אִם

𐤀𐤌

ʼim

H518 conjunction

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to introduce a condition, to question, to express desire or alternative

Definition

A particle used to introduce a conditional clause ('if'), an interrogative clause ('whether', 'if?'), or an exclamatory wish ('Oh that!'). In certain syntactic constructions may function to introduce indirect questions or hypothetical scenarios, and in rare cases can have concessive force ('although').

Semantic Range

if (conditional), whether (interrogative), although (concessive), Oh that! (exclamatory wish), except/unless (exclusive condition), indirect question, hypothetical scenario

Root / Etymology

Root and etymology uncertain. Possibly related to other Northwest Semitic particles serving analogous conditional and interrogative functions, but direct cognates are lacking. The word is widely attested as an independent functional particle throughout Classical Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, אִם is used primarily to mark conditional sentences, i.e., to introduce the protasis ('if' clause) of a conditional statement. For example, in legal, ritual, or wisdom literature, it sets hypothetical situations (Exodus 21:28; Proverbs 24:10). אִם also frequently introduces indirect questions or alternatives ('whether'), as in Genesis 24:21. In poetic contexts, particularly in wishes or prayers, it expresses strong desire ('Oh that!'), e.g., Psalm 81:14. On rare occasions it functions concessively ('although'), though this use is less common. It does not independently serve as a negation, but in combination with negative particles or in certain idiomatic pairings (e.g., אִם־לֹא), it reinforces denial or assertion (see Genesis 21:23). Modern English translations often flatten the semantic nuance, rendering אִם simply as 'if' or 'whether'; ancient versions (LXX, Vulgate) similarly focus on its conditional/interrogative use. Its range distinguishes it from כִּי (ki), which also marks conditions but has a more diverse causal and explanatory function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet.

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Root Family

אם (ʾ-m (uncertain)) — condition, interrogation, alternative, wish

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H517 אֵם mother of
H521 אַמָּה forearm-measure
H523 אֻמַּה the people-groups
H538 אֲמָם Amam
H5973 עִם and if

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H518-02 אִם im HC if if / whether 787
H518-04 וְ/אִם֙ veim HC/C and if and if 279
H518-01 הַ/אִ֥ם haim HTi/C Is it that? whether? 2
H518-03 אם m HC if if 2

Occurrences in Scripture

1070 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H518-02 Genesis 4:7 אִם im HC if if / whether
H518-04 Genesis 4:7 וְ/אִם֙ veim HC/C and if and if
H518-02 Genesis 13:9 אִם im HC if if / whether
H518-04 Genesis 13:9 וְ/אִם veim HC/C or if and if
H518-02 Genesis 13:16 אִם im HC if if / whether
H518-02 Genesis 14:23 אִם im HC if if / whether
H518-04 Genesis 14:23 וְ/אִם veim HC/C or if and if
H518-02 Genesis 15:4 אִם֙ im HC but if / whether
H518-02 Genesis 15:5 אִם im HC if if / whether
H518-04 Genesis 17:17 וְ/אִ֨ם veim HC/C and and if