Lexical Summary
poh or po or po: Here, in this place
Original Word:פֹה
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:poh
Pronunciation:poh
Phonetic Spelling:(po)
KJV: here, hither, the one (other, this, that) side
NASB:here, each side, side, side and on the other, thus
Word Origin:[probably from a primitive inseparable particle "p" (of demonstrative force) andH193 (אוּל - Mighty)1]
1. this place (French ici), i.e. here or hence
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
here, hither, the one other, this, that side
Or po (Job 38:11) {po}; or pow {po}; probably from a primitive inseparable particle "p" (of demonstrative force) andhuw'; this place (French ici), i.e. Here or hence -- here, hither, the one (other, this, that) side.
see HEBREWhuw'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. adverb
Definitionhere, hither
NASB Translationeach side (16), here (45), side (2), side and on the other (1), thus (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
58, and (Ezekiel 40-41, 23 out of 35 t.) , also
Job 38:11b ,
(probably from the same demonstrative √ found in
so, then (often in apodosis), , : compare Köii. l, 247 f., 243, 331 f.): —
here:
Genesis 19:12 whom hast thou stillhere ?Genesis 22:5 ,Genesis 40:15;Numbers 22:8;Numbers 32:16;Deuteronomy 5:28;Deuteronomy 12:8;Judges 4:20 ,2 Kings 3:11, etc.; asked in some surprise,Judges 18:3 = what is thy businesshere ? simil.1 Kings 19:9,13;Isaiah 22:16;Isaiah 52:5 . compare the synonym ,
Job 38:11 a.
or , onlyEzekiel 40-41, and always (exceptEzekiel 40:12 a, where it must be supplied with ) repeated,on this side ... on that side (compare ),Ezekiel 40:10 (twice in verse);Ezekiel 40:12b;Ezekiel 40:21 (twice in verse), etc.
,where ?.
,hither,1 Samuel 16:11 ,Ezra 4:2.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical UsageThe Hebrew adverb under discussion functions as a concise marker of place or immediacy, occurring roughly eighty-two times in Scripture. Whether it introduces a command (“Stay here,”Genesis 22:5), poses a probing question (“Do you have anyone else here?”Genesis 19:12), or underscores covenant consciousness (“You stand here with Me,”Deuteronomy 5:31), the word anchors the reader in a specific, present moment. Its distribution spans narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic texts, showing that the reality of “here” is an essential part of both divine revelation and human response.
Narrative Contexts: God’s Presence in the Everyday Place
1. Patriarchal Scenes: When Abraham tells his servants, “Stay here with the donkey” (Genesis 22:5), the word sets a boundary between common space and the sacred mountain where sacrifice will occur. The contrast heightens the holiness of the forthcoming encounter with God.
2. Deliverance Accounts: In Sodom, the angels inquire, “Do you have anyone else here?” (Genesis 19:12), emphasizing the urgency of immediate obedience in a place marked for judgment.
3. Wilderness Journeys: Moses repeatedly uses the term to locate Israel before the LORD—“You stand here, all of you” (Deuteronomy 29:10)—reminding the people that covenant obligations are not abstract but rooted in the precise ground on which they stand.
4. Royal Narratives: Jonathan commands Israel’s leaders, “Draw near here” (1 Samuel 14:38), urging corporate accountability at a definite spot. Similarly, leprous outcasts debate, “Why should we sit here until we die?” (2 Kings 7:3), turning a desperate location into the threshold of God’s surprising salvation.
Legal and Covenant Language
Moses’ instructions often hinge on the people’s physical stance. “But you stand here with Me, and I will speak to you” (Deuteronomy 5:31) frames covenant mediation as a shared spatial reality between God’s representative and the congregation. Later, the renewal ceremony echoes the same dynamic: some are “here today” while future generations are “not here today” (Deuteronomy 29:15). The word thus ties present obedience to posterity, teaching that the spot where one now stands can exert lasting theological influence.
Worship and the Sense of Divine Nearness
Temple-oriented texts employ the adverb to spotlight reverent proximity. When Solomon dedicates the Temple, he prays that God’s eyes might be “open toward this place” (implicitly contrasting “here” and “heaven,”2 Chronicles 6). In prophetic vision Zechariah hears the LORD promise Joshua the high priest, “I will give you a place among these who are standing here” (Zechariah 3:7). The immediacy of “here” affirms that worship is not merely liturgical formality but communion in a concrete arena where God chooses to dwell with His people.
Wisdom Literature: The Practicality of Now
Although less frequent in the wisdom books, occurrences still underscore present application. Ruth heeds Boaz: “Do not go to glean in another field, and do not go away from here” (Ruth 2:8). The directive safeguards both provision and purity, illustrating that obedience in the present sphere opens ongoing blessing.
Prophetic Oracles and Eschatological Assurance
Prophets often set “here” against “there” to contrast present discipline with future hope. Jeremiah is told to proclaim catastrophe “here” and restoration “there,” emphasizing that the locale of judgment can become the stage of renewal. Zechariah’s visions likewise pivot on the term to depict immediate grace with future expansion.
Ministry Applications
1. Immediate Obedience: God’s directives often begin with recognizing where one is—spiritually, physically, or relationally. Ministry that ignores the “here” of its congregation forfeits biblical realism.
2. Shepherding Presence: Like Boaz protecting Ruth in the field, pastors are called to guard the flock “here,” acknowledging the actual contexts in which believers labor and suffer.
3. Corporate Accountability: Jonathan’s summons (“Draw near here,”1 Samuel 14:38) models transparent leadership that gathers people into visible, measurable responsibility before God.
4. Missional Urgency: The lepers at Samaria’s gate (2 Kings 7:3) refuse stagnation. Likewise, churches must ask whether they are merely “sitting here” or moving toward the good news that delivers others.
Christological and New Covenant Connections
The insistence on place foreshadows the incarnation, where the eternal Word became flesh and tabernacled “here” among us. Jesus’ earthly ministry translates divine presence into human locality. His Great Commission begins with resurrection presence—“Behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20)—assuring that wherever the Church finds itself “here,” He is already present to empower.
Representative References
Genesis 19:12; 22:5
Deuteronomy 5:31; 29:10, 15
Joshua 3:9
Ruth 2:8
1 Samuel 14:38
2 Kings 7:3
Zechariah 3:7
Together these passages demonstrate that the biblical idea of “here” is never a mere adverb. It is a call to recognize God’s nearness, respond in obedient faith, and minister with urgency and confidence in the exact places He has appointed.
Forms and Transliterations
וּ֠פֹה וּמִפּ֑וֹ וּמִפּ֔וֹ וּמִפּ֖וֹ וּמִפּֽוֹ׃ וּפֹ֥א־ ומפו ומפו׃ ופא־ ופה מִפֹּ֑ה מִפֹּ֔ה מִפֹּ֖ה מִפֹּ֗ה מִפֹּ֥ה מִפֹּֽה׃ מִפֹּה֙ מִפּ֑וֹ מִפּ֔וֹ מִפּ֖וֹ מִפּ֛וֹ מִפּ֣וֹ מִפּ֥וֹ מִפּֽוֹ׃ מִפּוֹ֙ מפה מפה׃ מפו מפו׃ פֹ֑ה פֹ֔ה פֹ֖ה פֹ֗ה פֹ֛ה פֹ֣ה פֹּ֑ה פֹּ֔ה פֹּ֖ה פֹּ֗ה פֹּ֚ה פֹּ֣ה פֹּ֤ה פֹּ֥ה פֹּֽה־ פֹּֽה׃ פֹּה֙ פֹּה֮ פֹֽה׃ פֹה֙ פה פה־ פה׃ Foh mip·pōh mip·pōw mipPo mipPoh mippōh mippōw poh pōh p̄ōh pōh- ū·mip·pōw ū·p̄ō- ū·p̄ōh uFo Ufoh umipPo ūmippōw ūp̄ō- ūp̄ōh
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