H0061 H0061
Adverb: (older) indeed, truly, of a truth; (later) but, however, nevertheless
A small but significant Hebrew adverb whose force shifted over time. In the older narrative literature—Genesis through Kings—it carries an asseverative punch: 'Indeed, we are guilty concerning our brother' (Gen 42:21); 'Truly, king Solomon has been made king' (1 Kgs 1:43). By the post-exilic period it becomes a decided adversative: 'but' or 'however,' introducing a qualification or concession (2 Chr 19:3; Ezra 10:13; Dan 10:21). Arabic 'bal' shows a strikingly parallel semantic range, functioning as both emphatic affirmation and corrective adversative depending on context.
Senses
1. but, however, nevertheless — Adversative conjunction meaning 'but,' 'however,' or 'nevertheless,' introducing contrast, qualification, or concession. This is the later Hebrew usage predominant in post-exilic texts. Jehoshaphat is told that despite his failing, 'nevertheless good things are found in you' (2 Chr 19:3). Ezra acknowledges the rain season but insists the people cannot stand outside (Ezra 10:13). Daniel 10:7, 21 and 2 Chronicles 1:4 and 33:17 likewise use it to mark a counterpoint. Spanish 'pero/sin embargo' and German 'aber' map directly onto this adversative function. 7×
AR["حَقًّا", "لَكِنَّ", "لَكِنْ", "لٰكِنَّ", "لٰكِنْ"]·ben["কিন্তু", "তবুও", "বরং"]·DE["[אבל]", "aber"]·EN["but", "however", "nevertheless"]·FR["mais"]·heb["אבל"]·HI["परन्तु", "सच-में"]·ID["Tetapi", "bahkan", "tetapi"]·IT["[אבל]", "ma"]·jav["Namung", "Nanging", "ananging", "nanging", "sayektosipun"]·KO["그러나", "참으로"]·PT["Contudo", "Porém", "de-fato", "mas", "porém"]·RU["Но", "напротив", "но", "однако"]·ES["Pero", "Sin-embargo", "ciertamente", "pero", "sin-embargo"]·SW["Lakini", "abal", "kweli", "lakini"]·TR["Ama", "Ancak", "Fakat", "ancak", "evet"]·urd["لیکن", "واقعی"]
2. indeed, truly, of a truth — Asseverative adverb meaning 'indeed,' 'truly,' or 'of a truth,' used to affirm emphatically. This is the older Hebrew usage found in the patriarchal and monarchic narratives. Joseph's brothers confess: 'Indeed, we are guilty concerning our brother' (Gen 42:21). God corrects Abraham: 'No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son' (Gen 17:19, where the asseveration shades into gentle correction). The woman of Tekoa affirms 'truly, I am a widow' (2 Sam 14:5). French 'en verite/en effet' and German 'furwahr/wahrhaftig' preserve the solemn, oath-like tone. 4×
AR["بَلْ", "حَقًّا", "حَقّاً"]·ben["তবে", "সত্যই", "সত্যি"]·DE["aber", "fürwahr", "wahrhaftig"]·EN["indeed", "truly"]·FR["en-effet", "en-vérité"]·heb["אבל"]·HI["वास्तव-में", "सचमुच", "हअन"]·ID["Memang", "sesungguhnya", "sungguh"]·IT["invero", "veramente"]·jav["Sayektos", "sanget", "sayektos", "sayektosipun"]·KO["정말로", "진실로", "참으로"]·PT["Certamente", "certamente", "de-fato", "verdadeiramente"]·RU["воистину", "действительно", "но", "поистине"]·ES["Ciertamente", "ciertamente", "en-verdad"]·SW["Hakika", "hakika", "kweli", "lakini"]·TR["Hayır", "aslinda", "gerçekten"]·urd["بلکہ", "بے-شک", "واقعی", "ہاں"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† אֲבָל adv. 1. in older Heb. with an asseverative force, verily, of a truth Gn 42:21 2 S 14:5 1 K 1:43 2 K 4:14, with a slight advers. force, nay, but Gn 17:19 (P). 2. in late Heb. as a decided adversative, howbeit, but Dn 10:7, 21 Ezr 10:13 2 Ch 1:4; 19:3; 33:17 (cf. Arabic بَلْ of a truth, sometimes, from the context, nay rather Qor 2:82, 94, 110, 129, 149, 165, 261; 3:143; 4:52 etc.)