Ezekiel 24:20
- 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.
- Definition
- to say (used with great latitude)
- Root
- a primitive root;
- Exhaustive
- a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
I. אָמַר (5287) verb utter, say (Egyptian mr command; Phoenician אמר; Aramaic אֲמַר; Ethiopic ሀሁሂሃ I. 2 shew, declare; Arabic أمر command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpael below, אָמִיר; Sabaean אמר lofty, epithet of king idem Mordtmann ZMG 1876, 37; compare Dl Pr 28 who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amāru, see, & shew, declare, say).
Cognates:
- Egyptian mr command
- Phoenician אמר
- Aramaic אֲמַר
- Ethiopic ሀሁሂሃ I. 2 shew, declare
- Arabic أمر command
- Sabaean אמר lofty, epithet of king
- Assyrian amāru see, & shew, declare, say
Qal
Perfect 3 masculine singular אָמַר Genesis 3:1 +; Imperfect יֹאמַר Genesis 31:8 +; וַיֹּאמֶר Genesis 1:3 +; וַיֹּאמַר Genesis 14:19 +; in Job always וַיֹּאמַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תֹּאמַר Genesis 21:12 +; תֹּאמַר Proverbs 1:21; 1 singular אֹמַר Genesis 22:2 +; אוֹמְרָה Psalm 42:10; וָאֹמַר Genesis 20:13 +; וָאוֹמַר Nehemiah 2:7,17,20; 3 masculine plural יֹאמְרוּ Exodus 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Psalm 139:20; 2 masculine plural תֹּמְרוּ 2 Samuel 19:14 (compare Kö i. p. 385); Imperative אֱמֹר Genesis 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֹר Exodus 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezekiel 25:8 +; הָאֱמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמַר idem Di, or better הֵאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew § 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Joshua 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jeremiah 23:38; אֱמָרְכֶם Malachi 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Genesis 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Genesis 32:10 +, etc.; passive הָאָמֻר Micah 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֵאָמֹר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr Expositor, April, 1887, 263.
Say (subject God Genesis 3:1 Genesis 32:5, serpent Genesis 3:1, ass Numbers 22:28, horse יֹאמַר הָאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare Job 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judges 9:8; 2 Kings 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיֹּאמֶר etc., Genesis 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jeremiah 14:17 (with clause app.) Deuteronomy 27:16 f.; Judges 12:6; pronoun Genesis 44:16; 2 Kings 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Genesis 1:3; Genesis 3:1; Genesis 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Genesis 32:5; Numbers 20:14; 1 Kings 20:3,5 + often; especially כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה Exodus 5:1; Exodus 7:17; Exodus 8:1; Exodus 8:20; 1 Chronicles 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֵל Genesis 3:1; Genesis 15:7; Genesis 22:7; Leviticus 21:1; 2 Samuel 3:7; 1 Kings 12:5,23, or לְ Genesis 3:13; Genesis 4:15; 1 Samuel 20:2; 2 Samuel 2:21; 1 Kings 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי כֹה אָמַר Isaiah 49:20 (compare Isaiah 5:9 & see דָּבַר); לִפְנֵי כֹה אָמַר Ezekiel 28:9; לְעֵינֵי כֹה אָמַר Deuteronomy 31:7; Joshua 10:12; Jeremiah 28:11; בְּ כֹה אָמַר Joel 2:17; Psalm 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exodus 19:25 being very singular; Genesis 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Genesis 22:2,3; Genesis 43:27,29; Exodus 32:13; Numbers 14:40; 1 Samuel 10:16; 1 Samuel 16:3; 2 Samuel 6:22; Nehemiah 6:19; compare Psalm 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Psalm 40:11; Ezekiel 13:7; in reply to question = answer Exodus 12:27; Joshua 4:7; 1 Kings 9:9; Jeremiah 5:19; Jeremiah 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֵל 2 Kings 19:32; Jeremiah 22:18; Jeremiah 27:19, or לְ Genesis 20:13 אִמְרִי לִי say of me, etc. Deuteronomy 33:9; Judges 9:54; Isaiah 5:20; Psalm 3:3; Psalm 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isaiah 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4d) Genesis 3:17; Numbers 10:29; Numbers 14:31; Deuteronomy 28:68; Judges 7:4; 1 Samuel 9:17,23b 1 Kings 8:29; Lamentations 4:20; compare Numbers 21:16; 2 Kings 17:12; 2 Kings 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isaiah 8:12; Lamentations 2:15 (see Dr Sm i. 24, 5); הָאָמֻר Micah 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֵאָמֹר (see above) shall one say? shall it be said? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deuteronomy 21:7; Deuteronomy 25:9; Deuteronomy 27:15; Song of Solomon 2:10 +, even after אָמַר Genesis 22:7; Leviticus 21:1; Jeremiah 34:2; Esther 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דָּבַר Genesis 8:15, צָוָה Genesis 2:16, עָנָה Genesis 44:16, בָּרַךְ Genesis 1:22, נָשַׁבַע Genesis 24:7, נָּדַר Genesis 28:20, etc.; after אָמַר 2 Samuel 3:18; 1 Kings 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1 Chronicles 21:18 +; after שָׁלַח 2 Chronicles 35:21, שׁוּב Genesis 32:7; compare also Genesis 28:6; Exodus 5:13; Exodus 9:5; Exodus 13:8; Exodus 17:4; Numbers 11:20; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 13:7; Judges 8:15; 1 Samuel 23:2; 1 Kings 13:3; Jeremiah 32:3; Jeremiah 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of preceding clause Genesis 31:1; Genesis 38:13,24 etc.; after שָׁמַע Isaiah 37:9 = 2 Kings 19:9.
1. Say in the heart (= think)
- בְּלֵב כֹּה אָמַר Deuteronomy 8:17 compare 1 Kings 12:26; Psalm 10:6; Psalm 10:11; Psalm 10:13; Psalm 14:1; Psalm 35:25; Isaiah 14:13; Isaiah 47:8,10; Isaiah 49:21; Ecclesiastes 2:1,15; Ecclesiastes 3:17,18; לִלְבָבוֹ כֹּה אָמַר Hosea 7:2; אֵל לִבּוֹ כֹּה אָמַר Genesis 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject כֹּה יְהוָה, compare 1 Samuel 27:1; אָמְרָה נַפְשִׁי Lamentations 3:24; thence כֹּה אָמַר alone Genesis 20:11; Genesis 26:9; Numbers 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1 Samuel 20:26; 2 Samuel 5:6; 2 Kings 5:11; followed by clause with כִּי Judges 15:2; in particular = desire מַה תֹּאמַר נַפְשֶׁךָ 1 Samuel 20:4 compare Esther 2:13; followed by infinitive = purpose, Exodus 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? Joshua 22:33; 1 Samuel 30:6; 1 Kings 5:19; 2 Chronicles 28:10,13; expect 2 Samuel 21:16 he expected to slay David 2 Chronicles 13:8; 2 Chronicles 32:1.
2. Promise
- (followed by infinitive) 1 Chronicles 27:23; 2 Chronicles 21:7; Esther 4:7; (idem + לְ of person) 2 Kings 8:19; Nehemiah 9:15; (followed by accusative of direct object + לְ of person + infinitive of purpose) Nehemiah 9:23.
3. Command
- (especially late) followed by אֵל of person addressed, Numbers 15:38; 1 Chronicles 21:18; followed by לְ Joshua 11:9; 2 Samuel 16:11; 2 Kings 4:24; Job 9:7; Psalm 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8e); followed by infinitive 1 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:17; 2 Chronicles 1:18; 2 Chronicles 29:27,30; 2 Chronicles 31:11; Esther 1:17; Esther 4:13,15; Esther 6:1; followed by infinitive + לְ of pers, 2 Chronicles 14:3; 2 Chronicles 29:21; 2 Chronicles 31:4; Esther 1:10; followed by accusative direct object 2 Chronicles 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1 Kings 5:20; Esther 2:15; followed by clause with אֲשֶׁר = that Nehemiah 13:19; idem + לְ of person Nehemiah 13:22; followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10; absolute 1 Samuel 16:16 (read however probably יֹאמְרוּ for יֹאמַר, compare Dr); also Psalm 105:31; Psalm 105:34; Psalm 107:25; 1 Chronicles 14:12; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Nehemiah 13:9,19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִם הַסֵּפֶר כֹּה אָמַר Esther 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֹ לְלֶחֶם כֹּה אָמַר 1 Kings 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deuteronomy 9:25; Psalm 106:23.
Niphal
Perfect נֶאֱמַר Daniel 8:26; Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Genesis 22:14 +; יֵאָמַר לוֹ Isaiah 4:3; יֵאָמַר Genesis 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַר Joshua 2:2; be said, told Genesis 10:9; Genesis 22:14; Psalm 87:5; Jeremiah 4:11; Jeremiah 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Numbers 21:14; be related, told, of vision Daniel 8:26; said, told to (followed by לְ indirect object) Joshua 2:2; Hosea 2:1 (twice in verse); Zephaniah 3:16; either so, or told concerning Numbers 23:23; Ezekiel 13:12 (אֵל); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isaiah 61:6 ("" תִּקָּרְאוּ לָכֶם), compare Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 32:5 ("" יִקָּרֵא לְ) Isaiah 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹא יֵאָמֵר עוֹד הַתֹּפֶת Jeremiah 7:32; subject שֵׁם Genesis 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֵל אֵל יֵאָמֵר, Rabb (compare AV) treat יֵאָמֵר as Niph`al Infinitive for לֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֵל אֵל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jeremiah 22:15; Jeremiah 23:26; Nehemiah 13:27), see Dr § 9 Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads יֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.'
Hiphil
Perfect הֵאֱמִיר Deuteronomy 26:17 הֵאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֹם לִהְיוֹת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים; Deuteronomy 26:18 הֵאֱמִיר יְהוָה הַיּוֹם לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di).
Hithpael
Imperfect יִתְאַמֵּר Psalm 94:4 subject כָּל מְעֹלֵל אָוֶן act proudly, boast ("" יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְאַמֵּרוּ Isaiah 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) Ges Comm. so De Che Kö i. 457 f. (from [ יָמַר ] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see יָמַר, מוֹר).
1 [] Indicates that the form enclosed is not actually found (assumed/reconstructed) or that the Hebrew offers no positive proof (e.g., gender).
2 √ Root or stem.
3 || Parallel of words (synonymous or contrasted); also of passages; sometimes 'see parallel' or 'so also in parallel'.
4 = Equivalent / equals.
5 + Prefixed or added, indicates 'All passages cited'. Also used as 'plus', denoting often that other passages might be cited.
6 J Jehovist (Yahwist) Source.
7 ? Sign of doubt.
8 t. times (following a number).
9 * Assumed form (not actually found).
10 ° Additions / glosses.
11 Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, ed. E. Kautzsch, trans. A. E. Cowley, 2nd English ed., Oxford, 1910 (GKC).
12 Mordtmann ZMG 1876, 37.
13 Dl Pr 28.
14 Ew § 328 d.
15 Kö i. p. 385.
16 Dr Expositor, April, 1887, 263.
17 Dr Sm i. 24, 5.
18 Vrss Versions.
19 Di Dillmann.
20 Hup Hupfeld.
21 Pe Perowne.
22 Dy Delitzsch.
23 Che Cheyne.
24 AV Authorized Version.
25 Rabb Rabbinic.
26 Dr § 9.
27 Hoffm Hoffmann.
28 Ges Gesenius.
29 De Delitzsch.
30 Kö König.
31 Thes Thesaurus.
32 Hi Hitzig.
33 Kn Knobel.
34 Ew Ewald.
- Definition
- near, with or among; often in general, to
- Root
- (but only used in the shortened constructive form אל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.
- Exhaustive
- (but only used in the shortened constructive form אל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.; near, with or among; often in general, to; about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).
- Definition
- them, personal pronoun - verb/prep. 3rd person masculine plural
- Root
- Exhaustive
- Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
אֵל (nearly always followed by maqqeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job (1 Samuel 3:22; 1 Samuel 5:26; 1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Samuel 29:19), with suffix אֱלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֱלֶיךְ, etc. אֱלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 times) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֱלֵימוֹ Psalm 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exodus 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic عربي), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).
Cognates:
- Assyrian ilî
- Arabic عربي
1. Motion to or unto a person or place
- Genesis 2:19, Genesis 2:22; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 8:9; Genesis 14:22; Genesis 16:9 etc.
- After every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֹא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though לְ is here more common) Genesis 21:14; Genesis 35:4; Deuteronomy 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deuteronomy 37:36, etc.
- Metaphorical Jeremiah 2:19 וְלֹא פַּחַדְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23).
- Peculiarly Genesis 6:16 אֵל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc.
- And metaphor in the phrase אֵל (אֱלֵי) גִּיל unto exultation Hosea 9:11; Job 3:22.
- Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֵל מִצִּגִּים יִקָּחֶהָ and even out of thorns he taketh it.
- Sometimes pregnant, as Isaiah 66:17; Jeremiah 41:7 זָנָה אֵל commit whoredom (by going) to Numbers 25:1; Ezekiel 16:26, Ezekiel 16:28, Ezekiel 16:29; דָּרַשׁ אֵל seek (by resorting) to Deuteronomy 18:11; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 11:10 +; חָבַר אֵל join together (& come) unto Genesis 14:3; הִשְׁכִּימוּ אֵל rise early (and go) to Genesis 19:27; Genesis 24:11 הִבְרִיךְ אֵל made to kneel down at; Genesis 47:18 תַּם אֵל i.e. has been made over to; מָחַד אֵל to come in fear to Hosea 3:5; Micah 7:17.
- Opposite is מִן, as מִן הַקָּצֶה אֵל הַקָּצֶה from end to end Exodus 26:28; מֵה אֵל מֵה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2 Kings 21:16 מֵה לָפֶה).
- And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֵל עֵת 1 Chronicles 9:25; מִיּוֹם אֵל יוֹם Numbers 30:15 (P) 1 Chronicles 16:23 (in the Psalm 96:2 מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם).
2. Where the limit is actually entered, into
- Genesis 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Genesis 7:1; Genesis 19:3; Genesis 41:21; Genesis 42:17; & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Genesis 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיכוּ) Genesis 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֵל בֵּית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exodus 28:30 (Leviticus 8:8) Deuteronomy 23:25; so after קָבַר to bury Genesis 23:19; Genesis 25:9; Genesis 49:29; שָׁחַט to squeeze Genesis 40:11; מָחָה to blot out Numbers 5:23, etc.; metaphor Genesis 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׁם אֵל לֵב, הָשִׁיב to place, bring into ( = lay to ) heart Deuteronomy 4:39; 2 Samuel 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1 Samuel 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֵל הַכְּלִים in among the baggage, Jeremiah 4:3 sow not אֵל קֹצִים in among thorns.
3. Of direction towards anything
- (a) Of physical acts or states, as Genesis 30:40 נָתַן מִנִּי הַצֹּאן אֵל, Genesis 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֵל, Exodus 25:20; Numbers 6:26, נָשָׂא פָּנָיו אֵל (2 Kings 9:32 differently), 2 Kings 24:1 שָׁת מִנִּיו אֵל, Joshua 8:18; Psalm 28:2; 1 Kings 8:29, 1 Kings 8:30 (to pray towards) 1 Kings 8:38; pregnantly חָרַד אֵל to tremble (turning) to Genesis 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֵל to wonder (turning) towards Genesis 43:33; Isaiah 13:8, מָחַד אֵל Jeremiah 36:16: without a verb מֵנִּים אֵל מֵנִּים face to face Genesis 32:31 +; מֵה אֵל מֵה Numbers 12:8; כִּאֲיִנֵּנוּ אֵלֶיךָ the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; כָּלוּ אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lamentations 4:17; Isaiah 63:15; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Kings 14:13; Psalm 40:6; alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Genesis 3:16; Genesis 4:7; 2 Kings 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hosea 3:3 וְגַם אֲנִי אֵלֶיךָ Ezekiel 36:9; Haggai 2:17; Jeremiah 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֵל).
- (b) With words such as אָמַר to say to Genesis 3:1 + often, דִּבֵּר Genesis 8:15 + often, קָרָא Genesis 19:5, הִגִּיד Genesis 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Genesis 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Genesis 12:15 (compare Ezekiel 13:19 חִלֵּל אֵל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezekiel 40:14.
- (c) With words expressing the direction of the mind, as קָוָה to wait Psalm 27:14 +; יָחַל to hope Isaiah 51:5; נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֵל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deuteronomy 24:15; Psalm 25:1; שָׁם לֵב אֵל, שִׁית to set the heart (mind) to Exodus 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֵל to accustom oneself to Jeremiah 10:2; חָרַד אֵל to shew fear towards 2 Kings 4:13; Genesis 43:30; Deuteronomy 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוּ אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lamentations 4:17; Isaiah 63:15; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Kings 14:13; Psalm 40:6; alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Genesis 3:16; Genesis 4:7; 2 Kings 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hosea 3:3 וְגַם אֲנִי אֵלֶיךָ Ezekiel 36:9; Haggai 2:17; Jeremiah 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֵל).
4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, against
- Genesis 4:8 אֵל הֶבֶל and Cain rose up against Abel (so 1 Samuel 24:8) 1 Samuel 22:12; Exodus 14:5; Numbers 32:14; with נִקַּם Joshua 10:6, הָלַךְ Judges 1:10; Judges 20:30; with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Genesis 42:21; Judges 9:57; 1 Samuel 2:34; 1 Kings 14:10 +; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 3:8 their tongue and doings are אֵלִי Isaiah 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֵל) Hosea 7:15 (compare Nahum 1:9) Hosea 12:5 וַיָּשַׁר אֵל מַלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֵל Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nahum 2:14; Nahum 3:5; Jeremiah 21:13 (Jeremiah 23:30-32 עַל) Jeremiah 50:31; Jeremiah 51:25; Ezekiel 13:8, Ezekiel 13:20; Ezekiel 21:8; Ezekiel 29:10; Ezekiel 30:22; Ezekiel 34:10; Ezekiel 35:3; Ezekiel 38:3; Ezekiel 39:1 (Ezekiel 5:8; Ezekiel 26:3; Ezekiel 28:22; Ezekiel 29:3 עַל: on Ezekiel 36:9 see above)
5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
- As Leviticus 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֵל אֲחֹתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Joshua 13:22 (Numbers 31:8 עַל); 1 Samuel 14:34 at eat אֵל הַחֹם together with the blood (1 Samuel 14:32 & Generally עַל); 1 Kings 10:7 הוֹסַף אֵל (generally עַל); Jeremiah 25:26; Ezekiel 7:26 שְׁמֻעָה אֵל שְׁמֻעָה (עַל); Ezekiel 44:7; Lamentations 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֵל כַּפֵּינוּ our hearts together with the hands (compare Arabic عربي, Qor 4:2; W AG ii. § 51 c).
6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of
- Thus הִתְאַבֵּל אֵל to mourn concerning 1 Samuel 15:35; הִנָּחֵם אֵל to repent as regards 2 Samuel 24:16; הִתְפַּלֵּל אֵל to pray with regard to 1 Samuel 1:27; 2 Kings 19:20; צָעַק אֵל to cry 2 Kings 8:3 (2 Kings 8:5 עַל); נֶעֱצַב אֵל be pained 1 Samuel 20:34; נִחַם אֵל to comfort 2 Samuel 10:2; more Generally 1 Kings 16:13; 1 Kings 21:22; אֵל נֶפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1 Kings 19:3; 2 Kings 7:7 (Genesis 19:17 עַל). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר אֵל Genesis 20:2; Isaiah 29:22; Isaiah 37:21, Isaiah 37:33 +; דִּבֵּר אֵל 2 Samuel 7:19; Jeremiah 40:16 b; סִמֵּר אֵל Psalm 2:7; Psalm 69:27; צָוָה אֵל Isaiah 23:11; שָׁמַע אֵל Ezekiel 19:4; הַשְׁמֻעָה אֵל the report regarding . . . 1 Samuel 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)
7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare)
- אֵל מִצְוָה according to the command of, Joshua 15:13; Joshua 17:4; Joshua 21:3 (generally עַל מִצְוָה); אֵל נָבוֹן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1 Samuel 23:23; 1 Samuel 26:4 (see Dr); perhaps Psalm 5:1; Psalm 80:1 (Psalm 45:1 עַל).
8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by
- Not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1), as Joshua 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֵל מֵי מְרוֹם at the waters of Merom, 1 Samuel 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2 Samuel 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֵל הַחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deuteronomy 33:28; Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7; but also in other cases, as Joshua 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֵל גִּבְעַת הָעֲרָלִים at the hill of the foreskins, Joshua 22:11 have built an altar אֵל גְּלִילוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judges 12:6; 2 Samuel 3:32, 2 Samuel 14:30 & 2 Samuel 18:4 אֵל יַד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1 Kings 13:20 as they were sitting אֵל הַשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2 Kings 11:14 אֵל הַמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jeremiah 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jeremiah 46:10 אֵל נְהַר מְרָתַיִם by the Euphrates, Ezekiel 3:15; Ezekiel 11:11; Ezekiel 17:8; Ezekiel 31:7; Ezekiel 40:18; Ezekiel 43:3; Ezekiel 47:7; Ezekiel 48:12.
9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
- Thus אֵל אַחֲרֵי 2 Samuel 5:23; 2 Kings 9:18, 2 Kings 9:19 סֹב אֵל אַחֲרֵי turn to behind me, Zechariah 6:5 (where אֵל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יָצָא אֵל before & after); אֵל בֵּין in between Ezekiel 31:10, Ezekiel 31:14; אֱל בֵּינֹת similarly Ezekiel 10:2; אֵל בֵּית to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Leviticus 16:15; 2 Kings 11:15 have her forth in within the ranks; אֵל מוּל see מוּל; אֵל מִנֶּגֶב to the south of Joshua 15:3; אֵל מִחוּץ to the outside of Leviticus 4:12, Leviticus 4:21 +; אֵל נֹכַח to the front of Numbers 19:4; אֵל תַּחַת Judges 6:19; 1 Kings 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).
Note I. — In Genesis 20:13 אֵל כָּל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֹא שָׁמָּה וְג׳; Numbers 33:54 אֵל אֲשֶׁר וְג׳; Proverbs 17:8 (compare Deuteronomy 16:6); — אֵל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֵל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deuteronomy 31:14 אֱלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אֵל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.
Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֵל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֵל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus (a) Joshua 5:14 וַיִּמָּל אֵל מָנָיִו; 1 Samuel 13:13 אַתְּמַמְלֵאתָּ אֵלִי שְׂרָאֵל; 1 Samuel 14:34 (see below 5); 1 Samuel 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֵל הָהָר (contracted עַל הָהָר Deuteronomy 11:29); Deuteronomy 19:16; 2 Samuel 6:3; 2 Samuel 20:23 (contracted 2 Samuel 8:16) 1 Kings 13:29; 1 Kings 18:46 (contracted 2 Kings 3:15 עַל) Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 7:18. (b) Judges 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, Judges 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֵל) the fleece; 1 Samuel 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, 1 Samuel 14:12 come up אֱלֵינוּ; 1 Samuel 16:23 & 1 Samuel 16:16 & 1 Samuel 18:10 צָלַח אֵל, 1 Samuel 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1 Samuel 25:17 evil is determined אֵל אֲדֹנִינוּ וְעַל כָּל בֵּיתוֹ; 1 Samuel 25:25; 1 Samuel 27:10; 2 Samuel 2:9 וַיַּמְלֵךְ אֵל וְג׳ אֵל וְג׳ אֵל וְג׳ עַל וְג׳ עַל וְג׳ עַל וְג׳; 2 Samuel 3:29 יָחֻל עַל וְאֵל; 2 Kings 8:3 & 2 Kings 8:5; Jeremiah 19:15; Jeremiah 25:2; Jeremiah 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֵל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת; Jeremiah 27:19; Jeremiah 28:8; Jeremiah 33:14; Jeremiah 34:7; Jeremiah 36:31; Jeremiah 37:13, Jeremiah 37:14; Ezekiel 18:6, Ezekiel 18:11 & Ezekiel 18:15; Ezekiel 21:12 etc. Psalm 79:6 (Jeremiah 10:25 עַל twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers. Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֵל, or even in juxtaposition with אֵל, as 1 Samuel 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1 Samuel 1:26 אֵל); 1 Samuel 1:13; 1 Samuel 25:25 אֵל עַל; 1 Kings 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַל בֵּיתוֹ (1 Kings 21:4 אֵל); Isaiah 22:15; Jeremiah 11:2; Jeremiah 23:35; Jeremiah 31:12. compare Dr Sm i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.
1 If the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.
2 There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֵל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֵל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences.
3 It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.
4 Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֵל, or even in juxtaposition with אֵל.
5 Compare Driver, Samuel, i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.
- 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.
I. דָּבָר (approximate number of occurrences: 1439) noun masculine — speech, word.
— דָּבָר absolute Genesis 18:14 (446 times); construct דְּבַר Genesis 12:17 (361 times); suffix דְּבָרִי Numbers 11:23 + (suffixes 66 times); singular in all 875 times; plural דְּבָרִים Exodus 4:10 (182 times); construct דִּבְרֵי Genesis 24:30 (253 times); suffix דְּבָרָיו Genesis 37:8 (suffixes 127 times); plural in all 564 times.
I. Singular: speech, discourse, saying, word
As the sum of that which is spoken:
1. Of men- a. Discreet in speech: נְבוֺן דָּבָר 1 Samuel 16:18; שְׂפָתַיִם ד׳ speech of lips Psalm 59:13, mere talk Isaiah 36:5 (= 2 Kings 18:20) Proverbs 14:23; דָּבָר מָר bitter speech Psalm 64:4; כָּזָב ד׳ lying speech Proverbs 30:8; דְּבָֽרְךָ טוֺב thy saying is good 1 Samuel 9:10; וּדְבַר אַבְנֵר הָיָה עִם and the speech of Abner had been with the elders 2 Samuel 3:17.
- b. Word of command: ד׳ (הַ)מֶּלֶךְ 1 Chronicles 21:4, 6; Esther 1:12; Ecclesiastes 8:4; מַלְכוּת ד׳ royal edict Esther 1:19; כדבר עשׂה do according to command Genesis 44:2; Exodus 32:28 (Jehovist Source); Leviticus 10:7 (Priests' Code / Narrative).
- c. Message, report, tidings: הַדָּבָר הָרָע הַזֶּה this evil report Exodus 33:4 (Jehovist-Elohist Source); הֵשִׁיב דָּבָר bring word, report, answer Genesis 37:14; Numbers 13:26; 1 Samuel 17:30; Proverbs 18:13; Isaiah 41:28.
- d. Advice, counsel: בְּדְבַר בִּלְעָם by advice of Balaam Numbers 31:16 (Priests' Code / Narrative); Judges 20:7; 2 Samuel 19:44.
- e. Request: 2 Samuel 14:15, 22.
- f. Promise: לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ he shall not break his word Numbers 30:3 (Priests' Code / Narrative); הֵקִים דָּבָר perform a promise Nehemiah 5:13.
- g. Charge, complaint: Deuteronomy 22:20; שִׂים דָּבָר בְּ 1 Samuel 22:15.
- h. Decision, sentence: דְּבַר הַמִּשְׁפָּט Deuteronomy 17:9–11.
- i. Theme, story: דָּבָר טוֹב good theme Psalm 45:2; דִּבְרֵי גְבוּרוֹת Job 41:4.
As a divine communication in commandments, prophecy, and help (394 times):
- a. Communication: וַיְהִי דְבַר י׳ אֶל word of Yahweh came unto 1 Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel 7:4; 1 Kings 17:2; Jeremiah 1:4; Ezekiel 3:16. God sends his word (שׁלח) Psalm 107:20; Isaiah 9:7.
- b. Confirmation: Yahweh confirms his word of promise Deuteronomy 9:5; 1 Kings 2:4. His word is settled in heaven Psalm 119:89. It is a lamp to the feet Psalm 119:105.
II. Saying, utterance, sentence
As a section of a discourse:
1. Of men- a. דָּבָר בְּעִתּוֹ a word in due season Proverbs 15:23. דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים sentences of the wise Proverbs 1:6; Ecclesiastes 12:11.
- b. Title of writings: דִּבְרֵי קֹהֶלֶת Ecclesiastes 1:1; ד׳ יִרְמְיָהוּ Jeremiah 1:1; Amos 1:1.
- c. Records: ד׳ הַחֹזִים 2 Chronicles 33:18; 1 Chronicles 29:29.
- עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים the ten words (commandments) Exodus 34:28 (Jehovist Source); Deuteronomy 4:13. Words of the covenant code Exodus 24:3; Deuteronomic code Deuteronomy 17:19.
III. A word, words
- Of men: אִישׁ דְּבָרִים man of words (eloquent) Exodus 4:10; דִּבְרֵי רוּחַ words of wind Job 16:3.
- Of God: Numbers 12:6; 1 Samuel 15:1; Amos 8:11.
IV. Matter, affair
1. Business, occupation- דְּבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ king's business 1 Samuel 21:9; דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ daily duty or portion Exodus 5:13; 1 Kings 8:59.
- דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים chronicles (daily record) 1 Kings 14:29; דְּבָרָיו his acts 2 Chronicles 13:22.
- עָשָׂה דָּבָר Genesis 22:16; לֹא... דָּבָר nothing 1 Kings 5:7; עֶרְוַת דָּבָר unseemly thing Deuteronomy 23:15.
- זֶה דְּבַר הַשְּׁמִטָּה Deuteronomy 15:2; כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה after this manner Genesis 18:25; 2 Samuel 15:6.
1 SI: Likely Silberman, or reference to a specific grammatical work.
2 DrSm: S. R. Driver, Notes on the Hebrew Text and the Topography of the Books of Samuel (1890).
3 DrIntr: S. R. Driver, An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (1891).
4 ᵐ5: Septuagint; ᵑ6: Syriac Peshitta.
- Definition
- Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
- Root
- from H1961 (היה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal;
- Exhaustive
- from היה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יה, יהוה.
I. יהוה (approximate number of occurrences: 6823) i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity — Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel.
Cognates and Origins:
- Babylonian יהו (claimed by DelitzschDl Pa 162 ff., disputed by Kuenen and Jastrow)
- Egyptian etymology (proposed by SpiegelbergZMG liii 633 ff., considered improbable)
- Moabite Stone יהוה as the name of Israel's God (MI18)
— יהוה Masoretic Text יְהוָֺה (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה (Qr אֱלֹהִים) in combinations אדני יהוה; with prepositions בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה. Pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520 (Galatinus). The traditional Ἰαβέ (Theodoret) and contracted form יָהּ favour the pronunciation יַהְוֶה (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Psalm 74:6).
1. Etymology and Meaning
a. Hiphil theories (The Giver of Being)- The one bringing into being, life-giver (Schrader)
- Giver of existence, creator (Kuenen, Tiele)
- He who causes to fall, i.e., rain or lightning (Robertson Smith)
- The absolute and unchangeable one (Riehm)
- The existing, ever living (Dillmann)
- The one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption (Delitzsch)
2. Source Analysis and Usage
a. In the Hexateuch- Elohist Source (E): Not used in Genesis; revealed at Horeb (Exodus 3:12–15) and explained as אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה "I shall be the one who will be with thee."
- Priests' Code (P): Abstains from use until the revelation to Moses (Exodus 6:3).
- Yahwist Source (J): Uses the name from the beginning of the narrative (Genesis 2:4).
- Common in pre-exilic writers; falls into disuse post-exile, supplanted by אלהים and אדני.
- Job: Used in prose parts and once in the poem (Job 12:9).
- Ecclesiastes: Not used at all.
3. Syntactic Combinations
a. With אלהים and suffixes- With אֱלֹהֶיךָ: Exodus 20:2–12 (Ten Words); Deuteronomy 5:6–16; in Deuteronomy (234 times).
- With אֱלֹהֵיכֶם: In Deuteronomy (46 times); Holiness Code (15 times); Joel 2:13.
- With אֱלֹהֵינוּ: Exodus 3:18; Psalm 20:8; Daniel 9:10, 13, 14.
- With אלהים (later editors): Genesis 2:4b; Jonah 4:6.
- As a formula of revelation or authority: Exodus 6:2, 29 (Priests' Code).
- In the recognition formula ("that ye may know"): Exodus 7:5; Ezekiel 6:7 (and 48 times in Ezekiel).
- In the Holiness Code as an emphatic close: Leviticus 18:5, 6, 21; Leviticus 19:12, 14, 16.
- יהוה יראה (Yahweh-jireh): Genesis 22:14 (Yahwist Source).
- יהוה נסי (Yahweh-nissi): Exodus 17:15 (Elohist Source).
- יהוה שׁלים (Yahweh-shalom): Judges 6:24.
- יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה (Yahweh-shammah): Ezekiel 48:35.
1 Philo, de Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529.
2 Friedrich Böttcher, Lehrbuch der hebräischen Sprache (Bö § 88).
3 Paul de Lagarde, Symmicta (Lag Sym i.14).
4 Samuel Rolles Driver, Studia Biblica (Dr Stud.Bib.i.1 ff.).
5 Eberhard Schrader, Die Keilinschriften und das Alte Testament (COT).
- 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.
I. הָיָה (approximate number of occurrences: 3570) verb — fall out, come to pass, become, be (SI1; SI2 היה; parallel form of הוה, Arabic هوى, Aramaic הֲוָא; see הָוָה).
Cognates:
- Sinaitic Inscriptions הית
- Arabic هوى
- Aramaic הֲוָא
— Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular הָיָה Genesis 3:1 +; וְהָיָה consecutive Genesis 4:14 +; 3 feminine singular הָֽיְתָה Genesis 1:2 +; הָיָ֑תָה Isaiah 14:24; וְהָֽיְתָה consecutive Genesis 9:13 +; 2 masculine singular הָיִיתָ Deuteronomy 5:15 +; 1 singular הָיִיתִי Genesis 31:40; 3 plural הָיוּ Genesis 6:4 +; 2 masculine plural הֱיִיתֶם Exodus 22:20 +; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִהְיֶה Genesis 1:29 +; jussive יְהִי Genesis 1:3 +; וַיְהִי Genesis 1:3 +; 3 feminine singular תִּהְיֶה Genesis 21:30 +; 1 singular אֶהְיֶה Exodus 3:12 +; Imperative masculine singular הֱיֵה Exodus 18:19 +; Infinitive absolute הָיוֺ Genesis 18:18; construct הֱיוֺת Genesis 2:18 +; Participle feminine הוֺיָה Exodus 9:3.
1. Happen and Come to Pass
a. Fall out, happen- מֶה־הָיָה הַדָּבָר 1 Samuel 4:16 (how has the matter fallen out?)
- 2 Samuel 1:4
- מֶה־הָיָה לוֺ Exodus 32:1, 23 (Jehovist-Elohist Source)
- 1 Samuel 4:17 (a slaughter has taken place)
- 2 Samuel 18:6 (the battle took place)
- Genesis 26:28 (Jehovist Source)
- וַיְהִי־כֵן Genesis 1:7, 9, 11 (Priests' Code)
2. Come into being and Become
a. Arise, appear, come (absolute)- Exodus 12:80 (there arose a great cry)
- Genesis 9:16 (the bow shall appear)
- Genesis 1:3 (יְהִי אוֺר let light appear)
- Genesis 3:20 (mother of all living)
- Genesis 4:2 (became a shepherd)
- וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים Genesis 3:5 (become like gods)
- Genesis 2:7 (became a living soul)
- Exodus 4:3 (became a serpent)
- Genesis 28:21 (Yahweh shall be my God)
3. Exist and Be
a. Exist, be in existence- 1 Samuel 1:28 (all the days he lives)
- Genesis 2:5 (shrub not yet in the earth)
- Exodus 3:14 (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I am that I am)
Niph`al — Perfect נִהְיָה 1 Kings 1:27; 3 feminine singular נִהְיְתָה Judges 19:30 — be done, be brought about, occur.
- Exodus 11:6 (such as hath not occurred)
- Deuteronomy 4:32
- Proverbs 13:19 (a desire realized)
1 Sinaitic Inscriptions.
2 Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, ed. E. Kautzsch, trans. A. E. Cowley, 2nd English ed., Oxford, 1910 (GKC).
3 Friedrich Eduard König, Historisch-kritisches Lehrgebäude der hebräischen Sprache (1881–1897).
4 Septuagint (LXX).
- Definition
- near, with or among; often in general, to
- Root
- (but only used in the shortened constructive form אל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.
- Exhaustive
- (but only used in the shortened constructive form אל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.; near, with or among; often in general, to; about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).
- Definition
- me, personal pronoun - verb/prep. suffix: 1st person common singular
- Root
- Exhaustive
- Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
אֵל (nearly always followed by maqqeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job (1 Samuel 3:22; 1 Samuel 5:26; 1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Samuel 29:19), with suffix אֱלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֱלֶיךְ, etc. אֱלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 times) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֱלֵימוֹ Psalm 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exodus 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic عربي), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).
Cognates:
- Assyrian ilî
- Arabic عربي
1. Motion to or unto a person or place
- Genesis 2:19, Genesis 2:22; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 8:9; Genesis 14:22; Genesis 16:9 etc.
- After every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֹא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though לְ is here more common) Genesis 21:14; Genesis 35:4; Deuteronomy 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deuteronomy 37:36, etc.
- Metaphorical Jeremiah 2:19 וְלֹא פַּחַדְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23).
- Peculiarly Genesis 6:16 אֵל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc.
- And metaphor in the phrase אֵל (אֱלֵי) גִּיל unto exultation Hosea 9:11; Job 3:22.
- Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֵל מִצִּגִּים יִקָּחֶהָ and even out of thorns he taketh it.
- Sometimes pregnant, as Isaiah 66:17; Jeremiah 41:7 זָנָה אֵל commit whoredom (by going) to Numbers 25:1; Ezekiel 16:26, Ezekiel 16:28, Ezekiel 16:29; דָּרַשׁ אֵל seek (by resorting) to Deuteronomy 18:11; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 11:10 +; חָבַר אֵל join together (& come) unto Genesis 14:3; הִשְׁכִּימוּ אֵל rise early (and go) to Genesis 19:27; Genesis 24:11 הִבְרִיךְ אֵל made to kneel down at; Genesis 47:18 תַּם אֵל i.e. has been made over to; מָחַד אֵל to come in fear to Hosea 3:5; Micah 7:17.
- Opposite is מִן, as מִן הַקָּצֶה אֵל הַקָּצֶה from end to end Exodus 26:28; מֵה אֵל מֵה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2 Kings 21:16 מֵה לָפֶה).
- And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֵל עֵת 1 Chronicles 9:25; מִיּוֹם אֵל יוֹם Numbers 30:15 (P) 1 Chronicles 16:23 (in the Psalm 96:2 מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם).
2. Where the limit is actually entered, into
- Genesis 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Genesis 7:1; Genesis 19:3; Genesis 41:21; Genesis 42:17; & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Genesis 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיכוּ) Genesis 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֵל בֵּית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exodus 28:30 (Leviticus 8:8) Deuteronomy 23:25; so after קָבַר to bury Genesis 23:19; Genesis 25:9; Genesis 49:29; שָׁחַט to squeeze Genesis 40:11; מָחָה to blot out Numbers 5:23, etc.; metaphor Genesis 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׁם אֵל לֵב, הָשִׁיב to place, bring into ( = lay to ) heart Deuteronomy 4:39; 2 Samuel 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1 Samuel 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֵל הַכְּלִים in among the baggage, Jeremiah 4:3 sow not אֵל קֹצִים in among thorns.
3. Of direction towards anything
- (a) Of physical acts or states, as Genesis 30:40 נָתַן מִנִּי הַצֹּאן אֵל, Genesis 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֵל, Exodus 25:20; Numbers 6:26, נָשָׂא פָּנָיו אֵל (2 Kings 9:32 differently), 2 Kings 24:1 שָׁת מִנִּיו אֵל, Joshua 8:18; Psalm 28:2; 1 Kings 8:29, 1 Kings 8:30 (to pray towards) 1 Kings 8:38; pregnantly חָרַד אֵל to tremble (turning) to Genesis 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֵל to wonder (turning) towards Genesis 43:33; Isaiah 13:8, מָחַד אֵל Jeremiah 36:16: without a verb מֵנִּים אֵל מֵנִּים face to face Genesis 32:31 +; מֵה אֵל מֵה Numbers 12:8; כִּאֲיִנֵּנוּ אֵלֶיךָ the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; כָּלוּ אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lamentations 4:17; Isaiah 63:15; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Kings 14:13; Psalm 40:6; alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Genesis 3:16; Genesis 4:7; 2 Kings 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hosea 3:3 וְגַם אֲנִי אֵלֶיךָ Ezekiel 36:9; Haggai 2:17; Jeremiah 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֵל).
- (b) With words such as אָמַר to say to Genesis 3:1 + often, דִּבֵּר Genesis 8:15 + often, קָרָא Genesis 19:5, הִגִּיד Genesis 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Genesis 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Genesis 12:15 (compare Ezekiel 13:19 חִלֵּל אֵל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezekiel 40:14.
- (c) With words expressing the direction of the mind, as קָוָה to wait Psalm 27:14 +; יָחַל to hope Isaiah 51:5; נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֵל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deuteronomy 24:15; Psalm 25:1; שָׁם לֵב אֵל, שִׁית to set the heart (mind) to Exodus 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֵל to accustom oneself to Jeremiah 10:2; חָרַד אֵל to shew fear towards 2 Kings 4:13; Genesis 43:30; Deuteronomy 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוּ אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lamentations 4:17; Isaiah 63:15; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Kings 14:13; Psalm 40:6; alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Genesis 3:16; Genesis 4:7; 2 Kings 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hosea 3:3 וְגַם אֲנִי אֵלֶיךָ Ezekiel 36:9; Haggai 2:17; Jeremiah 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֵל).
4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, against
- Genesis 4:8 אֵל הֶבֶל and Cain rose up against Abel (so 1 Samuel 24:8) 1 Samuel 22:12; Exodus 14:5; Numbers 32:14; with נִקַּם Joshua 10:6, הָלַךְ Judges 1:10; Judges 20:30; with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Genesis 42:21; Judges 9:57; 1 Samuel 2:34; 1 Kings 14:10 +; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 3:8 their tongue and doings are אֵלִי Isaiah 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֵל) Hosea 7:15 (compare Nahum 1:9) Hosea 12:5 וַיָּשַׁר אֵל מַלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֵל Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nahum 2:14; Nahum 3:5; Jeremiah 21:13 (Jeremiah 23:30-32 עַל) Jeremiah 50:31; Jeremiah 51:25; Ezekiel 13:8, Ezekiel 13:20; Ezekiel 21:8; Ezekiel 29:10; Ezekiel 30:22; Ezekiel 34:10; Ezekiel 35:3; Ezekiel 38:3; Ezekiel 39:1 (Ezekiel 5:8; Ezekiel 26:3; Ezekiel 28:22; Ezekiel 29:3 עַל: on Ezekiel 36:9 see above)
5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
- As Leviticus 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֵל אֲחֹתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Joshua 13:22 (Numbers 31:8 עַל); 1 Samuel 14:34 at eat אֵל הַחֹם together with the blood (1 Samuel 14:32 & Generally עַל); 1 Kings 10:7 הוֹסַף אֵל (generally עַל); Jeremiah 25:26; Ezekiel 7:26 שְׁמֻעָה אֵל שְׁמֻעָה (עַל); Ezekiel 44:7; Lamentations 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֵל כַּפֵּינוּ our hearts together with the hands (compare Arabic عربي, Qor 4:2; W AG ii. § 51 c).
6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of
- Thus הִתְאַבֵּל אֵל to mourn concerning 1 Samuel 15:35; הִנָּחֵם אֵל to repent as regards 2 Samuel 24:16; הִתְפַּלֵּל אֵל to pray with regard to 1 Samuel 1:27; 2 Kings 19:20; צָעַק אֵל to cry 2 Kings 8:3 (2 Kings 8:5 עַל); נֶעֱצַב אֵל be pained 1 Samuel 20:34; נִחַם אֵל to comfort 2 Samuel 10:2; more Generally 1 Kings 16:13; 1 Kings 21:22; אֵל נֶפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1 Kings 19:3; 2 Kings 7:7 (Genesis 19:17 עַל). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר אֵל Genesis 20:2; Isaiah 29:22; Isaiah 37:21, Isaiah 37:33 +; דִּבֵּר אֵל 2 Samuel 7:19; Jeremiah 40:16 b; סִמֵּר אֵל Psalm 2:7; Psalm 69:27; צָוָה אֵל Isaiah 23:11; שָׁמַע אֵל Ezekiel 19:4; הַשְׁמֻעָה אֵל the report regarding . . . 1 Samuel 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)
7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare)
- אֵל מִצְוָה according to the command of, Joshua 15:13; Joshua 17:4; Joshua 21:3 (generally עַל מִצְוָה); אֵל נָבוֹן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1 Samuel 23:23; 1 Samuel 26:4 (see Dr); perhaps Psalm 5:1; Psalm 80:1 (Psalm 45:1 עַל).
8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by
- Not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1), as Joshua 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֵל מֵי מְרוֹם at the waters of Merom, 1 Samuel 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2 Samuel 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֵל הַחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deuteronomy 33:28; Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7; but also in other cases, as Joshua 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֵל גִּבְעַת הָעֲרָלִים at the hill of the foreskins, Joshua 22:11 have built an altar אֵל גְּלִילוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judges 12:6; 2 Samuel 3:32, 2 Samuel 14:30 & 2 Samuel 18:4 אֵל יַד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1 Kings 13:20 as they were sitting אֵל הַשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2 Kings 11:14 אֵל הַמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jeremiah 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jeremiah 46:10 אֵל נְהַר מְרָתַיִם by the Euphrates, Ezekiel 3:15; Ezekiel 11:11; Ezekiel 17:8; Ezekiel 31:7; Ezekiel 40:18; Ezekiel 43:3; Ezekiel 47:7; Ezekiel 48:12.
9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
- Thus אֵל אַחֲרֵי 2 Samuel 5:23; 2 Kings 9:18, 2 Kings 9:19 סֹב אֵל אַחֲרֵי turn to behind me, Zechariah 6:5 (where אֵל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יָצָא אֵל before & after); אֵל בֵּין in between Ezekiel 31:10, Ezekiel 31:14; אֱל בֵּינֹת similarly Ezekiel 10:2; אֵל בֵּית to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Leviticus 16:15; 2 Kings 11:15 have her forth in within the ranks; אֵל מוּל see מוּל; אֵל מִנֶּגֶב to the south of Joshua 15:3; אֵל מִחוּץ to the outside of Leviticus 4:12, Leviticus 4:21 +; אֵל נֹכַח to the front of Numbers 19:4; אֵל תַּחַת Judges 6:19; 1 Kings 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).
Note I. — In Genesis 20:13 אֵל כָּל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֹא שָׁמָּה וְג׳; Numbers 33:54 אֵל אֲשֶׁר וְג׳; Proverbs 17:8 (compare Deuteronomy 16:6); — אֵל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֵל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deuteronomy 31:14 אֱלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אֵל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.
Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֵל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֵל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus (a) Joshua 5:14 וַיִּמָּל אֵל מָנָיִו; 1 Samuel 13:13 אַתְּמַמְלֵאתָּ אֵלִי שְׂרָאֵל; 1 Samuel 14:34 (see below 5); 1 Samuel 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֵל הָהָר (contracted עַל הָהָר Deuteronomy 11:29); Deuteronomy 19:16; 2 Samuel 6:3; 2 Samuel 20:23 (contracted 2 Samuel 8:16) 1 Kings 13:29; 1 Kings 18:46 (contracted 2 Kings 3:15 עַל) Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 7:18. (b) Judges 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, Judges 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֵל) the fleece; 1 Samuel 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, 1 Samuel 14:12 come up אֱלֵינוּ; 1 Samuel 16:23 & 1 Samuel 16:16 & 1 Samuel 18:10 צָלַח אֵל, 1 Samuel 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1 Samuel 25:17 evil is determined אֵל אֲדֹנִינוּ וְעַל כָּל בֵּיתוֹ; 1 Samuel 25:25; 1 Samuel 27:10; 2 Samuel 2:9 וַיַּמְלֵךְ אֵל וְג׳ אֵל וְג׳ אֵל וְג׳ עַל וְג׳ עַל וְג׳ עַל וְג׳; 2 Samuel 3:29 יָחֻל עַל וְאֵל; 2 Kings 8:3 & 2 Kings 8:5; Jeremiah 19:15; Jeremiah 25:2; Jeremiah 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֵל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת; Jeremiah 27:19; Jeremiah 28:8; Jeremiah 33:14; Jeremiah 34:7; Jeremiah 36:31; Jeremiah 37:13, Jeremiah 37:14; Ezekiel 18:6, Ezekiel 18:11 & Ezekiel 18:15; Ezekiel 21:12 etc. Psalm 79:6 (Jeremiah 10:25 עַל twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers. Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֵל, or even in juxtaposition with אֵל, as 1 Samuel 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1 Samuel 1:26 אֵל); 1 Samuel 1:13; 1 Samuel 25:25 אֵל עַל; 1 Kings 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַל בֵּיתוֹ (1 Kings 21:4 אֵל); Isaiah 22:15; Jeremiah 11:2; Jeremiah 23:35; Jeremiah 31:12. compare Dr Sm i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.
1 If the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.
2 There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֵל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֵל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences.
3 It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.
4 Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֵל, or even in juxtaposition with אֵל.
5 Compare Driver, Samuel, i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.
- 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.
- Definition
- to say (used with great latitude)
- Root
- a primitive root;
- Exhaustive
- a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
I. אָמַר (5287) verb utter, say (Egyptian mr command; Phoenician אמר; Aramaic אֲמַר; Ethiopic ሀሁሂሃ I. 2 shew, declare; Arabic أمر command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpael below, אָמִיר; Sabaean אמר lofty, epithet of king idem Mordtmann ZMG 1876, 37; compare Dl Pr 28 who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amāru, see, & shew, declare, say).
Cognates:
- Egyptian mr command
- Phoenician אמר
- Aramaic אֲמַר
- Ethiopic ሀሁሂሃ I. 2 shew, declare
- Arabic أمر command
- Sabaean אמר lofty, epithet of king
- Assyrian amāru see, & shew, declare, say
Qal
Perfect 3 masculine singular אָמַר Genesis 3:1 +; Imperfect יֹאמַר Genesis 31:8 +; וַיֹּאמֶר Genesis 1:3 +; וַיֹּאמַר Genesis 14:19 +; in Job always וַיֹּאמַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תֹּאמַר Genesis 21:12 +; תֹּאמַר Proverbs 1:21; 1 singular אֹמַר Genesis 22:2 +; אוֹמְרָה Psalm 42:10; וָאֹמַר Genesis 20:13 +; וָאוֹמַר Nehemiah 2:7,17,20; 3 masculine plural יֹאמְרוּ Exodus 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Psalm 139:20; 2 masculine plural תֹּמְרוּ 2 Samuel 19:14 (compare Kö i. p. 385); Imperative אֱמֹר Genesis 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֹר Exodus 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezekiel 25:8 +; הָאֱמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמַר idem Di, or better הֵאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew § 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Joshua 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jeremiah 23:38; אֱמָרְכֶם Malachi 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Genesis 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Genesis 32:10 +, etc.; passive הָאָמֻר Micah 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֵאָמֹר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr Expositor, April, 1887, 263.
Say (subject God Genesis 3:1 Genesis 32:5, serpent Genesis 3:1, ass Numbers 22:28, horse יֹאמַר הָאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare Job 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judges 9:8; 2 Kings 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיֹּאמֶר etc., Genesis 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jeremiah 14:17 (with clause app.) Deuteronomy 27:16 f.; Judges 12:6; pronoun Genesis 44:16; 2 Kings 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Genesis 1:3; Genesis 3:1; Genesis 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Genesis 32:5; Numbers 20:14; 1 Kings 20:3,5 + often; especially כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה Exodus 5:1; Exodus 7:17; Exodus 8:1; Exodus 8:20; 1 Chronicles 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֵל Genesis 3:1; Genesis 15:7; Genesis 22:7; Leviticus 21:1; 2 Samuel 3:7; 1 Kings 12:5,23, or לְ Genesis 3:13; Genesis 4:15; 1 Samuel 20:2; 2 Samuel 2:21; 1 Kings 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי כֹה אָמַר Isaiah 49:20 (compare Isaiah 5:9 & see דָּבַר); לִפְנֵי כֹה אָמַר Ezekiel 28:9; לְעֵינֵי כֹה אָמַר Deuteronomy 31:7; Joshua 10:12; Jeremiah 28:11; בְּ כֹה אָמַר Joel 2:17; Psalm 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exodus 19:25 being very singular; Genesis 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Genesis 22:2,3; Genesis 43:27,29; Exodus 32:13; Numbers 14:40; 1 Samuel 10:16; 1 Samuel 16:3; 2 Samuel 6:22; Nehemiah 6:19; compare Psalm 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Psalm 40:11; Ezekiel 13:7; in reply to question = answer Exodus 12:27; Joshua 4:7; 1 Kings 9:9; Jeremiah 5:19; Jeremiah 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֵל 2 Kings 19:32; Jeremiah 22:18; Jeremiah 27:19, or לְ Genesis 20:13 אִמְרִי לִי say of me, etc. Deuteronomy 33:9; Judges 9:54; Isaiah 5:20; Psalm 3:3; Psalm 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isaiah 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4d) Genesis 3:17; Numbers 10:29; Numbers 14:31; Deuteronomy 28:68; Judges 7:4; 1 Samuel 9:17,23b 1 Kings 8:29; Lamentations 4:20; compare Numbers 21:16; 2 Kings 17:12; 2 Kings 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isaiah 8:12; Lamentations 2:15 (see Dr Sm i. 24, 5); הָאָמֻר Micah 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֵאָמֹר (see above) shall one say? shall it be said? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deuteronomy 21:7; Deuteronomy 25:9; Deuteronomy 27:15; Song of Solomon 2:10 +, even after אָמַר Genesis 22:7; Leviticus 21:1; Jeremiah 34:2; Esther 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דָּבַר Genesis 8:15, צָוָה Genesis 2:16, עָנָה Genesis 44:16, בָּרַךְ Genesis 1:22, נָשַׁבַע Genesis 24:7, נָּדַר Genesis 28:20, etc.; after אָמַר 2 Samuel 3:18; 1 Kings 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1 Chronicles 21:18 +; after שָׁלַח 2 Chronicles 35:21, שׁוּב Genesis 32:7; compare also Genesis 28:6; Exodus 5:13; Exodus 9:5; Exodus 13:8; Exodus 17:4; Numbers 11:20; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 13:7; Judges 8:15; 1 Samuel 23:2; 1 Kings 13:3; Jeremiah 32:3; Jeremiah 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of preceding clause Genesis 31:1; Genesis 38:13,24 etc.; after שָׁמַע Isaiah 37:9 = 2 Kings 19:9.
1. Say in the heart (= think)
- בְּלֵב כֹּה אָמַר Deuteronomy 8:17 compare 1 Kings 12:26; Psalm 10:6; Psalm 10:11; Psalm 10:13; Psalm 14:1; Psalm 35:25; Isaiah 14:13; Isaiah 47:8,10; Isaiah 49:21; Ecclesiastes 2:1,15; Ecclesiastes 3:17,18; לִלְבָבוֹ כֹּה אָמַר Hosea 7:2; אֵל לִבּוֹ כֹּה אָמַר Genesis 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject כֹּה יְהוָה, compare 1 Samuel 27:1; אָמְרָה נַפְשִׁי Lamentations 3:24; thence כֹּה אָמַר alone Genesis 20:11; Genesis 26:9; Numbers 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1 Samuel 20:26; 2 Samuel 5:6; 2 Kings 5:11; followed by clause with כִּי Judges 15:2; in particular = desire מַה תֹּאמַר נַפְשֶׁךָ 1 Samuel 20:4 compare Esther 2:13; followed by infinitive = purpose, Exodus 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? Joshua 22:33; 1 Samuel 30:6; 1 Kings 5:19; 2 Chronicles 28:10,13; expect 2 Samuel 21:16 he expected to slay David 2 Chronicles 13:8; 2 Chronicles 32:1.
2. Promise
- (followed by infinitive) 1 Chronicles 27:23; 2 Chronicles 21:7; Esther 4:7; (idem + לְ of person) 2 Kings 8:19; Nehemiah 9:15; (followed by accusative of direct object + לְ of person + infinitive of purpose) Nehemiah 9:23.
3. Command
- (especially late) followed by אֵל of person addressed, Numbers 15:38; 1 Chronicles 21:18; followed by לְ Joshua 11:9; 2 Samuel 16:11; 2 Kings 4:24; Job 9:7; Psalm 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8e); followed by infinitive 1 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:17; 2 Chronicles 1:18; 2 Chronicles 29:27,30; 2 Chronicles 31:11; Esther 1:17; Esther 4:13,15; Esther 6:1; followed by infinitive + לְ of pers, 2 Chronicles 14:3; 2 Chronicles 29:21; 2 Chronicles 31:4; Esther 1:10; followed by accusative direct object 2 Chronicles 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1 Kings 5:20; Esther 2:15; followed by clause with אֲשֶׁר = that Nehemiah 13:19; idem + לְ of person Nehemiah 13:22; followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10; absolute 1 Samuel 16:16 (read however probably יֹאמְרוּ for יֹאמַר, compare Dr); also Psalm 105:31; Psalm 105:34; Psalm 107:25; 1 Chronicles 14:12; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Nehemiah 13:9,19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִם הַסֵּפֶר כֹּה אָמַר Esther 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֹ לְלֶחֶם כֹּה אָמַר 1 Kings 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deuteronomy 9:25; Psalm 106:23.
Niphal
Perfect נֶאֱמַר Daniel 8:26; Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Genesis 22:14 +; יֵאָמַר לוֹ Isaiah 4:3; יֵאָמַר Genesis 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַר Joshua 2:2; be said, told Genesis 10:9; Genesis 22:14; Psalm 87:5; Jeremiah 4:11; Jeremiah 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Numbers 21:14; be related, told, of vision Daniel 8:26; said, told to (followed by לְ indirect object) Joshua 2:2; Hosea 2:1 (twice in verse); Zephaniah 3:16; either so, or told concerning Numbers 23:23; Ezekiel 13:12 (אֵל); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isaiah 61:6 ("" תִּקָּרְאוּ לָכֶם), compare Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 32:5 ("" יִקָּרֵא לְ) Isaiah 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹא יֵאָמֵר עוֹד הַתֹּפֶת Jeremiah 7:32; subject שֵׁם Genesis 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֵל אֵל יֵאָמֵר, Rabb (compare AV) treat יֵאָמֵר as Niph`al Infinitive for לֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֵל אֵל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jeremiah 22:15; Jeremiah 23:26; Nehemiah 13:27), see Dr § 9 Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads יֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.'
Hiphil
Perfect הֵאֱמִיר Deuteronomy 26:17 הֵאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֹם לִהְיוֹת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים; Deuteronomy 26:18 הֵאֱמִיר יְהוָה הַיּוֹם לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di).
Hithpael
Imperfect יִתְאַמֵּר Psalm 94:4 subject כָּל מְעֹלֵל אָוֶן act proudly, boast ("" יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְאַמֵּרוּ Isaiah 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) Ges Comm. so De Che Kö i. 457 f. (from [ יָמַר ] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see יָמַר, מוֹר).
1 [] Indicates that the form enclosed is not actually found (assumed/reconstructed) or that the Hebrew offers no positive proof (e.g., gender).
2 √ Root or stem.
3 || Parallel of words (synonymous or contrasted); also of passages; sometimes 'see parallel' or 'so also in parallel'.
4 = Equivalent / equals.
5 + Prefixed or added, indicates 'All passages cited'. Also used as 'plus', denoting often that other passages might be cited.
6 J Jehovist (Yahwist) Source.
7 ? Sign of doubt.
8 t. times (following a number).
9 * Assumed form (not actually found).
10 ° Additions / glosses.
11 Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, ed. E. Kautzsch, trans. A. E. Cowley, 2nd English ed., Oxford, 1910 (GKC).
12 Mordtmann ZMG 1876, 37.
13 Dl Pr 28.
14 Ew § 328 d.
15 Kö i. p. 385.
16 Dr Expositor, April, 1887, 263.
17 Dr Sm i. 24, 5.
18 Vrss Versions.
19 Di Dillmann.
20 Hup Hupfeld.
21 Pe Perowne.
22 Dy Delitzsch.
23 Che Cheyne.
24 AV Authorized Version.
25 Rabb Rabbinic.
26 Dr § 9.
27 Hoffm Hoffmann.
28 Ges Gesenius.
29 De Delitzsch.
30 Kö König.
31 Thes Thesaurus.
32 Hi Hitzig.
33 Kn Knobel.
34 Ew Ewald.
No verse found
And saying to them, The word of Jehovah was to me, saying,
Then I said to them, The word of Jehovah was to me, saying,
Then I said to them, The word of the Lord came to me, saying,