beware
part of speech
verb (beware — used only as «beware» and «to beware»)
meaning for a pupil
1) Be careful of something or someone because it could be dangerous or harmful. tree →
2) A warning word on signs and in stories, as in «Beware of the dog». tree →
sense in the lessons
In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: Used as a strong warning, often not to forget God or God's commandments once life becomes comfortable. Interpretation: Tradition reads these warnings as a command to remember God, which is why the Shema and daily blessings stress remembering the Exodus. In the primary lessons: In safety lessons and on signs it is a strong warning: «Beware of falling rocks», «Beware of scams». In stories and fairy tales it adds drama and danger. Phrases: «beware of», «buyer beware».
examples
- And Abraham said unto him: 'Beware thou that thou bring not my son back thither. (Torah GEN.24.6, JPS 1917) tree →
- then beware lest thou forget the LORD, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (Torah DEU.6.12, JPS 1917) tree →
- Beware lest thou forget the LORD thy God, in not keeping His commandments, and His ordinances, and His statutes, which I command thee this day; (Torah DEU.8.11, JPS 1917) tree →
- Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying: The LORD will deliver us. (Prophets ISA.36.18, JPS 1917) tree →
- Beware lest ye say: 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man!' (Writings JOB.32.13, JPS 1917) tree →
- Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing. (Prophets JDG.13.4, JPS 1917) tree →
- Beware of the dog! tree →
- The sign said, «Beware of falling rocks». tree →
- Beware of emails that ask for your password. tree →
- «Beware the dark forest,» said the old woman. tree →
- Swimmers should beware of strong currents. tree →
- Beware of strangers who offer you sweets. tree →
- Beware, the floor is wet and slippery. tree →
- And a second time I will forgive you; but the third time beware! tree →
note
Unusual verb: it is used only in its base form, in commands («Beware!») and after «must», «should» or «to». There is no «bewares», «bewared» or «bewaring». Followed by «of» or directly by a noun: «beware of the dog» or «beware the dog».
In the corpora
- And Abraham said unto him: 'Beware thou that thou bring not my son back thither.
- Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.
- And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah: 'Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.
- Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying: The LORD will deliver us.
- Beware lest ye say: 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man!'
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «beware» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.