Jeremiah 5:2

וְ אִ֥ם

וְ

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

אִ֥ם

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

Dictionary form: אִם · im

Conjunction

In the KJV here: and though

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

More options

if — Default conditional; most broadly applicable rendering.

whether — Use for indirect questions or double alternatives.

though — Concessive force; signals contrast or surprise.

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

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

surely — Emphatic/oath context; asserts strong certainty.

BDB2204 H2005 H518 H2006

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

3.

BDB3995 H3588 H518

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB511 H518

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

**ᵑ7^{Onk Jon} אִם, ᵑ7^Hag אין.

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

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

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

אֵם see אמם. Below

אַמָּה, אֻמָּה see אמם.

BDB9477 H2005 H2006 H518 H3861

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

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

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

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

הַסִּק etc., see סלק Haph`el

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

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

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

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

if, or, though, surely, not, …

ʾim

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

if

conditional clauses

of possible situations

no, not

חַי

Root word life, living, liveth, live, beasts, …

Dictionary form: חַי · hai

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: liveth

liveth ×63 of life ×31 live ×29 beast ×24 the living ×24 of the living ×23 alive ×21 of his life ×16

More options

living — Broadest adjectival use; alive, animate, or active.

life — Core noun form; vitality, existence, or lifespan.

alive — Emphasizes the state of being living, not dead.

creature — Prefer for living animals or beings in context.

fresh — Use for water ('running/fresh water') or raw flesh.

vigor — Captures vitality, appetite, or life-force nuance.

BDB2716 H2416

I. חַי adjective alive, living; — ׳ח Gen 25:6 +; חָ֑י Gen 3:20 +, חֵי Amos 8:14 + 15 t. (Ew^{§ 329 explains as construct}, but Ges^{«GKC:93»§ 93}, R 7 n and others as contracted absolute); feminine חַיָּה Gen 1:20 +; plural חַיִּים Ps 116:9 +; —

1. a. of God, as the living one, the fountain of life אֵל חַי Josh 3:10 (J), Hos 2:1; Ps 42:3; Ps 84:3 אלהים חי 2Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 19:16 = Isa 37:4; Isa 37:17 אלהים חיים Deut 5:23; 1Sam 17:26; 1Sam 17:36; Jer 10:10; Jer 23:36 חי יהוה Yahweh is living Ps 18:47 = 2Sam 22:47 גאלי חי my avenger is living Job 19:25 the formula of the oath is ׳חַי י Judg 8:19; Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 14:39; 1Sam 14:45; 1Sam 19:6; 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 25:34; 1Sam 26:10; 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 28:10; 1Sam 29:6; 2Sam 4:9; 2Sam 12:5; 2Sam 14:11; 2Sam 15:21; 1Kgs 1:29; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Kgs 17:1; 1Kgs 17:12; 1Kgs 18:10; 1Kgs 22:14 = 2Chr 18:13; 2Kgs 5:16; 2Kgs 5:20; Hos 4:15; Jer 4:2; Jer 5:2; Jer 12:16; Jer 16:14; Jer 16:15; Jer 23:7; Jer 23:8; Jer 38:16 חי אל Job 27:2 האלהים ׳ח 2Sam 2:27 ׳חי אדני י Jer 44:26 צבאות ׳תי י 1Kgs 18:15; 2Kgs 3:14 as used by God Himself it is חי אנכי Deut 32:40, elsewhere חי אני Num 14:21; Num 14:28 (P) Isa 49:18; Jer 22:24; Jer 46:18; Ezek 5:11; Ezek 14:16; Ezek 14:18; Ezek 14:20; Ezek 16:48; Ezek 17:16; Ezek 17:19; Ezek 18:3; Ezek 20:3; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:33; Ezek 33:11; Ezek 33:27; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 35:6; Ezek 35:11; Zeph 2:9, compare also חֵי דרך באר שׁבע, חֵי אלהיך דן Amos 8:14 with the exception of בְּחֵי הָעֹולָם by him who liveth for ever Dan 12:7, חֵי is always (as an artificial distinction of scribes) used of non-sacred oaths, see b. b. of man: אָדָם חַי a living man Lam 3:39, in antith חי חי ׃מֵת Isa 38:19 הַחַי collective Eccl 7:2 Absalom 2Sam 19:7 Naboth 1Kgs 21:15 a son or lad 2Sam 12:21; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:23 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:25; 1Kgs 3:26 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:27; 1Kgs 17:23 usually plural חיים alive, living Num 16:30; Num 16:33 (J), Num 17:13 (P), Deut 4:4; Deut 5:3; Isa 8:19; Ps 55:16; Ps 124:3; Prov 1:12; Eccl 4:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 4:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:5; Ruth 2:20 taking prisoners alive Josh 8:23 (J) 1Sam 15:8; 1Kgs 20:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 7:12; 2Kgs 10:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 25:12 living (prosperously) 1Sam 25:6 (We reads לָחִי = לְאָחִי (see Klo Dr) to my brother, after ᵑ9 fratribus meis); elsewhere in phrase (פני) האדמה כלהֿימים אשׁר הֵם (אַתֶּם) חיים על all the days that they (ye) live upon (the face of) of the land Deut 4:10; Deut 12:1; Deut 31:13; 1Kgs 8:40 = 2Chr 6:31. Note phrases: עוֺד חַי (יםׅ yet alive Gen 25:6; Gen 43:7; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:28; Gen 45:28; Gen 46:30 (J), Gen 45:3; Gen 45:26; Exod 4:18 (E), Deut 31:27; 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 20:32 בהיות חי 2Sam 12:18; 1Kgs 12:6; 2Chr 10:6 אֶרֶץ (ה)חַיִים land of the living Isa 38:11; Isa 53:8; Jer 11:19; Ezek 26:20; Ezek 32:23; Ezek 32:24; Ezek 32:25; Ezek 32:26; Ezek 32:27; Ezek 32:32; Ps 27:13; Ps 52:7; Ps 142:6; Job 28:13 ׳ארצות הח Ps 116:9 ׳ספר ח Ps 69:29 ׳צרור הח bundle of the living 1Sam 25:29 ׳אור הח light of the living Job 33:30; Ps 56:14. In the oath by life of men חי is pointed always חֵי אדני ׃חֵי המלך as my lord the king liveth 2Sam 15:21 חֵי פרעה Gen 42:15; Gen 42:16 (E); חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 17:55; 2Sam 14:19 ׳חַ וְחֵי נַפְשְׁךָ ׳י as Yahweh liveth and as thy soul (or thyself) liveth 1Sam 20:3; 1Sam 25:26; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 2:4; 2Kgs 2:6; 2Kgs 4:30 חַיֶּךָ ׳וְחֵי נ 2Sam 11:11 (but on text see We Dr).
c. of animals, alive, living: ox Exod 21:35; Exod 22:3 (E); goat Lev 16:10; Lev 16:20; Lev 16:21 (P); bird Lev 14:4; Lev 14:6 (twice in verse); Lev 14:7; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:53 dog, לְכֶלֶב חַי הוּא טוֺב מִןהָֿאַרְיֵה הַמֵּת Eccl 9:4 (compare Arabic proverb Kelb µei wa-lâ meijit, a living dog and no dead lion Wetzst^{Verhand. Berl. Anthrop. Ges. 1878, 388}); reptiles Gen 1:28 (P); animals in general Gen 9:3 (P); בשׂר חי living, raw flesh Lev 13:10; Lev 13:14; Lev 13:15 (twice in verse); Lev 13:16 (P) 1Sam 2:15.
d. animals and man, phrases for either or both: ׳כל ח Gen 3:20; Gen 8:21 (J) Job 12:10; Job 28:21; Job 30:23; Ps 143:2; Ps 145:16 כל החי Gen 6:19 (P); נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 1:20; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (P) Gen 2:7; Gen 2:19 (J); כל נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 9:12; Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16 (P) Ezek 47:9 כל נפשׁ החיה Gen 1:21; Gen 9:10; Lev 11:10; Lev 11:46 (P).
e. (dubious) of vegetation, as thorns, green, Ps 58:10 (Ges Ew Ol Pe, but De Ri Che Bae raw flesh, see
c. above near the end) feminine of water, flowing, fresh מים חיים Gen 26:19 (J), Lev 14:5; Lev 14:6; Lev 14:50; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:52; Lev 15:13; Num 19:17 (P), Jer 2:13; Jer 17:13; Zech 14:8; Song 4:15.

2. (dubious) lively, active: אישׁ חַי an active man 2Sam 23:20 (but Qr אישׁ חַיִל is to be preferred); איבי חיים mine enemies are lively Ps 38:20 (RV, but Houb Ol Ew Hu Che and others read חִנָּם, || שׁקר).

3. reviving: כָּעֵת חַיָּה at the time (when it is) reviving, the spring Gen 18:10; Gen 18:14 (J), 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:17.

BDB2717 H2416

II. [חַי] noun [masculine] kinsfolk (Arabic a group of families united by vital ties RS^{K 36-40} Dr Sm 119), plural suffix חַיַּי 1Sam 18:18, incorrectly pointed with the interpretation my life RV, but read חַיִּי my kins-flok, We Ki Dr RS SS RVm VB. It is explained by the gloss משׁפחת אבי We (Klo reads אַחַי וּ).

BDB2718 H2416

I. חַיָּה noun feminine living thing, animal (Zinjirli wild beast DHM^{Sendsch. 34}) — ׳ח Gen 8:17 +; construct חַיַּת Isa 57:10 +; old case ending (poetic) חַיְתוֺ Gen 1:24; Ps 50:10; Ps 79:2; Ps 104:11; Ps 104:20; Isa 56:9 (twice in verse); Zeph 2:14 suffix חַיָּתִי Ps 143:3, etc.; plural חַיּוֺת Lev 14:4 + 12 t. —

1. animal, as living, active being:
a. in general, Gen 8:17; Lev 11:2; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:47 (twice in verse); Num 35:3 (P) Ps 104:25; Isa 46:1; Dan 8:4.
b. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity Gen 7:14; Gen 7:21; Gen 8:1; Gen 8:19; Gen 9:5 (P) Lev 17:13; Lev 25:7 (H) Job 37:8; Ps 148:10; Isa 40:16; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 33:27; Zeph 2:14; Zeph 2:15 ׳ח קנה Ps 68:31 wild animal of the reeds; רעה ׳ח evil beast Gen 37:20; Gen 37:33 (JE) Lev 26:6 (H) Ezek 5:17; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 14:21; Ezek 34:25 טמאה ׳ח Lev 5:2 (P) unclean beast; הארץ ׳ח Gen 1:25; Gen 1:30; Gen 9:2; Gen 9:10 (twice in verse) (P) 1Sam 17:46; Ezek 29:5; Ezek 32:4; Ezek 34:28; Job 5:22 חיתו ארץ Gen 1:24 (P) Ps 79:2 השׂדה ׳ח Exod 23:11; Exod 23:29 (covt. code.) Lev 26:22 (H) Deut 7:22; 2Sam 21:10; 2Kgs 14:9 = 2Chr 25:18; Hos 2:14; Hos 2:20; Hos 4:3; Hos 13:8; Hos 28:14; Hos 39:4; Hos 39:15 השׂדה ׳כל ח Gen 2:19; Gen 2:20; Gen 3:1; Gen 3:14 (J) Job 40:20; Jer 12:9; Ezek 31:6; Ezek 31:13; Ezek 34:5; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 39:17 חיתו שׂדי Isa 56:9; Ps 104:11 חיתו (ב)יער Isa 56:9; Ps 50:10; Ps 104:20 פְּרִיץ חיות Isa 35:9 destroyer among beasts.
c. living beings, of the cherubic chariot Ezek 1:5; Ezek 1:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:14; Ezek 1:15 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:19 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:20; Ezek 1:21; Ezek 1:22; Ezek 3:13; Ezek 10:15; Ezek 10:17; Ezek 10:20.

2. life, only in late poetry, Ps 143:3; Job 33:18; Job 33:20; Job 33:22; Job 33:28; Job 36:14; Ezek 7:13 (twice in verse), and (dubious) Ps 74:19; Ps 78:50.

3. appetite, activity of hunger: חית כפרים appetite of young lions Job 38:39.

4. revival, renewal: חַיַּת יָדֵךְ מָצָאתְ thou didst find renewal of thy strength (re-invigoration) Isa 57:10 see חָיָה

2..

BDB2719 H2416

II. חַיָּה noun feminine (si vera lectio) community ( = feminine of II. חַי according to Nö^{ZMG, 1886, 176}) — וְחַיַּת פְּלִשְׁתִּים חֹנָה and a community of Philistines (i.e. a group of allied families, making a raid together) was encamping 2Sam 23:13 ( = מַחֲנֵה 1Chr 11:15); perhaps also Ps 68:11 (compare below)

Note. — Several other passages are dubious: וַיֵּאָסְפוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לַחַיָּה 2Sam 23:11 assembled into a troop, or by bands (RV, but neither rendering justified: Bö Ew We Klo Dr rightly read לֶ֫חְיָה to Leµi, compare Judg 15:9 word omitted by accident in || 1Chr 11:13 Dr); חַיָּתְךָ יָָֽשְׁבוּבָֿהּ Ps 68:11 thy troop dwelt in it (Thes SS RVm Hi Ri Che, but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Jerome Pe thy (living) creatures, of the people; Hup id., reference to quails; improbable); אַלתִּֿתֵּן לְחַיַּת נֶפֶשׁ תּוֺרֶךָ חַיַּת עֲנִיֶּיךָ אַלתִּֿשְׁכַּח לָנֶ֫צַח Ps 74:19 give not the soul of thy turtle-dove to the wild beasts, the life of thine afflicted do not forget for ever: RV Hi Pe Bae Sch render thus, giving חית different meanings in the two clauses, the former being archaic feminine absolute Ges^{«GKC:80»§ 80}, 2. R. 2; text doubtless corrupt, read possibly למות Schr Ri, for לחית, or לשׁחת Kroch; Gr either of these; Che either, or better לחרב.

BDB2721 H2416

חַיִּים noun masculine^{Deut 28:66} plural abstract emphatic life, ׳ח Gen 2:7 +; חַיִּין Job 24:22 (Aramaism Ges^{«GKC:87»§ 87} (1) a); חַיֵּי Gen 23:1 +; suffix חַיַּי Gen 47:9 +; חַיָּ֑יְכִי Ps 103:4 (Ges^{«GKC:91»§ 91} (2) R. 2), etc.; —

1. life: physical Gen 27:46; Exod 1:14 (P), Deut 28:66 (twice in verse); 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 15:21; Isa 38:12; Jer 8:23; Lam 3:53; Lam 3:58; Ezek 7:13; Job 3:20; Job 7:7; Job 9:21; Job 10:12; Job 24:22; Ps 7:6; Ps 17:14; Ps 21:5; Ps 26:9; Ps 31:11; Ps 34:13; Ps 63:4; Ps 64:2; Ps 66:9; Ps 88:4; Ps 103:4; Prov 18:21; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 7:13; Eccl 9:9 (twice in verse); Eccl 10:19; Jonah 2:7; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8 חַיֵּי שׂרה life of Sarah Gen 23:1(P) ׳שְׁנֵי ח years of the life of 2Sam 19:35; Gen 23:1; Gen 25:7; Gen 25:17; Gen 47:8; Gen 47:9 (twice in verse); Gen 47:28; Exod 6:16; Exod 6:18; Exod 6:20 (P); ׳שָׁנָה לח Gen 7:11 (P); שְׁנוֺת חַיִּים Prov 3:2; Prov 4:10; Prov 9:11 ׳יְמֵי ח days of the life of Eccl 2:3; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 5:19; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:15; Eccl 9:9 ׳כֹּל יְמֵי ח Gen 3:14; Gen 3:17 (J) Deut 4:9; Deut 6:2; Deut 16:3; Deut 17:19; Josh 1:5; Josh 4:14 (D) 1Sam 1:11; 1Sam 7:15; 1Kgs 5:1; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:5; 1Kgs 15:6; 1Kgs 2:29; 1Kgs 2:30 = Jer 52:33; Jer 52:34; Isa 38:20 (poem of Hez.) Ps 23:6; Ps 27:4; Ps 128:5; Prov 31:12 ׳בּח in or during one's life Gen 27:46 (P) Lev 18:18 (H) Judg 16:30; 2Sam 1:23; 2Sam 18:18; Ps 49:19; Ps 63:5; Ps 104:33; Ps 146:2; Job 10:1; Eccl 3:12; Eccl 9:3 ׳רוּחַ ח Gen 6:17; Gen 7:15 (P); רוּחִי ׳ח Isa 38:16 (poem of Hez.); בשׂרים ׳ח Prov 14:30 ׳נִשְׁמַת (רוּחַ) ח Gen 2:7; Gen 7:22 (J).

2. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence Prov 16:15 as consisting of earthly felicity combined (often) with spiritual blessedness Deut 30:6; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19 (twice in verse); Deut 30:20; Deut 32:47; Ps 30:6; Ps 133:3; Prov 3:22; Prov 4:13; Prov 4:22; Prov 8:35; Prov 10:16; Prov 11:19; Prov 12:28; Prov 19:23; Prov 21:21; Prov 22:4; Mal 2:5 used only once distinctly of eternal life (late) עולם ׳ח Dan 12:2 אֵל חַיָּ֑י Ps 42:9 God of my life; ׳מעוז ח Ps 27:1 ׳מקור ח Ps 36:10; Prov 10:11; Prov 13:14; Prov 14:27; Prov 16:22 עֵץ (ה)חַיִּים Gen 2:9; Gen 3:22; Gen 3:24 (J) Prov 3:18; Prov 11:30; Prov 13:12; Prov 15:4 ׳ארח ח Ps 16:11; Prov 5:6; Prov 15:24 ׳ארח לח Prov 10:17 ׳ארחות ח Prov 2:19 דֶּרֶךְ (ה)חַיִּים Prov 6:23; Jer 21:8 ׳חקּות ח Ezek 33:15 ׳תּוצאות ח Prov 4:23 sources (origin and direction) of life; ׳תוכחת ח Prov 15:31 כָּתוּב לַחַיִּים Isa 4:3 written unto life.

3. sustenance, maintenance: חַיִּים לְנַעֲרוֺתֶיךָ Prov 27:27 maintenance for thy maidens, see מִחְיַה below

BDB9522 H2416 H2417

חַי adjective living (Biblical Hebrew id); —

1. of God: absolute ׳ח Dan 4:31, emphatic חַיָא Dan 6:21. 27; men, plural emphatic חַיַיָא the lilving Dan 2:30; Dan 4:14.

2. plural as abstract noun life (Biblical Hebrew חַיִּים): חַיִּין Dan 7:12 construct חַיֵּי Ezra 6:10.

BDB9523 H2416 H2423

חֵיוָא, חֵיוָה noun feminine beast (Biblical Hebrew II. חַיָה); — absolute אָ֯ Dan 4:13, הָ֯ Dan 7:5. Dan 7:7 emphatic חֵיוְתָא Dan 7:6. Dan 7:11. Dan 7:19; Dan 7:23, and (collective) Dan 4:11; Dan 4:12; Dan 5:21 construct (collective) חֵיוַת בָּרָא Dan 2:38; Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29 plural absolute חֵיוָן Dan 7:3, emphatic חֵיוָתָא Dan 7:7; Dan 7:12. Dan 7:17.

life, living, liveth, live, beasts, …

ḥay

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively

(adj) living, alive

green (of vegetation)

life

animal

יְהֹוָה

Root word a name — transliterate it ("The lord")

Dictionary form: יְהֹוָה · yeh-hoh-WAW

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: the lord

the lord ×2811 of the lord ×1522 and the lord ×457 unto the lord ×342 o lord ×222 am the lord ×158 lord ×67 to the lord ×60

More options

the LORD — Standard modern Bible convention; small-caps signal the divine name.

YHWH — Preserves the Hebrew tetragrammaton; used in scholarly translations.

Yahweh — Reconstructed pronunciation; preferred in academic and some modern versions.

the Lord — General rendering when small-caps convention is unavailable.

God — Use only where context clearly equates YHWH with generic deity.

the Eternal — Captures timeless-existence nuance; used in some progressive translations.

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB3475 H3068

׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above.

BDB3483 H3068 H3069

יהוה proper name, of deity, see below הוה.

BDB3489 H3068 H3097

׳יו = ׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above: — namely יוֺאָב, יוֺאָח, יוֺאָחָז, יוֺאֵל, יוֺאָשׁ, יוֺיָכִין, יוֺיָקִים, יוֺיָרִיב, יוֺעֵד, יוֺעָשׁ, יוֺקִים, יוֺרָם, יוֺתָם, etc.

lord, lords, god, jehovah, jehovah-jireh, …

yĕhōwâ

the existing One

(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

the proper name of the one true God

unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

יֹאמֵ֑רוּ

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

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

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

In the KJV here: they say

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

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

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

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

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

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

BDB9309 H560 H559

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

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

לָ כֵ֥ן

לָ

Prefix — preposition to, for

כֵ֥ן

Adverb so, therefore, wherefore, thus, that, …

Dictionary form: כֵּן · kane

Adverb

In the KJV here: surely

so ×204 therefore ×192 wherefore ×24 and so ×22 thus ×17 that ×12 this ×8 even so ×7

More options

so — Most natural, versatile connector; fits most contexts.

therefore — Signals logical consequence; good for formal or legal texts.

thus — Slightly more formal; suits narrative or prophetic register.

in this way — Clarifies manner or method when 'so' is ambiguous.

for this reason — Emphasizes causality more explicitly than 'therefore'.

likewise — Use when expressing similarity or parallel action.

BDB3945 H3651 H3653 H3654

I. כֵּן adjective right, veritable, honest (properly firm, upright; Syriac recte PS¹⁶⁶²) — absolute כֵּן Exod 10:29 + (on possibly construct see 2 near the end); plural כֵּנִים Gen 42:11; Gen 42:19; Gen 42:31; Gen 42:33; Gen 42:34 —

1. right, usually indecl., often as substantive a right thing, especially with vbb. dicendi Exod 10:29 (J) כֵּן דִּבַּרְתָּ, Num 27:7 כֵּן דֹּבְרֹת, Num 36:5 (both P); כֵּן יַאֲרִיךְ Prov 28:2 (the) right (i.e. order and justice) shall last long (see De Now VB); = adverb aright, of pronunciation Judg 12:6 also with verb agendi Eccl 8:10 (on Isa 33:23 see III. כֵּן below כנן); right well Ps 65:10 (Che; al. = so); with לֹא, as adjective, not right דְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר לֹאכֵֿן 2Kgs 17:9 things which were not right (verb agendi); of heart of a fool Prov 15:7; Jer 23:10 as substantive = what is not right, upright Jer 8:6 with verb agendi לֹאכֵֿן 2Kgs 7:9 that which is not right we are doing, Jer 48:30 b.

2. veritable, true, כֵּןצְֿדָקָה Prov 11:19 the veritable of righteousness = true righteousness; Isa 16:6 = Jer 48:30 a may be either their boastings are not true or (Thes Che Di Du Gr Gie and others) the untruth of their boastings (לֹאכֵֿן as compound construct); absolute, in assent to something already said, Right! Correct! True! Josh 2:4.

3. plural concrete honest (men) Gen 42:11; Gen 42:19; Gen 42:31; Gen 42:33; Gen 42:34 (all E). — II. כֵּן thus, so, see below; III. כֵּן place, base, see below כנן; IV. [כֵּן], כִּנִּם, כִּנָּם, see below כנן.

BDB3996 H3588 H5921 H3651

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

BDB4076 H3651

I. כֵּן adverb so (PH. Late Hebrew ᵑ7 id.; Syriac is then, Arabic , , but: probably from the demonstrative √ ka, found in כִּי etc., Kö^{ii. 1, 254}); (הִיא) כֶּןהֿוּא Gen 44:10 + 4 t.: — so (i.e. usually, as has been described or commanded, with reference to what has preceded), mostly of manner, but sometimes also of quantity, quality, or degree:

1. a. Judg 5:31 כן יאבדו so perish thy enemies, Job 5:27 הִיאכֶּןֿ, Job 8:13 כן ארחות כל שׁכחי אל, Prov 6:29; Prov 8:13; 2Sam 16:23; Isa 36:6; Isa 47:15 כן היו לך, Num 13:33 וכן היינו בעיניהם; Num 9:16 כָן יהיה תמיד Exod 10:14 (twice in verse) לא היה כן ארבה׳כמהו וג (i. e. in such numbers), 1Kgs 10:12 כן עצי אלמגים לא בא, v1Kgs 10:20; 2Chr 1:12 (twice in verse), Judg 21:14 להם כןולא מצאו and they did not suffice for them so (namely in such numbers of them as there were); 1Kgs 6:26 וכן הכרוב השׁני, Ezek 41:7 ׳וכן ל Exod 27:11; 1Kgs 10:29; Ezek 40:16; 2Chr 35:12, compare 1Chr 23:30 ׳כן ל Exod 25:33 (compare Exod 26:24), Josh 21:40.
b. the force of כֵּן has sometimes to be elicited from the context : 1Kgs 2:7 כי כן קרבו אלי (that is, with kindness such as that enjoined in v^a), 1Kgs 20:40 כן משׁפטך, Jer 14:10 לנועכן אהבו (i.e. not less than ׳י has withdrawn from them vJer 14:9, Gf Ke; Gie proposes אָכֵן), Ps 61:9 שִׁמְךָכֵּן אֲזַמְּרָה (Hi כְּצִדְקְךָ, implied in vJer 14:6-8), Ps 63:3 חֲזִיתִךָכֵּן בַּקֹּדֶשׁ (that is, with the longings of vPs 63:2), vPs 63:5 אֲבָרֶכְךָ בְחַיָּיכֵּן (that is כְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ vPs 63:4), Ps 65:10 כִּי כֵן תְּכִינֶהָ (i.e. so generously, vPs 65:10), Ps 90:12 לִמְנוֺת יָמֵינוּ כֵּן הוֺדַע (Hi ׳כְּיִרְאַת י vPs 90:11), Ps 127:2 כֵּן יִתֵּן לִידִידוֺ שֵׁנָא (that is, as abundantly; but Che אָכֵן), Prov 24:14 (see vProv 24:13), Isa 52:14 כֵּן מִשְׁחַת מֵאִישׁ מַרְאֵהוּ (sufficiently to justify שׁממו עליך רבים).
c. כן occurs frequently in particular phrases, as
(a) with הָיָה, especially ויהי כן and it was so Gen 1:7; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:11 +, 2Kgs 2:10 if thou seest me taken from thee יהילֿך כן let it be to thee so (that is, as thou desirest), 2Kgs 7:20, with עשׂה (especially וַיַּעַשׂ, וַיַּעֲשׂוּ) Gen 29:28; Gen 42:20; Gen 45:21 + often, Judg 7:16 וְכֵן תַּעֲשׂוּמִמֶּנִּי תִּרְאוּ, + ׳ל Gen 42:25 ויעשׂ להם כן, Exod 22:29; Exod 23:11 ׳כן תעשׂה ל, Deut 22:3; 2Sam 12:31; 1Kgs 11:8 (compare 1Kgs 6:33; 1Kgs 7:18); Gen 29:26 לא יֵעָשֶׂה כן במקומנו, Gen 34:7; 2Sam 13:12 rarer usages, דִּבֶּר כֵּן Exod 6:9, אמר כן 1Kgs 22:8, כֵּן אמרתם Ezek 11:5; Ezek 33:10, ׳אָמֵן כֵּן יאֹמַר י 1Kgs 1:36 (compare Jer 28:6), וגם שׁאול אבי יֹדֵעַ כֵּן 1Sam 23:17 אָהֵב כֵּן (idiomatic) to love (it) so, Jer 5:31; Amos 4:5
(b) Gen 50:3 ימלאו ימי החנֻטים כי כן (compare Judg 14:10; 2Sam 13:18; Esth 2:12);
(c) alone, אִם כֵּן if it be so Gen 25:22; Gen 43:11 כִּיכֵֿןוַיִּרְאוּ 1Sam 5:7, יָדַעְתִּי כִּיכֵֿן Job 9:2
(d) לא כן not so (namely as has been described or implied), with a substantive Num 12:7 לא כן עבדי משׁה, 2Sam 20:21; 2Sam 23:5; Ps 1:4; Job 9:35b כילֿאכֿן אנכי עמדי not so am I with myself (i.e. I am not conscious of being one who would fear him, v^a), with a verb Deut 18:14 ואתה ׳לא כן נתן לך י (not so, — namely as implied in v^a), 2Sam 18:14; Isa 10:7 לא כן יְדַמֶּה, לא כן יחשׁב, absolute Gen 48:18 לא כן אבי, Exod 10:11.

2. Often, to emphasize the agreement, in answer to כְּ, and כַּאֲשֶׁר: namely
a. כְּ ֗֗֗ כֵּן,
(a) Gen 44:10 = Josh 2:21 כדבריכם כֶּןהֿוּא according to your words, so be it, 1Sam 25:25 כי כשׁמו כֶּןהֿוּא, Ps 48:11; Prov 23:7 כֶּןהֿוּא (after conjunction כְּמוֺ), Ezek 42:11 כְּאָרְכָּן כֵּן רָחְבָּן;
(b) Lev 27:12 כְּעֶרְכְּךָ כֵּן יִהְיֶה, 2Sam 13:35; Num 8:4; Num 9:14; Num 15:20; Deut 8:20; Judg 11:10, so after כְּפִי Num 6:21
(c) כְּכֹל ֗֗֗ כֵּן ֗֗֗ 1Sam 8:8; 2Sam 7:17; Jer 42:5
(d) in similes,
(a) 2Sam 14:17 כן ׳אדני המלךכמלאך הא, Jer 18:6; Ps 123:2; Ps 127:4; Prov 10:26; Prov 26:8; Prov 26:19; Prov 27:8; Prov 27:19; Song 2:2; Song 2:3 (β) Joel 2:4 כְּפָרָשִׁים כֵּן יְרוּצוּן, Isa 31:5; Isa 38:14; Ps 103:15; Prov 26:1; Prov 26:2 (γ) Ps 42:2 כאיל תערג ֗֗֗ כן׳נפשׁי וג like the hind which etc., Ps 83:16; Isa 61:11; Isa 63:14; Job 7:3, so after כמו Isa 26:17 (δ) Jer 2:26 גַּנָּב ֗֗֗ כֵּן הוֺבִישׁוּכְּבשֶׁת, Jer 6:7; Jer 34:5 (read כְּמשׂרפות), Ezek 22:22 (compare vEzek 22:20), Ezek 23:44; Ezek 34:12 compare (of degree) Ezek 35:15 (omitted by ᵐ5 Co), Hos 4:7 כְּרֻבָּם כֵּן חָָֽטְאוּ לִי. Of time (un-common) 1Sam 9:13 כְּבֹאֲכֶם הָעִיר כֵּן תִּמְצְאוּן אֹתוֺ.
b. Ezra 10:12 כן כדבריך עלינו לעשׂות.
c. ֗֗֗ כֵּן ֗֗֗ כַּאֲשֶׁר,
(a) Exod 7:6 כן עשׂו ׳כאשׁר צוה י, Exod 12:28; Exod 12:50; Exod 39:43 (compare Exod 27:8), Num 8:22 (compare Num 5:4), Num 17:26; Num 36:10; Josh 14:5 (all P); Gen 41:13 כאשׁר פתר כן היה, Josh 10:1; Josh 10:39; Josh 11:15; Judg 1:7; Judg 15:11b Ps 48:9
(b) (frequently) Num 2:17 כֵּן יִסָּ֑עוּכאשׁר יַחֲנוּ, Exod 1:12 (of degree = the more . . . the more) כַּאֲשֶׁר יְעַנּוּ אֹתוֺ כֵּן יִרְבֶּה וְכֵן יִפְרֹץ;
(c) Gen 6:22 אשׁר צוה אתו אלהים כן עשׂהככל, Exod 39:32; Exod 39:42; Exod 40:16; Num 1:54; Num 2:34; Num 8:20; Num 9:5 (all P), compare Exod 25:9 (וְכֵן), simil. 2Sam 9:11; 2Kgs 16:11, compare Josh 1:17; Jer 42:20
(d) Exod 27:8 הֶרְאָה אתך כן יעשׂוכאשׁר, 2Sam 16:19; 1Kgs 2:38; Isa 20:4; Isa 52:14f.; with the same verb repeated Lev 24:19; Lev 24:20; Deut 28:63 כאשׁר שׂשׂ ֗֗֗ כן ישׂישׂ, Josh 23:15; 1Sam 15:33; 1Sam 26:24; 1Kgs 1:37; Isa 10:11; Jer 5:19; Jer 31:28; Jer 32:42; Jer 42:18; Ezek 12:11; Ezek 20:36; Zech 7:13; Prov 24:29; Num 14:28 אעשׂהאם לא כאשׁר דברתם כן, Isa 14:24, so after הלא Isa 10:11, after asseverative כי 2Sam 3:9; 1Kgs 1:30 so ֗֗֗ כֵּן ׳כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁ Eccl 5:15
(e) Judg 7:17b כאשׁר אעשׂה כן תעשׂון, Lev 27:14; Num 15:14, compare Jer 39:12
(f) in similes, Deut 12:22; Deut 22:26; Amos 3:12; Isa 65:8; Jer 13:11.
d. כן כאשׁר ֗֗֗ ,
(a) Exod 7:10 ׳ויעשׂו כן כאשׁר צוה י, vExod 7:20; Josh 4:8; 2Sam 5:25; Ezek 12:7, compare Gen 50:12; Num 8:3 iron. Amos 5:14 אתּכם כאשׁר ׳אמרתם יהי כן י, Exod 10:10
(b) Gen 18:5 כן תעשׂה כאשׁר דברת, Neh 5:12. — Occasionally in poetry כאשׁר is not expressed : Isa 54:9 (De), Isa 55:9; Jer 3:20; Job 7:9; Hos 11:2 קראו להם כן הלכו מפניהם (of degree: so = in the same proportion), Ps 48:6 המה ראו כן תמהו (i.e. in the same measure that they saw); Jer 33:22 (according to many, but dubious; read probably כאשׁר Gie) it is represented by אשׁר (so Isa 54:9 Hi Ew Di): Judg 5:15 כ is not expressed. — Nah 1:12 is probably corrupt; Zech 11:11 for כן עניי read כְּנַעֲנֵי. — כֹּה, כָּכָה, כָּזֹאת are synonyms, but differ considerably in usage.

3. With prepositions: —
a. אַחַרכֵּֿן, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן, מֵאַחֲרֵיכֵֿן, literally after so, i.e. afterwards: see אַחַר.
b. בְּכֵן (late), literally in such circumstances, i.e. thereupon, then, Eccl 8:10; Esth 4:16 (ᵑ7 בְּכֵין often for אָז; e.g. Exod 15:1 Syr^Jerusalem = τότε).
c. כֵּןכְּמוֺֿ Isa 51:6, according to some, like so, i.e. (Vrss Rabb) in like manner, or (De) like this (accompanied by a contemptuous gesture) = like a mere nothing: but see IV. כֵּן.
d. לָכֵן₂₀₀ according to such conditions, that being so, therefore Num 16:11; 1Sam 27:6; Ps 16:9; Ps 73:6; Ps 73:10 especially in prophets, where it often introduces, after statement of the grounds, a divine declaration or command: Judg 10:13; 2Kgs 1:6; Amos 4:12; Isa 5:13; Isa 5:14; Isa 5:24; Isa 7:14; Isa 10:16; Isa 16:7; Isa 27:9; Jer 6:15; Jer 8:10 etc.; ׳לכן כה אמר י 2Kgs 21:12; Isa 10:24; Isa 28:16; Isa 29:22; Isa 30:12; Isa 37:33; Jer 5:14; Jer 6:21 + often; followed by נאם האדון Isa 1:24 ׳נאם י 1Sam 2:30; Jer 2:9 ׳לכן הנה ימים באים נאם י Jer 7:32; Jer 16:14; Jer 19:6 +; ׳לכן חי אני נאם י Ezek 5:11; Ezek 35:6; Ezek 35:11; Zeph 2:9 הנני ֗֗֗ לכן 1Kgs 14:10; Hos 2:8; Hos 2:16; Isa 29:14; Jer 16:21; Ezek 16:37; Ezek 22:19 b Ezek 25:4; Ezek 25:7; Ezek 25:9 +; לכן אֱמֹר Exod 6:6; Num 25:12 (both P), Ezek 11:16; Ezek 11:17; Ezek 14:6; Ezek 20:30; Ezek 33:25; Ezek 36:22 לָכֵן דַּבֵּר Ezek 14:4; Ezek 20:27 לָכֵן הִנָּכֵא Ezek 11:4; Ezek 36:3; Ezek 36:6; Ezek 37:12; Ezek 38:14 . . . . לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ Isa 28:14; Isa 51:21; Jer 6:18; Jer 44:26 +. In answer to יען, Num 20:12 (P), 1Kgs 14:10; 2Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 21:12; 2Kgs 22:20; Isa 29:14; Isa 30:13; Jer 19:6 +, Ezek 5:8; Ezek 13:23 +; so, once, וְלָכֵן Isa 8:7 to כי Isa 28:16; Jer 35:17 על Jer 9:14 אם Jer 23:38; Jer 42:15. Special usages: —
(a) idiomatic, in conversation, in reply to an objection, to state the ground upon which the answer is made; Gen 4:15 therefore — this being so — whoso killeth Cain, etc., Gen 30:15; Judg 8:7; Judg 11:8; 1Sam 28:2; 1Kgs 22:19; Job 20:2 (ᵐ5 in Genesis Kings Job, not perceiving the idiom, renders οὐχοὕτως (as though לאכֿן): so also strangely, elsewhere, as 1Sam 3:14; 2Kgs 1:4; 2Kgs 1:6; 2Kgs 21:12).
(b) inferring the cause from the effect, or developing what is logically involved in a statement, Isa 26:14b (compare De) therefore thou hast visited and destroyed them (not a consequence of v^{a 'the dead rise not,'} but the development of what is implicit in it), Isa 61:7; Jer 2:33; Jer 5:2 (because namely אין אמונה vJer 5:1), Job 34:25; Job 42:3. — Zech 11:7 read לִכְנַעֲנֵי הַצּאֹן.
e. עַדכֵּֿן hitherto (of time), as yet Neh 2:16. feminine עַלכֵּֿן₁₄₅ upon ground of such conditions, therefore (introducing, more generally than לָכֵן, the statement of a fact, rather than a declaration: never used in the phrases noted under לָכֵן), Gen 20:6; Gen 42:21; Exod 5:8; Exod 5:17; Exod 16:29; Exod 20:11; 1Sam 20:29; 1Sam 28:18; 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:27; 1Kgs 20:23; Isa 5:25; Isa 9:16; Isa 13:7; Isa 13:13; Isa 15:4; Isa 15:7; Isa 16:9; Isa 16:11; Isa 17:10; Isa 21:3; Isa 10:21; Isa 12:8; Isa 20:11; Isa 31:3; Isa 31:20; Isa 22:4; Isa 31:5 etc., Ps 1:5; Ps 42:7; Ps 45:3 c (the poet's inference from v^{a. b}), vPs 1:8; Ps 110:7; Job 6:3; Job 9:22; Job 17:4; Job 20:21 etc., Song 1:3 and regularly where the origin of a name, or custom, or proverb is assigned, Gen 2:24 ׳עלכֿן יעזב אישׁ וג, Gen 10:9 יֵאָמַ֔רעלכֿן, Gen 11:9 עלכֿן קרא שׁמה בבל, Gen 16:14; Gen 19:22; Gen 21:31; Gen 25:30; Gen 26:33; Gen 29:34; Gen 29:35; Gen 30:6; Gen 32:33; Gen 47:22; Exod 13:15; Exod 15:23; Num 18:24; Num 21:14; Num 21:27; Deut 10:9 (compare Deut 15:11; Deut 15:15; Deut 19:7; Deut 24:18; Deut 24:22), Josh 7:26; Josh 14:14; Judg 15:19; Judg 18:12; 1Sam 5:5; 1Sam 10:12; 1Sam 23:28 (? read so 1Sam 27:6) 2Sam 5:8; 2Sam 5:20 etc.; הַעַלכֵּֿן Hab 1:17. — Esth 9:26 the 2nd על כן (unless dittograph) points unusually onwards to האגרתעל כל דברי on this account, on account, namely, etc.

BDB4077 H3651 H3653 H3654

II. כֵּן see כון; III. כֵּן see I. כנן; IV. כֵּן see II. כנן. p. 467, below

BDB9613 H3651 H3652

adverb thus, as follows (Biblical Hebrew כֵּן; ᵑ7 כֵּן, Syriac ); — usually with אֲמַר (אָמַ, etc.; compare Egyptian Aramaic CIS^{ii. 149 A 1, B-C 3} RÉS^{492 B 5}), Dan 2:24 וְכֵן אֲמַרלֵֿהּ, vDan 2:25; Dan 4:11; Dan 6:7; Dan 7:5; Dan 7:23; Ezra 5:3; Ezra 6:2 וְכֵןכְּֿ תִיב בְּגַוַּהּ.

so, therefore, wherefore, thus, that, …

kēn

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles)

(adv) so, therefore, thus

thus, so

therefore, this being so (specifically)

right, just, honest

לַ שֶּׁ֖קֶר

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)

שֶּׁ֖קֶר

Root word lying, false, lies, falsehood, falsely, …

Dictionary form: שֶׁקֶר · sheh-KER

לַ

Hidden "the" לַ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "to the ___".

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: falsely

falsely ×13 lies ×12 a lie ×8 a lying ×7 false ×7 lying ×5 of falsehood ×4 a false ×3

More options

deception — Broad, neutral; suits most prose and legal contexts.

falsehood — Modernized KJV form; fits formal or theological writing.

lie — Direct and concrete; best when a specific false statement is meant.

fraud — Emphasizes deliberate intent to deceive; good in legal contexts.

deceit — Highlights the relational betrayal aspect of the word.

empty — Captures the 'vain/worthless' semantic range of the lemma.

BDB9028 H8267

שֶׁ֫קֶר₁₁₃ noun masculine deception, disappointment, falsehood; — ׳שׁ Exod 23:7 + 64 t.; שָׁ֑קֶר Exod 5:9 + 42 t.; plural שְׁקָרִים Ps 101:7 + 3 t.; suffix שִׁקְרֵיהֶם Jer 23:22 —

1. deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one : a molten image Jer 10:14 = Jer 51:17 gift Prov 25:14 grace of person Prov 31:30, etc.; ׳אֹ֫רַח שׁ Ps 119:104; Ps 119:128 ׳דֶּ֫רֶח שׁ vPs 119:29 ׳בטח בשׁ Jer 13:25 ׳נחל שׁ Jer 16:19, compare also Ps 7:15; Ps 33:17; Ps 119:118; Isa 28:15 לַשֶּׁקֶר for disappointment, in vain 1Sam 25:21; Jer 3:23.

2. deceit, fraud, wrong : ׳עשׂה (ל) שׁ do or practise fraud, wrong Hos 7:1; Jer 6:13; Jer 8:8; Jer 8:10 with בְ, 2Sam 18:13 ׳פְּעֻלַּת שׁ Prov 11:18 ׳לֶ֫חֶם שׁ Prov 20:17 food got by fraud; ׳זֶ֫רע שׁ Isa 57:4 ׳עֵט שׁ Jer 8:8 ׳ילד שׁ Ps 7:15 (|| עמל); ׳דרךְ לשׁון קשׁת שׁ Jer 9:2 ׳בְּשׁ Jer 3:10 (|| בגד), adverb שׁקד fraudulently, wrongfully Ps 35:19; Ps 38:20; Ps 69:5; Ps 119:78; Ps 119:86.

3. injurious falsehood, in testimony, especially in courts : עַד שֶׁקֶר Exod 20:16 (E) Deut 19:18; Ps 27:12; Prov 6:19; Prov 14:5; Prov 25:18 עֵד שׁקרים Prov 12:17; Prov 19:5; Prov 19:9 ׳ענה שׁ Deut 19:18 testify falsehood; ׳שְׁבֻעַת שׁ Ze Deut 8:17 false oath; ׳נשׁבע לשׁ swear falsely Jer 5:2 + 5 t.; ׳נשׁבע על שׁ Lev 5:22 ׳דבּר שׁ Mic 6:12 + (see [ דָּבַר], דָּבָר); ׳אִמְרֵ י שׁ Isa 32:7 ׳שׂפת(י) שׁ Ps 31:19; Ps 120:2; Prov 10:18; Prov 17:7 טפל ׳שׁ Job 13:4; Ps 119:69, compare vPs 119:163 absolute false ! 2Kgs 9:12; Jer 37:14.

4. falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets: ׳נכּא שׁ prophesy falsely Jer 14:14; Jer 23:25; Jer 23:26; Jer 29:21 + ל person Jer 27:10; Jer 20:14; Jer 20:16 ׳לַשּׁ ׳נ vJer 20:15 ׳בשׁ ׳נ Jer 5:31; Jer 20:6; Jer 29:9 ׳מוֺרֶה שׁ Isa 9:14; Hab 2:18 ׳חזה שׁ Zech 10:2 ׳חֲזוֺן שׁ Jer 14:14, etc., (+ 12 t.); ׳רוּח שׁ.

5. lie, falsehood, in general: ׳דבר שׁ Ps 101:7 (|| רְמִיָּה); ׳דְּבַר שׁ Prov 13:5 of מִלִּים Job 36:4 ׳לְשׁוֺן שׁ false tongue Prov 6:17; Prov 12:19; Prov 21:6; Prov 26:28; Ps 109:2 of lips Prov 12:22 ׳אִישׁ שׁ Prov 17:4 liar.

lying, false, lies, falsehood, falsely, …

šeqer

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood

deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one)

fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb)

testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely

false tongue

יִשָּׁבֵֽעוּ

Root word sware, swear, sworn, sweareth, oath, …

Dictionary form: שָׁבַע · shaw-BA

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

In the KJV here: they swear

sware ×24 i sware ×14 he sware ×13 swear ×11 hath sworn ×10 i have sworn ×7 and sware ×5 he hath sworn ×5

More options

swear — Most direct modern equivalent; use for active vows.

take an oath — Formal register; highlights the ritual or legal act.

vow — Emphasizes the content of commitment over the act.

pledge — Neutral, contemporary; suits covenantal or treaty contexts.

adjure — Retains solemn/legal force; use when commanding another to swear.

charge solemnly — Best when the speaker binds a third party by oath.

BDB8431 H7650

[שָׁבַע]₁₈₆ verb swear (probably, so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things, compare Thes (as alternative), Gerb^108ff; Late Hebrew Niph`al= Biblical Hebrew; ᵑ7 שְׁבַע Ithpe`el, Aph`el; see also Dr^{Gen 21:28} Kö^{Hast. DB NUMBER, 565} RS^{Semitic i. 166, 2nd ed., 182} We^Reste Arabic Heid. 2, 186); —

Qal (according to Thes Rob Ges) Passive participle שְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֺת Ezek 21:28 those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths; both from שְׁבוּעָה, according to Krae, oaths of oaths (the most sacred); ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co omitted; both from שָׁבוּעַ, Ew Sm ׳שָׁ ׳שׁ weeks on weeks (plenty of time). Niph`al Perfect, 3 masculine singularנִשְׁבַּע Gen 24:7, + etc.;Imperfect 3 masculine singularיִשָּׁבַע Lev 5:24 +, וַיִּשָּׁ֫בַע Gen 24:9 +; 2 masculine singular תִּשֶּׁבֵ֑עַ Deut 6:13; Deut 10:20 1 singular אִשָּׁב֑עַ Gen 21:24, וָאֶשָּׁ֫בַע 1Kgs 2:8; Ezek 16:8, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַשָּֽׁבְעָה Gen 21:23 +, etc.; Infinitive abs הִשָּׁבֵע Num 30:3, הִשָּׁבֵעַ Jer 7:9 construct הִשָּׁבֵעַ Jer 12:16 (twice in verse) + 1Sam 20:17 see infra; Participle נִשְׁבָּע Zech 5:3 +, etc.; — swear, take an oath:

1. subj man : a. in asseveration, absolute Gen 21:24; Gen 21:31 (E), Judg 21:1; Judg 21:18; 2Sam 21:2 +; also followed byוַיּאֹמֶר 1Sam 20:3; 1Kgs 1:29, followed by לֵאמֹר 2Sam 3:35; Josh 14:9 (D); with accusative of congnate meaning with verb Num 30:3 (P; || נָדַר); + לַשֶּׁקֶר Jer 5:2; Jer 7:9; Lev 5:24 (P; + עַל of thing), Mal 3:5 + ׳עלשֿׁ Lev 5:22 (P); + לְמִרְמָה Ps 24:4 followed by infinitive Lev 5:4 (P), Ps 15:4; Ps 119:106 + ל person take an oath to, Josh 6:22 (JE), Josh 9:20 (P; accusative of congnate meaning with verb) Gen 24:9 (+ עַלהַֿדָּבָר הַזֶּה +, so also 1Sam 20:17 (read לְהִשָּׁבֵעַ אֶלֿ for לְהַשְׁבְּיעַ אֶתֿ, ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Th We Dr and others); oath allegiance (׳לי ) Isa 19:18; Isa 45:23; Zeph 1:5; 2Chr 5:14, compare(absolute) v2Chr 5:15 (Josh 23:7 see Hiph`il); also sq וַיּאֹמֶר 2Kgs 25:24, followed by לֵאמֹר 2Sam 21:17; 1Kgs 1:13; Jer 40:9 followed byפֶּן = that not Judg 15:12, followed by אִם = id. 1Kgs 1:51 + אֶל person followed by לֵאמֹר Jer 38:16 + ׳בי by ׳י, followed by infinitive Judg 21:7 + ׳בְּשֵׁם י 1Sam 20:42; Isa 48:1, compare Gen 31:53 (E), Deut 6:13; Deut 10:20; Jer 12:16 (+ ׳חַייֿ), Isa 65:16; Zech 5:4 (לַשָּׁ֑קֶר), Lev 19:12 (id.), Ps 63:12; Dan 12:7 ׳בי followed by אִם 2Sam 19:8 + ל person with ׳בי Josh 9:18; Josh 9:19 (P; pledge faith), followed byלֵאמֹר 1Sam 28:10; 1Kgs 11:30; 1Kgs 2:8; 1Kgs 2:23, followed by כִּי of object clause Josh 2:12 (JE), 1Kgs 1:17 + ל person with ׳בא, followed by אִם Gen 21:23 (E), 1Sam 30:15 as verb of quotation + object ׳חַייֿ Hos 4:15; Jer 4:2; 1Sam 19:6 (+ אִם), + אִם in oratio recta [direct speech] Ps 132:2 (|| נָדַר); also כְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים Jer 5:7, בַּבָּ֑עַל Jer 12:16, בְּמַלְכָּם Zeph 1:3, compare Amos 8:14 (+ וְאָמַר).
b. imprecate, curse, בִּי by me Psalms; Ps 102:9 (compare שְׁבוּעָה

1.b קְלָלָה).

2. subject ׳י: swear, with בִּי by myself Gen 22:16 (JE), Jer 22:5 (clause כִּי), Jer 49:13 (id.), Isa 45:23 (id.), with בְּקָדְשׁוֺ Amos 4:2 (id.), compare Ps 89:36 (|| אִם אֲכַזֵּב), compare also Amos 6:8; Amos 8:17; Jer 44:26; Jer 51:14; Isa 62:8 swear, followed by infinitive Deut 1:35; Deut 4:21; Josh 21:41 (van d. H. Baer; vJosh 21:43 Gi), followed by מִן infinitive= not to Isa 54:9 (twice in verse) followed by אִם Ps 90:10, followed by לֵאמֹר Deut 1:34; Isa 14:24; Num 32:10(P); followed by oratio recta [direct speech] Ps 110:4 with ל person take an oath to, Gen 24:7(J), Exod 13:11 (J), Deut 2:14 + 7 t. Deuteronomy (accusative of congnate meaning with verbDeut 7:8; Deut 9:5), Ezek 16:8 (|| בּוֺא בִבְרִית, Ps 89:4 (|| כָּרַת בְּרִית), vPs 89:50 (בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶ֑ךָ), +; ל person + infinitive (usually to give land Exod 13:5 (J), Deut 1:8 + 9 t. Deuteronomy; Josh 1:6; Josh 5:6 (twice in verse) (all R^D), Jer 11:5 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), Jer 32:22 ל person + accusative of thing (usually land) = promise by oath to Gen 50:24; Exod 33:1; Num 11:12 (all J), Num 14:16; Num 14:23 (JE), Num 32:11 (P), Judg 2:1; Mic 7:20; Deut 6:18+ 8 t. Deuteronomy (object covenant Deut 4:31; Deut 8:18); ל person omitted Deut 31:21. Hiph`il Perf. 3 masculine singular הִשְׁבִּיעַ Exod 13:19 +, 1 singular הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי Song 2:7 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיַּשְׁבַּע Gen 50:25 +, suffix וַיַּשְׁבִּעֵנִי Gen 24:37, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַשְׁבֵּעַ Exod 13:19; 1Sam 14:28 construct הַשְׁבִּיעַ 1Sam 14:27 (1Sam 20:17 see Niph`al); Participle suffix מַשְׁבִּיעֶ֑ךָ 1Kgs 22:16; 2Chr 18:15 —

1. cause to take an oath, subject always man: with accusative of person Gen 50:6 (J), + 1Sam 14:27; 1Kgs 18:10; 2Kgs 11:4, + accusative of cognate meaning Josh 2:17; Josh 2:20 (J), לֵאמֹר Gen 24:37; Gen 50:5 (both J), vGen 50:25 (E), Josh 6:26 (J; accusative of person omitted), so (Infinitive absolute + Perfect) Exod 13:19 (JE), 1Sam 14:28, + וְאָמַר Num 5:19 and (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb) vNum 5:21 (both P), + infinitive clause Neh 5:12; Ezra 10:5 + ׳בי by ׳י Gen 24:3 (J; clause אֲשֶׁר), 1Kgs 2:42 (|| וָאָעִד בְּךָ, + לֵאמֹר, compare Josh 23:7 (R^D; but read perhaps Niph`al תִּשָּֽׁבְעוּ Gr and others; ᵐ5 strike out), Neh 13:25 (clause אִם, oratio recta), 2Chr 36:13.

2. adjure, with accusative of person 1Kgs 22:16; 2Chr 18:15 (both + clause אֲשֶׁר); elsewhere only Canticles: Song 5:9, with clause מַהֿ interrogative vSong 5:8, with clause אִם that not Song 2:7; Song 3:5 (both + ב of oath), = clause מַהֿ Song 8:4 (see מָה 2 a (b)). — 1Sam 20:17 see Niph`al

sware, swear, sworn, sweareth, oath, …

šābaʿ

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

to swear, adjure

(Qal) sworn (participle)

to swear, take an oath

to cause to take an oath

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/C

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H518

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Aamsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2416

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Np

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3068

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqi3mp

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H559

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/D

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3651

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Rd/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H8267

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar VNi3mp

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7650

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV