הֵ֣ן
𐤄𐤍
hên
behold
A conjunction and particle signaling condition, contingency, or alternative, primarily meaning 'if,' 'whether,' or 'in case.' Can also function as an emphatic particle ('behold!' or 'lo!') in some contexts. In Aramaic biblical texts, הֵן introduces conditional clauses, hypothetical scenarios, or indirect questions/questions of uncertainty. The meaning varies depending on the clause: it may set up a condition, indicate an alternative, or focus attention on a statement.
Ezra 5:17 · Word #14
Lexicon H2006
| Lemma | הֵן |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤄𐤍 |
| Transliteration | hên |
| Strong's | H2006 |
| Definition | A conjunction and particle signaling condition, contingency, or alternative, primarily meaning 'if,' 'whether,' or 'in case.' Can also function as an emphatic particle ('behold!' or 'lo!') in some contexts. In Aramaic biblical texts, הֵן introduces conditional clauses, hypothetical scenarios, or indirect questions/questions of uncertainty. The meaning varies depending on the clause: it may set up a condition, indicate an alternative, or focus attention on a statement. |
Morphology AC
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | C — Conjunction — Connects words or clauses |
Common Translation
| Phrase | behold |
SIBI-P1 Translation H2006-01
Look!
| Morphological Notes | Particle, demonstrative/interjective; invariant form with no gender, number, or verbal stem. |
| Rendering Rationale | The particle functions deictically to draw emphatic attention to what follows. "Look!" preserves its demonstrative, attention-directing force without importing contextual nuances like condition or concession. |
View full lexicon entry for H2006 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
if
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1 ('Look!') is the emphatic reading, but the Aramaic הֵן here introduces a conditional ('if') consistent with legal or narrative formulas, not exclamation. So rendered as 'if.' |