Jeremiah 27:17

Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אַל
אַל
Particle not
Dictionary form: אַל · al

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: not
not ×238 neither ×59 let not ×44 be not ×26 nor ×23 ye not ×18 no ×17 me not ×15
More options
do not — Most natural modern negative imperative; broadly applicable.
never — Use when the prohibition carries a sense of absolute refusal.
nor — Coordinating negative; links parallel prohibitions or negations.
no — Emphatic short-form negative; fits exclamatory or abrupt contexts.
and do not — Connects a negative command to a preceding clause smoothly.
must not — Stronger deontic force; stresses obligation to refrain.

BDB419 H408

BDB418 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB420

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

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


BDB9298 H409 H408

BDB9297 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9299

אַל adverb of prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . ., followed by imperfect ( = Biblical Hebrew I. אַל; Zenjirli אל (Had22. 23. 29) Cooke160 f.; compare Pahlavi (GGA, 1884, 1016); not ᵑ7 Syriac); — Dan 2:24 אַלֹתְּֿהוֺבֵד, Dan 4:16; Dan 5:10.

not, neither, no, nor, nay, …
ʾal
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
  • not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
    • do not, let not (with a verb)
    • "let there not be (with a verb understood)"not, no (with substantive)"nothing (as substantive)

תִּשְׁמְע֣וּ
תִּשְׁמְע֣וּ
Root word heard, hear, hearken, hearkened, obey, …
Dictionary form: שָׁמַע · shaw-MA

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

In the KJV here: hearken
hear ×182 heard ×140 hearken ×67 hearkened ×35 and hear ×28 obey ×18 to hear ×18 i have heard ×17
More options
hear — Most natural default; covers auditory perception broadly.
listen — Implies attentiveness; prefer when active attention is stressed.
obey — Use when compliance or submission to a command is in view.
heed — Blends listening and obeying; good for warnings or instructions.
pay attention — Emphatic register; suits solemn or urgent calls to listen.
understand — Use when comprehension, not just audition, is the focus.

BDB8819 H8085

BDB8818 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8820

שָׁמַע1159 verb hear (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמע Lzb378; Assyrian šemû; Arabic ; Sabean סמע mostly in derivatives, especially epithet of divinity סמע he who hears HomChr 124 FellZMG liv (1900), 250, 252 DHMHofmus. No. 10, 1. 1; Ethiopic Aramaic שְׁמַע, , Old Aramaic שמע Lzb378; compare also משמעת MI28 obedience); —

Qal1052 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 24:52 +, שָׁמֵ֑עַ Jer 36:13 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular שָׁמַ֫עַתְּ 1Kgs 1:11 + 2 t.; 3 plural שָׁמֵ֑עוּ Judg 2:17 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמַע Exod 6:30 +, 1 singular cohortative אֶשְׁמְעָה Num 9:8, וָאֶשְׁמְָעָה (on ְָ֯ compare Ges«GKC:10h»§ 10h; Ol§ 65 c question reading) Dan 8:13 2 masculine plural תִּשְׁמְע֔וּן Deut 8:20 +, תִּשְׁמָע֔וּן Deut 1:17, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמַע Amos 7:16 +, שִׁמְעָךְ Job 32:10 + (especially Psalms), שְׁמָ֨עָךְ֨ Dan 9:19 feminine plural שְׁמַעְנָה Isa 32:9; Jer 9:19, שְׁמַ֫עַן Gen 4:23 (Ges«GKC:46f»§ 46f), etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺעַ Isa 6:9 +; construct שְׁמֹעַ 1Sam 15:22 +; suffix שָׁמְעו Deut 29:18 +, שָׁמְעָתוֺ Isa 30:19 (Gen 18:10 + etc.; —
1. subject human person (or thing personified):
  a. hear (perceive by ear), accusative of thing, especially קוֺל Gen 3:10 (J) + 46 t., דבר(יםׅ Amos 8:11 + 50 t., etc.; accusative חָכְמָה i.e. wise sayings 1Kgs 5:14 + 4 t.; so any utterance or sound (approximately 150 t. in all) + (object omitted) Deut 4:33 + 32 t. + (temporal clause) 1Sam 14:27 + 6 t.; very rarely with ב, ׳בְּסוֺד י ׳שׁ Job 15:8 with object clause, ׳כִּ Exod 4:31 + 52 t. + Isa 39:1b (read ׳כִּי שׁ ᵐ5 ᵑ7 || 2Kgs 20:12), אֶתאֲֿשֶׁר Josh 2:10; Josh 5:1 (both RD), מַהֹֿ֯ Judg 7:11 +3 t.; without connect. אֹתָהּ ׳שׁ עָשִׂיתִי 2Kgs 19:25 = Isa 37:26 singular oratio recta [direct speech] Isa 40:28; Zech 8:23.
  b. accusative of person + מְדַבֵּר hear one speaking Gen 27:6 (J), Jer 26:7; Dan 8:13, so בֹּכֶה Num 11:10 (J), נִבָּא Jer 20:1 מְקַלְלֶ֑ךָ Eccl 7:21 occas. pears. omitted, דֹּבְרִים Gen 37:17 (JE), אֶתמִֿדַּבֵּר Ezek 2:2; Ezek 43:6 (see דבר Hithpa`el); accusative of person only Dan 12:7.
  c. with לֵאמֹר only, hear say = hear it said, 1Sam 13:4; 2Sam 19:3; Deut 13:13; Josh 22:11 (P), 1Kgs 16:16 + עַל person concerning Gen 41:15 (E), Isa 37:9 אֶל person id. 2Kgs 19:9.
  d. hear of, concerning: (1) accusative of thing, אֵת(כָּלֿ)אֲשֶׁר Exod 18:1; 2Kgs 19:11 + 5 t., דבר(יםׅ 1Sam 3:11 + 4 t., רָעָה Jer 19:3 + 5 t., etc.; כַּאֲשֶׁר 1Sam 23:11; Ps 48:9, כָּואֹת Isa 66:8 hear of anything like this, כָּאֵלֶּךְ Jer 18:13 accusative, etc., omitted Judg 9:46 + 43 t.; (2) less often accusative of person Job 42:5, אֶל person Ezek 19:4, person omitted Deut 9:2 with ב person hear exultantly of their fate Ps 92:12 (probably imitated from || הִכִּיט בְּ va; see especially ראךְ 8 a (6)).
  e. hear, absolute, = have power to hear, 2Sam 19:36 (with בְּקוֺל ), Isa 21:3; Isa 32:3; Prov 20:12; Zech 7:11 in simile Ps 38:15 with negative of idols Deut 4:28; Ps 115:6 figurative (spiritual power) Jer 5:21; Deut 29:8; Ezek 12:2; Isa 42:20. — Prov 21:28 is probably corrupt, see Toy. feminine hear with attention, interest, listen to (sometimes || חֶאֱןין), חִקְשִׁיב accusative דבר(יםׅ (54 t.) Amos 4:1 +, especially ׳דבר(י) י Num 12:6 (JE) + 45 t.; אִמְרָה Isa 28:23, קוֺל vIsa 28:23, זאֹת Mic 3:9, etc.; often absolute Judg 5:3 + 57 t., + (negative) Ps 38:14 pay no attention; absolute לֵב שֹׁמֵעַ 1Kgs 3:9, אִישׁ שֹׁטֵעַ Prov 21:28.
  g. understand (language), שָׂפָחךְ Gen 11:7 (J), Isa 33:19, לָשׁוֺן Deut 28:49, דְּבָרִין Ezek 3:6, מַהיְּֿדַבֵּר Jer 5:15, no accusative Gen 42:23 (E), 2Kgs 18:26 = Isa 36:11.
  h. specif of hearing a (judicial) casre, דָּבָר Deut 1:17, compare vDeut 1:17 accusative omitted בֵּין person vDeut 1:16, of ׳י Judg 11:10 with מִשְׁפָּט 1Kgs 3:11 הִטּוֺב וְהָרֵע ׳לשׁ 2Sam 14:17, וְשֹׁמֵע אֵין לְךָ 2Sam 15:3, compare Job 31:35.
  i. with accusative of person in polite address, hear us (me)! Gen 23:6; Gen 23:8; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:13; Gen 23:15 (all P), 1Chr 28:2; 2Chr 13:4; 2Chr 15:2; 2Chr 20:20
  j. listen, give heed (sometimes || הִקְשִׁיב), absolute, Gen 42:21 (E) + 18: t., + (usually || הִטָּה אֹ׃ון), Jer 7:13 + 14 t. Jeremiah, + (opposed to חָדַל) Ezek 2:5 + 3 t. Ezekiel; + שִׂים עַללֵֿב Mal 2:2 hear + do Deut 5:24; 2Kgs 18:12, etc.; = consent, agree, Gen 37:27 (J), grant request Judg 11:17 with ל person (mostly late) Judg 19:25; 1Sam 30:24; Job 15:17 + 16 t., ׳לי Hos 9:17; Lev 26:14; Lev 26:18; Lev 26:21; Lev 26:27 ׳לְדִבְרֵי י 1Sam 15:1, לְעֵצָה Prov 12:15.
  k. with אֶל person + listen to, yield to Gen 49:2; Judg 2:17 + 69 t. (׳אֶליֿ 15 t., especially Jer 7:26 + 10 t. Jeremiah), עַל person 2Kgs 20:13 אֶלדִּֿבְרֵי etc., Deut 18:19; Jer 29:10 + 14 t., עַלדִּֿבְרֵי etc., 2Kgs 22:13 + 3 t.; very rarely accusative of thing 1Sam 24:10 (Gi v.1Sam 24:9).
1. לְקוֺל ׳שׁ = id., obey, Gen 3:17 (J) + 11 t. + (׳לְקוֺל י) Judg 2:20; Exod 15:26 (JE). masculine very often, בְּקוֺל ׳שׁ = obey 1Sam 8:7 + 25 t., + ׳שׁ ׳בְּקוֺל י (׳י's word, etc.) Deut 4:30; Jer 3:13 + 65 t. (Deut 18 t., Jer 18 t.). noun obey, with accusative דבר(יםׅ Josh 1:18 + 2 t. + (׳י ׳ד) Jer 11:3 + 5 t. Jeremiah; 1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4, etc.; accusative of person Exod 6:12 (P), 2Chr 28:11.
  o. absolutebe obedient (especially to ׳י) Isa 1:19; Mic 5:14; Jer 12:17 + 4 t. Jeremiah + 7 t.
2. ׳י (God) subject:
  a. accusative קוֺל, דברים, etc., Gen 21:17 (E), 2Kgs 19:4 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 19:16, usually with favour implied Num 20:16; Deut 33:7 +, so especially accusative תְּפִלָּה, תְּחנָּה, etc., 1Kgs 8:45; Ps 6:10 +.
  b. object clause כִּי Gen 29:33 (J).
  c. no object (32 t.) Isa 59:2; Jer 22:21, usually hear and foregive, help, etc 1Kgs 8:30; 1Kgs 8:32; Isa 30:19 +; hear be angry Ps 78:59, compare Ps 55:20.
  d. = be able to hear Isa 59:1; Ps 94:9.
  e. בְּקוֺל ׳שׁ = hear (and grant) Gen 30:6 (J) + 6 t. femininehear and answer, with אֶל of city, etc., Gen 21:7; Gen 16:11; 1Kgs 8:28 + 8 t.; with אֶל person Deut 3:36 + 12 t.
  g. with לְ of utterance Jer 18:19; Ps 61:6 ל person Josh 24:10 (E).
  h. hear, accusative of person + מִתְנוֺדֵד Jer 31:18 favourably, with accusative of person Mic 7:7 + 3 t., so, + ל concerning, Gen 17:20 (P); object omitted 2Kgs 22:19; Ps 22:23 + 3 t. + Ps 34:7; Ps 34:18 (hear and deliver); with temporal clause Jer 11:14 Niph`al42 Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַע Gen 45:16 +, etc; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשָּׁמַע Exod 23:13 +, יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ 1Sam 1:13, etc.; Infinitive construct הִשָּׁמַל Esth 2:8 Participle feminine נִשְׁמַ֫עַת Jer 51:46, etc.; —
1. be heard, of voice, sound, etc., 1Sam 1:13; 1Kgs 6:7; Job 26:14 (or 1 plural Qal Imperfect?); of a resort, ֗֗֗ לֵאמֹר ׳נִשׁ Gen 45:16 (E); subject clause, ׳כִּ, Neh 6:1 (ל person), compare clauseוְהַיְהוּדִים חשְׁבִים Neh 6:6 vNeh 6:7 be reported, כַּדְּבָרִיס הָאֵלֶּה (לַמֶּלֶחׅ); be heard, לִפְנֵי אֱםהֶיךָ Dan 10:12.
2. be heard of, כָּמֹהוּ Deut 4:32.
3. be regarded, obeyed, Eccl 9:17 in 2Sam 22:45 = Ps 18:45 it is be obedient (לִיׅ, si vera lectio (read perhaps Qal. compare Now).
4. בְּקוֺלָם ׳וַיִישּׁ 2Chr 30:27 = (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice Pi`el Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיְשַׁמַּע 1Sam 15:4 he caused the people (accusative) to hear and respond, i.e. he assembled them), so 1Sam 23:8 (see Hiph`il 1 c). Hiph`il63 Perfect 3 masculine singular הִשְׁמִיעַ 1Kgs 15:22 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַשְׁמִעֵנִי Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13 2 masculine singular jussive תַּשְׁמַע Judg 18:23, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix הִשְׁמִיעֵנִי Ps 143:8 feminine singular suffix הַשְׁמִיעִנִי Song 2:14; Song 8:13, etc.; Infinitive construct לַשְׁמִעַ Ps 26:7 (Ges«GKC:53q»§ 53q); Participle מַשְׁמִיעַ Jer 4:15 +, etc.; —
1. of man:
  a. cause to hear accusative of person + of thing Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Song 2:14; Song 8:13 + 4 t.; object of thing omitted (= make proclamation to) 1Kgs 15:22 object person omitted Jer 5:20 +; accusative שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Nah 2:1 i.e. proclaimpeace; אָוֶֺן Jer 4:15 (מִן local); קוֺל ׳הַשׁ utter a sound Josh 6:10 (J; || הֵרִיעַ), compare Judg 18:25 (קוֺלְךָ, + עִמָּנוּ), Isa 42:2; Isa 58:4 קוֺל תְּהִלָּתוֺ ׳הִשׁ Ps 66:8 בְּקוֺל תּוֺדָה Ps 26:7.
  b. absolute as musical term, sound aloud, בִּמְצִלְתַּיִם לְהִשְׁמִיעַ 1Chr 15:19 (perhaps to mark the time, GrPs 67 De compare 1Chr 16:5 also Ps 150:5 בְּצִלְצְלֵי שָׁ֑מַע), מַשְׁמִיעִים 1Chr 15:16; 1Chr 15:28; 1Chr 16:42, קוֺל אֶחָד ׳לְהַשׁ 2Chr 5:13 i.e. probably in unison (PrinceEB iii, 3241), Neh 12:42.
  c. absolute make proclamation (often || הִגִּיד), Amos 3:9; Amos 4:5; Isa 41:26; Jer 4:5 + 6 t. Jeremiah
  d. הַשְׁמִיעוּ, accusative of person + אֶל location = summon Jer 50:29, עַל location Jer 51:27 (compare Pi`el).
2. ׳י subject:
  a. cause to hear, accusative of person and thing Deut 4:10; Deut 4:36 (מִן local), 2Kgs 7:6 + 4 t.; accusative of person omitted Isa 30:30 + 3 t.; accusative of thing omitted Isa 44:8; Isa 48:5.
  b. = tell, accusative of person + כָּזאֹת Judg 13:23 accusative of person only, Isa 42:9 accusative of thing only, Isa 48:3; Ezek 36:15 (אֵלַיִךְ).
  c. absolute, make proclamation Isa 43:12; Isa 62:11 (אֶל location).


BDB9967 H8085 H8086

BDB9966 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9968

שְׁמַע verb hear (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Dan 6:15 1 singular שִׁמְעֵת Dan 5:14; Dan 5:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמַע Dan 3:10, 2 m. pl. תִּשְׁמְעוּן Dan 3:5; Dan 3:15 Participle active שָֽׁמְעִין Dan 3:7; Dan 5:23hear: = have sense of hearing Dan 5:23 with accusative of sound Dan 3:5; Dan 3:7; Dan 3:10; Dan 3:15, word Dan 6:15 with clause דִּי + עַל person concerning, Dan 5:14; Dan 5:16. Hithpe`el shew oneself obedient: Imperfect 3 masculine plural יִשְׁתַּמְעוּן Dan 7:27, with ל person (probably).

heard, hear, hearken, hearkened, obey, …
šāmaʿ
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • (v) to hear, listen to, obey
    • (Qal)
      • to hear (perceive by ear)
      • "to hear of or concerning"to hear (have power to hear)"to hear with attention or interest, listen to"to understand (language)"to hear (of judicial cases)"to listen, give heed
        • to consent, agree
        • "to grant request
        to listen to, yield to"to obey, be obedient
      (Niphal)
      • to be heard (of voice or sound)
      • "to be heard of"to be regarded, be obeyed
      (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
      • "to sound aloud (musical term)"to make proclamation, summon"to cause to be heard
    (n m) sound

אֲלֵי הֶ֔ם
אֲלֵי
Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …
הֶ֔ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

In the KJV here: unto
unto ×2370 to ×907 into ×230 upon ×112 against ×104 and to ×103 in ×63 unto him ×58
More options
to — Default directional/dative preposition; broadest everyday use.
toward — Emphasizes movement or orientation in a direction.
into — Stress entry or transition; spatial or metaphorical penetration.
against — Adversarial or oppositional context; hostility or pressure.
upon — Contact or imposition on a surface or person.
concerning — Topical/referential; use when the sense is 'about' or 'regarding'.

BDB420 H413

BDB419 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB421

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; WAG 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 DrSm i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.

unto, to, into, upon, against, …
ʾēl
near, with or among; often in general, to
  • to, toward, unto (of motion)
  • "into (limit is actually entered)
    • in among
    toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)"against (motion or direction of a hostile character)"in addition to, to"concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of"according to (rule or standard)"at, by, against (of one's presence)"in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

עִבְד֥וּ
עִבְד֥וּ
Root word serve, served, do, work, worshippers, …
Dictionary form: עָבַד · aw-BAHD

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

In the KJV here: them serve
and serve ×24 serve ×22 and served ×21 to serve ×18 served ×11 shall serve ×8 to do ×8 that they may serve me ×5
More options
serve — Core rendering; best for worship, duty, or obedience contexts.
work — Prefer when labor or task-performance is the focus.
worship — Ideal when the object is a deity or idol.
till — Use specifically for cultivating or farming the ground.
labor — Emphasizes effort or toil; good for slavery or hard-work contexts.
obey — Captures submission to authority in relational or covenant settings.

BDB5734 H5647

BDB5733 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5735

עָבַד290 verb work, serve (Old Aramaic עבד do make, especially Nabataean, Palmyrene (often), Lzb331 f. Cook86, so ᵑ7 עֲבַד, Syriac (very often); but also Old Aramaic Phoenician עבד slave, vassal (and in many proper names), ᵑ7 עַבְדָּא, Syriac id.; Assyrian abdu, id. (rare); Late Hebrew עָבַד serve, performs acts of worship (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb), and derivatives; Arabic worship, obey (God); compare WeSkizzen iii. 165; Heid. 141, II. enslave; slave, worshiper; Sabean עבד id. DHMSüdar. Alt. p. 18; GerberVerb. Denom. 14 ff. thinks be slave, serve (Qal) and enslave (Hiph`il) are denominative, compare also ZMG xl (1886), 741); —

Qal272 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ע Ezek 29:18 +; suffix עֲבָדוֺ Mal 3:18 +; 3 masculine plural עָֽבְדוּ Deut 7:4 עָבָ֑דוּ Num 4:26, + 64 t. Perfect; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעֲבֹד Gen 25:23 +; suffix יַעַבְדֵ֫נִי Exod 4:23 יַעַבְדֶ֫נּוּ Ps 22:31; 2Kgs 10:18 3 masculine plural יַעַבְדוּ Deut 12:30 +; יַעֲבֹ֑דוּ Gen 15:14 (Dr§ 103) Job 36:11 2 masculine plural תַּעַבְדוּן Exod 3:12, תַּעֲבֹד֑וּן Josh 24:15, + 99 t. Imperfect; (תָּעָבְדֵם, נָָֽעָבְדֵם see Hoph`al); Imperative עֲבֹד 1Sam 26:19 suffix עָבְדֵהוּ 1Chr 28:9 עִבְדוּ Exod 5:18 + 15 t.; עֲבֹ֑דוּ Ezek 20:39 suffix עִבְדֻהוּ 1Sam 7:3 Infinitive construct עֲבֹד Mal 3:14 +; עֲבָדֿ Jer 34:9; Jer 34:10 suffix עָבְדוֺ Jer 27:6 +, etc.; Participle עֹבֵד Gen 4:2 +; plural עֹבְדִים Num 18:21 +; construct עֹבְדֵי Ps 97:7 +; suffix עֹבְדָיו 2Kgs 10:19 עֹבְדֵיהֶם Zech 2:13
1. labour, work, do work: absolute Exod 20:9 = Exod 34:21 = Deut 5:13 (4th word); Exod 5:18 (E) Eccl 5:11 with accusative of thing, till the ground Gen 2:5; Gen 3:23; Gen 4:2; Gen 4:12 (J), 2Sam 9:10; Isa 30:24; Jer 27:11; Zech 13:5; Prov 12:11; Prov 28:19 object omitted Deut 15:19; Ezek 48:19 vineyard Deut 28:39 garden Gen 2:16 (J); עֹבְרֵי פִשְׁתִּים Isa 19:9 workers in flax; עֹבְדֵ(יׅ הָעִיר Ezek 48:18; Ezek 48:19 labourers of the city; עֲבֹדָתוֺ ׳ע Isa 28:21 work his work (only here of God, || עשׂה מַעֲשֵׂהוּ); עבדה על ׳ע Ezek 29:18 serve a military service against.
2. work for another, serve him by labour: absolute Exod 21:2 (E); with accusative pers Gen 29:15; Gen 31:6; Exod 21:6 (E) Deut 15:12; Deut 15:18; Mal 3:17; Jer 34:14, king his people 1Kgs 12:7 subject animals Jer 27:6; Job 39:9 with accusative of person and thing Gen 30:26 (twice in verse); Gen 30:29 (J); with לְ person 2Sam 16:19 עִם Gen 29:25; Gen 29:30 (E) Lev 25:40 (P); עִמָּדִי Gen 29:27 (E); לִפְנֵי 2Sam 16:19 (twice in verse); with בְּ of price Gen 29:18; Gen 29:20; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:41 (E) Hos 12:13; Ezek 29:20 with בְּ personwork by means of another, use him as slave, Exod 1:14; Lev 25:39; Lev 25:46 (P) Jer 22:13; Jer 25:14; Jer 27:7; Jer 30:8; Jer 34:9; Jer 34:10.
3. serve as subjects: usually with accusative, their own chiefs or kings Judg 9:28 (twice in verse); Judg 9:38; 1Sam 11:1; 1Kgs 5:1 +; other kings, by tribute Ps 18:44 = 2Sam 22:44; Jer 27:7; Jer 28:14; 2Kgs 25:24 +, other nations 2Sam 10:19; Jer 40:9; Zech 2:13 +, kings other kings 2Kgs 18:7 +, with לְ, 1Sam 4:9 (twice in verse); מַס עֹבֵד Gen 49:15 (J) Josh 16:10; 1Kgs 9:21 (see מַס); with בְּ person, work with, i.e. use as subjects, impose tribute upon, Jer 25:14; Jer 27:7; Jer 30:8; Ezek 34:27.
4. serve God:
  a. with accusative ׳י, Exod 3:12; Exod 4:23; Exod 7:16; Exod 7:26 (JE), Ps 22:31; Job 21:15; Mal 3:14 +; with accusative of person and thing Exod 10:26 (E); accusative of person omitted, Jer 2:20 (read אֶעֱבוֺד Kt), עבד זבח ומנחה Isa 19:21 serve with peace-offering and grain-offering; עבד עֲבֹדָה Exod 13:5 (of מַצֹּת).
  b. other gods, with accusative ׳א Deut 7:16; Deut 12:2; Deut 12:30 ; אלהים אחרים Deut 7:4; Deut 8:19; Deut 11:16; Deut 13:7; Deut 13:14; Deut 17:3; Deut 28:14; Deut 28:36; Deut 28:64; Deut 29:25; Deut 30:17; Deut 31:20; Josh 23:16; Josh 24:2; Josh 24:16; Judg 2:10; Judg 10:13; 1Sam 8:8; 1Sam 26:19; 1Kgs 9:6; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:35; 2Chr 7:19; 2Chr 7:22; Jer 11:10; Jer 13:10; Jer 16:11; Jer 16:13; Jer 22:9; Jer 25:6; Jer 35:15 (all D and Jeremiah); אֱלֹהֵי הַגּוֺיִם Deut 29:17 זָרִים Jer 5:19 כל צבא השׁמים Deut 4:19; 2Kgs 21:3; 2Chr 33:3; Jer 8:2 הבעל(יםׅ Judg 2:11; Judg 3:7; Judg 10:6; Judg 10:10; Judg 1:10; Judg 1:31; Judg 22:54; 2Kgs 10:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:19 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:21; 2Kgs 10:22; 2Kgs 10:23 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 17:16 אלהי נֵכָר Josh 24:20; Jer 5:19 (הַ)גִּלּוּלִים 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:21 (twice in verse); Ezek 20:39 האשׁרים 2Chr 24:18 עצבים Ps 106:36 פסיל(יםׅ 2Chr 33:22; 2Kgs 17:41 פסל 2Kgs 97:7 with לְ, לבעל Judg 2:13 לאלהים אחרים Jer 44:3.
5. serve ׳י with Levilical service (all P; compare RSSem i. 69): with accusative עבד עֲבֹדָה (see עֲבֹדָה) Num 3:7; Num 3:8; Num 4:23; Num 4:30; Num 4:47; Num 7:5; Num 8:11; Num 8:19; Num 8:22; Num 8:26; Num 16:9; Num 18:6; Num 18:21; Num 18:23; Josh 22:27 accusative omitted Num 4:24; Num 4:26; Num 4:37; Num 4:41; Num 8:15 (but ᵐ5 עבדה), vNum 8:25; Num 18:7. Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נֶעְבָּ֑ד Eccl 5:8 2 masculine plural נֶעֱבַדְתֶּם Ezek 36:9 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵעָבֵד Deut 21:4 3 feminine singular תֵּעָבֵד Ezek 36:34
1. be tilled, of land Deut 21:4; Ezek 36:9; Ezek 36:34.
2. Eccl 5:8 מֶלֶךְ לְשָׂדֶה נֶעְבָּ֑ד dubious: a king for (devoted to) the cultivated field (Hi); a king that maketh himself servant to the field (devoted to agriculture), Desee Commentaries, especially De. Pual Perfect 3 masculine singular עֻבַּד Deut 21:3; Isa 14:3 passive of Qal, with בְּ impersonal Deut 21:3 of a calf with which it has not been worked; hard service with which it was worked with captives Isa 14:3. Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular הֶעֱבִיד Ezek 29:18 2 masculine singular suffix הֶעֱבַדְתַּ֫נִי Isa 43:24, הֶעֱבַדְתִּיךָ vIsa 43:23, וְהַעֲבַדְתִּיךָ Jer 17:4 Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיַּעֲבֵד 2Chr 34:33 3 masculine plural יַעֲבִדוּ Exod 1:13 Infinitive construct הַעֲבִיד 2Chr 2:17 Participle plural מַעֲבִדִים Exod 6:15
1. compel to labour as slaves Exod 1:13; Exod 6:5 (P) 2Chr 2:17, + Gen 47:21 (reading הֶעֱבִיד לַעֲבָדִים), 2Sam 12:31 (reading וְהֶעֱבִיד + בְּ at; on both these see עבר Hiph`il near the end); cause to serve, of army's service against, with accusative + (על)אל Ezek 29:18 cause to labour, weary, with בְּ of means Isa 43:23; Isa 43:24 (perhaps play on meanings 2, 3).
2. make to serve as subjects, with 2 accusative Jer 17:4, + Jer 15:14 (read וְהַעֲבַרְתִּיךָ see עבר Hiph`il near the end).
3. cause to serve God 2Chr 34:33. Hoph`al Imperfect 2 masculine singular suffix תָּֽעָבְדֵם Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:9; Exod 23:24 1 plural suffix נָָֽעָבְדֵם Deut 13:3 (i. 259 Sta§ 549 g Thes; < NesMarg. 12 f. Qal anomalously pointed (compare WAG. ed. 2, i, 62 n. FlKl. Schr. i. 98); Ges«GKC:60»§ 60 R. 1 Dr Qal falsely pointed as Hoph`al); — be led or enticed to serve other gods Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:9; Exod 23:24; Deut 13:8.


BDB9745 H5648 H5647

BDB9744 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9746

ע

עֲבַד verb make, do (ᵑ7, Syriac, Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene, Egyptian Aramaic (S-CPap.; compare אַזְדָּא); = Biblical Hebrew עָבַד, q. v., but in meaning || עשׂה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ע Dan 3:1 +, 2 masculine singular עֲבַ֑דְתְּ (K§ 13, 2) Dan 4:32 1 singular עַבְדֵֿת Dan 3:15; Dan 6:23, 3 masculine plural עֲבַ֫דוּ Ezra 6:13 +; Imperfect 2 masculine plural תַּעְבְּדוּן (Baer K§ 38. 1. b); תַּעַבְדוּן Gi Str) Ezra 6:8; Ezra 7:18 Infinitive מֶעְבַּד (K§ 15, a) 2)) Ezra 4:22; Ezra 7:18 (מֶעְבַּ֑ד); Participle active עָבֵד Ezra 7:26 +, feminine singular עָֽבְדָא Dan 7:21 masculine plural עָֽבְדִין Ezra 4:15
1. make, accusative of thing Dan 3:1; Dan 3:15 and (of creation) Jer 10:11 make a feast Dan 5:1, war Dan 7:21 (עם person). ded. of temple Ezra 6:16.
2. do, accusative of deed, Dan 4:32 (of God), Dan 6:23; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:22 do, act, כְּנֵמָא, thus, Ezra 6:13, כ, according to, Dan 7:18 and (of God) Dan 4:32, absolute Dan 6:11 accusative +ב of thing Ezra 7:18 do something with, +עִם person Ezra 6:8 do, perform, accusative of God's law Ezra 7:26, accusative of signs, etc. (subject God) Dan 6:28 and (+עִם person) Dan 3:32. Hithpe`el Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִתְעֲבֵד Ezra 6:11 +, דִ֑֯ Ezra 6:12; Ezra 7:21 2 masculine plural תִּתְעַבְדוּן Dan 2:5 Participle מִתְעֲבֵד Ezra 7:26, בֶדֿ- Ezra 4:19, feminine singular עַבְדָא- Ezra 5:3
1. be made into, with noun predicate, Dan 2:5; Dan 3:29; Ezra 6:11.
2. be done, wrought, Ezra 4:19; Ezra 5:8 (subject עֲבִידְתָּא); be performed, executed, of command Ezra 6:12; Ezra 7:21; Ezra 7:23, judgment Ezra 7:26.

serve, served, do, work, worshippers, …
ʿābad
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
  • to work, serve
    • (Qal)
      • to labor, work, do work
      • "to work for another, serve another by labor"to serve as subjects"to serve (God)"to serve (with Levitical service)
      (Niphal)
      • to be worked, be tilled (of land)
      • "to make oneself a servant
      (Pual) to be worked"(Hiphil)
      • to compel to labor or work, cause to labor, cause to serve
      • "to cause to serve as subjects
      (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve

אֶת
אֶת
Particle points to the object of the verb — leave untranslated
Dictionary form: אֵת · ate

Particle — Direct Object Marker

and ×240 of ×109 him ×107 them ×73 with ×72 from ×64 you ×61 me ×54
More options
[direct object marker — untranslated] — Most common use; marks definite direct object, no English equivalent.
with — Use when אֵת expresses accompaniment or association.
from — Use when context implies source or separation.
along with — Emphasizes inclusion or togetherness in a list.
together with — Slightly more formal; stresses joint participation.
among — Use when indicating presence within a group.

BDB853 H853

BDB852 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB854

I. אֵת, with makk. אֶתֿ, with suffix אֹתִי; ˜אֹתְךָ, ˜אֹתְכָה Num 22:33, אֹתָ֑ךְ, אֹתָ֑כָה Exod 29:35, feminine אֹתָךְ; אֹתוֺ etc.; 2 plural אֶתְכֶם, once ˜אוֺתְכֶם Josh 23:15 3 masculine plural regularly אֹתָם, rarely אֶתְהֶם Gen 32:1; Exod 18:20; Num 21:3; Ezek 34:12; 1Chr 6:50, once ˜אוֺתְהֶם Ezek 23:45 3 feminine plural, on the contrary, regularly אֶתְהֶן (13 t.), once אֹתָן Ezek 16:54 (also ˜אוֺתְהֶן Ezek 23:47, אֹתָ֖נָה Exod 35:26, אוֺתָ֖נָה Ezek 34:21); forms with cholem also often written plene: — the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite (Moabite id., Phoenician אית i.e. אִיַּת (Schrödp. 213 f.); Aramaic יָת frequently in ᵑ7; Syriac very rare as mark of accusative (for which is preferred), but used often in the sense of substance οὐσία, also in that of self, e.g. per se, reapse, sibi ipsi, PS1640 f., Samaritan ; Arabic , only used with suffix, when it is desired to emphasize the pronoun, e.g. Qor 1:4 WAG i. § 189. [Ethiopic uses k£y¹ similarly, Di§ 150 a; but it is dubious if this is etymologically akin.] The primitive form will have been 'iwyath, originally a substantive with following genitive, Olp. 432; whether ultimately a parallel development with אוֺת sign from √ אוה is uncertain: Ol WAG i. § 188 LagM i. 226 affirm, ZMG 1886, 738 doubts. In Hebrew the ground-form is אוֺת; the forms with ¢, e being abbreviated. In post Biblical Hebrew, used in combination with another preposition: thus בְּאוֺתוֺ הַיּוֺם = Bibl. בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא, בְּאוֺתָהּ הַשָּׁעָה; or as a nomin., e.g. אוֺתוֺ הָאִישׁ = Bibl. הָאִישׁ הַהוּא).

1. As mark of the accusative prefixed to substantives defined either by the article (or כֹּל), or by a genitive or pronominal affix, or in virtue of being proper names:
  a. with transitive verbs, Gen 1:1; Gen 1:16; Gen 1:29; Gen 1:30; Gen 2:11; Gen 4:1; Gen 4:2; Gen 9:3 (אֶתֿ˜כֹּל׃) etc. Similarly אֶתמִֿי whom (in particular), Josh 24:15; 1Sam 12:3; 1Sam 28:11; Isa 6:8 and elsewhere (but never אֶתמָֿה); also with זֶה Gen 29:33; Gen 44:29; 1Sam 21:16; 1Kgs 22:27 +, זֹאת Gen 29:27; 2Sam 13:27 +, אֵלֶּה Gen 46:18; Lev 11:18; Isa 49:21 +. So pretty uniformly in prose; but in poetry את is commonly dispensed with. By the use of את with the pronominal affix, a pronoun can at once, if required, be placed in a position of emphasis; let the order of words from this point of view be carefully noticed in the following passages: Gen 7:1; Gen 24:14; Gen 37:4; Lev 10:17; Lev 11:33; Num 22:32 thee I had slain, and her I had kept alive, Deut 4:14; Deut 6:13; Deut 6:23; Deut 13:5; Judg 14:3 אוֺתָהּ קַח לִי take for me her, 1Sam 14:35; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 18:17; 1Sam 21:10 אִםאֹֿתָהּ תִּקַּחלְֿךָ קָ֔ח if thou wilt take that, take it, 1Kgs 1:35; 1Kgs 14:9; Isa 43:22; Isa 57:11; Jer 9:2. So הַאוֺתִי Jer 5:22; Jer 7:19. It also sometimes enables the reflexive sense to be expressed (elsewhere נַפְשָׁם) Jer 7:19; Ezek 34:2. Rarely with a substantive which is undefined (Ew§ 277 d 2 Ges«GKC:117»§ 117, 1, R. 2), as Exod 21:28; Num 21:9; Lev 20:14; 1Sam 24:6 (but see Dr) 2Sam 4:11; 2Sam 18:18; 2Sam 23:21 or which, though definite, is without the article, Gen 21:30; 2Sam 15:16; Lev 26:5; 1Sam 9:3 (so Num 16:15) Isa 33:19; Isa 41:7; Ezek 43:10 (for further examples see Ew 1.c.)
  b. with a passive verb (Ges«GKC:121»§ 121. 1 Ew§ 295 b) conceived as expressing neutrally the action in question, and construed accordingly with an accusative of that which is its real object: examples occur with tolerable frequency from Gen 4:18 (J) וַיִּוָּלֵד לַחֲנוֺךְ אֶתעֿירָד, Gen 17:5 (P), לֹא יִקָּרֵא עוֺד אֶתשִֿׁמְךָ אַ˜ברָם there shall not be called (=one shall not call) thy name Abram, Gen 21:5 (E), Gen 27:42; 2Sam 21:11; 1Kgs 18:13; Hos 10:6 etc., to Jer 35:18; Jer 38:4; Jer 50:20; Ezek 16:4; Ezek 16:5; Esth 2:13 (compare DrJPh xi. 227 f.): also with passive verbs of filling (Ew§ 281 b), as Exod 1:7 +.
  c. with neuter verbs or expressions, especially such as involve the idea of regarding, or treating, appy. by a construction κατὰ σύνεσιν (rare), Josh 22:17; 2Sam 11:25; Neh 9:32 (compare 1Sam 20:13 Dr). Once after אֵין, Hag 2:17 אֵין אֶתְכֶם אֵלַיָֽ.
  d. poet. (si vera lectio), after an abstract noun used with a verbal force, Hab 3:13 (Amos 4:11; Isa 13:19; Jer 50:40 מַהְפֵּכָה exerts a verbal force, like the Arabic nom. verbi [see WAG i. § 196, 43]; and Num 10:2; Ezek 17:9 לְמַסַּע, לְמַשְׂאוֺת are Aramaizing infinitives: compare Ew§ 239 a).

2. את marks an accusative in other relations than that of direct object to a verb:
  a. with verbs of motion (very rare) Num 13:17; Deut 1:19; Deut 2:7 (to 'walk the wilderness'); denoting the goal Judg 19:18; Ezek 21:25 (Ew§ 281 d, n., 282 a 1).
  b. denoting time (duration), also very rare: Exod 13:7; Lev 25:22; Deut 9:25.
  c. expressing the accus. of limitation (rare): Gen 17:11; Gen 17:14; 1Kgs 15:23.

3. Chiefly in an inferior or later style, אֵת (or וְאֵת) is used irregularly, partly (α), as it would seem, to give greater definiteness (so especially וְאֵת) at the mention of a new subject (when it may sometimes be rendered as regards), or through the influence of a neighbouring verb (a construct κατὰ σύνεσιν), or by an anacoluthon, partly (β) as resuming loosely some other preposition Thus (α) Exod 1:14; Num 3:26; Num 3:46; Num 5:10 (with הָיָה: so Ezek 35:10) Num 18:21b Deut 11:2 (anacoluthon), Deut 14:13; Josh 17:11; Judg 20:44; Judg 20:46 (contr. vJudg 20:25 vJudg 20:35) 1Sam 17:34 (see Dr) 1Sam 26:16; 2Sam 21:22; 2Kgs 6:5; Isa 53:8 (probably), Isa 57:12; Jer 23:33 (but read rather with ᵐ5 ᵑ9 אַתֶּם הַמַּשָּׂא) Jer 27:8; Jer 36:22; Jer 38:16 Kt, Jer 45:4 b Ezek 16:22; Ezek 17:21; Ezek 20:16; Ezek 29:4 b Ezek 43:7 (ᵐ5 Co prefix הֲרָאִיתָ) Ezek 44:3; Zech 8:17; Eccl 4:3; Dan 9:13; Neh 9:19; Neh 9:34; 1Chr 2:9; 2Chr 31:17. In 1Sam 30:23; Hag 2:5 probably some such word as remember is to be understood. (β) Jer 38:9; Ezek 14:22 b Ezek 37:19 b Zech 12:10 סָבִיב אֵת 1Kgs 6:5; Ezek 43:17 strangely (in 1 Kings ᵐ5 omits the clause: so StaZAW 1883, 135). — In 1Kgs 11:1 וְ is merely and also, and especially (see וְ); v1Kgs 11:25 is corrupt (read with ᵐ5 זֹאת הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הֲדָד); Ezek 47:17; Ezek 47:18; Ezek 47:19 read similarly for ואת, זֹאת: see vEzek 47:20. — For some particulars as to the use of את, see A. M. WilsonHebraica. vi. 139 ff. 212 ff. (who, however, confuses it sometimes with II. אֵת). For denoting the pronominal object of a verb, את with suffix preponderates relatively much above the verbal affix in P, as compared with J E Deuteronomy Judges Samuel Kings (see GieZAW 1881, 258 f.), — partly, probably, on account of the greater distinctness and precision which P loves.


BDB9600 H853 H3487

BDB9599 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9601

יָת mark of accusative (= Biblical Hebrew I. אֵת; Palmyrene ית; ZinjirliHad. 28 with suffix ותה; Nabataean, Palmyrene with suffix יתה (Lzb263 Cooke170; compare RÉS468); ᵑ7 Samaritan יָת; Syriac (rare)); — Dan 3:12 דִּי מַנִּיתָ יָָֽתְהוֺן whom thou hast appointed.

with, from, of, and, by, …
ʾēt
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
  • sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

מֶֽלֶךְ
מֶֽלֶךְ
Root word king, kings, royal
Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK

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

In the KJV here: the king
the king ×712 king ×501 and the king ×198 the kings ×192 of the kings ×104 of the king ×98 kings ×64 and king ×33
More options
king — Most natural modern equivalent; universally understood.
monarch — Formal register; suits literary or elevated prose.
ruler — Broader term; useful when royal rank is less central.
sovereign — Emphasizes supreme authority; good in legal or theological contexts.
royal — Adjectival use; fits compound nouns like 'royal court'.

BDB4669 H4428 H4429

BDB4668 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4670

I. מֶ֫לֶךְ2513 noun masculine king (Late Hebrew id.; MI1, 5, 10, 18, 23 מלך; Neh 1:4 המלכן; Phoenician מלך; Zinjirli מלך DHMSendsch. 60; Assyrian maliku, malku, prince (Assyrian šarru = king); Arabic king (original Hebrew *מַלִח inferred, LagBN 73 BaNB § 112 WMMAs. u. Europ.76); Sabean מלכן SabDenkmNo. 1; construct מלך, plural אמלך CISiv 37; compare Ethiopic God (and l.c.); Aramaic , מְלֵיךְ; Palmyrene מלך מלכא VogNo. 28; Nabataean מלכא EutNab. 1); — ׳מ absolute Gen 14:7 + (insert also 2Sam 13:17 ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu, and v2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu); in p. always מֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 49:20 + 238 t. (so also proper name in מֶלֶךְ-); construct Gen 14:1 +; suffix מַלְכִּי 2Sam 19:44 + 6 t., etc.; plural מְלָכִים Gen 14:9 +; מְלָכִין Prov 31:3 construct מַלְכֵי Gen 17:16 +; suffix מְלָכֶיהָ Isa 7:16 + 3 t.; מַלְכֵיהֶם Deut 7:24 + 16 t., etc.; —

1. king: of Egypt Gen 39:20f.; Exod 1:8f.; Deut 11:3; 1Kgs 3:1 of Mesopotamia, Shinar, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc. Judg 3:8; Judg 3:10; Gen 14:1f.; 2Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:3f.; 2Kgs 18:13f.; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:11f.; Ezra 1:1f.; Ezra 4:3f.; Esth 1:2 +, 1Kgs 11:18; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 14:25; 2Kgs 17:4f.; 2Kgs 23:29 +; of Canaan, Philistia, Edom, Moab, etc. (often of single city): Gen 14:2f.; vGen 14:18; Gen 20:2; Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8; Gen 36:31; Num 20:14; Num 21:1f.; Num 22:4; Num 22:10; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:1f.; Josh 2:2 (often in Joshua), Judg 1:7; Judg 5:19; Judg 8:5; Judg 8:12; Judg 11:12f.; 2Kgs 3:4f. +; of Aram, Hamath, etc. 2Sam 8:3f. v2Sam 8:9; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 20:1f.; 1Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 5:1f.; 2Kgs 8:7f.; v2Kgs 8:29; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Kgs 9:15; 2Kgs 15:37; 2Kgs 16:5f. +; of Tyre, etc. 2Sam 5:11; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:11; 1Kgs 9:16+, etc.; especially of Israel (undivided, and of both divisions) Gen 36:31; Num 23:21; Num 24:7; Deut 17:14f.; Judg 17:6; Judg 18:1; Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Sam 8:5f.; 2Sam 2:4f.; 1Kgs 1:33; 1Kgs 1:34f. + very often; compare also Judg 9:5. — 2Sam 18:29b strike out ׳הַמּ We Klo Dr Kit Bu. Note that in early books המלך דוד is nearly always said; in late books usually המלך ׳שׁלמה וגו) דוד; compare Aramaic כּוֺרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא, etc.
2. of Davidic king, as under divine protection, 1Sam 2:10 (|| מְשִׁיחוֺ), Ps 2:6; Ps 18:51; Ps 89:19; Ps 61:7, compare Ps 99:4 so in (Messianic) prediction Hos 3:5; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 37:22; Ezek 37:24; Zech 9:9.
3. used of ׳י as king of Israel 1Sam 12:12 in poetry Deut 33:5 compare Ps 5:3; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:5; Ps 48:3; Ps 68:25; Ps 74:12; Ps 84:4; Ps 145:1; Ps 149:2; Isa 41:21; Isa 43:15; Isa 44:6; Zeph 3:15 מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד Ps 24:7; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:9; Ps 24:10 (twice in verse); universal king Ps 47:3; Ps 47:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 98:6; Jer 10:7; Jer 10:10, compare Jer 46:18; Jer 48:15; Jer 51:57; Zech 14:9; Zech 14:16; Zech 14:17; Mal 1:14 of false god Amos 5:26.
4. in fable, king of trees Judg 9:8; Judg 9:15 figurative of crocodile Job 41:26 אֵין לָאַרְבֶּה ׳מ Prov 30:27 of death, מֶלֶךְ בַּלָּהוֺת Job 18:14.
5. combinations are: —
  a. הַגָּדוֺל ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:13 (of Assyrian king: compare Assyrian šarru rabu); גָּדוֺל ׳מ Eccl 9:14 (indefinite); of ׳י Mal 1:14, עַלכֿלאֿלהים ׳ג ׳מ Ps 95:3 ׳מ עוֺלָם Jer 10:10 (of ׳י); מְלָכִים ׳מ Ezek 26:7 (king of Babylon)
  b. יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 מֶלֶךְ בירושׁלם Eccl 1:1, compare Eccl 15:26; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 1Chr 29:25; 2Sam 2:11 (׳בחברון עלהֿיה מ) 1Kgs 11:37; 2Chr 28:4; Eccl 1:12.
  c. following a verb (one or two accusative) על ׳שִׂים מ Deut 17:14; Deut 17:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:19 ׳שִׂים לָנוּ מ 1Sam 8:5 ׳שִׂים לְמ 1Kgs 10:9 לְ ׳נָתַן מ 1Sam 8:6; Hos 13:10; Hos 13:11 נָתַן עַל 1Sam 12:13; 2Chr 2:10; Neh 9:37; Neh 13:26 הִמְלִיךְ לְמֶלֶךְ Judg 9:6; 1Sam 15:11 על ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 12:1 לְ ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 8:22 ׳מָשַׁח מ עַל Judg 9:8 ׳מָשַׁח לְמ 1Kgs 1:45 עַל ׳מָשַׁךְ לְמ Judg 9:15; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 15:17; 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 5:12; 2Sam 12:7; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Chr 11:3; 1Chr 14:8 יִהְיֶה על ׳מ 1Sam 8:19 על ׳בִּקֵּשׁ למ 2Sam 3:17 ׳הֵכִין לְמ על 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 על ׳הֵקִים מ 1Kgs 14:14; Deut 28:36 ׳תַּחַת וגו ׳לְמ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא י 1Chr 29:23, compare Prov 20:8 אלהיך ׳לְי ׳נָתַן עַלכִּֿסֵּא לְמ 2Chr 9:8.
  d. מַעֲדַנֵּימֶֿלךְ Gen 49:20 royal dainties, figurative; ׳מִשְׁתֵּה הַמּ 1Sam 25:36 royal feast (in simile); ׳אֶבֶן הַמּ 2Sam 14:26 king's weight; ׳יַדהַֿמּ 1Kgs 10:13 royal bounty (in simile); ׳גִּזֵּי הַמּ Amos 7:1 king's mowings; ׳מִקְדַּשׁ מ Amos 7:13 royal sanctuary; עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם 2Sam 12:30 crown of their king = 1Chr 20:2 (but read מִלְכֹּם ᵐ5 We Klo Dr Kit Kau — not Bu KitChr. Hpt); compare also בַּיִת, עֵמֶק, גַּן, שָׁוֵה, etc. — proper name אבימלך, אחימלך, אלימלך, מלך, נתן, מלך, עבד, see below אב, אח, etc.


BDB4674 H4432 H1322 H4428

BDB4673 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4675

מֹ֫לֶךְ proper name, of a divinity Molech (ᵐ5 Μολοχ, ᵑ9 Moloch) (= מֶלֶךְ i.e. (divine) King, with vowels of בּשֶׁת to denote abhorrence, HoffmZAW iii. 1883, 124 RSSemitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372; compare HoffmGG Abh. xxxvi. 1890 a (May, 1889), 25; Phoenician proper name, of divinity מלך Milk, in proper names compare Bloch, DrDt.222 f.); — with article ׳הַמּ: — the god to whom Israel sacrificed children with fire (in valley of Hinnom); ׳העביר בָּנֵשׁ לַ מּ 2Kgs 23:10 ׳העביר לַמּ Jer 32:35 (|| הַבַּעַל), Lev 18:21 (H); ׳נתן לַמּ Lev 20:2; Lev 20:3; Lev 20:4 (H); more generally ׳לִזְנוֺת אַחֲרֵי הַמּ vLev 20:5 (H). In 1Kgs 11:7 read probably מִלְכֹּם, q. v.


BDB4684 H4442 H6664 H4428

BDB4683 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4685

מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Gen 14:18. Ps 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ.


BDB4685 H4443 H4428 H7311

BDB4684 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4686

מַלְכִּירָם proper name, masculine son of Jeconiah (= Jehoiakin) (my king (= Yahweh) is high, compare GrayProp. N. 146 f.; Phoenician proper name מלכרם); — 1Chr 3:18. ᵐ5 Μελχ(ε)ιραμ.


BDB4686 H4428 H4444 H7769

BDB4685 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4687

מַלְכִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine son of Saul my king (= ׳י) is opulence, compare GrayProp. N. 147); — 1Sam 14:49; 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 10:2 (in Chronicles מַלְכִּישֿׁוּעַ). ᵐ5 Μελχεισα, Μελχεσουε, etc.

king, kings, royal
melek
a king
  • king

בָּבֶ֖ל
בָּבֶ֖ל
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of babylon")
Dictionary form: בָּבֶל · baw-BEL

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: of babylon
of babylon ×147 babylon ×26 to babylon ×18 him to babylon ×9 from babylon ×8 of babylons ×8 into babylon ×6 unto babylon ×6
More options
Babylon — Standard proper name; use in most narrative contexts.
Babel — Prefer for Genesis 11 tower narrative specifically.
Babylonia — Emphasizes the region/empire rather than the city.
the Babylonian empire — Use when political power is the focus.

BDB899 H894

BDB898 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB900

בָּבֶ֫ל262 proper name, of a location Babel, Babylon (in Assyrian written Bab-ilu, gate of god DlPa 212, compare on other hand JenKosmol. 498) — with ָ  ה locative בָּבֶ֫לָה Ezek 12:13 +, בָּבֶ֑לָה 2Kgs 20:17 + once מִבָּבֶ֫לָה Jer 27:16 — the ancient capital of Babylonia, modern Hillah, situated on Euphrates, in long. approximately 440 30° east, and latitude approximately 320 50° north; Gen 10:10; Gen 11:9 (where name connected with בלל confuse, confound), both J, not elsewhere in Hexateuch; 2Kgs 17:24 + 31 t. 2 Kings; 18 t. Chronicles; Esth 2:6 late Ps 87:4; Ps 137:1; Ps 137:8 Isa2; Isa3, namely Isa 13:1; Isa 13:19; Isa 14:4; Isa 14:22; Isa 21:9; Isa 39:1; Isa 39:3; Isa 39:6; Isa 39:7; Isa 43:14; Isa 47:1; Isa 48:14; Isa 48:20; Mic 4:10 (but here probably not original, compare RSProph. vii. n. 5 & references) Zech 2:11; Zech 6:10; + 19 t. Ezekiel; Jer 20:4 (twice in verse); Jer 20:5; Jer 20:6 + 165 t. Jeremiah — note especially ׳אֶרֶץ בּ Jer 50:28 also of land & people = realm, particular in ׳מֶלֶךְ בּ 2Kgs 20:12 of Merodach Baladan; v2Kgs 20:18; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:7; 2Kgs 24:11; 2Kgs 24:12 (twice in verse) + often of Nebuchadrezzar; 2Kgs 25:27 = Jer 52:31 compare vJer 52:34 of Evil-Merodach; Neh 13:6 of Artaxerxes; the city personified as בַּת בָּבֶל Isa 47:1; Jer 50:42. (See DlPa 212 COT Gen 11:9 KG95.)


BDB9361 H894 H895

BDB9360 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9362

בָּבֶל proper name, of a location Babylon (Biblical Hebrew id.); — Dan 2:12 + 15 t. Daniel; 9 t. Ezra.

babylon, babylons, babel
bābel
confusion (by mixing)
Babel (i.e., Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire
  • Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates

וִֽ חְי֑וּ
וִֽ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
חְי֑וּ
Root word live, lived, alive, save, quicken, …
Dictionary form: חָיָה · haw-YAW

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

In the KJV here: and live
live ×35 and lived ×31 shall live ×12 and live ×11 god save ×8 lived ×8 quicken ×8 he shall surely ×7
More options
live — Core rendering; broad and natural in most contexts.
survive — Prefer when life is threatened or at stake.
revive — Use for restoration from near-death or weakness.
recover — Good for healing from illness or injury contexts.
keep alive — Highlights preservation; suits causative (Hiphil) forms.
spare — Fits contexts of being saved from death by another's action.

BDB2592 H2421

BDB2591 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2593

I. חוה (Phoenician חוא live = Hebrew חָיָה q. v.)


BDB2715 H2421 H2425

BDB2714 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2716

חָיָה283 verb live (Late Hebrew Phoenician id.; Arabic , ; Sabean חיו MordtZMG 1876, 28; Ethiopic Aramaic , חֲיָא; Palmyrene חיי life, life-time, Vog32, 74) —

Qal203 Perfect חָיָה Eccl 6:6 + 4 t.; יְ֯חָיָה Jer 21:9; Jer 38:2 חַי Gen 5:5 + 23 t. (this and the following form are treated as עע֞, the original weakness of the stem final י admitting of either לה֞ or עע֞, Ges«GKC:76»§ 76 (2) g); וְחֵי Lev 25:36 (§ 1181); 3 feminine singular חָֽיְתָה Gen 12:13; Jer 38:17 וָחָ֑יָה Exod 1:16 (for חַיָּה § 1123 (3), Samaritan חיתה); 2 masculine singular חָיִיתָ Deut 30:16, חָיִתָה Jer 38:17 3 masculine plural חָיוּ Num 14:38, וְחָיוּ consecutive Num 4:19 + Zech 10:9 (where read Pi`el וְחִיּוּ StaZAW i. 1881, 22 so ᵐ5); וִחְיִיתֶם Ezek 37:5 + 2 t.; Imperfect יִחְיֶה Gen 17:18 + 27 t.; יְחִי Deut 33:6 + 10 t.; וִיחִי Ps 49:10 + 2 t.; וְיֶחִ֑י Isa 38:21, וַיְחִי Gen 5:3 + 37 t.; וַיֶּחִ֑י Deut 4:33 + 4 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּחְיֶה Josh 6:17, תְּחִי Gen 19:20 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular תִּחְיֶה Gen 27:40 + 7 t.; 2 feminine singular תִּחְיִי 2Kgs 4:7 1 singular אֶחְיֶה 2Kgs 1:2 + 8 t.; 3 masculine plural יִחְיוּ Josh 9:21 + 8 t.; 3 feminine plural תִּחְיֶינָה Ezek 13:19; Ezek 37:3 2 masculine plural תִּחְיוּ Deut 4:1 + 2 t.; תִּחְיוּן Deut 5:30; Deut 8:1 1 plural נִחְיֶה 2Kgs 7:4 + 7 t.; Imperative וֶחְיֵה Gen 20:7; Prov 4:4, וֶחְיֶ֯ה Prov 7:2 feminine singular חֲיִי Ezek 16:6 (twice in verse); masculine plural וִחְיוּ Gen 42:18 + 7 t.; Infinitive absolute חָיֹה 2Kgs 8:10 + 6 t.; חָיוֺ Ezek 3:21 + 3 t.; construct לִחְיוֺת Ezek 33:12, suffix חֲיוֺתָם Josh 5:8
1. live:
  a. have life, Gen 31:32 (E), Exod 33:20 (J), Num 4:19 (P), Deut 30:16 +; also in phrase וַיְחִי and he lived (so many years) with accusative of time, Gen 5:3-30 (16 t.) Gen 9:28; Gen 11:11-26 (14 t.) Gen 47:28 (all P), Gen 50:22 (E), 2Kgs 14:17 = 2Chr 25:25; Job 42:16.
  b. continue in life, remain alive Gen 20:7 (E), Lev 25:36; 2Sam 12:22 +; also נפשׁ ׳ח live, of the soul or the self Gen 12:13; Gen 19:20 (J), 1Kgs 20:32; Ps 119:175; Jer 38:2; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:20; Isa 55:3 וְחַי הַיָּ֑לֶד and the boy may live 2Sam 12:22 לִפְנֵי ׳ח live in the presence of Gen 17:18 (P) Hos 6:2 ׳ב ׳ח live among Lam 4:20.
  c. sustain life, live on or upon (על), of the animal life, by the sword Gen 27:40 (J), by bread Deut 8:3 elsewhere in pregnant sense of fulness of life in divine favour, sustained by (על) everything that issueth out of the mouth of ׳י Deut 8:3 his promises (?) Isa 38:16 of wicked man, by repentance Ezek 33:19 with בְּ by the statutes and judgments of ׳י if a man do them, Lev 18:5 (H) Ezek 20:11; Ezek 20:13; Ezek 20:21; Ezek 20:25; Neh 9:29 צַדִּיק בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֺ יִחְיֶה a righteous man by his faithfulness shall live Hab 2:4.
  d. live (prosperously) יְחִי הַמֶּלֶך may the king live 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:25; 1Kgs 1:31; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם Ps 22:27; Ps 69:33 המלך לעולם יחיה Neh 2:3.
2. be quickened, revive:
  a. from sickness Num 21:8; Num 21:9; Josh 5:8 (E) 2Kgs 1:2; 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 8:9; 2Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 8:14; 2Kgs 20:1; 2Kgs 20:7 = Isa 38:1; Isa 38:9; Isa 38:21.
  b. from discouragement of the spirit Gen 45:27 (E).
  c. from faintness Judg 15:19.
  d. from death 2Kgs 13:21; Job 14:14; Isa 26:14; Isa 26:19 by return of נפשׁ 1Kgs 17:22, of רוּהַ Ezek 37:3; Ezek 37:5; Ezek 37:6; Ezek 37:9; Ezek 37:10; Ezek 37:14 (and so Judg 15:19 c). Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular חִיָּה Ps 22:30 3 feminine singular suffix חִיָּ֑תְנִי Ps 119:50 2 masculine singular suffix חִיִּיתַנִי Ps 30:4 חִיִּיתָ֑נִי Paslm Ps 119:93 3 plural חִיּוּ Judg 21:14, הַחִיִּיתֶם Num 31:15 Imperfect יְחַיֶּה 1Sam 27:9 +, etc.; Imperative suffix חַיֵּנִי Ps 119:25 + 8 t., חַיֵּיהוּ Hab 3:2 Infinitive construct חַיּוֺת Gen 7:3; Ezek 13:19 suffix חַיֹּתֵנוּ Deut 6:24 +, etc.; Participle מְחַיֶּה Neh 9:6; 1Sam 2:6
1. preserve alive, let live Exod 1:17; Exod 1:18; Exod 1:22; Exod 22:17; Josh 9:15 (JE), Gen 12:12 (J), Num 31:15 (P), Deut 6:24; Deut 20:16; Judg 21:14; 1Sam 27:9; 1Sam 27:11; 1Kgs 18:5; 2Kgs 7:4; Jer 49:11; Ezek 3:18; Hab 3:2; Job 36:6; Ps 30:4; Ps 33:19; Ps 41:3; Ps 138:7 נפשׁ ׳ח preserve oneself alive Ps 22:30; Ezek 18:27, or preserve persons alive Ezek 13:18; Ezek 13:19, or preserve life 1Kgs 20:31 זרע ׳ח preserve seed alive Gen 7:3; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:34 (J); keep in existence heaven and earth Neh 9:6 nourish, young cow Isa 7:21, lamb 2Sam 12:3.
2. give life, to man when created Job 33:4.
3. quicken, revive, refresh:
  a. restore to life, the dead 1Sam 2:6; Deut 32:39; Hos 6:2 the dying Ps 71:20.
  b. cause to grow, grain Hos 14:8.
  c. restore, a ruined city 1Chr 11:8, stones destroyed by fire Neh 3:34.
  d. revive, the people of ׳י by ׳י himself with fulness of life in his favour Ps 80:19; Ps 85:7; Ps 119:25; Ps 119:37; Ps 119:40; Ps 119:50; Ps 119:88; Ps 119:93; Ps 119:107; Ps 119:149; Ps 119:154; Ps 119:156; Ps 119:159; Ps 143:11; Eccl 7:12. Hiph`il Perfect הֶחֱיָה Josh 6:25 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular suffix הֶחֱיִתָנוּ Gen 47:25 1 singular הֶחֱיֵיתִי Num 22:33, הַחֲיִתֶם Josh 2:13; Judg 8:19 Imperative suffix הַחֲיֵינִי Isa 38:16 הַחֲיוּ Num 31:18 Infinitive absolute הַחֲיֵה Josh 9:20 construct הַחֲיוֺת Gen 6:20 + 6 t.; הַחֲיֹת Gen 6:19; Gen 50:20 suffix הַחֲיֹתוֺ Ezek 13:22
1. preserve alive, let live Gen 45:7; Gen 50:20 (E), Gen 47:25; Num 22:33; Josh 2:13; Josh 6:25 (all J), Josh 14:10 (D); Gen 6:19; Gen 6:20; Num 31:18; Josh 9:20 (P), Judg 8:19; 2Sam 8:2; Ezek 13:22 with נפשׁ Gen 19:19 (J).
2. quicken, revive:
  a. restore to health, a leper 2Kgs 5:7, Hezekiah Isa 38:16.
  b. revive the לֵב and רוּחַ Isa 57:15 (twice in verse).
  c. restore to life, the dead 2Kgs 8:1; 2Kgs 8:5 (3 t. in verse).


BDB9521 H2418 H2421

BDB9520 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9522

[חֲיָא] verb live (see Biblical Hebrew תָיָה); —

Pe`al Imperative לְעָֽלְמִין חֱיִי live for ever! Dan 2:4; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22. Hiph`il Participle מַחֵא (K§ 11. 3 b) γ) HptKmp. Dn. 28) Dan 5:19 let live.

live, lived, alive, save, quicken, …
ḥāyâ
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
  • to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health
    • (Qal)
      • to live
        • to have life
        • "to continue in life, remain alive"to sustain life, to live on or upon"to live (prosperously)
        to revive, be quickened
        • from sickness
        • "from discouragement"from faintness"from death
      (Piel)
      • to preserve alive, let live
      • "to give life"to quicken, revive, refresh
        • to restore to life
        • "to cause to grow"to restore"to revive
      (Hiphil)
      • to preserve alive, let live
      • "to quicken, revive
        • to restore (to health)
        • "to revive"to restore to life

לָ ֧מָּה
לָ
Prefix — preposition to, for
֧מָּה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: wherefore
what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9
More options
what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.
why — Use when context implies reason or motive.
how — Use when manner or degree is in view.
for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.
wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.
whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (DlHWB 417 f.), Ethiopic ment; compare WCG 123 ff. K?:ii. 368): —
1. interrogative what ?
  a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
   (a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: WAG. ii. § 170), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : WAG. ii. § 49. 7), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
   (b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
   (c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da§ 70 a cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
   (d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
   (e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
  b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
  c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
  d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
   (a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
   (b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
   (c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
  e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
   (a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
   (b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
  g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.
2. Used adverbially:
  a. as an interrogative:
   (a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵ˜אדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
   (b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare WalkerHebraica. xii. 244 ff.; iii, 478).
  b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.
3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr§ 149), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare iii. § 65.
4. With prepositions:
  a. בַּמָּה9, בַּמֶּה19 wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
  b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
  c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
   (a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
   (b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
  d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
   (a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
   (b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CISi. 2, 21 יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
  e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

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, Ldzb371, 445; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb227 f.): according to Ges Ew§ 181 b Olp. 439 Sta§ 176 e, abbreviated from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], 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 KmpKau 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, § 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 (CookeN. Semitic Inscr. 320) = ἐπειδή).


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

1. what ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.
2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb306 Cooke320, 332) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).
3. with prefixes:
  a. כְּמָה how! Dan 3:33 (twice in verse).
  b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה 4 d b, p. 554:a).
  c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
  • (interr pron) what, how, of what kind
    • (interrogative)
      • what?
      • "of what kind"what? (rhetorical)"whatsoever, whatever, what
      (adverb)
      • how, how now
      • "why"how! (exclamation)
      (with prep)
      • wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
      • "because of what?"the like of what?
        • how much?, how many?, how often?
        • "for how long?
        for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?"until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron
    anything, aught, what may

תִֽהְיֶ֛ה
תִֽהְיֶ֛ה
Root word be, pass, was, were, came, …
Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

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

In the KJV here: be
and it came to pass ×336 shall be ×333 was ×233 be ×174 came ×133 were ×117 and it shall come to pass ×97 and it shall be ×92
More options
be — Default copula; suits timeless or stative contexts.
become — Prefer when a change of state or transformation is implied.
happen — Fits narrative events; modernizes 'come to pass'.
occur — Formal register; good for reported events or incidents.
exist — Emphasizes being or presence rather than action.
take place — Idiomatic for scheduled or unfolding events.

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

BDB2099 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2101

יהוהc. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺהC518 (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 Philode 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 § 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 LagSym i.14 BaudStudien i.179 ff.; DrStud.Bib.i.1 ff. For Jeve see StaZAW 1881, 346 Deib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.
2. on literature of interpretations see NesEg.67 Drl.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, NesEg.88 (but NesEg.91 inclines to Qal as RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RSOTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245, compare WeSkizzen iii.175; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, StaG.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 RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ewinfr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Drl.c.17)).
**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by BauRel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230); DlPa 162 ff. claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kuenational Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.) JastrJBL xiil {1894}, 103 f. compare HptBAS i. 170 N; DlBabel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f. makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially HirschZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff. ZimKATS. 465 ff.; SpiegelbZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff. proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in KöEB NAMES, § 112 and n.3. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to SchwThLZ, 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 EwBTh ii. 337, 338 RSl.c., Proph. 385 ff. Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc LagPsalt.Hieron.156); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich WeJD 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 DlPa 158 ff. DrStud. 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 RP 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 ), 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. — BonkZAW 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

BDB2144 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2146

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 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 WAG 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., DrSm), 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 StaZAW 1886, 122 f. compare JBL1890, 74.77.


BDB9470 H1934 H1961

BDB9469 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9471

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. M 215 ff.; in Jewish-Aramaic as jussive D§ 61, lc) Dan 2:20 +; 3 feminine singular תֶּהֱוֵה Dan 4:24 +, אֵ֯ Ezra 6:8 +, 3 masculine plural לֶהֱוֺן Ezra 6:10 + 6 t., 3 feminine plural לֶהֶוְיָן Dan 5:17 Imperative masculine plural הֱווֺ Ezra 4:22, הֲזוֺ Ezra 6:6
1. come to pass Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45.
2. come into being, arise Ezra 7:23 become, come to be, with predicate noun Dan 4:24; Dan 5:29 and ( = represent) Dan 7:23 with כְּ like Dan 2:35 a, with ל predicate vDan 2:35 b, with adjective predicate Ezra 6:6, with adverb phrase Ezra 5:5; Dan 4:22 often periphrastic, with participle: ׳יְדִיעַ לה let become known Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8 let it be given Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:9, also Ezra 7:26; Dan 2:20.
3. be, as copula, with adjective predication Dan 2:40; Dan 2:42; Dan 7:19 so very often in periphrastic conjugation with participle, צָבֵא ׳ה wish Dan 5:19 (4 t. in verse), ׳חָזֵה ה behold Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34; Dan 7:2; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:6 +, etc.

be, pass, was, were, came, …
hāyâ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
  • to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
    • (Qal)
      • to occur
        • to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
        • "to come about, come to pass
        to come into being, become
        • to arise, appear, come
        • "to become
          • to become
          • "to become like"to be instituted, be established
        to be
        • to exist, be in existence
        • "to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)"to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)"to accompany, be with
      (Niphal)
      • to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
      • "to be done, be finished, be gone

הָ עִ֥יר
הָ
Prefix — article the
עִ֥יר
Root word city, cities, town, towns, one, …
Dictionary form: עִיר · eer

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: city
the city ×168 cities ×153 city ×131 of the city ×95 the cities ×88 in the city ×49 into the city ×26 a city ×25
More options
city — Best default; fits large, walled, or named settlements.
town — Prefer for smaller or less prominent settlements.
settlement — Neutral; good when size or status is ambiguous.
village — Use for very small or rural communities in context.
urban center — Highlights civic or political function over geography.

BDB5915 H5892

BDB5914 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5916

I. עִיר noun [masculine] excitement; — of terror, וּבֶהָלוֺת ׳ע Jer 15:9 of rage (si vera lectio), לֹא אָבוֺא בְּעִיר Hos 11:9, but St proposes לְבָעֵר compare We Oort Now GASm. — בָּעִיר Ps 73:20 see עור Hiph`il — II, III. עִיר see below


BDB6035 H5892

BDB6034 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6036

II. עִיר1092 noun feminineGen 10:12 (AlbrZAW xvi.40 f.) city, town (√ unknown; Late Hebrew id.;? Phoenician ער Lzb345; Sabean ער fortified height (compare 3) PräZMG xxvi (1872), 437, ערן, עהרן city CISiv. pp. 94, 95, 173); — ׳ע absolute Gen 4:17 +, construct Gen 24:10 +; הָעִ֫ירָה 1Kgs 14:12 + 7t.; suffix עִירִי 2Sam 19:38 + 2 t., etc.; plural עָרִים Isa 6:11 +, עֲיָרִים Judg 10:4 (text error, or word-play, compare GFM); construct עָרֵי Gen 10:29 +; suffix עָרַי Zech 1:17, עָרֵיכֶם Isa 1:7 +, etc.; —

1. city, town, abode of men Gen 4:17 (J) and often; גְּדֹלָה Gen 10:12 (J), +, or קְטַנָּה Eccl 9:14 (compare Gen 19:20); especially
  a. fortified: עָרִים בְּצֻרוֺת 2Sam 20:6 +, etc., see בָּצַר, מִבְצָר; עִיר מִבְצַרצֹֿר Josh 19:29 (P) fortified city (of) Tyre, מָצוֺר ׳ע Ps 31:22 +, etc., see מָצוֺר, מְצוּרָה below צוּר (Mic 7:12 see מָצוֺר); עָזלָֿנוּ ׳ע Isa 26:1, עָרֵי מָעוּזּוֺ Isa 17:9 דְּלָתַיִם וּבְרִיחַ ׳ְ 1Sam 23:7 חוֺמָה ׳ע Lev 25:29, compare vLev 25:30 (P), 1Kgs 4:13 on Hos 10:14 see I. עַם 2 b (1Sam 9:14 read הַשֵּׁעַר ᵐ5 We Dr and others).
  b. opposed to כֹּפֶר הַפְּרָזִי 1Sam 6:18, ׳עָרֵי הַפּ Deut 3:5, הַפְּרָזוֺת ׳ע Esth 9:19 distinguished from dependencies חֲצֵרִים Josh 13:23 + often P.
  c. עָרֶיה are dependent towns Josh 13:17 (P), Jer 19:15.
  d. עָרֵי הַמַּמְלָכָה Josh 10:2 (JE) royal cities (i.e. with a king, compare Tel Amarna al šarri), so singular 1Sam 27:5, opposed to הַשָּׁדֶה עָרֵי v1Sam 27:5 rural towns; הַמְּלוּכָה ׳ע 2Sam 12:26 (but read הַמַּיִם ׳ע We Bu Kit Löhr HPS, see 2 below).
  e. עֶרֵי מִסְכְּנוֺת Exod 1:11 storage-cities, so 1Kgs 9:19 = 2Chr 8:6; 2Chr 8:4; 2Chr 17:12 for נַפְתָּלִי ׳ע ׳מ 2Chr 16:4 read probably ׳כִּנְרוֺת עֵלוֿגו (as 1Kgs 15:20 Be Kit Buhl); compare הֶרֶכֶב ׳ע 1Kgs 9:19; 1Kgs 10:26 = 2Chr 8:6; 2Chr 9:25; 2Chr 1:14 הַפָּרָשִׁים ׳ע 1Kgs 9:19 = 2Chr 8:6. feminine (הַ)מִקְלָט ׳ע (P) asylum-cities Num 35:11; Num 35:13; Num 35:14; Josh 20:2, compare Num 35:25; Num 35:26; Num 35:27; Num 35:28; Num 35:32, לְמִקְלָט ׳ע vNum 35:12 מִקְלַט הָרֹצֵחַ ׳ע Josh 21:13 + 4t. 21.
  g. (הָ)אֱלֹהִים ׳ע = Jerusalem: Ps 46:5; Ps 87:3, compare Ps 48:2; Ps 48:9 ׳י ׳ע Isa 60:14; Ps 101:8 צְבָאוֺת ׳י ׳ע Ps 48:9.
  h. city = inhabitants 1Sam 4:13; 1Sam 5:12; Isa 22:2; Ruth 1:19, so 2Sam 20:22 (reading הָעִיר for ᵑ0 הָעָם) ᵐ5 We Dr and others (compare also following).
  i. combinations are: רֹכְלִים ׳ע Ezek 17:4 city of merchants; מוֺשָׁב ׳ע Ps 107:4; Ps 107:7; Ps 107:36 city for dwelling; especially of character or condition: הַצֶּדֶק ׳ע Isa 1:26, ׳ע הָאֱמֶת Zech 8:3 הַקּדֶשׁ ׳ע Isa 48:2; Isa 52:1; Neh 11:1; Neh 11:18, compare Dan 9:24, all of Jerusalem; עָרֵי קָדְשֶׁ֑ךָ Jer 5:17 of Judaean cities; of foreign cities, תְּהִלָּךְ ׳ע Jer 49:25, ׳הָע הַהֻלָּלהEzek 26:17, הָעַלִּיזָה ׳הָע Zeph 2:15 of Jerusalem also הַיּוֺנָה ׳הָע Zeph 3:1 oppressive city, (הַ)דָּמִים ׳ע bloody city Ezek 22:2; Ezek 24:6; Ezek 24:9 and (of Nineveh) Nah 3:1.
2. of fortress in a city especially עִיר דָּוִד 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 5:9; 2Sam 6:10 + often (see דָּוִד); כֵית הַבָּ֑עַל ׳ע 2Kgs 10:25 (crpt; Klo proposes דְּבִיר for ׳ע, compare Kmp Benz Kit); הַמַּיִם ׳ע 2Sam 12:27 (so read also v2Sam 12:26, see 1 d).
3. apparently fortified place, of any size, עִיר מִבְצָר בְּכָלעָֿרֵיהֶם מִמִּגְּדַּל נוֺצְרִים עַדֿ 2Kgs 17:9 =2Kgs 18:8 compare Num 13:9 (P; but on compare of ver. see Di); perhaps also עֲמָלֵק ׳ע 1Sam 15:5 (HPS). — Hos 7:4 see עור Hiph`il


עִיר הַהֶרֶס see הֶרֶס.

city, cities, town, towns, one, …
ʿîr
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
  • excitement, anguish
    • of terror
    city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
    • city, town

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: זֹאת · dzote

Noun — feminine singular

In the KJV here: should this
this ×337 of this ×38 and this ×32 in this ×22 is this ×16 and thus ×8 these ×8 thus ×6
More options
this — Default demonstrative; suits most contexts naturally.
this thing — Adds nominal weight when זֹאת stands alone as subject.
such — Use when emphasizing quality or kind rather than identity.
that — Prefer when pointing back to something already mentioned.
thus — Adverbial use; signals manner or result in narrative.
it — Pronoun substitute when referent is clear from context.

BDB2264 H2063

BDB2263 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2265

זֹאת pronoun feminine see זֶה.


BDB2289 H2063

BDB2288 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2290

זֶה demonstrative pronoun and adverb; feminine זֹאת, once זֹאתָה, Jer 26:6 Kt (also זֹה and זוֺ, q. v.); common זוּ (q. v.): this, here (the element ז = = is widely diffused in the Semitic languages, as a demonstrative particle, often acquiring, like English that, German der, die, das, the force of a relative. Thus
  a. Phoenician זֶ this (e.g. קבר ז this grave), also sometimes זן, feminine זא, comm. אז (see CIS I. i. 1:4; 1:5; 1:6; 1:12; 44:1; 88:2 etc.); Aramaic of Nineveh, Babylon, Têma, Egypt, זי as mark of the genitive [literally that of] (CIS II. i. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., 65, 69-71, 113, 114, 141, 142, etc.), זנה this (ib. 113:22; 145 C2), feminine זא 113:15; 145 B5; Aramaic of Zinjirli ז, זן, זנה this, זי which (DHMSendsch. 56); Ethiopic ze, this, feminine , za, who (masculine), also (like זִי, and דִּי, דְּ [see below]) in common use as a mark of the genitive;
  b. Arabic this, feminine , (genitive , accusative , feminine ), possessor of (literally that of . . ., i.e. one who owns), or in the Tayyite dialect, who, which: from , with lo! prefixed, this, feminine , with the pronominal element -k affixed, = this: with 'al (= the article) + a demonstrative element la prefixed, who, which (in origin = Hebrew הַלָּזֶה this, q. v.); Sabean דֿן this, feminine דֿת, דֿ who, which, feminine דֿת (PräZMG. 1872, 419, DHMZMG. 1883, 338 f., alsoEpigr. Denkm. 65);
  c. Biblical Aramaic דִּי which, דֵּךְ, דִּכֵּן, דְּנָה (q. v.) this, feminine דָּא (= זֹאת), דָּךְ; Palmyrene and Nabataean די which, דנה this; ᵑ7 דְּ which, דֵּין, דֵּיכֵּי this, feminine דָּא; with הא lo! prefixed, הָדֵין, הָדָא (Syriac , contracted from ), ; Syriac who, which; Samaritan who, which, this, feminine Mandean ד who, which, דהֿ this (rare), more commonly האדין, האזין (Mand § 80, 81). Alike in Hebrew and the other dialects, the corresponding plur. is derived from a different source: Hebrew אֵלָּה, Phoenician אל, Ethiopic 'ell¥, 'ell¹, these, 'ella, who, Arabic , these, , owners of, Sabean אלן these, אל, אלי who, which, Aramaic אִלֵּין, with הא lo! prefixed, , Samaritan , Mandean עלין. Only the Arabic forms its own plural . V. further WSG 107 ff.) —

1. standing alone:
  a. this one, sometimes contemptuously (especially with אֵת), Gen 2:23 לָזֹאת יִקָּרֵא אִשָּׁה כִּי מֵאִישׁ לֻקֳּחָהזּֿאֹת, Gen 5:29 זֶה יְנַחֲמֵנוּ ֗֗֗ , Gen 12:12; Gen 38:28; Exod 10:7 עַד מָתַי יִהְיֶה זֶה לָנוּ לְמוֺקֵשׁ, 1Sam 10:27 מַה יּוֺשִׁיעֵנוּ זֶה how shall this man save us ? 1Sam 16:8; 1Sam 16:9; 1Sam 21:16 that ye have brought אֶתזֶֿה this fellow to play the madman against me ? 1Sam 25:21 in vain have I kept אֶתכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר לָזֶה all that this fellow hath etc. 2Sam 13:17 אֶתזֹֿאת, 1Kgs 22:27 אֶתזֶֿה, Mic 5:4; Isa 66:2 as a genitive, Gen 29:27; Gen 29:28; 1Kgs 21:2 with a collective force Lev 11:4; Lev 11:9 (= Deut 14:7; Deut 14:9), vDeut 14:21 vDeut 14:29; Judg 20:16; Judg 20:17 (כָּלזֶֿה), Job 19:19 (with a plural verb). In a purely neuter sense (of an act, event, announcement, etc.) זאת is most common, as with עשׂה to do this Gen 3:14; Gen 20:5; Gen 20:6; Gen 45:19 and often, שׁמעו זאת Amos 8:4; Isa 47:8; Isa 48:1; Isa 48:16; Isa 51:21 and elsewhere; Gen 41:39; Exod 17:14; Deut 32:6; Judg 7:14; Judg 21:3 לָמָההָֽ֗֗֗יְתָה זֹאת (compare Job 1:13; Ps 118:23) 1Kgs 11:39; 2Sam 7:19; 2Kgs 3:18 +; אֵין זֹאת 1Sam 20:2b compare Amos 2:11 rarely so with אֶתֿ Josh 22:24; Jer 9:11; Ps 92:7 as an accusative of limitation, as regards this, in this, Ezek 20:27; Ezek 36:37; Job 19:26 (si vera lectio), Job 33:12 in this thou art not just; (late) אַחֲרֵי זֹאת Job 42:16; Ezra 9:10, כלזֿאת ׳א 2Chr 21:18; 2Chr 35:20 pointing forward to a following clause, Gen 42:18; Gen 43:11; Num 8:24; Num 14:35; Isa 56:2; Job 10:13 etc.; Exod 9:16; 1Sam 25:31; Isa 1:12 מִי דִקֵּשׁ זאת מִיֶּדְכֶם רְמֹס חֲצֵרָֽי׃; to one introduced by כִּי 2Sam 19:22; Ps 102:19; Ps 119:50; Ps 119:56 (see also בְּזֹאת 6 b β): but זֶה also sometimes occurs similarly Exod 13:8; Prov 24:12; Job 15:17; Neh 2:2; Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:15 גם זה הבל (so vEccl 2:19 vEccl 2:21 vEccl 2:23 +), Eccl 7:18 (twice in verse); of a concrete object, Exod 30:31; 2Kgs 4:43 מָה אֶתֵּן זֶה לִפְנֵי מֵאָה אִישׁ: in late Hebrew, Neh 13:6 בְּכָלזֶֿה during all this, 2Chr 32:9 אַחַר זֶה; pointing forwards la 2Chr 5:17 f., to כִּי Ps 56:10 je Ps 22:21. (See also below, 6 g.)
  b. repeated זֶהזֶ֗֗֗ה, this . . . that, the one . . . the other or (if indefinite) another, Gen 29:27 (זֹאת), Exod 14:20 וְלֹא קָרַב זֶה אֶל זֶה, 1Kgs 3:23; 1Kgs 22:20; Isa 6:3; Isa 44:5 (3 t.), Ps 75:8 זֶה יַשְׁפִּיל וְזֶה יָרִים, Job 1:16-18; Job 21:23; Job 21:25 +.

2. In apposition to a substantive:
  a. preceding it (rare) Exod 32:1; Exod 32:23 זֶה משֶׁה, Judg 5:5 (= Ps 68:9) זֶה סִינַי this Sinai, Josh 9:12 זֶה לַחְמֵנוּ this our bread, 1Kgs 14:14; 2Kgs 6:33; Isa 23:13 זֶה הָעָם, Ps 34:7; Ps 49:14; Ps 104:25 ׳זה הים גדול וג this sea there is great and broad, Ps 118:20; Song 7:8; Ezra 3:12. (compare זוּ Hab 1:11.)
  b. following it: — (a) when the substantive is determined by a pronominal affix, Gen 24:8 שְׁבוּעָתִי זֹאת, this my oath, Deut 5:16 O that לְבָבָם זֶה this their heart (their present temper) might continue always! Deut 21:20; Josh 2:14; Josh 2:20 דְּבָרֵנוּ זֶה, Judg 6:14 go בְּכֹחֲךָ זֶה in this thy strength, Dan 10:17; 2Chr 24:18. (compare אֵלֶּה,
  a.) Rarely when it is undetermined, 2Kgs 1:2 חֳלִי זֶה (so 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 8:9), Ps 80:15 (β) with the article, הַזֶּה, הַזּאֹת, after a substantive determined also by the article, Gen 7:1 בַּדּוֺר הַזֶּה, vGen 7:13 הַיּוֺם הַזֶּה, Gen 12:7 הָאָרֶץ הַזּאֹת, Gen 15:7; Gen 17:21; Gen 17:23; Deut 4:6 הגוי הגדול הזה, and continually. Not however after a proper name, except such as are construed with the article, as הַיַּרְדֵּן הַזֶּה Gen 32:11; Deut 3:27; Deut 31:2; Josh 1:2; Josh 1:11; Josh 4:22, הַלְּבָנוֺן הַזֶּה Josh 1:4, compare Num 27:12 = Deut 32:49 (2Kgs 5:20 הַזֶּה belongs to הָאֲרַמִּי): and hardly ever (2Chr 1:10 after a noun with a pronominal affix (Josh 2:17 מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵךְ הַזֶּה the gender of הזה shews that the text is in error: see Dr§ 209 Obs.).

3. More oft. as predicate, as 1Sam 24:17 הֲקוֺלְךָ זֶה, 2Kgs 3:23 דָּם זֶה this is blood, 2Kgs 9:37 זֹאת אִיזָָֽבֶל׃, Ezek 5:5 etc.; הֲזֶה Isa 14:16, הֲזֹאת Isa 23:7; Lam 2:15 often at the beginning or close of enumerations (especially P), descriptions, injunctions, etc., as Gen 5:1 זה ספר this is the book . . ., Gen 9:12 זֹאת אוֺת הַבְּרִית, Gen 17:10; Gen 20:13 זֶה חַסְדֵּךְ אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשִׂי עִמָּדִי, Lev 6:2; Lev 6:13; Lev 6:18; Lev 7:1; Lev 7:11; Lev 33:1; etc.; זה הדבר אשׁר ֗֗֗ Exod 16:16; Exod 35:4; Exod 21:11; Jer 38:21 +, compare זה אשׁר ֗֗֗ this is what (or how) . . . Gen 6:15; Exod 29:38; Jer 33:16 זֶה לְךָ הָאוֺת Exod 3:12; 1Sam 2:34 +; at the end, Lev 7:37; Lev 11:46; Lev 13:50; Num 5:21; Num 7:17; Num 7:23 etc., Josh 19:8; Josh 19:16; Josh 19:23 etc., Isa 14:26; Isa 16:13 (זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר ֗֗֗ ), Isa 17:14; Isa 54:17; Jer 13:25; Ps 109:20; Song 5:16 (twice in verse); Job 5:27, in the latter case sometimes with the force of such (i.e. such as has been described), Job 18:21; Job 20:29 (compare אֵלֶּה Ps 73:12), Ps 24:6; Ps 48:15 such (= such a one) is God, our God, for ever (Hi De) Zeph 2:15 compare Job 14:3 אַףעַֿלזֶֿה upon one such as this (Job 14:1 vJob 14:2) dost thou open thy eyes?

4. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adverb, to certain words, especially interrogative pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in English idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker. (Contrast from this point of view מי זה and מי הוא: see הוא 4 b. Thus
  a. אֵיזֶֿה15 where, then ? Job 28:12 אֵיזֶֿה מְקוֺם בִּינָה, vJob 28:20; Job 38:19 b (see other examples below אַי 1 b, p. 32).
  b. מִיזֶֿה, 1Sam 17:55; 1Sam 17:56 בֶּןמִֿיזֶֿ֖ה הָעָֽלֶם׃ the son of whom, here, is the lad ? Jer 49:19 (= Jer 50:44) ׳וּמִי זֶה רֹעֶה אֲשֶׁר וג and who (emphatic) is the shepherd that etc., Lam 3:37; Ps 24:8 Who is the king of glory ? (for which in vPs 24:10 the stronger מִי הוּא זֶה is said: so Jer 30:21; Esth 7:5), Esth 25:12. Elsewhere, the rend. Who is this . . . is admissible: Isa 63:1; Jer 46:7; Job 38:2; Job 42:3 compare מִיזֹֿאת Song 3:6; Song 6:10; Song 8:5.
  c. מַהזֶֿה how, now ? Gen 27:20; Judg 18:24 וּמַהזֶּֿה תּאֹמְרוּ אֵלַי and how, now, do ye say to me . . . ? 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5 what, now ? (τίποτε;) 1Sam 10:11 מַהזֶּֿה הָיָה לְבֶןקִֿישׁ; עַלמַֿהאזֶּה for what ? Neh 2:4: contracted into מַזֶּה Exod 4:2. (compare Aramaic מָדֵין why ? used as a conjunction therefore, e.g. 2Sam 18:22 ᵑ6, PS2013: both formed similarly.)
  d. מַהזּֿאֹת in the phrase (עֲשִׂיתֶם, עָשִׂית) מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ Gen 3:13; Gen 12:18; Gen 26:10; Gen 29:25; Gen 42:28; Exod 14:11; Judg 2:2; Judg 15:11 +. Either What, now, hast thou (have ye) done ? (Fl De) or what is this (that) thou hast (ye have) done ? (The Arabic grammarians dispute on the precise construction of the corresponding phrase in Arabic ; DeGen 3:13 (ed. 4), and especially FlKl Schr. i. 356 Lanep. 948.)
  e. לָ˜מָּהזֶּֿה wherefore, now ? Gen 18:13; Gen 25:22; Gen 32:30; Exod 5:22; Num 11:20 + often compare Arabic feminine הַאַתָּה זֶה 2Sam 2:20 האתה זה עשׂהאל Art thou Asahel ? 1Kgs 18:7; 1Kgs 18:17, without הֲ Gen 27:24 in an indirect question Gen 27:21.
  g. הִנֵּה זֶה behold, here . . . 1Kgs 19:5 (in narrative), Isa 21:9; Song 2:8; Song 2:9. compare Num 13:17 (unusual) עֲלוּ זֶה בַּנֶּגֶבּ go up here in the South.
  h. עַתָּה זֶה, 1Kgs 17:24 עַתָּה זֶה יָדַעְתִּי now I know that . . ., 2Kgs 5:22 just now. Also
  i. prefixed to expressions denoting a period of time: Gen 27:36 he hath supplanted me זֶה פַעֲמַיִם now two times (so Gen 43:10), Gen 31:38 now, already twenty years, vGen 31:41 (זֶהלִּֿי ֗֗֗ , Gen 45:6; Num 14:22 now ten times, Num 22:28; Num 22:32 זֶה שָׁלשׁ רְגָלִים, Deut 8:2; Deut 8:4; Josh 22:3 זֶה יָמִים רַבִּים, 2Sam 14:2 +; Zech 7:3 זֶה כַּמָּה שָׁנִים already how many years! compare Ruth 2:7.

5. In poetry, as a relative pronoun (rare: but see also זוֺ, זוּ): Ps 74:2 the hill of Zion זה שׁכנת בּוֺ wherein thou dwellest, Ps 78:54; Ps 104:8 אלמְֿקום זה to the place (stative construct Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 3) which . . . vPs 78:26; Prov 23:22; Isa 25:9 = that which Job 15:17, those who Job 19:19 (so once, Exod 13:8, even in prose). In some of the passages cited the punctuators, by coupling זה with the preceding substantive, and separating it from what follows by a disj. accent (as הַרֶֿ™זה), appear not to have recognised its relative sense, but to have construed, 'this mountain, (which) thy right hand,' etc.

6. With prefixes (in special senses): —
  a. בָּזֶה15 in this (place), here, Gen 38:21; Gen 38:22; Exod 24:14; Num 23:1 (twice in verse); 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 9:11 +; of time, then, Esth 2:13. Once בַּזֶה 1Sam 21:10.
  b. בְּזֹאת (a) with this = on these conditions, Gen 34:15; Gen 34:22; 1Sam 11:2; Isa 27:9 = herewith, thus provided Lev 16:3. (β) by or through this (especially with יָדַע), Gen 42:15; Gen 42:33; Exod 7:17; Num 16:28; Josh 3:10; Ps 41:12 so בָּזֹאת Mal 3:10. (γ) in spite of this, Lev 26:27; Ps 27:3, for which the fuller בְּכָלזֹֿאת occurs, Isa 5:25; Isa 9:11; Isa 9:16; Isa 9:20; Isa 10:4; Ps 78:32; Jer 3:10; Hos 7:10. (δ) בָּזֹאת for this cause (late style) 1Chr 27:24; 2Chr 19:2 in this matter 2Chr 20:17
  c. כָּזֶה
   (a) Gen 41:38 הֲנִמְצָא כָזֶה אִישׁ אשׁר ֗֗֗ , Isa 56:12; Isa 58:5; Jer 5:9 גּוֺי אֲשֶׁר כָּזֶה (so vJer 5:29; Jer 9:8). (β) כָּזֹה וְכָזֶה thus and thus, Judg 18:4; 2Sam 11:25; 1Kgs 14:5.
  d. כְּזֹאת the like of this = as follows, Gen 45:23 כָּזֹאת the like of this = things such as these Judg 13:23 (with השׁמיע), Judg 15:7; Judg 19:30 לא נראתה כָּזֹאת, 1Sam 4:7 (compare Jer 2:10; 2Chr 30:26), 2Sam 14:13 (with חשׁב), Isa 66:8 (with שׁמע), Ezra 7:27 = accordingly, to that effect (with דִּבֶּר) 2Chr 34:22 = in like manner Judg 8:8 = thus (as has been described) 1Kgs 7:37; 1Chr 29:14; 2Chr 31:20; 2Chr 32:15: כָּזֹאת וְכָזֹאת thus and thus Josh 7:20; 2Sam 17:15 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 5:4; 2Kgs 9:12.
  e. מִזֶּה from here, hence Gen 37:17; Gen 42:15; Gen 50:25; Exod 11:1 (twice in verse); Exod 13:3; Deut 9:12 + often: מִזֶּהמִ֗֗֗זֶּה on one side . . . on the other side Exod 17:12 מזה אחד ומזה אחד, Exod 25:19; Exod 26:13; Exod 32:15 מזה ומזה הם כתובים, Num 22:24; 1Sam 14:4; 1Kgs 10:19; 1Kgs 10:20; Zech 5:3 +; מִוֶּה וּמִזֶּה לְ on one side and on the other side of . . . Exod 38:15; Josh 8:33; Ezek 45:7; Ezek 48:21. feminine עַל זֶה on this account (rare), Lam 5:17 (pointing forwards), Esth 6:3. So עַל זֹאת Amos 8:8; Mic 1:8; Jer 2:12 (Job 17:8) Jer 4:8; Jer 4:28; Ps 32:6 in late prose Ezra 8:23; Ezra 9:15; Ezra 10:2; Neh 13:14; 2Chr 16:9; 2Chr 16:10; 2Chr 29:9; 2Chr 32:20.
  g. עִם זֶה in spite of this Neh 5:18. — On אֵי זֶה which ? אֵי מִזֶּה whence ? אֵי לָזֹאת how ? see below אַי 2; and on הַלָּז, הַלָּזֶה, הַלֵּזוּ.

Note.זֶה in 1Sam 17:34 (in many editions) is a typographical error (not a Kt) of Jacob b. Chayim's Rabbinic Bible of 1525 for שׂה sheep, which has been perpetuated hence in other subsequent editions. The reading of MSS. and of the best ancient editions is שֶׂה (compare de RossiVar. Lect. ii. 151).

this, thus, these, that, such, …
zōt
this (often used adverb)
  • this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such
    • (alone)
      • this one
      • "this...that, the one...the other, another
      (appos to subst)
      • this
      (as predicate)
      • this, such
      (enclitically)
      • then
      • "who, whom"how now, what now"what now"wherefore now"behold here"just now"now, now already
      (poetry)
      • wherein, which, those who
      (with prefixes)
      • in this (place) here, then
      • "on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter"thus and thus"as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus"from here, hence, on one side...on the other side"on this account"in spite of this, which, whence, how

חָרְבָּֽה
חָרְבָּֽה
Root word waste, places, wastes, desolation, desolations, …
Dictionary form: חׇרְבָּה · hore-BAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: laid waste
waste ×5 wastes ×4 a desolation ×3 and the wastes ×2 laid waste ×2 the desolate places ×2 and the waste places ×1 and waste ×1
More options
ruin — Broad, natural modern term; fits most contexts well.
wasteland — Emphasizes barren, uninhabitable landscape.
desolate place — Highlights absence of people; modernized from KJV.
devastation — More abstract; suits contexts of widespread destruction.
rubble — Concrete; best when physical destruction of buildings is in view.
desert — Fits geographic or metaphorical emptiness; use with care.

BDB3093 H2723

BDB3092 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3094

חָרְבָּה noun feminine waste, desolation, ruin; — absolute ׳ח Lev 26:31 + 15 t. + Ezek 38:8 (strike out ᵑ6 Co) + Ezek 38:12 חרבה ᵐ5 Co for חרבות; plural חֳרָבוֺת Ps 9:7 + 11 t. (Ezek 38:12, compare above); construct חָרְבוֺת Isa 5:17 + 7 t.; suffix חָרְבֹתַיִךְ Isa 49:19 חָרְבֹתָיו Ezra 9:9 חָרְבֹתֶיהָ Isa 51:3 חָרְבוֺתֶיהָ Isa 44:26 חָרְבוֺתֵיהֶם Ps 109:10 + 2Chr 34:6 (compare חֶרֶב and below); (chiefly mid. and late Hebrew Isa2 8 t.; Jer 10 t., Ezek 14 t. — including Ezek 38:8, q. strike out Co); —

1. waste, ruin, of cities of Israel Lev 26:31; Lev 26:33 (H); Judah Isa 44:26; Isa 49:19 (|| שֹׁמְמֹת), Isa 58:12 (בנה), Jer 25:18; Jer 27:17; Jer 44:2; Jer 44:6; Ezek 5:14 ruins of Jerusalem Isa 52:9; Dan 9:2 also Ezek 35:4 compare Mal 1:4 (with בנה), Ezek 36:10 (with בנה) vEzek 36:33 (id.); Egypt Ezek 29:9; Ezek 29:10 (in both || שְׁמָמָה; חרבות חֹרֶב in vEzek 29:10); ruin of temple Ezra 9:9 = ruined dwellings Ps 109:10 compare 2Chr 34:6, where read perhaps בְּחָרְבֹתֵיהֶם for בּחר בתיהם (see חֶרֶב below III. חרב); Jer 22:5 in general ruins (si vera 1., see Di; object of בנה) Job 3:14 ׳כוס ח Ps 102:7 an owl of a ruin.
2. of land: waste place amid ruins Isa 5:17, compare Isa 51:3 (|| מִדְבָּר, עֲרָבָה); land a desolation Jer 7:34; Jer 44:22; Ezek 25:13 (Edom) Jer 25:11; Isa 64:10 and Ezek 33:24; Ezek 33:27 (of Judah), compare Ezek 13:4, ׳כְשֻׁעָלִים בח simile of the prophets; הַשֹּׁמֵמוֺת ׳הח Ezek 36:4 (of Israel); of desolation of enemies of Israel Ps 9:7 (לָנֶ֫צַח ׳ח); עולם ׳ח = old ruins Isa 61:4 (with בנה); elsewhere perpetual ruin, desolation Jer 25:9; Jer 49:13 (cities of Bosra); מעולם ׳ה Ezek 26:20 (simile of Tyre).

waste, places, wastes, desolation, desolations, …
ḥorbâ
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
  • a place laid waste, ruin, waste, desolation

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
אַל תִּשְׁמְע֣וּ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם Zaqef Qatan — a strong break עִבְד֥וּ אֶת מֶֽלֶךְ בָּבֶ֖ל Tipeha — a lesser break וִֽחְי֑וּ Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here לָ֧מָּה תִֽהְיֶ֛ה Tevir — a lesser break הָעִ֥יר הַזֹּ֖את Tipeha — a lesser break חָרְבָּֽה Silluq — end of the verse

אַל-תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֲלֵיהֶם עִבְדוּ אֶת-מֶֽלֶךְ-בָּבֶל וִֽחְיוּ לָמָּה תִֽהְיֶה הָעִיר הַזֹּאת חָרְבָּֽה׃
17
Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?
Cross References

Jeremiah 38:17

וַיֹּאמֶר יִרְמְיָהוּ אֶל-צִדְקִיָּהוּ כֹּֽה-אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אִם-יָצֹא תֵצֵא אֶל-שָׂרֵי מֶֽלֶךְ-בָּבֶל וְחָיְתָה נַפְשֶׁךָ וְהָעִיר הַזֹּאת לֹא תִשָּׂרֵף בָּאֵשׁ וְחָיִתָה אַתָּה וּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃
17
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:

Jeremiah 27:11

וְהַגּוֹי אֲשֶׁר יָבִיא אֶת-צַוָּארוֹ בְּעֹל מֶֽלֶךְ-בָּבֶל וַֽעֲבָדוֹ וְהִנַּחְתִּיו עַל-אַדְמָתוֹ נְאֻם-יְהוָה וַֽעֲבָדָהּ וְיָשַׁב בָּֽהּ׃
11
But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

Jeremiah 7:34

וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי׀ מֵעָרֵי יְהוּדָה וּמֵֽחֻצוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַם קוֹל שָׂשׂוֹן וְקוֹל שִׂמְחָה קוֹל חָתָן וְקוֹל כַּלָּה כִּי לְחָרְבָּה תִּהְיֶה הָאָֽרֶץ׃
34
Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Jeremiah 38:23

וְאֶת-כָּל-נָשֶׁיךָ וְאֶת-בָּנֶיךָ מֽוֹצִאִים אֶל-הַכַּשְׂדִּים וְאַתָּה לֹא-תִמָּלֵט מִיָּדָם כִּי בְיַד מֶֽלֶךְ-בָּבֶל תִּתָּפֵשׂ וְאֶת-הָעִיר הַזֹּאת תִּשְׂרֹף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
23
So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.