or לֻא; or לוּ; a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!; if (haply), peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that).
Transliteration:lûwʼ
Pronunciation:loo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew particle `{{H3863}}` (לוּא, transliterated *lûwʼ*) is primarily a conditional particle, most often translated as "if." Its semantic range, however, extends significantly beyond a simple conditional, encompassing a strong optative or volitional sense. This expanded meaning allows it to express a fervent wish, a lament, or a hypothetical desire. Thus, it can be rendered as "would that!", "I would," "would God (that)," "peradventure," or "I pray thee." The nuance between a neutral "if" and an impassioned "would that!" is often determined by the surrounding context, particularly the speaker and the emotional content of the passage. It introduces a hypothetical scenario, a desired outcome, or a regret concerning a past unfulfilled possibility.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The versatility of `{{H3863}}` is evident across various biblical contexts. As a simple conditional, it functions much like "if," setting up a premise for a consequence, as seen in [[Genesis 30:31]]: "If you will do this thing for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it."
More powerfully, `{{H3863}}` frequently conveys an earnest wish or a lament, often reflecting deep emotion. In [[Numbers 14:2]], the Israelites express their profound despair: "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!" Here, the particle conveys a desperate longing for an alternative, even death. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah laments in [[Jeremiah 9:2]]: "Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, that I might leave my people and go away from them!"
Significantly, `{{H3863}}` is also employed in divine speech, revealing the heart of God. In [[Deuteronomy 5:29]], the Lord expresses a profound desire for His people: "Oh that they had such a heart in them always to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!" This is not a simple conditional but a divine lament and a heartfelt wish for Israel's welfare, underscoring God's desire for their obedience and blessing. A similar divine yearning is found in [[Psalm 81:13]]: "Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!" and [[Isaiah 48:18]]: "Oh, that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." These instances highlight God's relational pathos and His grief over His people's disobedience.
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{H3863}}` operates within a semantic field that includes other particles introducing conditions or expressing desire. The most common Hebrew conditional particle is `{{H518}}` (אִם, *ʼim*), which typically introduces a straightforward "if" clause without the strong optative nuance often present in `{{H3863}}`. While `{{H3588}}` (כִּי, *kî*) primarily means "that" or "because," it can occasionally introduce conditional or hypothetical clauses, though less frequently than `{{H3863}}` or `{{H518}}`.
Conceptually, `{{H3863}}` is closely tied to the biblical themes of:
* **Covenant:** Many covenants are conditional, requiring human obedience for divine blessing. While `{{H3863}}` may not always introduce the covenant's explicit terms, its use in divine lament (e.g., "Oh that you had...") reflects the broken conditions of the covenant.
* **Human Responsibility:** The particle's use in both human and divine speech underscores the concept of human agency and the consequences of choices. When humans use it, it often reflects their awareness of potential outcomes or their desire to alter a situation.
* **Divine Pathos:** As noted, its use in divine laments profoundly reveals God's emotional investment in His relationship with humanity, His sorrow over sin, and His earnest desire for His people's flourishing.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of `{{H3863}}` lies primarily in its capacity to express profound desire, particularly on the part of God. When God utters "Oh that!" (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 5:29]], [[Psalm 81:13]], [[Isaiah 48:18]]), it offers a unique window into the divine heart. It reveals a God who is not merely an impassive sovereign but one who genuinely desires a reciprocal relationship with His creation. This divine "would that!" signifies a longing for human obedience, not out of divine need, but out of a desire for humanity's good and flourishing. It underscores His love, patience, and the sorrow He experiences when His people stray. This expression of divine pathos does not diminish God's sovereignty but rather enriches our understanding of His relational nature and His profound commitment to His covenant people.
For humanity, the use of `{{H3863}}` often reflects a deep awareness of missed opportunities, a yearning for a different reality, or a plea for divine intervention. It highlights the human condition of longing and dependence, and the capacity for both hope and lament in the face of life's circumstances. In prayer, it can articulate the fervent desires of the human heart before God, aligning human will with perceived divine will.
### Summary
`{{H3863}}` (לוּא, *lûwʼ*) is a versatile Hebrew particle serving primarily as a conditional "if," but powerfully extending to express a fervent wish or lament, often translated as "would that!" or "oh that!" Its usage in the Hebrew Bible reveals not only human desires and regrets but, most significantly, the profound pathos of God. When God employs this particle, it unveils His earnest longing for His people's obedience and well-being, demonstrating His relational heart and His sorrow over their disobedience. Thus, `{{H3863}}` is a key term for understanding both human responsibility and the depth of divine love and desire within the biblical narrative.
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