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הֵן

𐤄𐤍

hên

H2004 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root הוא to be, exist, act as pronominal reference

Definition

Demonstrative pronoun used to refer emphatically to a third-person plural feminine antecedent, meaning 'these' or 'they (feminine plural)', functioning as the subject or predicate of a clause, or as a relative pronoun in certain idiomatic constructions. Primarily denotes specific reference to a group of feminine nouns or entities, occasionally used to emphasize contrast or inclusion.

Semantic Range

they (feminine plural, emphatic); these (referring to feminine plural); with them, by them (in idiomatic or prepositional phrases); therein, wherein, in which (idiomatic relative usage with feminine antecedents); sometimes used as intensifier or for contrast

Root / Etymology

Root is הוה or closely related to הוא ('to be, exist') as the underlying pronominal base for third-person forms in Hebrew. The form הֵן is the feminine plural pronoun, parallel to masculine הֵם (hem). The feminine spelling and vowel pattern mark agreement with feminine plural antecedents; this form is morphologically distinct from the masculine for gender concord.

Historical & Contextual Notes

הֵן occurs chiefly as the emphatic feminine plural pronoun, often in poetry or elevated prose. Its occurrences are relatively rare compared to the masculine counterpart הֵם due to the prevalence of masculine gender grammatical defaults in Biblical Hebrew. In later periods, the form evolves in usage and frequency, with post-biblical Hebrew favoring alternative forms. Distinct from the demonstrative interjection הֵן ('behold'), though both share spelling, context distinguishes their function. Occasionally translated using the English term 'they' (feminine), but English lacks a gender-distinct plural pronoun, so translation obscures Hebrew's gender specificity. In some cases, ancient versions (such as the Septuagint) interpret the word according to context, further obscuring the gender nuance in translation. Not to be confused with relative or demonstrative pronouns like אֵלֶּה ('these') or שֶׁ ('who, which') even if there is overlap of function in idiomatic settings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine plural from הוּא; they (only used when emphatic); [idiom] in, such like, (with) them, thereby, therein, (more than) they, wherein, in which, whom, withal.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

הוא (h-w-ʾ) — to be, exist, serve as pronominal reference

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1931 הוּא that one
H1932 הוּא she

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2004-01 בָּ/הֵ֖ן bahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them (feminine) 8
H2004-03 מֵ/הֵ֖ן mehen HR/Sp3fp than they from these 2
H2004-04 בָ/הֵן֙ vahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them 2
H2004-02 כָּ/הֵֽן kahen HR/Sp3fp like them like these 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2004-01 Genesis 19:29 בָּ/הֵ֖ן bahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them (feminine)
H2004-01 Genesis 30:26 בָּ/הֵ֖ן bahen HR/Sp3fp for them in them (feminine)
H2004-01 Exodus 25:29 בָּ/הֵ֑ן bahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them (feminine)
H2004-01 Exodus 37:16 בָּ/הֵ֑ן bahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them (feminine)
H2004-04 Leviticus 10:1 בָ/הֵן֙ vahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them
H2004-01 Leviticus 11:21 בָּ/הֵ֖ן bahen HR/Sp3fp with them in them (feminine)
H2004-04 Numbers 16:7 בָ/הֵ֣ן vahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them
H2004-01 Jeremiah 4:29 בָּ/הֵ֖ן bahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them (feminine)
H2004-01 Jeremiah 48:9 בָּ/הֵֽן bahen HR/Sp3fp in them in them (feminine)
H2004-01 Jeremiah 51:43 בָּ/הֵ֖ן bahen-2 HR/Sp3fp through them in them (feminine)
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