17. aboy

Lexicon

aboy: Woe, Alas

Original Word: אֲבוֹי
Part of Speech: Interjection
Transliteration: abowy
Pronunciation: ah-VOY
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-o'ee)
Definition: Woe, Alas
Meaning: want

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sorrow

From 'abah (in the sense of desiring); want -- sorrow.

see HEBREW 'abah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. interj.
Definition
Oh!
NASB Translation
sorrow (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֲבוֺי interjection exclamation of pain, Oh! Proverbs 23:29 ("" אוֺי woe!). Probably akin to Syriac alas . . . ! PS⁵³ (AW Ges less probably as a substantive need from אָבָה, compare אֶבְיוֺן).

אבח (Dl^{BD Ez. x; Prov 75} compare Assyrian [abâµu], torment, but dubious)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: This word is of uncertain derivation, possibly related to expressions of lament or woe.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Greek equivalent that captures a similar sense of lament or woe is found in Strong's Greek Number G2351, θόρυβος (thorubos), which can mean "uproar" or "tumult." While not a direct translation, it conveys a sense of disturbance or emotional upheaval, akin to the lament expressed by "avoy."

This lexical entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Hebrew term אֲבוֹי (avoy), highlighting its emotional depth and contextual usage within the biblical narrative.

Usage: The word "avoy" is used in the Hebrew Bible to express a cry of woe or lament, often in the context of mourning or expressing deep emotional pain.

Context: • The Hebrew term אֲבוֹי (avoy) is an exclamatory word used to articulate a profound sense of grief or distress. It is akin to the English expressions "alas" or "woe." In the biblical context, such expressions are often found in prophetic literature or poetic passages where the speaker is lamenting over sin, impending judgment, or personal calamity.
• The use of "avoy" in the Hebrew Bible is relatively rare, and it typically appears in contexts where the speaker is overwhelmed by a sense of impending doom or is mourning a significant loss. This term captures the emotional intensity of the speaker's experience, serving as a verbal manifestation of inner turmoil.
• The expression of woe is a common motif in the prophetic books, where prophets often lament the spiritual state of Israel or the coming judgment from God. The use of "avoy" in these contexts underscores the gravity of the situation and the deep emotional response it elicits.

Forms and Transliterations

אֲב֡וֹי אבוי ’ă·ḇō·w ’ăḇōw aVo

Englishman's Concordance

Proverbs 23:29
HEB: א֥וֹי לְמִ֪י אֲב֡וֹי לְמִ֤י [מִדֹונִים
NAS: Who has sorrow? Who
KJV: Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions?
INT: Woe Who sorrow Who brawling

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 17
1 Occurrence

’ă·ḇō·w — 1 Occ.