Zechariah 1:9

Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

In the KJV here: be
it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

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

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

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

BDB557 H559

BDB556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB558

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

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

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

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

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


BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

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

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

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

מָה
מָה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

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

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

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


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

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

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


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

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

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

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אֵלֶּה · ale-LEH

Noun — Common, plural plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: are these
these ×407 and these ×70 of these ×31 those ×26 are these ×21 now these ×21 these things ×7 in these ×6
More options
these — Most common modern rendering; use for nearby or just-listed items.
those — Use when referencing items more distant in context.
these things — Adds slight emphasis when referencing a list or concepts.
such — Use when אֵלֶּה has a qualitative or categorical sense.
the following — Useful when introducing an enumerated list ahead.

BDB424 H428

BDB423 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB425

אֵ֫לֶּה ( Rabb אֵלּוּ, Aramaic אִלֵּין, & compd. with and in , ) pronoun plural masculine & feminine these, in usage the plural of זֶה.
  a. Gen 2:4 & often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (always without the article) Exod 9:14 (read with Hi. אֵלֶּה בְּךָ for אֶללִֿבְּךָ) Exod 10:1 אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה these my signs, Exod 11:8; Deut 11:18; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 10:8; 1Kgs 22:23; 2Kgs 1:13; Jer 31:21; Ezra 2:65; Neh 6:14 in the genitive 2Kgs 6:20; Isa 47:9; Deut 18:12; Ps 15:5 and after כל Gen 14:3 + often Standing alone in a neuter sense, these things (rare in best prose, & not very common in poetry), with עָשָׂה Deut 18:12; Deut 22:5; Deut 25:16; 2Sam 23:17; 2Sam 23:22; Ps 15:5 +; with other verbs Ezra 9:1; Isa 44:21; Isa 47:7; Jer 13:22; Hos 14:10; Ps 42:5; Ps 50:21; Ps 107:43; Job 8:2 with אֶתֿ Num 15:13; Isa 48:14 with כָּלֿ Judg 13:23; Isa 66:2 +; see also some of the cases with prepositions below
  d. אלה may point indifferently to what follows, Gen 6:9; Gen 10:1; Gen 25:7; Gen 25:12; Gen 25:13; Ps 42:5 or to what has preceded, Gen 9:19; Gen 10:20; Gen 10:31; Gen 10:32; Gen 25:4; Lev 21:14; Lev 22:22; Ps 15:5 = such as these (τοιαῦτα), Ps 73:12; Job 18:21.
  b. repeated, אלהו֗֗֗אלה, these . . . those Deut 27:13; Josh 8:22; Isa 49:12 (3 t.) Ps 20:8 +.
  c. with the art. (but only after a substantive determined likewise by the article) הָאֵלֶּה Gen 15:1 + often.

**in Josh 17:9 עָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, read הֶעָרִים, compare Josh 17:12; Josh 19:8; Josh 19:16; Josh 19:31; Josh 19:48, etc.
  d. with prepositions: בְּאֵלֶּה Lev 25:54; Lev 26:23; 1Kgs 22:11 (7 t.), בָּאֵלֶּה 1Sam 16:10; 1Sam 17:39 לְאֵלֶּה Lev 11:24 (4 t), לָאֵלֶּה 1Kgs 22:17 (5 t.); מֵאֵלֶּה Gen 9:19 (16 t.); עַד אֵלֶּה Lev 26:18 עַלאֵֿלֶּה on account of these things Isa 57:6; Isa 64:11; Jer 5:9 and elsewhere; כְּאֵלֶּה Job 16:2; Jer 10:16 = Jer 51:19, כָּאֵלֶּה Gen 27:46; Lev 10:19 (things like these, so Isa 66:8; Jer 18:13) Num 28:24 P (compare Ezek 45:25) 2Kgs 25:17 = Jer 52:22, כְּמוֺאֵֿלֶּה Job 12:3.


BDB9303 H459 H1836 H428

BDB9302 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9304

אִלֵּין (אִלֵּן Dan 2:44; Dan 6:7) demonstrative pronoun plural these (plural of דְּנָה, q. v.: Palmyrene אלן (Lzb264 Eph. i. 343, 345 Cooke26); ᵑ7 אילין; Mandean עלין (M 89 f.); Talmud (with emphatic hâ prefixed, WCG:109) הָאִלֵּין: see further below Biblical Hebrew אֵלֶּה, and add Egyptian Aramaic אלו Cooke26); — these, only Daniel: Dan 2:40 דִּי מְרָעַע כָּלֿ, נִלֵּין, vDan 2:44 כָּלאִֿלֵּן מַלְכְוָתָא, Dan 6:3 אֲחַדְֵַּרְפְּנַיָּא אִלֵּין (so v.Dan 6:7), Dan 7:17 אִלֵּיץ חֵיוָתָא.

these, those, things, this, them, …
ʾēlle
these or those
  • these
    • used before antecedent
    • "used following antecedent

אֲדֹנִ ֑י
אֲדֹנִ
Root word a name — transliterate it ("I o my lord")
֑י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: אָדוֹן · aw-DONE

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

In the KJV here: i o my lord
my lord ×100 his master ×20 my master ×17 of my lord ×15 the lord ×9 let my lord ×6 our lord ×6 thy lord ×6
More options
master — Best for household/servant relationships and ownership contexts.
lord — Modernized KJV form; suits formal or elevated contexts.
owner — Prefer when emphasizing legal possession of property or people.
sir — Polite address; fits direct speech with respectful tone.
ruler — Good when authority over a group or territory is in view.
supervisor — Contemporary workplace register; for employer-employee dynamics.

BDB125 H113 H136

BDB124 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB126

אָדוֺן noun masculineMal 3:1 lord (Phoenician אדן) — ׳א Ps 12:5 + construct אֲדוֺן Josh 3:11 +; plural אֲדֹנִים Isa 26:13 +; construct אֲדֹנֵי Deut 10:17 +; suffix אֲדֹנֵינוּ 1Sam 25:14 + etc.; (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Masoretic pointing to distinguish divine reference from human. Plural, with few except an intensive plural of rank; word takes suffix as plural in all other person; so doubtless here. Orig. reading probably in all cases אֲדֹנַי (see DalmDer Gottesname Adonaj; LagBN 188 makes אֲדֹנָי an Aramaic formative); אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.; in E Gen 31:35; Gen 32:19; Gen 42:10; Exod 21:5 in P Gen 23:6; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:15; Num 36:2 (twice in verse); often Samuel & Kings; in Chronicles only in sources, 1Chr 21:3 (3 t. in verse); 1Chr 21:23 (= 2Sam 24:3; 2Sam 24:22) 2Chr 2:13; 2Chr 2:14 Isaiah & Jeremiah only in historical parts Isa 36:8; Isa 36:9; Isa 36:12; Jer 37:20; Jer 38:9 elsewhere Dan 1:10; Dan 10:16; Dan 10:17; Dan 10:19; Dan 12:8; Zech 1:9; Zech 4:4; Zech 4:5; Zech 4:13; Zech 6:4; Ps 110:1; Judg 4:18; Judg 6:13; Ruth 2:13 בִּי אֲדנָי Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Josh 7:8 (J) Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 is referred to God, but בִּי אֲדנִי Gen 43:20; Gen 44:18; Num 12:11 (J) 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 25:24; 1Kgs 3:17; 1Kgs 3:26 reference to human superiors. There is uncertainty as to אֲדֹנָ֯י Gen 18:3; Gen 19:18 אֲדֹ֯נַי Gen 19:2) —

1. singular lord, master (1) reference to men:
   (a) superintendent of household, or of affairs Gen 45:8; Gen 45:9 (E) = Ps 105:21
   (b) master Ps 12:5
   (c) king Jer 22:18; Jer 34:5 (2) reference to God, הָאָדוֺן יהוה the Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Exod 23:17; Exod 34:23 (Cov't codes); אֲרוֺן כָּלהָֿאָרֶץ Lord of the whole earth Josh 3:11; Josh 3:13 (J) Ps 97:5; Zech 4:14; Zech 6:5; Mic 4:13 צֻבָאוֺת ׳י ׳הָא, earlier Isa 1:24; Isa 3:1; Isa 10:33; Isa 19:4 (אֲדֹנָי Isa 10:16 in common MT; not Massora, doubtless scribal error); ׳הָא Mal 3:1 אָדוֺן Ps 114:7.
2. plural lords, kings Deut 10:17 = Ps 136:3; Isa 26:13 elsewhere intensive plural of rank, lord, master, (1) reference to men:
   (a) proprietor of hill Samaria 1Kgs 16:24
   (b) master Gen 40:7 (E) Exod 21:4 (twice in verse); Exod 21:6; Exod 21:8; Exod 21:32 (Cov't code) Gen 24:9 + (J, 11 t.) Deut 23:16; Judg 19:11; Judg 19:12 + 13 t. Samuel & Kings; Job 3:19; Ps 123:2; Prov 25:13; Prov 27:18; Prov 30:10; Isa 24:2; Amos 4:1; Zeph 1:9; Mal 1:6 (twice in verse);
   (c) husband Judg 19:26; Judg 19:27; Ps 45:12
   (d) prophet 2Kgs 2:3; 2Kgs 2:5; 2Kgs 2:16
   (e) governor Neh 3:5
   (f) prince Gen 42:10; Gen 42:30; Gen 42:33 (E) Gen 44:8 (J) 1Sam 29:10
   (g) king Gen 40:1 (E) Judg 3:25 + 40 t. Samuel & Kings; Chronicles only in sources 1Chr 12:19 compare 1Sam 29:4; 2Chr 13:6; 2Chr 18:16 = 1Kgs 22:17; Isa 19:4; Isa 22:18; Isa 36:12; Isa 37:4; Isa 37:6; Jer 27:4 (2) reference to God Mal 1:6 אֲדֹנֵי הָאֲדֹנִים Lord of lords Deut 10:17 = Ps 136:3 אֲדֹנֵינוּ Ps 135:5; Ps 147:5; Neh 8:10 אֲדֹנֵינוּ ׳י Ps 8:2; Ps 8:10; Neh 10:30 ׳אֲדֹנַיִח י Isa 51:22 (probably = thy husband, Yahweh); אֲדֹנָיו Hos 12:15 (possibly error for אֲדֹנָי).
3. suffix 1 singular (אֲדֹנַי) אֲדֹנִי (1) reference to men: my lord, my master, (a) master Exod 21:5 (Cov't code) Gen 24:12 +, Gen 44:5 (J, 20 t.) 1Sam 30:13; 1Sam 30:15; 2Kgs 5:3; 2Kgs 5:20; 2Kgs 5:22; 2Kgs 6:15
   (b) husband Gen 18:12 (J);
   (c) prophet 1Kgs 18:7; 1Kgs 18:13; 2Kgs 2:19; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:28; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 8:5
   (d) prince Gen 42:10 (E), Gen 23:6; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:15 (P), Gen 43:20; Gen 44:18 +, Gen 47:18, + (J, 12 t.); Judg 4:18
   (e) king 1Sam 22:12 + (Samuel & Kings 75 t.);
   (f) father Gen 31:35 (E);
   (g) Moses Exod 32:22; Num 11:28; Num 12:11; Num 32:26; Num 32:27 (J); Num 36:2 (twice in verse) (P);
   (h) priest 1Sam 1:15; 1Sam 1:26 (twice in verse);
   (i) theophanic angel Josh 5:14; Judg 6:13
   (j) captain 2Sam 11:11
   (k) general recognition of superiority Gen 24:18; Gen 32:5 + Gen 33:8 +; Gen 44:7 + (J, 13 t.), Ruth 2:13; 1Sam 25:24 + (15 t.); (2) reference to God: אֲדֹנָי
  a. my Lord Gen 20:4 (? E) Exod 15:17 (Samaritan יהוה) elsewhere in Hexateuch, J; Gen 18:3(?); Gen 18:27; Gen 18:30; Gen 18:31; Gen 18:32; Gen 19:2; Gen 19:18(?) Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Exod 5:22; Exod 34:9; Num 14:17; Josh 7:8 also Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 not Samuel; 1Kgs 22:6; 2Kgs 19:23 not Chron. except memorials Ezra 10:3 (reference to Ezra) Neh 1:11; Neh 4:8 Wisdom Literature only Job 28:28 (doubtless scribal error for יהוֺה of many MSS.); not Hosea; Isa 37:24; Isa 38:14; Isa 38:16 (historical part); exile Isa 49:14 (compare Isa 51:22); Mic 1:2; Ps 16:2 + (47 t., chiefly this sense, except below
  b.; compare אֱלֹהַי וַאדֹנָי my Lord and my God Ps 35:23 (writers that use אֱלֹהִים seldom use אֲדֹנָי);
  b. Adonay proper name of God, parallel with Yahweh, substitution for it often by scribal error, & eventually supplanting it. In earlier Isa 3:17 + (19 t. seeming to belong here), Amos 7:7; Amos 7:8; Amos 9:1; Ezek 18:25; Ezek 18:29; Ezek 33:17; Ezek 33:20; Ezek 21:14 (probably ׳אֲדֹנָי י as in usual phrase); Zech 9:4; Mal 1:12; Mal 1:14; Lam 1:14 + (14 t.) Ps 2:4; Ps 37:13; Ps 78:65; Ps 90:17 (? יהוה) Ps 110:5 (Dalman puts most of these below
   (a); — many cases are doubtful); 1Kgs 3:10; 1Kgs 3:15 (Masoretic אדני for יהוה compare Dalm 2Kgs 7:6 Dalm rightly questions; he reads יהוה). The phrases אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי Ps 38:16; Ps 86:12, Adonay my God; אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים Dan 9:3, אֱלֹהֵינוּ ׳א Dan 9:9; Dan 9:15, הָאֵל ׳א Dan 9:4 favour taking ׳א Dan 1:2; Dan 9:7; Dan 9:8 (יהוה ?) vDan 9:16 vDan 9:17 vDan 9:19 vDan 9:19 vDan 9:19 as the divine name.
4. אֲדֹנָי יהוה
   (a) my Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Gen 15:2; Gen 15:8 (JE) Josh 7:7 (J, ᵐ5 omit ׳י) Deut 3:24; Deut 9:26; Judg 6:22; Judg 16:28; 2Sam 7:1 (6 t.) 1Kgs 2:26; 1Kgs 8:53 probably Amos 3:7; Amos 3:8; Amos 7:2; Amos 7:4; Amos 7:5; Amos 9:8; Jer 1:6; Jer 4:10; Jer 14:13; Jer 32:17; Jer 32:25; Ezek 4:14; Ezek 8:1; Ezek 9:6; Ezek 11:13; Ezek 20:49; Ezek 37:3 (׳יָדַע כִּי אֲני א ׳י) Ezek 13:9; Ezek 23:49; Ezek 24:24; Ezek 28:24; Ezek 29:16 inappropriate in mouth of God; strike out אֲדֹנָי (Co) or read אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳י (Dalm); Mic 1:2; Zeph 1:7; Obad 1:1; Zech 9:14; Ps 71:5; Ps 71:16; Ps 73:28
   (b) apparently proper name Adonay Yahweh Isa 25:8; Jer 44:26 exile Isa 40:10 + (10 t., but Isa 61:1; Isa 61:11 read יהוה, ᵐ5);
   (c) uncertain whether
   (a) or
   (b) in prophetic formula אָמַר ׳י ׳א Isa 7:7; Isa 28:16; Isa 30:15; Isa 49:22; Isa 51:4; Isa 65:13; Jer 7:20; Amos 1:8; Amos 3:11; Amos 5:3; Amos 7:6; Obad 1:1 Ezekiel (131 t.); ׳י ׳נְאֻם א Isa 56:8; Jer 2:22; Amos 3:13; Amos 4:5; Amos 8:3; Amos 8:9; Amos 8:11 Ezekiel (80 t.); ׳י ׳דְּבַראֿ Ezek 6:3; Ezek 25:3; Ezek 36:4 ׳י ׳נִשְׁבַּע א Amos 4:2; Amos 6:8 ׳י ׳כֹּה הִרְאַנִי א Amos 7:1; Amos 7:4; Amos 8:1.
5. יהוה אֲדֹנָי Yahweh my Lord Ps 68:21; Ps 109:21; Ps 140:8; Ps 141:8; Hab 3:9.
6. אֲדֹנָי יהוה צְבָאוֺת
   (a) my Lord Yahweh . (see צבאות) Ps 69:7; Amos 9:5; Isa 10:23; Isa 22:5; Isa 22:12; Isa 28:22 compare ׳אֱלֹהֵי הַצְבָאוֺת א ׳י, Yahweh, the God of Hosts my Lord Amos 5:16
   (b) a divine name, Adonay, Yahweh . Jer 46:10 (twice in verse); Jer 50:25
   (c) uncertain are ׳צ ׳י ׳כֹּה אָמַר א Isa 10:24; Isa 22:14; Isa 22:15 ׳נְאֻם א ׳צ ׳י Isa 3:15; Jer 2:19; Jer 49:5; Jer 50:31.

lord, master, masters, lords, owner, …
ʾādôn
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
  • firm, strong, lord, master
    • lord, master
      • reference to men
        • superintendent of household, of affairs
        • "master"king
        reference to God
        • the Lord God
        • "Lord of the whole earth
      lords, kings
      • reference to men
        • proprietor of hill of Samaria
        • "master"husband"prophet"governor"prince"king
        reference to God
        • Lord of lords
      my lord, my master
      • reference to men
        • master
        • "husband"prophet"prince"king"father"Moses"priest"theophanic angel"captain"general recognition of superiority
        reference to God
        • my Lord, my Lord and my God
        • "Adonai (parallel with Jehovah)

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

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

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

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

BDB557 H559

BDB556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB558

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

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

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

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

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


BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

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

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

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

אֵלַ ֗י
אֵלַ
Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …
֗י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

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

BDB420 H413

BDB419 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB421

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


[Note]

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

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

הַ מַּלְאָךְ֙
הַ
Prefix — article the
מַּלְאָךְ֙
Root word angel, messengers, messenger, angels, ambassadors
Dictionary form: מֲלְאָךְ · mul-OKE

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and the angel
messengers ×44 the angel ×33 and the angel ×24 the messengers ×11 an angel ×8 a messenger ×7 then the angel ×7 the messenger ×5
More options
messenger — Core meaning; best for human envoys or diplomatic contexts.
angel — Preferred for divine/heavenly beings sent by God.
envoy — Formal register; suits royal or diplomatic dispatches.
ambassador — Highlights official representative role, human or divine.
emissary — Slightly elevated; good for solemn or weighty missions.
herald — Emphasizes public proclamation aspect of the mission.

BDB4280 H4397

BDB4279 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4281

מַלְאָךְ214 noun masculine messenger; — ׳מ Exod 23:20 + 48 t.; construct מַלְאַךְ Gen 16:7 + 69 t.; suffixes מַלְאָכִי Exod 23:23 + 3 t.; מַלְאָכוֺ Gen 24:7; Gen 24:40 plural מַלְאָכִים Gen 32:4 + 63 t. + מלאכים 2Sam 11:1 Kt ( Qr מלכים); construct מַלְאֲכֵי Gen 28:12 + 11 t.; מַלְאָכֶיךָ Num 24:12; 2Kgs 19:23 מַלְאָכֵכֵה Nah 2:14 error for מַלְאָכֵכִי = מַלְאָכַיְכִי Ges«GKC:91»§ 91, (2) Anm. 2 or < for מַלְאָכֵךְ by dittograph from following הוֺי ii. 1. 571). מַלְאָכָיו 2Chr 36:15 + 8 t.; —

1. messenger,
  a. one sent with a message Gen 32:4 + 8 t. J E; Deut 2:26, (not in P); Judg 6:35 + 8 t.; 1Sam 6:21 + 51 t. Samuel Kings, 1Chr 14:1; 1Chr 19:2; 1Chr 19:16; 2Chr 18:12; 2Chr 35:21; Neh 6:3; Job 1:14; Prov 13:17; Prov 17:11; Isa 14:32; Isa 18:2; Isa 30:4; Isa 37:9; Isa 37:14; Jer 27:3; Ezek 17:15; Ezek 23:16; Ezek 23:40; Ezek 30:9; Nah 2:14 מלאכי שׁלום, messengers of peace Isa 33:7.
  b. a prophet Isa 42:19; Isa 44:26; 2Chr 36:15; 2Chr 36:16; Hag 1:13 the herald of the advent מלאכי Mal 3:1.
  c. priest Mal 2:7, probably Eccl 5:5 (RV angel).
  d. || מֵלִיץ Job 33:23, a messenger from God acting as an interpreter and declaring what is right (angel of RV too specific).
  e. figurative רָעִים ׳מ messengers of evil Ps 78:49 מות ׳מ messenger of death Prov 16:14 || רוחות winds his messengers Ps 104:4.
2. angel, as messenger of God, מלאכים with God in theophanies Gen 19:1; Gen 19:15; Gen 28:12; Gen 32:2 (JE), praising him; Ps 103:20; Ps 148:2 in his sight not without error Job 4:18 charged with the care of the pious Ps 91:11 elsewhere singular sent to a prophet 1Kgs 13:18; 1Kgs 19:5; 1Kgs 19:7; 2Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 1:15; Zech 1:9 + 18 t. in Zech 1-6; excellent, wise, powerful 1Sam 29:9; 2Sam 14:17; 2Sam 14:20; 2Sam 19:28; Zech 12:8 encamping about the faithful Ps 34:8 chasing his enemies Ps 35:5; Ps 35:6 destroying by judgment of Yahweh 2Sam 24:16; 2Sam 24:17 = 1Chr 21:12-30; 2Kgs 19:35 = Isa 37:36 = 2Chr 32:21.
3. the theophanic angel ה֯א֠להים ׳מ in the story of E: Gen 21:17; Gen 31:11; Exod 14:19, also in Judg 6:20; Judg 13:6; Judg 13:9 יהוה ׳מ in the story of J: Gen 16:7; Gen 16:9; Gen 16:10; Gen 16:11; Gen 22:11; Gen 22:15; Exod 3:2; Num 22:22; Num 22:23; Num 22:24; Num 22:25; Num 22:26; Num 22:27; Num 22:31; Num 22:32; Num 22:34; Num 22:35 and in Judg 2:1; Judg 2:4; Judg 5:23; Judg 6:11; Judg 6:12; Judg 6:21 (twice in verse); Judg 6:22 (twice in verse); Judg 13:3; Judg 13:13; Judg 13:15; Judg 13:16 (twice in verse); Judg 13:17; Judg 13:18; Judg 13:20 (twice in verse); Judg 13:21 הַמַּלְאָךְ Gen 48:16 (E); מַלְאָךְ Exod 23:20 (E), Exod 33:2; Num 20:16 (JE), Hos 12:5 מַלְאָכִי Exod 23:23 (E), Exod 32:34 (J); מַלְאָכוֺ Gen 24:7; Gen 24:40 (J), פניו ׳מ Mal 3:1 (referring to the ancient מלאך); הכרית ׳מ Mal 3:1 (referring to the advent of ׳י for judgment, see BrMP 473). The theophanic angel is not mentioned in D and P.


BDB9633 H4397

BDB9632 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9634

לאך (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew לאך, מַלְאָח).

angel, messengers, messenger, angels, ambassadors
mălʾok
a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
  • messenger, representative
    • messenger
    • "angel"the theophanic angel

הַ דֹּבֵ֣ר
הַ
Prefix — article the
דֹּבֵ֣ר
Root word spake, speak, spoken, said, speaking, …
Dictionary form: דָבַר · daw-BAHR

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

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

BDB1815 H1696

BDB1814 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1816

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

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

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

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

בִּ ֔י
בִּ
Preposition in, at, by, with
֔י
Suffix — pronoun my / me

Preposition

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

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אֲנִי · uh-NEE

Noun — Common, singular

In the KJV here: me i
i ×503 and i ×77 but i ×32 as i ×23 am i ×12 them i ×11 will i ×11 then i ×9
More options
I — Standard first-person subject pronoun; default choice.
me — Use when pronoun is object of verb or preposition.
myself — Use for reflexive or emphatic constructions.
I myself — Emphatic; stresses personal agency or contrast.

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

BDB2099 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2101

יהוהc. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺהC518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare § 88). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see LagSym i.14 BaudStudien i.179 ff.; DrStud.Bib.i.1 ff. For Jeve see StaZAW 1881, 346 Deib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.
2. on literature of interpretations see NesEg.67 Drl.c. — Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, NesEg.88 (but NesEg.91 inclines to Qal as RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RSOTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245, compare WeSkizzen iii.175; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, StaG.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ewinfr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Drl.c.17)).
**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by BauRel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230); DlPa 162 ff. claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kuenational Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.) JastrJBL xiil {1894}, 103 f. compare HptBAS i. 170 N; DlBabel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f. makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially HirschZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff. ZimKATS. 465 ff.; SpiegelbZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff. proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in KöEB NAMES, § 112 and n.3. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to SchwThLZ, 1905, col. 612.

I. יהוה is not used by E in Genesis, but is given Exod 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb, and is explained thus : אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I shall be with thee (Exod 3:12), which is then implied in אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I shall be the one who will be it vExod 3:14a (i.e: with thee vExod 3:12) and then compressed into אֶהְיֶה vExod 3:14b (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12), which then is given in the nominal form יהוה He who will be it vExod 3:15 (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12). compare EwBTh ii. 337, 338 RSl.c., Proph. 385 ff. Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc LagPsalt.Hieron.156); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich WeJD Th xxi, 540 = compare Hexateuch 72); Di and others I am who I am, he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable, — E uses יהוה sparingly by the side of אלהים and האלהים in his subsequent narrative. The Ephraimitic writers in Judges Samuel Kings use it in similar proportions. P abstains from the use of יהוה until he gives an account of its revelation to Moses Exod 6:3 but subsequently uses it freely. He gives no explanation of its meaning. He represents that אֵל שַׁדַּי was the God of the patriarchs. J uses יהוה from the beginning of his narrative, possibly explaining it, Gen 21:83 by אל עולם, the evergreen tamarisk being a symbol of the ever-living God; compare De Gen 21:33. Elsewhere יהוה is the common divine name in pre-exilic writers, but in post-exilic writers gradually falls into disuse, and is supplanted by אלהים and אדני. In Job it is used 31 t. in prose parts, and Job 12:9 (a proverb); not elsewhere in the poem. Chronicles apart from his sources prefers אלהים and האלהים. Daniel uses יהוה only in chap. 9 (7 t.); Ecclesiastes not at all. In the Elohistic group of Psalm 42-83 it is used 39 t. (see אלהים) . It occurs as the name of Israel's God MI18. It is doubtful whether it was used by other branches of the Shemitic family, compare COT Gen 2:4b DlPa 158 ff. DrStud. Bib. i. 7 ff.

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
  a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D2); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
  b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D2 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
  c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D2 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
  d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
  e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
  g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
  h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by RP as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.
2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
  a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
  b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
  c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
  d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.
3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

Note. — BonkZAW 1891, 126 ff. seems to shew that as prefix, in compare proper name, יְהוֺ is the oldest and the latest form and that יוֺ is intermediate, belonging to the earlier post-exilic period until the time of Chronicles; occasional copyists' mistakes being taken into the account.


BDB591 H589

BDB590 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB592

אֲנִי, אָ֫נִי pronoun 1 singular, common I (, אֲנָא, , ) Gen 6:17; Gen 9:9; Gen 9:12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future]) Gen 18:17 הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִי Amos I hiding from Abraham that which, etc., Judg 15:3; 1Sam 3:13; Jer 1:12; Jer 38:14; Jer 44:29 (see Dr§ 135,4). Appended to a verb, it expresses, in early Hebrew, a real emphasis, as Judg 8:23 לֹא אֶמְשֹׁל אֲנִי בָּכֶם I will not rule over you, 2Sam 12:28 lest I take the city, 2Sam 17:15 thus and thus did Ahitophel counsel, and thus and thus יָעַצְתִּי אָ֫נִי did I counsel; but in later Hebrew It is sometimes pelonastc, Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 2:18; Eccl 2:20 +. In response to a question, אָ֫נִי alone = I am, It is I, Gen 27:24; Judg 13:11; 1Kgs 18:8 +. With הֲֶ הַאֲנִי Isa 66:9. (Synonym אָנֹכִּי, q. v.)


BDB9313 H576 H589

BDB9312 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9314

אֲנָה pronoun 1 singular I (= Hebrew אֲנִי, q. v.: Zenjirli, Cilician, Egyptian Aramaic אנךְ (Cooke182; 104; 208; S-Coft), Nabataean נח . . . (Lzb221); ᵑ7 אנא, Syriac ); — I, Dan 2:30; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:27; Dan 5:16, before a participle Dan 3:25; Dan 4:34, after a participle (K§ 76, 2b) Dan 2:8 מִןיַֿצִּיב יָדַע אֲנָה, vDan 2:23; Dan 4:4 followed by a proper name Dan 4:1 אֲנָה נבוכדנצר שְׁלֵח חֲוֵית, v.Dan 4:15 v.Dan 4:34; Dan 7:15; Ezra 6:12; Ezra 7:21, as nom. pendens ['hanging' noun clause], Dan 4:31; Dan 7:28 emphasizing a suffix (K§ 87, 3) Dan 7:15; Ezra 7:21 (compare S-CB 8, J 12, K3.5).

i, me, myself, we, which, …
ʾănî
I
  • I (first pers. sing.—usually used for emphasis)

אַרְאֶ ֖ךָּ
אַרְאֶ
Root word see, saw, seen, behold, looked, …
֖ךָּ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: רָאָה · raw-AW

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

In the KJV here: will shew
saw ×128 see ×97 and see ×45 and saw ×43 to see ×35 shall see ×31 i saw ×29 i have seen ×26
More options
see — Most versatile; suits perception, vision, and understanding.
look — Prefer when deliberate, directed attention is implied.
observe — Good for careful, attentive, or intentional seeing.
perceive — Best when insight or recognition is the focus.
behold — Contemporary contexts of awe or divine encounter.
gaze — When prolonged, intense, or wondering looking is stressed.

BDB7656 H7200 H7207 H7203 H3070

BDB7655 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7657

רָאָה1315 verb see (Late Hebrew id.; וארא MI4, הראני Deut 1:7, compare ריח spectacle Deut 1:12 Sabean ראי see, expect DHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabic see, so Ethiopic ᵑ7 רֵו, רֵיוָא human appearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrew רְָאִי 2)); —

Qal1141 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ר Gen 29:10 +, suffix וְרָֽאֲךָ consecutive Exod 4:14 רָאָהוּ 2Kgs 2:12 +; 3 feminine singular רָֽאֲתָה Gen 38:14, suffix רָאָֽתְךָ Job 42:5 2 masculine singular רָאִיתָ Gen 20:10 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִרְהֶ Gen 22:8 +, jussive יֵרֵא Gen 41:33 (Baer Gi, Ges«GKC:75p»§ 75p, «GKC:75hh»hh i.561; van d. H. יֵרֶא), יִ֫רֶא Exod 5:21 +, וַיַּרְא Gen 18:2 + (1Sam 19:20, read plural ᵐ5 Comm., i.e. וַיִּרְאֻ DrSm lxiii), suffix יִרְאַנִי Exod 33:20, וַיִּרְאֵ֑נִי 2Sam 1:7 3 feminine singular תִּרְאֶה Lev 20:17; Job 33:28, jussive תֵּרֵא Mic 7:10; Zech 9:5 (Baer Gi, compare Ges above; van d. H תֵּרֶא), וַתֵּ֫רֶא Gen 3:6 +; 1 singular אֶרְאֶה Gen 21:16 +, וָאֵ֫רֶא Gen 31:10 +, etc.; Imperative רְאֵה Gen 27:27 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute רָאֹה Exod 3:7 +, רָאוֺ Gen 26:28; Isa 6:9 construct רְאֹה Gen 48:11, רְאוֺת Exod 10:28 +, רַאֲוָה Ezek 28:17, etc., Participle active רֹאֶה Ezek 13:15 +, etc.; passive רְאֻיוֺת (Baer Gi; van d. H. רְאֻיּוֺת) : —
1. a. see, subject עַיִן, עֵינַיִם, with accusative of person Isa 6:5; Isa 30:20; Jer 42:2 + 5 t. Job, Proverbs; subject person, with accusative Gen 12:12; Gen 12:15 + מִי רָאָהוּ 1Sam 23:22, read הֵמְּהֵרָה ᵐ5 Th We and others. [not HPS]); רֹאִי 1Sam 16:13 (participle suffix, compare בְּאֵר לַחֵי רֹאִי v1Sam 16:14, .p. 91 above) accusative of God 1Sam 32:31 (פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים); accusative of person omitted 1Sam 18:2; 1Sam 19:1 +; with accusative פְּנֵי 1Sam 31:2; 1Sam 46:30; 1Sam 48:11; Exod 33:20, opposed to אֶתאֲחֹרָ֑י vExod 33:23 with accusative פְּנֵי specifically of having access to man of rank Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5 + (see [ פָּנֶה] 2 b).
  b. see, with accusative of thing: subject עַיִן, עֵינַיִם Josh 24:7 (E) 1Sam 24:11 (van d. H. Baer; v.1Sam 24:10 Gi), Deut 3:21 + 5 t. Deuteronomy, +; וְעֵינָיו אֶתעֵֿינָיו תִּרְאֶינָה Jer 32:4, compare Jer 34:3 accusative omitted 2Sam 24:3; Deut 21:7 + 9 t. (לִרְאוֺת) 1Sam 6:13 read לקְרָאתוֺ ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu HPS Now); subject pers Gen 13:15; Gen 31:12 + very often; with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מַרְאֶה Exod 3:8 + 7 t., מַרְאָה Dan 10:7 (twice in verse); Dan 10:8, חָזוֺן Dan 8:15, חֶזְיֹנוֺת Joel 3:1 hence see absolute= receive revelation, Isa 30:10 (|| חזה), compare Ezek 13:3 and see I. רֹאֶה; with accusative עֶרְוָה, see ׳צ, p. 788 f.; see war, i.e. see it impending Exod 13:17 (E); אֶתהַֿקּוֺתֹ ׳וְאֶתהַֿלַּפִּידִים ר Exod 20:18 (Gi vExod 20:15); רֹאֵי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ Eccl 7:11 those who see the sun = living men; accusative of thing. omitted Exod 22:9; 2Sam 13:5 +, וָאֶרֵאֶה בֶּחָזוֺן Dan 8:2 (twice in verse).(absolute); וְלֹא יִרְאוּ לֹא יֵדְעוּ Neh 4:5 עֵינֵי רֹאִים Isa 32:3, מְקוֺם רֹאִים Job 34:26 with adverb or adverb phrase instead of accusative of thing: כָּהֵנָּה Gen 41:19 compare Isa 66:8; Ezek 1:27 (twice in verse), כַּאֲשֶׁר 2Kgs 2:19; 2Chr 29:8; 2Chr 30:7; Job 4:8; Ezek 16:50; Dan 1:13, כֵּן Ps 48:9.
2. see, followed by accusative + clause or phrase of closer designation: (I) + epexegetical clause with כִּי, accusative of person Gen 6:2 saw them that they were fair, Gen 12:4 (both J), Exod 2:2; Exod 32:25 (both E), 1Kgs 11:28, accusative of face + id. Gen 31:5 (E), Exod 34:25 (P); accusative of thing Gen 49:15 (poem), Isa 22:9; Gen 1:4 (P), Eccl 2:24; Eccl 4:4 and probably 2Kgs 14:26 (reading כִּי מַר הוּא); (2) כָּלהַֿבָּא עָלָיו וְעָמָ֑ד ׳ר 2Sam 20:12 (3) + adjective (including participle), accusative person Gen 7:1 (J), Amos 9:1; 2Sam 18:10 + 39 t. (Jer 46:5 strike out ׳ר ᵐ5 Gie), + accusative אֲשֶׁר Exod 14:13 (twice in verse) (J); accusative of thing, Exod 23:5; Exod 33:10 (both E), Deut 22:4; Ezek 33:3; Ezek 33:6; Dan 1:10; Dan 8:4; Dan 8:6; Dan 8:7 (4) + מָה, accusative of thing Num 13:18 (JE), Hag 2:3 (5) + preposition Phr., accusative of person Exod 5:19 (J), Zech 4:10; Eccl 10:7; Esth 5:9 accusative of thing + בִּכְבוֺדוֺ Hag 2:3, + כ pres. Jer 23:13; Jer 23:14, + כ person Judg 9:36, כ of thing 2Sam 18:27 (6) accusative of person + adverb accusative + כ person Jer 30:6.
3. see, so as to learn to know: with accusative of person Deut 33:9 (|| הִכִּיר, יַדַע); with accusative of thing Deut 1:19; Deut 1:31; Deut 11:2; Job 11:11 (|| יָדַע ), Ps 16:10; Ps 49:10 = have experience of, Jer 5:12; Jer 14:13; Jer 20:18; Jer 42:14; Zeph 3:15; Ps 89:49; Eccl 5:17, שֵׁנָה בְּעֵינָיו אֵינֶנּוּ רֹאֶה Eccl 8:16 מָה ראית Gen 20:10 i.e.what hast thou encountered, that . . . ? BacherZAW xix (1899). 345 ff.; Terminol. 177 f.
4. absolute see, have (power of) vision, Gen 27:1 (J), Gen 48:10 (E), 1Sam 3:2; 1Sam 4:15; 1Kgs 14:4, miraculous 2Kgs 6:17 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:20 (twice in verse); denied of idols Deut 4:28; Ps 115:5; Ps 135:16 figurative of spiritual vision Isa 6:10; Isa 29:18; Isa 42:18; Jer 5:2l Deut 29:3; Ezek 12:2 (twice in verse); Ps 40:13; Ps 69:24 עַיִן רֹאָה Prov 20:12. — 1Sam 14:27 read Qr see אור.
5. see = perceive:
  a. followed by clause with כִּי, Exod 3:4; Exod 8:11; Gen 1:10; Gen 1:12 + often(1Sam 23:15 read וַיִּרָא and he feared We Dr Kit Bu HPS Now); omit כִּי (late) Lam 1:10; Ps 49:11; Eccl 3:16 followed by מָה of indirect question Gen 2:19 (J), Gen 37:20 (E), Judg 9:48; Deut 32:20; Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Ezek 8:6; Jonah 4:5 +; בַּמָּה Judg 16:5 compare 1Sam 14:38, כַּמָּה Zech 2:6; Ps 35:17 followed by מִי of indirect question 1Sam 14:17; Isa 40:26; Lam 2:20 ( + הַבִּיטָה); followed by אֵי 1Sam 26:16, אֵיכֹה 2Kgs 6:13, אֵיפֹה Jer 3:2 followed by clause with הֲ whether, Gen 8:8; Gen 18:21; Num 11:23 (all J), Exod 4:18 (E), Ps 14:2; Ps 53:3; Song 6:11b Esth 3:4, אִם whether Jer 30:6; Lam 1:12; Ps 139:24; Song 7:13, אֲשֶׁר that or how 1Sam 18:15, אֵי Eccl 2:3, שֶׁ that vEccl 2:13, שְׁ Eccl 3:18.
  b. with accusative צָרַת נַפְשׁוֺ Gen 42:21 (i.e. saw it by out-ward signs), compare Hos 5:13. [Note, under 5 (rarely in other cases, and only Samuel Kings Jeremiah), Imperative + ידע Imperative: דַּע וּרְאֵה 1Sam 24:12; 2Sam 24:13; 1Kgs 20:22 דְּעִי וּרְאִי 1Sam 25:17; Jer 2:19 דְּעוּ וּרְאוּ 1Sam 12:17; 1Sam 14:38; 1Sam 23:22; 1Kgs 20:7; 2Kgs 5:7 in reverse order, רְאוּ וּדְעוּ 1Sam 23:23; Jer 5:1.]
6. look at, see, by direct volition:
  a. subject men, with accusative of thing, Gen 9:22; Gen 9:23 (J), Gen 42:9; Gen 42:12 (E), Lev 13:3; Lev 13:15 +; with accusative of land = reconnoitre Josh 2:1 look at sun, etc., for worship Deut 4:19; Job 31:26 = inspect 1Kgs 9:12; Lev 14:36 (twice in verse); with accusative of person Num 24:20; Num 24:21 (JE), Exod 2:25; Lev 13:3; Lev 13:5 (all P), 1Sam 9:16 +, (1Sam 19:15 HPS proposes אֶלבֵּֿית for לִרְאוֺת); with preposition אַחֲרִי רֹאִי ׳ר Gen 16:13 (J) I have looked after one seeing me (interpretation see Di).
  b. subject God, with accusative of thing Gen 9:16 (P); = inspect Gen 11:5 (J); look at with favour, accusative of person Job 37:24; Ps 138:6 so perhaps figurative, subject man, regard, with accusative אָוֶן Ps 66:18 (Hup-Now; Che Bae Dr and others intend); look with pleasure (accusative omitted, + מִן by reason of, as a fruit of) Isa 53:11 (si vera); insert accusative אוֺר ᵐ5 Houb Klo Du CheHpt Kit [perhaps], with Hiph`il יַרְאֶה ᵐ5 Du CheHpt, rescues from travail his soul, makes it see light).
  c. without accusative, look, take a look, etc. (of man and God; often + וְהִנֵּה ), Gen 8:13; Gen 18:2; Exod 3:2; Lev 13:8; Lam 3:50 (מִן local), Gen 13:14 (מִן local + ה locative), Deut 3:27; Ezek 40:4; Ezek 44:5 (all בְּעֵינֶיךָ), + often; peculiarly, תִרְאוּ וְכֵן תַּעֲשׂוּ מִמֶּנִּי Judg 7:17 (compare GFM).
  d. look after, see after, learn about, with accusative of thing Gen 37:14 (J), with accusative of person = visit (go to see) 1Sam 15:35; 1Sam 20:29; 2Sam 13:5; 2Sam 13:6; 2Kgs 8:29 = 2Chr 22:6; 2Kgs 9:16, compare Ezek 20:28, עֵין רֹאִי Job 7:8 (Di Bu and others).
  e. observe, watch, absolute, 1Sam 6:9; 1Sam 6:16; 1Sam 17:28; Eccl 8:16 (|| ידע). feminine look upon = endure to see, with accusative of thing Hab 1:13 (|| הִבִּיט).
  g. look out, find out, accusative of person 2Kgs 9:2; Gen 41:33 (E), + ל person 1Sam 16:17 select, accusative of person + מִן from among 2Kgs 10:3, + ב among + ל person 1Sam 16:1 provide, furnish,, with accusative of thing Deut 33:21 (poem), + ל person Gen 22:8 (E), compare absolute יִרְאֶה ׳י as proper name, of a location = ׳י seeth vGen 22:14 a (E; ? read יֵרָאֶה, compare vb, Niph`al and Di); רְאֻיוֺת Esth 2:9 looked out = suitable (as often Late Hebrew).
  h. look at = concern oneself about, accusative of thing (+ בְּיָדוֺ) Gen 39:23 (J).
7. of mental observation:
  a. Imperative see ! observe ! consider ! exclamation (nearly = הִנֵּה), followed by clause: Gen 27:27; Gen 31:50 see ! God is witness Gen 39:14; Gen 41:41; Exod 4:21; Deut 1:8 +; followed by independent noun 2Sam 24:22 (|| 1Chr 21:23 followed by clause).
  b. look at, i.e. inquire into, a matter, accusative of thing omitted, of ׳י, 1Sam 24:16 (Gi v.1Sam 24:15).
  c. give attention to, accusative of thing, Jer 2:31, absolute give attention ! 2Sam 13:28; 2Kgs 6:32; Exod 25:40; Ps 45:11 take heed to, accusative of thing, 1Kgs 12:16 = 2Chr 10:16 absolute take heed ! Exod 10:10, + פֶּן 2Kgs 10:23.
  d. discern, חָכְמָה ׳לִבִּי ר Eccl 1:16, טוֺב ׳ר Eccl 3:13.
  e. distinguish, with בֵּיןלְ֗֗֗ of person Mal 3:18. feminine consider, reflect, Eccl 7:14 (followed by clause oratio recta [direct speech]).
8. a. with ב, literally, look into, hence look at with interest (German 'sich vertiefen in'): (I) gaze at 1Sam 6:19 (on context see We Dr HPS), so as to become acquainted with Gen 34:1 (P); so as to find out Eccl 3:22 inspect liver (for omens) Ezek 21:26 some - what weakened = behold Job 3:9; 2Chr 7:3; Ps 64:9. (2) look at with kindness, of ׳י, בָּעֳנִי Gen 29:32; 1Sam 1:11 ( + infinitive absolute), 2Sam 16:12, בַּצַּר Ps 106:44. (3) upon a spectacle causing anger Exod 2:11 (E), grief Gen 21:16 (E), Gen 44:34; Num 11:15 (both J), 2Kgs 22:20 (subject עֵינָיִם) = 2Chr 34:28; Esth 8:6 (twice in verse), abhorrence Isa 66:24. (4) gaze at with apprehension Eccl 11:4. (5) with joy, pleasure, 2Kgs 10:16; Mic 7:9; Jer 29:32; Isa 52:8 (עַיִן בְּעַיִן, compare Niph`al Num 14:14), Job 20:17; Job 33:28; Ps 54:9; Ps 106:5; Ps 128:5; Song 3:11; Song 6:11 a Eccl 2:1. (6) especially with exultation, triumph = feast eyes upon, sometimes gloat over (fallen enemies), Judg 16:27; Mic 7:10; Ezek 28:17; Obad 1:12; Obad 1:13; Ps 22:18; Ps 112:8; Ps 118:7.
  b. with אֶל person Isa 17:7 (subject עֵינַיִם; || שָׁעַה עַל); עַל person Exod 5:21 (J); עַלהָֿאָבְנָ֑יִם׳ר Exod 1:16 see [ אֹבֶן] and Comm., also SpiegelbZA xiv (June 1900), 269 ff.
  c. with ל, לַלֵּבָב ׳לַעֵינַיִם וְיוה יִר ׳הָאָדָם יִר 1Sam 16:7, מִי יִרְאֶהלָּֿ֑מוֺ Ps 64:6. — Corrupt is וּרְאִיתַנִי כְתוֺר הָאָדָם 1Chr 17:17 (and || וְזֹאת תּוֺרַת הָאָדָם 2Sam 7:19), read וַתַּרְאֵנִי (with other changes) We Dr Kau Bu HPS Now; Ezek 12:12 read probably Niph`al ᵐ5 Hi Co Krae; Mic 6:9 read probably יִרְאָה compare Now GASm. Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נִרְאָה Gen 48:3 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵרָאֶה Gen 22:14 +, jussive יֵרָא Exod 34:3; Lev 9:6, וַיֵּרָא Gen 12:17 +; 1 singular וָאֵרָא Exod 6:3, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הֵרָאֵה 1Kgs 18:1 Infinitive construct לְהֵרָאוֺת 1Sam 17:17 +, לֵרָאוֺת Isa 1:12 + 2 t., הֵרָאֹה Judg 13:21; 1Sam 3:21, etc.; —
1. appear, especially
  a. of ׳י (God): with אֶל person Gen 12:7 (twice in verse) + 6 t. J, Gen 35:1 (E), vGen 35:9; Gen 48:3; Exod 6:3 (בְּאֵל שַׁדַּי, ב essent.), Lev 9:4 (all P), 1Kgs 3:5; 1Kgs 9:2 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 7:12; 1Kgs 11:9 with ל person Jer 31:3; 2Chr 1:7; 2Chr 3:1 (insert ׳י ᵐ5 Kau Kit); absolute Gen 22:14 in the mountain where ׳י appeareth (probably, Di StaG i. 450 Dr Hast. DB ii. 563; E), Num 14:14 (J E; עַיִן בְּעַיִן, see Isa 52:8 Qal 8 a (5)), Lev 16:2 (P; ב location +עַל), 1Sam 3:21 (ב location), 2Sam 22:11 (עַלכַּֿנְפֵירֿוּחַ; < וַיֵּדֶא || Ps 18:11), + 5 t.; of ׳מַלְאַךְ י, with אֶל person Exod 3:2 (E), Judg 13:2l; of ׳כְּבוֺד י; with אֶל person Lev 9:6; Lev 9:23; Num 14:10 (ב location), Num 16:19; Num 20:6 (all P), Judg 6:12; Judg 13:3 עַל person Isa 60:2 absolute Exod 16:10 (ב location), Num 17:7 (both P).
  b. appear, of man, = present oneself: with אֶל person Gen 46:29 (J), Judg 13:10; 1Kgs 18:1; 1Kgs 18:2; 1Kgs 18:15; Lev 13:7 (twice in verse); Lev 13:19, אֶל of God Ps 84:8 (ב location), אֶלפְּֿנֵי הָאָדֹן Exod 23:17 (E); absolute Isa 16:12 (strike out as dittograph Lo Du CheHpt Marti and others); especially (Masora) followed by (אֶתֿ)פְּנֵי of ׳י, rendered appear before ׳י: so וְנִרְאָה 1Sam 1:22, יֵרָאֶה Exod 34:23 (JE), Deut 16:10, וְאֵרָאֶה Ps 42:3, יֵרָאוּ Exod 23:15 (E), Exod 34:20 (JE), Deut 16:16, לֵרָאוֺת Exod 34:24 (JE), Deut 31:11; Isa 1:12 read probably in all Qal (see [ פָּנֶה] II.2).


  c. appear, of things: late (Hexateuch only P), absolute Gen 1:9; Gen 8:5, with ב location Gen 9:14; Lev 13:14; Lev 13:57 elsewhere poet, Ps 18:16 = 2Sam 22:16; Ps 90:16; Prov 27:25 (of דֶּשֶׁא), Song 2:12 (ב location; of blossoms); subject מַרְאֵיהֶם Dan 1:15 ( +adjective predicate), vDan 1:13 (+ לְפָנֶיךָ); subject חָזוֺן, with אֶל person Dan 8:1 (twice in verse); subject כְּנֶגַע Lev 14:35 (with ל person).

2. be seen:
  a. subject thing, 1Kgs 10:12 = 2Chr 9:11 (where כָּהֶם subject) Ezek 19:11, of sins Ezek 21:29 (|| הִגָּלוֺת), subject כָּזֹאת Judg 19:30, כְּאֶבֶן etc. Ezek 10:1.
  b. subject person 2Sam 17:17 ( +לָבוֺא) be seen to come.
  c. be seen = occur 2Kgs 23:24 (ב location); = exist, +ל person Exod 13:7 (twice in verse) (JE), Deut 16:4, compare Ezek 10:8 = be present, + ב location Judg 5:8; Exod 34:3 (JE).
3. be visible, Exod 33:23 (J E; subject ׳י's face), אֵין אֶבֶן נִרְאָה 1Kgs 6:18; 1Kgs 8:8 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 5:9 (twice in verse), Jer 13:26; Isa 47:3. Pu`al Perfect 3 plural עַצְמֹתָיו לֹא רֻוְּ Job 33:21 (Baer Gi; d. f. Ki i. 41, 563, Mappik Ges«GKC:14d»§ 14d; van d. H. רֻאוּ), apparently his bones are not seen, detected; De which were (formerly) not seen; Di are insignificant ('un-scheinbar'), so Bae; probably corrupt, Bu נָאווּ, Du strike out as doublet. Hithpa`el reciprocal look at each other: Imperfect 2 masculine plural לָ֫מָּה תִּתְרָאוּ Gen 42:1 (E); techn. 3 masculine plural וַיִּתְרָאוּ פָנִים 2Kgs 14:11 = 2Chr 25:21 and they looked each other in the face, i.e. met in combat, so 1 pl, ׳נִתְרָאֶה פ 2Kgs 14:8 = 2Chr 25:17, compare (perhaps) 2Kgs 23:29, where Wkl Benz conjectures כְּהִתְרָאוֺת אִתּוֺ (or Niph`al כְּהֵרָאוֺת אִתּוֺ) for ᵑ0 כִּרְאֹתוֺ אֹתוֺ. Hiph`il62 Perfect 3 masculine singular הֶרְאָה Gen 41:28 +, suffix הִרְאַנִי Amos 7:1 +, הֶרְאָ֑נִי Ezek 11:25, הֶרְאָנוּ Deut 5:21; Judg 13:23, הֶרְאֱךָ Deut 4:36 1 singular יְהַרְאֵיתִ֫י Nah 3:5 (Ges«GKC:53p»§ 53p), suffix הֶרְאִיתִיךָ Deut 34:4, הִרְאִיתִים Isa 39:4 compare || 2Kgs 20:15, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַרְאֶה Isa 30:30, וַיַּרְא 2Kgs 11:4, suffix יַרְאֵנִי Num 23:3; Ps 59:11 1 singular suffix אַרְאֶךָּ Gen 12:1 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix הַרְאֵנִי Exod 33:18, etc.; Infinitive construct הַרְאוֺת Deut 3:24 +, suffix הַרְאוֺתְכָה Ezek 40:4
1. a. cause one to see something, shew: (I) subject man, with accusative of person + thing, Num 13:26b (JE), Judg 1:24; Judg 1:25; 2Kgs 20:13 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 20:15 = Isa 39:2 (twice in verse); Isa 39:4 + 4 t., accusative of thing omitted Ezek 40:4; Esth 4:8, accusative reflexive נַפְשׁוֺ +accusative of thing Eccl 2:24 מִי יַרְאֵנוּ טוֺב Ps 4:7, accusative of person omitted, = exhibit Esth 1:4 with 2 accusative of person Judg 4:22; 2Kgs 11:4. (2) especially subject ׳י (God), with accusative of person + thing, Gen 12:1; Exod 9:16 (both J), Gen 41:28; Gen 48:11 (both E), Exod 33:18; Deut 34:1b (both J E), Deut 3:24; Deut 4:36; Deut 5:21; Josh 5:6 (D), Exod 25:9 (P), Judg 13:23 + 5 t. + (of revelation to prophets) Num 23:3 (JE), Jer 38:21; Ezek 11:25, also, with accusative of thing of cognate meaning, Num 8:4 (P), accusative of thing omitted Deut 34:4 (JE), accusative of person omitted = exhibit, Isa 30:30 of visions, ׳י subject, with accusative of person +כֹּה Amos 7:1; Amos 7:4; Amos 7:7; Amos 8:1, +כַּאֲשֶׁר Exod 27:8 (P), with accusative of person only = cause to see [a vision] Jer 24:1 with 2 accusative of person + apposition 2Kgs 8:13, accusative of person + clause with כִּי v2Kgs 8:10. (3) subject angel, accusative of person + thing, of revelation to prophet Zech 2:3; Zech 3:1 accusative of person + clause with מָה Zech 1:9.
  b. cause, to experience something, with accusative of person + thing, subject ׳י, Hab 1:3; Ps 60:5; Ps 71:20; Ps 85:8. Psalm
2. cause to look intently at, to behold, with accusative of person +ב of thing (compare Qal 8), subject ׳י:
  a. cause to gaze at, with joy Ps 50:23; Ps 91:16.
  b. in exultation, cause to feast one's eyes upon, fallen enemies Ps 59:11 (compare MI7)
  c. in weakened sense, cause to behold Deut 1:33 (compare Dr). Psalms
Hoph`al 1. be caused to see, be shewn: Perfect 2 masculine singular הָרְאֵיתָ, subject man, accusative of thing, Exod 26:30 (P; ב location); so Participle מָרְאֶה Exod 25:40 (P; ב location); followed by infinitive אַתָּה הָרְאֵתָ לָדַעַת כִּי Deut 4:35.
2. be exhibited to, subject thing, accusative of person, Perfect 3 masculine singular consecutive וְהָרְאָה אֶתהַֿכֹּהֵן Lev 13:49 (P).


BDB7661 H7200 H7207

BDB7660 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7662

רַאֲוָה Ezek 28:17 see √Qal Infinitive, and 8 a (6).


BDB9876 H7200

BDB9875 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9877

ר

ראה (√ of following; not Aramaic; Biblical Hebrew רָאָה see).

see, saw, seen, behold, looked, …
rāʾâ
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
    • (Qal)
      • to see
      • "to see, perceive"to see, have vision"to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out"to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish"to look at, gaze at
      (Niphal)
      • to appear, present oneself
      • "to be seen"to be visible
      (Pual) to be seen"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to see, show
      • "to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
      (Hophal)
      • to be caused to see, be shown
      • "to be exhibited to
      (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

מָה
מָה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

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

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

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


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

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

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


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

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

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

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: הֵם · hame

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

they ×204 and they ×49 in those ×34 are they ×33 these ×15 but they ×12 them ×10 those ×8
More options
they — Default third-person plural pronoun; broadest usage.
them — Use when serving as object of verb or preposition.
those — Demonstrative use; points to a specific group or set.
these — Demonstrative, near reference; contrasts with distant group.
who — Relative pronoun use; links back to a preceding noun.
themselves — Reflexive or emphatic contexts stressing the subject.

BDB2087 H1931 H1992 H2007

BDB2086 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2088

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


BDB2188 H1992 H2004 H3860 H3861

BDB2187 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2189

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except probably in so far as the longer or shorter from was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences: on the whole הֵמָּה (alone) is somewhat more frequently than הֵם, הָהֵם on the contrary is said regularly, הָהֵמָּה occurring only 12 t., namely Num 9:7 (P), Jer 14:15; Zech 14:15, and in the phrase בַּ(הַ)מִָים הָהֵמָּה 2Kgs 18:4; Jer 3:16; Jer 3:18; Jer 5:18; Jer 50:4; Joel 3:2; Joel 4:1; Zech 8:23; Neh 13:15, though בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם is much more common) pronoun 3 plural masculine (הֵמָּה used incorrectly for the feminine Zech 5:10; Ruth 1:22; Song 6:8), feminine הֵ֫נָּה [Late Hebrew also הֵן, which occurs however in Biblical Hebrew only after a prefix: see below 8], pronoun 3 plural they (Biblical Aramaic הִמּוֺ, q. v.; , ; Ethiopic (one form) 'em¥n-t¥, em¹n-t¥; compare also for the dissyllabic form, the suffix -œm¥ [feminine -œn]; perhaps also Assyrian suffix šunu, šina [ni], compare references below הוּא). In usage not different in genl. from הוּא, הִיא (which see, under the corresponding headings, for fuller explanations), thus: —

1. a. Gen 6:4; Exod 5:7 הֵם יֵָֽלְכוּ let them (emphatic) go and gather straw, Num 31:16; Isa 24:14; Hos 4:14; Hos 7:3 etc.; after כִּי Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7. (For the use in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 160, 169.)
  b. Judg 1:22 ויעלו ֗֗֗ גַם הֵם, Deut 2:11 (אַף הֵם), Deut 3:20; Josh 9:4; Ezek 30:17.
  c. Exod 18:22 every small matter יִשְׁפְּטוּהֵֿם let them judge themselves, vExod 18:26; Jer 15:19; Jer 17:18; Ps 109:28; Esth 9:1.
  d. Gen 33:6; Gen 44:3; Judg 6:5 etc.
  e. compare Neh 10:38.

2. a. (Resuming the subject with emphasis) Gen 14:24 (note accents), Deut 1:39; Ps 23:4; Ps 27:2 (accents), Ps 37:9; Ps 107:24; Ezek 36:7; Ezek 44:15.
  b. Isa 30:7; Ezek 27:13; Ezek 27:17; Ezek 27:21 compare Isa 44:11.
  c. Num 14:27 a Jer 27:9; Ezek 43:19 אֲשֶׁר הֵם מִזֶּרַע צָדוֺק, Eccl 4:2; Neh 2:13.
**הֵמָּה כִּדְוֵי לַחֻמִי Job 6:7 read perhaps ׳וַהֲמָה וגו (or זָָֽהֲמָה) it is loathesome (√ זהס).

3. a. Gen 3:7; Exod 5:8 כִּי נִרְפִּים הֵם for they are idle, Exod 14:3; Exod 15:23; Exod 29:33 etc. (the opposite order rare: Num 11:16; Isa 61:9, compare DePs 94:11).
  b. Gen 34:21; Gen 34:23; Gen 41:26; Gen 48:5 שׁני בניך ֗֗֗ לִי הֵם thy two sons . . ., they are mine, Exod 32:16 + often: Isa 41:22 הָרִאשֹׁנוֺת מָה הֵנָּה, Isa 49:21 אֵלֶּה אֵיפֹה הֵם these — where were they? Zeph 2:12 after אַתֶּם, peculiarly (compare Dr§ 198 Obs. 2).
  c. Deut 20:15 אֲשֶׁר לֹאמֵֿעָרֵי הַגֹּויִם הָאֵלֶּה הֵנָּה, Judg 19:12; 1Kgs 9:20.
  d. 2Kgs 7:10 כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה. (Prov 19:7 Kt לֹאהֵֿמָּה is probably corrupt: see Commentaries)

4. a. Prov 30:24 אַרְבָּעָה הֵם קְטַנֵּיאָֿ֑רֶץ four things are they, the little ones of the earth, vProv 30:29 (compare before a rel. clause vProv 30:15 vProv 30:18; Prov 6:16) Song 6:8; Isa 51:19 שְׁתַּיִם הֵנָּה קֹרְאֹתַיִךְ, 1Chr 9:26 (see הוא 4 a).
  b. (β) Gen 21:29 מָה הֵנָּה שֶׁבַע ֗֗֗ literally What are they — these seven sheep? Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5. (γ) אֵלֶּה ֗֗֗ הֵם Gen 25:16 (= 1Chr 1:36) Lev 23:2; Num 3:20; Num 3:21; Num 3:27; Num 3:33; 1Sam 4:8; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 12:15 (see Dr § 201, 3).

6. a. In a neuter sense (rare), Job 6:7 הֵמָּה כִּדְוֵי לַחמִי they (i.e. such sufferings as mine) are as loathsomeness in my meat, Jer 7:4 ׳הֵיכַל י הֵמָּה they (i.e. these buildings) are the temple of ׳י; and in the feminine, Lev 5:22 of all that a man doeth to sin בָּהֵנָּה therein, 1Chr 21:10 מֵהֵנָּה (|| 2Sam 24:12 מֵהֶם); 2Sam 12:8; Job 23:14 כָּהֵנָּה things such as these.

7. With art. הָהֵם, Gen 6:4; Exod 2:11; Num 14:38 + often; הָהֵמָּה 12 t. (see above); הָהֵנָּה 1Sam 17:28.


[Note]

N.B.Ezek 8:6 Kt מָהֵם stands for מָה הֵם (so Qr), compare מַזֶּה for מַהזֶּֿה Exod 4:2; 2Kgs 9:18 עַדהֵֿם is irregular for עֲדֵיהֶם; 2Sam 4:6 ׳וְהֵנָּה וג is textual error for ׳וְהִנֵּה שֹׁעֶרֶת הַבַּיִת סֹקְלָה חִטִּים וג see We Dr (ᵐ5 & RVm).

8. With preps. (in lieu of the normal, and more usual, forms with suffixes בָּהֶם, לָהֶם, מֵהֶם etc. [כָּהֶם & כָּהֶן, however, each once only, כְּמוֺהֶם thrice: see כְּ]) —
  a.בָּהֵמָּה Exod 30:4; Exod 36:1 (both P), Hab 1:16 כָּהֵמָּה Jer 36:32 לְהֵמָּה Jer 14:16 מֵהֵמָּה Jer 10:2; Eccl 12:12.
  b. כָּהֵם 2Sam 24:3 Yahweh add to the people כָּהֵם וְכָהֵם מֵאָה פְעָמִים the like of themselves and the like of themselves 100 times, = 1Chr 21:3 (but כָּהֵם here only once, compare Deut 1:11 בָּכֶם), 2Chr 9:11; Eccl 9:12.
  c. בָּהֵנָּה Lev 5:22 (P) Num 13:19 (JE) Jer 5:17: כָּהֵנָּה Gen 41:19; 2Sam 12:8 וְאֹסִפָה לְךָ כָּהֵנָּה וְכָהֵנָּה, Job 23:14: לָהֵנָּה Ezek 1:5; Ezek 1:23 (twice in verse); Ezek 42:9; Zech 5:9: מֵהֵנָּה Lev 4:2 (P) Isa 34:16; Jer 5:6; Ezek 16:51; Ezek 42:5; Ps 34:21; 1Chr 21:10 (|| 2Sam 24:12 מֵהֶם).
  d. בָּהֵן Gen 19:29 (P) Gen 30:26; Gen 30:37; Exod 25:29; Exod 37:16 (both P) Lev 10:1; Lev 11:21; Lev 14:40; Num 10:3; Num 16:7 (all P) Deut 28:52; Jer 4:29; Jer 48:9; Jer 51:43 (twice in verse) (בָּהֶן thrice only); כָּהֵן Ezek 18:14 (editions; Baer כָּהֶן); לָהֵן ( = therefore) Ruth 1:13 (twice in verse) (also Biblical Aramaic); מֵהֵן Ezek 16:47; Ezek 16:52 (editions; Baer מֵהֶן). With the exception of כָּחֵנָּה, these forms are found mostly in P and writers not earlier than Jeremiah; b and d, however, depend solely on the punctuation.)


BDB9475 H1994 H1992

BDB9474 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9476

הִמּוֺ9 (Ezra), הִמּוֺן3 (Daniel), pronoun 3 plural they, them (= Biblical Hebrew הֵם, הֵמָּה, q. v., but the more original forms. Egyptian Aramaic המו CIS145 B 4 (Cooke207),149 A 1, S-CPap. C 7, 10 +; not ᵑ7 Syriac, which use אִנּוּן , , instead; Arabic , . The n in הִמּוֺן, as in דֵּין, אִלֵּין, by the side of זֶה, אֵלֶּה, ; M 86 WCG 106); — they, them:
  a. as nominative Ezra 5:11 אֲבַחְנָא הִמּוֺ עַבְדוֺהִי we are his servants (construction as in Syriac, § 312 D Matt 5:13, K§ 87. 3).
  b. as accusative (in Biblical Aramaic, as in Syriac, there being no verbal suffix of 3 plural; so Egyptian Aramaic Cooke76 B 4, S-CPap. E 5 +), En 2:34 והדקת הִמּוֺ and crushed them, v35; 3:22; Ezra 4:10; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:5; Ezra 5:12; Ezra 5:14 (twice in verse); Ezra 5:15; Ezra 7:17. — compare אִנּוּן.

they, those, these, them, who, …
hēm
they (only used when emphatic)
  • they, these, the same, who

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אֵלֶּה · ale-LEH

Noun — Common, plural plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: these
these ×407 and these ×70 of these ×31 those ×26 are these ×21 now these ×21 these things ×7 in these ×6
More options
these — Most common modern rendering; use for nearby or just-listed items.
those — Use when referencing items more distant in context.
these things — Adds slight emphasis when referencing a list or concepts.
such — Use when אֵלֶּה has a qualitative or categorical sense.
the following — Useful when introducing an enumerated list ahead.

BDB424 H428

BDB423 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB425

אֵ֫לֶּה ( Rabb אֵלּוּ, Aramaic אִלֵּין, & compd. with and in , ) pronoun plural masculine & feminine these, in usage the plural of זֶה.
  a. Gen 2:4 & often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (always without the article) Exod 9:14 (read with Hi. אֵלֶּה בְּךָ for אֶללִֿבְּךָ) Exod 10:1 אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה these my signs, Exod 11:8; Deut 11:18; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 10:8; 1Kgs 22:23; 2Kgs 1:13; Jer 31:21; Ezra 2:65; Neh 6:14 in the genitive 2Kgs 6:20; Isa 47:9; Deut 18:12; Ps 15:5 and after כל Gen 14:3 + often Standing alone in a neuter sense, these things (rare in best prose, & not very common in poetry), with עָשָׂה Deut 18:12; Deut 22:5; Deut 25:16; 2Sam 23:17; 2Sam 23:22; Ps 15:5 +; with other verbs Ezra 9:1; Isa 44:21; Isa 47:7; Jer 13:22; Hos 14:10; Ps 42:5; Ps 50:21; Ps 107:43; Job 8:2 with אֶתֿ Num 15:13; Isa 48:14 with כָּלֿ Judg 13:23; Isa 66:2 +; see also some of the cases with prepositions below
  d. אלה may point indifferently to what follows, Gen 6:9; Gen 10:1; Gen 25:7; Gen 25:12; Gen 25:13; Ps 42:5 or to what has preceded, Gen 9:19; Gen 10:20; Gen 10:31; Gen 10:32; Gen 25:4; Lev 21:14; Lev 22:22; Ps 15:5 = such as these (τοιαῦτα), Ps 73:12; Job 18:21.
  b. repeated, אלהו֗֗֗אלה, these . . . those Deut 27:13; Josh 8:22; Isa 49:12 (3 t.) Ps 20:8 +.
  c. with the art. (but only after a substantive determined likewise by the article) הָאֵלֶּה Gen 15:1 + often.

**in Josh 17:9 עָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, read הֶעָרִים, compare Josh 17:12; Josh 19:8; Josh 19:16; Josh 19:31; Josh 19:48, etc.
  d. with prepositions: בְּאֵלֶּה Lev 25:54; Lev 26:23; 1Kgs 22:11 (7 t.), בָּאֵלֶּה 1Sam 16:10; 1Sam 17:39 לְאֵלֶּה Lev 11:24 (4 t), לָאֵלֶּה 1Kgs 22:17 (5 t.); מֵאֵלֶּה Gen 9:19 (16 t.); עַד אֵלֶּה Lev 26:18 עַלאֵֿלֶּה on account of these things Isa 57:6; Isa 64:11; Jer 5:9 and elsewhere; כְּאֵלֶּה Job 16:2; Jer 10:16 = Jer 51:19, כָּאֵלֶּה Gen 27:46; Lev 10:19 (things like these, so Isa 66:8; Jer 18:13) Num 28:24 P (compare Ezek 45:25) 2Kgs 25:17 = Jer 52:22, כְּמוֺאֵֿלֶּה Job 12:3.


BDB9303 H459 H1836 H428

BDB9302 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9304

אִלֵּין (אִלֵּן Dan 2:44; Dan 6:7) demonstrative pronoun plural these (plural of דְּנָה, q. v.: Palmyrene אלן (Lzb264 Eph. i. 343, 345 Cooke26); ᵑ7 אילין; Mandean עלין (M 89 f.); Talmud (with emphatic hâ prefixed, WCG:109) הָאִלֵּין: see further below Biblical Hebrew אֵלֶּה, and add Egyptian Aramaic אלו Cooke26); — these, only Daniel: Dan 2:40 דִּי מְרָעַע כָּלֿ, נִלֵּין, vDan 2:44 כָּלאִֿלֵּן מַלְכְוָתָא, Dan 6:3 אֲחַדְֵַּרְפְּנַיָּא אִלֵּין (so v.Dan 6:7), Dan 7:17 אִלֵּיץ חֵיוָתָא.

these, those, things, this, them, …
ʾēlle
these or those
  • these
    • used before antecedent
    • "used following antecedent

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וָאֹמַ֖ר Tipeha — a lesser break מָה אֵ֣לֶּה אֲדֹנִ֑י Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י Revia — a lesser break הַמַּלְאָךְ֙ Pashta — a lesser break הַדֹּבֵ֣ר בִּ֔י Zaqef Qatan — a strong break אֲנִ֥י אַרְאֶ֖ךָּ Tipeha — a lesser break מָה הֵ֥מָּה אֵֽלֶּה Silluq — end of the verse

וָאֹמַר מָה-אֵלֶּה אֲדֹנִי וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי אֲנִי אַרְאֶךָּ מָה-הֵמָּה אֵֽלֶּה׃
9
Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
Cross References

Zechariah 4:4

וָאַעַן וָֽאֹמַר אֶל-הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי לֵאמֹר מָה-אֵלֶּה אֲדֹנִֽי׃
4
So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

Revelation 7:13

Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς ἐκ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων λέγων μοι Οὗτοι οἱ περιβεβλημένοι τὰς στολὰς τὰς λευκὰς τίνες εἰσὶν καὶ πόθεν ἦλθον
13
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence they? came

Zechariah 2:3

וְהִנֵּה הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי יֹצֵא וּמַלְאָךְ אַחֵר יֹצֵא לִקְרָאתֽוֹ׃
3
And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

Zechariah 5:5

וַיֵּצֵא הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה מָה הַיּוֹצֵאת הַזֹּֽאת׃
5
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

Zechariah 1:19

וָאֹמַר אֶל-הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי מָה-אֵלֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי אֵלֶּה הַקְּרָנוֹת אֲשֶׁר זֵרוּ אֶת-יְהוּדָה אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל וִירוּשָׁלָֽם׃
19
And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

Daniel 9:22

וַיָּבֶן וַיְדַבֵּר עִמִּי וַיֹּאמַר דָּנִיֵּאל עַתָּה יָצָאתִי לְהַשְׂכִּילְךָ בִינָֽה׃
22
And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

Genesis 31:11

וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי מַלְאַךְ הָֽאֱלֹהִים בַּֽחֲלוֹם יַֽעֲקֹב וָֽאֹמַר הִנֵּֽנִי׃
11
And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

Zechariah 4:11

וָאַעַן וָאֹמַר אֵלָיו מַה-שְּׁנֵי הַזֵּיתִים הָאֵלֶה עַל-יְמִין הַמְּנוֹרָה וְעַל-שְׂמֹאולָֽהּ׃
11
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Revelation 17:1

Καὶ ἦλθεν εἷς ἐκ τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλων τῶν ἐχόντων τὰς ἑπτὰ φιάλας καὶ ἐλάλησεν μετ' ἐμοῦ λέγων μοι Δεῦρο δείξω σοι τὸ κρίμα τῆς πόρνης τῆς μεγάλης τῆς καθημένης ἐπὶ τῶν ὑδάτων τῶν πολλῶν
1
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Zechariah 6:4

וָאַעַן וָֽאֹמַר אֶל-הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי מָה-אֵלֶּה אֲדֹנִֽי׃
4
Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

Daniel 8:15

וַיְהִי בִּרְאֹתִי אֲנִי דָנִיֵּאל אֶת-הֶחָזוֹן וָאֲבַקְשָׁה בִינָה וְהִנֵּה עֹמֵד לְנֶגְדִּי כְּמַרְאֵה-גָֽבֶר׃
15
And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

Revelation 19:9

Καὶ λέγει μοι Γράψον· Μακάριοι οἱ εἰς τὸ δεῖπνον τοῦ γάμου τοῦ ἀρνίου κεκλημένοι καὶ λέγει μοι Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι ἀληθινοὶ εἰσιν τοῦ θεοῦ
9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Daniel 10:11

וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי דָּנִיֵּאל אִישׁ-חֲמֻדוֹת הָבֵן בַּדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי דֹבֵר אֵלֶיךָ וַעֲמֹד עַל-עָמְדֶךָ כִּי עַתָּה שֻׁלַּחְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ וּבְדַבְּרוֹ עִמִּי אֶת-הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה עָמַדְתִּי מַרְעִֽיד׃
11
And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

Daniel 7:16

קִרְבֵת עַל-חַד מִן-קָאֲמַיָּא וְיַצִּיבָא אֶבְעֵֽא-מִנֵּהּ עַֽל-כָּל-דְּנָה וַאֲמַר-לִי וּפְשַׁר מִלַּיָּא יְהוֹדְעִנַּֽנִי׃
16
I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

Revelation 22:8

καὶ ἐγὼ Ἰωάννης βλέπων ταῦτα καὶ ἀκούων καὶ ὅτε ἤκουσα καὶ ἔβλεψα ἔπεσα προσκυνῆσαι ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν τοῦ ἀγγέλου τοῦ δεικνύοντός μοι ταῦτα
8
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the which angel shewed me these things.