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אָח

𐤀𐤇

ʼâch

H251 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אָח brother, kin, male sibling, associate

Definition

A male sibling sharing one or both parents with the subject; by extension, a member of the same kin or clan; metaphorically, a companion, associate, or ally; at times used for a fellow member of the Israelite people or for those bound by treaty, covenant, or shared ethnic identity. Usage ranges from direct blood relations to more extended or figurative senses of association, solidarity, or similarity.

Semantic Range

male sibling; paternal or maternal half-brother; member of kin group; clan or tribal member; fellow Israelite; covenant partner; close companion; political or treaty ally; metaphorical peer or associate; element in compound personal names

Root / Etymology

From the root אָח, whose core meaning concerns brotherhood or kinship; the word itself is a primary noun and not clearly derived from a broader verbal root. The form varies in construct (אֲחִי), plural (אַחִים), and feminine counterpart (אָחוֹת). Etymology outside Hebrew is uncertain, though cognates appear in other Semitic languages (e.g., Akkadian 'ahu', Ugaritic 'aḫ', Arabic 'ʼakh'). The concept is rooted in Semitic kinship systems.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In patriarchal narratives, אָח most often refers to a full or half-brother (e.g., Cain and Abel; Esau and Jacob), but can also denote extended kin (e.g., Abraham and Lot's relationship characterized as 'brothers' for social solidarity). In the legal and ritual texts of the Torah, אָח signifies members of the same extended family or clan (e.g., Leviticus 25's rules about redeeming an impoverished brother). In Deuteronomic and prophetic literature, the term takes on the sense of a fellow Israelite or covenant partner, distinguishing within and sometimes against outsiders (e.g., Deuteronomy 15:3: 'your brother' vs. 'the foreigner'). In poetic and wisdom literature, metaphorical extensions highlight deep friendship or close association (e.g., Proverbs 17:17). Over time, the term broadened to express political alliances or international kinship (e.g., between Israel and Edom in Amos 1:9–10). English translations such as 'brother' may understate wider kinship or alliance connotations found in Hebrew contexts. The related term רֵעַ (rea‘) usually denotes a friend or companion without necessary blood ties, while אָח often conveys closer or formal kin bonds. In proper names prefixed with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-', the element expresses kin association, not always literal brotherhood. The later English term 'Jew' is anachronistic for most biblical contexts where אָח appears, and modern readers should be wary of importing later senses of religious community that did not exist at the time.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אח (ʾ-ḥ) — brotherhood, kinship, male sibling, clan solidarity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H252 אַח your brothers
H253 אָח brother
H254 אָח the firepot
H255 אֹחַ howling wild creatures
H264 אַחֲוָה the brotherhood

Word Forms

70 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H251-19 אָחִ֖י/ו achiv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his brother his brother 88
H251-25 אֶחָ֖י/ו echayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his brothers his brothers 73
H251-10 אָחִ֖/י achi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my brother my brother 60
H251-68 וְ/אֶחָי/ו֙ veechayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and his brothers and his brothers 53
H251-14 אָחִ֑י/ךָ achikha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your brother your brother 51
H251-06 אֲחֵי/הֶ֛ם acheyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their brothers their brothers 37
H251-07 אַחֶ֨י/ךָ֙ acheykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms your brothers your brothers 19
H251-08 אֲחֵי/כֶם֙ acheykhem HNcmpc/Sp2mp your brothers your brothers 18
H251-04 אֲחֵ֥י achey HNcmpc brothers of brothers of 16
H251-16 אֲחִי/כֶ֥ם achikhem HNcmsc/Sp2mp your brother your brother 16

Occurrences in Scripture

630 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H251-19 Genesis 4:2 אָחִ֖י/ו achiv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his brother his brother
H251-19 Genesis 4:8 אָחִ֑י/ו achiv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his brother his brother
H251-19 Genesis 4:8 אָחִ֖י/ו achiv-2 HNcmsc/Sp3ms his brother his brother
H251-14 Genesis 4:9 אָחִ֑י/ךָ achikha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your brother your brother
H251-10 Genesis 4:9 אָחִ֖/י achi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my brother my brother
H251-14 Genesis 4:10 אָחִ֔י/ךָ achikha HNcmsc/Sp2ms of your brother your brother
H251-14 Genesis 4:11 אָחִ֖י/ךָ achikha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your brother your brother
H251-19 Genesis 4:21 אָחִ֖י/ו achiv HNcmsc/Sp3ms of his brother his brother
H251-19 Genesis 9:5 אָחִ֔י/ו achiv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his brother his brother
H251-25 Genesis 9:22 אֶחָ֖י/ו echayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms brothers his brothers
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