1) except if

1a) but if

כִּי אם־ different that if for if each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to aclause: same limiting except the prec. clause, if but rather but thebeing neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it:, surely after an oath, (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to theclause—