הֵן (hen)
hen
look!
H:IntjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 254 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intj
Word Overview
The Hebrew word hen functions primarily as an interjection meaning "behold" or "lo," serving to arrest the reader’s attention. Unlike the more common hinneh, which often introduces a divine announcement, hen is typically used in prose to highlight a specific fact that demands a practical response or leads to a logical conclusion. It acts as a verbal spotlight, directing focus to a reality that requires immediate acknowledgment.
Beyond its demonstrative use, hen also carries a conditional sense, translating as "if" or "though." This dual nature allows it to bridge observation and hypothesis. For instance, in Job 13:15, the phrase "though he slay me" uses this conditional nuance to express steadfast trust despite potential loss. Similarly, Jeremiah 2:10 employs it in a rhetorical question, asking readers to consider whether such a thing has ever occurred.
With over two hundred occurrences across Scripture, particularly in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Job, hen appears frequently in contexts of debate and reflection. Its etymology links it to other Semitic demonstratives, yet its biblical usage remains distinct in its concise, attention-grabbing style. Translators often render it as "behold" or "lo," though the underlying sense is less about visual sight and more about intellectual focus.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When the Hebrew word hen appears in Scripture, it acts like a sudden spotlight on a specific reality. It is not merely an old-fashioned way of saying "look," but a call to pay close attention to what is true right now. In moments of fear or uncertainty, this word invites us to shift our focus from our own limitations to the facts of God's presence and promise.
Consider Genesis 15:3, where Abram uses hen to acknowledge his current lack of children while still holding onto God's covenant. This usage shows that faith often begins with honestly stating our situation before God. By naming our reality clearly, we create space for divine intervention. The word reminds us that God sees the details of our lives and is ready to respond to them.
In your daily walk, you might find comfort in this simple act of attention. When anxiety rises, pause to identify one truth about God's character or past faithfulness. Let hen guide you to fix your eyes on that reality rather than the chaos around you. This practice helps ground your heart in what is certain, offering peace that comes from trusting a God who notices every detail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 254 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- here/ I107×
- there!45×
- here!43×
- here [am]/ I16×
- there/ they11×
- here/ you9×
- here [are]/ we4×
- and/ there/ they4×
- here/ we3×
- and/ here/ you3×
- there/ he2×
- and/ here!2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִנְ/נִ֨י34×
- הֵ֣ן30×
- הֵ֤ן20×
- הִנְ/נִ֥י19×
- הִנְ/נִ֣י16×
- הִנְ/נִ֤י14×
- הֶן\־12×
- הִנָּ֣/ם9×
- הִנְ/נִי֙8×
- הֵ֥ן7×
- הִנְ/נִי֩7×
- הֵן\־6×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:3
Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
Abram uses this interjection to honestly present his current childlessness while still engaging with God's promise, showing how the word grounds faith in present reality.
-
Exodus 6:12
Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, when I have uncircumcised lips?”
Moses employs the word to highlight his perceived inadequacy ('uncircumcised lips'), demonstrating its use in expressing human hesitation before a divine commission.
-
Genesis 39:8
But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand.
Joseph uses this term to emphasize the practical reality of his master's trust, reinforcing his moral stance against sin by pointing to the obvious facts of his position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word hen mean?
How is hen different from hinneh?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (254 verses across 28 books)
Genesis 19 verses
Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand,…
Genesis 4:14Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a…
Genesis 6:13God said to Noah, “I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will…
Genesis 9:9“As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,
Genesis 11:6Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now…
Genesis 15:3Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
Genesis 19:34It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father.…
Genesis 27:11Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
Genesis 27:37Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants. I have…
Genesis 29:7He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go…
Genesis 30:34Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.”
Genesis 39:8But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has…
Genesis 40:6Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad.
Genesis 41:17Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river;
Genesis 44:8Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then…
Genesis 44:16Judah said, “What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? How will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity…
Genesis 47:1Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all…
Genesis 47:23Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for…
Genesis 48:4and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and…