be.li marks the absence or lack of something in a clause, including no shepherd, no knowledge, or without clothing.

This function word marks an absent person, thing, quality, or condition. The supplied clauses portray lack of knowledge, clothing, shelter, a shepherd, food, or a stated measure, as well as actions or conditions presented negatively.

1. Marker of absence or lacking condition · dominant

   The form frames what is missing or excluded within a clause: in Job 24:10 the APB renders people as naked “without clothing,” while Ezekiel 34:5 describes scattering because “there was no shepherd.” In Genesis 31:20, the form is tagged Particle · Negative in the clause about Jacob fleeing without telling Laban; in Hosea 4:6 and Job 35:16, forms tagged Noun · Common · Masc · Sg · Construct occur in clauses rendered with a lack of knowledge.

   Job 24:10Ezekiel 34:5Genesis 31:20Hosea 4:6Job 35:16Isaiah 5:14

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the relevant clauses with expressions such as “without clothing,” “there was no shepherd,” “lack of knowledge,” and “without measure.” These phrases show the clauses' treatment of absence rather than fixed translations of the term.