הִנֵּה hinneh "look!" can serve a number of functions. In old translations it was often rendered "Lo!" or "Behold!"

The important part this construction plays in giving the language of such Bibles a "biblical" flavor, illustrates its significance to Hebrew speech.

It is most frequent in some narratives and prophetic books.

In narrative hinneh often marks a change in view-point: Am 9:8; and also perhaps Am 7:1; 7:4; 7:7; 8:1; and when God invites the prophet to share his point of view Am 7:8; or the prophet invites us to join him Am 7:1.

As a variant of this הִנֵּה serves to strengthen or affirm ("indeed")  Am 4:2; 6:14; 8:11; 9:13. It can mark an explanation "that is..." (of the sort we would put in brackets) Am 7:1; call to attention (Am 2:13; 4:13; 6:11; 9:9).

This page is part of the Hypertext Bible Commentary - Amos , if you have reached it as a standalone page, to view it in context, go to www.bible.gen.nz
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