אָבִי (a.veh)
a.veh
oh that!
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The word ’avi is an exclamation in Biblical Hebrew that translates to "oh that!" or "would that it were so." It expresses a deep sense of longing or regret for something that has not happened and likely will not happen. With only one occurrence in the entire Hebrew Bible, it appears in Job 3:20 as part of Job’s lament about the suffering of those who are alive but wish they had never been born.
This term captures a specific emotional weight: the pain of unfulfilled desire or the heavy sigh of resignation. It is not merely a casual wish but a profound expression of despair, highlighting the tension between human suffering and divine justice. The rarity of its use underscores the intensity of Job’s anguish in that moment.
Translators typically render ’avi as "oh that" or "would that," preserving the exclamatory nature of the original language. Its singular appearance in Scripture makes it a unique marker of extreme emotional distress, offering readers a glimpse into the raw honesty of biblical lament.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ’avi is a rare exclamation meaning "oh that!" or "would that it were so." It appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in Job 3:20. This single occurrence captures a profound sense of longing and regret for something that has not happened and likely never will. It is not a casual wish but a deep sigh of resignation, highlighting the tension between human suffering and divine justice.
When we encounter this word, we see the raw honesty of biblical lament. Job uses it to express the pain of those who are alive but wish they had never been born. This term validates our own moments of despair, showing that even the most faithful can feel the weight of unfulfilled desire. It reminds us that God can handle our deepest questions and darkest emotions without judgment.
In your own life, you may find yourself wishing for things to be different. This word invites you to bring those heavy sighs directly to God. You do not need to hide your pain or pretend everything is fine. Instead, you can trust that He hears your cries and walks with you through the valley of shadow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- would that!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָבִ֗י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 34:36
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
This verse uses a related Hebrew term to express Elihu's intense desire for Job to be fully tested, mirroring the longing sentiment found in Job’s own lament.