Lexical Summary hen: which, likewise Original Word: הֵן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance in, such like, with them, thereby, therein, more than they, wherein, in which, Feminine plural from huw'; they (only used when emphatic) -- X in, such like, (with) them, thereby, therein, (more than) they, wherein, in which, whom, withal. see HEBREW huw' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. pl. pronoun from hu Definition they NASB Translation likewise (1), which (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [הֵן] pronoun 3 plural feminine, often in Late Hebrew, in Biblical Hebrew only with prefixes, בָּהֵן, etc.: see under הֵמָּה 8d. f Topical Lexicon Function and Nuanceהֵן (hen) operates as a demonstrative particle that signals heightened attention—“behold,” “see,” “here, now.” When used by the narrator it arrests the reader so that a key action or divine intervention is not missed (Genesis 19:29). When placed on the lips of a speaker it conveys urgency or solemn emphasis (Leviticus 10:1). Unlike simple deictic particles, הֵן often carries moral or theological weight, marking turning points, judgments, or acts of covenant faithfulness. Distribution in Scripture Thirteen appearances span Torah, Prophets, and Writings, occurring in narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic material. Its relatively sparse distribution means each use is deliberate and context-shaping. • Patriarchal Narratives – Genesis 19:29; Genesis 30:26 Illustrative Passages Genesis 19:29 “So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and He sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.” The opening particle “hen” (untranslated in many English versions) sets a spotlight on Yahweh’s covenant fidelity to Abraham amid judgment. Numbers 16:7 “Tomorrow morning you are to present yourselves before the LORD—you and all your followers—and hen the man whom the LORD chooses will be holy.” Moses uses הֵן to underline the decisive nature of divine selection in the Korah rebellion, stressing that holiness is defined by God, not human aspiration. Ezekiel 16:47 “Yet you have not merely followed their ways and copied their abominations; hen, in a very short time you became more corrupt than they in all your ways.” The prophet’s sharp indictment of Jerusalem is intensified by the particle, pressing the audience to reckon with their accelerated departure from covenant loyalty. Literary and Theological Significance 1. Covenant Retrospection and Mercy In Genesis 19:29 the narrator highlights God’s remembering of Abraham—hen stands as a narrative hinge between judgment and mercy, reminding readers that divine wrath never eclipses covenant promises. 2. Separation and Holiness When Moses addresses Aaron’s sons (Leviticus 10:1) and Korah’s faction (Numbers 16:7), הֵן announces an impending verdict. It draws an audible line between holy and profane, reinforcing the tabernacle’s demand for distinctiveness. 3. Prophetic Shock and Lament Jeremiah and Ezekiel wield הֵן like a verbal siren. Whether portraying total flight before the Babylonian sword (Jeremiah 4:29) or the desolation of Moab (Jeremiah 48:9), the particle magnifies the certainty of judgment to ears dulled by complacency. 4. Comparative Indictment Ezekiel 16 repeatedly employs הֵן to compare Jerusalem with her “sisters” Samaria and Sodom. The particle underscores the startling claim that Judah’s sins surpassed even those infamous cities, thereby justifying the severity of exile. Historical Context Across the ancient Near East, demonstrative particles served oratorical purposes in royal inscriptions and treaty language. In Israel’s Scriptures, הֵן fills a similar rhetorical role, but always within a covenantal frame: it summons attention not to human grandeur but to Yahweh’s actions and verdicts. Christological Foreshadowing The New Testament often begins revelatory statements with ἰδού (“behold”), the Greek counterpart of הֵן. This shared literary device creates continuity between testaments. Angelic announcements—“Behold, I bring you good news” (Luke 2:10)—echo the Old Testament’s recurring call to observe God’s redemptive acts, now culminating in Jesus Christ. Homiletical and Pastoral Application 1. Preachers can employ “behold” moments to awaken congregations to familiar yet neglected truths: God’s holiness, human rebellion, covenant faithfulness. Devotional Reflection Each occurrence of הֵן invites worshipers to pause. Whether the text reveals mercy (Genesis 19:29) or judgment (Jeremiah 51:43), the command is the same: “Behold!” Look carefully at the God who acts in history, keeps covenant, disciplines covenant-breakers, and ultimately calls His people to repentance and renewed faith. Forms and Transliterations בָּהֵ֑ן בָּהֵ֖ן בָּהֵֽן׃ בָהֵ֣ן ׀ בָהֵן֙ בהן בהן׃ כָּהֵֽן׃ כהן׃ מֵהֵ֖ן מהן bā·hên ḇā·hên baHen bāhên ḇāhên kā·hên kaHen kāhên mê·hên meHen mêhên vaHenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 19:29 HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ יָשַׁ֥ב בָּהֵ֖ן לֽוֹט׃ KJV: the cities in the which Lot INT: which lived the which Lot Genesis 30:26 Exodus 25:29 Exodus 37:16 Leviticus 10:1 Leviticus 11:21 Numbers 16:7 Jeremiah 4:29 Jeremiah 48:9 Jeremiah 51:43 Ezekiel 16:47 Ezekiel 16:52 Ezekiel 18:14 13 Occurrences |
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