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אָן

𐤀𐤍

ʼân

H575 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root אין to be not, to lack, to be absent (root level core meaning); to seek place or location (derived)

Definition

An interrogative particle or adverb denoting inquiry about place or direction, primarily translated as 'where?' or 'whither?' occurring especially in poetic, rhetorical, or urgent supplications. It expresses a seeking of location, direction, or sometimes the state or circumstance of a person or object.

Semantic Range

where?, whither?, to what place?, in what direction?, hither and thither, now (in a sense of immediacy in some contexts), seeking whereabouts, questioning the presence or location of someone or something

Root / Etymology

Formed as a contraction of אַיִן (ayin), meaning 'where?' or 'nothingness', reinforcing inquiry about absence or seeking a place. The root is linked to the concept of non-existence or location sought or lacks specification; thus, אָן focuses on querying location or direction, distinct from roots meaning 'to go' or 'to approach.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

אָן primarily appears in poetic, literary, or heightened rhetorical contexts, such as laments, prayers, or direct appeals (e.g., in Psalms or prophetic discourse). Its usage is often urgent or emotional, calling attention to the unknown or seeking divine response (e.g., 'Where are You?', 'Whither shall I go?'). It is found both independently and in phrase combinations ('ān zeh', 'ān anî'). During the monarchic and exilic periods, it symbolized distress or bewilderment as Israelite or Judahite speakers sought answers, understanding, or deliverance. English translations sometimes narrow its sense to merely spatial inquiry, but the Hebrew can express emotional or existential desperation. The word is distinct from אֵי (ʾê), which also means 'where?' but is less intense or dramatic. Later Jewish usage carries these nuances into liturgical poetry and lamentations, where אָן resonates with questions of presence or divine absence. Early English Bibles sometimes render it as 'whither' or 'where', but its full emotive and interrogative force is often understated.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or אָנָה; contracted from אַיִן; where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither; [phrase] any (no) whither, now, where, whither(-soever).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אין (ʾ-y-n) — non-existence, absence, lack; seeking location

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1156 בְּעָא and there is not
H369 אַיִן there is not
H370 אַיִן from where?
H371 אִין and is it not?
H576 אֲנָא where?

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H575-02 אָ֥נָה anah HD Where where? 28
H575-07 וְ/אָ֣נָה veanah HC/Ti and where and where? 5
H575-06 וָ/אָֽנָה vaanah HC/Ti and hither and where? 3
H575-03 אָ֥נֶה aneh HD anywhere where? 3
H575-01 אָ֣ן an HTi Where where? 2
H575-05 מ/אן mn HR/Ti From where where? 1
H575-04 מֵ/אַ֖יִן meayin HR/Tn nor there from where? 1

Occurrences in Scripture

43 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H575-07 Genesis 16:8 וְ/אָ֣נָה veanah HC/Ti and where and where?
H575-07 Genesis 32:18 וְ/אָ֣נָה veanah HC/Ti and where and where?
H575-02 Genesis 37:30 אָ֥נָה anah HD where where?
H575-02 Exodus 16:28 אָ֨נָה֙ anah HD until when where?
H575-02 Numbers 14:11 אָ֥נָה anah HD how where?
H575-02 Numbers 14:11 אָ֨נָה֙ anah-2 HD how where?
H575-02 Deuteronomy 1:28 אָנָ֣ה anah HD Where where?
H575-02 Joshua 2:5 אָ֥נָה anah HD where where?
H575-02 Joshua 18:3 אָ֨נָה֙ anah HD long where?
H575-02 Judges 19:17 אָ֥נָה anah HD Where where?
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