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הוּא

𐤄𐤅𐤀

hûwʼ

H1931 pronoun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Personal pronoun: he, it — third person masculine singular subject pronoun in Hebrew. In context, can also take on intensive (he himself), reflexive, or demonstrative senses (that, the same), and in later or poetic usage, may function for both masculine and feminine referents. Typically marks the subject, especially when emphasizing or distinguishing the subject, or when a copula (linking verb) is required.

Semantic Range

he, it, he himself, that one, the same, this one, as a copula (is/are), referring to both persons and things, sometimes generic or intensive reference, rarely used for feminine referents in later Hebrew

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. הוּא is a primitive Hebrew personal pronoun, functioning as the standard third person masculine singular subject pronoun. Its origin relates generally to Semitic pronominal forms, though specific root derivation is unclear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical (Biblical) Hebrew, הוּא most commonly functions as the third person masculine singular pronoun, meaning 'he' or 'it', marking the subject of a verb or standing for a previously mentioned referent. When used emphatically or as a copula, it can have the sense 'he himself' or can substitute for a linking verb (as in nominal clauses: 'YHWH הוא האלהים' — 'YHWH is the God'). In post-Pentateuchal Hebrew, alongside its feminine counterpart הִיא for 'she,' הוּא can begin to be used for both masculine and feminine referents in some later books, reflecting diachronic change and regional dialectical variation. In poetic or elevated prose contexts, both הוּא and its forms can serve demonstrative or intensive functions, e.g., 'that one' or 'the very same.' In rare instances, especially in the later Hebrew Bible, הוּא is used where standard English would employ 'she,' indicating some fluidity in pronominal gender marking over time. Unlike English, Hebrew often omits the pronoun when the verb form already indicates person and number; thus, הוּא is usually employed for emphasis, clarity of referent, or in non-verbal clauses. Care must be taken not to conflate pronominal usage with later, gendered concepts; the English term 'he' cannot always represent the broader or more flexible Hebrew usage, particularly in cases where הוּא is used generically or as a demonstrative.

Translation Consistency

primary "he" 884 occurrences

הוּא is the third-person masculine singular subject pronoun in Hebrew and is most naturally rendered in English as “he.” It is the most frequent, typical reading (including intensive/demonstrative senses: he himself/that one) and provides a clear, natural default for consistent rendering across all forms; less common senses (it/that/is) will be handled by context-specific rules.

Alternatives (1005 occurrences):
"that" (349x) "it" (288x) "she" (221x) "is" (69x) "that she" (40x) "that is" (12x) "was" (8x) "are" (6x) "which is" (5x) "that time" (2x) "they" (2x) "this" (1x) "that one" (1x) "him" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is הִיא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are; he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

הוא (h-w-ʾ) — he, it, that one, the same, himself

Root uncertain he, it (third person singular pronoun), the same, that one, himself (intensive)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1932 הוּא she
H2004 הֵן like these

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1931-07 ה֣וּא hu HPp3ms he he he 866
H1931-03 הַ/ה֗וּא hahu HTd/Pp3ms that he that 313
H1931-15 וְ/ה֖וּא vehu HC/Pp3ms and he and he and he 212
H1931-05 הִיא hi HPp3fs it she she 187
H1931-06 הִ֛וא hiv HPp3fs it she she 128
H1931-01 הַ/הִ֖יא hahi HTd/Pp3fs that she that 69
H1931-02 הַ/הִ֖וא hahiv HTd/Pp3fs that that one that she 57
H1931-13 וְ/הִ֣יא vehi HC/Pp3fs and she and she and she 35
H1931-14 וְ/הִ֖וא vehiv HC/Pp3fs and she and she and she 8
H1931-08 הוא hv HPp3ms it he he 4

Occurrences in Scripture

1889 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1931-07 Genesis 2:11 ה֣וּא hu HPp3ms it is he it
H1931-02 Genesis 2:12 הַ/הִ֖וא hahiv HTd/Pp3fs that that one that
H1931-07 Genesis 2:13 ה֣וּא hu HPp3ms it he it
H1931-07 Genesis 2:14 ה֥וּא hu HPp3ms that is it he it
H1931-07 Genesis 2:14 ה֥וּא hu-2 HPp3ms is it he it
H1931-07 Genesis 2:19 ה֥וּא hu HPp3ms that he he
H1931-07 Genesis 3:6 ה֣וּא hu HPp3ms it was he it
H1931-06 Genesis 3:12 הִ֛וא hiv HPp3fs she she she
H1931-07 Genesis 3:15 ה֚וּא hu HPp3ms he he he
H1931-15 Genesis 3:16 וְ/ה֖וּא vehu HC/Pp3ms and he and he and he
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