לָהֵן
𐤋𐤄𐤍
lâhên
H3860 conjunction
SILEX Entry
Definition
A particle typically functioning as a marker of result, consequence, or logical conclusion, often best rendered as 'therefore' or 'consequently'. Used to introduce a statement drawn from a preceding premise or circumstance, it can sometimes function with a nuance of 'hence' or 'thus'. Rarely, it may be used in place of a pronominal ending, likely due to a scribal or linguistic development, but its primary function is as a discourse connective signaling the outcome or implication of prior statements.
Semantic Range
therefore, consequently, hence, thus, for this reason, as a result; rarely, mistakenly, 'for them'
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ה-נ (uncertain as a lexical root, but the element הֵן operates as a demonstrative or deictic marker, meaning 'behold, see, surely,' and לְ is a particle meaning 'to, for'). לָהֵן is a compound form, functioning primarily as a logical or discursive connector rather than as a prepositional phrase. Its construction reflects the combination of the preposition לְ ('to/for') and the demonstrative הֵן ('behold, surely').
Historical & Contextual Notes
לָהֵן is found infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, mostly in later texts, especially in Daniel and Ezra, reflecting Aramaic influence on its usage and form. In these contexts, it regularly introduces conclusions, declarations, or results stemming from preceding statements or events, similar to the Aramaic equivalent. Its usage is distinct from הֵן and הִנֵּה, which are primarily deictic ('behold') or used in conditional statements ('if'). The mistaken translation of לָהֵן as 'for them' arises in some textual traditions due to phonological similarity to the 3rd person plural pronominal suffix plus preposition, but this is not the primary sense in Biblical Hebrew. Later translations and Rabbinic Hebrew tend to solidify its logical-consequence sense ('therefore'). English translations capture the main sense with 'therefore', but may miss the emphatic or discursive function.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the prepositional prefix meaning to or for and הֵן; popularly for if; hence, therefore; for them (by mistake for prepositional suffix).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
הן (h-n) — pointing out, indicating, showing, behold
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2005 | הֵן | Look—you |
| H2006 | הֵן | Look! |
| H2007 | הֵנָּה | in these |
| H2008 | הֵנָּה | to here |
| H2009 | הִנֵּה | Look—you! |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3860-01 |
הֲ/לָהֵ֣ן | halahen | HTi/C |
would you therefore | therefore | 2 |
H3860-02 |
לָהֶ֥ן | lahen | HC |
therefore | therefore | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences