VersePhraseExplanation
Gen 24:8But if the woman is not willing to follow youBut if the woman refuses to come with you. Abraham was answering the servant's question from [Genesis 24:5](./05.md).
Gen 24:39Perhaps the woman will not follow me.This is something that could possibly happen. Alternate Translation: "What if the woman will not come back with me?" or "What should I do if the woman will not come back with me?"
Gen 24:41But you will be free from my oath if you come to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from my oathThis is a hypothetical situation that Abraham did not think was likely to happen. Possible meanings are 1) "There is only one way for you to be free from my oath: if you come to my relatives and they will not give her to you, then you will be free from my oath" or, 2) building on verse 40, "If you go to my father's family and ask for a girl, you will have done what I told you to do. If they will not give her to you, then you will be free from the oath you swore to me."
Gen 43:10For if we had not delayedJudah is describing something that could have happened in the past but did not. Judah is scolding his father for waiting so long to send his sons to Egypt to get more food.
Gen 44:30therefore, when I come ... sorrow to SheolJudah is describing to Joseph a realistic but hypothetical case of what he will expect will happen to Jacob when he returns without Benjamin.
Gen 44:31therefore, when I come ... sorrow to SheolJudah is describing to Joseph a realistic but hypothetical case of what he will expect will happen to Jacob when he returns without Benjamin.
Gen 44:31it will come aboutJudah is speaking about a hypothetical case in the future as if it would certainly happen.
Exo 10:10if I ever let you go and your little ones goPharaoh says this to emphasize that he would not let Moses take the children with them to worship Yahweh.
Num 5:12Suppose that a man's wife turns away and sins against her husbandThis is something that could possibly happen. Yahweh is telling Moses what to do if it does happen.
Num 5:13Then suppose that another man sleeps with herand another man sleeps with her. This sentence can be written as part of the previous sentence. This explains how she sinned against her husband. This is something that could possibly happen. Yahweh is telling Moses what to do if it does happen.
Num 12:14If her father had spit in her faceThis describes something that could have happened but did not. Spitting in someone's face was a terrible insult.
Num 22:18Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and goldBalaam is describing something that would never happen. He is emphasizing that there is nothing that could make him disobey Yahweh.
Num 22:33If she had not turned ... killed you and spared her lifeThis hypothetical statement indicated what could have happened, but it did not because the donkey's actions saved Balaam.
Num 24:13Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and goldBalaam is describing something that would never happen. This statement emphasizes that there is nothing that would make Balaam disobey God.
Deu 19:5For example, if a man goes into the forest ... to cut woodThe author gives a hypothetical situation where a person accidentally kills another person.
Deu 20:5so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates itThe officer is describing a situation that could possibly happen to a soldier. Alternate Translation: "so that, if he dies in battle, another man will not dedicate his house instead of him"
Deu 20:6so he will not die in battle and another man enjoy its fruitThe officer is describing a situation that could possibly happen to a soldier. Alternate Translation: "so that, if he dies in battle, another man will not harvest its fruit instead of him"
Deu 20:7so that he does not die in battle and another man marries herThe officer is describing a situation that could possibly happen to a soldier. Alternate Translation: "so that, if he dies in battle, another man does not marry her instead of him"
Deu 32:29Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their coming fateMoses states something that he wishes were true, but he knows that they are not wise and do not understand that their disobedience will cause Yahweh to bring this disaster on them.
Jos 2:17if you do not do thisThis expresses a condition for the promise the spies had made to Rahab. The word, "this," refers to "tie this scarlet rope in the window" in [Joshua 2:18](./18.md).
Jos 2:19Whoever goes out of the doors of your houseThis phrase expresses a condition, creating a hypothetical situation.
Jos 22:22If it was in rebellion ... let Yahweh make us pay for itThe three tribes are making two hypothetical statements that they insist are not true. They did not build the altar to worship another god.
Jos 22:23If it was in rebellion ... let Yahweh make us pay for itThe three tribes are making two hypothetical statements that they insist are not true. They did not build the altar to worship another god.
Jos 22:24your children might say to our children ... God of Israel?This is a hypothetical accusation that the three tribes think the children of the other tribes may make sometime in the future.
Jos 22:25For Yahweh has made the Jordan ... nothing to do with YahwehThis is the continuation of the hypothetical accusation that the three tribes think the children of the other tribes may make sometime in the future.
Jos 22:25So your children might make our children cease to worship YahwehThe three tribes built the altar to avoid this hypothetical situation from happening in the future.
Jos 22:27so that your children will never say to our children in time to come, "You have no share in Yahweh."This is the hypothetical situation that the three tribes did not want to happen.
Jos 22:28If this should be said ... a witness between us and you."The three tribes are describing their potential answer to an accusation that might or might not be made at a future time.
Jdg 9:19If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his houseJotham offered the possibility that what they did was good, but Jotham does not actually believe what they did was good. Alternate Translation: "If you treated Jerub Baal and his family as they deserved to be treated"
Jdg 9:20But if notJotham offered the opposite possibility that what they did was evil and applied a curse. Jotham does believe what they did was evil. Alternate Translation: "But if you treated Jerub Baal and his family as they did not deserve to be treated"
1Sa 14:39even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely dieSaul stated this as a hypothetical situation because he did not believe that Jonathan was guilty.
2Sa 2:27if you had not said that ... pursued their brothers until the morningThis hypothetical statement tells what might have happened if Abner had not spoken wisely to Joab.
2Sa 19:6if Absalom had lived, and we all had died, then that would have pleased youThe speaker is giving a hypothetical situation.
1Ki 8:44Suppose that your people go out ... suppose that they prayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
1Ki 8:46Suppose that they sin ... suppose that you are ... suppose that they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they sayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
1Ki 8:47Suppose that they sin ... suppose that you are ... suppose that they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they sayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
1Ki 22:28If you return safelyThis describes something that would not happen. Yahweh had already told Micaiah that the king would not return safely.
2Ch 6:34Suppose that your people go out ... suppose that they prayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
2Ch 6:36Suppose they sin ... suppose that you are angry ... suppose they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they say ... Suppose that they return ... suppose that they prayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
2Ch 6:37Suppose they sin ... suppose that you are angry ... suppose they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they say ... Suppose that they return ... suppose that they prayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
2Ch 6:38Suppose they sin ... suppose that you are angry ... suppose they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they say ... Suppose that they return ... suppose that they prayWhen Solomon was speaking, these hypothetical situations had not happened, but Solomon knew that they might happen in the future. Use the form in your language for talking about events that have not happened but might happen in the future.
2Ch 18:27If you return safelyThis describes something that would not happen. Yahweh had already told Micaiah that the king would not return safely.
Job 3:13I would have been lying down quietlyJob imagines something that could have happened in the past but which did not happen, as noted above. Alternate Translation: "I should have been lying down quietly"
Job 3:15Or I would have been lying ... that never see the lightThis describes something that might have happened but did not happen.
Job 3:16Or I would have been lying ... that never see the lightThis describes something that might have happened but did not happen.
Job 8:5But suppose you diligently sought God and presented your request to the AlmightyBildad is saying what would have happened if Job had correctly spoken to God, but Bildad does not believe that Job really did this.
Job 8:6General Information:Bildad says that God would treat Job well if he was pure, but Bildad does not believe that Job is pure.
Job 10:16If my head were lifted up, you would stalk me like a lionPossible meanings are 1) this is a hypothetical situation that has not happened or 2) this is a description of a situation that happens repeatedly. Alternate Translation: "When my head is lifted up, you stalk me like a lion"
Job 11:17though there were darknessDarkness represents troubles and sadness. Alternate Translation: "Though there were dark troubles and sadness"
Job 17:13If the only home ... and if I have spread ... and if I have saidAll instances of "if" here have the meaning of "since"; Job is speaking as if all these things were true. "Since the only home ... and since I have spread ... and since I have said"
Job 17:14If the only home ... and if I have spread ... and if I have saidAll instances of "if" here have the meaning of "since"; Job is speaking as if all these things were true. "Since the only home ... and since I have spread ... and since I have said"
Job 21:33all people will follow after him, as there were innumerable people before himJob emphasizes that a large crowd of people will be in the funeral procession of this imaginary wicked man to honor him. Alternate Translation: "a huge number of people go to the grave site; some go in front of the procession and some come behind"
Job 31:5If I haveIn 31:5-40 Job describes different situations in which he would deserve God's punishment. But, he knows that they are not true and he is innocent.
Job 31:7General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:9General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:11General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:13General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:16General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true. He does not finish his sentence in verses 16 and 17. Instead he explains in verse 18 why they are not true.
Job 31:19General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:24General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:26General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:29General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:31General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:33General Information:Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:38General Information:This concludes Job's description of situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 34:14If he everElihu is describing a situation that he does not believe would ever happen.
Psa 27:10Even if my father and my mother forsake meEven if my father and my mother were to forsake me. He is not saying that they actually have done this or that they would do it. His point is that even if they did that, God would not abandon him.
Psa 50:12If I were hungryThis describes something that could not happen, since God does not get hungry.
Psa 73:15If I had said, "I will say these things," then I would have betrayed this generation of your childrenThis hypothetical situation did not happen. Alternate Translation: "I never said, 'I will say these things,' so I did not betray this generation of your children"
Psa 94:17Unless Yahweh had been my help ... silenceThis is a hypothetical situation. Yahweh did help him, so he was not lying in the place of silence.
Psa 124:1If Yahweh had not been on our side ... then they would have swallowed us up aliveThis is a hypothetical statement that describes a result that did not happen, because Yahweh was actually on their side. Alternate Translation: "Yahweh was on our side ... so they were not able to swallow us up alive"
Psa 124:3If Yahweh had not been on our side ... then they would have swallowed us up aliveThis is a hypothetical statement that describes a result that did not happen, because Yahweh was actually on their side. Alternate Translation: "Yahweh was on our side ... so they were not able to swallow us up alive"
Psa 124:4The water would have swept us away ... would have drowned usThis continues the hypothetical statement from the previous verse. It describes a result that did not happen, because Yahweh was actually on their side. Alternate Translation: "The water did not sweep us away ... did not drown us"
Psa 124:5The water would have swept us away ... would have drowned usThis continues the hypothetical statement from the previous verse. It describes a result that did not happen, because Yahweh was actually on their side. Alternate Translation: "The water did not sweep us away ... did not drown us"
Pro 1:11If they sayHere the speaker gives an example of what sinners may try to entice someone to do.
Pro 30:9if I have too much, I might deny you and sayThis describes a hypothetical situation that has not happened but is possible if the writer becomes rich.
Pro 30:9if I become poor, I might steal and profaneThis describes a hypothetical situation that has not happened but is possible if the writer becomes poor.
Ecc 6:6Even if a man should live for two thousand yearsThis is a hypothetical situation. This is also an exaggeration to show that it does not matter how long a person lives if he does not enjoy the good things in life.
Sng 8:7If a man gave ... the offer would utterly be despisedThis is something that could possibly happen. Alternate Translation: "Even if a man ... he would be utterly despised"
Isa 1:9If YahwehThis describes something that could have happened in the past but did not.
Isa 48:18If only you had obeyed my commandmentsYahweh describes something that could have happened but did not.
Isa 54:10Though the mountains may fall and the hills be shaken, yet my steadfast loveYahweh describes a hypothetical condition to explain what would happen even if those conditions were met. Alternate Translation: "Even if the mountains fell and the hills shook, my steadfast love"
Isa 64:1Oh, if you hadIsaiah introduces this desire for Yahweh's presence in their past history with a strong exclamation.
Isa 64:1mountains would have shakenThe mountains would have trembled as in an earthquake.
Jer 22:24even if you ... were the signet on my right handYahweh speaks to Jehoiachin as if it were possible for him to be the ring on Yahweh's hand.
Jer 23:22if they had stood in my council meetingYahweh states what would have happened if the priests and false prophets had participated in Yahweh's council meeting in heaven. This hypothetical situation is impossible. Alternate Translation: "if they had truly listened to me"
Jer 27:18If they are prophets, and if the word of Yahweh has truly come to them, let them begThis is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh knows is not true. Alternate Translation: "If they were prophets, and if the word of Yahweh had truly come to them, they would beg" or "Because they are not prophets and the word of Yahweh has not truly come to them, they will not beg"
Jer 31:36Only if these permanent things vanish ... will Israel's descendants ever stop from forever being a nationThis is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh never expects to truly happen. Alternate Translation: "These permanent things will never vanish ... and Israel's descendants will never stop from forever being a nation"
Jer 31:37Only if the highest heavens can be measured, and only if the earth's foundation below can be discovered, will I reject all of Israel's descendantsThis is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh never expects to truly happen. Alternate Translation: "The highest heavens can never be measured, and the earth's foundation below can never be discovered, and I will never reject all of Israel's descendants"
Jer 33:25If I have not established ... and if I have not fixed ... then I will reject ... and not bringThis is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh never expects to be true. Alternate Translation: "I have established ... and I have fixed ... so I will never reject ... and I will bring"
Jer 33:26If I have not established ... and if I have not fixed ... then I will reject ... and not bringThis is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh never expects to be true. Alternate Translation: "I have established ... and I have fixed ... so I will never reject ... and I will bring"
Jer 51:53if Babylon went up ... or fortified ... destroyers would come from meThis is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh does not expect to happen. Alternate Translation: "Babylon will not go up ... or fortify ... destroyers will surely come from me"
Lam 5:22are angry with us beyond measureThis speaks of Yahweh being very angry as if his anger cannot be measured. This is an exaggeration. Alternate Translation: "are extremely angry with us"
Ezk 3:6if I sent you to them, they would have listened to youThis is a hypothetical situation that could have happened but did not. Yahweh did not send Ezekiel to people who did not understand his language.
Hos 8:12I could write down my law for them ten thousand times, but they wouldYahweh is describing a hypothetical situation. Here "ten thousand times" is an exaggeration that means no matter how many times he gave the people the law, they would still refuse to obey him. Alternate Translation: "Even if I wrote down my law for them very many times, they would"
Amo 6:9General Information:In 6:9-10 Amos describes a hypothetical situation of what it will be like when Yahweh hands the people of Israel over to their enemies.