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הֵיךְ

𐤄𐤉𐤊

hêyk

H1963 particle

SILEX Entry

Root איכ to ask manner, to inquire how

Definition

Interrogative adverb expressing manner or means, translated as 'how?'—i.e., in what way or by what means something can happen or be done. In biblical usage, functions as a variant form of אֵיךְ ('êk'), without significant difference in meaning, indicating inquiry into manner, condition, or possibility.

Semantic Range

in what way?, how?, by what means?, expressing inquiry into manner, expressing incredulity or lament

Root / Etymology

Variant spelling of the adverb אֵיךְ (êk), derived from the root איכ, which is itself of uncertain origin and attested primarily in the form of the interrogative adverb, functioning as a fixed expression meaning 'how.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

הֵיךְ appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is essentially an orthographic variant of the more common אֵיךְ. The variant may reflect regional or chronological spelling differences, but does not signal a semantic distinction. Both forms are used in poetic and interrogative contexts, including prophetic and wisdom literature. English translations consistently render it as 'how,' but this does not convey nuances where the word may express lament ('How can this be?') or incredulity. Usage is restricted to interrogative clauses. No evidence suggests substantive semantic development between periods; its rare attestation makes comparative analysis limited. Later Jewish Aramaic and Rabbinic Hebrew show influences of similar adverbial forms.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

another form for אֵיךְ; how?; how.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

איכ (ʾ-y-k) — to ask manner, to inquire how

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H351 אֵיכֹה where?

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1963-01 הֵ֚יךְ heykhe HTi How How? 1
H1963-02 וְ/הֵ֣יךְ veheykhe HC/Ti and-how and how? 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1963-02 Daniel 10:17 וְ/הֵ֣יךְ veheykhe HC/Ti and-how and how?
H1963-01 1 Chronicles 13:12 הֵ֚יךְ heykhe HTi How How?
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