Lexical Summary he: Behold, lo Original Word: הֵא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance behold, lo A primitive particle; lo! -- behold, lo. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. interj. Definition lo! behold! NASB Translation behold (1), now (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הֵא interjection (Aramaic הָא, Daniel 2:43 הֵא (q. v.), ![]() ![]() Topical Lexicon Overview An emphatic attention-getter that appears only twice in the Hebrew canon, the word signals a pivotal moment in speech where the speaker demands immediate focus upon what follows. Whether issuing mercy or judgment, the term punctuates statements whose consequences shape covenant history. Biblical Occurrences 1. Genesis 47:23 – Joseph addresses the famine-stricken Egyptians: “Now behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh; here is seed for you so that you may sow the land”. Literary Function • Calls the listener to attention before a decisive act: in Genesis, it introduces Joseph’s provision; in Ezekiel, divine retribution. Contrast with Other Hebrew Attention-Formulas While the more common “hinneh” often frames prophetic vision, this rarer interjection appears in direct, real-time speech. It is shorter, sharper, and functions like a verbal pointing finger, underscoring immediacy more than contemplation. Historical Setting • Genesis context: the word punctuates Pharaoh’s economic policy administered by Joseph in the wake of a catastrophic famine. The provision of seed after purchase avoids perpetual enslavement and anticipates Israel’s later exodus by reminding readers that Egypt’s power once preserved, not only oppressed, the patriarchal family. Theological Significance • Divine sovereignty: both uses affirm that human livelihood and destiny pivot on words the LORD ratifies. Implications for Ministry and Personal Devotion • Preaching: model sermons after the interjection’s function—capture attention early, then press home application. Echoes in Later Revelation The Greek Scriptures frequently employ “idou” (“behold”) in a similar role (for example, Matthew 3:17; Revelation 21:5), showing continuity in God’s communicative style. The rarity of the Hebrew term never diminishes its force; rather, it anticipates the New Testament pattern where decisive salvation acts are introduced with an identical summons to attention. Summary Although occurring only twice, this pointed interjection functions as a divine exclamation mark. It gathers attention at moments when lives are bought out of famine and when sin is called to account. In both mercy and judgment, Scripture uses the term to command hearers: “Look here—this word concerns your life.” Forms and Transliterations הֵ֜א הֵֽא־ הא הא־ he hê hê-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 47:23 HEB: אַדְמַתְכֶ֖ם לְפַרְעֹ֑ה הֵֽא־ לָכֶ֣ם זֶ֔רַע NAS: for Pharaoh; now, [here] is seed KJV: for Pharaoh: lo, [here is] seed INT: and your land Pharaoh now is seed may sow Ezekiel 16:43 |