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הֵנָּה

𐤄𐤍𐤄

hênnâh

H2008 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root הן to point, indicate presence, show direction

Definition

Adverb indicating position, motion, direction, or point in time—most commonly meaning 'here,' 'there,' 'to here,' or 'to there,' but more broadly marking proximity or presentness in space or time, sometimes with a sense of 'thus far,' 'by now,' or 'in this way.' Used to designate where someone or something is, or the direction toward which someone or something goes. Can also function in temporal expressions to mean 'until now' or 'hitherto.'

Semantic Range

here, hither, to here, there, thither, to there, now, thus far, this way, that way, by now, until now, hitherto, to and fro

Root / Etymology

From the root ה-נ-נ (הֵן), probably indicating presence or pointing; the suffix -ָה is directional, so 'here' or 'to here.' הֵן itself generally marks presence or fact ('behold,' 'see,' or 'yes'). Thus, הֵנָּה conveys a sense of directionality or movement toward a present point, spatially or temporally. Sometimes assimilated to directional forms with similar adverbial suffixes.

Historical & Contextual Notes

הֵנָּה occurs regularly in narratives and legal passages, often contrasted with שָׁם ('there') for distinguishing places or directions. In poetry or elevated prose, it helps set or clarify spatial or temporal boundaries. This term is employed both for physical location ('here,' 'to here') and abstract or temporal reference ('thus far,' 'so far'). Unlike the more static הֵן, which means 'behold' or asserts fact, הֵנָּה is dynamic, indicating motion or extension. English translations like 'here' or 'hither' are sometimes too limiting, missing broader senses as in temporal phrases ('thus far'), or directional ones ('to this side'). The word is used consistently through the Hebrew Bible, showing no clear shift in meaning between pre-exilic and post-exilic texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from הֵן; hither or thither (but used both of place and time); here, hither(-to), now, on this (that) side, [phrase] since, this (that) way, thitherward, [phrase] thus far, to...fro, [phrase] yet.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

הן (h-n-n) — pointing, indication, presence, direction

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2005 הֵן Look—you
H2006 הֵן Look!
H2007 הֵנָּה in these
H2009 הִנֵּה Look—you!
H3860 לָהֵן therefore

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2008-01 הֵ֑נָּה henah HD here to here 45
H2008-02 וָ/הֵ֑נָּה vahenah HC/D and thither and thereward 5

Occurrences in Scripture

50 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2008-01 Genesis 15:16 הֵ֑נָּה henah HD here to here
H2008-01 Genesis 15:16 הֵֽנָּה henah-2 HD then to here
H2008-01 Genesis 21:23 הֵ֔נָּה henah HD here to here
H2008-01 Genesis 42:15 הֵֽנָּה henah HD here to here
H2008-01 Genesis 44:28 הֵֽנָּה henah HD to this day to here
H2008-01 Genesis 45:5 הֵ֑נָּה henah HD here to here
H2008-01 Genesis 45:8 הֵ֔נָּה henah HD here to here
H2008-01 Genesis 45:13 הֵֽנָּה henah HD here to here
H2008-01 Numbers 14:19 הֵֽנָּה henah HD now to here
H2008-01 Joshua 2:2 הֵ֧נָּה henah HD here to here
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