The Hebrew word hên, represented by H2004, serves as an emphatic pronoun for they, and is also used idiomatically to mean therein, wherein, or withal. It appears 16 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. Its primary function is to refer back to a plural noun, often adding emphasis or specifying a location or instrument.
In the biblical narrative, H2004 is used to connect an action or state to a previously mentioned plural subject. It can specify a location, such as the cities H5892 in the which H2004 Lot H3876 dwelt H3427 Genesis 19:29. It also points to the instruments of a ritual act, as when Nadab and Abihu put fire H784 therein H2004 their censers H4289, resulting in judgment Leviticus 10:1. The word also functions as an emphatic "they" in direct comparisons, as when Jerusalem's sins are described as more abominable H8581 than they H2004, referring to her sisters Ezekiel 16:52.
Several related words help clarify the nouns and actions to which H2004 refers:
- H5892 ʻîyr (city): This word for city often serves as the antecedent for H2004. For example, Jeremiah prophesies that the cities H5892 of Moab will become desolate, with none to dwell H3427 therein H2004 Jeremiah 48:9.
- H1219 bâtsar (fenced): This term for being fenced or fortified describes the walls wherein H2004 the people placed their trust, which God warned would come down H3381 Deuteronomy 28:52.
- H4289 machtâh (censer): A censer or firepan. This object is what H2004 refers to when Nadab and Abihu put H5414 fire H784 therein H2004 in an act of unauthorized worship Leviticus 10:1.
While a functional pronoun, the theological weight of H2004 is revealed in the contexts it highlights.
- Locus of Transgression: The word often points to the place or object where a sin occurs. It identifies the censers H4289 that held the "strange fire" H2114 Leviticus 10:1 and the stones H68 in which H2004 the plague H5061 was found Leviticus 14:40, demonstrating that the location or instrument of sin is significant.
- Object of Misplaced Trust: The word is used to identify the source of false security. God warns that the high H1364 and fenced H1219 walls H2346 wherein H2004 the people trustedst H982 will ultimately come down H3381, exposing the futility of trusting in anything besides the LORD H3068 Deuteronomy 28:52.
- Emphatic Moral Comparison: In Ezekiel, H2004 is used emphatically as "they" to draw a sharp contrast in judgment. Jerusalem is condemned for committing sins more abominable H8581 than they H2004, her sisters, and for being corrupted more than they H2004 (Ezekiel 16:47, Ezekiel 16:52).
In summary, H2004 is more than a simple pronoun. It is a crucial pointer that adds emphasis and precision to the biblical text. By identifying what is being referred to—be it cities H5892 for judgment, walls H2346 of false trust, or holy vessels H3627—it directs the reader's attention to the specific subjects of divine commands, human actions, and theological consequences. It illustrates how even grammatical function words are indispensable for a full understanding of scripture.
TRV