BDB1034
בִּי particle [of entreaty], craving permission to address a superior, always followed by אֲדֹנִי (or אֲדֹנָי), and always (except Josh 7:8) at the beginning of a speech, I pray, excuse me — (not improbable from √ ביי; so that בִּי אֲדֹנִי will be literally a supplication of (i.e. to my lord! compare Wetzst l.c., who compares the Arabic [untranscribed source text 570] literally a prayer to my lord! a standing formula = Pray, excuse me, used exactly as בֹּי אֲדֹנִי. According to other contracted from בְּעִי, from בָּעָה to ask, and so literally a petition! compare Aramaic בְּבָעוּ , [untranscribed source text 571] (e.g. Gen 19:18 ᵑ7 , Num 12:13 ᵑ6 ); but ע is not often elided in Hebrew) — Gen 44:18 בִּי אֲדֹנִי יְדַבֶּרנָֿא I pray, my lord, let thy servant speak, etc.; so Num 12:11; Judg 6:13; 1Sam 1:26; 1Kgs 3:17; 1Kgs 3:26, and following by a plural subject Gen 43:20 יָרֹד יָרַדְנוּ ׳ בִּי א Oh, my lord, we came down, etc.; בִּי אֲדֹנָי (to God) Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Josh 7:8; Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 ( ᵐ5 in Pentateuch and Joshua δέομαι, δεόμεθα: in other books absurdly ἐν ἐμοί ).