Judges 16:6

And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וַ תֹּ֤אמֶר
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
תֹּ֤אמֶר
Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

וַ
Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

In the KJV here: said
said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119
More options
say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.
declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.
tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.
speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.
command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.
think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

BDB556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB558

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

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

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

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

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


BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

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

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K§ 38, 1 a); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K§ 41) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K§ 41 a); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —
1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.
2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.
3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K§ 76 e, so Dan 4:23].

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
ʾāmar
to say (used with great latitude)
  • to say, speak, utter
    • (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
    • "(Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called"(Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly"(Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

דְּלִילָה֙
דְּלִילָה֙
Root word a name — transliterate it ("And delilah")
Dictionary form: דְּלִילָה · deh-lee-LAW

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: and delilah
and delilah ×3 and when delilah ×1 delilah ×1 was delilah ×1
More options
Delilah — Standard modern English form of the proper name.
Delila — Alternate spelling closer to Hebrew phonology.
Dəlilah — Transliteration style; used in critical or scholarly texts.

BDB1953 H1807

BDB1952 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1954

דְּלִילָה proper name, feminine Delila, Philistine woman, mistress of Samson Judg 16:4; Judg 16:6; Judg 16:10; Judg 16:12; Judg 16:13; Judg 16:18.

delilah
dĕlîlâ
feeble
Delilah, a Philistine woman
  • the Philistine mistress of Samson who betrayed the secret of his great strength, and by cutting his hair, enfeebled him and delivered him to the Philistines

אֶל
אֶל
Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …
Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

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

BDB420 H413

BDB419 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB421

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job ( 1Sam 3:22; 1Sam 5:26; 1Sam 15:22; 1Sam 29:19), with suffix אֵלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַיִךְ, etc. אֵלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 t.) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Ps 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exod 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).

1. of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19; Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֺא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deut 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אֶל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים יִקָּחֵהוּ and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 זָנָה אֶל commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Ezek 16:26; Ezek 16:28; Ezek 16:29 דָּרֵשׁ אֶל seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deut 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; חָבַר אֶל join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3 הִשְׁכִּים אֶל rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 הִבְרִיח אֶל made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 תַּם אֶל i.e. has been made over to; פָּחַד אֶל to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as מִןהַֿקָּצֶה אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exod 26:28 מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2Kgs 21:16 פֶּה לָפֶה). And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֶלעֵֿת 1Chr 9:25 מִיּוֺם אֶליֿוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Chr 16:23 (in the || Ps 96:2 מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם).

2. Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17 & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֶלבֵּֿית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exod 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deut 23:25 so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29 שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11 מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׂם אֶללֵֿב, הֵשִׁיב to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deut 4:39; 2Sam 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sam 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.

3. Of direction towards anything:
   (a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 נָתַן פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן אֶל, Gen 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֶל, Exod 25:20; Num 6:26, נָשָׂא פָנָיו אֶל (2Kgs 9:32 differently), 2Kgs 24:1 שָׁת פָּנָיו אֶל, Josh 8:18; Ps 28:2; 1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 8:30 (to pray towards) v1Kgs 8:38 pregnantly חָרֵד אֶל to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֶל to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, פָּחַד אֶל Jer 36:16: without a verb פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Num 12:8 כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ אֵלַי Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; ׳אֶלפֿ ׳עֵינֵי י the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Ps 34:16 (compare Ps 33:18).
   (b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְפַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Ezek 13:19 חִלֵּל אֶל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezek 40:14.
   (c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Ps 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5 נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֶל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deut 24:15; Ps 25:1 שָׂם לֵב אֶל, שָׁת to set the heart (mind) to Exod 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֶל to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2 חָרֵד אֶל to shew fear towards 2Kgs 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deut 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוֺת אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sam 3:8; 1Kgs 14:13; Ps 40:6 alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Kgs 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 וְגַםאֲֿנִי אֵלָֽיִח׃ Ezek 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֶל).

4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 אֶלהֶֿבֶל ׳וַיָּקָם קand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sam 24:8) 1Sam 22:12; Exod 14:5; Num 32:14 with נִקְבַּץ Josh 10:6, הָלַךְ Judg 1:10; Judg 20:30 with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Judg 9:57; 1Sam 2:34; 1Kgs 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֶל) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 וַיָּשַׂר אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֶל ֗֗֗ Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nah 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Ezek 13:8; Ezek 13:20; Ezek 21:8; Ezek 29:10; Ezek 30:22; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 35:3; Ezek 38:3; Ezek 39:1 (Ezek 5:8; Ezek 26:3; Ezek 28:22; Ezek 29:3 על: on Ezek 36:9 see above)

5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֺתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Josh 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sam 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sam 14:32 & generally עַל); 1Kgs 10:7 הוֺסִיף אֶל (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Ezek 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Ezek 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֶלכַּֿפָּ֑יִם our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; WAG ii. § 51 c).

6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sam 15:35 הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sam 24:16 דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Kgs 14:5 הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sam 1:27; 2Kgs 19:20 צָעַק to cry 2Kgs 8:3 (2Kgs 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sam 20:34 נִחַם to comfort 2Sam 10:2 more generally 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 21:22 אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21; Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sam 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִפֵּר Ps 2:7; Ps 69:27 צִוָּה Isa 23:11 שָׁמַע Ezek 19:4 הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֶל the report regarding. . . 1Sam 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)

7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare): אֶלפִּֿי ֗֗֗ according to the command of, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3 (generally עַלפִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Ps 5:1; Ps 80:1 (Ps 45:1 עַל).

8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Josh 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֶלמֵֿי מֵרוֺם at the waters of Merom, 1Sam 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sam 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deut 33:28; Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7 but also in other cases, as Josh 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Josh 22:11 have built an altar אֶל גְּלִילוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judg 12:6 & 2Sam 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1Kgs 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Kgs 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 אֶלנְֿהַר פְּרָת by the Euphrates, Ezek 3:15; Ezek 11:11; Ezek 17:8; Ezek 31:7; Ezek 40:18; Ezek 43:3; Ezek 47:7; Ezek 48:12.

9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sam 5:23; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 סֹב אֶלאַֿחֲרַי turn to behind me, Zech 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יצא אל before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Ezek 10:2 ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית לְ to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Kgs 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב לְ unto the south of Josh 15:3 ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ לְ to the outside of Lev 4:12; Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4 אֶלתַּֿחַת Judg 6:19; 1Kgs 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).

Note I. — In Gen 20:13 אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֺא ׳שָׁמָּה אִמְרִילִֿי וג; Num 33:54 ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר וג; Prov 17:8 (compare Deut 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deut 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.

Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus
   (a) Josh 5:14 וִיִּפֹּל אֶלפָּֿנָיו; 1Sam 13:13 אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל ׳הֵקִים י; 1Sam 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sam 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֶלהָֿהָר (contractee עַל Deut 11:29); Deut 19:16; 2Sam 6:3; 2Sam 20:23 (contracted 2Sam 8:16) 1Kgs 13:29; 1Kgs 18:46 (contracted 2Kgs 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Ezek 7:18.
   (b) Judg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, vJudg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sam 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, v1Sam 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sam 16; 1Sam 18:10 צָלַח אֶל, 1Sam 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1Sam 25:17 evil is determined אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ וְעַל כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ; v1Sam 25:25; 1Sam 27:10; 2Sam 2:9 וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל; 2Sam 3:29 יָחֻלוּ עַל ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ 2Kgs 8:3 & 5; 2Kgs 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֶלהָֿעִיר הַזּאֹת; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13; Jer 37:14; Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11 & 15; Ezek 21:12 etc. Ps 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.


[Note]

Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sam 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1Sam 1:26 אֶל); v1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Kgs 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ (1Kgs 21:4 אֶל); Isa 22:15; Jer 11:2; Jer 23:35; Jer 31:12. compare DrSm i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.

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

שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Samson")
Dictionary form: שִׁמְשׁוֹן · shim-SHONE

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: samson
and samson ×15 samson ×10 thee samson ×4 for samson ×2 and samsons ×1 but samsons ×1 samson well ×1 that samson ×1
More options
Samson — Standard English rendering of this proper name.
Shimshon — Transliteration; use when preserving Hebrew form is preferred.
Samson's — Possessive form for contexts indicating belonging or association.

BDB8875 H8123

BDB8874 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8876

שִׁמְשׁוֺן38 proper name, masculine Samson (Assyrian proper name Šamšânu, HilprMurâshu 27. 70; on שמש in Arabic proper name, of a tribe compare ZMG x1 (1886), 166); — Σαμψων: Judg 13:24; Judg 14:1; Judg 14:3 + 35 t. Judg 14; Judg 15; Judg 16.

samson, samsons
šimšôn
like the sun
Shimshon, an Israelite
  • a Danite, son of Manoah, a Nazarite for life, and a judge of Israel for 20 years

הַגִּֽידָ ה
הַגִּֽידָ
Root word told, tell, declare, shew, shewed, …
ה
Suffix poetic ending — no change in meaning
Dictionary form: נָגַד · naw-ɡAHD

Verb — Hiphil, Imperative, second person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: tell
and told ×37 told ×25 tell ×24 and it was told ×18 declare ×16 and they told ×10 shew ×7 to shew ×6
More options
tell — Most natural, everyday choice for direct speech contexts.
declare — Slightly formal; suits proclamations or solemn announcements.
report — Good when information is relayed from a third party.
announce — Emphasizes public or official disclosure of news.
reveal — Highlights that hidden information is being brought to light.
make known — Stresses the communicative result; fits instructional passages.

BDB4962 H5046

BDB4961 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4963

[נָגַד]363 verb be conspicuous (Late Hebrew in derivatives; Phoenician proper name, masculine נגד; Arabic conquer, overcome, also be apparent, conspicuous; high land or country; be courageous, vigorous, effective, courageous, efficient; Aramaic , נְגַד drag, draw, lead; נָגוֺדָא leader; Ethiopic is travel); —

Hiph`il328 Perfect הִגִּיד Gen 3:11 +, 3 feminine singular הִגִּ֫ידָה 1Sam 25:19 +, הִגַּדְתָּ Gen 12:8 +, etc.; Imperfect יַגִּיד 1Sam 9:6 +; וַיַּגֵּד Gen 9:22 +; suffix יַגִּידֶ֫הָ Isa 44:7 יַגִּדָהּ Jer 9:11 יַגֵָּֽדְךָ Deut 32:7 (jussive), etc.; Imperative הַגֵּד 2Sam 18:21 +; הַגִּ֫ידָה Gen 29:15 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַגֵּד Judg 14:12 + 2 t.; הַגֵּיד Jer 36:16 construct לְהַגִּיד Gen 32:6 +; לגיד 2Kgs 9:15 Kt. (Qr ׳לְהַגּ); Participle מַגִּיד Gen 41:24 +; feminine מַגֶּ֫דֶת Esth 2:20 plural construct מַגִּידֵי Judg 14:19declare, tell [usually followed by לְ of indirect object Gen 3:11 + often; insert also 1Sam 12:7; 2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Kit Bu, so HPS 2Sam 13:34 (1Sam 12:7 he following HCT as more different); followed by אֶל Exod 19:9; 1Sam 3:15 followed by לִפְנֵי 1Sam 17:31; Ps 142:3 עַלפָּֿנָיו Job 21:31 בְּאָזְנֵָי Jer 36:20 followed by בְּ local (instead of indirect object) chiefly prophets Jer 4:5; Jer 5:20; Jer 31:10 +; also 1Sam 4:13; 2Sam 1:20; 2Kgs 9:15; Mic 1:10 rarely followed by accusative of person 2Sam 15:31 (but read וּלְדָוִד הִגִּיד HPS (indefinite subject), or הֻגַּד ׳ולס We Dr Kit, ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Th Klo Bu favour הֻגַּד), 2Kgs 7:9; 2Kgs 7:11; Ezek 43:10; Job 17:5; Job 26:4; Job 31:37 followed by direct object in accusative Gen 45:13 + often; followed by clause with כִּי Gen 3:11 + often; followed by clause with אֲשֶׁר = כִּי (late) Esth 3:4; Esth 6:2 followed by clause with מָה Gen 29:15; Judg 16:15; Esth 8:1 +; followed by clause with מִי 2Kgs 6:11 followed by clause with אֵיבָה Song 1:7, once followed by clause with הֲ Gen 43:6, etc.; often no direct object, followed by לֵאמֹר Exod 13:8; 1Sam 25:14 +; followed by וַיּאֹמֶר Gen 47:1 +; אמר then following by oratio recta [direct speech]; ׳הִגּ alone followed by oratio recta Zech 9:12 followed by עַל concerning, 1Sam 27:11; Esth 6:2 often indirect object omitted 1Sam 24:19 +; direct object omitted Judg 13:10 +; both omitted Lev 5:1 + ]. In Hexateuch rarely P, Lev 5:1; Lev 14:35; Exod 16:22 ; J, Gen 3:11; Gen 12:18; Exod 13:8 + 18 t.; E, Gen 21:6; Gen 31:20; Gen 41:25 + 15 t.; D, Deut 17:9; Deut 26:3; Deut 30:18 + 5 t.; —
1. tell, announce, report, usually human subject Gen 9:22; Gen 24:23; Gen 32:6; Lev 14:35; Judg 13:6; 1Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 1:23; Neh 2:12; Esth 2:10 (twice in verse); Job 12:7; Ps 142:3; Isa 19:12; Jer 5:20; Ezek 24:19 +.
2. declare, make known, expound, especially of something before not understood, concealed or mysterious, Gen 3:11; Gen 12:18, etc.; 1Kgs 10:3 = 2Chr 9:2 a riddle Judg 14:12; Judg 14:15; Judg 14:16 (3 t. in verse); Judg 14:19 dream Dan 2:2 secret Job 11:6, etc.; of ׳י as revealing, Gen 41:25; 2Sam 7:11; 2Kgs 4:27; Mic 6:8; Jer 42:3; Ps 147:19 of declaring by ׳י's agents Deut 5:5; Mic 3:8; 1Sam 15:16; 2Sam 24:13; Jer 50:28; Isa 58:1 by divin. Hos 4:12.
3. inform of (play the informer concerning) Josh 2:14; Josh 2:20; Jer 20:10; Job 17:5; Lev 5:1; Prov 29:24.
4. publish declare, proclaim, especially of proclaiming wisdom, power, loving-kindness, etc., of ׳י (especially Psalms): Ps 9:12; Ps 22:32; Ps 51:17; Ps 92:3; Ps 92:16; Ps 145:4 +, subject heavens Ps 19:2; Ps 50:6; Ps 97:6; Isa 42:12; Isa 57:12.
5. avow, acknowledge, confess: Isa 3:9; Ps 38:19, compare Isa 48:6. — Participle = messenger 2Sam 15:13; Jer 51:31 (twice in verse) compare הַנַּ֫עַר הַמַּגִּיד 2Sam 1:5; 2Sam 1:6; 2Sam 1:13 ׳הָאִישׁ הַמּ 2Sam 18:11. Hoph`al Perfect הֻגַּד Josh 9:24 +; Imperfect וַיֻּגַּד Gen 22:20 +; Infinitive absolute הֻגֵּד Josh 9:24; Ruth 2:11be told, announced, reported, always followed byלְ (sometimes impersonal, logical subject in accusative, compare Gen 27:42; 2Sam 21:11, with feminine Isa 21:2 not in P): Gen 27:42 (J), Gen 31:22 (E), Deut 17:4; Josh 9:24 (twice in verse) (D), Ruth 2:11 (twice in verse); Judg 9:25; 2Sam 10:17; 2Sam 19:2; 2Sam 21:11; 2Sam 1:7; 2Sam 18:13; 2Sam 1:17; 2Sam 2:6; 2Sam 40:21 followed by לֵאמֹר Gen 22:20; Gen 38:13; Gen 13:24 (all J), Josh 10:17 (JE), 1Sam 15:12; 1Sam 19:19; 2Sam 6:12; 1Kgs 1:51; 2Kgs 6:13; 2Kgs 8:7; Isa 7:2 followed by clause with כִּי Exod 14:5 (J), Judg 9:47; Judg 1:7; Judg 23:13; Judg 27:4; Judg 1:29; Judg 29:41.

told, tell, declare, shew, shewed, …
nāgad
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
  • to be conspicuous, tell, make known
    • (Hiphil) to tell, declare
      • to tell, announce, report
      • "to declare, make known, expound"to inform of"to publish, declare, proclaim"to avow, acknowledge, confess
        • messenger (participle)
      (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

נָּ֣א
נָּ֣א
Particle an exclamation — "behold!", "oh!"
Dictionary form: נָא · naw

Particle — Interjection

In the KJV here: me i pray thee
now ×115 i pray thee ×107 i pray you ×26 i beseech thee ×19 me i pray thee ×16 therefore i pray thee ×11 ye now ×11 we pray thee ×8
More options
please — Most natural modern equivalent; broadly fits requests and appeals.
I ask you — Slightly more formal; suits solemn or earnest entreaties.
oh — Exclamatory; best for emotional or urgent interjections.
come on — Colloquial; fits informal, urgent, or coaxing appeals.
I urge you — Emphasizes strong persuasion; good for prophetic or legal contexts.
won't you — Softened request; works well in rhetorical or pleading questions.

BDB4909 H4994

BDB4908 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4910

I. נָא particle of entreaty or exhortation I (we) pray, now (enclitic) (Syriac , ; compare Ethiopic veni, age! Di§ 160. 1 Lex:675 ii. 244); — attached:

1. to the imperative, especially in colloquial style, when it expresses an entreaty or admonition, as Gen 12:13 אִמְרִינָֿא say, I pray, Gen 13:9 נָא מֵעָלַי הִפָּרֶדֿ, vGen 13:14 שָׂאנָֿא עֵינֶיךָ, Gen 15:5 הַבֶּטנָֿא השׁמימה, Gen 24:2 + often, Num 20:10 שׁמעונֿא המוֺרים, Judg 13:4; Judg 16:6; Judg 16:10; Judg 16:28; Judg 18:5, etc., Isa 1:18; Isa 5:3; Amos 7:2; Amos 7:5 rarely in a command, Gen 22:2; Isa 7:3). Ironically, in a challenge, Isa 47:12; Job 40:10. Once anomalously attached to a substantive, or (accents) prefixed to a verb, Num 12:13 אֵ֕ל נָא֛ רְָˆפא נָא֖ (Ew § 246 a Di אַלנָֿא; see 3 b).
2. to the perfect with waw consecutive, in a precative sense (Dr§ 119 δ) Gen 40:14.
3. to the imperfect, when leave is asked, or a prayer or desire expressed;
  a. in 1 person, especially with ה cohortative, Gen 19:8 אוציאהנֿא let me, I pray, bring out, vGen 19:20 אִמָּֽלְטָהנָּֿא שָׁ֑מָּה, Gen 24:12 הַקְרֵהנָֿא לְפָנַי vGen 24:14 הַטִּינָֿא vGen 24:17 vGen 24:23 vGen 24:43 vGen 24:45; Gen 25:30; Gen 32:12; Gen 32:30 + often, Exod 3:18 נלכהנֿא let us go, I pray, Num 20:17; Isa 5:5 and in self-deliberation, Gen 18:21 ארדהנּֿא I will go down, now ! Exod 3:3 אסורהנּֿא ואראה I will turn aside, now, and see, 2Sam 14:15; Song 3:2; Isa 5:1 with אַל Job 32:21.
  b. in 2 person, with אַל, in deprecation, Gen 18:3 אלנֿא תעבר מעל עבדך, Gen 19:7; Gen 47:29; Num 10:31, etc.; hence elliptical אלנֿא do not, I pray, (do this,) Gen 19:18; Gen 33:10; Num 12:13 Ew Di.
  c. in 3 person, Gen 18:4 יֻקַּחנָֿא let there be brought, I pray, Gen 26:28; Gen 33:14; Gen 44:18; Gen 44:33, etc., 2Sam 14:11; 2Sam 14:12; 2Sam 14:17; 1Kgs 17:21; 2Kgs 2:9; Ps 7:10; Ps 118:2; Ps 118:3 ironically Isa 19:12; Isa 47:13, or defiantly Jer 17:15 where is the word of J.? יָבוֺא נָא; with אַל, Gen 13:8 אַלנָֿא תְהִי מְרִיבָה, Gen 18:30 אַלנָֿא יִחַר לַאדֹנָי, Gen 37:27; Num 12:12.
4. joined to conjunctions and interjections:
  a. [אָהּנָֿא, contracted] אָ֫נָּא.
  b. אַלנָֿא see above 3 b, c. c. אִםנָֿא, especially in the phrase אם נא מצאתי חן בעיניך, used by one craving a favourable hearing Gen 30:27; Gen 33:10; Judg 6:17; 1Sam 27:5, and with נא repeated in the request itself Gen 18:3; Gen 47:29; Gen 50:4; Exod 33:13; Exod 34:9 otherwise Gen 24:42.
  d. הִנֵּהנָֿא behold, I pray, craving a favourable consideration of the fact pointed to by הִנֵּה, and of the request founded upon it (with which נא is often repeated), Gen 12:11; Gen 16:2; Gen 18:27; Gen 18:31; Gen 19:2; Gen 19:8; Gen 19:19; Gen 19:20; Gen 27:2; Judg 13:3; Judg 19:9; 1Sam 9:6; 1Sam 16:15; 2Sam 13:24; 2Kgs 2:16; 2Kgs 2:19; 2Kgs 4:9 +, Job 13:18; Job 33:2; Job 40:15; Job 40:16.
  e. (לנו) אוֺינָֿא לי Woe, now, to me (us) ! Jer 4:31; Jer 45:3; Lam 5:16. feminine אַיֵּהנָֿא where, pray ? Ps 115:2.
  g. נֶגְדָּהנָּֿא, peculiarly, Ps 116:14; Ps 116:18 my vows to J. I will perform, נגדהנֿא לכלעֿמו O that (it may be) before all his people !


II. נָא adjective see ניא.


BDB5179 H4994

BDB5178 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5180

II. נָא adjective raw, of flesh Exod 12:9 (P; opposed to בשׁל). I. נָא


[נִיב], נִיבָ֑י, נֵיבָ֑י see נוב.


נִיד v . נוד. נִירָה see II. נדד.


נָיוֺת see נוית below I. נוה.


נִיחֹחַ, נִיתוֺתַ see נוח. נִין see נון.

thee, now, you, pray, oh, …
nāʾ
'I pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
  • I (we) pray, now, please
    • used in entreaty or exhortation

לִ ֔י
לִ
Preposition to, for
֔י
Suffix — pronoun my / me

Preposition

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

בַּ מֶּ֖ה
בַּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
מֶּ֖ה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

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

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

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


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb371, 445; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb227 f.): according to Ges Ew§ 181 b Olp. 439 Sta§ 176 e, abbreviated from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], ii. 323 f.) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ  is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ  that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ  Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ  in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.
2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ  Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges«GKC:130c»§ 130c), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ  (compare ib. 4 b a).
3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
  a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ  how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
   (b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ  (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ  to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
  b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).
4. compounds:
  a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
  b. ˜כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
  c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo KmpKau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
  d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, § 225). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb233, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (CookeN. Semitic Inscr. 320) = ἐπειδή).


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

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

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

כֹּֽחֲ ךָ֣
כֹּֽחֲ
Root word strength, power, might, force, ability, …
ךָ֣
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: כֹּחַ · KOH-ah

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

In the KJV here: strength
power ×19 strength ×15 my strength ×5 in power ×4 by his power ×3 his strength ×3 in strength ×3 my power ×3
More options
strength — Best default; physical or inner capacity to act.
power — Modernizes KJV; broad usage, authority or force implied.
might — Emphasizes intensity; suits poetic or elevated contexts.
ability — Prefer when skill or capability, not brute force, is meant.
energy — Suits contexts of vitality, stamina, or bodily vigor.
resources — Good when כֹּחַ refers to wealth or material substance.

BDB3986 H3581

BDB3985 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3987

I. כֹּחַ noun [masculine] a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lev 11:30 ᵐ5 ᵑ9 AV chameleon; on various opinions see Di.


BDB3987 H3581

BDB3986 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3988

II. כֹּחַ see below כחח.


BDB3990 H3581

BDB3989 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3991

II. כֹּחַ and ( Dan 11:6) כּוֺחַ noun masculineDeut 4:37 strength, power (Late Hebrew id.); — ׳כ absolute Deut 8:18 +; construct Num 14:17 +; suffix כֹּחִי Gen 31:6 +; כֹּחֲךָ Judg 16:6 +, כֹּחֶ֑ךָ Prov 5:10, כֹּחֶ֑כָה Prov 24:10, etc.; always singular; —

1. human strength:
  a. physical, of Samson Judg 16:5; Judg 16:6; Judg 16:9; Judg 16:15; Judg 16:17; Judg 16:19; Judg 16:30 strength in toil Isa 44:12 (זְרוֺעַ כֹּחוֺ), vIsa 44:12; Lev 26:20; Neh 4:4 of manly vigour (in procreation) אַתָּה כֹּחִי וְרֵאשִׁית אוֺנִי Gen 49:3 (poem in J; said to Reuben); vigour in general Josh 14:11 (twice in verse) (JE), Judg 6:14; 1Sam 28:22; Job 6:11; Job 6:12; Ps 31:11; Ps 38:11; Ps 71:9; Ps 102:24; Prov 20:29 as sustained by food 1Kgs 19:8 lack of such vigour is לֹאכֹֿחַ Job 26:2, compare מִכֹּחַ Jer 48:45 without strength; ׳בְּלֹאכֿ Lam 1:6 ׳יְגִיעֵיכֿ Job 3:17 כֹּחַ לֹאהָֿיָה בוֺ 1Sam 28:20, compare Dan 10:8; Dan 10:17 in Ps 22:16 read חִכִּי, so Ew Ol Che and others; specifically of power of voice Isa 40:9.
  b. more inclusively, ability, efficiency: followed by infinitive, ability to weep 1Sam 30:4 to get wealth Deut 8:18 to bring forth (a child; in figure) 2Kgs 19:3 = Isa 37:3 followed by לַעֲמֹד Dan 1:4; Ezra 10:13, compare Dan 11:15 without infinitive 1Chr 29:2; Ezra 2:69 of efficiency in battle 2Chr 14:10; 2Chr 20:12; 2Chr 26:13 for porter's service in temple אִישׁחַֿיִל בַּכֹּחַ לַעֲבֹדָה 1Chr 26:8 ability or efficiency in general Gen 31:6; Prov 24:5; Prov 24:10; Eccl 4:1; Eccl 9:10, so probably כֹּחַ יְדֵיהֶם Job 30:2 עָצַר כֹּחַ (late, compare עצר) retain ability or strength, followed by infinitive; לְהִתְנַדֵּב ׳נַעְצֹר כ 1Chr 29:14 that we should retain (have) ability to make freewill-oferings; to build 2Chr 2:5 with negative, without infinitive, Dan 10:8; Dan 10:16 (compare Dan 11:6, c).
  c. power of a people, or king, Josh 17:17; Nah 2:2; Hab 1:11; Isa 49:4 (of servant of ׳י), Lam 1:14; Dan 8:22; Dan 8:24 a, also vDan 8:24 b (si vera lectio, see Bev), Dan 11:25 (|| לֵבָב); with עָצַר 2Chr 13:20; 2Chr 22:9; Dan 11:6 (הַזְּרוֺעַ ׳לֹא תַעְצֹר כ, compare b); in Hos 7:9 figurative of body seems combined with that of land yielding produce (see 5 below)
  d. power opposed to that of God Amos 2:14; Isa 10:13 (יָדִי ׳כ), Deut 8:17; 1Sam 2:9; Zech 4:6; Job 36:19; Ps 33:16.
  e. power conferred by God Isa 40:29, compare vIsa 40:31; Isa 41:1 of prophetic power Mic 3:8.
2. strength of angels Ps 103:20.
3. power of God: in creation Jer 10:12; Jer 51:15 (see also Jer 32:17 below), Ps 65:7 in governing the world 1Chr 29:12; 2Chr 20:6; Ps 29:4 in acts of deliverance and judgment Exod 9:16; Exod 15:6; Exod 32:11; Num 14:13; Num 14:17 (JE), Isa 50:2; 2Chr 25:8; Job 9:19; Job 24:22; Job 26:12; Job 30:18; Job 36:22 in combination כֹּחַ גָּדוֺל Deut 4:37 || יָד חֲזָקָה Exod 32:11(JE), Neh 1:10 || זְרוֺעַ נְטוּיָה Deut 9:29; 2Kgs 17:36; Jer 27:5; Jer 32:17 he is רַבכֹּֿחַ Ps 147:5 compare רֹב כֹּחוֺ Isa 63:1; Job 23:6 also גדולכֹּֿחַ Nah 1:3 אַמִּיץ כֹּחַ Isa 40:26; Job 9:4, שַׂגִּיאכֹֿחַ Job 37:23 כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו Ps 111:6 the power of his works; בַּכֹּחַ ׳קוֺל י Ps 29:4 (of thunder); specifically of his wisdom (rather peculiarly, Elihu) כַּבִּיר כֹּחַ לֵב Job 36:5 mighty in strength of mind.
4. of animals: wild ox Job 39:11, horse vJob 39:21, hippopotamus Job 40:16, bullock Prov 14:4 he-goat Dan 8:6 ram vDan 8:7.
5. strength, of soil i.e. produce, Gen 4:12 (J), Job 31:30 (Hos 7:9 see
1. c above); = wealth (compare חַילִ) Prov 5:10; Job 6:22.

strength, power, might, force, ability, …
kōaḥ
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
  • strength, power, might
    • human strength
    • "strength (of angels)"power (of God)"strength (of animals)"strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
    a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
    • perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown

גָד֑וֹל
גָד֑וֹל
Root word great, high, greater, loud, greatest, …
Dictionary form: גָּדוֹל · ɡaw-DOLE

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: thy great
great ×109 a great ×52 the great ×34 with a loud ×18 and great ×16 with a great ×16 the high ×15 with great ×14
More options
great — Most versatile modern rendering; fits most contexts.
large — Prefer for physical size or measurable magnitude.
mighty — Best for power, strength, or awe-inspiring scale.
loud — Use specifically for voices, sounds, or cries.
elder — When describing seniority or rank among people.
significant — Fits abstract or formal contexts; stresses importance.

BDB1498 H1419

BDB1497 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1499

גָּדוֺל522 adjective great — ׳גGen 4:13 + 279 t.; גָּדֹל Deut 26:8 + 22 t.; construct גְּדוֺל Ezek 17:3; Ezek 17:7; Jer 32:19, גְּדָלֿ Prov 19:19, גְּדָו֯לֿ Ps 145:8; Nah 1:3 suffix גְּדוֺלָם Jer 6:13 + 2 t.; plural גְּדוֺלִים Exod 7:4 + 11 t., גְּדֹלִים Gen 12:17 + 22 t.; construct גְּדֹלֵי 2Kgs 10:6 suffix גְּדֹלָיו 2Kgs 10:11; Jonah 3:7 גְּדוֺלֶיהָNah 3:10 feminine גְּדוֺלָה Num 22:18 + 96 t.; גְּדֹלָה Gen 15:12 + 31 t.; plural גְּדוֺלֹת Neh 9:26; Neh 12:31, גְּדֹלוֺת Deut 27:2 + 30 t., גְּדֹלֹת Num 13:28 + 7 t.; — great,

1. in magnitude and extent, e.g. sea Num 34:6, river Gen 15:18, wilderness Deut 1:19, rain 1Kgs 18:45, mountain Zech 4:7, city Gen 10:12, house Jer 52:13, altar Josh 22:10, throne 2Chr 9:17, sea-monsters Gen 1:21, fish Jonah 2:1, eagle Ezek 17:3, terebinth 2Sam 18:9, substance Gen 15:14, wealth Dan 11:2, victory 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:22 בּוֺר הַגָּדוֺל read הַגֹּרֶן ׳ב according to ᵐ5 We Dr.
2. in number, e.g. nation Gen 12:2, congregation Jer 31:8, camp 1Chr 12:22, army Ezek 17:17, sacrifice 2Kgs 10:19, slaughter Deut 28:59; 1Sam 4:17.
3. in intensity, fear Deut 4:34, weeping Isa 38:3, power כּחַ Exod 32:11, joy Jonah 4:6, anger Deut 29:23, indignation Jer 21:5, sin Gen 20:9, iniquity Gen 4:13, evil Gen 39:9, trespass Ezek 9:7.
4. in sound, loud voice Gen 39:14, cry Exod 11:6, shout Josh 6:5.
5. in age, elder, eldest, son Gen 27:1, daughter Gen 29:16, brother Gen 10:21, sister Ezek 16:46.
6. in importance,
  a. things (הַ)דָּבָר (הַ)גָּדֹל an important thing or affair Exod 18:22; Deut 4:32; 1Sam 12:16; 2Kgs 5:12; 2Kgs 8:13 יום יהוה Jer 30:7; Hos 2:2; Joel 2:11; Joel 3:4; Zeph 1:14; Mal 3:23.
  b. of men, great, distinguished, Moses Exod 11:3, David 2Sam 5:10, Job Job 1:3, Mordecai Esth 9:4, kings Eccl 9:14; Jer 27:7 especially of king of Assyr. הַמֶּלֶךְ הַגָּדוֺל 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:18, = Assyrian šarru rabbu, šarru dannu, e.g. KBi. 94, 1. 1; הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֺל the h.p. Lev 21:10 + 20 t.; (הָ)אִישׁ גָּדוֺל 1Sam 25:2; 2Sam 19:33; 2Kgs 5:1 אִשָּׁה גְדוֺלָה 2Kgs 4:8 גָּדוֺל a great man 2Sam 3:38; Mic 7:3 לֹא תֶהְדַּר פְּנֵי גָדוֺל thou shalt not honour (favour) the person of a great man (opposed to דָּל) Lev 19:15 (H); (הַ)גְּדוֺלִים the great 2Sam 7:9 = 1Chr 17:8; Neh 11:14 (see below) Prov 18:16; Prov 25:6; Jer 5:5 (2Kgs 10:11 ᵐ5L ἀγχιστεύοντας, Klo גֹּאֲלָיו); further גְּדֹלֵי הָעִיר 2Kgs 10:6 (כָּלֿ)גְּדֹלָיו 2Kgs 10:11; Jonah 3:7 כָּלֿ גְּדוֺלֶיהָ Nah 3:10.
  c. of God, himself 2Chr 2:4; Neh 4:8; Neh 8:6; Ps 86:10; Ps 99:2; Ps 135:5; Ps 147:5; Isa 12:6; Jer 10:6 (הָ)אֵל (הַ)גָּדוֺל Deut 7:21; Deut 10:17; Neh 1:5; Neh 9:32; Ps 77:14; Ps 95:3; Jer 32:18; Dan 9:4 גדול מכל האלהים Exod 18:11 גדול ומהלל מאד 1Chr 16:25; Ps 48:2; Ps 96:4; Ps 145:3 מלך גדול Ps 47:3; Ps 95:3; Mal 1:14 his works Deut 11:7; Judg 2:7; Ps 111:2, glory Ps 21:6; Ps 138:5, name Josh 7:9; 1Sam 12:22; 1Kgs 8:42; 2Chr 6:32; Ps 76:2; Ps 99:3; Jer 10:6; Jer 44:26; Ezek 36:23; Mal 1:11 (twice in verse), mercy 1Kgs 3:6; 2Chr 1:8; Ps 57:11; Ps 86:13; Ps 108:5, goodness Neh 9:25, compassion Isa 54:7.
7. in phrases עוֺד הַיּוֺם גָּדוֺל it is yet high day (French grand jour, German hoch am Tage, the day is at its height) Gen 29:7 כַּקָּטֹן כַּגָּדֹל (or reverse) as well small as great Deut 1:17; 1Chr 25:8; 1Chr 26:13; 2Chr 31:15 (לְ)מִקָּטֹן וְעַד גָּדוֺל (or reverse) from small to great Gen 19:11; 1Sam 5:9; 1Sam 30:2; 1Sam 30:19; 2Kgs 23:2; 2Kgs 25:26; 2Chr 15:13; 2Chr 34:30; Esth 1:5; Esth 1:20; Jer 6:13; Jer 8:10; Jer 31:34; Jer 42:1; Jer 42:8; Jer 44:12; Jonah 3:5.
8. construct גְּדֹל (הַ)כְּנָפַיִם great of wings Ezek 17:8; Ezek 17:7, so of anger Prov 19:19 (Qr); usually of God, in power Nah 1:3, counsel Jer 32:19, mercy Ps 145:8.
9. as substantive concrete עשׂה גדלות do great things, of God's great acts of redemption and judgement Deut 10:21; Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Job 37:5; Ps 71:19; Ps 106:21 of the miracles of Elisha 2Kgs 8:4 of things too great and so presumptuous, haughty ׳תבקשׁ ג Jer 45:5 ׳מדברת גPs 12:4 לא ׳הלכתי בג Ps 131:1 (compare Biblical Aramaic Dan 7:8; Dan 7:11; Dan 7:20 also Rev 13:5).
10. as substantive neuter greatness of arm Exod 15:16 compare גָּבֹהַּ
4.

great, high, greater, loud, greatest, …
gādôl
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
  • (adj) great
    • large (in magnitude and extent)
    • "in number"in intensity"loud (in sound)"older (in age)"in importance
      • important things
      • "great, distinguished (of men)"God Himself (of God)
      (subst) great things"haughty things"greatness
    (n pr m) a great man or thing

וּ בַ מֶּ֥ה
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
בַ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
מֶּ֥ה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

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

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

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


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb371, 445; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb227 f.): according to Ges Ew§ 181 b Olp. 439 Sta§ 176 e, abbreviated from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], ii. 323 f.) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ  is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ  that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ  Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ  in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.
2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ  Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges«GKC:130c»§ 130c), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ  (compare ib. 4 b a).
3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
  a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ  how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
   (b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ  (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ  to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
  b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).
4. compounds:
  a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
  b. ˜כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
  c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo KmpKau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
  d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, § 225). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb233, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (CookeN. Semitic Inscr. 320) = ἐπειδή).


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

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

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

תֵֽאָסֵ֖ר
תֵֽאָסֵ֖ר
Root word bound, bind, ready, tied, prison, …
Dictionary form: אָסַר · aw-SAHR

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

In the KJV here: thou mightest be bound
and bound ×7 to bind ×5 bound ×4 she bound ×4 she hath bound ×3 thou mightest be bound ×3 they bind ×2 tied ×2
More options
bind — Most versatile; covers physical and metaphorical tying.
tie — Concrete, everyday register; good for literal restraint.
fasten — Emphasizes securing firmly in place.
shackle — Strong connotation of imprisonment or captivity.
harness — Best when yoking animals or harnessing power.
imprison — Prefer when context is custody or captivity of persons.

BDB636 H631 H612

BDB635 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB637

[אָסַר] verb tie, bind, imprison (Arabic , Assyrian asâru, compare COTGloss, Aramaic אֲסַר, , Ethiopic ) —

Qal Perfect suffix אֲסָרָם Job 36:13 3 feminine singular אָֽסְרָה Num 30:5 +, etc.; Imperfect יֶאְסֹר 1Kgs 20:14 וַיֶּאֱסֹר Gen 42:24 וַיֶּאְסֹר Gen 46:29 +; plural suffix יַאַסְרֻנִי Judg 16:7 etc.; Imperative אֱסֹר 1Kgs 18:44; 2Kgs 9:21 אִסְרוּ Jer 46:4; Ps 118:27 Infinitive absolute אָסֹר Judg 15:13 אָסוֺר Judg 16:11 construct לָאְסֹר Num 30:3 +; לָאֱסוֺר Judg 15:10 לֶאֱסָרְךָ Judg 15:12 אָסְרָם Hos 10:10 Participle active construct אֹסְרִי Gen 49:11 passive אָסור Gen 40:3 +; plural אֲסוּרִים Gen 39:20 +; also Judg 16:21; Judg 16:25 Qr (Kt אסירים); הָסוּרִים Eccl 4:14 (compare Now); אֲסֻרוֺת 2Sam 3:34 construct אסורי Gen 39:20 Kt (Qr אֲסִירֵי); —
1. tie, bind, for security, foal to vine (followed by ל) Gen 49:11 (blessing of Jacob); horses and asses 2Kgs 7:10 (twice in verse); Ps 118:27 is dubious De bind the festal victim with cords; Che bind the procession with branches, etc.
2. tie, harness, kine to (ב) cart 1Sam 6:7; 1Sam 6:10 so (metaphor) Hos 10:10 harness them to (ל) their two iniquities (but Jerome Ew Now make ׳א here = יסר chastise, compare אֶסֳּרֵם va); also followed by accusative chariot Gen 46:29 (J) Exod 14:6 (E) 2Kgs 9:21 absolute 1Kgs 18:44; 2Kgs 9:21 even of making ready chargers הַסּוּסִים ׳א Jer 46:4 (|| עֲלוּ הַפָּרָשִׁים).
3. bind, with cords, fetters, etc., as prisoner, Simeon Gen 42:24 (E), Samson Judg 15:10; Judg 15:12; Judg 15:13 (3 t. in verse); Judg 16:5; Judg 16:7; Judg 16:8; Judg 16:11 (twice in verse); Judg 16:12 בַּנְחֻשְׁתַּיִם ׳א 2Kgs 25:7 = 2Chr 36:6 = Jer 39:7; Jer 52:11 also 2Chr 33:11 compare (without ׳בַּנ) 2Kgs 17:4 (בֵּית בֶּלָא ׳א || עָצַת), 2Kgs 23:33 compare of divine chastisement Job 36:13 & see also Ezek 3:25; Ps 149:8 figurative of absolute authority Ps 105:22 especially Passive participle 2Sam 3:34 thy hands were not bound (|| and thy feet not put in fetters); בָּאֿזִקִּים ׳א Jer 40:1 compare בַּזִּקִּים ׳א Job 36:8 (probably figurative || חַבְלֵיעֹֿ֑נִי); metaphor of king held captive by a woman's tresses Song 7:6 perhaps = imprisoned (whether bound or not) Gen 39:20; Gen 40:3; Gen 40:5 (all J E); as substantive plural prisoners Gen 39:20 (Kt, see above); so (late) as distressed, & object of divine compassion Isa 49:9; Isa 61:1; Ps 146:7 בֵּית האסי֯רים prison Judg 16:21; Judg 16:25 compare Eccl 4:14.
4. gird (rare & late) אֵזוֺר בְּמָתְנֵיהֶם ׳א Job 12:18 (אֵזוֺר = slaves' waistcloth, RS p. 25 above; Hoffm reads וַיָּסַר for וַיֶּאְסֹר); חַרְבּוֺ אֲסוּרִים עַלמָֿתְנָיו Neh 4:12.
5. followed by מִלְחָמָה begin the battle, make the attack (compare German mit jemandem anbinden) 1Kgs 20:14; 2Chr 13:3.
6. figurative of obligation of oath or vow (only Num 30, P) עַלנֶֿפֶשׁ ׳א, usually followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb אֱסָר, אִסָּר Num 30:3; Num 30:5 (twice in verse); Num 30:6; Num 30:8; Num 30:9; Num 30:11; Num 30:12 without אֱסָר etc., v.Num 30:7 v.Num 30:10 compare v.Num 30:4 אִסָּר ׳א (עַלנֶֿפֶשׁ omitted) Niph`al passive of Qal 3, be, bound, imprisoned, Imperfect (jussive) יֵאָסֵר Gen 42:19 (E); 2 masculine singular תֵּאָסֵר Judg 16:6; Judg 16:10; Judg 16:13 (of Samson); Imperative הֵאָֽסְרוּ Gen 42:16 (E). Pu`al Perfect be taken prisoner אֻסְּרוּ Isa 22:3 אֻסָּ֑רוּ ib.


BDB9327 H612 H631 H632

BDB9326 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9328

אסר (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew [ אָסַר] bind, אֵסוּר bond, אִסָּר binding obligation).

bound, bind, ready, tied, prison, …
ʾāsar
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
  • to tie, bind, imprison
    • (Qal)
      • to tie, bind
      • "to tie, harness"to bind (with cords)"to gird (rare and late)"to begin the battle, make the attack"of obligation of oath (figurative)
      (Niphal) to be imprisoned, bound"(Pual) to be taken prisoner

לְ עַנּוֹתֶֽ ךָ
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
עַנּוֹתֶֽ
Root word afflict, afflicted, humbled, forced, humble, …
ךָ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: עָנָה · aw-NAW

Verb — Piel, Infinitive Construct, construct state intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: to afflict thee
afflict ×5 and afflict ×3 and afflicted ×3 to afflict ×3 was afflicted ×3 and shall afflict ×2 and ye shall afflict ×2 unto you and ye shall afflict ×2
More options
oppress — Best for systemic or ongoing mistreatment by a power.
humble — Use when focus is on lowering status or self-abasement.
afflict — Modernized KJV standard; broad suffering or hardship.
abuse — Strong term; suits sexual or violent violation contexts.
chasten — Prefer for disciplinary or corrective divine action.
subjugate — Formal register; emphasizes forced submission or control.

BDB6205 H6031

BDB6204 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6206

II. [עָנָה] verb be occupied, busied with (ב), only Ecclesiastes (perhaps Aramaic loan-word; Syriac be occupied with, occupation, affair; compare Arabic , concern one, also be occupied by; Eccl 42:8 margin); —

Qal Infinitive עֲנוֺתִ Eccl 1:13; Eccl 3:10.


BDB6209 H6031

BDB6208 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6210

III. [עָנָה] verb be bowed down, afflicted ( Late Hebrew id.; MI Pi`el ויענו Ps 1:5, אענו Ps 1:6 Assyrian enû thwart, frustrate, do violence to; Arabic , be lowly subsmissive, see Rahlfsעָנִי und עָנָי in d. Psalmen (1892), 67 ff.; ᵑ7 עַנִּי Pa`el oppress; Syriac Ethpe`el humble oneself, and derivatives); — Qal Perfect 1 singular עָנִיתִי Ps 116:10 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעֲנֶה Isa 25:5; Isa 31:4, etc.; —

1. be put down or become low, of song of triumph Isa 25:5 (others as Hiph`il he putteth down, || תַּכְנִיעַ).
2. be depressed, downcast Isa 31:4 (of lion; || יֵחָ֑ת).
3. be afficted Ps 116:10; Ps 119:67; Zech 10:2. Niph`al Perfect 1 singular נַעֲניתִי Ps 119:107 Infinitive construct לֵעָנֹת (perhaps read as Qal Ges«GKC:51»§ 51 l) Exod 10:3 Participle נַעֲנֶה Isa 53:7 feminine singular נַעֲנָה Isa 58:10
1. humble oneself מִפְּנֵי Exod 10:3.
2. be afficted Ps 119:107; Isa 53:7; Isa 58:10. Piel. Perfect 3 masculine singular עִנָּה Deut 22:24 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular עִנִּיתָ Ps 88:8 1 singular עִנֵּיתִי Ps 35:13, suffix וְעִנִּתִךְ consecutive Nah 1:12, etc.; Imperfect יְעַנֶּה Job 37:23, etc.; Imperative עַנּוּ Judg 19:24 Infinitive absolute עַנֵּה Exod 22:22 construct עַנּוֺת Isa 58:5 +, etc.; Participle plural suffix מְעַנַּיִךְ Isa 60:14; Zeph 3:19
1 humble, mishandle, afflict: individual Gen 16:6; Gen 31:50 (J) Exod 22:21; Exod 22:22 (twice in verse) (E) Job 30:11 by imprisonment and bonds Judg 16:5; Judg 16:6; Judg 16:19; Ps 105:18 a nation by war or in bondage Gen 15:13 (J) Exod 1:11; Exod 1:12; Num 24:24 (twice in verse) (E) Deut 26:6; 1Sam 12:8 (inserting וַיְעַנּוּם מִצְרַיִם, so ᵐ5 Dr Bu Kit HPS [compare Th We]), 2Sam 7:10; 2Kgs 17:20; Ps 94:5; Isa 60:14; Zeph 3:19 dynasty of David Ps 89:23.
3. afflict as a discipline (God agent) Deut 8:2; Deut 8:3; Deut 8:16; 1Kgs 11:39; Ps 88:8; Ps 90:15; Ps 119:75; Isa 64:11; Nah 1:12 (twice in verse); Lam 3:33.
4. humble, weaken, object כֹּחַ Ps 102:24 משׁפט Job 37:23 (compare Talmud עִנָּה דִּין); נֶפֶשׁ oneself, by fasting Lev 16:29; Lev 16:31; Lev 23:27; Lev 23:32; Num 29:7 (P) Ps 35:13; Isa 58:3; Isa 58:5 by an oath Num 30:14 (P). Pu`al Perfect 1 singular עֻנֵּיתִי Ps 119:71 Imperfect 3 feminine singular תְּעֻנֶּה Lev 23:29 Infinitive construct suffix עֻנּוֺתוֺ Ps 132:1 Participle מְעֻנֶּה Isa 53:4
1. be afflicted, in discipline by God Ps 119:71; Ps 132:1; Isa 53:4.
2. be humbled by fasting Lev 23:29 (P). Hiph`il Imperfect 2 masculine singular suffix תַּעֲנֵם 1Kgs 8:35 = 2Chr 6:26 afflict, in discipline. Hithpa`el Perfect 3 masculine singular הִתְעַנָּה 1Kgs 2:26 2 masculine singular תִתְעַנִּיתָ v1Kgs 2:26 Imperfect 3 masculine plural יִתְעַנּוּ Ps 107:17 Imperative הִתְעַנִּי Gen 16:9 Infinitive construct הִתְעַנּוֺת Ezek 8:21; Dan 10:12
1. humble oneself (with תַּחַת יָדֶיהָ) Gen 16:9 (J).
2. be afflicted, by men 1Kgs 2:26 (twice in verse); by God in discipline Ps 107:17.
3. humble oneself in fasting Ezra 8:21; Dan 10:12.


BDB9783 H6031 H6035 H6041

BDB9782 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9784

II. ענה (√ of following; see Biblical Hebrew III. ענה, עָנָו, עָנִי).

afflict, afflicted, humbled, forced, humble, …
ʿānâ
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
  • (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with
  • "to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down
    • (Qal)
      • to be put down, become low
      • "to be depressed, be downcast"to be afflicted"to stoop
      (Niphal)
      • to humble oneself, bow down
      • "to be afflicted, be humbled
      (Piel)
      • to humble, mishandle, afflict
      • "to humble, be humiliated"to afflict
      (Pual)
      • to be afflicted
      • "to be humbled"to humble, weaken oneself
      (Hiphil) to afflict"(Hithpael)
      • to humble oneself
      • "to be afflicted

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר דְּלִילָה֙ Pashta — a lesser break אֶל שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן Zaqef Qatan — a strong break הַגִּֽידָה נָּ֣א לִ֔י Zaqef Qatan — a strong break בַּמֶּ֖ה Tipeha — a lesser break כֹּֽחֲךָ֣ גָד֑וֹל Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּבַמֶּ֥ה תֵֽאָסֵ֖ר Tipeha — a lesser break לְעַנּוֹתֶֽךָ Silluq — end of the verse

וַתֹּאמֶר דְּלִילָה אֶל-שִׁמְשׁוֹן הַגִּֽידָה-נָּא לִי בַּמֶּה כֹּֽחֲךָ גָדוֹל וּבַמֶּה תֵֽאָסֵר לְעַנּוֹתֶֽךָ׃
6
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
Cross References

Micah 7:2

אָבַד חָסִיד מִן-הָאָרֶץ וְיָשָׁר בָּאָדָם אָיִן כֻּלָּם לְדָמִים יֶאֱרֹבוּ אִישׁ אֶת-אָחִיהוּ יָצוּדוּ חֵֽרֶם׃
2
The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

Psalms 12:2

שָׁוְא׀ יְֽדַבְּרוּ אִישׁ אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ שְׂפַת חֲלָקוֹת בְּלֵב וָלֵב יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃
2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Proverbs 7:21

הִטַּתּוּ בְּרֹב לִקְחָהּ בְּחֵלֶק שְׂפָתֶיהָ תַּדִּיחֶֽנּוּ׃
21
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Micah 7:5

אַל-תַּאֲמִינוּ בְרֵעַ אַֽל-תִּבְטְחוּ בְּאַלּוּף מִשֹּׁכֶבֶת חֵיקֶךָ שְׁמֹר פִּתְחֵי-פִֽיךָ׃
5
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Proverbs 22:14

שׁוּחָה עֲמֻקָּה פִּי זָרוֹת זְעוּם יְהוָה ‫(יפול)‬ יִפָּל-שָֽׁם׃
14
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

Jeremiah 9:2

מִֽי-יִתְּנֵנִי בַמִּדְבָּר מְלוֹן אֹֽרְחִים וְאֶֽעֶזְבָה אֶת-עַמִּי וְאֵלְכָה מֵֽאִתָּם כִּי כֻלָּם מְנָאֲפִים עֲצֶרֶת בֹּגְדִֽים׃
2
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

Proverbs 26:28

לְֽשׁוֹן-שֶׁקֶר יִשְׂנָא דַכָּיו וּפֶה חָלָק יַעֲשֶׂה מִדְחֶֽה׃
28
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs 6:26

כִּי בְעַד-אִשָּׁה זוֹנָה עַֽד-כִּכַּר לָחֶם וְאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ נֶפֶשׁ יְקָרָה תָצֽוּד׃
26
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.