But if the woman refuses to come with you. Abraham was answering the servant's question from [Genesis 24:5](./05.md).
Gen 24:39
Perhaps 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 24:41
But 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 oath
This 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 43:10
For if we had not delayed
Judah 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 44:30
therefore, when I come ... sorrow to Sheol
Judah is describing to Joseph a realistic but hypothetical case of what he will expect will happen to Jacob when he returns without Benjamin.
Gen 44:31
therefore, when I come ... sorrow to Sheol
Judah is describing to Joseph a realistic but hypothetical case of what he will expect will happen to Jacob when he returns without Benjamin.
Gen 44:31
it will come about
Judah is speaking about a hypothetical case in the future as if it would certainly happen.
Exo 10:10
if I ever let you go and your little ones go
Pharaoh says this to emphasize that he would not let Moses take the children with them to worship Yahweh.
Num 5:12
Suppose that a man's wife turns away and sins against her husband
This is something that could possibly happen. Yahweh is telling Moses what to do if it does happen.
Num 5:13
Then suppose that another man sleeps with her
and 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 12:14
If her father had spit in her face
This describes something that could have happened but did not. Spitting in someone's face was a terrible insult.
Num 22:18
Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold
Balaam is describing something that would never happen. He is emphasizing that there is nothing that could make him disobey Yahweh.
Num 22:33
If she had not turned ... killed you and spared her life
This hypothetical statement indicated what could have happened, but it did not because the donkey's actions saved Balaam.
Num 24:13
Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold
Balaam is describing something that would never happen. This statement emphasizes that there is nothing that would make Balaam disobey God.
Deu 19:5
For example, if a man goes into the forest ... to cut wood
The author gives a hypothetical situation where a person accidentally kills another person.
Deu 20:5
so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates it
The 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 20:6
so he will not die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit
The 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 20:7
so that he does not die in battle and another man marries her
The 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 32:29
Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their coming fate
Moses 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 2:17
if you do not do this
This 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 2:19
Whoever goes out of the doors of your house
This phrase expresses a condition, creating a hypothetical situation.
Jos 22:22
If it was in rebellion ... let Yahweh make us pay for it
The three tribes are making two hypothetical statements that they insist are not true. They did not build the altar to worship another god.
Jos 22:23
If it was in rebellion ... let Yahweh make us pay for it
The three tribes are making two hypothetical statements that they insist are not true. They did not build the altar to worship another god.
Jos 22:24
your 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 22:25
For Yahweh has made the Jordan ... nothing to do with Yahweh
This 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 22:25
So your children might make our children cease to worship Yahweh
The three tribes built the altar to avoid this hypothetical situation from happening in the future.
Jos 22:27
so 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 22:28
If 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 9:19
If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house
Jotham 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 9:20
But if not
Jotham 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 14:39
even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die
Saul stated this as a hypothetical situation because he did not believe that Jonathan was guilty.
2Sa 2:27
if you had not said that ... pursued their brothers until the morning
This hypothetical statement tells what might have happened if Abner had not spoken wisely to Joab.
2Sa 19:6
if Absalom had lived, and we all had died, then that would have pleased you
The speaker is giving a hypothetical situation.
1Ki 8:44
Suppose that your people go out ... suppose that they pray
When 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 8:46
Suppose that they sin ... suppose that you are ... suppose that they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they say
When 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 8:47
Suppose that they sin ... suppose that you are ... suppose that they realize ... suppose that they repent ... Suppose that they say
When 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 22:28
If you return safely
This describes something that would not happen. Yahweh had already told Micaiah that the king would not return safely.
2Ch 6:34
Suppose that your people go out ... suppose that they pray
When 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 6:36
Suppose 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 pray
When 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 6:37
Suppose 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 pray
When 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 6:38
Suppose 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 pray
When 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 18:27
If you return safely
This describes something that would not happen. Yahweh had already told Micaiah that the king would not return safely.
Job 3:13
I would have been lying down quietly
Job 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 3:15
Or I would have been lying ... that never see the light
This describes something that might have happened but did not happen.
Job 3:16
Or I would have been lying ... that never see the light
This describes something that might have happened but did not happen.
Job 8:5
But suppose you diligently sought God and presented your request to the Almighty
Bildad is saying what would have happened if Job had correctly spoken to God, but Bildad does not believe that Job really did this.
Job 8:6
General Information:
Bildad says that God would treat Job well if he was pure, but Bildad does not believe that Job is pure.
Job 10:16
If my head were lifted up, you would stalk me like a lion
Possible 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 11:17
though there were darkness
Darkness represents troubles and sadness. Alternate Translation: "Though there were dark troubles and sadness"
Job 17:13
If the only home ... and if I have spread ... and if I have said
All 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 17:14
If the only home ... and if I have spread ... and if I have said
All 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 21:33
all people will follow after him, as there were innumerable people before him
Job 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 31:5
If I have
In 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 31:7
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:9
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:11
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:13
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:16
General 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 31:19
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:24
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:26
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:29
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:31
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:33
General Information:
Job continues describing situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 31:38
General Information:
This concludes Job's description of situations in which he would deserve God's punishment, but he knows they are not true.
Job 34:14
If he ever
Elihu is describing a situation that he does not believe would ever happen.
Psa 27:10
Even if my father and my mother forsake me
Even 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 50:12
If I were hungry
This describes something that could not happen, since God does not get hungry.
Psa 73:15
If I had said, "I will say these things," then I would have betrayed this generation of your children
This 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 94:17
Unless Yahweh had been my help ... silence
This is a hypothetical situation. Yahweh did help him, so he was not lying in the place of silence.
Psa 124:1
If Yahweh had not been on our side ... then they would have swallowed us up alive
This 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 124:3
If Yahweh had not been on our side ... then they would have swallowed us up alive
This 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 124:4
The water would have swept us away ... would have drowned us
This 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 124:5
The water would have swept us away ... would have drowned us
This 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 1:11
If they say
Here the speaker gives an example of what sinners may try to entice someone to do.
Pro 30:9
if I have too much, I might deny you and say
This describes a hypothetical situation that has not happened but is possible if the writer becomes rich.
Pro 30:9
if I become poor, I might steal and profane
This describes a hypothetical situation that has not happened but is possible if the writer becomes poor.
Ecc 6:6
Even if a man should live for two thousand years
This 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 8:7
If a man gave ... the offer would utterly be despised
This is something that could possibly happen. Alternate Translation: "Even if a man ... he would be utterly despised"
Isa 1:9
If Yahweh
This describes something that could have happened in the past but did not.
Isa 48:18
If only you had obeyed my commandments
Yahweh describes something that could have happened but did not.
Isa 54:10
Though the mountains may fall and the hills be shaken, yet my steadfast love
Yahweh 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 64:1
Oh, if you had
Isaiah introduces this desire for Yahweh's presence in their past history with a strong exclamation.
Isa 64:1
mountains would have shaken
The mountains would have trembled as in an earthquake.
Jer 22:24
even if you ... were the signet on my right hand
Yahweh speaks to Jehoiachin as if it were possible for him to be the ring on Yahweh's hand.
Jer 23:22
if they had stood in my council meeting
Yahweh 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 27:18
If they are prophets, and if the word of Yahweh has truly come to them, let them beg
This 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 31:36
Only if these permanent things vanish ... will Israel's descendants ever stop from forever being a nation
This 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 31:37
Only 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 descendants
This 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 33:25
If I have not established ... and if I have not fixed ... then I will reject ... and not bring
This 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 33:26
If I have not established ... and if I have not fixed ... then I will reject ... and not bring
This 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 51:53
if Babylon went up ... or fortified ... destroyers would come from me
This 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 5:22
are angry with us beyond measure
This 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 3:6
if I sent you to them, they would have listened to you
This 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 8:12
I could write down my law for them ten thousand times, but they would
Yahweh 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 6:9
General 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.