הָיָה

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular הָיָה 1 Mos 3,1 +; וְהָיָה consecutive 1 Mos 4,14 +; 3 feminine singular הָֽיְתָה 1 Mos 1,2 +; הָיָ֑תָה Es 14,24 + 3 t.; וְהָֽיְתָה consecutive 1 Mos 9,13 +; והית2 Kong 9,37 Kt (Qr וְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singular הָיִיתָ 5 Mos 5,15 +; 1 singular הָיִיתִי1 Mos 31,40 3 plural הָיוּ 1 Mos 6,4 +; 2 masculine plural הֱיִיתֶ ם 2 Mos 22,20 +; וִהְיִיתֶם consecutive 1 Mos 3,5 +; 1 plural הָיִינוּEs 1,9 +; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִהְיֶה 1 Mos 1,29 +; jussive יְהִי1 Mos 1,3 +; יֶהִ֑י Ezk 16,15 וִיהִי1 Mos 1,6 +; וַיְהִי 1 Mos 1,3 +; וַיֶּ֑הִי Sl 33,9; Ezk 16,19 3 feminine singular תִּהְיֶה 1 Mos 21,30 +; 1 singular אֶהְיֶה 2 Mos 3,12 +; וָאֶהְיֶה2 Sam 7,6 + 9 t.; וָאֱהִי Dom 18,4 + 12 t.; 3 masculine plural יִהְיוּ 1 Mos 6,19 +; 3 feminine plural תִּהְיֶינָהEs 16,2 + 19 t.; תִּהְיֶין֣1 Mos 41,36 + 11 t.; וְתִהְיֶנָה Jer 18,21; Jer 48,6 וַתִּהְיֶינָה 2 Sam 20,3 + 6 t.; וַתִּהְיֶיןָ1 Mos 26,35; 1 Sam 25,43 וַתִּהְיֶנָה 1 Kron 7,15 2 masculine plural תִהְיוּ 1 Mos 34,15 +; תִהְיוּן 2 Mos 22,20 1 plural נִהְיֶה 1 Mos 38,23 +; וַנִּהְיֶה2 Sam 11,23; Jer 44,17 וַנְּהִי 4 Mos 13,33; Es 64,5, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הֱיֵה 2 Mos 18,19 +; feminine singular הֲיִי1 Mos 24,60 masculine plural הֱיוּ2 Mos 19,15; 4 Mos 16,16, וִהְיוּ 1 Sam 4,9 + 6 t.; Infinitive absolute הָיוֺ 1 Mos 18,18 + 3 t.; הָיֹה 1 Kong 13,32; Ezk 1,3 construct הֱיוֺת 1 Mos 2,18 +, so read probably also for הֱיֵה Ezk 21,15 compare Sm Kö^{i. p. 600 f.} (Co em. היהלֿה to הָהֵל shine, glitter); with prefix בִּהְיוֺת 2 Mos 5,13 +, בִּהְיֹת 2 Mos 19,16 +; לִהְיוֺת 1 Mos 10,8 +, לִהְיֹת 2 Mos 23,1 +; suffix הֱיוֺתִי Jon 4,2 הֱיוֺתְךָ Dom 18,19 (twice in verse); לִהְיֹתְךָ 5 Mos 26,10, etc.; Participle feminine הוֺיָה 2 Mos 9,3.

I. 1. a. Fall out, happen מֶההָֿיָה הַדָּבָר 1 Sam 4,16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2 Sam 1,4 מֶההָֿיָה לוֺ 2 Mos 32,1; 2 Mos 32,23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1 Sam 10,12 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ 1 Sam 6,9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also וַיְהִילֿוֺ כֵּן 2 Kong 7,20 and so it happened to him, compare וַיְהִיכֵֿן below
\ \ b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass: — גְדוֺלָה הָֽיְתָה בָּעָם מַגֵּפָה 1 Sam 4,17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2 Sam 17,9 וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיַעַר אֶפְרַיִם 2 Sam 18,6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on אפרים compare Klo Dr); Jos 22,17 (P; of plague); תְּהִי נָא אָלָה 1 Mos 26,28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Dom 21,5 compare 2 Kong 17,7 (si vera lectio), Ezk 16,34 especially late, 2 Kron 29,36; 2 Kron 32,31; Praed 1,9; Praed 1,10; Praed 3,22; Praed 8,7; Praed 10,14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — כֵּן הָיָה 1 Mos 41,3 (E) so it came to pass, 2 Sam 13,25, וַיְהִיכֵֿן Dom 6,38; 2 Kong 15,12; Es 29,5, & especially וַיְהִיכֵֿן 1 Mos 1,7; 1 Mos 1,9; 1 Mos 1,11; 1 Mos 1,15; 1 Mos 1,24; 1 Mos 1,30 (all P) +; יְהִי כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ 1 Mos 30,34 let it be as thou sayest, Zak 6,15, see also לֹא תָקוּם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה Es 7,7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Es 14,34 (so often בּוֺא q. v. 2 c, p. 98 above)

2. especially & very often, come about, come to pass followed by substantive (subject) clause almost always + modifying (usually temporal) clause or phrase:
\ \ a. ( I) וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.) followed by
\ \ \ (a) Imperfect consecutive: a. with Infinitive with כְּ temporal 1 Mos 12,14; 1 Mos 19,17 (both J) + 75 t. + Est 3,4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only 2 Mos 16,10, D only 5 Mos 5,20; 5 Mos 31,24; Jos 5,1; Jos 9,1 27 t. in Kings), — somewhat different is 2 Kong 7,18 β. with Infinitive with בְּ 1 Mos 4,8; 1 Mos 11,2 (both J) + 29 t. + Est 3,4 Kt (in Hexateuch 10 t. J E; 3 t. P, 1 Mos 19,29; 2 Mos 34,29; 4 Mos 17,7 not in D); γ. with בְּ followed by temporal noun (יוֺם, בֹּקֶר, etc.) 1 Mos 21,22 (E) 1 Mos 26,32 (J) + 45 t. (Hes 14 t. J E; 3 t. P, 2 Mos 6,28; 2 Mos 16,13; 4 Mos 7,1 not D); δ. לְ temporal 1 Sam 1,20; 2 Sam 13,23; 1 Kong 20,26; 1 Kron 20,1 ε. כְּ temporal 1 Mos 39,11; 1 Sam 25,38 ζ. מִן temporal namely: מֵאָז 1 Mos 39,5, מִיּוֺם 1 Sam 7,2 compare 1 Sam 30,25, מִיָּמִים Dom 11,4; Dom 15,1, מִקֵּץ 1 Mos 4,3; 1 Mos 8,6 + 6 t., מִקְצֵה Jos 3,2; 2 Kong 8,3; Ezk 3,16, especially מִמָּחֳרָת 1 Mos 19,34; 2 Mos 18,13 + 11 t.; η. כַּאֲשֶׁר temporal 1 Mos 12,11 (J) 1 Mos 20,13 (E) + 31 t. (Hexateuch 13 t. J E, 5 Mos 2,16, not P), characteristic of Nehemiah's memoris, Neh 3,33; Neh 4,1; Neh 4,6; Neh 4,9; Neh 6,1; Neh 6,16; Neh 7,1; Neh 13,19 θ. with כִּי temporal 1 Mos 6,1 (J) 2 Mos 3,21 (E) + 14 t. + Dom 16,25 Kt; ι. אַחֲרֵי temporal 1 Mos 22,20 (J) + 13 t., אַחַר 1 Mos 39,7; Job 42,7, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן Dom 16,14 + 6 t.; κ. followed by עַד temporal 1 Sam 14,19 (on which compare Dr); compare עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה 1 Kong 18,45 λ. with combinations; as בְּ with temporal noun + בְּ Infinitive 1 Mos 34,25; 2 Mos 19,16; 1 Sam 25,37 בְּ Infinitive + כְּ Infinitive Jos 3,14 double preposition כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ חֳדָשִׁים 1 Mos 38,24 מִקְצֵה + אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר Jos 9,16 מִיָּמִים + id. Jos 23,1 μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Es 22,7; 1 Kong 13,20; 2 Kong 8,21 (Dr^{§ 165, &} Οβς.) = 2 Kron 21,9 those with indefinite כֹּל 1 Sam 10,11; 2 Sam 2,23; 2 Sam 15,2, or with participle = rel. clause 1 Sam 11,1 (on all see Dr^{§ 78 n.} & Sm); quite unique is 1 Kong 16,31, with הֲנָקֵל ׳לָכְתּוֺ וגוin place of temporal clause
\ \ \ (b) וַיְהִי sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative 1 Mos 39,10 (with כְּ Infinitive), 2 Mos 13,17 (with בְּ Infinitive) 2 Kong 12,7; 2 Kong 17,25 (both with בְּ temporal); & without negative, 1 Mos 8,13 (P) 1 Mos 14,1 +, usually with בְּ temporal (38 t.), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially מִדֵּי followed by Infinitive 1 Sam 18,30; 2 Kron 12,11 sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with וְ, as 1 Mos 22,1; 1 Mos 41,1; 1 Sam 18,19; 1 Sam 30,1; 2 Kong 2,9; 2 Kong 4,40 +; note especially 2 Sam 17,27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 2 Sam 13,30; 1 Kong 8,10; 2 Kong 19,37 = Es 37,38 rarely subject precedes Perfect without וְ 1 Kong 11,4; 1 Kong 21,1, compare subject preceding Participle without וְ Neh 4,10 in 2 Kron 8,1 the object (with וְ) precedes what is apparently the principal verb
\ \ \ (c) וַיְהִי followed by וְהִנֵּה 1 Mos 24,15 (J; טֶרֶם in temporal clause), 1 Mos 29,25 (E), 1 Mos 38,27 (J, both בְּ temporal) v1 Mos 38,29 (כְּ Participle), 1 Sam 13,10 (כְּ Infinitive); also 2 Sam 1,2; 2 Sam 13,36; 2 Sam 15,32 (circumstantial clause) 2 Kong 2,11 (id.), 2 Kong 3,20; 2 Kong 13,21 (circumstantial clause).
\ \ \ (d) rarely וַיְהִי (in this sense) followed by other constructions: אָז יִתֵּן 1 Kong 9,10 (with מִקְצֵה); Imperfect frequentative 1 Kong 14,28 (with מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ), 2 Kong 4,8 (with מִדֵּי עָבְרוֺ) Jer 36,23 (with כְּ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2 Kron 24,11 (with בְּ temporal). (2) rarely also Perfect with וְ conjunctive וְהָיָה (compare Dr^{§ 183}) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1 Sam 1,12 (c. several circumstantial clause), 1 Sam 10,9 (with כְּ Infinitive) 2 Kong 3,15 (id.), 1 Sam 17,48 (with כִּי), Jer 37,11 (with בְּ Infinitive), Amos 7,2 (with אִם temporal); also Jer 3,9 (apparently with מִן causative, but obscure); 1 Sam 13,22 (with בְּ temporal) is followed by וְלֹא & Perfect as well as Imperfect consecutive
\ \ b. less often וְהָיָה Perfect consecutive and it shall come to pass, or frequentative,came to pass (repeatedly, etc.) usually
\ \ \ (a) followed by simple Imperfect (c. 100 t.): a. with בְּ temporal 5 Mos 21,16; 5 Mos 25,19 + 37 t., (especially בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Hos 2,18; Hos 2,33; Es 7,18; Es 7,21; Es 7,23 + 21 t.); β. with בְּ local Ezk 47,23; Zak 13,8 compare also Hos 2,1 (בִּמְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר, but perhaps = instead of, compare VB); γ. with indefinite rel. clause, or its equivalents (כֹּל indefinite, etc.), compare Dr^{§ 121}, Obs. 1: 1 Mos 4,14; 4 Mos 17,20; 5 Mos 12,11; 5 Mos 18,19; Jos 7,14; Jos 7,15; Dom 7,4; 1 Sam 2,36; 1 Sam 17,25; 2 Sam 15,35; 1 Kong 19,17; 1 Kong 20,6; Es 4,3; Es 24,18; Nah 3,7; Jer 27,8; Jer 42,4; Ezk 47,9; Zak 14,17; Joel 3,5 δ. with כַּאֲשֶׁר 4 Mos 33,56; 5 Mos 28,63; Jos 23,15; Dom 7,17; Es 29,8; Jer 31,28; Zak 8,13 ε. less often with other modifying phrase: כְּ Infinitive 2 Mos 33,8; 2 Mos 33,9 (both frequentative), Jos 3,13; Jos 8,8; Jer 25,12; Jer 51,63 בְּ Infinitive 1 Mos 9,14 (P) 2 Kong 4,10; Ezk 44,17 אִם of condition 5 Mos 20,11 (+ v5 Mos 20,11 Dr^{§ 118 n}.), also Jos 22,18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without אִם (compare Dr^{§ 155}); לְ temporal 5 Mos 23,12 מִקֵּץ Es 23,17 טֶרֶם Es 65,24 מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֺ Es 66,23, etc.
\ \ \ (b) וְהָיָה followed by Perfect consecutive (c. 85 t.): α. most often + clause with כִּי temporal 1 Mos 12,12; 1 Mos 46,33 (both J) 2 Mos 1,10 (E) 5 Mos 11,29; Es 8,21 + 25 t.; β. with אִם 2 Mos 4,8; 2 Mos 4,9; 4 Mos 15,24; 5 Mos 11,13 + 14 t.; also 1 Mos 38,9; 4 Mos 21,9 (both frequentative); γ. with בְּ temporal 1 Mos 30,41 (frequentative) 1 Mos 47,24 (but compare Ol Di) 2 Mos 16,5 + 11 t.; δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr^{§ 121} Obs. 1): 1 Mos 24,14; 4 Mos 10,32 (Dr^{§ 118 n}.) 4 Mos 21,18; 5 Mos 21,3; Dom 11,31; Dom 19,30; Zak 14,16 ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: כַּאֲשֶׁר 1 Mos 27,40 +; כְּ Infinitive 1 Mos 44,31 +; בְּ Infinitive 2 Mos 33,22 +; מִקֵּץ 2 Sam 14,26 עֵקֶב causative 5 Mos 7,12 also
\ \ \ (c) followed by וְלֹא + simple Imperfect 2 Mos 3,21 (with כִּי temporal).
\ \ \ (d) וְהָיָה followed by Imperative (very rare) 5 Mos 6,10 (with כִּי temporal), 1 Sam 10,7 (with כִּי), compare 1 Sam 29,10, compare Perfect consecutive in command 1 Sam 3,9 (with אִם).
\ \ \ (e) וְהָיָה followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) 5 Mos 8,19 (with אִם).
\ \ \ (f) וְהָיָה followed by clause without verb: 1 Mos 24,43; Jos 2,19; 1 Kong 18,24 (all with indefinite rel. modifier, or equivalents, see
\ \ \ (a) γ,
\ \ \ (b) δ, above).
\ \ \ (g) וְהָיָה (ו conjunctive) followed by Imperfect consecutive see
\ \ a.
\ \ \ (e) above

1. a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה2 Mos 12,80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; וַיְהִיקֿוֺל Ezk 1,25 (strike out Co compare Da), Ezk 37,7 (strike out קוֺל ᵐ5 Co); כִּי הָֽיְתָה הָֽרְוָחָה 2 Mos 8,11 (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Mik 7,4 now shall come their confusion (|| בוא); also of concrete objects וְהָֽיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן 1 Mos 9,16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds (|| וְנִרְאֲתָה) וְרִמָּה לֹא הָֽיְתָה בּוֺ 2 Mos 16,24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine 1 Mos 12,10; 1 Mos 26,1 (twice in verse) (all J), 1 Mos 41,54 (E), Rut 1,1; 2 Sam 21,1; 2 Kong 6,25 strife 1 Mos 13,7; 1 Mos 13,8 (J), Hab 1,3 (|| מָדוֺן יִשָּׂא); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail 2 Mos 9,18; 2 Mos 9,24; 2 Mos 9,26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., 2 Mos 19,16 (E), rain 1 Kong 18,45, storm Jon 1,4 especially of creative fiats יְהִי אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר 1 Mos 1,3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare v1 Mos 1,5 v1 Mos 1,8 v1 Mos 1,13 v1 Mos 1,19 v1 Mos 1,23 v1 Mos 1,31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, וְאַחֲרָיו הָיָה שַׁמְגַּר Dom 3,31 and after him arose Shamgar (= וַיָּקָם Dom 10,1); further וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה 1 Mos 15,17 (JE) and darkness came on; הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה 2 Mos 10,13 (J) the morning came, 2 Mos 19,16 (E); וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם 1 Sam 1,4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 1 Sam 14,1; 2 Kong 4,8; 2 Kong 4,11; 2 Kong 4,18; Job 1,6; Job 1,18; Job 2,1.
\ \ b. followed by preposition: בְּ, וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ 1 Mos 37,27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of ׳יּ 1 Sam 5,9; 1 Sam 7,13; 1 Sam 12,15 + (all in hostile sense); בְּכָלשֲֶֿֿׁר יֶשׁלֿוֺ ׳וַיְהִי בִּרְכַּת י 1 Mos 39,5 (J) and the blessing of ׳י came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague 2 Mos 12,13 (P); followed by עַל, וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ 1 Mos 7,10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּ֑נָה 1 Mos 42,36 (E) 1 Mos 9,2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare 1 Mos 35,25 (P) 2 Kron 14,13; 2 Kron 17,19; 2 Kron 20,29 +; of wrath Jos 22,20; 1 Kong 3,27 so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1 Sam 16,16; 1 Sam 16,23; 1 Sam 19,9 (אֶל); but followed by עַל also in good sense ׳וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ י conferring strength & efficiency Dom 3,10; Dom 11,29 (היה = צלח Dom 14,6 + often), compare 4 Mos 24,2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on ׳וַתְּהִי לָיו יַד י 2 Kong 3,15; Ezk 3,22 and the like, see יָד); יַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה עָלֵינוּ Ezr 8,31, so Sl 80,18 even וַתְּהִי עַלרֿאֹשׁ דָּוִד 2 Sam 12,30 and it (the crown, עֲטֶרֶת) came (i.e. was put, set) on David's head; with a different meaning וַנִּהְיֶה עֲלֵיהֶם עַדפֶּֿתַח הַשָּׁ֑עַר 2 Sam 11,23 and we were close upon them even to the gateway (compare We Dr); come, go, follow (followed by אַחֲרֵי) i.e. take the side of, adhere to, 2 Mos 23,2 (JE) 1 Sam 12,14; 2 Sam 2,10; 1 Kong 12,20; 1 Kong 16,21 followed by לְ of blessings 1 Mos 49,26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jer 40,3 especially ויהי דבר֗֗֗ אֶל and the word of ... came unto: word of Samuel 1 Sam 4,1 usually word of God (or ׳י) 1 Mos 15,1; 1 Sam 15,10 +; constantly in prophets: Hos 1,1; Mik 1,1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jer 1,4; Jer 1,11; Jer 1,13; Jer 2,1; Jer 13,8 +; Ezk 3,16; Ezk 6,1; Ezk 7,1; Ezk 11,14; Ezk 11,17; Ezk 11,21; Ezk 11,26; Ezk 12,1; Ezk 12,8 +; so also absolute הָיָה הַמַּשָּׂא הַזֶּה Es 14,28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by מִן; מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ 1 Mos 17,16 (P), וּקְהַל גּוֺיִם יִהְיֶה מִמֶּ֑ךָּ 1 Mos 35,11 (P), וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֺ מִמֶּנּוּ Jer 30,21 (|| מִקִּרְבּוֺ יֵצֵא); הַכֹּל הָיָה מִןהֶֿעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל הֶעָפָר Praed 3,20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; וַיְהִי קֶצֶף גָּדוֺל מֵאֵת צְבָאוֺת ׳י Zak 7,12.

2. become :
\ \ a. followed by predicate noun (to be viewed as implicit accusative Dr^{§ 161, 3 n.}, according to the Arabic usage W^{AG ii, § 41. 44. 74}): הִוא הָֽיְתָה אֵם כָּלחָֿ֑י 1 Mos 3,20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; וַיְהִי הֶבֶל רֹעֵה צאֹן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה1 Mos 4,2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2 Sam 8,14; Mik 2,11 + often
\ \ b. followed by predicate adjective 1 Mos 38,7; 2 Mos 36,13 +; compare 1 Mos 37,20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);
\ \ c. become like (כְּ), וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים 1 Mos 3,5 and ye shall become like gods compare v1 Mos 3,22, 4 Mos 11,1 (JE), Hos 2,1; Hos 7,11; Es 9,18; 1 Kong 7,8; Zak 9,7 +; compare 1 Mos 15,5 so (כֹּה) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Es 1,9; 1 Sam 17,36 +; also with כְּ repeated וְהָיָה כָעָם כַּכֹּהֵן Hos 4,9 and the people shall become like the priest (literally, and the like of the people shall become the like of the priest), so especially Es 24,2 (6 pairs of words as above); וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע 1 Mos 18,25 (J), see כְּ. b + c 1 Mos 27,32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.
\ \ d. followed by predicate + לְ person וּתְהִי אִשָּׁה לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ 1 Mos 24,51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1 Sam 16,21; 1 Kong 11,25; Sl 89,42; 1 Kron 18,6 +; = be instituted, estanblished, וְהָיָה לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם 2 Mos 30,21 (P) and it shall be established for them as a perpetual ordinance (compare f below).
\ \ e. followed by לְ predicate: וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה 1 Mos 2,7 (J) and the man became a living soul; וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים1 Mos 2,10 (J) and it became four heads; גַּםהֿוּא יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם 1 Mos 48,19 (J) he too shall become a people; וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים 1 Sam 4,9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men (|| הִתְחַזְּקוּ; compare with double לְ, f below); Sef 1,13; Ezk 17,6; Ezk 47,12; Job 16,8 עלמֶלֶךְ עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳וְהָיָה י Zak 14,9 וַיְהִי לְמַס עֹבֵד 1 Mos 49,15; Jos 16,10 so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, וַיְהִי לְנָחָשׁ2 Mos 4,3 and it became a serpent, v2 Mos 4,4; 2 Mos 7,10; Es 1,22; 5 Mos 26,5 +; figurative וַיְהִי לְמָ֑יִם Jos 7,5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so וְהוּא הָיָה לְאֶבֶן 1 Sam 25,37 or, serve as וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֺרֹת 1 Mos 1,15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare v1 Mos 1,14 וְהָיָה לְאוֺת בְּרִית 1 Mos 9,13; 1 Mos 17,11 (both P). feminine often with לְ predicate + לְ person: וַתְּהִי לָהֶם הַלְּבֵנָה לְאָ֑בֶן1 Mos 11,3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; וַתְּהִי לִי לְאִשָּׁה 1 Mos 20,12 (E) compare 1 Mos 24,67 (J) +, וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה וְחָגְלָה ֗֗֗ לַבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים 4 Mos 36,11 וְהָיָה לְךָ וְלָהֶם לְאָכְלָה 4 Mos 6,21 (P), 2 Mos 2,10; 2 Mos 15,2; Dom 8,27 לִי לֵאלֹהִים ׳וְהָיָה י 1 Mos 28,21 (E); אֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לוֺ לְאָב וְהוּא יִהְיֶהלִֿי לְבֵן 1 Kron 17,3 +; = shew or prove oneself as הֱיֵהלִֿי לְבֶןחַֿיִל 1 Sam 18,17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 1 Sam 4,9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e above) וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָקעֿוֺלָם 2 Mos 29,28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare v2 Mos 29,9; 3 Mos 10,15 וְהָֽיְתָה לִהְיֹת לָהֶם מָשְׁחָתָם לִכְהֻנַּת עוֺלָם לְדֹרֹתָם 2 Mos 40,15 (all P).
\ \ g. with עַל and לְ 1 Sam 22,2 וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר and he became over them prince.
\ \ h. sometimes with לְ person only = become the property of, come into the possession of ׳וַיְהִילֿוֺ צאֹןוּֿבָקָר וְגו 1 Mos 12,15 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., 1 Mos 26,14; 1 Mos 30,43 לֹא לוֺ יִהְיֶה הַזָּ֑רַע 1 Mos 38,9 not his should the seed become; ׳וְהָיָה לי Dom 11,31 it shall become Yah-weh's; 5 Mos 10,9; Jos 13,29; 1 Kong 10,26; 1 Kong 11,3 + often; so of a woman, as wife תְּהִינָֿא לְךָ Dom 15,2 pray let her become thine, compare also וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֺן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ Dom 14,20, Hos 3,3; Rut 1,13; 3 Mos 21,3; 5 Mos 24,2; Jer 3,1; Ezk 16,8 (and also + לְאִשָּׁה, לְנָשִׁים see f above)III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —

1. exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence), כָּלהַֿיּמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה 1 Sam 1,28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = חַי 1 Mos 5,5 etc., Dr^Sm), Job 3,16; Es 23,13 often with בְּ local וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ 1 Mos 2,5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; ׳וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא הָיָה אִישׁ וגו 4 Mos 26,64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו Jos 10,14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2 Sam 14,25; 2 Sam 1,5; 2 Sam 21,25; 2 Sam 23,25; +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause וַיְהִי אִישׁ now there was a man Dom 13,2; 1 Sam 1,1; 1 Sam 9,1; 4 Mos 9,6 (P), Job 1,1 +; on אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה 2 Mos 3,14 see יהוֺה.

2. abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) וַיְהִי משֶׁה בָּהָר 2 Mos 24,18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so 2 Mos 34,28 (both J E), Dom 17,4; Dom 17,12; 1 Sam 6,1; 1 Kong 11,20; 2 Kong 11,3 = 2 Kron 22,12 +; also 3 Mos 22,27; 3 Mos 25,28 (both H), etc.; followed by עַד temporal remain until 5 Mos 22,2; 1 Kong 11,40; 2 Kong 15,5; 2 Kron 5,9; 2 Kron 26,21; Dan 1,21 etc.; compare הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֺלָם Praed 3,14 so also of space followed by עַד extend unto, as far as, Jos 19,10: of net beneath altar, 2 Mos 27,5 shall reach as far as (עַד) the middle of the altar.

3. with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated stand, lie; בִּהְיוֺתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה 1 Mos 4,8 (J) when they were in the field, הַמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה שָׁם אָהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה 1 Mos 13,3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; וְהָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה לִפְנֵיכֶם 1 Mos 34,10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Jos 19,1; Dom 7,1; Dom 7,8; Mik 5,6; Mik 5,7 followed by עַל be, be found or situated upon Es 30,25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezk 37,27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt דָּמִים וְהָיָה עָלָיךָ 5 Mos 19,10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.

4. as copula, joining subject & predicate: —
\ \ a. followed by predicate adjective וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים 1 Mos 2,25, וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם 1 Mos 3,1, בִּהְיוֺתָם כֹּאֲבִים 1 Mos 34,25, וַיְהִי יוֺסֵף יְפֵהתֹֿאַר 1 Mos 39,6; 5 Mos 23,15; Jos 19,9; Dom 11,1; Job 1,1; Job 1,3b 2 Kron 7,21.
\ \ b. followed by predicate noun 1 Mos 1,2; 1 Mos 9,18; 1 Mos 25,3; 1 Mos 36,14; 1 Mos 40,13; 1 Sam 17,34; 1 Sam 17,42; 2 Sam 8,10; 2 Sam 20,25; 1 Kong 10,6; 2 Kong 3,4; 2 Kong 5,1 (twice in verse); 1 Kron 9,20; 1 Kron 11,20; 1 Kron 18,10; 1 Kron 26,10; 2 Kron 13,7 כִּי לֹאהָֿיָה מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל 2 Kron 18,32 (|| 1 Kong 22,33 כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ ישׂראל הוּא) +; often of age: וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים 1 Mos 17,1 (P) 2 Kong 8,17; 2 Kong 14,2; 2 Kong 15,2; 2 Kong 15,33; 2 Kong 18,2; 2 Kron 21,20; 2 Kron 27,8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֺךְ וְחָסוֺר 1 Mos 8,5 = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: 1 Mos 5,4; 1 Mos 5,5; 1 Mos 5,8; 1 Mos 5,11; 1 Mos 5,14; 1 Mos 9,29; 1 Mos 11,32; 1 Mos 23,1 +; 2 Mos 38,24; 4 Mos 1,46, etc.
\ \ c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: לֹאטֿוֺב הֱיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֺ1 Mos 2,18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַה כַּנָּשִׁים 1 Mos 18,11 (J).
\ \ d. followed by preposition: (a) be with, accompany with עִם, subject most often ׳י or אלהים with added idea of protection, aid 1 Mos 26,3; 1 Mos 31,3; 1 Mos 39,10; 1 Mos 48,21; Jos 1,3; Jos 6,27; Dom 1,19; Dom 2,18; 1 Sam 3,19; 1 Sam 18,12; 1 Sam 20,13; 1 Kong 1,37; 1 Kron 11,13; 2 Kron 17,3 followed by עִמָּדִי 1 Mos 28,20; 1 Mos 31,5; 1 Mos 35,3 followed by עִם, human subject, of accompaniment וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם Neh 10,39; 1 Kron 11,12, read also in || 2 Sam 23,9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1 Kong 1,8 with עִם also = be near הָיָה עִםגֹּֿרֶן האורנה ׳וּמַלְאַךְ י 2 Sam 24,16 (compare Dr); also 2 Sam 13,20 implying sexual intercourse, so 1 Mos 39,10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with עִם are: וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר הָיָה עִםזִֿקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 2 Sam 3,17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1 Kong 1,7 וַיְהִי עִםלְֿבַב דָּוִד אָבִּי לִבְנוֺת 1 Kong 8,17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2 Kron 6,7 compare 1 Kong 8,18 (twice in verse); 1 Kron 22,7; 2 Kron 6,8 (twice in verse); 2 Kron 24,4 also 1 Kong 10,2 = 2 Kron 9,1
\ \ \ (b) be with, followed by אֶת, subject ׳י, אלהים, 1 Mos 21,20; 1 Mos 39,2; 1 Mos 39,21 but also with human subject וּבָנָיוּ הָיוּ אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ 1 Mos 34,5, compare 1 Sam 29,8 +;
\ \ \ (c) followed by לְ of possessor כֶּרֶם הָיָה לִידִדִי Es 5,1 all vineyard had my beloved, 1 Mos 30,30 compare 2 Mos 20,3 = 5 Mos 5,7; Dom 18,27; 1 Sam 9,2; 1 Kong 5,6 + often (compare I. 2 d, f, h);
\ \ \ (d) followed by לְ + other preposition: of boundary וַיְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל מֵעֲרוֺעֵרJos 13,16, compare וַיְהִי גְבוּלָם מִמַּחֲנַיִם vJos 13,30 וַוְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפנַָה מִיַּרְדֵּן Jos 18,12, etc.;
\ \ \ (e) followed by בְּ be among, or of, Amos 1,1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1 Kong 2,7 let them be among those eating, Ord 22,26; Ord 23,20.

5. periphrastic conjug.:
\ \ a. היה + participle, of continuous state, or condition, sometimes, especially late (compare Late Hebrew), of habit, with וַיְהִי also of beginning and continuance (compare Dr^{§ 135}, (5)): participle active 1 Mos 39,22 (J), 2 Mos 3,1 (E), 1 Sam 2,11; 1 Sam 7,10; 1 Sam 18,9 (compare Dr) v1 Sam 18,14 v1 Sam 18,29; 2 Sam 8,15 = 1 Kron 18,14. 5 Mos 28,29; Es 30,20; 1 Kong 5,1; 1 Kong 5,15; 1 Kong 5,24; 2 Kong 6,5; 2 Kong 9,14; 2 Kron 9,26; Ezr 4,4; Neh 1,4; Neh 2,13; Dan 1,16 +; 1 Mos 1,6 (P); ׳הָיָה יָרֵא אֶתיֿ 1 Kong 18,3; 2 Kong 4,1; 2 Kron 26,1 passive participle Jos 10,26; 1 Kong 13,24; 1 Kong 22,35 וְהַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה מָעֳמָד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה (|| 2 Kron 18,34 הָיָה מַעֲמִיד), Es 2,2 = Mik 4,1, וְהָיָה סָגוּר Ezk 44,2, נַעֲשֶׂה ׳ה Neh 5,18, ׳וְאָהוּב לֵאלֹהָיו ה Neh 13,26 — on 2 Sam 13,32 compare Dr.
\ \ b. followed by Infinitive with לְ (Dr^{§ 208, 204}): וְהָיָה לְבָעֵר Es 5,5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; לָבוֺא וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ 1 Mos 15,12 and the sun was about to set; וַיְהִי הַשַּׁעַר לִסְגּוֺר Jos 2,5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also וַיְהִי לִדְרשׁ אֱלֹהִים 2 Kron 26,5 (nearly = וַיְהִי + Participle) Niph`al Perfect נִהְיָה 1 Kong 1,27 + 6 t. + Mik 2,4 (compare below near the end); 3 feminine singular נִהָיְתָה Dom 19,30 + 5 t., נִהְיָ֑תָה 2 Mos 11,6; Jer 48,19 וְנִהְיָ֑תָה consecutive Ezk 39,8 + Ezk 21,12 (strike out B Manuscripts ᵐ5 Co); 2 masculine singular נִהְיֵיתָ 5 Mos 27,9 1 singular ךּנהִךְייךתי Dan 8,27 Participle feminine singular נִהְיָה Ord 13,19 —

1. either, be done, be brought about, or occur, come to pass: in the strong expressions וְכָמֹהוּ לֹא תֹסִף אֲשֶׁר כָּמֹהוּ ׳לֹא נ 2 Mos 11,6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare 5 Mos 4,32 (be done; || נִשְׁמַע), & Dom 19,30 (|| נִרְאֲתָה); — but simply intransitive Joel 2,2; Dan 12,1 & apparently Ezk 21,12 (|| בָּאָ֫ה; on text, however, see above) Ezk 39,8 (|| id.); — also אֵיכָה נִהְיְתָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת Dom 20,3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare vDom 20,12; Jer 5,30; Jer 48,19 also Neh 6,8 with לֹא, existence denied ׳לֹא נ Zak 8,10 (|| אֵינֶ֑נָּה); in all the above (except Joel 2,2; Dan 12,1 & Ezk 21,12; Ezk 39,8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed ׳מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶץ נ הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה 1 Kong 1,27, so of divine agency (מֵאִתִּי) 1 K i1 Kong 12,24 = 2 Kron 11,4 further be attained, secured, of wages Zak 8,10 (with לֹא, || אֵינֶ֑נָּה); תַּאֲוָּה נִהְיָה Ord 13,19 a desire come to pass, realized.

2. be done, finished, gone, only Daniel וּשְׁנָתוֺ נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו Dan 2,1 and his sleep was finished upon him, i.e. left him (compare Aramaic Dan 6,19); נִהְיֵיתִי Dan 8,27 I came to an end, was exhausted (si vera lectio, strike out ᵐ5; || נֶחֱלֵיתִי); נִהְיָה, in וְנָהָה נְהִי נִהְיָה Mik 2,4, is dubious; it is done, over, the ruin is come Rob-Ges Ew Hi Ca Che L RVm;? < omit as dittograph Sta^{ZAW 1886, 122 f.} compare JBL^{1890, 74.77}.