ו/לא
𐤅/𐤋𐤀
lûwʼ
even if not
A conditional or optative particle, primarily signaling a hypothetical or unrealized condition or expressing a wish or longing. In most contexts, לּוּא introduces statements that are contrary to fact (i.e., unrealized wishes or hypothetical situations), corresponding in English to 'if only,' 'would that,' 'oh that.' Less commonly, it occurs as a conditional 'if' in sentences expressing hope or possibility, distinct from the usual conditional אִם ('if').
2 Samuel 18:12 · Word #5
Lexicon H3863
| Lemma | לוּא |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤋𐤅𐤀 |
| Transliteration | lûwʼ |
| Strong's | H3863 |
| Definition | A conditional or optative particle, primarily signaling a hypothetical or unrealized condition or expressing a wish or longing. In most contexts, לּוּא introduces statements that are contrary to fact (i.e., unrealized wishes or hypothetical situations), corresponding in English to 'if only,' 'would that,' 'oh that.' Less commonly, it occurs as a conditional 'if' in sentences expressing hope or possibility, distinct from the usual conditional אִם ('if'). |
Morphology HC/C
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | C — Conjunction — Connects words or clauses |
Common Translation
| Phrase | even if not |
SIBI-P1 Translation H3863-05
if only
| Morphological Notes | Independent particle; optative/conditional; no inflection for gender, number, or person. |
| Rendering Rationale | The particle לּוּא primarily introduces an unrealized or contrary-to-fact wish, best captured in English by "if only." As a standalone optative/conditional particle, it expresses longing or hypothetical condition rather than negation. |
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