Numbers 13:19

And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וּ מָ֣ה
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מָ֣ה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: and what
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.

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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.


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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

הָ אָ֗רֶץ
הָ
Prefix — article the
אָ֗רֶץ
Root word land, earth, ground, country, countries, …
Dictionary form: אֶרֶץ · eh-RETS

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the land
the land ×425 the earth ×247 in the land ×246 of the earth ×197 of the land ×197 land ×130 out of the land ×66 in the earth ×43
More options
land — Best default; territory, region, or promised land.
earth — Prefer for cosmic or global scope (whole creation).
ground — Physical soil or surface; localized, tangible contexts.
country — Distinct nation-territory; political or ethnic emphasis.
region — Geographical area without strong political connotation.
world — Rare; only when universal scope is clearly intended.

BDB780 H776

BDB779 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB781

אֶ֫רֶץ2407 noun feminineGen 10:11 & (seldom) masculineGen 13:16 earth, land (Phoenician, MI ארץ, Assyrian irƒitu COTGloss, Arabic , Sabean ארץֿ e.g. Os9 DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaic אֲרַע, ) — ׳א absolute Gen 1:24 +; construct Gen 2:11 +; אָ֑רֶץ Gen 1:10 +; with article always הָאָ֫רֶץ Gen 1:11 +; with ָ  ה locative אַ֫רְצָה Gen 11:31 +, (this form also in poetry = אֶרֶץ Job 34:13 +); suffix אַרְצִי Job 20:15 +; (אַרְצֶ֑ךָ) אַרְצְךָ Job 12:1 +, etc.; plural אֲרָצוֺת Jer 28:8 + 65 t.; construct אַרְצוֺת Ezek 39:27 + 6 t.; suffix אַרְצֹתָם Gen 10:5 + 2 t.; —

1. a. earth, whole earth (opposed to a part) Gen 18:18; Gen 18:25; Gen 22:18 (= הָאֲדָמָה Gen 12:3) Jer 25:26; Jer 25:29; Jer 25:30; Jer 26:6; Isa 37:16; Isa 37:20 = 2Kgs 19:15; 2Kgs 19:19; Zech 4:10; Zech 4:14 +.
  b. earth, opposed to heaven, sky Gen 1:2; Exod 20:4; Deut 5:8; Deut 30:19; Judg 5:4; Lam 2:1; Isa 37:16 = 2Kgs 19:15; Ps 146:6; 1Chr 21:16; 1Chr 29:11; 2Chr 2:11 +; as permanent Eccl 1:4 built on foundations, or pillars 1Sam 2:8; Ps 104:5; Job 38:4; Isa 48:13; Isa 51:13; Isa 51:16 compare also Isa 24:18; Ps 82:5 firm, so that its shaking is something terrible, & token of terrible power 1Sam 14:4; 2Sam 22:8 = Ps 18:8; Job 9:6 compare Ps 46:2 & vPs 46:6 so also Amos 8:8; Isa 2:19; Isa 2:21; Isa 24:18; Isa 24:19; Isa 24:20; Ps 60:4; Ps 77:19; Ps 99:1; Ps 114:7 as hung on nothing Job 26:7 with waters under it Exod 20:4 = Deut 5:8 compare Gen 7:11 personified, especially as addressed, called to witness, etc. Deut 32:1; Jer 6:19; Jer 22:29; Isa 1:2; Mic 1:2; Job 16:18.
  c. earth = inhabitants of earth Gen 6:11; 1Kgs 2:2; 1Kgs 10:24; Ps 33:8; Ps 66:4 + compare ׳תֵּבֵל א Prov 8:31; Job 37:12.
2. land =
  a. country, territory, שִׁנְעָר ׳א Gen 10:10, מִצְרַיִם ׳א Gen 21:21 compare also Gen 10:11; Gen 11:28; Gen 11:31; Gen 13:10; Gen 47:6; Gen 47:27; Gen 50:8; Isa 7:18; Isa 23:1; Isa 23:13; Isa 27:13; Ps 78:12; Jer 25:20; 1Chr 1:43 personified Isa 62:4; Eccl 10:16; Eccl 10:17.
  b. district, region Gen 19:28; Gen 22:2; Josh 11:3; Ps 42:7.
  c. tribal territory Deut 34:2; Judg 21:21; 1Sam 9:4; 1Sam 9:16; 1Sam 13:7; 1Kgs 15:20; Isa 8:23 and still smaller territories 1Sam 9:4; 1Sam 9:5.
  d. piece of ground Gen 23:15.
  e. specifically land of Canaan, or Israel Gen 11:31; Gen 12:1; Gen 12:5; Gen 12:6; Gen 12:7; Gen 31:3; Deut 17:14; Deut 18:9; 2Kgs 5:2; 2Kgs 5:4 +; especially object of יָרַשׁ possess Deut 3:20 + often Deuteronomy, Psalms and elsewhere; so after נָחַל Josh 19:49 +; נָתַן Deut 1:21 +. feminine = inhabitants land Lev 19:29; Ezek 14:13 + compare Deut 24:4; Zech 12:12 etc.
  g. used even of Sh®°ôl Job 10:21; Job 10:22 (compare Assyrian irƒit la târat, land without return, in Descent of Ishtar, see Jr10. 65); see also Ps 139:15; Isa 44:23.
3. a. ground, surface of ground = אֲדָמָה q. v. Gen 1:26; Gen 1:30; Gen 18:2; Gen 33:3; Gen 38:9; Exod 4:3; Exod 16:4; Ruth 2:10; 1Sam 5:4 + very often in Samuel.
  b. soil, as productive = אֲדָמָה Gen 1:11; Gen 1:12; Lev 19:9; Lev 25:9; Lev 26:4 compare Num 14:7; Num 14:8; Isa 36:7 = 2Kgs 18:32; Ps 72:6; Ps 72:16; Ps 107:34; Ps 107:35; Ezra 9:12; Neh 9:35.
4. אֶרֶץ in phrases:
  a. people of the land ׳עַםהָֿא of non-Israelites Gen 23:7; Gen 23:12; Gen 23:13 (P) Num 14:9 (JE); as well as Israel Lev 20:4 (H) 2Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 21:24 (twice in verse); especially common people, opposed to officials, princes Lev 4:27 (P) Ezek 7:27; 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 11:19.
  b. in measurements of distance, ׳כִּבְרַת הָא the space or distance of country (see כּברה) Gen 35:16, so ׳כִּבְרַת א some distance Gen 48:7; 2Kgs 5:19.
  c. אֶרֶץ הַמִּישׁוֺר the country of the plain, level or plain country Deut 4:33; Jer 48:21 מִישׁוֺר ׳א figurative Ps 143:10 (but read אֹרַח ᵑ6 Bi Gr Che, compare Ps 27:11).
  d. חַיִּים ׳א land of the living Ps 27:13 הַחַיִּים ׳א Ps 142:6.
  e. ׳קְצֵה הָא end(s) of the earth Isa 42:10; Isa 43:6 (|| רָחוֺק) Ps 135:7; Prov 17:24, so ׳אַפְסֵי א Prov 30:4 +; ׳קְצוֺת הָא Isa 40:28; Isa 41:5; Isa 41:9.
5. plural אֲרָצוֺת is almost wholly late, Jer 16:15 + 6 t. Jeremiah; 23 t. Ezekiel; Isa 36:20; Isa 37:11 = 2Kgs 18:35; 2Kgs 19:11 (Isa 37:18 read הַגּוֺיִם see Che Di & compare 2Kgs 19:17); 22 t. Chronicles; Dan 9:7; Dan 11:40; Dan 11:42; Ps 105:44; Ps 106:27; Ps 107:3; Ps 116:9 besides these only P Gen 10:5; Gen 10:20; Gen 10:31; Lev 26:36; Lev 26:39, except Gen 26:3; Gen 26:4 (JR) Gen 41:54 (JE); it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc., see especially absolute Ezek 20:32; Ezek 22:4 = the various petty divisions of Canaan afterward united under Israel's control Gen 26:3; Gen 26:4, compare 1Chr 13:2 אַרְצוֺת יִשְׂרָאֵל, 2Chr 11:23 אַרְצוֺת יְהוּדָה.


BDB9347 H772 H776

BDB9346 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9348

[אֲרַע]21 noun [feminine] earth (so ᵑ7 Syriac; = Biblical Hebrew אֶרֶץ, q. v.); — emphatic אַרְעָא Dan 2:35; Dan 2:39 + 16 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11; Jer 10:11b; אַ֫רְעָא (D§§ 9, 5 a; 44, 1 n) = אֲרַע + ָ֯ of direction, earthward, i.e. downward, אַרְעָא מִנָּח Dan 2:39 Kt lower than thou, i.e. inferior to thee Qr אֲרַע (compare ᵑ7 אֲרַע מִן Ruth 4:4); — Jer 10:11a see [ אֲרַק].

land, earth, ground, country, countries, …
ʾereṣ
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • land, earth
    • earth
      • whole earth (as opposed to a part)
      • "earth (as opposed to heaven)"earth (inhabitants)
      land
      • country, territory
      • "district, region"tribal territory"piece of ground"land of Canaan, Israel"inhabitants of land"Sheol, land without return, (under) world"city, city-state
      ground, surface of the earth
      • ground
      • "soil
      (in phrases)
      • people of the land
      • "space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)"level or plain country"land of the living"end(s) of the earth
      (almost wholly late in usage)
      • lands, countries
        • often in contrast to Canaan

אֲשֶׁר
אֲשֶׁר
Particle who, which, that
Dictionary form: אֲשֶׁר · uh-SHER

Particle — Relative

In the KJV here: is that
which ×1561 that ×1524 as ×311 whom ×202 who ×88 where ×84 whither ×70 whose ×69
More options
that — Most versatile; works as relative pronoun or conjunction.
which — Prefer for non-personal antecedents and formal register.
who — Use when antecedent is a person or personal being.
where — Use when introducing a place or locative clause.
when — Use when introducing a temporal clause.
because — Use when אֲשֶׁר introduces a causal clause.

BDB3871 H834

BDB3870 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3872

כַּאֲשֶׁר conjunction according as, as, when (compare for the combined Aramaic כְּדִי, כַּד) —

1. according to that which, according as, as:
  a. Gen 34:12 I will give כאשׁר תאמרו אלי according as ye shall (or may) say unto me, Gen 44:1; Exod 8:23; Num 22:8; 1Sam 2:16; Gen 34:22 if we are circumcised כאשׁר הם נמולים; Gen 41:21 כאשׁר בתחלה as at the beginning, so ׳כ בראשׁונה Josh 8:5; Josh 8:6; 2Sam 7:10; Exod 5:13 ׃כאשׁר בהיות התבן Gen 7:9 they came in two by two כאשׁר צוה אלהִים, as God commanded Noah; so, or similarly, very often, especially in P, vGen 7:16; Gen 8:21; Gen 12:4; Gen 17:23; Gen 21:1 (twice in verse); Exod 16:24; Exod 39:1; Exod 39:5; Exod 39:7; Num 3:16; Num 3:42 etc.; ׳כאשׁר דבר י Deut 1:21; Deut 2:1; Deut 6:3; Deut 6:19 + often Deuteronomy.
  b. answered, for increased emphasis, by כֵּן (compare כְּ 2 d), Gen 50:12 ויעשׂו כן כאשׁר צִוָּם, Exod 7:10; Exod 7:20; Gen 18:5 (J) כן חעשׂח כאשׁר דברת, Exod 10:10 (iron.), Amos 5:14 (do.); in opposed to order, Judg 1:7 כאשׁר עשׂיתי, כן שׁלם לי, Exod 7:6 כן עשׂו ׳כאשׁר צוה י, compare Exod 12:28; Exod 12:50; Exod 39:43; Num 5:4; Num 17:26; Num 36:10 (all P); with imperfect (frequently) Num 2:17 (P) כאשׁר יחנו כן יסעו; of degree = the more. . . the more, Exod 1:12 וכאשׁר יענּו אתו כן ירבה וכן יפרץ, compare Exod 17:11 (JE) ׳והיה כאשׁר יריםו֗֗֗גבר ישׁר according as he held up, etc., Israel prevailed; in an oath or solemn promise, Num 14:28 אם לא כאשׁר דברתם כן אעשׂה, Deut 28:63 (Jer 31:28), 1Kgs 1:30; Isa 10:11; Isa 14:24; Isa 52:14f. (see כֵּן 2 b).
  c. answered by וַ (Dr§ 127 γ) Exod 16:34; Num 1:19.
  d. often in similes (followed by imperfect of habit) Exod 33:11 כאשׁר ידבר אישׁ אל רעהו, Num 11:12; Deut 1:44; Isa 9:2; Isa 66:20 +, answered by כֵּן Isa 31:4; Isa 55:10; Isa 66:22; Amos 3:12 +; a second verb is, in such cases, in the perfect with וְ consecutive (Dr§ 115) Deut 22:26; Isa 29:8 כאשׁר יחלםו֗֗֗הקיץ, Isa 65:8; Amos 5:19.
  e. הָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר (compare הָיָה כְּ) to be as if, Job 10:19 כאשׁר לא הייתי אהיה, Zech 10:6 והיו כאשׁר לא זנחתים.
2. with a casual force, in so far as, since (German demgemäss dass), Gen 26:29 if thou doest us no harm כאשׁר לא נגענוך according as, in so far as, we have not touched thee; Num 27:14 כאשׁר מריתם פי inasmuch as ye have defied my mouth, Judg 6:27; 1Sam 28:18 (answered by על כן), 2Kgs 17:26; Mic 3:4.
3. with a temporal force, when, Gen 18:33 and Y. went away כאשׁר כלה when he had finished, etc., Gen 32:3; Gen 32:32; 1Sam 8:6; 2Sam 12:21 +; answered by וַּ (Dr§ 127 β), 1Sam 6:6; 1Sam 12:8 ויהי כאשׁר֗֗ and it came to pass, when . . . Gen 12:11; Gen 20:13; Gen 24:22; Gen 24:52; Exod 32:19 + often; Gen 43:14 כאשׁר שׁכלתי שׁכלתי when I am bereaved, I am bereaved ! an expression of resignation, so Esth 4:16 כאשׁר אבדתי אבדתי. Josh 2:7 אחרי כאשׁר is a 'conflate' reading, omit either אחרי or כ. Of future time, Gen 27:40; Gen 40:14 כאשׁר ייטב לך, Hos 7:12; Eccl 4:17; Eccl 5:3, and without a verb Isa 23:5 כאשׁר שׁמע למצרים. — Mic 3:3 כאשׁר is simply as that which, Job 29:25 as one who.


BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

BDB6201 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6203

יַעַן96 properly substantive, purpose, intention, but always used as preposition or conjunction, on account of, because (for יַעֲנֶה, of the form יִצְהָר etc., Sta§ 259 ii. 403; compare mean, intend): —

1. as preposition, rarely with a substantive, Ezek 5:9 יַעַן תּוֺעֲבוֺתֵיכֶם, Hag 1:9 יַעַן מָה, vHag 1:9 יַעַן בֵּיתִי; with a participle Ezek 36:13 יען אמרים because of men saying to you (but read probablyאָמְרָם, Co Toy Berthol); frequently with infinitive with, 1Kgs 21:20 יַעַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ on account of thy having sold thyself, Amos 5:11; Isa 30:12; Isa 37:29 (= 2Kgs 19:28) יַעֵן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ אֵלַי, Jer 5:14; Jer 7:13; Jer 23:38; Jer 48:7, and often. (c. 18 t.) in Ezek., as Jer 5:7 (read יַעַן הַמְ˜רֹתְכֶם), Jer 13:8; Jer 13:22; Jer 25:3; Jer 25:6; Jer 25:8; Jer 25:12.

2. As conjunction:
  a. יַעַן אֲשֶׁר (32 t.), usually with perfect, as Gen 22:16 יען אשׁר עשׂית זאת because that thou hast done this, Deut 1:36 (Josh 14:14), Judg 2:20; 1Sam 30:22; 1Kgs 3:11; 1Kgs 8:18; Jer 19:4; Jer 25:8; Jer 29:23 (not Isaiah) +; with imperfect (in frequent. sense) Ezek 44:12.
  b. יַען כִּי, Num 11:20 ׳יַעַן כִּי מְאַסְתֶּם אֶתיֿ, 1Kgs 13:21; 1Kgs 21:29; Isa 3:16; Isa 7:5; Isa 8:6; Isa 29:13.
  c. יַעַן alone (23 t.), with perfect Num 20:12 יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, 1Sam 15:23; 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 22:19; Hos 8:1; Isa 61:1; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 with imperfect (frequently) Ezek 34:21 of the future Ezek 12:12 because he shall not see, etc., (but ᵐ5 Co Kau Berthol לְמַעַן אשׁר לא יֵרָאֶה לָעַיִן): usually the verb follows immediately, but Ezek. sometimes puts the object first for emphasis, Ezek 5:11 יַעַן אֶתמִֿקְדָּשִׁי טִמֵּאתָ, Ezek 20:16; Ezek 20:24; Ezek 36:6, compare Ezek 34:21.

3. יַעַן וּבְיַעַן, q.d. because and by the cause (that), followed by perhaps, Lev 26:43 (H) יען וביען בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי מָאָ֔סוּ, Ezek 13:10 יַעַן בְּיַעַז followed by infinitive, Ezek 36:3. (In all, reckoning יען (ו)ביען once each, 93 t., of which 20 are in 1-2 Kings, 11 in Jeremiah, 38 in Ezekiel; and only 9 in Genesis—2Samuel.)


BDB6204 H4616 H834 H4617

BDB6203 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6205

[מַ֫עַן] substantive purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן271 preposition and conjunction for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that (abbreviated from מַעֲנֶה: compare מַ֫עַל; ii. 116); — with suffix לְמַעֲנִי, לְמַעַנְךָ, and לְמַעַנְכֶם; —

1. preposition: —
  a. Gen 18:24 wilt thou ... not spare the place למען חמשׁים הציקים for the sake of the 50 righteous? Deut 30:6 חַיֶּיךָ ׳ל for thy life's sake, 1Kgs 8:41 the foreigner who comer from afar שְׁמֶ֑ךָ ׳ל, Isa 43:14 לְמַעַנְכֶם שִׁלַּחְתִּי בָבֶ֫לָה, Isa 45:4; Isa 62:1 ציון ׳ל, Isa 63:17 עבדיך ׳ל, Isa 65:8; Ezek 36:22 (twice in verse); Job 18:4; Ps 122:8; Ps 122:9 (׳עַבְדִּי ד) לְמַעַן דָּוִד, i.e. for the sake of David's memory, and the promises given to him, 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:13; 1Kgs 11:32; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:4; 2Kgs 8:19; 2Kgs 19:34 (= Isa 37:35), Isa 20:6 (all D2); לְמַעֲנִי (of ׳י) for my own sake, i.e. to vindicate my name, 2Kgs 19:34 (= Isa 37:35), 2Kgs 20:6; Isa 43:25; Isa 48:11 לְמַעֲנִי לְמַעֲנִי אֶעֲשֶׁה, so לְמַעַנְךָ Dan 9:19, אֲדֹנָי ׳ל vDan 9:17 ׳י is said (or entreated) to act (שִׁמְךָ, שְׁמִי) לְמַעַן שְׁמוֺ i.e. to maintain his reputation, or character, Ps 23:3; Ps 25:11; Ps 31:4; Ps 79:9; Ps 106:8; Ps 143:11; Jer 14:7; Jer 14:21; Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22; Ezek 20:44; Isa 48:9 simile חַסְדְּךָ ׳ל (i.e. to maintain it consistently) Ps 6:5; Ps 44:27, טוּבְךָ ׳ל Ps 25:7, צִדְקוֺ ׳ל Isa 42:21.


  b. In view of, on account of (but not expressing causation distinctly, like מִן 2 f, or מִפְּנֵי), Deut 3:26 בי לְמַעַנְכֶם ׳ויתעבר י on your account, 1Kgs 11:39 זֹאת ׳ל in view of this, שׁוֺרֲרַי ׳ל on account of my watchful foes, Ps 5:9; Ps 27:11, צורריך ׳ל Ps 8:3, simil. Ps 69:19; Ps 48:12 (Ps 97:8) משׁפטיך ׳ישמח הר ציון ֗֗֗ ל in view of thy judgments.


  c. Sq. infinitive Gen 18:19 ׳לְמַעַן הָבִיא י for the purpose of J.'s bringing = to the intent that J. might bring, Gen 37:22 הַצִּיל ׳ל in order to rescue, Gen 50:20; Exod 1:11; Exod 9:16; Exod 10:1, etc., Deut 2:30; Deut 6:28, etc., 2Kgs 10:19; Jer 7:10; Jer 7:18; Jer 11:5; Jer 50:34 (on הִרגיע, see עַד 2 a b), Ezek 14:5; Ezek 21:5; Ezek 22:6 etc., Ezek 36:5, + often (iii.595 f.). Once, pleonastic, לְמַעַן לָמוּג לֵב Ezek 21:20 (compare כַּעֲבוּר לְ 1Chr 19:3 but read probably הִמּוֺג).

2. conjunction (followed by imperfect): —
  a. לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר Gen 18:19 I have known him אשׁר יְצַוֶּה ׳ל to the end that he might command, etc., Deut 27:3; Josh 3:4; 2Sam 13:5; Jer 42:6 more often
  b. without אשׁר, as Gen 12:13 לְמַעַן יִיטַב לִי, Gen 27:25; Exod 4:5 יאמינו ׳ל, Exod 8:6; Exod 8:18; Exod 9:29; Exod 10:2; Isa 5:19; Isa 23:16; Ps 9:15; Ps 30:13; Ps 48:14 + often (iii.571).


  c. Sq. לֹא (a) אשׁר לֹא ׳ל Num 17:5; Deut 20:18; Ezek 31:14; Ezek 36:30; Ezek 46:18 (b) לֹא ׳ל Ezek 14:11; Ezek 19:9; Ezek 25:10; Ezek 26:20; Zech 12:7; Ps 119:11; Ps 119:80; Ps 125:3 (iii.574. Less common than לְבִלְתִּי or מִן with infinitive, or פֶּןֿ).

Note
1.לְמַעַן is always in order that, never merely so that ἐκβατικῶς); but sometimes, in rhetorical passages, the issue of a line of action, though really undesigned, is represented by it ironically as if it were designed: Deut 29:18 (see Dr) ׳סְפוֺת וגו ׳וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ כִּלְבָבוֺ ֗֗֗ ל and he congratulate himself ... in order to sweep away the moistened with the dry (i.e. to destroy all together), Isa 30:1; Isa 44:9 יֵבוֺשׁוּ ׳בל יראו ובל ידעו ל in orer that they may be put to shame, Jer 7:18 הַכְעִיסֵנִי ׳ל, vJer 7:19 בּשֶׁת פְנֵיהֶם ׳ל, Jer 27:10; Jer 27:15; Jer 32:29; Hos 8:4 their silver, etc., they have made into idols יִכָרֵת ׳ל in order that it may be cut off (of course, not the real purpose of the idolatry), Amos 2:7; Mic 6:16: compare Ps 51:6 (see Comn.) in order that thou mightest be just when thou judgest (that is, by manifesting thy justice in judgement on my sin). compare Qor 28:7 (FlKl. Schr. i. 397 f.).

Note 2. — In Josh 4:24 for the anomalous יְרָאתֶם ׳ל, read infinitive יִרְאָתָם ׳ל in order that they might fear (Dr§ 14 Obs.): Neh 6:13 לְמַעַן שָׂכוּר הוּא לְמַעַן אִירָא (si vera 1.) the first ׳ל points forwards, to this intent was he hired, to the intent that I should be afraid. — On Prov 16:4, see מַעֵנֶה above


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].


BDB844 H834

BDB843 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB845

אֲשֶׁר particle of relation (Moabite id.; origin dubious:

1. according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171 MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n. StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167 HomZMG 1878, 708 ff. Müll§ 153 SayceHebraica. ii. 51 LagM. i. 255 & especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff, originally a substantive 'place' = footstep, mark, (do.), אֲתַר, place, Assyrian ašru, used (see Kraetz.) both as a substantive 'there, where,' and as a relative of place 'where': in Hebrew this development has advanced further, and it has become a relative sign generally. The chief objection to this explanation is that it would isolate Hebrew from the other Semitic languages, in which pronouns are formed regularly from demonstrative roots (compare also ZMG 1886, 738).
2. according to PhiSt. C. 73 SperlingNota Rel. im Hebr. 1876, 15-22 for אֲשֶׁל, developed from the relative שׁ (q. v.) by (1) the prefixing of either a merely prosthetic א, or, better, a pronominal א (giving rise to אש, the form of the relative in Phoenician), and (2) the addition of the demonstrative root ל [found also in אֵל, אֵלָּה, הַלָּזֶה (q. v.), he who, who (plural)]: the main objection to this explanation is the change of ל to ר, which is hardly rendered probable by the compare of Syriac by side of ᵑ7 הָלְכָּא. 1 seems preferable, the primitive root having acquired different significations in the different Semitic languages, and having been weakened in Hebrew to a mere particle of relation). A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. As a rule אֲשֶׁר is a mere connecting link, and requires to be supplemented (see the grammars) by a pronominal affix, or other word, such as שָׁם, defining the nature of the relation more precisely: e.g. Gen 1:11 אֲשֶׁר זַרֵעוֺבֿוֺ literally as to which, its seed is in it = in which is its seed, Ps 1:4 like the chaff אֲשֶׁרתִּֿדְּפֶנּוּ רוּחַ as to which, the wind drives it = which the wind drives, etc.; & so אֲשֶׁרשָׁ֗֗֗ם = where, אֲשֶׁרמִ֗֗֗שָּׁם = whence, Gen 2:11; Gen 3:23; Gen 20:13 etc. Sometimes also (see below) the relation expressed by it is specifically temporal, local causal, etc. More particularly

1. it includes its pronominal antecedent, whether in the nominative or oblique cases, as Num 22:6 וַאֲשֶׁר תָּאֹר יוּאָר and he whom thou cursest is cursed, Exod 4:12 and I will teach thee אֲשֶׁר תְּדַבֵּר that which thou shalt say; and with particles or prepositions, as אֵת אֲשֶׁר (according to the context) him who . . ., those who . . ., that which . . .; לַאֲשֶׁר to him who . . . Gen 43:16, to those who . . . Gen 47:24, to that which Gen 27:8 מֵאֲשֶׁר Judg 16:30; 2Sam 18:18 than those whom; Lev 27:24 לַאֲשֶׁר קָנָהוּ מֵאִתּוֺ to him from whom he bought it, Num 5:7; Isa 24:2 כַּאֲשֶׁר נשֶׁא בוֺ like him against whom there is a creditor.
2. instances of אֲשֶׁר followed by a pronominal affix, or by שָׁם, שָֽׁמָּה, מִשָּׁם, are so common that the examples cited above will be sufficient. Very rarely there occurs the anomalous construction עִם אֲשֶׁר Gen 31:32 for אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֺ (see Gen 44:9), בַּאֲשֶׁר Isa 47:12 for אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, לַאֲשֶׁר for אֲשֶׁרלָ֗֗֗הֶם Ezek 23:40: Ps 119:49 see under על אשׁר. It is followed by the pronoun in the nominative, in the following cases: —
   (a) immediately, mostly before an adjective or participle, Gen 9:3 all moving things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:26; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 14:27; Num 35:31; Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19 (see Dr) 2Kgs 25:19 (|| Jer 52:25 היה) Jer 27:9; Ezek 43:19; Hag 1:9; Ruth 4:15; Neh 2:18; Eccl 7:26 before a verb 2Kgs 22:13 (omitted 2Chr 34:21).
   (b) in a negative sentence, at the end: Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12; Num 17:5; Deut 17:15 אֲשֶׁר לֹא אָחִיךָ הוּא who is not thy brother, Deut 20:15; Judg 19:12; 1Kgs 8:41 || 1Kgs 9:20 ||.
N.B. Ps 16:3 אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ הֵ֑מָּה is an unparalleled expression for 'who are in the land'; read ׳אֲשֶׁר בָּאָ֑רֶץ הֵמָּה אַדִּירֵי וג 'the saints that are in the land, they (המה) are the nobles, in whom,' etc.
3. sometimes (though rarely) the defining adjunct is a pronoun of 1 or 2 person as well as of 3 person. In such cases it is strictly to be rendered I who . . ., thou who, etc.; Hos 14:4 אֲשֶׁרבְּֿךָ יְרֻחַם יָתוֺם thou by whom the fatherless is compassionated ! Jer 31:32 I, whose covenant they brake, Jer 32:19; Isa 49:23; Job 37:17f. thou whose garments are warm . . ., canst thou ? etc., Ps 71:19; Ps 71:20; Ps 144:12 we whose sons, etc., Ps 139:15 my frame was not hidden from thee, אֲ֯שֶׁרעֻֿשֵּׂיתִי בַסֵּתֶר I who was wrought in secret (= though I was wrought in secret), Exod 14:13 for ye who have seen the Egyptians to-day, — ye shall not see them again for ever! (compare Ps 41:9).
4. the defining pron. adjunct is dispensed with
  a. when אֲשֶׁר represents the simple subject of a sentence, or the direct object of a verb: so constantly, as Gen 2:1 the work אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה which he made, Gen 3:3 the tree אֲשֶׁר בְּתוֺךְ הַגָּן which is in the midst of the garden, etc.
  b. after words denoting time, place, or manner, so that אֲשֶׁר then becomes equivalent to when, where, why:
   (a) Gen 6:4 אַחֲרֵי כֵן אֲשֶׁר afterwards, when, etc. (compare 2Chr 35:20) Gen 45:6 there are still 5 years אֲשֶׁר אֵין חָרִישׁ when there shall be no plowing, Josh 14:10; 1Kgs 22:25 after יוֺם or הַיּוֺם Deut 4:10; Judg 4:14; 1Sam 24:5 (see Dr) 2Sam 19:25; Jer 20:14 and elsewhere; similarly Gen 40:13. (β) Gen 35:13 בַּמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֺ in the place where he spake with him, vGen 35:14; Gen 39:20; Num 13:27; Num 22:26; Deut 1:31 in the desert which thou sawest, where (accents Ke Di), Deut 8:15; 1Kgs 8:9 (unless לוּחוֺת הַבְּרִית has here fallen out: see ᵐ5 & Deut 9:9) Isa 55:11; Isa 64:10; Ps 84:4. So (γ) in אֶל אֲשֶׁר to (the place) which (or whither) Exod 32:34; Ruth 1:16 אֶלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר to every (place) whither Josh 1:16; Prov 17:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר in (the place) where Judg 5:27; Judg 17:8; Judg 17:9; 1Sam 23:13; 2Kgs 8:1; Ruth 1:16; Ruth 1:17; Job 39:30, once only with שָׁם Gen 21:17 בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר wheresoever Josh 1:7; Josh 1:9; Judg 2:15; 1Sam 14:47; 1Sam 18:5; 2Sam 7:7; 2Kgs 18:7 מֵאֲשֶׁר from (the place) where = whencesoever Exod 5:11; Ruth 2:9 עַלאֲֿשֶׁר to (the place) whither (or which) 2Sam 15:20; 1Kgs 18:12 עַלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר Jer 1:7. (δ) זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר ֗֗֗ this is the reason that or why . . . Josh 5:4; 1Kgs 11:27.
  c. more extreme instances Lev 14:22; Lev 14:30; Lev 14:31; Num 6:21; Deut 7:19 (wherewith), Deut 28:20; 1Sam 2:32 (wherein), 1Kgs 2:26; Judg 8:15 (about whom), Isa 8:12 (where יאמר would be followed normally by לוֺ), Isa 31:6 turn ye to (him as to) whom they have deeply rebelled, Isa 47:15; Zeph 3:11; Eccl 3:9; 1Kgs 14:19 (= how).
  d. it is dispensed with only in appearance after ׅ׳אֲשֶׁר אָמַר (אָמַרְתִּי וג followed by the words used, its place being really taken by a pronoun in the speech which follows, as Gen 3:17 the tree as to which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eat from it, Exod 22:8; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4 (זֶה) Judg 8:15 (where the noun repeated takes the place of the pronoun, compare Deut 9:2) 1Sam 9:17 (זֶה):23 +; compare 2Sam 11:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4.
5. אֲשֶׁר sometimes in poetry = one who, a man who (men who), ὅστις, οἵτινες, Ps 24:4; Ps 55:20; Ps 95:4; Ps 95:5; Job 4:19; Job 5:5; Job 9:5 (Hi) Job 15:17.
6. אֲשֶׁר occasionally receives its closer definition by a substantive following it, in other words, its logical antecedent is inserted in the relative clause:
   (a) in the phrase peculiar to Jeremiah, ׳אֶל יר ׳אֲשֶׁר הָיָה דְבַר י that which came (of) the word of ׳י to Jeremiah Jer 14:1; Jer 46:1; Jer 47:1; Jer 49:34 (compare Ew§ 334);
   (b) Exod 25:9; Num 33:4; 1Sam 25:30; 2Kgs 8:12; 2Kgs 12:6 לְכֹל אֲשֶׁריִֿמָּצֵא שָׁם בָּֽדֶק׃ Ezek 12:25 compare the Ethiopic usage Di§ 201;
   (c) (antecedant repeated) Gen 49:30 = Gen 50:13, 1Sam 25:30 (׳י repeated), Isa 54:9 (probably) as to which I sware that, etc., Amos 5:1 which I take up over you (as) a dirge.
7. ׳אֲשֶׁר ל that (belongs, belong, belonged) to, is used
  a. either alone or preceded by כָּלֿ to express (all) that (belongs) to, as Gen 14:23 מִכָּלאֲֿשֶׁרלְֿךָ of all that is thine, Gen 31:1 מֵאֲשֶׁר לְאָבִינוּ of that which was our father's, Gen 32:24 & sent over אֶתאֲֿשֶׁרלֿוֺ that which he had, + often
  b. as a circumlocution of the genitive, as Gen 29:9 עִםהַֿצּאֹן אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיהָ with the sheep that were her father's, Gen 40:5; Gen 47:4; Lev 9:8; Judg 6:11; 1Sam 25:7 הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁרלְֿךָ, 2Sam 14:31 אֶתהַֿחֶלְקָה אֲשֶׁרלִֿי, 2Sam 23:8; 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:33 עַל הַפִּרְדָּה אֲשֶׁרלִֿי upon mine own mule, v1Kgs 1:49; 1Kgs 4:2; 2Kgs 11:10; 2Kgs 16:13; Ruth 2:21 and especially in the case of a compound expression depending on a single genitive, as Gen 23:9; Gen 40:5; Gen 41:43 מִרְכֶּבֶת הַמִּשְׁנֶה אֲשֶׁרלֿוֺ the chariot of the second rank which he had, Exod 38:30; Judg 3:20; Judg 6:25; 1Sam 17:40; 1Sam 21:8 אֲבִיר הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל the mightiest of Saul's herdmen, 1Sam 24:5 אֶתכְּֿנַףהַֿמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁרלְֿשָׁאוּל, 2Sam 2:8 Saul's captain of the host, 1Kgs 10:28; 1Kgs 15:20; 1Kgs 22:31; Jer 52:17; Ruth 4:3.
  c. with names of places (especially such as do not readily admit the stative construct) Judg 18:28; Judg 19:14 הַגִּבְעָה אֲשֶׁר לְבִנְיָמִין Gibeah (the hill) of Benjamin, Judg 20:4; 1Sam 17:1; 1Kgs 15:27; 1Kgs 16:15; 1Kgs 17:9; 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 14:11. compare שֶׁל (q. v.) which in Rabb, like the Aramaic -דִּיל, , is in habitual use as a mark of the genitive. — N.B. In Aramaic also דּי, , without ל, expresses the genitive relation, as מִלְּתָא דִימַֿלְכָּא, literally the word, that of the king = the word of the king. The few apparent cases of a similar use of אשׁר are, however, too foreign to the general usage of the language to be regarded otherwise than as due to textual error: 1Sam 13:8 read אֲשֶׁר אָמַר (or שָׂם Exod 19:5) שְׁמוּאֵל (ᵐ5 εἶπε); 1Kgs 11:25 supply עָשָׂה (ᵐ5 ἣν ἐποίησεν); 2Kgs 25:10 supply אֵת with (as || Jer 52:14); 2Chr 34:22 read וַאֲשֶׁר אָמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ (compare ᵐ5) and those whom the king appointed (abbreviated from 2Kgs 22:14); compare Ew§ 292 a, b with note.

8. אֲשֶׁר becomes, like Aramaic דּי, , a conjunction approximating in usage to כִּי: thus
  a. = quod, ὅτι, that, subordinating an entire sentence to a verb of knowing, remembering, etc.
   (a) with אֵת Deut 9:7 forget not אֵת אֲשֶׁר הִקְצַפְתָּ the fact that (= how) thou provokedst, etc., Deut 29:15; Josh 2:10; 1Sam 24:11; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 11:20 know ye not אֵת אֲשֶׁריֹֿרוּ how they shoot from off the wall ? 2Kgs 8:12; Isa 38:3 + often As subject (rare) 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 14:15; 2Kgs 20:20. Of time (peculiarly) 2Sam 14:15 עַתָּה אֲשֶׁר now (is it) that . . . Zech 8:20 (probably) yet (shall it be) that . . . vZech 8:23 compare כִּמְעַט שֶׁ Song 3:4. (β) without אֵת (not very common, כִּי being usually employed): after יָדַע Exod 11:7; Ezek 20:26 (very strange in Ezekiel: see Hi) Job 9:5 (Ew De Di) Eccl 8:12, רָאָה Deut 1:31 (RV) 1Sam 18:15, הִתְוַדָּה to confess Lev 5:5; Lev 26:40 b, הִשְׁבִּיעַ 1Kgs 22:16 (caused to swear that . . .); after a noun Isa 38:7 הָאוֺת אֲשֶׁר the sign that . . . (|| 2Kgs 20:9 כִּי): with growing frequency in late Hebrew, 2Chr 2:7, and especially Nehemiah, Esther: Neh 2:5; Neh 2:10; Neh 7:65 (= Ezra 2:63) Neh 8:14; Neh 8:15; Neh 10:31; Neh 13:1; Neh 13:19; Neh 13:22; Neh 2:10; Neh 3:4; Neh 4:11; Neh 6:2; Neh 8:11; (מֵאֲשֶׁר) Eccl 5:4; Eccl 7:18 (with טוֺב: contrast Ruth 2:22) vRuth 2:22 vRuth 2:29; Ruth 8:12; Ruth 8:14; Ruth 9:1; Dan 1:8 (twice in verse). (γ) prefixed to a direct citation, like כִּי q. v. (= ὅτι recitativum) (rare) 1Sam 15:20; 2Sam 1:4; 2Sam 2:4 (see Dr) Ps 10:6 (probably), Neh 4:6.
  b. it is resolvable into so that: Gen 11:7 אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ so that they understand not, etc., Gen 13:16; Gen 22:14 אֲשֶׁר יֵאָמֵר so that it is said, Exod 20:26; Deut 4:10; Deut 4:40 אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ Deut 6:3; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:51; 1Kgs 3:12; 1Kgs 3:13; 2Kgs 9:37; Mal 3:19.
  c. it has a causal force, forasmuch as, in that, since: Gen 30:18; Gen 31:49 and Mizpah, אֲשֶׁר אָמַר for that he said, Gen 34:13; Gen 34:27; Gen 42:21 we are guilty, אֲשֶׁר רָאִינוּ we who saw (or, in that we saw), Num 20:13 Meribah, because they strove there, Deut 3:24; Josh 4:7; Josh 4:23; Josh 22:31; Judg 9:17; 1Sam 2:23; 1Sam 15:15; 1Sam 20:42 go in peace, אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְנוּ forasmuch as we have sworn, 1Sam 25:26 thou whom (= or, seeing that) ׳י hath withholden, 2Sam 2:5 blessed are ye of ׳י, אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם, who (οἵτινες) have done (or in that ye have done), 1Kgs 3:19; 1Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 12:3; 2Kgs 17:4; 2Kgs 23:26; (Hi De Now). Here also belongs its use in אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה since why . . . ? (= lest) Dan 1:10: see below לָמָּה. On אֲשֶׁר עַל כֵּן forasmuch as Job 34:27 see below כִּי עַל כֵּן.
  d. it expresses a condition (rare & peculiar): Lev 4:22 אֲשֶׁר נָשִׂיא יֶחֱטָא in (case) that = when (or if) a ruler sinneth (Lev 4:3 vLev 4:13 vLev 4:37 אִם), Num 5:29 (explained differently by Ew§ 334 a), Deut 11:27 and the blessing אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְעוּ if ye hearken (Deut 11:28 אִם), Deut 18:22 Ges, Josh 4:21 אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁאָלוּן ֗֗֗ when they ask . . ., then . . . (Josh 4:6 כִּי), Isa 31:4. In 1Kgs 8:33 (|| 2Chr 6:24 כִּי, compare Kings v2Chr 6:35 v2Chr 6:37) אֲשֶׁר may be rendered indifferently because or when. Once, similarly, אֵת אֲשֶׁר 1Kgs 8:31 (|| אִם).
  e. perhaps (exceptionally) = כַּאֲשֶׁר, as, Jer 33:22; Isa 54:9 (followed by כֵּן; but כֵּן q. v. sometimes stands without כאשׁר, & אשׁר may in these passages connect with what precedes); according to some also Jer 48:8; Ps 106:34 (in a connection where כַּאֲשֶׁר would be more usual: אֲשֶׁר may however be the object of אָמַר). In 1Sam 16:7 אֲשֶׁר יִרְאֶה הָאָדָם read כַּאֲשֶׁר, see Dr. feminine combined with prepositions, אֲשֶׁר converts them into conjunctions: see below, בַּאֲשֶׁר, כַּאֲשֶׁר, מֵאֲשֶׁר. On its use similarly with (אַחֲרֵי) אַחַר, מִבְּלִי, בַּעֲבוּר, עַל דְּבַר, יַעַן, לְמַעַן, כְּפִי, עַד, עַל, עֵקֶב, מִפְּנֵי, תַּחַת, see these words. — הַאֲשֶׁר, with ה interrogative, occurs once, 2Kgs 6:22. In Deut 15:14 also read כַּאֲשֶׁר: note ברכך before.

Note 1. אֲשֶׁר being a connecting link, without any perfectly corresponding equivalent in English, its force is not unfrequently capable of being represented in more than one way. See e.g. 2Sam 2:5 (above 8 c), Isa 28:12 unto whom he said, or for that he said to them.

Note 2. The opinion that אֲשֶׁר has an asseverative force (like כִּי, q. v.), or introduces the apodosis, is not probably, being both alien to its general usage & not required by the passages alleged. Render Isa 8:20 either 'Surely according to this word will those speak who have no dawn,' or '. . . will they speak when (compare above 8 d Deut 11:27; Josh 4:21) they have no dawn.'


BDB845 H834

BDB844 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB846

בַּאֲשֶׁר 19
  a. in (that) which . . . Isa 56:4; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 (above 1); Eccl 3:9 in (that, in) which (4 c); Isa 47:12 (see 2). b. adverb in (the place) where: above 4 b (γ). c. conjunction in that, inasmuch as, Gen 39:9; Gen 39:23; Eccl 7:2; Eccl 8:4 compare .
  d. Jonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי on account of whom ? (בַּאֲשֶׁר לְ on account of, framed on model of Aramaic בְּדִיל: see below שֶׁל).


כַּאֲשֶׁר see below כְּ.


BDB846 H834

BDB845 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB847

מֵאֲשֶׁר17
  a. from (or than) that which (him, them, etc., that . . .) Gen 3:11; Exod 29:27 (twice in verse); Num 6:11 (see Lev 4:26; Josh 10:11; Judg 16:30; Isa 47:13 +; than that . . . Eccl 3:22 לְבַד מֵאֲשֶׁר Esth 4:11. b. adverb from (the place) where: above 4 a (β). c. conjunction from (the fact) that . . ., since Isa 43:4.


BDB9440 H1768 H2088 H834

BDB9439 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9441

דִּי particle of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of genitive and conjunction that, because (Aramaic of Nineveh, Babylonian, Zinjirli, Nerab, Cilicia, Têma, Egypt, ןי (Lzb267. 446 RES361 S-CPap. A 2 +); Nabataean, Palmyrene די; ᵑ7 דְּ (except in compounds, as דִּילִי mine, דִּילֵיהּ his); Samaritan ; Syriac ; Ethiopic za: of same origin as Arabic possessor of [compare below Biblical Hebrew זֶה]. Properly a demonstrative that [compare זֶה; in Ethiopic ze is 'this', za 'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preceding becomes equivalent to the relative who, which, used, however, more widely than Hebrew אֲשֶׁר); —

1. as rel. who, which (construed like אֲשֶׁר): a. Jer 10:11; Dan 2:11 דִּי מְדָֽרְהוֺן whose dwelling, vDan 2:24 דִּי מַנִּי מַלְבָּא whom the king had appointed, vDan 2:26 ׳דִּי שְׁמֵהּ בּ whose name was B., Dan 4:5; Dan 5:12; Dan 5:23, etc.; = that which Dan 2:23 = him that Ezra 7:25; Ezra 6:15; Dan 7:17 דִּת אִנוּן אַרְבַּע which are four (see אִנּוּן). Following pronoun of 2 person (compare אֲשֶׁר 3), Dan 2:37 thou, O king ..., דִּי ֗֗֗ יְהַב לָח to whom... hath given, Dan 4:19; Dan 4:6 as to whom I know, etc. (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d end). Sq. תַּמָּה = where Ezra 6:1, so דִּי alone Ezra 6:3; Dan 2:38 of time, בְּעִדָּנָא דִּי at the time when, etc., Dan 3:5; Dan 3:15. With the predicate an infinitive with לְ, Dan 6:9 כְּתָבָא דִּי לָא לְהַשְׁנָיָה which is not to be changed, Ezra 6:8 a place- or other determination, Dan 3:20 valiant men בְחֵילֵהּ that were in his army, Dan 5:2 הֵיכְלָא דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֵב, Dan 7:20; Ezra 4:24; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 6:2; Ezra 6:6 compare Dan 2:25; Dan 5:13; Dan 7:7; Ezra 7:23. דִּי לָא = without, Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22 (so דְּלָא ᵑ7 Gen 15:2; Exod 21:11); compare Dan 2:34; Dan 2:45.
  b. מָן דִּי, מָה דִּי (compare in late Hebrew ׳מַהשֶּֿׁ, מַה 1 e b) whoever, whatever, so Dan 3:6; Dan 3:11 יִפֵּל ָ(מןדִּֿילָֿא whoever does not fall down, Dan 4:14 לְמָן דִּי יִצְבֵּא to whomsoever he willeth, v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21 מָה דִי whatever (or simply what), Dan 2:28 מָה דִּי לֶהֱוֵא what will be, vDan 2:29 vDan 2:29 vDan 2:45; Ezra 6:8; Ezra 7:18. — compare K§ 103.
2. as mark of the genitive, Dan 2:15 שׁליטא די מלכא properly the captain, that of the king = the king's captain (a genuine Aramaic idiom: so ᵑ7 דְּ, Syriac constantly), vDan 2:19 vDan 2:25 vDan 2:49 + often: the substantive in such cases may be either in the emphatic state (determined), as ll. cc. Ezra 4:15; Ezra 5:2, etc., or in the absolute state (undetermined), Dan 5:5; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:9; Dan 7:10 נְהַר דִּי נוּר; or it may have a pleonastic suffix, Dan 2:20 שְׁמֵהּ דִּי אֱלָהָא literally his name, that of God = God's name, vDan 2:44; Dan 3:8; Dan 3:25; Dan 3:26; Dan 4:23, etc. (so also ᵑ7 Syriac). To circumscribe an adjective, especially in specification of the material: Dan 2:38 thou art רֵאשָׁה דִּי דַהֲבָא the head of gold, vDan 2:39; Dan 3:1; Dan 5:7; Dan 5:16; Ezra 5:14; Ezra 6:4 +; as predicate Dan 2:32 רֵאשֵׁהּ דִּידְֿהַב טָב his head (was) of fine gold, vDan 2:33; Dan 7:19 with a pronoun Dan 2:20 wisdom and might דִּילֵֿהּ הִיא are his; compare Dan 6:27 וּמַלְכוּתֵהּ דִּילָֿא תִתְחַבַּל his kingdom (is one) which shall not be destroyed, Dan 7:14. — See further K§ 81.
3. as conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8):
  a. that (quod), after verbs of knowing, Dan 2:8; Dan 2:9, seeing Dan 2:45; Dan 3:27, hearing Dan 5:14, etc.; introducing the subject of a sentence, יְדִיעַ ֗֗֗ דִּי ֗֗֗ Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:13; Dan 2:47 מִןקְֿשֹׁט דִּי ֗֗֗ True is it that . . . (compare אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2).
  b. = in that, inasmuch as, whereas: Dan 2:41 and whereas (דִּי) thou sawest, etc. . . . it shall be adivided kingdom, vDan 2:43; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:23 as a connecting link$ = seeing that, because, for (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c) Dan 2:9; Dan 2:20b; Dan 2:23b; Dan 2:47b; Dan 4:15; Dan 6:24b.
  c. that (ut), after verbs of asking Dan 2:16, commanding Dan 3:10; Dan 3:29, expressing a purpose Dan 4:3; Dan 5:15; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 6:10 +; דִּי לָא that not (ne) Dan 2:18; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:18 (on דִּי לְמָה lest Ezra 7:23, see מה).
  d. prefixed to direct narr. (like כִּי 1 b, and sometimes אֲשֶׁר 8 a γ, and ὅτι recitativum), Dan 2:25 and said thus unto him דִּיהַֿשְׁכַּחַת (that) I have found, etc., Dan 5:7; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:14.
4. with prepositions and other prefixes:
  a. כְּ דִי (like Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר; so Egyptian Aramaic כזי, Palmyrene, Nabataean כדי, Lzb293 SACG1 62, 63 Cooke369 b RES:361; ᵑ7 כַּד, Syriac ); a according as, Dan 2:43 b. so soon as, when, Dan 3:7; Dan 5:20; Dan 6:11; Dan 6:15.
  b. מִןדִּֿי: a. because that, Dan 3:22; Ezra 5:12 (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Isa 43:4); b. from (the time) that, after (ex quo), Dan 4:23; Ezra 4:23.
  c. עַד דִּי until, Dan 2:9; Dan 2:34; Dan 4:30; Dan 7:22 = ere that Dan 6:25.
  d. עַל דִּי Dan 3:19 is not a conjunction, but means above that which ...
  e. for עַל דִּבְרַת דִּי and כָּלקֳֿבֵל דִּי see [ דִּבְרָה] and קֳבֵל.

which, that, as, whom, who, …
ʾăšer
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
  • (relative part.)
    • which, who
    • "that which
    (conj)
    • that (in obj clause)
    • "when"since"as"conditional if

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: הוּא · hoo

Noun — masculine singular

In the KJV here: they
he ×367 it ×197 that ×161 in that ×95 and he ×89 she ×67 which ×62 this ×47
More options
he — Default rendering for masculine singular subject pronoun.
she — Use when grammatical/contextual gender is feminine.
it — Use for non-personal or abstract referents.
that — Demonstrative or relative use; points to something previously mentioned.
the same — Emphasizes identity or sameness of the referent.
this very — Adds emphasis or specificity; highlights the exact referent.

BDB2086 H1931

BDB2085 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2087

הוּ Jer 29:23 Kt, see הוּא.


BDB2087 H1931 H1992 H2007

BDB2086 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2088

הוּא masculine הִיא feminine (plural masculine הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם; feminine הֵ֫נָּה, הֵן [the latter only with prefixes]; see these words), pronoun of the 3rd person singular, he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it, Latin is, ea, id. (The א is not orthographic merely, but radical, being written on Moabite and Phoenician inscriptions, though dropped in some of the later dialects. [In Hebrew only Jer 29:23 Kt, and in the proper name אֱלִיהוּ.] Moabite (MI6; 27) and Phoenician (often) הא; Aramaic of Zinjirli הא, once הו (DHMInschr. von Sendschirli 55); ᵑ7 הוּא, הִיא Syriac , ; Arabic , (for h¥°a, h£°a, WSG 104); Ethiopic we°§t¥, ye°§t£; perhaps also Assyrian šû, šî, himself, herself suffix šu, ši; compare demonstrative šuatu, šiati (see KraeBAS. i. 383 & references, WSG 98, 105 Dl§ 55b, 57). In the Pentateuch, הוא is of common gender, the feminine form הִיא occurring only 11 times, namely Gen 14:2; Gen 20:5; Gen 38:25 (see Masora here), Lev 11:39; Lev 13:10; Lev 13:21; Lev 16:31; Lev 20:17; Lev 21:9; Num 5:13; Num 5:14. The punctuators, however, sought to assimilate the usage of the Pentateuch to that of the rest of the OT, and accordingly wherever הוא was construed as a feminine pointed it הִוא (as a Qr perpetuum). Outside the Pentateuch the same Qr occurs 1Kgs 17:15; Isa 30:33; Job 31:11a — probably for the sake of removing gramm. anomalies: five instances of the converse change, namely of היא to be read as הוּא, occur for a similar reason, 1Kgs 17:15 (וַתּאֹכַל הוּאוָֿהִיא to be read as וַתּאֹכַל הִיאוָֿהוּא, on account of the feminine verb) Ps 73:16; Job 31:11b (כי הוא זמה והיא עָוֺן פלילים to be read as כי היא זמה והוא עון פלילים), Eccl 5:8; 1Chr 29:16. The origin of the peculiarity in the Pentateuch is uncertain. It can hardly be a real archaism : for the fact that arab., Aramaic, & Ethiopic have distinct forms for masculine & feminine shews that both must have formed part of the original Semitic stock, and consequently of Hebrew as well, from its earliest existence as an independent language. Nor is the peculiarity confined to the Pentateuch: in the Manuscript of the Later Prophets, of A.D. , now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile by Strack (1876), the feminine occurs written הוא (see the passages cited in the Adnotationes Criticae, p. 026). In Phoenician both masculine and feminine are alike written הא (CIS i. 1Chr 1:9 מלך צדק הא, 1Chr 1:13 מלאכת הא, 1Chr 3:10 אדם הא, 1Chr 1:11 ממלכת הא, 1Chr 93:2; 1Chr 94:2), though naturally this would be read as hu° or hi° as occasion required. Hence, as ᵐ5 shews that in the older Hebrew MSS. the scriptio plena was not yet generally introduced, it is probably that originally הא was written for both genders in Hebrew likewise, and that the epicene הוא in the Pentateuch originated at a comparatively late epoch in the transmission of the text — perhaps in connection with the assumption, which is partly borne out by facts (compare DeZKWL 1880, pp. 393-399), that in the older language feminine forms were more sparingly used than subsequently.)

In usage הוּא (feminine הִיא; plural הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם, ׃ הֵ֫נָּה see הֵ֫מָּה) is

1. an emphatic he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (especially with the article) that (those):
  a. Gen 3:15 הוא ישׁופך ראשׁ he (ᵐ5 αὐτὸς) shall bruise thee as to the head (opposed to the following אתה thou), vGen 3:20 for she (and no one else) was the mother of all living (so often in causal sentences, where some emphasis on the subject is desirable as Judg 14:3; Ps 24:2; Ps 25:15; Ps 33:9; Ps 91:3; Ps 103:14; Ps 148:5; Job 5:18; Job 11:11; Job 28:24; Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7b Hos 6:1; Hos 11:10 : Dr1Sam 14:18), 1Sam 4:20 Adah bare Jabal הוא היה אבי ישׁב אהלים he (ἐκεῖνος) was the father of tent-dwellers, v1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 10:8 he began to be a mighty one in the earth, 1Sam 20:5 (αὐτός), Judg 13:5; Isa 32:7; Isa 33:22; 2Kgs 14:7; 2Kgs 14:22; 2Kgs 14:25; Hos 10:2 he — the unseen observer of their thoughts and deeds (Che), Hos 13:15 b (he, the foe figured by the east wind). (For its use thus in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 157, 160, 168, 169.) And where the predicate is a substantive or participle, Gen 2:11 הוּא הַסֹּבֵב ֗֗֗ that is the one which encompasseth etc., vGen 2:13 vGen 2:14; Gen 10:12 that is the great city. So in the explanatory notices, Gen 14:3 הוּא יָם הַמֶּלַת that is the salt sea, vGen 14:8 הוּאצֹֿעַר that is Zoar, Gen 36:1 + often
  b. pointing back to the subj. and contrasting it with something else : Gen 4:4 הבל גסהֿוא Abel, he also ... vGen 4:26; Gen 10:21; Gen 20:5 וְהִיאגַֿםהִֿוא and she, herself also said, Exod 1:10 + often
  c. appended alone to a verb (more rarely, but always with intentional emphasis), Exod 4:14 I know כי דבר ידבר הוא that he can speak, vExod 4:16; 1Sam 22:18 ויפגע הוא בכהנים and he (though none else would do it) smote the priests, 1Sam 23:22 for one hath told me, עָרֹם יַעְרִם הוּא He can deal subtilly, Ezek 12:12 (peculiarly), compare Dr§ 160 n.: very rarely indeed to a noun Num 18:23 הַלֵּוִי הוּא Isa 7:14 הוא ׳י, Esth 9:1 (הֵמָּה) being probably all the examples in the OT.
  d. Gen 13:1 and Abram came up out of Egypt, הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֺ himself and his wife, and all that he had, Gen 14:15 הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו he and his servants, Gen 19:30 so very often
  e. prefixed to a noun (very rare, and mostly late), Exod 12:42b Ezek 3:8 & Ezek 33:8 הוּא רָשָׁע : to proper names Exod 6:27 הוא משׁה ואהרן, 1Chr 26:26 that Shelomoth, 1Chr 27:6; 2Chr 28:22; 2Chr 32:12 (different from 2Kgs 18:22), v2Kgs 18:30; 2Kgs 33:23; Ezra 7:6: compare הֵם Neh 10:38 (compare in Syriac , § 227): compare Ps 87:5; 1Sam 20:29.

2. It resumes the subject with emphasis:
  a. when the predicate is a verb (especially if it be separated from its subject by an intervening clause), Gen 15:4 but one that shall come forth out of thine own bowels, הוּא יִירָשֶׁ֑ךָ he shall be thy heir, Gen 3:12 the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, הוא נתנה לי she gave to me, Gen 24:7; Gen 44:17 etc. Judg 7:4; 2Sam 14:19 (throwing stress on יוֺאָב) 1Chr 11:20; Isa 33:15-16; Isa 34:16; Isa 38:19; Isa 47:10; Isa 59:16; Isa 63:5; Hos 7:8 often in Proverbs, as Hos 10:18; Hos 10:22; Hos 10:24; Hos 11:28; Hos 13:13; Hos 19:21; Hos 22:9; Hos 24:12; 1Sam 1:13 (see Dr), Ps 68:36.
  b. when the predicate is a noun, Gen 2:14 and the fourth river, הוּא פְרָת it was the Euphrates, vGen 2:19; Gen 9:18; Gen 15:2; Gen 42:6 הַשַּׁלִּיט וְיוֺסֵף הוּא and Joseph, he was the ruler etc.: in sentences of the type הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים ׳י, הוּא הַנִּלְחָם ׳י לָכֶם, הוּא נַחֲלָ˜תְךָ ׳י, Deut 3:22; Deut 4:35; Deut 7:9; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; Isa 9:14; Isa 33:6; (in these cases, to avoid stiffness, it is convenient often to drop the pronoun in translating, as 'And the fourth river was the Euphrates:' the pronoun, however, though it then corresponds to the substantive verb in English, does not really express it, the copula, as the examples shew, being in fact understood. Sts. in AV the pronoun is retained for emphasis, as Deuteronomy ll. cc.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in an affirmative sentence, Gen 9:3 all creeping things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:39; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 35:31 אֲשֶׁר הוּא רָשָׁע לָמוּת who is guilty of death, Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19; Hag 1:9 and elsewhere (On 2, compare Dr§ 199, with Obs.)

3. Where, however, the pron. follows the predicate, its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible: thus
  a. Gen 12:18 why didst thou not tell me כי אשׁתך הוא that she was thy wife ? Gen 20:13; Gen 21:13 כי זרעך הוא for he is thy seed, Gen 31:20 because he told him not כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא, Gen 37:3 + often (the opposite order rare and emphatic: Gen 24:65; Deut 4:6; Deut 30:20; Josh 10:2; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 3:4; 1Kgs 21:2; Hos 2:4; Ps 45:12).
  b. resuming the subject, Gen 31:16 all the wealth which God hath taken etc., לנו הוא ולבנינו it is ours and our children's, vGen 31:43 and all that thou seest, לי הוא it is mine (or, omitting the pronoun, as not required in our idiom, simply) is mine, Gen 41:26 חלום פרעה אחד הוא the dream of Pharaoh is one, Gen 48:5 (לי הם), Exod 3:5 for the place where on thou standest, אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא it is holy ground, Num 13:32; Num 21:26; Deut 1:17; Josh 5:15; Josh 6:19; Job 3:19 + often; Gen 23:15 ארץ ֗֗֗ מַההִֿוא, so Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 (הֵנָּה); הֵמָּה .... אַתֶּם (unusual) Zeph 2:12. (In all such cases the predicate is not referred directly to the subject, but, the subject being made a casus pendens, it is resumed by the pronoun, and the predicate thus referred to it indirectly. By this means the sentence is lightened and relieved, especially if the subject consist of many words: in Gen 31:16 for instance, the direct form of predicate כִּי לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ כָּלהָֿעשֶׁר אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֱלֹהִים מֵאָבִינוּ would have been heavy and inelegant.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in a negative sentence, Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12 אֲשֶׁר לאֹ מִזַּרְעֲךָ הוּא which is not of thy seed, Num 17:5; Deut 17:5; 1Kgs 8:41 (compareהֵמָּה 3 c).
  d. peculiarly, as the subject of לֹא, Jer 5:12 לוֺא הוּא He is not; and as embracing its predicate in itself, Isa 18:2; Isa 18:7 a nation terrible מִןהֿוּא (= מַאֲשֶׁר הוּא) from (the time that) it was, Nah 2:9 מִימֵי הִיא from the days that (stative construct Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 4) as it was, 2Kgs 7:7 they left the camp כַּאֲשֶׁר הִיא as it was (compare כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה v2Kgs 7:10). (On 3, compare Dr§ 198, with Obs.)

4. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject namely
  a. (rare) Song 6:9 אַהַת הִיא יוֺנָתִי תַמָּתִי one is she, my dove my perfect one, Lev 25:11; Ezek 11:15; Ezek 21:16; Lam 1:18 ׳צַדִּיק הוּא י (often so in Late Hebrew); EC Lam 6:10 וְנוֺדָע אֲשֶׁר הוּא אָדָם and that which he, even man, is, is known (De Now); compare 1Sam 6:19 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ an accident is it, (that) hath befallen us. (compare הֵמָּה 4 a.)
  b. after pronouns — (α) 2Sam 7:28 אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים Thou art he — God, Ps 44:5 אתה הוא מלבי thou art he — my king, Isa 37:16; Isa 43:25 (אנכי), Isa 51:9; Isa 51:10; Isa 51:12; Isa 52:6; Jer 14:22; Jer 29:23 Kt +; compare Jer 49:12 וְאַתָּה הוּא נָקֹה תִנָּקֶה and art thou he (that) shall be unpunished ? (with change of person κατά σύνεσιν, compare Judg 13:11; 1Chr 21:17; Ezek 38:17.) So Ew§ 297 b Müll§ 499. But others, as GesThes Roo§ 563 DeIsa 37:16; Ps 44. 5, treat הוא as emphasizing the pronoun, 'Thou, he, art God' i.e. Thou and none else art God; 'Thou (emphatic) art my king.'. (β) מִי הוּא, followed by a participle or substantive Gen 27:33; Ps 24:10 מִי הוּא זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד who is he, then — the king of glory ? (according to others, as before, 'Who (emphatic), then, is the king of glory ?'); followed by a verb Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי who is he (that) will condemn me ? (others 'Who (emphatic) will condemn me ?') Job 4:7; Job 13:19; Job 17:3; Job 41:2; Jer 30:21 (so with הֵנָּה Gen 21:29, הֵמָּה Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5). (γ) זֶההֿוּא 1Chr 22:1 EC 1Chr 1:17 (frequently in Late Hebrew, where the two words coalesce into one זֶהוּ) . On the analogous אֵלֶּה הֵם ֗֗֗ ), see הֵמָּה 4 b (γ). (compare Dr§ 200, 201)

5. As an emphatic predicate, of God, 'I am He,' i.e. I am He Who is (opposed to unreal gods, named in context, or to transitory world), the Unseen, yet Omni-present, and Self-consistent, Ruler of the world, Deut 32:39 אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא I, I am he, and beside me there is no God, Isa 41:4 (see Che) Isa 43:10; Isa 43:13 even from to-day I am he, Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12; Ps 102:28 (see Che) thou art he, and thy years have no end (ᵐ5 usually ἐγώ εἰμι : in Psalms σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ). So also, according to many, Job 3:19, but is הוא a mere predicate of identity ? see rather 3b.

6. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matter, etc.) —
  a. Josh 2:21 כְּדִבְרֵיכֶם כֶּןהֿוּא according to your words, so be it; Gen 42:14 הוא אשׁר דברתי that is what I said, Exod 16:23; Lev 10:3; 2Kgs 9:36; Job 8:19 הן הוא משׂושׂ דרכו lo that (what has just been described) is the joy of his way, Job 13:16; Job 15:9; Job 31:28; Prov 7:23; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 9:9; Esth 9:1b; similarly the feminine הִיא, Judg 14:4 they knew not היא ׳כי מי that it was from ׳י, Num 14:41; Josh 10:13; Isa 14:24; Ps 77:10 חַלּוֺתִי הִיא it (this perplexity) is my sickness, Job 9:22; Prov 18:13; Jer 22:16; 2Chr 25:20; Eccl 3:13 reference to זאת Amos 7:6; Ps 118:23; Job 5:27, זִּה Eccl 2:24. (Where there is a predicate, the gender of this usually regulates the choice of m. or f.: hence הִוא Gen 34:14; Exod 8:15; Num 15:25 (Eccl 5:5) Deut 4:6 +.)
  b. affirming the presence or existence of something (rare) : 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21 כִּי מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ הִיא for it was the king's command, saying etc., 1Sam 20:33 (text dubious), Jer 50:15; Jer 50:25; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:11; Mic 2:3, perhaps Job 32:8. p. 241.
7. With the art. הַהוּא, הַהִיא, הָהֵ֫מָּה, הָהֵם, הָהֵ֫נָּה: so regularly when joined to a substantive defined itself by the article: Gen 2:12 הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא that land, Gen 19:35 ובלילה ההוא and in that night, Gen 21:22 בָּעֵת הַהִוא at that time, Deut 1:19 המדבר הגדול והנורא ההוא. Only four times does there occur the anomalous construction בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא Gen 19:33; Gen 30:16; Gen 32:23; 1Sam 19:10.


BDB9471 H1932 H1931

BDB9470 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9472

הוּא14 masculine הִיא7 feminine pronoun of 3 singular he, she, it (= Biblical Hebrew הוּא, הִיא; Zinjirli and Palmyrene (once) הא, Palmyrene (usually), Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic הו, feminine ׳ה, Lzb257, S-CPap. A 1, 12+; A 4, C 9 +. The plural is אִנּוּן, q. v.); — he, she, it, Dan 2:21 וְהוּא מְהַשְׁנֵא ֗֗֗ and he will change, etc., vDan 2:22 vDan 2:44; Dan 6:5; Dan 7:7; Dan 7:24; Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:32 הוּא צַלְמָא that image (nom. pend. ['hanging' noun clause]); Dan 4:19 אַנְתָּה הוּא thou art it. Resuming the subject with emphatic (Biblical Hebrew 2 b) Dan 2:47; Dan 6:17 resuming the subject in predication (ib. 3 b) Dan 2:20 חָכְמְתָא וּגְבוּרְתָּא דִּילֵֿהּ הִיא it is his, vDan 2:28. Anticipating the subject (ib. 4 a) Dan 2:9 חֲדָא הִיא דָֽתְכוֺן; with a pronoun (ib. 4 b) Dan 2:38 אַנְתְּה הוּא ֗֗֗ thou art the head of gold Dan 5:13; Dan 3:15 מָן הוּא אֱלָהּ ֗֗֗ who is the god . . . ? (so plural אִנּוּן Ezra 5:4); Ezra 4:27 הֲלָא דָא הִיא ֗֗֗ (ib. 4 b γ); Ezra 6:27 דִּי הוּא ֗֗֗ who is . . . (ib. 2 c), Ezra 6:15 (so דִּי אִנוּן ֗֗֗ Dan 7:17). [compare in ᵑ7 Exod 14:25; Exod 15:11; 2Sam 20:19; 2Sam 24:17; Ps 43:2; Ps 63:4; Ps 66:3 +.] Affirming existence (Biblical Hebrew 6 b) Dan 4:21. compare Dr §§ 198-201, K§ 87, 3.

he, that, it, she, same, …
hûʾ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
  • (pron 3p s) he, she, it
    • himself (with emphasis)
    • "resuming subj with emphasis"(with minimum emphasis following predicate)"(anticipating subj)"(emphasising predicate)"that, it (neuter)
    (demons pron) that (with article)

יֹשֵׁ֣ב
יֹשֵׁ֣ב
Root word dwell, inhabitants, dwelt, sat, sit, …
Dictionary form: יָשַׁב · yaw-SHAHB

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: dwell in
the inhabitants ×105 dwelt ×69 dwell ×48 and dwelt ×38 sat ×30 and the inhabitants ×24 that dwelt ×21 to dwell ×20
More options
live — Best default for permanent residence or settlement.
sit — Physical posture; prefer for concrete, momentary action.
stay — Temporary or shorter-term presence; replaces 'abide/tarry'.
settle — Implies putting down roots; good for colonization contexts.
reside — Slightly formal; suits official or legal-register passages.
remain — Emphasizes continuing in place; good for lingering contexts.

BDB3774 H3427

BDB3773 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3775

יָשַׁב1090 verb sit, remain, dwell (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יְתֵיב, ; MI10; 31 ישב, Judg 1:8; Judg 1:19 וישב, Judg 1:13 ואשב, dwell; Phoenician ישב dwell; Zinjirli ישב sit DHMSendsch. 58; Assyrian ašâbu, sit, dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabic leap, jump, Himyer. dialect sit, Lane2919; Ethiopic II. 1 secum cohabitare facere, marry, consummate marriage, compare Hiph`il 4) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular יָשַׁב Gen 13:12 +; 2 masculine singular יָשַׁבְתָּ Judg 5:16, וְיָשַׁבְתָּה נָ֑הּ consecutive Deut 17:14 2 masculine plural יְשַׁבְתֶּם Deut 1:46; Lev 18:3, וִישַׁבְתֶּם consecutive Lev 25:18 + 7 t., etc.; Imperfect יֵשֵׁב 1Sam 5:7 +, יֵשֶׁבֿ Gen 44:33; Ezek 44:3, יֵ֫שֶׁב before monosyll. 1Kgs 7:8; Job 22:8 וַיֵּ֫שֶׁב Gen 4:16 +; וַיֵּשֶׁב֑ Ruth 4:1 1 singular אֵשֵׁב Judg 6:18 +, וָאֵשֵׁב Deut 9:9 + 3 t. + Ezek 3:15b (but Co אשׁר Kt); אֵשְׁבָה 1Sam 27:5 אֵשֵׁבָ֑ה Isa 49:20 וָאֵשְׁבָה Ezek 9:3 3 masculine plural יֵשְׁבוּ Gen 47:4 +; 3 feminine plural תישׁבנה Ezek 35:9 Kt (i.e. תֵּישַׁבְנָה Ol§ 242 d i. 401), Qr תָּשׁוֺבְנָה (√ שׁוב), Co proposes תִּוָּשַׁבְנָה; 1 plural נֵשֵׁב Jer 42:13; Jer 42:14, וַנֵּ֫שֶׁב Num 20:15 + 5 t.; Imperative masculine singular שֵׁב Gen 20:15 +, שֶׁבֿ Gen 35:1 שְׁבָה Gen 27:19 +; feminine singular שְׁבִי Gen 38:11 +; masculine plural שְׁבוּ Gen 22:5 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute יָשֹׁבֿ 1Sam 20:5 construct שֶׁ֫בֶת 1Sam 7:2 +; שָׁ֑בֶת Isa 40:22 +; suffix שִׁבְתִּי 2Sam 7:5 +, etc.; Participle masculine י(וֺ)שׁב Gen 4:20; Gen 24:3 +, etc.; feminine ישְׁבָה Nah 3:8 י(וֺ)שֶׁבֶת Judg 4:5 +; י(וֺ)שָׁ֑בֶת Josh 2:5; 2Kgs 4:13 ישַׁבְתְּ֯י Jer 22:23, י(וֺ)שֶׁבֶת֯י Jer 10:17; Lam 4:21; Ezek 27:3 (Kt preferable in all these, see Ol§ 123 d Ges«GKC:90»§ 90. 3 a); feminine plural ישְׁבוֺת 1Sam 27:8
1. a. sit on (עַל) a seat 1Sam 20:25, stone Exod 17:12, teraphim Gen 31:34, couch Gen 48:2 (all E), Ezek 23:41, knees 2Kgs 4:20, throne Exod 11:5; Exod 12:29 (J), Deut 17:18; 1Sam 1:9; 1Sam 4:13; 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 1:17; 1Kgs 1:20 +, see absolute below; of ׳י, הַיּשֵׁב עַלחֿוּג הָאֶרֶץ Isa 40:22 dust Isa 47:1, ground (אֶרֶץ) Ezek 26:16, ashes Jonah 3:6 (these in token of humiliation); sit down by (עַל) a well Exod 2:15 or pool 2Sam 2:13 with אֶל 1Sam 28:23 sit in (ב) house, street, doorway, assembly, etc. 2Sam 7:1; Judg 19:15; Gen 38:14 (J), Jer 15:17; Jer 26:10; Ps 1:1; Song 2:3 so Ezek 31:6; Ezek 31:17 (figurative); of No of Amon (personified city) הַיּשְׁבָה בַּיְאֹרִים Nah 3:8 she who sate amid the rivers; with לְ sit on to (pregnantly) לָאָרֶץ Isa 3:26; Isa 47:1; Lam 2:10, לְכִסֵּא Ps 9:5, at, לְפֶתַח בית Prov 9:14, לִימִינוֺ(יׅ 1Kgs 2:19; Ps 110:1 לַמַּבּוּל Ps 29:10 with לִפְנֵי Gen 43:33 (J), + שָׁם Judg 20:26; Judg 21:2; 2Sam 7:18 = 1Chr 17:16 with עִם 1Sam 20:5; Prov 31:22 with אֶתֿ Jer 16:8; Job 2:13 with תַּחַת Judg 6:11; Mic 4:4, וַיֵּשֶׁב תַּחְתֶּיהָ בַּצֵּל Jonah 4:5 with מִנֶּגֶד Gen 21:16 (twice in verse) (E), נֶגֶד Isa 47:14, מִקֶּדֶם לָעִיר Jonah 4:5 מִצַּד 1Sam 20:25; Ruth 2:14 with accusative of congnate meaning with verb Ezek 28:2 לִשְׁפֹּט Exod 18:13; Joel 4:12 (compare Ps 9:5; Isa 28:6); hence absolute of sitting as king or judge Exod 18:14; Ps 61:8; Mal 3:3, יושׁבים Isa 10:13, perhaps Amos 1:5; Amos 1:8, especially of ׳י sitting (enthroned), Ps 2:4; Ps 9:8; Ps 29:10; Ps 55:20; Ps 102:13; Lam 5:19, so in ישֵׁב (הַ)כְּרוּבִים 1Sam 4:4; 2Sam 6:2 = 1Chr 13:6; 2Kgs 19:15; Ps 99:1 ישֵׁב תְּהִלּוֺת יִשְׂרָאֵל Ps 22:4 (see with עַל, above); by meton. of thrones, for the judges sitting on them שָׁמָּה יָָֽשְׁבוּ כִסְאוֺת לְמִשְׁפָּט Ps 122:5 הַיּשְׁבִים Ruth 4:14, i.e. in the gate (compare vRuth 4:11), those in whose presence purchase of land took place.
  b. sit, sit down, absolute, Judg 19:6; Ruth 4:1; Ruth 4:2; Neh 1:4; Jer 36:15 (followed by clause of purpose, to eat, etc.) Gen 37:25; Esth 3:15 +; opposed to קוּם Exod 32:6 (JE) Ps 139:2, מְאַחֲרֵי שֶׁבֶת Ps 127:2 (opposed to מַשְׁכִּימֵי קוּם); so Isa 37:28 = 2Kgs 19:27 (read לְפָנַי קֻמְךָ at end of v2Kgs 19:27 = 2Kgs 19:26 We in BlEinl. 4, 257 RsProph. 351, and n. 9); but also קוּמִי שְׁבִי Isa 52:2, explained by (וַיָּקָם מֵהָאָרֶץ וַיֵּשֶׁב אֶלהַֿמִּטָּה 1Sam 28:23 and) 2Sam 19:9.
  c. sit down outside (חוּץ), i.e. perform a necessity of nature Deut 23:14.
  d. sit = be set (as a jewel), ישְׁבוֺתּ עַלמִֿלֵּאת Song 5:12 set on a filling (i.e. in a setting, De and others), in description of eyes; (> others sitting by full streams).
2. a. remain, stay, tarry (for a limited or indefinite time), with אֶת person Gen 24:55 (J), Judg 19:4; 2Sam 16:8 with עִם person Gen 27:44 (J), עִמָּדִי Gen 29:19 (E), Judg 17:10 with בְ local 1Sam 7:2 (of ark), 1Sam 13:16; 1Sam 14:2; 1Sam 24:4 (1Sam 23:25 read אֲשֶׁר for וַיֵּשֶׁב ᵐ5 We Dr Klo Kit Bu), 2Sam 10:5; 2Sam 19:25 (where read שִׁבְתּוֺ for שִׁיבָתוֺ Dr Klo Bu, see We), Num 35:25 (P), Job 24:13 with שָׁם 1Kgs 11:16, שָׁם עַדעֿוֺלָם 1Sam 1:22 with על (by) 1Sam 25:13; 1Sam 30:24 פֹּה 2Kgs 7:4 שְׁבוּ לָכֶם פֹּה עִםֿ הַחֲמוֺר Gen 22:5 (E); with בֵּין Judg 5:16, מִחוּץ לְ Lev 14:8 (P),אֵצֶל 1Sam 20:19 with accusative בית 2Sam 6:11; 2Sam 13:20; Ruth 2:7 absolute 1Sam 1:23 (twice in verse); abide, endure Mic 5:3, וְיהוּדָה לְעוֺלָם תֵּשֵׁב Joel 4:20, so of Mt. Zion Ps 121:1.
  b. with special emphasis on qualifying phrase, וַתֵּשֶׁב בְּאֵיתָן קַשְׁתּוֺ Gen 49:24 and his bow abode as a firm one (poem in J); 1Kgs 22:1 and they continued three years without war; of woman remaining בִּדְמֵי טָהֳרָה Lev 12:4, ׳עלדֿמי וגו vLev 12:5.
3. dwell, have one's abode in (ב) a land, city, house, etc., Gen 4:16; Gen 13:7; Gen 13:12 (twice in verse); Gen 19:29; Gen 24:37; Gen 24:62; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:2; Josh 20:6; 2Sam 7:6 + often (on 2Sam 21:16 see ישׁבו בְנֹב, p. 444); in tents Jer 35:7; Jer 35:10; 1Chr 5:10 figurative of justice (צְדָקָה) Isa 32:16 (|| וְשָׁכֵן מִשְׁפָּט); in the midst of (בְּקֶרֶב) Gen 24:3; Josh 13:13; Josh 16:10; Judg 1:30; Judg 1:32; Judg 1:33; Judg 3:5 so with בְּתוֺךְ Gen 23:10 (P); with עַל + הארץ, of God 1Kgs 8:27 = 2Chr 6:18 of people Lev 25:18; Lev 25:19; Lev 26:35 (H); with לְ Job 15:28 with בֵּין Gen 20:1 (E); dwell with (אֶת) Gen 34:16; Gen 34:22 (P), Exod 2:21 (E), Josh 15:63 (JE), Judg 1:16; Judg 1:21; Judg 17:11 יֵשְׁבוּ יְשָׁרִים אֶתפָּֿנֶיךָ Ps 140:14 so with עִם Josh 20:4; Deut 23:17 (+ בקרב), Ps 26:4 (i.e. assoc. with); with יַחְדָּו Gen 13:6 (twice in verse) (J), Gen 36:7 (P), Deut 25:5 שֶׁבֶת גַּםיָֿ֑חַד Ps 133:1 dwell in their stead (תַּחְתָּם) Deut 2:12 (twice in verse); Deut 2:22; Deut 2:23; 1Chr 4:41; 1Chr 5:22 absolute לָשֶׁבֶת יְצָרָהּ Isa 45:18 for dwelling he formed it (the earth); (thy) dwelling-place is מְקוֺם שִׁבְתְּךָ 1Kgs 8:30 = 2Chr 6:21, also ׳מְכוֺן שׁ 1Kgs 8:39; 1Kgs 8:43; 1Kgs 8:49 = 2Chr 6:30; 2Chr 6:33; 2Chr 6:39, so Ps 33:14 ׳מָכוֺן לְש֔ Exod 15:17; 1Kgs 8:13 = 2Chr 6:2. Participle ישֵׁב = substantive, dweller, inhabitant, very often (c. 215 t.): e.g. ישֵׁב אהלים Gen 25:27 (J); often collective ישֵׁב אהל Gen 4:20 (J), ישׁב הָאָרֶץ Gen 34:30; Gen 50:11 (both J), Exod 34:12; Exod 34:15 (JE); also in poetry f., (as collective; see Dr on 1Sam 17:21) יוֺשֶׁבֶת שָׁפִיר etc., MI 1Sam 1:11 (twice in verse); 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 1:15 יוֺשֶׁבֶת צִיּוֺן Isa 12:6; Jer 51:35 similarly Jer 10:17; Jer 21:23; Jer 48:19 (compare Lam 4:21) Zech 2:11 with בת in app. (Da§28 R. 6), יוֺשֶׁבֶת בַּתמִֿצְרַיִם Jer 46:19, so Jer 48:18 more usually plural ישְׁבֵי הֶעָרִים Gen 19:25 (J), compare Deut 13:14 ישְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ Exod 23:21 (JE), compare Exod 15:14; Exod 15:15 (poem in E); ישְׁבֵי תֵבֵל Isa 18:3, יוֺשְׁבֵי חָ֑דֶל Isa 38:11, etc.; ישְׁבֶיהָ Lev 18:25; Lev 25:10 (H), Num 13:32 (P); absolute יוֺשֵׁב (collective) Amos 1:5; Amos 1:8; Isa 49:19 הַיוֺשְׁבִים 1Chr 9:2 also (strangely) ישְׁבוֺת הארץ 1Sam 27:8 = the populations of the land We Dr (elsewhere in this sense only feminine singular and in poetry, see above); frequently in phrase without in habitant (i.e. so that there shall be no inhabitants), מֵאֵין ישׁב Isa 5:9; Isa 6:4; Isa 26:9; Isa 33:10; Isa 34:23; Jer 44:22; Jer 46:19; Jer 51:29; Jer 51:37; Zeph 2:5; Zeph 3:6 מֵאֵין יוֺשֵׁב בָּהֶן Jer 48:9 מִבְּלִי ישֵׁב Jer 2:15; Jer 9:10 לאֹ יִהְיֶה יוֺשֵב בָּהּ Jer 50:3 לְבִלְתִּי הֱיוֺתבּֿוֺ יוֺשֵׁב Jer 51:62.
4. of a land or city, sit, abide seated in its place, figurative for be inhabited Jer 17:6; Jer 17:25; Jer 50:13; Jer 50:39; Ezek 26:20; Ezek 29:11; Ezek 36:35; Isa 13:20 (|| לאֹ תִּשְׁכּוֺן), Zech 2:8; Zech 9:5; Zech 14:11 יָָֽשְׂבָה תַּחְתֶּיהָ Zech 12:6; Zech 14:10; Ezek 35:9 Kt is תישׁבנה, Qr תָּשׁוֺבְנָה; Co תושׁבנה, i.e. Niph`al תִּוָּשַׁבְנָה (compare Ezek 36:10), or Hoph`al תּוּשַׁבְנָה (compare Isa 44:26); of palace, וְאַרְמוֺן עַלמִֿשְׁפָּטוֺ יֵשֵׁב Jer 30:18. Niph`al Perfect 3 feminine singular נוֺשָׁ֑בָה Jer 6:8 3 plural וְנָֽשְׁבוּ consecutive Ezek 36:10, נוֺשָׂ֑בוּ Ezek 26:19, נוֺשָׁ֑בֻ֯ה Jer 22:6 Participle feminine נוֺשֶׁבֶת Ezek 26:17 ( < נִשְׁבַּתְּ ᵐ5 Co, √ שׁבת), נוֺשָׁ֑בֶת Exod 16:35 plural נוֺשָׁבוֺת Ezek 12:20; Ezek 38:12be inhabited, of land Exod 16:35 (perhaps = be habitable), Jer 6:8 of cities Jer 22:6; Ezek 12:20; Ezek 26:19; Ezek 36:10 חֳרָבוֺת נוֺשָׁבוֺת Ezek 38:12Ezek 26:17 see above; Ezek 35:9 see
Qal 4. Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine plural וְיִשְּׁבוּ טִירוֺתֵיהֶם בָּ֑ךְ Ezek 25:4 and they shall set their encampments in thee (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co וְיֵשְׁבוּ inhabit. Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular השִׁיב Ezra 10:14, suffix הוֺשַׁיבַנִי Lam 3:6; Ps 143:3 1 singular הוֺשַׁבְתִּי Lev 23:33, וְה(וֺ)שַׁבְתִּים consecutive Hos 11:11; Jer 32:37 וְהוֺשְׁבוֺתִים consecutive Zech 10:6 (i, 413; but probably text error, see Thes and GesLgb 464; read probably וַהֲשִׁבוֺתִים as vZech 10:10, so StaZAW. 1881, 21 We), etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיּוֺשֵׁב Gen 47:11, וַיּוֺ֫שֶׁב 2Chr 8:2; Ps 107:36 suffix וַיּוֺשִׁיבַי֯נִי 1Kgs 2:24 (i, 414. 224); וַיּשִׁיבֵם Job 36:7 1 plural ונּ֫שֶׁב Ezra 10:2, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הוֺשֵׁב Gen 47:6 masculine plural ה(וֺ)שִׁיבוּ 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:10 Infinitive construct ה(וֺ)שִׁיב 1Sam 2:8; Neh 13:27 הוֺשִׁיבִי Ps 113:8 (Ol§ 123 d; read בוֺ-, see Che); Participle absolute מוֺשִׁיב Ps 68:7, construct מוֺשִׁיבִי Ps 113:9 (Oll.c. Gesl.c.); —
1. cause to sit with accusative of person + על כסא 1Kgs 2:24; 2Chr 23:20 so (without על כסא) + לָנֶצַח Job 36:7 set, place with accusative of person + נֶגְדּוֺ 1Kgs 21:10, also v1Kgs 21:9, v1Kgs 21:12 (בְּראֹשׁ הָעָם).
2. cause to abide (accusative of person) at (ב) 1Sam 30:21.
3. a. cause to dwell, with accusative of person + ב location 1Sam 12:8; 2Kgs 17:6; Hos 12:10; Gen 47:6; Gen 47:11 (P), Lev 23:43 (H), Lam 3:6; Ps 143:3 בְּאֶרֶץ תַּחְתִיּוֺת Ezek 26:20 accusative of person omitted 2Kgs 17:24; 2Kgs 17:26 accusative of person + שָׁם 2Chr 8:2; Ps 107:36 accusative of person + עַלהַֿבָּתִּים Hos 11:11 (but read וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים We); accusative of person omitted, with עם person 1Sam 2:8; Ps 113:8 מוֺשִׁיב יְחִידִים בַּ֫יְתָה Ps 68:7 causing solitary ones to dwell in a house (or is מוֺשִׁיב for מֵשִׁיב Bae?); with accusative of person only עֲקֶרֶת הַבַּיִת ׳מושׁ Ps 113:9 giving a dwelling to her that is barren of house; absolute with לָבֶ֫טַח Jer 32:37; Ps 4:9 absolute with כְּקַדְמוֺתֵיכֶם Ezek 36:11. On Zech 10:6, see above
  b. cause cities (עָרִים) to be inhabited Ezek 36:33; Isa 54:3.
4. marry (properly give a dwelling to, compare Ps 113:9), only Ezra Nehemiah, and only with accusative נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֺת strange or foreign women Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:14; Ezra 10:17; Ezra 10:18; Neh 13:27 so השִׁיבוּ נָשִׁים אַשְׁדֳּו֯דִיּוֺת Neh 13:23. Hoph`al Perfect וְהוּשַׁבְתֶּם לְבַדְּכֶם בְּקֶרֶב הָאָ֑רֶץ Isa 5:8 and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land. Imperfect הָאֹמֵר לִירוּשָׁלַםִ תּוּשָׁב֑ Isa 44:26 he who saith of Jerusalem, she shall be inhabited. Ezek 35:9 see Qal 4.


BDB9601 H3488 H3427

BDB9600 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9602

יְתִב (K§ 25 a) β)) verb sit, dwell (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew ישׁב); —

Pe`al 1. sit, be seated: Perfect 3 masculine singular יְתִב Dan 7:9 and (of judgment = the judge) vDan 7:10, so Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִתִּ֑ב (K§ 43.1.Beisp. b), compare Biblical Hebrew יֵשֵׁב) Dan 7:26.
2. dwell, Participle plural absolute יָתְבִין Ezra 4:17 (ב location). Haph`el cause to dwell: Perfect 3 masculine singular הוֺתֵב Ezra 4:10 (accusative + ב location).

dwell, inhabitants, dwelt, sat, sit, …
yāšab
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
  • to dwell, remain, sit, abide
    • (Qal)
      • to sit, sit down
      • "to be set"to remain, stay"to dwell, have one's abode
      (Niphal) to be inhabited"(Piel) to set, place"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to sit
      • "to cause to abide, set"to cause to dwell"to cause (cities) to be inhabited"to marry (give an dwelling to)
      (Hophal)
      • to be inhabited
      • "to make to dwell

בָּ ֔הּ
בָּ
Preposition in, at, by, with
֔הּ
Suffix — pronoun her / it

הּ
Mapiq — the "her" dot The dot inside the final הּ (mapiq) makes the ה a real consonant: it is the suffix "her / its" attached to this word.

Preposition

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

הֲ טוֹבָ֥ה
הֲ
Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question
טוֹבָ֥ה
Root word good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …
Dictionary form: טוֹב · tobe

הֲ
Question marker This opening ה is not "the" — pointed הֲ (not הַ with a doubling dagesh) it turns the sentence into a question. Read the clause with a "?".

Adjective — feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: be good
good ×127 the good ×26 better ×25 is good ×22 is better ×21 a good ×13 well ×12 for good ×11
More options
good — Default all-purpose rendering; works in most contexts.
fine — Lighter register; suits quality, appearance, or craftsmanship.
pleasant — Emphasises enjoyment or sensory appeal.
beautiful — Prefer when describing physical attractiveness or appearance.
prosperous — Use when tob refers to welfare, wealth, or flourishing.
favorable — Suits attitudes, conditions, or outcomes seen as advantageous.

BDB3305 H2896

BDB3304 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3306

II. טוֺב adjective pleasant, agreeable, good (see LagBN 26; Aramaic טַב, Palmyrene טב VogNo. 81, טבא VogNo. 75) — masculine ׳ט Gen 2:12 + 22 t., טוֺבָם Mic 7:4 feminine טוֺבָה Esth 8:5 + 50 t., טֹבָה Deut 6:18 + 2 t.; construct טוֺבַת Gen 26:7 + 6 t., טֹבַת Gen 24:16 plural טוֺבִים Jer 44:17 + 28 t.; טֹבִים Gen 27:9 + 4 t.; construct טוֺבֵי Dan 1:4 + 2 t.; plural טוֺבוֺת Esth 2:2, טֹבוֺת Jer 24:2 + 6 t., טֹבֹת Gen 6:2 + 4 t.; —

1. pleasant, agreeable to the senses:
  a. to the sight, fair, of daughters of men Gen 6:2 (J); of a son Exod 2:2 (E), 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 20:3, young men (but read herds ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Bu) 1Sam 8:16 מראיהם their appearance Dan 1:15, טֹבַת מראה Gen 24:16; Gen 26:7 (both J), 2Sam 11:2; Esth 1:11; Esth 2:3; Esth 2:7 טוב ראי 1Sam 16:12 טוב תאר 1Kgs 1:6 טובַת חן Nah 3:4 טוֺבוֺת מראה Esth 2:2 טוֺבֵי מראה Dan 1:4 טוב לעינים Eccl 11:7 טובה בעיניו fair in his eyes Esth 8:5 of mantle Josh 7:21 (J); goodly houses Isa 5:9; Deut 8:12 cities Deut 6:10 situation of city 2Kgs 2:19.
  b. to the taste, good, sweet, agreeable for eating למאכל Gen 2:9; Gen 3:6 (both J); ears of grain Gen 41:5; Gen 41:22; Gen 41:24; Gen 41:26 (E); figs Jer 24:2; Jer 24:3 (twice in verse); Jer 24:5 honey Prov 24:13 כְּיֵין הטוב Song 7:10 as wine of the best sort (Hi reads כַּיַּיִן); תְּנוּבָתִי הַטּוֺבָּה Judg 9:11 my sweet fruit (|| מָתְקִי).
  c. to the smell, sweet-scented, of ointment Song 1:3 קנה הטוב Jer 6:20 the fragrant cane.
  d. of pleasant shadow of tree Hos 4:13.
2. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well:
  a. of time: יום טוב good day, festal day 1Sam 25:8; Esth 8:17; Esth 9:19; Esth 9:22 of feasts Zech 8:19 prosperous years Gen 41:35 (E).
  b. of place, טוב בית הנשׁים Esth 2:9 the best part of the women's house; לוֺ ׳בַּטּ Deut 23:17, בְּעֵינֵי ׳בַּטּ Gen 20:15 (see c f below)
  c. of persons, (אתה) טוב בעיני pleasing in the eyes of 1Sam 29:6 (twice in verse); 1Sam 29:9 ׳טוב בעיני י Mal 2:17 (compare verb 4, and f below); later לִפְנֵי Eccl 2:26 (twice in verse); Eccl 7:26 inserted in 1Sam 29:10 ᵐ5 We Dr; compare עם ׳ט 1Sam 2:26.
  d. of word or message, בְּשׂוֺרָה טוֺבָה 2Sam 18:27 good tidings; ׳שְׁמוּעָה ט good report 1Sam 2:24; Prov 15:30; Prov 25:25 דבר בעתו Prov 15:23 a word in its season; דבר טוב Prov 12:25 an agreeable word (maketh the heart glad); דבר טוב Ps 45:2 a good theme.
  e. of other things, דֶּרֶךְ טובה 1Sam 24:20 a pleasant, prosperous journey; מנחה כי טוב Gen 49:15 (poem); of unity of brethren מה טוב ומה נעים Ps 133:1 how good and how pleasant it is! טוב לְ (יהיה) it shall be well for Eccl 2:3; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13 (compare verb 3); הֲטוֺב כִּי Job 13:9 will it be advantageous that (see 5). feminine עשׂה הטוב בעיני do what is pleasing in the eyes of Gen 16:5 (J), Judg 19:24; 1Sam 1:23; 1Sam 3:18; 1Sam 14:40 2 Sam 10:12> = 1Chr 19:13; 2Sam 19:19; 2Sam 19:28; 2Sam 19:39; 2Kgs 10:5; 2Kgs 20:3 = Isa 38:3; 1Chr 21:23 = 2Sam 24:22 where object of העלה; ׳עשׂה (כ) (כל) (ה)טוב בע Gen 19:8 (J), Judg 10:15; 1Sam 11:10; 1Sam 14:36; Esth 3:11 (כ)הטוב עשׂה ׳ו(כ)הישׁר בע) Deut 12:28; Josh 9:25 (D), 2Chr 14:1; Jer 26:14, compare Esth 8:8 nouns reversed Deut 6:18 עשׂה הטוֺב והישׁר לפני 2Chr 31:20 ׳טוב בע in other combinations Num 36:6 (P), Jer 40:4 ראה הטוב והישׁר 2Kgs 10:3 ׳דבּר ט 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12; Num 10:29 (J), 1Sam 19:4; Esth 7:9 דבּר מטוב עדרֿע speak either good or bad Gen 31:24; Gen 31:29 (E); למרע ועד טוב 2Sam 13:22 רע או טוב Gen 24:50 (J); ׳התנבא ט 1Kgs 22:8; 1Kgs 22:18 = 2Chr 18:17 compare 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12.
3. good, excellent of its kind:
  a. of the several creations, וירא אלהים כי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, excellent Gen 1:4; Gen 1:10; Gen 1:12; Gen 1:18; Gen 1:21; Gen 1:25 (P); טוֺב מאר כל אשׁר עשׂה והנּה Gen 1:31 (P) God saw all that he had made, and behold it was very excellent. So
  b. of land, soil, fruitful, fertile: ארץ Exod 3:8; Num 13:19 (both J), Num 14:7 (P), Deut 1:25; Deut 1:35; Deut 3:25; Deut 4:21; Deut 4:22; Deut 6:18; Deut 8:7; Deut 8:10; Deut 9:6; Deut 11:17; Josh 23:16 (D), Judg 18:9; 1Chr 28:8 אדמה 1Kgs 14:15; Josh 23:13; Josh 23:15 (D); הר Deut 3:25 חלקה 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25 שׂדה Ezek 17:8 נָוֶה Ezek 34:14 מרעה 1Chr 4:40; Ezek 34:14; Ezek 34:18.
  c. of vegetation, choice, fruitful זֵיתִים 1Sam 8:14 עץ 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25; Ezek 31:16 שׁמן טוב 2Kgs 20:13 precious oil = Isa 39:2; Ps 133:2; Eccl 7:1 of seed, אם שׁניהם טובים Eccl 11:6 whether both of them will be fruitful.
  d. of animals, fat בקר Gen 18:7 (J); עזים Gen 27:9 (J); פרות Gen 41:26 (E); יָרֵךְ Ezek 24:4.
  e. of minerals, fine, pure זהב Gen 2:12 (J), 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:8 כֶּתֶם Lam 4:1 brass Ezra 8:27, soldering Isa 41:7.
4. good, rich, valuable in estimation:
  a. in quantity, שׂיבה טובה good old age Gen 15:15 (R), Gen 25:8 (P), Judg 8:32; 1Chr 29:28 dowry Gen 30:20 (E; many sons); treasury Deut 28:12 (from which ׳י sends blessings).
  b. in price, goodly, valuable: of the estimation put upon house, beast, and tithe Lev 27:10 (twice in verse); Lev 27:12; Lev 27:14; Lev 27:33 (H); profit Prov 31:18 hire Eccl 4:9 מחמדי הטבים Joel 4:5 my goodly precious things.
5. good, appropriate, becoming, טוב אשׁר Eccl 7:18 (compare Eccl 5:4 below); טובה חכמה עם נחלה Eccl 7:11 wisdom is good with an inheritance (other transitive see in VB); || יָפֶה Eccl 5:17 with עֵצָה 2Sam 17:7; 2Sam 17:14 good advice; טוב פתר Gen 40:16 (E) that he interpreted well; טוב הדבר (לא) Exod 18:17 (E) the thing is (not) good, wise, so Deut 1:14; 1Sam 26:16 טוב (ה)דבר the word is good, is well said 1Sam 9:10; 1Kgs 2:38; 1Kgs 2:42; 1Kgs 18:24; 2Kgs 20:19 = Isa 39:8, for which abbreviated טוב well! good! exclamation Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 20:7; 2Sam 3:13; 1Kgs 2:18 followed by כּי it is good that 2Sam 18:3; Ruth 2:22; Lam 3:27; Job 10:3 (compare Job 13:9 2 e); with infinitive Gen 2:18 (J), Ps 73:28; Ps 92:2; Ps 147:1; Prov 25:27 (compare below 10); with וְ (strangely) ׳טוֺב וְיָחִיל וגו Lam 3:26 it is good that one wait (see דּוּמָם, יָחִיל); בלא דעת נֶפֶשׁ לא טוב Prov 19:2 that a soul be without knowledge is not good.
6. with מִן comparative = better, followed by infinitive Gen 29:19 (E), Exod 14:12 (J), Ps 118:8; Ps 118:9; Prov 16:19; Prov 25:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:2 infinitive omitted Prov 21:9; Prov 21:19; Prov 25:24 מן omitted Num 14:3 (J; comparative only implied); with מן person Judg 15:2; Ruth 4:15; 1Sam 1:8; 1Sam 9:2; 1Sam 15:28; 1Kgs 2:32; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Chr 21:13; Prov 12:9; Prov 16:32; Prov 19:1; Prov 19:22; Prov 27:10; Prov 28:6; Lam 4:9; Esth 1:19; Eccl 4:3; Eccl 4:9; Eccl 4:13; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 7:5; Eccl 7:8 with מן of thing Judg 8:2; 1Sam 15:22; 2Sam 17:14; 1Kgs 21:2; 2Kgs 5:12; Hos 2:9; Amos 6:2; Isa 56:5; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8; Ps 37:16; Ps 63:4; Ps 84:11; Ps 119:72; Prov 3:14; Prov 8:11; Prov 8:19; Prov 15:16; Prov 15:17; Prov 16:8; Prov 16:16; Prov 17:1; Prov 22:1; Prov 27:5; Song 1:2; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 7:1; Eccl 7:3; Eccl 7:8; Eccl 7:10; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:16; Eccl 9:18 followed by -מִשֶּׁ Eccl 5:4 מַהטּֿוֺב ֗֗֗ הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם is it better ... or ? Judg 9:2 הֲטוב ֗֗֗ אוֺ Judg 18:19 אין -טוב שֶׁ Eccl 2:24 (read -מִשֶּׁ see Commentaries); אין טוב מאשׁר Eccl 3:22 אין טוב כִי אִם Eccl 3:12; Eccl 8:15 so 1Sam 27:1 ᵐ5 We Dr Klo Kit Bu (ᵑ0 only כי with Imperfect)
7. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous: טוב לב merry, glad heart Prov 15:15; Esth 5:9; Eccl 9:7 טוֺבֵי לב 1Kgs 8:65 = 2Chr 7:10 טובים וַנּהיה Jer 44:17 we were prosperous; similarly Ps 112:5.
8. of man's intellectual nature, שֵׂכֶל טוֺב good understanding 2Chr 30:22; Ps 111:10; Prov 3:4; Prov 13:15 טוֺבַת שֶׂכֶל 1Sam 25:3.
9. good, kind, benign:
  a. of men, themselves 1Sam 25:15; 2Sam 18:27; 2Chr 10:7 the eye Prov 22:9 דברים טובים kind words 1Kgs 12:7 = 2Chr 10:7.
  b. of God, himself Nah 1:7; 2Chr 30:18; Ps 86:5 כי טוב for he is good, kind Ps 34:9; Ps 100:5; Ps 135:3; Jer 33:11 כי טוב כי לעולם חסדוֺ 1Chr 16:34; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 טוב לְ kind to Ps 73:1; Ps 145:9; Lam 3:25 יד (ה)טובה על Ezra 7:9; Ezra 8:18; Neh 2:8; Neh 2:18 רוחךָ (ה)טובה Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 שׁמךָ כי טוב Ps 52:11; Ps 54:8 כּי טוב חסדךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 הדבר(ים) הטוב(יםׅ the good, kind word(s) spoken in promise Josh 21:43; Josh 23:14; Josh 23:15 (D), 1Kgs 8:56; Jer 29:10; Jer 33:14; Zech 1:13.
10. good (ethical), right: מה טוב || what Yahweh requires Mic 6:8, || משׁפט Job 34:4:
  a. of man himself || ישׁר Mic 7:4 אישׁ טוב Prov 14:14 (ה)טוב(יםׅ = (the) good 2Chr 19:11; Ps 125:4; Prov 2:28; Prov 12:2; Prov 13:22; Prov 14:19; Prov 15:3; Eccl 9:2 (twice in verse); man's deeds דברים 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 19:3 מעשׂה 1Sam 19:4; Eccl 12:14 מעללים Ezek 36:31 דֶּרֶךְ הטובה והישׂרה 1Sam 12:23 the good and right way; (הַ)דֶּרֶךְ (ה)טוב(הׅ (the) good way 1Kgs 8:36 = 2Chr 6:27; Isa 65:2; Jer 6:16; Ps 36:5; Prov 16:29 דבריךָ טובים ונכחים 2Sam 15:3 good and right is thy case; דבר טוב good thing 1Kgs 14:13 לא טוב הדבר Neh 5:9 אשׂר לא טוב עשׂה Ezek 18:18 so of מאזני מרמה etc., Prov 20:23 לא טובc. infinitive (see 5 it is not good or right to: ענושׁ לצדּיק Prov 17:26 פני רשׁע שׂאת Prov 18:5 הכּר פנים Prov 28:21; Prov 24:23 (בל טוב).
  b. of God טוב אתה ומטיב Ps 119:68 טוב וישׁר יהוה Ps 25:8 משׁפטיך טובים Ps 119:39 his commands מצות Neh 9:13 חקים Ezek 20:25 (לא טובים); לקח טוב Prov 4:2 מפי עליון לא תצא הרעות והטוב Lam 3:38.


BDB3306 H2896

BDB3305 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3307

III. טוֺב noun masculineJer 17:6 (compare טוֺבָה noun feminine) a good thing. benefit, welfare: — ׳ט Gen 26:29 + 134 t.; —

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19 אם טוב ואם רע Jer 42:6 whether prosperity or adversity; יבוא טוב Jer 17:6 prosperity cometh; ׳שׂמח בט Deut 26:11; 2Chr 6:41 ׳ראה בט Eccl 2:1; Jer 29:32 object of ראה Ps 4:7; Ps 34:13; Eccl 2:24; Eccl 3:13; Job 7:7 of דרשׁ Esth 10:3 of בקשׁ Ps 122:9 מנע Ps 84:12; Jer 5:25 נתן Ps 85:13 קוה Job 30:26 מצא Prov 16:20; Prov 17:20; Prov 18:22; Prov 19:8 נחל Prov 28:10 חסר Ps 34:11 בשׂר 1Kgs 1:42; Isa 52:7 ׳חול לט Mic 1:12 ׳חכמה וט 1Kgs 10:7 טוב וחסד Ps 23:6 בטוב in prosperity Ps 25:13; Job 21:13; Job 36:11; Eccl 7:14 מטוב because of prosperity Zech 1:17 afar from happiness Ps 39:3 כטוב Hos 10:1 לטוב Deut 30:9; Jer 15:11 לטוב לָנוּ Deut 6:24 for good to us, = for our good, Deut 10:13 (לְךָ), Jer 32:39 (לָהֶם; compare לרע ל Jer 7:6; Jer 25:7).
2. good things, (collective) ברכ(ו)ת ׳ט blessing of good things Ps 21:4; Prov 24:25 מִלֵּא ׳בָתֵּיהֶם ט Job 22:18 filled their houses with good things; object of שׂבע Job 104:28; Prov 12:14 מלא Ps 107:9 אכל Prov 13:2; Isa 55:2 לקח Hos 14:3 ׳השׂביע בט Ps 103:5 goods, possessions 1Sam 15:9.
3. good = benefit: גְּמָלַתְהוּ טוֺב וְלֹארָֿע Prov 31:12 she doeth him good and not evil; תַּאֲוַת צַדִּיקִים אַךְטֿוֺב Prov 11:23 the desire of the righteous is only good; object of קבּל Job 2:10 מנע Prov 3:27 שׁחר Prov 11:27 שׁלּם Prov 13:21 עשׂה Gen 26:29 (J), Ps 119:65 היטיב Num 10:32 (J); ׳ערב לט Ps 119:122 ׳חֹרְשֵׁי ט Prov 14:22 who devise good.
4. moral good, ידע טוב ורע Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:5; Gen 3:22 (J), Deut 1:39 בין טוב לרע 2Sam 19:36 in antithesis with רע elsewhere Deut 30:15; 2Sam 14:17; 1Kgs 3:9; Isa 5:20 (twice in verse); Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16; Amos 5:14; Amos 5:15; Mic 3:2; Ps 34:15; Ps 37:27; Ps 52:5 ׳זנח ט Hos 8:3 cast off good; עשׂה טוֺב do good Ps 14:1; Ps 14:3 = Ps 53:2; Ps 53:4; Ps 37:3; Eccl 7:20, in Eccl 3:12 this meaning seems less fitting; read perhaps ׳לִרְאוֺת ט (Gr, see also De) and tr. to 1; ׳רדף ט Ps 38:21 pursue good; ׳מַעְגַּלטֿ Prov 2:9 path of good.


BDB3309 H2896

BDB3308 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3310

טוֺבָה noun feminine welfare, benefit, good things, good; — absolute ׳ט Deut 28:11 + 54 t.; construct טוֺבַת Ps 106:5 suffix טוֺבָתִי Ps 16:2 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; plural טוֺבוֺת Jer 12:6 טֹבוֺת 2Kgs 25:28; Jer 52:32 suffix טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שׁלום Deut 23:7; Jer 33:9; Ezra 9:12; Lam 3:17 יוֺם טובה Eccl 7:14 day of prosperity; טוֺבָתִי בַּלעָֿלָיךָ Ps 16:2 is not my welfare dependent upon thee? ׳תְּבוֺאָֽתְךָ ט Job 22:21 prosperity shall come to thee; לטובה Gen 50:20 (E), Deut 28:11; Deut 30:9; 2Chr 18:7; Jer 14:11 לרעה ולא לטובה Amos 9:4; Jer 21:10; Jer 39:16; Jer 44:27 object of verb בקּשׁ Neh 2:10 הביא Jer 32:42 ראה Job 9:25; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 6:6 אבּד Eccl 9:18 ׳ראה בט Ps 106:5 ׳חסר מט Eccl 4:8 object of אכל figurative Job 21:25 = taste happiness; of שׂבע Eccl 6:3 after נחם על Jer 18:10.
2. good things (collective):
  a. of good words, object of דבּר 1Sam 25:30; 2Sam 7:28 = 1Chr 17:26; Jer 18:20 plural דבּר טובות Jer 12:6; Jer 52:32 = 2Kgs 25:28.
  b. of material possessions ׳ברבות הט Eccl 5:10 when good things increase.
3. bounty, good שְׁנַת טוֺבָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 65:12 year of thy bounty (harvest bestowed by God), so also טובתך Ps 68:11 עשׂה ׳(ה)ט Exod 18:9 (E), Num 24:13 (JE), Judg 8:35; Judg 9:16; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 2:6; 1Kgs 8:66 = 2Chr 7:10; 2Chr 24:16; Jer 33:9 object of נמל 1Sam 24:18 שׁלּם 1Sam 24:20 רעה תחת טובה Gen 44:4 (J), 1Sam 25:21; Ps 35:12; Ps 38:21; Ps 109:5; Prov 17:13; Jer 18:20 תחת קללה ׳ט 2Sam 16:12 ׳זכר לי לט remember it for me for good Neh 5:19; Neh 13:31 לטובה Ezra 8:22; Neh 2:18; Jer 24:5; Jer 24:6; Ps 86:17 plural טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19 his benefits (i.e. good deeds of Tobiah).


BDB9554 H2869 H2896

BDB9553 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9555

טָב adjective good; — absolute ׳ט Dan 2:32 pure gold; = pleasing to (עַל person) Ezra 5:17 (compare Ezra 6:18, Biblical Hebrew טוֺב 5).

good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …
ṭôb
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
  • (adj) good, pleasant, agreeable
    • pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)
    • "pleasant (to the higher nature)"good, excellent (of its kind)"good, rich, valuable in estimation"good, appropriate, becoming"better (comparative)"glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)"good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)"good, kind, benign"good, right (ethical)
    (n m) a good thing, benefit, welfare
    • welfare, prosperity, happiness
    • "good things (collective)"good, benefit"moral good
    (n f) welfare, benefit, good things
    • welfare, prosperity, happiness
    • "good things (collective)"bounty

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: הוּא · hoo

Noun — feminine singular

In the KJV here: whether it
he ×367 it ×197 that ×161 in that ×95 and he ×89 she ×67 which ×62 this ×47
More options
he — Default rendering for masculine singular subject pronoun.
she — Use when grammatical/contextual gender is feminine.
it — Use for non-personal or abstract referents.
that — Demonstrative or relative use; points to something previously mentioned.
the same — Emphasizes identity or sameness of the referent.
this very — Adds emphasis or specificity; highlights the exact referent.

BDB2086 H1931

BDB2085 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2087

הוּ Jer 29:23 Kt, see הוּא.


BDB2087 H1931 H1992 H2007

BDB2086 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2088

הוּא masculine הִיא feminine (plural masculine הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם; feminine הֵ֫נָּה, הֵן [the latter only with prefixes]; see these words), pronoun of the 3rd person singular, he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it, Latin is, ea, id. (The א is not orthographic merely, but radical, being written on Moabite and Phoenician inscriptions, though dropped in some of the later dialects. [In Hebrew only Jer 29:23 Kt, and in the proper name אֱלִיהוּ.] Moabite (MI6; 27) and Phoenician (often) הא; Aramaic of Zinjirli הא, once הו (DHMInschr. von Sendschirli 55); ᵑ7 הוּא, הִיא Syriac , ; Arabic , (for h¥°a, h£°a, WSG 104); Ethiopic we°§t¥, ye°§t£; perhaps also Assyrian šû, šî, himself, herself suffix šu, ši; compare demonstrative šuatu, šiati (see KraeBAS. i. 383 & references, WSG 98, 105 Dl§ 55b, 57). In the Pentateuch, הוא is of common gender, the feminine form הִיא occurring only 11 times, namely Gen 14:2; Gen 20:5; Gen 38:25 (see Masora here), Lev 11:39; Lev 13:10; Lev 13:21; Lev 16:31; Lev 20:17; Lev 21:9; Num 5:13; Num 5:14. The punctuators, however, sought to assimilate the usage of the Pentateuch to that of the rest of the OT, and accordingly wherever הוא was construed as a feminine pointed it הִוא (as a Qr perpetuum). Outside the Pentateuch the same Qr occurs 1Kgs 17:15; Isa 30:33; Job 31:11a — probably for the sake of removing gramm. anomalies: five instances of the converse change, namely of היא to be read as הוּא, occur for a similar reason, 1Kgs 17:15 (וַתּאֹכַל הוּאוָֿהִיא to be read as וַתּאֹכַל הִיאוָֿהוּא, on account of the feminine verb) Ps 73:16; Job 31:11b (כי הוא זמה והיא עָוֺן פלילים to be read as כי היא זמה והוא עון פלילים), Eccl 5:8; 1Chr 29:16. The origin of the peculiarity in the Pentateuch is uncertain. It can hardly be a real archaism : for the fact that arab., Aramaic, & Ethiopic have distinct forms for masculine & feminine shews that both must have formed part of the original Semitic stock, and consequently of Hebrew as well, from its earliest existence as an independent language. Nor is the peculiarity confined to the Pentateuch: in the Manuscript of the Later Prophets, of A.D. , now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile by Strack (1876), the feminine occurs written הוא (see the passages cited in the Adnotationes Criticae, p. 026). In Phoenician both masculine and feminine are alike written הא (CIS i. 1Chr 1:9 מלך צדק הא, 1Chr 1:13 מלאכת הא, 1Chr 3:10 אדם הא, 1Chr 1:11 ממלכת הא, 1Chr 93:2; 1Chr 94:2), though naturally this would be read as hu° or hi° as occasion required. Hence, as ᵐ5 shews that in the older Hebrew MSS. the scriptio plena was not yet generally introduced, it is probably that originally הא was written for both genders in Hebrew likewise, and that the epicene הוא in the Pentateuch originated at a comparatively late epoch in the transmission of the text — perhaps in connection with the assumption, which is partly borne out by facts (compare DeZKWL 1880, pp. 393-399), that in the older language feminine forms were more sparingly used than subsequently.)

In usage הוּא (feminine הִיא; plural הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם, ׃ הֵ֫נָּה see הֵ֫מָּה) is

1. an emphatic he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (especially with the article) that (those):
  a. Gen 3:15 הוא ישׁופך ראשׁ he (ᵐ5 αὐτὸς) shall bruise thee as to the head (opposed to the following אתה thou), vGen 3:20 for she (and no one else) was the mother of all living (so often in causal sentences, where some emphasis on the subject is desirable as Judg 14:3; Ps 24:2; Ps 25:15; Ps 33:9; Ps 91:3; Ps 103:14; Ps 148:5; Job 5:18; Job 11:11; Job 28:24; Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7b Hos 6:1; Hos 11:10 : Dr1Sam 14:18), 1Sam 4:20 Adah bare Jabal הוא היה אבי ישׁב אהלים he (ἐκεῖνος) was the father of tent-dwellers, v1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 10:8 he began to be a mighty one in the earth, 1Sam 20:5 (αὐτός), Judg 13:5; Isa 32:7; Isa 33:22; 2Kgs 14:7; 2Kgs 14:22; 2Kgs 14:25; Hos 10:2 he — the unseen observer of their thoughts and deeds (Che), Hos 13:15 b (he, the foe figured by the east wind). (For its use thus in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 157, 160, 168, 169.) And where the predicate is a substantive or participle, Gen 2:11 הוּא הַסֹּבֵב ֗֗֗ that is the one which encompasseth etc., vGen 2:13 vGen 2:14; Gen 10:12 that is the great city. So in the explanatory notices, Gen 14:3 הוּא יָם הַמֶּלַת that is the salt sea, vGen 14:8 הוּאצֹֿעַר that is Zoar, Gen 36:1 + often
  b. pointing back to the subj. and contrasting it with something else : Gen 4:4 הבל גסהֿוא Abel, he also ... vGen 4:26; Gen 10:21; Gen 20:5 וְהִיאגַֿםהִֿוא and she, herself also said, Exod 1:10 + often
  c. appended alone to a verb (more rarely, but always with intentional emphasis), Exod 4:14 I know כי דבר ידבר הוא that he can speak, vExod 4:16; 1Sam 22:18 ויפגע הוא בכהנים and he (though none else would do it) smote the priests, 1Sam 23:22 for one hath told me, עָרֹם יַעְרִם הוּא He can deal subtilly, Ezek 12:12 (peculiarly), compare Dr§ 160 n.: very rarely indeed to a noun Num 18:23 הַלֵּוִי הוּא Isa 7:14 הוא ׳י, Esth 9:1 (הֵמָּה) being probably all the examples in the OT.
  d. Gen 13:1 and Abram came up out of Egypt, הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֺ himself and his wife, and all that he had, Gen 14:15 הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו he and his servants, Gen 19:30 so very often
  e. prefixed to a noun (very rare, and mostly late), Exod 12:42b Ezek 3:8 & Ezek 33:8 הוּא רָשָׁע : to proper names Exod 6:27 הוא משׁה ואהרן, 1Chr 26:26 that Shelomoth, 1Chr 27:6; 2Chr 28:22; 2Chr 32:12 (different from 2Kgs 18:22), v2Kgs 18:30; 2Kgs 33:23; Ezra 7:6: compare הֵם Neh 10:38 (compare in Syriac , § 227): compare Ps 87:5; 1Sam 20:29.

2. It resumes the subject with emphasis:
  a. when the predicate is a verb (especially if it be separated from its subject by an intervening clause), Gen 15:4 but one that shall come forth out of thine own bowels, הוּא יִירָשֶׁ֑ךָ he shall be thy heir, Gen 3:12 the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, הוא נתנה לי she gave to me, Gen 24:7; Gen 44:17 etc. Judg 7:4; 2Sam 14:19 (throwing stress on יוֺאָב) 1Chr 11:20; Isa 33:15-16; Isa 34:16; Isa 38:19; Isa 47:10; Isa 59:16; Isa 63:5; Hos 7:8 often in Proverbs, as Hos 10:18; Hos 10:22; Hos 10:24; Hos 11:28; Hos 13:13; Hos 19:21; Hos 22:9; Hos 24:12; 1Sam 1:13 (see Dr), Ps 68:36.
  b. when the predicate is a noun, Gen 2:14 and the fourth river, הוּא פְרָת it was the Euphrates, vGen 2:19; Gen 9:18; Gen 15:2; Gen 42:6 הַשַּׁלִּיט וְיוֺסֵף הוּא and Joseph, he was the ruler etc.: in sentences of the type הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים ׳י, הוּא הַנִּלְחָם ׳י לָכֶם, הוּא נַחֲלָ˜תְךָ ׳י, Deut 3:22; Deut 4:35; Deut 7:9; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; Isa 9:14; Isa 33:6; (in these cases, to avoid stiffness, it is convenient often to drop the pronoun in translating, as 'And the fourth river was the Euphrates:' the pronoun, however, though it then corresponds to the substantive verb in English, does not really express it, the copula, as the examples shew, being in fact understood. Sts. in AV the pronoun is retained for emphasis, as Deuteronomy ll. cc.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in an affirmative sentence, Gen 9:3 all creeping things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:39; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 35:31 אֲשֶׁר הוּא רָשָׁע לָמוּת who is guilty of death, Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19; Hag 1:9 and elsewhere (On 2, compare Dr§ 199, with Obs.)

3. Where, however, the pron. follows the predicate, its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible: thus
  a. Gen 12:18 why didst thou not tell me כי אשׁתך הוא that she was thy wife ? Gen 20:13; Gen 21:13 כי זרעך הוא for he is thy seed, Gen 31:20 because he told him not כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא, Gen 37:3 + often (the opposite order rare and emphatic: Gen 24:65; Deut 4:6; Deut 30:20; Josh 10:2; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 3:4; 1Kgs 21:2; Hos 2:4; Ps 45:12).
  b. resuming the subject, Gen 31:16 all the wealth which God hath taken etc., לנו הוא ולבנינו it is ours and our children's, vGen 31:43 and all that thou seest, לי הוא it is mine (or, omitting the pronoun, as not required in our idiom, simply) is mine, Gen 41:26 חלום פרעה אחד הוא the dream of Pharaoh is one, Gen 48:5 (לי הם), Exod 3:5 for the place where on thou standest, אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא it is holy ground, Num 13:32; Num 21:26; Deut 1:17; Josh 5:15; Josh 6:19; Job 3:19 + often; Gen 23:15 ארץ ֗֗֗ מַההִֿוא, so Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 (הֵנָּה); הֵמָּה .... אַתֶּם (unusual) Zeph 2:12. (In all such cases the predicate is not referred directly to the subject, but, the subject being made a casus pendens, it is resumed by the pronoun, and the predicate thus referred to it indirectly. By this means the sentence is lightened and relieved, especially if the subject consist of many words: in Gen 31:16 for instance, the direct form of predicate כִּי לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ כָּלהָֿעשֶׁר אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֱלֹהִים מֵאָבִינוּ would have been heavy and inelegant.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in a negative sentence, Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12 אֲשֶׁר לאֹ מִזַּרְעֲךָ הוּא which is not of thy seed, Num 17:5; Deut 17:5; 1Kgs 8:41 (compareהֵמָּה 3 c).
  d. peculiarly, as the subject of לֹא, Jer 5:12 לוֺא הוּא He is not; and as embracing its predicate in itself, Isa 18:2; Isa 18:7 a nation terrible מִןהֿוּא (= מַאֲשֶׁר הוּא) from (the time that) it was, Nah 2:9 מִימֵי הִיא from the days that (stative construct Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 4) as it was, 2Kgs 7:7 they left the camp כַּאֲשֶׁר הִיא as it was (compare כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה v2Kgs 7:10). (On 3, compare Dr§ 198, with Obs.)

4. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject namely
  a. (rare) Song 6:9 אַהַת הִיא יוֺנָתִי תַמָּתִי one is she, my dove my perfect one, Lev 25:11; Ezek 11:15; Ezek 21:16; Lam 1:18 ׳צַדִּיק הוּא י (often so in Late Hebrew); EC Lam 6:10 וְנוֺדָע אֲשֶׁר הוּא אָדָם and that which he, even man, is, is known (De Now); compare 1Sam 6:19 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ an accident is it, (that) hath befallen us. (compare הֵמָּה 4 a.)
  b. after pronouns — (α) 2Sam 7:28 אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים Thou art he — God, Ps 44:5 אתה הוא מלבי thou art he — my king, Isa 37:16; Isa 43:25 (אנכי), Isa 51:9; Isa 51:10; Isa 51:12; Isa 52:6; Jer 14:22; Jer 29:23 Kt +; compare Jer 49:12 וְאַתָּה הוּא נָקֹה תִנָּקֶה and art thou he (that) shall be unpunished ? (with change of person κατά σύνεσιν, compare Judg 13:11; 1Chr 21:17; Ezek 38:17.) So Ew§ 297 b Müll§ 499. But others, as GesThes Roo§ 563 DeIsa 37:16; Ps 44. 5, treat הוא as emphasizing the pronoun, 'Thou, he, art God' i.e. Thou and none else art God; 'Thou (emphatic) art my king.'. (β) מִי הוּא, followed by a participle or substantive Gen 27:33; Ps 24:10 מִי הוּא זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד who is he, then — the king of glory ? (according to others, as before, 'Who (emphatic), then, is the king of glory ?'); followed by a verb Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי who is he (that) will condemn me ? (others 'Who (emphatic) will condemn me ?') Job 4:7; Job 13:19; Job 17:3; Job 41:2; Jer 30:21 (so with הֵנָּה Gen 21:29, הֵמָּה Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5). (γ) זֶההֿוּא 1Chr 22:1 EC 1Chr 1:17 (frequently in Late Hebrew, where the two words coalesce into one זֶהוּ) . On the analogous אֵלֶּה הֵם ֗֗֗ ), see הֵמָּה 4 b (γ). (compare Dr§ 200, 201)

5. As an emphatic predicate, of God, 'I am He,' i.e. I am He Who is (opposed to unreal gods, named in context, or to transitory world), the Unseen, yet Omni-present, and Self-consistent, Ruler of the world, Deut 32:39 אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא I, I am he, and beside me there is no God, Isa 41:4 (see Che) Isa 43:10; Isa 43:13 even from to-day I am he, Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12; Ps 102:28 (see Che) thou art he, and thy years have no end (ᵐ5 usually ἐγώ εἰμι : in Psalms σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ). So also, according to many, Job 3:19, but is הוא a mere predicate of identity ? see rather 3b.

6. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matter, etc.) —
  a. Josh 2:21 כְּדִבְרֵיכֶם כֶּןהֿוּא according to your words, so be it; Gen 42:14 הוא אשׁר דברתי that is what I said, Exod 16:23; Lev 10:3; 2Kgs 9:36; Job 8:19 הן הוא משׂושׂ דרכו lo that (what has just been described) is the joy of his way, Job 13:16; Job 15:9; Job 31:28; Prov 7:23; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 9:9; Esth 9:1b; similarly the feminine הִיא, Judg 14:4 they knew not היא ׳כי מי that it was from ׳י, Num 14:41; Josh 10:13; Isa 14:24; Ps 77:10 חַלּוֺתִי הִיא it (this perplexity) is my sickness, Job 9:22; Prov 18:13; Jer 22:16; 2Chr 25:20; Eccl 3:13 reference to זאת Amos 7:6; Ps 118:23; Job 5:27, זִּה Eccl 2:24. (Where there is a predicate, the gender of this usually regulates the choice of m. or f.: hence הִוא Gen 34:14; Exod 8:15; Num 15:25 (Eccl 5:5) Deut 4:6 +.)
  b. affirming the presence or existence of something (rare) : 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21 כִּי מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ הִיא for it was the king's command, saying etc., 1Sam 20:33 (text dubious), Jer 50:15; Jer 50:25; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:11; Mic 2:3, perhaps Job 32:8. p. 241.
7. With the art. הַהוּא, הַהִיא, הָהֵ֫מָּה, הָהֵם, הָהֵ֫נָּה: so regularly when joined to a substantive defined itself by the article: Gen 2:12 הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא that land, Gen 19:35 ובלילה ההוא and in that night, Gen 21:22 בָּעֵת הַהִוא at that time, Deut 1:19 המדבר הגדול והנורא ההוא. Only four times does there occur the anomalous construction בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא Gen 19:33; Gen 30:16; Gen 32:23; 1Sam 19:10.


BDB9471 H1932 H1931

BDB9470 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9472

הוּא14 masculine הִיא7 feminine pronoun of 3 singular he, she, it (= Biblical Hebrew הוּא, הִיא; Zinjirli and Palmyrene (once) הא, Palmyrene (usually), Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic הו, feminine ׳ה, Lzb257, S-CPap. A 1, 12+; A 4, C 9 +. The plural is אִנּוּן, q. v.); — he, she, it, Dan 2:21 וְהוּא מְהַשְׁנֵא ֗֗֗ and he will change, etc., vDan 2:22 vDan 2:44; Dan 6:5; Dan 7:7; Dan 7:24; Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:32 הוּא צַלְמָא that image (nom. pend. ['hanging' noun clause]); Dan 4:19 אַנְתָּה הוּא thou art it. Resuming the subject with emphatic (Biblical Hebrew 2 b) Dan 2:47; Dan 6:17 resuming the subject in predication (ib. 3 b) Dan 2:20 חָכְמְתָא וּגְבוּרְתָּא דִּילֵֿהּ הִיא it is his, vDan 2:28. Anticipating the subject (ib. 4 a) Dan 2:9 חֲדָא הִיא דָֽתְכוֺן; with a pronoun (ib. 4 b) Dan 2:38 אַנְתְּה הוּא ֗֗֗ thou art the head of gold Dan 5:13; Dan 3:15 מָן הוּא אֱלָהּ ֗֗֗ who is the god . . . ? (so plural אִנּוּן Ezra 5:4); Ezra 4:27 הֲלָא דָא הִיא ֗֗֗ (ib. 4 b γ); Ezra 6:27 דִּי הוּא ֗֗֗ who is . . . (ib. 2 c), Ezra 6:15 (so דִּי אִנוּן ֗֗֗ Dan 7:17). [compare in ᵑ7 Exod 14:25; Exod 15:11; 2Sam 20:19; 2Sam 24:17; Ps 43:2; Ps 63:4; Ps 66:3 +.] Affirming existence (Biblical Hebrew 6 b) Dan 4:21. compare Dr §§ 198-201, K§ 87, 3.

he, that, it, she, same, …
hûʾ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
  • (pron 3p s) he, she, it
    • himself (with emphasis)
    • "resuming subj with emphasis"(with minimum emphasis following predicate)"(anticipating subj)"(emphasising predicate)"that, it (neuter)
    (demons pron) that (with article)

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

Conjunction

In the KJV here: or
if ×322 and if ×128 but if ×69 or ×48 surely ×29 though ×25 whether ×19 when ×16
More options
if — Default conditional; most broadly applicable rendering.
whether — Use for indirect questions or double alternatives.
though — Concessive force; signals contrast or surprise.
when — Temporal nuance; condition treated as certain to occur.
unless — Negative conditional; equivalent to 'if not'.
surely — Emphatic/oath context; asserts strong certainty.

BDB2204 H2005 H518 H2006

BDB2203 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2205

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

3.


BDB3995 H3588 H518

BDB3994 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3996

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

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

2. a. Of time, when, of the past וַיְהִי כִּי Gen 6:1 (compare BuUrg. 6), Gen 26:8; Gen 27:1; 2Sam 6:13; 2Sam 7:1; 2Sam 19:26 + (כַּאֲשֶׁר and especially כְּ with infinitive, are more frequently); וְהָיָה כִּי (simple וְ) 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 17:48; Josh 22:7; Judg 2:18; Judg 12:5 והיה כי יאמרו and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said, Jer 44:19 (participle), Hos 11:1; Ps 32:3 כי החרשׁתי when I was silent, Job 31:21; Job 31:26; Job 31:29 of present (usually with imperfect) as Exod 18:16 כִּי יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר when they have a matter, 1Sam 24:20; Isa 1:12; Isa 30:21; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5; Zech 7:6; Mal 1:8; Ps 49:19 and men praise thee כִּי תֵיטִיב לָ֑ךְ when thou doest well to thyself, Ps 102:1; Ps 127:5 +, with perfect Ezek 3:19-21; Ezek 33:9; Prov 11:15; Prov 23:22 especially of future, as Gen 4:12 כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶתהָֿאֲדָמָה when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc., Gen 24:41; Gen 30:33; Gen 31:49; Gen 32:18; Exod 7:9 when Pharaoh shall speak unto you, Deut 4:25; Deut 6:20 +; in phrase (׳תאֹמַר וג) וְכִי תאֹמְרוּ Lev 25:20; Deut 18:21; Isa 8:19; Isa 36:7; Jer 13:22 and especially in ... וְהָיָה כִּי Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33; Deut 6:10; Deut 15:16; 1Sam 10:7; 1Sam 25:30; Isa 8:21; Isa 10:12 + often; with perfect Isa 16:12; 1Chr 17:11 (altered from imperfect 2Sam 7:12); with participle (unusual) Num 33:51; Num 34:2; Deut 11:31; Deut 18:9.
  b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם: — (mostly with imperfect) Gen 38:16; Num 5:20; Num 10:32; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:17; Deut 28:2; Deut 28:13; 1Sam 20:13; 2Sam 19:8; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 18:22; Jer 38:15; Prov 4:8; Job 7:13 (כי אמרתי when I say), Job 19:28 often in laws, as Exod 21:14; Exod 21:33; Exod 21:35; Exod 21:37; Exod 22:4; Exod 22:5 etc., Deut 13:13; Deut 14:24; Deut 15:7; Deut 15:12; Deut 17:2; Deut 18:6; Deut 18:21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by אִם, as Exod 21:2 when (כִּי) thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after which vExod 21:3-5 follow four special cases with אִם if: so Exod 21:7 (כי), vExod 21:8-11 (אם); vExod 21:18 (כי), vExod 21:19 (אם); vExod 21:20 (כי), vExod 21:21 (אם); vExod 21:22 f; vExod 21:28-32; Lev 1:2 (כי), vLev 1:3 vLev 1:10 (אם) Lev 4:2; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:27; Lev 4:32; Lev 13:2ff. Num 30:3ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g. Exod 21:5 with Deut 15:16; Num 5:19 and vNum 5:20. —
N.B. with כִּי = when or if, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis: 1Kgs 8:37 רָעָב ׳כִּייִֿהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ דֶּבֶר כִּי יִהְיֶה וג, Isa 28:18; Mic 5:4 אַשּׁוּר כִּייָֿבאֹ בְאַרְצֵנוּ, Ps 62:11; Ezek 3:19 (וְאַתָּה), Ezek 14:9; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 18:5; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 33:6 (compare vEzek 33:2); and especially in laws of P, as כִּי ֗֗֗ אָדָם Lev 1:2; Lev 13:2, ... נֶפֶשׁ כִּי Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15, similarly Lev 15:2; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:25; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13; Lev 22:14 etc., rather differently Num 5:20.
  c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though:
   (a) with imperfect Jer 4:30 (3 t. in verse); Jer 14:12; Jer 49:16 כִּיתַֿגְבִּיהַּ כַּנֶּשֶׁר קִנֶּ֑ךָ though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence, Jer 51:53; Hos 13:15; Zech 8:6; Ps 37:24; Ps 49:19f. though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps also Jer 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Ke for), Jer 50:11 Ew Ke (Hi yea); and strengthened by גַּם, גַּם כִּי Isa 1:5; Ps 23:4 (compare Dr§ 143);
   (b) with perf. (rare) Mic 7:8 כִּי נָפַלְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי though I have fallen, I rise, Nah 1:10 (si vera 1.), Ps 21:12 (Hi Ew Now), Ps 119:88 (Ew De).

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

Note.כִּי is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is between for and yea. E.g. Isa 8:23 Ges Ew§ 330 b doch (no, but); Hi Di for (taking vIsa 8:22 as RVm); Ch surely: Isa 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Di surely; De for: Isa 39:8 Ges Hi De surely; Di for (explanation of טוֺב): Ezek 11:16 Hi Ke Co surely; Ew Sm because. — In Exod 20:25 the tense of וַתְּחַלֲלֶהָ makes it probably that כֹּי is for (Dr§ 153). Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage (גַּאֲוָה) as Hi When they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. כִּי אִםֿ (the אִם always followed by makkeph, except Gen 15:4; Num 35:33; Neh 2:2, where כִּיאִֿם is read by the Mass.: FrMM 241) —
1. each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
  a. that if Jer 26:15 after an oath (כִּי not translated: see כִּי 1 c) if 1Sam 14:39; Jer 22:24, surely not (אִם 1 b 2) 2Sam 3:35; 1Sam 25:34 (כִּי being resumptive of the כִּי before לוּלֵי: see כִּי 1 c); Exod 22:22 (in apodosis) indeed if . . . (see כִּי 1 d).
  b. for if Exod 8:17; Exod 9:2; Exod 10:4; +, for though Isa 10:22; Jer 37:20; Amos 5:22, but if Jer 7:5.

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


BDB511 H518

BDB510 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB512

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

**ᵑ7Onk Jon אִם, ᵑ7Hag אין.
1. hypothetical particle if.
  a. construction (see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143 FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) with imperfect (continued by perfects & waw consecutive; apodosis usually begins with perfect & waw consecutive or bare imperfect; or, if necessary, with imperative or jussive)
   (a) of future time: Gen 18:26 אִםאֶֿמְצָא if I shall find 50 righteous in Sodom, וְנָשָׂאתִי I will pardon, etc., Gen 24:8; Gen 32:9; Deut 1:52 b 1Kgs 6:12; Ps 89:31; Gen 42:37; Judg 13:16; 1Kgs 1:52 a Ps 132:12.
   (b) of past time (rare, but classical): Gen 31:8 אִם יאֹמַר if everhe said . . . וְיָָֽלְדִוּ then they used to bear, etc., Exod 40:37 & in the protestations Job 31:7; Job 31:13; Job 31:16; Job 31:25 etc. (alternating with pff., see below, & with jussives in apodosis)
   (c) assuming a purely imaginary case (with imperfect in both clauses, like the double optative in Greek), if, though: Gen 13:16 so that אִםיֿוּכַל if a man were able to number the stars, thy seed also יִמָּנֶה might be numbered, Num 22:18; Isa 1:18 כַּשָּׁנִים יַלְבִּינוּ ׳אִםיִֿהְיוּ ח though your sins were as scarlet, they should become white as snow, Amos 9:2-4 אִםיַֿחְתְּרוּ though they were to dig into Sheôl, from thence תִּקָּחֵם would my hand fetch them, Ps 27:3; Ps 139:8 +. (2) with participle (expressing either a present process, or an approaching future: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 24:42; Gen 24:49; Judg 6:36; Judg 9:15; Judg 11:9 אִם מְשִׁיבִים אַתֶּם if ye are going to bring me back . . . ׳וְנָתַן י then ׳י will, etc.; similarly with יֵשׁ or אֵין Gen 44:26; Exod 22:2; 1Sam 20:8; 1Sam 23:23 & with no explicit copula Deut 22:2; Deut 25:2; Lev 1:3; Lev 1:14, etc. (3) with perfect
   (a) of future or present time (continued by perfects & waw consecutive: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 43:9 אִםלֹֿא הֲבִיאֹתִיו אֵלֶיךָ וְהִצַּגְתִּיו לְפָנֶיךָ if I do not bring him back (si eum non reduxero) and set him before thee, I will be guilty for ever, Gen 47:6 if thou knowest that there are men of worth among them וְשַׂמְתָּם then make them, etc., Judg 16:17; 2Sam 15:33; 2Kgs 7:4; Ps 41:7; Ps 94:18; Job 7:4; Job 9:30f. Job 10:14 אִם חָטָאתִי וּשְׁמַרְתָּ֑נִי if I sin, thou watchest me. On אִםנָֿא Gen 18:3 and elsewhere see נָא.
   (b) of past time, whether
   (a) in actual fact, or (β) in an assumed case (the perfect is here continued by the imperfect and waw consecutive; apodosis begins as before).
   (a) Judg 9:16-19 אִם ֗֗֗ עֲשִׂיתֶם if ye have done honestly וַתַּמְלִיכוּ and have made Abimelech king . . ., 1Sam 26:19 especially in protestations, as Ps 7:4 אִם עָשִׂיתִי זאת if I have done this . . ., let the enemy pursue my soul, etc. Jer 33:25f.; Job 31:5f; Job 31:9, etc.
   (b) Num 5:27 if she have defiled herself וַתִּמְעֹל and been faithless, וּבָאוּ then shall they come, etc., Num 15:24; Num 35:22-24.
   (c) with bare perfect in apodosis, in sense of If ... had ..., only Deut 32:30 אִםלֹֿא כִּי were it not that ..., Ps 73:15. (לוּ is more usual in such cases.) (4) with infinitive once (si vera 1.) Job 9:27 אִם אָמְרִי = if I say (literally if (there is) my saying). — Note that the verb following אִם is often strengthened by the infinitive absolute, as Exod 15:26; Exod 19:5; Exod 21:5; Exod 22:3; Exod 22:12; Exod 22:16; Exod 22:22; Judg 11:30; Judg 14:12; Judg 16:11 etc.; compare DrSm i. 20, 6.


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

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


אֵם see אמם. Below


אַמָּה, אֻמָּה see אמם.


BDB9477 H2005 H2006 H518 H3861

BDB9476 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9478

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

1. if, Dan 2:6; Dan 3:15; Dan 3:17; Dan 4:24; Dan 5:16; Dan 5:17, הֵן לָא ֗֗֗ Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 3:15 vDan 3:18 הֵן לָ֔א if not.
2. repeated, הֵן ֗֗֗ הֵן sive ... sive, whether ... or (compare Biblical Hebrew אִם, 1 b 1), Ezra 7:26 (so PalmyreneTariff ii.c.19).
3. in indirect question, whether (compare אִם, 2 b), Ezra 5:17b יִתְבַּקַּר ֗֗֗ הֵן אִיתַי ֗֗֗ . — See also לָהֵן. p. 50, 243, 1099


הַסִּק etc., see סלק Haph`el


BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

if, or, though, surely, not, …
ʾim
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
  • if
    • conditional clauses
      • of possible situations
      • "of impossible situations
      oath contexts
      • no, not
      if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or"when, whenever"since"interrogative particle"but rather

רָעָ֑ה
רָעָ֑ה
Root word evil, wickedness, wicked, hurt, mischief, …
Dictionary form: רַע · ra

Adjective — feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: bad
evil ×198 the evil ×56 that which was evil ×23 an evil ×14 from evil ×13 of evil ×12 wickedness ×12 and evil ×11
More options
evil — Broadest default; covers moral evil and harm.
wicked — Prefer for persons or actions with moral culpability.
bad — Informal register; good for everyday or narrative contexts.
harm — Emphasizes injury or damage rather than moral character.
trouble — Use when context stresses difficulty or hardship.
calamity — Best for large-scale disaster or divine judgment contexts.

BDB8032 H7451

BDB8031 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8033

I. רַע226 adjective bad, evil (distinction from noun, and verb Perfect 3 masculine singular, is sometimes not easy, and opinions differ); — masculine singular רַע Gen 6:5 +; רָ֑ע Gen 31:24 +; plural רָעַים Gen 13:13 +; construct רָעֵי Ezek 7:24 (strike out Co); feminine singular רָעָה Gen 37:2 + 37 t. (this form usually noun), plural רָעוֺת Gen 28:8 + 14 t.; רָעֹת Gen 41:27 (18 t. noun); —

1. bad, disagreeable, malignant: of a woman, רָעָה בְּעֵינֵי Exod 21:8 (E; perhaps, with changed accent, verb 3 feminine singular רָ֫עָה) disagreeable, unpleasing in the eyes of, plural Gen 28:8 (P); of poisonous herb 2Kgs 4:41, malignant boils Deut 28:35; Job 2:7, diseases Deut 7:15; Deut 28:59; 2Chr 21:19; Eccl 6:2, deadly sword Ps 144:10, arrows Ezek 5:16, severe judgments Ezek 14:21, wonders Deut 6:22 מַלְאֲכֵי רָעִים Ps 78:49 = fierce messengers (of God; Ew§ 287 a Ges«GKC:130e»§ 130e), wild beasts Gen 37:20; Gen 37:33 (JE) Lev 26:6 (H) Ezek 5:17; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 14:21; Ezek 34:25 unclean thing Deut 23:10.
2. bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery: ימים רעים evil days (of trial and hardship) Gen 47:9 (P) Prov 15:15 עִנְיָן רע Eccl 1:13; Eccl 5:13 עִנְיַן Eccl 4:8, compare Eccl 2:17; Eccl 9:3 הַמַּעֲשֶׂה הָרָע Eccl 4:3 הדבר הרע evil report Exod 33:4 (J), so דִּבָּה רָעָה Gen 37:2 (JE) Num 14:37 (P), שׁם רע Deut 22:14; Deut 22:19; Neh 6:13, שְׁמוּעָה רָעָה Jer 49:23; Ps 112:7 of things: painful discipline Prov 15:10, evil occurrence 1Kgs 5:18, evil (-bringing) net Eccl 9:12, instruments Isa 32:7: כל הדבר הרע Josh 23:15 (D) all evil (injurious) things; רַע it is bad, harmful Isa 3:11; Jer 2:19 of speech, דבּר, רעאו טוב Gen 24:50 (J) in proverb, speak bad or good = anything at all, מטוב עד רע Gen 31:24; Gen 31:29 (E), לְמֵרָע ועד טוב 2Sam 13:22, of the divine spirit as producing an ecstatic state of frenzy and violence 1Sam 16:14; 1Sam 16:15; 1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 16:23; 1Sam 18:10; 1Sam 19:9 (see רוּח 9).
3. evil, displeasing עָשָׂח רָ֔ע בְּעֵינֵי סַרְנֵי פְלשְׁתִּים 1Sam 29:7.
4. bad of its kind, land Num 13:19 (J), place Num 20:5 (JE), waters 2Kgs 2:19, figs Jer 24:2; Jer 24:3 (twice in verse); Jer 24:8, kine Gen 41:3; Gen 41:4; Gen 41:19; Gen 41:20; Gen 41:21; Gen 41:27 (E), מוּם רע Deut 15:21, compare Deut 17:1.
5. bad, i.e. of low value Lev 27:10 (twice in verse); Lev 27:12; Lev 27:14; Lev 27:33 (H), compare Mal 1:8 (twice in verse); רַע רַע יאֹמַר מַקּוֺנֶה Prov 20:14 (twice in verse).
6. + מִן comparative, worse than, 2Sam 19:8 as superlative, רָעֵי גוֺיִם Ezek 7:24 worst of nations (strike out Co).
7. sad, unhappy: לֶברָֿע֑ sad heart (compare opposed to טוב, יטב) Prov 25:20 of face Gen 40:7 (E) Neh 2:2 רע לְפָנָיו vNeh 2:1.
8. חָשַׁב מַחֲשֶׁבֶת(ה)רָעָה devise evil (hurtful) device Ezek 38:10; Esth 9:25.
9. bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper: וְלֵברָֿ֑ע when the mind is vicious, harmful Prov 26:23 רַע עָ֑יִן one evil of eye Prov 23:6; Prov 28:22 רוּחַ רָעָה Judg 9:23 bad temper.
10. ethically bad, evil, wicked:
  a. in general, אם טוב ואם רע Eccl 12:14 whether good or bad.
  b. of persons, אושׁ רע 1Sam 30:22 אדם רע Ps 140:2 המן הרע הזה Esth 7:6 this wicked Haman, so רָ֑ע = evil man Ps 10:15; Job 21:30; Prov 11:21; Prov 12:13; Prov 24:20, רָעִים = evil men Gen 13:13 (J) Jer 6:29; Jer 15:21; Ezek 30:12; Job 35:12; Prov 4:14; Prov 12:12; Prov 14:19; Prov 15:8 רָעוֺת evil women Jer 2:33 שׁכנים רעים Jer 12:14 evil neighbours; of הַדּוֺר Deut 1:35, הָעָם Jer 13:10 הָעֵדָה Num 14:27; Num 14:35 (P), המשׁפחה Jer 8:3 ׳רַע בְּעֵינֵי י wicked in the eyes of ׳י Gen 38:7 (JE) = 1Chr 2:8 ׳עָשָׂה הָרָע בְּעֵינֵי י Num 32:13 (R) Deut 4:25; Deut 9:18; Deut 17:2; Deut 31:29; Judg 2:11 + 48 t., + (with suffix of God) 2Kgs 21:15; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4; Jer 7:30; Jer 32:30; Ps 51:6; 2Sam 12:9, probably also Jer 18:10 (read הָרָע for הָרָעָה).
  c. of thoughts, יֵצֶר Gen 6:5; Gen 8:21 (J), הַלֵּב הָרָע Jer 3:17; Jer 7:24; Jer 11:8; Jer 16:12; Jer 18:12 words, רעות Prov 15:28.
  d. deeds, actions, עשׂה (כ)דבר הרע Deut 13:12; Deut 17:5; Deut 19:20; עשׂה הרעות Jer 3:5 דבר רע Ps 64:6; Ps 141:4; Eccl 8:3; Eccl 8:5 דברים 1Sam 2:23; 2Kgs 17:11 דֶּרֶךְ 1Kgs 13:33; Jer 18:11; Jer 23:22 + 11 t.; דרכים 2Kgs 17:13; 2Chr 7:14; Ezek 20:44; Ezek 33:11; Ezek 36:31; Zech 1:4 מעשׂינוּ Ezra 9:13 מעללים Zech 1:4; Neh 9:35 (compare רֹעַ 4); בֶּצַע רע Hab 2:9 מרוצתם Jer 23:10 (ה)תועבות (ה)רעות Ezek 6:11; Ezek 8:9 (strike out Co); כִּי רָעוֺת בִּמְגוּרָם Ps 55:16 for evil deeds are in their dwelling.


BDB8033 H7451

BDB8032 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8034

II. רַע126 noun masculineJob 30:26 evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity; — absolute רַע Num 11:1 +, בְּרָע Exod 5:19 +, רָ֑ע Gen 48:16 +; —

1. evil, distress, adversity: יָרֵא רַע fear evil Ps 23:4; Zeph 3:15 בּוֺרֵא רָ֑ע Isa 45:7 (of God), הביא רע Isa 31:2 מתאננים רַע Num 11:1 (J) murmuring respecting distress (see Di); אם טוב ואם רע Jer 42:6 whether prosperity or adversity; יוֺם רע Amos 6:3 day of calamity; יְמֵי רע Ps 49:6; Ps 94:13 כי טוב קויתי ויבא רע Job 30:26 בְּרָע in adversity Exod 5:19 (E) Ps 10:6 יִפֹּל בְּרָ֑ע Prov 13:17 אֶרְאֶה בָרָ֑ע Gen 44:34 (J); בכלרֿע Prov 5:14, מכל רע Gen 48:16 (E) Ps 121:7 see also Mic 1:12; Ps 140:12; Job 5:19; Job 31:29; Prov 12:21; Prov 19:23.
2. evil, injury, wrong: Hab 2:9; Job 2:10; Prov 21:10 עשׂה רע, + עִם person Gen 31:29 (E); ל person Jer 39:12 as object of חשּׁב Hos 7:15, חרשׁ Prov 6:14; Prov 12:20; Prov 14:22, השׁיב Ps 54:7, גמל Ps 7:5; Prov 31:12, בקּשׁ Prov 17:11, שׁלּם Prov 20:22, אמר Ps 41:6, דבּר Ps 109:20 דבּר בְּרָע Ps 73:8 speak about injury; לֹא יִתְנַבֵּא טוֺב כִּי אִם רָ֑ע 1Kgs 22:8; 1Kgs 22:18 = 2 Chronicles (2Chr 18:7 לְרָעָמ), 2Chr 18:17 לְרָ֑ע; לרע for harm, injury Isa 59:7; Jer 7:6; Jer 25:7; Ps 56:6; Prov 1:16; Prov 21:12; Eccl 8:9 רַע יֵרוֺעַ Prov 11:15 (but read רֹעַ Gr SS, see Toy).
3. ethical evil, Deut 30:15; 2Sam 14:17; Isa 5:20; Amos 5:14; Mic 7:3 + 10 t.; עשׁה רע 2Kgs 21:9; 2Chr 12:14; 2Chr 33:9; Neh 9:28 + 8 t.; פֹּעֲלֵי רע Mic 2:1 אהד רע Mic 3:2 (Qr), Ps 52:5 שׂנא רע Amos 5:15; Ps 97:10; Prov 8:13 מאס רע Ps 36:5 מאס ברע Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16 בִּעֵר הרע מִן consume evil from Deut 13:6 + 8 t. Deuteronomy; לֹא רְגֻרְךָ רָ֑ע Ps 5:5 (adjective = evil man Hup De and others); ירע טוב ורע Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:5; Gen 3:22 (all J), Deut 1:39 סר מֵרָע Isa 59:15; Ps 34:15; Ps 37:27; Prov 3:7 + 8 t.; כי ברע הוא Exod 32:22 (J) he is set on evil; רע רשׁעים Ps 7:10, רע מעללים 1Sam 25:3, compare Mic 3:4 (see רֹעַ 3); דִּבְרֵי רָע deeds of evil Jer 5:28 תַּהְפֻּכוֺתרָ֑ע Prov 2:14 אֹרַחרע Ps 119:101 עֲצַת רע Exod 11:2 מַחְשְׁבוֺת רע Prov 15:26 אִישׁ רע Prov 29:6 אַנְשֵׁי רע Prov 28:5 אֵשֶׁת רע Prov 6:24 (but read רֵעַ Gr Bi Toy).


BDB8034 H7451

BDB8033 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8035

רָעָה310 noun feminine evil, misery, distress, injury; — absolute ׳ר Gen 26:29 +; construct רָעַת Gen 6:5 +; suffix רָֽעָתִי Ps 35:4 +; רָעָֽתְךָ 1Kgs 2:44 +; רָֽעָתֵכִי Jer 11:15 (text dubious); רָֽעַתְכֶם 1Sam 12:17, etc.; plural רָעוֺת Deut 31:17 +; רָעֹת Jer 44:9; Exod 23:2 suffix רָעוֺתֵיכֶם 1Sam 10:19 +, etc.; —

1. evil, misery, distress: פַּחַד רָעָה Prov 1:33, באה (ה)רעה Ezek 7:5 (twice in verse); with עַל Isa 47:11 (read באה for בא), Jer 5:12 + 5 t.; with אֶל Jer 2:3; Jer 51:60 הביא רעה Jer 4:6; 1Kgs 21:29 + אֶל 2Sam 17:14 + 8 t. in Kings Jeremiah; + עַל 1Kgs 9:9 = 2Chr 7:22; Jer 19:3 + 6 t. Jeremiah + 8 t.; + אֶל and לְ Jer 19:15; Jer 36:31 יוֺם רעה Jer 17:17; Jer 17:18 + 5 t.; יְמֵי העה Eccl 12:1 (i.e., spring days, fatal to old people, Wetzst in DeKoh. 447); רָעוֺת evils Deut 31:17 (twice in verse); Deut 31:21 (JE), Deut 32:23 (poem), Ps 34:20; Ps 40:13; Ps 88:4 עֵת רָעָה Amos 5:13; Jer 2:27; Jer 2:28 + 5 t.; ראה ברעה Num 11:15 (JE) Obad 1:13; Esth 8:6 ראה רעה Jer 44:17; Ps 90:15; Prov 22:3 = Prov 27:12 יפול ברעה Prov 17:20; Prov 28:14 בְּרָעָה Gen 44:29 (J) Prov 14:32; Prov 24:16; Neh 1:3; 1Chr 7:23; Ps 107:26 ברעותיכם Ps 141:5 נִחַם עַל רָעָה Exod 32:12; Exod 32:14 (J) Jer 8:6 + 6 t.; with אֶל 2Sam 24:16; Jer 26:3; Jer 26:13; Jer 26:19; Jer 42:10.
2. evil, injury, wrong: עשׂה רעה 2Sam 12:18; Jer 26:19; Jer 41:11 with עִם Gen 26:29 (J) Judg 15:3; 2Sam 13:16 with את Judg 11:27 with ל 1Sam 6:9; 1Kgs 2:44 + 4 t.; with אֶל Jer 44:7 object of verbs השׁב Gen 50:20 (E) Jer 36:3; Jer 48:2 + 7 t.; חרשׁ 1Sam 23:9; Prov 3:29 הֵשִׁיב Gen 50:15 (E) Judg 9:56; Judg 9:57 + 4 t.; גמל Gen 50:17 (E) 1Sam 24:18 (17) Isa 3:9; Prov 3:30 בקשׁ Num 35:23 (P) 1Sam 24:10 (9) 1Sam 25:26 + 4 t.; שׁלּם Gen 44:4 (J) Jer 18:20; Jer 51:24; Ps 35:12; Ps 38:21 לְרָעָה for harm Gen 31:52; Exod 23:2 (E) Deut 29:20; Judg 2:15; 2Sam 18:32; Jer 21:10 + 8 t. Jeremiah; Amos 9:4; Zech 1:15; Prov 6:18; Eccl 5:12 בְּרָעָתֶ֑ךָ 2Sam 16:8 in thy mischief; בְּרָעָה Exod 32:12 (J) for mischief; רָעָה רַבָּה Eccl 2:21 רָעָה חוֺלָה Eccl 5:12; Eccl 5:15.
3. ethical evil, 1Sam 12:17; 1Sam 12:19; 1Sam 24:12; 1Sam 26:18; + 13 t. Jeremiah, + 18 t., + following: עָשָׂה (הָ)רָעָה Gen 39:9; Deut 31:18 (J) + 5 t. + Jer 18:10 (Kt, but Qr רע); מַעֲשֵׂה רעה Eccl 8:11 אהב רעה Mic 3:2 (Kt); שׁוּב מרעה Jer 18:8; Jer 23:14; Jer 44:5 ׳בִּעֵר רעה מ Judg 20:13 (see II. רַע 3); מִפְּנֵי רָעָה Jer 7:12; Jer 44:3 מפגי רָעַתרעתכם Hos 10:15 ׳בגלל ר Jer 11:17 ׳על כל ר Jer 1:16; Jer 32:32; Jer 33:5 ׳מֵר Ps 107:34; Jer 12:4 אַנְשֵׁי רָעָה Prov 24:1.

evil, wickedness, wicked, hurt, mischief, …
raʿ
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
  • (adj) bad, evil
    • bad, disagreeable, malignant
    • "bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)"evil, displeasing"bad (of its kind—land, water, etc)"bad (of value)"worse than, worst (comparison)"sad, unhappy"evil (hurtful)"bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)"bad, evil, wicked (ethically)
      • in general, of persons, of thoughts
      • "deeds, actions
    (n m) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
    • evil, distress, adversity
    • "evil, injury, wrong"evil (ethical)
    (n f) evil, misery, distress, injury
    • evil, misery, distress
    • "evil, injury, wrong"evil (ethical)

וּ מָ֣ה
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מָ֣ה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: and what
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

הֶֽ עָרִ֗ים
הֶֽ
Prefix — article the
עָרִ֗ים
Root word city, cities, town, towns, one, …
Dictionary form: עִיר · eer

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

In the KJV here: cities
the city ×168 cities ×153 city ×131 of the city ×95 the cities ×88 in the city ×49 into the city ×26 a city ×25
More options
city — Best default; fits large, walled, or named settlements.
town — Prefer for smaller or less prominent settlements.
settlement — Neutral; good when size or status is ambiguous.
village — Use for very small or rural communities in context.
urban center — Highlights civic or political function over geography.

BDB5915 H5892

BDB5914 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5916

I. עִיר noun [masculine] excitement; — of terror, וּבֶהָלוֺת ׳ע Jer 15:9 of rage (si vera lectio), לֹא אָבוֺא בְּעִיר Hos 11:9, but St proposes לְבָעֵר compare We Oort Now GASm. — בָּעִיר Ps 73:20 see עור Hiph`il — II, III. עִיר see below


BDB6035 H5892

BDB6034 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6036

II. עִיר1092 noun feminineGen 10:12 (AlbrZAW xvi.40 f.) city, town (√ unknown; Late Hebrew id.;? Phoenician ער Lzb345; Sabean ער fortified height (compare 3) PräZMG xxvi (1872), 437, ערן, עהרן city CISiv. pp. 94, 95, 173); — ׳ע absolute Gen 4:17 +, construct Gen 24:10 +; הָעִ֫ירָה 1Kgs 14:12 + 7t.; suffix עִירִי 2Sam 19:38 + 2 t., etc.; plural עָרִים Isa 6:11 +, עֲיָרִים Judg 10:4 (text error, or word-play, compare GFM); construct עָרֵי Gen 10:29 +; suffix עָרַי Zech 1:17, עָרֵיכֶם Isa 1:7 +, etc.; —

1. city, town, abode of men Gen 4:17 (J) and often; גְּדֹלָה Gen 10:12 (J), +, or קְטַנָּה Eccl 9:14 (compare Gen 19:20); especially
  a. fortified: עָרִים בְּצֻרוֺת 2Sam 20:6 +, etc., see בָּצַר, מִבְצָר; עִיר מִבְצַרצֹֿר Josh 19:29 (P) fortified city (of) Tyre, מָצוֺר ׳ע Ps 31:22 +, etc., see מָצוֺר, מְצוּרָה below צוּר (Mic 7:12 see מָצוֺר); עָזלָֿנוּ ׳ע Isa 26:1, עָרֵי מָעוּזּוֺ Isa 17:9 דְּלָתַיִם וּבְרִיחַ ׳ְ 1Sam 23:7 חוֺמָה ׳ע Lev 25:29, compare vLev 25:30 (P), 1Kgs 4:13 on Hos 10:14 see I. עַם 2 b (1Sam 9:14 read הַשֵּׁעַר ᵐ5 We Dr and others).
  b. opposed to כֹּפֶר הַפְּרָזִי 1Sam 6:18, ׳עָרֵי הַפּ Deut 3:5, הַפְּרָזוֺת ׳ע Esth 9:19 distinguished from dependencies חֲצֵרִים Josh 13:23 + often P.
  c. עָרֶיה are dependent towns Josh 13:17 (P), Jer 19:15.
  d. עָרֵי הַמַּמְלָכָה Josh 10:2 (JE) royal cities (i.e. with a king, compare Tel Amarna al šarri), so singular 1Sam 27:5, opposed to הַשָּׁדֶה עָרֵי v1Sam 27:5 rural towns; הַמְּלוּכָה ׳ע 2Sam 12:26 (but read הַמַּיִם ׳ע We Bu Kit Löhr HPS, see 2 below).
  e. עֶרֵי מִסְכְּנוֺת Exod 1:11 storage-cities, so 1Kgs 9:19 = 2Chr 8:6; 2Chr 8:4; 2Chr 17:12 for נַפְתָּלִי ׳ע ׳מ 2Chr 16:4 read probably ׳כִּנְרוֺת עֵלוֿגו (as 1Kgs 15:20 Be Kit Buhl); compare הֶרֶכֶב ׳ע 1Kgs 9:19; 1Kgs 10:26 = 2Chr 8:6; 2Chr 9:25; 2Chr 1:14 הַפָּרָשִׁים ׳ע 1Kgs 9:19 = 2Chr 8:6. feminine (הַ)מִקְלָט ׳ע (P) asylum-cities Num 35:11; Num 35:13; Num 35:14; Josh 20:2, compare Num 35:25; Num 35:26; Num 35:27; Num 35:28; Num 35:32, לְמִקְלָט ׳ע vNum 35:12 מִקְלַט הָרֹצֵחַ ׳ע Josh 21:13 + 4t. 21.
  g. (הָ)אֱלֹהִים ׳ע = Jerusalem: Ps 46:5; Ps 87:3, compare Ps 48:2; Ps 48:9 ׳י ׳ע Isa 60:14; Ps 101:8 צְבָאוֺת ׳י ׳ע Ps 48:9.
  h. city = inhabitants 1Sam 4:13; 1Sam 5:12; Isa 22:2; Ruth 1:19, so 2Sam 20:22 (reading הָעִיר for ᵑ0 הָעָם) ᵐ5 We Dr and others (compare also following).
  i. combinations are: רֹכְלִים ׳ע Ezek 17:4 city of merchants; מוֺשָׁב ׳ע Ps 107:4; Ps 107:7; Ps 107:36 city for dwelling; especially of character or condition: הַצֶּדֶק ׳ע Isa 1:26, ׳ע הָאֱמֶת Zech 8:3 הַקּדֶשׁ ׳ע Isa 48:2; Isa 52:1; Neh 11:1; Neh 11:18, compare Dan 9:24, all of Jerusalem; עָרֵי קָדְשֶׁ֑ךָ Jer 5:17 of Judaean cities; of foreign cities, תְּהִלָּךְ ׳ע Jer 49:25, ׳הָע הַהֻלָּלהEzek 26:17, הָעַלִּיזָה ׳הָע Zeph 2:15 of Jerusalem also הַיּוֺנָה ׳הָע Zeph 3:1 oppressive city, (הַ)דָּמִים ׳ע bloody city Ezek 22:2; Ezek 24:6; Ezek 24:9 and (of Nineveh) Nah 3:1.
2. of fortress in a city especially עִיר דָּוִד 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 5:9; 2Sam 6:10 + often (see דָּוִד); כֵית הַבָּ֑עַל ׳ע 2Kgs 10:25 (crpt; Klo proposes דְּבִיר for ׳ע, compare Kmp Benz Kit); הַמַּיִם ׳ע 2Sam 12:27 (so read also v2Sam 12:26, see 1 d).
3. apparently fortified place, of any size, עִיר מִבְצָר בְּכָלעָֿרֵיהֶם מִמִּגְּדַּל נוֺצְרִים עַדֿ 2Kgs 17:9 =2Kgs 18:8 compare Num 13:9 (P; but on compare of ver. see Di); perhaps also עֲמָלֵק ׳ע 1Sam 15:5 (HPS). — Hos 7:4 see עור Hiph`il


עִיר הַהֶרֶס see הֶרֶס.

city, cities, town, towns, one, …
ʿîr
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
  • excitement, anguish
    • of terror
    city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
    • city, town

אֲשֶׁר
אֲשֶׁר
Particle who, which, that
Dictionary form: אֲשֶׁר · uh-SHER

Particle — Relative

In the KJV here: they be that
which ×1561 that ×1524 as ×311 whom ×202 who ×88 where ×84 whither ×70 whose ×69
More options
that — Most versatile; works as relative pronoun or conjunction.
which — Prefer for non-personal antecedents and formal register.
who — Use when antecedent is a person or personal being.
where — Use when introducing a place or locative clause.
when — Use when introducing a temporal clause.
because — Use when אֲשֶׁר introduces a causal clause.

BDB3871 H834

BDB3870 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3872

כַּאֲשֶׁר conjunction according as, as, when (compare for the combined Aramaic כְּדִי, כַּד) —

1. according to that which, according as, as:
  a. Gen 34:12 I will give כאשׁר תאמרו אלי according as ye shall (or may) say unto me, Gen 44:1; Exod 8:23; Num 22:8; 1Sam 2:16; Gen 34:22 if we are circumcised כאשׁר הם נמולים; Gen 41:21 כאשׁר בתחלה as at the beginning, so ׳כ בראשׁונה Josh 8:5; Josh 8:6; 2Sam 7:10; Exod 5:13 ׃כאשׁר בהיות התבן Gen 7:9 they came in two by two כאשׁר צוה אלהִים, as God commanded Noah; so, or similarly, very often, especially in P, vGen 7:16; Gen 8:21; Gen 12:4; Gen 17:23; Gen 21:1 (twice in verse); Exod 16:24; Exod 39:1; Exod 39:5; Exod 39:7; Num 3:16; Num 3:42 etc.; ׳כאשׁר דבר י Deut 1:21; Deut 2:1; Deut 6:3; Deut 6:19 + often Deuteronomy.
  b. answered, for increased emphasis, by כֵּן (compare כְּ 2 d), Gen 50:12 ויעשׂו כן כאשׁר צִוָּם, Exod 7:10; Exod 7:20; Gen 18:5 (J) כן חעשׂח כאשׁר דברת, Exod 10:10 (iron.), Amos 5:14 (do.); in opposed to order, Judg 1:7 כאשׁר עשׂיתי, כן שׁלם לי, Exod 7:6 כן עשׂו ׳כאשׁר צוה י, compare Exod 12:28; Exod 12:50; Exod 39:43; Num 5:4; Num 17:26; Num 36:10 (all P); with imperfect (frequently) Num 2:17 (P) כאשׁר יחנו כן יסעו; of degree = the more. . . the more, Exod 1:12 וכאשׁר יענּו אתו כן ירבה וכן יפרץ, compare Exod 17:11 (JE) ׳והיה כאשׁר יריםו֗֗֗גבר ישׁר according as he held up, etc., Israel prevailed; in an oath or solemn promise, Num 14:28 אם לא כאשׁר דברתם כן אעשׂה, Deut 28:63 (Jer 31:28), 1Kgs 1:30; Isa 10:11; Isa 14:24; Isa 52:14f. (see כֵּן 2 b).
  c. answered by וַ (Dr§ 127 γ) Exod 16:34; Num 1:19.
  d. often in similes (followed by imperfect of habit) Exod 33:11 כאשׁר ידבר אישׁ אל רעהו, Num 11:12; Deut 1:44; Isa 9:2; Isa 66:20 +, answered by כֵּן Isa 31:4; Isa 55:10; Isa 66:22; Amos 3:12 +; a second verb is, in such cases, in the perfect with וְ consecutive (Dr§ 115) Deut 22:26; Isa 29:8 כאשׁר יחלםו֗֗֗הקיץ, Isa 65:8; Amos 5:19.
  e. הָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר (compare הָיָה כְּ) to be as if, Job 10:19 כאשׁר לא הייתי אהיה, Zech 10:6 והיו כאשׁר לא זנחתים.
2. with a casual force, in so far as, since (German demgemäss dass), Gen 26:29 if thou doest us no harm כאשׁר לא נגענוך according as, in so far as, we have not touched thee; Num 27:14 כאשׁר מריתם פי inasmuch as ye have defied my mouth, Judg 6:27; 1Sam 28:18 (answered by על כן), 2Kgs 17:26; Mic 3:4.
3. with a temporal force, when, Gen 18:33 and Y. went away כאשׁר כלה when he had finished, etc., Gen 32:3; Gen 32:32; 1Sam 8:6; 2Sam 12:21 +; answered by וַּ (Dr§ 127 β), 1Sam 6:6; 1Sam 12:8 ויהי כאשׁר֗֗ and it came to pass, when . . . Gen 12:11; Gen 20:13; Gen 24:22; Gen 24:52; Exod 32:19 + often; Gen 43:14 כאשׁר שׁכלתי שׁכלתי when I am bereaved, I am bereaved ! an expression of resignation, so Esth 4:16 כאשׁר אבדתי אבדתי. Josh 2:7 אחרי כאשׁר is a 'conflate' reading, omit either אחרי or כ. Of future time, Gen 27:40; Gen 40:14 כאשׁר ייטב לך, Hos 7:12; Eccl 4:17; Eccl 5:3, and without a verb Isa 23:5 כאשׁר שׁמע למצרים. — Mic 3:3 כאשׁר is simply as that which, Job 29:25 as one who.


BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

BDB6201 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6203

יַעַן96 properly substantive, purpose, intention, but always used as preposition or conjunction, on account of, because (for יַעֲנֶה, of the form יִצְהָר etc., Sta§ 259 ii. 403; compare mean, intend): —

1. as preposition, rarely with a substantive, Ezek 5:9 יַעַן תּוֺעֲבוֺתֵיכֶם, Hag 1:9 יַעַן מָה, vHag 1:9 יַעַן בֵּיתִי; with a participle Ezek 36:13 יען אמרים because of men saying to you (but read probablyאָמְרָם, Co Toy Berthol); frequently with infinitive with, 1Kgs 21:20 יַעַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ on account of thy having sold thyself, Amos 5:11; Isa 30:12; Isa 37:29 (= 2Kgs 19:28) יַעֵן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ אֵלַי, Jer 5:14; Jer 7:13; Jer 23:38; Jer 48:7, and often. (c. 18 t.) in Ezek., as Jer 5:7 (read יַעַן הַמְ˜רֹתְכֶם), Jer 13:8; Jer 13:22; Jer 25:3; Jer 25:6; Jer 25:8; Jer 25:12.

2. As conjunction:
  a. יַעַן אֲשֶׁר (32 t.), usually with perfect, as Gen 22:16 יען אשׁר עשׂית זאת because that thou hast done this, Deut 1:36 (Josh 14:14), Judg 2:20; 1Sam 30:22; 1Kgs 3:11; 1Kgs 8:18; Jer 19:4; Jer 25:8; Jer 29:23 (not Isaiah) +; with imperfect (in frequent. sense) Ezek 44:12.
  b. יַען כִּי, Num 11:20 ׳יַעַן כִּי מְאַסְתֶּם אֶתיֿ, 1Kgs 13:21; 1Kgs 21:29; Isa 3:16; Isa 7:5; Isa 8:6; Isa 29:13.
  c. יַעַן alone (23 t.), with perfect Num 20:12 יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, 1Sam 15:23; 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 22:19; Hos 8:1; Isa 61:1; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 with imperfect (frequently) Ezek 34:21 of the future Ezek 12:12 because he shall not see, etc., (but ᵐ5 Co Kau Berthol לְמַעַן אשׁר לא יֵרָאֶה לָעַיִן): usually the verb follows immediately, but Ezek. sometimes puts the object first for emphasis, Ezek 5:11 יַעַן אֶתמִֿקְדָּשִׁי טִמֵּאתָ, Ezek 20:16; Ezek 20:24; Ezek 36:6, compare Ezek 34:21.

3. יַעַן וּבְיַעַן, q.d. because and by the cause (that), followed by perhaps, Lev 26:43 (H) יען וביען בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי מָאָ֔סוּ, Ezek 13:10 יַעַן בְּיַעַז followed by infinitive, Ezek 36:3. (In all, reckoning יען (ו)ביען once each, 93 t., of which 20 are in 1-2 Kings, 11 in Jeremiah, 38 in Ezekiel; and only 9 in Genesis—2Samuel.)


BDB6204 H4616 H834 H4617

BDB6203 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6205

[מַ֫עַן] substantive purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן271 preposition and conjunction for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that (abbreviated from מַעֲנֶה: compare מַ֫עַל; ii. 116); — with suffix לְמַעֲנִי, לְמַעַנְךָ, and לְמַעַנְכֶם; —

1. preposition: —
  a. Gen 18:24 wilt thou ... not spare the place למען חמשׁים הציקים for the sake of the 50 righteous? Deut 30:6 חַיֶּיךָ ׳ל for thy life's sake, 1Kgs 8:41 the foreigner who comer from afar שְׁמֶ֑ךָ ׳ל, Isa 43:14 לְמַעַנְכֶם שִׁלַּחְתִּי בָבֶ֫לָה, Isa 45:4; Isa 62:1 ציון ׳ל, Isa 63:17 עבדיך ׳ל, Isa 65:8; Ezek 36:22 (twice in verse); Job 18:4; Ps 122:8; Ps 122:9 (׳עַבְדִּי ד) לְמַעַן דָּוִד, i.e. for the sake of David's memory, and the promises given to him, 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:13; 1Kgs 11:32; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:4; 2Kgs 8:19; 2Kgs 19:34 (= Isa 37:35), Isa 20:6 (all D2); לְמַעֲנִי (of ׳י) for my own sake, i.e. to vindicate my name, 2Kgs 19:34 (= Isa 37:35), 2Kgs 20:6; Isa 43:25; Isa 48:11 לְמַעֲנִי לְמַעֲנִי אֶעֲשֶׁה, so לְמַעַנְךָ Dan 9:19, אֲדֹנָי ׳ל vDan 9:17 ׳י is said (or entreated) to act (שִׁמְךָ, שְׁמִי) לְמַעַן שְׁמוֺ i.e. to maintain his reputation, or character, Ps 23:3; Ps 25:11; Ps 31:4; Ps 79:9; Ps 106:8; Ps 143:11; Jer 14:7; Jer 14:21; Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22; Ezek 20:44; Isa 48:9 simile חַסְדְּךָ ׳ל (i.e. to maintain it consistently) Ps 6:5; Ps 44:27, טוּבְךָ ׳ל Ps 25:7, צִדְקוֺ ׳ל Isa 42:21.


  b. In view of, on account of (but not expressing causation distinctly, like מִן 2 f, or מִפְּנֵי), Deut 3:26 בי לְמַעַנְכֶם ׳ויתעבר י on your account, 1Kgs 11:39 זֹאת ׳ל in view of this, שׁוֺרֲרַי ׳ל on account of my watchful foes, Ps 5:9; Ps 27:11, צורריך ׳ל Ps 8:3, simil. Ps 69:19; Ps 48:12 (Ps 97:8) משׁפטיך ׳ישמח הר ציון ֗֗֗ ל in view of thy judgments.


  c. Sq. infinitive Gen 18:19 ׳לְמַעַן הָבִיא י for the purpose of J.'s bringing = to the intent that J. might bring, Gen 37:22 הַצִּיל ׳ל in order to rescue, Gen 50:20; Exod 1:11; Exod 9:16; Exod 10:1, etc., Deut 2:30; Deut 6:28, etc., 2Kgs 10:19; Jer 7:10; Jer 7:18; Jer 11:5; Jer 50:34 (on הִרגיע, see עַד 2 a b), Ezek 14:5; Ezek 21:5; Ezek 22:6 etc., Ezek 36:5, + often (iii.595 f.). Once, pleonastic, לְמַעַן לָמוּג לֵב Ezek 21:20 (compare כַּעֲבוּר לְ 1Chr 19:3 but read probably הִמּוֺג).

2. conjunction (followed by imperfect): —
  a. לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר Gen 18:19 I have known him אשׁר יְצַוֶּה ׳ל to the end that he might command, etc., Deut 27:3; Josh 3:4; 2Sam 13:5; Jer 42:6 more often
  b. without אשׁר, as Gen 12:13 לְמַעַן יִיטַב לִי, Gen 27:25; Exod 4:5 יאמינו ׳ל, Exod 8:6; Exod 8:18; Exod 9:29; Exod 10:2; Isa 5:19; Isa 23:16; Ps 9:15; Ps 30:13; Ps 48:14 + often (iii.571).


  c. Sq. לֹא (a) אשׁר לֹא ׳ל Num 17:5; Deut 20:18; Ezek 31:14; Ezek 36:30; Ezek 46:18 (b) לֹא ׳ל Ezek 14:11; Ezek 19:9; Ezek 25:10; Ezek 26:20; Zech 12:7; Ps 119:11; Ps 119:80; Ps 125:3 (iii.574. Less common than לְבִלְתִּי or מִן with infinitive, or פֶּןֿ).

Note
1.לְמַעַן is always in order that, never merely so that ἐκβατικῶς); but sometimes, in rhetorical passages, the issue of a line of action, though really undesigned, is represented by it ironically as if it were designed: Deut 29:18 (see Dr) ׳סְפוֺת וגו ׳וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ כִּלְבָבוֺ ֗֗֗ ל and he congratulate himself ... in order to sweep away the moistened with the dry (i.e. to destroy all together), Isa 30:1; Isa 44:9 יֵבוֺשׁוּ ׳בל יראו ובל ידעו ל in orer that they may be put to shame, Jer 7:18 הַכְעִיסֵנִי ׳ל, vJer 7:19 בּשֶׁת פְנֵיהֶם ׳ל, Jer 27:10; Jer 27:15; Jer 32:29; Hos 8:4 their silver, etc., they have made into idols יִכָרֵת ׳ל in order that it may be cut off (of course, not the real purpose of the idolatry), Amos 2:7; Mic 6:16: compare Ps 51:6 (see Comn.) in order that thou mightest be just when thou judgest (that is, by manifesting thy justice in judgement on my sin). compare Qor 28:7 (FlKl. Schr. i. 397 f.).

Note 2. — In Josh 4:24 for the anomalous יְרָאתֶם ׳ל, read infinitive יִרְאָתָם ׳ל in order that they might fear (Dr§ 14 Obs.): Neh 6:13 לְמַעַן שָׂכוּר הוּא לְמַעַן אִירָא (si vera 1.) the first ׳ל points forwards, to this intent was he hired, to the intent that I should be afraid. — On Prov 16:4, see מַעֵנֶה above


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].


BDB844 H834

BDB843 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB845

אֲשֶׁר particle of relation (Moabite id.; origin dubious:

1. according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171 MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n. StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167 HomZMG 1878, 708 ff. Müll§ 153 SayceHebraica. ii. 51 LagM. i. 255 & especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff, originally a substantive 'place' = footstep, mark, (do.), אֲתַר, place, Assyrian ašru, used (see Kraetz.) both as a substantive 'there, where,' and as a relative of place 'where': in Hebrew this development has advanced further, and it has become a relative sign generally. The chief objection to this explanation is that it would isolate Hebrew from the other Semitic languages, in which pronouns are formed regularly from demonstrative roots (compare also ZMG 1886, 738).
2. according to PhiSt. C. 73 SperlingNota Rel. im Hebr. 1876, 15-22 for אֲשֶׁל, developed from the relative שׁ (q. v.) by (1) the prefixing of either a merely prosthetic א, or, better, a pronominal א (giving rise to אש, the form of the relative in Phoenician), and (2) the addition of the demonstrative root ל [found also in אֵל, אֵלָּה, הַלָּזֶה (q. v.), he who, who (plural)]: the main objection to this explanation is the change of ל to ר, which is hardly rendered probable by the compare of Syriac by side of ᵑ7 הָלְכָּא. 1 seems preferable, the primitive root having acquired different significations in the different Semitic languages, and having been weakened in Hebrew to a mere particle of relation). A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. As a rule אֲשֶׁר is a mere connecting link, and requires to be supplemented (see the grammars) by a pronominal affix, or other word, such as שָׁם, defining the nature of the relation more precisely: e.g. Gen 1:11 אֲשֶׁר זַרֵעוֺבֿוֺ literally as to which, its seed is in it = in which is its seed, Ps 1:4 like the chaff אֲשֶׁרתִּֿדְּפֶנּוּ רוּחַ as to which, the wind drives it = which the wind drives, etc.; & so אֲשֶׁרשָׁ֗֗֗ם = where, אֲשֶׁרמִ֗֗֗שָּׁם = whence, Gen 2:11; Gen 3:23; Gen 20:13 etc. Sometimes also (see below) the relation expressed by it is specifically temporal, local causal, etc. More particularly

1. it includes its pronominal antecedent, whether in the nominative or oblique cases, as Num 22:6 וַאֲשֶׁר תָּאֹר יוּאָר and he whom thou cursest is cursed, Exod 4:12 and I will teach thee אֲשֶׁר תְּדַבֵּר that which thou shalt say; and with particles or prepositions, as אֵת אֲשֶׁר (according to the context) him who . . ., those who . . ., that which . . .; לַאֲשֶׁר to him who . . . Gen 43:16, to those who . . . Gen 47:24, to that which Gen 27:8 מֵאֲשֶׁר Judg 16:30; 2Sam 18:18 than those whom; Lev 27:24 לַאֲשֶׁר קָנָהוּ מֵאִתּוֺ to him from whom he bought it, Num 5:7; Isa 24:2 כַּאֲשֶׁר נשֶׁא בוֺ like him against whom there is a creditor.
2. instances of אֲשֶׁר followed by a pronominal affix, or by שָׁם, שָֽׁמָּה, מִשָּׁם, are so common that the examples cited above will be sufficient. Very rarely there occurs the anomalous construction עִם אֲשֶׁר Gen 31:32 for אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֺ (see Gen 44:9), בַּאֲשֶׁר Isa 47:12 for אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, לַאֲשֶׁר for אֲשֶׁרלָ֗֗֗הֶם Ezek 23:40: Ps 119:49 see under על אשׁר. It is followed by the pronoun in the nominative, in the following cases: —
   (a) immediately, mostly before an adjective or participle, Gen 9:3 all moving things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:26; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 14:27; Num 35:31; Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19 (see Dr) 2Kgs 25:19 (|| Jer 52:25 היה) Jer 27:9; Ezek 43:19; Hag 1:9; Ruth 4:15; Neh 2:18; Eccl 7:26 before a verb 2Kgs 22:13 (omitted 2Chr 34:21).
   (b) in a negative sentence, at the end: Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12; Num 17:5; Deut 17:15 אֲשֶׁר לֹא אָחִיךָ הוּא who is not thy brother, Deut 20:15; Judg 19:12; 1Kgs 8:41 || 1Kgs 9:20 ||.
N.B. Ps 16:3 אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ הֵ֑מָּה is an unparalleled expression for 'who are in the land'; read ׳אֲשֶׁר בָּאָ֑רֶץ הֵמָּה אַדִּירֵי וג 'the saints that are in the land, they (המה) are the nobles, in whom,' etc.
3. sometimes (though rarely) the defining adjunct is a pronoun of 1 or 2 person as well as of 3 person. In such cases it is strictly to be rendered I who . . ., thou who, etc.; Hos 14:4 אֲשֶׁרבְּֿךָ יְרֻחַם יָתוֺם thou by whom the fatherless is compassionated ! Jer 31:32 I, whose covenant they brake, Jer 32:19; Isa 49:23; Job 37:17f. thou whose garments are warm . . ., canst thou ? etc., Ps 71:19; Ps 71:20; Ps 144:12 we whose sons, etc., Ps 139:15 my frame was not hidden from thee, אֲ֯שֶׁרעֻֿשֵּׂיתִי בַסֵּתֶר I who was wrought in secret (= though I was wrought in secret), Exod 14:13 for ye who have seen the Egyptians to-day, — ye shall not see them again for ever! (compare Ps 41:9).
4. the defining pron. adjunct is dispensed with
  a. when אֲשֶׁר represents the simple subject of a sentence, or the direct object of a verb: so constantly, as Gen 2:1 the work אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה which he made, Gen 3:3 the tree אֲשֶׁר בְּתוֺךְ הַגָּן which is in the midst of the garden, etc.
  b. after words denoting time, place, or manner, so that אֲשֶׁר then becomes equivalent to when, where, why:
   (a) Gen 6:4 אַחֲרֵי כֵן אֲשֶׁר afterwards, when, etc. (compare 2Chr 35:20) Gen 45:6 there are still 5 years אֲשֶׁר אֵין חָרִישׁ when there shall be no plowing, Josh 14:10; 1Kgs 22:25 after יוֺם or הַיּוֺם Deut 4:10; Judg 4:14; 1Sam 24:5 (see Dr) 2Sam 19:25; Jer 20:14 and elsewhere; similarly Gen 40:13. (β) Gen 35:13 בַּמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֺ in the place where he spake with him, vGen 35:14; Gen 39:20; Num 13:27; Num 22:26; Deut 1:31 in the desert which thou sawest, where (accents Ke Di), Deut 8:15; 1Kgs 8:9 (unless לוּחוֺת הַבְּרִית has here fallen out: see ᵐ5 & Deut 9:9) Isa 55:11; Isa 64:10; Ps 84:4. So (γ) in אֶל אֲשֶׁר to (the place) which (or whither) Exod 32:34; Ruth 1:16 אֶלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר to every (place) whither Josh 1:16; Prov 17:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר in (the place) where Judg 5:27; Judg 17:8; Judg 17:9; 1Sam 23:13; 2Kgs 8:1; Ruth 1:16; Ruth 1:17; Job 39:30, once only with שָׁם Gen 21:17 בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר wheresoever Josh 1:7; Josh 1:9; Judg 2:15; 1Sam 14:47; 1Sam 18:5; 2Sam 7:7; 2Kgs 18:7 מֵאֲשֶׁר from (the place) where = whencesoever Exod 5:11; Ruth 2:9 עַלאֲֿשֶׁר to (the place) whither (or which) 2Sam 15:20; 1Kgs 18:12 עַלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר Jer 1:7. (δ) זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר ֗֗֗ this is the reason that or why . . . Josh 5:4; 1Kgs 11:27.
  c. more extreme instances Lev 14:22; Lev 14:30; Lev 14:31; Num 6:21; Deut 7:19 (wherewith), Deut 28:20; 1Sam 2:32 (wherein), 1Kgs 2:26; Judg 8:15 (about whom), Isa 8:12 (where יאמר would be followed normally by לוֺ), Isa 31:6 turn ye to (him as to) whom they have deeply rebelled, Isa 47:15; Zeph 3:11; Eccl 3:9; 1Kgs 14:19 (= how).
  d. it is dispensed with only in appearance after ׅ׳אֲשֶׁר אָמַר (אָמַרְתִּי וג followed by the words used, its place being really taken by a pronoun in the speech which follows, as Gen 3:17 the tree as to which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eat from it, Exod 22:8; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4 (זֶה) Judg 8:15 (where the noun repeated takes the place of the pronoun, compare Deut 9:2) 1Sam 9:17 (זֶה):23 +; compare 2Sam 11:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4.
5. אֲשֶׁר sometimes in poetry = one who, a man who (men who), ὅστις, οἵτινες, Ps 24:4; Ps 55:20; Ps 95:4; Ps 95:5; Job 4:19; Job 5:5; Job 9:5 (Hi) Job 15:17.
6. אֲשֶׁר occasionally receives its closer definition by a substantive following it, in other words, its logical antecedent is inserted in the relative clause:
   (a) in the phrase peculiar to Jeremiah, ׳אֶל יר ׳אֲשֶׁר הָיָה דְבַר י that which came (of) the word of ׳י to Jeremiah Jer 14:1; Jer 46:1; Jer 47:1; Jer 49:34 (compare Ew§ 334);
   (b) Exod 25:9; Num 33:4; 1Sam 25:30; 2Kgs 8:12; 2Kgs 12:6 לְכֹל אֲשֶׁריִֿמָּצֵא שָׁם בָּֽדֶק׃ Ezek 12:25 compare the Ethiopic usage Di§ 201;
   (c) (antecedant repeated) Gen 49:30 = Gen 50:13, 1Sam 25:30 (׳י repeated), Isa 54:9 (probably) as to which I sware that, etc., Amos 5:1 which I take up over you (as) a dirge.
7. ׳אֲשֶׁר ל that (belongs, belong, belonged) to, is used
  a. either alone or preceded by כָּלֿ to express (all) that (belongs) to, as Gen 14:23 מִכָּלאֲֿשֶׁרלְֿךָ of all that is thine, Gen 31:1 מֵאֲשֶׁר לְאָבִינוּ of that which was our father's, Gen 32:24 & sent over אֶתאֲֿשֶׁרלֿוֺ that which he had, + often
  b. as a circumlocution of the genitive, as Gen 29:9 עִםהַֿצּאֹן אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיהָ with the sheep that were her father's, Gen 40:5; Gen 47:4; Lev 9:8; Judg 6:11; 1Sam 25:7 הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁרלְֿךָ, 2Sam 14:31 אֶתהַֿחֶלְקָה אֲשֶׁרלִֿי, 2Sam 23:8; 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:33 עַל הַפִּרְדָּה אֲשֶׁרלִֿי upon mine own mule, v1Kgs 1:49; 1Kgs 4:2; 2Kgs 11:10; 2Kgs 16:13; Ruth 2:21 and especially in the case of a compound expression depending on a single genitive, as Gen 23:9; Gen 40:5; Gen 41:43 מִרְכֶּבֶת הַמִּשְׁנֶה אֲשֶׁרלֿוֺ the chariot of the second rank which he had, Exod 38:30; Judg 3:20; Judg 6:25; 1Sam 17:40; 1Sam 21:8 אֲבִיר הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל the mightiest of Saul's herdmen, 1Sam 24:5 אֶתכְּֿנַףהַֿמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁרלְֿשָׁאוּל, 2Sam 2:8 Saul's captain of the host, 1Kgs 10:28; 1Kgs 15:20; 1Kgs 22:31; Jer 52:17; Ruth 4:3.
  c. with names of places (especially such as do not readily admit the stative construct) Judg 18:28; Judg 19:14 הַגִּבְעָה אֲשֶׁר לְבִנְיָמִין Gibeah (the hill) of Benjamin, Judg 20:4; 1Sam 17:1; 1Kgs 15:27; 1Kgs 16:15; 1Kgs 17:9; 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 14:11. compare שֶׁל (q. v.) which in Rabb, like the Aramaic -דִּיל, , is in habitual use as a mark of the genitive. — N.B. In Aramaic also דּי, , without ל, expresses the genitive relation, as מִלְּתָא דִימַֿלְכָּא, literally the word, that of the king = the word of the king. The few apparent cases of a similar use of אשׁר are, however, too foreign to the general usage of the language to be regarded otherwise than as due to textual error: 1Sam 13:8 read אֲשֶׁר אָמַר (or שָׂם Exod 19:5) שְׁמוּאֵל (ᵐ5 εἶπε); 1Kgs 11:25 supply עָשָׂה (ᵐ5 ἣν ἐποίησεν); 2Kgs 25:10 supply אֵת with (as || Jer 52:14); 2Chr 34:22 read וַאֲשֶׁר אָמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ (compare ᵐ5) and those whom the king appointed (abbreviated from 2Kgs 22:14); compare Ew§ 292 a, b with note.

8. אֲשֶׁר becomes, like Aramaic דּי, , a conjunction approximating in usage to כִּי: thus
  a. = quod, ὅτι, that, subordinating an entire sentence to a verb of knowing, remembering, etc.
   (a) with אֵת Deut 9:7 forget not אֵת אֲשֶׁר הִקְצַפְתָּ the fact that (= how) thou provokedst, etc., Deut 29:15; Josh 2:10; 1Sam 24:11; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 11:20 know ye not אֵת אֲשֶׁריֹֿרוּ how they shoot from off the wall ? 2Kgs 8:12; Isa 38:3 + often As subject (rare) 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 14:15; 2Kgs 20:20. Of time (peculiarly) 2Sam 14:15 עַתָּה אֲשֶׁר now (is it) that . . . Zech 8:20 (probably) yet (shall it be) that . . . vZech 8:23 compare כִּמְעַט שֶׁ Song 3:4. (β) without אֵת (not very common, כִּי being usually employed): after יָדַע Exod 11:7; Ezek 20:26 (very strange in Ezekiel: see Hi) Job 9:5 (Ew De Di) Eccl 8:12, רָאָה Deut 1:31 (RV) 1Sam 18:15, הִתְוַדָּה to confess Lev 5:5; Lev 26:40 b, הִשְׁבִּיעַ 1Kgs 22:16 (caused to swear that . . .); after a noun Isa 38:7 הָאוֺת אֲשֶׁר the sign that . . . (|| 2Kgs 20:9 כִּי): with growing frequency in late Hebrew, 2Chr 2:7, and especially Nehemiah, Esther: Neh 2:5; Neh 2:10; Neh 7:65 (= Ezra 2:63) Neh 8:14; Neh 8:15; Neh 10:31; Neh 13:1; Neh 13:19; Neh 13:22; Neh 2:10; Neh 3:4; Neh 4:11; Neh 6:2; Neh 8:11; (מֵאֲשֶׁר) Eccl 5:4; Eccl 7:18 (with טוֺב: contrast Ruth 2:22) vRuth 2:22 vRuth 2:29; Ruth 8:12; Ruth 8:14; Ruth 9:1; Dan 1:8 (twice in verse). (γ) prefixed to a direct citation, like כִּי q. v. (= ὅτι recitativum) (rare) 1Sam 15:20; 2Sam 1:4; 2Sam 2:4 (see Dr) Ps 10:6 (probably), Neh 4:6.
  b. it is resolvable into so that: Gen 11:7 אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ so that they understand not, etc., Gen 13:16; Gen 22:14 אֲשֶׁר יֵאָמֵר so that it is said, Exod 20:26; Deut 4:10; Deut 4:40 אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ Deut 6:3; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:51; 1Kgs 3:12; 1Kgs 3:13; 2Kgs 9:37; Mal 3:19.
  c. it has a causal force, forasmuch as, in that, since: Gen 30:18; Gen 31:49 and Mizpah, אֲשֶׁר אָמַר for that he said, Gen 34:13; Gen 34:27; Gen 42:21 we are guilty, אֲשֶׁר רָאִינוּ we who saw (or, in that we saw), Num 20:13 Meribah, because they strove there, Deut 3:24; Josh 4:7; Josh 4:23; Josh 22:31; Judg 9:17; 1Sam 2:23; 1Sam 15:15; 1Sam 20:42 go in peace, אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְנוּ forasmuch as we have sworn, 1Sam 25:26 thou whom (= or, seeing that) ׳י hath withholden, 2Sam 2:5 blessed are ye of ׳י, אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם, who (οἵτινες) have done (or in that ye have done), 1Kgs 3:19; 1Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 12:3; 2Kgs 17:4; 2Kgs 23:26; (Hi De Now). Here also belongs its use in אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה since why . . . ? (= lest) Dan 1:10: see below לָמָּה. On אֲשֶׁר עַל כֵּן forasmuch as Job 34:27 see below כִּי עַל כֵּן.
  d. it expresses a condition (rare & peculiar): Lev 4:22 אֲשֶׁר נָשִׂיא יֶחֱטָא in (case) that = when (or if) a ruler sinneth (Lev 4:3 vLev 4:13 vLev 4:37 אִם), Num 5:29 (explained differently by Ew§ 334 a), Deut 11:27 and the blessing אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְעוּ if ye hearken (Deut 11:28 אִם), Deut 18:22 Ges, Josh 4:21 אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁאָלוּן ֗֗֗ when they ask . . ., then . . . (Josh 4:6 כִּי), Isa 31:4. In 1Kgs 8:33 (|| 2Chr 6:24 כִּי, compare Kings v2Chr 6:35 v2Chr 6:37) אֲשֶׁר may be rendered indifferently because or when. Once, similarly, אֵת אֲשֶׁר 1Kgs 8:31 (|| אִם).
  e. perhaps (exceptionally) = כַּאֲשֶׁר, as, Jer 33:22; Isa 54:9 (followed by כֵּן; but כֵּן q. v. sometimes stands without כאשׁר, & אשׁר may in these passages connect with what precedes); according to some also Jer 48:8; Ps 106:34 (in a connection where כַּאֲשֶׁר would be more usual: אֲשֶׁר may however be the object of אָמַר). In 1Sam 16:7 אֲשֶׁר יִרְאֶה הָאָדָם read כַּאֲשֶׁר, see Dr. feminine combined with prepositions, אֲשֶׁר converts them into conjunctions: see below, בַּאֲשֶׁר, כַּאֲשֶׁר, מֵאֲשֶׁר. On its use similarly with (אַחֲרֵי) אַחַר, מִבְּלִי, בַּעֲבוּר, עַל דְּבַר, יַעַן, לְמַעַן, כְּפִי, עַד, עַל, עֵקֶב, מִפְּנֵי, תַּחַת, see these words. — הַאֲשֶׁר, with ה interrogative, occurs once, 2Kgs 6:22. In Deut 15:14 also read כַּאֲשֶׁר: note ברכך before.

Note 1. אֲשֶׁר being a connecting link, without any perfectly corresponding equivalent in English, its force is not unfrequently capable of being represented in more than one way. See e.g. 2Sam 2:5 (above 8 c), Isa 28:12 unto whom he said, or for that he said to them.

Note 2. The opinion that אֲשֶׁר has an asseverative force (like כִּי, q. v.), or introduces the apodosis, is not probably, being both alien to its general usage & not required by the passages alleged. Render Isa 8:20 either 'Surely according to this word will those speak who have no dawn,' or '. . . will they speak when (compare above 8 d Deut 11:27; Josh 4:21) they have no dawn.'


BDB845 H834

BDB844 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB846

בַּאֲשֶׁר 19
  a. in (that) which . . . Isa 56:4; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 (above 1); Eccl 3:9 in (that, in) which (4 c); Isa 47:12 (see 2). b. adverb in (the place) where: above 4 b (γ). c. conjunction in that, inasmuch as, Gen 39:9; Gen 39:23; Eccl 7:2; Eccl 8:4 compare .
  d. Jonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי on account of whom ? (בַּאֲשֶׁר לְ on account of, framed on model of Aramaic בְּדִיל: see below שֶׁל).


כַּאֲשֶׁר see below כְּ.


BDB846 H834

BDB845 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB847

מֵאֲשֶׁר17
  a. from (or than) that which (him, them, etc., that . . .) Gen 3:11; Exod 29:27 (twice in verse); Num 6:11 (see Lev 4:26; Josh 10:11; Judg 16:30; Isa 47:13 +; than that . . . Eccl 3:22 לְבַד מֵאֲשֶׁר Esth 4:11. b. adverb from (the place) where: above 4 a (β). c. conjunction from (the fact) that . . ., since Isa 43:4.


BDB9440 H1768 H2088 H834

BDB9439 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9441

דִּי particle of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of genitive and conjunction that, because (Aramaic of Nineveh, Babylonian, Zinjirli, Nerab, Cilicia, Têma, Egypt, ןי (Lzb267. 446 RES361 S-CPap. A 2 +); Nabataean, Palmyrene די; ᵑ7 דְּ (except in compounds, as דִּילִי mine, דִּילֵיהּ his); Samaritan ; Syriac ; Ethiopic za: of same origin as Arabic possessor of [compare below Biblical Hebrew זֶה]. Properly a demonstrative that [compare זֶה; in Ethiopic ze is 'this', za 'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preceding becomes equivalent to the relative who, which, used, however, more widely than Hebrew אֲשֶׁר); —

1. as rel. who, which (construed like אֲשֶׁר): a. Jer 10:11; Dan 2:11 דִּי מְדָֽרְהוֺן whose dwelling, vDan 2:24 דִּי מַנִּי מַלְבָּא whom the king had appointed, vDan 2:26 ׳דִּי שְׁמֵהּ בּ whose name was B., Dan 4:5; Dan 5:12; Dan 5:23, etc.; = that which Dan 2:23 = him that Ezra 7:25; Ezra 6:15; Dan 7:17 דִּת אִנוּן אַרְבַּע which are four (see אִנּוּן). Following pronoun of 2 person (compare אֲשֶׁר 3), Dan 2:37 thou, O king ..., דִּי ֗֗֗ יְהַב לָח to whom... hath given, Dan 4:19; Dan 4:6 as to whom I know, etc. (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d end). Sq. תַּמָּה = where Ezra 6:1, so דִּי alone Ezra 6:3; Dan 2:38 of time, בְּעִדָּנָא דִּי at the time when, etc., Dan 3:5; Dan 3:15. With the predicate an infinitive with לְ, Dan 6:9 כְּתָבָא דִּי לָא לְהַשְׁנָיָה which is not to be changed, Ezra 6:8 a place- or other determination, Dan 3:20 valiant men בְחֵילֵהּ that were in his army, Dan 5:2 הֵיכְלָא דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֵב, Dan 7:20; Ezra 4:24; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 6:2; Ezra 6:6 compare Dan 2:25; Dan 5:13; Dan 7:7; Ezra 7:23. דִּי לָא = without, Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22 (so דְּלָא ᵑ7 Gen 15:2; Exod 21:11); compare Dan 2:34; Dan 2:45.
  b. מָן דִּי, מָה דִּי (compare in late Hebrew ׳מַהשֶּֿׁ, מַה 1 e b) whoever, whatever, so Dan 3:6; Dan 3:11 יִפֵּל ָ(מןדִּֿילָֿא whoever does not fall down, Dan 4:14 לְמָן דִּי יִצְבֵּא to whomsoever he willeth, v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21 מָה דִי whatever (or simply what), Dan 2:28 מָה דִּי לֶהֱוֵא what will be, vDan 2:29 vDan 2:29 vDan 2:45; Ezra 6:8; Ezra 7:18. — compare K§ 103.
2. as mark of the genitive, Dan 2:15 שׁליטא די מלכא properly the captain, that of the king = the king's captain (a genuine Aramaic idiom: so ᵑ7 דְּ, Syriac constantly), vDan 2:19 vDan 2:25 vDan 2:49 + often: the substantive in such cases may be either in the emphatic state (determined), as ll. cc. Ezra 4:15; Ezra 5:2, etc., or in the absolute state (undetermined), Dan 5:5; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:9; Dan 7:10 נְהַר דִּי נוּר; or it may have a pleonastic suffix, Dan 2:20 שְׁמֵהּ דִּי אֱלָהָא literally his name, that of God = God's name, vDan 2:44; Dan 3:8; Dan 3:25; Dan 3:26; Dan 4:23, etc. (so also ᵑ7 Syriac). To circumscribe an adjective, especially in specification of the material: Dan 2:38 thou art רֵאשָׁה דִּי דַהֲבָא the head of gold, vDan 2:39; Dan 3:1; Dan 5:7; Dan 5:16; Ezra 5:14; Ezra 6:4 +; as predicate Dan 2:32 רֵאשֵׁהּ דִּידְֿהַב טָב his head (was) of fine gold, vDan 2:33; Dan 7:19 with a pronoun Dan 2:20 wisdom and might דִּילֵֿהּ הִיא are his; compare Dan 6:27 וּמַלְכוּתֵהּ דִּילָֿא תִתְחַבַּל his kingdom (is one) which shall not be destroyed, Dan 7:14. — See further K§ 81.
3. as conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8):
  a. that (quod), after verbs of knowing, Dan 2:8; Dan 2:9, seeing Dan 2:45; Dan 3:27, hearing Dan 5:14, etc.; introducing the subject of a sentence, יְדִיעַ ֗֗֗ דִּי ֗֗֗ Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:13; Dan 2:47 מִןקְֿשֹׁט דִּי ֗֗֗ True is it that . . . (compare אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2).
  b. = in that, inasmuch as, whereas: Dan 2:41 and whereas (דִּי) thou sawest, etc. . . . it shall be adivided kingdom, vDan 2:43; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:23 as a connecting link$ = seeing that, because, for (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c) Dan 2:9; Dan 2:20b; Dan 2:23b; Dan 2:47b; Dan 4:15; Dan 6:24b.
  c. that (ut), after verbs of asking Dan 2:16, commanding Dan 3:10; Dan 3:29, expressing a purpose Dan 4:3; Dan 5:15; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 6:10 +; דִּי לָא that not (ne) Dan 2:18; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:18 (on דִּי לְמָה lest Ezra 7:23, see מה).
  d. prefixed to direct narr. (like כִּי 1 b, and sometimes אֲשֶׁר 8 a γ, and ὅτι recitativum), Dan 2:25 and said thus unto him דִּיהַֿשְׁכַּחַת (that) I have found, etc., Dan 5:7; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:14.
4. with prepositions and other prefixes:
  a. כְּ דִי (like Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר; so Egyptian Aramaic כזי, Palmyrene, Nabataean כדי, Lzb293 SACG1 62, 63 Cooke369 b RES:361; ᵑ7 כַּד, Syriac ); a according as, Dan 2:43 b. so soon as, when, Dan 3:7; Dan 5:20; Dan 6:11; Dan 6:15.
  b. מִןדִּֿי: a. because that, Dan 3:22; Ezra 5:12 (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Isa 43:4); b. from (the time) that, after (ex quo), Dan 4:23; Ezra 4:23.
  c. עַד דִּי until, Dan 2:9; Dan 2:34; Dan 4:30; Dan 7:22 = ere that Dan 6:25.
  d. עַל דִּי Dan 3:19 is not a conjunction, but means above that which ...
  e. for עַל דִּבְרַת דִּי and כָּלקֳֿבֵל דִּי see [ דִּבְרָה] and קֳבֵל.

which, that, as, whom, who, …
ʾăšer
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
  • (relative part.)
    • which, who
    • "that which
    (conj)
    • that (in obj clause)
    • "when"since"as"conditional if

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: הוּא · hoo

Noun — masculine singular

In the KJV here: they
he ×367 it ×197 that ×161 in that ×95 and he ×89 she ×67 which ×62 this ×47
More options
he — Default rendering for masculine singular subject pronoun.
she — Use when grammatical/contextual gender is feminine.
it — Use for non-personal or abstract referents.
that — Demonstrative or relative use; points to something previously mentioned.
the same — Emphasizes identity or sameness of the referent.
this very — Adds emphasis or specificity; highlights the exact referent.

BDB2086 H1931

BDB2085 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2087

הוּ Jer 29:23 Kt, see הוּא.


BDB2087 H1931 H1992 H2007

BDB2086 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2088

הוּא masculine הִיא feminine (plural masculine הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם; feminine הֵ֫נָּה, הֵן [the latter only with prefixes]; see these words), pronoun of the 3rd person singular, he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it, Latin is, ea, id. (The א is not orthographic merely, but radical, being written on Moabite and Phoenician inscriptions, though dropped in some of the later dialects. [In Hebrew only Jer 29:23 Kt, and in the proper name אֱלִיהוּ.] Moabite (MI6; 27) and Phoenician (often) הא; Aramaic of Zinjirli הא, once הו (DHMInschr. von Sendschirli 55); ᵑ7 הוּא, הִיא Syriac , ; Arabic , (for h¥°a, h£°a, WSG 104); Ethiopic we°§t¥, ye°§t£; perhaps also Assyrian šû, šî, himself, herself suffix šu, ši; compare demonstrative šuatu, šiati (see KraeBAS. i. 383 & references, WSG 98, 105 Dl§ 55b, 57). In the Pentateuch, הוא is of common gender, the feminine form הִיא occurring only 11 times, namely Gen 14:2; Gen 20:5; Gen 38:25 (see Masora here), Lev 11:39; Lev 13:10; Lev 13:21; Lev 16:31; Lev 20:17; Lev 21:9; Num 5:13; Num 5:14. The punctuators, however, sought to assimilate the usage of the Pentateuch to that of the rest of the OT, and accordingly wherever הוא was construed as a feminine pointed it הִוא (as a Qr perpetuum). Outside the Pentateuch the same Qr occurs 1Kgs 17:15; Isa 30:33; Job 31:11a — probably for the sake of removing gramm. anomalies: five instances of the converse change, namely of היא to be read as הוּא, occur for a similar reason, 1Kgs 17:15 (וַתּאֹכַל הוּאוָֿהִיא to be read as וַתּאֹכַל הִיאוָֿהוּא, on account of the feminine verb) Ps 73:16; Job 31:11b (כי הוא זמה והיא עָוֺן פלילים to be read as כי היא זמה והוא עון פלילים), Eccl 5:8; 1Chr 29:16. The origin of the peculiarity in the Pentateuch is uncertain. It can hardly be a real archaism : for the fact that arab., Aramaic, & Ethiopic have distinct forms for masculine & feminine shews that both must have formed part of the original Semitic stock, and consequently of Hebrew as well, from its earliest existence as an independent language. Nor is the peculiarity confined to the Pentateuch: in the Manuscript of the Later Prophets, of A.D. , now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile by Strack (1876), the feminine occurs written הוא (see the passages cited in the Adnotationes Criticae, p. 026). In Phoenician both masculine and feminine are alike written הא (CIS i. 1Chr 1:9 מלך צדק הא, 1Chr 1:13 מלאכת הא, 1Chr 3:10 אדם הא, 1Chr 1:11 ממלכת הא, 1Chr 93:2; 1Chr 94:2), though naturally this would be read as hu° or hi° as occasion required. Hence, as ᵐ5 shews that in the older Hebrew MSS. the scriptio plena was not yet generally introduced, it is probably that originally הא was written for both genders in Hebrew likewise, and that the epicene הוא in the Pentateuch originated at a comparatively late epoch in the transmission of the text — perhaps in connection with the assumption, which is partly borne out by facts (compare DeZKWL 1880, pp. 393-399), that in the older language feminine forms were more sparingly used than subsequently.)

In usage הוּא (feminine הִיא; plural הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם, ׃ הֵ֫נָּה see הֵ֫מָּה) is

1. an emphatic he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (especially with the article) that (those):
  a. Gen 3:15 הוא ישׁופך ראשׁ he (ᵐ5 αὐτὸς) shall bruise thee as to the head (opposed to the following אתה thou), vGen 3:20 for she (and no one else) was the mother of all living (so often in causal sentences, where some emphasis on the subject is desirable as Judg 14:3; Ps 24:2; Ps 25:15; Ps 33:9; Ps 91:3; Ps 103:14; Ps 148:5; Job 5:18; Job 11:11; Job 28:24; Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7b Hos 6:1; Hos 11:10 : Dr1Sam 14:18), 1Sam 4:20 Adah bare Jabal הוא היה אבי ישׁב אהלים he (ἐκεῖνος) was the father of tent-dwellers, v1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 10:8 he began to be a mighty one in the earth, 1Sam 20:5 (αὐτός), Judg 13:5; Isa 32:7; Isa 33:22; 2Kgs 14:7; 2Kgs 14:22; 2Kgs 14:25; Hos 10:2 he — the unseen observer of their thoughts and deeds (Che), Hos 13:15 b (he, the foe figured by the east wind). (For its use thus in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 157, 160, 168, 169.) And where the predicate is a substantive or participle, Gen 2:11 הוּא הַסֹּבֵב ֗֗֗ that is the one which encompasseth etc., vGen 2:13 vGen 2:14; Gen 10:12 that is the great city. So in the explanatory notices, Gen 14:3 הוּא יָם הַמֶּלַת that is the salt sea, vGen 14:8 הוּאצֹֿעַר that is Zoar, Gen 36:1 + often
  b. pointing back to the subj. and contrasting it with something else : Gen 4:4 הבל גסהֿוא Abel, he also ... vGen 4:26; Gen 10:21; Gen 20:5 וְהִיאגַֿםהִֿוא and she, herself also said, Exod 1:10 + often
  c. appended alone to a verb (more rarely, but always with intentional emphasis), Exod 4:14 I know כי דבר ידבר הוא that he can speak, vExod 4:16; 1Sam 22:18 ויפגע הוא בכהנים and he (though none else would do it) smote the priests, 1Sam 23:22 for one hath told me, עָרֹם יַעְרִם הוּא He can deal subtilly, Ezek 12:12 (peculiarly), compare Dr§ 160 n.: very rarely indeed to a noun Num 18:23 הַלֵּוִי הוּא Isa 7:14 הוא ׳י, Esth 9:1 (הֵמָּה) being probably all the examples in the OT.
  d. Gen 13:1 and Abram came up out of Egypt, הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֺ himself and his wife, and all that he had, Gen 14:15 הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו he and his servants, Gen 19:30 so very often
  e. prefixed to a noun (very rare, and mostly late), Exod 12:42b Ezek 3:8 & Ezek 33:8 הוּא רָשָׁע : to proper names Exod 6:27 הוא משׁה ואהרן, 1Chr 26:26 that Shelomoth, 1Chr 27:6; 2Chr 28:22; 2Chr 32:12 (different from 2Kgs 18:22), v2Kgs 18:30; 2Kgs 33:23; Ezra 7:6: compare הֵם Neh 10:38 (compare in Syriac , § 227): compare Ps 87:5; 1Sam 20:29.

2. It resumes the subject with emphasis:
  a. when the predicate is a verb (especially if it be separated from its subject by an intervening clause), Gen 15:4 but one that shall come forth out of thine own bowels, הוּא יִירָשֶׁ֑ךָ he shall be thy heir, Gen 3:12 the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, הוא נתנה לי she gave to me, Gen 24:7; Gen 44:17 etc. Judg 7:4; 2Sam 14:19 (throwing stress on יוֺאָב) 1Chr 11:20; Isa 33:15-16; Isa 34:16; Isa 38:19; Isa 47:10; Isa 59:16; Isa 63:5; Hos 7:8 often in Proverbs, as Hos 10:18; Hos 10:22; Hos 10:24; Hos 11:28; Hos 13:13; Hos 19:21; Hos 22:9; Hos 24:12; 1Sam 1:13 (see Dr), Ps 68:36.
  b. when the predicate is a noun, Gen 2:14 and the fourth river, הוּא פְרָת it was the Euphrates, vGen 2:19; Gen 9:18; Gen 15:2; Gen 42:6 הַשַּׁלִּיט וְיוֺסֵף הוּא and Joseph, he was the ruler etc.: in sentences of the type הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים ׳י, הוּא הַנִּלְחָם ׳י לָכֶם, הוּא נַחֲלָ˜תְךָ ׳י, Deut 3:22; Deut 4:35; Deut 7:9; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; Isa 9:14; Isa 33:6; (in these cases, to avoid stiffness, it is convenient often to drop the pronoun in translating, as 'And the fourth river was the Euphrates:' the pronoun, however, though it then corresponds to the substantive verb in English, does not really express it, the copula, as the examples shew, being in fact understood. Sts. in AV the pronoun is retained for emphasis, as Deuteronomy ll. cc.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in an affirmative sentence, Gen 9:3 all creeping things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:39; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 35:31 אֲשֶׁר הוּא רָשָׁע לָמוּת who is guilty of death, Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19; Hag 1:9 and elsewhere (On 2, compare Dr§ 199, with Obs.)

3. Where, however, the pron. follows the predicate, its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible: thus
  a. Gen 12:18 why didst thou not tell me כי אשׁתך הוא that she was thy wife ? Gen 20:13; Gen 21:13 כי זרעך הוא for he is thy seed, Gen 31:20 because he told him not כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא, Gen 37:3 + often (the opposite order rare and emphatic: Gen 24:65; Deut 4:6; Deut 30:20; Josh 10:2; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 3:4; 1Kgs 21:2; Hos 2:4; Ps 45:12).
  b. resuming the subject, Gen 31:16 all the wealth which God hath taken etc., לנו הוא ולבנינו it is ours and our children's, vGen 31:43 and all that thou seest, לי הוא it is mine (or, omitting the pronoun, as not required in our idiom, simply) is mine, Gen 41:26 חלום פרעה אחד הוא the dream of Pharaoh is one, Gen 48:5 (לי הם), Exod 3:5 for the place where on thou standest, אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא it is holy ground, Num 13:32; Num 21:26; Deut 1:17; Josh 5:15; Josh 6:19; Job 3:19 + often; Gen 23:15 ארץ ֗֗֗ מַההִֿוא, so Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 (הֵנָּה); הֵמָּה .... אַתֶּם (unusual) Zeph 2:12. (In all such cases the predicate is not referred directly to the subject, but, the subject being made a casus pendens, it is resumed by the pronoun, and the predicate thus referred to it indirectly. By this means the sentence is lightened and relieved, especially if the subject consist of many words: in Gen 31:16 for instance, the direct form of predicate כִּי לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ כָּלהָֿעשֶׁר אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֱלֹהִים מֵאָבִינוּ would have been heavy and inelegant.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in a negative sentence, Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12 אֲשֶׁר לאֹ מִזַּרְעֲךָ הוּא which is not of thy seed, Num 17:5; Deut 17:5; 1Kgs 8:41 (compareהֵמָּה 3 c).
  d. peculiarly, as the subject of לֹא, Jer 5:12 לוֺא הוּא He is not; and as embracing its predicate in itself, Isa 18:2; Isa 18:7 a nation terrible מִןהֿוּא (= מַאֲשֶׁר הוּא) from (the time that) it was, Nah 2:9 מִימֵי הִיא from the days that (stative construct Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 4) as it was, 2Kgs 7:7 they left the camp כַּאֲשֶׁר הִיא as it was (compare כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה v2Kgs 7:10). (On 3, compare Dr§ 198, with Obs.)

4. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject namely
  a. (rare) Song 6:9 אַהַת הִיא יוֺנָתִי תַמָּתִי one is she, my dove my perfect one, Lev 25:11; Ezek 11:15; Ezek 21:16; Lam 1:18 ׳צַדִּיק הוּא י (often so in Late Hebrew); EC Lam 6:10 וְנוֺדָע אֲשֶׁר הוּא אָדָם and that which he, even man, is, is known (De Now); compare 1Sam 6:19 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ an accident is it, (that) hath befallen us. (compare הֵמָּה 4 a.)
  b. after pronouns — (α) 2Sam 7:28 אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים Thou art he — God, Ps 44:5 אתה הוא מלבי thou art he — my king, Isa 37:16; Isa 43:25 (אנכי), Isa 51:9; Isa 51:10; Isa 51:12; Isa 52:6; Jer 14:22; Jer 29:23 Kt +; compare Jer 49:12 וְאַתָּה הוּא נָקֹה תִנָּקֶה and art thou he (that) shall be unpunished ? (with change of person κατά σύνεσιν, compare Judg 13:11; 1Chr 21:17; Ezek 38:17.) So Ew§ 297 b Müll§ 499. But others, as GesThes Roo§ 563 DeIsa 37:16; Ps 44. 5, treat הוא as emphasizing the pronoun, 'Thou, he, art God' i.e. Thou and none else art God; 'Thou (emphatic) art my king.'. (β) מִי הוּא, followed by a participle or substantive Gen 27:33; Ps 24:10 מִי הוּא זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד who is he, then — the king of glory ? (according to others, as before, 'Who (emphatic), then, is the king of glory ?'); followed by a verb Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי who is he (that) will condemn me ? (others 'Who (emphatic) will condemn me ?') Job 4:7; Job 13:19; Job 17:3; Job 41:2; Jer 30:21 (so with הֵנָּה Gen 21:29, הֵמָּה Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5). (γ) זֶההֿוּא 1Chr 22:1 EC 1Chr 1:17 (frequently in Late Hebrew, where the two words coalesce into one זֶהוּ) . On the analogous אֵלֶּה הֵם ֗֗֗ ), see הֵמָּה 4 b (γ). (compare Dr§ 200, 201)

5. As an emphatic predicate, of God, 'I am He,' i.e. I am He Who is (opposed to unreal gods, named in context, or to transitory world), the Unseen, yet Omni-present, and Self-consistent, Ruler of the world, Deut 32:39 אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא I, I am he, and beside me there is no God, Isa 41:4 (see Che) Isa 43:10; Isa 43:13 even from to-day I am he, Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12; Ps 102:28 (see Che) thou art he, and thy years have no end (ᵐ5 usually ἐγώ εἰμι : in Psalms σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ). So also, according to many, Job 3:19, but is הוא a mere predicate of identity ? see rather 3b.

6. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matter, etc.) —
  a. Josh 2:21 כְּדִבְרֵיכֶם כֶּןהֿוּא according to your words, so be it; Gen 42:14 הוא אשׁר דברתי that is what I said, Exod 16:23; Lev 10:3; 2Kgs 9:36; Job 8:19 הן הוא משׂושׂ דרכו lo that (what has just been described) is the joy of his way, Job 13:16; Job 15:9; Job 31:28; Prov 7:23; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 9:9; Esth 9:1b; similarly the feminine הִיא, Judg 14:4 they knew not היא ׳כי מי that it was from ׳י, Num 14:41; Josh 10:13; Isa 14:24; Ps 77:10 חַלּוֺתִי הִיא it (this perplexity) is my sickness, Job 9:22; Prov 18:13; Jer 22:16; 2Chr 25:20; Eccl 3:13 reference to זאת Amos 7:6; Ps 118:23; Job 5:27, זִּה Eccl 2:24. (Where there is a predicate, the gender of this usually regulates the choice of m. or f.: hence הִוא Gen 34:14; Exod 8:15; Num 15:25 (Eccl 5:5) Deut 4:6 +.)
  b. affirming the presence or existence of something (rare) : 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21 כִּי מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ הִיא for it was the king's command, saying etc., 1Sam 20:33 (text dubious), Jer 50:15; Jer 50:25; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:11; Mic 2:3, perhaps Job 32:8. p. 241.
7. With the art. הַהוּא, הַהִיא, הָהֵ֫מָּה, הָהֵם, הָהֵ֫נָּה: so regularly when joined to a substantive defined itself by the article: Gen 2:12 הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא that land, Gen 19:35 ובלילה ההוא and in that night, Gen 21:22 בָּעֵת הַהִוא at that time, Deut 1:19 המדבר הגדול והנורא ההוא. Only four times does there occur the anomalous construction בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא Gen 19:33; Gen 30:16; Gen 32:23; 1Sam 19:10.


BDB9471 H1932 H1931

BDB9470 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9472

הוּא14 masculine הִיא7 feminine pronoun of 3 singular he, she, it (= Biblical Hebrew הוּא, הִיא; Zinjirli and Palmyrene (once) הא, Palmyrene (usually), Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic הו, feminine ׳ה, Lzb257, S-CPap. A 1, 12+; A 4, C 9 +. The plural is אִנּוּן, q. v.); — he, she, it, Dan 2:21 וְהוּא מְהַשְׁנֵא ֗֗֗ and he will change, etc., vDan 2:22 vDan 2:44; Dan 6:5; Dan 7:7; Dan 7:24; Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:32 הוּא צַלְמָא that image (nom. pend. ['hanging' noun clause]); Dan 4:19 אַנְתָּה הוּא thou art it. Resuming the subject with emphatic (Biblical Hebrew 2 b) Dan 2:47; Dan 6:17 resuming the subject in predication (ib. 3 b) Dan 2:20 חָכְמְתָא וּגְבוּרְתָּא דִּילֵֿהּ הִיא it is his, vDan 2:28. Anticipating the subject (ib. 4 a) Dan 2:9 חֲדָא הִיא דָֽתְכוֺן; with a pronoun (ib. 4 b) Dan 2:38 אַנְתְּה הוּא ֗֗֗ thou art the head of gold Dan 5:13; Dan 3:15 מָן הוּא אֱלָהּ ֗֗֗ who is the god . . . ? (so plural אִנּוּן Ezra 5:4); Ezra 4:27 הֲלָא דָא הִיא ֗֗֗ (ib. 4 b γ); Ezra 6:27 דִּי הוּא ֗֗֗ who is . . . (ib. 2 c), Ezra 6:15 (so דִּי אִנוּן ֗֗֗ Dan 7:17). [compare in ᵑ7 Exod 14:25; Exod 15:11; 2Sam 20:19; 2Sam 24:17; Ps 43:2; Ps 63:4; Ps 66:3 +.] Affirming existence (Biblical Hebrew 6 b) Dan 4:21. compare Dr §§ 198-201, K§ 87, 3.

he, that, it, she, same, …
hûʾ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
  • (pron 3p s) he, she, it
    • himself (with emphasis)
    • "resuming subj with emphasis"(with minimum emphasis following predicate)"(anticipating subj)"(emphasising predicate)"that, it (neuter)
    (demons pron) that (with article)

יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
Root word dwell, inhabitants, dwelt, sat, sit, …
Dictionary form: יָשַׁב · yaw-SHAHB

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: dwell
the inhabitants ×105 dwelt ×69 dwell ×48 and dwelt ×38 sat ×30 and the inhabitants ×24 that dwelt ×21 to dwell ×20
More options
live — Best default for permanent residence or settlement.
sit — Physical posture; prefer for concrete, momentary action.
stay — Temporary or shorter-term presence; replaces 'abide/tarry'.
settle — Implies putting down roots; good for colonization contexts.
reside — Slightly formal; suits official or legal-register passages.
remain — Emphasizes continuing in place; good for lingering contexts.

BDB3774 H3427

BDB3773 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3775

יָשַׁב1090 verb sit, remain, dwell (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יְתֵיב, ; MI10; 31 ישב, Judg 1:8; Judg 1:19 וישב, Judg 1:13 ואשב, dwell; Phoenician ישב dwell; Zinjirli ישב sit DHMSendsch. 58; Assyrian ašâbu, sit, dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabic leap, jump, Himyer. dialect sit, Lane2919; Ethiopic II. 1 secum cohabitare facere, marry, consummate marriage, compare Hiph`il 4) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular יָשַׁב Gen 13:12 +; 2 masculine singular יָשַׁבְתָּ Judg 5:16, וְיָשַׁבְתָּה נָ֑הּ consecutive Deut 17:14 2 masculine plural יְשַׁבְתֶּם Deut 1:46; Lev 18:3, וִישַׁבְתֶּם consecutive Lev 25:18 + 7 t., etc.; Imperfect יֵשֵׁב 1Sam 5:7 +, יֵשֶׁבֿ Gen 44:33; Ezek 44:3, יֵ֫שֶׁב before monosyll. 1Kgs 7:8; Job 22:8 וַיֵּ֫שֶׁב Gen 4:16 +; וַיֵּשֶׁב֑ Ruth 4:1 1 singular אֵשֵׁב Judg 6:18 +, וָאֵשֵׁב Deut 9:9 + 3 t. + Ezek 3:15b (but Co אשׁר Kt); אֵשְׁבָה 1Sam 27:5 אֵשֵׁבָ֑ה Isa 49:20 וָאֵשְׁבָה Ezek 9:3 3 masculine plural יֵשְׁבוּ Gen 47:4 +; 3 feminine plural תישׁבנה Ezek 35:9 Kt (i.e. תֵּישַׁבְנָה Ol§ 242 d i. 401), Qr תָּשׁוֺבְנָה (√ שׁוב), Co proposes תִּוָּשַׁבְנָה; 1 plural נֵשֵׁב Jer 42:13; Jer 42:14, וַנֵּ֫שֶׁב Num 20:15 + 5 t.; Imperative masculine singular שֵׁב Gen 20:15 +, שֶׁבֿ Gen 35:1 שְׁבָה Gen 27:19 +; feminine singular שְׁבִי Gen 38:11 +; masculine plural שְׁבוּ Gen 22:5 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute יָשֹׁבֿ 1Sam 20:5 construct שֶׁ֫בֶת 1Sam 7:2 +; שָׁ֑בֶת Isa 40:22 +; suffix שִׁבְתִּי 2Sam 7:5 +, etc.; Participle masculine י(וֺ)שׁב Gen 4:20; Gen 24:3 +, etc.; feminine ישְׁבָה Nah 3:8 י(וֺ)שֶׁבֶת Judg 4:5 +; י(וֺ)שָׁ֑בֶת Josh 2:5; 2Kgs 4:13 ישַׁבְתְּ֯י Jer 22:23, י(וֺ)שֶׁבֶת֯י Jer 10:17; Lam 4:21; Ezek 27:3 (Kt preferable in all these, see Ol§ 123 d Ges«GKC:90»§ 90. 3 a); feminine plural ישְׁבוֺת 1Sam 27:8
1. a. sit on (עַל) a seat 1Sam 20:25, stone Exod 17:12, teraphim Gen 31:34, couch Gen 48:2 (all E), Ezek 23:41, knees 2Kgs 4:20, throne Exod 11:5; Exod 12:29 (J), Deut 17:18; 1Sam 1:9; 1Sam 4:13; 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 1:17; 1Kgs 1:20 +, see absolute below; of ׳י, הַיּשֵׁב עַלחֿוּג הָאֶרֶץ Isa 40:22 dust Isa 47:1, ground (אֶרֶץ) Ezek 26:16, ashes Jonah 3:6 (these in token of humiliation); sit down by (עַל) a well Exod 2:15 or pool 2Sam 2:13 with אֶל 1Sam 28:23 sit in (ב) house, street, doorway, assembly, etc. 2Sam 7:1; Judg 19:15; Gen 38:14 (J), Jer 15:17; Jer 26:10; Ps 1:1; Song 2:3 so Ezek 31:6; Ezek 31:17 (figurative); of No of Amon (personified city) הַיּשְׁבָה בַּיְאֹרִים Nah 3:8 she who sate amid the rivers; with לְ sit on to (pregnantly) לָאָרֶץ Isa 3:26; Isa 47:1; Lam 2:10, לְכִסֵּא Ps 9:5, at, לְפֶתַח בית Prov 9:14, לִימִינוֺ(יׅ 1Kgs 2:19; Ps 110:1 לַמַּבּוּל Ps 29:10 with לִפְנֵי Gen 43:33 (J), + שָׁם Judg 20:26; Judg 21:2; 2Sam 7:18 = 1Chr 17:16 with עִם 1Sam 20:5; Prov 31:22 with אֶתֿ Jer 16:8; Job 2:13 with תַּחַת Judg 6:11; Mic 4:4, וַיֵּשֶׁב תַּחְתֶּיהָ בַּצֵּל Jonah 4:5 with מִנֶּגֶד Gen 21:16 (twice in verse) (E), נֶגֶד Isa 47:14, מִקֶּדֶם לָעִיר Jonah 4:5 מִצַּד 1Sam 20:25; Ruth 2:14 with accusative of congnate meaning with verb Ezek 28:2 לִשְׁפֹּט Exod 18:13; Joel 4:12 (compare Ps 9:5; Isa 28:6); hence absolute of sitting as king or judge Exod 18:14; Ps 61:8; Mal 3:3, יושׁבים Isa 10:13, perhaps Amos 1:5; Amos 1:8, especially of ׳י sitting (enthroned), Ps 2:4; Ps 9:8; Ps 29:10; Ps 55:20; Ps 102:13; Lam 5:19, so in ישֵׁב (הַ)כְּרוּבִים 1Sam 4:4; 2Sam 6:2 = 1Chr 13:6; 2Kgs 19:15; Ps 99:1 ישֵׁב תְּהִלּוֺת יִשְׂרָאֵל Ps 22:4 (see with עַל, above); by meton. of thrones, for the judges sitting on them שָׁמָּה יָָֽשְׁבוּ כִסְאוֺת לְמִשְׁפָּט Ps 122:5 הַיּשְׁבִים Ruth 4:14, i.e. in the gate (compare vRuth 4:11), those in whose presence purchase of land took place.
  b. sit, sit down, absolute, Judg 19:6; Ruth 4:1; Ruth 4:2; Neh 1:4; Jer 36:15 (followed by clause of purpose, to eat, etc.) Gen 37:25; Esth 3:15 +; opposed to קוּם Exod 32:6 (JE) Ps 139:2, מְאַחֲרֵי שֶׁבֶת Ps 127:2 (opposed to מַשְׁכִּימֵי קוּם); so Isa 37:28 = 2Kgs 19:27 (read לְפָנַי קֻמְךָ at end of v2Kgs 19:27 = 2Kgs 19:26 We in BlEinl. 4, 257 RsProph. 351, and n. 9); but also קוּמִי שְׁבִי Isa 52:2, explained by (וַיָּקָם מֵהָאָרֶץ וַיֵּשֶׁב אֶלהַֿמִּטָּה 1Sam 28:23 and) 2Sam 19:9.
  c. sit down outside (חוּץ), i.e. perform a necessity of nature Deut 23:14.
  d. sit = be set (as a jewel), ישְׁבוֺתּ עַלמִֿלֵּאת Song 5:12 set on a filling (i.e. in a setting, De and others), in description of eyes; (> others sitting by full streams).
2. a. remain, stay, tarry (for a limited or indefinite time), with אֶת person Gen 24:55 (J), Judg 19:4; 2Sam 16:8 with עִם person Gen 27:44 (J), עִמָּדִי Gen 29:19 (E), Judg 17:10 with בְ local 1Sam 7:2 (of ark), 1Sam 13:16; 1Sam 14:2; 1Sam 24:4 (1Sam 23:25 read אֲשֶׁר for וַיֵּשֶׁב ᵐ5 We Dr Klo Kit Bu), 2Sam 10:5; 2Sam 19:25 (where read שִׁבְתּוֺ for שִׁיבָתוֺ Dr Klo Bu, see We), Num 35:25 (P), Job 24:13 with שָׁם 1Kgs 11:16, שָׁם עַדעֿוֺלָם 1Sam 1:22 with על (by) 1Sam 25:13; 1Sam 30:24 פֹּה 2Kgs 7:4 שְׁבוּ לָכֶם פֹּה עִםֿ הַחֲמוֺר Gen 22:5 (E); with בֵּין Judg 5:16, מִחוּץ לְ Lev 14:8 (P),אֵצֶל 1Sam 20:19 with accusative בית 2Sam 6:11; 2Sam 13:20; Ruth 2:7 absolute 1Sam 1:23 (twice in verse); abide, endure Mic 5:3, וְיהוּדָה לְעוֺלָם תֵּשֵׁב Joel 4:20, so of Mt. Zion Ps 121:1.
  b. with special emphasis on qualifying phrase, וַתֵּשֶׁב בְּאֵיתָן קַשְׁתּוֺ Gen 49:24 and his bow abode as a firm one (poem in J); 1Kgs 22:1 and they continued three years without war; of woman remaining בִּדְמֵי טָהֳרָה Lev 12:4, ׳עלדֿמי וגו vLev 12:5.
3. dwell, have one's abode in (ב) a land, city, house, etc., Gen 4:16; Gen 13:7; Gen 13:12 (twice in verse); Gen 19:29; Gen 24:37; Gen 24:62; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:2; Josh 20:6; 2Sam 7:6 + often (on 2Sam 21:16 see ישׁבו בְנֹב, p. 444); in tents Jer 35:7; Jer 35:10; 1Chr 5:10 figurative of justice (צְדָקָה) Isa 32:16 (|| וְשָׁכֵן מִשְׁפָּט); in the midst of (בְּקֶרֶב) Gen 24:3; Josh 13:13; Josh 16:10; Judg 1:30; Judg 1:32; Judg 1:33; Judg 3:5 so with בְּתוֺךְ Gen 23:10 (P); with עַל + הארץ, of God 1Kgs 8:27 = 2Chr 6:18 of people Lev 25:18; Lev 25:19; Lev 26:35 (H); with לְ Job 15:28 with בֵּין Gen 20:1 (E); dwell with (אֶת) Gen 34:16; Gen 34:22 (P), Exod 2:21 (E), Josh 15:63 (JE), Judg 1:16; Judg 1:21; Judg 17:11 יֵשְׁבוּ יְשָׁרִים אֶתפָּֿנֶיךָ Ps 140:14 so with עִם Josh 20:4; Deut 23:17 (+ בקרב), Ps 26:4 (i.e. assoc. with); with יַחְדָּו Gen 13:6 (twice in verse) (J), Gen 36:7 (P), Deut 25:5 שֶׁבֶת גַּםיָֿ֑חַד Ps 133:1 dwell in their stead (תַּחְתָּם) Deut 2:12 (twice in verse); Deut 2:22; Deut 2:23; 1Chr 4:41; 1Chr 5:22 absolute לָשֶׁבֶת יְצָרָהּ Isa 45:18 for dwelling he formed it (the earth); (thy) dwelling-place is מְקוֺם שִׁבְתְּךָ 1Kgs 8:30 = 2Chr 6:21, also ׳מְכוֺן שׁ 1Kgs 8:39; 1Kgs 8:43; 1Kgs 8:49 = 2Chr 6:30; 2Chr 6:33; 2Chr 6:39, so Ps 33:14 ׳מָכוֺן לְש֔ Exod 15:17; 1Kgs 8:13 = 2Chr 6:2. Participle ישֵׁב = substantive, dweller, inhabitant, very often (c. 215 t.): e.g. ישֵׁב אהלים Gen 25:27 (J); often collective ישֵׁב אהל Gen 4:20 (J), ישׁב הָאָרֶץ Gen 34:30; Gen 50:11 (both J), Exod 34:12; Exod 34:15 (JE); also in poetry f., (as collective; see Dr on 1Sam 17:21) יוֺשֶׁבֶת שָׁפִיר etc., MI 1Sam 1:11 (twice in verse); 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 1:15 יוֺשֶׁבֶת צִיּוֺן Isa 12:6; Jer 51:35 similarly Jer 10:17; Jer 21:23; Jer 48:19 (compare Lam 4:21) Zech 2:11 with בת in app. (Da§28 R. 6), יוֺשֶׁבֶת בַּתמִֿצְרַיִם Jer 46:19, so Jer 48:18 more usually plural ישְׁבֵי הֶעָרִים Gen 19:25 (J), compare Deut 13:14 ישְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ Exod 23:21 (JE), compare Exod 15:14; Exod 15:15 (poem in E); ישְׁבֵי תֵבֵל Isa 18:3, יוֺשְׁבֵי חָ֑דֶל Isa 38:11, etc.; ישְׁבֶיהָ Lev 18:25; Lev 25:10 (H), Num 13:32 (P); absolute יוֺשֵׁב (collective) Amos 1:5; Amos 1:8; Isa 49:19 הַיוֺשְׁבִים 1Chr 9:2 also (strangely) ישְׁבוֺת הארץ 1Sam 27:8 = the populations of the land We Dr (elsewhere in this sense only feminine singular and in poetry, see above); frequently in phrase without in habitant (i.e. so that there shall be no inhabitants), מֵאֵין ישׁב Isa 5:9; Isa 6:4; Isa 26:9; Isa 33:10; Isa 34:23; Jer 44:22; Jer 46:19; Jer 51:29; Jer 51:37; Zeph 2:5; Zeph 3:6 מֵאֵין יוֺשֵׁב בָּהֶן Jer 48:9 מִבְּלִי ישֵׁב Jer 2:15; Jer 9:10 לאֹ יִהְיֶה יוֺשֵב בָּהּ Jer 50:3 לְבִלְתִּי הֱיוֺתבּֿוֺ יוֺשֵׁב Jer 51:62.
4. of a land or city, sit, abide seated in its place, figurative for be inhabited Jer 17:6; Jer 17:25; Jer 50:13; Jer 50:39; Ezek 26:20; Ezek 29:11; Ezek 36:35; Isa 13:20 (|| לאֹ תִּשְׁכּוֺן), Zech 2:8; Zech 9:5; Zech 14:11 יָָֽשְׂבָה תַּחְתֶּיהָ Zech 12:6; Zech 14:10; Ezek 35:9 Kt is תישׁבנה, Qr תָּשׁוֺבְנָה; Co תושׁבנה, i.e. Niph`al תִּוָּשַׁבְנָה (compare Ezek 36:10), or Hoph`al תּוּשַׁבְנָה (compare Isa 44:26); of palace, וְאַרְמוֺן עַלמִֿשְׁפָּטוֺ יֵשֵׁב Jer 30:18. Niph`al Perfect 3 feminine singular נוֺשָׁ֑בָה Jer 6:8 3 plural וְנָֽשְׁבוּ consecutive Ezek 36:10, נוֺשָׂ֑בוּ Ezek 26:19, נוֺשָׁ֑בֻ֯ה Jer 22:6 Participle feminine נוֺשֶׁבֶת Ezek 26:17 ( < נִשְׁבַּתְּ ᵐ5 Co, √ שׁבת), נוֺשָׁ֑בֶת Exod 16:35 plural נוֺשָׁבוֺת Ezek 12:20; Ezek 38:12be inhabited, of land Exod 16:35 (perhaps = be habitable), Jer 6:8 of cities Jer 22:6; Ezek 12:20; Ezek 26:19; Ezek 36:10 חֳרָבוֺת נוֺשָׁבוֺת Ezek 38:12Ezek 26:17 see above; Ezek 35:9 see
Qal 4. Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine plural וְיִשְּׁבוּ טִירוֺתֵיהֶם בָּ֑ךְ Ezek 25:4 and they shall set their encampments in thee (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co וְיֵשְׁבוּ inhabit. Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular השִׁיב Ezra 10:14, suffix הוֺשַׁיבַנִי Lam 3:6; Ps 143:3 1 singular הוֺשַׁבְתִּי Lev 23:33, וְה(וֺ)שַׁבְתִּים consecutive Hos 11:11; Jer 32:37 וְהוֺשְׁבוֺתִים consecutive Zech 10:6 (i, 413; but probably text error, see Thes and GesLgb 464; read probably וַהֲשִׁבוֺתִים as vZech 10:10, so StaZAW. 1881, 21 We), etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיּוֺשֵׁב Gen 47:11, וַיּוֺ֫שֶׁב 2Chr 8:2; Ps 107:36 suffix וַיּוֺשִׁיבַי֯נִי 1Kgs 2:24 (i, 414. 224); וַיּשִׁיבֵם Job 36:7 1 plural ונּ֫שֶׁב Ezra 10:2, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הוֺשֵׁב Gen 47:6 masculine plural ה(וֺ)שִׁיבוּ 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:10 Infinitive construct ה(וֺ)שִׁיב 1Sam 2:8; Neh 13:27 הוֺשִׁיבִי Ps 113:8 (Ol§ 123 d; read בוֺ-, see Che); Participle absolute מוֺשִׁיב Ps 68:7, construct מוֺשִׁיבִי Ps 113:9 (Oll.c. Gesl.c.); —
1. cause to sit with accusative of person + על כסא 1Kgs 2:24; 2Chr 23:20 so (without על כסא) + לָנֶצַח Job 36:7 set, place with accusative of person + נֶגְדּוֺ 1Kgs 21:10, also v1Kgs 21:9, v1Kgs 21:12 (בְּראֹשׁ הָעָם).
2. cause to abide (accusative of person) at (ב) 1Sam 30:21.
3. a. cause to dwell, with accusative of person + ב location 1Sam 12:8; 2Kgs 17:6; Hos 12:10; Gen 47:6; Gen 47:11 (P), Lev 23:43 (H), Lam 3:6; Ps 143:3 בְּאֶרֶץ תַּחְתִיּוֺת Ezek 26:20 accusative of person omitted 2Kgs 17:24; 2Kgs 17:26 accusative of person + שָׁם 2Chr 8:2; Ps 107:36 accusative of person + עַלהַֿבָּתִּים Hos 11:11 (but read וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים We); accusative of person omitted, with עם person 1Sam 2:8; Ps 113:8 מוֺשִׁיב יְחִידִים בַּ֫יְתָה Ps 68:7 causing solitary ones to dwell in a house (or is מוֺשִׁיב for מֵשִׁיב Bae?); with accusative of person only עֲקֶרֶת הַבַּיִת ׳מושׁ Ps 113:9 giving a dwelling to her that is barren of house; absolute with לָבֶ֫טַח Jer 32:37; Ps 4:9 absolute with כְּקַדְמוֺתֵיכֶם Ezek 36:11. On Zech 10:6, see above
  b. cause cities (עָרִים) to be inhabited Ezek 36:33; Isa 54:3.
4. marry (properly give a dwelling to, compare Ps 113:9), only Ezra Nehemiah, and only with accusative נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֺת strange or foreign women Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:14; Ezra 10:17; Ezra 10:18; Neh 13:27 so השִׁיבוּ נָשִׁים אַשְׁדֳּו֯דִיּוֺת Neh 13:23. Hoph`al Perfect וְהוּשַׁבְתֶּם לְבַדְּכֶם בְּקֶרֶב הָאָ֑רֶץ Isa 5:8 and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land. Imperfect הָאֹמֵר לִירוּשָׁלַםִ תּוּשָׁב֑ Isa 44:26 he who saith of Jerusalem, she shall be inhabited. Ezek 35:9 see Qal 4.


BDB9601 H3488 H3427

BDB9600 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9602

יְתִב (K§ 25 a) β)) verb sit, dwell (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew ישׁב); —

Pe`al 1. sit, be seated: Perfect 3 masculine singular יְתִב Dan 7:9 and (of judgment = the judge) vDan 7:10, so Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִתִּ֑ב (K§ 43.1.Beisp. b), compare Biblical Hebrew יֵשֵׁב) Dan 7:26.
2. dwell, Participle plural absolute יָתְבִין Ezra 4:17 (ב location). Haph`el cause to dwell: Perfect 3 masculine singular הוֺתֵב Ezra 4:10 (accusative + ב location).

dwell, inhabitants, dwelt, sat, sit, …
yāšab
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
  • to dwell, remain, sit, abide
    • (Qal)
      • to sit, sit down
      • "to be set"to remain, stay"to dwell, have one's abode
      (Niphal) to be inhabited"(Piel) to set, place"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to sit
      • "to cause to abide, set"to cause to dwell"to cause (cities) to be inhabited"to marry (give an dwelling to)
      (Hophal)
      • to be inhabited
      • "to make to dwell

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: הֵנָּה · hane-NAW

Noun — feminine plural plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: in
they ×10 these ×4 of them ×3 such ×2 those ×2 and such things ×1 and these ×1 and those ×1
More options
they — Standard 3rd-person plural pronoun; broadest use.
these — Demonstrative; use when pointing to nearby referents.
those — Demonstrative; use for more distant or already-mentioned referents.
them — Object form; use when the pronoun is in object position.
such — Qualitative use; highlights kind or category of referents.
theirs — Possessive use; indicates ownership belonging to them.

BDB2087 H1931 H1992 H2007

BDB2086 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2088

הוּא masculine הִיא feminine (plural masculine הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם; feminine הֵ֫נָּה, הֵן [the latter only with prefixes]; see these words), pronoun of the 3rd person singular, he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it, Latin is, ea, id. (The א is not orthographic merely, but radical, being written on Moabite and Phoenician inscriptions, though dropped in some of the later dialects. [In Hebrew only Jer 29:23 Kt, and in the proper name אֱלִיהוּ.] Moabite (MI6; 27) and Phoenician (often) הא; Aramaic of Zinjirli הא, once הו (DHMInschr. von Sendschirli 55); ᵑ7 הוּא, הִיא Syriac , ; Arabic , (for h¥°a, h£°a, WSG 104); Ethiopic we°§t¥, ye°§t£; perhaps also Assyrian šû, šî, himself, herself suffix šu, ši; compare demonstrative šuatu, šiati (see KraeBAS. i. 383 & references, WSG 98, 105 Dl§ 55b, 57). In the Pentateuch, הוא is of common gender, the feminine form הִיא occurring only 11 times, namely Gen 14:2; Gen 20:5; Gen 38:25 (see Masora here), Lev 11:39; Lev 13:10; Lev 13:21; Lev 16:31; Lev 20:17; Lev 21:9; Num 5:13; Num 5:14. The punctuators, however, sought to assimilate the usage of the Pentateuch to that of the rest of the OT, and accordingly wherever הוא was construed as a feminine pointed it הִוא (as a Qr perpetuum). Outside the Pentateuch the same Qr occurs 1Kgs 17:15; Isa 30:33; Job 31:11a — probably for the sake of removing gramm. anomalies: five instances of the converse change, namely of היא to be read as הוּא, occur for a similar reason, 1Kgs 17:15 (וַתּאֹכַל הוּאוָֿהִיא to be read as וַתּאֹכַל הִיאוָֿהוּא, on account of the feminine verb) Ps 73:16; Job 31:11b (כי הוא זמה והיא עָוֺן פלילים to be read as כי היא זמה והוא עון פלילים), Eccl 5:8; 1Chr 29:16. The origin of the peculiarity in the Pentateuch is uncertain. It can hardly be a real archaism : for the fact that arab., Aramaic, & Ethiopic have distinct forms for masculine & feminine shews that both must have formed part of the original Semitic stock, and consequently of Hebrew as well, from its earliest existence as an independent language. Nor is the peculiarity confined to the Pentateuch: in the Manuscript of the Later Prophets, of A.D. , now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile by Strack (1876), the feminine occurs written הוא (see the passages cited in the Adnotationes Criticae, p. 026). In Phoenician both masculine and feminine are alike written הא (CIS i. 1Chr 1:9 מלך צדק הא, 1Chr 1:13 מלאכת הא, 1Chr 3:10 אדם הא, 1Chr 1:11 ממלכת הא, 1Chr 93:2; 1Chr 94:2), though naturally this would be read as hu° or hi° as occasion required. Hence, as ᵐ5 shews that in the older Hebrew MSS. the scriptio plena was not yet generally introduced, it is probably that originally הא was written for both genders in Hebrew likewise, and that the epicene הוא in the Pentateuch originated at a comparatively late epoch in the transmission of the text — perhaps in connection with the assumption, which is partly borne out by facts (compare DeZKWL 1880, pp. 393-399), that in the older language feminine forms were more sparingly used than subsequently.)

In usage הוּא (feminine הִיא; plural הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם, ׃ הֵ֫נָּה see הֵ֫מָּה) is

1. an emphatic he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (especially with the article) that (those):
  a. Gen 3:15 הוא ישׁופך ראשׁ he (ᵐ5 αὐτὸς) shall bruise thee as to the head (opposed to the following אתה thou), vGen 3:20 for she (and no one else) was the mother of all living (so often in causal sentences, where some emphasis on the subject is desirable as Judg 14:3; Ps 24:2; Ps 25:15; Ps 33:9; Ps 91:3; Ps 103:14; Ps 148:5; Job 5:18; Job 11:11; Job 28:24; Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7b Hos 6:1; Hos 11:10 : Dr1Sam 14:18), 1Sam 4:20 Adah bare Jabal הוא היה אבי ישׁב אהלים he (ἐκεῖνος) was the father of tent-dwellers, v1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 10:8 he began to be a mighty one in the earth, 1Sam 20:5 (αὐτός), Judg 13:5; Isa 32:7; Isa 33:22; 2Kgs 14:7; 2Kgs 14:22; 2Kgs 14:25; Hos 10:2 he — the unseen observer of their thoughts and deeds (Che), Hos 13:15 b (he, the foe figured by the east wind). (For its use thus in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 157, 160, 168, 169.) And where the predicate is a substantive or participle, Gen 2:11 הוּא הַסֹּבֵב ֗֗֗ that is the one which encompasseth etc., vGen 2:13 vGen 2:14; Gen 10:12 that is the great city. So in the explanatory notices, Gen 14:3 הוּא יָם הַמֶּלַת that is the salt sea, vGen 14:8 הוּאצֹֿעַר that is Zoar, Gen 36:1 + often
  b. pointing back to the subj. and contrasting it with something else : Gen 4:4 הבל גסהֿוא Abel, he also ... vGen 4:26; Gen 10:21; Gen 20:5 וְהִיאגַֿםהִֿוא and she, herself also said, Exod 1:10 + often
  c. appended alone to a verb (more rarely, but always with intentional emphasis), Exod 4:14 I know כי דבר ידבר הוא that he can speak, vExod 4:16; 1Sam 22:18 ויפגע הוא בכהנים and he (though none else would do it) smote the priests, 1Sam 23:22 for one hath told me, עָרֹם יַעְרִם הוּא He can deal subtilly, Ezek 12:12 (peculiarly), compare Dr§ 160 n.: very rarely indeed to a noun Num 18:23 הַלֵּוִי הוּא Isa 7:14 הוא ׳י, Esth 9:1 (הֵמָּה) being probably all the examples in the OT.
  d. Gen 13:1 and Abram came up out of Egypt, הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֺ himself and his wife, and all that he had, Gen 14:15 הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו he and his servants, Gen 19:30 so very often
  e. prefixed to a noun (very rare, and mostly late), Exod 12:42b Ezek 3:8 & Ezek 33:8 הוּא רָשָׁע : to proper names Exod 6:27 הוא משׁה ואהרן, 1Chr 26:26 that Shelomoth, 1Chr 27:6; 2Chr 28:22; 2Chr 32:12 (different from 2Kgs 18:22), v2Kgs 18:30; 2Kgs 33:23; Ezra 7:6: compare הֵם Neh 10:38 (compare in Syriac , § 227): compare Ps 87:5; 1Sam 20:29.

2. It resumes the subject with emphasis:
  a. when the predicate is a verb (especially if it be separated from its subject by an intervening clause), Gen 15:4 but one that shall come forth out of thine own bowels, הוּא יִירָשֶׁ֑ךָ he shall be thy heir, Gen 3:12 the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, הוא נתנה לי she gave to me, Gen 24:7; Gen 44:17 etc. Judg 7:4; 2Sam 14:19 (throwing stress on יוֺאָב) 1Chr 11:20; Isa 33:15-16; Isa 34:16; Isa 38:19; Isa 47:10; Isa 59:16; Isa 63:5; Hos 7:8 often in Proverbs, as Hos 10:18; Hos 10:22; Hos 10:24; Hos 11:28; Hos 13:13; Hos 19:21; Hos 22:9; Hos 24:12; 1Sam 1:13 (see Dr), Ps 68:36.
  b. when the predicate is a noun, Gen 2:14 and the fourth river, הוּא פְרָת it was the Euphrates, vGen 2:19; Gen 9:18; Gen 15:2; Gen 42:6 הַשַּׁלִּיט וְיוֺסֵף הוּא and Joseph, he was the ruler etc.: in sentences of the type הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים ׳י, הוּא הַנִּלְחָם ׳י לָכֶם, הוּא נַחֲלָ˜תְךָ ׳י, Deut 3:22; Deut 4:35; Deut 7:9; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; Isa 9:14; Isa 33:6; (in these cases, to avoid stiffness, it is convenient often to drop the pronoun in translating, as 'And the fourth river was the Euphrates:' the pronoun, however, though it then corresponds to the substantive verb in English, does not really express it, the copula, as the examples shew, being in fact understood. Sts. in AV the pronoun is retained for emphasis, as Deuteronomy ll. cc.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in an affirmative sentence, Gen 9:3 all creeping things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:39; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 35:31 אֲשֶׁר הוּא רָשָׁע לָמוּת who is guilty of death, Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19; Hag 1:9 and elsewhere (On 2, compare Dr§ 199, with Obs.)

3. Where, however, the pron. follows the predicate, its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible: thus
  a. Gen 12:18 why didst thou not tell me כי אשׁתך הוא that she was thy wife ? Gen 20:13; Gen 21:13 כי זרעך הוא for he is thy seed, Gen 31:20 because he told him not כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא, Gen 37:3 + often (the opposite order rare and emphatic: Gen 24:65; Deut 4:6; Deut 30:20; Josh 10:2; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 3:4; 1Kgs 21:2; Hos 2:4; Ps 45:12).
  b. resuming the subject, Gen 31:16 all the wealth which God hath taken etc., לנו הוא ולבנינו it is ours and our children's, vGen 31:43 and all that thou seest, לי הוא it is mine (or, omitting the pronoun, as not required in our idiom, simply) is mine, Gen 41:26 חלום פרעה אחד הוא the dream of Pharaoh is one, Gen 48:5 (לי הם), Exod 3:5 for the place where on thou standest, אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא it is holy ground, Num 13:32; Num 21:26; Deut 1:17; Josh 5:15; Josh 6:19; Job 3:19 + often; Gen 23:15 ארץ ֗֗֗ מַההִֿוא, so Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 (הֵנָּה); הֵמָּה .... אַתֶּם (unusual) Zeph 2:12. (In all such cases the predicate is not referred directly to the subject, but, the subject being made a casus pendens, it is resumed by the pronoun, and the predicate thus referred to it indirectly. By this means the sentence is lightened and relieved, especially if the subject consist of many words: in Gen 31:16 for instance, the direct form of predicate כִּי לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ כָּלהָֿעשֶׁר אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֱלֹהִים מֵאָבִינוּ would have been heavy and inelegant.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in a negative sentence, Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12 אֲשֶׁר לאֹ מִזַּרְעֲךָ הוּא which is not of thy seed, Num 17:5; Deut 17:5; 1Kgs 8:41 (compareהֵמָּה 3 c).
  d. peculiarly, as the subject of לֹא, Jer 5:12 לוֺא הוּא He is not; and as embracing its predicate in itself, Isa 18:2; Isa 18:7 a nation terrible מִןהֿוּא (= מַאֲשֶׁר הוּא) from (the time that) it was, Nah 2:9 מִימֵי הִיא from the days that (stative construct Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 4) as it was, 2Kgs 7:7 they left the camp כַּאֲשֶׁר הִיא as it was (compare כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה v2Kgs 7:10). (On 3, compare Dr§ 198, with Obs.)

4. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject namely
  a. (rare) Song 6:9 אַהַת הִיא יוֺנָתִי תַמָּתִי one is she, my dove my perfect one, Lev 25:11; Ezek 11:15; Ezek 21:16; Lam 1:18 ׳צַדִּיק הוּא י (often so in Late Hebrew); EC Lam 6:10 וְנוֺדָע אֲשֶׁר הוּא אָדָם and that which he, even man, is, is known (De Now); compare 1Sam 6:19 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ an accident is it, (that) hath befallen us. (compare הֵמָּה 4 a.)
  b. after pronouns — (α) 2Sam 7:28 אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים Thou art he — God, Ps 44:5 אתה הוא מלבי thou art he — my king, Isa 37:16; Isa 43:25 (אנכי), Isa 51:9; Isa 51:10; Isa 51:12; Isa 52:6; Jer 14:22; Jer 29:23 Kt +; compare Jer 49:12 וְאַתָּה הוּא נָקֹה תִנָּקֶה and art thou he (that) shall be unpunished ? (with change of person κατά σύνεσιν, compare Judg 13:11; 1Chr 21:17; Ezek 38:17.) So Ew§ 297 b Müll§ 499. But others, as GesThes Roo§ 563 DeIsa 37:16; Ps 44. 5, treat הוא as emphasizing the pronoun, 'Thou, he, art God' i.e. Thou and none else art God; 'Thou (emphatic) art my king.'. (β) מִי הוּא, followed by a participle or substantive Gen 27:33; Ps 24:10 מִי הוּא זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד who is he, then — the king of glory ? (according to others, as before, 'Who (emphatic), then, is the king of glory ?'); followed by a verb Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי who is he (that) will condemn me ? (others 'Who (emphatic) will condemn me ?') Job 4:7; Job 13:19; Job 17:3; Job 41:2; Jer 30:21 (so with הֵנָּה Gen 21:29, הֵמָּה Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5). (γ) זֶההֿוּא 1Chr 22:1 EC 1Chr 1:17 (frequently in Late Hebrew, where the two words coalesce into one זֶהוּ) . On the analogous אֵלֶּה הֵם ֗֗֗ ), see הֵמָּה 4 b (γ). (compare Dr§ 200, 201)

5. As an emphatic predicate, of God, 'I am He,' i.e. I am He Who is (opposed to unreal gods, named in context, or to transitory world), the Unseen, yet Omni-present, and Self-consistent, Ruler of the world, Deut 32:39 אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא I, I am he, and beside me there is no God, Isa 41:4 (see Che) Isa 43:10; Isa 43:13 even from to-day I am he, Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12; Ps 102:28 (see Che) thou art he, and thy years have no end (ᵐ5 usually ἐγώ εἰμι : in Psalms σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ). So also, according to many, Job 3:19, but is הוא a mere predicate of identity ? see rather 3b.

6. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matter, etc.) —
  a. Josh 2:21 כְּדִבְרֵיכֶם כֶּןהֿוּא according to your words, so be it; Gen 42:14 הוא אשׁר דברתי that is what I said, Exod 16:23; Lev 10:3; 2Kgs 9:36; Job 8:19 הן הוא משׂושׂ דרכו lo that (what has just been described) is the joy of his way, Job 13:16; Job 15:9; Job 31:28; Prov 7:23; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 9:9; Esth 9:1b; similarly the feminine הִיא, Judg 14:4 they knew not היא ׳כי מי that it was from ׳י, Num 14:41; Josh 10:13; Isa 14:24; Ps 77:10 חַלּוֺתִי הִיא it (this perplexity) is my sickness, Job 9:22; Prov 18:13; Jer 22:16; 2Chr 25:20; Eccl 3:13 reference to זאת Amos 7:6; Ps 118:23; Job 5:27, זִּה Eccl 2:24. (Where there is a predicate, the gender of this usually regulates the choice of m. or f.: hence הִוא Gen 34:14; Exod 8:15; Num 15:25 (Eccl 5:5) Deut 4:6 +.)
  b. affirming the presence or existence of something (rare) : 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21 כִּי מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ הִיא for it was the king's command, saying etc., 1Sam 20:33 (text dubious), Jer 50:15; Jer 50:25; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:11; Mic 2:3, perhaps Job 32:8. p. 241.
7. With the art. הַהוּא, הַהִיא, הָהֵ֫מָּה, הָהֵם, הָהֵ֫נָּה: so regularly when joined to a substantive defined itself by the article: Gen 2:12 הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא that land, Gen 19:35 ובלילה ההוא and in that night, Gen 21:22 בָּעֵת הַהִוא at that time, Deut 1:19 המדבר הגדול והנורא ההוא. Only four times does there occur the anomalous construction בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא Gen 19:33; Gen 30:16; Gen 32:23; 1Sam 19:10.


BDB2207 H2007

BDB2206 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2208

II. הֵ֫נָּה pronoun 3 plural feminine they: see הֵ֫מָּה.


הֲנָחָה see below נוח

they, these, such, them, those, …
hēnnâ
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
  • they, these, the same, who

הַ בְּ מַֽחֲנִ֖ים
הַ
Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
מַֽחֲנִ֖ים
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Whether in tents")
Dictionary form: מַחֲנֶה · ma-huh-NEH

הַ
Question marker This opening ה is not "the" — pointed הֲ (not הַ with a doubling dagesh) it turns the sentence into a question. Read the clause with a "?".

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

In the KJV here: whether in tents
the camp ×69 the host ×33 of the camp ×19 in the camp ×16 and the host ×3 his host ×3 their armies ×3 bands ×2
More options
camp — Best default; a settled or temporary military/nomadic encampment.
army — Prefer when מַחֲנֶה clearly denotes a fighting force.
encampment — More formal; emphasizes the physical site or layout.
company — Good for smaller, non-military groups traveling together.
force — Concise military sense; suits narrative battle contexts.
horde — Conveys a large, overwhelming, or threatening multitude.

BDB2917 H4264

BDB2916 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2918

מַחֲנֶה214 noun masculineGen 33:8 + 16 t. and femininePs 27:3; 1Chr 11:15 (on Gen 32:9 a see Di) encampment, camp — absolute ׳מ Gen 32:9 (twice in verse) + 126 t. (including Ezek 1:24, strike out Co); construct מַחֲנֵה Gen 32:3 + 56 t.; suffix מַחֲנֵהוּ Num 1:52 + 5 t.; מַחֲנֶיךָ Deut 23:15; Deut 29:10, מַחֲנֶךָ Deut 23:15, מַחֲנֵיכֶם Amos 4:10, מַהֲנֵיהֶם Num 5:3; Judg 8:10 (compare below, and on form of noun with suffix see Ges«GKC:93»§ 93. 3, R 3); plural absolute מִחֲנות Gen 32:8 + 9 t.; construct 1Chr 9:18 + 2 t., מַחֲנִים Num 13:19 suffix (apparetnly plural noun) מַחֲנֵיהֶם Josh 10:4 + 5 t.; — on dual see ׳מ proper name below

1. camp, place of encampment:
  a. of caravan of travelers Gen 32:22 (J), especially of Israel at Exodus and in wilderness Exod 16:13 (twice in verse); Exod 19:16; Exod 19:17 (all P; distinguished from עַם); ׳שַׁעַר מ Exod 32:26 (JE); especially ׳מִחוּץ המ in connection with uncleanness, etc., Exod 29:14; Lev 4:12 (P) + often, of position of tent of meeting Exod 33:7 (twice in verse) (JE), contr. Num 2:17 (P), where of encampments of several tribes, compare Num 1:52; Num 2:3; Num 10:2; Num 10:5; Num 10:6; Num 10:25 etc., (all P), already passing over to 3 (compare הַחֹנִים Num 10:5; Num 10:6); specifically of camp of Levites, surrounding tabernacle, so that P can say אֹהֶלמֿוֺעֵד מַחֲנֵה הַלְוִיִם Num 2:17 and so (late) of temple הַשֹּׁעֲרִים לְמַחֲנוֺת בְּנֵי לֵוִי 1Chr 9:18, as well as ׳שַׁעֲרֵי מַחֲנוֺת י 2Chr 31:2 plural (opposed to מִבְצָרִים = fortresses) Num 13:19.
2. camp of armed host Josh 6:11 (twice in verse); Josh 6:14 (JE), 1Sam 4:3; 1Sam 4:5; 1Sam 4:6 (twice in verse); 1Sam 4:7; 1Sam 17:53; 2Kgs 7:16 etc.
3. a. those who encamp Num 10:5; Num 10:6; 1Chr 11:15; Ps 27:3 (all with verb חנה) compare (probably) Isa 37:36 = 2Kgs 19:35, etc.
  b. company, body of people; people and beasts Gen 32:8; Gen 32:9 (twice in verse); Gen 32:11; Gen 33:8, funeral company of Jacob Gen 50:9 of Israel on march Exod 14:19; Exod 14:20 compare Num 10:5; Num 10:6.
  c. army, host Josh 8:13; Josh 10:5; Josh 11:4; Judg 4:15; Judg 4:16 (twice in verse); Judg 7:1; Judg 7:8; Judg 8:10 (twice in verse); Judg 8:11 (twice in verse); Judg 8:12; 1Sam 17:1; 1Sam 17:46; 2Kgs 3:9 even while in the thick of the fight; 1Kgs 22:34 = 2Chr 18:33 etc.

camp, host, camps, company, tents, …
maḥăne
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts)
  • encampment, camp
    • camp, place of encampment
    • "camp of armed host, army camp"those who encamp, company, body of people

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

Conjunction

In the KJV here: or
if ×322 and if ×128 but if ×69 or ×48 surely ×29 though ×25 whether ×19 when ×16
More options
if — Default conditional; most broadly applicable rendering.
whether — Use for indirect questions or double alternatives.
though — Concessive force; signals contrast or surprise.
when — Temporal nuance; condition treated as certain to occur.
unless — Negative conditional; equivalent to 'if not'.
surely — Emphatic/oath context; asserts strong certainty.

BDB2204 H2005 H518 H2006

BDB2203 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2205

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

3.


BDB3995 H3588 H518

BDB3994 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3996

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

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

2. a. Of time, when, of the past וַיְהִי כִּי Gen 6:1 (compare BuUrg. 6), Gen 26:8; Gen 27:1; 2Sam 6:13; 2Sam 7:1; 2Sam 19:26 + (כַּאֲשֶׁר and especially כְּ with infinitive, are more frequently); וְהָיָה כִּי (simple וְ) 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 17:48; Josh 22:7; Judg 2:18; Judg 12:5 והיה כי יאמרו and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said, Jer 44:19 (participle), Hos 11:1; Ps 32:3 כי החרשׁתי when I was silent, Job 31:21; Job 31:26; Job 31:29 of present (usually with imperfect) as Exod 18:16 כִּי יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר when they have a matter, 1Sam 24:20; Isa 1:12; Isa 30:21; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5; Zech 7:6; Mal 1:8; Ps 49:19 and men praise thee כִּי תֵיטִיב לָ֑ךְ when thou doest well to thyself, Ps 102:1; Ps 127:5 +, with perfect Ezek 3:19-21; Ezek 33:9; Prov 11:15; Prov 23:22 especially of future, as Gen 4:12 כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶתהָֿאֲדָמָה when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc., Gen 24:41; Gen 30:33; Gen 31:49; Gen 32:18; Exod 7:9 when Pharaoh shall speak unto you, Deut 4:25; Deut 6:20 +; in phrase (׳תאֹמַר וג) וְכִי תאֹמְרוּ Lev 25:20; Deut 18:21; Isa 8:19; Isa 36:7; Jer 13:22 and especially in ... וְהָיָה כִּי Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33; Deut 6:10; Deut 15:16; 1Sam 10:7; 1Sam 25:30; Isa 8:21; Isa 10:12 + often; with perfect Isa 16:12; 1Chr 17:11 (altered from imperfect 2Sam 7:12); with participle (unusual) Num 33:51; Num 34:2; Deut 11:31; Deut 18:9.
  b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם: — (mostly with imperfect) Gen 38:16; Num 5:20; Num 10:32; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:17; Deut 28:2; Deut 28:13; 1Sam 20:13; 2Sam 19:8; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 18:22; Jer 38:15; Prov 4:8; Job 7:13 (כי אמרתי when I say), Job 19:28 often in laws, as Exod 21:14; Exod 21:33; Exod 21:35; Exod 21:37; Exod 22:4; Exod 22:5 etc., Deut 13:13; Deut 14:24; Deut 15:7; Deut 15:12; Deut 17:2; Deut 18:6; Deut 18:21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by אִם, as Exod 21:2 when (כִּי) thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after which vExod 21:3-5 follow four special cases with אִם if: so Exod 21:7 (כי), vExod 21:8-11 (אם); vExod 21:18 (כי), vExod 21:19 (אם); vExod 21:20 (כי), vExod 21:21 (אם); vExod 21:22 f; vExod 21:28-32; Lev 1:2 (כי), vLev 1:3 vLev 1:10 (אם) Lev 4:2; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:27; Lev 4:32; Lev 13:2ff. Num 30:3ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g. Exod 21:5 with Deut 15:16; Num 5:19 and vNum 5:20. —
N.B. with כִּי = when or if, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis: 1Kgs 8:37 רָעָב ׳כִּייִֿהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ דֶּבֶר כִּי יִהְיֶה וג, Isa 28:18; Mic 5:4 אַשּׁוּר כִּייָֿבאֹ בְאַרְצֵנוּ, Ps 62:11; Ezek 3:19 (וְאַתָּה), Ezek 14:9; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 18:5; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 33:6 (compare vEzek 33:2); and especially in laws of P, as כִּי ֗֗֗ אָדָם Lev 1:2; Lev 13:2, ... נֶפֶשׁ כִּי Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15, similarly Lev 15:2; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:25; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13; Lev 22:14 etc., rather differently Num 5:20.
  c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though:
   (a) with imperfect Jer 4:30 (3 t. in verse); Jer 14:12; Jer 49:16 כִּיתַֿגְבִּיהַּ כַּנֶּשֶׁר קִנֶּ֑ךָ though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence, Jer 51:53; Hos 13:15; Zech 8:6; Ps 37:24; Ps 49:19f. though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps also Jer 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Ke for), Jer 50:11 Ew Ke (Hi yea); and strengthened by גַּם, גַּם כִּי Isa 1:5; Ps 23:4 (compare Dr§ 143);
   (b) with perf. (rare) Mic 7:8 כִּי נָפַלְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי though I have fallen, I rise, Nah 1:10 (si vera 1.), Ps 21:12 (Hi Ew Now), Ps 119:88 (Ew De).

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

Note.כִּי is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is between for and yea. E.g. Isa 8:23 Ges Ew§ 330 b doch (no, but); Hi Di for (taking vIsa 8:22 as RVm); Ch surely: Isa 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Di surely; De for: Isa 39:8 Ges Hi De surely; Di for (explanation of טוֺב): Ezek 11:16 Hi Ke Co surely; Ew Sm because. — In Exod 20:25 the tense of וַתְּחַלֲלֶהָ makes it probably that כֹּי is for (Dr§ 153). Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage (גַּאֲוָה) as Hi When they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. כִּי אִםֿ (the אִם always followed by makkeph, except Gen 15:4; Num 35:33; Neh 2:2, where כִּיאִֿם is read by the Mass.: FrMM 241) —
1. each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
  a. that if Jer 26:15 after an oath (כִּי not translated: see כִּי 1 c) if 1Sam 14:39; Jer 22:24, surely not (אִם 1 b 2) 2Sam 3:35; 1Sam 25:34 (כִּי being resumptive of the כִּי before לוּלֵי: see כִּי 1 c); Exod 22:22 (in apodosis) indeed if . . . (see כִּי 1 d).
  b. for if Exod 8:17; Exod 9:2; Exod 10:4; +, for though Isa 10:22; Jer 37:20; Amos 5:22, but if Jer 7:5.

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


BDB511 H518

BDB510 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB512

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

**ᵑ7Onk Jon אִם, ᵑ7Hag אין.
1. hypothetical particle if.
  a. construction (see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143 FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) with imperfect (continued by perfects & waw consecutive; apodosis usually begins with perfect & waw consecutive or bare imperfect; or, if necessary, with imperative or jussive)
   (a) of future time: Gen 18:26 אִםאֶֿמְצָא if I shall find 50 righteous in Sodom, וְנָשָׂאתִי I will pardon, etc., Gen 24:8; Gen 32:9; Deut 1:52 b 1Kgs 6:12; Ps 89:31; Gen 42:37; Judg 13:16; 1Kgs 1:52 a Ps 132:12.
   (b) of past time (rare, but classical): Gen 31:8 אִם יאֹמַר if everhe said . . . וְיָָֽלְדִוּ then they used to bear, etc., Exod 40:37 & in the protestations Job 31:7; Job 31:13; Job 31:16; Job 31:25 etc. (alternating with pff., see below, & with jussives in apodosis)
   (c) assuming a purely imaginary case (with imperfect in both clauses, like the double optative in Greek), if, though: Gen 13:16 so that אִםיֿוּכַל if a man were able to number the stars, thy seed also יִמָּנֶה might be numbered, Num 22:18; Isa 1:18 כַּשָּׁנִים יַלְבִּינוּ ׳אִםיִֿהְיוּ ח though your sins were as scarlet, they should become white as snow, Amos 9:2-4 אִםיַֿחְתְּרוּ though they were to dig into Sheôl, from thence תִּקָּחֵם would my hand fetch them, Ps 27:3; Ps 139:8 +. (2) with participle (expressing either a present process, or an approaching future: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 24:42; Gen 24:49; Judg 6:36; Judg 9:15; Judg 11:9 אִם מְשִׁיבִים אַתֶּם if ye are going to bring me back . . . ׳וְנָתַן י then ׳י will, etc.; similarly with יֵשׁ or אֵין Gen 44:26; Exod 22:2; 1Sam 20:8; 1Sam 23:23 & with no explicit copula Deut 22:2; Deut 25:2; Lev 1:3; Lev 1:14, etc. (3) with perfect
   (a) of future or present time (continued by perfects & waw consecutive: apodosis as 1 a) Gen 43:9 אִםלֹֿא הֲבִיאֹתִיו אֵלֶיךָ וְהִצַּגְתִּיו לְפָנֶיךָ if I do not bring him back (si eum non reduxero) and set him before thee, I will be guilty for ever, Gen 47:6 if thou knowest that there are men of worth among them וְשַׂמְתָּם then make them, etc., Judg 16:17; 2Sam 15:33; 2Kgs 7:4; Ps 41:7; Ps 94:18; Job 7:4; Job 9:30f. Job 10:14 אִם חָטָאתִי וּשְׁמַרְתָּ֑נִי if I sin, thou watchest me. On אִםנָֿא Gen 18:3 and elsewhere see נָא.
   (b) of past time, whether
   (a) in actual fact, or (β) in an assumed case (the perfect is here continued by the imperfect and waw consecutive; apodosis begins as before).
   (a) Judg 9:16-19 אִם ֗֗֗ עֲשִׂיתֶם if ye have done honestly וַתַּמְלִיכוּ and have made Abimelech king . . ., 1Sam 26:19 especially in protestations, as Ps 7:4 אִם עָשִׂיתִי זאת if I have done this . . ., let the enemy pursue my soul, etc. Jer 33:25f.; Job 31:5f; Job 31:9, etc.
   (b) Num 5:27 if she have defiled herself וַתִּמְעֹל and been faithless, וּבָאוּ then shall they come, etc., Num 15:24; Num 35:22-24.
   (c) with bare perfect in apodosis, in sense of If ... had ..., only Deut 32:30 אִםלֹֿא כִּי were it not that ..., Ps 73:15. (לוּ is more usual in such cases.) (4) with infinitive once (si vera 1.) Job 9:27 אִם אָמְרִי = if I say (literally if (there is) my saying). — Note that the verb following אִם is often strengthened by the infinitive absolute, as Exod 15:26; Exod 19:5; Exod 21:5; Exod 22:3; Exod 22:12; Exod 22:16; Exod 22:22; Judg 11:30; Judg 14:12; Judg 16:11 etc.; compare DrSm i. 20, 6.


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

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


אֵם see אמם. Below


אַמָּה, אֻמָּה see אמם.


BDB9477 H2005 H2006 H518 H3861

BDB9476 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9478

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

1. if, Dan 2:6; Dan 3:15; Dan 3:17; Dan 4:24; Dan 5:16; Dan 5:17, הֵן לָא ֗֗֗ Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 3:15 vDan 3:18 הֵן לָ֔א if not.
2. repeated, הֵן ֗֗֗ הֵן sive ... sive, whether ... or (compare Biblical Hebrew אִם, 1 b 1), Ezra 7:26 (so PalmyreneTariff ii.c.19).
3. in indirect question, whether (compare אִם, 2 b), Ezra 5:17b יִתְבַּקַּר ֗֗֗ הֵן אִיתַי ֗֗֗ . — See also לָהֵן. p. 50, 243, 1099


הַסִּק etc., see סלק Haph`el


BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

if, or, though, surely, not, …
ʾim
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
  • if
    • conditional clauses
      • of possible situations
      • "of impossible situations
      oath contexts
      • no, not
      if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or"when, whenever"since"interrogative particle"but rather

בְּ מִבְצָרִֽים
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
מִבְצָרִֽים
Root word fenced, holds, fortress, defenced, fortresses, …
Dictionary form: מִבְצָר · mib-TSAWR

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

In the KJV here: in strong holds
thy strong holds ×4 fenced ×3 his strong holds ×2 in the fenced ×2 the defenced ×2 the fenced ×2 the fortress ×2 the strong holds ×2
More options
fortress — Best general term; strong, standalone noun.
stronghold — Modernizes KJV 'strong hold'; implies defended refuge.
fortified city — Preferred when urban or settlement context is clear.
citadel — Suggests inner, elevated fortification within a city.
fortification — More abstract; suits collective or structural references.
bastion — Vivid, literary; use sparingly for rhetorical emphasis.

BDB1275 H4013

BDB1274 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1276

מִבְצָר noun masculineIsa 17:3 fortification — מִבְצָר Num 32:71 + 18 t.; construct מִבְצַר Josh 19:29 + 2 t.; plural מִבְצָרִים Num 13:19; Dan 11:24 מִבְצָרוֺת Dan 11:15 מִבְצְרֵי Lam 2:2; Dan 11:39 suffix מִבְצָרֶיךָ Hos 10:14 + 2 t.; מִבְצָרַיִךְ Nah 3:12 מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ vNah 3:14; Jer 48:18 מִבְצָרָיו Ps 89:41; Lam 2:5 מִבְצָרֶיהָ Isa 34:13 מִבְצְרֵיהֶם 2Kgs 8:12fortification, especially in phrase ׅ׳(המ ׳עיר (ערי) מ = fortified city Num 32:17; Num 32:36; Josh 10:20; Josh 19:29; Josh 19:35; 1Sam 6:18; 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 10:2; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 18:8; Jer 4:5; Jer 5:17; Jer 8:14; Jer 34:7; Ps 108:11 (׳עיר מ = עיר מָצוֺר Ps 60:11), 2Chr 17:19; Dan 11:15 (׳מ in this connection singular except Jer 5:17 & Dan 11:15 (מבצרות)); Jer 1:18 figurative of prophet, so without עיר Jer 6:27 fortress, stronghold, literal without עיר etc. Num 13:19; 2Kgs 8:12; Jer 48:18; Isa 17:3; Isa 25:12 (משׁגב חומתיך ׳מ) Isa 34:13 (|| ארמנת), Lam 2:2; Lam 2:5 (|| id.) Ps 89:41; Hos 10:14; Amos 5:9; Mic 5:10; Nah 3:12; Nah 3:14; Hab 1:10; Dan 11:24; Dan 11:39 followed by proper name צֹד ׳מ 2Sam 24:7 (compare Josh 19:29 צֹר ׳עיר מ).


בַּקְבּוק, בַּקְבֻּק see below בקק.

fenced, holds, fortress, defenced, fortresses, …
mibṣār
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
  • fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וּמָ֣ה הָאָ֗רֶץ Revia — a lesser break אֲשֶׁר הוּא֙ Pashta — a lesser break יֹשֵׁ֣ב בָּ֔הּ Zaqef Qatan — a strong break הֲטוֹבָ֥ה הִ֖וא Tipeha — a lesser break אִם רָעָ֑ה Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּמָ֣ה הֶֽעָרִ֗ים Revia — a lesser break אֲשֶׁר הוּא֙ Pashta — a lesser break יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בָּהֵ֔נָּה Zaqef Qatan — a strong break הַבְּמַֽחֲנִ֖ים Tipeha — a lesser break אִ֥ם בְּמִבְצָרִֽים Silluq — end of the verse

וּמָה הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר-הוּא יֹשֵׁב בָּהּ הֲטוֹבָה הִוא אִם-רָעָה וּמָה הֶֽעָרִים אֲשֶׁר-הוּא יוֹשֵׁב בָּהֵנָּה הַבְּמַֽחֲנִים אִם בְּמִבְצָרִֽים׃
19
And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;