Job 17:6

He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וְֽ הִצִּגַ נִי
וְֽ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הִצִּגַ
Root word set, made, put, presented, stayed, …
נִי
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: יָצַג · yaw-TSAHɡ

Verb — Hiphil, Perfect (Qatal), third person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: he hath made
and set ×4 and establish ×1 and he set ×1 and presented them ×1 and set him ×1 be stayed ×1 he hath made ×1 him shalt thou set ×1
More options
place — Broad, everyday choice for positioning or situating something.
set — Modernized KJV core sense; slightly more formal than 'place'.
station — Prefer when implying a fixed, deliberate position or post.
establish — Use when permanence or firm founding is emphasized.
present — Good when the act of bringing before someone is foregrounded.
leave in place — Captures the 'stayed/remain fixed' sense of the lemma.

BDB3666 H3322

BDB3665 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3667

[יָצַג] verb Hiph`il set, place, a vivid and forcible synonym of שָׂם (i. 430 Ges«GKC:71»§ 71) —

Hiph`il Perfect suffix הִצִּיגַּ֫נִי Jer 51:34 Qr (Kt הציגנו), Job 17:6 1 singular suffix הִצַּגְתִּיו Gen 43:9 וְהִצַּגְּתִּיהָ consecutive Hos 2:5 Imperfect וַיַּצֵּג Gen 30:38; Judg 8:27 suffix וַיַּצִּגֵם Gen 47:2 2 masculine singular תַּצִּיג Judg 7:5, etc.; Imperative הַצִּ֫יגוּ Amos 5:15 Infinitive construct הַצֵּג Deut 28:56 (Ges«GKC:53»§ 53, 3, R.2 l.c.); Participle מַצִּיג Judg 6:37set, place, with accusative: + ב location Gen 30:28 (J; + לְֹנכַח צאֹן), Judg 6:37; Judg 8:27; 2Sam 6:17 ( + בְּתוֺךְ), with בְּתוֺךְ in || 1Chr 16:1 + אֵצֶל 1Sam 5:2 of setting foot on (לְ) ground Deut 28:56; Gen 33:15 (J; followed by עִם) = station with thee some of my retinue; + לִפְנֵי Gen 43:9 (J); so with idea of presenting, introducing to Gen 47:2 (J); set (so that all may see) + לְ Job 17:6 followed by 2 accusative ( = set as) Jer 51:34 וְהִצַּגְתִּיהָ כְּיוֺם הִוָָּֽלְדָ֑הּ Hos 2:5 and (lest) I set ( = exhibit) her as in the day when she was born (|| אַפְשִׁיטֶנָּה עֲרֻמָּה); figurative set up, establish, הציגר בשׁער משׁפט Amos 5:15 (opposed to vAmos 5:7 לארץ הניחו). Hoph`al Imperfect יצָֻּ֑ג Exod 10:24 (E) be stayed, stopped, detained (of herds, etc.)


יִצִהָר, יִצְחָק, יִצְחָר see below צהר, צהק, צחר

set, made, put, presented, stayed, …
yāṣag
to place permanently
  • to place, set, establish
    • (Hiphil)
      • to set, place
      • "to present"to exhibit
      (Hophal) to be stopped, be stayed, be detained

לִ מְשֹׁ֣ל
לִ
Prefix — preposition to, for
מְשֹׁ֣ל
Root word byword
Dictionary form: מְשֹׁל · meh-SHOLE

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

In the KJV here: me also a byword
me also a byword ×1
More options
byword — Modernized from KJV; still current in literary contexts.
object of scorn — Emphasizes social ridicule; good for narrative prose.
cautionary example — Highlights the didactic function of the taunt.
laughingstock — Colloquial; stresses mockery and public humiliation.
proverb of shame — Captures both proverbial form and negative connotation.

BDB4877 H4914

BDB4876 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4878

מְשֹׁל noun [masculine] by-word, only construct (strictly Infinitive) לִמְשֹׁל עַמִּים Job 17:6 (they) have made me a by-word of the peoples.

byword
mĕšōl
a satire
  • byword

עַמִּ֑ים
עַמִּ֑ים
Root word people, nations, nation, peoples, folk, …
Dictionary form: עַם · am

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

In the KJV here: of the people
the people ×572 people ×220 of the people ×150 my people ×113 and the people ×110 his people ×78 thy people ×58 of my people ×50
More options
people — Most versatile rendering; fits collective and singular contexts.
nation — Emphasizes ethnic or political identity as a unified group.
community — Highlights shared belonging; good for social or covenant contexts.
population — Neutral, demographic tone; useful for census or mass-movement passages.
folk — Informal, grassroots feel; suits ordinary or rural settings.
crowd — Best for gathered assemblies rather than an ongoing social group.

BDB6144 H5971 H5993

BDB6143 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6145

I. עַם, עָם1840 noun masculineGen 11:6 (see below) people (Late Hebrew id., plebeian, common man; ᵑ7 עַמָּא people, plural peoples, tribes, etc.; Syriac ; Arabic see above; original meaning probably those united, connected, related, compare WeGGN 1893, 480); — absolute עַם Gen 11:6 +, עָם Judg 9:36 +, הָעָם Josh 8:11 +; construct עַם Num 21:29 +; suffix עַמִּי Exod 3:7 +, עַמְּךָ Exod 22:27 +, etc.; plural עַמִּים Isa 2:3 +, עֲמָמִים (compare Biblical Aramaic) Neh 9:22 construct עַמֵּי 1Kgs 8:43 +, עַמְמֵי Neh 9:24 plural with suffix see II. עַם; — (Thes cites following as feminine וְחָטָאת עַמֶּ֑ךָ Exod 5:16 [but corrupt and unintellig.; read perhaps ׳וְחַטָאתָ לְע, so ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Di]; Judg 18:7 [but ישֶׁבֶת must agree with lost word city, or the like, see GFM]; Jer 8:5 [but read שׁוֺבַב for שׁוֺבְבָה Gie]); —

1. a people, nation (sometimes || גּוֺי), collective noun (singular Exod 21:8; Josh 17:14; Josh 17:15; Josh 17:17; 2Sam 17:29 + often, or plural Exod 20:15; Exod 24:2; Jer 5:31 + often, or both in same clause Exod 1:20; 2Sam 13:24): עַם אֶחָד = all mankind Gen 11:6 (J); peoples in general Gen 27:29 (J; || לְאֻמִּים), Exod 19:5 (E), Deut 2:25; Deut 4:6 + often Deuteronomy; Neh 13:24 + often; קְהַל עַמִּים Gen 28:3 (P) an assembly (multitude) of peoples, Gen 48:4 (P), Ezek 23:24; Ezek 32:3 (+ רַבִּים); one's own people Jer 46:16; Ps 45:11; Ruth 1:10; Ruth 1:15; Ruth 1:16 (twice in verse) + (on עַמִּי נָדִיב Song 6:12 see especially Bu); particular peoples, Egypt Gen 41:40 (E), Exod 1:22 (E), Neh 9:10 +; עַםאֲֿרָם Amos 1:5 עַםכְּֿמוֺשׁ (i.e. Moab) Num 21:29 (JE), Jer 48:46 but especially Israel Exod 1:20 (E) + often; ׳עַםבְּֿנֵי יִשׂ vExod 1:9 (J); called יהוה ׳ע Num 11:29 (E), 1Sam 2:24 +, and (by ׳י) עַמִּי Exod 3:7; Exod 5:1 (J) + often (all periods); קְהַל עַםהָֿאֱלֹהִים Judg 20:2, עַםהַֿקָּהָל Lev 16:33 (P), קְהַל עָם Ps 107:32 especially הָעָם הַזֶּה (often in contempt or disgust) Num 11:1; Num 11:12; Num 11:13 +; figurative of ants Prov 30:25, the shaphan vProv 30:26, locusts Joel 2:2, compare לְעַם לְצִיִּים Ps 74:14 (where read לְעַם צִיִּים Hup-Now). — On Judg 1:16 see עֲמָלֵקִי.
2. = smaller units, e.g.
  a. inhabitants of a city Gen 19:4 (J), 1Sam 9:12; 1Sam 9:13; Jer 29:16; Jer 29:25; 2Chr 31:4 + (Jer 8:5 strike out ׳יְרוּוּשׁ ᵐ5 Gie Co Rothst).
  b. inhabitants of a locality Jer 37:12 [apparently not = tribe, Deut 33:3 read עַמּוֺ ᵐ5 Di Dr, Hos 10:14; Judg 5:8; Judg 5:14 read בְּעָרֶיךָ We Now; see below ד].
  c. retainers, followers Gen 14:16; Gen 32:8; Gen 33:15; Gen 35:6; Judg 3:18; Judg 8:5; 2Sam 15:17; Jer 41:13; Jer 41:14 +.
  d. people bearing arms 1Sam 11:11; 1Kgs 20:10 +; כָּבֵד ׳ע Num 20:20 (JE), i.e. a powerful force; עַם הַצָּבָא Num 31:32 (P), הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳ע Josh 8:1; Josh 8:3; Josh 8:11; Josh 10:7; Josh 11:7 (all J E); so probably Judg 5:8 a (fighting) band; perhaps also vJudg 5:14 (read singular ? see GFM Bu).
3. = common people Jer 21:7; Jer 22:4; Lev 4:27 (opposed to ruler vLev 4:22), Neh 5:1 (opposed to יְהוּדִים), Neh 7:5 (opposed to rulers).
4. people in general, persons Gen 50:20 (E), so apparently ׳כָּלהָֿעָם אֲשֶׁר וגו Exod 33:16 (J), Num 11:34 (J), Josh 5:5 (twice in verse) (D), Judg 9:36 (as singular), vJudg 9:37 (as plural), Jer 36:9 persons labouring 1Kgs 9:23 superior persons Job 12:2 (iron.); עַם עוֺלָם Ezek 26:30 people of long ago (now in Sh®°ôl).
5. phrases are:
  a. (עַמָּהּ, עַמִּי, עַמְּךָ) בְּנֵי עַמּוֺ members of one's people, compatriots, fellow-countrymen, etc. Num 22:5 (E), Gen 23:11 (P) Lev 19:18 (H), Judg 14:16; Judg 14:17; Ezek 33:2; Ezek 33:12 +.
  b. בְּנֵי הָעָם = common people (see 3) 2Kgs 23:6; Jer 26:23 +; people in general שַׁעַר בְּנֵי הָעָם Jer 17:19 i.e. public gate 2Chr 35:5; 2Chr 35:12.
  c. עַם הָאָרֶץ the people at large, as a body 2Kgs 11:14; 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 11:19; 2Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 21:24 (twice in verse) +, Jer 37:2; Jer 44:21; Lev 20:2 (H), Gen 23:7; Gen 23:12; Gen 23:13 (P); common people Jer 34:19, compare ׳הא ׳דַּלַּת ע 2Kgs 24:14 distinguished from prince Ezek 45:22; Ezek 46:3; Ezek 46:9, from priests Hag 2:4; Zech 7:5 = Canaanites Num 14:9 (JE), compare עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ 1Chr 5:25 mixed post-exile population Ezra 4:4.
  d. עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ usually peoples of the earth Josh 4:24 (D), 2Chr 32:19 +; of heathen peoples about and in Palestine after exile Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:11 traders Neh 10:31 עַמֵּי הָאֲרָצוֺת Neh 9:30; Neh 10:29; 2Chr 32:13.
  e. מִשְׁפְּחוֺת עַמִּים Ps 96:7 = 1Chr 16:28 (compare Ps 22:28). feminine בַּתעַֿמִּי = people personified Isa 22:4; Jer 4:11 + 7 t. Jeremiah + Jer 6:14 (van d. H.; omit בַּת Baer Gi), Lam 2:11; Lam 3:48; Lam 4:3; Lam 4:6; Lam 4:10 בְּתוּלַת בַּתעַֿמִּי Jer 14:17.
  g. designations of Israel are: עַםקָֿרוֺשׁ Deut 7:6 + 3 t., קְדוֺשִׁים ׳ע Dan 8:24, (ה)קֹדֶשׁ ׳ע Isa 62:12; Isa 63:18; Dan 12:7 סְגֻלָּה ׳ע Deut 7:6; Deut 14:2; Deut 26:18.
  h. of foreign (non-Israel) peoples: ׳ע נָכְרִי Exod 21:8 (E), אַחֵר ׳ע Deut 28:32, and especially from language, עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה ׳ע Ezek 3:5 compare vEzek 3:6, כִּלְשׁוֺן עַם וָעָם Neh 13:24 compare Esth 1:22 (twice in verse); Esth 3:12, לֹעֵג ׳ע Ps 114:1.
  i. עַם עֶבְרָתִי Isa 10:6, חֶרְמִי ׳ע Isa 34:11, מִֿבְחָרָיו׳ע Dan 11:15, עַמֵּי תּוֺעֵבוֺת הָאֵלֶּה Ezra 9:14 לֹא עַם בִּינוֺת Isa 27:11. — For עַםעֿוֺלָם Isa 44:7 read (אֹתִיּוֺת) (מִי הִשְׁמִי)עַ מֵעוֺלָם Oort Du Kit CheHpt compare PerlesAnal. 40, 64.


BDB6147 H5971

BDB6146 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6148

II. [עַם] noun [masculine] kinsman

**later development of I. עַם RSK 58; 2nd ed. 72. (on father's side) (Arabic paternal uncle, etc., see I. עמם; compare perhaps Tel Amarna ammu, kinsmen (?); on Nabataean עם ancestor compare Lzb151, 499; see also especially NesEg 187, ZAW xvi (1896), 322f. Krenkelib. viii (1888), 280-84); — suffix עַמִּי in בֶּןעַֿמִּי (q. v.), and proper name following; elsewhere plural suffix עַמֶּיךָ Num 27:13; Num 31:2 (Lev 19:16 read עַמְּךָ ᵐ5 ), + (possibly) עֲמָָמֶיךָ Judg 5:14 עַמָּיו Gen 25:8 + 15 t., עַמֶּיהָ Gen 17:14 + 3 t.; read עַמֶּי (for ᵑ0 עַמִּי, I. עַם; compare Krenkell.c. 281) Gen 49:29 and perhaps Judg 14:3 (compare Lev 21:14); according to Buhl Kit also 2Kgs 4:13father's kinsmen: וַיֵּאָסֵף אֶלעַֿמָּיו Gen 25:8 (of joining kinsmen in Sh®°ôl), so vGen 25:17; Gen 35:29; Gen 49:33; Num 20:24; Deut 32:50, compare Gen 49:29 (see above), Num 27:13; Num 31:2; Deut 32:50 (all P); וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ מֵעַמֶּיהָ Gen 17:4 (severed from living kinsmen), so Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:23; Lev 7:27; Lev 19:8; Lev 23:29; Num 9:13, מִקֶּרֶב עַמֶּיהָ Exod 31:14, compare Exod 30:33; Exod 30:38; Lev 17:9 (all PH); מֵעַמָּיו יִקַּח אִשָּׁה Lev 21:14 (H), and perhaps Judg 14:3 (simile I. עַם: [םָ֯, הָּ֯] מִקֶּרֶב עַמּוֺ Lev 17:4; Lev 17:10; Lev 18:29+); other combinations Judg 5:14 (si vera lectio read perhaps בְּעַמֶּ֑ךָ, see I. עַם 2 d ), Lev 21:1; Lev 21:4; Lev 21:15 (H), Ezek 18:18 and (perhaps) 2Kgs 4:13. — בֶּןעַֿמִּי perhaps = son of my kinsman; on proper name with עַם see GrayProp. N. 41 ff.


BDB9776 H5971 H5972

BDB9775 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9777

עַם noun masculineEzra 6:12 people (see Biblical Hebrew I. עמם, עַם); — ׳ע absolute Dan 2:44; Dan 3:29; Ezra 6:12, construct Dan 7:27 emphatic עַמָּה Ezra 5:12, עַמָּא Ezra 7:13; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 7:25 plural emphatic עַמֲמַיָּא (K§§ 15d); 55, 5 a)) Dan 3:4; Dan 3:7 (twice in verse); Dan 3:31; Dan 5:19; Dan 6:26; Dan 7:14.

people, nations, nation, peoples, folk, …
ʿam
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • nation, people
    • people, nation
    • "persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
    kinsman, kindred

וְ תֹ֖פֶת
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
תֹ֖פֶת
Root word tabret
Dictionary form: תֹּפֶת · toh-PET

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: as a tabret
as a tabret ×1
More options
drum — Broad, modern term for a percussion instrument.
hand drum — Clarifies small, handheld instrument; good for narrative.
tambourine — Familiar modern equivalent; implies frame drum with jingles.
frame drum — Technically precise; preferred in scholarly or formal contexts.
timbrel — Near-modern update of KJV 'tabret'; retains slight archaic feel.

BDB9128 H8611 H8612

BDB9127 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB9129

I. תֹּ֫פֶת noun feminine act of spitting; — absolute ׳לְפָנִים וְת Job 17:6 a spitting in the face do I become, i.e. men spit in my face (|| לִמְשֹׁל עַמִּים; Perles Baer Bu מֹפֵת לִפְנֵיהֶם). II. תֹּפֶת see תפת.

tabret
tōpet
a smiting, i.e., (figuratively) contempt
  • act of spitting, spit

לְ פָנִ֣ים
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
פָנִ֣ים
Root word before, face, presence, because, faces, …
Dictionary form: פָּנִים · paw-NEEM

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

In the KJV here: and aforetime
before ×796 the face ×55 from before ×53 his face ×53 because ×49 my face ×48 thy face ×39 before him ×38
More options
face — Most direct rendering; prefer for literal, physical contexts.
presence — Ideal for divine or royal encounter contexts.
countenance — Slightly elevated; suits emotional or expressive descriptions.
surface — Use for physical objects, land, or water (e.g. 'surface of the deep').
in front of — Best for spatial or positional prepositional phrases.
because of — Use when פָּנִים heads a causal prepositional phrase.

BDB4446 H3942 H6440

BDB4445 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4447

לִפְנָָֽי 1Kgs 6:17 see below [ פָּנֶה], פָּנִים.


BDB6680 H6440 H3942

BDB6679 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6681

[פָּנֶה], plural פָּנִים2123 noun masculineProv 25:23 and (Ezekiel = Prov 21:21 = edge; on 2Sam 10:9 see below) feminine face, also faces (as turned toward one); — plural absolute פָּנִים Gen 32:31 +; construct פְּנֵי 2Sam 14:32 +; suffix 1 singular פָּנַי Gen 43:3 +; 3 masculine singular פָּנָיו Gen 4:5 +, פָּנֵי֑מוֺ Ps 11:7 (ll.1.446); 2 masculine pluralפְּנֵיכֶם Gen 40:7 +, etc.; — usually with verb plural, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6; Exod 33:14 +; with verb singular Lam 4:16 (through influence of intervening ׳י, Ges«GKC:146a»§ 146a), Prov 15:14 (but read פִּי, as Qr, see פֶּה); —

I. 1. face, faces (Jer 30:6; Ezek 27:35 +, compare Ezek 1:6; Ezek 10:14; Ezek 10:21 etc.):
  a. literally, of man Gen 43:31; 2Sam 19:5; 1Kgs 19:13; Lev 13:14; Dan 8:18; Dan 10:9; Dan 10:15 +; ׳עוֺר פ Exod 35:29; Exod 35:30; Exod 35:35 pale (from alarm) Isa 29:22; Jer 30:6, flushed Isa 13:8; Ezek 21:3, compare Nah 2:11; Joel 2:6 tearful Isa 25:8; Job 16:16 sad, רעים ׳פ Gen 40:7, compare Neh 2:2; Neh 2:3, also ׳רֹעַ פ Eccl 7:8 i.e. sadness; ׳יֵּיטִב פ Prov 15:13 maketh glad the face; נָָֽפְלוּ פָנֶיךָ, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6 why is the face fallen (in displeasure), compare 1Sam 1:18 (reading נָָֽפְלָה, נָָֽפְ לוּ, or הִפִּילָה); covered with shame Ezek 7:18, whence figurative of confusion, discomfiture Jer 51:51; Ps 69:8; Ps 83:17, etc.
  b. of ׳י Exod 33:20, compare vExod 33:23.
  c. פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face, of seeing (God) Gen 32:31, compare Judg 6:22, knowing Deut 34:10, judging Ezek 20:35, speaking Exod 33:11, and so ׳בְּפ ׳פ Deut 5:4 נִתְרֶאֶה פָנִים 2Kgs 14:8 see each other (in the) face = meet each other in battle, compare v2Kgs 14:11 = 2Chr 25:17; 2Chr 25:21.
  d. of relations with ׳׃י ׳הֵרִים פ Ezra 9:6, in worship (see also נשׂא); in spiritual sense Jer 2:27; Jer 32:33 (פָּנָה אֵלַי עֹרֶף וְלֹא פָנִים); ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ י ׳נָתַן פ 2Chr 20:3 ׳נָתַן אֶתפֿ אֶלאֲֿדֹנָי Dan 9:3 הַבָּנִים קְשֵׁי פָנִים Ezek 2:4.
  e. of ׳י himself, לֹא יָסִיר פָּנִיםִ מִכֶּם 2Chr 30:9 בְּעֹשֵׂי ׳פְּנֵי י רָ֑ע Ps 34:17 גַּעֲרַת פָּנֶיךָ Ps 80:17. — See further below
7. 2. a. = presence, person, of ׳י Exod 33:14; Exod 33:15, בְּפָנָיו Deut 4:37, מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו Isa 63:9 לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, see לֶחֶם; of ׳י's angry presence Lam 4:16; Ps 21:10 of Absalom 2Sam 17:11 in weakened sense, nearly = suffix (compare נפשׁ 4 a), Prov 7:15.
  b. with ראה technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence: before a man Gen 32:21 (+ 3 other uses of ׳פ), (God, with יראה pointed as Niph`al, see II 2); especially as privilege, = have access to, man of rank Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5; Gen 44:23; Gen 44:26, king Exod 10:28 (twice in verse) compare vExod 10:29 (all J), 2Sam 14:24 (twice in verse); 2Sam 14:28; 2Sam 14:32 compare 2Sam 3:13 (twice in verse); רֹאֵי פְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 25:19 = Jer 52:25; Esth 1:14 implying favour of person seen, man Gen 33:10 (J), God vGen 33:10, compare Job 33:26 (Hiph`il), and, with חזה, Ps 11:7; Ps 17:15.
3. face of seraphim Isa 6:2, cherubim Exod 25:20 (twice in verse) = Exod 37:9 (twice in verse), Ezek 1:8; Ezek 1:11; 2Chr 3:13 +.
4. face of animals, פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן Gen 30:40 ׳אַרְיֵה וּפ ׳פ נֶשֶׁר ׳שׁוֺר ופ Ezek 1:10 (in descr. of cherubim), compare Ezek 10:14 אַרְיֵה ׳פ also 1Chr 12:8 (figurative), כְֿפִיר׳פ Ezek 41:19 ׳פִּתְחֵי פ Job 41:6 of crocodile.
5. face (= surface) of ground (הָאֲדָמָה) Gen 2:6; Gen 4:14; Gen 7:4; Ps 104:30 +, so הָאָרֶץ ׳פ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3; Gen 8:9; Gen 11:4; Gen 11:8; Gen 11:9; Gen 19:28; Isa 24:1, תֵבֵל ׳פ Isa 14:21; Isa 27:6 of a field Prov 24:31 תְהוֺם ׳פ Gen 1:2 (twice in verse); Job 38:30, הַמַּיִם ׳פ Gen 7:18 רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם׳פ Gen 1:20 כִֿסֵּה׳פ Job 26:9 i.e. of God's throne (but Bu reads כֶּסֶה fullmoon); הַלּוֺט ׳פ Job 25:7 see [ לוּט; לְבוּשׁוֺ ׳פ Job 41:5 the expanse of his [the crocodile's] coat; front (especially Ezek.), of house Ezek 41:14; Ezek 47:1, הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳פ Ezek 41:21 of gate Ezek 40:6; Ezek 40:20; Ezek 40:22; Ezek 42:15; Ezek 43:4 of chamber Ezek 40:44 (twice in verse); Ezek 40:45; Ezek 40:46 of pot (סִיר) Jer 1:13 הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳פ 2Sam 10:9 battle-front = 1Chr 19:10 (verb agrees with ׳הַמּ in gender, Ges«GKC:146a»§ 146a); = van of locust-army Joel 2:20 (opposed to סֹפוֺ); front, i.e. edge, of sword Ezek 21:21, of axe Eccl 10:10 = condition, state of a thing, as denoted by its appearance; of flock Prov 27:23 הַדָּבָר ׳פ 2Sam 14:20 the appearance (situation, attitude) of the affair.
6. as adverb of location מִפָּנִים וּמֵאָחוֺר 2Sam 10:9 before and behind = ׳וְֿ ׳פ 1Chr 19:10, also Ezek 2:10; 2Chr 13:14 פְּנֵי toward Song 7:5, also in front (to the East?) of 2Chr 20:16 (see לִפְנֵי d below); לְפָנִים forward Jer 7:24 (opposed to לְאחוֺר); מִלִּפְנִים 1Kgs 6:29 see פְּנִימָה; adverb temporal לְפָנִים formerly Deut 2:12; Deut 2:20; Josh 11:10; Judg 1:10; Judg 1:11; Judg 1:13 + 12 t.; מִלְּפָנִים Isa 41:26 from beforetime (|| מֵראֹשׁ).
7. for other phrases see: אוֺר verb Hiph`il 5; אוֺר n. 10; בּוֺשׁ Hiph`il; בקשׁ Pi`el 3; בּשֶׁת 1; [הַכָּרָה]; הָדַר 2; זָעַם Niph`al; זָעַף 1; הָבַשׁ 1 a; I. חָרָה I חָוַר; חָזַק Pi`el 5; II. חלה; IV. חמר; חָפָה; טָחַן; יָעַד Hoph`al; יְשׁוּעָה 3; כּוּן Hiph`il 3; כִּפֶּר 1; כָּסָה Pi`el 1, 2; מָאוֺר; מְגַמָּה p. 169; I. מוּל; מַשּׂא; [נָבַט] Hiph`il 3; נֶגֶד 1, 2 c; נֹכַח; נָכַר Hiph`il; נָפַל 3 b, and Hiph`il 5; נָשָׂא 1 b (3); נָתַן 2 b; סָבַב Hiph`il 1 a; סָתַר Hiph`il 2; I. עֵבֶר 2; עַז, עָזַז Hiph`il; עָמַד Hiph`il 6 a; II. עֻמָּה; [צָרַב]; [קָדַם] Pi`el; שִׂים; שׁוּב Hiph`il; שִׁית; II.שָׁנָה Pi`el; תֹּפֶת. II. פְּנֵי with prepositions: —
1. אֶלפְּֿנֵי:
  a. to the presence of, Exod 23:17 pregnantly יֵרָאֶה ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הָאָדוֺן shall appear (coming) to the presence of (= before) ׳י (|| Exod 34:23 ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי הָא); with יָצָא = to confront 2Chr 19:2.


  b. to the front of, after a verb of motion, Lev 6:7 הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳הַקְרֵב אֹתָהּ ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵ, Lev 9:5; Lev 16:2; Num 17:8; Num 20:10.
  c. towards or on the front of (אֶל = עַל), Ezek 41:4; Ezek 41:12; Ezek 41:15; Ezek 41:25; Ezek 42:2; Ezek 42:3; Ezek 42:7; Ezek 42:10; Ezek 42:13; Ezek 45:7; Ezek 48:21.
  d. on to the surface of, Lev 14:53 וְשִׁלַּח ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה, Ezek 16:5.

2. אֶתפְּֿנֵי close by (II. אֵת) the face or front of: hence
  a. the presence of, 1Sam 2:11 עֵלִי ׳אֶתפֿ 1Kgs 12:6 who stood שְׁלֹמֹה ׳אֶתפֿ (compare לִפְנֵי 1Kgs 10:8), Esth 1:10; Prov 17:24 pregnantly (nisi וַיַּנִּחֵם leg., ᵑ6 ᵑ7 We Dr and others) 1Sam 22:4. Specifically ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי י Gen 19:13 (1Sam 2:17), v1Sam 2:27; 1Sam 2:18 and with נִרְאָה of the appearance of all males at the three annual חַגִּים, Exod 34:23 הָאָדֹן ׳יֵרָאֶה כָּלזְֿכוּרְךָ אֶתפֿ, vExod 34:24; Deut 16:16 (compare Dr), Deut 31:11; 1Sam 1:22 (|| ׳י ׳אלפֿ Exod 23:17); so פָּנַי alone Exod 23:15 = Exod 34:20 (לֹא יֵרָאוּ פָנַי רֵיקָם), Isa 1:22, פָנֶיךָ Ps 42:3 (according to many, GesThes DiExod 23:15 CheIsa 1:12, critical note, the verb in all these passages was originally Qal, afterwards pointed as Niph`al to avoid the expression see the face of ׳י); אֶתפָּֿנֶיךָ in thy presence Ps 16:10; Ps 21:7; Ps 140:14.
  b. in front of, Gen 33:18. הָעִיר ׳וַיִּחַן אֶתפֿ, Lev 4:6 פָרֹכֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳אֶתפֿ ׳לִפְנֵי י vLev 4:17. — מֵאֵת פְּנֵי from before, see II. אֵת
4 a. 3. בִּפְנֵי: (a) in the face of, mostly in particular phrases, with hostile import: thus, with יָרַק to spit Num 12:14; Deut 25:9 התיצב to make a stand Deut 7:24; Deut 11:25, and עמד Josh 10:8, לֹא יַעֲמֹד אִישׁ בְּפָנֶיךָ Josh 21:42; Josh 23:9 עָנָה to answer (give evidence) against, Hos 5:5 וענה גאון ישׂראל בפניו, Hos 7:10; Job 16:8 וְנָקֹטוּ בִּפְנֵיהֶם = feel loathing against their own selves, Ezek 6:9, so Ezek 20:43; Ezek 36:31. (b) in front of, Ezek 42:12.

4. לִפְנֵי, properly at the face or front of, the most general word for in the presence of, before: as Gen 18:22 עֹמֵד לִפְנֵי אַבְרָהָם, Exod 4:21; Exod 11:10; 2Sam 2:14; Prov 17:18 + often; after a verb of motion, Gen 47:2 וַיַּצִּיגֵם ׳לפני פ and set them before Pharaoh, Gen 27:20 ׳כִּי הִקְרָה י לפני literally made (it) to meet before me (compare Gen 24:12), Exod 29:10; Prov 18:16 etc. In particular,
  a. With the implication of
   (a) under the eye or oversight of, Deut 25:2; 1Sam 3:1.
   (b) under the eye and regard of, Gen 17:18 לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ, Hos 6:2; Isa 53:2; Ps 61:8 compare Jer 30:20; Jer 31:36; Isa 66:22; Ps 102:29: also 1Sam 2:28; 2Sam 19:14.
   (c) figurative for in (or into) the full (mental) view of, Gen 6:13 קֵץ כָּלבָּֿשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי is come in before me, Lam 1:22 תָּבאֹ כָלרָֿעָתָם לְפָנֶיךָ, Jonah 1:2 עָֽלְתָה לְפָנַי (compare אֶל Gen 18:21; Exod 2:23), Isa 65:6 כְּתוּבָה לְפָנָ֑י, Jer 2:22 נִכְתָּךְ לְפָנָי (compare נֶגְדִּי Isa 47:12).
   (d) openly before, 1Sam 12:2 הִתְהַלֵךְ לִפְנֵי, and with collateral idea of deserving (and receiving) regard 1Sam 2:35, especially ׳לפני י Gen 17:1 and elsewhere.
   (e) in presence of the moon or sun, Ps 72:5; Ps 72:17, i.e. as long as they endure.
   (f) free before, at the disposal of,Gen 13:9 הֲלֹא כָלהָֿאָרֶץ לְפָנֶיךָ (compare Gen 20:15; Gen 34:10; Gen 47:6; Jer 40:4; 2Chr 14:6), 2Chr 24:51; Song 8:12.
   (g) in the sight (estimation) of, Gen 7:1 thee have I seen to be just before me, Gen 10:9 a mighty hunter before ׳י, Deut 24:4 ׳י ׳תּוֺעֵבָה ל, vDeut 24:13 ׳י ׳צְדָקָה ל, 1Sam 20:1 b, אָרוּר ׳י ׳ל Josh 6:26; 1Sam 26:19, ׳י ׳לְרָצוֺן ל acceptable before ׳י, Lev 1:3 +, Ps 19:15; 2Kgs 5:1 a great man לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנָיו, Prov 14:12; Ps 143:2 ׳וַיִּיטַב ל (late synonym of earlier בְּעֵנֵי) Neh 2:5; Neh 2:6; Esth 5:14 ׳טוֺב ל Eccl 2:26; Eccl 7:26 compare also נָתַן לְרַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי, see רַחֲמִים.
   (h) ׳לִפְנֵי י, specifically of acts done with a solemn sense of ׳י's presence, often, but not always, at a sanctuary: Gen 27:7 that I may eat and bless thee before ׳י, before I die, Exod 18:12 to eat bread before God, Deut 1:45 ye wept before ׳י, Deut 6:25; Deut 12:7 (to eat, so vDeut 12:18; Deut 14:23; Deut 14:26; Deut 15:20), vDeut 15:12 (rejoice, so vDeut 15:18; Deut 27:7; Isa 9:2), Josh 18:6; Josh 24:1; Judg 11:11; Judg 20:23; Judg 20:26; Judg 21:2; 1Sam 7:6; 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 11:15; 1Sam 12:7; 1Sam 15:33; 1Sam 23:18; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 21:9 and constantly in P, as Exod 16:9; Exod 16:33; Exod 16:34; Lev 1:5; Lev 1:11; Lev 3:1; Lev 3:7 etc.; of residents in Jerusalem Isa 23:18. So in ׳י ׳הָלַךְ ל 1Kgs 2:4 and elsewhere.
  b. In other phrases: —
   (a) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand before, i.e. wait upon, be in attendance on, Deut 1:38 and elsewhere (see עָמַד 1 e). Simil. הָיָה לִפְנֵי 1Sam 19:7 (compare 1Sam 29:8), 2Kgs 5:2 ׳עָבַד ל 2Sam 16:19.
   (b) הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לִפְנֵי to bow down before Gen 23:12; Deut 26:10; 2Kgs 18:22 and elsewhere (see below שָׁחָה; also נָפַל 3 b): so with הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray 1Sam 1:12 +; compare הלך פָני 1Kgs 12:30; 1Chr 21:30.
   (c) to be smitten (נִגַּף) before a foe; see נָגַף Niph`al [contrast נוּס מִפְּנֵי: below 6 a]. So with נָפַל 1Sam 14:13 נָתַן (in helplessness or flight), especially in Deuteronomy, as Deut 1:8; Deut 1:21; Deut 7:2 (twice in verse); Deut 7:23; Josh 10:12; Josh 11:6 + (DrDT lxxxii): compare Judg 4:15; 2Sam 5:20; Isa 45:1; Jer 1:17.
   (d) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand (make a stand) before (not quite so strong as בִּפְנֵי ׳ע, above 3), Exod 9:11; Judg 2:14; 2Kgs 10:4; Jer 49:19; Ps 76:8; Ps 147:17; Nah 1:6 so with הִתְיַצֵּב Deut 9:2; Josh 1:5; Job 41:2, קוּם Josh 7:12; Josh 7:13.
   (e) in hostile sense (rare), יָצָא לִפְנֵי go forth to face 1Chr 14:8; 2Chr 14:9.
   (f) לִפְנֵי (נָתַן) שִׂים, of food, to set or place before, Gen 18:8; Gen 24:33 +.
   (g) נָתַן לִפְנֵי to set before, i.e. propound for acceptance or choice, usually of laws (especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah), Deut 4:8; Deut 11:26; Deut 11:32; Deut 30:1; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19; 1Kgs 9:6 (D2), Jer 9:12; Jer 21:8; Jer 26:4; Jer 44:10; , compare Ezek 23:24 (place at disposal of): so with שִׂים Exod 19:7; Exod 21:1.
  c. With reference to position:
   (a) in front of, before, especially with verbs of motion (with which נֶגֶד is hardly used), Gen 32:21 בַּמִּנְחָה הַהֹלֶכֶת לְפָנָ֔י that goeth before me, Gen 33:14 the cattle אֲשֶׁר לְפָנַי, Exod 17:5; Exod 23:20 etc.; in the description of a march or procession, Exod 13:21; Exod 13:22; Num 10:33; Isa 52:12; Isa 58:8 +; 2Sam 3:31 and wail before Abner (before his bier); of flocks before a shepherd Gen 32:18 of captives or booty driven before a conqueror 1Sam 30:20 (read וַיִּנְהֲגוּ לְפָנָיו We Dr), Isa 8:4; Isa 40:10 = Isa 62:11 וּפְעֻלָּתוֺ לְפָנָיו his recompence (i.e. his newly-recovered people, regarded as his prize of war) before him, Amos 9:4; Lam 1:5; Lam 1:6
   (b) of a leader, etc. = at the head of, Deut 10:11; Judg 9:39; 1Sam 8:20; Mic 1:13 and elsewhere; compare בא ויצא לפני (העם) Num 27:17; 1Sam 18:13; 1Sam 18:16; 2Chr 1:10; Eccl 4:16 before whom (at whose head) he was.
   (c) denoting superiority, before, above, Gen 48:20 וַיָּשֶׂם אתאֿפרים לפני מנשׁה, Job 34:19.
  d. Of places (not very common): Exod 14:2 before Pi-hahiroth . . ., before Baal-zephon, Num 33:7b, Gen 23:17 מַמְרֵא ׳אשׁר ל (usually ׳על פני מ: see 7 a d), 1Chr 19:7; Neh 8:1; Neh 8:3 before the temple, veil, altar, etc., Exod 16:34 + הָעֵדֻת ׳ל, Exod 30:6 + הַפָּרֹכֶת ׳ל, Exod 40:5; Exod 40:6; Num 3:38; Num 7:10 and elsewhere (all P), 1Kgs 6:21; 1Kgs 7:49 +.
  e. Of time, before: Amos 1:1: לפני הָָֽ רעַשׁ before the earthquake, Gen 29:26; Gen 30:30 לְפָנַי before me (i.e. before I came to thee), Exod 10:14 לפניו לא היה כן before it there was not the like, Num 13:22; 1Kgs 16:25; 1Kgs 16:30 מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר לְפָנָיו, Isa 43:10; Isa 48:7; Prov 8:25; Job 15:7 etc. Sq. infinitive, Gen 13:10 ׳לִפְנֵי שַׁחֵת י before ׳י's destroying, etc., Gen 27:7 לִפְנֵי מוֺתִי, Gen 36:31; 1Sam 9:15 +. Once, in late Hebrew, לִפְנֵי מִזֶּה before this Neh 13:4. feminine In the manner of, like (rare and dubious), 1Sam 1:16 אַלתִּֿתֵּן אֶתאֲֿמָֽתְךָ לִפְנֵי בַתבִּֿלִיַּעַל like a worthless woman, Job 3:24 like my food, Job 4:19 they are crushed like the moth (compare Lat pro).
5. מִלִּפְנֵי73 from before: —
  a. from the presence of (properly, from a position before a person or object: to be distinguished from מִפְּנֵי; see 6):
   (a) Gen 41:46 ׳ויצא יוסף מִלִּפְנֵי פ from before Pharaoh, Gen 47:10; 2Kgs 5:27; 2Kgs 6:32 +; ׳י ׳מל Gen 4:6 Cain went forth from before ׳י, Jonah 1:3; Jonah 1:10 specifically of the sanctuary, Lev 9:24 ׳ותצא אשׁ מלפני י (so Lev 10:2), קֶצֶף Num 17:11 (compare 2Chr 19:2), with לָקַח etc. Lev 16:12; Num 17:24; Num 20:9, 1Sam 21:7 the shew-bread that was removed from before ׳י; from before a place 1Kgs 8:54; Ezra 10:6; 2Chr 1:13,
   (b) of taking, etc., from before a person, Gen 23:4 to bury my dead from before me, vGen 23:8; Exod 36:3; Deut 17:18 ׳וכתב לו מִשְׁנֵה התורה הזאת מל הכהנים from (the copy) before the priests, Deut 28:31 גָּזוּכ מלפניך.
   (c) with בקשׁ Esth 4:8 [compare מִןקֳדָם Dan 2:18]; and to express the idea of proceeding from a person, Esth 1:19 [compare Dan 2:15], Eccl 10:5; 1Chr 29:12 הָעשֶׁר והכבוד מלפניך (compare Acts 3:19); Ps 17:2 מלפניך. יֵצֵא משׁפטי.
   (d) of cutting off, etc., from before ׳י (compare לִפְנֵי a b, c), Lev 22:3; 1Kgs 8:25 לֹאיִֿכָּרֵת לְךָ אִישׁ, מִלְּפָנִי Jer 31:36; Jer 33:18; Isa 48:19: Ps 51:13 אַלתַּֿשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנְיךָ (compare 8 a); Jer 16:17 לֹא נִסְתְּרוּ מִלְּפָנַי, Jer 18:23; Neh 3:37.
   (e) of expelling from before an invader, Exod 23:28; Deut 9:4; Deut 11:23; Deut 31:3 + (but much less common than מִפְּנֵי).
  b. (Chiefly late) to express the source or cause, with the force of the לְ weakened, in cases where the earlier language would have used מִפְּנֵי: with verbs of fearing, 1Sam 18:12; Eccl 3:14; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13; 1Chr 16:30 חִילִי מִלְּפָנָיו [|| Ps 96:9 מפניו], Ps 114:7 (twice in verse); Esth 7:6; 2Chr 32:7 ( + מפני); failing, etc., Isa 57:16; Ps 97:5 being humbled, 1Kgs 21:29 ( + מפני), 2Chr 32:12; 2Chr 32:23; 2Chr 34:27 [|| 2Kgs 22:19 מפני], 2Kgs 36:12 crying for help 1Sam 8:18 [compare מפני Exod 3:7], singing 1Chr 16:33 [|| Ps 96:13 לפני], fleeing 1Chr 19:18 [|| 2Sam 10:18 מִפְּנֵי].
  c. of time, once, = לִפְנֵי Eccl 1:10. — With the later usages of ׳מל, compare מִן קֳדָם in Biblical Aramaic and ᵑ7 (Dr Smlxx-lxxi, lxxiii); see also ii. 320.
6. מִפְּנֵי from the face or presence of, from before, Exod 14:19 וַיִּסַּע עמוד הענן מִפְּנֵיהֶם removecl from before them, Isa 30:11; Hos 11:2 so
  a. (often with suggestion of causation (see מִן 2 d, e, f), because of, for fear of [so AV RV Judg 9:21; 1Sam 21:11; 1Sam 23:26; (twice in verse); Jer 37:11; Jer 41:9; Jer 50:16]) after verbs of hiding Gen 3:8; Gen 4:14; Isa 2:10 (compare vIsa 2:19 vIsa 2:21); and especially of escaping, Judg 9:21 (Thes 'bene ᵑ9 ob metum A.'), 1Sam 18:11; 1Sam 19:10; 1Sam 23:26, or fleeing, Exod 4:3; Exod 14:25; 1Sam 17:24 + often (see בָּרַךְ and נוּס), and expelling, destroying, etc. Exod 23:30 אֲגָָֽרְשֶׁנּוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ I will expel them from before thee, Exod 34:11; Exod 34:24 אוֺרִישׁ גּוֺיִם מִפָּנֶיךָ (see הוֺרִישׁ), Lev 18:24; Deut 8:20; Amos 2:9; Ps 89:24 + often (as though clearing the way for Israel, for Israel's sake: compare Isa 63:12 בּוֺקֵעַ מַיִס מִפְּנֵיהֶם, Josh 2:10; Josh 4:23). Pregn. Isa 17:9 ׳כַּעֲזוּבַת ֗֗֗ אשׁר עזבו מפני בני ישׂר which they forsook (fleeing) from before, etc.
  b. implying causation more distinctly. Ps 9:4 יאבדו מפניך perish from before thee or at the presence, Deut 7:20: very often with verbs of fearing, as גור, יגר, חיל, ירא, ערץ, פחד, קוץ Exod 9:30; Num 22:3 (twice in verse); Deut 1:17; Jer 5:22 etc. (mostly when the object inspiring fear is a person: when it is a thing, מִן alone is preferred; but see Deut 5:5; Deut 9:19); of being alarmed or dismayed Gen 45:3; Josh 2:9; Jer 1:17; Job 23:15, etc.; of humbling oneself Exod 10:3; Judg 11:33 +; with other words, to indicate the external ground of an action or effect, as הַס מִפָּנָיו be silent at (i.e. because of) his presence Zeph 1:7; Hab 2:20; Judg 5:5 the mountains flowed ׳מפני י at the presence of ׳י, Isa 63:19; Jer 4:26; Nah 1:5; Ps 68:3 as wax melteth מפני אשׁ; Deut 20:19; Isa 19:1; Isa 26:17 כן היינו מפניך so were we through thy presence (more than לפניך, — implying that their state was due to ׳י); קום מפני to rise up at the presence of Gen 31:35; Lev 19:32. (
N.B. In a, b, frequently rendered before in AV RV, and so confused with לפני; but the מִן retains always its full force in the Hebrew)
  c. of the cause, whether nearer or more remote:
   (a) Gen 6:13 מָֽלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם because of them (i.e. occasioned by them), Gen 27:4 I loathe my life because of the daughters of Heth, Gen 36:7 the land could not support them because of their cattle, Gen 41:31; Gen 47:13; Exod 3:7 their cry by reason of their taskmasters, Exod 8:20 תִּשָּׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי הֶעָרֹב, Exod 9:11; Josh 2:11; Josh 23:3; Judg 2:18; Judg 6:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 8:11 + often; Isa 10:27 (RVm), Jer 15:17; Ps 38:4; Ps 38:6, etc.; Jer 4:4 + מִפְּנֵי רֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם by reason of the evil of your doings, Jer 7:12; Jer 9:6; Jer 13:17; Jer 14:16; Jer 23:9 + often
   (b) stating the reason for which a thing is not done (Latin prae,), 1Kgs 8:11; Job 37:19.
   (c) with אֲשֶׁר as a conjunction, twice, because that, Exod 19:18; Jer 44:23. — Num 33:8 see פִּי הַחִירֹת.
7. עַלפְּֿנֵי (compare Phoenician עַל פְּנֵ, עלת פְּנֵ, Lzb352) has different meanings according to the different senses of the noun and the preposition: —
  a. From the sense of face or front:
   (a) in front of (more definite and distinct than לפני): Ps 18:43 as dust before the wind (compare לפני Ps 35:5; Ps 83:14 +), Gen 32:22 the present passed on עלפֿניו in front of him, Exod 33:19 אעביר כלטֿוּבי עלפֿניך,2Sam 15:18; 2Sam 15:23 (read עלפֿניו: see Dr), Job 4:15 = in the sight of, Lev 10:3 ועלפֿני כל העם אֶכָּבֵד, Jer 6:7 עַלפָּֿנַי תָּמִיד חֳלִי וּמַכָּה, Jer 13:26 (compare Nah 3:5), Ps 9:20 יִשָּֽׁפְטוּ גוים עלפֿניך before thee: defiantly, Job 1:11 אםלֿא עלֿ פניך יְבָֽרְכֶךָּ will renounce thee to thy face, Job 6:28 ועלפֿניכם אם אֲכַוֵּב, Job 21:31 to die in the presence of any one ( = in his lifetime) Gen 11:28; Num 3:4.
   (b) before, to the exclusion of another, i.e. in preference to, Deut 21:16, and perhaps(Ew§ 217 l) Exod 20:3 (Deut 5:7) לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים עלפֿני (Thes and others as c).
   (c) in addition to, Job 16:14 פֶּרֶץעַלפְּֿנֵיפֶֿרֶץ יִפְרְצֵנִי.
   (d) of localities, in front of, mostly (but not always: see GFMJu., p. 351) = east of, 1Kgs 6:3 the porch in front of, etc., v1Kgs 6:3; 1Kgs 7:6; 1Kgs 8:8; 2Chr 3:17; Ezek 42:8; Gen 16:12 עלפֿני כלאֿחיו ישׁכן (compare Gen 25:18 b), perhaps (Di and others) with collateral idea of defiance; מַמְרֵא ׳עַלפֿ Gen 23:19 (Gen 50:13), Exod 16:14 often in אשׁר עלפֿני ֗֗֗ Gen 25:9 (Gen 49:30), מצרים vGen 49:18 a (Josh 13:3; 1Sam 15:7), Num 21:11; Num 33:7 a, ירחו Deut 32:49 (Deut 34:1), Josh 13:3; Josh 13:25; Josh 15:8 (Josh 18:16), Josh 17:7; Josh 18:14; Josh 19:11; Judg 16:3; 1Sam 24:3 (probably), 1Sam 26:1; 1Sam 26:3; 2Sam 2:24; 1Kgs 11:7 (the Mt. of Olives, east of Jews.; so 2Kgs 23:13; Zech 14:4), Zech 17:3; Zech 17:5. — Gen 1:20 let fowl fly עלפֿני רקיע השׁמים in front of the firmament of heaven, namely as looked up to from below, i.e. between the firmament and the earth. (ε) with verbs implying direction, over towardas, Gen 18:16 וישׁקף עלפֿני סדם, Gen 19:28; Num 21:20 (Num 23:28) נשׁקפה עלפֿני הישׁימן overlooking; to sprinkle against the front of Lev 16:14 in a hostile sense (rare), Nah 2:2 עָלָה מֵפִיץ עַלפָּֿנַיִךְ, Ps 21:13; Ezek 32:10.


  b. From the sense of surface, Gen 1:2 עלפֿני תהום upon the face of the deep, Exod 16:14 ׳המדבר עלפֿ: often in the phrases עלפֿני (כל) הארץ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3 +, and (more frequently) עלפֿני האדמה on the face of the ground Gen 6:1; Gen 7:23 etc.; על פני השׂדה Lev 17:5; Num 19:16; 1Sam 14:25 +; after verbs of motion, 1Sam 11:4 lest we be scattered over the face of all the earth, v1Sam 11:8 v1Sam 11:9; Exod 32:20; Lev 14:7 (Lev 14:53 אל), Isa 18:2; Isa 19:8; Amos 5:8; Ezek 32:4; Job 5:10 +.

8. מֵעַלפְּֿנֵי
  a. from before the face of, Gen 23:3 Abraham rose up מֵעַל פְּנֵי מֵתוֺ from before his dead, i.e. from mourning before or beside it; Psalms (פניו) מֵעַל פני from before my (his) face, often in Kings & Jeremiah of the rejection of Israel or the temple, as with שִׁלַּת 1Kgs 9:7 (|| 2Chr 7:20 השׁליך), Jer 15:1, השׁליד 2Kgs 13:23; 2Kgs 24:20 (Jer 52:3), Jer 7:15, נטשׁ Jer 23:39, הסיר 2Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 23:27; 2Kgs 24:3; Jer 32:31.
  b. from of the surface of, often in the phrase מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, with verbs of cutting off, removing, expelling, etc., Psalms; Gen 4:14; Gen 6:7; Gen 7:4; Gen 8:8; Exod 32:12; Deut 6:15; 1Sam 20:15; 1Kgs 9:7; 1Kgs 13:34; Amos 9:8; Jer 28:16; Zeph 1:2; Zeph 1:3.


BDB6683 H3942 H6440

BDB6682 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6684

לִפְנָ֑י 1Kgs 6:17, Ew§ 164 a Ke as adjective, anterior, but read, with ᵐ5, לִפְנֵי הַדְּבִיד Th Sta Kit and others

before, face, presence, because, faces, …
pānîm
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
  • face
    • face, faces
    • "presence, person"face (of seraphim or cherubim)"face (of animals)"face, surface (of ground)"as adv of loc/temp
      • before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
      with prep
      • in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

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

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

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

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

BDB2099 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2101

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

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺהC518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare § 88). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see LagSym i.14 BaudStudien i.179 ff.; DrStud.Bib.i.1 ff. For Jeve see StaZAW 1881, 346 Deib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.
2. on literature of interpretations see NesEg.67 Drl.c. — Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, NesEg.88 (but NesEg.91 inclines to Qal as RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RSOTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245, compare WeSkizzen iii.175; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, StaG.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ewinfr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Drl.c.17)).
**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by BauRel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230); DlPa 162 ff. claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kuenational Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.) JastrJBL xiil {1894}, 103 f. compare HptBAS i. 170 N; DlBabel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f. makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially HirschZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff. ZimKATS. 465 ff.; SpiegelbZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff. proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in KöEB NAMES, § 112 and n.3. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to SchwThLZ, 1905, col. 612.

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

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
  a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D2); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
  b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D2 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
  c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D2 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
  d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
  e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
  g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
  h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by RP as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.
2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
  a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
  b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
  c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
  d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.
3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

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


BDB2145 H1961

BDB2144 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2146

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

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

I. 1. a. Fall out, happen מֶההָֿיָה הַדָּבָר 1Sam 4:16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2Sam 1:4 מֶההָֿיָה לוֺ Exod 32:1; Exod 32:23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1Sam 10:12 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ 1Sam 6:9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also וַיְהִילֿוֺ כֵּן 2Kgs 7:20 and so it happened to him, compare וַיְהִיכֵֿן below
  b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass:גְדוֺלָה הָֽיְתָה בָּעָם מַגֵּפָה 1Sam 4:17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2Sam 17:9 וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיַעַר אֶפְרַיִם 2Sam 18:6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on אפרים compare Klo Dr); Josh 22:17 (P; of plague); תְּהִי נָא אָלָה Gen 26:28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Judg 21:5 compare 2Kgs 17:7 (si vera lectio), Ezek 16:34 especially late, 2Chr 29:36; 2Chr 32:31; Eccl 1:9; Eccl 1:10; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — כֵּן הָיָה Gen 41:3 (E) so it came to pass, 2Sam 13:25, וַיְהִיכֵֿן Judg 6:38; 2Kgs 15:12; Isa 29:5, & especially וַיְהִיכֵֿן Gen 1:7; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:11; Gen 1:15; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (all P) +; יְהִי כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ Gen 30:34 let it be as thou sayest, Zech 6:15, see also לֹא תָקוּם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה Isa 7:7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Isa 14:34 (so often בּוֺא q. v. 2 c, p. 98 above)
2. especially & very often, come about, come to pass followed by substantive (subject) clause almost always + modifying (usually temporal) clause or phrase:
  a. ( I) וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.) followed by
   (a) Imperfect consecutive: a. with Infinitive with כְּ temporal Gen 12:14; Gen 19:17 (both J) + 75 t. + Esth 3:4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only Exod 16:10, D only Deut 5:20; Deut 31:24; Josh 5:1; Josh 9:1 27 t. in Kings), — somewhat different is 2Kgs 7:18 β. with Infinitive with בְּ Gen 4:8; Gen 11:2 (both J) + 29 t. + Esth 3:4 Kt (in Hexateuch 10 t. J E; 3 t. P, Gen 19:29; Exod 34:29; Num 17:7 not in D); γ. with בְּ followed by temporal noun (יוֺם, בֹּקֶר, etc.) Gen 21:22 (E) Gen 26:32 (J) + 45 t. (Hes 14 t. J E; 3 t. P, Exod 6:28; Exod 16:13; Num 7:1 not D); δ. לְ temporal 1Sam 1:20; 2Sam 13:23; 1Kgs 20:26; 1Chr 20:1 ε. כְּ temporal Gen 39:11; 1Sam 25:38 ζ. מִן temporal namely: מֵאָז Gen 39:5, מִיּוֺם 1Sam 7:2 compare 1Sam 30:25, מִיָּמִים Judg 11:4; Judg 15:1, מִקֵּץ Gen 4:3; Gen 8:6 + 6 t., מִקְצֵה Josh 3:2; 2Kgs 8:3; Ezek 3:16, especially מִמָּחֳרָת Gen 19:34; Exod 18:13 + 11 t.; η. כַּאֲשֶׁר temporal Gen 12:11 (J) Gen 20:13 (E) + 31 t. (Hexateuch 13 t. J E, Deut 2:16, not P), characteristic of Nehemiah's memoris, Neh 3:33; Neh 4:1; Neh 4:6; Neh 4:9; Neh 6:1; Neh 6:16; Neh 7:1; Neh 13:19 θ. with כִּי temporal Gen 6:1 (J) Exod 3:21 (E) + 14 t. + Judg 16:25 Kt; ι. אַחֲרֵי temporal Gen 22:20 (J) + 13 t., אַחַר Gen 39:7; Job 42:7, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן Judg 16:14 + 6 t.; κ. followed by עַד temporal 1Sam 14:19 (on which compare Dr); compare עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה 1Kgs 18:45 λ. with combinations; as בְּ with temporal noun + בְּ Infinitive Gen 34:25; Exod 19:16; 1Sam 25:37 בְּ Infinitive + כְּ Infinitive Josh 3:14 double preposition כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ חֳדָשִׁים Gen 38:24 מִקְצֵה + אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר Josh 9:16 מִיָּמִים + id. Josh 23:1 μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Isa 22:7; 1Kgs 13:20; 2Kgs 8:21 (Dr§ 165, & Οβς.) = 2Chr 21:9 those with indefinite כֹּל 1Sam 10:11; 2Sam 2:23; 2Sam 15:2, or with participle = rel. clause 1Sam 11:1 (on all see Dr§ 78 n. & Sm); quite unique is 1Kgs 16:31, with הֲנָקֵל ׳לָכְתּוֺ וגוin place of temporal clause
   (b) וַיְהִי sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative Gen 39:10 (with כְּ Infinitive), Exod 13:17 (with בְּ Infinitive) 2Kgs 12:7; 2Kgs 17:25 (both with בְּ temporal); & without negative, Gen 8:13 (P) Gen 14:1 +, usually with בְּ temporal (38 t.), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially מִדֵּי followed by Infinitive 1Sam 18:30; 2Chr 12:11 sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with וְ, as Gen 22:1; Gen 41:1; 1Sam 18:19; 1Sam 30:1; 2Kgs 2:9; 2Kgs 4:40 +; note especially 2Sam 17:27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 2Sam 13:30; 1Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 rarely subject precedes Perfect without וְ 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 21:1, compare subject preceding Participle without וְ Neh 4:10 in 2Chr 8:1 the object (with וְ) precedes what is apparently the principal verb
   (c) וַיְהִי followed by וְהִנֵּה Gen 24:15 (J; טֶרֶם in temporal clause), Gen 29:25 (E), Gen 38:27 (J, both בְּ temporal) vGen 38:29 (כְּ Participle), 1Sam 13:10 (כְּ Infinitive); also 2Sam 1:2; 2Sam 13:36; 2Sam 15:32 (circumstantial clause) 2Kgs 2:11 (id.), 2Kgs 3:20; 2Kgs 13:21 (circumstantial clause).
   (d) rarely וַיְהִי (in this sense) followed by other constructions: אָז יִתֵּן 1Kgs 9:10 (with מִקְצֵה); Imperfect frequentative 1Kgs 14:28 (with מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ), 2Kgs 4:8 (with מִדֵּי עָבְרוֺ) Jer 36:23 (with כְּ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2Chr 24:11 (with בְּ temporal). (2) rarely also Perfect with וְ conjunctive וְהָיָה (compare Dr§ 183) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1Sam 1:12 (c. several circumstantial clause), 1Sam 10:9 (with כְּ Infinitive) 2Kgs 3:15 (id.), 1Sam 17:48 (with כִּי), Jer 37:11 (with בְּ Infinitive), Amos 7:2 (with אִם temporal); also Jer 3:9 (apparently with מִן causative, but obscure); 1Sam 13:22 (with בְּ temporal) is followed by וְלֹא & Perfect as well as Imperfect consecutive
  b. less often וְהָיָה Perfect consecutive and it shall come to pass, or frequentative,came to pass (repeatedly, etc.) usually
   (a) followed by simple Imperfect (c. 100 t.): a. with בְּ temporal Deut 21:16; Deut 25:19 + 37 t., (especially בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Hos 2:18; Hos 2:33; Isa 7:18; Isa 7:21; Isa 7:23 + 21 t.); β. with בְּ local Ezek 47:23; Zech 13:8 compare also Hos 2:1 (בִּמְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר, but perhaps = instead of, compare VB); γ. with indefinite rel. clause, or its equivalents (כֹּל indefinite, etc.), compare Dr§ 121, Obs. 1: Gen 4:14; Num 17:20; Deut 12:11; Deut 18:19; Josh 7:14; Josh 7:15; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 2:36; 1Sam 17:25; 2Sam 15:35; 1Kgs 19:17; 1Kgs 20:6; Isa 4:3; Isa 24:18; Nah 3:7; Jer 27:8; Jer 42:4; Ezek 47:9; Zech 14:17; Joel 3:5 δ. with כַּאֲשֶׁר Num 33:56; Deut 28:63; Josh 23:15; Judg 7:17; Isa 29:8; Jer 31:28; Zech 8:13 ε. less often with other modifying phrase: כְּ Infinitive Exod 33:8; Exod 33:9 (both frequentative), Josh 3:13; Josh 8:8; Jer 25:12; Jer 51:63 בְּ Infinitive Gen 9:14 (P) 2Kgs 4:10; Ezek 44:17 אִם of condition Deut 20:11 (+ vDeut 20:11 Dr§ 118 n.), also Josh 22:18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without אִם (compare Dr§ 155); לְ temporal Deut 23:12 מִקֵּץ Isa 23:17 טֶרֶם Isa 65:24 מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֺ Isa 66:23, etc.
   (b) וְהָיָה followed by Perfect consecutive (c. 85 t.): α. most often + clause with כִּי temporal Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33 (both J) Exod 1:10 (E) Deut 11:29; Isa 8:21 + 25 t.; β. with אִם Exod 4:8; Exod 4:9; Num 15:24; Deut 11:13 + 14 t.; also Gen 38:9; Num 21:9 (both frequentative); γ. with בְּ temporal Gen 30:41 (frequentative) Gen 47:24 (but compare Ol Di) Exod 16:5 + 11 t.; δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr§ 121 Obs. 1): Gen 24:14; Num 10:32 (Dr§ 118 n.) Num 21:18; Deut 21:3; Judg 11:31; Judg 19:30; Zech 14:16 ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: כַּאֲשֶׁר Gen 27:40 +; כְּ Infinitive Gen 44:31 +; בְּ Infinitive Exod 33:22 +; מִקֵּץ 2Sam 14:26 עֵקֶב causative Deut 7:12 also
   (c) followed by וְלֹא + simple Imperfect Exod 3:21 (with כִּי temporal).
   (d) וְהָיָה followed by Imperative (very rare) Deut 6:10 (with כִּי temporal), 1Sam 10:7 (with כִּי), compare 1Sam 29:10, compare Perfect consecutive in command 1Sam 3:9 (with אִם).
   (e) וְהָיָה followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) Deut 8:19 (with אִם).
   (f) וְהָיָה followed by clause without verb: Gen 24:43; Josh 2:19; 1Kgs 18:24 (all with indefinite rel. modifier, or equivalents, see
   (a) γ,
   (b) δ, above).
   (g) וְהָיָה (ו conjunctive) followed by Imperfect consecutive see
  a.
   (e) above

II. Come into being, become:

1. a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָהExod 12:80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; וַיְהִיקֿוֺל Ezek 1:25 (strike out Co compare Da), Ezek 37:7 (strike out קוֺל ᵐ5 Co); כִּי הָֽיְתָה הָֽרְוָחָה Exod 8:11 (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Mic 7:4 now shall come their confusion (|| בוא); also of concrete objects וְהָֽיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן Gen 9:16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds (|| וְנִרְאֲתָה) וְרִמָּה לֹא הָֽיְתָה בּוֺ Exod 16:24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine Gen 12:10; Gen 26:1 (twice in verse) (all J), Gen 41:54 (E), Ruth 1:1; 2Sam 21:1; 2Kgs 6:25 strife Gen 13:7; Gen 13:8 (J), Hab 1:3 (|| מָדוֺן יִשָּׂא); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail Exod 9:18; Exod 9:24; Exod 9:26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., Exod 19:16 (E), rain 1Kgs 18:45, storm Jonah 1:4 especially of creative fiats יְהִי אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר Gen 1:3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare vGen 1:5 vGen 1:8 vGen 1:13 vGen 1:19 vGen 1:23 vGen 1:31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, וְאַחֲרָיו הָיָה שַׁמְגַּר Judg 3:31 and after him arose Shamgar (= וַיָּקָם Judg 10:1); further וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה Gen 15:17 (JE) and darkness came on; הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה Exod 10:13 (J) the morning came, Exod 19:16 (E); וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם 1Sam 1:4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 1Sam 14:1; 2Kgs 4:8; 2Kgs 4:11; 2Kgs 4:18; Job 1:6; Job 1:18; Job 2:1.
  b. followed by preposition: בְּ, וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ Gen 37:27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of ׳יּ 1Sam 5:9; 1Sam 7:13; 1Sam 12:15 + (all in hostile sense); בְּכָלשֲֶֿֿׁר יֶשׁלֿוֺ ׳וַיְהִי בִּרְכַּת י Gen 39:5 (J) and the blessing of ׳י came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague Exod 12:13 (P); followed by עַל, וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ Gen 7:10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּ֑נָה Gen 42:36 (E) Gen 9:2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare Gen 35:25 (P) 2Chr 14:13; 2Chr 17:19; 2Chr 20:29 +; of wrath Josh 22:20; 1Kgs 3:27 so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 16:23; 1Sam 19:9 (אֶל); but followed by עַל also in good sense ׳וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ י conferring strength & efficiency Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29 (היה = צלח Judg 14:6 + often), compare Num 24:2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on ׳וַתְּהִי לָיו יַד י 2Kgs 3:15; Ezek 3:22 and the like, see יָד); יַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה עָלֵינוּ Ezra 8:31, so Ps 80:18 even וַתְּהִי עַלרֿאֹשׁ דָּוִד 2Sam 12:30 and it (the crown, עֲטֶרֶת) came (i.e. was put, set) on David's head; with a different meaning וַנִּהְיֶה עֲלֵיהֶם עַדפֶּֿתַח הַשָּׁ֑עַר 2Sam 11:23 and we were close upon them even to the gateway (compare We Dr); come, go, follow (followed by אַחֲרֵי) i.e. take the side of, adhere to, Exod 23:2 (JE) 1Sam 12:14; 2Sam 2:10; 1Kgs 12:20; 1Kgs 16:21 followed by לְ of blessings Gen 49:26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jer 40:3 especially ויהי דבר֗֗֗ אֶל and the word of ... came unto: word of Samuel 1Sam 4:1 usually word of God (or ׳י) Gen 15:1; 1Sam 15:10 +; constantly in prophets: Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jer 1:4; Jer 1:11; Jer 1:13; Jer 2:1; Jer 13:8 +; Ezek 3:16; Ezek 6:1; Ezek 7:1; Ezek 11:14; Ezek 11:17; Ezek 11:21; Ezek 11:26; Ezek 12:1; Ezek 12:8 +; so also absolute הָיָה הַמַּשָּׂא הַזֶּה Isa 14:28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by מִן; מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ Gen 17:16 (P), וּקְהַל גּוֺיִם יִהְיֶה מִמֶּ֑ךָּ Gen 35:11 (P), וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֺ מִמֶּנּוּ Jer 30:21 (|| מִקִּרְבּוֺ יֵצֵא); הַכֹּל הָיָה מִןהֶֿעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל הֶעָפָר Eccl 3:20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; וַיְהִי קֶצֶף גָּדוֺל מֵאֵת צְבָאוֺת ׳י Zech 7:12.
2. become :
  a. followed by predicate noun (to be viewed as implicit accusative Dr§ 161, 3 n., according to the Arabic usage WAG ii, § 41. 44. 74): הִוא הָֽיְתָה אֵם כָּלחָֿ֑י Gen 3:20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; וַיְהִי הֶבֶל רֹעֵה צאֹן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָהGen 4:2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2Sam 8:14; Mic 2:11 + often
  b. followed by predicate adjective Gen 38:7; Exod 36:13 +; compare Gen 37:20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);
  c. become like (כְּ), וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים Gen 3:5 and ye shall become like gods compare vGen 3:22, Num 11:1 (JE), Hos 2:1; Hos 7:11; Isa 9:18; 1Kgs 7:8; Zech 9:7 +; compare Gen 15:5 so (כֹּה) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Isa 1:9; 1Sam 17:36 +; also with כְּ repeated וְהָיָה כָעָם כַּכֹּהֵן Hos 4:9 and the people shall become like the priest (literally, and the like of the people shall become the like of the priest), so especially Isa 24:2 (6 pairs of words as above); וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע Gen 18:25 (J), see כְּ. b + c Gen 27:32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.
  d. followed by predicate + לְ person וּתְהִי אִשָּׁה לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ Gen 24:51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1Sam 16:21; 1Kgs 11:25; Ps 89:42; 1Chr 18:6 +; = be instituted, estanblished, וְהָיָה לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם Exod 30:21 (P) and it shall be established for them as a perpetual ordinance (compare f below).
  e. followed by לְ predicate: וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 2:7 (J) and the man became a living soul; וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁיםGen 2:10 (J) and it became four heads; גַּםהֿוּא יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם Gen 48:19 (J) he too shall become a people; וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים 1Sam 4:9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men (|| הִתְחַזְּקוּ; compare with double לְ, f below); Zeph 1:13; Ezek 17:6; Ezek 47:12; Job 16:8 עלמֶלֶךְ עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳וְהָיָה י Zech 14:9 וַיְהִי לְמַס עֹבֵד Gen 49:15; Josh 16:10 so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, וַיְהִי לְנָחָשׁExod 4:3 and it became a serpent, vExod 4:4; Exod 7:10; Isa 1:22; Deut 26:5 +; figurative וַיְהִי לְמָ֑יִם Josh 7:5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so וְהוּא הָיָה לְאֶבֶן 1Sam 25:37 or, serve as וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֺרֹת Gen 1:15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare vGen 1:14 וְהָיָה לְאוֺת בְּרִית Gen 9:13; Gen 17:11 (both P). feminine often with לְ predicate + לְ person: וַתְּהִי לָהֶם הַלְּבֵנָה לְאָ֑בֶןGen 11:3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; וַתְּהִי לִי לְאִשָּׁה Gen 20:12 (E) compare Gen 24:67 (J) +, וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה וְחָגְלָה ֗֗֗ לַבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים Num 36:11 וְהָיָה לְךָ וְלָהֶם לְאָכְלָה Num 6:21 (P), Exod 2:10; Exod 15:2; Judg 8:27 לִי לֵאלֹהִים ׳וְהָיָה י Gen 28:21 (E); אֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לוֺ לְאָב וְהוּא יִהְיֶהלִֿי לְבֵן 1Chr 17:3 +; = shew or prove oneself as הֱיֵהלִֿי לְבֶןחַֿיִל 1Sam 18:17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 1Sam 4:9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e above) וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָקעֿוֺלָם Exod 29:28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare vExod 29:9; Lev 10:15 וְהָֽיְתָה לִהְיֹת לָהֶם מָשְׁחָתָם לִכְהֻנַּת עוֺלָם לְדֹרֹתָם Exod 40:15 (all P).
  g. with עַל and לְ 1Sam 22:2 וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר and he became over them prince.
  h. sometimes with לְ person only = become the property of, come into the possession of ׳וַיְהִילֿוֺ צאֹןוּֿבָקָר וְגו Gen 12:15 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., Gen 26:14; Gen 30:43 לֹא לוֺ יִהְיֶה הַזָּ֑רַע Gen 38:9 not his should the seed become; ׳וְהָיָה לי Judg 11:31 it shall become Yah-weh's; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:29; 1Kgs 10:26; 1Kgs 11:3 + often; so of a woman, as wife תְּהִינָֿא לְךָ Judg 15:2 pray let her become thine, compare also וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֺן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ Judg 14:20, Hos 3:3; Ruth 1:13; Lev 21:3; Deut 24:2; Jer 3:1; Ezek 16:8 (and also + לְאִשָּׁה, לְנָשִׁים see f above)III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —
1. exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence), כָּלהַֿיּמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה 1Sam 1:28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = חַי Gen 5:5 etc., DrSm), Job 3:16; Isa 23:13 often with בְּ local וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ Gen 2:5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; ׳וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא הָיָה אִישׁ וגו Num 26:64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו Josh 10:14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2Sam 14:25; 2Sam 1:5; 2Sam 21:25; 2Sam 23:25; +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause וַיְהִי אִישׁ now there was a man Judg 13:2; 1Sam 1:1; 1Sam 9:1; Num 9:6 (P), Job 1:1 +; on אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה Exod 3:14 see יהוֺה.
2. abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) וַיְהִי משֶׁה בָּהָר Exod 24:18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so Exod 34:28 (both J E), Judg 17:4; Judg 17:12; 1Sam 6:1; 1Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 11:3 = 2Chr 22:12 +; also Lev 22:27; Lev 25:28 (both H), etc.; followed by עַד temporal remain until Deut 22:2; 1Kgs 11:40; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Chr 5:9; 2Chr 26:21; Dan 1:21 etc.; compare הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֺלָם Eccl 3:14 so also of space followed by עַד extend unto, as far as, Josh 19:10: of net beneath altar, Exod 27:5 shall reach as far as (עַד) the middle of the altar.
3. with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated stand, lie; בִּהְיוֺתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה Gen 4:8 (J) when they were in the field, הַמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה שָׁם אָהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה Gen 13:3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; וְהָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה לִפְנֵיכֶם Gen 34:10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Josh 19:1; Judg 7:1; Judg 7:8; Mic 5:6; Mic 5:7 followed by עַל be, be found or situated upon Isa 30:25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezek 37:27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt דָּמִים וְהָיָה עָלָיךָ Deut 19:10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.
4. as copula, joining subject & predicate: —
  a. followed by predicate adjective וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים Gen 2:25, וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם Gen 3:1, בִּהְיוֺתָם כֹּאֲבִים Gen 34:25, וַיְהִי יוֺסֵף יְפֵהתֹֿאַר Gen 39:6; Deut 23:15; Josh 19:9; Judg 11:1; Job 1:1; Job 1:3b 2Chr 7:21.
  b. followed by predicate noun Gen 1:2; Gen 9:18; Gen 25:3; Gen 36:14; Gen 40:13; 1Sam 17:34; 1Sam 17:42; 2Sam 8:10; 2Sam 20:25; 1Kgs 10:6; 2Kgs 3:4; 2Kgs 5:1 (twice in verse); 1Chr 9:20; 1Chr 11:20; 1Chr 18:10; 1Chr 26:10; 2Chr 13:7 כִּי לֹאהָֿיָה מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל 2Chr 18:32 (|| 1Kgs 22:33 כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ ישׂראל הוּא) +; often of age: וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים Gen 17:1 (P) 2Kgs 8:17; 2Kgs 14:2; 2Kgs 15:2; 2Kgs 15:33; 2Kgs 18:2; 2Chr 21:20; 2Chr 27:8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֺךְ וְחָסוֺר Gen 8:5 = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: Gen 5:4; Gen 5:5; Gen 5:8; Gen 5:11; Gen 5:14; Gen 9:29; Gen 11:32; Gen 23:1 +; Exod 38:24; Num 1:46, etc.
  c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: לֹאטֿוֺב הֱיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֺGen 2:18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַה כַּנָּשִׁים Gen 18:11 (J).
  d. followed by preposition: (a) be with, accompany with עִם, subject most often ׳י or אלהים with added idea of protection, aid Gen 26:3; Gen 31:3; Gen 39:10; Gen 48:21; Josh 1:3; Josh 6:27; Judg 1:19; Judg 2:18; 1Sam 3:19; 1Sam 18:12; 1Sam 20:13; 1Kgs 1:37; 1Chr 11:13; 2Chr 17:3 followed by עִמָּדִי Gen 28:20; Gen 31:5; Gen 35:3 followed by עִם, human subject, of accompaniment וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם Neh 10:39; 1Chr 11:12, read also in || 2Sam 23:9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1Kgs 1:8 with עִם also = be near הָיָה עִםגֹּֿרֶן האורנה ׳וּמַלְאַךְ י 2Sam 24:16 (compare Dr); also 2Sam 13:20 implying sexual intercourse, so Gen 39:10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with עִם are: וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר הָיָה עִםזִֿקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 2Sam 3:17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1Kgs 1:7 וַיְהִי עִםלְֿבַב דָּוִד אָבִּי לִבְנוֺת 1Kgs 8:17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2Chr 6:7 compare 1Kgs 8:18 (twice in verse); 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 6:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:4 also 1Kgs 10:2 = 2Chr 9:1
   (b) be with, followed by אֶת, subject ׳י, אלהים, Gen 21:20; Gen 39:2; Gen 39:21 but also with human subject וּבָנָיוּ הָיוּ אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ Gen 34:5, compare 1Sam 29:8 +;
   (c) followed by לְ of possessor כֶּרֶם הָיָה לִידִדִי Isa 5:1 all vineyard had my beloved, Gen 30:30 compare Exod 20:3 = Deut 5:7; Judg 18:27; 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 5:6 + often (compare I. 2 d, f, h);
   (d) followed by לְ + other preposition: of boundary וַיְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל מֵעֲרוֺעֵרJosh 13:16, compare וַיְהִי גְבוּלָם מִמַּחֲנַיִם vJosh 13:30 וַוְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפנַָה מִיַּרְדֵּן Josh 18:12, etc.;
   (e) followed by בְּ be among, or of, Amos 1:1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1Kgs 2:7 let them be among those eating, Prov 22:26; Prov 23:20.
5. periphrastic conjug.:
  a. היה + participle, of continuous state, or condition, sometimes, especially late (compare Late Hebrew), of habit, with וַיְהִי also of beginning and continuance (compare Dr§ 135, (5)): participle active Gen 39:22 (J), Exod 3:1 (E), 1Sam 2:11; 1Sam 7:10; 1Sam 18:9 (compare Dr) v1Sam 18:14 v1Sam 18:29; 2Sam 8:15 = 1Chr 18:14. Deut 28:29; Isa 30:20; 1Kgs 5:1; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 5:24; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Chr 9:26; Ezra 4:4; Neh 1:4; Neh 2:13; Dan 1:16 +; Gen 1:6 (P); ׳הָיָה יָרֵא אֶתיֿ 1Kgs 18:3; 2Kgs 4:1; 2Chr 26:1 passive participle Josh 10:26; 1Kgs 13:24; 1Kgs 22:35 וְהַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה מָעֳמָד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה (|| 2Chr 18:34 הָיָה מַעֲמִיד), Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1, וְהָיָה סָגוּר Ezek 44:2, נַעֲשֶׂה ׳ה Neh 5:18, ׳וְאָהוּב לֵאלֹהָיו ה Neh 13:26 — on 2Sam 13:32 compare Dr.
  b. followed by Infinitive with לְ (Dr§ 208, 204): וְהָיָה לְבָעֵר Isa 5:5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; לָבוֺא וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ Gen 15:12 and the sun was about to set; וַיְהִי הַשַּׁעַר לִסְגּוֺר Josh 2:5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also וַיְהִי לִדְרשׁ אֱלֹהִים 2Chr 26:5 (nearly = וַיְהִי + Participle) Niph`al Perfect נִהְיָה 1Kgs 1:27 + 6 t. + Mic 2:4 (compare below near the end); 3 feminine singular נִהָיְתָה Judg 19:30 + 5 t., נִהְיָ֑תָה Exod 11:6; Jer 48:19 וְנִהְיָ֑תָה consecutive Ezek 39:8 + Ezek 21:12 (strike out B Manuscripts ᵐ5 Co); 2 masculine singular נִהְיֵיתָ Deut 27:9 1 singular ךּנהִךְייךתי Dan 8:27 Participle feminine singular נִהְיָה Prov 13:19
1. either, be done, be brought about, or occur, come to pass: in the strong expressions וְכָמֹהוּ לֹא תֹסִף אֲשֶׁר כָּמֹהוּ ׳לֹא נ Exod 11:6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare Deut 4:32 (be done; || נִשְׁמַע), & Judg 19:30 (|| נִרְאֲתָה); — but simply intransitive Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & apparently Ezek 21:12 (|| בָּאָ֫ה; on text, however, see above) Ezek 39:8 (|| id.); — also אֵיכָה נִהְיְתָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת Judg 20:3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare vJudg 20:12; Jer 5:30; Jer 48:19 also Neh 6:8 with לֹא, existence denied ׳לֹא נ Zech 8:10 (|| אֵינֶ֑נָּה); in all the above (except Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & Ezek 21:12; Ezek 39:8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed ׳מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶץ נ הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה 1Kgs 1:27, so of divine agency (מֵאִתִּי) 1 K i1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4 further be attained, secured, of wages Zech 8:10 (with לֹא, || אֵינֶ֑נָּה); תַּאֲוָּה נִהְיָה Prov 13:19 a desire come to pass, realized.
2. be done, finished, gone, only Daniel וּשְׁנָתוֺ נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו Dan 2:1 and his sleep was finished upon him, i.e. left him (compare Aramaic Dan 6:19); נִהְיֵיתִי Dan 8:27 I came to an end, was exhausted (si vera lectio, strike out ᵐ5; || נֶחֱלֵיתִי); נִהְיָה, in וְנָהָה נְהִי נִהְיָה Mic 2:4, is dubious; it is done, over, the ruin is come Rob-Ges Ew Hi Ca Che L RVm;? < omit as dittograph StaZAW 1886, 122 f. compare JBL1890, 74.77.


BDB9470 H1934 H1961

BDB9469 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9471

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

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular הֲוָה Dan 4:26 +, הֲוָא Dan 5:19 +; 2 masculine singular הֲוַיְתָ Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34, 1 singular הֲוֵית Dan 4:1 +; 3 masculine plural הֲווֺ Dan 2:35 +; Imperfect 3 masculine singular לֶהֱוֵא (K§ 47, l) b) Dr§ 204 Obs. M 215 ff.; in Jewish-Aramaic as jussive D§ 61, lc) Dan 2:20 +; 3 feminine singular תֶּהֱוֵה Dan 4:24 +, אֵ֯ Ezra 6:8 +, 3 masculine plural לֶהֱוֺן Ezra 6:10 + 6 t., 3 feminine plural לֶהֶוְיָן Dan 5:17 Imperative masculine plural הֱווֺ Ezra 4:22, הֲזוֺ Ezra 6:6
1. come to pass Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45.
2. come into being, arise Ezra 7:23 become, come to be, with predicate noun Dan 4:24; Dan 5:29 and ( = represent) Dan 7:23 with כְּ like Dan 2:35 a, with ל predicate vDan 2:35 b, with adjective predicate Ezra 6:6, with adverb phrase Ezra 5:5; Dan 4:22 often periphrastic, with participle: ׳יְדִיעַ לה let become known Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8 let it be given Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:9, also Ezra 7:26; Dan 2:20.
3. be, as copula, with adjective predication Dan 2:40; Dan 2:42; Dan 7:19 so very often in periphrastic conjugation with participle, צָבֵא ׳ה wish Dan 5:19 (4 t. in verse), ׳חָזֵה ה behold Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34; Dan 7:2; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:6 +, etc.

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

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
וְֽ֭הִצִּיגַנִי Dechi — a lesser break לִמְשֹׁ֣ל עַמִּ֑ים Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְתֹ֖פֶת לְפָנִ֣ים אֶֽהְיֶֽה Silluq — end of the verse

וְֽהִצִּיגַנִי לִמְשֹׁל עַמִּים וְתֹפֶת לְפָנִים אֶֽהְיֶֽה׃
6
He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
Cross References

Job 30:9

וְעַתָּה נְגִינָתָם הָיִיתִי וָאֱהִי לָהֶם לְמִלָּֽה׃
9
And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.

Psalms 44:14

תְּשִׂימֵנוּ מָשָׁל בַּגּוֹיִם מְנֽוֹד רֹאשׁ
14
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

Genesis 31:27

לָמָּה נַחְבֵּאתָ לִבְרֹחַ וַתִּגְנֹב אֹתִי וְלֹֽא-הִגַּדְתָּ לִּי וָֽאֲשַׁלֵּחֲךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשִׁרִים בְּתֹף וּבְכִנּֽוֹר׃
27
Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

1 Kings 9:7

וְהִכְרַתִּי אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָֽאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָהֶם וְאֶת-הַבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר הִקְדַּשְׁתִּי לִשְׁמִי אֲשַׁלַּח מֵעַל פָּנָי וְהָיָה יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמָשָׁל וְלִשְׁנִינָה בְּכָל-הָֽעַמִּֽים׃
7
Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

Isaiah 5:12

וְהָיָה כִנּוֹר וָנֶבֶל תֹּף וְחָלִיל וָיַיִן מִשְׁתֵּיהֶם וְאֵת פֹּעַל יְהוָה לֹא יַבִּיטוּ וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו לֹא רָאֽוּ׃
12
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.