Leviticus 17:16

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

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%)

יכבס יְכַבֵּס

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

כבס

kâbaç

Definition

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative; fuller, wash(-ing).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3526

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

כָּבַס

verb / transitive • Root כבס • Strongs / High • Page 674

(in Kal only part. m. כֹּבֵס) To tread (with the feet), to stamp upon clothes (in order to clean them); hence to full, to wash.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

כָּבַס

verb • Page 308

*to wash, cleanse*, namely, clothes. In Kal only part. כּוֹבֵס Is. 7:3. Pi. metaphorically *to purify the heart*. Ps. 51:4, 9. Jer. 4:14. Pu. pass. Lev. 13:58. Hothpa. pass. Lev. 13:55, 56.

Verb Piel imperfect third person masculine singular

LXX: πλυνεῖ πλυθήσεται γναφέωσ πλυνάμενοσ πλυθῆναι

LXX Usage Statistics

H3526:

πλυνεῖ 28× (55.4%)

πλυθήσεται 4× (7.6%)

γναφέωσ 3× (5.3%)

πλυνάμενοσ 2× (3.5%)

πλυθῆναι 2× (3.5%)

ובשרו וּבְשָׂרוֹ

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

בשר

bâsâr

Definition

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman

Root

from H1319 (בשר);

Exhaustive

from בשר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1320

הו

Definition

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

Root

Exhaustive

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

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

בְּשַׂר

noun masculine • Consonantal / Medium • Page 286

Aramaic masculine noun meaning flesh; the same as Hebrew בָּשָׂר.

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשַׂר

verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

I. (Kal unused) to utter sounds, words; to show, to make manifest; to announce (tidings, intelligence), good or bad

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשַׂר

verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

II. (not used) belonging to the proper name בְּשׂוֹר; to be cool, fresh

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשַׂר

verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

III. (not used) intr. to swell up, to be full, spoken of the body being full of flesh

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשָׂר

noun masculine • Root בשר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

1. flesh, of the body of beasts or men; meat. 2. Metaphor. body (opposed to heart or spirit). 3. In a collective sense: living beings, the human race (flesh and blood).

Matched via consonantal key only

בִּשֵּׂר

verb • Root בשר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

(Piel) to announce, to relate, to tell of; to announce good, glad tidings; in participle: a messenger of good things, a bringer of good news

Matched via consonantal key only

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בְּשַׂר

m. chald. • Page 119

flesh, as in Heb. (Dan. 2:11, 4:9 [12]).

בָּשָׂר

m. dec. iv. a. • Page 119

1. flesh (Ps. 102:6). 2. body (Num. 8:7, Prov. 14:30). 3. all flesh, for all living creatures (Gen. 6:13). Often denotes what is human, frail, mortal, in opposition to God (Gen. 6:3, Ps. 56:5). 4. my bone and my flesh, i. e. my relative (Gen. 29:14). 5. by a euphemism, pudenda viri (Lev. 15:2, Ezek. 16:26).

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

LXX: κρέα σάρκασ σὰρξ σάρκα κρεῶν

LXX Usage Statistics

H1320:

κρέα 50× (17.6%)

σάρκασ 24× (7.9%)

σὰρξ 23× (8.8%)

σάρκα 19× (6.9%)

κρεῶν 16× (5.1%)

σῶμα 15× (4.9%)

σαρκὸσ 14× (5.0%)

σάρκεσ 12× (4.0%)

κρέασ 11× (4.2%)

σαρκόσ 10× (3.6%)

לא לֹא

not

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

לא

lôʼ

Definition

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

Root

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

Exhaustive

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

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3808

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

לֹא

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

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

לֹא

particle • Strongs / High • Page 761

A K'ri reading for לוֹ.

לֹא

adverb / particle • Strongs / High • Page 760

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

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

לֹא

adverb • Page 338

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

Particle negative

LXX: οὐκ οὐ μὴ οὐδὲ οὐχ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3808:

οὐκ 1137× (34.5%)

οὐ 797× (24.2%)

μὴ 184× (5.6%)

οὐδὲ 150× (4.5%)

οὐχ 127× (3.9%)

οὐχὶ 120× (3.6%)

--- 98× (3.0%)

'' 94× (2.4%)

---% 62× (1.5%)

οὐκέτι 50× (1.4%)

ירחץ יִרְחָץ

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

רחץ

râchats

Definition

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H7364

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

רָחַץ

verb • Root רחץ • Strongs / High • Page 1335

Prop. intr. to bubble up, to flow, to pour out, to swell. 1. tr. to let water flow over a thing, to rinse, to wash (e.g., garments, body, persons, sacrificial flesh). 2. intr. to wash oneself, to bathe.

רָחַץ

noun masculine • Root רחץ • Strongs / High • Page 1335

A washing, a wash-basin (Ps. 60, 10).

רָחַץ

aram. tr. verb (aramaic) • Root רחץ • Strongs / High • Page 1335

(Aram. Peal unused) tr. to catch, to seize; fig. to trust firmly (Targ. for Hebr. בָּטַח).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

רָחַץ

verb • Root רחץ • Page 616

1. To wash, cleanse the body or flesh (Gen. 18: 4; Ex. 29: 17). 2. To wash one's self, to bathe (Ex. 2: 5; Ruth 3: 3). Pu. רֻחַץ to be washed. Hithpa. to wash one's self.

Verb Qal imperfect third person masculine singular

LXX: λούσεται νίψονται νίψαι λοῦσαι λούσηται

LXX Usage Statistics

H7364:

λούσεται 22× (28.1%)

νίψονται 3× (4.5%)

νίψαι 3× (4.2%)

λοῦσαι 2× (3.0%)

λούσηται 2× (3.0%)

πλυνοῦσιν 2× (3.0%)

ἔπλυνεν 2× (2.8%)

ἐνιψάμην 2× (2.8%)

νίψεται 2× (2.8%)

λούσεισ 2× (2.5%)

ונשא וְנָשָׂא

and he has carried

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wāw

Definition

sequential 'and'

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

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

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

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

נשא

nâsâʼ

Definition

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

Root

or נסה; (Psalm 4:6 (H7 (אבד))), a primitive root;

Exhaustive

or נסה; (Psalm 4:6 (אבד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5375

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

נָשָׂא

verb • Root נשא • Strongs / High • Page 755

to lift, carry; give

נָשָׂא

verb • Root נשא • Strongs / High • Page 991

To stretch up, to raise up, to make ascend. Intr. to extend upward, to rise high, to grow, to be projecting, prominent, stretched out. Hence: 1. to raise the feet for walking; to lift up the hand in swearing; to entreat, pray; to lift up the head; to rise in repute, riches, dignity; to lift up the countenance, i.e. to walk along with face raised; to lift up the eyes, i.e. to look at, to behold.

נָשָׂא

verb qal • Root נשא • Strongs / High • Page 994

IV. (Kal unused) tr. same as נָשָׁה III. to extend, to stretch out, to widen.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

נָשָׂא

verb • Page 458

1. To lift or raise up (Gen. 7:17). (1.) To lift up the eyes (Gen. 13:10). (2.) To lift up the hand, as an oath (Ex. 6:8) or against someone (2 Sam. 20:21). (3.) To raise one's heart to long for something (Deut. 24:15). (4.) To lift up the head of anyone, to exalt or release from prison (2 K. 25:27). (5.) To lift up the voice, as in weeping or rejoicing (Gen. 27:38, Is. 24:14). (6.) To utter, speak (Ex. 20:7). (7.) To begin.

נְשָׂא

verb • Root נשא • Page 460

Chald. 1. to take. Ezra 5: 15. 2. to take or carry away, spoken of the wind. Dan. 2: 35.

נִשָּׂא

verb • Root נשא • Page 459

1. To rise, to be raised up, to be elevated (Ezek. 1:19—21, Is. 2:2). 2. To be borne (Ex. 25:28), or to be carried away (2 K. 20:17).

נָשָׂא

verb • Root נשא • Page 459

To lift up, bear, or take. Meanings on this page include: (8) one's heart raises or excites him (Ex. 35:21); (9) to put or set on anything (Gen. 31:17); (10) to raise oneself, to rise (Ps. 89:10). (2) To bear fruit (Ezek. 17:8), to bear away (1 Sam. 17:34), to suffer (Is. 1:14), to bear guilt or sin (Lev. 5:1, 17), or to bring (as wind, 1 K. 10:11). (3) To take (Gen. 27:3), to accept/be gracious to a person (Gen. 32:21), to take away (Dan. 1:16), to take the number or sum (Ex. 30:12), or to receive (Ps. 24:5).

נָשָׁא

verb • Root נשא • Page 460

I. in Kal not used; perhaps to err, wander (kindred with נָשָׁה to forget.) Hiph. הִשִּׁיא to lead astray; hence 1. to deceive; 2 K. 18 : 29. 2. to seduce. Gen. 3: 13. Jer. 49: 16. Niph. to be deceived. Is. 19: 13.

נָשָׁא

verb • Root נשא • Page 460

II. i. q. נָשָׁה no. II. to lend on usury, Neh. 5: 7. Hiph. to press, spoken of a creditor. Ps. 89: 23.

conjunctive, Verb Qal sequential perfect third person masculine singular

LXX: λήμψεται αἴρων λήμψονται ἔλαβεν λαβὲ

LXX Usage Statistics

H5375:

λήμψεται 20× (3.0%)

αἴρων 20× (2.6%)

λήμψονται 17× (2.4%)

ἔλαβεν 16× (2.4%)

λαβὲ 16× (2.5%)

ἦρα 16× (2.4%)

ἔλαβον 16× (2.2%)

αἴροντεσ 16× (2.4%)

ἦραν 15× (2.1%)

ἀναβλέψασ 14× (2.0%)

עונופ עֲוֹנוֹ׃פ

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

עון

ʻâvôn

Definition

perversity, i.e. (moral) evil

Root

or עוון; (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (H7 (אבד))), from H5753 (עוה);

Exhaustive

or עוון; (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (אבד)), from עוה; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5771

הו

Definition

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

Root

Exhaustive

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

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עוֹן

noun masculine • Consonantal / Medium • Page 1066

1. perverseness (comp. Aram. עַוְיָא), hence metaphor. sin, guilt, crime, of a people or race. 2. the oppression, suffering, misfortune, destruction, punishment arising from crime.

Matched via consonantal key only

עִוּן

intransitive verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 1065

II. (Not used) Intransitive: to glow, to burn, of the east wind; Ar. غَام to gape, to thirst.

Matched via consonantal key only

עָוּן

intransitive verb • Root עון • Consonantal / Medium • Page 1065

I. (Not used) Intransitive: same as אָוִן I. To breathe, to blow, therefore figuratively: 1. to be empty, transient, null; 2. to be sinful, wicked, false; 3. to be idolatrous, heathenish.

Matched via consonantal key only

עָוּן

intransitive verb • Root עון • Consonantal / Medium • Page 1065

II. (Not used) Intransitive: 1. Properly, to bend, to settle; hence to dwell, to abide (of men and God); to have a lair (of animals); metaphorically, to find protection, refuge. 2. To cohabit, to consummate marriage.

Matched via consonantal key only

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

עוּן

verb • Page 496

To dwell. Root of מָעוֹן.

עָוֹן

noun masculine • Root עוה • Page 496

Perverseness, sins; plur. עֲוֹנִים and עֲוֹנוֹת.

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

LXX: ἀδικίασ ἁμαρτίασ ἀνομίασ ἁμαρτίαν ἀδικίαν

LXX Usage Statistics

H5771:

ἀδικίασ 27× (11.9%)

ἁμαρτίασ 26× (10.8%)

ἀνομίασ 23× (8.9%)

ἁμαρτίαν 14× (6.2%)

ἀδικίαν 14× (6.2%)

ἀνομίαν 13× (5.6%)

ἀδικίαισ 10× (3.8%)

ἀδικία 8× (3.7%)

ἀνομία 7× (3.0%)

ἀδικιῶν 6× (2.6%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
None

LITV Translation:
And if he does not wash them, nor bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
But if he do not wash his garments, and do not bathe his body in water, then shall he bear his iniquity.