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).
59 verses where H3212 appears in the Qal stem in the Book of Jeremiah. Filtered view — show all forms. 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.
Jeremiah
- Jeremiah 1:7 תֵּלֵ֔ךְ Qal impf 2ms But Yahweh said to me, Don't say, I am a child; for to whoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak.
- Jeremiah 2:2 לֶכְתֵּ֤/ךְ Qal inf.cs + sfx pers 2fs Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh, I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your weddings; how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
- Jeremiah 2:5 וַ/יֵּֽלְכ֛וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp thus says Yahweh, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
- Jeremiah 2:25 אֵלֵֽךְ Qal impf 1cs Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you said, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
- Jeremiah 3:8 וַ/תֵּ֖לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3fs I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce, yet treacherous Judah, her sister, didn't fear; but she also went and played the prostitute.
- Jeremiah 3:17 יֵלְכ֣וּ Qal impf 3mp At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Yahweh; and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of Yahweh, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart.
- Jeremiah 3:18 יֵלְכ֥וּ Qal impf 3mp In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance to your fathers.
- Jeremiah 5:5 אֵֽלֲכָה Qal coh 1cs I will get me to the great men, and will speak to them; for they know the way of Yahweh, and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
- Jeremiah 5:23 וַ/יֵּלֵֽכוּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
- Jeremiah 6:16 וּ/לְכוּ נֵלֵֽךְ conj + Qal impv 2mp Qal impf 1cp Thus says Yahweh, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein].
- Jeremiah 6:25 תלכי Qal juss 2fs Don't go forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy, [and] terror, are on every side.
- Jeremiah 7:6 תֵלְכ֖וּ Qal impf 2mp if you don't oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and don't shed innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your own hurt:
- Jeremiah 7:12 לְכוּ Qal impv 2mp But go you now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
- Jeremiah 7:24 וַ/יֵּֽלְכוּ֙ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp But they didn't listen nor turn their ear, but walked in [their own] counsels [and] in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
- Jeremiah 9:2 וְ/אֵלְכָ֖ה conj + Qal coh 1cs Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
- Jeremiah 9:14 וַ/יֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them;
- Jeremiah 11:8 וַ/יֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Yet they didn't obey, nor turn their ear, but walked everyone in the stubbornness of their evil heart: therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they didn't do them.
- Jeremiah 12:2 יֵלְכ֖וּ Qal impf 3mp You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
- Jeremiah 12:9 לְכ֗וּ Qal impv 2mp Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go you, assemble all the animals of the field, bring them to devour.
- Jeremiah 13:4 לֵ֣ךְ Qal impv 2ms Take the belt that you have bought, which is on your loins, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.
- Jeremiah 13:5 וָ/אֵלֵ֕ךְ conj + Qal wimpf 1cs So I went, and hid it by the Euphrates, as Yahweh commanded me.
- Jeremiah 13:6 לֵ֣ךְ Qal impv 2ms It happened after many days, that Yahweh said to me, Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take the belt from there, which I commanded you to hide there.
- Jeremiah 13:7 וָ/אֵלֵ֣ךְ conj + Qal wimpf 1cs Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the belt from the place where I had hid it; and, behold, the belt was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
- Jeremiah 13:10 וַ/יֵּלְכ֗וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and are gone after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this belt, which is profitable for nothing.
- Jeremiah 15:6 תֵּלֵ֑כִי Qal impf 2fs You have rejected me, says Yahweh, you are gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against you, and destroyed you; I am weary with repenting.
- Jeremiah 16:5 תֵּלֵ֣ךְ Qal juss 2ms For thus says Yahweh, Don't enter into the house of mourning, neither go to lament, neither bemoan them; for I have taken away my peace from this people, says Yahweh, even loving kindness and tender mercies.
- Jeremiah 16:11 וַ/יֵּלְכ֗וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Then shall you tell them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, says Yahweh, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshiped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
- Jeremiah 18:12 נֵלֵ֔ךְ Qal impf 1cp But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do everyone after the stubbornness of his evil heart.
- Jeremiah 18:15 לָ/לֶ֣כֶת prep + Qal inf.cs For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false [gods]; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up;
- Jeremiah 18:18 לְכ֨וּ לְכוּ֙ Qal impv 2mp Qal impv 2mp Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
- Jeremiah 20:6 תֵּלְכ֖וּ Qal impf 2mp You, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house shall go into captivity; and you shall come to Babylon, and there you shall die, and there shall you be buried, you, and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.
- Jeremiah 22:22 יֵלֵ֑כוּ Qal impf 3mp The wind shall feed all your shepherds, and your lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shall you be ashamed and confounded for all your wickedness.
- Jeremiah 25:6 תֵּלְכ֗וּ Qal juss 2mp and don't go after other gods to serve them or worship them, and don't provoke me to anger with the work of your hands; and I will do you no harm.
- Jeremiah 26:4 לָ/לֶ֨כֶת֙ prep + Qal inf.cs You shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
- Jeremiah 28:11 וַ/יֵּ֛לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus says Yahweh: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon within two full years from off the neck of all the nations. The prophet Jeremiah went his way.
- Jeremiah 30:16 יֵלֵ֑כוּ Qal impf 3mp Therefore all those who devour you shall be devoured; and all your adversaries, everyone of them, shall go into captivity; and those who despoil you shall be a spoil, and all who prey on you will I give for a prey.
- Jeremiah 35:15 תֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ Qal juss 2mp I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return you now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and don't go after other gods to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but you have not inclined your ear, nor listened to me.
- Jeremiah 36:14 וָ/לֵ֑ךְ conj + Qal impv 2ms Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, Take in your hand the scroll in which you have read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand, and came to them.
- Jeremiah 36:19 לֵ֥ךְ Qal impv 2ms Then said the princes to Baruch, Go, hide you, you and Jeremiah; and let no man know where you are.
- Jeremiah 37:9 יֵלְכ֥וּ יֵלֵֽכוּ Qal impf 3mp Qal impf 3mp Thus says Yahweh, Don't deceive yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they shall not depart.
- Jeremiah 37:12 לָ/לֶ֖כֶת prep + Qal inf.cs then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to receive his portion there, in the midst of the people.
- Jeremiah 40:4 לָ/לֶ֥כֶת לֵֽךְ prep + Qal inf.cs Qal impv 2ms Now, behold, I loose you this day from the chains which are on your hand. If it seem good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well to you; but if it seem ill to you to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before you; where it seems good and right to you to go, there go.
- Jeremiah 40:5 לָ/לֶ֖כֶת לֵ֑ךְ prep + Qal inf.cs Qal impv 2ms Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, [said he], to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present, and let him go.
- Jeremiah 40:15 אֵ֤לְכָה Qal coh 1cs Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?
- Jeremiah 41:10 וַ/יֵּ֕לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people who were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people who remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the children of Ammon.
- Jeremiah 41:12 וַ/יֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
- Jeremiah 41:14 וַ/יֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp So all the people who Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned about and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.
- Jeremiah 41:15 וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the children of Ammon.
- Jeremiah 41:17 וַ/יֵּלְכ֗וּ לָ/לֶ֖כֶת conj + Qal wimpf 3mp prep + Qal inf.cs and they departed, and lived in Geruth Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
- Jeremiah 42:3 נֵֽלֶךְ Qal impf 1cp that Yahweh your God may show us the way in which we should walk, and the thing that we should do.
- Jeremiah 44:3 לָ/לֶ֣כֶת prep + Qal inf.cs because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, [and] to serve other gods, that they didn't know, neither they, nor you, nor your fathers.
- Jeremiah 45:5 תֵּֽלֶךְ Qal impf 2ms Seek you great things for yourself? Don't seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh, says Yahweh; but your life will I give to you for a prey in all places where you go.
- Jeremiah 46:22 יֵלֵ֑ךְ יֵלֵ֔כוּ Qal impf 3ms Qal impf 3mp The sound of it shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.
- Jeremiah 48:2 לְכ֖וּ תֵּ֥לֶךְ Qal impv 2mp Qal impf 3fs The praise of Moab is no more; in Heshbon they have devised evil against her: Come, and let us cut her off from being a nation. You also, Madmen, shall be brought to silence: the sword shall pursue you.
- Jeremiah 49:3 יֵלֵ֔ךְ Qal impf 3ms Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste; cry, you daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth: lament, and run back and forth among the fences; for Malcam shall go into captivity, his priests and his princes together.
- Jeremiah 50:4 יֵלֵ֔כוּ Qal impf 3mp In those days, and in that time, says Yahweh, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; they shall go on their way weeping, and shall seek Yahweh their God.
- Jeremiah 51:9 וְ/נֵלֵ֖ךְ conj + Qal impf 1cp We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go everyone into his own country; for her judgment reaches to heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
- Jeremiah 51:59 בְּ/לֶכְתּ֞/וֹ prep + Qal inf.cs + sfx pers 3ms The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was chief chamberlain.
- Jeremiah 52:7 וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about;) and they went toward the Arabah.
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.
