H1961. hayah

הָיָה‎₃₅₇₀ verb fall out, come to pass, become, be (SI¹; SI⁶ היה‎, ib³ הית‎; parallel form of הוה‎, Arabic , Aramaic הֲוָא‎, ; see הָוָה‎ above) —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular הָיָה‎ Genesis 3:1 +; וְהָיָה‎ consecutive 4:14 +; 3 feminine singular הָֽיְתָה‎ 1:2 +; הָיָ֑תָה‎ Isaiah 14:24 3t.; וְהָֽיְתָה‎ consecutive Genesis 9:13 +; והית‎2 Kings 9:37 Kt (Qr וְהָֽיְתָה‎); 2 masculine singular הָיִיתָ‎ Deuteronomy 5:15 +; 1 singular הָיִיתִי‎Genesis 31:40; 3 plural הָיוּ‎ 6:4 +; 2 masculine plural ם הֱיִיתֶ‎ Exodus 22:20 +; וִהְיִיתֶם‎ consecutive Genesis 3:5 +; 1 plural הָיִינוּ‎Isaiah 1:9 +; etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִהְיֶה‎ Genesis 1:29 +; jussive יְהִי‎1:3 +; יֶהִ֑י‎ Ezekiel 16:15; וִיהִי‎Genesis 1:6 +; וַיְהִי‎ 1:3 +; וַיֶּ֑הִי‎ Psalm 33:9; Ezekiel 16:19; 3feminine singular תִּהְיֶה‎ Genesis 21:30 +; 1 singular אֶהְיֶה‎ Exodus 3:12 +; וָאֶהְיֶה‎2 Samuel 7:6 9t.; וָאֱהִי‎ Judges 18:4 12t.; 3 masculine plural יִהְיוּ‎ Genesis 6:19 +; 3 feminine plural תִּהְיֶינָה‎Isaiah 16:2 19t.; תִּהְיֶין֣‎Genesis 41:36 11t.; וְתִהְיֶנָה‎ Jeremiah 18:21; 48:6; וַתִּהְיֶינָה‎ 2 Samuel 20:3 6t.; וַתִּהְיֶיןָ‎Genesis 26:35; 1 Samuel 25:43; וַתִּהְיֶנָה‎ 1 Chronicles 7:15; 2masculine plural תִהְיוּ‎ Genesis 34:15 +; תִהְיוּן‎ Exodus 22:20; 1plural נִהְיֶה‎ Genesis 38:23 +; וַנִּהְיֶה‎2 Samuel 11:23; Jeremiah 44:17; וַנְּהִי‎ Numbers 13:33; Isaiah 64:5, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הֱיֵה‎ Exodus 18:19 +; feminine singular הֲיִי‎Genesis 24:60; masculine plural הֱיוּ‎Exodus 19:15; Numbers 16:16, וִהְיוּ‎ 1 Samuel 4:9 6t.; Infinitive absolute הָיוֺ‎ Genesis 18:18 3t.; הָיֹה‎ 1 Kings 13:32; Ezekiel 1:3; construct הֱיוֺת‎ Genesis 2:18 +, so read probably also for הֱיֵה‎ Ezekiel 21:15 compare Sm Kö^{i. p. 600 f.} (Co em. היהלֿה‎ to הָהֵל‎ shine, glitter); with prefix בִּהְיוֺת‎ Exodus 5:13 +, בִּהְיֹת‎ 19:16 +; לִהְיוֺת‎ Genesis 10:8 +, לִהְיֹת‎ Exodus 23:1 +; suffix הֱיוֺתִי‎ Jonah 4:2; הֱיוֺתְךָ‎ Judges 18:19 (twice in verse); לִהְיֹתְךָ‎ Deuteronomy 26:10, etc.; Participle feminine הוֺיָה‎ Exodus 9:3.

I. 1. a. Fall out, happen הַדָּבָר מֶההָֿיָה‎ 1 Samuel 4:16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2 Samuel 1:4; לוֺ מֶההָֿיָה‎ Exodus 32:1, 23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1 Samuel 10:12; לָנוּ הָיָה הוּא מִקְרֶה‎ 6:9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also כֵּן וַיְהִילֿוֺ‎ 2 Kings 7:20 and so it happened to him, compare וַיְהִיכֵֿן‎ below

b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass: — מַגֵּפָה בָּעָם הָֽיְתָה גְדוֺלָה‎ 1 Samuel 4:17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2 Samuel 17:9; אֶפְרַיִם בְּיַעַר הַמִּלְחָמָה וַתְּהִי‎ 18:6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on אפרים‎ compare Klo Dr); Joshua 22:17 (P; of plague); אָלָה נָא תְּהִי‎ Genesis 26:28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Judges 21:5; compare 2 Kings 17:7 (si vera lectio), Ezekiel 16:34; especially late, 2 Chronicles 29:36; 32:31; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10, 3:22; 8:7; 10:14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — הָיָה כֵּן‎ Genesis 41:3 (E) so it came to pass, 2 Samuel 13:25, וַיְהִיכֵֿן‎ Judges 6:38; 2 Kings 15:12; Isaiah 29:5, & especially וַיְהִיכֵֿן‎ Genesis 1:7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30 (all P) +; כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ יְהִי‎ 30:34 let it be as thou sayest, Zechariah 6:15, see also יִהְיֶה וְלֹא תָקוּם לֹא‎ Isaiah 7:7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Isaiah 14:34; (so often בּוֺא‎ q. v. 2c, p. 98 above)

2 especially & very often, come about, come to pass followed by substantive (subject) clause almost always + modifying (usually temporal) clause or phrase:

a. ( I) וַיְהִי‎ and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.) followed by (a) Imperfect consecutive: a. with Infinitive with כְּ‎ temporal Genesis 12:14; 19:17 (both J) + 75 t. + Esther 3:4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only Exodus 16:10, D only Deuteronomy 5:20; 31:24; Joshua 5:1; 9:1; 27t. in Kings), — somewhat different is 2 Kings 7:18; β. with Infinitive with בְּ‎ Genesis 4:8; 11:2 (both J) + 29 t. + Esther 3:4 Kt (in Hexateuch 10 t. J E; 3 t. P, Genesis 19:29; Exodus 34:29; Numbers 17:7; not in D); γ. with בְּ‎ followed by temporal noun (בֹּקֶר יוֺם,‎, etc.) Genesis 21:22 (E) 26:32 (J) + 45 t. (Hes 14 t. J E; 3 t. P, Exodus 6:28; 16:13; Numbers 7:1; not D); δ. לְ‎ temporal 1 Samuel 1:20; 2 Samuel 13:23; 1 Kings 20:26; 1 Chronicles 20:1; ε. כְּ‎ temporal Genesis 39:11; 1 Samuel 25:38; ζ. מִן‎ temporal namely: מֵאָז‎ Genesis 39:5, מִיּוֺם‎ 1 Samuel 7:2; compare 30:25, מִיָּמִים‎ Judges 11:4; 15:1, מִקֵּץ‎ Genesis 4:3; 8:6 6t., מִקְצֵה‎ Joshua 3:2; 2 Kings 8:3; Ezekiel 3:16, especially מִמָּחֳרָת‎ Genesis 19:34; Exodus 18:13 11t.; η. כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ temporal Genesis 12:11 (J) 20:13 (E) + 31 t. (Hexateuch 13 t. J E, Deuteronomy 2:16, not P), characteristic of Nehemiah's memoris, Nehemiah 3:33; Nehemiah 4:1; 4:6; 4:9; 6:1, 16; 7:1; 13:19; θ. with כִּי‎ temporal Genesis 6:1 (J) Exodus 3:21 (E) + 14 t. + Judges 16:25 Kt; ι. אַחֲרֵי‎ temporal Genesis 22:20 (J) + 13 t., אַחַר‎ 39:7; Job 42:7, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן‎ Judges 16:14 6t.; κ. followed by עַד‎ temporal 1 Samuel 14:19 (on which compare Dr); compare וְעַדכֹּֿה עַדכֹּֿה‎ 1 Kings 18:45; λ. with combinations; as בְּ‎ with temporal noun + בְּ‎ Infinitive Genesis 34:25; Exodus 19:16; 1 Samuel 25:37; בְּ‎ Infinitive + כְּ‎ Infinitive Joshua 3:14; double preposition חֳדָשִׁים כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ‎ Genesis 38:24; מִקְצֵה‎ + אֲשֶׁר אַחֲרֵי‎ Joshua 9:16; מִיָּמִים‎ + id. 23:1; μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Isaiah 22:7; 1 Kings 13:20; 2 Kings 8:21 (Dr^{§ 165, &} Οβς.) = 2 Chronicles 21:9; those with indefinite כֹּל‎ 1 Samuel 10:11; 2 Samuel 2:23; 15:2, or with participle = rel. clause 1 Samuel 11:1 (on all see Dr^{§ 78 n.} & Sm); quite unique is 1 Kings 16:31, with וגו ׳לָכְתּוֺ הֲנָקֵל‎in place of temporal clause (b) וַיְהִי‎ sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative Genesis 39:10 (with כְּ‎ Infinitive), Exodus 13:17 (with בְּ‎ Infinitive) 2 Kings 12:7; 17:25 (both with בְּ‎ temporal); & without negative, Genesis 8:13 (P) 14:1 +, usually with בְּ‎ temporal (38 t.), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially מִדֵּי‎ followed by Infinitive 1 Samuel 18:30; 2 Chronicles 12:11; sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with וְ‎, as Genesis 22:1; 41:1; 1 Samuel 18:19; 30:1; 2 Kings 2:9; 4:40 +; note especially 2 Samuel 17:27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 13:30; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Kings 19:37 = Isaiah 37:38; rarely subject precedes Perfect without וְ‎ 1 Kings 11:4; 21:1, compare subject preceding Participle without וְ‎ Nehemiah 4:10; in 2 Chronicles 8:1 the object (with וְ‎) precedes what is apparently the principal verb (c) וַיְהִי‎ followed by וְהִנֵּה‎ Genesis 24:15 (J; טֶרֶם‎ in temporal clause), 29:25 (E), 38:27 (J, both בְּ‎ temporal) 38:29 (כְּ‎ Participle), 1 Samuel 13:10 (כְּ‎ Infinitive); also 2 Samuel 1:2; 13:36; 15:32 (circumstantial clause) 2 Kings 2:11 (id.), 3:20; 13:21 (circumstantial clause). (d) rarely וַיְהִי‎ (in this sense) followed by other constructions: יִתֵּן אָז‎ 1 Kings 9:10 (with מִקְצֵה‎); Imperfect frequentative 14:28 (with מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ‎), 2 Kings 4:8 (with עָבְרוֺ מִדֵּי‎) Jeremiah 36:23 (with כְּ‎ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2 Chronicles 24:11 (with בְּ‎ temporal). (2) rarely also Perfect with וְ‎ conjunctive וְהָיָה‎ (compare Dr^{§ 183}) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1 Samuel 1:12 (c. several circumstantial clause), 10:9 (with כְּ‎ Infinitive) 2 Kings 3:15 (id.), 1 Samuel 17:48 (with כִּי‎), Jeremiah 37:11 (with בְּ‎ Infinitive), Amos 7:2 (with אִם‎ temporal); also Jeremiah 3:9 (apparently with מִן‎ causative, but obscure); 1 Samuel 13:22 (with בְּ‎ temporal) is followed by וְלֹא‎ & Perfect as well as Imperfect consecutive

b. less often וְהָיָה‎ Perfect consecutive and it shall come to pass, or frequentative,came to pass (repeatedly, etc.) usually (a) followed by simple Imperfect (c. 100 t.): a. with בְּ‎ temporal Deuteronomy 21:16; 25:19 37t., (especially הַהוּא בַּיּוֺם‎ Hosea 2:18; Hosea 2:33; Isaiah 7:18, 21, 23 21t.); β. with בְּ‎ local Ezekiel 47:23; Zechariah 13:8 compare also Hosea 2:1 (אֲשֶׁר בִּמְקוֺם‎, but perhaps = instead of, compare VB); γ. with indefinite rel. clause, or its equivalents (כֹּל‎ indefinite, etc.), compare Dr^{§ 121}, Obs. 1: Genesis 4:14; Numbers 17:20; Deuteronomy 12:11; 18:19; Joshua 7:14-15, Judges 7:4; 1 Samuel 2:36; 17:25; 2 Samuel 15:35; 1 Kings 19:17; 20:6; Isaiah 4:3; 24:18; Nahum 3:7; Jeremiah 27:8; 42:4; Ezekiel 47:9; Zechariah 14:17; Joel 3:5; δ. with כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ Numbers 33:56; Deuteronomy 28:63; Joshua 23:15; Judges 7:17; Isaiah 29:8; Jeremiah 31:28; Zechariah 8:13; ε. less often with other modifying phrase: כְּ‎ Infinitive Exodus 33:8-9, (both frequentative), Joshua 3:13; 8:8; Jeremiah 25:12; 51:63; בְּ‎ Infinitive Genesis 9:14 (P) 2 Kings 4:10; Ezekiel 44:17; אִם‎ of condition Deuteronomy 20:11 (+ 20:11 Dr^{§ 118 n}.), also Joshua 22:18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without אִם‎ (compare Dr^{§ 155}); לְ‎ temporal Deuteronomy 23:12; מִקֵּץ‎ Isaiah 23:17; טֶרֶם‎ 65:24; בְּחָדְשׁוֺ חֹדֶשׁ מִדֵּי‎ 66:23, etc. (b) וְהָיָה‎ followed by Perfect consecutive (c. 85 t.): α. most often + clause with כִּי‎ temporal Genesis 12:12; 46:33 (both J) Exodus 1:10 (E) Deuteronomy 11:29; Isaiah 8:21 25t.; β. with אִם‎ Exodus 4:8-9, Numbers 15:24; Deuteronomy 11:13-14t.; also Genesis 38:9; Numbers 21:9 (both frequentative); γ. with בְּ‎ temporal Genesis 30:41 (frequentative) 47:24 (but compare Ol Di) Exodus 16:5 11t.; δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr^{§ 121} Obs. 1): Genesis 24:14; Numbers 10:32 (Dr^{§ 118 n}.) 21:18; Deuteronomy 21:3; Judges 11:31; 19:30; Zechariah 14:16; ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ Genesis 27:40 +; כְּ‎ Infinitive 44:31 +; בְּ‎ Infinitive Exodus 33:22 +; מִקֵּץ‎ 2 Samuel 14:26; עֵקֶב‎ causative Deuteronomy 7:12; also (c) followed by וְלֹא‎ + simple Imperfect Exodus 3:21 (with כִּי‎ temporal). (d) וְהָיָה‎ followed by Imperative (very rare) Deuteronomy 6:10 (with כִּי‎ temporal), 1 Samuel 10:7 (with כִּי‎), compare 29:10, compare Perfect consecutive in command 3:9 (with אִם‎). (e) וְהָיָה‎ followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) Deuteronomy 8:19 (with אִם‎). (f) וְהָיָה‎ followed by clause without verb: Genesis 24:43; Joshua 2:19; 1 Kings 18:24 (all with indefinite rel. modifier, or equivalents, see (a) γ, (b) δ, above). (g) וְהָיָה‎ (ו‎ conjunctive) followed by Imperfect consecutive see a. (e) above

II. Come into being, become: —

1. a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come גְדֹלָה צְעָקָה וַתְּהִי‎Ex 12:80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; וַיְהִיקֿוֺל‎ Ezekiel 1:25 (strike out Co compare Da), 37:7 (strike out ᵐ5 קוֺל‎ Co); הָֽרְוָחָה הָֽיְתָה כִּי‎ Exodus 8:11 (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Micah 7:4 now shall come their confusion ("" בוא‎); also of concrete objects בֶּעָנָן הַקֶּשֶׁת וְהָֽיְתָה‎ Genesis 9:16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds ("" וְנִרְאֲתָה‎) בּוֺ הָֽיְתָה לֹא וְרִמָּה‎ Exodus 16:24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine Genesis 12:10; 26:1 (twice in verse) (all J), 41:54 (E), Ruth 1:1; 2 Samuel 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25; strife Genesis 13:7-8, (J), Habakkuk 1:3 ("" יִשָּׂא מָדוֺן‎); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail Exodus 9:18, 24, 26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., 19:16 (E), rain 1 Kings 18:45, storm Jonah 1:4; especially of creative fiats אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר יְהִי‎ Genesis 1:3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare 1:5; 1:8; 1:13; 1:19; 1:23; 1:31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, שַׁמְגַּר הָיָה וְאַחֲרָיו‎ Judges 3:31 and after him arose Shamgar (= וַיָּקָם‎ 10:1); further הָיָה וַעֲלָטָה‎ Genesis 15:17 (JE) and darkness came on; הָיָה הַבֹּקֶר‎ Exodus 10:13 (J) the morning came, 19:16 (E); הַיּוֺם וַיְהִי‎ 1 Samuel 1:4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 14:1; 2 Kings 4:8, 11, 18; Job 1:6, 18; 2:1.

b. followed by preposition: אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ וְיָדֵנוּ בְּ,‎ Genesis 37:27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of ׳יּ‎ 1 Samuel 5:9; 7:13; 12:15 + (all in hostile sense); י בִּרְכַּת ׳וַיְהִי יֶשׁלֿוֺ בְּכָלשֲֶֿֿׁר‎ Genesis 39:5 (J) and the blessing of ׳י‎ came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague Exodus 12:13 (P); followed by עַלהָֿאָרֶץ הָיוּ הַמַּבּוּל וּמֵי עַל,‎ Genesis 7:10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; כֻלָּ֑נָה הָיוּ עָלַי‎ 42:36 (E) 9:2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare 35:25 (P) 2 Chronicles 14:13; 17:19; 20:29 +; of wrath Joshua 22:20; 1 Kings 3:27; so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1 Samuel 16:16, 23; 19:9 (אֶל‎); but followed by עַל‎ also in good sense י רוּחַ עָלָיו ׳וַתְּהִי‎ conferring strength & efficiency Judges 3:10; 11:29 (היה‎ = צלח‎ 14:6 + often), compare Numbers 24:2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on י יַד לָיו ׳וַתְּהִי‎ 2 Kings 3:15; Ezekiel 3:22 and the like, see יָד‎); עָלֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יַד‎ Ezra 8:31, so Psalm 80:18; even דָּוִד עַלרֿאֹשׁ וַתְּהִי‎ 2 Samuel 12:30 and it (the crown, עֲטֶרֶת‎) came (i.e. was put, set) on David's head; with a different meaning הַשָּׁ֑עַר עַדמֶּֿתַח עֲלֵיהֶם וַנִּהְיֶה‎ 11:23 and we were close upon them even to the gateway (compare We Dr); come, go, follow (followed by אַחֲרֵי‎) i.e. take the side of, adhere to, Exodus 23:2 (JE) 1 Samuel 12:14; 2 Samuel 2:10; 1 Kings 12:20; 16:21; followed by לְ‎ of blessings Genesis 49:26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jeremiah 40:3 especially אֶל דבר֗֗֗ ויהי‎ and the word of ... came unto: word of Samuel 1 Samuel 4:1; usually word of God (or ׳י‎) Genesis 15:1; 1 Samuel 15:10 +; constantly in prophets: Hosea 1:1; Micah 1:1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jeremiah 1:4, 11, 13; 2:1; 13:8 +; Ezekiel 3:16; 6:1; 7:1; 11:14; 11:17; 11:21; Ezekiel 11:26; 12:1, 8 +; so also absolute הַזֶּה הַמַּשָּׂא הָיָה‎ Isaiah 14:28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by מִן‎; יִהְיוּ מִמֶּנָּה עַמִּים מַלְכֵי‎ Genesis 17:16 (P), מִמֶּ֑ךָּ יִהְיֶה גּוֺיִם וּקְהַל‎ 35:11 (P), מִמֶּנּוּ אַדִּירוֺ וְהָיָה‎ Jeremiah 30:21 ("" יֵצֵא מִקִּרְבּוֺ‎); הֶעָפָר אֶל שָׁב וְהַכֹּל מִןהֶֿעָפָר הָיָה הַכֹּל‎ Ecclesiastes 3:20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; ׳י צְבָאוֺת מֵאֵת גָּדוֺל קֶצֶף וַיְהִי‎ Zechariah 7:12.

2 become :

a. followed by predicate noun (to be viewed as implicit accusative Dr^{§ 161, 3 n.}, according to the Arabic usage W^{AG ii, § 41. 44. 74}): כָּלחָֿ֑י אֵם הָֽיְתָה הִוא‎ Genesis 3:20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; אֲדָמָה עֹבֵד הָיָה וְקַיִן צאֹן רֹעֵה הֶבֶל וַיְהִי‎4:2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2 Samuel 8:14; Micah 2:11 +?

b. followed by predicate adjective Genesis 38:7; Exodus 36:13 +; compare Genesis 37:20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);

c. become like (כְּ‎), כֵּאלֹהִים וִהְיִיתֶם‎ Genesis 3:5 and ye shall become like gods compare 3:22, Numbers 11:1 (JE), Hosea 2:1; 7:11; Isaiah 9:18; 1 Kings 7:8; Zechariah 9:7 +; compare Genesis 15:5 so (כֹּה‎) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Isaiah 1:9; 1 Samuel 17:36 +; also with כְּ‎ repeated כַּכֹּהֵן כָעָם וְהָיָה‎ Hosea 4:9 and the people shall become like the priest (literally, and the like of the people shall become the like of the priest), so especially Isaiah 24:2 (6 pairs of words as above); כָּרָשָׁע כַצַּדִּיק וְהָיָה‎ Genesis 18:25 (J), see כְּ‎. b +

c Genesis 27:32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.

d. followed by predicate + לְ‎ person לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ אִשָּׁה וּתְהִי‎ Genesis 24:51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Kings 11:25; Psalm 89:42; 1 Chronicles 18:6 +; = be instituted, estanblished, לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם וְהָיָה‎ Exodus 30:21 (P) and it shall be established for them as a perpetual ordinance (compare f below).

e. followed by לְ‎ predicate: חַיָּה לְנֶפֶשׁ הָאָדָם וַיְהִי‎ Genesis 2:7 (J) and the man became a living soul; רָאשִׁים לְאַרְבָּעָה וְהָיָה‎2:10 (J) and it became four heads; יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם גַּםהֿוּא‎ 48:19 (J) he too shall become a people; לַאֲנָשִׁים וִהְיוּ‎ 1 Samuel 4:9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men ("" הִתְחַזְּקוּ‎; compare with double לְ‎,

f. below); Zephaniah 1:13; Ezekiel 17:6; 47:12; Job 16:8; י ׳וְהָיָה עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ עלמֶלֶךְ‎ Zechariah 14:9; עֹבֵד לְמַס וַיְהִי‎ Genesis 49:15; Joshua 16:10; so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, לְנָחָשׁ וַיְהִי‎Exodus 4:3 and it became a serpent, 4:4; 7:10; Isaiah 1:22; Deuteronomy 26:5 +; figurative לְמָ֑יִם וַיְהִי‎ Joshua 7:5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so לְאֶבֶן הָיָה וְהוּא‎ 1 Samuel 25:37; or, serve as לִמְאוֺרֹת וְהָיוּ‎ Genesis 1:15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare 1:14; בְּרִית לְאוֺת וְהָיָה‎ 9:13; 17:11 (both P). feminine often with לְ‎ predicate + לְ‎ person: לְאָ֑בֶן הַלְּבֵנָה לָהֶם וַתְּהִי‎11:3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; לְאִשָּׁה לִי וַתְּהִי‎ 20:12 (E) compare 24:67 (J) +, לְנָשִׁים דֹדֵיהֶן לַבְנֵי ֗֗֗ וְחָגְלָה מַחְלָה וַתִּהְיֶינָה‎ Numbers 36:11; לְאָכְלָה וְלָהֶם לְךָ וְהָיָה‎ 6:21 (P), Exodus 2:10; 15:2; Judges 8:27; י ׳וְהָיָה לֵאלֹהִים לִי‎ Genesis 28:21 (E); לְבֵן יִהְיֶהלִֿי וְהוּא לְאָב לוֺ אֶהְיֶה אֲנִי‎ 1 Chronicles 17:3 +; = shew or prove oneself as לְבֶןחַֿיִל הֱיֵהלִֿי‎ 1 Samuel 18:17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 4:9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e above) לְחָקעֿוֺלָם וּלְבָנָיו לְאַהֲרֹן וְהָיָה‎ Exodus 29:28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare 29:9; Leviticus 10:15; לְדֹרֹתָם עוֺלָם לִכְהֻנַּת מָשְׁחָתָם לָהֶם לִהְיֹת וְהָֽיְתָה‎ Exodus 40:15 (all P).

g. with עַל‎ and לְ‎ 1 Samuel 22:2 לְשָׂר עֲלֵיהֶם וַיְהִי‎ and he became over them prince.

h. sometimes with לְ‎ person only = become the property of, come into the possession of וְגו צאֹןוּֿבָקָר ׳וַיְהִילֿוֺ‎ Genesis 12:15 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., 26:14; 30:43; הַזָּ֑רַע יִהְיֶה לוֺ לֹא‎ 38:9 not his should the seed become; לי ׳וְהָיָה‎ Judges 11:31 it shall become Yah-weh's; Deuteronomy 10:9; Joshua 13:29; 1 Kings 10:26; 11:3 + often; so of a woman, as wife לְךָ תְּהִינָֿא‎ Judges 15:2 pray let her become thine, compare also לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ שִׁמְשׁוֺן אֵשֶׁת וַתְּהִי‎ 14:20, Hosea 3:3; Ruth 1:13; Leviticus 21:3; Deuteronomy 24:2; Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:8 (and also + לְנָשִׁים לְאִשָּׁה,‎ see f above)

III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —

1 exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence), הָיָה אֲשֶׁר כָּלהַֿיּמִים‎ 1 Samuel 1:28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = חַי‎ Genesis 5:5 etc., Dr^Sm), Job 3:16; Isaiah 23:13; often with בְּ‎ local בָאָרֶץ יִהְיֶה טֶרֶם הַשָּׂדֶה שִׂיחַ וְכֹל‎ Genesis 2:5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; וגו אִישׁ הָיָה לֹא ׳וּבְאֵלֶּה‎ Numbers 26:64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also וְאַחֲרָיו לְפָנָיו הַהוּא כַּיּוֺם הָיָה וְלֹא‎ Joshua 10:14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2 Samuel 14:25; 1 Kings 18:5; 21:25; 1Ki 23:25; Nehemiah 13:26 +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause אִישׁ וַיְהִי‎ now there was a man Judges 13:2; 1 Samuel 1:1; 9:1; Numbers 9:6 (P), Job 1:1 +; on אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה‎ Exodus 3:14 see יהוֺה‎.

2 abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) בָּהָר משֶׁה וַיְהִי‎ Exodus 24:18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so 34:28 (both J E), Judges 17:4, 12; 1 Samuel 6:1; 1 Kings 11:20; 2 Kings 11:3 2 Chronicles 22:12 +; also Leviticus 22:27; 25:28 (both H), etc.; followed by עַד‎ temporal remain until Deuteronomy 22:2; 1 Kings 11:40; 2 Kings 15:5; 2 Chronicles 5:9; 26:21; Daniel 1:21 etc.; compare לְעוֺלָם יִהְיֶה הוּא‎ Ecclesiastes 3:14; so also of space followed by עַד‎ extend unto, as far as, Joshua 19:10: of net beneath altar, Exodus 27:5 shall reach as far as (עַד‎) the middle of the altar.

3 with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated stand, lie; בַּשָּׂדֶה בִּהְיוֺתָם‎ Genesis 4:8 (J) when they were in the field, בַּתְּחִלָּה אָהֳלֹה שָׁם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה הַמָּקוֺם‎ 13:3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; לִפְנֵיכֶם תִּהְיֶה וְהָאָרֶץ‎ 34:10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Joshua 19:1; Judges 7:1, 8; Micah 5:6; 5:7; followed by עַל‎ be, be found or situated upon Isaiah 30:25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezekiel 37:27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt עָלָיךָ וְהָיָה דָּמִים‎ Deuteronomy 19:10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.

4 as copula, joining subject & predicate: —

a. followed by predicate adjective עֲרוּמִּים שְׁנֵיהֶם וַיִּהְיוּ‎ Genesis 2:25, עָרוּם הָיָה וְהַנָּחָשׁ‎ 3:1, כֹּאֲבִים בִּהְיוֺתָם‎ 34:25, יְפֵהתֹֿאַר יוֺסֵף וַיְהִי‎ 39:6; Deuteronomy 23:15; Joshua 19:9; Judges 11:1; Job 1:1, 3b 2 Chronicles 7:21.

b. followed by predicate noun Genesis 1:2; 9:18; 25:3; 36:14; 40:13; 1 Samuel 17:34, 42; 2 Samuel 8:10; 20:25; 1 Kings 10:6; 2 Kings 3:4; 5:1 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 9:20; 11:20; 18:10; 26:10; 2 Chronicles 13:7; יִשְׂרָאֵל מֶלֶךְ לֹאהָֿיָה כִּי‎18:32 ("" 1 Kings 22:33 הוּא ישׂראל כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ‎) +; often of age: שָׁנִים וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנָה בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים אַבְרָם וַיְהִי‎ Genesis 17:1 (P) 2 Kings 8:17; 14:2; 15:2, 33; 18:2; 2 Chronicles 21:20; 27:8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) וְחָסוֺר הָלוֺךְ הָיוּ וְהַמַּיִם‎ Genesis 8:5; = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: 5:4-5, 8, 11, 14; 9:29; 11:32; 23:1 +; Exodus 38:24; Numbers 1:46, etc.

c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: לְבַדּוֺ הָאָדָם הֱיוֺת לֹאטֿוֺב‎Genesis 2:18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; כַּנָּשִׁים אֹרַה לְשָׂרָה לִהְיוֺת חָדַל‎ 18:11 (J).

d. followed by preposition: (a) be with, accompany with עִם‎, subject most often ׳י‎ or אלהים‎ with added idea of protection, aid Genesis 26:3; 31:3; 39:10; 48:21; Joshua 1:3; 6:27; Judges 1:19; 2:18; 1 Samuel 3:19; 18:12; 20:13; 1 Kings 1:37; 1 Chronicles 11:13; 2 Chronicles 17:3; followed by עִמָּדִי‎ Genesis 28:20; 31:5; 35:3; followed by עִם‎, human subject, of accompaniment עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן‎ Nehemiah 10:39; 1 Chronicles 11:12, read also in "" 2 Samuel 23:9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1 Kings 1:8; with עִם‎ also = be near י ׳וּמַלְאַךְ האורנה עִםגֹּֿרֶן הָיָה‎ 2 Samuel 24:16 (compare Dr); also 13:20 implying sexual intercourse, so Genesis 39:10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with עִם‎ are: יִשְׂרָאֵל עִםזִֿקְנֵי הָיָה וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר‎ 2 Samuel 3:17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1 Kings 1:7; לִבְנוֺת אָבִּי דָּוִד עִםלְֿבַב וַיְהִי‎ 8:17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2 Chronicles 6:7 compare 1 Kings 8:18 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 22:7; 2 Chronicles 6:8 (twice in verse); 24:4; also 1 Kings 10:2 2 Chronicles 9:1; (b) be with, followed by אֶת‎, subject אלהים ׳י,‎, Genesis 21:20; 39:2, 21 but also with human subject אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ הָיוּ וּבָנָיוּ‎ 34:5, compare 1 Samuel 29:8 +; (c) followed by לְ‎ of possessor לִידִדִי הָיָה כֶּרֶם‎ Isaiah 5:1 all vineyard had my beloved, Genesis 30:30 compare Exodus 20:3 = Deuteronomy 5:7; Judges 18:27; 1 Samuel 9:2; 1 Kings 5:6 + often (compare I.

2d, f, h); (d) followed by לְ‎ + other preposition: of boundary מֵעֲרוֺעֵר הַגְּבוּל לָהֶם וַיְהִי‎Joshua 13:16, compare מִמַּחֲנַיִם גְבוּלָם וַיְהִי‎ 13:30; מִיַּרְדֵּן צָפנַָה לִפְאַת הַגְּבוּל לָהֶם וַוְהִי‎ 18:12, etc.; (e) followed by בְּ‎ be among, or of, Amos 1:1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1 Kings 2:7 let them be among those eating, Proverbs 22:26; 23:20. 5 periphrastic conjug.:

a. היה‎ + participle, of continuous state, or condition, sometimes, especially late (compare Late Hebrew), of habit, with וַיְהִי‎ also of beginning and continuance (compare Dr^{§ 135}, (5)): participle active Genesis 39:22 (J), Exodus 3:1 (E), 1 Samuel 2:11; 7:10; 18:9 (compare Dr) 18:14; 18:29; 2 Samuel 8:15 = 1 Chronicles 18:14. Deuteronomy 28:29; Isaiah 30:20; 1 Kings 5:1; 5:15; 1 Kings 5:24; 2 Kings 6:5; 9:14; 2 Chronicles 9:26; Ezra 4:4; Nehemiah 1:4; 2:13; Daniel 1:16 +; Genesis 1:6 (P); אֶתיֿ יָרֵא ׳הָיָה‎ 1 Kings 18:3; 2 Kings 4:1; 2 Chronicles 26:1; passive participle Joshua 10:26; 1 Kings 13:24; 22:35 בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה מָעֳמָד הָיָה וְהַמֶּלֶךְ‎ ("" 2 Chronicles 18:34 מַעֲמִיד הָיָה‎), Isaiah 2:2 = Micah 4:1, סָגוּר וְהָיָה‎ Ezekiel 44:2, ׳ה נַעֲשֶׂה‎ Nehemiah 5:18, ה לֵאלֹהָיו ׳וְאָהוּב‎ 13:26; — on 2 Samuel 13:32 compare Dr.

b. followed by Infinitive with לְ‎ (Dr^{§ 208, 204}): לְבָעֵר וְהָיָה‎ Isaiah 5:5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וַיְהִי לָבוֺא‎ Genesis 15:12 and the sun was about to set; לִסְגּוֺר הַשַּׁעַר וַיְהִי‎ Joshua 2:5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also אֱלֹהִים לִדְרשׁ וַיְהִי‎2 Chronicles 26:5 (nearly = וַיְהִי‎ + Participle)

Niph`al Perfect נִהְיָה‎ 1 Kings 1:27 6t. + Micah 2:4 (compare below near the end); 3 feminine singular נִהָיְתָה‎ Judges 19:30 5t., נִהְיָ֑תָה‎ Exodus 11:6; Jeremiah 48:19; וְנִהְיָ֑תָה‎ consecutive Ezekiel 39:8 + 21:12 (strike out B Manuscripts ᵐ5‎ Co); 2 masculine singular נִהְיֵיתָ‎ Deuteronomy 27:9; 1singular ךּנהִךְייךתי‎ Daniel 8:27; Participle feminine singular נִהְיָה‎ Proverbs 13:19; —

1 either, be done, be brought about, or occur, come to pass: in the strong expressions נ ׳לֹא כָּמֹהוּ אֲשֶׁר תֹסִף לֹא וְכָמֹהוּ‎ Exodus 11:6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare Deuteronomy 4:32 (be done; "" נִשְׁמַע‎), & Judges 19:30 ("" נִרְאֲתָה‎); — but simply intransitive Joel 2:2; Daniel 12:1 & apparently Ezekiel 21:12 ("" בָּאָ֫ה‎; on text, however, see above) 39:8 ("" id.); — also הַזֹּאת הָרָעָה נִהְיְתָה אֵיכָה‎ Judges 20:3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare 20:12 Jeremiah 5:30; 48:19 also Nehemiah 6:8; with לֹא‎, existence denied נ ׳לֹא‎ Zechariah 8:10 ("" אֵינֶ֑נָּה‎); in all the above (except Joel 2:2; Daniel 12:1 & Ezekiel 21:12; 39:8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed הַזֶּה הַדָּבָר נ הַמֶּלֶץ אֲדֹנִי ׳מֵאֵת‎ 1 Kings 1:27, so of divine agency (מֵאִתִּי‎) 1 K i1 Kings 12:24 2 Chronicles 11:4; further be attained, secured, of wages Zechariah 8:10 (with לֹא‎, "" אֵינֶ֑נָּה‎); נִהְיָה תַּאֲוָּה‎ Proverbs 13:19 a desire come to pass, realized.

2 be done, finished, gone, only Daniel עָלָיו נִהְיְתָה וּשְׁנָתוֺ‎ Daniel 2:1 and his sleep was finished upon him, i.e. left him (compare Aramaic 6:19); נִהְיֵיתִי‎ 8:27 I came to an end, was exhausted (si vera lectio, strike out ᵐ5‎; "" נֶחֱלֵיתִי‎); נִהְיָה‎, in נִהְיָה נְהִי וְנָהָה‎ Micah 2:4, is dubious; it is done, over, the ruin is come Rob-Ges Ew Hi Ca Che L RVm;? < omit as dittograph Sta^{ZAW 1886, 122 f.} compare JBL^{1890, 74.77}.