The meaning of “אוֹ”
Understanding ʼôw reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
presumed to be the 'constructive' or genitival form of אַו ʼav (av) ; short for אַוָּה also, and, either, if, at the lea...
אוֹ
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
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 24:55 | “And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.” Word: אוֹ (ʼôw) | |
| Exodus 21:18 | “And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:” Word: אוֹ (ʼôw) | |
| Leviticus 13:53 | “And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;” Word: אוֹ (ʼôw) | |
| Judges 11:34 | “And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.” Word: אוֹ (ʼôw) | |
| 2 Samuel 18:13 | “Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.” Word: אוֹ (ʼôw) |