What does אוּלַי (ʾûlay) mean in the Bible?
אוּלַי (ʾûlay): Expresses cautious uncertainty or conditional possibility; tentatively entertains an outcome without asserting it
Hebrew · H194
אוּלַי
If not ; hence perhaps
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
אוּלַיH194
Pronunciationʾûlay
What does אוּלַי (ʾûlay) mean in the Bible?
אוּלַי (ʾûlay): Expresses cautious uncertainty or conditional possibility; tentatively entertains an outcome without asserting it
Full entry for אוּלַי (H194) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H194?
The BSB source-word alignment has 45 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include perhaps (30), suppose (5), What if (4), and perhaps (2), Perhaps I may (2).
Where does אוּלַי (ʾûlay) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 16:2. Its strongest book concentrations include Genesis (12), Jeremiah (6), Numbers (5), 1 Kings (3).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itperhaps30×Genesis 16:2, Genesis 43:12, Exodus 32:30, Numbers 23:3
suppose5×Genesis 18:28, Genesis 18:29, Genesis 18:30, Genesis 18:31
What if4×Genesis 18:24, Genesis 24:5, Genesis 24:39, Genesis 27:12
and perhaps2×Genesis 32:20, 1 Samuel 6:5
Perhaps I may2×Numbers 22:6, Numbers 22:11
Even if1×Hosea 8:7
If she had not1×Numbers 22:33
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 16:2אוּלַ֥יtoperhapsAdverbGenesis 18:24אוּלַ֥יtoWhat ifAdverbGenesis 18:28א֠וּלַיtosupposeAdverbGenesis 18:29אוּלַ֛יtoSupposeAdverbGenesis 18:30אוּלַ֛יtoSupposeAdverbGenesis 18:31אוּלַ֛יtosupposeAdverbGenesis 18:32אוּלַ֛יtoSupposeAdverbGenesis 24:5אוּלַי֙toWhat ifAdverbGenesis 24:39אֻלַ֛יtoWhat ifAdverbGenesis 27:12אוּלַ֤יtoWhat ifAdverb
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 16:2
Aligned rows45
Books represented17
Genesis12Exodus1Numbers5Joshua21 Samuel32 Samuel21 Kings32 Kings1Job1Isaiah3Jeremiah6Lamentations1Ezekiel1Hosea1Amos1Jonah1Zephaniah1
Source forms
אוּלַ֛י9x’ū·layGenesis 18:29, Genesis 18:30, Genesis 18:31, Genesis 18:32
אוּלַ֥י6x’ū·layGenesis 16:2, Genesis 18:24, Genesis 43:12, Exodus 32:30
אוּלַי֙5x’ū·layGenesis 24:5, Numbers 22:33, 1 Samuel 9:6, Job 1:5
אוּלַ֤י5x’ū·layGenesis 27:12, Numbers 22:6, Numbers 23:27, Jeremiah 20:10
אוּלַ֖י4x’ū·layGenesis 32:20, 1 Kings 20:31, Jeremiah 51:8, Lamentations 3:29
אוּלַ֞י3x’ū·layNumbers 23:3, Jeremiah 36:7, Jonah 1:6
אוּלַ֗י3x’ū·layJoshua 9:7, 1 Samuel 6:5, Amos 5:15
אוּלַ֣י3x’ū·layJeremiah 26:3, Ezekiel 12:3, Hosea 8:7
Parsing patterns
Adverb45xGenesis 16:2, Genesis 18:24, Genesis 18:28, Genesis 18:29
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Expresses cautious uncertainty or conditional possibility; tentatively entertains an outcome without asserting it
Source Gloss
if not ; hence perhaps
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Expresses cautious uncertainty or conditional possibility; tentatively entertains an outcome without asserting it
if not; hence perhaps BDB: peradventure Usage: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
אוּלַי is built from this root: