אָן
an
where?
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe word אָן (an) appears 41 times in the Hebrew Bible. Its primary meaning is "where?" or "what place?" It is a question word used to inquire about a location or a situation. This word is often used to seek information or to express a sense of uncertainty or curiosity. The range of usage for this word is quite broad, encompassing various genres such as historical accounts, prophetic speeches, and everyday conversations. It can be used in a standalone question or as a conjunction to introduce a new idea. For example, in Genesis 16:8, the word אָן is used in a question to inquire about the location where someone or something can be found. In contrast, in Jeremiah 44:5, it is used to introduce a new idea, asking "what place is it where we may go?" The significance of this word lies in its ability to convey a sense of inquiry, curiosity, and even skepticism. By using this word, the speaker is essentially saying, "I don't know" or "I'm not sure." This can be seen in passages where the word אָן is used to express surprise or disbelief, such as in 1 Kings 17:10, where the word is used to ask "where is your master?" in response to a surprising situation. Overall, the word אָן is a humble yet powerful tool for expressing uncertainty and seeking information in everyday conversations.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
41 total occurrences across the text
The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.
Job 8:2“How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
Job 18:2“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
Job 19:2“How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?
Psalms 13:1How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Psalms 13:1How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Psalms 13:2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
Psalms 13:2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
Psalms 62:3How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
Psalms 139:7Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?
Psalms 139:7Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?
Song of Solomon 6:1Where has your beloved gone, you fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?
Song of Solomon 6:1Where has your beloved gone, you fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?
Isaiah 10:3What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?
Jeremiah 15:2It will happen, when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go out?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Yahweh says: “Such as are for death, to death; such as are for the sword, to the sword; such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.” ’
Jeremiah 47:6“ ‘You sword of Yahweh, how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself back into your scabbard; rest, and be still.’
Ezekiel 21:16Gather yourselves together. Go to the right. Set yourselves in array. Go to the left, wherever your face is set.
Habakkuk 1:2Yahweh, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you “Violence!” and will you not save?
Zechariah 2:2Then I asked, “Where are you going?” He said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”
Zechariah 5:10Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are these carrying the ephah basket?”
Genesis 16:8He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.”
Genesis 32:17He commanded the foremost, saying, “When Esau, my brother, meets you, and asks you, saying, ‘Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these before you?’
Genesis 37:30He returned to his brothers, and said, “The child is no more; and I, where will I go?”
Exodus 16:28Yahweh said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
Numbers 14:11Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them?
Numbers 14:11Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them?
Deuteronomy 1:28Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to the sky. Moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there!’ ”
Joshua 2:5About the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, the men went out. Where the men went, I don’t know. Pursue them quickly. You may catch up with them.”
Joshua 18:3Joshua said to the children of Israel, “How long will you neglect to go in to possess the land, which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has given you?
Judges 19:17He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
Ruth 2:19Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.” She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”
1 Samuel 10:14Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” He said, “To seek the donkeys. When we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel.”
2 Samuel 2:1After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”
2 Samuel 13:13As for me, where would 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.”
1 Kings 2:36The king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem, and live there, and don’t go anywhere else.
1 Kings 2:36The king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem, and live there, and don’t go anywhere else.
1 Kings 2:42The king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Didn’t I adjure you by Yahweh, and warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain, that on the day you go out, and walk anywhere else, you shall surely die?’ You said to me, ‘The saying that I have heard is good.’
1 Kings 2:42The king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Didn’t I adjure you by Yahweh, and warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain, that on the day you go out, and walk anywhere else, you shall surely die?’ You said to me, ‘The saying that I have heard is good.’
2 Kings 5:25But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”
2 Kings 5:25But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”
2 Kings 6:6The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float.