Hebrew adv · H194
אוּלַי
ulayoo-lah'ee
perhaps
45 uses in the Hebrew text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: ʼûwlay
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's H194is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 17 of 39Old Testament books
- 14spellings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · H194
if not; hence perhaps
The King James renders it: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
ulay is rendered "perhaps". It stands 45 times in the Hebrew text, across seventeen books.
- Twelve of the uses stand in Genesis, more than in any other book.
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Genesis 16:2So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
- The Greek text spells it fourteen different ways.
The first use
So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Genesis 16:2אוּלַ֥י
The first use, in the order of the Old Testament's books.
Where the word stands
What the word means
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
How the Greek text is glossed, word by word
- perhaps45
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
Other numbers on this spelling
Strong gave these words the same spelling and different numbers, so the site counts and defines them apart.
The words it stands beside
All 45, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
14 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- אוּלַ֛י9
- אוּלַ֥י6
- אוּלַי֙5
- אוּלַ֤י5
- אוּלַ֖י4
- אוּלַ֞י3
- אוּלַ֗י3
- אוּלַ֣י3
- אוּלַ֡י2
- א֠וּלַי1
- אוּלַ֨י1
- אוּלַי֩1
and 2 more spellings in the ledger below.
The grammar of each form
- adverb45HD
Genesis
twelve uses
So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
- אוּלַ֥יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there?
- אוּלַ֥יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?” He replied, “If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.”
- א֠וּלַיʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Once again Abraham spoke to the LORD, “Suppose forty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the forty, I will not do it.”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Then Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak further. Suppose thirty are found there?” He replied, “If I find thirty there, I will not do it.”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
And Abraham said, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”
- אוּלַי֙ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’
- אֻלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
What if my father touches me? Then I would be revealed to him as a deceiver, and I would bring upon myself a curse rather than a blessing.”
- אוּלַ֤יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”
- אוּלַ֖יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake.
- אוּלַ֥יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Exodus
one use
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
- אוּלַ֥יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Numbers
five uses
So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”
- אוּלַ֤יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
- אוּלַ֥יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”
- אוּלַי֙ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,
- אוּלַ֞יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”
- אוּלַ֤יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Joshua
two uses
But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”
- אוּלַ֗יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Now therefore give me this hill country that the LORD promised me on that day, for you yourself heard then that the Anakim were there, with great and fortified cities. Perhaps with the LORD’s help I will drive them out, as the LORD has spoken.”
- אוּלַ֨יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
1 Samuel
three uses
Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.
- אוּלַ֗יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”
- אוּלַי֙ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
2 Samuel
two uses
Now therefore, I have come to present this matter to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king. Perhaps he will grant the request of his maidservant.
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
1 Kings
three uses
Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and every valley. Perhaps we will find grass to keep the horses and mules alive so that we will not have to destroy any livestock.”
- אוּלַ֣י׀ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!”
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
- אוּלַ֖יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
2 Kings
one use
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”
- אוּלַ֡יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Job
one use
And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.
- אוּלַי֙ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Isaiah
three uses
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”
- אוּלַ֡יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!
- אוּלַ֛יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
- אוּלַ֥יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Jeremiah
six uses
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”
- אוּלַ֤יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”
- אוּלַי֩ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Perhaps they will listen and turn—each from his evil way of life—so that I may relent of the disaster I am planning to bring upon them because of the evil of their deeds.
- אוּלַ֣יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”
- אוּלַ֤יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Perhaps they will bring their petition before the LORD, and each one will turn from his wicked way; for great are the anger and fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”
- אוּלַ֞יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
- אוּלַ֖יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Lamentations
one use
Let him bury his face in the dust—perhaps there is still hope.
- אוּלַ֖יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Ezekiel
one use
Therefore, son of man, pack your bags for exile. In broad daylight, set out from your place and go to another as they watch. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
- אוּלַ֣יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Hosea
one use
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up.
- אוּלַ֣יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Amos
one use
Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
- אוּלַ֗יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Jonah
one use
The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”
- אוּלַ֞יʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Zephaniah
one use
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
- אוּלַי֙ʾulaiadverbtagged: perhaps
Where it leads
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.
The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.
The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.