יָלַךְ
to walk
‘to walk’ is one of 2 main senses fuller range ↓
H3212
Strong's Hebrew
yâlak
Transliteration
/yaw-lak'/
Pronunciation
Usage in the Hebrew Bible
1,044
appearances
Full lexicon entry — Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
From Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
BDB Definition
to go, walk, come
- (Qal)
- to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
- to die, live, manner of life (figuratively)
- (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Where this word appears
See every Qal verb in the Hebrew Bible →
Grammar key — what these labels mean
Part of speech
- Verb
- An action or state-of-being word.
- Particle
- A short function word — article, negation, interrogative, the sign of the direct object, and the like.
Stem
- Qal
- The basic, simple active stem — the plain form of the verb (“he wrote”). Here: ‘lit.’
- Hiphil
- The causative active stem (“he caused / brought about”). Here: ‘lead’
Form
- Sequential Imperfect
- An imperfect with prefixed waw — the standard past-narrative form (waw-consecutive imperfect).
- Imperative
- A direct command (“write!”).
- Infinitive Construct
- A bound verbal noun, frequently with prepositions (“to write / in writing”).
- Imperfect
- An incomplete, ongoing, or future action (“he will / would write”).
- Cohortative
- A first-person volitional form expressing wish or resolve (“let me / let us write”).
- Jussive
- A third- or second-person volitional form expressing wish or command (“let him write”).
- Participle Active
- A verbal adjective expressing ongoing or characteristic action (“writing / one who writes”).
- Sequential Perfect
- A perfect with prefixed waw continuing a preceding imperfect or command (waw-consecutive perfect).
- Perfect
- A completed action or state — Hebrew marks aspect (completeness) more than strict tense (“he wrote”).
State
- Absolute
- The independent form of a noun, not bound to a following word.
- Construct
- A noun bound to a following noun in a possessive / “of” relationship (the construct chain).
Person
- 3rd Person
- The one spoken about (“he / she / it / they”).
- 2nd Person
- The one addressed (“you”).
- 1st Person
- The speaker (“I / we”).
Gender
- Masculine
- Grammatically masculine.
- Common
- Either gender — not distinguished for this form.
- Feminine
- Grammatically feminine.
Number
- Singular
- One.
- Plural
- More than one (in Hebrew, generally three or more).
Every verse where H3212 appears in the Book of 2 Samuel — 58 distinct verses. Click any verse to open its interlinear word-by-word view. Verse text shown in the World English Bible for context — . Each verse’s Hebrew form is shown with its reference; the English is not keyword-highlighted, since the data carries no word-level English alignment. Use “Compare translations” on any verse to read it across multiple English versions. This concordance covers the Hebrew Bible; Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) occurrences are not indexed here.
2 Samuel
- 2 Samuel 2:19 לָ/לֶ֗כֶת prep + Qal inf.cs Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn't turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
- 2 Samuel 2:29 וַ/יֵּֽלְכוּ֙ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
- 2 Samuel 2:32 וַ/יֵּלְכ֣וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp They took up Asahel, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 3:16 וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ לֵ֥ךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Qal impv 2ms Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, Go, return: and he returned.
- 2 Samuel 3:19 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin.
- 2 Samuel 3:21 וְֽ/אֵלֵ֡כָה וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal coh 1cs conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
- 2 Samuel 3:22 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
- 2 Samuel 3:23 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms When Joab and all the host who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
- 2 Samuel 3:24 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Abner came to you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone?
- 2 Samuel 4:5 וַ/יֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, as he took his rest at noon.
- 2 Samuel 4:7 וַ/יֵּֽלְכ֛וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, they struck him, and killed him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.
- 2 Samuel 5:6 וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here.
- 2 Samuel 5:10 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of hosts, was with him.
- 2 Samuel 6:2 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Yahweh of Hosts who sits [above] the cherubim.
- 2 Samuel 6:12 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms It was told king David, saying, Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God. David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.
- 2 Samuel 6:19 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms He dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a cake of bread, and a portion [of flesh], and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house.
- 2 Samuel 7:3 לֵ֣ךְ Qal impv 2ms Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you.
- 2 Samuel 7:5 לֵ֤ךְ Qal impv 2ms Go and tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh, Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?
- 2 Samuel 8:3 בְּ/לֶכְתּ֕/וֹ prep + Qal inf.cs + sfx pers 3ms David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
- 2 Samuel 11:22 וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms So the messenger went, and came and shown David all that Joab had sent him for.
- 2 Samuel 12:15 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Nathan departed to his house. Yahweh struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it was very sick.
- 2 Samuel 12:29 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
- 2 Samuel 13:7 לְכִ֣י Qal impv 2fs Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon's house, and dress him food.
- 2 Samuel 13:8 וַ/תֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3fs So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
- 2 Samuel 13:13 אוֹלִיךְ֙ Hiphil impf 1cs I, where shall I carry my shame? and as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.
- 2 Samuel 13:15 לֵֽכִי Qal impv 2fs Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone.
- 2 Samuel 13:19 וַ/תֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3fs Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
- 2 Samuel 13:24 יֵֽלֶךְ Qal juss 3ms Absalom came to the king, and said, See now, your servant has sheep-shearers; let the king, I pray you, and his servants go with your servant.
- 2 Samuel 13:25 נֵלֵךְ֙ לָ/לֶ֖כֶת Qal coh 1cp prep + Qal inf.cs The king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you. He pressed him: however he would not go, but blessed him.
- 2 Samuel 13:26 יֵֽלֶךְ יֵלֵ֖ךְ Qal juss 3ms Qal impf 3ms Then said Absalom, If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us. The king said to him, Why should he go with you?
- 2 Samuel 13:37 וַ/יֵּ֛לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. [David] mourned for his son every day.
- 2 Samuel 13:38 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
- 2 Samuel 14:8 לְכִ֣י Qal impv 2fs The king said to the woman, Go to your house, and I will give charge concerning you.
- 2 Samuel 14:21 וְ/לֵ֛ךְ conj + Qal impv 2ms The king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back.
- 2 Samuel 14:23 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
- 2 Samuel 14:30 לְכ֖וּ Qal impv 2mp Therefore he said to his servants, Behold, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire. Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
- 2 Samuel 15:7 אֵ֣לֲכָה Qal coh 1cs It happened at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 15:9 לֵ֣ךְ וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ Qal impv 2ms conj + Qal wimpf 3ms The king said to him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 15:14 לָ/לֶ֗כֶת prep + Qal inf.cs David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.
- 2 Samuel 15:19 תֵלֵ֛ךְ Qal impf 2ms Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why go you also with us? return, and abide with the king: for you are a foreigner, and also an exile; [return] to your own place.
- 2 Samuel 15:20 לָ/לֶ֔כֶת prep + Qal inf.cs Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us, seeing I go where I may? return you, and take back your brothers; mercy and truth be with you.
- 2 Samuel 15:22 לֵ֣ךְ Qal impv 2ms David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him.
- 2 Samuel 16:13 וַ/יֵּ֧לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
- 2 Samuel 17:17 יֵֽלְכ֔וּ Qal impf 3mp Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a maid-servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David: for they might not be seen to come into the city.
- 2 Samuel 17:18 וַ/יֵּלְכוּ֩ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp But a boy saw them, and told Absalom: and they went both of them away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there.
- 2 Samuel 17:21 לֶכְתָּ֗/ם וַ/יֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ Qal inf.cs + sfx pers 3mp conj + Qal wimpf 3mp It happened, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said to David, Arise you, and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.
- 2 Samuel 17:23 וַ/יֵּ֤לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and got him home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.
- 2 Samuel 18:21 לֵ֛ךְ Qal impv 2ms Then said Joab to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what you have seen. The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
- 2 Samuel 18:24 וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Now David was sitting between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.
- 2 Samuel 18:25 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms The watchman cried, and told the king. The king said, If he be alone, there is news in his mouth. He came apace, and drew near.
- 2 Samuel 18:33 בְּ/לֶכְתּ֗/וֹ prep + Qal inf.cs + sfx pers 3ms The king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!
- 2 Samuel 19:15 לָ/לֶ֨כֶת֙ prep + Qal inf.cs So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.
- 2 Samuel 19:24 לֶ֣כֶת Qal inf.cs Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
- 2 Samuel 19:26 וְ/אֵלֵ֣ךְ conj + Qal impf 1cs He answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for your servant said, I will saddle me a donkey, that I may ride thereon, and go with the king; because your servant is lame.
- 2 Samuel 20:5 וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms So Amasa went to call [the men of] Judah together; but he stayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
- 2 Samuel 20:21 וְ/אֵלְכָ֖ה conj + Qal coh 1cs The matter is not so: but a man of the hill-country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David; deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. The woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.
- 2 Samuel 21:12 וַ/יֵּ֣לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, in the day that the Philistines killed Saul in Gilboa;
- 2 Samuel 24:1 לֵ֛ךְ Qal impv 2ms Again the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.
About this entry
At a glance — auto-summarized from this page’s data, not written by a person. Every figure links to its source below. This summary describes the numbers; it doesn’t interpret them.
ילך (yâlak) is a Hebrew verb most often rendered “to walk.” Across 5 stems, its meaning turns on the binyan (Qal, Niphal). The Hebrew Bible uses it across 936 verses — among the most common. It first appears in Genesis 3:14. Sharing its root, it stands alongside הלך, הליך and הלך. For the data behind this summary, explore the sense tree and the renderings breakdown below.
Gloss history
Strong's 1890 vs modern scholarship
Strong's · 1890
[idiom] again
Modern gloss
to walk
Strong's 1890 sometimes compressed multiple senses — or homonymous roots — under one number, and used 19th-century English phrasing that no longer carries the same connotation. The modern gloss reflects current BDB scholarship; open the Lexicon Entry tab for the full sense breakdown.
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About this word
Strong's H3212 catalogs a Hebrew word from the Hebrew Old Testament.
These counts are not copied from any lexicon or concordance. They are computed here, from the morphology-tagged Hebrew Old Testament. What Lemma adds →
- 936
- distinct verses
- The word appears in 936 distinct verses.
- 34 / 39
- OT books
- The word appears in 34 of 39 Old Testament books.
- #42
- by frequency
- Top 50 most frequent Hebrew words (rank 42 of 8,640 Hebrew words by occurrence).
View all 936 occurrences in the concordance →
By section of the Old Testament
By traditional corpus
Conventional, traditional groupings — biblical authorship is debated, so this is a traditional corpus grouping, not an authorship claim. Each share is this word’s portion of its verses in that division of the Hebrew canon. Each figure is a share of the word’s 936 distinct verses.
- Prophets (Nevi'im) 577 verses · 62%
- Torah (Pentateuch) 209 verses · 22%
- Writings (Ketuvim) 150 verses · 16%
How translations render this word
Counts come from each version’s own published word-to-Strong’s tagging or interlinear alignment — an approximate guide to how each version renders this word, not a word-level alignment the data otherwise carries. Because each total is that version’s own tagged count, the per-version totals vary from one another and need not match the appearance or distinct-verse counts above. These counts may also differ from a printed concordance because Lemma counts each distinctly tagged rendering and does not collapse phrase taggings into a single head-word total. This is a fixed set of word-tagged versions (KJV, ASV, BSB, ULT) and does not change with the reading translation you choose elsewhere. Each version’s license is shown beside its name below (and on Sources).
- King James Version: Went 172×, Go 171×, Come 56×
- American Standard Version: Went 165×, Go 133×, Come 50×
- unfoldingWord Literal Text: Go 239×, Went 177×, And 84×
King James Version Public Domain
Renders H3212 across 1,046 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 215 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
American Standard Version Public Domain
Renders H3212 across 1,041 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 253 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
unfoldingWord Literal Text CC BY-SA 4.0
Renders H3212 across 1,199 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 118 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
58 senses and sub-senses in the full BDB
Hebrew verbs can shift meaning by stem (binyan): Qal is the basic action, Niphal is often passive or reflexive, Piel often intensifies or makes it factitive, and Hiphil is typically causative. The senses below are grouped under the stem BDB assigns to each. This entry also uses Hithpael (reflexive or reciprocal).
What do BDB’s symbols mean?
BDB uses these scholarly abbreviations:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 𝔊 | the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation, LXX) |
| 𝔙 | the Vulgate (the Latin translation) |
| 𝔖 | the Syriac version (the Peshitta) |
| 𝔗 | the Targum (the Aramaic translation) |
| ψ | the Psalms |
| √ | root (the underlying root or stem) |
| ‖ | parallel passage (a synonymous or contrasted parallel) |
| † | the dagger: every passage where the word occurs is cited |
The 58 senses and sub-senses the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon distinguishes for this word, in lexicon order (not ranked by frequency), with BDB’s own verbatim wording and sub-sense lettering. Shown in Hebrew script with BDB’s own scholarly abbreviations. The condensed entry is in the Lexicon Entry tab. See also the Forms in the corpus table below.
Qal
- Pf. 3 ms. ה׳ Gn 26:26 +; הָלָ֑ךְ 2 S 8:6 +; 3 pl. הָֽלְכוּ Gn 14:24 +; (הֶ)הָֽלְכוּא Jos 10:24 (Ges§ 23, 3; 138, 3 b Köi 414 f.), etc.; Impf. rarely a. 3 ms. יַהֲלֹךְ Je 9:3 + 4 times Jb ψ; וַיַּהֲלֹךְ Jb 14:20; 3 fs. תִּהֲלַךְ ψ 73:9; וַתִּהֲלַךְ Ex 9:23 (Ew§ 138 b Ges§ 69, R. 8 Köi 415); 1 s. אֶהֱלֹךְ Jb 16:22; 23:8 (cf. MI 14.15); יַהֲלֹ֑כוּ Jb 41:11; usually b. (629 times) as if from ילך (ולך; vid. Hiph. Ges§69, 2 R. 8 Köi 414 ff.; PrätZAW 1882, 310 ff.; cf. also יָלַד etc.) 3 ms. יֵלֵךְ Ex 10:24 +; יֵלֵ֑ךְ Ec 5:15 +; וְיֵלַ֑ךְ Jb 27:21; יֵלֶךְ־ Ex 34:9 +; וַיֵּ֫לֶךְ Gn 12:4(×2) + 210 times, וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ Gn 24:61 + 6 times; 3 fs. תֵּלֵךְ Gn 24:39 תֵּלֵ֑ךְ ψ 97:3; וַתֵּ֫לֶךְ Gn 7:18 +; 2 ms. תֵּלֵךְ etc. Gn 3:14 +; 2 fs. תֵּלְכִי etc. Ju 4:8(×2) +; 1 s. אֵלֵךְ Ex 3:11 +; וָאֵלֵךְ Ju 19:18 +; וָאֵלַ֑ךְ Jb 19:10; אֵלְכָה Gn 45:28 +, אֵילְכָה Mi 1:8; 3 mpl. יֵלְכוּ Ex 5:7 +; יֵלֵכ֑וּן ψ 89:31 + 2 times; וַיֵּלְכוּ Gn 9:23 (וילכו also SI 4) +; 3 fpl. תֵּלַכְנָה Ju 11:40 +; 2 mpl. תֵּלְכוּ Gn 42:38 +; תֵּלְכוּן Dt 6:14; תֵּלֵכ֑וּן Ex 3:21 Is 52:12; 2 fpl. תֵּלַכְנָה Ru 1:11; 1 pl. נֵלֵךְ Ex 8:23 +; וַנֵּ֫לֶךְ Dt 1:19, etc.; Imv. rarely a. הֲלוֹךְ Pr 13:20 (Kt; Qr הֹלֵךְ, cf. De Now); mpl. הִלְכוּ Je 51:50; usually b. (241 times) ms. לֵךְ Gn 26:16 + (לִך also MI 14), לֶךְ־ Gn 27:9 +; לְכָה Gn 19:32 +; לְךָ Nu 23:13 Ju 19:13 2 Ch 25:17; לֵ֑כָה 1 S 23:27; fs. לְכִי Ju 9:10 לֵ֑כִי Ex 2:8; mpl. לְכוּ Gn 37:20 +; fpl. לֵ֫כְנָה Ru 1:8, לֵ֫כְןָ Ru 1:12, etc.; Inf. abs. הָלוֹךְ Gn 8:3 +; הָלֹךְ Gn 31:30 +; cstr. rarely a. הֲלֹךְ Ex 3:19 + 4 times; הֲלָךְ־ Ec 6:9; usually b. (129 times) לֶ֫כֶת Mi 6:8 +; לָ֑כֶת Pr 15:21 + 2 times; sf. לֶכְתִּי 1 K 2:8; לֶכְתָּם 2 S 17:21 + 7 times (6 Ez); לֶכְתָּן Ez 1:9, 12, 17, etc.; Pt. הֹלֵךְ Gn 18:16 +; הוֹלֵךְ Gn 15:2 +; f. הֹלְכָה Je 3:6; הֹלֶכֶת Gn 32:21 + 2 times + הֹלֶכֶת֯י 2 K 4:23; pl. הֹלְכִים Ex 33:15 +, etc.; cstr. הֹלְכֵי Ju 5:6 + 3 times; fpl. הֹלְכֹת etc. Ex 2:5 + 3 times;—found in all documents of Hex, especially JE (240 times; D 65 times, P 30 times + H 14 times);— e.g. Genesis 26:26
- I. lit.
- 1. of persons,
- a. go, proceed, move, walk Gn 22:6, 8 Ex 17:5 Am 3:3 Zp 1:17 + often; of cherubim Ez 10:16 = living creatures 1:9, 12, 19, 20, 21, 24; opp. to sitting (ישׁב) Dt 6:7; 11:19 (both c. בַּדֶּרֶךְ); ‖ running (רוץ) Pr 4:12 Is 40:31, cf. also 2 Ch 30:6; distinguished from riding, driving Gn 24:65 (J; sq. בַּשָּׂדֶה לִקְרָאתֵנוּ), Ju 5:10 (עַל־הַדֶּרֶךְ), Is 41:3 (בְּרַגְלָיו), cf. Ec 5:1 (sq. אֶל), 10:7 (sq. עַל־הָאָרֶץ); on usage with prep. v. infr.; but also ‖ וַיִּרְכַּב 1 K 13:13; 18:45 cf. 2 K 9:16; וַיֵּלֶךְ רֹכֵב הַסּוּס v 18 (sq. לִקְרָאתוֹ); נְהַג וָלֵךְ … וַתֵּלֶךְ וַתָּבֹא 4:24 drive and go forward … and she went, and came. e.g. Genesis 22:6
- b. depart, go away: Gn 18:33 (J), and י׳ departed, Gn 34:17 (P) then we will take our daughter and depart; cf. 1 S 14:3; 15:27 Ex 3:19 (J), 12:28 (P) 2 K 5:25 +; go, go out (to a specific duty etc.): of Samuel 1 S 7:16, Barak Ju 4:8(×2); go out, forth (opp. שׁוּב) Ru 1:21 +; = go into exile (without modifier) 1 Ch 5:41 cf. Je 22:10 (הֹלֵךְ of one going into exile; opp. death); v. further אֲשֶׁר הָֽלְכוּ שָׁם Ez 37:21. e.g. Genesis 18:33
- c. less often where Eng. idiom requires or prefers come, (approach, arrive), vb. in Heb. being referred to starting point; mostly c. prep. (on usage c. prep. in gen. v. infr.):—לְכָה אֵלַי 1 S 17:44; so in prayer to י׳, וּלְכָה לִישֻׁעָ֫תָה לָ֫נוּ ψ 80:3; also in Yahweh’s exhortations to Isr. Is 55:1 (לַמַּיִם), v 3 (אֵלַי); come to, arrive at a land (ָה loc.) Gn 29:1; come unto (אֶל) a people Ru 2:11; but cf. especially (without prep.) Imv. followed by another Imv., etc., v. infr. 5 f, & partic. cases like Nu 22:6, 11, 17; 23:7(×2) Is 55:1(×2) etc., where actual summons to approach the speaker. e.g. 1 Samuel 17:44
- d. with modifiers: (1) α. of space traversed: אֵת כָּל־הַמִּדְבָּר Dt 1:19 (cf. I. אֵת 2), כָּל־הַבִּתְרוֹן 2 S 2:29; especially c. acc. דֶּרֶךְ way, Gn 35:3 (E) Nu 20:17 (JE) Dt 1:31 2 S 4:7, 1 K 13:12(×2); Je 52:7 cf. וְלֹא תָשׁוּב בַּדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר הָלָ֑כְתָּ 1 K 13:9; הֹלֵךְ דֶּרֶךְ = traveller Is 35:8; sq. אֳרָחוֹת Ju 5:6 (song), ptcp. cstr. הֹלְכֵי נְתִיבוֹת v 6 goers of paths (wayfarers); c. acc. דֶּרֶךְ = journey Pr 7:19; β. c. acc. of time Dt 2:14 2 S 2:32, cf. Jos 5:6; 14:10; also, with combination of ideas of space & time דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים Ex 3:18 (+ בַּמִּדְבָּר v. infr.) cf. 5:3; 8:23; 15:22 (all JE) Nu 33:8 (P) 1 K 19:4. (2) c. prep.: α. sq. בְּ of space (territory, country, etc.) in which בַּמִּדְבָּר Ju 11:16, 18; cf. וַיֵּלֶךְ בַּבַּיִת אַחַת הֵנָּה וְאַחַת הֵנָּה 2 K 4:35 and he walked in the house once hither, once thither; especially + acc. of time or distance (cf. supr.) Jos 5:6; 14:10 (both D) 1 K 19:4; בָּֽעֲרָבָה 2 S 2:29; cf. בַּיַּבָּשָׁה Ex 14:29 = 15:19 (P?); בְּתוֹךְ הָעֵמֶק Jos 8:13 (JE); sq. בְּ of way, path בְּדֶרֶךְ 1 K 18:6(×2) בַּדּ׳ Nu 21:22 (JE) Jos 24:17 (E) Dt 1:33; 2:27; Ju 18:6; 1 S 28:22; לֹא תָשׁוּב לָלֶכֶת בַּדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר הָלַכְתָּ בָּהּ 1 K 13:17 (הָלַךְ of both going & coming); so often fig., cf. infr. II. 3; walk in the streets בִּרְחֹבֹת La 4:18, walk by the way בַּדּ׳ (opp. יָשַׁב sit) Dt 6:7; 11:19; β. sq. עַל, go or walk on (by) עַל־יַד הַיְאֹר Ex 2:5; עַל־הַדֶּרֶךְ 1 S 9:6 (i.e. set out, start, upon cf. Dr); cstr. sq. על Ju 5:10. (3) go to, unto: α. sq. acc., in general בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ Gn 28:15 (J) whithersoever thou goest Jos 1:7, 9 (D), cf. 2 S 7:9; 8:6, 14 = 1 Ch 17:8; 18:6, 13; more definitely, to a land with or without ארץ Ju 1:26; 21:21; Je 37:12; so fig. Ho 7:11 resort to (acc.) Asshur (‖ קרא); to a city 1 S 11:14, 15; 23:5 1 K 2:8; 11:24; 12:1; 14:2, 4 2 K 9:1; 1 Ch 11:4; 2 Ch 8:3; Ezr 8:31; to a house בַּיִת 2 S 13:7, 8, house of י׳ ψ 122:1; a field, Gn 27:5 (J; + Inf. of purpose); valley of salt 2 Ch 25:11. β. sq. ָה loc., אַ֫רְצָה Gn 11:31; 12:5, פַּדֶּ֜נָה אֲרָם 28:2, 5, 7 (all P) cf. 29:1 (E) Nu 32:39 (JE) 2 S 14:23; of city Gn 18:22; 28:10 (both J) Ju 9:1; 1 S 15:34; 16:13; 19:22; 2 S 15:9; 1 K 3:4; 18:45; 2 Ch 10:1; of river Euphrates Je 13:4, 6, 7; of a wood 1 S 23:16; a mountain Jos 2:16 (JE); cf. also אָ֫נָה הָֽלְכוּ whither have they gone Gn 16:8; 32:18; Jos 2:6 (all JE) cf. Ne 2:16; Ct 6:1; Ju 19:17, אָ֫נֶה וָאָ֫נָה 1 K 2:42 (but also אָן ה׳ 1 S 10:14); שָׁ֫מָּה Je 40:4 but also שָׁם 1 S 9:6; Je 45:5; הֵ֫נָּה 2 K 4:35. γ. c. prep.: (a) most often sq. אֶל־ unto, e.g, unto the place, הַמָּקוֹם, Gn 22:3 (E) 30:25 (J), ect.; of land Gn 22:2 (E) 24:4, 10 (J) 36:6 (P) Jos 22:9 (D), etc.; of city Gn 22:19 (E) 1 S 9:10 Jon 3:3, etc.; of house Gn 24:38 (J) Ec 7:2(×2); house of God Ec 4:17; of people Ex 19:10 (E) etc.; in other designations of place, Jos 8:9 (JE), Ezr 10:6 Ru 2:9, etc.; also sq. אֶל = against, of military expedition: Ju 1:10 against Canaanites; a city Ju 9:1 1 K 22:15 = 2 Ch 18:5, 14; also sq. אֶל of individual persons Gn 26:1, 26 (both J), 41:55 (E) 2 K 6:22, 23; 22:14 = 2 Ch 34:22 Je 41:14 +; once with implic. coire cum femina Am 2:7 (cf. בּוֹא 1 e, p. 98); vid. especially לַהֲלֹךְ אֶל־אֵל בַּמִּשְׁפָּט Jb 34:23 of judicial inquiry by God; come unto the speaker Nu 22:16, 37 (both JE), unto the one addressed Is 60:14. (b) rarely sq. עַל־ unto (Je K Ez) c. בַּיִת 1 K 20:43, שָׂדֶה 1 K 2:26 (+ acc. loc.), cf. עַל־כָּל אֲשֶׁר Je 1:7, עַל־אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה שָׁם Ez 1:12 (of the רוּחַ; cf. אֶל־אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה שָׁ֫מָּה v 20); also וַאֲנִי הוֹלֵךְ עַל אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִי הוֹלֵךְ 2 S 15:20 = I am going I know not where cf. Lag Psalt. Hieron. 1874, 156 f. DrSm v. further Je 3:6 (sq. both עַל & אֶל; on confusion of אֶל and עַל vid. these words); sq. עַל against city 1 K 22:6, king 2 Ch 22:5. (c) sq. עַד as far as, unto, place עַד־כֹּה Gn 22:5 (E), cf. 1 K 12:30 (וַיֵּלְכוּ הָעָם לִפְנֵי הָאֶחָד עַד דָּ֑ן), 2 K 6:2; 10:25; 7:15 cf. 2 Ch 26:8; persons 1 S 9:9. (d) sq. לְ, to a land 1 K 10:13 etc.; a city 2 Ch 8:17; a mountain 1 Ch 4:42; a bamah 2 Ch 1:3; cf. לִמְבוֹא גְדֹר 1 Ch 4:39 & v. infr.; also before n.pr. of pers. Gn 24:56 (J); further לַמִּלְחָמָה Ez 7:14; לְסִבְלֹתֵיכֶם Ex 5:4 (J) go to your burdens cf. Is 60:3, וְהַתּוֹדָה הַשֵּׁנִית הַהוֹלֶכֶת לְמוֹאל Ne 12:38 the second thanksgiving choir, that went the opposite way; frequently לְדַרְכּוֹ etc., go (to, on) one’s way Gn 19:2 (J) 32:2 (E) Nu 24:25 Jos 2:16 (both JE) Ju 18:26 1 S 1:18; 26:25 +; לְמַסָּעָיו Gn 13:3 (J); cf. הַהוֹלֵךְ לְמֶרְחֲבֵי־אֶרֶץ Hb 1:6 that marcheth through the breadth of the land (of invader); note especially in sense of depart to, go away to, almost = return to; וְהָלַכְתָּ לְאֹהָלֶיךָ Dt 16:7 and thou shalt go (back) to thy tents, so Ju 19:6; 20:8 1 K 8:66; 12:16 = 2 Ch 10:16; לְבֵיתוֹ 1 S 10:26 cf. 14:8; 23:18 1 K 14:12 1 Ch 16:43; לִמְקוֹמוֹ 1 S 2:20 (cf. VB Dr) 14:46; v. also go away or off to 1 Ch 4:42 2 Ch 8:17. (e) sq. בְּ into בַּשָּׂדֶה Nu 22:23 (of Balaam’s ass); especially in ה׳ בַּשְּׁבִי go into captivity Am 9:4 Na 3:10 Dt 28:41 Je 20:6; 22:22; 30:16 La 1:18 (= ה׳ שְּׁבִי v 5) cf. Ez 30:17, 18 Is 46:2; 48:11 ה׳ בַּגּוֹלָה Je 48:11 Ez 25:3; v. also ה׳ בַּכְּלִמָּה Is 45:16; ה׳ בַּמִּלְחָמָה 1 S 17:13; ה׳ בַּקְּרָ֑ב 2 S 17:11 (but v. Dr). (4) go from, depart from, sq. מִן, e.g. 1 K 2:41, etc., מִשָּׁם Gn 42:26 (E) 1 K 19:19; cf. אָנָה אֵלֵךְ מֵרוּחֶ֑ךָ ψ 139:7; note especially וּמַלְאַךְ י׳ הָלַךְ מֵעֵינָיו Ju 6:21 cf. 1 S 14:17 (מֵעִמָּנוּ), Ho 9:6 (מִשֹּׁד, from destruction); also sq. מֵאֵת of divorced woman Je 3:1 (מֵאִתּוֹ), cf. also Gn 26:31 (J), Jos 22:9 (? P) מֵאֵצֶל 1 K 20:36. (5) c. prep. denoting other relations:—α. אֵת of accompaniment, ה׳ אִתִּי (on warlike expedition) Gn 14:24 cf. 2 S 15:11 Jos 10:24 Ju 1:3 (sq. בְּ into), 7:4(×2), v. also 1 S 23:23 2 S 16:17 +. β. עִם Ju 4:8(×2), 9(×2); 7:4; 11:8 1 S 30:22(×2) 2 S 19:26 Nu 22:13, 14 (JE) +. γ. בְּ with (cf. בְּ III. 1, p. 89), especially Ex 10:9, cf. Ho 5:6 בְּצֹאנָם וּבִבְקָרָם יֵלְכוּ לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־י׳, of vain sacrifices; 2 Ch 30:6 the runners went with (בְּ) letters. δ. בְּקֶרֶב in the midst of, Ex 34:9 (JE). ε. לִפְנֵי in front of, before, before Cyrus Is 45:2, (cf. of fire & pestilence, infr. 3); of י׳ going before Isr. Ex 13:21 Nu 14:14, cf. also Ex 23:23; 32:34 & (in meaning) 33:14 (פָּנַי יֵלֵ֑כוּ), v 15, Is 52:12, with which comp. וה׳ לְפָנֶיךָ צִדֱק֑ךָ 58:8; of other gods Ex 32:1, 23 (all JE); לְנֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ Gn 33:12 (J). ה׳ לִפְנֵי also (less often) = go (and present oneself) before a deity or shrine 1 K 12:30 1 Ch 21:30 (cf. בוא לפני Ex 28:30, קִדֵּם פְּנֵי y 95ò2). ζ.c. אַחַר go after, follow, persons Gn 37:17 (J) 2 K 7:15; אַחֲרֵי Gn 24:5, 8, 39, 61 (all J), Jos 3:3 (D) Nu 16:25 (JE) +; cf. also II. 3 d (going after false gods etc.); מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶם Ex 14:19 (J). η. לְ with sense of dativ. ethic.: וַיֵּלֶךְ לוֹ אֶל־אַרְצוֹ Ex 18:27 (E) and he gat him (betook himself) to his country; אֵ֫לֶךְ לִי אֶל Ct 4:6 I will get me unto; וְנֵלְכָה־לָנוּ 1 S 26:11 and let us be gone, cf. v 12, Ct 2:11 (of rain cf. infr. 3); Imv. in same construction: לֶךְ־לְךָ אֶל Gn 22:2 (E) get thee unto, לְכוּ לָכֶם לְאָהֳלֵיכֶם Jos 22:4 (D) also לֶךְ־לְךָ מִן Gn 12:1 (J), & לְכִי־לָךְ Ct 2:10, 13 get thee away, come away. θ. adverbial phrases of manner c. prep.: (a) בְּ, ה׳ בְּשָׁלוֹם go in peace Gn 26:31 (J) 1 S 29:7 2 S 3:21, 22, 23; 15:9; ה׳ בְּכֹחַ הָאֲכִילָה הַהִיא 1 K 19:8, ה׳ בְּחֵמָה 2 K 5:12 cf. also 1 S 17:39 Is 52:12; וְה׳ בְּסַעֲרוֹת תֵּימָן Zc 9:14 of י׳, and he shall go in (or with) storms of the south; בְּ pretii, הַהֹלְכִים בְּנַפְשׁוֹתָם 2 S 23:17 who went at risk of their life (otherwise in ‖ I Ch 11:19); cf. (b) אֶל, ה׳ אֶל־נַפְשׁוֹ 1 K 19:3 he went for his life. (c) לְ, ה׳ לְרַגְלָהּ 1 S 25:42 go according to her foot, i.e. follow, attend her; לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם go to, for (in) peace Ex 4:18 (E) Ju 18;6 1 S 1:17; 20:13, 42 2 K 5:19; וְהֹלְכִים לְתֻמָּם 2 S 15:11. κ. with adj. or noun, agreeing with subj. of vb., in acc. (Ges§ 118.5), sometimes where Lat. & Eng. use an attributive or appositive: walk barefoot 2 S 15:30; walk naked and barefoot Is 20:3 (c. acc. of duration); וַתֵּלַכְנָה נְטֻו֯וֹת גָּרוֹן וגו׳ Is 3:16; cf. 1 K 8:66; also לֹא תֵלֵךְ רָכִיל בְּעַמֶּ֑ךָ Lv 19:16 (H) thou shalt not walk as a slanderer among thy people, Je 9:3, הוֹלֵךְ רָכִיל Pr 11:13; 20:19; and even הֹלְכֵי רָכִיל Je 6:28 (yet רכיל poss. abstr., ה׳ ר׳ walk in slander); with adv. accus., construed more generally (Ges§ 118, 5. c, Ew§ 279 c): ye shall not walk loftily (רוֹמָה) Mi 2:3; they shall come bending (שְׁחוֹחַ) Is 60:14; and Agag came delicately (מַעֲדַנֹּת) 1 S 15:32; cf. also Lv 26:23 (II. 3b) Ex 3:21 2 S 17:18. e.g. Deuteronomy 1:19
- 2. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations: הָלַךְ Na 2:12 walk about, prowl (lions, fig. of rulers of Assyria); Pr 30:29 (vid. v 30, 31, of three beasts & a king); walk, go, move בִּמְסִלָּה אַחַת ה׳ 1 S 6:12 (of cows bringing ark), horses in Zec.’s vision Zc 6:7 וַיְבַקְשׁוּ לָלֶכֶת לְהִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּאָרֶץ; of beasts & birds Je 9:9, cf. 50:3 both man & beast, they are fled, they are gone; of flocks and herds (מִקְנֶה) יֵלֵךְ עִמָּנוּ Ex 10:26 they shall go with us; ה׳ מֵהַר אֶל־גִּבְעָה Je 50:6 they have gone from mt. to hill (Isr. under fig. of wandering sheep); in 1 S 14:26 read prob. הָלַךְ for הֵלֶךְ q.v.; especially in laws of clean & unclean Lv 11:20, 21 every swarming winged thing that goeth on (הַהֹלֵךְ עַל) all fours, cf. v 27, 42; also v 27 everything that goeth on its paws, & v 42 everything that goeth on (its) belly, (all P), so of serpent Gn 3:14 on thy belly (עַל־גְּחֹנְךָ) shalt thou go (J), cf. also Je 46:22 קוֹלָהּ כַּנָּחָשׁ יֵלֵךְ; (where appar. rel. cl., her voice like the serpent that moves, i.e. like the rustling sound of a gliding serpent, cf. VB); locusts Jo 2:7 (אִישׁ בִּדְרָכָיו), v 8 (גֶּבֶר בִּמְסִלָּתוֹ). e.g. Nahum 2:12
- 3. in like manner of inanimate things, as: the ark (הַתֵּבָה) Gn 7:18 (P; sq. עַל־פְּנֵי הַמָּ֑יִם); ships 1 K 22:49 (sq. ָה loc.) = 2 Ch 20:36 (sq. acc. of limit), cf. 2 Ch 9:21 (sq. acc.) 20:37 (אֶל); of אֳנִי־שַׁיִט Is 33:21 ‘galley with oars’ (sq. בְּ of place in which); wheels (in Ezekiel’s vision) Ez 1:17(×2), 19, 21; 10:11(×4); moon Jb 31:26; wind ψ 78:39 Ec 1:6(×2); of streams (הַנְחָלִים) = flow אֶל־הַיָּם Ec 1:7; cf. אֶל־מְקוֹם שֶׁהַנְחָלִים הֹלְכִים שָׁם הֵם שָׁבִים לָלֶכֶת v 7 unto the place whither the streams flow, thither they flow again; also אֲפִיקִים, sq. מַיִם as accus. of that with wh., Jo 4:18 ‖ of hills flowing חָלָב, with milk; cf. further fig. כָּל־בִּרְכַּיִם תֵּלַכְנָה מַיִם Ez 7:17; 21:13 all knees shall flow down in water, i.e. be as weak as water; נְהָרוֹת Ez 31:4 (sq. סָבִיב); וְהָלַךְ עַל־כָּל־גְּדוֹתָיו Is 8:7 i.e. overflow (‖ עָלָה עַל־כָּל־אֲפִיקָיו) cf. Jos 4:18 (JE); so of water (as (SI4) Is 8:6, 1 K 18:35 (וַיֵּלְכוּ הַמַּיִם סָבִיב לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ), ψ 105:41 (הָֽלְכוּ בַּצִּיּוֹת נָהָר, they flowed through dry regions as a river); (on Inf. abs. used of waters of flood, Gn 8:3, 5, cf., infr. 4 c (4), (5)); of the sea הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר Jon 1:11, 13 was going on and being stormy = was growing more and more stormy (cf. infr. 4 d); of wine (יַיִן) Ct 7:10 that goeth down, for my beloved, smoothly (simile); also of lightning go, dart (בָּרָק) Jb 38:35, so אֵשׁ Ex 9:23 (E) וַתִּהֲלַךְ אֵשׁ אָ֑רְצָה and fire darted to earth (on form, here & ψ 73:9 infr., as intens., of rapid motion, cf. Thes Ew§ 138 b Köi. 415); אֵשׁ לְפָנָיו תֵּלֵךְ ψ 97:3; of torches, in fig. of violent breathing of crocodile מִפִּיו לַפִּידִים יַהֲלֹ֑כוּ Jb 41:11; of sword אַחֲרַיִךְ תֵּ֫לֶךְ חָ֑רֶב Je 48:2, of arrow בָּרָק Jb 20:25 drawn from a wound; of pestilence דֶּבֶר (personified) ψ 91:6 (בָּאֹפֶל), Hb 3:5 (לְפָנָיו); of fame שָׁמְעוֹ הוֹלֵךְ בְּכָל־הַמְּדִינוֹת Est 9:4; of the tongue (bad sense) וּלְשׁוֹנָם תִּהֲלַךְ בָּאָרֶץ ψ 73:9 (cf. Ex 9:23 supr.; ‖ שַׁתּוּ בַשָּׁמַיִם פִּיהֶם); of sound of trumpet Ex 19:19 (Pt. cf. infra 4 d); of letters אִגְּרוֹת Ne 6:17 (sq. עַל, unto); of dew (טַל, ‖ עֲנַן־בֹּקֶר sim. of Isr.’s חֶסֶד Ho 6:4 cf. 13:3 like dew that passeth away; so of עָנָן Jb 7:9 כָּלָה עָנָן וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ; of rain הַגֶּשֶׁם הָלַף הָלַךְ לוֹ Ct 2:11 the rain is over, it hath taken itself away; of ark of י׳ (אֲרוֹן י׳) 1 S 6:8 depart (cf. also 5 d); of shadow on dial go forward 2 K 20:9 (opp. שׁוּב; ‖ נָטָה v 20 & יָרַד Is 38:8); grow, of wicked under fig. of trees, יֵלְכוּ גַּם־עָשׂוּ פֶּ֑רִי Je 12:2; cf. יֵלְכוּ יוֹנְקוֹתָיו Ho 14:7 his branches shall spread, said of Isr. under fig. of tree; of name (= fame) 2 Ch 26:8 (sq. עַד־לְבֹא מִצְרַיִם); also of a thing that does not actually move; וְהָלַךְ הַגְּבוּל אֶל Jos 17:7 and the boundary went unto etc., cf. 16:8 (sq. מִן & ָה loc.);—in 2 K 13:21 and it (the dead body) went i.e. was let down into the grave, read וַיֵּלְכוּ for וַיֵּלֶךְ 𝔊L Th Klo, and they went away. e.g. Genesis 7:18
- 4. The Inf. abs. is often used
- a. as in other vbs., quite independently (Ges§ 113, 1): הֲגָנֹב … וְהָלֹךְ אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים Je 7:9 (series of 6 Inf. abs.) (are there) stealing, murdering, and adultery and false swearing and incense-burning to the Baal, and going after other gods …? as obj., וְלֹא־אָבוּ בִדְרָכָיו הָלוֹךְ Is 42:24 and they desired not walking in his ways; as appos. of obj., Je 23:14 I have seen … an abominable thing, committing adultery and walking in lies (נָאוֹף וְהָלוֹךְ בַּשֶּׁקֶר); cf. וַיַּעַשׂ כֵּן הָלוֹךְ עָרוֹם וְיָחֵף Is 20:2 and he did so, a walking naked and barefoot, where also two adverb. accus. modifying the Inf. abs. (Ges§ 113, 2). e.g. Jeremiah 7:9
- b. to intensify meaning of finite form of הָלַךְ (Ges§ 113, 3): (1) before finite vb. הָלוֹךְ אֵלֵךְ עִמָּךְ Ju 4:9 I will surely go with thee, cf. Je 37:9; הָלֹךְ הָלַכְתָּ Gn 31:30 concessive, thou art indeed gone, הָלוֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ הָעֵצִים Ju 9:8 introductory, the trees went forth on a time to anoint them a king. (2) after finite vb. וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ 2 S 3:24 and he is actually gone! (a grave imprudence to permit it!), נֵלְכָה הָלוֹךְ לְחַלּוֹת אֶת־פְּנֵי י׳ Zc 8:21 let us by all means go to seek the favour of י׳. e.g. Judges 4:9
- c. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. (1) with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simultaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance; α. both Infs. preceding the finite vb., הָלוֹךְ וְטָפֹף תֵּלַכְנָה Is 3:16 a going and a tripping they go, i.e. they keep tripping as they go; so הָלוֹךְ וּבָכוֹ יֵלֵ֑כוּ Je 50:4 continually weeping they shall go; β. one Inf. before, & one after the fin. vb. הָלוֹךְ יֵלֵךְ וּבָכֹה ψ 126:6 continually may one go weeping; γ. elsewhere both after fin. vb. Jos 6:9 the rearguard was going (הֹלֵךְ) after the ark, continually blowing on the trumpets (הָלוֹךְ וְתָקוֹעַ בַּשּׁוֹפָרוֹת), cf. v 13 (where הָו֯לֹךְ cf. infr.; both JE), וַיֵּלֶךְ … הָלוֹךְ וּבָכוֹ 2 S 3:16, of cows הָֽלְכוּ הָלוֹךְ וְגָעוֹ 1 S 6:12 they went continually lowing, וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וְאָכֹל Ju 14:9 and he went on, eating as he went; הֹלְכִים הָלוֹךְ וְדַבֵּר 2 K 2:11 they were going on, talking as they went; in הֹלֵךְ הָלֹךְ וּבֹכֶה Je 41:6, the pt. בֹּכֶה is peculiar, read perhaps בָּכֹה, and for הֹלֵךְ read הֹלְכִים 𝔊 Hi cf. Gf. (2) with a foll. vb.fin.c. ו consec. (rare): הֹלְכִים הָלוֹךְ וְתָֽקְעוּ Jos 6:13 (JE) they were going along continually blowing on the trumpets; וַתֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וְזָעָ֑קָה 2 S 13:19 and she went, crying out as she went; הֹלֵךְ … הָלוֹךְ וַיְקַלֵּל 2 S 16:13 he went along … cursing as he went; so 1 S 19:23 and he went on, prophesying as he went, until he came, etc. (3) in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance: וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וְקָרֵב 2 S 18:25 and he came continually nearer (nearer & nearer); elsewhere with idea of actual motion lost from vb. fin.: וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וָרָ֑ב 1 S 14:19 and the tumult kept growing greater and greater; so וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד הָלוֹךְ וְגָדוֹל 2 S 5:10 = 1 Ch 11:9; cf. Ju 4:24 and the hand of the sons of Israel kept growing more and more severe (וַתֵּלֶךְ … הָלוֹךְ וְקָשָׁה) upon Jabin; note especially וַיִּגְדַּל הָאִישׁ וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וְגָדֵל עַד־כִּי־גָדַל מְאֹד Gn 26:13 (J) and the man grew great and kept on growing greater and greater until etc. (גָּדֵל partic. adj.). (4) twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion: וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם … הָלוֹךְ וָשׁוֹב Gn 8:3 (J) and the waters retired continually more and more; וַיִּסַּע אַבְרָם הָלוֹךְ וְנָסוֹעַ הַנֶּ֫גְבָּה Gn 12:9 (J) and Abram journeyed on continually further toward the south country. (5) quite by itself is Gn 8:5 (P) וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֹךְ וְחָסוֹר and the waters, they continually diminished (were a going and a diminishing; the Infs. abs. being predicate). (6) 13 times the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec. (chiefly in Je): הָלוֹךְ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֫ 2 S 24:12 go and speak, so Je 35:2; ה׳ וְאָמַרְתָּ֫ go and say, Is 38:5 Je 28:13; 34:2; 35:13; 39:16; ה׳ וְקָרָאתָ Je 2:2; 3:12; also ה׳ וְרָחַצְתָּ֫ 2 K 5:10 go and wash, ה׳ וְקָנִיתָ Je 13:1; 19:1 go and buy, ה׳ וְעָמַדְתָּ֫ 17:19 go and stand. e.g. Isaiah 3:16
- d. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt. הֹלֵךְ + adj. (or pt.): וַיֵּלֶךְ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֹלֵךְ וְקָרֵב 1 S 17:41 and the Philistine came continually nearer (cf. 2 S 18:25 supr.); in other cases as predicate, with same idea of growing, increasing: וְדָוִד הֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵק וּבֵית שָׁאוּל הֹלְכִים וְדַלִּים 2 S 3:1 and David was growing stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul were growing weaker and weaker, cf. 2 Ch 17:12 Est 9:4 (of individuals), 2 S 15:12 (of people); + 2 adj. וְהַנַּעַר שְׁמוּאֵל הֹלֵךְ וְגָדֵל וָטוֹב 1 S 2:26; cf. (with different order) of wind, Ec 1:6 goeth (הוֹלֵךְ) toward the south, and turneth about (סוֹבֵב) unto the north, the wind turneth about and about continually (סוֹבֵב סֹבֵב הוֹלֵךְ הָרוּחַ); of sea הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר Jon 1:11, 13 the sea was growing more and more stormy; also וַיְהִי קוֹל הַשֹּׁפָר הוֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵק מְאֹד Ex 19:19 and the sound of the trumpet kept growing louder and louder; & in metaph. אֹרַח צַדִּיקִים כְּאוֹר נֹ֑גַהּ הוֹלֵךְ וָאוֹר עַד־נְכוֹן הַיּוֹם Pr 4:18 the path of just men is like a shining light, growing lighter and lighter until the full day. e.g. 1 Samuel 17:41
- 5. In combination with other verbal forms:
- a. sq. Inf. of purpose (c. לְ) Gn 25:22; 31:19; 37:25 (all JE) Nu 14:38 (P) 24:1 (JE), Ju 8:1; 9:8, 9, 11, 13 + often; especially ה׳ לִקְרַאת go to meet Jos 9:11 (JE), 2 S 19:16 1 K 18:16(×2) +; sometimes with hostile sense 1 S 23:28 1 K 20:27 2 K 23:29; also ה׳ לָשׁוּב go to return, Ex 4:21 (RV go back), cf. also שׁוּב לָלֶכֶת return again Ec 1:7; 5:14; ה׳ לָבוֹא go to come (enter, etc.) Je 41:17 cf. 2 Ch 26:8. e.g. Genesis 25:22
- b. sq. finite vb. go and do so and so: Gn 22:13; 27:14 Ex 2:8; 4:27, 29 (all JE), Dt 13:7, 14; 17:3; 24:2 Is 2:3 = Mi 4:2 Je 11:12 + often; וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיָּשָׁב Ex 4:18 (E), יֵלֵךְ וְיָשֹׁב Dt 20:5, 6, 7, 8, וַיֵּלְכוּ וַיָּשׁוּבוּ Ju 21:23 cf. Ho 2:9; 5:15; ה׳ וַיָּבוֹא went & came Nu 13:26 (P), Ru 2:3 1 S 22:5 2 S 11:22 2 K 4:25; notably וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַח 2 K 3:7 and he went and sent. e.g. Genesis 22:13
- c. following other verbs: וַיָּקֻמוּ וַיֵּלְכוּ Gn 22:19 (E) cf. 24:10 (J) 43:8 (J) Nu 16:25 (JE) Ju 4:9; נִסְעָה וְנֵלֵ֑כָה Gn 33:12 (J). e.g. Genesis 22:19
- d. especially as result of action expr. in preced. vb., such as vb. of sending, etc.: וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶת־אֶחָיו וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ Gn 45:24 (E) cf. Jos 1:16 (D) 1 S 6:8 Jb 38:35; also יִשָּׂאֵהוּ קָדִים וְיֵלֵ֑ךְ 27:21 an east wind shall carry him off, and he shall depart; וַיְגָֽרֲשֵׁהוּ וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ ψ 34:1 (title). (Cf. depart also of inanimate things 3 supr.) e.g. Genesis 45:24
- e. in longer series: וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיֵּבְרַח וַיִּמָּלֵט 1 S 19:12; וַיִּסַּע וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיָּשָׁב … וַיֵּשֶׁב 2 K 19:36 = Is 37:37; cf. Nu 24:25 (JE); וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיָּבֹא Ju 19:10; also וַיָּקָם וַיָּבֹא וַיֵּלֶךְ 2 K 10:12. e.g. 1 Samuel 19:12
- f. often in Imv. foll. by 2nd Imv. or equiv., (1) לֵךְ קַח־לִי Gn 27:13 (J) go, bring me (them), cf. Ho 1:2; לְכוּ רְעוּ Gn 29:7 (J) go, feed (them), cf. 37:14 42:19 Ex 4:19 + (in all c. 57 times; only JED in Hex); but also (2) weakened to mere introductory word (as also supr. passim: especially 2 K 3:7 etc.), go to, or come, do (let us do) so & so; לְכָה נִכְרְתָה בְרִית Gn 31:44 come, let us make a compact, cf. לְכָה נַשְׁקֶה 19:32 (where subj. fem.); לְכוּ וְנֵלְכָה 1 S 9:9 come, and let us go, so v 10, 11:4 Is 2:3 = Mi 4:2, cf. Zc 6:7 +; even לֵךְ בֹא וְאֶשְׁלְחָה 2 K 5:5 go to, come, and let me send, cf. Is 22:15; 26:20 Ex 3:4, 11; further Ju 19:11, 13 1 S 9:5 1 K 1:12 ψ 34:5 + (in all c. 49 times; only JE in Hex). (3) apparently intermediate, and shewing transition from (1) to (2) are: לֶךְ־רֵד Ex 19:24; 32:7 cf. Ju 18:2; לְכוּ סֻרוּ רְדוּ 1 S 15:6; לֵךְ עֲלֵה מִזֶּה Ex 33:1; לְכוּ וְהִתְהַלְּכוּ בָּאָרֶץ Jos 18:8 & לְכוּ בֹּאוּ אַרְצָה Gn 47:17 cf. 1 S 22:5 1 K 1:13 2 K 7:9; v. further לֵכְנָה שֹׁבְנָה Ru 1:8 & שֹׁבְנָה לֵכְןָ v 12; also 2 S 3:16 1 K 19:15, 20 + (in all c. 36 times) e.g. Genesis 27:13
- 1. of persons,
- II. Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
- 1. pass away, die; in phrases denoting or implying death (cf. Arabic هَلَكَ perish); וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ הַיּוֹם בְּדֶרֶךְ כָּל־הָאָרֶץ Jos 23:14 (D) lo, I am going to-day the way of all the earth cf. 1 K 2:2; perhaps also Gn 15:2 (JE) I pass away childless, but possibly sub 2 infr.; also 2 S 12:23 I am going (אֲנִי הֹלֵךְ) to him 2 S 12:23; so of mankind דּוֹר הֹלֵךְ וְדוֹר בָּא Ec 1:4; more explicitly, הַכֹּל הוֹלֵךְ אֶל־מָקוֹם אֶחָ֑ד הַכֹּל הָיָה מִן הֶעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל־הֶעָפָר Ec 3:20 cf. 6:6; also בִּשְׁאוֹל אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה הֹלֵךְ שָׁ֑מָּה 9:10, & הֹלֵךְ הָאָדָם אֶל־בֵּית עוֹלָמוֹ 12:5; cf. בְּטֶרֶם אֵלֵךְ וְאֵינֶנִּי ψ 39:14 before I depart and be not; so acc. to some 2 Ch 21:20 but cf. infr. 3 a (2); once with weaker sense sq. inf., הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ לָמוּת Gn 25:32 (J). e.g. Joshua 23:14
- 2. live (‘walk’), in general (cf. Pi. Hithp.) (usually poet., with modifying words): כִּי־אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת ψ 23:4 though I walk in a valley of deep darkness; cf. 138:7 & אֵ֫לֶךְ חֹשֶׁךְ Jb 29:3; קֹדֵר אֵלֵךְ ψ 42:10; ה׳ חֲשֵׁכִים Is 50:10, v. also Ez 3:14; perhaps also Gn 15:2 cf. 1 supr.; יֵלְכוּ מֵחַיִל אֶל־חָ֑יִל ψ 84:8 they go from strength to strength; הוֹלֵךְ בַּתֹּם יֵלֶךְ בֶּטַח, Pr 10:9; especially e.g. Psalms 23:4
- 3. of moral and religious life; יְיַשֶּׁר־לָ֑כֶת Pr 15:21 he maketh straight to walk (walketh straight, upright); partic. e.g. Proverbs 15:21
- a. walk in (בְּ) ways (counsels, statutes, etc.), (1) in good sense: (α) ה׳ בְּדֶרֶךְ תָּמִים ψ 101:6, cf. Is 30:21 Je 6:16 1 K 8:36 = 2 Ch 6:27; (β) in (בְּ) ways of י׳, especially D: Dt 8:6 (‖ לְיִרְאָה אֹתוֹ) cf. 10:12, 11:22 (‖ לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־י׳ etc.), 28:9 (‖ שָׁמַר מִצְוֹת י׳); v. also 13:15 +; 1 K 11:33 (sq. לַעֲשׂוֹת), v 38 (sq. וְעָשִׂיתָ) 2 K 21:22 ψ 119:3; 128:1; בְּאֹרְחֹתָיו Is 2:3 = Mi 4:2; further (sq. דֶּרֶךְ) Ju 2:17; (γ) †in commandments of י׳ 2 Ch 17:4; (δ) in his law(s) (תּוֹרָה) Ex 16:4, 14 (J) 2 K 10:31 Je 9:12; 44:23 (+ בְּחֻקֹּת & בְּעֵדְוֹת), 2 Ch 6:16 Dn 9:10, cf. Ne 10:30 (of אֱלֹהִים); (ε †in his ordinances, statutes (חֻקּוֹת) Lv 26:3 1 K 6:12 Je 44:10, 23 (v. supr.), Ez 5:6, 7; 11:20; 18:9, 17; 20:13, 16, 19, 21, cf. בְּחֻקּוֹת חַיִּים 33:15; also בְּחֻקֵּי 1 K 8:61 Ez 11:12; 36:27; (ζ) †in his judgments (מִשְׁפָּטִים) ψ 89:31 Ez 37:24; (η) † in ordinances of David 1 K 3:3, cf. also infr.; (θ) in way(s) of good man 1 S 8:3, 5 2 Ch 21:12, of David 2 Ch 11:17; 34:2, of David & Sol. 17:3 (2) in bad sense, (α) in (evil) ways c. בְּ 2 K 21:21 Ez 16:47; 23:31 2 Ch 22:3; cf. also (prob.) 2 Ch 21:20 וַיֵּלֶךְ בְּלֹא חֶמְדָּה and he lived undesirably (cf. 𝔊 𝔙 Kmp Öt); > others he departed (died) unregretted, so AV RV; (β) sq. acc. 2 K 21:21 Je 18:15 (ה׳ נְתִיבוֹת); (γ) c. adverb. acc. הוֹלֵךְ עִקְּשׁוּת פֶּה Pr 6:12 one walking in perversity (falseness) of mouth (cf. צְדָקוֹת Is 33:15); (δ) in (בְּ) ordinances, statutes (חֻקּוֹת) of bad men Lv 18:3; 20:23 (both H) 2 K 17:8, 19 Ez 20:18 (בְּחוּקֵּי). e.g. Psalms 101:6
- b. walk with (אֶת, עִם) i.e. associate, be familiar with: בְּשָׁלוֹם וּבְמִישׁוֹר ה׳ אִתִּי Mal 2:6 in peace and uprightness he walked with me (י׳); הַצְנֵעַ לֶכֶת עִם־אֱלֹהֶיךָ Mi 6:8; but also of people at variance with י׳ וַהֲלַכְתֶּם עִמִּי קֶ֑רִי Lv 26:23 cf. v 27, 40; & of י׳ at variance with people וְהָלַכְתִּי … עִמָּכֶם בְּקֶ֑רִי v 24 cf. v 28 (all H); with men, אֶת־חֲכָמִים Pr 13:20; עִם אַנְשֵׁי רֶשַׁע Jb 34:8; cf. walk with (עִם) vanity Jb 31:5. e.g. Malachi 2:6
- c. walk before י׳ (לִפְנֵי י׳; c. בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּכָל־לִבָּם etc.) 1 K 2:4; 3:6; 8:23, 25; 9:4 2 Ch 6:16; 7:17 cf. ה׳ קְדֹרַנִּית מִפְּנֵי י׳ Mal 3:14; walk before the living (i.e. walk aright before them) Ec 6:8. e.g. 1 Kings 2:4
- d. walk, go, after (אַחֲרֵי) (1) י׳ Dt 13:5 1 K 14:8 Je 2:2 Ho 11:10 +; (2) other gods, Ju 2:12 especially D: Dt 4:3; 6:14; 8:19; 13:3; 28:14 Je 2:23; 7:6; 8:2; 11:10; 16:11; 25:6 +; cf. go & serve other gods Jos 23:16 Dt 13:7, 14; 17:3; 29:17 (cf. 28:14 supr.); (3) things which do not profit Je 2:8; (4) vanity Ho 5:11 (reading שָׁוְא cf. VB); v. also Am 2:4. e.g. Deuteronomy 13:5
- e. walk in (1) one’s integrity, etc., בְּתֻמִּי ψ 26:11 cf. 84:12 Pr 10:9, v. also ה׳ תָּמִים ψ 15:2, הֹלְכֵי תֹם Pr 2:7; (2) bad sense, in (בְּ) sin 1 K 15:3, 26, 34; 16:2, 26 2 K 13:6, 11 + (especially of wicked kings); (evil) counsel 2 Ch 22:5 cf. ψ 1:1. e.g. Psalms 26:11
- f. (1) לֵב as subj., (α) = thoughts, לֹא לִבִּי הָלַךְ 2 K 5:26 did not my thoughts go forth; (β) evil inclination, Jb 31:7; אֶל־לֵב שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶם … לִבָּם הֹלֵךְ Ez 11:21; sq. אַחֲרֵי גִלּוּלֵיהֶם 20:16, אַחֲרֵי בִצְעָם 33:31; (2) נֶפֶשׁ = desire, טוֹב מַרְאֵה עֵינַיִם מֵהֲלָךְ־נֶפֶשׁ Ec 6:9 better is sight of the eyes than outgoing of desire. e.g. 2 Kings 5:26
- 4. other fig. uses: depart from מִפְּנֵי Ho 11:2 (from prophets as God’s messengers; opp. קָרָא); go into, הָֽלְכוּ בַכְּלִמָּה Is 45:16 they have gone into confusion (judgment on idol-makers); etc. e.g. Hosea 11:2
Niphal
- Pf. 1 s. כְּצֵל כִּנְטוֹתוֹ נֶהֱלָ֑כְתִּי ψ 109:23 like a shadow when it stretches out I am gone (cf. היה Niph.) e.g. Psalms 109:23
Piel
- (chiefly poet. & late) Pf. הִלַּכְתִּי Jb 30:28 ψ 131:1; הִלָּ֑כְתִּי ψ 38:7; 3 pl. הִלְּכוּ Jb 24:10 La 5:18; Impf. יְהַלֵּךְ Ez 18:9 + 2 times; וַיְהַלֵּךְ 1 K 21:27; 1 s. אֲהַלֵּךְ ψ 86:11 + 2 times; 3 mpl. יְהַלֵּ֑כוּ Hb 3:11 + 2 times; יְהַלֵּכ֑וּן ψ 89:16 + 2 times; 1 pl. נְהַלֵּךְ ψ 55:15 Is 59:9; Imv. הַלֵּךְ Ec 11:9; Pt. מְהַלֵּךְ Pr 6:11 ψ 104:3; מְהַלְּכִים Ec 4:15;— e.g. Job 30:28
- 1. walk in or with a throng sq. בְּ loc.: בְּבֵית א׳ נְהַלֵּךְ בְּרָ֑גֶשׁ ψ 55:15; walk, tread on coals עַל־הַגֶּחָלִים Pr 6:28; of idols ψ 115:7 they do not walk, have not the power of walking (cf. יִצְעָ֑דוּ Je 10:5); of one tramping, formidable, sim. of poverty וּבָא־כִמְהַלֵּךְ רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ Pr 6:11,—a highwayman according to Ges Ew Hi Now, cf. 𝔊; ‖ מַחְסֹרְךָ כְּאִישׁ מָגֵן (cf. also Hithp. 24:34); of י׳, walking (in majesty), marching, עַל־כַּנְפֵי רוּחַ ψ 104:3 on the wings of the wind; of righteousness, personified, צֶדֶק לְפָנָיו יְהַלֵּךְ ψ 85:14; of wisdom בְּאֹרַח צְדָקָה אֲהַלֵּךְ Pr 8:20 in the path of righteousness do I walk (stedfastly, unswervingly); of animals, go about, prowl, עַל הַר־צִיּוֹן שֶׁה֯שָּׁמֵם שׁוּעָלִים הִלְּכוּ ב֑וֹ (Qr שֶׁשָּׁמֵם) La 5:18, of ships, in (stately) movement ψ 104:26; of springs 104:10 between mountains they go (run, flow); of arrows Hb 3:11 at the light of thine arrows that go (fly, shoot; cf. Hithp. ψ 77:18). e.g. Psalms 55:15
- 2. also of walking about = living הַמְֿהַלְּכִים תַּחַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ Ec 4:15; עָרוֹם הִלְּכוּ בְּלִי לְבוּשׁ Jb 24:10 naked they keep going about (freq.), without clothing; so of going about as mourner קֹדֵר הִלַּכְתִּי Jb 30:28 ψ 38:7 (cf. Qal ψ 42:10); בַּאֲפֵלוֹת נְהַלֵּךְ Is 59:9 in darkness we walk (of distress); on the other hand בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ יְהַלֵּכ֑וּן ψ 89:16 (of blessedness & prosperity). e.g. Ecclesiastes 4:15
- 3. depart, go entirely away (מִן) מִמְּקוֹם קָדוֹשׁ יְהַלֵּ֑כוּ Ec 8:10 from the holy place they must depart (on text cf. VB; ‖ וְיִשְׁתַּכְּחוּ בָעִיר). e.g. Ecclesiastes 8:10
- 4. fig. of mode of life, action, etc.: of particular path of one’s life בְּאֹרַח־זוּ אֲהַלֵּךְ ψ 142:4; specif. in good sense וַיְהַלֵּךְ אַ֑ט 1 K 21:27 and he (Ahab) walked softly (as a penitent); oftener c. בְּ of path in which: בִּדְרָכַי יְהַלֵּ֑כוּ ψ 81:14 that in my ways they would walk! cf. 86:11 (בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ), Ez 18:9 (בְּחֻקּוֹתַי); in bad or doubtful sense וְהַלֵּךְ בְּדַרְכֵי לִבְּךָ וּבְמַרְאֵי עֵינֶי֑ךָ Ec 11:9; cf. also לֹא הִלַּכְתִּי בִּגְדֹלֹת ψ 131:1 I do not walk (move, tread) among great things (‖ וּבְנִפְלָאוֹת מִמֶּנִּי; fig. of humility, cf. also v a). e.g. Psalms 142:4
Hithpael
- Pf. הִתְהַלֶּךְ־ Gn 6:9 1 S 30:31; וְהִתְהַלֵּךְ consec. Ex 21:19 1 S 2:35; 2 ms. הִתְהַלָּ֑כְתָּ Ez 28:14 Jb 38:16; 1 s. הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי Gn 24:40 + 5 times, etc.; Impf. יִתְהַלֵּךְ Pr 23:31; יִתְהַלָּ֑ךְ Jb 18:8; 22:14; 1 s. אֶתְהַלֵּךְ ψ 43:2 + 2 times; וְאֶתְהַלְּכָה ψ 119:45; 3 mpl. יִתְהַלְּכוּ 1 S 2:30 + 2 times; וַיִּתְהַלְּכוּ Ju 21:24 + 3 times; יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ 1 S 23:13 + 3 times; יִתְהַלָּכ֑וּן ψ 12:9; 3 fpl. וַתִּתְהַלַּכְנָה Zc 6:7, etc.; Imv. הִתְהַלֵּךְ Gn 13:17; 17:1; הִתְהַלְּכוּ Jos 18:8 Zc 6:7; Inf. (לְ)הִתְהַלֵּךְ ψ 56:14 + 4 times; sf. הִתְהַלֶּכְךָ Pr 6:22; Pt. מִתְהַלֵּךְ Gn 3:8 + 7 times; fs. מִתְהַלָּכֶת Ez 1:13; mpl. מִתְהַלְּכִים 1 S 25:27;—walk, walk about, move to and fro: e.g. Genesis 6:9
- 1. lit.
- a. traverse, in this direction and that, Gn 13:17 (J; בָּאָרֶץ) Jos 18:4 (JE), v 8 (id.; לְכוּ וְהִתְה׳ בָּאָרֶץ); cf. Jb 1:7 = 2:2 (both ‖ שׁוּט) Zc 1:10, 11; similarly also 1 Ch 21:4; of fiery appearance in Ezek.’s vision מִתְה׳ בֵּין הַחַיּוֹת Ez 1:13; of horses in Zec.’s vision Zc 6:7 (לָלֶכֶת לְהִתְ׳ בָּאָרֶץ), v 7 (לְכוּ הִתְהַלְּכוּ בָּא׳), v 7; go in different directions וַיִּתְה׳ מִשָּׁם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל … אִישׁ לְשִׁבְטוֹ Ju 21:24 (‖ וַיֵּצְאוּ מִשָּׁם etc.); so of lightning flashes as arrows of י׳ ψ 77:18 went hither & thither; of water running off different ways 58:8 (sim. of vanishing of wicked). e.g. Genesis 13:17
- b. walk, walk about הִתְהַלֵּךְ בַּחוּץ עַל־מִשְׁעַנְתּוֹ Ex 21:19 (JE) i.e. leaning upon his staff; Pr 6:22 (distinguished from שָׁכַב, הֵקִיץ); 2 S 11:2 (עַל־גַּג בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ); וּבְחֵקֶר תְּהוֹם הִתְהַלָּ֑כְתָּ Jb 38:16 and in the farthest ground of the deep hast thou walked? בְּתוֹךְ אַבְנֵי־אֵשׁ הִתְהַלָּ֑כְתָּ Ez 28:14; so also of י׳, walking on earth, in anthropomorphic conception קוֹל י׳ אֱלֹהִים מִתְהַלֵּךְ בַּגָּן Gn 3:8 (J) the sound of י׳ Elohim walking about in the garden; of God וְחוּג שָׁמַיִם יִתְהַלָּ֑ךְ Jb 22:14 and the vault of heaven he walketh; walk about in front of (לִפְנֵי) Est 2:11; attend, follow, of retainers הַמִּתְהַלְּכִים בְּרַגְלֵי אֲדֹנִי 1 S 25:27; wander, of Israel מִגּוֹי אֶל־גּוֹי ψ 105:13 = 1 Ch 16:20; rove about, of David and his band אֲשֶׁר־הִתְהַלֶּךְ־שָׁם 1 S 30:31; וַיִּתְהַלְּכוּ בַּאֲשֶׁר יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ 23:13 (on this phr. cf. Lag Psalt. Hieron. 1874, 156 f. DrSm); walk about, prowl, of Jehoiachin under fig. of lion, וַיִּתְה׳ בְּתוֹךְ־אֲרָיוֹת Ez 19:6; cf. also וּבָא־מִתְהַלֵּךְ רֵישֶׁ֑ךָ Pr 24:34 and thy poverty cometh marching (cf. Pi. 6:11); glide, flow of wine יִתְה׳ בְּמֵישָׁרִים Pr 23:31 glideth down smoothly (VB; cf. Qal 3 Ct 7:10); note especially the foll., where emphasis lies not on verb, but on an auxiliary word; these cases form the natural transition to the figurative use:—ψ 12:9 on every side wicked men are walking; בְּצֶלֶם יִתְהַלֶּךְ־אִישׁ 39:7 in appearance (semblance, lit. image cf. Che crit. n.) walketh a man; also לָמָּה קֹדֵר אֶתְהַלֵּךְ 43:2 (cf. Qal 42:10, Pi. 38:7 Jb 30:28). e.g. Exodus 21:19
- 2. fig. walk about = live; the king before (לִפְנֵי) his people 1 S 12:2, so of Samuel v 2; of priest 2:35 (לִפְנֵי מְשִׁיחִי); of friendly intercourse with (אֶת) men 1 S 25:15; cf. כְּרֵעַ כְּאָה־לִי הִתְהַלָּ֑כְתִּי ψ 35:14; of man’s relation to God: especially sq. לִפְנֵי, ה׳ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִים Gn 17:1 (P) walk before me (live constantly in my presence) and (so) be perfect, cf. 24:40 (J), 48:15 (E); ה׳ לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵבָב שָׁלֵם 2 K 20:3 = Is 38:3; as token of divine favour יִתְהַלְּכוּ לְפָנַי עַד־עוֹלָם 1 S 2:30 (v. especially Dr, on sense here & elsewhere); ψ 116:9 אֶתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי י׳ בְּאַרְצוֹת הַחַיִּים, 56:14 (בְּאוֹר הַחַיִּים); יִתְה׳ בִּשְׁמוֹ Zc 10:12 they shall walk in his name; c. אֶת, of Enoch and Noah ה׳ אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים Gn 5:22, 24; 6:9 (denoting intimacy, fellowship: all P); further ה׳ בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ ψ 26:3 I have walked in thy faithfulness; מִתְה׳ בְּתֻמּוֹ צַדִּיק Pr 20:7 he that walketh justly in his (own) integrity; אֶתְה׳ בְּתָם־לְבָבִי בְּקֶרֶב בֵּיתִי ψ 101:2; cf. also ψ 119:45 and let me walk in a large place (untrammelled, undismayed); of the wicked מִתְהַלֵּךְ בַּאֲשָׁמָיו ψ 68:22 one going on in his guilty deeds; בַּחֲשֵׁכָה יִתְה׳ ψ 82:5 they walk in darkness (‖ לֹא יָֽדְעוּ וְלֹא יָבִינוּ); of their exposure עַל־שְׂבָכָה יִתְה׳ Jb 18:8 he walketh on net-work, (snare, cf. שׂבכה; ‖ שֻׁלַּח בְּרֶשֶׁת בְּרַגְלָיו); especially of י׳ as accompanying Israel מִתְה׳ בְּקֶרֶב מַחֲנֶךָ Dt 23:15 walk in the midst, etc., בְּתוֹכְכֶם Lv 26:12; 2 S 7:7 wherever (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר) I have walked with (among בְּ) all (the sons of) Isr. = 1 Ch 17:6; as inhabiting a tent, on the march, וָאֶהְיֶה מִתְהַלֵּךְ בְּאֹהֶל וּבְמִשְׁכָּ֑ן 2 S 7:6 and I was walking in a tent and in a tabernacle. e.g. 1 Samuel 12:2
Hiphil
- Pf. 3 ms. הוֹלִיךְ (as if from ילך, i.e. a verb פ״ו, cf. reff. sub Qal Impf. supr.) 2 K 24:15; sf. הוֹלִיכְךָ Dt 8:2, וְהוֹלִיכוֹ consec. Pr 16:29, etc.; Impf. יוֹלִיךְ Ec 10:20, יוֹלִךְ Je 32:5; juss. יוֹלֵךְ Dt 28:36; שֶׁיֹּלֵךְ Ec 5:14; וַיּוֹ֫לֶךְ Ex 14:21 וַיֹּ֫לֶךְ 2 K 6:19 + 2 times; וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ La 3:2; sf. וַיּוֹלִכֵנִי Ez 40:24; 43:1; 47:6 1 s. אוֹלִיךְ 2 S 13:13 Ez 32:14, cohort. וְאוֹלִיכָה 2 K 6:19, וָאוֹלֵךְ Am 2:10 + 3 times, etc.; Imv. הוֹלֵךְ Nu 17:11; fs. הֵילִיכִי Ex 2:9 (Böii 461, § 1103; but read prob. הוֹלִיכִי Ol§ 256, b Ges§ 69x); mpl. הֹלִיכוּ 2 K 17:27; Inf. sf. לְהֹלִיכוֹ 2 Ch 36:6; Pt. מוֹלִיךְ Je 2:6 + 4 times; sf. מוֹלִיכְךָ Dt 8:15, מוֹלִכֵךְ Je 2:17; מוֹלִיכָם Is 63:13; fpl. מוֹלִכוֹת Zc 5:10;— e.g. 2 Kings 24:15
- 1. lead, bring: sq. acc. usually of person;
- a. c. בְּ of space or region through which, Dt 8:15 (Isr. in wilderness) Je 2:6 ψ 136:16, so also Is 48:21; בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ Je 2:17; cf. Jos 24:3 (E), Is 63:13 ψ 106:9; also fig. Is 42:16 and I will lead (the) blind in a way (בְּדֶרֶךְ) they know not; e.g. Deuteronomy 8:15
- b. c. acc. pers., בְּ of space + acc. of time וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה בַּמִּדְבָּר Dt 29:4; so Am 2:10 (sq. Inf. of purpose c. לְ). e.g. Deuteronomy 29:4
- c. sq. acc. pers. + acc. of way, road, Dt 8:2, cf. דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם Ez 40:24 (acc. of direction). e.g. Deuteronomy 8:2
- d. sq. acc. pers. + acc. of place or condition to which אֶת־נְשֵׁי הַמֶּלֶךְ … הוֹלִיךְ גּוֹלָה 2 K 24:15 the women of the king, etc., he led into exile (מִירוּשָׁלַםִ בָּבֶ֑לָה); so also, of exile וְהוֹלַכְתִּיהָ הַמִּדְבָּר Ho 2:16; בָּבֶל Je 32:5; cf. of Yahweh’s chastisement, La 3:2 me hath he driven and brought, into darkness and not into light; sq. acc. pers. + אֶל: אֶל־גּוֹי etc. Dt 28:36 (of exile); אֶל־נַחֲלֵי־מַיִם Je 31:9; אֶל־הַשַּׁעַר Ez 43:1; אֶל־הָעֵדָה Nu 17:11 (P; implic. obj. being censer); אֶל of pers. 2 K 6:19 Je 52:26, עַל in ‖ 2 K 25:20; עַל also 1 K 1:38 וַיֹּלִכוּ אֹתוֹ עַל־גִּיחוֹן (see sub עַל 7 c β). e.g. 2 Kings 24:15
- e. sq. acc. pers. + ה—ָ loc.: שֹׁמְרֹ֫נָה 2 K 6:19; בָּבֶ֫לָה 2 Ch 33:11; 36:6 (cf. 2 K 24:15 supr.); cf. שָׁ֫מָּה 2 K 17:27. e.g. 2 Kings 6:19
- 2. lead away sq. acc. pers. + appos.; מוֹלִיךְ יוֹעֲצִים שׁוֹלָ֑ל Jb 12:17 he (י׳) leadeth away counsellors despoiled cf. v 19; of Yahweh’s judgment on the wicked ψ 125:5 י׳ will lead them away with (אֶת) the workers of iniquity. e.g. Job 12:17
- 3. carry, bring: c. obj. helpless, or inanimate:
- a. + acc. loc., Josiah to Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלִַם) 2 Ch 35:24 (וַיְבִיאֻהוּ in ‖ 2 K 23:30); cf. Zc 5:10 whither are these carrying the ephah? אָ֫נָה אוֹלִיךְ אֶת־חֶרְפָּתִי 2 S 13:13. e.g. 2 Chronicles 35:24
- b. carry, take, take away, הֵילִיכִי אֶת־הַיֶּלָד Ex 2:9 (E; on form cf. supr.); also carry away בְּיָדוֹ, in his hand, Ec 5:14; of the spread of a careless speech Ec 10:20 fowl of the heavens shall carry the voice (‖ בַּעַל ה֯כְּנָפַיִם יַגֵּיד דָּבָר). e.g. Exodus 2:9
- 4. fig., of influence on character: c. acc. pers. + בְּ into: Pr 16:29 and he will lead him into a way that is not good (i.e. sinful). e.g. Proverbs 16:29
- 5.
- a. cause to walk, go, men (i.e. עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל) on (עַל) the mountains of Israel Ez 36:12 (‖ וִירֵשׁוּךָ, וְהָיִיתָ לָהֶם לְנַחֲלָה); cf. וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמֲמִיּוּת Lv 26:13 and I caused you to walk upright (fig.; opp. to being bowed down by a yoke); Is 63:12 that caused his glorious arm to go at (לְ) the right hand of Moses. e.g. Ezekiel 36:12
- b. cause to flow, run Ez 32:14 and rivers like oil will I cause to flow. e.g. Ezekiel 32:14
- c. cause to depart, retire, go back, י׳, the sea, Ex 14:21 (בְּ instr., בְּרוּחַ קָדִים). e.g. Exodus 14:21
Senses from the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon (Brown, Driver, Briggs; Oxford 1906 — public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). Full attribution on Sources.
Word origin
vb. go, come, walk (MI ואהלך, לך; SI וילכו; NH הִלֵּךְ (rare), Aramaic הֲלַךְ, הַךְ (also Biblical Aramaic), oftener הַלֵּיךְ Pa., ܗܰܠܶܟ, Palm. Ithp. אתילכא Vog No. 15, 1. 4; Assyrian alâku DlW; also Arabic هَلَكَ perish)—
— Brown-Driver-Briggs (Oxford 1906, public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). See Sources.
Derived from הלך (hâlak) (H1980) — to walk.
Jastrow Dictionary
A second Hebrew/Aramaic lexicon for comparison, covering Aramaic and post-biblical (Talmudic, Targumic, Midrashic) usage that the biblical-Hebrew BDB does not. Matched by lemma rather than by Strong’s number, so a lemma may carry more than one Jastrow headword (shown separately below), and the entries cover usage well beyond the Bible.
יָלַךְ
- , Hif. הוֹלִיךְ, v. הָלַךְ
A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature (Marcus Jastrow; London, Luzac, 1903) — Public Domain. Digitized via Sefaria. Digitized via Sefaria. Full attribution on Sources.
Forms in the corpus
The 389 distinct written forms H3212 takes in the Hebrew Bible, most frequent first — each parse links to that stem’s occurrences in the concordance. Hebrew forms include their vowel points and cantillation, so a single lemma takes many written forms.
The 60 most common forms are shown; 329 rarer forms follow in the full concordance.
Same root — word family
Other BDB entries built from the same root as H3212, grouped by Strong’s listed origin. These share a root / origin per the lexicon — not necessarily a shared meaning. Each links to that word’s own entry.
Derives from
Shares the same root
- הליך hâlîyk H1978 step
- הלך hălak H1981 to walk
- הלך hêlek H1982 traveller
- מהלך mahlêk H4108 walk
- מהלך mahălâk H4109 walk
- תהלכה tahălukâh H8418 procession
Derived from this word
Proper names from this root
People and places named from this root — a name, not an additional meaning of the word.
Compare all same-root words → Showing 4 of 9 — not the complete family. 1 of the same-root words is a proper name (a person or place). They share a root, not necessarily a meaning.
Septuagint verse parallels
This word appears in 897 verses that also exist in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), out of the 936 Hebrew verses it occurs in. You can read those verses in Greek by switching the Old Testament edition to the Septuagint.
Read these verses in the Septuagint
- Genesis 3:14
- Exodus 2:1
- Leviticus 18:3
- Numbers 10:29
- Deuteronomy 1:19
- Joshua 1:7
- Judges 1:3
- Ruth 1:1
- 1 Samuel 1:17
- 2 Samuel 2:19
- 1 Kings 1:12
- 2 Kings 1:2
This is a verse-level parallel only — the same verses exist in both the Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments. No word-level Hebrew↔Greek correspondence is claimed: the data carries no such alignment, so no Greek word is shown as this Hebrew word’s translation. Coverage is not total — the Septuagint omits the deuterocanon and renumbers the Psalms, so some Hebrew verses have no direct Greek parallel.
