Strong's Lexicon biy: "Oh!" or "Alas!" Original Word: בִּי Word Origin: A primitive particle Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for the Hebrew interjection "בִּי," similar expressions of emotion and entreaty can be found in the Greek New Testament, such as "οὐαί" (ouai - Strong's Greek 3759), which is often translated as "woe" or "alas." Usage: The Hebrew interjection "בִּי" (biy) is used to express a range of emotions, including lamentation, entreaty, or emphasis. It often appears in contexts where the speaker is expressing a deep emotional response, such as sorrow, pleading, or earnestness. This particle is typically used to convey a personal appeal or a heartfelt expression. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, language was rich with expressions that conveyed deep emotions and personal appeals. The use of interjections like "בִּי" reflects the oral and emotive nature of Hebrew communication. Such expressions were integral in prayers, laments, and dialogues, providing insight into the speaker's emotional state and the gravity of the situation. The Hebrew Bible, being a collection of texts that include historical narratives, poetry, and prophecy, often employs these interjections to convey the intensity of human experiences and divine interactions. Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּי particle of entreaty, craving permission to address a superior, always followed by אֲדֹנִי (or אֲדֹנָי), and always (except Joshua 7:8) at the beginning of a speech, I pray, excuse me — (not improbable from √ ביי; so that בִּי אֲדֹנִי will be literally a supplication of (i.e. to my lord! compare Wetzst l.c., who compares the Arabic  literally a prayer to my lord! a standing formula = Pray, excuse me, used exactly as בֹּי אֲדֹנִי. According to other contracted from בְּעִי, from בָּעָה to ask, and so literally a petition! compare Aramaic בְּבָעוּ,  (e.g. Genesis 19:18 ᵑ7, Numbers 12:13 ᵑ6); but ע is not often elided in Hebrew) — Genesis 44:18 בִּי אֲדֹנִי יְדַבֶּרנָֿא I pray, my lord, let thy servant speak, etc.; so Numbers 12:11; Judges 6:13; 1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 3:17,26, and following by a plural subject Genesis 43:20 יָרֹד יָרַדְנוּ ׳בִּי א Oh, my lord, we came down, etc.; בִּי אֲדֹנָי (to God) Exodus 4:10,13; Joshua 7:8; Judges 6:15; Judges 13:8 (ᵐ5 in Pentateuch and Joshua δέομαι, δεόμεθα: in other books absurdly ἐν ἐμοί). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance alas, O, oh Perhaps from ba'ah (in the sense of asking); properly, a request; used only adverbially (always with "my Lord"); Oh that!; with leave, or if it please -- alas, O, oh. see HEBREW ba'ah Forms and Transliterations בִּ֖י בִּ֣י בי bi bîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 43:20 HEB: וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֑י יָרֹ֥ד NAS: and said, Oh, my lord, we indeed KJV: And said, O sir, we came indeed INT: and said Oh my lord indeed Genesis 44:18 Exodus 4:10 Exodus 4:13 Numbers 12:11 Joshua 7:8 Judges 6:13 Judges 6:15 Judges 13:8 1 Samuel 1:26 1 Kings 3:17 1 Kings 3:26 |
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