אָטֵר
𐤀𐤈𐤓
Ater
H333 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name designating several Israelites in biblical genealogies; transliterated as 'Ater' in English Bibles. The term itself functions solely as a personal name and is not used as a common noun or adjective in the Hebrew Bible. The underlying root suggests the sense of 'lame' or 'maimed,' but this meaning does not attach to the individuals named Ater—rather, the name may reflect a family or ancestral nickname, physical characteristic, or commemorative designation.
Semantic Range
proper name (Ater); possible underlying sense of 'maimed' or 'lame' (not used as a common adjective or noun)
Root / Etymology
From the root אָטַר (ʼṭr), meaning 'to be maimed' or 'lame.' The vocalization and form אָטֵר (ʼÂṭêr) is utilized as a proper name and does not occur as a common noun or adjective in the Hebrew Bible. The root itself occurs rarely, with the derived sense appearing only in proper names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אָטֵר (ʼÂṭêr) occurs as a personal name in post-exilic genealogical lists (Ezra 2:16, Nehemiah 7:21, Nehemiah 10:18), identifying heads of families returning from Babylonian exile. In these texts, Ater names either an individual or an ancestral house within the Israelite community—most likely Judahite families. No narrative details accompany the name, and it does not denote a geographic or tribal affiliation distinct from the broader lists in which it appears. The semantic link between 'maimed' and the proper name is uncertain in terms of intent—whether it originally denoted a physical characteristic, commemorated an event, or was simply an ancestral nickname. English translation traditions render the name as 'Ater' without reference to its possible literal meaning; there is no theological or historical basis for reading it as a description or pejorative. The term has no connotations of religious or ethnic identity particular to later periods and should not be conflated with later Judean or Jewish identities.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָטַר; maimed; Ater, the name of three Israelites; Ater.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אטר (ʾ-ṭ-r) — to be maimed, to be lame, to be impaired
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H333-01 |
אָטֵ֥ר | ater | HNp |
Ater | Ater | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H333-01 |
Ezra 2:16 | אָטֵ֥ר | ater | HNp |
Ater | Ater |
H333-01 |
Ezra 2:42 | אָטֵר֙ | ater | HNp |
Ater | Ater |
H333-01 |
Nehemiah 7:21 | אָטֵ֥ר | ater | HNp |
Ater | Ater |
H333-01 |
Nehemiah 7:45 | אָטֵר֙ | ater | HNp |
Ater | Ater |
H333-01 |
Nehemiah 10:18 | אָטֵ֥ר | ater | HNp |
Ater | Ater |