← H3807 H3809 →

לֹא

𐤋𐤀

Lo

H3808 particle

SILEX Entry

Root ל-א to negate, to deny, to refuse

Definition

A particle of absolute negation in Biblical Hebrew, used to indicate the simple or unqualified denial of statements, facts, or circumstances. Primarily meaning 'not' or 'no,' it negates verbs, clauses, or nouns without nuance of prohibition or temporal reference. It functions both independently and in combination with other particles for various negative constructions.

Semantic Range

not, no, never, none, nothing, neither, nor, except (in certain negative clauses), without, otherwise (in negative contexts), as part of negative idioms

Root / Etymology

From the root ל-א, though its etymology as an independent negative particle is uncertain and likely predates the standardized root system in Hebrew. It is a primary negator in Northwest Semitic languages, related to Akkadian lā, Ugaritic l’ and Aramaic lā, suggesting archaic West Semitic origins as a fundamental negative particle.

Historical & Contextual Notes

לֹא is the standard form of simple, absolute negation in Biblical Hebrew, appearing throughout all periods of the language, from the earliest texts (e.g., patriarchal narratives) through to post-exilic writings. It is distinct from the particle אַל ('al), which is used primarily for prohibitive or volitive negation (i.e., in commands, prohibitions, or wishes). לֹא refuses statements of fact, while אַל negates desired actions. לֹא occurs with imperfect, perfect, and infinitive forms, negating indicative statements, direct discourse, and non-prohibitive instructions. It frequently appears juxtaposed with other particles for emphasis or in idiomatic negative expressions (e.g., לֹא פֶּן – ‘lest not’), sometimes forming part of oath formulae (e.g., חַי־יְהוָה לֹא – 'as YHWH lives, not...'). In rare instances, forms like לוֹא or לֹה appear as variant spellings (cf. Deuteronomy 3:11); these are orthographic or dialectal variants, not evidence of distinct words. English translations regularly render לֹא simply as 'not' or 'no,' but some idiomatic uses demand more nuanced English translation (e.g. as part of ‘except’ or ‘unless’), and English often fails to mark the distinction between absolute and prohibitive negation present in Hebrew through the contrast with אַל.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

לא (l-ʾ) — negation, denial, refusal

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1093 בְּלוֹ and not
H3789 כָּתַב not
H3809 לָא is it not?
H3810 לֹא דְבַר not
H3818 לֹא עַמִּי not

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3808-08 לֹ֨א lo HTn not not 3261
H3808-14 וְ/לֹ֖א velo HC/Tn and not and not 1590
H3808-03 הֲ/ל֤וֹא halo HTi/Tn are they not is it not? 271
H3808-02 בְּ/לֹא֙ belo HR/Tn without without 27
H3808-06 לא l HTn not not 15
H3808-07 לְ/ל֣וֹא lelo HR/Tn by those who did not not 9
H3808-15 ו/לא vl HC/Tn and not and not 5
H3808-09 שֶׁ/לֹּ֥א shelo HTr/Tn that not that not 4
H3808-13 וָ/לֹ֕א valo HC/Tn if not and not 2
H3808-10 וּ/לְ/לֹ֛א ulelo HC/R/Tn and-without and to not 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5191 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3808-08 Genesis 2:5 לֹ֨א lo HTn not not
H3808-08 Genesis 2:17 לֹ֥א lo HTn not not
H3808-08 Genesis 2:18 לֹא lo HTn not not
H3808-08 Genesis 2:20 לֹֽא lo HTn not not
H3808-14 Genesis 2:25 וְ/לֹ֖א velo HC/Tn and not and not
H3808-08 Genesis 3:1 לֹ֣א lo HTn not not
H3808-08 Genesis 3:3 לֹ֤א lo HTn not not
H3808-14 Genesis 3:3 וְ/לֹ֥א velo HC/Tn nor and not
H3808-08 Genesis 3:4 לֹֽא lo HTn Not not
H3808-08 Genesis 3:17 לֹ֥א lo HTn not not
← H3807 Hebrew Lexicon H3809 →