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אֲחֹרַנִּית

𐤀𐤇𐤓𐤍𐤉𐤕

ʼăchôrannîyth

H322 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Directional adverb indicating movement or orientation toward the rear or back, or referencing a backward direction in space, time, or sequence. Used to describe location (behind), motion (going backwards), or reversal (again to a previous state).

Semantic Range

backward motion, retreat, reversal, situated at or towards the rear, again (to a previous state or orientation), figurative reversal of direction or allegiance

Root / Etymology

From the root אחר (ʼ-ch-r), meaning 'after, behind, following'. The formation אֲחֹרַנִּית utilizes the suffix ־ַנִּית, a feminine form often used for adverbs of manner or direction, thus indicating the manner or orientation of being 'backwards' or 'to the rear'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term אֲחֹרַנִּית appears in poetic or emphatic contexts, often to intensify the sense of moving or being situated toward the back, or being secondary or subsequent. There is overlap with other directional adverbs from אחר such as אָחוֹר (behind, backwards). It is not a common prose term but is found in poetic, prophetic, or rhetorical passages (see e.g., Ezekiel 8:16). English translations such as 'backward,' 'toward the rear,' or 'again' often capture the spatial idea but may under-represent literary nuance or the emphasis on reversal or apostasy in prophetic usage. In post-exilic writings, directional adverbs continue to convey both literal and figurative senses (returning to former ways, turning away from a covenant, etc.). Contrast with נֶגֶד/פְּנֵי (before, in front), which denote a forward or confrontational direction.

Translation Consistency

primary "back" 0 occurrences

'Back' is the most natural, common English word covering spatial backward motion, orientation toward the rear, and figurative reversal/return. It reads smoothly in a wide range of contexts and matches the typical usage of אֲחֹרַנִּית better than the more formal 'rearward.'

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"backward" (7x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

prolonged from אָחוֹר; backwards; back (-ward, again).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r) — behind, after, following, delay

Root אחר to be behind, come after, follow, be late, delay
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H268 אָחוֹר rear
H309 אָחַר he delayed
H310 אַחַר after, behind
H311 אַחַר behind / after
H312 אַחֵר another (masculine)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H322-01 אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית achoranit HD backward rearward backward 7

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H322-01 Genesis 9:23 אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית achoranit HD backwards rearward backward
H322-01 Genesis 9:23 אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית achoranit-2 HD backwards rearward backward
H322-01 1 Samuel 4:18 אֲחֹ֨רַנִּ֜ית achoranit HD backward rearward backward
H322-01 1 Kings 18:37 אֲחֹרַנִּֽית achoranit HD back again rearward backward
H322-01 2 Kings 20:10 אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית achoranit HD backward rearward backward
H322-01 2 Kings 20:11 אֲחֹֽרַנִּ֖ית achoranit HD backward rearward backward
H322-01 Isaiah 38:8 אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית achoranit HD backward rearward backward
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