h

Lexicon :: Strong's H176 - 'av

webmasterwebmaster
Jul 8, 2026 - 00:00
Jul 8, 2026 - 00:00
 0  0
אַו
Transliteration
'av
Pronunciation
o
Part of Speech
conjunction
Root Word (Etymology)
Short for אַוָּה (H185)
Dictionary Aids

TWOT Reference: 36

Strong’s Definitions

אוֹ ʼôw, o; presumed to be the 'constructive' or genitival form of אַו ʼav ; short for H185; desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:—also, and, either, if, at the least, × nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 261x

The KJV translates Strong's H176 in the following manner: also (1x), and (2x), at the least (1x), either (7x), if (1x), nor (2x), or (236x), Or if (2x), Otherwise (1x), should (1x), whether (7x).

  1. or, rather

    1. implying that the latter choice is preferred

    2. or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle

    3. (in series) either...or, whether...or

    4. if perchance

    5. except, or else

  2. whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
אוֹ ʼôw, o; presumed to be the 'constructive' or genitival form of אַו ʼav ; short for H185; desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:—also, and, either, if, at the least, × nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.
STRONGS H176: Abbreviations
אוֺ 320 (أَوْ, vaf , ኦው፡), conjunction or (whether aut or vel).
1. Genesis 24:49; Genesis 31:43; Exodus 4:11; Songs 2:9; Leviticus 13:24; Numbers 5:30 + often (especially in laws); sometimes implying a preference, nearly = or rather Genesis 24:55 יָמִים אוֺ עָשׂוֺר a few days or ten Judges 18:19; 1 Samuel 29:3. Prefixed to the first as well as to the second alternative (rare) either (whether)... or Leviticus 5:1; Leviticus 13:48, 51; = or, if not Ezekiel 21:15 (si vera lectio) Ke Malachi 2:17; Job 16:3; Job 22:11.
2. introducing a sentence, especially a particular case under a general principle, or = or if Exodus 21:31 אוֺ־בֵן יִגַּח וג׳ or if he gore a son, etc. Exodus 21:36; Leviticus 4:23, 28 (see Di) Leviticus 5:21 [Leviticus 6:2]; Leviticus 5:22 [Leviticus 6:3]; Leviticus 25:49b; Numbers 5:14; 2 Samuel 18:13 or if I had dealt falsely against his life, then, etc., Ezekiel 14:17, 19 or if I send, etc.
3. if perchance, 1 Samuel 20:10 if perchance thy father answer thee with something hard, Leviticus 26:41.
4. once, with the jussive (as in Arabic with the subjunctive see Dr§ 175) = except: Isaiah 27:5 I would burn them together, אוֺ יַחֲזֵק בְּמָעֻזִּי or else let him take hold (= except he take hold) of my strong-hold, etc.

[אַו] noun masculine construct אוֺ, Kt Proverbs 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי which see H335.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Unabridged, Electronic Database.
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

BLB Scripture Index of Brown-Driver-Briggs

Genesis

24:49; 24:55; 31:43

Exodus

4:11; 21:31; 21:36

Leviticus

4:23; 4:28; 5:1; 6:2; 6:3; 13:24; 13:48; 13:51; 25:49; 26:41

Numbers

5:14; 5:30

Judges

18:19

1 Samuel

20:10; 29:3

2 Samuel

18:13

Job

16:3; 22:11

Proverbs

31:4

Song of Songs

2:9

Isaiah

27:5

Ezekiel

14:17; 14:19; 21:15

Malachi

2:17