בִּי
oh that!; with leave, or if it please
Definition
The Hebrew word בִּי (bîy) is an interjection or particle of entreaty, best translated as 'Oh, please!' or 'Alas!' It expresses a strong, urgent request, often in a context of humility, desperation, or deep emotion. It is almost exclusively used when addressing a superior, especially God or a human lord, to preface a plea or an objection, as seen when Moses pleads with God in Exodus 4:10, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent.' In some instances, it carries a sense of 'if it please (you),' introducing a respectful appeal, such as when Judah approaches Joseph in Genesis 44:18.
Biblical Usage
בִּי is used 12 times in the Old Testament, always preceding the phrase 'my lord' (אֲדֹנִי). It appears in contexts of prayerful supplication to God (Exodus 4:10, 4:13; Numbers 12:11; Joshua 7:8) and in urgent appeals to human authorities (Genesis 43:20; 44:18; Judges 6:13, 6:15). The pattern shows it is a formal, deferential word used by someone in a subordinate position to soften a bold request or to express distress before a superior.
Etymology
The etymology of בִּי is uncertain, but it is often connected to the root בָּעָה (H1158), meaning 'to ask, seek, or request.' This suggests its core meaning developed from the concept of asking or entreating. As a particle, it became a specialized, polite formula for introducing a plea, losing its verbal force and functioning solely as an adverb of entreaty.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it models the posture of prayer and supplication. Its exclusive pairing with 'my Lord' highlights the biblical principle of approaching divine or delegated authority with humility and reverence. Understanding בִּי enriches reading by revealing the emotional weight and respectful desperation in key dialogues, such as Moses's call or the prayers of the judges, showing that biblical figures often approached God with raw honesty framed in deference.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, בִּי reflects formal protocols of address to a superior. Using such a particle before making a request was a crucial mark of respect and social etiquette, acknowledging the authority and favor of the one being addressed. This differs from modern, often more direct, speech, emphasizing the high value placed on hierarchical relationships and polite petition.
נָא (nā, H4994) — A common particle for 'please' or 'now,' used more broadly and frequently than בִּי without the exclusive 'my lord' pairing. אָנָּא (ʾannāʾ, H577) — An intense plea meaning 'I beseech you!' often used in prayers of entreaty (e.g., Psalm 118:25).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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