אִם
𐤀𐤌
im
or
a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet.
Genesis 24:21 · Word #9
Lexicon H518
| Lemma | אִם |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤀𐤌 |
| Transliteration | ʼim |
| Strong's | H518 |
| In-context | or |
Morphology HC
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | C — Conjunction — Connects words or clauses |
SIBI-P1 H518-04
if
| Root | אם (ʾ-m) |
| Core Meanings | conditionality, contingency, supposition, uncertainty, wish |
| Semantic Range | if, whether, though, although, since, when, unless, except, indeed, surely not (in rhetorical questions), oh that (in wishes) |
| Conceptual Significance | אִם is foundational to biblical covenantal and legal language, framing conditions of blessing and judgment ("if you obey…"). It also introduces lament and longing ("oh that…"), highlighting human dependence on divine response and the conditional structure embedded in many covenantal relationships. |
| Morphological Notes | Hebrew conjunction (HC); invariable particle with no inflection for gender, number, or person. Used to introduce conditional, concessive, interrogative, or optative clauses. |
| Rendering Rationale | The particle אִם functions as a conditional or interrogative conjunction introducing contingency, possibility, or wish. As an invariable conjunction (HC), it carries no gender, number, or person distinctions, so the simple rendering "if" accurately reflects both its grammatical form and its core semantic force. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root אם (conditionality, contingency, supposition, uncertainty, wish)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H520-02 |
amah | mother-cubit |
H520-05 |
amah | mother-cubit |
H520-03 |
amah | a mother-span |
Word Usage (1070 occurrences of H518)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 4:7 | אִם | im | if |
| Genesis 4:7 | וְ/אִם֙ | veim | and if |
| Genesis 13:9 | אִם | im | if |