← H1961 H1963 →

הַיָּה

𐤄𐤉𐤄

hayâh

H1962 noun

SILEX Entry

Root הוה to happen, to occur, to befall, to come to pass

Definition

A state or condition of destruction or calamity; denotes an occurrence or experience of ruin or disaster, often with an emphasis on the result or aftermath of such an event. In context, typically signifies a misfortune or catastrophic event having befallen a person, group, or place.

Semantic Range

ruin, calamity, disaster, misfortune, state of destruction, catastrophic event

Root / Etymology

Root: הוה (h-v-h), meaning 'to befall, to happen, to occur, to come to pass.' The noun form הַיָּה (hayâh) is related to הֹוָה (hovah), both stemming from the root's sense of happenings, but in a negative, disastrous sense. The precise morphological relationship between הַיָּה and הֹוָה is debated. Both words represent rare or poetic extensions of the basic root, focused specifically on disastrous happenings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term הַיָּה appears very rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is frequently regarded as a poetic or archaic form, generally indicating a calamity or destruction. Notably occurs in Job 30:24, in parallel to terms of ruin and disaster, emphasizing a state of devastation rather than a specific event. In most instances, standard English translations render it as 'calamity' or 'ruin,' but such translations may not fully capture the word's abstract or state-oriented nuance. The word is closely related in meaning and morphology to הֹוָה (hovah), which also signifies ruin or disaster, but may occur in different syntactic or literary settings. Unlike more common terms for national or military destruction (e.g., שֶׁבֶר, מַשּׁוֹאָה), הַיָּה tends to describe personal adversity, fate, or a general affliction. There is no evidence that this word was used to designate a specific historical event or period, nor does it carry the theological connotations later found in Jewish or Christian discussions of 'ruin' or 'wrath.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

another form for הֹוָה; ruin; calamity.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

הוה (h-w-h) — to happen, to occur, to befall, to come to pass

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1933 הָוָא Become!
H1934 הָוָא he was
H1942 הַוָּה in his ruin
H1943 הֹוָה calamitous ruin

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1962-01 ו/הית/י vhyty HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my calamity and my calamity 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1962-01 Job 6:2 ו/הית/י vhyty HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my calamity and my calamity
← H1961 Hebrew Lexicon H1963 →