Genesis 21:24

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם אָֽנֹכִ֖י אִשָּׁבֵֽעַ
And Abraham said, I will swear.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וַ יֹּ֙אמֶר֙
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
יֹּ֙אמֶר֙
Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

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

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

In the KJV here: and said
said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119
More options
say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.
declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.
tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.
speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.
command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.
think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

BDB556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB558

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

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

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

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

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

BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

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

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K§ 38, 1 a); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K§ 41) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K§ 41 a); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —
1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.
2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.
3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K§ 76 e, so Dan 4:23].

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
ʾāmar
to say (used with great latitude)
  • to say, speak, utter
    • (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
      • "(Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called"(Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly"(Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

אַבְרָהָ֔ם
אַבְרָהָ֔ם
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Abraham")
Dictionary form: אַבְרָהָם · ab-raw-HAWM

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: abraham
abraham ×105 of abraham ×22 abrahams ×12 unto abraham ×11 and abraham ×7 to abraham ×5 and abrahams ×1 but abraham ×1
More options
Abraham — Standard modern spelling; use in nearly all contexts.
Abram — Use only before the name change in Gen 17.
Abraham's — Possessive form; for attributive or genitive constructions.

BDB38 H87 H85

BDB37 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB39

אַבְרָם proper name, masculine (id., Thes and others exalted father) Abram Gen 11:26; Gen 11:27 + 57 t. Genesis (to Gen 17:5) + 1Chr 1:27; Neh 9:7 = אַבְרָהָם Abraham Gen 17:5; Gen 17:9; Gen 17:15 + 172 t. OT. (אברהם connected Gen 17:5 by word-play with הם of המון; really = רום ֯ אברם = רהם which however is not found in Hebrew — compare Di > HalRÉJ 1887, 177 f who proposes אֲבִר הַם גּוֺיִם compare Gen 49:21 with Isa 41:21 so that אֲבִר הָם chief of multitude is the new name of Gen 17:5 (הָם) √ המה). SpiegelbRandglossen 14 compare Palestinian proper name geography µ‡r° °brru = חקל אברם (compage Egyptian article masculine), in Sheshonk list. As regards etymology, Nöl.c. and others explained as 'the father [a divine title] is exalted' (compare יְהוֺרָם, מַלְכִּירָם, חִירָם[אֲ]).

abraham, abrahams
ʾabrāhām
father of a multitude, chief of multitude
Abraham, the later name of Abram
  • friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God's elective covenant

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אָנֹכִי · aw-noh-KEE

Noun — Common, singular

In the KJV here: i
i ×240 and i ×33 am i ×11 but i ×5 for i ×5 even i ×4 have i ×4 will i ×4
More options
I — Standard first-person singular pronoun; broadest default choice.
me — Use when the pronoun is in object position.
myself — Use for reflexive or emphatic self-reference.
it is I — Emphatic identificational clause; mirrors 'I am' contexts.

BDB593 H595

BDB592 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB594

אָֽנֹכִ֫י אָנֹ֑כִי (once Job 33:9 אָֽנֹכִ֑י pronoun 1 singular common I; Gen 3:10; Gen 7:4; Gen 15:1; Gen 15:2; Gen 16:5 + often With הֲ הֶאָנֹכִי Num 11:12; Job 21:4. (Assyrian anâku, Phoenician & Moabite אנך: not in Arabic, Aramaic, Ethiopic; but ku appears as the affix of the 1 singular in the Ethiopic verb (e.g. waladku = Hebrew יָלַדְתִּי). אָנֹכִי and אֲנִי appear to be two parallel formations (both containing the element ani [compare the suffix , נִי-] or ana, & one strengthened by the addition of the demonstrative basis Ku [probably akin to כָּא, כֹּה here]: compare Sta§ 179 WSG 95 f. 98-101), of which, in most of the Semitic languages, one prevailed to the exclusion of the other, but which in Hebrew maintained their place side by side.) In some cases אני and אנכי appear capable of being used indiffer-ently; in others the choice seems to have been determined, partly by rhythmical considera-tions, partly by a growing preference for אֲנִי among later writers. Thus when appended to the verb for emphasis (whether with or without גַּם) the lighter form אֲנִי is nearly always used ( Lev 20:5; Lev 26:24; Lev 26:32; Deut 12:30; Judg 1:3; Judg 8:23; 2Sam 12:28; 2Sam 17:15; 2Sam 18:2; 2Sam 18:22; Jer 17:18; Jer 21:5; Ezek 17:22; Job 13:2 +; compare the cases Gen 27:34; 1Sam 25:24; 2Sam 19:1; 1Kgs 1:26; Prov 23:15); on the contrary, in the emphatic rhetorical style of Deuteronomy, אָנֹכִי is preferred (in the discourses, uniformly, except Deut 12:30, in accusative with usage just noted, & Deut 29:5 in a standing expression; on Deut 32:48; Deut 32:51 (P) compare below) In particular phrases, also, usage prefers sometimes אֶני sometimes אָנכי thus there occurs חַיאָֿנִי Num 14:21 & always, except Deut 32:40 (אָ֑נִי) אִתְּךָ אֲנִי (Jer 1:9; Jer 1:19; Jer 30:11; Jer 46:18; Isa 43:2; Isa 43:5); אֲנִי יהוה Exod 6:2; Exod 6:6; Exod 6:8 & elsewhere in P, & especially frequently in H (Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:6 etc.) & Ezekiel, also Gen 15:7; Gen 28:13; Deut 29:5; Judg 6:10 +; (אנכי יהוה much less frequently; only J E & prophetic writers, Exod 20:2 = Deut 5:6; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Ps 81:11; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:9; Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15 (Exod 4:11 is different); compare DrJPh xi. 224 f.); אני אמרתי Isa 38:10 (Hez.) Isa 49:4; Jer 5:4; Jer 10:19 (Jer 3:19 אנכי) Ruth 4:4; Ps 30:7; Ps 31:23; Ps 41:5; Ps 82:6 +; ויאמר אָ֫נִי (in response to a question) Gen 27:24; Judg 13:11; 2Sam 20:17; 1Kgs 13:14; 1Kgs 18:8 (אנכי ׳וי only 2Sam 2:20 on the contrary, with a predicate, אָנֹבִי is regularly employed, Gen 24:34; 1Sam 30:13; 2Sam 1:8 עֲמָלֵקִי אָנֹ֑בִי 2Sam 11:5; 2Sam 20:17; Isa 6:5; Jer 1:6; Jonah 1:9); (הִנְנִי) וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה Gen 6:17; Gen 9:9; Exod 31:6; Num 3:12 + (but הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי Gen 24:14; Gen 24:43; Gen 25:32; Exod 3:13; Exod 19:9 +; הִנֵּה אֲנִי is very uncommon; see ib.226). So far as the usage of particular books is concerned, in the Pentateuch (except Deuteronomy) אֲנִי is used in P (including H) always (about 130 t.) except Gen 23:4 (compare Ezekiel below); in J E אנכי is preferred, though not exclusively (Gen 81:48). In Samuel there are 50 instances of each form. Jeremiah has some 54 instances of אֶני 37 of אנכי. In later books the preponderance of אֲנִי is evident. Thus in Ezekiel אני occurs 138 t., אנכי once Gen 36:28 (perhaps a reminiscence of Jer 11:4 b Jer 24:7; Jer 30:22); in Lamentations, Haggai, Ezra, Esther, Ecclesiastes אני 45 t., אנכי never; in Chronicles אני 30 t., אנכי once 1Chr 17:1 (from 2Sam 7:2); in Daniel אני 23 t., אנכי once 2Sam 10:11. See more fully GiesZAW 1881, 251-8 Drl.c. 222-7.

BDB597 H595

BDB596 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB598

אָֽנֹכִי pronoun 1 singular see above below אֲנִי.

i, me, which
ʾānōkî
I
  • I (first pers. sing.)

אִשָּׁבֵֽעַ
אִשָּׁבֵֽעַ
Root word sware, swear, sworn, sweareth, oath, …
Dictionary form: שָׁבַע · shaw-BA

Verb — Niphal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), first person singular passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "I"

In the KJV here: will swear
sware ×24 i sware ×14 he sware ×13 swear ×11 hath sworn ×10 i have sworn ×7 and sware ×5 he hath sworn ×5
More options
swear — Most direct modern equivalent; use for active vows.
take an oath — Formal register; highlights the ritual or legal act.
vow — Emphasizes the content of commitment over the act.
pledge — Neutral, contemporary; suits covenantal or treaty contexts.
adjure — Retains solemn/legal force; use when commanding another to swear.
charge solemnly — Best when the speaker binds a third party by oath.

BDB8431 H7650

BDB8430 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8432

[שָׁבַע]186 verb swear (probably, so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things, compare Thes (as alternative), Gerb108ff; Late Hebrew Niph`al= Biblical Hebrew; ᵑ7 שְׁבַע Ithpe`el, Aph`el; see also DrGen 21:28 KöHast. DB NUMBER, 565 RSSemitic i. 166, 2nd ed., 182 WeReste Arabic Heid. 2, 186); —

Qal (according to Thes Rob Ges) Passive participle שְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֺת Ezek 21:28 those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths; both from שְׁבוּעָה, according to Krae, oaths of oaths (the most sacred); ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co omitted; both from שָׁבוּעַ, Ew Sm ׳שָׁ ׳שׁ weeks on weeks (plenty of time). Niph`al Perfect, 3 masculine singularנִשְׁבַּע Gen 24:7, + etc.;Imperfect 3 masculine singularיִשָּׁבַע Lev 5:24 +, וַיִּשָּׁ֫בַע Gen 24:9 +; 2 masculine singular תִּשֶּׁבֵ֑עַ Deut 6:13; Deut 10:20 1 singular אִשָּׁב֑עַ Gen 21:24, וָאֶשָּׁ֫בַע 1Kgs 2:8; Ezek 16:8, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַשָּֽׁבְעָה Gen 21:23 +, etc.; Infinitive abs הִשָּׁבֵע Num 30:3, הִשָּׁבֵעַ Jer 7:9 construct הִשָּׁבֵעַ Jer 12:16 (twice in verse) + 1Sam 20:17 see infra; Participle נִשְׁבָּע Zech 5:3 +, etc.; — swear, take an oath:
1. subj man : a. in asseveration, absolute Gen 21:24; Gen 21:31 (E), Judg 21:1; Judg 21:18; 2Sam 21:2 +; also followed byוַיּאֹמֶר 1Sam 20:3; 1Kgs 1:29, followed by לֵאמֹר 2Sam 3:35; Josh 14:9 (D); with accusative of congnate meaning with verb Num 30:3 (P; || נָדַר); + לַשֶּׁקֶר Jer 5:2; Jer 7:9; Lev 5:24 (P; + עַל of thing), Mal 3:5 + ׳עלשֿׁ Lev 5:22 (P); + לְמִרְמָה Ps 24:4 followed by infinitive Lev 5:4 (P), Ps 15:4; Ps 119:106 + ל person take an oath to, Josh 6:22 (JE), Josh 9:20 (P; accusative of congnate meaning with verb) Gen 24:9 (+ עַלהַֿדָּבָר הַזֶּה +, so also 1Sam 20:17 (read לְהִשָּׁבֵעַ אֶלֿ for לְהַשְׁבְּיעַ אֶתֿ, ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Th We Dr and others); oath allegiance (׳לי ) Isa 19:18; Isa 45:23; Zeph 1:5; 2Chr 5:14, compare(absolute) v2Chr 5:15 (Josh 23:7 see Hiph`il); also sq וַיּאֹמֶר 2Kgs 25:24, followed by לֵאמֹר 2Sam 21:17; 1Kgs 1:13; Jer 40:9 followed byפֶּן = that not Judg 15:12, followed by אִם = id. 1Kgs 1:51 + אֶל person followed by לֵאמֹר Jer 38:16 + ׳בי by ׳י, followed by infinitive Judg 21:7 + ׳בְּשֵׁם י 1Sam 20:42; Isa 48:1, compare Gen 31:53 (E), Deut 6:13; Deut 10:20; Jer 12:16 (+ ׳חַייֿ), Isa 65:16; Zech 5:4 (לַשָּׁ֑קֶר), Lev 19:12 (id.), Ps 63:12; Dan 12:7 ׳בי followed by אִם 2Sam 19:8 + ל person with ׳בי Josh 9:18; Josh 9:19 (P; pledge faith), followed byלֵאמֹר 1Sam 28:10; 1Kgs 11:30; 1Kgs 2:8; 1Kgs 2:23, followed by כִּי of object clause Josh 2:12 (JE), 1Kgs 1:17 + ל person with ׳בא, followed by אִם Gen 21:23 (E), 1Sam 30:15 as verb of quotation + object ׳חַייֿ Hos 4:15; Jer 4:2; 1Sam 19:6 (+ אִם), + אִם in oratio recta [direct speech] Ps 132:2 (|| נָדַר); also כְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים Jer 5:7, בַּבָּ֑עַל Jer 12:16, בְּמַלְכָּם Zeph 1:3, compare Amos 8:14 (+ וְאָמַר).
  b. imprecate, curse, בִּי by me Psalms; Ps 102:9 (compare שְׁבוּעָה
1.b קְלָלָה).
2. subject ׳י: swear, with בִּי by myself Gen 22:16 (JE), Jer 22:5 (clause כִּי), Jer 49:13 (id.), Isa 45:23 (id.), with בְּקָדְשׁוֺ Amos 4:2 (id.), compare Ps 89:36 (|| אִם אֲכַזֵּב), compare also Amos 6:8; Amos 8:17; Jer 44:26; Jer 51:14; Isa 62:8 swear, followed by infinitive Deut 1:35; Deut 4:21; Josh 21:41 (van d. H. Baer; vJosh 21:43 Gi), followed by מִן infinitive= not to Isa 54:9 (twice in verse) followed by אִם Ps 90:10, followed by לֵאמֹר Deut 1:34; Isa 14:24; Num 32:10(P); followed by oratio recta [direct speech] Ps 110:4 with ל person take an oath to, Gen 24:7(J), Exod 13:11 (J), Deut 2:14 + 7 t. Deuteronomy (accusative of congnate meaning with verbDeut 7:8; Deut 9:5), Ezek 16:8 (|| בּוֺא בִבְרִית, Ps 89:4 (|| כָּרַת בְּרִית), vPs 89:50 (בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶ֑ךָ), +; ל person + infinitive (usually to give land Exod 13:5 (J), Deut 1:8 + 9 t. Deuteronomy; Josh 1:6; Josh 5:6 (twice in verse) (all RD), Jer 11:5 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), Jer 32:22 ל person + accusative of thing (usually land) = promise by oath to Gen 50:24; Exod 33:1; Num 11:12 (all J), Num 14:16; Num 14:23 (JE), Num 32:11 (P), Judg 2:1; Mic 7:20; Deut 6:18+ 8 t. Deuteronomy (object covenant Deut 4:31; Deut 8:18); ל person omitted Deut 31:21. Hiph`il Perf. 3 masculine singular הִשְׁבִּיעַ Exod 13:19 +, 1 singular הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי Song 2:7 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיַּשְׁבַּע Gen 50:25 +, suffix וַיַּשְׁבִּעֵנִי Gen 24:37, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַשְׁבֵּעַ Exod 13:19; 1Sam 14:28 construct הַשְׁבִּיעַ 1Sam 14:27 (1Sam 20:17 see Niph`al); Participle suffix מַשְׁבִּיעֶ֑ךָ 1Kgs 22:16; 2Chr 18:15 —
1. cause to take an oath, subject always man: with accusative of person Gen 50:6 (J), + 1Sam 14:27; 1Kgs 18:10; 2Kgs 11:4, + accusative of cognate meaning Josh 2:17; Josh 2:20 (J), לֵאמֹר Gen 24:37; Gen 50:5 (both J), vGen 50:25 (E), Josh 6:26 (J; accusative of person omitted), so (Infinitive absolute + Perfect) Exod 13:19 (JE), 1Sam 14:28, + וְאָמַר Num 5:19 and (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb) vNum 5:21 (both P), + infinitive clause Neh 5:12; Ezra 10:5 + ׳בי by ׳י Gen 24:3 (J; clause אֲשֶׁר), 1Kgs 2:42 (|| וָאָעִד בְּךָ, + לֵאמֹר, compare Josh 23:7 (RD; but read perhaps Niph`al תִּשָּֽׁבְעוּ Gr and others; ᵐ5 strike out), Neh 13:25 (clause אִם, oratio recta), 2Chr 36:13.
2. adjure, with accusative of person 1Kgs 22:16; 2Chr 18:15 (both + clause אֲשֶׁר); elsewhere only Canticles: Song 5:9, with clause מַהֿ interrogative vSong 5:8, with clause אִם that not Song 2:7; Song 3:5 (both + ב of oath), = clause מַהֿ Song 8:4 (see מָה 2 a (b)). — 1Sam 20:17 see Niph`al

sware, swear, sworn, sweareth, oath, …
šābaʿ
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
  • to swear, adjure
    • (Qal) sworn (participle)
      • "(Niphal)
      • to swear, take an oath
        • "to swear (of Jehovah by Himself)"to curse
      (Hiphil)
      • to cause to take an oath
        • "to adjure

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ Pashta — a lesser break אַבְרָהָ֔ם Zaqef Qatan — a strong break אָֽנֹכִ֖י Tipeha — a lesser break אִשָּׁבֵֽעַ Silluq — end of the verse

וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם אָֽנֹכִי אִשָּׁבֵֽעַ׃
24
And Abraham said, I will swear.
Cross References

Hebrews 6:16

ἄνθρωποι μεν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος·
16
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Genesis 14:13

וַיָּבֹא הַפָּלִיט וַיַּגֵּד לְאַבְרָם הָֽעִבְרִי וְהוּא שֹׁכֵן בְּאֵֽלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא הָֽאֱמֹרִי אֲחִי אֶשְׁכֹּל וַֽאֲחִי עָנֵר וְהֵם בַּֽעֲלֵי בְרִית-אַבְרָֽם׃
13
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

Romans 12:18

εἰ δυνατόν τὸ ἐξ ὑμῶν μετὰ πάντων ἀνθρώπων εἰρηνεύοντες·
18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Genesis 21:23
Read Genesis 21
Genesis 21:25