Lexical Summary hem: they, them, those Original Word: הֵם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance like, how, the same, so, such, Or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from halak; they (only used when emphatic) -- it, like, X (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. see HEBREW halak Brown-Driver-Briggs הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except probably in so far as the longer or shorter from was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences: on the whole הֵמָּה (alone) is somewhat more frequently than הֵם, הָהֵם on the contrary is said regularly, הָהֵמָּה occurring only 12 t., namely Numbers 9:7 (P), Jeremiah 14:15; Zechariah 14:15, and in the phrase בַּ(הַ)מִָים הָהֵמָּה 2 Kings 18:4; Jeremiah 3:16,18; Jeremiah 5:18; Jeremiah 50:4; Joel 3:2; Joel 4:1; Zechariah 8:23; Nehemiah 13:15, though בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם is much more common) pronoun 3 plural masculine (הֵמָּה used incorrectly for the feminine Zechariah 5:10; Ruth 1:22; Songs 6:8), feminine הֵ֫נָּה [Late Hebrew also הֵן, which occurs however in Biblical Hebrew only after a prefix: see below 8], pronoun 3 plural they (Biblical Aramaic הִמּוֺ, q. v.; 1. a. Genesis 6:4; Exodus 5:7 הֵם יֵָֽלְכוּ let them (emphatic) go and gather straw, Numbers 31:16; Isaiah 24:14; Hosea 4:14; Hosea 7:3 etc.; after כִּי Jeremiah 5:5; Jeremiah 34:7. (For the use in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 160, 169.) b. Judges 1:22 ויעלו ֗֗֗ גַם הֵם, Deuteronomy 2:11 (אַף הֵם), Deuteronomy 3:20; Joshua 9:4; Ezekiel 30:17. c. Exodus 18:22 every small matter יִשְׁמְּטוּהֵֿם let them judge themselves, Exodus 18:26; Jeremiah 15:19; Jeremiah 17:18; Psalm 109:28; Esther 9:1. d. Genesis 33:6; Genesis 44:3; Judges 6:5 etc. e. compare Nehemiah 10:38. 2. a. (Resuming the subject with emphasis) Genesis 14:24 (note accents), Deuteronomy 1:39; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:2 (accents), Psalm 37:9; Psalm 107:24; Ezekiel 36:7; Ezekiel 44:15. b. Isaiah 30:7; Ezekiel 27:13,17,21; compare Isaiah 44:11. c. Numbers 14:27 a Jeremiah 27:9; Ezekiel 43:19 אֲשֶׁר הֵם מִזֶּרַע צָדוֺק, Ecclesiastes 4:2; Nehemiah 2:13. **— הֵמָּה כִּדְוֵי לַחֻמִי Job 6:7 read perhaps ׳וַהֲמָה וגו (or זָָֽהֲמָה) it is loathesome (√ זהס). 3. a. Genesis 3:7; Exodus 5:8 כִּי נִרְמִּים הֵם for they are idle, Exodus 14:3; Exodus 15:23; Exodus 29:33 etc. (the opposite order rare: Numbers 11:16; Isaiah 61:9, compare DePs 94:11). b. Genesis 34:21,23; Genesis 41:26; Genesis 48:5 שׁני בניך ֗֗֗ לִי הֵם thy two sons . . ., they are mine, Exodus 32:16 + often: Isaiah 41:22 הָרִאשֹׁנוֺת מָה הֵנָּה, Isaiah 49:21 אֵלֶּה אֵיפֹה הֵם these — where were they? Zephaniah 2:12 after אַתֶּם, peculiarly (compare Dr§ 198 Obs. 2). c. Deuteronomy 20:15 אֲשֶׁר לֹאמֵֿעָרֵי הַגֹּויִם הָאֵלֶּה הֵנָּה, Judges 19:12; 1 Kings 9:20. d. 2 Kings 7:10 כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה. (Proverbs 19:7 Kt לֹאהֵֿמָּה is probably corrupt: see Commentaries) 4. a. Proverbs 30:24 אַרְבָּעָה הֵם קְטַנֵּיאָֿ֑רֶץ four things are they, the little ones of the earth, Proverbs 30:29 (compare before a rel. clause Proverbs 30:15; Proverbs 30:18; Proverbs 6:16) Songs 6:8; Isaiah 51:19 שְׁתַּיִם הֵנָּה קֹרְאֹתַיִךְ, 1 Chronicles 9:26 (see הוא 4a). b. (β) Genesis 21:29 מָה הֵנָּה שֶׁבַע ֗֗֗ literally What are they — these seven sheep? Zechariah 1:9; Zechariah 4:5. (γ) אֵלֶּה ֗֗֗ הֵם Genesis 25:16 (= 1 Chronicles 1:36) Leviticus 23:2; Numbers 3:20,21,27,33; 1 Samuel 4:8; 1 Chronicles 8:6; 1 Chronicles 12:15 (see Dr § 201, 3). 6. a. In a neuter sense (rare), Job 6:7 הֵמָּה כִּדְוֵי לַחמִי they (i.e. such sufferings as mine) are as loathsomeness in my meat, Jeremiah 7:4 ׳הֵיכַל י הֵמָּה they (i.e. these buildings) are the temple of ׳י; and in the feminine, Leviticus 5:22 of all that a man doeth to sin בָּהֵנָּה therein, 1 Chronicles 21:10 מֵהֵנָּה ("" 2 Samuel 24:12 מֵהֶם); 2 Samuel 12:8; Job 23:14 כָּהֵנָּה things such as these. 7 With art. הָהֵם, Genesis 6:4; Exodus 2:11; Numbers 14:38 + often; הָהֵמָּה12t. (see above); הָהֵנָּה 1 Samuel 17:28. N.B. — Ezekiel 8:6 Kt מָהֵם stands for מָה הֵם (so Qr), compare מַזֶּה for מַהזֶּֿה Exodus 4:2; 2 Kings 9:18 עַדהֵֿם is irregular for עֲדֵיהֶם; 2 Samuel 4:6 ׳וְהֵנָּה וג is textual error for ׳וְהִנֵּה שֹׁעֶרֶת הַבַּיִת סֹקְלָה חִטִּים וג see We Dr (ᵐ5 & RVm). 8 With preps. (in lieu of the normal, and more usual, forms with suffixes בָּהֶם, לָהֶם, מֵהֶם etc. [כָּהֶם & כָּהֶן, however, each once only, כְּמוֺהֶם thrice: see כְּ]) — a.בָּהֵמָּה Exodus 30:4; Exodus 36:1 (both P), Habakkuk 1:16; כָּהֵמָּה Jeremiah 36:32; לְהֵמָּה Jeremiah 14:16 מֵהֵמָּה Jeremiah 10:2; Ecclesiastes 12:12. b. כָּהֵם 2 Samuel 24:3 Yahweh add to the people כָּהֵם וְכָהֵם מֵאָה פְעָמִים the like of themselves and the like of themselves100times, = 1 Chronicles 21:3 (but כָּהֵם here only once, compare Deuteronomy 1:11 בָּכֶם), 2 Chronicles 9:11; Ecclesiastes 9:12. c. בָּהֵנָּה Leviticus 5:22 (P) Numbers 13:19 (JE) Jeremiah 5:17: כָּהֵנָּה Genesis 41:19; 2 Samuel 12:8 וְאֹסִפָה לְךָ כָּהֵנָּה וְכָהֵנָּה, Job 23:14: לָהֵנָּה Ezekiel 1:5,23 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 42:9; Zechariah 5:9: מֵהֵנָּה Leviticus 4:2 (P) Isaiah 34:16; Jeremiah 5:6; Ezekiel 16:51; Ezekiel 42:5; Psalm 34:21; 1 Chronicles 21:10 ("" 2 Samuel 24:12 מֵהֶם). d. בָּהֵן Genesis 19:29 (P) Genesis 30:26,37; Exodus 25:29; Exodus 37:16 (both P) Leviticus 10:1; Leviticus 11:21; Leviticus 14:40; Numbers 10:3; Numbers 16:7 (all P) Deuteronomy 28:52; Jeremiah 4:29; Jeremiah 48:9; Jeremiah 51:43 (twice in verse) (בָּהֶן thrice only); כָּהֵן Ezekiel 18:14 (editions; Baer כָּהֶן); לָהֵן ( = therefore) Ruth 1:13 (twice in verse) (also Biblical Aramaic); מֵהֵן Ezekiel 16:47,52 (editions; Baer מֵהֶן). With the exception of כָּחֵנָּה, these forms are found mostly in P and writers not earlier than Jeremiah; b and d, however, depend solely on the punctuation.) Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage in Scripture הֵם functions as the third-person plural pronoun “they/these/those,” often standing with emphatic force. It may appear independently, follow a noun for added stress (“they themselves”), or introduce clauses to highlight contrast. Because Hebrew frequently inflects verbs for person and number, the presence of הֵם is never incidental; whenever it surfaces the writer is drawing attention to the subject—whether a covenant people, an enemy, or the LORD’s chosen instrument. Frequency and Distribution Approximately 822 occurrences span every major division of the Old Testament. Genesis through Deuteronomy contain roughly one-quarter of the uses, the Former Prophets another quarter, the Writings about one-third (with Psalms alone contributing over seventy instances), and the Latter Prophets the remainder. Its wide distribution enables careful reading of redemptive history through the lens of collective identity. Emphatic Distinction in Covenantal Contexts 1. Exodus 19:6 sets Israel apart from the nations: “you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” When Moses recounts the scene (Deuteronomy 4:20), הֵם highlights Israel as the people Yahweh “has taken for Himself.” Narrative Function in Historical Books In Judges the recurring epithet “the children of Israel” is frequently followed by הֵם to emphasize persistence in disobedience (Judges 2:7, 2:17). In Samuel and Kings, הֵם underscores royal accountability: “They did evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Kings 17:17). The pronoun thus binds national destiny to covenant fidelity, preparing readers for prophetic warnings. Prophetic Oracles Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel regularly employ הֵם to juxtapose divine holiness with human rebellion. The consistent “they” hammers home collective guilt while simultaneously legitimizing the prophet’s commission. Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked In Wisdom literature הֵם becomes a literary pivot. By repeatedly contrasting “they” (wicked) with “the righteous,” the texts cultivate moral discernment in the covenant community. Liturgical and Poetic Nuances Psalms often places הֵם at the front of a verse for antiphonal emphasis, inviting congregational response: The pronoun becomes a tool of worship, magnifying divine deliverance over human opposition. Typological and Christological Glimpses While הֵם refers to plural human subjects, New Testament writers echo its theological movement—distinguishing an unfaithful “they” from a redeemed “we.” John’s Gospel, for example, cites Psalm 69:9 with reference to Messiah, shifting focus from David’s enemies to those who oppose Christ (John 2:17). Thus the Old Testament “they” foreshadows the New Testament’s division between unbelief and faith. Implications for Theology and Ministry 1. Corporate Accountability: Frequent biblical use reminds believers that faithfulness or apostasy often manifests corporately. Preaching should press both individual and communal application. Pastoral Reflection Behind every occurrence of הֵם lies the question, “To whom do we belong?” Scripture’s answer is covenantal: those united to the LORD by faith move from being “they” who stand in rebellion to “My people” who delight in obedience. Understanding the subtle force of this small pronoun deepens appreciation for divine grace that calls strangers into fellowship and sustains a holy community for His glory. Forms and Transliterations בָּהֵ֔מָּה בָּהֵֽמָּה׃ בָהֵ֙מָּה֙ בהמה בהמה׃ הֵ֑ם הֵ֑מָּה הֵ֔ם הֵ֔מָּה הֵ֕מָּה הֵ֖ם הֵ֖מָּה הֵ֗ם הֵ֗מָּה הֵ֙מָּה֙ הֵ֚ם הֵ֚מָּה הֵ֛ם הֵ֛מָּה הֵ֜ם הֵ֜מָּה הֵ֝֗ם הֵ֝֗מָּה הֵ֞ם הֵ֠ם הֵ֠מָּה הֵ֣ם הֵ֣ם ׀ הֵ֣מָּה הֵ֤ם הֵ֤מָּה הֵ֤מָּה ׀ הֵ֥ם הֵ֥מָּה הֵ֧ם הֵ֧מָּה הֵ֨ם הֵ֬ם הֵ֭ם הֵ֭מָּה הֵֽם׃ הֵֽמָּה׃ הֵׅ֗מָּׅהׅ הֵם֙ הֵם֩ הֵמָּה֮ הָהֵ֑ם הָהֵ֑מָּה הָהֵ֔ם הָהֵ֔מָּה הָהֵ֖ם הָהֵ֖מָּה הָהֵ֗ם הָהֵ֙מָּה֙ הָהֵ֛ם הָהֵ֜מָּה הָהֵ֡מָּה הָהֵֽם׃ הָהֵֽמָּה׃ הָהֵם֒ הָהֵם֙ הָהֵם֩ הָהֵם֮ ההם ההם׃ ההמה ההמה׃ הם הם׃ המה המה׃ וְ֝הֵ֗ם וְ֝הֵ֗מָּה וְ֠הֵם וְ֭הֵם וְ֭הֵמָּה וְהֵ֕מָּה וְהֵ֖ם וְהֵ֖מָּה וְהֵ֗ם וְהֵ֗מָּה וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ וְהֵ֛ם וְהֵ֛מָּה וְהֵ֣ם וְהֵ֣מָּה וְהֵ֤מָּה וְהֵ֥ם וְהֵ֥מָּה וְהֵ֨ם וְהֵ֨מָּה וְהֵ֨מָּה וְהֵם֙ וְהֵם֩ וְכָהֵם֙ וְלָהֶֽם׃ וָהֵ֛ם וּמֵהֶ֖ם וּמֵהֶ֗ם וּמֵהֶ֣ם ׀ וּמֵהֶֽם׃ וּמֵהֶם֙ והם והמה וכהם ולהם׃ ומהם ומהם׃ כָּהֵ֗ם כָּהֵ֤ם ׀ כָּהֵֽמָּה׃ כָּהֵם֙ כָהֵ֛ם כהם כהמה׃ לָ֝הֶ֗ם לָ֠הֶם לָ֫הֶ֥ם לָ֭הֶם לָהֵ֔מָּה לָהֶ֑ם לָהֶ֔ם לָהֶ֖ם לָהֶ֗ם לָהֶ֛ם לָהֶ֜ם לָהֶ֞ם לָהֶ֡ם לָהֶ֣ם לָהֶ֣ם ׀ לָהֶ֤ם לָהֶ֥ם לָהֶ֧ם לָהֶ֨ם לָהֶֽם׃ לָהֶם֒ לָהֶם֙ לָהֶם֩ לָהֶן֙ להם להם׃ להמה להן מֵ֝הֶ֗ם מֵ֫הֶ֥ם מֵהֵ֖מָּה מֵהֵֽמָּה׃ מֵהֶ֑ם מֵהֶ֔ם מֵהֶ֖ם מֵהֶ֗ם מֵהֶ֛ם מֵהֶ֜ם מֵהֶ֞ם מֵהֶ֡ם מֵהֶ֣ם מֵהֶ֣ם ׀ מֵהֶ֥ם מֵהֶ֨ם ׀ מֵהֶֽם׃ מֵהֶם֙ מהם מהם׃ מהמה מהמה׃ שְׁהֶם־ שֶׁ֣הֵ֤ם שֶׁ֥הֵ֖ם שהם שהם־ bā·hêm·māh ḇā·hêm·māh baHemmah bāhêmmāh ḇāhêmmāh chaHem hā·hêm hā·hêm·māh haHem hāhêm haHemmah hāhêmmāh Hem hêm hêm·māh Hemmah hêmmāh kā·hêm ḵā·hêm kā·hêm·māh kaHem kāhêm ḵāhêm kaHemmah kāhêmmāh lā·hem lā·hêm·māh lā·hen laHem lāhem laHemmah lāhêmmāh laHen lāhen mê·hem mê·hêm·māh meHem mêhem meHemmah mêhêmmāh še·hêm šə·hem- šehêm šəhem- shehem ū·mê·hem umeHem ūmêhem vaHem vaHemmah vechaHem veHem veHemmah velaHem wā·hêm wāhêm wə·hêm wə·hêm·māh wə·ḵā·hêm wə·lā·hem wəhêm wəhêmmāh wəḵāhêm wəlāhemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 3:7 HEB: כִּ֥י עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם הֵ֑ם וַֽיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ עֲלֵ֣ה NAS: and made themselves loin coverings. KJV: were opened, and they knew INT: for were naked themselves sewed leaves Genesis 6:4 Genesis 6:4 Genesis 7:14 Genesis 11:6 Genesis 14:13 Genesis 14:24 Genesis 19:9 Genesis 25:16 Genesis 34:21 Genesis 34:22 Genesis 34:23 Genesis 37:16 Genesis 40:12 Genesis 40:18 Genesis 42:8 Genesis 42:23 Genesis 42:35 Genesis 42:35 Genesis 44:3 Genesis 44:4 Genesis 47:14 Genesis 48:5 Genesis 48:9 Exodus 2:11 822 Occurrences |
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; Ethiopic (one form) 
'em¥n-t¥, em¹n-t¥; compare also for the dissyllabic form, the suffix -œm¥ [feminine #NAME?]; perhaps also Assyrian suffix šunu, šina [ni], compare references below הוּא). In usage not different in Genl. from הוּא, הִיא (which see, under the corresponding headings, for fuller explanations), thus: —