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בִּי

𐤁𐤉

bîy

H994 particle

SILEX Entry

Root בּעה to ask, to request, to entreat

Definition

An interjection expressing entreaty or a polite request, especially in the context of addressing a superior—typically rendered as 'please,' 'if it please,' or 'I pray.' Used exclusively in direct speech, usually before a title such as 'my lord' or 'my master.' Functions to introduce a deferential request, urgent plea, or occasionally an exclamation of emotion (rare).

Semantic Range

please (in deferential address), if it please (polite entreaty), oh that!, I pray (urgent request), alas (rare exclamation), O (emotional interjection)

Root / Etymology

From the root בָּעָה (baʾah), meaning 'to ask, request,' with the pronominal suffix '-î' (my), forming a phrase literally meaning 'my asking' or 'my request.' However, it functions grammatically as an adverb or interjection, not a noun. Has lost clear connection to the literal root sense outside of idiomatic expression.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בִּי occurs almost exclusively as a respectful or supplicatory particle in dialogue, especially when subordinates address figures of authority (e.g., Abraham addressing God or a servant addressing a master). Most frequent in narrative texts, especially Genesis and other early narrative cycles. Not standard for simple requests, but signals heightened politeness or urgency. Distinguished from נָא (nāʾ), another polite particle meaning 'please,' by its greater formality and rarity—בִּי often accompanies abased body language and is associated with deferential situations. Standard English translations often render the word as 'oh,' 'I pray thee,' or 'please,' but this does not always capture the nuance of deference or intensity. Rare outside of biblical Hebrew; most occurrences are in older, classical texts. Later Hebrew uses other forms for requests or entreaties.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from בָּעָה (in the sense of asking); properly, a request; used only adverbially (always with 'my Lord'); oh that!; with leave, or if it please; alas, O, oh.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בעה (b-ʿ-h) — to ask, to request, to entreat

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1156 בְּעָא seeking one
H1158 בָּעָה Gush forth!
H1164 בְּעִי Ai

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H994-01 בִּ֣י bi HTe Please please 12

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H994-01 Genesis 43:20 בִּ֣י bi HTe please please
H994-01 Genesis 44:18 בִּ֣י bi HTe Please please
H994-01 Exodus 4:10 בִּ֣י bi HTe please please
H994-01 Exodus 4:13 בִּ֣י bi HTe please please
H994-01 Numbers 12:11 בִּ֣י bi HTe Alas please
H994-01 Joshua 7:8 בִּ֖י bi HTe I pray please
H994-01 Judges 6:13 בִּ֣י bi HTe please please
H994-01 Judges 6:15 בִּ֣י bi HTe Please please
H994-01 Judges 13:8 בִּ֣י bi HTe Please please
H994-01 1 Samuel 1:26 בִּ֣י bi HTe Please please
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