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אַחֲלַי

𐤀𐤇𐤋𐤉

ʼachălay

H305 particle

SILEX Entry

Root אָח to express grief, longing, to sigh

Definition

An expression of wish or longing, typically introducing a desire or regret; a particle used to introduce a wish concerning a present or future event, often unattainable or contrary to fact (i.e., an optative particle). The term communicates a strong yearning, often colored with the nuances of lament or hope.

Semantic Range

expression of strong wish, optative particle introducing desire or longing, exclamation signaling lament, exclamation of deeply-felt desire

Root / Etymology

Formed from the interjection אָח (ach, 'ah!,' expressing deep feeling or lament) and a probable connection to the particle לּוּ ('lu,' introducing wishes or conditions), with a pronominal ending. The form אַחֲלַי (achalai) expresses wish or longing, with אַחֲלֵי (achaley) as a variant. Root: אָח, meaning 'to express grief, longing, or emotion.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, found for example in Job 6:8. It functions as an optative particle, introducing a strong desire—often for something unattainable or imagined (e.g., 'Would that God might grant...'). Not a verb, nor a noun, but a discourse particle. Later English translations often render the particle as 'Oh that...' or 'Would that...,' which accurately conveys the optative force but cannot fully replicate the emotional depth indicated by the Hebrew. The expression is formal or literary; it does not appear in everyday spoken registers of biblical Hebrew. Theologically loaded English renderings (e.g., 'would God') reflect the King James tradition and are not inherent in the Hebrew, which is grammatically independent of direct address to the deity. In later periods this form falls out of use, supplanted by other optative expressions. Contrasts with לּוּ ('lu'), which functions similarly but is more widespread and contextually flexible.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or אַחֲלֵי; prob from אָח and a variation of לוּא; would that!; O that, would God.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אח (ʾ-ḥ) — grief, longing, sighing, deep emotion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H251 אָח brother
H252 אַח your brothers
H253 אָח brother
H254 אָח the firepot
H255 אֹחַ howling wild creatures

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H305-01 אַ֭חֲלַי achalay HTj Oh that Ah, if only 1
H305-02 אַחֲלֵ֣י achaley HTj I wish Oh, if only! 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H305-02 2 Kings 5:3 אַחֲלֵ֣י achaley HTj I wish Oh, if only!
H305-01 Psalms 119:5 אַ֭חֲלַי achalay HTj Oh that Ah, if only
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