a.char describes postponing an action or arrival, and also lingering into a later time.

The verb most often marks an action, arrival, or promised event as postponed or not coming promptly; several participial uses describe people remaining late, particularly in contexts of wine or delayed dwelling.

1. Postponing an act, arrival, or event · dominant

   In 2 Samuel 20:5, the sequential imperfect occurs after Amasa goes to summon Judah, and the APB renders that he delayed beyond the appointed time. Negated Piel forms ask that action not be postponed in Daniel 9:19 and Genesis 24:56, while Genesis 34:19 says that the young man did not delay to do the matter. Habakkuk 2:3 applies the same contrast to a vision that may seem delayed but will come.

   2 Samuel 20:5Daniel 9:19Genesis 24:56Genesis 34:19Habakkuk 2:3Isaiah 46:13
2. Lingering late · common

   The Piel active participles describe ongoing late continuance: in Isaiah 5:11 the APB renders people who continue until twilight, and in Proverbs 23:30 it renders those who linger long over wine. Psalm 127:2 likewise places the construct participle in a clause about rising early and delaying dwelling.

   Isaiah 5:11Proverbs 23:30Psalm 127:2

In the Anselm Paraphrase: The APB variously renders the clauses with "delayed," "do not delay," "will not be slow," "tarry," and "linger long." Because it is a whole-verse paraphrase rather than a word-aligned translation, these renderings show the verse contexts rather than fixed English equivalents.