Hoy is an interjection that introduces an exclamatory cry over people, places, or impending distress.

The attested form functions as an interjection introducing an emphatic cry addressed to mourned persons, condemned conduct, cities, nations, or anticipated distress; the surrounding clauses supply the particular occasion of the cry.

1. Interjection introducing an emphatic cry · dominant

   In 1 Kings 13:30, the form is tagged Particle · Interjection and introduces mourners’ cry over the dead man; the APB renders the saying “Woe, my brother!” In Isaiah 5:20 it heads an address to those who reverse good and evil, while in Habakkuk 2:12 it introduces a pronouncement against one who builds a city with blood. The same interjection can frame distress directed toward a day or place, as in Amos 5:18 and Nahum 3:1.

   1 Kings 13:30Isaiah 5:20Habakkuk 2:12Amos 5:18Nahum 3:1Jeremiah 30:7

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the cry with “Woe,” including in addresses and denunciations; in Jeremiah 34:5 it uses “Alas, lord!” These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.