אִי (i)
i
woe!
H:IntjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intj
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ’î is an exclamation of grief, translated as "woe" or "alas!" It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the book of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 4:13 and 10:16). In these contexts, it serves as a sharp emotional marker, signaling distress over specific social or political injustices.
Its usage is tightly linked to themes of poor leadership and societal decay. For instance, in Ecclesiastes 10:16, the exclamation highlights the misery of a land ruled by a child king. The word captures a sense of lamentation rather than simple surprise, emphasizing the heavy burden placed on people by foolish or oppressive authority.
As a late Hebrew interjection, ’î reflects the reflective and often pessimistic tone characteristic of Ecclesiastes. It functions as a vocal sigh of resignation, marking moments where human wisdom fails to protect the vulnerable from the consequences of bad governance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ’î expresses a deep sigh of grief or distress. It appears only twice in Scripture, both in Ecclesiastes, where it marks moments of heavy burden and social injustice. This rare interjection reminds us that life under broken systems can feel overwhelming, yet God sees the weight we carry.
In Ecclesiastes 10:16, this cry highlights the misery caused by foolish leadership. It is not a curse but a lament, acknowledging human frailty and the pain of poor governance. For believers, it validates our feelings when circumstances seem unjust, inviting us to trust in God’s ultimate justice rather than despair.
When you face difficult seasons or unfair treatment, this word shows that honest lament is part of faithful living. You are not alone in your sorrow; even the wisest writers expressed deep concern for their communities. Bring these heavy feelings to God, who hears every sigh and cares for the vulnerable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- woe!1×
- and/ woe! to/ <the>/ him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אִ֣י/ל֗/וֹ1×
- אִֽי\־1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:16
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
This occurrence uses the word to lament the specific misery of a land ruled by an immature king, highlighting how poor leadership burdens the people.
-
Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.
Here the word marks the distress of isolation, warning of the danger faced when someone falls without community support to help them rise again.