Psalms 7:12

If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

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

Conjunction

In the KJV here: if
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

לֹ֣א
לֹ֣א
Particle not
Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: not
not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86
More options
not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.
no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.
never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.
nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.
neither — Use when negating two elements together.
none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

BDB4266 H3808

BDB4265 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4267

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. ; not in Ethiopic: compare ii. 1. 236 WalkerAJSL 1896, 237 ff.) — לוֺא, according to Masora (FrMM 248), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.p. 251), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
  a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
   (a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges«GKC:156»§ 156. 3 R. b, c Dr§ 162). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr§ 115, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges«GKC:109»§ 109. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
   (b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr§ 202. 2); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
   (c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָ˜בר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
   (d) standing alone:
   (a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, : Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, for . . . = but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
   (e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew§ 324 a Ges«GKC:150»§ 150. 1 Dr1Sam 11:12): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke ).
  b. with adjectives and substantive:
   (a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
   (b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר
2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
   (c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew§ 320 c Dr§ 162): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
  a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
  b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
  c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
  d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), vb בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew§ 286 g Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, vb Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
  e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr§ 164), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare ii. 1. 236 f.
4. With prefixes: —
  a. בְּלֹא31 (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
   (a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
   (b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
   (c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.


  b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
   (a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.


  c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
  d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.


  e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see DePs 100. 3 FrMM 247 StrProl. Cr. 84), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.


BDB4344 H3808

BDB4343 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4345

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.


BDB9632 H3808 H3809

BDB9631 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9633

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb301 CookG1. 67); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K§ 67, 1 Dr§ 202, 2.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, DAramaic Dialektproben, p. 1). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.


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.

not, no, neither, nor, none, …
lōʾ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
  • not, no
    • not (with verb—absolute prohibition)
    • "not (with modifier—negation)"nothing (subst)"without (with particle)"before (of time)

יָ֭שׁוּב
יָ֭שׁוּב
Root word return, again, returned, turn, back, …
Dictionary form: שׁוּב · shoob

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

In the KJV here: he turn
return ×69 returned ×56 and returned ×24 shall return ×23 again ×22 turn ×21 to return ×16 turn again ×13
More options
return — Most direct modern equivalent; fits most contexts.
turn back — Emphasizes reversal of direction or course.
come back — Informal, relational tone; good for personal or narrative contexts.
restore — Best when the subject brings something back to prior state.
repent — Prefer in theological contexts of moral/spiritual turning.
go back — Stresses departure from current position; informal register.

BDB8502 H7725

BDB8501 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8503

שׁוּב1056 verb turn back, return (Late Hebrew id.; Hiph`il in MI8 f. 12; Sabean תֿיב, התֿב, especially requite OsZMG xix (1865), 198 SabDenkmNo. 20, l. 1 HomChrest. 122 CISiv. 81, i. 9, etc.; Arabic return, so Aramaic תּוּב, ); —

Qal685 Perfect 3 masculine singular שָׁב Gen 18:33 +, 3 feminine singular שָׁ֫בָה Ruth 1:15 +, וְשָׁבַת consecutive Ezek 46:17 (Ges«GKC:72o»§ 72o, but Co Toy Krae וְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singular שַׁבְתָּ Ps 85:2, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָשׁוּב Hos 11:5 + often, יָשֻׁב Ps 146:4; Lam 3:3, jussive יָשֹׁב Judg 7:3 +, וַיָּ֫שָׁב Gen 26:18 +; 3 feminine plural תָּשֹׁבְןָ Ezek 16:55 (twice in verse), תְּשֻׁבֶינָה vEzek 16:55, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שׁוּב Gen 31:3 +, שֻׁב Exod 4:19; 1Kgs 18:43, שׁוּ֫בָה Hos 14:2 +, feminine plural שֹׁבְנָה Ruth 1:8; Ruth 1:11; Ruth 1:12, etc.; Infinitive absolute שׁוֺב Gen 8:3 +, construct שׁוּב Exod 4:21 +, שֹׁב Josh 2:16 (Ges«GKC:72q»§ 72q), etc.; Participle שָׁב Gen 43:18 +, feminine singular שָׁבָ֫ה Ruth 1:22 +, etc.; passive construct שׁוּבֵי Mic 2:8turn back, return:
1. turn back, with מִן local Judg 3:19; Judg 8:13, compare Judg 7:3, with מֵאַחֲרֵי person, i.e. from following 2Sam 11:15; 1Kgs 19:21; Ruth 1:16, from pursuing 2Sam 2:26; 2Sam 2:30; 1Kgs 22:33 = 2Chr 18:32 with מִן of pursuit 1Sam 17:53; 1Sam 23:28, compare 2Chr 11:4 with אַחֲרֵי person, i.e. so as to follow 1Sam 15:31; 2Sam 23:10 turn back in fear, מִן of thing Job 39:22 (of horse), מִפְּנֵי כֹל Prov 30:30 (of lion), so absolute (of foes) Ps 6:11; Ps 56:10; Ps 70:4, in shame Lam 1:8 turn back and do so and so: Gen 14:7; Exod 14:2, compare Num 33:7 (עַל location, both P), Josh 8:21 (E), Josh 11:10 (J), 1Chr 21:20, followed by infinitive 2Chr 20:27 absolute turn back (face about) Song 7:1 (4 t. in verse) (+ verb); = be repulsed, defeated Ps 9:4; Ps 74:21 figurative turn back, namely, from a promise or a vow Judg 11:35 with מִן of service Num 8:25 (P), i.e. be exempt.
2. return, come or go back, with מֵעַל person 1Sam 17:15 (opposed to הלד), 2Sam 10:14; 2Kgs 18:14, מִן person Josh 10:31 (+ בְּשָׁלוֺם), מִן local, especially from foreign land 2Kgs 8:3; 2Chr 10:2; Ruth 1:6; Ruth 1:22; Ruth 2:6; Ruth 4:3; Jer 31:16; Jer 40:12; Jer 43:5; Jer 44:28; Ezra 6:21; Neh 8:17, מֵהַכּוֺת Gen 14:17 (J E ?), 1Sam 17:57; 1Sam 18:6; 2Sam 1:1; 2Sam 8:13, מֵאַחֲרֵי i.e. from pursuing 1Sam 24:2 (Gi v.1Sam 23:1); figurative, מִנִּי חשֶׁךְ ׳לֹא שׁ Job 15:22 (see חשֶׁךְ 3 a); עִבְרוּ זָשׁוּבוּ מִשַּׁעַר לָשַׁעַר Exod 32:27 (J), i.e. go back and forth from gate to gate, compare (absolute) participle as substantive עֹבֵר וָשָׁב Zech 7:14; Zech 9:8 and (= all persons) Ezek 35:7 also וַיֵּצֵא יָצוֺא וָשׁוֺב Gen 8:7 (J), רָצוֺא וָשׁוֺב Ezek 1:14 (strike out Hi Co Toy and others; yet see Krae); Gen 8:3 (J) see הלד 4 c (4).
3. especially return unto:
  a. go back, אֶל person Num 23:5; Num 23:16 (JE), 2Kgs 1:6 (|| הָלַךְ, as often), Exod 5:22 (J; ׳אֶליֿ), Exod 32:31 (E; id), Num 17:15 (P), 2Sam 20:22 (+ accusative of location), Jer 46:16 (both + אֶל location), + 17 t.; אֶל location also Gen 21:32; Gen 28:21 (both E), 2Sam 11:4; Hos 5:15 (of ׳י), 2Chr 19:1 (+ בְּשָׁלוֺם, + ל person), Esth 2:14 (opposed to בּוֺא), Esth 7:8 (+ מִן local), + 27 t.; of a dog עַלקֵֿאוֺ ׳שׁ Prov 26:11 ל location Gen 18:33 (J), 1Sam 26:25; 1Sam 29:4; 1Kgs 19:15 (+ ה- locative), Gen 33:16 (J; לְדַרְכּוֺ, + id.), Ps 7:8 (of ׳י), + 25 t.; ל person Ruth 1:10 (לְעַמֵךְ); ה- locative also Gen 44:13 (J), Exod 4:20; Exod 4:21 (R), Exod 13:17 (E), + 5 t.; שָׁם (= שָׁ֫מָּה) Jer 22:27 accusative of location also Hos 8:13; Hos 9:3; 1Sam 18:2; 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 15:27 (+ בְּשָׁלוֺם), 2Kgs 2:25 (+ מִן local), + 15 t.; accusative דֶּרֶךָ Ezek 46:9 accusative of person Num 10:36 אַחֲרֵי person Ruth 1:15 absolute 2Sam 3:16; 2Sam 19:16 (+ בּוֺא), 1Kgs 18:43; Jer 40:5 (< strike out ᵐ5 Gie Du), Ezek 7:13b (strike out ᵐ5 Co Krae and others) +; followed by verb, go back and do so and so, Gen 43:2; 1Sam 1:19; 1Sam 29:7 (שׁוּב וְלֵךְ בְּשָׁלוֺם), 1Kgs 13:22; 2Chr 18:16 (+ בְּשָׁלוֺם) +, (Jer 42:10 read יָשׁוֺב Vrss and modern); followed by infinitive purpose Judg 14:8; 2Sam 6:20 + 10 t.
  b. come back, אֶל person Gen 8:9 (J; + אֶל location), Exod 24:14 (J), 1Sam 23:23 + 2Sam 17:3 (ᵐ5 Ew Th We Dr HPS Bu), 1Kgs 12:15 (opposed to הָלַךְ) + 9 t. + (in hostility) Judg 20:48 אֶל location also Zech 8:3 (subject ׳י); Josh 22:32 (P) has מֵאֵת person + מִן local + אֶל location + אֶל person; אֶל of thing Ezek 7:13 עַל person Neh 4:6; Mic 5:2 (be reunited to); עַל location 1Kgs 17:21; 1Kgs 17:22 ל location Josh 1:15 (R), Zech 1:16 (subject ׳י), 2Chr 30:9 + (from exile) 5 t.; ל animal., Job 39:4 ה- locative Gen 15:16 (E), Gen 50:14 (J); accusative of location 2Chr 19:8 שָׁם Jer 20:11 (opposed to יָצָא), שָׁ֫מָּה vJer 20:27, הֵ֫נָּה Jer 31:8 absolute Gen 43:10 (J), 2Sam 10:5; 2Kgs 1:5; Isa 21:12 (|| אָתָה), Job 39:12 (Kt, so Bu Du; of wild ox), + often; + בְּשָׁלוֺם Judg 8:9; 1Kgs 22:28 (שׁוֺב תָּשׁוּב) = 2Chr 18:27; 2Chr 18:26 + verb, come back and do so and so, Deut 1:45; Deut 30:8; Jer 37:8; 1Kgs 19:7; 1Kgs 20:5; 2Kgs 9:36; Ps 60:2 (title), compare Zech 4:1; Dan 11:10, לָשֶׁבֶת ׳שׁ Num 35:32 (P), לָלֶכֶת ׳שׁ Eccl 5:14.
4. a. of dying, אֶלֿ(הֶ)עָפָר ׳שׁ Gen 3:19 (twice in verse) (J), Ps 104:29; Eccl 3:20, עַלעָֿפָר Job 34:15 לְאַדְמָתוֺ ׳שׁ Ps 146:4, compare אָשׁוּב שָׁ֫מָּה (i.e. בֶּטֶן אִמּוֺ) Job 1:21 (see Di Bu, also Eccl 5:14); לִשְׁא֑וֺלָה ׳שׁ Ps 9:18 so probably absolute Ps 90:3 (> come back to life); of (human) dust, עַלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳שׁ Eccl 12:7 breath, אֶלהָֿאֱלֹהַים ׳שׁ vEccl 12:7.
  b. of revival from death, לְבֵיתוֺ ׳שׁ Job 7:10, absolute Job 10:21 (opposed to הָלַךְ), Job 16:22 (id.), Prov 2:19 also with אֶל person 2Sam 12:13.
5. figurative of human relations:
  a. return to leader, king, אֶל person, Judg 11:8; 1Kgs 12:27 (twice in verse); to divorced wife Jer 3:1 (opposed to הלד).
  b. = change so as to approach (in purpose, desire), אֶלֿ person Jer 15:9 (twice in verse).
  c. turn, i.e. resort to, ל person Ps 119:79.
  d. return to a physical condition Job 33:25 (ל of thing); to a state or course of life, ל of thing Isa 23:17; Ezek 16:55 (3 t. in verse); Neh 9:17; Ps 85:9 עַל of thing Jer 11:10, הֲלוֺם Ps 73:10 (but corrupt); ב Jer 8:6 (Du reads שָׁט for שָׁב).
  e. absolute = change course of action; from good to bad, וַיָּשָׁב וַיִּמְרָראבּוֺ 2Kgs 24:1; Jer 34:11; Jer 34:16 bad to good vJer 34:15 so ׳שׁ alone Job 6:29 (twice in verse) (probably; read וְשׁוּבוּ, so Di Da Bu and others; other interpretations De Du and others). feminine passive participle = averse, שׁוּבֵי מִלְחָמָה Mic 2:8 (> We Now שְׁבִי spoil of war).
6. figurative, specifically of spiritual relations:
  a. turn back from God, = apostatize, ׳מֵאַחֲרֵי י Num 14:43 (J), 1Sam 15:11; 1Kgs 9:6 (שׁוֺב תְּשֻׁב֫וּן), Jer 3:19; Num 32:15; Josh 22:16; Josh 22:18; Josh 22:23; Josh 22:29 (all P); absolute (usually + verb) Judg 2:19; Judg 8:33; Josh 23:12 (RD), Jer 8:4; Ps 78:41; 2Chr 7:19.
  b. of ׳י, turn away, מֵאַחֲרֵי person Deut 23:15.
  c. turn back to God (= seek penitently), ׳אֶליֿ Hos 6:1; Hos 7:10; Hos 14:3; Jer 3:7; 1Kgs 8:33; 1Kgs 8:48 (בְּכָלֿ לֵבָב), + 18 t.; אֶלאֱֿלֹהִים Hos 5:4; Ps 51:15, compare Isa 10:21 ׳עַליֿ 2Chr 15:4; 2Chr 30:9 ׳עַדיֿ Amos 4:6; Amos 4:8; Amos 4:9; Amos 4:10; Amos 4:11; Hos 14:2; Isa 9:12 + 5 t.; עַדשַֿׁדַּי Job 22:23 ׳לי Isa 31:6, נַפְשִׁי ׳שׁ לִמְנוּחָ֑יְכְי Ps 116:7 compare לַבַּעַל Hos 7:16 (for לֹא עָל, Now, compare Marti); לְתוֺכַחְתִּי Prov 1:23 (probably strike out, see Toy).
  d. absolute repent, Hos 3:15; Hos 11:5; Isa 6:10; Isa 10:22; Jer 3:7; Jer 3:12; Jer 3:14; Jer 3:22; Jer 4:1; Jer 5:3 + 14 t., + participle as substantive Isa 1:27.
  e. turn back from evil, with מִן (especially Jeremiah, Ezekiel) 1Kgs 8:35; 1Kgs 13:33; Jer 15:7; Jer 18:8 + 8 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 3:19; Ezek 13:22 + 12 t. Ezekiel,+ 9 t.; compare שָׁבֵי פֶשַׁע Isa 59:20 שׁוּבוּ וְהָשִׁיבוּ מִן Ezek 18:30, so with מֵעַל Ezek 14:6 from good, with מִן, Ezek 3:20; Ezek 18:24; Ezek 18:26; Ezek 33:18. feminine of ׳י, מֵחֲרוֺן אַפּוֺ ׳שׁ Exod 32:12 (JE), Deut 13:18; Josh 7:26 (J), 2Kgs 23:26; Jonah 3:9 ׳מִמֶּנּוּ אַףיֿ ׳שׁ Hos 14:5; Jer 2:35; Jer 4:8; Num 25:4 (P), 2Chr 12:12; 2Chr 29:10; 2Chr 30:8, so (man's anger) Gen 27:45 (J) and (absolute) vGen 27:44 (E); absolute of ׳אַףיֿ Isa 5:25; Isa 9:11; Isa 9:16; Isa 9:20; Isa 10:4; Isa 12:1; (opposed to יָצָא vJer 23:19), Jer 30:24; Job 14:13; Dan 9:16.
  g. of ׳י, return (to shew favour), אֶל person Gen 18:10 (+ infinitive absolute), vGen 18:14; Zech 1:3; Mal 3:7; 2Chr 30:6, absolute Isa 63:17; Ps 80:15 (|| הִבִּיט, פָּקַד), Ps 90:13, + verb Jer 12:15; Ps 6:5; Joel 2:14; Jonah 3:9 also in hostility, + verb Josh 24:20 (E), with infinitive purpose Hos 11:9.
  h. of ׳י, turn back from (מִן) judgment Jer 4:28, אֱמֶת Ps 132:11 מֵאַחֲרֵי person, i.e. cease to bless, Jer 32:40.
7. of inanimate things (sometimes personified, or treated as things of life):
  a. as perceptibly moving, water Gen 8:3 (J; מֵעַל location), Josh 4:18 (J; ל location), Exod 14:26 (P; עַל person), vExod 14:28 (P; + verb), Ps 104:9 (ל infinitive), sea Exod 14:27 (J; לְאֵיתָנוֺ); wind Ps 78:39 (opposed to הלד), Eccl 1:6 (עַל location); shadow 2Kgs 20:9; 2Kgs 20:10 (+ אֲחֹרַנִּית), || Isa 38:8 (sun on dial), of breath (= revive) Judg 15:19; 1Sam 30:12 (אֶל person); clouds Eccl 12:2 (מִן temporal); rain and snow Isa 55:10 (ה locative); rolling stone Prov 26:27 sword 2Sam 1:22 (מִן of thing), Ezek 21:10, arrow Jer 50:9 of plague-spot = re-appear, Lev 14:43 (P).
  b. = be brought back, Gen 43:18 (J), 1Sam 5:11 (ל location), hence be restored, ל person Ezek 46:17, so of kingdom 1Kgs 12:26, city 1Sam 7:14 (Ezek 35:9 see ישׁב 4), field Lev 27:24 (P); of animal Deut 28:31.
  c. = be turned into, ל of thing, Isa 29:17 = be turned back into, עַד thing, Mic 1:7.
  d. return, figurative of word, (1) Isa 45:23, with אֶל person Isa 55:11 (both opposed to יָצָא); (2) Ps 35:13 my prayer turned upon (עַל) my bosom (was uttered with bowed head, De Bae Du).
  e. turn away, depart, of infamy Prov 25:10. feminine return (in recompense), of crime, evil, etc., with בְּראֹשׁ 1Kgs 2:33; Obad 1:15; Ps 7:17, עַלרֿאֹשׁ Esth 9:25, ל person Ps 54:7 (Kt; > Qr Hiph`il), Prov 12:14.
  g. Ps 94:15 judgement (-giving) shall return to (עַד) righteousness (be in accord therewith).
  h. of boundary, = change (sometimes reverse) direction (P), ה- locative Josh 19:12 (+ מִן local), vJosh 19:34 (+ accusative of location), accusative of location also vJosh 19:27 vJosh 19:29 (+ עַד location), vJosh 19:29.
  i. be restored to healthy condition, of withered hand 1Kgs 13:6 (twice in verse) (אֶל person), leprous hand Exod 4:7 (J; with כ compare), flesh 2Kgs 5:10 (ל person), v2Kgs 5:14; Lev 13:16 (|| נֶהְפַּךְ לְלָבָן).
8. denoting repetition, etc. (Ges«GKC:120d»§ 120 d g): + verb, return (and) do = do again, Gen 26:18; Gen 30:31; Num 11:4 (all J), Judg 19:7; 1Sam 3:5; 1Sam 3:6; 1Kgs 13:33; 1Kgs 19:6; 2Kgs 1:11; 2Kgs 1:13; 2Kgs 19:9; 2Kgs 21:3 = 2Chr 33:3; Jer 18:4; Jer 36:28; Zech 5:1; Zech 6:1; Mal 1:4; Job 10:16; Job 17:10; Ps 7:13; Dan 9:25, perhaps also 2Chr 19:4 compare Isa 6:13 = it, in turn, shall be destroyed (destruction shall be repeated in its case), Lam 3:3 apparently = do repeatedly; ׳שׁ + Infinitive absolute Eccl 4:1; Eccl 4:7; Eccl 9:11 in comparative עוֺד תָּשׁוּב תִּרְאֶה Ezek 8:6 thou shalt see yet greater abominations, so vEzek 8:13 and (מִן compare) vEzek 8:15 ׳שׁ + Infinitive construct Deut 24:4; Deut 30:9; Josh 5:2 (RD), Jer 36:28; Ezek 8:17; Ezra 9:14; Neh 9:28; Job 7:7; Eccl 1:7 = reverse one's action, + verb Josh 2:23 (E), Hos 2:11; 2Kgs 13:25; Deut 30:3; Mic 7:19; Zech 8:15; Ps 71:20 (twice in verse); Ps 85:7 = restore to original condition by doing, + verb Deut 23:14.
9. transitive, peculiarly, in phrase ׳שׁ שְׁבוּת restore captivity of, etc., approximately 21 t. (see שְׁבוּת below שָׁבָה); צִיּוֺן ׳י ׳שׁ Isa 52:8, ׳שׁ with suffix person Ps 85:5 elsewhere only ׳אֶתגְּֿאוֺן יַעֲקֹב וגו ׳וְשָׁב י Nah 2:3, compare
Hiph`il 6.

Po`el 1. bring back, Perfect 1 singular וְשֹׁבַבְתִּ֫י, with accusative of person + אֶל location Jer 50:19 (׳י subject), Infinitive construct suffix בְּשׁוֺבְבִי, with מִן local Ezek 39:27 and (figurative) לְשׁוֺבֵב, with אֶל person Isa 49:5 Imperfect 2 masculine singular תְּשׁוֺבֵב לָנוּ Ps 60:3 = take us back into power.
2. a. figurative restore, refresh, 3 masculine singular נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֺבֵב Ps 23:3 (׳י subject); compare Hiph`il 2 b. b. restore, repair, Participle מְשׁוֺבֵב נְתִיבוֺח לָשָׁ֑בֶת Isa 58:12.
3. lead away (enticingly), Perfect 1 singular suffix (of Gog), ׳י subject, וְשׁוֺבַבְתִּיךָ Ezek 38:4 (strike out Co), ׳וְשׁ Ezek 39:2 so figurative 3 feminine singular suffix וְדַעְתֵךְ הִיא שׁוֺבְבָ֑תֶךְ Isa 47:10 (of Babylonian ); — Jer 50:6 see
Qal. 4. shew turning = apostatize (compare Hiph`il 8), Perfect 3 feminine singular שׁוֺבְבָה Jer 8:5 (read שׁוֺבֵב, and strike out ירושׁלם, with ᵐ5). — See also שׁוֺבֵב infra. Pu`lal Participle feminine מְשׁוֺבֶ֫בֶת Ezek 38:8 a land restored + מִן of thing. — See also שׁוֺבָב infra.

Hiph`il353 Perfect 3 masculine singular Gen 41:13 +; suffix וַהֲשִׁיבְֱ Gen 40:13, וֶהֱשִׁיבְךָ Deut 28:68 2 masculine singular הֱשִׁיבוֺתָ Ps 85:4, וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ֫ Deut 4:39; Deut 30:1, suffix וַהֲשֵׁיבוֺתָם 2Chr 6:25 1 singular consecutive וַהֲשִׁיב֫וֺתִי Amos 1:8, וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֫י Num 22:8 +, suffix וְהוֺשְׁבוֺתִים Zech 10:6 (but read וַהֲשִׁבוֺתִים, see ישׁב Hiph`il), etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָשִׁיב Exod 21:34 +, (read יָשִׁב Dan 11:18; Dan 11:19 > Qr vDan 11:18 יָשֵׂם), וַיָּ֫שֶׁב Gen 20:14 +; suffix יְשִׁבֵנִי 2Sam 15:8 +, וַיְשִׁיבֵם 2Chr 19:4 + 1Sam 12:8 Vrss We Dr and others; 3 feminine plural תָּשֵׁבְנָה Job 20:10, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הָשֵׁב Gen 20:7 +, הָשֵׁיב 2Kgs 8:6, הָשַׁ֑ב Isa 42:22, so הָשַׁ֖ב Ezek 21:35 (see Ke and still Toy; Ew Sm Krae Infinitive absolute הָשֵׁב), הָשִׁיבָה Judg 11:13 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute הָשֵׁב Exod 23:4 +; construct הָשִׁיב Gen 42:35 +, etc.; Participle מֵשִׁיב Gen 20:7 +, etc.; — cause to return, bring back:

1. a. with accusative of person + אֶל location Gen 24:5 (J; הֶהָשֵׁב אָשִׁיב), Gen 28:15 (J), Gen 42:37 (E), Gen 48:21 (E), +; especially from exile 1Kgs 8:34 = 2Chr 6:25; Jer 27:22 + 5 t. Jeremiah; + אֶל person 1Kgs 22:26 = 2Chr 18:25 + עַל location Jer 16:15; Jer 23:3; Jer 24:6 + ל location Jer 12:15 + accusative of location 2Sam 15:8 (read הָשֵׁב יְשִׁבֵנִי Vrss Th We Dr and others), Deut 28:68; Ezek 29:14; Ezek 47:6; 2Chr 33:13, etc.; + מִן local Jer 41:16; Zech 10:10, מֵאֵת person Jer 41:16, מִן infinitive 2Chr 25:13 accusative of person only Judg 19:3; 1Kgs 13:20; 1Kgs 13:23 +; bring back into bondage, etc., Jer 34:11; Jer 34:16 = allow to return Jer 15:19 accusative of person + of thing (= recover, recapture), Jer 28:6 (+ אֶל location, מִן local); = recover, rescue, Gen 14:16 (accusative of person + thing), Ps 35:17 (accusative נַפְשִׁי, מִן of thing); accusative of thing + אֶל person Gen 44:8 (J), + עַל person Exod 15:9 (song), Prov 20:26 + אֶל location 1Kgs 14:28 = 2Chr 12:11; Jer 28:3; 2Chr 24:11 accusative of hand, אֶלפֶּֿה 1Sam 14:27; Prov 19:24; Prov 26:15 especially of ׳י's hand, in judgment, followed by עַל Amos 1:8; Isa 1:25; Zech 13:7; Ps 81:15, also of man's hand Jer 6:9; Ezek 38:12 + accusative of location 2Sam 15:25; 2Sam 15:29 + שָׁם Neh 13:9 accusative of thing alone Gen 43:12; Gen 43:21 (both בְּיֶדְכֶם), Gen 14:16 (= recapture), 1Sam 6:21; 1Sam 30:19; 1Kgs 13:29 (corpse), Lev 26:26 (H); with accusative animal. 1Sam 6:7 (מֵאַחֲרֵי), Ezek 34:4; Ezek 34:16 (figurative); shadow on dial 2Kgs 20:11 = Isa 38:8. — Job 39:12 see Qal 3 b. b. put back: accusative of thing, stone, עַלפִּֿי הַבְּאֵר Gen 29:3 (J), veil עַלפָּֿנָיו Exod 34:35 (P), Dagon לִמְקוֺמוֺ 1Sam 5:3, rod לִפְנֵי הָעֵדוּת Num 17:25 (P), sword, + אֶל of sheath, 1Chr 21:27; Ezek 21:35 (accusative om); hand אֶלחֵֿיק Exod 4:7 (twice in verse) (J; opposed to הוֺצִיא).
  c. = draw back, hand Gen 38:29 (J), 1Kgs 13:4 (opposed to שָׁלַךְ; + אֶל reflexive), Josh 8:26 (E; opposed to נטה), so, figurative, ׳י subject Lam 2:3 (מִפְּנֵי, אָחוֺר), Ps 74:11 with מִן = refrain from Lam 2:8; Ezek 18:8; Ezek 18:17 (i.e. from oppressing), Ezek 20:22 (מִן omitted); foot, with מִן Isa 58:13 (figurative); draw in breath Job 9:18.
  d. = give back, restore, accusative of person or thing: + ל person Gen 20:14 (E), vGen 20:7 (E; accusative omitted), Exod 23:4 (E; הָשֵׁב תָּשִׁיב), Deut 22:1 (id.; both accusative animal.), Deut 24:13 (id.), Exod 22:25 (E), Judg 17:3 (twice in verse); Judg 17:4; 1Sam 12:3; 2Sam 9:7; Deut 22:2 (P), Neh 5:11, so 2Sam 16:3; 1Kgs 12:21 = 2Chr 11:1 (all accusative of kingdom), with accusative צְדָקָה Job 33:26 + אֶל person Gen 37:22 (E; accusative of person); + אֶל location Gen 42:25 (E); accusative of thing only, 2Kgs 8:6; Ezek 18:7 (read Infinitive absolute שׁוֺב for חוֺב, Co Toy Krae), Ezek 18:12; Ezek 33:15; Lev 5:33 (P), Num 5:7 (P; + בְּראֹשׁוֺ = in full), Ps 69:5 (opposed to גָּזַל), so of land (or city) Judg 11:13; 1Kgs 20:34; Neh 5:12, compare 2Kgs 14:28 (+ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל), 2Kgs 16:6 (+ לַאֲרָם); = win back 2Kgs 13:25; 2Kgs 14:22 (+ ל terr.) = 2Chr 26:2, boundary (i.e. re-establish it) 2Kgs 14:25 restore ruined city Dan 9:25 (+ לִבְנוֺת), conquered nation Ps 80:4; Ps 80:8; Ps 80:20 joy, accusative + ל person Ps 51:14. — 2Sam 8:3 see יָד
2. — Acc. person only, Gen 20:7 (E), Isa 42:22 restore to office, accusative of person + עַל Gen 40:13; Gen 40:21 (E), אֶל location 2Sam 19:12, accusative of person only, 2Sam 19:11; 2Sam 19:13; 2Sam 19:44, compare Isa 1:26 = pay back money, Lev 25:27 (ל person), vLev 25:51 vLev 25:52.
  e. = relinquish, with accusative of thing, Job 20:10. feminine = give in payment, requital, with accusative of thing + apposition 1Sam 6:8 (ל person), v1Sam 6:17 (id.; compare טְחוֺד); also pay as tribute (in answer to demand), accusative of thing 2Kgs 17:3; Ps 72:10, + ל person 2Kgs 3:4; 2Chr 27:5 give in exchange Ezek 27:15.
  g. bring one back (from dead) 2Sam 12:23, so with מִנִּי Job 33:20 on other hand, אֶלעָֿפָר Job 10:9 = מָוֶת (accusative) Job 30:23, compare עַדדַּֿכָּא Ps 90:3.
2. a. bring back heart, לֵב, עַל person Mal 3:24 אֵלֶיךָ ׳הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ י Lam 5:21 (< Bu retore, strike out אליד); ׳הֵשִׁיב אֶליֿ Neh 9:26 (compare vNeh 9:29), 2Chr 19:4; 2Chr 24:19, also (מִן of evil) Jer 23:22, absolute Jer 31:18.
  b. accusative נֶפֶשׁ = refresh Lam 1:11; Lam 1:16; Lam 1:19; Ps 19:8; Prov 25:13; Ruth 4:15.
3. bring back words of people, ׳אֶליֿ Exod 19:8 (E); then, in general, bring back word, דָּבָר, report to, + accusative of person Gen 37:14; Num 13:26; Num 22:8 (all E), Deut 1:22; Deut 1:25; Josh 14:7 (RD), Josh 22:32 (P), + 8 t; = answer 1Sam 17:30; 2Sam 3:11; 1Kgs 12:6 = 2Chr 10:6 + 6 t., + (accusative מִלִּין) Job 35:4 also (דָּבָר omitted) Job 13:22; Job 20:2; Job 33:5; Job 33:32; 2Chr 10:16; Neh 6:4 (כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה); accusative אֲמָרִים + ל person Judg 5:29; Prov 22:21 later with ל person alone 1Sam 12:3 with clause oratio recta [direct speech], אֶל person Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15 similar phrases, Ezek 9:11; Prov 18:13; Prov 24:26; Prov 26:16; Hab 2:1; Job 31:14; Job 32:14 (Gi vJob 32:15), Job 40:4.
4. a. bring back (in retribution, compare Qal 7 f) upon, subject often ׳י, accusative of evil, Judg 9:56, בְּראֹשׁ Judg 9:5; 1Sam 25:39; 1Kgs 2:44 Joel 1Kgs 4:4; 1Kgs 4:7, עַלרֿאֹשׁ 1Kgs 2:32, אֶלרֿאֹשׁ Neh 3:36 ל person Gen 50:15 (E), 1Sam 6:3 (הָשֵׁב תָּשִׁיבוּ), v1Sam 6:4; 1Sam 25:31 (return evil for good), +, etc.; absolute = make requital, ל person 2Chr 6:23 + (כ compare) Hos 12:3; Prov 24:12; Prov 24:29 with accusative of good, ל person 2Sam 16:12; 2Sam 26:23; with כ compare + ל person Ps 18:21; Ps 18:25 = 2Sam 22:21; 2Sam 22:25, and (כ compare only) 2Chr 32:25 requite ׳י's benefits, accusative of thing + ׳לי Ps 116:12, compare Num 18:9 (P).
  b. pay as recompense, לִבְעָלָיו ׳כֶּסֶף יָשׁ Exod 21:34 (E); so (figurative) of ׳י, ננָקָם לְ ׳הֵשׁ Deut 32:41; Deut 32:43, בְּחֵמָה אַפּוֺ ׳לְהָשׁ Isa 66:15.
5. turn back, backward = repel, defeat, with אֶתפְּֿנֵי 2Kgs 18:24 = Isa 36:9, accusative מִלְחָמָה Isa 28:6, accusative of sword Ps 89:44, accusative of person + אָחוֺר Ps 44:11 (+ מִנִּי person), Isa 44:25 (figurative, = refute, confute), figurative of calamity Lam 1:13 = repulse, hinder Jer 2:24, especially accusative Isa 14:27 (׳יַדיֿ), compare Isa 43:13, Job 9:12; Job 11:10; Job 23:13 = reject, refuse, ׳(אֶתֿ)פְּנֵי פ 1Kgs 2:16; 1Kgs 2:17; 1Kgs 2:20 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; Ps 132:10.
6. a. turn away face, figurative, + מֵעַל of thing Ezek 14:6 accusative of person + מִן Mal 2:6 anger of ׳י (accusative) + מֵעַל person Num 25:11 (P), Prov 24:18, מִן person Jer 18:20; Ezra 10:14 accusative only, Job 9:13; Ps 78:38; Ps 106:23 accusative of human anger Prov 15:1; Prov 29:8.
  b. late, turn toward, accusative face, ל location Dan 11:18; Dan 11:19, accusative foot, אֶל of thing Ps 119:59 (figurative).
7. turn against, אֶלאֵֿל, with accusative רוּחֶ֑ךָ Job 15:43.
8. אֶללֵֿבָב ׳הֵשׁ bring back to mind, take into consideration, with accusative Lam 3:21, followed by clause with כִּי Deut 4:39 (compare Dr), object omitted Deut 30:1; 1Kgs 8:47 = 2Chr 6:37; Isa 44:19, + (עַל) Isa 46:8.
9. הֵשִׁיב ׳אֶתשְֿׁבוּת פ Jer 32:44; Jer 33:7; Jer 33:11; Jer 49:6; Lam 2:14; Ezek 39:25 + (Qr Hiph`il, Kt Qal) Jer 33:26; Jer 46:39; Joel 4:1 (see Qal 9).
10. Hiph`il declar., מֵעַל ׳הָשׁ Ezek 14:6 = shew a turning away from your idols (i.e. turn away), compare (מִן) Ezek 18:30, absolute וִחְיוּ ׳הָשׁ vEzek 18:32 of ׳י, מֵחֲרוֺן ׳השׁ אַפֶּ֑ךָ Ps 85:4 (but read probably ׳הֲשִׁיבוֺתה חֲרוֺן א [6 a above]); perhaps in physical sense Jonah 1:13 (אֶל location; We Now that is אֳנִיָּה, etc.).
11. reverse, revoke, accusative (suffix) of thing, i.e. judgment, Amos 1:3; Amos 1:6; Amos 1:9; Amos 1:11; Amos 1:13; Amos 2:1; Amos 2:4; Amos 2:6 blessing Num 23:20 (poem in E), edict Esth 8:5; Esth 8:8.

Hoph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular הוּשַׁב Gen 42:28 my money has been returned! compare Participle הַכֶּסֶף הַמּוּשָׁב Gen 43:12 (both J); ׳לי ׳הַמּ Num 5:8 (P) the אָשָׁם which is restored to ׳י; plural מוּשָׁבִים Jer 27:16 the vessels are about to be brought back, with מִן local; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיוּשַׁב אֶתמֿשֶׁה Exod 10:8 (J; compare Ges«GKC:121a»§ 121 a, b) Moses was brought back, with אֶל person


BDB8505 H7726 H7725

BDB8504 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8506

I. שׁוֺבָב adjective backturning, recusant, apostate (perhaps for מְשׁוֺבָב, Participle Po`l. Ol§ 251 b Ges«GKC:52s»§ 52s i. 454); — ׳שׁ Isa 57:17 plural שׁוּבוּ בָּנִים שׁוֺבָבִים Jer 3:14; Jer 3:22. — שׁובבים Jer 50:6 Kt < Qr שׁוֺבְבוּם ᵐ5 Comm., compare √ Po`l.


BDB9995 H7725 H8421

BDB9994 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9996

תּוּב verb return (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew שׁוּב); —

Pe`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְתוּב, with עַל person, of brightness (זִיו) of face Dan 4:33 b, of knowledge v.Dan 4:31 v.Dan 4:33 a. Haph`el Perfect 3 masculine singular הֲתִיב Dan 2:14 3 masculine plural suffix הֲתִיבוּנָא Ezra 5:11 Imperfect 3 masculine plural יַהֲתִיבוּן Ezra 6:5, יְתִיבוּן (K§ 33, 2) Ezra 5:5 Infinitive suffix לַהֲתָבוּתָח Dan 3:16
1. restore, accusative of thing Ezra 6:5.
2. return (accusative of answer, etc.) Ezra 5:5; Ezra 5:11; Dan 3:16 (suffix Persian), ׳עֵטָא וּטְעֵם הֲת Dan 2:14.

return, again, returned, turn, back, …
šûb
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
  • to return, turn back
    • (Qal)
      • to turn back, return
        • to turn back
        • "to return, come or go back"to return unto, go back, come back"of dying"of human relations (figuratively)"of spiritual relations (figuratively)
          • to turn back (from God), apostatise
          • "to turn away (of God)"to turn back (to God), repent"turn back (from evil)
          of inanimate things"in repetition
      (Polel)
      • to bring back
      • "to restore, refresh, repair (figuratively)"to lead away (enticingly)"to show turning, apostatise
      (Pual) restored (participle)"(Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
      • to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
      • "to bring back, refresh, restore"to bring back, report to, answer"to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)"to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse"to turn away (face), turn toward"to turn against"to bring back to mind"to show a turning away"to reverse, revoke
      (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back"(Pulal) brought back

חַרְבּ ֣וֹ
חַרְבּ
Root word sword, swords, dagger, knives, knife, …
֣וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: חֶרֶב · heh-REB

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

In the KJV here: his sword
by the sword ×59 the sword ×55 of the sword ×46 with the sword ×37 sword ×30 a sword ×25 his sword ×12 and the sword ×10
More options
sword — Standard rendering; best for military and judicial contexts.
blade — Vivid, poetic alternative emphasizing the cutting edge.
dagger — Prefer when a shorter, personal weapon is implied.
knife — Use for domestic or ritual cutting tools, not battle.
weapon — Broad; good when the specific implement is secondary.
slaughter — Metonymic; fits idioms like 'fall to the sword'.

BDB3095 H2719

BDB3094 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3096

חֶ֫רֶב411 noun feminineIsa 21:15 sword (as weapon; Aramaic חַרְבָּא, , Zinjirli חרב; Arabic dart, javelin) — absolute חֶ֫רֶב Gen 3:24 +; חָ֑רֶב Exod 17:13 +; construct חֶ֫רֶב Deut 33:29 +; suffix חַרְבִּי Exod 15:9 + 13 t.; חַרְבְּךָ Gen 27:40 + 7 t.; חֵרְבֶּ֑ךָ 1Sam 17:33; Ps 17:13 חַרְבּוֺ Num 22:23 + 24 t.; חַרְבְּכֶם Jer 2:30; Ezek 33:26 חַרְבָּם Ps 37:15; Ps 44:4 plural חֲרָבוֺת Isa 21:15 + 5 t.; construct חַרְבוֺת Josh 5:2 + 2 t.; suffix חַרְבוֺתָיו Ezek 26:9 חַרְבוֺתָם Isa 2:4 + 5 t.; חַרְבֹתֵיהֶם Mic 4:3 + 2 t.; —

1. a. sword, as weapon of war Gen 48:22 (E), Judg 7:14; Judg 7:20; 1Sam 21:9, and so in all periods; two-edged (short) sword וְלָהּ שְׁנֵי פֵיוֺ֖ת גֹּמֶד אָרְכָּהּ ׳ח Judg 3:16, compare פִּיּוֺת ׳ח Prov 5:4 (in simile), פִּיפִיּוֺת ׳ח Ps 149:6 see also ׳צוּר ח edge of sword Ps 89:44.
  b. gird on sword = ׳חָגַר הח 1Sam 17:39; 1Sam 25:13 (3 t. in verse); Ps 45:4 (׳הח ׳ח עַל יָרֵך), שִׂים על ירך Exod 32:27, compare especially 2Sam 20:8.
  c. draw the sword ׳הֵרִיק הח Exod 15:9; Lev 26:33; Ezek 5:2; Ezek 5:12; Ezek 12:14; Ezek 28:7, ׳הוציא הח Ezek 21:8; Ezek 21:10, ׳פתח הח Ps 37:14; Ezek 21:33, נטשׁ Isa 21:15 (Gr Che לטשׁ see below); usually ׳שׁלף הח Num 22:23; Num 22:31; Josh 5:13; Judg 3:22; Judg 8:10; Judg 8:20; Judg 9:54; 1Sam 17:51; 1Sam 31:4 = 1Chr 10:4; 1Chr 21:16, and as characteristic of warriors ׳שֹׁלֵף ח Judg 20:2; Judg 20:15; Judg 20:17; Judg 20:25; Judg 20:35; Judg 20:46; 2Sam 24:9; 2Kgs 3:26; 1Chr 21:5 (twice in verse); ׳וַתִּדְבַּק יָדוֺ אֶלהַֿח 2Sam 23:10, insert also in || 1Chr 11:13 (Dr).
  d. whet, sharpen the sword ׳לטשׁ הח Ps 7:13 (compare Isa 21:15 above), but also שׁנן Deut 32:41 compare Ps 64:4, הוּחַדָּה Ezek 21:14; Ezek 21:16.
  e. put up the sword into the sheath אֶלנְֿדָנָהּ ׳הֵשִׁיב הח 1Chr 21:27 (sheath of sword is elsewhere תַּעַר 1Sam 7:51; 2Sam 20:8; Jer 47:6; Ezek 21:8). feminine slay with sword הרג ׳בח Josh 10:11; Josh 13:22 +; in ימותו אנשׁים 1Sam 2:33, insert בְּחֶרֶב before אנשׁים ᵐ5 We Dr; rarely ׳הכה בח Josh 11:10; 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 very often ׳הִכָּה לְפִיחֿ smite according to the mouth of the sword i.e. as the sword can devour (2Sam 2:26; 2Sam 11:25) = without quarter Num 21:24 (E) Deut 13:16 a Deut 20:13; Josh 11:11; Josh 11:12; Josh 11:14 (all D) Judg 18:27; Judg 21:10; 1Kgs 10:25; Job 1:15; Job 1:17 also with העיר as sole object Josh 8:24; Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37, compare vJosh 10:39; Josh 19:47; Judg 1:8; Judg 1:25; Judg 20:37; 1Sam 22:19 (twice in verse); 2Sam 15:14 ׳הרג לפיחֿ Gen 34:26 (J); ׳החרים לפיחֿ Deut 13:16b (including הָעִיר in object), Josh 6:21; 1Sam 15:8, ׳חלשׁ לפיחֿ Exod 17:13 (E); ׳נפל לפיחֿ Josh 8:24; Judg 4:16 ׳ל֗֗֗פיחֿ׳וַיָּהָם י Judg 4:15 — (׳לפיחֿ is chiefly in Joshua and Judges (21 t.), in Hexateuch only J E D; but Job post-exilic).
  g. ׳אכלה הח etc., of the sword as devouring:תּאֹכֵל חַרְבִּי בָשָׂר Deut 32:42 (poetry), 2Sam 2:26; 2Sam 11:25; 2Sam 18:8; Isa 1:10; Jer 2:30; Jer 46:10; Jer 46:14; Nah 2:14.
  h. slain by sword is ׳חֲלַלחִֿ Num 19:16 (P) and frequently Ezekiel, ׳חַלְלֵיחֿ Ezek 31:17; Ezek 31:18; Ezek 32:21; Ezek 32:25; Ezek 32:28; Ezek 32:29; Ezek 32:30; Ezek 32:32; Ezek 35:8 ׳מְחֻלְלֵי ח vEzek 35:26 < Co ׳חלליחֿ (on text of Ezek 32:20; Ezek 32:22; Ezek 32:31 see Co).
  i. ׳שְׁבֻיוֺת ח Gen 31:26 are captives of (taken by) sword.
  j. sword frequently agent of ׳י Judg 7:20; Isa 34:6; Jer 12:12; Jer 47:6 etc., — so Deut 28:22, but read חֹרֶב see below I. חרב (compare on other hand 1Sam 17:47); note especially Gen 3:24 ׳לַהַט הח הַמִּתְהַפֶּכֶת; in poetry ׳לַהַכ ח Nah 3:3, ׳בְּרַק ח Deut 32:41.
  k. ׳ח figurative of tongue Ps 57:5 compare Ps 59:8 figurative of violence war, etc., Gen 27:40 in simile Prov 5:4 (of grievous end of dealings with strange women).
2. knife צֻרִים ׳ח flint knives for use in circumcision Josh 5:2; Josh 5:3 (see WeSkizzen iii, 166); Ezek 5:1; Ezek 5:2 חַדָּה תַּעַר ׳ח הַגַּלָּבִים (according to Co use of sword as razor is significant).
3. of tools used in hewing stone חַרְבְּךָ הֵנַפְתָּ עליה Exod 20:25 ׳יִתֹּץ בח Ezek 26:9, according to most = tools, axes, 'steel' (Co ' Eisen '), but possibly swords as implement ready to hand; 2Chr 34:6 Qr בְּחַרְבֹתֵיהֶם with their tools; read perhaps בְּחָרְבֹתֵיהֶם in their ruins, Be, who compare Ps 109:10 see חָרְבָּה below II. חרב (ᵐ5 ᵑ9 omit חרב).

sword, swords, dagger, knives, knife, …
ḥereb
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
  • sword, knife
    • sword
    • "knife"tools for cutting stone

יִלְט֑וֹשׁ
יִלְט֑וֹשׁ
Root word instructer, sharp, sharpen, sharpeneth, whet
Dictionary form: לָטַשׁ · law-TAHSH

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

In the KJV here: he will whet
an instructer ×1 he will whet ×1 like a sharp ×1 sharpeneth ×1 to sharpen ×1
More options
sharpen — Most versatile; suits tools, weapons, and skills.
hone — Implies careful, repeated refinement; good for blades or wit.
whet — Modernized KJV form; natural for appetite or blade imagery.
grind — Emphasizes abrasive process; fits metalworking or teeth contexts.
instruct — Figurative sense; use when the object is a person or skill.
forge — Highlights crafting/sharpening in smithing or weapon contexts.

BDB4407 H3913

BDB4406 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4408

[לָטַשׁ] verb hammer, sharpen, whet (Late Hebrew id., hammer, tap; Aramaic לְטַשׁ, sharpen; Arabic strike, tap); —

Qal Imperfect יִלְטוֺשׁ Job 16:9; Ps 7:13 Infinitive construct לֵלְטוֺשׁ 1Sam 13:20 Participle לֹטֵשׁ; —
1. hammer, only Participle = hammerer followed by כָּלתֹֿרֵשׁ Gen 4:22 (J).
2. sharpen sword חֶרֶב (accusative) Ps 7:13 compare 1Sam 13:20, object מַחֲרֶשֶׁת, אֵת, קַרְדֹּם, מַחֲרֵשָׁה; figurative עֵינַיִם לִי ׳ל Job 16:9 my foe whets his eye for me Pu`al Participle תַּעַר מְלֻטָּשׁ Ps 52:4 a sharpened razor (in simile of evil tongue).

instructer, sharp, sharpen, sharpeneth, whet
lāṭaš
properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e., to sharpen
  • to sharpen, hammer, whet
    • (Qal)
      • to hammer
      • "to sharpen (sword)"hammerer (participle)
      (Pual) to be sharpened

קַשְׁתּ ֥וֹ
קַשְׁתּ
Root word bow, bows, archers, bowmen, archer
֥וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: קֶשֶׁת · keh-SHET

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

In the KJV here: his bow
the bow ×14 bow ×6 his bow ×6 a bow ×2 and their bows ×2 bows ×2 of the bow ×2 so that a bow ×2
More options
bow — Most direct equivalent; fits nearly every context.
archer's bow — Clarifies the weapon's purpose in ambiguous passages.
bowman — Use when the lemma refers to the person, not the weapon.
longbow — Emphasizes a large, powerful bow in warrior contexts.
archery — Suits collective or abstract references to the practice.
rainbow — Use in Genesis 9 and similar cosmological contexts.

BDB7653 H7198

BDB7652 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7654

קֶ֫שֶׁת noun feminineGen 9:14 (apparently masculine 2Sam 1:22 but see AlbrZAW xvi (1896) 91) bow (originally √ perhaps קושׁ, meaning unknown; Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian ‡aštu; Ethiopic Arabic plural , etc.; ᵑ7 and (קַשְׁתָּא and (ט for ת after ק P) קוּשְׁטָא (rare), all bow, קַשָּׁתָא bowman; Syriac bow, bowman; Old Aramaic קשת bow, Mandean כשטא (Frä206); Palmyrene קשטא bowman); — absolute ׳ק Hos 1:7 +, קָ֑שֶׁת Jer 46:9 +; constructקֶ֫שֶׁת Hos 1:5 +; suffix קַשְׁתִּי Gen 48:22 + ,etc.; plural absolute קְשָׁתוֺת 2Chr 26:14 +; suffix קַשְּׁתֹתָיו (Ges«GKC:20h»§ 20h) Isa 5:28, קַשְּׁתוֺתָם Jer 51:56; Ps 37:15, קַשְּׁתֹתֵיהֶם Neh 4:7 (קַשְׁתֹּתָיו etc., van d. H. [except Ps 37:15]); —

1. bow:
  a. for hunting Gen 27:3 (J; + תְּלְי)
  b. battle: + (or ||) חֶרֶב Gen 48:22; Josh 24:12 (both E), Hos 1:7; Hos 2:20; 1Sam 18:4 (+ חְַגֹרוֺ), 2Sam 1:22; 2Kgs 6:22; Isa 41:2; Neh 4:7 (+ רָמְחֵיהֶם), Zech 9:13 (figurative of Judah as ׳י's bow), Ps 37:15 (figurative) Ps 44:7 (+ or || חֶרֶב also below) ;+ (or ||) חִצִּים Isa 7:24; 2Kgs 13:15 (twice in verse); Ezek 39:3; Ezek 39:9; 1Chr 12:2a; compare ׳רִשְׁפֵי ק Ps 76:4 = arrow (+ מָנֵן וְחֶרֶב) so ׳בֶּן ק Job 41:20 (compare Lam 3:13; Job 5:7); + חֲנִית Ps 46:10, + כִּידוֺן Jer 6:23; Jer 50:42 + varius weapons Neh 4:10; 2Chr 26:14 alone Isa 13:18 (context corrupt), Isa 22:3; Jer 51:56; Hab 3:9 (of ׳י as warrior); מִלְחָמָה ׳ק Zech 9:10; Zech 10:4 in simile רְמִיָּה ׳כְּק like a bow of deception Hos 7:16; Ps 78:57 (i.e. one that misses its aim; al. slack bow).
  c. ׳ק collective = bow (-men), archers Isa 21:17.
  d. phrases are: ׳הַמּרִים אֲנָשִׁים בַּקּ 1Sam 31:3 archers, bowmen (but dubious; Dr Kit Löhr translates, ׳הַמּ ׳א; We Bu strike out ׳א as || 1Chr 10:3 HPS Now strike out ׳בַּקּ ׳א), ׳הַמּוֺרִים בַּקּ 1Chr 10:3 ׳מְטַחֲוֵי ק Gen 21:16 (see [טָתָה], ׳רמֵה ק Jer 4:29, compare perhaps Gen 21:21 see קִשָּׁת, || ׳נשְׁקֵי ק (see II.נָשַׁק) 1Chr 12:2b 2Chr 17:17, ׳רוֺמֵי ק ׳נוֺ Ps 78:9 ׳תֹּפֵשׁ הַקּ Amos 2:15 one grasping the bow, (see Jer 46:9 below) see also ׳מִלֵּא יָדוֺ בַקּ 2Kgs 9:24, ׳הַרְכֵּב יָֽדְךָ עַלהַֿקּ 2Kgs 13:16 ׳דָּרַח ק bend (literally tread) the bow, Isa 5:28 (participle passive), Isa 21:15 (id.; || חֶרֶב) Jer 50:14; Jer 50:29; Jer 51:3; 1Chr 5:18; 1Chr 8:40; 2Chr 14:7; Ps 37:14 (|| חֶרֶב), in figure Ps 11:2 (|| חֵץ), and, of God, Lam 2:4; Lam 3:12; Ps 7:13 (|| הֶרֶב); ׳תֹּפְשֵׂי דֹּרְכֵי ק Jer 46:9 compare(figurative) וַיַּדְרְכוֺ אֶתלְֿשׁוֺנָם קַשְׁתָּם Jer 9:2 also נְחוּשָׁה וְנִחֲתָה ׳ק Ps 18:35 = 2Sam 22:35 (readוְנִחֲתָה for וְנִחַת) ׳מָשַׁח בַּקּdraw the bow 1Kgs 22:34 = 2Chr 18:33; Isa 66:19.
  e. bow (passing over into) figurative of might Gen 49:24 (poem), 1Sam 2:4; Hos 1:5; Jer 49:35; Job 29:20 (compare Ps 37:15,
  b. above) feminine נְחוּשָׁה ׳ק fig of divine judgment Job 20:24 (|| נֵשֶׁק בַּרְזֶל)
2. rainbow: אֲשַׁר יִהְיֶה בֶעָנָן בְּיוֺם הַנֶּשֶׁם ׳כְּמַרְאֵה הַקּ Ezek 1:28; Gen 9:13; Gen 9:14; Gen 9:16 (P). — קָ֑שֶׁה וַיּאֹמֶר לְלַמֵּד בְּנֵייְֿהוּדָה 2Sam 1:18 is corrupt; ᵐ5 al. omits; We Now think misplaced gloss on v2Sam 1:6 see further HPS.

bow, bows, archers, bowmen, archer
qešet
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
  • bow
    • bow (for hunting, battle)
    • "bowmen, archers"bow (figurative for might)"rainbow

דָ֝רַ֗ךְ
דָ֝רַ֗ךְ
Root word tread, bend, bent, trodden, treadeth, …
Dictionary form: דָּרַךְ · daw-RAHK

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: he hath bent
he hath bent ×3 and bend ×2 and tread ×2 and treadeth ×2 bend ×2 have trodden ×2 shall tread ×2 shalt tread ×2
More options
tread — Most versatile rendering; suits walking on or pressing down.
bend (a bow) — Use when the object is a bow being drawn.
march — Preferred when military or purposeful movement is in view.
trample — Emphasizes force or dominance; good for conquest contexts.
thresh — Use specifically for treading grain at harvest.
draw (a bow) — Natural modern idiom for the archery sense.

BDB2009 H1869

BDB2008 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2010

דָּרַךְ verb tread, march (Aramaic דְּרַךְ, ; Late Hebrew Hiph`il lead, conduct; Arabic IV. reach, overtake; Ethiopic be rough, serve (from calcavit, Di); threshold, vestibule) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular דָּרַךְ Num 24:17 + 6 t.; 3 feminine singular דָּֽרְכָה Josh 14:9 2 masculine singular דָּרַכְתָּ Hab 3:15 1 singular דָּרַכְתִּי Isa 63:3; Zech 9:13 plural דָּֽרְכוּ Job 22:15 + 3 t.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִדְרֹךְ Mic 5:4 + 6 t. + ידרך Jer 51:3 (כתיב ולא קוי); 3 feminine singular תִּדְרֹךְ Deut 11:24; Josh 1:3 2 masculine singular תִּדְרֹךְ Deut 33:29 + 2 t.; 2 feminine singular תִּדְרְכִי Judg 5:21 1 singular suffix וְאֶדְרְכֵם Isa 63:3 3 masculine plural יִדְרְכוּ 1Sam 5:5, יִדְרְכוּן Ps 11:2, וַיִּדְרְכוּ Judg 9:27 2 masculine plural תִּדְרְכוּ Deut 11:25 Participle active דֹּרֵךְ Amos 4:13 + 5 t.; דּוֺרֵךְ Job 9:8 דֹּרְכִים Jer 25:30; Neh 13:15 דֹּרְכֵי Jer 46:9 + 5 t.; passive feminine דְּרוּכָה Isa 21:15 דְּרֻכוֺת Isa 5:28
1. tread, march, march forth, absolute, תִּדְרְכִי נַפְשִׁי עֹז Judg 5:21 compare דָּרַךְ כּוֺכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב Num 24:17 (poem) a star hath marched forth from Jacob.
2. tread upon (land), followed by בְּ Deut 1:36; Deut 11:25 (subject person), Josh 14:9 (subject רֶגֶל) compare Deut 11:24 = Josh 1:3 (subject כַּף רַגְלְכֶם); tread in a path, followed by בְּ Isa 59:8 (figurative of mode of life); tread in (on) the sea, followed by בְּ Hab 3:15 (but text dubious compare VB); of an invader יִדְרֹךְ בְּאַרְמְנוֺתֵינוּ Mic 5:4 (|| יָבוֺא בְּאַרְצֵנוּ); בִּגְבולֵינוּ ׳יִד v.Mic 5:5 (|| id.); followed by עַל 1Sam 5:5 (עַלמִֿפְתַּן דָּגוֺן); Ps 91:3 (עַלשַֿׁחַל וָפֶתֶן); especially (poetry) עַלבָּֿמֳו֯תֵי אֶרֶץ Mic 1:3, of ׳י, so Amos 4:13, & (עַלבָּֿמֳתֵי יָ֑ם) Job 9:8 of Israel treading on heights of enemies, i.e. subduing them Deut 33:29. Once followed by accusative (אֲשֶׁר reference אֹרַח) Job 22:15. In technical senses
3. tread wine- (or oil-) press, followed by accusative יְקָבִים Job 24:11 (|| יַצְהִירוּ), גִּתּוֺת Neh 13:15 followed by accusative of thing pressed עֲנָבִים ׳ד Amos 9:13 also of product תִּדְרֹךְזַֿיִת ֗֗֗ וְתִירוֺשׁ Mic 6:15 יַיִן בַּיְקָבִים לֹא יִדְרֹךְ הַדֹּרֵךְ Isa 16:10 followed by בְּגַת Isa 63:2 (in simile); absolute Jer 25:30 (simile) Jer 48:33 figurative of judgment Isa 63:3 followed by accusative פּוּרָה winepress, subject ׳י, compare vIsa 63:3 וְאֶדְרְכֵם בְּאַפִּי (|| רמס), i.e. tread them down; so גַּת דָּרַךְ אֲדֹנָי לִבְתוּלַת בַּתיְֿהוּדָהLam 1:15.
4. tread (i.e. bend) the bow, followed by accusative קֶשֶׁת Jer 51:8 (אֶליִֿדְרֹךְ יד֯רך הַדֹּרֵךְ קַשְׁתּוֺ); figurative of assaults of wicked Ps 11:2; Ps 37:14, of judgments of ׳י Ps 7:18; Lam 2:4; Lam 3:12 also figurative of Judah as bow in hand of ׳י, כִּי דָרַכְתִּי לִי יְהוּדָה Zech 9:13 (|| קֶשֶׁת מִלֵּאתִי אֶפְרַיִם); twice in like meaning with object חֵץ arrow Ps 58:8 (but on text compare Checritical note.) Ps 64:4 דֹּרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת = bow-benders, archers Jer 50:14; Jer 50:29; 1Chr 5:18; 1Chr 8:40; 2Chr 14:7 קֶשֶׁת דְּרוּכָה bent bow Isa 21:15 קַשְׁתֹֿתָיו דְּרֻכוֺת Isa 5:28. Hiph`il Perfect וְהִדְרִיךְ Isa 11:15 suffix הִדְרִיכָהּ Jer 51:33 (where many Infinitive construct) compare RSJ Ph xvi. (1888) 72; 1 singular suffix הִדְרַכְתִּיךָ Prov 4:11 3 plural suffix הִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּ Judg 20:43, הִדְרִיכוּהוּ Job 28:8 Imperfect יַדְרֵךְ Ps 25:9, suffix יַדְרִכֵנִי Hab 3:19 וַיַּדְרִיכֵם Ps 107:7 1 singular suffix אַדְרִיכֵם Isa 42:16 וַיַּדְרְכוּ Jer 9:2 (compare Ges«GKC:53»§ 53, 3, R 4); Imperative masculine singular suffix הַדְרִיכֵנִי Ps 25:5; Ps 119:35 Infinitive construct see above; Participle suffix מַדְרִיכְךָ Isa 48:17
1. tread, tread down, of treading down enemy in battle Judg 20:43 of treading a path Job 28:8 levelling threshing-floor Jer 51:33 (all followed by suffix).
2. tread (bend) the bow (= Qal 4), only figurative וַיַּדְרְכוּ אֶתלְֿשׁוֺנָם קַשְׁתָּם שֶׁקֶר Jer 9:2 and they have bent their tongue as their bow in falsehood.
3. causative, cause to tread or march, lead, returning exiles Isa 11:15 (subject ׳י; no object expressed); compare וַיַּדְרִיכֵם בְּדֶרֶךְ יְשָׁרָה Ps 107:7 and he led them in a straight way; see also Isa 42:16 (|| הוֺלִיךְ); with a moral application הִדְרַכְתִּיךָ בְּמַעְגְּלֵייֿשֶׁר Prov 4:11 compare Ps 119:35 הַדְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִיב מִצְוֺתֶיךָ lead me in the path of thy commandments; Ps 25:5 בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ || (לַמְּדֵנִיׅ compare vPs 25:9 יְלַמֵּד דַּרְכּוֺ) בַּמִּשְׁפָּט, Isa 48:17 בְּדֶרֶךְ תֵּלֵךְ || (לְהוֺעִל מְלַמֶּדְךָׅ; once of giving security & triumph עַלבָּֿמוֺתַי יַדְרִכֵנִי Hab 3:19 upon mine heights he maketh me tread (compare Qal 2).

tread, bend, bent, trodden, treadeth, …
dārak
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
  • to tread, bend, lead, march
    • (Qal)
      • to tread, march, march forth
      • "to tread on, tread upon"to tread (a press)"to tread (bend) a bow"archer, bow-benders (participle)
      (Hiphil)
      • to tread, tread down
      • "to tread (bend with the foot) a bow"to cause to go, lead, march, tread

וַֽ יְכוֹנְנֶֽ הָ
וַֽ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
יְכוֹנְנֶֽ
Root word prepared, established, prepare, ready, establish, …
הָ
Suffix — pronoun her / it
Dictionary form: כּוּן · koon

וַ
Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Polel, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine singular intensive (rare stem) — like Piel story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: and made it ready
and prepare ×9 shall be established ×8 be established ×6 established ×6 prepare ×6 had prepared ×5 is established ×5 prepared ×5
More options
establish — Best for lasting, firm, or covenantal contexts.
prepare — Modernizes KJV 'prepare'; suits readying for action.
make firm — Highlights solidity or permanence of what is set.
set in place — Good for spatial or structural fixing of something.
make ready — Modernizes KJV 'ready'; suits imminent-action contexts.
ordain — Prefer when divine appointment or decree is implied.

BDB3944 H3559

BDB3943 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3945

I. [כּוּן]218 verb probably be firm, only in derived conjugation (Late Hebrew Aramaic כּוּן, in derived conjugation, כִּיוֵּן arrange, direct; put right, correct; Assyrian kânu, be firm, right DlHWB 321; Arabic (medial ) exist, occur, be; so Ethiopic Sabean כון DHMZMG 1875, 599, Phoenician כון be (often)); —

Niph`al Perfect (on 3 masculine singular see Participle below), 3 feminine singular נָכּ֫וֺנָה 1Kgs 2:46 3 plural נָכ֫וֺנוּ Prov 19:29 נָכֹּ֫נוּ Ezek 16:7 Imperfect יִכּוֺן Prov 12:3 +; 3 feminine singular תִּכּוֺן Jer 30:20 +; וַתִּכֹּן 1Kgs 2:12; 2Chr 8:16, etc.; Imperative הִכּוֺן Amos 4:12 הִכֹּן Ezek 38:7 plural הכונוּ 2Chr 35:4 Kt (Qr הָכִינוּ Hiph`il); Participle נָכוֺן Gen 41:32 + (in Ps 93:2 and perhaps elsewhere the Perfect would be possibly); construct נְכוֺן Prov 4:18 feminine נְכוֺנָה Ps 5:10 + 2 t.; plural נְכֹנִים Exod 19:11 + 2 t.; passive or neuter, and (less often) reflexive: —
1. be set up, established, fixed:
  a. literally, of house upon (עַל) pillars Judg 16:26; Judg 16:29, so, in metaphor, of temple-mount, followed by בְּראֹשׁ Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1 be firm, of breasts at puberty Ezek 16:7 firmly established, of תֵּבֵל Ps 93:1 = Ps 96:10 = 1Chr 16:30 firm, i.e. a strong support, of ׳י's hand יָ דִי תִּכּוֺן עִמּוֺ Ps 89:22 (|| זְרוֺעִי תְאַמְּצֶנּוּ).
  b. figurative, of throne 2Sam 7:16 = 1Chr 17:14; 1Kgs 2:45; Ps 89:38; Ps 93:2; Prov 16:12; Prov 25:5; Prov 29:14 of king, royal family, kingdom 1Sam 20:31; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Kgs 2:46; 2Sam 7:26 =1Chr 17:24.
  c. of any persons, be established, stable, secure, enduring Job 21:8 (with לִפְנֵי), Prov 12:3, also vProv 12:19 (subject שְׂפַת אֱמֶת) Ps 101:7 (with לְנֶגֶד עֵינָ֑י), Ps 102:29 (with לְפָנֶיךָ), Ps 140:12 (with בָּאָרֶץ); of plans Prov 16:3; Prov 20:18 נְכוֺן הַיּוֺם Prov 4:18 the established, stable, (part) of the day, i.e. mid-day, when the sun seems motionless in mid-heaven. — 2Sam 6:6 see נָכוֺן proper name below
  d. fixed, securely determined הַדָּבָר מֵעִם ׳נ הָאֱלֹהִים (|| אֱמֶת) Gen 41:32 (E); so כְּשַׁחַר נָכוֺן מֹצָאוֺ Hos 6:3 ᵑ0, but read כְּשַׁחֲרֵנוּ כֵּן נִמְצָאֵהוּ GieBeiträge 208 Weon the passage; substantiated, certain, of an allegation Deut 13:15 = Deut 17:4 עַלנָֿכוֺן according to (what is) certain, = certainly, assuredly 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr).
2. in moral sense, be directed aright, of ways Prov 4:26; Ps 119:5 (compare Hiph`il 3); be fixed aright, stedfast נָכוֺן לִבִּי Ps 57:8 (twice in verse); Ps 108:2, so Ps 112:7 לִבָּם לֹא נָכוֺן עִמּוֺ Ps 78:37 רוּחַ נָכוֺן Ps 51:12 (|| לֵב טָהוֺר); לא נָכוֺן לעשׂות כן Exod 8:22 (J) it is not right, proper, etc.; participle feminine נְכוֺנָה as substantive = what is right, the right Job 42:7; Job 42:8 = uprightness Ps 5:10.
3. prepare, be ready, person Amos 4:12 (with ל infinitive); words Prov 22:18 הִכֹּן וְהָכֵן לְךָ Ezek 38:7; 2Chr 35:4 Kt (Qr Hiph`il); participle as adjective = prepared, ready, often with הָוָה, of persons Exod 19:11; Exod 19:15; Exod 34:2; Josh 8:4 (all J E); of things, followed by ל person Job 12:5; Neh 8:10, ל location Job 18:12, ל noun active Ps 38:18 ב location Job 15:23
4. passive be prepared, of judgments Prov 19:29 (ל person); of work be arranged, settled 2Chr 8:16 figurative of prayer Ps 141:2 be arranged, set in order, as incense before thee (> present itself as incense); be arranged, ordered, of temple service 2Chr 29:35; 2Chr 35:10; 2Chr 35:16.

Hiph`il Perfect הֵכִין Josh 4:4 +; suffix הֱכִינַנִי 1Kgs 2:24 הֱכִינוֺ 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 הֱכִינָהּ Job 28:27 2 masculine singular הֲכִינוֺתָ Job 11:13 +; 3 plural הֵכִינוּ 1Chr 12:39 +; וְהֵכִינוּ consecutive Exod 16:5 1 plural הֲכִינוֺנוּ 1Chr 29:16 הֵכַנּוּ (Ges«GKC:72»§ 72, R. 6) 2Chr 29:16, etc.; Imperfect יָכִין Judg 12:6 +; וַיָּ֫כֶן 1Chr 15:1 + 3 t., etc.; Imperative הָכֵן Gen 43:16 +; plural הָכִינוּ Josh 1:11 +; Infinitive absolute הָכֵן Josh 3:17, so הָכִין Josh 4:3 (read הָכֵין, see Di), Jer 10:23 (see Gie), Ezek 7:14 (see Sm Co and below; see on all i. 468); construct הָכִין Isa 9:6 +; suffix הֲכִינוֺ Nah 2:4; Prov 8:27 הֲכִינָהּ Jer 33:2 Participle מֵכִין Jer 10:12 + 4 t.; — (favourite word in Chronicles, in various applications)

1. establish, set up:
  a. king (or, one as king) 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Chr 14:2, royal seed Ps 89:5, kingdom 1Sam 13:13; 2Sam 7:12 = 1Chr 17:11; 1Chr 28:7; 2Chr 12:1; 2Chr 17:5, throne 1Chr 22:10 the world תֵּבֵל Jer 10:12 = Jer 51:15 mountains Ps 65:7 heavens Prov 8:27 an altar upon (עַל) its base Ezra 3:3.
  b. God's faithfulness Ps 89:3 heart of humble Ps 10:17.
  c. = accomplish, do Jer 33:2 (|| עשׂה), = make Isa 40:20; Job 28:27.
  d. make firm, only infinitive absolute, as adverb = firmly הָכֵן Josh 3:17 הָכִין Josh 4:3 (see above)
2. a. fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift Gen 43:25 (J), place Exod 23:20 (JE), 2Chr 3:1 with לְ of thing 1Chr 15:1; 1Chr 15:3, also (object omitted) v1Chr 15:12 (see Be, and DaSynt. § 144), 2Chr 1:4 (בַּהֵכִין, see Ges«GKC:138»§ 138. 3. b); often prepare food, accusative + לְ person Josh 1:11 (D), Ps 78:20 לְ omitted Prov 6:8; Prov 30:25 object omitted 1Chr 12:39; 2Chr 35:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 35:15 both omitted Gen 43:16 (J), 1Chr 9:32 prepare a road Deut 19:3, a sacrifice Zeph 1:7, ambuscades Jer 51:12, one's work Prov 24:27, materials for (לְ) temple 1Chr 22:3; 1Chr 22:14, also v1Chr 22:14b (no לְ), 1Chr 29:2; 1Chr 29:3 weapons (with לְ person) 2Chr 26:14 and (hostile purpose) Ps 7:14, compare Ps 57:7, Isa 14:21 prepare slaughter-place for (לְ) his children; store-rooms 2Chr 31:11 a, also v2Chr 31:11 b (object omitted); gallows (with לְ person) Esth 6:4; Esth 7:10 corn (produce of land) Ps 65:10 land vPs 65:10, so (= restore) Ps 68:11 with accusative of person 2Chr 35:6 figurative of belly preparing deceit Job 15:35 make preparation (for, לְ of thing) 1Chr 22:5, and v1Chr 22:5 (לְ omitted); followed by לִבְנוֺת 1Chr 28:2, with accusative material + לִבְנוֺת 1Kgs 5:32; 1Chr 29:16 without לְ, make ready 1Sam 23:22; Nah 2:4; Ezek 7:14 (read הָכִינוּ הָכֵן Co, for הַכֹּל ׳ה MT) = make full preparation! make thee ready! Jer 46:14 (לְ dativus ethicus [dative of interest]), Ezek 28:7 (id.), 2Chr 35:4.
  b. provide for, provide, furnish Num 23:1; Num 23:29; Num 29:7; Josh 4:4 (all J E), Job 27:16; Job 27:17, food for (לְ) raven Job 39:41, rain for (לְ) earth Ps 147:8; 1Chr 29:19; 2Chr 2:6; Ps 74:16.
3. direct one's face towards (אֶלֿ) Ezek 4:3; Ezek 4:7 in moral and spiritual sense, direct one's step (צַעֲדוֺ) = order aright, Jer 10:23 (see above), Prov 16:9, so (פְּעָמַי) Ps 119:133 אֱלֹהָיו ׳הֵכִין דְּרָכָיו לִפְנֵי י 2Chr 27:6, also (followed by דרכיו only) Prov 21:29 Kt (Qr יָבִין); עַל הַהֵכִין הָאֱלֹהִים לָעָם 2Chr 29:36 that which God had ordered aright for the people (on article = relative pronoun see Ges«GKC:138»§ 138. 3. b); followed by לֵב Job 11:13; Ps 78:8 + לְ, ׳לֹא הֵכִין לִבּוֺ לִדְרוֺשׁ אֶתיֿ 2Chr 12:14, so 2Chr 19:3; 2Chr 30:19 + ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ אֵתאתּוֺרַת י Ezra 7:10 הכין לבב ׳אֶלֿ 1Sam 7:3 direct the heart towards ׳י, 1Chr 29:18 (׳י subject), so (with לֵאלֹהִים) 2Chr 20:33 hence (no object expressed) = give attention, followed by infinitive Judg 12:6.
4. arrange, order 2Chr 29:19 (of sacred vessels; + הִקְדַּשְׁנוּ), 2Chr 35:20 (of temple).

Hoph`al Perfect הוּכַן Isa 30:33, וְהוּכַן consecutive Isa 16:5; Zech 5:11 וְהֻכַֿן Nah 2:6 Participle מוּכָן Prov 21:31, plural מוּכָנִים Ezek 40:43

1. be established, of throne Isa 16:5 be fastened, of hooks Ezek 40:43.
2. be prepared for (לְ person) Isa 30:33 and (לְ temporal) Prov 21:31 absolute Nah 2:6 be ready Zech 5:11.

Po`lel. Perfect 3 masculine singular כּוֺנֵן Ps 9:8 + 3 t., וְכוֺנֵן consecutive Hab 2:12 suffix כּוֺנְַנָהּ Isa 45:18 2 masculine singular כּוֺנַנְתָּ Ps 99:4; Ps 119:90, כּוֺנָ֑נְתָּה Ps 8:4, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְכוֺנֵן Isa 62:7 suffix וַיְכֹנְַנֶ֑ךָ Deut 32:6, יְכוֺנְַנֶהָ Ps 24:2 +, suffix 1 plural וַיְכֻנֶנּוּ Job 31:15 (וַיְכוּנֶּנוּ van d. H); 2 masculine singular תְּכוֺנֵן Ps 7:10; Ps 21:13, etc.; Imperative כּוֺנֵן Job 8:8 (but on text see infra), כּוֺנְַנָה Ps 90:17, suffix כּוֺנְַנֵהוּ Ps 90:17 — originally make firm; —

1. set up, establish:
  a. of men, found, a city Hab 2:12 (|| בנה), Ps 107:36.
  b. of God, establish, king's throne 2Sam 7:13 = 1Chr 17:12, his own throne Ps 9:8 (לְמִשְׁפָּט), sanctuary Exod 15:7 (song), a nation Deut 32:6 (poem; || קנה, עשׂה), a city Ps 48:9; Ps 87:5, תֵּבֵל Ps 24:2 (with עַל, || יָסַד), אֶרֶץ Ps 119:90, compare Isa 45:18, also Ps 68:10 (object omitted, read perhaps אֶרֶץ צִיָּה Bi Che), heavens Prov 3:19 (|| יָסַדאָֿ֑רֶץ), moon and stars Ps 8:4 figurative, steps of men Ps 40:3, work of men's hands Ps 90:17 (twice in verse), justice Ps 99:4 establish, i.e. vindicate and make secure to righteous (צַדִּיק) Ps 7:10.
2. constitute, make, a man (in womb) Job 31:15 (|| עשׂה), compare Ps 119:73 (|| id.); with accusative + לְ of thing + לְ person reflexive 2Sam 7:24 thou hast made for thyself (לְךָ), thy people (אֶתעַֿמְּךָ) Israel for thyself (לְךָ) into a people (לְעָם) for ever.
3. fix, so as to be ready, arrow upon (עַל) string Ps 11:2, so (חֵץ omitted) Ps 21:13 (with עַלפְּֿנֵיהֶם), and possibly (חֵץ omitted) Isa 51:13 (Di Che and others; but dubious, compare Du; verse corrupt according to CheIntr. Is. 427), a bow Ps 7:13.
4. direct (that is לֵב), followed by לְחֵקֶר Job 8:8, i.e. give attention to (but no || in Po`lel; read perhaps בּוֺנֵן, compare Deut 32:10, see Ol Di). Po`lal. Perfect be established: ׳מי מִצְעֲדֵיגֶֿבֶר כּוֺנָ֑נוּ Ps 37:23 from ׳י are a man's steps established; = be prepared כּוֺנָנ֑וּ Ezek 28:13 but strike out Co Da after A B ᵑ6 and others Hithpo`el. Imperfect; be established, of house, 3 masculine singular יִתְכּוֺנָ֑ן Prov 24:3 (|| יִבָּנֶה), of nation, 2 feminine singular תִּכּוֺנָ֑נִי (Ges«GKC:54»§ 54. 2. b) Isa 54:14 3 feminine singular תִּכּוֺנֵן = be restored, of city Num 21:27 (J E; || תִּבָּנֶה); set oneself, take one's stand 3 masculine plural יִכּוֺנָ֑נוּ Ps 59:5.

prepared, established, prepare, ready, establish, …
kûn
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)
  • to be firm, be stable, be established
    • (Niphal)
      • to be set up, be established, be fixed
        • to be firmly established
        • "to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring"to be fixed, be securely determined
        to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)"to prepare, be ready"to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
      (Hiphil)
      • to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
      • "to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish"to direct toward (moral sense)"to arrange, order
      (Hophal)
      • to be established, be fastened
      • "to be prepared, be ready
      (Polel)
      • to set up, establish
      • "to constitute, make"to fix"to direct
      (Pulal) to be established, be prepared"(Hithpolel) to be established, be restored

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
אִם לֹ֣א יָ֭שׁוּב Dechi — a lesser break חַרְבּ֣וֹ יִלְט֑וֹשׁ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here קַשְׁתּ֥וֹ דָ֝רַ֗ךְ Revia Mugrash — a lesser break וַֽיְכוֹנְנֶֽהָ Silluq — end of the verse

אִם-לֹא יָשׁוּב חַרְבּוֹ יִלְטוֹשׁ קַשְׁתּוֹ דָרַךְ וַֽיְכוֹנְנֶֽהָ׃
12
If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
Cross References

Acts 3:19

μετανοήσατε οὖν καὶ ἐπιστρέψατε εἰς τὸ ἐξαλειφθῆναι ὑμῶν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὅπως ἄν ἔλθωσιν καιροί ἀναψύξεως ἀπό προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου
19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Matthew 3:10

ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται
10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Isaiah 55:6

דִּרְשׁוּ יְהוָה בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ קְרָאֻהוּ בִּֽהְיוֹתוֹ קָרֽוֹב׃
6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Deuteronomy 32:41

אִם-שַׁנּוֹתִי בְּרַק חַרְבִּי וְתֹאחֵז בְּמִשְׁפָּט יָדִי אָשִׁיב נָקָם לְצָרָי וְלִמְשַׂנְאַי אֲשַׁלֵּֽם׃
41
If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

Ezekiel 18:30

לָכֵן אִישׁ כִּדְרָכָיו אֶשְׁפֹּט אֶתְכֶם בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה שׁוּבוּ וְהָשִׁיבוּ מִכָּל-פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם וְלֹֽא-יִהְיֶה לָכֶם לְמִכְשׁוֹל עָוֹֽן׃
30
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Psalms 85:4

שׁוּבֵנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵנוּ וְהָפֵר כַּֽעַסְךָ עִמָּֽנוּ׃
4
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Jeremiah 31:18

שָׁמוֹעַ שָׁמַעְתִּי אֶפְרַיִם מִתְנוֹדֵד יִסַּרְתַּנִי וָֽאִוָּסֵר כְּעֵגֶל לֹא לֻמָּד הֲשִׁבֵנִי וְאָשׁוּבָה כִּי אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהָֽי׃
18
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.

Isaiah 27:1

בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִפְקֹד יְהוָה בְּחַרְבוֹ הַקָּשָׁה וְהַגְּדוֹלָה וְהַֽחֲזָקָה עַל לִוְיָתָן נָחָשׁ בָּרִחַ וְעַל לִוְיָתָן נָחָשׁ עֲקַלָּתוֹן וְהָרַג אֶת-הַתַּנִּין אֲשֶׁר בַּיָּֽם׃
1
In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Isaiah 34:5

כִּֽי-רִוְּתָה בַשָּׁמַיִם חַרְבִּי הִנֵּה עַל-אֱדוֹם תֵּרֵד וְעַל-עַם חֶרְמִי לְמִשְׁפָּֽט׃
5
For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

Ezekiel 21:23

וְהָיָה לָהֶם ‫(כקסום)‬ כִּקְסָם-שָׁוְא בְּעֵינֵיהֶם שְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֹת לָהֶם וְהֽוּא-מַזְכִּיר עָוֹן לְהִתָּפֵֽשׂ׃
23
And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

Ezekiel 21:9

בֶּן-אָדָם הִנָּבֵא וְאָמַרְתָּ כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי אֱמֹר חֶרֶב חֶרֶב הוּחַדָּה וְגַם-מְרוּטָֽה׃
9
Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:

Ezekiel 33:11

אֱמֹר אֲלֵיהֶם חַי-אָנִי׀ נְאֻם׀ אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה אִם-אֶחְפֹּץ בְּמוֹת הָרָשָׁע כִּי אִם-בְּשׁוּב רָשָׁע מִדַּרְכּוֹ וְחָיָה שׁוּבוּ שׁוּבוּ מִדַּרְכֵיכֶם הָרָעִים וְלָמָּה תָמוּתוּ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?