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אִלּוּ

𐤀𐤋𐤅

ʼillûw

H432 conjunction

SILEX Entry

Root אַל not, deny, negate

Definition

A conditional particle used to introduce hypothetical or counterfactual situations; 'if,' often indicating an unreal, contrary-to-fact, or concessive condition. It can serve in clauses where the speaker proposes an alternative or considers what would be the case if circumstances were different, frequently translated as 'if only,' 'had it been,' or 'suppose.'

Semantic Range

if (counterfactual), if only, had (if it had been), suppose, though, even if

Root / Etymology

Likely from the negative particle אַל (al, 'not') with an enclitic element, but full derivation is uncertain. The form אִלּוּ (ʼillû) is unique as a conditional marker, distinct from its negative root, and functions as a conjunction.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אִלּוּ appears relatively rarely in the Hebrew Bible and tends to mark hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions, particularly in poetic or elevated narrative contexts (e.g., Gen 43:10). Its use often expresses regret or considers alternative outcomes not realized (e.g., 'If only we had...'). Unlike אִם ('if'), which signals real or open conditions, אִלּוּ typically marks unrealized or impossible events. Later Hebrew and Rabbinic literature expand its function, frequently using it to introduce both past and present counterfactuals—a usage already nascent in Biblical Hebrew. English translations often render אִלּוּ as 'if only', 'had', or 'suppose (that)', but these may not always capture the fullness of its hypothetical nuance. Modern translations may collapse its meaning into the more common conditional אִם; care must be taken to distinguish between hypothetical (possible) and counterfactual (unrealized) usage in interpretation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from אַל; nay, i.e. (softened) if; but if, yea though.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אל (ʾ-l) — not, denial, negation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל toward
H3317 יִפְתַּח־אֵל toward
H352 אַיִל toward
H3815 לָאֵל Belonging to El
H4027 מִגְדַּל־אֵל toward

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H432-01 וְ/אִלּ֣וּ veilu HC/C but if and if 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H432-01 Ecclesiastes 6:6 וְ/אִלּ֣וּ veilu HC/C and if
H432-01 Esther 7:4 וְ֠/אִלּוּ veilu HC/C but if and if
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