אוּלַי (H194) — Hebrew Lexicon

אוּלַי

𐤀𐤅𐤋𐤉

ʼûwlay

H194 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root או to designate alternation, to present an alternative, to express possibility

Definition

A modal particle expressing uncertainty, possibility, or hope; it is used to indicate a situation that is considered possible but unknown to the speaker, often introducing a favorable or unfavorable outcome depending on context (e.g., 'perhaps,' 'possibly,' 'maybe'). In some cases, it can convey a sense of wishfulness or cautious optimism, as when the speaker hopes for a certain result but does not presume certainty. Occasionally used with negative implication, as in fearing an adverse outcome.

Semantic Range

perhaps, maybe, possibly, it may be, peradventure, introducing a hoped-for or feared situation, expressing uncertainty or wishfulness

Root / Etymology

From the root או"ל (uncertain, as the term appears to be morphologically related to the preposition או, 'or', possibly modeled after similar formations in cognate Semitic languages). The derivation is uncertain; some suggest association with possibility or the expression of alternatives, but a clear etymological path is lacking.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, אוּלַי functions as a modal adverb or particle of uncertainty or hope, introducing subordinate clauses, often with verbs in the imperfect or cohortative. It can express both possibility ('perhaps') and wish, especially in narrative or legal contexts (e.g., requests, expressions of fear, or proposals). The function of אוּלַי is broader than a simple conditional, since it includes elements of hope and apprehension, not merely neutral possibility. During the earlier biblical texts (e.g., narratives in Torah and Former Prophets), אוּלַי often marks situations where outcomes are uncertain and the speaker remains noncommittal or tentative. In later periods, the particle continues with much the same function, occasionally appearing in legal or prophetic discourse. Care should be taken not to equate אוּלַי directly with English 'unless' or 'if not', as its core meaning is more akin to 'perhaps' or 'maybe' with a flavor of desire, fear, or uncertainty. In English translations, the nuance can be lost, as the KJV and others may shift its meaning depending on context, but in Hebrew it consistently marks epistemic modality. There is no direct connection to theological hope or faith; it is a marker of human uncertainty or possibility.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) אֻלַי; from אוֹ; if not; hence perhaps; if so be, may be, peradventure, unless.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

או (ʾ-w) — alternation, alternative, possibility

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H195	אוּלַי	perhaps

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H194-01`	אוּלַ֥י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps	45

Occurrences in Scripture

45 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H194-01`	Genesis 16:2	אוּלַ֥י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps/it may be	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 18:24	אוּלַ֥י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 18:28	א֠וּלַי	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 18:29	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 18:30	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 18:31	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	suppose	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 18:32	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 24:5	אוּלַי֙	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 24:39	אֻלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	Perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 27:12	אוּלַ֤י	ulay	`HD`	Perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 32:21	אוּלַ֖י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Genesis 43:12	אוּלַ֥י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Exodus 32:30	אוּלַ֥י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Numbers 22:6	אוּלַ֤י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Numbers 22:11	אוּלַ֥י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Numbers 22:33	אוּלַי֙	ulay	`HD`	if-not	perhaps
`H194-01`	Numbers 23:3	אוּלַ֞י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Numbers 23:27	אוּלַ֤י	ulay	`HD`	peradventure	perhaps
`H194-01`	Joshua 9:7	אוּלַ֗י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Joshua 14:12	אוּלַ֨י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	1 Samuel 6:5	אוּלַ֗י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	1 Samuel 9:6	אוּלַי֙	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	1 Samuel 14:6	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	2 Samuel 14:15	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	2 Samuel 16:12	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	Perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	1 Kings 18:5	אוּלַ֣י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	1 Kings 18:27	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	1 Kings 20:31	אוּלַ֖י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	2 Kings 19:4	אוּלַ֡י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Isaiah 37:4	אוּלַ֡י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Isaiah 47:12	אוּלַ֛י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Isaiah 47:12	אוּלַ֥י	ulay-2	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jeremiah 20:10	אוּלַ֤י	ulay	`HD`	Peradventure	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jeremiah 21:2	אוּלַי֩	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jeremiah 26:3	אוּלַ֣י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jeremiah 36:3	אוּלַ֤י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jeremiah 36:7	אוּלַ֞י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jeremiah 51:8	אוּלַ֖י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Ezekiel 12:3	אוּלַ֣י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Hosea 8:7	אוּלַ֣י	ulay	`HD`	if	perhaps
`H194-01`	Amos 5:15	אוּלַ֗י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Jonah 1:6	אוּלַ֞י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Zephaniah 2:3	אוּלַי֙	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Job 1:5	אוּלַי֙	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps
`H194-01`	Lamentations 3:29	אוּלַ֖י	ulay	`HD`	perhaps	perhaps

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