Original Word: אִי
Part of Speech: Interjection
Transliteration: iy
Pronunciation: ee
Phonetic Spelling: (ee)
Definition: Coast, island
Meaning: alas!

woe

Short from 'owy; alas! -- woe.

see HEBREW 'owy

Word Origin
a prim. interj.
Definition
alas!
NASB Translation
woe (2).

III. אִי interjection (so in Rabb, see De^{Koh 197} Wr^{Eccl 490}) alas! (late) Ecclesiastes 4:10 אִי לוֺ (written in ᵑ0 as one word) alas for him (Ew^{§ 309 c}), the one, who falleth, etc. (i.e. who falleth alone) Ecclesiastes 10:16.

Word Origin: This word is of uncertain derivation.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek 3759: οὐαί (ouai) • An exclamation of grief or denunciation, often translated as "woe" in the New Testament. This Greek term is used similarly to express lament or impending judgment, as seen in passages like Matthew 23:13, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; you yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter."

The Hebrew אִי and its Greek counterpart οὐαί both serve as linguistic tools to convey the profound emotional and spiritual weight of divine messages throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The word אִי is used in the Hebrew Bible as an exclamation of lament or distress. It is often found in poetic or prophetic contexts where the speaker is expressing deep emotional turmoil or mourning.

Context: The Hebrew interjection אִי (i) appears in the Old Testament as a poignant expression of lamentation. It is typically used in contexts where the speaker is overwhelmed by a sense of loss, despair, or impending doom. This term is often found in the writings of the prophets, who frequently conveyed messages of judgment and sorrow. For example, in Isaiah 3:11, the prophet declares, "Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them; for they will be repaid with what their hands have done." Here, the word אִי is part of a larger expression of woe, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the inevitable consequences of the people's actions. The use of אִי in the Hebrew Bible underscores the emotional depth and intensity of the prophetic messages, serving as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance.

וְאִ֣יל֗וֹ ואילו veILo wə’îlōw wə·’î·lōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts