Genesis 44:19 — Word Study
WLCאֲדֹנִ֣י שָׁאַ֔ל אֶת־ עֲבָדָ֖יו לֵאמֹ֑ר הֲיֵשׁ־ לָכֶ֥ם אָ֖ב אוֹ־ אָֽח׃
BSAMy lordʼâdôwn [master] askedshâʼal■ [inquired of, spoken to] his servantsʻebed [slaves, attendants] Do you haveyêsh [is there to you] a fatherʼâb [parent, ancestor] orʼôw [possibly] a brotherʼâch [relative, kin]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲדֹנִ֣י | lord my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| שָׁאַ֔ל | he asked | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| עֲבָדָ֖יו | servants his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לֵאמֹ֑ר | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| הֲיֵשׁ־ | ¿ [does] there | Particle |
| לָכֶ֥ם | [belong] to you | Preposition, suffix |
| אָ֖ב | a father | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אוֹ־ | or | Conjunction |
| אָֽח׃ | a brother | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ |
| KJV | My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother? |
| ASV | My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother? |
| YLT | My lord hath asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father or brother? |
| WEB | My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ |
| BBE | My lord said to his servants, Have you a father or a brother? |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the phrase הֲיֵשׁ־ לָכֶם — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by an infinitive phrase and an interrogative phrase that clarifies the inquiry.


3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁאַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 44:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Joseph's Inquirygenerated
Genesis 44:19 occurs during a critical moment when Joseph, disguised as an Egyptian ruler, questions his brothers about their family. This inquiry reveals Joseph's deep concern for his father and brother, reflecting the themes of family and reconciliation that run throughout the narrative. The preceding verses set the stage for this encounter, highlighting the tension and emotional stakes involved in their reunion.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 42:7–10 | And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” |
| 2 | Genesis 43:7–29 | They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲדֹנִי, 'a.do.Nigenerated
The Hebrew word אֲדֹנִי (*'adoni*) means 'my lord' and emphasizes authority, often used to address someone of higher status. It is a construct form, indicating possession, as it is combined with the suffix meaning 'my'. This word can refer to human leaders or God, highlighting the speaker's respect and deference.
In this context, Joseph's use of the term underscores his position of power while also maintaining a respectful tone with his brothers. The choice of this word reflects the complex dynamics of their relationship, as Joseph navigates his role as both a brother and a ruler.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which translates אֲדֹנִי as my lord, a rendering that is consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in this verse is שָׁאַ֔ל, he asked, which governs the entire sentence. The subject is Joseph, and the object is the servants. The structure is straightforward, with a direct inquiry about the existence of family members.
The sentence is constructed with a clear subject-verb-object order, typical of Hebrew prose, allowing for a direct and impactful question to be posed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word אֲדֹנִי is rendered as κύριε (*kurie*), which also means 'lord.' This choice maintains the authority implied in the original Hebrew while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
The translation reflects the same respect and authority present in the Hebrew text, ensuring that the relational dynamics are preserved across languages.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 44:19 shows Joseph asking his brothers if they have a father or brother. This question reveals his concern for his family, as he seeks to understand their situation and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Joseph is trying to gauge the well-being of his family, particularly after the emotional reunion with his brothers.
The term indicates Joseph's authority as the ruler of Egypt while also reflecting his respectful relationship with his brothers.
This question is part of Joseph's strategy to test his brothers and assess their character, ultimately leading to reconciliation.
Joseph experiences a mix of authority and familial concern, as he balances his position as a ruler with his identity as a brother.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this inquiry reveal about the importance of family in our lives?
- How can we show concern for our loved ones in our own lives?
- In what ways do we navigate authority and respect in our relationships?
- How does this story encourage us to seek reconciliation with those we may have conflicts with?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 44:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy lord asked his servants,.... The first time they came down to Egypt to buy corn; he puts him in mind of what passed between them at that time: saying, have ye a father or a brother?
Read John Gill on Genesis 44 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 44 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 44:19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?Ver. 19. Have yea father?] This we read not of till now, as we do of all the rest, in the next following verses.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 44 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’
Tyndale line
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
My Lord asked his seruants, saying, Haue ye a father, or a brother?
Strictly literal
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
My lord hath asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father or brother?
My lord has asked his servants, saying, Do you have a father or brother?
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother.
My master asked his servants, saying, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
From the Latin
My lord. Thou didst ask thy servants the first time: Have you a father or a brother?
Simplified
My lord, previously you asked us, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’
My lord said to his servants, Have you a father or a brother?
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: אֲדֹנִי שָׁאַ֔ל אֶת־ עֲבָדָ֖יו לֵאמֹ֑ר הֲיֵשׁ־ לָכֶ֥ם אָ֖ב אוֹ־ אָֽח׃. The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with the Masoretic Text word for word. The Septuagint, while matching 6 of the 10 words, presents its own word order and articles.
אֲדֹנִ֣י שָׁאַ֔ל אֶת־ עֲבָדָ֖יו לֵאמֹ֑ר הֲיֵשׁ־ לָכֶ֥ם אָ֖ב אוֹ־ אָֽח׃
6 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אדני שׁאל את עבדיו לאמר הישׁ לכם אב או אח
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 44:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אָדוֹן (*'adown*) means 'lord' and is derived from a root meaning to rule. It covers a range of meanings, referring to both human and divine authority, including terms like master, king, and superintendent. Variations exist for divine references, such as אֲדֹנָי (*Adonai*), distinguishing God from human lords.
אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)
base
H113 אָדוֹן lord
113 'adown aw-done'
or (shortened) adon {aw-done'}; from an unused root (meaning
to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine):--
lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with
"Adoni-".
אָדוֹן (a.don) — lord.
1) firm, strong, lord, master
1a) lord, master
1a1) reference to men
1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs
1a1b) master
1a1c) king
1a2) reference to God
1a2a) the Lord God
1a2b) Lord of the whole earth
1b) lords, kings
1b1) reference to men
1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria
1b1b) master
1b1c) husband
1b1d) prophet
1b1e) governor
1b1f) prince
1b1g) king
1b2) reference to God
1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh")
1c) my lord, my master
1c1) reference to men
1c1a) master
1c1b) husband
1c1c) prophet
1c1d) prince
1c1e) king
1c1f) father
1c1g) Moses
1c1h) priest
1c1i) theophanic angel
1c1j) captain
1c1k) general recognition of superiority
1c2) reference to God
1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God
1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
שָׁאַל (sha'al) means to ask or inquire, often in the context of requesting a favor or borrowing. It covers a range of uses, including seeking counsel, consulting deities, and even begging. The verb can appear in different forms, such as asking for oneself or granting requests. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, שְׁאֵל (she.el), meaning 'to ask'.
שָׁאַל 170 vb. ask, inquire
Qal
ask, ask for
specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow
in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
inquire of
inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.
in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
Niph. ask for oneself
Pi.
inquire carefully
beg, practise beggary
Hiph. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)
base
H7592 שָׁאַל ask, inquire .. . ask, ask for
. specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow
. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
. . inquire of
. inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.
. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
. ask for oneself
. . inquire carefully
. beg, practise beggary
. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)
7592 sha'al shaw-al'
or shael {shaw-ale'}; a primitive root; to inquire; by
implication, to request; by extension, to demand:--ask
(counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand,
desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend,
pray, request, require, + salute, X straitly, X surely, wish.
שָׁאַל (sha.al) — to ask.
1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to ask, ask for
1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow
1a3) to enquire, enquire of
1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle)
1a5) to seek
1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully
1c2) to beg, practise beggary
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to be given on request
1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to
Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 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).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.
עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant
slave, servant of household
Subjects, of chief
Servants, worshippers of God
Servant of י׳, in a special sense
Israel as a people is servant of י׳
In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
Phrases
base
H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household
. Subjects, of chief
. Servants, worshippers of God
. Servant of י׳, in a special sense
. Israel as a people is servant of י׳
. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
. Phrases
5650 `ebed eh'-bed
from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,
(man-)servant.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.
1) slave, servant
1a) slave, servant, man-servant
1b) subjects
1c) servants, worshippers (of God)
1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)
1e) servant (of Israel)
1f) servant (as form of address between equals)
Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
יֵשׁ (yesh) refers to being, substance, or existence. It is used to assert existence, functioning as a copula for the verb 'to be' in various forms. The word can mean 'there is' or 'there are,' and its Aramaic equivalent is אִיתַי (itay).
יֵשׁ 137 subst. being, substance, existence
substance
elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …
base
H3426 יֵשׁ subst. being, substance, existence . substance
. elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …
3426 yesh yaysh
perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist;
entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive
verb (1961); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to
be, as may suit the connection):--(there) are, (he, it, shall,
there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had,
hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is,
substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt,
wouldest.
see HEBREW for 01961
יֵשׁ (yesh) — there.
1) being, existence, substance, there is or are
1a) substance
1b) existence
1c) there is or are
Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Part | Part — ParticleHTi/Acbsa
כֶם (khem) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine plural
HR/Sp2mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2mp
אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.
אָב 1101 n.m. father
father of individual
of God as father of his people
head of household, family or clan
ancestor
originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
fig. of producer, generator
fig. of benevolence & protection
term of respect & honor
specif., ruler, chief (late)
base
H1 אָב father . father of individual
. of God as father of his people
. head of household, family or clan
. ancestor
. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
. fig. of producer, generator
. fig. of benevolence & protection
. term of respect & honor
. specif., ruler, chief (late)
1 'ab awb
a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or
figurative and remote application):--chief,
(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names
in "Abi-".
אָב (av) — father.
1) father of an individual
2) of God as father of his people
3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan
4) ancestor
4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person
4b) of people
5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
6) of producer, generator (fig.)
7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)
8) term of respect and honour
9) ruler or chief (spec.)
Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;
Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)
אָב (av) — father of.
The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
fa'-ther (Anglo-Saxon, Foeder; German, Vater; Hebrew 'abh, etymology uncertain, found in many cognate languages; Greek pater, from root pa, "nourisher," "protector," "upholder"):
1. Immediate Male Ancestor:
Immediate male ancestor. The father in the Hebrew family, as in the Roman, had supreme rights over his children, could dispose of his daughter in marriage (Ge 29), arrange his son's marriage (Ge 24), sell his children (Ex 21:7), but not his daughter to a stranger (Ne 5:5), had power of life and death, as in the case of Isaac (Ge 22), Jephthah's daughter (Jud 11:34), the sacrificing of his children to Molech (Le 18:21; 20:3-5), etc. Respect, reverence and affection for…
Father
A name applied (1) to any ancestor (Deut. 1:11; 1 Kings 15:11; Matt. 3:9; 23:30, etc.); and (2) as a title of respect to a chief, ruler, or elder, etc. (Judg. 17:10; 18:19; 1 Sam. 10:12; 2 Kings 2:12; Matt. 23:9, etc.). (3) The author or beginner of anything is also so called; e.g., Jabal and Jubal (Gen. 4:20, 21; comp. Job 38:28).
The position and authority of the father as the head of the family are expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture, as a likeness of that of the Almighty over his creatures. It lies of course at the root of that so-called patriarchal government, (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3) which was introductory to the more definite systems which followed, and which in part, but not wholly, superseded it. The father’s blessing was regarded as conferring special benefit, but his malediction special injury, on those on whom it fell, (Genesis 9:25,27; 27:27-40; 48:15,20; 49:1) ... and so also the sin of a parent was held to affect, in certain cases, the welfare of his descendants. (2 Kings…
Is often synonymous with ancestor, founder, or originator, as Ge 4:20-21 Joh 8:56 Ro 4:16. Joseph was a father to Pharoah, Ge 45:8, as his counselor and provider. God is the FATHER of men, as their Creator, De 32:6 Isa 63:16 64:8 Lu 3:38. But as we have forfeited the rights of children by our sins, it is only through Christ that we can call God by that endearing name, "our Father," Joh 20:17 Ro 8:15-17.
The Hebrew word אוֹ (*'ow*) primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'or,' often indicating a preference or choice between options. It can also introduce examples, express conditions, or imply alternatives. Additionally, it is associated with the noun meaning 'desire' in Proverbs 31:4. The entries reflect a range of uses, but do not present significant disagreement.
אוֹ 320 conj. or
sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather
introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if
if perchance
once, with the juss. = except
base
[אֵו] n.m. אוֹ, Kt Pr 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי q.v.
done
H176 אוֹ or . sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather
. introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if
. if perchance
. once, with the juss. = except
176 'ow o
presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av
{av}; short for 185; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4);
hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:--also, and,
either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.
see HEBREW for 0185
אוֹ (o) — or.
1) or, rather
1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred
1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle
1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or
1d) if perchance
1e) except, or else
2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then
אוֹ (o) — desire.
desire
Conj — ConjunctionHC
or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
bruth'-er ('ach; adelphos = kin by birth, from the same parents or parent): Used extensively in both Old Testament and New Testament of other relations and relationships, and expanding under Christ's teaching to include the universal brotherhood of man. Chiefly employed in the natural sense, as of Cain and Abel (Ge 4:8); of Joseph and his brethren (Ge 42:3); of Peter and Andrew, of James and John (Mt 10:2). Of other relationships:
(1) Abram's nephew, Lot, is termed "brother" (Ge 14:14);
(2) Moses' fellow-countrymen are "brethren" (Ex 2:11; Ac 3:22; compare
Brother
(1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt. 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19).
(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Gen. 13:8; 14:16; Matt. 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19).
(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matt. 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb. 7:5).
The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as, Any kinsman, and not a mere brother; e.g. nephew, (Genesis 13:8; 14:16) husband, (Solomon 4:9) One of the same tribe. (2 Samuel 19:13) Of the same people, (Exodus 2:11) or even of a cognate people. (Numbers 20:14) An ally. (Amos 1:9) Any friend, (Job 5:15) One of the same office. (1 Kings 9:13) A fellow man. (Leviticus 19:17) Metaphorically of any similarity, as in (
Signifies in Scripture the son of the same parent or parents, Mt 1:2 Lu 6:14; a cousin or near kinsman, Ge 13:8 14:16 Joh 7:3 Ac 1:14; one of the same stock or country, Mt 5:47 Ac 3:22 Heb 7:5; a fellow-man, and equal, Mt 5:23 7:3; one beloved, 2Sa 1:26; Christians, as sons of God, Ac 9:30 11:29. In
