Job 27:4

My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
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: shall not
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

תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה
תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה
Root word spake, speak, spoken, said, speaking, …
Dictionary form: דָבַר · daw-BAHR

Verb — Piel, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person feminine plural intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: speak
spake ×193 speak ×100 hath spoken ×39 he spake ×29 and spake ×27 have spoken ×26 to speak ×20 and speak ×18
More options
speak — Most versatile modern rendering; fits nearly all contexts.
say — Prefer for short, direct speech or quotation introductions.
tell — Use when emphasis is on conveying information to someone.
declare — Suits formal, public, or solemn proclamations.
talk — More conversational; good for dialogue or extended exchange.
announce — Best when the speech is a public or official pronouncement.

BDB1815 H1696

BDB1814 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1816

[דָּבַר]1142 verb speak (original meaning dubious; range in order Thes is conjectural and not comprehensive enough; treiben MV does not explain Arabic or Hebrew usage, but only Aramaic A meaning go away, sustained by Arabic go away with it, would best explain the four branches of usage: — (1) Arabic depart, perish, IV. retreat, figurative retrograde, decline; passing away, death; Assyrian dabâru, Pi`el drive away, BezOrient. Diplom, Vocab., Dibbara, pest-god, Hpt. in KAT2. 500, דֶּבֶר pestilence. (2) Arabic follow behind, in time, place, or station; part behind, back, דְּבִיר hindmost chamber of temple. (3) Syriac lead, guide, cattle, sheep, government, take a wife, = Aramaic דְּבַר; Syriac , Aramaic דַּבָּר leader; Syriac , Aramaic דַּבָּרָא guidance; Syriac , Aramaic דַּבְרָא, Hebrew דֹּבֶר; Syriac , Aramaic מַדְבְּרָא, Hebrew מִדְבָּר pasture, wilderness; Arabic , Syriac , Aramaic דַּבַּרְתָא, Hebrew דְּבוֺרָה swarm of bees, may be in this line, as led by their queen, so Thes. (4) Arabic consider the end or issue (of an affair), relate (a story or tradition); consider, plan against; Phoenician דבר speak; Hebrew דִּבֶּר etc. Synonym of אָמַר say, as Aramaic מַלֵּל with אֲמַר; Greek λαλεῖν, λέγειν; Lat loqui, dicere; German reden, sagen) —

Qal41 only infinitive (once ?) & participle: Infinitive suffix בְּדָבְרֶ֑ךָ (by attraction to בְּשָׁפְטֶ֑ךָ for usual Piel) Ps 51:6 Participle דֹּבֵר Exod 6:29 + 30 t.; plural דֹּבְרִים Num 36:5; Ps 109:20 construct דֹּבְרֵי Ps 5:7 + 3 t.; feminine דֹּבְרוֺת Num 27:7; Ps 31:19 passive דָּבֻר Prov 25:11speak, absolute Num 27:7; Num 32:27; Num 36:5 (P) Ps 51:6 (?); דָּבָר דָּבֻר word spoken Prov 25:11 with accusative of thing דֹּבֵר דָּבָר speaking a word Job 2:13 אמת Ps 15:2, תמים Amos 5:10, (מ)ישׁרים Prov 16:13; Isa 33:15, צדק Isa 45:19, שׁלום Esth 10:3; Ps 28:3, שׁקר(יםׅ Ps 63:12; Ps 101:7; Jer 40:16, כזב Ps 5:7; Ps 58:4, רע Ps 109:20, נבלה Isa 9:16, הַוַּת נפשׁו Mic 7:3 with אֶל of person, unto Gen 16:13 (J) Exod 6:29 (P) Jer 38:20; Jer 40:16; Dan 10:11; Jonah 3:2 בְּאָזְנֵי in the ears of Deut 5:1; Jer 28:7 עַל concerning, about Ps 31:19; Ps 109:20; Jer 32:42 (sometimes rendered against, but dubious); עִם with Ps 28:3 הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי the angel that spake with me (as a prophet, an instrument of communicating with Israel) Zech 1:9; Zech 1:13; Zech 1:14; Zech 2:2; Zech 2:7; Zech 4:1; Zech 4:4; Zech 4:5; Zech 5:5; Zech 5:10; Zech 6:4 (see preposition בְּ III. 2 Ew§ 217 f. (3)). Niph`al4 Perfect נִדְבְּרוּ Mal 3:16, נִדְבָּ֑רוּ Ps 119:23, נִדְבַּרְנוּ Mal 3:13 Participle הַנִּדְבָּרִים Ezek 33:30 reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk, absolute Mal 3:16 with בְּ, against Ps 119:23; Ezek 33:30 with עַל, concerning, about Mal 3:13 (RV against, see Ew§ 217 i.) Pi`el1089 Perfect דִּבֶּר Gen 12:4 +, דִּבֵּ֑ר Gen 21:1 + (on דִּבֶּ֑ר Exod 12:25; Deut 26:19 see § 1021 d (1) i, 188); Imperfect יְדַבֵּר Gen 44:7 +, יְדַבֶּרֿ Gen 44:18 +; תְּדַבְּרוּן Gen 32:20, תְּדַבֵּר֑וּן Ps 58:2 Imperative דַּבֵּר Gen 24:38 +, דַּבֶּרֿ Exod 11:2 +; Infinitive דַּבֵּר Gen 24:50 +, דַּבֶּרֿ Isa 59:13 +; Participle מְדַבֵּר Gen 27:6 +; feminine מְדַבֶּרֶת 1Sam 1:13 +; — (הַדִּבֵּר Jer 5:13, infinitive Ki48, probably Ol§ 182 e § 23 (5), perhaps MV; but more probably a noun, as Ges«GKC:52»§ 52 (2), Anm. 3 Ew§ 156 a, dubious perfect as Sta§ 222; בְּיוֺם דִּבֶּר Exod 6:28; Num 3:1; Deut 4:15 תְּחִלַּת דִּבֶּרֿ Hos 1:2, infinitive Ki48 § 987 (7) § 23 (5); but more probably perfect, as Ges«GKC:52»§ 52 (2). Anm. 3); — speak,
1. absolute Deut 18:17 + (throughout the literature) usually with לֵאמֹר, less frequently וַיּאֹמֶר: 2Kgs 18:28 +, compare the phrases ) דברתי׳אני (י Ezek 5:13 + 18 t. Ezekiel; דבר ׳כי י Isa 1:2; Isa 21:17; Isa 22:25; Isa 24:3; Isa 25:8; Jer 13:15; Joel 4:8; Obad 1:18 דבר ׳כי פי י Isa 1:20; Isa 40:5; Isa 58:14; Mic 4:4 פי ידבר Ps 49:4 (י)דבר פי Ps 66:14; Ps 145:21 השׁכם ודבר Jer 7:13; Jer 25:3; Jer 35:14 עוד זה מדבר Job 1:16; Job 1:17; Job 1:18.
2. with accusative of thing, very frequently, ׳ד את הדברים האלה Exod 20:1; Deut 5:19 +; לָמָּה תְּדַבֵּר עוֺד דְּבָרֶיךָ why speakest thou any more of thy affairs ? 2Sam 19:30 עַד אִםדִּֿבַּרְתִּי דְּבָרָ֑י until I have told my errand Gen 24:33 seldom followed by דָּבָר indefinite; as דָּבָר ׳ד Isa 58:13 speak a (mere, empty) word; so probably also דְּבָרִים ׳ד Hos 10:4 with other nouns, e.g. דבר קשׁות spake rough words Gen 42:7; Gen 42:30 (E); גבהה ׳ד proud words 1Sam 2:3 טבות friendly words Jer 12:6 טוב 1Sam 19:4; 1Kgs 22:13; Esth 7:9 שׁקר Isa 59:3 +, כזב Dan 11:27, אמת Jer 9:4 +, שׁוא Ps 12:3 +; דבר שׁיר utter, sing a song Judg 5:12 משׁל 1Kgs 5:12 יְהוּדִית the Jewish language Neh 13:24 סרה rebellion Deut 13:6; Jer 28:16; Jer 29:32.
3. with persons:
  a. rarely accusative יָָֽכְלוּ דַבְּרוֺ לְשָׁלֹם they could [not] speak unto him peaceably Gen 37:4 (J; but Ew§ 282 a about him); וַיְדַבֵּר ֗֗֗ אֹתָם Num 26:3 (P, but text corrupt see Di; not satisfactory explanation yet given, possibly read אִתָּם see d).
  b. most frequently with אֶל throughout the literature: Gen 8:15 +; compare phrases אֶל משֶׁה לֵאמֹר ׳וַיְדַבֵּר י Exod 6:10 + 87 t. P; but אל משׁה לך ׳וידבּר י Exod 32:7; Exod 33:1 (JE); דבּר אל אהרן Lev 6:18 + 8 t. (P); ישׂראל דבר אל בני Exod 6:9 + 38 t. (P); elsewhere, Exod 19:6 (E) Deut 1:3; Deut 4:45 (D); אל (כל) העדה ׳ד Exod 12:3; Lev 19:2; Num 16:24; Num 16:26 (P); אל לב ׳ד speak unto one's heart Gen 24:45, i.e. to oneself, compare also על לִבָּהּ ׳ד 1Sam 1:13, see 5 below; אל is used inexactly for על 1Sam 3:12; 1Kgs 16:12; Isa 16:13; Jer 27:13; Jer 30:4; Jer 33:14; Jer 36:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 40:2; Jer 50:1; Jer 51:12; Jer 51:62 where it is rendered concerning or against.
  c. with לְ speak to 1Kgs 2:19; Ezek 32:21; Dan 2:4 ליהוה speak, sing to Yahweh words of a song Josh 10:12 (D) 2Sam 22:1 (= Ps 18:1 title); in D, דבר ל promise to, in phrases ) ל׳כאשׁר דבר(י Deut 1:11; Deut 1:21; Deut 6:3; Deut 9:3; Deut 10:9; Deut 11:25; Deut 12:20; Deut 15:6; Deut 18:2; Deut 26:18; Deut 27:3; Deut 29:12; Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; Josh 22:4; Josh 23:5; Josh 23:10 (all D); אשׁר דבר ל Deut 9:28; 1Kgs 8:24; 1Kgs 8:25; 1Kgs 8:26 (= 2Chr 6:15; 2Chr 6:16; 2Chr 6:17). — דבר ל Gen 24:7; Gen 28:15; Gen 49:28; Exod 32:34 (J) Josh 9:21 (P) Judg 14:7; 2Sam 23:3; Isa 30:10; Zech 9:10 usually rendered speak to, but often rather promise to. הֲיֵשׁ לְדַבֶּרלָֿךְ אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ is it possible to speak for thee unto the king ? 2Kgs 4:13 (by attraction to לַעֲשׂוֺת לָךְ).
  d. with אֵת speak with Gen 17:3; Gen 17:22; Gen 17:23; Gen 21:2; Gen 23:8; Gen 34:6; Gen 34:8; Gen 35:13; Gen 35:15; Exod 25:22; Exod 31:18; Exod 34:29; Exod 34:33; Exod 34:34; Exod 34:35; Num 3:1; Num 7:89; Josh 22:15; Josh 22:21 (all P) Gen 35:14; Gen 41:9; Gen 42:7; Gen 45:15; Josh 17:14 (all E) Deut 5:21 sources of Samuel Kings Chronicles, 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 7:7 = 1Chr 17:6; 1Kgs 8:15 = 2Chr 6:4; 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23; 2Chr 10:10 ( = אל 1Kgs 12:10) Jer 5:5; Jer 7:22; Jer 9:7; Jer 35:2; Jer 38:25; Jer 3:22; Jer 3:24; Jer 3:27; Jer 14:4; Jer 20:3; Jer 44:5; compare phrases דבר חד את אחד speak one with another Ezek 33:30 דבר משׁפטים את speak judgments with, usually = give judgment against, (not Jer 12:1), Jer 1:16; Jer 4:12; Jer 12:1; Jer 39:5; Jer 52:9 (= 2Kgs 25:6); דבר טבות את speak kindly with 2Kgs 25:28 = Jer 52:32.
  e. with עִם speak with, (not P), Gen 29:9; Gen 31:24; Gen 31:29; Exod 19:9; Exod 20:19 (twice in verse); Exod 20:22; Exod 33:9; Num 11:17; Num 22:19; Josh 24:27 (all J E) Deut 5:4; Deut 9:10; Judg 6:17; 1Sam 9:25 (ᵐ5 Th We Dr וַיִּרְבְּדוּ לְ spread a couch for) 1Sam 17:23; 2Sam 13:22; 1Kgs 1:14; 1Kgs 1:22; 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 18:26; 2Chr 9:1 (= אֶל 1Kgs 10:2) Neh 9:18; Esth 6:14; Jer 32:4; Dan 8:18; Dan 9:22; Dan 10:11; Dan 10:15; Dan 10:17; Dan 10:19; Hos 12:5 דִּבַּרְתִּי אֲנִי עִם לִבִּי I spake, communed with my heart Eccl 1:16. feminine לִפְנֵי before, in the presence of Exod 6:12; Num 36:1 (P) Judg 11:11; 1Kgs 3:22; Esth 8:3.
4. with בְּ
  a. instrumental, דבר בְּ speak with, by, or by means of a person (see above Qal near the end) Num 12:2 (twice in verse); Num 12:6; Num 12:8 (E) 2Sam 23:2 (compare Dr), 1Kgs 22:28 = 2Chr 18:27; Hab 2:1 בְּשֵׁם דִּבֶּר speak in the name of Exod 5:23 (J) Deut 18:19; Deut 18:20 (twice in verse); Deut 18:22; 1Chr 21:19; Jer 20:9; Jer 26:16; Jer 29:23; Jer 44:16; Dan 9:6; Zech 13:3 ביד by the hand of Num 17:5; Num 27:23; (P) 1Sam 28:17; 1Kgs 8:53 + 13 t. Kings, 2Chr 10:15 (= 1Kgs 12:15) Isa 20:2; Jer 37:2; Jer 50:1; Ezek 38:17.
  b. local (figurative), בְּאָזְנֵי in the ears of Gen 20:8 (E) Exod 11:2; Deut 32:44 (J) Gen 23:16; Num 14:28; Josh 20:4 (P) Deut 31:28; Deut 31:30; Judg 9:2; Judg 9:3; 1Sam 8:21; 1Sam 11:4; 1Sam 25:24; 2Sam 3:19 (twice in verse); Jer 26:15; Prov 23:9 בלב דבר speak in the heart Eccl 2:15.
  c. of the object, speak of, about (preposition בְּ IV. e Ew§ 217 f, (2)) Deut 6:7; Deut 11:19; 1Sam 19:3; 1Sam 19:4; Ps 119:46; Ps 122:8 propose for (a wife) 1Sam 25:39 (compare Song 8:8).
  d. of hostility, against (Ew§ 217 f, (1)) Num 12:1; Num 12:8; Num 21:5; Num 21:7 (E) Job 19:18; Ps 50:20; Ps 78:19.
  e. of price, בְּנַפְשׁוֺ at the cost of his life 1Kgs 2:23 (see בְּ III. 3).
5. with עַל, of the object concerning or about which one speaks Gen 18:19; Num 10:29 (J) Josh 23:14 (D) Judg 9:3; 1Sam 25:30; 1Kgs 2:4; 1Kgs 2:27; 1Kgs 5:13 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 14:2; 1Kgs 22:23 (= 2Chr 18:22), 2Kgs 10:10; 2Kgs 19:21 = Isa 37:22; 1Chr 22:11; 2Chr 23:3; Jer 1:16; Jer 18:7; Jer 18:8; Jer 18:9; Jer 42:19. It may have this sense in most if not all of the following, where RV renders 1Kgs 2:18; 1Kgs 2:19; Esth 7:9; Jer 18:20 for; 2Chr 32:16; Neh 6:12; Jer 11:17; Jer 16:10; Jer 25:13; Jer 26:13; Jer 26:19; Jer 35:17; Ezek 36:5; Dan 9:12; Dan 11:36; Hos 7:13; Amos 3:1 against; and 1Kgs 9:5; 2Kgs 22:19; Jer 10:1; Jer 19:15 unto (על is used for אל unto 2Chr 32:19; Jer 6:10; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:2; Hos 12:11); compare the phrase דבר על לב speak upon the heart, speak kindly, comfort Gen 34:3; Gen 50:21 (E) Judg 19:3; Ruth 2:13; 1Sam 1:13 (seemingly from context על for אל, to her heart, to herself, see Dr), 2Sam 19:8; 2Chr 30:22; 2Chr 32:6; Isa 40:2; Hos 2:16.
6. with infin. דבר לעשׂות promise to do Exod 32:14 (J) Deut 1:14; Ezek 6:10; Jonah 3:10 דבר לתת promise to give Deut 19:8 דבר למחות threaten to blot out 2Kgs 14:27 compare דבר להזהיר i.e. so as to warn Ezek 3:18; Ezek 33:8.

Note.וַתָּקָם וַתְּדַבֵּר אֶתכָּֿלזֶֿרַע הַמַּמְלָכָה 2Chr 22:10 ᵐ5 ἀπώλεσε, ᵑ9 interfecit, scribal error for וַתְּאַבֵּד 2Kgs 11:1. Other explanations: plot against, waylay (Arabic ) Thes MV; pronounce sentence, elliptical וַתְּדַבֵּר מִשְׁפָּטִים GesHdw Rob; but compare VB. —
Pu`al Imperfect בַּיּוֺם שֶׁיְּדֻבַּרבָּֿהּ in the day when she may be spoken for Song 8:8 (see Pi`el 4 c); Participle נִכְבָּדוֺת מְדֻבָּר בָּךְ glorious things are being spoken in thee (RV Pe MV of thee) Ps 87:3. Hithpa`el Participle מִדַּבֵּר = מִתְדַּבֵּר with accusative מִדַּבֵּר הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה speaking this word 2Sam 14:13 ׳שָׁמַע (אֵת הַקּוֺל) מִדַּבֵּר אֶל heard (the voice, or) one speaking unto Num 7:89 (P) Ezek 2:2; Ezek 43:6 (Di Num 7:89 would read מְדַבֵּר after ᵐ5; the meaning not appreciably different from Piel; the Hithpa`el difficult to reconcile with אֶל). Hiph`il Imperfect וַיַּדְבֵּר עַמִּים תַּחְתָּי Ps 18:48 (2Sam 22:48 has וּמֹרִיד for rare וַיַּדְבֵּר), יַדְבֵּר עַמִּים תַּחְתֵּינוּ Ps 47:4 either (compare Aramaic דַּבַּר) leads subject (so Ges coegit, De Now), or (compare Arabic turn the back, retreat) puts to flight, figurative for subdues (so Hi).

spake, speak, spoken, said, speaking, …
dābar
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
    • (Qal) to speak
    • "(Niphal) to speak with one another, talk"(Piel)
      • to speak
      • "to promise
      (Pual) to be spoken"(Hithpael) to speak"(Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

שְׂפָתַ ֣י
שְׂפָתַ
Root word lips, bank, brim, edge, language, …
֣י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: שָׂפָה · saw-PAW

Noun — Common, feminine dual, construct state dual — a natural pair ("two ___"); "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: my lips
lips ×20 my lips ×11 his lips ×10 the bank ×8 the lips ×7 of his lips ×6 the edge ×6 of my lips ×5
More options
lip — Primary anatomical sense; most broadly applicable.
edge — Prefer for spatial/geographical contexts like riverbanks.
bank — Best for river or water's edge contexts.
shore — Use specifically for sea or lake margins.
language — Prefer when the sense is speech community or tongue.
speech — Use when emphasizing spoken words or manner of talking.

BDB8298 H8193

BDB8297 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8299

שָׂפָה176 noun feminine [masculine Exod 28:32, edge, compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 76], lip, speech, edge; — absolute ׳שׂ Gen 11:1 +, construct שְׂפַת vGen 11:7 +; suffix שְׂפָתוֺ 1Kgs 7:23 +, etc.; oftener dual שְׂפָתַיִם Isa 6:5 +, construct שִׂפְתֵי Ps 12:4 +; suffix שְׂפָתַי Jer 17:16 +, suffix 3 masculine plural שְׂפָתֵימוֺ Ps 59:13; Ps 140:4; Ps 140:10, etc.; plural (in poetry and late) construct שִׂפְתוֺת Eccl 10:12, suffix שִׂפְתוֺתֶיךָ etc. Ps 45:3; Ps 59:8; Isa 59:3; Song 4:3; Song 4:11; Song 5:13

1. lip:
  a. usually (c. 108 t.) human organ of speech (often || פֶּה, לָשׁוֺן rarely [only late poetry] חֵךְ: 10 t. Job; 25 t. Psalms; 45 t. Proverbs): (1) Isa 29:13; Lev 5:4 (P), Job 13:6; Mal 2:6; Ps 12:5; Prov 5:3 +; ׳דַּל שׂ Ps 141:3 (see דָּל); ׳אִישׁ שׂ Job 11:2 = a talker, ׳אֱוִיל שׂ Prov 10:8 = one talking folly, so vProv 10:10 (ᵑ0; but see Toy); טְמֵא שְׂפָתַיִם Isa 6:5 (twice in verse) compare vIsa 6:7; Dan 10:16 ׳עֲרַל שׂ Exod 6:12; Exod 6:30 (P; unskilled in speech); ׳עִקֵּשׁ שׂ Exod 19:1 ׳פֹּתֶה שׂ Exod 20:19 see [ פָּתָה] p. 834; ׳מוֺצָא שׂ i.e. utterance, Deut 23:24; Jer 17:16; Num 30:13 (P), Ps 89:35, ׳רוּחַ שׂ Isa 11:4 (of Messianic king), ׳דְּבַר שׂ Ps 59:13; Prov 14:23 +, = mere, empty, word 2Kgs 18:20 = Isa 36:5 ׳תְּבוּאַת שׂ Prov 18:20, ׳נוב שׂ Isa 57:19 (thanksgiving), compare Hos 14:3 (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 and most פְּדִי for פָּרִים); of flattery, ׳חֵלֶק שׂ Prov 7:21, שְׂפַת חֲלָקוֺת Ps 12:3; Ps 12:4 compare שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה Ps 17:1, שֶׁקֶר ׳שׂ Ps 31:9 + 4 t., שְׂפַת אָוֶן Prov 17:4 poison beneath (compare לָשׁוֺן) Ps 140:4 (figurative); ׳פֶּשַׁע שׂ Prov 12:13 ׳לְזוּת שׂ Prov 4:24 אֱמֶת ׳שׂ Prov 12:19, יָ֑תֶר ׳שׂ Prov 17:7, צֶדֶק ׳שׂ Prov 16:13, דַּעַת ׳שׂ Prov 14:7; Prov 20:15 ׳חֵן שׂ Prov 22:11 שָׂפָה בְרוּרָה Zeph 3:9 רְנָנוֺת ׳שׂ Ps 63:5 i.e. lips that shout for joy; with verbs: ׳פָּתַח שׂ (to speak) Job 11:5; Job 30:20 (Gi vJob 30:21), compare Ps 51:17, ׳מִפְתַּח שׂ Prov 8:6 ׳פָּשַׁק שׂ Prov 13:3 i.e. prate; מָֽלְאוּ זַעַם ׳שׂ Isa 30:27 ׳שׂ subject of דִּבֶּר Isa 59:3; Prov 24:2 ׳נָשָׂא עַלשֿׂ Ps 16:14 ׳קָרַץ שׂ Prov 16:30 = backbite; ׳אָטַם שׂ Prov 17:28 = keep silence, so ׳חָשַׂךְ שׂ Prov 10:19, כָּלָא ׳שׂ Ps 40:10. (2) lips moving in speech, with נוּעַ 1Sam 1:13, נִיד Job 16:5. (3) transition to meaning speech, עָלָה עַלשְֿׂפַת לָשׁוֺן Ezek 36:3 = ability to speak Job 12:20.
  b. organ of laughter Job 8:21.
  c. of insulting grimace ׳הִפְטִיר בְּשׂ Ps 22:8.
  d. quivering in terror Hab 3:16.
  e. feature of beauty Song 4:3 (scarlet). feminine place of bridle 2Kgs 19:28 = Isa 37:29 (see מֶתֶג).
  g. receiving kiss Prov 24:26 compare Song 4:11 and (in figurative) Song 7:10.
  h. of divine speech, ׳מִצְוַת שׂ Job 23:12, ׳דְּבַר שׂ Ps 17:4.
2. language (see לָשׁוֺן), Gen 11:1; Gen 11:6; Gen 11:7 (twice in verse); Gen 11:9; Ps 81:6 ׳עַם עִמְקֵי שׂ Ezek 3:5; Ezek 3:6; Isa 33:19, ׳לַעֲגֵי שׂ Isa 28:11 שְׂפַת כְּנַעַן Isa 19:18 (i.e. Hebrew).
3. edge: shore of sea Gen 22:17 (J) + 7 t.; bank of river Gen 41:3; Gen 41:17 (E) + 5 t., of wady (נַחַל) Deut 2:36 + 7 t.; lip (bank) of אָבֵל מְחוֺלָה Judg 7:22 compare GASmG 400; brim of vessel 1Kgs 7:23 (twice in verse) + 7 t.; edge of altar Ezek 43:13 of curtains (in pairs) Exod 26:4 (twice in verse) (P) + 6 t.; of חשֶׁן, toward ephod Exod 28:26 = Exod 39:19 (P); of round opening in robe (יִהְיֶה) לְפִיו ׳שׂ Exod 28:32 = Exod 39:23 (P).

lips, bank, brim, edge, language, …
śāpâ
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
  • lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
    • lip (as body part)
    • "language"edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

עַוְלָ֑ה
עַוְלָ֑ה
Root word iniquity, wickedness, unrighteousness, unjust, unjustly, …
Dictionary form: עֶוֶל · eh-WEL

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: wickedness
iniquity ×24 of wickedness ×3 wickedness ×3 and iniquity ×2 unrighteousness ×2 an unjust ×1 and unjust ×1 and wickedness ×1
More options
injustice — Broad, modern default; covers legal and moral wrongdoing.
wrongdoing — Plain and accessible; suits narrative or general contexts.
iniquity — Modernized KJV form; retains moral/theological weight.
wickedness — Emphasizes evil character rather than a specific act.
perversity — Highlights deliberate distortion of what is right.
unrighteousness — Useful in legal or covenantal contexts; slightly formal.

BDB5882 H5766

BDB5881 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5883

עָ֫וֶל noun masculine injustice, unrighteousness (opposed to צְדָקָה); — ׳ע Lev 19:15 +; construct עֶ֫וֶל Ezek 28:18 (van d. H. עָוֶל, but see Baer Ginsb); suffix עַוְלוֺ Ezek 18:26; Ezek 33:13עשׂה עול Lev 19:15; Lev 19:35 (H) Deut 25:16; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 18:24; Ezek 18:26 (twice in verse); Ezek 33:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 33:15; Ezek 33:18 ׳פעל ע Job 34:32 ׳הִתְעִיבוּ ע Ps 53:2 (|| עֲלִילָה Ps 14:2); ׳שׁפט ע Ps 82:2 ׳אישׁ ע Prov 29:27 בְּכַפַּי ׳ע Ps 7:4 בְּ ׳מצא ע Jer 2:5, read probably also Ezek 28:15 (for ᵑ0 עולתה); ישׁיב ידוֺ ׳מע Ezek 18:8 בְּעֶוֶל רְכֻלָּֽתְךָ Ezek 28:18 of God, אין עול (|| אֱמוּנָה) Deut 32:4 ׳חָלִלָה מע Job 34:10.


BDB5884 H5766

BDB5883 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5885

עַוְלָה noun feminineJob 11:14 (? masculine Mal 2:6 ii. 2, 453, § 345 d Ezek 28:15 [עולתה; but ׳ע only here Ezekiel, error for עול] questioned by SS, see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 117) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong; — ׳ע Ps 37:1 + 24 t., + 1. עוֺלָה Isa 61:8 (read probably עַוְלָה); עַוְלָ֫תָה Ps 125:3; Ps 92:16 (Qr) + 2 t.; עֹלָ֫תָה vPs 125:16 (Kt) Job 5:16 plural עוֺלוֺת Ps 58:3; Ps 64:7

1. violent deeds of injustice, בְּנֵי עַוְלָה 2Sam 3:34; 2Sam 7:10 = 1Chr 17:9 ׳בֶּןעֿ Ps 89:23, compare בְּנֵי עַלְוָה Hos 10:9 (read עַוְלָה Now); ׳אישׁ מרמה וע Ps 43:1 ׳בע Isa 61:8 || דַּם Mic 3:10; Hab 2:11 ׳עשׂה ע Ps 37:1; Zeph 3:5; Zeph 3:13 ׳פעל ע Ps 58:3; Ps 119:3; Job 36:23 שׁלח ידים ׳בע Ps 125:3.
2. injustice of speech: ׳דבּר ע Job 13:7; Job 27:4 תהגה ׳לשׁונכם ע Isa 59:3 ׳בלשׁוני ע Job 6:30 לא נמצא בשׂפה ׳ע Mal 2:6 קפצה פיה ׳ע Ps 107:42; Job 5:16.
3. injustice, in general, Ps 64:7; Job 6:29; Job 11:14; Job 15:16; Job 22:23; Job 24:20, + Job 36:33 (for ᵑ0 עוֺלֶה according to ᵐ5 Di Bu Du and others, Prov 22:8; Hos 10:13 of God, בוֺ ׳לא ע Ps 92:16 ׳ע ׳אֵין עִם י 2Chr 19:7.


BDB6086 H5766 H5932

BDB6085 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6087

I. עַלְוָה transposed from עַוְלָה (q. v.) Hos 10:9.

iniquity, wickedness, unrighteousness, unjust, unjustly, …
ʿewel
(moral) evil
  • injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
    • violent deeds of injustice
    • "injustice (of speech)"injustice (generally)

וּ ֝לְשׁוֹנִ ֗י
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝לְשׁוֹנִ
Root word tongue, tongues, language, bay, wedge, …
֗י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: לָשׁוֹן · law-SHONE

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

In the KJV here: my tongue
tongue ×22 my tongue ×7 and their tongue ×6 the tongue ×6 and the tongue ×5 his tongue ×5 of the tongue ×4 their tongue ×4
More options
tongue — Most direct equivalent; fits literal and figurative uses.
language — Prefer when referring to a people's speech or dialect.
speech — Good for contexts emphasizing spoken communication or rhetoric.
flame — Use for tongue-shaped fire imagery (e.g., Isa 5:24).
bay — Geographical use; tongue of water or land (e.g., Josh 15:2).
wedge — Use for wedge/bar of metal (e.g., Josh 7:21, 24).

BDB4473 H3956

BDB4472 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4474

לָשׁוֺן noun masculineJosh 7:21 and (more often) feminineIsa 28:11 tongue (Late Hebrew id.; also Assyrian lišânu; Arabic ; Ethiopic ; Aramaic לִשָּׁן, לִישָּׁן, (all li-); Zinjirli לשן DHMSendsch. 59); — absolute ׳ל Exod 4:10 +; הַלָּשֹׁן Josh 15:2 construct לְשׁוֺן Josh 7:21 +; suffix לְשׁוֺנִי 2Sam 23:2 לְשֹׁנוֺ Exod 11:7 + 2 t.; לְשׁוֺנוֺ Judg 7:5; Esth 1:22 לְשׁוֺנְךָ Ps 34:14 לְשׁוֺנְכֶם Isa 59:3, etc.; plural לְשֹׁנוֺת absolute Ps 31:21; Isa 66:18 construct Zech 8:23 suffix לְשֹׁנֹתָם Gen 10:20; Gen 10:31

1. tongue of men,
  a. used in lapping Judg 7:5 cleaving to the palate (חֵק), in thirst Lam 4:4, so as to produce dumbness Job 29:10 (|| קוֺל נֶחְבָּא), Ps 137:6; Ezek 3:26 (|| נֶאֱלַם); cleaving to jaws (מַלְקוֺחַ) Ps 22:16 בַּצָּמָא נָשָׁ֑תָּה ׳ל Isa 41:17 their tongue for thirst is parched; תִּמַּק בְּפִיהֶם ׳לְ Zech 14:12 (of ׳י's judgment); a choice morsel is held ׳תַּחַת ל Job 20:12 (figurative of mischief), compare Ps 10:7 (ready to be uttered), Ps 66:17 (|| פֶּה), Song 4:11.
  b. usually as organ of speech, both good and bad (especially Psalms, Proverbs, often || פֶּה, שָׂפָה); — ׳כְּבַד ל Exod 4:10 (J) heavy of tongue; ׳מַעֲנֵה ל Prov 16:1, מִלָּתוֺ עַללְֿשׁוֺנִי 2Sam 23:2, compare Prov 31:26; Ps 139:4 (׳בִּל), הֲיֵשׁ בִּלְשׁוֺנִי עַוְלָה Job 6:30 ׳מָוֶת וְחַיִּים בְּיַד ל Prov 18:21, compare Prov 21:23; Prov 25:15 of (false) prophets, ׳הַלֹּקְהִים ל Jer 23:31 subject of verb of speaking, בֶּר Diבִחִכִּי דִּבְּרָה לְשׁוֺנִי Job 33:2; Ps 12:4; Ps 37:30 compare (Jer 9:7 below and) ֗֗֗ תְּמַהֵר ׳ל לְדַבֵּר Isa 32:4, לְשׁוֺנִי עֵט סֹפֵר מָהִיר Ps 45:2, i.e. as swift as a rapid scribe's stylus; subject of הָגָה Isa 59:3; Job 27:4; Ps 35:28; Ps 71:24 subject of נִשְׁבַּע Isa 45:23 תִּהַלַךְ בָּאָרֶץ ׳ל Ps 73:9 of hostile speech, insolence, etc., Josh 10:21 (J E; object of I. חָרַץ q. v., compare 3 below), Jer 18:18; Isa 3:8 ׳זַעַם ל Hos 7:16 (but text dubious, compare We Now), חֶרֶב חַדָּה ׳ל Ps 57:6, compare Ps 64:4 כְּמוֺ ׳נָחָשׁ שָֽׁנְנוּ ל Ps 140:4 תָּקוּם אִתָּךְ ׳כָּללֿ Isa 54:17 ׳הֶאֱרִיךְ ל Isa 57:4 further, Jer 9:2; Jer 9:4 as instrument of seductive flattery (הֶחֱלִיק), without בְּ, Ps 5:10; Prov 28:33, compare ׳נָכְרִיָּה חֶלְקַת לָ Prov 6:24. of falsehood Ps 78:36 (compare below); of slander (compare לושֵׁן) ׳רָגַל עַללֿ Ps 15:3, אִישׁ לָשׁוֺןPs 140:12, compare סָ֑תֶר ׳לְ Prov 25:33 ׳חָטָא בְּל Ps 39:2 compare Ps 64:9 (text dubious, see Hup Che Bae); moral qualities ascribed to: — as arrogant Ps 12:5 (compare vPs 12:4 above); as devising injuries, ׳הַוּוֺת תַּחְשֹׁב ל Ps 52:4, compare הַוֺת ׳לְ Prov 17:4 תַּצְמִיד מִרְמָה ׳ל Ps 50:19 nectere fraudem; ׳מֵרָ֑ע נְצֹר ל Ps 34:14 ׅ || (וּשְׂפָתֶיךָ מִדַּבֵּר מִרְמָה; often of lying tongue: לְשׁוֺן שֶׁקֶר Prov 6:17; Prov 12:19; Prov 21:6; Prov 26:28; Ps 109:2 מִרְמָה ׳לְ Ps 52:6 רְמִיָּה ׳לָ Mic 6:12; Ps 120:2; Ps 120:3 תַּרְמִית ׳לְ Zeph 3:13 תַּהְפֻּכוֺת ׳לְ Prov 10:31, and ׳נֶהְפָּךְ בִּל Prov 17:20 עֲרוּמִים׳ל Job 15:5 also מִרְמָה דִּבֵּ֑ר ׳ל Jer 9:7 on the other hand צַדִּיק ׳לְ Prov 10:20 חֲכָמִים ׳ל Prov 12:18; Prov 15:2 ׳מַרְפֵּה לָ vProv 15:4 לִמּוּדִים ׳לְ Isa 50:4. — Note phrases ׳שׁוֺט ל Job 5:21 scourge of (the) tongue, רִיב לְשֹׁנוֺת Ps 31:21 פַּלַּג לְשׁוֺנָם Ps 55:10: also ׳בַּעַל הַלּ Eccl 10:11 (of serpent-charmer), and ׳וַתֵּעֲלוּ עַלשְֿׂפַת ל Ezek 36:3. — On tongue of ׳י (once), see 4 below
  c. organ of singing, subject of רָנַן Ps 51:16; Ps 126:2; Isa 35:6, עָנָה Ps 119:172.
2. = language Deut 28:49; Jer 5:15 and later, namely: Ezek 3:5; Ezek 3:6 (׳כִּבְדֵי ל, || עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה, but strike out ᵐ5 Manuscripts Co SgfrKauAT), Isa 28:11 (|| אַחֶרֶת ׳ל, לַעֲגֵי שָׂפָה, figurative of ׳י's unintelligible dealings); ׳עַם ֗֗֗ נִלְעַג ל Isa 33:19 (|| עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה); Isa 66:18 (|| גּוֺיִם), Zech 8:23; Gen 10:5; Gen 10:20; Gen 10:31 (all P), Neh 13:24; Esth 1:22 (twice in verse); Esth 3:12; Esth 8:9 (twice in verse); Dan 1:4.
3. tongue of animals: dog Exod 11:7 (J; object of I. חָרַץ q. v.; compare 1 b), Ps 68:24 adder Job 20:16 (subjectof תַּהֲרֹג); crocodile Job 40:25.
4. tongue of fire, devouring, כֶּאֱכֹל קַשׁ לְשׁוֺן אֵשׁ Isa 5:24 compare of ׳י, וּלְשׁוֺנוֺ כְּאֵשׁ אֹכָ֑לֶת Isa 30:27 (|| שְׂפָתָיו מָֽלְאוּ זַעַם).
5. = (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold Josh 7:21; Josh 7:24 (JE).
**So Assyrian lišânu; see MeissnZAW xxlii {1905}, 151 f. JohnsAssyrian Deeds 2, 281.
6. = (tongue-shaped) bay of sea Isa 11:15; Josh 15:2; Josh 15:5; Josh 18:19 (all P).


BDB9646 H3956 H3961

BDB9645 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9647

לִשָּׁן noun masculineDan 3:7 tongue (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew לָשׁוֺן, √ לשׁן ); — tongue = language, figurative for people: absolute ׳עַם אֻמָּה וְל Dan 3:29 plural emphatic וְלִשָּׁנַיָּא ׳א ׳ע vDan 3:4 vDan 3:7 v.Dan 4:31; Dan 5:19; Dan 6:26; Dan 7:14 (compare Biblical Hebrew לָשׁוֺן 2, Isa 66:18).


מָא see מָה. below

tongue, tongues, language, bay, wedge, …
lāšôn
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
  • tongue
    • tongue (of men)
      • tongue (literally)
      • "tongue (organ of speech)
      language"tongue (of animals)"tongue (of fire)"wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

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

Conjunction

In the KJV here: nor
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

יֶהְגֶּ֥ה
יֶהְגֶּ֥ה
Root word meditate, mourn, speak, imagine, studieth, …
Dictionary form: הָגָה · haw-ɡAW

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: utter
shall speak ×2 studieth ×2 and imagine ×1 and meditate ×1 and mourn ×1 and that mutter ×1 and uttering ×1 but thou shalt meditate ×1
More options
meditate — Best for quiet, inward reflection or rumination.
mutter — Implies low, murmuring speech; suits incantation or prayer contexts.
ponder — Thoughtful dwelling on something; slightly more active than meditate.
moan — Captures the mourning or lamenting nuance of the lemma.
speak — Neutral choice when vocal expression is foregrounded.
imagine — Use when the sense is plotting or scheming in the mind.

BDB2049 H1897

BDB2048 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2050

I. הָגָה verb moan, growl, utter, speak, muse (only poetry) (onomatopoetic; Late Hebrew הָגָה muse, speak, spell a word, so Aramaic הֲגָא; muse, especially Ethpa`al; Arabic satirize, insult, scold, also spell (borrowed meaning)) —

Qal Perf. 2 masculine singular וְהָגִ֫יתָ consecutive Josh 1:8 1 singular הָגִ֫יתִי Ps 143:5, וְהָגִיתִי consecutive Ps 77:13 Imperfect יֶהְגֶּה Job 27:4 + 8 t.; 3 feminine singular תֶּהְגֶּה Ps 35:28 + 2 t., אֶהְגֶּה Ps 63:7; Isa 38:14, יֶהְגּוּ Ps 2:1 + 2t., תֶּהְגּוּ Isa 16:7 נֶהְגֶּה֑ Isa 59:11 Infinitive absolute הָגוֺ Isa 59:11
1. of inarticulate sounds:
  a. growl, of lion growling over prey, followed by על Isa 31:4.
  b. groan, moan, in distress (like dove), absolute, Isa 38:14; Isa 59:11 (הָגוֺ נֶהְגֶּה); sigh for (לְ) in sorrow, mourning, moan for Isa 16:7 (|| יְיֵלִיל לְ), so also Jer 48:31.
2. utter, followed by accusative of thing, Ps 38:13 subject לָשׁוֺן Job 27:4 (|| דִּבֶּר) Ps 35:28; Ps 71:24; Isa 59:3 subject פֶּה Ps 37:30; Prov 8:7 — compare also below Po. below; speak (absolute) Ps 115:7 (בְּ instrumental)
3. a. (soliloquize) meditate, muse, with בְּ of thing, Josh 1:8; Ps 1:2; Ps 63:7; Ps 77:13; Ps 143:5 with accusative Isa 33:18, subject לֵב.
  b. imagine, devise, with accusative Ps 2:1; Prov 24:2 (subject לֵב); with Infinitive Prov 15:28 (subject id.) Po. Infinitive absolute only הֹרוֺ וְהֹגוֺ מִלֵּב דִּבְרֵישֶֿׁקֶר Isa 59:13 a conceiving and an uttering, out of the heart, lying words (|| דַּבֵּר עשֶׁק וְסָרָה); — on form compare i. 555; but read rather הָרוֺ וְהָגוֺ Qal Infinitive absolute compare Di; BaNB 77 retains ᵑ0 & explanation as Qal Infinitive passive Hiph`il Participle plural הַמְּצַפְצְפִים וְהַמַּהְגִּ֥ים Isa 8:19 those that make chirpings and mutterings, of necromancers and wizards.

meditate, mourn, speak, imagine, studieth, …
hāgâ
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
  • to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak
    • (Qal)
      • to roar, growl, groan
      • "to utter, speak"to meditate, devise, muse, imagine
      (Poal) to utter"(Hiphil) to mutter

רְמִיָּֽה
רְמִיָּֽה
Root word deceitful, deceitfully, slothful, deceit, false, …
Dictionary form: רְמִיָּה · reh-mih-YAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: deceit
deceit ×2 deceitfully ×2 like a deceitful ×2 and an idle ×1 and from a deceitful ×1 but the slothful ×1 deceitfully for him ×1 guile ×1
More options
deception — Broad, neutral noun; fits most contexts well.
treachery — Emphasizes betrayal; stronger relational connotation.
fraud — Good for legal or commercial contexts.
negligence — Captures the 'slack/slothful' sense in non-moral contexts.
cunning — Highlights crafty, scheming nuance when active deception is meant.
falsehood — Stresses dishonesty over relational betrayal.

BDB7945 H7423

BDB7944 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7946

I. רְמִיָּה noun feminine deceit, treachery; — always absolute ׳ר; — deceit, treachery: especially of speech, predicate of לָשׁוֺן Mic 6:12 (|| שֶׁקֶר), apposition of לָשׁוֺן (or read לְשֹׁוֺן ?) Ps 120:2 (|| שְׂפַת שֶׁקֶר), vPs 120:3 of man, ׳עשֵֹׁה ר Ps 52:4 that workest treachery, Ps 101:7 (|| דֹּבֵר שְׁקָדִים); also Job 13:7; Job 27:4 (both || עַוְלָה); deception Ps 32:2 (|| עָוֺן); in phrase ׳קֶשֶׁת ר treacherous bow (simile) Hos 7:16; Ps 78:57 (failing him who trusts to it).


BDB7951 H7423

BDB7950 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7952

II. רְמִיָּה noun feminine laxness, slackness; — always absolute ׳ר; — ׳כַּף ר Prov 10:4 slack (negligent, idle) hand (opposed to יַד חָרוּצִים); ׳ר alone = slackness (abstract for concrete = one who is slack) Prov 12:24 (|| id.), vProv 12:27 (see חרך); ׳נֶפֶשׁ ר Prov 19:15 (|| עַצְלָה); as adverb עשֶֹׁה רְמִיָּה ׳מְלֶאכֶת י Jer 48:10.


BDB7994 H7462 H7473 H7423

BDB7993 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7995

I. רָעָה167 verb pasture, tend, graze (Assyrian rê°û, verb pasture, noun ruler, Tel Amarna ru—i (as Canaanism) WklNo. 181, 11; Arabic , Ethiopic Aramaic רְעָא, , all = Biblical Hebrew); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular consecutive וְרָעָה Mic 5:3 +, 1 singular suffix consecutive זּרְעִיתִים Ezek 34:13, 3 plural suffix consecutive וְרָעוּם Jer 23:4, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִרְעֶה Isa 27:20 +, jussive יֵ֫רַע Job 20:26, suffix יִרְעֶנָּה Ps 80:14, וַיִרְעֵם Ps 78:72 (׳וַיַּר Hiph`il van d. H.), etc.; Imperative masculine singular רְעֵה Mic 7:14 +, suffix רְעֵם Ps 28:9 feminine singular רְעִי Song 1:8 masculine plural רְעוּ Gen 29:7 Infinitive construct לִרְעוֺת Gen 37:12 +, etc.; Participle רֹעֶה Gen 30:36 +, suffix רֹעִי Ps 23:1 +; feminine singular רֹעָה Gen 29:9; Prov 25:19, etc.; —
1. transitive
  a. pasture, tend (pascere), literal, with accusative צאֹן Gen 30:31; Gen 30:36; Gen 37:12 (all J), Exod 3:1 (E), 1Sam 17:15; 1Sam 25:16; Isa 61:5, accusative of asses Gen 36:24 (P), kids Song 1:8 accusative (צאֹן) omitted Gen 29:7; Gen 37:13 (ב location) vGen 37:16 (all J), Song 1:7 (|| הִרְבִּיץ), Job 24:2 (ᵐ5 Me Siegf Bu וְרֹעוֺ); — metaphor גֹּרֶן וָיֶקֶב לֹא יִרְעֵם Hos 9:2, but read יֵדָעֵם ᵐ5 We Now GASm; מָוֶת יִרְעֵם Ps 49:15.
  b. figurative of ׳י, accusative of person, Gen 48:15 (E) God, who shepherded me; with accusative of people, as flock Hos 4:16; Isa 40:11; Mic 7:14 (בְּשִׁבְטֶ֑ךָ), Ezek 34:13 (pregnantly, with אֶל location), vEzek 34:14 vEzek 34:15 (+ הִרְבִּיץ), vEzek 34:16; Ps 28:9.
  c. figurative of ruler, and teacher, accusative of people, as flock, 2Sam 5:2 = 1Chr 11:2; 2Sam 7:1 = 1Chr 17:6; Ps 78:72; Jer 3:15; Jer 23:2; Jer 23:4; Ezek 34:2; Ezek 34:3; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 34:23 (twice in verse); Zech 11:4; Zech 11:7 (twice in verse); Zech 11:9 of teaching, יִרְעוּ רַבִּים שִׂפְתֵי צַדִּיק Prov 10:21 with ב of people Ps 78:71 absolute Mic 5:3 with accusative of person reflexive pastured (fed, enriched) themselves Ezek 34:2; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 34:10.
  d. especially participle רֹעֶה, etc., as substantive = shepherd, herdsman: (I) literal, צאֹן רֹעֵה Gen 4:2; Gen 46:32; Gen 46:34; Gen 47:3 (all J), ׳רֹעֶה בַּצּ Gen 37:2 (E), 1Sam 16:11; 1Sam 17:34 רֹעֵי מִקְנֶה Gen 13:7 (twice in verse) (J); ׳(ה)ר alone, singular Amos 3:12 + 7 t. (all in simile); רֹעָה shepherdess, Gen 29:9 (J); כְּלִי רֹעֶה אֱוִילִי Zech 11:15 (see כְּלִי 2 c), as symbol; plural (הָ)רֹעִים Amos 1:2; Exod 2:17; Exod 2:19 (J) 1Sam 21:8 (׳אַבִּיר הָר; Gr Dr Bu Kit Löhr חָרָצִים ׳א; ᵐ5 LagBN 45 HPS אֹבִיל הָעְַיָרִים, but compare We) + 8 t. + Isa 31:4 (simile), Isa 38:12 (read רֹעִים for רֹעִי Perles29 Du CheHpt compare Di), compare (suffix) Gen 13:8 (twice in verse) (J); כְּלִי הָרֹעִים 1Sam 17:40 (see כְּלִי 3); — בֵּידעֵֿקֶד הָרִעִיס. (2) figurative of ruler (as often Assyrian; compare Greek (Homer) ποιμένα λαῶν), absolute singular Jer 17:16
**figurative of prophet (but Aq Symm ᵑ6 Gie Du Co מֵרָעָה); Zech 10:2; Zech 11:16; Zech 13:7b + 8 t. Jeremiah, Ezekiel; suffix of ׳י, רֹעִי Isa 44:28 (of Cyrus), Zech 13:7a.; Zech 13:17 (read רֹעִי הָאֱוִילִי We Now GASm); absolute plural Isa 56:11; Jer 2:8; Jer 3:15; Mic 5:4; Zech 10:3; Zech 11:5; Zech 11:8 + 18 t. Jeremiah Ezek 34, + (of Assyrian leaders) Nah 3:18 ׳רֹעֵי יִשׂ Ezek 34:2 צאֹנוֺ רֹעֵי Isa 63:11 (but read רֹעֵה [of Moses] ᵐ5 Targam Di Du and others). (3) epithet of ׳רֹעִי ׃ י ׳י Ps 23:1, ׳רֹעֵה יִשׂ Ps 80:2, ׳רֹעֶה אֶבֶן יִשׂ Gen 49:24 (poem in J; read construct רֹעֵה. compare Commentaries); מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד Eccl 12:11 De Wild, < president of assembly of sages Siegf SS.
2. intransitive feed, graze:
  a. literally of cows, sheep, etc.: with ב location Gen 41:2; Gen 41:18 (E), 1Chr 27:29 with accusative of pasture Isa 30:23 with עַל location Zeph 2:7 (עֲלֵי הַיָּם for ᵑ0 עֲלֵיהֶם, see Now); אֶלמֿוּל location Exod 34:3 (J); absolute Isa 5:17; Isa 11:7 (|| רבץ; but see רעה below) Isa 27:10 (|| id.), Isa 65:25; Jonah 3:7; Job 1:14.
  b. figurative of idolater, Isa 44:20 he feedeth on ashes (accusative); compare Hos 12:2 Ehpraimitic source feedeth on wind (acc); אִוֶּלֶת ׳פִּי כְסִילִים יִר Prov 15:14 (so Vrss Qr; Kt פני for פי) the mouth of fools feeds on folly (Toy; Buhl √ II. רעה, Gerber162 below III. רעה); in Canticles, with ב location, figurative of lover Song 2:16; Song 6:2; Song 6:3 of breasts (like gazelles) Song 4:5.
  c. figurative, of Israel as flock Isa 14:30 (|| רבץ), read (יַ֯) בְּכָרֹי in my pasture(s), for ᵑ0 בְּכוֺרֵי, Koppe Ew Di Du (otherwise CheHpt, compare Marti); Zeph 3:13 (|| id..); with עַלדְּֿרָכִים Isa 49:9 with accusative of pasture-land Jer 50:19; Mic 7:14; Ezek 34:14b ( + אֶל location), vEzek 34:18 vEzek 34:19 hence crop, strip, i.e. devastate, of conqueror, with accusative of land Mic 5:6, cf; אֶתיָֿדוֺ Jer 6:3 so יִרְעוּךְ קָדְקֹד; Jer 2:16 accusative of Israel under figure of vine (subject foes, as beasts) Ps 80:14.
  d. subject wind, with accusative of person Jer 22:22, i. e. drive them away; subject fire, with accusative of thing, יֵרַע Job 20:26, but read perhaps יֵרָע, Niph`al (Ol Di Hoffm Siegf Bu; otherwise Du). רֹעֶה עֲקָרָה֯ Job 24:21 is difficult; Bu חֵרַע for ׳ר; more radical conjectures in Du. Niph`al possibly Job 20:26, see 2 d above Hiph`il Ps 78:72 van d. H., see 1 c above

deceitful, deceitfully, slothful, deceit, false, …
rĕmiyyâ
remissness, treachery
  • laxness, slackness, slackening, deceit, treachery

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 תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּ֝לְשׁוֹנִ֗י Revia Mugrash — a lesser break אִם יֶהְגֶּ֥ה רְמִיָּֽה Silluq — end of the verse

אִם-תְּדַבֵּרְנָה שְׂפָתַי עַוְלָה וּלְשׁוֹנִי אִם-יֶהְגֶּה רְמִיָּֽה׃
4
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Cross References

Job 13:7

הַלְאֵל תְּדַבְּרוּ עַוְלָה וְלוֹ תְּֽדַבְּרוּ רְמִיָּֽה׃
7
Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

Job 34:6

עַל-מִשְׁפָּטִי אֲכַזֵּב אָנוּשׁ חִצִּי בְלִי-פָֽשַׁע׃
6
Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.

Job 6:28

וְעַתָּה הוֹאִילוּ פְנוּ-בִי וְעַל-פְּנֵיכֶם אִם-אֲכַזֵּֽב׃
28
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

John 8:55

καὶ οὐκ ἐγνώκατε αὐτόν ἐγὼ δὲ οἶδα αὐτόν καὶ ἐὰν εἴπω ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα αὐτόν ἔσομαι ὅμοιος ὑμῶν ψεύστης· ἀλλ' οἶδα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ τηρῶ
55
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

2 Corinthians 11:10

ἔστιν ἀλήθεια Χριστοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ ὅτι καύχησις αὕτη οὐ σφραγίσεται εἰς ἐμὲ ἐν τοῖς κλίμασιν τῆς Ἀχαΐας
10
As the truth shall of Christ is in me, no man stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.