הָ (ha)
ha
her
Os3fQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 393 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- Os3f
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ha is a third-person feminine singular object suffix, typically translated as "her." It attaches to prepositions and verbs that lack their own direct objects to indicate that the action or relationship involves a female person or thing. With over three hundred occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, it appears frequently across various books, including Jeremiah, Joshua, and Numbers.
This grammatical marker is essential for clarity in sentences where the gender of the recipient is distinct from the subject. For example, when a verb meaning "to love" or "to hear" needs an object but has none explicitly stated, ha provides that link. It ensures the reader understands exactly who is receiving the action, distinguishing it from masculine or plural forms.
Its presence helps translators render the text accurately by preserving the specific gender dynamics of the original narrative. Without this suffix, many passages would lose precision regarding who is being addressed or acted upon. The word functions as a simple but vital connector in Hebrew syntax, grounding abstract verbs in concrete human relationships.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ha is a small but vital grammatical piece meaning "her." It attaches to verbs and prepositions to show that a woman is the specific recipient of an action or relationship. In the Hebrew Bible, this suffix appears hundreds of times, ensuring that readers know exactly who is being loved, heard, or addressed. This precision matters because it preserves the distinct role of women in the biblical narrative.
For your faith life, this detail reminds us that God notices individuals by name and gender. When Scripture uses ha, it highlights personal encounters between God and women, such as Hagar in the wilderness or Rebekah at the well. These are not generic moments; they are specific interactions where a woman’s experience is recorded with care.
This grammatical marker grounds abstract divine actions in concrete human relationships. It shows that the biblical text values clarity and personal connection. As you read, notice how often God speaks directly to women, affirming their place in His story through these precise linguistic choices.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 393 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to <the>/ her66×
- in <the>/ it64×
- in/ it49×
- to/ her26×
- to <the>/ it14×
- [was] in <the>/ it12×
- on/ it11×
- to/ it8×
- on <the>/ it8×
- for <the>/ her8×
- by <the>/ it8×
- <to> <the>/ it8×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּֽ/הּ\׃39×
- לָ֖/הּ31×
- לָ֔/הּ24×
- בָּ֔/הּ22×
- בָּ֑/הּ22×
- בָ֔/הּ22×
- לָ/הּ֙21×
- בָֽ/הּ\׃19×
- לָֽ/הּ\׃18×
- בָּ֖/הּ18×
- לָ֑/הּ16×
- לָ֥/הּ14×
Key Verses
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Genesis 16:9
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.”
The angel uses the suffix to command Hagar specifically to return to her mistress, highlighting a direct personal instruction.
-
Genesis 21:17
God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
God calls out to Hagar individually, using the suffix to address her directly in a moment of distress and divine reassurance.
-
Genesis 25:23
Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
Yahweh speaks to Rebekah about the nations in her womb, using the suffix to establish her as the recipient of a significant prophetic revelation.
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Genesis 16:10
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”
The angel promises multiplied offspring to Hagar, with the suffix marking her as the specific beneficiary of this divine pledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ha mean?
How is ha different from other Hebrew pronouns?
Where does this word appear frequently?
Every Occurrence (393 verses across 33 books)
Genesis 24 verses
Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.”
Genesis 11:30Sarai was barren. She had no child.
Genesis 16:1Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
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 16:9Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.”
Genesis 16:10Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”
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 20:13When God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me.…
Genesis 21:16She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of…
Genesis 21:17God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you,…
Genesis 21:23Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son.…
Genesis 24:14Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says,…
Genesis 24:21The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.
Genesis 24:60They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your…
Genesis 25:23Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be…
Genesis 29:24Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant.
Genesis 29:29Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.
Genesis 30:15Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes,…
Genesis 34:10You shall dwell with us, and the land will be before you. Live and trade in it, and get possessions in it.”
Genesis 35:17When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for now you will have another son.”
Genesis 38:18He said, “What pledge will I give you?” She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” He…
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 42:38He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along…
Genesis 47:27Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were…