Job 20:6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אִם
אִם
Conjunction if, or, though, surely, not, …
Dictionary form: אִם · im

Conjunction

In the KJV here: 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

BDB2203 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2205

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

BDB3994 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3996

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 (WSG 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 אֲמִיַ˜לם ׳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 תֵאֵָ˜מנוּ ׃ 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. DeProv 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 BuUrg. 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.: FrMM 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

BDB510 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB512

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 M p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)

**ᵑ7Onk Jon אִם, ᵑ7Hag אין.
1. hypothetical particle if.
  a. construction (see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143 FriedrichDie 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 DrSm 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 וְאִםִֿ˜בּינָה; 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

BDB9476 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9478

הֵן conjunction if, whether (Biblical Hebrew הֵן, q. v.: Zenjirli, Egyptian Aramaic (S-CPap. A 7 +), Palmyrene, Nabataean הן, Mandean הין if [ᵑ7Onk Jon use אם, ᵑ7Jer 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 PalmyreneTariff 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

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. 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
      • "of impossible situations
      oath contexts
      • no, not
      if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or"when, whenever"since"interrogative particle"but rather

יַעֲלֶ֣ה
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
Root word up, offered, offer, brought, come, …
Dictionary form: עָלָה · aw-LAW

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

In the KJV here: mount up
went up ×80 came up ×45 go up ×41 and went up ×25 come up ×19 and offered ×17 shall come up ×15 brought up ×13
More options
go up — Modernized KJV form; most versatile and natural rendering.
ascend — More formal or elevated register; suits poetic or liturgical contexts.
climb — Implies physical effort; good for mountains or steep terrain.
rise — Best for sun, smoke, or abstract upward movement.
offer — Use specifically when the context is sacrificial or ritual.
bring up — Preferred when someone or something is being carried upward.

BDB6068 H5927

BDB6067 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6069

עָלָה890 verb go up, ascend, climb (Late Hebrew id.; MI33(?); Phoenician עלה; Assyrian elû; Arabic ; ᵑ7 and Syriac in derived species; compare perhaps Ethiopic (for Di54); Sabean עלי = DHMZMG xxxvii. 415, compare עלוהו = SabDenkm91); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ע Gen 19:15 +; 3 feminine singular עָֽלְתָה Gen 40:10 +; עָלָ֑תָה Jer 14:2; 1Sam 1:22 2 masculine singular עָלִיתָ Gen 49:4 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעֲלֶה Gen 2:6 +, יַ֫עַל Gen 44:33 +, וַיַּעַל Gen 13:1 +; suffix יַעֲלֶנָּה Isa 35:9, etc.; Infinitive absolute עָלֹה Gen 46:4 + 2 t.; construct עֲלוֺת Gen 32:25 +, etc.; Imperative עֲלֵה Gen 35:1 +; feminine singular עֲלִי Num 21:17 +, plural עֲלוּ Gen 44:17 +; Participle עֹלֶה Gen 38:13 +; עוֺלֶה Isa 24:18 +, plural עֹלִים Gen 28:12 +, etc.; —
1. of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations:
  a. from low place to high, with מִן, מִמִּצְרַיִם Gen 45:25 (E) + 6 t.; מארץ מצרים Exod 13:18 (E) + 3 t.; מִבָּבֶל Ezra 7:6; Ezra 8:1 מִן הירדן Josh 4:16; Josh 4:17; Josh 4:19 (P); מ(ןהֿ)מדבר Song 3:6; Song 8:5 etc.
  b. out of a place, with מִן, מִן הארץ 1Sam 28:13 מֵהַבְּאֵר 2Sam 17:21 מִ(תּוֺךְ) הַפַּחַת Isa 24:18; Jer 48:44.
  c. with accusative of place whither: a city ביתאל Gen 35:1; Gen 35:3 (E); באר שׁבע Gen 26:23 (J); a mountain ההר Num 13:17 (JE) Deut 1:24 +, etc.; a bed Gen 49:4 (twice in verse) (J) 2Kgs 1:4; 2Kgs 1:16, gate Ruth 4:1 (הַ)שָּׁמַיִם Deut 30:12; 2Kgs 2:11; Amos 9:2 + 4 t.; with אֶלֿ, אל (ה)הר Exod 19:23; Exod 34:2; Exod 34:4 (J) Exod 24:15; Exod 24:18 (P) + 5 t. P; אֶלהַֿמָּקוֺם Deut 17:8, אל ירושׁלם Ezra 7:7; Isa 2:3 = Mic 4:2 (אל הר), with accusative of location + ׳אֶליֿ (see 2 b) Jer 31:6, of going up to Jerusalem (from a distance), etc.; with לְ to, לירושׁלם Ezra 1:3 (from Babylon); לבית 1Sam 25:35, etc.; with עַד unto, עדנֿחל Num 32:9 (J); with בְּ, בְּאַחַת עָרֵי 2Sam 2:1 (construction praegn.); בְּבעל פרצים 1Chr 14:11 (strike out בְּ); בְּגִרָלִי Judg 1:3.
  d. to sacred places, Exod 34:24, with accusative בית יהוה, from palace 2Kgs 19:14; 2Kgs 20:5; 2Kgs 20:8; 2Kgs 23:2; 2Chr 29:20; 2Chr 34:30; Isa 37:14; Isa 38:22; Jer 26:10 במה 1Sam 9:13; 1Sam 9:14; 1Sam 9:19 with אֶל, אל הר האלהים Exod 24:13 (E); ׳בּבית י 1Sam 1:7 (בּ dittograph); בהר יהוה Ps 24:3.
  e. with accusative דֶּרֶךְ by the way to Num 21:33 (E) Deut 3:1; Judg 8:11; 1Sam 6:9; 2Kgs 3:8 מעלה Jer 48:5 חוֺמָה Joel 2:7. feminine ascend, climb, with בְּ by, a ladder Gen 28:12 (E), Ezek 40:6; Ezek 40:22; Ezek 40:29, etc.; with עַל upon, altar by (ב) steps, of priest, Exod 20:23 (Gi; van d. H. vExod 20:26 E) the roof Josh 2:8; Judg 9:51, bed Ps 132:3 עַליָֿדָיו on his hands 1Sam 14:13 על במתי עב Isa 14:14 (|| ממעל לכוכבי אֵל), etc.
2. go up, in personal relations:
  a. to meet or visit, with אֶל person, Gen 44:17; Gen 44:24; Gen 44:34; Gen 45:9 (J) Josh 10:4; Josh 10:6 (all with implication of ascent), Deut 25:7 (to gate of city), +; with על person, Gen 38:12 (= ה locative, up to Timnah); לקראת Gen 46:29 (J) Judg 6:35; 2Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 1:6; 2Kgs 1:7.
  b. go up unto (אֶל) God, on a height, אל האלהים Exod 19:3 (E) 1Sam 10:3 אל יהוה Exod 24:1 (E) Exod 19:24; Exod 32:30 (J) Judg 21:5 (twice in verse); Judg 21:8 (to war); אֵלַי Exod 24:12 (E) Deut 10:1 unto Deborah Judg 4:5.
  c. go up, in war, with אֶל against Num 13:31 (E) Judg 1:1; Judg 12:3; 1Sam 7:7; Isa 36:10 (= על 2Kgs 18:25) +; oftener with על, 1Sam 14:10; Judg 6:3; Judg 15:10; Judg 18:9; 1Kgs 14:25 +; with על + לַצָּבָא Josh 22:12; Josh 22:33 (P); with בְּ, Isa 7:6; Jer 48:18 with לְ Hab 3:16 + למלחמה Judg 20:18 + 3 t.; + במלחמה 1Sam 29:9 וַתּעל(ה) המלחמה 1Kgs 22:35 = 2Chr 18:34.
  d. go up after, with אחרי = follow 1Sam 25:13; 1Kgs 1:35; 1Kgs 1:40.
  e. go up, depart, with מֵעַל (q. v.) 1Sam 6:20; Gen 17:22; Gen 35:18 (P) +, subject ׳כבוד י Ezek 11:23; Ezek 11:24 = withdraw, retreat, 1Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 12:19; Jer 21:2, absolute 2Sam 23:9, and so read || 1Chr 11:13 (see DrSm).
3. of animals, go or come up: absolute frogs Exod 7:28 (J) Exod 8:2 (P), quails Exod 16:13 (P); lion Isa 35:9 fox Neh 3:25 rise up, fly up, eagle Isa 40:31; Jer 49:22 with מִן, cattle out of water Gen 41:2; Gen 41:3; Gen 41:18; Gen 41:19; Song 4:2; Song 6:6, lion מִגְּאוֺן הַיַּרְדֵּן Jer 49:19 = Jer 50:44, מִסֻּבְּכוֺ Jer 4:7, from prey Gen 49:9 (J); climb up into (ב) houses, locusts Joel 2:9 frogs, on (ב) persons Exod 7:29 (J); with על, of cattle, sexually Gen 31:10; Gen 31:12 (E); locusts upon the land Exod 10:12; Exod 10:14 (E) Joel 1:6.
4. of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth: trees Isa 55:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 47:12 קיקיון Jonah 4:6 grass Deut 29:22; Amos 7:1 ears of grain Gen 41:5; Gen 41:22 (E), also Gen 40:10 (E) Isa 5:6; Isa 32:13 compare simile Isa 53:2, Hos 10:8; Prov 26:9 כֻלּוֺ ׳ע קמשׂנים Prov 24:31 all of it grown up with thorns, Isa 34:13 figurative קֶרֶן Dan 8:3; Dan 8:8.
5. of natural phoenomena, go up, rise: dew, Exod 16:14, i.e. disappear (P); ׳אֵד ע מִןהָֿאָרֶץ Gen 2:6 (J), cloud 1Kgs 18:44; Jer 4:13 הַשַּׁחַר ׳ע dawn, etc. Gen 19:15 (JE) Judg 19:25; 1Sam 9:26 +; smoke Gen 19:28; Exod 19:18 (J) Judg 20:40 +; fire Judg 6:21 flame Judg 13:20 stench Isa 34:3; Joel 2:20 incense Ezek 8:11 well Num 21:17 (E); waters Jer 47:2 Nile Jer 46:7; Jer 46:8; Amos 8:8; Amos 9:5 with על, of overflow Isa 8:7 +.
6. of inanimate things (instead of passive construction), absolute, shock of grain (to גֹּרֶן) Job 5:26 of בָּשָׂר (covering bones in Ezekiel's vision) Ezek 37:8 with על, of garments upon the body Lev 19:19 (P) Ezek 44:17 razor on head Judg 13:5; Judg 16:17; 1Sam 1:11 yoke upon oxen Num 19:2 (P) 1Sam 6:7 lot upon an animal Lev 16:9; Lev 16:10 (P); with בְּ, weight in balance Ps 62:10 entry in (ב) a book 1Chr 27:24 = be offered (of sacrifice) 1Kgs 18:29; 2Kgs 3:20; Isa 60:7 אֲרוּכָה (q. v.) in healing, Jer 8:22, figurative 2Chr 24:13; Neh 4:1.
7. of thoughts, על לב ׳ע 2Kgs 12:5; Isa 65:17 + 5 t.; על לבב ׳ע Jer 51:50; Ezek 38:10 אל לב ׳ע Ezek 14:7 על רוּחַ ׳ע Ezek 20:32 of anger 2Sam 11:20; 2Chr 36:16 (ב person) + 3 t.; temper Eccl 10:4 (עָלֶיךָ).
8. come up before God, arrogance, בְּאָזְנָיו 2Kgs 19:18 = Isa 37:29 cry, ׳אֶלאֿ Exod 2:23 (P), with accusative 1Sam 5:12, absolute Jer 14:2 tumult Ps 74:23 of evil Jonah 1:2 (לְפָנַי).
9. go up, extend, of boundary, with מִן whence, + accusative, אֶל, לְ and even בְ whither Josh 15:3; Josh 15:6; Josh 15:8; Josh 18:12 (twice in verse) + (all P). 10. excel: thou excellest (עַל) them Prov 31:29 be superior to יעלה עליך מעלה מעלה Deut 28:43. — עוֺלֶה Job 36:33 is difficult, compare Comm., and see עַוְלָה). Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נַעֲלָה Num 10:11 +; 2 masculine singular נַעֲלֵיתָ Ps 97:9 Imperfect יֵעָלֶה Exod 40:37, etc.; Infinitive construct הֵעָלוֺת Num 9:17 +, etc.; Imperative masculine plural הֵעָלוּ Num 16:24
1. a. be brought up: מבבל לירושׁלם Ezra 1:11.
  b. be taken up, וַתֵּעֲלוּ על שׂפת לשׁון Ezek 36:3 (i. 553; talked about).
  c. (1) passive, be taken up, away, of (pillar of) cloud, followed by מֵעַל of tabernacle Exod 40:36; Num 9:17; Num 10:11 (P); absolute Exod 40:37 (twice in verse); Num 9:21 (twice in verse); Num 9:22 (P); of the glory from upon the cherubim Ezek 9:3 (2) reflexive, take oneself away from, get up from: מִסָּבִיבֹ Num 16:24 מֵעַל vNum 16:27 of a besieging army Jer 37:5; Jer 37:11.
2. reflexive: take oneself away מאחרי person, from following after, 2Sam 2:27.
3. be exalted, of God Ps 47:10 with על, over all gods Ps 97:9.

Hiph`il Perfect הֶעֱלָךְ Num 8:3 +, הֵעֲלָה Hab 1:15 (Ges«GKC:63p»§ 63p); suffix הֶעֶלְךָ Neh 9:18, הֶעֱלָנוּ Exod 32:1 + 2 t.; 3 feminine singular וְהַעַלְתָה 1Sam 2:19 consecutive; suffix הֶעֱלָ֫תַם Josh 2:6 2 masculine singular הֶעֱלִיתָ Exod 33:1 +; וְהַעֲלִיתָ consecutive Deut 27:6 +; הֶעֱלֵיתָ Exod 32:7 וְהַעֲלֵיתָ consecutive Exod 40:4 2 masculine plural suffix הֶעֱלִיתֻנוּ Num 20:5; Num 21:5, etc.; Imperfect יַעֲלֶה Lev 17:8 +; וְיַ֫עַל 2Sam 24:22 וַיַּעֲלֶה Jer 10:13 וַיַּ֫עַל Gen 8:20 +, suffix יַעְלֵם Deut 28:61, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַעֲלֵה Ezek 23:46 construct הַעֲלוֺת 1Chr 23:31 +, etc.; Imperative הַ֫עַל Exod 33:12 + 2 t.; feminine singular הַעֲלִי 1Sam 28:8; 1Sam 28:11 +, etc.; Participle מַעֲלֶה 1Sam 7:10 +; construct מַעֲלֵה Lev 11:4 +; suffix מַעַלְךָ Deut 20:1; Ps 81:11 feminine מַעֲלָה Lev 11:26 construct מַעֲלַת Lev 11:3; Lev 11:6; Deut 14:6, etc.; —

1. bring up persons:
  a. from a place, with מִן ׃מִן הַסָּ֑לַע Judg 15:13 מִמִּצְרַיִם Exod 17:3 (E) + 3 t. E, + 8 t.; מארץ מצרים Exod 32:1 (J) + 5 t. J, + Lev 11:45 (P), Deut 20:1; Josh 24:17 (E), + 13 t.; מארץ צפון Jer 16:15 = Jer 23:8.
  b. (1) out of a place, with ׃מן מִ(ן הַ)בּוֺר Gen 37:28 (E) Ps 40:3; Jer 38:10; Jer 38:13 משּׁחת Jonah 2:7 מקּברות Ezek 37:12; Ezek 37:13 מןשֿׁאול Ps 30:4, etc.; (2) with בְּ by means of, בְּחֶרְמִי Ezek 32:3 (Hab 1:15 see 3 below).
  c. with accusative of place whither, Num 20:25 (P) Num 22:41 (E) Josh 2:6; Josh 7:24 (J) Ezra 4:2 השׁמים 2Kgs 2:1 with אֶלהָֿעֲלִיָּה ׃אֶל 1Kgs 17:19 with לבית ׃לְ 2Chr 8:11.
  d. cause to ascend, climb: על המרכבה 1Kgs 20:33 (אֶל 2Kgs 10:15 probably error), עלהֿמגדלות 2Chr 32:5 (ᵑ9 built towers thereon, i.e. עָלָיו ׳ע); מֵעַל להומה Neh 12:31 see על IV 2 e.
2. in personal relations:
  a. bring up, with אל, 1Sam 19:15; 2Kgs 10:15; 2Kgs 25:6; Jer 39:5; Jer 52:9 with לְ 1Sam 28:8; 1Sam 28:11 (twice in verse).
  b. in war, with עַל against 2Chr 36:17; Jer 50:9; Ezek 16:40; Ezek 23:46; Ezek 26:3.
  c. take away (from life) Ps 102:25; Job 36:20.
3. bring up animals, with על, frogs על הארץ Exod 8:1; Exod 8:3 (P); bring up horses to a charge Jer 51:27, compare Nah 3:3 draw up men, under figure of fish (בְּחַכָּה) Hab 1:15 train, young lion Ezek 19:3 of cattle, מעלה גֵרָה, i.e. chewing the cud Lev 11:3; Lev 11:4 (twice in verse); Lev 11:5; Lev 11:6; Lev 11:26; Deut 14:6; Deut 14:7 (twice in verse).
4. cause to ascend: with accusative of thing, smoke מן העיר Judg 20:38 stench באף Amos 4:10, etc.; bring waters upon, על Isa 8:7 bring up from (מן location) 2Sam 6:2; 2Sam 6:12; 1Kgs 8:1; Gen 50:25 (JE), +; with אֶל location, Judg 16:3; 1Chr 15:3; 1Chr 15:12, with accusative of location 2Chr 2:15 with אל person 1Sam 6:21 with לְ person Judg 16:8; 1Sam 2:19 with על, bring sickness upon Deut 28:61 עפר על ראשׁ ׳הע throw dust on the head Josh 7:6; Lam 2:10; Ezek 27:30 clothe sackcloth upon Amos 8:10 flesh upon Ezek 37:6 put ornaments on 2Sam 1:24 compare also 1Kgs 10:16; 1Kgs 10:17 = 2Chr 9:15; 2Chr 9:16; 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:14 נֵר ׳הע light lamp (make flame go up; Thes and others of raising lamp upon the lamp-stand) Exod 25:37; Exod 27:20 + 6 t. P; bring up new flesh (heal; see אֲרוּכָה) Jer 30:17; Jer 33:6.
5. mentally: גִּלּוּלִים על לב ׳הע Ezek 14:3, אל לב vEzek 14:7, i.e. make object of thought; rouse, stir up, with accusative אַף, anger Prov 15:1, compare Ezek 24:8.
6. ׳מנחה ל ׳הע 2Kgs 17:4 offer a present; bring up tithe to (ל) Neh 10:39 מַס ׳הע raise a levy 1Kgs 5:27; 1Kgs 9:15, למס v1Kgs 9:21; 2Chr 8:8.
7. exalt: Ps 137:6 if I exalt not Jerusalem above (עַל) my chief joy; אנכי אַעַלְךָ גםֿ(מ)עלה Gen 46:4 (E) I will exalt thee exceedingly (compare Qal 10; מ lost in ᵑ0, after ם; Di and most bring up).
8. cause to ascend (in flame; Thes and others to go up on altar), offer sacrifice, usually עֹלָה, either alone or following by other sacrifices: העלה עלות Exod 24:5 (E) Exod 32:6 (J) Lev 17:8 (H) Deut 12:13; Deut 12:14 + (see עֹלָה); seldom: קטרת Exod 30:9 (P), compare Ps 66:15 מנחה Isa 57:6; Isa 66:3, also probably 1Kgs 18:29; 1Kgs 18:36; 2Kgs 3:20 ( > Qal); פר(יםׅ Num 23:2; Num 23:4; Num 23:14; Num 23:30 (E) Ps 51:21 הטוב בעיניו 2Sam 24:22 ליהוה ׳הע Judg 13:16 absolute 2Chr 8:13; 2Chr 29:29 לעולה ׳הע Gen 22:2; Gen 22:13 (E); with accusative of location מַעֲלֶה בָמָה Jer 48:35 מזבח(לׅ Lev 14:20 (P) Isa 60:7 ( > Qal); with לְ local 2Chr 29:27 with בְּ local Gen 8:20 (J) Num 23:2; Num 23:4; Num 23:14; Num 23:30 (E); עלהַֿחֹמָה 2Kgs 3:27 usually על location, על הַצּוּר Judg 13:19, על מזבח ׳הע 1Kgs 12:32; 1Kgs 12:33 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 16:12; 2Chr 1:6; 2Chr 29:21; 1Sam 2:28, פרים על מזבח Ps 51:21 elsewhere עלות על מזבח ׳חע Exod 40:29 (P) Josh 22:23; 1Kgs 3:4; 1Kgs 9:25; 2Chr 1:6; 2Chr 35:16; Ezra 3:2; Ezek 43:18, ׳עלות ליהוה על מז ׳הע Deut 27:6; Josh 8:31; 1Chr 16:40; 2Chr 8:12; Ezra 3:3. Hoph`al Perfect;.; —
1. be carried away, 3 feminine singular הֹעֲלָ֑תָךְ Nah 2:8.
2. be taken up into, inserted in, 3 masculine singular הֹעֲלָה 2Chr 20:34 (על ספר) (passive of Qal 6).
3. 3 masculine singular be offered, of פר Judg 6:28 (על המזבח). Hithpa`el lift oneself: Imperfect 3 masculine singular אֶליִֿתְעַל Jer 51:3 against (him that) lifts himself, but corrupt; either read אַלֿ, let him not, etc. (ᵑ6 ᵑ7 ᵑ9 Hi Gf Gie Rothst), or strike out אל (ᵐ5 CoHpt.).


BDB9763 H5927

BDB9762 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9764

עלה (√of following; see Biblical Hebrew עָלָה).

up, offered, offer, brought, come, …
ʿālâ
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
  • to go up, ascend, climb
    • (Qal)
      • to go up, ascend
      • "to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat"to go up, come up (of animals)"to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation)"to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon)"to come up (before God)"to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary)"to excel, be superior to
      (Niphal)
      • to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away
      • "to take oneself away"to be exalted
      (Hiphil)
      • to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up
      • "to bring up, bring against, take away"to bring up, draw up, train"to cause to ascend"to rouse, stir up (mentally)"to offer, bring up (of gifts)"to exalt"to cause to ascend, offer
      (Hophal)
      • to be carried away, be led up
      • "to be taken up into, be inserted in"to be offered
      (Hithpael) to lift oneself

לַ שָּׁמַ֣יִם
לַ
Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
שָּׁמַ֣יִם
Root word heaven, heavens, air
Dictionary form: שָׁמַיִם · shaw-ma-YIM

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 plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: to the heavens
heaven ×76 of heaven ×74 the heavens ×50 the heaven ×22 of the heaven ×20 of the air ×19 from heaven ×15 in heaven ×15
More options
sky — Best for atmospheric or visible dome contexts.
heavens — Modernized plural; suits poetic or cosmic scope.
heaven — Theological or divine dwelling; singular register.
atmosphere — Technical/scientific contexts; birds, weather, air.
cosmos — Emphasizes vast, ordered universe; rare but vivid.
firmament — Retains ancient cosmological feel; use sparingly.

BDB8792 H8064

BDB8791 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8793

[שָׁמַי]noun masculineDeut 33:28 only plural שָׁמַ֫יִם421 (Sta§324 a) heavens, sky (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian šamû plural šamê, šamûtu, also šamâmu, compare Phoenician שמם; Sabean סמה HomChr 46, 124; Arabic Ethiopic Aramaic שְׁמַיָּא ; Palmyrene, Nabataean שמ(י)ן in proper name (compounded with בעל) Lzb153 GACooke45; on plural form see BaZMG xiii (1888), 341 f.); — absolute ׳שׁ Gen 1:1 +, מָ֑יִם- Gen 2:4 +; הַשָּׁמַ֫יְמָה Exod 9:8 +; construct שְׁמֵי Deut 10:14 + 9 t.; suffix שָׁמֶיךָ Ps 8:4 +2 t., שָׁמָיו Deut 33:28, שְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:19, with verb plural, Hos 2:23

1. a. visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are Judg 5:20; Gen 15:5 (J), Deut 4:19; Gen 1:14; Gen 1:15; Gen 1:17 (P), hence ׳כּוֺכְבֵי הַשּׁ Gen 22:17 (JE) = 9 t. (usually as countless), ׳(כָּלֿ) צְבָא הַשּׁ Deut 4:19; Jer 8:2 + ( ׳צ 1 c; rarely of angels, ׳צ 1 b; before which fowl fly Gen 1:20 (P), compare Deut 4:17; Jer 8:7; Prov 30:19, ׳עוֺף הַשּׁ Gen 2:19 (J), Gen 1:19 (P) + (עוֺף 1), ׳צִפֹּר שׁ Ps 8:9, ׳נִשְׁרֵי שׁ Lam 4:19 as רָקִיע (q. v.) Gen 1:8 (P), Ps 19:2, with waters beneath and above Gen 1:9 (P, compare vGen 1:7), Ps 148:4, darkened with clouds 1Kgs 18:45, cleared by wind Job 26:13 whence comes rain Gen 8:2 (J), Judg 5:4; Deut 11:11 +, and dew Gen 27:28 (J), vGen 27:39 (E), Deut 33:28 (poem) +. compare ׳בִּרְכֹת שׁ Gen 49:25 (poem in J), ׳מֶגֶר שׁ Deut 33:13 (poem), but also (destructive) fire 2Kgs 1:10 (twice in verse); Job 1:16 + (see also 2 a below); ׳הֹבְרֵישׁ Isa 47:13, i.e. astrologers, compare ׳אוֺתוֺתהַשּׁ Jer 10:2 as high Gen 11:4 (J), Amos (:2 (opposed to שְׁאוֺל), vGen 11:6 (opposed to אֶרֶץ) +, ׳עַדלֵֿב הַשּׁ Deut 4:11as over all the earth, ׳תַּחַת (כָּלֿ)הַשּׁ Gen 6:17; Gen 7:19 (both P), Deut 2:25; Eccl 1:13 ׳מִתַּחַת וגו (of extermination) Exod 17:14 (E), Deut 7:24; Deut 9:14 +; specifically of Israel, שָׁמֶיךָ Deut 28:23, שְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:19 (H); וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ ׳בֵּין הַשּׁ 2Sam 18:9 (hung from tree), 1Chr 21:16 (of angel), compare Ezek 8:3 (Ezekiel in vision), Zech 5:9 (flying ephah); וְעַדקְֿצֵה ׳מִקְּצֵה הַשּׁ ׳הַשּׁ of limits of horizon Deut 4:32, compare Deut 30:4; Neh 1:9; Ps 19:7 as made by God Jer 51:15 (opposed to תֵּבֵל), Ps 8:4 + enduring Deut 11:21; Job 14:12; Ps 89:30 especiallyוְ(הָ)אָרֶץ ׳(הַ)שּׁ = universe (compare in Sabean, SabDenkmNo.41.42, l.3) Deut 3:24; Gen 1:1 (P) + (especially Deuteronomy, Isa2, Psalms), + הַיָם Exod 20:11; Hag 2:6, etc., + מַיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ Exod 20:4= Deut 5:8,.compare Prov 30:4, etc.; opposed to תְּהוֺם Prov 8:27 (+ אֶרֶץ vProv 8:29) חֲרָשִׁים וְהָאָרֶץ חֲרָשָׁה ׳שׁ as part of future glory Isa 65:17; Isa 66:22.
  b. phrases are: ׳אֲרֻבּוֺת הַשּׁ (letting rain through) Gen 7:11; Gen 8:2 (P), Mal 3:10 (figurative), compare ׳בַּשּׁ ׳א ׳הֲיַעֲשֶׂה י 2Kgs 7:2; 2Kgs 7:19, so ׳דַּלְתֵי שׁ Ps 78:23 (for manna), compare ׳דְָּגַן שׁ, vPs 78:24, ׳לֶחֶם שׁ Ps 105:40 ׳מוֺסְדוֺת הַשּׁ 2Sam 22:8 (|| הָאָרֶץ; in || Ps 18:8 חָרִים ׳מ), ׳עַמּוּרֵי שׁ Job 26:11, ׳חוּג שׁ Job 22:14 towards the sky is הַשָּׁמַ֫יְמָה Josh 8:20(J), Exod 9:8; Exod 9:10 (P), Job 2:12; Judg 13:20; Judg 20:40; 2Chr 6:13 עַלהַֿשָּׁמַיִם Exod 9:22; Exod 9:23; Exod 10:21; Exod 10:22(all E), ׳אֶלשֿׁ Deut 32:40 (poem), Dan 12:7, ׳שׁ alone 1Kgs 8:22; 1Kgs 8:54; Job 35:5; Prov 23:5.
2. a. as abode of God (׳י) 1Kgs 8:30; 1Kgs 8:32 + often, where he sits enthroned Ps 2:3; Isa 66:1, etc., compare ׳רֹכֵבשׁ Deut 33:26(poem), Ps 68:34, whence he rains brimstone Gen 19:24 (J), bread Exod 16:4 (E), compare Neh 9:15, casts hailstones Josh 11:11 (E), talks with Israel Exod 20:22 (E; Gi vExod 20:19) +, compare Gen 21:17; Gen 22:11; Gen 22:15 (E), looks down Deut 26:15 +, hears his people Ps 20:7+ 10 t. Chronicles, etc.; he thunders ׳בַּשּׁ 1Sam 2:10; Ps 18:14,|| ׳מִןשֿׁ 2Sam 22:14 he bends (נטה) ׳שׁ to come down v2Sam 22:10= Ps 18:10, compare Ps 144:5 and (rend) Isa 63:19 ׳נִפְּתְּחוּ הַשּׁ Ezek 1:1 in vision of God, compare ׳שַׁעַר הַשּׁ Gen 28:17 (E; + בֵּית אֱלֹהִים); though even ׳שְׁמֵי הַשּׁ the highest heuvens cannot hold him Deut 10:14; 1Kgs 8:27 2 Chron 6:18, 2Chr 2:5; Neh 9:6; Ps 148:4, שְׁמֵי שְׁמֵיקֶֿדֶם Ps 68:34 he is called ׳אֱלֹהֵי הַשּׁ (post-exilic title) Ezra 1:2 = 2Chr 36:23 + 11 t. Ezra Nehemiah; Jonah 1:9 (compare Aramaic, Dan 2:18; Dan 2:19; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:44 in Gen 24:7 add with ᵐ5 וֵאלֹהֵי הָאָרֶץ, as vGen 24:3), ׳אֵלהַֿשׁ Ps 136:26 his sword is ׳בַּשׁ Isa 34:5, but also his חֶסֶד Ps 36:6, צֶדֶק Ps 85:12, אֱמוּנָח Ps 89:3, his word fixed Ps 119:89. — ׳שׁ are שָׁמָיו (of Israel) Deut 33:28 (poem), שְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:19 שָׁמֶיךָ Ps 8:4; Ps 144:5, ׳שְׁמֵי י Lam 3:66, קָדְשׁוֺ ׳שׁ Ps 20:7.
  b. Elijah taken up ׳הַשּׁ in whirlwind 2Kgs 2:1, compare v2Kgs 2:11.
3. ׳הַשּׁ personified in various relations Isa 1:2; Jer 2:12; Job 15:15; Ps 19:2; Ps 50:6 = Ps 97:6; Ps 89:6; Ps 148:4.
4. מְלֶכֶת ׳הַשּׁ see ׳מ p. 573.


I, II. שַׁמָּה see שׁמם. שָׂ֫מָּה see שָׁם.


BDB9965 H8064 H8065

BDB9964 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9966

[שְׁמַ֫יִן] noun masculine plural heavens (Biblical Hebrew [שָׁמַי], שָׁמַיִם, √ שׁמה); — always emphatic שְׁמַיָּא:

1. visible sky Jer 10:11; Dan 4:8; Dan 4:10; Dan 4:17; Dan 4:19; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:27; Dan 4:28 ׳עוֺף שׁ Dan 2:38 ׳צִפֲּרֵי שׁ Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18 ׳טַל שׁ v.Dan 4:12 v.Dan 4:20 v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:30; Dan 5:21 ׳רוּחֵי שׁ Dan 7:2 winds of the sky; ׳עֲנָנֵי שׁ vDan 7:13 heavens + earth = universe Jer 10:11, where God shews signs Dan 6:28.
2.heavens as abode of God Dan 2:28; Dan 4:31, hence, figurative, as ruling v.Dan 4:23 (׳שׁ sometimes = God in Late Hebrew, J, Aramaic, DWorte Jesu 179; Eng.Tr.218 f.); as abode of angels v.Dan 4:32 (Dr); elsewhere in phrase ׳אֱלָהּ שׁ Dan 2:18; Dan 2:19; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:44; Ezra 5:11; Ezra 5:12; Ezra 6:9; Ezra 6:10; Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:21; Ezra 7:23 (twice in verse), ׳מֶלֶךְ שׁ Dan 4:34, ׳מָרֵא שׁ Dan 5:23.

heaven, heavens, air
šāmayim
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • heaven, heavens, sky
    • visible heavens, sky
      • as abode of the stars
      • "as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
      Heaven (as the abode of God)

שִׂיא ֑וֹ
שִׂיא
Root word excellency
֑וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: שִׂיא · see

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

In the KJV here: his excellency
his excellency ×1
More options
majesty — Regal, elevated register; suits divine or royal contexts.
greatness — Broad and accessible; works in most prose contexts.
glory — Emphasizes splendor and renown; common in poetic passages.
exaltedness — Captures the sense of being lifted high above others.
loftiness — Highlights height or elevation as a metaphor for superiority.

BDB5395 H7863

BDB5394 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5396

[שִׂיא] noun masculine loftiness, figurative of pride: — אִםיַֿעֲלֶה לַשָּׁמַיִם שִׂיאוֺ Job 20:6 (of wicked).

excellency
śîʾ
elevation
  • loftiness (of pride)

וְ ֝רֹאשׁ ֗וֹ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝רֹאשׁ
Root word head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …
֗וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: רֹאשׁ · rohsh

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

In the KJV here: and his head
the head ×56 his head ×49 the chief ×33 the top ×30 head ×23 their heads ×21 the heads ×19 chief ×17
More options
head — Primary anatomical or positional sense; most versatile.
top — Prefer for mountains, pillars, or physical summits.
leader — Best when רֹאשׁ denotes a person of authority.
chief — Titular sense; fits ranks, tribes, or priestly roles.
beginning — Use for temporal or sequential firsts.
sum — Specific to census or enumeration contexts.

BDB7678 H7218 H7226 H4763 H7219 H7220

BDB7677 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7679

I. רֹאשׁ599 noun masculineLev 13:45 head (common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic , Sabean ראס PräZMG xxix (1875). 425 MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; Ethiopic Amharic hence (a heightened) Assyrian rêšu (rarely râšu), Aramaic רֵישָׁא (Egyptian Aramaic ראש CookeNorth-Semitic Inscr. 404), , modern (Ma'lûla) ra±ša, HuartJAs xii (1878), 491 Duvalid. xiii(1879), 464; Palmyrene רשא, Lzb366, compare Biblical Hebrew רִישׁוֺן, רֵאשִׁית; from*ra'š, also Biblical Hebrew רָאשׁ֩, ראֹשׁ (LagSymm. i. 113), Tel Amarna rušu(nu) Wkl189, 18 (gloss to ‡a‡‡adunu), Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; SI6 ראש, Phoenician רשׁ, ראש (in proper name), Punic rus (in proper name, of a location) SchrödPhoenician Spr.133, ראשת choicest, chief; on MI20 (suffix) רשה, Lev 1:28 ש[ר], compare Sm. u. So14 LCB Jan. 8, 1887, 60); — ׳ר absolute Gen 3:15 +, construct Gen 40:20 +; suffix ראֹשִׁי vGen 40:16 +, etc.; plural רָאשִׁים (for רְאָשִׁים֩ GGA 1884, 1019) Exod 18:25 +; construct רָאשֵׁי Hos 7:13 + [מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי 1Sam 26:12 see מְרַאֲשׁוֺת below]; suffix רָאשֵׁינוּ 1Chr 12:19, רָאשֵׁיכֶם Isa 29:10 +, etc.; —

1. a. (c. 230 t.) head, of human being; man Gen 40:16; Gen 40:17. + often, גֶּבֶר ׳לְר Judg 5:30 for the head of a man, i.e. for each man, per capita; woman 2Kgs 9:30; Deut 21:12; Num 5:18; Esth 2:17 boy 2Kgs 4:19 (twice in verse); Gen 48:14 (twice in verse) +; of ׳י, under figure of armed man Ps 60:9 = Ps 108:9 of idol 1Sam 5:4 of gates, personified Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9.
  b. head, of animals: of serpent Gen 3:15, dog 2Sam 3:8, ass 2Kgs 6:25, of הַחַיָּה in Ezek 1:22 compare vEzek 1:22 vEzek 1:26, of הַכְּרֻבִים Ezek 10:1 compare vEzek 10:11 of sea-monsters, לִוְיָתָן Job 40:31; Ps 74:14, תַּנִּינִים vPs 74:13 especially of animals for sacrifice Exod 12:9; Exod 29:15; Exod 29:19; Lev 1:4; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:12; Lev 1:15; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:8 + 18 t. P; in phrase וְזָנָב ׳ר Isa 9:13 (figurative of noble and commoner) compare v.Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15, so (figurative of relative dignity, power, influence) Deut 28:13; Deut 28:44.
2. a. top (88 t.): of mountain, הַר, Gen 8:5; Exod 19:20 (twice in verse); Exod 24:17; Exod 34:2 + 34 t.; hill, גִּבְעָה, Exod 17:9; Exod 17:10 (E), 2Sam 8:25 מְרוֺמִים ׳ר Prov 8:2 + Prov 1:21 Toy (for ᵑ0 הֹמִיּוֺת), גֵּיא ׳ר שְׁמָנִים Isa 28:1; Isa 28:4 of rocks, צֻרִים, Num 23:9 (JE), crag, סֶלַע, 2Chr 25:12 (twice in verse); tower Gen 11:4 (J), stronghold Judg 6:26, ladder Gen 28:12 (E), tree 2Sam 5:24 = 1Chr 14:15, bough Isa 17:6 compare Ezek 17:4; Ezek 17:22, mast (?; חִבֵּל) Prov 23:34 (otherwise Toy); of ears of grain, שִׁבֹּלֶת Job 24:24, of stone Gen 28:18 (E), bed, מִטָּה, Gen 47:31 (J), throne, עָגוֺל לַכִּסֵּה׳ר 1Kgs 10:19, tabernacle, or its wall, Exod 26:24 = Exod 36:29 (P); pillar ( =capital) 1Kgs 7:16; 1Kgs 7:17 + 13: t., מְכוֺנָה v1Kgs 7:35 v1Kgs 7:35, lampstand Zech 4:2 (twice in verse), high priest's robe, מְעִיל, Exod 28:32 (P), פִּנָּה ׳ר Ps 118:22 top of (the) corner, i.e. most conspicuous stone (figurative); = tip, end, of staves 1Kgs 8:8= 2Chr 5:9, of sceptre Esth 5:2.
  b. height of stars Job 22:12 (|| גֹּבַהּ שָׁמַיִם).
3.: 171
  a. head = chief (man) Judg 10:18; Judg 11:8; Judg 11:9; Judg 11:11; Exod 18:25 (E), Num 1:16 (P), Deut 1:15; Hos 2:2; Mic 3:1 + often; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 12:10. (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:9, series of 11); of God 2Chr 13:12.
  b. = chief (city) Josh 11:10 (D), compare (of city and king) Isa 7:3; Isa 7:8; Isa 7:9 (twice in verse).
  c. chief nation Jer 31:7.
  d. =chief (place, position) 1Sam 9:22; 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:12; Deut 20:9; 1Chr 4:42 (compare also 5).
  e. הָראֹשׁ chief priest 2Kgs 25:18= Jer 52:24; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 24:11; 2Chr 26:20, הַכֹּחֵן ראֹשׁ 1Chr 27:5, ׳הָר ׳הַכּ 2Chr 31:10; Ezra 7:5 ׳י alone 2Chr 24:6 רָאשֵׁי הַכֹּהֲנִים Neh 12:7. feminine especially = head of a family (P Chronicles); רָאשֵׁי בֵּית (rare ראֹשׁ) אֲבוֺתָ (םׅ) Exod 6:14; Num 7:2; Num 17:18; Josh 22:14; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:9 בֵּית הָאָבוֺת ׳ר v1Chr 7:40 לְבֵית אֲבֹתָיו ׳ר Num 1:4, compare 1Chr 5:15; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 9:13; 1Chr 24:4 אֻמּוֺת בַּיתאָֿב ׳ר Num 25:15 אֲבוֺת ׳ר הָעַדָה Num 31:26 compare Num 32:28; Josh 14:1; Josh 21:1 אֲבוֺת הַלְוִיִּם ׳ר Exod 6:25; Josh 21:1 (הָ)אָבוֺת לַלְּוִיִם ׳ר 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 9:34; 1Chr 15:12, compare Num 36:1; Josh 19:51; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 8:13; 1Chr 23:9; 1Chr 23:24 + 10 t. Chronicles; absolute ׳ר (הָ)אָבוֺת 1Chr 8:10; 1Chr 8:28; 1Chr 9:9; 1Chr 26:32; 1Chr 27:1; 2Chr 1:2 + 8 t. Ezra Nehemiah (Chronicles); אֲכֹתֵיהֶם ׳ר Ezra 8:1 רָאשִׁים לְאָכוֺת Neh 11:13 so also ׳י alone 1Chr 5:7; 1Chr 5:12; 1Chr 7:3; 1Chr 8:28 +; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 23:8 (series of 3), v1Chr 23:11 (of 4), v1Chr 23:19 (of 3), v1Chr 23:20 (of 2).
4. a. head=front, leader's place Mic 2:13; 2Chr 20:27, compare Amos 6:7.
  b. of time, beginning, of night-watch Judg 7:19; Lam 2:19 absolute מֵראֹשׁ from the beginning Isa 40:21; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:26 (|| מִלְּפָנִים), Isa 48:16; Prov 8:23 (|| מֵעוֺלָם),. Eccl 3:11 (|| עַדסֿוֺף); first of months Exod 12:2 (|| רִאשׁוֺן), Num 10:10; Num 28:11 (all P); בָּראֹשׁ 1Chr 16:7 at first.
  c. of things, river-heads Gen 2:10 (J); עַפְרוֺת תֵּכֵל ׳ר Prov 8:26.
5. chief, choicest, best, of spices, כשׂמ(יםׅ, Ezek 27:22; Exod 30:23 (P), Song 4:14 שִׂמְחָתִי ׳ר Ps 137:6 the choicest of my joy.
6. head = division of army, company, band : Judg 7:16; Judg 7:20; Judg 9:34; Judg 9:37; Judg 9:43; Judg 9:44 (twice in verse); 1Sam 11:11; 1Sam 13:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 13:18 (twice in verse) Job 1:17.
7. =sum, especially in phrase ׳בְּנֵייִֿשׂ ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿ Exod 30:12take the sum of, enumerate, compare Num 1:2; Num 1:49; Num 4:2; Num 4:22; Num 26:2; Num 31:26; Num 31:49 בְּראֹשׁוֺ Lev 5:24 in its sum, i.e. in full, so Num 5:7 (all P); of ׳י's thoughts Ps 139:17 compare ראֹשׁ דְּבָֽרְךָ אֱמֶתPs 119:160.
8. other phrase are : ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿאֹשׁ פ see נָשָׂא Qal 1 b (2); יָרוּם ראֹשִׁי עַלאֹֿיְבַי Ps 27:6, מֵרִים ראֹשִׁי ׳י Ps 3:4 (Ps 110:7; Ps 140:10 see רום); shake the head, see נוּעַ Hiph`il, compare יָנִיד בְּראֹשׁוֺ Jer 8:16, מְנוֺד ראֹשׁ Ps 44:15 נָתַן דֶּרֶךְ בְּראֹשׁ, i.e. requite, see נתן Qal 2 b near the end; יָשׁוּב גְּמֻלְךָ ׳בְּר Obad 1:15, compare Ps 7:17; 1Kgs 2:33 (below דָּם 2 i and (with ׳עַלרֿ) Esth 9:25, הֵשִׁיב רָעָה בְּראֹשׁ Judg 9:57; 1Sam 25:39; 1Kgs 2:44, compare Joel 1Kgs 4:4; 1Kgs 4:7; 1Kgs 2:32 (sub דָּם 2 i, compare Neh 3:36 (אֶלרֿאֹשָׁם), see also 2Sam 3:29 below 1. חוּל 3; see, further, דָּם 2 i; Dan 1:10 see חוּב Pi`el


BDB9878 H7217 H7218

BDB9877 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9879

רֵאשׁ noun masculineDan 7:6 head (Egyptian Aramaic, S-CPap.; Palmyrene רש; ᵑ7 רֵישׁ, Syriac ; Biblical Hebrew ראֹשׁ); — construct ׳ר Dan 7:1 emphatic הָ֯ Dan 2:38 suffix רֵאשׁי Dan 4:2 +, חָ֯ Dan 2:28, הֵּ֯ vDan 2:32 +, הַּ֯ Dan 7:20, הֵ֯וֺן Dan 3:27 plural absolute רֵאשִׁין Dan 7:6, suffix רָאשֵׁיהֹם (K§§ 53, Anm. b); 63 GuHpt on the passage) Ezra 5:10

1. head of man Dan 3:27, compare Dan 7:9 in vision: of image Dan 2:32; Dan 2:38, beast Dan 7:6; Dan 7:20.
2. head as seat of visions, הֶזְוֵי רֵאשָׁךְ, etc., Dan 2:28; Dan 4:2; Dan 4:7; Dan 4:10; Dan 7:1; Dan 7:15.
3. = chief, ׳בְּר Ezra 5:10 in the capacity of their chiefs.
4. sum, essential content, of matters Dan 7:1 (NesMM 40 beginning).

head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …
rōš
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
  • head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
    • head (of man, animals)
    • "top, tip (of mountain)"height (of stars)"chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)"head, front, beginning"chief, choicest, best"head, division, company, band"sum

לָ עָ֥ב
לָ
Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
עָ֥ב
Root word clouds, cloud, thick, thickets, clay
Dictionary form: עָב · awb

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

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: unto the clouds
the clouds ×6 of the clouds ×3 and thick clouds ×2 as a cloud ×2 cloud ×2 with clouds ×2 and like a cloud ×1 as a thick cloud ×1
More options
cloud — Most versatile; suits weather, theophany, and metaphor contexts.
thick cloud — Emphasizes density and opacity; good for storm or divine glory scenes.
storm cloud — Highlights dramatic, threatening atmosphere; vivid in poetry.
dark cloud — Stresses gloom or obscurity; useful for judgment passages.
thicket — Use only when context clearly indicates dense vegetation, not sky.
dense mass — Abstract option covering both cloud and thicket senses broadly.

BDB5753 H5672 H5645

BDB5752 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5754

עֲבִי noun [masculine] thickness; — construct נַּבֵּי מָגִנָּיו ׳ע Job 15:26 the thickness (stoutness) of the bosses of his shields (in figurative); suffix עָבְיוֺ its thickness, of the molten sea 1Kgs 7:26 = 2Chr 4:5 of pillar Jer 52:21. — 2Chr 4:17 see following — Under עבה belongs perhaps also בְּעַב הֶעָנָן Exod 19:9 (read בַּעֲבִי ?) in the thickness of the clouds, compare BuThLz 1892 (3), 63 ii 1, 86.


BDB5847 H5645 H5646 H5672

BDB5846 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5848

II. עָב33 noun masculineIsa 19:1 and (1Kgs 18:44 Synt. 103) feminine dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket; — ׳ע absolute 1Kgs 18:44 +, construct Isa 18:4; Prov 16:15 plural עָבִים Judg 5:4 +, עָבוֺת 2Sam 23:4 + 2Sam 77:18 construct עָבֵי 2Sam 22:12; Ps 18:12 suffix עָבָיו Ps 18:13 (but probably strike out, see עבר Qal near the end); —

1. dark cloud:
  a. rain-cloud Judg 5:4; Isa 5:6; 1Kgs 18:44; 1Kgs 18:45 + 9 t.
  b. as high Isa 14:14; Job 20:6, + Ezek 19:11; Ezek 31:3; Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 (reading בְָוֺת, see עֲבֹת).
  c. chariot of ׳י Isa 19:1; Ps 104:3 covering his eyes Job 22:14.
  d. casting shadow Isa 25:5, compare 2Sam 23:4.
  e. as swift Isa 60:8, and transient Isa 44:22; Job 30:15 (all simile). feminine disposed by God Job 36:29; Job 37:16.
  g. טַל ׳ע Isa 18:4 cloud of dew, dew-mist (simile).
2. (cloud-) mass, שְׁחָקִים ׳ע 2Sam 22:12 masses of clouds (enwrapping ׳י) = Ps 18:12 (Ps 13 see above).
3. thicket as refuge Jer 4:29 (perhaps under Aramaic influence). — עַב Exod 19:9 see עֲבִי below עבה. I. עָב see above

clouds, cloud, thick, thickets, clay
ʿāb
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
  • darkness, cloud, thicket
    • dark cloud
    • "cloud mass"thicket (as refuge)

יַגִּֽיעַ
יַגִּֽיעַ
Root word toucheth, touch, touched, come, came, …
Dictionary form: נָגַע · naw-ɡA

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: reach
toucheth ×20 touch ×13 and touched ×7 touched ×7 came ×5 and touch ×3 hath touched ×3 he that toucheth ×3
More options
touch — Most common, neutral sense; physical or metaphorical contact.
reach — Prefer when extending toward or arriving at a boundary.
strike — Use when contact carries force or affliction.
come near — Highlights approach or proximity rather than contact itself.
affect — Good for abstract or emotional impact contexts.
afflict — Best when God or plague is the subject causing harm.

BDB4976 H5060

BDB4975 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4977

נָגַע :150 verb touch, reach, strike (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic is agree with one (of food), produce effect; Aramaic נְגַע Ithpa`al be struck (that is, with leprosy), compare Pi`el below); —

Qal Perfect ׳נ Gen 32:33 +; נָָֽגְעָה Judg 20:41 +; 1 plural suffix נְנַעֲנוּךָ Gen 26:29 Imperfect יִגַּע Lev 5:3 +; וַיִּגַּע Gen 32:26 +, etc.; Imperative גַּע Ps 144:5 + 2 t.; Infinitive construct נְגֹעַ, לִנְגּוֺעַ Gen 20:6 + 3 t.; גַּ֫עַת 2Sam 14:10; Ezek 17:10 suffix נָגְעֵךְ Ruth 2:9 etc.; Participle active נֹגֵעַ 1Kgs 19:5 +; נֹגְעִים Jer 12:14 feminine נֹגַ֫עַת Num 19:22 + 2 t.; plural נֹגְעֹת 1Kgs 6:27 passive נָגוּעַ Ps 73:14; Isa 53:4
1. a. touch, usually followed by בְּ Gen 3:3 (J), Gen 32:25; Gen 32:33; Exod 19:12 (twice in verse); Exod 19:13 (all E), Exod 29:37; Exod 30:20 (P), Lev 5:2; Lev 5:3 + 25 t. Leviticus; Num 16:26 + 7 t. Numbers (P) + Num 19:22 (no בְּ or object), Deut 14:8; Judg 6:21; 2Sam 23:7; 1Kgs 6:27 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 19:5; 1Kgs 19:7; 2Kgs 13:21; Esth 5:2; Dan 8:5; Dan 8:18; Lam 4:14 followed by אֶלֿ Hag 2:12; Num 4:15; 1Kgs 6:27; Dan 9:21, compare Hos 4:2 compare עַלפֶּֿה Isa 6:7 עַלשָֿׂפָה Dan 10:16 compare accusative Isa 52:11 absolute (no object expressed) Job 6:7; Lam 4:15.
  b. of ׳י touching earth, mountains, etc., followed by בְּ Amos 9:5; Ps 104:32; Ps 144:5 figurative of ׳י touching the heart, followed by בְּ 1Sam 10:26.
2. nearly = strike, passive stricken, Ps 73:14; Isa 53:4 || מֻכֶּה), of wind Job 1:19; Ezek 17:10 of divine chastisement 1Sam 6:9; Job 1:11; Job 19:21 followed by אֶל Job 2:5.
3. touch = harm, followed by. בְּ, Gen 26:11 (J), Josh 9:19; 2Sam 14:10; 1Chr 16:22 || הָרֵעַ) = Ps 105:15; Jer 12:14; Zech 2:12 (twice in verse); followed by. אֶלֿ Gen 20:6 (touch a woman), so Prov 6:29 (followed by בְּ); followed by. accusative Gen 26:29 (J, suffix), so Ruth 2:9 see also Job 5:19 (subject רַע, followed by בְּ), Judg 20:34; Judg 20:41 (both subject רָעָה, followed by עַלֿ).
4. reach, extend to, 2Sam 5:8, followed by בְּ (but corrupt see Dr HPS); in metaphor, followed by עַד, of vine Isa 16:8; Jer 48:32 of sword Jer 4:10, compare vJer 4:18 of chastisement Mic 1:9, compare Job 4:5 (|| בּוֺא אֶלֿ); also (followed by אֶל) Jer 51:9 = come, followed by אֶלֿ Jonah 3:6 arrive (of time), absolute Ezra 3:1; Neh 7:73.

Niph`al Imperfect וַיִּנָָּֽנְעוּ Josh 8:15 be stricken, defeated (in battle), i.e. feign to be so, but read probably וַיִּנָָּֽגְפוּ, see נגף Niph`al

Pi`el Perfect suffix נִגְּעוֺ 2Chr 26:20 strike (with leprosy, 2 accusative), subject ׳י; so Imperfect וַיְנַגַּע 2Kgs 15:5; Gen 12:17 (subject ׳י; accusative of person + accusative of cognate meaning).

Pu`al Imperfect יְנֻגָּע֑וּ be sticken by diseases (?; compare Pi`el and נֶגַע

2. 3. especially 2Sam 7:14) Ps 73:5.

Hiph`il Perfect הִגִּיעַ Isa 25:12 + 6 t.; 2 feminine singular הִגַּ֫עַתְּ Esth 4:14 1 singular suffix וְהִגַּעְתִּ֫יהוּ Ezek 13:14, etc.; Imperfect יַגִּיעַ Isa 8:8 + 3 t.; וַיַּגַּע Isa 6:7; Jer 1:9, etc.; Infinitive construct הַגִּיעַ Esth 2:12; Esth 2:15 Participle מַגִּיעַ Gen 28:12 +; feminine מַגַּ֫עַת 2Chr 3:11cause to touch; reach, approach, arrive:

1. cause to touch, apply, Exod 12:22) (J E; מִדָּם, אֶלֿ); cause to touch (compare עַד עָפָר, לָאָרֶץ), i.e. bring to ground, Isa 25:5; Isa 25:12, compare Lam 2:2; Ezek 13:14 (followed by אֶלֿ), Exod 4:25 (J; followed by לְרַגְלָיו); followed by עַלפֶּֿה Isa 6:7; Jer 1:9 followed by בְּ Isa 5:8.
2. intransitive reach, extend, Gen 28:12 (followed by ָ  ה locative); followed by אֶלֿ Zech 14:5, followed by עַד Isa 8:8 compare ׳תַּגּ יָדוֺ דֵּי שֶׂה Lev 5:7 if his hand do not reach enough for a lamb (i.e. he be not able to furnish a lamb); followed by לְ Job 20:6 (hyperbole) 2Chr 3:11 (twice in verse); 2Chr 3:12 followed by עַד לְ 2Chr 28:9 attain, followed by לְ Esth 4:14, arrive, come, followed by accusative of location Isa 30:4; Esth 4:3; Esth 8:17, followed by לְ (of time) Dan 12:12, followed by אֶלֿ 1Sam 14:9, followed by עַדֿ Ps 107:18, absolute Esth 6:14 followed by אֵצֶל Dan 8:7.
3. approach, of time, absolute Eccl 12:1; Song 2:12; Ezek 7:12 (|| בּוֺא); see also Esth 9:1 (followed by Infinitive), compare Esth 2:12; Esth 2:15; Ps 88:4 (followed by לְ).
4. of fate or lot, = befal, followed by אֶלֿ Esth 9:26; Eccl 8:14 (twice in verse); Ps 32:6.

toucheth, touch, touched, come, came, …
nāgaʿ
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.)
  • to touch, reach, strike
    • (Qal)
      • to touch
      • "to strike"to reach, extend to"to be stricken
        • stricken (participle)
      (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated"(Piel) to strike"(Pual) to be stricken (by disease)"(Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive
      • to cause to touch, apply
      • "to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come"to approach (of time)"to befall (of fate)

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.
אִם יַעֲלֶ֣ה לַשָּׁמַ֣יִם שִׂיא֑וֹ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְ֝רֹאשׁ֗וֹ Revia Mugrash — a lesser break לָעָ֥ב יַגִּֽיעַ Silluq — end of the verse

אִם-יַעֲלֶה לַשָּׁמַיִם שִׂיאוֹ וְרֹאשׁוֹ לָעָב יַגִּֽיעַ׃
6
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;
Cross References

Isaiah 14:13

וְאַתָּה אָמַרְתָּ בִֽלְבָבְךָ הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶֽעֱלֶה מִמַּעַל לְכֽוֹכְבֵי-אֵל אָרִים כִּסְאִי וְאֵשֵׁב בְּהַר-מוֹעֵד בְּיַרְכְּתֵי צָפֽוֹן׃
13
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Obadiah 1:3

זְדוֹן לִבְּךָ הִשִּׁיאֶךָ שֹׁכְנִי בְחַגְוֵי-סֶלַע מְרוֹם שִׁבְתּוֹ אֹמֵר בְּלִבּוֹ מִי יוֹרִדֵנִי אָֽרֶץ׃
3
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Genesis 11:4

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ הָבָה׀ נִבְנֶה-לָּנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַשָּׁמַיִם וְנַֽעֲשֶׂה-לָּנוּ שֵׁם פֶּן-נָפוּץ עַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָאָֽרֶץ׃
4
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Amos 9:2

אִם-יַחְתְּרוּ בִשְׁאוֹל מִשָּׁם יָדִי תִקָּחֵם וְאִֽם-יַעֲלוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם מִשָּׁם אוֹרִידֵֽם׃
2
Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

Daniel 4:11

רְבָה אִֽילָנָא וּתְקִף וְרוּמֵהּ יִמְטֵא לִשְׁמַיָּא וַחֲזוֹתֵהּ לְסוֹף כָּל-אַרְעָֽא׃
11
The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

Daniel 4:22

אַנְתְּה-הוּא מַלְכָּא דִּי רְבַית וּתְקֵפְתְּ וּרְבוּתָךְ רְבָת וּמְטָת לִשְׁמַיָּא וְשָׁלְטָנָךְ לְסוֹף אַרְעָֽא׃
22
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

Matthew 11:23

καὶ σύ Καπερναούμ ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθεῖσα ἕως ᾅδου καταβιβασθήσῃ· ὅτι εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγένοντο αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί ἔμειναν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον
23
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.