אֵיפֹה
𐤀𐤉𐤐𐤄
ʼêyphôh
H375 particle
SILEX Entry
Definition
Interrogative adverb meaning 'where?' or 'in what place?', used to inquire about physical or metaphorical location. In rare cases, can have an extended sense of 'in what way?' or 'when?' depending on context, but its primary use is to seek information about spatial location. The term appears in interrogative constructions, commonly soliciting the whereabouts of a person, object, or action.
Semantic Range
where?, in what place?, to what location?, how? (rare/poetic), in what condition? (rare/poetic)
Root / Etymology
From the combination of the interrogative particle אַי (ay, 'where?') and פֹּה (poh, 'here, at this place'), thus literally meaning 'where here?' Root: אַי (root meaning 'where, whither'). The word אֵיפֹה functions as an inquiry about place, derived from its components' basic spatial/interrogative sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֵיפֹה is the standard interrogative adverb for 'where?' in Biblical Hebrew, appearing across narrative, poetic, and prophetic texts. Its form is distinct from related adverbs such as אֵי ('where?') or אָנָה ('whither?'), with אֵיפֹה specifically expressing a quest for the location or whereabouts, whether of a person ('Where is your brother?'), thing ('Where are the gods?'), or situation. It is sometimes paired with personal pronouns (e.g., אֵיפֹה־אַתָּה 'where are you?'). In rare poetic or rhetorical usage, it may take on an extended sense of 'how?' or 'in what condition?' in cases where spatial location stands for existential state. Modern English translations generally render the word as 'where?,' though KJV and other older versions may sometimes translate as 'how?' or 'when?' in certain contexts. The term displays remarkable consistency across the Hebrew Bible, with no significant semantic shift, though its frequency varies by literary genre. In later Hebrew, other forms (e.g., אֵי) may be more common, but אֵיפֹה remains widely recognizable and frequently appears in rabbinic literature with the same essential meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אַי and פֹּה; what place?; also (of time) when?; or (of means) how?; what manner, where.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אי (ʾ-y) — where, whither, inquiry of place
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H375-01 |
אֵיפֹ֖ה | eyfoh | HTi |
Where | where? | 9 |
H375-02 |
וְ֝/אֵיפֹ֗ה | veeyfoh | HC/Ti |
or where | and where? | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H375-01 |
Genesis 37:16 | אֵיפֹ֖ה | eyfoh | HTi |
where | where? |
H375-01 |
Judges 8:18 | אֵיפֹה֙ | eyfoh | HTi |
Where | where? |
H375-01 |
1 Samuel 19:22 | אֵיפֹ֥ה | eyfoh | HTi |
where | where? |
H375-01 |
2 Samuel 9:4 | אֵיפֹ֣ה | eyfoh | HTi |
Where | where? |
H375-01 |
Isaiah 49:21 | אֵיפֹ֥ה | eyfoh | HTi |
where | where? |
H375-01 |
Jeremiah 3:2 | אֵיפֹה֙ | eyfoh | HTi |
Where | where? |
H375-01 |
Jeremiah 36:19 | אֵיפֹ֥ה | eyfoh | HTi |
where | where? |
H375-02 |
Job 4:7 | וְ֝/אֵיפֹ֗ה | veeyfoh | HC/Ti |
or where | and where? |
H375-01 |
Job 38:4 | אֵיפֹ֣ה | eyfoh | HTi |
Where | where? |
H375-01 |
Ruth 2:19 | אֵיפֹ֨ה | eyfoh | HTi |
Where | where? |