The Hebrew Verb הִנֵּה: To Behold, Look, or See (Interjectional Usage)

The Hebrew form הִנֵּה (root: נ־ה־ה or variant from ה־י־נ) is not a verb in the strict grammatical sense like other action verbs—it functions primarily as an interjection or demonstrative particle. It means “behold,” “look,” “see,” or “here is / here are.” It introduces attention to something presently visible, about to occur, or dramatically revealed.

Although derived from older verbal roots (possibly היה or ננה), in biblical Hebrew it functions grammatically as a particle of immediacy or emphasis, not as a fully conjugating verb.

 

Grammatical Characteristics

  • Form: Fixed – הִנֵּה does not conjugate.
  • Usage: Used before nouns, pronouns, or clauses to direct attention.
  • Translation: “Behold,” “Here is,” “See now,” “Lo!” (in older English style).
  • Modern Hebrew: Used similarly—הִנֵּה הוּא (“here he is”), הִנֵּה הֵם (“there they are”).

 

Usage in Scripture

  • Genesis 22:7וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אַבְרָהָם… הִנֵּנִי
    “And he said to him, ‘Avraham!’ and he said, ‘Here I am.’” — the form הִנֵּנִי (“behold me”) is a first-person emphatic.
  • Genesis 6:13וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים לְנֹחַ קֵץ כָּל־בָּשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי… הִנְנִי מַשְׁחִיתָם
    “Behold, I am about to destroy them.” — used to announce divine action.
  • Isaiah 7:14הִנֵּה הָעַלְמָה הָרָה וְיֹלֶדֶת בֵּן
    “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” — highlights dramatic revelation.

 

Common Extended Forms

Form Meaning
הִנֵּה Behold / Look / Here is
הִנֵּנִי Behold me / Here I am (1st person singular)
הִנֵּנוּ Behold us / Here we are (1st person plural)
הִנֵּם Behold them (masculine)
הִנֵּהוּ Behold him

 

Summary

The word הִנֵּה functions as an attention-getting particle meaning “behold,” “look,” or “here is.” It does not conjugate like other verbs and is best understood as a fixed demonstrative form. It is deeply woven into the rhetoric of biblical speech, marking moments of revelation, warning, or divine speech. While not a verb by strict grammatical definition, it is central to biblical narrative and prophetic literature.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.
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