a prolonged and separable form of the prepositional prefix; to or for; at, for, to, upon.
Transliteration:lᵉmôw
Pronunciation:lem-o'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word לְמוֹ (lᵉmôw, `{{H3926}}`) is a unique and archaic prepositional form, often functioning as a pronominal suffix. It is best understood as a compound of the preposition לְ (le-, `{{H3824}}`), meaning "to" or "for," and מוֹ (mô), an older or poetic form of the third-person pronominal suffix, typically meaning "him" or "them." Thus, its primary semantic range encompasses "to him," "for him," "to them," or "for them." While the base definition provided by Strong's notes it as a "prolonged and separable form of the prepositional prefix," this refers to its ability to stand independently and its extended vocalization compared to the simple לְ. It primarily serves as a dative or accusative pronoun, indicating the recipient or object of an action, direction, or possession. Its usage is almost exclusively confined to poetic and elevated language.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of לְמוֹ (lᵉmôw, `{{H3926}}`) are notably rare in the Hebrew Bible, primarily appearing in poetic books, which underscores its archaic and stylistic nature. A key example is found in [[Psalm 11:7]]: "For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." In the Hebrew, the phrase is "לְמוֹ יֶחֱזוּ פְּנֵימוֹ" (lemo yechezu peneymo). Here, לְמוֹ functions as the object of the verb "behold," meaning "them," referring to "the upright." Thus, the verse can be rendered, "His face beholds *them* (the upright)." This usage highlights God's direct observation and engagement with the righteous.
Another instance, though less clear-cut in some analyses, points to its function as a pronominal suffix attached to a noun, as in [[Job 27:23]]: "Men shall clap their hands *at him* (כַּפֵּימוֹ - kafpeymo), and shall hiss him out of his place." Here, כַּפֵּימוֹ (their hands) uses the מוֹ suffix, indicating possession ("their"). While this specific example does not list H3926 itself, it illustrates the pronominal suffix מוֹ which is integral to the formation and meaning of לְמוֹ. The rarity of לְמוֹ as a standalone word distinct from לָמוֹ (lamo, `{{H3927}}`) further emphasizes its specialized, poetic role.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to לְמוֹ (lᵉmôw, `{{H3926}}`) is the fundamental Hebrew preposition לְ (le-, `{{H3824}}`), which serves as its base. Understanding לְמוֹ requires an appreciation of Hebrew pronominal suffixes, particularly those in the third person. While common suffixes for "him" or "them" are -וֹ (ô) or -הֶם (hem), מוֹ represents an older or more poetic variant. This form connects to the broader phenomenon of archaic language in biblical poetry, where unique grammatical structures and vocabulary are employed for literary and theological effect. Conceptually, לְמוֹ operates within the grammatical framework of the dative and accusative cases, indicating the indirect or direct object of a verb or the recipient of an action.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of לְמוֹ (lᵉmôw, `{{H3926}}`), though tied to a rare linguistic form, is profound in its specific contexts. In [[Psalm 11:7]], for instance, its use to denote "them" (the upright) as the object of God's gaze (לְמוֹ יֶחֱזוּ פְּנֵימוֹ) powerfully conveys God's active and personal involvement in the lives of the righteous. It speaks to a divine attentiveness and care, emphasizing that God is not a distant deity but one whose "countenance doth behold" those who walk in integrity. This highlights themes of divine justice, observation, and intimate relationship between the Creator and His creation. The very choice of an archaic, poetic form like לְמוֹ in such a context can elevate the theological statement, imbuing it with a sense of timeless truth and reverent solemnity. It underscores the profound nature of God's interaction with humanity, particularly His commitment to the upright.
### Summary
לְמוֹ (lᵉmôw, `{{H3926}}`) is a distinctive and infrequent Hebrew word, primarily found in poetic texts. It functions as a prepositional pronoun, meaning "to him/them" or "for him/them," formed from the preposition לְ (`{{H3824}}`) and an archaic third-person pronominal suffix מוֹ. Its "prolonged" and "separable" nature sets it apart as a standalone element, adding emphasis or a formal tone. As exemplified in [[Psalm 11:7]], לְמוֹ serves to highlight God's direct and personal engagement with individuals or groups, particularly the righteous. Its rare and poetic usage contributes to the richness and depth of the biblical text, conveying profound theological truths about divine observation, justice, and the intimate relationship between God and His people.
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