Lexical Definition

‎אוֹ‎ ʼôw (o) or ^H:Conj
presumed to be the 'constructive' or genitival form of אַו ʼav (av) ; short for ‎אַוָּה‎

also, and, either, if, at the least, [idiom] nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

• desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4)
• hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

1) or, rather
1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred
1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle
1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or
1d) if perchance
1e) except, or else
2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אוֺ‎₃₂₀ , , ), conjunction or (whether aut or vel).

1. Gen 24:49; Gen 31:43; Exod 4:11; Song 2:9; Lev 13:24; Num 5:30 + often (especially in laws); sometimes implying a preference, nearly = or rather Gen 24:55 ‎יָמִים אוֺ עָשׂוֺר‎ a few days or ten Judg 18:19; 1Sam 29:3. Prefixed to the first as well as to the second alternative (rare) either (whether) ... or Lev 5:1; Lev 13:48; Lev 13:51 = or, if not Ezek 21:15* (si vera lectio) Ke Mal 2:17; Job 16:3; Job 22:11.

2. introducing a sentence, especially a particular case under a general principle, or = or if Exod 21:31 ‎׳‎‎אוֺבֵֿן יִגַּח וג‎ or if he gore a son, etc. vExod 21:36; Lev 4:23; Lev 4:28 (see Di) Lev 5:21*; Lev 5:22*; Lev 25:49b; Num 5:14; 2Sam 18:13 or if I had dealt falsely against his life, then, etc., Ezek 14:17; Ezek 14:19 or if I send, etc.

3. if perchance, 1Sam 20:10 if perchance thy father answer thee with something hard, Lev 26:41.

4. once, with the jussive (as in Arabic with the subjunctive see Dr^{§ 175}) = except: Isa 27:5 I would burn them together, ‎אוֺ יַחֲזֵק בְּמָעֻזִּי‎ or else let him take hold (= except he take hold) of my strong-hold, etc.

‎אוּ‎ Prov 31:4 Kt, see [‎אַי‎].

[‎אַו‎] noun masculine construct ‎אוֺ‎, Kt Prov 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr ‎אֵי‎ q. v.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References