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עַתָּה

𐤏𐤕𐤄

ʻattâh

H6258 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Adverb indicating the present moment or immediate timeframe, often denoting 'now,' 'at this time,' or 'at the present.' In some contexts, marks a change or transition, drawing attention to a new situation or state. Can also function as an emphatic particle highlighting the current relevance or urgency of a statement.

Semantic Range

now, at this time, the present, henceforth, straightway, as a marker of present relevance, as a discourse marker or emphatic particle

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root עֵת (ʿēt), which signifies 'time' or 'appointed time.' עַתָּה (ʿattâh) extends the root meaning to denote the specific time frame of 'now' or 'the present.' The form incorporates an ending that serves as a demonstrative or definitive, focusing the meaning on 'this time.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, עַתָּה serves as a temporal adverb, typically emphasizing immediacy or the present context. It frequently signals a transition in narrative or argument—e.g., when a speaker draws a conclusion based on prior statements ('now therefore...') or responds to a situation as it unfolds. Unlike עֵת, which can refer to any time or season, עַתָּה is more sharply circumscribed to the immediate or current moment. While later English translations sometimes render it as 'now,' 'then,' or 'therefore,' the nuance may be broader, sometimes marking a rhetorical shift, an urgent response, or a narrative pivot. Its usage remains consistent from the earliest biblical periods through post-exilic texts, with little semantic drift; however, the precise force (emphatic, conjunctive, or expletive) often depends on syntax and context.

Translation Consistency

primary "now" 434 occurrences

'Now' best fits the primary semantic range and the overwhelming majority of occurrences (426 of 435). It naturally conveys present time, immediacy, transition or emphatic discourse use in English and reads fluently in ordinary translation. Less common renderings ('this', 'than') are rare and can be handled by context while keeping a single, consistent base word.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"this time" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עֵת; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive; henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עתה (ʿ-t-h) — now, present time, this time

Root עתה to be now, to be present, this time
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1205 בְּעָתָה and now
H5844 עָטָה and now
H857 אָתָה and at this time

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6258-04 וְ/עַתָּ֣ה veatah HC/D And now and now and now 272
H6258-01 עַתָּ֕ה atah HD now you now you 148
H6258-02 מֵ/עַתָּה֙ meatah HR/D from now from this time onward from now onward 13
H6258-05 ו/עת vt HC/D and now at this time at this time 1
H6258-03 עת t HD time now now 1

Occurrences in Scripture

435 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6258-04 Genesis 3:22 וְ/עַתָּ֣ה veatah HC/D and now and now and now
H6258-04 Genesis 4:11 וְ/עַתָּ֖ה veatah HC/D And now and now and now
H6258-04 Genesis 11:6 וְ/עַתָּה֙ veatah HC/D and now and now and now
H6258-04 Genesis 12:19 וְ/עַתָּ֕ה veatah HC/D now then and now and now
H6258-01 Genesis 19:9 עַתָּ֕ה atah HD Now you now you
H6258-04 Genesis 20:7 וְ/עַתָּ֗ה veatah HC/D now therefore and now and now
H6258-04 Genesis 21:23 וְ/עַתָּ֗ה veatah HC/D now therefore and now and now
H6258-01 Genesis 22:12 עַתָּ֣ה atah HD now you now you
H6258-04 Genesis 24:49 וְ֠/עַתָּה veatah HC/D And now and now and now
H6258-01 Genesis 26:22 עַתָּ֞ה atah HD now you now you
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