a prolonged form of הוֹ (akin to אוֹי); oh!; ah, alas, ho, O, woe.
Transliteration:hôwy
Pronunciation:hoh'ee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew interjection hôwy `{{H1945}}` is a versatile term derived from a base akin to אוֹי `{{H188}}`. Its primary function is to express strong emotion, particularly lament, sorrow, or a solemn warning. The semantic range of hôwy encompasses:
* **Lament or Sorrow:** Expressing deep distress, grief, or regret, often translated as "alas" or "woe." This usage conveys a cry of pain or despair.
* **Warning or Threat:** Most commonly, it introduces a pronouncement of impending judgment or doom, translated as "woe to..." This form is characteristic of prophetic oracles.
* **Summons or Exclamation:** In rarer instances, it functions as a call for attention or an general exclamation, rendered as "ho!" or "O!" This usage can carry a nuance of urgency or invitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
hôwy `{{H1945}}` appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, with its usage heavily concentrated in the prophetic books, where it serves as a powerful rhetorical device.
* **Expressions of Lament/Sorrow:**
* In [[1 Kings 13:30]], it is used by the old prophet in mourning over the dead man of God: "Alas, my brother!" (hôwy 'āḥî).
* [[Jeremiah 22:18]] employs it in a lament for King Josiah, expressing deep grief: "Alas, lord! or Alas, his glory!" (hôwy 'ādôn wᵉhôwy hôdô).
* **Pronouncements of Warning/Judgment ("Woe Oracles"):** This is the most prevalent and significant use of hôwy. It introduces a series of condemnations against various sins and announces the divine consequences.
* The book of Isaiah contains numerous "woe oracles," particularly in chapter 5, where hôwy is repeated to denounce social injustices, moral depravity, and arrogance: "Woe to those who join house to house..." ([[Isaiah 5:8]]), "Woe to those who rise early in the morning for strong drink..." ([[Isaiah 5:11]]), "Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood..." ([[Isaiah 5:18]]), "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil..." ([[Isaiah 5:20]]), "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes..." ([[Isaiah 5:21]]), and "Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine..." ([[Isaiah 5:22]]).
* Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel also utilize hôwy to condemn corrupt leadership and false prophecy: "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" ([[Jeremiah 23:1]]), "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, but have seen nothing!" ([[Ezekiel 13:3]]).
* The Minor Prophets similarly employ it to warn against complacency, injustice, and pride: "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!" ([[Amos 5:18]]), and a series of "woes" against the Chaldeans in [[Habakkuk 2:6]], [[Habakkiel 2:9]], [[Habakkuk 2:12]], [[Habakkuk 2:15]], [[Habakkuk 2:19]].
* **Summons/Exclamation:**
* A notable instance is found in [[Isaiah 55:1]], where hôwy functions as an urgent invitation: "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters..." This demonstrates that while often associated with judgment, the word can also convey a call to spiritual life.
* Similarly, in [[Zechariah 2:6]] (MT 2:10), it is used as a call to action: "Ho! Ho! Flee from the land of the north!"
### Related Words & Concepts
hôwy `{{H1945}}` is explicitly defined as a prolonged form of hô (implied, not a Strong's number) and akin to אוֹי `{{H188}}`.
* אוֹי `{{H188}}`: This word also translates to "woe" or "alas," and is often an exclamation of pain, distress, or sorrow. The relationship suggests hôwy carries a similar emotional weight but might be more emphatic or formal, particularly in its prophetic usage.
* אֲבוֹי `{{H187}}`: Another related term, also meaning "woe," found in [[Proverbs 23:29]] in the context of the consequences of drunkenness.
The concept of "woe" in the biblical context is intrinsically linked to:
* **Divine Justice:** The "woe oracles" are a staple of prophetic literature, serving as declarations of God's righteous judgment against sin, particularly social injustice, idolatry, and moral corruption.
* **Covenant Curses:** The pronouncements of "woe" often echo the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant ([[Deuteronomy 28]]), where disobedience leads to dire consequences and suffering.
* **Lamentation:** The term is naturally connected to the broader biblical theme of lament, both personal and communal, which expresses sorrow and suffering in the face of tragedy or divine discipline.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of hôwy `{{H1945}}` is profound, especially in its prophetic usage:
* **Manifestation of God's Holiness and Justice:** The frequent appearance of hôwy in "woe oracles" powerfully underscores God's absolute holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice. Sin, particularly that which violates covenant obligations and human dignity, evokes His righteous indignation. The "woe" is not merely an expression of anger but a formal declaration of the inevitable and severe consequences that flow from rebellion against a holy and just God.
* **Assertion of Prophetic Authority:** When a prophet declares "Woe!", they are speaking with divine authority, conveying God's solemn warning and judgment. This asserts God's sovereignty over human affairs and His ultimate accountability for all actions, reminding humanity of the gravity of their choices.
* **Implicit Call to Repentance:** While often a pronouncement of impending doom, the "woe" implicitly serves as a final, urgent call to repentance. The declaration of judgment is intended to awaken the people to their sin, expose their folly, and prompt them to turn back to God before the declared consequences are fully realized. The exceptional invitational use in [[Isaiah 55:1]] ("Ho! Everyone who thirsts...") highlights that even amidst stern warnings, God's mercy and invitation to salvation remain open for those who respond.
* **Human Accountability:** The "woe" places the responsibility for suffering and calamity squarely on human choices and actions. It emphasizes the principle of sowing and reaping, where unrighteousness inevitably leads to lamentable and destructive outcomes, both individually and corporately.
### Summary
The Hebrew interjection hôwy `{{H1945}}` is a potent and versatile term, primarily functioning as an expression of lament or, more significantly, as a solemn prophetic warning. Its semantic range includes "alas," "ah," "ho," "O," and "woe." While it can signify personal grief ([[1 Kings 13:30]]), its most prominent usage in the Hebrew Bible, particularly within prophetic literature, is as a "woe oracle," introducing pronouncements of divine judgment against sin ([[Isaiah 5:8]], [[Jeremiah 23:1]], [[Habakkuk 2:6]]). This usage powerfully conveys God's unwavering justice and holiness, serving as a stern warning against societal and individual transgressions. Less frequently, it functions as a summons or invitation, as seen in [[Isaiah 55:1]] ("Ho! Everyone who thirsts..."), demonstrating a broader exclamatory capacity. hôwy is closely related to אוֹי `{{H188}}` and underscores core biblical themes of divine accountability, the inevitable consequences of sin, and the prophetic call to repentance in the face of impending judgment.
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