Lexicon :: Strong's H1961 - hāyâ

הָיָה

Transliteration

hāyâ

Pronunciation

haw-yaw

Part of Speech

verb

Root Word (Etymology)

A primitive root [compare הָוָה (H1933)]

Dictionary Aids

TWOT Reference: 491

Strong's Info

Strong’s Definitions

הָיָה hâyâh, haw-yaw; a primitive root (compare H1933); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary):—beacon, × altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, follow, happen, × have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, × use.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 75x

The KJV translates Strong's H1961 in the following manner: was, come to pass, came, has been, were happened, become, pertained, better for thee.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 75x

The KJV translates Strong's H1961 in the following manner: was, come to pass, came, has been, were happened, become, pertained, better for thee.

Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1. (Qal)
  1. —
    1. to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
    2. to come about, come to pass
  2. to come into being, become
    1. to arise, appear, come
    2. to become
      1. to become
      2. to become like
      3. to be instituted, be established
  3. to be
    1. to exist, be in existence
    2. to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
    3. to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
    4. to accompany, be with
2. (Niphal)
  1. to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
  2. to be done, be finished, be gone

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)

Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon [?] (Jump to Scripture Index)

STRONGS H1961: Abbreviations

הָיָה ₃₅₇₀ verb fall out, come to pass, become, be (SI¹; SI⁶ היה, ib³ הית; parallel form of הוה, Arabic هَوَى, Aramaic H1934 הֲוָא, axvh; see הָוָה above) —
Qal Perfect 3rd person masculine singular הָיָה Genesis 3:1 +; וְהָיָה consecutive Genesis 4:14 +; 3rd person feminine singular הָֽיְתָה Genesis 1:2 +; הָיָ֑תָה Isaiah 14:24 + 3 times; וְהָֽיְתָה consecutive Genesis 9:13 +; והית 2 Kings 9:37 Kt (Qr וְהָֽיְתָה); 2nd person masculine singular הָיִיתָ Deuteronomy 5:15 +; 1st person singular הָיִיתִי Genesis 31:40; 3rd person plural הָיוּ Genesis 6:4 +; 2nd person masculine plural הֱיִיתֶ ם Exodus 22:20 +; וִהְיִיתֶם consecutive Genesis 3:5 +; 1st person plural הָיִינוּ Isaiah 1:9 +; etc.; Imperfect 3rd person masculine singular יִהְיֶה Genesis 1:29 +; jussive יְהִי Genesis 1:3 +; יֶהִ֑י Ezekiel 16:15; וִיהִי Genesis 1:6 +; וַיְהִי Genesis 1:3 +; וַיֶּ֑הִי Psalm 33:9; Ezekiel 16:19; 3rd person feminine singular תִּהְיֶה Genesis 21:30 +; 1st person singular אֶהְיֶה Exodus 3:12 +; וָאֶהְיֶה 2 Samuel 7:6 + 9 times; וָאֱהִי Judges 18:4 + 12 times; 3rd person masculine plural יִהְיוּ Genesis 6:19 +; 3rd person feminine plural תִּהְיֶינָה Isaiah 16:2 + 19 times; תִּהְיֶין֣ Genesis 41:36 + 11 times; וְתִהְיֶנָה Jeremiah 18:21; Jeremiah 48:6; וַתִּהְיֶינָה 2 Samuel 20:3 + 6 times; וַתִּהְיֶיןָ Genesis 26:35; 1 Samuel 25:43; וַתִּהְיֶנָה 1 Chronicles 7:15; 2nd person masculine plural תִהְיוּ Genesis 34:15 +; תִהְיוּן Exodus 22:20; 1st person plural נִהְיֶה Genesis 38:23 +; וַנִּהְיֶה 2 Samuel 11:23; Jeremiah 44:17; וַנְּהִי Numbers 13:33; Isaiah 64:5, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הֱיֵה Exodus 18:19 +; feminine singular הֲיִי Genesis 24:60; masculine plural הֱיוּ Exodus 19:15; Numbers 16:16, וִהְיוּ 1 Samuel 4:9 + 6 times; Infinitive absolute הָיוֺ Genesis 18:18 + 3 times; הָיֹה 1 Kings 13:32; Ezekiel 1:3; construct הֱיוֺת Genesis 2:18 +, so read probably also for הֱיֵה Ezekiel 21:15 compare Sm Kö^{i. p. 600 f.} (Co em. היהלֿה to הָהֵל shine, glitter); with prefix בִּהְיוֺת Exodus 5:13 +, בִּהְיֹת Exodus 19:16 +; לִהְיוֺת Genesis 10:8 +, לִהְיֹת Exodus 23:1 +; suffix הֱיוֺתִי Jonah 4:2; הֱיוֺתְךָ Judges 18:19 (twice in verse); לִהְיֹתְךָ Deuteronomy 26:10, etc.; Participle feminine הוֺיָה Exodus 9:3.

a. Fall out, happen מֶההָֿיָה הַדָּבָר 1 Samuel 4:16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2 Samuel 1:4; מֶההָֿיָה לוֺ Exodus 32:1, 23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1 Samuel 10:12; מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ 1 Samuel 6:9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also וַיְהִילֿוֺ כֵּן 2 Kings 7:20 and so it happened to him, compare וַיְהִיכֵֿן below

b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass: — גְדוֺלָה הָֽיְתָה בָּעָם מַגֵּפָה 1 Samuel 4:17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2 Samuel 17:9; וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיַעַר אֶפְרַיִם 2 Samuel 18:6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on אפרים compare Klo Dr); Joshua 22:17 (P; of plague); תְּהִי נָא אָלָה Genesis 26:28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Judges 21:5; compare 2 Kings 17:7 (si vera lectio), Ezekiel 16:34; especially late, 2 Chronicles 29:36; 32:31; Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 8:7; Ecclesiastes 10:14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — כֵּן הָיָה Genesis 41:3 (E) so it came to pass, 2 Samuel 13:25, וַיְהִיכֵֿן Judges 6:38; 2 Kings 15:12; Isaiah 29:5, & especially וַיְהִיכֵֿן Genesis 1:7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30 (all P) +; יְהִי כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ Genesis 30:34 let it be as thou sayest, Zechariah 6:15, see also לֹא תָקוּם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה Isaiah 7:7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Isaiah 14:34; (so often בּוֺא which see 2c, above).

2. especially & very often, come about, come to pass followed by substantive (subject) clause almost always + modifying (usually temporal) clause or phrase:

(1.) וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (approximately + 292 times) followed by

(a) Imperfect consecutive:

α. with Infinitive with כְּ temporal Genesis 12:14; Genesis 19:17 (both J) + 75 times + Esther 3:4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only Exodus 16:10, D only Deuteronomy 5:20; Deuteronomy 31:24; Joshua 5:1; Joshua 9:1; + 27 times in Kings), — somewhat different is 2 Kings 7:18;

β. with Infinitive with בְּ Genesis 4:8; Genesis 11:2 (both J) + 29 times + Esther 3:4 Kt (in Hexateuch + 10 times J E; + 3 times P, Genesis 19:29; Exodus 34:29; Numbers 17:7; not in D);

γ. with בְּ followed by temporal noun (יוֺם, בֹּקֶר, etc.) Genesis 21:22 (E) Genesis 26:32 (J) + 45 times (Hes + 14 times J E; + 3 times P, Exodus 6:28; Exodus 16:13; Numbers 7:1; not D);

δ. לְ temporal 1 Samuel 1:20; 2 Samuel 13:23; 1 Kings 20:26; 1 Chronicles 20:1;

ε. כְּ temporal Genesis 39:11; 1 Samuel 25:38;

ζ. מִן temporal namely: מֵאָז Genesis 39:5, מִיּוֺם 1 Samuel 7:2; compare 1 Samuel 30:25, מִיָּמִים Judges 11:4; Judges 15:1, מִקֵּץ Genesis 4:3; Genesis 8:6 + 6 times, מִקְצֵה Joshua 3:2; 2 Kings 8:3; Ezekiel 3:16, especially מִמָּחֳרָת Genesis 19:34; Exodus 18:13 + 11 times;

η. כַּאֲשֶׁר temporal Genesis 12:11 (J) Genesis 20:13 (E) + 31 times (Hexateuch + 13 times J E, Deuteronomy 2:16, not P), characteristic of Nehemiah's memoirs, † Nehemiah 3:33; Nehemiah 4:1; Nehemiah 4:6; Nehemiah 4:9; Nehemiah 6:1, 16; Nehemiah 7:1; Nehemiah 13:19;

θ. with כִּי temporal Genesis 6:1 (J) Exodus 3:21 (E) + 14 times + Judges 16:25 Kt;

ι. אַחֲרֵי temporal Genesis 22:20 (J) + 13 times, אַחַר Genesis 39:7; Job 42:7, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן Judges 16:14 + 6 times;

κ. followed by עַד temporal 1 Samuel 14:19 (on which compare Dr); compare עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה 1 Kings 18:45;

λ. with combinations; as בְּ with temporal noun + בְּ Infinitive Genesis 34:25; Exodus 19:16; 1 Samuel 25:37; בְּ Infinitive + כְּ Infinitive Joshua 3:14; double preposition כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ חֳדָשִׁים Genesis 38:24; מִקְצֵה + אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר Joshua 9:16; מִיָּמִים + id. Joshua 23:1;

μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Isaiah 22:7; 1 Kings 13:20; 2 Kings 8:21 (Dr^{§ 165, & Obs.}) = 2 Chronicles 21:9; those with indefinite כֹּל 1 Samuel 10:11; 2 Samuel 2:23; 2 Samuel 15:2, or with participle = rel. clause 1 Samuel 11:1 (on all see Dr^{§ 78 n. & Sm}); quite unique is 1 Kings 16:31, with הֲנָקֵל לָכְתּוֺ וגו׳ in place of temporal clause

(b) וַיְהִי sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative Genesis 39:10 (with כְּ Infinitive), Exodus 13:17 (with בְּ Infinitive) 2 Kings 12:7; 2 Kings 17:25 (both with בְּ temporal); & without negative, Genesis 8:13 (P) Genesis 14:1 +, usually with בְּ temporal (38 times), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially מִדֵּי followed by Infinitive 1 Samuel 18:30; 2 Chronicles 12:11; sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with וְ, as Genesis 22:1; Genesis 41:1; 1 Samuel 18:19; 1 Samuel 30:1; 2 Kings 2:9; 2 Kings 4:40 +; note especially 2 Samuel 17:27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 2 Samuel 13:30; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Kings 19:37 = Isaiah 37:38; rarely subject precedes Perfect without וְ 1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 21:1, compare subject preceding Participle without וְ Nehemiah 4:10; in 2 Chronicles 8:1 the object (with וְ) precedes what is apparently the principal verb.

(c) וַיְהִי followed by וְהִנֵּה Genesis 24:15 (J; טֶרֶם in temporal clause), Genesis 29:25 (E), Genesis 38:27 (J, both בְּ temporal) Genesis 38:29 (כְּ Participle), 1 Samuel 13:10 (כְּ Infinitive); also 2 Samuel 1:2; 2 Samuel 13:36; 2 Samuel 15:32 (circumstantial clause) 2 Kings 2:11 (id.), 2 Kings 3:20; 2 Kings 13:21 (circumstantial clause).

(d) rarely וַיְהִי (in this sense) followed by other constructions: אָז יִתֵּן 1 Kings 9:10 (with מִקְצֵה); Imperfect frequentative 1 Kings 14:28 (with מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ), 2 Kings 4:8 (with מִדֵּי עָבְרוֺ) Jeremiah 36:23 (with כְּ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2 Chronicles 24:11 (with בְּ temporal).

(2) rarely also Perfect with וְ conjunctive וְהָיָה (compare Dr^{§ 183}) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1 Samuel 1:12 (with several circumstantial clauses), 1 Samuel 10:9 (with כְּ Infinitive) 2 Kings 3:15 (id.), 1 Samuel 17:48 (with כִּי), Jeremiah 37:11 (with בְּ Infinitive), Amos 7:2 (with אִם temporal); also Jeremiah 3:9 (apparently with מִן causative, but obscure); 1 Samuel 13:22 (with בְּ temporal) is followed by וְלֹא & Perfect as well as Imperfect consecutive

b. less often וְהָיָה Perfect consecutive and it shall come to pass, or frequentative,came to pass (repeatedly, etc.) usually

(a) followed by simple Imperfect (approximately + 100 times):

α. with בְּ temporal Deuteronomy 21:16; Deuteronomy 25:19 + 37 times, (especially בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Hosea 2:18 [Hosea 2:16]; Hosea 2:33; [Hosea 2:21] Isaiah 7:18, 21, 23 + 21 times);

β. with בְּ local Ezekiel 47:23; Zechariah 13:8 compare also Hosea 2:1 (בִּמְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר, but perhaps = instead of, compare VB);

γ. with indefinite rel. clause, or its equivalents (כֹּל indefinite, etc.), compare Dr^{§ 121, Obs. 1}: Genesis 4:14; Numbers 17:20; Deuteronomy 12:11; Deuteronomy 18:19; Joshua 7:14, 15; Judges 7:4; 1 Samuel 2:36; 1 Samuel 17:25; 2 Samuel 15:35; 1 Kings 19:17; 1 Kings 20:6; Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 24:18; Nahum 3:7; Jeremiah 27:8; Jeremiah 42:4; Ezekiel 47:9; Zechariah 14:17; Joel 3:5;

δ. with כַּאֲשֶׁר Numbers 33:56; Deuteronomy 28:63; Joshua 23:15; Judges 7:17; Isaiah 29:8; Jeremiah 31:28; Zechariah 8:13;

ε. less often with other modifying phrase: כְּ Infinitive Exodus 33:8, 9 (both frequentative), Joshua 3:13; Joshua 8:8; Jeremiah 25:12; Jeremiah 51:63; בְּ Infinitive Genesis 9:14 (P) 2 Kings 4:10; Ezekiel 44:17; אִם of condition Deuteronomy 20:11 (+ Deuteronomy 20:11 Dr^{§ 118 n.}), also Joshua 22:18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without אִם (compare Dr^{§ 155}); לְ temporal Deuteronomy 23:12; מִקֵּץ Isaiah 23:17; טֶרֶם Isaiah 65:24; מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֺ Isaiah 66:23, etc.

(b) וְהָיָה followed by Perfect consecutive (approximately + 85 times):

α. most often + clause with כִּי temporal Genesis 12:12; Genesis 46:33 (both J) Exodus 1:10 (E) Deuteronomy 11:29; Isaiah 8:21 + 25 times;

β. with אִם Exodus 4:8, 9; Numbers 15:24; Deuteronomy 11:13 + 14 times; also Genesis 38:9; Numbers 21:9 (both frequentative);

γ. with בְּ temporal Genesis 30:41 (frequentative) Genesis 47:24 (but compare Ol Di) Exodus 16:5 + 11 times;

δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr^{§ 121, Obs. 1}): Genesis 24:14; Numbers 10:32 (Dr^{§ 118 n.}) Numbers 21:18; Deuteronomy 21:3; Judges 11:31; Judges 19:30; Zechariah 14:16;

ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: כַּאֲשֶׁר Genesis 27:40 +; כְּ Infinitive Genesis 44:31 +; בְּ Infinitive Exodus 33:22 +; מִקֵּץ 2 Samuel 14:26; עֵקֶב causative Deuteronomy 7:12; also

(c) followed by וְלֹא + simple Imperfect Exodus 3:21 (with כִּי temporal).

(d) וְהָיָה followed by Imperative (very rare) Deuteronomy 6:10 (with כִּי temporal), 1 Samuel 10:7 (with כִּי), compare 1 Samuel 29:10, compare perfect consecutive in command 1 Samuel 3:9 (with אִם).

(e) וְהָיָה followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) Deuteronomy 8:19 (with אִם).

(f) וְהָיָה followed by clause without verb: Genesis 24:43; Joshua 2:19; 1 Kings 18:24 (all with indefinite rel. modifier, or equivalents, see (a) γ, (b) δ, above).

(g) וְהָיָה (ו conjunctive) followed by Imperfect consecutive see a. (e) above

II. Come into being, become: —

a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה Ex 12:80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; וַיְהִיקֿוֺל Ezekiel 1:25 (strike out Co compare Da), Ezekiel 37:7 (strike out קוֺל Co); כִּי הָֽיְתָה הָֽרְוָחָה Exodus 8:11 (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Micah 7:4 now shall come their confusion (|| בוא); also of concrete objects וְהָֽיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן Genesis 9:16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds (|| וְנִרְאֲתָה) וְרִמָּה לֹא הָֽיְתָה בּוֺ Exodus 16:24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine Genesis 12:10; Genesis 26:1 (twice in verse) (all J), Genesis 41:54 (E), Ruth 1:1; 2 Samuel 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25; strife Genesis 13:7, 8 (J), Habakkuk 1:3 (|| מָדוֺן יִשָּׂא); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail Exodus 9:18, 24, 26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., Exodus 19:16 (E), rain 1 Kings 18:45, storm Jonah 1:4; especially of creative fiats יְהִי אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר Genesis 1:3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare Genesis 1:5; Genesis 1:8; Genesis 1:13; Genesis 1:19; Genesis 1:23; Genesis 1:31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, וְאַחֲרָיו הָיָה שַׁמְגַּר Judges 3:31 and after him arose Shamgar (= וַיָּקָם Judges 10:1); further וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה Genesis 15:17 (JE) and darkness came on; הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה Exodus 10:13 (J) the morning came, Exodus 19:16 (E); וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם 1 Samuel 1:4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 1 Samuel 14:1; 2 Kings 4:8, 11, 18; Job 1:6, 18; Job 2:1.

b. followed by preposition: בְּ, וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ Genesis 37:27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of יּ׳ 1 Samuel 5:9; 1 Samuel 7:13; 1 Samuel 12:15 + (all in hostile sense); יֶשׁ־לוֹ בְִּכָל־אֲשֶׁר י׳ בִּרְכַּת וַיְהִי Genesis 39:5 (J) and the blessing of י׳ came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague Exodus 12:13 (P); followed by עַל, וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ Genesis 7:10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּ֑נָה Genesis 42:36 (E) Genesis 9:2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare Genesis 35:25 (P) 2 Chronicles 14:13; 2 Chronicles 17:19; 2 Chronicles 20:29 +; of wrath Joshua 22:20; 1 Kings 3:27; so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1 Samuel 16:16, 23; 1 Samuel 19:9 (אֶל); but followed by עַל also in good sense וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ י׳ conferring strength & efficiency Judges 3:10; Judges 11:29 (היה = צלח Judges 14:6 + often), compare Numbers 24:2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on וַתְּהִי לָיו יַד י׳ 2 Kings 3:15; Ezekiel 3:22 and the like, see יָד); יַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה עָלֵינוּ Ezra 8:31, so Psalm 80:18; even וַתְּהִי עַלרֿאֹשׁ דָּוִד 2 Samuel 12:30 and it (the crown, עֲטֶרֶת) came (i.e. was put, set) on David's head; with a different meaning וַנִּהְיֶה עֲלֵיהֶם עַדמֶּֿתַח הַשָּׁ֑עַר 2 Samuel 11:23 and we were close upon them even to the gateway (compare We Dr); come, go, follow (followed by אַחֲרֵי) i.e. take the side of, adhere to, Exodus 23:2 (JE) 1 Samuel 12:14; 2 Samuel 2:10; 1 Kings 12:20; 1 Kings 16:21; followed by לְ of blessings Genesis 49:26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jeremiah 40:3 especially אֶל ֗֗֗ דבר ויהי and the word of... came unto: word of Samuel 1 Samuel 4:1; usually word of God (or י׳) Genesis 15:1; 1 Samuel 15:10 +; constantly in prophets: Hosea 1:1; Micah 1:1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jeremiah 1:4, 11, 13; Jeremiah 2:1; Jeremiah 13:8 +; Ezekiel 3:16; Ezekiel 6:1; Ezekiel 7:1; Ezekiel 11:14; Ezekiel 11:17; Ezekiel 11:21; Ezekiel 11:26; Ezekiel 12:1, 8 +; so also absolute הָיָה הַמַּשָּׂא הַזֶּה Isaiah 14:28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by מִן; מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ Genesis 17:16 (P), וּקְהַל גּוֺיִם יִהְיֶה מִמֶּ֑ךָּ Genesis 35:11 (P), וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֺ מִמֶּנּוּ Jeremiah 30:21 (|| מִקִּרְבּוֺ יֵצֵא); הַכֹּל הָיָה מִןהֶֿעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל הֶעָפָר Ecclesiastes 3:20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; וַיְהִי קֶצֶף גָּדוֺל מֵאֵת צְבָאוֺת י׳ Zechariah 7:12.

2. become :

a. followed by predicate noun (to be viewed as implicit accusative Dr^{§ 161, 3 n.}, according to the Arabic usage W^{AG ii, § 41. 44. 74}): הִוא הָֽיְתָה אֵם כָּלחָֿ֑י Genesis 3:20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; וַיְהִי הֶבֶל רֹעֵה צאֹן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה Genesis 4:2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2 Samuel 8:14; Micah 2:11 + often. —

b. followed by predicate adjective Genesis 38:7; Exodus 36:13 +; compare Genesis 37:20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);

c. become like (כְּ), וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים Genesis 3:5 and ye shall become like gods compare Genesis 3:22, Numbers 11:1 (JE), Hosea 2:1; Hosea 7:11; Isaiah 9:18; 1 Kings 7:8; Zechariah 9:7 +; compare Genesis 15:5 so (כֹּה) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Isaiah 1:9; 1 Samuel 17:36 +; also with כְּ repeated וְהָיָה כָעָם כַּכֹּהֵן Hosea 4:9 and the people shall become like the priest (literally, and the like of the people shall become the like of the priest), so especially Isaiah 24:2 (6 pairs of words as above); וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע Genesis 18:25 (J), see כְּ.

b + c Genesis 27:32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.

d. followed by predicate + לְ person וּתְהִי אִשָּׁה לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ Genesis 24:51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Kings 11:25; Psalm 89:42; 1 Chronicles 18:6 +; = be instituted, established, וְהָיָה לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם Exodus 30:21 (P) and it shall be established for them as a perpetual ordinance (compare f. below).

e. followed by לְ predicate: וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Genesis 2:7 (J) and the man became a living soul; וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים Genesis 2:10 (J) and it became four heads; גַּםהֿוּא יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם Genesis 48:19 (J) he too shall become a people; וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים 1 Samuel 4:9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men (|| הִתְחַזְּקוּ; compare with double לְ, f. below); Zephaniah 1:13; Ezekiel 17:6; Ezekiel 47:12; Job 16:8; עלמֶלֶךְ עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ וְהָיָה י׳ Zechariah 14:9; וַיְהִי לְמַס עֹבֵד † Genesis 49:15; Joshua 16:10; so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, וַיְהִי לְנָחָשׁ Exodus 4:3 and it became a serpent, Exodus 4:4; Exodus 7:10; Isaiah 1:22; Deuteronomy 26:5 +; figurative וַיְהִי לְמָ֑יִם Joshua 7:5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so וְהוּא הָיָה לְאֶבֶן 1 Samuel 25:37; or, serve as וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֺרֹת Genesis 1:15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare Genesis 1:14; וְהָיָה לְאוֺת בְּרִית Genesis 9:13; Genesis 17:11 (both P).

f. often with לְ predicate + לְ person: וַתְּהִי לָהֶם הַלְּבֵנָה לְאָ֑בֶן Genesis 11:3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; וַתְּהִי לִי לְאִשָּׁה Genesis 20:12 (E) compare Genesis 24:67 (J) +, וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה וְחָגְלָה ֗֗֗ לַבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים Numbers 36:11; וְהָיָה לְךָ וְלָהֶם לְאָכְלָה Numbers 6:21 (P), Exodus 2:10; Exodus 15:2; Judges 8:27; לִי לֵאלֹהִים וְהָיָה י׳ Genesis 28:21 (E); אֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לוֺ לְאָב וְהוּא יִהְיֶהלִֿי לְבֵן 1 Chronicles 17:3 +; = shew or prove oneself as הֱיֵהלִֿי לְבֶןחַֿיִל 1 Samuel 18:17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 1 Samuel 4:9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e. above) וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָקעֿוֺלָם Exodus 29:28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare Exodus 29:9; Leviticus 10:15; וְהָֽיְתָה לִהְיֹת לָהֶם מָשְׁחָתָם לִכְהֻנַּת עוֺלָם לְדֹרֹתָם Exodus 40:15 (all P).

g. with עַל and לְ 1 Samuel 22:2 וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר and he became over them prince.

h. sometimes with לְ person only = become the property of, come into the possession of וַיְהִילֿוֺ צאֹןוּֿבָקָר וְגו׳ Genesis 12:16 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., Genesis 26:14; Genesis 30:43; לֹא לוֺ יִהְיֶה הַזָּ֑רַע Genesis 38:9 not his should the seed become; וְהָיָה לי׳ Judges 11:31 it shall become Yah-weh's; Deuteronomy 10:9; Joshua 13:29; 1 Kings 10:26; 1 Kings 11:3 + often; so of a woman, as wife תְּהִינָֿא לְךָ Judges 15:2 pray let her become thine, compare also וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֺן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ Judges 14:20, Hosea 3:3; Ruth 1:13; Leviticus 21:3; Deuteronomy 24:2; Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:8 (and also + לְאִשָּׁה, לְנָשִׁים see f. above).

III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —

1. exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence), כָּלהַֿיּמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה 1 Samuel 1:28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = חַי Genesis 5:5 etc., compare Dr^Sm), Job 3:16; Isaiah 23:13; often with בְּ local וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ Genesis 2:5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא הָיָה אִישׁ וגו׳ Numbers 26:64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו Joshua 10:14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2 Samuel 14:25; 1 Kings 18:5; 1 Kings 21:25; 1Ki 23:25; Nehemiah 13:26 +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause וַיְהִי אִישׁ now there was a man Judges 13:2; 1 Samuel 1:1; 1 Samuel 9:1; Numbers 9:6 (P), Job 1:1 +; on אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה Exodus 3:14 see יהוֺה.

2. abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) וַיְהִי משֶׁה בָּהָר Exodus 24:18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so Exodus 34:28 (both J E), Judges 17:4, 12; 1 Samuel 6:1; 1 Kings 11:20; 2 Kings 11:3 2 Chronicles 22:12 +; also Leviticus 22:27; Leviticus 25:28 (both H), etc.; followed by עַד temporal remain until Deuteronomy 22:2; 1 Kings 11:40; 2 Kings 15:5; 2 Chronicles 5:9; 26:21; Daniel 1:21 etc.; compare הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֺלָם Ecclesiastes 3:14; so also of space followed by עַד extend unto, as far as, Joshua 19:10: of net beneath altar, Exodus 27:5 shall reach as far as (עַד) the middle of the altar.

3. with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated stand, lie; בִּהְיוֺתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה Genesis 4:8 (J) when they were in the field, הַמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה שָׁם אָהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה Genesis 13:3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; וְהָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה לִפְנֵיכֶם Genesis 34:10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Joshua 19:1; Judges 7:1, 8; Micah 5:6; Micah 5:7; followed by עַל be, be found or situated upon Isaiah 30:25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezekiel 37:27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt דָּמִים וְהָיָה עָלָיךָ Deuteronomy 19:10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.

4. as copula, joining subject & predicate: —

a. followed by predicate adjective וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים Genesis 2:25, וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם Genesis 3:1, בִּהְיוֺתָם כֹּאֲבִים Genesis 34:25, וַיְהִי יוֺסֵף יְפֵהתֹֿאַר Genesis 39:6; Deuteronomy 23:15; Joshua 19:9; Judges 11:1; Job 1:1, 3b 2 Chronicles 7:21.

b. followed by predicate noun Genesis 1:2; Genesis 9:18; Genesis 25:3; Genesis 36:14; Genesis 40:13; 1 Samuel 17:34, 42; 2 Samuel 8:10; 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Kings 10:6; 2 Kings 3:4; 2 Kings 5:1 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 9:20; 1 Chronicles 11:20; 1 Chronicles 18:10; 1 Chronicles 26:10; 2 Chronicles 13:7; כִּי לֹאהָֿיָה מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל 2 Chronicles 18:32 (|| 1 Kings 22:33 כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ ישׂראל הוּא) +; often of age: וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים Genesis 17:1 (P) 2 Kings 8:17; 2 Kings 14:2; 2 Kings 15:2, 33; 2 Kings 18:2; 2 Chronicles 21:20; 27:8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֺךְ וְחָסוֺר Genesis 8:5; = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: Genesis 5:4, 5, 8, 11, 14; Genesis 9:29; Genesis 11:32; Genesis 23:1 +; Exodus 38:24; Numbers 1:46, etc.

c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: לֹאטֿוֺב הֱיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֺ Genesis 2:18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַה כַּנָּשִׁים Genesis 18:11 (J).

d. followed by preposition:

(a) be with, accompany with עִם, subject most often י׳ or אלהים with added idea of protection, aid Genesis 26:3; Genesis 31:3; Genesis 39:10; Genesis 48:21; Joshua 1:3; Joshua 6:27; Judges 1:19; Judges 2:18; 1 Samuel 3:19; 1 Samuel 18:12; 1 Samuel 20:13; 1 Kings 1:37; 1 Chronicles 11:13; 2 Chronicles 17:3; followed by עִמָּדִי Genesis 28:20; Genesis 31:5; Genesis 35:3; followed by עִם, human subject, of accompaniment וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם Nehemiah 10:39; 1 Chronicles 11:12, read also in || 2 Samuel 23:9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1 Kings 1:8; with עִם also = be near הָיָה עִםגֹּֿרֶן האורנה וּמַלְאַךְ י׳ 2 Samuel 24:16 (compare Dr); also 2 Samuel 13:20 implying sexual intercourse, so Genesis 39:10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with עִם are: וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר הָיָה עִםזִֿקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 2 Samuel 3:17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1 Kings 1:7; וַיְהִי עִםלְֿבַב דָּוִד אָבִּי לִבְנוֺת 1 Kings 8:17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2 Chronicles 6:7 compare 1 Kings 8:18 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 22:7; 2 Chronicles 6:8 (twice in verse); 2 Chronicles 24:4; also 1 Kings 10:2 2 Chronicles 9:1;

(b) be with, followed by אֶת, subject י׳, אלהים, Genesis 21:20; Genesis 39:2, 21 but also with human subject וּבָנָיוּ הָיוּ אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ Genesis 34:5, compare 1 Samuel 29:8 +;

(c) followed by לְ of possessor כֶּרֶם הָיָה לִידִדִי Isaiah 5:1 all vineyard had my beloved, Genesis 30:30 compare Exodus 20:3 = Deuteronomy 5:7; Judges 18:27; 1 Samuel 9:2; 1 Kings 5:6 + often (compare I. 2d, f, h);

(d) followed by לְ + other preposition: of boundary וַיְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל מֵעֲרוֺעֵר Joshua 13:16, compare וַיְהִי גְבוּלָם מִמַּחֲנַיִם Joshua 13:30; וַוְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפנַָה מִיַּרְדֵּן Joshua 18:12, etc.;

(e) followed by בְּ be among, or of, Amos 1:1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1 Kings 2:7 let them be among those eating, Proverbs 22:26; Proverbs 23:20.

5. periphrastic conjug.:

a. היה + participle, of continuous state, or condition, sometimes, especially late (compare Late Hebrew), of habit, with וַיְהִי also of beginning and continuance (compare Dr^{§ 135}, (5)): participle active Genesis 39:22 (J), Exodus 3:1 (E), 1 Samuel 2:11; 1 Samuel 7:10; 1 Samuel 18:9 (compare Dr) 1 Samuel 18:14; 1 Samuel 18:29; 2 Samuel 8:15 = 1 Chronicles 18:14. Deuteronomy 28:29; Isaiah 30:20; 1 Kings 5:1; 1 Kings 5:15; 1 Kings 5:24; 2 Kings 6:5; 2 Kings 9:14; 2 Chronicles 9:26; Ezra 4:4; Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 2:13; Daniel 1:16 +; Genesis 1:6 (P); הָיָה יָרֵא אֶתיֿ׳ 1 Kings 18:3; 2 Kings 4:1; 2 Chronicles 26:1; passive participle Joshua 10:26; 1 Kings 13:24; 1 Kings 22:35 וְהַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה מָעֳמָד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה (|| 2 Chronicles 18:34 הָיָה מַעֲמִיד), Isaiah 2:2 = Micah 4:1, וְהָיָה סָגוּר Ezekiel 44:2, נַעֲשֶׂה ה׳ Nehemiah 5:18, וְאָהוּב לֵאלֹהָיו ה׳ Nehemiah 13:26; — on 2 Samuel 13:32 compare Dr.

b. followed by Infinitive with לְ (Dr^{§ 208, 204}): וְהָיָה לְבָעֵר Isaiah 5:5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; לָבוֺא וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ Genesis 15:12 and the sun was about to set; וַיְהִי הַשַּׁעַר לִסְגּוֺר Joshua 2:5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also וַיְהִי לִדְרשׁ אֱלֹהִים 2 Chronicles 26:5 (nearly = וַיְהִי + Participle)

† Niph. Perfect נִהְיָה 1 Kings 1:27 + 6 times + Micah 2:4 (compare below near the end); 3rd person feminine singular נִהָיְתָה Judges 19:30 + 5 times, נִהְיָ֑תָה Exodus 11:6; Jeremiah 48:19; וְנִהְיָ֑תָה consecutive Ezekiel 39:8 + Ezekiel 21:12 (strike out B Manuscripts Co); 2nd person masculine singular נִהְיֵיתָ Deuteronomy 27:9; 1st person singular ךּנהִךְייךתי Daniel 8:27; Participle feminine singular נִהְיָה Proverbs 13:19; —

1. either, be done, be brought about, or occur, come to pass: in the strong expressions וְכָמֹהוּ לֹא תֹסִף אֲשֶׁר כָּמֹהוּ לֹא נ׳ Exodus 11:6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare Deuteronomy 4:32 (be done; || נִשְׁמַע), & Judges 19:30 (|| נִרְאֲתָה); — but simply intransitive Joel 2:2; Daniel 12:1 & apparently Ezekiel 21:12 (|| בָּאָ֫ה; on text, however, see above) Ezekiel 39:8 (|| id.); — also אֵיכָה נִהְיְתָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת Judges 20:3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare Judges 20:12 Jeremiah 5:30; Jeremiah 48:19 also Nehemiah 6:8; with לֹא, existence denied לֹא נ׳ Zechariah 8:10 (|| אֵינֶ֑נָּה); in all the above (except Joel 2:2; Daniel 12:1 & Ezekiel 21:12; Ezekiel 39:8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶץ נ׳ הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה 1 Kings 1:27, so of divine agency (מֵאִתִּי) 1 Kings 12:24＝2 Chronicles 11:4; further be attained, secured, of wages Zechariah 8:10 (with לֹא, || אֵינֶ֑נָּה); תַּאֲוָּה נִהְיָה Proverbs 13:19 a desire come to pass, realized.

2. be done, finished, gone, only Daniel וּשְׁנָתוֺ נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו Daniel 2:1 and his sleep was finished upon him, i.e. left him (compare Aramaic Daniel 6:19); נִהְיֵיתִי Daniel 8:27 I came to an end, was exhausted (si vera lectio, strike out ; || נֶחֱלֵיתִי); נִהְיָה, in וְנָהָה נְהִי נִהְיָה Micah 2:4, is dubious; it is done, over, the ruin is come Rob-Ges Ew Hi Ca Che L RVm;? < omit as dittograph Sta^{ZAW 1886, 122 f.} compare JBL^{1890, 74.77}.

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