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אוֹת

𐤀𐤅𐤕

ʼôwth

H226 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אות to mark, to distinguish, to designate

Definition

Sign, symbol, mark, or distinguishing feature that serves as a visible representation or indicator, often of a message, covenant, or event. 'אוֹת' can refer to a sign given as divine communication (such as a miraculous event or portent), a physical mark or proof, an identifying emblem (such as a standard or banner), or a portent signifying future events. Its meaning varies depending on context: it can denote a miraculous act, a natural phenomenon identified as a sign, a physical or symbolic marker, or a representative symbol such as a letter in post-biblical Hebrew.

Semantic Range

sign, token (of covenant or agreement), miraculous event, omen, marker, standard/banner, memorial, symbol, portent; later: individual letter (of the alphabet)

Root / Etymology

The word אוֹת is most likely derived from the root אות (if distinct from אוּת, meaning 'to consent' or 'come'), but a definite root connection is debated. Many lexicographers suggest basic connotations of 'mark', 'sign', or 'distinction'. Related Semitic cognates (e.g., Akkadian 'ūtu', Ugaritic 'ʾit') also carry the meaning of sign or symbol. In post-biblical Hebrew, 'אוֹת' comes to mean 'letter' (of the alphabet) by extension. The root's core meaning is 'to distinguish, mark, designate.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אוֹת primarily denotes an observable sign or token, whether miraculous or natural, serving to validate, warn, or commemorate. In early Israelite texts, אוֹת frequently indicates a supernatural or divinely initiated event (e.g., the rainbow as a sign of the covenant in Genesis 9:12-17, the plagues in Egypt as signs in Exodus), but is also used for non-miraculous markers (e.g., Cain's mark in Genesis 4:15, the blood on doorposts in Exodus 12:13). In prophetic literature, אוֹת is often associated with predictive or confirming signs, sometimes miraculous and sometimes symbolic actions. During the monarchic and exilic periods, the term maintains its breadth, applied both to wondrous deeds and to tokens of covenant or memory. English translations often render אוֹת as 'sign', 'token', or 'miracle', but none of these exclusively capture its range, as the word can refer equally to supernatural phenomena and mundane markers. In later (post-biblical) Hebrew, אוֹת comes to denote the individual letters of the alphabet, a usage found in rabbinic literature but not in the Hebrew Bible.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from אוּת (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.; mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אות (ʾ-w-t) — marking, distinguishing, designating

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1942 הַוָּה the distinguishing sign
H225 אוּת we will consent
H852 אָת the attesting signs

Word Forms

17 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H226-07 א֔וֹת ot HNcbsa a sign distinguishing mark 17
H226-04 לְ/א֣וֹת leot HR/Ncbsc for a sign for a distinguishing sign 15
H226-02 הָ/א֔וֹת haot HTd/Ncbsa the sign the distinguishing-mark 12
H226-03 הָ/אֹת֜וֹת haotot HTd/Ncbpa the signs the distinguishing-marks 10
H226-08 אוֹתֹ֣ת otot HNcbpa signs distinguishing signs 6
H226-10 אֹתֹתַ֛/י ototay HNcbpc/Sp1cs my signs my distinguishing signs 4
H226-11 אֹֽתֹתָי/ו֙ ototayv HNcbpc/Sp3ms his signs his distinguishing signs 3
H226-01 בְּ/אֹתֹ֨ת beotot HR/Ncbpa by signs by signs 2
H226-05 לְ/אֹתֹת֙ leotot HR/Ncbpa for signs for distinguishing signs 2
H226-06 מֵ/אוֹתֹתֶ֑י/ךָ meototeykha HR/Ncbpc/Sp2ms at your signs from your signs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

79 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H226-05 Genesis 1:14 לְ/אֹתֹת֙ leotot HR/Ncbpa for signs for distinguishing signs
H226-07 Genesis 4:15 א֔וֹת ot HNcbsa sign distinguishing mark
H226-07 Genesis 9:12 אֽוֹת ot HNcbsc is the sign distinguishing mark
H226-04 Genesis 9:13 לְ/א֣וֹת leot HR/Ncbsc for a sign for a distinguishing sign
H226-07 Genesis 9:17 אֽוֹת ot HNcbsc sign distinguishing mark
H226-04 Genesis 17:11 לְ/א֣וֹת leot HR/Ncbsc a sign for a distinguishing sign
H226-02 Exodus 3:12 הָ/א֔וֹת haot HTd/Ncbsa the sign the distinguishing-mark
H226-02 Exodus 4:8 הָ/אֹ֣ת haot HTd/Ncbsa the sign the distinguishing-mark
H226-02 Exodus 4:8 הָ/אֹ֥ת haot-2 HTd/Ncbsa the sign the distinguishing-mark
H226-03 Exodus 4:9 הָ/אֹת֜וֹת haotot HTd/Ncbpa signs the distinguishing-marks
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