Original Word: לוּא
Part of Speech: Conjunction
Transliteration: luw'
Pronunciation: loo
Phonetic Spelling: (loo)
Definition: If only, Oh that, Would that
Meaning: if, would that!

Word Origin: Primitive particle

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent to the Hebrew particle "lu," the concept of expressing a wish or longing can be found in Greek particles such as "εἴθε" (eithe) or "ὤφελον" (ophelon), which are used in similar contexts in the New Testament.

Usage: The Hebrew particle "lu" is used to express a wish or a hypothetical situation, often conveying a sense of longing or desire for something that is not the current reality. It is typically used in contexts where the speaker is expressing a deep yearning or a conditional wish, often with a sense of regret or lamentation.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, expressions of longing or desire were often articulated through particles like "lu." This reflects a worldview where human desires and divine will were seen as deeply interconnected. The use of "lu" in the Hebrew Bible often underscores the tension between human aspirations and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan. It is a linguistic tool that captures the emotional depth of human experience, particularly in the context of prayer, lament, and prophecy.

Word Origin
a prim. conjunction
Definition
if, oh that
NASB Translation
if (8), if only (4), Oh (4), please (1), would (3).

לֻא 2 Samuel 18:12 Kt (Qr לוּ) if: see לוּ.

לאב (√ of following, compare Arabic (medial ) be thirsty, a stony tract of land (see Wetzst^{Reisebericht 99})).

לוּ₁₇ and לוּא ( 1 Samuel 14:30; Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 63:19), also לֻא (Qr לוּ), 2 Samuel 18:12; 2 Samuel 19:7 (Arabic , Aramaic , לְוַי, Mishna לְוַי, Assyrian lû, with optative force, Dl^{§§ 78 end, 93, 145}; compare Kö^{ii. 333}),

conjunction if, O that: —

1 if (stating a case which has not been, or is not likely to be, realized):

a. followed by perfect (so mostly), Deuteronomy 32:29 לו חכמו ישׂכילו זאת if they had been wise (which they are not), they would understand this; Micah 2:11 (apodosis וְהָיָה); Judges 8:19; Judges 13:23 להמיתנו לא לקח לו ׳חפץ י if J. had desired to slay us, he would not have taken, &c.; 1 Samuel 14:30; 2 Samuel 19:7.

b. followed by imperfect Ezekiel 14:15 if I were to send, &c. (but read probably אוֺ, compare Ezekiel 14:17; Ezekiel 14:19).

c. followed by participle, 2 Samuel 18:12 וְלֻא אָנֹכִי שֹׁקֵל and though I should be weighing 1000 pieces of silver upon my hand, I would not, &c.; Psalm 81:14-17 לו עמי שֹׁמֵעַ לי if my people were hearkening to me, . . . quickly would I bow down, &c.

d. followed by יֵשׁ Job 16:4. — With the apodosis omitted, Genesis 50:15 לוּ יִשְׂטְמֵנוּ if Joseph were to hate us (how should we fare then ?).

2 If only ...! i.e. O that! would that! (compare εἰ γάρ, εἴθε) usually followed by perf., as Numbers 14:2 (twice in verse) לוּ מַתְנוּ if only we had died in the land of Egypt! Numbers 20:3; Joshua 7:7 וְלוּ הוֺאַלְנוּ וַנֵּשֶׁב Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 63:19; followed by יֵשׁ Numbers 22:29; followed by imperfect Genesis 17:18 לו יחיה O that Ishmael might live before thee! Job 6:2; followed by jussive Genesis 30:34 כדברך לו יהי; followed by imperative Genesis 23:13 אם אתה לוּ שׁמעני if thou — O that thou wouldst hear me! (+ probably Genesis 23:5 לאמר ׃ לוּ שׁמעני for ׳לאמרֹ לוֺ ׃ שׁ, and similarly Genesis 23:15). — Read also probably לֻא for Masoretic לֹא Judges 21:22 (with כִּי עַתָּה), 1 Samuel 13:13; 1 Samuel 20:14 (twice in verse); Job 9:33 (followed by יֵשׁ); and perhaps Job 14:4 (Ew Kö).

if haply, peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God that

Or lu {loo}; or luw {loo}; a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. As a wish) would that! -- if (haply), peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that).

וְל֥וּ וְל֨וּא וְלוּ֙ ולו ולוא ל֖וּ ל֗וּ ל֚וּ ל֣וּ ל֤וּ ל֤וּ־ ל֥וּ ל֥וּא לֹ֣א לֽוּ־ לא לו לוּ֩ לוּ־ לוּא֩ לו־ לוא lo lō lu lū lū- veLu wə·lū wəlūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts