הִנֵּה (hin.neh)
hin.neh
behold
H:IntjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 678 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intj
Word Overview
The Hebrew word hinnêh serves as a demonstrative particle that commands attention, typically translated as "behold," "look," or "see." It functions to point out persons, objects, places, or actions with immediacy. The sources indicate it is frequently used in lively narration and descriptions to draw the reader’s eye to a specific reality, such as when God promises provisions in Genesis 1:29 or when Joseph describes his dreams in Genesis 37.
A notable feature of hinnêh is its ability to attach personal pronouns directly to itself. This creates forms like hineni, meaning "here I am," which appears when Abraham responds to God’s call in Genesis 22:1 and when the young Samuel answers in 1 Samuel 3:5. This grammatical structure emphasizes presence and readiness rather than just visual observation.
While most often used for pointing, hinnêh can also carry an incitative sense, urging action or response. In Psalm 134:1, it introduces a call to praise the Lord. Translators generally render it as "behold" or "lo," preserving its function as a linguistic signal that something significant is about to be seen or heard.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hinnêh acts as a gentle tap on the shoulder in Scripture. It invites you to pause and notice what God is doing right now. When you read 'behold,' it signals that something important is being revealed, whether it is a promise, a warning, or a simple fact about creation.
This word reminds us that God wants our full attention. He does not hide the truth from those who seek Him. In Genesis 1:29, He uses hinnêh to introduce His generous provision for humanity. This shows that He cares about our daily needs and wants us to see His goodness clearly.
You can trust that God speaks with clarity. When you encounter this word in your reading, take a moment to slow down. Let the text sink in before moving on. This practice helps you stay connected to the reality of His presence in your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 678 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ there!268×
- here!260×
- there!126×
- and/ here!29×
- here [am]/ I9×
- there/ they6×
- here/ you5×
- and/ there/ they5×
- here/ they2×
- here/ we1×
- here/ I1×
- and/ there/ he1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִנֵּ֥ה55×
- הִנֵּ֤ה55×
- וְ/הִנֵּ֥ה54×
- הִנֵּה\־51×
- הִנֵּ֨ה49×
- הִנֵּ֣ה46×
- וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה36×
- וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה36×
- וְ/הִנֵּ֨ה31×
- וְ/הִנֵּה֙27×
- וְ/הִנֵּה\־27×
- הִנֵּ֛ה23×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:29
God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.
God uses hinnêh to introduce His generous provision of food, showing He cares for our basic needs.
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Genesis 15:4
Behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.”
The word marks a direct correction to Abram’s assumption, highlighting God’s precise control over lineage.
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Genesis 18:10
He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.
Hinnêh introduces the miraculous promise of Isaac’s birth, emphasizing the certainty of God’s timeline.
-
Genesis 18:27
Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes.
Abraham uses a related form to approach God with humility, recognizing his own smallness before the Creator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hinnêh mean in the Bible?
Why is hinnêh used so often in Genesis?
How is hinnêh different from a simple command to look?
Every Occurrence (678 verses across 32 books)
Genesis 108 verses
God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree,…
Genesis 1:31God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth…
Genesis 6:12God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 6:17I, even I, will bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the…
Genesis 8:11The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the…
Genesis 8:13In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth.…
Genesis 12:11When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to…
Genesis 12:19Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, see your wife, take her, and go…
Genesis 15:3Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
Genesis 15:4Behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body…
Genesis 15:12When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him.
Genesis 15:17It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed…
Genesis 16:2Sarai said to Abram, “See now, Yahweh has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will…
Genesis 16:6But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt…
Genesis 16:11Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because…
Genesis 16:14Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 17:4“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Genesis 17:20As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him…
Genesis 18:2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the…
Genesis 18:9They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.”
Genesis 18:10He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.”…
Genesis 18:27Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes.
Genesis 18:31He said, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord. What if there are twenty found there?” He said, “I…
Genesis 19:2and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can…
Genesis 19:8See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to…
Genesis 19:19See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown…
Genesis 19:20See now, this city is near to flee to, and it is a little one. Oh let me escape there (isn’t it a little one?), and my…
Genesis 19:21He said to him, “Behold, I have granted your request concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of…
Genesis 19:28He looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and saw that the smoke of the land went up…
Genesis 20:3But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman…
Genesis 20:15Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.”
Genesis 20:16To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of…
Genesis 22:1After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”
Genesis 22:7Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and…
Genesis 22:11Yahweh’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”
Genesis 22:13Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham…
Genesis 22:20After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:
Genesis 24:13Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Genesis 24:15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of…
Genesis 24:30When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,…
Genesis 24:43behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will…
Genesis 24:45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to…
Genesis 24:51Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Yahweh has spoken.”
Genesis 24:63Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels…
Genesis 25:24When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
Genesis 25:32Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”
Genesis 26:8When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold,…
Genesis 26:9Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to…
Genesis 27:1When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My…
Genesis 27:2He said, “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death.
Genesis 27:6Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying,
Genesis 27:18He came to his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”
Genesis 27:36He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now…
Genesis 27:39Isaac his father answered him, “Behold, your dwelling will be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of the sky…
Genesis 27:42The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him,…
Genesis 28:12He dreamed and saw a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God were…
Genesis 28:13Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. I will…
Genesis 28:15Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not…
Genesis 29:2He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they…
Genesis 29:6He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”
Genesis 29:25In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for…
Genesis 30:3She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.”
Genesis 31:2Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
Genesis 31:10During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock…
Genesis 31:11The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’
Genesis 31:51Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.
Genesis 33:1Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the…
Genesis 34:21“These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For behold, the land is large…
Genesis 37:7for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your…
Genesis 37:9He dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, “Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and…
Genesis 37:13Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” He said…
Genesis 37:15A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, “What are you looking for?”
Genesis 37:19They said to one another, “Behold, this dreamer comes.
Genesis 37:25They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from…
Genesis 37:29Reuben returned to the pit, and saw that Joseph wasn’t in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
Genesis 38:13Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
Genesis 38:23Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.”
Genesis 38:24About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold,…
Genesis 38:27In the time of her travail, behold, twins were in her womb.
Genesis 38:29As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?”…
Genesis 40:9The chief cup bearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me,
Genesis 40:16When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold,…
Genesis 41:1At the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreamed, and behold, he stood by the river.
Genesis 41:2Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.
Genesis 41:3Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the…
Genesis 41:5He slept and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good.
Genesis 41:6Behold, seven heads of grain, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.
Genesis 41:7The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
Genesis 41:18and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass;
Genesis 41:19and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of…
Genesis 41:22I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good;
Genesis 41:23and behold, seven heads of grain, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.
Genesis 41:29Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming.
Genesis 42:2He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may…
Genesis 42:13They said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest…
Genesis 42:22Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen?…
Genesis 42:27As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the…
Genesis 42:28He said to his brothers, “My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!” Their hearts failed them, and they turned…
Genesis 42:35As they emptied their sacks, behold, each man’s bundle of money was in his sack. When they and their father saw their…
Genesis 43:21When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our…
Genesis 45:12Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
Genesis 46:2God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He said, “Here I am.”
Genesis 48:1After these things, someone said to Joseph, “Behold, your father is sick.” He took with him his two sons, Manasseh and…
Genesis 48:2Someone told Jacob, and said, “Behold, your son Joseph comes to you,” and Israel strengthened himself, and sat on the…
Genesis 48:11Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”
Genesis 48:21Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.
Genesis 50:5‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of…
Genesis 50:18His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”