[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/behold/)

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# behold

verb (beholds, beheld, beholding); old use in tales

«behold» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To behold is to see or look at something, especially something wonderful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/#m1)
2. («Behold!») Look! Pay attention to what comes next. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/#m2)

### In the lessons

in fairy tales, a grand way of saying «look» or «see»; «it was a sight to behold» means it was worth looking at

### Examples

- Behold, the king is coming! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/#x1)
- The children beheld a castle on the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/#x2)
- It was a sight to behold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/#x3)
- Behold, her mother's words were true! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/#x4)

### Note

nothing for maths

## In Jewish tradition

Old word meaning "look!" or "see!", used to draw attention to something surprising or important. It translates the Hebrew hineh.

**Interpretation.** In prayer, Abraham's reply "Hineni," here I am, is seen as a model of readiness. The word often marks a turning point in the story.

### Examples

- And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. (Torah GEN.41.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/#x1)
- Behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.' — (Torah EXO.4.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/#x2)
- And they said one to another: 'Behold, this dreamer cometh. (Torah GEN.37.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/#x3)
- Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? (Prophets EZK.17.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/#x4)
- Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor. (Writings RUT.3.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/#x5)
- Behold, He snatcheth away, who can hinder Him? (Writings JOB.9.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/#x6)

### Note

nothing for maths

## Early Modern English

### Meaning

To see or look at something, or as a cry: look! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/B/behold/#m1)

### Then and now

Old-fashioned today, mostly used in old tales and the Bible. We would say look or see.

### Examples

- And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. (Torah GEN.41.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/B/behold/#x1)
- It was very beautiful to behold. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/B/behold/#x2)
- As the prophet Isaiah exclaimed: "Behold! (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/B/behold/#x3)

### Note

Today: look!; here is.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «behold» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/behold/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«behold» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/behold.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «behold» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/behold/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«behold» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/behold.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «behold» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/B/behold/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«behold» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/behold.html) on Mova free.