Deuteronomy 24:12

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

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

עני עָני

afflicted/depressed one

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

עני

ʻânîy

Definition

depressed, in mind or circumstances

Root

from H6031 (ענה); (practically the same as H6035 (ענו), although the margin constantly disputes this, making H6035 (ענו) subjective and objective);

Exhaustive

from ענה; (practically the same as ענו, although the margin constantly disputes this, making ענו subjective and objective); depressed, in mind or circumstances; afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6041

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עָנִי

prop. part. pass. m. • Root ענה • Strongs / High • Page 1112

An oppressed, suffering, wretched one; a pious, patient one; a humble one (all various significations of the verb).

עָנִי

adjective • Root ענה • Strongs / High • Page 1113

Poor, wretched, afflicted, humble, depressed (in pause עָנִי, with suff. עָנִיּוֹ, עָנִיֵּינוּ, עָנִיִּים, עָנִיּוֹת). A peaceful, meek, patient one; an oppressed one; a banished one; a disquieted one; a pious, innocent one. Generally used in all the various meanings of the verb.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

עָנָי , עָנִי

verb • Root ענה • Page 517

1. poor, helpless; often in reference to national distresses of the Israelites (Ex. 22:24, Deut. 24:12). 2. humble, lowly (Zech. 9:9). Verbal from עָנָה no. II.

עָנִי

adjective • Root ענה • Page 517

1. afflicted, oppressed, poor, unhappy (Ps. 9:13, 10:12). 2. meek (Num. 12:3). Verbal from עָנָה no. II.

Adjective adjective both singular absolute

LXX: πτωχὸν πτωχὸσ πτωχοῦ πτωχόσ πένητα

LXX Usage Statistics

H6041:

πτωχὸν 9× (11.7%)

πτωχὸσ 7× (9.4%)

πτωχοῦ 5× (6.2%)

πτωχόσ 4× (5.1%)

πένητα 4× (5.1%)

πτωχῶν 4× (5.1%)

πενήτων 4× (4.9%)

πτωχῷ 4× (4.7%)

ταπεινὸν 3× (3.9%)

πτωχοὺσ 3× (3.7%)

הוא הוּא

Himself

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

הוא

hûwʼ

Definition

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are

Root

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is היא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular;

Exhaustive

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is היא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are; he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1931

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

הוּא

personal pronoun • Root הו • Strongs / High • Page 392

Personal pronoun, 3rd person singular masculine: he, it. It can also be used for emphasis (he himself), as a demonstrative (this, that), to indicate self, or to strengthen other pronouns (I myself, thou thyself).

הוּא

pronoun • Strongs / High • Page 393

Personal pronoun, 3rd person singular masculine: he, it. Can also mean 'the same', 'himself'. It is also used as a designation for God, and can include the verb 'to be'.

הוּא

aramaic personal pronoun (aramaic) • Strongs / High • Page 393

Aramaic personal pronoun of the 3rd person, he.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

הוּא

chald. • Page 178

idem. behold, as for as simply. So in Syr. Dan. 2:43.

הוּא

pronoun • Page 182

1. he, and as a neuter it. In the Pentateuch, used for both genders. 2. self, same, selfsame. Is. 7:14, Ps. 44:5. 3. serves as the substantive verb 'to be' (copula). Is. 43:25. Also used as 'thou (art) the same' in 2 Sam. 7:28.

הוּא

chald. pron. • Page 182

idem (the same). Dan. 2:21.

הוּא

chald. • Page 182

see הֲוָה.

הוּא

unknown • Page 217

see הָוָה.

Pronoun personal third person masculine singular

LXX: αὐτὸσ ἐστιν ἐκείνῃ οὗτοσ ---

LXX Usage Statistics

H1931:

αὐτὸσ 321× (16.5%)

ἐστιν 260× (13.7%)

ἐκείνῃ 197× (10.6%)

οὗτοσ 160× (8.4%)

--- 103× (5.6%)

ἐκείνῳ 67× (3.6%)

ἐστίν 54× (2.9%)

ἐστὶν 54× (2.7%)

'' 50× (2.3%)

τοῦτο 42× (2.2%)

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%)

תשכב תִשְׁכַּב

you/she is lying down

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

שכב

shâkab

Definition

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose); [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H7901

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

שָׁכַב

verb • Root שכב • Strongs / High • Page 1417

I. To bend oneself, to lie down, to lie stiff (of one destroyed), to rest, to sleep, or metaphorically to die/be buried (e.g., שָׁכַב עִם־אֲבוֹתָיו).

שָׁכַב

verb • Strongs / High • Page 1418

Denotes the coming into Sheol. 2. To lie (sexually), commonly spoken of a man lying with a woman, or vice versa, also applied to animals.

שָׁכַב

verb • Root שכב • Strongs / High • Page 1418

II. To pour out. (The sexual meaning of שָׁכַב I. may derive from originally meaning 'to moisten, with semen').

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

שָׁכַב

verb • Page 670

1. to lay one's self down, particularly for sleep (Gen. 19:4, 28:11, 1 Sam. 3:5) or in death (1 K. 2:10, 11:43). 2. to lie. Constrained with an accus. of the place, hence those that lie in the grave, Ps. 88:6; she that lieth in thy bosom, Mic. 7:5.

Verb Qal imperfect second person masculine singular

LXX: ἐκοιμήθη κοιμηθῇ κοιμηθῆναι ἐκάθευδεν κοιμηθήσῃ

LXX Usage Statistics

H7901:

ἐκοιμήθη 52× (22.9%)

κοιμηθῇ 18× (8.9%)

κοιμηθῆναι 10× (4.3%)

ἐκάθευδεν 9× (4.5%)

κοιμηθήσῃ 9× (4.4%)

κοιμώμενοσ 8× (3.6%)

κοιμήθητι 8× (4.0%)

κοιμηθήσεται 7× (3.3%)

ἐκοιμήθησαν 6× (3.1%)

κοιμηθεὶσ 5× (2.5%)

בעבטו בַּעֲבֹטוֹ׃

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ב

bə

Definition

in, by

Root

A primitive particle; a prefix

Exhaustive

(beth) — in / within / by means of

Core value: interiority, enclosure, participation

ב does not primarily mean “in time” (“when”) or even “in space.” It marks being inside a domain, whether that domain is:
- spatial (house, land),
- conceptual (wisdom, covenant),
- modal (strength, fear),
- instrumental (by means of).
Aonically, ב marks immersion.
not “when X happened” but “within the state or field of X.”
This is why ב־יום does not need to mean “on the day (chronological)” but “within the day-realm / condition”.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

עבוט

ʻăbôwṭ

Definition

a pawn

Root

or עבט; from H5670 (עבט);

Exhaustive

or עבט; from עבט; a pawn; pledge.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5667

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

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

עֲבוֹט

noun masculine • Root עבט • Page 487

A pledge. Deut. 24: 10, 11, 12.

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

LXX: ἐνέχυρον

LXX Usage Statistics

H5667:

ἐνέχυρον 3× (78.5%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And if the man be poor, he shall not sleep with his pledge.

LITV Translation:
And if the man is poor, you shall not sleep with his pledge.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge.