וְ/לֹ֥א
𐤅/𐤋𐤀
Lo
and could not
A particle of absolute negation in Biblical Hebrew, used to indicate the simple or unqualified denial of statements, facts, or circumstances. Primarily meaning 'not' or 'no,' it negates verbs, clauses, or nouns without nuance of prohibition or temporal reference. It functions both independently and in combination with other particles for various negative constructions.
Genesis 37:4 · Word #11
Lexicon H3808
| Lemma | לֹא |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤋𐤀 |
| Transliteration | Lo |
| Strong's | H3808 |
| Definition | A particle of absolute negation in Biblical Hebrew, used to indicate the simple or unqualified denial of statements, facts, or circumstances. Primarily meaning 'not' or 'no,' it negates verbs, clauses, or nouns without nuance of prohibition or temporal reference. It functions both independently and in combination with other particles for various negative constructions. |
Morphology HC/Tn
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | n — Negative — Negative particle |
Common Translation
| Phrase | and could not |
SIBI-P1 Translation H3808-14
and not
| Morphological Notes | Conjunction וְ prefixed to negative particle לֹא; coordinating conjunction + absolute negator. |
| Rendering Rationale | The particle לֹא expresses absolute negation ('not'), and the prefixed conjunction וְ adds the coordinating sense 'and.' The rendering preserves both the simple negation and the conjunctional morphology without adding contextual nuance. |
View full lexicon entry for H3808 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
and they were not able
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | 'And not' (P1) does not represent the sense of inability in the Hebrew; in context, the phrase is a negative capability construction and should read 'and they were not able'. |