Original Word: אוֹ
Part of Speech: conjunction; noun masculine
Transliteration: ow
Pronunciation: oh
Phonetic Spelling: (o)
KJV: also, and, either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether
NASB: or, whether, if, also, either, nor, otherwise
Word Origin: [short for H185 (אַוָּה - desire)]

1. desire (and so probably in Prov. 31
2. hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

also, and, either, if, at the least, nor, or, otherwise,

Presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av {av}; short for 'avvah; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if -- also, and, either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

see HEBREW 'avvah

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
or
NASB Translation
also (1), either (1), if (2), if* (1), nor (1), or (294), otherwise (1), say (1), whether (8).

אוֺ₃₂₀ , , ),

conjunction or (whether aut or vel).

1 Genesis 24:49; Genesis 31:43; Exodus 4:11; Songs 2:9; Leviticus 13:24; Numbers 5:30 + often (especially in laws); sometimes implying a preference, nearly = or rather Genesis 24:55 יָמִים אוֺ עָשׂוֺר a few days or ten Judges 18:19; 1 Samuel 29:3. Prefixed to the first as well as to the second alternative (rare) either (whether) ... or Leviticus 5:1; Leviticus 13:48,51; = or, if not Ezekiel 21:15 (si vera lectio) Ke Malachi 2:17; Job 16:3; Job 22:11.

2 introducing a sentence, especially a particular case under a General principle, or = or if Exodus 21:31 ׳אוֺבֵֿן יִגַּח וג or if he gore a son, etc. Exodus 21:36; Leviticus 4:23,28 (see Di) Leviticus 5:21; Leviticus 5:22; Leviticus 25:49b; Numbers 5:14; 2 Samuel 18:13 or if I had dealt falsely against his life, then, etc., Ezekiel 14:17,19 or if I send, etc.

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

4 once, with the jussive (as in Arabic with the subjunctive see Dr^{§ 175}) = except: Isaiah 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 Proverbs 31:4 Kt, see [אַי].

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

Function within Biblical Hebrew Syntax

Appearing approximately 321 times, אוֹ holds the place of primary disjunctive marker in Biblical Hebrew prose, poetry, and legal material. It stands at the head of the second alternative (and, in rarer triads, the second and third), signaling possibilities that may be mutually exclusive, mutually inclusive, or rhetorically parallel. Where waw links, אוֹ divides, forcing the reader to consider distinct paths, outcomes, or categories.

Exclusive and Inclusive Disjunctions

1. Exclusive: Joshua 24:15 “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve… the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, אוֹ the gods of the Amorites.” The conjunction demands a single allegiance; one choice nullifies the other.
2. Inclusive: Nehemiah 5:13 “I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, ‘So may God shake out of his house אוֹ from his property any man who fails to keep this promise.’” Either arena—house or land—lies in scope; both could apply simultaneously.

Covenant Frameworks: Blessing or Curse

אוֹ punctuates the foundational structure of covenantal stipulations. Deuteronomy 30:15–19 alternates between “life and prosperity אוֹ death and disaster,” cementing the two-path motif that dominates Mosaic theology. By highlighting divergent outcomes, the conjunction reinforces human responsibility within divine sovereignty and anticipates the New Covenant summons to choose Christ over self (John 3:18–19).

Legal and Cultic Legislation

Leviticus deploys אוֹ repeatedly in sacrificial regulations, offering options that accommodate economic diversity without diluting holiness: “If his offering is from the flock, מן־הַכְּבָשִׂים אוֹ מן־הָעִזִּים” (Leviticus 1:10). In case law (Exodus 21:4; 22:5), אוֹ separates circumstances that alter penalties, ensuring justice fits nuanced realities. Such patterned precision underwrites the moral fabric later fulfilled in Christ, “our righteousness” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Narrative Decision Points

Historical books employ אוֹ at decisive crossroads:
• 1 Kings 18:21 “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; אוֹ if Baal, follow him.”

Elijah’s challenge crystallizes the covenant all-or-nothing demand and foreshadows Jesus’ “No servant can serve two masters” (Luke 16:13).
• Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, אוֹ you and your father’s house will perish.” The conjunction intensifies urgency, propelling Esther into courageous intercession, a template for mediatory ministry.

Prophetic Oracles of Warning and Hope

Prophets leverage אוֹ as a sharp edge of conditionality. Jeremiah 42:10–17 contrasts dwelling safely in the land אוֹ fleeing to Egypt and perishing by sword, famine, and plague. Ezekiel 18:23, 32 uses אוֹ within rhetorical questions that reveal God’s heart: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked, אוֹ rather that he should turn from his ways and live?” By juxtaposing ruin with repentance, the prophets uphold divine justice while offering mercy, themes consummated at the cross.

Poetic Parallelism and Intensification

Psalms and Job integrate אוֹ to widen emotional spectrum and theological reflection:
• Psalm 77:7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, אוֹ never again show His favor?”
• Job 6:5 “Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, אוֹ an ox low over its fodder?”

The conjunction deepens lament and wisdom by setting complementary images side by side, inviting meditation on God’s character and human frailty.

Wisdom Literature: Moral Alternatives

Proverbs commonly sets virtue against vice via אוֹ: “Better is a little with righteousness, אוֹ great revenue with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8). Each pairing trains the reader to discern qualitative differences behind quantitative allure, nurturing hearts that treasure “the fear of the LORD” over temporal gain (Proverbs 1:7).

Theological Implications

1. Human Agency: אוֹ assumes the reality of choice without denying providence. Scripture affirms both truths, culminating in Christ’s invitation, “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish אוֹ but have eternal life” (John 3:16, implicit disjunction).
2. Divine Holiness and Mercy: The conjunction frames holiness laws and prophetic calls alike, showing that God’s standards and His compassion coexist, beckoning sinners to reconciliation.
3. Christological Fulfillment: Every covenantal “or” finds its terminus in Jesus, who embodies the blessing and absorbs the curse (Galatians 3:13-14). The perpetual Old Testament polarity drives toward the ultimate decision set before every soul: faith in the Son אוֹ separation forever.

Ministry and Homiletical Use

Preachers and teachers can deploy אוֹ to:
• Emphasize decisive calls to repentance (Acts 3:19).
• Illustrate the cost of discipleship versus the lure of worldly compromise (Matthew 16:24-26).
• Reinforce pastoral counsel, offering concrete choices anchored in Scripture (James 3:17-18).

Counseling and evangelism benefit from the clear alternatives signaled by אוֹ, enabling conversations that respect freedom while pressing urgency.

Practical Application

Families: Model Joshua’s resolve—“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”—over cultural idols.

Churches: Frame ministry vision with exclusive devotion to Christ, avoiding syncretistic “both-and” compromises.

Personal Discipleship: Use 或 ’or’ moments (time, purity, priorities) to cultivate integrity, echoing Psalm 119:30 “I have chosen the way of truth.”

Summary

Though a single syllable, אוֹ punctuates the Hebrew canon with 321 divine signposts. From covenant stipulations to poetic prayers, it delineates life from death, wisdom from folly, faith from idolatry. Each occurrence presses readers toward wholehearted commitment until the final choice set before humanity—eternal life in Christ, אוֹ eternal separation—finds its irrevocable answer.

א֕וֹ א֖וֹ א֚וֹ א֛וֹ א֠וֹ א֡וֹ א֣וֹ א֣וֹ ׀ א֤וֹ א֥וֹ א֧וֹ א֨וֹ אֵ֣י אֽוֹ־ או אוֹ֩ אוֹ֮ אוֹ־ או־ אי ’ê ’ōw ’ōw- Ei o ovInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts