The meaning of “לוּא”
Understanding lûwʼ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or לֻא luʼ (loo); or לוּ lûw (loo) if (haply), peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that). - a conditi...
לוּא
or לֻא luʼ (loo); or לוּ lûw (loo) if (haply), peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that). - a conditional particle - if - by implication (interj. as a wish) would that! 1) if, oh that!, if only! 1a) if (unlikely condition) 1b) if only!, oh that!, would that!
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 30:34 | “And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.” Word: לוּא (lûwʼ) | |
| Deuteronomy 32:29 | “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Word: לוּא (lûwʼ) | |
| Judges 13:23 | “But his wife said unto him, If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.” Word: לוּא (lûwʼ) | |
| 2 Samuel 19:6 | “In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.” Word: לוּא (lûwʼ) | |
| Psalms 81:13 | “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!” Word: לוּא (lûwʼ) |