ps 4:3 & (|| בני אדם) Ps 49:3; Ps 62:10. feminine בֶּןבִּֿנְךָ = thy grandson Exod 10:2; Deut 6:2; Judg 8:22 compare Jer 27:7 plural Exod 34:7; Exod 4:25; Exod 2:41; Exod 2:40; Job 42:16; Ps 128:6; Prov 13:22; Prov 17:6; Ezek 37:25 also בֵּן alone with similar reference Gen 29:5 (Laban son of Nahor); Laban calls his daughters' children his own sons Gen 31:28; Gen 31:43 compare Gen 32:1 so of Naomi Ruth 4:17 בְּנֵי רְבִעִים 2Kgs 10:30 sons of the fourth generation, and, in general, descendants Josh 22:24; Josh 22:25; Josh 22:27 +; see also below
i. below
g. constantly, as more precise designation, added to personal name כָּלֵב בֶּןיְֿפֻנֶּה Num 14:30; Num 32:12; Num 34:19 +; יְהוֺשֻׁעַ בִּןנֿוּן Num 11:28; Num 14:30; Num 32:12; Num 32:28; Num 34:17 +; יָרָבְעָם בֶּןנְֿבָט 1Kgs 12:2; 1Kgs 12:15 +, etc.; also without personal name (often with implication of contempt) בֶּןקִֿישׁ 1Sam 10:11 בֶּןיִֿשַׁי 1Sam 20:27; 1Sam 20:30; 1Sam 20:31; 1Sam 22:7; 1Sam 22:8; 1Sam 22:9; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 25:10; 2Sam 20:1 בְּנֵי צְרוּיָה 2Sam 16:10 בֶּןרְֿמַלְיָהוּ Isa 7:4; Isa 7:5; Isa 7:9; Isa 8:16 בֶּןטָֽֿבְאַ֑ל Isa 7:6 compare also בְּנֵי לֵוִי Num 16:7; Num 16:8.
h. designated as בֶּןזְֿקֻנִים i.e. born in old age of father Gen 37:3 opposed to בְּנֵי הַנְּעוּרִים sons of one's youth Ps 127:4 also בֶּןבֵּֿיתִי one born in my house Gen 15:3 (i.e. slave) so בְּנֵי בַיִת Eccl 2:7.
i. in various combinations: (α) as expression of contumely, בֶּןֿ נַעֲוַת הַמַּרְדּוּת 1Sam 20:30 בֶּןהַֿמְּרַצֵּחַ הַזֶּה 2Kgs 6:32 this son of a murderer; compare בְּנֵינָֿבָל Job 30:8 בְּנֵי בְלִישֵֿׁם ib.; בְּנֵי עֹנֲַנָה Isa 57:3 (|| זֶרַע מְנָאֵף); compare בֶּןאִֿשָּׁה אַחֶרֶת Judg 11:2 (compare vJudg 11:1); (β) as term of respect, dignity, בֶּןחֿוֺרִים son of nobles Eccl 10:17 (in Aramaic = free born); בֶּןחֲֿכָמִים Isa 19:11 בֶּןמַֿלְכֵיקֶֿדֶם ib.; compare בֶּןמֶֿלֶךְ Ps 72:1 (|| מֶלֶךְ); בֶּןאֲֿמָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 86:16 in addressing ׳י (|| עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ) & בְּנֵיעֲֿבָדֶיךָ Ps 102:29 of noble appearance בְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ Judg 8:18.
j. often plural with name of ancestor, people, land, or city, to denote descendants, inhabitants, membership in a nation or family, etc.: (α) e.g. בְּנֵיעֵֿבֶר Gen 10:21 בְּנֵיחֵֿת Gen 23:3; Gen 23:5; Gen 23:7; Gen 23:10 (twice in verse); Gen 23:11; Gen 23:16; Gen 23:18; Gen 23:20; Gen 25:10; Gen 49:32 (all P); (בְּנֵישֵֿׁת Num 24:17 see below 8); בְּנֵיחֲֿמוֺר Gen 33:19; Josh 24:32 בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו Gen 36:5; Gen 36:15; Gen 36:19; Deut 2:4; Deut 2:8; Deut 2:12; Deut 2:22; Deut 2:29 בְּנֵי שֵׂעִיר Gen 36:20; Gen 36:21 בֶּןֿ(בני)הִנֹּם Josh 15:8 + (compare below גַּיְא); בְּנֵי לוֺט Deut 2:9; Deut 2:19; Ps 83:9 בְּנֵייֿוֺסֵף (literal Gen 46:27; Gen 48:8; 1Chr 5:1) Num 1:32; Num 26:28; Num 26:37; Num 34:23; Num 36:5 (׳י ׳מַטֵּה ב) + 6 t. Joshua, compare Ps 77:16 even בְּנֵי חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה 1Chr 5:23 בְּנֵי דָוַיד (literal 2Sam 8:18 = 1Chr 18:17; 1Chr 3:1; 1Chr 3:9) 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 23:3; 2Chr 32:33 בְּנֵי אָסָף 2Chr 29:13; Ezra 2:41; Ezra 3:8 + (see אָסָף); בְּנֵי קֹרַח in titles of Psalm 42-49, 84, 85, 87, 88; especially (β) בְּנֵיעַֿמּוֺן (standing designation of people of Ammon) Gen 19:38 + 81 t. (compare עַמּוֺן & Nö^{ZMG 1886, 171} Dr^{Sm 66}); בְּנֵי יַעֲקֹב (literal Gen 34:7; Gen 34:13; Gen 34:25; Gen 34:27; Gen 35:5; Gen 35:22; Gen 35:26; Gen 49:2) 2Kgs 17:34; Ps 105:6; Mal 3:6 compare Ps 77:16 & chiefly (γ) בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (literal Gen 42:5; Gen 45:21; Gen 46:5; Exod 1:1) Exod 1:7 + 613 t., including Hexateuch 427 (of which 328 P, 49 E, 25 J, 25 D), Judg 61, Samuel Kings Chronicles 73 (23 in reference to ancient history, 10 in opposition to Judah); so also Vrss & variant reading sometimes for ׳בֵּית יִשׂ, e.g. Josh 21:43 + see Di, Ezek 3:1 + see Co; also the reverse Ezek 2:3 and elsewhere; note especially יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳עַם בּ Exod 1:9 יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳עַמִּי בּ Exod 3:10; Exod 7:4 עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Exod 16:1; Exod 16:2; Exod 16:9; Exod 16:10; Exod 17:1; Lev 16:5; Lev 19:2; Num 1:2; Num 1:53; Num 8:9; Num 8:20; Num 13:26; Num 15:25; Num 15:26; Num 17:6; Num 19:9; Num 25:6; Num 26:2; Num 31:12 (all P); ׳יִשׂ ׳דֹּרוֺת ב Judg 3:2 וְכָלהָֿעָם ׳יִשׂ ׳כָּלבֿ Judg 20:26 וּבְּנֵי הַלֵּוִי ׳יִשׂ ׳ב Neh 10:40 also (δ) בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה (literal Gen 46:12; Gen 26:19; 1Chr 2:3; 1Chr 2:10; 1Chr 4:1) Num 1:26 + 18 t. Numbers, Joshua, Judg 1:8; Judg 1:9; Judg 1:16 (so read also vJudg 1:21 vJudg 1:21 compare Josh 15:53 & see below בנימן) 2Sam 1:18; 1Chr 4:27 + 8 t. Chronicles, Jer 7:30 + 4 t. Jeremiah; Hos 2:2; Joel 4:6; Joel 4:8; Joel 4:19; Obad 1:12 (not in Kings, of Judah or of any other tribe, except בְּנֵי לֵוִי 1Kgs 12:31) including מַטֵּה בְּנֵי יהוּדָה Josh 15:1; Josh 15:20; Josh 15:21; Josh 21:1; 1Chr 6:50 for usage with other tribes of Israel, see the articles; — but note (ε) בְּנֵי לֵוִי (literal Gen 46:11; Exod 6:16; Num 3:17; 1Chr 5:27; 1Chr 6:1 compare 1Chr 23:6) Exod 32:28; Num 3:15; Num 16:7; Num 16:8; Num 18:21; Josh 21:10 (as including sons of Aaron etc.); כָּלבְּֿנֵי לֵוִי Exod 32:26 ׳ל ׳כָּלאַֿחֶיךָ ב Num 16:10 ׳ל ׳הַכֹּהֲנִים ב Deut 21:5; Deut 31:9 compare 1Kgs 12:31 & Mal 3:8; 1Chr 23:24; 1Chr 23:27; 1Chr 24:20; Ezra 8:15 (distinguished from priests) Neh 12:23; Ezek 40:46 (including בְּנֵי צָדוֺק the priests); also ׳ל ׳מַחֲנוֺת ב 1Chr 9:18 בְּנֵי הַלֵּוִי 1Chr 12:27; Neh 10:40 בְּנֵי הַלְּוִיִם 1Chr 15:15; 1Chr 24:30 (compare also לֵוִי); (ζ) בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן (literal Exod 28:1; Exod 28:40; 1Chr 5:29; 1Chr 24:1 often Aaron and his sons literal Exod 27:21; Exod 28:1; Exod 28:4 +) Lev 3:5; Lev 3:8; Lev 3:13; Lev 6:7; Lev 6:11; Lev 7:10; Lev 7:83; Josh 21:10; 1Chr 6:35; 1Chr 6:39; 1Chr 6:42; 1Chr 15:4 (+ Levites) 1Chr 24:1; 1Chr 24:31; Neh 12:47 also הַכֹּהֲנִים ׳בְּנֵי א Lev 1:5; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:11; Lev 2:2; Lev 3:2; Num 3:8; Num 10:8 & Josh 21:19; 2Chr 31:19 compare 2Chr 26:18; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 35:14 (twice in verse); בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן Lev 1:7; Josh 21:4 (as subdivision of Levites) vJosh 21:13 compare Lev 7:34 אֶתכֹּֿהֲנֵי יהוה אֶתבְּֿנֵי אַהֲרֹן וְהַלְּוִּיִּם 2Chr 13:9 compare v2Chr 13:10 once in singular הַכֹּהֵן בֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן Neh 10:39 see also below אַהֲרֹן; (η) בְּנֵי צָדוֺק הכהנים הלוים בני צדוק; Ezek 48:11 הכהנים הַמְֿקֻדָּשׁ מנגי צדוק (ᵐ5 Sm Co join מ of מבני to preceding word, making plural); (φ) בְּנֵי with names of peoples, lands, and cities, בְּנֵי כֻּשִׁיִּים Amos 9:7 בְּנֵי מִצְרַיִם Ezek 16:26 בְּנֵי אַשּׁוּר Ezek 16:28; Ezek 23:7; Ezek 23:9; Ezek 23:12; Ezek 23:23 אֶדֶץ הַבְּרִית ׳ב Ezek 30:5 (Co strike out ארץ); בָּבֶל ׳ב Ezek 23:15. Ezek 23:17; Ezek 23:28 יְרוּשָׁלַם ׳ב Joel 4:6 צִיּוֺן ׳ב Joel 2:23; Lam 4:2; Ps 149:2 (compare Zech 9:13). See further (ι) בְּנֵי עַמֶּ֑ךָ Lev 19:18 compare Lev 20:17; Num 22:5; Judg 14:16; Judg 14:17; Ezek 3:11; Ezek 33:2; Ezek 33:12; Ezek 33:17; Ezek 33:30; Ezek 37:18; Dan 12:1 בְּנֵי פָּרִיצֵי עַמְּךָ Dan 11:14 (κ) קֶבֶר בְּנֵי הָעָם 2Kgs 23:6; 2Chr 35:5; 2Chr 35:7; 2Chr 35:12 קִבְרֵי בְּנֵי הָעָם Jer 26:23 (λ) בְּנֵיקֶֿדֶם Gen 29:1; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:10; 1Kgs 5:10; Job 1:3; Isa 11:14; Jer 49:28; Ezek 25:4; Ezek 25:10 (μ) בְּנֵי הַמְּדִינָה Ezra 2:1 = Neh 7:6 (ν) of bulls, בְּנֵי בָשָׁן Deut 32:14 (song) compare Klo^{SK 1872. 254} Di.

2. children (male and female) Gen 3:16; Gen 21:7; Exod 21:5; Exod 22:23 hence בְּנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה הַזְכָּרִים Josh 17:2 male children, בֵּן זָכָר Jer 20:15.

3. youth, young men (plural) Prov 7:7; Song 2:3.

4. the young of animals Lev 22:28 (שׁוֺר אוֺ שֶׂה) compare Deut 22:6; Deut 22:7; 1Sam 6:7; 1Sam 6:10; Zech 9:9; Job 4:11; Job 28:8; Job 39:4; Job 39:16 — בֶּןבָּֿקָר etc. see below 7 b below

5. of plant-shoots בֵּן פֹּרָת Gen 49:22 (twice in verse); also בֵּן Ps 80:16 ? (|| כַּנָּה; see Che^{transl. & critical note})

6. figurative of lifeless things, בְּנֵי רֶשֶׁף sparks Job 5:7 stars עַיִשׁ עַלבָּֿנֶיהָ Job 38:32 arrows בֶּןקָֿ֑שֶׁת Job 41:2 בְּנֵי אַשְׁפָּתוֺ Lam 3:13 compare בֶּןגָּֿרְנִי i.e. corn of my threshing-floor Isa 21:10.

7. a. member of a guild, order or class, בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים i.e. those belonging to the prophetic order 1Kgs 20:35; 2Kgs 2:3; 2Kgs 2:5; 2Kgs 2:7; 2Kgs 2:15; 2Kgs 4:1; 2Kgs 4:38 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 5:22; 2Kgs 6:1; 2Kgs 9:1 (Hoffm RS^{Proph, 85, 388, Ki 15 f.}; Zehnpf^{BAS i, 355} compare Assyrian mâr šipri (šiprâtum), son of a messenger = messenger, and explains from the son's succeeding to father's calling) & בֶּןנָֿבִיא Amos 7:14 probably also בְּנֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים 1Chr 9:30; Ezra 2:61; Ezra 10:18 בְּנֵי הַשֹּׁעֲרִים Ezra 2:42 compare בְּנֵי הַגְּדוּד 2Chr 25:13 men of the troop, see Palmyrene בנישירתא men of the caravan Vog^{No, 4} and others; also בְּנֵי הַגּוֺלָה = exiles Ezra 4:1; Ezra 6:19; Ezra 6:20; Ezra 8:35; Ezra 10:7; Ezra 10:16 (see גולה below גלה): further, in בֶּןנֵֿכָר = foreigner (only P, poetry, & late) Gen 17:12; Gen 17:27; Exod 12:43; Lev 22:25; Ezek 44:9 (twice in verse); ׳הַֿנּ׳ב Isa 56:3 בְּנֵיִנֵֿכָר 2Sam 22:45; 2Sam 22:46 = Ps 18:45; Ps 18:46; Neh 9:2; Isa 60:10; Isa 61:5; Isa 62:8; Ezek 44:7; Ps 144:7; Ps 144:11, ׳בְּנֵיהַֿנּ Isa 56:6 also בְּנֵי הַתּוֺשָׁבִּים הַגָּרִים עִמָּכֶם Lev 25:4; Lev 25:5.
b. of animals, בֶּןבָּֿקָר son of (the) herd, i.e. young one of the herd, בָּקָר וּבְנֵי בָקָר 1Sam 14:32 compare עֵגֶל בֶּןבָּֿקָר Lev 9:2 (P); then, in general, one of the herd: fit for food Gen 18:7; Gen 18:8 (J), for sacrifice Num 15:8; Num 15:9 (P); ׳בןהַֿב only Lev 12:6 (P); especially פַּר בֶּןבָּֿקָר Exod 29:1; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:14; Lev 16:3; Lev 23:18; Num 7:15 + 16 t. Numbers (all P) + 2Chr 13:9; Ezek 43:19; Ezek 43:23; Ezek 43:25; Ezek 45:18; Ezek 46:6 פָּרִים בְּנֵי בָּקָר Num 28:11; Num 28:19; Num 28:27; Num 29:13; Num 29:17 (P); also בְּנִי אֲתֹנוֺ Gen 49:11 (poem, J; || עִירֹה); בְּנֵיצֹֿאן Ps 114:4; Ps 114:6 בֶּןרְֿאֵמִים Ps 29:6 בְָּנֵי הָרַמָּכִים Esth 8:10 בְּנֵי (הַ)יּוֺנָה Lev 1:14 + 7 t. Lev + Num 6:10 compare בֶּןיֿוֺנָה Lev 12:6 (all P); בְּנֵיֿ נָ֑שֶׁר Prov 30:17 בְּנֵי עֹרֵב Ps 147:9.

8. ׳ב as relative noun followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc. especially (α) בֶּןֿ(בני)חַיִל = mighty man 1Sam 14:52; 1Sam 18:17; 2Sam 2:7; 2Sam 13:28; 2Sam 17:10 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:52 + 7 t. Chronicles; ׳אֲנָשִׁים בני ח Judg 18:2; 2Kgs 2:16 אֶלֶף אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי הֶחָ֑יִל Judg 21:10 (β) בְּנֵי עַוְלָה wicked men 2Sam 3:34; 2Sam 7:10; 1Chr 17:9; Hos 10:9 ׳בֶּןעֿ Ps 89:23 (for בני בליעל see בליעל); (γ) בְּנֵי מֶ֑רִי rebels Num 17:25 (compare בַּיִת); (δ) בְּנֵי הַתַּעֲרֻבוֺת sons of pledges = hostages 2Kgs 14:14 = 2Chr 25:24 (ε) בְּנֵי מָוֶת i.e. those deserving of death 1Sam 26:16 so בֶּןמֿות 2Sam 12:5 בְּנֵי תְמוּתָה appointed or exposed to death Ps 79:11; Ps 102:21 compare (ζ) בִּן הַכּוֺת one worthy of smiting Deut 25:2 (η) בְּנֵי עֹ֑נִי Prov 31:5 (θ) בְּנֵי חֲלוֺף Prov 31:8 (ι) בְּנֵי שָׁאוֺן Jer 48:45 = tumultuous ones; so also (= שֵׁאת) בְּנֵי שֵׁת Num 24:17 compare RV Di and others; (κ) כְּנֵי הַיִּצְהָר Zech 4:14 i.e. anointed ones; (λ) בֶּןמֶֿשֶׁק Gen 15:2 son of possession, i.e. heir; (μ) הֵילֵל בֶּןשָֿׁ֑חַר Isa 14:12 son of dawn; (ν) of animals בְּנֵיִ שָׁ֑הַץ i.e. proud beasts Job 28:8; Job 41:26 (ξ) of Jonah's gourd בִּןלַֿיְלָה Jonah 4:10 (twice in verse); (ο) of a fertile hill קֶרֶן בֶּןשֶֿׁמֶן Isa 5:1.

9. noun relative of age:
a. of men, וַיְהִי נֹחַ בֶּןהֲֿמֵשׁ מֵאוֺת שָׁנָה Gen 5:32 compare Gen 7:6 + 71 t. P; Gen 50:26; Josh 14:7. Josh 14:10; Josh 24:29 (all E); Num 32:11 (J), Deut 31:2 also Judg 2:8; 1Sam 4:15; 2Sam 4:4; 2Sam 19:33; 2Sam 19:36; 1Chr 2:21; 1Chr 23:3; 1Chr 23:24; 1Chr 23:27; 1Chr 27:3; 2Chr 24:15; 2Chr 25:5; 2Chr 31:16; 2Chr 31:17; Ezra 3:8; Isa 65:20 (twice in verse); Jer 52:1 + 41 t. Samuel Kings Chronicles, of kings of accession; note especially (included in above) the phrase מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמָ֑עְלָה Exod 30:14; Exod 38:26; Num 1:3 + 21 t. Numbers 1-3 + Num 26:2; Num 26:4; Num 32:11; 1Chr 23:24; 1Chr 23:27; 2Chr 25:5; Ezra 3:8 compare Lev 27:7; Num 8:24; Num 26:62; 1Chr 23:3 & without מעלה Num 8:25; Num 18:16 also מִבֶּן עשׂרים שׁנה וְעַד בֶּןשִֿׁשִּׁים שָׁנָה Lev 27:3 compare vLev 27:5 vLev 27:6 מִבֶּן שׁלשׁים שׁנה ומעלה ועד בןחֿמשׁים שׁנה Num 4:3 (twice in verse) + 12 t. Num 4 מבּן שׁלושׁ שׁנים וּלְמַ֫עְלָה 2Chr 31:16 compare v2Chr 31:17 & לְמִבֶּן עשׂרים שׁנה וּלְמָ֑טָּה 1Chr 27:23.
b. of animals, (Hexateuch all P, including H) בֶּןשָֿׁנָה Exod 12:5; Exod 29:38; Lev 9:3; Lev 23:18; Lev 23:19; Num 7:17 + 28 t. Num 7, 28, 29; also Mic 6:6 בֶּןשְֿׁנָתוֺ Lev 12:6; Lev 23:12; Num 6:12; Num 6:14 + 12 t. Num 7 also Ezek 46:13.Note. — בן appears perhaps abbreviated as בּ in a few compound proper names; see בִּדְקַר (= בֶּןדֿקר?), בִּלְשָׁן, בִּמְהָל, בַּעֲלִיס, בַּעֲנָה, בִּרְשַׁע, בִּשְׁלָם (so MV after Schol. Hamâsa^{3 ed. Freytag}; Rö^{de libr, hist, interpr, Arab, 20, 21}; but this is very uncertain, compare Ol^{§ 227 b, p. 613}). — On Lag's explanation of אבי in some proper names as for אבן = בן compare Lag^{BN 75} & see אבינר p. 4, etc., but this is dubious

BDB1169 H1121

בְּנוֺ 1Chr 24:26; 1Chr 24:27 as proper name, masculine in AV RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, compare VB & Be Öttli.

BDB9386 H1247 H1121 H1248 H1123

I. בַּר noun masculine son (ᵑ7 id.; Syriac , Mandean ברא Nö^{M § 148}, Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene בר (and בן) Lzb^{242 f.}; Sabean בר according to Mordtm^{VOJ x. 154 f.}; = בֵּן, = becoming ר, Philippi^{ZMG xxxii (1878), 36 ff.} Brock^{Syr. Gr. § 76} and others; √ different from בן according to JHMich Thes K^{§ 63} and others; Biblical Hebrew בַּר Aramaism for בֵּן); — construct ׳ב Dan 3:25 +; suffix בְּרֵהּ Dan 5:22 plural construct בְּנֵי Ezra 6:9 +; suffix בְּנ֫וֺהִי Ezra 6:10; Ezra 7:23, בְּנֵיהוֺן Dan 6:25 —

1. son(s) Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:2 (twice in verse); Ezra 6:14; Dan 5:22; Dan 6:25; Ezra 6:10; Ezra 7:23 בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Ezra 6:16 = Israelites, בְּנֵי גָלוּתָא = captives vEzra 6:16; Dan 2:25; Dan 5:13; Dan 6:14 בַּראֱֿנָשׁ Dan 7:13 i.e. one of human kind, בְּנֵי אֲנָשָׁא men Dan 2:38; Dan 5:21 בַּראֱֿלָהִין Dan 3:25 a divine (or angelic) being (see Dr, and compare Biblical Hebrew Gen 6:2; Job 1:6); ׳בַּר שְׁנִין וגו Job 6:1 a son of 62 years = 62 years old (Biblical Hebrew בֵּן 9).

2. of bullocks, בְּנֵי תוֺרִין Ezra 6:9.

II. בַּר see ברר.

Strong's Definition H1121

son, children, sons, old, first, …

bēn

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

son, grandson, child, member of a group

son, male child

Variations 179 forms of this word

Translations 528 English renderings

Beno Levite from the family of Merari

Search every verse

Word Parts

וּ לְ בַ֜ת

וּ

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

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

בַ֜ת

Root word daughter, daughters, towns, villages, owls, …

Dictionary form: בַּת · baht

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/R/Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

וּ	Speech Conjunction
לְ	Speech Preposition
בַת	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: or for daughter

the daughter ×101 daughter ×50 and daughters ×28 daughters ×28 the daughters ×25 of the daughter ×20 and her towns ×19 his daughter ×19

More options

daughter — Core meaning; fits most literal and narrative contexts.

young woman — Captures poetic or metaphorical uses (e.g., 'Daughter Zion').

town — Use for dependent settlements surrounding a main city.

village — Smaller settlement sense; interchangeable with 'town' contextually.

inhabitant — Collective sense: 'daughter of Zion' as its people.

girl — Informal register; suits younger or diminutive referents.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1179 H1323

I. בַּת₅₈₇ noun feminine daughter (= *בַּנְתְּ from בן; Phoenician בת, MI בנת plural maidens, Assyrian bintu Winckler^{Sargon, Glossary,} Arabic ; Sabean בת, בנת DHM^{ZMG 1883, 391} CIS^{iv. l, No. 6. 21}; Aramaic ) — ׳ב absolute Exod 1:16 +; construct Gen 11:29 +; suffix בִּתִּי Deut 22:16 +; בִּתְּךָ Gen 29:18 +; בִּתֵּנוּ Gen 34:17 etc.; plural בָּנוֺת Gen 5:4 +; construct בְּנוֺת Gen 6:2 +; suffix בְּנֹתַי Gen 31:26+; בְּנוֺתֶיךָ Gen 19:12 +; בְּנֹתָם Gen 34:21 בְּנוֺתֵיהֶם Deut 12:31 +, etc.; —

1. daughter, female child, born of a woman Gen 30:21; Gen 34:1; Exod 1:16; Exod 1:22; Exod 21:4; Lev 12:6; Hos 1:6 compare Gen 20:12; Lev 18:9; Deut 27:22 +; begotten by a man Gen 5:4; Gen 5:7; Gen 5:10; Gen 11:11; Gen 11:13; Gen 11:15 compare Gen 11:29; Gen 19:8; Gen 20:12; Gen 28:2; Lev 19:9; Deut 27:22 +; often || בֵּן son Gen 5:4; Gen 5:7 + (see בֵּן); compare in allegory of Jehoash 2Kgs 14:9 = 2Chr 25:18 note especially בְּנוֺת הָאָדָם i.e. human women Gen 6:2; Gen 6:4 בִּתְּךָ הַפְּטַנָּה thy younger daughter Gen 29:18 (compare הַצְּעִירָה vGen 29:26 opposed to הַבְּכִירָה); בִּתִּי הַגְּדוֺלָה my eldest daughter 1Sam 18:17 בַּתֿ(הַ)מֶּלֶךְ = princess 2Chr 22:11; 2Kgs 9:34; Dan 11:6 compare 2Sam 13:18; Jer 41:10; Jer 43:6; Ps 45:10 compare as term of praise בַּתנָֿדִיב Song 7:2 in particular
a. girl called בִּתֵּנוּ by father and brothers Gen 34:17 compare בִּתְּכֶם vGen 34:8.
b. of adopted daughter Esth 2:7; Esth 2:15.
c. used in speaking to daughter-in-law Ruth 1:11; Ruth 1:12; Ruth 1:13; Ruth 2:2; Ruth 2:8; Ruth 2:22; Ruth 3:1; Ruth 3:16; Ruth 3:18.
d. בַּתאָֿבִיו = sister Ezek 22:11 (appositive אחזתו); also half-sister Gen 20:12 בַּתאָֿבִי אַךְ לֹא בַתאִֿמִּי, compare Lev 18:9 & vLev 18:11 בַּתאֵֿשֶׁת אָבִיךָ, Lev 20:17.
e. בַּתדֹּֿדוֺ = cousin Esth 2:7. feminine used in kindly address, בִּתִּי Ruth 3:10; Ruth 3:11 (Boaz to Ruth), compare Ps 45:11 בְּנוֺתַי in mouth of ׳י Isa 43:6 (|| בָּנַי).
g. בְּנוֺת בָּנָיו = granddaughters Gen 46:7 (P) compare Lev 18:10 & vLev 18:17 (H); note also Gen 37:35, where בנותיו must include other than actual daughters.
h. רִבְקָה בַּתבְּֿתוּאֵל (as more precise designation) Gen 25:20 compare Gen 24:23; Gen 24:24; Gen 24:47 (twice in verse); also Gen 26:34 (twice in verse); Gen 29:10 +; note especially בַּתֿ פַּרְעֹה (without personal name) Exod 2:5; Exod 2:7; Exod 2:8; Exod 2:9; Exod 2:10 compare 1Kgs 3:1; 1Kgs 7:8; 1Kgs 9:24; 1Kgs 11:1; 2Chr 8:11 בַּתאִֿישׁ כְּנַעֲַנִי וּשְׁמוֺ שׁוּעַ Gen 38:2 compare vGen 38:12 (but compare 1Chr 2:3 below בַּתשֿׁוּעַ proper name, feminine below)
i. often plural as designation of women of a particular city, land, or people: בְּנוֺת צִיּוֺן Isa 3:16; Isa 3:17; Isa 4:4; Song 3:11 compare Isa 49:22; Isa 60:4; Lam 3:51 בְּנוֺת יְרוּשָׁלַם Song 1:5; Song 2:7; Song 3:5; Song 3:10; Song 5:8; Song 5:16; Song 8:4 בְּנוֺתשִֿׁילוֺ Judg 21:21 (twice in verse); בְּנוֺת רַבָּה Jer 49:3 observe transitional phrase בְּנוֺת אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר Gen 24:13 further בְּנוֺת כְּנָ֑עַן Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6; Gen 28:8; Gen 36:2 (all P) compare הַכְּנַעֲנִי ׳ב Gen 24:3; Gen 24:37 (J); בְּנוֺת הָאָרֶץ Gen 27:46; Gen 34:1 (both P); בְּנוֺת מוֺאָב Num 25:1; Isa 16:2 compare Num 21:29 חֵת ׳ב Gen 27:46 (twice in verse) (P); פְּלִשְׁתִּים ׳ב Judg 14:1; Judg 14:2; 2Sam 1:20 || הָֽעֲרֵלִים ׳ב v2Sam 1:20 (poetry); יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳ב Judg 11:40; 1Sam 1:24 (poetry); יְהוּרָה ׳ב Ps 48:12; Ps 97:8 מְנַשֶּׁה ׳ב Josh 17:6 דָּן ׳ב 2Chr 2:13 compare בַּתלַֿוֵי Exod 2:1 i.e. a woman of tribe of Levi; also אַחֶיךָ ׳ב Judg 14:3 עַמֶּ֑ךָ ׳ב Ezek 13:17. — בֵּתצִֿיּוֺן etc. see below 3 below

2. young women, women Gen 30:13 (J) Prov 31:29; Song 2:2; Song 6:9 בָּנוֺת בֹּטְחוֺת Isa 32:9 also בַּת הַנָּשִׁים Dan 11:17.

3. with name of city, land, or people, poetic personification of that city or inhabitants, etc.: בַּתצִֿיּוֺן Isa 1:8; Isa 10:32; Isa 16:1; Isa 62:11; Mic 1:13; Mic 4:8; Mic 4:10; Mic 4:13; Jer 4:31; Jer 6:2; Jer 6:23; Zeph 3:14; Zech 2:14; Zech 9:9; Ps 9:15; Lam 1:6; Lam 2:1; Lam 2:4; Lam 4:22 even זִקְנֵי בתצֿיון Lam 2:10 ׳צ ׳חוֺמַת ב vLam 2:8 vLam 2:18 also ׳צֿ׳בְּתוּלַת ב 2Kgs 19:21 = Isa 37:22; Lam 2:13 ׳צֿ׳שְׁבִּיָּה ב Isa 52:2 יְרוּשָׁלַם ׳ב 2Kgs 19:21 = Isa 37:22; Mic 4:8; Zeph 3:14; Zech 9:9; Lam 2:13; Lam 2:15 compare בַּתפּֿוּצַי Zeph 3:10 daughter of my dispersed ones; בַּתצֹֿר Ps 45:13 בָּבֶל ׳ב Jer 50:42; Jer 51:33; Ps 137:8 בָּבֶל ׳בְּתוּלַת ב Isa 47:1 see further Zech 2:11 also of Tarshish Isa 23:10, Sidon vIsa 23:12 (+ בְּתוּלַת), Dibon Jer 48:18 (+ יוֺשֶׁבֶת), Gallim Isa 10:30 בְּתוּלַת יְֿהוּדָה׳ב Lam 1:15 compare מִבְצְרֵי בַּת יְהוּדָה Lam 2:2 בַּתעַֿמִּי daughter of my people Isa 22:4; Jer 4:11; Jer 6:14; Jer 6:26; Jer 8:11; Jer 8:19; Jer 8:21; Jer 8:22; Jer 8:23; Jer 9:6; Lam 3:48; Lam 4:3; Lam 4:6; Lam 4:10, ׳י ׳בְּתוּלַת ב Jer 14:17 בַּתמִֿצְרָ֑יִם Jer 46:24 also Jer 46:11 (+ בְּתוּלַת), vJer 46:19 (+ יוֺשֶׁבֶת); אֱדוֺם ׳ב Lam 4:21; Lam 4:22 כַּשְׂדִּים ׳ב Isa 47:1; Isa 47:5 note הַבַּת הַשּׁוֺבֵבָ֑ה Jer 31:22 (|| בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל vJer 31:21) Jer 49:4 (= Ammon); on בַּתאֲֿשֻׁרִים Ezek 27:6 see below אֲשֻׁרִים p. 81; less often in plural בְּנוֺת הַגּוֺיִם Ezek 32:16 אַדִּרִם ׳גּ ׳ב vEzek 32:18 (these perhaps below 1 i); בְּנוֺת פְּלִשְׁתִּים Ezek 16:27 (in allegory); compare also of Sodom, Samaria, Syria etc. V:44; V:45; V:46; V:46; V:53; V:55; V:55; V:57; V:57; Ezek 23:2.

4. plural = villages, after name of city, וּבְחֶשְׁבּוֺן וּבְכָלבְּֿנֹתֶיהָ Num 21:25 compare vNum 21:32; Num 32:42 (E) Josh 15:45; Josh 15:47 (twice in verse) (J E ?) + vJosh 15:28 ᵐ5 Di, Josh 17:11 (6 t.) vJosh 17:16 (J) = Judg 1:27 (4 t. in verse); Judg 11:26 (twice in verse); Jer 49:2 + 17 t.; Chronicles + 6 t.; Neh 11:25-31. On 1Chr 18:1 & its variation from || 2Sam 8:1 see We Dr.

5. in phrases denoting character, quality, etc., בַּתאֵֿל נֵכָר daughter of a strange god, i.e. idolatrous (woman or people) Mal 2:11 בַּתגְּֿדוּר daughter of a troop, i.e. war-like city Mic 4:14 בְּנוֺת הַשִּׁיר Eccl 12:4 the daughters of song, i.e. songs, melodious notes; בַּתבְּֿלִיַּעַל 1Sam 1:16 see בְּלִיַּעַל below בלה.

6. בַּת יַעֲנָה = ostrich Lev 11:16 = Deut 14:15 plural בְּנוֺת יַעֲנָה Job 30:29; Mic 1:8; Isa 13:21; Isa 34:13; Isa 43:20; Jer 50:39 (see יַעֲנָה); בַּתעַֿיִן pupil of the eye Lam 2:18 compare Ethiopic see also אישׁוֺן

7. figurative לַעֲלוּקָה שְׁתֵּי בָנוֺת Prov 30:15 two daughters (i.e. Sh®°ôl & the barren womb, compare Comm.)

8. of vine = branch בָּנוֺת צָֽעֲרָה עֲלֵישֿׁוּר Gen 49:22 compare Di & v: below בֵּן.

9. as noun relative (all P), of age of woman בַּתתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה Gen 17:17 of ewe-lamb בַּתשְֿׁנָתָהּ Lev 14:10; Num 6:14 of she-goat id. Num 15:27. compare בֵּן

9. — II. בַּת see below בתת.

BDB1379 H1323

I. בַּת daughter see below בן.

Strong's Definition H1323

daughter, daughters, towns, villages, owls, …

bat

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

(n f) daughter

daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

as polite address

Variations 119 forms of this word

Translations 143 English renderings

Bath-shua Judah's Canaanite wife; mother of Er, Onan, and Shelah. Daughter

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Word Parts

לְ אָ֗ח

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

אָ֗ח

Root word brethren, brother, brothers, another, brethrens, …

Dictionary form: אָח · aw

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

לְ	Speech Preposition
אָח	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: for brother

his brethren ×58 his brother ×55 and his brethren ×53 thy brother ×35 their brethren ×30 brother ×25 brethren ×23 and their brethren ×17

More options

brother — Core meaning; use for biological or close male kin.

brothers — Preferred plural form; replaces archaic 'brethren'.

kinsman — Use when broader tribal or clan relationship is implied.

fellow — Suits contexts of solidarity, alliance, or shared identity.

companion — Use when the bond is relational or covenantal, not biological.

countryman — Best for communal or national address to fellow Israelites.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB276 H251 H256 H257

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

BDB285 H251

I. אָח₆₃₀ noun masculine brother (Phoenician אח, Arabic (construct etc.), Sabean אחֿ (suffix אחֿיהו) CIS^{iv.1,17 and 24} and others, Ethiopic Assyrian a—u compare Dl^W, Aramaic אַח, ; Palmyreme, Nabataean suffix אחוהי, אחיה); — absolute אָח Gen 24:29 + (Ezek 18:10 strike out Co compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9; Ew Sm אַח; Dl Ba^{Ez x} defends as = one compare Assyrian a—u) never with article; cstr אֲחִי Gen 10:21 +; suffix אָחִי Gen 4:9 +; אָחִיךָ Gen 4:9 +; אָחִיו Gen 4:2 +; אָחִיהוּ Jer 34:9 + 3 t. etc.; plural אַחִים Gen 13:8 +; so read Hos 13:15 see De^{Compl. Var. 23} compare below אָחוּ; construct אֲחֵי Num 27:10 +; suffix אַחַי Gen 19:7 +; אֶחָ֑י 1Sam 20:29 + (but 1Sam 30:23 ᵐ5 We אַחֲרֵי for אֶחָ֑י את); אַחֶיךָ Gen 37:13 +; אֶחָיו Gen 44:14 + etc.

1. brother, born of same mother (& father) Gen 4:2; Gen 4:8; Gen 4:9; Gen 4:10; Gen 4:11; Gen 27:6; Gen 27:11; Gen 44:20; Gen 49:5 compare Gen 28:2; Gen 29:10 (twice in verse) + Exod 4:14 + often; also of half-brother Gen 20:5; Gen 20:13; Gen 20:16 (on pa-rentage compare vGen 20:12) Gen 37:2; Gen 37:4; Gen 37:5 +, 2Sam 13:4; 2Sam 13:7; 2Sam 13:8 +.

2. indefinite = relative; Lot, of Abraham Gen 13:8; Gen 14:12; Gen 14:14; Gen 14:16 Jacob, of Laban Gen 29:12; Gen 29:15 (nephew); hence of kinship in wider sense; member of same tribe Num 16:10; Num 18:2; Num 18:6; 2Sam 19:13 of same people Exod 2:11 (twice in verse); Exod 4:18; Deut 15:12; Judg 14:3; Isa 66:20; Neh 5:1; Neh 5:5; Neh 5:8 see especially Lev 19:17 compare vLev 19:18 (ex-tended to include sojourner גֵּר vLev 19:34); of Israel & Judah 2Sam 19:42 Israel & Edom Num 20:14 compare of Ishmael Gen 16:12; Gen 25:18 of friend 2Sam 1:26; 1Kgs 9:13; 1Kgs 20:32; 1Kgs 20:33 of allies ׳בְּרִית א Amos 1:9.

3. figurative of resemblance Job 30:29 אָח הָיִיתִי לְתַנִּים (|| רֵעַ לִבְנוֺת יַעֲנָה i.e. by reason of his crying, compare Di; Prov 18:9 מִתְרַפֶּה בִּמְלַאכְתּוֺ אָח הוּא לְבַעַל מַשְׁחִית.

4. in phrase one . . . another אִישׁ אָחִיו Gen 9:5; Joel 2:8 Ze Joel 7:10 אִישׁ ֗֗֗ אָחִיוGen 13:11 + 25 t + Exod 32:27 (where also same phrase with רֵעֵהוּ & קְרֹבוֺ — see these words — & also אִישׁ, אֶחָד; for development of idiom compare Deut 15:2; Isa 19:2; Jer 34:14 (compare15) 17 Ezek 38:21; Hag 2:22 usually of men; of faces of golden cherubim Exod 25:20; Exod 37:9 of scales of crocodile Job 41:9. (אָח fire-pot. see below II. אחח.)

BDB9286 H251

אחה (assumed as √ of following; compare Biblical Hebrew אָח).

Strong's Definition H251

brethren, brother, brothers, another, brethrens, …

ʾāḥ

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like H0001])

brother

brother of same parents

Variations 101 forms of this word

Translations 155 English renderings

Brother

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Word Parts

וּ לְ אָח֛וֹת

וּ

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

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

אָח֛וֹת

Root word sister, sisters, another, other, with

Dictionary form: אָחוֹת · aw-HOTE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/R/Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

וּ	Speech Conjunction
לְ	Speech Preposition
אָחוֹת	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: or for sister

sister ×19 their sister ×10 his sister ×9 the sister ×7 another ×6 is my sister ×6 my sister ×5 her sister ×4

More options

sister — Default rendering; direct female sibling relationship.

female relative — When 'sister' denotes a broader kinship or clan bond.

counterpart — Figurative use; paired or matching things (e.g., nations, planks).

companion — Metaphorical contexts emphasizing closeness or solidarity.

beloved — Poetic/Song of Songs register; term of endearment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB315 H269

אָחוֺת₁₁₄ noun feminine sister (Phoenician אחת, Aramaic אֲחָת , Arabic , Assyrian a—âtu, Dl^{w, Ethiopic} Sabean in proper name אחֿתאמהו Os^{ZMG 1865, 273}) — absolute ׳אָ 2Sam 13:1 + (never with article); construct אֲחוֺת Gen 4:22 +; suffix אֲחֹתִי (אֲחוֺתִי) Gen 12:13 +, etc.; plural suffix אַחְוֺתַי (Qr אַחְיוֺתַי) Josh 2:13 אֲחוֺתַיִח Ezek 16:51 (Qr; Kt אחותך) + 2 t. (Co all ׳אחיו); אַחֲיוֺתֵח Ezek 16:52 (Co תֿיך); אֲחוֺתֵח Ezek 16:52 (must be plural, but strike out Co); אַחְיֹתָיו Job 42:11 אֲחוֺתֵיכֶם Hos 2:3 אַחְיֹתֵיהֶם 1Chr 2:16; Job 1:4 —

1. sister Gen 4:22; Gen 12:13; Gen 12:19; Gen 20:2; Gen 20:5; Gen 20:12 (same father, different mother) so Lev 18:11 compare Ezek 22:11; Gen 24:30 (twice in verse) +, Exod 2:4; Exod 2:7; Lev 18:9 (either parent same) so Deut 27:22; Num 6:7; 2Sam 13:1; 2Sam 13:2; 2Sam 13:4 +, Song 8:8 (twice in verse); called upon, in mourning for dead Jer 22:18 = near relative Gen 24:59; Gen 24:60 (or because Laban prominent ? so Di); /man of same nationality Num 25:18 compare Hos 2:3.

2. = beloved Song 4:9; Song 4:10; Song 4:12; Song 5:12 (4 t. || כַּלָּה bride; phrase originally implying that marriage with half-sister — of same father — was allowed? compare Nö^{ZMG 1886}, 150 & Gen 20:12).

3. symbolic of Judah, Samaria, Sodom & Jerusalem Jer 3:7; Jer 3:8; Jer 3:10; Ezek 16:45; Ezek 16:52 (twice in verse) (strike out Co) +, Ezek 23:4; Ezek 23:11 +.

4. figurative of intimate connection קָרָאתִי ֗֗֗ אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָרִמָּה Job 17:14 אֱמֹר לַחָכְמָה אֲחֹתִי אַתְּ Prov 7:4.

5.. another, אִשָּׁה אֶלאֲֿחֹתָהּ, of curtains of tabernacle Exod 26:3 (twice in verse); Exod 26:6 loops vExod 26:5, tenons vExod 26:17 of wings of living creatures, Ezekiel's vision Ezek 1:9; Ezek 1:23; Ezek 3:13 not of persons, but see רְעוּת.

Strong's Definition H269

sister, sisters, another, other, with

ʾāḥôt

a sister (used very widely [like H0251], literally and figuratively)

sister

sister (same parents)

(metaphorically) of Israel's and Judah___%___s relationship

bride

Variations 40 forms of this word

Translations 42 English renderings

Sister Sibling

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Word Parts

אֲשֶֽׁר

Particle who, which, that

Dictionary form: אֲשֶׁר · uh-SHER

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Tr

Particle — Relative

אֲשֶֽׁר

Speech Particle Type Relative

In English

In the KJV here: that

which ×1561 that ×1524 as ×311 whom ×202 who ×88 where ×84 whither ×70 whose ×69

More options

that — Most versatile; works as relative pronoun or conjunction.

which — Prefer for non-personal antecedents and formal register.

who — Use when antecedent is a person or personal being.

where — Use when introducing a place or locative clause.

when — Use when introducing a temporal clause.

because — Use when אֲשֶׁר introduces a causal clause.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3871 H834

כַּאֲשֶׁר conjunction according as, as, when (compare for the combined Aramaic כְּדִי, כַּד) —

1. according to that which, according as, as:
a. Gen 34:12 I will give כאשׁר תאמרו אלי according as ye shall (or may) say unto me, Gen 44:1; Exod 8:23; Num 22:8; 1Sam 2:16; Gen 34:22 if we are circumcised כאשׁר הם נמולים; Gen 41:21 כאשׁר בתחלה as at the beginning, so ׳כ בראשׁונה Josh 8:5; Josh 8:6; 2Sam 7:10; Exod 5:13 ׃כאשׁר בהיות התבן Gen 7:9 they came in two by two כאשׁר צוה אלהִים, as God commanded Noah; so, or similarly, very often, especially in P, vGen 7:16; Gen 8:21; Gen 12:4; Gen 17:23; Gen 21:1 (twice in verse); Exod 16:24; Exod 39:1; Exod 39:5; Exod 39:7; Num 3:16; Num 3:42 etc.; ׳כאשׁר דבר י Deut 1:21; Deut 2:1; Deut 6:3; Deut 6:19 + often Deuteronomy.
b. answered, for increased emphasis, by כֵּן (compare כְּ 2 d), Gen 50:12 ויעשׂו כן כאשׁר צִוָּם, Exod 7:10; Exod 7:20; Gen 18:5 (J) כן חעשׂח כאשׁר דברת, Exod 10:10 (iron.), Amos 5:14 (do.); in opposed to order, Judg 1:7 כאשׁר עשׂיתי, כן שׁלם לי, Exod 7:6 כן עשׂו ׳כאשׁר צוה י, compare Exod 12:28; Exod 12:50; Exod 39:43; Num 5:4; Num 17:26; Num 36:10 (all P); with imperfect (frequently) Num 2:17 (P) כאשׁר יחנו כן יסעו; of degree = the more. . . the more, Exod 1:12 וכאשׁר יענּו אתו כן ירבה וכן יפרץ, compare Exod 17:11 (JE) ׳והיה כאשׁר יריםו֗֗֗גבר ישׁר according as he held up, etc., Israel prevailed; in an oath or solemn promise, Num 14:28 אם לא כאשׁר דברתם כן אעשׂה, Deut 28:63 (Jer 31:28), 1Kgs 1:30; Isa 10:11; Isa 14:24; Isa 52:14f. (see כֵּן 2 b).
c. answered by וַ (Dr^{§ 127} γ) Exod 16:34; Num 1:19.
d. often in similes (followed by imperfect of habit) Exod 33:11 כאשׁר ידבר אישׁ אל רעהו, Num 11:12; Deut 1:44; Isa 9:2; Isa 66:20 +, answered by כֵּן Isa 31:4; Isa 55:10; Isa 66:22; Amos 3:12 +; a second verb is, in such cases, in the perfect with וְ consecutive (Dr^{§ 115}) Deut 22:26; Isa 29:8 כאשׁר יחלםו֗֗֗הקיץ, Isa 65:8; Amos 5:19.
e. הָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר (compare הָיָה כְּ) to be as if, Job 10:19 כאשׁר לא הייתי אהיה, Zech 10:6 והיו כאשׁר לא זנחתים.

2. with a casual force, in so far as, since (German demgemäss dass), Gen 26:29 if thou doest us no harm כאשׁר לא נגענוך according as, in so far as, we have not touched thee; Num 27:14 כאשׁר מריתם פי inasmuch as ye have defied my mouth, Judg 6:27; 1Sam 28:18 (answered by על כן), 2Kgs 17:26; Mic 3:4.

3. with a temporal force, when, Gen 18:33 and Y. went away כאשׁר כלה when he had finished, etc., Gen 32:3; Gen 32:32; 1Sam 8:6; 2Sam 12:21 +; answered by וַּ (Dr^{§ 127} β), 1Sam 6:6; 1Sam 12:8 ויהי כאשׁר֗֗ and it came to pass, when . . . Gen 12:11; Gen 20:13; Gen 24:22; Gen 24:52; Exod 32:19 + often; Gen 43:14 כאשׁר שׁכלתי שׁכלתי when I am bereaved, I am bereaved ! an expression of resignation, so Esth 4:16 כאשׁר אבדתי אבדתי. Josh 2:7 אחרי כאשׁר is a 'conflate' reading, omit either אחרי or כ. Of future time, Gen 27:40; Gen 40:14 כאשׁר ייטב לך, Hos 7:12; Eccl 4:17; Eccl 5:3, and without a verb Isa 23:5 כאשׁר שׁמע למצרים. — Mic 3:3 כאשׁר is simply as that which, Job 29:25 as one who.

BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

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

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

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

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

BDB6204 H4616 H834 H4617

[מַ֫עַן] substantive purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן₂₇₁ preposition and conjunction for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that (abbreviated from מַעֲנֶה: compare מַ֫עַל; Kö^{ii. 116}); — with suffix לְמַעֲנִי, לְמַעַנְךָ, and לְמַעַנְכֶם; —

1. preposition: —
a. Gen 18:24 wilt thou ... not spare the place למען חמשׁים הציקים for the sake of the 50 righteous? Deut 30:6 חַיֶּיךָ ׳ל for thy life's sake, 1Kgs 8:41 the foreigner who comer from afar שְׁמֶ֑ךָ ׳ל, Isa 43:14 לְמַעַנְכֶם שִׁלַּחְתִּי בָבֶ֫לָה, Isa 45:4; Isa 62:1 ציון ׳ל, Isa 63:17 עבדיך ׳ל, Isa 65:8; Ezek 36:22 (twice in verse); Job 18:4; Ps 122:8; Ps 122:9 (׳עַבְדִּי ד) לְמַעַן דָּוִד, i.e. for the sake of David's memory, and the promises given to him, 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:13; 1Kgs 11:32; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:4; 2Kgs 8:19; 2Kgs 19:34 (= Isa 37:35), Isa 20:6 (all D²); לְמַעֲנִי (of ׳י) for my own sake, i.e. to vindicate my name, 2Kgs 19:34 (= Isa 37:35), 2Kgs 20:6; Isa 43:25; Isa 48:11 לְמַעֲנִי לְמַעֲנִי אֶעֲשֶׁה, so לְמַעַנְךָ Dan 9:19, אֲדֹנָי ׳ל vDan 9:17 ׳י is said (or entreated) to act (שִׁמְךָ, שְׁמִי) לְמַעַן שְׁמוֺ i.e. to maintain his reputation, or character, Ps 23:3; Ps 25:11; Ps 31:4; Ps 79:9; Ps 106:8; Ps 143:11; Jer 14:7; Jer 14:21; Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22; Ezek 20:44; Isa 48:9 simile חַסְדְּךָ ׳ל (i.e. to maintain it consistently) Ps 6:5; Ps 44:27, טוּבְךָ ׳ל Ps 25:7, צִדְקוֺ ׳ל Isa 42:21.

b. In view of, on account of (but not expressing causation distinctly, like מִן 2 f, or מִפְּנֵי), Deut 3:26 בי לְמַעַנְכֶם ׳ויתעבר י on your account, 1Kgs 11:39 זֹאת ׳ל in view of this, שׁוֺרֲרַי ׳ל on account of my watchful foes, Ps 5:9; Ps 27:11, צורריך ׳ל Ps 8:3, simil. Ps 69:19; Ps 48:12 (Ps 97:8) משׁפטיך ׳ישמח הר ציון ֗֗֗ ל in view of thy judgments.

c. Sq. infinitive Gen 18:19 ׳לְמַעַן הָבִיא י for the purpose of J.'s bringing = to the intent that J. might bring, Gen 37:22 הַצִּיל ׳ל in order to rescue, Gen 50:20; Exod 1:11; Exod 9:16; Exod 10:1, etc., Deut 2:30; Deut 6:28, etc., 2Kgs 10:19; Jer 7:10; Jer 7:18; Jer 11:5; Jer 50:34 (on הִרגיע, see עַד 2 a b), Ezek 14:5; Ezek 21:5; Ezek 22:6 etc., Ezek 36:5, + often (Kö^{iii.595 f.}). Once, pleonastic, לְמַעַן לָמוּג לֵב Ezek 21:20 (compare כַּעֲבוּר לְ 1Chr 19:3 but read probably הִמּוֺג).

2. conjunction (followed by imperfect): —
a. לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר Gen 18:19 I have known him אשׁר יְצַוֶּה ׳ל to the end that he might command, etc., Deut 27:3; Josh 3:4; 2Sam 13:5; Jer 42:6 more often
b. without אשׁר, as Gen 12:13 לְמַעַן יִיטַב לִי, Gen 27:25; Exod 4:5 יאמינו ׳ל, Exod 8:6; Exod 8:18; Exod 9:29; Exod 10:2; Isa 5:19; Isa 23:16; Ps 9:15; Ps 30:13; Ps 48:14 + often (Kö^iii.571).

c. Sq. לֹא (a) אשׁר לֹא ׳ל Num 17:5; Deut 20:18; Ezek 31:14; Ezek 36:30; Ezek 46:18 (b) לֹא ׳ל Ezek 14:11; Ezek 19:9; Ezek 25:10; Ezek 26:20; Zech 12:7; Ps 119:11; Ps 119:80; Ps 125:3 (Kö^{iii.574. Less common than} לְבִלְתִּי or מִן with infinitive, or פֶּןֿ).

Note

1. — לְמַעַן is always in order that, never merely so that ἐκβατικῶς); but sometimes, in rhetorical passages, the issue of a line of action, though really undesigned, is represented by it ironically as if it were designed: Deut 29:18 (see Dr) ׳סְפוֺת וגו ׳וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ כִּלְבָבוֺ ֗֗֗ ל and he congratulate himself ... in order to sweep away the moistened with the dry (i.e. to destroy all together), Isa 30:1; Isa 44:9 יֵבוֺשׁוּ ׳בל יראו ובל ידעו ל in orer that they may be put to shame, Jer 7:18 הַכְעִיסֵנִי ׳ל, vJer 7:19 בּשֶׁת פְנֵיהֶם ׳ל, Jer 27:10; Jer 27:15; Jer 32:29; Hos 8:4 their silver, etc., they have made into idols יִכָרֵת ׳ל in order that it may be cut off (of course, not the real purpose of the idolatry), Amos 2:7; Mic 6:16: compare Ps 51:6 (see Comn.) in order that thou mightest be just when thou judgest (that is, by manifesting thy justice in judgement on my sin). compare Qor 28:7 (Fl^{Kl. Schr. i. 397 f.}).

Note 2. — In Josh 4:24 for the anomalous יְרָאתֶם ׳ל, read infinitive יִרְאָתָם ׳ל in order that they might fear (Dr^{§ 14 Obs}.): Neh 6:13 לְמַעַן שָׂכוּר הוּא לְמַעַן אִירָא (si vera 1.) the first ׳ל points forwards, to this intent was he hired, to the intent that I should be afraid. — On Prov 16:4, see מַעֵנֶה above

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].

BDB844 H834

אֲשֶׁר particle of relation (Moabite id.; origin dubious:

1. according to Tsepreghi^{Diss. Lugd. p. 171} Mühlau^{Bö. Lb. ii. 79 n.} Sta^{Morg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167} Hom^{ZMG 1878, 708 ff.} Müll^{§ 153} Sayce^{Hebraica. ii. 51} Lag^{M. i. 255 &} especially Krae^{Hebraica. vi. 298 ff}, originally a substantive 'place' = footstep, mark, (do.), אֲתַר, place, Assyrian ašru, used (see Kraetz.) both as a substantive 'there, where,' and as a relative of place 'where': in Hebrew this development has advanced further, and it has become a relative sign generally. The chief objection to this explanation is that it would isolate Hebrew from the other Semitic languages, in which pronouns are formed regularly from demonstrative roots (compare also Nö^{ZMG 1886, 738}).

2. according to Phi^{St. C. 73} Sperling^{Nota Rel. im Hebr. 1876, 15-22} for אֲשֶׁל, developed from the relative שׁ (q. v.) by (1) the prefixing of either a merely prosthetic א, or, better, a pronominal א (giving rise to אש, the form of the relative in Phoenician), and (2) the addition of the demonstrative root ל [found also in אֵל, אֵלָּה, הַלָּזֶה (q. v.), he who, who (plural)]: the main objection to this explanation is the change of ל to ר, which is hardly rendered probable by the compare of Syriac by side of ᵑ7 הָלְכָּא. 1 seems preferable, the primitive root having acquired different significations in the different Semitic languages, and having been weakened in Hebrew to a mere particle of relation). A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. As a rule אֲשֶׁר is a mere connecting link, and requires to be supplemented (see the grammars) by a pronominal affix, or other word, such as שָׁם, defining the nature of the relation more precisely: e.g. Gen 1:11 אֲשֶׁר זַרֵעוֺבֿוֺ literally as to which, its seed is in it = in which is its seed, Ps 1:4 like the chaff אֲשֶׁרתִּֿדְּפֶנּוּ רוּחַ as to which, the wind drives it = which the wind drives, etc.; & so אֲשֶׁרשָׁ֗֗֗ם = where, אֲשֶׁרמִ֗֗֗שָּׁם = whence, Gen 2:11; Gen 3:23; Gen 20:13 etc. Sometimes also (see below) the relation expressed by it is specifically temporal, local causal, etc. More particularly

1. it includes its pronominal antecedent, whether in the nominative or oblique cases, as Num 22:6 וַאֲשֶׁר תָּאֹר יוּאָר and he whom thou cursest is cursed, Exod 4:12 and I will teach thee אֲשֶׁר תְּדַבֵּר that which thou shalt say; and with particles or prepositions, as אֵת אֲשֶׁר (according to the context) him who . . ., those who . . ., that which . . .; לַאֲשֶׁר to him who . . . Gen 43:16, to those who . . . Gen 47:24, to that which Gen 27:8 מֵאֲשֶׁר Judg 16:30; 2Sam 18:18 than those whom; Lev 27:24 לַאֲשֶׁר קָנָהוּ מֵאִתּוֺ to him from whom he bought it, Num 5:7; Isa 24:2 כַּאֲשֶׁר נשֶׁא בוֺ like him against whom there is a creditor.

2. instances of אֲשֶׁר followed by a pronominal affix, or by שָׁם, שָֽׁמָּה, מִשָּׁם, are so common that the examples cited above will be sufficient. Very rarely there occurs the anomalous construction עִם אֲשֶׁר Gen 31:32 for אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֺ (see Gen 44:9), בַּאֲשֶׁר Isa 47:12 for אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, לַאֲשֶׁר for אֲשֶׁרלָ֗֗֗הֶם Ezek 23:40: Ps 119:49 see under על אשׁר. It is followed by the pronoun in the nominative, in the following cases: —
(a) immediately, mostly before an adjective or participle, Gen 9:3 all moving things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:26; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 14:27; Num 35:31; Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19 (see Dr) 2Kgs 25:19 (|| Jer 52:25 היה) Jer 27:9; Ezek 43:19; Hag 1:9; Ruth 4:15; Neh 2:18; Eccl 7:26 before a verb 2Kgs 22:13 (omitted 2Chr 34:21).
(b) in a negative sentence, at the end: Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12; Num 17:5; Deut 17:15 אֲשֶׁר לֹא אָחִיךָ הוּא who is not thy brother, Deut 20:15; Judg 19:12; 1Kgs 8:41 || 1Kgs 9:20 ||.

N.B. Ps 16:3 אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ הֵ֑מָּה is an unparalleled expression for 'who are in the land'; read ׳אֲשֶׁר בָּאָ֑רֶץ הֵמָּה אַדִּירֵי וג 'the saints that are in the land, they (המה) are the nobles, in whom,' etc.

3. sometimes (though rarely) the defining adjunct is a pronoun of 1 or 2 person as well as of 3 person. In such cases it is strictly to be rendered I who . . ., thou who, etc.; Hos 14:4 אֲשֶׁרבְּֿךָ יְרֻחַם יָתוֺם thou by whom the fatherless is compassionated ! Jer 31:32 I, whose covenant they brake, Jer 32:19; Isa 49:23; Job 37:17f. thou whose garments are warm . . ., canst thou ? etc., Ps 71:19; Ps 71:20; Ps 144:12 we whose sons, etc., Ps 139:15 my frame was not hidden from thee, אֲ֯שֶׁרעֻֿשֵּׂיתִי בַסֵּתֶר I who was wrought in secret (= though I was wrought in secret), Exod 14:13 for ye who have seen the Egyptians to-day, — ye shall not see them again for ever! (compare Ps 41:9).

4. the defining pron. adjunct is dispensed with —
a. when אֲשֶׁר represents the simple subject of a sentence, or the direct object of a verb: so constantly, as Gen 2:1 the work אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה which he made, Gen 3:3 the tree אֲשֶׁר בְּתוֺךְ הַגָּן which is in the midst of the garden, etc.
b. after words denoting time, place, or manner, so that אֲשֶׁר then becomes equivalent to when, where, why:
(a) Gen 6:4 אַחֲרֵי כֵן אֲשֶׁר afterwards, when, etc. (compare 2Chr 35:20) Gen 45:6 there are still 5 years אֲשֶׁר אֵין חָרִישׁ when there shall be no plowing, Josh 14:10; 1Kgs 22:25 after יוֺם or הַיּוֺם Deut 4:10; Judg 4:14; 1Sam 24:5 (see Dr) 2Sam 19:25; Jer 20:14 and elsewhere; similarly Gen 40:13. (β) Gen 35:13 בַּמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֺ in the place where he spake with him, vGen 35:14; Gen 39:20; Num 13:27; Num 22:26; Deut 1:31 in the desert which thou sawest, where (accents Ke Di), Deut 8:15; 1Kgs 8:9 (unless לוּחוֺת הַבְּרִית has here fallen out: see ᵐ5 & Deut 9:9) Isa 55:11; Isa 64:10; Ps 84:4. So (γ) in אֶל אֲשֶׁר to (the place) which (or whither) Exod 32:34; Ruth 1:16 אֶלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר to every (place) whither Josh 1:16; Prov 17:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר in (the place) where Judg 5:27; Judg 17:8; Judg 17:9; 1Sam 23:13; 2Kgs 8:1; Ruth 1:16; Ruth 1:17; Job 39:30, once only with שָׁם Gen 21:17 בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר wheresoever Josh 1:7; Josh 1:9; Judg 2:15; 1Sam 14:47; 1Sam 18:5; 2Sam 7:7; 2Kgs 18:7 מֵאֲשֶׁר from (the place) where = whencesoever Exod 5:11; Ruth 2:9 עַלאֲֿשֶׁר to (the place) whither (or which) 2Sam 15:20; 1Kgs 18:12 עַלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר Jer 1:7. (δ) זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר ֗֗֗ this is the reason that or why . . . Josh 5:4; 1Kgs 11:27.
c. more extreme instances Lev 14:22; Lev 14:30; Lev 14:31; Num 6:21; Deut 7:19 (wherewith), Deut 28:20; 1Sam 2:32 (wherein), 1Kgs 2:26; Judg 8:15 (about whom), Isa 8:12 (where יאמר would be followed normally by לוֺ), Isa 31:6 turn ye to (him as to) whom they have deeply rebelled, Isa 47:15; Zeph 3:11; Eccl 3:9; 1Kgs 14:19 (= how).
d. it is dispensed with only in appearance after ׅ׳אֲשֶׁר אָמַר (אָמַרְתִּי וג followed by the words used, its place being really taken by a pronoun in the speech which follows, as Gen 3:17 the tree as to which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eat from it, Exod 22:8; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4 (זֶה) Judg 8:15 (where the noun repeated takes the place of the pronoun, compare Deut 9:2) 1Sam 9:17 (זֶה):23 +; compare 2Sam 11:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4.

5. אֲשֶׁר sometimes in poetry = one who, a man who (men who), ὅστις, οἵτινες, Ps 24:4; Ps 55:20; Ps 95:4; Ps 95:5; Job 4:19; Job 5:5; Job 9:5 (Hi) Job 15:17.

6. אֲשֶׁר occasionally receives its closer definition by a substantive following it, in other words, its logical antecedent is inserted in the relative clause:
(a) in the phrase peculiar to Jeremiah, ׳אֶל יר ׳אֲשֶׁר הָיָה דְבַר י that which came (of) the word of ׳י to Jeremiah Jer 14:1; Jer 46:1; Jer 47:1; Jer 49:34 (compare Ew^{§ 334});
(b) Exod 25:9; Num 33:4; 1Sam 25:30; 2Kgs 8:12; 2Kgs 12:6 לְכֹל אֲשֶׁריִֿמָּצֵא שָׁם בָּֽדֶק׃ Ezek 12:25 compare the Ethiopic usage Di^{§ 201};
(c) (antecedant repeated) Gen 49:30 = Gen 50:13, 1Sam 25:30 (׳י repeated), Isa 54:9 (probably) as to which I sware that, etc., Amos 5:1 which I take up over you (as) a dirge.

7. ׳אֲשֶׁר ל that (belongs, belong, belonged) to, is used
a. either alone or preceded by כָּלֿ to express (all) that (belongs) to, as Gen 14:23 מִכָּלאֲֿשֶׁרלְֿךָ of all that is thine, Gen 31:1 מֵאֲשֶׁר לְאָבִינוּ of that which was our father's, Gen 32:24 & sent over אֶתאֲֿשֶׁרלֿוֺ that which he had, + often
b. as a circumlocution of the genitive, as Gen 29:9 עִםהַֿצּאֹן אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיהָ with the sheep that were her father's, Gen 40:5; Gen 47:4; Lev 9:8; Judg 6:11; 1Sam 25:7 הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁרלְֿךָ, 2Sam 14:31 אֶתהַֿחֶלְקָה אֲשֶׁרלִֿי, 2Sam 23:8; 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:33 עַל הַפִּרְדָּה אֲשֶׁרלִֿי upon mine own mule, v1Kgs 1:49; 1Kgs 4:2; 2Kgs 11:10; 2Kgs 16:13; Ruth 2:21 and especially in the case of a compound expression depending on a single genitive, as Gen 23:9; Gen 40:5; Gen 41:43 מִרְכֶּבֶת הַמִּשְׁנֶה אֲשֶׁרלֿוֺ the chariot of the second rank which he had, Exod 38:30; Judg 3:20; Judg 6:25; 1Sam 17:40; 1Sam 21:8 אֲבִיר הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל the mightiest of Saul's herdmen, 1Sam 24:5 אֶתכְּֿנַףהַֿמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁרלְֿשָׁאוּל, 2Sam 2:8 Saul's captain of the host, 1Kgs 10:28; 1Kgs 15:20; 1Kgs 22:31; Jer 52:17; Ruth 4:3.
c. with names of places (especially such as do not readily admit the stative construct) Judg 18:28; Judg 19:14 הַגִּבְעָה אֲשֶׁר לְבִנְיָמִין Gibeah (the hill) of Benjamin, Judg 20:4; 1Sam 17:1; 1Kgs 15:27; 1Kgs 16:15; 1Kgs 17:9; 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 14:11. compare שֶׁל (q. v.) which in Rabb, like the Aramaic -דִּיל, , is in habitual use as a mark of the genitive. — N.B. In Aramaic also דּי, , without ל, expresses the genitive relation, as מִלְּתָא דִימַֿלְכָּא, literally the word, that of the king = the word of the king. The few apparent cases of a similar use of אשׁר are, however, too foreign to the general usage of the language to be regarded otherwise than as due to textual error: 1Sam 13:8 read אֲשֶׁר אָמַר (or שָׂם Exod 19:5) שְׁמוּאֵל (ᵐ5 εἶπε); 1Kgs 11:25 supply עָשָׂה (ᵐ5 ἣν ἐποίησεν); 2Kgs 25:10 supply אֵת with (as || Jer 52:14); 2Chr 34:22 read וַאֲשֶׁר אָמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ (compare ᵐ5) and those whom the king appointed (abbreviated from 2Kgs 22:14); compare Ew^{§ 292 a, b} with note.

8. אֲשֶׁר becomes, like Aramaic דּי, , a conjunction approximating in usage to כִּי: thus
a. = quod, ὅτι, that, subordinating an entire sentence to a verb of knowing, remembering, etc.
(a) with אֵת Deut 9:7 forget not אֵת אֲשֶׁר הִקְצַפְתָּ the fact that (= how) thou provokedst, etc., Deut 29:15; Josh 2:10; 1Sam 24:11; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 11:20 know ye not אֵת אֲשֶׁריֹֿרוּ how they shoot from off the wall ? 2Kgs 8:12; Isa 38:3 + often As subject (rare) 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 14:15; 2Kgs 20:20. Of time (peculiarly) 2Sam 14:15 עַתָּה אֲשֶׁר now (is it) that . . . Zech 8:20 (probably) yet (shall it be) that . . . vZech 8:23 compare כִּמְעַט שֶׁ Song 3:4. (β) without אֵת (not very common, כִּי being usually employed): after יָדַע Exod 11:7; Ezek 20:26 (very strange in Ezekiel: see Hi) Job 9:5 (Ew De Di) Eccl 8:12, רָאָה Deut 1:31 (RV) 1Sam 18:15, הִתְוַדָּה to confess Lev 5:5; Lev 26:40 b, הִשְׁבִּיעַ 1Kgs 22:16 (caused to swear that . . .); after a noun Isa 38:7 הָאוֺת אֲשֶׁר the sign that . . . (|| 2Kgs 20:9 כִּי): with growing frequency in late Hebrew, 2Chr 2:7, and especially Nehemiah, Esther: Neh 2:5; Neh 2:10; Neh 7:65 (= Ezra 2:63) Neh 8:14; Neh 8:15; Neh 10:31; Neh 13:1; Neh 13:19; Neh 13:22; Neh 2:10; Neh 3:4; Neh 4:11; Neh 6:2; Neh 8:11; (מֵאֲשֶׁר) Eccl 5:4; Eccl 7:18 (with טוֺב: contrast Ruth 2:22) vRuth 2:22 vRuth 2:29; Ruth 8:12; Ruth 8:14; Ruth 9:1; Dan 1:8 (twice in verse). (γ) prefixed to a direct citation, like כִּי q. v. (= ὅτι recitativum) (rare) 1Sam 15:20; 2Sam 1:4; 2Sam 2:4 (see Dr) Ps 10:6 (probably), Neh 4:6.
b. it is resolvable into so that: Gen 11:7 אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ so that they understand not, etc., Gen 13:16; Gen 22:14 אֲשֶׁר יֵאָמֵר so that it is said, Exod 20:26; Deut 4:10; Deut 4:40 אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ Deut 6:3; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:51; 1Kgs 3:12; 1Kgs 3:13; 2Kgs 9:37; Mal 3:19.
c. it has a causal force, forasmuch as, in that, since: Gen 30:18; Gen 31:49 and Mizpah, אֲשֶׁר אָמַר for that he said, Gen 34:13; Gen 34:27; Gen 42:21 we are guilty, אֲשֶׁר רָאִינוּ we who saw (or, in that we saw), Num 20:13 Meribah, because they strove there, Deut 3:24; Josh 4:7; Josh 4:23; Josh 22:31; Judg 9:17; 1Sam 2:23; 1Sam 15:15; 1Sam 20:42 go in peace, אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְנוּ forasmuch as we have sworn, 1Sam 25:26 thou whom (= or, seeing that) ׳י hath withholden, 2Sam 2:5 blessed are ye of ׳י, אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם, who (οἵτινες) have done (or in that ye have done), 1Kgs 3:19; 1Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 12:3; 2Kgs 17:4; 2Kgs 23:26; (Hi De Now). Here also belongs its use in אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה since why . . . ? (= lest) Dan 1:10: see below לָמָּה. On אֲשֶׁר עַל כֵּן forasmuch as Job 34:27 see below כִּי עַל כֵּן.
d. it expresses a condition (rare & peculiar): Lev 4:22 אֲשֶׁר נָשִׂיא יֶחֱטָא in (case) that = when (or if) a ruler sinneth (Lev 4:3 vLev 4:13 vLev 4:37 אִם), Num 5:29 (explained differently by Ew^{§ 334 a}), Deut 11:27 and the blessing אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְעוּ if ye hearken (Deut 11:28 אִם), Deut 18:22 Ges, Josh 4:21 אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁאָלוּן ֗֗֗ when they ask . . ., then . . . (Josh 4:6 כִּי), Isa 31:4. In 1Kgs 8:33 (|| 2Chr 6:24 כִּי, compare Kings v2Chr 6:35 v2Chr 6:37) אֲשֶׁר may be rendered indifferently because or when. Once, similarly, אֵת אֲשֶׁר 1Kgs 8:31 (|| אִם).
e. perhaps (exceptionally) = כַּאֲשֶׁר, as, Jer 33:22; Isa 54:9 (followed by כֵּן; but כֵּן q. v. sometimes stands without כאשׁר, & אשׁר may in these passages connect with what precedes); according to some also Jer 48:8; Ps 106:34 (in a connection where כַּאֲשֶׁר would be more usual: אֲשֶׁר may however be the object of אָמַר). In 1Sam 16:7 אֲשֶׁר יִרְאֶה הָאָדָם read כַּאֲשֶׁר, see Dr. feminine combined with prepositions, אֲשֶׁר converts them into conjunctions: see below, בַּאֲשֶׁר, כַּאֲשֶׁר, מֵאֲשֶׁר. On its use similarly with (אַחֲרֵי) אַחַר, מִבְּלִי, בַּעֲבוּר, עַל דְּבַר, יַעַן, לְמַעַן, כְּפִי, עַד, עַל, עֵקֶב, מִפְּנֵי, תַּחַת, see these words. — הַאֲשֶׁר, with ה interrogative, occurs once, 2Kgs 6:22. In Deut 15:14 also read כַּאֲשֶׁר: note ברכך before.

Note 1. אֲשֶׁר being a connecting link, without any perfectly corresponding equivalent in English, its force is not unfrequently capable of being represented in more than one way. See e.g. 2Sam 2:5 (above 8 c), Isa 28:12 unto whom he said, or for that he said to them.

Note 2. The opinion that אֲשֶׁר has an asseverative force (like כִּי, q. v.), or introduces the apodosis, is not probably, being both alien to its general usage & not required by the passages alleged. Render Isa 8:20 either 'Surely according to this word will those speak who have no dawn,' or '. . . will they speak when (compare above 8 d Deut 11:27; Josh 4:21) they have no dawn.'

BDB845 H834

בַּאֲשֶׁר ₁₉
a. in (that) which . . . Isa 56:4; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 (above 1); Eccl 3:9 in (that, in) which (4 c); Isa 47:12 (see 2). b. adverb in (the place) where: above 4 b (γ). c. conjunction in that, inasmuch as, Gen 39:9; Gen 39:23; Eccl 7:2; Eccl 8:4 compare .
d. Jonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי on account of whom ? (בַּאֲשֶׁר לְ on account of, framed on model of Aramaic בְּדִיל: see below שֶׁל).

כַּאֲשֶׁר see below כְּ.

BDB846 H834

מֵאֲשֶׁר₁₇
a. from (or than) that which (him, them, etc., that . . .) Gen 3:11; Exod 29:27 (twice in verse); Num 6:11 (see Lev 4:26; Josh 10:11; Judg 16:30; Isa 47:13 +; than that . . . Eccl 3:22 לְבַד מֵאֲשֶׁר Esth 4:11. b. adverb from (the place) where: above 4 a (β). c. conjunction from (the fact) that . . ., since Isa 43:4.

BDB9440 H1768 H2088 H834

דִּי particle of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of genitive and conjunction that, because (Aramaic of Nineveh, Babylonian, Zinjirli, Nerab, Cilicia, Têma, Egypt, ןי (Lzb^{267. 446} RES³⁶¹ S-C^{Pap. A 2} +); Nabataean, Palmyrene די; ᵑ7 דְּ (except in compounds, as דִּילִי mine, דִּילֵיהּ his); Samaritan ; Syriac ; Ethiopic za: of same origin as Arabic possessor of [compare below Biblical Hebrew זֶה]. Properly a demonstrative that [compare זֶה; in Ethiopic ze is 'this', za 'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preceding becomes equivalent to the relative who, which, used, however, more widely than Hebrew אֲשֶׁר); —

1. as rel. who, which (construed like אֲשֶׁר): a. Jer 10:11; Dan 2:11 דִּי מְדָֽרְהוֺן whose dwelling, vDan 2:24 דִּי מַנִּי מַלְבָּא whom the king had appointed, vDan 2:26 ׳דִּי שְׁמֵהּ בּ whose name was B., Dan 4:5; Dan 5:12; Dan 5:23, etc.; = that which Dan 2:23 = him that Ezra 7:25; Ezra 6:15; Dan 7:17 דִּת אִנוּן אַרְבַּע which are four (see אִנּוּן). Following pronoun of 2 person (compare אֲשֶׁר 3), Dan 2:37 thou, O king ..., דִּי ֗֗֗ יְהַב לָח to whom... hath given, Dan 4:19; Dan 4:6 as to whom I know, etc. (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d end). Sq. תַּמָּה = where Ezra 6:1, so דִּי alone Ezra 6:3; Dan 2:38 of time, בְּעִדָּנָא דִּי at the time when, etc., Dan 3:5; Dan 3:15. With the predicate an infinitive with לְ, Dan 6:9 כְּתָבָא דִּי לָא לְהַשְׁנָיָה which is not to be changed, Ezra 6:8 a place- or other determination, Dan 3:20 valiant men בְחֵילֵהּ that were in his army, Dan 5:2 הֵיכְלָא דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֵב, Dan 7:20; Ezra 4:24; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 6:2; Ezra 6:6 compare Dan 2:25; Dan 5:13; Dan 7:7; Ezra 7:23. דִּי לָא = without, Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22 (so דְּלָא ᵑ7 Gen 15:2; Exod 21:11); compare Dan 2:34; Dan 2:45.
b. מָן דִּי, מָה דִּי (compare in late Hebrew ׳מַהשֶּֿׁ, מַה 1 e b) whoever, whatever, so Dan 3:6; Dan 3:11 יִפֵּל ָ(מןדִּֿילָֿא whoever does not fall down, Dan 4:14 לְמָן דִּי יִצְבֵּא to whomsoever he willeth, v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21 מָה דִי whatever (or simply what), Dan 2:28 מָה דִּי לֶהֱוֵא what will be, vDan 2:29 vDan 2:29 vDan 2:45; Ezra 6:8; Ezra 7:18. — compare K^{§ 103.}

2. as mark of the genitive, Dan 2:15 שׁליטא די מלכא properly the captain, that of the king = the king's captain (a genuine Aramaic idiom: so ᵑ7 דְּ, Syriac constantly), vDan 2:19 vDan 2:25 vDan 2:49 + often: the substantive in such cases may be either in the emphatic state (determined), as ll. cc. Ezra 4:15; Ezra 5:2, etc., or in the absolute state (undetermined), Dan 5:5; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:9; Dan 7:10 נְהַר דִּי נוּר; or it may have a pleonastic suffix, Dan 2:20 שְׁמֵהּ דִּי אֱלָהָא literally his name, that of God = God's name, vDan 2:44; Dan 3:8; Dan 3:25; Dan 3:26; Dan 4:23, etc. (so also ᵑ7 Syriac). To circumscribe an adjective, especially in specification of the material: Dan 2:38 thou art רֵאשָׁה דִּי דַהֲבָא the head of gold, vDan 2:39; Dan 3:1; Dan 5:7; Dan 5:16; Ezra 5:14; Ezra 6:4 +; as predicate Dan 2:32 רֵאשֵׁהּ דִּידְֿהַב טָב his head (was) of fine gold, vDan 2:33; Dan 7:19 with a pronoun Dan 2:20 wisdom and might דִּילֵֿהּ הִיא are his; compare Dan 6:27 וּמַלְכוּתֵהּ דִּילָֿא תִתְחַבַּל his kingdom (is one) which shall not be destroyed, Dan 7:14. — See further K^{§ 81.}

3. as conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8):
a. that (quod), after verbs of knowing, Dan 2:8; Dan 2:9, seeing Dan 2:45; Dan 3:27, hearing Dan 5:14, etc.; introducing the subject of a sentence, יְדִיעַ ֗֗֗ דִּי ֗֗֗ Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:13; Dan 2:47 מִןקְֿשֹׁט דִּי ֗֗֗ True is it that . . . (compare אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2).
b. = in that, inasmuch as, whereas: Dan 2:41 and whereas (דִּי) thou sawest, etc. . . . it shall be adivided kingdom, vDan 2:43; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:23 as a connecting link$ = seeing that, because, for (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c) Dan 2:9; Dan 2:20b; Dan 2:23b; Dan 2:47b; Dan 4:15; Dan 6:24b.
c. that (ut), after verbs of asking Dan 2:16, commanding Dan 3:10; Dan 3:29, expressing a purpose Dan 4:3; Dan 5:15; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 6:10 +; דִּי לָא that not (ne) Dan 2:18; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:18 (on דִּי לְמָה lest Ezra 7:23, see מה).
d. prefixed to direct narr. (like כִּי 1 b, and sometimes אֲשֶׁר 8 a γ, and ὅτι recitativum), Dan 2:25 and said thus unto him דִּיהַֿשְׁכַּחַת (that) I have found, etc., Dan 5:7; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:14.

4. with prepositions and other prefixes:
a. כְּ דִי (like Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר; so Egyptian Aramaic כזי, Palmyrene, Nabataean כדי, Lzb²⁹³ SAC^{G1 62, 63} Cooke^{369 b RES:361}; ᵑ7 כַּד, Syriac ); a according as, Dan 2:43 b. so soon as, when, Dan 3:7; Dan 5:20; Dan 6:11; Dan 6:15.
b. מִןדִּֿי: a. because that, Dan 3:22; Ezra 5:12 (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Isa 43:4); b. from (the time) that, after (ex quo), Dan 4:23; Ezra 4:23.
c. עַד דִּי until, Dan 2:9; Dan 2:34; Dan 4:30; Dan 7:22 = ere that Dan 6:25.
d. עַל דִּי Dan 3:19 is not a conjunction, but means above that which ...
e. for עַל דִּבְרַת דִּי and כָּלקֳֿבֵל דִּי see [ דִּבְרָה] and קֳבֵל.

Strong's Definition H834

which, that, as, whom, who, …

ʾăšer

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

(relative part.)

which, who

that (in obj clause)

Variations 28 forms of this word

Translations 438 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לֹא

Particle not

Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Tn

Particle — Negative

לֹא	Speech Particle Type Negative

In English

In the KJV here: no

not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86

More options

not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.

no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.

never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.

nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.

neither — Use when negating two elements together.

none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4266 H3808

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236} Walker^{AJSL 1896, 237 ff.}) — לוֺא, according to Masora (Fr^{MM 248}), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.^{p. 251}), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
(a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges^{«GKC:156»§ 156}. 3 R. b, c Dr^{§ 162}). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr^{§ 115}, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges^{«GKC:109»§ 109}. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
(b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr^{§ 202. 2}); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
(c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָבר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
(d) standing alone:
(a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
(e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew^{§ 324 a} Ges^{«GKC:150»§ 150}. 1 Dr^{1Sam 11:12}): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
b. with adjectives and substantive:
(a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
(b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר

2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
(c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew^{§ 320 c} Dr^{§ 162}): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), v^b בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew^{§ 286 g} Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, v^b Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr^{§ 164}), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236 f}.

4. With prefixes: —
a. בְּלֹא₃₁ (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
(a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
(b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
(c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.

b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
(a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.

c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.

e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see De^{Ps 100. 3} Fr^{MM 247} Str^{Prol. Cr. 84}), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb³⁰¹ Cook^{G1. 67}); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K^{§ 67, 1} Dr^{§ 202, 2}.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, D^{Aramaic Dialektproben, p. 1}). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H3808

not, no, neither, nor, none, …

lōʾ

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

not, no

not (with verb—absolute prohibition)

Variations 44 forms of this word

Translations 881 English renderings

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Word Parts

הָיְתָ֥ה

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

Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqp3fs

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

הָיְתָה

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

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: hath had

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

More options

be — Default copula; suits timeless or stative contexts.

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

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

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

exist — Emphasizes being or presence rather than action.

take place — Idiomatic for scheduled or unfolding events.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB2145 H1961

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

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

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

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

II. Come into being, become: —

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB9470 H1934 H1961

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

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

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

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

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

Strong's Definition H1961

be, pass, was, were, came, …

hāyâ

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

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

(Qal)

to occur

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

to arise, appear, come

to become

to exist, be in existence

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

Variations 205 forms of this word

Translations 723 English renderings

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Word Parts

לְ אִ֖ישׁ

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

אִ֖ישׁ

Root word man, men, one, husband, mans, …

Dictionary form: אִישׁ · eesh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

לְ	Speech Preposition
אִישׁ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: husband

man ×241 men ×209 a man ×163 every man ×120 the men ×118 the man ×107 every one ×81 one ×57

More options

man — Default singular; covers most direct references to an adult male.

person — Gender-neutral; prefer when context stresses individuality over sex.

husband — Use specifically in marriage or household relationship contexts.

someone — Indefinite pronoun; suits partitive or existential constructions.

everyone — Distributive sense; fits 'each/every man' idioms.

fellow — Informal register; good for relational or contemptuous contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB389 H376 H381 H382

אִישׁ₂₁₆₆ noun masculine man ( = vir) (MI, SI, Phoenician אש, perhaps also Sabean אסם compare Prät^l.c, but DHM^{ZMG 1883, 330}) — ׳א absolute Gen 2:23 +; construct Gen 25:27 +; suffix אִישִׁי Gen 29:32 +, etc.; plural אִישִׁים Ps 141:4 + 2 t. (Phoenician אשם); usually אֲנָשִׁים Gen 12:20 +, from √ אנשׁ q. v.; construct אַנְשֵׁי Judg 6:27 +; suffix אֲנָשַׁי 1Sam 23:12 etc.; — man, opposed to woman Gen 2:23; Gen 2:24; Lev 20:27; Num 5:6; Deut 17:2f; Josh 6:21; Josh 8:25; Jer 40:7, emphasis on sexual distinction & relation Gen 19:8; Gen 24:16; Gen 38:25; Exod 22:15; Lev 15:16 (שִׁכְבַת זָרַ֑ע) vLev 15:18 (וְאִשָּׁה ׳זֿ׳אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּב אִישׁ אֹתָהּ שׁ) Lev 20:10 f; Num 5:13f; Deut 22:22f; Isa 4:1 +; thence = husband, especially with suffix Gen 3:6; Gen 3:16; Gen 16:3; Gen 29:32; Gen 29:34; Lev 21:7; Num 30:7f; Deut 28:56; Judg 13:8f; Ruth 1:3f; 1Sam 25:19; Jer 29:6; Ezek 16:45 +; figurative of ׳י as husband of Israel אִישִׁי Hos 2:18 (opposed to בַּעְלִּי); man as procreator, father Eccl 6:3 of male child Gen 4:1 compare זֶרַע אֲנָשִׁים 1Sam 1:11 man, opposed to beast Exod 11:7; Lev 20:15 (compare אָדָם); compare figurative Ps 22:7 but also of male of animals Gen 7:2 (twice in verse) (אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֺ); man, opposed to God Gen 32:29; Num 23:19 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב (|| וּבֶןאָֿדָם וְיִתְנֶחָ֑ם); Job 9:32; Job 32:13; Hos 11:9 compare Isa 31:8; Job 12:10 (רוּחַ כָּלבְּֿשַׂר אִישׁ); hence in phrases to denote ordinary, customary, common שֵׁבֶט אֲנָשִׁים 2Sam 7:14 (|| נִגְעֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם); לֶחֶם אֲנָשִׁים Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 [

**אֲנָשִׁים Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 is textual error; We (apparently Sm) אֲנֻשִׁים; Toy^Hpt אוֺנִים (Hos 9:4).] (compare Isa 8:1); אַמַּתאִֿישׁ Deut 3:11 but also contracted אָדָם Ps 49:3; Ps 62:10 man, as valiant 1Sam 4:9 (twice in verse) (וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים) so 1Kgs 2:2 compare 1Sam 26:15 so אִישׁ חַיִל 1Sam 31:12; 2Sam 24:9; 1Kgs 1:42 +; also אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה Num 31:49; Deut 2:14; Deut 2:16; Josh 5:4; Josh 5:6 +; even of ׳י Exod 15:3 יהוה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה; often prefixed to other nouns in apposition אָדוֺן ׳א Gen 42:30; Gen 42:33, שַׂר וְשֹׁפֵט ׳א Exod 2:14, כֹּהֵן ׳א Lev 21:9, סָרִיס ׳א Jer 38:7 particular before adjective, of a people אִישׁ מִצְרִי Gen 39:1; Exod 2:11; Exod 2:19 compare Gen 37:28; Gen 38:1; Gen 38:2; Gen 39:14; 1Sam 17:12; 1Sam 30:11; 1Sam 30:13 +; a man as resident in, or belonging to a place or people Num 25:6; Judg 10:1 + (so Phoenician); usually plural אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל 1Sam 7:11; 1Sam 31:7 (twice in verse) compare Josh 7:4; Josh 7:5 +; also singularcollective Deut 27:14; Josh 9:6; Josh 9:7; Judg 20:11; 1Sam 11:8 (see Dr) +; 2Sam 10:6; 2Sam 10:8 (טוֺב ׳א); (so MI¹⁰; MI¹³); men = retainers, followers, soldiers 1Sam 18:27; 1Sam 23:3 f 1Sam 24:3; 1Sam 25:13 + compare Deut 33:8 singular collective see Di; אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים man of God = prophet Deut 33:1; Josh 14:6; 1Sam 9:6f; 1Kgs 12:13f + (see אלהים); in phrase followed by abstract אִישׁ חַיִל, מִלְחָמָה ׳א see above; שֵׂיבָה ׳א Deut 32:25, הַדָּמִים ׳א 2Sam 16:7 compare see 8, הַבְּלִיַּעַל ׳א 2Sam 16:7, מָוֶת ׳א 1Kgs 2:26, חָמָס ׳א Ps 140:12; Prov 3:31 +; followed by word of occupation, etc. שָׂדֶה׳א Gen 25:27, הָאֲדָמָה׳א Gen 9:20 (compare Zech 13:5), ׳א הַבֵּנַיִם champion 1Sam 17:4 (compare Dr) v1Sam 17:23, בְּשׂרָה ׳א 2Sam 18:20, אִישׁ עֲצָתוֺ his counsellor Isa 40:13, compare אִישׁ חֶרְמִי 1Kgs 20:42, רֵעִים ׳א Prov 18:24 often distributive = each, every Gen 9:5; Gen 10:5; Gen 40:5 (twice in verse); Exod 12:3 +; including women Job 42:11; 1Chr 16:3 וַיְחַלֵּק לְכָלאִֿישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאִישׁ וְעַד אִשָּׁה לְאִישׁ כִּכַּרלֶֿחֶם; of inanimate things 1Kgs 7:30; 1Kgs 7:36 also אִישׁ אִישׁ Exod 36:4; Num 4:19; Num 4:49; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7 +; any one Exod 34:3 (twice in verse); Exod 34:24 +; also אִישׁ אִישׁ Lev 15:2; Lev 22:4; Lev 22:18 +; of gods 2Kgs 18:33 = Isa 36:18 one...another וְהִרְגוּ אִישֿׁ אֶתאָֿחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶתרֵֿעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶתקְֿרֹבוֺExod 32:27, אִישׁ ֗֗֗ אָחִיו Deut 1:16; Mic 7:2 (see אָח), אִישׁרֵ֗֗֗עֵהוּ Gen 11:3; Gen 11:7 + (see רֵעַ) of inanimate things Gen 15:10.

Strong's Definition H376

man, men, one, husband, mans, …

ʾîš

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

man

man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

Variations 91 forms of this word

Translations 398 English renderings

Man

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Word Parts

יִטַּמָּֽאוּ

Root word unclean, defiled, defile, polluted, pollute, …

Dictionary form: טָמֵא · taw-MAY

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vti3mp

Verb — Hithpael, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural reflexive — "he did it to / for himself" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

יִטַּמָּֽאוּ

Speech Verb Stem Hithpael Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: they may defile themselves

shall be unclean ×19 and be unclean ×18 shall pronounce him unclean ×7 defile ×5 defiled ×5 is defiled ×4 it shall be unclean ×4 be defiled ×3

More options

defile — Most versatile; suits ritual and moral contamination alike.

make unclean — Clearer causative rendering when the agent is explicit.

contaminate — Good for physical or priestly-purity contexts.

pollute — Stronger moral or cultic overtone; fits communal violations.

desecrate — Prefer when a sacred person, object, or space is violated.

be declared impure — Fits priestly pronouncement scenes; formal/legal register.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3346 H2930

I. טָמֵא verb be or become unclean (Late Hebrew Pi`el pollute (ceremonially); Aramaic טְמָא and especially derivatives, Pa`el pollute; see RS^{K 307 ff.}) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ט Lev 11:25 + 22 t.; 3 feminine singular טָֽמְאָה Lev 12:2 + 2 t.; 2 feminine singular טָמֵאת Ezek 22:4 plural טָֽמְאוּ Lev 15:18 Imperfect יִטְמָא Lev 5:3 + 34 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּטְמָא Lev 12:2 + 4 t.; plural יִטְמְאוּ Ps 106:39 Infinitive טָמְאָה Lev 15:32 + 6 t.; — be or become unclean:

1. sexually, with בְּ Lev 18:20; Lev 18:23 (H), Ezek 23:17 the land Lev 18:25; Lev 18:27 (H).

2. religiously, with idols Ezek 22:3 with בְ vEzek 22:4 with necromancers Lev 19:31 (H); by sacrificing children to idols Ps 106:39.

3. ceremonially, by contact with carcasses of unclean animals Lev 11:24; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:28; Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32; Lev 11:33; Lev 11:34 (twice in verse); Lev 11:35; Lev 11:36; Lev 11:40 (P); any carcass Lev 17:15 (H); eating of a carcass Lev 22:8 (H); by issues Lev 15:4; Lev 15:9; Lev 15:20 (twice in verse); Lev 15:24; Lev 15:27; Lev 15:32 (P); by contact with an unclean man Lev 5:3; Lev 15:4 (P), Lev 22:5 (H), or thing Lev 22:6 (H); by leprosy Lev 13:14; Lev 13:46; Lev 14:36; Lev 14:46 (P); by contact with the dead Num 6:12; Num 19:20 (P), Ezek 44:25, or with one unclean by such contact Num 19:22 (P), Hag 2:13 (twice in verse); by contact with creeping things Lev 22:5 (H); certain animals were always unclean Lev 11:26; Lev 11:27 (P). In ordinary cases of uncleanness טמא עד הערב unclean till even Lev 11:24; Lev 11:25; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:28; Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32; Lev 11:39; Lev 11:40 (twice in verse); Lev 14:46; Lev 15:5; Lev 15:6; Lev 15:7; Lev 15:8; Lev 15:10 (twice in verse); Lev 15:11; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:17; Lev 15:18; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:21; Lev 15:22; Lev 15:23; Lev 15:27; Num 19:7; Num 19:8; Num 19:10; Num 19:21; Num 19:22 (all P), Lev 17:15; Lev 22:6 (H); but uncleanness lasted 7 days for woman bearings a son Lev 12:2 (twice in verse) (P), for lying with woman having an issue Lev 15:24 (P), or one coming in contact with the dead Num 19:11; Num 19:14; Num 19:16 (P); it lasted 14 days for a woman bearing a daughter Lev 12:5 (P). Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נִטְמָא Hos 5:3; Hos 6:10 3 feminine singular נִטְמְאָה Num 5:27; Num 5:28 נִטְמָ֑אָה Num 5:13 + 5 t.; 1 singular נִטְמֵאתִי Jer 2:23 2 masculine plural נִטְמֵתֶם Lev 11:43 (א omitted by scribal error; but Ges and others derive from טמה), etc. + 4 t. perfect; Participle plural נִטְמְאִים Ezek 20:30; Ezek 20:31 — defile oneself, be defiled:

1. sexually, Lev 18:24 (H), Num 5:13; Num 5:14 (twice in verse); Num 5:20; Num 5:27; Num 5:28; Num 5:29 (P).

2. by idolatry conceived as whoredom Hos 5:3; Hos 6:10; Jer 2:23; Ezek 20:30; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:43; Ezek 23:7; Ezek 23:13; Ezek 23:30.

3. ceremonially, by eating creeping things Lev 11:43.

4. be regarded as unclean (compare Pi`el 4), probably נִטְמִינִוּ Job 18:3 we are accounted as unclean; metal. from; on another view see טמה. Pi`el Perfect טִמֵּא Gen 34:5 + 15 t.; suffix טִמְּאוֺ Lev 13:8 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular טִמֵּאת Ezek 5:11, etc. + 7 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְטַמֵּא 2Kgs 23:8, etc. + 12 t. Imperfect; Imperative plural טַמְּאוּ Ezek 9:7 Infinitive טַמֵּא Lev 13:44 + 2 t.; suffix טַמְּאָם Lev 15:31, etc. + 4 t. Infinitive; — defile:

1. sexually Gen 34:5; Gen 34:13; Gen 34:27 (R), Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11; Ezek 18:15; Ezek 22:11; Ezek 33:26 the land by sexual impurities of the people Lev 18:28 (H); Israel by spiritual whoredom Ezek 23:17.

2. religiously: the land by bloodshed Num 35:34 (P); by allowing the dead body of the murderer to hang on the tree over night Deut 21:23 by idolatry Jer 2:7; Ezek 36:17; Ezek 36:18 Israel defiled the sacred places by the sacrifice of children Lev 20:3 (H), Ezek 23:38, and God defiled him thereby Ezek 20:26 he defileth the sacred places by idolatry 2Chr 36:14; Jer 7:30 = Jer 32:34, Ezek 5:11 the holy name of ׳י Ezek 43:7; Ezek 43:8 Josiah defiled the idolatrous places of worship by destroying them and making them unfit for use 2Kgs 23:8; 2Kgs 23:10; 2Kgs 23:13; 2Kgs 23:16 of Israel defiling idolatrous images Isa 30:22, and the nations the temple of God Ps 79:1.

3. ceremonially: by ceremonial uncleanness, the sacred places Lev 15:31; Num 19:13; Num 19:20 (P); the camp Num 5:3 (P); the temple by dead bodies Ezek 9:7 the Nazirite's head of separation by a death occurring in his presence Num 6:9 (P); the people defile themselves (נפשׁתיכם) by creeping things Lev 11:44 (P).

4. pronounce or declare ceremonially unclean: the leper Lev 13:3; Lev 13:8; Lev 13:11; Lev 13:15; Lev 13:20; Lev 13:22; Lev 13:25; Lev 13:27; Lev 13:30; Lev 13:44 (twice in verse); Lev 13:59 (P); unclean animals Lev 20:25 (H). Pu`al Participle נַפְשִׁי לֹא מְטֻמָּאָה Ezek 4:14 myself is not polluted. Hithpa`el Imperfect יִטַּמָּא Lev 21:1 + 4 t.; plural יִטַּמְּאוּ Ezek 14:11; Ezek 37:23 יִטַּמָּ֑אוּ Hos 9:4; Ezek 44:25, etc. + 6 t. Imperfect — reflexive, defile oneself: by eating of an unaccepted peace-offering Hos 9:4 with בְּ Lev 18:24; Lev 18:30 (H), Lev 11:43 (P), Ezek 14:11; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:18; Ezek 37:23 with לְ for a dead person Lev 21:1; Lev 21:3; Lev 21:11 (H), Num 6:7 (P); by Lev 11:24 (P); without preposition Lev 21:4 (H), Ezek 44:25. Hothpa`al Perfect אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר חֻטַּמָּ֑אָה Deut 24:4 after that she has been defiled (sexually); on form see Ges^{«GKC:54»§ 54}. 3.

BDB3349 H2930 H2932

טָמְאָה noun feminine uncleanness (טָֽמְאָה, Bear, seems to rest upon a misinterpretation of the form) Mic 2:10 (so Thes MV SS); of ethical uncleanness, from wrong-doing.

Strong's Definition H2930

unclean, defiled, defile, polluted, pollute, …

ṭāmēʾ

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

to be unclean, become unclean, become impure

(Qal) to be or become unclean

sexually

to defile oneself, be defiled

sexually

to defile

sexually

Variations 63 forms of this word

Translations 96 English renderings