1 Samuel 13:20

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

וירדו וַיֵּרְדוּ

and they are descending

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wāw

Definition

sequential 'and'

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

Vav Conversive/Consecutive: The category “vav conversive / vav consecutive” is not an ancient grammatical datum; it is a modern explanatory construct, developed by early Hebraists to force Biblical Hebrew into a Latin/chronological tense model that it simply does not share.

The notion arose in early modern grammar (17th–19th c.) when scholars assumed:
- verbs must encode tense,
- narratives must advance by past → present → future,
- therefore Hebrew forms that “don’t behave” must be converted.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

ירד

yârad

Definition

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3381

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יָרַד

verb • Root ירד • Strongs / High • Page 644

to fall from or down, to go down, descend, come down.

יָרַד

verb • Root ירד • Strongs / High • Page 645

To go down, descend. This verb has numerous applications, including: to be brought down, to fall down, to run downwards (like a boundary), to sink or perish, to descend (like a shadow on a sundial), to come down (as a manifestation of God), to rush down to battle, to enter a lower place (e.g., a ship or well), to walk down to a lower location, to travel to a lower country, to flow down (like a stream), or to fall (like rain or dew).

יָרַד

verb • Root ירד • Strongs / High • Page 755

to go down to

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

יָרַד

verb • Page 297

To go down, to descend. Used for journeys from higher to lower terrain, such as to Egypt (Gen. 12:10), Philistia (1 Sam. 13:20), or southwards (1 Sam. 25:1). Also refers to inanimate objects, such as a road leading down (Prov. 7:27) or streams flowing down (Deut. 9:21). Metaphorically, it means to fall in wealth or circumstances (Deut. 28:43). Hiphil form הוֹרִיד: to make to go down, to bring down, or to cast down (Gen. 37:25, Prov. 21:22). Hophal form הוּרַד is the passive of Hiphil (Gen. 39:1).

conjunctive, Verb Qal sequential imperfect third person masculine plural

LXX: κατέβη κατέβησαν καταβήσεται κατάβηθι καταβῆναι

LXX Usage Statistics

H3381:

κατέβη 76× (19.3%)

κατέβησαν 24× (6.1%)

καταβήσεται 23× (5.8%)

κατάβηθι 20× (5.3%)

καταβῆναι 9× (2.4%)

καταβαινόντων 9× (2.3%)

καταβήσονται 8× (2.0%)

καταβαίνοντεσ 7× (1.7%)

καταβήσῃ 7× (1.9%)

κατέβην 6× (1.6%)

כל כָל־

all

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

כל

kôl

Definition

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

Root

or (Jeremiah 33:8) כול; from H3634 (כלל);

Exhaustive

or (Jeremiah 33:8) כול; from כלל; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense); (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3605

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

כֹּל

noun / masculine • Root כלל • Strongs / High • Page 695

Properly 'all, whole, totality'. 1. Used adjectivally to mean 'all' or 'the whole of', as in 'all the earth'. 2. Describes a plurality of individual persons or things, translated as 'all'.

כֹּל

substantive / adverb • Root כלל • Strongs / High • Page 696

A substantive meaning all, the whole, every, any. When used with a negative, it means none at all. It can also function as an adverb meaning wholly or altogether.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

כֹּל

chald. • Page 316

Same as Hebrew (all, every). Often appears with Makkeph as -כֹּל. References: Dan. 2:40, 4:9, 18, 25.

כֹּל

m. verbal • Root כלל • Page 315

A substantive meaning 'all', 'the whole', or 'totality'. Frequently used as an adjective (Jer. 33:8). 1. all. 2. every one.

Noun common both singular construct

LXX: πάντα πᾶσ πάντεσ πᾶν πάντασ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3605:

πάντα 921× (17.0%)

πᾶσ 451× (8.4%)

πάντεσ 441× (8.4%)

πᾶν 351× (6.5%)

πάντασ 297× (5.6%)

πᾶσαν 267× (4.9%)

πάντων 242× (4.4%)

πάσασ 230× (4.4%)

--- 227× (4.5%)

πᾶσα 214× (4.0%)

ישראל יִשְׂרָאֵל

God-Contends

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ישראל

Yisrâʼêl

Definition

Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Root

from H8280 (שרה) and H410 (אל); he will rule as God;

Exhaustive

from שרה and אל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3478

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יִשְׂרָאֵל

noun proper masculine • Root שרה • Strongs / High • Page 662

A proper name with multiple meanings: the patriarch Jacob; the Israelite people; an honorary title for the pious; the northern kingdom of Israel; the whole kingdom after the exile.

יִשְׂרָאֵל

noun proper masculine • Root ישר • Strongs / High • Page 662

A proper name, meaning 'El is a true, honest one.' Described as a ground-form to יְשַׂרְאֵלָה.

Noun proper name

LXX: ισραηλ '' --- ιακωβ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3478:

ισραηλ 2245× (92.9%)

'' 57× (2.1%)

--- 50× (2.2%)

ισραηλ 8× (0.3%)

ιακωβ 4× (0.2%)

t? 4× (0.1%)

ιερουσαλημ 4× (0.2%)

[b] 3× (0.1%)

ισραηλίτου 3× (0.1%)

ισραηλίτιδοσ 3× (0.1%)

הפלשתים הַפְּלִשְׁתּים

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ה

Definition

the

Root

Demonstrative primitive

Exhaustive

definite article, the, used for all numbers and genders; originally a pronoun demonstrative, this. interrogative particle in direct and indirect questions; in disjunctive questions: whether--or.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

פלשת

Pᵉlesheth

Definition

Pelesheth, a region of Syria

Root

from H6428 (פלש); rolling, i.e. migratory;

Exhaustive

from פלש; rolling, i.e. migratory; Pelesheth, a region of Syria; Palestina, Palestine, Philistia, Philistines.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6429

פלשתי

Pᵉlishtîy

Definition

a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth

Root

patrial from H6429 (פלשת);

Exhaustive

patrial from פלשת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6430

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

פְּלַשְׁתִּים

noun proper • Consonantal / Medium • Page 1175

the Philistine Sea, i. e. the Mediterranean (Ex. 23, 31).

Matched via consonantal key only

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

פְּלֶשֶׁת

f. proper name • Page 545

Philistia, the proper name of a country in the southwestern part of Palestine. References: Gen. 10:14, Ex. 15:14, Is. 14:28.

Particle definite article, Noun gentilic masculine plural absolute

LXX: ἀλλοφύλων ἀλλόφυλοι ἀλλοφύλουσ '' φυλιστιιμ

LXX Usage Statistics

H6429:

ἀλλοφύλων 118× (41.1%)

ἀλλόφυλοι 73× (24.7%)

ἀλλοφύλουσ 27× (8.7%)

'' 17× (5.6%)

φυλιστιιμ 11× (3.9%)

ἀλλοφύλοισ 10× (2.7%)

ἀλλόφυλοσ 9× (2.9%)

ἀλλόφυλον 7× (2.3%)

ἀλλόφυλοι 6× (2.2%)

ἀλλοφύλου 6× (2.0%)

H6430:

No stats available

ללטוש לִ֠לְטוֹשׁ

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ל

lə

Definition

to, for

Root

A primitive particle; a prefix

Exhaustive

(lamed) — to / toward / for

Core value: orientation, directionality, belonging
ל is often mistranslated as purpose (“in order to”), but that smuggles in future-time. In reality, ל marks:
- movement toward,
- dedication unto,
- reference with respect to.
Aonically, ל is vectorial, not teleological.
not “for the sake of a future outcome”
but “oriented toward a locus or pole.”
This is why possession (“belongs to”) and motion (“toward”) use the same preposition: both indicate relational alignment, not time.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

לטש

lâṭash

Definition

properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen; instructer, sharp(-en), whet.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3913

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

לָטַשׁ

transitive verb • Root לטש • Strongs / High • Page 785

To push, strike, rub against a thing; then to hammer, to forge; to sharpen, to point, to whet (by hammering); figuratively to sharpen the eyes against one. The Pual form (לֻטַּשׁ) means 'to be whetted'.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

לָטַשׁ

verb • Root לטש • Page 346

1. to hammer, to forge (Gen. 4:22). 2. to sharpen by hammering (1 Sam. 13:20). Metaph. to sharpen eyes upon someone (Job 16:9). Pu. pass. Ps. 52:4.

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H3913:

No stats available

איש אִישׁ

a man/each one

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

איש

ʼîysh

Definition

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

Root

contracted for H582 (אנוש) (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant);

Exhaustive

contracted for אנוש (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אשה.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H376

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אִישׁ

noun masculine • Root אש • Strongs_Numbers • Page 117

1. a man, prop. strong; generally a man with relation to strength, courage and valour; a husband; with reference to sex, male, masculine (applied to men and beasts).

אִישׁ

noun masculine • Root אנש • Strongs_Numbers • Page 119

Used distributively as 'any one', 'each', 'every one'; used reciprocally as 'one another' (lit. a man to his brother); also used to express an antithetic or additional member.

אִישׁ

noun masculine • Root אנש • Strongs_Numbers • Page 929

Man. Example of a word where Nun is absorbed, from an older form אִנְשׁ.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אִישׁ

m. prim. irreg. • Root אנש אנוש • Page 46

1. man, i. q. Lat. vir; used collectively; often in apposition before other substantives (e.g., אִישׁ סָרִיס an eunuch, Jer. 38:7). Used as a designation of sex, even in animals (Gen. 7:2); hence a husband (Gen. 3:16). 2. joined with substantives to denote a possessor of a quality (e.g., אִישׁ אָוֶן a wicked wretch). 3. followed by אָח or רֵעַ, 'the one... the other'. 4. any one, some one (Ex. 16:29). 5. every one (Ex. 16:29). 6. used impersonally like French 'on' or German 'man' (1 Sam. 9:9).

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0376:

No stats available

את אֶת־

את-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

את

ʼêth

Definition

a hoe or other digging implement

Root

of uncertain derivation;

Exhaustive

of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement; coulter, plowshare.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H855

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

preposition • Page 82

1. with, together with (Gen. 4:1); 2. with, near by (Gen. 39:6); 3. in or on a place (1 Sam. 7:16); 4. besides (1 K. 11:25); 5. towards, erga (Ruth 2:20, 2 Sam. 16:17).

Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

H0855:

No stats available

מחרשתו מַחֲרַשְׁתּוֹ

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

מחרשה

machărêshâh

Definition

probably a pick-axe

Root

from H2790 (חרש);

Exhaustive

from חרש; probably a pick-axe; mattock.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4281

הו

Definition

his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מַחֲרֵשָׁה

noun • Root חרש • Strongs / High • Page 536

A plough-share or similar instrument.

מַחֲרֵשָׁה

noun feminine • Root חרש • Strongs / High • Page 839

A sickle.

Noun common feminine singular construct, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX: θέριστρον

LXX Usage Statistics

H4281:

θέριστρον 2× (66.7%)

ואת וְאֶת־

and אֵת-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

i. m. subst. • Page 81

Ploughshare. Inflected in two ways as אֵתִים and אֵתִין. References: 1 Sam. 13: 20, 21; Is. 2: 4; Joel 4: 10 [3:10]. Its etymology is suggested to be related to the word מַחֲרֶשֶׁת.

Conjunction, Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

אתו אֵתוֹ

his eternal self

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

את

ʼêth

Definition

a hoe or other digging implement

Root

of uncertain derivation;

Exhaustive

of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement; coulter, plowshare.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H855

הו

Definition

his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

preposition • Page 82

1. with, together with (Gen. 4:1); 2. with, near by (Gen. 39:6); 3. in or on a place (1 Sam. 7:16); 4. besides (1 K. 11:25); 5. towards, erga (Ruth 2:20, 2 Sam. 16:17).

Noun common both singular construct, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0855:

No stats available

ואת וְאֶת־

and אֵת-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

i. m. subst. • Page 81

Ploughshare. Inflected in two ways as אֵתִים and אֵתִין. References: 1 Sam. 13: 20, 21; Is. 2: 4; Joel 4: 10 [3:10]. Its etymology is suggested to be related to the word מַחֲרֶשֶׁת.

Conjunction, Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

קרדמו קַרְדֻּמּוֹ

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

קרדם

qardôm

Definition

an axe

Root

perhaps from H6923 (קדם) in the sense of striking upon;

Exhaustive

perhaps from קדם in the sense of striking upon; an axe; ax.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H7134

הו

Definition

his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

קַרְדֹּם

noun • Lemma_Lookup • Page 797

An axe.

קַרְדֹּם

noun masculine • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1296

An axe or hatchet.

קַרְדֹּם

noun masculine • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1296

An axe.

Noun common both singular construct, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX: ἀξίναισ ἀξίνην

LXX Usage Statistics

H7134:

ἀξίναισ 2× (43.5%)

ἀξίνην 2× (40.0%)

ואת וְאֵת

and אֵת-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

preposition • Page 82

1. with, together with (Gen. 4:1); 2. with, near by (Gen. 39:6); 3. in or on a place (1 Sam. 7:16); 4. besides (1 K. 11:25); 5. towards, erga (Ruth 2:20, 2 Sam. 16:17).

Conjunction, Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

מחרשתו מַחֲרֵשָׁתוֹ׃

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

מחרשה

machărêshâh

Definition

probably a pick-axe

Root

from H2790 (חרש);

Exhaustive

from חרש; probably a pick-axe; mattock.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4281

הו

Definition

his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מַחֲרֵשָׁה

noun • Root חרש • Strongs / High • Page 536

A plough-share or similar instrument.

מַחֲרֵשָׁה

noun feminine • Root חרש • Strongs / High • Page 839

A sickle.

Noun common feminine singular construct, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX: θέριστρον

LXX Usage Statistics

H4281:

θέριστρον 2× (66.7%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And all Israel went down to the rovers, to hammer each his plough-shares, and his coulter, and his axe, and his plough-shares.

LITV Translation:
And all Israel went down to the Philistines, each man to sharpen his plowshare, and his mattock, and his axe, and his plowshare.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
And all Israel went down to the land of the Philistines to forge every one his reaping hook and his tool, and every one his axe and his sickle.