Ecclesiastes 3:15

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

מה מַה־

what/why/how!

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

מה

mâh

Definition

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

Root

or מה; or מ; or מ; also מה; a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or מה; or מ; or מ; also מה; a primitive particle; 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; how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4100

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מָה

interrogative pronoun • Root מה • Strongs / High • Page 815

An interrogative pronoun, meaning 'what?'. It has various applications, including direct and indirect questions, functioning as a substantive ('what of...'), expressing quality ('what kind of...'), conveying reproach or negation, serving as an exclamation of wonder ('how...!'), and meaning 'whatever' or 'why'.

מָה

interrogative pronoun / adverb • Strongs / High • Page 816

An interrogative pronoun and adverb with various meanings including: what?, why?, how?, in what way?

מָה

interrogative pronoun • Strongs / High • Page 817

how what! = but how! how great! An interrogative pronoun, what? Also signifies 'on account of that, for that'.

מָה

aramaic pronoun (aramaic) • Strongs / High • Page 817

Aramaic interrogative pronoun, same as Hebrew. what? whatever, quidquid.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

מָה

interrog. pron. / particle • Page 358

1. what? spoken of things (Judg. 11:12; 2 Sam. 16:10, 19:23; Jer. 2:18; Hos. 14:9). 2. without an interrogation, what, whatever, something, any thing (Prov. 9:13; 2 Sam. 18:23; Job 13:13, 14; Ecc. 1:9, 3:15, 22:6; Dan. 10:10 (Aram.)). 3. before substantives, what, of what sort, qualis (Josh. 22:16; 1 Sam. 28:14; 1 K. 9:13). 4. how? (Gen. 44:16; Ex. 10:26; Gen. 28:17). 5. wherefore? (Judg. 8:1; Ps. 42:12). 6. not (Cant. 8:4; Job 16:6, 31:1, 20, 24).

מָה

interrog. pron. • Page 358

Chald. what, as in Heb. with and without an interrogation. מָה דִי that which (Dan. 2:28). Combined with prepositions: (1.) כְּמָה how, how very (Dan. 3:33). (2.) לְמָה דִי lest, that not (Ezra 4:22, 7:23).

Pronoun interrogative

LXX: τί τίσ τίνι ἐστιν ὡσ

LXX Usage Statistics

H4100:

τί 516× (62.9%)

τίσ 44× (5.6%)

τίνι 29× (3.2%)

ἐστιν 24× (2.6%)

ὡσ 14× (1.8%)

'' 13× (1.4%)

---% 11× (1.1%)

τίνοσ 11× (1.3%)

τι 10× (1.1%)

--- 10× (1.3%)

שהיה שֶּׁהָיָה

which he has become

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ש

še

Definition

which

Root

Abbreviated from H834 Derived terms של‎ (shel) של־‎ (shel'-)

Exhaustive

who, which. An abbreviation used as a prefix.אשר

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

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).

Particle relative, 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%)

כבר כְּבָר

already long ago

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

כבר

kᵉbâr

Definition

properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto

Root

from H3527 (כבר);

Exhaustive

from כבר; properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto; already, (seeing that which), now.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3528

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

כְּבָר

proper noun • Strongs / High • Page 735

Chebar; a locality along a river where a colony of exiles was situated.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

כָּבַר

verb • Page 308

In Kal not used, *to be great or numerous*. Hiph. *to make many, to multiply*. Job 35:16. Part. מַכְבִּיר abundance, Job 36:31.

כְּבָר

adv. i. • Page 308

1. *already, formerly, long ago*. Ecc. 1:10. 3:15. 4:2. 9:6. 2. *now*. Ecc. 9:7.

כְּבָר

proper name ii. • Page 308

*Chaboras*, the proper name of a river in Mesopotamia, otherwise called חָבוֹר. Ezek. 1:3. 3:15, 23. 10:15, 22.

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: ἤδη

LXX Usage Statistics

H3528:

ἤδη 8× (79.4%)

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%)

ואשר וַאֲשֶׁר

and whom/straightly

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

אשר

ʼăsher

Definition

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.

Root

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

Exhaustive

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H834

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר

noun proper • Root אשיר אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

Proper name of a city east of Shechem, on the border of Manasseh.

אֲשֶׁר

pronoun relative • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

Relative pronoun: who, which; forming the relative in prose.

אֲשֶׁר

relative particle • Lemma_Lookup • Page 205

A relative particle or pronoun (who, which, that). It serves to connect a following clause with a preceding noun or pronoun. It can function as the subject or object within its clause (often supplemented by a pronominal suffix). In the accusative, it acts as a subordinate conjunction expressing relations of place (where, whither), time (when), and manner (as, that). It forms various compound conjunctions with prepositions, such as עַל אֲשֶׁר (wherefore, because), בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר (wherever), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (as).

אֲשֶׁר

pronoun relative / conjunction • Lemma_Lookup • Page 206

Relative pronoun and conjunction: that, which, where, so that, because, in order that. Used to express object and design, clauses relating to time (when), or causal relationships.

אֲשַׁר

verb • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 212

(not used) Aram. equivalent to Hebr אֶתֶר.

אֲשֻׁר

masc. / fem. • Root אשר אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

1. A tree, commonly sherbin-cedar, larch, or box-tree. 2. A step, walk.

אֶשֶׁר

noun masculine • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

Name of a tree; also the proper name of a city.

אֶשֶׁר

noun masculine / noun proper • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

Happy; used as a proper name Asher (son of Jacob and the tribe named after him).

אֶשֶׁר

noun masculine • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

Fortune, happiness; hence as an interjection in the construct state: hail! happy!

אָשֵׁר

verb • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

To be connected, united (equivalent to אָסַר).

אָשַׁר

verb • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

To go about, run about; to go, to walk, to step along.

אָשַׁר

verb • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

To be united, by love, marriage, etc.; to be firm, strong, pressed together.

אָשַׁר

verb • Root ישר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

To be straight (even of a way); in a moral sense: to be right, honest, upright; to be prosperous, happy.

אָשַׁר

verb • Root עשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1143

(which see); Ar. the same, hence עָשִׁיר a spouse, an associate. Deriv. אֲשֵׁרָה, עֲשֵׁרָה, עָשִׁירָה.

אָשֻׁר

noun masculine • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

Step, walk.

אֹשֶׁר

noun masculine • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

Prosperity.

אֻשַּׁר

verb • Lemma_Lookup • Page 203

To be led, guided.

אֲשֶׁר אַחֲרֵי־כֵן

adverbial phrase • Lemma_Lookup • Page 708

After that.

אֲשַׂרְאֵל

noun proper masculine • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 206

Proper noun, masculine. ('El is allied). Found in 1 Chr. 4, 16. Equivalent to the Phenician Osiris, an epithet of Ba'al.

אֲשַׂרְאֵלָה

noun proper masculine • Root אשר אלה • Lemma_Lookup • Page 206

Proper noun, masculine. Found in 1 Chr. 25, 2. A variant reading is יְשַׂרְאֵלָה (Jesharelah).

אֲשֵׁרָה

noun feminine • Lemma_Lookup • Page 206

Name of a Phenician goddess, sometimes identified with the Sidonian Astarte; also refers to the wooden image/pillar of the goddess standing beside the altar of Ba'al.

אָשֵׁרִי

adjective • Lemma_Lookup • Page 204

Gentile of Asher; Asherite.

אֲשְׂרִיאֵל

noun proper masculine • Lemma_Lookup • Page 207

Proper name of a man (Num. 26:31; Josh. 17:2).

אֲשֵׁרִים

noun masculine plural • Lemma_Lookup • Page 207

Male images of Baal, of wood, symbolising Baal as a generating power, and distinct from images of Ashera.

אֻשַּׁרְנָא

noun masculine (aramaic) • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 207

A wall (Ezr. 5:3), properly a firm thing. Formed from אָשַׁר with the termination na.

אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַבַּיִת

phrase • Lemma_Lookup • Page 238

head of the palace, minister of the court

אֶת־אֲשֶׁר

relative phrase • Lemma_Lookup • Page 87

the person whom or the thing which

כַּאֲשֶׁר

conjunction • Root אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 669

as, when, according as, since.

תְּלַאשַּׂר

unknown • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1515

see תְּלָאשֶׁר.

תְּלָאשָׂר

noun proper • Root תל אשר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1513

(as also תְּלַשַּׁר Is. 37, 12, also in mss. תְּלַסַּר) n. p. of a Mesopotamian province and city, inhabited by the בְּנֵי עֶדֶן, and formerly subject to Assyria Is. 37, 12; 2 Kings 19, 12. The word has arisen from תֵּל and אָשָׁר = אָשׂוּר.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר

pronoun relative • Page 79

Relative pronoun: who, which, that. Used for both genders and numbers. Often acts as a sign of relation for other pronouns and adverbs (e.g., אֲשֶׁר-שָׁם 'where', אֲשֶׁר-מִשָּׁם 'whence').

אֲשֶׁר

adv. or conjunction • Page 80

Used as an adverb or conjunction; signifies (1.) *that, to the end that, ut*; (2.) *that, how that, quod*; (3.) *because*; (4.) *if*; (5.) *for*; (6.) *when*; (7.) *as*; (8.) *where*. References include Gen. 11:7, Deut. 4:40, Ex. 11:7, Jos. 2:10, 1 Sam. 24:19, 1 K. 8:33, Lev. 4:22, Jer. 33:22, Num. 20:13.

אֶשֶׁר

noun • Page 79

Happiness, prosperity; found only in the plural construct אַשְׁרֵי (the happinesses of). (Ps. 1:1, 2:12, 32:1, 33:12; Prov. 3:13, 8:34; Deut. 33:29).

אֶשֶׁר

noun masculine • Root אשר • Page 80

*Prosperity*. Reference: Gen. 30:13.

אָשֵׁר

m. proper name • Page 79

1. A son of Jacob, progenitor of one of the tribes of Israel. 2. A city not far from Shechem (Josh. 17:7).

אָשַׁר

verb • Root ישר • Page 79

1. To go straight, proceed (Prov. 9:6). 2. To be right, suitable, successful, or prosperous (Hab. 2:4). Pi.: To lead or guide straight (Prov. 23:19; Is. 1:17). Pu.: To be guided or pronounced happy (Ps. 41:3; Prov. 3:18).

Conjunction, Particle relative

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0834a:

No stats available

להיות לִהְיוֹת

to become

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

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).

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

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%)

כבר כְּבָר

already long ago

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

כבר

kᵉbâr

Definition

properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto

Root

from H3527 (כבר);

Exhaustive

from כבר; properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto; already, (seeing that which), now.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3528

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

כְּבָר

proper noun • Strongs / High • Page 735

Chebar; a locality along a river where a colony of exiles was situated.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

כָּבַר

verb • Page 308

In Kal not used, *to be great or numerous*. Hiph. *to make many, to multiply*. Job 35:16. Part. מַכְבִּיר abundance, Job 36:31.

כְּבָר

adv. i. • Page 308

1. *already, formerly, long ago*. Ecc. 1:10. 3:15. 4:2. 9:6. 2. *now*. Ecc. 9:7.

כְּבָר

proper name ii. • Page 308

*Chaboras*, the proper name of a river in Mesopotamia, otherwise called חָבוֹר. Ezek. 1:3. 3:15, 23. 10:15, 22.

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: ἤδη

LXX Usage Statistics

H3528:

ἤδη 8× (79.4%)

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%)

והאלהים וְהָאֱלֹהים

None

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

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

אלהים

ʼĕlôhîym

Definition

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

Root

plural of H433 (אלוה);

Exhaustive

plural of אלוה; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H430

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים

noun masculine plural • Root אלוה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 134

God, the Deity; used most frequently as a plural of majesty for the true and most high God (Jehovah); also used for national gods or guardian deities.

אֱלֹהִים

noun masculine plural • Strongs_Numbers • Page 135

Plural in form but often used as singular. 1. The supreme and universal God, God of humanity (distinct from the national name YHWH). 2. Applied to heathen gods. 3. Applied to judges (as representatives of God's judgment). 4. Applied to angels (disputed). 5. Applied to kings or ghosts. 6. Used with other nouns to express the superlative or highest degree (e.g., 'mountain of God' for a great mountain).

אֱלֹהִים

proper name • Strongs_Numbers • Page 591

God. The vowels of this word are assigned to the Tetragrammaton (יהוה) when it is preceded by אֲדֹנָי, resulting in the form יֱהֹוִה.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים

plur. • Root אלוה • Page 51

1. gods, in the plural number (Ex. 20:3). 2. as a pluralis excellentiae: God in the singular (Gen. 1:1, etc.). 3. בֶּן-אֱלֹהִים (son of God), applied to kings, angels, or worshippers (Ps. 2:7, Gen. 6:2, Job 1:6). 4. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים (man of God), applied to prophets and servants of God (Judg. 13:6, 1 Sam. 2:27, Deut. 33:1). 5. Used superlatively: 'great before God' (Jon. 3:3, Gen. 23:6).

Conjunction, Particle definite article, Noun common masculine plural absolute

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0430:

No stats available

יבקש יְבַקֵּשׁ

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

בקש

bâqash

Definition

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1245

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

קַשׁ

noun masculine • Root קשש • Consonantal / Low • Page 1302

Dry straw, stubble, chaff; a figure of the worthless and contemptible.

Matched after stripping common prefixes

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בָּקַשׁ

verb • Page 112

1. to seek, quaero. Gen. 37:15, 16. 1 Sam. 10:14. to seek after, inquire into, Job 10:6. Construed with an infin. with and without ל, Ex. 2:15. 4:24. 1 Sam. 19:2. Jer. 26:21.

Verb Piel imperfect third person masculine singular

LXX: ζητεῖ ζητῆσαι ἐζήτησαν ζητοῦντεσ ζητεῖν

LXX Usage Statistics

H1245:

ζητεῖ 15× (7.0%)

ζητῆσαι 13× (5.5%)

ἐζήτησαν 12× (5.4%)

ζητοῦντεσ 12× (4.8%)

ζητεῖν 10× (4.6%)

ἐζήτει 9× (3.8%)

ζητήσω 9× (4.2%)

ἐζήτησεν 8× (3.5%)

ζητεῖσ 8× (3.8%)

ζητήσατε 7× (3.1%)

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

נרדף נִרְדָּף׃

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

רדף

râdaph

Definition

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H7291

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

רָדַף

verb • Root רדף • Strongs / High • Page 1323

(tr.) to thrust, to drive, to scare, to chase; (intr.) to drive or chase away, to follow after, to pursue, to strive after, to hunt after.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

רָדַף

verb • Page 609

1. to run or follow after; Ps. 23:6. Metaphorically to follow after righteousness, Prov. 21:21. 2. to pursue, persecute; Gen. 14:14. 3. to chase, to put to flight. Lev. 26:36. Niph. pass. of Kal. Lam. 5:5.

Verb Niphal participle active masculine singular absolute

LXX: κατεδίωξαν κατεδίωξεν αὐτοὺσ ἐδίωξεν διώξεται

LXX Usage Statistics

H7291:

κατεδίωξαν 19× (12.3%)

κατεδίωξεν 13× (8.0%)

αὐτοὺσ 9× (4.6%)

ἐδίωξεν 8× (5.3%)

διώξεται 7× (4.4%)

διώκοντεσ 7× (4.3%)

καταδιωκόντων 6× (3.2%)

'' 5× (3.0%)

καταδιώκοντεσ 4× (2.5%)

διώκοντοσ 3× (2.1%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
What was, it is already; and what to be, was already; and God will seek him being driven away.

LITV Translation:
That which has been, it already is; and that which is to be, it already has been. And God seeks what has gone by.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
That which has been is now; And whatever things are appointed to be have already been; And God will seek out that which is past.