H1004a H1004a
between (rare variant of bein); preposition indicating intermediate position
A rare feminine form of the preposition 'between' (bein/ben), attested only in a few poetic or textually uncertain passages. Proposed readings include Ezekiel 41:9 (describing temple architecture), Proverbs 8:2 (Wisdom standing at crossroads), and Job 8:17 (roots intertwined). Ancient versions like the Septuagint, Targum, and Vulgate sometimes support this reading as 'in the midst of' or 'among,' though some modern scholars prefer emending to the standard bein. The form illustrates dialectal or poetic variation in prepositions.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A feminine variant of 'between,' possibly meaning 'in the midst of' or 'at the crossroads of.' Evidence is sparse and textually uncertain: Wisdom stands 'between' or 'at the crossroads of' the paths (Proverbs 8:2 per LXX, Targum, Vulgate); roots spread 'among' stones (Job 8:17); temple chambers have space 'between' them (Ezekiel 41:9). Modern translations often render as 'crossroads' or 'house of,' reflecting textual ambiguity. 3×
AR["بَيْتَ", "بَيْتُ", "بَيْنَ"]·ben["ঘর", "ঘরে"]·DE["Haus"]·EN["at-the-crossroads-of", "house-of"]·FR["Beth", "maison"]·heb["בית"]·HI["घर", "घर-पर", "भवन"]·ID["di-tempat", "rumah", "tempat"]·IT["casa"]·jav["griya", "ing-papan-petukan"]·KO["집-", "집-에서", "집을"]·PT["casa", "casa-de"]·RU["дом", "при-доме"]·ES["casa-de"]·SW["mahali-pa", "nyumba-ya"]·TR["ayrımında", "evi"]·urd["بیچ-میں", "گھر"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין (NöM 194 f.; Syriac ܒܶܝܬ often, PS 470) prep. between Ez 41:9b (to be joined with v 10; see RVm), unless indeed a mere error for בֵּין (which Ez often uses); also Pr 8:2 according to 𝔊 (ἀνὰ μέσον) 𝔗 𝔙 Hi Ew§ 217 g; and Jb 8:17 according to 𝔊 Ew Di1 (Di2 undecided).