Deuteronomy 22:20

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

ואם וְאִם־

and if

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

אם

ʼim

Definition

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

Root

a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H518

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אִם

conjunction • Strongs_Numbers • Page 146

If; a conditional conjunction.

אִם

conjunction • Strongs_Numbers • Page 147

Conditional particle corresponding to 'if', 'whether', or 'although'. It is used with perfect and imperfect tenses to express conditions, repeated acts, or permanent states. In formulas of swearing (oaths), it implies a negative ('surely not'). It can also introduce a question.

אִם

conj. / particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 148

Conditional particle indicating 'if', 'whether', 'either...or'; also used as a particle of time: 'when', 'since'; a particle of wishing: 'oh if!', 'would that!'; and sometimes as an exclamation: 'behold!', 'lo!'.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אִם

primitive particle • Page 54

1. adv. of time, when; referring either to time past, like the Germ. da, als, Am. 7: 2 when they had en-

אִם

conj. / adv. / interrog. particle • Page 55

A conditional and interrogative particle with multiple senses: 2. if, supposing that; 3. although (Judg. 13:16); 4. O that (Gen. 30:27); 5. whether... or (Ex. 19:13); 6. in swearing (not, that not; 2 Sam. 11:11); 7. perhaps that (Gen. 31:52); 8. interrogative (Jer. 3:5); 11. whether...not (Est. 4:14); 13. (אם-לא) if not, but (Gen. 24:58).

Conjunction, Particle

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0518a:

No stats available

אמת אֱמֶת

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

אמת

ʼemeth

Definition

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

Root

contracted from H539 (אמן);

Exhaustive

contracted from אמן; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness; assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H571

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֱמֶת

noun feminine • Root אמן • Lemma_Lookup • Page 158

Prop. firmness, stability. 1. Spoken of time: continuance, duration; enduring, steadfast peace. 2. Confidence, security, certainty, rightness. 3. Fidelity, i.e. that quality which keeps the word or promise given. 4. Integrity, blamelessness, honesty. 5. Truth, as opposed to lying.

אַמְתַּחַת

noun feminine • Root מתח • Lemma_Lookup • Page 158

Corn-sack.

אֲמִתַּי

noun proper masculine • Root אמת • Lemma_Lookup • Page 158

Proper noun masculine. Veracious. Father of Jonah (2 Kings 14:25).

אַמְתָּנִי

adjective • Root מתן • Lemma_Lookup • Page 158

Aramaic adjective, feminine. Strong, powerful, prop. well-hipped (Dan 7:7).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אֱמֶת

verb • Root אמן • Page 57

1. Subst: truth, faithfulness (Is. 65:16). 2. Adv: truly, certainly, so be it, fiat (Jer. 11:5, 28:6). Used at the close of doxologies.

אֱמֶת

noun feminine • Root אמן • Page 60

1. duration, continuance. Is. 39: 8. 2. certainty. Josh. 2: 12. 3. truth, faithfulness; applied to Jehovah, Ps. 54: 7. 57: 11. 108: 5. to men, denoting uprightness generally, Ex. 18: 21. 4. truth, something true. Gen. 42: 16. 24: 48.

Noun common feminine singular absolute

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0571:

No stats available

היה הָיָה

he has become

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

היה

hâyâh

Definition

to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

Root

a primitive root (compare H1933 (הוא));

Exhaustive

a primitive root (compare הוא); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary); beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1961

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

הָיָה

verb • Root היה • Strongs / High • Page 397

To be, to exist, to live, to become. A substantive verb used to unite a subject and predicate. It can also mean to happen, to arise, or to belong to. Used in a wide variety of grammatical constructions.

הָיָה

verb • Root היה • Strongs / High • Page 591

To be, to become, to exist. The common Hebrew verb for 'to be', considered the root of the divine name.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

הַיָּה

noun feminine • Page 185

Keri הַוָּה suffering, calamity. Job 6: 2; 30: 13.

הָיָה

verb • Page 184

1. To be (Ex. 20:3, Num. 10:31, etc.); 2. to become (Ex. 4:4, Hos. 3:3, etc.); 3. to happen (Is. 19:15).

Verb Qal perfect third person masculine singular

LXX: ἔσται ἐγένετο ἦν ἐγενήθη ἔσονται

LXX Usage Statistics

H1961:

ἔσται 827× (22.9%)

ἐγένετο 634× (16.8%)

ἦν 280× (7.9%)

ἐγενήθη 215× (5.8%)

ἔσονται 160× (4.5%)

ἦσαν 134× (3.8%)

ἐγένοντο 83× (2.3%)

'' 74× (1.9%)

--- 73× (2.2%)

εἶναι 67× (1.7%)

הדבר הָדָּבָר

the Alignment

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

דבר

dâbâr

Definition

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

Root

from H1696 (דבר);

Exhaustive

from דבר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1697

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

דָּבָר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Strongs / High • Page 351

A word, a saying, a speech, a matter, a thing. Derived from דָּבַר I (to speak).

דָּבָר

noun • Root דבר • Strongs / High • Page 352

A word; speech, discourse, saying, oracle; command, precept, law, regulation; an inquiry, account, answer; utterance of God, revelation, oracle; decree, plan, proposal; report, news; a thing, matter, object of discourse; occurrence, action, history, affairs; relation, reference, way; cause, suit at law, ground.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

דָּבַר

verb • Page 154

To speak; used in various idioms: 3. to speak with one's self or meditate (Gen. 24:45). 4. to speak or promise good concerning any one (Num. 10:29). 5. to speak kindly with any one (2 K. 25:28). 6. to speak kindly or peaceably (Ps. 28:3). 7. to pass sentence against (2 K. 25:6). Sense 2: to destroy (2 Chr. 22:10), derived from 'to drive away'. Includes Niph. (to speak together, Mal. 3:16), Hiph. (to subdue, Ps. 18:48), and Hithpa. (2 Sam. 14:13).

דֶּבֶר

m. plur. דְּבָרִים • Root דבר • Page 155

Pestilence. (Ex. 9:3, Lev. 26:25, Deut. 28:21, Hos. 13:14). Ideas of death and pestilence are often expressed by the same word.

דֹּבֶר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Page 155

A fold, pasture. (Mic. 2:12, Is. 5:17). Comparable to Syriac and Arabic terms for a field.

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Page 153

1. Probably as its primary signification, to lead, to drive. Hence the derivatives דָּבָר, דִּבְרָה, מִדְבָּר. 2. To put in order, to arrange, connect; and hence to connect words, to speak. In Kal found in the participle דֹּבֵר and the infinitive דַּבֵּר (Ps. 51:6). Much more common in Pi. דִּבֶּר (fut. יְדַבֵּר) meaning to speak, loquor (different from אָמַר to say). Covers various grammatical constructions including speaking to (preceded by אֶל, לְ, or עִם), speaking of (preceded by אֶת or עַל), and speaking against (preceded by בְּ or אֶל). Also used to mean 'to promise' (Deut. 19:8).

דָּבָר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Page 154

1. word, speech (Ex. 4:10); denotes a command (Est. 1:19), promise (1 K. 2:4), sentiment/doctrine (Ecc. 1:1), oracle/revelation (Jer. 1:4), or historical words/chronicles (1 K. 11:41). 2. matter, thing (Ecc. 7:8); equivalent to Aramaic מִלָּא and Arabic אמר.

Particle definite article, Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: ῥῆμα λόγουσ λόγοσ λόγον λόγων

LXX Usage Statistics

H1697:

ῥῆμα 224× (14.7%)

λόγουσ 198× (13.0%)

λόγοσ 184× (13.3%)

λόγον 153× (10.6%)

λόγων 120× (8.3%)

ῥήματα 80× (5.1%)

λόγοι 63× (4.3%)

'' 51× (3.3%)

λόγοισ 30× (1.9%)

--- 30× (2.3%)

הזה הָזֶּה

this one

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

זה

zeh

Definition

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Root

a primitive word;

Exhaustive

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that; he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare זאת, זה, זו, זו.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H2088

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

זֶה

demonstrative pronoun / relative pronoun / particle • Root ז • Strongs / High • Page 425

A multi-purpose word. I. As a demonstrative pronoun: this, referring to what is present. II. As a relative pronoun: who, that, which. III. As a demonstrative particle appended to interrogatives for emphasis, or to denote manner ('how'), location ('here', 'there'), or time ('now', 'just now').

זֶה

noun masculine • Strongs / High • Page 425

A collateral form of שֶׂה (lamb or sheep), found only in 1 Samuel 17:34.

זֶה

pronoun • Strongs / High • Page 427

A demonstrative pronoun ('this') or relative pronoun ('that which'), used without distinction of gender or number. It can refer to masculine, feminine, or neuter antecedents.

זֶה

pronominal stem • Strongs / High • Page 431

(pronominal stem; not used) pron. demonstr. same as זֶה, forming with a prosthetic the time-particle אָז, which form also exists in the Aramaean אֱדַיִן.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

הֹזֶה

verb • Page 184

To dream, to speak in one’s sleep (Is. 56:10).

זֶה

pronoun • Page 197

1. this. When doubled, one...the other, 1 K. 22:20, Is. 6:3. Sometimes implies contempt, like the Greek οὗτος, Ex. 32:1. 2. more rarely in poetry as a relative, who, like the Germ. der. Ps. 104:8. 3. here, for בָּזֶה in hoc scil. loco. Gen. 28:17. Hence מִזֶּה, hence, 37:17.

Particle definite article, Particle demonstrative

LXX: τοῦτο τοῦτον οὗτοσ τούτου τούτῳ

LXX Usage Statistics

H2088:

τοῦτο 223× (14.4%)

τοῦτον 126× (8.3%)

οὗτοσ 96× (6.2%)

τούτου 95× (6.1%)

τούτῳ 74× (4.9%)

'' 63× (3.5%)

ταύτησ 56× (3.6%)

ταύτῃ 52× (3.2%)

'' 39× (2.2%)

αὕτη 39× (2.6%)

לא לֹא־

not

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

לא

lôʼ

Definition

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

Root

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3808

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

לֹא

negative particle • Root אל • Strongs / High • Page 759

A negative particle; not, no. It functions as an absolute negative, a negative answer to a question, or a refusal. Used with verbs in various tenses and moods to express negation or prohibition.

לֹא

particle • Strongs / High • Page 761

A K'ri reading for לוֹ.

לֹא

adverb / particle • Strongs / High • Page 760

Not; No; Nothing (substantive use); Before (cognate sense to טֶרֶם).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

לֹא

adverb • Page 338

A primitive adverb of negation (more rarely לוֹא). 1. not. 2. no (Gen. 19:2). 3. nothing (Job 6:21). 4. without (1 Chr. 2:30). 5. interrogative, nonne? (Jon. 4:11). 6. lest, that not (Ex. 28:32). 7. In combination with adjectives/substantives it gives a negative signification (e.g., לֹא עֹז without strength).

Particle negative

LXX: οὐκ οὐ μὴ οὐδὲ οὐχ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3808:

οὐκ 1137× (34.5%)

οὐ 797× (24.2%)

μὴ 184× (5.6%)

οὐδὲ 150× (4.5%)

οὐχ 127× (3.9%)

οὐχὶ 120× (3.6%)

--- 98× (3.0%)

'' 94× (2.4%)

---% 62× (1.5%)

οὐκέτι 50× (1.4%)

נמצאו נִמְצְאוּ

they were found

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

מצא

mâtsâʼ

Definition

properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4672

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מָצָא

verb • Root מצא • Strongs / High • Page 755

to find for one

מָצָא

verb • Strongs / High • Page 891

To step forth into appearance, to become visible, to appear, to exist; to discover.

מָצָא

verb • Root מצא • Strongs / High • Page 892

A verb with multiple meanings across different conjugations (binyanim). Kal: to find, discover, make known, explain; to possess; to happen to, befall; to reach, attain, obtain, suffice. Niphal (נִמְצָא): to be understood, be found, to exist, be manifest. Hiphil (הִמְצִיא): to let one attain, acquire, find; to requite; to cause to come; to deliver over.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

מָצָא

verb • Page 397

1. To find (Gen. 2:20; 1 Sam. 10:7); to solve a riddle (Judg. 14:18). 2. To get, obtain, acquire (Prov. 3:13); to meet with affliction (Ps. 116:3). 3. To befall or happen to any one (Gen. 44:34; Ex. 18:8). 4. To suffice or be sufficient (Num. 11:22; Judg. 21:14). 5. More rarely to seek (1 Sam. 20:21). Niph. 1. To be found. 2. To be found or be in any place (Gen. 47:14); to exist, to be present (Gen. 19:15; Ezra 8:25). 3. Spoken of God, to let himself be found (i.e. to hear or answer them) (1 Chr. 28:9; Jer. 29:13). 4. To be acquired or possessed by any one (Deut. 21:17; Josh. 17:16). Hiph. 1. To cause to find or to participate (Job 34:11). 2. To cause to come, to deliver up (2 Sam. 3:8; Zech. 11:6). 5. To present (Lev. 9:12, 13, 18).

Verb Niphal perfect third person common plural

LXX: εὗρον εὗρεν εὑρεθῇ εὑρέθη εὕρῃ

LXX Usage Statistics

H4672:

εὗρον 51× (10.7%)

εὗρεν 49× (10.1%)

εὑρεθῇ 23× (4.9%)

εὑρέθη 22× (4.6%)

εὕρῃ 16× (3.4%)

εὕρηκα 15× (3.3%)

--- 10× (2.2%)

εὑρέθησαν 9× (1.9%)

εὕρομεν 8× (1.8%)

εὑρήσει 8× (1.8%)

בתולים בְתוּלים

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

בתולים

bᵉthûwlîym

Definition

(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it

Root

masculine plural of the same as H1330 (בתולה);

Exhaustive

masculine plural of the same as בתולה; (collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it; [idiom] maid, virginity.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1331

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

בְּתוּלִים

m. pl. • Root בתל • Strongs / High • Page 288

An abstract masculine plural noun denoting virginity or maidenhood; can refer to the physical signs of virginity or the condition of being a maid.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בְּתוּלִים

m. denom. • Root בתולה • Page 121

1. the state or condition of a virgin, virginity (Lev. 21:13). 2. sign or token of virginity, the bridal sheet kept by the friends of the bride (Deut. 22:14 ff).

Noun common masculine plural absolute

LXX: παρθένια

LXX Usage Statistics

H1331:

παρθένια 6× (55.0%)

לנער לַנַּעַר׃

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

נערה

naʻărâh

Definition

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

Root

feminine of H5288 (נער);

Exhaustive

feminine of נער; a girl (from infancy to adolescence); damsel, maid(-en), young (woman).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5291

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

נַעֲרָה

noun / feminine / proper name • Root נער • Strongs / High • Page 978

A maiden, young woman, female servant; also a waterfall. It is also a proper name for a city in Ephraim and a female name.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

נַעֲרָה

fem. of נַעַר / dec. xii. e. • Root נער • Page 448

1. a young female, a maiden. Judg. 19:3 ff. Est. 2:9, 13. 2. a hand-maid, maid-servant. Prov. 9:3, 31:15. 3. proper name of a city on the borders of the tribe of Ephraim, Josh. 16:7.

Preposition -For/Into Art, Noun common feminine singular absolute

LXX: νεάνιδοσ κοράσια παῖδα νεᾶνισ ἅβραι

LXX Usage Statistics

H5291:

νεάνιδοσ 8× (11.8%)

κοράσια 6× (10.1%)

παῖδα 4× (5.9%)

νεᾶνισ 4× (5.6%)

ἅβραι 4× (5.1%)

παρθένοσ 3× (3.9%)

παιδὸσ 3× (4.4%)

παρθένον 3× (4.7%)

παῖσ 3× (4.7%)

κορασίων 3× (4.4%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And if this word was the truth, and the signs of virginity not found for the maiden:

LITV Translation:
But if this thing is true that tokens of virginity have not been found for the girl,

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
But if this report be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel;