Lexical Definition

‎הָיָה‎ hâyâh (haw-yaw) to be ^H:V
a primitive root (compare ‎הָוָא‎)

beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use.

• to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ——-
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

See Greek: ἀνίστημι · ἀνοίγω · ἀποβαίνω · γέννημα · γίνομαι · διατελέω · δίδωμι · διΐστημι · δοκέω · ἐκδίδωμι · ἐπιβαίνω · ἐπιοῦσα · ἔρχομαι · ἔχω · ἔχω · ἵστημι · κάθημαι · καθίζω · καλέω · καταγελάω · κατάκειμαι · καταλείπω · κατοικέω · κοιμάω · κτάομαι · λογίζομαι · μένω · παραγίνομαι · περιτίθημι · ποιέω · συμβαίνω · ὑπάρχω · φαίνω · φυλάσσω

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎הָיָה‎₃₅₇₀ verb fall out, come to pass, become, be (SI¹; SI⁶ ‎היה‎, ib³ ‎הית‎; parallel form of ‎הוה‎, Arabic , Aramaic ‎הֲוָא‎, ; see ‎הָוָה‎ above) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ‎הָיָה‎ Gen 3:1 +; ‎וְהָיָה‎ consecutive Gen 4:14 +; 3 feminine singular ‎הָֽיְתָה‎ Gen 1:2 +; ‎הָיָ֑תָה‎ Isa 14:24 + 3 t.; ‎וְהָֽיְתָה‎ consecutive Gen 9:13 +; ‎והית‎2Kgs 9:37 Kt (Qr ‎וְהָֽיְתָה‎); 2 masculine singular ‎הָיִיתָ‎ Deut 5:15 +; 1 singular ‎הָיִיתִי‎Gen 31:40 3 plural ‎הָיוּ‎ Gen 6:4 +; 2 masculine plural ‎הֱיִיתֶ ם‎ Exod 22:20* +; ‎וִהְיִיתֶם‎ consecutive Gen 3:5 +; 1 plural ‎הָיִינוּ‎Isa 1:9 +; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular ‎יִהְיֶה‎ Gen 1:29 +; jussive ‎יְהִי‎Gen 1:3 +; ‎יֶהִ֑י‎ Ezek 16:15 ‎וִיהִי‎Gen 1:6 +; ‎וַיְהִי‎ Gen 1:3 +; ‎וַיֶּ֑הִי‎ Ps 33:9; Ezek 16:19 3 feminine singular ‎תִּהְיֶה‎ Gen 21:30 +; 1 singular ‎אֶהְיֶה‎ Exod 3:12 +; ‎וָאֶהְיֶה‎2Sam 7:6 + 9 t.; ‎וָאֱהִי‎ Judg 18:4 + 12 t.; 3 masculine plural ‎יִהְיוּ‎ Gen 6:19 +; 3 feminine plural ‎תִּהְיֶינָה‎Isa 16:2 + 19 t.; ‎תִּהְיֶין֣‎Gen 41:36 + 11 t.; ‎וְתִהְיֶנָה‎ Jer 18:21; Jer 48:6 ‎וַתִּהְיֶינָה‎ 2Sam 20:3 + 6 t.; ‎וַתִּהְיֶיןָ‎Gen 26:35; 1Sam 25:43 ‎וַתִּהְיֶנָה‎ 1Chr 7:15 2 masculine plural ‎תִהְיוּ‎ Gen 34:15 +; ‎תִהְיוּן‎ Exod 22:20* 1 plural ‎נִהְיֶה‎ Gen 38:23 +; ‎וַנִּהְיֶה‎2Sam 11:23; Jer 44:17 ‎וַנְּהִי‎ Num 13:33; Isa 64:5*, etc.; Imperative masculine singular ‎הֱיֵה‎ Exod 18:19 +; feminine singular ‎הֲיִי‎Gen 24:60 masculine plural ‎הֱיוּ‎Exod 19:15; Num 16:16, ‎וִהְיוּ‎ 1Sam 4:9 + 6 t.; Infinitive absolute ‎הָיוֺ‎ Gen 18:18 + 3 t.; ‎הָיֹה‎ 1Kgs 13:32; Ezek 1:3 construct ‎הֱיוֺת‎ Gen 2:18 +, so read probably also for ‎הֱיֵה‎ Ezek 21:15* compare Sm Kö^{i. p. 600 f.} (Co em. ‎היהלֿה‎ to ‎הָהֵל‎ shine, glitter); with prefix ‎בִּהְיוֺת‎ Exod 5:13 +, ‎בִּהְיֹת‎ Exod 19:16 +; ‎לִהְיוֺת‎ Gen 10:8 +, ‎לִהְיֹת‎ Exod 23:1 +; suffix ‎הֱיוֺתִי‎ Jonah 4:2 ‎הֱיוֺתְךָ‎ Judg 18:19 (twice in verse); ‎לִהְיֹתְךָ‎ Deut 26:10, etc.; Participle feminine ‎הוֺיָה‎ Exod 9:3.

I. 1. a. Fall out, happen ‎מֶההָֿיָה הַדָּבָר‎ 1Sam 4:16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2Sam 1:4 ‎מֶההָֿיָה לוֺ‎ Exod 32:1; Exod 32:23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1Sam 10:12 ‎מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ‎ 1Sam 6:9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also ‎וַיְהִילֿוֺ כֵּן‎ 2Kgs 7:20 and so it happened to him, compare ‎וַיְהִיכֵֿן‎ below
b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass: — ‎גְדוֺלָה הָֽיְתָה בָּעָם מַגֵּפָה‎ 1Sam 4:17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2Sam 17:9 ‎וַתְּהִי‎ ‎הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיַעַר אֶפְרַיִם‎ 2Sam 18:6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on ‎אפרים‎ compare Klo Dr); Josh 22:17 (P; of plague); ‎תְּהִי נָא אָלָה‎ Gen 26:28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Judg 21:5 compare 2Kgs 17:7 (si vera lectio), Ezek 16:34 especially late, 2Chr 29:36; 2Chr 32:31; Eccl 1:9; Eccl 1:10; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — ‎כֵּן הָיָה‎ Gen 41:3 (E) so it came to pass, 2Sam 13:25, ‎וַיְהִיכֵֿן‎ Judg 6:38; 2Kgs 15:12; Isa 29:5, & especially ‎וַיְהִיכֵֿן‎ Gen 1:7; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:11; Gen 1:15; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (all P) +; ‎יְהִי כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ‎ Gen 30:34 let it be as thou sayest, Zech 6:15, see also ‎לֹא תָקוּם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה‎ Isa 7:7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Isa 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 Gen 12:14; Gen 19:17 (both J) + 75 t. + Esth 3:4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only Exod 16:10, D only Deut 5:20; Deut 31:24; Josh 5:1; Josh 9:1 27 t. in Kings), — somewhat different is 2Kgs 7:18 β. with Infinitive with ‎בְּ‎ Gen 4:8; Gen 11:2 (both J) + 29 t. + Esth 3:4 Kt (in Hexateuch 10 t. J E; 3 t. P, Gen 19:29; Exod 34:29; Num 17:7* not in D); γ. with ‎בְּ‎ followed by temporal noun (‎יוֺם‎, ‎בֹּקֶר‎, etc.) Gen 21:22 (E) Gen 26:32 (J) + 45 t. (Hes 14 t. J E; 3 t. P, Exod 6:28; Exod 16:13; Num 7:1 not D); δ. ‎לְ‎ temporal 1Sam 1:20; 2Sam 13:23; 1Kgs 20:26; 1Chr 20:1 ε. ‎כְּ‎ temporal Gen 39:11; 1Sam 25:38 ζ. ‎מִן‎ temporal namely: ‎מֵאָז‎ Gen 39:5, ‎מִיּוֺם‎ 1Sam 7:2 compare 1Sam 30:25, ‎מִיָּמִים‎ Judg 11:4; Judg 15:1, ‎מִקֵּץ‎ Gen 4:3; Gen 8:6 + 6 t., ‎מִקְצֵה‎ Josh 3:2; 2Kgs 8:3; Ezek 3:16, especially ‎מִמָּחֳרָת‎ Gen 19:34; Exod 18:13 + 11 t.; η. ‎כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ temporal Gen 12:11 (J) Gen 20:13 (E) + 31 t. (Hexateuch 13 t. J E, Deut 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 Gen 6:1 (J) Exod 3:21 (E) + 14 t. + Judg 16:25 Kt; ι. ‎אַחֲרֵי‎ temporal Gen 22:20 (J) + 13 t., ‎אַחַר‎ Gen 39:7; Job 42:7, ‎אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן‎ Judg 16:14 + 6 t.; κ. followed by ‎עַד‎ temporal 1Sam 14:19 (on which compare Dr); compare ‎עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה‎ 1Kgs 18:45 λ. with combinations; as ‎בְּ‎ with temporal noun + ‎בְּ‎ Infinitive Gen 34:25; Exod 19:16; 1Sam 25:37 ‎בְּ‎ Infinitive + ‎כְּ‎ Infinitive Josh 3:14 double preposition ‎כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ חֳדָשִׁים‎ Gen 38:24 ‎מִקְצֵה‎ + ‎אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר‎ Josh 9:16 ‎מִיָּמִים‎ + id. Josh 23:1 μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Isa 22:7; 1Kgs 13:20; 2Kgs 8:21 (Dr^{§ 165, &} Οβς.) = 2Chr 21:9 those with indefinite ‎כֹּל‎ 1Sam 10:11; 2Sam 2:23; 2Sam 15:2, or with participle = rel. clause 1Sam 11:1 (on all see Dr^{§ 78 n.} & Sm); quite unique is 1Kgs 16:31, with ‎הֲנָקֵל‎ ‎׳‎‎לָכְתּוֺ וגו‎in place of temporal clause
(b) ‎וַיְהִי‎ sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative Gen 39:10 (with ‎כְּ‎ Infinitive), Exod 13:17 (with ‎בְּ‎ Infinitive) 2Kgs 12:7*; 2Kgs 17:25 (both with ‎בְּ‎ temporal); & without negative, Gen 8:13 (P) Gen 14:1 +, usually with ‎בְּ‎ temporal (38 t.), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially ‎מִדֵּי‎ followed by Infinitive 1Sam 18:30; 2Chr 12:11 sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with ‎וְ‎, as Gen 22:1; Gen 41:1; 1Sam 18:19; 1Sam 30:1; 2Kgs 2:9; 2Kgs 4:40 +; note especially 2Sam 17:27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 2Sam 13:30; 1Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 rarely subject precedes Perfect without ‎וְ‎ 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 21:1, compare subject preceding Participle without ‎וְ‎ Neh 4:10* in 2Chr 8:1 the object (with ‎וְ‎) precedes what is apparently the principal verb
(c) ‎וַיְהִי‎ followed by ‎וְהִנֵּה‎ Gen 24:15 (J; ‎טֶרֶם‎ in temporal clause), Gen 29:25 (E), Gen 38:27 (J, both ‎בְּ‎ temporal) vGen 38:29 (‎כְּ‎ Participle), 1Sam 13:10 (‎כְּ‎ Infinitive); also 2Sam 1:2; 2Sam 13:36; 2Sam 15:32 (circumstantial clause) 2Kgs 2:11 (id.), 2Kgs 3:20; 2Kgs 13:21 (circumstantial clause).
(d) rarely ‎וַיְהִי‎ (in this sense) followed by other constructions: ‎אָז יִתֵּן‎ 1Kgs 9:10 (with ‎מִקְצֵה‎); Imperfect frequentative 1Kgs 14:28 (with ‎מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ‎), 2Kgs 4:8 (with ‎מִדֵּי עָבְרוֺ‎) Jer 36:23 (with ‎כְּ‎ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2Chr 24:11 (with ‎בְּ‎ temporal). (2) rarely also Perfect with ‎וְ‎ conjunctive ‎וְהָיָה‎ (compare Dr^{§ 183}) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1Sam 1:12 (c. several circumstantial clause), 1Sam 10:9 (with ‎כְּ‎ Infinitive) 2Kgs 3:15 (id.), 1Sam 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); 1Sam 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 Deut 21:16; Deut 25:19 + 37 t., (especially ‎בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא‎ Hos 2:18*; Hos 2:33; Isa 7:18; Isa 7:21; Isa 7:23 + 21 t.); β. with ‎בְּ‎ local Ezek 47:23; Zech 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: Gen 4:14; Num 17:20*; Deut 12:11; Deut 18:19; Josh 7:14; Josh 7:15; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 2:36; 1Sam 17:25; 2Sam 15:35; 1Kgs 19:17; 1Kgs 20:6; Isa 4:3; Isa 24:18; Nah 3:7; Jer 27:8; Jer 42:4; Ezek 47:9; Zech 14:17; Joel 3:5* δ. with ‎כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ Num 33:56; Deut 28:63; Josh 23:15; Judg 7:17; Isa 29:8; Jer 31:28; Zech 8:13 ε. less often with other modifying phrase: ‎כְּ‎ Infinitive Exod 33:8; Exod 33:9 (both frequentative), Josh 3:13; Josh 8:8; Jer 25:12; Jer 51:63 ‎בְּ‎ Infinitive Gen 9:14 (P) 2Kgs 4:10; Ezek 44:17 ‎אִם‎ of condition Deut 20:11 (+ vDeut 20:11 Dr^{§ 118 n}.), also Josh 22:18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without ‎אִם‎ (compare Dr^{§ 155}); ‎לְ‎ temporal Deut 23:12* ‎מִקֵּץ‎ Isa 23:17 ‎טֶרֶם‎ Isa 65:24 ‎מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֺ‎ Isa 66:23, etc.
(b) ‎וְהָיָה‎ followed by Perfect consecutive (c. 85 t.): α. most often + clause with ‎כִּי‎ temporal Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33 (both J) Exod 1:10 (E) Deut 11:29; Isa 8:21 + 25 t.; β. with ‎אִם‎ Exod 4:8; Exod 4:9; Num 15:24; Deut 11:13 + 14 t.; also Gen 38:9; Num 21:9 (both frequentative); γ. with ‎בְּ‎ temporal Gen 30:41 (frequentative) Gen 47:24 (but compare Ol Di) Exod 16:5 + 11 t.; δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr^{§ 121} Obs. 1): Gen 24:14; Num 10:32 (Dr^{§ 118 n}.) Num 21:18; Deut 21:3; Judg 11:31; Judg 19:30; Zech 14:16 ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: ‎כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ Gen 27:40 +; ‎כְּ‎ Infinitive Gen 44:31 +; ‎בְּ‎ Infinitive Exod 33:22 +; ‎מִקֵּץ‎ 2Sam 14:26 ‎עֵקֶב‎ causative Deut 7:12 also
(c) followed by ‎וְלֹא‎ + simple Imperfect Exod 3:21 (with ‎כִּי‎ temporal).
(d) ‎וְהָיָה‎ followed by Imperative (very rare) Deut 6:10 (with ‎כִּי‎ temporal), 1Sam 10:7 (with ‎כִּי‎), compare 1Sam 29:10, compare Perfect consecutive in command 1Sam 3:9 (with ‎אִם‎).
(e) ‎וְהָיָה‎ followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) Deut 8:19 (with ‎אִם‎).
(f) ‎וְהָיָה‎ followed by clause without verb: Gen 24:43; Josh 2:19; 1Kgs 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

II. Come into being, become: —

1. a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come ‎וַתְּהִי‎ ‎צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה‎Exod 12:80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; ‎וַיְהִיקֿוֺל‎ Ezek 1:25 (strike out Co compare Da), Ezek 37:7 (strike out ‎קוֺל‎ ᵐ5 Co); ‎כִּי הָֽיְתָה הָֽרְוָחָה‎ Exod 8:11* (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Mic 7:4 now shall come their confusion (|| ‎בוא‎); also of concrete objects ‎וְהָֽיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן‎ Gen 9:16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds (|| ‎וְנִרְאֲתָה‎) ‎וְרִמָּה לֹא הָֽיְתָה בּוֺ‎ Exod 16:24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine Gen 12:10; Gen 26:1 (twice in verse) (all J), Gen 41:54 (E), Ruth 1:1; 2Sam 21:1; 2Kgs 6:25 strife Gen 13:7; Gen 13:8 (J), Hab 1:3 (|| ‎מָדוֺן יִשָּׂא‎); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail Exod 9:18; Exod 9:24; Exod 9:26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., Exod 19:16 (E), rain 1Kgs 18:45, storm Jonah 1:4 especially of creative fiats ‎יְהִי אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר‎ Gen 1:3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare vGen 1:5 vGen 1:8 vGen 1:13 vGen 1:19 vGen 1:23 vGen 1:31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, ‎וְאַחֲרָיו הָיָה שַׁמְגַּר‎ Judg 3:31 and after him arose Shamgar (= ‎וַיָּקָם‎ Judg 10:1); further ‎וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה‎ Gen 15:17 (JE) and darkness came on; ‎הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה‎ Exod 10:13 (J) the morning came, Exod 19:16 (E); ‎וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם‎ 1Sam 1:4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 1Sam 14:1; 2Kgs 4:8; 2Kgs 4:11; 2Kgs 4:18; Job 1:6; Job 1:18; Job 2:1.
b. followed by preposition: ‎בְּ‎, ‎וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ‎ Gen 37:27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of ‎׳‎‎יּ‎ 1Sam 5:9; 1Sam 7:13; 1Sam 12:15 + (all in hostile sense); ‎בְּכָלשֲֶֿֿׁר יֶשׁלֿוֺ‎ ‎׳‎‎וַיְהִי בִּרְכַּת י‎ Gen 39:5 (J) and the blessing of ‎׳‎‎י‎ came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague Exod 12:13 (P); followed by ‎עַל‎, ‎וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ‎ Gen 7:10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; ‎עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּ֑נָה‎ Gen 42:36 (E) Gen 9:2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare Gen 35:25 (P) 2Chr 14:13*; 2Chr 17:19; 2Chr 20:29 +; of wrath Josh 22:20; 1Kgs 3:27 so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 16:23; 1Sam 19:9 (‎אֶל‎); but followed by ‎עַל‎ also in good sense ‎׳‎‎וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ י‎ conferring strength & efficiency Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29 (‎היה‎ = ‎צלח‎ Judg 14:6 + often), compare Num 24:2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on ‎׳‎‎וַתְּהִי לָיו יַד י‎ 2Kgs 3:15; Ezek 3:22 and the like, see ‎יָד‎); ‎יַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה עָלֵינוּ‎ Ezra 8:31, so Ps 80:18* even ‎וַתְּהִי עַלרֿאֹשׁ דָּוִד‎ 2Sam 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 2Sam 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, Exod 23:2 (JE) 1Sam 12:14; 2Sam 2:10; 1Kgs 12:20; 1Kgs 16:21 followed by ‎לְ‎ of blessings Gen 49:26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jer 40:3 especially ‎ויהי דבר֗֗֗ אֶל‎ and the word of ... came unto: word of Samuel 1Sam 4:1 usually word of God (or ‎׳‎‎י‎) Gen 15:1; 1Sam 15:10 +; constantly in prophets: Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jer 1:4; Jer 1:11; Jer 1:13; Jer 2:1; Jer 13:8 +; Ezek 3:16; Ezek 6:1; Ezek 7:1; Ezek 11:14; Ezek 11:17; Ezek 11:21; Ezek 11:26; Ezek 12:1; Ezek 12:8 +; so also absolute ‎הָיָה הַמַּשָּׂא הַזֶּה‎ Isa 14:28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by ‎מִן‎; ‎מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ‎ Gen 17:16 (P), ‎וּקְהַל גּוֺיִם יִהְיֶה מִמֶּ֑ךָּ‎ Gen 35:11 (P), ‎וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֺ‎ ‎מִמֶּנּוּ‎ Jer 30:21 (|| ‎מִקִּרְבּוֺ יֵצֵא‎); ‎הַכֹּל הָיָה מִןהֶֿעָפָר‎ ‎וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל הֶעָפָר‎ Eccl 3:20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; ‎וַיְהִי קֶצֶף גָּדוֺל מֵאֵת‎ ‎צְבָאוֺת‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ Zech 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 Gen 3:20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; ‎וַיְהִי הֶבֶל‎ ‎רֹעֵה צאֹן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה‎Gen 4:2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2Sam 8:14; Mic 2:11 + often
b. followed by predicate adjective Gen 38:7; Exod 36:13 +; compare Gen 37:20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);
c. become like (‎כְּ‎), ‎וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים‎ Gen 3:5 and ye shall become like gods compare vGen 3:22, Num 11:1 (JE), Hos 2:1*; Hos 7:11; Isa 9:18*; 1Kgs 7:8; Zech 9:7 +; compare Gen 15:5 so (‎כֹּה‎) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Isa 1:9; 1Sam 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 Isa 24:2 (6 pairs of words as above); ‎וְהָיָה‎ ‎כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע‎ Gen 18:25 (J), see ‎כְּ‎. b + c Gen 27:32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.
d. followed by predicate + ‎לְ‎ person ‎וּתְהִי‎ ‎אִשָּׁה לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ‎ Gen 24:51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1Sam 16:21; 1Kgs 11:25; Ps 89:42*; 1Chr 18:6 +; = be instituted, estanblished, ‎וְהָיָה‎ ‎לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם‎ Exod 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 Gen 2:7 (J) and the man became a living soul; ‎וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה‎ ‎רָאשִׁים‎Gen 2:10 (J) and it became four heads; ‎גַּםהֿוּא יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם‎ Gen 48:19 (J) he too shall become a people; ‎וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים‎ 1Sam 4:9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men (|| ‎הִתְחַזְּקוּ‎; compare with double ‎לְ‎, f below); Zeph 1:13; Ezek 17:6; Ezek 47:12; Job 16:8 ‎עלמֶלֶךְ עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ‎ ‎׳‎‎וְהָיָה י‎ Zech 14:9 ‎וַיְהִי לְמַס עֹבֵד‎ Gen 49:15; Josh 16:10 so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, ‎וַיְהִי‎ ‎לְנָחָשׁ‎Exod 4:3 and it became a serpent, vExod 4:4; Exod 7:10; Isa 1:22; Deut 26:5 +; figurative ‎וַיְהִי לְמָ֑יִם‎ Josh 7:5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so ‎וְהוּא הָיָה לְאֶבֶן‎ 1Sam 25:37 or, serve as ‎וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֺרֹת‎ Gen 1:15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare vGen 1:14 ‎וְהָיָה לְאוֺת בְּרִית‎ Gen 9:13; Gen 17:11 (both P). feminine often with ‎לְ‎ predicate + ‎לְ‎ person: ‎וַתְּהִי לָהֶם‎ ‎הַלְּבֵנָה לְאָ֑בֶן‎Gen 11:3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; ‎וַתְּהִי לִי לְאִשָּׁה‎ Gen 20:12 (E) compare Gen 24:67 (J) +, ‎וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה וְחָגְלָה ֗֗֗ ‎ ‎לַבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים‎ Num 36:11 ‎וְהָיָה לְךָ וְלָהֶם לְאָכְלָה‎ Num 6:21 (P), Exod 2:10; Exod 15:2; Judg 8:27 ‎לִי לֵאלֹהִים‎ ‎׳‎‎וְהָיָה י‎ Gen 28:21 (E); ‎אֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לוֺ לְאָב וְהוּא יִהְיֶהלִֿי לְבֵן‎ 1Chr 17:3 +; = shew or prove oneself as ‎הֱיֵהלִֿי לְבֶןחַֿיִל‎ 1Sam 18:17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 1Sam 4:9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e above) ‎וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָקעֿוֺלָם‎ Exod 29:28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare vExod 29:9; Lev 10:15 ‎וְהָֽיְתָה‎ ‎לִהְיֹת לָהֶם מָשְׁחָתָם לִכְהֻנַּת עוֺלָם לְדֹרֹתָם‎ Exod 40:15 (all P).
g. with ‎עַל‎ and ‎לְ‎ 1Sam 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 Gen 12:15 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., Gen 26:14; Gen 30:43 ‎לֹא לוֺ יִהְיֶה הַזָּ֑רַע‎ Gen 38:9 not his should the seed become; ‎׳‎‎וְהָיָה לי‎ Judg 11:31 it shall become Yah-weh's; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:29; 1Kgs 10:26; 1Kgs 11:3 + often; so of a woman, as wife ‎תְּהִינָֿא לְךָ‎ Judg 15:2 pray let her become thine, compare also ‎וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֺן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ‎ Judg 14:20, Hos 3:3; Ruth 1:13; Lev 21:3; Deut 24:2; Jer 3:1; Ezek 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 1Sam 1:28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = ‎חַי‎ Gen 5:5 etc., Dr^Sm), Job 3:16; Isa 23:13 often with ‎בְּ‎ local ‎וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ‎ Gen 2:5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; ‎׳‎‎וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא הָיָה אִישׁ וגו‎ Num 26:64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also ‎וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו‎ Josh 10:14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2Sam 14:25; 2Sam 1:5; 2Sam 21:25; 2Sam 23:25; +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause ‎וַיְהִי אִישׁ‎ now there was a man Judg 13:2; 1Sam 1:1; 1Sam 9:1; Num 9:6 (P), Job 1:1 +; on ‎אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה‎ Exod 3:14 see ‎יהוֺה‎.

2. abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) ‎וַיְהִי משֶׁה בָּהָר‎ Exod 24:18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so Exod 34:28 (both J E), Judg 17:4; Judg 17:12; 1Sam 6:1; 1Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 11:3 = 2Chr 22:12 +; also Lev 22:27; Lev 25:28 (both H), etc.; followed by ‎עַד‎ temporal remain until Deut 22:2; 1Kgs 11:40; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Chr 5:9; 2Chr 26:21; Dan 1:21 etc.; compare ‎הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֺלָם‎ Eccl 3:14 so also of space followed by ‎עַד‎ extend unto, as far as, Josh 19:10: of net beneath altar, Exod 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 Gen 4:8 (J) when they were in the field, ‎הַמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה שָׁם אָהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה‎ Gen 13:3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; ‎וְהָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה לִפְנֵיכֶם‎ Gen 34:10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Josh 19:1; Judg 7:1; Judg 7:8; Mic 5:6*; Mic 5:7* followed by ‎עַל‎ be, be found or situated upon Isa 30:25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezek 37:27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt ‎דָּמִים וְהָיָה עָלָיךָ‎ Deut 19:10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.

4. as copula, joining subject & predicate: —
a. followed by predicate adjective ‎וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים‎ Gen 2:25, ‎וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה‎ ‎עָרוּם‎ Gen 3:1, ‎בִּהְיוֺתָם כֹּאֲבִים‎ Gen 34:25, ‎וַיְהִי יוֺסֵף יְפֵהתֹֿאַר‎ Gen 39:6; Deut 23:15*; Josh 19:9; Judg 11:1; Job 1:1; Job 1:3b 2Chr 7:21.
b. followed by predicate noun Gen 1:2; Gen 9:18; Gen 25:3; Gen 36:14; Gen 40:13; 1Sam 17:34; 1Sam 17:42; 2Sam 8:10; 2Sam 20:25; 1Kgs 10:6; 2Kgs 3:4; 2Kgs 5:1 (twice in verse); 1Chr 9:20; 1Chr 11:20; 1Chr 18:10; 1Chr 26:10; 2Chr 13:7 ‎כִּי לֹאהָֿיָה מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל‎ 2Chr 18:32 (|| 1Kgs 22:33 ‎כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ ישׂראל הוּא‎) +; often of age: ‎וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים‎ Gen 17:1 (P) 2Kgs 8:17; 2Kgs 14:2; 2Kgs 15:2; 2Kgs 15:33; 2Kgs 18:2; 2Chr 21:20; 2Chr 27:8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) ‎וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֺךְ וְחָסוֺר‎ Gen 8:5 = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: Gen 5:4; Gen 5:5; Gen 5:8; Gen 5:11; Gen 5:14; Gen 9:29; Gen 11:32; Gen 23:1 +; Exod 38:24; Num 1:46, etc.
c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: ‎לֹאטֿוֺב הֱיוֺת הָאָדָם‎ ‎לְבַדּוֺ‎Gen 2:18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; ‎חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַה כַּנָּשִׁים‎ Gen 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 Gen 26:3; Gen 31:3; Gen 39:10; Gen 48:21; Josh 1:3; Josh 6:27; Judg 1:19; Judg 2:18; 1Sam 3:19; 1Sam 18:12; 1Sam 20:13; 1Kgs 1:37; 1Chr 11:13; 2Chr 17:3 followed by ‎עִמָּדִי‎ Gen 28:20; Gen 31:5; Gen 35:3 followed by ‎עִם‎, human subject, of accompaniment ‎וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם‎ Neh 10:39*; 1Chr 11:12, read also in || 2Sam 23:9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1Kgs 1:8 with ‎עִם‎ also = be near ‎הָיָה עִםגֹּֿרֶן האורנה‎ ‎׳‎‎וּמַלְאַךְ י‎ 2Sam 24:16 (compare Dr); also 2Sam 13:20 implying sexual intercourse, so Gen 39:10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with ‎עִם‎ are: ‎וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר הָיָה עִםזִֿקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל‎ 2Sam 3:17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1Kgs 1:7 ‎וַיְהִי עִםלְֿבַב דָּוִד אָבִּי לִבְנוֺת‎ 1Kgs 8:17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2Chr 6:7 compare 1Kgs 8:18 (twice in verse); 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 6:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:4 also 1Kgs 10:2 = 2Chr 9:1
(b) be with, followed by ‎אֶת‎, subject ‎׳‎‎י‎, ‎אלהים‎, Gen 21:20; Gen 39:2; Gen 39:21 but also with human subject ‎וּבָנָיוּ הָיוּ אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ‎ Gen 34:5, compare 1Sam 29:8 +;
(c) followed by ‎לְ‎ of possessor ‎כֶּרֶם הָיָה לִידִדִי‎ Isa 5:1 all vineyard had my beloved, Gen 30:30 compare Exod 20:3 = Deut 5:7; Judg 18:27; 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 5:6* + often (compare I. 2 d, f, h);
(d) followed by ‎לְ‎ + other preposition: of boundary ‎וַיְהִי לָהֶם‎ ‎הַגְּבוּל מֵעֲרוֺעֵר‎Josh 13:16, compare ‎וַיְהִי גְבוּלָם מִמַּחֲנַיִם‎ vJosh 13:30 ‎וַוְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפנַָה מִיַּרְדֵּן‎ Josh 18:12, etc.;
(e) followed by ‎בְּ‎ be among, or of, Amos 1:1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1Kgs 2:7 let them be among those eating, Prov 22:26; Prov 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 Gen 39:22 (J), Exod 3:1 (E), 1Sam 2:11; 1Sam 7:10; 1Sam 18:9 (compare Dr) v1Sam 18:14 v1Sam 18:29; 2Sam 8:15 = 1Chr 18:14. Deut 28:29; Isa 30:20; 1Kgs 5:1*; 1Kgs 5:15*; 1Kgs 5:24*; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Chr 9:26; Ezra 4:4; Neh 1:4; Neh 2:13; Dan 1:16 +; Gen 1:6 (P); ‎׳‎‎הָיָה יָרֵא אֶתיֿ‎ 1Kgs 18:3; 2Kgs 4:1; 2Chr 26:1 passive participle Josh 10:26; 1Kgs 13:24; 1Kgs 22:35 ‎וְהַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה מָעֳמָד‎ ‎בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה‎ (|| 2Chr 18:34 ‎הָיָה מַעֲמִיד‎), Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1, ‎וְהָיָה סָגוּר‎ Ezek 44:2, ‎נַעֲשֶׂה‎ ‎׳‎‎ה‎ Neh 5:18, ‎׳‎‎וְאָהוּב לֵאלֹהָיו ה‎ Neh 13:26 — on 2Sam 13:32 compare Dr.
b. followed by Infinitive with ‎לְ‎ (Dr^{§ 208, 204}): ‎וְהָיָה לְבָעֵר‎ Isa 5:5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; ‎לָבוֺא וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ‎ Gen 15:12 and the sun was about to set; ‎וַיְהִי‎ ‎הַשַּׁעַר לִסְגּוֺר‎ Josh 2:5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also ‎וַיְהִי לִדְרשׁ אֱלֹהִים‎ 2Chr 26:5 (nearly = ‎וַיְהִי‎ + Participle) Niph`al Perfect ‎נִהְיָה‎ 1Kgs 1:27 + 6 t. + Mic 2:4 (compare below near the end); 3 feminine singular ‎נִהָיְתָה‎ Judg 19:30 + 5 t., ‎נִהְיָ֑תָה‎ Exod 11:6; Jer 48:19 ‎וְנִהְיָ֑תָה‎ consecutive Ezek 39:8 + Ezek 21:12* (strike out B Manuscripts ᵐ5 Co); 2 masculine singular ‎נִהְיֵיתָ‎ Deut 27:9 1 singular ‎ךּנהִךְייךתי‎ Dan 8:27 Participle feminine singular ‎נִהְיָה‎ Prov 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 Exod 11:6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare Deut 4:32 (be done; || ‎נִשְׁמַע‎), & Judg 19:30 (|| ‎נִרְאֲתָה‎); — but simply intransitive Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & apparently Ezek 21:12* (|| ‎בָּאָ֫ה‎; on text, however, see above) Ezek 39:8 (|| id.); — also ‎אֵיכָה נִהְיְתָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת‎ Judg 20:3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare vJudg 20:12; Jer 5:30; Jer 48:19 also Neh 6:8 with ‎לֹא‎, existence denied ‎׳‎‎לֹא נ‎ Zech 8:10 (|| ‎אֵינֶ֑נָּה‎); in all the above (except Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & Ezek 21:12*; Ezek 39:8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed ‎׳‎‎מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶץ נ‎ ‎הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה‎ 1Kgs 1:27, so of divine agency (‎מֵאִתִּי‎) 1 K i1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4 further be attained, secured, of wages Zech 8:10 (with ‎לֹא‎, || ‎אֵינֶ֑נָּה‎); ‎תַּאֲוָּה נִהְיָה‎ Prov 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 Mic 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}.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References