Lexical Definition

‎אֲבָל‎ ʼăbâl (ab-awl') truly ^H:Adv
apparently from ‎אָבַל‎ through the idea of negation

but, indeed, nevertheless, verily.

• nay, i.e. truly or yet

1) truly, verily, surely
2) but, however, howbeit
3) contrariwise, nay rather (neg.)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אֲבָל‎ adverb

1. in older Hebrew with an asseverative force, verily, of a truth Gen 42:21; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:43; 2Kgs 4:14, with a slight adversative force, nay, but Gen 17:19 (P).

2. in late Hebrew as a decided adversative, howbeit, but Dan 10:7; Dan 10:21; Ezra 10:13; 2Chr 1:4; 2Chr 19:3; 2Chr 33:17 (compare Arabic of a truth, sometimes, from the context, nay rather Qor 2:82; 2:94; 2:110; 2:129; 2:149; 2:165; 2:261; 3:143; 4:52 etc.)

Brown-Driver-Briggs References